Axochitl's Aid
Temple of Eluna, evening.
The chill of the outdoors leads to the welcome relief of the inside of the Temple of Eluna, kept warm as a relief from the winter cold. The dark overhead in the sky means that the reflective pool in the center of the Temple is dark. There's no winter moon to admire nor the stars above. Eluna's brilliance is hidden from the world, but it is not necessarily absent--just waiting behind the clouds.
Someone waits nervously in the foyer. A sith-makar with white scales, somewhat slender of build. They are bundled in furs as white as the scales and shiver from time to time. Alexandria is no Am'shere, after all. It is much colder in the winters here compared to back home. But the bright silver eyes look out, waiting for two people to enter the building.
Were Seldan in another world, another place and time, the pithy words of General Akbar would be ringing four inches behind his eyes, and would have been doing so since he received the mysterious letter - "I know more of Yaonemitl, and I have journeyed from Am'shere to tell you the truth." A strange letter, to be sure, and while the paladin is inclined to hear the words, given the meetinmg place and time, caution nonetheless prompts him in his approach.
Thus does he arise from his meditation by the holy pool, fully clad in armor and arms, his prayers for the evening completed and his mind refreshed and relaxed. The chill seems to have no hold over him, and he approaches the whitescale with some curiosity, the unfamiliar figure and mien nonetheless a stark reminder of someone else.
"Her light upon your path," he approaches her with a formal bow. "Seek you Silverguard Seldan?"
The temple's warmth is a welcome balm for those who are affected by the chill. Even those who disdain the bite of winter can still appreciate the environs. Telamon kneels on a prayer rug before the reflecting pool, his eyes closed, meditating. Dressed in simple linen robes decorated with angular embroidery along the hems, the half-sil sorcerer breathes in and out, his mind starting to surface from his prayers and contemplations. Indeed, while Sir Seldan walks past, Telamon stirs, opening his eyes.
Blinking, as he sees the Silverguard go past -- he hadn't realized the man was here -- but then seeing him approach the whitescale, his eyebrows rise in interest. Smoothly, he rises to his feet, and begins to amble after Seldan, eyes curious.
Zeke was a touch pensive about the letter that he'd received telling him to meet someone - unknown to him - here at the Temple of Eluna to learn more about an individual whom Zeke had only met once but already had an intense dislike of. He'd informed Cuemoni immediately about the situation, wanting her to keep herself safe while he checked into this situation. He didn't exactly trust that this wasn't some ploy by the other sith-makar. Either to pull Zeke away from Cuemoni and try to abduct her, or to ambush him. Though admittedly it would be rather foolish to attempt to ambush him in the Temple to Eluna.
He spots Seldan approaching a white scaled sith from a short distance away and he draws closer himself. Even noting that Telamon seems to be in the vicinity. He notices more as he draws closer. Zeke comes to a stop a comfortable distance away and nods politely to the white scale. "Peassce on your nesssst." He nods as well to Seldan and Telamon. "Are you a relative of Cuemoni'sss?" His tone is polite and respectful.
"Yes," the whitescale replies simultaneously to both Zeke and Seldan's questions. "This one is looking for both Silverguard Seldan and the Sunguard Shaman Zeke. This one is also a relative of Cuemoni's--we were not of the same nest, but we shared egg-mothers. This one is younger than her."
Her silver eyes nictate as she bows before the group. "This one is called Axochitl. This one... was Yaonemitl's mate in years past. This one knows much about the Warrior, and the Warrior's fixation on Cuemoni." Her tail shakes nervously.
Seldan's eyebrows lift at this, and he turns to greet both Zeke and Telamon with inclined heads. He certainly seems to know exactly what this whitescale is talking about, and the steady, even features still and go cool. "Yaonemitl desires to lure Zeke's cihuaa from him," he explains tersely to Telamon, "and attempted to falsify a prophecy within the Dreamer's holy temple, to lure her from him. He will find no allies here."
He turns then, back to Axochitl, surveying her thoughtfully. "You once knew him, then. You are brave, to venture so far to warn us. What prompted you to do so?"
GAME: Seldan rolls sense motive: (8)+24: 32
Well, Telamon overheard that. His expression becomes mildly pensive, sensing something here he hasn't been told about. Starry eyes flick to Zeke, and then he listens to Sir Seldan's tale. His face grows icy cold for a moment. "Do you want something unfortunate to happen to the fellow?" he asks in a toneless, flat voice. As impersonal as a solar flare.
He takes a moment to control his temper, before turning the charm on Axochitl. "Indeed. A pleasure to meet you. I am called Shaman Telamon Lupecyll-Atlon. I bore witness to Zeke and Cuemoni declaring they were cihuaa." Another glitter of ice in his gaze. "Of course, my question would be -- why does he play at such a dangerous game?"
It's not actually that surprising to Zeke to learn this information. Mates - or casual relationships - are common among the sith-makar. While Yaonemitl is clearly unstable, from Zeke's perception - and surely from that of many others - he is a healthy male who might be a reasonable candidate for a mate. Zeke doesn't doubt a word of Axochitl's explanation. "Thisss one isss glad that you came to ssshare wordsss with thisss one. However... how did you know to contact thisss one? Or thiss onesss kin?"
Green eyes flicker toward Telamon and Zeke rumbles low in his chest. A sound of interest and caution. "Yaonemitl hasss committed no crime that thisss one knowsss of sssave deception. Even ssso hisss... blasssphemy isss repugnant."
Axochitl gives a slight nod to Seldan's explanation of the situation. "This one overheard the Warrior when he came home last," she says. "He was ranting and raving of a softskin and a sith-makar 'interloper' in the prophecy and the plans. This one... Does not believe the prophecy is real. Not wholly. Not when this one has witnessed the Warrior try to pester Cuemoni into becoming a mate before. Not when... This one has been told that she ought to be a turquoise-scale, like Cuemoni. He has a fixation on her scales. He also has a fixation on siring a nest of turquoise-scaled hatchlings so that he can prove that he is fated to save the Xiuhcoatl tribe."
A rumble leaves her as she looks at Telamon. "Our tribe is dying. We have been... pressured, in recent times, to make nests and take mates to reproduce. Cuemoni refused, and so her refusal was honored. But when Cuemoni refused, the Warrior Yaonemitl approached this one to take as a mate. This one, eventually, said yes--out of a sense of duty to the tribe." She sounds uncomfortable now. "This one has yet to have a single egg hatch. The tribe has lost the blessing of Xiuhcoatl, the spirit who watches over the tribe."
Axochitl gives a small huff, like a sigh. "So this one seeks to speak more on Warrior Yaonemitl and his motivations by finding the softskin and the sith-makar interloper. This one learned of your identities and, once in Alexandria, this one could send letters. This one apologizes for any concern or fear brought up by this one's actions."
Something in Seldan relaxes, watching her speak, and he seems satisfied, inclining his head. "I see. Greater than he have called me enemy." That is accompanied by a quirk of the lips and a tone that Zeke will know from experience, and Telamon will readily read, as controlled amusement. "Cuemoni has spoken something of your tribe, and your warrior spoke his prophecy within these holy halls." His opinion remains unspoken, but Telamon will hear it clearly - he is not buying it.
"I would hear your words, and your wisdom, Axochitl."
Telamon just shakes his head. "It'd be simpler. But... as you wish, Zeke." He scowls. "The tribe's woes are not irrelevant. It may be that Yaonemitl's behavior is turning the eyes of the spirits, and the gods, from your tribe. While my opinion of the warrior may be low, the tribe deserves the chance to survive and thrive."
He looks at Axochitl with a kindly smile. "There may be options. But please, continue, as Sir Seldan has asked."
Zeke blinks his eyes slowly, and they nictate in a telling manner that expresses his sense of unease. "Axochitl... Have you laid eggs, and then they failed to produce hatchlingsss?" His voice is soft, with gentle curiosity. He doesn't mean to interrupt, but this may be important information as well.
"This decline has happened in the span of a century, before this one was hatched, and before the Warrior was hatched, but this one... feels that Yaonemitl is not helping matters by claiming false prophecy," Axochitl replies. "This one cannot believe he was so arrogant to claim such in the Temple of the Dreaming Dragon."
She turns her eyes to Zeke and nods. "For two years now, that has been the case," she says. "None of them hatched. Many nests in the tribe have resulted in eggs that do not hatch, and the hatchlings that survive... Many of them do not make it past the first year. Yaonemitl told this one that he would not take this one as a mate this year. He said this one... must be broken in some way. That only Cuemoni and her blessed scales of Xiuhcoatl's favor were suitable enough to make eggs with healthy hatchlings inside." The pain in her words is a hard thing to listen to.
Seldan's eyes lower at the pain in Axochitl's voice, and he takes a long moment to speak. "And he believes that he is suitable to father such. None would I curse with such as he. And yet - might this curse have another source, one that it has not come to him to seek out? If there be such a curse, then surely we might learn more?"
Telamon's eyes glitter again with that ice. "Broken. Hm." There's something extremely dangerous in his expression, that he barely manages to submerge under his congenial smile. "Sir Seldan has a point. Something is very wrong. But it is likely Yaonemitl has become obsessed with the notion that he will break this curse. It does not occur to him he may be wrong."
Zeke is somehow not surprised by Axochitl's words and yet stunned at the same time. For a male to say such a thing to a female... feels utterly foreign to him. Gently he moves slightly forward, offering a comforting presence to the female. It's a slightly defensive movement, as if he could protect her from the pain that this other male had caused even though he is not here. He knows well how painful words can be, and these... are utterly despicable. "You are not broken."
Zeke's eyes are as firm as his voice. "Thisss one doess not believe that. Thiss one doess not know why ssso few hatchlingsss are being born, but if it isss happening to many, an not only to you... then you can not be the sssource." The blue scale's eyes narrow and he shakes his head. "Thisss one thinkss that it iss time that thisss one ssaught ssome anssswersss. Ssso, thisss one will do ssso."
He looks at Telamon and Seldan. "Thisss one would asssk that you aid thisss one. If thisss one communess with the Dragonfather, perhapsss sssome anssswersss may be had."
It is clear that Axochitl is touched by Zeke's kindness. Her silver eyes inspect him, and there's a look there that appreciates his compassion, that accepts it with the tenderness that she was not given by her former mate. "This one is grateful for your kind words, Shaman of the Dragonfather," Axochitl says gently. "It is no surprise to this one now that Cuemoni took you as cihuaa." There's a mote of happiness in her voice for her relative.
"This one thinks that the curse--as this one cannot think of anything else it can be--must be on the tribe, or perhaps on the spirit Xiuhcoatl himself," Axochitl replies to Seldan's question. "This one does not know, however. This one is not a Shaman. This one helps to cook and clean for the tribe; this one does not know the way of spirits like Cuemoni does."
Seldan's head lifts, and turns first to Zeke. "That shall I do, kin. For I, too, desire to know the truth. I would do what this warrior in his arrogance does not, that the tribe might be healthy and whole."
He turns, then, to Axochitl. "Fear not, Axochitl. You have done well, in coming to us. It seems to me that in this are we of one mind - to learn the truth, and do what we may. Much do I owe the People, for more than once have they aided me in my need. It pleases me to return the favor." He straightens, and inclines his head, assuming a parade-rest stance. "For it is as Zeke says. You are not broken. The fault lies not with you."
Telamon breathes deeply to focus his emotions. "Indeed. Zeke, I will do what I can to aid Axochitl's tribe in this as well." He offers Axochitl a smile. "It is not in my nature to let others suffer, if I can aid them and relieve their suffering."
To Seldan, he remarks, "I had told you about my wandering in the realm of dreams, to tease out hidden truths. It seems I'll be putting that to use once again." His eyes twinkle. "A worthy cause, though."
Zeke ducks his head at the complement that Axochitl offers and then he nods to her just as politely. "Do you have a plassce to sstay? Or do you intend to return to your tribe now?" He doesn't want to simply dismiss her without knowing where she will be.
Axochitl bows her head at Seldan's and Telamon's kind words, too. "This one is reassured by the warmth of the softskins this one has encountered," she says. "In truth, this one... has never left Am'shere before. But this was too important a thing to not do. This one felt it needed to give information."
Her silver gaze returns to Zeke. "This one will return to the Xiuhcoatl tribe," Axochitl replies. "This one does not have a place to stay longer than the night--this one has rented a room in an inn. It is okay. This one will likely not be noticed by Yaonemitl--the Warrior has not paid this one any attention since he put this one aside."
"So long as she does not linger," Seldan murmurs quietly. "Very well. The information is welcome indeed." He turns, then, to Zeke and to Telamon, inclining his head at the mention of dreams. "A worthy cause indeed. Do you seek what the Dreamer can tell you, I shall aid Zeke in his communing. Let us learn what we may. Think you we should share with Cuemoni?" he asks them of the pair. "I think it well that she know of this."
"Absolutely," Telamon replies to Seldan's question. "To do otherwise would force Zeke to keep secrets from his cihuaa. Cuemoni needs to know what is transpiring, and to ensure she is aware Yaonemitl is still slinking around." He rubs his chin. "Zeke, I will need to pay a call on you after I complete this dream-walk."
The blue scale gives Axochitl a long look. "Axochitl... Thisss one knowsss that it isss hard when you care for sssome-one and they treat you badly. The feelingsss that you are not good enough. That you are... broken. It isss harder when sssome-one tellsss you thesse wordsss. You are a fine young female. You dessserve better than thisss lying male who hass treated you badly. Take care of your-ssself, and if you ever return, thisss one will be glad to greet you and ssshare wordsss with you again."
His green eyes turn toward the other two and he gives them an amused expression, though he's not sure that they can read it well. "Thisss one hasss already told Cuemoni of thisss meeting. Thisss one will ssshare wordss with her about what thisss one hasss learned asss sssoon asss isss posssible. Thisss one will welcome you in thisss oness home Telamon, when you are available to sshare wordss. Or we can meet you at yoursss."
Axochitl gives a warm look at Zeke, but there's a little rumble of laughter in her chest. "This one... Never cared for Yaonemitl as a cihuaa," she says. "This one merely tried to do what was right for the tribe in taking a mate. But it still hurt to be told this one was broken. It is part of why this one came to speak."
She bows before the trio. "This one will depart. Peace upon your nests," she says, before departing quickly from the temple through the doors, having played her role.
Seldan's eyes lower, his expression closing into the alabaster pillar when Telamon mentions keeping secrets from a cihuaa. He says nothing, but raises his head after a moment to look after the whitescale, then at Zeke. "Please summon me when you wish to perform the communing. I shall await you. Until then, Her light upon your path, both of you."
With that, he turns to take himself into the back of the temple, where the cell he maintains here holds the rest of his gear, and strides away without further word.