In Search of Stories

It's a warm Spring day. Late morning after a nice early morning rain. The air is clear and most of the city smell is gone for now. The clouds are puffy and the sky a bright blue.

At the newly replaced fountian Sabina sits with the bright feathered peacock in her lap. Absently she pets the proud creature and it seems to be asleep with it's beaked head tucked into a wing. As always she smiles while taking in the view of this place, upper face hidden by her coyote mask.

It is a touch humid yet, the air in this seaport town, but this does not seem to stop Seldan, who bears a set of weighted practice armor and a weighted practiced blade over one shoulder, on his path back to the Temple of Eluna. He appears fresh and relaxed, if a little flushed, but there is not a shred of tension in his shoulders, and his demeanor is clear and focused.

Sabina turns her head and catches sight of the self-working Paladin and grins. A hand is raised up and waves to him just as her voice is lifted to greet him. "Seldan! Good to see you. Hard at work as ever, I see. Are there moments you take your ease or are those to be hidden away lest someonw think you mortal?" She jests at him and then waves him over and pats the stone next to her. "Join me?"

Seldan looks over at the call, and laughs lightly, turning his steps towards the Tarienite. He sets his burden down on the cobblestone at his feet, then joins Sabina, perched on the edge of the fountain nimbly enough. "Practice is ease, I find,"after its fashion, Sabina. I am hunted by nothing uglier than a pell, and in truth do I find Her peace in letting the body flow, leaving the mind behind. But tell me, what of you? it has been some time since last we spoke, and not under the best of circumstances."

A flicker of a frown and then a nod before she smiles again. "I've been adventuring for the guild. Facing down hydra gooses and .." She hesitate and then shrugs. "I had hand in putting to rest another type of vampire. A few other things as well. You know. The dirty work that others are willing to pay to get done. Pondering what happiness is. And what luck is. Spreading as many smiles as I can. And you?"

"I would finish that which I started, and yet have I found joy along the way, in doing so. I do not work -all- the time." A dark cloud passes behind Seldan's blue eyes, though. "It is good that the guild has found for you good work. It is honest work, and you aid others in its doing." He looks over and down at the coyote-masked Sabina. "An armsmaster once told me that the harder one works, the luckier one gets. What is luck, I do not know."

The maked woman grins and shrugs. "I think it is many things. One's friends. One's passions. Even in some cases I am starting to believe one's unfortunate sitiations or actions can turn out to be luck in the end." She cants her head and looks the paladin over. "Which reminds me of a question I sought to ask you." She looks over his person again. "About how one creates or has created such an item as your blade with it's many persons within. I am not a true combatant and I know it. But any edge I can get would serve me well...perhaps others too."

The question seems to surprise Seldan, and he removes the weapon under discussion from his belt, still sheathed, and lays it across his lap for her inspection. The blade itself is of very old make, and relatively simple ornamentation outside of the few gemstones set into the hilt, a much more recent and more modern addition to it. The pommel is ornately carved, but its structure, while sturdy and sound, is very old, most likely centuries in human reckoning. "Such items are very rare," he begins, "and are often the stuff of legends. Most that I have read of, and seen one other, suggest that but one soul resides within the weapon. To have many is ... unusual."

It's at this point that the sword itself pipes up. Clearly, they had been listening, but this time, it is the kindly, slightly nasal old woman that speaks up first. "I don't know much about other weapons that are intelligent, Seldan, but I assure you that every single one of us is here because we want to be. I don't think that other weapon we heard, I don't think it wanted to be there, and that isn't right."

"Forgive me my rudness, please. I'm still not used to speaking to objects. Even though I know you are far more then a simple object." She says to the sword. Her hands reach up and pull off the mask from her face. It seems she's left it on long enough to start tan lines. And by the grin she gives Seldan she knows it. "I am not a warrior, as I said. I seek.. to make this mask into something akin to your friends and blade." She nods towards the sword. "My weapons tend to be wit and spell and my words." A laugh escapes her then and she smiles wryly. "Other would say silver tounge. I say Tarien's tounge."

"No offense was taken, young lady." Again, the kindly old woman speaks. "I don't know how to make something like what we are," she says honestly, and sighs a little. "I suppose you can bind a sould into an object, and force it to serve...."

Seldan interjects, firmly. "No, Fallia. It may be possible, but such imprisonment of a soul against its will is slavery, and I will suggest to none that they do any such thing."

"Of course, of course, Seldan. You wouldn't stand for it, and neither would most of us. But ... young lady ... sometimes an item like that can have a soul, and it just sleeps. Seldan here has spent a lot of time getting to know us, to understand us, and to help us. We slept for ... oh, a while, until he picked us up." There's a tinge of embarrassment in the old woman's nasal tones, an embarrassment reflected on Seldan's own features.

Seldan coughs, then, and jumps back in. "It might be that one need never force something into it at all. Perhaps you may find that something is there ... but it sleeps. Perhaps Tarien will grant you His aid, through it. But ... ere you seek to bind anything ... simply spend time with it. Wear it. Pray with it. Ask the Bard King of it. Perhaps ... there is a something that lies within it, that you do not yet know. Perhaps ... do you ask, the Bard King will decide he likes the item, and favor you through it."

Sabina makes a face that is filled with distaste. "No. I would not force a spirit or being to serve if I could halp it. Perhaps a criminal of the highest order that needed to work off a debt of some sort but such a being or spirit would be near worthless as a friend or companion I'd think." She contemplates and sighs lightly. "Well I have prayed and been with the mask quite a bit already. I've even fallen asleep in it a few times. The crafter did a wonderful job with the fitting and it's very comfortable. I have not prayed to the Ta..to the Bard king about it. I shall take that step next and see what he does or doesn't have to say about it." She grins. "Much of our talks are one sided. But i think he enjoys them none the less."

"Such would I commend to you next. I ... have not had the experience of seeking as you do now, as ... Reunion came to me." This time, there's a sound like a cough from the sword, and the look on Seldan's features strongly suggests an awkward incident. "Many a night did Reunion spend left in my bed, although also have they spent a few in a haversack." Another mix of noises from the sword, this one in several voices - a male laugh, a female laugh, an irascible male grumble, and more. "Mal rather dislikes Reunion, on the whole."

His half-grin fades, and he nods. "I certainly pray that he does. I have never gotten direct responses to my prayers, save as spells, but at times are the responses indirect, so do not doubt that the gods hear us."

Bina's grin turns mischievous and she leans over to peer down at the sword. "Ohhh? Got to know what goes on 'behind the curtians' as they say? A tad bit too much for most involved I'd think. And I can understand why 'Mal' would indeed dislike a talkative group of bed partners." There is a wraggling of brows and a smile to Seldan but she relents quickly enough. "I suppose I shall try prayer. I was reluctant to bother Tarien with it. It seems.." she trails off and shrugs again. "A bit too much like begging from a god that is already busy with important things."

Seldan flushes pink at the mention of bed partners, but draws a deep breath and pointedly dismisses the subject. "For what purpose would you wish to craft such an item as Reunion? It is not a quiet life, nor do we always agree. Think carefully, ere you ask such a thing."

For once Sabina seems to get serrious. He smile fades off into almost nothing and she puts the mask atop the sleeping bird in her lap and watches it. "I almost died to that strange creature. The hydra goose. It was painful and I was scared. I managed to keep my smile through most of it and after. It made me realize I've done little to further my god's ideals. Nor have I left much of an impression apon this world. Not that it requires my touch to go on. I realize that a talking mask may not be the best thing for me or others. But then again it might. And I've already got someone linked to my thoughts and feelings." She motions to the bird in her lap. "One day he may even speak too. I'm not against that happening. I think I want to craft such an item so that I may add more meaning to my actions and leave behind stories for others."

Seldan leans forward, his elbows on his knees, pondering those words. "So ... perhaps you would seek a being that wished to tell its stories, to make people laugh? Does it choose to inhabit the mask of its will, then is that acceptable to you?" He tilts his head, looking over intently at Sabina.

Bina winces. "I was hoping not to trap a being or spirit at all. But I suppose if it freely chose to become a part of the mask of it's own will that would be acceptable and not truely trapping anything." She frowns, looking troubled. "I do hate slavery and all linked terms that go along with it. Thus why I have issue with that way of thinking. Why anybeing or thing would join the mask of it's own free will is somewhat beyond how I think."

This time, the sword speaks again, but it's a different voice this time, this one male, gruff, with a distinct khazadi sound to it. "That I can talk to, young miss. I died before I was really about to help my own people back home. I ran off, tired of the manners and the politics, and hid myself in the Sky Curtain ... for years. Built a life there. But ... I did nothing to help. I fled. I ... want to make that right."

Kira has arrived.

Bina blinks slowly and peers over at the blade in Seldan's lap. "So.. What you are saying is that you all chose for one reason or another to be bound within the blade? That you would do so again if given the chance? But what if whatever spirit chooses to join with the mask and then regrets it's choice? I'd have to break the mask to see it free or something similar. And then be back at square one." She grumbles to herself and then taeks up the mask and slides it back inplace. "And what ifs will be the death of me I suppose."

"All things that one must needs consider, ere they undertake such a thing," Seldan agrees, having listened to the voice's story with raised eyebrows and no little interest. "You wish stories and tales and laughs to share, that stretch beyond your experience?"

"That and other things of course. All things one might have a companion or friend for. Assist one another. Help each other survive those rigerous combats and then shared stories to tell others afterwards to ease minds and hearts. Beyond my experience shouldn't be too hard considering my youth." She smiles once more, returning to lighthearted thoughts.

"Any such spirit will have a mind of its own," Seldan cautions, "just as any friend or companion. Think not that it will do always as you ask, or as you wish. It will need your help, as it cannot move of its own, but it will not regard you as its master. It will seek to persuade you to do as it sees fit, at times."

Behind the mask Bina's brows raise her her inflection voices the movement. "Such it is for any friend or companion. I would not ask for anything else, truely. If I wanted a slave to my whims I'd pay a sickminded person to follow me about and agree to anything I said or did." She grins and shakes her head. "It's a mental difference I guess? From thinking of it as a tool and instead truely think of it as a friend?"

"Even so," Seldan replies, with a nod of approval. "It is well that you clearly understand. I would have you think companion first, and you will know whether it be friend or adversary, do you spend enough time with it." The practice gear remains forgotten at his feet, his attention now fully on the mask. "As you learn it, you will find that it will grow in power, and you can help."

She chuckles and nods. "Then I will give it a temporary name for now to help me thnk of it as such." She ponders, finger tapping softly on her lips as she thinks. A shrug lifts her shoulders up and with a growin smile she says, "Em. Or the first letter in the word mask? Not to be confused with Lord Emp who rests before us in his splendor." The bird in her lap wakes at his name and lifts his head to peer at both humans.

Kira enters the temple square from the bridge to the west, the basket on her shoulder nearly empty. Her steps are light and her smile bright as she begins to make her way across it towards The Healer's temple.

Seldan is sitting with Sabina on the edge of the fountain, practice gear at his feet, his own mien relaxed as he chats with the Tarienite. "A reasonable idea. Perhaps should you find one such within it, it will tell you the mask's name, or perhaps you will choose one. Perhaps it cares not, and you may call it as you will."

The sword across Seldan's lap pipes up, the grumpy old man's voice. "You need to change ours, Seldan. Something more dignified."

Seldan looks down, and chuckles. "Truly is it in my mind that the more you complain of it, the more apt your name becomes, Reunion."

Bina can not help but laugh as the sword pipes up. "That sounded more like a /re-minder/ then a reunion. I can, however, /re-spect/ your thoughts on the matter. Perhaps you all could /re-think/ yur name amongst yourselves and come back to Seldan with ideas?" She giggles at herself and then at the peacock as it gives her a very odd look.

Kira looks over at the laugh, something that the city (and everyone in it) could certainly use more of lately. While he's not the laugher, Seldan is spotted and recognized. A wave follows, and Kira close thereafter. The laughing one may not be familiar, but Kira has no problem sharing her smile with both of them. "Good day to you both."

"No, Sabina. It is but a complaint, ad did you hear a full-out argument, you would understand its name more fully, I think." Seldan keeps his good nature, even laughing along, but firmly shakes his head at the idea of changing it. "And to you, Sentinel. Her light fall upon your path."

The sword, though, has other ideas. "Oh, I've so many ideas! Great Slayer! Most High Holy One! The Mighty Cleaver!" The irascible old man's voice goes off on a tirade on the topic.

"Kanian, not a one of those is anything but embarrassing." A younger, deeper female's voice.

"We should think about it, though. Reunion really is annoying." There's the gruff male voice.

"But accurate, you have to admit," retorts the younger female.

This is quickly devolving into an all-out argument.

Bina is giggling madly at this point but she manages to raise a hand and wiggle fingers in greeting to Kira as she gets nearer. She has to remove her mask to wipe at her eyes as tears form and the sword conversates with itself. "I'm sorry, Seldan. Truely I'm sorry but I just couldn't resist." She bursts out into more giggles before leaning towards the sword and addressing it. "Kanian. I'm sorry but I was poking fun a tad. I'm a priest of Tarien and I'm sort of honor bound to poke every now and again." She sits back up straighter and giggle-snorts almost to the point of falling into the fountian.

"And may The Healer's Grace be upon you all," Kira responds before turning her smile to the sword. "I think Reunion is a lovely name, and an apt one. You are all together, witheveryone bringing their own strength and beauty, making everyone better for it."

The wrangling continues, but Sabina's words do nothing to defuse the situation. "It is not a light or laughing matter! It is dignity! Grace!" Kira seems to go entirely unheard amid the argument, until finally Seldan looks down at it. "Enough. I have yet to hear a good reason to change it, and the Sentinel has the right of it. Continue, and I shall shove you in the haversack."

Grumblehissspit. Reunion appears to settle down about halfway.

Sabina has the good grace to seem embarrassed for her fuel filling words to the firery debate. "Again. Sorry, Seldan and also sorry to you all Reunion." And then a smile for Kira. "Greetings, Kira. It's been some time. I'm glad to see you happy and well."

"Thank you," Kira's smile widens to Sabina after she shakes her head a little at Reunion. She then looks to Seldan. "You have quite the interesting family."

Seldan sighs, but he is smiling, and when the sword does not entirely subside, he sighs, looks around for his haversack, realizes it is not present, and settles for tucking the sword in its sheath underneath the weighted practice armor at his feet. "At times do I think that I barely know a tithe of the truth of my family," he answers Kira. "It is no trouble, Sabina. They can be ... fractious."

Bina laughs again, this time softly. "So it can be with any family. Or family of friends even. A good example of what I may have happen with me should I go down this route with the mask." She says with humor in her voice. "But normally family is worth such times. As are friends."