"My two natures had memory in common."
- 93rd of Zi'da, 716
- How each of his siblings had made it to Rharne before he had was a royal sin. If any of the Venoran children belonged in such a place, it was Andráska. Music, casual parties, drinks, and dancing~ What more did he ever ask for? Everyone was sooo.... relaxed. Since arriving he had raced around, every intent to go visit his sister, but so easily distracted by the shops and people who smiled at him. He found himself striking up conversation with those on the streets, asking for directions multiple times, but unable to stop himself from allowing detours.
So far he had visited at a few different shops – buying both a new wool coat, gray with black buttons, and a bottle of fine whiskey. He specifically wanted the youngest bottle they had, brewed that year. It was to be given as a gift to his nephew, opened when he came of age so the two could drink it together. Finally, for his sister, he bought her nothing specific but swiped a small bit of ribbon when the seamstress hadn't been looking and slipped it in his pocket. It was red and nothing extravagant, perhaps an inch in diameter, no longer than a foot. It wasn't until he was around the street corner that he pulled it from his pocket and tied it into a simple bow around his neck. The best gift always deserved a bow, after all.
Whistling, he strolled, noticing the change of houses, looking at signs to make his way into the glass quarter. A few robbed women in white approached and his head turned to watch them pass. He thought them interesting, but forced himself to focus, knowing he had been too distracted that day. His green eyes looked ahead, eyeing his destination with unmasked curiosity.
The Sky Quarter
Reaching into the pocket of his new jacket, Andráska pulled free a folded letter. It's smooth surface now had a few wrinkles, evidence of rough handling, but when he unfolded it, the handwriting was easy to decipher and elegant still. Zvezdana was here, he reminded himself, and a flutter of excitement spurred him onward. “Excuse me,” he began, stopping the nearest person, “Where are... the...” his eyes trailed to the paper, “Thunder priestesses?”
The guide, a short man with a wispy mustache, burped loudly and the smell of liquor permeated the air, “What business do you have with the priestesses?”
“Uh,” Amused, but caught off guard by the behavior, Andras waved the letter, “My sister is one. I came to meet her.”
“Hm,” he leaned his head back and hacked a great deal, spitting a glob of yellowish snot on the ground, and returned his attention to the noble, “Follow the robed women to the Cathedral. After that, just ask around, I suppose. Not sure how long she's been part of the following. Might have a knight on her hands by now.” Shrugging, the man moved along, not bothering to say goodbye.
A knight? What was he talking about? Andráska looked about, spotting another group of robbed women and as instructed, followed at a distance. Not to seem so openly... stalking them, he ducked his head and moved to the other side of the street. Just an attempt to hide in plain sight. Andráska just needed to look like he fit in, and he fixed his face with the same light expression worn by the locals, moving as though he had a definite goal in mind. The women paid him no mind, chattering among themselves and he wished he could hear their conversation. He was thankful that his clothing was not as elaborate and as colorful as both Alistair and Tristan, finding black and gray good choices when it came to being unnoticed. His boots made no noise as he moved, and he found that the bottle in his hand actually made him even more part of the scenery around him. Props and the proper outfit went a long ways in these endeavors, and together they climbed the city, to the highest point to find the structure he sought. The cathedral was lovely... stunning. He found himself coming up short, stopping in pure awe as he took in its glory. Plenty of people of all walks of life headed both towards the building and away from it, and Andras fell into line, following a couple entering. The ceilings arched and curved in smooth stone, and more than one person lowered their head to pray.
It was then he realized he was now starting to stick out, so he slipped against the wall, and for the first time in ages, Andráska Venora bowed his head and began to pray, “Ilaren,” how were you supposed to start these things, “Nice place. If you could help me find my sister, that would be great. I'll talk to you later, yeah? Oh, one more thing. Booze is great. You really did the world a solid on that one.”
His mind cleared after the prayer ended and he looked up. Sighing, he searched for a nice place to settle until his sister might show up. Surely if she was one of these priestesses, she'd be walking around the place? In the corner was a secluded area, with shadows cast by the large archways. He crept within them, settling against the wall and watching everyone who bowed their heads. Zvez had a baby now, or was about to, right? He tried to imagine her pregnant, and smiled at the mental image. His sister had always had a thin frame, imagining a bulge on her stomach was easily distracting. Leaning his back against the wall, he set the bottle at his feet and scratched at the ribbon that was beginning to irritate his neck. He crossed his arms as the soothing whispers of prayer prowled into his mind, and try as he might, Andráska Venora closed his eyes and the darkness of sleep began to creep upon him.
To ReviewersI deducted the cost of the coat, as well as the bottle of whiskey, which was the base price from Rharne's location, The Bronze Boar
