Grin Apolypse
Tenebrae - Thursday, December 20, 2012, 6:59 PM
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=<* A10: Temple District *>=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
The air of solemn, heavy divinity in the area is often broken by laughter. The dual presence of the deities Althea and Daeus, man and wife, stand towards the center, with their children and their children's temples positioned around them. The presence of the divine is felt not only by their temples, but also by the actions of their worshippers. The great plaza is as a social center, paved in brilliant, white flagestones and covered in benches and sitting areas. Priests, acolytes, and servicefolk of all stripes roam the plaza, going from one task to the other.
At the front of the temples of Daeus and Althea, at the Plaza's centermost point, rests a great fountain, the cheerful waters reflecting the Sun during the day, and the Moon at night. The fountain is strategically centered, and is oft a place for wisdom and lesson-giving. It is not uncommon for a priest of some stripe or the other to stand there, surrounded by the curious and faithful, delivering messages of hope or contemplation. At other times, it and the plaza become a landscape of celebration of the holy holidays.
Few vendors are seen in the plaza--the nearby temples provide most food or services. Towards the west, the great Bridge stretches across the river, and towards the east, the Redridge mountains. The plaza rests in the midst of it all, the temples massive and grand on the Alexandrian scale.
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Gwendolyn A tall, red-gold haired highborn girl in robes and ar 1m 3h Sonja Gigantic Red haired Woman 3m 10m D'Alaron A long man with crudely shorn sable hair. 12m 12m Mikilos Tall male dawn elf, rosey blonde and handsome. 0s 1h
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= Exits -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
It was a rather nice day in Alexandria, and getting some light snow that would only add to the wonderful weather. Even with the light snow coming down, there was still bright sun out, which added to a bit of the mystique of how the snow was coming down.
Coming out of the Temple of Daeus, a rather large woman with red hair comes out and looks to the sky, chuckling a little bit, even as a snowflake lands upon her forehead.
Walking along the temple road is another woman, clad in long robes and heavy armor. Her helm bears the flared 'ears' and crest of draconic stylings, and her armor is emblazoned with Daeus' sunburst. She strides confidently along the road, towards the Temple of Daeus, when she sees a similarly large paladin of Daeus, and waves.
"Sister! Greetings on this beautiful day!" She calls, walking up to Sonja and taking off her helm, couching it under her arm to reveal her bright, happy smile.
Mikilos whistles absently to himself, making his way towards the Temple of Daeus himself. Tiny little creatures of half formed frost scamper before the wizard, removing the ice from his path. A waste of arcane power? Perhaps. Better than slipping and falling on his butt? Definately.
Emerging from the Temple of Tarien, Sandy has a flask in one hand and she appears to be slightly flushed and staggered. Someone has been getting her drink on with the Tarienites, it seems. At any rate, the short elf stops dead as soon as she's stepped out into the district proper.
Turnign her head, Sonja spots the new person (well, new to her) walking up towards her. "Greetings Sister! It's wonderful to see another Sunblade in Alexandria!" She holds out her hand to the shorter (but not by much) woman. "Sonja Brynhildr. Welcome to Alexandria! Just in time for the Yule Celebration!"
Kuumvu has arrived.
"Ssshold to the left. Ssshold to the right--" the lean sith'makar moves the fan from one side to the next. A lady's fan, with lace along its top, it is of the sort often used among the upper class to signal, to speak silently across the room to a friend or potential lover. The reptilian minstrel holds it awkwardly though slows when he nears the fountain and its nearby benches.
Cesran has arrived.
Mikilos nods politely to the SunBlade's as he passes, pauseing just inside the temple where an acoylte awaits. Setting down his pack, the elf pulls a number of ornate cerimonial blades from the pouch, handing the delivery over with a smile. Such blades couldn't actually fit into the bag, but that's never stopped such things before.
D'Alaron has disconnected.
Taking the offered hand, Gwendolyn applies a firm, eager handshake. "The same to you! This city is quite vast! Far more varied and interesting then my home in Ecclesia!" She laughs, good cheer and a big grin plastered on her face. This, this right here, this is the life. Good companions, Daeus, Helping People... Yeah.
She looks as the courier passes Sonja and her, before smacking her own face. "RIGHT! Gwendolyn Edelweiss, at your service, sister." She gives an apologetic grin, which is different then ultra happy grin. "I cannot believe it slipped my mind, my sincerest apologies!"
At the sight of Gwendolyn and Sonja's entirely too cheerful greetings, Sandy slaps a hand over her face and just groans. She just groans. She has anotehr drink from the hip flask she's carrying wiht her afterwards, though, having the kind of look on her face of someone who just realized she could desperaetly use another.
Cesran comes out of the Temple of Eluna and he heads down the steps towards the center. He spots others that he knows and he gives a nod towards them, "Good day all."
Kuumvu stops to lean against one of the benches. He folds the fan beneath a forearm, and fishes out a roll of paper from a side pocket. The commotion of Smiles draws a look and an odd shudder--as a feeling, an uneasy feeling, makes its way through.
Did he just see the coming of the Grin Apocalypse?
"Mikilos Mithralla, Builder Arcane." the elf offers to the new arrival with a smile. Big smile. No no, too big, dial it back a little. Don't scare off the potential customer- I mean future meatshield- I mean pretty lady.
"Recently arrived, I take it?"
MORE ALCOHOL.
Sandy has another long drink. Just becasue Mikilos is -and- Cesran are here now too. "Oh, this day. It's just getting better -already-. Sunblades and idiot wizards. What the hell are you all so bloody happy about -anyways-?" she says with an accusing tone directed towards Sonja and Gwendolyn.
Kuumvu unrolls the paper across his knee and begins to read. As he does, he mutters to himself--and glances up. And then a grin breaks across his features. "Sa! Congratulations on-your-ceremony!" he calls out to Sandy. And he tucks the fan away into his belt. "I met your better half the-other-day." There was a pause before that sentence. A hesitancy. A touch of...pity the minstrel attempts to hide behind a genial smile.
Sonja chuckles a lot at the handshake. "You don't have to keep calling me sister. Just Sonja will do." She then looks up. "It's a lot more vast than the Sky Curtain Mountains where I grew up." She then looks to Sandy. "We're happy because the sun is out, we've met sisters of the cloth and of arms." She then chuckles a little at Sandy. "or are you Alexandria's 'Scrooge'?" But then....you have Mikilos. "Sister Gwendolyn Edelweiss, this is Mikilos. He crafted the armor I have on right now." She gives a gentle wave to Cesran, but tilts her head at Kuumvu. He was a new one to her as well.
Cesran glances over at Sandy, "As always it's a pleasure to see you Lady Sandiel. I hope that you are doing well." He looks over at the mistrel and winces, "So do you want to be buried or shall we scatter your ashes over the water or to the winds?" He moves over towards Mikilos cause the idiot wizards got to stay together, besides he can always trip Mikilos if Sandy comes after both of them.
Mikilos smiles at the introduction, intrest perking as he glances to Kuumvu, then to Sandy. "Oh? To whom are you wed today? Anyone I've met?" The elf feels safe in his taunt, confidant if she goes beserk, he can always trip Cesran to slow her down. Yes, great minds think alike. And so do these two.
"My better half? What on... you can't seriously believe I'm married,' says Sandy to Kuumvu with a groan. "I am going to need to find that elf. ANd have a word with her." She puts ahnd over her face again, then eyes the others. Balefully.
"It is the romantic-tale. Anger, romance! Sa, if it is not true, it would only add to the tragedy." Kuumvu rolls up the paper he'd been referencing, and adds it to his belt alongside the folded fan. "Kuumvu, as the drums. I rarely get to meet a legend." He lifts his chin to Sonja, "Sunblade."
Nodding to Sonja, she smiles. "It is a habit. From being an acolyte, really. Sister this, brother that, yes sir no sir..." She grins. "Mikilos! It is very nice to meet you. And the work you did on Sister Sonja's armor is exquisite! When I have a few coins to spare, know that you will be the first I commission! Do you do blades, as well? Not that I need one at the moment, for mine is quite dear to me and in need of no improvement, but the question stands!" Gwen offers, smiiiiiiling big happy grins at the crafter.
Remethaer has arrived.
Cesran hmms, "Well this is strange she didn't disintegrate him. She must be in a good mood tonight." He overhears the talk of magical weapons, "What kind of magic blade are you looking for? I happen to make armor and weapons as well."
Mikilos glances to Kuumvu again. "A legend? Have you met Jibbom yet? Or Donk?" Chuckeling, he nods to Gwen. "I specialize in blades, actually. Arms, armors, scrolls, potions, and various items of wonder. I also craft and assortment of mundane items, minor clockworks and the like, though that's really more a hobby."
Rubbing her face even more, Snady seems even more aggrivatedabout this. "Elgends. Right. Great. Augh. I can't believe this. Not married." She's grousing more to herself than she is doing anything else. Indeed, she glowers over at Kuumvu and then glowers -even more- at Gwendolyn and Sonja. Without speaking further.
Remethaer skulks down the stairs out of Althea's temple, hood of his duffel coat tossed up to hide the flush in his cheeks. His hands are shoved deep into the coat pockets and his shoulders are hunched as he takes the steps two at a time. "'You can lay hands on me anytime.' Who says stuff like that?" He murmurs into the top of his colorful scarf, "Idiot."
D'Alaron has connected.
"They ssing their songs so loudly, they have no need of a minstrel," Kuumvu returns. He leans back on his heel, hands behind his back and a smile that chases itself across his muzzle. "And there is not an element of-tragedy between them. You need tragedy for a good story," he tells Sandy. And there's that edge of hope, there. Uh...oh.
Then, he looks quick-over to the new arrival, the frill across his skull lifting in curiosity.
Sonja says, "You worked as an acolyte? That's good! I never had the option of working as an acolyte. I.....came here from Khazad Duin, after a friend forged my earthbreaker." She says tapping the large handle on her back. "Something of a keepsake. thankfully, Mikilos here was nice enough to enchant my Earthbreaker." She then chuckles a bit. "However, it was the Arcanist Society that made my armor magical....and added armor spikes." She then puts a hand on Gwendolyn's shoulder. "Take that as advice. Get armor spikes. For when you can't use your sword, and believe me.....it'll happen." She then nudges Mikilos. "Mikilos and I here ended up fighting off a demon in the library, that was trying to burn books for some reason. Still haven't figured out why." She partly ignores Sandy's glowering for the moment. Too happy at the moment."
Cesran nods, "I can just scribe and enchant armor and weapons. I haven't done much enchanting as I've been concentrating on my magical studies and gaining a deeper understanding of the arcane. Growing stronger in my magic."
Such a colorful crowd seems to be pouring out of the woodwork! And NONE of them read evil on Gwendolyn's Trusty Paladin Brand EvilDar(TM). Today is great, for the good people of Alexandria. "Oh! No, no, I more meant... Not right now. I will be sure to keep you all in mind! I simply don't have the platinums to rub together to pay you fine folk for your work! It's a shame, truly. But I will most certainly keep you in mind!"
To the Armor Spikes suggestion, Gwendolyn frowns. "I appreciate the tip, Sister, but if my armor is covered in spikes, how will I carry the wounded to safety? Or... Or hug children in need?" She wonders, her smile hopeful.
And then... She looks at the groaning sourpuss, Sandy.
Whom she strides right up to, beaming at her. "Is something the matter, miss? If something ails you, I can lead you to the temple of Althea!"
Mikilos hrmms. "I think there's plenty of tragety to Jibbom and Donk, but mayhaps not the sort you mean." Glancing to Sandy, he shrugs. "I still maintain that if you actually got married, the rumors about doing so would stop. Or at least slow down. Of course, rumors of when Sandy Junior is to arrive would then start..... hrmmm... nevermind." Pondering a moment longer, he shrugs, and nods to Sonja. "Am thinking was just an isolated incident. If was part of a larger plan, something else would have happened by now."
The sith'makar makes a choking sound at Gwen's declaration. Then a hiss. It's not unlike a deflating teakettle, only there are no tiny clouds poking out of his nostrils.
Cesran hmms, "Spikes on your armor, that usually makes me think of an evil paladin rather then a good one but for a tactical advantage armor spikes it is definitely a plus." He shrugs, "I don't see what the big deal is about Lady Sandeil's love life."
As Kuumvu continues to speak, Sandy looks even more pained. This is not surprising, actually. "DO I need to teleport you to some other plane so you can just shut up?" she asks, plaintively. Then she eyes Cesran, Gwnedolyn, and Sonja again. And decides to take a long, long drink from that flask. Until its empty. And that realization makes her look even sadder.
Sonja says, "Sister Gwendolyn, this is Lady Sandiel. She's usually angry for one reason or another, and I have no idea why." She then looks at her own armor. "You just have to place the spike a bit more strategically. That way you can still hug children, and use the spikes when people try to hug you." She shows her gauntlet. "Like this." She then looks to Mikilos. "Jibbom and Donk? Jibbom's neat when he's going crazy....and DOnk is a legend in his own mind." She chuckles softly. "Useful in a fight though." She then gestures to Cesran. "Sister Gwendolyn, this is Cesran. He also makes weapons and armor, but I've heard of a few of his accolades as well." Kuumvu gets a raised eyebrow."
Mikilos shrugs to Cesran. "More entertaining than pondering our own love lives?" Taking off his pack, the elf fishes around a moment, then tosses a small flask to Sandy. He's got a full set of survival gear in there, and a flask of Happy Juice is high on the list.
Kuumvu raises his hands, palms up: peace, that, and takes a step back. "I enjoy a long-walk, but that may be longer than I'd like." He lowers his hands and grins back at Sonja. His tail snakes behind him as its own thing--a being as separate as he is. The ends of it tink, laden with rings for decoration, for sound.
Cesran hmms, "Some of us don't feel the need to crow our achievements. I'll leave that to future scholars to write about or perhaps I will write about them in my twilight years. It will give me something to do." He shrugs a little bit, "I've got more important things to worry about then who is going to warm my bed."
"That's not what I meant!" Remethaer insists, blushing anew as he stops to argue with Cesran. Only after looking at the stranger for a few seconds-- blink, blink-- does he realize that the conversation had nothing to do with him. "... disregard," he squeeks, lowering his eyes to the ground and turning to walk away once more.
A raised voice gets Sonja's attention, in the form of Remethaer. She tilts her head at him as he starts to walk away. Waiiiit a minute. "Excuse me....." She says to him. "What did Cesran say to get you so flustered?" She keeps the corner of her eye on Kuumvu for the moment, until turning back to him. "Sunblade Sonja Brynhildr. What's might your name be, Minstrel?"
Mikilos mehs and waves vaugely. "Bed warming is an easy cantrip, anyone could cast it."
"You know what," says Sandy, "I'll be right back." And then she back into the Temple of Tarien. For a moment, anyways. She returns with a refilled hip flask. It's not like there's any shortage of booze in that particular temple. Her cheeks flushed, she says, "Now *that* is more like it. I think I am going to need all the alcohol I can get. And I'm usually angry for good god damnreason."
Azog has arrived.
The reptilian man gives his tail a shake--the rattles shimmy, click in an impromptu tempo, just an undercurrent of sound as though its owner feels there /should/ be sound. "Kuumvu, like the ssound of drums. I came here to learn your-storiess and tales. That is how I heard of--of Sssandiel," he says. He slips on some of the words, some come out more quickly than others, and all of it as though there was some sound somewhere he was paying attention to. He gives himself a shake and focuses on the Sunblade. "And it is-good to meet you. May you shade beneath the Dragon-wings." To Sandy, "That-is what I hear."
Gwendolyn beams around as people explain the issue. "It is truly a shame that we meet under such unfortuitous circumstances! It seems you are preoccupied, Lady Sandiel, and already well into the hair of the dog. It is fine, though! I am Gwendolyn Edelweiss, Sunblade of Daeus. It is good to meet you!" She announces, extending a hand to shake.
She seems to ignore much of the surrounding chatter. Either that or she is incredibly unperceptive.
Remethaer looks at Sonja out of the corner of his eye, pausing mid-step. "Huh," he coughs, stalling momentarily. Finally, turning to look at the woman. "I... thought he said 'don't spit on the ground by the fountain," he lies, wrinkling his nose. "And so I said 'I wouldn't!' because I would never spit on the ground in the Temple... area. Place. District. The temples district." He thinks about it for a moment, then nods when he's sure it's a rock solid cover story.
"Plaza." Mikilos offer unhelpfully.
"Temple plaza," Remethaer ammends.
"...yeah." The hand is extended to her. Sandy takes it. She shakes it. There is a smile on her face. Finally. But it's not really a nice smile. It is one of those strained, 'I am doing this because I don't want to get arrested for doing what I actually want to do' smiles. Indeed, several of the guards that are always present here are keeping an eye on her. Just because.
Remethaer also winks at Mikilos. Awkwardly.
Cesran looks over to Remethaer as he's taken back for a moment. He hmms a little bit, "Well I didn't, but don't worry about it. My name is Cesran what is your name?" He asks curiously and he looks over at Mikilos, "There is always that, but I learned a while ago that magic can't solve all your problems."
Mikilos pffts absently. "Obviously, you aren't useing enough magic."
Azog has disconnected.
"Remy?" Remethaer says but in such a ways as to draw the first syllable out over several seconds. Perhaps he was debating the wisdom of giving an alias after he started speaking... then failed to come up with one that wasn't an actual nickname. He glances about between Cesran and Mikilos, glad for the distraction from Sonja's interrogation. "Yes. Magic. Wild stuff, right? The stuff of evil sorceress queens and friendly, helpful elves from their magical, eternal foretests."
Sonja chuckles softly at Gwendolyn. "Sandiel, I fear, drinks a lot." She says softly before looking to Sandy. "I hear your garden is getting along well though, Lady Sandiel." She does look to Remy and shrugs. "You shouldn't spit at all, it's kinda rude, and in a city, people might walk on it."
Mikilos shrugs mildly. "Are worse things than spit soaking some alleys. One of the few benifits of the cold, keeps the smell down."
"Naturally." Remethaer agrees with a nod, "We're in agreement, then, and not talking about something someone said that could've been mistaken as an awkward pass at a pretty... Althean..." Blush. Remethaer just runs away! Quite heroic, this one.
Remethaer has left.
"Is something troubling you, Milady Sandiel? Some task I can accomplish for one such as yourself? Please know, that I and any of the cloth are here to help you in times of need." Gwendolyn asks, earnestly, before turning to Sonja. "She does? Her constitution must be strong! Perhaps I shall join you in your imbibing pleasures sometime! I do enjoy a good vintage."
Sandy stares at Gwendolyn for a long moment. Then she smiles. A slow smiel that spreads across her face. "You want to drink with me." She then laughs. And laughs. "Oh yes. That is an EXCELLENT idea." She's already plotting the embarassment of the paladin!
Mikilos twitches. Sandy's smileing. Sandy. Smiles are usually a good thing. Usually. But this is Sandy. "...please don't break anyone."
Cesran nods, "There are enough disgusting creatures under the streets of this city that we don't need spitting. I wouldn't want to see what would happen if someone made a pass at Sonja...the poor fool would probably end up tied in a knot." He hmms, "There is some prophecy about Lady Sandy smiling isn't there?"
Sonja places a hand upon Gwendolyn's shoulder. "Perhaps not, Gwendolyn. We do have a few things to do around Alexandria for the moment. Lady Sandiel, please don't blow anyone up, at least.....unless they threaten Alexandria." She then waves a bit. "If you'll excuse me, I do fear I must head to bed. While the righteous may not need sleep, I must say I do. Lady Sandiel, I shall buy you a drink or five if you'll refrain from making someone explode until after yule......or, mostly refrain if the person is completely and utterly evil and the nine levels of hell are too good for them." She then waves to everyone. "See you all soon."
Mikilos frowns... "When determining if someone is evil, get a second opinion..."
Sonja has left.
"...I... haven't blown anyone up in a -while-," says Sandy, as if this is something that she thinks should happen again sometime soon. Still, she seems disappointed that she can't do it and agrees, "Fine, fine. No explodifying anyone."
Mikilos frowns thoughtfully. "Not that I'm volenteering or anything, but can you really banish someone to another plane? I've seen the temporary sub-dimension trap, but that's not quite the same."
Cesran nods, "And no drunken teleporting. You don't want to end up half way in a mountain and half way in a goblin outhouse."
Pausing, Gwendolyn seems to finally understand things. Like a brilliant light dawning, and the smile to match it. "I seeeee! Well, Lady Sandiel, since my superior has decided to advise me to work first, and engage in leisure with you some other time, I will endeavor to strike down all the injustices and evils of this city, so that you can bring to fruition your 'excellent idea'. By-the-by, would you be a mage of some repute? All these fine folks have such... odd counsel for you."
"What? Me? A mage? No, why, I am no wizard at all," says sandy, giving Gwendolyn a winning smile. "Though I've been known to cast the occasional spell anyways. And really? You'd give up a night of drinking to go smite evil? How delightfully...sunbladish." She lets out a sigh. "Fine. I'll expect you and anyone -else- who wants to drink later tonight. Go.. do whatever it is you're going to do." See, she's making sure it's 'soon' as opposed ot 'never'.
Mikilos shakes his head. "Sandy's no wizard. She reshapes the world thru raw rage. Like a berserker, but with fewer blades and more dimensional travel."
Cesran nods, "You don't want to get in Lady Sandy's way or if you do prepare for a world of hurt." He hmms, "What tavern are you going to? I might join you for a drink later."
"I have a job to do, Milady Sandiel!" Gwen protests, her smile not diminishing. "But when I complete my nightly tasks, I shall reconnoiter with you at the local tavern for spirits!" She turns to the others. "How curious. I asked if she was a mage, not a wizard. Perhaps she is not a learned caster, but if she works arcane forces, then she is..." Gwendolyn trails off.
"Nevermind. I do not rightly know why it matters!"
Mikilos shrugs lightly. "For me, it's a matter of properly used terms. Anyone who can cast arcane spells is an Arcane Caster. A wizard is a trained and somewhat powerful Arcane Caster. A Mage, or Magus, is above the level of the typical Wizard, while an Archmage is higher yet. And above an archmage, you get called whatever you tell people to call you. But the terms have all been muddled and their meaning allowed to skew over the centuries."
"Yeah, yeah. Jobs. Feh," says Sandy, waving a hand. "I'm going to a bar and getting my damn drink on," she grumbles. And with that, she goes to do just that.
Cesran nods a little bit, "Well this has been enlightening, but I must be off it was good to see you all." He heads out.
Cesran goes home.
Cesran has left.
Gwendolyn has disconnected.