2018-05-26: A Past Shrouded in Ice
- Log: A Past Shrouded in Ice
- Cast: Kourin, Catenna, Tesni Inoue, Yarobeleedt, Jacqueline Barber, Cyre H. Lorentz, Lydia Seren
- Where: Plains of the Goddess
- Date: May 26th, 2018
- Summary: Kourin leads the Caravan Kinship to the village she grew up, in hopes of finding information about her past and where she came from. There they meet Kourin's former caretaker, who sheds some light on the situation...but opens up further mysteries.
=========================<* Plains of the Goddess *>========================== The Plains of the Goddess consist of an enormous prairie that occupies the heart of the Meribus continent. It is the breadbasket of the world of Lunar; Althena's blessing lives strong in the soil, and the crops grown here are healthy, hearty, and free of disease. As a result of this bounty, the vast majority of the Plains are uncultivated; farmers have little reason to expand into the untamed wildlands when their larders and storehouses are filled to bursting. Only a few roads cross the Plains of the Goddess, linking the major cities to each other, with the ruins of Vane at the hub of a wagon wheel. Althena's Guard patrols the highways regularly, making travel (relatively) safe. Anyone heading deeper into the fields does so at their own risk, however.
<Pose Tracker> Kourin has posed.
Kourin has not, typically, asked much of her friends in the past. So it may have come as a surprise when she invited the group as a whole to join her in visiting a Church of Althena--specifically the one where she had been abandoned as an infant.
It seems she has taken the visions in the corrupted Church to heart. Her feelings of abandonment and its impact on her self worth have led to her feeling like she is not strong enough to face the foes she will have to face, and for that reason she seeks to learn of her origins everything that she can.
Now, within sight of the Church in question--a humble village affair--she hesitates. Spirit seems to know where they are, and seems eager to go dashing towards the Church, but his mistress' hesitation holds him back as well.
"Perhaps this is too risky after all," Kourin says, uncertainty tinging her voice.
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
Walking into a Church of Althena dressed as either a dancer or a foreign Shaman would have been a bad idea, Catenna decided.
"Nothing worth doing is without risk, Kourin," Catenna urmurs as she moves alongside her friend, smiling quietly. She's put on a sleek white dress today, with a gold and black sash about her hips and a white cloak over her shoulders, as if she were a worshipper of Althena after some fashion - or at least there for a little genuflection. "Whatever happens," she adds, "at lease there is this:
"We are here for you," she finishes the sentence.
As she moves onward, the Owlet peeking out of her hood as it rides along, the Moon Shaman looks up towards the humble village church. Her lips come together in a pensive line. "...This is the place, then," she murmurs.
<Pose Tracker> Tesni Inoue has posed.
Kourin has never asked Tess for anything before, when she did? There was no hestation in her reply to that request and it was yes. She'll move to set a hand on Kourins shoulder. "Your not alone my friend. We're here for you on this." She thinks back to several rough patches some of the Relgions in the Federation have had, there is hope in her heart that this can be in time corrected.
She glances about looking for signs of any other things that might be of note. She doesn't catch sight of anything just yet, for good or ill.
<Pose Tracker> Yarobeleedt has posed.
Ethius kept to himself for a while after that incident. ...Come to think of it, he always keeps to himself for a while, or any length of time, and often seems to view social functions as something to do only out of strict necessity. Unless he views staring as a social function. Then he's probably the most social member of the CaraKin.
He does not hesitate to voice his support in coming to visit a Church of Althena, knowing full well Kourin's status within the ranks of Her chosen. If nothing else, it's...
Before the thought can be completed, Kourin starts to get cool heels on the matter. Ethius, standing at attention for the village and its surrounding environs, still looks the part of some sort of rough character. Hooded, with few of his features discernible.
He has nothing to say. He doesn't need to. He's standing at a specific flank just in case someone might move in on them. (Which is SOP.)
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Kourin has not asked much of them. But even if she had, Jacqueline would readily agree to her request. It seemed that the church they encountered not too long ago had awoken something in her.
She wants to learn more about herself. Jacqueline can understand that...and if she can help her in that endeavor, then she will do anything she can.
"Yes. Please remember that." Jacqueline says, nodding to agree with Catenna and then offering a smile to Kourin.
"This place is fairly small...it's possible that word of your trouble with the Guard may not have reached them yet. ...But we should still operate under the assumption that it has." Jacqueline says.
She's dressed in her normal casual Lunarian clothes...which on the whole is still quite respectable, owing to Carina's handiwork. It should hopefully lend them some legitimacy - it's possible she may need to do some diplomacy here and there...
<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.
Lydia considers Kourin someone worth helping even if she likely wouldn't have thought twice about her if it wasn't for their shared connection with Ethius. Now, though, she has gotten to know Kourin better and fretted over Cyre together, and she considers the gal with a dog an important friend. She normally wouldn't care about a 'corrupted Church' in the first place, but since Kourin rarely asks help, that must mean it's important to her. So she came along.
"Risk is my middle name!" Lydia Risk Seren tells Kourin.
<Pose Tracker> Cyre H. Lorentz has posed.
Fortunately, Cyre's usual outfit is actually fairly conservative! He looks every little bit like some kind of strange, but not entirely alien wandering sage. He's left the rifle at home for today, but otherwise, the kitty-ear hood and travelling clothes he usually wears will do just fine.
It's almost like he's some kind of... fantasy wizard type.
...
"It'll be fine," Cyre says with a shrug. "Worst case, we run. If we have to. If we were able to outrun Aveh and Kislev, we can outrun these guys-- probably."
<Pose Tracker> Kourin has posed.
The tension in Kourin's body seems to ease at her friends' reassurances, yet she hesitates a moment longer.
"I grew up here. Here, in this village. It seems...so small, now. But at the time...this Church was the world I knew.'
She falls silent for a long moment, then takes a deep breath and strides forward. Then she stops. "Is your middle name truly Risk?"
An old nun is outside the Church, tending to a small group of chickens--though the Church is wealthy in general, this particular one it seems still sets store by humility. She looks over and sees Kourin in the square before the building, and her eyes widen in recognition. She sets down the bucket of seed she was distributing to the chickens, who flock over to it in unnoticed feeding delight, and stares. "Kourin?" she asks, voice clear, though with evident surprise.
Kourin nods. "Sister--I..."
"Come inside. Quickly!" The nun opens the door to the Church and gestures for everyone to hurry inside. "They told me you've become some kind of heretic, but I didn't believe them. Not little Kourin," says the old woman by way of explanation.
"It is...complicated," Kourin explains. "These are my friends, Sister Elaine," she adds, gesturing to the rest of the group.
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
For her part, Catenna keeps close to Cyre, her hands folded. She walks slightly to the right of him and a step or two behind.
Herss Kourin hesitates, Catenna frowns slightly, then bows her head with a sad little sigh. To think that Kourin's world could have felt so small... it is, in its way, sobering.
As the nun ushers them inside, Catenna moves into the small church. She forces those sad thoughts aside and replaces them with a simple, polite smile, watching the way Kourin and the old woman interact.
Only for Kourin to be labeled a heretic. Catenna's eyes tighten a bit at the outer corners.
But there are introductions to be made! Clasping her hands neatly, she bows her head to the Sister, a couple loose locks of hair brushing over her cheek. "Greetings in Althena, Sister," she says quietly. "I am Catenna Lorentz and this is my husband, Cyre."
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jacqueline listens and nods in understanding as Kourin talks about this village - the place that she once called home, and the center of her world when she was younger.
They approach the church before long, though not before a question to Lydia. ...Jacqueline lets her handle that, though, instead turning her attention toward the nun.
It is she who addresses them first, with clear surprise. Jacqueline follows her inside quietly, making sure that everyone joins them as well.
"There have been some...rumors, yes, but I assure you, Kourin remains as devoted to the Goddess as ever." Jacqueline replies, and then offers a polite bow.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Sister. I am Jacqueline Barber."
<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.
Lydia is a punk who is sometimes rude and often direct. She puts both hands in her pocket and squints for a moment at the nun before she straightens up and adds, "Well sister," Somehow when she says it it feels less like the honorific for a nun and more like 'look here, sister!' but she keeps going on anyway. "Anybody can be a heretic if they go against th'mainstream politics. S'just a word anyone can use whether it true or not." She has little idea of Kourin's level of faith in Althena, quite honestly, but she does seem to pray to her more or less.
"Either way," Lydia adds. "Hanging with us could cause y'problems, so y'sure you want to let us in?"
At least her forwardness is for a reason it seems.
<Pose Tracker> Yarobeleedt has posed.
Ethius takes up the rear when everyone is ushered inside. It is very polite of him to want to take up the rear. He makes certain there aren't any problematic stares before he himself disappears inside the opening given by one Sister Elaine.
Lydia runs her mouth. Ethius stands ahead of Lydia, crossing his arms behind his back.
"I thank you for extending kindness to us, Sister Elaine," Ethius tries to cut off Lydia, trying to keep the mind off of explanations and politics... and then also coincidentally not come around to introducing himself properly, because of course.
He commences the usual bowing and other formal signs of greeting, following Catenna's lead.
<Pose Tracker> Tesni Inoue has posed.
Tesni Inoue thinks of how it might feel to go back to the place she grew up, in a situation like this? She's not sure if she could ever go home now herself, even if she had the means. She focuses on the hear and now she pauses at the Nun appear and tells them to get inside now. She will move quickly as they are asked in. She might stick out for the visible symbology tattoos on her arms and thighs though she doesn't seem hostile though as she looks the nun over.
"I am Tesni Inoue, Sister Elaine."
She bows a little bit and then fades back taking a moment to look around the church.
<Pose Tracker> Cyre H. Lorentz has posed.
Wow, for once they go to a church and the local religious types want them inside it. Peacably! A miracle!
Cyre is almost that cynical.
Annnnd then Kourin gets called a heretic, sort of, kind of, and Cyre slides ever so slightly closer to That Cynical.
"She is certainly not a here--" CATENNA HAPPENS. Cyre does not double-take because he is much too good of a liar and conman than to do that. "Yes, my dearest moonflower and I have very much enjoyed our travels with Kourin so far. We've come a long way-- and have so many stories to tell. But later."
"Let's... Clear things up, first," Cyre says, gazing carefully in Catenna's direction, "About what you might have heard, recently."
<Pose Tracker> Kourin has posed.
Sister Elaine frowns. "Please do not mistake me. I know Kourin far too well to believe that she has strayed from the true teachings of the Goddess." There's a bit of emphasis on the word true. "But she has placed herself at risk by coming here, as well. It does me good to see that she finally has friends, at least--but I must assume that you have come here with a purpose."
"I wish to know about my parents," Kourin says, and Sister Elaine closes her eyes and sighs.
"I knew this day would come...But I fear I may not have the answers you seek, my child."
"I know the tale I was told...I was abandoned here with only my name, on a winter evening." Kourin sighs. "But...there must be something more than that.
"Little more, I'm afraid, but I will tell what I know. Please, though, make yourselves comfortable...I have something I must fetch from my office for you."
Kourin sighs, but does as Sister Elaine bids.
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
'dearest moonflower'
Catenna blushes gently and bows her head, mostly to hide a bashful smile. "Yes, my handsome lion and I have done our best to keep Kourin company," she murmurs.
As Sister Elaine speaks on, Catenna arches her eyebrows slightly at the emphasis the priestess places on 'true.' The Owler seems to notice it too. Until now, the bird had been dozing in Catenna's hood, evidently not giving a damn about Catenna, or Cyre, or Althena or your mom or anyone else; here, though, it opens its big yellow eyes and swivels its head slowly until it's peeking over Catenna's shoulder to listen to Sister Elaine and Kourin.
Clasping her hands, Catenna bites gently down to her lower lip as she looks towards Kourin with hint of sympathetic worry showing through in the softness in her eyes. Only when the Sister moves off does she step over, laying a gentle hand on Kourin's shoulder.
Whatever answers she receives, she will at least not receive them alone.
<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.
Lydia exbales once as Ethius cuts her short. She looks away for a moment. She is willing to not try and disrupt stuff too much, but the last thing she wants to do is put someone in danger who might end up misled into thinking what they're doing isn't quite as dangerous as it really is. "Okay then." She heads in when the others do, putting both her hands in her pockets. She doesn't say much else at the moment, glancing periodically in Kourin's direction.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jacqueline subtly glances toward Lydia. She doesn't say anything, but she hopes Sister Elaine doesn't take offense to it...fortunately, she doesn't, though Ethius's intervention probably helps. This Sister seems nice enough, at least, and her confidence in Kourin is...refreshing.
"My apologies, Sister, I did not mean to offend. I simply wished to defend my friend." Jacqueline replies, bowing her head in apology. She remains quiet as Kourin speaks, and Sister Elaine replies...
...So, she doesn't have much? Hm. Well, something was better than nothing. With a nod, Jacqueline moves to take a seat, clasping her hands together.
She does smirk subtly as she listens to Catenna and Cyre's back and forthing, but before long her gaze finds Kourin.
She hoped this visit would end positively...
<Pose Tracker> Yarobeleedt has posed.
The strange man stands with his back up against the wall, towards the nearest window or other place of high visibility where sound might travel, hands folded behind his back while Sister Elaine goes to depart to her office - contrary to the time of strength and confidence Kourin might need in her friends to support her as she embarks upon information on a subject most dear to her in a place of weakness.
Ethius seems more apt to stay out of the way of it all, for his own purposes. Whatever those might be.
<Pose Tracker> Cyre H. Lorentz has posed.
"Ahh, I'm more of a tiger than a lion," Cyre chuckles cheerfully. "My brother is the lion. But that's not important right now."
What's important is... Kourin's parents. And scritching an owlet's fluffy white head. Cyre can't help it. It's an owlet; you try resisting the urge.
"So... 'True' teachings?" Cyre cants his head slightly. "What does that mean, exactly?"
<Pose Tracker> Tesni Inoue has posed.
Tesni Inoue keeps a neutraal look on her face at this point as she listens to Sister Elaine. There does seem to eb some more information. "We should not be here to long, hopefully the risk is low." She takes a moment now to look over the Church in detail once Sister Elaine is away to go to her office for a moment. She seems to be trying to be respectful in a place of worship.
<Pose Tracker> Kourin has posed.
Kourin fidgets, and Spirit leans his head on her lap. "The true teachings, meaning, the old teachings. Those I was brought up with...not these new dictates. I must assume, anyway."
"Sister Elaine is the one who taught me the ways of Althena as a child, before the Goddess returned to us..."
She sighs. "I am glad that she does not mean to turn me in, at least..."
Sister Elaine returns, bearing a folded cloth. "I said I cannot provide you much..." she begins, handing the cloth to Kourin, who unfolds it and looks at it. It looks like a scrap of cloak, with a sigil on it--a stylized heart, encased in blue crystal. Or ice.
"A man arrived in a winter storm, bearing you in his arms, wrapped in this cloth," Sister Elaine explains. "He looked weary, as though he had travelled far, and carried himself with a military bearing. He told me only that your name was Kourin, and provided a pouch of silver to pay for your wellbeing." She shakes her head. "He spoke with a slight accent, as well."
Kourin stares at the cloth clutched in her hands. Sister Elaine notices the glove on her left hand, and frowns. "Kourin, what happened to your hand?"
"I...injured it," is Kourin's answer, glancing at Cyre and Catenna.
"You must have travelled a long way...tell me of your journeys with Kourin, my children."
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
The Owlet slits its eyes and ducks its head a bit, letting out a tiny sound that might be a purr as Cyre scritches at it.
Catenna smiles fondly and reaches over to take Cyre's other hand, squeezing firmly. "And you are a very breezy tiger, dear heart," she murmurs. "But yes, we can talk about that later."
As Kourin speaks again, Catenna nods; her hand has fallen away for now because Cyre's needed squeezing. "I think it speaks to the faith she has in you," she remarks simply, but quiets as Sister Elaine returns.
As the priestess reveals that blanket, Catenna cants her head to one side, then the other, getting a better look at the symbol on that scrap of cloak. Her tongue briefly passes over her lip. "An ice heart, you say," she murmurs, more to herself than anything else. When she looks up to Kourin, it's with her lips gently pressed together.
"Perhaps some manner of soldier, or nobleman.... I wonder what would possess him to simply leave you."
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
"I see...that makes sense." Jacqueline murmurs with a nod. That was understandable - it made sense that there would be a few schisms, with the recent edicts... That was good, then - it meant that they could at least count on her as a potential ally.
Before she can think on it further, Sister Elaine returns with a story and the scrap of a cloak.
Jacqueline frowns pensively as she looks it over, glancing toward Catenna for a moment as she speaks.
"Perhaps he had no choice in the matter..." She considers, unsure, then looks between everyone as Sister Elaine asks of their journeys.
Hmm...what should she say...? The bulk of their travels had been done on Filgaia...
"Well, we're merchants, primarily...we travel from place to place, selling our goods and providing aid to those in need. Kourin has been a great help in keeping us safe on the road...and Spirit, of course." Jacqueline says, offering a polite smile.
<Pose Tracker> Cyre H. Lorentz has posed.
Catenna's hand also needs squeezing-- and a squeezing it shall have! Cyre gently wraps his fingers between hers as the abbess returns from her office with... What few scraps remains of what was once a cloak.
A cloak emblazoned with a frozen heart.
Cyre's brow furrows slightly. Instead of stroking his own chin in thought, he strokes the owlet's, as his free hand is otherwise occupied with Catenna's and the owlet is already right there.
"A soldier, yeah. But... If he came all this way to leave you here, then he must have cared enough about you to make the trip," Cyre sighs, shaking his head. "But as to why..."
What might have gone on, that many years ago...?
...
"...Was there a war around that time?" Cyre asks the abbess, "If there was, that might give us a hint as to where to go looking for more clues."
<Pose Tracker> Tesni Inoue has posed.
Tesni Inoue thinks for a momennt on what Sister Elaine has to say, she thknks for a moment and looks at the cloth and the symbol on it. She looks to Catenna. "If he gave money for Kousins care it sounds like the alative to leaving her in Sister Elaines care would have bene worse." Many ideas flow through her mind but all through the lense of her own people's history. "Could be something poltically went bad?"
She looks to Cyre nodding in agreement.
"Yes they clearly cared for Kourins surival that much is clear."
She nods "Yes what was going on I'm afraid I lived a lot of my life in hte wilds away from anything really notable."
<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.
"Maybe it's some kind of house crest." Lydia says, thinking it over. "Though if it's a crest like that, can't be too hard to find out about it. Pretty notable lookin'." And they paid with a pouch of silver, that indicates money. They didn't abandon her because they couldn't take care of her, at least not in the monetary sense. And it was during winter. Huh.
She is quiet other than that, mulling over this.
<Pose Tracker> Yarobeleedt has posed.
Ethius stands vigil from where he is, a ways off from the gathered as items of Kourin's own history and origin come to light. The whole event must have been truly remarkable to her to remember even the man's seeming state of mind and energy level this many years later. All the way down to a 'slight accent.'
"From a different region." He murmurs to himself. He can see ways to follow up on the matter, if it proves necessary, but...
He allows Jay to take the lead on discussing their past journies with Kourin. That he hasn't interjected suggests that he is content with this being the spoken record of things.
<Pose Tracker> Kourin has posed.
"Traveling merchants? I suppose it's an honorable enough profession. Ah, yes, Spirit is a very loyal friend, isn't he." She smiles and scritches Spirit.
"A soldier...it would make sense, there were constant conflicts on Glenwood," Kourin murmurs. "This crest...it belonged to a mercenary company at the time...one I have already been learning of--the name of Iceheart has been mentioned to me on several occasions since I began teaching the sword..."
"Mercenaries." Sister Elaine sniffs. "Fighting for coin, instead of to defend the innocent...You say you have heard of this...Iceheart?"
Kourin nods. "She is said to have been a disciple of Georg Heldalf himself--like White Knight Leo. She once led a mercenary company, but now teaches the sword in Pendrago. I had hoped to seek her out as a potential master, but...now she is the only link to my past, as well...perhaps she will recall one of her soldiers travelling all this way..."
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
The Owlet cheeps softly again, then hops up onto Cyre's hand, toddles up his arm and perches between his ears. It tucks its head in, closes its eyes and makes itself at home. At kitty home.
Catenna gives it a slightly dour look. Owlet, you bounder!
But there are more important things to consider. The Iceheart story wasn't familiar to Catenna in detail, but the name rung a bell, given the inspiration for Kourin's alter ego while on Lunar. The Moon Shaman brushes a lock of her hair back and frowns faintly, her hand coming to her chin as she taps a finger against her lower lip pensively. "Perhaps our next step should be to travel to Pendrago," she murmurs, lashes lowering a shade.
<Pose Tracker> Cyre H. Lorentz has posed.
CYRE HAS ACQUIRED: x1 Disloyal Owlet.
Or more accurately--
OWLET HAS ACQUIRED: x1 katzenhaus
Cyre's ears twitch as the owlet settles. It's adorable.
"Mmn, Pendrago huh?" Cyre murmurs, then nods. "That's not too far, by sea. We're about due to head that way and maybe look into securing a few more trade routes. That area's pretty war-torn right now, too, though. We'll need to be careful."
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
"I'm glad you think so." Jacqueline says smiles and nods, agreeing with both her assessment of their work and Spirit's character.
After that, though, her attention turns to the discussion on the matter of Kourin's past - and, specifically, the invidual the cloak seemed to hint to.
"A disciple of Georg Heldalf...she must be quite formidable..." Jacqueline murmurs in consideration. She could understand why Kourin would want to learn from her, if that was the case. Still...she must be quite busy.
"I agree...I just hope we can get her to meet with us." Jacqueline replies, nodding toward Catenna. That'll be the hard part...and Cyre raises some crucial points, as well.
"Indeed...I've heard rumors that Hyland's army has been moving forward. I think we'll be fine as long as we don't stray too far from the capital and the surrounding areas, but..." She murmurs.
It was a dicy situation, and all too familiar to certain events going on back home.
<Pose Tracker> Tesni Inoue has posed.
Tesni Inoue thinks for a moment. "Mercs? Maybe they wanted to keep Kourin out of the life? Being a soldier for hire is not exactly a safe profession, after all to a noble your more disposable than their house troops. Still Kourin this is something for us to follow up."
She looks to the Sister for a moment with a thoughtful look on her face.
<Pose Tracker> Yarobeleedt has posed.
"To Pendrago, then?" Ethius remarks as he brings a hand up to his forehead. Deeper within the country of Rolance, filled with that endless dreary rain that's slowly starving them out as the warfront from the neighboring country yet threatens to encroach them. That would be dangerous... but it seems that Jay is on top of the logistics of such an endeavor.
They all should be, after being caught up in the middle of an Aveh and Kislevi skirmish to such disastrous results!! He's been in the region a few times in passing, never too far from the rest, usually.
...
he offers no spoken support or protest over the matter. Ethius and Kourin did have that row over her desire to teach it, but... he's not as apt to speak up about her being trained by a famous name, it appears - as though he may well recognize that this specific matter is completely up to her, and her alone.
He continues keeping vigil to make sure nothing problematic starts to come up to the church from outside.
<Pose Tracker> Kourin has posed.
"To Pendrago," Kourin agrees. "We will face whatever challenges lie before us there when they come. I have faith in you, my friends, and in us...and in Althena's guidance. Truly, she has not forgotten us."
"You must take care, Kourin, my child," Sister Elaine cautions. "Your name is still being circulated amongst the Guard, and though you will have your friends, it is still dangerous should someone recognize you. I suggest being circumspect when introducing yourself--perhaps take a pseudonym..."
Kourin smiles, flexing her left hand. "But Sister Elaine...I already have one. I am Icehand."
Apparently Kourin trusts the old nun with that secret!
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
The Owlet dozes atop Cyre's head, quite content with her new kitty home.
Catenna frowns, folding her arms loosely across her midsection. "Yes... the war has become rather more intense lately, or so I have heard," she murmurs, glancing off to one side.
Tesni says something; Catenna glances at her with a small frown. "If that is the case, then abandoning Kourin was the wrong decision. What manner of parent would throw away their relationship with their own child for the sake of war?" A genuine flash of indignation briefly flickers behind her eyes, and though her voice never rises above its usual calm register, a muscle in her neck has tightened up a little.
She breathes out the anger, forcing herself to shuttle it aside. It bothers her for reasons she'll understand when she thinks about the thought later.
As Kourin makes her decision, Catenna nods crisply to the rogue priestess. "Then to Pendrago. We will find there what we will," she says.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jacqueline considers Tesni's suggestion for a moment. That was certainly a possibility...though she wasn't sure whether or not that was the case. Still, it was something to keep in mind.
"We'll go with you all the way, Kourin...or, should I say, Icehand?" Jacqueline replies with a smile. Kourin had already said the name herself, so it was fine for her to say it, too!
"I can make the necessary travel arrangements, so just let me know when you want to head to Pendrago." She says, nodding to Kourin.
And to whatever awaited them there...
<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.
Lydia looks downward at the mention of Althena. She feels a little embarrassed by Kourin's faith there. It feels a lot easier for Kourin than it does for Lydia, especially after what happened with Kaguya, to just believe in them. Imagining how she'd think of the Guardians if they banned dancing, well.... this is why Lydia hesitates on organized religion.
"Yeah we don't really want to draw too much Guard aggro--"
She pauses as Kourin mentions her own handle.
"Well at least it's not Iceheart." Lydia says after a while.
<Pose Tracker> Cyre H. Lorentz has posed.
Cyre gently squeezes Catenna's hand. "If he didn't care for her, he had other, crueller options available to him. If he really did abandon her for the sake of war, then he wouldn't have gone so far out of his way, would he? Let's hope for the best until we're shown otherwise."
He nods, then. "To Pendrago. Looks like we have our next destination picked out, huh?"
<Pose Tracker> Yarobeleedt has posed.
Ethius does not seem to have any scathing critique about the profession or life choices of whoever delivered Kourin to this place to be raised. There he stands there, quiet, and almost motionless as they all solidify their support and resolve to go see the next stage of this journey of discovery for Kourin.
...But his eyes close. Does he seem to have something else on his mind...?
<Pose Tracker> Tesni Inoue has posed.
Tesni Inoue nods to Sister Elaine. "I intend to avoid fights with the Guard if I can help it. I'm not one for needless fighting if it can be helped. Doubly so as many of the guard are very well trained figters and mages." It seems they have a friend in the good sister.
<Pose Tracker> Kourin has posed.
Sister Elaine nods in response to Tesni. "Many of the Guard are simply honest, faithful folk, as well."
<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.
"Guess so," Lydia admits. "Margaret was pretty chill with me, though to be honest I've never really had much problem with the Guard when they weren't, like, preaching back uh home." She looks back to Elaine, opening her mouth, but she glances to Ethius and ends up clamping her mouth shut instead. Do your best, Lydia, in not being completely open and honest! It's hard, but you can do it! For Ethius!
Her cheeks puff out as she forces herself to not blurt out anything.
<Pose Tracker> Tesni Inoue has posed.
Tesni Inoue nods in agreement "That is true as well and another reason to avoid a fight if possible."
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
"Yes. I would prefer to avoid any difficulties with them. I think, in the end, we both want the same thing." Jacqueline agrees. And that, of course, was for people to be safe. She glances toward Lydia for a moment and nods, appreciating the sort of effort she was probably going through.
<Pose Tracker> Yarobeleedt has posed.
Ethius doesn't move in front of Lydia, or even look her way. That's how one can figure out he's proud of her for being able to selectively omit details like a... good... whatever the hell Ethius is...?
...
Wait, he's not where he was prior! He's not far off from Tesni...!!!
He stands behind her, saying something quietly only she's likely to hear. "I would refrain from open sepculation about where you stand relative to the Guard. To insinuate the possibility of opposition will invite such."
...And then he returns to where he was standing.
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
"Not all of the Guard seem to be people of zealotry," Catenna concedes wth a shrug, her hand finding Cyre's and squeezing. "Earnest people can find it in themselves to support the law and the church. If it gives them meaning, I cannot hate them."
Catenna remembers all too well how much shit she got when she couldn't wave her hand and instacure Kaguya, back when Kaguya was still pretending to be their friend. The Guard must get much the same, she rationalizes.
The Owlet toddles out from between Cyre's ears and plops back into Catenna's hood with a little cannonball jump.