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Talon	Talon leads Jewel through the streets of Great Forks, leading her towards the upper-class districts. Eventually, they arrive at a handsome villa surrounded by tall whitewashed walls. Through the gate they go, into a broad courtyard. Paths of crushed gravel lead to the house itself, flanked on either side by well manicured and tended gardens, growing a variety of herbs. A porcelain fountain rushes with a musical tone, and a couple fat koi fish swirl lazily through the water. "Here we are," he says, offering Jewel a warm smile. "If you'll permit me a moment to see to Silverbolt here, we can take tea, and I can tell you my tale." He takes a few moments to get his handsome white stallion stabled, showing a great deal of care and affection as he gives the horse a rubdown and a brushing with the curry comb. Making sure there's plenty of food and water for the animal, he leads Jewel into the house itself. The furnishings are modest and tasteful, only hinting at Talon's wealth. There's none of the extravagance one might expect from a son of the Scarlet Dynasty, but the furniture and decor are done in the unmistakeable style usually found in well-to-do households of the Blessed Isle. "Please, make yourself comfortable," he says, nodding to the sofa with a smile. He bustles into the kitchen to put the kettle on. "So... you were interested in hearing of my story, yes?"
River Jewel	When one is so easily forgotten, one doesn't mind who they're seen fawning over. Not that it's anything big in a place like Great Forks. But River Jewel has certainly made sure to treat Talon like a gentlemen who's earned the attention of a lady on the way home... Even though they were talking about largely nothing, this young woman somehow manages to pack her chitchat full of life and charm. One might be forgiven for perhaps forgetting what, exactly, the topics were on the way home... She is patient at the attention paid to Silverbolt. Indeed, if he turns to look at her, for a few moments her attention may seem very critical indeed. Or was that just a trick of the light..? Once they're both in the modest house though, she does make her way to the sofa, almost gliding into a seating position on it and then resting her hands on her knees. "Whatever of it you're comfortable telling. I won't mind doing likewise, though I don't know whether you'll remember." She clarifies, voice smooth and warm. "I was just starting to think revealing myself at that dojo was a mistake."
Talon	Talon arrays porcelain cups and a delicate teapot onto a bamboo tray. He spoons careful measures of powdered matcha into each up, and sets out a small dish stacked with sweet red bean buns. As the kettle begins to sing, he pours the water into each cup, then brings the tray over to the sofa. Whether or not he'd noticed her scrutiny while he was seeing to Silverbolt, he made no indication. Although the stallion had been eying her with uncanny intelligence. To anyone with the eye to see such things, it's clear that the stallion is no ordinary horse. Surely he's a familiar, and very likely possessed of God-Blood himself. "
Talon	Talon arrays porcelain cups and a delicate teapot onto a bamboo tray. He spoons careful measures of powdered matcha into each up, and sets out a small dish stacked with sweet red bean buns. As the kettle begins to sing, he pours the water into each cup, then brings the tray over to the sofa. Whether or not he'd noticed her scrutiny while he was seeing to Silverbolt, he made no indication. Although the stallion had been eying her with uncanny intelligence. To anyone with the eye to see such things, it's clear that the stallion is no ordinary horse. Surely he's a familiar, and very likely possessed of God-Blood himself. "Here we are," he says, setting the tray down on the low table before the sofa, before he settles himself down. "Please, help yourself." He reaches into his belt pouch for his pipe and tobacco pouch, taking a moment to fill the bowl with rich mulberry tobacco. He tamps the bowl with a fingertip and tucks the bit into the side of his mouth, before fishing a match out of his pouch. He strikes the flame and lifts it, cupping his other hand around the bowl. Flame jumps and whiskers twitch as he puffs a hearty glow alight. Once that's done, he snaps the match out, puffing a billow of sweet pipe smoke into the air. "So... I expect you're interested in hearing of how I was Exalted," he says, settling himself back in his seat. "It was a few years ago. I was living in Cherak, working as a physician there. I'd been called out to one of the nearby villages, a little town called Promise. Their mayor's daughter had taken deathly ill. I recognized the sickness, and had nearly everything I required to brew a cure for her. Everything except one--a blue diamond lily. A very rare flower native to the North." He draws a steady pull from his pipe, puffing a couple artful smoke rings as he gathers his thoughts. "Fortunately, the lily is known to bloom in the wood nearby the village. The Crystal Wood, they call it, and it's aptly named." He frowns a bit. "It's also known that a raksha haunts those woods."
River Jewel	"Tea, how lovely. My thanks, gracious host." She reaches out and delicately hoists one of the cups for herself, taking a tiny sip while then fixing her attention on Talon to listen as she lowers the cup back to its platter. "Cherak... Cherak... ah, northern coast of the inland sea..." She continues listening intently... and flinches at the mention of a Raksha. "Oh, heavens... they are always cropping up in the worst places... what did you do?"
Talon	Talon nods his head. "That's right," he says. "Under the governance of House Ferem, one of the Scarlet Dynasty's lesser houses. My father, Deos Garulf, is descended from them on his mother's side." He lifts his cup, tipping back a measured sip. "Well... the girl was close to death. The illness had taken a grave toll upon her. Without that lily, there was little I could do to treat her. And besides, I thought that no raksha could venture so close to the Realm's territory without attracting the notice of the Wyld Hunt." He frowns a bit, studying the burning tobacco in the bowl of his pipe. "I know better now." He lifts his gaze, looking out the window and into the sky beyond. "I trekked through the Crystal Wood, and eventually found the lilies I needed. But as I was harvesting them... -she- found -me-." He draws a slow breath. "Ice Crystal Fantasy. A creature as terrible as she was beautiful. Her smile could break a man's heart. Her laugh could break his mind. And... I had just stolen -her- lilies." He shakes his head. "Well. I'm not ashamed to say that I turned and ran for my life. In my haste, I didn't see where I was going. All I could think was... I had to get away. I didn't realize the peril I was in until it was too late." He tips back another swallow of his tea. "I blundered my way into a marshy bog. Thick, nasty mud up to my waist. I was stuck fast. And then... -she- came for me." He draws another breath. "I could feel her talons tearing into my thoughts. I could feel her... nibbling away at my very soul. But even as she did, all I could think... what of the girl? Who would save her, if I could not? And then..." His expression becomes one of awe and wonder. "Then I heard the voice. Not hers. Not mine. Through my agony, I could just make out the sun, setting in the West. And -that- was the voice I heard." He drains his teacup and sets it down on the tray. "-You- will save her, that voice said. The world languishes in grief and sorrow, sickened by wounds of body and mind. But to you, I give of myself. Be my hands and heal this world of its many ills, and rule it justly in my name. Rise up, Deos Talon, for I have Chosen you." He lifts his pipe, the bowl glowing warmly as he pulls at it. "Though I should live a thousand years, I will never forget that moment, for all the days of my life."
River Jewel	River Jewel is quietly attentive, hanging onto each and every word. A hint of awe can be seen when the man man describes his... rescue and Exaltation. Indeed she even shivers. "Not once have I been so blessed as to have heard the voice of the Most High." Her words come out slowly and carefully, almost reverently. How quickly she turns to shivering at the implications, though. "... you have been through so much then... what a harrowing experience... and in a place where such salvation could also become its own doom." It takes a few moments and another sip of tea to try and clear her thoughts. "Thankfully, it seems things did not go the Fair Folk's way that day. What about the girl...?"
Talon	Talon nods his head. "I've not heard the Sun's voice since that day," he says. "Though I'm given to understand that the priests of the Zenith Caste commune with Ignis Divine. I'm not much for such things. I'll leave intercessions with the gods to those better suited for it, and stick to my scholarship." He chuckles softly. "Well... by grace of the Sun's blessing, I drove the raksha away. And though I had lost my satchel and its flowers in the bog, I realized that I no longer needed them to cure the girl. So, I hastened back to Promise with an azure starflower--a blossom that resembles a blue diamond lily to anyone not trained to recognize the difference. I pretended to brew her cure, then went to her room. In privacy, I laid the Contagion-Curing Touch upon her, and restored her health.
River Jewel	"Unfortunately I know very little fine details about the Sun's Chosen. You may well know more than me." River Jewel laments aloud with a slight shake of her head... though next, her lips curl into a relieved smile. "Oh, thank goodness. I'm sure her parents were beyond grateful!" It seems that Talon may have found someone else who values life and understands how fragile it is, as he seems to. "That town is weeks of travel from here though... it must have been quite the journey."
Talon	Talon nods his head. "Indeed, it was," he says. "In the time between then and now, I've been conscripted into the Tepet legions, fought the Bull of the North and his Circle, and made my way here, to Great Forks. If there were anywhere safe from the Wyld Hunt, even for a Solar, it had to be here. And here I've been ever since."
River Jewel	"Here is... safe, but stifling, I imagine. No doubt the Thearchs would like any so-called 'Anathema' keeping a low profile." River Jewel answers in a thoughtful tone... then, promptly double-takes. "Wait... did you just say... you faced- ... goodness... and came out with all your arms and legs..." She nods slowly. "Although saying it pains me... what you've been through so far... likely is not the end of your troubles. There are dangers in this world that no oracular sight can predict, and they all seem drawn to the Chosen. They are not always as obvious as the Wyld Hunt. Still... what do you intend to do? I can tell you are not here to simply hide."
Talon	Talon quietly puffs at his pipe, nodding his head. "You're not wrong," he says. "And I very nearly did -not- escape. The Bull's Night Caste comrade came in behind me and put his sword through my back. Were I not Exalted, and skilled with certain internal medicinal techniques, I very likely would have ended my life there, at Futile Blood." He shakes his head, letting loose a billow of pipe smoke with a sigh. "But one of the gifts given to the Twilight Caste is the power to transport ourselves to places of magical power. I called upon that to whisk myself away to a forgotten shrine. I called Silverbolt to my side, and we made our escape from the North. After many weeks of travel, we ended our journey here, at Great Forks." He spoons another measure of matcha into his cup and pours water into the cup. "And I'm -quite- certain that there's plenty more unpleasantness in store for me. I cannot hide forever. The Unconquered Sun gave me the Mandate of Heaven. Even though I haven't got the -faintest- notion of how to go about ruling the world. Nor can I truly say that I -want- to. All I want... all I've -ever- wanted... is to be a physician. To be the greatest physician who ever lived. That's kingdom enough for me. As for what I intend to do..." He lifts his teacup for a sip. "I wish I could answer that."
River Jewel	At hearing of such a grisly injury, River Jewel FLINCHES, lips contorting in sympathy at the gruesome imagery just planted in her mind. "I do hope that was a one-time mistake by the Bull and his Circle, but from what little I have heard... that may simply be what happens when the Sun's blessing reaches a man who dreams of conquest. I've heard his Circle brought one of the Great Houses low..." She sighs, shaking her head. "All this conflict. So painful. So wasteful..." Another long sip, this one kind of pained, and she sets the teacup down solemnly. Then takes a long, deep breath, grips her knees.. and tries to relax. "I am keen on seeing many in need healed by your hands. I'm... no stranger to dealing with nigh-incurable maladies." With another shake of her head to clear it, she makes an effort to brighten her mood and brings a hand over her heart, exclaiming, "My heartfelt thanks for your honesty. But how are you so sure I will not betray your trust? The others certainly did not take so well to my presence."
Talon	Talon sips his tea, nodding his head. "You touch it with a needle, my dear," he says. "They call this the Age of Sorrows. And I find that a fitting name for the times in which we live. As a boy, I grew up hearing all the old tales of adventure. How the great Dragon-Blooded heroes of old forged order out of the chaos of the First Age's end. I suppose there's a part of me that never gave up the yearning for those adventures." He manages a soft chuckle. "Although I'm -fair- certain none of the tales I ever heard ever mentioned anything about the day to day unpleasantness. Foraging for your supper, bathing in cold rivers, endless miles of trudging through mud and rain. I rather prefer skipping all that drudgery and skipping straight to the good parts!" He regards her through a billow of pipe smoke, tilting his head to one side. "Well," he says. "I -am- a doctor. And I consider myself a good judge of character. Were you going to betray me, you've had ample opportunities to do so." He chuckles softly. "I suppose it's a touch naive of me. But I prefer to look for the good in others, rather than fear what bad may or may not be. I'll not go through my life, timid and afraid of every last little shadow. -Nobody- should have to live like that. Everyone deserves the chance to stand with their heads high."
River Jewel	"Well, the only proof I have of my intentions is my word. I am very grateful for your honesty though, Talon... may I simply call you Talon?" She tilts her head at the last there, just realizing that may or may not be impolitely familiar. Every culture's different. "I have been trying to locate some of the Sun's Chosen on my own... learn whether they deserve the reputation. Unfortunately... many of those things accused at me are, in a sense, true."
Talon	Talon pulls at his pipe, chuckling softly. "Of course you may," he says. "And I've found honesty to be the best policy. What benefit is there to being a liar? Like the parable of the lad who cried wolf, nobody would believe you when you need them to. That doesn't help anybody." He offers a gentle smile. "And of course, please feel free. There's no need for formality between us. We're taking tea in my home. Far more pleasant to be informal, nay?" He leans forward with interest, resting his elbow atop his knee. "Until I came to Great Forks, I hadn't met any of the Sun's Chosen," he says. "Now, I'm finding them in truly -astonishing- number. To say nothing of Luna's Chosen. And now, apparently, the Maidens have Exalted of their own as well."
River Jewel	"I suspect there might be around fifteen Chosen between the Sun and Moon here. You're likely not the only one that thought of this city. But be wary... though the rulership here may be welcoming, it is not like your enemies would not have had the same idea." River Jewel points out. "I had the idea, and I'm not even all that skilled or knowledgeable compared to many others." She adds in a hint of growing concern. "There's also not much I can do protect anyone... not on my own. Though... there are some I could get you in touch with, if there's nobody else to turn to." She gets that out with a heaved breath, a sigh of relief. "Long ago, at the height of the First Age, the Chosen of the Stars gathered, all of them, to discuss a dire matter. As the tale goes, the Sun's Chosen of back then had grown mad with power, unstable, uncontrollable and unpredictable. They could not be reasoned with. They did terrible things, and even breaking the heart of the Unconquered Sun himself did little to quell their ambitions and depravations. That... that is why there was a great uprising by the Dragon-Blooded, lead by the Sidereals, so long ago. What was supposed to be a quick slaughter though, turned into a decades-long war that brought the world to ruin. Of every great thing that had been made or discovered... only bits and pieces remain, and most of it is under the Scarlet Empire and Lookshy's control." River Jewel explains her understanding of history. "The Chosen of the Moon, it is said... many of them fought alongside their mates. Some turned against them. Others simply fled. They have been angry and vengeful ever since."
Talon	Talon listens to the history Jewel recounts, quietly pulling at his pipe. He nods his head slowly. "That's the story as I was taught it in school," he says. "The Solars of the First Age lost their way. They grew mad and terrible. They committed numerous crimes against life and nature, and became monsters and tyrants. Demons in the bodies of men and women." r His gaze grows distant as he watches the fragrant pipe smoke idly curling through the air. "In another life, I was a scientist named Radiant Orchid. Vast and great was my knowledge of the medical arts, in those days. But the lines I crossed to obtain that knowledge..." A tremor rolls through him, and he gives himself a shake. "I had an advisor in those days. A youth with blue hair and stars in his eyes. He caught me in the act of stealing a peach of immortality from Heaven. Apparently, I had been siezed with the idea of cultivating them in Creation, so that nobody need ever die again." He grunts, fidgeting uncomfortably in his seat. "But it's as I said before. I'm not -her-. Nor shall I ever be. I don't know why the Solars went mad. But I won't let that be -my- destiny."
River Jewel	"No doubt that advisor was one of my fellows..." River Jewel points out with a shake of her head. "I don't entirely understand the designs of the gods or those who created them. Why those laws are as they are. No doubt there is some good reason for them... I just do not know what it is." Her tone is quiet and sympathetic. "But that is... definitely an example of why what we now call the Bronzes decided on sealing away the Solar Exalted. Now, though, that seal is broken. I do not know what happened to it, if it can be repaired, or if anything like it could ever be made again. ... so I pray that your heart doesn't fall prey to that madness just the same. For your sake and Creation's sake." She reaches out across the sofa and gently squeezes his knee as reassuringly as she can. "Unfortunately many still think the Wyld Hunt is a good idea. That, somehow, it won't backfire spectacularly. Perhaps stopping the Bull of the North in his tracks might be a good thing. And, perhaps, violence is the only way. But you're not him. Neither is Misa. And, even though she was struggling to stay civil, neither is the one called Tiziri. ... I would very much like to see those fellows of mine see that, even if they do not agree with me morally, that the situation has changed..." Her rambling finally trails off on a hint of exhaustion.
Talon	Talon shakes his head, drawing a last pull from his pipe before leaning over to knock the bowl out into the small porcelain dish on the side table. "Well," he says, pocketing his pipe and turning back to face Jewel. "The Sun did not demand sacrifices of virgins or children. He did not ask for conquest or tribute. All He demanded of me was to do as I've always done. To heal the sick and injured.
Talon	Talon shakes his head, drawing a last pull from his pipe before leaning over to knock the bowl out into the small porcelain dish on the side table. "Well," he says, pocketing his pipe and turning back to face Jewel. "The Sun did not demand sacrifices of virgins or children. He did not ask for conquest or tribute. All He demanded of me was to do as I've always done. To heal the sick and injured. And that is what I shall do. It's all I ever wanted to do." He glances down at that squeeze to his knee, and a gentle smile creases his bearded features. "Well," he says, resting his hand over hers and giving it a soft squeeze. "We made a paradise of Creation once, or so the old legends go. I believe we're fully capable of doing so again. Maybe -this- time around, we can avoid the mistakes we made then, and not let it all fall to ruin."