025.1 Aaeru and Andrea

[Corwin]

[20:41] <Kotono> Andrea and Aaeru end up wandering outside. The village is around them as they look about, as...
[20:42] <Aaeru> "So this is Janson's home, the village of the many women," Aaeru muses quietly, looking about. "Hey, Andrea, how about we just mingle and try to get a few childhood stories of his from the girls?"
[20:48] <Andria> Andrea laughs. "Sure, why not? I'm sure he was a troublemaker as a kid and there are plenty of funny stories to be shared."
[20:49] <Aaeru> "What better way to get to know someone? Anyhow, Janson's always saying how it's a small, intimate place, so we could probably get away with just stopping any couple of girls who don't seem to busy!"
[20:50] <Andria> Andrea just nods as she looks around the village, trying to pick a direction to head down.
[20:51] * Aaeru remembers the one they took while being shown to the elder, so she picks another at random!
[20:52] <Kotono> As you begin to look about, you see the village is mostly spread out. Lots of little paths around the houses as you start to wander. By one house a young woman sits, perhaps twenty. Her long black hair is kept loose, sitting on a bench besides the house. She is whittling a log and whistling, intent on it.
[20:57] <Andria> "Hello!" Andrea greets cheerfully as they approach closer. "What are you making if you don't mind my asking?"
[20:57] <Aaeru> "Need any help?" Aaeru adds just as brightly, peering over Andrea's shoulder.
[20:58] <Andria> "I don't think whittling is the sort of thing one can just help with, Aaeru..." Andrea notes as she turns to look at Aaeru.
[20:59] <Aaeru> "You never know! I can pick up the whistling part, at least!"
[21:01] <Kotono> "Handles for several knives and forks," she answers and looks up, "Ah, outsiders?" She puts her knife down besides her, "Then let me ask you - why have you come to Aralla? Do you seek commune with nature and Jannath?"
[21:02] <Andria> "We're just visiting, with one of our friends who's from here, Janson," Andrea explains.
[21:05] <Kotono> "...hmph." The black haired woman turns back to her whittling.
[21:07] <Andria> Andrea scratches her head at that, guessing the woman didn't really want to talk anymore, and looks at Aaeru. "Uhm...have fun with your work then," Andrea says awkwardly after a bit to the woman, before turning back to Aaeru. "Want to keep exploring?"
[21:14] <Aaeru> It is tempting to just walk away, and after looking for something to say to the other woman, Aaeru ends up shrugging. "Maybe it's not as friendly a village like he told us?"
[21:14] <Kotono> "...hmph." The whittling woman mutters, "That man doesn't know his place."
[21:15] <Aaeru> "Really? He always seems to nice and deferr--" Aaeru shrugs again. "Well, he defers a lot. To women. I've noticed that, have you?" she asks Andrea.
[21:17] <Andria> Andrea smiles. "I'd noticed that, yes," she answers as she cocks her head towards the whittling woman who seems slightly more talkative now. "So what's the problem with Janson anyway?"
[21:18] <Kotono> "Seeking what a man should not." She starts to whittle again, hre eyes on the other two, "He's shown the skill of talking to nature and other such things, reserved for the true faithful of Jannath."
[21:19] <Aaeru> "Why, that doesn't make any sense at all," Aaeru says innocently. "Janson told us that Jannath turned one of the warriors here into an elf. If she can change races at will, what's simple gender?"
[21:20] <Andria> Andrea looks confused. "What's wrong with a man being close to nature? His knowledge is helpful, and so is he. Isn't that enough?" she asks, not understanding the woman's issues with Janson.
[21:26] <Kotono> Now pausing her whittling altogether, with a cross, eyebrow-bunched look to the two, "The natural order of things is that mother earth is a feminine entity. Women are gifted with wisdom, intuition and the ability to create life. Men are...secondary to everything."
[21:27] <Aaeru> "But isn't Jannath a goddess?" Aaeru asks, now confused. "If someone has a gift to talk to nature, isn't it her gift? I doubt some nobody male could just force Jannath into giving it to him."
[21:29] <Kotono> Lowering her voice, "That's the rub." The woman's eyes dart side to side, "The rumor is that Janson contacted....other powers. Always off in old ruins and caves, slinking around and doing things. It's not natural!"
[21:29] <Aaeru> "You don't say!" Aaeru responds in a hushed whisper. Finally, the good stuff!
[21:30] <Andria> Andrea pauses from saying something about how rumors are just rumors most of the time, but Aaeru's whisper does remind her that they wanted to find out more about their friend, so she holds her tongue for now.
[21:33] <Kotono> "Yes." With a click of her tongue, "Goddess only knows what power he's drawing from, but it's not right! Mother Jannath would never grant a man that power! He's not reliable."
[21:35] <Aaeru> "So is that why he left?" Aaeru asks her. "To prove himself in the outside world?"
[21:36] <Kotono> "Or to spread whatever he believes now, or some other unnatural order," She humphs, "Remember your place over him, no matter what he does. He's a trickster."
[21:37] <Aaeru> "Ah? So he tricked some of the villagers before he left?" Aaeru asks next, figuring that this must be the prelude to the truly juicy stuff.
[21:55] <Kotono> "Anyone who does he has is a trickster," the woman says.
[21:56] <Aaeru> "I'm sorry?"
[21:59] <Kotono> "Drawing on a power like that, going off on his own? It's not natural." Shaking her head back and forth, "It's against Jannath's natural order."
[22:00] <Aaeru> Ah, they're back to this again. Aaeru gives the woman her most serious nod. "We'll keep an eye out on any unnaturalness."
[22:02] <Andria> "Keep in mind, rumors are sometimes just rumors. Janson seems to have a strong dislike for unnatural creatures too. But we'll keep your...warnings, in mind," Andrea says somewhat diplomatically as she starts to depart.
[22:03] <Kotono> The woman nods, going back to her whittling at that. "Just be careful of him."
[22:04] * Aaeru waves politely, looping her arm with Andrea's and leading the way down one of the paths leading further into the village. Time to meet another female friend of Janson's!
[22:05] <Andria> "Well, I hope most of the other people here don't think of him that way..." Andrea mutters once they're some distance away from the whittling girl. "That'd be kind of sad."
[22:06] <Aaeru> "Yes. If it's actually like that, let's not tell him anything," Aaeru agrees, keeping an eye out for any of the local warrior women. "And isn't it strange how everyone here is so strong and pretty-loooking? Do you think it's a druid thing like Janson says?"
[22:08] <Kotono> Not far away is an open space between houses. Here two women practice - they each use scimitars, young and lovely lasses. Each one wears simple, sweat stained clothes and have their hair pinned up. Oen is taller and red-headed, another is medium height and has dimples, as well as soft brown hair.
[22:10] * Aaeru approaches, walking that fine line between getting their attention, but not so much of it they'll make a fatal mistake in their deadly dance!
[22:12] <Andria> Andrea doesn't have a strong opinion over what it is that makes the girls look pretty, though she does find the sparring interesting, and she starts watching as the two duel, moving closer with Aaeru. "I hope they don't mind us watching..." Andrea whispers.
[22:13] <Aaeru> "If they strongly object they'll tell us or stab us, depending on how much of a nuisence we are!" Aaeru responds optimistically. "But I'm actually hoping for a request to spar, instead."
[22:13] <Kotono> The browned haired one glances over as they fence, falling back with a quick leap! "Annabelle, hold!" She looks to Aaeru once the taller woman has stopped, "I don't know you." Her eyes take in the two, lingering on Aaeru's wrist. "Visitors from outside?"
[22:13] <Aaeru> "Yes! Hello!" Aaeru bows before the local pair. "My name is Aaeru, and this is Andrea. We are indeed visiting your fine village!"
[22:16] <Kotono> Annabelle lets her scimitar drop to point to the ground. Wiping her brow clean with her forehead, "You chose a dangerous time to visit. The elements are out of balance."
[22:16] <Aaeru> "So we... saw, actually. We came across one of the vortexes, and then met a dryad that got altered by another. And to think we were just coming here for a visit."
[22:18] <Andria> Andrea nods. "We met with one of your elders regarding the problem. Right now we're just exploring your village though, and resting a bit."
[22:20] <Kotono> "You're safe?" Annabelle gazes to them, "You're tough, but you carry Ilmater's cord. It's only expected. With a glance at Andrea, "You wear your patron as well. I know her other side, for one of her worshipers came through here not long ago."
[22:22] <Andria> Andrea perks up with interest. "Oh, is that so? Did you catch a name by any chance?" she asks, brimming with curiosity.
[22:24] <Kotono> The other one pauses a moment, "By the way, that's Annabelle. I'm Eisana." Eisana says, "His name was Bannon, he wished to learn of our romantic and family rituals before heading to the west.."
[22:26] <Aaeru> "Ah, then we would love to learn them as well!" Aaeru eagerly responds. "Unless I misunderstood and you were talking about something else."
[22:30] <Andria> "The name doesn't seem familiar to me..." Andrea notes as she shakes her head and smiles at the pair. "Anyway, we're sorry to interrupt your training, but like we said, we're just exploring and learning a bit more about your home. If you have stories and knowledge to share, we'd love to listen."
[22:32] <Kotono> Annabelle coughs, "He asked many intimiate questions, but was mostly interested in how we raised and bonded our families together, as well as defended them." To this meanwhile Eisana  nods, "If you've been accepted into Aralla you should hear of them, yes."
[22:33] <Aaeru> "We could offer a tale or two in return, too!"
[22:38] <Kotono> Eisana nods, "Over drinks sounds best. It's summer, alright." She takes out a kerchief and wipes her face clean, "I have some forest dew at home, chilled."
[22:38] <Aaeru> It's not sparring, but a nice chat sounds just as welcome!
[22:39] <Andria> Andrea smiles and nods back, letting them lead the way.
[22:41] <Kotono> You are lead to a nearby house. Here furniture of wood predominates, well crafted and often sanded to smoothness. Here you sit in surprisingly soft chairs around a table, a decanter used to pour tiny, frosty glasses. "Forest Dew is fermented berries, honey and spices. It's like mead, but much stronger and concentrated. It's closer to an actual liquor. We keep it cold in the summer for refreshment."
[22:43] * Aaeru accepts the glass offered to her with a polite smile. Trying her first alcoholic drink, she asks, "Did you make it yourself?"
[22:44] <Kotono> "It's made in Aralla, but Id idn't make it myself." Eisala frowns, "Apparently I'm terrible at making fermented drinks; mine are never popular. I traded some baskets to Annabelle for this batch." It's cold and strong, tasting of booze slightly and berries strongly. Tart berries, with an undercurrent of sweetness.
[22:46] <Andria> Andrea takes a sip of the drink. "It's a very pleasant taste," she admits. "I wouldn't mind taking some with me before we head back to Balmuria if I have the chance."
[22:47] * Aaeru leans across the table slightly, looking conspiratorially first at the Eisala, then Annabelle. "So you mentioned all sorts of fun rituals? Are they actual rituals of Jannath, or just the sort of customs you developed, living here?"
[22:47] <Kotono> "We do occasionally trade with the giants and Balmuria," Annabelle goes on, "So a trade for coin or barter." After that, "You mean what Bannon was asking about?"
[22:48] <Aaeru> "That's as good a start as any!"
[22:53] <Kotono> "Oh." Eisala sits back and sips hers. "Bannon follows Syala. Apparently he's concerned with families, defenses and love. Sort of like a mother-bear. He managed to sweet talk his way into the village. Jannath, he had a way with words. He asked the most probing questions too!"
[22:54] <Aaeru> "Oh?" Aaeru asks interestedly. "Like what?"
[22:58] <Kotono> "Matters of love and the bedroom," she explains, "He said Syala is a goddess of love, motherhood, protection. Apparently that extends to the acts of love and creating mothers." Annabelle sips her own drink as well, "Those manner of questions."
[22:59] <Andria> Andrea coughs a bit at the mention of the bedroom. "The bedroom? Really?" she asks.
[22:59] <Aaeru> "Your studies never covered that?"

[Corwin]

[20:40] <Kotono> "From what I understand, one of Syala's aspects is love." Annabelle clears her throat loudly at this, "If this is pervasive to the faith or only his particular spin on it is an open question."
[20:42] <Aaeru> "How often do you get visitors, anyway?" Aaeru wonders, not knowing how pervasive that matter is to Syala's faith either.
[20:45] <Kotono> "Not often," Eisala takes a longer drink of hers, resting back, "Perhaps once a month, less if you discount fellow followers of Jannath."
[20:46] <Aaeru> "How about visiting other places yourself? Like Balmuria? I know that's where Janson decided to go, but is he the only one?"
[20:50] <Kotono> "Oh, on occasion," With a coy, amused smile Annabelle drinks her Forest Dew, "I've been once, a few years ago. Such a place is not a place in harmony with Jannath's will. Not that we bear it any malice, but we prefer to stay in harmony with mother earth."
[20:54] * Aaeru takes it as her cue to drink from her own glass. "I can relate," she agrees, her gaze drifting briefly to the alcohol before she raises her eyes once more. "It seems like the best way to live life, not troubling others as long as they don't trouble you, but staying true to your convictions all the same."
[20:55] <Kotono> "Yes. Look at the 'civilized' world," Annabelle gestures with her shot glass, "War, intrigue and violence. How easily the true message of Jannath is forgotten in things! Here we can remember what's important."
[20:56] <Aaeru> "Oh!" Aaeru blinks, just barely avoiding spilling the rest of her drink unintentionally. "Oh, sorry, but I thought you had problems sometimes with the other residents? Giants and trolls? I'm sure Janson mentioned some skirmishes."
[20:57] <Andria> Andrea frowns a little, feeling obligated to defend her home. "I do like living in Balmuria myself. We get to meet people from all over the known world, see strange and new things, and people come together to innovate. Yes, wars and violence do happen, but even in nature, it's not unheard of for people to fight and disagree, even if at a smaller scale..." Andrea says.
[20:58] <Kotono> Annabelle smiles ever so nicely back at Aaeru, "Oh, the giants have their own problems and trolls are little better than savage beasts. We do occasionally need to defend ourselves."
[21:01] <Kotono> Meanwhile Eisala meets Andrea's eyes, "Oh, I'm sure it has some appeal, but nothing can compare to the embrace of Jannath and Her wisdom."
[21:01] * Aaeru smiles back, happy that her intentions weren't misunderstood. "I'm not arguing just for the sake of it, but I'm just... I'm trying to think it through. If your village had as many people as Balmuria, and the giants had... oh, I don't know, the population of Malmuth, don't you think those fights might become full-scale wars? I just think, like Andrea was saying, that it's less the way of life and more, umm, other things that cause the wars."
[21:03] <Kotono> "One could say such huge cities and populations are against the will of Jannath and feminine intuition." Rising to refill her glass and then the glasses of all the others, "Though I confess I've never though about it from that angle." Annabelle says.
[21:04] * Aaeru clinks her glass against Annabelle's in thanks. "I'd actually like to hear more about the feminine intuition," she admits, making liberal use of the refreshing beverage. "It's a much nicer topic than wars, and it's just so very educational!"
[21:08] <Kotono> "Well," Annabelle goes on, "Jannath is Mother Earth and nature. We are all in her image, given the gift of life, a closeness to intuition and grace. In particular, this natural wisdom arises from our connection to Jannath. Have you ever felt in tune with things, knowing what cannot be put into words?"
[21:10] <Aaeru> "I... thought I knew that the vortex was there for us to find, and that we should all jump into it. And it worked out great! But then it turned out that they're really dangerous." Aaeru frowns, tilting her head slightly. "Was it intuition telling me that this one vortex was safe, or am I just an idiot?"
[21:11] <Kotono> Annabelle laughs lightly, "That sounds like you heard Jannath's wisdom. She guided you as surely as she could, once you listened to the voice of the earth."
[21:12] <Aaeru> "I will resolve to listen to it more, then," Aaeru promises in all seriousness, drinking some more.
[21:17] <Kotono> "Cheers!" Annabelle clinks her glass around, "So you follow Ilmater? I met a follower of his once. A more giving soul I have never met."
[21:21] <Andria> Andrea just drinks quietly for now, letting Aaeru and the others talk, silently stewing on her own patriotic opinions about Balmuria and such, not wanting to offend (or be offended).
[21:22] <Aaeru> "It warms the heart to help, and it only takes so little of you to do something," Aaeru responds, her eyes drifting to the red cord adorning her wrist. "Cheers!" she agrees belatedly, finishing her second glass and placing it carefully back on the table, lest she slam and break something of her host's. "For as long as Creation existed, people were in need of help through no fault of their own," she quotes from memory. "Ilmater understands this, and he knows some things can't change. But just because he can't wave a magic wand and fix things doesn't mean he can't help all those people, so he does, even if he has to do it one at a time." She looks cross all of a sudden. "You would be surprised how many people turn important jobs away because they think they're dirty or plain! But not Ilmater!" And she is all smiles again!
[21:26] <Kotono> "Aaah." Eisala listens along to it, and at the last, "Jannath teaches us to help those who need help, so that they may learn to hear Her voice and live in harmony with Her. That sounds similar."
[21:28] * Aaeru laughs. "I live among nature outside Balmuria, and people told me that sounds familiar to you gals and Jannath's teachings. Small world, isn't it?"
[21:31] <Kotono> "Isn't it!" ANnabelle laughs again, "There's something almost...fey about you." She continues, "I'm not sure what, but I get that feeling from you. You're obviously in tune with Jannath."
[21:34] <Aaeru> "Thanks! I'll take it a compliment! Fey are great when they're not pushy. Really, if they were just kinder and not as self absorbed everyone on this world would adore them!" Aaeru stretches her arms above her head, leaning this way and that before settling back down. "Ah, it's such a shame we have to be going again when it's morning."
[21:35] <Kotono> Annabelle smiles and refreshes glasses again. In the meanwhile Eisala glances at Andrea, "So you follow Alicia? From the stories, she used to live in Balmuria not long ago. Is that true?"
[21:36] * Aaeru immediately partakes of Annabelle's kindness, lest it go to waste, following Eisala's glance towards Andrea.
[21:38] <Andria> Andrea smiles. "She did, although 'not long ago' is still pretty long for me. I've never really met her, only heard stories about her and her deeds," Andrea answers.
[21:38] <Aaeru> "How old are you?" Aaeru asks Andrea all of a sudden.
[21:40] <Andria> Andrea blinks. "Uhm, I'm 18. Well, almost 19, but not quite yet. Why?"
[21:41] <Aaeru> "Oh, just thinking." Aaeru gives her a bright smile. "Don't worry about it!"
[21:42] <Kotono> "One of the elders claims to have met her and her allies," Annabelle goes on, "She spent some time talking to the follower of Syala about it. The stories are amazing, and by the end even the earth struggled to hold her upright, such was her might."
[21:44] <Aaeru> "Ilmater doesn't have any trouble walking among us," Aaeru muses confusedly, but then shrugs. Deities! Who knows what they're thinking? "We're back on the subject of stories, which is great! Can you share that one?"
[21:51] <Kotono> "Oh..." drinking more chilled Forest Dew, "She was an angel as much as a woman. White wings carried her in the sky, armor bedeckoned with the stars of Mystra shielding her. Light was shed by her as if she was the sun. With her were two other angels, one with eyes of happiness and another with eyes of serenity. Around them you could feel how powerful they were, each utterance from them enthralling.
[21:51] <Kotono> They had such presence that you could do naught but stare at them." Now Eisala pipes in, "I sort of think the Elder was exaggerating. I mean, that's just so flowery and overblown!"
[21:52] <Aaeru> "And she was just visiting?"
[21:56] <Kotono> "She met the Elder outside of Aralla...thinking about it, she never said where," A frown crosses Annabelle's face. "What about it, is she supposed to be like that, Andrea?"
[21:59] <Andria> "That's a bit more flowery than I usually hear her being described, actually. From everything I'd heard, Alicia used to favor more utilitarian and rugged attire. Darker colors at that," Andrea admits. "But someone full of goodness will often shine with a strong aura, so that could have been part of it too."
[22:03] <Kotono> "Could be. I wonder what it's like to meet someone like that?" Eisala reflects, "How many people like that exist?"
[22:04] <Aaeru> "People like that? You mean, people who became deities?" Aaeru asks her. "Umm. Two or three, I think?"
[22:07] <Kotono> "Well, that as much as people that full of goodness," Eisala laughs as she drinks.
[22:08] <Andria> "Well...Aaeru might one day get to that point, I imagine," Andrea says with a small smile. "She's one of the more righteous people I know, honestly."
[22:09] * Aaeru downs another drink, grinning at Eisala. "You'd be surprised. Everyone would be surprised! Because every mortal has that ability. They're just keeping it inside, often. Keeping it all locked up. But one day, they get to do a good deed, and that leads to another, and another. It's beautiful to see!"
[22:10] <Aaeru> At Andrea's words, she almost chokes on her liquor, but opts to cover her face with her arms instead.
[22:11] <Andria> "Well, you are!" Andrea says, adding a bit of laughter at Aaeru's reactions to the words.
[22:15] <Kotono> That ets a round of laughter at the reaction, "Really?" Eisala asks.
[22:16] <Aaeru> "People really are nice, you just have to believe in them," Aaeru mumbles from behind her makeshift cover.
[22:24] <Kotono> "Hehhee," Amid more laughter as it dies down, "All people can be, if they but listen to Jannath."
[22:27] <Aaeru> "I'm going to listen more," Aaeru promises. "I'm sure Ilmater wouldn't mind. That must be why he lead me here! Female intuition and assertiveness. Right!"