Chatter in the Temple
Tenebrae - Friday, September 12, 2014, 9:20 PM
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--<* A10: Temple of Althea *>=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
The term 'marble temple' only holds up insofar as the temple's outer edifice is concerned. Twin statues of Althea, each of them bearing gently glowing blue staves, provide welcome either side of the entrance, a door which has never been closed in recent memory. A place of community and warmth, a sense of warmth and welcome quickly overtakes most visitors upon entry.
Serrielite and Angorite devotees guard the outside entrances, while blue star-robed Hearthguard wander just inside, performing and guiding various charitable tasks. One can even see a smaller, more discrete entrance if one looks, from whence comes and go the Mourners of Vardama, carrying their somber burdens.
Designed to be open and welcoming, the place is a bustle of family and community-centered activity. A great, central oven serves the double duties of fireplace and food preparation on a grand scale that makes the temple a favorite for gatherings. Althean worshippers and Hearthguards alike tirelessly bake and cook for the less fortunate, while younger Hearthguards sit on comfortably cushioned divans with worshippers and petitioners, dispensing advice and Althea's kind words. Wreaths of herbs hang from the ceilings, giving a pleasant scent, while a pool fed by a small artificial waterfall provides fresh water for bathing wounds or blessing of children and worshippers. A procession of doors and halls lead off to various rooms. While many lead to places such as rooms, offices, and libraries for the Hearthguard, there is also a well-known hospice, as well as the transient bunks, and even counseling rooms for when a family member nears their end. This last area is overseen by Hearthguard and Mourner alike, in respectful accordance with local customs.
Sophia nods, "Well, it isn't something you should always do... I mean, there are times you must engage in violence. Particularly against certain foes, but in general, it's best to try and make at least an attempt to negotiate first."
Godwyn gave a nod. "Sometimes I wonder if I should be in this war at all. Then I remember that people are suffering because of it, and the faster it comes to an end, the better. Can't argue with that." She glanced at Sophia. "Still, if there comes a time beforehand when battle can be stopped before it even starts, I'll give it a shot."
Sophia nods, "Good. You won't always succeed... frankly, you might not succeed that often, but when you do, it will be worthwhile. As it is, just do what you can. Remember our goal is not only to prevent violence but also to protect the innocent. Sometimes violence is unavoidable. The key is not to embrace it when that occurs."
Godwyn shrugged. "Violence is everywhere right now. Most of it can't be prevented." The Sentinel gave a nod. "Part of my fighting style, therefore, involves destroying the means for battle. If they don't have a sword or shield or armor to fight with, they might as well go back home." She wanted to scratch the back of her head, but her arms were full. "That's the theory, anyway."
Selia is fairly easly to overlook. A fact of which she makes no little use. But for now the little halfer strolls rather than sneaks, hopping up on a seat to crowdwatch and listen, having picked up a sweet roll to nibble on from somewhere. "Some blokes don't understand nuthin but a sharp blow ta da 'ead. Likely cause dey gots too many sharp blows ta da 'ead." A thick Low Charn accent almost drips from the little ones words.
Sophia glances over towards Selia, and smiles faintly, "Indeed, though if it is possible to prevent violence, that would be ideal. However, the world is not an ideal place." She nods a bit, then glances to Godwyn, "Good. Without the means to fight, most would prefer an alternative."
Low Charn.
The accent was all too familiar to her. She'd been around it most of her young life. It almost made Godwyn stop, but she merely looked down. "That's a familiar tongue... you're from Charn, then." She smiled, though it was somewhat sad. "So am I. Name's Godwyn."
Selia nods in agreement to Sophia, turnign attention to Godwyn. "I's Selia. Selia Shadowkin, da Dancer. Grew up in da Pits. Came over wit da War in Sendor. 'ow'd you get out?" The Slave Pits, that would be.
Sophia looks a bit curious, glancing between Selia and Godwyn, letting them converse as she doesn't look too familiar with Charn directly.
Her eyes narrowed. Not necessarily because of what she'd said or where she was from. She'd come to hate slavery ever since leaving Charn, and the mere mention of it sent her blood to boiling. "That's... I'm sorry." She took in a breath. "Parents were nobles, of Eldanar stock. Tyrants, the both of them. If it weren't for one of Eluna's monks, I '
Her eyes narrowed. Not necessarily because of what she'd said or where she was from. She'd come to hate slavery ever since leaving Charn, and the mere mention of it sent her blood to boiling. "That's... I'm sorry." She took in a breath. "Parents were nobles, of Eldanar stock. Tyrants, the both of them. If it weren't for one of Eluna's monks, I'd be one too."
She sighed. "Found out the fate of those who defied the so-called natural order... or those who were just considered useless. That tipped it. Ran away from home at sixteen, managed to make it through the pass undetected... and spent six months in The Desolation, making my way here."
Selia nods, and shrugs. "Ain't nobody get ta pick their Ma n' Da. Sometimes ya end up with good ones, sometimes ya don't. Sometimes don't get none at all. Reckon whatever ya get, ya make da best o' it."
Godwyn scoffed. "Make the best of monsters for parents?" She huffed. "When I found out all they'd done, and what they were trying to make me into, I just... I couldn't make the best of *that*."
Sophia looks over at Godwyn, "It can be a terrible thing to find out the truth about one's parents, regardless of their home." She sounds a bit pained, but buries it rather quickly, her expression changing as she glances between the two.
Selia shrugs again. "Sometimes leavin is da best ya can do. Ya make yerself better den dey was, yer doin alright." The halfer glances to Sophia, quirking a brow, but keeps quiet.
Godwyn nodded... then blinked for a moment. "Did we just have a moment?" She chuckled. "We totally just had a moment. Anywhere else but this place, we wouldn't have this, but we did." The Sentinel took in a breath, the scents of the impending kitchen filling her senses. "Praise Althea, I have people to talk to about things. What's your name, miss?"
Selia fehs, but grins. "Ya need ta go drinkin more. These moments 'appen all da time 'tween 'appy drunks. Just don't seem like it 'cause dey don't remember later."
Sophia smiles, "But then, if you don't remember it, does it really matter?" She chuckles a bit, "Better to remember it the next day, yes?"
Happy that the conversation turned to lighter things, Godwyn laughed. "I'd rather remember all of it than lose some of it! Drink's fine, but when you can't recall what you did the night before, that's pushing it." Maybe it was part of her upbringing or something else, this restraint. "Anyways. Let's drop this stuff off. You coming in miss...?" Godwyn looked down again. "I... never got your name."
Selia grins. "Meybe fer you. I like it best ta 'ave stuff ta tease blokes 'bout wot they don't remember." She blinks at Godwyn. "Selia. Selia Shadowkin, da Dancer."
"Well met then, Selia." She decided to extend her offer, the same one she'd given Solace. Wasn't sure he'd follow through with it. "If you.... haven't made peace with your time in Charn, you can always talk to me about it. Being from the same place, I can understand what goes on there."
Sophia nods, and smiles towards Selia, "Sophia Lightbringer. A pleasure to make your acquaintance." And she sounds like she means it, too, as she glances over towards Godwyn, "I was unaware you were from Charn."
Godwyn glanced toward Sophia as she entered the kitchen, putting her bags down. "I'd told just about everyone in this temple besides you, and I didn't even know you three years ago besides in tales around town and around the temple." She shrugged. "Well, now you know."
Selia shrugs, following along with the others. "Thanks, but nay. Reckon my peace will come when Charn ain't Charn no more. Or meybe when help another group make it out. Never seems ta be a good time fer dat."
Sophia ahs, "Well, it doesn't matter to me, really, Godwyn. Just a bit of curiosity as I wasn't aware of where you were from." She smiles and shrugs a bit, "Hopefully change will come to Charn, but it's going to take time to develop."
"Time? No, it's going to take divine intervention." Godwyn sighed. "I've read everything about Charn that was forced on me. Fallen from their original heritage, their purpose. They let their connection to the Celestials get to their heads, thought it made them better than everything." She sighed. "If it weren't for the battle between Thul's priesthood and the Mul'niessa, they'd be marching on Alexandria and everywhere else..."
Selia ehs. "Think da SkyFortress crashin might 'ave a bit ta do wit it too. Lots self-fightin. Not dat I mind so much."
Sophia has disconnected.