Date: September 10, 2000 (Aether: January 27, 3907)
Place: White Tower: First Floor, The Sea Chamber - Delphic Citadel - Haven
Cast: Demetrius, Okalani
Scene: The Captain of the Amarada, Demetrius, may be the only one in Haven to know anything about the barbaric Northlanders who attacked the city just days past. The High Priestess of Pasiphae, and Estrel of Delphi, Okalani, hopes to learn more about the invaders from the charming ship-captain.

Exiting from the makeshift infirmary, Demetrius takes a moment to let his defenses down. Leaning against one wall, his wings droop for a moment, his head dropping as he allows himself a moment just to be quiet and think. This is all very strange... and not very sensible. So many pieces of the puzzle need to be put together, and yet at the same time, he must act as translator, friend, ally, mediator, and himself.

Questions. He's been asked many questions today, but some answers would be preferred. Since he arrived back at the Haven's port, he learned of the attack and the results, but only in bits and pieces, none of which really sit right with what he knows and has observed.

He came to Delphi to offer his services ... but at what cost? Frowning, he arches back, dropping his head against the wall, his throat exposed as he take another deep breath and releases it upon a 'hissssss' of uncertainty.

Naturally, a whole group of curious students have gathered around in the entrance hall, and at the sight of the strange Empyrean leaving the practice room, the excited whispers lead to a storm of voices, both mental and physical.

The young Atlantean woman who's just entered through the main door pauses, lifting a hand against her head in much the same way as Demetrius did. A grimace splits her fair features in two. Wonderful -- first she's lost an entire day dealing with barbarians who forced her to use mind magic till she nearly broke down, and now she's being bombarded by unwilling thoughts and emotions.

A quick glance at Demetrius is enough for her senses to register he is in much the same position and a hand finds its way upon his elbow, "Let's retire to my quarters, dominus."

His head drops in surprise, but Demetrius allows the Atlantean woman to lead him along, his features a picture of bemusement. Save for a brief visit over twenty years ago, Demetrius has never set foot within the walls of Delphi till this winter season. Now, it would seem, it shall be his new home for awhile, if he's not careful. A man with no magic has little use for a Tower filled with it, really, but ironically enough, it is he, with his mundane skills, who can now be of service to this tower of aether abilities. How droll.

"Domina?" he queries as she leads him along, though no resistance is offered. He met Nightmare, and if it were her hand on his arm, his heels would be digging into the carpet in resistance. But this lovely Atlantean does not engender such negative feelings within him. At least not yet.

Laughing, Okalani places her free hand upon her breasts covered loosely by a billowing blouse of a bright orange hue. "Oh, that must have come out rather strangely, didn't it?" she inquires, tilting her head so that the glowing blue eyes of hers can see his expression, as well as sense his emotions.

"I am Okalani. I couldn't help but pick up your confusion and your need to find answers." Her gaze travels away, meeting that of another Atlantean, who's following them up the stairs, and she ahs, "Oh, you speak the language of the northerners?" Her interest grows, judging from the gentle squeeze upon his arm. "Perhaps we can help each other then." She gestures to a door to the side.

The Sea Chamber - Delphic Citadel - Haven:
      The sound of water greets your ears, its gentle susurrus as it caresses the stone walls. The Sea Chamber, unlike others in Delphi, extends below the doorway instead of arching above it. The walls themselves do not make an appearance, draped with filmy swathes of silk dyed with rippling patterns of green, blue and pink. A swirling web of light meshes with the cloth, cast by globes of light that burn without flame in the watery depths of the room.
      A platform extends from the doorway, like a beach. It slopes gently to the water's edge, punctuated by a couple of rocks that seem like they would be comfortable as seats. Near the wall, frondy plants extend from the beach overhead... dangerous to the unobservant, for these leaves do not give with a touch. Each is rigid and strong, shaped exactingly from green rock.
      Below the surface of the water, more 'plants' grow in nearly every color imaginable, joined here by realistically Shaped fish of every exotic form as well. A veritable reef of stone flourishes far from the ocean's depths. The center of the pool is punctuated by another outcropping that rises from the bottom far below. From its midst, a spring flows forth fountaining over the natural-looking island and spilling over the rocks back into the pool below.

He needs no telepathic abilities to catch the drift of her thoughts, a wry and amused smile curling his lips in response, though he knew that she was suggesting no such thing. Of course, if she had been one of the Aesir, that would have been exactly what was her on her mind. Most likely. Though he could be flattering himself. Obscenely.

There is a low, rich chuckle that burbles from the Captain's lips, like a refreshing, newborn spring gushing forth its cool offering of fresh and unadulterated water. She seems to pick out errant thoughts that filter through his mind as readily as a child plucks leaves out of a floating stream -- only the ones close to the center remaining out of reach. His mind is naturally open, for his is a curious and scientific nature, always searching out the world about him for inspiration, information, and answers to problems and questions not yet even asked.

"Gracious Domina, shall I just sit here and have you pull from me all that I know?" The offer is half-sincere, a smile indicating he does not mind her ability to draw from him so easily that which he must ask for with words. "Aye, I have questions, and aye, I do speak their language and know something of their religion and culture. That is, in fact, why I am here. I learned of their rather abrupt arrival and suspected that there would be only a few in Haven who might speak their tongue."

His brow creases momentarily as he confesses, "I did not think I would be the only one, but perhaps, in time, more will come to the surface." He hopes. Otherwise, he will have a great deal of work ahead of him and likely no pay for his services.

The longer she spends her time with him, the more amused this woman's expression becomes, until her lips seem unable to cease grinning. Her arms gesture to the flat layer of stone and the water itself while she swirls around, inviting him to sit wherever he may wish, while she herself heads into the pool.

"It would be quicker if I could pull things from your mind, but it is not something I would want to do without your permission, dominus." Her grin deepens, "And please call me Okalani -- when minds touch each other so intimately as you just suggested, we should feel comfortable with one another."

Quite refined is her tone, matched by the simple elegance of her body language when she pushes herself out of the water by the force of her elbows, twisting herself till she's seated upon one of the rocks whose flat surface sticks above the waves, completely unaware of how the drenched clothes cling to her lines and curves.

"I have already touched the minds of several of their telepaths." Lips twist as if showing she did not enjoy that experience particularly much, "but I would like to know more. You say you know their language. Do you also know why they have come here, and what they wish now?"

"Demetrius," he offers in turn as she heads for the water. He's half inclined to join her there himself, save that the water is probably quite cold, and at the moment, a hot bath sounds far more appealing. He sheds his cloak, setting it aside, before following her, finding himself a large stone to settle upon, his legs folding in a lotus pattern that is rather un-Empyrean. But comfortable.

He isn't quite certain what it is that amuses her so, but his smile is easy and relaxed. Demetrius has spent many years making a fool of himself and doing wild and dangerous things ... he is used to garnering the amusement of others as well as their respect.

"Very well, Okalani, we shall share thoughts in the form of words on this occasion," he rumbles, hinting at perhaps a different occasion in the future where they might explore something less ... verbal. She might be unaware of the curves that are lovingly caressed, but Demetrius is not. He isn't offended, but neither is he oblivious to her beauty.

"This is what I can offer you. I know the Aesir -- the Northern Empyreans," he clarifies, "'fairly' well, which is to say that I have spent time with them. I speak their language, and I have my observations and notes that make me believe I know them and what it is they seek and desire. The other two races, I have met and seen, but little more. The gentle ones with the dark eyes and the soft wings are known as the Rusalki. I believe they are generally peaceable.

"The others, though, the Najada, seem of a colder and crueler temperament. More inclined toward violence, though that is merely my impression of them, and based on little more than intuition."

"As for what they want now, I have not yet had the opportunity to inquire. But I will tell you this... I am filled with great suspicion and uncertainty on this point. There is a great deal of conflicting information. Which is why I need to understand," Demetrius notes, "how it is that they came to be here and what happened exactly. It is clear that they attacked, and Delphi seemed to be their destination?"

"The Najada?" Okalani asks, "We refer to them as Salacians, and based on my encounters with them yesterday I tend to agree with your conclusions, except that the ones who came here are warriors, and thus should not be considered to be typical for the mindset of those left at home."

A finger traces the lines of her face with a stray lock of dark hair in the form of a sweetly curved pencil. "And those Rusalki you speak of," the corners of her mouth are turned up in an almost forgiving smile, "the two who came here used elemental powers against the land -- I do not consider them to be very peaceful."

Sparkles of light appear in her eyes, whose glow seems to deepen here in the relative darkness of her quarters. "But if you believe they normally are... yes, it is suspicious that they have come here together with the intent to fight against us. We tried to greet them peacefully, but their minds... violence was all they know."

The Atlantean's voice has spiraled down into softer, more distant levels, which bring her back to that fight upon the beach. "They attacked us after they left their ship -- those of us upon the beach. Their minds were as one, yet..." Her head may be tilted in curiosity but her gaze never leaves his features, "they did not care when one of their own died. They besieged us with mental images..." Surprise and shock can be sensed in her tone, that someone would actually abuse mind speech in this manner, "until I... they were separated from one another."

A quick shake of her head and batting of eyelashes follows those last words and she looks more sharply at him. "Yes, after their attack upon the beach, they rushed towards the Citadel. They came to raid, but now they wish information about Delphi -- why, I do not know." That is for him to answer.

"What are those... Aesir like?" Again, she uses a strange accent when referring to such an alien mind. "Perhaps you would not mind sharing memories with me, after all?" This time a more open, flattering smile is flashed to him.

Shaking his head, Demetrius leans forward, his eyes intent and bright with intelligence. "That they attack, that they lay siege is not what surprises or concerns me, Okalani. That is certainly the way of the Aesir. You have to understand the world they live in. It is ... a harsh existence, at best.

"The waters and land are frigid and hard. Unforgiving. It carves a people of harder stuff than what you and I were born to. For the Aesir, I cannot help but respect them. For all their barbaric ways and violence, they have a love and passion for living life to its fullest that most of the more 'civilized' races have all but forgotten. It is their nature, indeed, to set out upon their ships, raiding back and forth."

Shaking his head again, he rumbles, "No, what concerns me is how they attacked. From what I have seen, these three races may come from the same frigid waters of the North, but they are not kin to one another. At best, I would propose that there is an uneasy truce between them to gain whatever it is that they are after. I have never known the Aesir to fight side by side along with others that are not of their race and clan. I have seen each race in turn regard the other with animosity, distrust, and fear. And yet here they are, far from their natural waters. Together.

"Not only that," he notes, his brow creasing with uncertainty, "They forged a line straight for Delphi. One could argue that the Tower, being the tallest structure, was believed to be the capital, and therefore the building to lay siege to and capture. But my mind cannot help but wonder if there is something more to it than that. If they knew somehow of Delphi ... of something that is here that they need...."

He sits back, his hands resting lightly upon his knees and his mind studies the curious pieces of information, testing misshapen edges to see if he cannot make the puzzle fit together and offer him a clearer picture.

Leaning forward in turn, Okalani's lips part with a silent plop when more is revealed to her ignorant ears. Her smug expression returns, carving her face into a mask of amusement. "I believe a meeting between the Empyreans and their northern brethren will be interesting, in that case. Perhaps we ought to tell them the location of the Siren's Song?" A brief flicker in her eyes follows her words, the last spoken in jest, for she grows more serious again, following his example subconsciously in the faintest gesture of head and hands.

"I was hoping that perhaps to the north, in more barbaric circumstances, the races would actually work together, but you claim this is not true. And in Delphi... we have but magic."

Pride and confusion fight each other in her voice and lines mar the smoothness of her bluish brow. "Magic which aided in defeating their attack. Surely, they would not have attacked us if they had been aware of the powers of our mages? And their magic... they are strong -- you, too, must have seen the results." The priestess sounds oddly disconcerted about that part. "What do you believe drove them here together, then?"

There is a small explosion of mirth somewhere between Demetrius' throat and lips, though he tries to thwart it, an undignified squeak/snort escaping through his nostrils. He tries to picture proper Empyreans meeting their Northern brethren. Gracious. Wouldn't that be something to write home about?

'Dear Mother. Met with my kin to the North today. Got my ass pinched twelve times and was randomly chosen for a quick brawl or wrestling match six times ... separate from the previous twelve. I'm black and blue all over. Please send ointment. Love and kisses.' Quite.

His hands rise to stop the Atlantean before she takes his observations to be the Truth. "Slow, Okalani, we are merely exchanging ideas and perceptions. Just because these are my perceptions does not automatically mean they are reality. We must check and counter-check. Study the matter further, ask questions that will hopefully shed some light upon the truth, to either confirm or deny my suppositions."

His hands drop to rest against his hips, wings ruffling as Demetrius extends them out for a quick stretch. "I have not seen the Aesir use magic, so I must assume it is their water brethren who show such skill with it." Being not a native to Haven, Demetrius isn't quite sure what magic she refers to. He has experienced weather of incredible extremes, so what is 'normal' for Haven is not a known quantity to him.

"I only said that I have never seen or heard of the Aesir fighting with others ... it does not mean that they do not or never had. Just that I suspect it is highly unusual. I will discuss it with my old acquaintances in a suitably nonchalant manner, to help confirm the truth of this."

His shoulders shrug restlessly as he confesses in a defeated tone, "I, unfortunately, do not know what brought them here, though. There are many possibilities." Rising up, he tips his head, murmuring, "But I'm afraid I have a few things to attend to. They require a proper meal of meat and fresh fish ... fruits, vegetables, and grains are not their customary fare and will not suffice their needs."

Okalani doesn't rise but lower herself, back into the water through which she swims in order to reach the stone edge once more. Climbing out of this is easy, and it is with the swiftness of experience that she finds herself standing next to the Empyrean translator in a dripping wet outfit which leaves droplets wherever she goes. Fortunately for the Citadel's servants, that is no further than the door of her own quarters, this time.

"I thank you for your efforts, Demetrius, and I hope to find a more suitable way to reward you soon -- perhaps you could think of something yourself?" Her fingers dig within the lower flesh of his arms once again as her palm presses down upon the curve of his elbow. "Within reason, of course." A quite dry reminder spoken in jest, but with that undercurrent of being serious.

"You might inform them that the Estrella do wish to speak with their leaders privately in the next few days." A turn of head and shoulders brings her presence closer to his, but as before, she seems unfazed by their closeness, unlike, if she is to believe him, an Aesir would be. "Do you believe the Najada would mind consulting here?"

Demetrius cannot help but smile as Okalani's cool, wet touch seems to suggest something more familiar than her words hint at. No no ... she isn't suggesting that. Good gods, man, best not linger with the Aesir too much, or they'll completely warp your ways. "I will do what I can. As for the Najada, I cannot say for sure, Okalani..."

"Then I will have to learn more about them myself before inviting them in," Okalani replies gingerly, though for a moment she eyes him rather suspiciously, as if unsure just what he was thinking about her quite innocent offer. This impression fades, however, and she offers him one simple, sweet smile as the door is opened. "I will soon you soon enough, Demetrius, for I do wish to learn more about your knowledge."

FIN  

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