Metal Gobber

A beautiful day slowly drifts from afternoon into early evening, and the busy temple continues to be a hive of activity. The library is seeing many visitors, and it is here by the entrance that one of the newer members stands. Clad in full plate, but barely half the height of many of the other warriors and clerics, stands this new guard. At length, there's a sniff and a huff of breath, and a gauntleted hand reaches up to pry open the faceplate of the helm. Revealing the very warm looking Gobbo, Acedia. She straightens suddenly, as a gaggle of priests exit the library, arguing over some philosophical point that has not been solved by a book. Yet.

Seldan had made his way from the front entrance to the back of the Temple, leading Malik in the direction of the library. The man looks positively horrible, eyes burned holes in his head and unusually pale in the way of one who has not slept. He does not wear armor, only shirt and trousers and his usual robe, but the short black boots he wears bear crackling lightning bolts, a decidedly different pair from his usual serviceable ones. He looks weary, haunted, but freshly out of the baths, his overgrown mop of hair fluffy as it falls into his eyes.

He navigates around the gaggle of Seers with a nod and a smile, but pauses at the entrance to the door, looking down. "I see that they bid you practice the wearing of armor." For the first time today, he smiles, even if it is a wan thing.

Malik follows along, the look on his face readable to anyone with eyes -- the wizard is worried about Seldan, a somewhat guilty look on his face as he walks a little beside and behind the other man. As usual, he wears no armor. Just the simple, earthen tones that he wears in the city, not standing out in the least.

As they approach Acedia and Seldan stops to talk, however, the wizard's own smile brightens. Kneeling down in front of the gobber, he inclines his head, raising a mock-challenging eyebrow as he asks, obviously not serious, "Aren't you a little -short- for a Silver Guard?"

The Gobbo looks tired, though no where near the level Seldan seems to be at. She squints at the two as they walk up, and seems a little at a loss for words. While making an attempt to not be looking at them, she blinks. "Yes. Been standing here all day.", Acedia says quietly, her eyes quickly shifting back and forth. "It is heavy, and hot. I do not know how you do it.", she complains. She snorts at Malik, and grins toothily at the man. "Come closer so I can bite, Malik."

"It will become less heavy, as you grow stronger." Seldan, too, squats down to get himself to Acedia's level, balancing on his heels with elbows on his knees, the robe pooling on the floor behind him. "Perhaps I shall take you for a run, in it, on the morrow..." He rubs at his face. "The study of arms is a great deal of work."

Malik just winks at the gobber, grinning madly. "I had to learn as well," he tells her. "It does get easier after awhile. Builds strenght. You don't want to make it too easy right away, so that you can learn to move in it while it's heavy. Then move in it more fluidly, and it gets lighter as you build up strength. You're just stubborn enough that I give it a week before you're dancing in it." Malik looks back at Seldan, though, frowning at something. "Perhaps," he offers, "we should all three go. It's been some time since I've donned such steel. It might be a good time for a refresher."

Acedia huffs, and her expression is one of dubiousness. "I am a soft, little Gobbo. I don't know if I will get stronger." She wobbles a little before straightening again. "Almost done.", she mumbles. She blinks. "You're going to carry me?", she says with a toothy grin. Then it dawns on her that they're serious about running while coated in heavy armor. "You mean to run in this?" Her eyes roll back and she sighs. "I often wonder about people's sanity."

"Would you help people, you may find it needful to do so." Seldan returns the look Malik gave him, steadily. "You would be most welcome. I am certain we all could use the exercise, although I think you not quite finished with mine?" Brows lift queryingly. "Perhaps when that is finished. Evensong will be soon."

"You are absolutely right," Malik says, looking to Seldan with an easy smile. "It seems that you'll have to stay behind tomorrow. I don't think it will be finished in time. Don't worry," he says, that smile brightening. "I haven't forgotten -everything- about arms and armor training." And then, back to Acedia, whispering all too loudly, "although if you can keep up and do it with good spirits, I'll make sure that we're appropriately rewarded after."

The Gobbo wobbles again, and momentarily leans back against the building. "Almost done.", she mumbles again. "Evensong is when I am done", she says quietly, glancing at Seldan. "I cannot promise I will make it all the way but I will try.", she says, of the morning run. "Right now I want out of this icky can." She looks from Seldan to Malik. "Why would Seldan have to stay behind?", she wonders. Her eyes widen slightly at the promise of a reward, but she tries to act as though it is not her main concern. Which now it most certainly is.

"My armor lies across Malik's worktable." Seldan's smile is wan as he shoots the wizard a look. "He is enchanting it for me, that it may appear as normal clothing. I fear that with all that has passed," he lowers his head to scrub at his temple, "I dare not be unarmed or unarmored for any length of time, and wearing armor at all times draws eyes and stares." Especially as moonlit pretty as his armor is. Yes, his weapon belt is on him, as is most of his gear minus the armor. "It would not be right for me to run with you without it."

Malik nods. "That's why I stopped wearing it entirely. I could have learned to move my fingers more easily in it, I suppose. But everyone was worried about me moving my -ass- in the armor, for when I needed to get out of the way. Or get -in- something's way. We didn't focus on the dexterity training that some get. Instead, I protect myself in other ways." He reaches out, plingking a finger off the gobber's helmet. "Though steel has an advantage in that it cannot be dispelled, at least."

Acedia looks a little unhappy at what Seldan says. "That is terribly unfair.", she says softly. "It robs you of so much freedom. And it robs us of your company. Two more things She will answer for." She eyes Malik and grins, nodding slightly, but then huffs when he rings a finger off her helmet. She leans forward slightly to snap at his hand with her teeth, but then quickly returns to standing at attention as another small gaggle of priests approach the library, passing by the group standing at the entrance.

"You ought to look into the lighter mail, Malik. It is not so very bad, and if it is crafted from mithral steel, it is lighter still." Seldan looks up at the gaggle of priests at the entrance, and courteously scoots aside, pulling robes and scabbard aside so that neither get stepped on or trip someone. That is a good question, though - both of them have seen Seldan cast complex magic while wearing his full armor. "Soon, Acedia. Very soon. We dare not delay longer than necessary. I shall not wait longer than I must. I have lost too much time today." Again, he scrubs at his face with a hand, in the way of one tired.

"You've lost no time," Malik says, though his tone is extremely gentle. More a statement of fact, than any sort of chide. "We have friends gathering information and helping to form plans. All things can only be done so quickly, after all, and all details are accounted for right now. There is nothing to do but learn what we can, and wait. All avenues of knowledge are already being pursued by others." Malik turns to Acedia, snapping his blunt white human teeth right back at her, playfully, making sure they make that telltale clicking noise. Not that they look very dangerous.

The sound is easily heard throughout the temple, the Gobbo simply leans back against the wall, and simply slides down it until she is seated upon the ground. "In a very ironic way, you have all the time in the world.", she says with a chuckle, her grin very broad. She looks to Malik and shakes her head. "Not as menacing as mine." With a very unladylike grunt, Acedia slowly gets back to her feet, her knees shaking noticeably. "What... do we do now?"

If Acedia thinks about it, she's heard the sound many times, but only from one voice - Seldan's. This is entirely different, with so many in concert together, and Seldan stands, although with an effort instead of his usual bolt, looking in the direction of the Temple. "If you will forgive me, I am tardy." That consideration seems to have taken over all others, and he spares Malik only a brief, worried glance. "I ... I should go." With that, he strides off in the direction of the main temple.

"Well," Malik sighs. "The thing that you should -not- have done is sit down." He shakes his head, as one experienced in these matters does. "Getting up is going to be -- difficult. Take it from an old hand -- suffer through making it back to your cell, and take it off there. Your aches will thank you later, for not making them get you back on your feet wearing your body weight in metal." Though as the chants start, he looks back over his shoulder, nodding to SEldan as he stands, offering Acedia a hand. "It's been some time since I've been to a service," he says. "And something tells me that they will expect -you- at prayer." He nods in that direction. "Best hurry. Harandel seems like a bit of a harda-- nut. A hard nut in these matters."

Acedia has a bit of a panicked look to her as she grabs at Malik's hand, and she manages to make good time away from the Evensong. Returning a little later in robes. Then does her best to not be noticed while trying to find where Seldan and Malik are. There are a few gaps in people's voices as they react to someone or something stepping on their toes. In the end, it's Malik's arm that feels a little heavier.

Malik sits in one of the alcoves off to the side, with Seldan off somewhere else -- perhaps attending to some official duty, or perhaps just on a simple, quick errand. The wizard looks down at the little gobber in robes, shaking his head curiously as she leans against him. "Quite the change," he says, looking back to the singers leading the official services at the moment. Plenty of time to talk, for those inclined to do so quietly. "Seldan will be along," he tells her. THough what he's doing is anyone's guess, really. The senior paladin is, after all, highly sought after now.

"How do you mean?", she wonders, quietly. Which seems difficult for her, since she's not well known for having much of an inside voice. Acedia glances at her robes. "I'm supposed to wear them. And they're... much nicer than the armor. Will have to bathe later." She's not that impressed by that thought. "What of you?", the Gobbo says, prodding at his side.

"They are, in fact, nicer than the armor," he agrees. "Those cotton robes have a nice airflow." He leans over, bumping her shoulder playfully. "But yes. They're big on baths. They even have fancy words for them, and specific ways that you take them. Sometimes more than one a day, depending on what's happening." He looks over at her, doing his best to hide the smile that threatens to break out at any moment. "Thank you for your sacrifices on our behalf."

Evening prayers. Given as the sun begins to set, which seems entirely appropriate to welcoming the rise of the Moon. The priests and clergy are raising their voices in prayer and song.

Most of them are, anyways.

In one of the side alcoves, some of the gathered are in quiet conversation, heads close together, some nodding. Acedia, resplendent in new robes, is just occupying a chair beside Malik. She nods slowly to Malik as she settles down, but her eyes widen at something else he has said. "What, it's more than just splashing cold water over yourself and shivering as you towel yourself dry?"

Malik nods, solemnly. "It can last for hours, depending on exactly what time of ritual you're performing," he tells her. "Hot water. Cold water. Sometimes with scented oils, or scrubbing salt. Sometimes just the water itself. Specific prayers to say during specific moments. It's very involved," he assures her. "I could never keep up with it. Thankfully, the only bathtime ritual that I have to keep track of with Seldan..." He glances over at her, raising an eyebrow. "Nevermind. You're too young to hear this."

The chorus of song could have brought the golem in through curiosity, though in truth, she had a specific objective. Two, really, but tandem, but only one place really convienient to do both at once. Maybe. If she's lucky. Toha's movements are once again smooth and the air of fatigue around her is gone. Once inside the temple, proper, she comes to a halt, canting her head a little as she weighs interrupting something important to make sure she's allowed in, or just stand by until the pretty(in most cases) singing and prayers come to a pause, making a concerted effort not to join in.

When he finds the pair, at least a little of the worry has been traded for a measure of peace. "I fear that the meditations will not be mine, this even," he murmurs quietly to Malik and Acedia.""

The strains of evensong are dying down by the time Acedia returns, bathed and more comfortably clothed, and Toha comes in on the very end of it. It is not a long service, at least not this part, and many of the clergy are settling down for more private prayer and meditation, either here or elsewhere. Seldan, though, seems to eschew this, and has traded his usual-of-late armor for shirt, trousers, and open-front robe, the symbol of Eluna visible on a steel chain around his neck. He's traded the boots for short black shoes, though, with a glittering lightning motif on them.

When he finds the pair, at least a little of the worry has been traded for a measure of peace. "I fear that the meditations will not be mine, this even," he murmurs quietly to Malik and Acedia."

The Gobbo seems shocked at what Malik is saying. "What a colossal waste of water.", she says indignantly. "Do we really have to do that?" Her eyes narrow suspiciously. "Or are you taking the p..." Her eyes widen. "Seldan. Is Malik right? We have to have special baths for prayers? And scented oils?"

Malik just offers a bit of a shrug, leaning back in his chair in the little side alcove. "I'm sure that he'll confirm everything I said," Malik laughs. "It's a practice viewed very highly." He grins brightly up at the paladin as Seldan makes his way back over. He nods a bit at Seldan's words, gesturing to the seat he has saved. "I know the feeling." As he sees the golem enter, though, he raises an eyebrow. "Curious. I didn't know that golems were especially religious."

Toha is a good doll, waiting until the songs are done before she steps further in, actively looking around, relying more in the sweep of her focus than the turn of her head. Halfway toward the pool, she decides to veer toward a priest drifting back to his intended duties and draws up with a hand raised in greeting and a politely soft, "Hi!"

The Seer immediately bows to Toha politely. "Her light upon your face, my child. How might I help you?"

Over in the alcove, Seldan blinks. "The purification rituals are used, yes, but not for evensong, else would the bathing chamber be chaos each even," he blinks owlishly. "You are not then accustomed to bathing?"

Acedia peers over at Toha, shrugging at Malik's statement. "I don't know, but I assume they are as we are, when it comes to these things. Surely they have questions for their creator?" She looks to Seldan a moment, and swats at Malik's leg gently. "So he was teasing me?" His question causes her to look away slightly. "I do not like to."

Malik raises an eyebrow at the swat to the leg, glancing at Seldan first, and then Acedia, that grin still there. "You can think I'm joking if it makes you feel better at night, I suppose." Looking back to Seldan, he asks, simply, "Go on. Tell her how many times you've bathed in the last week." Though the exchange between the golem and the poor, cornered priest has caught most of his attention. "If they had questions for their creator, could they not just ask -- directly?" The war golems are, apparently, not one of Malik's areas of expertise.

"Hello, ah... Father?" Toha replies a little lamely, canting her head a little bit, and ducking her chin, "I... wanted t'thank Eluna fer givin' someone the power to heal me... and find Seldan... he tends t'be around here a lot, I understand." A hand rises to worry at something at the back of her neck beneath the braids and, "Don't wanna be a bother an'all...."

"Seer," the priest corrects with a smile, seeming somehow relieved. "Your good health pleases Her, and all of us. You are most welcome. As for young Seldan ..." he looks around, scanning the Temple confines. "He is normally at meditations, but I do not see ... ah." He raises a hand and points over to where the group in the alcove is. "You are not alone in seeking him of late," he warns gently, but leaves it at that, waiting to be sure she has what she needs before bowing himself away.

"I have lost count," Seldan admits with a wan smile. The man looks as if he has had little to no sleep, his eyes dark and face a touch paler than usual, and his smile is wan. "You do not wish to be clean, and wash away the sweat of a day spent wearing all that armor?"

"Not wanting to and not liking to are different things.", the Gobbo says quietly. "I hate being wet. I also cannot swim all that well." She lets out a huffs of breath. "Obviously, I do not wish to stink." She looks to Malika moment and shrugs. "I don't know. Has Eluna ever casually answered a question you've asked, Malik?" She eyes Seldan again. "Bathing to be clean is one thing but... more than that?"

Toha turns her head in the direction the fellow indicates then, brings her fist to her breastplate with two soft, almost silent knocks as she bows her head deeply to the priest in turn, "Thank you, Seer." not sure if offering Angoron's blessings as valediction would fly in the temple of the moon, she simply says, "Gods keep ya safe an' well." while her quarry and company discuss higher maintainance.

Malik stands, giving the golem a nod in passing. To Seldan, he says, "Remember, we have been requested by Seer Harandel. I'll go see if I can find him, and let him know that we're here." To Acedia, he says, "Fear not. I think I might be able to help with at least some of that. As for whether Eluna has casually answered any of my questions, well. She seems to only appear when I'm drinking. Funny sense of timing." He gives the goblin a wink, then turns, looking for -- someone.

Seldan looks up and after Malik. "I will be along directly," he calls, then turns back to Acedia. "Eluna does nothing directly, nor do any of the gods. Her mysteries are not always simple ones to decipher, and at times will things be revealed when the time is right. Trust in Her wisdom."

Acedia offers Malik a wave as he gets up to leave, and looks back to Seldan as he speaks. "She never does anything directly, or... it just doesn't happen often?" She rubs a cheek and frowns lightly. "That's something that seems to be the same for many gods. All things in time, trust in their wisdom."

Toha bows her head in turn to the fellow in passing, then makes her way over to Seldan, footfalls kept as reasonably light as feasible for her frame so as not to be more a nuisance than she absolutely must. She draws up near the pair and lifts a hand with a little fingerwave and a quiet, "Hey." her voice, to the ear, is back to it's original sound, free of wheeze and gurgle and more the delight for it, "I's... looking fer you. Miss Serene managed t'cure the plague, but sh'said you taught her how an'... well she wanned t'make sure..." The golem shrugs, then extends her hand, "Thanks, Seldan, fer spreadin' the good word." her voice hinting gratitude dashed with a wink her faceplate can't currently accommodate.

Seldan's weary face brightens at the clear sound of the voice. "There, indeed, is the voice I remember. You are well then, and by Serene's hand and Her holy grace?" He smiles fully, the expression reaching tired eyes. "I am glad that she was able to aid you, where I could not. Do fewer suffer, because I spoke, then are those truly words well-said. Praise be upon Her." He takes the metal hand in one of his own. "Acedia, I have never ..." He pauses. "She has shown Her face to me, once. To all of us. A simple sign, but not a direct one."

With that somewhat cryptic answer, he turns back to Toha. "Serene has been a bolster to me and many others. I am pleased she was able to help you."

The Gobbo's expression brightens at Toha's thankfulness, and she grins at Seldan. "See, your influence is spreading, Seldan. You sure Eluna has only shown her face just once?" She bounces off the chair, her new robes twirling about. "Hi Toha, bye Toha!" Acedia offers the golem a hug... well, one of her legs anyways, and runs off into the throng of other clergy.

Toha waves after the Gobber as she departs and, "Take care!" she returns as Ace heads on out. She looks then to Seldan and nods, "She's a good soul.... and Eluna gave her th'juice she needed to do it. Thank ya'gain fer seein' that the help was out there, Seldan." The golem reaches out, then for his shoulder, "You lemme know if there's anything you need that I can do."

The touch is accepted - Seldan makes no argument - but the truth is that, up close, he looks terrible. Worried, exhausted, sleepless, almost - haunted. "You are welcome, Toha," he says. "I ... may be in need of that aid. However, I should not keep Seer Harandel waiting. Shall I find you later, and explain more?" He reaches up, and covers the hand on the shoulder with one of his.

Toha nods, "O'course. I'm usually around th'Market district, or mebbe the Fire lodge if ya need to find me." She cants her head a little, then, "But yeah... ya look like ya could use a little more rest, Sel. We can catch up when yer ready, I'll stand by."

"You have my thanks for that, and I shall endeavor to do so. Until then, Her light fall upon your path." With that, Seldan turns to follow Malik, back away from the main temple and into its recesses.