It was an impressive joint.  Talion had seen a few shrines in his time in Nexus and on the road but none so lavish as this.  In Nexus, the wealthy didn't quiet want the gods' attention that much and on his travels there had just been simple roadside fanes or a simple shrine to a local deity or the Maiden of Journeys.  Who was his second favorite Maiden.  Venus was number one.<br/><br/>Coin that had come from the purse of a rich Guildsman he'd passed in the street yesterday tumbled into the fountain and the young man bent his head and clapped his hands.  "Unconquered Sun, hear by prayer," he whispered, "Help my fleece this sea goat who's mooching off of the people's suffering and the exportation of the poison of opium all over Creation."  He had dumped a whole purse's worthy of jade into the well, hoping it would make an impression on the priests.<br/><br/>He lifted his head with an expression of religious bliss that was not entirely pretend.  When he dreamed, he remembered the god that empowered him.  Talion had never been a religious person, and he wasn't sure he was now, but he felt a closeness to Sol Invictus as he'd never had to a divinity before.  He was a pretty young man, his features fine and well shaped, clean shaven and his skin pale and soft.  His body was strong but lithe and agile.  His hair was a long and pale blond hue that fell to the base of his neck and his eyes were blue and shone with cunning and bemusement.  He wore a sleeveless shirt of light blue that buttoned down the chest, a thin leather belt with a simply dagger belted to it, as well as a pouch that held his sling and a few smooth stones.  His trousers were a bit loose of a darker blue and his boots were brown leather that was worn and bleached by long time in the sun.<br/><br/>The youth turned from the well and approached the female priest, "Holy One, thank you for overseeing our prayers."  He licked his lips, shuffling his feet a bit.  "I...I'm shipping out in a week and I'm actually pretty worried about traveling over the sea.  I was hoping that...that maybe I could appeal to Maur-Azur more directly."  His eyes flitted to the doors of the inner sanctum.  "As pretty as you are, you're surely compassionate.  Please, would you take me inside?  I would be glad to repay you with what I can, though I gave almost all my money to the god.  But...I can give you something else."  His tongue slipped over his lips and then he blushed, as if ashamed.