[IC] Realms of Sun & Shadow

[Queen Arya]

Ranni Soleil, Priestess of Aelios

Interacting with:

Céline (@SkeankySnack) | Tingara Tomae (@c3p-0h)

---

^{Fade-To-Black Counter - 0}

---

^{Dawnhaven - The Temple of Aelios
The Day the Blizzard Broke - Morning}

Ranni moved to start towards the large man, aiming to stop him from getting involved with Dyna's business; yet soon found her progress halted by a sudden grip of her hand. Enough to freeze Ranni in place as she turned to cast a confused look back towards the source. Celine. The woman was holding onto her hand, fixing her with a look that seemed to be pleading with her not to go. A vulnerable look, almost, that struck a certain part of Ranni's heart. One she herself knew she'd worn before, and one she'd seen many of the younger orphans wearing as well. In that moment, the Priestess knew she had to let Tia and Dyna fend for themselves. She couldn't very well abandon somebody in need, else what kind of Priestess would she be? Ranni looked back towards Celine and listened closely to her words as she pleaded for them to step outside. The Priestess gave a small nod towards Celine then gestured for the woman to lead the way towards the door. When Celine started off, Ranni followed along immediately. Wondering just what it was that made Celine's presence a danger to Tia.

As they turned to leave however, Ranni turned to watch as Dyna moved past. Escorting the same blonde man that they'd seen earlier that day out of the Temple, and earning a look of confusion from the Priestess. Yet she knew better, she knew that look on Dyna's features. If she was arresting that man, without even a hint of emotion on her features, Ranni knew that meant she was acting out of whatever she felt was best for the safety of the temple. For the safety of herself and Tia. She gripped Celine's hand tightly in her own, stopping Celine so that Dyna could escort her prisoner from the temple.

"Wait, let the Champion go first." Ranni said softly, ensuring to put a bit of a reassuring edge into her voice to portray a sense of calm towards the woman.

She then turned to cast a look towards Tia, wanting to ensure that the woman didn't need anything from her before she left with Celine. She happened to look back just in time, catching Tia's gaze just as the other Priestess was seeking out her own. She saw Tia's weak smile, and understood the intent behind it... no matter how unconvincing the smile itself happened to be. She had questions, worries, and she wanted to know just what had happened with that man Dyna had arrested. Yet she also knew from the look that Tia was giving her that now was not the time for that. So, Ranni offered her own little smile and made an attempt to project a feeling of calm towards Tia. Hoping to reassure her fellow Priestess.

Then Ranni turned herself back towards Celine and offered the other woman a polite smile and a gesture towards the door. "I apologize for the holdup, shall we?" She asked softly, giving a gentle bow of her head as Ranni started to head towards the front doors of the temple.

Only to pause once more as the hulking behemoth of a man caught up to the two women, and before Ranni could even speak up; her companion seemed to hand the issue by telling him to stay with Tia.

Then the minor delay was out of the way, and Ranni was free to lead Celine out of the front doors. A short walk later, the two remained close to the temple but stood near an exterior brazier. This one serving less religious significance than the one inside, and instead served to help those outside the temple stay warm. Holding her hands out towards said flame to warm them, the Priestess cast her gaze up to give Celine a long look. "Better? Can you tell me why you felt your presence was a danger?" Ranni asked softly, her eyes staying locked with Celine's.

---

---

Dyna Soleil

Interacting with:

Zephyros Hale (@The Muse) || Gadez Paladice (@Dezuel)

^{Dawnhaven - The Jail
The Day the Blizzard Broke - Morning}

By Aelios does he ever shut up.

Ever since the man had been thrown into his cell, he had done nothing but poke and prod. Talk and jab. Tease. The man spoke and spoke as if he had all the secrets of the world in the palm of his hand. As if by one simple interaction he'd understood her perfectly. Were Dyna anything lesser than her calling, the Champion might've even caved and fired off any number of biting remarks that floated around in her mind. Yet instead, the woman remained silent and stoic. While her attention remained firmly on the man, it was clear that nothing aside from unfeeling professionalism would make its way across her features. Still, a small voice in the back of Dyna's mind couldn't wait until the guards returned to keep a watch on the prisoner. Albeit, Gadez did earn a slight hint of reaction out of the Champion when he mentioned the idea of bringing the Clergy Ranni's head. The hand that had been resting easily upon the hilt of her sword suddenly gripped it for a moment, squeezing as if to distract herself from something. A flash of anger, burning hot, flashed through her gaze. Were it that looks could kill, then the man would've been reduced to ashes on the spot. Yet, Dyna managed to reign herself back under control with the calming techniques the Order had taught her. Silent prayers to Aelios, and a mantra chanted in her mind brought her anger back firmly under her grasp. Even as Gadez continued prattle on, something about being a gardener and how she would look cute with a smile, Dyna returned herself slowly to that neutral professionalism. Hoping her outburst of anger hadn't been noticed...

Footsteps from down the hall drew Dyna's attention, and she noticed a guard finally making his way down the hall to relieve her. As he approached, she acknowledged the man with a simple nod... before he immediately started in with a round of his own questions and... implying she was once more there for the view of her prisoner. That implication earned the man a very unamused look from the Champion. Her response to his questions, however, were interrupted by the arrival of an older, brunette woman who introduced herself as the enchanter before getting to work on the anti-magic field. Dyna felt a slight shutter run over her body, as the comforting warmth that she'd long come to associate with her magical ability, seemed to flee in the face of the the woman's runes. Yet, still she remained outwardly unbothered by the feeling, having nothing but full faith in her training and physical ability should the need arise. Her attention turned back on the troublesome guard after a few moments, as Dyna noticed that he seemed to be waiting for her to speak.

"Threats against King Auric, and an attempt to implicate a Priestess of Aelios in his plot." She said simply, letting the weight of his accused crimes do all the talking. Letting it explain why his previous jests landed firmly on an unamused crowd. "This one likes to talk, don't let him get to you. I'll find the Prince, he should be informed of this development." Dyna said, leaving no room for questioning as she started to step past the guard and pausing at the door. "May Aelios' radiance give you strength." She said towards the man, assuming that since he seemed to recognize her for her order, he must've been Aurelian. Without waiting to hear his reply, the Champion made her way out of the jail. Searching first for a guard to hopefully point her in the direction of the Prince so she could pass along her warning...

Then found herself staring at a group of four guards running towards the West. Guards didn't typically run unless the situation demanded it, and that alone drew the alarm from the Champion. Stepping into their path, Dyna called out to the guards. "Whats the rush for, what happened?" She asked, getting an answer from the ranking member of the squad as he paused long enough to answer her while his squad ran ahead.

"A murder, Champion, I'm not clear on the details beyond a blightborn might've been involved and we're tasked to assist. If you're half the Champion that stories tell of your order, we could use your help ma'am." He said, before turning and running to catch up with his squad.

"Shit." Dyna swore, turning to run after the man to lend her aid. The Prince could wait, if there was a murderous beast on the loose, that needed to be handled before it could hurt anybody else.

Before it could hurt Ranni.

[Dezuel]

It was with amusement that he watched how Dyna's eyes displayed clear disdain for his words. He had seen eyes like this before back at the monastery whenever he openly mocked the fellow monks for their faith in Aelios. It felt like a lifetime ago since he had first stepped inside those stone walls, the jail he was now finding himself reminded him abit about it. It even had it's resident faithful follower of Aelios.

'Guard your heart better girl, lest your true enemy shalt rip it from you, and none other be to blame for it than you for displaying it so clearly, knowing fully well you tread a pebbled path… I suppose I've ought to know.' He closed his eyes momentarily, then opened them as someone else entered the vicinity.

A guardsman by the looks of it. It had been awhile since he had the pleasure of conversing with one, seemed like things were going quite well indeed.

"Hnn...hnn… Cold? Not as cold as some other people in this darkened world of ours. Yet even the coldest of things can melt when subjected to the right kind of tincture. I also have no interest to impress that girl, it's more about leaving footprints where the lynx has strayed. For sought after it is, for the secret held within it's paw. To turn stone to gold." The blonde watched as the enchanter entered the vicinity aswell, casting some magical runes. Soon enough he felt the difference all around and even within him. An anti-magic field. Gadez allowed his finger to trace the outline of his tattoo before reaching for his shirt and starting to slowly put it back on.

"Ahh yes, Aelios granting such radiant strength! Especially to your sister which has to put up with you. In addition to her... condition." Gadez gave a mocking smug smile to Dyna. Then he waited until Dyna had left before addressing the newly casted warding spell.

"Oh? My my… it's been awhile since I felt that little tingle. Would had been a shame if someone lost their temper and threw a spell in here indeed. You are wise to ward it from such things. But there are far more dangerous things in our world than a spell or two. Though I must say I find it curious to ponder just how that ward interacts with magic that is abit more… primal. But I am certain we'll find out once a blightborn steps within this place. A pity you cannot put up a ward against folly, for that champion seems to carry it like a torch, to be blinded by the shimmer light is as dangerous as being out in the darkest of night." The blonde chuckled softly and brushed off his pants as he rose to his feet, walking over to one of the stone walls of the cell, leaning against it.

"I do not deal in threats however, but promises. A threat can be made by anyone and people typically tend to not follow through on such, a promise however is something people are more inclined to keep. Regardless of where the path may lead. Hahah...hah... Ahh... but the girl is correct on the other thing, I do like to converse. I would however like to add that it isn't just me whom you should be wary of, for the world which we live in is quite overflowing with honest looking smiling men, eager to place a dagger in your back when it is most suitable. Learn peoples true nature and you will be a king amongst pawns. Unfortunately for the girl which just left, she is one whose only able to step forwards, she has unwittingly gifted me three boons aswell. Said boons however, I am afraid I cannot share with you." Gadez placed a finger before his lips and smiled with his eyes closed.

'A book deemed to dangerous, for the grim truth kept within is usually hidden and locked away. For what seeker of truth could ever resist the temptation to look for it? Now when someone has left crumbles upon your doorstep, leading you towards the hidden glade where the lynx has strayed. Go fetch the Prince, little champion of the goddess, lead him right to me. Let us hope that he found his precious other half and the wolf did not prevail. Oh said wolf will no doubt come looking. So many guests and no cake to offer. Oh well, cake just make you fat anyhow.' The gardeners eyes wandered over towards Zeph.

"There is no man more wicked, than a man who may tell between the truth and lies of this world, and choosing to either do nothing at all, or help spread the lies. King Auric dons this mantle well as does the clergy. Pray tell, what is your name guardsman? What has driven you to this haven of the damned? Do you realize what this place actually is? Most of the populace here does not seem to know..." The blueyed mans eyes set right at Zeph's. "I go by the name of Gadez Paladice. A humble gardener and occasional performer. An obvious danger, as you can see." He pressed off the wall and made a butler-like bowing motion towards Zeph, his almost ever present smile on his lips.

@Queen Arya

[PrinceAlexus]

Syraeia Leela “Sy-a” Inn Keeper

Eye of Beholder”

Onions are cute, Sya has a Crush?

Now with 50% more blood alcohol content.
Sloshed snakes can slither too

Sya was finding the blightborns' reactions a curious mix as she seemed to react much as she hid from being called.. Miss? The gold and other things that did not seem to add up… was she .. something different? But without any frame of reference it could just be another blight, oddity and strange factor of the second life that changed everyone In unique ways. “Enjoy Miss, itssss not bad, I enjoyed it.” Sya had a bottle before trying it, and honestly it was hardly the greatest but plenty drinkable. Her questions where ruse to ask so she held back and remained polite and kept to her innkeeper approach to things.

She was caught slightly off guard but leaned In when she motioned to whisper and had to work a little to translate her speech…maybe she was rusty… or just a blight effect?

Sya sway lessened as she concentrated and a large blue eye looked thoughtful as she considered the problem and potential solutions for the woman, this Nesna was obviously a little more in need of tailored help and she could not say she did not feel for others, just that she liked money… money made people respect you regardless of who you were. Gold was a universal multiplier. A Blightborn who needed help…well Sya could not leave her without help so considered what she had tried to think what might be suitable.

“Its alright Miss,you're my guessst now. Itsss not a bother. You prefer Miss, Mrs? Somthing else?” Sya said firmly but gently and waved off the apology with an easy smile, she was comfortable… or least had to appear to run the Inn. However she felt could be allowed out once she was in the privacy of her own rooms and able to just collapse and curl up on the cushions of her snug room.

For now Sya needed to be strong and not let the weight break on her back…spine… tail… her body hardly made sense. She did know where all the important bits seemed to be located.

“Give me a minute, il warm you something up. We are kinda ssshort on everything right now.” Sya said, handing her a wooden cup for the wine, hardly the finest but it was clean and made of a smoothly turned dark wood. It was not meant for wine totally but she had not much else spare to hand right at this second.

Sya slithered and vanished into the chaotic kitchen behind the bar though her tail was seen having reached about the corner and was busily swishing about as she looked for something. She was not confident she would not burn herself otherwise so it stretched behind her, poked round the door and into the bar area.

She found what she was looking for, a child's chicken soup that most had not wanted and ate the sweets and other things but Sya thought it probably was the closest to a broth she had available right now. Warming some in a pan she reached down to stoke the fire abit more and sighed as she got the hem of her dress dirty… She needed to explore her wardrobe options.

She sang along as she cooked, falling into her borderland language, her vowels harsher and older, less like the kingdoms and into a language that was sadly a rarer thing to find in the world.

“The fairer sex, they often call it
But her love's as unfair as a crook
It steals all my reason
Commits every treason
Of logic, with naught but a look
A storm raging on the horizon
Of longing and heartache and lust
She's always bad news
It's always lose, lose
So tell me love, tell me love
How is that just?
But the story is this
She'll destroy with her sweet kiss
Her sweet kiss
But the story is this
She'll destroy with her sweet kiss”

Sya never finished as she put a bowel of the soup into a plain wooden bowel she washed quickly, tossing some bread on the side. It was not much but it was a hot meal. “Coming Miss Nessna,” Sya said as she presented the meal. “Chicken, bread, and some vegetables. Should be ok?” Sya said as she presented it on the bar top alongside some chunky bread and a spoon. She tilted her head a little as she asked and made a matching tilt to her tails tip in a linked motion. She had to just trust her… instincts to that and they tended to work.

“If you like it, we can make sure to save some for you.” She offered gently and quietly. Sya was not heartless… she might not be best at handling…well many things but she tried to help people even if she was a rather broken person.

Mentions
@enmuni