Dionysus Trying to find what, Arsul?

Arsul_T mostly checking on their welfare if he can and once or twice trying to find out our origins

Dionysus If you try, you find your power is as potent as ever, but something quite literally blocks you, even your Gift.

Dionysus As for your family, you find their welfare is the same as it was before, though your nightingale daughters are in Maraddon City now with Lucilla.

• Arsul_T is relieved to find this

Dionysus The library is closed for renovation, Arsul.

Arsul_T what did I miss in the Baraus library?

Dionysus You have a vision of the books, caked in dust, with titles that mean little to you, save two tomes: one about warfare, the other about spellsinging.

Arsul_T Will we combat spellsinging?

Dionysus Your vision is of the party playing something you don't hear in your vision, but you get the impression you /are/ spellsinging.

Arsul_T what aspects of warfare knowledge will help us free the Summer Country?

Dionysus You see a vision of fighters working covertly behind enemy lines, faeries, dreams, dead souls, facing nightmare monsters, demons, & other beings, guerilla fighting, survival, tactics, strategy.

Arsul_T why/how are the people changed towards Hunny?

Dionysus It shows you walking down the street, emphasis on your Tunic--your confidence in your ability to walk unmolested keeps them from reacting.

---

Dionysus Your relatives are mostly in their suite of rooms, except Lucilla, who is at weapons practice

• Arsul_T actually looks for Lucilla first

Arsul_T in the training yard

Dionysus She's apaprently much better than the last time you met her. She's referred to by the guards as "the Axe-Queen"

Dionysus ?

Arsul_T neat

• Arsul_T waits for her to take a break

Dionysus She does eventually, & greets you with more emotion than you're used to, an almost cheery, "Father."

Arsul_T When she's done he greets her. "I'm happy to hear you again Lucilla."

• Arsul_T smiles. "I hear you are doing well."

Arsul_T "I-- I also found Nylissa joined you here?"

Arsul_T "How are she and her daughters doing?"

Dionysus She looks you over. Is the Tunic on the outisde of your clothing?

Arsul_T yes

Dionysus She touches it, "This is incredible.

Dionysus "

Arsul_T "It was my fathers'. It would do you well with your work. When I'm gone."

Dionysus She considers, "What does it do?"

Arsul_T "With confidence it allows you to do anything."

Dionysus She snorts a laugh, "Then the streets would run red with the blood of so many."

• Arsul_T smiles slightly. "As long as they are deserving." After a slight pause, " Do you think Nylissa would be willing to see me?"

Dionysus She says, "She will not join my excursions, but she does not think ill of me. She is bitter, but she is not hateful."

• Arsul_T nods. "I will try then. We are playing tomorrow in the palace if you want to listen."

Dionysus "At the Winter Ball?" she asks scoffingly.

• Arsul_T grins. "Yes. Not going?"

Dionysus She says mockingly, "I've got nothing to wear!"

• Arsul_T laughs

Arsul_T "Well if not then, hopefully I will see you after."

Dionysus You hear her boot scuff the ground, & a rock goes skipping down the road, "I like responsibility & power, but not frippery.

Nobles." She snorts, "They still do not understand their roles."

• Arsul_T nods. "It is an odd position." he agrees. "We should serve but being a noble is hard to --understand for me."

Dionysus She says, "It is simple. You do what is best for the Empire, & you have the backing of the Empire. You get lands, you get moneys, you get what you need, & in exchange, you use your brain so the peasants do not have to. But too many still play games."

• Arsul_T frowns slightly and nods

Arsul_T "Will you join me to visit Nylissa or will you continue your practice?"

Dionysus "I will go to the bathhouse."

• Arsul_T nods. "Until next time." he smiles and pats her arm gently

Dionysus She doesn't flinch away! She moves off naturally. To the suite of rooms?

Arsul_T yes

• Arsul_T heads off with Hunny and knocks at the door when he reaches them

Dionysus A moment later, the door is answered, "He--Father?" Shock.

• Arsul_T pauses slightly and then smiles. "Nylissa."

Arsul_T he pauses, slightly awkward. "I wanted to hear how you were doing in Maraddon. Have you and your daughters settled in?"

Dionysus Her tone switches to a little bitterness, "We're fine. They like it here."

• Arsul_T nods. "Good. I'm glad to hear that."

Arsul_T he pauses, shifting slightly and reaching out a hand for Hunny's head out of habit.

Dionysus Hunny nuzzles your hand.

Dionysus Nylissa sighs, "Do you want to come in?"

• Arsul_T smiles and nods. "Thank you, that would be nice."
• Arsul_T moves to enter being careful not to bump into her with his cello

Dionysus She lets you in & directs you to a seat. Hunny sits outside.

Dionysus She says, "Coffee?"

Arsul_T "Yes, please."

Arsul_T "Are your girls in? I'm sure they're kept busy here at the palace."

Dionysus She smiles, "They're in classes now."

• Arsul_T smiles, finally a topic he can jump on. "I went away to a school when I was young. What are they studying?"

Dionysus "The basics, mostly."

• Arsul_T nods. "I was always a fool for music. No doubt they have their favorite subjects?"

Dionysus She pauses, "They seem to like the painting & drawing. We're always singers, too, of course."

• Arsul_T nods, smiling. "Painting. I hear it can portray great beauty. A friend of mine paints."

Arsul_T "I'm glad they've found something they enjoy so well."

Arsul_T "I actually wanted to tell you, we're playing tomorrow night at the ball if you would like to come listen and dance."

Arsul_T "Perhaps you were already planning to go?"

Arsul_T he says the last a tad quickly, nerves creeping in again slightly

Dionysus She is silent a moment, her cup clicking as it is set down, "No, I... I wouldn't feel right. And I... really don't have anything to wear to something like that."

Arsul_T "Oh. I-- I understand if you don't wish to come. I'm sure, if you'd like, we could get an appropriate dress made for you though."

Dionysus She laughs a little bitterly, "I hadn't really considered it until now. But..." She pauses a long moment, "It's kind of you

to offer. I will think on it, if I may?"

Arsul_T "Of course." he sets his coffee cup down. "Thank you for having me in. If you can't come, perhaps another time I could play for you

and your daughters? Or with you all? It was good to talk with you Nylissa." he rises to go

Dionysus She rises as well, "I... I will talk to my girls about it. I think... They might want to get to know you."

• Arsul_T smiles widely. "I would like that very much."
• Arsul_T nods to her and moves to go

Dionysus She lets you out.

• Arsul_T rejoins Hunny and heads back toward the airship although he'll stop in the market to buy her a pot of honey

Dionysus She consumes it greedily.

• Arsul_T joins Odellino and whoever else is rattling around the ship

Dionysus Odellino is playing a game with Cogswell of memory. He's killing Cogswell at it.

• Dionysus is relaxing outside the ship in the sun.

Dionysus Despite the cold.

• Arsul_T turns when he hears Dionysus. "Aren't you cold?"
• Dionysus says, "I've got a good cloak, & the sun feels nice."
• Arsul_T nods and leaves him to it. He goes to sit on deck and play for a while. He can't take the cold as easily, being part reptillian.

Dionysus Joseph joins you in playing.

• Arsul_T welcomes him happily

Arsul_T actually, I would've asked Dionysus if he might hear from his Roma contacts while we're in town.

• Dionysus says, "She's out of town, unfortunately. Visiting her daughter up north."
• Arsul_T nods. "Well it's all right. I did check on my boys but it woulda been nice to hear from someone closer to them."
• Dionysus sighs, "Sorry. We might could go visit her up north if the ship's not ready soon."