A Handful of Dust Session 49

[06:40.52] <DM> So we begin.
[06:42.57] <DM> With Madei in tow, and Plainchant a safe distance behind, you pass beyond the giant, moss-covered stones, the star-lanterns alongside the rough gravel path.
[06:44.00] <DM> And between these ancient behemoths, older-seeming than the palace by far, is a natural spring from which the steam rises, warming the chill of an early spring night.
[06:44.07] * Melchior surveys her surroundings.
[06:44.31] * Repriever is noticeably holding his breath as he walks.
[06:44.38] * Melchior murmurs again 'earth and water'.
[06:45.27] * Shala rubs her arms
[06:45.41] <DM> You see the figure of a woman with Queen Tercis' silhouette, reclining beyond the certains of steam. A loose bed of moss and stones comes to the very edge of the still water.
[06:46.19] * Repriever exhales.
[06:46.33] <+Repriever> He whispers, "Can you hear the thunder?"
[06:46.48] * Melchior gives Repriever a curious look.
[06:47.02] * You are now known as Plainchant
[06:47.02] <+Melchior> ?roll 1d20+6
[06:47.02] <%tBot> Melchior: 7 ([1] +6)
[06:47.08] <Plainchant> "I'm not to pass beyond."
[06:47.13] <Plainchant> "Good luck."
[06:47.18] * Plainchant retreats.
[06:47.21] <+Melchior> "Nope."
[06:47.37] * Melchior responds to Repriever.
[06:47.38] <+Repriever> "I can... always could."
[06:47.50] * Repriever swallows and nods at Plainchant's retreating figure.
[06:48.20] * You are now known as Madei
[06:48.24] * Shala for a second thinks she can hear the thunder too, but shakes it away
[06:48.33] <Madei> "...this place is very wet."
[06:48.41] * Madei whispers, since everyone else is whispering
[06:48.53] * You are now known as DM
[06:48.58] <+Melchior> "Yup."
[06:49.05] <DM> Little ice crystals form and fall underneath her feet, from the steam as it meets her body.
[06:49.24] * Kir walks quiet
[06:49.31] * Repriever gives Mel a look.
[06:49.39] <+Repriever> "Maybe she needs somewhere to play for a while?"
[06:50.15] <+Melchior> "Madei is important. I think she should stay with us."
[06:50.35] <DM> The voice of a woman who is not Tercis calls out to you through the steam.
[06:50.48] <+Penumbra> "I agree."
[06:50.51] <DM> "Join me in the pool."
[06:51.02] <DM> "Or remain at the edges."
[06:51.13] <DM> "Either way, you choose."
[06:51.19] <+Melchior> Me steps forward and steps into the water.
[06:51.30] * Shala strides into the pool
[06:51.38] <DM> It is forceful, strong, and resonant.
[06:51.50] * Repriever hangs back a moment, with Madei and Penumbra.
[06:51.51] * Penumbra squeezes Madei's hand to help keep her calm and prepares to sit at the edge to stay with her
[06:52.04] <DM> And for Melchior, Repriever, and through the haze of fogged memory, Penumbra, it is very, very, familiar.
[06:52.15] * Shala loses a bit of confidence once in the water
[06:52.18] <DM> Although all of you have heard it before, once. At the Diviners' Tower.
[06:52.34] * Akvan steps forward
[06:52.40] <DM> The ripples spread, your fancy robes getting soaked and clinging to your skin as you slide into the warm water.
[06:52.49] * Melchior feels the hairs rise on the back of her neck.
[06:52.52] * Akvan slips into the water, submerging as much of himself as he can
[06:53.03] <DM> Where Madei sits, a small segment of frozen ice sits at the surface, on which she rests her feet.
[06:53.06] * Repriever quells his shaking hand as he nods at Penumbra, then steps to the pool's edge, not entering the water.
[06:53.29] * DM changes topic to: A Handful of Dust Session 49: Steaming Stones - ＋https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBcXe2B97TQ，
[06:54.06] <DM> The curtain of steam swirls, and parts.
[06:54.17] <DM> The woman reclining in the pool is Tercis, albeit naked, at least from the waist up.
[06:54.33] <DM> Her amber-colored skin, covered in steam and sweat, water droplets beaded on her arms.
[06:54.42] * Shala holds her knees with her arms, peering at Tercis from across the pool
[06:54.47] <DM> A circlet shimmers on her brow, a swirling crown of air.
[06:55.09] <DM> And then, surrounding her, the withdrawing tendrils of steam curl into the shape of a much taller woman.
[06:55.37] <DM>  Her hair is long and loose, her eyes bright patches of glowing white. And in her left hand, a spear of smoking steam.
[06:55.56] * Kir waits at the water's edge for a moment
[06:56.19] * Repriever gives Kir a sidelong glance.
[06:56.24] <DM> Calcis releases the spear, which melts into steam, and both Tercis and the woman made of air surrounding her stand, moving like one body.
[06:56.34] <+Melchior> "Hey there Calcis."
[06:56.36] * You are now known as Calcis
[06:56.39] * Kir holds the gaze, questioning
[06:56.47] <Calcis> “This is what I earned.”
[06:56.54] <Calcis> “The price of my betrayal.”
[06:57.01] <Calcis> “What do you think, Mel?”
[06:57.18] * Melchior thinks for a while.
[06:57.29] <+Melchior> "Quite a bit."
[06:57.48] <Calcis> Her voice has the resonant hum of static, and tiny sparks jump across the water, prickling your skin.
[06:57.56] * You are now known as Madei
[06:58.03] * Madei says, quietly
[06:58.09] <Madei> "hello."
[06:58.13] <+Melchior> "Have you been well?"
[06:58.15] * You are now known as Calcis
[06:58.26] * Calcis inclines her head to Madei
[06:58.31] * Melchior has the faintest gleam of a smirk at the edge of her mouth.
[06:58.35] <Calcis> "Hello, child."
[06:58.44] <Calcis> "Sleep."
[06:58.47] * You are now known as Madei
[06:58.54] * Madei pauses, and then flumps onto her back.
[06:59.10] <Madei> "I have been."
[06:59.14] <Madei> (says Calcis)
[06:59.19] * You are now known as DM
[06:59.25] * Akvan submerges his head for a moment
[06:59.39] * Melchior nods and looks across at the others.
[06:59.40] * Repriever licks at his teeth and looks down at the water.
[06:59.51] <+Melchior> "So have I."
[06:59.54] * You are now known as Calcis
[07:00.02] <Calcis> "Are you afraid, knight?"
[07:00.10] <Calcis> "Of the thing I have become?"
[07:00.24] <+Repriever> "I'm trying to decide if this is the next world."
[07:00.25] * Penumbra places a gentle hand on Madei for a moment before returning her attention to Calcis
[07:00.27] <Calcis> "I am still myself."
[07:00.46] <+Repriever> "It doesn't look like it."
[07:01.25] <Calcis> "Truth has waited long."
[07:01.45] <+Melchior> "People change. I would not have immediately recognized a freed slave girl next to the Queen of her people."
[07:01.49] <Calcis> "But now, it comes openly."
[07:01.56] <Calcis> "If you can take it."
[07:02.11] * Repriever laughs low, but shies his eyes.
[07:02.33] <+Melchior> "But they too were one and the same."
[07:02.43] <Calcis> "I learned this from you."
[07:02.49] * Melchior surveys her friends.
[07:02.52] <Calcis> "When you freed me, long ago."
[07:02.56] * Repriever disrobes with a sigh and slips into the pool.
[07:03.03] <Calcis> "Freed, to be chained new."
[07:03.18] <+Melchior> "We learned much from each other Calcis. More than many others could ever say."
[07:03.33] <Calcis> "This was once a place..."
[07:03.48] <Calcis> "...of Prophecy, for Lethe's own."
[07:04.08] <Calcis> "Where they hid, from fire."
[07:04.08] * Repriever considers this by running his hand through the water, feeling its weight.
[07:04.28] * Melchior looks to Akvan.
[07:04.39] <Calcis> It feels smooth and warm.
[07:04.54] * Akvan looks at calcis
[07:05.07] <+Repriever> "Much has changed."
[07:05.14] * Calcis turns back, her eyes flashing.
[07:05.23] <+Melchior> "From fire?"
[07:05.27] <Calcis> "Greetings, fire child."
[07:05.36] <Calcis> "Fire once owned this isle."
[07:05.48] <Calcis> "An Ilian cult."
[07:06.02] <Calcis> "But the world is cold."
[07:06.03] * Kir rests in the shallows, gradually swimming out towards the others
[07:06.05] * Akvan nods
[07:06.09] <Calcis> "And dragons now rule the flame."
[07:06.14] <Calcis> "As they rule your heart."
[07:06.22] * Penumbra only, remains at the edge of the water observing
[07:06.30] * Repriever breaks his view of Calcis to watch Astara walk the water's surface.
[07:06.51] * Calcis turns to watch her, momentarily.
[07:07.27] <Calcis> "I too have that strength."
[07:07.40] <Calcis> "To see the true lines of fate."
[07:07.58] * Melchior listens.
[07:08.04] <Calcis> "So I will tell you."
[07:08.12] * Repriever damps his hair, then rakes it back with his hand.
[07:08.37] <Calcis> "Mel."
[07:08.48] * Akvan rolls his eyes in the dark
[07:08.58] <Calcis> "You are not Arta."
[07:09.04] <Calcis> "And I am not Sasaris."
[07:09.23] <Calcis> "But we are vessels."
[07:09.25] <+Melchior> "Yet the thrones remain."
[07:09.48] <+Repriever> "Keepers of a higher kind."
[07:10.14] * Calcis turns to Penumbra.
[07:10.24] <Calcis> "You are not Atris."
[07:10.35] <Calcis> "Kill Atris and live, or die."
[07:10.42] <Calcis> "There can be but one."
[07:10.49] * Penumbra pauses and looks down
[07:11.03] * Melchior raises an eyebrow.
[07:11.06] * Repriever smirks.
[07:11.15] <Calcis> "Two bodies, one soul."
[07:11.28] <Calcis> "It cannot last forever."
[07:11.28] * Repriever then laughs when he realizes what she's doing.
[07:11.59] <+Repriever> "Always the poet, Calcis."
[07:12.03] <Calcis> "One must rule over."
[07:12.15] <Calcis> "Oh, so you noticed?"
[07:12.23] <+Penumbra> "To free her is to condemn myself?"
[07:12.37] * Calcis chuckles, long and warm.
[07:12.41] <+Repriever> "How couldn't I? Have you forgotten that, too?"
[07:12.47] <Calcis> And the water crackles with electricity.
[07:13.16] <Calcis> "Let me say my poems."
[07:13.17] * Repriever twitches slightly, uncomfortable.
[07:13.24] <+Penumbra> "She may not be here, but I must do."
[07:13.27] * Penumbra enters the water
[07:13.29] <Calcis> "And then I'll tell you a tale."
[07:13.38] <+Repriever> "Shouldn't've got in the water," he mumbles.
[07:13.39] <Calcis> "If you will...Assan."
[07:13.55] * Repriever 's voice catches in his throat.
[07:14.00] * Calcis flares bright white with power, as she forces out the name.
[07:14.22] * Repriever squeezes his eyes shut, then shakes his head until it turns into a short nod of acceptance.
[07:14.36] * Calcis changes topic to: A Handful of Dust Session 49: Steaming Stones - ＋https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hk6AVDeID78，
[07:14.46] <Calcis> "Shala..."
[07:14.52] * Shala kicks her feet gently in the water, still holding her knees
[07:15.01] <Calcis> "Your master was right."
[07:15.12] <Calcis> "The ritual claims two souls."
[07:15.29] <Calcis> "God slain, man erased."
[07:15.52] <Calcis> "...I saw it myself."
[07:15.57] <+Shala> "Death doesnt seem as scary as it once did..."
[07:16.06] <Calcis> "The sacrifice of Arta."
[07:16.12] <Calcis> "And the legacy."
[07:16.17] <+Melchior> [Brb]
[07:16.34] <Calcis> "The circle completes..."
[07:16.34] * Melchior (Iggy@184.151.231.248) Quit (Connection closed)
[07:16.39] * Iggy (Iggy@d108-180-153-81.bchsia.telus.net) has joined channel #nesdnd
[07:16.46] <Calcis> "When I met the one I slew."
[07:16.56] <Calcis> "In the past, as you."
[07:17.00] * Calcis looks to Melchior.
[07:17.20] * Calcis sets mode +v Iggy for #nesdnd
[07:17.26] <Calcis> "You are not the death."
[07:17.31] * Calcis turns back to Shala
[07:17.50] * Melchior (IceChat78@d108-180-153-81.bchsia.telus.net) has joined channel #nesdnd
[07:17.50] <Calcis> "You are the spell's conduit."
[07:18.15] <Calcis> "Unless...you escape."
[07:18.17] * Shala furrows her brow, looking into the water ahead of her
[07:19.11] <Calcis> "Akvan."
[07:19.34] <Calcis> "She is but half god."
[07:19.44] <Calcis> "Her father stole the first flame."
[07:19.54] * Kir watches
[07:19.57] <+Akvan> "Got to start somewhere."
[07:20.06] * Calcis smirks.
[07:20.11] <Calcis> "She seeks not that chain."
[07:20.16] * Kir 's eyes flick from god, to queen, to the party
[07:20.27] <+Akvan> "No"
[07:21.38] <Calcis> "And Kir."
[07:21.50] <+Akvan> "Didn't seem to stop you, though"
[07:21.52] * Akvan mutters
[07:21.54] <+Akvan> under his breath
[07:21.58] <Calcis> "I gave you a seal."
[07:22.26] <Calcis> "It answers only to him..."
[07:22.34] <Calcis> "But you hold his blood."
[07:22.41] <+Kir> "Hm"
[07:22.50] * Kir smirks
[07:22.57] <+Kir> "Very useful seal"
[07:22.59] <Calcis> "Climb the titan's brow."
[07:23.10] <+Kir> "Didn't know it was yours"
[07:23.15] <+Kir> "Many thanks
[07:23.16] <+Kir> "
[07:23.17] <Calcis> "When I was mortal, I saw."
[07:23.19] * Kir bows his head
[07:23.21] * tBot (tBot@h138.231.40.162.dynamic.ip.windstream.net) Quit (Ping timeout: 121 seconds)
[07:23.34] <Calcis> "He used it to drive."
[07:23.48] * Iggy (Iggy@d108-180-153-81.bchsia.telus.net) Quit (Quit: Bye)
[07:24.03] <Calcis> "Well...it isn't mine."
[07:24.07] * Calcis sets mode +v Melchior for #nesdnd
[07:24.26] <Calcis> "But when he left, he left it."
[07:24.32] * Repriever (Lucky@h138.231.40.162.dynamic.ip.windstream.net) Quit (Ping timeout: 121 seconds)
[07:24.52] <Calcis> "You should take it back."
[07:25.20] * Repriever (Lucky@h132.231.40.162.dynamic.ip.windstream.net) has joined channel #nesdnd
[07:25.27] * Calcis sets mode +v Repriever for #nesdnd
[07:25.31] <+Repriever> [sorry, fuck]
[07:25.44] * tBot (tBot@h132.231.40.162.dynamic.ip.windstream.net) has joined channel #nesdnd
[07:25.50] <Calcis> "Those are all my tales."
[07:26.10] <Calcis> "Except for the greatest one."
[07:26.14] * tBot_ (tBot@h132.231.40.162.dynamic.ip.windstream.net) has joined channel #nesdnd
[07:26.24] * tBot_ (tBot@h132.231.40.162.dynamic.ip.windstream.net) Quit (Quit: Someone asked nicely.)
[07:26.30] <Calcis> "Would you like to know?"
[07:26.59] * Calcis wades forward in the water, detaching from the rocks, facing Repriever.
[07:27.04] <+Melchior> "You might want to tell it."
[07:27.20] * Repriever backs into the rock he's leaning on, half-submerged.
[07:27.32] <Calcis> Little sparks jump across the glassy surface as she moves forward, towards Repriever.
[07:27.36] * Akvan slips under water
[07:27.50] * Akvan lets a bubble of breath rise up
[07:27.59] * Akvan whistles Akvan's Lament under water
[07:28.23] * Calcis stares down at Repriever, standing over him.
[07:28.48] * Repriever clears his throat, thinking to stand but doesn't have the legs at the moment to do so.
[07:28.50] <Calcis> Except for the lack of color in her body, and the smaller, naked woman animated by her, it is almost like it was.
[07:29.09] <Calcis> "I love you, Assan."
[07:29.20] <Calcis> “And I have loved no other.”
[07:29.31] <Calcis> "That is my one truth."
[07:29.54] * Repriever tilts his head, furrowing his brow, expecting this to be some horrible trick followed by pain.
[07:30.18] <+Repriever> "I... what?"
[07:31.23] * Calcis exhales, and laughs, a breath of distant thunder.
[07:31.32] <+Melchior> [*record scratch*]
[07:32.05] <Calcis> "...I see."
[07:32.09] * Repriever rakes his hair nervously.
[07:32.26] <+Repriever> "I don't understand."
[07:32.35] * Calcis retreats, slightly, withdrawing into her self, her cloudy form diminishing in size almost to the size of tiny Tercis.
[07:32.41] <Calcis> "No...no you don't."
[07:33.01] * Repriever stands to follow her, reaching out with his one hand.
[07:33.09] <+Repriever> "Wait..."
[07:33.39] <+Repriever> "You knew me, Calcis. Why... why did you do this to me?"
[07:34.08] * Repriever speaks light and broken.
[07:34.17] <Calcis> "In the beginning, I was a slave."
[07:34.44] <Calcis> "You cannot imagine what they did to me."
[07:35.06] <Calcis> "The choice was to feel nothing or go insane."
[07:35.27] <+Repriever> "Why didn't you just say it?" he says, pained.
[07:35.40] * Repriever has an awful, hurt confusion on his face.
[07:36.05] <+Repriever> "Wha-- what was all of that for?"
[07:36.13] * Calcis still has her back to Repriever, and her form begins to darken to a stormy gray.
[07:36.51] <Calcis> "Have you figured it out yet, teacher?"
[07:37.01] * Calcis half-turns her head, to Melchior.
[07:37.32] * Melchior has a clouded expression, thoughtful.
[07:37.56] <Calcis> "I was nothing but a tool when you freed me."
[07:38.04] <+Melchior> "There are things I think I've figured. This isn't one."
[07:38.09] <Calcis> "I had never felt love, or friendship."
[07:38.09] * Repriever scrunches his face to try to regain some composure as he watches. Tears are forming in his eyes.
[07:38.18] <Calcis> "Only scars..."
[07:38.24] * Melchior seems stung by that.
[07:38.38] <Calcis> "You taught me that there was another way."
[07:38.56] * Repriever touches Calcis on her shoulder, gently, turning her.
[07:39.07] <+Repriever> "I died for your love."
[07:39.21] <Calcis> "Do not-"
[07:39.42] <Calcis> As your skin reaches into her, it passes through her, touching Tercis' soft, small shoulder.
[07:40.04] <Calcis> She turns, in a flash of light, and pure force slams you backward, through the water.
[07:40.18] * Repriever is tossed violently into a rock.
[07:40.20] * Melchior quickly moves over to make sure that Repriever is alright.
[07:40.54] * Akvan exhales loudly
[07:40.55] * Calcis looks down, clenching a fist with crackling thunder.
[07:40.56] * Repriever sucks a sharp and horrible breath.
[07:41.06] <Calcis> ?roll 2d8+10
[07:41.06] <tBot> Calcis: 20 ([2 8] +10)
[07:41.11] * Shala jolts awake and rushes to check on Repriever
[07:41.26] * Repriever waves them off.
[07:41.30] <+Repriever> "I'm fine..."
[07:41.35] <Calcis> You take 20 damage as several ribs are cracked, and your scalp bleeds with a trickle.
[07:41.38] * Repriever feels cracks in his ribs.
[07:41.47] <Calcis> "This form...is power...."
[07:41.56] <Calcis> "I am not mortal."
[07:42.08] <Calcis> "Any more..."
[07:42.08] <+Melchior> "You may not have felt love, but love was always felt for you."
[07:42.09] * Repriever stands and wades back to her.
[07:42.18] <Calcis> "I know."
[07:42.20] <+Melchior> "That is why there's so much hurt here."
[07:42.36] <Calcis> "You had just met him, the first time you jumped."
[07:42.43] <Calcis> "An old man..."
[07:42.47] <+Melchior> "I don't even know if it was the first time. Was it?"
[07:43.07] <+Melchior> "I don't think order can describe it."
[07:43.08] * Repriever wipes at the trickle of blood as he limps nearer Calcis again.
[07:43.11] <Calcis> "You had only known him a day..."
[07:43.19] <Calcis> "Or two."
[07:43.26] * Kir jumps
[07:43.41] <Calcis> "An old man with starlight in his eyes."
[07:44.08] <+Melchior> "But I had jumped before. I must have. I have this."
[07:44.11] * Melchior shakes her skull.
[07:44.20] <Calcis> "The first time you jumped to me."
[07:44.21] * Akvan swims softly away from the party
[07:44.24] <+Melchior> "I had a family before then. So much happened before, I'm sure of it."
[07:44.24] * Repriever wants so badly to reach out, but can't as he bleeds from his head and leans from injury.
[07:44.25] <Calcis> "When you freed me."
[07:44.32] * Akvan feels this is not our discussion to listen in on
[07:44.53] <Calcis> "We sat at night...by the fire, after training."
[07:45.07] <Calcis> "And you told me of the strange world you had come from."
[07:45.26] <Calcis> "With a boy, a girl, and a lizard, and and an old man with starlight in his eyes."
[07:45.55] <+Melchior> "He was not a lizard then- as I recall it. But time may have muddled itself."
[07:46.06] <Calcis> "Not him..."
[07:46.12] <Calcis> "You said...Kathsiss..."
[07:46.13] <+Melchior> "Kylm�.`
[07:46.19] <+Melchior> "Ah yes."
[07:46.28] <+Melchior> "That was his name."
[07:46.36] <Calcis> "You said you felt destined to return."
[07:47.09] <+Repriever> "I had nearly turned to stone by then."
[07:47.18] <Calcis> "You taught me to love."
[07:47.23] <Calcis> "And then you left me, a girl, alone."
[07:47.34] * Melchior closes her eyes.
[07:47.39] <+Melchior> "You taught me to fight."
[07:48.11] * Shala meditates on time magic, as she often does. Another thing her master was right about.
[07:48.19] <Calcis> "You said you didn't know him...but thought he was special."
[07:48.31] <+Melchior> "I taught you what I knew, what I guessed..."
[07:48.39] * Repriever looks to Mel.
[07:48.43] <Calcis> "Decades later..."
[07:48.44] <+Melchior> "Every time I've left, I've abandoned people I didn't want to."
[07:48.53] <+Melchior> "I found you a grown woman."
[07:49.01] <+Melchior> "When I returned."
[07:49.02] <Calcis> "But before you returned..."
[07:49.07] <+Melchior> "Oh."
[07:49.10] <Calcis> "When I had built a name, and an army."
[07:49.14] <Calcis> "On the skills you taught me."
[07:49.30] <Calcis> "Freed my people, and turned them into a hammer against the dragons."
[07:49.42] <Calcis> "I was saved..."
[07:49.48] <Calcis> "By a young man."
[07:49.52] * Repriever winces, but stays standing.
[07:50.07] <+Repriever> "Inoa."
[07:50.10] <Calcis> "I am a god with one sixth of the universe in the palm of my hand..."
[07:50.21] <Calcis> "I do not know why I knew, or how I knew."
[07:50.25] <Calcis> "...no, I do."
[07:50.32] <Calcis> "Your eyes."
[07:50.42] <Calcis> "A young man, with starlight in his eyes."
[07:50.53] <+Melchior> "A man tangled in so many lines."
[07:50.58] <Calcis> "Somehow I knew."
[07:51.06] <Calcis> "This was the one man my master admired."
[07:51.19] <+Repriever> "Heh."
[07:51.25] <Calcis> "The one she told me about, so long ago."
[07:51.31] <Calcis> "When I felt for the first time."
[07:51.39] <Calcis> "How could I not love him."
[07:51.44] <+Repriever> "The Diviners wouldn't tell me, because they knew I shouldn't know."
[07:51.57] <+Repriever> "But I guessed."
[07:52.01] <Calcis> "But...you had to be old."
[07:52.10] <Calcis> "She had to meet you in the future."
[07:52.13] * Repriever looks down.
[07:52.21] <Calcis> "So that she could then tell me, who you were."
[07:52.23] <Calcis> "It was a circle."
[07:52.43] <Calcis> "So you had to leave."
[07:53.08] <Calcis> "That is why I closed myself."
[07:53.10] * Repriever meets Mel's eyes.
[07:53.11] <Calcis> "Why I sent you away."
[07:53.31] <Calcis> "You were not yet...what you needed to be."
[07:53.57] * Repriever sets his jaw at that.
[07:54.06] <Calcis> "You have hated me."
[07:54.11] <Calcis> "But now you know why."
[07:54.18] <Calcis> "And now, you also know..."
[07:54.23] <Calcis> "Why Kallos left."
[07:54.42] <Calcis> "I asked him, at the beginning, not ever to ask me, if I loved him."
[07:54.44] * Repriever turns back to her.
[07:54.49] <Calcis> "That I would give him everything."
[07:54.54] <Calcis> "If he never asked me that."
[07:54.59] <Calcis> "It was necessary."
[07:55.07] <+Repriever> "But the way you treated us."
[07:55.13] <Calcis> "I have always done what was necessary, even if I felt nothing."
[07:55.30] <+Repriever> "Fuck circles and lines. Fuck fate. Both of you!"
[07:55.53] <+Repriever> "I bled in the frost for centuries..."
[07:56.07] * Calcis regards him impassively.
[07:56.32] <+Melchior> "...I never knew I had a part in this. I'm sorry for what I've done, however ignorant, Repriever."
[07:56.46] * Repriever sighs.
[07:56.48] <Calcis> "It wasn't my right to keep you."
[07:56.49] <+Melchior> "But if it hadn't happened this way, it would never have happened... I see now."
[07:56.53] <Calcis> "To change time."
[07:56.58] <+Repriever> "We serve the divines."
[07:57.16] * Repriever chuckles low at his own joke.
[07:57.18] <Calcis> "I cannot apologize, because the pain..."
[07:57.22] <Calcis> "Knowing is worse."
[07:57.22] * Akvan sits in the darkness, letting a flame play over his hand
[07:57.27] * Akvan plays with the water and the fire
[07:57.30] <+Akvan> letting them interact
[07:57.40] <+Repriever> "Knowing isn't worse."
[07:57.48] * Akvan lets the flame coil around pouring water, and then through the water itself
[07:58.06] <+Repriever> "I wanted an answer as much as I wanted death."
[07:58.30] <+Melchior> "Seems we have our answer then. Unless there's more still to say."
[07:58.32] * Akvan holds his breath, and dives down to the bottom of the pool, hand scraping against the bottom
[07:58.35] <+Repriever> "You're not mortal..."
[07:58.41] <+Repriever> "But neither am I."
[07:58.48] * Repriever grabs Calcis and kisses her.
[07:59.03] <Calcis> Again, Repriever...
[07:59.15] <Calcis> Your hands pass through her body, and meet Tercis arms.
[07:59.28] <Calcis> If you try to kiss her face...
[07:59.35] <Calcis> When you try to kiss her face...
[07:59.35] <+Melchior> "Repriever."
[07:59.42] <+Melchior> "Don't."
[08:00.00] <+Melchior> "...you're only going to hurt yourself..."
[08:00.02] <Calcis> There is a flash of blinding light, and your eyes are seared with intense pain.
[08:00.03] <+Melchior> "...and us."
[08:00.20] <+Melchior> "Damnit."
[08:00.27] * Kir shrinks at the flash, again
[08:00.35] * Penumbra raises an arm and leans back over Madei
[08:00.37] * Calcis merely stands, and her divine shoulders shake with low sobs that are resonant like distant thunder.
[08:00.39] * Kir begins to retreat towards the edge of the pool
[08:00.48] <Calcis> Repriever, you are blinded.
[08:00.50] <+Melchior> "I'm sorry Cal."
[08:00.54] <Calcis> And...
[08:00.59] <Calcis> Roll a fortitude save to remain conscious.
[08:01.04] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d20+12
[08:01.04] <tBot> Repriever: 24 ([12] +12)
[08:01.09] <Calcis> You fail.
[08:01.15] <+Repriever> [will reprieve?]
[08:01.22] <Calcis> Yes.
[08:01.28] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d20+9
[08:01.28] <tBot> Repriever: 20 ([11] +9)
[08:01.37] * You are now known as DM
[08:01.56] <DM> Repriever falls into and beneath the water, his tan shoulders breaking the surface with a splash, as blood leaks from his eyes.
[08:02.08] * Shala sees Repriever flop into the pool
[08:02.18] * Melchior runs up again to grab Repriever.
[08:02.22] <+Melchior> "Damnit Ducky."
[08:02.23] <+Shala> "Ugh! Stupid man!"
[08:02.31] <DM> "...it cannot...it cannot be helped."
[08:02.35] * You are now known as Calcis
[08:02.40] <Calcis> "As if I...do not wish to hold my love."
[08:02.47] <Calcis> "But I am not mortal...anymore..."
[08:03.05] <+Melchior> "I'm sorry I did this."
[08:03.18] * Calcis stares down at Melchior, as she recovers Repriever.
[08:03.22] <+Melchior> "It is so hard to know how your actions affect others."
[08:03.29] <+Melchior> "Even harder when you've yet to know what comes."
[08:03.37] <Calcis> "Yes."
[08:03.38] * Akvan takes the sand from the bottom of the pool and rolls it around in his hand, heating it with his flame until it runs glows soft and molten.
[08:03.46] <+Melchior> "He's tortured himself over this for longer than most people live."
[08:03.49] <Calcis> "But if you follow the path of the Ritual..."
[08:03.59] <Calcis> "You will become like me."
[08:04.03] <Calcis> "Both more and less."
[08:04.08] * Akvan shapes it into a crude shell shape, glowing and hot, before slowly lowering it into the water of the pool
[08:04.08] * Melchior gently lifts Repriever out of the water.
[08:04.22] <+Melchior> "Well that's where this whole thing's been going, innit?"
[08:04.32] <Calcis> Akvan, the shell is clear, but you can weave a colored essence into it with your mind if you wish.
[08:04.39] <+Melchior> "Some hand plucking me out of time, placing me where it sees fit."
[08:04.56] <Calcis> "The corpse of the earth wants to heal itself."
[08:04.58] * Akvan weaves in some blue and red
[08:05.05] <+Melchior> "I had a family. I had a husband. I had you... I lost all of these things."
[08:05.10] <Calcis> "It has been weaving a thread, in and out of time..."
[08:05.15] <Calcis> "Using you as the needle..."
[08:05.20] <Calcis> "To undo...what we have done."
[08:05.30] <+Melchior> "But am I just the needle? Or am I the seamstress too?"
[08:05.41] * Calcis smiles.
[08:05.49] <Calcis> "That will be up to you."
[08:06.02] <Calcis> "You taught me..."
[08:06.07] <Calcis> "That will could accomplish anything."
[08:06.14] <Calcis> "So I became a god."
[08:06.20] <Calcis> "I can only imagine what master will do."
[08:06.45] * Kir returns from the edge
[08:06.55] * Melchior is silent.
[08:07.00] <+Melchior> "I wouldn't want to do it your way."
[08:07.03] <Calcis> Akvan, you get quite a pretty pattern, and you feel that the essences of both fire and water are woven into this glass shell.
[08:07.07] <+Melchior> "I know what you did, and why you did it."
[08:07.23] <+Melchior> "Many were left to bear the weight of your ascension."
[08:07.28] <Calcis> "I would say...that you have that luxury..."
[08:07.30] <+Melchior> "I understood that, and it hurt. Others didn't."
[08:07.36] <Calcis> "Because of what I did."
[08:08.11] <Calcis> "I do..."
[08:08.23] <Calcis> "I do wish to make this right..."
[08:08.35] <Calcis> "But the ritual we learned...you know I needed you..."
[08:08.40] <Calcis> "I could not ask any other to do it."
[08:08.41] <+Melchior> "How does what happened change what I must do?"
[08:08.43] * Repriever bleeds from his face in Mel's arms.
[08:08.49] <+Melchior> "I know exactly what it needed."
[08:08.59] * Melchior lets Repriever bleed on her shoulder while speaking.
[08:09.30] <+Melchior> "And for better or worse, it left those closest to you in grief."
[08:09.39] <Calcis> "I had to hurt him, so that he could be your friend."
[08:09.42] <+Melchior> "I do not wish to restore the throne of Arta in that way."
[08:09.56] <Calcis> "Your guide."
[08:10.00] <Calcis> "Your protector, as he was mine."
[08:10.05] <+Melchior> "So how then do your sacrifices free us from doing so now?"
[08:10.34] <+Melchior> "Azri spoke that Shala would perish."
[08:10.45] * Calcis looks to Penumbra, and then to Shala.
[08:10.48] <+Melchior> "I see the place of so many of our company here, but what of Repriever?"
[08:10.51] <Calcis> "Might."
[08:11.08] <Calcis> "There is still the wizard's path."
[08:11.10] <+Melchior> "Is he doomed to be caught in this tangle?"
[08:11.23] <Calcis> "To unmake the world...and with it the ritual, and the essences, and the cycle..."
[08:11.57] <Calcis> "I...cannot see his doom."
[08:11.59] <+Melchior> "None of us want to unmake the world. None of us even comprehend what that would mean."
[08:12.05] <+Shala> "The ethereal shadow wants to 'unmake' the world..."
[08:12.10] * Shala mutters under her breath
[08:12.25] <+Melchior> "Surely we must try to restore, before we seek to remake."
[08:12.47] <Calcis> "With restoration comes a new cycle..."
[08:12.55] <Calcis> "The Essences endure...no matter how much you protect them..."
[08:13.00] <Calcis> "The Key endures..."
[08:13.14] <Calcis> "A new abuse will come, a new imbalance, a new Ritual..."
[08:13.23] <Calcis> "After we are all gone, or slain, or transcended."
[08:13.44] <Calcis> "All of this has happened before, and all of it will happen again..."
[08:14.04] <+Melchior> "Then let's at least create a world where those who live in this world, and shall live, and have lived... let's make that a place where they can carry on."
[08:14.31] <+Melchior> "Breaking the world to make it anew seems the direst risk."
[08:14.36] <Calcis> "I agree."
[08:14.53] <Calcis> "Kallos does not..."
[08:15.05] <Calcis> "Melchior..."
[08:15.07] <+Melchior> "What /does/ he think?"
[08:15.23] * Calcis laughs.
[08:15.25] <+Melchior> "He's been mightily secretive all this time, building his own world hidden from all."
[08:15.44] <Calcis> "I have never known what Kallos Bellan thought."
[08:15.48] <Calcis> "But that he loved me."
[08:16.04] <Calcis> "After he built these towers...this palace...these gardens..."
[08:16.15] <Calcis> "He asked me, then."
[08:16.28] <Calcis> "If after all he had done, if I loved him."
[08:16.43] <Calcis> "And our children."
[08:16.48] <Calcis> "I told him I did not."
[08:17.08] <Calcis> "And so he left."
[08:17.26] <+Melchior> "And so every human connection was broken."
[08:17.35] <+Melchior> "One by one."
[08:17.40] * Melchior has a sad look on her face.
[08:17.52] <Calcis> "It was...it was..."
[08:18.01] <Calcis> "...what we learned."
[08:18.23] <+Melchior> "I never thought things would ever come to that."
[08:18.27] <+Melchior> "If nothing else..."
[08:18.37] <Calcis> "Kallos was obsessed with finding another way."
[08:18.46] <Calcis> "Beyond the endless ritual, or the world's unmaking."
[08:18.47] <+Melchior> "It taught me to never learn something if you are not prepared to do it."
[08:19.00] <Calcis> "He studied endlessly. Worked tirelessly."
[08:19.04] <Calcis> "Trying to find a way out."
[08:19.28] <Calcis> "He went from following Bel's path, to hating him."
[08:19.32] <Calcis> "Cursing him."
[08:19.39] <Calcis> "With the immortality we bought..."
[08:19.44] <Calcis> "I suspect he is still trying."
[08:19.56] <+Melchior> "I know of yours... but how did he attain his?"
[08:20.36] <+Kir> "Why?"
[08:21.07] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d20+9
[08:21.07] <tBot> Repriever: 10 ([1] +9)
[08:22.28] * Melchior checks on Repriever.
[08:22.47] <Calcis> "It is..."
[08:22.48] * Penumbra is just soaking it all in and thinking
[08:22.52] <Calcis> "A byproduct of the ritual."
[08:23.03] <Calcis> "We all gained it."
[08:23.16] <Calcis> "Arta's blood stained the stones..."
[08:23.34] <Calcis> "And his...her...their...I...cannot remember..."
[08:23.47] <+Melchior> "Don't try to think of it."
[08:23.59] <+Melchior> "It wounds Repriever physically to try, I don't want to see what it'd do to you."
[08:24.18] * Calcis 's form flickers, and she shakes as the steam that forms her comes undone for a moment, leaving Tercis alone, standing like a sleepwalker, before Calcis reasserts control with a thunderclap.
[08:24.20] <+Kir> "No"
[08:24.24] <+Kir> "Bel"
[08:24.34] <Calcis> "Bel...started all of this."
[08:24.48] <Calcis> "He made the Essences."
[08:24.51] <Calcis> "He made the Ritual."
[08:24.59] <+Melchior> "Why?"
[08:25.07] <+Melchior> "Was it his ascent to power?"
[08:25.11] <Calcis> "Kallos dedicated his life to finding that answer."
[08:25.43] <Calcis> "The Diviners told us it was to free us from the kasatha..."
[08:25.52] <Calcis> "He called them liars."
[08:26.02] <+Melchior> "He's still chasing them."
[08:26.05] <+Melchior> "Or he was."
[08:26.06] * Shala shakes her head
[08:27.10] * Kir grabs Mel's shoulder
[08:27.28] * Melchior looks to Kir.
[08:27.34] <+Melchior> "Careful, Repriever's not feeling well."
[08:27.34] <Calcis> "But remember."
[08:27.43] * Melchior still has an unconscious paladin leaning on her.
[08:27.53] <Calcis> "He holds you."
[08:28.32] <Calcis> "The closer you come to it...the more powerless you will be."
[08:28.38] <Calcis> "And if he seeks it..."
[08:28.42] <Calcis> "He can control you."
[08:28.53] <Calcis> "As Azimel..."
[08:29.03] <Calcis> "Can do to me..."
[08:29.17] * Melchior frowns.
[08:29.30] <+Melchior> "So I'm of little use against the Apastron."
[08:29.40] <Calcis> "No, you are of great use against him..."
[08:29.47] <Calcis> "Against Kallos."
[08:29.54] <Calcis> "You are useless."
[08:30.08] <+Penumbra> "Does he know?"
[08:30.19] <+Melchior> "Ah... of course. The possessor, and the bearer... in this case not the same."
[08:30.44] <Calcis> "When he lived, the Apastron followed the Earth, yes."
[08:30.50] <Calcis> "But now he holds the Void."
[08:30.53] <+Melchior> Did the Apastron ever live?
[08:31.02] * Calcis smiles.
[08:31.09] <Calcis> "Of course. He was Aridai, my great friend."
[08:31.11] <+Melchior> The devil implied that Aridai died, and the Apastron has hold of him.
[08:31.23] * Calcis frowns.
[08:31.38] <Calcis> "The necromancers resurrected him..."
[08:31.48] <Calcis> "But perhaps resurrection is not what they did."
[08:31.59] <+Melchior> "Well, not the devil who told me that. I was not present when Repriever and the others learned the truth."
[08:32.19] <+Melchior> "But that was the catch in the contract, when we brought back Shala."
[08:32.28] <Calcis> "I suspect he knows, Penumbra."
[08:32.28] <+Melchior> "And the flaw in the bargain."
[08:32.45] <Calcis> "In my daughter's fort..."
[08:32.51] * Penumbra nods and continues to listen
[08:32.55] <+Melchior> "Deliver Aridai's soul, along with the souls of two great wizards, to hell."
[08:33.12] * Calcis exhales in a rush of steam.
[08:33.13] <+Melchior> "But, at the same time, any soul controlled by Aridai would be set to go free."
[08:33.25] <+Melchior> [I meant apastron in that second one, not aridai]
[08:33.30] <Calcis> "And if we deliver the soul of an innocent man to hell..."
[08:33.45] <Calcis> "The rules of heaven and hell will be broken."
[08:33.57] <Calcis> "What havoc they could wreak..."
[08:34.14] <+Melchior> "We would not. Because the Apastron controls and enslaves the soul of Aridai, and as such Aridai is freed to go to his rightful rest."
[08:34.53] <Calcis> "Unless the Apastron is a construct..."
[08:35.08] <Calcis> "Regardless...hell will come for his soul...and we must be ready to fight them."
[08:35.25] <+Melchior> "The nature of the Apastron does not change the fact that it has exerted control and influence, which would fall under the contract."
[08:35.42] * Calcis turns her head to the fallen Repriever
[08:35.42] <+Melchior> "With that said, I've never been learned in abyssal or celestial law."
[08:35.52] <Calcis> "The soul was in his sword."
[08:35.53] <+Melchior> "But perhaps this is not the time to delve into such things."
[08:35.57] <Calcis> "Yes..."
[08:36.20] <Calcis> "I will do what I can...to learn of the true nature of the Apastron..."
[08:36.31] <Calcis> "To see if we can escape this contract."
[08:36.39] <Calcis> "If you can gain Earth.."
[08:37.16] <Calcis> "You will ascend in power..."
[08:37.37] <Calcis> "You will be able to strike down dragons and shake the Towers themselves..."
[08:37.43] <Calcis> "As we once did..."
[08:38.27] * You are now known as DM
[08:38.46] <DM> Tercis wavers slightly, as she stands in the water.
[08:38.57] * You are now known as Calcis
[08:39.03] <Calcis> "This form cannot hold me for much longer."
[08:39.38] <+Melchior> "Then let us make peace, sister, until we meet again."
[08:39.53] <+Melchior> "I don't wish to say goodbye again with any ill will in my heart."
[08:40.13] <+Melchior> "Or any pain in my soul."
[08:40.20] <Calcis> "Thank you..."
[08:40.25] <Calcis> "If you do...complete the Ritual..."
[08:40.39] <Calcis> "We will speak on it later...through my daughters...but..."
[08:40.48] <Calcis> "Please...bring my Essence home..."
[08:40.57] * Calcis is starting to waver and grow more indistinct
[08:41.27] <+Melchior> "Goodbye Cal. We'll take good care of Assan."
[08:41.36] <Calcis> "I am so powerful, so broad, the currents of my mind sweep the earth and the thunder at my fingertips..."
[08:41.41] <Calcis> "And so...chained..."
[08:41.47] <+Melchior> "Chains you chose."
[08:41.56] <Calcis> "I did..."
[08:42.24] <Calcis> "...forgive me...Me..kir..."
[08:42.38] * You are now known as DM
[08:42.47] * Melchior nods.
[08:43.21] <DM> All of the steam in the pool is drawn inward, towards Calcis' frame, like water into a whirlpool...
[08:43.43] * Kir cocks his head
[08:43.50] <DM> And then with a rush of pressure, the energy is released, and the Queen of Air is gone.
[08:43.57] * Repriever drips blood into the waters that swirl about her.
[08:44.02] <+Kir> "Why forgiveness....?"
[08:44.13] <DM> The steam swirls outwards, and now it is Tercis' turn to fall into the pools.
[08:44.27] * Akvan is still on the other side of the bend, playing with water and fire
[08:44.31] <+Melchior> "She has done things, and made people do things, that are terrible."
[08:44.48] <+Melchior> "When I last spoke to her as a mortal, I was cursing the situation she'd forced me into."
[08:45.28] <+Melchior> "It was I who had to mar my soul by spearing her to death, granting her ascension."
[08:45.38] * Penumbra steps through the pool and reaches into the water, reaching out to Tercis
[08:45.39] <+Melchior> "And she hurt Repriever so much as well."
[08:45.43] * Shala breathes slowly through her nostrils
[08:45.48] <+Melchior> "Nothing he did warranted what happened to him."
[08:45.54] <+Shala> "Hence, why I will never become her. Ever."
[08:45.55] <+Melchior> "And he never knew, until now."
[08:46.16] * DM changes topic to: A Handful of Dust Session 49: Steaming Stones - ＋https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiO_7LhPZFM，
[08:46.27] * Penumbra pulls her from the water above the waters and to the edge of the pool
[08:46.42] <DM> She is light, Penumbra, and her chest rises and falls, slowly.
[08:46.54] <DM> It's hard to tell whether or not she's covered in sweat or steam.
[08:47.11] <+Melchior> "I loved her as a sister, he loved her as much as anyone could. Both of us were burned... but I don't plan on harbouring bitterness for what has passed."
[08:47.15] * Repriever is a mess in Mel's arms.
[08:47.17] * Kir slowly turns, and leaves the pool
[08:47.21] <DM> The circlet of air that swirled at her brow, gone.
[08:47.29] <+Melchior> "Y'alright there ducky?"
[08:47.35] * You are now known as Plainchant
[08:47.41] * Melchior pats him on the back, keeping his head on her shoulder.
[08:47.43] * Repriever is unresponsive.
[08:47.48] * Plainchant slowly, tentatively approaches.
[08:47.58] <+Melchior> "He is hurt."
[08:48.20] * Plainchant doesn't say anything, merely kneels down at the edge of the pool in her white armor and cloak, helping him onto the moss.
[08:48.30] <Plainchant> "I knew this would be hard..."
[08:48.42] * Plainchant passes her hands over his eyes, whispering.
[08:49.06] <Plainchant> A light shines, currents of blue and white.
[08:49.59] <Plainchant> "Make him comfortable...he will wake in time...his sight may suffer for some time too..."
[08:50.17] <Plainchant> "We've gotten the boat home ready..."
[08:50.39] <+Penumbra> "And the Queen?"
[08:50.41] <Plainchant> "It's probably best if you don't stay here."
[08:51.16] <Plainchant> "Pass her to me...thank you..."
[08:51.16] <+Melchior> "Oh?"
[08:51.23] <Plainchant> "At the Court, I mean."
[08:51.33] <Plainchant> "There are too many...influences here."
[08:51.37] * Plainchant looks over her shoulder.
[08:51.37] * Penumbra passes Tercis over to Plainchant and picks up Madei
[08:51.55] * Plainchant removes her cloak and delicately wraps the Queen in it, cradling her like a child.
[08:52.01] <Plainchant> "It will take her days to recover from this."
[08:53.22] <+Melchior> "I'm sorry for taxing her so."
[08:53.27] <+Melchior> "Anything we could do?"
[08:53.59] <Plainchant> "No, no, we'll take care of her."
[08:54.25] * Akvan swims back around the curve, hearing the silence
[08:54.32] <+Akvan> and the splashes of people getting out
[08:54.35] <Plainchant> "There's nothing to be done about making a mortal bear divine strength."
[08:54.53] <Plainchant> "Simply rest."
[08:55.10] <+Penumbra> "Will Kallias be with us at the fort tonight, or tomorrow before the parade?"
[08:56.03] <Plainchant> "Yes, I believe he made preparations to escort you home."
[08:56.18] <Plainchant> "As Delia and her yacht are remaining at the palace for a time."
[08:56.51] * Penumbra nods and looks around the group
[08:57.20] <Plainchant> Repriever is unconscious, and everyone else seems lost in thought, or exhausted.
[08:57.25] * You are now known as DM
[08:57.35] <DM> Well, Mel is also hands full, carrying him.
[08:57.58] * Kir flips the disk through his fingers
[08:58.11] <DM> Repriever's party clothes lie in a little pile on the ground, as he's naked presently.
[08:58.24] * Akvan is carrying the lettle glass shell
[08:58.35] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d20+12
[08:58.35] <tBot> Repriever: 32 ([20] +12)
[08:58.42] <DM> Nice fort save.
[08:59.10] <DM> Your eyes snap open, Repriever, unseeing for quite some time. The lights of the little lanterns along the path are all you can see in a sea of darkness.
[08:59.13] * Melchior slings Repriever's robe over him.
[08:59.25] <DM> And you'll still have difficulty seeing things that aren't right in front of your face for a while.
[08:59.32] <+Repriever> "Stars..."
[09:00.11] * Repriever sees the blob of shapes that is Melchior near him, and tries to sit up.
[09:00.21] * Melchior pats Repriever twice on the shoulder.
[09:00.26] <+Melchior> "Welcome back to the waking."
[09:00.46] <+Melchior> "How are you physically?"
[09:00.50] * Repriever blows out.
[09:00.55] * Penumbra tends to Madei, checking if she's still magically asleep or simply exhausted from the long day
[09:01.10] <DM> She seems to be sleeping normally, Penumbra.
[09:01.11] <+Repriever> "Right as rain."
[09:01.26] <DM> She kicks a little bit and says "no beefs"
[09:01.31] * Repriever doubles over in agony.
[09:01.51] <+Melchior> "Emotionally... all I can say is I'm sorry. I didn't know."
[09:02.06] <+Repriever> "What are you sorry for?"
[09:02.15] * Melchior gently lets Repriever down to the floor, if he is falling.
[09:02.25] <+Melchior> "I never knew how this whole thing closed in on itself."
[09:02.26] * Repriever lays under her assist.
[09:02.58] <+Repriever> "You heard Astara before, and Calcis then. I am what I was needed to be."
[09:02.59] <+Melchior> "If I'd never known of you, Calcis would have never held back. But if I'd never known of you, I might have never met Calcis."
[09:03.12] <+Melchior> "You are what others needed and wanted you to be."
[09:03.27] <+Melchior> "But I want you to be who you need to be."
[09:03.28] <+Repriever> "I am the keystone of your existence, Boone."
[09:03.46] <+Repriever> "And I would never trade that."
[09:03.48] <+Melchior> "Sorry to have to sides of an archway leaning in on you at all times then."
[09:03.54] * Melchior gives Repriever a hug.
[09:04.24] <+Repriever> "The stars cannot shine without pressure."
[09:04.26] <+Akvan> BRB
[09:04.28] <+Repriever> "So she says."
[09:04.46] * You are now known as Plainchant
[09:05.02] <Plainchant> "I felt the depth of her sorrow..."
[09:05.10] <Plainchant> "It rolled over me like a thundercloud..."
[09:05.25] <Plainchant> "I know it can't change anything...but she suffers, too."
[09:05.35] <Plainchant> "Every day."
[09:05.42] <+Repriever> "That is my calling, isn't it?"
[09:05.48] * Repriever looks at Mel.
[09:05.53] <Plainchant> "Maybe that's why you like each other so much."
[09:05.55] <+Melchior> "I hope she can suffer less, having made some peace."
[09:06.00] <+Repriever> "I protect the divines, so they may abandon me."
[09:06.07] <Plainchant> "I don't know what was said..."
[09:06.11] <+Melchior> "I won't let you be abandoned again Repriever."
[09:06.20] * Melchior hugs him tighter.
[09:06.21] <Plainchant> "But I know she waited long to say it."
[09:06.45] * Repriever sits in Mel's embrace quietly.
[09:07.19] <+Repriever> "I'm sorry I disappeared on you there."
[09:07.33] <+Melchior> "It's not like I haven't done that before."
[09:08.30] <+Repriever> "My eyes aren't right."
[09:08.47] <+Repriever> "My head... that hurt."
[09:08.56] <+Shala> "Of course it did you idiot"
[09:08.57] <+Melchior> "Trying to kiss a goddess appears to do that."
[09:09.05] <+Melchior> [2 ways to approach the situation]
[09:09.21] * Plainchant blushes and looks away.
[09:09.48] <+Repriever> "Best not kiss you, then, eh? I'm in enough trouble with the others."
[09:10.00] * Repriever groans and seeks Mel's help in standing.
[09:10.25] <+Shala> "When the ritual is complete, will you still be a slave to the divines?"
[09:10.43] <+Repriever> "That's not up to me, is it?"
[09:10.51] <+Shala> "It ought to be!"
[09:11.21] <Plainchant> "Who isn't, really?"
[09:11.28] <+Repriever> "There are better ought to be's than mine."
[09:11.32] <Plainchant> "We're all born where they put us."
[09:11.34] <+Melchior> "Well, Repriever more than many others."
[09:11.39] <Plainchant> "In the bodies and minds they shaped."
[09:11.54] <+Shala> "I'm not, I am no one's slave."
[09:12.03] * Shala gestures strongly with her arms
[09:12.09] * Plainchant grins.
[09:12.13] <+Repriever> "And I will remain one so that you're free."
[09:12.18] <Plainchant> "Classic Conjurer."
[09:12.21] <+Repriever> "See? Easy."
[09:12.22] * Shala smolders
[09:12.28] <+Shala> "That's not the point!"
[09:12.38] * Plainchant chuckles.
[09:12.49] <Plainchant> "Maybe you'll be strutting around here in a cape in a few years."
[09:12.59] <+Repriever> "She already does."
[09:13.23] <+Repriever> "Watch her hips. There's mean magic in that sway."
[09:13.27] * Melchior laughs.
[09:13.34] <Plainchant> "She has hips? Hm."
[09:13.42] * Plainchant makes a big show of looking for them.
[09:14.20] <+Shala> "The fabric hides them but....ugh, you paladin types are desoletely hopeless."
[09:14.40] <Plainchant> "Oh, you're alright, for a devil-worshipper."
[09:14.57] <+Repriever> "Shh, she'll hear you."
[09:15.03] * Repriever nudges Mel playfully.
[09:15.13] * Plainchant laughs out loud at that.
[09:15.17] <Plainchant> "We should fix this."
[09:15.32] <Plainchant> "Set up a new state, where Melkir isn't feared, but honored as Arta."
[09:15.45] * Shala mutters something about the gods and devils wearing the same clothes
[09:15.47] <+Repriever> "She isn't Arta, though."
[09:15.55] <Plainchant> "Hmm."
[09:15.59] <Plainchant> "Right."
[09:16.02] <+Repriever> "She will forever be a Boone."
[09:16.07] <+Melchior> "Yeah, I really didn't bring up the whole 'having to hide my face while I pay you a visit' thing up that much."
[09:16.16] <Plainchant> "Speaking of which..."
[09:16.23] <Plainchant> "We're coming into public areas again soon."
[09:16.24] <+Melchior> "Well, probably best not to shout my name all over the place if it ends up being some holy name of power."
[09:16.26] <+Repriever> "I saw her beginning, and I'll damn well see what comes last."
[09:16.34] * Plainchant says, as she starts to lead you down the path.
[09:16.40] <+Melchior> "You've already seen what comes last."
[09:16.44] <Plainchant> "You may wish to..."
[09:16.46] * Melchior jostles the skull on her belt.
[09:16.55] * Melchior disguises herself and Madei.
[09:17.08] * Melchior puts her amulet back on, which blocks the suppression of her illusion.
[09:17.09] <+Repriever> "There is something for you beyond this," he says, poking her fleshy arm.
[09:17.14] * Melchior is now known as Tasham
[09:17.23] <+Repriever> "The skull isn't last, it's just afterbirth."
[09:17.34] <+Tasham> "Probably possibly maybe."
[09:18.29] <+Repriever> "I'll be glad to be rid of you, Tasham."
[09:18.35] * Tasham mocks offense.
[09:18.58] <Plainchant> Kir and Akvan walk silently, companionably, side by side.
[09:18.58] <+Tasham> "Y'ain't gettin' rid of me that easily boss."
[09:19.37] <+Repriever> "I think I need a drink."
[09:19.41] * You are now known as Kallias
[09:19.54] <Kallias> "Your formal robes look unusually damp."
[09:20.06] * Shala prestdigitates
[09:20.16] <+Shala> "There, better?"
[09:20.29] <Kallias> "Much. Those aren't easy to clean."
[09:20.49] * Repriever is wearing his as a half-shambled blanket instead of properly, still leaning on Tasham for support.
[09:20.54] * Kallias has been sitting in contemplation over a small book of poems under a tree, grey-robed as usual.
[09:21.11] <Kallias> "I've never been much for parties, myself."
[09:21.20] <Kallias> "Too much drinking and empty talk."
[09:21.43] <+Repriever> "At the end of a long day, that's more than enough."
[09:21.59] <Kallias> "My apologies."
[09:22.09] * Repriever flinches at some unseen memory. Mel can feel it.
[09:22.50] <Kallias> "There have been reports..."
[09:22.54] <+Tasham> "Reports?"
[09:22.58] <Kallias> "Of frozen seas, to the north."
[09:23.07] <+Tasham> "A bridgemaking by the dead?"
[09:23.22] <Kallias> "The ocean is large, so it will take some months."
[09:23.29] <Kallias> "To reach the capital..."
[09:23.35] <+Shala> "Predictable..."
[09:23.43] <Kallias> "But it will allow them to reinforce their holds in northern Tetra."
[09:24.01] <Kallias> "Our garrisons are withdrawing to the mountains, to hold a defensive perimeter across the central isle."
[09:24.09] * You are now known as Plainchant
[09:24.16] * Plainchant curses quietly.
[09:24.37] <Plainchant> "I'll need to lead for the front soon, then."
[09:24.46] <Plainchant> leave*
[09:24.56] <+Repriever> "Who will defend the queen?"
[09:25.06] <+Shala> "We could take her with us..."
[09:25.14] <+Tasham> "Does that seem wise?"
[09:25.15] <Plainchant> "The Roseguard."
[09:25.28] <Plainchant> "And Ironrose has returned, as well."
[09:25.44] <+Repriever> "The Citadel is reaching out to us, too."
[09:26.04] <+Repriever> "I'll deliver a message to them in the morning."
[09:26.21] * You are now known as Kallias
[09:26.44] <Kallias> "Interesting. They refused our offers before, although they take students in abjuration for payment."
[09:27.11] <Kallias> "Exhorbitant, but we would never have been able to craft Lord Atris' seal without their knowledge."
[09:27.21] <+Repriever> "There won't be a negotiation."
[09:27.41] <Kallias> "What did they want?"
[09:27.57] <+Repriever> "My service."
[09:28.15] <Kallias> "They have..."
[09:28.26] <+Repriever> "But I am the Repriever of Calcis, the Count Palatine of the Setadei and Keeper of the Stars."
[09:28.29] <Kallias> "Done interesting things, at the Citadel."
[09:28.42] <+Repriever> "I don't serve anything of this earth."
[09:28.47] <+Shala> "Typical Abjurer presumptions."
[09:29.21] <+Shala> "We'll build a big fancy fortress, who wouldnt want to drop everything and work for us?"
[09:29.31] <Kallias> "There is a gate, deep beneath the Royal Academy..."
[09:29.37] <Kallias> "Built by, ah, you know who."
[09:29.50] <Kallias> "It connects to the Citadel."
[09:30.10] <+Repriever> "Let them panic."
[09:30.22] <+Repriever> "They will follow us, or nothing."
[09:30.34] <Kallias> "Their numbers have dwindled. They only maintain perhaps five thousand effectives."
[09:31.00] <+Repriever> "Is that all?"
[09:31.10] <Kallias> "They have supplemented their numbers with..."
[09:31.18] <Kallias> "Armored constructs."
[09:31.19] <+Repriever> "Well, who am I to judge? I'm an order of one."
[09:31.25] <Kallias> "Bearing soul blades."
[09:31.37] <Kallias> "It is the only way they have been able to hold off the dead."
[09:31.47] <Kallias> "But they are not as effective as humans."
[09:31.58] <Kallias> "The magic is impressive, however."
[09:32.25] <Kallias> "It could make a difference."
[09:32.35] * Repriever looks to Tasham for support.
[09:33.04] <+Tasham> "I'm with Repriever here."
[09:33.14] * Repriever nods, relieved.
[09:33.37] <+Repriever> "We'll stand firm, then. The Six lead, not the towers."
[09:33.55] * Shala nods happily
[09:34.03] <+Repriever> "One by one we will build a new Elydia," he laughs. "A new coalition."
[09:34.20] <+Repriever> "And break the Apastron forever."
[09:35.39] <Kallias> "A titan or two would be helpful in said breaking."
[09:35.47] <Kallias> "Bring some back from your shopping trip."
[09:35.53] <+Repriever> "But first I need a new arm."
[09:36.25] <+Shala> "I'll just SUMMON a few if you're so eager!"
[09:36.28] * Repriever smiles at Tasham.
[09:36.38] <+Shala> [titans, not arms :p ]
[09:36.41] <Kallias> "Yes, on that."
[09:36.44] <+Tasham> "Titan Arms!"
[09:36.56] * Kallias ignores Shala.
[09:37.03] <+Tasham> "We'll show Madei what beef really is."
[09:37.11] <+Akvan> "Preev really wants tentacle arms, yeah?"
[09:37.53] <+Shala> "Yes, he's remarked on it several times. The tentacles."
[09:38.28] <+Repriever> "Mancer perversions run deep."
[09:38.44] <+Repriever> "But if you want it, Shala?"
[09:38.46] * Repriever winks.
[09:39.03] <+Tasham> "Stop now, you'll give Kir ideas."
[09:39.28] * Kir has been leaning over the rail but perks at his name
[09:39.32] <+Kir> "What ideas?"
[09:39.32] <+Shala> " D: "
[09:40.05] <+Tasham> "T'weren't nothin'."
[09:40.08] * Repriever notices Kir's quietness.
[09:40.19] <+Repriever> "What's wrong?"
[09:42.11] <+Repriever> "Kir?"
[09:42.31] <+Kir> "Thinking"
[09:42.40] * Kir is still playing with the disk
[09:42.50] * Akvan has a perturbed look on his face
[09:42.59] <+Tasham> "Shite, we gave him ideas."
[09:43.27] <+Tasham> "Anyways, let's get some Calcissi boffins to make you a new arm."
[09:43.47] <Kallias> "We simply have ideas."
[09:43.56] * Repriever takes a moment to consider Kir, then nods at Tasham.
[09:44.05] <+Kir> "Not you"
[09:44.06] <Kallias> "The ultimate spellwork should of course, be yours."
[09:44.11] <+Repriever> "It's been an interesting night."
[09:44.16] <Kallias> "But we can provide components and books."
[09:45.44] <+Tasham> "Sounds like a plan."
[09:46.23] * Kallias glances at the approaching city, as the sleek inquisitor's boat you took before glides down the river
[09:46.26] * You are now known as DM
[09:46.36] <DM> (you having spent this time walking to the boat, boarding, and now sailing)
[09:46.50] <+Repriever> [is plainchant with us or did she leave?]
[09:47.11] <DM> Plainchant is still here, she handed off the Queen to some other guards and boarded the boat.
[09:47.28] <DM> "A few matters."
[09:47.40] <DM> "I promised Lord Penumbra I would discuss the nature of her seal with her in private."
[09:47.42] * Tasham sits back and relaxes on the boat, contemplating building arms.
[09:47.46] * You are now known as Kallias
[09:47.51] <Kallias> "But before that...tomorrow's parade."
[09:48.00] <Kallias> "I am told you wish to stand in it."
[09:48.05] <+Repriever> "I will stand in it, alone. The others can be illusions."
[09:48.13] <Kallias> "Is that so?"
[09:48.17] <+Repriever> "I'd rather have the boy watching me from the shadows anyway."
[09:48.26] * Kallias looks to the rest of the party.
[09:49.06] <+Repriever> "If a daywalker presents itself, he'll be able to end its schemes quick enough."
[09:49.07] <+Tasham> "Well I'm just a bodyguard."
[09:49.31] <Kallias> "No better place for a bodyguard than a parade."
[09:49.48] <+Tasham> "Perhaps in the crowd.
[09:49.49] <+Repriever> "But we need at least one of us exposed, and that's best to be me. I'm tenacious enough."
[09:49.51] <+Tasham> "
[09:49.59] <Kallias> "Mmm."
[09:50.00] * Repriever looks over Tasham.
[09:50.07] <+Tasham> "Or somewhere in front. Will there be floats?"
[09:50.15] <+Repriever> "You're welcome to join me, if you think you can keep up."
[09:50.21] * Repriever grins.
[09:50.41] <+Tasham> "Well fine then. I'll keep an eye out for daywalkers too."
[09:50.42] <Kallias> "Yes, there will be. A number of floats, one for each of the Divines."
[09:51.01] <+Repriever> "We have to consider Shala's safety, too."
[09:51.09] <+Shala> "Why thank you"
[09:51.25] <Kallias> "Anyone who wishes to remain at Marcelian under close guard is encouraged to do so."
[09:52.06] <+Repriever> "I'd have Shala with Kir, or myself. Her decision. The Marcelian hasn't played out very well for her."
[09:52.29] <Kallias> "Yes, that..."
[09:52.40] <Kallias> "Well, we don't expect that to occur again. But that is understandable."
[09:53.44] <+Repriever> "Tasham can stand in the parade with me. We'll get her some proper Calcissi armor to wear."
[09:53.55] <+Tasham> "Ooh, nice."
[09:53.56] <+Repriever> "Akvan and Penumbra?"
[09:54.15] <+Tasham> "Come along, you'll be bored otherwise."
[09:54.31] <Kallias> "The Silver Army has been issued new equipment, as well as new recruits to replace casualties. As its new commander, you might wish to ride with Delia at the head."
[09:54.47] <+Kir> "I go with Old Man, if he goes"
[09:55.09] <+Kir> "Or, if he wishes"
[09:55.12] <+Kir> "To harbor"
[09:55.17] <+Shala> "Well fine, then Akvan will be my bodyguard!"
[09:55.20] <+Repriever> "I don't wish that."
[09:55.27] * Akvan nods
[09:55.27] <+Repriever> "We need you close by."
[09:55.30] <+Akvan> "I'll do that."
[09:55.31] <+Repriever> "All of you."
[09:55.32] * Kir nods
[09:55.35] <+Akvan> "Stay with shala."
[09:55.52] <Kallias> [terrance is afk, but Penumbra agrees to go as well]
[09:56.13] <+Kir> "Shala"
[09:56.21] <+Repriever> "Shala can either ride in the open, with heavy guard, or hide in the crowd with Kir's protection."
[09:56.21] <+Kir> "In morning... keep up"
[09:56.24] * Kir grins
[09:56.33] <Kallias> "We'll be placing as many enchantments on you as we can. Protection from arrows, resistance to negative energy...and so on."
[09:56.42] <+Kir> "Kallias"
[09:56.44] <+Repriever> "They do enough sneaking off to be masters at it by now."
[09:56.55] <+Kir> "I want sticks for morning"
[09:56.57] <+Shala> "I'll ride in the open. Kir is a good shot, arent you Kir?"
[09:57.01] * Shala grins
[09:57.04] <Kallias> "Sticks?"
[09:57.17] <+Kir> "Mechanical sticks. In my luggage"
[09:57.25] <+Kir> "Like crossbows, but Kallosi"
[09:57.31] <Kallias> "Ah, yes."
[09:57.33] <+Kir> "I will need them."
[09:57.42] <Kallias> "You have one? Remarkable."
[09:57.48] * Repriever turns to Tasham, to whisper.
[09:57.48] <+Kir> "Two"
[09:57.54] <Kallias> "I'm told they are called arms of fire."
[09:58.06] <+Kir> "Fire?"
[09:58.08] <+Tasham> "We should get Repriever arms of fire."
[09:58.09] <+Kir> "Only sphere"
[09:58.12] <+Kir> "Hm"
[09:58.13] <Kallias> "Hm."
[09:58.16] <+Repriever> "Take your time and study. We have one shot at a new arm...
[09:58.19] <Kallias> "Arms of metal, then."
[09:58.29] <+Kir> "Of fire... Old Man, what of explosives?"
[09:58.46] * Kir chuckles at Kallias's name
[09:59.27] <Kallias> "Finally, the sword."
[09:59.30] * Repriever chuckles, then turns serious.
[09:59.50] <Kallias> "There is an arsenal deep within the bowels of Marcelian."
[10:00.06] <Kallias> "And a forge that has equipment from the ancient time."
[10:00.13] <Kallias> "It produces steel as good as we can now make."
[10:00.18] <+Repriever> "The arm must not be a weapon. Build it as a woman who would not mind its touch would."
[10:00.38] <+Repriever> "I have the steel for the blade."
[10:00.51] <Kallias> "I see."
[10:01.12] <Kallias> "Our forgewomen stand ready to craft the blade for you...or, if you wish to have a hand in its construction..."
[10:01.22] <Kallias> "They can show you how to hold the hammer."
[10:01.54] <+Shala> "You dont wish"
[10:01.56] * Shala informs Kir
[10:02.02] <+Shala> [repreiver]
[10:02.18] <Kallias> "I assumed you would not want to delay. We can begin tonight."
[10:02.29] <Kallias> "Although it is late...and you are all likely tired."
[10:02.40] <+Repriever> "I don't think I could swing a hammer now."
[10:02.52] <Kallias> "Ah, yes."
[10:02.59] <Kallias> "Perhaps tomorrow then, after the parade."
[10:02.59] <+Tasham> "We'll get him a new arm first."
[10:03.23] <Kallias> "Very good. They're Plainchant's people, so I'm sure she'll supervise it."
[10:03.33] <Kallias> "Yes, one final matter..."
[10:03.39] <Kallias> "How long will you be staying in Tetraea?"
[10:04.28] <+Repriever> "As long as we need."
[10:04.36] <+Repriever> "But not too long."
[10:04.43] <+Repriever> "The city is wearing on us all."
[10:05.08] * Kallias smiles.
[10:05.13] <Kallias> "Celebrity is taxing."
[10:05.41] <Kallias> "No more official events after tomorrow, I promise."
[10:05.43] <+Repriever> "Try being in the middle of three impossible powers."
[10:05.48] * Akvan almost disagrees
[10:06.16] <Kallias> "You will have as much time as you need to rest, and pursue projects."
[10:06.35] <Kallias> "If you venture into the city, please take appropriate precautions to remain incognito, or bring guards."
[10:06.47] <Kallias> "If any of you get murdered, I'm out of a job."
[10:06.52] <+Repriever> "Oh?"
[10:07.04] * Repriever looks to Shala, then back to Kallias, then back to Shala.
[10:07.15] <Kallias> "Again."
[10:07.27] <Kallias> "Murdered again."
[10:07.38] <+Akvan> "Do you have a messanger I can borrow?"
[10:07.39] * Tasham snorts.
[10:07.46] <+Repriever> "Do you recommend any... dining establishments? I might want to try one. As a kid, I never had the privilege."
[10:07.50] <Kallias> "Yes, of course."
[10:08.10] <Kallias> "I'll have any messenges sent you require."
[10:08.16] <Kallias> "And yes, Repriever."
[10:08.17] <+Repriever> "And then, well, the world ended."
[10:08.26] <Kallias> "It depends on what you like."
[10:08.44] <+Repriever> "I don't know what I like. So give me several places."
[10:09.27] <Kallias> He gives you a rundown of various locales that serve grilled meat, grilled fish, raw fish, noodle dishes, and even one that claims to serve old Elydian cuisine.
[10:10.01] * Repriever slowly livens up at the growing list of possibilities. There's a dusty street orphan in that look.
[10:10.10] <Kallias> "Oh, yes."
[10:10.44] <+Kir> "Noodles?"
[10:10.49] <Kallias> "The queen has ordered that all of the state treasury recovered by the army from Pyleth be granted to you as a bounty for your efforts..."
[10:10.57] <Kallias> "Since of course you're just going to spend it here."
[10:11.14] <Kallias> "I believe the total comes to..."
[10:11.44] <Kallias> "A value of two hundred forty five thousand, three hundred and sixty six golden coins."
[10:11.58] * Repriever considers the sum.
[10:12.02] <+Tasham> "Well that broadens your eatin' options doesn't it Repriever?"
[10:12.17] * Shala 's eyes widen
[10:12.33] <+Repriever> "You can splurge on me, Tasham, like you always wanted."
[10:12.56] <+Akvan> "So, how do I find this messenger?"
[10:13.17] * Kallias gestures to one of his people, a nondescript woman with a dark grey hood.
[10:13.22] <+Tasham> "Splurging? That sounds right improper."
[10:13.27] <Kallias> "Give it to her, and she'll ensure it reaches its recipient."
[10:14.16] <Kallias> There are various guards and rowers of Kallias' employ on the boat.
[10:14.39] <+Repriever> "You've got the money for improper now."
[10:14.53] * Repriever snorts.
[10:15.02] <+Tasham> "We're going to get the gaudiest hats you can imagine."
[10:15.16] * Repriever pulls Kallias aside.
[10:15.18] <+Tasham> "Our corpses will look fabulous."
[10:15.28] * Akvan approaches the inquistor that Kallias pointed to, and gives her the shell.
[10:15.31] <+Repriever> "Should've seen my last one."
[10:15.37] <+Repriever> "To die for."
[10:15.37] <+Akvan> "Make sure this reaches Taris, up in the castle, please?"
[10:15.46] <Kallias> "Taris..."
[10:15.51] <Kallias> "Taris Celtari?"
[10:16.03] * Repriever eyes Akvan.
[10:16.12] <Kallias> "Just to confirm, it's a common name."
[10:16.58] * Repriever has to have a seat as his ribs strain.
[10:17.11] <+Repriever> "You sure you don't want to go up to the palace tonight?"
[10:17.19] <+Repriever> "Deliver it yourself?"
[10:17.25] * Akvan has a wide eyed look. Akvan is a tribal who hasn't really internalized that people might have the same names yet
[10:17.50] <+Akvan> "Yes?"
[10:17.57] * You are now known as Inquisitor
[10:17.58] <+Akvan> (to the inquisitor)
[10:18.05] <Inquisitor> "Very good, my lord."
[10:18.15] <+Akvan> "Thank you. I appreciate it"
[10:18.23] * Inquisitor vaults the rail into a lifeboat and lowers it with a winch, before rowing upstream.
[10:18.31] * You are now known as DM
[10:18.42] * Kir turns to gaze at the nighttime city
[10:18.53] * Akvan turns to repreiver.
[10:19.03] <+Akvan> "a meat house? Is that what we're eating?"
[10:19.10] <+Akvan> "Or the foods of your youth?"
[10:19.12] <DM> Kallias takes Penumbra aside to a private place to explain the details of the seal on Atrament.
[10:19.20] <+Repriever> "Any and all."
[10:19.33] * Repriever looks up toward the sky palace, but it is all blurry to his eyes.
[10:19.47] <DM> Kir, you see that a number of lantern kites have been strung from the tallest towers and are drifting in the wind. Bright blue, red, and green, they drift over the city like luminous birds.
[10:19.57] <+Repriever> "She's staying up there? Your Taris?"
[10:20.10] * Akvan nods
[10:20.12] <+Repriever> "She's pretty."
[10:20.14] <DM> Downstream of Pellic, in an area you haven't gone yet, are the tallest towers with snakey old streets and a lot of bridges, including many that loop over the canal/river.
[10:20.15] <+Akvan> "she is"
[10:20.17] <+Akvan> "Very"
[10:20.29] <DM> Marcelian*
[10:20.49] * Akvan smiles
[10:20.55] <+Repriever> "Not that I'm full of good advice, but..."
[10:21.14] <+Repriever> "She has a balcony, right?"
[10:21.44] <+Akvan> "I don't know?"
[10:21.57] <+Akvan> "You think... you think I should go up there?"
[10:21.59] <+Shala> "Oh my..."
[10:22.01] <+Repriever> "And you. You have wings of flame on which to deliver your heart to her doorstep."
[10:22.02] * Shala giggles
[10:22.30] <+Repriever> "You're the Thane."
[10:22.35] * Akvan sits with mouth agape.
[10:22.37] * Repriever struggles with the word.
[10:22.53] <+Shala> "Yes, it's perfectly romantic. I'M excited thinking about it!"
[10:23.11] <DM> You pull up to the docks, the looming bulk of the star fort above you.
[10:23.13] <+Repriever> "Ask yourself this, Akvan."
[10:23.24] <DM> Plainchant quickly gets out, issuing orders to the women she finds, and asking for more details about the war.
[10:23.34] <DM> She vanishes into the citadel before you have time to speak to her.
[10:23.37] <+Repriever> "Would you rather have three days with her, or two? An early start prolongs the pleasure."
[10:23.50] <+Repriever> "Don't waste time like me. You lose them."
[10:23.52] * Akvan nods, looking up at the palace pensively
[10:24.15] <DM> The great floating palace has dwindled in the distance, but you can still see it on the horizon if you squint.
[10:24.29] <+Repriever> "What's lost with rejection? What's gained with acceptance?"
[10:25.30] <+Shala> "Why else did you grow those wings?"
[10:25.47] * Repriever considers Akvan seriously.
[10:26.02] * DM changes topic to: A Handful of Dust Session 49: Steaming Stones - ＋https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-bpORkUJck&t=53s，
[10:26.24] * You are now known as Kallias
[10:26.34] <Kallias> "As much as I enjoy the discussion, my people need to sleep."
[10:26.45] <Kallias> "And this boat doesn't live here."
[10:26.47] <+Akvan> "I..."
[10:27.32] <+Repriever> "Go. Time is short."
[10:27.43] <+Tasham> "Skeedaddle."
[10:28.15] <+Akvan> "Now?"
[10:28.24] <Kallias> "At the least, I'll ensure you aren't shot down for being a dragon."
[10:28.40] <+Repriever> "You're free, Akvan. Relish in it."
[10:28.40] <+Akvan> "Where is her room?"
[10:28.44] * Akvan asks Kallias
[10:28.56] * Kallias draws her a simple map.
[10:28.58] <Kallias> him*
[10:29.04] <+Akvan> "Thank you,"
[10:29.11] <Kallias> "Do be careful."
[10:29.16] * Akvan turns to the inquisitor with the shell
[10:29.17] * Kallias says, amicably.
[10:29.21] <Kallias> Oh, she's gone, Akvan.
[10:29.27] <+Akvan> Oh
[10:29.30] <+Repriever> [go scoop it up]
[10:29.32] <+Repriever> [:p]
[10:29.33] <+Akvan> Nevermind
[10:29.34] <+Akvan> :p
[10:29.34] <Kallias> She already started rowing back towards the palace, but you could catch her.
[10:29.38] * Akvan does so
[10:29.42] <Kallias> Okay, so.
[10:29.49] <Kallias> Akvan leaves, and we'll handle his off-screen adventures...
[10:29.53] <Kallias> In a side session.
[10:29.57] <+Akvan> Whenever you want, yeah :d
[10:30.16] <Kallias> As for the rest of you, you're back home, and dead tired.
[10:30.27] <Kallias> Including those of you who were briefly unconscious.
[10:30.39] <Kallias> Madei still sleeps, and Penumbra gently gets out of the boat, taking her up to their rooms.
[10:30.56] * Repriever finds himself at an odd state of melancholy and happiness, relief even.
[10:31.09] <Kallias> The nameless names shimmer in the torchlight, seeming vaguely comforting in their unknowableness.
[10:31.20] <Kallias> Never to be taken or corrupted while the fort still stands.
[10:31.28] * Tasham discards her disguise, and gets her journal, which she brings to Repriever, to discuss rituals and the creation of his arm.
[10:32.00] <+Repriever> "We're together in this. Always have been, haven't we?"
[10:32.04] * Repriever says to Melchior.
[10:32.17] <+Repriever> "Starcrossed."
[10:32.20] * Tasham is now known as Melchior
[10:32.27] * Kir shows Kallias a stick, if he's got enough energy
[10:32.29] <+Melchior> "More 'n stars, I'd wager."
[10:32.32] * Kir sleeps otherwise
[10:32.34] <+Melchior> "Now, let's get to plotting."
[10:32.59] <Kallias> Kallias examines the design and says that he's seen some schematics, but they always lacked the proper reagents to make them work.
[10:33.03] <Kallias> He seems fascinated.
[10:33.09] * Repriever sits somewhere with Mel to do just that.
[10:33.28] * Melchior outlines a plan involving her blood, some earth, possible ingredients, and a self-sustaining and enriching circle into which an arm can be generated, alongside a control ritual that can bind it to Repriever's will.
[10:33.30] <Kallias> Shala, what about you?
[10:33.33] * Kir says something about sphere power and the device itself, not reagents
[10:33.58] <Kallias> Kallias in turn enquires about the nature and origin of the sphere.
[10:34.10] * Kir knows nothign
[10:34.22] * Kir also mentions that he hopes for no demonstrations tomorrow
[10:34.23] <+Repriever> "It doesn't make it any less sad."
[10:34.33] * You are now known as DM
[10:34.44] <+Melchior> "Losing your arm?"
[10:34.46] * Kir sleeps after this
[10:34.55] <+Repriever> "Our lines."
[10:35.17] <+Melchior> "Well, it really changes little- it had already happened, if you will."
[10:35.27] <+Repriever> "It continues to happen."
[10:35.52] * Kir dreams of whatever he will dream. Perhaps the floating colored lanterns.
[10:35.54] <+Melchior> "Depending on how you understand time... there may be another of you that did meet Calcis, one who'd never known of you, and never knew to stay away."
[10:36.11] <+Repriever> "We three are entwined forever, regardless of what we do here and now."
[10:36.43] <+Repriever> "Our losses are shared, I believe that. No one of us feels anything without it rippling into the other."
[10:38.10] <+Melchior> "Well, let's try to make this next thing something that can't get turned negatively."
[10:38.40] <+Repriever> "You aren't a negative."
[10:38.43] <+Melchior> "We can consider the materials that we've got. I know I can work with stone, and probably other solids- maybe metals, if I tried. Lethe could certainly help out."
[10:38.51] <+Melchior> "Thanks."
[10:39.20] <+Melchior> "The key thing is to make the power self-sustaining."
[10:39.34] <+Repriever> "Is what keeps me alive enough for that?"
[10:39.46] <+Repriever> "It was you, in some ways."
[10:39.10] <+Melchior> "I know we can use divine blood as an animating reagent."
[10:34.06] * Shala finds a way to sleep, after a brief attempt at studying. Her sudden insomnia keeps her tossing and turning for hours until she finally turns in.
[10:34.28] <DM> Shala...
[10:35.01] <DM> At first, you fall into a deep and dreamless slumber, as the others chat and banter on later into the night, discussing magic and technology alike.
[10:35.32] <DM> But then, you realize with a start that you're back at the ball.
[10:35.50] <DM> Dancing a stately, spinning waltz that leaves you unable to see the faces of your partners.
[10:36.15] <DM> But the music seems slightly off-key...
[10:36.21] <DM> No, it's not the music...
[10:36.33] <DM> It's a sound in the background.
[10:36.57] <DM> A soft, ever-present...screaming that fills the air.
[10:37.20] <DM> You finally manage to gaze at your partner's face, and it's Varduk, except with a demonic leer and horns sprouting out of his forehead.
[10:38.00] * Shala holds her head in her hands, in sleep and in dream
[10:38.56] <DM> All of your dancing partners are demons, you soon realize, aping human clothes. And the ball is a terrible, enormous hall of bones and pulsing flesh, with dark windows looking out on an endless plain of sorrows far below.
[10:39.16] <DM> The terrible dance of hell continues until you awaken in the morning, soaked with sweat.
[10:39.37] * Shala shouts into her dream, "Am I back? I was SAVED! I'm not dead!"
[10:39.27] <DM> But it is, thankfully...just a dream.
[10:39.44] <DM> Right?
[10:40.13] <DM> End session.