Social: Bad Man

In which Rainbowbeam dispenses happiness, wisdom, and admonishments!

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=-<* Temple District - Temple Plaza *>-=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

The air of worship, solemn contemplation and the weight of divinity in this area simply cannot be denied. In stark contrast to the bustle of the great market just to the south, all noise and rowdiness seems to immedialty cease upon entry to large area. In size, the Great Market does rival the Temple Square but the placement of the temple structures and the weighty air in the place lends to it a scale that is not easily quantified. The square itself is brilliantly paved with large white flagstones. In contrast to the colorful cacophony a short walk south, it is serene and nearly empty of vendors, save for a handful of respectfully quiet ones who offer fruits, flowers and other things that may be given up as offerings to some of the deities.

The centerpiece of the square is a large fountain of white marble, filled with clear water. During the day, a jet of water continuously shoots high into the air, pattering back into the pool below like soothing rain. Special reflectors situated around the area cause the water to sparkle with fractured light.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

It's Gilday, Pryntar 15 18:17:56 1014. The full moon is up. The tide is high and slack. The fair weather clouds in the west turn purple, gold, and vermillion as the sun sets. The snow, in shadow, looks blue. A cold wind blows from the west.

Such a lovely day to be outside! After the storms and snowfall of the days prior, even the chill winter sunlight spilling over the surroundings and making them not unlike a painter's palette is a welcome sight.

Amongst the bodies that move through the square, packing the snow harder under their feet as they bustle about, is Xander Blackrose. He's muttering up a storm into his chin, hisses and grumbled words only for him to hear. Probably best that way! They're not likely to be nice words!

The reason for his sour mood? One of his hands is wrapped tightly in a handkerchief, the other firmly pressing the cloth against the flesh underneath. In spite of his best efforts, a trickle of crimson escapes now and again, flowing across his fingers. A droplet splatters on the white blanket below.

Phanuel arrives from the Great Market to the south.

Phanuel has arrived.

<OOC> Rainbowbeam says, "BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE IT."

GAME: Rainbowbeam rolls perform+2: (14)+perform+2: 16

<OOC> Rainbowbeam says, "... Nineteen. I DO NOT SUCK."

<OOC> Xander claps!

<OOC> Phanuel says, "15 is pretty good by all standards, so nice. :)"

At some point one of the bodies, a tall Eldanar in a white tunic named Phanuel, looks up from where he is sitting by the fountain to gaze upon the black-clad Xander and the clear wound on his hand. "Excuse me, sir," he calls to the man. "You look injured. I am of Daeus' temple - may I help?"

One would expect that a priestess of Althea would be out healing the sick and the wounded. Tending to the huddled masses. But Rainbowbeam has an oft-espoused theory that the soul needs healing and nourishment just as much as the body. And how does one do that? Why, with music of course. It's actually a rather sad, mournful tune, for all that. She's got her violin this time, excellently crafted, tucked against her body. For all that she pulls that rather somber music out of it, there is at least a soothing quality to it. Most of her audience is in fact young children, but there's one or two old-timers there with sniffly eyes. Doesn't stop her from 'teaching', though,"And what are the greatest of virtues?"

The children are silent, the one, an older Althean man,"First mercy, then steadfastness, then wisdom."

Then she spies a man dripping bits of his inside parts all over the world's outside parts,"Charity and kindess are also virtues in equal measure." She lifts her voice towards Xander even as the man of Daeus does so,"You there. Come. Have your wound bound. What happened?"

Xander's muttering pauses, the mage lifting his gaze to look at the Daeusite. There is an incline of his head, in gratitude for the offer. "My thanks for the offer, sire, but I dare not go against the will of a blessed of the Star Mother." he says with a tiny smirk, a lift of chin indicating the Althean priestess.

"One of my opponents whilst playing cards believed I had been cheating. He saw fit to exact punishment." the mage explains. His choice of words may be as it is, but it's so, so very obvious what happened, and becomes even more so when the handkerchief is moved aside slightly to reveal the oozing wound. An ornery fellow gambler got him but good and put a blade right through the palm of his hand.

"Miss Rainbowbeam says gambling's bad." one of the brighter children from the priestess' group immediatelly supplies.

Xander... cringes.

Sunshine arrives from the Great Market to the south.

Sunshine has arrived.

Phanuel has been listening to Rainbowbeam's music and teaching for some time from his spot on the bench, and despite his willingness to offer aid he concedes the task of healing to the violinist. "Go ahead then," he tells Xander. "Someone more qualified than I has offered her aid." He approaches the crowd directly now, some remains of forge-black on his hands and brow evident as he comes close - he's likely been working. "Thank you," he tells Rainbowbeam sincerely. When Xander explains himself the Paladin raises an eyebrow, but does not otherwise comment. He seems just wise enough to not launch into a sermon.

Strumming a lute and singing a song about summer love. She has no audience but herself and Sir Fluffy, and so when she hears the sounds of a violin she stops her own music and nudges Fluffy with a knee, guiding him towards the priestess and her music. As she rides Fluffy-back, she puts her lute into a leather bag made just for it.

The Althean puts aside her violin now, carelessly offering it to the older man: "Please, watch this for a moment." Doesn't even question whether the man will steal it or not. She just... hands it over. Still, when one of the brighter children pipe up, she says,"And why is that, my darlings?" She bends over from the bench she was sitting on, and takes out a box, approaching the man. They all say 'oooooh' like they're watching a child get in trouble in front of a class when she does that, but none of them answer. "Because temperance is a virtue, and money spent gambling could be spent tending your families, or uplifting those around you." She pauses to utter a non-magical blessing over the Daeusite,"And thank you for the good works you do, Sunblade."

She sets the box down before Xander and stands on it while she takes his hand, and looks over it. Oh, hey look... That's a pretty firm grip for someone so short! "So. You got this playing cards, did you? WERE you cheating? And you couldn't think of anything better to do with your time and money than throwing it away or taking the earnings of other no-doubt honorable hard working men? Does it comfort you to know you heedlessly gamble away fortunes in a single day that most men will not see in their entire life? How anyone could be so thoughtless is beyond me!" She's already muttering dropped bits of blessing as she traces symbols in the air over the wound. A moment later, the bleeding stops.

Hissing with discomfort and pain - well deserved - as his hand is yanked, Xander hunches forward in a decidedly undignified way. Like a puppy being disciplined, really! Box or no box, there's a lot of height difference to make up.

"You are-- ow!" Hurting him. She sure is. Mages. Flimsy little things.

"I was not cheating.", Xander manages eventually, looking for all the world like he wants to pull his hand away, though he does not actually do so. No denying the gambling, however.

"Mommy says decent men don't wear their beard like that." a little girl supplies in the pause. "And I think she's right, cause I saw in a book, there was a bad man and he had a beard just like you!"

Xander swallows, adam's apple bobbing up and down... and says nothing, just hisses in pain again at Rainbowbeam's oh-so-tender ministrations of his wounded hand. Eyes go up, to the heaven - and somewhere above, Tarien is cackling.

Phanuel doesn't interrupt the chastising that Xander is recieving, keeping mum on the subject and letting the priestess of Althea do what she was called to do - heal wounds and make people guilty. Because when Star Momma ain't happy, no one's happy! When the girl talk about Xander's beard, it elicits a response: "Purity is in the heart of a person, not in their appearance," he says earnestly. "The homely and the winsome alike may have clean hearts, if they apply themselves to virtue. Judge a person instead by the things they do." He turns to find the source of the lute's music, only to find Sunshine. He smiles to the other Paladin and holds up a hand in greeting. "Hail, Sister!" he tells her.

Without looking up, Rainbowbeam replies to the little girl diplomatically,"Well, generally only evil duplicates in the stories tend to wear their beard like that, but in real life, things are more complicated. Still, your mother is a woman of distinction to begin your tutoring in right and wrong so early in your life. The Sunblade has the heart of it. THOUGH a clean and well-mannered appearance and good deeds are a wonderful way to show a person what is in your heart." A nice, non-committal answer. She blows a puff of air on the wound, then reaches into one of her sleeves and starts wrapping the wound with bandages,"I stopped the bleeding so it won't get infected, but I'm wrapping it with bandages rather than wasting Althea's divine energies on a superficial wound gained from iniquity, when it will heal clean on its own with some time and care. Wash it and changes the bandages daily. If it begins to fester, come to me and THEN I'll magic it." She reaches her hand into one of her sleeves, pulling a small jar of generic salve free,"Put this on it. It should help with the pain and keeping away infection." But, noticeably absent from that statement? The phrase 'it will STOP the pain'.

Fluffy pads his way towards the healer and her victim, tail starting to wag happily at the sight of all the children. Sunshine, who some of the children are larger than, tilts her head at all the cringing that Xander is doing. Then with an eye towards his goatee, she puts a hand to the hilt of her sword just in case. As they come into earshot she listens to what is going on, and Phanuel's chastisement of a child for judging by appearances makes her quickly move her hand off her weapon, just in case. She offers Phanuel a broad smile and a wave however, "Hello brother! I hope the day finds you well?"

Xander's free hand lifts, giving the goatee in question a self-conscious stroke. But then Rainbowbeam is... well, being Rainbowbeam again and his entire body jerks in an awkward-looking reposition to allow her to wrap the bandage.

"My thanks, priestess." he intones, his voice a little on the unstable side. The free hand reaches out to accept the tiny salve jar. He only recoils a little at the scent - even stoppered, the thing reeks of... well, of healing salve.

"ARE you a bad man, mister?" the little girl asks, with that innate earnestness small children possess, rocking on the balls of her feet.

Xander's expression grows blank. Is it a good or a bad sign he has to ponder this answer? He decides on: "Sometimes."

"Are you being a bad man now, mister?" she plows on mercilessly.

Xander opens his mouth. Eyes flick to the stern Rainbowbeam, to where she's still squeezing his freshly bandaged hand, then back to the girl. "... No." he says, in as decisive a voice as he can muster.

<OOC> Sunshine needs to scoot to meet up for other rp I'm afraid. Such nice rp here though.

<OOC> Xander says, "Awww. :("

Rainbowbeam eyes Xander distrustfully. She may be all of five feet tall... But it's about the same effect as a hill giant putting its face within inches. STAAAARE. "Well... At least you're not a COMPLETE liar. Maybe there's hope for you yet." She narrows her eyes, then /decides/,"You will attend services. At least weekly. So as to avoid further misleading these children with your iniquity and licentious ways... And in the name of the Star Mother! Settle down and find a wife already!"

Sunshine looks over at Xander and Rainbowbeam as she listens to the dialogue between and surrounding them. Then she shakes her head once, blond hair flopping about in a manner she surely practices in the mirror. To Phanuel, "Be well brother. I have to deliver a book to the library." She gives Fluffy a nudge before he gets too engaged with all those children. He is dangerously cute and ever so pettable. With a woof of excitement he leaps forward, bouncing Sunshine all over the place as they flee the scene.

Phanuel gives Xander a good long look, and then turns around to Sunshine. "It is good to see another of our Order," he says with a smile. "Go with the Light." Then he turns to look back to Xander, then down to the children, then back up at Rainbowbeam. Perhaps wisely, he's not about to expound any further on what the priestess of Althea is saying. He does say, "You are an honest man in this," regarding Xander. When the cleric begins giving him orders, particularly regarding life decisions, a small smile comes to his face.

Sunshine has left.

Xander stares at the priestess, his usual stony countenance and mask of indifference shattering and giving way to that lovely deer-caught-in-a-bullseye-lantern-light look.

"Priestess, I..." he begins, reconstituting the blank, unreadable look as best he can. It's a protest. It's a bubbling protest in the face of the deathstare. Or, perhaps, the lifestare, vibrant and powerful. And stern.

And the little girl looks up at him expectantly. In fact, ALL of the children are eyeing him expectantly.

The poor magus' shoulders slump. "I shall... find time in my schedule and meet you halfway. Will that suffice?" he concedes. No wife for him, but Rainbowbeam may see him at an Althean sermon or two.

In fact, Rainbowbeam, like many of the more peace-oriented Hearthguards, is an expert in negotiation. She has bet upon the idea that Xander values his bachelor-like freedom more than he values an hour or two out of every week. She squares her shoulders in an appeased, but not un-vigilant manner. And then, like that? She's all flowers and puppies again as she hops off the box, half-kneels before the children, and says,"See, children! There are few problems that cannot be fixed with adequate dialogue and conflict resolution skills!" A pause, and she looks over her shoulder, smiling serenely,"Why, I shall even save a cushion for you, right up front during the service with me!" She rounds her gaze on Phanuel,"Oh, how remiss of me. I didn't even offer you hospitality. Daeus, the kind father is, of course, much loved by all good Altheans. Would you like to instruct on anything or clarify any points?" She smiles at Phanuel respectuflly. But an old man in the crowd repeats an old maxim,"If the Star Mother ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." All the children not solemnly to this.

Xander's eyes narrow ever so slightly. Damned wily priestesses. There is, however, no protest voiced, even though he looks like he'd like to make a few. Packing up the salve in one of his beltpouches, the mage goes to join his hands behind his back in his habitual manner... winces at the pain coiling the injured hand causes... and simply leaves them hanging at his sides, finally straightening to his full height. An effort to be a good sport. As good as someone as ominous as him can be, that is.

Children. Must think of the children. ... He so dislikes children. And perhaps Althean priestesses, when they are being preachy. Especially right now.

The smile remains on Phanuel's face, and he nods a bow to Rainbowbeam. "I am honored that you would count me among those worthy to teach children, yet I am but a humble warrior and bear no great wisdom. Yet I may borrow wiser words than mine... 'The souls of the just are in the hands of the Celestine, and no torment shall touch them.' Be good, enjoy your lives, obey your parents." he looks over to Xander now, and nods to the man. "I'll see you there," he says, then adds helpfully, "The Fernwood has excellent after-service brunch."

She smiles brightly, now, and makes a 'palms up' gesture towards the children. Rainbowbeam turns, as the children all rise as one, and addresses the paladin,"Sunblade, I shall look favorably for you. The brunch is on me, as thanks for your kind words." She bows before Phanuel politely, then shoots one last hairy eyeball at Xander,"And you. If you've not the necessary texts and readings, I will of course be happy to lend one of my copies to you. It is... customary to bring a hand-prepared dish to help feed the less blessed members of the congregation. However... if you've not the means..." Her tone says she highly doubts this,"... I will be happy to provide your offering. For the moment." And then she turns, a small horde of children following her.

"I shall see you at the sermon, priestess." Xander says, unwilling (or simply wise, or perhaps scared) to argue with the priestess, his head dipping forward in a nod. "You've my thanks for the salve." he adds, his free hand coming to his chest as he dips forwards in a respectful quarter-bow. There is a glance at the pouch into which the jar had vanished. Eyes flick to the wound, and finally, Phanuel.

"Ah. Forgive me, Sunblade, for my... distraction." That's a suitably mild way to put it. "I am Sir Xander Blackrose, Sea's Warden." he introduces himself to the paladin at long last, sketching an echo of the previous bow in emphasis.

"I should like to get to know you better," the Paladin tells Rainbowbeam, earnestly and without wavering. "I am Valen of the House Phanuel, indeed a Sunblade, and I hope that our paths may cross again soon." Then once the priestess is gone he turns to Xander and nods. "Well met, Sir Blackrose," he tells the black-robed man. "Stop by the Dragon's Den or Fernwood. If I see you I'll buy you a drink, if you go in for such things. The 1009 Rosalian vintages turned out very well."

"I visit the aforementioned establishments from time to time." Xander confirms to the paladin. "I do admit, however, that I have not had chance to taste the aforementioned vintage. I shall, perhaps, take you up on your offer some day." he says, giving a brief, pleasant grin.

Another glance at his freshly bandaged hand, which still stings below the linens, and the magus gives an apologetic incline of his head. "I fear I've business to tend to, now that this has been taken care of." he says to Phanuel, lifting the hand to indicate it as that which he's refering to.

Maybe he needs to learn to cook in a hurry.

"I am certain we shall see each other again soon enough."

And with that, the magus himself is striding away.