Patron Saints/ChoRudRei 1

From Greenthings

<Greenling> Last we left our little mortals and Exalts and whatever the hell you are now...
<Greenling> Namhwa had been left with Peyt (and Crow and Zhubin), who is currently examining his late father's Celestial Manse with far more melancholy than you were aware he could contain.
<Greenling> Rudy and Rei left with Thrall to catch up. Well, when you realize you have a twin brother you never knew existed...
* Namhwa observes sympathetically, knowing that the loss of a loved one can be heart-wrenching.
<Greenling> Meanwhile, word has gotten back to Harani that the Endings you're slated to mentor, and just found out two weeks ago had been found, has entered Yu-Shan.
<Greenling> How? Why? Nobody told you, they're all too busy worrying about the sudden disappearance of hundreds of miles' worth of real estate and every living being in it.
* Namhwa idly strolls around the mansion, observing the pieces of art that the god decorated his home with. Cho's interested to see how it contrasts and compares with his wife's art, and wonders how that reflects on the soul that used to reside here.
<Greenling> You can get his name on a roster entering with some guy who's here about a Manse...
<Greenling> The god in question seemed to have a thing for lizards, as you might expect, and most of his art- not that there's much of it- is rather rough and primal.
<Greenling> It still holds a certain dignity and style to it, though.
<Harani_Syona> "
<Harani_Syona> "Where is this manse, if I may ask?"
<Greenling> "Uhmmmm." The little god rummages through a foldout map. "Western quarter." Point!
* Harani_Syona glances over the map for a moment, then nods. "Thank you."
* Namhwa wonders if his discrimination is because of taste rather than an obligation toward art. Cho feels an ache deep in his heart for Peyt's father, who will never see his son or live in his own house again. Cho is feeling terribly homesick, and wishes he had the chance to have children...
<Harani_Syona> He then heads out in that general direction.
<Greenling> It's a ways, but you can get there easily enough.
<Greenling> Inside, you see a small gaggle of people.
<Greenling> Namhwa, someone else has entered the place.
* Namhwa turns to see if Thrall and the others have rejoined them.
<Greenling> Nope.
<Harani_Syona> The man in question stands at about 5'8", his robust frame well-suited for the Northern climate that he hails from. His hair is black, currently done back in a intricate braid that reaches down to the middle of his back; his eyes are a deep red, flecked faintly with white. His robes are a mix of white and a metallic gray, and he carries no weapons openly.
<Greenling> Meanwhile, Thrall takes the last bite of his spicy-desserty concoction and pushes it away.
* Rudeth finishes up his dessert. "Are we about to leave?"
<Greenling> He looks like he wants to say something to Rudeth, but he isn't sure what.
<Greenling> Shrug. "Whaddyou wanna do?"
<Rudeth> "Um. I dunno. What is there to do in heaven?"
<Greenling> "Hah."
<Greenling> ..."Uh. Shit. Good question. I spend most of my time either in the dojo or at the Loom."
<Greenling> "...Or at the Lute, but you seem occupied."
<Greenling> He turns to Rei. "You got any ideas?"
* Harani_Syona looks to the group, then nods. "Good morning."
* Rei blinks, blushing and shaking her head some. Wandering around the city seemed interesting enough, at least..
<Greenling> "I have never seen
*anyone
* blush as much as you do."
* Rei glances aside. Being asked questions as if someone cares is still feels sort of new... even though she doesn't remember anything prior to meeting the group..
* Namhwa bows to Harani. "Good morning, sir."
<Namhwa> "Are you a competing inheritor of Peyt's father?"
<Harani_Syona> He shakes his head. "I had worked with his father in the past, but had never had the opportunity to look at his art collection. He spoke of it often."
<Harani_Syona> "I am known as Harani."
<Namhwa> "Really?! How intriguing! What particularly interests... Oh, well, hello, sir. I am Cho Namhwa."
<Rudeth> "Well, we could just wander around and look at stuff."
<Greenling> "I guess."
<Harani_Syona> "Pleasure."
<Namhwa> "Thank you. So, you look refreshingly normal for such an exotic place. Is there anything that we can assist you with?"
<Rudeth> "Well, I mean, you're the one who lives here. >_> Or we could go to your house. Or something. I mean, there's gotta be something interesting to do here."
<Greenling> "Ah, why not. Lemme show you the place."
* Rei stands and follows after Rudeth and, by extension, Thrall.
<Greenling> "There's, uh, libraries, concerts, shops, shows, uh. Really anything anyone could want, except peace and quiet, and that's around if you've got enough money."
* Namhwa raises his eyes to the sky, taking a quick comparison of the constellations in Creation to the one here in Yu-Shan.
<Greenling> Thrall pays the nice waitress and heads out.
<Harani_Syona> He smiles slightly. "I see no point in overt displays of power unless the situation calls for them."
<Rudeth> "Hm...Any of those sound good, Rei?"
* Harani_Syona looks to the ceiling as well. "Ah. Mars is winning."
<Greenling> "...I could show you the Loom." :3
* Rei blinks, smiling and giving a little shrug, curious about everything, really...
<Namhwa> "Refreshingly abnormal, then. What do you mean? Mars is a star."
* Namhwa looks shocked.
<Greenling> You're beginning to notice that Thrall has a very obvious shit-eating grin.
<Namhwa> "Saturn is the one that touched me, then."
<Rudeth> "...The Loom? Are we allowed to see it?"
<Namhwa> "Are you like me, then?"
<Namhwa> "Or I like you, rather?"
<Greenling> "I don't know. I say you are."
* Rei perks an ear curiously, looking to Thrall.
<Greenling> "Just don't vomit on Fate. That's rule one."
<Rudeth> "Good enough for me. Let's go see it." >:3
<Greenling> "You can't touch anything from the viewing chamber anyway..."
<Harani_Syona> "Possibly. In what manner do you speak of?"
<Namhwa> "I've felt her presence since She touched me. It's so nice to meet someone else. This has all been very confusing, and Thrall hasn't been the friendliest."
<Harani_Syona> "She?"
<Namhwa> "Saturn, the maiden resplendent in violet and white."
<Namhwa> "I just put it together."
* Namhwa points.
<Namhwa> "I knew that a star was connected to me, and I... I didn't realize that it was Saturn, and then you referred to Mars as winning, so that must be it. How many are there? Are all the stars like them?"
<Rudeth> "Alright, no vomiting on Fate. Got it."
<Harani_Syona> "Each Maiden is represented by a star both here and in Creation." He points out the five stars of the Maidens in the sky-ceiling.
<Greenling> Thrall heads towards a very large building that you can see from here.
<Namhwa> "So there are only five? What about the pole stars?" Cho points.
* Rudeth ambles along behind him.
<Greenling> "So what do you do for fun, eh?"
<Namhwa> "Anyway, what I meant was someone else who's... Whatever we are. Zhubin and White have been chosen by the Sun, I suppose, and I've been chosen by Saturn. Thrall said that he was, too."
<Harani_Syona> "Each star is tied to a being in Creation, whether divine or mortal. Reading the stars allows one to denote connections between the beings involved."
<Rudeth> "Making major cities disappear, making deals with demons, destroying the world...you know, normal stuff." He grins.
<Namhwa> "Amazing!"
<Harani_Syona> He nods. "I am a Chosen of Mars myself."
<Namhwa> "Wow. Well, it's an honor, then."
<Greenling> "...That's what you do for fun, I'd hate to see what the fuck you do for work."
<Greenling> He's smiling, though.
<Rudeth> "So, this Loom thing...you're sure I won't break it by being near it?"
<Harani_Syona> "It is always an honor to meet a future brother in arms."
* Namhwa feels the reassurance of destiny.
<Namhwa> "Thank you."
<Harani_Syona> "We have been scheduled to meet for some time. However, I was actually unaware of your location until two weeks ago."
<Greenling> "..." Thrall thinks about that. "Uh. Huh. That's a good question."
<Greenling> "I guess if you do, that's another thing I'm gonna make Zhubin fix."
<Namhwa> "I hope that indicates that I might be back inside Fate?"
<Rudeth> "Good enough for me."
* Rei gives a soft laugh.
<Rudeth> "Just to be safe, Rei, you'd better not play an music near it. That seems to do weird things."
<Harani_Syona> "Not as far as I am aware."
* Rei blinks, nodding some.
<Harani_Syona> "If I may ask, how exactly did that occur? Details have been...sketchy at best."
<Namhwa> "Oh..." Cho looks crestfallen.
<Namhwa> "I think it's the consequence of us making a deal with a demon."
<Namhwa> "No one has been able to explain why, though. It kept us from being eaten, though."
<Greenling> Eventually, Rudy and Rei get to the Loom. There are a couple of large gods standing by the door.
<Greenling> "Yo," Thrall says. They stare at him.
<Harani_Syona> "I see."
<Greenling> "I've got guests." Stare. "Lemme in, will ya?" They look at each other, shrug, and open the door.
<Namhwa> "So, you were expecting me? May I ask for what purpose? Are you going to remedy the situation?"
<Greenling> "Okay," he looks primarily at Rei. "This is gonna be some serious shit here, like, bordlerine Wyld shit. You can keep your eyes closed if you want."
* Rei blinks, nodding softly.
<Harani_Syona> "I may be able to aid in that, yes. Primarily, however, I am to be serving as your sifu and one of your teachers during your training."
<Namhwa> "I see. All of this is happening rather quickly, and I'm having a bit of trouble staying in character."
<Namhwa> "Perhaps you could start from the beginning?"
<Greenling> You walk in. Thrall's right behind you- the better to catch you if you fall over or something.
<Namhwa> "What training? Like an apprenticeship?"
<Greenling> Rudeth walks in and sees... the entire West unfolding before his eyes at once. You see people trading in Coral, you see babies birthed in Wavecrest, you see ships sinking and not sinking and going to sink, you see a man hiding a strange artifact sailing into a misty port, people getting ripped apart by something you can't see before that something gets hit by what seems to be a large...
<Greenling> ...spider-woman...
<Harani_Syona> He nods. "As a Chosen of the Maidens, you will have certain duties that you will be asked to perform to keep Creation moving as it should. I will be one of your teachers."
<Greenling> People, lines, tangling, twisting, and a giant foreboding black hole far to the South...
<Namhwa> "How will that impact my regular life?" Cho wonders how much free time he'll have. He's all about duty, but he's got some other stuff to do!
<Harani_Syona> At that, Harani merely chuckles.
<Namhwa> :-s
<Greenling> Rei sees...
<Greenling> Nothing. Absolutely nothing. A giant, grand, foreboding, actively hateful nothingness that even now, every moment, is trying and has been trying to wrap itself around you and smother you to death. 19:59
<Harani_Syona> "Free time is...limited, at best."
* Rei chokes, staggering back and falling to her knees, cringing away as she crawls backwards out of the dome, eyes running with tears of terror.
<Namhwa> "I see."
<Namhwa> "For how long?"
* Rudeth wobbles a bit, clutching onto Thrall's shoulder and trying not to fall down. He squeezes his eyes shut, trying to push out the images and scarcely able to do anything from the sheer amount of will its taking to keep standing.
<Greenling> Rudy and Rei end up outside the dome.
<Greenling> Somehow or another.
<Greenling> Thrall's still in there.
* Rei clutches her chest, doubled over, curled up and crying in front of the guards
<Greenling> One of them leans down and pats her on the head.
<Greenling> "Happens to everybody. Mortals especially. You'll feel better later."
* Rudeth leans up against the wall, head in hands, trying to catch his breath.
<Harani_Syona> "The training normally last about a year. After that, you take what time you can between assignments."
<Namhwa> "Assignments?"
* Rei slowly catches her breath, sniffling softly and forcing a slight smile to the god, trying to ignore the primordial terror she felt as she slowly forced herself to stand... wanting to get further away from that horrific sight.
<Harani_Syona> He nods. "Occasionally you will be given tasks that must be completed in Creation to keep things flowing properly."
<Namhwa> "Creation, you mean the whole thing?"
<Harani_Syona> "Mmhmm.
* Namhwa leans back against the wall.
* Rudeth glanced over at Rei, looking slightly concerned. "Are you ok?"
<Harani_Syona> "I personally have done work in Chiaroscuro, The Imperial City, Coral, Whitewall and Great Forks."
<Namhwa> "That's... really all over Creation. Wow."
* Rei looks shaken; she doesn't even answer Rudeth, making her way down the steps, slowly quickening her pace. She needed to find somewhere to collect her thoughts. Somewhere safe. Somewhere away from that ... thing.
<Namhwa> "So what are you responsible for training me in?"
* Rudeth glances around, faltering a bit, then rushing after Rei. He's still quite shaken by his own experience, but he's more worried about Rei.
<Harani_Syona> "For the moment, I am your only teacher; others will be aiding me as time goes on. In particular, I will be assessing your fighting capabilities and determining what martial arts styles you are best suited for."
<Namhwa> "Interesting. I really don't have any formal experience."
<Harani_Syona> "A clean slate, then." He smiles. "Excellent."
* Namhwa looks complimented, but secretly he's a bit confused at the assumption of his "duties."
* Namhwa figures there will be time to figure things out.
<Namhwa> "First, though, I would ask some advice of you."
<Harani_Syona> "Yes?"
<Namhwa> "I need to pay my final respects to my wife. She..perished in Chiaroscuro, so... I'd like to just, move on, you know?" Cho looks a bit ashamed.
* Rei is fast. She avoids running into anyone, but seems to be running directly away Of course, it doesn't take too long for the slight girl to wear out, collapsing on whatever she can find that looks like a bench and staring up at the unnatural sky.
<Harani_Syona> "I understand. I have buried family myself."
<Namhwa> "Well, I was quite a coward. I didn't stay for the ceremony, so I should probably face her parents, if not leave some incense."
<Greenling> Rei collapses on the back of a large statue of several waterhorses.
<Harani_Syona> "...ah."
<Namhwa> :|
<Namhwa> "Yeah."
<Namhwa> "That's the kind of man I was, though, not anymore."
<Namhwa> "A coward, I mean."
* Rudeth chases Rei through the crowd, heading determinedly in her direction and keeping an eye out for her.
<Harani_Syona> He nods. "I understand. Events in a man's life can change him for either good or ill if he allows them to."
* Harani_Syona pauses for a moment, almost as though he was remembering something, then shakes his head.
<Namhwa> "So, anyway, it's really nice to meet you, Harani. This is all a big surprise, so thank you for bearing with me. Is there a scheduled time for me to begin studying under your tutelage, or is this it? What about my friends?"
<Harani_Syona> "At any rate. Have you eaten recently?"
* Rei takes a deep breath as she slowly sits up, tail lashing some with her stress, as she pulls her zither from its' leather case. The strings seem to still be vibrating, as if resonating with the fear she'd felt. Stilling them with her hands, she begins to softly play, trying to calm herself with the sound of the music resonating through the stone beneath her.
* Namhwa rubs his belly. "No, not recently... Where's Sunny?"
<Harani_Syona> "Sunny?"
* Rudeth finds Rei after a few moments, collapsing on the ground in front of her and leaning against the statue. He gives her a tired smile.
<Namhwa> "My dog, sorry. I was thinking aloud. Did she come with us...?" Cho continues to ramble.
<Greenling> Sunny is asleep on a chair.
* Namhwa feels his sweat break and panic washes away. Cho runs over to the forgotten chair and scratches Sunny gently.
<Namhwa> "This is Sunny, my favorite canine ever."
<Greenling> Sunny: "zzzz."
<Greenling> She is a large golden retriever.
<Namhwa> "Well, she's resting right now. My metamorphism has been a bigger shock to her than even me."
<Namhwa> "Sorry about that, it's just that she's been with me ever since I was a little boy. I am at your disposal, though, as soon as she wakes up."
* Rei plays, the soft notes filling the plaza around the statue, eyes closed as she calms her heart, the wordless song one of a young boy soldier taking heart in his friends before a battle, with the implication of his death soon to come; the soft notes seem to be made louder by resonating off the walls and windows of the strangely shaped divine buildings nearby
* Namhwa scratches her belly to rub on a rib gently at first until a leg twitches, then with greater vigor to wake 'er up.
<Harani_Syona> "Not a problem." He smiles, looking at the retriever. "I have my own familiar, although she is currently at my own home."
<Greenling> Twitch twitch jump!
<Namhwa> "Familiar?"
<Greenling> Sunny stands straight up on the chair, looking between Namhwa and Harani.
<Namhwa> :D "Good girl! We've got to get a move on soon, I think. This is Harani Syona," Cho says in Wavetongue.
<Harani_Syona> He nods. "At times, Exalts are known to bond with animals that they are close to."
<Greenling> Sunny bows slightly to him, then jumps off the chair.
<Namhwa> "Exalts? Is that what we are? I've never heard the word used that way before."
<Harani_Syona>
<Wave> "Pleasure to meet you, Sunny." he nods in return.
<Namhwa> "And Sunny didn't react very well after I 'exalted.'"
<Harani_Syona> "Oh?"
<Namhwa> "No, I found her hiding in a hole."
<Greenling> "Uff."
<Greenling> Rei's playing garners a few gods who stop and listen a bit, though they've heard better. At least one smiles at you warmly.
<Harani_Syona> "Ah." He offers a hand to Sunny so she can get his scent. "The moment of Exaltation can be quite intense at times."
* Namhwa nods.
<Namhwa> "It was pretty intense, good word for it."
* Rei finishes her song after a minute, blushing softly at the observing gods. She bows her head at the smile, putting her instrument away and glancing down as if just noticing Rudeth. She climbs down from the statue, giving him a gentle hug.
* Rudeth hugs her tightly.
<Rudeth> "We should probably try to find Thrall, hm? But if you need a few more minutes..."
<Greenling> She holds out her hand to shake Harani's. There's something strange about Sunny today...
<Harani_Syona> "Very well-trained." He shakes her paw.
<Namhwa> "Oh, I never trained her. She knows just as much about social graces as I do, which is quite a bit... Not that I'm flattering myself."
<Namhwa> "She's extraordinarily well-behaved."
* Rei smiles softly, shaking her head... leaning up to give him a kiss to the cheek before drawing back, she blushes, letting him lead the way to find Thrall again
<Harani_Syona> "I can see that." He scratches her behind the ears a bit, then straightens out. "Are your other travelling companions here as well?"
<Namhwa> "Well, Peyt and Zhubin are somewhere inside the mansion, while Rudeth and Rei... I think they went off with Thrall a little bit ago."
<Greenling> Thrall leaps down in front of you halfway back.
<Rudeth> "Sorry about running out. It was kind of my fault." Rudeth smiles.
<Greenling> "Hey."
<Namhwa> "OH, and White Crow. She's about, too."
<Greenling> "Meh, no problem, I expected it."
* Rei smiles to Thrall, bowing her head in greeting.
<Greenling> "I'm just trying to figure out why the fuck you're yellow."
<Rudeth> "...I'm what?"
<Greenling> Thrall looks at Rei. ... ... Salute.
* Rei blinks, blushing softly at the salute, glancing to Rudeth in confusion at Thrall's words.
<Greenling> "Yellow. In the Loom. Bright fucking yellow. Not just because you're here, either, I think."
<Rudeth> "Um...does that mean something?"
<Greenling> "Well, one, it means you're in the Loom at least slightly, which I have no idea how that happened since I last looked."
<Rudeth> "...and I'm yellow?"
* Rudeth glances at Rei. "Am I yellow?" 20:44
<Greenling> "Two, it's associated with the Maiden of Journeys, which means nada, since just about every damn thread in there is a shade of one of five colors, and the ones that aren't are specific Exalted."
<Harani_Syona> "Thrall is quite the character, I must say." Harani smirks.
<Rudeth> "Ok...but I'm in the Loom a little? That's good, right?"
* Namhwa nods.
<Namhwa> "He has a colorful personality."
<Greenling> "Yeah. You're in by a thread." He grins, like that's some kind of joke.
<Rudeth> "But I wasn't in it before?"
<Rudeth> "And I am now?"

<Greenling> "You were in it up until ten monthsish ago. Then I looked, uh." He thinks. "Yesterday. And you were still gone."

<Rudeth> "Huh. What about Rei? Is she back in it, too?"
* Rei blinks, tail swishing about.
<Greenling> "Not sure."
<Greenling> "I'm gonna have to tell my boss about this."
* Rei pauses, frowning some. Was she in the nothing?...
<Harani_Syona> "Indeed he does." He smirks. "We can get food delivered here if you would like to remain here until your companions return."
<Greenling> "Why don't we grab Namhwa first? I think he had something to say to him or... something. I don't really pay more attention than necessary."
<Rudeth> "Alright. That sounds good."
<Namhwa> "That would probably be best. I have no idea where exactly they went."
<Greenling> Coincidentally, it is at that moment that Rudy, Rei, and Thrall get back, thanks to the wonderful effects of handwaveytime.
<Namhwa> "Oh, hey."
* Harani_Syona nods, then pulls a piece of paper and a silver quill pen from the inside of his robes. As he begins to write something around the border of the paper, he looks up to see Thrall and company.
<Greenling> "Well hello there." :D
<Rudeth> "Namwha! Thrall told us about the Fate thing and why we're not in it and the Loom which we went to see and I wasn't in yesterday but I saw it and I was partly in it today and--" Rudeth runs out of breath.
<Rudeth> "And...things."
* Rei glances over the outside again, before bowing in greeting to Harani and Namhwa.
* Namhwa bows. "Oh, excellent! That's great news."
<Greenling> Thrall walks over beside Harani. "You're looking nice today."
* Rudeth glances at Harani. "Oh, hi. I'm Rudeth."
<Harani_Syona> "Good to see you as well, Thrall." Harani shakes his head, then looks to the others. "I am Harani Syona."
<Greenling> "How've you been doing, cutie?" :3 "...Oh, yeah, I had something, uh. With Namhwa."
<Greenling> "But how are you?" :3
<Harani_Syona> "Well enough." He seems slightly off-put by Thrall's flirting.
<Rudeth> "...."
<Namhwa> 8-|
<Greenling> "...Man, the room just got so quiet."
* Rei glances to Thrall, briefly. Tilts her head. Her eyes widen after a moment of realization, before smiling and stretching some.
<Namhwa> "Well, it's great to see you all again. Apparently, I have obligations."
<Greenling> "So when do you get off?" :3
<Namhwa> "And it's really good to hear that you're back in Fate, Rudeth. How did it happen?"
<Harani_Syona> "Not for some time." He moves a step away from the Endings, giving him a 'do not try me right now' look.
<Greenling> "...Ah, well. I can wait."
<Rudeth> "....what? Fate? Oh! We don't know. Thrall said I wasn't there yesterday, but we went to the Loom and all of the sudden I was there."
<Greenling> Thrall moves back over beside Rudeth.
<Namhwa> "Oh, a loom? What do you mean? Like the one I saw?"
<Namhwa> "With spiders and such?"
<Rudeth> "Big Loom of Fate thing?"
* Harani_Syona looks to Thrall. "You took them to the Loom?"
<Namhwa> "...Maybe. Was it all that you hoped for and more?"
* Rei gives a shudder.
<Rudeth> "Thrall said it turned me yellow?"
<Greenling> "...Yeah. They seem fine."
<_
<
<Greenling> "We couldn't think of anything else to do, so..."
<Harani_Syona> "...right." He shakes his head. "Your thread was yellow, you say?"
<Namhwa> "That sounds better than a lot of alternatives."
<Harani_Syona> A glance at Thrall. "Was it that yellow?"
<Greenling> "It was one teeny little thread, yellow like Mercury's ass yellow."
* Rei makes her way over to pet Sunny.
<Greenling> Sunny allows Rei to pet her.
<Harani_Syona> "Interesting."
<Rudeth> "So, um, what does this all mean?"
<Harani_Syona> "It may be a number of things. You should be alright, however."
<Namhwa> "It sounds like great news." Cho goes to hug Rudeth, then looks back at the group.
<Greenling> "I think my boss had something to say to you, when you've got time, Cho-boy."
<Namhwa> "I think I have that in abundance, at the moment."
* Rudeth hugs Cho.
<Rudeth> "Well, I'm...slightly in Fate?"
<Rudeth> "Oh, by the way, Thrall said Gem disappeared because Zhubin is outside of Fate, so when he was about to convert half the city, the Loom freaked out and kind of decided the city didn't exist anymore."
<Harani_Syona> "..."
<Namhwa> "Oh, so it is his fault. I guess I was wrong... I'm sorry to hear that, though."
* Rei blinks, blushing and doing her best impression of a piece of art rather than a person who should be interrogated regarding her assisting in the annihilation of Gem. To be honest, it's not that bad an impression.
<Greenling> "Yes. Yes it is his fault. And the rest of you folks', indirectly, but mostly his."
* Namhwa looks back at Thrall.
<Greenling> "If there weren't so damn many of you it might not have been so bad. On the other hand, if he hadn't already been trying- successfully- to convert half the city, it DEFINITELY wouldn't have been so bad."
<Namhwa> "Well, he made good points."
<Harani_Syona> "Hmm."
<Greenling> "..."
<Greenling> "Okay, the Sun is nice and all, but please don't tell me you've become some Solar's bitch." >:/
<Harani_Syona> "The Lawgivers are worth some respect, Thrall." Glare...
<Namhwa> "What under the Heavens are you talking about? You seem to have trouble maintaining reasonable discourse."
<Namhwa> "Anyway, all I'm saying is that he was making good points. There wouldn't be a lot of things without the Sun."
<Greenling> "I'm just saying I hope he didn't hit you with anything, goddamnit."
<Namhwa> "Well, thank you for your kind wishes."
<Greenling> "He's an Exalt, he can mindfuck you without thinking about it- he DID to a lot of mortals."
* Namhwa looks quizzical.
<Namhwa> "I still feel like a mind-virgin."
<Greenling> ...Thrall cracks up.
* Harani_Syona allows himself a chuckle.
* Namhwa smiles.
* Namhwa is very glad the tension broke, and steers the conversation elsewhere.
<Namhwa> "So, where do I go to meet your boss, Thrall?"
<Greenling> "Uh, fuck, good question." He looks up and thinks a minute.
<Greenling> "Hey, you seen Kalil anywhere?" he looks at Harani.
<Harani_Syona> "Not recently, although I heard that Wayang wished to speak with him about something."
<Greenling> "Huh. Bier's a good enough place to check, I guess."
<Namhwa> "What do you mean, bier? That's the name of a place?"
<Greenling> "Violet Bier of Sorrows, Endings Division of the Bureau of Destiny. You work there."
<Namhwa> :O
<Greenling> "Or you will, after training."
<Namhwa> "I guess I have a lot to learn."
<Greenling> "Ehehehe. And that's why we have First Age technology." He pats Namhwa on the back and starts to leave.
<Namhwa> :/
* Namhwa follows.
<Greenling> "Don't worry, it doesn't hurt~"
<Namhwa> "Oh, it's not that I'm afraid of. It just sounds alien."
<Greenling> You eventually come to a large, grim-looking, and very violet building. "Violet Bier of Sorrows" is nailed to the front in large, thin Starmetal Old Realm characters.
<Harani_Syona> "It's not too bad, actually. Had to use it myself when I first arrived."
<Namhwa> "Oh, okay."
<Greenling> You walk in, and it's rather dimly lit. Thrall asks the door monkey- it does indeed look like a little monkey in a dress- about his Sifu, and gets directions.
* Namhwa looks curiously at the monkey.
<Greenling> (unless you have anything else you'd like to do,) You are eventually led to a small room lit by a small Essence lamp, seemingly connected to several other, darker rooms.
* Namhwa keeps his mouth shut, though, in case the monkey understands Old Realm... Which it probably does.
<Greenling> It is speaking Old Realm, so yeeeah.
<Greenling> There's a pale, young-looking man with a strange haircut sitting on a desk and reading a sheaf of paper.
<Greenling> He turns to Namhwa and hands him the sheaf.
* Namhwa accepts the sheaf with a look of confusion.
<Greenling> "Hi," he says softly. "Nice to meet you." Thrall takes a seat.
<Namhwa> "How do you do?" Cho responds, with a Western bow of one knee in front of another and his arm across his body.
<Greenling> "Uhm. Fine, I guess." ^^;
<Greenling> "You're nice. Don't let Thrall bug you, okay?" Thrall snorts.
<Namhwa> "Sure, okay."
<Greenling> (Kalil throws a paperclip at him, which he fails to duck.)
<Greenling> ^_^
* Namhwa is confused by the friendly manners.
<Greenling> "So how's your stay been so far? I hope someone has offered you quarters?"
<Greenling> "I'd offer my own, but I think my apprentice has more than enough."
* Namhwa almost glances down at the papers, then looks back up. "No, not yet. Heaven is wonderful, more amazing than anything I've seen. I didn't even know it existed until... A little while ago."
<Greenling> "Oh." He tilts his head a little. "I'm glad you like it."
<Greenling> "You won't be up here long."
* Namhwa nods, then looks disappointed. "Oh."
<Greenling> "We're sending you right back down..." he points to the sheaf. "We need to get this fixed, and we think we have a plan... well, someone does..."
* Namhwa looks at the papers, starting with the cover-sheet then flipping through.
<Namhwa> "This?"
<Greenling> "See, you all keep Exalting, and all, and the Gold's been really loud and... other things have arisen."
* Rei waits in the entrance to the Bier, glancing around quietly. What a gloomy place.
<Greenling> It seems to be very, very detailed paperwork on (1) Gem at the time of the disappearance (2) projected Fates of major things involving Gem and (3) projected Fate of a new country which seems to be named UNTITLED.1.
* Namhwa only catches 2/3's of Khalil's cryptic remarks. "I see," he responds noncommittally, determined not to show his newbie colors.
<Namhwa> "I'm confused. I know Zhubin's blamed for Gem, but what do we have to do with Untitled 1?"
<Greenling> "So, uhm. I'm afraid we can't give you an assignment any smaller than that. Or, uhm, train you much. But Thrall will be there! And maybe..." he looks to Harani. "I don't know what your schedule is."
<Namhwa> "Wait...."
<Greenling> "Oh! I'm really sorry. We need you to build a city to sop up all the loose Fate threads. Preferably one that's less, uhm, easily destructible, we had such a hard time..."
<Harani_Syona> "I will speak with the Panoply to see if I can be reassigned."
<Greenling> ^_^ "Thanks."
<Namhwa> "What does this even mean? Major Fates, Minor Fates, Astrological Projection? And all this fine print..." - Harani_Syona changes nick to SleepyFoxIsSleepy
<Greenling> "It means you've got a lot of work ahead of you, I'm afraid."
* Namhwa holds the paper reeeeeeally close to his face.
<Namhwa> "Shall not commence sooner than... What's this date? And what are all these time lines? I don't know how to build..."
* Namhwa sighs.
<Namhwa> "But you're right, someone's got to fix it."
* Namhwa looks crestfallen, again.
<Greenling> "It's not just you, at least. You've got friends."
<Namhwa> "Yeah, but they... How can... Okay."
* Namhwa thinks that Zhubin and White Crow might at least be excited.
<Namhwa> "You're right, I'm sure they'll take right to this. So I can pass this along?"
<Greenling> "Mmhmm. Nothing in there is confidential or proprietary, we made sure of that."
<Namhwa> "Great.
<Greenling> "I do need to warn you that..." he chews a fingernail. "Well, Solars are kind of..."
* Rei unslings her instrument and smiles, resting it across her lap as she takes a deep breath, beginning to softly play. The notes play off the arched, vaulted walls of the gothic-architectured building, echoing softly through the halls in a manner strange and foreign, as if continuing without end. Her instrument nearly sings of the recently departed, bidding fond farewells and encouraging fiends and family to take heart in their own lives and
<Rei> that their loved one will soon live again...
* Namhwa looks suspicious.
<Greenling> Thrall interrupts: "Nutty?" "...Prone to... uhm. Issues. I mean, I know it's not the whole Anathema nonsense."
<Greenling> "But we made that up for a reason. They did try to destroy- oh gosh, why does it matter? You'll figure it out, and we'll be there to help you if things go ass-over-teakettle down there."
<Namhwa> "So what is it that everyone has against the Sun's chosen?"
<Greenling> "Well, Thrall thinks they insult Saturn by existing or something, I don't get it." Another snort. "But mostly, back in the First Age, they did some really bad things."
* Namhwa rolls up the sheaf of paper.
<Namhwa> "Really Bad Things," Cho repeats, putting emphasis on the capital letters.
<Greenling> "Some people will say that those who live now are not the same. Others- like myself, I'm afraid- aren't nearly that trusting, or are outright, uhm, hostile."
<Namhwa> "Oh. Well, I'm sorry to hear that."
<Greenling> "If you want I can give you some notes, but I'm afraid most of what's available of late First Age history is politically slanted."
<Namhwa> "I'm sure you have your reasons. Two thirds of the folks in this room seem like reasonable people."
<Greenling> "Thrall... probably remembers more than most people who were there at the time, to be honest..."
<_
<
<Greenling> "Oh, fuck you, he says." :P
* Namhwa suppresses a grin.
<Greenling> (," he says.)
<Namhwa> "I'm sure Thrall will fill me in."
<Greenling> The notes echo throughout the halls of the Bier.
* Namhwa catches the notes in his ears, and they remind him of the way the seabreeze would blow the glass windchimes that Red Diamond made and put outside their home in the glass city.
<Greenling> "If you need anything, I'm currently doing some paperwork, so I'll be here for the next few days. Thrall has been reassigned to your group for the forseeable future, ostensibly to keep the Gold from getting too, uhm, handsy."
<Namhwa> :(
<Greenling> Namhwa feels a distinct shiver at that thought.
<Greenling> "...Which you don't want, whatever you think of your friends, trust me."
<Namhwa> "What? Okay, thanks." Cho looks sad and distracted.
<Namhwa> "Whatever you say."
<Greenling> "Also, uhmm. What was it." He tries to think.
* Namhwa frowns and looks at the floor.
<Greenling> The building seems to shudder, and looms slightly in Rei's view.
<Greenling> "Oh, gosh. There was something else and it was really important." :(
<Greenling> "I think it's in the paperwork, though."
<Greenling> Yu-Shan becomes slightly quieter around the little catgirl...
* Rei blinks, her playing slowly trailing off as she stares at the odd seeming warping of the architecture, eyes widening some. Was everything in Heaven so terrifying?...
<Namhwa> "How reassuring. I hope the Golds haven't gotten their hands on that too," Cho says bitterly.
<Greenling> "Uhm, as I said, nothing in there is confidential- it was an interfaction production, strangely enough."
<Greenling> "Only two broken bones."
<.
<
<Namhwa> "I hope they were big ones. The little ones hurt like a devil."
<Greenling> "Is that everything..."
<Greenling> ?
<Namhwa> "Yes, sir. Thank you."
* Rei glances to Rudeth some, wondering if he was seeing the strangeness.
<Greenling> "Oh, call me Kalil. I'm Ulakomoros Kalil." He holds out his hand.
* Rudeth glances back at Rei.
<Namhwa> "Ulakomoros Kalil," Cho repeats and shakes his hand. "May I ask your heritage?"
<Rudeth> "That's...kind of weird."
* Rei gulps softly, biting her lip as she hastily silences the last resonating empty notes, putting the qin away.
<Greenling> He chuckles. "I'm from one of the Earth Tribes of the early Shogunate Era. I'm afraid even I've forgotten the name..."
* Namhwa looks at Kalil in sudden awe.
<Namhwa> "I see. Well, it's been an honor to meet you. I hope we get to speak again."
<Greenling> ^^;
<Greenling> "I'm sure we will. Be safe."
* Namhwa flatters his bureaucratic superior.
<Namhwa> "Indeed, thank you. Be well."
* Namhwa bows again.
<Greenling> Kalil bows slightly from his sitting position.
* Namhwa wipes his eyes as the notes fade into an echo, with no more original sounds assaulting his ears.