Falaine Is Good With Children

Rounding a residential cul-de-sac.
This location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. Ducking into an alleyway away from the
intersection of Anatolyi Street and Novikei Road, the buildings nearby shift in purpose and
dimension, becoming spiraling tenements of mosaiced stone and dragonscale. Ivy crawls across these
walls from planter boxes near doorways and porches, providing a beautiful scene of woven verdure
that ensnares warmly-lit and furnished balconies. At the centre of this circular deadend, a small
fountain gurgles merrily and provides the much-desired access to drinking water; small benches flank
its perimetre, which appear to seat gulls and mewling cats more often than people who otherwise nest
cozily in their homes. A statue of Hirin, an adolescent trill stands here, memorialising his noble
spirit. Preening his wings with bored affection, Hirin, an adolescent trill loiters about. An
adolescent Nyalian mastiff darts about excitedly, his tail wagging like a brandished sword.
You see a single exit leading northwest.

Falaine greets Hirin, an adolescent trill with a sincere smile.
"What do you want?" Hirin, an adolescent trill sneers with bluntness that only a child could muster.

Falaine's lips curl into a warm smile, lighting her face.

Falaine greets Hirin, an adolescent trill with a sincere smile.
Eyes narrowed in a suspicious, but playful way, Hirin, an adolescent trill says, "Hi, I guess. What
are you doing here?"

Slakened Falaine, Novitiate of Purity says, "Hi there! Who are you?"

Shrugging, Hirin, an adolescent trill says, "I am Hirin."

Then, with a sudden swell of pride, Hirin, an adolescent trill shouts, "And I am the greatest singer
that the Promisers have, even better than Talsi!"

Slakened Falaine, Novitiate of Purity says, "Can you sing something for me then?"

Suddenly bashful, Hirin, an adolescent trill says, "Erm... sure... I guess..."

Hirin, an adolescent trill clears his throat before opening his mouth to sing. "One for Saint
Tresalyne, Saint of the Stars. Lead the way to Celestia, that the Light might be ours."

In lovely countertenor Hirin, an adolescent trill sings, "Two for Saint Eliele, Lord of the Scales.
Beneath their just judgement, the wicked heart quails."

Still singing with an enthusiastic cry, Hirin, an adolescent trill says, "Three for Saint Anatolyi,
the Saint in silken array. Never yet has he faltered, the Dawn's Promise defending the way."

Almost in a little shout, brandishing an imaginery blade Hirin, an adolescent trill continues, "Four
for Saint Loathys, known as the Flame's Blade! Her righteous call, the angels obeyed!"

Hugging himself gently as he continues Hirin, an adolescent trill sings, "Five for Saint Gathlyn,
the youngest of these! A child saint whose compassion puts all of us at ease."

Singing boldly the final verse, Hirin, an adolescent trill exclaims, "And last for Saint Hamos, the
Dragonslayer, Elohora's fine sword! Show us bravery, courage, the call of service unignored!"

Hirin, an adolescent trill strikes a pose.

Falaine gives up a round of applause.

You nod your head emphatically.

Warmly, Slakened Falaine, Novitiate of Purity says to Hirin, an adolescent trill, "You are a
wonderful singer, lad."

Slakened Falaine, Novitiate of Purity says, "Do you live around here?"

Smugly, Hirin, an adolescent trill says, "I know."

Voice resonating with choral harmonics, you murmur, "If lacking in manners."

Falaine glances at you, her face breaking into a warm and friendly smile.

Offering a light shrug of his shoulders, Hirin, an adolescent trill says, "Sure. Most everyone
around here does."

Murmuring, Slakened Falaine, Novitiate of Purity says to you, "Let the youth be young. Divines know
that it will not last long."

With a disapproving tilt of his head, Avaris replies, "The youth can have manners
and still be young."

Sunlight reflects off the stained glass windows of the Deep Blue Cathedral, shining in the distance.

Hirin, an adolescent trill leans against the fountain, the very picture of bored affectation. "Why
do you want to hear songs, anyway?"

You think to yourself: "I should likely let Falaine handle this. She is gentler, and better with the
young."

Avaris breaths out a slow, centering breath, lifting a hand to invite Falaine to
explain.

Glorious rays of morning light burst forth from Father Sun's crown as it peeks over the world's
edge, announcing a bright and shining new dawn.

An almighty roar sunders the heavens, sending fractures striating across the firmament as if the
very skies had been shattered like glass. The slow, buffeting beat of monstrous wings shakes the
world as a Distant Timequake comes into being.

Falaine smiles slightly, an expression that comes and goes with the fleeting swiftness of a leaping
dolphin, then crouches down in front of Hirin, an adolescent trill. In as frank of a voice as she
would address any adult, she explains patiently, "We are learning more of the Saints. It seems that
the knowledge of them is no longer something readily shared, but something that must be hunted for.
Avower Avaris and I are endeavoring to change that."

Standing off to one side as Falaine speaks, Avaris dips his head in quiet
affirmation, before turning his gaze to study the surroundings with mild curiosity.

Nodding simply, Hirin, an adolescent trill says, "Oh. That sounds like a pain." He scratches his
head, thinking. "Which saints are you asking about?"

Over his shoulder, Avaris says to Falaine, "Saint Gathlyn, Saint Eliele, Saint
Tresalyne and Saint Hamos are those that we have left, yes?

Over his shoulder, Avaris says to Falaine, "Saint Gathlyn, Saint Eliele, Saint
Tresalyne and Saint Hamos are those that we have left, yes?"

A adolescent Nyalian mastiff paws at the ground absently, a low whine escaping his muzzle.

Falaine's eyes crinkle at the corners with mirth. "It is not a pain, but an adventure. Why, the
pursuit of this will take us not only all over the city, but the Basin as well. Imagine all the
things we will see and learn on our journeys!" The paladin's voice holds no traces of teasing,
though it is warm with rich amusement. "And I suppose adventures might be a pain for -some-.. though
surely not one as grown and intrepid as you.. but our efforts will make it less of a pain for others
to come. I think it a worthy endeavor." She nods over her shoulder at you in agreement.

A number of the stylised eyes that adorn Avaris's wings watch Falaine and the youth
intently, flicking back and forth between the two with apparent curiosity.

You think to yourself: "How does she /do/ that? If I tried, I would come off as patronising, or
simply terrify the lad."

Hirin, an adolescent trill straightens his shoulders at the compliment, wings mantling with smug
pride. "Well," he says, eyes shifting as if conveying a great secret, "there's an artifact of Saint
Hamos in the Chapel of Two Saints."

Rocking on the balls of his feet, Hirin, an adolescent trill says, "It's just off the plaza near
Praetorian Circle."

At this, Avaris turns back to face the two, glancing at Falaine as he asks, "The
Chapel of Two Saints - That is the very same one that young Yuleshka wishes to become a priestess
at, is it not?"

At the krokani's name, Hirin, an adolescent trill brightens, exclaiming, "Oh, you know Yuleshka?
She's great. Has the best psalms." Self-importantly, he preens, "She says I have the best voice
she's ever heard."

Falaine's eyebrows lift and she hums appreciatively. "Ah, see? I knew a likely lad like you would
already have had many grand adventures of his own." With a grin, the merian knight rises to her feet
and salutes Hirin, an adolescent trill solemnly. "Thank you for sharing your secrets, singer." She
winks, then glances over to you with a nod. "Well, if Yuleshka says so, it's certainly true. She has
impeccable taste," she agrees seriously.

"Don't believe anything Talsi says, she's just jealous," Hirin, an adolescent trill mutters, his
feathers bristling sulkily.

Falaine very carefully does not smile. "Of course," she agrees solemnly.

The smooth, gleaming visor of Avaris's immobile face reveals nothing of his
feelings, though the sudden warmth of his resonant voice more than makes up the difference. "Ah,
yes. She is a wonderful young woman, and it is not surprise at all that she has the best psalms. I
hope to hear some myself, someday." With a slight nod, he comments, diplomatically, "I imagine that
she did say that, yes. She is very kind."

You think to yourself: "Well, now I simply have to ask Talsi. Somehow I do not think she is the
jealous one."

Seemingly cheered by the conversation, Hirin, an adolescent trill says, "Well, good luck. I know
some of the saints are still very mysterious."

A quiet kitten's mew sounds out nearby.

Hirin, an adolescent trill says, "We only just learned more about the Dawn's Promise, ummm..." He
counts on his hands. "...A few decades ago, I think Yuleshka said?""

Avaris inclines his head towards Hirin, an adolescent trill in a deliberate, almost
pointed display of courtesy, his manner polite. "Thank you. I hope that we can learn more of them,
so that we can share of their lives and lessons to all that would hear them."

"Yeah," Hirin, an adolescent trill agrees flatly, his attention still plainly on Falaine.

You think to yourself: "Little shit."

Falaine considers for a moment. "You know, I can't imagine any others being my favorite. A broom? If
someone can do that, then anyone with enough faith can do anything," she tells Hirin, an adolescent
trill. "Think of what things someone like you could do!" With a grin, she bows slightly. "Until
later, then, Hirin, an adolescent trill. I enjoyed your song immensely."

Hirin, an adolescent trill puffs up slightly at the praise, rubbing the back of his neck as if...
embarrassed? "Ah, well. You know. It's nothing."

You think to yourself: "The song, yes. The company? Not so very much."

If it is possible for an individual with no true ability to emote to become somehow
more stony-faced, Avaris manages it with envious ease, voice cool and crisp as he bids, "Good
afternoon to you, child." To Falaine, significantly more amiably, he asks, "Shall we go and see the
Chapel?"

Falaine shakes her head firmly, stepping up to follow you again. "Not nothing. Every single thing
that leads other toward the Light is a very big something indeed, and you have already done so, even
so young. I see great things for you." With a last smile and a wave, she nudges you onward. "I will
tell Yuleshka you said hello."

You think to yourself: "I see many slaps in the future if he doesn't get a handle on that attitude."

You nod your head at Falaine.

Smiling brightly at Falaine, blatantly ignoring your presence, Hirin, an adolescent trill exclaims,
"Please do!"

You think to yourself: "It is not moral to imagine throwing a child into a pool. It is not moral. I
shall not do it."

((We move away))

Avaris breaths out a long, hissing breath, lifting a hand to press it to his face.
"Children," he mutters to himself, then to Falaine, "You are very good with them. How is that?"

Falaine smiles to herself. "Youth are wonderful," she says to you, eyes twinkling. "And so often
dismissed and overlooked. Simply grant them the gravity that they deserve as unique and valuable
souls, and they will value that. Too few do."

Faintly indignant, Avaris says, "I afford everyone gravity! I am very serious when
I speak to children. It still does not work."

Falaine coughs, covering a grin as she tames it. "There is a balance."

Antennae bending down in a scowl, Avaris mutters something under his breath, then
shakes his head. "Where did the...Darling young man...Say the Chapel was, again? Near the plaza?"

Teal eyes twinkling merrily, Falaine nods. "By the Praetorian Circle, yes," she says seriously.

Avaris nods firmly, then pauses, "I have no idea where that is, but let us explore,
shall we?"

Warmly, Slakened Falaine, Novitiate of Purity says, "Exploring is a favorite pastime. Onward, then."