Seeing Stars

Log Info

• Title: Seeing Stars
• Emitter: Aryia
• Characters: Aryia, Verna, Cesran
• Place: Temple of Eluna
• Time: January 6th, 2021
• Summary: A trio of mul'neissa are inspecting the Temple of Eluna on a foggy day, a couple of them feeling out of place. Verna greets them, followed by Cesran who is under watch by some guards. They get to speaking, Aryia sharing some things that Aya can do as well as her role in this, Cesran shares his findings, and Verna offers her assistance in anyway that she can. The two other mul'neissa become interested in the star pool, who they invite Aryia over to join them. Something about the conversation at hand triggers a memory that was not one's own within Verna, and her entire demeanour changes. Having been given the warning about this prior, Aryia tackles her and subdues her, Cesran encapsulating the two within a telekentic sphere. Verna's alter self rages in indignation, and the pugilist knocks her lights out.

Temple of Eluna, Midday

A ghastly fog has swept across the city, making it night impossible to see much beyond some dozens of feet, as well as any mana lamps that manage to cut through the thicket of it. Thankfully, indoors is spared of this veil, particularly the temples themselves.

Within the marble halls of the Temple of Eluna, three sets of footsteps nearly silently clack against the stone. Three mul'neissa: a man missing an arm, a woman with an eyepatch, and a heavily scarred one wander the halls slowly. Less in reverence, and more in caution.

"To think I'd spend centuries cursing such a place, yet here we are. It feels as if I am going to be ran through at any moment and drowned in the star pool," the woman quietly yet snidely comments. The man bobs his head in agreement, and the mute woman says nothing, her just staring at one of the back rooms.

Cautious tourists, it seems.

Caution may be the word of the day for various reasons. Low visibility out of doors and ancient rivalries are but two of many valid possibilities. Another occupies the marble halls, though the Mourner might be better described as a visitor rather than a tourist; not that she visits this particular temple any more frequently than the full-blood mul'niessa present.

Verna was seated quietly on a bench in a corner beneath a lamp, a small book open and perused. It is not until a quiet comment or two wafts along to her notice that her attention shifts. When the trio are noted and recognized, however, she closes her book and rises to approach them.

Cesran is sitting off to one side with a small table and a small desk. He has books stacked up high and a staff standing next to him. His head is bent over in study as he is scanning over the page before writing some notes in another book. He looks up as he hears the ran through and drowned in the star pool statement. He carefully closes the book and he goes to grab his staff, but stops before he looks at the guards that are near him. He smiles, "Sorry force of habit." He says as he lets Ral-sara stay where she is by the desk as he gets up to move over towards the trio, "Greetings. Aryia I've read your note and spoken with Seyardu about the matter. I can help but my help would probably be limited as I don't have a strong connection to Aya."

Aryia's attention is rather occupied by some random door, but eventually, she tears her eyes away from The Room to join the trio in looking towards who was approaching. Hands raise in tandem to wave from the hip.

The mage's comments out of the blue make Aryia stagger a half step and blink owlishly. "... oh. Ok. Uh." <Handspeech>

The other two look at her, confused, then say in tandem, "Good day."

Thus the trio briskly becomes something of a quintet. "Aryia, Zarn, Khal. I hope that your visit to this temple has been informative?" Verna then continues to greet, after a glance at the guards flanking the desk and staff, "Cesran. I trust that you spoke with Zeke and Seldan and are aware of matters."

Cesran ohs, "Sorry if I shouldn't have said anything. I just wanted to let you know what I've learned since last we spoke." He nods politely to the other pair, "Hello I'm Cesran." He introduces himself. His attention turns to Verna, "Oh well I didn't there was an incident, that's why I'm actually at the temple. They want to keep me under observation."

Zharn clears his throat, the crimson haired mul shrugging one shoulder. "We have only just arrived is all. Who is this Aya, Aryia?" he asks, soft spoken.

Aryia stares at him before choosing to ignore the question.

The woman with an eye patch and white hair pats Zarn on the shoulder, then addresses Cesran. "Zarn and Khal," she introduces, both of them bowing slightly from the hip. "We are..." a glance to each other, a silent conversation of staring, then back to the mage. "Aryia's parents."

Said daughter bobs her head, but crosses her arms, watching Cesran for a moment. " I'll do whatever it takes, but if it's similar soul shit that you and the others did, I don't want to go poof. Aya wouldn't want that." <Handspeech>

Verna nods to Cesran. "I understand, and have undertaken some reasonable contingency measures, myself." With that, she turns to Aryia. A brow starts to lift at the name drop and follow-up question, though she does not pry further in light of Aryia's ... stillness on a response. Instead, she notes, "I dare to presume that what we encountered and endured shall never need be repeated. Were there more information, I might be able to aid in assessment and planning, however."

Cesran inclines his head politely, "It's nice to meet you both, Ayria is a valuable member of the adventuring community that we have here in Alexandria." He shakes his head, "I don't think so, but I've been wrong before. It seems like it will be a personalized challenge" His attention turns back to Verna, "If you have a moment I'd like tog o over what contigency's you've placed on yourself, my own seem to be inadequate, much to my consternation."

Khal speaks, tone low and rich. Practiced and poised. "So we have heard. We hadn't seen much of her capabilities outside of a few assessments. But people have been speaking high praise of her."

Aryia's face tinges red as she lightly flails her arms.

The matron chuckles in amusement.

Cesran's addendum makes the mute cease her embarrassment and tilt her head at him. "Personalized? O... kay..." she slowly gestures. <Handspeech>

Zarn has taken interest in the star pool.

"She is worthy of high praise," Verna affirms to Khal concerning Aryia. "Her accomplishments are already some portion of legend, and she has only just begun."

She then pans to Cesran. "My current contingencies are rather simple for the moment, yet were likewise simple and rapid to implement. All one requires are acquaintances willing and able to strike one in the face or otherwise impair one's self in case of a potential loss of control." Her head tilts slightly to the side in Aryia's direction.

Cesran hmms, "Well I should hope you shouldn't have to see her skills in use, although perhaps the Colosseum might be open. I'm not really sure what the schedule is." He nods to Verna, "AH yes I believe that is why they are keeping me here." Before he can say any more an acolyte comes up and gently clears her throat, "Archmage Cesran, would you please come with me?" Cesran turns and nods, "Of course." He turns to the others, "I'm sorry I have to go I have an appointment that I can't miss." He starts to follow the acolyte leaving his staff behind.

Further praise fuels the flail machine, as said machine continues to do just that.

The mother just folds her hands behind her back and pretends nothing is remiss. "We do plan on going that establishment soon. Something about weekly tournaments."

The trio of mul's wave as he Archmage departs.

A moment is afforded, the parents looking at the reflection in the pool, and there's just the Mourner and the mute. She ceases her flailing to gain a light, if familiar looking, mischievous smile. "So...? How'd last night go...?" <Handspeech>

Verna bids Cesran a brief farewell with some concern. Her thoughts are on some presumed negativity when Aryia's inquiry catches her. Off-guard, in fact, though she should not be surprised.

She takes a moment to consider the answer. Initially, her lips purse tightly into a frown. "Worrisome and painful," she responds in gesture (made easier by her new gloves, incidentally). A pause and then her face ... alights, even as she struggles to find the appropriate adjective. "Also ... wonderful."

Aryia's smile evens out to a light frown of worry. Was she too teasing the other night? But, then she blinks, and tilts her head to the side. "Wonderful?" she repeats, her frown cracking to something more hopeful. <Handspeech>

"I informed her of everything: that I wished more of her company, her time, in whatever manner she would accept me;" Verna may not be as physically rapid, overall, as Aryia, yet quick, precise hand gestures are something of a necessity for magi or Mourner. In this context and moment, she might be considered babbling at a pace at least three times her norm.

"That I held memories of the fiend that orphaned her and a warning for her sake. She was very distraught at this news. That he might somehow take further from her, even now. That she felt useless to aid me. She was in tears..." This recollection brings tension to Verna's face.

"I attempted to comfort her, to ease her pain. I assured her that she is everything to me." The tension vanishes. "She kissed me."

Aryia is attentive, her brow furrowing in concentration and worry. It takes a her a moment for her to parse the brisk movements, her almost hearing the blathering if it was spoken aloud.

Further her brows knit as concerns are expressed from the Mourner's interest and themselves, the complications, the fears, the-

She blinks, watching the tips of the half-mul's second fingers tapping together.

A massive grin splits across her face. "Y-s!" she hisses aloud, pumping a fist and engulfing the Mourner in a hug.

The parents turn to see what the heck was going on.

Verna was not expecting the embrace, though such acts have become far more commonplace as of late. She does not resist it, and even returns it; while not all of her recounting was pleasant, it ended on a high point. For the rest, the embrace is somewhat cathartic.

"Thank you for your ... prodding. I do not not when or if I might have admitted so much, otherwise," she notes quitely and gratefully to the fullblood.

Aryia gives the embrace a firm squeeze before pulling away and holding the Mourner by the shoulders, her giving a closed eye smile. One hand lifts to be able to say, "You are very welcome! I may have given you a hard time, but you really needed a push. As soon as I saw her, I knew right away that she held similar feelings. I'm proud of you. You've come a long way!" <Handspeech>

The mother kneels beside the pool, her having a quiet conversation with her husband as he joins her.

Cesran is led back by the same acolyte that came and got him. "Thank you for your cooperation Archmage." The acolyte says. "You're welcome anything I can do to help." Cesran politely replies before the the acolyte heads off. He heads over to where Verna and Aryia are standing. "Hello again, sorry about that. I had to answer some questions.

It may be Cesran's return and/or Aryia's comment that causes Verna to properly release Aryia and take a step back and nod to her. "I understand, and thank you again for your wisdom." She glances to Aryia's parents for a moment, perhaps to ensure that she did not utterly intrude upon the familial excursion.

"Welcome back, Archmage," she now greets Cesran. "I trust that your interrogation was comfortable."

Aryia blinks as Verna fixes herself to a more Mourner appropriate expression, a light smirk cracking across her lips as she gives a knowing nod before waving to Cesran once more.

The glance to the parents is met with a pair of silver eyes and a singular violet eye looking back. Khal clears her throat. "Ahem. Aryia, dear, might we steal you a moment...?" she requests.

The mute shrugs, and ambles over to kneel beside them. There's a whispered suggestion, and the father gestures out to the pool.

Aryia tilts her head to the side, shrugs lightly, then lets her hand alight in a silvery moonlit hue like so many times before.

The stars in the pool glimmer in response.

Cesran chuckles, "Ah it wasn't an interrogation, just questions as we are trying to delve into the cause and hopefully find a cure for what happened. I'm not a prisoner, but a guest here at the temple." He explains and watches Aryia go off with her parents. He turns back to Verna, "I've been looking for a way to give some magical protection to what happened as well as the cause of it. Unfortunately the books I have access to have been less then helpful. Once the Temple gives me the all clear though I plan to ask Madame Gelfure about what happened as well as travel to Rune and see if the mages there can help me."

Verna glances aside briefly as Aryia steps off before focusing her attention upon Cesran. "It was a measure of humor. I have not yet delved heavily into the current issues. I am somewhat hesitant, for reasons I presume are obvious." After a pause, she adds an inquiry, "I remain curious as to your discoveries concerning Aryia and her ... misplaced."

Cesran smiles, "Of course. I was taken unaware by it so naturally I want to know everything I can about it. It has been rather intense and I'm glad that I have been here for it. I'm sorry that you are suffering from it as well." He appears to be happy to change the subject, "Well on that I have found there her soul is in one place and her body in another. Once I am allowed to leave here unescorted I'd like to gather those that wish to mount a rescue together to discuss the logistics of it. I believe I can reunite the two parts, much as how I've had to do it before."

Aryia blinks as the stars twinkle in front of her, both her parents' brows furrowing. She moves it over the waters, the light making the little pinpoints shimmer in the wake. She hazards touching the waters, the ripple making the rest of the pool glint in a wave.

The father deeply sighs. And murmurs something softly to the two of them. There's some tension radiating, which Aryia get's pulled out of as a glowing gaze watches the Mourner and the Archmage and their conversation.

Verna nods at Cesran's information. "I am familiar with the two separated, though typically both are readily retrievable. I presume that this situation is rather atypical. I would aid Aryia in her efforts, as I am able." A glance to the muls three afterwards.

Cesran nods, "Yes and one is being used by another so that complicates matters. I can definitely help with retrieving one part of it, but the other because I don't know the misplaced well enough I might be a hindrance. We definitely need a plan for retrieving both parts though."

Aryia watches Verna for a long moment as the two talk, the glowing eyes winking out and relighting as she blinks a few times. "I can help with the soul. The body is more dangerous. Trust me. She can hit you once then end your life off of that one hit alone," she signs from afar. "I know everything she can do." <Handspeech>

The parents are in a full yet quiet conversation now in Undercommon.

That brings both of Verna's brows upwards. "Intriguing. I admit that I am -not- accustomed to a body running about after the soul has vacated..." She glances over to Aryia, taking in her comment, lips pursing before she nods after listening.

Back to Cesran. "Yes, a plan is certainly in order, as well as some area to search. A mobile body is rather more difficult to locate than a stationary one." Which she is far more accustomed to.

Cesran smiles wryly at Verna, "Aren't you though...mourner help to put down the undead." He gives a chuckle. "Yes I've been tracking it's movements trying to discern a pattern, so that a trap might be laid." He nods in Aryia's direction, "Yes if the body possesses it's full faculties it's going to be difficult, but not impossible to trap."

Verna gives Cesran a look. "Yes, of course. I did not consider this situation the same, yet you are correct: there is a correlation. Regardless, any assistance I can offer, I would do so." It is not undead, yet implied... possession? She considers what possibilities exist. If they, Verna included or not, are to encounter an alrady dangerous entity that could be made worse... identification or theorization seem quite paramount.

Aryia's face firms at the mention of the body being on its own accord. "It's being puppetted more than likely. More than likely by workers of the opposition of this temple."

She cracks her neck. "You're going to need bright lights, a way to lock her down from teleporting, and a lot of armor maybe. She's faster than me, and hits harder, and way more often. She uses the shadows."

Zarn is just starting at Aryia at this point.

The mute resumes her motions, grit eteching her features. "If I got to go the Grey Halls, so be it. I sure as fuck can't fight her one on one." <Handspeech>

The mother does not know handspeech, but the one armed man does. "... what in greed's graces are you doing?" he wonders suspiciously.

Cesran nods, "I wouldn't either, but I was trying to lighten the mood a bit. Thank you though Verna I'm sure we'll need it." He watches Aryia's hands as she explains what they might need to do, "Indeed and I'm sure whoever is inside has some tricks of their own." He looks over at Aryia as it's her parents.

Aryia, for all she's good at, is applying bluntness to things and conversation. "Since when has talking about my sister's extended predicament /ever/ been light?" she signs, her expression flat and not amused.

It seems the joke went over her head.

Zarn's face is twisted in confusion. He looks to the matron. "... sister?"

That made the mother's brow rise sky high. "Sister? What sister? We've no other children."

"That's what I'm confused abou-"

Aryia puts a finger to her lips and hushes them with a firm, "Shh!"

Verna's lips purse as she ponders the predicament. It is then that a thought strikes. More than one perhaps. She turns towards the loud trio, or rather the pair, and echoes Aryia's gesture, gloved finger to lips.

"Yes, shhh. Of course you are confused," she states, followed by a chuckle. "Even when you are so certain that you know everything. So conveniently confident, always. I'll share with you a secret: the best slaves are those who never realize that they are."

She winks. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have things to do..." Verna then turns to stride for the temple grounds.

GAME: Aryia rolls grapple: aliased to : (13)+18+2+2: 35

Cesran blinks as he hears Verna's change in demeanor and calls out, "Guards it's happening!" He backs away and extends his hand for his staff, ready to use greater dispel magic to counterspell anything Verna might throw at them.

Aryia blinks at Verna's change in non-deadpan demeanor. Before she gets even three steps out, the mute is already charging at her full speed and tackling her.

The two mul'neissa nearby jolt upright and are suddenly bathed in shadow. The umbra moves about the night's temple, then disperses. The two parents gone. Was it the call for guards? Or something else that spooked them?

Verna is, unsurprisingly, summarily tackled. Unsurprising to all but Verna, that is. "Do you -really- think YOU can stop ME?!" She the promptly struggles with all the might and power of ... well, a rather non-athletic Sage who bears all of one-hundred pounds. After robes, scrolls, boots, tomes and the like are included.

Which is to say that Aryia can be rather confident in her thinking.

GAME: Aryia rolls grapple+5: aliased to : (7)+18+2+2+5: 34

Aryia is stone faced as she grabs nonathletic arms and scholarly robes, twisting and yanking them into painful positions. Ignoring the words coming from what is rightfully her friend's mouth.

GAME: Cesran casts Telekinetic Sphere. Caster Level: 20 DC: 30
GAME: Aryia rolls reflex: (6)+16: 22
GAME: Verna rolls reflex-4: (2)+10+-4: 8

Cesran with his staff in hand he casts a spell, although the abrupt departure of Aryia's parents is noted. He encapsulates Aryia and Verna in an invisible sphere and lifts them up off the ground about 5 feet, "It's okay! I got them. Verna started to act strangely." He says as he tries to explain himself as he's only supposed to cast spells in an emergency.

Cesran says, "Aryia, I've got you both in a Telekinetic Sphere. Don't let her do any magic on it. She and you can't get out for a bit, but I can move you around and you both will be able to breath." Cesran warns and explains as he waits for more guards to arrive."

Being sumarily immobilized by Aryia is perfectly logical based on the physical facts. This does not prevent it from utterly contradicting Verna's current state of (super?)ego. Her squirms do not, in fact, rend flesh nor shatter bones. As well, her magic is rather inaccessible at present: she cannot defeat any and all with both hands tied behind her back, regardless of what she might believe.

"Unhand me! I don't have time to waste on you!" she growls before falling into a mix of choice expletives in a variety of tongues. From Abyssal to Yrch, in lexicographic order. Is it possible to speak blasphemies in Celestial?

The mute somehow gets the gist of the breadth of cursing across all languages, her taking a soft breath as limbs squabble and move. A hand dips into her bag, pulling out a rope and briskly tying the mage up, similar to the Erinyes she dropped from the sky.

Aryia closes her eyes, grabs the back of the Mourner's skull.

And throws it against the side of the invisible sphere.

Thankfully, she pulls the toss.

There's a dull crack.

Cesran winces loudly as he hears the dull crack, "Ouch...oh that's going to hurt in the morning. Are you okay in there Aryia?" He asks as he lowers the sphere back down to the ground and looks around to see more guards coming out ready to handle the situation. Cesran starts to explain to one of them what happened.

Verna has not experienced the inside of a force sphere previously, not that she is in a state nor position to admire such. After making forceful contact with it via her face, she is not in a state to comment on its resiliency, either. She is, however, now silent and no longer struggling.

-End Scene-