Snow Knights

Log Info

• Title: Snow Knights
• Emitter: Paenitia
• Characters: Pasithea, Paenitia, Faranmidahn
• Place: A10: Temple District
• Time: Wednesday, December 16, 2020, 10:31 PM
• Summary: Pasithea is asleep in the snow in the Temple District, when Sister Paenitia rides up. She laments she hasn't been able to find further allies for their fight in the Felwood, and informs that the Vardaman Temple has been told of the undead. Faranmidahn arrives, and generously offers her protection from elements spell, which all three, Ramirez included accept. Faran speaks of many things troubling the city. Pasithea falls asleep, and Paenitia assures their journey will be safe. Both Lucht Knights wonder what experiences the other must have had, or not had. Paenitia seems very jubilant, while it is clear the after effects of the conflict with the Fae Queen still weigh on Faranmidahn's soul. They part with promises to meet again.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=<* A10: Temple District *>=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

The air of solemn, heavy divinity in the area is often broken by laughter. The dual presence of the deities Althea and Daeus, man and wife, stand towards the center, with their children and their children's temples positioned around them. The presence of the divine is felt not only by their temples, but also by the actions of their worshipers. The great plaza is as a social center, paved in brilliant, white flagstones and covered in benches and sitting areas. Priests, acolytes, and servicefolk of all stripes roam the plaza, going from one task to the other.

At the front of the temples of Daeus and Althea, at the Plaza's centermost point, rests a great fountain, the cheerful waters reflecting the Sun during the day, and the Moon and Stars at night. The fountain is strategically centered, and is oft a place for wisdom and lesson-giving. It is not uncommon for a priest of some stripe or the other to stand there, surrounded by the curious and faithful, delivering messages of hope or contemplation. At other times, it and the plaza become a landscape of celebration of the holy holidays.

Few vendors are seen in the plaza--the nearby temples provide most food or services. Towards the west, the great Bridge stretches across the river, and towards the east, the Redridge mountains. The plaza rests in the midst of it all, the temples massive and grand on the Alexandrian scale.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

It is night, again, with fewer knights this time. The sky is grey-black, covered in clouds that hide moon and stars. The air is cold, clammy and there is little wind. Snow flurries fall. The world has been rendered in white by the build-up.

Pasithea is bundles up in jacket and wintery clothing. A heavy shawl wrapped about her like an oversized scarf. She's resting at the base of the steps to the Eluna temple. Sleeping more likel it despite the cold and snow with spear resting beside her.

A giant white peacock arrives!

It's somewhat abrupt, as he silently glides in and the falling flurries are great concealment for the peacock-andalusian. White blends well with white. His crimson neck and breast, not so much.

Neither his rider, Paenitia, who is wrapped in her white feather cloak but still red with her hat, gloves, eyespots. Her mask has the sheen that cold metal gets, and flurries have stuck to it, making it look oddly fluffy.

Ramirez lands, the snow and his heavy fetlocks muffling his hooves. His claws are quieter. The little Lucht knight looks around, then calls, "Hola, Pasithea. The others are not here? You sleep? The cold will take you."

Pasi's eyes open partly. Her cheeks a rosey warm color. Her breath frosts as she speaks in her soft tones. "Sister Paenitia. ..no.. no one else. I don't think. ...Was just enjoying the sunset. .. was lovely." How many hours ago was the sunset?

"The Sun, he has gone to his mistress hours ago." Paenitia laughs, petting her peacock on the shoulers, then commanding, "Ramirez, I dismount."

He extends a wing with a horse-like snort, and the dark Lucht slides down it and pads through the snow to hold her hand for Pasithea. "We shall wait longer. Come, stand."

Slowly and perhaps even grudgingly Pasithea lifts her hand to Paenitia's and allows herself to be pulled up.

She's warm! Greatfully and blissfulyl warm even in the snow and cold. The winter clothing actiong almost like blankets for the sleepy Lucht who quiet often is asleep or close to it. "If.. I must." She says with a yawn.

Another night patrol finds Faran astride her dear Torrent, and her course brings her through the snowy Temple District, and she spies a familiar mass of fur and feathers. Fluffy featheriness reminds her of her absent friend, but there's little for that, now. Instead, she focuses on the now and holds up her hand in hail to the Lucht ladies, in the mother tongue, "Hello, friends!"

"Come," Paenitia leads Pasithea towards Ramirez, who still has a wing outstretched. She moves the sorceress beside the hippogryph, "The magic does not last. You will be cold again. I have told the Temple of Vardama. The dusty ones know."

She makes a clicking noise, and Ramirez scoops Pasithea up with his wing, and slides her onto the saddle. The wing is lowered again for his mistress, who steps and leans against the great peacock-horse body as she's lifted up. She steps then sits into her saddle.

Pasithea says, "Spider rider.." Pasi says with a smile but then she's too busy trying to stay steady atop the large but somewhat curve-toped Ramirez. She gets a more firm seated posiion where she can also look apon Faran and offers a small sleepy wave. "Greetings... Faranmidahn.." She breathily calls out before almost falling asleep. Talking loud.. so much effort!"

Faranmidahn continues her approach at what could be a casual clip for a ginormous spider, and the albino's lips are spread in a warm smiles, "I'm glad to see you well!" She considers, "Mistress Pasithea, how are you tonight? You seem rather tired, have you been having trouble sleeping?"

Torrent is drawn up alongside Ramirez, "And you, Sister Paenitia, how are you, and brave Ramirez! are an of you cold, should I use my spells again?"

"Ah!" Paenitia turns, looking through the snow and spotting the approaching spider-rider. "Sir Faran, we are well. Yes, please, the cold is biting through and the spells will be appreciated."

The red knight sits a little taller in her saddle. Another Knight approacheth. She must make a good impression, even if it is one speckled with snow.

The sleepy sorceress chuckles softly. "I am alway.. tired.. knight Faranmidahn. I am ..Dreamspun. I am connected to.. the very place where dream... are made. I will be this way until.. I die...and become part of the dream." So many words. She yawns but then nods her head. "Your spell.. is a blessing. I am so warm. It ..feels good."

Faranmidahn nods, and starts to flick her hand through several short gestures as she chants a soft, "In Hunter's care and Nature's whim, ward the elements from this one's skin." in Lucht Siuil. Her hand then sheathed in a subtle irridescence, she reaches out to touch the other Knight. She starts to repeat the performance, but an errant pinch of a buckle breaks her concentration, and so she has to start again, but this time occurs without incident, and she bestows this one to Pasithea, then, on the third successful casting, she looks to Ramirez, "May I touch him?" she asks, holding that iridescent aura about her hand. sometimes not-spiders are hard for her to figure out, and so she asks the one who would know.

Paenitia turns so she and Ramirez are close to receive the spell, "Yes! Ramirez enjoys the gentle carress. Ramirez! You will be kind to our friend Knight."

Ramirez looks at Paenitia, as if he would be anything but. He is a proud example of an exceptionally rare breed. Hippogryphs on their own are magical, to be one that is part peacock, part gypsy horse and part andalusian, combines all aspects of flashy, fluffy and fighty in a perfect way. He knows how to behave, and understands that Paenitia is used to the many brash males of Isobar. They must be reminded, kept in check. Not he! He lowers his head down directly in front of the Lucht.

Pasi chuckles as she again gets the comforting touch of warming magic. "Thank you..Faranmidahn..I appritiate.. the magic." She pulls the shawl closer around herself and smiles. "So...many knights. So nice."

Faranmidahn reaches out her hand and gently strokes the hippogriff's feathers, "Here you go, handsome boy." she croons gently. She sighs happily and smiles to the women in turn, "You're quite welcome Mistress Pasithea, my bond is to magic as yours is to dreams. I enjoy using my gift, especially if I can bring relief, delight or safety to others."

To prevent any jealousy, she reaches down and lovingly strokes the shell of her own mount, "Have I caught you ladies at a bad moment?"

Ramirez's delicate-seeming peacock head is less so, when it's up close and the size of a horse's. His beak looks as wicked as any raptor's, and sharp enough to hook and rend. His crown is impressive, red-tipped, and visually drawing focus to his eyes. Which are the size of teacup saucers. It's clear what has his attention, and the albino knight does now. He makes a happy snort as Faran croons to him.

"I like this spell. There was no need of such a thing in Isobar. Does it protect against the Hot?" Paenitia asks, watching the spell. She makes a similar gesture in the air, then laughs, "Alas, Tarien does not give that to me. No, the moment is good, the fortune is not. The quest to find bold allies to assist us, she has failed."

Pasithea says, "Bold allies?" Pasi asks trying not to yawn again. "I saw what the ...four of you did against the ...mass of hyenas and gnolls. We have need of...a healer..but with fate and fortune and ....wise choice we shall overcome undead and imps both." She nods off then pressing lightly against Paenitia's back, jerking upright again a few moments after. "Sorry.."

Faranmidahn beams a brief eye-closing smile of pride and nods, "It does! And the sun, which is a delight for me." she replies, "While I'm no vampire, because I was born so pale, I burn very easily and get quite sick if I am unprotected in the sun for any appreciable length of time. Until I learned about my magic, I had to rely on heavy leather cloaks and such, which is not very good in the Desolation."

Paenitia's talk of less bounty finding allies brings her down a little bit, "Has it, truly? I would think there would be many ready to fend off the undead in the city." when Pasithea sags into her fellow Knight, she looks her way, considering the effort it must be to deny her nature enough to function in wakefulness, but imagines with it being such a draw upon her, she must be very powerful inded. "I will make inquires at the Chapterhouse, to see if any of my brethren will join against this menace. Have you inquired at the Explorer's Guild, perchance? while most adventurer seem to have more... mercenary drives, they still gossip, and word spread amongst that crowd will find those that would aid you for the chance to grind out such a scourge."

"It is fine, take my cloak. Ramirez's feathers are soft. He will be proud that you sleep on them." Paenitia offers it to Pasithea as a pillow. She turns to face Faran, and stretches out an arm. A gap between her sleeve and glove shows off her dark skin, made so by nature and by sun, "The sun, he has kissed me often. I see why you would not want the affections!"

The enthusiasm in her voice drops a little, "I have asked there. They are not about. They chase the fragments, there is a sickness outside the city. I have heard many reasons why. The chapterhouse is a fine place to speak. Hopefully there will be those ready to take up noble battle."

"Also, the spotted dogs, they would make fine cloaks. The lizard said so."

Pasithea gives Paenitia a greatful touch apon the shoulder and then a nod to Faran as she takes the offered cloak as a feather pillow and lays her head down apon it, braced against Paenitia's back. It take less then the count of three before sleep takes her away completely. How she functions day to day is a mystery. She manages to mumble out in her dreaming state. "Thank...you bo..th.." And then the dreams are too deep.

Faranmidahn nods, looking curiously at her darker kinfolk's arm as it's bared, "I wondered for a long time if Daeus was angry at me." she replies, though a nostalgic smile graces her lips, "But his priest, a friend, was able to heal me with His blessing... and that told me I hadn't the Sun Lord's ire."

She considers the rest, then and sighs, "That is true, though word of the sickness has prompted concern in the city. We aren't long removed from the plague of the Fae Queen, and the power of the word lingers mighty, yet."

Her eyes find the sleepy sorceress again, and she wonders, "Will you be alright with her like that, Sister?"

Paenitia nods her head vigorously, setting her dark curls bouncing and shaking some of the settled flurries from her hair. Perhaps she's naturally dramatic, perhaps her mask forces some exagerated motions to convey what it otherwise hides. "The friend, the blessing. That is good to know. Things should be done in the sun, it is good you can stand it, that Daeus does not frown at you."

She looks over her shoulder at Pasithea. "I shall tell Ramirez, fly slow. I have a strap, I shall put it around her. I will keep her safe. This saddle, it is a good one. It has carried many." She turns the smiling mask back to Faran once more, "Thank you, for the concern. We shall be fine."

Another hesitation, "My heart pains me. You are... no. You show great strength. You have been tried in the fire."

Faranmidahn smiles again at her exhuberence, noting the playful bounciness in all those curls. She imagines Zephyr would have a great deal of fun in all of that, though she realizes not everyone is as comfortable with such play as she is. She doesn't quite get -why- of course, but she recognizes it.

The glance to Pasithea, "Yes, that looks like a neat arrangement, your saddler was very good! I use slightly different affair for mine." She waves a hand at her own saddle, "But, we tend to go sideways and upside down a lot, so it helps keep everyone from falling off when Torrent gets to a good skitter." To the thanks, she waves off, but offers her hand, "I don't doubt you, Sister Paenitia. You seem to have things well in hand."

The last, however, brings a slight camber to her head and a curl of eyebrow, "I've... been tested, yes." she answers truly with a little nod, "Many of my friends, many who had been friends, were more cruelly tested, still." There is a bit of something in her eyes, a ghost that she dare not knowingly show, "You have a kind heart... in time, it may be tested, but it can surely save you, too."

Paenitia fastens the strap around Pasithea and makes sure she is as secure as she can be, riding sidesaddle as the sorceress is. The red knight barely feels her weight and warmth through her armour. She is well layered and protected. The mask as well, always smiling.

"I await the test!" She says with bravado, she sits straight, "they will see what a Mad Dog of Isodar can do!"

She stares at Faranmidahn, her dark eyes wide behind her mask, looking soft in their deepness. "You heart too, she is kind and she bleeds. You have been struck deep..."

"I hear my mother in your voice. She is why I fight, and show to all a smiling face. There must be a shield for the Pillar, and I, Sister Paenitia Snapdragon, will be it." She turns, looking ready to fly before more embarassing revelations are made or intimacies assumed.

The albino Knight gives a little nod, her smile lingering, "You'll be a shining light in the darkness, I've no doubt." she assures her. Things are getting a little uncomfortable, and she doesn't seem capable of diverting that particular speculation, "I am scarred, but I am not my scars. Sometimes, we just need to see another brilliant soul, like that first breath of fresh morning air, to bring us to where we should be." The talk of mothers, that, is an affair she steers away from for now. That is for a deeper acquaintance.

"Yes. It is so, to a good fight, and a good night!" Paenitia declares, deciding the best way to smooth over discomfort is to completely ignore it and leave dramatically. "We go! Ramirez, alight!"

Ramirez, the proud peacock-gypsy-andalusian hippogryph shakes off some snow and makes a quiet, for him, 'raah' as they start moving. He doesn't actually fly, more take strong leaps and glide for a while, then leap again. It looks like a bouncy ride. The hippogryph is keeping the jolts as shallow as possible.

Paenitia waves as they leave, then uses the arm to keep Pasithea steady. She has shared directions with Faranmidah, for the fluffy knight or other allies to come. Now, with the benefit of her protection, they make the trip back to their camp.

The Spider Knight nods with a warm, "Walk in honor, and valor." she says as the other Knight makes to depart, her hand rising to peaceful valediction. She watches the bounding process, the departure into the snow and she brings a hand to her breast and closes her eyes, "Hunter show them the safe path to their quarry, and dull their own tracks."

With a tug of the reins, and a couple gentle kicks, she wheels Torrent toward the path for home and nudges the valliant arachnid that way with a reinvigorated, "Hya!"

OOC Stuff

<OOC> Faranmidahn hugs
<OOC> Paenitia hugs!
<OOC> Paenitia says, "very cool, it works well"
<OOC> Paenitia says, "I'm also amused with the mental image of a bunch of Luchts operating on their own level."
<OOC> Faranmidahn says, "Legion of Reasonably Sized Adventurers.... CHAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGEE!!!!!"
<OOC> Paenitia grins
<OOC> Paenitia says, "the Lorsa!"
<OOC> Paenitia says, "I hope that worked, that it wasn't too clunky"
<OOC> Paenitia says, "either in the middle or at the end"
<OOC> Faranmidahn says, "not at all, though i'm worried i'm making faran super morose"
<OOC> Paenitia nods
<OOC> Paenitia says, "No I get that."
<OOC> Paenitia says, "Basically the same prob I'm having with Cryo, that Seldan might be having, that Merek sort of is"
<OOC> Paenitia says, "that what happened is just way too big to not have left a permanent mark on the character."
<OOC> Paenitia says, "and they're still all dealing with it in ways. Mikilos, maybe, dealing the best. by being already 150 years old, and well, actively winning"
<OOC> Paenitia says, "even he, has the damage, from the bargains with the Wee Fae Queen, and such."