Stewing over News

Log Info

• Title: Stewing over News
• Emitter: Aryia
• Characters: Aryia, Seyardu
• Place: Lower Markets, Aryia's Residence
• Time: December 29th, 2021
• Summary: Aryia invites Seyardu over for dinner, stew is on the menu! The silverscale arrives with some food to add to the meal, and Aryia gets to hosting. The share news, some of Aryia's self-actualization as well as a getting some new trinkets. She also gives Seyardu a scarf as a gift. Seyardu has words as well, as well as an update on some information regarding Aryia's lost sister. Conversation turns to more mundane topics, like book reviews as dinner goes on.

Lower Markets, Lynxstride Lane, Late Afternoon

142A Lynxstride Lane. A small street a couple of blocks away from the heart of the markets. Traffic is light to non existent, as errant small shops litter the road, supplied by humble abodes and condominiums for the more meagerly lived.

One such residency was of the latter, a condo who's door was adjacent to an alleyway. A single window would give way to anything within, were there not heavy, heavy curtains blocking any light from entering, as well as any prying eyes. Though, a singular potted plant rests in the window sill. Black petaled, and closed, despite the time of day.

Snow litters the road, and reflects the setting sun.

A certain silverscale friend received a note from Aryia that contains an address in the Lower Markets, inviting the priestess over for dinner.

GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+10: (7)+10: 17

Despite how long Seyardu had been in Alexandria, this was the first time she had ever actually been invited over to someone's home. And the invitation was something she was not used to. She had spent the day prior stuck in the library, poring over whatwas expected when hosting a dinner and inviting people over for one. And the rest of the day was taken up baking, something which the temple of Althea was usually happy to let the silver cleric do these days.

The next day, she looked around the markets to find the street in question, walking slowly to avoid being taken off her feet by hidden ice. She steps up to the door, and knocks loudly against the wood.

"Peace on your nest, this is the right Address, I hope?" She greets, squinting for any indication it was the right door.

The black curtains shift faintly, a familiar glow of moonlight peering out for the briefest of moments before the door unlocks and creaks open.

Before Seyardu was Aryia. A... very, very dressed down Aryia. She was barefoot, and sported baggy lounging pants and a tank top, with her hair lazily pulled back with an ivory, black and quartz band. She raises a hand in greeting, "Hey. Come in." She beckons Seyardu in.

Inside was a simple abode. The living room and dining area was immediate, with a small offshoot for a kitchen. Two closed doors are at the back of the living room, and a hearth next to that was crackling brightly. A well made dining table and chairs occupy the space (there's even a sith-makari chair!), dishware set and ready for a meal. There was also a few chairs in the living room with a coffee table, and some end tables strewn about. The place just needed a couch, and it'd be all set. "Welcome. Make yourself at home," she gestures with a smile. <Handspeech>

Seyardu nods slightly as the door opens, and she steps into the room so the door could be re-locked. Seyardu looked about the same as usual, even down to the silver breastplate they wore almost everywhere. She takes a moment to look over the room, though she returns the smile quickly. "It is quite nice here, Aryia, and warm. I do not know what you mean by making myself at home, however. Do you need assistance with anything? I brought some food with me, and I was told that people usually bring wine as gifts when being invited over for dinner." She asks, finding a seat for a moment to set down her bag. "You even acquired a stool for makari such as myself? That is quite kind of you to have done so."

Aryia shrugs with a light smile. "Relax, don't need your armor or anything. This is my home. Use it like it is your own," she explains, tapping the breasplate a few times before she pads over to the kitchen. Though, she turns on a heel and walks backwards, smiling some. "Oh, you did? Sweet! Thank you! Put it on the table! And yes, Vaera made some of this for me. Managed to get some work out of her during the nest building."

Some pots are clanged and moved about, a mild scent of something cooking in the air. "Working on some stew, it's almost done," she gestures from afar.

It's hard to place it, but something seems different about the mute. She's normally somewhat self conscious about herself, or there's a faint twinge of pain in her visage from recalling something. But now..? There's nothing except a calm smile on her face.<Handspeech>

"Ah, well, alright, Aryia." Seyardu sighs. reaching into her bag to pull out a large bottle of wine that she sets down on the table. "I have not been home in some time, I usually stay in inn rooms or ones in the temples here. Or camping outside. I was not sure what to wear, all I read mentioned dresses, but I decided against that."

The cleric spends some time unfastening the breastplate, which she places into her impossibly large bag. And from the bag was a strong smell of garlic and other things which were pervading the house. A basket filled with a cloth bundle, what appeared to be an apple pie, and even a small sponge cake that was iced and topped with candied fruits.

"Vaera has done an excellent job with the furniture she has provided, I am not surprised to see that extend here. Stew sounds lovely, I am looking forward to it."

Aryia shrugs. "I don't wear much of anything when I'm here. Only time I can really relax."

A few moments pass before she brings the whole stewpot over. A rag is placed on the table, and she put it atop that to save the table from any damage. She peers at the offered food, a grin splitting her face. "Oh this looks good~" she waggles her fingers.

She bobs her head, ladling out stew into bowls. It's something simple: lamb with an array of assorted vegetables and some kind of mildly spicy sauce. Ladle put away, she has a free hand to say, "Yes, she's very good at that. Oh! Right, I have something for you! Be right back!"

The mute jogs into one of the back rooms, and slips in. <Handspeech>

"Yes, I did not even realize you had clothes such as that. Did you make them yourself?" Seyardu asks while she rearranges the food. "I usually do not wear much when I relaxing, but I will not do such here. And, I am glad it looks alright. I did not know what to bring, but I thought that some bread would be good, as it would last long if it proved unecessary. And the desserts are something else to have after the meal you made."

The cleric squints at the monk, and smiles. "You look like you are doing well. It is good to see. I know not what influence Violet has on that, but it is good regardless."

"Something for me? Other than the stew? Well, I shall be here." Seyardu asks curiously, being left alone in the room. She opens up the basket of bread rolls, and otherwise simply waits for her return.

Aryia slows a bit just before she jogs off. She's pensive for a moment, then gives a relaxed smile. "Violet, you, Aya, and many others have had such a great influence on me. More than you may realize. I have... accepted all that has happened to me. All that I was. And all that I am now." She bobs her head, then goes into the room.

There's some shuffling sounds.

A moment later, she returns, the sight of a bed beyond before the door shuts. Aryia pads back, and holds out a wrapped package. It's similarly wrapped to the ones given to Cryosanthia and Lily. "Here you go!" <Handspeech>

Seyardu smiles back before she enters the room, and she accepts the package, which is set down in her lap. "This is a gift for me? You did not have to, but I will accept it, and I do appreciate it." She states, unwrapping the parcel carefully. "I thought you did accept what happened. Or are you referring to the memories that have come back?"

Aryia elaborates as she sits down. "Somewhat, yes. I still can't remember everything, that will come back in time. But I have accepted not only what has happened, but what I was, and I what I am. It's... something that's been hard for me for a while. Whatever comes up in my memories now, I know I can be safe of mind that it will be a part of me, no matter what it is."

What unwraps before Seyardu is an argent and blue scarf that flares out at the ends. The color gradients from the silver in the middle and out to that azure. Though, there's a swirl in the gradient, a blue rose emblazoned on each end, with the petals being frills that dangle off the scarf.

Aryia points to each of the colors, "This is blue, and this is silver," for the sake of her color blind friend. Aryia grins, then gestures, "I hope you like it." <Handspeech>

Seyardu takes a moment to unfurl the large scarf, and she squints, trying to make out what it looked like. "Ah." She chuffs at the explanation. "That is, Althea's rose, is it not? Unless it is a different color."

The cleric runs one hand over the fabric before she quickly goes about wrapping it around her neck.

"The color may be lost on me, but I trust your sense of clothing and the like. Even to me, it looks beautiful, as well. Thank you, I was not expecting this, but it is a wonderful gift. Do you wear these during the winter, normally?"

Aryia nods in affirmative at the question of its deific identity. And another nod towards the time of wear. Her smile softens. "I'm glad you like it."

She settles into a chair, pours some water for the two of them from a jug, and gestures to the meal. "Have at it."

She helps herself to the bread rolls. <Handspeech>

"Of course I like it, it was made with care by a friend." Seyardu notes, adjusting the scarf so it would not be in the way. The bread rolls in question are buttery, coated in a mixture of it and roasted garlic, with more inside the rolls themselves. Seyardu takes a glass, and pulls two wine glasses out of her bag. She skewers the cork of the wine bottle with a claw and twists it out, before pouring glasses for the both of them. "The chefs at the Althean temple often add red wine to the stews they are cooking. I have heard it is good served with it."

Aryia picks up the glass of wine and raises it, taking a sip before starting on her meal. A hand motions while the other nibbles on the delicious bread roll. "I... vaguely recall something like that back in the noble's cooking."

She adjusts the ivory band on the back of her head, and smooths out her hair some. "How are you?" she asks, her torch-bright gaze settling on the silversacle. <Handspeech>

"It's not a noble cooking thing, after all, the temple of Althea is anything but." Seyardu chuckles. "It is not much, just enough to cook down with the meat after it is fried. Does not have to be particularly expensive, either."

Seyardu reaches for a bowl to serve herself, and mull over the question of the mul. She tries a spoonful, then smiles. "How am I? Quite well, actually. The city seems relaxed for now, there are no fiends I am concerned about for the moment, and I have been ah, seeing Sjach when I have time. Not to mention helping Cryosanthia and the other mothers, and spending time with friends. So, I would say I am doing good. And yourself? It seems you are doing alright, from what I have seen."

Aryia shakes her head and waves it off as she nibbles on her stew. "Just something I remembered was all."

She smiles some, nodding at such seemingly normal, but much needed news. "That's good. I hope you and Sjach are doing well. And your brother. I saw him at the nesting briefly. I uh, don't think he likes mul'neissa very much, as he skittered away when I walked up to him."

She tilts her head to the side, letting the spoon dangle from her lips as she plays with three necklaces that dangle from her neck. One is the platinum ring Seyardu gave her oh so long ago. Another is a shark's tooth. And another is a circular singular amulet that faintly glitters as light catches it. "I am well. Progress on finding Aya is going slowly, but we are getting bits and pieces. Violet and I are doing good. My parents are respecting my decisions. I have my own place with furniture and a bed. I don't feel like I'm going to get attacked at any random point in the day. Things are well. Things are... very well."

She resumes eating her simple homemade meal. <Handspeech>

"Things are going well, yes. I hope to visit the city with him, more. So he may get used to it." Seyardu explains. "And of course! Yes, he is doing well, last I saw. He has been staying away from the nests though, due to not wishing to upset the mothers there."

At the mention of Aya though, the cleric sits up straighter and sets down her spoon. "Ah! This one has news for you, regarding Aya. It was given by a marid this one met, and explains how we might go about rescuing her. Or, advise others how to do so."

Aryia nods along, her giving a light smile. "I see, I see.."

The news makes the shadow elf's spoon pause halfway to her mouth. The torch-bright eyes grow more luminous. Yet she takes a calm breath, and sets it down.

Shakily, she exhales, and watches Seyardu. "Please. Tell me. All we know is that she's moving around Charn a lot, and is visiting the temple of Taara a ton." <Handspeech>

Seyardu sighs, and she pushes away her stew for the moment, resting her hands on the table. She takes a moment, before she continues. "That is, not Aya, I believe. Or rather, it is not the actual Aya, if that makes sense?" She begins to explain. "It is her body, but not her soul. And, her soul is in the underworld, whatever that means. And a trial can be undertaken to recover her soul."

The cleric sighs again. "It sounds complicated, and it is, but I imagine there are those up to the task. And if her soul is returned to her body, it will return her to her... human self? That was the words of the marid, I do not know what it meant for certain."

Aryia is doing her best to not tremble. Those twin orbs were burning really bright. Eerily so. As best as she can, she slowly rises to her feet, and pads back to her room.

Not a moment later, she returns. Back into her chair, and she cracks open her retrieved journal.

She notes all of that down.

By the thrumming on the side of her neck, the mute's heart was racing. "Thank you for telling me," she signs shakily. "I don't know all the specifics, but that makes sense. Her body was not her own earlier. Maybe He traded her soul for something powerful. I don't know what an... under world is. But if its something harsh, I... fear I might not be able to help. But I can pass this along to the Cesran."

"I... hope that they just got our kind confused is all. Aya suddenly being human might kill her, considering she's older than me."

Her gaze was sliding away, but it soon goes to Seyardu. She leaves her chair, and gives the silverscale a firm hug, the onyx gem on the ivory band softly clanking against the other. "... th-nk y-," she barely whispers. <Handspeech>

"Of course, it just ah, it was recent, and slipped my mind, with the invite over here. I was not sure if it was a good idea for now, but I wanted to make sure that you knew."

"I do not know if it is something I can help with beyond information. Dame Paenitia was told about who to give a sword to, and Randolf was offered blessings for his family."

"If that is the case, even then, it will be alright, Aryia." Seyardu reassures. "There is magic that can be used to revive them after that, I already know of one mul'niessa who has undergone such a change. And they would still be Aya."

When Aryia stands up, Seyardu returns the hug, which is at the proper height with the sith-makar sitting down. "You are welcome, Aryia, I am happy to help how I can."

Aryia gulps, and gives a slow nod before pulling away and padding back to her chair. The other bits of information go over her head, the mute was focused on the words she wrote down that pertain to getting her sister back. "... I sure hope so. She's going to need a lot of love to heal from this."

"Regardless, every little bit helps." She closes her eyes, inhales deeply. Then sloooowly exhales. Her faint trembling steadies. The journal gets shut, and she resumes eating her stew, almost done with it.

Eyes slide open, and she rests her head against a propped up hand. It touches the ivory band on her head. The mute blinks, then smirks somewhat. "... I picked up something new. Would you like to see it?" she gestures, pointing to the backwards headband that's on her head. <Handspeech>

"She will, but you have a lot of love to give. And well, what is happening now is not her fault." Seyardu replies with a small nod of her head as she reaches for her bowl. "I hope this will lead to her recovery."

Seyardu squints at the offer at Aryia's head. "Of course, what is it you got? I am curious, does it do something?"

Aryia sits more upright, her lightly smiling. The onyx and the quartz faintly glow on the sides of her head on the ivory band. "I was told that I can read your thoughts with this, but it can do something else if I can, if you'll let me. I promise I won't dig." <Handspeech>

Seyardu squints, and then shakes her head. "That is alright, I trust you with my thoughts, honestly." She agrees, before relaxing in her chair, watching the elf curiously.

A moment passes, and Aryia detects her presence there. And another moment-

"Is this circlet working? This one did not know they made jewelry for reading minds"

"This one hopes that Aryia enjoys those deserts, I have never baked a cake before"

"Perhaps this one should bring a cake or pie over to Cryosanthia? Made with Am'shere mangoes perhaps? But this one really does not wish to be swarmed by beasts again in the process." <Draconic>

Aryia blinks as the crystals slowly grow brighter, then remain firm. She grins slightly, and reaches for the cake, her using a small knife to cut out a piece of it and put it on a plate.

She waits a moment for the thoughts to settle, and then-

A voice speaks in Seyardu's mind. It's soft spoken, feminine. Middle in pitch, yet rich.

"I think Cryosanthia doesn't give much of a shit in terms of what you give her. She'll like it regardless."

The mute smirks, and leans back, nibbling on her cake and softly sighing through her nose. "This stuff's good, don't worry about it" <Telepathy>

Seyardu stops, and squints more at the elf. Though she is unable to stop herself from smiling. "Verna was right, you do have a nice voice." The cleric chuckles. "But ah, you are right, she likely would not. Still, it is hard being away from home for so long. I know I miss the place greatly, many days. That is impressive! It will make speaking with those who do not know how to read hand signs much easier. And you can speak with your hands full, such as when you are enjoying cake."

The compliment colors her face a rubor for a brief moment. "Ah, uh, thank you," the voice in Seyardu's head murmurs.

Aryia grins behind the cake, her polishing it off and going for another slice. "Yeah! It's pretty fucking handy! Though, kind of intrusive. Basically, I'd really only be able to use it with people that trust me. Because I can totally tell whatever you're thinking right now. Heehehe, this is great. Not the same as talking, but a hell of a lot better than fucking waving my hands around." <Telepathy>

"You can read my every thought? Well, that is not a problem, as this one usually speaks their mind quite well. Though, it would be embarassing if this one were to think too much about Sjach. Best to push that from my mind for the time being."

There are a few moments of images of a tall, dark gray makari in the cleric's head that pass quickly.

"Ah, yes, you can read what I am thinking. But, it is nice to speak so easily with you, Aryia." Seyardu chuckles. "I am glad you are enjoying that cake. I was shown how to make it by some of the bakers at the temple."

"You can read my every thought? Well, that is not a problem, as this one usually speaks their mind quite well. Though, it would be embarassing if this one were to think too much about Sjach. Best to push that from my mind for the time being."

There are a few moments of images of a tall, dark gray makari in the cleric's head that pass quickly.

"Ah, yes, you can read what I am thinking. But, it is nice to speak so easily with you, Aryia." Seyardu chuckles. "I am glad you are enjoying that cake. I was shown how to make it by some of the bakers at the temple." <Draconic>

Aryia snickers, though her voice lightly laughs. "Yes, might want to keep him off your mind. Interesting though, I figured that's how you saw things."

The cake slice soon joins the rest that have been consumed thus far. "I enjoy this as well. I won't try to make it a crutch too much, but being able to just speak clearly is a fucking relief in of itself."

The mute sighs softly, and smiles. "You did good," the soft yet rich voice resumes. It like a combination of her parent's. She sips some wine. "Shit, you're a way better cook than me. In the past, I can barely bake anything, burned it always." <Telepathy>

"Oh, you can see images, as well?" Seyardu wonders in her mind, and it flickers with concern for a moment, before she steadies, and chuckles. "It is hard to keep them off my mind at times. But yes, you can see how I see things? It was like that in the memory I shared with Cryosanthia. I did not think it strange for the longest time."

"You made an excellent stew." She counters, emptying the last of the bowl and moving to serve more. "I did not learn how until I came here, but I spent enough time volunteering at the Althean temple to pick it up by necessity."

Aryia shrugs a bit, scratching her head. "It is odd. I don't really see it, but I can get the feeling of it like I've seen it before. Just you were thinking about him, and I saw piece of him through your lens is all."

A warm smile breaks across the mute's face. "I'm glad you like it. Have as much as you want. Venom is ou-"

She freezes, then softly sighs, glancing to the back rooms for a moment. "Eh.... shit, whatever. You know already. Violet is out right now, so it's just me, and I can't eat all this. Just uh, only use Violet's name around here. It's... complicated."

She gets more cake and then rubs at her face, moving past that issue. "So... read any good Crimson Quill books? I found one that I could have /sworn/ it had someone I knew in there, but I couldn't put my finger on it..." <Telepathy>

"They aren't reading your thoughts, Aryia. I am the one with their thoughts being read." Seyardu thinks back, and she chuckles. "There is plenty of food, but I have a decent appetite, despite how little I eat. And I can bring the leftover pie and cake to Cryosanthia or others, too. Unless you would like to save it for later."

Seyardu's mind blanks for a moment, before she sighs. "This one has, read a few, and they are enjoyable. Perhaps it was the one about the makari singer?"

Seyardu blinks, and shakes her head. "This one can not say for certain. It always amazes how many are out there. Have you read any that you particularly enjoyed? I would like to hear more about your opinions on them."

Aryia colors a bit. The inner voice sputters, "Y-yeah well uh, I'm kinda fucking terrible at keeping my trap shut so..."

She clears her throat, grabbing a slice of pie before sliding it over to Seyardu. "Take it to her, she'll like it."

The mute sighs, leaning back in her chair and eating a piece of the pie. She smiles in approval, before resuming her mental conversation. "I know, right? Maybe that was the one. There was this one I liked, it didn't have anything like, super over the top or anything, felt like one of the more down to Ea ones I've read. Something about a half-elven guy having flings and learning the consequences of his actions, eventually finds someone that likes him for who he is. BUT THEN! The guy is actually a dragon! And the other person is a cultist dragon slayer! Then it gets really complicated! It happens early on, so I'm not spoiling anything. It's good! Also, another one that is good is..."

The pugilist has read... perhaps a bit too much of that series. But at least her suggestions are good. And she has no expense of topic throughout all of dinner. <Telepathy>

-End Scene-