Catching Up on Chidea
Log Info
- Title: Catching Up on Chidea
- Emitter: Telamon
- Place: Auranar and Verna's house
The Residence, evening
Telamon Lupecyll-Atlon is dressed in his finery, standing there in the parlor with his wife. And normally this is a joyous thing, but sadly, Telamon is having to give an opinion he's not sure his wife will like.
"No, Lana," he says, shaking his head. "I don't think we should put Zalgiman into harm's way again. It's not a question of trust, either." He raises his hand. "Look, in the diplomatic -- and espionage -- parlance, Zalgiman is 'burned'. Seraquoix is not going to trust him. And I'm not going to risk Zalgiman's life on the off chance Seraquoix is dumber than a bag of hammers. If he wants to fight alongside us, or reach out to Zinskas to try and split the forces arrayed, that's one thing."
"But Seraquoix is a witch, and a powerful one at that. What if he figures out Zalgiman is a double agent? Or if he just demands Zalgiman commit some atrocity before being welcomed back into the fold? Or, gods forbid, he slays Zalgiman and does what Zinskas worried about?"
Tel heaves a sigh. "No. I appreciate his candor and willingness, but if I had my druthers I'd pack him off to that Elunite monastery faster than you could say, 'translocation'. He's been given a second chance and it's not for me to waste it."
"Look, I don't like it either, Telamon," Cor'lana responds in a way that's more than a bit icy. She's staring out the window and is turned away from her husband, which is a terrific combination for a discussion. "But this isn't yours nor mine in terms of second chances; it's his. He wouldn't let me talk him out of the idea. He wants to be a friend, and he believes this--this is his way forward. I..."
She sighs heavily. "I don't like it. I don't like it, not even an iota. But I'll take him willing to live and trying to atone for what he's done in the past over the alternative." Her eyes and voice alike are dark as her hands tremble, looking like she's got an inclination to open up the window and fly out.
The warmth of a summer day has Dolan stripped down to a lighter, high-collared shirt and trousers, his longsword at his hip. He did take the time to drop by the market and acquire a basketful of small, sugar-dusted pastry balls made of a soft, dense, and chewy fried dough. They're still slightly warm when he knocks at the familiar door not so very far away from his. He has opted today for the black garnet in its steel and bronze ring, resting now where the right eye should be.
The Goblin, dressed in a green summer dress as opposed to her usual copper and blue robes, arrives in the doorway. Her cheerful expression falls as the feeling of having just about interrupted something sets in. With notebook and pencil in hand, she slowly moves towards a place she can sit and be inobtrusive.
With a comfortable spot had, Simony opens the notebook and the pencil begins wiggling across the page. Those already in the room ahead of her are casually sketched while the Gobbo awaits.
Auranar is in the kitchen, cooking and baking as quietly as she can while Telamon and Cor'lana talk. She hasn't interjected in the conversation at all, but rather focused entirely on the making of dinner, dessert, and what will likely be breakfast on the morrow. The wild elf has her sleeves rolled up and when she hears the knock on the door she freezes a moment before dusting off her apron and heading for the front door. She's surprised then when opening that door allows a fairly unfamiliar goblin into her home and the sight of Dolan. "Um... Come in?" She says hesitantly, but offers Dolan a more welcoming smile.
With the heat in mind, lack of current duty arrangements, a growing sense of fashion, the casual comfort of home, or some combination of the aforementioned, Verna is currently clothed in a simple sundress of light and lustrous green fabric. With no sleeves and slender straps, she has no worries of dirtying sleeves as she assists with food preparation and/or gathering and organization of food-related utensils.
The knock causes her to pause with a mild start, though pattern-recognition is made a moment later. Whilst Aura answers the door, Verna yet turns to observe. All to welcome guests, of course. "Dolan, Simony. Good day to you both, and welcome." She may or may not also have opinions on the current conversation, though she does not yet share such.
Telamon lets the subject drop as people arrive, but he does walk over to place his hands on Lana's shoulders. Something passes between them, silent but warm, and he kisses her cheek briefly, giving her a squeeze before turning to regard his guests. "Dolan, Simony. Good to see you both." He smiles a bit wearily. "I feel a bit like the metal under the smith's hammer -- not physically, but mentally." A soft sigh comes from him. "Still, we persist. And prevail. I've also had some time to consider what we learned, Dolan, and I wanted to bring up something that occurred to me."
Whatever passes between husband and wife silently results in Cor'lana reaching up on her tip-toes to kiss Telamon on the cheek, too, and she leans into him as she turns to look at everyone. There's a moment where she takes a deep breath, before nodding. "Hello, everyone. There's a number of things we need to discuss," she says, "in addition to everyone pelting our friend Dolan with congratulations on his upcoming wedding."
The small smirk she wears on the remark of Dolan's wedding does fade as she adds, "Speaking of which--how about you start first, our soon-to-be-former bachelor?" The humor is there, but there's a clear desire to get to the bottom of everything.
Once inside, having left boots and blade at the door, Dolan follows the others in. "Brightest of days. Sorry to just drop in like this but - I s'pose Telamon's already told you everything." There's something lame in his tone, and he turns to Auranar, offering the basket. "Thought I'd bring something, so at least I'm not a total arse just showing up like this unannounced."
The warmth and congratulations draw a sheepish grin, a boyish thing that, unlike usual, is touched with a dilemma. "What do you want to know? I'm sure Tel already told you everything."
Simony blinks owlishly at Auranar, before offering a small wave and a shy smile. "Hello, I'm Simony Smithsdottir. I er was invited by Telamon. To talk about .. current events."
When Verna wishes her a good day, the Goblin looks relieved. "Hullo Verna! Excellent taste in colours, your sundress is magnificent!"
She waves to Cor'lana, Telamon and Dolan, offering them all a smile, before she nods to Telamon. "Hopefully, like steel, your mind will be stronger for the hammering, Telamon." With that, she attempts to become part of the background once more.
With everyone in the house, Auranar closes the door and heads for the hearth to pour tea for the guests, catching Verna's eye just a moment and half nodding toward Simony with a questioning look. It's clear that she has very little idea who their little guest is. Though clearly Verna knows her. She doesn't have Telamon and Cor'lana's thought-sharing magic to fall back on, but most couples have a bit of shorthand and she's no exception with Verna.
It seems that Simony catches it though, because she introduces herself and Auranar nods, though her attention is mostly on Dolan, her head tilted. "Telmaon? No? At least he's not told me anything?"
Verna catches the glance and begins to gesture to Simony for Auranar's benefit. A moment slow, it seems, as Simony introduces herself before Verna's mouth opens. "She has been involved and of aid in much of the matters," she does manage to offer before adding, "and my thanks" to Simony, herself.
Her curiosity then pulls her attention to Dolan by way of Telamon. "He has not, though I am aware that all is fluid, with information discovered or altering far too quickly."
A soft, wry chuckle. "Yes, Lana and I have ... discussed the results, and they are disturbing enough as is. To wit: Dolan and I confronted the 'Lady' Aza Derwes, nee Chidea, the other night. Our interrogation was fruitful, but... unnerving." He squares his shoulders, before diving in.
"I question, quite honestly, if Aza Chidea was actually exiled from Charn. Because it makes no sense for her to be supporting, via her infiltration of the Calogrefs, the werewolves and Seraquoix's scheme here. Indeed, her machinations go much further than that." His lips twist in disgust. "The child she bore, Rida, is not human, but a half-fiend, spawned from her while possessed and sired by a called fiend."
"Rida is currently in Charn. According to Chidea, she is part of the plan -- the fiend V seeks to craft a stronger vessel, to imbue with fiendish essence. A creature not of the Iron Hells, or of Ea, but both -- I don't think I need to explain the repercussions of such a creature."
Cor'lana grimaces terribly. It doesn't matter that Telamon's already informed her. It's the principle of the matter. "I still cannot wrap my mind around it," she says quietly. "Bearing a child of a demon--really, any sort of supernatural entity..."
She shakes her head. "Maybe she was 'exiled' to simply put her in Alexandria," she says. "Or beyond Alexandria. After all, she's in Selentia often enough, right?"
When Auranar turns away without taking the basket, Dolan turns his head to look after her, then shrugs one shoulder and sets the basket aside on a table nearby, unobtrusively out of view. Instead of seating himself, though, he remains standing, wincing visibly and pulling at the light shirt over his right shoulder. "Nah. And I've got a nasty feeling why Aza accepted Gale in payment for a touch of youth," he mutters, the mobile half of his features twisting into something clearly unhappy on many levels. "He's supposed to be in love with Rida. Probably compelled or possessed. Bet me she's meaning to sacrifice him to Rida as part of that plot. We'll have more trouble than a nest of snakes finding him if Aza gets to him before we go, and I can't leave right now. Zeke said he'd get someone to take care of it, but -" He still doesn't sound best pleased, and plucks at the shoulder of his shirt again. "Selentia, yeah. I get the sense that as far as Seraquoix and Aza are concerned, Dace and the werewolves are a means to an end. V's after the Red Maw. We take that out and we still have to deal with Rida."
"I would say that there is uh..." The Goblin stares at Telamon as new information is shared and processed. "A reason why he may have neglected introductions. But I would go if you wish me to.", she says softly to Auranar. A little wave is directed to Verna, "My part has been vanishingly small compared to the likes of yourself and the others gathered here. And you're welcome, it really does look good on you, Verna."
The Gobbo looks to Cor'lana. "I am likely wrong but uhm, if you are of two places, you can freely travel them both, right? As far as demons go, I mean, it gets around that whole needing to be summoned issue, does it not?"
Auranar, who had been getting Dolan some tea while she silently communed with Verna turns as the man puts his basket down and offers him a cup of tea with a welcoming smile that's only slightly twisted by the explanation that Telamon and he give of the current situation as they now know it. "It happens more often than you might think Cor'lana. Sorcerers are near-proof of this." Her words are gentle things and she turns from offering Dolan the tea to checking out his basket a bit. She smiles as she notes the fried dough pieces and there's introspection in her gaze. Next she offers Simony a cup of tea. "Please, stay."
Verna scowls at that news. Auranar's acknowledgement and appropriate rational note ... does not dampen it all that much. So she shifts her focus slightly to the other frustrating truth. "Most fiends of any power can well travel between realms under their own power. The summons is more and advantage than requirement, as such grants them overall immortality on the destination plane. Should their form be slain, they will simply return to their home realm."
"That's my thought, Simony," Telamon replies with a sour expression. "Remember, it's hard to get from there to here -- regardless of origin. Even the fey of Quelynos need Ways to travel here, and those paths are closed to celestial or fiend." He exhales harshly, before straightening.
"Dolan, I think I need to pay another visit to the Calogrefs at some point. The problem will be extracting Gale. I don't think he's possessed, but he's definitely under a compulsion, which is going to complicate things. Once we've got him, we can break whatever enchantment's been laid on him." He rubs the back of his neck. "The next steps are where I start to wonder where to go. Too many things happening at once."
Dolan drops whatever he'd been doing with his shirt to take the tea from Auranar with both hands, sipping carefully and exhaling after doing so. "Thanks," he tells Auranar, allowing her to quietly investigate the basket. Instead, he turns himself towards Telamon. "Start by taking out the portal. V's still the big threat. We take out the Red Maw and that'll piss V off pretty handsome. We'd better be ready to pull the rug out from under her on Rida, too."
Auranar's comment makes Cor'lana blush in the bashful way. "... I had, admittedly, forgotten my presence here is partially because of a supernatural creature's offspring with a mortal woman," she fesses up.
But then she turns her attention back to Dolan. "I agree with Dolan," she says, "although Zalgiman and I spoke earlier today and I'm no longer completely certain that Dace's plan will take out the portal. It may be another artifact among Marsward's collection that will cause him to be abandoned by V. If I do hand over this scroll--we will want to move on the portal right away."
She looks bashful again as she coughs, realizing something she's just said might not make sense to some. "I, err--right. Marsward, it would appear, has Wished Zalgiman back to life. Telamon, Verna, and I were... witness to the act. Zal and I have agreed on a friendship--with the understanding that he needs to strive to do good in the world. That he needs to atone for the evil he has done."
Simony smiles shyly at Auranar once more. "Thank you.", she says softly, to the tea. As people continue to discuss the matters at hand, her pencil wiggles back and forth. Names and notes are taken, as well, little sketches are drawn of the different speakers here. "You have a beautiful home.", she whispers to Auranar before taking a sip of tea.
Her ears perk up when Telamon replies, and she nods thoughtfully. "That could explain a number of what seem like odd choices made by our... foes. Perhaps some are chosen simply for that duality?" The Gobbo's pencil stops moving as she looks to Cor'lana with saucer-sized eyes. "Wished... someone back to life?" The pencil begins moving, more slowly this time. "That is a staggering amount of power...", Simony says quietly, pushing her pince-nez further up her nose. "This .. Marsword doesn't happen to be ... modestly disposed to stopping... all of these plots we're facing?"
This part - the part about Zalgiman - Auranar had known. Verna had been there after all, but still... "Just how does he plan to atone for all that?" She asks a bit tartly. It's clear that she doesn't entirely approve of this newfound friendship with a werewolf.
"No Simony, Marsward seems to be the biggest block to our efforts, and is unlikely to be of assistance." Yes, she's definitely displeased.
Telamon raises an eyebrow at Auranar. "One day at a time, Aura. There has to be a path to redemption, because otherwise what's the point? There's no chance to draw these souls back from damnation, help them find their way to some sort of peace." He spreads his hands. "I'm not saying 'forget', but there's a practical aspect to this as well. Even in the wake of his death, he can supply us with useful intelligence and insights. If I didn't think he was 'burned', to use the parlance of my father, I'd try to insert him back into Seraquoix's organization to wreak havoc. Which he actually wants to do."
Tel offers Dolan a tight grin. "Remember, Chidea mentioned Seraquoix's been spending money like water to secure gemstones for spellcasting. We'll have to keep an eye out for that when we hit the portal." Shifting his gaze to Simony, he nods. "We need to find a way to grab his familiar. He's a witch, and his scarab familiar is key to his powers. Take that away and he gets quite a bit more manageable."
"That so? I know a certain dwarf whose owl might be a help here." A smirk begins behind the teacup as Dolan drinks from it, and finally, he wanders over towards the hearth, perching precariously on its edge, holding the top in one hand. "Meant to ask her what the gemstones were, but it hit me that she might not know. "Let me and Andie worry about Chidea in Selentia. We'll move as fast as we can, although I won't be surprised to discover that Aza's fled the area."
"Marsward Seraquoix is someone I would sooner see on a pike than to ally with," Cor'lana informs Simony. "He would have no interest anyway--he is the one who stands to gain the most. Zalgiman told me that Marsward believes himself to be able to become like a god if he secures the Red Maw for V, who he serves. He is... a sadist, through and through. A wicked man with no ounce of remorse for his actions, only the ambition to drive people underneath his heel and grind his foot in until their skulls break--at which point he would find someone else to abuse in a similar fashion. He did so with Zalgiman. He attempted to do so with others. And for that--I will not allow him to live."
She brightens a little at the mention of a certain dwarf. "That, or Pothy, although... I fear exactly what might happen if Pothy gets his beak around Marsward's familiar." The look on her face suggests she desperately doesn't want to find out. "Just remember to get married, Brydion, my friend. We deal with the darkness, but the light is important to keep in sight."
Simony nods to Auranar, "I suppose I had guessed that, but I was hoping there was a chance. It may not be that the enemy of our enemy is our friend, but they might be predisposed to helping us unintentionally." The Gobbo looks to Telamon a moment, and then nods to Cor'lana. "I haven't had the er pleasure of meeting the person, or of hearing their part in all of this before. My apologies." She looks back and forth between husband and wife. "I would lean towards keeping Zalgiman out of it, and also, watch him closely. I'm not an expert on arcane spells, and that's an understatement, but you have to wonder why Marsward wished Zalgiman back to life. If M is this... power hungry, or sadistic, he's used this wish for a reason."
"Surely he brought back Zalgiman because he thought he had some way of controlling him." Says Auranar but she sighs and nods. "I can understand letting him have a chance at living a better life, but I dislike the circumstances. I don't think that things are going to end well. I have... a bad feeling." She says uncomfortably and with a twist to her face that makes her shake her head.
"I may not always be right about things, but my instincts have rarely let me down before. Marsward has something planned." She could feel it like a lead weight in her gut. "And if he doesn't have some sort of protection laid on that scarab he's far stupider than we've been giving him credit for thus far. Which I don't think he is."
"Hence why we're keeping an eye on him. I don't doubt Seraquoix is up to something. But he's also enormously arrogant and does not deal well with being rebuffed. Wizards aren't the only ones who can develop complexity addictions or suffer from a desire to show off." Telamon's voice is even now, soothing despite the subject matter.
Walking over, he collects two cups of tea, smiling at Auranar before moving over to hand one to Cor'lana. "And I'm sure he is monumentally pissed. His recruiting arm is falling apart, Zinskas is plotting against him, things are coming unraveled in Selentia... if he loses any more ground, it's entirely possible V might take it poorly. Fiends are not known for their forgiving natures, after all."
Dolan lets out a hard breath, his face turned towards nothing and no one in particular. "I know, I know. I ain't walking out on her again. I've got to go through with it, and I want to. But if I don't beat Aza back to Selentia, I could lose the whole damned thing," he mutters. "She'll probably grab Gale, Lady Calogref, or both, and drag them back to Charn."
Verna takes some moments to acquire her own cup of tea to nurse quietly amidst the conversation. Dolan's concerns between desires is entirely relatable. "You are not alone, Dolan. Others can travel to Selentia in your stead if need be, or otherwise delay Aza if time is critical. Cor'lana is correct; you need not postpone what is good over concerns of what is evil." She then looks to Telamon. "Were Marsward to displease V enough to be removed, I would celebrate our good fortune."
"So smashing his familiar might be the final straw that breaks him, or makes him make a mistake, Telamon? What else can we do to further this? Annnd did you just say you're going to the portal?" Simony's expression is hopeful. "Is there anything I can do to help? In anything, any of you need doing, as of right now?"
Cor'lana looks at Dolan and Telamon in particular. "Telamon," she says quietly, "you realize you must do everything in your power to support Dolan in this, yes? Our wedding was delayed on account of wights in the countryside, after all. I do not want our beloved friend--and your groomsman, Tel--to feel pressured to postpone his wedding."
She looks back to Auranar. "I have no doubt that Marsward has something planned," she says as she takes the teacup that her husband offers her. "It could even be that he's aware that Dace is arranging something and plans to use it against him. That... was part of why Zalgiman sought to be a double agent. So that he could clear up the matter and bring me back information. As much as I don't like it." Cor'lana sighs and drinks her tea.
When Simony asks her question, she looks thoughtful. "Only to teach me how to beat a stubborn man into not doing something that I may regret letting him do," she says. Then she sips her tea again.
Auranar settles into her own spot around the hearth, but for the moment says nothing more on the matter. She seems deep in thought; possibly trying to work out what it is that Marsward has planned. "Your wedding is important too Dolan. Besides. I think Andelena might kill you this time." She flashes a grin at the man.
Telamon just shakes his head. "Lana and Aura have it right, Dolan. As always." He gives his wife a wry grin. "Let me handle this. I... can't swear I can get both of them. It depends a lot on the situation. I'm sure I can handle Gale myself, but..." His brow furrows. "I may need an extra pair of hands to get the Lady Calogref out of there. Let me work the problem."
He gives Dolan a frank look. "You may have to accept that the two of you are a sapling from a tree rotted out, and be prepared to grow on your own. I don't wish that on you, or anyone else... but there it is."
"You think for one breath that I ain't know that whole family's rotten, Tel?" Dolan's head lifts, and he fixes the sorcerer with that gaze. "It's been damned near a decade since she tossed both me and Andie out when I went to ask for her hand the first time. I ain't got much sympathy for her. The bitch is in over her head, though. Most people who make pacts with fiends end up that way. Gale I want so Aza can't have him to sacrifice to Rida, if that's what she's planning. I ain't leaving nobody to be sacrificed to fiends." His tone is cutting and harsh, brooking no argument.
"She will kill me if I don't go through with it, and there ain't nothing I want more than to keep my word." That is said as he turns his head to Lana. "But if that man ends up dead on an altar 'cause I ain't move fast enough, I ain't gonna forgive myself anytime soon."
He seems to deflate, then, and lets out another hard breath. "Zeke said he'd ask a friend to help get Gale, I ain't know what he's got in mind, but I damn sure hope it works. I'll trust him, and you, and pray for your success."
"You'll let me come along if you need it, yes, my love?" Cor'lana looks at Telamon pointedly. Uh-oh. "After all, if you are unsure you can get both of them..."
She takes a sip and looks at Dolan. "I understand," she says. "I... I feel the exact same way about that... that necromancer." She can't say the name of the masked man that Dolan had run into again not all that long ago. Her eyes are dark as she looks down into the teacup.
"We have to have hope," she concludes. "I hoped for hope..." And she doesn't elaborate further as she sips on her tea.
The Goblin's eyes rival the saucers everyone's teacups rest on, while her cheeks flush a circular, mottled red, at Lana's suggestion. "I... can't do that. I don't think even Aryia's fists are hard enough.", Simony says softly. "And I have the feeling if I ever somehow hurt Telamon, you'd bury me."
The Gobbo nods to what Dolan says, "I, too, will pray for your success. As small as that seems, I truly hope every little thing counts."
Verna cannot offer much conmforting insight concerning disfunctional or otherwise rotten progenitors. Not for lack of experience, just lack of any comfort from it. She can potentially offer consolation concerning the nuptials, however. "If Andelena doubted your resolve, Dolan, or you ever doubt your own, on the upcoming union, I would offer this: there may be no clearer sign that you are each meant for the other, than the threats of violence between both."
To that, Dolan can only chuckle. "They say all's fair in love and war, yeah?" He pulls in another deep breath and blows it out. Trust in your friends, he decides, as much as his every nerve is screaming about how much he mislikes the idea. "But - let's talk about the things we can do something about. Like - Auranar's baking. Did I smell pie?"
Something about pie never fails to attract farm kids' attention, and thus are the problems of tomorrow set aside, at least for a little while. Time enough to ruminate over the woes of tomorrow, tomorrow.