Illusions and Steak

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=<* 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. 

Gadget smirks. "I make luck clanks," she says. "After that stroke of brilliant, clearly divinely-blessed luck, my business soared for a while, which was nice." Gadget looks at Mr. Jinglewidget and raises her eyebrows. "Well? How much am I supposed to explain?" Mr. Jinglewidget makes a plethora of monkey noises. "Yeah, you know I already used that up, today. Can I talk about her or not?" Mr. Jinglewidget grumbles in a cute, little, monkey way. "Well, I'm not supposed to talk about her. She's precious to him, and he doesn't want to expose her to ridicule, since there is a bit of a taboo in their relationship."

Acedia giggles. "Aha, so you probably made more money right after that with your luck clanks than you did in that game? That's pretty nice, I would say." The Gobbo eyes the monkey and the Gnome, back and forth, as they talk. She snorts and giggles, nodding. "I can understand. There are lots of inappropriate relationships in the world. It's cute, though, that he has a girlfriend."

Gadget smiles as Mr. Jinglewidget can't help but smile. She giggles. "Yeah. I know my parents would be livid if they met my beautiful champion." Gadget looks a little lovestruck as she says, "He's the best."

Galidor makes his way in from the Gardens into the Temple District. He is looking around as he menders through the district. He heads over towards the two goblins, "Greetings. I was wondering if you could help me. I'm looking for a shop, Mithralla Merchandise, have either of you heard of it? It's run by a local wizard named Mikilos?" He asks as he gives them his best smile.

"I know Miki.", the Gobbo in leathers says, her chest puffing up slightly. She cants her head slightly, and looks around. Sighing, she shrugs. "His shop is kind of that way..." Acedia gestures westward. "I think. I've never gotten there from outside, so my directions are rusty." She glances to Gadget. "Oh? You, too, are in an inappropriate relationship too? I mean, it sounds like, as far as your parents are concerned."

Gadget is turned back and forth by the two. "I mean...to gnomes, it is," she says. "Just a second." She turns toward the sith-makar. "Firstly, hi!" she says, enthusiastically. "Peace on your nest and all that." She pulls out a notepad and a writing implement from a nebulous spot down her dress. "Mr. Jinglewidget, will you please draw a map to where we think Mikilos' shop is?" The monkey took both things, sat himself down, and began drawing. Up at Galidor, Gadget says, "He'll just be a few minutes." Turning toward the goblin, she says, "Do you happen to know Smythly?"

Galidor ohs, "How would you get to his shop other than from the outside?" He asks curiously as he looks in the direction that Acedia pointed out and then over to Gadget and her monkey who's going to draw him a map, "Peace upon your nests. Thank you for the help. I'm looking to get a magical headband and I'm told he is one of the wizards in the city that can do it." He doesn't want to but in on the conversation about relationships so he focuses on looking at the map Mr. Jinglewidget is making.

"Wait.. actually.. I think it's that way." Acedia gestures up the mountain road. "I remember seeing Vardama's temple from the window." She blinks at Galidor. "What do you mean? He's a wizard. Do you think he walks everywhere? He teleports, obviously." Her eyes roll and she shakes her head.

Looking to Gadget, the Gobbo rubs at her ear. "I think I have heard the name before, but I don't think we cross paths often, if at all."

Gadget listens, then says, "Artificer's giant spider thing was my home for a little while people built me limbs. Across the way is the arcanist's society. I don't go there for...reasons. I can't imagine they wouldn't have wizards who craft magic stuff." To Acedia, she says, "Two conversations is tiring and rude, stop it. Also: Smythly is a goblin. He's a servant of Reos, he's handsome and kind, and I love him. It is, to put it mildly, the exact opposite of how I was taught to react to goblins. I'm supposed to hate you all, according to my school teachers and parents and whatever. I don't. Especially not him."

Galidor ahs, "So any time you've been there he's taken you there or you've teleported yourself?" He asks and nods, "You are right I did forget about that and I heard that Mikilos is often very busy. Maybe I should try there first. Thank you for the suggestion. Also I couldn't help but overhear, I think you should be with who you love, life is short for softskins why waste it being unhappy, this Smythly makes you happy to be with him."

The Gobbo's eyes narrow at being called rude. "He was asking for directions. I was offering some help." Acedia huffs. "Your society tells you to hate Goblins? I suppose that's not a surprise, I mean, we were considered monsters for some time. But love finds a way, I guess." She grins toothily, and eyes Galidor. "He did the teleporting. I'm unlikely to be able to cast teleport for sometime. I am only a paladin in training, as it is."

"Ugh!" Gadget says. "Stop it! Pick a direction!" Mr. Jinglewidget reaches up and puts a hand on her waist, just above her hip. He pats her there, which seems to calm her a bit. "Sorry," she says. "People don't split conversations and go back and forth. It's rude. He interrupted us, which is rude in and of itself, sure, but I don't mind helping him out, then going back to our conversation. This back and forth is something I've seen people doing in Alexandria, and it drives me up the wall!" She points to the Sith-Makar. "We're doing your thing first, since you want help. Mr. Jinglewidget is working on your map." She looks down. "Where you at with that?" she asks the monkey. He holds up a completely indistinguishable jumble of hashed lines. There's a big dot in the center with a beautifully written 'Mikilos' on it, then a question mark."

Gadget sighs at the monkey. "Really?" She musses his faux-hawk again. "Okay, good try. Calligraphy is not cartography, I get it." She holds up the map to the sith-makar. "Is this helpful to you?"

Galidor smiles as he takes the map and looks it over, "Thank you for your help I am sorry that I interrupted your conversation. I think I'll take your suggestion and head over towards the arcanists and the artificers. Peace upon your nests and thank you again for the map and the direction. Good luck with your relationship."

"You're welcome!", the Gobbo offers to Galidor, with a wave. She shrugs and sighs. "So how do you do it then? Just talk at everyone, even if they were not originally privy to the conversation?" Acedia shrugs her shoulders and crosses her arms, eyeing Gadget with a sulk.

"Sorry," Gadget says to the sith-makar. "I didn't mean to make you feel like I was pushing you away. I'm just tired of people trying to have two conversations at once." She turns to Acedia. "Which is NOT how people do things. Why do people do that, here? Seriously. I can't understand it. EVERYWHERE else I've been, you just tank the loss of a conversation thread when someone interrupts. You might revisit it, but there is a thread, not a weave, of topic. Help me understand. Why do people here think it's okay to have exponential numbers of conversations based on the number of people in a conversation?"

The Gobbo raises an eyebrow, and then squints, before shrugging at Gadget. "It's linear, not exponential, if you wish to be picky about it." She shrugs again. "Perhaps it is just a quirk of this city? I mean, I could just as easy ask you why you think it's not okay to have a number of conversations based on the number of people present. I can say that I have not noticed or even considered it."

Galidor listens and gently blows on the paper to make sure the ink is dry before he carefully folds it up and puts it into one of the pouches on his belt, "It's all right, now that you have mentioned it I do see that conversations do that. We split our attention between the two or more people we are talking to. Perhaps it's so each person feels that they are being heard and the other person can acknowledge and to ask and answer questions. You are right I was rude to interrupt. I should have waited until your conversation was over and then come up to ask for help. I apologize it was rude of me to come over and interject a new topic without the first one being resolved. Maybe it's that so much is going on in the city that there are just a lot of topics people want to talk about. You are right through perhaps we should do better and stick with one topic."

Gadget shrugs. "Maybe." She turns to the sith-makar and says, "If you want to hang out, I'm okay. I don't want you to feel rushed. However, if you have business, I don't want to detain you. Peace on your nest, either way, okay?" She offers a genuine and warm smile toward the reptilian third (fourth? Does Mr. Jinglewidget count?). To both of them, Gadget says, "That is, if we can stick to one topic at a time. I wasn't raised in Alexandria. The Alexandrian conversation is too much for me. Is that okay?"

Acedia offers a jaunty salute to the clockwork Gnome. "Aye aye, mon capitan, it is perfectly okay." She grins cheekily and shrugs. "I mean, it's fine."

Galidor nods, "I would like to hang out, my business is not too pressing, it can wait a bit. Before we go any further let me intoduce myself." He kinda puffs up a bit as he holds his head up and chest out, "I'm Galidor Goldenclaws, Sorcerer of the First Circle, Scion of the Great Gold Dragons, in service to the Silver Empress, the Destroyer of Smaller Demons, the trolls know me as Andivar the Acid Splasher, the undead know me as the Davin the Disrupter, the plants known me as the Petrocov the Pruner, and the spiders know me as the Mikal the Missiler. You may both call me Galidor or just Gal." He grins, "So we were talking about your relationship with one goblin named Smythly and how I'm totally in favor of it...so dish."

Gadget smiles up at Galidor. "A pleasure to meet you!" she says, enthusiastically. "I am Gadget Hackwrench, and this is Mr. Jinglewidget!" She gives a curtsy. "Yes. Smythly, my champion. So, where were we? Something about I should love who I want, yes?"

The Gobbo blinks slowly at Galidor as he has at least a half dozen names. "Wait. How would you know that the spiders call you that?", Acedia wonders. "I'm Acedia, of the Southern Sandsea. Pleased to meet you both." She grins then. "I guess we could talk about her sordid relationship with a dirty Goblin... that probably said from the point of view of disproving parents."

Galidor ignores the question about his name as that's not the topic, "Yes love is fleeting and you should act upon it, be with who you want to be. If you and Smythly make each other happy then everyone else should just deal with it, so long as you are two consenting adults."

Gadget furrows her brow and looks sad. "We are," she says. "It's so odd to think about the briefer races' ages, especially goblins. I try so hard to cling to him while I have him, for in just a few decades, I will lose my most perfect and beautiful champion...at least without a reincarnation."

Acedia frowns and shrugs her shoulders. "It's not that short, you have ages of time. Ages. Live in every moment and you'll have a full life."

Galidor reaches to gently pat Gadget's shoulders, "All the more reason to be with him. Enjoy the time you have together. I have heard some of the softskins say that it's better to have loved and lost then to have never loved at all. I really wouldn't know though I am merely 24 years old, I am just at the very beginning of a very long life. Still I hope to find love someday and I'll grab onto it and hold on to it as best I can. I am not one to live with regrets." Gadget nods and Mr. Jinglewidget hugs her. She reciprocates toward the capuchin. "I wish you two could meet him. He is so caring, despite my condition. He is made of sweetness and beauty, and he's generous and kind. I can't really find enough positive words to describe him fully. I guess he's the first man who made me need such words."

The Gobbo cackles suddenly, letting out a few whoops before composing herself. Straightening, she nods to Gadget. "Sorry. It struck me as funny. But I guess it is not, considering how terrible things must have been for you to say something like that, you know? I walked the distance between the Sandsea, and Alexandros, and while I found terrible people, men included, I also experienced great hospitality, men included. You spoke of tragedy in your life. Were you a slave? A prisoner?"

Galidor is about to open his mouth to ask what condition when he looks a bit closely and sees Gadget's eyes are not eyes, but pure moonstones. He shuts his jaws with an audible snap and clears his throat, "I hope that I get the chance to meet him. He sounds like a wonderful person who I look forward to meeting. I too have walked quite a bit of the land, from here to Stormgarde and back. I have met many wonderful people and a few that were not so nice."

Gadget smiles toward Galidor. "He is pretty great," she agrees. She then looks toward Ace and shakes her head. "I was supposed to be a wizard." She wiggles her fingers. "I have a spellbook and everything back home. Absolute trash. Mostly doodles and nonsense words. Eldritch, as a tongue, never found me, but nobody can ever read anyone else's scribblings. I just make up some poem and make magic happen. Sometimes, I don't even have to move my hands, even when I'm supposed to have to." She shrugs. "I'm pureblood gnome, so I don't know how it happens."

"No offense intended, but no one is a pure anything. Life is... messy. I watched people turn into four-legged creatures, and become coated in gold. If magic comes naturally to you..." Acedia shrugs. "So be it. It's not whom we are, it's what we do that matters. It shouldn't trouble you, unless you are getting some truly evil vibes from it."

"Ah you are a practitioner of the arcane as well? I have never needed a spellbook to do magic. I have the blood of dragons though. I have heard that there is magic of the voice, some of those that are my People that are in the Speaker Caste can do magic with just their voice. I think I know one, Cryosanthia, a beautiful white scaled Speaker. If you like I can see if I can introduce the two of you." Galidor offers. "She is always very eager to meet new people."

"That sounds nice," Gadget says with a smile. "New people are nice, and I am enjoying interacting with the sith-makar I've met so far." She scratches at one of her clockwork limbs with another, looking a little frustrated as she stops and grips her dress to stop fidgeting. "Would either of you enjoy a demonstration?"

"I too can summon forth magic with the simple power of my mind. Though, since I have become dedicated to Eluna, I have also been able to channel powers given to me by her." Acedia cants her head, "Sure, what sort of thing are you going to show us? Illusions? It is said Gnomes are the preeminent illusionists, unmatched by any other."

"I'll let her know then. She and her foundling Lily are very nice. I would love a demonstration of your magic. I'm amazed at the variety of forms that magic can come in. I too have heard that gnomes can do illusions like no other, but I don't want to assume that is all you can do." Galidor says as he finds a spot on the ground to sit so he can watch the demonstration of magic. "This one is ready."

'It's not ALL,' Gadget admits. Her accent then shifts as she moves to her native tongue. She gestures and shifts in an almost dance as she speaks:

"bleep blrgl blrgl blrgl sandy blrgl blah blah blah bleep bleep sandy blah blrgl sandy bleep bleh blrgl blah bleep blrgl sandy blah"

As Gadget finishes her gnomish poem, a very fae way to magic, the form of a pony begins to coalesce. It is rainbow-colored, with the colors themselves shifting over the form. It also has a horn. It drips rainbow color toward the fountain, for it stands on the water and looks almost wet from the rainbow of the spray. As each drop hits the water, it dissolves into it until it is perfectly dissipated.

Gadget smiles. 'That's a good one,' she says. 'I like that one.' <unknown>

Galidor looks on in awe as the poem starts and although he does not know the words he can feel the magic starting to form. He watches as the unicorn comes into being and looks incredibly real at least to him, "That is amazing."

The Gobbo watches as Gadget dances and recites her poetry, and then stands entranced by the unicorn in the water. She watches as it slowly dissipates, and then turns to the Gnome. She claps her hands and hops from foot to foot. "Again again!", she says excitedly.

Gadget smiles as the pony-unicorn illusion that's dripping liquid rainbow stands on the water of the fountain. It's very clearly an illusion-type display, but it does look like something magic MIGHT make happen that ISN'T an illusion. "I'm glad you like it," she says with a bow. "It's the only big one I can make just now, but that unicorn isn't going anywhere."

Acedia giggles and claps more. "Well done!" She grins toothily. "My turn!" Her eyes close and her expression has a focused look. Her fingers draw a pattern in the air, and then gesture. The water ripples, and then a small, grey squirrel is sitting on the unicorn's back. Mostly.

Gadget looks and smiles. "Makes me wish I could split my concentration and make something minor to join that little guy," she says. "So!" she continues. "You are an illusionist, too, then?"

Nodding, the Gobbo gestures to the violin case attached to her pack. "I am somewhat good at it, I use them as part of my performances. I can add sounds to it, as well as generating light, and summoning instruments to play. Add a little bit of voice work, and sleight of hand, and I'm good for a couple of hours of entertainment."

Gadget thinks. "Is that bardic magic?" she asks. "Are you a bard of the church?"

"Indeed, you might consider me a bard. I was an entertainer, before the near ending of the world convinced me to serve a higher purpose, and I turned to the Temple of Eluna." Acedia offers a deep curtsey. "I am now one of her Silver Guards."

"I see!" Gadget says. "An interesting path! I have no interest in any of the churches, or the mage's guild here, or whatever else. I would be welcomed, but it was the mages who ruined my body before. I won't let them do it again."

It is at that moment that another mythical, magical beast appears. A hippogryph! A half-peacock, half gypsy-andalusian horse, with brilliant white feathers and fur, and a tail-train as long as a cart. The great whiteness is broken up by crimson eyespots, a crimson crown, and a large crimson patch on his breast.

He, obviously, is also saddled with a small rider, equally red, in rusted armour with a full facemask of a stylized man's face. A face with an incredible grin, and mustache. She, as her shapely armour and long curly hair suggests, is a Lucht, and a knight of some sort.

"Hola!" She calls out, spotting Gadget.

'Ruuuuaaah!" Ramirez cries out, spotting the unicorn. A suitable challenger! He charges towards the illusion.

"No! Ramirez! That time is past! Do not fight the rainbow beast!" The Red Knight is pulling back on the reins, but her mount is determined.

Acedia's expression falters slightly, and she nods. "I can understand how that might make you wary of them." She blinks then as a hippogryph appears, apparently intent on challenging the magical unicorn. The squirrel upon the unicorn vanishes. "Uhhhh... this won't be a fair fight, methinks."

Galidor sits and watches the illusions going on as he can't do anything like this, at least not yet. "Well done both of you those are amazing illusions. If I did not know they were illusions I would think that they were real." He watches with wide eyes as the hippogryph and its rider come in and he moves to get on his feet just in case the mythical beasts decides to charge. He holds up his paws, "It's just an illusion!" He calls out as he starts to look around to see if there is anyone in the way that might need to be moved.

Gadget beams at the intrusion. "Oh la!" she calls out. The unicorn fades as Gadget is so thoroughly distracted. She sprints toward Ramirez as Mr. Jinglewidget jumps onto her back. He flips over her head to land in her hands before she throws him up. "Alley hoop!" Gadget says, tossing monkey toward lucht.

"To innocence and maidenhood. Yes. I am understanding that." The Red Knight calls, as her mount thunders over. Hooves clopping and talons scraping, he halts a short charge from the Unicorn.

Ramirez dances. He spreads his wide peacock tail up and outwards creating a great wall of eyes. He shakes his rump, and the massive hollow feathers rattle like maracas.

Then! His challenger vanishes!

'ruaaah?' Ramirez is greatly disappointed, and confused, halting mid dance.

"Oh! Illusion!" Paenitia says loudly, leaning to catch the flying capucin. He lands softly in her arms, she is no knocked from her saddle. There might have been a quiet 'oof'.

"You should have let him finish the challenge dance, he will be upset all day."

Acedia has taken a few steps back, so as to not be in the way of charging 'gryphs or flying monkeys. She giggles at the sound of disappointment Ramirez makes. "Would he rather be disappointed at his challenger vanishing, or embarrassed that he challenged an illusion?"

Galidor brushes himself off as he washes Gadget run towards the mounted rider. He heads on over towards the others, "Peace upon your nests." He says as he looks over Ramirez, "That is quite a handsome mount that you have there." Galidor keeps his distance a bit as he's unsure of how a creature would react to one such as himself. He liked swiftclaws, but never got along with one enough that it'd want to be his mount.

Gadget smiles. "Maybe I enjoy watching him be flustered," she teases. She reaches up to pet the bird-horse's feathers. "Hello, Ramirez."

"He does not know embarrassment. He would think it the swift and unsatisfying victory." The Red Knight says, holding Mr. Jinglewidget in one arm, and stroking along her peacock-andalusian's neck. She whispers to him in a sultry tone, "You win, Ramirez. They are much impressed. You are the grand stallion."

Ramirez is mollified, his tail slowly lowering to a carry position. He looks around, his head twitching in a bird-like fashion to focus on Gadget, Acedia, then Galidor. The streaks and swirls of his scales hold the bird's attention. Shiny!

"The peaceful nest to you too." The Red Knight says happily, releasing the monkey to walk on Ramirez's back. The advantage of a large mount and small rider, there's a lot of space on top. She turns the strange face-mask towards Galidor, then Acedia, "I am Sister Paenitia Snapdragon del Harana, Knight of the Pillar and Paladina of Tarien. On the quest to find the most miserable one in Alexandria. I see you are not them."

Ramirez lowers his head, nuzzling carefully at Gadget with his beak.

"The only reason I'm not the most miserable," Gadget says, "is because you, Smythly, and Mr. Jinglewidget keep me from falling so low." Mr. Jinglewidget, meanwhile, leaps from the back of Ramirez and into Gadget's waiting arms. They hug each other before he climbs up onto her shoulders, riding her like a toddler might ride on a parent's shoulders.

"I am Acedia, Paladin of Eluna. Champion of Alexandria. Eternal Pest to Demons named ..." The Gobbo blinks. "I have completely forgotten his name. Probably for the best, he's still fuming in his Hell. Hah. Well met!" Her lips purse and she concentrates. "Eclavdran, that's it!" She snaps her fingers.

Galidor inclines his head politely and then looks up and with a proud voice says, "I am Galidor Goldenclaws, Sorcerer of the First Circle, Scion of the Great Gold Dragons, in service to the Silver Empress, the Destroyer of Smaller Demons, the trolls know me as Andivar the Acid Splasher, the undead know me as the Davin the Disrupter, the plants known me as the Petrocov the Pruner, and the spiders know me as the Mikal the Missiler. You may call me Galidor or Gal if you prefer." He says with a smile and then hmms, "What is a miserable one? Is it some kind of demon or devil? I've heard they are loose in the city, which reminds me I must buy some of those special bolts."

"No. It is the Man, or Man-like, most stricken with misfortune in need of cheer and charity. One fallen lowest of the low." Paenitia explains, facing Galidor, then laughing, "You have the many titles, so I give more of my own, Scourge of Celia the Snake, Slayer of the gnameless gnome of the Time Tower, Rose Cutter, Chaser of Faeries and Mad Dog of Isobar."

She laughs loudly, then barks. She barks! Very convincingly, just like a gnoll.

She turns to face Acedia, "Well met, Silverguard Acedia. I am honoured to be in the presence of a Champion. Sir Faranmidahn, speak of you to me. It is good to finally lay eyes."

The Red Knight looks over at Gadget next, "It is my duty to keep you in good cheer, are you in more need of steaks for Mr. Jinglewidget? Ramirez, I dismount!"

At her command, Ramirez extends a wing and she slides down it to the ground. She is rather small, though makes up for it with exhuberant energy.

Gadget smiles. "I always want a good steak," she says. "Mr. Jinglewidget prefers to share his with me, as you've seen." Once Paenitia is on the ground, Gadget moves to hug the lucht woman.

Acedia looks pleased to be recognized, and blinks. "Oh! I have not laid eyes on Faran in some time, such are the demands on both of us. Were they well, when you were with them last? Has she told stories of her deeds? You would do well to learn what she has to teach. Well met!" The Gobbo taps at a small insignia on her chest, using three fingers.

Galidor is glad to meet someone else who has an appreciation for titles that he has, "Peace on your nest. Both of you." He smiles, 'This one enjoys a good steak too provided that they do not burn it too much." Paenitia hugs Gadget, a clanky affair, the dark haired Lucht is bulked out by her armour and all embraces must be careful even though she's not strong enough to crush anyone. She laughs, "Then we have steak soon."

"Yes! Sir Faranmidhan is well. I see her much at the chapter house. There was the gathering of the Orders, several moon ago. We talk, and she has had much to say." The Red Knight elaborates, and then she focuses on the indicated symbol and laughs, "You get the joke too!"

Ramirez appears to have calmed down, his massive tail of feathers low to the ground. He looks around, although his gaze keeps coming back to the sunlight flashing off Galidor.

The little Red Knight nods upwards, leaning so she can see all the way up the gold Sith'makar, "Then Friend Dragon, it is steaks for all! You too are one of the roads and adventure? An ally I can call on in need? I have battle beside many Friend Dragons, and they are strong companions."

Acedia seems pleased. "AH, you are part of her chapterhouse, even? Excellent, you are in fine hands." She reaches up to tap her nose three times. She eyes Galidor a moment, and then grins. "He will be a dependable shoulder to lean on. He will probably give himself another moniker. Steven the Steadfast. Or Breadfast, the Bearer of Burdens. Socrates the Shoulder-to-cry-on?"

Galidor nods, "Yes I am an adventurer and have been for some time although I've only recently returned from a trip to Stormgarde, it was very long and I'm glad to be back now. You may call upon me to help out when needed, although I am pledged to help Cryosanthia first in her fight against the demons and devils that are attacking this city." He laughs, "Perhaps I will give myself another name when I feel that I've earned it."

Along came a spider....

A bubble of space works its way along the daytime bustle, as a glossy black Huntsman the size of a well fed Mastiff clad in polished leather barding makes its way along the cobble streets. Sitting atop it is the cloaked Knight, Faran, out on some errand or other and she looks about with a sort of casual curiosity, while idly stroking a decent sized coconut puff on her shoulder with the thumb of that arm.

Gadget smiles around at all the new faces. "Ladies and gentlemen," she says, "I think it's time for me to get going. Mr. Jinglewidget and I were not here as our final destination, after all." She gives Paenitia another hug, then turns to wave at everyone. Mr. Jinglewidget, from her shoulders, waves also. "Ta ta!"

"I see you soon for the steak dinner? Yes! Have the good day!" The Red Knight says, hugging Gadget and saluting Mr. Jinglewidget. Flourishing a wave as they depart. She seems almost ready to launch into a routine, but restrains herself.

"Hmm..." Paenitia taps at the bottom of her mask, on its pencil beard. "Aha! Galidor, the Gallant Gregarious Garrulous Glittering Golden Guardian of Good Graces and Gentle Genial Arguteness. I add this title for you, so take when you think you ready."

She sounds seriously, with an amused tone that suggests satire. It's very hard to tell when a grinning mask is her sole facial expression.

She nods, "The white one! I meet that Friend Dragon at the Explorer's Guild and play her war game. Very confusing."

She has not noticed the Knight of Spiders just yet. Ramirez has. He watches Torrent, who is not food.

Galidor waves to Gadget and Acedia as they head out, "Good luck Gadget, I hope everything works out with you and Smythly. Hold onto love!" He calls out before he turns his attention back to the others and he spots the large spider also in the district, "Well isn't this the day for unusual creature to be about." He gives a friendly wave to the rider and mount, because why not become friends with someone who rides a spider. "Hello there." He turns back to Paenitia when she offers him a new name, "That is a very long title and while I do like it I don't think I can work it into my other titles, but perhaps instead I'll rotate the titles around that way they don't grow stale."

Faranmidahn, at first missing the splendid plumage of Ramirez, likely due to the set of her hood and preoccupation of her thoughts, nonetheless does take note of the day lit glow of a wing. With a gentle tug on the reins, and some light kicks to one side of the arachnid, she steers Torrent toward the Hippogriff and the Red Knight astride him, just in time for most of Paenitia's company to abscond. She blinks halfway through lifting her hand in hail as she catches sight of-is that Acedia?- vanishing into the crowd.

Slightly crestfallen and missing a reunion with her errant friend, Faran brightens anew with some act of will and completes her greeting salute, "Hello, and well met!" she volleys toward Paenitia and her company.

"Hola! Well met Sir Faranmidahn!" Paenitia, waves from Ramirez, setting herself back into her saddle. "This Friend Dragon is a new Ally, Galidor. He have many titles to present, so the formal introduction is in order."

She laughs and rocks forward in her saddle, "He should meet Sir Tenzacatetl the Stern Rebuke, they would have much to speak of."

She waves for both of them to present names.

Galidor nods politely to the other mounted person as they come closer, "Peace on your nests." He says and then raises his voice with a confident look in his eyes, "I am Galidor Goldenclaws, Sorcerer of the First Circle, Scion of the Great Gold Dragons, in service to the Silver Empress, the Destroyer of Smaller Demons, the trolls know me as Andivar the Acid Splasher, the undead know me as the Davin the Disrupter, the plants known me as the Petrocov the Pruner, and the spiders know me as the Mikal the Missiler. You may call me just Galidor or Gal." He finishes. "We were just talking about going to get some steaks, although I do have to eventually get over to the arcanists, I am looking to have a magical item constructed."

"And on yours, sir!" Faran replies warmly to the Sith, then, as the introductions veer into the formalities, she draws reign to still the black Spider's forward progress as the little white puff, another spider, crawls down to the saddle.

The pale Lucht draws her blade slowly into a formal salute, "I am Sir Faranmidahn Waywalker of the Desolation, Knight of the Order of the Purple Rose, Reclaimer of the Horn of Gilead, Plane Drifter, Sorceress of the Sixth Circle, and foe to Vampires. These are my beloved friends, Torrent," A hand gently pats the chitin beneath her, and the coconut spider waves a foreleg, "And Zephyr. It is good to make your acquaintance!"

Pageantry aside, she stows her blade and rides closer, "How are you all, today?"

She nods emphatically to observation from her fellow Lucht, "Oh, yes indeed! He's very brave, and has a most inspiring heart!"

"We are good. Ramirez, he challenge a unicorn and he win, he is quite proud." Paenitia says, sounding more proud than her mount. The peacock-andalusian still glances around, as if seeking said challenger, and his feathers are ruffled. He coos happily when the Dark Lucht pats his neck.

"We were speaking of things, the presence of demons and devils. You remember the alert a few day ago. I have the silver sword, the cold iron hammer and lance. Ramirez the mithril armour. We are prepared to face any foe that threaten the common folk of Alexandria."

The Red Knight gets carried away, reins herself back in. "The steaks sound good, and the magic items, if either of those interest you, Sir Faranmidahn?"

Galidor is impressed by all those grand titles, "It is an honor to meet you Sir Faranmidahn and Torrent and Zephyr. I need to get myself silver and cold iron bolts for my crossbow. It is good to know that others are well armed to face such foes. Please lead the way to steaks. I am happy to follow."