[Telka] Saoire's Heroes.

[Faith Augustin]

39th Ymiden, 721

It had been, thus far, a rather odd trial.

Faith and Padraig had, some trials ago, sold up their houses in Scalvoris and Rharne and begun the process of moving home. Depending on one's point of view, she supposed, they were creating a settlement focused on science and discovery, innovation and the betterment of the world - or, on the other hand, they were making a small village of nerds.

Perhaps, she'd decided, they were in fact one and the same thing.

However, this trial had begun as they tended to at the moment and Faith had been rather surprised when a very formally dressed talking rabbit knocked on their door. The rabbit (apparently called Ruffles) had given them an invitation to attend a feast given by the Immortal Saoire to celebrate the recent events on Scalvoris. Faith raised an eyebrow, but decided that she'd be told if she needed to be. Then, Ruffles had said that Kura had invited the two of them and, after a brief glance at Padraig, she had been delighted to accept with a genuinely beaming smile. So, she'd arranged child care courtesy of Cyrus and the Glitter Monster, spent quite a time choosing a dress (which she didn't show him), and was rather over-excited. As she said to Padraig - though he already knew - she was delighted at the thought of seeing Kura again.

It had been far too long.

She didn't really bat much of an eye at the magic stone which would take them there. Faith and Padraig had been around the block a few times in terms of strange devices. But the sight which greeted them when they activated it caused Faith to let out a small gasp. Her hand slipped into his and she smiled. "It's a princess castle, that is," she said. Rose, their eldest daughter, was currently utterly obsessed with princesses, sparkly things, tiaras and - for reasons which made sense to Rose, but no one else - hamsters. Faith had zero ability to ignore their children's wants any more than she could ignore their needs and so Rose's interest was fully pandered to. There was no doubt that Faith was not a disciplinarian, any more than Padraig was. She had a very simple philosophy - she wanted her children to have a childhood and she wanted to enjoy it as much as they did.

They stepped through, hand in hand and Faith looked down at Horatio Thunderbussel with serious silver eyes. In a way which he had not seen her do for a long (long) time, Faith dropped a perfect curtsy to the cadouri. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mister Thunderbussel. Padraig and Faith Augustin, we've been invited by Kura."

Asked if there was anything they wanted, Faith shook her head and gave her thanks. Then, she heard a movement and she turned and there was their very dear friend. "Kura! Cally! Oh, it's so good to see you!" Faith hugged them both, obviously delighted and she took the time to make sure that she fussed each of the animals. "Oh, Phelan, it's good to see you!" She greeted each one by name - except for "You're new! Hello!" She nodded at Cally, "I'm feeling the same," she said and she smiled at the wisp. "I miss you, both of you, so much." Faith was genuinely delighted to be here and she was quite content.

The sight of the turtle, though, caused a bit of a blink from her. "Well, you don't see that every trial," she said quietly. Kura was quick to go and pet the enormous lava-covered turtle, but Faith was slightly more cautious. However, she chuckled at the thought of calling it Tom. "There's a healer at the Order of the Adunih, in Ne'haer," she said. "He's called Tom. One of the most superstitious people I've ever met. Won't walk on a crack in the floor, won't walk under a ladder, terrified of cats, things like that. I asked him about it, often, and his answer was always the same," Faith told the story of Tom with a fond smile. " 'Well, my grandmother warned me not to,' he'd say, every time I asked him why. Poor man, it bordered on debilitating." Shaking her head, Faith considered it. "I don't think he's a Tom, then. Maybe a Terry? Terry the Turtle? Or Dove! He could be Turtle Dove!" she sighed rather dramatically and grinned at her husband and friends. "I'll stick to what I'm best at and leave the jokes to the comedians."

They climbed aboard and Faith was happy to nestle under a blanket and look at what was around them. There were beautiful birds, marvellous and fantastic creatures, things which she had never seen before. "I'm going to show Rose this memory when we get home," she said, to the three of them. "She'd love this. " As Kura recounted the story of what had happened, though, Faith listened carefully. She nodded, asked questions here and there and grinned when Cally interjected nuggets of wisdom. "You've been keeping busy, then?" Her question was a dry one, but she looked at Kura with an expression which was steely. "You've fractured some more? I wonder if you'd help me, actually," she said, quietly. "I want to try and learn to heal fracture scars. There must be a way. There is nothing impossible, after all. I feel that it might give us more of an understanding as to the nature of Fractures and what happened to the Originals, but more than that, I think it might be the key to healing Immortals." She considered it carefully.

"If what you did meant that they can change, really change, now might be the perfect time. Is this one of those times when it wouldn't be appropriate to ask an Immortal present if I can have a blood sample to compare before and after, do you think?" She was entirely serious and her intrigue was very evident.

When they finally got to the castle, Faith was delighted to have a room to themselves and she went and looked out at the balcony and gave a gasp of amazement at the dress which was in the wardrobe. She beamed and said nothing but she smiled at her husband as she glanced at the bathroom. "You remember when we went to the Murder Mystery at the Baron's residence?" Faith asked with a smile and a raised eyebrow. "This bath is bigger." Stepping into his arms, she smiled up at him. "The door is locked, there's a large bath with suds and hot water, and we have no children chasing us, no people depending on us. Just us, and a few breaks until it's time to go downstairs." Silver eyes regarded Padraig with an almost-serious expression. "I think we should do an experiment you know. Something very scientific about water displacement and things. Don't you?"

After they'd shared a bath and then snoozed together a while, Faith made her way into the bathroom again, to actually get dressed this time. She graciously refused the offers of help and dressed herself instead. It was something she enjoyed, in fairness, because it was about her choosing. Still, when she came out, she smiled at him. Her dress was red, knee length at the front and with a long back. There were lace sleeves, but bare shoulders and it had tiny sequins sewn into the lace. Looking at him as she came out, Faith smiled softly. "It isn't often that I get to choose a dress purely because I think we'll both like it. I enjoyed picking this one." He'd always said that he liked her most in red, after all.

Slipping her feet into the high heeled shoes she slipped her hand into his. "Well, Professor," she whispered. "Shall we?"

And so, as they made their way down to the ballroom, Faith looked around in pleasure, smiled at people that she recognised and looked for where their table might be. Of course, there was a slight issue with that. "So many tall people," she said softly to Padraig. "I'm lost amidst a sea of chests. Can you see Kura?" Then, as he steered them through the throng of people and they arrived at their table, she smiled up at her husband and explained to Kura. "It's not easy being this short in a crowd. It's beautiful isn't it?" And, she sat.

[Padraig]

Picking up home and moving from Scalvoris to near Rharne had not been an easy or straightforward process. He'd lost track of just how much lab, experimental and other equipment he'd collected over the arcs. All necessary in Padraig's mind of course, but the number of telescopes alone had been daunting. They were tricky and fragile things to move, both large and small. But well worth it, considering what he and Faith had in mind.

That morning began as it usually did, a brief moment before the storm; that being a mad dash to get it all done. But then someone knocked on the door, and their plans for the trial ahead were decidedly changed. Unlike Faith, Padraig thought he might never grow accustomed to seeing these new, small and fuzzy creatures around. More of them each trial, it seemed. Nonetheless, the creature that introduced itself as Ruffles had brought an invitation from a friend. And when Faith glanced his way, she must have already known the answer. Of course they'd accept. Kura was a good friend to both of them, and it had been too long since they'd seen her.

The magic stone was no surprise and Padraig wasted little time on examining exactly how it might work. A scholarly interest might have been enough, except that when it came to all things strange and wonderful, he and Faith had been around the block so many times by now he'd lost count. He'd seen much stranger. As for his wardrobe for the evening? He spent much more of his time dressed in serviceable, comfortable clothing suitable for gazing at the heavens in the outdoors, or working in his lab, than worrying about formal attire.

But he turned himself out well enough, he hoped, to avoid embarrassing his wife, or their host, in the process. And then at the appointed time, he offered Faith his arm with a smile, and they passed through the portal together. Of course he, in fact both he and Faith, by now had visited another alien world at the very edge of Idalos. One filled with dragons. But what he observed once they'd passed through, was a wonder all of it's own.

Another fuzzball was there to greet them, and Padraig smiled, even going so far as to offer a slight, but smart bow. "Mister Thunderbussel, a pleasure," he said. Faith had taken care of the introductions and formalities, so he merely added his thanks for the offer of drinks or food, but politely declined all the same. His smile grew much broader when he spied Kura and Cally, and company, waiting there to greet them. "Kura, Cally, it's wonderful to see you both. All of you," he added, including the new members of Kura's company. "It's been too long. Thank you for inviting us. It looks to be an interesting evening ahead."

He was a little less enthusiastic about patting a lava coated turtle on the head with his bare hand. But nonetheless Padraig grinned while helping Faith up to her seat. "True enough," he said. One simply didn't see that every trial. Of course the creature was probably made of pure fancy and imagination, but one of these would certainly be an interesting addition to their growing menagerie. Smooth ride, too. But a name? What if the turtle already had one of those, he wondered? "Might you already have a name?" he asked of the turtle, though Padraig figured this might turn out to be a one sided conversation.

"Are you male, or female, if you don't mind me asking?" he queried, but then shrugged while enjoying a very smooth, if also very slow ride. "Mabel, perhaps. Or, in keeping with a volcanic theme...Magma?" he suggested. Faith's story caused him to chuckle. Well, my grandmother warned me not too, he supposed, was the punchline. "I'll do the same," he said when Faith proclaimed that she'd leave the jokes to the experts, although he couldn't resist the temptation to share one that one of the twins had imparted to him that very morning. Kid hadn't quite figured out how joked worked, but strangely it was what made them funny. "Knock knock, he said to me, to which I replied, who's there? Me, he says. At least his delivery was spot on."

The stars on their journey were the thing that really captured his imagination. Not the stars he was accustomed to gazing at, not even when he'd visited the far side of the world. They might be fashioned of pure imagination, like the starry dragon he'd just imagined he'd seen gliding across the sky. But he wouldn't have minded aiming a telescope at them. He'd been so fixated on them that it was only belatedly when he noticed that their turtle was currently walking across a landscape, towards a magical looking castle, that were both perched on another enormous turtle's back.

Kura had already given them a riveting account of all that had transpired, to have culminated in this very unique and promising evening. That alone was a lot to digest and consider, and when Cally wanted to know if Kura was on to something regarding larger and larger turtles, Padraig grinned. "If only I had one of my telescopes, I'd try and have a look for you." As for the possible changes in the Immortals, the scholar was of like mind so far as thinking it might prove illuminating were they to have a few new samples of Immortal blood. Worth considering, at the least.

"I remember very well," he said later, once they'd inexplicably had their second interaction with Thunderbussel and had adjourned to their very nicely appointed rooms for a spell. He remembered the time they'd spent upstairs at the Murder Mystery gathering. How could he possibly forget? There's been a fantastic tub upstairs in that room. And now, there was another. "A few breaks to spare...You think it's enough time?" Padraig teased her, then took Faith's hand and followed her wherever she'd lead him.

As for the wardrobe on offer, Padraig was particularly pleased with what he'd seen laid out for him. A full suit with a midnight blue, formal long coat and black trousers, black boots. A smoky, dark gray vest and white silk shirt, all fitted well enough that it might seem to have been tailor made for him. He struggled just a bit, folding the silk kerchief just so, but by the time Faith had appeared, the task had been done. He could have worn his work clothes. Next to her in that beautiful dress, no one would notice him anyway. Just the way it ought to be.

"You look stunning," he said when she appeared and took his arm. And yes, he did favor her in red although she could have made anything look grand by virtue of simply putting it on. The ballroom of course was just as impressive as all of the rest of it, and he could hardly take it all in before they began making their way to their seats alongside Kura and Cally, and company. "It is," he said, when Faith proclaimed that the setting was beautiful, and he placed a hand on the back of each lady's seat, including Cally, until they were all settled before taking his own.

As for the arrangement and Kura's thoughts on the matter, Padraig had to admit, "I'm afraid I'm not very well acquainted with courtly matters, but it does seem as if all revolves around a central point. Whatever that focus might ultimately be." It would certainly be interesting to find out.

[Praetorum]

Praetorum woke to find a tiny little ice dragon perched on the headboard of his bed, peering down at him inquisitively. “Ah,” Prae said. “Hello.”

The experience of waking to a handful of new memories, and a new diri, was not precisely a new one for Prae—it seemed that often, momentous events would require some manipulation from Ralaith for reasons Prae wouldn’t pretend to understand. But it was unsettling all the same, and he spent the rest of the day quietly processing it all in the training yard of Skydas Keep, mindlessly going through drills as he thought on everything that had happened.

Still, when dusk came, and the gateway with it, Prae stepped through without hesitation, leaving his weapons and shield behind. He had been at the Forging, after all, was one of the newly Forged, and it would have been rude not to go to a feast held in their honor.

“Hello, Horatio,” Prae said politely when he was greeted. “I’ll have a mug of tea, if that’s alright.” He followed the cadouri down a corridor, his new diri perched on his shoulder, and soon found himself before a massive ice turtle, larger even than the Ragdila he’d seen in his youth. It bowed, lowering its shell so that Prae could climb on.

“Hello,” Prae said as he clambered onto the creature’s back. “Do you have a name?” He asked, getting no response, save for the beginning of a slow, lumbering walk. “Do you mind if I call you Yertle?”

If the creature minded, it gave no indication of it.

Can it understand you? Aurien asked, peering over his shoulder at the creature below them.

“Well, my grandmother warned me that turtles are cleverer than they appear. Admittedly, she was talking about Ragdila, and not Saoire’s turtles. But still. We once saw someone insult their pack mount, and get sat on for it. Not enough to hurt the man, but it sure stopped him from calling the Ragdila stupid after that.”

You wouldn’t sit on us, would you Yertle?

Prae wasn’t sure that Yertle the turtle could hear Aurien, so he repeated the question, and got a low noise in response. “I can’t tell if that’s a yes or a no,” he laughed.

The castle was getting closer now, as was the cliff face it was next to. Only there was something coming up from the edge of the cliff— what looked to be a massive grey boulder… only no, that wasn’t stone at all—it was hide. Then the thing turned, and Prae found himself staring across the ‘plains’ at an impossibly massive eye, set into what Prae could now recognize as a head—the head of a turtle, similar to the one Prae now rode on.

“Fates bless us,” Prae muttered. “We’re on the back of a turtle, walking across an even larger turtle.”

Maybe there’s another turtle underneath it too.

“Maybe it’s turtles all the way down,” Prae joked weakly, still somewhat dazed by the sheer size of the creature the castle was sitting on.

Yertle bowed again when they reached their destination, allowing Prae to disembark. “Thank you,” Prae said, patting its shell. “Hello Horatio.”

It was something of a surprise to see the raccoon once more, but this place was so fantastical, Prae decided to simply take it in stride.

Inside, he found his room just as astounding as the rest of Saoire’s domain, with a balcony that looked out over the edge of the turtle into thin air, stars and fireflies glittering through the darkness. Laid out on his bed was a longcoat in the empire style, navy blue with gold accents. It wasn’t a military uniform—Prae wouldn’t have been comfortable wearing it if it had, having never earned a high enough rank in the legion for one—but it was evocative of that sort of outfit, without really resembling it.

He shrugged it on, along with the dark red shirt and black trousers that accompanied it, before turning to study himself in the full length mirror by the bed. The dark blue was a startlingly appealing contrast to his orange hide, and combined with the gold buttons and epaulettes, the overall effect was eye catching without being ostentatious.

Satisfied that he was ready for the ball, Prae exited his room, and followed another cadouri to the ballroom, and then to his seat.

Objectives

Must do
1) Yup
2) Described coat
3) Came from Skydas keep
4) Yertle the Turtle
5) Yup
6) Yup

Can do
1) Seeing a man get sat on by a turtle
2) Maybe it’s turtles all the way down
3) Grandmotherly wisdom about turtles
4) Was polite to Yertle
5) The head of the gigantic turtle the castle is on.

[Alyssia]

Alyssia practiced on her writing skills. Though she was not a beginner, when the teen asked for someone to look over a letter, they had a hard time reading it. Calling it something like chicken scratch, that confused the girl because chickens did not know how to write in her mind. Shrugging however, she focused on what she was doing as Novus napped on his bed in the corner of the girl’s room. The teen eventually stopped and sat back in her chair looking out her window. A part of her still yearned to belong to a real family, her visits to Hopetoun made her both sad and happy. It was great to see Darius stepping into his role as leader with so much enthusiasm.

That same drive had caused his people to be just as happy and excited as he was. But it also reminded her that the girl had no real family to care for her. She was only being cared for because the three new barons had been tasked with caring for herself and ChiChi. The teen had not seen the woman since she had not come back to the manor. Alyssia was not sure if that had anything to do having another place to stay, or if the woman simply did not know about the new manor. Shaking her head, the teen got Novus up and put his leash on going outside. It would do both of them some good to go outside. The teen stopped at the door when a familiar Caudori ran up and smiled brightly at her holding up a funny looking stone.

“Oh, hello again. It is good to see you I hope you have been well since the last time we met,” Alyssia stated with a smile.

“Hello miss Alyssia! Meow, I have come to invite you to a feast Lady Saoire is having. She wishes to honor those that helped in the forging. Here is a stone to help you make it to her realm. We hope you will attend,” the tabby cat Caudori said with a smile.

“Thank you very much. Please let Lady Saoire know that I will be honored to attend,” Alyssia explained and bowed her head when the Caudori scampered off.

Alyssia finished walking Novus and went back to her room. The teen looked through her clothes and the jewelry that she had received after the feast on Faldrass. She decided on a simple red dress that was not too spectacular, but also not too flashy. The party was not for her, though she sure someone so young would turn heads. The teen made sure Novus was content before using the stone. She walked outside before using it just in case it would mess up the manor.


When the teen finally arrived in what she could only guess was Saoire’s realm, she smiled brightly seeing who was there to greet her. Alyssia had not seen Horatio Thunderbussel since Cylus Dusk. The teen hurried over and gave the racoon a hug not able to stop herself while smiling brightly.

“Oh, hello again Mr. Horatio! It has been so long since we last saw each other. I hope you have been well,” Alyssia stated with a smile while following him, “Lady Saoire’s realm is so very beautiful. Thank you, but I fear I may already be running late. I hope to see you at the party when you are done here.”

Alyssia walked over to the different turtles and decided to ride on one of the fire turtles. She worried that her increased body heat would hurt the other ones. Waving goodbye to Horatio, the teen got comfortable and looked around at the world as the turtle started towards the castle.

“Hello, um I do not mean to be rude. But are you a girl turtle or a boy turtle?” Alyssia asked while leaning forward looking down at its face, “I have never seen a turtle big enough to ride on. Were you born here? Or did Lady Saoire bring you here?”

While waiting on a reply, the teen looked around at the beautiful world that the Immortal lived in. She had not found a place nearly as beautiful on her travels across Idalos. Alyssia sat back down on her butt before she fell off and had to walk the entire way. The teen was not ready for that level of exercise before a feast. She would look terrible and have to go home immediately.

“I hope this will go better than the last time I was at a gathering this large. I had tried to help save my home, but I was not strong enough or fast enough. But I will do much better for Karem who saved my life, for Saoire who believes in me, and for the late baron who graced me with his last name. That night still plays in my dreams, I had gone to Faldrass to help the late Baron von Smooglenuff. Because of my age I was asked to help him at the base camp. But we had a problem that I offered to help solve. When I went, they dismissed me because of my age, but still did what was asked because it was the baron who had sent me. Is it always that hard to be a leader? To make difficult decisions and always know in the back of your mind it may not end where you want it to?” Alyssia asked looking down as they arrived, “thank you for carrying me. Be safe going back.”

Alyssia walked inside and smiled seeing Horatio was before her. Though it made no sense how he had beat her the teen followed him to her room and entered. She was sure that there were others already downstairs and hurried to change. The girl smiled and let the people that were in her room help her get ready by doing her make up and her hair. Opening her bag, she carefully put on her circlet and saw the beautiful black and red dress that had been left for her. The young Aukari put it on with honor and hurried downstairs. Seeing so many were already there the girl entered and stayed to the side where she could see who all had arrived.

[Balthazar Black]

39th Ymiden 721

The stone Elisabeth said would open the gateway to the celebration created a large archway with two wooden doors that opened out to reveal a distant, wintery castle. Balthazar squeezed Elisabeth's hand in his, a little nervous though he'd never admit it, and he stepped through with her. He didn't have as bad a history with formal events as he felt like he did and he knew that but it still didn't change that he felt like they always went poorly when he attended. The ball in Rharne often overshadowed the smaller celebrations he went to which went well. Despite that, when Elisabeth invited him to the party he could not refuse. He'd come back to Haven to spend more time with her and whether that was in Saoire's domain or the settlement, he'd do just that.

As the two passed through the gateway they found themselves whisked to another place entirely. The ground beneath their feet was wooden, not like that which he'd seen only a moment before which caused Balthazar to cast a curious glance around and discover none other than the immediately recognizable Horatio B. Thunderbussel. The well dressed little walking raccoon quickly provided a little more context for Balthazar than Elisabeth already had and the detective listened quietly. Then he heard an all too familiar sound and Balthazar's gaze shifted down to the furry four legged stalker that Elisabeth named Storm. Balthazar's eyes widened slightly in surprise for a moment before he looked back for the gateway to see if they could put the cat back in their home before they departed but it seemed Elisabeth wanted him around so Balthazar said nothing. Elisabeth's diri landed on her shoulder and Balthazar looked to the ground between his feet where Fuego normally seemed to pop up but the diri was not there- instead he was on Balthazar's shoulder. Fuego was sitting with his legs stuck out in front of him and had a small flame burning on his head.

Horatio offered any drink or snack the couple could ask for before they were set to depart and Balthazar politely shook his head to decline the offer. He wasn't feeling particularly hungry or thirsty at the moment, just curious and a little confused. Balthazar's hand trailed through his hair when Horatio mentioned the optional cosmetologists that would be able to meet them in their rooms. He hadn't had it fixed really since he cut it with the knife and while it had grown back out, he could probably do with some professional evening out. Those thoughts were interrupted by Fuego noticing Storm on the ground a little later than the others and inquiring into Balthazar's mind,

Why is the furry one here? Fuego asked

Don't worry about it.

Who's going to watch it?

Thank you for volunteering, keep an eye on Storm. Elisabeth would be upset to lose him here.

Elisabeth responded to Horatio while Balthazar and Fuego had their little mental chat but a small grin spread over his face when Elisabeth described him as 'her Balthazar.' He held out his free hand to the caudori who might not have remembered him as clearly as Balthazar remembered Horatio. "Yes, that's me- her Balthazar. Best Balthazar we know- also the only one, not a popular name." He reintroduced himself, "It is good to see you again." Balthazar retreated somewhat after that to let Elisabeth speak with Horatio as she wished while he looked around to see how they'd get there. He was not expecting the answer to be massive, elemental turtles. There was surprise for sure when he saw them but the surprise quickly shifted into thrill and excitement. He wasn't sure why the idea of mounting and riding a large creature appealed to him, but it always had... he missed Tornado. Trying to quickly shift his thoughts away from that sad path, he nudged Elisabeth with a bad joke, "Well, my grandmother warned me about getting onto giant turtles in strange places but... we should be fine as long as you can avoid falling off." Balthazar gave Elisabeth a teasing grin.

I thought you never knew your family? Fuego chimed in Balthazar's head.

It was a joke.

It wasn't... funny.

I'm not a jester. Go back to watching Storm.

Why your grandmother?

I'm not a jester, Fuego!

Balthazar took a few curious steps away from Elisabeth and Horatio towards the turtle. Elisabeth might have been concerned with the Forging relation but Balthazar seemed mystified by the size of the creature. Well not mystified but intrigued maybe? Where others would have been intimidated... he saw a challenge. "Congratulations on your size. What do they feed you- cities?" Balthazar reached out slowly to touch the massive creature but stopped as a different question he realized he didn't know the answer to hit him. "What do normal turtles eat?" He realized that their ride would not answer him and shook his head as if to dismiss the conversation with the turtle only to reengage a few moments later when the group mounted the large creature.

Balthazar found himself leaning over the edge of the shell a little to look at the turtle's head as it began to move. It was slow but it was a turtle, what was he expecting? As the journey began Balthazar found himself looking out towards the slowing nearing castle on the edge of a... wait... "Oh no, looks like you just lost the title of largest turtle in town," Balthazar said with a gentle pat on their mount's side as he looked out at the turtle large enough to fill every tavern and bar in Scalvoris with Snappy Turtle Soup. He looked towards their ride's head and realized he should probably give the turtle a name so he didn't have to keep thinking of it as 'turtle'. "Don't worry. Keep eating and I'm sure you'll get there one trial, then they'll build a castle on you too, Tiny." He sighed a little bit and about then Elisabeth nudged Balthazar to get his attention.

She told him about her trip from the glass temple atop the back of massive creatures Balthazar had once seen Nir'wei riding which gave him some context for their size and speed. She told him that he got her through all of it and that he was with her the whole time. He knew what she meant and the sentiment she was going for, but the fact that he had not actually been there would not weigh less heavily on him. He smiled and his gaze shifted out to Saoire's domain as Tiny moved them along. The stars in the sky seemed different here than they did in Idalos. They seemed to swirl and twist on themselves, emitting light but also pulling its own shape in a spiral like a snake biting its tail or... a turtle spinning on its back. The light seemed to peel off into the dark shades of the sky but persisted dimly into almost visible waves of airflow. The sky seemed more alive there than anywhere else.

They were greeted at the door to the castle by none other than Horatio B. Thunderbussel- which would have surprised Balthazar if not for the various other things that had just happened which were difficult to explain. The massive turtles were more surprisingly than a teleporting caudori. All the same, Balthazar gave a double take to make sure he wasn't just making rude assumptions about all bi-pedal raccoons looking the same and when he was satisfied that it was Horatio (because he began another explanation) the detective seemed to relax a little. Elisabeth introduced Storm to Tiny (who she'd named Blizzard) and Balthazar watched for a few trills with a small grin on his face. His eyes drifted up to the stars shining so brightly above them and Balthazar couldn't help but wonder if they were a gift that had been given to Saoire by her fellow immortals. There was certainly something different about them that kept pulling his attention.

Balthazar would never get used to being a party guest getting herded to where he was meant to be. It felt strange to not instinctively know where he was going or what he was looking for but on this festive night, more than any other, he felt like an outsider along for the ride. Part of it was thrilling... part of it was terrifying. Balthazar followed Elisabeth and Horatio to the room that would be there's for the night and he politely thanked the caudori before he departed, leaving Balthazar and Elisabeth to prepare for the event with the few cosmetologists they'd need to get ready. Balthazar had to start with them because he ended his hair fixed and after giving a vague instruction along the lines of 'even it out but don't shorten it,' he was sitting in a chair while they worked.

Elisabeth said that they might actually get through a dance where she doesn't go running off and Balthazar smirked, "Who said I was going to dance this time? It hasn't worked out for me in the past." Maybe that was dark but he didn't mean it as a joke. While he had, in some instances, come to associate dancing with his death, he did not mean it in that moment. Still... the thought was there in the back of his mind looking for a reason to claw its way out. "At least, not while I've been awake." Balthazar smirked, unwilling to say more in front of the people cutting his hair but Elisabeth would know the story behind that.

Balthazar's eyes stared out the window, locked on the vast sky of stars he'd never seen before. It was that which fascinated him the most. He did not know all the names of constellations because he'd always put more interest in the things on the ground around him, but he knew the shape of the stars in the sky from... well... countless memories of looking up in the night. Seeing stars arranged in such a different, unique and beautiful pattern made him think of Elisabeth and her new mark. He wanted to get her attention but when he tried to turn, the cosmetologist stopped him. So he waited until they were done fixing his hair and by that time Elisabeth was getting dressed so he did the same. He could show her the stars when they were ready to go. Elisabeth probably left her dressing room shortly after Balthazar went into his but all he knew is that he went in to get dressed before she came out.

There was never a doubt in Balthazar's mind that he'd wear the outfit Saoire made for him, he just was not sure whether or not he'd actually like the outfit. In his mind, it would have been rude not to wear something she spent time making- he didn't consider she was immortal and could probably make things a little more easily than most. It wasn't an incredibly formal looking outfit despite the event which made Balthazar wonder if Horatio's comment about the dress code had been directed towards him. It was a fairly simple design, black pants and shoes with a black shirt and a vest that tied on the side. All and all it was a very simple outfit with a simple color scheme and a clear design.

The vest had the most color and it did not have very much at all. It was shaped somewhat like a brigandine, stretching down just a little passed his knees and the base was black. It tied on the left side with black cloth and gave a very defined shape to Balthazar's outfit. There were three shades of a softer fabric shifting slowly from orange to gold in descending order that were laid over each other like metal plates across the torso and three others on the right side of the leg with an inverted color pattern. The design looked almost as if it were intended for armor, but everything was made of fabrics- some softer than others. There was a golden belt for the waist that merged the top and bottom halves of the vest and provided the only other significant color in the outfit. Balthazar realized that the belt was meant to blend the color shift down the vest a little as well but he still wasn't sure about how he looked in gold.

He emerged from the dressing room, still fiddling with the vest a little when he first saw Elisabeth in her dress, his expression softened in a way he'd never have let it if the cosmetologists were still around and Balthazar looked around as if he'd lost something, "We need to find out how Saoire made that dress because you... you are..." He sighed, "I can't think of a word describe it but we'll have to settle for beautiful." He held out a hand to her and if she took it he'd pull her a little closer and gesture out towards the stars. "Do you think Xiur gave those to Saoire as a gift?" Balthazar asked, thinking back to how he hadn't seen any stars in Bellinos the first time at least. "I've told you that the night I was initiated into defiance, I had to dig the pit I was buried in. I used to love working at night because it was colder so physical labor was easier but that night... I remember being six feet deep into the ground and looking up at the night sky exhausted as the dirt was poured back over me. I remember the stars that night as vividly as every other but for some reason when I close my eyes and picture the night sky, that's what I see- the sky on that night. I've seen it hundreds of different nights since then and I've seen it from many different places, but I've never seen it like that." He squeezed her a little and pointed to a few of the new, strange stars.

Not long later they were seated and the event was to begin. Balthazar would have been looking around for other familiar faces but he kept finding his eyes falling back to Elisabeth.

Objectives

All complete.

[Kori'än]

Even though Kori'än did his best to avoid the sudden excitement of seemingly everyone in Scalvoris since the early breaks of this trial, he still had heard some whispers of what was going on. This alone hinted at something of great importance ― well, if the gossip hadn't been exaggerated, at least ―, and perhaps he should try to find out more when his mood was... slightly better. He had decided to spend the rest of the trial at home, away from the constant talk, and just figure out what had happened later. Life, however, clearly had other plans, as a knock on the door announced a rather scrawny cadouri that resembled a brown hare, holding a shimmering stone in her hand and an invitation to Saoire's feast in another

◈ ◈ ◈

When the time came, Kori'än wasn't ashamed to admit he thought about not showing up at all. There was no reason for his invitation that he could think of, and even a night with Aokan whining about how he had missed such an important event sounded more inviting than a feast, full of people he didn't know. But Kori'än wasn't looking forward to disrespecting an Immortal, either, and with the reassurance that he'd have something to dress that wouldn't make him stick out like a sore thumb, he couldn't really think of any reason to refuse. With a sigh, he picked up the small stone, rolling it in his hands and wondering how it would take him to the place of the feast.

As soon as the thought formed, it was answered, as the stone's light trembled, enveloping him for a moment. As soon as he blinked, his room had disappeared, and he was instead sitting in front of a tall archway, the wooden doors opening to reveal a castle in the distance. His breath caught in his throat for a moment as Kori'än looked at the unknown landscape, excitement making his chest beat harder. Now, this was something different than anything he had experienced before, and, slowly, he stood up, looking around as he stepped through the gates.

And then, he was standing in some sort of decking, still staring at the castle in the distance, but it seemed farther away. He quickly hid his frown as a voice made him look down to a well-dressed raccoon-like cadouri. His confusion didn't end with the greeting, but at least he was offered some information. Telka. Knowing he was in an Immortal's Domain didn't make the feeling of wonder disappear from within his chest ― in fact, it seemed to intensify, and his eyes slowly shifted to the castle again, although the cadouri was still talking.

"No," he whispered at the offer of drinks and snacks, before clearing his throat and trying again. "No, thank you. I'm fine." Kori'än pressed his lips together before he began repeating himself over and over again while trying to reassure the other that he indeed didn't need anything. Great. Not even at the feast himself, and he was already feeling out of place. Still, he gave a sharp nod in answer and followed the cadouri when requested, shifting his eyes from the castle only when he absolutely needed to, to make sure he wouldn't trample over the poor guy. What he saw, however, made him stop dead on his tracks, eyes widening and breath hitching once again as he leaned forward without even realizing, eyes shining with excitement.

A turtle. Well, not just a simple turtle. No, a huge one, with what looked like crystal shards glistering on its shell ― whiteish, reflecting the light that seemed to come from nowhere in particular, with big, icy blue eyes blinking almost gently at him. The turtle held his gaze for as long as Kori'än stood, looking at the beautiful creature, trying to remember any tale from his mother that had mentioned one of those. It was impossible, most of his mind preoccupied with simply trying to remember every little detail. Only when the cadouri called him again did his attention shift, exhaling a quick breath as he approached the turtle. It lowered his head, eyes seemingly never leaving his, and the turtle lowered its huge body to the ground, almost as if...

Kori'än looked at the cadouri for confirmation, before his eyes filled with excitement. His palm pressed against the hard crystal of the turtle's shell, running his fingers against the smooth texture, before he finally climbed on top of the saddle, adjusting himself on his seat. It was surprisingly comfortable, and it felt safe ― a good thing since his past experiences in riding Kaabo hadn't gone all that well. As soon as he was ready as if feeling it, the turtle stood up, and he instantly reached out to grasp at the saddle.

But the walk was smooth ― almost as if the turtle was swimming, not walking ―, and soon enough, his heart had calmed down and Kori'än allowed himself to relax against the saddle, looking at the castle they were moving towards. "This is amazing," he breathed, not bothering to hide how much this was affecting him. There was no one else there, after all. He looked around, trying to take everything in. The walk seemed long enough, but, honestly, Kori'än wasn't sure there were enough breaks in this trial for him to be satisfied. Still, something caught his eyes, and he turned to their left, blinking when he saw a fish. The weirdness of watching a fish swim in the air made him stare for a while, long enough for the animal to approach them. Its scales were of a strange, milky but glimmering white, long fills flowing around it much like a dress. It made a narrow circle around Kori'än's head, and he raised his hand, fingers brushing against the animal's scales. They were weirdly soft, warm and comforting, and the fish swam around his hand, brushing against his skin. Warmth filled his chest, and a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Mom would have loved you..." As if understanding him, somehow, the fish flipped back translucent fins seemingly enveloping its body for a moment that seemed to drag on slowly, before the creature quickly darted away. Kori'än huffed softly, amused.

"She would've loved you, too," he said to the turtle, leaning back again and reaching out with his hand to touch the shell, trying to be careful not to lose his balance on the saddle. "It's not every day that you see a turtle with a crystal shell. At least, I don't think either of us has ever seen one." Kori'än drummed his fingers, looking at the back of the turtle's head. As if on cue, the creature looked back at him, still walking, icy eye searching his again. Well, that was... "She probably would have named you. Or told me to name you, more likely. I'd call you Misali. Means 'crystal' in Xanthea. It's simple, but..." he cut himself out, rubbing a hand against his lips and looking away from the turtle's eyes. He felt foolish, as if the turtle could actually understand him. It was unlikely ― more unlikely than a fish swimming in the air? ―, but he was starting to feel overwhelmed.

The rest of the trip was spent in silence, the turtle thankfully not able to ― or not keen on ― strike any conversation.

◈ ◈ ◈

Being greeted by the same cadouri ― unless he had a twin ― was more than a bit weird, but there were too many things battling for focus on his mind. Kori'än tapped his fingers against his chest briefly in appreciation, a small gesture of thanks to the turtle that had brought him to the castle, before hurrying after the cadouri. The castle was beautiful, and the room even more so, with a balcony that allowed him to look at a beautiful lake shimmering with the light of the stars. Instantly, it made him feel inadequate again, the realization that he was in a place way above anything he was used to making his heart quicken, and he curled his hands into fists. As beautiful as it was, the balcony led to the open and infinite space of the sky, never something his mind liked to focus on when he was already feeling the familiar panic take its grip. So, instead, Kori'än made his way to the bathroom, filling the bathtub and laying under the warm water.

He lost count of how many bits he stayed in there, submerging and letting the water surround him completely, quiet and peace and comfort embracing his being for as long as he could hold his breath. In the end, he only reopened his eyes when he heard the knock on the door, and a raspy voice telling him it was about time to actually get ready. Letting a sigh pass through his lips, Kori'än looked at the ceiling for a moment, taking in its details, ears still covered by water, before he finally convinced himself to stand up, reaching for a towel to dry himself with.

The clothes that he found out after a quick search were better than any he had ever owned, which both eased the fear of sticking out and made his stomach twist into a knot. He remembered seeing a similar suit once long ago, on one of the cities with his mother, and vaguely remembering it whenever he thought of the 'high society'. Now, it was yanked to the front of his mind and just laid there for him to take. Hesitantly, afraid to ruin it, almost, he took the black outfit embroidered with golden threads, looking at it for a moment before adjusting it over his body the best he knew how. It was comfortable, feeling very much like his simpler clothes, actually, not oppressive and tight as he had imagined. With a sigh, he finally opened the door, coming face to face with a couple of cadouri that looked up at him. One averted her eyes, too quickly, and the other twisted her nose.

"If you allow me to help you," she said, reaching for a stool and climbing on top of it to begin fiddling with the latches of his suit, her tone making it clear that it wasn't exactly a request, "I believe we can adjust some things here." Kori'än did his best to refrain from scowling at the little woman. She was probably only trying to help and most likely could do a better job than him, indeed. So he allowed her to fiddle and adjust the straps and chains of his clothes, while the other cadouri approached his side.

"Would you like me to cover these marks?" She pointed at the blue veins running on the back of his hand. Kori'än would feel offended if they didn't sometimes make him self-conscious. Well, everything made him self-conscious when he was around too many people, so this wasn't saying much. Still, he supposed it was one less thing to worry about, and he would take whatever he could get. With a stiff nod, he allowed the woman to take his hand.

◈ ◈ ◈

When he finally entered the ballroom, Kori'än would have looked fully human if not for his eyes, clothes properly adjusted and hair combed back and away from his face. His heart was thumping into his chest, though, almost to the point of deafening him, and he cleared his throat, quickly trying to make his way to his designated seat. He could not muster enough will to look around yet, appreciate the beauty of the room ― because, if it was anything like everything else in Telka, it would be beautiful indeed. There would be time for that later. For now, he was happy to just sit down in his chair and relearn how to breathe.

Objectives

Must Do: All
Can Do:

• Hold a "conversation" with your turtle
• Describe something you see on your way to the castle.

[Nir'wei]

Sleep was a fleeting thing in the wake of the Induks. So much had changed. So much had happened. It felt like most of the night he spent staring at his forearm, and the three horizontal slashes that now marked it. Others would have balked at ritualistic self-mutilation, but the wolves understood it just as well as he did. The marks left by Faith at the base of his skull, and the unnamed captain in his chest and stomach were tangible things he could run his fingers over in remembrance of its passing. That brief eternity with the Creature had earned its own insignia. Not in remembrance of its existence, but as another reminder of the fragility of his own. Three marks for three death sentences. A small fixation, well-managed and contained.

When he finally fell asleep and awoke the next morning, the Gateway Stone was waiting. He'd been involved in the Forging, so of course he'd attend. He could bring family, but a quick update via Echo Scroll confirmed that Faith and Padraig would already be there, so he had very little else to choose from. Similarly, friends he held both an abundance and a lack of, in that all of them were animals he intended to bring regardless. In the end, as wasteful as it seemed, he took the Gateway Stone by himself. All of himself, yes, but still... just himself.

"Well, would you look at that. Glad to see you made it out in one piece," he greeted Horatio. "Telka... certainly isn't what I'd expected." Saoire hadn't seemed the type for elaborate castles like these, and flashy shows, though he had to imagine it was just put on for the special event of the day. Immortals needed to flex a little of their power here and there. Even the humble ones. "I don't need anything, thank you. Whatever cosmonauticals or whatever's waiting for me, you can tell them to find someone else." He paused, and smelled himself. "Just get me a bath." Then he smelled around himself. "Three or four baths."

Then came... perhaps the most bizarre experience he'd ever had. Riding horses, piece of cake. Even wolves, no problem. Volareons, Jacadons, Sohr Khal, creatures of all shapes and sizes he felt rather comfortable working with at this stage... but to be sat on a riding turtle that crawled slowly across the ground at a leisurely pace was a complete shift of gears. "So... well then." There were more turtles. Turtles of every element, with a special one for his own. Turtles that could balance entire castles on their backs as they walked, and turtles that walked on turtles... that walked on turtles. "We're going at a speed slightly slower than walking pace and I feel like I'm going to puke," he sighed down at the semi-intelligent reptile, looking away from their destination and spending the rest of the otherwise-pleasant trip petting Squeak for comfort, and to give his mind somewhere else to focus. The turtle, who he decided to call Stone since it'd be faster to roll him down the hill than ride him, seemed to go even slower as a result. It gave him time to soak in the sights of what could only be called the landscape of Telka. Oceans dotted with islands, like an archipelago... only each island seemed to be moving. Likely because it was a turtle. Hills in the distant rolling and quaking as if the ground was about to split them open, except with a shocked gasp he realised even those were also turtles...

Eventually they arrived, and it was time to prepare, after doing a double-take at the double of the raccoon. Forgoing nonsense like makeup and stylists and who knew what else was waiting, he opted for a simple bath... and was quite surprised to find that they accommodated all of his wolves as well, more the size of a small swimming pool that even the largest of his wolves could roll into for a thorough soaking. Just enough scent-hiding materials to remove the wet dog smell they all left behind, and a deep rinse to wash out the dirt and grime built up over a good few trials since his last dip in a stream, and Nir'wei finally took a moment to really drink in the outfit Saoire had left for him. "... She can't be serious." Most of his life, he'd been used to simple yet practical outfits, befitting physical and often dirty work. He'd never really outgrown them, even in his ascension to the Barony, wearing simple shirts and work trousers whenever possible and never batting an eye. Saoire's outfit was something much more... striking. Thick, dark trousers held up with a belt, a shirt and a doublet to accentuate it, all dark colours slashed with light around the fringes and inseams... and what looked at first like a duvet, then the beginnings of a cloak as he laboriously unravelled the lump, until Nir'wei finally realised he was staring at perhaps the thickest coat he'd ever seen. The outermost layer insulated as marbled wolf-pelt. The shape and padding so dense it stopped just short of touching his ankles when he walked, and able to be fastened around his chest and shoulders with a dark chain to keep his hands free when working.

It was all strikingly thick... but putting it on was surprisingly easy, owing to its rather simple design and lack of flamboyant tack. It was heavy, too. The coat, heaviest of all, pulling back on his shoulders to force him to stand a little straighter. He could handle it though. It felt durable and protective, even if it was just clothes. For the first time in his life he looked into a mirror and saw someone that looked... powerful. Imposing. The outfit looked every bit as heavy as it was, and Nir'wei carried it effortlessly owing to his newfound gifts. "Saoire has very good tastes." He wasn't surprised by that... just shocked that she thought so carefully about not only what he'd need for the moment, but for the future. The thick garments felt incredibly durable. He couldn't imagine what it would take to tear or stain them. "Well, my grandmother warned me if I went to Rynmere, I'd end up a noble." He glanced down to his sleeves and adjusted the cuffs, chuckling quietly to himself. "I suppose she was half-right, at least."

All of the preparations finished and nothing else to do, he descended to the ballroom. "Last time I was at one of these, it was quite the mess," he muttered to Greyhide. "All brown-nosed nobles and their silver-spoon children rushing about to find the latest floozy to grab. I can't even remember how I got an invitation, I think it was as the proxy of the Sky Lodge or something similar... all the noble types always seemed to think that riding on a Volareon made them the Seven's gift to women, and not a second-rate cavalier with a bat-cat between his legs." At some point in his conversation he was drawn to his seat by attendants, who not only had seats for himself but pillows to set out for his wolves as well, giving them perfect places to sit and lie down around his feet and behind his chair. "I wish I could remember his name, but some of those lads, I knocked them from those things like they were flies, y'know... they couldn't stand a commoner doing such a thing, until they realised there was only one person to teach them to ride their precious mounts."

[Ralgar Warborn]

"You deserve to come as much as I do" Ralgar nodded to the translator that had come with him on his journeys through Scaltoth, after the two had remembered all that happened. Both found eachother immediately in the settlement when they remembered, doing their own thing until the memories had come back to them. It was strange to forget such a thing, but he assumed such things came with working alongside powers like the Immortals. It wasn't something he was going to question or complain about. After all that had happened in the event, all the intense moments, perhaps it was necessary to keep those memories separate until time was ready to catch up. Being part of the forging came with risks beyond just those trials, he thought. Hence his invite to this place.

As the two men made their way to their travel, on the back of a giant turtle, Ralgar started questioning if he was in the right place for a tribesman like himself. Scaltoth was a different environment to this, with different people and experiences. While he wasn't afraid of adventures at all, the Deathkissed found himself out of his comfort zone every time he was involved with Immortals like these ones, let alone when taken on the back of a giant turtle to a castle that was also on the back of the said turtle.

Despite it, however, Ralgar and his translator decided to name the creature Vind. "I think he likes us" he chuckled to his friend, as they finally arrived at the giant castle. In front of them, the Cadouri that had greeted them earlier stood and gave another introduction, as well as a set of rules that Ralgar understood thanks to his translator. No weapons made sense, and thankfully the two men had left theirs behind, deciding that they wouldn't need it for a night of celebration. That was, after all, what they were here for.

Heading to the room he was given alone, Ralgar found an outfit that fit him perfectly, a tribal fur with a nice texture and still leaving the proud tattoos he wore on display. It was tribal, but more formal than he would usually wear. Yet he found himself touched by the gift, especially after he had been told he could keep it. While he missed Scaltoth already, he couldn't deny the feeling of luxury this place already gave him. It was comforting and perhaps a break he deserved from the harsh reality of Scaltoth.

Finally, he made his way down to the ballroom, being shown to a seat next to his translator and nodding his head in thanks, both wearing tribal clothing that somehow seemed formal.

~~Haltunga~~ Common~~

[Gennadiya Arishina]

“I have been and still am
a seeker, but I have ceased to
question stars and books;
I have begun to listen to
the teaching my blood
whispers to me.”

― Hermann Hesse

Gennadiya Lyosha

Saiore’s Hero’s
Ymiden

Gennadiya had expected something to happen when Xander went to Scalvoris. A dream like that didn’t randomly happen. So it was that she wasn’t to surprised when he suddenly remembered what had occurred.

She was surprised that the Immortal Saiore was inviting all those who were there to a feast but she was pleased when Xander informed her that she was invited to come with him. So it was that Gennadiya asked her father if he could look after girls while they were gone. Stood by Xander and the girl as they prepared to leave for the evening and where ever this feast was. Genna gave each of the girls a gentle smile as they prepared to depart and then she looked at her father and asked. “Will you be okay?”

Her father gave her a humoring smile and he said. “I raised two daughter on my own. I can handle watching the girls for an evening.” The platinum blond hair man looked around with out much worry. He looked over at Xander and said “Don’t worry about the girls. And enjoy your self this evening.” Genna was aware that her father didn’t exactly understand where they were going. He still lived in a world where people didn’t really interact with Immortals and people with magic where rare. The healer didn’t feel any need to change his mind or bring him into this world. He was happy just doing what he did on a day to day.

While things were wrapping up her father pulled her aside and handed her a box. She raised an eyebrow but took the box and lifted the lid. Inside was a gold chain with little flowers inlaid with colored crystals. Genna recognized it as a chain to braid through her hair. She also recognized her fathers work. She smiled and kissed him on the check. He smiled and gave her a hug.

She join Xander then and taking his arm smiled and said. “I am ready.”

It was a strange experience to suddenly find themselves some where different. Genna had been to an Immortals domain before but this was different. It wasn’t a graveyard which helped with the different feel. Genna’s sapphire eyes shown brightly as she grinned at the spectacle before them and the taking Xander’s arm. “It is beautiful.” She said and then turned to raccoon who was treating them. Genna tilted her head and listened as the Horatio welcomed them. “It is nice to meet you as well Horatio. I am Gennadiya and this Xander.” Genna herself shook her head that she didn’t need any refreshments but gave Xander a look that said if he wanted some to go ahead.

Genna was delighted when she saw how they would be transported. The Elemental Song Turtle was beautiful and strange at the same time. Genna approached the creature and running her hand along it she’ll said to the creature. “Thank you for carrying us.”

Finding a seat for her self her dirri made her appearance. She floated in the air just enjoying the scene. As the turtle began to move across the enchanted landscape of the Immortals Domain. Genna leaned towards Xander. “What do you think we should call the turtle? I am thinking Harmony.” She waited to see what Xander had to say.

Nayeli various tentacles began to make music. Genna grinned and then began to sing and as she sang with her dirri and as the two watched they began to see what look like shooting stars come out of the sky and give little explosions in time and in tune to the song. Genna held Xander’s hand as she continued to sing. She wasn’t highly skilled but she had naturally a sweet voice. Genna didn’t feel that the journey was all that long it enjoyed the night and the sits and just sitting next to Xander and singing with her Dirri.

At the palace they were greeted once again by the raccoon Horatio. Genna smiled but kept her surprise under control. Soon the two were escorted to their rooms to prepare for the evening. Genna looked in the closet and loved the dress Saiore had there for her. It was a while later when Genna came down wearing a sleeveless dress that started out dark blue at the top and faded to a white at the bottom there were golden accent patterns over that color. It was a full skirt that just brushed the floor. Her hair was curled and gathered so it cascaded down her back with the golden chair braided through it so that colored crystals caught the light and shimmered with in her hair. Floating by her shoulder and visible for the evening was her Dirri, who’s goldenbanding also seemed to shimmer for the night. She paused to wait for Xander before being shown to her seat.

[Hart]

39th Ymiden, 721

previously

The 39th Ymiden, Hart woke with the memories of the Forging there in his mind. For long moments he didn't move, his mind going through memory after memory, moment after moment. There were a lot of memories to go through; there was a lot to remember.

When he had gone through the memories of the Forging, from the Wish to the forging itself, Hart moved. He'd been sleeping in the camp in Hopetoun, his kids were there sleeping in their bedrolls, and he moved quietly. He got to the domain bag, and got out the little hand mirror. Then he looked at the Fracturing on his chest.

He remembered the pain of the Wish; the pain of the Fracture. It had been bad pain. The Fracturing was on all of his chest now, a Fracturing of blinding light that seemed to shatter him from the chest out. Despite how the Fracturing looked and despite the bad pain he remembered, there wasn't pain.

But throughout the day Hart noticed that at times, he was out of breath. He wasn't so out of breath that he wasn't able to get through it. But he did notice.

That night Hart, Wren, and Ruari went through the gateway strone to Saoire's Domain.

arriving

One moment they were in their camp in Hopetoun; the next the wondrous doors opened before them, and they went through into Saoire's Domain. Though he was a young boy, Wren had been through "gateways" before. He'd been in one location one moment, and another the next.

Ruari, however, looked around with her eyes lit in wonder and surprise. "Oh!" she gasped, and placed her hands on her mouth in surprise. "A castle!" she said, and she and Wren ran to look at the beautiful castle in the distance.

Horatio B. Thunderbussel introduced himself, and when he had spoken Hart said, "It's lovely to meet you. I'm Hart. And these are my kids, Wren and Ruari."

"There's a castle!" Ruari said to Horatio B. Thunderbussel, like maybe he hadn't noticed it was there, and Hart smiled. "Thank you for the invitation," he said to Horatio B. Thunderbussel. "I'd like to Saoire for the invitation, as well," Hart said. "Maybe I'll get the opportunity to thank her tonight? But if not, would you thank her for me?"

traveling

The group moved to the soul turtle, and Ruari ran up to the turtle in wonder. If the soul turtle would let her, she would touch her gently on the head, lifting her nose up. "I love you turtle," Ruari said, and kissed the soul turtle gently on the nose.

"Ru," Hart smiled, and lifted the little girl up into his arms. "A turtle likes kisses," Ruari told him, and Hart kissed her on the nose. "I'm no, not a turtle!" Ruari said, but she was laughing when Hart lifted her up on the soul turtle's back.

"Horatio B. Thunderbussel," Wren said, managing to get the cadouri's entire name out in one go. "What's the turtle's name?" Wren asked him. When the cadouri answered, Wren said, "Jewel." Hart helped Wren up on Jewel's back as well, and then climbed up himself.

The soul turtle's back was surprisingly comfortable. There was a comfortable saddle, in between the bits of beautiful crystal on Jewel's back. Wren sat on Hart's one side, and Ruari sat on his other side. They pulled a blanket over their legs and Ruari laughed with wonder and delight when Jewel began to walk. Wren smiled when Ruari laughed.

It was a beautiful night in Saoire's Domain, and they waved goodbye to Horatio B. Thunderbussel. As the turtle walked toward the distant castle, jungle seemed to grow up around her, until she was walking through what seemed to be Scaltoth. To look at the jungle through the clear crystals on Jewel's back, was to view it in different perspectives.

Above them the stars glimmered, mirrored off of the beautiful crystals of Jewel's back. Looking at the mirrored stars, Hart thought that they, like the jungle, were viewed through Jewel's crystals in different perspectives. But the stars themselves were different from the ones that Hart knew.

They were very beautiful.

the castle

Horatio B. Thunderbussel was there to speak to them when they got to the castle. "We waved goodbye to you," Hart said to him. "If you'd have liked to, we would have liked for you to ride over with us on Jewel's back. It was a beautiful ride."

"Jewel," Ruari said, sad to see the soul turtle go. Hart thought she would have liked for Jewel to go with them to the feast.

Inside their room, Hart and the kids had their baths and got dressed. The clothing Saoire had given them was beautiful, like the gateway stones and the ride over to the castle.

There was a beautiful dress for Ruari, glimmering and golden, with white lace trim. The sleeves of the dress were sheer, with lace hemming in Ruari's wrists.

Wren had a white linen suit, with a white shirt with off-white lace at the collar, and a golden cravat. The suit itself was less formal than Ruari's dress; but it suited Wren well, and the touches of lace and gold dressed it up.

Hart had a blush pink suit, with a pink satin shirt that was a shade different than the suit, and leather dress shoes. The shoes were a light leather, near to gold, and went well with the kids' clothing. The toes of the shoes were stamped with a black design that went with the design of Ruari's lace, and Wren's.

Well-dressed and with a bit of time to themselves, Hart, Wren, and Ruari plopped on the bed in the room. The bed was wonderful, truly. The room was wonderful.

the feast

When it was time for the feast, they went down the stairs, shown where to go by a thoughtful cadouri. Ruari wanted to walk down the stairs herself, and so they went down slowly, one stair at a time.

The room was beautiful, and there were many people Hart knew dressed in wondrous clothing; most of them from the Forging.

Having been shown to their places, Wren looked thoughtfully at the place settings. Their napkins were embroidered with stars, so beautiful as to be from the sky. He said as much to Wren, pointing out the embroidered constellations that were different from the ones they knew.

Notes:
Wren, Ruari.

Objectives met in this post are
- 6/6 must-do objectives

• Hart was invited because he was involved in the Forging.
• Their clothing was described.
• They were at their camp, in Hopetoun.
• The soul turtle was named Jewel.
• It was a beautiful night and a lovely soul turtle ride.
• They went to their places at the tables.

- 1/5 can-do objective

• They saw Scaltoth, and the stars, on the ride over.