Offerings for a Pure Soul

Log Info

• Title: Offerings for a Pure Soul
• Emitter: Schara
• Characters: Schara, Slixvah, Verna, Seldan, Zeke
• Place: Vardaman Temple
• Time: February 22, 2023
• Summary: Schara, Slixvah, Seldan, and Zeke visit the Temple of Vardama to pay respects to the late Kira. Verna, ever present in her duties, keeps the fitting rain off of everyone as those that wish say their words and place their offerings.

Vardaman Temple, early afternoon.

There was a gray sky to accompany the gray temple of the gray halls. What had started as an overcast sky broke into a heavy downspour in the brief respite from the tail end of winter. Situated on one of the many stone steps up to the building was a brown haired elf in a heavy overcoat, sitting down with their back up against a wall and an umbrella propped up next to and over them. They kept glancing up to the temple and away juat as quickly, their face protected by the umbrella, but still stained by water.

Another figure is walking up the long path to the temples. This being a rust red and white egalrin woman, though her attire was the total opposite of their usual. Instead of bright colors, every piece of clothing was that of a shade of grey and black. Though, bits of blue are thrown into the mix. She too has an umbrella, and is ambling forth at a steady pace with a covered basket in her arm.

The hurried glances of the elf up and back from the temple manage to catch the arrival of an egalrin who is much more difficult to spot than usual, but not enough to stop Schara from noticing them. The artificer wiggles off the step to get to their feet, and quickly walks over to where Slixvah was, swinging their arms a bit awkwardly into a hug as they cried openly anew, a strange juxtaposition to the smile of relief on their face.

"Slixvah it is so good to see you are okay and still here today, even if it isn't good to see you have to be here today. I was so worried after hearing the news and not hearing from you, but I'm glad you're alright, at least physically." The elf rambles.

Umbrellas are all the rage this day, with the precipitation likely contributing to the fad. While Mourner Verna typically relies upon her cloak, as she moves from the temple proper and to the front steps, she opens a deflection device of her own. Given the rather lengthy handle and significant span, it is entirely possible that its purpose is less for her and more for those in the immediate vicinity.

Slix blinks as she sees Schara, a tired yet warm smile in her eyes before- confusion? Hug! Hug incoming! Both arms raise to keep the basket and umbrella out of the swinging prothstetics, but black and grey ribboned wings wrap easily around the elf. "Sssshhh... sssshhh..." she hushes quietly. "Everything's aight, sugar. I'm totally fine. I hope ya been feelin' betta, wit' ya bein' sick and what not."

She looks up to the temple, a languid sigh leaving her. But the weather doesn't mar bird vision much, and she spies a familiar figure. "Busy, Mourner?" she quips across the way.

The elf huffs once, and awkwardly squeezes the egalrin once more, before she steps back, and shakes her head. "I am bad at lying, and bad at telling lies, but even I can tell that is not entirely true." The artificer states bluntly. "You're partly saying that to make me feel better and put me at ease, otherwise, why would you be here, wearing mourning clothes? Why would you look like you got nearly as little sleep as I do some days?"

Schara sighs, and hangs her head, catching sight of the mourner and offering a half hearted wave. "I am not feeling better, I am sorry." She continues. "Well, I am feeling less sick, and yet, I am feeling worse than when I was sick, if that makes sense. I'd rather be feeling like I couldn't get out of bed, than being healthy and this happening."

Verna turns to the pair at the inquiry and takes a step towards. "All is not notably more active than other days, yet more active than desired, dependent on one's point of view. If you seek shelter, aid, information, or other, you are welcome to seek such within. The temple may or may not provide needed answers, but it does fend off the rain."

Slixvah gives a squeeze with her wings, a few of the feathers on them animating to pat Schara's head. "Sadness is fine and natural, hon. I just... dressed up fo' the occasion and pay respects," she sighs, looking just as tired as the artificer points out. Wings release her. "I understand. Sucks."

She nudges Schara to move towards the temple proper, as she herself heads up that way towards Verna. "Yeah. If it was never active, then somethin' is terrible wrong. Circle of life and all that. Appreciate ya doin' ya duties," she nods towards Verna.

The elf sighs, leaning against Slixvah as their head is patted, unable to feel anything with a hug of their own, but still able to appreciate one returned. "It does not feel fine Slixvah." She continues with a frown as she continues up to the temple, stopping to pick up her umbrella and tuck it into her arm to keep it aloft. "Did I do something wrong? Could have I done something to stop this? If she was sick, why didn't I notice or help?" The artificer continues rambling before they reach the mourner. "I am sorry, miss Verna, it is good to see you, even if our reason for being here isn't good. We, we're here to pay respects for Kira today."

Verna ahs softly and dips her hood. She steps further to meet them upon the steps, lifting the over-sized umbrella over all. This is only made possible by the extremely lengthy handle. "You both are not the first, nor is it likely you shall be the last. You are bereaved, you are discomforted. Yet the reason for your visit is to honor a decedent. Is that not a good reason?"

Slixvah shakes her head. "Hon, no. Stop. Gettin' stuck on the woulda coulda shoulda is a right way ta spiral. Kira's a kind soul, and whatever it was, ain't worth getting fussed ova. Just best ta keep on keepin' on."

She puts her umbrella away to duck under Verna's. "Vivi's got the right of it, Scha-Scha." She offers the covered basket to Verna. "Here, I gots some bread fo' anyone comin' today. Figured Kira would like that."

Another pair makes their way towards the Temple bastion, but this time from above, not below. A pale-haired man accompanies a blue sith-makar with crystal limbs on the left side of his body, keeping pace without pushing it unduly. Seldan seems inclined to allow Zeke to lead the pair, his own mien quietly reserved.

"It is and isn't a good reason." The elf sighs. "This whole thing is just a paradox to me of contradictory meanings and feelings and I don't get any of it and I really do not like not understanding things."

"Not worth getting fussed over?" Schara asks of the egalrin, tilting her head. "Of course it is Slixvah, why would people be visiting if they didn't care?" She asks as she wedges her umbrella closed. "I barely got to know her when I really wanted to understand her better, and now she's gone. And I was too hung up on what to make of her connections to the gods that I didn't ask her to be my friend when I should have, and now I can't even ask."

Zeke for his part, walks at his usual moderate pace. Which while not being precisely slow, is not fast either. He makes his way to the building, his crystal limbs shining resplendently, and his new blue cloak a sharp contrast to his white vestments. As they approach people, Zeke offers a polite nod and an even politer greeting. "Peasssce on your nessst."

Schara has partially disconnected.

"Sometimes feelings are just are, Scha-Scha," Slix somberly intones. "Never said it meant not care, I just meant getting hung up on the 'would-haves' is all." Adding in as a hum, "I'm sho' she already considered ya a friend. She seemed ta be the kind tha' believed 'strangers are friends ya ain't met yet'."

She steps under the temple entrance, shaking off her wings. Spying some folk coming up, and recognizing one of them, she loots a couple small loaves of bread and offers both to Seldan and Zeke as they approach. "Peace on your nest, land-brother, Seldan," she greets warmly, if a bit tired. "Want some bread?"

"Not always," Seldan intones quietly, approaching the pair with that quiet reserve and accepting the bread from Slixvah. "Her light upon your path. If it is Sentinel Kira of whom you speak, she and I were not always friends." He turns to look at his companion, though, at the offer of bread. "And yet was she a friend to this city, and will be missed."

Schara looks up and to the others joining them, wiping free her face and scratching a cheek slightly from one of the wooden arms. "I know you're right Slixvah. It just doesn't feel easier." The elf sighs. "Don't worry mister Zeke, I promised Skielstregar that I would not bother you, and I am not feeling well enough even if I wanted to, so you can go about your business. And hello sir Seldan, good day. The city is, I'll need to do a lot more to help out here to make up for her being gone."

Zeke looks at the bread for a long moment. "Thisss one isss grateful for the offer, but thisss one declinesss. Kira... sssshe would under-ssstand." There's a story there, but not one that Zeke immediately offers, instead he nods his head again politely to everyone. He seems to hesitate at Schara, and her words seem to make him fall into contemplation. "Thisss one iss grateful that thisss one will not be... quesssstioned at thisss time."

Schara has reconnected.

"And her light upon ya'lls," Slix returns to Seldan, giving a dip of the head towards Zeke and depositing the bread back into the basket. "Yeah. Talkin' 'bout Kira. Me and Scha-Scha ain't know her much, but she was right kind. Brought bread fo' people comin', 'cause it sounds like something she'd do."

She glances to Schara, her visage softening. "I'm sure ya been doin' well wit' tha', sugar. Wit' all th' work ya been doin'."

The egalrin swivels her sky blue gaze on the makari. "Ah. So this is Zeke. Pleased ta meet ya, tho', wish it was unda betta circumstances. Name's Slixah Unmesi. Typically I'd do a whole song and dance wit' my introduction, but... don't really feel like it, so you'll have ta excuse me on tha' front." Her (in)famous rainbow ribboned wings are instead decorated in shades of grey, black, and dark blues.

Seldan merely inclines his head at Zeke, and from his subtle relaxation and acceptance, he seems to know something of that story as well. He turns away from the sith-makar, and to the other two instead. "Do what you can, for that is what she did. It is in my mind that that would be all she would be likely to ask." He takes a step back, to allow Zeke easier access to where the offerings are laid, if he so desires. "Bringing bread is a fine tribute to her memory, for she would have done the same."

Verna stiffens at the shortened appelation which Slixvah uses and remains so for a moment before relaxing. She remains at the periphery of those gathering and conversing: initially to provide shelter via umbrella to those adjacent; later to simply be present once under the cover of the temple.

She is a Mourner, thus here to aid the Bereaved as she would. It is not her place to speak of those deceased. Not unlike the basalt of the temple, she stands as quiet foundation for those who might have need.

"It's, not quite enough. You'd probably need a whole group of people to keep up. Don't worry if you can't give away all the bread here, Kira was telling me about places where there were a lot of people in need, so we can check there, after." She offers. The elf tilts their head, and nods once to Slixvah, patting the egalrin on the back.

"His name is Zeke, he has no beak but he's still not weak. Hope you find what you seek this day of the week." She greets in a slightly sing-song tone, before bursting into quiet laughter. "Did I do a good enough job, Slixvah?"

Zeke nods once more politely to Slixvah. "Thisss one underssttandsss. It isss a pleasssure to meet you, even if the scircumsstancesss are lesss than desssireable." To say the least. Schara gets an odd look from Zeke, and then Seldan steps aside and the sith-makar steps up to where offerings are laid out. He bows to the offerings, and then lays one of his own amongst them. It is a simple, undecorated platinum band. A ring cut to human size. "Ssssaa Kira. Thisss one ssshould have protected you better when thisss one had the chansce. Thisss one ssshould have been lesss afraid. You sssuffered for thisss onesss ssake, not onsce, but many timesss, and thisss one owess you a debt that can now never be repaid. Thisss one... wissshesss you the happinesss and peasce that the Death-sssinging dragon offersss."

The blue scale bows his head, and then quietly steps aside himself, clearly struggling with his emotions. He looks at Seldan and offers a weak wag of his tail. "Thisss one will do better."

Slixvah bobs her head. "Yeah, Seldan's got the right of it. And I'm glad ya think so," she coos. There is a glance at Verna's reaction to the impromptu nickname, but its filed away for later. She's given a closed eye beak smile-

She quirks her head sharply at Schara. Blinks. Then bursts into laughter, an arm curling into her gut. "O-Oh, gods, that was great, Scha-Scha!" she roughly enthuses. Emotions were a weird thing at present.

Her laughter dies to giggles, then is laid to rest in silence so that Zeke could speak without impedance. She listens, wings drooping slightly. But her gaze squints at the ring... Oh. Damn. Poor guy. "Kind of ya, ta offer such a thing," she chirps to Zeke, seemingly understanding the implications of such a small item.

She supposes it was her turn, stepping forth towards the offerings. Her beak grinds slightly. "Hey-a Kira, miss ya. I ain't know much, but m'hunch is pretty clutch and I know ya've helped a bunch. It was nice ta meet, greet, drink, teach, and even ya preach was on the right-on street. Pure soul, wander on, I kno' Althea can' wait fo' ya ta help out in the big soup cauldron in th' sky." Her voice cracks a touch near the end before she shudders, sniffles, and wipes her eyes off on her shoulders before stepping aside.

For his part, Seldan remains silent, merely watching Zeke as he offers last respects, and offering both hands to Zeke when he is done. He says nothing further to the other two at all, for the moment.

"Sorry, I don't know what came over me, I hope it was not too much." The artiifcer sighs softly. "I just figured, I'd help out if I could, but it's not a perfect replacement for Slixvah's usual exuberance."

The elf is polite enough to remain silent for those making offerings. Only when the others were done did she step forward, whatever jovial spirit that had overtaken them gone for the moment. She reached into her coat, and pulled out a small bronze amulet, shaped like a small flame that was set down with the rest. "It doesn't take much for me to leave something like this for you Kira since you probably wouldn't want it if it meant someone was going to be in need. It only matters when you put your own energy and effort into it, that's when it becomes something that can make the world a better place. And you poured a lot of your own energy into making this place better in service of your dream, you always wanted to help people and it just led to your goals aligning with the gods, and that means a lot to me and I wish I had a chance to understand that connection better but what time you had and the time I have to contemplate it in the future will have to be enough. And I won't forget the dream you shared with me, when I told you it may not happen in your lifetime I wasn't expecting that to be so soon, but I won't let it stop there. I promise I'll do my best to help, and make this a world people can live in peace."

finished with her ramblings, the elf steps back, hanging her head and crying openly.

Zeke moves all the way to Seldan's side, taking his kin's hands. They reassure and ground him and for a moment he just stands there, listening to the other make their farewells. By the time they've finished he's recovered himself enough to release Seldan and stand at the paladin's side. "Thisss one thanksss you for your offeringsss, and for your presssence. It isss good that ssso many cared for her." He looks toward the offerings. "Thisss one only wissshess that sshe could return to usss."

Slixvah weakly chuckles. "It's fine, thank ya fo' pickin' up my usual vibe," she offers to Schara and falls silent to let the elf speak. It was... hard to watch, knowing what she does of Schara. A rigid mindset cracked with sincerity and love, crumbling before her.

The egalrin loops an arm and wing around Schara as they step back and cry, offering some iota of comfort as the rain outside continues to pour. Thanks Dana. Watery eyes slide over to the two. "Y-Yeah. Thank you too. I uh, u-understand. The offerings."

She looks to where their things lay. Her throat bobs. "I wish for similar. B-But-" dry swallow- "I'm sure she's... still around, i-in her own way. Ya know? Her dream, on the wind. Pervasive. Ain't eva met someone who had a goal like hers."

"She is the last that will ever be lost to that one," Seldan reminds Zeke in gentle, low tones, allowing the Sunguard to hold his hands or not, as needed. The gesture is a simple one, but it seems to be a reassurance and an anchor offered, nothing more. "I do not doubt that were she told, she would deem it well worth the cost, heavy though it might be."

He looks over at Slixvah, "If you would keep her memory present, fight for her dream. Seek kindness, as she did, where you may."

Schara leans against the egalrin, and after some more time to get their emotions under control , the elf sighs, and nods. "I don't know why she can't come back, but I just have to trust what was said and accept it, since I know so little about divine magic, as hard as that may be." Schara notes. "It's quite the goal, but I believe it's possible, you know? Elves live a long time, so, I hope when it is my own, I can at least tell her how much progress we made."

Zeke nods firmly to Seldan, clearly agreeing with his statements. He does not expound upon them however. The sith looks at Schara, seeming as though he might say something to the elf, but after a brief moment of consideration he seems to decide not to. "Thisss one ssshould go." He seems as though he's holding many thoughts to himself, many words which he is not saying. Zeke glances at the offerings, and then firmly away.

Slixvah sagely nods towards Seldan. "I'll try. Can't do it the way she wants, bit too rigid for me, but I'm weaker for it."

She squeezes Schara carefully in her hold. A glance to Zeke, Seldan, a look of finding knowledge, but knowing not to ask for it just yet crosses her eyes before she looks back to Schara. "Complexities of the divine and arcane makes some things neigh impossible," she coos.

The egalrin looks over her shoulder to the two kin. "We won't keep ya. Will be here for a while. Thanks fo' stoppin' by."

Her attention goes to the offerings. "... Oh. You ain't heard one of my lyrical miracles, Kira. Lemme see if the winds will give this one to ya."

"..."

"..."

"... Inspiration w-will come."

The rain continues.

-End Scene-

== OOC ==

<OOC> Slixvah says, "odd is rain"

GAME: Slixvah rolls 1d2: (1): 1