Lady Brightscales, the Dreaming Dragon

Log Info

• Title: Lady Brightscales, the Dreaming Dragon
• Emitter: Seldan
• Characters: Seldan, Kira, Darius, Cryosanthia, Shalethiste
• Place: A10 Temple of Eluna
• Time: Tuesday, June 23, 2020, 2:36 PM
• Summary: Seldan is carrying scrolls and Shalethiste is healing a boy out front fo the Temple of Eluna, when Kira, Darius and Cryosanthia gather. The Silver Guard has something he wants to tell the Sentinel, but worries first about Cryo's presence, until Kira and she explain that her mark is gone, and Cryo is making the rounds of the temples, giving thanks. Seldan updates them regarding the things he found out at the Treant moot, and some discussion of Salina's nature follows, with Cryo explaining she seems motivated by pure research and curiosity, but also completely lacking empathy. 'Missing a Piece'. The group breaks up, going their separate ways with Shalethiste accompanying Cryo as she makes her prayers. The sith is grateful, thanking the Dreaming Dragon for enabling the Dragonfather's visit, asks for blessings, insight, and that others with the mark be freed. This done, she thanks Shalethiste and departs.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=<* A10: Temple of Eluna *>=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

Eluna's temple stands near her brother's, and trees of the grove often wander their vines that way, only to be chased away by the priests--much as two children might battle in the back of a cart. Eluna's temple is composed of solemn, alabaster pillars and marble, as ancient as Her brother's though more austerely kept. Each pillar represents a phase of the moon, over which She has dominion. Their surface is scribed with the words of ancient dreams, those first recorded in the known world, when mankind was first awakening to their significance.

In the center of the temple lies a grand pool. Serene in its surface, it reflects the open sky overhead, though the temple is covered by an arched ceiling. At all times within the surface may the stars be seen. Surrounding this pool are a number of tasseled rugs, on which petitioners sit and meditate, or seek counsel for interpretation of their dreams.

Warriors of Daeus are often found here, providing guards where the wards of Eluna prefer introspection and contemplation. These fighters bear dual symbols, signifying the tie between divine father and divine daughter. They and the priests here speak in quiet voices, reminiscent of Eluna's place as the Dreaming Goddess.

To the north of the temple is a modest library, its function primarily in the way of records--recording of dreams, of meditation, of theories of the proper use of magic--teachings directly opposed by the Shadow Goddess, Taara. It is this last shift that has seen an increase in the number of guards among the temple, and the increased adoption of the Star of Tears among the belts of Seers.

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-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-  Appearing, in Order  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Seldan       5'11"    187 Lb     Human             Male      Ginger-blonde human in armor wearing Eluna's symbol.
Kira         5'0"     120 Lb     Human             Female    Blonde woman in simple robes with an eye patch.
Darius       6'4"     240 Lb     Human             Male      A tall, stocky and muscular human warrior.
Cryosanthia  6'9"     267 Lb     Sith-Makar        Female    A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman.
Shalethiste  4'6"     96 Lb      Shadow Elf        Female    A copper maned elf maiden, hued in the night sky.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

"Well enough," Seldan answers politely, although the hug draws raised eyebrows from him. The group stands not far from the Temple entrance, Shalethiste tending a young boy with his mother watching carefully. Seldan is fully armored but has skipped the helm for the moment, and holds a sheaf of scrolls in one hand. "I did indeed promise you Siavonere's tale," he agrees with Kira's words. "I ought to set it down, really ..."

Kira returns Darius' hug, smile warming more than her cheeks. "Thank you. There is still much to do, and learn." She releases him to look back to Seldan when he mentions the village, nodding before quieting to listen.

Shalethiste smiles, "I only acted, it was the Sky-Singer who closed the wound." she replies, arching an eyebrow for a moment at the affection between this man and Kira. She turns to the gentle tug on her skirt and kneels down to meet the boy's eyes on his 'Thank you.' The elf gives a warm smile and gently smooths back his hair, "You're very welcome, but Eluna is more to thank than I am. Remember to thank her, too, alright?" She rises, then and looks to Seldan, something subtle in her eyes, but, her attention flits to Kira as the two speak and she relaxes slightly as the mother and son make their way elsewhere to give their thanks.

A tall, white sith-makar woman in mithral and leather armour strides up the temple steps. The white leather is tight to her arms and legs, and part of her tail. The mithral is both over top a loose blouse and underneath a waist-coat corset. There is a timepiece present. Finally she has a short skirt, and a short cape bunched over a small backpack in such a way it resembles folded wings. All her clothes are a stark wintery white, with pale blue highlights, except the mithral which is a silvery blue. The corset is covered in small, glacial blue snowflakes and her cape has a big dragon-eye on it, in a similar colour.

Noticing the group she heads in their direction, coming up beside the Sentinel and giving a nod to the Silver Guard and the warrior.

Darius for his part doesn't seem to care about the arched eyebrows directed his way and says to Kira, "Learning never stops..." He nods to Cryo and says, "Cryosanthia... good to see you..."

"Cryosanthia, Her light upon your path." Seldan greets the newcomer, quietly and with some reserve. "It is good to see you well. Does she watch you?" He says nothing further, only holding up an open hand to Kira, as if to hold. There seems to be no animosity here, as there was even only a few weeks ago, only a bit of polite reserve.

Shalethiste's posture shifts slightly as 'Cryosanthia' was a name that was the cornerstone of some dischord the last time the three paladins shared proximity, and she glances to the Sith with veiled concern at Seldan's response, though she affords her a bow of the head and, "Her LIght upon your path."

Kira turns to Cryo and beams. "Welcome, it's good to see you." She pauses at Seldan's concerned question, looking to his held hand ... though she can't fault him for habit of prudence.

"Seldan... Her prayers were answered..." she had mentioned that much to him, but not the important detail. "The Dragonfather freed her, as Eluna did for me."

Looking back to her sithter, she encourages, "Show him."

"Peace on your Nest, Darius. I hope you, Aika and the dire kitty are doing well." Cryo says, dipping her nose towards the warrior. After which she's looking around at the group.

"It sure is!" Is her quick answer for Shalethiste, her voice exhuberant, then at Kira's prompting she removes her left glove, displaying the back of her hand, mostly to Seldan. The sith explains, "In a dream, of Zeke and the Dragonfather. A very painful dream, but it happened, See? This one thinks the Lady Brightscales deserves a thanks for that part in it too. I am on my way to do so."

Seldan's smile brightens, his eyebrows lifting, and he bows his head, murmuring a swift prayer of thanksgiving. "Truly do the gods show their hand to us. It is for us to finish the task." His eyes lift, calm and clear. "You should then hear the tale that I would tell to the Sentinel." Any remaining animosity appears to be resolved, although how is not fully clear. "In your reading, have you come across the name Siavonere?"

Shalethiste relaxes some and returns a grin to the Sith's enthusiastic reply, "A blessed day, then!" she returns and sweeps her eyes about the gathered before offering a hand, "I'm Shalethiste, of Her Silver Guard, it's nice to meet you both." as she looks to the Sith and Kira's male friend.

Kira beams once more at Cryo, obviously very happy for her, before remembering her manners and turning to Shalethiste. "forgive me, Shalethiste. This is Darius," she gestures to him, then Cryo, "and Cryosanthia," she offers helpful introductions as she's met Shelly before.

"He did take my hand, that was a part of it. Please tell Zeke I'm safe to be around. Safer... Hmm... It's not familiar but it sounds Sylvan?" Cryo says, gripping the bottom of her chin with thumb and the knuckle of her forefinger as she concentrates. "I don't remember reading about it. How is it important?"

"Cryosanthia, Speaker of the Sith-Makar, or Cryo, in emergencies." The white sith takes Shalethiste's hand, shaking it. In a small, humorous sort of voice she adds, "Look out Cryo that demon is going to eat your head. Cryo duck, Cryo get off the boat, sort of thing."

She looks back at Seldan, awaiting the details he has, slipping her glove back on as she does, waiting in place in an energetic sort of way, turning her ankles out then back in again. "A thistle that grows in the rocks and mining shale? I'm named after a flower too!"

"It lies in the Fae Realms, and is Salina's home village. The one that was destroyed," Seldan adds, looking from face to face. "The druids have told myself and others that they know where to find it. I ... and others who took the job ... have seen Salina as a child. A fae child. The village was sheltering her, protecting her, and was attacked by demons pretending to be ogres, and possibly humans. They would not permit her to help, and died to a man to protect her."

Darius smiles at Shalethiste and says, "Greetings, as Kira said, I am Darius..."

Shalethiste gives a wry quirk of her lips at Cryo's nameplay and, "Shelly, in a hurry." she returns lightly, leaving the rest for another time, offering her hand as it's released in turn to Darius, "A pleasure. With Seldan's explaination, her expression dims and she considers the information for some moments, "I see..."

Kira's smile fades at this news. "She was there to witness? That is ... horrible.." Well, it must've been! Despite whom they're speaking off, she still feels regret at that tragedy. "It's a shame that it couldn't be stopped... Demons... does that mean that ... he was involved?"

"Oh! Yes! This one remembers that. Reading that!" Cryosanthia exclaims, "Faran and I discussed, if the young girl was the Miss Taker and Remaker, whether she felt loss and remorse for the ones that died, if she had a connection to them, or... if her actions were more petulance at being restrained. That she was as heartless then as now and only seeking an excuse to latch onto. You were there? How did she seem? This one recalls the record said some enchanting was done, teleport potions used. Was the old elf who arranged it ever found?"

"Wait, if it's destroyed, the druid's found what? Ruins? You are going to see them now, or..." The sith's head rears back as her neck straightens, she considers the possibilities of the Fae lands, "... back in time? If so, you are sure you will not be the cause of her?"

"In the present time," Seldan answers, raising a hand in caution. "The old elf was Eclavdran in disguise." A warning ice-blue gaze seeks out the sith-makar's eyes. "The whole thing was an illusion, and yet was it meant to show us. Or, if it were not illusion ...." His eyes lower. "The damage may already be done."

He lets that hang for only a breath before looking up. "She is not wholly without emotion, I think. I heard the child's voice ... then ... and at the moot. Never in between those times."

Darius raises an eyebrow, completely confused by what they are talking about, he stays silent as he listens.

"Would it be prudent to name either monster aloud?" Shale wonders, arching an eyebrow, though there's a curious look at Cryosanthia with her chosen appelations. Perhaps that embellishes the point, but, back to the topic at hand, "I know little of such grand weavings, but could it be possible to scry back to that time and perhaps see if you were, in fact, there?" She's... mum on the moot thing, as it's outside her awareness, but she probes at what she has.

Kira glances to Darius as she listens, and ponders on things, reaching out a hand to pat his arm. "We hope to stop her, soon, but many things are still puzzling," she offers as abbreviated explanation.

"Whether what you saw was real or not, he had to know it to show you..." Her face twists some, though not quite in to a frown. "I can understand her pain; desiring so badly to help others, but unable to. She ..shared that, with me. Maybe that is why she spreads suffering and pain, to share her own?"

Cryo nods, listening. Shalethiste's comment causing her to hold up her right hand in a stop gesture, "Saying his name calls his attention. He can read your mind then. That's why Ezil and I wear these, mind protection from the Iron Book." Her hand is gloved, but there is the outline of a ring around one of her fingers. A ring that's been there a long, long time from the sith's perspective.

"So, He arranged it, and he was summoned by Silvermoon, yet also bound by Zeheir to the Tower before she got it. And, a demon summoning circle seemingly intended for him exists, since Alexandria had sewers, which is... hundreds of years ago? He is bound to her destruction but they are both so tightly wound together with their time tricks. There are more discrepancies I wonder about."

The white sith exhales, "This one knows She is not without emotions, She has some. She lacks others. Humour. She did not laugh once in all my time, my jokes are bad but not that bad. Empathy. There is a sociopathy or psychopathy to her, a missing piece. No one with humanity would willing spread so much pain; we pull legs off bugs to see them struggle as younglings, not adults. That is known to be needless and cruel."

"She is not human," Seldan reminds the group, although some of his reserve returns at the speculations voiced. "I know not, Shalethiste, whether that is possible. I believe it so ... her words that all the magic in the world cannot undo tragedy are mine to her, when first I saw her." All trace of smile fades. "What, think you, does she lack?"

Kira has a few ideas, but she looks to Cryosanthia, defering to her wisdom. Sadly, the sith spend far more time with Salina than most anyone.

Shalethiste looks to Kira for a moment, sympathetic, a wan smile, before her query is answered by the Sith. Cryosanthia's further speculation about certain darker entertainments makes the little Silver Guard squirm a touch, but she says nothing well into Seldan's response. That line of speculation died quickly. The Mul'iessa bows her head at that with a soft, "As you say, then." of defference.

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls wisdom: (15)+0: 15 to Aftershock

"This one is not human, Seldan. I have learned to care about softskins, golems. I feel little destroying a wasp's nest but do regret their poor choice in placement. I think about the fish I eat, sometimes." Cryo says, raising her arms out, her eye ridges furrowing, then she falls silent and gazes off in the distance. Her voice seems equally far away. "It is hard for me to hate her, in some ways she is like a thunderstorm or force of nature. Her motivations to me have always seemd to be about understanding and gainign greater knowledge. Pure research. That she believes taking apart something fully understands it, this is why she opened me up, Zeke, others. Seeking what makes us tick, no understanding of pain in others, no empathy there. Perhaps our reactions are like an act to her. This is my best guess."

"It is hard for me to marry this impression with her need to throw your words back at you, Sir Seldan, this one has asked her many times and received punishments or answers I don't understand." The white sith folds her arms, her tail dropping, and when she exhales it makes a small mist in front of her face.

"She told me that once, she prayed as well." Seldan's response is quiet, but he turns to Shalethiste at her deference. "You are a servant of Eluna, even as I. You need not bow to me," he tells the mul'niessa with a very small smile. "Your insights are welcome, and I would have you not hesitate to share them." He glances down at the sheaf of scrolls in one hand.

"I know she isn't human," Kira begins, softly, "but what if her ...coldness is more than just her nature as winter? If she isn't without emotion, maybe she buries it? If it is all pain and anger, why wouldn't she want to hide it, or hide from it?"

She looks to Cryo. "There were times when you were most pained, that you became distant... and the times when Zeke would withdraw inside himself. Maybe it is like that?" Kira can't help but shiver at Cryo's reminder of that other cold ...hobby(?) of Salina's. "People can do terrible things when they are in pain, to try and be free of it, but maybe none of that is true for her."

Shalethiste looks up to the Sith as she speaks, less disturbed, perhaps, than the prompting of her previous fidget, but at the last she says, "It's often too easy to hate, yet impossible to let go." she muses. She looks to Seldan, then at his words and she smiles faintly, "Me reticence is of a different nature, Seldan." She squares up to meet his eyes more fully, then, "I would speak later as time permits." Her eyes seek the Sentinel, then and, "Perhaps she severed such things from herself, somehow? A mind unfettered by certain constraints could do anything."

Seldan inclines his head. "Of course. If you will forgive me, I should return these to the library. Her light shine upon our path," he replies as a formal farewell before turning and taking himself beyond the main pillars, in the direction of the library.

"She prayed? For what? To Who?" Cryo seems genuinely surprised, this never occurred to her. She huffs, exhaling, looking at Kira. "If so, then there's a lot she's not wanted to feel for a very long time. I don't know. She showed me things I don't understand, like a colour I can't see. I should pray for understanding. I grew these horns, and whoosh, she still flies over my head whilst two feet shorter."

The sith unclenches her hands, "This one is sorry. My frustration is large. Perhaps if I was smarter it would have broken me, the ignorance is bliss. I feel I've been struggling to open a box all my life, and if I was a little something more, it would. Perhaps that is her too. I should go give my thanks for being out of her eye and perhaps the Gods will take mercy and draw the line among the dots for me, but I cannot." Cryo tugs at her clothes, glances towards the Temple, waves as Seldan heads off.

Kira dips in a curtsey to Seldan as he excuses himself, then turns to Cryo, reaching for unclenching hands. "You have nothing to apologize for. I don't know if any of it is valid, but all I can do is compare with what I know. That's all any of us can do... but we don't need to understand it all to do what we think is right."

Shalethiste nods, "As you say, May the Sky-Dancer's Light see you through the Darkness." she offers in valediction as Seldan makes to depart. She turns, then to the women and she nods, 'Sometimes we just don't understand something.' she assures her, but reaches a hand up to the Sith's arm, 'We all approach things differently, we all understand things on different levels.' <sildanyari>

"Thank you Shalethiste, this one appreciates the kind words." Cryo makes a small bow, waits still as she is touched, inhales a long breath. "As cold as I am Kira, she is colder still. This one likes the cold, but hers is too much."

She brushes at her sides, adjusts her corset. For no particular reason she takes out her timepiece, pushes the button and stares at the red numbers that hover in front of her, then she tucks it back in her pocket. "The public can pray where the Silver Guard do? I only know where Sir Seldan has."

Kira nods to Cryo, smile returning, "You are nothing like her, nor her you, even if you both like the cold." As for Cryo's question, that's definitely one best for Shelly to answer. "I should leave you both to your prayers and duties, and see to my own. It was good to see you both again. Maybe, then next time we meet, we will have only new and wonderful things to talk about." As opposed to the ever-looming ice queen.

"We pray in the open temple, like anyone." Shaleethiste replies with a warm litle smile, "Come, be welcome." She turns to Kira and steps closer to gently clasp her shoulder, "I'm glad to see you again. We should make time one day, soon. May the Sky Dancer's Light see you through the Darkness."

Cryo curtseys to Kira, "Thank you sister, this one will see you soon again." She lets herself be led, though she is familiar with the layout. "This one has different names for her." The sith concentrates and her clothing changes, not in style or cut, but all the decorative embellishments vanish, what she wears is simply white or mithral. She's still ostentatious, but somewhat less flashy.

"An out of the way section is preferred."

A slight listing of her head to the side and a nod, "This way, then." she says softly in response. She knows there are little nooks of that sort, though she hasn't personally indulged. The Mul'iessa walks softly with a quiet, if casual, "Neat trick." on Cryosanthia's wardrobe change.

"Oh, thanks, yes, they were a gift from a friend." Cryo says, walking beside the shadow elf, trying not to tower over her. A small nook is found, and the sith kneels down, tail stretching out behind her as she slopes into a lean forward. She rests her hands on her knees, looks down, then looks up, because that's where one would seek the moon.

After a time she says, "Lady Brightscales, the Dreaming Dragoness, Dancer in the lands of Sleep, this one thanks you for wrapping me in your wings and allowing the Dragonfather to find me. He gave me great gifts, a sign that my loved one still does, freedom from She that harried me, and peace in my mind. He might have visited in any way, and this one is grateful it was through your lands."

The white sith pauses, intertwines her fingers, "I have been long out of his light, and it was not that it didn't exist, but that I was in a place it couldn't reach. I want to stay in it, and I hope if it is not available because of time or place, that yours might find me when it cannot. I beg that you shine some insight into my mind, this one has seen things she does not understand, feels a key is just out of reach. I have thought hard, but can't see. If hidden things are clear to your pale eyes, and it would help this one and your Silver Guard in his task, open mine that I might see."

She pauses, adding, "There are others with her mark, that may not have thought to seek your aid. This one asks that if you know of them and it is in your mercy, take the nightmare of her watchfulness from them."

"Thank you, Lady Brightscales."

Shalethiste discretely hastens her stride to keep pace with the much taller woman, "A wonderous gift." she says softly. She quietly beckons to the nook as it comes along, then, as Cryosanthia settles to her knees, the small elf curtseys and steps a bit apart from her to afford her some inferred privacy within the limits of their proximity. She assumes a somewhat warding posture to quietly redirect anyone who would venture over in curiosity, though it turns out to be unnecessary. Memory harkens back to her own introductions to the Sky-Singer, the struggle with the Liar's pervasive deceptions, even as she tries to turn out the Sith's prayer to give her more than a show of privacy. Thus, she waits and considers the Moon anew.

The sith pushes up and bounces to her feet, brushes her hands and turns to the mul'niessa, "Thanks Shalethistle. I appreciate it. I'm going to see some of the other temples, then think about things I guess. This one hopes to see you around, Peace on your Nest." Her tail coils back and forth behind her.

Shalethiste rejoins the now as she senses Cryo getting to her feet and she turns to regard her fondly, "You're welcome, Cryosanthia, I'd love to speak with you some more." She lays a hand on her heart and bows her head, "May the Sky-Dancer's Light see you through the Darkness," and because it sounds as the woman as known great horrors, "and her Song swell your heart."

"This one hopes it will be so," The whitescale says, making a small courtsey to the Silver Guard, grinning, "This one needs a lot of light." She makes a small twirl on the spot moving away from the nook, and as she finishes the rotation the decorations are back on her clothes, with a more deep bow that includes a flourish of her cape, Cryo dips low enough she has to look up at Shalethiste, then she glides out of it and backs from the main worship area enough that it's polite to turn and walk away, which she does.

Out into the Dragonfather's light, humming something as she goes.