Date: February 25, 1999
Place: Balcony - Delphic Citadel - Haven
Cast: Jana, Maya
Scene: Maya and Jana -- a Varati and an Empyrean, and both members of Delphi -- talk of clairvoyance, a Liaison's duties, and the differences between their people.

Balcony - Delphic Citadel - Haven:
      The view is breathtaking from up here. Rain or shine, night or day, the view is unrivaled, and the variety of climates and seasons only enhances the experience. Sometimes a thin fog may encompass the pinnacle of the tower, so that all below is cloaked in a smoky haze. Other times the sun will shine full force upon the citadel until its brilliance is blinding. Or perhaps the moon will bathe the land in her cool radiance, while stars smile down upon the sleeping city. Up here, it is easy to feel remote and disconnected with the daily bustle of Haven -- the passersby and shoppers flocking to the Rialto below may as well be so many ants crawling about their anthill.
      Sometimes when the wind blows especially strong, the tower may seem to sway a bit -- and those unused to heights might become alarmed. Yet the tower has stood for centuries, and will likely stand for many more to come.

Maya steps onto the balcony silently, thoughtfully. Her expression is extremely introspective, especially for the Liaison. She hardly notices the Empyrean woman already there.

Jana is leaning against the balcony's rail, watching the rain fall on the morning city-scape with a somewhat wistful expression. By the doorway lie a couple of books and some writing equipment. She too, hardly seems to notice your own presence, and if you are watching her closely, you might notice activity in the aether around her head.

Maya frowns and slowly comes out of her own thoughts, drawn by the shifting in the currents. Her eyes are inexorably drawn to Jana and surprisingly enough, she watches with open interest. When the twistings die down just a little, she clears her throat, hoping not to startle the young woman too badly.

The weavings are slowly reigned in, and once the buzz has died down to almost nothing, Jana turns to look at you. A faint smile blooms at the corners of her lips, "Ave, Imphada... How are you this morning?"

Maya's lips curl into a smile as the question prompts nothing less than honesty for her. "Curious. What were you looking for?"

Jana gently shrugs as she glances down at the floor. "Oh... Nothing in particular. I was looking at the aether of the Tower, the residue from the shapings so many years ago."

Maya joins Jana at the rail, her fingers curling over the stone balustrade. "Really." She looks out over the city. "How do you see it?"

Jana seems vaguely surprised that you should ask such a question until she takes a closer look at you. With a slow nod, she answers, "You know how to detect if one possesses an affinity, do you not? It is almost like that. A subtle difference, however. You must look a little deeper, extend your will to touch the stone."

Maya muses on this for a time, her eyes scanning out over the city. She admits, reluctantly, "Other studies called me in this. My strength is not with my sight.."

"I see," Jana murmurs, and she falls quiet for a few moments to contemplate. "When I first learned to see the aether," she begins, "I had to sit in a near meditative state. It takes a little while, but eventually, you can look whenever you wish." She waves her hand around, trying to gesticulate her meaning, "You reach out for it... Open not your eyes, but your mind."

Maya's eyes twinkle with the first touch of humor. "Getting ready to teach already?" Humor and censure both touch her tone, neither strong enough to truly invoke a reaction.

Jana's cheeks turn faint pink with embarrassment, and she smiles in reply, though she says nothing. Tilting her head to one side, she seems to be studying you again, or more accurately, the air around you. "Might I ask a question of you?"

Maya's smile grows again and she nods. Teasingly she replies, "I will choose whether or not to answer you, but you may always ask."

Jana's smile shows the beginnings of a smirk. "You are too kind, Imphada. I wanted to know... ah.. what is it that a Liaison does? I mean, do you act as the ambassador to all of the governments?"

Maya nods, "In some years, yes. This is what I have been endeavoring to do of late -- to bring all nations and their needs to Delphi so that we might properly deal with them before they become... difficulties."

Maya says "Other years, the Avatarati take that duty unto themselves, and the Liaison serves the Hounds more closely, working with them in the courts of the city and serving to be the voice of Delphi to the people of Haven."

Jana nods back at you, then turns to look over the city once more. "Thank you," she says belatedly, with a small smile. Then, she asks, "Is it a very difficult occupation? It sounds somewhat... easy. What sorts of ... hm... things... must you do to serve the people of Haven?"

Maya chuckles softly, "Ah, Jana. Some days it is easier than others." She shakes her head ruefully. "There are days that not even your own people are happy to hear what you have to say. That is the way of diplomacy."

Jana snorts in faint amusement, and the wistful expression returns to her face, "But do they listen, though they are not happy to hear it? I think I could bear their complaints, so long as they took advice..." Then she frowns, "Although, I could probably answer my own question, considering how... arrogant some can be."

Maya looks back out over the city. "Diplomacy is a dance, Jana. There is give and take. If one has news the other might not like, it is good to take along news you know they will as well." She smiles and looks sidelong at the girl, "Or, if you have something you know they want, it is good to make them pay for it.."

Jana slowly leans her weight over the railing, ignoring the cold rain as it falls on her hair, and she peers down the length of the tower. She looks as if she's tempted to jump. But she settles back down on her heels, and with a gentle nod, says, "I must admit that I have had an interest in politics for a while... Would it be possible, perhaps in the future, to accompany a diplomat as an assistant?"

Maya blinks, considering this and then begins to chuckle. "Yes. I think it would be. How... interesting." Her lips twitch for some time and then she finally adds, "You would need to remain quiet. I am not always in a position of strength, especially with dealing with the Varati of late..."

Jana's eyes widen slightly, and she tries to keep her tone level, though it is clear to hear that she is excited by the prospect. "The...Varati? Oh, of course I would remain quiet, Imphada. I am certain that if I should open my mouth, their opinion of me would drop to an ill-bred child... rather than a mere child."

Maya snorts softly, "There are times that I feel no better than that, but hopefully it will change over time." She looks out over the city. "Each race has a different relationship with Delphi. The Sylvans hardly have one at all. They teach their own and are almost hostile that we would wish to keep them from their own kind. Empyreans, well," She glances over at Jana, "I'm sure you understand them better than I. Atlanteans are oddly supportive of late, although they send few to us. And Varati. Varati are always a tangle. Clan Khalida never, ever allows its members anywhere near Delphi. Others come -- I would wager some to spy and take our knowledge back to their own."

Jana furrows her brow slightly, and she says, "I did not know that Khalid forbade his people from coming to us." Then she frowns, falling quiet as she discovers she is at a loss for words. But apparently she does find something to ask, "If he does forbid it, why does he have any contact with us at all? Why not simply burn us alive?"

Maya turns back to Jana. "That is not the Varati way. All people will eventually realize Khalid Atar's godhood. Until that time, if they treat others honorably, then they should be treated honorably in turn. For if one were to simply kill others that did not agree with you, one could never win them over to the true Way."

Jana nods her head, and then she purses her lips. Flatly, she comments, "And this holds true for all Varati save Khalid, yes?"

Maya says "No. Khalid Atar embodies the Way. He, too, will return honor to those that show it to him.." She trails off and looks over at Jana, suddenly remembering who she is, and what the girl next to her is. "Ah. You do not see it in his actions, do you?"

Slowly shaking her head, Jana replies, "No, Imphada... And not having all of the story at hand, I am afraid that I will sometimes make erroneous judgments. I must admit that I have never spoken about Khalid Atar with a Varati before." Another faint smile appears, and she says, "I was afraid always that I would offend... I have not, have I?"

Maya shakes her head slowly. "No. You have not, Jana. Many do not understand his ways and to be honest, no Varati can completely comprehend Khalid Atar. After all, the Amir-al is a god." She smiles in return, "I cannot begin to explain his motivations. There are some things we know from what has been announced by both sides... " She shakes her head. "I, myself, regret the necessity of the conflict."

"As do I," the young girl says, "Especially since I do not understand why it took place to begin with. I heard stories of Eranthe's kidnapping, but this... this does not sound like a reasonable basis for a war." She sighs and shakes her head, then asks, "So, if I were to show honor to Khalid Atar when trying to talk to him, chances are he would not... burn me for stating my opinions?"

Maya makes a small moue with her mouth, hiding an almost laugh. "He is a god, Jana. One cannot simply go up to him and expect him to blithely ignore impudence, but... yes. Should you be polite, he cannot but acknowledge that other opinions exist in the world. I would not presume to argue with him, however, should he disagree."

Jana falls quiet to contemplate this, and she doesn't seem to notice the fact that you are probably laughing at her. She comes back with another question, "If he is truly a god... why has no one else acknowledged him? Surely, if he is immortal, someone would notice and find this most persuading..."

Maya's brows arch, "No one else has acknowledged him?" She taps her lips, "Perhaps comparative theology should be added to the classes. He has an entire race that worships him, Jana. And others, as well, have acknowledged his divinity. I understand there is even an Empyrean that has long been a part of his camp."

Jana's eyebrows shoot up, "Well... I meant by other races. I did not know there was an Empyrean there." Then she nibbles at her lower lip, thinking more about it, "Though that does not surprise me. Our society would have ceased to acknowledge this one."

Maya sighs, "Your people will recover in time, Jana. It is the way of the world. A circle. We cycle through it endlessly and at every turn, one is at the apex and the other the nadir."

Jana nods, and she slowly says, "I do not blame the Varati people for the war, Imphada. I am more inclined to blame my own." She pauses, then adds in a quieter voice, "I tried to warn them, once. At the attack on Duropolis, the party they held here in Haven... I told my cousin about the vision I had, and he told it to the Princeps. He arrogantly blew us off. So..." she shrugs, "after seeing this, how could I ever doubt anyone who told me that the Empyreans would be difficult trying to negotiate peace?"

Maya licks her lips. "Peace will come again, in time." She seems rather certain of that, but the nature of the peace she does not expound upon, turning instead to contemplate the city once more. "Ah! I think I See..."

Jana's attention quickly zips to the new topic, and she smiles somewhat proudly. As if she were solely responsible for your enhanced Vision. She gently beckons the strands of aether to her, so that she may Watch what you do, and quietly, she says, "That is wonderful, Imphada... Can you not feel it as well? Vibrations of magic that seems to hum in your head?"

Maya does not look away, "I See when I weave, most often. It is... relaxing."

"Indeed," Jana replies in a near murmur, "it is easy to get lost. Be careful you do not. Especially up here."

Maya looks down with a significant glance and chuckles. "Yes. I can see why you would warn of such. It would be tempting to try and touch what you see, no?"

Jana nods her head, smiling openly now. "It often is... and sometimes, it can be a little confusing trying to walk around while looking into the astral plane." She trails off suddenly, going quiet, and her expression goes solemn with her thoughts.

Maya is suddenly brusque, brushing out her robes. "Yes, well, I think we may have to talk on this further, Jana. I appreciate your insights into the matter." And she truly does, for her words sound quite sincere. She nods once, "Good day to you."

Jana blinks and looks somewhat startled, but she hurriedly nods, "Oh, of course, Imphada. Vale. You are welcome to ask me anything you like..." And she adds with a grin, "But I warn you, I myself am still learning."

Maya's smile is sudden and bright, "Well, then we'll have to arrange more practice for you, neh?" She nods once and heads out without another word.

Jana just smiles to herself as she watches you go, deeply pleased at the thought of more practice.

FIN  

[ Home | News | Staff | Players | Links | Gallery | Logs | Library | Updates | Mail ]
[ Connect to the Game ]