Sister Calls for Aid

Log Info

• Title: Sister Calls for Aid

• Emitter: Patch

• Characters: Patch, Ravenstongue

• Place: Ravenstongue and Telamon's house

• Summary: Patch arrives at the Lúpecyll-Atlon residence, and she requests Ravenstongue's aid to help her in her ongoing effort to research what's been going on with the sea of mana. Ravenstongue is more than happy to help and recounts her efforts with Farland's expedition into the Felwood. The chatter turns to warmer topics as the sisters enjoy tea (and Pothy's presence).

The Lúpecyll-Atlon Home - Morning

The winter weather has Patch bundled against the snow and chill that creeps through the city. The bard has her coat pulled tight a hand used to keep the collar closed and pulled up against her face. A cloak of maroon is also used to try and keep what little warmth she can from escaping, her breath seen coming in puffs of white as she comes up the lane. Her direction is clear, the home of Cor'lana and Telamon, something hidden under her cloak, protected from the weather as she stops to knock lightly upon the front door.

Inside, Cor'lana is enjoying a cup of tea. It's morning, so the tea is a strong blend of dried berries and leaves imported from the Jade Islands--a rare cup of tea that isn't brewed from something grown in Grandfather's garden. The sorceress wears a long silk robe that matches the color of her eyes and looks rather comfortable...

When the knock rings out. That look on her face goes from serenity to a sudden curiosity. "That can't be Telamon back from errands already," she says.

"That means no taking off your robe to ambush him," Pothy says dryly as he cracks a peanut on the coffee table.

Cor'lana merely huffs and pats the white raven on the head as she goes to open up the front door. "Oh! Sister!" she says, smiling as she goes to offer Patch a hug. "Come on inside, it's awfully cold out there."

Patch smiles as that door comes open, her wind whipped hair settling as dances a bit from the chill of the porch. The indoor warmth is comforting, a blast of heat when the world wants cold. "Hello, Sister." she offers in return, quickly entering as a tube styled map case is brought out from under her cloak. "I appreciate it. Apologies for just showing up."

With a flush, Patch laughs a bit hesitantly, finally taking in Cor'lana and that silken robe with a small smirk. It's hard not to notice, harder to not let eyes linger "It really is still the morning." she notes with mirth. "I can come back, I.... that does look good on you, though." admitting truth, even in the face of awkward.

Cor'lana giggles as she waves Patch inside, pausing only to lock the door behind Patch. "What, this? This is what I lounge around in," she says, pointing to the silk robe as it goes all the way to the floor and only reveals a small portion of the curuchuil mark on her chest. "It's not like I went to the door dressed in my skivvies or something."

"I had to tell her it was probably too soon for Telamon to come back, or she might have opened the door without the robe," Pothy remarks dryly. "I'm happy to see you, though, Patch!" It's true, he's already wagging his tail happily.

That gets a tongue pointed at Pothy, sticking out of Cor'lana's mouth as she makes a face at him. "I'll go and change real quick," she says. "Don't want you feeling awkward on my account."

It doesn't take long, as implied by 'real quick'. Cor'lana emerges in a long dress more appropriate for receiving company. She sits down on the couch, where she normally sits with Telamon... but Telamon is absent. "So, what's the case for?" she asks, gesturing to the map case in Patch's hands.

"I don't know, Pothy. While that would be a treat, I like a little mystery." Patch muses, setting her case briefly in the entryway as the door falls closed, making a curvy figure in gesture with her hands. "The directness is for certain situations, but when trying to woo, you always leave a little to unwrap." she notes with a grin at the bird.

"You don't have to change, don't let my depravity and thoughts take you out of your comfort." Patch counters to Cor'lana, taking her case up again. "I had thought to have a serious discussion with you, but." a half-snort interrupting her with a laugh. "I didn't expect to have to pick my tongue up. That's all."

"Sorry for the intrusion, but I felt it was time we had 'the talk'." not a talk. The Talk. Whatever that means.

Cor'lana watches the pantomiming of the curvy figure and she laughs. "No, no, that--" She mimics the gesture of the curvy figure. "--Is more like this," she says, making a much more humble and petite figure. If... a bit stick-like. "The first one was my mother. I didn't inherit her figure."

"It's true," Pothy speaks up. "Nadi was a beautiful woman and she knew it. She also would probably have seduced Zalgiman and had him eating out of her palms by now."

That gets an eye-roll from Cor'lana. "I like to think my mother would have better taste," she says, "but then again, she did sleep with my father." She turns her attention back onto Patch with a wry smile. "I know about 'the ravens and the bees', as Grandfather likes to put it, so I'm assuming you mean a different 'the talk' altogether. I'm listening."

"My mother was, smaller than even I. Small, and quiet." Patch says, motioning at her own form, and grinning at the two. "I don't know where I inherited what curves I have, but I think it would have to be from my father's side."

"My parents were older, you see. My mother was approaching her sixth century." Patch notes, motioning a bit deeper into the house. "Let us get comfortable, and I'll explain." she offers, trying to at least be polite. "If it was as simple as flirting, and prying into your fun with Telamon, I'd of brought drinks. This? We might need be sober for." the bard admits, flashing a smirk and an apologetic shrug.

"And while I trust your Grandfather to have educated you, some things you just need to figure out yourself." Patch teases of Cor'lana, thinking on Pothy's words. "Not for all the coin in Stormguard. Zalgiman?" an 'ick' face taking her, shaking her head. "I've seen him smooze. It's disgusting."

Cor'lana looks just as disgusted as she admits, "I know. It's worse when you're the one he wants like that. My skin was crawling the whole time when I tried to flirt with him," she says. She takes up her neglected cup of tea and gestures to the teapot on the coffee table. "Help yourself to a cup. It's non-alcoholic, but it is quite energizing. Perfect for mornings when all you want to do is crawl back into bed."

"And have some peanuts," Pothy says. "When you're not busy explaining things to Lana, that is." He's even sweet enough to shell some peanuts for Patch. How thoughtful!

Patch nods, taking a close seat. It's unlike her, she usually hovers on the edges, but for now, she's across from Cor'lana. "You call me a sister, and I treasure it. I don't understand it, nor do I think I will, but your warmth has been appreciated." she says, glancing to Pothy as he mentions peanuts, and grinning as she moves to help herself to tea, pouring from the pot, and taking up a cup before she continues. "Know it's hard for me, but that doesn't mean it's unwelcome." she explains. "I'm just used to going it alone."

"In regards to that. The city is in trouble, and while we chase and look for signs of wolves and vampires, I have other things just as pressing." Patch admits. "I have walked into a mess, and for it met some very kind people, but there resides a disconnect."

"I don't feel comfortable yet, but that's because I have secrets."

Cor'lana leans back into the couch a little, and she offers a smile to Patch. It's an expression that is full of the warmth that Patch has 'accused' her of, a fondness for the elf woman before her--and then she sips from her teacup for a long moment, closing her eyes.

"We all have secrets, Patch, but this is a house that is good at keeping them," she says, opening her eyes after a moment. "I am willing to hide things even from Telamon if needed, but I find he's an excellent co-conspirator."

"I'd say Lana is biased," Pothy says, "but she's right. Telamon is a good secret-keeper. I know this from experience."

"My mother is missing, and I am looking for her. Our house in Silvermoon was burned out, but she wasn't found." Patch says, sighing as she raises a brow to something Cor'lana said. She sips her tea, but the story continues with a bit of quiet and strain. "I had to swallow a hard truth about her recently, and now that she's gone full mad, I worry."

"That's my problem. The city's problem is a bit dire, and the information needed to face it is scattered all over like the snow." Patch's head jerking in motion towards the door. She's still remembering the walk. It was cold, and miserable. "I was able to piece together some things, and with Stjepan's help, we're facing something else on the horizon."

"As for the other mess with Kol and Zalgiman? I'm sorry I have continued to look into it, despite warnings. I just don't take 'no' well, and I have a pact I can't break." another sigh offered. "I don't work well with others, and I find coming to you hard. I feel like an intrusion because of what I'm mentioning. I come with a lot."

"Patch," Cor'lana says. It's a word that's said with a surprising amount of strength--and a deliberate choice of word, too, chosen to get Patch's full attention on her.

She waits just a few seconds, before she says, "You are my sister. I chose you as my sister--as someone who can understand where I come from, and as someone who can understand where you come from. I know you. You're the ever-marching bard. I wouldn't ask you to stop researching and stop trying to contribute unless I feared your imminent death--and only because it could be a death you couldn't come back so easily from." The smile grows on her face as she talks. "I am not mad with you, upset with you, or think that you are intruding. Far from it. Siblings are supposed to help each other."

Pothy nods to that. "They do," he murmurs quietly, before he cracks open another peanut.

Cor'lana leans forward on the couch now, putting her teacup down on the coffee table. "But it does sound like you have a lot going on. And... gods, I hate being the player of my own trumpet, but I am a sorceress of considerable talent now. There are things that I am capable of these days that I wouldn't have dreamed of being able to do almost two years ago. If I can use what I am able to do now to help people, then I will gladly use them to help you most of all, Sister. Your mother, the city's problem, Kol, Zalgiman--all of it. Tell me what's going on. Tell me what you need. I will figure out the part I will play."

Somewhere during that talk, Patch had closed her eyes to some of Cor'lana's words. Head bobbing, but not meeting the other woman's glance until after she's finished speaking. "I had thought you might of chosen a sister without thinking. That was my folly." she admits, trying to flash a grin. Her tea is sipped, but soon set upon the coffee table as she motions to her small map case near her feet. "I told you once that magic was wanky, and to be warry where you cast. I now know why, and have tracked it to a surprising source. A few of them, actually." she says, the new topic bringing out a more serious side. "It deals with the mirror shards, and the creatures of the void that come from them." offering some of what she's been mulling over. "It's dangerous, and it's why I had to report to the Soldier's Defense. A precautionary physical, and before that? I was subjected to some magical tests for compulsion." that likely raising some flags. There being no reason why for what she's described so far.

"While you do not often play up yourself, you should. I think highly of you and your husband. I could detail a great many things, but I think my respect says it enough." Patch muses, glancing to Pothy. "What does the Apotheosis think? Should I speak of what was found?" she muses. "I like tossing a bone. This time? Literally."

Cor'lana considers what Patch is telling her, the violet eyes looking thoughtful as her sister speaks on her findings. "Mirror shards, creatures of the void..." she murmurs, before lifting the volume of her voice. "Were you injured by one of these creatures?" There's a glint of something dangerous in that voice.

"Oh no, now you got her invested," Pothy says to Patch with a small amount of panic. "Just like Grandfather. So protective of the people she loves. You better tell her, or she'll have a cow."

"I hardly consider it a failing to care so deeply about the people that I love in my life that I would be willing to do almost anything for them to ensure their safety," Cor'lana replies with the slightest bit of a smirk. "Toss me the bone, Sister. If I haven't already caught it between my teeth."

"Not hurt, no." Patch admits quickly, a grin soon on her features. The tone shifts, serious to excitement. "You know of some of my research into the sea of mana. Slixvah and I were tracking some new anomalies, but at first it seemed harmless." she explains.

"On another outing we discovered an adult dragon bone in a peculiar place, bleeding corruption into the earth about it." Patch explains, going on about the 'bone'. It was an actual bone she was talking about, a wink shot at her sister. "You were close, though. I confess. The dragon bone tried to communicate with me. This was months ago, and I kept it secret from everyone. Even those who were on the outing." a sheepish glance following, but it doesn't last long. "Nothing's wrong. I assure you. I'm fine. I just know there are more pieces to this dragon out there, causing trouble and placed to disrupt leylines."

"However, it's not the only thing found at these points. The void agents having been at them too." Patch admits, offering a shrug. "I can go on for days about the details, but I am just giving you the truth of it. We're under attack. The wights and worms were just the beginning."

Cor'lana sits up a little straighter as she seems to realize something. "That might explain the... oddity of the leylines that we encountered in the Felwood," she says. "Dragon bones, just buried..."

Oddly, though, there's not much of a reaction to the phrase 'we are under attack'. Pothy even looks a little exasperated as he looks at Patch. "I think Lana is so used to being the subject of 'attack' or 'intrigue' that it's old news to her by now, which is not a good thing, Lana," he says pointedly in Cor'lana's direction. "You go and aim a massive fireball at the curse of the Felwood and suddenly things don't register anymore."

"No tooting my horn, Pothy," Cor'lana says, although the thoughtful look remains on her face. "No, no, that makes perfect sense. We fought something in the Felwood that... took the shape of a dragon. A moss-covered dragon. Is it the Tyrant's doing?"

Her eyes finally find Patch's again. "I want in on this," she says, firmly. "I can help."

"Of course you can." Patch says, blurting a laugh. "I'm here because despite my fears, I trust you. More than most. More than family." a fondness, but the bard doesn't linger on the sappy.

"That's... a hell of a story. I need to speak with Farland. He nearly got us killed testing an anti-magic scroll at a location, and it went crazy. The explosion left two disabled, and I couldn't hear shit for a few moments after." she says with a sigh. "Likely a dragon bone resides there too." shaking her head and looking up to Cor'lana. "That location is only a few miles northwest of the city. It's close." her tea taken up, sipping it again now that it has cooled. "I have a couple maps circling that can guide us."

"As for what I do know, is the barrier of the city seems to nullify the bones if they're within it. They go dormant, and aren't 'speaking'." Patch says, offering some good news about it. "The thing I would correct? They aren't buried. They've been strategically placed. The worm holes likely being their method of transport and delivery."

"Do I take it from your tale, you didn't recover a bone?" Patch asks, thinking on the story still. "I wonder if that spot is on the maps."

"When we encountered the moss dragon, I deduced quickly it was a system of... fungi, basically, using a dragon's corpse. I didn't think to check out the corpse any further at the time," Cor'lana admits with a sigh. "It might be worth going back to investigate. And you know, I was on the expedition that discovered the worms were headed to Alexandria, too."

She shakes her head. "Farland is... I hate to speak ill of people behind their back, but he was just about useless on the expedition to the Felwood," she says. "I did quite a bit of the arcane heavy lifting there. I suppose a point in his favor is that he was too busy sneezing to do anything productive."

"Lana had to improvise a mask from all the pollen in the air from one of Telamon's sashes that she carries with her," Pothy explains. "Why do you carry around that sash, anyway?"

Cor'lana looks bashful. "Comfort," she explains as she reaches for her teacup again. "If Tel's away, I can just reach for the sash and hold it. I always tie the sashes that he wears in the morning. So... it's like a promise that I'll get to tie it again soon..."

Then she blinks a couple of times and blushes. "Sorry, now we're off track," she says apologetically to Patch.

"All the heavy talk needs be balanced somehow." Patch says, her map case ignored as a hand unfastened the fold of her coat. "Comfort is a powerful thing, and we all carry our tokens." a rust colored feather produced from where it was tucked away near her breast. "Reasons matter."

"I had to improvise a mask too." Patch says with a sudden laugh to Pothy. "The corruption I spoke of. Has to be." the coincidences too uncanny. "Ours was earth and fungus. I have to mention Magpie. I love that little wizard. Her fire magic saved us that day." Patch giving credit where it's due. "Would you be offended if I said we should mark that spot you visited on the map?" tucking her prized feather away.

"No, it absolutely should be marked," Cor'lana says. "But it needs to be carefully approached. The Felwood is dangerous. We had to escape from the curse that's been on that place for ages, and it took a lot of what I had to get us out and away from here."

"The fermented berries I found there were yummy, though," Pothy says. "I want more of those."

"You can get drunk off of any fermented berries, Pothy," Cor'lana says with a roll of her eyes. "Be a good bird and fetch me my quill and ink."

Pothy does so, and Cor'lana takes the quill. "I can mark it on the map for you," she offers. "I remember where it was."

There are several maps that Patch produces from her tube. One showing Alexandros, another covering most of Ea. The two have different bits of information, but at points they do seem to overlap. "Those specific kinds of berries, or just drunk?" Patch asks, letting RT choose which map she might need as she grins to Pothy. He's watched as he plays fetch.

"I appreciate your warning, but now that you're willingly part of this I am going to be leaving some of the decisions to you." she says, grinning. "My success has been piecing together the bits others missed, or didn't find." offering a shrug once again. "Secrets sometimes hide in plain sight, and I need to stick to my specialty." fastening her coat once again now that she's settled and waiting. For once, even finishing her tea. "Following my rules, and picking at threads."

Cor'lana retrieves the Alexandros map and makes some surprisingly apt markings on it, indicating where the Felwood spot happened and what the symbol she's chosen means close to the legend on the map. "Have I ever mentioned I've dabbled here and there as a scribe?" Cor'lana asks with a little smirk as she returns the map to Patch, the ink dried with an application of magic.

She sits back into the couch, the smirk becoming a grin to match Patch's. "Don't worry, sister," she says. "I'm big enough to handle the decisions. I've made my fair share of important ones as of late."

"She decided to marry Telamon, and I'm pretty happy about that," Pothy chimes in, going to preen his feathers as he lands on the coffee table again. "He calls me little brother and gets me snacks. I can't be upset."

"I'm sure Telamon agrees." Patch says with a wry grin. "You're big enough. Indeed." the maps taken up and rolled to be placed back in her container as she smirks at her own teasing.

"You chose well with Telamon. I envy you at times. Such a relationship scares me. Always has." she admits to the two, grinning. "I'm not the monogamous type, and I feel I'm a poor influence when it comes to advice."

"Or if I comment on my preference of partner... it might be judged." Patch adds.

"So, you mentioned this is a tea from the Jade Islands?" refilling her cup, content to chat and be less formal after the gloom subjects were broached.

Cor'lana's violet eyes twinkle a little as she retrieves her teacup. "Sister, I do not judge," she says, firmly but playfully. "My mother was, by all accounts, much like you. Never particularly monogamous, had likely hundreds of lovers--"

"Definitely hundreds of lovers," Pothy chimes in.

"Thanks, Pothy," Cor'lana adds with a roll of her eyes. "But yes, Mother was not picky. And while I have had only one lover to date--and I married him--I am not a prude. So long as all involved are adults and are there of their own free and conscious will, I have no objections. Be yourself around me, Sister, for family shouldn't judge. Only love."

She takes a long sip of her tea and sighs appreciatively. "Yes," she says, "this is, or so the vendor at the market told me..."

The chatter goes on in the Lúpecyll-Atlon household, where secrets are kept, where sisterhoods are made, where all can come as their true selves and speak true--and will always find an ear willing to listen.

So long as one brings snacks or affection for Pothy, that is.