Ayse stiffled a yawn as she waited for the meeting to start. One one hand she was worried that it would look like boredom had overtaken her or that she didn't really care about these proceedings. On the other she didn't really care what impression the others gathered around this fine table got of her.
Four hours. That was how long she'd stood in a quarantine tent near the bridge the previous night, pumping what humble fire she could into the dying man within. Under the direction of one of the church's chief chiurgeons she'd used her power in tandem with the chief's to burn away the corruption that ate away at the hapless adventurer. Their efforts ultimately failed though. The corruption, whatever it was, simply sprang anew on the flesh they cleansed. His screams and agony... They couldn't even give him a sedative as their combined power only served to burn that away too.
Afterwards she'd volunteered to burn the body and send the man's soul back to the candle's flame. It was the least she could do. Afterwards she'd tried to rest, sleep, but it proved elusive as dreams of the Hoquin sharing the same fate invaded retellings of happier times and memories. Such things served as a stark reminder of why the guild had incorporated this new grouping policy. If the man had companions to bolster and help him he might have been saved.
Thoroughly tired of such depressing thoughts, Ayse tried to perk herself up and poured a cup of tea and added six sugars. Sweet, yes, but if loving the sweetness was a crime then she'd gladly wear the shackles. So, with a little more enthusiasm, she focused on the positives. One that seemed the most thrilling, at least to her coin purse, was the tax and fee reduction. Twenty percent was nothing to roll her eyes at. Given time and luck it could open up her future prospects with Hoquin. Despite his absence it was still nice to plan for their future together.
With her papers quickly and neatly signed, as if she had an alternative, she took stock of the room. Many others seemed to as well. Of particular note was the Lycan. His tone... Something about it rubbed her the wrong way. The assumption of command. Perhaps it was a bit of her sour history with Bern creeping in, but she disliked the implied notion that they could teach him some new tricks of their own. She reserved her judgement though, as always. From the boyish knight to the orc and the insect ridden girl to the almost too plain woman she would come to know as Sylvia, each had a reason for being here and a story to tell. She hoped that she'd get the chance. To help the ball roll in that direction she decided that maybe some more pointed introductions were in order. She waited for the others to finish their forms and the personal conversations to die down before she rose from her seat to talk to those assembled.
"It might help, now that we aren't all so distracted, to tell each other a little about ourselves. Where we've been, what we've done or still do, and why we're here. I know it's a little invasive, but we're all going to be working together from this point on. Getting to know each other and our expectations. Since I made the suggestion, I'll go first."
"My name is Ayse Temer. I'm a member of the Church of the Endless Ones and a part of the church's Order of the Salamander. I mostly help out with the sick and the wounded that come back from the Rifts. My specialty is burning away maledictions and infirmities, though if I need to I can sear flesh just as easily as purify it. As for the why... well... I'm looking for my fiance. I hope to find him in whatever Rift he's lost himself in."
She caught herself looking down at the table in embarrassment. Of course she had to be the one to go first and for what must seem like a silly reason. She did say that they needed to know more about each other. What better way fro them to know her that the thing that drove her the most.
"I don't want any of you to think that as soon as I find him I'll quit the adventurer's life. I'm building my future here and I'd like to think I'll help all of you do the same."
With her piece said, Ayse took her seat and waited for the next speaker to begin, if any chose to follow her example at all.
Four hours. That was how long she'd stood in a quarantine tent near the bridge the previous night, pumping what humble fire she could into the dying man within. Under the direction of one of the church's chief chiurgeons she'd used her power in tandem with the chief's to burn away the corruption that ate away at the hapless adventurer. Their efforts ultimately failed though. The corruption, whatever it was, simply sprang anew on the flesh they cleansed. His screams and agony... They couldn't even give him a sedative as their combined power only served to burn that away too.
Afterwards she'd volunteered to burn the body and send the man's soul back to the candle's flame. It was the least she could do. Afterwards she'd tried to rest, sleep, but it proved elusive as dreams of the Hoquin sharing the same fate invaded retellings of happier times and memories. Such things served as a stark reminder of why the guild had incorporated this new grouping policy. If the man had companions to bolster and help him he might have been saved.
Thoroughly tired of such depressing thoughts, Ayse tried to perk herself up and poured a cup of tea and added six sugars. Sweet, yes, but if loving the sweetness was a crime then she'd gladly wear the shackles. So, with a little more enthusiasm, she focused on the positives. One that seemed the most thrilling, at least to her coin purse, was the tax and fee reduction. Twenty percent was nothing to roll her eyes at. Given time and luck it could open up her future prospects with Hoquin. Despite his absence it was still nice to plan for their future together.
With her papers quickly and neatly signed, as if she had an alternative, she took stock of the room. Many others seemed to as well. Of particular note was the Lycan. His tone... Something about it rubbed her the wrong way. The assumption of command. Perhaps it was a bit of her sour history with Bern creeping in, but she disliked the implied notion that they could teach him some new tricks of their own. She reserved her judgement though, as always. From the boyish knight to the orc and the insect ridden girl to the almost too plain woman she would come to know as Sylvia, each had a reason for being here and a story to tell. She hoped that she'd get the chance. To help the ball roll in that direction she decided that maybe some more pointed introductions were in order. She waited for the others to finish their forms and the personal conversations to die down before she rose from her seat to talk to those assembled.
"It might help, now that we aren't all so distracted, to tell each other a little about ourselves. Where we've been, what we've done or still do, and why we're here. I know it's a little invasive, but we're all going to be working together from this point on. Getting to know each other and our expectations. Since I made the suggestion, I'll go first."
"My name is Ayse Temer. I'm a member of the Church of the Endless Ones and a part of the church's Order of the Salamander. I mostly help out with the sick and the wounded that come back from the Rifts. My specialty is burning away maledictions and infirmities, though if I need to I can sear flesh just as easily as purify it. As for the why... well... I'm looking for my fiance. I hope to find him in whatever Rift he's lost himself in."
She caught herself looking down at the table in embarrassment. Of course she had to be the one to go first and for what must seem like a silly reason. She did say that they needed to know more about each other. What better way fro them to know her that the thing that drove her the most.
"I don't want any of you to think that as soon as I find him I'll quit the adventurer's life. I'm building my future here and I'd like to think I'll help all of you do the same."
With her piece said, Ayse took her seat and waited for the next speaker to begin, if any chose to follow her example at all.
