Dionysus Each one tests your worth in the applicable field. A reaction test is thus: you enter a room, and six men do something, & your speed of reacting to it determines your worth.
Dionysus The first man simply says, "Think fast" & tosses something at you. Roll reaction?
Dionysus r 10
Eklem Dionysus [10] 15 20 20
Aurelia r 10
Eklem Aurelia [10] 12 19 19
Dionysus Do you karma?
Aurelia Given that the test is for aptitude, how important is winning a given roll?
Dionysus You need to pass 4/6.
Aurelia No karma.
Dionysus The next man acts like he is going to attack you.
Dionysus r 10
Eklem Dionysus [10] 12 15 15
Dionysus Oh, right
- Aurelia likely fails that as well. If he's feinting and she can tell, she's most likely to look blankly at him.
Dionysus The ball of dough the first man tosses lands limply beside you.
Dionysus You feel merely his intention to attack.
Aurelia r reaction 10
Eklem Aurelia [reaction: 10] 13 13 18
Dionysus Do you try to dodge?
- Aurelia tries to move back away from him.
Dionysus r strike 15
Eklem Dionysus [strike: 15] 19 21 22
Aurelia r dodge 11
Eklem Aurelia [dodge: 11] 16 18 19
Dionysus The flat of his blade strikes your upper arm, & you barely feel it.
Dionysus He shrugs, steps back.
Dionysus The third man says, "What's 1+1?"
Dionysus Just roll reaction.
Aurelia r reaction 10
Eklem Aurelia [reaction: 10] 15 15 16
Dionysus Does she answer?
Aurelia Confusedly, "Two..."
Dionysus The fourth man strikes at you as you are saying that.
Dionysus r 12
Eklem Dionysus [12] 15 15 21
Dionysus Roll reaction
- Aurelia tries to move back again.
Aurelia r react 10
Eklem Aurelia [react: 10] 11 12 14
Dionysus I'll allow you to karma one of the earlier rolls
Dionysus To win an earlier one rather than lose this one.
Aurelia Why not. If the path karma apply I'll use one.
Dionysus Works for me
Aurelia If both those and self apply, I have three karma applicable to testing total.
Dionysus You were then able to react with enough swiftness to the dough ball.
Dionysus Roll dodge for this one
Aurelia r dodge 11
Eklem Aurelia [dodge: 11] 13 15 20
Dionysus r strike 14
Eklem Dionysus [strike: 14] 16 17 17
Dionysus Again, he slaps you with the flat of his blade.
Dionysus When it seems to not phase you, he shrugs, & steps back.
Dionysus The fifth man walks to the wall & pulls a lever. Roll reaction
Dionysus r 12
Eklem Dionysus [12] 13 17 22
Aurelia r reaction 10
Eklem Aurelia [reaction: 10] 14 15 16
Dionysus Any karmas, or do you fall?
Aurelia Fall.
Dionysus Roll balance.
Dionysus r diff 12
Eklem Dionysus [diff: 12] 20 21 22
Aurelia r ath 11
Eklem Aurelia [ath: 11] 12 17 19
Dionysus You land hard on your ass as the tile beneath you shifts.
- Aurelia tries to stumble to her feet.
Dionysus The men all stop. "Third failure. I'm sorry, your Grace." They bow.
- Aurelia curtseys, not sure how else to respond.
Dionysus Next is stealth?
Aurelia Ok.
Dionysus You are told to walk through a specific library undetected thrice.
- Aurelia attempts to do so, first pausinng outside to feel out where the occupants are.
Dionysus Roll rogue +3 for that.
Aurelia r rogue 15+3
Eklem Aurelia [rogue: 15+3=18] 19 20 27
Dionysus r diff 10 13 16
Eklem Dionysus [diff: 10] 13 14 15
Eklem Dionysus [13] 15 18 20
Eklem Dionysus [16] 18 18 26
Dionysus Roll the other two times as well.
Aurelia r rogue 15+3
Eklem Aurelia [rogue: 15+3=18] 19 19 27
Aurelia r rogue 15+3
Eklem Aurelia [rogue: 15+3=18] 19 23 27
Dionysus As you leave the library on the third pass, you sense someone on the other side of it, expectantly waiting.
Aurelia The far side of the library?
Dionysus No, the one you're about to walk out of.
Aurelia Ah.
Dionysus Assuming you step out, a Torch is smiling at you as you walk out. He holdsout his hand to shake.
- Aurelia pauses, unsure if she's supposed to avoid them as well, then exits regardless.
- Aurelia looks at him in faint bewilderment and, if she doesn't feel reason not to, holds out her own hand.
Dionysus He says as he shakes, "Congratulations, your Grace. Yopur ring will be ready by the end of the week. Any specifications as to its appearance?"
- Aurelia blinks and shakes her head.
Dionysus "Well, plain silver is standard, then."
Dionysus +3 s/h when you get it.
Dionysus He bows, then walks off.
Dionysus Prowess is next. You are allowed your choice of weapons.
Aurelia Sword, then, as the only weapon she knows how to use.
Dionysus You are to merely face six men to first touch each.
Dionysus r init new
Dionysus r init first 10
Eklem INIT: first [10] 11 14 19
Aurelia r init 10
Eklem INIT: Aurelia [10] 14 18 19
Dionysus Go
Dionysus Also, do you use Grimdancer?
- Aurelia steps forward and tries to hit her opponent.
Dionysus r parry 10
Eklem Dionysus [parry: 10] 12 13 13
Aurelia Not if told it's supposed to test my own skills.
Aurelia r swd 12
Eklem Aurelia [swd: 12] 15 21 22
Dionysus r stun 14+5 wound 14+5
Eklem Dionysus [stun: 14+5=19] 21 25 26
Eklem Dionysus [wound: 14+5=19] 22 27 28
Aurelia What are the practice swords here?
Dionysus +3/+1
Aurelia r stun 25+3 wound 25+1
Eklem Aurelia [stun: 25+3=28] 35 35 35
Eklem Aurelia [wound: 25+1=26] 30 32 32
Aurelia ...
Dionysus And you forgot the +6 for exceptional hit.
Aurelia Yeah.
Dionysus The man's chest caves in under the force of the blow.
Dionysus The other five men drop their weapons and quickly try to help him, panicking to try to save him, fruitlessly. He's dead
- Aurelia stares wide eyed for a few seconds, then changes to the silver to move forward and try to help him, herself.
Dionysus They stare at you, all of them knowing the power of argent fire.
Dionysus They all back away, caution and hope in them stirring.
Dionysus Roll?
- Aurelia kneels beside him, reaching out for the strongest emotion she can find in range.
Dionysus r diff 19
Eklem Dionysus [diff: 19] 20 22 24
Dionysus The strongest is... loss.
Aurelia Loss?
Dionysus The loss of a friend. Despair.
Aurelia How strong?
Dionysus 19
Aurelia r 19+3
Eklem Aurelia [19+3=22] 26 29 31
Dionysus The argentfire consumes him, and a moment later, he is reborn.
Dionysus He screams as he comes back to life, his chest whole again.
Dionysus The men stare in awe.
- Aurelia stands and steps back away from him, dropping the practice sword.
Dionysus A moment later, several others rush into the room.
Dionysus One of them seems to be in charge, calm, cool. He looks to you a moment & says, "This test is over. Normally, this would disqualify you, but you
Dionysus 've more than made up for it."
Dionysus "You get your ring, but in future tests, refrain from killing people, Duchess."
Dionysus "Standard silver?"
- Aurelia nods uncertainly.
Dionysus The guards around are awed and a bit grateful, relieved. The revived man is shocked, but relieved.
- Aurelia leaves to find somewhere to hide for a little while.
Dionysus +3 prowess when it arrives
Dionysus Do you go to the next test?
Aurelia No.
Dionysus No more tests, then?
Aurelia No more tests.
Dionysus Whoops.
Aurelia Whoops?
Dionysus I didn't mean to make her quit them.
Dionysus So... paintings, song?
Aurelia Oh. No worries. She wasn't enthusiastic about them to begin with.
Dionysus Yes, but they woulda been useful.
Aurelia Yeah.
Dionysus Anyway, paintings, song? Make rolls?
Dionysus Tell me what emotions are used?
Aurelia How many each?
Aurelia Emotions, each painting uses varying amounts of everything she felt at the relevant moment.
Dionysus Give me a description of that gallery again
Aurelia A series of paintings of the pivotal moments in Aurelia's life. Diana, H'leeh's death, the Ogre's death, Nightmare's rape, Bartleby's first real kiss...
Dionysus So.. sadism & awe & regret, satiated vengence, repulsion & mental break down, further break down & sacrifice, & exuberant joy and love?
Aurelia Also self loathing, bloodlust, despair, hope, and awe/gratitude respectfully.
Aurelia Respectively.
Dionysus Who do you take from?
Aurelia Myself.
Dionysus You find that doing so of course reduces how much you feel those emotions as you relive these scenes when you paint them
- Aurelia is careful to never use so much as to cripple her ability to feel for long.
Dionysus So, rolls. How do we wanna do this?
Aurelia How much time's worth of rolls do I have to devote to them before they're due?
Dionysus 20 weeks
Aurelia Laird is also a painting.
Dionysus Or do we wanna worry about this later? We can try to do the Circus?
Aurelia I'm fine with it now, but also fine with moving on.
Aurelia Of course, if Aurelia dies at the circus it'd negate the need to roll for the paintings.
Dionysus One night, you are feeling incredibly sleepy, and ache to retire early. Bartleby has some work to do for training, and says he'll join you later.
- Aurelia doesn't fight it. She packs up for the night and sleeps.
Dionysus As you drift off, you sense... a storyteller.
Dionysus He's sitting nearby.
Aurelia And turns.
Dionysus The old halfling storyteller is sitting there. Quothar.
Dionysus "Pardon my intrusion."
- Aurelia sits up, watching him.
Dionysus "You're planning on facing that Circus soon, right?"
Dionysus "Well, there's a few ways this story can go. Willing to listen?"
- Aurelia nods again, hesitantly this time.
Dionysus He smiles, "You can take the band there & succeed. Everything will be fine, except you won't feel any different about it, will you?"
- Aurelia just watches him, wide eyed. She doesn't answer.
Dionysus He shakes his head, "Well, you could go there alone, too, and fail. As powerful as you are, what dwells there is... too dangerous. Too powerful even for you."
Dionysus "Or..."
Dionysus "Or you could do it right.
Dionysus "Research.
Dionysus "Prepare.
Dionysus "Pick your small, tightknit team.
Dionysus "And succeed in more ways than one."
Aurelia Warily, "How?"
Dionysus He'd know which part you're asking how to, but I don't
- Aurelia is just asking for clarification in general, and that more due to lack of a better response.
Dionysus "Well, I know someone who can get you a report of the area. Once you have that, you'll know more of how to prepare, and who you'll want with you is up to you, if anyone. At least take your dhole, though. As for the successes, well, you might find more there than you expect to find."
Aurelia "Why?" Why is he telling her this?
Dionysus "What can I say? My favorite stories are romances, coming-of-age tales, adventure tales, redemption tales, and avant garde ones where it turns out the whole thing is a palindrome and the butler did it. Yours is all but one of those."
Dionysus "Seriously, lay low every butler you see! They're dangerous." You can tell, emotionally, he's joking.
Dionysus He gives an awkward chuckle, then says, "Right, well. I know you don't like gods much right now, but I've no one else to convey this to you. Best of luck. For your sake, and my friend the Father of Might's, I hope you succeed stunningly. You, and he, deserve it."
- Aurelia nods slightly, then, after a moment, says quietly, "Thank you."
Dionysus "Goodnight, my dear."
Dionysus And he vanishes, slowly fading into the background, until he is gone
- Aurelia watches until he is completely gone, then lays back down to stare at the ceiling.
Dionysus Do you try to sleep?
Aurelia After a little while, yes.
Dionysus After you fall asleep, you awaken to the sound of Bartleby coming in, collapsing into the bed.
- Aurelia stirs with a quiet sigh to put an arm around him.
Dionysus He curls into you and falls asleep.
Dionysus What do you do after that?
Aurelia Also sleep.
Dionysus I mean, the next day, etc?
Aurelia Paint. Write. Train. For a while. She's wary of the advice, and wasn't told who to ask about the area anyway.
Dionysus Do you visit Marilyna any?
Aurelia Yes.
Dionysus She's often delighted to have you, and even invites you to some state meetings.
- Aurelia attends them, then.
Dionysus One day, she asks you to attend her on a stroll in her gardens.
Dionysus She talks, "How is the project coming along?" her word for the speech
Aurelia How far in is this?
Dionysus 12 weeks.
Aurelia "Three paintings are finished."
Dionysus She smiles, "I look forward to it. Just let me know when you are ready."
Dionysus She stops to look at a flower, "Aurelia, do you like these?" She indicates bright red flowers, like red daisies. She picks one.
- Aurelia opens her mouth, closes it, and nods again.
Dionysus "Viollca made them. They're... amazing. Smell this one."
Dionysus She hands it over.
- Aurelia accepts, holding it delicately and lifting it to her nose.
Dionysus It smells like... what righteousness feels like, what courage feels like, what compassion feels like.
- Aurelia lowers the flower slowly, staring at it.
Dionysus "They never fade, Aurelia. I've had them pressed, dried, burnt--and they remain strong."
Dionysus She gestures to the bed of them, there's dozens of them, "They only wilt if they die on their own. Picking them makes them last. It's so strange. And the smell... it invigorates me."
Aurelia How does she feel?
Dionysus Amazed at them. She's sharing a secret pleasure.
Dionysus You sense three things, of a sudden: intense duty-bound, determination approaching from above, the ever present but silent and unseen guards' emotions flare into surprise, and the blinking out of their emotions entirely.
Aurelia Directly above?
Dionysus Above the guards, now level with you.
Dionysus In the garden now, approaching. Three of them.
- Aurelia freezes, then moves between Marilyna and the feel.
Dionysus Three different directions.
- Aurelia pulls Grimdancer.
Dionysus Marilyna looks, "What's going on?"
Dionysus She pulls her own sword, a bright, golden shortsword.
Aurelia How surrounded are we?
Aurelia Is there a way out?
Dionysus The guards were at the entrances, so the assassins are approaching from those directions.
Dionysus You might be able to slip past them through the trees.
Dionysus But they seem pretty professional, in emotion.
Aurelia "The guard's songs are silenced. Three men approach."
Dionysus Her eyes narrow, "Should I call for more guards? They'd be here quickly."
Aurelia How far are the nearest living guards?
Dionysus They might reach the doors by the time the assassins reach you if she shouts.
- Aurelia bites the corner of her lip, then shakes her head. She starts toward one of them, with the intent to take from him his determination before he's in sight in hopes of then being able to sneak past more easily.
Dionysus Roll.
Dionysus r wil 16
Eklem Dionysus [wil: 16] 17 17 20
Dionysus Or just have it.
Dionysus You have a 16 determination
Dionysus He stops dead in his tracks, wariness overcoming him.
Aurelia Does the ring work with animals?
Dionysus If you can sense it, you can use the ring on it
- Aurelia then gives a bird a strong sense of determination, to clear the ring to take the assassin's wariness as well.
Dionysus r wil 16
Eklem Dionysus [wil: 16] 18 18 20
Dionysus You have the wariness, too.
Dionysus Confusion now rules him.
Dionysus And the others are so close now.
Dionysus r init new
Aurelia Are the rings done?
Dionysus You have your rings, yes
Dionysus r init assassin1 17 asssassin2 17 assassin3 17 marilyna 16
Eklem INIT: assassin1 [17] 22 24 25
Eklem INIT: asssassin2 [17] 21 22 23
Eklem INIT: assassin3 [17] 19 19 25
Eklem INIT: marilyna [16] 17 25 26
Aurelia r init 10+3+3
Eklem INIT: Aurelia [10+3+3=16] 20 22 25
Dionysus Is Kashaji with?
Aurelia Yes.
Aurelia r init Kashaji 16
Eklem INIT: Kashaji [16] 19 20 26
Dionysus r init show
Eklem (marilyna 25/16) (assassin1 24/17) (asssassin2 22/17) (Aurelia 22/10) (Kashaji 20/16) (assassin3 19/17)
Dionysus Marilyna lets loose a high note, erupting the air before her into flame.
Dionysus r song 16 assassin dodge 17
Eklem Dionysus [song: 16] 17 17 26
Eklem Dionysus [assassin dodge: 17] 19 23 27
Dionysus But the flames just hit trees.
Dionysus The assassin lunges for her.
Dionysus r dodge 16 assassin 17
Eklem Dionysus [dodge: 16] 19 24 25
Eklem Dionysus [assassin: 17] 21 25 26
Dionysus r stun 17+5 wound 17+5
Eklem Dionysus [stun: 17+5=22] 24 30 32
Eklem Dionysus [wound: 17+5=22] 25 26 28
Dionysus Err
Dionysus Do you recall Matrim's defense?
Aurelia 17 if he's not mithril. Plus a further seven if Aldo's blessing was permanent.
Dionysus If he is mithril?
Aurelia Plus another 9.
Dionysus r stun 33 wound 33
Eklem Dionysus [stun: 33] 35 41 43
Eklem Dionysus [wound: 33] 36 40 40
Dionysus The blade thinks into Marilyna & stops cold. She laughs scornfully. You feel her terror and bravery mingle as she taunts the assassin, who looks and feels human.
Dionysus The second assassin leaps at you.
Dionysus r attack 17
Eklem Dionysus [attack: 17] 20 22 24
Aurelia r parry 12+3+3+3
Eklem Aurelia [parry: 12+3+3+3=21] 23 24 28
Dionysus His short, sharp blade clangs against the slender, black blade of Grimdancer.
Dionysus Your turn.
- Aurelia ignores the assassin who just slashed at her to attack the one on Marilyna.
Aurelia r sword 12+3+3+3
Eklem Aurelia [sword: 12+3+3+3=21] 22 29 31
Dionysus r assassin 17
Eklem Dionysus [assassin: 17] 18 25 27
Dionysus r stun 17+3 wound 17+3
Eklem Dionysus [stun: 17+3=20] 21 22 28
Eklem Dionysus [wound: 17+3=20] 21 24 28
Aurelia r stun 25+1+9 wound 25+1+9
Eklem Aurelia [stun: 25+1+9=35] 42 43 45
Eklem Aurelia [wound: 25+1+9=35] 40 41 45
Aurelia Plus three each.
Dionysus Oh, yes, that makes a big difference.
Dionysus Grimdancer meets his leathers and flows through them like through water, leaving a blackened, ugly opening in his chest. He drops, slowly.
Dionysus Kashaji?
Aurelia Kashaji goes for the one who attacked her.
Aurelia r kpro 16
Eklem Aurelia [kpro: 16] 21 22 25
Dionysus r assassin 17
Eklem Dionysus [assassin: 17] 20 22 26
Dionysus r stun 17+3 wound 17+3
Eklem Dionysus [stun: 17+3=20] 21 25 29
Eklem Dionysus [wound: 17+3=20] 22 24 26
Aurelia r stun 17-3 wound 17-3
Eklem Aurelia [stun: 17-3=14] 15 16 17
Eklem Aurelia [wound: 17-3=14] 17 19 20
Dionysus The assassin is surprised by the dog, but not hurt.
Dionysus The third assassin apparently is considering a plant.
Dionysus r init asssassin2 17 assassin3 17 marilyna 16
Eklem INIT: asssassin2 [17] 21 24 25
Eklem INIT: assassin3 [17] 25 25 27
Eklem INIT: marilyna [16] 18 26 26
Aurelia r init 16 kashaji 16
Eklem INIT: Aurelia [16] 20 21 22
Eklem INIT: kashaji [16] 18 20 20
Dionysus r init show
Eklem (marilyna 26/16) (assassin3 25/17) (asssassin2 24/17) (assassin1 24/17) (Aurelia 21/16) (kashaji 20/16) (Kashaji 20/16)
Dionysus Marilyna sings softly this time, and a sliver of flame flows through the air.
Dionysus r song 16 assassin 17
Eklem Dionysus [song: 16] 17 21 22
Eklem Dionysus [assassin: 17] 23 25 26
Dionysus But doesn't hit the assassin, instead igniting a row of rhododendrons
Dionysus The confused assassin yells, <I smell smoke!> in Srisian.
Dionysus The second one slashes at Kashaji.
Dionysus r assassin 17
Eklem Dionysus [assassin: 17] 21 23 27
Aurelia r kash 16
Eklem Aurelia [kash: 16] 18 24 26
Dionysus Kashaji steps nimbly aside the assassin's swing.
Dionysus Your turn
- Aurelia turns to slash at Kashaji's assassin.
Aurelia r swd 12+3+3+3
Eklem Aurelia [swd: 12+3+3+3=21] 25 26 28
Dionysus r assassin 17
Eklem Dionysus [assassin: 17] 18 20 21
Dionysus r stun 17+3 wound 17+3
Eklem Dionysus [stun: 17+3=20] 28 29 30
Eklem Dionysus [wound: 17+3=20] 25 30 30
Aurelia r stun 25+1+9 wound 25+1+9
Eklem Aurelia [stun: 25+1+9=35] 41 41 45
Eklem Aurelia [wound: 25+1+9=35] 40 41 41
Dionysus He registers horror as his body is punctured and the taint spreads through his entrails, the blade poking out his back. He is now your sheath.
Dionysus Does Kashaji go after the third?
Aurelia He moves between us and the third, but holds there, as this one hasn't threatened yet.
Dionysus <I smell smoke!>
Dionysus And you feel and hear guards rushing in, men with water, etc. Marilyna starts yelling orders.
Dionysus Chaotic order ensues.
Dionysus The man is captured.
- Aurelia cleans and sheathes Grimdancer, then watches the third warily until he's secured.
Dionysus Marilyna looks around at her burning garden and curses, angrily, "Someone will pay for this." Then she looks to you, "Thank you, Aurelia."
- Aurelia nods, looking around at the flames as well, then back to Marilyna.
Dionysus "I will see you rewarded for this. And your noble wolf."
- Aurelia puts a hand on Kashaji's shoulder, blinking and shaking her head at the idea of a reward.
Dionysus She looks around again, "Let's step into the palace now, shall we?"
Dionysus She gets away from the fire, letting the guards and servants attend her. They attend you as well.
Aurelia Attend how?
Dionysus Check you for injuries, offer you water, ask you details of the fight
- Aurelia glances uncertainly at them, but raises no objection, and continues to follow.
Dionysus She says, "We're going to have to keep this quiet, Aurelia. I can't do a public award ceremony. But I can reward you privately. Will you meet me later tonight?"
Dionysus She feels gratitude and pride.
- Aurelia opens her mouth and closes it, searching for words to deny the need for reward, finally giving up and nodding again.
Dionysus She smiles, "Thank you, so much."
Aurelia "There was no other path."
Dionysus She looks and feels a tiny bit confused, "You don't mean you would have run away, do you?" she teases.
- Aurelia blinks, then shakes her head quickly.
Dionysus She laughs, "Then my thanks are indeed deserved. I must attend this issue with the Chancellor now, but I will see you tonight after dinner."
- Aurelia nods again and curtseys before turning to go, biting her lip.
Dionysus Where does she go?
Aurelia Her room.
Dionysus What's she do?
Aurelia Paints.
Dionysus Noted
Aurelia Actually, works on the song.
Aurelia No, paints.
Dionysus Eh?
Aurelia She paints Marilyna.
Dionysus Nice. In what pose?
Aurelia Forgiving Aurelia.
Aurelia That was also a pivotal moment.
Dionysus Nice.
Aurelia It's the easiest to paint at the moment.
Dionysus You go to her later that night?
Aurelia Yes.
Dionysus She receives you in her own office, with a few officials there. She requests Kashaji come as well.
Aurelia He does.
Dionysus She feels pride and gratitude as you arrive, and a touch of... triumph. "Welcome, your Grace. We welcome you to this small ceremony of gratittude on behalf of all Maraddon for the services you have rendered today.
- Aurelia bows her head a touch, uncertain. "There is no need..."
Dionysus "For your valor, strength, and loyalty, we hereby grant you what none other can: your own Imperial Garden, a place of beauty of your own to tend and nurture within these walls, in the place where our life was saved. Replenish what we damaged there and make it better than it was before. Step forward."
- Aurelia looks up again, staring for a moment before she command processes and she steps forward.
Dionysus The Emperess holds out a small pin, a red daisy from the garden attached to a golden pin, and places it on your chest. "And we grant you this token of our esteem, made especially for my friend." +3 PRO, +3 Fear Resistance
- Aurelia touches the petals lightly, tentatively, then curtseys with a slight, happy blush.
Dionysus "Please, call your companion forward."
Dionysus She picks up a silver collar off her table.
- Aurelia says Kashaji's name quietly and holds out a hand to have him join her.
Dionysus "If you'll allow it. These are made for our Imperial scouting hounds. They're enchanted to make them stronger, faster, more deadly, and more aware."
- Aurelia smiles, and strokes Kashaji's neck, pressing a touch to ask him to lower his head for the collar.
Dionysus He does, and she places it on him, "For the loyal companion of our friend, her protector and ours. We thank you both."
Aurelia How does Kashaji feel about this?
Dionysus He's a little confused, but otherwise, happy.
- Aurelia moves her hand to his shoulder, petting lightly, then curtseys again.
Dionysus She smiles, then excuses the officials. "Do you like the rewards?" she asks, as they leave.
- Aurelia blushes again and smiles. "Yes. Kashaji's heart sings happiness also."
Dionysus "One more thing.
Dionysus "There was a message for you."
- Aurelia blinks and tilts her head, listening.
Dionysus "Vendale, the Aeldian venomir, you recall?"
Aurelia "Yes."
Dionysus "He says they recovered a relic you once owned. He wants to know if you want it back."
- Aurelia blinks again, then stares for a moment.
Dionysus She waits
- Aurelia looks away. "No. I have no right, now."
Dionysus She looks curious, "What do you mean?"
Aurelia "Woven hair of the First Muse, bought for faith. Faith and right to hold such cloth have withered."
Dionysus She pauses, "Well, do you really think the Aeldians should have it? If you want, you can give it to a vision faithful person here."
- Aurelia looks up at Marilyna, then nods to the latter.
Dionysus "I'll send word. It will take some time for it to arrive, so you have time to pick a worthy recipient."
Aurelia "Thank you."
Dionysus She smiles, "Thank you, Aurelia."
- Aurelia blushes and bows her head again.
Dionysus "It's late now. Go to your boyfriend, my dear. I'm sure he misses you."
- Aurelia reaches to touch Marilyna's arm lightly in gratitude, curtseys, and turns to go with Kashaji.
Dionysus She watches you leave, feeling pride and affection.
Dionysus He's disgusted by the idea of no hostages
Dionysus You hear a loud whoosh sound.
Dionysus Far distant, almost like an airship.
- Aurelia looks toward it, but stays where she is.
Dionysus Something in the sky, fast approaching. Others in the group notice it too, now. They all look.
Dionysus Then, you sense it: a dragon, a torrential swirling mass of violent emotions, maddened, hurling toward you.
- Aurelia says quietly, "Dragon."
Dionysus A moment later, a sharp eyed tribal shouts, <Dragon!>
Dionysus And the tribe mobilizes, bowmen getting lined up. Bartleby shouts, "In Thrush's name, begone!" But it seems to do no good, except to make the dragon flinch in flight.
Dionysus The soldiers go for guns and bows.
Dionysus And a moment later, it is upon you, unleashing blackish brown lightning breath upon the village. The rain of gunshot and arrows does nothing to harm its titanium exterior.
Dionysus Does Aurelia do anything?
- Aurelia stays with Bartleby. She has no ranged weapons, and if its emotions are too chaotic to extract effectively, her hands are tied.
Dionysus It does a fly by, leaving a swath of dead, wounded, and destroyed.
Aurelia Can I probe its madness?
Dionysus It swoops around and returns, landing atop a building and crushing it beneath its body.
Dionysus One sec
Dionysus The dragon is a slender myrm with two massive legs in front, and a head that looks like a cross between a dog & alligator. Its scales are titanium blue gray.
Dionysus Its madness is that of the destroyer, the world-eater.
Dionysus It is a young buck of a titanium dragon, driven to extremity by some dark master spellcaster.
Aurelia Is there any thread that could be pulled out to make the madness collapse?
Dionysus A tiny one: obedience. However, it would still be a destroyer.
Quothar Two things: Who do you take with you to the Circus and do you tend the garden Marilyna gives you?
Aurelia I think I needed to talk to Arsul first about the Circus. And yes, if I've time.
Quothar You can probably devote a bit of time each week to it. The only thing the fires did not hurt were the red flowers Viollca made.
Aurelia Those stay.
Quothar Their aroma invigorates you as you work, and they seem to calm your child, too, when it gets energetic
Quothar They also seem to be resistant to being crushed, when you accidentally step on one, and if you ever find need to trim one, they tell you you must use special shears for it--dragonsteel ones.
Quothar So, tell me about the garden. How do you shape it?
Aurelia Cultivated and guided wildness, I think, with flavor of the Sisters.
Quothar Marilyna joins you in it sometimes, to talk.
Quothar Or to just visit.
Quothar There are more guards with her after the attack.
- Aurelia is always happy to see her.
Quothar She asks if you have thought about a person who would be worthy of the muse hair relic.
- Aurelia shakes her head when asked.
Quothar "It should arrive in the next week or so."
- Aurelia blinks, then nods.
Quothar "When it does, if you have no one in mind, I'll leave it with you."
- Aurelia nods again, even less certainly.
Quothar So, basically, you have a choice of doing rolls, waiting to talk to Arsul, or skipping to when the hair arrives.
Aurelia I can do rolls.
Aurelia I have no idea what to do with the hair.
Quothar Who would Aurelia consider worthy of it?
Aurelia She doesn't know anyone who's even faithful, does she?
Quothar Didn't she get if from one of her aunts?
Quothar The faith,I mean
Aurelia She found it on her own, after Diana, I thought, or her variant at least. If one of her aunts is faithful, that's who gets it.
Quothar No, it's your back story. You go with it.
Quothar So her only requisitie is it's someone faithful?
Aurelia First requisite, at least. She wouldn't give it to someone who's not, might be more accurate to say.
Quothar Right. So would she look for someone faithful?
Aurelia If things were normal she'd give it to the church.
Aurelia She might just put it somewhere until things are normal again. She's not really good at asking around.
Quothar Her chest might be a safe place for it, actually.
Aurelia Or the palace.
Aurelia The chest is coming with her for at least a few more steps, and she might not come back.
Quothar Fair enough
Aurelia So yeah. Barring something happening, it'll stay at the palace.
Quothar One day, you are summoned to court in the morning.
Quothar As you enter the court, you sense a strange being: a doppleganger that is no doppleganger, one that is sickening to sense in a way--only the insides of this being are being sensed. The outside of him is dead.
- Aurelia pauses for a moment, then continues to her place.
Quothar The Emperess greets you, "Welcome, Duchess. This man is Ambassador Howe, from Mwyr Aeld. He brings your relic, and wished to present it to you himself."
Quothar The ambassador bows
- Aurelia curtseys to the Empress and to the ambassador.
Quothar The Emperess acknowledges. The Ambassador approaches, "Duchess," he says in a thick accent, "We are pleased to be able to return your treasure to you, and wish you a long, happy life. May I be so bold as to kiss your hand?"
Quothar He reaches for your hand.
Aurelia What does he feel?
Quothar Superiority. Cunning. Contempt. Malice.
Aurelia Increasing when he makes the request? Does he intend harm?
Quothar Yes, and yes.
- Aurelia tilts her head, watching him with a small frown.
Quothar Do you try to keep him from taking your hand?
- Aurelia does, but uncertainly, ready to pull back if the intent becomes more... immediate.
Quothar As he is about to touch you, you feel a sudden acceptance of death upon him, and if you touch him, he will try to consume you.
- Aurelia pulls her hand back sharply when the acceptance comes.
Quothar Roll reaction
Quothar You pull your hand away, & he looks surprised, "My pardon, Duchess." You feel surprise, and a little disapproval from throughout the courtiers. That was rude. Marilyna, however, is merley curious.
- Aurelia watches him, frowning again.
Quothar His emotions are simply back to base cunning and malice. "Your relic." He presents you with a small box, which he holds out, opened, to give you the hair itself.
- Aurelia reaches slowly to accept, though her eyes remain on his and her expression remains faintly frowning, quizzical.
Quothar As you touch it, its inspirational power flows through you, and you see a dress, made entirely of red flowers, very briefly.
- Aurelia breaks the gaze then, when she nearly fumbles the box, then rearranges to a more careful grip.
Quothar He smiles sweetly at you, and says, "You're welcome, Duchess."
Aurelia "Thank you."
Quothar He laughs, slightly, then turns to the Emperess, "Your Majesty, she is a true treasure and delight." He's lying--he hates you.
Quothar He bows to the throne, then slightly to you, then steps back. The rest of the court is uneventful unless you do something special
Quothar Marilyna has lingering curiosity the entire time
- Aurelia curtsies back, and does not do any thing special afterward.
Quothar Afterward, the Empress asks for you privately and asks about what happened
- Aurelia tells her. "His heart sang malice, intent to harm, building to the moment before his touch. There the melody turned to welcoming of death."
Quothar "He is abominable," she says, "And apparently, on a suicide mission. Will you so swear to this on an official document?"
- Aurelia blinks and tilts her head, then nods.
Quothar She nods, "I will have him arrested straight away. Thank you, Aurelia. I suspected this relic was a ruse for something more when I realized what he was this morning, but could not prove it. I would have warned you, but he pre-empted me," She sighs, "I don't suppose you could find out where his loyalties lie?"
Quothar She feels and looks surprised. "I was only joking. You can really tell?"
- Aurelia gestures vaguely at nothing. "If he speaks or hears, his heart will betray lies."
Quothar "You mean, if we ask him, 'Are you a Srisian agent?' you can tell if he's lying no matter what he answers?"
Quothar She thinks a moment, "I think that's something we can arrange without subjecting you to witnessing an interrogation. We have other empathic ones in our employ. Do you wish to be the one that does this?"
Aurelia "If you wish it."
Quothar She shakes her head, "I'm sure you have better things to do, and that is a task better left to our professionals anyway."
Quothar "Thank you for this service, Aurelia. I hope you don't feel used. I really wish I could have warned you." She does.
- Aurelia blinks again, then shakes her head, smiling a touch.
Quothar She turns to small talk about the garden a bit before excusing herself to her duties, unless you do something special
Aurelia I do not.
- Aurelia puts the hair away, in the back of a drawer in the chest for now.
Aurelia Aurelia would've asked Valara about bringing her aunts to the capital.
Dionysus Valara would be more than happy to.
Dionysus To help with that
Aurelia If she concurs, we'd see about getting the airship for a day for it.
Dionysus Easily done
Aurelia Cool.
Dionysus They are delighted over your pregnancy
Dionysus And begin to pamper you if they can
Aurelia They can if it makes them happy to.
Dionysus It really does.
- Aurelia plays helpless then, when she's with them.
GrandGuignol
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