A Home Away from Home

Log Info

• Title: A Home Away from Home

• Emitter: Ravenstongue

• Characters: Ravenstongue, Telamon, Verna

• Place: Temple of Eluna

Temple of Eluna, late morning.

In the depths of the Temple, in a slighty-dusty corner of a disused study room that's a little more like a storage closet, there's an invisible entrance that is well-hidden by a bookshelf and a tapestry. No one would notice it's an entrance at all until Cor'lana Lúpecyll-Atlon steps out of it, wearing her adventurer's garments. Pothy is on her shoulder, too, and the bird looks a little weary, but nuzzles affectionately into Cor'lana's waves of dark hair.

"I know, Pothy," Cor'lana says gently, patting down his head feathers. "Telamon and I are about to go into the market. That'll be some form of normalcy again."

She looks around the room and sighs. "I knew I shouldn't have stayed up as late as I did writing," she murmurs. "I suppose I'll pay for that later."

Telamon stands outside the portal already, wearing the practical garments he picked up while his new wardrobe is being made. He looks a little bemused, even concerned, especially with the events of the other night. "We all deal with things in our own way, love," he says with a smile, taking Lana's hand. A gesture to dismiss the mansion, as the two of them step out of the study room.

"But I did get a message the other day. The work crews are at the house now, repairing the damage and doing some improvements. And..." He pauses, searching for the right words. "Our plights -- and achievements -- haven't gone unnoticed. It's going to all work out, I promise."

Cor'lana smiles gently at Telamon as he takes her hand, leaning into him as they stand outside of the study room. It's a pause in their walk, yes, but a wife gets to impose on her husband from time to time with moments like this. "I'm not sure if it's a good idea to go home once they're finished," she admits. "Not until Marsward is dead."

She looks up at Telamon for a moment, drawing herself up from his shoulder. "It sounds like you received... a message, of sorts. Was it in the dream?" she asks.

Telamon folds his arms around his wife, nestling her in close under his chin, careful not to disturb Pothy. "Yes," he says simply. "Last night, I dreamed I was in a private room, with Rune, Harkashan, Verna, Simony of all people, and a couple others -- a paladin by the name of Lysa who we've worked with, as well as that ranger fellow, Critias." He pauses. "Our host was her. Ni'essa Sky-Singer. She was... giving guidance. As much as she could. I suspect she is somewhat constrained by how much guidance she can offer. But it did come with additional help." His lips quirk. "Tanith is on the prowl again. Looks like I'll be making the fishermen very happy."

There's always that quiet sense of serenity in the mental bond when Cor'lana gets to nuzzle into that space under Telamon's chin, a warmth and fondness that comes through so clearly like the ringing of a bell in a cloudless spring sky. Her arms go to rest around him, and a small smile comes to her lips. "I shouldn't be surprised," she says, and he knows by way of the bond that she isn't, really. "I mean, you have Her totem. What all did she discuss in the dream?"

She squeezes him just a little. "And how much should we be looking to spend on fish at the market today, then?"

Pothy makes a grumbling noise. He's clearly not enthused about sharing air space with Tanith again.

Telamon chuckles, and pets on Pothy, fingers scritching his feathery head. "I know, Pothy, I know. But bear with it." He considers Lana's question, giving her a squeeze. "Three totems left in their hands. One, presumably, in the hands of Seraquoix. One in the hands of a certain irritating fiend. And one probably being used to anchor the portal sustaining the Red Maw." He exhales. "Ni'essa... asked a pertinent question: why? Why do Zinskas and Seraquoix pursue this? We thought at first it was solely to release the Hound, but now I'm not so sure. Why bring forth the Red Maw if you plan to draw on its power? Worse, having Zinskas and Seraquoix at loggerheads isn't a benefit for the whole plan."

He rubs the bridge of his nose. "Poor Simony. She took off before you woke up, something about needing to warn Ous about not playing with the totem he has. I don't think she realized how perilous the damn things are."

"I've spoken to Ous about his totem before, and how to use it," Cor'lana says with a sigh, a mild sense of irritation in the bond. "I think it's Simony who needs the information. And... maybe a hot cup of tea for the nerves. I think she's frayed and perhaps at her wits' end with everything as of late."

She draws back from the happy place that is underneath Telamon's chin, regarding him for a long moment. "I bet Zalgiman gave his totem to Marsward," she says, and while there's that familiar pang of regret and sorrow, it turns quickly to a quiet fury again. "But more importantly--if they hate each other, they're looking to use the Hound for their own aims, or they're being manipulated by the Charneth houses into doing their bidding. Possibly both."

"Probably. Or Seraquoix took it from him by dint of being his superior. Or simply stole it. He is a witch." Telamon's eyebrows shoot up. "You know, that would've made horrid sense. Seraquoix trading that curse-potion to Zalgiman in exchange for the totem, too." He makes a disgusted expression.

The two of them depart the hall proper, walking out through the main temple nave towards the doors. "The involvement of Charn just complicates it even further," Tel comments sourly. "You wonder who's trying to get one over on the other, or who is cooperating. I can't imagine Charn signing onto a scheme that would wreck the world -- if nothing else, that's where they keep all their things."

Already within the main temple , if recently so, is Verna. While she her lack of typical vestments may make her less conspicuous as a Mourner, the bright floral print of her sundress makes her anything but inconspicuous overall. Head and eyes are panning the area in search of family, so the emerging pair are promptly noted and approached. "Cor'lana, Telamon, how fare you both? I only recently received some news of events..." Her focus shifts to Telamon briefly, "Though it was made known belatedly that at least one of you was able to sleep and dream this past night."

Cor'lana looks a little tired, but her expression brightens when she hears Verna's voice. The Mourner's attire serves only to widen the expression of joy on Cor'lana's face, and so she takes flight, of a sort, and tears herself away from Telamon's arms to go and embrace Verna in... a little bit of a forceful way, tightly hugging her sister-by-bond. "Verna!" she exclaims happily. "Dolan said he'd be sending word to you."

Pothy has taken flight from Cor'lana's shoulder and gone to rest on Telamon's, apparently sensing that a tackle-hug was imminent. "Sheesh," he murmurs in a mimic of Lily-of-the-Valley's voice.

"I was up far too late writing poetry," Cor'lana says, finally letting go of Verna. "Telamon was just telling me about the dream."

Telamon blinks as Lana goes running over to embrace... "Verna!" He says with a smile. Chuckling softly at Pothy, the other half-elf walks over to greet his sister by bond. "Yes, I saw you there. The discussion was... educational. If disturbing. Some of our friends are treading in deep waters indeed."

He takes Verna's hand in his, giving it a squeeze. "But... that's why we are their friends. To help them learn to chart those waters and fish them out occasionally when they flounder."

Verna is expecting a pleasant greeting, though perhaps not the aggressive hug. While surprised, it may be a situation to which she has gradually become more accustomed. She is not startled so much that she does not return it, if in a far more tentative and conservative manner. "Dolan did only just reach me with word. I regret I was not aware sooner. Is there anything you need?"

She looks to Telamon. "Either of you?" Verna then nods with him. "I believe we have courses of action upon which to act, once we obtain the necessary information."

"Well, it would be nice to have a place to anchor our magnificent mansion that isn't the Temple of Eluna," Cor'lana admits with a small smile. "It is nice to be here, but... It'll be nice to be with family."

She looks at Pothy. "Although I wonder how Pothy will fare with Hunter," she admits. "Tanith already made him fear for his safety at times, although that's just because she's a little... aggressive when it comes to play."

Pothy makes a scoffing noise. Cor'lana smirks a little. "Either way. I think you, I, and Dolan should all sit down to learn what was discussed in that dream. Dolan wasn't there, was he? He deserves to know, too."

Telamon shakes his head. "I didn't see Dolan. We'll need to touch base with him. But... I think it's time to deal with that portal. We've been sidetracked -- it happens. My father once told me that when you're arse-deep in alligators, it's hard to remember you're trying to drain the swamp. We've been arse-deep in... well, werewolves and fiends. Time to get back on the road."

He puts one arm around Lana, as he smiles at Verna. "Indeed. I don't think the priests mind much since we're not taking up space or causing trouble, but... I'd rather stay with family while the house is being renovated. It also means it's easier for friends and comrades to come find us."

"You are both welcome to stay at my home," Verna offers easily, "whether in full or merely as a point of entry." She then looks to Pothy. "I expect that you and Hunter can manage your differing opinions and co-habitate for a time." It is as much statement as directive. "Yes, Dolan will be informed."

Cor'lana leans into Telamon again as he holds her. "I agree regarding the portal," she says. "We need to deal with that as soon as we can."

She sighs a little. "It'll just be nice to be in a home again and not... You know, a public place. It's a holy place and there's a definite sort of comfort in that. It's just... Well, we're without a home. And while home can be anywhere Telamon and I call it, it's still strangely listless to be without our place. Our bed. Our teapot. Our kitchen. Grandfather's rocking chair..."

Her violet eyes are a little dark, her expression clearly falling into a frown. "I know it's a small thing, really. They're all replaceable. It's just a sort of wound you can't just walk off."

"An insult to both of us. But one that will be repaid." Telamon's eyes flash briefly, before he exhales. "In any case, Dolan wants to also help us replace some of the furniture. Which is kind of him. There'll be new teapots and beds -- I'm thinking of purchasing a bed kind of like the one we were in at the Vestreven estate on our honeymoon."

He sighs. "That lowlife destroyed all my books, too, except -- luckily -- the one on libations. I'd taken that one with me to the Chalice meeting house because Daneira wanted to try her hand at brewing something, and it was put away in the library's secure vault."

Verna frowns deeply. "It is true that all lost can be replaced, but that does not make such painless. If I can aid in any way with replacements, please state as much. We are family. If naught else, I expect that our library could do with some ... culling to make room for new interests, and such would aid you to rebuild your own."

Telamon puts an arm around Verna's shoulders as well for a half-hug. "Thank you, Verna. I appreciate it. It's... the memories we associate with those items, rather than the items themselves, that stings. The loss of them, because of some vandal." His voice has a crisp bite of contempt to it, clearly directed at the perpetrator.

"However, as we've all noted... we're all alive, and we're all ready to push back. Verna, I'd like your thoughts on last night. Which way is the Sky-Singer pushing us, do you think? It's my opinion we should hit the portal, shut it down, before anything else."

Verna nods to Telamon at the gesture, and his opinion. "The portal has ever been my focus. The Red Maw must be removed, regardless of the motives of those who called It. The Nightmare's forces must not have a conduit to Ea, no matter their plan. Closure of the portal enables both, and must be done, whether we are aware of plans and motives or not. We need only confirm what maintains it and how we can utterly remove it. I seek The Harpist's Insight concerning both."

Cor'lana raises a brow. "You're contacting your goddess for help?" she asks. A thoughtful look enters her violet eyes, and she regards Verna for a moment before looking back down to the mark on her own chest, visible partially through the opening of her adventuring garments--where Vardama's scales sit in the middle of that feather, placed there by another Mourner so long ago.

It's a moment more before she looks back up at Verna and asks, "Do you need help with that? Is it a ritual where others who come along may be able to help?"

"I think we've all been trying to ask our respective divine patrons for help." Telamon raises an eyebrow at Lana. "I know Vaire might not be who you'd think to ask... but I bet there's tidbits and hints of lore in a lot of old poetry and songs. And who'd know those better? That might work even better than lending your voice to convincing the Harpist."

His eyes turn back to Verna. "As you probably saw, we're going to be dealing with our favorite houseguest, too. I'll handle cooking for her -- I got a fair amount of experience with that this past winter. In between meals, I'll try plying her with some questions on how to shut the portal. What might work best, and what we should avoid."

"The Harpist may not have crafted a Chain of her own," Verna affirms, "yet she would be aware of their creation. As well, it is highly likely that it is one of those totems which empowers the portal. If such is the case, it is equally probable that one or more totems could counteract this and close the portal. Should I confirm this possibility, I possess the totems to do so and would make the attempt." After a pause, she adds, "Not alone, of course."

The mention of the house guess draws a hint of smile to Verna's countenance. "I would be honored to assist with the care of that particular houseguest. She then looks back to Lana. "I would welcome your company, sister, and any further inquiries of Her you might think to make. The communing, itself, would be between myself and The Harpist, however."

There's a definite hesitance in Cor'lana's face when Telamon suggests asking Ceinara. She looks between her husband and her sister-by-bond and frowns. "I... Well, I'm not like you," she says. "Either of you. Telamon has a totem that connects him to his goddess, and Verna receives divine power from her goddess. I am... myself."

Her hand goes up to the mark on her chest, the fingers curling there. Something about the mark shimmers a little with their touch. "It's always been just me," she elaborates, "in some fashion. Which is an odd thing to say, since my magic is the chorus of all those who came before me, and I've always had a little brother--but it's easy to feel alone, and lonely. But it's also... there's something satisfying to know that it's just me, and my bloodline, and Grandfather's aid. I stand because of him and all the people who lived and died to get me this far. It's... just me. Because I am myself."

Then she looks self-aware and shakes her head. "I'm sorry. We weren't even remotely talking about that. I can at least record the answers of the communion."

Telamon gives Cor'lana a squeeze. "You never know, love, unless you ask. But I won't press. We all have to find our own way to deal with this." He offers her a smile, his arm around her now as well.

"Verna, we were going to head to the market. Why don't you come with us? We'll pick up things, and head back to your place. Make some lunch, then get back to work on the problem. If you're going to commune with the Harpist, you'll probably want to write the questions down first so you don't waste anyone's time -- yours, or Hers."

Verna offers a hand to Cor'lana's shoulder at her statement, or perhaps more her apology. "We all follow slightly differing paths; all are equally valid as a whole and moreso for each individual. We are all most grateful and delighted that you are who you are." She nods to both.

"I have prepared a number of questions, yet welcome any insight to further and follow-on inquiries. I am well aware that I am most efficient with preparation and less ... agile than either of you. As would I welcome aid in recording the results and, moreso, your company." She then adds to Telamon. "To include the market. I could do with more supplies, as I have taken to purchasing smaller amounts and less frequently."