ꙮ The depths of the Geode! Caion set off the flare above, and you’ve got at least some time to kill before your ride shows up. Caion’s led you back down into the heart of the Geode, and some of you can probably feel it, if you try - the sense of shelter, afforded by the deep-blue crystalline structure. When you were topside, there was a strange sense of /possibility/, of unmooredness - things feel a bit more normal, down here. (Archie, of course, is familiar with this sensation - but the rest of you can begin to sense the edges of it.)
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- Aurelius
- The Awoken
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#full cast session
#caion
#silver-throat
#ksenija
#chapter 3: samudra
beckons Archie over, if he’s not entirely distracted by Caion. “May I ask you a question?”
is inspecting the central instrument array, and specifically the icosahedron-shaped setting (I’m assuming there’s nothing in it.). He rocks his head back and forth.
is chiseling away at a small statuette.
ꙮ There is, in fact, nothing in it. It looks like there used to be something in it! For all the world like the world’s fanciest setting for a gem, or a very esoteric scientific instrument, or a bank vault with pretensions of aesthetics. One of those three things, for sure.
leans over towards Wolf, whispering. “What is it?”
gives a glance down at his coat. “I must…change clothes?”
smiles a little. “It’s not something you must do, if you choose not to. But it might make certain things easier. And besides, I really enjoyed the cloak Salme gave me. Sometimes trying something new on when you go somewhere new can be exciting, and you can always decide to change back later.”
turns and addresses Caion. “So, what have the pros figured out?” He jerks a thumb towards all the instrumentation.
sighs softly. “Rrrf. Very well. How does one use that…tool?”
has been fussing with her hair, pulling it into a dense, low bun and installing a could hair pins. She thinks it looks … scholarly? What she imagines scholars dress like.
pulls one of the sheets of slate out of his coat, holding one of each of its sides in his hands. “Grab the tablet with me and imagine what you’d like to wear, then we’ll snap it at the same time and it’ll appear in your arms.”
meanwhile, is preparing a workspace, refreshing some specific chalk lines on the ground around a table he’s rather hurriedly cleared off. To the Awoken, while he does so: “Archie and I figured out that it’s what was causing the… ‘static’ that was preventing you from coming here. I’m still not precisely sure why, or what it was for. It was like this when I found it. I have some hypotheses.” He glances towards Archie, lets his eyes stay on him for a moment as he works with Wolf. Smiles.
frowns at it. “Give me a moment.” He closes his eyes, chewing his lower lip. Without opening his eyes: “Will it only do a single item, or can it do, ah…more?”
: “It’s more… if you imagine everything as separate items, it can only do one, but if you imagine it as a complete outfit, it can do all of it, even if it’s in multiple pieces when you put it on.”
nods, a little, chews his lower lip a bit more. Then, wordlessly, eyes still closed, he holds out his hand.
reappears after disappearing with a slate for a bit, looking a bit different. Gone are the leathers he normally wears, replaced by light linens and silks. He’s now wearing a long, light blue robe in a kimono style, though being who he is the entire upper right portion has been shrugged off to expose his arm and part of his chest. The sash around his waste is black to contrast the blue, while the sleeves are lines with runes of power and growth both, in a deliberately splotched inky sort of style. On the back of the robes are more black images in the same style, though rather than runes it’s a motif of three separate types of flowers intertwined with one another.
looks off to the side to Aurelius, nodding appreciatively, then stretches his arms out to place the tablet in Wolf’s hands.
lifts three fingers–his eyes are still closed, and his breathing is now very even and regulated as he focuses. One finger drops. Two… Three. He tugs down on the slate as the third finger drops.
stares at Aurelius, and then stares a little longer, and then realizes she’s staring, and then buries her face in her hands.
: “How deftly you two cleaved through the static! Congratulations are in order, properly!”
: “I’ll take that as approval.”
thinks she should trying being brave, so she looks up at him, and absolutely meets his eyes first and foremost, and says, “you look amazing, Aurelius.”
glances appraisingly at Aurelius, and then he’s reasonably confident in his model of reality here given limited available evidence but he very briefly shoots Salme a look that’s very difficult to interpret in a manner other than ‘you go, girl’. It’s blink and you miss it, really.
bows dramatically towards Salme.
turns to appraise Aurelius. He nods slowly at first, and then more quickly, and then there’s a grin creeping in and eventually striking in- and he hops from the platform to run over and give him a good-natured clap on the biggest part of his exposed bicep.
puts away their carving, and sits against a crystalline wall, holding out their slate, thinking.
sidles over to Unua. “What are you thinking, friend?”
looks the Awoken in the eye while rolling an exaggerated shrug. “Apologies for setting the bar so high for you in advance…?”
: “I have very few thoughts on clothing. I would not mind human assistance.”
squints and his grin turns impish- the corners turn up, a little fang shows. “Oh, a handsome challenge…?”
rapidly adjusts his model of the situation contingent on newly-available evidence, and smiles, and clears off the rest of the table. And then waits, patiently. He is very curious about the portable bubble that was mentioned, but there is an order to operations, here, and he understands that. He does glance up at the Clockwork Knight, though. “Consider a scarf? Although it might get trapped in your mechanisms. Hmm.”
nods slightly.
ꙮ Wolf’s slate snaps - it’s got slight scoring in it, like it was made to do this.
sits down next to them. “Well. Are there things you … like? I think of you and I think of … birds and coeurls and living things, the Spoken Wood and gentle things. And of course a shield and a sword. Those could be fabric motifs? A scarf would be lovely.”
opens his eyes as it snaps–just in time for it to swirl and resolve into a small pile of clothing, which he catches neatly. You can’t see much of it, but you can see quite a bit of bright, royal blue. He examines the pile carefully, then smiles–with just a hint of smugness. “Hm. How lovely. Is there somewhere I may change? I’m assuming disrobing here would be somewhat scandalous.”
chuckles at Wolf. “The crystalline structure here is opaque- if you follow the path back out and then make a left, there’s a room you can use.”
bows politely and heads in the direction indicated.
snaps their tablet with one of the Samudrans. In their arms a simple cape, bordered in the appropriate light blue. The fabric is plain, but the clasp is an intricate clockwork locking device. They fold up their coat from Almachadta, and place it in their pack, before placing their new cloak over their shoulders, draping off one side, conveniently covering their weapons.
nods, approvingly, to Unua. “Ksenija is going to love -all- of you. She’s been tremendously uninspired by recent fashion.”
: “Lovely choice, friend,” she tells Unua.
: “Thank you, Friend-Salme.”
turns, staring uuuuuuuuuuuuuup at Unua. “Oh, oh can you a do a dramatic-“ he flicks his arm out to the side.
nods, and obliges, attempting as dramatic a cape twirl as they can.
: “Got it in one!” He fistpumps.
bows, just as dramatically.
clapa in Unua’s direction a few times at the twirl, then something about that compels him to reach up for the welding glasses on his head, disappear them, then pulls out a much smaller pair of glasses meant to rest only just on the edge of the nose, with silver frames and a dark teal tint of the lenses. After placing them on his face, he nods to himself.
can be heard before he can be seen–boot-steps coming nearer, somewhere between a click and a thud. He comes around the corner, striding purposefully…and the first thing that catches your eye is that his crimson coat has been replaced by one of a vibrant, royal blue the color of the sky right at the beginning of twilight. It hangs down to his calves, split at the side so as to preserve freedom of movement–split at the back so it flows behind him in the breeze of his motion. Silver filigree embroidery decorates the edge of the high collar, while small silver chains drape from the front and back of the collar, held to his sleeves by thin loops of cloth. ⁂
Under the coat is a white tunic that hangs down to his knees, split front and back up to the waist so it also flows with his movements. Trousers so dark a blue as to be nearly black are tucked neatly into white, knee-length boots with a dapper little fold halfway up the calf, while a black leather belt with silver fittings wraps around the coat and now bears the sheathes of his blades. The outfit is capped off by white gloves that reach up his forearms, with vambraces of silver metal and blue gemstones. ⁂
rubs the back of his head, somewhat spoiling the look. “I’m afraid the blue might be a bit, ah, dark.”
: “Hmm. An unexpected challenger approaches…”
laughs openly. “Is that what you’re worried about! Chest out and chin up, because it’s one heck of an outfit!”
smiles. “It’s fine! More than fine, really. You look great!”
grins, and then makes a very exaggerated wolf-whistle. “Who are you trying to impress, Wolf?” grinning.
gives a shy, but pleased, little smile. “It would not do to be ragged guests…”
: “Everyone with eyes, I assume.” He grins, good-naturedly.
ducks his head at that, his cheeks nearly as crimson as his coat used to be.
: “Damn if that isn’t the right attitude to have.”
: “You haven’t chosen a new outfit yet, Sininen.”
winks at Salme. “Oh yeah?”
: “Hey, tailor! There’s an idea bubblin’ and it isn’t sinkin’! Quickly, before it consumes me!” he calls out as he dashes over to Caion, and no sooner can the naiad produce a tablet than Awoken’s hand slaps it, resulting in an upsurge of swirling gnosis and a sudden downdraft of a dark pile of clothing, topped with tall boots covered in grey scales, into his arms.
raises an eyebrow, amused.
says, with a bit of theatrical tiredness, to Unua. “You’d think as the only woman in this group I’d be the one obsessed with fashion.”
is off like a shot just as quickly, screeching slightly past his stage marker and making a hard turn behind the opaque crystal.
: “They do appear to be enjoying themselves. And making inspired choices.”
: “Though I worry about the Awoken’s tactics on cooperatively breaking a slab of slate.”
chuckles softly. “You’re the one raiding a bluejay’s nest, sword-sister…”
is learning SO many new euphemisms today.
raises her eyebrows at Wolf and mouths ‘raiding a bluejay’s nest’. “You, Wolf-brother, are not exempt from the accusation of being a clothes horse.”
: “We have no horses here, Friend-Salme.”
can be heard saying “-oops-“ before there’s a distant clatter of something, but the advancing bootsteps are distracting enough until he rounds the bend again.
: “…Is that a sound putting on clothing is supposed to make…?”
mock-glowers at Salme. “I have worn the same coat for many seasons, forgive me for taking advantage of the opportunity for a change!”
laughs at gives the Clockwork Knight a bright smile before … whatever her bluejay has wrought comes around the corner.
‘s mantle and top are replaced with a long sleeved, long-tailed coat, deep-abyssal blue with striking white-frilled cuffs streaking back from the ends of his sleeves. Brass buttons secure his black button-down underneath the coat, a thick collar for the coat rising up just beyond his neck. His pants are baggier at first, widening as they go past the knee, but are then firmly tucked into longer just-below-the-calf boots that are covered in shimmering grey scales. A divebombing bluejay adorns the back of the jacket, its color a lighter, more azure blue than the rest of the coat. On the back, embroidered in irrica thread:
DARKNESS DARKNESS MOVING SWIFTLY
WRITTEN ON THE WALLS OF SUNLESS ROADS
JUSTICE MY BLADE LOVE MY STRENGTH
13 FILLED WITH THE NOTHING 13
HEAVEN OR HELL STARS TONIGHT
LIGHT-IN-SHADOW SHADOW-IN-LIGHT
SPARK THAT BURNS CHANGE THE EVERYTHING
Then, you notice, writing along the arms as well.
Along one arm: TOO FAST TO LIVE
Along the other: TOO YOUNG TO DIE
The wooden charms of a mask and bluejay, crossed with their azure and earthy, silky green threads, hang from the button just below the neck.
stares for a half second, then burst into laughter.
shoots Caion a look that balances between bemused and apologetic at the clatter before turning to look at Awoken’s new outfit, then turning back with a little more alarm. “I hope that such… poetry… suits the fashions that have developed in my absence?”
: “Poetry is…” He stomps his feet together, and dramatically points. “…what’s in your heart!!”
laughs and claps her hands in delight. “Shall we line them up, Wolf, Aury, and Sininen, and vote on who’s come up with the best fashion?”
stares at the Awoken for a moment, blinking slowly, taking in the entirety of the outfit–including the writing. His mouth is, very slightly, hanging open. “I fear,” he says faintly, “That I must surrender that contest immediately.”
rolls his head around his neck, straightens up, then moves to stand next to the Awoken. No Fear.
summons forth the entirety of his not-insignificant eidesis in appraisal. “…I’m pretty sure I’ve seen research assistants sporting even more outlandish garb.” He scrunches up his face, slightly. “Don’t ask me for specific details, I’d have to search my library.” His response and tone is light, though.
: “I knew we all nailed it. Never had a doubt!” He confindently strides back up to the group.
ꙮ Caion is saved from whatever he was going to follow that up with with the sound of an immensely sharp, bright whistle from… somewhere outside. Somewhere topside.
: “Is that my aunt, do you think?”
: “….First Principles, I expected to have more time than that. She -really- must have dropped everything she was doing. You owe me an explanation of the portable bubble, once we’re at the Rafts.” Still light, he nods to Archie. “That’ll be Aunt Silver-Throat and her crew, yeah.”
: “Not really THAT much to explain, but sure.”
just gives Aurelius a dead-eyed look, at that…
begins leading the six of you out of the geode. “You have underestimated my capacity to ask obnoxious questions.”
raises his shoulders in a shrug!
mutters, mostly under his breath… “And you underestimate his capacity to answer questions without answering them…”
: “Oh man, you’ll get along great.”
sighs a little, lovingly. “Of all the things she is, she was never one to waste time. So let’s not waste hers. Though I do want to tell you now, so you have some time to think about it - I think I know what was causing the static. It was something missing. This.” He pulls out the icosahedron from his pocket, showing it to Caion, then tucks it back away for safekeeping and leads the way back topside.
rests his right arm in the hanging fabric of his kimono and follows Archie topside.
follows
: “Heard.” He grins at Wolf. “You get used to that too, working in the Academy. Anyways- for five of you this’ll be your first time on a Glass Ship, won’t it?” He very lightly, but visibly, full-body wiggles- and then glances at Archie and nods. “Hah, I -thought- so. More things to ask about later.”
hops to kick himself up to speed into a following trot!
: “Uh. Maybe.”
smiles somewhat ruefully at Caion. “One…one is, ah…” There’s a strangely wistful tone to his voice. “One has anticipated a…ship.”
: “Nothing bad can happen to you as long as you’re inside the glass, that’s the most important thing to remember.”
follows as well, looking between Caion and Archie, at the shared body language, wondering.
chuckles ominously at that statement.
looks skeptical at Caion but doesn’t say anything.
ꙮ Topside: floating in the water next to the Geode is a truly magnificent structure - it’s more like a raft than what one would consider a ship, with a dark-lacquered and spotless-clean teak deck built around a central structure made of lightly glowing glass; it looks for all the world like a bubble floating on the water. The glass bubble’s lined on the inside with seating - itself mostly made of glass, but with comfortable-looking rugs and cushions with intricate geometric patterns woven in everywhere. ⁂
ꙮ There’s an airlocked door leading from the deck of the ship into the glass bubble in the middle; along the deck itself are seven Kushtaka, most of them physically tied to the surface of the deck or to wooden posts or armatures in some way with just enough range of motion to play the instrument they’re holding - there are drums, woodwinds, an intricate cranked string instrument. ⁂
hops down from the deck of the ship onto the surface of the geode, giving Caion a single, proud nod- and immediately tromping over to Archie and giving him a fierce hug. The family resemblance is uncanny, even unfamiliar with Kushtaka you’d -immediately- call them as being related. “Sea’s embrace, it’s good to see you swimming. And you brought a raft with you, child?” She takes in the -rest- of you, utterly unperturbed, as the one crew-mate of hers who wasn’t still lashed to the deck in some way gets a wooden ramp in place between the deck and the geode. “Silver-Throat, Irós of Whisker-Clan. I assume you don’t want to stay on your friend’s odd rock for the rest of your natural lives?” Her whiskers twitch in amusement, and she gestures towards the Glass Ship.
: “We would be happy to be transported, thank you.” Unua bows slightly.
bows, the deep bow of respect to an honored elder–for he can already tell that’s exactly what she is. “We are grateful for your hospitality, madam.”
stares at the whole… Thing in front of them, giving an incredulous look to Archie before looking back at the glass ship.
: “Oi, pleased to meet you, auntie!” He leans into a single step, one hand jammed in a pocket, the other hand doing a salute. “Thanks for the ride. But I gotta know.”
bows, back, to Wolf, with the same formal bow, like a reflex, and smiles curiously at him. “Eelchaser, get everyone situated in the bubble, alright? And make sure everyone deckside’s secure.”
returns the hug, strong and swift, and then pulls back and starts moving around her, looking at her from all angles, up close, then afar, twirling around her as if it were a dance, willing himself to never forget her ever again. “Aunt Silver-Throat! It’s so good to see you again! Yes, as nice as it is here, I think it’s best we get going for now.”
: “They take the ride like that?” he asks, now pointing at the Kushtaka deck band with his salute hand.
takes one longing look at the protuberance of rock and the water that comes up to it, and then at the ship. She gives a small nod at Awoken’s question, seconding him.
whispers under their breath to Aurelius before they board “I feel slightly foolish for bringing so many tents with us…with all this water. We should figure out if they can be stored in the library later.”
: “Aye, we do.” She glances at the Awoken, at his garb, her whiskers twitching in amusement. “You’ll see, I imagine.” A sidelong, unspoken question at Archie that doesn’t need an answer.
ꙮ Eelchaser’s got one of the doors propped up to the inside of the bubble with his foot; the airlock’s big enough to get three of you through at once, if none of you are the Clockwork Knight.
: “Ah… ah! Yeah, I get around a different way, so it’s not familiar.” It’s not technically a lie. He straightens up, walking forward onto the ramp, and confidently hops up onto deck.
tilts his head back to Unua, wait for a moment when none of the Kushtaka are looking at them (difficult, I know), then reaches for the pack containing the tents on his back. And in that moment, they’re gone (though the rest of his packs remain).
eagerly strides up the ramp, lightly stepping inside–then immediately crossing to the far side to press a gentle hand to the glass, gazing in awe at the bubble and then with a hungry, longing look to the sea beyond.
briefly jolts up, before realizing what happened.
also dips behind Aurelius for a second, tugging at his kimono and half-handing and half-thrusting his clothes pile into his unseen hand.
: “(Do I need a claim ticket for those…?)”
looks fondly at each member of the band before climbing into the bubble.
: “(Too late now if you did.)” Aurelius chuckles while heading into the vehicle, the other pile of clothing also having been disappeared.
ꙮ Inside the bubble: it’s comfortable; you have the same distinct sense as you had within the Geode itself that you’re shielded, the sense of Possibility from the sea surrounding you dampened. Caion follows you in, makes himself comfortable on one of the benches. There’s rugs, but the floor is glass, and Caion picked a spot where he could see right down into the fathomless depths.
follows behind, biting her lip to keep the laughter in when she witnesses these shenanigans. “Does it matter where we sit?”
glances back, clearly reluctant to tear his eyes from the sea. “May I stand?”
sits beside him, leaning slightly, his arm lightly brushing his. “Not particularly, pick where you like!”
plops himself down onto a rug.
: “Nah. Although you- might want to sit somewhere with a rug. Or you might not, face whichever way your heart tells you.” He nods, to Wolf- there’s actually little hand-holds built into the surface of the glass where he’s standing, that look like they’re -for- that purpose. He glances towards Archie. “Permission to Circle with you if a Polite Visitor shows up, just in case?”
Unua attempts to not be in the way of anyone getting in, and crunches into a corner.
grips onto one of those handholds and is clearly trying very hard to be too dignified to press his face to the glass.
goes over peers down at Aurelius. “May I join you?” gesturing at the ground
grins at him, keeping the atmosphere light. “As if you even needed to ask! Although, I’ve always appreciated that you’re the type who will, anyway.”
: “Of course.”
: “One must.” But he smiles, brightly, and leans against Archie, a little.
sits crosslegged next to Aurelius, but pushes back a corner of rug with her foot just enough to see the sea below.
hops over and lies down flat in front of Salme and Aurelius, head toward them, feet out, hands with intercrossed fingers resting above his chest. He’s out of the rug as much as he can be, at least.
: “Alright!” You can still -hear- her, although she’s muffled by the glass. “In tune and ever forward, dear friends.” A chorus of ‘Heard!’ from the crew members, as Eelchaser and she carefully tie each other to the deck at first and second positions.
opens her mouth to comment on that pose, remembers Archie’s warning, and shuts it sharply.
: “(You think this floats on the surface or if it’s a submersible…?)”
: “(we are definitely going under the water),” looking up at the clear glass arching above them.
: “(If we didn’t I’d be slightly put out.)”
ꙮ After a few moments - people checking their bindings, a few practice notes to check tuning - the crew of the ship begin to play, together. ⁂
- You hear — and your Star hears — a song, echoing from the stillness: At Home Among The Waves
hums, and sings, and leads them all- reaching out, with her mind, with her Song, conducting them with sweeps of her paws. ⁂
ꙮ The ship begins to move. Slowly, at first - drifting away from the Geode, as the crew begin to Circle together, playing as one, the song resonating with the glass, with the deck, and then a light pitch forward, and a spray kicks up as the Glass Ship skips over the water like a stone.
taps at his thigh in turn with the song in the air, then raises an eyebrow as they start skipping over the surface of the water rather than sinking into it.
inhales sharply as the music starts to build–the fingers on his free hand wrap around his flute, the tip just barely sticking out of a belt pouch. It’s not long before his eyes are heavy-lidded, eyes fixed but unfocused on the sea, humming softly–finding the space for another harmony in the song, and falling effortlessly into it…
ꙮ The Geode falls away behind you. There is no felt sense of movement - but the Ship was up against it, and then the Ship was not. Clouds drift past, overhead.
: “hmm, well, I guess I’m used to being wrong,” she says with a shrug.
tilts her head to the side. She fluidly adjusts the song, and begins conducting, also, towards the glass bubble. Unexpected.
: “Heh.”
looks all about the bubble with relaxed familiarity, though not too relaxed to not remain alert to the presence of any Visitors.
sways in soft rhythm…it’s not long before he no longer needs the handhold, because the rhythm of the waves is also the rhythm of the ship and the song…his humming finding a low line, thrumming with each thud of the drum…
- Aunt Silver-Throat used their techné Conductor (Lower someone else’s Circling DC significantly.)
ꙮ Wolf, gnosis corresponding to your approach?
.
I'm assuming his own Techne, World-Singer, activates?
- The Wolf-Priest invoked their 🟢flourishing gnosis [d4] -> 2.
- The Wolf-Priest spent 2 Arete and now has 1 remaining.
- The Wolf-Priest invoked their 🟢flourishing gnosis [d4] -> 4! It ✨explodes!
ꙮ Ascension!
- The Wolf-Priest‘s 🟢flourishing gnosis has ascended unto the 6ᵗʰ rank.
- The Wolf-Priest invoked their 🟢flourishing gnosis [d6] -> 5.
- The Wolf-Priest spent 1 Arete and now has 0 remaining.
- The Wolf-Priest invoked their 🟢flourishing gnosis [d6] -> 2.
ꙮ Wolf - your song, your mind, your -self- weaves in with the crew of the Glass Ship, your song is theirs and their song is yours, you add your own notes to it, resonant and flourishing; they speak to the wood of the deck, they speak to the wood of the instruments that the crew play, they speak to Silver-Throat and she smiles, and sings more daringly, perhaps, more intricately, than she ever otherwise would; she -laughs-, and the Glass Ship skips and cuts into the water and, inside the bubble, none of you- but for Wolf- feel the changes in momentum, at all, and he sways with them, dancing with the Ship’s song.
ꙮ Speed, distance - these things simply do not signify, here - the clouds billow, the waves wash over the entire deck, pushed away by the force of the Glass Ship’s song, and the crew plays through it, with their unexpected accompaniment. ⁂
ꙮ Caion, gazing down into the depths, nudges Archie gently. Outside of the warded bubble, from the fathomless depths, something is rising towards the surface, to greet or watch you, matching your ship’s own speed, faster than can be believed. ⁂
ꙮ As it gets closer it begins to resolve to your eye, more and more clearly a… ⁂
sits up, propped up with one arm, and looks down into the sea below.
notices it, and peels back the rug a little bit more to look, to see. She wants to meet its gaze, to know, to understand.
ꙮ …that. That’s what it looks like. Caion immediately leans in, pressing his forehead against Archie’s shoulder, reaching out to take his hand.
: “…Uh.”
: “How… Huh.”
focuses on…something, suddenly, and there’s just the briefest hitch in his breath, the slightest flutter in the harmony…and then his voice thrums out in full voice, tinged with awe and wonder.
takes it and focuses his mind on Caion, his touch, the sound of his voice, the feeling he gets when they Circle together. “Shall we?”
: “So… just to put us all on the same page, there is. No way in hell the rest of you are ALSO seeing a giant paper-mache dragon, right?”
looks over to Caion and Archie, a question on her tongue that dies immediately, and then she shakes her head at Aurelius.
vents a tiny bit of steam, remembering Archie’s warnings. They remember the sun.
: “Nah buddy, that’s… that’s just you.” He isn’t looking up as he says this, and then begins to chuckle.
: “Yeah, thought so.”
leans against Archie, and it’s still- it’s still as easy as it ever was. His mind weaves with Archie’s, amplifying Archie’s imagery- they’ve always been good at this, too. Never known fear of these creatures, not as long as the two of them are together. And there is something within Caion, something Archie feels, briefly- a truth burning a hole in his pocket, he’s impatient to convey- but Caion’s always, always waited for the right moment, and now is the moment for something else, and he sings out, a single soft note.
matches it, then drops down, taking the low harmony to Caion’s tenor.
- Salme, The Sword-Saint invoked their 🔵pellucid gnosis [d6] -> 2.
- Salme, The Sword-Saint spent 2 Arete and now has 1 remaining.
- Salme, The Sword-Saint has gained 2 Arete, and now has 3.
ꙮ Whatever you were seeing before: You are now looking at a comically large Maw Eel, wiggling ludicrously at you from the depths, toothless, with half a hundred googly eyes pointing in every direction. It pauses, briefly - several of the absurd googly eyes focusing on Salme for just a moment and blinking languidly like the world’s worst cat, and then it sinks, again, into the depths.
somehow manages, without breaking harmony or rhythm, to sing while laughing in surprise.
makes sure to pet Ĉasid
: “–eh?”
laughs a little. “Just a Polite Visitor who wanted to welcome me home. I’ll tell you about them later.”
: “Wow, you made it boring.”
: “You saw a paper-mache dragon?” frowning at Aurelius.
: “That’s what one layer of it was, yeah.”
looks at the others pleasantly. “Like I said, this is a for-later discussion. For now, enjoy the view!”
blinks a few times, then rolls over to a cross legged sit. “Hmm…”
: “You… imagine something preposterous, something you can laugh at, rather than something you fear, and then they lose interest. Although… hmm. Hmm. You’re all -very- interesting people, do you know that?” He hums softly to himself, and goes back to just quietly leaning against Archie.
chuckles a little as he sings, letting himself sink back into the beautiful, wave-skipping song.
tries to sink the annoyance at this world she feels building up, and lets the carpet fall back onto the ground. “I didn’t see something frightening. I saw something beautiful,” she says, shrugging. She does scoot closer to Aurelius, though, and offers Awoken her hand.
does look right at Salme when she says that, and he grins at her. Another blink-and-you-miss-it.
nudges his head against Salme’s lightly.
takes Salme’s hand, and it’s clear as crystal that he’s got terrible questions and even more questionable ideas behind his eyes that are desperately being held back.
doesn’t miss it this time either. She is going to be patient. She thinks of the Spoken Wood and the Lightdrinkers and their infinite patience, and then gets more annoyed with herself. “Everything is taking forever,” she mutters.
chuckles a little bit.
: “Alas, they can’t all be Swifts.”
: “It’s all surfs up here.”
ꙮ You can see something, in the distance. A speck on the horizon that provides context, a reference point, and it draws closer and closer at speed; the Ship’s not headed straight -towards- it but close enough that it feels like it counts, a complex of hexagonal towers and structures that look like they’re made of coral and crystal. The Ship veers, slightly- heading towards a close-by island. It’s… large, by Samudra’s standards; there’s a large settlement tucked into a cove of the island, with buildings on rafts extending well into the cove itself, and the Ship begins to slow down, as it approaches.
tucks Ĉasid into a small pocket of their cloak, making sure there are some snacks in there as well.
ꙮ Eventually, the ship’s fully up against a dock that looks built specifically for this ship and this ship alone; a human woman is waiting there, around as old as Silver-Cloak, and she and the Irós call out to each other with a well-practiced call-and-response as the Ship stops.
sags a little as he slips free of the song, pressing his forehead to the glass–shoulders slumping a little as the price of the music makes itself known. He’s smiling, though.
rises to standing and stretches a little, using Caion’s shoulder to help himself up - not strictly necessary, but he’s happy to maintain their physical connection for as long as he can.
levers a wide wooden ramp into place and boards the deck carefully - even without knowing the color-language of Samudra something about her yells ‘long-lapsed Academic’ - unties Silver-Throat and her second, gives Silver-Throat a tight hug, and goes to help untie the rest of the crew- pausing just long enough to wave at Caion and Archie through the glass but there’s work she’s helping with, first.
waves back with a wide smile.
gets up from the bench after Archie, starts undoing the double door into the bubble from the inside. “Everyone, Aunt Ksenija - she’s the one I warned would love you for shaking up Academy fashion.”
: “Aha.”
: “Ah, right!” He gathers his legs from under him and slowly stands, still holding Salme’s hand, offering to help her up.
is waiting by the double-doors, doing stretches. Eyeing Wolf.
appreciates the hand up and steals a quick kiss in thanks.
walks–just a little unsteadily–over to Unua, leaning just a bit on his shoulderplate. Looks up, gives an almost embarrassed smile at Silver-Throat. “Forgive me. I know better than to join a rite unasked.”
ꙮ The dock is part of a complex of docks with a bunch of Glass Ships, some large and awkward and more for cargo than for passengers, and then from there it’s a WILD sprawl of raft-buildings, walkways over the water, buildings on land. SOMETHING, distantly, smells indescribably delicious. Several somethings, probably? There’s a riot of color that rivals Kesset’s decor, although it’s mostly shades of purples-blues-and-greens; large squat buildings, some made of mundane materials, some of coral-and-crystal like the towers visible in the distance even from here.
looks around appreciatively, drinking in the once-familiar - perhaps newly-re-familiar? - surrounds.
glances up at Wolf. “Oh, you asked politely enough, and you certainly Sing well. I’d love to get to find out how you harmonize. We should talk, later.”
gives a slight, respectful nod. “Yes ma’am.”
was just enough in earshot to look amused, and then -she’s- hugging Archie instead of saying whatever arch comment she’s thinking very -loudly-, and Caion.
pulls the pamphlet out to double check something for a moment, ‘hmm’s to himself, then stows it back inside of his robes as he stands up and gets ready to depart.
breathes deeply, inhaling the new smells and sensations. “Ahh… and the spices are no less fierce.”
: “Since Silvie’s distracted, welcome back to the Rafts.” She starts, very gently, herding everyone off the Glass-Ship. “My name is Ksenija, and it’s lovely to meet all of you- Caion’s probably already told you that, hasn’t he, I’ll tell you anyways-“
emerges from buried deep within the hug. “Aunt Ksenija! A pleasure as always! How have you been?”
: “Up to my ears in trying to make sure Silvie didn’t go chasing after you. Virtues, it’s good to see you.” A pause. “You’re all probably -famished-, aren’t you? Come on, come on, everyone off the ship. Come on.” Patting everyone encouragingly, leading the entire group onto a wooden walkway in the direction of dry land.
: “Never gunna say no to free food.”
happily disembarks, making sure Wolf has a steady arm if he needs it.
allows himself to be herded, and he’s mostly not leaning on Unua. But he’s grateful for the solidity and warmth nonetheless.
ꙮ Silver-Throat good-naturedly protest-grumbles a “Heard!” at Ksenija, and they both laugh.
: “Invitation accepted and soon to be consumed!” He gives Salme’s hand a squeeze before starting off with a bit of speed- you coming?
keeps hold of the Awoken’s hand and follows, aggressively sinking her impatience and annoyance at. All this.
laughs with them. “I’m grateful to both of you, for wanting to follow and for knowing the better of it. But come on, everyone! Hospitality may not be one of the Academy’s Virtues, but it sure is one of ours!”
ꙮ There’s a refectory -pretty- close to the docks that’s where Ksenija and Silver-Throat take the seven of you, Caion in tow, and a bunch of the Glass Ship’s crew follow at a respectful distance; inside, row after row of wooden benches, with big bamboo containers of rice, enormous vats of fish and root vegetable stew ranging from ‘vigorously savory’ to ‘eye-wateringly spicy’ (the crew almost -immediately- beeline for the Spiciest Option en masse).
procures a small bowl of the savory stew for Ĉasid, and spends most of the time attempting to stop the kitten from escaping towards the vat.
: “Food downstairs, rooms upstairs. Tell anyone you need to you’re on Whisker-Clan business. Understood?”
: “Whisker-Clan’s on the tab, got it~.”
: “Thanks for the homecoming welcome, if’n I don’t say it later!”
: “Never let it be said that Whisker-Clan lacks hospitality.” A proud whisker-twitch.
bows, deeply, and smiles. “It shall not be said by us, certainly.”
grins and meets her eyes, thankful beyond words for the opportunity to share the tastes of home. He runs up to her for another hug, still overwhelmed with the joy of seeing her again, and narrowly avoids knocking over someone standing up from the nearby table.
gives a small bow as well. “Thank you for the hospitality,” before heading for the spicier end of the stew–but not, however, the spiciest.
: “You never mentioned you were such a big name back home before, Archie.”
: “Ksenija has to head back to Cloudset, and I’m going to go help her get her things together before she does that. Will you be alright for the time being, do you think?” She hugs Archie close with a soft, relieved churr that’s for him and him only to hear.
has another hug for Archie, and a curious glance-over at Wolf. “…good outfit.”
grabs some bowls, and starts scooping from the spicy part first– “Say when-“ he advises-half-warns Salme.
pulls his head back from the hug just long enough to gently touch whiskers with her, then leans back in for one last squeeze. “I can help them get settled in. We’ve had a long day of traveling - I think the food and bed will be all we need for the time being. Thank you again.” He churrs so softly that it’s more of a gentle rumble that she can only feel because of how tightly they’re hugging, releases the hug, and straightens himself up a little bit, preparing to play host.
blushes again, gives a shy, respectful nod and half-bow to Ksenija too.
: “(Ah, already-)” He thinks a bit, and adds a bit more spice and a bit more and then tops it off with a layer of super savory.
regards the bowl curiously and then shrugs. “Worth a try.”
ꙮ The stew’s -delicious-, and there’s some kind of tea-like beverage that is sweet on a level that is unprecedented and alarming to the palate of everyone who’s not from Samudra, and there’s enough of all of it for you all to eat your fill. Rooms, when you retire to them, are comfortable - not quite as fancy as the Courtyard Sink Inn was, but very cozy!
ꙮ Ksenija and Silver-Throat putter about briefly while people get situated with food, and then carry off some bowls of stew upstairs together, -immediately- chattering quietly the way people who’ve known each other their whole lives will; Caion settles down on the bench next to Archie with something eyewateringly spicy himself.
ꙮ Even on another world, there’s delicious food to try! (And it’s even more delicious, maybe, if you’re finally coming home.)
assembles a tray with as many bowls as there are vats, minus one, and gets to work filling them with delicious food. He reclaims his spot next to Caion and exchanges little nibbles of each other’s food with him, as is their wont. He takes a spoon and steals a little extra of Caion’s stew when he’s not looking but it accidentally goes down the wrong way slightly, and his spluttering and watering eyes immediately give the game away as they laugh together. They laugh for a long time, and Caion laughs even harder when a very sleepy Archie nods off at precisely the wrong moment and ends up with a faceful of soup, abruptly waking up with a sheepish expression. After a too-short eternity, Archie retires upstairs to his room, and for the first time he can remember, sleep comes gently and swiftly.