On Good and Evil

Tenebrae - Thursday, July 04, 2013, 8:03 PM

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-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=<* A10: Temple District *>=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

The air of solemn, heavy divinity in the area is often broken by laughter. The dual presence of the deities Althea and Daeus, man and wife, stand towards the center, with their children and their children's temples positioned around them. The presence of the divine is felt not only by their temples, but also by the actions of their worshippers. The great plaza is as a social center, paved in brilliant, white flagestones and covered in benches and sitting areas. Priests, acolytes, and servicefolk of all stripes roam the plaza, going from one task to the other.

At the front of the temples of Daeus and Althea, at the Plaza's centermost point, rests a great fountain, the cheerful waters reflecting the Sun during the day, and the Moon at night. The fountain is strategically centered, and is oft a place for wisdom and lesson-giving. It is not uncommon for a priest of some stripe or the other to stand there, surrounded by the curious and faithful, delivering messages of hope or contemplation. At other times, it and the plaza become a landscape of celebration of the holy holidays.

Few vendors are seen in the plaza--the nearby temples provide most food or services. Towards the west, the great Bridge stretches across the river, and towards the east, the Redridge mountains. The plaza rests in the midst of it all, the temples massive and grand on the Alexandrian scale.

A small figure ambles through the crowd dressed in a brilliant scarlet, apparently having been listening to the sermon on the other side of the plaza. Or at least, appearing from that side. She gives every appearance of being lost in thought and only glances up when she hears talk of food. That's when she spots the little gathering and smiles. "Hello, hello!" That appears to be directed at Solace. "My new acquaintence!"

Jame laughs at Solace's expression, though it's more a laughing with than a laughing at. He's easily amused, it seems. Or simply gregarious. "I think I will like this city. It is full of interesting people." He bows his head to Vekson, and nods, "Yes, I like to rest after a big meal, myself." He smiles warmly at the new figure arriving, then glancing back to Solace.

'Lord Scruffykins'. Solace looks pained, or possibly as if he bit into something a bit sour. He gives the goblin a long stare, as if waiting for the fellow to concede the jest. When he doesn't, the half-elf lets out a little sigh. "Vekson, then. And Lord...your lord. A good evening to you both." He snorts at Jame's observation. "That, at least matches up with all the available data so far." Then he's being called, and turns quickly to face the halfling. Confusion soon clears, followed by one of his fleeting smiles. "Ah, yes. The lady muse, slayer of slugs, healer extrordinaire. Jessa, yes?" He turns to nod to Jame. "This is Jame. And that," a nod to the goblin, "is Vekson." His jaw sets. He refuses to introduce a rat that is currently resting. Refuses.

"And Lord Scruffykins." A name is a name, a lable to identify a thing, giving and taking no power for itself. Mikilos has no problem shareing them, even the very silly ones. The oversized elf smiles to those gathered, a polite bow given to the Muse. Having recently exited the Eluna temple, he peers a moment at those unfamiliar. "I don't believe I've have the pleasure of full introductions. Mikilos Mithralla, Builder Arcane. A pleasure, I'm sure."

"Oh. Even though I love talking about myself, it isn't /me/ really doing the healing. It is only by the Grace of the Dancer that I can do so. I just make myself available to adventurers." The little priestess nods vaguely toward Vekson, looking as though she's met him before. Jame gets a closer inspection. "And hello to you, Jame." The newest voice causes her to turn around and she grins impishly. "Mikilos."

Jame chuckles warmly as Mikilos finishes the introductions, and he replies for his own part, "I am called Jame." He doesn't introduce the fine charger he's leading, but it's not really doing anything other than standing there. To Solace, he says, "The world is a strange place, but it's not all bad. It -is- full of interesting surprises, though." He bows to Jessa, and says, "It's good to meet you as well."

Solace inclines his head to Jessa. "As you say, of course." Mikilos gets a stare, as if the half-elf is trying to figure out whether he has some human blood, or is just really...that...tall. He eventually seems to decide on the latter, at which point a bow of greeting is given. "I am Solace. A pleasure, I'm sure," he says, in clipped, Charnese tones, before turning back to Jame. "I never said anything about it being bad," he remarks, mildly. "Although surprises frequently /are/, in my experience."

Vekson has connected.

"Well. Surprises? Wait. What is surprising us besides the world?" Jessa's still a bit lost in the conversation at the moment though that apparently doesn't stop her for the current time.

Mikilos eyes Jessa a moment, wary of the impish smile, but after a moment grins and kneels down for a hug, if willing. Glancing to Solace, he shrugs mildly. "The events are themselves, it's your reaction that's good or bad. Those for which you are unprepared tend to be those which susprise you, and thus seem bad."

Jame agrees with Solace, "There are bad surprises, too. But not all of them are." He grins at Jessa, and says, "A lot of things surprise, lately. But I have just arrived, and don't know anyone locally yet except for you all right here."

Solace raises an eyebrow at Mikilos. "I can agree, to some extent. But there are certainly events which, on their own merits, are able to be classifed as 'bad' or 'unpleasant' regardless of one's reaction to them. Preperation or attitude might mitigate this unpleasantness, but certainly doesn't change it to something more desired." That said, though, he smiles and shrugs at Jessa. "I am not certain we were speaking in specifics, really. Jame was merely remarking on his enjoyment of all the varied experiences the city could offer," he adds, with a nod to the man.

"I--oh, okay." Jessa gives Mikilos the hug, looking a bit surprised. Then she nods to Jame and Solace. "The city is pretty fun. There are certainly many many interesting people and some great restaurants, and plenty to do. All in all, it tends to be lots of fun."

Vekson has remained quiet, just listening to folks talk while he stays a little away. The goblin is apparently not a big fan of large groups of people, especially people who had reciently been blown to bits and put back together like Mikilos. The goblin appears to be watching him carefully.

Mikilos seems none the worse for wear for his experience. At least, all his pieces are arranged to where they're supposed to be, and the stitching isn't visible. But it is a new shirt, hard to say what's below. "Or certainly some things are bad to themselves. But being a susprise isn't directly related."

Jame smiles hesitantly as Solace sums up his statement so generically, but his grin grows more sincere as Jessa confirms his supposition. "That is good!" he says. "There should be fun in the world. I think one of the reasons people turn to evil is that there is no fun in their lives, and they resent the fun of others." He doesn't know what happened to Mikilos, but he does agree, "I think some people have had more good surprises than bad, and others have more bad susprises than good. And some people remember the good more than the bad. Everyone sees things a little differently."

Mikilos, Solace seems ready, or possibly even eager, to argue with. But when Jame chimes in, although the half-elf's brow furrows with disagreement at the comment about evil, he doesn't seem inclined to press the point. Instead, he just shrugs, and says, "Of such matters, the philosophers can debate for all the ages of man without coming to a definitive conclusion, I suspect." His gaze sweeps over Mikilos, Jessa, and Vekson. "You all sound as if you are fairly long-term residents of the city? Familiar with its ways, at least?"

Vekson shakes his head. "Growing up in goblintown does not make one familiar with the ways of the city as a whole, some never leave thier small part of the city to see the rest. My lord was the one who told me I should go out and see more, so I am not familiar with much beyond goblintown yet."

"Yes. I've been here....well. A long time." Jessa frowns slightly. "It is difficult to establish how long really with the mists." Then she waves a hand. "Regardless. What is it, precisely, that you want to know?"

Mikilos frowns thoughfully, and shakes his head to Jame's words. "No, evil comes from within. A lack of fun can turn someone mean. Evil is finding fun in someone elses suffering." He nods to the question of Solace. "Several years, yes. Though just how many depends if you measure from inside or out."

Jame chuckles at Solace's reply. "That's just what I said. Everyone sees differently, so they argue different positions." He peers at Vekson, and nods. "Well, you are out, and have seen a little, I guess? I have just come here, and have likewise only seen a little. Is what you have seen good? I think I am pleased with what I have seen so far." He considers Mikilos's definition, then shrugs. "I think we are coming at the same thing from different angles."

Vekson frowns "Evil is complicated, how does magic detect evil if something is not evil to the people doing it? If slavery is legal and accepted in a country, and is the norm, would someone from another country use magic to see it as evil, or would it appear good? If that person was himself from a country where slavery was outlawed. What if a country claimed that it was illegal to kill a certain animal, would those from other countrys that kill that animal show up as evil to magic? Does the magic depend on something else, or on our own perspectives?"

"Vekson has the right of it, I think," Solace says, softly. "At least when he says evil is complicated. Some evil people take immense pleasure in the pain of others, in forcing them to submit and /know/ that they are beaten. Others are evil because they honestly believe that it is the only way to live. The strong rule. The weak suffer, and that is their place. Upending that order, that Law, must inevitably lead to ruin. Some are evil because they are defined by fear. They inflict suffering because if they don't, they will suffer in return. And the evil will always put themselves, be it their pleasure, their duty, or their fear, above others. As for magical banesight," he shrugs, "I have always considered that a spiritual matter best left to the priests." Although, they do /have/ a priestess in their midst, so he turns to her, with a curious sort of smile.

Mikilos looks to Vekson. "Something else. A Tarrain priest Detecting Evil will find his fellow priests to trigger the magics. How he views that positive result is likely diffrent. One of many reasons why spells don't carry the same name everywhere you go. Locally, it's called 'Detect Evil'. Elsewhere, they might call it 'Detect Someone Who Isn't a Weak Bleeding-Heart Fool'." He nods to Solace in agreement, then turns with curiousity to Jessa as well.

Jessa seems to just be listening for now, her eyebrows raising slightly. She hadn't seemed inclined to commment up until Solace turns to her which means she is caught a bit offguard. Then she starts to mentally review what she'd just heard. "Well. Look. In the end, while we do a /great/ deal of study and learning with our magic, ultimately it still is done at the behest of our patrons and in their name. I would likely view things differently from those who are of the Light, after all, but the basics seem to be fairly standard across the various faiths." She really wasn't paying attention, folks.

Jame blinks in surprise as Vekson comes out with a surprisingly astute philosphical point. "I think there are absolutes of good and evil. The definitions and actions reside with the deities, and cannot be bent without repurcussion. Serriel makes demands, and we obey. But she does not give us evil orders. But not all laws in a nation are necessarily good or evil. Some, like protection or condemnation of an animal, are neither, barring some outside force. Exterminating rabid dogs is not evil, and may help a comminity that is overrun by them." He hrms at Mikilos, and says, "I hadn't actually considered whether they had different names for such spells. Maybe they simply acknowledge the definition, but give it different weight? Perhaps what we call 'evil' they call 'strength'?"

Vekson shakes his head "I think it is more complex than even that, when you look at differences in intellience and what qualifies for reason. My lord has talked long with me on this subject, I am a goblin, and hundreds of years ago all goblins were considered evil. Today this is not true, what caused this shift? Was it truely that we stopped being evil? Or was it that because of artifice we found a place in the world among the more 'civilized' societies. When they considered us useful, did we suddenly stop being evil, or was it that we were now needed and accepted, so we didnt feel the need to continue the ways of our past that made us evil."

Solace gives Jessa a disappointed look, but nods. "I think we must accept that there are some acts which are unequivocally 'good' and others that are 'evil', although...I confess to thinking that the majority of acts are neither in and of themselves, but that it is intent that gives them weight in one direction or the other." In the debate of what evil people call themselves, his smile flickers to life. Dryly, he says, "In my experience, most do not concern themselves with such labels. One thing that the average evil man or woman tends to have in common is a lack of self-examination. If the universe calls you 'evil', the universe is wrong. You may feel self-pity about that fact, or more likely rage, but it doesn't go much farther than that." He pauses, considering Vekson's words. "...at that point, you're speaking about evil in relationship to a society, which is another thing altogether. It's possible that the goblin culture /did/ stop being evil. At one point, the High Artificers had good intentions, I'm sure, and yet they fell. Even my own people did not set out, collectively, to turn their country into a rotting hellhole of suffering. But like reinforces like. Evil begets evil...and, presumably, in the right circumstances, good begets good." He does sound considerably more dubious about that last, though.

Mikilos smiles to Jame. "In honesty, I don't think the names vary that much. Diffrent languages of course carry diffrent names. But what one thinks when they hear the word 'evil' likely chages if it applies to them or not." He nods to Vekson, and shrugs. "A thousand years ago, I doubt all goblins were evil. There were likely exceptions. The vast majority, as now, were likely fairly even. But they acted as their culture taught them. A few extreme examples, exceptions to the general trend of the middle, shifted the culture. If these exceptions where from inside the culture or out is less important than that the culture itself shifted." He nods to Solace. "Good tends to beget good, but nothing is certain. Just as evil does not always beget evil. Just usually."

Jessa is definitely not interested in this discussion so she is listening--she's looking from speaker to speaker. But she isn't going to particularly get involved. Her weight is starting to shift from foot to foot.

Jame says to Vekson, "I don't pretend to know about history, but I do know that just because a person is considered to be evil doesn't make them evil. I think before, that goblins, oruch, arvek nar, mul'niessa, because of their ways, perhaps we assumed they were evil before finding out about a particular individual. But we are now learning that it is not absolute, and now we find out before attacking." He nods in agreement with Solace, apart from where Mikilos adds 'Just usually,' to which he nods emphatically and adds, "Not always, by any means."

Vekson nods "But what about druids? Civilized races mine and farm and harvest all sorts of things that druids hold sacred, do they not think we are all evil for doing so? That we take for the good of society, but the bane of nature. According to my lord, evil is rooted in perspective, often what is judged evil are those things that tend to make society difficult. Murder is evil if its done by an individual, but not if its done by a government for crimes. The act is not what is evil, the reason for the act becomes the defining point of evil."

Mikilos eyes Jessa, suddenly nervous. A bored Muse is a dangerous thing. "What of Gustav? Dull, grey, orderly, but not, generally speaking, evil, yes?"

Solace lifts a finger and points it at Jame. Not without amusement, he says, "And /that/, Jame, is why evil societies tend to stay evil, while good societies are more likely to fall to evil. Evil polices itself; its solipsism cannot allow competing voices, and it has no moral compunction about removing them in such a way that if anyone is even considering the merits of the argument, they will be bloody quiet about it." He looks to Vekson. "Which is why I must disagree with part of your assertion. A government's actions can certainly be evil, when they perpetuate evil actions. That said, an evil government is still to preferred to rampant chaos. At least an evil government can be worked with, while chaos simply destroys."

"Gustav?" Jessa seems to check back in. "Gustav was based completely on order and lawfulness. Not evil, not anything but order. They may not have done directly evil acts but their people were still oppressed and downtrodden. And it was boring! And grey! And horrible!" She has a lot of opinions.

Jame shakes his head to Vekson. "Druids do not think we are evil for using resources. They may think we are using them unwisely, but that is a different thing. They can oppose a good act because it hurts their groves, but they can oppose evil, too. Nature isn't specifically good or evil. Nor is government. Murder is murder, no matter who gives the orders. What makes murder different from a just slaying is that justice is done to prevent further evil." He frowns at Solace, "Your assumptions are unfounded. Good societies -could- fall to evil, but you speak as if they were not allwoed to fight against it. Good can only fall to evil if those who would do good are kept from interfering."

Mikilos frowns thoughtfully, shaking his head to Solace's statement. "Chaos is change. It can change from good to bad, from neutral into evil. But it can change to good as well. But most often it will change a neutral thing to a diffrent neutral thing. A change for which you may be unprepared, and thus see the change as bad, though inherantly it is neutral. Chaos is dymanic and energitic. Draining to some, invigorating to others."

Vekson listens as the others bring about thier perspectives and nods. "My lord tells me it is best to look at all sides, and find a middle ground. Think of freedom, is it a good thing, is there too much? If you only do whatever you want to do all the time you will be fine, until you meet someone else who only does what they want to do, and what they choose to do interfers with your choices, then suddenly thier freedom is interfering with yours. So many complexities with civilized races, is why there is always so much fighting."

Another disappointed look goes Jessa's way. Solace says, "It's surely not a bad thing for everyone to know their place. Laws, consistently and inevitably applied, create trust and safety among the populace. Boredom, to /most/ people, means a long and happy life without someone trying to kill or abuse them. There might be no place for adventurers in such a world, but for the common man or woman, it would be quite pleasant." And now Jame is frowning at him; the half-elf seems taken aback by it. "I am simply saying, Jame, that allowing competing voices introduces a weakness into the system. Certainly it can be fought against, but historical precedent seems to suggest that rot spreads more easily than compassion and justice. As long as you allow in outliers, you allow corruption. A society may view it as important to take that risk, but it remains a risk." Mikilos' words silence him for a moment. "I've heard that perspective before, but I can't say I agree. Chaos is...an inevitability, but so is death. I see no r eason to encourage either of them." He takes a deep breath, clearly bringing down his level of excitement or agitation. After he's calmed a bit, he smiles at the goblin. "And sometimes, we just enjoy fighting. We're obstinate that way."

"There was no individual thought and no creativity and people were afraid to even interact with anyone who they thought might be different." Jessa does not approve.

Jame shakes his head wearily to Solace. "You have a depressing perspective. You assume all change is from good to bad, that nothing can ever improve, that good cannot rise from the ashes of evil. Clearly, that's not the case at all, since this city was wrested away from an evil ruler some time ago, and now is a haven in the fighting against evil throughout the world. Competing voices means checks and balances are in place." He says to Vekson, "A middle ground is wise. Order must be tempered by compassion."

Mikilos nods thoughfully to Solace. "Order most certainly has it's place. Nothing built can last without order. But, neither can anything improve without chaos. At least a little bit of it. It's from a dissenting voice that new ideas are introduced. Perhaps everyone knows their place. But should none ever try to improve their lot? And who dictates where one's place is to be? as for death, it depends on who's death it is. Most I would prefer to live, if only to diplomatically encourage their ways to change. But there are those few whom no change can come fast enough to justify their continued existance. Death is the best course unto them."

Vekson stands up, and nods to all here. "My lord wishes to go home, he is finding it hard to sleep with all the discussions. He says for you all to have a good day." The goblin then starts to head off.

Solace offers Jessa a shrug. "Perhaps because they were happy, and did not wish to change?" It could be inferred, from his rather bewildered expression, that the half-elf honestly believes such a place might not be so terrible. Bewilderment turns to a flicker of hurt, before he stiffens and hides his expression. "I did not say that nothing could ever improve," he says to Jame. "Merely that it seems, from the evidence, to be more difficult." To Mikilos, he just shakes his head. "Perhaps you are right. Certainly, I have no right to assert otherwise, and I apologize to you all for doing so." He offers a bow of parting to Vekson, then a self-mocking smile. "It is, perhaps, the presence of temples that encourges too much thought about the nature of the world."

Vekson has left.

"I saw the people. They were not happy. THERE WAS NO ART." This is a crime, to Jessa, it appears. But then she is Ceinaran. That would be a rather personal thing to her. She eyes Solace with a frown. "You remind me of how Vennan was at first."

Mikilos nods to Jessa, eyeing Solace a moment before patting the Mul-blood on the shoulder. "It's too late to run. She already has your scent. Just accept it with the best grace you can muster. In time you'll come to enjoy the new you." It might be noted that he's carefully stepped outside of the Lucht's shin-kicking range before speaking.

Jame yawns suddenly, and laughs self-consciously. "I am tired, I apologize, I have ridden all day to get here." To Solace, he says, "What examples do you have that say that it is more difficult to improve than to fall? I think all the evidence in the world points leads exactly to the opposite conclusion. Alexandria is free, where it once was held by an evil ruler. We are now allied with those we once fought with. Those who we assumed were locked in evil now live here and fight against evil. I think we have seen great improvements."

Solace edges away from Jessa, trying to look all dignified about it. It fails, especially when Mikilos reaches over to pat him on the shoulder. He looks like he doesn't know whether to sputter with righteous indignation or just flee. In the end, he just makes a 'harumph' sound under his breath and says, primly, "I believe that I am well enough as I am. Competing views, I believe we just established, should not be preemptively silenced." A wary pause. "Right?" He relaxes only fractionally at Jame's apology. "I...believe that I shall decline to argue the point. Let it just be said that we, perhaps, come from very different backgrounds," he says, gently.

"I think I have made a very positive impact on the lives that I have become a part of, thank you very much," Jessa says in a prim voice. She doesn't attack the large elf or give him an angry look. But she is almost cool in how she glances at him. "I am sure I will make a very positive impact on your lives as well."

Mikilos chuckles, and nods. "Yes, your impact has been positive. But that doesn't mean I won't tease about it now and again."

Jame nods slowly as Solace declines to debate the point further with him. "Competing views are fine," he agrees. "Discussion helps us all grow and learn." He yawns again. "But perhaps we have driven metaphysics into the ground."

Solace looks dubiously at Jessa. "I'm...sure you have," he at least tries to politely say, before coughing, and moving on. His sympathy for Jame's yawn is perhaps overhearty as he says, "Quite right. And with you having just gotten into the city, and all, as well. Perhaps...does anyone know of a good inn for Jame to stay? I confess that my own lodgings have been...more modest than not."

"You'll learn," Jessa says serenely to Solace. Then she claps her hands together. "Depends on how much you have to spend. I know of many inns."

Jame chuckles wryly, "Unfortunately, I have very little coin to spend."

Mikilos ponders a few moments. "There's quite a few optons, really. Most of the temples have some sort of lodgeing for prigrilms. There are quite a few local inns, ranging from luxurious to... less plesant. And most of the guilds have at least a cot you can rest on for a couple hours. Then there's a range of private rooms to be rented, though those make take some time asking around."

"As you were in the military, are there no places where a veteran might lay his head for at least one night?" Solace wonders. "It seems as though there should be, here. But I can direct you to the inn I stayed during my first week. It's...inexpensive." The long pause suggests that's it's /only/ virtue.

"There's the Soldier's Hospital," Jessa says thoughtfully. "How good are you at faking an injury?"

Jame listens to Mikilos, and nods slowly. "I will check with the Temple of Serriel first, then. Thank you." To Solace, he wonders, "Are there? I do not know. I was not directly in service to the City. My service was with allies from ..." he pauses at Jessa's comment, and shakes his head, "I won't go that far," he says, a touch severely. "Though perhaps I can help them in exchange for a place to stay."

Mikilos frowns at Jessa, though trying not to smile. "They may have beds currently unused. Though if wish ligitimacy, can always vist the Arena first. Am sure can find someone to break something non-vital. Though simple sparring will no longer do it, thankfully."

Solace frowns at both Jessa and Mikilos. "Let's not make the man a liar or a cripple on his /first/ night in the city," he says, sternly.

"So much like Vennan," Jessa says with a wide grin.

Mikilos bahs, and waves vaugely, though he grins. "Cripple nothing. Bones set, scars fade. He'll be fine. Eventually."

Jame's eyes widen at Mikilos's comment, and he nods vehemently at what Solace says. "I agree!" More calmly, he says, "I will head to the Temple first, and if there is no place there, I'm sure they can direct me."

Solace narrows his eyes at Jessa. "I don't know who that is. I will choose to interpret it as a compliment." To Mikilos, just another harumph and a shake of his head. He smiles at Jame. "That seems like the most /reasonable/ plan, then."

"It is, actually." Jessa says with a laugh. "But the Temple will likely help you out the best. We do our best to take care of our various flocks."

Mikilos laughs, and nods to Solace. "I think you'll take it as a compliment, as I'm sure the two of you shall meet eventually."

Jame chuckles and tugs on the lead of his warhorse, then, and says, "All right, then. I will likely see all of you around. Be well." And with that, he leads his horse towards the temple of Serriel.

"They have met!" Jessa says immediately. "The elf I was with when we met!"

Jame has disconnected.

Solace lifts a hand in parting to Jame. "Be safe, then," he says, looking briefly worried after the man. The...armored man, with a large horse, who is easily a half-foot taller than Solace. Once he's gone, he turns back to the other two, one eyebrow raised. "Oh? I can't say I see much of a resemblence," he says, with a shrug. "But he was nice enough, I suppose."

"Do you see?" Jessa says this to Mikilos, pleased by the observation. Then she studies Solace. "You'll learn and relax a bit, I suspect, once you realize that this city is not just some strange trap preparing to spring on you at all times."

Mikilos snerks softly at Solace's responce, and looks to Jessa. "Long lost twins."

Solace doesn't find this at all funny. He scowls at Mikilos. "I sincerely doubt it. And," he shrugs, "I am endeavoring to keep an open mind about the city. It seems pleasant enough." But he's totally expecting a trap. Totally. "At any rate," he looks up at the overcast sky, "I should be attemping to find my way back to my rooms, before the skies open up again and rust my armor where I stand. It was...nice to speak with you again, Jessa. And pleasant to meet you, Mikilos."

"Soon you too will smile when you see me." Jessa really genuinely means that, for all that he likely won't. "It was lovely to talk to you!"

Mikilos chuckles still, but nods. "Fare well sir. Local customs do take a bit of getting used to."

Solace has left.

"I always manage to make them relax eventually." Jessa says that confidently. Then: "If only because no one can sustain the constant terror."

Mikilos snerks, and laughs. "Something like that, yes. He seems like someone who carries a lot of his past with him. Think he'll be happier once learns to set it down."

"Well, he clearly has issues." Jessa considers that. "Though most people do."

Mikilos nods, and shrugs again, taking a seat on a nearby crate. One of those convient ones that seem to get left all over the place in times for when you need one. "True enough, though some are distinctly more entertaining for the rest of us."

"Yes, this is most definitely true. You know, someone was asking about you. That fellow with the digger pet." Jessa can't remember his name.

Mikilos blinks, nods, and sputters a moment... "B.. Der... Bildor? Maybe? Something like that. Anyway, yes, know who you mean. What did he want?"

"Sure okay, guess that's who it was." Jessa grins. "He wanted to be sure you were all right? What elsewould he be asking about?" And then she gives him a sly look.

Mikilos shrugs. "I meant did he have a question, or want something made, or need a spell cast, or just looking for someone tall enough to provide a bit of shade?" He grins.

"He wanted to know you were safe," Jessa says simply.

Mikilos ahs, and nods. "Quite well, all considered. Though I suspect Mother will fuss and hover regardless when I visit."

"Mothers are going to do that regardless," Jessa pointso ut.

Mikilos ponders. "Well, true. But the level is much higher with justified worry involved."

"Probably. Either way, I have an appointment so if you will excuse me." Jessa has places to go, it appears.

Mikilos nods. "Of course. Good Night."

Jessa has left.