Getsemiel, part 2

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Graybeard
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Getsemiel, part 2

Post by Graybeard »

[OOC: OK, so picking up exactly where we left off...]

Father Arnold was waiting for the group as they arrived at the Calfornican temple.

He looks like he's aged fifteen years, Sister Rose thought. His robes were rumpled; he looked haggard; his eyes were red, his hair uncombed ... and momentarily, she knew why.

The Calfornican denomination officially didn't allow its clergy to marry, unlike Rose's Reformed branch. However, it didn't demand complete chastity of them, either. (How could it, under the circumstances?) It was hardly surprising, therefore, that some of them formed long-term relationships that were marriages in all but name. Rose had wondered about Arnold and Sister Nymphaea before. She didn't wonder at all now.

She took the older man's hands. "I'm so sorry about Nimmie," she said, meaning it. "Is there anything we can do?"

The beginning of a tear formed in the corner of the priest's eye, but he blinked it back and did his best to maintain his dignity. (I wish I'd been able to do that, Rose thought, unaware that she was thinking of Kenny's death with considerably more detachment than she'd been able to just a few hours earlier.) "You're very kind," he answered. "Yes, there are things you can do to help. The worst of the damage was to the Millenarian temple." {Uh, oh, thought Rose. Millenarians again ...) "There are other casualties there. Healers are in short supply. Anyone in your party with healing magic could be useful there." He took a deep breath before continuing. "As for us, we will be saying the Rite of Repose for -- the deceased sister in about two hours." (I know how much it hurt him to say that, Rose thought.) "We would be honored if you yourself would join us. Accommodations for your group will be ready by then. And now, if you will excuse me..."

He started to turn away, but Rose quietly squeezed his hand before he left. "Luminosita's Blessings be on you in your time of loss," she said softly, getting a tearful nod in reply. As the shattered priest stepped back into the temple, she turned to the group. "Well, I'm going to go do some heals. Who's coming with me?"

--------------

Brad had been holding Lillith's hand and peering into the darkness ahead for Luminosita alone knew how long, but now he saw something out there that made him drop her hand and point. "Look. Out there, way ahead of us. I think I see another airship."
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Jack Rothwell
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Re: Getsemiel, part 2

Post by Jack Rothwell »

"I know my way around healing magic." Eli said, as a way of volunteering.

He opened his mouth to speak further but snapped it shut again, the joke about necromancy which had popped up in his mind was hardly tasteful given the circumstances they were in. The sadistic side of him seemed to have bloomed like a weed since he'd left Snamish. The half-elf had chalked it up to immersion in a foreign culture who had practices he didn't agree with.

He was sure he'd be back to his old self in a day or two... pretty sure anyway.
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Re: Getsemiel, part 2

Post by Alberich »

The words "healers" and "healing magic" roused Brother Tim from his slumber. Which had preserved him from the acid edge of Eli's wit. In truth he'd need more rest to recover from the exertions of the day - but the short nap had given him a second wind, and he was young enough to drive himself for a while. After a question or two, he understood where his help was needed. That it was at the Millenarian Temple did not bother him at all - as far as he was concerned, if the College of Cardinals saw fit to tolerate the sect, then its adherents were Veracian Faithful. And they had families that needed supporting and duties that needed doing. Maduin might think they were nothings, bit players in the drama of his life of high magery, but their souls were as good as his and were bound for a better place.

If no one objected, Tim proposed to take Blaise's horse, and invite Eli to ride with him, to make it there as fast as possible and conserve his strength for the healing itself. His thoughts about who was responsible, and how the whole purpose of bringing them here had been for nothing - these gnawed at him. But here at least was something he could do. He was making note of the different magicks Rose and Brad had displayed, and was determined to learn them himself if they stayed together, but in this one area he considered himself a match for any of them.
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Re: Getsemiel, part 2

Post by Porcelain Fish »

[OOC: Back in business! /OOC]

“Not our bird,” Fayna said dismissively. “The energy output is too low, and you can see the gas envelope from here.” She shook her head. “What a whimsical, unstable design.”

“Shinyuku offers his respects,” Jerecht interjected smoothly. “There are sixteen vessels matching the class and model of our fugitive that haven't been decommissioned. The military owns nine, three are regulars on shipping routes for a freight firm out of Hukutsu Port, and one is operated by the Aerothaumatic Society for Recruitment Day and a few other events during the year. I think we can safely rule those out.” His eyebrows rose. “The remaining three are privately owned, but one was purchased by a non-national under special permit. Shinyuku isn't charging us for that information since it's public record, and he's offering a steep discount on his usual fees if we'd like him to investigate further.”

“Very practical of him.” Fayna left the implications in light of her earlier remarks unspoken. “Express our gratitude and give him the go-ahead to look into the non-national. Have our own people investigate the other two. Politely.” A faint smile curved her lips as she met Jerecht's gaze. “Send Shinyuku a gift-basket. That's something Maddy would do.”

As though at a sudden realization following on the heels of the last words, she looked out at the distant airship, and then glanced back at Brad, half-turning to look at him and Lillith both. “I suppose these Veracian ships do have a certain sort of romantic appeal. Speaking of romance – how did the two of you meet?”
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Re: Getsemiel, part 2

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"Well, let's go do what must be done," Sister Rose said, setting the wagon in motion; it would be a more practical way of transporting the injured than on horseback. She briefly pondered one matter, decided to raise it, if delicately. "If you find yourself healing young men and women at the Millenarian temple who are of average height or a little above, with short blond hair on the men and long blond hair on the women, blue eyes on both, and an unusually clean-cut look, I'd like to know about it. Go ahead and heal them, but please tell me. I'll explain later in private." They set off.

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“I suppose these Veracian ships do have a certain sort of romantic appeal. Speaking of romance – how did the two of you meet?”

Somehow, that question seemed loaded, Brad thought. He decided to fall back on something he'd heard his cousin say: tell the truth and nothing but the truth, but not necessarily the whole truth. "My cousin Rose introduced us," he said. "We all were on missions to help our people, coming out of our religious practices. We found ourselves at a little town over by Lorenzel at the same time, and we met, and here we are." He smiled at Lillith; this wasn't the time to bring up the ... unpleasantness involving his ex-wife.
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Drusia
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Re: Getsemiel, part 2

Post by Drusia »

I really wish I knew what was going on. What did all this?

"Well, I'm going to go do some heals. Who's coming with me?"

"I will," I volunteer immediately. Eli does likewise, and Brother Tim... doesn't seem to say anything, but I guess it's sort of understood that he's helping out.

"Well, let's go do what must be done," Sister Rose said, setting the wagon in motion.

I guess we're going by wagon. That's fine by me - I've mostly regained my composure, but another minute to prepare myself wouldn't hurt. I'm not sure if this whole emergency thing is helping or hurting my ability to deal with things, but at least it's something else to think about. I mean, it's hard to be sad when you're terrified, and here I am, terrified again. Really, why does everyone else seem to know what did this except for me?

"If you find yourself healing young men and women at the Millenarian temple who are of average height or a little above, with short blond hair on the men and long blond hair on the women, blue eyes on both, and an unusually clean-cut look, I'd like to know about it. Go ahead and heal them, but please tell me. I'll explain later in private." They set off.

I blink. Huh? Is that... maybe... a description of the people Rose thinks might have done this? Who she apparently knows well enough to describe in that much detail? Who I might be treating without knowing it? Who might regain consciousness and immediately kill me?

Great. Just... great.

-- Desiree
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Re: Getsemiel, part 2

Post by Drannin »

Argus sighed mentally. Fayna was obviously sounding Brad out. Though he found the man exasperating, Argus at least realized that Brad meant well, and truly adored Lillith. For that reason, he was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Lillith certainly was warming to him.

What worried Argus was that Fayna would be somewhat less than kind to him.

I really have gone soft, haven't I? Well, better to let her take Brad's measure first.
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Re: Getsemiel, part 2

Post by Graybeard »

Sister Rose caught Desiree's wide-eyed look; the priestess was obviously worrying again. Well, the Millenarians weren't really anything for them to worry about. She should be able to set the young woman at ease.

"Not to worry," she said reassuringly. "They're -- zealots of the Millenarian Church, and what they're doing is kind of a long story, but they don't have anything to do with you or vice versa. The church administration back in Emerylon might have a bone to pick with them, but it doesn't involve any of us. We have nothing to fear from --" But she did not finish the sentence, as a thought occurred to her.

There were five of us traveling together when we were in Provatiel and discovered that secret army: Lillith, Argus, Sasha, Miguel, and myself. Since I forgot to report on the army when we got to Lorenzel, because of all that awfulness with Egbert, we're the only ones who know what was going on there. But Lillith and Argus have gone ahead with the airship. Sasha wandered off somewhere. And Miguel went home. I'm all by myself here.

Luminosita's Sacred Sweatband. I was perfectly honest and accurate in saying there's no threat to Eli and Desiree and Tim here ... but I'm not so sure the same can be said for me.


"Just relax, we'll be fine," she repeated, hoping to convince herself as well as Desiree. They were arriving at the Millenarian temple, and there were litters around bearing injured men and women; maybe she could lose her worries in the healing that needed to be done. Her concerns were overblown. They had to be. They had to.
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Re: Getsemiel, part 2

Post by Porcelain Fish »

Fayna's tone was neutral, features equally so. "So you're a member of the Veracian clergy then. Interesting." Her tone fairly well indicated that she didn't find it interesting in a scholarly sense, and not in the cultural sense of genuine curiosity about the profession. Her eyes flicked across his vestments.

Jerecht stood. "Perhaps, dear, I should escort our guest and your sister to one of the state rooms? I'm sure they're tired after such a long day."

Fayna's glance at her fiance was mildly pointed. Jerecht simply smiled back at her, waiting. She nodded after a moment. Jerecht paused before Brad and Lillith, and gestured graciously in the direction of the door to the corridor.

"Please, I'll see you settled."

"Daddy." Fayna turned to meet Argus's gaze. "Will you stay a little longer? I have a few things to ask you."
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Re: Getsemiel, part 2

Post by Alberich »

Having arrived, Tim alit from the wagon, his former weariness not showing. There'd be a price to pay later. For now he had his second wind. Caring nothing for their unorthodoxy, he looked for the nearest priest. As naturally as breathing, he assumed they'd have taken charge, and be able to identify whose needs were most urgent. (This was perhaps not as true as he thought - the Orthodox ruled the country and trained their priests as community leaders; some of the other sects saw things differently.) He did not want to intrude on their authority, not in their own temple, only to assist, and drive himself 'til he dropped. He spoke quickly but softly.

"Good evening, Brother, in the Good Father's name. My companions and I are healers, and we're here to help. We've done a lot of this. Who can show us who needs it the most?"
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