Nabithia Missives

Immaculate,

I have been remiss in ensuring that you have sufficient company, and for that I am sorry. I have been much distracted of late with matters on scales both world-shaking and personal, but that is a poor excuse for neglecting you. I hope that you will forgive me, and allow me to rectify matters with you.

Tell me, are you well? I have heard much of young Tavi, but you are so quiet that I feel that you are overlooked, even by those within the Order. What have you been filling your time with, when you are not engaged in business for the Lady?

I do not know how often you are free to visit the city. Have you seen much of it? If you have anything that you would like, I would be glad to bring it to you, or see that it is delivered, so that you do not go without while within Her Realm.

Have you met Cheliyi yet? I feel that you and she would get along well. She is a kind sort, and has come from a very different home, much as you have. I think that the Lady had high hopes for her, and that she will do very well within the Order. Perhaps someday she will be an Avatar, even. She would do well as one, I feel, in time.
[21:02]
The Herald of Sacrifice - The leadership position within the Archons - is vacant now. I am glad, in a way. Freja was too sympathetic by far with the Glomdoring for my tastes. Yet I wonder at who will next take up the mantle, and how they will change the course of the Archons, if at all. Gurashi wishes to contest, and while I am fond of them, they lack the salt necessary to cleave true to the core of what the Archons are. Too much of syrup in them.

Anointed Alarin has also thrown down his gauntlet, which surprised me. He went from declaring that he would never be a leader of a guild against, to posting his contention, within the span of a day or so. I hope that his conviction is less changeable.

I am tempted, somewhat, to try myself. I do not feel I would be a very good leader, but I am unsettled by the potential directions that the Archons may be taken it. New Celest is overly tolerant of the impure as it is. Perhaps it may be better to consider a different guild entirely, and allow the new Herald to guide in peace. What guild would you join, do you think, if you were to do so?

Ah, but I ramble. I will cease here, lest you risk growing old and grey by the time you finish reading my missive.

Light's blessings be with you,
Avaris




You read what is written on a mist-spun letter clasped by a star lotus:
[Immaculate penmanship characterised by a flourish of silvery ink spills
over the page in thin, efficiently sparse lines.]

Blessed Avaris of the Star City,

It is quiet in the Temple of the Empyreal. Much preferred after the
incessant buzzing of the Hives. Always were so many present then, and so
solely occupied. The presence of the anchoresses is of a different sort.
Peaceful. Unintrusive. It is a welcome respite.

I cannot recall if I have met this Cheliyi. Her name, however, seems
familiar. Must be spoken of well by the Lady and the Order. Is she from
the Hives as well, then?

Ah, Tavi. Still such a child. Perhaps always will be. Remember when she
was brought to the Lady's care for healing. So timid and afraid. Now she
is bolder than even the Lady imagined. Demanding absurd things from the
Empyreal, such as 'squishing my face.' (Do not repeat, but was highly
amusing to witness the Goddess's reaction. It is so rarely She is caught
offguard.)

As for myself, I often while away the hours reading. So many customs to
become aware of in the Star City! Study is endless. Have you any books
you recommend? The tales of your Celestial Saints astound. (To think
what Queen Sethetmun, my mother, would say of Saint Hamos. Amusing to
imagine. Unlikely for her to believe.)

I have been in the city a time or two. Busy place. Warm people. Often
find myself misspeaking or misunderstood. Can be frustrating, but is
often a source of laughter, and I believe that laughter to be kind. Like
you, I find myself fond of the gardens in the once-Tahtetso guildhall.
Nostalgic, perhaps.

Was a sermon of Immaculate Faragan that drew me to New Celest first. He
spoke of the Lady and Her pillars. Devotion had puzzled me most, but the
Immaculate's speaking of it struck true. Never have half-done anything.
Cannot imagine such a lack of conviction in myself. Foolish to think I
could hold the Empyreal's desires accountable to my own beliefs. To
serve or not to serve: those are the choices given. And I choose to
serve, wholeheartedly. As an Anointed, am certain that Alarin
understands likewise the impotance of constancy. At least, should.

Does such Devotion to service draw you to these guilds? I know little of
them. True, I know Blessed Auriella leads the Sanctifiers, and their
cleansing ways remind me much of the anchoresses of the Vanishing Isles.
Am not certain I would fit among them. I have an appreciation for
healing, but not the skill. The Archons I know even less of; I am
ill-equipped to answer as to the purpose of a Herald of Sacrifice.

I will ask: is leadership something you desire? It is a question few
asked in the Hives of myself and my sisters; the inherent 'yes' is
assumed. Leadership was a matter of blood and right. Not so in the Star
City. Leaders are elected, yes? To choose one's ruler is a heavy weight,
and even heavier to step forward and offer to receive it. Must be
willing to listen to those you rule, when they have the power to swiftly
take such from you.

Would you wish to take that mantle? It invites great power and
opportunity, for those who can bear the load. Is a relief to know you
can choose it, or not. You seem equipped with the Fortitude, from my
knowing. Only you know if this is where you wish to place your Devotion.
As the Lady would say, you must meditate upon your own Wisdom in this
(though it is the most frustrating of answers). If so, know that I have
heard of many leaders coming and going since my time on the surface. If
the stars do not align now, they may yet another time.

...Despite attempts at efficiency, this letter has become verbose.
Unfortunate. I will ask a question in return before closing: how is your
time in the Order? Have you made strides in your understanding of
Devotion?

Yours in Fortitude,

Nabithia
A mist-spun letter clasped by a star lotus is holding:
Nothing.

As immaculate as the dew that lingers over the Vanishing Isles, this
sparkling letter is weightless and yet surprisingly tangible to the
touch, pressed and bound by a ray of starlight woven with a translucent
sheet of water. Shimmering, its empyreal veil of white mist evokes the
form and function of parchment; silvery-white calligraphy fluidly glides
across its glimmering surface, bearing the gleam of a luminous pool.
When furled in a tight cylinder, the letter is clasped by a radiant star
lotus, light eternally spilling forth from its white heart.