Wreath and Flames
Log Info
- Title: Wreath and Flames
- Emitter: Culix
- Place: Temple District
- Summary: Aryia and Culix catch up, ponder faiths, and jump off roofs.
Climbing temple steeples and Bell towers is a risky and oft frowned upon pastime if the unruly youth in many places, and the guard and clergy alike discourage it both for the safety of the would be climbers, and the safety of the valuable lead flashing often pilfered from temple roofs. This does not discourage Culix, though, who is currently squatting in the shade provided by an arched feature on one such roof- and eyeing the people making their way out of morning services in the temples below. She seems lost in thought, absently chewing on her thumbnail as she goes about her people-watching.
Down upon the ground, people go about their day, small specs from up on high akin to ants. There is a glint that flashes by from the Temple of Eluna, someone seemingly taking something out of their pocket and putting it on their face to ward from the sun. They don a green jacket, put their hands on their hips, and turn their gaze skyward.
A moment passes, and the mul'neissa woman abruptly turns one way, and begins to power walk towards a wall on an outlying building. Before any members of the Watch raise a fuss, she's already climbed halfway up the several storied building, mantling herself over and up as she continues her previous gait. As if the building was just in the way of her path.
Culix raises her eyebrows at that glimmer reflection, the green jacket. They are familiar. When their owner starts running up the wall, Culix hehs and shakes her head, not certain she knows who it is that is scaling her perch. She shifts a bit, turning towards where Aryia is coming from, emerging from the shade a bit to lift a grey hand in greeting.
She doesn't raise her voice, yet, though because she doesn't want to attract undue attention to her perch and perhaps have to vacate it. Instead, she simply pauses a moment to wait and see if Aryia has spotted her greeting.
Aryia's direction lazily aims past Culix's perch, but it comes to a still at the movement from the perch. She looks up, quirks her head to the side, then perks in recognition. Her heading shifts straight towards where Culix is.
Briefly however, as she slips behind a few chimneys, back down a joined roof, then clambers up the steeple the goblin is taking refuge beside.
Boots clack against the roof tile, and the mul'neissa smiles down at Culix in her shade. She gives a wave, kneels beside her, and offers a side hug. "Good to see you!" she briskly gestures. <Handspeech/Tongues>
It's been a little bit since Culix saw Aryia. The patchy greyness of her skin has now progressed to the point there is no green pigment left to her, and she is grey all over. Even her black hair is streaked with silver- what wisps of it that escape her hood at any rate. "Heya." she replies, returning the hug. "Been a while." she adds a moment later, and settles back into the shade. "You take this shortcut often?" she wonders with a lopsided grin
Aryia pushes her shades up atop her head, glowing eyes taking in the greenless features with interest. She nods twice. First at the time, and second to the question as she pulls away from the hug and sits on her haunches. "Faster to cut over the rooftops to get back home. Watch gave up trying to stop me months ago," she answers with a similar smirk.
She looks Culix over once more. "You doing okay? Mother told me she spoke with you about the shadow stuff." <Handspeech>
Culix nods her head again then, "Yeah, doing alright." she says and sounds like she means it. "Stopped freaking out and knuckled down to read up a bit, figure out what the deal was." she tells Aryia then. "Or at least, learn more about the plane of Shadows. And in the process a bit more about how I can use them." she tells the Mul.
"I don't get out here that much." she admits then, and gestures vaguely around the temple district. "I know we chatted a bit, way back, about my uh... less than ideal experience with formal worship." she adds.
Aryia shifts a bit to sit down, back against the steeple. "Good. It... looks like that shadow shit got you a bit," she gestures vaguely at the gobber, "but you're still you. Just... monochrome?" she tries to joke with a little smile. "Learn anything? My mother is pretty heavy into the stuff, and my father's magic is rooted in it."
She looks over the temple district at the motion. There's a small nod. "I remember. I used to be a Taaran and Maugrimite, so I get it," she reminds, the signs being thrown over her shoulder like its far behind her now. Aryia glances back to Culix. "Looking for a new experience? Or just killing time?" <Handspeech>
Culix nods her head, "Yeah, the shadows in me. But the Plane of Shadow isn't really evil, even if it can be pretty hostile." she says then peering at the back of her own hand. "My reflection still looks a bit funny to me, but I'm getting used to it." she admits, eyes following the signs.
"Thinking." she answers the question. "Spoke with Simony about getting this covered." she says, peeling back the collar of her shirt enough to show the tattoo on her throat, Illotha's crossed Kukri. "Don't know what's going to happen when I do."
"It's not evil," Aryia agrees, her balling her hand up. A bit of shade gathers at the base of her fist, and a dark drop falls down to plop into the steeple's shadow. "But I understand. Took me a while to get used to my reflection." She didn't always have that confidence.
She eyes the tattoo, a small flicker of a frown crossing her lips. "I don't know either. I remember a long time ago running into some people with those tattoos. Maybe having a priest like her do it may help. I'm not sure what would happen. Nothing could happen. Maybe everything. Maybe the shadows will keep you safe." She shrugs. <Handspeech>
Culix watches the hand signs, nodding her head but saying nothing for a few moments. "Maybe." she agrees that maybe nothing will happen. "Or maybe I'll be cursed. Either way, I'm going to do it. I don't belong to Her anymore." she asserts.
"I'm mostly worried about backlash against other folks." she adds then. "But anyhow, I was thinking of getting it turned into a wreath, and flames." she explains, tapping her tattoo again.
"You came out of the temple to Eluna, didn't you?" Culix asks finally, gesturing that way. "I thought you were on the fence about that?" she asks. Pauses. "I guess I'm on the fence myself."
Aryia nods sagely, a bit of a respect crossing her expression. "Good. She shouldn't hold you if you don't want Her."
She tilts her head. "Wreath and flames is a good idea. That'll look nice. If you're worried about backlash..." She taps her chin. Then shrugs. "I can be there. I don't know exactly how She works, but if something lashes out, I'm sure I can figure something out." Aryia speak for: 'I'll beat the shit out of it.'
The question gets her brows to furrow momentarily. Only to lax thereafter. "Sort of on the fence. I think my place is on the fence. I've come to give them, not just Eluna,-" she gestures to the plaza, painting the major faiths with the swath, "-a nod of respect and recognition. But it doesn't appeal to me."
She tilts her head. "And what of you?" <Handspeech>
Culix scoffs, "She is the godess of murder, and poison. Maybe it'll be something to punch, probably not." she says and then shrugs. "I wouldn't say no, though." she adds after a moment.
"Well the wreath and flames is Ceinara's symbol." she tells Aryia then. "I never really felt a draw to the dancer before. But, well, the more I studied shadows the more she started to appeal. Shadows can't exist without light to cast them, and the way that they dance in a flickering flame is..." she makes a helpless gesture. "I don't know how to explain it. I just feel drawn to it." she says then.
"I've been thinking of visiting Ceinara's temple. Speaking with then about my former Mistress." she says then.
Aryia rubs her chin. "Interesting. We'll have to see when the ink dries. Just find me at the Colosseum when you're ready, I coach there now."
"Goddess of passion," Aryia signs, recognition of the symbol crossing her face. "That makes a lot of sense. I know Cor'lana moved on to Ceinara from Navos. I get it. Ceinara would make sense for me to follow, I am a stubborn, heated bitch. But if it feels like you should do that, you should do that if it can help explain things better for you."
The mute ponders that. "Probably a good idea. Passions change, so it would make sense they're used to people converting." <Handspeech>
Culix nods her head again then and leans back against the steeple herself, "I've also taken up dancing." she admits, on the topic of the topic of Ceinara. Her cheeks color a little, proving her blood is still red even if her skin is no longer green. "Although I've only told one other person about that." she adds then, shooting Aryia a /look./
"Started out just a practical thing. Copying the flickering movements of shadow. But actually, it's... not completely terrible. Fun, even. I will deny this conversation ever happened dif that gets out, though."
Aryia's expression flickers amusement, but is horribly attempted to be squashed. The look is met with pursed lips and gaze slipping off towards the side and away. "I'm sure Irshya greatly enjoys it," she signs, fingers waggling in tease.
She nods, failing to hide the amusement and ends up smirking. "I know a little bit. Mother taught me. It can be fun, but she can waft from one shadow to another as if it was just another step in a dance."
She holds up her hands in mock surrender. "To preserve my kidneys from being shanked, I won't utter a word." Squints at herself. "Sign. Whatever." <Handspeech>
Culix nods her head, "She spoke a little of that. I'm starting to feel the... way of it, myself." she tells Aryia then. "There's more to shadows than just a lack of light. They are connected, to each other, and to the plane of shadows." she murmurs. "Some of that I read, some of it I'm just beginning to know." she adds. "I've always been sneaky, but I can hide.right in front of people now, it's like the shadows just swallow me up. I can see further and better in the dark."
The comment on Irshya has her flush again, "I promised to show her my dancing, some time. But it's embarrassing. I've only practiced it when I'm alone."
Her brows raise. "Right in front of people? That's a cool trick. Seeing in the dark, and not just the dark, but /real/ darkness," she taps her cheek, pointing to her glowing eyes, "has some serious advantages. Except, well, the sun is annoying."
The mute snorts. "Embarrasing? Shit, she'll dance /with/ you. Drag her by the tail and into that room she's got downstairs. Not a soul will know." <Handspeech>
Culix watches curiously at the interplay between shadow and light. "Mmm, can't do that. But I'm thinking of getting a wand so I can fake it." she tells Aryia with a grin. And then nods her head, "Mhmm, i mean, it's nothing so fancy as literally going invisible or teleporting around like a wizard, but apparently it almost looks like that to folks." she says then. She sighs a bit, "I'm sure she would." she agrees then. "But I dunno, I probably suck at it." she adds.
She shakes her head, and decided to change the subject. "When I spoke with Simony about maybe converting, she mentioned you. It sounded like you had some kinda news or insight, but she said it wasn't her place to say." she states, in an attempt to shift the spotlight.
Aryia bobs her head. "Good idea. That'll certainly fuck a lot of people up. But is it really faking it if you are the one making the wand do its work?" she counters with a smile.
She shakes her head, snickering. "Sucking at something is the first step at being sort of good at something. You think I learned how to punch through steel on the first go about? No, I pounded rocks until the rocks were glass. Until wood was glass. Half of dancing is confidence. And I'm damn sure Irshya will prop you right up."
The change in spotlight gets her to quirk her head to the side. Ponders recent conversation with the Navosian. "I am unsure how my insight would assist in your conversion. I am godless, and I prefer to be that way. Much to the utter fucking confusion to the gladiators down at the Colosseum. If you think the Lady of Passion will listen to you, go for it. The only real insight I can maybe give is that you make sure your interests, desires, passions, and drive matches and is reciprocated. Me? I got silence for decades. And they don't reflect what I am and want to be." <Handspeech>
Culix shrugs, "I don't have any magic or, at least, not the right sort of magic to use wands." she tells Aryia, "But they have magic of their own, so there's ways to trick them into working anyway." she adds, "You can do the same sorta thing with a few things, scrolls. Cheaper than potions, usually, so it's a handy trick." she leans back, placing her hands on the roof and peers up at the ceiling of the feature they rest under, before turning to watch more hand signs from Aryia. "I get you." she says then nodding her head. "I do feel drawn to Ceinara. I feel like I'm becoming a creature of the shadows- and I am kind of ok with that." she tells Aryia. "But flames cast shadows that dance." she adds.
She sits up straighter again, "Like I say I'm... still thinking. Come to realize I can't do everything on my own, so guess I've been hitting up folks i know to see what they think."
Aryia dips her head. "It works, and that's what matters. Problem for me is, well-" She points to her throat. "Half the shit I can't use because I can't say any words.
Her brow ticks up. "Can't have shade without light. And light can't exist without having shade. A respect of balance, and a dance to keep it so."
The mute shifts to dangle her legs off the side of the roof. "I see." Her gaze drifts about the plaza. Letting silence fill the space, allowing for thought to churn unimpeded. "If I were in your position, I would do it. If you asked me a year ago, I'd tell you 'fuck no'. But know this- no one can tell you what to do. You are yourself. If you want to dance in shadows cast by light, and feel like Ceinara can give you the right guidance for it, do it. If you think your own flame casts enough shade to strike it out on your own, do that instead. IF Ceinara doesn't work out, move off from her to your own thing, or something else. Whatever you decide, I'll support it, and I'll beat the shit out of anything or anyone that thinks otherwise."
She smiles and supplies a crisp thumbs up. <Handspeech>
Culix nods her head a bit, "Command words, things like that. It's doable, sometimes, but much more difficult." she says. "Have you looked at any more options, or are you content?" she wonders. "It's a part of who you are, I know." she adds.
"If you asked me about this a year ago I'd have told you to mind your business. I have folks i care about now, though, not to mention a better understanding of just what I signed up for when I joined the syndicate." she sighs.
She gives a soft laugh at the thumbs up, "I bet you would, too. Got any experience punching goddesses under your belt? Most otherworldly things I've shanked are a couple of elementals and fiendish critters."
"I've entertained the idea of more options, or fixing it," Aryia admits easily. "But, honestly, it's a part of me. And plus, I don't feel like learning how to talk again. I got my voice back briefly when talking with Vardama in the Halls. Couldn't say shit. Sounded like a fucking honking goose, I did," she silently laughs. "If I get zapped with random magic that fixes it, so be it. If it gets fixed from having to get my arm regenerated back on, so be it."
She snickers, nodding in understanding before shaking her head. "Like I said, talked to a god once. Played cards with them. Won. But sure as fuck wouldn't punch one. If She sends some bitch ass stuff, or followers? Sure. I've suplexed and folded cultists with no regrets. The trick is to be more batshit crazy than them," Aryia grins. <Handspeech>
Culix nods along at Aryia's explanation, "Figured as much." she settles on. "Not sure what I'd do if I lost my voice." she admits. "Probably empty my coin purse at the temple to get it fixed. I mean, at least I know handspeach already, and do a lot of my work in the quiet." she says then. "But, not sure if I'd be able to manage as well as you have." she admits.
"I doubt I'm important enough for Her to show up herself. Even the gods have rules about that shit. And inside the wards it's not likely something will actually show up. I'm more worried about curses, and where I go if I bite the dust." she tells Aryia. "I guess we'll see." she says then and sighs once more.
She rises to her feet then and takes a couple of steps nearer the edge of the roof, peering down. "I'm going tohead to the temple. I've decided." she says then. "I'll ask them for advice if nothing else. Oh, and defacing this thing, it'll get me marked by the Syndicate, not that they're my friends as it is. So there might be folks to punch, even dif nothing creepy happens."
Aryia bows her head in understanding. "I've gone without it for over sixty years. I wanted it fixed early on, but no one was going to fix something like that for a slave," she shrugs. "I've had a long time learn how to be without it, so if I had it, I wouldn't know how to use it."
She snorts. "Maybe Ceinara can keep you safe in the afterlife, burn away the poison," the mute suggests. "And maybe the curse can get unraveled. I've seen some powerful shit happen in my lifetime. There's always a way around stuff."
She stands with Culix, peeking over the edge with the goblin. "Not the first time I've fought the Syndicate. Just hit me up when you need a body guard."
She glances to Culix. The ground. Back to Culix. A cheeky smile crosses her lips. "Let's get you to the temple."
The gobbo is scooped up by an iron grip, nestled firmly under an arm. And the mute leaps off the roof with little warning.
The landing is mildly jarring, but the mute's blue boots flare with runes as the impact is absorbed. She puts Culix down, giggles silently, and pats the gobber's head. "It was nice to see you again, friend." <Handspeech>
Culix laughs and nods her head, "I will do, and if you need a coin purse cut you know who to ask." she replies. Standing, as she is near the edge she is clearly planning for her own exit from the rooftop, until she is grabbed.
"Hey what ar- Nonono-" Her complaints upon realizing what are about to happen are cut off by a scream as she hurtles, under arm like a sack of potatoes, towards the ground. When she's set down it is onto wobbly legs, and her grey face is even paler.
She remains silent and motionless for a moment as she gathers her thoughts, "You- I'll get you for that." she insists. "When you're least expecting it, I'll give you a fright so bad you'll piss your knickers." she threatens- a threat that might be easier to take seriously if she wasn't still knock kneed.
If Aryia could vocalize, its clear she'd be roiling as she throws her head back and clutches her stomach. The only sound coming from her is a breathy, "Haaa.... ahaaa... haaaa..."
She breaks into a hacking cough, shaking her head while grinning. "Please, scare the shit out of me. I look forward to you trying," she signs while snickering and turning away, motioning over her shoulder. "Just be prepared to get tossed through a wall when you do!" <Handspeech>
She gives a sloppy salute as a goodbye, takes half a step to the side, and all but throws herself up the side of the wall. A blink later, she's two blocks away, leaping over the street, over another roof, and out of sight.
-End Scene-