Redeeming Qualities

It's bitterly cold outside the temple of Althea, but there's a warmth inside the temple that sinks into the bones and makes one feel welcome here. The rooms smell of cultivated roses which are carefully tended in the Memorial Gardens before they end up here. Their sweet and slightly powdery scent mingles with the warmth and invites those that are here to relax and take comfort. Something that is desirable given the healing nature of the deity to whom this temple belongs.

One this day, one of member of a family is trundling up towards the temple with a gray arm over their shoulder, supporting and guiding their sibling. Dried tears stain a scarred visage, and every step closer felt like the last few dozen on a journey of a thousand thousand paces.

She's hissed and talked her throat raw, face still sporting some bruises from the altercation and dry blood on her lips, but still she hisses out, "C-m- -n... -lm-st... -lm-st th-r-... s-st-r..."

The gods, much less their temples, have never been a symbol of comfort for Aya. While it would be an excellent example, we will not mention her time at Eluna's temple. Yet the warmth as she enters is not unpleasant. Yes, she walks. Upon her own two feet, in fact.

Mostly. She has an extra pair, and an arm, for assistance and possibly guidance. She is speaking less than Aryia at present, and there is no smirk present, no brows arched at this time.

The temple of Althea was a pleasant, welcoming place, home to one of the largest charitable works in the city. It was a place that a certain sith-makar cleric knew well. And one where, she wanted to do some more to help after everything that had happened. At the main, central oven, at one of the many tables, the bitter cold outside was forgotten, as Seyardu was busy helping distribute hot soup, bread and sandwiches for those in need.

Aryia was aware of Aya's view on such places. They mirrored her own, in many ways. But Hotaru was right, and this needed to be done. There wasn't much said between the two. Well, at least on Aryia's front, she mostly had just been crying her eyes out and sticking to her older sister like glue the entire way back to Alexandria.

Slowly, a dozen more paces, and a dozen less more to do. Two mul'neissa appear, Aryia sweeping her gaze about. Her throat all but shot, she weakly gestures, "Almost there... we're almost..." in a rote manner. <Handspeech>

Aya acknowledges Aryia with a simple nod, rather than a gesture. Physically, she does not appear conspicuously impaired, so it may be more a matter of mind. Possibly soul, given that both were absent at times. Her stare ahead is rather blank... that is until a familiar snout and scales are spotted. Aya does not wave, but makes a general point at Seyardu.

Seyardu pauses her distribution of food as she sees Aya and Aryia entering. There is a moment of tenseness, but it quickly passes. It would take some time to get used to seeing her around again. And she waves to the two.

"Peace on your nests, both of you." She greets the two. "Can I get you anything? A hot meal, or something of the sort? Healing after fighting out your grievances? I can see right away you are fairly bloody, Aryia."

Aryia follows Aya's hand. A word, gesture, anything that could-

She follows the point to the silverscale. And it felt like a second wind. Just a dozen dozen more to go..

The mute waves a hand, "Hey..."

She shakes her head, and glances to the mul'neissa that's been through too much. "... food sounds... good. But.... what the boy said. Aya needs..."

She swallows slightly. Throat smarting. "... she needs to take the last step." <Handspeech>

Aya may or may not have heard or been cognizant of Hotaru's words. She has little or no trust, much less faith, with any of the gods. What she needs is not even something she can fully digest at the moment; mind, body, and soul are all still attempting to reintegrate themselves. Mostly, she knows that something is ... broken.

Her will is ever her own. She bows to no one.

Yet she relinquished it and did.

Act decisively. There are no regrets.

And yet there are.

The inability to fully parse that disconnect means she can hardly articulate it, either. With a sudden surge of energy, she darts the last few steps to grasp at Seyardu by her vestments. Firmly, though not harshly.

"Fix this... fix me." Demand or plea may be difficult to discern until she releases and drops her hand. She adds, quietly, "Please."

All that, and she is still a terrible patient.

"I am still volunteering here, please give me at least a moment to get finished, please." The cleric replies, taking a step back as her clothes and apron are grabbed from over the table she was behind. "We can have food later, yes. Please just, allow me a few moments. I figured you might be coming around at some point, so I prepared ahead of time."

Aryia is surprised by the sudden burst of energy from the muted emotions her sister had been feeling on the way up there. And she staggers a step forward, not want wanting to let go.

She ambles up just a few steps behind, still tired, still moving forward for this. But Aya's insistence on being helped, for once, to make what was wrong right. It affirmed what she already knew about the shadow monk.

She alights a hand on Aya's back. Announcing presence, there for a push if needed.

She glances up to Seyardu, a thankful look in her worn visage.

Yes. Right. Seyardu -was- in the midst of other duties. Aya looks down at the table as she takes a step back from it. The surge of zeal has abated for the moment, and she rests her back against Aryia's arriving presence and hand. "Yes. Of course." Quiet words to match the backpedal that is more than merely physical.

"Ah, do not worry about it, Aya." Seyardu sighs, already pulling off the apron she had on over her robes. "I understand this is important, and there are plenty of hands to help out here, so I can deal with this."

Seyardu stows away the apron for the time being, and takes two mugs instead, which she hands to the pair of mul'niessa, filled with hot cocoa. It was almost as much a command as an offer. "We can use one of the side rooms for this."

Aryia gently pat's Aya's back, it moving to hold onto one of her sister's free hands. Then, she's given a mug of warm chocolate. She blinks a bit, the juxtaposition of the serious endeavor interposed with the cozy drink was- oh, right. Althean temple. That's their whole thing.

Properly muted in both voice and hands, she gives a little reminder tug on the hand towards whatever sideroom Seyardu was wishing to use.

Aya can be patient. When able. When she wishes to be. Her infirmity from the mana sickness is a perfect example.

Fortunately for herself, the footwear of those in the vicinity, and possibly the sanctity of the temple, it seems she need not be patient for long. While she does not require push nor tug, per se, but doesn't object to the aid in motion as she moves with Aryia as Seyardu directs. Her steps are somewhere between the energetic lunge and slow trodding, prior, leaning more towards the latter. She gives Seyard a nod.

Seyardu does not move until she has all but shoved the second mug towards Aya, and only then does she continue walking out of the main hearth area, to one of the many rooms in the halls leading off from the main temple. A few doors passed, and she finds a room to enter.

It was fairly simple, one of the many rooms seen for those in need of aid. A simple bed, a writing desk, wash basin, and a couple of chairs filled the space.

"I will admit, I have never done any spells like this before, but I believe I have enough of a grasp on the concept. It will be doable, I am almost certain."

Aryia slides into the room behind the other two, her foot catching on the door to give it a light nudge on the way in to shut it. "I've seen you do some crazy shit before, I think you've got it," she encourages with a few gestures.

Perhaps the drink would abate her nerves, her sipping on the sweet drink. <Handspeech>

Aya accepts the mug without any complaint nor argument, though doesn't make any move to drink from it. The warmth and smell may be enough for now. Once the room is selected and entered, she looks to the bed yet seems to wait on guidance: whether verbal from Seyardu or physical from Aryia. Her experience of the current situation, at least knowledge is even less than Seyardu's.

"To be honest, I do not know what happened to Aya's belongings. If she still has her gold or other things somewhere." Seyardu notes as she busies herself around the room, pushing most of the unnecessary furniture out of the way. "This magic is not inexpensive to work, as one is seeking to have the divine set things right. I am not concerned if it comes down to it though, it is the least I can offer, given everything which Aya has done."

"And please, make yourselves comfortable. This will take some time."

Aryia gives a light shrug, then waves a hand off. "Material costs matter not," she gestures, finding a wall to lean against and then promptly sliiiiiiide down to a languid, tired sit with her drink cradled in one hand. "I don't know what needs to be done, just let me know if you need help with anything," the mute signs to Seyardu, but looks at Aya. <Handspeech>

A look of ire or perhaps incredulity flashes on Aya's features, but only for a moment. If fades with an exhale and Aya nods agreement with Aryia. "Coin is not a concern." Nor does she seem concerned of Seyardu's stated lack of experience with this. Aya trusted her with all before and is willing to do so again.

Unsure what else to do, she shifts her weight to and fro as she stands. Not still, but mostly so. "Just tell me ... us what must be done." She then awaits and spares some of that to even take a sip of the hot chocolate.

"I did not think they did, no, which is why I went ahead and purchased everything necessary." Seyardu shrugs. "I just wished to know that Aya did not have all her gold taken while she was away by some tax collectors or something."

"I should manage fine Aryia, just being there for Aya is enough help, I need to make sure all the incense and materials are placed properly. And Aya, just find a place to get comfortable. On the bed, a chair, the floor, wherever you see fit. You do not even need to stay here if you wish, but I need you both here within the hour." She begins to explain, pulling multiple bowls out of her satchel, incense burners, herbs, and all manner of things.

Aryia purses her lips, but gives a small nod, glancing to Aya as she rights herself to sit cross legged on the floor. She offers a encouraging, yet tired smile to her sister. Just a few more steps.

The bags under her eyes felt quite heavy. Or, was the weight of trudging through the ten thousand steps?

At least the end had hot chocolate.

Aya nods to Seyardu and then considers the options. The bed looks comfortable enough, much of the rest was moved, and Aryia sits on the floor. In the end, she steps over to sit alongside her sister. With some time to pass, some morsel of relief in sight, and a need to not be (or incapability of being) entirely still and silent, she puts a hand to Aryia's shoulder. Her other gestures briefly. "Rest.."

Seyardu busied herself around the room, setting out the bowls and incense burners, filling some with sand and sticks that were all set out in various places in the small area. It was not long until the area was smelling of roses and a variety of medicinal herbs. Aya even had an ornate looking necklace set around her neck, of carved stone and hardwood beads all in various shapes of flowers.

Seyardu was too busy to talk much, every moment stepping around she had to adjust some of the burners, fill others, or add runes to the sand among other things, though she was not doing too much in the way of outright chanting. At least, until it was nearly complete, and it was time to adress what was going on with Aya, where the cleric gently places one hand on Aya's shoulder.

Aryia glances to Aya and the signed motion. She bites her lip, and subtly shakes her head. "Not yet, I'm not done yet." <Handspeech>

The last few steps were ahead of them in the tens of minutes to come. And she wasn't going to stop now. So she sits there. Sip her drink. And watches her silverscale friend go through the ritual.

And as the time drew near, she reaches out as well, wrapping a reminding hand around her sister's own.

Aya may finally have found some redeeming qualities in hot chocolate, as she takes another sip. Then two. Aryia's response is wholly expected, and she gives a nod as well as a smile: wearied, but it's there. A moment of familiar comfort.

Then Seyardu is there, with a hand on Aya's own should. Now it is time to get ... to work? healed? matters fixed? Aya retrieves her hand and then frees the other by putting the mug down. The silverscale now receives her full and focused attention.

As Seyardu finishes the words of the spell which will absolve Aya of her actions, a blinding white light begins to form slightly to her side and before Aya. The light quickly solidifies into a person. Their gender is indeterminable, but they are very tall. Easily eight feet tall, and bearing quicksilver eyes that match silver hair they look remarkably human otherwise. There's something immediately calming about their presence in spite of their odd appearance into the room, and they offer a smile to Seyardu, to Aryia, and then a more serious look to Aya.

"Your request has been heard Seyardu, but some things in life are not so easy to grant." He looks at Aya. "If you are serious about your desire to be cleansed of your evil acts Aya, then you will have to prove that you have changed. Thus, a task has been prepared for you, and if you are willing to take it upon yourself, your soul will be purified, and your evils forgiven."

Seyardu looks over as the light takes form, and she shades her face with one hand, only to see the person before her.

"Ah. It seems it is not my place to absolve you, Aya. I am sorry, I truly am." She states. "I do not know who you are, save for some vision from the divine, hopefully. But if this is what is necessary, then please, tell us what needs to be done."

Aryia silently gasps as her free hand, bereft of the mug, shields her eyes from the blinding light. Such incandesce still stings after all this time. She peeks between her fingers, and-

Blink. What in the...?

Her reaction was muted, no pun intended, as the calming aura took out any sort of tension that she had wound up in herself should those last few steps need a shove.

The pugilist looks between this... otherworldly figure, then finally Aya.

This last couple of steps... the onus was on Aya.

Aya blinks at the sudden flash of light, both from the radiance and surprise. Regardless of weariness, lingering disorientation of reconnecting parts of, and the broken nature of, herself, she is promptly back on her feet. Adrenaline and wariness are for more helpful for this than they were at allowing her to sit still.

Is this some avatar or messenger of Seyardu's Healer?

A taunting trick?

Both? (in Aya's mind, deities and amusement at others' expense are far from mutually-exclusive)

Now what to do... Seeking aid from allies she can, and does, do. Even from those far more suspect, when the advantage outweighs the risk. Is this another such case? She -did- seek the aid, even if she may consider this more of a wound to tend, a break to have set, rather than some form of absolution.

Not that she is without remorse, sense of guilt, and/or doubts. The presence of such could well be the crux of the issue.

"What..." the tone of the first word suggests suspicion, but she pauses to inhale before resuming, distrust balmed by the soothing presence "... task am I to accomplish?"

"When your soul was returned to your body, the demon that you had become was thrust out. Yet it remains." There is nothing in those silver eyes but steady resolve. "The demon that is. It is your task, should you choose to accept it; to find the demon and destroy it."

The being looks at the others in the room a moment, but their eyes quickly return to Aya. "You are welcome to find aid in this task where you might, but be wise in your choices for this is a test as much as it is a quest. This is your choice Aya; as it must be."

"I had hoped it had been destroyed with everything that happened, but that is not the case, it seems." Seyardu sighs. Another fiend wandering the world, primed for all manner of unspeakable acts. "Which means, it can not be left here."

"I do not know if I can help you with it directly, Aya, but if you need or accept any aid, then I will help how I can."

The task is set. It's acceptance lay before her sister.

And a languid, tired sigh leaves Aryia as the last step becomes a final leap with her pinching the bridge of her nose. "But how is it around? Aya exploded like a demon died," she questions the absolutioner.

A questioning glance to the un-absolved. She doesn't extend an offer to help. If this was a test too, well, her sister would have to do things she's not used to doing. <Handspeech>

A demon. For what seems all of recent memory, all ills and trials were tied to a demon.

No. Not a demon, but THE DEMON.

Well, no, not -that- THE DEMON, but the other THE DEMON.

The one that apparently took Aya's body for an extended joyride after she had signed over to another. There was expectation of serving as chauffeuse, and instead she was tossed off her own wagon.

A test sure to be a challenge... yet not without justice and even retribution served alongside. If this is how it must be, then this is how it must be. She meets the silvery glowing gaze. "I accept."

The being nods in acceptance of this and reaches out only to pull their hand back in consideration after a brief hesitation. "There is one other thing you should know. Your soul has been damaged by these events. Should you die again... You will not find your way through the pass of the Gray Halls again. This life you live now is your last chance to live, to love, and to find redemption. Do you remain steadfast in your resolve?"

Seyardu stops, and looks to Aya, and she sighs. "I see. If that is the case? She can not do this alone, as it would be too dangerous. Yet there is not much choice to leave a fiend to wander the lands."

Aryia expect her sister to accept such a challenge. It was straightforward, and punchable.

Then a wrinkle in the plan shows itself. And, of course, it made sense. After all that she's been through, one's mortal soul obviously can't take such strain.

Her surprise is muted. But her worry is palpable. Even then, she glances to Seyardu. Biting her lip on wanting to say something, but abstains from motioning it.

That prompts a pause from Aya. Fear of death? No, that is not the cause. She fears nothing. Almost nothing. Rather it is the mentioned verbs of life.

Her eyes shift to Aryia: her sister is proof of, nay the shining monument to, the truth that Aya has already experienced all of these. One of very few examples, and she might never see the others again. Another pang, though pining helps no one involved.

She looks to Seyardu with her unhesitant offer of aid. Another glance back to Aryia to note the gnawing of lip.

In response, one corner of Aya's mouth lifts to give her sister a flash of rather familiar confidence as bolstering reassurance. It remains as she turns back to the glowing being, and then is tugged higher still as the white brow above it arches.

"Would I choose to scurry away to wager more days of half-living? That is not even a choice and doesn't change anything."

The divine being looks at Seyardu a moment. "It is not for me to decide what can and can not be done." Then their eyes are on Aya again, and when she speaks they nod, reaching out again. This time their hand lands neatly on her head, and a glowing white light emerges from the point of contact. It radiates from the being and when it fades their hand lowers. "You are cleansed. Go forth, and complete your task. May the gods illuminate your path."

With this the being begins to shimmer with a bright white light again, until they disappear entirely. Leaving the three who entered this room alone for the moment.

And then the divine figure was gone, and Seyardu was left with the spells seeming to be complete, or at least, rendered unnecessary. Seyardu takes a step back. "Well ah, that did seem to go well , even if there was much in the way of unexpected news." Seyardu chuffs. "How are you feeling, Aya? I hope better, for what reasons you came in here."

Aryia spies the confident smirk returning. One that used to feel uplifting, like sister knew what she was doing. Her head was on straight, a guiding way for the mute to lean against.

But now? She just felt it was an old habit. A tell, speaking 'I'll stride into the unknown' without taking a second to look at what lay beyond.

The smirk is met with a slow blink, and a faint tilt of her head forward in a nod.

And so it was sealed.

She shields her eyes for a moment as the being shimmers, then departs in the same manner they arrived. Still she was on a wire, things were not in the clear, and she awaits her sister's answer to the cleric's question.

This time, the flash of the departure does not cause Aya to startle as the arrival did. In fact, she doesn't even blink or squint. In the wake of the light her eyes are wide open even if her pupils have shrunk to pinpoints in attempt to compensate. The mul'niessa stares at the now-empty space, or the wall beyond, for a time. Yet it is clear that there is no focus in her gaze.

It is uncertain whether she comprehends or even hears Seyardu's question, though the Hearthguard does eventually receive an answer. Aya crumples to her knees in a slightly slowed collapse and folds; chest to knees and head nearly to the floor.

Formerly irreconciled matters and memories find their places and fit together abruptly. Lives spared. Lives lost. Loves gained, and lost. Joys. Pains. Innumerable moments and combinations of extremes whose edges were formerly blunted to some degree or another.

The collapsed mul'niessa acknowledges all of these, in the moment, with dues owed yet never paid as she shakes in long, gasping sobs.

-End