Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Light =&gt; Light: Exotic Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: Azuresun on 30-11-2019, 00:46:44</h2>
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				Title: <strong>Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>30-11-2019, 00:46:44</strong>
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				<div align="center">(https://i.imgur.com/JFEUc2J.jpg)</div><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Music:</div><div class="spoiler_body">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhwdSEvvFhQ&amp;list=RDWhwdSEvvFhQ</div></div><br><br>Kisara and Talion returned with Kersinta to the city after dropping off the former captives, while Zavros and Mouse went about their own business, with an agreement to meet for the offering ceremony.<br><br>For Zavros' part, assembling the boat in a quiet little inlet by a grove of trees was easy enough--at least by his standard, not by those of the gobsmacked smugglers, who didn't seem to have thought he'd take their request seriously. He even impressed Lilan and Balam enough to earn a promise from them that if he ever needed any help in the future, to send the word out--and if he needed any help, to contact a man in the dockyards of Hacre by the name of "Eshkar".<br><br>Mouse was received with awe by the hillfolk tribe at bringing almost all of their captives back. There were offers to build shelters for the Tribe of the Stag, and to provide them with charms to mark them as ones not to be taken by the ghosts. The Stagfolk themselves looked to Mouse for guidance, Sascara stating that they would wait here and catch their breath or follow Mouse some more, as she desired. But for now, there was a place that was livable and welcoming, much more than they had ever had in their long travails before now. The stories of Henes and his partner only added to the mystique that the hillfolk looked at Mouse with. As she left the settlement, she could see children gathering to peer at her, some whispering words like <em>great-blessed-ancestor</em> or <em>just like Miss Nehralia</em>/ But they dived out of sight as soon as she looked at them.<br><br><br>.....<br><br><br>To Kisara, Hacre would be even newer than it was for Talion. Kersinta had been delivered to the temple safely and anonymously--as agreed, she did not name her saviours, but the air of relief that spread out wasn't limited to the temple. Anyone with an ear for local gossip could hear that the rumours of the sea god's wrath were dissipating. And that another favourite topic for idle chatter among the dockworkers was the mysterious man who had robbed the temple and stolen all of its priceless treasures, as well as Lady Pearl's modesty.<br><br><em>"Never mind the offering, reckon he'll drown the city just for someone making a fool of his daughter?"<br><br>"I were there. And if he does, it were worth it just to see those teats on her."<br><br>"Don't go getting ideas. I've heard them godfolk send their pet monsters out to eat the boats of anyone who don't talk to them with respect."</em><br><br>One thing that was curiously absent was any stories of an Anathema appearing in one of the farms.<br><br>While waiting for the others to rejoin them and for the day of the offering, Kisara and Talion had ample time to learn about Hacre. Some of it Zavros might also have shared when he rejoined them.<br><br>Until sixty years ago, Hacre had been ruled by the "old kings", a loose alliance of merchant princes and princesses who ran the city as a freeport. Almost sixty years ago, the leaders of the mercenaries--two outcaste Dragon-Blooded named Kairos and Shreya--they employed had slain their employers and installed themselves as the new rulers of the city, styling themselves as liberators. Since then, Hacre had entered a loose alliance with House Peleps of the Realm, offering discounted shipping through the Azure Sea and to the inland seas beyond.<br><br>Kisara would be able to tell that this was a way for Peleps to exert informal influence in this area without risking the anger of House V'Neef, the nominal controllers of the Inner Sea around the Blessed Isle. It also explained why Hacre hadn't simply been annexed by the Realm.<br><br>Hacre was a trade city through and through, with little industry of its own, and a large chunk of the city dedicated to the market, and ways for sailors to entertain themselves. The prosperity was clearly visible in the tremendous quantity and value of goods changing hands on any typical day, whereas the dark side could be seen in the bodies slumped in allies near the Street of Bliss, and the moans from the Meat Market where animals and people alike were traded and sold. Another thing that made it hard to rest easy was the Dragon-Blooded. The Good Kings and their guests from the Realm mostly seemed to stay in the luxurious quarter known as Fivefold, and the vast domed palace called the Seat that sat on the hill overlooking the city. But there was an Immaculate temple in the city, along those dedicated to Maur-Azur and the harvest goddess Bel-Sirin. Though the faith of the Dragon-Blooded seemed to have found little traction in the city, the monks could be seen wandering the market, keeping tabs on the place. And occasionally, one might glimpse the Dragon-Blooded monk known as the Abbot, a giant of a man with skin the colour and apparent hardness of granite.<br><br>But one other thing that was clear was a sense of tension hanging in the air. Part of it was the soldiers of the mercenary company known as the Wyld Hounds, who seemed to be the combined army and police force of this city. They made up for a lack of discipline and organisation with brutality, and did not perform their duties with much concern for who got stepped on. Word of mouth had it they were concerned about escaped slaves, and seemed very anxious to find who was responsible. Some people whispered that it was a gang calling themselves the "White Feathers", after a folk hero who had led a slave rebellion twenty years ago But though never spoken openly, the general antipathy towards the Good Kings was easy to detect.<br><br>Talion's efforts towards getting the lay of the underworld met with success, too. It was little surprise that the riches of the market were hotly contested. It seemed that the gang known as the Fox Eyes had been mostly in control of smuggling and the activities that even Hacre deemed illicit, but some sort of conflict had been brewing-veiled whispers suggested there might be a new group in town, though nobody seemed certain--or willing to tell--exactly who they might be.<br><br>Finally, the day of the ceremony came, and the day that the four Solar Exalted were reunited.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ivory Dawn</strong> on <strong>02-12-2019, 01:59:10</strong>
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				Kisara had spent the intervening days trying to lay low. The place wasn't exactly crawling with Dragonbloods and Immaculates, but it wasn't far off. The last thing she needed was some friendly dolt blowing her cover - what there was of it. Instead, she did what she could to learn about the city, and the players in it. It seemed like, as usual, the Realm was doing a simply sterling job of keeping the peace and making folk feel safe. But it was a day for celebration, for many people - the Dragonbloods scoffed at the idea of appeasing a terrestrial god, but everyone else seemed behind the idea.<br><br>Kisara had dressed as well as she could. A few of the survivors had donated some clothing to her, and she'd been able to muddle her way through adjusting it to fit well enough that she didn't look too stupid. A deep blue sleeveless tunic over a long-sleeved black top, a thick leather belt at her waist supporting her axes and a few pouches holding odds and ends and the few pieces of jade she still had. Clean, but worn, leather boots, and a pair of loose trousers in a deep green color completed the outfit Kersinta had deemed 'suitable' for the ceremony. Her hair was pulled back into a tight knot at the base of her neck, secured with a blue ribbon. She thought she looked pretty good, all told, even with it all being hand-me-downs.<br><br>They were in a small preparation chamber, and she was standing behind Kersinta, braiding a strand of blue glass beads into the woman's hair. "Remember," she said, her fingers working with the deftness that came from a youth as the default hairdresser for a horde of female cousins, "if you want to change your mind, I'm pretty sure we can beat up your . . . um, betrothed." She leaned around and smiled at the other woman. "He won't trouble your people after that, I think."<br><br>It felt odd, saying that she thought they could whip a god into better behavior. But there was every chance the four of them - assuming Mouse didn't sit out because she thought it was some kind of tricksy plot of Kisara's - could wallop even a decently powered deity well enough that he'd feel it. She didn't want to have to, but . . . well, he sounded like a jerk, and she wouldn't let someone she'd just almost died saving wind up in a situation where she might wish she hadn't been saved.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>08-12-2019, 08:05:12</strong>
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				"...well. No wonder the old man told me to stay away." Zavros did not exactly like the look of Hacre, the supposed crown jewel of the 'Good Kings' that ruled here. Especially when it all reeked of so much commerce built on the backs of those who were left behind. The Meat Market, the bodies of the poor and destitute just laying about in the alleyways...it all left him incredibly uneasy. He was unable to do a damned thing about any of it, not by himself...but a good chunk of the city prickled constantly at the new senses he'd gained ever since the incident at the farm. <br><br>He found it strange that no one had even so much as mentioned it just yet. Surely at least Ganaki would have made some word of it? He could believe that Suura wouldn't have - at the very least to hide embarrassment of her failure. But so far? Nothing. Which, in truth, he was thankful for. The less harassment that ventured to bother Ma and Pa, the better he was going to feel about it all. <br><br>Zavros had a favor from the smugglers. He wasn't sure he needed it just yet - he wasn't sure he wanted to use it. Better to have and not need, he supposed. But in the meantime, he also just did his best to lay low - somewhat difficult given his size and stature. He waited outside the preparation chamber where Kisara was. He was skeptical of her...but she hadn't done anything to earn any particular ire yet, so he was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. For now, anyway. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>08-12-2019, 23:28:43</strong>
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				Tolina had entered with Kisara and been welcomed by Kersinta with the Dynast's assurances.&nbsp; The lovely and shapely young blonde was dressed in a royal blue vest that was very snugly fitted and served to support and lift her breasts nicely, the low cut white shirt under it showing enough cleavage that very few who saw her looked at her face.&nbsp; If they did and had happened to be in the temple on that particular day, they might have noticed that this woman bore a remarkable resemblance to the daring thief, enough so that she could be his twin sister!&nbsp; A pair of tight trousers in the same blue were practically painted onto her legs, and she wore ankle boots in black leather.&nbsp; She also wore a robe that hung off her slender shoulders, though it was open and served more as a cape than anything.&nbsp; But it was long and large enough that it would cover her completely if she wore it properly.<br><br>Which she would do once she was inside and in private with Kisara and Kersinta and had turned back into Talion.&nbsp; Using the power of the hearthstone had seemed the best way to get in to the temple given how dramatic and public Talion's acts there had been barely a week ago.&nbsp; Kisara had seemed mildly amused but also very intrigued by the change; given that the two Solars had been traveling and staying together since their meeting in the shadowland, there had been no way of using it without her knowing.&nbsp; She had not been taken to the manse yet, however, but now that she knew this change was accomplished through use of a hearthstone, Kisara knew there was one.&nbsp; Tolina was sure it would come up in conversation soon.<br><br>She had politely averted her eyes during much of the preparations, not wanting to totally ruin Talion's reputation and Kersinta's opinion of him.&nbsp; As Kisara was threading the beads into the living offering's hair and promising they would help her, she nodded.&nbsp; It seemed about the right time.&nbsp; She focused on the power of the hearthstone, hanging between her breasts on its' chain, and then-<br><br>The peach colored mist swirled around Tolina and dissipated, leaving Talion standing there instead.&nbsp; "Or swipe you and run," he offered with a grin.&nbsp; "Don't look so surprised, I told you I'd be here and stand with you."&nbsp; The clothes that Tolina had worn had changed to fit him, which they always did given that they were his clothes.&nbsp; He pulled the robe up over his shoulders and arranged it properly; it was a fine robe in purple and gold, befitting a nobleman.&nbsp; It should, after all, he'd stolen it from one a few days ago.&nbsp; It covered him to just above his ankles, his form slender enough that with the garment's bulk, he felt he could pass himself off as the young woman who had entered, just with her robe now properly on.&nbsp; Well, with the hood up, anyway.&nbsp; "This is your choice.&nbsp; If you don't feel comfortable or safe, we're here.&nbsp; You should know that you look magnificent, by the way.&nbsp; I'm tempted to steal you anyway," he joked.&nbsp; <br><br>He put the hood up and took a deep breath, focusing his power.&nbsp; Kersinta really did look splendid.&nbsp; No one was going to be looking at him at all, even standing near her.&nbsp; But this would help just in case.<br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">OOC</div><div class="spoiler_body">Investing one Effort into Veiled Step, which if I understand it right, should function much like Easily Overlooked Presence Method in Exalted proper, that he won't be noticed unless he draws attention to himself or otherwise stands out somehow.&nbsp; Though some might be able to see through it as "worthy foes."&nbsp; Such as Lady Pearl, if she's present, I imagine.&nbsp; Oh, my, this could be fun!</div></div>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Guancyto</strong> on <strong>10-12-2019, 05:37:00</strong>
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				It was tempting - far too tempting. Mouse had only wanted provisions and an end to the fighting, but what her people were being offered was a home.<br><br>This was not their home, and could not be. But... it couldn't hurt to slow down a little. And she had, against all odds, found people like her. She needed to know more about them, and if the Realm reared its head they could flee with her and her people once again. <br><br>"We cannot stay forever," she addressed her people, "but we have traveled far and fast, and it will be a long time before our pursuers find our trail. We who were of the Stag would go to your grave without acknowledging that we are tired to the bone... but in a place where we have earned shelter by the strength of our arms, there is no shame in finding rest."<br><br>The city of Hacre was far enough away that the skilled rangers of the Stag would see any invasion force coming. The presence of the Realm made her teeth itch, made her tighten her grip around her new walking stick, but for the sake of her people and for the sake of those who she had shed blood together with she could endure the presence of those who had stained their hands Scarlet.<br><br>She stood on a hill overlooking the city of Hacre clad in a long leather coat, looking down and trying to catch sight of those she knew. <br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Wisdom</div><div class="spoiler_body">At 2019-12-09 22:26:49, Guancyto (uid: 56325) rolls: 1d20 Result: 12 (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=142052)</div></div><br>He was but a tiny speck among the vast number of cityfolk, even to her sharp eyes, but there was one tiny speck that was much larger than the others. When he entered some kind of temple she dithered, wondering if this would be a terrible mistake, but ultimately she decided she would gain nothing by staying and hesitating. She planted her feet and from her perch she leaped miles in a single heartbeat, reappearing atop the gate and swinging inside as she tried to find Zavros again.<br><br>Surely he hadn't gotten far?<br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Mechanics!</div><div class="spoiler_body">That's gonna either be Flickering Advance or just Showing Off.</div></div><br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>11-12-2019, 00:19:28</strong>
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				Kersinta looked more apprehensive now than when Kisara had first seen her, floating on a wreck in the middle of the sea. She sat still as Kisara worked on her appearance, nodding nervously. Kisara and her companions had been ushered into the temple by a priestess named Innora, who seemed to know Tlion, and had been notified to expect them.<br><br>"Thank you again!" she said to Talion, sounding giddy at having returned from the brink of disaster. "She told me what happened on that island, and....you will need to tell the Sea Lord when you see him--"<br><br>She stopped on seeing that Kersinta's dress and hair were about ready, and the semi-audible murmur of the crowd outside the temple was sounding a little impatient.<br><br>"The procession will begin soon. I have told them you are the companions from her home village and that you will accompany her on the barge." said Innora, looking no less nervous. "But I urge you, there is no need for violence or threats. Once you understand things from the Sea Lord's point of view and understand the laws of the sea, you will surely be firm friends! And you will understand how he wishes for the same things you do--"<br><br>Kersinta let out a long breath, and stood up. "I am ready." she said, giving a look of gratitude to Kisara and Talion.<br><br>"Please keep a respectful distance from her during the procession." said Innora meekly. "If you speak to Lady Pearl, please....do not cause any further misunderstandings. It would be a tragedy if such a great alliance were to end before it could properly begin."<br><br><br>.....<br><br><br>Mouse arrived just in time for the doors to open, and her arival went unnoticed--given the cheers that arose from the people lining the streets, she could probably have rode in on an elephant and not been noticed. The hubbub intensified, and two children stationed by the doors opened cages containing coal-black seagulls which took to the skies. Zavros and Kisara would come out a short distance behind Kersinta.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>13-12-2019, 05:41:53</strong>
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				Talion smiled but the expression didn't reach his eyes.&nbsp; "If Pearly plays nice than so will I.&nbsp; But I'm not going to seek her out, believe me."&nbsp; Though if Kersinta did get cold feet, he probably would have to face the God-Blood again.&nbsp; That was all right.&nbsp; He could cut off whatever she was wearing today too, give even more people a good show.&nbsp; "Don't worry, Innora, I'm not here specifically to cause trouble."&nbsp; He was just there to facilitate it if Kersinta was.&nbsp; Not that refusing to be given away to a god she'd been chosen to be given to by others and not of her own will would be trouble; it would be her damned right.&nbsp; And he and Kisara were there to make sure she could exercise that right.<br><br>The doors opened and there was a cheer as Kersinta emerged.&nbsp; The bit with the birds was a bit overdone, he thought, but no one particularly cared.&nbsp; He moved behind the would be bride of the sea god at what he hoped was a "respectful distance" from her.&nbsp; He glanced over at Kisara, "So...this is a low key wedding, for you, right?"&nbsp; He grinned, hoping to relax them both with the quip.&nbsp; 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ivory Dawn</strong> on <strong>14-12-2019, 00:07:43</strong>
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				Kisara's mouth quirked a bit at Talion's joke. "Obviously," she said, trying her best to imitate mother's lofty, superior tone. "When we wed innocent maidens to terrestrial gods, we make sure the birds are properly dressed before releasing them. Unclad seagulls? Gauche."<br><br>He was . . . different than she'd expected. She understood now that he'd largely been invested in keep her and Mouse from killing each other in the Shadowland, and he'd done a fine job at it. It was very clear the other woman was still fairly sure Kisara was moments away from turning them all in to the Immaculates and possibly killing and eating a baby for good measure. Ah, well.<br><br>The procession was slow, with people throwing rose petals over the entire thing. A priestess - the Lady Pearl, she assumed - was chanting in a clear voice from the front of the line that wound its way through Hacre. She'd be happy when this was done, whichever way it ended up. This whole thing felt like the calm before the storm. And she still felt like she was missing something, some key that would put the pieces of their different paths to that Shadowland together, and show her the whole picture.<br><br>She sighed, walking ahead at the prescribed slow pace, and glanced at Talion from the corner of her eyes. "I suppose we should do our best to keep you from stripping any other officials before we leave town. Wouldn't want it to become a habit."
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				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>14-12-2019, 18:00:46</strong>
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				He laughed at her seagull joke, head bowed a bit, the sound honest and clean.&nbsp; He was pretty sure it was a joke, at least.&nbsp; From the rumors of the wealth and decadence of the Scarlet Dynasty, one couldn't be sure.&nbsp; <br><br>In the time they'd spent together over the last few weeks, he had come to like Kisara.&nbsp; She was sharp, clever, had a good line in banter, and didn't nearly have the haughtiness he would expect from a Dynast.&nbsp; He hoped that when, or if, they encountered Mouse again, the two women would get on better.&nbsp; He had the feeling that the two of them could be a devastating team in a fight.<br><br>The procession was a spectacle, he had to admit that.&nbsp; But being in it was rather boring.&nbsp; He tried to keep his eyes alert, however, watching the crowds as well as the route ahead for any sign of trouble.&nbsp; Or just anything that stood out, really.&nbsp; At Kisara's comment, he smirked, "Ah, but what if they sorely deserve it?&nbsp; Or just would look good naked?"&nbsp; Talion chuckled, "Don't worry, I'm not going to go out of my way to blow our cover or make trouble.&nbsp; Do you think Mouse and that big guy Zavros made it into town for this?" 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>15-12-2019, 00:18:12</strong>
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				The priestess--who when she turned around, was actually a mortal with her face painted blue--stopped when they arrived at the dockside. A large flat-bottomed barge was waiting, looking quite unsuited for deep-water travel. The chill of the early morning was giving way to the usual slightly stifling warmth of Ascending Fire in this region, but Kersinta was shivering a little. The crowd cheered as she stepped on the boat, giving a glance back at her bodyguards.<br><br><em>"O Sea Lord, O Blessed Children, we present this offering. Let her cross from our land to your deep and tranquil realm....."</em>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>15-12-2019, 08:25:07</strong>
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				Zavros, as it turned out, hadn't joined the procession. But he was keeping pace with it from a distance, following the crowds near the dockside. He thought he spied Kisara and Talion in there, but he didn't get close enough to get a good look - his large stature already drew strange stares as it was. <em>I mean, they already did back home,</em> he reasoned, but it didn't help much. Even in a city of dragon blooded nobles, seeing a giant of a man was apparently an oddity. <br><br>If someone were paying attention from the procession, they might see a hulking figure doing his best to stay unnoticed - and likely failing horribly. If Mouse were looking for him, she'd probably find an easily isolated area to grab his attention from...
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				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Guancyto</strong> on <strong>17-12-2019, 06:06:15</strong>
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				The procession thundering out of the temple had surprised Mouse. It occurred to her that she had never actually asked Talion what he was saving his lady friend <em>from</em>. A god's jealousy? Had he been trying to stop this wedding? Or bring it about?<br><br>A crowd of this size made her feel smaller than usual. She had known this city was big but she hadn't anticipated <em>big</em>. She shook herself out of it; she wasn't going to get any answers standing there dumbfounded as celebrants danced past her and gawkers poked her to get her to move aside before shrugging and moving on.<br><br>Fortunately she caught sight of someone she knew. Thank the Stag- <em>no</em>, thank anyone <em>but</em> the Stag, for Zavros and his complete inability to blend in!<br><br>She wasn't going to come empty-handed, for one of the coins she had found on her wanderings she got a pair of steaming meat buns wrapped in grease paper. When she was actually aware of the crowds she made her way through them like a ghost, always one step ahead of where someone else was going to be.<br><br>"This is too many people," she said, at Zavros' side without any introduction, as though she had always been there. She reached way up to offer him a bun. "Don't you feel cramped?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>18-12-2019, 18:09:02</strong>
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				One moment, Zavros was alone, save for the horde of people around him all lining up to watch - whatever this procession actually was. He honestly hadn't paid too close attention - he was mostly along for the ride, helping the people they'd rescued get settled back in before coming to Hacre of all places. He was just a little out of his depth here - and the people around him certainly seemed to have no idea what to make of him, given the small space around him despite how crowded everything was. <br><br>The next moment, the woman he'd met on the beach near the schooner - Mouse, that was it! - was next to him offering a meat bun. He did his best to hide his shock that the woman could appear so quickly and without noise, but he probably failed horribly at it. "Ah, thanks. Was actually gettin' a bit hungry," he said as his much larger hand accepted the meal. He didn't need to eat, not anymore - but he ate anyway. Good food was good food!<br><br>...and this wasn't exactly <em>good</em> food, but he knew it was something he would have enjoyed before the crazy demigod things started. "Yeah, does feel a bit cramped, don't it?" he agreed - he was forced to hunch down slightly due to how an archway above him was shaped. He looked at Mouse. "What d'you reckon about all this?" he asked, gesturing to the procession. "I was just along for the ride, and I'm feelin' a bit out of my depth here. You?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>18-12-2019, 19:35:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Talion grimaced a bit at the sight of the barge.&nbsp; That was a riverboat, any Nexus kid had seen a fleet of them in their time.&nbsp; It wasn't suited for sea travel.&nbsp; Why use it?<br><br>Once the priestess started speaking he understood.&nbsp; It wasn't supposed to carry Kersinta somewhere.&nbsp; It was supposed to sink.&nbsp; Why couldn't anyone tell them what this ceremony was before?&nbsp; It wasn't like it was the first time this had been done.&nbsp; <br><br>He'd caught Kersinta's look back.&nbsp; She was nervous.&nbsp; Afraid even, he thought.&nbsp; All she had to do was say the word and he'd steal her again.&nbsp; Was she trying to send a signal already?<br><br>Either way, he was here so she felt secure.&nbsp; He hadn't been told not to, so Talion stepped off the dock and onto the boat, standing behind Kersinta on her left.&nbsp; "I'm here," he said softly under the holy woman's prayer, "but if you don't want to be, just say so and we're gone."<br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">OOC</div><div class="spoiler_body">I don't know what kind of check it would be to read Kersinta's body language/emotional state to see if she wants to go through with this.&nbsp; Or any information.&nbsp; &nbsp;But I feel like Talion is trying to determine that. </div></div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>19-12-2019, 01:26:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The boat headed out to sea, leaving the streets of Hacre behind it.The traffic in and out of the city continued, but seemed to give the ship a very large berth. Kersinta met Talion's eyes briefly, but didn't say anything, merely looking grateful for his presence.<br><br>As it moved out to the point where the city was just barely visible, a tower of water protruded from the surface ahead of the boat. Not ice, but liquid, flowing water which seemed to have been shaped and solidified into a structure. A fish swam through it unconcerned, bumping into an invisible barrier where it would fall into the air. Hunched, masked figures wearing nautiloid shells upon their back and patchwork armour on their front stood to attention on either side, their hooked spears ramrod-straight. They opened the doors to allow a blue-skinned woman to step out--Talion would recognise her as Lady Pearl.<br><br>"So, you finally came, oh bride of beauty incomparable." she said to Kersinta, not seeming to pay attention to anyone else--not even Talion, her eyes sliding off him. Despite the apparent praise, she spoke with as much warmth and approval as if she had been reading a shopping list. "My father waits keenly for you. You who have delivered her here, you will accompany her. If he approves, you will be given tokens of his benevolence, and sent back to shore, that you may spread the good news amongst his people. Once we are below, I trust I need not remind you that to speak out of turn will result in death, so control your awe when you behold the House of Azure."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>23-12-2019, 03:21:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Talion pulled the hood of the robe he wore a little further forward when Pearl stepped out of the cerulean tower.&nbsp; It probably wouldn't be good if she recognized him.&nbsp; He glanced over to the others and murmured, "She's a God-Blood who likes slapping people around.&nbsp; Has a temper and thinks her shit doesn't stink."<br><br>Her attitude hadn't seemed to have improved any either.&nbsp; She was reciting a litany by memory that she didn't care about and her tone made her words insulting.&nbsp; It seemed she would need another lesson.&nbsp; Maybe not today.&nbsp; But soon.&nbsp; She was also completely right.&nbsp; Once they were under the sea, they would be at the mercy of the god.&nbsp; If he revoked his protection or just kicked them out Gods knew how deep under the sea...<br><br>Best to think positively and not dwell on that much. <br><br>"We will mind our place and speak when it is our turn," he said, pitching his voice a bit higher in the hopes of keeping himself still unidentified to Pearl.&nbsp; She hadn't really looked at any of them, clearly dismissing them as unimportant and beneath her notice or time.&nbsp; That was good.&nbsp; And he meant what he said.&nbsp; It was just that they would likely have different notions of their place and turn that the arrogant God-Blood.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ivory Dawn</strong> on <strong>24-12-2019, 03:47:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kisara's lips twisted. So <em>this</em> was Lady Pearl. She was just charming, wasn't she? Ugh.<br><br>And more boats. She really should have expected this, given it was a Sea God and all, but still. She'd had enough adventures on boats to last her quite a while, thank you very much.<br><br>Sighing as the blue-skinned woman wrapped her speech, Kisara stepped out to Kersinta's side and slightly in front of her. "Understood, no out-of-turn speaking once we're down there. What about now? I have several questions, as the intended Bride's bodyguard." Her stance was all proper military at-ease, ready to move into a fight at a moment's notice if needed.<br><br>"Question the first. What happens if your Lord Father does not approve? Not that I believe he will find our shimmering jewel wanting, mind you, but you said if. I like to be prepared for eventualities. Question the second. What fate awaits the 'bride of beauty incomparable' should she be accepted? I note you didn't state she was to return with us upon approval."<br><br>Tipping her head at the blue-skinned God-Blood, Kisara's fingers tightened over her own wrists. "Question the third. As your Lord Father is puissant, I am certain, what plans has he to address the cult found in the waters not overly distant where another spirit attempted to abduct his intended Bride? Certainly he can and should vent any ire at the delay in her appearance upon them."<br><br>She was being unwise, for sure, but if she was reading things right, it would keep Pearl focused on her instead of trying to place Talion's voice. And, well, Kisara half-wanted to see if she could take the bitch. While she might not be sure of her ability to clobber sense into a sea god, she was pretty sure she could kick the ass of one of his kids, no problem.<br><br>"If your Lord Father, in his wisdom, has not entrusted you with that information, I fully understand. We can wait here while you go down and ask."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>26-12-2019, 17:53:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"...huh." Zavros peered over the heads of the other onlookers - not too difficult a task, considering that he was far, far taller than most of the onlookers, and was like a mountain towering over plains and hills. "Now, I admit I'm not exactly well versed on how these ceremonies go or anything," he said, "but why's it look like there's a lotta back and forth going on? Aren't these things supposed to be...I dunno...scripted or planned out?" <br><br>The fact that Kisara seemed to be stepping slightly off script - if there ever was one - made him wonder if he and Mouse would have to step in. If she would, anyhow - Mouse seemed to particularly have it out for the other woman. He didn't have the entire history, but there <em>was</em> a history of sorts - having seen a few family feuds back home, he could...sort of get that. <br><br>"You reckon we need to get closer?" he asked. If she wanted to, Mouse could easily climb atop Zavros and hang on by the shoulders - his own mass would likely get them passage towards the boats if they had to. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Guancyto</strong> on <strong>27-12-2019, 03:01:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Mouse had been watching, uncertain of the purpose or nature of the ritual for certain, but Zavros clinched it for her.<br><br>It would be <em>so</em> easy to think that the Dynast was screwing this up on purpose, she thought as she made her way closer, pulling Zavros with her by the arm (although given the difference in strength and size between the two it would best be called "leading" at best). It would have been <em>just</em> like a Dragon, to just create chaos and ruin things for no reason like the villain she was.<br><br>But.<br><br>But that would have been assuming her enemy was stupid. The scorpion that stung in the middle of a river.<br><br>And bossy, entitled cow though the Dynast may have been, Kisara was not <em>stupid</em>. Which meant there was a small chance that instead something was terribly wrong.<br><br>"How well do you swim?" she asked as the boat started to make its way out to sea and the procession dispersed and the other ships started to give it a wide berth.<br><br>"That or make another boat very quickly," she said, and dove into the water.<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>03-01-2020, 10:39:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Pearl looked like she had been about to say something else when Kisara spoke, and then looked at her like the other woman was something unpleasant that had become attached to her shoe.<br><br>"You seem remarkably ill-informed. Some foreign mercenary, I suppose? Well, the temple has already proved so inadequate....if she is found beautiful, she will be called to be the Sea Lord's bride for a year, perhaps even warranting the privilege of being mother to another divine child. Even if she is not, her sacrifice will be graciously accepted to reinforce the compact between him and the people of land, protecting all of us from the blight of the dead.<br><br>"As for the rabble who presumed to abduct her, it is not for such as you to worry about. My brother and sister even now talk with the Lords of Land and have no doubt, this affront will be duly punished, with all the severity that their blasphemy does warrant."<br><br>As Pearl finished her speech, the boat lowered slightly, and Kersinta let in a sharp gasp of fear, clenching her fists and teeth, but not moving from her place at the&nbsp; helm of the boat. The water was shaping around them, forming a hollow that was growing deeper and wider. It was as if a bubble of air was passing down into the water, displacing the sea as it went. In a surreal touch a fish popped out of the side of the bubble as it formed, and flopped on the boat, confused about where the water had gone. It seemed that this was how they would be travelling to meet Maur-Azur.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>03-01-2020, 17:20:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As subtly as he could - which was not much, considering that he was an almost-literal giant among men - Zavros tried to move closer to what was going on. It seemed that whatever ritual niceties were supposed to be exchanged veered drastically off-script. He was able to wade through the crowds - a strange mixture of politeness and simply outmassing everyone onboard - and clear a path enough for Mouse to follow him. <br><br>What he was not expecting was for the boat to <em>sink.</em><br><br>"This is my life, apparently," Zavros muttered to himself, his hand gripping against one of the masts tightly. It felt disorienting - even though they were all still breathing, despite being pelted by the occasional fish, they were very much sinking. On their way to meet some god of the sea or somesuch. <br><br>As he threw the flopping fish back into the water proper, he sighed. "I should never have emerged from bed today."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ivory Dawn</strong> on <strong>03-01-2020, 22:20:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kisara's eyes narrowed. Oh, this sea-cow would learn some things before the day was done. She folded her arms over her chest, aware that they were sinking into the water and feeling distressingly heedless about it. Of course, she'd felt pretty unconcerned about a lot of things that might have given her nightmares a few years ago, so maybe that wasn't that good a gauge. "I notice you didn't answer about what would happen to us, oh moist daughter of the sea, but I thank you most courteously for the answers you did have." She carefully didn't mention what a bang-up job His Salinity was doing at holding back the blight of the dead so far.<br><br>Course, if you want something done, you've got to do it yourself.<br><br>She turned to look at Kersinta, seemingly dismissing the blue-skinned tart. It would be an error to assume that she didn't have an awareness of her - and a bigger error to try and take advantage of that assumption, given how close Talion was. The woman would have a dagger in her ribs before she even got close, and when she did . . . well, and axe to the face would stop a surprising number of things. Over the crowd, she could see Zavros, which meant that he and Mouse were here. While she didn't trust the other woman as far as she could throw her, the bitch was good in a fight.<br><br>Lowering her voice, Kisara gave Kersinta a smile. "Again, my lady, give me a sign and we will do what we can to rescue you. I misdoubt these . . . beings have your best interest in mind." She rolled her shoulders, glancing at Talion. "Of course, the agreement will be honored by you going. If they decide to try anything funny, we'll take care of it. Foreign mercenary indeed," she scoffed.<br><br>Motion at her feet caught her eye, and she bent, picking up what looked like an octopus from the deck. "My apologies, friend. I'll return you from whence you came." Carefully, delicately, she rolled him up into a reasonable sphere, then turned and chucked him into the water clearly within eyeshot of Pearl. "Beg pardon, Daughter of the Sea, but one of your Most Honored Father's subjects needed help getting home."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>06-01-2020, 01:12:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Yeah.&nbsp; Yeah, Pearl was totally getting her clothes cut off again.&nbsp; Maybe not today, but that would depend on how things played out.&nbsp; However, one thing had caught his attention far more than the God Blood's high handed manner.&nbsp; That being the word <em>sacrifice</em>.&nbsp; So if the sea god liked what he say, she stayed below and got to be his sex slave, if he didn't, she was sacrificed.&nbsp; Well.&nbsp; That wasn't going to happen.&nbsp; Talion stepped up behind Kersinta so that he could place a hand on her shoulder for reassurance.&nbsp; "I am sure," he said, again pitching his voice higher as before, "no one would deny her beauty."<br><br>Then he lowered his voice, his words meant for Kersinta's ears only, "No one's sacrificing you today, Kersinta.&nbsp; We're here and we will not allow it."<br><br>Big talk.&nbsp; He meant it, but it was still big talk.&nbsp; They'd be faced with a god in his place of power.&nbsp; If he had his way and they did have to get out, they'd stall to "prepare the sacrifice mentally and spiritually to assure the most power to the mighty sea god" or some similar shit and slip out that way.&nbsp; But from here on out, there was no telling what would happen or what resources they'd have available.&nbsp; ...He was smiling, wasn't he?&nbsp; Gods, there was something wrong with him.<br><br>Kisara, meanwhile, was doing her best to piss off Pearl and get them tossed off the boat before they reached the sea god's undersea palace.&nbsp; Gods great and small, this was not the time to snap back or get your ego bruised!&nbsp; If it was, you paid them back later, during or after what you had done what you had set out to do.&nbsp; But what could he do?&nbsp; Calling her to task might make it worse.&nbsp; Apologizing to Pearl on her behalf would be direct interaction which would make it far more likely that Pearl would recognize him.&nbsp; He tried to catch her eyes and shake his head, silently indicating she needed to back off.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Guancyto</strong> on <strong>06-01-2020, 03:02:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Of course it would have been petty to immediately judge Pearl based on something as small as her <em>tone</em>. In fact, it gave Mouse a little thrill to see Kisara treated like something that had just crawled out of a swamp.<br><br>But the way Pearl talked was all too familiar. Her arrogant, entitled and complete confidence in something greater than herself. She was so pure, so perfect, so <em>faithful</em>. So eager to <em>sacrifice</em>.<br><br>Had Mouse really sounded like that? No, not exactly, because when she had spoken to her faithful of sacrifice for their god she had meant her own blood as well.<br><br>"Well," Mouse said, slipping a fish into her pack to cook later, "as an ill-informed foreign mercenary I would be very interested in speaking with the Sea Lord about his no doubt tireless efforts to keep the people of Hacre safe from the tide of undeath." She smiled, "that's where the best blood money is, after all."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>07-01-2020, 00:06:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Looking heartily glad that her part was done, Pearl turned back into her little tower of water, as the barge was carried under the surface in the sphere.<br><br>"Please....don't anger him." whispered Kersinta. "If he withdraws his protection from Hacre....there will be untold suffering. If you have to choose....choose the city."<br><br>Around the sphere, the light was fading as it descended into the Azure Sea, the sunlight little more than a glimmer overhead. Shapes moved in the darkness, and it was hard to tell if it was the movements of the water, or something large moving just out of sight. Minutes passed, and another glow became visible, this one from underneath. Slowly, the sea bed became visible, and the palace of light below.<br><br><div align="center">(https://i.imgur.com/g6vRgGM.png)</div><br>And indeed, the building seemed to shine with a phosporescence of it's own. Glowing trees and floating spheres of light iluminated the palace, one held aloft by the heroic statue of Maur-Azur that surmounted the palace. Meanwhile, a soothing blue-green radiance seemed to come from within the great gateway of the palace itself. Sea creatures swam around it, seeming to be attracted to the light, and gardens of sculpted coral and kelp surrounded it.<br><br>The bubble containing the barge descended to the circular stone platform in front of the palace. It was possible to make out another enclosure of air, one which seemed to form a "tunnel" leading from the platform into the palace. And as the barge came down to join it, it was possible to make out more of the snail-soldiers there, flanking a woman who had the same features as Lady Pearl, but who looked a bit younger and was less elaborately dressed, save for the flowers--land-based flowers--in her hair. She seemed to be waiting for them.<br><br><div align="center">(https://i.imgur.com/RG90j8d.jpg)</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>09-01-2020, 18:11:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Blood money?" Zavros raised an eyebrow, but he wasn't able to maintain the gesture for long - not when Mouse's inclinations for apparently mercenary work was competing with a literal underwater palace that they were approaching through a funnel of channeled air to an apparent underwater god. <br><br>And despite himself, Zavros couldn't help but admire the work that must have gone into crafting such a palace. "Somethin' like this must've taken magic to do," he murmured, more to himself than to Mouse as he focused almost exclusively on the palace and the surrounding area. The trees, the lights, the sea life that seemed to flock to it all - they might as well have been window dressing to him. "...somethin' that can stay up like this underwater and keep on goin'? That's gotta be magic, or...somethin' that they used. I'd love to see what's what with this..."<br><br>Regardless, he tried not to gawk too badly. Especially when another woman similar to Lady Pearl seemed to be waiting for them - the last thing he wanted to do was to draw undue attention to him or Mouse. He was ready to help if something went down, but...he was out of his depth here. Figuratively and literally. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Guancyto</strong> on <strong>11-01-2020, 09:55:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It was easy to be snarky while descending in a bubble surrounded by water. A feat though it might have been, it was only water around them and one of the most enduring traits of water was that once you were inside it, it all looked pretty much the same.<br><br>The House of Azure, on the other hand, was something Mouse had been prepared to be cool and snarky about (the better to put Kisara in her place) and just completely, utterly, totally failed to. Her eyes went wide as she looked at the great house, the arches, the lights, the sea creatures frolicking to and fro. After a few moments she'd remember that she was supposed to be playing it cool and then she'd see a school of luminescent jellyfish and she was aware that she was gawking and that the gasp every time she saw something else marked her as an ignorant hayseed and she kept wanting to stop doing it and then she saw a whirlwind school of rainbow-colored fish and the light reflected off their scales and cast soft pattern on the grand architecture below and she was absolutely, unquestionably, unambiguously gawking in absolute delight.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>14-01-2020, 23:34:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The bubbles of air joined up as the boat descended, which made it no less unsettling to see fish swimming above them. The snail-guards stood back, as the blue-skinned woman walked up to the group. "Welcome, welcome!" she said, clapping her hands together--her voice was eager and perky, and beautiful just to listen to. She walked up to Kersinta, ignoring everybody else, and peered at the young woman, looking at one side of her face, and then the other. She pulled back with a bright, happy smile, folding her hands behind her back. The dress she wore was simple compared to Pearl's finery, but was made of some beautiful silk that clung to her like a second skin.<br><br>"Hmmm.....it's good to see you, it looks like they took some care when choosing you! Father will be so happy--he's been so worried! My name is Radiant Wavecrest, Fifth Eldest of the Azurkin, and Sweetest Songstress of the Unbeholden Depths. You can call me Wavecrest." she finished, the titles tripping off her tongue as if she was bored of speaking them.<br><br>"I....am honoured to be here." said Kersinta, kneeling, her eyes flickering back to her bodyguards.<br><br>"Thank you for bringing her here....<em>unscathed</em>." Wavecrest said, frowning for just a moment as she looked at the group before returning to her usual perky expression. "Your role here is done but of course, you will be accommodated here for the day, and rewarded fittingly for your diligence in both wealth and entertainment."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>17-01-2020, 03:59:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Talion gave a soft sound of dismissal at Kersinta's plea, "You're a sweet and kind person, Kersinta, but I don't trade in lives."&nbsp; Not when it was the sea god's <em>duty</em> to protect Hacre and keep the seas in order and he was well propitiated for it in prayers, offerings, and temples.&nbsp; He didn't get to have a human sacrifice.&nbsp; <br><br>The descent was an incredible experience and even the jaded son of Nexus found himself watching in wonder at the palace and it's grounds as they approached.&nbsp; "Now that's something."&nbsp; Gods.&nbsp; Well, yes, actually.&nbsp; A god, anyway.&nbsp; He tried to rein in his marveling at the scenery, however.&nbsp; They were here on business, after all.&nbsp; <br><br>He eyed the snail soldiers warily but then blinked at the beautiful girl who approached them.&nbsp; She looked like Pearly but her clothes weren't so fancy and she didn't have that expression like she smelled shit.&nbsp; He watched her change throughout her little speech and couldn't help smile at her perky attitude.&nbsp; If only he was sure that any of it was authentic.&nbsp; He wouldn't trust anyone here as far as he could throw Zavros.&nbsp; "Thank you, most kind and lovely Wavecrest.&nbsp; You are radiant, indeed."&nbsp; He pulled the hood of his robe down to smile at her and give a shallow bow, "We are grateful for your hospitality and generosity.&nbsp; Pray tell, for we take our duty to Kersinta seriously, may we accompany her to the august presence of Maur-Azur so that we might see her fully accepted and safe?"<br><br>Such frippery of language!&nbsp; But he felt like flowery would work with this girl.&nbsp; And he did not like the idea of letting Kersinta out of his sight if he could help it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ivory Dawn</strong> on <strong>18-01-2020, 18:31:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kisara glowered at Pearl the entire way down to the bottom of the water. She didn't like the sea god's daughter, and the feeling was clearly mutual. She hoped that if it came to a fight . . . well, if what Talion had told them was true, the blue-skinned woman would likely go for him first, rather than the irritating Dynast.<br><br>Their arrival at the House of Azure was . . . impressive. She'd seen a lot as a scion of the so-called Princes of the Earth, and this was fairly spectacular. Even the water-aspects didn't really build their homes under the water for the most part, and the ones that did were rarely this impressive - lots of geomancy here, and what a boost it must give His Soggy Majesty.<br><br>When the other blue-skinned woman, who was clearly Pearl's sister before she ever spoke, approached and greeted them, Kisara nodded in response. They would damn sure be rewarded. And if it looked like Maur-Azure was going to decide to be unwise, they'd be ready. "Thank you for your hospitality, Lady Wavecrest. The Lady Kersinta eagerly awaits the moment of her meeting with your august father, and we are pleased to be able to deliver her whole into the care of your people." Part of that was true, at least; it didn't mean they wouldn't do their damnedest to wrangle everyone back to the surface if it was needed.<br><br>"Is it far to the appointed place? And do you mind if we ask questions on the way?" She looked up at the bubble of air, fish swimming through the water above it and making shadows in the light. "None of us has been in such a place before, and naturally are curious about the marvel."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>19-01-2020, 01:47:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Wavecrest looked a bit taken aback at the questions, and for a moment, she looked like she was considering whether to tell Kisara and Talion off, but something in their speech seemed to sway her.<br><br>"I suppose it can be permitted." she said with a shrug. "You've got to forgive me--when you spend all your life in&nbsp; a place like this, it's easy to forget what it's like in the dry. This must be all quite new to you, right? All right, follow me and ask anything you like....at least till we get to the throne room. I'll answer what I can, though I'm still quite new here compared to some!"<br><br>She took Kersinta's hand in an oddly sisterly gesture, and walked her back into the palace. "Don't worry." she said to the other girl. "He's going to love you, I can tell. And soon we'll have a new brother or sister! We've got a lovely little family down here."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Guancyto</strong> on <strong>19-01-2020, 09:01:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Mouse spared a moment from her wide-eyed wondering for Wavecrest; she cocked her head to one side at the god-blood.<br><br>"You've never been topside? Haven't you wondered what it's like? This place is incredible but I'm not sure I'd feel the same way if I could never leave."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>25-01-2020, 05:25:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Talion was pleased that Wavecrest didn't seem to have her station shoved all the way up her ass the way her older sister did.&nbsp; That would make this easier and more pleasant.&nbsp; This part, anyway.&nbsp; "Thank you, Lady Wavecrest.&nbsp; Your graciousness is appreciated."&nbsp; Even if it wasn't for quite the reason the young woman might think.<br><br>He smiled at the questions the others threw at her.&nbsp; All good ones, particularly Mouse's.&nbsp; Get her thinking about leaving herself, not the immediate situation.&nbsp; Very clever.&nbsp; "It must be wonderful to have your family all around you," he commented.&nbsp; "We met Lady Pearl above...how many brothers and sisters do you have here?"&nbsp; In case things went bad, which they probably would, it might help to know the numbers they might have to deal with.&nbsp; Once he had that, he could ask further questions.&nbsp; "Are they all as lovely as you?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>25-01-2020, 19:24:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Hells, you could always try buildin' a bit of home from below up topside," Zavros chimed in. "Bring a slice 'a home to away from home, mingle and talk more with the regular folks up on the surface...or whatever it is y'all do." The more he looked at the architecture, the more he realized they must really take these wonders for granted. If they wanted to awe more people, or show off more about them, they'd bring themselves up to the surface more...<br><br>...unless they specifically didn't want to. Which was a shame - more people deserved to see something like this. He otherwise kept his mouth shut - he'd let Talion do his thing, which apparently was smoothtalking his way towards anyone who caught his fancy. He shrugged mentally - if it worked, who was he to say anything? 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>25-01-2020, 20:11:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"From what my sister says, it does not much sound like a place I would like. " said Wavecrest. "A fire in the sky that burns your skin? Pillars of stone where this is no water to be found? She does not make it sound very nice. But the people who come from there, yes, they are interesting!"<br><br>She turned round to look at Talion, her eyes lingering a bit longer and with a bit more appreciation than was strictly necessary.<br><br>"There are always six of us." she said. "Of my brothers, Sand and Coral oversee my father's business affairs, while Seamount provides the most wonderful music. Of my sisters, Pearl is the eldest of us, and I could ask for no finer or more loving sister, while River is the youngest--do not be afraid of her, she is delightful, so long as you behave."<br><br>She stopped before a large pair of doors carved from solid coral, and embossed with a mural of a heroically proportioned man rising from the sea to bestow blessings upon a ruined city and a desperate people.<br><br>"Are you ready?" she asked, with a dazzling smile. "Everyone's here!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Guancyto</strong> on <strong>31-01-2020, 05:31:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"If you ever do want to go up, make sure to see the sunrise," Mouse said, her eyes tracing the line of the door, not <em>quite</em> overtly inspecting it for weaknesses but suspecting they might need to break it down in a real hurry in the near future. "I know a cliff near Hacre where you can see for thirty miles and the night gives way to light in purple and red and gold over the ocean and it looks like the whole world is on fire. There's grief and pain and we have no end of problems, but the freedom in it is something I wouldn't trade it for anything." <br><br>She rubbed the back of her neck, embarrassed, "hah, guess that's why I'm not the one marrying the Sealord! Sorry, not sure where I was going with that. I'm ready!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>01-02-2020, 04:39:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He noted Wavecrest's lingering gaze and it brought a pleased smile to his lips.&nbsp; It was flattering, certainly.&nbsp; And if things went well...spending a few hours in the company of a beautiful demigod in an undersea palace would be quite the experience.&nbsp; He would have spoken up to offer a rebuttal to the young God-Blood's description of the world above the waves but Mouse beat him to it.&nbsp; Talion found her earnest speech making his smile a bit wider.&nbsp; She was fierce but there were depths to her, after all.&nbsp; He'd hoped there would be.<br><br>"Don't count yourself out of the running," the thief grinned down at the slender and petite warrior.&nbsp; "I'm sure you'd enflame quite a few more hearts and loins than you may think."&nbsp; <br><br>He looked back to Wavecrest and again gave her a shallow bow, "We are ready, Lady Wavecrest, thank you.&nbsp; Let us see what decision your august father will make."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>01-02-2020, 22:31:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Music</div><div class="spoiler_body">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T24ElarXeNU</div></div></div><br><br>The doors opened, and beyond lay a vast hall, seemingly too large to have fitted even into the palace as it looked from the outside. It also looked different, the floor of the hall appearing to be the deck of some great barge sunken aeons ago, yet still kept in pristine condition, with redwood planking and a gold-trimmed hull visible where the floor adjoined the walls. Above them, the stone appeared just irregular enough to have been grown rather than assembled, yet that only enhanced the beauty as the white-veined blue arched overhead, seeming to ripple and shimmer in time with the ocean above everyone assembled there. And at the end of the room, placed so that the eye could only be drawn there, was the seat of Maur-Azur, God of the Azure Sea and patron of Hacre.<br><br><div align="center">(https://i.imgur.com/zNXfMs1.png)</div><br>He slouched in the throne, looking by far the most relaxed person in the room. Despite his age, he appeared as a handsome man in the flush of youth, appearing younger than many of his children. An ornament around his neck contained what looked like a Hearthstone, while the collar and cloak of his dress seemed to be made of flowing water, forever foaming at the edges.<br><br>Lining the approach to the throne were a group of about ten snail-soldiers, accompanied by a God-Blooded woman who appeared to be in her mid-teens. She might almost have appeared cute, were it not&nbsp; for the armour she wore, and the cutlass-like blade of blue jade she carried. Her expression was utterly baleful, suggesting she was just waiting for an excuse to use her weapon. Lady Pearl stood to one side of the throne, along with a blue-skinned man who looked to be in his fifties, and entirely bored. To the other side stood two more God-Blooded, a youth playing a flute beautifully to provide some background music to the proceedings, and a long-haired man who stepped forward and began to read from a scroll he held.<br><br>"Welcome to the heart of the Beautiful Blue, the palace of Mau-Azur himself. As his son Golden Sand and the speaker for the Azurkin, I welcome you to this most holy place." he said, addressing Kersinta. "Step forward, that our father may assess your worthiness."<br><br>Wavecrest gave Kersinta a little push in the back when she hesitated, and couldn't keep down a little giggle when she stumbled.<br><br>"Wait a minute." said Maur-Azur, raising a hand, and pointing to the four companions. "What are <em>they</em> doing here?"<br><br>"I said they could watch, Father. They were so insistent." said Wavecrest, with a cheeky smile. "I just couldn't refuse!"<br><br>"Unacceptable!" said Pearl sternly. "You know better than that! Our father's happiness is paramount! Commoners such as those have no business being here! It was your job to keep them out the way and satiate them with wine and whores until they could be returned."<br><br>In reply, the young God-Blooded simply looked to the four bodyguards with a raised eyebrow. She looked distinctly like she was trying not to laugh.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ivory Dawn</strong> on <strong>02-02-2020, 21:14:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"We beg your most gracious pardon, my Lord Maur-Azur." She stepped forward, giving him a winning smile. "I am Mnemon Kisara, scion of the Scarlet Dynasty." She met Pearl's eyes, her own glance as hard as stone. "And Sword of Heaven." The mark on her forehead, the golden sunburst, began to burn, adding a warm cast to the light in the room.<br><br>She bowed briefly to the blue-skinned god. "I and my compatriots are the ones who rescued bride from the Shadowland in the sea, and fought back the undead there." Kisara looked at him directly, her eyes wide and keen. "We wished only to fully ensure the safety of Kersinta, the bride of your most august personage, and to pay our respects to you personally."<br><br>The smile on her lips turned a little sharp as she looked at Pearl again. "I regret, Lady Pearl, that your plan to keep us out of the way with 'wine and whores' would hardly have worked." Kisara spread her hands. "While your palace is astonishingly beautiful, I've never been one to drink to excess, or lose myself in the body of a young man or woman who may have had little choice in the matter." She tapped a finger, indicating her caste mark. "As I'm sure your most Impressive Father knows, the Chosen of the Sun have much to do now, and little enough time for frivolity."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>04-02-2020, 18:00:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zavros blinked. Nothing in his life ever led him to think he'd come face to face with the patron god of Hacre. Granted, he...never really held an opinion about the god, for the most part - he'd only ever heard of him in passing from the merchants in town. Not all of it was all that good - and his own opinion of anyone with water powers was a little frayed after the incident involving his own awakening, particularly a certain female noble who tried to kill him. <br><br>None of that showed on his face, however. Instead, he opted to simply say in a low voice, "Well, at least she's being honest about the whores and wine." He eyed Kisara a little warily - he wasn't sure he liked the idea of her provoking the court of God-Blooded for its own sake. Fighting normal people and monsters were one thing - he had no idea how this sort of fight would turn out, at all. <br><br>"We also done fought undead for our troubles," he added out loud. "Big scary island full of ghosts and stitched together creatures plottin' something dreadful and all..." He chose to stay silent after that; if Maur-Azur didn't know about what they went through to recover Kersinta and the others, he wasn't going to be the one to correct him in public. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>05-02-2020, 00:03:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It was an impressive and beautiful site, the throne room of Maur-Azur.&nbsp; Built on some ancient sunken ship that was still intact, the chamber was glorious and radiant, reflecting wealth and power.&nbsp; It may have been the most beautiful place he had ever been.&nbsp; It was also pretentious as all get out, but what could you expect from a god?&nbsp; <br><br>Maur-Azur himself lounged on his throne at the natural focal point of the room.&nbsp; And he was not alone.&nbsp; Ten of those soldiers...gods themselves?&nbsp; Elementals, maybe.&nbsp; He wasn't a loremaster or occultist.&nbsp; More God-Bloods, including-shit.&nbsp; Pearly.&nbsp; Talion pulled the hood back up.&nbsp; Damn!&nbsp; He'd thought she was staying in that watery tower up above given how she seemed to think this whole thing was beneath her.&nbsp; This could be bad.<br><br>And then it got worse as the god seemed displeased with their presence and Pearly took up the cause in her own inimitable and bitchy style.&nbsp; Wavecrest's grin was pure mischief and he grimaced, even as he felt a little bemused.&nbsp; She'd set the up, the trouble maker.&nbsp; But this could be salvaged, this-<br><br>And then it got far, far worse.&nbsp; Pearly's comment had apparently been one too many pokes for the bear that was Kisara and she stepped forward and blew her own cover in spectacular fashion.&nbsp; She did it with style though, he had to admit that.&nbsp; He lifted his right hand to his face, his fingers rubbing his forehead.&nbsp; Gods.&nbsp; He registered Zavros chiming in, doing them neither harm or help, he'd wager.&nbsp; He wanted to say something...but he didn't even know where to start!<br><br>Plus if he drew attention to himself, Pearl would recognize him.&nbsp; Given how upset she already was, that wouldn't end well.&nbsp; Gods great and small!&nbsp; What should he do?&nbsp; There was no way to duck out of sight and change into Tolina.&nbsp; Shit!&nbsp; Shit, shit, shit.&nbsp; Shit on a shit cracker!<br><br>He had to risk it.&nbsp; Talion bowed, using the motion to made the hood go further over his face, "And one of those things that one such as Lady Kisara is to do is to pay our respects to you, Sea Lord."&nbsp; He pitched his voice lower and tried to make it more rough in an attempt to disguise it from Pearl, "As well as see to the safety and happiness of the mortals who live in the lands under your protection.&nbsp; The lovely Kersinta gave us the chance to do both."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Guancyto</strong> on <strong>05-02-2020, 08:01:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Talion actually managed to get a blush out of Mouse with his comments, she looked away and kicked at the floor, unsure how to handle it. Fortunately they were ushered into a spectacular throne room with several gods, god-bloods and things she wasn't quite sure of. Thank the Sun for timely distractions!<br><br>Of course she was confronted by two things she hated: first <em>politics</em>, and immediately afterward Kisara charging in and making herself the center of attention.<br><br>"I would've liked a <em>little</em> frivolity," Mouse grumbled to no one in particular, trying to seem as small as possible. If the Dynast was taking point she could play spoiler without complaint, "but what a Mnemon wants, she insists on."<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>05-02-2020, 16:02:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Wavecrest let out a muffled laugh at Kisara's<br><br>"But father...you can see they're not just <em>anyone</em>, can't you?" she asked, smoothly darting away from the group as the rest of the room suddenly sprang into activity. <br><br>The young God-Blooded, presumably River, made a gesture and the soldiers had formed a wall between the group and Maur-Azur himself a moment later, shields raised and whale-bone spears levelled. Kersinta ended up on the other side of the line in the confusion, immediately forgotten about as everyone stared. After Talion had finished speaking, several long, silent seconds passed. Pearl's eyes were focused on Talion, looking intently at the face-concealing hood, but not saying anything just yet,<br><br>Finally, Maur-Azur rose from his throne and looked down at the four newcomers.<br><br>"River, please." he said eventually. "Is that any way to treat our guest?"<br><br>"Father, it must be some kind of trick!" said the girl, her voice sounding at odds with her battle-ready stance. "What she claims makes no sense!"<br><br>"It is possible...though most of her kind are long dead." said the bearded man. "Save for a handful of survivors, who are killed by the Dragon-Blooded before they can--"<br><br>"But it's not just one, is it?" said Wavecrest, looking over Mouse, Talion and Zavros with a wide grin. "Won't you introduce yourself to Father as well? Properly?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Guancyto</strong> on <strong>07-02-2020, 06:22:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Mouse put her hand to her forehead. Hoy, oy, this was not going at all as it should, and Talion seemed to be hiding himself. She shot him a look, trying to say with her eyes that she was going to give him a bigger shadow to hide in. Of course, Looks were a means of communication notoriously susceptible to transmission errors.<br><br>"I don't care for being put on the spot like this, but you have caught me," Mouse shot a look of grudging acknowledgement at Wavecrest.<br><br>Throwing back her cloak she stood tall as she could, her shoulders back, not a shrinking little Mouse but a fearless leader of men. "At the request of Lady Wavecrest, a beautiful flower who has never seen the dawn," the golden mark on her forehead lit up as bright as day, and her eyes were steel. The golden light spilled out of her, reflecting against the gems and refracting against the water, throwing light all around the throne room. "I present the dawn! I am Hungry Mouse Gnaws Through Lion's Bonds, once the Sword-Saint of a false god, now Champion of the Sun. With my right hand I strike down our oppressors. With my left I heal the scars they have left. Pray you need neither."<br><br>She looked severely at River, "I have not come to do harm, nor to deceive you. It would be poor repayment for your hospitality, would it not?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>12-02-2020, 17:51:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zavros glanced left, then right, as his companions began to make semi-fancy introductions for themselves. <em>Well, I don't exactly have anything like that</em>, he thought wryly. <em>If they wanted fancy, this power thing shouldn't have chosen some farmboy on the outskirts of good ol' Hacre.</em> But the glowing symbols on their foreheads seemed...similar...ish? To his own? Well, he was already here, and even the divines seemingly played by the rules of hospitality, so...<br><br>"Name's Zavros," he introduced himself. His own symbol flared a momentary gold, but compared to everyone else's, it was far more subdued. "...'s about it, really," he admitted. "I'm a blacksmith just along for the ride." He sketched a salute with his right hand, a wry grin on his face. One noble had already tried to kill him. Was a literal lord of the divine about to make this two for two? <em>One way to find out. </em><br><br>"As our host, I thank ye for your hospitality," he said. "'fraid I don't have any gifts to offer on hand, and I 'pologize for that. But if you give me a smithy and an anvil, I can craft you a gift worthy of the occasion. Guarantee you won't find anything quite like it here or anywhere else." <em>Or at least I hope you can't.</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>13-02-2020, 10:24:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				After Mouse's proclamation, there was silence for several seconds. The entire court seemed to be on a knife-edge, looking between her and Maur-Azur where he stood at the top of the stairs, his face impassive and unreadable. Even Kersinta seemed to have been forgotten.<br><br>Finally, the sea god stepped down, his guards hurriedly pulling back to make way.<br><br>"There was no need for pretence." he said, his expression breaking into a wide, generous smile. "Ones such as you should not have to sneak about under false pretences. In a just and righteous world, you would have entered my domain in a grand parade, with mortals and quisling Terrestrials alike bowing before you, and I would have been the envy of all Yu-Shan to host three emissaries of the Sun united together. Yes, I know what you are, O Lawgivers of Sol Invictus. The memory of a god is long, and my hatred of injustice is second only to yours. Not all of the Celestial Order meekly accepted your death and exile beyond the world, many of us remembered the old order and waited for a time when the usurpers would be reminded of the true Lords of Creation."<br><br>He looked around the court.<br><br>"Come! Why so silent and dour, my children? Let there be celebrations on this momentous day! For surely our visitors are heralds of a new and brighter time coming to this corrupt and hollow world?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>14-02-2020, 05:33:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Wavecrest knew.&nbsp; How did she know?&nbsp; Could gods or God-Bloods sense their power?&nbsp; Or had some other source told her?&nbsp; Though the only one that could would have come out of the Shadowland.&nbsp; Which was not an encouraging thought.&nbsp; As he pondered how he could avoid introducing himself without offending the sea god, the matter was taken out of his hands.&nbsp; Maur-Azur...what game was he playing?&nbsp; Talion didn't believe his line about "hating injustice" for a second.&nbsp; If he did, Hacre would be a very different place.&nbsp; And he was ignoring Kersinta entirely; he didn't know if that was good or bad but he didn't want lose sight of the fact that they'd come here to make sure she was not only safe but comfortable with whatever happened to her.&nbsp; <br><br>His blue eyes peered out from under the hood, studying the tall and strong bodied god as he spoke of things that Talion...he didn't quite get it, but he kind of did too.&nbsp; The terms slid through his memory and seemed to catch at things but slipped through.&nbsp; There was so much he didn't know.&nbsp; And this could be a chance to find out.&nbsp; But at the same time, thinking about anything other than how they were going to get screwed by Maur-Azur was a bad idea.&nbsp; <br><br>"You honor the Chosen of the Sun with your welcome, great and noble, Maur-Azur," Talion said, bowing.&nbsp; He hadn't introduced himself and wasn't about to.&nbsp; If the sea god and his brood thought that Talion was just a mortal flunky, so much the better.&nbsp; "They have seen your dedication to justice on the land and that may be something to speak of ere long."&nbsp; Let him take that however he wished.&nbsp; "What now would you do?&nbsp; For we would not wish to cause disruption to your house overmuch."&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ivory Dawn</strong> on <strong>16-02-2020, 00:19:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kisara restrained the urge to roll her eyes. Mouse was a drama queen, no doubt. But at lease the others were willing to step up and admit their own status - except Talion, but he perhaps wouldn't have wanted Pearl to know she'd tangled with a Solar Exalt. Instead, she nodded as he spoke. It would be a good idea to keep one of them a secret, since the god hadn't grasped their real number yet.<br><br>"As you say, My Lord Maur-Azur. While many turned their gaze, glad the Lawgivers were gone, others remained faithful." She hadn't known a damn thing of that, but why let him know it? And she also noticed he didn't say which group he himself was in. "We will cling fast to our steadfast allies, and justice shall be rendered."<br><br>Bowing, she smiled at him and at the rest of his court, who seemed to be slowly covering from their surprise. "Perhaps the best course of action would be to complete your acceptance of your bride, and have a summit with us and your new lady, while your court prepares a suitable welcome."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>16-02-2020, 22:45:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Oh, her?" said Maur-Azur, looking around for a moment before his eyes alighted on where Kersinta was trembling. "That woman is of no consequence--this day is no longer about me and my wishes."<br><br>He raised a hand and snapped his fingers. "Come, let the wedding feast be turned to a celebration of a new alliance! And the restoration of the righteous, Heaven-ordained order!"<br><br>"Father!" said River, sounding like she was trying to keep her voice down. "Is this wise? We know nothing about them, and they slipped into your palace under false pretences-!"<br><br>"We have an order, Sister." said Wavecrest. She stepped next to Talion, and flashed him a knowing smile, unseen to anyone else. "The feast hall is this way....O honoured guests."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Guancyto</strong> on <strong>18-02-2020, 06:10:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Wait, this was a lot more than Mouse had expected! If she hadn't come out swinging to cover for Talion she would've asked the god to slow down and explain exactly what he was about. She knew the broad strokes, of course, she couldn't live in a village under the dominion of the Realm and not know that the Anathema had been overthrown and the Dragons put in their place.<br><br>...but she hadn't expected it to be <em>true</em>. It was the way tyrants talked, everything before them had been terrible and they were of course but the humble restorers of order. Right?<br><br>Or was that just more talk from the Stag to raise her fury against the Realm?<br><br>Shit.<br><br>She trusted Talion to look after Kersinta. She needed to... shit, she didn't know what she needed to do. She was entirely out of her depth and she didn't trust that Kisara knew what she was doing even if she <em>really </em>sounded like it. She needed more information while still sounding like she knew exactly what she was doing. Maybe if she could...<br><br>"Just out of curiosity, Lord Maur-Azur, what position did you yourself occupy in the old order?" she asked, hoping it would get him talking.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>19-02-2020, 05:02:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>"That woman is of no consequence--this day is no longer about me and my wishes."</em><br><br>Well.&nbsp; That told him all that he needed to know about Maur-Azur.&nbsp; It wasn't a surprise.&nbsp; Talion gestured for Kersinta to come to his side, he didn't want her to get lost in all this or feel abandoned.&nbsp; She might already though; her escorts had completely stolen her thunder.&nbsp; He didn't know her well enough to know if she'd be angry about it or perhaps relieved that she didn't have to go through with her possible sacrifice.&nbsp; It could be both, he wouldn't blame her however she felt about it.<br><br>Wavecrest's smile was knowing and sly and it made his suspicions wax all the stronger.&nbsp; He was starting to feel an itch on his back between his shoulderblades...probably about right where the knife would go.&nbsp; "Thank you, Lady Wavecrest, please show us the way."&nbsp; He offered her his arm, murmuring low and meant for her ears alone, "I have a great many questions for you, clever and pretty girl."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>20-02-2020, 17:18:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Well. This was Zavros's first encounter with a divine being, and it was already starting on a rather bad note. <em>This is how you treat incoming family-in-law?</em> he thought incredulously. <em>What kinda lousy head of family</em> are <em>you?</em> He didn't say anything out loud - he couldn't keep a low whisper to his voice if his life depended on it. And if he tried, here it not only likely would, but it'd also rope in the rest of his impromptu group into something that they probably couldn't fight - even he could see that. <br><br>Zavros schooled the features on his face, but he couldn't stop a slight frown marring the otherwise stone-like slab he tried to present. He stayed close to his group - and even though he knew damned well that they all could fight incredibly nasty things, he could at least absorb the first few blows. <em>...maybe they have a forge I can 'borrow.'</em> He could hope anyhow - otherwise, the lowborn peasant with godly power was not going to try and perform where his strengths were absent from. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>22-02-2020, 14:32:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I once held high office as the god of the Inner Sea around the Blessed Isle itself." said Maur-Azur, his voice witful. "But now, I have moved here. After the old order collapsed, I and many like me refused to deal with the Dragon-Blooded filth. Political fortunes turned against us for this act of dfiance, and so I was ousted, and I was only able to preserve this region from my rivals."<br><br>He led the group through to one of the great side halls, his children tailing behind him. Kersinta drifted uncertainly after the group, staying close to Talion, and Wavecrest also stuck close to them, a faint half-smile on her face, letting out only a muffled giggle as Talion spoke to her.<br><br>The table was dominated by a great eel-like creature of some kind, at least twenty feet long. It had been cooked and stuffed with pungent vegetables, and adorned with a thick golden glaze. Around it were many other dishes, each containing some seafood delicacy. For Zavros and Mouse, it was quite possibly more food than they had ever seen in the same place before. Small seahorse-headed servants hurried in and out from an unseen kitchen, offering glasses of green wine to the party.<br><br>"Come! Eat, drink and be treated as you deserve! And afterwards....we can discuss the future."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>28-02-2020, 17:14:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zavros tried his best to not just let the sheer display of food overwhelm him. He was afraid it wasn't working - his eyes must have been as wide as tea saucers. He had no idea what sort of...thing...Maur-Azur had had his servants prepare for the banquet, but it was clearly massive. Was this some passive creature raised for the slaughter? Or was it some fearsome beast, with it being presented for dinner being as much a statement as it was a food choice?<br><br>Zavros had no idea. Gingerly picking up one of the dishes, he poked at the grilled...mackerel? He had no idea - only that his senses were informing him that great care and attention had gone into cooking and preparing it, that the spices had been meticulously chosen, and that the chef could safely assume to be quite proud. <br><br>The wine...he had no idea. "Uh, thanks?" He'd never been served by a seahorse...head...thing. <br><br>He turned to Mouse. "You reckon this is safe to eat?" he asked in a hushed voice. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ivory Dawn</strong> on <strong>07-03-2020, 17:53:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Be treated as you deserve"? Kisara had heard less ambiguous phrasing from merchants dodging a customs checkpoint. As they sat down, she gave Maur-Azur a smile that had sharp edges. "Your generous hospitality will be remembered, my Lord, and your treatment of us repaid in kind. The Children of the Unconquered Sun do not forget their debts lightly." Grandmother Mnemon couldn't have done better.<br><br>Okay, she probably could have, but she wasn't here.<br><br>She sat down and looked at the food spread before them, the luxuriously stuffed eel, the rich wine, the delicately seasoned clams. In the palace of the Sea Lord, being feasted in a way her family would envy, and she felt fairly sure it was a trap. But it shouldn't be, right? This should have been the wedding feast . . . ugh!<br><br>Picking up a glass and thanking the seahorse-man who had served it to her, she looked at the rest of the group before studying the food again, more intently. She might be able to survive a poisoning, and maybe Zavros - big fellows took a lot of poison to kill - but the other two might not. Maybe . . . well, she wasn't a trained poison sniffer, but she might be able to figure things out by the mannerisms of the sea-folk.<br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Dice Stuff</div><div class="spoiler_body">Kisara wants to see if there's danger, whether poison or some other type of skullduggery. So I rolled! I'm assuming Wisdom is the applicable attribute, and Awareness would count (which just means she can't be surprised).<br>At 2020-03-07 10:42:45, Ivory Dawn (uid: 67904) rolls: 1d20 Result: 20 (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=145109) 20 + 2 = 22</div></div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>08-03-2020, 20:50:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Talion didn't like this.&nbsp; An honored guest could be a good role to have but it also meant that people were going to notice if you tried to slip off.&nbsp; It also meant that sooner or later, he'd have to take his hood down and get outed.&nbsp; Damn it, he was an idiot!&nbsp; He should have stayed as Tolina for this.&nbsp; He'd thought that being Talion would help comfort Kersinta, she knew him after all and she did not know his female form.&nbsp; Now he was perhaps the most volatile trigger in this whole mess.<br><br>But there was no going back now.&nbsp; Changing here would be obvious and he'd already spoken.&nbsp; Though he'd tried to pitch his voice high, he didn't think it'd be high enough to match Tolina's.&nbsp; And Wavecrest had seen his face before he'd covered up.&nbsp; Gods above and below, he'd screwed up big time.&nbsp; <br><br>He just had to hope he'd live long enough to learn the lesson from it.<br><br>He held out a seat at the table, first for Wavecrest, and then again for Kersinta, placing them on either side of an empty seat he intended to take himself.&nbsp; As Kersinta would sit, he leaned forward and rested a hand on her shoulder, "It's all right.&nbsp; I still mean what I said," he whispered, "I will not let you come to harm or have you stay against your will."<br><br>Then he slid into the empty chair as Kisara thanked their host and looked at the food critically.&nbsp; Was even this not up to Scarlet Dynasty standards or something?&nbsp; What was her life?&nbsp; No, that wasn't it.&nbsp; Not entirely.&nbsp; Whatever it was, he shook his head and took a wine filled goblet from one of the servants, "Thank you, friend."&nbsp; <br><br>The laid out feast was impressive and amazing.&nbsp; He'd be more dazzled by it if he didn't feel so frustrated and worried about this all blowing up.&nbsp; As it was, he simply let his plate be filled by the servants with a generous slice of eel and some of the other offerings available.&nbsp; Growing up in the streets of Nexus, he was going to eat and eat his fill.&nbsp; You never knew when you might not be able to get food.&nbsp; And he was probably going to need the energy.<br><br>He turned his head to regard Wavecrest, "Lady Wavecrest, truly the wonders of your home are many.&nbsp; Your beauty still being first among them in my mind." he spoke low and in a way that he hoped was not out of place for a fancy dinner.&nbsp; People had side conversations at things like this, didn't they?&nbsp; "You knew there was something unusual about us all along.&nbsp; Clearly you're very clever, but may I ask how you knew?&nbsp; Surely you must have some wondrous power or perhaps you are not as out of touch with the outside world as you pretend..."<br><br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">OOC</div><div class="spoiler_body">Talion is trying to charm information out of Wavecrest.<br><br>Spending 1 Effort to invoke Fashioning a Friend on the mischievous Godblood<br><br>CHA roll: At 2020-03-08 13:49:25, Armphid (uid: 65288) rolls: 1d20a3 Result: 15</div></div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>10-03-2020, 01:48:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"The honour and fidelity of the Princes of the Earth was legendary....and I myself saw the truth of it." said Maur-Azur, sitting at the head of the table. "The city now called Hacre was once the lesser of two cities known as the Sapphire Sisters, and the Elder Sister was the domain of two great warriors of the Dawn, who competed often and saw the sea well stocked with great creatures, that they might never lack for sport. Of course now it is a sunken ruin, haunted by ghosts. It was a fool amongst the Dragon-Blooded who doomed that city, one more beautiful thing they have taken from this world. I have been the one that guarded what is left ever since. But tell me more of yourself....what do you desire? Have you come here to stay? What are your plans for the city I have safeguarded?"<br><br>Kisara could pick up on the subtexts of the room around her without too much trouble. The barely concealed suspicion of some of the Azurkin, the fearful deference of the servants....if there was a plan in motion here, it seemed that only Maur-Azur himself knew what it was. The food showed none of tell-tale signs of poison that growing up in the Dynasty taught you to look out for...and it had been prepared as a wedding feast before Maur-Azur even knew to expect them.<br><br><br>.....<br><br><br>Kersinta nodded, looking like she didn't quite dare to speak. She almost apologetically slid into the chair, taking only a little food. She looked even more uncertain than Talion felt, lacking any obvious role in the festivities.<br><br>Wavecrest blushed at Talion's words, flushing a pretty shade of purple.<br><br>"I can sense beings of power.....as can most of us. But I was the one who thought to check--even if I did not know exactly what you were, I knew that four beings of power would not come here without a good reason. You seem....a little uncomfortable with so many people around, sir. Do you want to discuss this here....or elsewhere?" she asked with a coy giggle. <br><br><br><em>OOC: I'll treat Kisara's Dynastic origins as a beneficial Fact when looking out for assassination threats. :-) </em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Guancyto</strong> on <strong>10-03-2020, 23:54:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Mouse nodded to Zavros when he asked if the food was safe to eat. Even if it wasn't, the power she held over poisons would see them through. It was refreshing, in its own way, to see Kisara look so calculating and so suspiciously at the food while she herself ate without care. She had been feasted in her time - she had been <em>important</em>, after all - and even if her own people's fare didn't measure up to it she knew the gesture and that to refuse would insult their hospitality.<br><br>When Maur-Azur asked their plans, though, Mouse bit her tongue. A truthful answer would have been 'see my people safe' but she had been decidedly closed-mouth around the Dynast that she even <em>had</em> people to look after and she had no desire to change that. Better to limit the scope of a Dragon's betrayal to those who could weather it best.<br><br>"Truth be known I hadn't had a great many plans in coming to Hacre. It was a stop on the way and you were an opportunity, all told," she steepled her fingers. The former sword-saint could look like she knew what she was doing with the best of them. "But you present a better opportunity than most. Zavros," she turned to her companion, "you've raised a couple of ships already. How would you feel about raising a city?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>15-03-2020, 19:17:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Raise a <em>what-now?</em>"<br><br>At least that was how it would have sounded if Zavros's mouth hadn't been stuffed full of grilled mackerel. Credit where credit was due, the food was <em>good</em>, especially when he had Mouse's assurance that it was probably not poisoned. And Zavros had thought that living near a seaside town had desensitized him to all the various ways the local taverns tried to spice up the mundane, but the chefs of a demigod clearly had proven him wrong. And Zavros was a simple farmboy - he was hungry, and there was food on offer. <br><br>Except he nearly choked on the food, coughing to clear his throat as Mouse then suggested what he thought was initially impossible. But..."Well, I had somethin' to work with from the ships," he pointed out mildly, "and that took me the better part o' a week. But bringin' up a whole dang city? I'm not sure where I'd even start..." Yet now that Mouse had suggested it, the thought simply wouldn't let himself go. The chance to build something back up, better than new, a monument to let everyone know what he built...<br><br>"...lemme sleep on it?" he asked weakly. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ivory Dawn</strong> on <strong>17-03-2020, 18:11:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Oh, he was the one who 'guarded' what was left of the city that was now a Shadowland? Lovely. Useless bugger.<br><br>Kisara bit into a juicy slice of glazed eel and chewed thoughtfully. "Which city do you mean, my lord?" She sipped the wine and found it to be light and just sweet enough, the essence of the sea flowing through it. "You said you guard Hacre, and what was left of the other of the Sapphire Sisters. Both would fit that bill, based on my conversations with other immortal beings."<br><br>She leaned back in her chair, the Dynast at ease, still casually dangerous, the glass of wine dangling from one hand idly. "I did not come to Hacre with the intent of making a home. It was luck and circumstance that allowed the ship I booked passage on to come close enough to rescue the Lady Kersinta, your chosen bride," she'd keep hammering that into him, hoping he'd at least make the offer to the woman. Maybe it was better if he didn't, though. "To save the rest of her people, which was only the right thing to do, I traveled further into what I presume was the other city you spoke of."<br><br>Another languid sip of wine, a small curve of her lips. "After saving her life and the lives of her people, my compatriots and I thought it meet to come with her to meet you, so we stayed in Hacre until the ceremony, and then were kindly welcomed into your august presence. That is all."<br><br>Kisara's smile became a little sharper. "We had not discussed our plans after today, though I for one would be eager to hear any suggestions or proposals you might offer, my Lord." We'd see what the King Fish had to say for himself here. And she hadn't revealed too much there, she didn't think. Of course, he was likely sharper than he looked.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>23-03-2020, 03:53:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Talion would have loved to answer the sea god's question and use it to probe and learn more about the deity and this whole situation.&nbsp; But that would risk discovery by Pearl, which he was certain would cause this whole thing to blow up in their faces.&nbsp; Kisara seemed to be trying to do some of that herself, though she was blunter about it than he would have been.&nbsp; But that could work in her favor. <br><br>Mouse and Zavros were blessedly straightforward and that would help Kisara's efforts as well.&nbsp; Though he did a mild double take when the slender and petite warrior asked the towering bumpkin if he could raise a city.&nbsp; She asked so diffidently that he almost expected the larger man to answer in the affirmative.&nbsp; He seemed as taken aback by it as any of them though.&nbsp; Which, again, was positive.&nbsp; It showed a lack of guile in their group.&nbsp; Which would make it easier for those with guile to operate.&nbsp; He could have hugged the two of them. <br><br>In the meantime, it seemed that the lovely Wavecrest might be a good source of information herself.&nbsp; And a willing one.&nbsp; Her explanation also did make sense, but he still had to be careful about accepting it at face value.&nbsp; A lot could be going on here that they didn't know about.&nbsp; "Ah, then you are clever, Lady Wavecrest.&nbsp; For it is one thing to know how to do something and another to know when to do so."&nbsp; Her offer to slip away...would be risky but likely also the best way to get some things straight.<br><br>The handsome thief leaned over to Kersinta, "I will return, but don't worry.&nbsp; All of us are dedicated to seeing you safe.&nbsp; Keep your head down and stay quiet, keep close to Kisara if the party moves before I'm back."&nbsp; He gave her a smile that invited her to trust in him, gleaming with confidence that was only partially fake.<br><br>Then he nodded and leaned back over to the other side of his chair and the blue hued beauty of Wavecrest, "I think elsewhere would be the perfect place to...talk," he stressed the word slightly, "more freely.&nbsp; And give me the chance to admire you freely as well.&nbsp; I'm sure a clever girl such as you would know a way to get us out of the room without much fuss or note, wouldn't you?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>26-03-2020, 02:21:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Maur-Azur nodded sagely at Kisara's words, though her barely even glanced at Kersinta.<br><br>"Then it seems I have her to thank for your presence. She will be rewarded after being returned to the surface, I suppose. As for what now....your greatest obstacle will be the Dragon-Blooded, both the pair of crooks who call themselves the Kings and the watchdogs of the Realm. They will crush or destroy anything that threatens their dominion, as you are no doubt aware. You must ask yourselves, are you ready to start a war?"<br><br>But that is in the future. For now, you are due a taste of the luxury that is your birthright. Avail yourself of my palace for tonight. Name a pleasure, and anything you ask for shall be yours."<br><br>He glanced over to Wavecrest and Talion as they whispered, giving him a knowing glance.<br><br>"And I do mean, <em>anything</em>."<br><br>"Father!" said Wavecrest with a coquettish giggle. She rose from the table, tugging on Talion's sleeve.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ivory Dawn</strong> on <strong>30-03-2020, 03:34:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kisara was both relieved and troubled by Maur-Azur's cavalier attitude towards Kersinta. Her people staked their lives and well-being sending her to him, and he dropped his give-a-damn that easily? But at least she would be rewarded, which hopefully meant she and the town would be safe after they left.<br><br>Her lips quirked up in a small, ironic smile. "My Lord, before I drew my second breath, I was a foot soldier in the Legions of the Scarlet Dynasty. I have been ready for war since I was small. I know well the consequences of it, and would prefer not to start one here for the sake of the people who have done naught wrong." She sipped her wine again, taking brief comfort in the delicate taste of it. "The Kings, of course, will be an obstacle more immediate than the rest of the realm, and need to be dealt with."<br><br>Smiling, Kisara shook her head. "The only pleasure I would seek is a soft, warm bed to rest in. We have been long on the road, and I know well enough to sleep when I can." She noted Wavecrest and Talion's flirting, and was a bit amused by it. The girl was lovely, and Talion was clearly good at keeping his own counsel, but things could slip out in a moment of passion. "Your hospitality is most appreciated, My Lord. In all its facets."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>01-04-2020, 03:05:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Gods.&nbsp; So much for going unnoticed.&nbsp; Talion grimaced under the hood of his robe but bowed his head, "Your hospitality is truly divine."&nbsp; Then he rose as Wavecrest tugged at his sleeve.&nbsp; He felt unsure about this.&nbsp; Normally slipping out with a pretty partner was something he looked forward to but he couldn't shake the feeling that this was all going to blow up in their faces.&nbsp; Or that they were being played.&nbsp; Or both.&nbsp; "By your leave."<br><br>Still, one of the ways this could blow up would be if Pearly recognized him so best to make himself scarce while she was still in attendance.&nbsp; This might be a terrible idea.&nbsp; But staying was also a terrible idea.&nbsp; This all seemed to be going well but he felt trapped in a way that he hadn't in a very, very long time.&nbsp; There was also the guilt of leaving Kersinta.&nbsp; But the others would watch out for her.&nbsp; He trusted them to do that.<br><br>He let Wavecrest lead him out of the room and through the palace, all the while his eyes taking careful note of what he saw as they passed.&nbsp; He had to try and learn the lay of the palace in case he had to make it back to his companions in a hurry.&nbsp; Or get out in a hurry.&nbsp; Or both.&nbsp; ...There was a lot of "or both" going on here and none of it was good. "Where are you taking me for our discussion, Lady Wavecrest?"&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>03-04-2020, 19:55:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Well, this was certainly not what Zavros expected to run into when he rolled out of bed this morning. From escorting a human bride to a demigod's palace (and given how much Kersinta was now seemingly like yesterday's rumor in all the proceedings, he was feeling terrible for the girl) to being offered said demigod's hospitality. That, at least, made Zavros feel a little better. A little. The gods of old were supposed to be sticklers for hospitality, weren't they? And if they were all supposed to be something approaching equal to this guy...or something? All of this made Zavros's head spin. <em>I ain't cut out for this sorta thing,</em> he thought ruefully. Yet he had personal experience of what Maur-Azur was talking about. And if he didn't say anything now, even for a moment (and if he made himself sound silly in such august company), he'd never forgive himself. <br><br>"Your lordship, the Dragon Blooded nobles are just runnin' amok and making a tearin' mess out o' things," he said, trying to sound somewhat formal (even if he knew he wasn't kidding anyone). "They set conditions for tribute, then they move the sign posts when you meet what they demand, then they just wipe away everythin' you own with their own magic. Would've happened to me and mine if this-" he tapped the glowing caste symbol on his forehead, "-hadn't shown up when it did. So no, I reckon we're not friends of the royals or the nobles. Makes us...somethin', anyhow." <br><br>Coughing, and feeling self conscious now that he'd made himself the center of attention, he asked, "if you have a smithy, an anvil or somethin', I'd like to make use of it. Make somethin' for us, and a gift for you while I'm at it." He glanced at Kersinta, then Mouse and the others. "And anyone else who wants to cling along, maybe."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Guancyto</strong> on <strong>05-04-2020, 11:03:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Well," Mouse said, tapping her feet against the floor, "I have to admit I'm curious what you all do to pass the time down here. So, more music, perhaps?"<br><br>She was most certainly <em>not</em> here to start another war, enough innocent blood had been spilled on her behalf to last a lifetime. But at the same time, there was a need to kick the dragons out or kill them. But for the need to stay composed she would have made a sour face as she recognized that she was trying to have her cake and eat it too.<br><br>Maybe music would help her think of something. Probably not, though.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Azuresun</strong> on <strong>05-04-2020, 23:58:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Some time later, the Solars had been entertained and spoiled until the point where most people would have become sick of it. maur-Azur was an indulgent host, and no empty glass went more than a few seconds without being filled. Wispy-looking, saucer-eyed fish spirits were bought in and performed an elaborate dance, translucent fins moving like veils. There were no further questions from the sea god, who instead seemed content to sit back and observe until the festivities seemed to be drawing to a close.<br><br>"You must be exhausted! My children, see them to their quarters!" he declared. "We shall talk more in the morning about your plans for Creation, and how I may be at your side to aid them."<br><br><br>.....<br><br><br>Wavecrest answered Talion's question by pushing open the doors to an ornately adorned bedroom, with some kind of crystalline glass dome overhead. Since they had arrived here, it was now night, and only the bioluminescence of the gardens illuminated the world outside, with nothing of the outside world now visible apart from the odd fish wandering along the outside of the dome. In the centre of the chamber was a great shell that had been made into a luxurious bed.<br><br>"I hope you don't mind if I do this myself?" she asked, slipping her dress off one shoulder, and letting it flow off her body and around her ankles. She had nothing else on other than a coy smile. "Not that I'd <em>mind</em> you tearing my clothes off like you did with my sister...."<br><br><br>.....<br><br><br>The oldest of the male god-blooded announced his presence to Zavros with a polite cough.<br><br>"You were asking about a forge or studio, good sir?" he said. "There is such a place, though it has been unused for many years. There is such a place here, though my father tells me that when he found it, it was only a shell of what it once was. Perhaps you may make something of it."<br><br><br>.....<br><br><br>Kersinta clung close to Kisara as she and Mouse were escorted to their rooms by Pearl and River. The young soldier never relaxed her grip on the hilt of her sword, and Pearl did not seem much more relaxed.<br><br>"It's a pity that we won't get to know a new stepmother." she said with a bright smile. "But I suppose were it not for you, my father would not have met either of you."<br><br>She turned to look at Mouse and Kisara, as servants scrambled to open the doors to their rooms, bowing fearfully.<br><br>"A former soldier of the Imperial legions, and a barba....hillfolk chief? Unlikely companions indeed--normally, people like you would only have met on the battlefield. I hope you will respect the honour my father has shown you, and the boundless compassion you have witnessed here today."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Armphid</strong> on <strong>24-04-2020, 22:38:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				If the sight of the bedroom and the breath taking view through that clear dome that was it's ceiling didn't make her intentions clear, the rustle of fabric did so.&nbsp; It caught his ear as he was looking up at the sea above them, fish swimming by not far over their heads, and drew his gaze back down.&nbsp; "Venus," he breathed as his eyes fell on Wavecrest's bare body and she gave him that delightfully naughty smile.&nbsp; She had a lovely body, there was no denying it.&nbsp; Not quite the lush curves of her older sister but feminine and desirable, even if petite.&nbsp; He drew in a breath and inclined his head in appreciation, "Now that's the most divine sight I've had this whole trip."<br><br>Talion pulled the hood of the robe down, smiling.&nbsp; "Figured me out, hm?&nbsp; Again, you are clever.&nbsp; I wonder if Pearly told you the whole story...but that doesn't matter now."&nbsp; This was...dangerous.&nbsp; So dangerous.&nbsp; He wanted her, he couldn't deny it.&nbsp; But it would be trouble.&nbsp; And it would be trouble if he denied her.&nbsp; But being in bed with her would leave him vulnerable.&nbsp; To her and anyone else who might be in wait.&nbsp; Sun's perfect ass, he'd screwed up big on this whole thing.&nbsp; "Do you think she knows?"&nbsp; If she did, he was sure she'd have blown her top but maybe Pearly had more self-control and deceit in her than he was giving her credit for.<br><br>He began to undo the fastenings of his robe, slowly exposing pale skin that was taut over agile muscle.&nbsp; Slowly to tease, to build the mood, and almost entirely to stall for time to try and think of a way out or see the best path forward.&nbsp; "Will you tell her when we're gone?&nbsp; That the man who humiliated her was here?&nbsp; That you bedded him because he found you far more beautiful and interesting?"&nbsp; Appeal to the ego.&nbsp; That was usually good with the powerful.&nbsp; And then...and then he'd have to figure out the next step.&nbsp; <br><br>And trust his instincts more next time.&nbsp; Tolina wouldn't be having this problem.&nbsp; Probably.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ivory Dawn</strong> on <strong>28-04-2020, 02:44:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Mmmm." Kisara looked into the room she'd be sleeping in. "Truly your father has given us great honor, and shown much favor." Her hands were casually at her sides, not quite brushing her axes. "And you're quite right, we would never have likely met, let alone begun traveling together." She smiled at Kersinta, making sure to stay between the human woman and the godbloods. "No doubt something she should be thanked for."<br><br>Keeping her tone casual, she nodded at River. "While it would be an honor to have spend time with both of you, I'm not sure that a soldier's talk would be of interest to you, Lady Pearl. But perhaps it would be nice for Lady River to have someone to discuss the trials of soldiery with." Giving a winning smile, she gently guided Kersinta into the room. "If you would like, of course. I would never want to keep you from something important."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Words of Creation Chapter 2: The House of Azure</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaval</strong> on <strong>15-05-2020, 14:16:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zavros was agreeable to being shown the studio - appropriately enough, really. He really did just kind of stand out like a pig in a dress at a high society party - he tried, he technically followed whatever rules for entry were there (for just having the strange mark on his head and the abilities that came with it), but everyone was going to notice that he was the one thing that didn't look like the others. And he hated that - he hated that a lot. He really, really wanted to be doing something that could help this motley group that he'd been dragged along with, but he...he wasn't a good speaker - he'd just proven that. He didn't have any way to smoothly approach the ladies, unlike Talion did. He wasn't the best fighter like Mouse or Kisara...<br><br>...but as he was brought to the studio, all of his worries seemed to fade away. This - this seemed more like it. Sure, it probably had been neglected and unused for years, maybe even decades or more - he doubted that any smith worth their salt had been in here in quite awhile. Yet he was more than happy to bring it back to life...and play to something he knew he was darned good at. <br><br>Turning to the god-blooded who brought him here, he asked, "so you've been 'round this block before...what's the big guy want?" He spread his arms out to emphasize. "An' I don't want you to be shy 'bout it. I wanna know - what does the big man want, and what d'you reckon he'd appreciate having as a gift?" If they were going to be here for any amount of time, it was probably a good idea to keep him on his good side...
			</dd>
		</dl>
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