What the Wind Blows In
Log Info
- Title: What the Wind blows In
- Emitter: Ashes
- Characters: Ashes, Thurid
- Place: A10: Temple District
- Time: Tuesday, November 17, 2020, 3:14 PM
- Summary: Ashlee is wandering against the wind and ends up near the fountain in the Temple district. Thurid, a jotun cleric of Angoron ends her jog at the fountain and starts stretching. The two being talking after Ash stares for a while, discussing their families, or lack, and how they came to be at their respective temples. The athletic competition at the Colosseum is raised. Ash also warns about the Charnese Delegate she was sitting beside. They talk a while longer, introductions are finally given, and then they go their separate ways.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=<* 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 worshipers. The great plaza is as a social center, paved in brilliant, white flagstones 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 and Stars 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.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Appearing, in Order =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ashes 5'11" 177 Lb Hobgoblin Female A somber arvec in grey clothes with a skull face Thurid 7'1" 249 Lb Giantborn Female Bright-eyed, muscular, blond Giantborn woman. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Sirs Not-Appearing-In-This-Log -=-=-=-= Gadget 3'6" 38 Lb Gnome Female Beautiful and unnatural. Kira 5'0" 120 Lb Human Female Blonde woman in simple robes with an eye patch. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
It's a grey day. Grey sky, grey ground, all colours muted and seemingly grey although they have tints of their original hues. There are no shadows, only a uniform diffuse light which is fading.
And a chilling wind blowing from the west.
And a chilling figure bowed against it, moving in from the east.
Mourner Ashlee Ciaradh has descended from her Mountain Temple to the Temple District, with leaves being blown in her face every step of the way. Her expression is unchanging, so she shows no outward signs of frustration, but she tacks and walks a little closer to the buildings and out of the main throughfares where all the wind is.
Along Althea, past Eluna, stopping before Daeus, the Mourner finds herself beside the oft-repaired fountain. The wind causes tiny ripples to flow across the surface like waves. The colour has been stolen here as well.
Ashlee stares at the water, with a long and careful exhale. She takes a coin out of her satchel and throws it in. She might have made a wish, in a general, unfocused sense. She hasn't asked for anything specific.
She looks up and around, her hair tousled and dragged both across her face and over her shoulders. She stands and stares for a while, waiting perhaps for the wind to sweep her away.
A large figure comes running up the path from the lower reaches of the city- from the direction of the river and the bridges that cross it. She seems to be running for the simple sake of running, rather than from or towards anything, and has been at it a while if the sheen of sweat on her is anything to judge by. The jotunblooded woman isn't dressed in her armor today, and seems entirely unperturbed by the grey dreariness of the weather, bright eyed as ever.
Thurid finally begins to slow as she approaches the fountain, as this area outside the temples is oft busier than other areas, and less suitable for running in. Her pace slows to a jog, and then finally she slows to a stop in the vicinity of the fountain itself, standing tall and looking to the sky as she catches her breath, hands on her hips.
The fountain is not flowing, it's been turned off. A lot of wind and spray is a good way to get ice buildups. At the least, slippery flagstones. So the feature is covered in a protective tarp that is tied down, and water in the basin of the fountain is stagnating and collecting leaves as well as coins.
Ash decides she is suitably windswept and looks around for some place warmer. She does know a few other clerics of other temples and that could be an excuse to go into one. Except she generally doesn't visit. It's often awkward, not knowing if she's wanted or when she should leave.
Then, a jotun shows up. One that is warm from running and blocking the wind. Ashlee drifts into the leeward side of her and stands there watching her breathe. Stares actually.
The jotun doesn't seem to notice Ash at first, looking up at the sky as she is while breathing heavily. However, Thurid finally reaches down for a waterskin hanging from the belt on her skirt, and as she looks down, she spies the skull faced arvek. She offers a smile, "Good day." she offers, cheerfully, and apparently not much caring about the staring. She uncorks the skin and then takes a couple of swigs from it before sealing it back up again.
"Are you well?" she wonders of her, noticing the windswept appearance. There is a brief pause, and she claps one fist against the palm of her other hand as recognition sparks in her eyes, "Ah- You were there the other night, as the Colosseum." she recalls.
Ashlee nods to the greeting. Then there are questions, she'll have to answer those. "Yes." There is little inflection to her voice, her words are spoken in a flat monotone, "Yes, and yes."
She considers asking a question back. That's how conversation works, even if there's nothing she is curious about at the moment. A fairly obvious one occurs to her. "Why are you running?"
Thurid chuckles good naturedly at the question, "I suppose the main reason is that I enjoy it." she tells the Arvek then. "I always have. But also, to get better at running. And to train my body." she says, giving a complete answer. "There is to be another event at the Colosseum, organized by the Order Paramount. I am helping." she goes on to explain, one hand coming away from her hip to hang by her side while the other remains planted.
"It will be a competition- a festival, celebrating feats of athleticism, and the heights of fitness and form that can be accomplished with hard work." She goes on to explain, clearly pretty passionate about this.
"Oh." Ash says, satisfied with the answer. There is an important follow-up, "Will there be horses?"
Thurid ponders the question for a moment, but then shakes her head, "Not this time. We'll be focusing on sports that showcase individual fitness this time." she says, although the question seems to giveher food for thought. "Perhaps I will suggest horse races or jousting another time." she adds then. "The events this time will be running, swimming, climbing, tug of war, weight lifting and hammer throwing." she tells Ash then. "Are you a Rider, then?" she asks, given the question about horses.
"I don't do any of those." Ashlee admits, and scratches at one of her large ears. "I ride, although it's not a real horse. Real horses are better."
She asks something that has been bothering her, "Will I have to pick a side?"
Thurid shakes her head, "Only for the tug of war, if you like. We're going to split the competitors between Angoron and Kor for that one, like with the gladiator fights." she explains. "For everything else, it's every man or woman for themselves." she says with a grin. She wonders, "What is it, if not a real horse, if you don't mind my asking?" she wonders.
While she talks, she goes about some post workout stretches to stop her muscles from tensing up, bending down to touch her toes, and then arching her back backwards, hands on her hips. She repeats this a few times.
Ashlee backs up, so Thurid has some space to do her stretches. She waits until the jotun is looking her way. She makes an arcane gesture, clearly casting something as she reaches into her messenger bag. With a mildly dramatic flare, the ashen Arvec pretends to pull something out and toss it on the ground.
A pale horse appears wearing a saddle and full tack. It whinnies then nickers, turning its head to look at the summoner. "A magic horse. She'll stick around for four hours."
Thurid pauses and watches with intrest as the spell is cast, and smiles brightly at the horse, "That's a very useful spell." she says, and reaches out to give the magical horse a pat on the withers. Gently. She knows her own strength. "I don't really ride." she tells Ashlee, then, looking back to her. "I travel a lot, but mainly by foot. I occasionally ride on a boat or airship but... I don't like it. I prefer the ground under my feet." she says then.
Ashlee nods again, moving closer to her horse. She takes a brush out of her bag and starts working on her flank. The horse doesn't need it, so it must be more of a comfort action for the Arvec, "I walk a lot of places. Extra boots are good to have."
She hesitates, having run out of things to say. She continues brushing her horse. "Riding events are good. There are some at the Festival grounds every month."
Thurid nods her head in agreement with that, "Aye, good boots, a good pack, and good traveling companions." she says then on the topic of walking. "Have you given any thought to taking up any sports?" She wonders then. "They are good for your health. And you never know when being a strong swimmer or runner might save your life." she adds a moment later. "Of course, even those who don't really have any athletic prowess are welcome to spectate." she adds after a moment, realizing she might be selling too hard.
On the topic of riding, she nods her head a bit, "I'm sure it's entertaining. I may come and watch, myself, if duties permit. The next time it comes around." she says.
"I try not to run." Ashlee explains, elaborating on her outlook on life. "I'm not afraid to die. The Feiu of the Tears will take me when she wants me. I did all my swimming and climbing in the military."
"I'm happy spectating." She moves up a little, she has a lot of magical horse to brush. Plus the horse is warm and also blocking the wind. Win-win. Her lips tighten as a few thoughts cross her mind, "The woman I was sitting with at the Colosseum is not a good one to associate with."
Thurid searches her memories of the event to try and recall who the Arvek was sitting next to, but comes up blank and shakes her head, sending her braids swaying. She also reaches up to brush some of her loose hair back, where it had stuck to her sweaty brow. "I don't remember- I was too focused on the fights. Who were you sitting next to?" she finally asks.
"Madah'Chern Akorinil ferch Belvade yun Lithrinil dem Kenduis" Ashlee replies, "Charnese Delegate to Alexandria, Priestess of Taara, Slave Owner, and friend to Barntos, the chosen of Thul and the vampire who destroyed the Grey Lady's Temple here and indirectly caused the creation of Blar."
"The red haired mul'niessa. She's easy to spot. She's surrounded by thirty guards of hers and Alexandria so adventurers don't kill her." Thurid ahs! And then nods her head as soon as the name begins being recided, but she doesn't interrupt, waiting until Ash finishes speaking before speaking up herself- although her usually sunny expression sours just a bit at the mention of slave ownership, "Yes- I know of her. I didn't realize you were sitting next to her." she says as she peers at the hobgoblin, "I thought the guards were keeping everyone at arms length. Or spear length, more like." she adds then.
"She likes how I look." The ashen Arvec explains, "and she asked me to sit with her."
Which is usually enough for her, she tries not to judge, that's Vardama's job. The horse needs some more brushing, so she gets it.
Thurid nods her head a bit at that, "I'm not surprised." she muses on the topic of how the Arvek looks. "I've seen some other mul'niessa with lots of piercings and such." she adds after a moment. "Do yours have some special significance?" she wonders out of idle curiosity.
"Yes." Ash says. Which seems like a sufficient answer to her. Then she remembers most people have follow-up questions, and this would be the sort that would be followed up. "They are from the deceased I've helped."
She touches one over her eyebrow, "This was a caravan of oruchs who were trapped in a storm. This one was a family that were dissolved by a giant ooze."
She indicates several down the other side of her face, "these were the soliders I was with in the cavalry, that the Grey Lady wanted and I helped along."
So the reminder of death has extra reminders of death on her body.
Thurid nods her head a bit solemnly at that. She reaches for the iron chain about her neck, from which a similar iron Maul hangs- a symbol of Angoron, though this one seems to have been cast inexpertly. It is rough, and too heavy and ugly for most to consider a piece of jewelry. "I understand that, in a way. This was my father's. I never knew him- he died before my mother bore me." she tells the Arvek then. But her somber expression turns to a fresh new smile, "But I carry it with me, always. And in a way, a part of him lives in me." she says cheerily.
"He would be proud." Ashlee says, although her monotone diction undermines the impact of her words. "If I get a message from him I'll bring it to you."
Which is a thing that might happen, apparently. "I didn't know my parents."
Another statement that could be elaborated upon, so she does. "I was stillborn. The witch took me away and I came back to life."
Thurid raises her brows at that, "Back to life?" she wonders of the Arvek, as she thinks about it a moment. She ponders for a moment, "I've heard tales of divine provenance like that..." she says, but something about the story doesn't seem like it has such a happy ending. "The witch didn't return you to your parents, when your breath returned?" she asks.
"No." Ash says, then she blinks and raises her head a little. "I suppose she should have. She kept me and she raised me, and then she died. There was a goat too."
Thurid runs her fingers underneath her hair, peeling it away from her neck a bit, and she rubs the back of her neck for a moment. "I see." she eventually says to the unusual Arvek. "Have you ever tried to find your parents?" she asks, then.
"No." The ashen Arvec says. She remains standing there holding a brush on her horse, forgetting to brush. "I didn't think they would want me."
She looks down at the water, wind-whipped in the fountain. "I suppose that's something I should have done."
She looks up again, "After Nan Mochthrath died I went between villages until I was taken in by the Feiu of the Tears."
Thurid shakes her head a bit at that, "Why do you think that?" she wonders of the Arvek. "Family is precious..." she adds after a moment, but realizes she might be pressing at a sensitive subject so she falls quiet and just listens for a bit. "I was a ward of the temple, too. My mother still lives, but we were both taken in by an Althean temple near the border. I traveled to Alexandros to become an Acolyte, here, at the temple of Angoron."she says and nods her heads over yonder to the entrance to said temple- its drums muted, but still audible, over the wind.
"Because I never thought about them and they thought I was dead." Ashlee admits, turning to look in the indicated direction. She can hear the drums. She seems lost in thought, the brushing hasn't returned, "Maybe I should go check."
"It's good you have a memory of your father." She indicates her satchel, a rather old and worn messenger bag made of leather. A Witch's bag, "This was Nan Mocht's."
Thurid glances towards the bag then, and she nods her head a bit, "I suppose, there's more than one kind of family." she admits eventually, realizing she might have been projecting a bit there. "Were you close with the witch?" she wonders then. Since her run is finished for now, she heads on over to sit on the edge of the fountain and stretch her legs out infront of her, crossing one ankle over the other, and still looking over towards Ash.
Ash moves her horse, so she's blocking the wind and stands where she can easily look at the seated Thurid. "She raised me," she says, which suggests some intimacy and familial affection until she she clarifies, "I was closer to the goat."
"And the ghosts."
Thurid ahs at that, frowning in mild confusion, and glancing at the bag again, but she simply shakes her head and goes back to smiling, leaving it alone. "You mentioned ghosts before." she says. "So even back then you were in touch with ghosts? Before you were taken in by the temple?" she asks.
The mourner nods. In the grey light of the grey day she both blends into the surroundings, and the white of her tattoos stands out starkly. With a squint or from the side of the eye, it can seem like one is talking to a skeleton. There is a settled quiet surrounding her, the sort in cemetaries and crypts, that adds a creepiness to her. An impression that is often enhanced by her stare and stillness.
"Yes. They come to me. Sometimes they don't know they've died. Or want a message passed along. It's why the Temple took me in. Normal hobgoblins thought I was crazy."
Thurid nods her head slowly, "It's good that lost souls have a voice among the living... but that sounds like a great burdeon." she says to the Arvek then, "I'm glad that you've found a place." she adds then. "I am sorry that it took you so long to find somewhere where you were understood." she finishes.
"It's Ok," Ash reassures. "It worked out in the end. I'm glad you found a Temple that worked for you as well."
She leans back against her horse. "I'm Mourner Ashlee Ciaradh, I prefer Ash. Thanks for the suggestion to look for my family. I might do that."
Thurid dips her head again, "Warrior Thurid Freeborn." she responds to the introduction, and then smiles brightly at the Arvek, "If you want help, I would be glad to." she says then. "I should finish my run, and go take a bath before the TarRaCe gets too busy, though." she says as she stands up again. She starts doing her stretches once more as she prepares to head out.
Ashlee doesn't smile, hobgoblins generally don't and in her case she looks extra weird with the painted teeth of her tattoo surrounding her real ones. Still, there is a certain humour in her movements and a crinkle at the sides of her eyes. She moves from standing there, through a vault that expertly mounts her on her horse. "Ok."
She pats the horse's shoulders, "I'll take my magic horse for a run. The Tarrace is a good place to go."
She makes a click noise, then rides off on her pale horse.
