Walking on Eggshells
The winds in the streets may be chilled, but here on the temple grounds, despite its rather open layout, all is reasonably comfortable. In the context of weather, at the least. Upon a bench near one of the pillars and the grove Verna is seated. While her outer cloak is the same, and her draped scarf bears scales, there is a stark fall of violet cloth beyond the cloak rather than the typical layers of gray.
As well, her cloak hood is doffed, granting full peripheral vision as she peruses a tome. While this is hardly unusual, the book of the moment is far smaller in size than her typical 'light reading.'
There is some footfalls that clack softly through the quiet, windless halls. A short figure, a scarred mul'neissa in a shawl and green jacket, has a few waterskins cradled in the crook of her arm. Her gaze sweeps about, looking for someo-
'Ah.'
She approaches briskly, already holding one of the waterskins out towards Verna as she strides up.
From somewhere in the Elunian temple complex, the dulcet notes of a violin can be heard. It seems to slowly migrate, moving around the temple at a slow walking pace.
A blue-scaled sith-makar exits from deeper in the temple of Eluna, his demeanor one of someone who has not gotten much rest of late. Which is not at all far from the truth. The sith wanders into the room, his eyes roaming the room briefly, and then again. It takes actually a few moments for him to locate Verna, and upon doing so he immediately begins to join her in spite of her preoccupation with her book. He notices Aryia joining the other woman and offers both a low nod. "Peasse on your nessstss."
Verna notes the movement and approaches in her peripheral vision, though she completes her current page before marking it and closing the book. As she does so, a Silverguard adjacent to the pillar and bench, possibly presumed to be in mediation or admiration of said pillar, straightens further to take note of the arrivals, and Verna. Aware and observant, though not aggressively wary.
"Greetings, Aryia, and peace on your nest," Verna returns respective greetings as she looks up from one to the other. She could initially appear to have lacked sleep, as well, though the deep blackened circles encompass both eyes rather than simply rest beneath them, granting her something of a 'masked' appearance, even against her already darkened complexion. "Thank you, but I do not thirst at the moment," she politely declines Aryia's offered waterskin.
Aryia winces at the sight of Verna's visage, her feeling a touch guilty for being the one that caused it. The waterskin is placed back onto the pile in the crook of her arm, the mute gesturing to Zeke briefly, "Peace on your nest," in that familiar motion.
Sensitive ears pick up the melody being drawn through the temple, her glancing about before looking back to Verna. "I filled them with snow and ice. For your face."
It's offered again. <Handspeech>
Zeke nods to both women politely. "Thisss one isss here to check on Verna." He speaks quietly, as if trying hard not to intrude on their moment.
The violin's song is slow paced and peaceful, and continues to approach closer.
A black-skinned Goblin comes into view, her blue and silver robes freshly washed and pressed. In her hands is a golden violin, the source of the music.
Acedia makes a small orbit around the folks gathered 'round Verna, the tune changing to something more cheerful and energetic, the Gobbo hopping in time to the rhythm.
Cross-legged, elbow braced against a knee, and chin resting in his palm, Jinks is being about as quiet as he ever manages to be but there's a good chance he's at least half-asleep. He's taken one of the thicker rugs around the pool with his fine riding cloak bunched under, around, and over him.
A returning seer crouches by the gnome and advises quietly that, no, she's not in the temple, unfortunately, and there's no notion of when she'll return. He'll just have to try again later.
Heavy-lidded and bored eyes turn away from the reflecting pool and open fully, twinkling a bit as they're joined by a disarming smile. It's no problem, really, and the effort is appreciated. The seer makes his way off and the bard stands and stretches, grimacing through a silent yawn and arching his back until it pops. Out from under his cloak he glitters, all jewels and gems and chains and rings and piercings and baubles. A little prince of no place in particular.
Jinks wears an easy smile as he turns. One that goes a bit lopsided when he espies Acedia at play.
Verna's attention is briefly drawn to follow the circling gobber and her musical performance before returning to Zeke and Aryia. One gloved hand is held up to both, palm out in a holding motion. "I am grateful for your mutual concern, but I am well enough. For the moment. Still, it is good to see you both." Her eyes shift to the mul'niessa with a sudden concern. "Your parents are well? If you would, please convey my deepest apologies to them."
Aryia's attention too is grabbed by the muse, her taking a moment to appreciate it and give a light wave once she frees up a hand. Such wave is afforded to Jinks as well, a brow raising at his set up.
The mute gives a light sigh and a shrug, her jamming the snow-filled waterskins into her bag. "They're alright. They're paranoid about everything, so it's kind of expected that they just vanished in such a manner. They can handle themselves. Thanks for your concern."
Taking Zeke's question and drawing it further out, she motions, "Yes, how are you?" <Handspeech>
Without missing a beat, the Gobbo curtseys to Aryia's wave, and then she squints at Jinks and sticks her tongue out at him. Giggling lightly, she continues to circle Verna and those gathered close to her. The song continues on, upbeat, and quick, with Acedia's hopping turning into a quick dance as she adds flourishes.
Zeke doesn't seem to notice the music. Or Jinks in fact. He seems to be concentrating quite hard on Verna, a stern expression on his face. "Thisss one isss ssimply aiding the temple while Sseldan isss here." He offers gently, then blinks at Aryia's question. It takes him... a very long moment to parse out what her hand movements mean. It's a set of motions he's used to giving, not receiving. "Thisss one issss..."
He trails off and there's a moment of silence in wait for his answer, and then he finally seems to remember what he had been about to say. "Well enough." Yes. Everything seems _fine_.
A smaller, rear door to the temple opens, one that leads back into the rest of the temple, and a bright-haired Seldan enters, clad in what would appear to be relatively ordinary armor beneath his usual robe. He carries a fairly large sack over his back, and is dressed as if for departure, scarf and gloves to accompany the multiple layers of cloaks he wears. He pauses as he walks past the reflecting pool, and pauses long enough to drop to one knee, an obeisance and swift, silent prayer.
He stands, then, and turns to approach the group. "Her light upon your path," he offers to all quietly, politely, and just a little reservedly, and he turns his attention first to Zeke. "I had not intended to keep you, kin."
Verna nods at Aryia's response, much of the concern in her features fading. It might have done so completely if not for the intent focus from and seemingly ... hesitant state of Zeke. "Were there other developments?" The question is somewhat vague, but she does not expound as Seldan emerges. She acknowledges and greets him with, "Silverguard." After a moment, her brows lift slightly at his current attire and accessories in unspoken inquiry.
The music stops with a sudden discordant note as the bow is haphazardly drawn across the strings, and a black and blue streak dashes at Seldan, bouncing up at the last moment to hug at the man's chest. "Seldan!", Acedia exclaims, "How long have you been back? And are you leaving so soon?"
She hardly pauses before letting out an excited squeak, and she squirms and bounces down, making a beeline for the blue-scaled Sith. "Zeke!"
The Gobbo bounces up once more, aiming to hug at his waist.
Aryia raises a concerned brow at Verna's reaction and Seldan's appearance. She affords a wave to the Silverguard, though keeps her mouth (and hands) shut just in case for various reasons.
GAME: Zeke rolls reflex: (11)+4: 15
Zeke turns toward Seldan, blinking several times at the silverguard and then in an easy fashion rolls his right shoulder. "It isss quite alright Sseldan." He seems to forget Verna's question however, and stands there a bit distractedly while Acedia hugs the silverguard. Though it's a logical conclusion to assume that she would come for him next, Zeke doesn't even seem to think of this and when she bounce up to give him a hug he immediately recoils and _squeaks_. Fear is evident in every line of his body as he throws himself away from the little goblin and then huffs from somewhat behind Aryia (as if she might protect him). "Ascedia! Where did you come from?"
GAME: Acedia rolls acrobatics: (20)+11: 31
Jinks finds his way over, careful not to stumble into or trip over those supplicants supplicating on the rugs around the pool. He fishes a hand into his coat and frowns, extracting it empty. Eyes roll back and her mutters half-formed words in his mothertongue that probably aren't entirely appropriate for the venue-- but they're just for him alone.
And then one eye squints shut, pained, at the violin's complaint.
"A rather pleasant performance but I think the finale needs work," the gnome observes, clapping mildly and giving Acedia, Seldan, and Zeke a wide berth as he lifts a jeweled hand at Aryia and Verna.
Aryia blinks from the sudden jubilation of a exuberant gobbo, her bows pinching slightly as Zeke moves... behind her?
She shrugs. Wasn't the first time she's kept the Sunguard safe and intercepted. She rests on her back foot and hooks her thumbs into her belt loops. /Sort of/ blocking Zeke.
Though, she does raise a hand once more to Jinks. "Hey hey," she flashes twice to him. <Handspeech>
"Mourner, it is-" Seldan stops, whatever he was going to say lost in frank concern and confusion for the contusions she displays. "Are you well?"
That is as much as he gets out before he is -glomped- by a drive-by gobbering, and reaches down for a hug. "A few days, but-" And then he is stopped one more time as the hit-and-run gobbering goes after Zeke, in turn. "Acedia, well do you know better," he scolds, all smile fading. "I call your mind to the events that occurred the last time you ran at him unawares in this place." Unconsciously, he sets the bag down at his feet and rubs his gloved left hand with his gloved right.
"A few days, and I do not wholly depart just yet," he explains. "My pack met an unfortunate fate a few days past."
The Gobbo makes a surprised noise as Zeke manages to duck out of the way, as well as the high pitched noise elicited from him. She lands and performs a few somersaults and high vaults. Coming to land on her feet, she peers at Seldan with a toothy grin. "The last time I ran at him, he caught me and hugged me.", she says, snorting. "Squeak did not make that delightful noise, though, that's new."
Acedia grins at Aryia, and she gasps, pointing at something just behind Aryia. And she ducks the other direction, to approach Zeke a bit more slowly than before. "I was here the whole time, you did not hear my playing?", she wonders of the blue-scale Sith.
She pauses a moment, and glances at Jinks, giggling. "Normally missing friends don't make sudden appearances while I am playing."
"I am improved over the day prior, and will mend in time," Verna assures Seldan, and any others concerned. "Until then, it serves an appropriate reminder of my error." She gestures vaguely to wave away said concerns and then draws them to Zeke, then even Seldan, with a pointed look between them. "What of you both? Tensions are raised once more," she does not recall Zeke having such a propensity for squeaking, though admittedly is not as familiar as others, "and you venture elsewhere."
Zeke takes a deep breath and adjusts himself to stand at his full height. He seems to realize that he is - or was - hiding behind Aryia and moves subtly so that he's not huddling behind her like a scared hatchling. He is in that moment, endlessly grateful that no other sith are present to notice his scent. Instead he nods his head low to Aryia in silent gratitude for her protectiveness and turns his attention on Acedia. "Thisss one apologizesss Ascedia. Thisss one wasss... deep in thought. Thisss one did not realize that the musssic wasss yoursss."
There's some small evasion in his words, but it's hard to decypher without the usual visual cues to give away what he is hiding. He spreads his arms. "Thisss one will accept your huggingsss now if you wissh to give them." He is distracted enough by this that he leaves answering Verna to Seldan for the moment.
Aryia raises a brow at Acedia's pointing and gasping, the mute pugilist turning at the waist to look behind her. Finding nothing, she looks ba-
Squint. Facepalm. How did she fall for that...?
"If you've the arms for it there are stories of a stringed artifact that summons absent friends at will." Jinks grins, spinning a ring as he lets the idea set for a moment before adding, "The voila viola should only be slightly-larger than you're used to."
The gnome sucks his teeth in amusement when Aryia is distracted, tilting his head in consolation and offering a shrug. "They're classics because they work."
"Only to return my belongings home," Seldan explains, with a very small smile that fades quickly enough. "The archmage also found himself in difficulty, and I fear that my haversack paid the ultimate price." He does not elaborate, but the smile vanishes entirely. "Zeke and I would seek some of your time, when you are well enough." He turns to watch the byplay around his knees, some of the smile returning.
The Gobbo bounces a few more times, and then leans into Zeke. "I did not mean to startle you, Zeke. I had though you'd know I was about. I do live here, sometimes, and my hugging of Seldan ought to have been enough!"
Ace giggles at Aryia, and then winks at Jinks. "It's almost like you worshipped Tarien.", she faux whispers at Jinks.
As Seldan speaks of the destruction of his haversack and the short amount of time he plans to be away. "You'll be back soon, then, Seldan?"
Gently, Zeke hugs Acedia back. She's not wrong. He should have noticed. He shakes his head, but his eyes seem distant. "What Ssseldan doess not sssay iss that Cessran nearly roasssted the ssscaless off of thisss one. If not for Sseldan who took the pain upon himssself." He pats Acedia on the head. "We are not leaving yet." His hand trembles on top of her head and he closes his eyes for what - feels - like a brief moment but is actually a minute or two.
Verna's interest is briefly piqued by Jinks' mention of artifacts, even after he references such by name. It is perhaps a few heartbeats later, just as she might form a followup inquiry, that she halts just shy of doing so. A sigh is exhaled. She does not put palm to face, though does gesture briefly to Aryia, "They can be extremely unpredictable." As if this might explain all.
Back to Seldan and Zeke, she nods. "I am at your disposal and, as I noted, well enough. I presume that I shall be a guest of your temple for some time, with much the same hospitality that Cesran receives." Her lips purse at Zeke's sharing of further details; her eyes dart to Aryia with a glance of both concern and gratitude.
"He jolly well near killed the both of you," the sword at Seldan's hip says testily, the voice that of a nasally old grandmother.
_I had not intended to bring that up,_ Seldan's rueful expression and lowered eyes all but shout from the rooftops. "No, we do not leave yet. I no longer make my home here in Alexandria, and yet are there things we must do ere we depart. Fear us not, you shall see us again. We shall come seeking you, soon."
A moment's pause, and his eyes go back to the blue sith-makar, the gaze this time touched by concern and holding steady. "Kin. Something troubles your mind. Come, and speak your mind."
Aryia just gives a friendly scoff at the misdirection play and crosses her arms and shifts her weight onto her back foot. A glance to the meaningful gestures, and she chuffs, nodding in understanding.
Though such recent sharing of news makes Aryia purse her lips and glance to everyone present. "... so... does that mean everyone gets the same treatment..?" she asks of the Mourner, a brow raised high. Perhaps it was the pugilist that was the cause of Verna's state of being.
She shifts a bit uncomfortably on her feet, glancing to the bluescale behind her at Seldan's inquiry. <Handspeech>
GAME: Acedia rolls heal: (13)+9: 22
The Gobbo frowns deeply, looking up at Zeke, and then glaring at Seldan. "You both were attacked by an archwizard? And you've moved?" The wee woman looks pained momentarily, though she returns the hug to Zeke carefully. Her voice lowers. "Zeke. How badly are you wounded?" Her little hands begin to poke and prod at the blue-scaled Sith.
Acedia's expression is momentarily brightened as she grins at Aryia, and sticks her tongue out cheekily, before the seriousness returns as she looks in on his current wellbeing.
Zeke nods in agreement with Seldan's sword distractedly, patting Acedia on the head over and over. It seems almost like he's forgotten that just a few pats on the head would suffice. When Seldan questions him directly he blinks at the other man as though surprised. And again, it takes him a long moment to answer and the answer is a half-hearted half shrug with his right shoulder. "Thisss one hasss no-thing on the mind kin..."
He sighs as Acedia pokes and prods him and eventually grasps her finger in one claw. Looking at her with the sort of endless patience for which he is well known. "Thisss one isss well enough. Thisss one wass not even hurt by the attack. Ssseldan wasss."
"Coyote laughs," Jinks offers Acedia by way of admission, half-bowing. His grin turns wolfish and he looks askance at Verna's puzzlement. "You think it a joke... but such a thing is well within the realm of possibility and who better than Coyote's own to name a thing of such power so flippantly?" Shock-white eyebrows flash.
Sharing little but hot air, the bard takes time in between his remarks to gather the more juicy tidbits of conversation. He's not especially coy about listening in, either.
GAME: Seldan rolls sense motive: (4)+19: 23
Verna nods to Seldan, first. "Understood. If we do not speak again before your journey, I bid you safe travels." Her head pans to Aryia before another nod is give without hesitation. "Of myself, Cesran, Seldan, and Serene, yes. If there is any doubt, I recommend incapacitation first and clarification afterwards. I cannot fully speak for them, yet I presume they would prefer bruises to themselves over harm to others."
Seldan fixes Zeke with a long, meaningful gaze, then turns away, to join the other conversation. "It is even so. For the safety of all, I may at times refuse to speak on a subject, and say to you that this is neither the place nor time. That is to be read as a warning that pressing the question may result in a - situation," he tells Aryia, Jinks, and Acedia carefully. "The information may be of import, but such must be discovered cautiously, and with precautions in place."
At Verna's suggestion, Aryia gives a sharp thumbs up. Second hand permission granted. It might end up with her exploding one way or another, but at least the who's were clear.
Her attention does shift to Zeke, her gaze narrowing a bit. Giving that 'I-really-don't-believe-you-but-Seldan-is-leaving-it-so-I-will-as-well' look.
Said look slides to Seldan, and she gives a knowing nod. Four fingers tap the side of her head. "I know." <Handspeech>
Acedia frowns again, and prods Zeke in the side. She glances at Seldan, still frowning. "You two have not been taking care of each other, and worse still, not taking care of yourselves." The Gobbo crosses her arms, glowering. "Zeke needs sleep, and he needs nourishment. Now.", she commands, a little slap heard as she stomps the floor with a bare foot. Ace raises a little fist at the other Paladin. "And I expect you to see to your own needs before leaving the Temple. You can't fight at your best without seeing to yourself. You want your epitaphs to be... died due to exhaustion? Starved himself to death while fighting?"
Zeke seems appropriately chasised by Seldan and Aryia's looks, and absolutely horrified by Acedia's outburst. He holds up his claws, but he doesn't help his case much by doing so. There's a fine tremor in his claws. He hefts a sigh at the goblin. "It isss not ssso bad asss all that Ascedia. Thisss one will do ssso ass there isss time." His eyes flicker to Seldan and he ducks his head.
"Oh, our little encounter with that--" he waves a glittering hand through the air as he searches for the word-- "residue at the gardens was unpleasant enough," Jinks nods at Seldan. Apparently being sneered at was more than enough for the gnome's delicate constitution.
A sniff and Jinks looks from Acedia to Seldan and Zeke. "If you need time to relax and recuperate I know a place. I actually found it looking for Paenitia's boy of prophecy." A mild shrug, "But it turned out his name was Hot Aru, was anything but innocent, and his mastery with a 'sword' has nothing to do with a field of battle."
"... but it might not be your speed," he adds, sizing up the two holymen.
While Seldan's explanation is not directed at her, Verna affirms it with several nods, a gesture to him, as well as, "Indeed. Caution is-" Her words are cut short at Jinks' comment with a start. She bears a scowl in the moment it takes her face to snap to the gnome. "Quiet!" There is no small bite in the volume of the directive. A pause, a breath taken, and an addendum in an even tone is made, "If you would, please."
Seldan's entire bearing freezes at the chiding from Acedia, and he goes very still, all expression vanishing from his features, tension rippling across his shoulders as he stiffens. When the wave has gone, it leaves a pillar of palest stone in its wake, the paladin's thoughts entirely concealed behind a mask. "It shall be seen to, Silver Guard. I ask your forgiveness." He does not use Acedia's name, but her title instead.
Of Jinks' commentary, he had heard maybe half, in that moment, but turns back towards Jinks and Verna. "Peace, Mourner. Do not look on it too closely, do you feel that, and you are in no danger. You are enough."
"But, I must return these, and I would have the Sunguard accompany me, if he would be so kind. I shall return soon, that we may speak at more length." Something about him is curiously stiff, formal, almost as a soldier facing judgment, and still with that stone-faced expressionlessness.
The Mourner's sudden outburst makes Aryia go from relaxed to fists raised and dropped into a stance. Striking limbs shimmering just the faintest of moonlight. Snick, snick, her gaze darts between Verna and Seldan.
"F-r f-ck's s-k-..." she shudders in a hiss, dropping her fist and relaxing her stance.
Acedia's expression softens ever so slightly at Zeke's reaction, but the iron returns at Seldan's reaction. "The Sun and the Moon have tasked you with daunting things.", she says quietly, to Seldan and Zeke. "They also expect you to take care of yourselves. I expect you to take care of yourselves, just as you expect me to bear your silence when it comes to the dangers you share without me."
Her expression saddens. "So help me, Seldan. I can bear you both dying, if it is noble. But I swear on Eluna's grace that if you starve or exhaust yourselves to death, I'll have you brought back so I can tan your behinds myself!" Her voice rises at the end, and is accompanied by another slap as a foot stomps on the ground. Tears now flow, and she turns, choosing a hallway to disappear down.
If Zeke seemed contrite before Seldan's demeanor changed, he seems even more so afterwards. He doesn't say anything though, nodding to Seldan silently and moving somewhat stiffly away from Acedia. Even as she turns to leave he seems for a moment as if he might whisper something to her, but seems to rethink this thought when she turns suddenly to leave and makes his way to Seldan's side.
Verna is silent, now, for long moments. All while looks are exchanged between the others, Acedia departs, Aryia is tensed. Eventually, she utters a rather flat, "Apologies. Perhaps it best that I return to casual reading and rest, for a time."
Seldan stonily watches Acedia shout and stomp off, then turns away, but the stone in his features doesn't hide the hurt in ice-blue eyes from anyone. He turns away, picks up the bag and slings it over his shoulder. "Her light upon your path. We shall return." With that, he begins to make his way toward the exit.
"Of course, make no mind," Jinks accepts Verna's bark with a raised hand and a nod of his head, waving away the following apology just as smoothly. "Just an... amusing parallel. Anyway." He raises a hand and smooths his goatee, trying to smother his grin in the face of grave matters.
A pause to watch the gobber dash off and he gives a little shake of his head. "I should see to some... chores." The bard practically chokes on the last word and half-turns to go before adding "Crawling into a bottle is a decent way of escaping the darker parts of your mind. I imagine there's quite the surplus of spirits in this city while I'm cursed with this madman's bargain."
A tip of the head and the gnome, too, makes his way towards the exit.
Aryia blinks at the out bursts and the emotions that fly and stifle and firm and hide and...
She pinches her nose and takes a breath In.
Out.
She clasps her hands together. Okay.
The mute looks around, seeing the backs of most people before she settles her gaze on the Mourner. A hand reaches out, and settles carefully on a shoulder. She cracks a faint smile, and affords one to Zeke as well should he still be around.
-End