A Meeting In The Snow
Log Info
- Title: A Meeting In The Snow
- Place: Temple District
- Summary: Telamon encounters Verna in the evening hours at the Temple District, and opts to walk with her while the two trade information on their foes.
The Temple Quarter, evening
Night has fallen. Moreso it continues to fall, in a sense, in the form of snow. The square between the temples offers a fairly well-lit area for travel, if travellers may be few at present; primarily clergy and petitioners. Verna is of the former group, yet enters from the west, bearing a few wrapped parcels mostly tucked within her cloak.
The doors to the temple of Eluna swing open, disgorging a few more petitioners -- one being a familiar half-elf dressed in a broad-brimmed hat and heavy leather and fur longcoat. Telamon gives a jaunty wave to the priests inside, smiling, before turning his dark, starry eyes back to the road ahead. Shuddering at the snow, he traces a brief spell, before starting to walk... though his pace slows when he sees a figure robed in gray approaching. "...Verna, is that you?"
Verna's hood pans at the address; sharply, at first, then lingering as she sees to identify the source. While her form, much less posture, is difficult to discern within the volumous robes and cloak, she may yet appear to soften slightly upon recognition. "It is I, yes. I trust the evening finds you well, Telamon?"
Telamon falls into step next to the shorter half-sil. "What brings you out here? I assume it's not the bumper crop of snow we're currently getting." He holds out a hand, looking at the flakes that rapidly accumulate on it. "Honestly, if I hadn't seen you I was going to fly home. Carefully." He tilts his head. "Lana had mentioned she'd had a little excitement alongside you and Patch, but she hadn't given me the details yet. Other than 'I see why Dolan really hates cults'."
Verna exhales a short, sharp breath, as evidenced by the sudden wisps of condensation. "We sought to locate an alleged provider of miracles to those most in need: the infirm, destitute, and desperate. All proved to be deception and falsehood. It was... a source of some excitement, yes."
Telamon scowls. "I hate that. And it always happens when things get tough. If it's not some actual cult, it's some charlatan out to fleece those who need every copper they can find." He sighs. "And then there's these attacks. People are blaming the Guild, and anyone who even looks vaguely like 'an adventurer'."
"In this instance," Verna notes with an edge to her otherwise normallty flat tone," demons were involved. Perhaps unsurprisingly, in the end, they fled and sought to take as many of the confused masses with them as possible. Fortunately, nearly all of the deceived were kept from harm."
Another plume of exhale. "This is not the first time the Guild or its members have faced accusations or relations undermined. The Guild, unofficially, comprises the bulk of Alexandria's defense, and those certainly most able to act swiftly. It is a prime threat to the enemies of the city."
Telamon grits his teeth. "I might be jumping at shadows, but I can't help but wonder if the two incidents are related. Adventurers have been heavily involved in blocking one attempt to undermine the city after another; maybe someone is getting tired of it."
He exhales, his own plume of breath billowing out. "Alright. It's dumb to assume they wouldn't get tired of us. So we find a way to push back, keep the pressure on them. What else did we find out?"
Verna adjusts her parcels pulling them fully within her cloak and robes. "Enough was said to reveal that they know of the totems and at least one of their possessors. They are assuredly as interested as other parties, and possibly aligned with them. Our list of enemies grows.
Telamon sighs. "Jade hawks. And everyone wants them, because of what they might be used for." He clenches his hand for a moment, before opening it again. "Whether it's unshackling the Nightmare, or... something else." Tel glances at Verna. "I... don't know what to do," he admits. "Short of taking the fight to them and just terrifying them into quitting the field. They won't listen to diplomacy, or reason."
Verna turns to face him. "Nor do I, Telamon, and it pains me greatly. Fiends, the lycanthropes; forces of chaos all. They cannot be reasoned with. The totems are both our greatest, perhaps only, weapons against them, and yet they are the same for the enemy, thus a liability. In many ways, I am not dissimilar: I shall ever stand against them, and yet I am somehow a key to their victory. All makes deciding the correct path all the more maddening."
Telamon nods. "I guess all we have is each other, really. Stand together. We certainly can't do this alone." He offers Verna a smile. "I can think of worse people to have next to me when we face these bastards down."
He removes his hat to brush the snow off, before replacing it on his head. "I've been making inquiries. Zalgiman is scrupulous in paying his taxes. Even donates to charities. The accountant I hired is pretty certain he's got someone doing the paperwork for him, which makes sense. What I'd like to know is where the money is coming from."
"If he is in league with the likes of vampires and lycanthropes," Verna opines, "I doubt his fortune made from growing flowers or the crafting of fine basketry and expect nefarious sources. If his dealings with such creatures are longstanding enough, such may have originated with his predecessors and his wealth inherited. That he makes effort to appear uninteresting suggests that he may have much to hide." She considers a moment. "He may be the most easily-reached lead, now, if the most mundane. He is not the only trail, however."
A gloved hand emerges from her robes bearing a plain scroll case to offer him. "A combination of faith and circumstance granted a vision."
Telamon snorts. "Yes, but I'm pretty sure consorting with the powers of darkness is frowned upon in civilized lands. And I suspect Alexandros is no exception." He inclines his head. "But, as you say, he is probably hiding a good bit. Hence why I'm tugging at this thread."
When Verna offers him the scroll case, he takes it from her. "Should I wait to read it till I get home?" he inquires with a slight grin.
Verna's hood dips in a nod. "Indeed. It was neither my vision nor is it my notation, but it had similarities to Quelynos." Her words are few, soft, and unhurried as she seeks to convey much with little.
Telamon's eyebrows shoot up. "...Well. Alright, then I -definitely- should save this till I'm safe at home." He tucks the scrollcase into his haversack, before looking to Verna. "You should come by for a hopefully quieter dinner sometime. Auranar is of course welcome as well. Lana and I are working on learning how to be better cooks."
"I would welcome the opportunity," Verna's tone softens and brightens as she adds, "and I believe that Aura would, as well. As you noted, we stand together. Further, pleasant time with pleasant company would do all well. There is no better teacher of culinary arts than Aura, and it would boost her spirits to do so." Yes, Verna is biased, but that is hardly unexpected.
Even in the dim light, Telamon's smile is visible, a broad grin. "Oh, I'm certain. And I'm at least wise enough to admit that there's always more to learn, especially from a master teacher." He exhales another plume. "Have you talked to her about these latest developments?"
Verna makes a vague gesture with her hand before it vanishes back within her robes. "Not in great detail; only that I, and her clothing, returned intact. We shall discuss, as I would not keep anything from her. She is as much entwined in these events as I, moreso in some aspects."
Telamon nods. "That's how I deal with it too. I don't keep secrets from Lana. There are things I don't like to talk about, but... it's better for us if we -do- talk about them. She sees things differently than me, and sometimes has a different perspective. Which can be very useful." He smiles. "Pothy also likes to put in his two coppers, and occasionally coughs up a useful tidbit too."
"I would protect her from all that I can," Verna finds comfort in the shared understanding, "but it is wrong to not arm her with knowledge, even if it is unpleasant. This I learned from trial and error. Predominantly the latter. She is my better, and certainly not lesser, even if she does not always perceive herself as such." The mention of Pothy draws a smile that is more heard than seen. "Often I cannot determine whether Apotheosis is as your shared child, close confident, or even wise mentor."
Telamon grins at Verna. "What makes you think I haven't made mistakes? But that's how relationships grow strong over time. You err, you repair, and you move forward. I'm sure you and Aura will find the balance, in the end. And be happier for it." At the remark about Pothy, Tel chuckles. "How about 'all of the above'? He means well, but... he has his peculiarities."