[Telka] Saoire's Heroes: The Air Table

[Kura Wolfsdotter]

First Course

Kura listened quietly as Qylios answer all their questions, then nodded when the Immortal answer she question that she had asked. "Then I'm as content as I can be with what happened. Audrae deserves the lion's share of the blame, and I imagine it's already been added to a rather sizeable reckonin' she owes the world." she said, shrugging slightly, before looking at Qylios with a slightly nonplussed expression when the name caught up to her. "Araman. As in, Araman Musizu, one of the old pirate lords?" she asked, before shaking her head. "That would explain his apparent agelessness, I suppose. One wonders that no one ever recognized him at any of his public appearances." she mused.

Then came the group questions. She smiled slightly at Faith's question, then shrugged. "The Owl of Scalvoris." she said, grinning slightly. She had been the Imperial Owl, but since she was no longer involved in Imperial politics, she supposed she need to update her titles. Doran's question, though, merited a bit of thought. "I would, I think, change Scalvoris's habit of trying' to sink into the sea every time other cycle or so. I would like an arc without a major disaster, and I gotta be figurin' that most of our regular citizenry does as well." she said, her tone somewhat dry.

When everyone answered her own questions, Kura grinned slightly. "Birds are great pets, and good companions, too. And Faith, I've never seen an elephant myself, so I don't know if they have toes, but I gotta admit, you'd never have crowd trouble with an elephant." she said, before looking at Padraig when he asked his question. "For me, progress is simple. If the people under my care, whether they be directly or indirectly so, are safer than they were the day before, then I'm makin' progress. If they aren't, there a problem what needs resolvin'." she said, shrugging slightly.

Cally, for her part, smiled slightly at Faith's question. "Ghost tales. Though it'd also be a pretty borin' book." she said, before looking to Doran. "I'd make it so that Sev'ryn familiars are physical and their bonded don't need to go huntin' them down." she said, her tone thoughtful. "And I don't know about pets. Wait, are there animal ghosts? If so, then I'd get a ghost pet. Ghost pets should have people too, just like regular ones." she said, getting a slightly amused look from Kura. In response to Padraig, she just shrugged. "I mean, if we aren't goin' backwards, then we're makin' progress with every action, aren't we? Progress ain't inherently good or bad, and everythin' someone does changes somethin', so we're always progressin'." she said, her tone rambling and thoughtful.

Between Courses

When Saoire thanked Nir'wei for what he had done, Kura was one of the people who stood up to speak. "To be willin' to sacrifice yourself to save someone is not somethin' even the bravest among us can claim with certainty. Especially when there's no guarantee it will work. But without such, we may have failed, and for that, I you have my deepest respect." she said, before letting others who wished to speak. Then she sat down, as did everyone else, and waited for the next part of the feast, which she knew must be coming.

The Arrival

When Bao, Darius, and Zoro arrived, they did bring one other guest that Kura hadn't expected. The Girl, now named Joy, came with them, free of everything that had trapped her. Kura smiled, then stood and clapped for the four of them, glad to see that Bao was truly alive. Certainly, she truly believed that one could be as alive as a Wisp as they could as, well, a living person. The enthusiastically clapping ghost next to her was proof of that, after all. But still, it was good to see him returned to full life.

Second Course

Qylios left their table after wishing them a pleasant evening, then left the table just before the second courses arrived. Kura and Cally downed their juices to clear their palates, a simple apple juice for Kura and a mulberry juice for Cally, then started on their second courses. Kura's second course was a decent sized bowl of chili, with no beans and a lot of good cheese mixed in as well as a greater than average amount of meat, and edible herbs to give the dish a little color when served. Cally's a tomato soup, also with edible herbs in the soup, with a cooked cheese sandwich. Both were simple enough dishes, but they were something of a comfort food for the two and they enjoyed them immensely. That said, Kura mused, so far both of their courses had been along those lines. She certainly hadn't had a decent sausage roll since she left Korlasir.

Then Daia arrived, and Kura nodded at her aunt. She didn't, offhand, know enough about Daia to know what level of familiarity was appropriate. Aeva, for instance, probably wouldn't have allowed Kura to behave on familial terms, while Ethelynda might. For her question, though, Kura leaned back and thought for a long moment. "I don't know for sure. There's been a lot of changes, for sure. I left home, bonded with Rahmet, joined the Scalvoris council, got made Albarech, found out Cally was with me, and she got made a Wisp. I don't know which is the most impactful for me personally though. I feel...." she said, before shaking her head. "Everythin's addin' up for me, and I don't know what to yet. Maybe it's already happened and I don't know it." she said, before shrugging. "I'll find out, eventually. I've got the benefit of time, after all." she said.

Cally, though, had perked right up at the question. "Bein' made a Wisp. Bein' a regular ghost ain't so bad, don't get me wrong. As long as you can hold onto who you really are, anyway. But bein' a Wisp lets me interact with people properly again, and that's a lot better." she said, before giving Kura a slightly amused smile. "Plus it means I can thump her if she starts not takin' care of herself, like she's prone to doin'. Too busy takin' care of the entire island and everyone on it to remember to do things like eat or sleep." she said, getting a shrug from Kura, who had acknowledged her bad habits. She hadn't managed to change them yet, since it wasn't likely she deliberately went without food or sleep. It was just that she got busy and forgot.

When Daia asked if they had any questions for her, Kura thought for a long moment, then shrugged. "I know Immortals were never really kids, but I've heard tell that you could still have different attitudes and such when you younger. Mum doesn't talk about her past much, and given the way she is about other Immortals, I doubt anyone else can really answer, so...what was mum like when she was young?" she asked, her tone sincere. It had been a question she'd wanted to ask, but the number of people who could answer were, as she said, very few and far between.

"Also, if you don't mind my askin' two questions, where'd you get the lions from?" she asked, her tone genuinely curious. As for a group question, though, she thought about that for a moment, then nodded to herself. "If you could learn any new skill right now, this instant, what would it be?" she asked, her tone cheerful.

[Nir'wei]

First Course

Stimulating conversation such as this was quite a change of pace, it turned out. It forced Nir'wei to measure his bites of the meal so that he was constantly ready to chime in whenever the moment arose, just to avoid falling into the backdrop. He didn't imagine that he really needed to say as much, especially to Faith, but the topic of healing Immortals briefly caught his attention and wolfish eyes snapped to the speakers. "Whatever assistance I could provide for this endeavour, consider it yours." Of course... the first thing that sprung to mind was that any process involving the healing of negative effects could be reversed in order to advance the condition... or at the very least, be used to further understand the inner mechanics of Immortals and the nature of their powers.

Her answers for the Empyrean Gateway honestly left him stunned to total silence, however. It was quite an answer, after all. He hadn't really known what he'd expected when he'd asked, most likely just a confirmation that they simply didn't know... yet after she'd finished answering the questions of the others, he simply nodded his head, his eyes staring more through her now than focused on her. "Thank you for your honesty. It's... given me a lot to think about." He didn't want to say in front of her what he really thought about all of it. Who might be conducting what experiments with it. What might happen now that it had been discovered to be responsible for the ascension of an Immortal... what else it might be capable of, in the wrong hands, or what it could do for those that wished to use it for the bettering of the world.

He almost completely skipped over the questions in his own little bubble. "A book about my life would probably be called 'And The Kitchen Sink, Too'. It'd be an utterly dreary affair though, frankly. Travelling the world and mastering great beasts is practically fairytale, on par with killing monsters with the power of friendship, and yet here I am." It sounded pretentious, but then for all the things he'd done and the places he'd visited, he'd started from practically nothing but a shirt on his back and a wish to live in peace wherever he could find a comfortable patch of dirt - now he couldn't think of a single thing he hadn't done at least once. A book about him would be a chaotic mess from beginning to end, and only grow more preposterous with every page.

Doran's question, however, was very simple indeed. "An end to death." He paused a moment for dramatic effect, to let the words sink in a little. "Without death, there is just time, unending. Without death, there is all the time in the world for every change we could make - time heals all wounds, it softens all blows. Unending time for everything one could imagine and more... death is the peaceful rest, the quiet serenity, but in life unending... there are just too many possibilities." Yes, he knew what he was saying, and who he was saying it in front of, but he smiled to Faith as if pointedly reminding her that it was all in the spirit of fun and conversation. It just wouldn't have been as meaningful or heartfelt if he'd just not taken it seriously at all and asked for a sandwich.

"I mean, that, or I'd get a really good sandwich."

Kura's question to the group was equally as simple. "A cat." Seven wolves rose their heads as one and growled.

Finally, Padraig's question. "My personal definition of progress is..." Huh. "Being able to better the lives of more than I could yesterday." He nodded to himself slowly. "It's as good a metric as ever to measure yourself with, the good that you can do for others, how much good you can do, and how far it can reach at once." Maybe he'd completely misunderstood the question, considering the rather simplistic solution to such an intense and complex question, but well, he blamed Padraig for making such a weird question frankly.

Between Courses

Just like that, the first course was over, and again Saoire stood to address the whole room as waiters ushered away the plates and forgotten remnants of the previous meal. He was quite shocked that he'd even managed to finish off the entire plate, considering the conversation that had engaged them all so thoroughly he'd never thought he'd have time for it. Probably another effect of Saoire's Domain. Of course she'd end up launching straight into the congratulations and celebrations of the acts of those that had risked their lives or fought impossible odds, though. He expected Kura to be lifted to the front first, almost definitely Doran as well for his unbelievably invaluable advice all the way through, likely not just to Nir'wei but so many others as well at their most crucial of moments... except, there was something about her wording, something about the act of sacrifice that made the hairs on the back of his neck rise. Even when she gestured straight to him, his first reaction was to try and look elsewhere, to find whoever it was she was actually pointing towards... but no, this was actually happening.

She was exaggerating. But the look she gave was so serious, not a hint of a hidden joke or mockery or... anything but absolute sincerity, even as she insisted things that... they couldn't really be true. He was even ready to stand up and denounce it, to write off these unpayable debts then and there and be rid of them, but it just seemed to keep coming until he was left sat in stunned, agape silence through it all until Saoire herself finished it with a kiss. Whatever protests he'd had lingering on his tongue dissolved. She'd meant every word. He had a feeling they all really did, which seemed so defensive or childish to doubt, and yet given the magnitude of it all and the insignificance of the action, it felt so disproportionate.

When eyes turned back to him after the thanks had been offered, the gifts given and the accolades awarded... it seemed they expected something to round it off. He didn't really know if he was supposed to give some big motivational speech of uplifting courage and bravery, or use his newfound platform to pass the real thanks to someone else, or the rest of the party. Saoire had been entirely serious, though. They all had been. That much still stuck with him as he stood from his chair and pressed a hand to its backing to stabilise himself. "It is... it is my honour to be of service." He bowed his head to the Immortals and guests of the room collectively, to hide some of the tears gathering in his eyes before he could sit down and wipe them away again.

He didn't think he'd ever been so much the centre of attention in his life, and the first course felt like it was ready to make an encore appearance at any moment.

The Arrival

When attention finally shifted to someone else, he stood and began clapping at once for Bao and his soul-bearers. He deserved it, unreservedly, after all. Nir'wei had at least gone into the experience with a relatively strong belief that no matter what happened, he'd know what he was signing himself up for. Even if it was his time to gone, for him, it was significantly overdue... but for Bao to give up everything he had yet to experience, all of the possibilities of his future arcs... in the grand scheme, lined up with him, the comparison of their sacrifice wasn't even close. Not to mention the purity of his decision. Something that was not necessary, but was simply the right thing to do, was often that much harder to sacrifice themselves for, yet he'd done it anyway. Joy would have a full life now, as was right.

Second Course

Finally, Qylios left, and Nir'wei bowed his head for her as she rose, smiling in return. They didn't even need to stare at the empty seat left behind for long, since a new figure rose to take it instead. Another Immortal, in fact. Was this going to be a recurring theme? "I... that's quite a question," he replied rather dumbly, staring down at the gift Saoire had left and trying to keep his focus on the task at hand. "I, well, there's been... quite a few, I think. There was the, erm. Well." Actually, there was one that immediately shot out the moment he glanced around the table again, and just like that, he said it, without a moment's more thought. "Meeting Faith." Okay, he probably needed to give a little more than that. "Ever since we met, well, everything in my life started to really turn crazy... and it's never stopped since. So, really, all the crazy things that happened could be traced back to her in some crazy way." A slightly unconventional answer, but even the most untrained eye could likely tell his heart wasn't exactly in the moment anymore. Saoire had successfully thrown him so far off-loop he might as well be riding a completely different track now.

It came time for answers of his own, though. "The creature within the girl, Joy. It felt... different from anything I've ever felt before. What was it, where did it come from... what was it?" There were other questions but he squirmed as he buckled them tight. How had Audrae controlled such a thing, was it part-spirit or something else entirely... was it really gone, and how could he make absolutely certain of it. So many questions, such little time. The moment he realised how much he didn't know about it, he regretted even wasting time on the Empyrean Gateway to begin with, but his head was practically spinning in that moment.

Finally, a question for the others. Since he'd missed the opportunity to present one before. "If you became an Immortal, here and now, what would you be the Immortal of?" he asked after a moment of cautious thought.

[Vulpes]

Telka
Saoire's Realm

The tribute to Nir'wei was heartfelt and shared by all. The Immortals stood and spoke, each of them - each gave tribute to him, showed their appreciation of him. His own words back were simple. It was his honour to serve. Saoire smiled at him and nodded. Then, she spoke to all in the room. "It is incumbent on us all to not forget, " she said. "I could suggest that we each owe Nir'wei a debt, and that is right. But I believe that the best thing any of us can do to repay that debt is to live our best lives. Those lives, after all, have been earned by the actions of those we are celebrating here this evening. It is the greatest gift."

Then, when things had settled down a little it was time for another entrance. This time, Bao, Darius, and Zoro. They stepped through to applause and it was applause Saoire led. When they were all seated, she spoke once more. "I would ask every person here to remember and celebrate the actions of these brave individuals, " she said, gesturing to Nir'wei, Bao, Darius and Zoro. "To celebrate," she said. "Not simply to remember, but to act on that remembering. To give, without question. To help each other. When we each do that, the world is a better place for it."

That said, she walked over to Ruari. Kneeling next to her, Saoire smiled at her. "This is for you, brave Ruari," she said softly as she handed Ru a necklace with a glittering turtle pendant. Everyone heard her voice, but it was quiet. "It is like the necklace Doran put on you before. It will keep you safe. And for you, Wren, the same." Looking at Hart, she smiled softly. "It also keeps my gaze on them. Should anything ever harm them or try to, I will know. " Standing, she put her hand on Hart's shoulder and then moved back to the main area.

The Air Table

“Oh, this most recent one, for certain,” Rose sighed. “I’ve never been part of a group working on such a scale before—or with such stakes!“

“The eruption of Faldrass,” Emmett said softly. “It was my home, once. Perhaps in time, it will be again.”

To Doran’s answer, Daia smiled fondly. “I am glad,” she said, ”that you could reconcile with Xiur so. And I am honored to have marked one such as yourself.“

”Matched answers for a matched pair,“ Daia laughed softly as Faith and Padraig spoke. ”I am glad that you two have found such joy in your companionship.”

”A fair answer,“ she said when Kura responded to her question. ”But no one ever truly knows how much time they have left. Not even those such as us.“ Her smile was soft and sad, and as she spoke, her hand briefly brushed the spot where a blade had once plunged through her chest.

”I see,“ she said at Nir's answer. Seeming to understand that he was in no state of mind to dwell longer on the question, she turned back to Faith. ”You do seem to have quite the effect on people,“ she said with a faint smile.

With her questions answered, Daia began to eat, considering each question as it was asked.

”I’m afraid I don’t know of all that has happened in the time I was dead,“ she told Doran apologetically. ”I believe that a number of the Pirate Lords spent some time in the service of Augiery, though I do not know where they have gone since. I do know that my niece, who I believe went by the Scourge, sails now under her mother’s flag in the Ivorian Empire.“ As to his second question, Daia laughed softly ”My daughter is well, thank you. She's spent some time with Ymiden recently, but aside from that, we have been making up for lost time together. I will tell her you asked after her.“

”You want to cure fracturing?“ Daia raised an eyebrow, before smiling lightly. ”You never cease to surprise, Faith Augustin. Yes, I will help you, gladly.“

Padraig’s question drew a thoughtful look from Daia, and a few moments of silent contemplation. ”It is difficult to say, truthfully. It seems to me that I have returned to life in an era of great turmoil, and until it settles, who’s to say if the world will be better or worse than it was when I died? I am, however, hopeful in this time of change. After all, with such fine folk rising to the occasion again and again—“ she gestured here at all of them, and those at the surrounding tables ”—I do believe the state of the world has, and will change for the better.“

”Your mother…“ Kura’s question seemed to strike a chord with the immortal, as a distant look entered her eye. ”Your mother was often more partial to the company of her wolves than anyone else. But there was a time when she was close to our sister, Ethelynda, and I like to think, to me as well.

Early in her life, she cared for nothing but her wolves and her family. Mortals were little more than distractions, if that.“ She smiled then, studying Kura. ”Evidently, that has changed. For the better, I think.“

”As for my lions... As with your mother, it varies. Some are spirits, others are natural born lions that I have selected. A few have even more special circumstances that vary from individual to individual.“

”The creature... I'm afraid my answer may be unsatisfactory to you—I do not know exactly. It was ancient, fragments of something old and evil and chaotic. We have yet to learn precisely what it was, or how Audrae came to create it. Rest assured though, we are doing our best to find out.“

It was a slightly somber way to end their session of questioning, but the mood was quickly lightened as the discussion turned to the group questions.

"Safely? Gauthrel," Emmett said immediately. "The number of creatures there... I would love to go visit, but I am well aware of the dangers the place normally poses."

"Gauthrel does sound nice," Rose mused, already starting to daydream a little of it. "From everything I've read, the view is amazing. Both of the landscape and..." She trailed off, but it wasn't hard for those who knew her to guess that she was thinking of the sight of the local Lotharro.

Daia's voice was melancholy as she spoke. ”There were a few places Luesco used to love for the view. Many of them are gone or changed now, but I would like to go visit them one more time.“

Emmett rubbed his head a little sheepishly at Faith's question. "I, ah, don't have much experience with dancing."

Rose's answer was immediate. "I've always been partial to ballroom."

Daia just raised an eyebrow with a faint smile. ”Whatever suits the situation at the time. You might as well ask me to choose a favourite child.“

"I'd like to learn to read in other languages," Rose said, beaming. "Books in languages I don't know come through the library all the time, and I wish I understood them all."

Emmett tapped his chin. "I've always wanted to learn to paint. Never had the time though."

Daia, though, shook her head.”This instant? Nothing. I enjoy the process of learning, and as you've said, those such as us have plenty of time for it.“

Emmett tapped the crystal horse on the table in answer to Nir's question, while Rose dwelled on the question for a long while. "Romance, perhaps. Not love, but the process of meeting someone and starting a relationship, learning to grow with them."

”If I were to have an additional domain, I think it would be loyalty, perhaps.“ Daia responded after a moments thought.

Telka
Saoire's Realm

As the plates for the second course were cleared away, Saoire once again rose and spoke to them. Again, as she did, there was a small palate cleanser ~ this time in the form of a rice-spoon with a perfect quenelle of sorbet with a flavour which would please them. Looking around at them, she smiled once more. "It is a gift," she said, fairies chattering and twinkling around her. "To be able to celebrate the achievements of our friends and companions. So much was achieved, so much was given. It is fitting that we do so." The sky outside now was dark - it was night, no longer dusk - and there were stars shining in unison with them and their celebrations.

"There are so many ways to give, and all of you gave so much." There was no doubt of this in Saoire's mind. "But now, we will celebrate two who stood and gave more in the Forging than we truly could have hoped for. When the Induks were first imprisoned, there were six Forgings. The four we know of and, of course, Life Forged and Death Forged. We must give thanks to the two who stood in the Forging and took those roles. The Forging itself was painful and uncomfortable for all, but these two suffered in order to bring balance to Scalvoris, in order to free the Induks. They gave their own energy, their own strength - one in song and one in story." She smiled at Elisabeth and Arlo as she spoke.

"And, of course, we must remember that, arcs ago it was Arlo's willingness to sacrifice himself for others which freed the trapped souls. That action allowed one to stay behind," she gestured to Ledas, the tiger at Darius' side. "To guide you through the caves of Ishallr." She gestured then, to the two of them, first Elisabeth and then Arlo. "Please, accept our thanks for taking on the very difficult and painful role, for giving of yourselves and doing so with an unwavering commitment" She gestured for the two of them to stand. As they did, Cadouri brought them each a small gift box. They had no lids so inside the beautiful and delicate boxes they could see, nestled on some organza fabric, a chainstone. "From the Induks, and from us all,"

Then, she gestured around. "Please, join me in giving thanks to Elisabeth and Arlo for what they did." She lifted her hands and began to clap -- she was joined by all the Immortals and, again, there was rather that feeling that someone, somewhere, expected a speech from them both.

The Air Table

Daia stood with a smile, turning to look at the honored. "I have always believed that mortals" she began, "are capable truly great feats of bravery, kindness, and honor. Your actions on that day have only proven my faith was not misplaced. You both persevered through great trials, and have proven a beacon of inspiration to myself and to your companions. Elisabeth and Arlo, I honor you both."

As the last words were spoken to the life and death forged, Daia turned to the table with a gentle smile. "It has been a pleasure to share this course with you, my friends. I bid you a fine rest of your night, and turn you over to Xiur."

The immortal in question was approaching silently, and shared a nod with Daia as they passed one another.

"Hello. I am Xiur, the immortal said brightly, taking Daia's vacated seat. He nodded to each of his new tablemates in turn, and gave Doran in particular a fond smile. "I will be sharing this course with you all, and I hope to get to know you all better."

He paused briefly as his third course was served, a heavy, hearty looking dish of mushrooms, snow peas and shrimp with a dark sauce and what smelled like ginger.

"As I'm sure you've guessed by now, I would like to ask you a question, and of course, would be pleased to answer any of yours. My question for you all is something of a light one; I don't know what questions my fellow immortals have asked you, but I think some levity might be called for. What's your favourite constellation? No wrong answers here—even constellations you make up."

OOC Info

Please split your post into the following sections.

• Second Course
  • Here you should answer the questions posed by other PCs.
  • You may also respond to the Immortal more (but no more questions, cos they're leaving in a bit)
• Between Courses:
  • This is where you respond to Saoire's tribute to Arlo & Elisabeth
  • Please make sure you state if you applaud or not. All NPCs do.
• Third Course
  • Here you get to answer the question of your new Immortal table-mate.
  • Also, you get to ask your own question of the Immortal.
  • And each of you may ask a new Group Question.

Note: To keep this thread on track and moving, we are asking pcs to post weekly. If you do not post by the 'next post' date, you will be considered to have missed a round. If you miss one, you will simply be considered to have been quiet that round. If you miss two, you will be written out of the thread. Please let Pegasus, Avalon or Vulpes know if you will have trouble meeting a deadline.

Objectives

• Make a menu choice! (Third course)
• Describe the flavor of your sorbet
• Answer the question you have been asked by Xiur
• You may ask Xiur up to two things. This may be a request for information, for understanding, or a plea to do something. Up to you!
• You can ask up to one question of everyone at the table (including Xiur) . PLEASE ONLY ASK THESE GROUP QUESTIONS this round - we'll direct you to answering them next round.
• Describe one of the fairies who are visiting your table

Next Post: Sunday 29th August

[Doran]

Second Course

“I am glad as well, more than just glad”, Doran remarked in a comparatively quiet tone of voice when Daia said that she was glad that he had been able to reconcile with Xiur.

“Ereshki?“ he asked a moment later when spoke of her niece who went by the Scourge and who sailed under her mother’s flag in the Ivorian Empire now and raised an eyebrow slightly. He had studied the history of Scalvoris, back when he had first found out about the war; it took him a moment to remember that particular Pirate Lord’s name though. “I didn’t know that there was another Mortalborn Pirate Lord”, he admitted.

He had thought that Araman had been the only one.

“My apologies, my lady”, he added and inclined his head slightly when the Immortal told him that she didn’t know of all that had happened in the time she had been dead, worried that he might inadvertently have reminded her of what had likely been the worst moment of her life.

When Daia informed him that her daughter was well and that she would tell Ti'atha that he had asked after her, he smiled at her before he turned to listen to her answers to his tablemates' questions, attentively.

He was especially interested in learning what Karem had been like before – it seemed as if the Immortals had possessed a limited potential for change, or development, even before the Forging – the lions – and the creature that had been within Joy. When Daia mentioned that they (which he assumed were the Immortals) were doing their best to find out, he remarked,

“Let me know if you want my help in that regard.”

That was all that he said before the conversation moved on to the group questions. When Emmett admitted that he would love to visit Gauthrel and Rose immediately agreed – it was obvious that she was not only interested in the landscape, but also the local Lotharro – he smirked a bit before he suggested, “Maybe you could visit Gauthrel together.”

He wondered if the two of them realized that they seemed to have quite a few things in common …

When it came to Faith’s question (He wondered what she would find out by studying Daia’s blood.), he replied, “Probably the waltz.” He thought of how he had danced with Llyr during the Grand Ball in Viden in Cylus as he said that. It had been their last dance together.

“Climbing, maybe, so that I can reach the peaks of the highest mountains and see the world from above”, he answered Kura’s question in a somewhat thoughtful tone of voice. How to climb mountains – and survive in such a harsh environment was something that he knew next to nothing about. Once upon a time, he had been perfectly content in his icy laboratory, but that had changed recently – which led him to Nir’wei’s question.

“Change”, he spoke. “I’d be the Immortal of Change. It is one of my Domains now, and I have to admit, I’m rather fond of it.” As he said those words, he wondered if he would actually ever want to become an Immortal. Once upon a time, the answer would have been a firm and resounding “no”. The Immortals had been too tied to their domains. They had not been free.

That was different now though.

They were finally capable of changing.

As the chance of any of the people present, including himself, being instantly transformed into an Immortal was likely miniscule at best, he did not ponder that particular question in more detail though, but finally answered his own question. None of the people at his table had answered their own questions so far, but it seemed strange to him not to do so.

“Valaris”, he said. “Personally, I’d like to visit Valaris, but not whatever might be left of it now. I’d like to be able to see it during its heyday, when it was a center of civilization, and peaceful, talk to its inhabitants and learn some of their stories.”

Between Courses

The plates for the second course were cleared away, and Saoire rose again and spoke to them. As she did so, another surprise arrived – a rice-spoon with a perfect quenelle of strawberry sorbet. It was delicious.

As the palate cleansers arrived and the Immortal of Gifts spoke, Doran noticed that the sky was dark now. It was finally night. It surprised him that so much time had already passed.

It had only felt like moments, and a part of him wished that this most extraordinary event would last.

He did not ponder the passing of time for long though, but focused on Saoire as she mentioned two who had given more in the Forging than they truly could have hoped for. When she asked them to join her in giving thanks to Elisabeth and Arlo, he immediately rose to his feet and applauded.

Without either Elisabeth or Arlo, the Forging would probably not have been possible.

Third Course

When Saoire had started to speak, fairies had appeared. Among those that were visiting Doran’s table was a fairy with gossamer wings, two small emerald antennae and silky pale blue hair that he was pretty sure was male. The fairy was chatting and flying around, and Doran watched him for a moment before he asked, smiling slightly as he did so, “Would you like to join me?”

“You can share some of my food if you want to”, he added, wondering if the fairies had their own food – and if they even needed to eat.

A few moments later, when Daia bid them farewell, he inclined his head and told her, “And I wish you a fine rest of the night as well, Lady Daia.”

“Lord Xiur, it’s good to see you again”, he greeted their newest tablemate - it really was - returning the smile that the Immortal gave him and bowed his head utterly politely and respectfully, pausing briefly as his third course was served.

This time, he received a type of salad, with chopped cabbage, grated carrots, grated green mango, shredded chicken and peanuts. It was topped with cilantro, green onions and red peppers, and there was a peanut dressing. He waited until Xiur had started eating before he took his first bite, finding the combination of different flavors quite surprising and enjoyable.

“My favourite constellation is probably the Galleon”, he answered Xiur’s question – it was the shape that his mark of Nalos was taking – and furrowed his brow slightly before he decided to ask the Immortal a question of his own that was closely related to it. “What are the stars, Lord Xiur? I’ve always wondered if they are a type of light, or stones, or if they are in fact other worlds that lie beyond the Veil, beyond the domains of the Immortals and beyond even the home of the Originals”, he admitted, thus explaining the reason for his question. He had learned more about what was beyond the world of Idalos in recent times – Professor Fridson had told him about the Originals’ Emean origins, for example - but much of it was still a mystery.

Who, if not the Immortal of Stars himself, would know the answer to that particular question?

“My second question is a more personal one, or rather a request”, he continued in a calm tone of voice. “Provided that you are still in contact with your son, would you be willing to thank him for me? Enri’s stories have been invaluable. He is your son, isn’t he?” he added, as he considered it to be wrong to just assume that Xiur was Enri’s father.

When he had prayed to Xiur in the Glass Temple and asked for his son Enri’s help, a kind of answer had come though – in the form of a book that told the story of a girl called Warde who was known as Joy now.

When it came to the newest round of group questions, he thought about what he wanted to ask for a while before he decided on something more light-hearted. “What kind of things make you smile?” he asked.

[Nir'wei]

Second Course

He was still recovering from the shock of such an impromptu announcement when Saoire rounded off the moment in perhaps the best possible way. He just nodded in silent agreement and made a vague noise of gratitude, too focused elsewhere and too afraid to cause a scene after such a sincere message from her and the rest of the room at large to start objecting to such talk of debts owed. Her offer of repayment sounded perfect. The best, and the most anyone could do with their lives was to enjoy it to the fullest. On paper, it sounded quite silly, but then again a life could not be committed to paper, so why draw such false comparisons?

Better to focus on the immediate. "Anywhere?" His eyes unfocused slightly. "I don't know. There are so many places... but they all seem to hold something so... dangerous beneath the surface. Even if it was safe, completely and utterly Doran... it's too much. Far too much, for any of us." He would never look or think of Emea in the same way again. Somewhere beyond the reach of mortal grasp lay a swamp filled with strange and horrible creatures, insects in the shape of a man. "I wouldn't go anyway. I'd stay on Idalos, and in Scalvoris." Sage tugged on his soul. "No matter what curiosities they might hold, it's not worth what happens when it goes too far." A slightly serious answer, but Doran's question was not an easy one, nor one he took lightly, that much was absolutely certain.

Faith's question was considerably more light-hearted though. "I don't know anything about dancing," he replied truthfully, before suddenly perking up with an idea. "Is there one that can be performed on four legs? We could all dance together. I think it'd be quite a spectacle, don't you?" If he transformed into a wolf himself, they could all do it together in perfect harmony. Almost like a wolf chorus, in a way. Perhaps they could add to the atmosphere with tuned howling, too.

Kura's final question rounded things off nicely. "Numbers. Wish I could add them, take them away, but y'know, properly. Never did understand any of that nonsense... I can look at a sheet and see which numbers are bigger and which ones are smaller, roughly how much by and what it means, but... the complex stuff where people start adding symbols I've never seen before, doing strange things with them until they come out with new numbers that fit into all the other ones. Might as well be magic to me." His skills had never passed into the scientific, or the academic. Theory meant nothing. Practice and working with his hands and heart, that was where his understanding of concepts clicked. "I'm too old to earn it now, and I know it," he brushed off in case someone decided to offer. "Spent too long never knowing any better and getting by with other means; can't undo twenty arcs of living with not a scrap of foundation to build from. But if there was something I could learn in an instant, right here and now, it'd be that." It was, he had already decided, a pipe dream that he could never attempt, let alone follow through on, but a nice little thing to fantasize about in hypotheticals like these.

It took his mind off the present that Saoire had left on his table. Off the lingering tingles of thanks from the Immortals, the others on the tables, and Daia's answer to his earlier question.

Between Courses

The plates were cleared and replaced with something else - something cold like ice, but sweet and fruity. Tasting it, he was quite surprised. "Banana?" he asked nobody in particular, leaning down for another irresistible bite. "Honestly, I didn't realise this sort of food existed." He was never one for such primp preparation and display. What comfort and pleasure he extracted from his food came in the quality of the meat alone, rather than the seasonings... and since he ate raw, it was in his opinion the most pure form of taste that one could experience. The most fresh, the most real. Still, this was good. Palatable without being overbearing and most definitely unique. "Almost makes me want to take up cooking myself, you know." Almost was the keyword.

There were also many more thanks to give - thanks that he eagerly rose to applaud to once more. It was without a shadow of a doubt that the Arlo and Elisabeth had rose above and beyond in their service to Scalvoris, and deserved every bit of thanks they would receive as a result. Arlo especially, though he didn't really know the full story of that - only the whispers and the veiled references to something that had happened quite a while ago, now.

Third Course

He was sad to see Daia go - she'd been one of the better Immortals to have the pleasure of speaking on a personal level with that evening, and he admired some of the choices she'd made during their discussions, as well as her handling of the other questions he could make out between bites of his meal. However, Xiur was the refreshment he hadn't known he needed until that moment - a break away from the rather serious undertones of the night. His next course reflected that as well. Though he did always prefer meat, the next meal was a very Desnind-inspired dish of potatoes and various vegetables combined into a peasant's stew. Though the ingredients were plain, it was artfully seasoned and balanced when he took his first sip. It reminded him of home and cut through the rich, heavy flavours of the previous dishes easily. He was almost so absorbed that he forgot about the Immortal altogether.

"I don't know of any of the names of the star-shapes. Not something I was ever told, or learned. There's one, though. I've always known it just as The Arrow, because it looks like a line of stars, and you can make out the other two that become the arrowhead, and a few at the bottom that make up fletching." It sounded awful when he tried to put it that way. "The shaft is slightly crooked, it's difficult to explain, but if I looked at a night's sky here and now, I'd pick it out in a heartbeat... and it's saved my hide more times than I can count. Such a simple thing, a small handful of stars arranged just right to always help you orient yourself." Something clicked in his head. "A comfort... and a way to make you feel hope that all's not lost after all, huh?" he jested a little, more for his own benefit at just pulling together the link.

Now it was his turn, only... well, he'd been thoroughly derailed, and despite realising the importance of the moment, he couldn't bring himself to keep battering every Immortal within earshot about every mystery under the two suns. "Do you have any pets?" he asked Xiur abruptly. "Mind if I see them?" Surely he would know they'd be safe, and he assumed that Xiur trained and cared for them well, but he was just entirely too curious now what Immortals would keep as animal companions. At least, the ones that weren't immediately obvious, like Daia and her escort of lions. Which ones, if any, really didn't keep a single pet of their own? Was there anything particularly unique and different about them to any other animal one might find around Idalos? Oh, the questions just kept spilling, but he wouldn't dare ask another. Not so close to the previous topic, anyway.

"Actually, wait." Daia was well-documented. Cassion had shown his fair interest in the past. He needed to know, for curiosity's sake. "Since we're already going onto personal topics, go on then. Ever fallen in love with a mortal?" he asked, suddenly grinning and pushing his food aside for a moment to rest his chin on both palms. "Serious stuff, not just casual flings or whatever else. And what drew you to her? Honestly, whichever of you in however long you've been alive try to pass off that you're a hardcore celibate, I'm not buying it. Seven-knows how many hundreds of arcs alive and you can't find at least one mortal that stands out a little in your head, you've got something wrong up there." Everyone else at the table deserved a simple question too, to keep their head out of uncomfortable places. "What's the most important sense to you?" he asked to the rest of the table, grinning slightly as he realised it might end up drawing up some more details from Xiur as well. "Sight? Sound? Touch?"

[Kura Wolfsdotter]

Second Course

When Daia said that not even those with the potential to live forever knew how much time they really had, Kura nodded. "True enough." she said, before leaning back to listen to how everyone else answered her question. When Daia answered her question she had asked about her mother, though, Kura nodded. "Mum doesn't talk much about the past. I know some, like why she doesn't like most Immortals much." she said, before nodding when Daia said that Karem had gotten more fond of the Immortals. "I know her takin' up with Empress Raskalarn must have caused tension between her and her siblin's, but she did it because she thought it was the best way to protect Mortals. I don't think she particularly relates to Mortals, or most Mortalborn for that matter, but she likes Mortals a lot." she said, before nodding again at the answer about the lions. "So they're like the Velduris wolves, then." she said, her tone thoughtful.

At Doran's question, there was a long silence from Kura, before she shook her head. "I'd like to visit mum's forest. There's a stream, with a tree hangin' over it that I used to spend a lot of time at, when I was little and mum was raisin' me." she said, her tone thoughtful. Cally, however, just shrugged and didn't answer at all. At Faith's question, though, Kura laughed. "I was always fond of folk dances, though I can't do them to save my own hide." she said, while Cally grinned. "I'm much the same, but I can't keep on my feet any better than she can." the ghost said, laughing slightly. At Nir'wei's question, though, Kura gave him an amused look. "Owls, Archery, and Trackin', them bein' the Domains I already have." she said, while Cally just shrugged. "Never thought about it, really. Cookin', maybe?" the ghost said, her expression contemplative.

Between Courses

Kura's rice spoon had an apple sorbet, while Cally's was a peach flavored one. Both downed them, and Kura had to admit to be pleasantly surprised, since she normally didn't even bother with palate cleansers. These were good, however, and she wasn't going to complain. Then Saoire took center stage again, and spoke of Arlo and Elisabeth's contributions. Kura stood and clapped, but she left the speechifying to others this time. Sure, she was the Albarech, and speeches came relatively easier to her than it might to others, but this wasn't the right place for her to speek in that capacity, and the Immortals were saying all she could and more regardless. She did, however, heartily applaud their contribution to the saving of Scalvoris and all else they had done on that day.

The Air Table

The next Immortal was Xiur, one of the ones that Kura only knew by reputation. Granted, that was most of the Immortals, but her paths had only ever infrequently crossed with Xiur's followers, given that his Domains had relatively little to do with politics and legal matters. She had nothing against him, however, and nodded cordially at him when he joined them before she turned to the third course as it was served. Hers was a herb encrusted lamb chop with with sliced carrots. Cally, meanwhile, was having a bacon wrapped beef filet. As they ate, the table was joined by several fairies. Kura took note of one that had fiery red hair and dark blue eyes. The fairy seemed curious more than it seemed interested in joining them, and never stayed in place for long enough for Kura to address her.

When Xiur asked his question of the group, Kura thought for a moment, then shrugged. "I don't know what it's called everywhere else, but there's one that we called the Regalia. It appeared at the start of Zi'da and stayed in the sky until the end of Cylus, always hangin' over Korlasir, or so it seemed. The Eternal Empire is military focused, and while we were all proud of our family and friends what did military service, there was always the worry they were in danger." she said, her tone thoughtful. "But no-one campaigns in the winter. Roads are awful, the weathers worse, and supplies are limited because there's no forage and all the game is in hidin'. When the Regalia appeared, it meant the end of the campaigning seasons. No one had to worry about their loved ones dyin' because some jumped up bandit leader decided he could take on the legions, or some other stupidity. I was in politics, so to me, it meant our peoples defenders were safe." she said, her tone thoughtful.

Then she looked at Xiur, with a thoughtful expression on her face. "You and the rest of the Immortals have been sort of stuck all these centuries, but now you can change, thanks to what happened in the Forgin'. Is that scary for you, or do you find it liberatin'?" she asked, her tone thoughtful. She knew a fundamental change to her nature would frighten her, and she would tried to resist it. After all, that was exactly what had happened when Rahmet had first called to her. Then she looked at the rest of the group and smiled. "Here's an interestin' one. Why did everyone get into what they do?" she asked, her tone curious.

[Vulpes]

Telka
Saoire's Realm

Once the tribute to Arlo and Elisabeth had finished, Saoire smiled around the room as the applause died down. "So far, we have celebrated those whose actions in the Heart of Scalvoris meant that things went so much better than we could have hoped," she said. Then, she gestured to the room. "And I want to be clear with everyone here. Whether you have seen the events via the vial, whether you were there to witness them or even if you have only the word of those who were there, there is an undeniable and absolute truth." Pausing, she breathed in and fairies danced around her. Stars twinkled above her, shining through the window, and for a moment there was silence.

"Each and every person, every individual who was there that trial, is a hero. We are here to celebrate you all and I must make it clear that you saved Scalvoris." With a smile, she watched the fairies as they flittered around. "And while we make note of specifics, of people's actions and deeds which tipped things further, you all saved Scalvoris, the Induks and, quite possibly, a lot more than that" Who knew what Audrae's machinations would have ended with, after all. "And so, to each of you were there in the Heart that trial, to each of you who gave so much, we have a gift for you"

The "we" Saoire referred to was evidently the Immortals, judging by her gesture. As she spoke, cadouri brought small gifts to each person who was there in the Forging that fateful trial. For each one of them it was the same thing. A small crystal-carved turtle with an emerald-encrusted shell and sapphire blue eyes. "One favour to each of you, from any one of us who was present," she said as the gifts were given. "We hope that it goes some way to showing you the depths of our gratitude."

Then, she raised a glass of what seemed to be pink fizzy wine, and spoke once more. "I propose a toast. To those who saved us, to The Forged!" Every waiter, every Immortal, all stood and toasted them.

The Air Table

“I’ve always been fond of Nero the Hound. My birth sign, you see?” Emmett said almost immediately.

“I’m fond of the Painter,” Rose admitted. “Not as a birth sign, but it’s just such a lovely looking constellation.”

At every answer given, Xiur smiled and nodded. “Thank you all for answering. It’s interesting, don’t you think, that the same set of stars for some can be an arrow and for others, part of a soldier? I find the constellations a person or city or country comes up with can say a lot about them.”

With that said, he began to answer their questions between bites of his shrimp.

"The stars? Oh there's lots of theories about that!" Xiur smiled exuberantly. "Some people believe they're pinpricks of hope in the darkness of the night, others that they're tiny fireflies who got stuck in the fabric of the sky. Yet others believe that they are suns, just like ours, so very far away that they seem to be tiny. I even heard someone say that they are my tears, given form. There are lots of theories - you should speak to Padraig, it's his area of expertise. But that's all science and physics and that isn't what's important about them. To me, what the stars are is simple. They are the unknown. The possibility that one trial we'll know for sure. They are, quite simply, hope for the future and hope for growth." With a nod, he smiled. "I'm aware I haven't answered. But, as Cassion tells me, it's the journey of finding out which is important."

“That aside, I’m sure Enri will be glad to hear from you. I’ll certainly pass along your thanks to him.”

Did he have pets? That caused a wide smile to cross Xiur's face. “I have a constellion, a brux, and a dragon as my companions,” he said with a chuckle. “The lion and the Brux are physical, the dragon is a constellation. Pets, no, but companions brave and true? Yes.”

At Nir’wei’s second question, Xiur smiled. “Yes,” he said softly, “I have loved mortals before. Some recently, others in the distant past. Late in the third century, I met a man, as kind and pure a soul as any I’ve ever seen. He was one of the early inhabitants of Viden, a builder helping to expand the city in its fledgeling days. Taelyon was a simple man with a gift for inspiring others, for making days of hard work feel lighter just by him being there. He wasn’t extraordinary—you’ll find him in no history books—but he was special. He was good, and for a time, he was mine.”

Kura's question was one which prompted a nod from him. “It's both exciting and terrifying,” he admitted. “But exciting wins out. Perhaps I've been friends with Cassion too long, but it seems to me to be a great gift”

Telka
Saoire's Realm

As the staff collected the plates from the third course, Saoire once again rose and spoke to them. Again, as she did, there was a small palate cleanser ~ this time a small sphere which, when they ate it, exploded in their mouth with a very briefly intense flavour and the sensation of popping candy. Then, it was gone. Gazing around the room, Saoire beamed with obvious delight "One of the things which amazes me beyond explanation," she said as the stars seemed to twinkle in agreement with her "Is the bravery and resourcefulness of all of you."

"In terms of that bravery, that resourcefulness - and that willingness to go the extra mile, we have two people to give our thanks to." Her eyes moved around the room and then alighted on the first. "Woe Morandi, when all this began and you became aware, you stepped in to protect Egilrun. Your actions led to the protection of Egilrun, the strengthening of the Rangers and the Order of the Adunih. That you saved lives is without doubt and you did so not only without any quest for personal glory, but in a time when such action was both desperately needed and not your responsibility." She smiled at Woe and raised her hands to clap for him.

Applause for Woe echoed around the room and Saoire waited for it to die down, before speaking again. "Would you say a few words, Woe?"

After Woe had spoken, or declined to, Saoire spoke again. "Next is someone who went above and beyond in the greatest manner," she said and again, her smile was beaming. "There is no doubt that any endeavor requires logistics and management, but we all agree that in this there has been one individual who has exceeded our expectations above all others" Her gaze turned to the man in question. "Your actions, Doran, saved Scalvoris, there is no doubt. More than that, your analytical thinking and logical approach meant that every detail was adhered to. However, what amazed us was that you also managed to come up with solutions so elegant that they surprised the great Storyteller himself." As she said that, Cassion spoke. "Hear hear! That hasn't happened for many an arc!" Saoire smiled at Doran and spoke once more. "You saved us all. Thank you."

Then, she gestured around. "Please, join me in giving thanks to Doran," She lifted her hands and began to clap -- she was joined by all the Immortals and, again, there was rather that feeling that someone, somewhere, expected a speech from them both. then Cassion shouted once more. "Speech! "

And both of them were given gifts, also. For Woe it was an exquisite glass coin which was icy cold on one side, warm on the other. For Doran, it was a plain platinum ring.

The Air Table

Xiur rose, waiting patiently for his time to speak to the honored, inclining his head to Woe. "Woe, it takes a unique talent to follow a trail of facts, seeking the truth and not allowing yourself to be deterred. There is no doubt that your actions contributed to saving lives that might otherwise have been lost. For this, we thank you."

Turning to Doran, he smiled."Doran, your ability to cut out extraneous information quickly and get to the heart of the challenges that faced others was invaluable. Your research allowed you to consider avenues quickly that would have taken others far too long to consider. Time and lives were saved due to your quick decisions and actions. You saved Scalvoris a few times over, and we thank you."

"I must bid you farewell!" Xiur said and stood. He smiled around the table at those who had enjoyed this course with him and he moved to the next table.

He was replaced by another, soon enough. "Greetings, I am Ziell" said the Immortal. He looked at each of them and smiled in greeting. "Congratulations, Doran," he said. "I am proud of you and your actions." He looked down at the plate of what seemed to be coconut cake brought to him and he smiled. "Greetings, I am Ziell"

Sitting down he pulled out a small elegant scroll case. "First, I bring information. The child Joy's new parents are Arlo and Vega Creede." Ziell gestured to the table where Joy sat next to Vega. "We understand some may have a desire to remain in Joy's life and so we offer those of you who were in the Forging these scrolls." He gestured to the scrolls. "Write on the scroll and Vega or Arlo will see it," he explained. "They have one scroll which receives writing from all these and which can write back individually, or to multiple people. They will write, once a cycle, and let you know how she is doing." Ziell glanced around, apparently scrutinising them "They are committed to her having a peaceful life with loving family. Please, take a scroll only if you wish to be part of that."

Once that was done, he put down his fork and asked them. "Some of the finest minds on Idalos sit around this table," he said. It was true, there was no denying it. "Each of you exceptional in your own way. So, my question to you is simple. What is the one thing you would like to learn most?" He smiled, sensing that perhaps a little more levity would be appropriate at the moment. "And of course, ask what you will of me."

OOC Info

Please split your post into the following sections.

• Third Course
  • Here you should answer the questions posed by other PCs.
  • You may also respond to the Immortal more (but no more questions, cos they're leaving in a bit)
• Between Courses:
  • This is where you respond to Saoire's tribute to Doran & Woe
  • Please make sure you state if you applaud or not. All NPCs do.
• Fourth Course
  • Here you get to answer the question of your new Immortal table-mate.
  • Also, you get to ask your own question of the Immortal.
  • And each of you may ask a new Group Question.

Note: To keep this thread on track and moving, we are asking pcs to post weekly. If you do not post by the 'next post' date, you will be considered to have missed a round. If you miss one, you will simply be considered to have been quiet that round. If you miss two, you will be written out of the thread. Please let Pegasus, Avalon or Vulpes know if you will have trouble meeting a deadline.

Objectives

• Make a menu choice! (Fourth course)
• Describe the flavor of your popping-exploding sphere
• Answer the question you have been asked by Ziell
• You may ask Ziell up to two things. This may be a request for information, for understanding, or a plea to do something. Up to you!
• You can ask up to one question of everyone at the table (including Ziell) . PLEASE ONLY ASK THESE GROUP QUESTIONS this round - we'll direct you to answering them next round.

Next Post: Sunday 19th September

[Doran]

Third Course

Doran could only agree with Saoire’s words. There were certain people whose actions had stood out, but in the end, the salvation of the island and, most likely, the entire world on top of it, would not have been possible without any of them, and Joy would likely not have been saved if their suggestions, all of which would not have worked on their own, had not built upon each other. Every single one of them had played a part, the mortals, the Immortals, and Chuckles who he could not help but momentarily wonder about now. He was not sure what had happened to the fire entity after The Girl had arrived.

He would eventually try to find out more about him, but for the time being, he inclined his head and thanked the cadouri who brought him his gift before he examined the small crystal-carved turtle, carefully and almost reverently. When Saoire proposed a toast, he set his gift down again and raised his own glass instead though, smiling at the Immortal.

Xiur, he observed, was exuberant and jovial, an attitude that might have surprised him once upon a time, but that he found quite contagious now. When his patron Immortal told him that there were a lot of theories about the stars, he raised an eyebrow and turned his head towards him. Most of the time, the expression on his face was calm and controlled, but there was obvious curiosity now. It was not the answer that he had expected, he had to admit, but he found it satisfying nevertheless, perhaps more so than pure science.

“You did answer in a way though”, he dared to disagree in a friendly tone of voice when Xiur admitted that he was aware that he hadn’t answered. “The stars are hope for the future. When I look at them, it fills me with peace and a sense of optimism and wonder. Perhaps”, he continued and turned to Padraig – Xiur had said that the stars were his expertise. “You would be willing to share some of your research with me afterwards?” he asked and raised a dark eyebrow slightly and questioningly.

“Thank you”, he added when Xiur agreed to pass on his thanks to Enri.

Having said that, he fell silent again and listened to Xiur’s answers to Kura’s and Nir’wei’s questions. Nir’wei, he observed once more, with a light smirk, tended to be rather blunt. The Councilor of Natural Affairs had inquired about a woman, but he did not think about the circumstance that the one lover that seemed to have stood out to Xiur had been male.

He found it interesting that both Xiur and he seemed to have had similar experiences in Viden, approximately a century apart, though. His mortal companion, the one whose memory Syroa had dared to taint during the Mummer’s Ball, had been Videnese as well. He had not been anybody important, at least not objectively so, but for a couple of arcs, he had meant the world to him, and his death had left a big void inside his soul, at least for a while.

When it came to the group questions, he answered Nir’wei’s first. “Sight, without a doubt. If I could not hear, or smell, or taste, if I did not have my sense of touch, I would still be able to see the world. I would still be able to read and write. A part of me would miss music though, or the sound of the waves as they crash against the shore”, he admitted in a somewhat thoughtful tone of voice – he often went to the beach in order to meditate when he was on Scalvoris. There was something calming about it.

“Do you mean alchemy?” he asked when Kura posed her group question as he wasn’t completely sure what she meant. “I was actually a chemist first. I wanted to understand how the world worked and what it was made up of, at a fundamental level – and chemistry seemed like it would be able to help me do that. From the wish to understand arose a desire to create something out of all those small pieces which brought me to alchemy. My recent foray into historical research was caused by much the same, a wish to understand how the world works and why it works the way it does”, he replied in a calm tone of voice before he wanted to know, “What about you?”

He was aware of the fact that only he had answered his group questions so far, but he was rather curious about Kura’s answer, he had to admit. How had she become a politician – and why?

“As for my own question”, he spoke, having decided to keep on answering the questions that he had posed to the group, regardless of what everyone else did. “The things that make me smile don’t have to be big. Sometimes, it’s something as simple as a walk on the beach when the sun is shining, the wind touches my hair and I can feel the warm sand under my bare feet. Sometimes, I smile when I wake up in the morning and think of all the potential of the new trial. There are also events like this one though, and a sky full of stars”, he said and gestured towards the lights above them.

Between Courses

There was, once again, a palate cleanser after the staff had collected the plates from the third course, a small sphere that exploded in Doran’s mouth when he ate it, in a most unexpected fashion – it tasted of sour apple. He raised an eyebrow for a moment before he came to the decision that he enjoyed it, especially after the food that had been served before.

When Saoire praised Woe’s actions, he immediately stood and applauded before he listened to the other man’s speech. “I thank you for your part as well, Mister Morandi”, he told him and raised his glass before he listened to Saoire once more. He met her gaze as she spoke.

Unlike Woe, the son of Ziell was aware of the exact nature of the role that he had played, and he would neither downplay it nor exaggerate it – it was what it was. He had never been somebody who needed praise, but when Saoire talked about how he had gone above and beyond in the greatest manner, that his actions had saved Scalvoris and that he had surprised the great Storyteller himself, there was a gentle and genuine smile on his face.

He had never enjoyed his celebrity status in Etzos, not even before he had fully realized the utter wrongness of what he had done – he had been worshipped as a hero for something that had become his deepest regret, the attempted murder of an Immortal – but his actions in the Glass Temple and during the Forging itself were something that he was utterly proud of.

This was the kind of fame and the kind of identity that he wanted to have and that he would treasure.

“And I thank you, Lady Saoire”, he spoke and inclined his head when the Immortal of Gifts had finished. “And you, Lord Cassion”, he said, grinning slightly when he heard the Taleweaver’s exclamation. “I thank all of you. I’m glad that my actions that trial made a difference and ultimately saved this island – and that I managed to surprise you. Had you all not been there, my solutions might not have worked though. Without Daia, without you, Lord Cassion, without the Albarech, without Professor Fridson and Rose, without the teams on Ishallr, in the Sweetwine Woods and in Scaltoth, without all of you and all of your knowledge and bravery, the ending of this story might have been a very different and far less pleasant one.”

Those words were not an attempt to be humble – he saw no point in that kind of behaviour right now, and he did not mind being the center of attention either – but merely the truth as he saw it.

Having said that, he let his gaze drift across the people that were gathered in the room that trial and took a seat again before he accepted the gift from Saoire, a plain platinum ring. He thanked her and examined it for a few moments – it was the kind of jewelry he could see himself wearing – but when Xiur spoke once more, he put it away and looked at him instead. “And I thank you, Lord Xiur”, he said to the Immortal and bade him farewell. He did not only thank him for his words and the knowledge that he had shared, but also for forgiving him – and letting him serve him, that night in Rharne, the arc before.

He had always hoped that he would be able to make amends, of course, but Xiur’s forgiveness had come when he had not expected it, and he was so infinitely happy about it.

Fourth Course

Doran’s newest tablemate was perhaps the most surprising one so far. When Ziell introduced himself and subsequently congratulated him, the Mortalborn inclined his head before he smiled him. He was truly happy to see him. The memory of Ziell embracing him after the Forging and marking him was one that he would always treasure. There were a lot of things that he wanted to ask him, but this was not the right moment for a more extensive conversation, and thus he simply said, “Thank you, father.”

He was surprised – and glad – that new parents had already been found for Joy. Had someone else been asked to take care of her, someone that he didn’t know, he might have certain, perhaps unjustified, doubts. He was familiar Vega though. He had seen how she acted around Wren, and he had spent enough time in Hopetoun to know that it would be a good place for a child to grow up in. There was a sense of community, people looked out for each other, and there was something about the island in general that soothed one’s soul.

“I would very much like to be a part of that”, he replied calmly and took a scroll before he finally turned to the new plate that had been brought to him. The fourth course consisted of small pieces of boneless lamb breast that were stuffed with bacon, apples, mushrooms, rosemary, thyme and parsley, among other things, with a flavorful sauce that contained apple cider and a side of couscous salad, an unusual, but delicious combination.

It did not take him particularly long to come up with an answer to Ziell’s group question. He set his fork and his knife down, looked at his father and smiled before he replied, “I’d like to learn what this world was like before, before the Immortals and the Originals. I’d like to know more about the Great Song of Idalos that Chuckles mentioned. I’d like to know how this story began”, he added. In his opinion, the story that they had all become a part of had not started in the Glass Temple, or with the Immortals visiting them, but hundreds or even thousands of arcs before.

In his opinion, one needed to understand the past in order to understand the present, shape the future and try to change the world for the better.

The fate of the Originals, the place that they had come from and those that had come before all of them still affected Idalos to this trial. That was the reason for the first question that he asked father. He looked at him for a moment before he wanted to know in a thoughtful and polite voice, “Did my grandmother, Ati’el ever talk about how the Originals arrived in Idalos – and about the place where they came from, if you don’t mind me asking?”

He also wanted to know what Ati’el had been like – like most people he wished to know where he came from and what his ancestors had done – but he was limited to two questions; besides, his tablemates should have enough time to pose their own questions.

“My second question is, once again, more of a request”, he admitted sometime later. “There is one person, or rather one being, who played just as important a part as the people that are gathered here to-trial, but I haven’t seen him so far. Do you have any idea what became of the flame entity that is known as Chuckles, father?” he wanted to know, hoping that The Girl’s actions had not ended his existence.

When it came to his next group question, he decided on a slightly more complicated one after his last question that had been on the light-hearted side. “If you could meet any person, alive or dead and talk to them safely, who would you like to meet the most?” he wanted to know.

[Faith Augustin]

Third Course

Faith was beginning to struggle with the food. Not the taste, far from it, but the sheer amount of it. Her plates were small, the portions on them tiny but still. She'd never managed to develop an appetite and, despite all of Katie's constant (it seemed to her) nagging, she simply could not eat much. By the time they got to the third course, she'd had two small dishes, two palate cleansers and she was full. Glancing at Padraig she smiled slightly and shook her head. He knew her, knew how she ate.

So, she moved the food around her plate a little, put a small piece quietly on Padraig's plate, and took a long time to eat the one mouthful she had. Doran's question to the table was a good one. What kind of things made her smile? "Our children," she said, her expression lifting to a smile as she said it. "They are a delight. Family, friends. Friends who are family." She glanced at Padraig and her smile turned to a wicked grin. "Watching my husband trying to explain astro-physics to a seven year old girl with an orange, a tangerine and a walnut."

Nir'wei's question was more tricky, though. Which sense would she like to lose last? She considered it, then said quite seriously. "Taste. I'd like to keep my sense of taste if I had to choose one. Because that would mean that, by biological necessity I had also kept my sense of smell and, therefore, I'd feel like I'd won because I got to keep two." It was true, she realised. But, in actuality? "Sight, I think, would be the worst thing to lose. Or maybe hearing." She shook her head. "It's too difficult a question! I think hearing. Maybe. Probably."

At Kura's question, though, she paused momentarily. Why did she do what she did? Because it was who she was, what she was born to do. Because her life had been manipulated by Labrae from the moment of her birth, of course, also. But she didn't say any of that. "I think I'm a problem-solver by nature," she said. "And medicine is just a puzzle."

Between Courses

As the food was cleared away, Faith made sure to thank the waiter, to assure them that it was beautiful food and she very much enjoyed what she ate. Then, Saoire spoke again and this time she gave tribute to Doran and Woe. They were both known to Faith although she knew Doran much better and her opinion of him was far less complicated than Woe. Still, Faith stood and clapped with everyone else and she looked over at Woe as she clapped for him. He was sitting with Natalia, the pair of them had come to her home. She clapped, politely, and sat back down. When it was time to clap for Doran, she did the same and her smile to him showed that she was very pleased for him, to be getting that recognition.

"Well done, Doran," she said, once the hubbub had died down. He was sitting at the same table as her, after all. When Doran spoke to Padraig about talking about the stars, Faith watched with interest. She was sure that Padraig would take him up on that, at his earliest convenience.

Faith eyed the small sphere with interest and she popped it into her mouth. She was amazed that it tasted of mint with a hint of lemon. It was refreshing and didn't actually feel like she'd eaten anything. She definitely approved.

Fourth Course

As they brought the fourth course, Faith was pleased to see a light salad. That was good, she had a hope of eating some of that. Ziell joined them and Doran greeted his father. Faith briefly considered that Padraig must be happy that Famula wasn't here, she made him uncomfortable in many ways. His relationship with his mother was definitely a slow burn, Faith thought. She glanced with approval at the child, Joy, being taken care of and then she listened to Ziell's question. That prompted a smile from Faith. "To find my way," she said, without hesitation. "To not get lost when I walk out of my bedroom door." She did, she really did. Every time.

And then, of course, there were her questions - both for Ziell and the table generally. "If I may, Lord Ziell," she said. "This change, this ability to change which has come to you all via the Forging. As the Immortal of Prophecy, did you see it, or was it so out of the realm of likely it was shielded even from your eyes?" And then, the question she had been waiting for him - specifically - to ask. "And, I believe that there were eight Original beings, yet there are only seven Grand Fractures known." Her silver eyes regarded him seriously. "Is there one Original who is not dead or has the Fracture simply not been found?"

Of the table, though, she considered her question and then asked, with a smile. "What would you rather be? Colour blind and unable to see colour, or tone deaf to the point that you can not hear melody?"

[Padraig]

Third Course

Padraig's appetite could have been considered average for a man of his height, build and activity level, and even though he considered Faith's to be exceedingly small, even he was finding that plate after plate, palate cleanser after palate cleanser, it was simply too much food. Faith's glance said it all, and he simply smiled when she transferred some of her own food subtly to his plate. He resolved to consume enough of it to maintain a proper level of politeness, while not enough to cause him the most miserable of late evenings and early mornings in the aftermath.

None of it was any reflection on the chef however, who appeared to not only have a knack for turning out exceptionally well prepared food, but also was able to cater to no telling how many different palates. Padraig would simply focus on and enjoy the evening, and the conversation around their table. What things were worthy of bringing a smile to his face, Doran had asked. Of course, Faith's answer to that question would have been the first to mind, of all possible replies. Even though he'd maintain that roughly globe shaped fruit of different sizes was the perfect choice for explaining the universe.

Nonetheless, "Well, since Faith has already covered my first inclination, I'd have to say what can easily bring a smile to my face is that first hint in the air after a long, blistering summer...Something not quite definable in the breeze. A slight charge, a hint of seasonal changes in the air. Or the discovery of something entirely unexpected through the lens of a telescope." Which sense would he surrender however, if it had to be any. "Like Faith, vision would be the worst thing to lose. If I were to lose sight of the stars, it would be like losing sight of the past and the future, and all the world around us. I would give up hearing before it. I might not hear the soothing tones produced by a violin anymore. But when I look at the stars, I hear the music of the universe in a way that counts most."

As for Kura's question, and why he did what he did, that was easy. "I do it because I've never been presented with a mystery that I didn't want to solve. But when considering the expansive nature of the night sky, and the universe, each new discovery leads to another, and another. Astrophysics and the search for answers is like opening a very small box. Unlock the box and pull out a larger box. And again, an even larger one"

Between Courses

Next came Saoire to speak to them all again, and to praise all who'd been part of what this evening was all about. When she talked about Doran's contributions to it all, Padraig rose from his chair with a smile and applauded enthusiastically. "I agree. Well done sir." And when Doran asked about his research, and whether or not he'd be willing to share it, he smiled genuinely and nodded. "I would be pleased to. In fact, I would look forward to sharing whatever insight I'm able to or that you might be interested in specifically." After all, the more shared, all the greater the value in a field such as his.

From an alchemy point of view, the little bite sized sphere fascinated him briefly before he popped it into his mouth. Watermelon. Just subtly and he smiled. He certainly had room for that, it was like a taste, but eating nothing at all.

Fourth Course

The fourth course came hand in hand with the arrival of Ziell. As Padraig had done previously, he rose from his chair in respect to the Immortal's presence, and having dipped his head respectfully, he took his seat once more. A small fruit plate this time with a dollop of subtly sweet cream and a sprig of mint placed just so. Suitably light and refreshing after so much heavier fare.

Ziell was an Immortal Padraig was much less familiar with than so many of the other Immortals who were present. It was a compelling question that he asked, however. And for Padraig, it was simple, and yet he paused briefly before answering as if to perhaps reconsider. "My first impulse would have been to say, I'd like to see so far back in time that I was able to uncover the origins of the universe. But as an astrophysicist, that is the eternal question that compels me to keep looking and searching. Perhaps," he considered, "I'd say that while the knowledge remains the goal, I'd prefer reaching it slowly, uncovering mystery after mystery, peeling back layer after layer before finally arriving at the answer."

A question of his own, however, came quickly to mind. Prophecy was on of Ziell's domains, and the topic had always been of some interest to him. "I'm curious as to how you view the notion of prophecy, as a glimpse into the future and events which have yet to happen. Do you see prophecy as an absolute glimpse into future events, or as a promise or warning contingent upon the actions of men, and free will? Or some combination of each?" Padraig asked. Of course he had his own thoughts on the subject. But in the here and now, he was curious as to how the Immortal of prophecies might answer.