Resting Wishes

Log Info

• Title: Resting Wishes
• Emitter: Aya
• Characters: Aya, Aryia, Seyardu, Mikilos
• Place: Mountain Road
• Time: February 23rd, 2022
• Summary: Upon the Mountain Road, Aryia runs into Aya reading over something. Getting her attention with some minor lights, Aya reveals what it is to her sister as Seyardu shows up. They speak of the next steps for someone gone, and Seyardu offers to oversee the ritual if it is wished. And it accepted. Mikilos, on his way back to his shop, takes over as Aya leaves to go back into the Vardama temple, him discussing the recent issues with the statue in the gardens, as well as nightmares and a nefarious deity. Seyardu confirms such visions and nightmares, while Aryia just speculates.

Clouds obscure the moon and stars, leaving the only light that from the mana lamps or torches about the road and temple. Slightly more distant, the bright beacons of the airstation and ostentatious lighting of the Noble district provide secondary illumination. Not that either is required for some.

Despite the falling flakes all but invisible to many, one is seated on the bottom steps of the mountain temple. Aya's white attire makes her more conspicuous against the basalt, as well as marking her as distinctly not Vardaman. She currently pays little mine to precipitation, temperature, nor passersby as she stares at a piece of parchment.

A grey, scarred and short figure is meandering down the mountain road, them covered head to toe in dust. Green jacket tied around their waist, breath spilling out frozen in even gouts, Aryia is wrapping up and overdue quarrying session.

A stark bit of off white catches her attention, the penumbra of falling night pierced easily by those born of shade. Blue booted footsteps slow. Stop. And a head tilts to the side.

Getting an idea, Aryia holds up a hand, a milky glowing orb manifesting. Her eyes glimmer, and little traces of silver lines appearing on her face as she cocks an arm back, and rolls it the magic orb along the ground.

It haphazardly 'rolls' to a stop right underneath the parchment, a gossamer shimmer to its surface.

The mute could be seen holding three more orbs between her fingers, a brow cocked and a light smile on her lips.

Aya doesn't notice her scarred sister immediately, and not due to lack of illumination. In fact, she does not react to the glowing orb until it is at her feet. With a startle, she reflexively twists, moving the reading material away from the glow and leaving it with herself betwen the two. Only then does she look towards the source.

A moment later, recognition materializes and her posture relaxes back to normal. "Evening, sister. Out for another run, or ... pulverizing the mountain?" the latter as she notices the excess of dust.

Aryia's smile falters a bit at the reaction, so she pulls a hand up and the orb rolls back and soars through the air to her palm. She tosses all four behind her, and they fall lazily to the ground behind her. The silver markings on her face glimmer in the dark, but she waves with a renewed smile. Which flings wafting dust about. "Yes. Breaking boulders in the quarry. What are you reading?" she gestures nosily.

She strides up, hands on her hips, the four glowing orbs of light rolling after her. <Handspeech>

There was not a lot of travel across the mountain roads of Alexandria at this hour. Though being that the temple of Vardama was nearby, it was also one of the temples that people came and went from at odd hours. One such person was a familiar cleric in light blue robes who was making her way down the many steps. Curiosity got the better of them as they saw a light in the distance, and they made their way closer by, only to catch the source and scents on the air.

"Ah, this one was not expecting to find either of you here. Peace on your nests, Aya and Aryia. What brings you both out at this hour?" She asks curiously.

"Now it is the moon... or the sun... that follows you?" Aya notes with a glance at the obedient orbs. "Take care not to let the Daeusite nor Elunites learn of this..." A hint of snark and smirk on word and face, respectively. It is brief, however, and possibly a weak attempt at diversion.

Her focus lowers to the now-rolled parchment in hand for a moment. A moment she then takes to return it to a leather case before tucking it into her clothing. "It is Daechir's. His final wishes."

Aya's attention shifts easily from that to the approaching and greeting Seyardu. "Good even, Silverscale. The darkest hours are oft the best hours to be out."

Aryia snorts and shakes her head. "According to mother and father, the moon, annoyingly," she motions, letting them remain to lightly illuminate the space.

An answer given, and her glowing eyes through the low light wink out briefly in a surprised blink. "Oh."

Some silence of the hands.

"I hope all is well with what is in the-"

A sudden appearance of a silver friend ceases her hands, and directs her attention roadside. "Oh, hey Seyardu," Aryia waves. "I'm just punching rocks, ran into her." <Handspeech>

"I would suppose that for those accustomed and adapted to the darkness, then there really is not much in the way of concerns being out this late." the cleric shrugs. "I did not intend to be out this late, but I was needed to make some deliveries to the temple, and travel home is quick enough that it is easier for myself."

"It is still strange to be the one walking in on Aya. I ho0pe the rock punching went well."

"Perhaps it is appropriate; a measure of ...justice," Aya notes to Seyardu. "Your arriving upon me, that is," she clarifies. Her eyes shift back to Aryia. "All is ...as well as can be, and better than might have been..? The Daeusites directed me to the Tarienites. I did not know, or I did not remember that he-" She halts abruptly. A breath.

"His belongings are held at Tarien's temple, for his named inheritor. He, himself, is here." Her head gestures behind her at the basalt temple. "As none came to claim or determine for him, they entombed him here."

"Yes, not being able to pop in and out on a whim is kind of a drag, isn't it?" Aryia lightly jokes, but pouts afterwards as she scuffs her foot along the ground.

Her sister's answer makes her look at the basalt temple, the usual glare reserved for such places not present in her gaze. "Coyote laughs, I guess."

A soft sigh, and she reaches out to rest a hand on Aya's shoulder. "At least he's here, and not in a ditch. Got some respect for him." <Handspeech>

"The only justice done is that you are back here, recovered." Seyardu states, quickly and firmly before she continues past Aya down the steps to turn back and face them. "If things are better, then that is good. But if you need anything further, you need but ask."

She was listening, and the silver cleric sighs. "I did not know them well, or of what happened for some time. I am glad their body was taken care of, at the least."

"If they did not state they wished not to be brought back, then it is possible. I could do it."

Aya shivers beneath Aryia's hand; not at the touch, nor cold, but part of that mentioned thought. "No, it is good. The Vardamen seem to respect the dead, regardless." The words as much for her own relief and return to present as comment to her sister. "And I found him. I made arrangements to exhume and-"

She stops short at snaps to Seyardu at the other's words and is silent a long moment. When she remembers to inhale, she can then speak, "He did not state otherwise, and I hope attempt exactly that, Seyardu. Those here are capable, but if you are able..."

Aryia gives the shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Yes, it is well. If you need a hand with anyth-"

Similarly to her sister, the mute's attention flicks over to Seyardu, lagging just behind Aya. The four orbs of milky light cast strange shadows on the two as the lazily drift behind the moontouched. "... you can do that...?" she gestures slowly in surprise. With awe dawning across her face. <Handspeech>

Mikilos humms tunelessly to himself, puzzeling over snatches of tune in his walk through the dark. The elf sees well enough to keep on the road, and more light is just a casting away. His mind elsewhere, he peers at the familiar face of the approaching temple, taking a while to really notice the lights and figures outside.

"Yes, those at the Vardaman temple take good care of what is left in their charge. There is no doubt about that." Seyardu agrees. Although, suddenly, there is a lot of attention on herself, and Seyardu blinks, then sighs. "I have never attempted it before. But, I can do it, I am confident. I have done similar before, but the spells are more complex with time after passing."

"And, I would like to try. To know it is possible, so I may be on hand in case anything might happen to the young back at mictlan."

"I ..." Aya hesitates, though more for words than thoughts. "I would welcome someone I trust, Seyardu. Thank you." She did entrust her once, before, and that trust was wholly validated. "I do not know if he would wish to return..." her expression tightens at that real possibility "but he deserves the opportunity to choose."

Aryia nods encouragingly. "The choice is better than no choice. And I know you can do it Seyardu. You can do some crazy shit. And I remembered when just a couple spells tuckered you out," she teases good heartedly.

A grey ear twitches at an approaching noise, her looking over and down the road. A few dancing lights manifested as milky orbs were lazily drifting on the ground beside the mute. She squints a bit, then raises a hand in greeting as the familiar tall elf starts to pass by. <Handspeech>

Mikilos raises a hand in return, peerin at the trio with idle curiousity. "Good evening. I hope you all are well. What choice is being made?"

"It is up to them, if that is the case. But I do not see why they would not wish to return, to be with you." Seyardu nods. "I can not think of how much is owed to you, it is only right."

"Yes, I suppose I have come a long way. It is, this is something I have desired for a long time. The power to protect those I care about. " She says to Aryia, before her attention is turned to Mikilos. "There is nothing being made, other than being made right, perhaps. We ran into each other by chance, Aya was seeking to bring back someone from the dead."

Aya follows Aryia's, then Seyardu's, shift in attentions, to the approaching Mikilos. It seems her general awareness or alertness is lack at present, if not as of late in general. She nods acknowledgement to him, but leaves explanation to Seyardu, having no immediate words to answer the inquiry. As well, it is a moment before she comments to Seyardu and she rises to her feet before doing so.

"I am owed nothing. In the end, some gained, others lost. I stopped nothing, and only shifted the cost. I should see to him, for now. I will keep you both informed. Whatever is required for this, Seyardu, you will have. You need only ask."

With that, she turns to ascend the steps into the temple.

Aryia softly sighs as Aya says her piece and heads off to make her peace. She pats her on the shoulder, shifts on her feet, and adjusts to close the gap the shadow monk left in the conversation circle.

"Poor woman..." she gestures in front of herself once Aya was out of eyeshot while shaking her head. <Handspeech>

Mikilos frowns mildly, but nods. "Not an action to be taken lightly, but sometimes for the best. If the results are uncertain, are milder magics to speak with the dead and access their willingness to return."

"I can not say for certain, but it is just what I feel." Seyardu offers, waving to the Mul'niessa. "Please let me know the moment you are able. Just allow me a day to prepare, that is all."

And then she was gone. The silverscale nods back to Aryia. "Yes, she has been through too much. And it is not taken lightly, it is the, repercussions of what happened a while ago. And Aya should not have to struggle with what happened, even if it was not her fault, she feels like it was."

"Yes, magic to speak with the dead. That is a good idea before hand. And, even if they do not wish to return, perhaps to give Aya some form of closure."

Aryia look between the two, her having to crane her neck back. "Closure. Acceptance. And a way forward is what she needs," she gestures, glowing gaze glancing back to the basalt temple. "And, if I'm honest, a fucking break." <Handspeech>

Mikilos nods. "Breaks may be rare in the next few weeks. Seems the bad dreams people were having are part of something bigger. You heard about the statue in the Gardens?"

"She needs it. That, and to take things carefully in the future." The cleric nods to Aryia. "But, yes, I noticed I got a much better sleep than usual the other day." Seyardu sighs. "I I thought that was due to other reasons, but it seems that is not the case. But no, I did not hear about anything happening in the gardens. Why, is something amiss?"

Aryia raises a brow, shaking her head. "I know some people haven't been sleeping well. Didn't have that issue."

She raises a white brow at Seyardu, but leaves it be. "I didn't hear anything, I've been punching rocks up here most of the day." <Handspeech>

Mikilos nods. "The statue of Princess Lianna Rena was either altered or replaced with a... deformed version. I'm still not sure what exactly was done, but powerful magics involved. A similar statuette was found outside the city, in a hive of monsterous bugs. The smaller idol is to The Dread Wolf, Caracoroth, designed to cause visions and bad dreams."

"Another time, Aryia." Seyardu chuffs, waving away the look from Aryia. "But ah, yes, it seems to have been affecting most people capable of casting magic. Which understandably has people on edge, given the last time something happened with them, from what I was told. But ah, the god of nightmares? Why he would be doing this, I have no idea. But that is concerning."

The mention of a statuette makes the relaxed pugilist tense up. "Fucking... a statuette? No, if experience has taught me anything with stauettes to dickheads, is that they should be destroyed immediately and not touched," she signs quickly before sighing, pinching the bridge of her nose. "One thing after another..." she bitches to herself. <Handspeech>

Mikilos nods. "Agreed, should be destroyed, likely has been, was given to the temple for disposal. But was also important to find what it did and perhaps who it belonged to. Before people started having bad dreams, some of us were given a vision, a maiden walking in the Garden, warning of a coming storm. The vision shifted, and a great black dragon also warned of a storm. I believe they were visions of Eluna and Maugium. A storm that worries both of them is a storm that worries me as well."

"I remember a dream, something like that." Seyardu sighs, rubbing the side of her face. "Yes, it should be taken care of at the temple I hope, if they will actually do so, I do not know. They need to be held to acknowledge them, after all."

"It will be managed though, I hope. If we were warned, then it needs to be dealt with. But what it was, it would have been helpful for them to be more specific."

Aryia crosses her arms, and a wry expression crosses her visage. "I feel like you, of all people, should know that gods are never specific," she points to Seyardu before shaking her head. Dust from punching rocks repeatedly wafts from her pate at the motion. "I'd like to at least help my sister be happy for once before shit blows up. Again."

She steals a glance to the starless sky, then half steps down the road. "I'm going to head back to wash up," she motions slowly. <Handspeech>

Mikilos nods again. "Agree, details would be nice, but glad for a heads up, rather than being blindsided. Just hope whatever it is exactly, passes most of the city by. Last few years have been bad enough for the average layman."

"Perhaps, but I am allowed to hope, am I not?" Seyardu shrugs. "Yes, go wash up, and relax. If we can for some time, might as well make the most of it."

"Yes, at least a heads up of some sort is good. But how are you supposed to prepare when all you know is something bad is going to happen? I can not say that my first thought would have been protecting peoples dreams so they can rest easy."

Aryia nods sagely. "Layman's getting fucked. Only reason why I got my place so cheap was because people moving out in droves because of it. Shit, living in Charn sucked, but it wasn't like, /this/ unpredictable."

She pats Seyardu on the shoulder, leaving a dusty handprint there on silver scales. "Just keep doing what you're doing for preparation. Like me! Punching more rocks." She smiles, gives a sloppy two-finger salute to the two of them, then starts to walk off. The little orbs of light following after her. "Peace on your nest," she signs before she forgets.

A bit down the ways, the orb suddenly take a sharp turn, go up, then over the edge of the mountain road, and down some shortcut. <Handspeech>

-End Scene-