Mending a shattered mind

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent wood, 2

The faint blue glow within the crystals twinkled in Dal'Lumens eyes, his grin widening further as he looked up at Roaring Wave and Tari.

"Well, Fantastic! I suppose you two wouldn't mind if I helped clean up some of the mess in here eh?"

Chuckling gently in his Lion-esqu voice he rose back to his feet and beamed at Arachnia.

"And here I was, only going to take a sample as evidence! Most astute Empress!" *Sensing a creeping need for introductions Dal took up the mantle as intermediary. "It is most cirtainly a good afternoon Empress, might I introduce you to Roaring wave - and Tari...*he pointed his hand, indicating each* I met them as I arrived here in Beziar, soon after which I discovered they were in need of my help."

Dal paused a moment remembering the small half heart crystal in his palm.

"It would seem *He said in his matter of fact voice* they both encountered a presence they couldn't see whiling traveling past the imperial Manse on the day of the attacks. I also suspect Quar-Zagot was in the area 'kicking up sand' under Ress's Orders. They also saw the Emperor firing arrows into the distance after the presence had moved on..."

Just as he had with Tari and Roaring Wave, Dal pinched the Half heart between his silk covered thumb and index finger to display to the silvery Empress.

"This one looks different from the rest, It... It came out of Taris head after the Sun healed her."

[Arachnia of the Hour]

Resplendent Wood, 2

*Arachnia blew a kiss to Tari and winked at Roaring Wave as they were introduced. Her expression flickered between a few emotions: surprise, confusion, irritation, and then back to confusion again*

Presence? What sort of a presence?

*the rest of things were already in circulation, things they had as evidence one way or the other, but a specified "presence" was new. She took the strange half-heart and looked at it while she continued to speak to the owners of the home she was currently standing in*

Tari, Roaring Wave, if you could both give me your personal accounts, I would be very...

*she looked up from under her lashes at the two of them, a sly smile on her lips*

..appreciative

*she looked to Dal'Lumen and nodded*

This is solidified gossamer, the things Fair Folk get from dreams. It would take something powerful to brush her soul in a way that would force the hidden memories of a past life into taking over her consciousness. Please keep it for me so that I can examine it further later

*the spider turned her sweet smile back to the couple, waiting intently for their stories, as though they were each the only one in her eyes*

{{Intelligence+Lore difficulty 6... 9 successes}}

[Ress]

Resplendent wood, 2

* Tari looked surprised and a little scared at the glowing silver image of the Empress that had just appeared in their home, but it took only a moment to gather herself and speak*

" There is not much to say... we were walking past the Imperial Manse.. then I felt a wind blow by me, smelled dirt, then had a migraine headache and fell over in time to see Emperor Ress fire arrows off into the distance...... that is everything, I think"

Presence? I am not sure what the presence was of.... but come to think of it... it was coming from both Aranea and Kideshen... they were similar... but not the same.

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent Wood, 2

Dal held up a hand to interject something he had suddenly realized from Tari, and Waves previous recitation of what they had experienced.

"Excuse me for interrupting; Roaring Wave didn't you say something about feeling a strong essence being channeled towards Arenea?"

*Dal Grinned Innocently at Roaring Wave*

"I'm surprised you are able to sense essence... But why didn't you tell me you had experienced this before, when we first met? You said you were visiting a trader and did not see anything happen, how is it that you were there when Tari Collapsed? Forgive me for prying, but we need to get the facts straight for the trial... "

Dals expression was more aligned with curiosity than it was reproachful. His smile was apologetic, as if he were expecting to find out he had simply been confused.

[Ress]

Resplendent wood, 2

* Roaring wave smirked at the string of questions, then nodded, a tiny chuckle escaping him as he did*

"I suppose I had not made myself clear before. For that, I am sorry. Yes, I was visiting a trader.. but that was many weeks before. Tari was with me at the time.. and no, I did not see Tari fall, I was looking at the Imperial manse at the time and only heard her fall... I then carried her for a ways before she awoke. I didn't tell you the whole story, because I was worried about Tari... but now that all the fuss is over, I remember that day pretty clearly"

* It was strange how he went from speaking proper Riverspeak and borrowing words from High Realm, to speaking common Riverspeak and sounding much like a sailor*

*Without saying a word, Tari tugged at Roaring Wave's shirt, as if telling him to calm himself. As the moments went on, the grey haired woman seemed to get younger looking... perhaps the half heart made her look older, as well as lose her mind*


*Wave was silent for a moment, then spoke up once more*

" Im sorry... to protect my family, I can't tell you anything more of myself... or our past... it is not safe just yet.. but I don't soon forget a favor. We still owe you a life debt, Prince of Earth... anything you need, name it"

[Arachnia of the Hour]

Resplendent Wood, 2

*Arachnia raised a curious brow at the story, thinking back to everything she knew about mortal essence-wielders*

You and Tari were in the same place when the wind blew through, that being the case, why is it that you went unaffected?

*the Empress took note of Roaring Wave's sudden change of speech and the way his wife was growing younger by the moment*

I mean no disrespect on you or Tari, but I think that it would be a good idea to tell me about yourselves, even if it's just me. Your Emperor is being tried for a crime where everyone intends to kill him and there may be a link. As Empress I am charged with the care of this empire, and you belong here, you are under our care. If there is something that you are afraid will come and seek you out, entrust it to us. Even if it seems irrelevant to you, there is a possibility that it could help...

*Arachnia allowed some of the internal torment she was feeling show through in her eyes, the sadness, fear, anger at what had happened.She turned that gaze on the both of them, one of a woman who was trying to save her Love. As it were, these two could be many things, though definitely nothing of a darker nature. Perhaps a martial artist or even an Exalt of some sort*




{{Intelligence+Lore difficulty 5...7 successes}}

[Ress]

Resplendent wood, 2

* Wave shrugged, then gave a nod*

" Alright... if you think it will help the situation... I am a martial artist... and I got into some trouble with those I used to train with. One of the reasons Tari and I moved here is to be away from them"

* Tari let go of Wave's shirt and laid back in bed*

" He is telling the truth... that is exactly why we are here, you have to believe us... we had nothing to do with Emperor Ress' imprisonment"

( Charisma+Presence 5 success to convince Arachnia that was the reason they were in hiding and they had nothing to do with what happened)

[Arachnia of the Hour]

Resplendent Wood, 2

*Arachnia took in a breath and studied their faces and posture, even their scent. They really wanted to have her believe that they weren't involved*

Why do you assume that I believe the two of you to be the perpetrators and not those that might have followed you? Guilty conscience, perhaps?

*their Empress scrutinized them, allowing for a moment the idea that she was considering them as suspects. If they really hadn't had anything to do with it, then there might be ways to put them to use. She gave a look to Dal'Lumen, hoping that he was more capable of telling truth from fiction than she was. She knew that a lot of Eclipses and Zeniths were able to do it, so why couldn't Dal'Lumen?*


{{Dodge Mental Defense is 5... success}}

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent Wood, 2

Dal'Lumen had suddenly become singularly focused, as if he were distracted and could pay attention to nothing but the sounds of the peoples voices he heard in the room. A small wave of essence billowed through him to which he suddenly became aware that he had, or so it seemed, spaced out for a moment. He suddenly became aware that Arachnia seemed to expect him to do something, she was staring, or perhaps she had noticed that he seemed to have faded away.

Whispers of the conversation they had just had rushed by him as if they were an echoing through him and he could feel the words in their entirety, their power, and their emotion... There was no deception in these words. He knew this as if it were as plain as night and day, but how?

*Dal Nodded at Arachnia discreetly, and then looked at Roaring Wave.*

"Thank you my friend" he said, dipping into his River Speak. Dal continued in the common language as he addressed Arachnia.
"I believe what he says is true, and if thats the case, It only goes to make his testimony more legitimate in the eyes of the court." Dals tone of voice was firm and certain, and his eyes were equally as confident.

"You two must be willing to give your testimony at Ress' trial! There is nothing you should be afraid of, because as far as I am concerned you two are under my personal protection, and the protection of the Empire! I promise that to you."

*Dal watched Arachnia from the corner of his eye, hoping she would back him up on this*

(9 successes Social combat to convince Wave and Tari they are safe, and they should give their testimony in court) |||note 7m spent|||

[Ress]

Resplendent wood, 2

*Both Tari and Wave nodded as one, holding the same confident smile as the other*

*Wave put his hand in Tari's as he stood next to her and bowed to Dal*

"We will be there at the trial, don't worry... Both Tari and I heal quickly.. by then she will be looking like her usual self"

* Tari pulled her hand out of Wave's and promptly sank it into his stomach, causing him to double over a bit, she then smiled and sat up, looking straight at Dal*

" both Wave and I come from The island of Pearl in The Wavecrest Archipelago... where were you born, Dal? Perhaps we knew your parents?"

[Arachnia of the Hour]

Resplendent Wood, 2

*Arachnia's skeptical eyes brightened to a black glitter and she was confident that they would be where they said they would be*

Will you be able to reach the Imperial Manse in four days' time? If not, we can arrange for you have ample transportation

*she looked at Dal'Lumen for a moment, nodding to him in agreement, and then brought her sparkling smile to the pair*

Of course the empire will protect you. You have my word as Empress

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent Wood, 2

A gleaming smile parted Dal'Lumens lips as he swelled with the satisfaction of hearing they agreed to testifying in the trial. Things seemed to be threading together, at last! In addition, he gained a great deal of respect for the Spider Empress, now it was his turn to prove himself.

The impenetrable grin that usually appeared as ever-present on Dal's face gave way quickly as his lips shuttered as he became stone cold serious... The mention of his parents, family, and past, had struck something dark and painful in his heart. His eyes exuded the pain of a man tormented by demons of his past, and the pain of terrible loss for the split instant that he stood there in stern silence.


"I... ahem... * he cleared his throat and fidgeted slightly before a gentle smile chased his serious face away, and he was looking like his usual sunny self.*

"I lived on a smaller Island in the neck, near Amphiro... I think. Left home at a young age, haven't once gone back in 13 years. I doubt you would know my parents, it was a long way from Wavecrest Archipelago."

Dal grinned sheepishly at Tari, secretly hoping she wouldn't press the subject too hard.

[Arachnia of the Hour]

Resplendent Wood, 2

*Arachnia's eyes cloud over for a brief moment as Dal'Lumen's eyes changed with.. pain, perhaps? It was an easy emotion for the Empress to empathize with, especially in her current situation. Her hand twitched as she almost put it on his cheek, but decided otherwise at the last moment, remembering that she would go right through him. Maybe it was the changes her body was going through as she neared her due date, but she kept getting sympathetic streaks going through her...*

[Ress]

Resplendent wood, 2

* Wave nodded to Arachnia, smiling slightly at her comment*

" Thank you Empress... we much appreciate your protection and will do anything in our power to help you and Emperor Ress... not to mention Dal here. Four days you say? I do not think we can make it there in time, but if you can provide transportation, we would gladly take it."

"oh?... I see. So far from home I see. I thought Wave and I were young to be traveling so far from our native lands... if you do not mind my asking, how old are you Dal? When were you born?"

*Seeing she hit a soft spot, she quickly changed the subject to something to a little less harsh... such as ages and dates*

[Dal'Lumen]

Dal chuckled and scratched the back of his head, looking slightly abashed. The prickling of tiny stubble hairs growing on his head rasped against his callused hands, it had been a few days since the last time he had shaved it.

The hands that created the audible rasping were the hands of a seaman, roughened and scarred by years of hoisting sails, and working with course rope. Other than his hands, and a few scars dashed here and there on his body that looked as if they were earned in previous encounters with sharp objects, he had a youthful look about him. Perhaps he looked a little older than he really was, a hard life on the sea can do that to a person. His Smokey Gray eyes were bright and clear as a young lad, his face and skin was unlined but had a weather-beaten toughness to it.

It seemed Dal had been put on the spot, something that wouldn't usually phase him, but in this case he was expected to talk about himself... he wasn't very used to that.

"Yes I spent a big part of my adolescence on the ocean working on a ship before I finally landed myself in Nexus just north of here a few hundred miles. I was born in Realm Year 745 and will be 23 years old the 5th day of this coming Calibration..."

Dal' grinned amusedly and braced himself for the usual comment on how bad luck is associated to those born during Calibration.