Log View

From Exalted MUSH
Jump to navigation Jump to search


Source Contents
Amethyst The Second Ring of the city is home to the homes of its citzens and the Gens themselves, and the young dragon is no exception. She's been here before, she's seen it before, but now she _lives here_, it's a different experience. It's a calm time of day in the evening, and Amethyst has found herself wandering the roads of the city, going nowhere in particular, just... wandering, thinking about what the hell she's going to do now. There's so much to to do and so little of her as she comes to a railing that overlooks a chunk of the city.
Mahendru Divya The Second Ring of Lookshy is one of the more secure sections of the city. It requires passing security checks to get in here. For the Chosen of Secrets named Divya, though, the assumption of a Resplendent Destiny of a Sohei is sufficient to get her at least this far. For this is where threads of destiny lead her. Auspicious Prospects of Secrets tell her there's someone important here, someone at a crossroads perhaps, or there's something here for her to learn. And upon seeing an obviously Aspected woman approaching a section of railing, she senses this is her opportune moment.

A swift sign invoking Jupiter is enough for her to shed the Sohei and instead embrace the Constellation of the Sorcerer. With her Unimpeachable Divinity Credentials available, it's simple enough to become someone obviously supernaturally divine. Just as Amethyst reaches the railing, a faint radiance of light heralds the arrival of what must be a divinity.

The Spirit is seemingly a dark-skinned woman with hair, eyebrows and eyes (and teeth) made of light. Her hair in particular is bright enough to read a book by, and it drifts and waves when she moves as if it's underwater. She wears one of the legendary Shen Wu robes, wrought of divine silk and spun by Shen Mu, Goddess of Robes. Atop her forehead lies a crown wrought of silver and she has the reflexive majesty in her bearing of a ruler...or a divinity.

Settling her arms upon the railing, she watches the approaching Water Aspect with an interested look in her eyes, particularly if those tattoos in Old Realm are visible.

Amethyst Amethyst's attire isn't _nearly_ so fancy. Just a short-sleeved dress with a stylized cerulean green dragon on the back and some little symbols on the front, with a green shawl that bears the mon of Gens Yushoto on its clasp. That with the wooden sandels is all she's carrying, no alchemy supplies, no weapons, no armor. She doesn't need them to still be dangerous these days.

Her tattoos are on show, as are those few mutations she lets others see regularly. It's hard to _read_ the old realm with her constantly moving but it's some sort of story about the fae and a dragon-blooded and victory.

The appearance of the spirit before her causes a slight pause and those violet eyes of hers narrow just a little, "Hello." She speaks in old realm, giving a little bow in respect, "Is there something I can help you with?"

Mahendru Divya The spirit's smile grows, exposing more bright teeth. She looks merry. "So proper and dignified. Ah, but I should expect it in Lookshy. Actually, since you don't look like a Sohei, I suppose I should just be glad you're asking questions instead of investigating me to make sure I'm being compliant with the Calendar or something."

She pushes off the rail and turns to face Amethyst entirely. "I'm Sunrise Imzada, Goddess of Auspicious Initiations. You can look me up in Yu-Shan, if you're ever in town. And -this-, well, this is an auspicious initiation. Let me guess...you have a lot on your mind. Maybe the role of the Dragon-Blooded feels a little...abrasive in spots, or you've seen something out in the world that's troubling you spiritually. Maybe you've had a recent revelation. Maybe someone's made a job offer to you. Maybe you're just new here!"

"Either way, you're at a crossroads, aren't you." She then pats the railing beside her, as she leans back against it. "Want to tell me about it? It's what I'm for!"

A subtle vibrato follows the wake of her words, lending her speech a faintly otherworldly quality.

Amethyst "I've dealt with many spirits in my time." She says with a slight grin, and leans against the railing. "But I fear I must note that it's rare to be able to see the City of Heaven when you are not a God yourself. And unlike the heretics in Prasaid I am not so bold as to call myself one." She chuckles a little as though she's making a joke.

"Strange that you find me here, at this moment in this place right as I'm settling into my new place as part of Gens Yushoto. Though I've dealt with far stranger. I must ask, dear Sunrise, why appear for me in particular? I'm sure there are many moments like this for many people. What brings you here to me?"

Mahendru Divya Sunrise shrugs and her mouth quirks into a half smile. "Maybe it's meant to be, you and me crossing paths. Maybe the stars that map your future bind me as well, and they've brought me into your orbit, however brief, however long. Those from mortal stock always like to ask those kinds of questions, don't they." Her amused chuckle vibrates like cello strings. "Gods don't need to ask those questions. Oh, Gods like answers as much as anyone...usually. But it's enough for me that I'm here where I'm supposed to be and so are you."

"Gens Yushoto, did you say?" The spirit seems to roll that around in her mind for a moment. "I don't think I've had any dealings with them in...what, seventy years? Maybe more?" She shrugs. "How are they? How do you like them?"

Amethyst "It's been a long time since anyone's thought of me as anything like a mortal." Amethyst says, considering. "But in my defense, I never did learn much about fate or the stars. Too busy learning martial tactics and alchemy."

"And Yushoto's been very kind and understanding, all things given." She holds up one of her webbed hands, "Most dragons don't look like this." She wiggles her fingers. "It's been a long road to adoption, with more hardships than I imagined, but, here I am. They gave me what I needed more than anything: A chance."

"And somehow I didn't let them down."

Mahendru Divya Divya seems to find the webbed fingers charming. Grinning, she looks away from them at last to meet Amethyst's eyes. "New life then. Different than where you came from. Different from what you'd been given before. And you're thriving after all."

"You sound like you didn't expect to. Whatever else you may be, there's little mistaking Danaa'd's favor upon you. Is it surprising that you succeed at what you really work at?" Her head tilts a little, changing the angle of her regard. "Maybe the real question is if you have anything left to prove. They gave you a chance and you made it worthwhile for them. So now what? Marriage? Children? Service as a citizen? Are those your dreams?"

Amethyst "Heh, I guess not." She giggles a little, "But it is still somehow surprising that I'm... accepted here. Despite everything. Despite my strange birth and my weird powers and my sorcery. That... my talents might actually be celebrated. Goodness I managed to duel and win against an anathema pirate captain."

The subject of Marriage and Children and Service dower the mood a little, and Amethyst runs a hand through her hair. "Those, those I don't know. Marriage and Children, that still sounds terrifying to me. I barely keep _myself_ out of trouble I don't want a spouse or a kid to worry about too."

"I'm not sure what my dreams are these days. But I knew if I wanted to pursue them, I had to find more of my own kind, become part of something larger, find somewhere I could actually belong."

Mahendru Divya Sunrise nods sagely. "Ever has that been the case for your kind. All of the Exalted are stronger together but those like you more than all others. And yet, strength isn't everything. Individuality is all the more meaningful, when you're among so much conformity. Lookshy has its virtues but they definitely think conformity is one of them."

Seemingly amused by that, the spirit looks fondly at Amethyst. "Maybe you'll have an easier time than the others. Your 'strange birth', your weird powers and sorcery, these things mark you. You are more than they are but they help you to be more than your people too. As Exalts go, you're luckier than most! To have already found where you should be, at so young an age." Then she shrugs and says "Unless you're much older than you look, I imagine you have a great deal of time to worry about finding a good match. Me, I can't -wait- for a new beginning...but you can. Maybe you should. Especially if there's...someone else? Someone from beyond Lookshy that makes you uncertain what your dreams are, or perhaps what your dreams should be?"

Amethyst "I do know how to brew up Age-Staving Cordial, I could be a few hundred years old and still look like this." She gives a cheeky grin, "But no I'm as young as I look. And beyond Lookshy." She says, turning back towards the horizon, "There's an entire Creation beyond Lookshy. I've only ever seen the southeast and the east. One day I'd love to see the West or the North or the South. But I didn't want to do that without having a home to come back to, a place that I could call mine, people that I could care about, a _place_ for myself."

"And maybe if I was legion material I would've aspired to be a magnificent general or a commander or something, maybe some amazing sorcerer-engineer. But with who and what I am right now, I just want to go exploring again and venture beyond the walls of this magnificent city. Call it a kind of wanderlust after being holed up here for over a year."

Mahendru Divya "So." Sunrise rubs her hands together, looking gleeful. "Is that it then? Is that what we've come to? All your life, you've wanted a home and your road finally led you to one. But Lookshy isn't your destination. It's a hub that your road may loop back to again and again, while still leading you on into your future. You're right, there -is- an entire Creation out there beyond Lookshy. Full of wonders and terrors. Full of people whose lives you could change, for better or worse. And a good journey could result in you bringing back to your home knowledge of current events in other lands, leads that may interest them to follow up on, perhaps even potential alliances with the right people or governments. Lots of possibility," she concludes, stroking her chin thoughtfully.

"So what's stopping you?"

Amethyst "My father's still missing somewhere out in the Scavenger Lands, my mom's somewhere in the wyld, and most of the friends I know outside this city are in Great Forks. Plus I'm part of the Grey Legion which means participating in weekly drills just in case we get called into service." She explain simply, turning back. "And frankly I feel like I still have more to do here, friends to make, enemies to frustrate, family to make connections with, that sort of thing. I'm actually in a great Dragon-Blooded family." She says with a certain reverance, a disbelief. "And, maybe I wanna enjoy that for a little before I let my heart take me halfway across Creation."
Mahendru Divya "Pulled two ways. Within these walls, a goal you've searched for that only becomes more valuable to you the more work you put into it. Without these walls...many goals. Beyond the other Directions, you've reason to search this one and the Wyld as well. Huh." Sunrise Imzada taps her lips with her fingers, the motion causing little sparks of light to ripple off of her. Then she snaps her fingers, causing a brighter flash. "Perhaps you ought to invite your friends to visit you here? Maybe they could work with you to simplify those searches for your missing parents, while giving you more time in Lookshy until they arrive and more time still while you all plan together."

"Mmmm, or perhaps they wouldn't be welcome by Lookshy, is that it?" The Goddess' head tilts a little more. "Your Exaltation may be of Creation but your future's bright with the sun, moon and stars, isn't it. How interesting. Well. I would like to offer you advice. I ask these questions so that I may know which advice to offer. If I were to ask you, is there anything you -want- to know, more than anything else?"

Amethyst "I shouldn't have too much trouble contacting my mother if I really want to, I just know she's out in this direction's Wyld. I guess I should count myself lucky that she was human enough that I didn't end up a Raksha myself." She says with a sheepish grin. "And it's less about them being unwelcome here and more that I don't want to get them tied up in the contraversy that surrounds myself. I'm lucky that someone like yourself assured them that I was just a weird Dragon and not a Face Thief in disguise." She rubs her head.

And as she thinks of the question, what does she want to know, more than anything. "What was it like, in the first age, before the anathema were cast out, before so much knowledge and technology was lost, before all of that?"

And she asks, _far_ quieter, "And, is there any chance we could help the madness of those Anathema rather than just condemning all of them to death for our safety?"

Mahendru Divya Oh boy. Two -very- loaded questions.

Sunrise takes a moment to think on her answers. Then she meets Amethyst's gaze squarely. "Good and bad," she says at last. "Mortals lived their lives too, in those days. Usually happier and safer than they do today. Miracles inconceivable in this age were wrought into existence when it was time for them to exist. Cities like Lookshy were common. Your people protected them and saw to their prosperity. And all aspired." She leans backwards a little, bouncing several times against the railing before she sighs. "I can tell you more but it's up to you to decide if knowing is worth the risk. What I know of the First Age isn't what the Sohei or the Immaculate Faith would teach. Oh, your Faith has truth in it, don't mistake me for speaking heresy already! Its lessons are elevated and those who follow it prosper by it. But your scriptures do not encompass all things and the things I know might be...unsettling to someone who's chosen to understand the world as the Faith would show it to you."

As for your last question, that's the very thing isn't it. You're not the first to ask it. Might you be the first to answer it?" She gives the Water Aspect a considering look. "Maybe. It depends on if the Secret is worth the price you pay. My purview is Auspicious Initiations and knowing the answers to what you ask would indeed be an initiation...but not, perhaps, to the life you say you wish to lead. Think carefully before telling me if you really want to know."

Amethyst Incredibly loaded questions indeed. But, she closes her eyes, and says solemnly, "I've considered trying to swim to the elemental pole of water itself to ask Danaa'd herself about the chosen of the sun and moon."

"Ignorance is not a strength. And the Immaculate Faith of the Realm would have me condemned as Anathema myself." There's a sparkle in her eyes, a certain fire as she speaks quietly, "And I know us Dragons are not the pinnacle that the Perfected Heirarchy preaches."

"If you know those secrets, my dear goddess, my ears are open."

Mahendru Divya "Mmmm." Sunrise looks a moment longer, appraising. Then she shrugs and smiles beautifically. "I suppose a mortal might wonder about your motives. That's the advantage of me not being one, I suppose. I -know- I'm supposed to be here. What I'm about to say must be destiny's plan for you then."

"Listen well. Thousands of years ago, ancient Primordials wrought Creation from the Wyld. They fashioned the Gods to ensure it worked as it should. And they fashioned mortals, that mortal prayers might flow ever skywards to satisfy them. Then the Divine Revolution took place, for the Gods and mortals alike knew that their makers wrought well but ruled poorly. To win the war, the mightiest of the Gods forged Exalts. The Sun made his Solars. The Moon, her Lunars. Other Exalts, stranger than these, were also fashioned for there were once more Incarna than now remain. These Exalts fought and won the Divine Revolution...and saved Creation from the predations of Primordials who couldn't fathom mercy or compassion."

"To the Exalted was given the Mandate of Creation. The Gods would take the Primordial throne-realm and administer it, under their own Mandate of Heaven. But the rule of this Creation of yours fell to the Exalted. It fell most strongly to the Chosen of the Sun, Moon and Stars."

"In time, great deeds were done by these Exalts. Great and terrible, wondrous and tyrannical. The Dragon-Blooded were ever the protectors of the common people and so they joined together to overthrow the individual Exalts once called the Celestial. In this, they were successful. And Creation has never been the same sense, has it. Every passing century, our world diminishes. Before the Great Contagion and the Fair Folk Invasion that followed, the borders of Creation were said to be as much as twice as far as they are now. I know the names of hundreds of kingdoms and nations that no longer exist, for the lands they claimed were lost to the Wyld. The Dead marched on Thorns and took their prize. The Realm's grip is not what it was, even before the Scarlet Empress vanished. And everywhere, the miracles of the First Age flicker dimmer and dimmer. Nowhere is this known more clearly than here, in what I once knew as the City of Autumn, Deheleshen."

"You -are- Exalts. But so were they. Did they deserve their overthrow so long ago?" Sunrise nods slowly. "Those who wielded those powers did. But it was not the power at fault. The Unconquered Sun is a God of Righteousness, of Virtue, of Excellence. Is it even possible that his Exaltation could fail the mortals who wield it? No. When mortals fail the Exaltation they were given, terrible deeds follow. But those who live up to the gift they were given can accomplish -wonders-."

Sunrise smiles a little sadly. "Assuming they live long enough to come into their own. So now you know, what should never be spoken to an Immaculate. What I tell you, all of Yu-Shan knows, and any God of age and strength in Creation knows it too unless they're bidden to be silent by those who wish to see the status quo continue. A status quo that -can't- continue indefinitely, for the Wyld draws closer and the relics of Lookshy dwindle. Hope remains, Chosen of Danaa'd, but that hope must dream larger dreams."

Amethyst She listens closely, carefully, nodding along as she does so. "The chosen of hell walk in the shadows and the chosen of death, well, yeah. What I fear most though are the chosen of the moon. Their vendetta is greater than anything I can put words to. And if they have their way, there will be no more Dragon-Blooded. And I have no idea what to think about the solars returning, save that they're absolutely terrifying. The Bull of the North's victory was a shock to everyone. And I could tell the solar I fought was not particularly experienced and yet they still matched me blow by blow."

She leans back, "What about the Chosen of the Stars? I've still yet to even _hear_ of one, let alone meet one. And I've never read about them in the Immaculate texts."

Mahendru Divya The Goddess sighs regretfully. "That the Dragon-Blooded and the Lunar are set against each other's throat is perhaps the greatest tragedy of this entire Age. For those who wrought you both love each other. The love between Luna and Gaia has been a shining example and an inspiration from the time of the Revolution all the way to this very day. Neither has intervened, perhaps because neither wishes to gainsay the freewill that is the gift of the Gods to the people of Creation. But those made by Luna and Gaia ought to love each other, as Luna and Gaia do."

Still somber at the thought, she presses on. "The Chosen of Hell and the Grave, on the other hand, are -not- the work of the Incarna. A mystery lies there, a Secret whose time has not come. But the Solars..." she smiles and shrugs a little helplessly. "A sword is made by hammer blows. So the Terrestrial rage against the Celestial tempers the Solar. Strengthens them. The Bull might well be a different man, if not for those who chose to be his enemies and thus dictate the course of events that followed."

"Ah, the Chosen of the Stars are another matter. Like the Maidens that made them, they're subtle. Enigmatic. Preoccupied with the work they were made to do. If any Celestial Exalt is living up to their intended purpose, it is them. You -can- find them in Yu-Shan, if you know where to look."

Amethyst There's a stirring in her eyes when the Goddess mentions the two being at each other's throats. She's usually pretty good at hiding it, she has to be, but it's here that she shows her own sorrow. It's clear she hates that it's this way too. "All I can do is help Lookshy and hope that my efforts are enough, that I can pull back some secret from the First Age to bring such technology to hold out against whatever tide is coming."

"But I feel like, of all of them, the one I need to mee the most is one of these Chosen of the Stars. And I can't say exactly why." She says, "...But there's not a way into Yu-Shan for those of us that are bound to Creation anymore than those in Hell can escape."

Mahendru Divya Sunrise's smile slips entirely and she looks intently at the Water Aspect she was drawn to meet. Is this Jupiter's intent, then? Coincidences rarely were, after all.

"Is that a desire of yours then? To see Heaven with your own eyes? It's possible...if you have an escort. If you ask it of me, I could be that escort. But you must understand that Yu-Shan is -not- Creation. The youngest spirits that dwell there are far older than the oldest Dragon-Blooded, save perhaps the Empress. Your kind is most rare there and, while in Creation you stand at the top of the social ladder, in Yu-Shan you are at the very bottom. If addressed, you would be expected to be twice as deferential as a mortal would be to you, and upon learning the name of a God speaking to you, you would be expected to offer them a prayer of greeting, farewell or gratitude for the simple pleasure of being in their presence."

The Goddess looks at Amethyst appraisingly. "Is that something you would be prepared to dare?"

Amethyst That actually gives Amethyst pause as she considers. She's _used_ to being respectful, she knows well how to do it, but that sounds like it's on some other level. But at the same time she hardly places herself at the top, and she's had _plenty_ of experience interacting with gods and spirits when she was in Great Forks. Oh boy, this is either the most brilliant opportunity or one of the stupidest things she's done in a while. But,

"I just need my ledger and my alchemy pouch, and I'll be ready to dare. It would be disrespectful of me to not bring something to offer as tribute, and to not give you something for this conversation and the opportunity." She says with certainty. There is no doubt in the child of Danaa'd's eyes, she intends on doing this.

Mahendru Divya Oh this sweet precious child.

Sunrise doesn't suppress the amused grin that rises. But she dips her head once, acknowledging the other woman's interest in pursuing this. Her sun-brilliant hair shifts across her shoulders with the motion, shedding more radiance around her before the afterimages fade once more. "Very well. I'm afraid you'll have to settle for -one- bit of inconvenience...I don't have the means to travel to Yu-Shan directly while taking you with me. If you are determined to go, you'll need more than your ledger and alchemy pouch. The nearest Gate is in Nexus, or Sijan. But the safest Gate lies along the Meander River. Near Great Forks."

That grin turns into a mischievous smile. "Perhaps you might renew an acquaintance or two, before you go."

Amethyst Amethyst nods. "Well, I'll have to make the arrangements. It hardly surprises me that there's a gate in Great Forks, I'll head for that one I suppose? I'm more familiar with Great Forks than Nexus. I still own a shop over there, though it's been some time since I've visited."

"Is there some way to find you once I get there?" She asks. It seems clear that she's not about to let this chance slip through her webby fingers.

Mahendru Divya Sunrise blinks in surprise. Then she laughs. There's a vaguely orchestral effect in the sound, like dozens of bows bounced off of cello strings. "I just meant I can't take you there directly -from here-. It's been a while since I've traveled with a Creation-side companion. I don't mind accompanying you on the way there. Up to and including right to the very Gate itself. I just remembered you spoke fondly of Great Forks and thought you might visit someone before you see Yu-Shan for yourself. Perhaps an ally or two in the City of Temples might have the advice of experience for your kind that mine know not." She shrugs helplessly, like whatever that is lies beyond her comprehension.

"Either way, I was meant to find you here. If you're meant to find Yu-Shan, I will find it at your side."

Amethyst Amethyst is a little startled, and her skin slightly shifts in color. "Ah well um, I don't think I can just _go_ somewhere without telling someone." She looks back at Sunrise, "So I gotta talk to my superiors and make sure they know where I'm going and that I'll be gone for a little bit while we travel. You ever go flying?"
Mahendru Divya The Goddess hops backwards onto the railing and perches atop it, like a bird. With her hands resting on her knees, she looks vaguely avian as she looks Amethyst over a bit suspiciously. Perhaps looking for wings?

At last, Sunrise says "Not recently. Do you?"

Then she pats the railing and says, "Go take care of your business then. You can find me here when you're ready, if it pleases you. I would offer to accompany you but, in my experience, groups of Dragon-Blooded grow unpredictable when they meet me."

Amethyst Amethyst focuses a moment, and a feeling of pressure radiates out from her, like the depths of the ocean lightly pressing down. "I _am_ a sorcerer." She grins as her tattoos shift in color. Then just as it came, the feeling relents. "I'll be back when I came."