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 Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 12:15 am
Emotionally volatile? Yes, that would explain some of what seemed to be going on. Vanya still hesitated before answering. Normally, something of this personal nature, she'd prefer to discuss with the Pae whom the vision had been given to first...however, this was more than just personal business. This was something that affected both sides. And besides, given the display just now, it seemed that she wasn't trying to keep the information as secret as Vanya would normally have expected.
With a slight sigh, the Seer turned all of her attention back to Earthmother. How did one deliver such personal news to another who may also be affected by it? Yet, how could she not, as it may be important knowledge, if the spirits had willed it be shared? "I...there were a couple of scenes before the former Queen's death," Vanya admitted. She was uncomfortable with this whole situation, but it was her job afterall. "There was some implication that the former Queen, Alu, may have been involved in a relationship with a Faun," she started hesitantly. If she could have seen Earthmother's face, she'd have been looking anywhere else except there. "...that may have possibly been Arda," she added quietly with an internal cringe.
There was no possible way this could be good news.
Rais frowned, pulling back as the Queen reached for his face. He was about to repeat his insistence that he was Rais, not Arda, but something in the look she gave him seemed so pitiful, so hurt, he couldn't bring himself to say it again when it only seemed to cause her pain.
A moment later, she seemed to calm, seeming more herself again. He would have asked if she was alright, but she rose and returned to her people before he could do more than open his mouth. He paused awkwardly, then his lips set in a firm frown as he rose to his hooves again. Her behavior was puzzling...concerning even, but so were her words.
Arda, my love, I'm so sorry...
Were those Alu's words? And why would she say that? Why would she be sorry? ...why would she refer to Arda...in that way?
He wanted to say something. He wanted to go to her and comfort her. At the same time, for some reason, Turin also wanted to turn his back on this whole fiasco and dive into the sea and swim far away from here.
But the Queen's needs came before his own. They always did. In response to her slumping posture, Turin reached out to place a reassuring hand on her shoulder, also gently pulling her back towards their gathered group. "Nothing is ruined. This isn't over yet. Nothing was done that can't be forgiven. And what's important here? What's important is that you're alright. You had us all worried for a bit there, Your Majesty." He tried to offer her a smile; he managed, but it took some effort.
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 12:33 am
It was hard to catch the Faun's Earthmother off guard. She'd been around long enough to pick up on things. She'd also been around back then to know Arda and Alu personally. But a romantic relationship between the two? She thought for a moment about this news. Tried to reconnect with long lost memories, of times when she may have seen the two together for meetings or something. Could they have had an affair behind her back? But Arda's wife...
"Are you sure that's what she saw? It could have been another Faun? or maybe a situation mistaken?" Something didn't sit right with this. Connections were starting to form where they shouldn't in Earthmother's mind.
Tariel wanted to just flee and hide under the water, away from the land and all the turmoil it brings. "Let's rehydrate and revise our strategy," she suggested, as an excuse to get back into her element to recharge and hopefully feel better. She led her group down the path on the rocky slope and slipped into the water. Relief washed over her as she dipped her head under the water. She was silent at first, running through things in her mind and trying to separate out memories she knew to be hers and memories that she knew weren't. Her real memories were of a kingdom in the sea where they hunted and fought to survive against many predators. The memories of a pampered palace life were new. And she'd never take a land-walker for a lover. That was just disgusting. Oh but he was a wonderful lover. SHUT UP!
She opened up to her Court and her guards. "I think Alu's memories are powerful. Too powerful. I couldn't help myself, but I knew I was not behaving properly. It was like she took over..." she admitted, "I felt anger more powerful than I ever have. I felt ... love more powerful than I ever have." She hesitated with that last part, as her focus stopped on Turin. She flushed, and turned away. "I need to find out if the Seer can take those memories away, now."
For a moment, she wondered if the memories were even real, or planted as a way to sabotage the Naiad.
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 1:08 am
Vanya shook her head in reply, "I am sure of nothing of what we saw. A flash of beige fur and a voice. Never more than that. The voice...could have been Arda's...or it could have been someone else's," she admitted with a shrug. "While there was nothing in the vision that I could be sure of, what I can say with surety is that this is what the Queen believes," she finished, thinking of the whispered 'Arda' she had heard in the Queen's rush past her.
"Earthmother?" she paused, hesitating before continuing. "...what does this mean?"
Turin made no argument against the return to the sea. He was tempted to suggest that they keep going, not stop here, just keep swimming all the way back to the lake. He didn't voice his thoughts though, only withdrawing a short distance from the rest once they were in the water. He was keeping a lookout, of course. Yes, that would explain it.
He had stayed close enough to hear when Tariel began to speak to them all and he turned to show that he was listening. Then, somewhat wished he hadn't. He wasn't sure he wanted to hear this, to be quite honest. Powerful memories and anger were one matter, but love... He fought an internal grimace. Much has the Queen had made it clear that he was nothing more than a bodyguard to her, that didn't change the way that he felt. Much as he was starting to wish he could, if it meant this much personal torture from just being near her if situations like this were going to become common.
Gah, enough negativity, Turin. Didn't you say that you were here for her? Her needs come before your own?
Yeah, he'd said that. And it was still true. Even if it was only to give her support and keep her grounded if necessary, he'd be there...as he always had.
With a sigh, he returned to the conversation at the mention of these 'memories' again, as well as the Seer. "Your Majesty? All due respect, but...are we even sure that these memories are genuine? That this isn't exactly what the Faun were trying to accomplish?"
He was starting to sound like Sadron now. He had no idea that the Queen was having similar doubts. He was simply voicing a personal hope aloud.
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 1:23 am
"I think," Earthmother began, "this could be the reason for many things. I do need to meditate and consult the Spirits on this. I think it'd do you some good, too." She didn't want to voice what was going through her head, not yet anyway. Not until she knew for certain. "What I do know is the Queen is confused and we must help her understand what she saw so she doesn't jump to any false conclusions."
Turin was not quite acting like himself, and she wondered if she'd done something to him while she wasn't herself, or worse, while she was experiencing visions. "I ... can't say the thought didn't cross my mind." she admitted to him.
She looked up towards the cliffs edge, deep in thought before speaking finally. "I think... I think we should give them the benefit of the doubt. They wanted peace, they preached peace, and we were the ones to jump to our weapons first and they didn't, not even in defense. I say we try once more. Any other signs of foul play and we leave."
Before she started back towards the path, she paused and looked over her shoulder at her Captain. "Turin, are you alright?"
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 1:52 am
Vanya nodded solemnly, taking the advice to heart. "Of course, Earthmother." Noting the absence of the blue auras, she added, "At least, if she allows us to do so." She sighed softly, her head hanging as she rubbed one hand over another. Ugh, every time she thought she might be getting used to this job...maybe she was just really bad at it. She thought she'd understood the spirits, at least, their intentions and willingness to help those who sought them out.
Yet, lately, it seemed everyone she tried to help only received the worst possible visions from the spirits.
Mildly surprised by the Queen's admission to similar thoughts, Turin did his best to hide his reaction, only nodding sagely like a good adviser should. He didn't need to add that he hoped it might be the truth...afterall, what did that imply? That he'd rather their potential allies not be trusted, that he'd rather they be deceitful rather than accept something that had happened long ago, in another life?
Yeah, that seemed logical. Maybe he should stop giving advice for a while.
Still, Tariel had a point. Even when the Naiads had threatened violence, the Faun had made no move to reach for weapons or make any move to answer in kind. At least...aside from that slight tremor of the ground he swore he'd felt at one point...
Remaining quiet, he turned to follow and was surprised at being addressed directly. Not only that, but being questioned about his welfare. It wasn't that Tariel didn't care about her Court, far from it; it just seemed...odd...for the current situation to focus on him rather than on herself. He must really be slipping if she'd noticed.
He swam closer, putting on a reassuring smile? "Me? I'm fine, Your Majesty. Well, mostly," he admitted, shrugging and reaching up to shove a drifting lock of hair out of his face. He wouldn't be fine...but she didn't need to know ALL the reasons why not. The answer he'd give would be true enough. He reached for her hand, holding it in both of his. "It's just...well...are you sure that you're alright? You gave us quite a scare up there." He paused, then voiced a legitimate concern with a frown. "I didn't hurt you too badly did I? I'm sorry if I did, it's just...I...well, we...there wasn't much else to be done..." he trailed off, staring down at their hands. It had been his only choice, much as he hated to think he might have hurt her, it had terrified him more to think he might have lost her if he hadn't done something.
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 2:10 am
Earthmother put a reassuring hand on Vanya's shoulder. "Indeed. But I think she will. We live in turbulent times. We need to hasten our efforts to prepare and ensure the Naiad are allied. Its important for our future." The latter part of her statement she said loud enough hoping her son heard it.
She offered to lead Vanya back towards her seat at the table to wait for the Naiad to return.
Tariel looked at her hand in Turin's, even if it was only a platonic display of reassurance, it helped remind her of who she was, and that her memories are not of Arda, but a much more loyal and faithful Naiad. Alu can kiss my tail. "You didn't hurt me. You saved my life. I owe you a life debt, Turin. I owe you a dozen at least by now. But you seemed to have not fared so well, so I thought maybe something was in the drink or food, or they had done something to you while I was not conscience. Though, Itsaso and Anatolio seemed to have faired far better than us. And Aeroniel, as usual, escapes every situation unscathed." She gave a wink to her Lady in Waiting before turning her attention back to her Captain.
She gave Turin a small smile and then continued back up on the small beach to gain her legs. It was always a weird experience for her, and this time she was glad to not have a stranger watch. She got up to her feet, a moment after her fins had transformed into them. She inhaled sharply, taking in the sea air, and held it before heading up the path again. Slowly exhaling, imagining all the negative juju leaving her body (along with Alu's memories, she hoped).
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 2:50 am
Vanya placed her hand over Earthmother's on her shoulder, appreciating the nature of the gesture. "So much depends on our efforts today," she agreed quietly. She took the offered arm for assistance back to the table, resuming her seat to wait patiently, meditating quietly to return to a centered calm before they began again.
Rais had moved to the edge of the cliff, staring out over the water while trying to collect his own thoughts. The Queen hadn't been the only one disturbed by her vision, though she had of course had the worst time of it. So many questions remained. Should he try to inquire about what she had seen when she returned? Or was that likely to upset her and derail the discussion once more? Should they return instead to earlier matters, matters of the Isle as a whole, not necessarily their pasts, but their futures instead?
Spirits, please guide me.
His eyes were closed as the faunesses finished their own conversation and turned towards the table again. He'd caught the end of their exchange, suspecting with a glance towards his mother that she'd meant him to. He certainly hadn't heard any of the rest of it. He gave her a brief nod, delaying only a moment before he too followed.
Smiling came a bit easier at her answer and Turin chuckled and bowed his head respectfully. "And you have saved mine before as well. But, lets not start keeping score now, Tari." He allowed her to lead the way, following her back onto land with the help of his spear. He made sure the others were ready to go as well, then started up the path towards the meeting area. He made no move to attempt to escort the Queen, as he would have the first time, allowing her to lead them alone. This was something she probably felt she needed to do alone. After that display above earlier, maybe returning at the lead of her entourage, calm and composed once more, would help cover for some of the damage done.
Not that he was more than a step or two behind her anyway.
Rais glanced up as the Naiad company appeared over the cliff, breathing a sigh of relief. He'd started to worry that they wouldn't return at all. "Welcome back. Please, be seated when you're ready. I am unsure where we should begin. We can pick up where we left off," he said warily, "or if it would be better to take some time before returning to that, I'd like to resume an earlier discussion: the strange events on the Isle as of late. I leave the decision to you, Queen Tariel."
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 3:11 am
Tariel bowed to Rais, making certain to not make eye contact. "Thank you for your patience. I apologize for the outburst. I was not expecting those results and they caught me off guard." And that would be the only apology she offered for her actions, because she felt they were to blame just as much as she.
She took her seat, sitting down carefully and also avoiding eye contact for the time being with the rest of the faun. After her court resumed their positions, she acknowledged Rais' statement. "I'd actually like to start by asking what it was exactly that happened. I thought the vision was to show me of the past so I could learn more of the Naiad history. All I saw was a love-sick girl, guards talking of suspicious blood pae activity complete with them swarming the lake, and then a flood of emotion as I saw a spear pierce through my chest from the back." She decided to skim over the voyeurism and presumably Arda chasing a peeper away post-coitus.
"I want to see more." She said, surprising herself in the process. "I want to know what the Angels and Demons were doing over the lake. I want to know what happened after being impaled by a spear. I want to know who did it. I want to know more about the war." Her tone was assertive, but inside, she trembled at the thought of actually seeing the things she was asking for.
"And afterwards, I'd like to discuss how the past relates to the future and bizarre happenings. Tua has informed me that it may be related... the violent and deformed fish, the cursed marsh and the attack by the young angels and demons."
During her speech, she had found Turin's hand under the table once more, clinging for support.
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 3:22 pm
Itsaso had remained on guard for the rest of the confrontation, ever-vigilant and ready to go on the offensive. Her eyes were wide, her fins flared, and her knuckles white from gripping her spear. Even if she'd felt the need to calm down and back off, she couldn't have. Not now--it was too late and her power had activated. It was all she could do to keep from seeing red and losing all control. Ready as she was to let these tree-creatures taste the salt on her spear, Itsaso was aware that this was to be a diplomatic meeting.
She nearly passed out when she heard they were going back to the water. Tempted to do a swan dive off the cliff like Anatolio had earlier, Itsaso follows the party back down to the ocean. She keeps herself in check, at least until she plunges into the cold, clear water. She groans with relief, the water cooling her power. She feels normal again.
At least until the Queen had announced that they'd be giving it a second shot. She's definitely not ready to leave the sea, but her duty was with the Queen.
Toli was...mostly too stunned to do anything as he watched Queen Tariel's reaction to everything. The situation had been so very tense...it looked for a while like they might have war on their hands. Something that Toli wasn't ready for. He might never be ready to do any actual fighting. Still, he had mimicked Itsaso's stance, although he couldn't muster up the same crazed expression she wore. He'd breathed a huge sigh of relief when the situation had diffused and...wait what? Did the Queen just call the Faun leader her...love?
Toli can't help looking, dumbfounded, at his father. He knows his father tries to keep his feelings for the Queen a secret, but Toli had seen how he looks at her, and how long it had been since he'd looked at Toli's mother that way. He might be secretive about it, but Toli knew just the same. Those words must have cut deeply, but while everyone else's decorum had deteriorated, Anatolio decides to keep his thoughts to himself, and perhaps preserve his father's dignity by not mentioning it.
Following the group down to the water, his attention turns to Itsaso, who appeared to be shaking. He knew better than to provoke her in this...state...whatever it was...so he, again, keeps his thoughts to himself. His thoughts are confirmed, however, when they hit the water and Itsaso makes a noise almost like a person making love. He almost chuckles. She definitely wasn't used to spending time on land.
"You okay?" he asks when she looked relatively normal again.
"I'm fine," responds Itsaso gruffly, still trying to shake what felt like fragility.
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 6:55 pm
Having heard nothing yet from either his Seer, or the Queen aside from her earlier outburst regarding the contents of the vision, Rais frowned and folded his hands on the table, listening carefully. He wasn't even going to touch on the 'love-sick girl' comment, instead taking special interest in what she said after that. "Suspicious Blood Pae activity? No details other than that? This could be important," he mused quietly, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"I think we'd all like to know exactly what the Blood Pae were doing at that point. But, as for the events that followed..." his expression softened in what may have been pity. "A spear? That...could answer some questions...but raises others." Struck from the back, suddenly without warning...first instinct was to point to assassination. But...how? "Wait...were you in the palace at the time?" How could the Blood Pae have gotten to the Queen if she was in the safety of her own stronghold?
Vanya, calmed by her meditations preceding the continuation of the meeting, lifted her hand before interrupting. "Your Majesty, I apologize if there was some misunderstanding. The point of the exercise was to help you connect to Queen Alu's memories of her life. We had hoped that what you saw would be something applicable to our discussion, that it would help you understand more of the past. There was no guarantee, however."
She folded her hands on the table. "The connection to our past lives is very difficult to establish at first. It is like a door that hasn't been opened in a very, very long time. The door is stuck, possibly damaged, and sometimes it takes some help to push it open for the first time. After that, each successful use is like making a small repair to the door each time. Each time after that, it gets easier and easier, so that soon, you can access the memories on the other side as easily as your own. Well, in theory," she finished hesitantly. Even with all the work she'd done thus far, she wasn't anywhere near that point yet. She wasn't sure any of the others in the Circle were either.
"Meditation is a good way to attempt to commune with the spirits, but another way your own past life may reach out to you is through dreams. Of course, that method is a bit more passive," she acknowledged. She frowned now, realizing what it was the Queen was asking for, and weighing her words carefully before answering. "While I understand that you have questions that you want answered, I'm not sure it's the best idea to try again so soon. True, it would be beneficial to learn what the Blood Pae'il were doing as referenced in your vision, but that is only one thing we could hope to learn, and--"
"Queen Tariel! With all due respect, I have to object to this proposition!"
Though the objection had been strong, the Naiad Captain immediately regretted his timing, seeming to wither at the glare he received from the interrupted Seer. Maybe she wasn't really blind like he'd suspected...
"Err...my apologies for the interruption," he said sheepishly to the Faun Seer, then turning to the Queen at his side. He'd felt her reach for his hand earlier, feeling the shaking before she'd gripped his fingers tightly. With as much as she'd been shaken by the earlier vision, he'd been shocked to hear her ask to try such a thing again. Of course, he knew she'd have to try again eventually, but right now? So soon? He couldn't let her try that, not after what had just happened. He squeezed her hand beneath the table, explaining, "You have us to support and advise you on important matters, and I must speak up and say that I do not believe this to be the best course of action at this point, Your Highness."
Vanya silently lifted an eyebrow in a mixture of disbelief...and interest. The Captain's objection sounded legitimate, if not the most well-timed. Still, she couldn't help but wonder if there was something more to it.
Putting that aside, she cleared her throat loudly, letting a bit of atypical irritation slip into her tone. "...as I was just saying before being interrupted, I do not believe this to be the wisest course either at this time. The first true connection is an exhausting, draining process in the best case, which is nothing to say of what you experienced, Queen Tariel. As for the other questions you hold, all you are accessing is Alu's memories of events, so anything after...her death," she said carefully, "is not going to be able to be reached by you either. You only have access to the things that she experienced personally."
Pausing, the Seer seemed to stare at...no, through the Naiad Captain before speaking again. "...of course, there may be other options..."
"If it will help, I could try instead," Turin responded without hesitation. The only doubt he held was not in his decision to do this...but whether it would even work. Apparently, he wasn't the only one to doubt, as the Seer seemed to turn a questioning expression towards the Earthmother on the other side of Chieftain Rais.
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 7:36 pm
Sitting straight, trying her best to maintain decorum, Tariel addressed each topic and question as they presented themselves. The chief was more concerned with the suspicious aspects of her dream, not wanting to deal with the personal. Understandable. He had no vested interest in the Naiad and their personal lives; now or in the past after all. If that will help you sleep at night, keep telling yourself that. "It was brief and I couldn't interact. I was a spectator. Two Naiad guards were chatting about what the Angels and Demons could be up to, because they were swarming over the lake's surface. That's all I heard and saw on that."
Tariel waited a moment, recounting the vision from the palace, and thought on how to deliver that information without revealing the personal aspect. Maybe that would be important? Or maybe he'd look at her with pity and disgust again? She shook the thought, not caring what he'd think. Sure you do. Shut up! "I was inside Alu's head, at least I think. She was reflecting while watching the Water element in the throne room. There was nothing to warn me, err, her, except a slight vibration in the water of someone approaching, but there was no intuitive feeling of danger approaching. The throne room is a safe place." She stopped and considered a thought that popped up in her head. "Was Alu killed by one of her own?" A flash of horror crossed her face as she immediately considered what that mean for her today.
Not liking Vanya's answer, Tariel grumped a bit and rolled her eyes. "I would like to know what happened. I understand that I can only access Alu's memories, but I can't even see things outside of her, like I had with her memories of ..." she glanced at Rais momentarily before answering, "... Arda?" She refused to believe she couldn't see more. But then Turin objected, too.
She trusted Turin's assessments one hundred percent. He's never been wrong when it comes to assessing danger. But this time, she so badly wanted to say he was wrong, and that this was okay to do. The exchange between her Captain and Vanya gave her a chance to consider an alternative, as Turin suggested. "What if Turin witnesses his own death too? He'll die in the waking world? I can't have that." She looked to Turin, pleading. "Is there a way to guarantee safety?" She felt dumb asking that, because it should have been asked prior to her going into a vision. "No, no. I think I should be the one. Not Turin."
She looked to Vanya, and then to Earthmother. "Just once more? I think knowing what happened could help us understand the past better for preparing for the future. Like that prophecy said."
Earthmother slowly shook her head. "Dear, you need to rest. Your soul just went through a traumatic experience. I would advise some rest before doing that again. Visions are not to be taken lightly. What Lady Vanya says is true. I also do not believe you'll learn more at this time. Alu simply wasn't present for any of the events that led up to the w--" she stopped abruptly. Alu's death did cause a lot of heartbreak and a ripple effect across the whole nation of Telrunya, but it had never occurred to her that perhaps the former Queen's death was the catalyst that eventually started the war, not just the Naiads annihilation. Everypae had wondered how the Naiads were caught so off guard... maybe ... now the Earthmother was eager to learn more herself of the events that occurred in the palace throne room at the bottom of the lake. But she mustn't push it. She'd let Vanya know after the meeting that they need to ask the spirits for the answers.
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 8:41 pm
After listening to the exchanges across the table, Rais leaned forward with a grim frown. "I would advise against jumping to conclusions, however...with the information that we have been given today, I'm afraid that the possibility that Queen Alu was betrayed by one of her own is a thought that we must consider." It was a dark assumption to make...and yet, in a way, it made sense and would go lengths to explain how the Naiads had been taken out so quickly. If their Queen fell...
Vanya flicked an ear curiously in Earthmother's direction as she halted mid-sentence. A problem? Or a sudden realization? Frowning, she wasn't sure she could ask just yet, instead turning back to the Naiads. "I'm afraid, that as we've seen, we can promise nothing when dealing with the spirits. However, if you are to make contact with your past, perhaps it would be best done here in present company rather than later. The choice is ultimately yours, of course."
Turin nodded mutely in consideration. Granted, it felt like treason to insist upon doing do against his Queen's orders, but...what choice was there? He wasn't going to allow her to attempt it again in her condition. And if she really wanted answers...
Besides, he had a somewhat selfish reason for wanting to do this. If he was really supposed to be here with her, at her side, as one of these reborn heroes of old, as Tua had said they were, then shouldn't he be able to do this? And if he couldn't, well...maybe that was an answer of another type.
She seemed so concerned about his well-being, when she'd given not a second thought to her own previously, it gave him pause. He glanced aside at her, as if to read something beyond the expression on her face. Then, he gave her a sad smile and a shrug. "You heard them, Your Highness. Best you take a rest. So, if you want answers, looks like it's going to be me, or else we drop this completely for now."
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 8:58 pm
Even though it wasn't known exactly, the evidence did point to an assassination of the past Queen. Not only that, but betrayed by one of her own. Knowing this, she suddenly suspected that anyone could be reborn as her past assassin. But would that mean they'd kill her again, or just the circumstances of the past that caused it. Without knowing who it was made it hard to make those assumptions.
And what bearing did that information have for today? To not let your guard down and keep a close watch on those beady-eyed Blood Angels and their evil ways.
Earthmother stopping mid-sentence caught Tariel's attention. What was she going to say? What was she thinking? It drove her nuts about how much information was held back. She gritted her teeth and stared at the Earthmother. "Please continue your thought, Earthmother."
"Not important right now, Dear." And she smiled at the Queen before folding her hands together on the table in front of her.
Tariel was getting irritated with that old bat. She hefted a very obviously annoyed sigh and considered if Turin could get a vision, it might be more helpful than EM was willing to be. They saved her life after the vision, could they save his too? She turned to look at him. "If you are really prepared to do this, knowing the consequences and having witnessed them, then I will give my blessing. It could help us with the answers we seek." Oh how it pained her to say that. Blessing to tempt death.
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 11:26 pm
Squeezing her hand in answer, Turin nodded. "Yes, I am." He was all too aware of the risk he was taking. The first risk was whether he even could do this. That risk was the knowledge that if he couldn't, maybe he shouldn't even be here at all. If he made it past that, then he'd worry about the other risk. Besides, what chance was there that the vision offered would be of his own past life's death if he managed to connect to it?
Probably pretty good, given the way things have gone here today.
Encouraging.
Lifting her hand, he gave it a chaste kiss then aimed what he hoped was a reassuring smile at her. "Besides, if something does happen, you'll return the favor, right?" Trying not to fixate on the thought, he released her hand to turn.
Vanya wasn't entirely comfortable with attempting this again; but if they were being insistent, well...better it be attempted here with help than elsewhere on one's own. She was still a bit confused by the strength of the Queen's Court's auras in comparison with the Faun Circle. They seemed...well, dull in comparison. Were these really her previous Court reborn? She had little doubt at this point that Queen Tariel was in fact Queen Alu returned, given the evidence, but of the others, she could not say.
In fact, if not for a suspicion she was about to verify, she may not have tried this at all. The blind Seer had made her way around the table once more, collecting the things that had been scattered in the chaos. She set up next to the Naiad Captain this time, making the same preparations, lighting the incense and taking an empty chair for herself.
"Before we start," she said, setting the incense on the plate where it began smoldering, "I have a question." This was no time for subtlety, so she was direct. "Earlier, when I was doing the Queen's reading...you were affected as well, weren't you? What did you see?"
Turin blinked, taken aback. She'd known? How? He wasn't even sure what he'd seen, if anything. He'd still wondered if he'd imagined anything at all. "I err...think I saw something? It wasn't clear...like looking though a haze from far away. I'd only get a flicker now and then...I think I heard a name once, though I didn't recognize it..." Hopefully, Tariel wouldn't think he'd been trying to spy or anything.
"But you saw something. And when the Queen was attacked? You saw that? From her point of view?"
Turin frowned. What he had seen hadn't made much sense at the time, but in light of what Tariel had related, the strange flashes of images made some sort of sense. "Yes, I think so. But..." he thought back, the flash of movement, the red clouding his vision before the excruciating pain had dragged him from the dream-like state. "No, not from her point of view. Too far away..."
Vanya raised an eyebrow at this. "Really now...? Interesting." She paused for a moment, as if debating something in her head, then seemed to decide to continue. "Captain Turin," she began, using his title out of respect. "What you've volunteered for is not to be taken lightly, as you well know. Your task may even be more difficult than the Queen's. She at least knew who she was trying to connect to. Unless there is something you haven't mentioned, you do not. However, I think we may have a hint here. I want you to focus on that moment. That moment, that place, that view that you saw before. I know it's not much, but it will give us some direction to try to follow..." The smoke from the incense had already surrounded the two by this point, Vanya's words rising and falling in a rhythmic fashion. "You made some sort of connection before, if only a brush with it. Let's try to connect to that again...relax, take deep breaths, and reach for it..." With that the Seer laid her fingertips on the Naiad Captain's temples, continuing to murmur in quiet, soothing tones.
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Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 12:02 am
Tariel lifted an eyebrow at the confession that Turin was along for the ride with her vision. She wondered how that was even possible. A glimpse of his hand triggered the idea that maybe holding hands what how he was pulled into her vision. And he shared that pain? She knew it had been brought up, but the weight of that just sank in.
But given the information that could be gleaned from Turin's point of view, a big part of her wanted to grab his hand and peek at his memories. While he confessed to barely understanding or seeing anything, she still had to wonder. He seemed distant in the water. Could he have felt the feelings Alu felt for Arda? She felt incredibly guilty, but didn't understand why. She's not Alu, and she's had many a fling in the palace before. Some she's sure Turin knew about. Why did this make such a difference now?
She watched carefully, having to keep a hold of her own hands to keep from grabbing his and jumping into his vision. As if that's how it worked. She didn't know. She absently wondered if she looked as silly with her eyes closed while getting a massage from the Seer. She did ready, knowing she'd need to do chest compressions if he fell over at all.
She chanced a glance towards the other present members of the Circle, each one so dignified and set with their role. They made her Court look like some rag-tag group of hooligans. That was when she noticed they all had different types of antlers and she wondered what that was all about. She mentally noted to ask. Her eyes eventually settled on Rais, and she was going to look away again, but she didn't. She watched him for signs that this might be a plot, but all she could think about was Arda and how Alu felt such passion for him. She didn't even want to think how that worked, and she was glad to not have peeked in the river during the vision. Still, she couldn't deny that certain feelings stirred whenever she looked at Rais, so she averted her gaze after safely assuming he was just going to sit there and watch.
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