The first to arrive at the arranged location, Rais glanced around the sacred grounds with an air of calm. In reality, he was struggling to reign in anxious energy without entirely knowing why. The spirits seemed in conflict as well. Hopefully this meeting would calm at least two of the elements so that they could start working in harmony. And perhaps, so they could start investigating the cause of aggitation of the other three elements.
This would be an important landmark occassion for both peoples; he hoped it would be a positive one.
Rais' Circle would not be far behind their leader, and the Naiad representatives were expected at any time. The Chieftain wanted to make sure that everything was prepared. The area had been swept of fallen leaves and debris, the normal log and rock seating spread to make room in the center. To accommodate other guests, a more common type of seating was prepared for this meeting. A massive wooden table had been brought to the meeting circle, rectangular and easily long enough to seat twenty or more, given the number of chairs set around it. While this was a serious meeting, the Faun were not poor hosts and some basic refreshments were set, hopefully accomodating the palettes of all. Jugs of water and wooden cups sat at every seat, and bowls of fresh vegetables and fruits from the Faun's harvest lay in open invitation for the guests to come.
((The Inner Circle/Court will be present at this meeting, as well as any other characters listed below we have invited to take part in other roles, to facilitate the first official contact between the leadership of the Faun and the Naiad to begin building trust and coordinating an alliance. It is assumed that all active members will be present and their players will have a short time to 'report in' before they are either assumed present or absent, depending on their past activity status and we will proceed with the RP. This is the final chance that some inactive members have to rejoin the RP before their positions will be filled by other characters in the future.
Faun representatives may arrive at any time. The Naiad scouts played by Menelie will come first, leading the way for the rest of the Naiad Court. Belvah is not needed yet, but will be called for later in this RP.))
Teigra
Chieftain Rais | Vanya | Captain Turin
Antidia
Earthmother | Queen Tariel
Seruta
Mo
Shicala
Gulliver
JacobsLadderStitch
Alistair
Seiana_ZI
Aeroniel
HelMel
Sadron
Menelie
Itsaso | Anatolio
Dementia Requiem Asumi
Belvah
Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 10:26 pm
Mo wasn't far behind Rais. In fact, he was pretty much in step with him, if only a few measly feet behind. His golden eyes flashed over everything, checking to be sure everything was ready behind Rais's approving glances. For the moment though, he kept quiet. He didn't want to say or do anything out of line for such a momentous and deeply important occasion.
He stepped to the side for the time being. His gaze resting on where the Naiads would begin entering. With his thoughts hopeful on this being a calm and pleasant gathering, he set his mind into eagerly awaiting to see some familiar (and even new!) faces entering the sacred grounds. He hoped to at least see the Captain's presence as he was Mo's only real encounter with the Naiad race. And thus, probably the only Naiad he'd recognize... Unless Moana was there, but something told Mo that she wasn't quite that high up to be invited to such an important meeting.
He sighed softly and gently flared his nares, hoping to catch a whiff of who all would be arriving and when. Funny thing about sea side cliff shores, though... the breeze was strong, and the smell of sea water overpowered everything. He frowned a bit then looked over to Rais. How any faun can have so much on his shoulders at once and continuously retain his composure, Mo was uncertain.
"How are you feeling, Brother?" he asked with a slight tilt of his head, hoping to break the silence with idle chit chat while they waited for the others to arrive.
Gulliver too was not far behind Rais and Mo. He had his rangers out doing their daily routine and did not feel the need for them right at this location yet. There would be plenty of power here with all of the chieftain's inner circle present. He stepped into the sacred grounds and stopped to look at how the area was set up.
Gulliver knew the importance of this meeting, and he hoped to the spirits that it went just as anticipated. The male fell in beside Mo and Rais as they waited for all the others to arrive "Hello brothers, this day finds you both well I hope" he greeted them both with a small nod of respect.
Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 10:03 am
Anatolio swims side-by-side with Itsaso, his scouting partner. They'd said close to nothing to each other on their whole journey. Itsaso had always unsettled the young Naiad, especially since their last training mission during the hurricane. She'd been...unreal.
But still, the silence was beginning to grate on him. "Strange that Commander Sadron isn't here with us, especially for something so important," he says, glancing over at Itsaso for her response.
"I'm sure he'll be here later," answers Itsaso, wondering for the thousandth time why she'd been partnered with this...child. Although if her information was correct, he'd recently become a father, so perhaps he'd be a little more responsible. Time would tell.
Itsaso's eyes scan the water as they near the meeting location. Commander Sadron was to act as a member of the Queen's Court in this meeting, not a mere Hunter. That was why she and Anatolio were to scout ahead.
"Mm," agrees Toli, turning his gaze back to the waters ahead of them. "There's Fauns already there," he says, stopping suddenly, as figures come into view. He'd expected to be the first ones there. He looks over at Itsaso.
"Don't pay attention to them. I'll stay here and scout for traps in the water. You go up there and look around on land. Be polite but curt." Itsaso's land legs are incredibly wobbly; she doesn't want anyone to see her weakness, least of all the land Pae. "I don't trust land Pae at the best of times," she says. "These earthy types seem shifty to me." After all, hadn't it been Commander Sadron who first suspected the Faun of warmongering? She trusts his instincts.
"Wouldn't it be safer to go together?" asks Toli, glancing nervously over at the strange hoofed Pae.
"Just do what I say!" hisses Itsaso, fins flaring.
Vaguely terrified of what Itsaso was capable of, Toli nods quickly and starts off toward the cliffs. As he nears the shore the now-familiar sensation of his tail splitting off into legs leaves him clawing at the sand to pull himself onto the beach. "This part's the worst," he mutters breathlessly. He flops onto the sand, panting for a minute before he gets up and gets a feel for his land legs again. It had been a while since his last visit to the shore, but it seems like it gets easier every time.
Fruitlessly trying to brush the sand off of his wet body, he begins to climb the path to the meeting place. He isn't feeling any kind of foreboding sense so far, though that's always been his father's talent. Trying to ignore the Faun already gathered, he explores the meeting space. There are simple accommodations; chairs and logs to sit on, with a table in the middle. He winds his way around the edges of the space, trying to detect any signs of foul play. He finds none, and as he looks over the cliff at the water below, he realizes that should anything go awry, the Naiads were mere steps away from being able to dive back into their element.
Glancing back toward the Faun already gathered, he can't resist a little showmanship. He grins, then does a swan dive off the cliffs, back into the water. It stings a little when he hits the water's surface, but it had been totally worth it. Glad to have a tail again, he swims around to find Itsaso to report back.
"That. is. disgusting," says Itsaso to herself as she watches Anatolio's tail split grotesquely into legs. What an awful business.
For her part, she swims around the base of the cliffs, looking for anything that would impede the Naiads' safe return to their home. She's not sure whether she's relieved or disappointed when she finds nothing.
And then the fool Anatolio had splashed down nearby, and she'd nearly went betta on him. "WHAT. were you THINKING?" she demands.
"Just making sure that the Queen and her Court can make a safe getaway if things go sideways up there," says Toli with a cheeky grin. He feels refreshed, energized, ready to go.
"Fine. Let's report back to the others. They're waiting on us." The two of them swim off toward the place where the Queen and her attendants were waiting.
It was hard not to be a suspicious type when she heard, saw, felt the thoughts of those around her like a constant show, leaving her with a clear window into what people were truly like. It made her lose a lot of faith in other Pae'il in general, but then, it could be argued there was not much faith within her to begin with--unless their name was Queen Tariel, or something of a similar vein.
And she trusted those of the Court well enough, too. They probably knew that if they tried anything, Aeroniel would likely send Turin after them ... or tear their fins from their heads herself. It was fair to say she trusted Anatolio's and Itsaso's judgments, too. Anatolio was enthusiastic and seemed, for the most part, eager to please and show off. Itsaso... she may have been more guarded than Aeroniel was, but she could tell her intentions were, at the least, in the correct location. That was the important part.
Her tail swished back and forth, Aeroniel keeping herself steady in the water.
These faun ... while she agreed that Sadron was being a little ridiculous, perhaps there was something to the ridiculous things he was saying. Aeroniel had never personally interacted with the faun, so she had no real judgments to cast on them for her own part. She had not ... felt their consciousnesses yet, did not truly know anything about their people or their beliefs or their opinions or their day-to-day or what they valued. She couldn't make a proper evaluation until she did, and ... perhaps this would help that.
Her eyes flickered over to the nearby Tariel, offering a small smile if Tariel managed to look in her direction. It was ... nice to have the queen back, even if a part of her mourned the loss of her temporary throne. She was quite powerful as Tariel's right hand... but sometimes she wondered what it would be like to have more than that. It was selfish, and Aeroniel would never speak it aloud, but--
Oh, good, the duo was returning.
Instead of speaking their thoughts for them, Aeroniel beckoned, waving her arm above her before beckoning to herself.
"I take it all observation went well? You do not seem to be concerned."
Some part of her couldn't help hinting that she knew the answer already.
Posted: Mon Sep 02, 2013 4:12 pm
The Queen of the Naiads waited just under the surface of the water with her entourage. As she awaited the all-clear from her scouts, she couldn't help but scour the area in hopes of seeing a certain former Captain of the Hunters. Hopefully he's hidden himself and is here.
Captain Turin was at her side, along with Lady Aeroniel. It felt awkward floating beside Turin considering they haven't really talked much since being rescued from their harrowing ordeal at sea. She glanced at his scars, and sighed inwardly.
Aeroniel's voice brought her out of her reverie and she straightened up, resolving to keep her mind on the task at hand; an alliance with Earth. She remained silent waiting for Anatolio and Itsaso's report.
Rais returned Gulliver's greeting with a nod. "Indeed. Well met, Brother." Most of the Faun Circle was here already. If he recalled, the ladies should be finishing up some business at the Tree and following along soon, from what he'd been told.
Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, he took a moment before answering Mo's inquiry. Then, with a slight chuckle, replied, "Honestly...anxious. But with optimism and hope." He reached out to clasp his second's shoulder in camaraderie. "We are on the brink of a momentous occasion, my friend. It has been generations since the Earth and Water have sat down together as allies. With all hope, we separate here today as allies once more."
He was about to continue when a flash of bright color drew his attention. A strange Pae'il, the colors of sunset, had risen from the pathway leading down the cliff to the sea. Now, Rais noted the fin-like ears and the shimmer of scales. Was this one of their future allies? Silently, he watched the stranger's movements; cautious, but non-aggressive, not overly seeking attention...if not for his bold coloring. Then, the male smiled at them and leaped from the cliff. Raising an eyebrow, Rais had to assume that the other knew what he was doing, and therefore, did not follow the urge to rush to the cliff's edge and look below.
A scout? Though he had taken all steps he could to make them feel welcome, it seemed the Naiad were still being cautious.
Smart actually. With little communication or contact between their people before this point, he felt no offense at their wariness. And they were being asked to leave their element to enter another's, even if their own would be a short distance away.
Calmly, he turned towards Mo and gestured towards the cliff's edge where the scout had just disappeared. "One of your new friends, Brother?"
*****
The waiting was the hard part. For a number of reasons, as far as the Aernyn Captain was concerned. He was worried about this meeting, he was worried about how it would go, such different Pae coming together, and he was worried about his son, sent ahead as a scout. He knew that the boy had been training with Sadron before his dismissal, but still...he was still Turin's son. He'd always worry, no matter how well-trained he may be for the situation.
Relief flooded his system when he spotted the brightly-colored youth returning alongside his comrade. Well, that was a good start, right? He stopped absentmindedly fidgeting with his spear and moved towards to meet the scouts. This was a time for protocol and respect. He met the pair with a nod, fist over his heart. "I trust the coast is clear then?" It felt odd to be sliding into what should have been Sadron's role, but what was done was done. He had no control over that situation, and it was the most he could hope for to take care of things in Sadron's place, while hoping that his message had been received. He could only hope the hunter was lurking somewhere out of sight nearby. The 'landing party' made up of himself, the Queen, Aeroniel, and the two scouts may not have seemed the most impressive at first glance, but they were a capable party. still, it never hurt to have some back-up, in case things did go awry.
Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 7:45 pm
"If the Naiads we meet today are even as seemingly friendly as the pair I met at the lake, then I have no doubts about today's outcome." he smiled reassuringly.
He then blinked, noting the faint furrow of Rais' brow. Not the one that meant trouble was about to be scolded over... but the one that seemed curious, quizzical, and only slightly amused...
Mo was quiet a moment as his head pivoted to look in the same direction as Rais was. He saw a flash of color and a familiar... -ish face? But something seemed off about that one.
"I'm not sure..." he muttered, bringing a hand up to his chin as he thought a bit more.
"I feel as though the Captain was of darker hues, but I suppose - having met them while they remained in their domain and in the shade of the surrounding trees - that it could have been..." he trailed. Rais didn't seem interested in walking to the edge, but Mo walked over close to it to peer down into the waters below. He had hoped to see someone still at the surface, but he held no luck in the moment.
With only a slightly defeated sigh, he backed up from the cliff edge and moved back beside Rais for the moment. "The others will be arriving soon, I hope?" he asked with only a slightly worried expression. He hated the idea of someone being late and the Naiads mistaking their entry as an ambush or something. The thought had crossed his mind a time or two.
"Do you think I should meet them at the shore?" he asked, now getting slightly anxious. "I have been wondering if ... - if the Captain is with them today - if by seeing a familiar face to escort them would make it easier for them feel welcome?"
"Hard to say. I suppose we'll find out soon enough," Rais replied in response to the question of the identity of the Naiad they'd just seen. He watched his second give in to the urge he'd resisted, going to peer over the edge of the cliff. From the absence of a negative reaction, he supposed that the diver had simply disappeared into the sea. Well, they'd just have to give them more time.
Glancing back towards the Tree, he commented, "You know women. Have to make an appearance of it," he joked, knowing all too well what trouble he'd have been in if either of the two females in question had heard his comment. He was trying to keep the mood light, however, as worry was ever-present at the back of his mind. Everything needed to go well today. Any extra effort that they could make...
Mo's suggestion was a good one, and Rais nodded in reply. "Actually, that may be a good idea. You already have a repertoire with the Captain. Perhaps meeting the delegates halfway will be viewed as a gesture of good faith. I leave it up to you, Brother," he finished with a pat on Mo's shoulder.
At that moment, movement in the distance caused the Chieftain to turn his head. "Well, speak of the spirits," he muttered, smiling to himself in silent relief at spotting the two women closing in on the meeting area.
*****
The pull of the Earth guided her more than her staff, though she brought it as well. Vanya had taken care this morning to dress in her full ceremonial clothes, even fixing up her hair (with a little help from her betrothed) so that she looked all the part of an impressive Seer of the Faun for such an important occasion. She tapped the tip of her staff lightly over the ground as she walked, though the Earth guided her hooves surely towards the meeting grounds. She was getting used to important, formal ceremonies with the Faun and the responsibility that laid over her shoulders as a mantle during such occasions.
But this was different. This meeting would be with not only Rais' Inner Circle, but also with non-Faun Pae'il. She tried to reassure herself that the Naiads were to be their allies, that this was far different than dealing with Angels or Demons. Yet, she had no experience with the Naiads, neither in this life, nor in the visions thus far of her past life. She had no idea what to expect, and that made her exceedingly anxious. Even in the days when she'd still had her sight, exploring the Isle in her youth, she'd never felt comfortable around the other Pae'il of Telrunya. She certainly never interacted with them. Since, she'd certainly developed an understanding for why she felt the way she did about Blood Pae'il; as if somehow, on some level, she'd known all along. But these Naiads were a complete mystery to her.
Most Pae'il, when meeting someone or something new, focused on what that thing looked like. She didn't care what they looked like. She was warily curious about what they'd feel like spiritually. The golden color of the auras of Blood Pae'il, normally a soothing color like the light of the sun, always made Vanya feel ill at ease. The green auras of her fellow Faun was reassuring, comforting, now that she understood what the colors were the she saw in her mind. But these Naiad...what would they be like?
She had been traveling in silence, lost in her thoughts so long, she came to herself in time to realize she'd missed something. Flushing beneath her dark fur, she turned her head towards her companion. "I am so sorry, Earthmother. My mind was elsewhere. Forgive me. You were saying...?"
Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 4:36 pm
Mo merely nodded and smiled. "I know what you mean, Brother. All too well." he joked back, remembering the night he and Luna went out for themselves. It had taken her longer to prepare herself for a simple picnic. Not that Mo was complaining, mind you. She looked stunning. Always did! And he imagined she always would.
He then turned and bowed his head. "Right on it." he added, and began walking towards the path that led to shore. He gave a pause long enough to bow courteously towards the women now making their grand entry.
Once past them, he began to trot. No sense in shifting into feral form. If any of the other Naiads were to see a canine waltzing towards the shore, chances were high that they would be even more so hesitant to head towards the grounds. Whether the Captain would be there or not to ensure his fellow Naiads he was safe to approach, he didn't want to take that chance. As he neared the shore, he slowed and eventually stopped, waiting where the sand was still dry. His eyes scanned the water's surface, hoping to see any sort of glimmer of the Naiads to welcome them ashore.
Earthmother was eager and excited for this meeting. She was familiar enough with the Naiad Queen to know that an alliance was not only feasible, but very likely. She was also just optimistic because in the past, Water and Earth were close and allied.
Gently patting Vanya's shoulder, she chuckled lightly. "It's okay, Dear. I was just asking how your fiance was fairing these days with all the work he'd been called to do. Do you two get to spend much time together?"
Reaching the meeting location, she turned to whisper to Vanya,"I wanted to remind you to keep an eye on the Queen's aura, and try to get a read on her." The elderly faunness was just trying to be thorough to make sure Tariel was indeed Alu-reborn. She had no doubts, but wanted to be absolutely certain, and wanted Vanya to be certain so she could reassure Rais.
Approaching the gathered males, the Earthmother smiled warmly, greeting Gulliver with a tender touch to their shoulders. She saved a kiss on the cheek for her son, the Chief of the Faun. "Have our guests made an appearance yet? Is that where Mo trotted off to?"
Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 9:38 pm
Anatolio imitates the gesture of greeting, suddenly hoping that neither his father nor the Queen had seen his little stunt. He doesn't regret it for a second, it's just that he's trying to be seen as a man, and jumping back into the sea was...perhaps a little adolescent of him. "I found no threats on land, f-Captain," he says, redirecting his honorific at the last second.
Itsaso makes the greeting gesture as well, casting her eyes about for the blues and greens of their Commander. Without seeing him, she directs her attention to Captain Turin, who was next up the logical chain of command. "And I no threats in the sea surrounding the cliffs, Captain. Respectfully, it seems as if the Fauns mean us no ill. Anatolio and I will of course post ourselves wherever we may be most useful, Captain.
Still feeling flushed from embarrassment, Vanya hurriedly answered, "It's true, we have both been very busy as of late. However, we make an effort to make time for each other," she added with a smile, thinking of their agreement, absentmindedly reaching up and brushing her fingers over the flower tucked in next to her antler as she brushed back a stray hair. She still felt a bit awkward at the conversation, but not just because her mind had wandered, as she hoped it still seemed. Because, as busy as they had been, she was suddenly reminded of something that she'd wanted to research further and speak to the spirits about: the exchange between Earthmother and the old Seer that Celestia had seen in her vision.
This is not the time to be distracted.
She could be awkward and flustered at another time. Not now, when there was important business to be done while presenting a united, professional appearance. Earthmother's whispered words broke through her distraction and dispelled the thoughts like leaves in the wind. She had an important duty to perform today. Perhaps more so than some, as she had an obvious role, as well as a silent one. "Of course," she murmured quietly to acknowledge that she'd heard, then resumed smiling as greetings were exchanged with the rest of the Circle.
*****
Relief cloaked the Faun Chieftain now that everyone was here, at least...everyone who was expected here. Without letting that passing thought turn his pleasant mood, he smiled and greeted the women with a bow and a kiss on the hand. Then, he offered his arm to his mother to escort her to the meeting table. "A scout only, I believe, but the others are likely not far away. Mo has gone to meet them along the way as an escort and a gesture of good faith."
He lowered his voice, adding in an aside, "They seem wary. I cannot fault them for their caution, however. Their willingness to accept our invitation shows that they are open to communication. I only wonder if they have also been troubled by certain events as of late?" He frowned for a moment. This would be only one of many items on the agenda today to be covered.
*****
Turin managed to mask any reaction to the near-slip, pushing ahead to brush over the incident and move along. "Excellent. Good work, you two. Now, I'll be taking point. The Queen and her Lady will follow, then I want you two watching our backs, one on either side. Even if the Faun mean us no harm, that doesn't mean that someone else won't see this as an opportunity," he finished. Paranoid? Perhaps it seemed that way, but best to be prepared, he believed, than not. Security was his domain.
Spear in hand, he swam towards the shallows after a nod to each member of their party. He rose from the water slowly, speartip at the ready. It was difficult to see much of the area above from underwater, but when he rose, only a single individual was visible. He lowered his spear, feeling both relieved...and a sense of dread...upon sighting Mo on the shore. Yes, it was nice to have a friendly face there to greet them. On the other hand...this part was always awkward. There was simply no smooth, graceful way for a Naiad to transfer from the water to the land. At least, not that Turin had discovered yet.
With a slight sigh of resignation, he ducked back under for a moment to say, "Looks like we have an escort." He didn't sound alarmed, but also didn't want the others to be surprised when surfacing. After that, he surfaced again and swam to the shallows. Once there, he treated his spear more as an aid than a weapon, using it for support as his tail split into legs and he stumbled up awkwardly onto land. He shook water from his hair in all directions, then ran his fingers through it to push it back out of the way. Only then, he smiled and nodded his head in greeting to Mo (as attempting to bow this soon to getting his 'land legs,' he thought he might fall over). "Well met, Advisor."
Then, he moved to the water's edge, holding out his hand for assistance to the ladies that followed.
Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 6:53 pm
Tariel approached the shallow water, at the sign from her Captain. She slid up onto the sand, wincing slightly as her tail split to legs. This was not a process she was used to, and felt like she'd never get used to it. She wondered how any Aernyn could, having gone their whole lives never having to do it until they came here. She took Turin's outstretched hand, appreciating the help in stand up. This could not be any less lady-like, let alone queen-like than anything else. It was really embarrassing, the more she let her mind stay on the subject.
But it was the sight of a faun there to greet them that pulled her from the thought-spiral. She'd only ever seen Earthmother, so the male was a little of a shock. He seemed .... smaller, even if he wasn't. Turin addressed him as 'advisor' so that must mean he's the chief's second. She'd learned a little of the faun, thanks to Tua and also in-part Earthmother.
"Thank you, Captain." She remained poised and proper, actually much preferring his name than the formalities of titles, but it was important to put up a strong and confident first impression to their potential allies.
Standing beside Turin, she awaited a proper greeting, as well as the rest of her entourage; Aeroniel and the scouts, so they could get moving and start the meeting.
Mo nodded and bowed his head slightly. "Well met, friend." he greeted the Captain in return. He then stood with a warm, welcoming smile and stepped up to his knees in the waters to assist those coming out and stumbling as their legs began to form.
As the Queen approached, however, he blinked. Taking a brief moment to take in her beauty before he snapped back into reality. His head dipped, tilting a bit to the side so as not to point his antlers directly at her. "You must be the Queen." he stated. "It is an honor to finally meet you, M'lady. I am Mo, Adviser to Chief Rais." He then outstretched his hand, offering her aid - along with Captain Turin - before aiding the rest to their feet, respectively.
Once all had made it onto the shore and had gathered their land legs, so to speak, he smiled and bowed once again to the Queen, trying his best to be honorable. His arm lifted, exposing his elbow in hopes that he could escort her up the hill to the meeting place at the cliff edges. If anything, he'd lend support if her legs felt uneasy on the land.
"I trust you had a safe journey?" he asked, hoping to make some sort of small talk.
