Aurelia "I cannot ride in this... The others will pass this test."

Dionysus I would prefer this in the main channel.

Aurelia I'm sorry. I'm trying. I keep freezing up there.

Dionysus "But the band as a whole must pass, or I cannot justify granting you what you seek."

Aurelia "Please..."

Dionysus "I cannot bend the rules. It is all or none."

• Aurelia clings more tightly to Kashaji for a moment, eyes closed, then searches for a coin.

Dionysus You find one.

• Aurelia holds it nervously out towards the last pegasus.

Dionysus It takes it like an apple, then moves forward to nudge you.

• Aurelia reluctantly leaves Kashaji's side for the pegasus's and tries to climb onto its back in an aproximation of a sidesaddle position.

Dionysus It leaps into the air & soon, you are so high, you can see the whole continent. The stars are above you.

Dionysus It wings about, then starts to descend toward a small mountain range--small from this distance--& you soon land in a small forested grove in the highlands. Pegasi are all around.

• Aurelia holds its mane tightly.

Aurelia When it lands she slides down from its back.

Dionysus A small pool reflects the night sky above, though it was day light when you left. The pegasus nudges you toward the pool.

• Aurelia looks up, then around at the pegasi, then moves towards the pool.

Dionysus You see at its edge a pegasi lying down, with a colt pegasi next to her. She is licking its head behind the ears, & the colt is clearly wounded.

• Aurelia approaches them slowly.

Dionysus They stare at you, & the mother visibly tenses.

• Aurelia stops.

Dionysus You sense someone, human, feeling intense awe nearby.

• Aurelia turns quickly towards the feeling, startled.

Dionysus Bartleby is lying on a ledge up above the pool, staring.

Aurelia At me?

• Aurelia stares back if so, wide-eyed and wordless.

Dionysus No, at the pegasi.

Dionysus He has yet to notice you.

• Aurelia still stares at him for a moment, then bows her head and starts again, slowly towards the mother and colt.

Dionysus The mother remains tense, the colt continues to suffer. You feel recognition & hear a sharp intake of breath as Bartleby notices you.

Dionysus A sharp pang of regret & yearning from him.

• Aurelia flinches at the feeling and looks up again, mouthing his name, then looks guiltily away. Can I see what's wrong with the colt?

Dionysus Bartleby grins as you look up, hope springing forth. The colt has a gash on its side.

• Aurelia sets down her bag and kneels beside the colt, if she is allowed close enough.

Dionysus The mother is clearly wary.

Aurelia "Will you allow me to aid him?"

Dionysus She doesn't respond, merely stares tensely at you.

• Aurelia opens her bag and withdraws the first aid kit, then opens that for one of the milder salves. She reaches very slowly towards the colt.

Aurelia "This will keep him from sickening of the wound..."

Aurelia Assuming it does not already appear infected.

Dionysus The mother snaps at your hand.

• Aurelia withdraws immediately.

Dionysus Bartleby whispers down, "You know how to tame them, if you came here on one."

• Aurelia swallows, then nods slightly and offers the mother a coin. "Please, allow me to help him?"

Dionysus She sniffs it, looking at you, then after a moment, she takes it like an apple & starts to chew. She relaxes visibly.

• Aurelia watches to see if she seems to want more. If so, she offers it. If not, she again reaches to carefully tend the colt's wound.

Dionysus She allows you to tend the wound.

Dionysus Roll first aid?

Dionysus The wound is a deep one, but you manage to bind it sufficiently.

Dionysus The colt nuzzles you, gently, then falls asleep.

• Aurelia smiles faintly and pets the colt's cheek, then collects her bag and backs slowly away.
• Aurelia looks towards the pegasus that brought her, then up at Bartleby again.

Dionysus He whispers, "Meet me down the path?" He points back the way you came.

• Aurelia bites her lip, then nods and starts that way.

Dionysus He meets you down the way, away from the pool. He feels hope, joy, & regret, "I was so awestruck... Back there. I didn't think to try to help it."

• Aurelia smiles a little. "I am happy to see you again."

Dionysus He smiles back, & true joy ripples through him, "And I you. Did the druids send you off on the pegasus, too?"

Aurelia "Arsul's brother. A test, he said."

Dionysus "His brother? I met some aarakocra. A test to see if my band is worthy of a song."

Aurelia "The Colour also seeks a song..."

Dionysus He nods, "You seem... upset. Was it the colt?"

• Aurelia blinks up at him, then shakes her head.

Dionysus "Then what?"

Dionysus Concern

Aurelia "This place is strange."

Dionysus He nods. "That's so. I'm not sure what's wanted of me, here, but I think you nailed the audition." He nods toward the colt.

• Aurelia looks away, then back up at Bartleby. "You told me how. If there is another task... may I stay to give aid?"

Dionysus He smiles, "I would like that. When I first got here, I thought I saw something that way." He hikes a thumb up the mountainside. "Up for a climb?"

• Aurelia nods.

Dionysus He leads the way.

• Aurelia follows.

Dionysus Up the slope you come to another wooded area, this one smaller. Within it, you sense... fear.

• Aurelia pauses at the feel. "There is someone... They fear."

Dionysus Bartleby nods, "Fear is dangerous. People who are afraid do stupid things."

• Aurelia looks at him, begins to reach out to Kashaji, and pulls her hand back on remembering he's not here. She looks forward.

Dionysus He looks curiously, but says nothing. "Just stick behind me."

• Aurelia nods and does so.

Aurelia Was I barred from bringing Grimdancer?

Dionysus No.

Aurelia Just checking.

Dionysus You were told not to draw weapons except in defense of nature itself, though.

Aurelia Right. Thanks.

Dionysus Bartleby approaches the wood cautiously, & as he steps in, you sense the fear move back.

• Aurelia follows him quietly, trying to look ahead to the fear's source.

Dionysus You note something in the trees above, where it is coming from.

• Aurelia touches Bartleby's shoulder to get his attention as she looks towards the something.

Dionysus He looks up.

Dionysus A beautiful young girl, nutbrown skin & soft green hair, stares down at you.

• Aurelia stares back up at her.

Dionysus She feels fear... & lust.

Aurelia "She..."

Dionysus She says in Berellina, <What do you want of me?>

• Aurelia shakes her head.

Dionysus She feels cunning.

Aurelia And lets Bartleby answer.

Dionysus But she looks & sounds terrified.

Dionysus He says, <To...> He looks to you. <To help you. Why are you afraid?>

• Aurelia waits for the girl's answer.

Dionysus <I am alone. Would one of you... stay with me?> Lust, cunning, but outwardly, she shows fear.

• Aurelia says quietly, "Her fear is false..."

Dionysus Bartleby looks to you, "What do you mean?"

Aurelia "She lusts. She schemes. The fear she felt at our approach has faded."

Dionysus "What is she?" She feels strange to you. Plantlike.

Aurelia "She feels as no flesh being I have met. Her heart bears leaves."

Dionysus He smirks, "A damned dryad. Lust, you said?"

• Aurelia nods.

Dionysus He looks bakc to her, <You're trying to get me into your tree.>

Dionysus She scowls, <Both of you, as a matter of fact.>

Dionysus He looks back at you with nothing but calmness.

Dionysus Then back at her, <And if we don't want to?>

• Aurelia blinks at him.

Dionysus <Then I will call the druids & tell them you drew weapons.>

• Aurelia watches Bartleby and the dryad.

Dionysus He scowls, "Aurelia, what do you think? Do submit to her sexual wiles, or do we let her try her little trick?"

Aurelia "She would truly..? We have drawn no weapon." <We have drawn no weapon. Why..?>

Dionysus <I want you. Both of you. It is my time of mating, & no men come here.>

• Aurelia 's eyes widen and she swallows. "No. I-"
• Aurelia looks away. What does Bartleby feel?
• Received a CTCP PING 3299277312 from Jack_C

Dionysus Bartleby feels annoyed with her.

Aurelia "Will they believe her words?"

Dionysus "I have no idea. We could beat her over the head & not draw weapons."

Dionysus He's joking

• Aurelia smiles faintly.
• Aurelia then looks away. "I cannot do as she wishes."

Dionysus "I didn't expect you could. She's clearly delusional." He feels... concern, care. <What we play for you instead?>

• Aurelia waits for her response.

Dionysus She considers, then says, <If it is not good enough, I get both of you.> Bartleby grins, then looks to you. "How about it?"

Aurelia What does he feel?

Dionysus Confident

• Aurelia bites the corner of her lip, then nods.

Dionysus Do you have the Oboe?

Aurelia Yes.

• Aurelia puts down her bag and begins assembling it.

Dionysus He pulls a strung Gifted Violin from his pack.

Dionysus "A matched set, I see."

Dionysus He grins. The dryad is filled with aw4e.

• Aurelia pauses to stare briefly at it, then smiles back and finishes putting the Oboe together.

Aurelia "What would you play?"

Dionysus "With these two, we could play 'Old Dun Cow' & awe her. What's the worst song you know?"

Dionysus ?

Aurelia "The worst? There are no..." She blushes and tries to remember a song she didn't like.

Dionysus He shrugs, "Then we'll play the best I know. Messiah Theme."

• Aurelia would likely name a song s- that works.
• Aurelia nods and lifts the Oboe.

Dionysus Roll

Dionysus In festin

Dionysus She just breaks down in tears, awed joy rolling off her.

• Aurelia does not notice, lost in the song.

Dionysus After it finishes, she says through tears, <I'm sorry.>

• Aurelia lowers the Oboe slowly and blinks at the dryad.

Dionysus <I am so sorry. Will you both forgive me?>

• Aurelia nods.

Dionysus Joy bursts from her & she scamper downthe tree like a squireel.

Dionysus At the bottom, she sniffs once more & says, <Let me repay you.>

Dionysus She turns to the tree & taps on it, & from it falls a chest.

• Aurelia watches her uncertainly.

Dionysus And after that, a bottle.

Dionysus She takes the bottle & gives it to Bartleby, <Nutjuice.>

Dionysus And to you, she hands the chest, which is quite large, <This is magically sealed, but if you can open it, they say it has great treasure. I stole it from a bad man.>

• Aurelia accepts the chest, holding it clumsily.

Dionysus Bartleby stares at the bottle, <Just nutjuice?> The dryad says, <Well, you're not as pretty.>

Dionysus Bartleby scowls, then smiles, "True enough."

Dionysus <>

• Aurelia says quietly, <Thank you.>

Dionysus He feels happiness, <Thank you, miss dryad. I hope you find someone to ensorcel soon.>

Dionysus She smiles then vanishes into the trees

Dionysus Bartleby looks at the bottle, then says, "So... I suppose it's back to our mounts."

• Aurelia looks uncertainly after her, then nods. "We could try the opening of this together, if you wish."

Dionysus He feels joy, with regret & sorrow rising.

Dionysus He looks at it, then nods. "Sure."

Dionysus "Put it down here & I'll put my back into it."

• Aurelia sets it down and kneels, looking at the lock/latch

Dionysus There isn't one

Dionysus There's a seam between lid & lower box, & that's it.

• Aurelia tries to grip the seam on one side and tugs, testing.

Dionysus Nothing

Dionysus Bartleby tries much the same, & no luck.

Dionysus He sits down with a whuff, tired. "That's a tightly sealed box."

• Aurelia sits as well, frowning, and nods.

Dionysus "Got any void?"

• Aurelia shakes her head. "Sue is void."

Dionysus He frowns, "Yeah, I suppose so. Does that mean you're going back now?"

Aurelia "I do not know when I am to return."

Dionysus "Well, I think if the pegasus doesn't take you home, it isn't time yet. If it does, it is. Or so the druid I met said."

Aurelia "Ah."

Dionysus "Look, do you... Ahh, hell." He feel /roguish/ as he leans in & steals a kiss.

• Aurelia blushes, but kisses back.

Dionysus After it finishes, "Give Colzayre my best, beautiful little flower. I'll see you at the Contest."

Dionysus And he turns to go.

Aurelia "Wait!"

Dionysus He turns, "Yes?"

Dionysus Guarded emotions

• Aurelia finds a score for Dream Mirror in her bag and holds it out. "This... others have seen it, so the ticket will not. But it is my best, and it is me."

Aurelia "I would be happy if Bartleby played it."

Dionysus He looks at it, then smiles.

Dionysus "I imagine that is only a tenth as beautiful as you are."

Dionysus And he turns again, mounting his pegasus.

• Aurelia blushes deeply and takes a step towards him, then picks up the box and her bag and returns to her own mount.

Dionysus He flies off, & you shortly after.