Recognition of Beauty

Falaine gives you a respectful salute.

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

Dipping his head to those present in a courteous greeting, Avaris's attention
shifts to Falaine, whom he addresses in a warm, pleasant manner, "Falaine. It is good to see you, as
well as hear you."

Holding the platter of food awkwardly for a moment, Avaris offers it to Falaine
instead.

The look Falaine slants at you is warm, a smile on her lips, and she turns to face you more fully.
"I hope you've been well," she begins, then eyes the platter in your hands. Holding up one of her
own, equally awkwardly, the paladin chuckles.

Breathing a faint sigh, which hisses between the invisible seams of the plating of
his face, Avaris sets the platter aside, stating, "I will give it to the needy, as I do with all the
misguided culinary gifts I receive." His sharp chin lowers in a brief nod of affirmation. "Well
enough, now that my Lady is no longer being demonised for Her noble efforts, and She is free to
rest. What of yourself?"

Her face darkening at the mention of slander against the Empyreal, Falaine sighs. "How is She?" she
asks, concerned. "Well over a year, She kept that healing up against an unruly patient. To say
nothing of the mental toll of being so decried for it." Beginning to turn and walk, the paladin
makes a beckoning motion.

A low, shuddering vibration of displeasure thrums forth from Avaris's armoured
chest, the resonating tone tinged with menace as he falls into step beside Falaine. "I will answer
when we are in your shop, I think. More private."

Iron Orchid Tradegoods.
This location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. This spacious, well-lit storefront has
been constructed with the same care and mastery given to the wares contained within it, each honey-
hued wooden panel of the walls chosen for a unique swirling grain and polished to a satiny sheen.
Wide picture windows provide a view of the city outside the store, with traffic bustling into and
out of the shopping sector on foot and cart, the prismatic glass frames shaped into ten-pointed
starbursts rather than the usual rectangles. A slightly scuffed floor of white and gold whorled
marble offers an elegant and durable surface for the heavy furniture organized into sectors and
carefully displayed for best effect. Vases sit atop graceful and sturdy pedestals interspersed
through the shop, holding hand-picked arrangements of roses, daffodils, orchids, and sea shells.
Somewhat incongruously, perhaps, the scent that lingers in the shop is not delicate or floral, but
rather one of sawdust and forge smoke atop sweet resin and sea salt.

Striding along the street in quiet contemplation, looking up at the sunny sky now and then in mild,
lingering wonder, Falaine leads you to the market district, turning into a short path across from
the Humblebee. She glances back, calling, "Mind the door," as she enters, though makes no such
comment about the interior, whose ceiling is tall enough to accomodateeven the most expansive
tapestries where they are proudly displayed.

Paying little attention to the firmament beyond that which is required to remain
alert for potential threats, the glowing eyes of Avaris's wings survey every angle and possible
avenue of attack in a calm, practiced manner while he walks alongside Falaine, adjusting the length
of his stride to match the smaller paladin's. Ducking beneath the doorframe, the kephera flattens
his wings behind him, until he straightens within the shop, antennae turning about curiously.

Stepping to the side as she enters, Falaine watches and waits, wreathed in an air of both expectance
and mild anxiousness. Her own gaze follows your around the shop, critically assessing each item in
turn, probing for fault or failing, before determinedly pulling away to fix back on you. "What.. ah,
what do you think?" she ventures, her normally hearty voice nearly tentative.

With his hands clasped beneath the dense cloak of his layered wings, Avaris makes
his way unhurriedly about the shop, pausing before many of the items and leaning down to inspect
them with evident curiosity. He lingers upon each for several moments, focusing upon the crafted
pieces with both his natural and lightforged eyes, before he moves to the next - And in this way he
makes a gradual circuit about every single one of the wares upon display, before he comes to stand
once more before Falaine. The azure spheres studded into his visored face glitter with pleasant
motes of light as he speaks, the chorus of his voices bright and effusive with approval. "It is
marvelous! You have done a most excellent job, Falaine. The shop is lovely, and the craftmanship of
your goods is exquisite. Very well done, indeed."

Taken mildly aback at the enthusiasm of the praise, Falaine's silver-blue cheeks turn steadily
darker, a flush of cool indigo staining them like spilled ink until they nearly match her braid. She
straightens and clears her throat a bit gruffly, turning her head to look to the side, ostensibly to
study some detail of a display. "I took great care in selecting and crafting each item. Your
approval of them means a great deal." Metal whispers in ringing breaths as her plates slide atop
another with the subtle movement of her shifted weight, her ear fins tucked closely to her neck.
"Please, if you ever wish something crafted, I will happily do so."

Despite the impossibility of it, given the overwhelming field of view his eyes
grant him, Avaris seems not to have noticed the spreading flush of Falaine's cheeks, or at least
gives no sign of having done so. "The care very much shines through. I am very pleased for you, to
have such a fine outlet for your skills, and more creative endeavours." He pauses, the angle of his
alabaster jaw shifting minutely as he considers the offer. "As it happens, I will be needing much
work from an artisan, in the coming years. I shall contact you when the time comes." Gesturing aside
in a gleaming arc of golden chitin, he says, "Have you spoken to my Lady yet?"

As the words pass, her complexion slowly regains its smooth, glossy metallic hue of steely blue, and
Falaine looks back, intrigued by the comment of needing work done. Before she can inquire, the
question halts her, and she shakes her head. "No, actually. I've never had reason to do so, though I
suppose not for lack of trying to think of one. I've always wished to honor Her somehow, and the
Lady Sculptor as well." Rubbing her chin with a pensive frown, the albescent metal sliding smoothly
over the alloyed scales, she moves closer, sabatons clicking against the marble. "I've seen Her and
heard Her in the events of late, though, and she seemed... strained."

The burnished gold of Avaris's massive, densely armoured chest rises and falls in a
steady rhythm, as does the crimson lotus bound atop his heart via the loop of fine silver chain,
which is threaded through a pierced hole of his chitin. The featureless, gold and white plating of
his face is turned down as he studies Falaine for a long moment, then appears to come to a decision,
his tone one of calm, natural command. "Come with me."

The silent regard is met in kind, Falaine's steady solidity lending itself to a weighty gaze as she
examines the planes of your face with an unreadable but faintly challenging aura, though one also a
touch bemused. The command draws her eyebrows down, then one back up, a questioning look entering
her crystalline aqua eyes. Finally, she nods once, not in obedience but simple acquiescence,
stepping to your side. "I trust you," she says simply.

Caressing a veiled idol of the Empyreal Goddess gently in your hands, you focus your thoughts on
Lantra, seeking out Her Master Shrine and fulcrux.

You find yourself engulfed in a swirl of scintillating lights, drawn to your Patron's Master Shrine.
Falaine follows you ether.

The Fulcrux of Lantra.
The rush of running water echoes throughout this alabaster sanctuary, its white pillars surrounded
on all sides by shimmering waterfalls. Breathtaking stars twinkle across the misty falls as they
collect into a luminous gazing pool, its rippling waters clear and sparkling as they reflect the
open expanse of the celestial sky above. Caught in a graceful dance of duality, an immaculate white
koi fish circles its dark twin in the glittering depths of the basin, continuing in a silent push
and pull as their silhouettes form two halves of a whole. The white, blue and pink petals of
assorted lotus flowers crown these starry waters with their regal beauty, standing at the feet of
several stone priestesses who guard this place. The statues bow their veiled heads in silent prayer,
each bearing a tilted celadon urn that overflows with the boundless light of healing waters.
Shimmering over with water and light, a sparkling veil of white mist draws a starry curtain here.
Impossibly still at the centre of this luminous pool of water and light, a single star lotus flower
blooms brighter than all the others, its heart radiant as the dewy petals unfurl to reveal a
beautiful, enchanting light. A low, protective growl escaping her muzzle, a silver-tipped fawn
Nyalian mastiff sporting wings of angelsong made manifest awaits instructions from her companion.
There are no obvious exits.

Soothing winds whisper past you on an errant breeze, rippling through the Fulcrux's sparkling mists
like water.

Manifesting alongside Falaine in a whirl of brilliant light, Avaris steps forward
without hesitating, a subtle ease to his manner in this holy place, despite the dignified manner in
which he holds himself. The talons of his immense feet snap and crack crisply with each stride,
until he stands before the pool, whereupon he turns to Falaine with an expectant air.

Alert and watchful, but unsuspicious as they transport to the new location, Falaine takes a few
moments to adjust and take in her surroundings when they arrive in the Fulcrux. After a moment, her
ear fins flare curiously, and she follows more slowly to the pool, studying the pillars and star-
laden waterfalls. A touch of awe whispers over her face, and she straightens to stand in a formal,
deeply respectful position of attention after bowing respectfully to the shrine. "This is the
Fulcrux of the Lady Lantra?" she ventures, though her voice holds no uncertainty.

Watching Falaine with a patient, interested air, Avaris's antennae track the other
paladin's every motion with unerring accuracy. At the question, the kephera's helm-like head turns,
looking over his shoulder at the brightest star lotus that shines within the illuminated waters, the
sidereal heart of the crimson one he wears gleaming with greater intensity within the heart of his
Lady's power. Inclining his head in confirmation, his voice is a soft hymn of rapturous adulation as
he says, "This is my Lady's Fulcrux, yes." Returning his attention to Falaine, he extracts his upper
right hand, turning it palm-up in invitation. "You say that you have never had reason to speak with
Her. I say to you that the desire to honour Her is reason enough. Ask Her of the recent events, if
you like, or of the young merian woman that has recently come to Her service, Symone."

Fixing you with an unreadable look, Falaine says nothing for a long moment, her eyes tracing a path
from face- such as it is- to crimson star lotus, to the pool of white, pink, and blue ones. A
flicker of speculation comes and goes, and she exhales in fond exasperation. "You are.. very literal
sometimes, Avaris," she says dryly, stepping closer to the edge of the pool and crouching down to
study the koi that circle in the depths. "I would not dare waste Her time with asking Her to catch
me up on events. It feels... rude, somehow, to call Her for small talk." Instead, she frowns and
begins to rise, then changes her mind and kneels instead. "Rather, I wish to express my
appreciation, I think." After a long, rather awkward moment in which she seems unsure where to look,
she settles on the brightest lotus and states sincerely, "Lady Empyreal. Your compassion, Your
fortitude, Your wisdom and heart... they are seen, and they are deeply appreciated- if not by all,
than by many, myself counted firmly among them. Thank You. You truly are an astonishing Elder, and I
am proud to be aligned beside You."

The colossal kephera returns Falaine's look with an expressionless one of his own,
neither the unmoving planes of Avaris's visored visage, nor the alien, azure sphere of his seven
eyes betraying so much as a hint of his inner workings. "I am." he confirms simply, unperturbed by
the statement. As the paladin woman kneels before the pool, he politely averts his gaze, instead
studying one of the nearby statues of the stone priestesses that stand eternal vigil within the
Fulcrux.

You think to yourself: "She will say that the opinions of others are meaningless to Her, as She
always does - But I think it is good for Her to hear that She is recognised, and appreciated, for
what She is and does, nonetheless. Well done, Falaine."

Lingering a moment longer, Falaine contemplates the koi fish once more, the endless circling nearly
hypnotic. She blinks, both nictitating and upper eyelids, rolling her shoulders back a bit, and then
climbs back to her feet. Turning to look over at you and finding you looking away, she instead turns
back to the pool to renew her curious examination of the brilliant star in the middle. "This is.. an
exceptionally beautiful place," she says quietly. "It feels like... peace, but the peace of a
bunker. Beset, and yet holding firm."

The broad curve of the two antennae closest to Falaine flick towards her as the
kneeling woman speaks, Avaris's wedge-shaped head tilting almost imperceptibly in Falaine's
direction, the layered blades of his golden crest gleaming in the ambient light. "All that is of my
Lady is possessed of an unsurpassed beauty. She is serene, but strong. Her strength is calm, and
thus often overlooked." A clawed fingertip drifts up to brush against the petals of the crimson star
lotus that adorns the kephera's chest, and the moment the adamant chitin touches the yielding
flower, the titanic kephera sways, like a great pillar swaying upon unsteady ground. Setting his
immense shoulders, he shakes it off, though the light within his wings dims noticeably, and a note
of exhaustion enters the symphony of his voice as he asks, "Have you been to Her realm?"

Her eyes following the motion of fingers to the lotus, perceptive and pensive as she notes the
reaction. With a faintly distracted air, her gaze still lingering on the flower, so different from
the others, yet just the same, Falaine states, "I am unfamiliar with matters of beauty- therefore I
cannot judge what is or is not surpassed. But I am a fair judge of strength, and that is something I
have always felt in Her, even on the periphery. She carries Herself with grace and dignity under
duress, something I admire greatly." Stepping closer to you, the paladin looks up into the towering
kephera's eyes and shakes her head, smoothing back her braided plait with a hand. "I have not, no,"
she says simply. "Though I have heard many things of it."

Lifting his hand from where it hovers by the sanguine lotus, to the voluminous mane
of pristine, shimmering white, Avaris coils a gleaming finger about a dense tuft, idly twisting it.
"You are incorrect. I have seen the works of art that you have created within your shop alone. You
sing. You serve a beautiful Goddess. You, yourself, are a woman of exquisite appearance." Releasing
his ruff, he flicks the long, armoured hand aside, dismissing the notion. "She does. Grace and
dignity, in all things." The reply is delivered with the confidence of one stating an absolute,
unquestionable fact. Rock is hard. Water is wet. His Lady is perfect in every way. He shifts his
face back towards Falaine at Falaine's approach, only to pause, his attention hitching upon the
indigo braid, and remaining there for a long moment. "Mm? Ah. You should visit. You would like it
there, I think. I should be delighted to introduce you to Immaculate Nabithia. She would enjoy you,
I think."

Stiffening awkwardly at the casual flow of assertions, Falaine's demeanor is more suited to a guard
upon the beseiged wall of a fortress than a woman receiving compliments, the flush of dark blue
under semitranslucent metal scales returning in force as she averts her eyes uncomfortably. "With
respect," she says after a long moment, "It is you who are incorrect. But I do not wish to argue the
matter." With a long exhale, the merian slowly releases her ear fins from where they press closely
to her neck, relaxing her shoulders and deliberately meeting your eyes with a professional
neutrality. "I should be just as delighted to meet her, I think, as well as those others who dwell
within the realm of One so esteemed by you."

The manner in which Avaris holds himself is one of relaxed poise, a sentry
comfortably standing vigil over a familiar locale. As he studies Falaine's evident discomfort, it is
with the same calm, assured manner that he replies, simply, "I am not." Allowing the matter to drop
in tandem with the descent of his upraised hand, the kephera clasps it together with its brethren at
the base of his spine, feathers rustling quietly. "The good anchoresses are all very fine ladies, as
well. You shall be quite at home there, in my estimation." A faint, amused tone enters his layered
voices. "Tavi is ever popular." Glancing once more at the central lotus, his stance shifts to one
preparing to move. "Shall we move elsewhere? I do not wish to plague my Lady with our conversation,
however pleasant."

A flash of chagrin crosses Falaine's face at the latter comment, and she nods quickly. "Aye, I do
not wish to burden Her either. I will follow you." Turning to the pool and the shrine, she offers
first a salute, and then a bow, each with their own import and both sincerely meant. Then, the
paladin straightens and nods once more to you, falling into line with crisp precision. "Thank you
for showing me this place, and for the chance to express appreciation for Her. Onward?"

Watching Falaine offer her gestures of respect, Avaris waits until his paladin
companion has straightened, before he bends at the waist in a stately bow towards the pool as well.
Rising smoothly, he inclines his head to Falaine's thanks, and sets off at a purposeful stride.

The Starlit Gardens.
The air is filled with motes of light emanating from a healing shrine of Terentia nearby. This
location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. Great, vibrant plants grow about this section
of the terrace, forming emerald walls of greenery, shielding it from the other private gardens of
the Supernal Terrace. From the wooden terrace above hangs a variety of vines, many twining
delicately about glass globes of celestial light. The marble floor has had great swathes cut out and
filled with a variety of materials - many of the holes filled with glistening golden sand, expertly
raked to form a variety of patterns, some mimicking the push and pull of the ocean's tides while
others draw out great symbols of the Light. Those not filled with sand find themselves home to
different kinds of stones and minerals, all of them smoothed down by the rivers of the Basin of
Life, none possessing a sharp edge. All of the sections twist and pull about one another, gradually
circling to their centre, where a circular section of white stones glistens in the light. A smooth
white chest rests here, etched with the symbol of Elohora. Sculpted of pearl, the iridescent form of
the Lady of the Eternal Light rises from pale, river-smoothed stones. A low, protective growl
escaping her muzzle, a silver-tipped fawn Nyalian mastiff sporting wings of angelsong made manifest
awaits instructions from her companion.
You see a single exit leading south.

The chitinous plates of Avaris's taloned feet impact upon the marble with a faintly
metallic sound as he steps over to the plants that grow to one side of the terrace, inspecting them
with idle curiosity. In the manner of one making an effort to remain pleasantly polite, he says, "We
have spoken much of my Lady. Yours is well, I take it?"

Following in companionable silence, her strides just a bit longer than they might have otherwise
been in following even the reduced steps of the massive paladin, Falaine studies the garden with a
look of sudden recognition. "Ah... I have visited here before. A pleasant place to think. Do you do
so often, here?" she asks, then stops at the question. "As far as I know, yes. Though that is a
particularly loaded question when speaking of the Elders, and highly relative."

Tipping his head aside as he lifts a hand to tilt it back and forth slightly,
Avaris replies, "Mm. Rarely. I believe the last time I was here, I was in the company of Princess
Nabithia. I prefer the meditation gardens. What of yourself?" Emitting a brief, non-committal tone
that resonates in the air for a time, persists in his absent regard of the various flora before him.
"It is. I find that it is one people often answer to their own levels of comfort and knowledge, and
thus is a very fine one to ask."

Falaine shakes her head. "Nor I. In truth, I am not overly fond of idling about in public spaces. It
feels... undisciplined." A short, rueful laugh at herself, good-natured and rich. "That may have
something to do with my difficulty making acquaintances." After a moment, she steps away to the
side, studying the statue of Elohora. "I should rest for a time, Avaris. I thank you again, for
taking me to the Fulcrux."

Turning from his perusal of the flowers, Avaris dip his chin down in a brief nod.
"It is likely a factor, and one I share to some degree. I find it easier to manage when in the midst
of something, be it study, writing, or meditation." Though there is not so much as a hint of a smile
to his armoured visage, there is the distinct note of one in his voice, as he says, "It has been a
pleasure spending time with you, Falaine. You are most welcome. Light's blessings upon you."

Falaine's own smile is warm and sudden, taking years from her face and leaving her- for just a
moment- almost sweetly maidenly in her regard. Then, the look settles into one of quiet self-
possession as she salutes, the crisp professionality settling in once more. "And upon you, Avaris. I
look forward to seeing you again."