After The Heist

Temple of Eluna, evening

A chill evening, the stars glittering brightly overhead only to be obliterated in patches and starts by the odd, scudding gray cloud. A crisp, clear, gusty fall evening matches well with the austere marble of Eluna's temple, a place of even more quiet and solitude than usual for the absence of some of its less faithful. The pool in the center of the temple reflects the brilliant moon and stars, with no hint of the clouds that obscure them.

The Seers have mostly dispersed to their tasks for the evening, after evensong, but a few figures remain here, among them a bright-haired human male dressed in only shirt and trousers, open-front mage's robe over it, apparently meditating quietly.

The chill does not touch Telamon. At least not physically. He's still shaking off the aftermath of that dreadful battle in the castle, his face still a touch drawn. His garments are surprisingly light for this late in the year, the silk shirt over woolen trousers with boots. With quiet steps, he walks into the temple, his dark eyes sweeping the area around the pool until they pause on the sandy-haired man meditating.

Carefully, he approaches the man, before kneeling down on a prayer mat placed next to the pool, resting his hands on his thighs. Waiting, patiently, for Sir Seldan to finish his prayers.

As it happens, the sorcerer has a few minutes to wait, for Seldan does not look up or acknowledge him at once. Like Telamon, his clothing is lighter than one might expect for a fall evening, but he shows no sign of the chill, and his right sleeve is even inadvertently folded back to reveal a new scar wrapping around his right forearm, not far above the wrist like a gauntlet, appearing white in the way of one long-healed.

At last, though, he does let out a slow breath and look up, to find himself with a companion. "Lord Lupecyll-Atlon, Her light upon your path. I pray that I have not kept you waiting long."

Although he does not say so, he watches Telamon keenly, pale blue eyes blinking at the drawn look. "It is in my mind that you are troubled," he offers.

Telamon slowly shakes his head. "Not long, Sir Seldan." His lips quirk up. "Long enough to begin my thanks to Ni'essa, for lighting my way. That was... a bit closer than I might have desired." Tel's eyes move to the pool, and the reflection of the night sky, untroubled. He seems to draw comfort from it, for he continues, "I feel shamed, that you and Aryia suffered such injuries while I did not. I find myself questioning my own resolve and courage."

Seldan regards Telamon thoughtfully with those pale blue eyes, no hint of anger there. He looks much, much better than he did on the group's return - he'd closely resembled something out of the swamp when the group had parted ways - and shakes his head. "You persisted when the challenge arose, and did not flee. Pleased am I that you took no hurt, and that I was able to see to your lady and to Mistress Aryia readily enough."

He says nothing of himself, but instead takes in every detail of Telamon's mien. "It is in my mind that your hurts lie within." It is an unspoken offer, but not a forcing one, allowing the sorcerer to speak if he wishes, and remain silent if he does not.

Telamon is silent for a moment, his dark eyes shot with those drifting stars. Contemplating. "I held it, Sir Seldan," he says finally. "It was the Star of Tears, truly. And... I never wish to touch it again." His lips quirk up, slightly. "I find it surprising. There are a hundred tales and a thousand boasts from fools who speak of what they would do, granted a god's tools -- if only for a day. I would tell them all it would be a terrible idea. Even if they meant nothing but good."

"I will give you warning so that you're not surprised. The nature of the Star of Tears is that to hold it -- at least, for me -- is to also experience the absolute conviction you will kill, -have- killed, what you love the most." He lets his eyes drop to the pool again. "A clever form of security. Even a fiend or a sociopath would have trouble bearing such feelings, artificial though they may be."

The horror of such a thing sinks slowly into Seldan's mind as he listens to Telamon's words, and his eyes lower, dropping likewise to the holy pool before them. "And yet was such a thing not the sole item of the gods present, in that place," he murmurs. "You say that Tanithariairisixchel took it, did she not. Better so, perhaps." More thoughts linger in the unspoken words, a thought that he quite plainly holds back.

"Nor would I wish to experience such a thing," he murmurs. "Indeed is your hurt the greater. Think yourself not weak, or cowardly, merely because you shed no blood."

"It was only by my wife's grace and love that I was able to free myself from the malaise inflicted by it, Sir Seldan. You do not need to hear of what I experienced." Telamon's voice grows a little stronger, and he straightens his shoulders. "Yes. It was not mine -- nor yours, to be honest. We are Ni'essa's servants, we do not need to play with her toys. We might cut ourselves, after all." His voice is slightly wry.

A couple long, quiet moments, before Telamon continues. "If you wish passage to Tanith's mountain, I can oblige you, but I would not care to lay any wagers that Tanith would allow you to inspect the weapon."

There's a gentle humming in the air. The sound of music light and gentle. An oddly familiar tune which once heard is difficult to get out of the mind. It seems to come from everywhere and yet nowhere. Yet... it's also almost inaudible.

"Nay. It is not mine, and I desire neither to hold nor wield it. I would but learn more of he who stole it, but -" Seldan's gaze has gone back to the pool, and lowers to it. "Perhaps you have the right of it, and we proceed by another -" His words trail off, and he goes silent. His sitting posture straightens into alertness, and he turns his head this way and that, as if looking for the source of - something. The warrior's instinct takes hold, and he reaches for Reunion that is not attached to his hip. His hand pauses, then flexes.

GAME: Telamon rolls perception: (12)+25: 37

Telamon nods. "Thank you. I would not have you stung the same way I was. If the burned hand teaches best, then I am happy to pass on my experience so that no one else has to be burned." He frowns suddenly, and tilts his head as well -- sharp half-elven ears picking up the humming. Slowly, his head rotates back and forth, before his gaze flicks to Seldan's hip. "Ah... where is Reunion?" His dark, starry eyes are concerned, but there's a hint of something else there.

GAME: Telamon rolls spaceBS: aliased to Bluff+3: (1)+30+3: 34 (EPIC FAIL)

GAME: Seldan rolls sense motive: (19)+24: 43

The music intensifies, but only a little. Reaching it's climax slowly. Something is about to happen!

"Reunion has been returned to my home, for now," Seldan answers Telamon, although his attention returns to Telamon, his gaze sober and thoughtful, and keener than usual. He favors the sorcerer with a long stare, but remarks only, "We have much to discuss, and you know something that I do not." He has not moved from his position, but he looks like he's about to get to his feet, his attention returning to their surroundings."

"I know many things," Telamon says, but his eyes are really giving him away here. It is said that spouses influence each other in many ways, and Tel has clearly been around Cor'lana's fey mischief more than a bit. "I know of creatures alien to Aeryth that nevertheless love us just as the gods do. I have seen vast creatures sailing the endless gulfs between the stars, and born witness to events both simple and world-shaking." He pauses. "However, there is something important you do need to know, Sir Seldan."

"You are about to be pounced on."

Telamon's words were barely warning enough before Seldan is indeed pounced upon. Or more precisely the leading edge of his shirt which is untucked on his back. Pounce! A flurry of cloth! Tiny claws batting at shirt! A golden dragon appears to play!

Seldan starts, then - what in -? He cranes his neck around to try to get a good look at what is attacking the back of his shirt. A glimpse of golden glint beneath the open-front robe over the shirt is enough to tell him the identity of his stalker, and he chuckles quietly. "Tanithariairisixchel," he greets warmly, if with some bemusement. "It is well to see you in fine spirits."

He can't even be mad at the childlike play of the golden dragonlet who has been a friend to him for longer than Telamon knows, and ignores the mysterious words of the sorcerer without comment.

Telamon laughs softly. No matter what bruises may be on his soul, it's clear he hasn't given up, and he's healing. Watching Tanith's catlike antics are a balm for him, and he smiles as Seldan tries to peer over his shoulder. "Sorry, Sir Seldan. I saw her coming and, well... I couldn't just spoil her fun. That would be rude." He watches Tanith batbatbat at Seldan's shirt, and grins. "Good evening to you, my friend."

There's a moment of playful scurrying before Tanith manages to nimbly make her way up the robe and out! She huffs bright-eyed and clearly pleased with herself and giving the collar of Seldan's shirt one more paw before seating herself on his shoulder and surveying her domain. "Hello!" She preens a bit, seeming extra-pleased with herself today.

Sharp claws in thin material are sharp, and Seldan winces before she manages to settle herself more easily on his shoulder. "Agh. Little one." The quiet smile fades a little, but the amusement in his tone lingers. "Hello, Tanithariairisixchel. You are quite stealthy, are you not?" He reaches up to stroke the smooth golden scales.

He hesitates, though, his gaze going back to the pool even as he strokes her.

Telamon watches Tanith make her way onto Seldan's shoulder, and he can't help but wince a touch at the pokes of the claws. "Easy there, Tanith, he doesn't have a lot of clothes on. Be gentle." He looks at Seldan. "It's like having an overly-curious cat."

He looks to the pool as well, taking some comfort in those ageless stars reflected, before turning back to Tanith. "I hope all is well with you, Tanith. Or at least, it's gotten better."

Tanith blinks innocently, not realizing how pokey her claws are. Thankfully she's not drawing blood or anything. It _is_ rather like having an overly-curious cat. "Iamgood!" She says cheerfully, bending to Seldan's touch appreciatively then peering at the paladin. "Peoplesgood?"

"Animals and I are not friends." The ghost of a smile quirks at the corner of Seldan's mouth. "I cannot say that I would know a great deal of cats." He continues to stroke those scales, absently and gently. "My work is not yet done, little one, and the task I set for myself cannot be done as I had hoped. Though it is safe, I must learn more of he who stole it."

"Healing," Telamon replies to Tanith. "But we are unbroken." He pauses, then adds with a smile, "Lana and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary. A quiet evening together -- it did a lot for my peace of mind. Of course, then two days later I had forgotten I told a friend of mine she could come by to cook breakfast."

He pauses, then smirks. "Perhaps it's no surprise, but I really am not a morning person."

"Iamnotanimal." Tanith says quickly and determinedly. Which is generally true. Dragons do not qualify as 'animal'. She curls up on Seldan's shoulder, listening to the paladin and to Telamon with interest. "What kind of peoples is a 'morning' peoples?"

"Indeed are you not," Seldan agrees readily, turning his attention back to the golden dragon on his shoulder and shakes off whatever it was he was thinking about. He continues to absently stroke Tanith, but explains, quietly and evenly, "There are those peoples who rise with the dawn, and effortlessly so, who wake swiftly and easily. Others, less so, and struggle to awaken with the morn, preferring instead the peace and solitude of the night. I have learned to do either, and at times, both."

A few more strokes. "Congratulations," he offers to Telamon. "Had I known, I would have offered a gift."

Telamon shakes his head at Seldan with a smile. "No need, Sir Seldan. It was a private affair and to be honest, we both needed it." His lips curve up again at Seldan's description. "That is accurate enough. I used to rise till well after sunrise, often closer to highsun. Lana has... encouraged me to adjust things a bit -- though I make the time to continue my studies of the heavens."

His dark eyes regard Tanith fondly. "So, dear one, have you any news? I presume the recovery of a certain item has made some people quite happy."

"Congratulations?" Tanith inquires curiously. "Gift?" Maybe she doesn't know what an anniversary is? She peers at Seldan, then nods in semi-understanding of at least what a 'morning people' is. "News?" Tanith is not a creature of subtlety.

The stroking continues, down the back and across the beautiful tail. Seldan explains, still seated quietly on his mat. It is perhaps a good thing that the temple is quiet, lest the conversation disrupt others at prayer. Still, there are no others to disrupt, and so the paladin has no problem speaking. "He and his lady pledged to one another a year past. Much as Mal and I have," he offers a reference. "It is a happy occasion for peoples, usually, and certainly in their case." Something within his tone flattens out.

"As to the matter of news, it is in my mind that he asks after that which we retrieved. We presume that it has been returned to its rightful owner, and that that pleases all concerned." His gaze goes back to the pool. "I had thought to ask of you a thing, but it is perhaps best, do I not."

A soft chuckle. "Indeed. I am being somewhat vague as I was unsure if you wanted to speak of it." Telamon reaches over to scritch Tanith gently. "I was happy to have helped, though as I told Sir Seldan here, it felt as though I was less than useful at times. Still... one has to face such dangers, sometimes when you don't get to choose your preferred battleground."

If there is joy in having the attentions of _one_ people, then there's even more when there are the attentions of _two_. In short Tanith is purring. "Igivegift. Goodpeoples." She nods to herself and seems to drift into thought for a moment before she languidly blinks at Seldan. "Peoples ask? I help! Some are very pleased for the finding of the thing, others are NOT."

GAME: Seldan rolls bluff: (16)+15: 31

It takes a sharp pair of eyes to recognize that Seldan's stare is not merely thoughtful, gazing into the depths of the reflecting pool as he does. "I am certain that some are not, but - know you who is displeased, aside from the thief who stole it and the one who hid it?" Questions swirl in his mind, but it is always best to ask Tanith only one thing at a time.

Telamon snorts. "I'll bet some are very displeased." But he lets Seldan ask the questions; he's well aware Tanith can be flighty. "Sir Seldan, a thought though: those who are displeased, those who are the thieves... they may not always be the same people, or even the same faction. There's no honor among fiends, after all."

"I know." Says Tanith clearly, nodding her head. "Bad peoples." She says with a little vengeful hiss and a shaking out of her scales. "Bad not-peoples." She keeps glancing at Telamon thoughtfully.

"I have not yet shared my thoughts with many," Seldan replies, still gazing at the pool, his hand slowing in its strokes. "Much have I learned." Tanith's comment, though, turns his head towards her, and prompts his hand to restart. "Not-peoples? Little one -" He hesitates, draws in a breath. "It is a very great ask, and I will understand, if I am refused. There is one who threatens, not just Eluna, but Taara as well, and from the artifacts we saw in that place, possibly the gods themselves. Certainly magic itself is threatened by the actions of this individual. I - would see the face of this one. Learn more. See the slaying of Animus through the eyes of the weapon that did the slaying. I would confirm my suspicions. I know the risk. I have heard Lord Lupecyll-Atlon's tale, and his warnings."

"While it's sometimes a mistake to ask 'why', I wonder anyways. This ... perpetrator," Telamon's brow furrows, as he picks a different name for the Griever. "What motivates him, what drives him? Is his name more than just happenstance, is he so consumed with grief for something he has lost that he would tear down all that is? A frightening prospect, for one such as that... will not be dissuaded easily. If at all."

Tanith looks at Seldan and then after a moment nods to him. "Igivegift." She nods. "Forpeoples. Goodpeoples." She waggles her tail a little bit and then nudges Seldan with her head. It's a very gentle nudging.

"It is even that that I would understand," Seldan starts to nod to Telamon in wholehearted agreement. "I would understand why, and I would understand what it is that he seeks to achieve-" And then, Tanith nudges him with her head, and he automatically reaches up to resume the stroking. "I would understand the connections, between all that he does. For those artifacts - The Mask of a Thousand Faces. The Mirror of the Way. The Star of Tears. The Staff of the Sea. The Thread of Destiny. Each of these did I see in that place. No, this plan is greater, and more vile, than any had guessed."

GAME: Telamon rolls knowledge/religion: (14)+13: 27

"Presumably, all parts of one deity or another's panoply." Telamon pauses to contemplate this. "Sir Seldan, consider: this madman has stolen deific... well, tools, from possibly as many as -five- gods. He will not be daunted by anything as trifling as their sanction." He rubs his chin. "I think I will pay a visit to the libraries tomorrow. Time for me to start doing some study again, I think. I will let you know what I discover."

Tanith is greatly appeased by the pettings, settling on Seldan's shoulder until Telamon suggests that he has work to do. "Ishouldgetgifts!" She says perking up significantly.

"Then shall I also be about my own studies, little one. It is well to see you well." Seeing the little dragon in much better spirits than before is as balm to Seldan's soul, and he starts to stand, as carefully as he can, steadying Tanith as he does so. "I would also learn the fate of the angel he bound, and whether his mate was able to free him. That task would I complete, if possible."

A visit ends in a path forward - a better outcome than Seldan had hoped for. Now to resume their work, to begin to understand what it is they face. Quietude and chill greet all as they part ways, but it is a fertile silence.