Post by WillJ on Oct 29, 2021 22:03:19 GMT
The little one sits in the Four Fair Winds; her pointed ears poking through shock pink hair, her large green eyes and delicate dragonfly wings marking her out as a creature of the Feywild. She shivers, grateful for the warmth from the hearth but dreading the winter that will grip the Material Plane over the coming months.
It didn’t take long for her to find a quiet corner, her back against the wall. She could see the doors, stairs leading up to comfortable bed rooms and the low wooden decking that makes up the stage. She wonders whether that influenced Queen Merla’s choice to settle here; allows herself a few seconds with eyes closed as she imagines the sweet, lilting music rippling out, washing over the crowds, infusing them with joy.
Her eyes snap back open. She mustn’t let her guard down. This was not the court, in the Dawnlands she must always be on alert. She listens to the low rumbling of the bar, the hubbub of patrons exchanging thoughts and information. Sifting through the voices she finds little of true value; an upcoming wedding, an unexpected death, exaggerated tales of the heroic deeds. None of this would need to be included in her report. No word of the unseelie.
Hearing the change in the air before she sees her Queen, her earlier imaginings of the sweet, lilting music manifest in a subtle way that she recognizes as present everywhere in the Court of Harmony. Queen Merla breezes into the lounge, her softly glowing eyes taking in everything she sees, before walking past the tables to the reception. She speaks to the manager, one Yoru Bronzebeater, the musical tones of her voice unmistakeable. As the dwarven woman turns away to look for something at the desk Merla’s voice projects into her mind.
“I left a package for you in the foliage under the oak tree in the garden. It will help keep you warm, amongst other things.”
She keeps her face neutral, a practiced stillness that betrays nothing of the message she just received. She continues to sit for a while, watching as Merla collects the parcel from the front desk. Many would prefer to leave such dead drops unobserved, but there is a comfort in the certainty, there is too much chaos in this world to leave such things to chance. The parcel itself, a book of poetry, holds no value. But within it lies a sheet of egg shell blue paper, crisply folded into a 5 pointed star. A fanciful bookmark at first glance, her report is written within. Naturally cautious, the report is written in another's hand. This time, a little halfling staying in the Four Fair Winds. Apparently looking for his tiefling wife; he had been giving out hand-written notes asking for information on her whereabouts. More than enough to emulate his style and penmanship.
Despite the subterfuge, the contents are slim pickings, hardly any usable intelligence, she knows it isn’t her best work and feels a sharp pang of guilt that her queen has provided a gift. She hasn’t earned it recently. She stands and heads to the garden and its mighty oak. A brief inspection reveals the likely spot and her nimble hands bring out a beautiful midnight blue cloak, folded tightly, with tiny patches resembling stars along its hem. Instead of inspecting it fully here and now she tucks it away in her rucksack, pivots on her heel as if to leave when she hears Merla’s voice once more in her head; clearly the report was short enough that the contents have already been assessed.
“Do not think you are undeserving of this gift. The Unseelie hide themselves well. But sooner or later they will misstep and when they do, you will be there, ready for it.” The Queen’s voice softens as she adds, “Our Song is with you, Silent Siren.”
Walking towards the Gilded Mirror, she reaches a decision. She will remain here in the Material Plane. Hone her skills within a new environment and see whether the adventuring community she has heard so many tales about might lead her to opportunities to prove her queen’s faith is not misplaced.
Written in collaboration with Riah as the fabulous Merla, Queen of Virtue and Virtuosity, ruler of the Court of Harmony.
It didn’t take long for her to find a quiet corner, her back against the wall. She could see the doors, stairs leading up to comfortable bed rooms and the low wooden decking that makes up the stage. She wonders whether that influenced Queen Merla’s choice to settle here; allows herself a few seconds with eyes closed as she imagines the sweet, lilting music rippling out, washing over the crowds, infusing them with joy.
Her eyes snap back open. She mustn’t let her guard down. This was not the court, in the Dawnlands she must always be on alert. She listens to the low rumbling of the bar, the hubbub of patrons exchanging thoughts and information. Sifting through the voices she finds little of true value; an upcoming wedding, an unexpected death, exaggerated tales of the heroic deeds. None of this would need to be included in her report. No word of the unseelie.
Hearing the change in the air before she sees her Queen, her earlier imaginings of the sweet, lilting music manifest in a subtle way that she recognizes as present everywhere in the Court of Harmony. Queen Merla breezes into the lounge, her softly glowing eyes taking in everything she sees, before walking past the tables to the reception. She speaks to the manager, one Yoru Bronzebeater, the musical tones of her voice unmistakeable. As the dwarven woman turns away to look for something at the desk Merla’s voice projects into her mind.
“I left a package for you in the foliage under the oak tree in the garden. It will help keep you warm, amongst other things.”
She keeps her face neutral, a practiced stillness that betrays nothing of the message she just received. She continues to sit for a while, watching as Merla collects the parcel from the front desk. Many would prefer to leave such dead drops unobserved, but there is a comfort in the certainty, there is too much chaos in this world to leave such things to chance. The parcel itself, a book of poetry, holds no value. But within it lies a sheet of egg shell blue paper, crisply folded into a 5 pointed star. A fanciful bookmark at first glance, her report is written within. Naturally cautious, the report is written in another's hand. This time, a little halfling staying in the Four Fair Winds. Apparently looking for his tiefling wife; he had been giving out hand-written notes asking for information on her whereabouts. More than enough to emulate his style and penmanship.
Despite the subterfuge, the contents are slim pickings, hardly any usable intelligence, she knows it isn’t her best work and feels a sharp pang of guilt that her queen has provided a gift. She hasn’t earned it recently. She stands and heads to the garden and its mighty oak. A brief inspection reveals the likely spot and her nimble hands bring out a beautiful midnight blue cloak, folded tightly, with tiny patches resembling stars along its hem. Instead of inspecting it fully here and now she tucks it away in her rucksack, pivots on her heel as if to leave when she hears Merla’s voice once more in her head; clearly the report was short enough that the contents have already been assessed.
“Do not think you are undeserving of this gift. The Unseelie hide themselves well. But sooner or later they will misstep and when they do, you will be there, ready for it.” The Queen’s voice softens as she adds, “Our Song is with you, Silent Siren.”
Walking towards the Gilded Mirror, she reaches a decision. She will remain here in the Material Plane. Hone her skills within a new environment and see whether the adventuring community she has heard so many tales about might lead her to opportunities to prove her queen’s faith is not misplaced.
Written in collaboration with Riah as the fabulous Merla, Queen of Virtue and Virtuosity, ruler of the Court of Harmony.