On the Move
Log Info
- Title: On the Move
- Emitter: Verna
- Place: Auranar and Verna's home
- Summary: Andelena comes to visit Verna and Auranar at their home. The discussion, held over tea and cookies, deals firstly with the matter of the Vast and the dream, as well as how Dolan's involvement in the matter is limited due to his current condition. They build a list of names to bring to their planned trip into the Vast, and Andelena resolves to investigate the sword that Dolan dreamed into reality to see if it might be useful in the upcoming trip. The conversation turns to cheerful thoughts and kitten cuddles.
Winter in Alexandria is rarely what could be considered pleasant. Upon the Redridge, it is even less so, with no walls to mitigate the wind. The stone cottage jutting out over the city below has none on the portico at present, though is well-lit and the hearth(s?) burn aggressively to ward off the wind, chill, and damp.
The Sunguard Andelena approaches the cottage as she's done before, the wind and downpour providing an argument for why she shouldn't even try--but tries nonetheless. Her cloak keeps her warm and relatively unsullied, although she clearly doesn't look happy about any of it.
Eventually, she arrives at the front step, and she knocks on the front door. Patiently, she waits. She's gotten this far. The rest will happen.
The door opens after a moment; tentatively, at first, then wider after Verna recognizes the visitor. There is a mild look of surprise, though she promptly steps back to open the door invitingly. "Andelena. A unexpected, yet not unwelcome, surprise. Please, do come in." There are any number of reasons she might visit, and questions may already be forming, but she begins first with, "Shall I pour you some tea?"
"I'd fucking love some tea, thank you, Verna," Andelena says rather quickly, stepping into the home and immediately taking the chance to rid herself of her cloak and the cold rain and wind that have dogged her all the way up to Verna and Auranar's house.
"I'm here for a couple of reasons," Andelena says, looking for a place she can hang her cloak to dry. "But we can talk about them over tea. How're things?"
A voice comes from the kitchen, and Auranar comes around the counter, an apron on over her dress as she dusts flour off her hands. There's clearly some dough there. "Who's here Verna?" She asks pushing a stray hair back from her hair with her wrist and then blinking and smiling at the sight of Andelena. "Andelena! Greetings!"
Verna closes the door firmly against the weather and offers to take the cloak to hang it up. At Auranar's call, she turns, too late to answer the question, yet not wasting the opportunity to offer Aura a smile. "Her vernacular in her request for tea does make her somewhat conspicuous," she offers lightly. "I shall pour us all a cup, if you would like a respite from making me salivate?"
Fortunately, the pot is not far, and recently fresh. In fact, it is conveniently near the latest collection of tomes and papers in the vicinity of Verna's chair: maps and notes, in this instance. She briskly tends to the pouring, adding to Andelena, "Please, make yourself comfortable. The weather is most unpleasant as of late."
"Yeah, it's not a visit with me in your house if I don't go and cuss at some point," Andelena says with a small smirk as Verna takes the cloak. "Figured I'd just get it out of the way in the first five minutes. Where's the furry baby?"
She waves to Auranar as she steps into the room, grinning from ear to ear. "Hey Auranar," she says. "Baking again? Nevermind, dumb question--what are you baking? There, that's better."
Auranar quickly casts a spell to remove the mess from her hands - but completely misses a bit of flour on her forehead - and laughs at Verna and Andelena. "I'm making cookies this time. We ended up with some extra gray tea and I wanted to use up the mix before it goes stale. The cookies are surprisingly tasty with a bit of lemon icing." She moves into the living room and looks around for Hunter but doesn't spot him. "Hunter was chasing my apron strings earlier, but when I almost stepped on his poor tail he took off and I'm not sure where."
Verna completes the pouring and brings the tray to the others. "Alas, I was not monitoring him, but has begun to show a keen interest in the limbs and branches around the hearth," she nods her head in that direction. "He does enjoy play..." Warmth and height? A strong possibility. She sets down the tray, then gives Auranar a brief side-glance before a hand reaches up to run a finger at the flour spot on her forehead. It may not clean it so much as spread, though some is transferred to Verna's finger. Which is noted... and then returned with a tap on Auranar's nose. Verna's look of amusement lingers even as she shifts back to their guest. "What brings you out against the wind and wet, Andelena? Not that we do not welcome the visit." She manages to delay almost a breath before inquiring, "Is Dolan healing well?"
"Poor baby," Andelena says with a frown that's almost like a pout. "I'm sure Hunter'll forgive you, though, Auranar. My girls kind of just follow me around, if they're not busy rolling around with each other on the floor and getting into mischief."
She takes a teacup from the tray and takes a seat on the nearest sitting surface, although she gives a glance around in the hope that maybe she will spot the elusive kitten-beast known as Hunter. When that doesn't pan out, she says, "Bry's healing, yeah. He's able to walk around for short bits and bursts now. But he's still not operational. Which..."
Andelena takes a sip from her teacup. "Brings me to my next point. He wants us to do something about the Vast. And there's still totems in that werewolf camp we might be able to grab. But there's a third avenue: the dream. Bry's figured out how to meet people within the dream, and he's figured out how to pull things out of the dream. We were thinking: it might be best if everyone with a totem meets up inside of the dream."
Auranar laughs again at Verna, or perhaps more accurately herself. She seems very interested in hearing about how Dolan is doing, and actually smiles at the thought that the man is up and about. "That's so good to hear! I really hope that he's out soon and back to his old self." She glances at her chair quickly before sitting down and making herself comfortable. "Pull things out of the dream? Like... What?" She can't imagine what might come out of the dream besides murderous vampires. "Is it safe to have everyone gather like that?"
Verna's mirth does finally fade as she moves to sit. She may well be having similar thoughts concerning things pulled from dreams. "I... am hesitant to press matters in the dream. Myself." Her lips purse. "Others may have far greater success..." She pauses for a breath and possibly for effect. "The Vast is another matter entirely. What I believed an exploratory mission of mild priority is now a matter most urgent. There IS something present. By all appearances, it is a portal for the Red Maws forces. Visions and dreams showed wolves sprouting forth form that place. I witnessed it, and the vision was not a metaphor."
"Then I'm glad I came here to talk about the Vast, then," Andelena says with a firm nod. "We need to do something about that. We need allies who'll go. Right now, Dolan can't. But he can do things in the dream--and he wants to help."
She looks to Auranar. "He was able to bring a sword out of the dream. The Knight's blessing. Something like that--that could be used against the Hound's minions in battle. That could be powerful. That's one thing we could use if we went to the Vast."
Auranar leans forward a looks at Andelena carefully. "A sword? Have you checked to see if it's magical yet? Done any sort or studies on it? Research?" She suddenly has the grace to look embarrassed. "Oh. Sorry. I'm asking too many questions."
Verna's brows lift at mention of the sword and her curiosity rises with them. "A gift from The Knight?! That would be a powerful weapon, indeed. What do you know of it?" She pauses and glances to Auranar. "Valid questions should never be apologized for, love," assures the one who just asked a few herself and is admittedly biased.
A moment of thought and a breath later, she nods to Andelena. "We must gather whomever we may and act sooner rather than later. I do not disparage Dolan's aid, nor his wish to. It would be welcome. I trust that you will ensure he does not over-stress himself. This portal, whatever form it takes, must be closed. It is doubtful the forces there would not defend it."
Andelena takes a long siiiiiiip of her tea, emptying it in one gulp. "To be honest," she says, putting the teacup back down into her lap, "I don't know much about the sword. Been... kind of too scared to touch it. Like it's gonna fucking bite me like an over-excited lapdog that belongs to a noblewoman who never gives it any attention." There's a look in her face like she knows exactly what she's talking about, too. The joys of being (former) nobility.
"I was going to poke at that with Bry next," she elaborates. "If it is magical, it might not want me holding it, considering it was Bry who pulled it out of the dream. Gods know I know plenty about... vaguely sentient swords." A look is cast over her shoulder at the sword strapped to her back. "Yes, I'm talking about you, Deliverance."
That gets a buzz from the sword, and Andelena snorts. "Figured I'd get its attention like that," she says.
Auranar nods. "It's wise to be cautious. It might be far more powerful than expected after all. Who knows what it can do." She muses to herself mostly and picks up her own tea only to set it down and smile at Andelena. "Would you like some cookies to go with another cup of tea? You'll be saving Verna, she's insistent that I will make her fat."
Verna considers. "If and when enough can be learned of the weapon for it to be comfortable to bear," Verna suggests, "then it is useful. Until then, it could be a risk. I am somewhat familiar with such swords, myself, and not in the manner of current pleasant company." She takes a sip of tea in further thought.
Until said thread is pulled towards cookies and she looks to Auranar with a hint of smile. "Any blame for my overindulgence in your masterful food is shared, dearest. We are in all things together. That said, please feel free, Andelena."
"I get the caution, Verna, but we are talking about a sword that appears to have come from the Knight's blessing," Andelena says. "Also, don't mind if I do on those cookies. One team, one dream where baking's concerned."
She gets up to fill her teacup. "Now. I'm trying to figure out who we'd call on for that trip to the Vast. There's me. There's you, Verna. I figure we can get married man--y'know, Telamon--to help. I can call on Dirk to see if he's keen to go, and I know he is. Magpie's a maybe--I don't know if she'd want to come along to something like this."
She screws her face up in thought. "Who else. Seldan's said that he can't contribute much more to this--he's dealing with other things at the moment."
Auranar smiles brightly and heads for the kitchen. She spends more than a few moments in there - she's adding more cookies to the oven and pulling out the ones that were in there. Exchanging the cookies takes a few moments and she grabs a few that have been cooled and iced and plates them before bringing them out into the living area. She offers the cookies around to Verna and Andelena before taking one for herself and placing the rest on the table. "I don't know of anyone else who has a totem save those we'd like to get them from."
"Dirk already agreed to the venture, though that was before my discovery," Verna nods. "Telamon would be welcome, certainly." She nods with the note on Seldan, well aware of his many tasks. Some of them at least.
As well, the gesture means that she put the arriving cookies to task immediately. Perhaps the blame may not be so evenly divided, nor Andelena's aid so vast, as one has already vanished. After chewing (allegedly) and swallowing, she looks to Aura, "Were Auranar inclined to join, that would be enough?"
"Your choice if you want to come with us, Auranar," Andelena says as she takes two cookies--big lady's got a big appetite. "If you're content with that selection of people, Verna, then I am."
She takes a bite of one cookie and 'mmmph!'s in appreciation, finishing the rest in one more crunch. "Gods, that's good," she says to Auranar. "You know, it's probably for the best that Bry and I really can't cook much for shit. I can see why Verna's concerned, because I'd probably be hitting the training dummies twice as hard to make up for eating all the sugar."
Then, of course, she lifts the second one to her mouth. "Price you pay for flavor, I guess," she says, before she bites in.
Auranar smiles in pleasure that her treats are so well appreciated. "I'm glad you like them." She takes a moment longer to think about whether or not she will go with. "I... I don't know. I want to go, but... I don't want to be a burden or hostage in the making either. I am getting better with my magic, but I still have so much to learn."
Verna continues to regard Auranar, though it firms from 'looking' more towards 'look.' It does not last overlong, though, and she eventually nods. "It is entirely your choice, Aura. Always." She then takes another cookie, sampling this one more slowly. "These are as delightful as expected." Lastly, she nods to Andelena. "I am content. We may well find others as we prepare, regardless. I believe that I can transport all there, or near enough, and return us. Telamon is able to do the same, so we need not pack heavily nor be absent long."
"Fully up to you," Andelena says to Auranar. "Honestly, nobody'll begrudge you if you stay behind. I know you've been working on the wedding, and that is important in its own way. Hell, I'm going to be wearing a dress for the first time in years to your wedding, so I'm totally invested, too."
She grins. "I already told Bry that I was gonna show up at his room wearing the dress so he can admire it, too. Speaking of which, it's getting close now, huh? How're you two feeling?"
Auranar shakes her head. "I'm not understating my own abilities here, I'm sure I could be helpful, but I am fully aware of my limitations. I don't want to put everyone at risk if I can't defend myself." Her eyes glitter with determination. "I will get better. I will become strong enough to walk into anything that calls to Verna and be at her side. But for now... It's better if I stay home and... Plan the wedding." It sounds like a concession under the best of circumstances.
"You will improve, love," Verna assures, "and you are already more wise than I. Many only become aware of their limitations -after- they find they have exceeded them." She does not expound on that. "As well, you are ever by my side, even when we are apart." A smile forms, growing as she adds, "I daresay that you undertake the more difficult task, at any rate. Certainly the more important." The smile remains as she looks to Andelena. "I am anxious, yet excited. I have every expectation it shall be as wondrous as we desire it, and every intention to ensure that every expectation is met."
"I'm already sweating about mine with Bry," Andelena admits. "We're going for the full-blown Daeusite ceremony--and that's a lot to memorize. I've been passing the time when Bry's asleep in the healing room with the text on the full wedding rites, and that's... a lot of pages. Doesn't help that, despite being a Sunguard, I'm not the brightest paint on the canvas."
She takes another cookie. Just the one. It'd be rude to be that much greedier. "I'm a lot of things. Well-learned just ain't one of them. I get by fine otherwise."
Auranar takes her tea and settles back in her chair, just in time for Hunter to make a dramatic leap into her lap. She chuckles lightly and starts petting him. "I... I had a question for you Andelena. And I want you and Dolan to think about it. Don't just... decide right away." She stares at the cat intently. "Me and Verna are making a garden here in Alexandria. It's a very special kind of garden. One meant for families. I was hoping... Well Dolan is like a big brother to me... so if you'd both be willing to add something to the garden?"
Verna starts at the sudden appearance of Hunter-fluff. It is a brief thing once it is clear that he is not stealing anything (other than attention) and that none are injured. "The mighty Hunter returns..." is noted softly, with bemusement. Auranar's inquiry promptly draws her focus from fluff to Andelena. She considers words to add to that, leaning nearer Auranar in the process and reaching over to give Hunter a pet before her hand rests on Aura. "We are choosing our family."
Andelena looks like she's about to call out a hello to the Hunter-kitten, but then Auranar poses the question. She looks... bowled over, and her hand goes up to her chest. "Shit. Auranar, Verna. You mean..."
She emphatically nods up and down, looking misty-eyed. "I'd love to. I'm sure Bry would love to. Damn, that's an honor. All I've got really of my family that I love and appreciate is my little brother, so... Yeah, I get it. I understand. I'd be honored, really and truly."
Auranar looks up, smiling. "Well, you should talk to Dolan about it. But... We'd be honored to have you as part of our family. You'll need to come up with a plant that you want to add to the garden, but... I'm sure you two can come up with something." She looks fondly at Verna. "Our family is growing already."
"We would," Verna echoes briefly before turning back to return Auranar's gaze. "It is." Her hand lifts to point a finger at the be-kittened woman responsible. With praise. "All entirely by your will and wish, dearest. Without you, there would not be one." Her smile is warm even as she adds, "I can only hope that our garden shall weather my black thumbs." She has two, in fact.
"Well, I have no gardening tips whatsoever," Andelena says with a grin. "But... I'm not a total idiot. Or clueless about flowers. I'll figure out something, even if it's only to pick the obvious sunflower to represent Bry and I."
She looks longingly at Hunter now. "He's adorable," she says. "Absolutely adorable. Then again, I'm biased. I have two calicos at home, after all."
Auranar snorts gently. "Verna is as certain that she will kill the garden as she is that I will fatten her up. Though I have yet to notice her gain so much as a single pound." She rolls her eyes at Verna and then smiles at Andelena. "Sunflowers are a good choice. And lovely. Here, you can hold him for a bit if you like."
She picks the tired kitten up and offers him to Andelena.
Verna observes the potential hand of of weary Hunter, though her cheeks color at Auranar's calling her out. "Yes, well," she clears her throat of cookie crumbs. "I have never had much fortune in tasks I was not well-prepared for..." She then adds, for Andelena's benefit, "Auranar being the sole exception."
"I'd love to," Andelena says, taking the tired little cat-baby in her arms, where she goes to hold Hunter up... yeah, exactly like one might encourage a baby to nuzzle into their shoulder, petting Hunter behind the ears. Crazy cat lady that she is. "What a sweetheart. You must be sooooo spoiled by both of your mommas." That is a decidedly un-Andie voice that she uses to sweet-talk Hunter.
She looks back to Verna and Auranar. "Well, you know, Verna--you've gotten this far, right? I reckon you're better at improvising than you think. Or I could just be talking out of my ass. Auranar would know better than I do."
"She succeeds at everything she puts her mind to." Auranar states simply, drinking her tea and eyeing Verna, then smiling fondly. "I think we were both ill-prepared for one another, but... love can be like that. I can't even say what day it is that I realized that I cared for her so much, but it's like it was always there waiting for me to realize." She reaches over and grasps Verna's hand.
Verna's countenance remains heated, though perhaps for differing reason as she holds the hand and returns the smile. "I believe that, in our earliest interactions, I was certainly the one speaking out of the wrong end," she admits, partially borrowing Andelena's turn of phrase. "Stutteringly so. Wholly unprepared, never having spared thought to the general concept, much less a specific individual... and then, there she was. Now I would not, could not, imagine anything otherwise..."
A long moment passes before she realizes that she is staring and grinning, one or both possibly in a warm, stupefied manner. Not that she is against it, nor perhaps even Aura, but more that she recalls Andelena's presence. She turns back to her with, "Apologies. I ... expect that you are familiar, and have your own experiences and tales."
Andelena grins from ear to ear, still babying Hunter for every strand of fur on his little body. "Don't worry," she says. "Although... Bry and I had kind of a slower start. We were in the same training class at the Temple when we were teenagers. He was scrawny and short then. I thought he was kind of a punk. We had sort of a competition going on as he grew taller and stronger. But..."
She looks down at Hunter fondly, patting him down more gently. "The asshole cheated. He told me he admired me for me. I realized only at that moment how much I liked him. How much I loved him. And while we've been through so much since then, and he's become a different man in a lot of respects--I still love him. So damned much."
Auranar is listening to the story intently and then suddenly jerks. "The cookies!" She leaps to her feet and rushes to the kitchen, checking on her cookies and trading them all out all over again. She comes back a bit sheepishly a few moments later. "Got to them in time at least. But that was a close call. Thank you for telling us your story about Dolan, Andelena. Sometimes I think I can't imagine him soft, and then I see him around you and I know then that you two are a good pair. The way you look at one another... It's special."
Verna blinks and starts as Aura jumps up, her mind a few seconds behind her better half's before she realizes the potential horror. She is turned in her seat, alert for news or call for aid, though not intentionally ignorant of Andelena. A welcoming smile, and hand, are offered upon Auranar's triumphant return. She also makes note to avoid waxing too enamored for too long in the future. At least during baking.
"While I may not know either of you as well as Aura, I can still easily discern the bond that you and he share, Andelena. It seems as it was simply ...meant to be."
"Oh Daeus, not the cookies," Andelena murmurs, eyes wide in surprise as she clutches to Hunter. But then Auranar returns victorious, and she exhales in relief. "You're a champion, Auranar."
And... the Sunguard actually blushes a little at the words regarding herself and Dolan. She grins just a moment later, remembering herself. "Well, it's as I keep telling him," she says. "It's me, him, and the Knight. Together, in the light, standing against evil--and stronger because we are one."
Eventually, the Sunguard braves it home after more tea and more cookies. But she tucks in Hunter somewhere safe and warm, first--as all people should be on a winter night.
And it is outside of Verna and Auranar's house that the cloaked Sunguard stops for a moment in the downpour. She closes her eyes, and she murmurs to herself, "They aren't the only ones on the move."
The Sunguard takes a step forward.
"So are we."