Solomon
*Cuo was on the balcony, swinging her legs back and forth. Not the chair on the balcony; the balcony railing. One wrong move and she could plummet to an unfortunate fall. But she seemed at ease, watching the stars above. At least, that's what it seemed like. Since Sirdan and Myhan were talking about something called 'politics', she was left with time to think, something that she didn't particularly like doing. Alone with her thoughts, they began to pester at her. Was she good enough? She barely contributed last quest, when Sirdan and Myhan were absolutely obliterating the competition. Sirdan was attracted to Sol, the nun, first, and then Garuda had to butt in and take some of the elf for herself. Maybe she didn't belong here? Maybe the other two were just more attractive, and she should just stay on the sidelines.*
Geraldine
Had she come up via the stairs? Scaled the adjacent wall using the building nearby, or simply hopped down from the rooftop? Either way, Sol had found a way to access that very balcony that Cuo was hanging out at, and her movements were light — enough to tell that she was deliberately trying to be quiet.

She would wait until she'd moved to within arm's length.

"Penny for your thoughts?"
Solomon
"WHAA-!"

*Cuo nearly jumped off the balcony railing in shock, barely catching herself as she quickly adjusted her balance. She hadn't heard Sol at all-where did she come from?*

"Oh, uh, hi Sol! What are you doing up here?"
Geraldine
The answer to that would be a disinterested shrug.

"I got bored of hearing them talk, so I went out for a walk, and here I am. But that's not important - you didn't injure yourself, did you?"

She would use that as a pretense to approach Cuo, reaching out with one hand to flick some imaginary dust off the girl's shoulder. Then a teasing smile crosses her lips.

"Stargazing, of course. Is that strange?"
Solomon
"Oh, of that? Yeah, I don't understand a word of it. Doesn't matter for me, I'm not from here anyway. Hm? No, I'm fine."

*Regardless if she was injured or not, that was her answer. She looked as the lizard nun flicked some dust off her shoulder; had she been careless again.*

"Oh, thanks!"

*Looking up at the stars, Cuo began to think for a moment before answering.*

"Maybe, but I like it. I like to imagine that my parents are up there, watching over me."
Geraldine
"Oh, my."

*Who continues a conversation like that? I just sat down.*

The priestess's smile faltered for the briefest of seconds before stabilizing once more.

"Well, until there is evidence proving that they aren't, it's fair to say that they are." So too does she look skyward, humming quietly. "Do you miss them?"
Solomon
"Well, uh, I, ah-I never met them. I'm... An orphan."

*Cuo lets out a sigh as she leans back, resting her hands on the railing. She wanted to say more, but she didn't want to trauma dump on Sol.*

"So uh, what about you? What do you think they are?"
Geraldine
"I see."

The priestess observed the girl that sat beside her, then back towards the dots in the sky as the question was posed. What she thought the stars were.

"...It's difficult to say. Regardless of what happens across the lands, they remain the same. Undoubtedly much has changed since this city itself was first built - perhaps even this country itself, for that matter, but the stars above will always adorn the night sky; beautiful to look at, but providing neither the light to guide one's way or the warmth to press on... To me, they are silent listeners, no more."

She turns to regard Cuo.

"Which brings me back, once again, to the start; what's on your mind?"
Solomon
"Aw, but that's a bit boring, isn't it?"

*Cuo reached up with a hand, letting the night sky filter through her fingers.*

"....Just, about the most recent quest. And Sirdan. And Garuda. And that cat lady with the floating knives. I feel like I didn't do anything. I just hit a few people and that's it. Meanwhile, Sirdan and Myhan did all the work..."
Geraldine
"It comes with the package, when one takes on the role of clergy. We are not known for being entertaining." Sol offered a lightly amused smile that quickly developed into a deeper one, as she reached over with one arm and patted Cuo on the head, ruffling her hair.

"That is to be expected. Age-wise, they've all had more time to develop themselves. I'd expect Sirdan to be about a decade older than you, give or take, and Myhan's in his *Two-hundreds*. When you stick around that long some things come to you naturally, and combat is usually one of those."

The priestess covered her mouth and giggled lightly.

"If anything, I should be ashamed for being older than Sirdan and yet underperforming in comparison. But it's not a competition to see who can kill the most, even if we are at war. The way I see it, you gave it your best shot, and no one can reasonably fault you for that."
Solomon
"I-I guess, yeah."

*Cuo shrunk down sheepishly as Sol ruffled her hair, enjoying the pats. Sol was right; she couldn't possibly compare to them, especially a Titan with golden armor riding on a massive horse and cutting people in half with a sword. Not even Garuda could hold up to that.*

"Wait, Myhan's that old? So he's more than 10 times older than I am... Almost 13 times..."

*She knew Myhan was old, but she couldn't imagine him being 250. He should be bare bones-no, dust by now!*
Geraldine
"See?" She chuckled. "It's a lot simpler once you take a few moments to contemplate things. Once you find the right perspective, there's almost nothing that can't be explained."

The priestess sighed, looking at the distant buildings.

"Honestly, adult or otherwise, it is hardly an ideal state of affairs to be dragged into a war. Too much tomfoolery going on in the background, not to mention it drawing out the worst in some people. Conflict didn't change those people; it just gave them an excuse to expose their ugliest selves and be paid for it."

*Like me.*

And then she gently pulled Cuo into an embrace, taking much care to avoid letting the other girl see her face and continuing to ruffle her hair. If her tone was any softer, she'd be whispering.

"That's why, if you face similar dilemmas in future, don't hesitate to look for me. I may not always be able to alleviate your concerns, but I will always be here to provide a listening ear—for that's what a priestess does."
Solomon
*Sol may have been right about most people, but strangely, Cuo felt fine when she wasn't at too much risk of death. The withered, bloody, burned, or frozen corpses; it didn't bother her. Nor did the screams. In fact, she found it satisfying when she was helping out. It was the enemy, after all, and her enemies didn't warrant any humanity. Perhaps it was the ugly part of her, but she just didn't realize it yet.*

"War doesn't feel that bad. Though it's a little scary at times."

*Cuo closed her eyes as she was embraced, and she leaned in, feeling the reptilian's arms around her. Hugs were always comforting.*

"I can ask you for anything?"
Geraldine
"A resilient child you are. A rare silver lining in these times, all things considered."

*Either that, or a broken one.*

Without letting her inner thoughts leak out, the priestess chuckled once more as she felt the unspoken reciprocation.

"Of course. That said, there are things I am physically incapable of doing - such as cleaving an enemy in twain with a single strike, like Myhan. But something like right now? You can ask me anytime."
Solomon
"Resilient?"

*Cuo didn't find it hard at all to deal with the constant death. She would hardly call herself resilient. Regardless, she enjoyed the compliment.*

"I don't think anyone can match the sweaty elephant. Oh! That's wht Garuda calls him. Don't tell him I said that, ok?"

*The mage snuggled up next to the reptilian. It was hard to imagine her as a lizard; right now, she was feeling just like what a mom should be.*

"Okie."
Geraldine
"Aye. You may not think it, but it is situations like these - where one is exposed to conflicting ideals - that sticking to one's own ideals is important. And being able to do so is resilience."

*On the other hand, should you lose your footing and sink... Something entirely different may resurface.*

Once again, Sol resisted the urge to voice her thoughts, instead lightly bopping the girl on the nose as she laughed quietly.

"I am curious about how that nickname came to pass, but very well, that will be our secret."

It was getting progressively more difficult for the priestess to curb a wide ear-to-ear grin (which would not have been beneficial to her) and thus her thoughts quickly turned to something else.

"Shall I play some music?"
Solomon
*Cuo thought about it long and hard, before finally answering with* "Ideals. My ideals are just enjoying life. That's it."

*Cuo giggled as Sol bopped her on the nose, oblivious to the malicious thoughts hiding behind the mask of Sol's face.*

"It was Garuda's idea. Music? Do you have an instrument on you?"

*Cuo felt around Sol's back to see if she was secretly hiding something.*
Geraldine
"Mhm. In that case you'll do just fine."

Sol did not elaborate on what exactly would be 'just fine'. Perhaps even the priestess herself did not know at the moment.

"Yes... And no. I do have an instrument right now, but it's not exactly on me. And no, it's not there."

She winked — and out of her sleeve dropped a small lyre, wrought of ironwood and decorated simply, which she managed to hook with one finger.

"I would play the lute, but due to circumstances, this one will have to do."
Solomon
"Ooh! How did you do that?"

*Garuda mentally rolled her eyes, staying silent the entire time. Cuo, on the other hand had her eyes and mouth open in surprise.*

"What's a lute?"
Geraldine
"Whatever do you mean?"

The priestess allowed herself a smug grin before reaching over Cuo's shoulder with one hand.

"It was there all along. Just like how this lute, too, was behind you all along."

When she drew her hand back, both of them would be able to see that she was grasping a lute, also of similar make to the lyre.

"That said, I can't really play two instruments at once, so I'll have to use a little magic."
Solomon
"Ooh, that's a lute-where did that one come from?"

*Cuo looked back and forth, trying to figure out just where Sol had fit those instruments in that dress of hers. No way it was in her sleeves; she would have felt them in the hugs. Was there a magic that could summon musical instruments?*

"So, what are you going to play?"
Geraldine
"It's late out, so I'll refrain from anything with singing. Something to ease listeners into a rich slumber... Mhm, I got it."

Having picked up the lute, a strand of light issues from Sol's hand and burrowed into the lyre, which proceeded to float up and hover over her shoulder, cast in a soft glow. She'd temporarily imbued it with sentience with [Dancing Tool].

*Follow my lead.*

Taking a deep breath, Sol strummed each string of the lute individually in turn.

Then she started playing.
Solomon
*Cuo looked to the pair of instruments with interest, then wobbled back and forth as Sol began to play. She hummed like a bird along with the music, clearly relaxed.*

"Do all priestesses play music?"
Geraldine
"...I'm afraid not. Most of them know how to sing, yes, but that is part and parcel of being clergy."

The previous tune had began winding down to its last notes, and thus did the priestess gesture to the self-playing lyre who, after a few seconds, made the transition to the next piece.



It was a peaceful piece as before, but as Sol joined in with the lute, a single tear escapes her left eye, trailing slowly down her cheek until it'd reached her smile. The priestess did not seem to notice it.
Solomon
*Cuo kept listening to the music, listening to the wonderful notes playing. She was clearly happy, swaying back and forth to the strumming. She was glad she listened to Garuda's suggestion. War was not a place she initially thought she would fun in, but so far she had gotten loads of money, good food to eat, a hot elf who would [REDACTED], and now listen to beautiful music.*

"It's so beautiful... Sol, are you crying?"

*The priestess who had never shown emotion now had a tear escaping her eye. Cuo reached up to wipe it off, smiling.*

"Your music is beautiful... You're making yourself cry!"
Geraldine
"Oh, my..."

The priestess imbued the lute too with temporary sentience, leaving both instruments to hover and continue playing while she herself reached for her own face, tracing the tear's path with a finger.

"I was told as much when I first acquired the score, but I didn't think it too be true."

*Because it isn't.*

"Perhaps, if I were to play its associated scores... Would it draw yet more than this?"

*...No, it won't.*

Sol reached into her sleeves once more, and when she withdrew her hands a final time, what showed was a simple, undecorated wooden flute. Unlike the previous two instruments, this one bore marks of age and was blackened in several areas.

Almost hesitantly, Sol lifted the flute to her lips, and the tune changed for the last time-



-And it immediately became apparent to any listener that while it was played with equal expertise as the previous two, there was something so... Lifeless... About it.
Solomon
"I want to hear more!

*The pretty words flew in one ear and out the other, Cuo too distracted by the combination of the nun and the music to notice. The tune was entrancing, Cuo feeling a new tension in the air, like a wood nymph playing in the forest. Yet Sol's playing held this strange animosity.*

*Like Garuda. Wise and powerful, and on the surface, seemed like a friend. But Cuo didn't know her true intentions. Why her? Why was she offered power?*

*Cuo looked to Sol, wondering why this tune was so much so like a pretty corpse dressed up for a funeral.*

"The flute... It looks like it's been through a lot. Are you the same, Sol?"
Geraldine
The lyre was first to vanish into motes of light, dissipating in the night sky. Then followed the lute, and in doing so took the sound of the accompanying beats with them - leaving the flute's tune on its lonesome. Just like that night almost twenty years ago.

Sol wrestled briefly with the notion of whether to tell a truth or a lie, and ultimately decided—

"...At my age, there aren't many that haven't." The priestess revealed a rare expression—a thin, fatigued smile, as though her years had caught up to her in that singular moment. "But I suppose you could say that."

The tune came to a close and she stopped playing, but continued staring at the flute clutched in her hands.
Solomon
"Your age?"

*For a moment, Cuo wondered what Sol could mean. She didn't look any older than Sirdan; she reckoned he was maybe 10 years older than she was. Myhan, who was 250, was very evidently much older.*

*But then, she noticed a change in expression. Something that pointed towards Sol experiencing quite a lot in her life. Maybe she wasn't old; just lived a bad life.*

*But she would ask a question, just to be sure.*

"Sol... Are you a grandma?"

*Cuo looked to Sol with a genuinely curious yet concerned expression.*
Geraldine
"What? That's..."

The priestess flinched, turning away from her flute to stare at Cuo. 

*...I haven't actually revealed my true age before, have I?*

The middle-aged priestess quickly decided to engage in a mild bit of tomfoolery.

"Well, I wonder?" With a smile, she leaned closer and gently scratched Cuo under the chin, not unlikely how one might a cat.

"Do I seem grandmotherly to you, Cuo?"
Solomon
*Cuo flinched to Sol flinching, moving away like a cat that was startled. Her expression seemed tense, though quickly relaxed and melted into Sol's hand as she scratched her chin.*

"You seem more like a mom to me. Grandmas look older, and they give kids snacks. Like Myhan. Though I guess he's a grandpa. Moms tell stories and sing songs. Though, this is all I've heard. I've never had a mom. Or grandma for that matter."

*She would snuggle into the chin scratches; for a moment, she definitely looked like a cat kemonomimi enjoying chin scratches.*

How old *Are* You, Sol?"
Geraldine
"A mom, huh." The reply came almost absentmindedly, the priestess continuing with the chin scratches somewhat mechanically, lost in thought.

*It's not that bad, all things considered.*

A tinge of sympathy ran down her spine—followed by a tinge of annoyance when she realized what the former was. Neither showed on her face as she instead fixated on the question.

"Well, if you must know—I'm older than Sirdan, but much younger than Myhan. But I couldn't tell you the exact number if I wanted—it's been a while since I kept track of such things."
Solomon
"Yeah! You're nice, calm, and mysterious. ....And big."

*Cuo didn't allude to what she meant, but her eyes wandered down a bit before going back to looking at Sol directly.*

"That's not very specific. Sirdan's maybe 10 years older than I am. Any more than that and he'd be a creep."

*Though, maybe Sirdan was a creep? He was hot though, and treated her well, so she didn't care.*

"And Myhan is 250! I'm 19, so Sirdan's probably 29. That means *You* Could be anywhere from 30 to over 100! That's grandma territory!"

*Cuo seemed to be proud of herself with her completely ordinary, if not elementary, deduction.*
Geraldine
"Pffffft..."

In spite of herself, Sol laughed upon hearing that jab towards Sirdan; a laugh that only grew after hearing the remark of ages 30 and beyond being the age of grandmothers.

"Goodness me. Won't that make Sirdan a grandfather in a year or so as well? He might have a heart attack if you address him as such. Still."

Her cheerful demeanor eases up slightly, giving way to a somewhat serious expression as the priestess once again embraced Cuo, this time however leaving each distance for them to look at each other face-to-face.

"As a potential grandma, I am obliged to remind you to be careful about who you put your trust in, and that includes me. It warms my heart to see you so relaxed around me, but there's no shortage of people out there who'd have no qualms taking advantage of that." At this she smiles, somewhat sadly. "Trust is a two-way street. Don't give yours to someone that's done little to be worthy of it."
Solomon
"Ooh, I want try that and see his face-!"

*Cuo joined Sol in the laughter, leaning back and holding on to the railing using her legs as she found herself laughing uncontrollably and joyfully.*

*How long had it been since she full on laughed? She had giggled upon Sirdan being called Siracha, but laughed? No, that was long, long ago...*

"Trust? Oh, right. It's just that you've all been so nice too me. Except the bunny but she's nowhere to be found. But I really like being here. With you guys. If anyone tries to do that to me... What's that word?"

*Cuo thought for a moment before raising a single index finger. It glowed and hummed with dark magic, threatening the very soul of anyone who touched it. For a brief moment, Cuo was not some silly orphan girl who was laughing. In her expression was that of someone full of malice, who took glee in hearing screams of pain of those who she despised. Her eyes were full of something unnatural, that no human could possess.*

**"I'll kill them, just like the others who wronged me."**

*And in an instant, she reverted back to the normal teenage girl than she was. If a traumatized orphan like her could be considered normal.*

"I know I'm not the best at seeing people's intentions, but that's ok! Garuda can help me! I hope. Or you! Or Sirdan! Or even Myhan!"
Geraldine
"Mhm, I see."

It was a good thing that her default expression was a poker face. Sol gently took one of Cuo's hands in her own, pressing their palms together as she took on the praying posture of a priestess — a good while since she'd done as such.

"May the God of the Earth bestow his blessings upon you, keeping your path forever unhindered."

*That said, there aren't any divine magic spells for this purpose.*

"May your encounters be always triumphant..."

*Divine magic doesn't cover this one, either.*

"...And your discoveries always bountiful."
Solomon
"Ooh, a blessing?"

*Cuo closed her eyes, letting the priestess recite her words. Truth be told, she could have used them when she was born, but having them now wouldn't be bad. Maybe she could look forward to enjoying her life.*

"I hope they are."

*Cuo didn't understand a lot of the words Sol said, but she assumed they meant good things.*
Geraldine
"I'm sure they will be."

And Sol would continue sitting there in silence, clasping one of Cuo's hands, casting her gaze up at the stars. Eventually, she yawned.

"Looks like it's time for this grandma to turn in for the night." Another chuckle. "Don't stay up too late, Cuo. Things will probably get busier soon enough."
Solomon
*Cuo seemed to almost doze off to sleep with her eyes closed, before Sol woke her up with her yawning.*

"Grandma Sol. Ok. I'll go to sleep then. Good night!"

*Cuo did a backflip, almost fell, then went to bed without a word.*