A New Fountain

A tremendous ballroom.
--- Area 88: Bloodloch ------------ v9310 ---









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--- A tremendous ballroom -------- 6:8:-2 ---
Strewn pieces of crushed marble mark the dismantling of the once magnificent fountain here. A formal black and crystal chandelier hangs from the lofty ceiling. Flecks of shale fling from a colossal earthen guard with each ambling motion he makes. Scanning the surroundings with a cool expression, a domineering Carnifex knight stands on watch here. An earthen acolyte stands here, sand pooling at his feet. Muttering emanates from behind the cowl of a scion of despair, a tarot card alight betwixt her gnarled, clawed fingers. Resting on the ground is a cube-shaped silver sigil. A sigil in the shape of a small, rectangular monolith is on the ground. Humming with energy, a crystal aegis has been attuned to this location. Pulsing against the northwestern corner, a spherical crystal refracts the chandelier's light. A glowing red flame-shaped sigil has been left here. Authority and power pervading her tall figure, Krisiina, blood slave of Abhorash stands watchfully here. Vaytor is here.
Spilled blood oozes from the ruined remains of a fountain, steeping chunks of crushed marble.
You see exits leading northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest.
[HINT]: Krisiina, blood slave of Abhorash seems particularly alert.


l Krisiina
Standing at almost eight feet in height, Krisiina, high mage of Xaanhal is a powerful Xoran woman. Clad in shimmering black robes, a long hood falls behind her head, tossed free of her proud face. Jet-black eyes stare out amid burnished copper scales; her face is far from beautiful, hundreds of scars brutally slashed over her features, but despite this Krisiina carries herself with a clear air of pride and authority. Her staff, held comfortably in one hand, is a twisted length almost as tall as she, capped with sibilantly hissing flames of a silver-tipped ebony.
Krisiina, blood slave of Abhorash almost glows with nearly god-like power.

(Tells): Menelaus's psychic whisper trails through your mind, "Am I to come? Or will you deliver the instructions to me?"

(Tells): Your voice like the wind itself, you tell Menelaus, "There's no point in lots of us missing the Empress' practise. I'll let you know when I know what we should do."

(Tells): Menelaus's psychic whisper trails through your mind, "Ok."

As he looks curiously towards the Xoran, you say, "I am sorry I did not come here, ma'am, I thought you might call for me. Or send a letter."

Vaytor turns to you upon your entry, executing a stiff bow. "She walked in while I was standing here," he says.

Krisiina, blood slave of Abhorash pays no heed to Vaytor, back facing the pair of you as she stands motionless at the northeast corner amidst the broken remnants of fountain.

(Tells): Rebra's psychic whisper trails through your mind, "Let us know if his imperial grace, Grand Duke Menelaus, is required."

(Tells): Your voice like the wind itself, you tell Rebra, "I will, Empress."

l fountain
This once-impressive fountain has been reduced to a pile of rubble and crushed marble, blood still oozing from the cracked bowl.

Awkwardly, as he gestures to a few slightly less chaotic piles, you say, "I uh...tried to clean up, so it would be easier to rebuild. I couldn't do much, though, 'cos I didn't know how much we'd need of the original."

Krisiina, blood slave of Abhorash says something in a series of hisses and rumbling sounds.

Repeating herself, Krisiina, blood slave of Abhorash says, "I was promised two."

Vaytor , standing near a spherical crystal, makes no motion to answer. His arms crossed below his chest, the Human seems content to simply observe.

You say, "If you require him, I can have him here in a moment. We were attending a meeting at Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Sarita's request, and I thought it would be easier to repeat the instructions once I had been given them."

You say, "He is prepared to do the work, I just did not want him to miss a chance to...become better, by working with the Dominion."

Krisiina, blood slave of Abhorash spins now to face you, pointing her staff at you. Vaytor she seems to pointedly ignore. "We restore. Now."

(Tells): Your voice like the wind itself, you tell Menelaus, "Come."

As he steps closer, you say, "He will be here shortly, then."

Menelaus arrives from the southeast.

(Tells): Menelaus's psychic whisper trails through your mind, "I am here."

Menelaus inclines his head politely to those around him.

The new entrant draws Krisiina, blood slave of Abhorash's attention, prompting a satisfied nod. She turns away once more, tail flowing smoothly behind her, to face the remains of the fountain. Two of the larger pieces draw her attention, and she waves her helpers impatiently towards them. "Pick them up."

You have emoted: Taiyang moves forward and hefts the piece with ease, bending down in a fluid movement and wrapping his arms around it before pushing up with his legs; never letting his back carry the weight.

Again, Vaytor shows no inclination to move, his blue eyes fixed intently on Krisiina, blood slave of Abhorash. Arm still crossed over top the other, he raises a hand to cup his chin.

Menelaus assesses the situation at hand, eyes darting from Krisiina, blood slave of Abhorash to you
to Vaytor.

"Pick. It. Up." Krisiina, blood slave of Abhorash repeats, instruction coming through in an agitated hiss. She gestures animatedly at you, willing another to follow that lead.

Vaytor's attention breaks momentarily from the Xorani to raise an eyebrow suggestively at Menelaus.

You have emoted: His voice gentle and kind, Taiyang offers, "If you are not strong enough, your Imperial Grace, I might be able...to carry two." He looks down at the opposing chunk, and even though he chose the larger of the two it does seem to be a bit much for his small stature.

Menelaus goes about collecting pieces of the ruined remains of a fountain strewn about.

(Tells): Menelaus's psychic whisper trails through your mind, "I can take one."

(Tells): Your voice like the wind itself, you tell Menelaus, "I hope so! She told you to!"

(Tells): Menelaus's psychic whisper trails through your mind, "I didn't see any fragment or piece."

(Tells): Your voice like the wind itself, you tell Menelaus, "She pointed directly to them, your Imperial Grace. You may wish to recall the memory of her doing so."

(Tells): Menelaus's psychic whisper trails through your mind, "I see them now, but hand me some
more."

You have emoted: Taiyang's tail droops slightly as a sigh escapes his mask, muttering something under his breath before he turns his attention back to Krisiina, blood slave of Abhorash.

(Dominion): Callidora says, "Good evening."

(Dominion): You say, "Hello, Primus!"

(Dominion): Menelaus says, "Tidings, Primus!"

(Dominion): Rebra says, "Good evening, Sire."

(Dominion): Narcisa says, "Greetings, Primus."

(Tells): Rebra's psychic whisper trails through your mind, "Are you in need of any aid, my childe?"

(Dominion): Narcisa says, "Also, Good evening from myself."

(Tells): Your voice like the wind itself, you tell Rebra, "If you are able to hit his Imperial Grace over the head with a book and knock some sense into him, maybe, Empress. He is not very good at following directions."

(Dominion): Rebra says, "Good evening, Narcisa."

Krisiina, blood slave of Abhorash spares a glance at the unhelpful Vaytor - whatever she sees there causes her to look away almost instantly, directing her attention to her helpers instead. "I will need to concentrate. When I begin, assemble the pieces." She raises her staff now, pointed at you - the piece of fountain held in your hands glows, softening. Becoming malleable. The same process directed at Menelaus, and now the first two building blocks are created.

(Tells): Your voice like the wind itself, you tell Rebra, "..." You see, briefly, through your Childer's eyes the image of Menelaus failing to pick up a particularly large piece of rubble under the direction of the Progenitor's Blood Slave. "...very bad."

Krisiina, blood slave of Abhorash says, "Set the base. You will design the new one, from the old."

Rebra arrives from the southeast.

You have emoted: Taiyang carefully moves forward with the piece held in his hands, taking care to look at the floor so as not to trip. He gently settles it to the floor in a spot where much of the dust has been brushed away and nods at Menelaus. "Here."

As she enters, Rebra inclines her head at you, Menelaus, Vaytor, then Krisiina, blood slave of Abhorash.

Krisiina's reaction sends a small smirk across the lips of Vaytor. He shifts his gaze off the Xorani now, fixing upon the marble held in Menelaus' hands.

Carefully doing as instructed Menelaus carries the piece held in his hands, easing his piece to fit next to your own. He pushes it against the other piece lightly, gently using enough force to move it into place.

Quietly, you ask, "Should we shape it as well, ma'am?"

A strong smell of wildflowers wafts in as Callidora wanders in from the southeast.

Callidora inclines her head politely to those around her.

Primus Callidora Nehekhara says, "Good evening, everyone."

Menelaus inclines his head to Callidora and Rebra before returning his attention to the task in his hands.

Rebra performs a graceful curtsey towards Callidora.

Empress Rebra Nehekhara says to Callidora, "Primus."

Krisiina, blood slave of Abhorash releases a sharp hiss of effort. The rest of the ruined fountain joins the initial pieces, softening beneath her magic.

(Tells): Your voice like the wind itself, you tell Callidora, "Hello, Primus! I would bow, but I am trying very hard to make sure I follow all the instructions."

(Tells): Callidora's thoughts fill your head, "It's quite alright."

Shape the new. Decide the size of the base.

Callidora ponders Krisiina, blood slave of Abhorash's profile, deep in consideration.

Rebra looks about, a questioning look upon her face as she turns to you. "How might we help?"

You have emoted: Taiyang nods before slamming his open palm into the base of the basin, causing it to expand outward ever further. "We can make it bigger. Let it hold more. That's what you promised, after all, didn't you, your Imperial Grace?"

(Tells): Your voice like the wind itself, you tell Rebra, "Be ready to stop me from breaking the law and attacking him if he messes this up. Again."

(Tells): Rebra's psychic whisper trails through your mind, "I will certainly wield my will, childe,
if I must."

Menelaus goes about trying to assist the shaping of the fountain's base, his brow furrowing in consternation at first, before a light of understanding flashes in his crimson eyes. "Yes, Your Imperial Highness!" He studies your hand movements and body language, discerning and copying them deftly.

The corners of Callidora's mouth twitch faintly, although it can't quite be determined if a frown or smile threatens her lips. "Oh, I see," she murmurs softly.

You have emoted: Taiyang continues striking with the flat of his palm, his training in the martial arts quickly evident as he moves with steady rhythm and repetition as though in the form of a kata. "I do not want to make it too thin, ma'am, so please stop us if we might stretch it too far."

Having training in Tekura as well, Menelaus has no problems keeping up with you.

Errant pieces of fountain clear from your chosen workspace, leaving an undisturbed ring around the pair of working Consanguine. Absorbed as she is, Krisiina, blood slave of Abhorash does not reply to you, maintaining the malleability of the massive marble now circling you.

Rebra clasps her hands together, staying quite still as she watches you and Menelaus and Krisiina work on the pieces of the broken fountain.

The established base expands rapidly, forming into the base of the fountain.

You have emoted: Taiyang nods in understanding before hopping into the basin, carefully kneeling and ensuring the marble has enough of a lip to prevent splashing and spillage from the overflow of the higher tiers of the fountain, curving it back towards the centre slightly as he makes his way around the edge of his half.

The large bowl of the base set, your decision shifts to the number of tiers the fountain will have.

Rebra's eyes flicker to Vaytor.

Menelaus follows your movements with his eyes, following him silently as you works, some times having to move out of your way, awaiting the next movement that will indicate the next process.

Rebra tilts her head curiously at Callidora.

Vaytor watches in silence, the thumb atop his chin idly tapping some unknown rhythm against his skin. Attention fixated on Krisiina and the fountain, he does not appear to notice the other movements.

Something unseen does seem to break Vaytor's reverie. The thumb stops its beat against his chin, resting there with seeming finality. No other movement disturbs the Human.

Callidora purses her lips faintly, her lashes fluttering as her dark gaze befalls Vaytor.

You have emoted: Taiyang turns and addresses the central column, pressing together where pieces had been cracked and working with a furious attention that borders on the psychotic - no fracture too miniscule to escape his attention as he painstakingly applies pressure and pushes in to create straight lines where had been ragged edges. "The balconies. There has to be enough curve for the blood to flow, but not so much that it will splash out and make a mess over the floor. You can do that part." He speaks to no one in particular, but it is clear that he addresses Menelaus as he focuses intently on the marble beneath his hands before Krisiina's manipulation of the stone ends.

Rebra turns her gaze to Menelaus, moving slightly closer to where you stands.

The fountain begins to take shape under labouring hands, shards and clouds of marble dust darting in to join the swelling creation.

As you work upwards, you must decide how many tiers you wish the fountain to have. You feel there is enough marble for at most five.

As the fountain begins to take shape, Vaytor seems to disappear into his head again, silent tapping resuming.

As he continues working, hands moving without rest as he offers clear instruction, you say, "No more than three tiers. We can use the extra marble for decoration, and to make it look nice. Maybe a large hand at the top, and the blood can come out of a slit on their wrist. It will remind the Dominion of when we all accepted the Gift."

Doing his utmost to keep up with your fervor, Menelaus begins pressing against the balconies as indicated paying careful attention to get the bevel just right as indicated. "Yes..." he releases softly.

You have emoted: Taiyang does his best to dance around Menelaus'' work on the tiers, leaving the be to address the pillar and ensure that the pieces line up to allow for proper flow once more, with no cracks from which to escape. Soon, though he runs out of height, and stares up at the last bit of pillar just out of his reach even on the tips of his toes. Something suspiciously close to a swear can be heard, muttered underneath his mask.

The steady swishing of Krisiina, blood slave of Abhorash's tail, swaying slowly side-to-side, is the only break in her absolute concentration.

You have emoted: Taiyang turns and looks at everyone gathered, gaze lingering on Rebra and Callidora for a moment - and then makes a snap judgement. "Sir Vaytor. I need your help. Come kneel down here. I need to stand on your back."

Menelaus moves onto the first tier along with you, saying "That sounds quite lovely, your Highness..." as he continues to work.

Rebra's eyes flicker over to Vaytor.

** Illusion **
"Good choice," a soft voice murmurs quietly from somewhere in the depths of your mind.
** Illusion **

Menelaus continues onto the second and third tier in turn, awaiting the formation of the effigy to stand atop the fountain.

(THINK)
"I could not ask the Empress or the Primus to kneel down here and get their nice clothes dirty. Plus, he's sat there doing NOTHING this whole time. He can help."

Callidora purses her lips pensively, gazing thoughtfully at some distant point.

Callidora says nothing at all in a very pointed way. Her silence is deafening.

You have emoted: Taiyang stares at Vaytor for a moment before swearing much more louder, "Crap!" He looks and say to a striking, brilliantly coloured qilin, saying, "Okay. You stay steady now." He hops out of the basin and rushes over to the beast's side, climbing carefully onto its back as it begins to take measured steps into the air.

Empress Rebra Nehekhara says to you, "You know, if you need help, I am available, childe."

A striking, brilliantly coloured qilin's cant is easy and smooth as he ascends higher, taking care to not kick Menelaus in the head. "Yes, but you should not get your dress dirty, Empress!" Taiyang's voice is light-hearted, and gentle, and he carefully reaches out, counterbalancing with his tail as he asks Menelaus, "Hand me some of the extra small pieces? I'll make the hand."

Employing a similar tactic using his red-eyed leviathan whelp Menelaus hands off the extra malleable marble to you.

(THINK)
"I will have to talk with the Primus later, about Sir Vaytor. I do not think that was very helpful of him at all."

Again, the tapping pauses. Finally, Vaytor moves, slow steps carrying him over to where you once stood. His touch is delicate as he works the hand, attention seemingly devoted to the pinky alone.

You have emoted: Taiyang carefully begins moulding the marble around his own wrist, sizing out a hole to be just the same size as the one that extends through the pillar with careful adjustments and rapid back and forth movements. Soon, he appears satisfied and carefully rests the blob atop the pillar before nodding and sealing the marble shut with another layer over it's top. He cuts a long gash in the front with one wrist, and then looks down at Rebra and Callidora. "Sire! Primus! Would you be able to make this look like a very good hand? I am not...as artistic as you." He holds out the chunk of marble in his hand, a striking, brilliantly coloured qilin moving forward to allow the
two to take hold of it.

Menelaus clears out of the way as well.

Rebra takes the marble from you, her eyes flickering from you to Vaytor. "A hand, with this?"

A soft, quiet sigh escapes Callidora's lips, and she glances over at Rebra once the comment is made. "Oh, here we go," she says softly.

Nodding his head eagerly, you say, "In a fist, I think. Like you did for Prince Raviel, and him for me, and me for Aschwar."

With a light laugh, you say, "And of course, you and the Primus."

Vaytor seemingly treats the latest cry as a dismissal, stepping back from you once more. His eyes find Krisiina for a brief moment before returning to the emerging hand.

Empress Rebra Nehekhara says, "It seems that Sir Vaytor seems to be working on a hand, of a sort."

Grand Duke Menelaus Nehekhara says, "He does seem very artistic as well. I believe he tried to sketch my Chiav form but it was too disgusting to him, so he gave up."

(THINK)
"Well maybe he should have SAID something or come over when I asked. Then I could have asked for his help, not way after when I've fixed the problem I needed his help with."

(THINK)
There is a fair amount of upset in the boy's thoughts, and the unhelpfulness of Vaytor is being amplified to almost villainous levels in his memories.

Callidora tilts her head back, inhaling sharply several times.

Rebra gently hands the marble back to you.

You have emoted: Taiyang sighs and turns, asking Vaytor, "Can you make it look like a fist? Closed?"

(Tells): Rebra's psychic whisper trails through your mind, "Sir Vaytor is peculiar, childe. But it seems he is doing what he can for the fountain."

A smile tugs at the corners of Vaytor's lips. His eyes find the one pinky he has managed to craft atop the fountain. "I do not think I can do His Imperial Highness' vision justice," he says, now standing several paces back from the development.

(Tells): Your voice like the wind itself, you tell Rebra, "He sat there and did not do a single thing, Empress! Even when all I asked him to do was stand there and not do a thing!"

(Tells): Your voice like the wind itself, you tell Rebra, "If this isn't fixed, and doesn't look nice, then it will make Prince Jhin upset, and the Progenitor, and Menelaus will get in trouble, and so will I."

Empress Rebra Nehekhara says to Vaytor, "It's a lovely pinky. Would you like me to try to finish the rest?"

The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across the lips of Callidora.

Menelaus hums a happy tune.

You have emoted: Taiyang's mask looks down at the lump of marble in his hand before holding it out and softly saying, "I would just like anyone who can make a hand look like a hand do it, please. I am very bad at art."

But your words have Vaytor obliging. He closes the gap, helping to shape the marble. After a moment, at Rebra's prompt, he strides over to the fountain to retrieve the errant finger before adding it onto your growing mass.

"I'm not the best with modeling clay, or really anything," Callidora admits, gently turning a ring on her small finger before turning slightly towards Rebra. "Shall I help you?" she asks.

The extent of his contribution apparently expended, Vaytor studies the out-of-place finger before nodding. "Please excuse me. Something pulls at me." He walks off without a second glance.

Vaytor leaves to the southwest.

Rebra raises an eyebrow questioningly.

Rebra opens her mouth but says nothing.

(THINK)
"..." A faint wash of red through the veil of his mask, but quickly returning to calm and normalcy as he looks towards the lump.

His voice slightly muffled, you say, "Well, I guess that settles that."

Rebra shakes her head and bends to the lump with the now attached finger.

Rebra pulls a venantium carving knife from her weaponbelt fluidly in her left hand.

You have emoted: Taiyang extends his closed fist, holding it up and angling it in such a way that Rebra and Callidora can easily see it if they should need a reference.

Rebra shakes her head at you. Instead, she reaches out to take Callidora's hand, forming it into a fist gently. She smiles, then she backs away, taking her knife and carefully beginning to carve the formless mass of marble.

You have emoted: Taiyang nods and lowers his hand, watching the process carefully as he looks back towards Krisiina, making sure that she does not appear to be under duress as the final steps of the recreation take place. Quietly, he asks, "Are you happy with the balconies on each tier, your Imperial Grace?"

Rebra works around the finger that Vaytor had attached, carefully shaping the contours of the block into the delicate features of the Primus's hand, the rest of the fingers clenched. She frowns, staring at the lovingly shaped pinky.

(THINK)
"...maybe she can fold it down?"

Rebra works at the material, attempting to bend or at least move it to a less awkward angle.

A small smile pulls at the corners of Callidora's mouth, and she holds her fist in place so that Rebra can use it for her own piece of art.

Menelaus snickers under his breath.

The pinky still looks somewhat out of place, but is no longer sticking up like a beacon. Rebra tilts her head, scraping away at the surface of the marble with her knife until the features are smooth, leaving the wide gash that you had made at the beginning. She then draws back, her yellow eyes flickering to you, and then to Krisiina.

Menelaus goes about studying the artisans at work thoughtfully.

You have emoted: Taiyang scoops up a few of the marble scrapings with his tail, pulling them to his hands where he begins to work it carefully into a mushy, paste-like texture, watching patiently.

The swaying of Krisiina, blood slave of Abhorash's tail has stopped as her concentration wavers, the glow fading slightly from the fountain before restoring once more. "Quick," she manages to utter through pressed lips.

Rebra lifts the carven hand and hands it back to you, Krisiina's words urging her motions.

Menelaus eases in a bit closer, inquiring, "Is there any thing more I can help with? It does seem like you all have this though, from here..." trailing off, but still watching the intricacies of everyone's work.

You have emoted: Taiyang nods and rushes over to clamber up on a striking, brilliantly coloured qilin once more, urging the beast upwards so that he can lean over the fountain once more. Carefully, he runs the paste along the top of the pillar before firmly placing the hand down atop it. He holds it in place with one hand while tracing his other thumb along its outer edges to clear away any lumpiness and leave nothing but a smooth surface. A few moments later, and he gently removes his hands. "There. Finished."

Callidora's mouth turns up as her face breaks into a smile.

Just as the fountain reaches completion, Krisiina, blood slave of Abhorash's concentration breaks. Though showing no outward distress, the Xorani slumps slightly.

A striking, brilliantly coloured qilin canters down through the air, coming to a rest just an inch off of the floor to allow Taiyang to hop off. He inclines his head regally towards those gathered before turning his gaze towards another part of the ballroom.

His voice quiet, you say, "I am sorry that took so long, ma'am."

Menelaus smiles at a magnificent three-tiered fountain crowned by a closed fist.

Rebra studies the fountain carefully, her eyes roving over it, then resting finally upon the pinky.

p fountain
This fountain matches the ballroom in its opulence, a testament to excess. Its massive base of white marble dominates the northeastern corner of the ballroom, supporting an ornate pillar protruding from the middle of the fountain. Curved balconies mark each ascending tier of the fountain, carefully assembled to allow the blood to flow without splashing out of the fountain's grasp. Stretching out above the third tier, an ornately shaped hand crowns the creation, closed in a fist, its pinky only half-curled alongside the rest of the fingers.

Callidora's gaze shifts to Krisiina, and her hands unclench and then fall at her sides. The corners of her mouth twitch faintly, and she opens her lips to speak before falling silent.

The restored fountain is, conspicuously, still lacking blood.

Heavy, commanding footfalls alert you to the presence of the Progenitor. Abhorash approaches the restored fountain, carrying in both hands a massive sphere of crystallized crimson.

(THINK)
"...oh, but...I don't have the talisman anymore. Maybe the Progenitor will be nice enough to give me another to work on filling the fountain again?"

Menelaus kneels before Abhorash, swearing his allegiance to Abhorash.

Comprehension flashes across Rebra's face.

Callidora inclines her head politely to Abhorash.

Rebra dips into a graceful curtsey before Abhorash. "Progenitor."

Grand Duke Menelaus Nehekhara says, "Progenitor."

You have emoted: Taiyang blinks behind his mask before bowing at the waist, a respectful half -crescent to Abhorash as he follows Rebra's example.

Abhorash's intense blue stare finds only Menelaus. He stops before the fountain, considering Menelaus, before a smirk appears on his lips at the sight of the kneeling man. Menelaus is promptly dismissed from the Progenitor's attention, Abhorash's gaze now settling upon the new creation. The half-raised pinky sends his smirk deepening. "This blood is more suitable, perhaps, considering past events." He punctuates the declaration by balancing the sphere atop the mostly-closed fist.

You have emoted: Taiyang slowly rises from the bow, eyehole quickly finding the sphere as he watches Abhorash's movements quietly.

Menelaus stands and puts him self to attention, but easing up visibly while remaining stalwart some how at the same time.

Rebra's yellow eyes follow the sphere as it perches upon the fist. They flicker to Abhorash, then back to the sphere.

The sphere disintegrates upon contact - punctured by the rogue pinky, perhaps - sending waves of blood flowing down into each tier.

(THINK)
"I don't know if the Primus or Empress were supposed to help me...I think it was just supposed to be me and Menelaus." There is a brilliant, brown streak of guilt that washes through the boy's mind, and he fretfully casts his gaze towards the women, "...I hope they don't get in trouble. I just wanted to do a good job."

You have emoted: Taiyang's breath catches in a quiet little gasp.

Rebra smiles at a magnificent three-tiered fountain crowned by a closed fist.

Menelaus exhales, Phew!, wiping a relieved hand across his forehead.

Abhorash turns to you now. "The first sip is yours. You are responsible for this fountain," he says curtly, before walking off without another glance.

A chill leaves the air as Progenitor Abhorash departs to the southeast.

Rebra turns her gaze to you.

Grand Duke Menelaus Nehekhara murmurs to you, "I told you it would be better than before!"

Callidora says nothing at all in a very pointed way. Her silence is deafening.

You have emoted: Taiyang gulps quietly before exhaling, moving towards the fountain and tilting his mask slightly to the side to reveal his pale chin and thin lips. He places his hands within the fountain before raising it to his lips, quietly drinking without any comment.

sip fountain
You sip from a magnificent three-tiered fountain crowned by a closed fist overflowing with blood, the blood unaltered by unnatural impurities, with only its natural sweetness and a sharp metallic twang flavouring the thick liquid.

As you drink, the complex flavours of the blood play out over your tongue, immensely pleasing to the palate. The flavour is distinctly spicy.

You swallow the blood, savouring the myriad of flavours. Above all, the drink leaves a smooth finish of prune upon your tongue.

Tilting her head, Empress Rebra Nehekhara says, "Well?"

Readjusting his mask before speaking, you say, "...spicy, and it tastes like...prune? I think...yes, it tastes very much like what bad people taste like."

Empress Rebra Nehekhara asks, "Spicy??"

Krisiina, blood slave of Abhorash silently departs after her master.

Krisiina, blood slave of Abhorash strides briskly southeast, head high.

In some consternation, Rebra leans forward to try the fountain.

Rebra sips from a magnificent three-tiered fountain crowned by a closed fist overflowing with blood.

Comprehension flashes across Rebra's face.

Shaking her head, Empress Rebra Nehekhara says, "Not for me."

You say to Menelaus, "I am glad it has turned out so well. I do not think I can be so bold as to say that our version is better than what the Progenitor so gracefully made for us, but I think it is very lovely. And I am glad, for you, that you did such hard work and it ended well."

> Menelaus and I have expressed esteem for each other at this point <3 <

Menelaus smiles at you.

Grand Duke Menelaus Nehekhara says to you, "Thank you very much, your Imperial Highness."

Grand Duke Menelaus Nehekhara says, "Your words are some thing I will think upon."

Rebra turns her gaze to Callidora. "Sire, would you like a drink?"

Sarita arrives from the southeast.
She is followed by an onyx golem with inlaid sanguinite.

You have emoted: Taiyang holds his hands towards his chest, looking at a magnificent three-tiered fountain crowned by a closed fist overflowing with blood with a soft look in his visible eye.

Rebra smiles at you.

Menelaus inclines his head politely to Sarita.

Callidora sips from a magnificent three-tiered fountain crowned by a closed fist overflowing with blood.

Empress Rebra Nehekhara says to you, "You worked hard on it, childe." She turns her gaze to Menelaus. "As did you, to restore it."

Sarita seems more interested in the fountain as she enters than anyone else present. She studies it carefully without giving any hints of her feelings before stepping back and giving Callidora a brief curtsey and respectful, "Sire."

Callidora lifts a hand to her mouth, gently running her thumb along her lower lip. "It is spicy indeed," she murmurs quietly. "And it tastes like rasberries."

Empress Rebra Nehekhara says, "Mine was tart, and tasted like cherries."

Softly, you say, "I am just...glad that the Dominion will be able to enjoy it. I would have been very upset if it had stayed broken. Even if no one uses it, it is the fact that they had a chance that is all that matters."

"My childe," Callidora says simply, nodding her head to Sarita. "Come," she instructs the Empress. "Have a taste."

This fountain matches the ballroom in its opulence, a testament to excess. Its massive base of white marble dominates the northeastern corner of the ballroom, supporting an ornate pillar protruding from the middle of the fountain. Curved balconies mark each ascending tier of the fountain, carefully assembled to allow the blood to flow without splashing out of the fountain's grasp. Stretching out above the third tier, an ornately shaped hand crowns the creation, closed in a fist, its pinky only half-curled alongside the rest of the fingers. Blood runs from a slit in the wrist, pouring forth to cycle through each tier. Blood cycles through the fountain, rich and irresistable.
A measure of blood sloshes about in it. (15/10 sips)

Confused, tilting her head, Empress Rebra Nehekhara says, "Whose blood flows? Spicy and tart? Fruit?"

You say, "...I am unsure. Perhaps the Progenitor performed some ritual or spell upon it? When I first drank, I could identify the blood of each slaver that I had slain."

"Cherries and raspberries?" Sarita asks dubiously, though she follows Callidora's offer and rolls up her sleeves neatly.

Grand Duke Menelaus Nehekhara says, "If I er..May?"

Sarita drinks from a magnificent three-tiered fountain crowned by a closed fist overflowing with blood.

You nod your head at Menelaus.

Menelaus drinks from a magnificent three-tiered fountain crowned by a closed fist overflowing with blood.

"Whoa..." Menelaus says with clueless fascination.

Grand Duke Menelaus Nehekhara says, "Instead of denizens it is much more complex now."

"Of course," Callidora says, extending a hand to Menelaus and offering him a drink from the fountain. "You did help to make it."

You say to Menelaus, "You are part of the Dominion, and it is for all of us. Unless the Primus says you can't, you should feel welcome, I think."

Grand Duke Menelaus Nehekhara says to you, "You are right, both are great in their own ways.. or were and are.. eh.. never mind."

You have emoted: Taiyang looks to the side at Callidora, a mischievous glint in his eye as it crinkles as if he were smiling beneath his mask.

Empress Rebra Nehekhara says to Sarita, "How was it?"

Menelaus beams broadly at a magnificent three-tiered fountain crowned by a closed fist.

As he cants his head curiously to the side, you ask, "Do you think everyone will understand what the fist is supposed to mean?"

Empress Sarita Nehekhara, Priestess of Azvosh says to Rebra, "I don't believe I have had anything quite like that before."

Breaking into a smile, Empress Rebra Nehekhara says, "It's special."

Empress Rebra Nehekhara says to you, "You may explain it to them at the ball, if they don't, my childe, since you masterminded it."

Grand Duke Menelaus Nehekhara says, "Is it possible to further engrave a drop of blood with a calligraphic "D" within it, upon the fountain?"

His voice deathly serious, you say to Menelaus, "If anyone tries to touch the fountain and change it now, I will make sure they are part of it. I am NOT doing that again."

Menelaus nods his head at you, showing his acceptance.