Tryll's Paragon Quest (Tryll)

[Anastasia]

"That may all be true, but it is not a question. It is not a meaning. It is not something that means something to all the courre and the courre's destiny. That is what you need," The elf says, then looks up to Tryll. "I believe you understand the difficulty she faces. Courre are not well suited to this manner of introspection. Does she have the hidden depths to find her own answer to this?"

"Of course she does," Prince Westwind says, "I wouldn't be here with her if she wasn't more than capable of it."

[Yuthirin]

"Whaddaya mean I'm not suited! Are you calling me dumb? That's mean!" Calleigh shouts.

'She is somewhat correct. Calleigh is unlike many other courre. Ignoring the cliche, she is rather unique. She is quite old, and enjoys being a courre. She has no intention of "growing up," as they say. In truth, Calleigh is more courre than most people can handle. Other eladrin included. A few hundred years ago we were asked quite politely to leave and not come back for a century or two. She may indeed be able to suss it out, but I'm not sure how long it would take her. It seems like something she would need to find on her own.'

[Anastasia]

"You are not dumb, it is simply not your strong suit," The elf says gently, and then to Tryll once more. "If she can provide a good question, I will teach the two of you the ritual. To teach it before then risks much for little gain."

A pause as the elf coughs lightly into his hand, then he once again turns to Calleigh. "I need you to think long and hard about your destiny and what the means to all other courres. Being a paragon is an important thing and you need a good answer to that."

Prince Westwind gestures idly, a glass of wine appearing in his hand. "Simplicity. Calleigh fights evil and has joined Aurora, in spite of being a courre. What childlike courre would care for such a thing? What courre would think about fighting evil like that, so actively and so far away from Arborea?"

[Yuthirin]

'It's more than that, though. I understand. It's a question of the core of one's very being, and such a thing is not often questioned by the wisest of mortals. Or even those outside the natural cycle. A fire elemental burns, and is burning at its core. What cause would it have to question itself? The devil does not question its innate cruelty, nor does the celestial question its innate kindness. That level of self-awareness is not necessary in the overwhelming majority of creatures, though occasionally mortals try and fail to obtain it. Monastic orders are a good example.

No, a courre wouldn't care for such things, or even the line of questioning. It's-'"Wait!"

Calleigh interrupts, holding up a hand, "Wait wait wait. Wait. Okay. It's not about whether or not it's fun. It's about why, right? Why is it fun? Why do we do it? Why is it important?" She looks somewhat constipated, and presses her hand to the side of her head. "This is hard. Why is it important? That's actually a real good question. I never thought about it before. Why is fun important? Why do courres exist? It's not just stuffing some dead kid's soul into an eladrin body. Kids die all the time, and not all of them become courres. Or lantern archons. Or cherubs. If that's how those work I dunno...Anyway!  Disease, famine, war, random violence, abuse, yadda yadda. Creation isn't fair. So what makes us special? Do gods play dice? Like, is it random? Cause that's like the very essence of chaos. ...WAIT. That makes sense!" She points at the elf. "Aha!"

[Anastasia]

"Oh?" The elf asks, keeping his thoughts to himself for now.

Westwind is much the same, sipping his wine and watching Calleigh. "This should be good. What did you just realize, Calleigh?"

[Yuthirin]

"It's not about fun at all! Well, sorta. It's not that fun isn't important, it's about what fun is. Why fun is important. Where does fun come from? What creates fun? Not, like, actions, but what really is it? Break it down, and you get randomness. I think? Weird snakey-stuff that gives us the idea to do something wild or crazy or random or makes you want to sing or paint for no reason! It's the chaos-stuff that makes up a big part of the everything that everything is built on. Right? That's why it's so important. Chaos is the source of inspiration! It's the base of beauty and joy and fun! Order's important too, sure, but Chaos is more fun! I mean, sometimes it's horrible, yeah. Look at the Abyss. Icky stuff, yeah? Chaos without Order to balance it is not good. Or Good to balance it out. You need one or the other to keep you from being a real jerkface.

But! Yeah! Have you ever really met a really happy mortal who is also a really good artist? I've noticed that a lot of really artistic mortals are sad or cranky or you know, not all there. But it makes sense! Cause if Chaos is the source of beauty and fun, then if you're really channelling that, like really, it's gonna mess with your head if you're a mortal. Chaos creates strife and struggle breeds creativity and innovation. Yup.

And that brings me to my point! I'm a courre! I'm like, distilled Chaos and Good! I'm super important because of what I am! I've gotta oppose things like too much oversight and tyranny and castor oil and stuff because that's super important! Because courres are the source of fun and joy! And I'm the best courre ever! Whoa. This is deep stuff. I think. Where was I going with this?"

[Anastasia]

"To your question for the ritual," The elf says, smiling a bit. He even chuckles after, "This is amusing, so please, finish it."

[Yuthirin]

"That's it. That's gotta be good enough. I dunno what you want. 'Splain yourself."

[Anastasia]

"It is," The elf admits, "I didn't think you had that sort of thought in you, most courres would never think of things like that. You've been one a long time? You've come to realize you have to fight because it's important, even if it erodes at your endless childhood?"

[Yuthirin]

"Sweetheart, I've been at this for a few thousand years now, and I've seen stuff that would spook you so bad your skin would turn green. This ain't nothing. Besides, who wants to grow up? You get old and wrinkly and stuffy and sometimes even decide to ask vague and mysterious and menacing questions of perfectly reasonable and adorable travelers. Nobody wants that."

[Anastasia]

Westwind nods rather sharply, "Yes yes, so I think we can skip to the end of this song and dance." He finishes his wine, "The ritual and what you we need to know about it?"

The elf sighs slightly, "Only a courre. I suppose that is your great strength." He snaps his fingers and the elf from before comes out, carrying a book. He gives all of you long, careful looks but says nothing, giving it to Westwind.

[Yuthirin]

"Thanks!" Calleigh says to the intern, "Have you considered being nicer to courres? I have a pamphlet." Calleigh does indeed have a folded sheet of colorful paper, which she offers to the lackey.

[Anastasia]

The lackey sighs and takes the paper.

"Fantastic," Westwind says, "Are we ready to get back now? I've had enough rustic forest for the year."

[Yuthirin]

"I suppose." Calleigh says, then turns to the elfy questioner, "Unless you've got some super secret quest you've been waiting to offload on a bunch of awesome and cute adventurers?"

[Anastasia]

"Go on," The elf says, "I think you've gotten up to enough trouble for today."

Plan is to head back now?