[CLOSED] (Teaching of the Mono-winged subplot)

[Persephone]

((There is no title because I have no idea what to call it yet. Suggestions are welcome))

((In Lafyel’s Teaching of the Mono-winged, Akeso was invited to the Isle of Soul to help Lafyel’s give birth. After staying a bit to make sure that Lafyel and her baby were fine Akeso is returning home.
So this is happening in parallel to Lafyel’s story.))


Mid-morning. Giran. In the DeathNote clan hall.

A dark elf was sitting by the fire. She was wearing a white mask and a majestic robe outfit. She was looking at the flames’ dance: up and down and to the side. A few sparks were flying away. It was as if the fire was trying to flee from its prison that was the chimney. But it couldn’t. It was trapped.

The clan hall entrance door opened then closed again. The dark elf did not bother looking.

The bishop that just entered the room saw the dark elf. The bishop had hoped the dark elf would have been out, but it looked like she was not so lucky. The bishop came closer and stood in front of the fire.
“Perse? A word with you please.”

The dark elf did not answer. The bishop knew that it was her cue to continue. If the dark elf did not want to talk she would have told her to go away.

“I went to the Isle of Soul like you asked. I helped Lafyel deliver her baby. It was a baby boy. They are both well. It all went without problems.”

The bishop hesitated. I have to tell her. She probably won’t like it. But I have to say it.

“There is something though…...about Lafyel’s son……He was ..….different…….Perse,…...the kid’s father……it was a ..….a dark elf.”

The bishop did not see it happen. Suddenly the dark elf was standing right in front of her. Her blue-grey hands were on her shoulders, her face was less than an inch away. The dark elf's white mask covered her eyes but the bishop could feel them staring right into hers. The bishop was wishing that her own black mask would have covered her eyes too, so the dark elf could not see the fear in them, but it didn’t. The dark elf voice was trembling with anger: “Repeat THAT!”

The bishop hesitated. I have a bad feeling. Please let the kid be fine! The bishop looked down, at the dark elf’s red knee high boots: “……Lafyel……had a kid,…… a hybrid…...with…… a dark elf…...”

The contact of the dark elven hands on her shoulders had disappeared. The bishop lifted her head and looked around. The clan hall entrance door, which she knew she had closed, was open, still in a swinging movement of closing back. Click! It closed.

The bishop was standing in front of the fire. Alone. The dark elf was gone.

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Late afternoon the same day. Gludin village. In front of the Echoes clan hall.

The dark elf’s hairs were a bit messed up from the boat ride. But she didn’t care. She could have come a faster way but she had needed time to think.

Knock! Knock! 2 sharp knocks on the door.

Persephone was here to talk to Olorae. And she was not going to take no for an answer.

She knocked again. Once.

She didn’t yell but talked loudly enough that she could be heard “Open! I need to talk to Olorae. NOW!”

[zethrodraithius]

((I love it!.. Title could be "Mainland Fallout" or "Unknown Wingfeathers". sorry, I just woke up =P Also, I believe Olo has always maintained the RolePlay clan hall as being in Aden I think it was... Verify that please Olo?))

[Olorae]

The dwarf that answered the door was typical of her kind, save the single mark of a lily branded on her neck. She bowed and gestured to the dark elf; she knew who stood before her, and knew that on pain of torture she was to allow the woman entry.

"Please, holiness," the dwarf spoke softly. "Please have a seat while I inform the Celebrant you are here." She gestured to the stuffed divan near the fire in the sitting room, then flashed her hands at two other servants who disappeared into the kitchen. "Is there anything I may bring you before the Celebrant arrives?"

----

Olorae had only recently returned to Gludin, arriving in the hall with a flash of light that had heralded the scroll's magic. There was much weighing on her mind, the least of which was the shadows and demons at her command. She knew their contracts with her father now bound them to her, but she was well aware those contracts were soon to expire. Dare she renew them in her own name? In her own blood?

[Persephone]

Persephone stepped in the Echoes clan hall, she completely ignored the dwarf and her greeting. Persephone did not take a sit, instead she went to stand in front of the fire, her back turned to the room.

"Is there anything I may bring you before the Celebrant arrives?"

“No” Persephone had crossed her arms in front of her. She was putting most of her weight on her left leg. Her right foot only was moving, it was impatiently tapping the floor.

[Olorae]

The dwarf bowed her head and turned, sprinting toward the Celebrant's study at all haste. She knew that if there were any delay in what looked like serious business, it would be her skin the payment came from. She had enough lashes to last her three lifetimes, all from her first week of service.

The little hand rapped on the door, a staccato drumming of urgency. Inside, the Celebrant let out a soft breath. Can I never just... rest? she mused, pulling on her robes. The leathers were efficient, but hardly fit for entertaining.

She opened the door to the frantic-looking dwarf, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Yes, Lilah? What is it?" she asked, a cool, even tone to her voice masking her frustration.

"Mistress, there is a... visitor for you. Priestess Persephones, of the DeathNote clan. She is waiting..." the dwarf trailed off as she watched the Celebrant start for the sitting room. "In the... sitting room."

Olorae snatched a flute of Dreviant wine from the servant, a human with a similar brand on his neck, entering the room from the kitchen, much to his surprise.

"Perse, my dear," she said softly. "What brings you to our humble halls? Dreviant wine? Made from the finest spider venom." She gestured to the servant, then another holding a tray of fruits, before gesturing to one of the divans. "Please, make yourself comfortable. What may I do for you?"

[Persephone]

Persephone turned to face Olorae as she entered the room. She used a hand movement to refuse the wine.

When Olorae finished talking, Persephone looked around the room, at the servants and the doors: "In private please"

[Olorae]

The Celebrant shooed the servants away, then beckoned as she turned to the hall.

"To my study, then," she said, the shadows drifting ahead of her, a flickering dance of light and darkness that she knew meant her guardians were at her call. "You would only have Sadori's presence.." she hesitated, listening for the telltale pop that would announce the dancer's arrival. She smiled as she heard it, sounding just inside the study, "... alongside ours, and I keep no secrets from her."

She reached the study, allowing a moment for the scroll's energy to dissipate. She tapped the door with a single knuckle, then pushed it open to reveal a small room dominated by a large desk and bookshelves, a few chairs, and nearly every flat space monopolized by parchments and papers. A large map of Elmoreden and another of Gracia hung from the wall, with what appeared to be threads pinned to various points. Anyone familiar with those points would know them to be catacombs and necropoli, though the final pin, to which all the threads linked, was far more sinsiter: The Forbidden Gateway.

Olorae smiled as she laid her eyes on the dancer, tilting her head slightly to the left. ~We have a guest, dear.~

[Sadori]

Sadori had but a moments warning before the door opened, yet still managed to pull herself together just before Olorae's mental pronouncement. The two Shilen Saints entering in somewhat of a rush, the Priestess Persephones looking a bit agitated. With a nod to her wife, she stepped into her usual position to the left of the desk. and bowed respectfully to the Deathnote leader.

"Welcome, Priestess Persephones. I hope your visit doesn't bear with it ill tidings."

[Persephone]

Persephone followed Olorae to her study. She entered the room after the Celebrant. She nodded briefly to acknowledge the dancer.

"Welcome, Priestess Persephone. I hope your visit doesn't bear with it ill tidings."

Persephone froze at those words. Her face became distorted with anger. She was trying to control herself and not yell, which was proving to be difficult. Nobody could see it but she closed her eyes. Then she took a deep breath. She was trying to find the right words to use.

Persephone turned to make sure the door was closed. She looked around the room. She went to stare at the bookshelves then each of the maps on the wall, taking her time. She was also trying to avoid walking on the mess on the floor.

After staring at the Elmoreden map for a good minute or so, Persephone sigh. She came back towards the desk. She talked, looking at Sadori first, emphasizing the last word: “My name is: Perse.”

Finally she turned to Olorae, stared at her for a bit then she shook her head. She put her hands on the desk and leaned towards Olorae. Her face was full of anger again and her tone accusatory:

“How dare you?...”

She paused, shook her head once more then continued “….Mix our noble blood like that!”

[Olorae]

Olorae raised her eyebrows in a genuine look of disbelief. She had not anticipated being accused of anything; though there certainly were things she could be accused of, this was not one of them.

She kept her posture straight, her bearing just as it had been when she were greeting her comrade. Indeed, only her eyebrows gave indication that she had even heard the question. She frowned finally, a crease appearing just above the edge of the mask that always covered her eyes and brow, hiding the Mark of Shilen. Thinking back, she ran through her schemes and plots in her mind, seeking anything that might correlate to the accusation.

"I do know know what you are speaking of, Perse," she finally said after several long moments. "Please, do elaborate for me, that I might know the weight of my supposed transgression."

She flexed her mind a moment, the shadows that had started to coalesce near the corners and in the darker sections of the bookshelf faded back to something more natural. She did not feel as if she were in danger; not yet.

[Persephone]

At Olorae’s words, Persephone straighten back up, a look of surprise on her face: “You…do NOT know?!?!”

Persephone put her hands on her hips, still looking at the Celebrant, wondering. Could she really not know? Was she lying or really not aware? But she was an ally and if Persephone could not trust her then who could she? The leader of the Echoes seemed to be unaware of her clan members’ actions.

The look on Persephone’s face went from surprise to disbelief to worry. The anger seemed to be gone, or at least under control. Her next words were ones of advice:

“The actions of one clan member will reflect on the whole clan. People will judge you based on them.”

Persephone was now looking from Olorae to Sadori. She had been asked to elaborate and she knew she should. She wasn’t the talking type though. She wished Artemis was there, she was the talkative one, that was one of the reasons Persephone was keeping her around.

Persephone wanted to know how Olorae and Sadori would react to the news, how they would take it. Her own anger was still there, however it was not towards Olorae and the Echoes anymore. Persephone was still mad at what had been done, but her anger was now directed at the action itself, and maybe the parents, rather than at the Echoes in general. If they didn’t plan it, if they didn’t know, then she could not blame them.

Persephone crossed her arms in front of her then finally sat down in one of the chairs. She had calm down, she spoke slowly, the anger in her voice was still there but attenuated:

“Your clan member Lafyel gave birth. The father is a….Dark Elf!!!”

[Olorae]

Olorae sat back as she absorbed the news. She had a retort on her lips about the actions of one, something she had known all too well, but it was as if she had been struck, the words just escaped her.

She mulled over everything that had happened, of watching the Kamael advance through her pregnancy, of the feeling that something had not been right. She had felt a desire to strike out at her, to cause her to miscarry, but could not bring herself to act on it, in the wake of her own. Absently, her hand drifted to the small scar above her navel.

She had figured that the child would prove to be human-blooded, that the heretic Dachande had something to do with it. His fascination with the kamael women was enough that she had made the assumption which now left her feeling as if the ground were taken out from beneath her. If she was wrong, who could the father be?

After far too long, she looked up, eyes growing cold. "You are certain?" she asked. "How? Tell me what you know."

[Persephone]

Persephone sat patiently watching Olorae’s reaction to the news.

"You are certain? How? Tell me what you know."

Again Persephone wished she had Artemis there to do the talking for her. Anger was gone from her voice at the moment; she paused between each sentence:

“Two days ago someone came asking for a healer to help Lafyel’s delivery. Later I sent Akeso to the Isle of Souls. She came back this morning. Akeso said everything went well. However she said the father was a Dark Elf. So I came here.”

Persephone looked at Sadori to see what her reaction was too, then back at Olorae. She added before anybody could question it: “I trust Akeso”.

[zethrodraithius]

((It works. ))

[Persephone]

((fixed))

[Olorae]

The Celebrant was silent for far too long, almost as if she had not heard the explanation. She stared at the scrolls on her desk, the only hint of change the soft creases tugging her lips down into the a gentle frown. Finally, she spoke.

"I should have expected it," she said, shaking her head slowly. She was thankful for the mask on her face and brow, covering the mark of Shilen as it blazed against her skin, picking up on her anger and amplifying it against the Mother's fury. She was in control... for now. She knew the Dancer at her side would feel the rage and anger, but she trusted her implicitly.

She folded her hands calmly in her lap, fingers lacing together lest the flame tickling between them escape.

"I am," she paused, contemplating the right word, "Disappointed. I hadn't expected the bloodlines would mingle successfully. The Mother's essence is whole, the purest water. Anything else would only dilute it." She knew this from experience, she knew that Sadori knew exactly what she spoke of. She shook her head.

"I believe we have a need to bring the abomination in," she said firmly. "And the infant as well."

[zethrodraithius]

((hmm.. most intriguing twist.. ))

[Persephone]

((Still looking for an appropriate title - suggestions are welcome))

Persephone looked at Olorae, waiting for her to talk. When it became obvious that the Celebrant was going to take her time, Persephone allowed herself to relax. She sat back in the comfort of her chair and took a deep breath. Then she closed her eyes – nobody could see it behind her white mask.

The anger was gone. It had been a fire that had burnt inside her and it had roared for while. But now it had died down, it was still there and alive but small and under control. Persephone wasn’t too happy with herself. She had let her emotions take control of her and they had showed on her face. In the past she had hated her father for being expressionless. However she now understood why and how useful it could be. She generally didn’t need to try; she had taken after her father after all. But her family had influenced her and once in a while her emotions would show – more than they normally do on elves.

Persephone re-opened her eyes. The Celebrant was still quiet, staring at her desk – probably lost in her own thoughts too. Persephone looked once more at the Spectral Dancer. She had not said anything since the beginning of the conversation. It was alright, she would talk if and when she’d have something to say.

"I should have expected it," Persephone turned back to look at the Celebrant when she finally spoke.
"I am, … Disappointed. I hadn't expected the bloodlines would mingle successfully. The Mother's essence is whole, the purest water. Anything else would only dilute it." Persephone kept on listening. Disappointed. Was that really the right word for it? Had Persephone expected the Celebrant to react more strongly? Maybe. Or maybe the Celebrant had and was just hiding it. Persephone herself at exploded at the news, but again her emotions sometimes were showing more on her than the other members of her race. Persephone did not believe disappointed was the right word. She believed the Celebrant was probably as mad as she had been herself. The Celebrant was just better at controlling her emotions.

"I believe we have a need to bring the abomination in, And the infant as well."

Two different emotions filled Persephone at those words. The first one was joy. Some dark twisted joy. She wanted the parents brought in. She wanted them punished for what they had done. They had committed a sin of the highest degree. They should be punished for it. Abomination. Yes that was a good word for them.

The other emotion was fear. The infant too? Why the infant? He was innocent. The Celebrant was planning to kill it, wasn’t she? Persephone looked at Olorae suspiciously, her eyes becoming but a slit. “Olorae” Persephone paused, making sure she had the attention of the Celebrant before she continued “I agree with you that the parents should be punished for what they have done.” She paused again, looking for the right words “However the child is innocent. It did not choose to be born, it did NOT choose what it is.”

[Sadori]

Sadori took a step out from behind the table and halted. Though her eyes had gone nearly solid black, she still managed to keep careful control over the rage that was building within. Her voice soft and words very careful and precisely spoken.

"I know you are not accusing my Mistress-wife of senseless murder. Let me assure you, no harm will come to the child while it retains its innocence. Not so long as it in my power to protect."

Turning her head slowly she watched the Celebrant. "Just allow her a moment to collect her thoughts. It is a lot of information to absorb, Priestess Persephone."

[zethrodraithius]

((I've had a change of heart. Lafyel may actually cooperate here to some extent with the dark elves. Granted that she will go on a trip, but she will return to her home. So yeah, if a request is made to her house, she will proceed to reply, albeit cautiously. I am willing as well to use Laphyel, my dwarf in this, so please, when your muse allows for it. I hope that you continue this.))

[Olorae]

"...the child is innocent. It did not choose to be born, it did NOT choose what it is."

Perhaps that was true, the Celebrant reckoned. She contemplated the words for a long time, steeling her face to betray no twitch, no response, no emotion. It was the face of an Abyssal Celebrant: serene and calm, like the surface of deep ocean. It would not hint at the passion and fury that lay beneath, coiled in the darkest depths of her soul like a tempest waiting to claim any in its vicinity.

She mused over innocence, the quality that had been so aptly applied to the babe. What was innocence but fertile earth in which to plant the seeds of the future. The question then was which future? Would it be a corrupt future, sewn in the decay and offal that was the child's heritage, or would it be a future in which the child was allowed to embrace Shilen and redeem itself for its parents' failure?

But then, the Celebrant had to wonder at the nature of innocence itself. No, it could not help to be born what it was, but neither could she help to be born destined for the Celebrancy; neither could her sister help but be born too late to claim the title of eldest and be relegated to the shadow. Destiny, it seemed, would struggle to reassert itself no matter the best or worst intentions.

"This child will live," she said finally, after the candles had burned nearly an hour's worth of markings. "Until such time as Shilen deems its life forfeit." She opened her hands finally, the inquisitor's fire flashing as it gasped the free air, snuffed by her force of will. "The parents will find I am not so generous."

[Persephone]

Persephone sat there, statue like. Her face was like stone once more, showing no emotions. She was happy to give the Celebrant as long as she needed to collect her thoughts. Persephone was also relieved at the fact that Sadori would protect the child…”no harm will come to the child while it retains its innocence”… that made two of them ready to protect it. It might have a chance, … as long as it deserved it. Persephone would not be sure of that fact until she’d get to actually see IT.

Suddenly, for no reason, Persephone had a flashback.

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A younger Persephone was running in the cold dark night. She had been running for days. The snow was crunching under each of her steps. Her footprints will not stay long though as more snow was falling down that would cover them.

How long has she been running for? Days? Weeks? She had lost track. Surely if her pursuers knew which way she had gone they would have caught up with her by now. Wouldn’t they? But she couldn’t take the risk. She had something precious to protect so she kept running.

The cold was piercing through her clothes, through her skin, trying to reach the core of her bones and freeze her. She was cold, tired and starving. But she kept running.

The baby she was holding against her chest was innocent too. And that baby deserved a better fate, a better life. And that’s why she had run away. To try and give that baby a chance at a happy life.

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Persephone came back to the present and smiled internally. That baby had got a better life, that baby was now grown up and happy. Persephone was responsible for that baby, not for Lafyel’s. However she still wanted for Lafyel’s kid to have a chance at a happy life too.

The Celebrant finally spoke: "This child will live,… Until such time as Shilen deems its life forfeit." Persephone felt relieved at those words. Yes the child might have a chance at happiness.

"The parents will find I am not so generous." Persephone let a smile show on her face at those words. She answered: “They will find that neither am I”. Persephone paused again, looking for the right words once more “Though there are stronger punishments than death.” No! Death was not the solution; it was too nice, too painless. Death was an escape. And Persephone did not want to let the parents pay such a low price. For what they had done, they needed more than just death.

[Olorae]

The Celebrant leaned back in her chair once more, lingering a moment before tapping lightly at the corner of her desk. She held up a finger, counting her breaths until the footfalls sounded in the hall and a knock rang from the door.

"Enter," she called, watching the dwarf stride in, noting a sense of pride in her looks. "Firhi, I have a mission for you. There is something I need you to procure for me, but it cannot be bought. It is unique, and I suspect the one who holds it now may not willingly part with it."

She allowed the dwarf a moment to absorb the details, explaining the need to bring the child to her, to bring its parents to justice for their crimes against Shilen, against nature, and against the clan.

"As I said, I do not suspect they will come willingly. You are authorized to use whatever force you deem necessary. You may steal the child away, you may take it by force. Just ensure it comes to me unharmed."

She looked to Persephone, lingering a moment before adding a final instruction to the dwarf. "I should like to have them brought to me alive as well, but if you must kill them bring me the bodies. They will find no sanctuary in death." Looking back to Persephone, she tilted her head slightly. "Would this suit your requirements?"

The Celebrant waited until she was given an affirming nod, then turned back to the dwarf.

"I would prefer if this does not come back upon the Lily or upon the Echoes, but if it cannot be avoided, so be it." She raised her finger again. "You may use the Lily expenses, but I expect a full accounting." She knew Firhi would not take advantage, it was part of why she had been named to run the merchant house. "That is all."

The dwarf bowed, turned, and slipped from the room to begin her preparations. The Celebrant bid Persephone a farewell, then turned to the Dancer. "Don't look at me like that. Firhi is just a distraction. We both know she could never accomplish what needs to be done." With a smirk, she gestured to the rafters, to the silent shape hidden among them. "I think it's time to put a thorn in that Kamael's side."