Ritual of Reconciliation

[SurpySoup]

Tanderin

Like the captain said, they had arrived late in the evening--too late to dock. Instead of pulling in and disembarking like they would've wanted to, they had to wait out in the bay for the night. Tanderin didn't mind, one more night at sea wasn't bad. The rocking of the boat made for a good lullaby. When morning came, it was foggy, to the point that their helmsman couldn't see well enough to put them into the docks anyway. It seemed everything was against them, trying to delay them as much as possible. When they were finally able to enter the docks, the Alendresian Reconciled was in high spirits. A new city to explore, different people, the whole works! He was excited!

The gangplank was placed and he was one of the first off of the ship. His things, the two cases he'd brought with him, were following shortly after him by the work of one helpful crewmember. The captain joined Tanderin at his side once they were greeted by the 'Second Assistant of Foreign Affairs to the Lady Steward'. Quite a mouthful. Tanderin chewed his lip as he listened, following Van's gesture to see Servius and the rickshaws. How curious.

"It's good to meet you, Van Fehrey. I am, probably as you already know, Tanderin Efabdura, third son to the High-King Keltest and the queen Namorei. I am here, duty-bound to act as Alendres' Reconciled... I have a request, though," Tanderin began as he approached the escorts. He was unsure of what he was expected to do next--go to the palace and await someone to come get him?--, but after just arriving from a few days at sea, he wanted to stretch his legs on dry ground and look around. "I don't have an entourage, but would it be possible to have someone accompany me in a tour around the city? I don't want to go to the palace just yet, but my belongings could beat me there." He faltered, cheeks reddening. Maybe that was from the heat that was already becoming present in the early morning. "Of course, if that's possible. I don't want to upset the order of how you do things here..."

 

[Murasaki_Sama]

I would be true, for there are those who trust me;​

I would be pure, for there are those who care;​

I would be strong, for there is much to suffer;​

I would be brave, for there is much to dare.​

Lavanya woke in the graying, and managed to dress and leave the mansion before the sun cleared the horizon. When she saw the fog cloaking the city below, she decided to forgo the Arena for the day. Her precious drakit had been cooped up in the dark stable for weeks now, hiding from the heat. A nice ride in the fog would do them both well.

Since she would not exerting herself too much, Lavanya choose to wear something more formal than what she tended to spar in. Her white silk hood and mask blended nicely with the stiff, highly embroidered buckle jacket which had been commissioned before Lavanya learned how hot Atanwan truly became.

She found her drakit curled like a cat in the corner of the specially enlarged stall designed for the rare dragon-kin. "Morendhal," Lavanya greeted her companion, before slipping onto the lyrical language of her homeland. There were no foreigners nearby, so in effect she was not truly breaking the law that forbid Pohonians from speaking their language while on foreign soil.

Her ride through the Bearing Woods was pleasant, for all the fog did not reach quite that high. Morendhal, released and given her head, ran from one end to the other, jumping over roots and low hanging branches, while Lavanya hunched close to her drakit's back, and held on tightly. They returned to the palace as the fog clear, about 10 of the morning.

Rather than return directly to her mansion, which was now filled with strangers who would expect Lavanya to behave as a lowani must, she choose to wonder the gardens and twisting paths of the inner palace complex. There was a hedge garden, with several beautiful fountains, tucked behind the Main Building, just in front of the Steward's Palace. It was there than Lavanya's feet eventually took her, for it, unlike the other garden areas, did not belong to any nation or specific mansion.

She removed her hood and mask, ducked her head into one of the fountains. At her hip rested two curved swords, her preferred choice or weapon. Several daggers also graced her person, in sheaths in her boots, along her back and waist, and even one under her left sleeve. By the standards of her people, she was underarmed.

I will exchange a city for a sunset,​

The tramp of legions for the wind's wild cry;​

And all the braggart thrust of steel triumphant​

For one far summit, blue against the sky.​

 

[fatalrendezvous]

Kazdan Myr

The morning sunlight crept through Kazdan's curtains as it stirred him from slumber; Kazdan was alone in his bed, and had been for several nights now. Kaz had been surprisingly well-behaved thus far in Atanwan; many of the necessary preparations and formalities had taken up so much of his time that he seldom had the time or energy left at the end of the day to chase skirts.

And though he had already taken the time to settle in and make his living quarters in the Esterian Mansion his own, by rearranging furniture and requesting new colors and materials for linens and curtains and drapery, waking up in an empty bed, in an unfamiliar room was always a bit of an unsettling experience for him. The young man slowly brought himself to a sitting-up position, looking at the other, unoccupied half of the bed with an almost wishful, longing stare. The other pillows on the bed lay almost untouched, the other half of the sheets still cleanly tucked. Kaz was not a restless sleeper, and wouldn't often disturb the sheets of a bed - but on most days he could wake up in the morning and admire the aftermath of his previous night's triumphs: a tangled mess of skin and sheets, pillows scattered around, and articles of clothing haphazardly strewn about on the floor.

None of that was there, nor had it been since his arrival in Atanwan.

Still with a feeling of aimlessness, Kazdan got out of bed and dressed himself, in light-colored leathers, hides and linens, still pulling on a vest and light coat despite the heat of Atanwan. Admiring his sense of style in a mirror, Kazdan managed a light smile as his mood began to improve. His admiration was interrupted by a few knocks at the door, followed by a voice Kazdan knew too well: "Kaz, you awake? I've been on a tear in the city trying to find a decent tavern and I think I may have finally found the place!"

Kazdan opened the door with a laugh, greeting his friend Javeter with a handshake. "What do you say, Kaz?" Javeter continued. "It's about time we started making sure Atanwan really knows that Ester has arrived. Let's show them how we do it."

On any other day, Kazdan would accept this proposition. With a reluctant sigh, the young Reconciled turned down his friend for the first time in years. "I don't know Jav. I've been feeling..." his voice trailed as he paused. "Off, lately. Like something's missing."

Jav frowned a bit, taken aback by his friend's refusal. But he understood; Kazdan had actually been working quite diligently to prepare for the Ceremony and the coming Ritual. "It's alright to be a little homesick, brother. Take some time for yourself!" He gave a light, but encouraging series of pats on Kazdan's shoulder. "Gather your thoughts. I'll go ahead to the tavern first and have a few - ask one of the servants where I am if you can't find me. Hopefully I'll see you there!" Kazdan nodded silently in acknowledgement and watched as Javeter went off to experience the city without him. Perhaps some time alone to think will do me some good, he thought.

Kazdan wandered about the palace and around the palace complex, drifting quietly down the halls, lost in his own train of thought. Thoughts of responsibility, of his duties to his family, of his lifestyle, of his successes and failures. He eventually approached the gardens, where he was suddenly grounded from his thoughts by the sight of the young woman near the fountain. Kaz paused for a moment to admire the way the water from the fountain caused the sunlight to accent the red streaks in her otherwise brown hair. The girl was, of course, Lavanya, the Reconciled of Pohoni. But Kazdan had no care to get to know the other Reconciled, and did not recognize her as such.

In that moment, Kaz had a revelation. That's it! There's no way I will be homesick once I can seduce that beautiful creature to come back with me. Any of the regrets that he had just been dwelling on about his failures to his family instantly faded as he began to feel like his old self again. After giving himself a bit of an internal pep-talk, he approached Lavanya with a suave, smooth stride. He spoke using his lower vocal register to bring out the richer, more baritone colors of his voice. "Excuse me, miss. I am Kazdan Myr, son of Esterian Grand Magistrate Valan Myr. I couldn't help but notice you beautifully dipping yourself in the fountain, but it seems like such a disservice for a lovely woman like yourself to be using the water out here. If you might accompany me to my mansion," Kaz placed a little bit of extra, bragging emphasis on mansion, "I can arrange for a more suitable bath for you. Or for both of us."

He awaited her response, which would assuredly be yes.

 

[Murasaki_Sama]

I would be true, for there are those who trust me;​

I would be pure, for there are those who care;​

I would be strong, for there is much to suffer;​

I would be brave, for there is much to dare.​

Lavanya arched her left eyebrow, the one above her Lowani marks, as the overly dressed lordling came prancing into the garden like he owned the place. At his rather arrogantly assured introduction, Lavanya had to repress the urge to roll her eyes. Just her luck, he was one of other Reconciled. That meant she couldn't just ignore him and brush past on her way back to her mansion. Pity.

His rather lame attempt at flattery, or perhaps it was flirtation, made her shake her head. These foreigners, they were so shy and caught up in their stupid little taboos. They never just came out and said it, no, it was all ways subtle innuendo and double talk. It was a wonder they ever got anything done, considering how round about their conversations were. She almost felt bad for them. Almost.

With a not-quite audible sigh, Lavanya turn fully toward Myr. She let her eyes rove over him, obviously assessing him. Then she looked him dead in the eyes, with that arched eyebrow expression that said he hadn't quite passed muster. "You think rather poorly of yourself," She said, her accent adding a musical quality to the simple words, "If a shallow pool and an arrogant swagger is all you have to offer." If the man really wanted to see her naked, which is the intent she assumed was behind his offer, he could at least try harder.

She sauntered closer to him, each move controlled, purposeful and effortlessly graceful. "I prefer my own pool," She let the sentence trail off, to make it clear there were words left unsaid. Let his no doubt capable imagination fill in the blanks. Then she patted his arm, a condescending and completely patronizing move. "Now kindly get out of my way." She laid one hand on her belt dagger, and almost caressed the handle. This peacock of a man-child would learn soon enough who he had just propositioned. For now, she just wanted to continue with her quiet walk through the gardens.

I will exchange a city for a sunset,​

The tramp of legions for the wind's wild cry;​

And all the braggart thrust of steel triumphant​

For one far summit, blue against the sky.​

 

[Falcon]

Julius
Julius sighed as he sat in a padded porch chair on the deck that ran the parameter of the Reinkuni mansion. Oujin was still inside discussing business with the Steward of Atanwan. He'd been shut up with her for several hours by this point. Not that Julius minded at all, he'd quite simply hoped that they might be able to explore the city a bit. True, he could have gone on his own, But Julius had already caused enough trouble since arriving in this place. Besides, exploring was always more fun with a companion, even a companion as unshakable and rigid as Oujin.

Rex whined from his place as Julius's feet and the man looked at the dog. Well he wasn't completely devoid of company at the moment, and the Palace compound probably had enough mysteries in it to keep him entertained for a few hours at least. Besides he had been brought along for a purpose not to play tourist.

"Come on, Boy, I've got a job to do, and after being cooped up on that ship you could use a walk." Standing he stretched and then, not bothering to find the steps, leapt down off the deck onto the carefully kept lawn. Rex followed unleashed as Julius strode off the Reinkuni property intendiing to poke around as much as he was allowed, just to see what he could find. And if he ran into one of the other reconciled, well, so much the better. His best friend had become engaged to one of them, whether or not they knew which one just yet didn't matter. Julius intended to see the other man entered in to the arrangement with his eyes wide open.

 

[Neohmi]

Mystisa Kahiya
Before the sun could greet Atanwan a good day, the Asiluppe mansion of the Palace was already brimming with quiet and purposeful movement. Old Soarstika, the housekeeper, had one of her servants call the usual guard and driver. Meanwhile, Spia was helping her Anakka get ready for their long trip ahead.

"Why can't you just let one of the mansion's servants to send it?" Spia was tying a sash around the waist of Mystisa's thin, white coat. Her exasperated tone towards the Anakka Kahiya would have warranted violent objections from Asiluppeans, but Mystisa herself did not mind. The pair have been dear friends for years, and Mystisa was well aware of her Bantae's temper when lacking of sleep. Sometimes, Mystisa wondered how Spia lasted so long as a servant.

"Because," Mystisa steadily replied. "It's my letter. I want to be the one to send it."

"Well, you can't send it now. The housekeeper said we have to be early. She kept telling me over and over... We're late enough as it is. There." Spia tinkered with the knot she made to make sure it would hold. "All done."

"Thank you," Mystisa nodded briefly, then resigned, she added, "I guess you're right. Samok will have to wait."

"And our Goddess can't." Spia brushed a few creases of Mystisa's cloak. "Come," she gestured. "Soarstika prepared breakfast ages ago. We don't want to drink cold tea, do we?"

"You mean you don't want to drink cold tea," Mystisa teased, to which Spia flashed her first smirk that day.

Just before dawn, when the fog was still far off the Palace gates, the horse-drawn rickshaw was ready with a middle-aged driver and a stone-faced Atanwan guard sitting on the driver's seat. The housekeeper handed Spia a basket, which contents were covered with a green blanket, before she bowed to Mystisa for a safe trip. Grateful, Mystisa assured the wrinkled lady that they will be back before dinner, to which the housekeeper only laughed knowingly. Still confused, both Anakka and her Bantae climbed into the rickshaw before the driver ordered his horse to a trot towards the Unending Bazaar.