Rekindled

From: Lord Avaris, Anointed of the Argent Light
To  : Everyone
Subj: Changes

Faithful,

I shall be direct. Our Lady has seen fit to appoint me as Her Anointed of Argent Light. Presently,
that makes me the sole representative of that path, and as such all inquiries and matters pertaining
to it should come to me directly. Myself and my fellow Anointed, those of the Mystic Waters, will be
convening soon in order to discuss plans for the future. Expect a great deal of change.

I will be taking a far more direct and involved approach to the affairs of the Order than you will
be accustomed to. This will likely be uncomfortable for some of you, and you may come to resent me
for it - To be blunt, you are welcome to do so, so long as your efforts towards serving the Lady
improve. The Order is stagnant. Few, if any of you, display a drive to advance within the Order, to
learn of our Lady and what She teaches. Perhaps it is fear of being incorrect, of offending Her that
stays your hand, or it may be that the Order is forgotten in favour of matters you deem more
pressing. Whatever the reason, such inaction, such Apathy, will no longer be tolerated. I will be
applying pressure to every one of you, and it is up to you whether you rise to that challenge, or
break.

The path of the Argent Light is not a gentle one, nor is it easy. We represent our Lady's searing
light, which cleanses even as it burns. We excise the rot and purge the corruption from the world
with a steady hand and unflinching gaze. New Celest is in dire need of a reminder of what is Pure,
and what is not. We need to be intolerant towards the impure, towards the corrupted, the evil. It is
part of the Argent Light's duty to be the light that illuminates the rot for all to see. So, too, is
it the responsibility of the path to kindle righteous anger in the hearts of others. I shall be
committing myself to this with a will. I expect you all to follow suit.

Some of you have witnessed the passion of my zeal, the fervor of my Devotion, to the Light and to
our Lady. Some of you have balked at it, shying away as one might from a light too stark and
blinding. Take comfort, for I am not your enemy- It is simply that your eyes have been closed for so
long that they have grown accustomed to the dark. You will adjust in time, though the process may
prove discomfiting. Meditate upon Fortitude, if this is the case, and all shall be well.

In service to our Lady,
Lord Avaris, Anointed of the Argent Light

((A little while later, in the meditation gardens.))

An embracing sense of serenity fills you as an empyreal ryujin alights upon the ground from the
west, currents of coruscating energy radiating around her.

Auriella inclines her head politely to you.

You incline your head politely to Auriella.

Her voice drifting through the air with a watery echo, Auriella Zayah, Lady of the Holy Flame says
to you, "How do you fare this afternoon?"

The luminous outline of a star lotus briefly manifests inside of a glass ampoule of bottled
starlight as a soothing feminine voice whispers, "It occurs to Me your path of leadership merits a
rank more suitable to the position. I have amended this to lighten the trials that are due to come
in your service."

Lantra, the Empyreal has appointed you to Her Incandescent in the Divine Order of Lantra, the
Empyreal.

Hands clasped at the small of his back, obscured by the heavy cloak of his folded,
golden wings, Avaris turns his visored regard to Auriella in full, his tone steady and calm as he
replies, "Very well indeed, thank you. What of yourself?"

You think to yourself: "Thank You, my Lady. I shall endeavour not to disappoint You."

(The Avowing): Cheliyi (from the Aetherways) says, "Ah, Mister Avaris! Congrats, yes."

The dorsal fins crowning her head flaring momentarily before resting, Auriella smiles warmly. Her
voice soft and echoing the sounds of the sea, "I find myself quite well at this time. Somewhat
uplifted and more free I think."

(The Avowing): You say, "Thank you, Blessed Cheliyi. You may address me, and others, with the title
appropriate to their standing within the Order, going forward. Decorum is one of the matters that we
shall be addressing. If you have not done so already, read the latest news article for the Order,
when you have the time."

(The Avowing): Cheliyi says, "Ah... uh. Oookay! I will do my best, Mister Anointed Avaris."

A low, thrumming sound emanates from Avaris's massive chest, the melodic note
pleasant, as he inclines his head in acknowledgement. "That is heartening to hear, indeed. You seem
in fine spirits. What has been the cause of such a change?"

(The Avowing): You say, "Simply Anointed Avaris will do, or Incandescent."

Shifting her weight slighting as she rests the end of her spear into the ground, her webbed fingers
gripping it firmly, Auriella settles her gaze upon you as she speaks, "You and your words..."
Pausing for a moment before continuing, "To be honest, I was rather taken aback to begin with, and
almost pulled away, but then I took the time to examine more closely and true to your own words, my
eyes became accustomed and more open than they have been for some time."

Her gaze dropping slightly before lifting, Auriella's voice trembles momentarily before
strengthening, "The Lady knows of my struggles of late but I feel my strength returning and the
light of your words has only bolstered that. So I just wished to inform you that your words rang
truth with me, and I stand with the Lady and yourself with what path needs to be forged should you
require me."

The immobile plates that form Avaris's armoured, featureless visage offer no
indication as to the titanic kephera's reaction as he listens to Auriella with the patience of
stone, unmoving save for the gentle drifting of his voluminous mane. The seven, brilliant azure orbs
that form his natural eyes remain focused upon Auriella as the great, wedge-shaped helm of his head
tilts aside gradually, studying Auriella for a time in silence, weighing her. At length, he dips his
chin in a slow nod of acceptance, the resonating chorus of his many voices speaking as one,
harmonious and true. "I am gladdened to hear that your Devotion has been rekindled to such an
extent, Blessed Auriella." If he hears the tremble in Auriella's voice, he gives no indication of
such. "I shall consider your offer with the gravity it is due. Words are easily spoken, but action
is another matter. What do you intend to do, with your renewed strength?"

With a gentle arch of her back, the golden-tipped ivory wings behind her expand with a single beat,
stirring up a few stray leaves before they settle once more. Her large, aquatic eyes widening as the
deep pools within reflect the stars above, Auriella tightens her grip upon her spear as she stands
firmly, her voice strengthened, "I shall be forging forward with my devotions to the Lady Empyreal
and spreading the words I have been working on for some time. This renewed vigor shall spill into
the Sanctifiers, as they too have struggled of late and I intend to bring their zeal back to what it
was. For too long I feel we've been too soft, the teachings of the Light and the Water are not that.
The Light is bright and searing and the Waters can carve through mountains. That is who we are and
what we need to remind others of." Pausing momentarily, her gills flaring slightly, "That is not to
say we do not have a gentle side, as I believe it is what tempers the Light from consuming all,
there is a balance that needs to be achieved and I believe we can achieve it."

The countless, effulgent eyes that form the constellation of vigilance upon
Avaris's six wings shift the full weight of their regard upon Auriella as she speaks, their lambent
gaze unwavering. The paladin is, as before, attentive, listening with a keen, quiet interest, all
four of his antennae upright and leaning towards Auriella. He nods once, the gesture emphatic and
precise as he extracts his upper right hand from behind him, holding it aloft and forming it into a
clenched fist, the barbed, massive appendage gleaming in the starlight. "Just so. I have long been
of such an opinion, though many do not seem to share it. It is well that you do, as one of Hers, and
given the position you hold within the Sanctifiers." Lowering the great bludgeon of his hand to his
side, he studies Auriella for a brief moment, then says, "The city has, of late, clung to a warped
perception of what the Lady Raziela is, and what she represents - To the exclusion of the other
Supernals. You wish to correct the current malady that afflicts the citizens, yes?"

Her voice drifting through the air with a watery echo, Auriella Zayah, Lady of the Holy Flame says,
"I do believe there needs to be an adjustment of views yes, however I also know that it is not
something that can be forced upon those that are wayward thinkers, as telling someone what they
devote themselves to is wrong, is not something that can come from direct words unfortunately."

The sharp points of Avaris's clawed fingers trail through the air in a dismissive
gesture, his choral tone implacable. "And yet it must be done. They have proven that they are
unwilling to be gently reasoned with, and turn their eyes away from the truth when it is presented
to them. I would have you force them to see, Blessed Auriella. Show them that Lady Raziela's Love
for the Tainted is not in the form of sweets and baseless sympathy." Lifting the same hand, he turns
it, palm-out, as if offering something to Auriella. "I give to you a task, and an opportunity.
Conduct a public speech, or sermon, before the more wayward members of the Light. Speak on the error
of their ways, and show them the strength and zeal you have shown me here tonight. Open their eyes,
so that they look into the light, searing as it may be, as I have done for you."

Voice resonating with choral harmonics, you ask Auriella, "Do you accept?"

Her voice drifting through the air with a watery echo, Auriella Zayah, Lady of the Holy Flame says
to you, "I do accept this task."

With a slight nod of approval, Avaris slips his hand beneath his wings once more,
the quiet rasp of chitin emanating from the small of his back as his fingers clasp one another.
"Very well. I expect you to do so in a timely fashion, but I am not a tyrant. In what timeframe do
you believe you can accomplish this? I advise you to give yourself ample time, as I will consider
you to have failed if you have not made efforts towards the task, without extremely compelling
reasoning."

Her voice drifting through the air with a watery echo, Auriella Zayah, Lady of the Holy Flame says,
"With time to prepare, I believe I should be able to be ready within a year."

Avaris's response is firm, but not cold - There is a pleasant warmth to the choral
harmonics of his words as he says, "I shall hold you to it. It is good to see you with fire in your
eyes, and passion in your heart, Blessed Auriella. Do not let them die out again."

Her dorsal fins dipping backwards as she bows her head with respect, Auriella lifts her gaze to meet
your own. "Thank you, Incandescent! I shall not."

Inclining his head in turn, Avaris holds Auriella's regard evenly, the solid blue
spheres of his seven eyes unblinking. "You are welcome. Always feel free to seek me out. Do you
require anything else of me?"

Her voice drifting through the air with a watery echo, Auriella Zayah, Lady of the Holy Flame says,
"Not at this time. If I may, I shall take my leave."

With the faintest of lights glimmering within the azure depths of his gaze, Avaris
nods in affirmation, stating, "You may. Light's blessings go with you, Blessed."

Her voice drifting through the air with a watery echo, Auriella Zayah, Lady of the Holy Flame says,
"And Purest blessings to You."

With a flourish of her arm, Auriella bows deeply.

Undulating waves of celestial light trailing behind her, an empyreal ryujin glides out to the ether
upon a current of cosmic energy.