She didn't wate any time in getting changed now, taking merely a few minutes to get fully armoured. The helmet however, was instead held under her right arm - not wearing it as ordered. Though, Vailaniel looked about and straightened, turning to look to him. While the armour seemed 'off' on her, it was perhaps mostly due to how she carried herself, being more of a friendly woman rather than a silent killer, as the Striking Scorpions are known to be. That would certainly change if she were to don the War Mask. "I can't help but marvel at how.. Well made, this all is." She said aloud now, stepping forward. The only sign of the actual size of the armour was if one looked at it. Besides that, it seemed almost as though she wore none at all with how little it impeded an Eldar's movements.
"Very well my fair Poet, I shall await your return." Ariska replied, as content as she could be without a good book to hand, but time with Taeris was a welcome diversion. When he came back, she waited for him to start the meal first, but her interest in the food was derailed upon noticing two new arrivals to the eatery, one of whom seemed to be looking for someone, and she didn't have any doubt that her friend might perhaps find a bit of inspiration for his muse. Once he came back, she asked "Well, what did you order then? Considering you said that his meat was divine, I would be surprised if you didn't order that for me to try..." She looked quite eager to actually try what Taeris had ordered for them, considering helping yourself to whatever was lying around at home could get repetitive for her taste buds.
@BadDo9 | @Vlayden "They are relics for a reason. And never forget that this armor belongs not to you, but the shrine." Andurith turned around and inspected the armor, making sure it is proper and tight. "I am not knowledgable on women's hairdo, but fellow Warrior Linaya may aid you on that endeavour." Satisfied with his inspection he gave a nod and grabbed a secure hover-cart which has a safety compartment that closes ovally along it's rectangular shape, there are grips on each side and a small rune-console to adjust the height. "Take your weapons and wear them on you as well." Andurith simply started to collect the gear of their fellow Scorpions as instructed by the Exarch. The rectangular platform was just wide enough to fit two sets of armor and weapons next to each other. There was no complaint or discomfort written on his face, it was a duty as important as training for war itself. Plus he learned soon after he had joined the shrine that physical exercise as this, as little as it may be, is beneficial for physical health which in return will aid in the combat of the future. It was not a matter of if, but moreover a matter of when war would call.
< @Nurianis @Maleth > Taeris smiled at his friend. "I did. I ordered you one of the bigger steaks that were there today." he seemed obviously distracted, looking back over at the two Eldar. "I-I'll be right back." he said quickly to Ariska, standing and striding quickly over to the approaching ones. "That is very much likely." Anahar smiled faintly, and as they reached the restaurant, he looked down at a young Poet who stood with barely contained excitement. The musician looked at the warrior next to him and then smiled down to the other one. "May I help you, young poet?" Taeris smiled at being acknowledged by the elder Eldar, and looked up at him. "Forgive me, master Anahar. I... simply desired to ask if you would consider lending your music to a poem of a simple learner?" he asked hopefully. Anahar looked over the young poet with the slightest of smiles. They youth carried a passion and fire that he loved to see, and bowed his head in acknowledgement. "Of course you may. Begin and I shall join." Taeris smiled and slowly walked back into the restaurant, making a slight sound and taking the posture of the poet, garnering attention. Anahar smiled and looked to his old apprentice. "Go and sit. I feel we shall all enjoy this." He said, going to stand near the poet and taking out an instrument that looked somewhat like a harmonica, but played sounds of a flute. "Hello.." Taeris began, smiling and seeming a bit nervous "This... was simply a poem that came to me one cycle. I... hope you appreciate it." <+ @Jorimel @Vlayden @Uriel1339 @Colapse > What happened next would reach every soul on the craftworld, as if the souls residing in the Infinity Circuit had banded together and linked all as one. A soft, haunting melody blew through the air, Anahar's music bringing to the mind a feeling of hope, of their endless fight and strength against Sh Who Thirsts. "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost." At this point, the tune molded into a multi-layered piece working into a crescendo, inspiring visions of a bright and hopeful future. "From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring; Renewed shall be blade that was broken, The crownless again shall be kings and queens." The area was silent afterwards save for the final notes from Anahar, dispersing on the wind.
The Eldar ran a hand through her hair, and shook her head. "I think it'd be short enough to pass on such suggestions." She said, her own hair being just over chin-length at the longest. Once she heard to pick her weapons she nodded, looking about to find them and attach them to her belt as instructed. As much as they seemed foreign to her hands, she at least was willing to learn: something that'll come in handy, as she followed the 'senior' Scorpion without speaking. ...He wasn't a chatty type, was he?
Ariska smiled back, but was slightly puzzled when Taeris dashed off to see the two over Eldar. However her confusion cleared up when he talked to them and then took up his position to perform his poem to everyone present. Needless to say, she found the performance to be quite a touching and enjoyable one, and politely applauded Taeris and the musician when they had finished, a relaxed body and slight tilt of the head showing her pride for her friend.
@BadDo9 | @Vlayden Andurith took a deep breath after having closed his eyes and listened intently. It was deep, touching and reminding. Not he or anyone he knows personally has lived throughout the dark times of the Eldar, the fall. But as much as the poem-song reminded everyone to not pursue desires, it also reminded them that while few in comparison to the past, there was still opportunity in the future, to undo past mistakes and raise an empire once more, an empire free of desires and only compassion. A time and place in which the War-mask will become nothing but a horror story for children, that it will seek them out to possess them, to become mythical monsters such as the Howling Banshees who can murder with only their screech, the Warp Spiders who appear out of nowhere - grab you and pull you into wherever they came from, the Fire Dragons who turn one into ashes, and the Striking Scorpions which you only see when it is too late. A time in which one can live free in pursuit of becoming more skilled in areas, when one can work as hard as an Exodite and as trouble-free as a Craftworlder, as independent as the Corsairs. The voice of the nearby female drew his mind back into reality and he opened his eyes. It felt like almost an entire cycle passed, yet it was mere moments that passed. Remembering what he was doing, he simply pushed the hover-cart on to meet Linaya and the others.
Ladornarr waved kindly to Ariska as he walked over to a nearby table that was unoccupied, he deliberately picking it because it had a good view of the performance. He knew that Anahar would be incredible, but he wanted to see how good the young poet was. After a quick inquiry to the nearby Eldar if the table was free, he sat down and relaxed in place. His gaze turned to the young poet who had gained the rooms attention. Ladornarr was speechless. His mind was awhirl with thoughts of the Eldar reclaiming their rightful place in the stars, and he couldn’t help but think that he was helping reclaim that destiny when he fought amongst his brothers and sisters of the shrine. All he could think to do was to applaud the performers for their works.
Linaya enjoyed moving through the practice-routines provided by the Exarch, and she found them better when she had an opponent to work with. The simple movements progressed into the more complex arcs as a bud opens smoothly into a flower, and she felt her muscles respond more naturally already, even after so short a time on the War Path. She wanted to compliment Valerian on his bladework, but she thought from his words that he had preferred to put his previous Aspect days behind him and to speak of them might be disrespectful. And not only this: he had questions for her. She wasn't his mentor, but Linaya felt a sort of responsibility to make the newcomer feel as welcome as possible. As welcome as possible when called to learn war at the feet of a Child of Khaine. "I know something of the Shrine, aye, and several of the secret ways, but nowhere near all," she said smiling as they took a break. "I have taken no other Aspect Path before this, though I fought once or twice as a Guardian as all of us must do when called. I took up the Scorpion Path not to many moons hence. I have fought twice under our Exarch, and both times he led us to victory." She said it without boastfulness. It wasn't her fight that won the battle, but the combined actions of the squad. Valerian would understand that. In any case her hand gestured the one standing as a representative of the whole. It was a gesture more often used by diplomats, but it suited her sentiment well enough. "It was ... an experience that will shape me and is shaping me, but I strive to be the potter, not the clay." She kept her tone light, not allowing the technicolour madness of sensory near-overload and focussed aggression to overwhelm her here. There would be a return to war soon enough. Linaya was ambivalent about that. Just as she wondered if she should share more, the sound of a haunting, liquid melody drifted across the practice ground, as light as incense-smoke and just as evocative. From somewhere in the peaceful depths of the residential zones, perhaps, or one of the artisan quarters, and carried though the wraithbone of the Craftworld core like a benediction. She glanced across at Valerian, guessing that he must hear it too. "Yaaraë aurer entuluva," she murmured in response. "Ancient days shall come again."
~TRIAL OF THE SHADOWED BLADES~ < @Uriel1339 @Jorimel @Maleth @Colapse @Nurianis @Vlayden > Eventually, all the Scorpions of Sairan's shrine were outside, suited and training. Everything would go swimmingly until one of them tried the doors and found them locked. A series of runes would appear, reading: Two old claws and one new tail. Tunnels hidden to the nest. A prize in the center, danger on the path. The outside of the shrine was built in such a way that there seemed to be secret entrances all around. Hand and foot holds led to the roof, and the building was a rather irregular shape, with spires that reached high and arms that slowly disappeared into the ground. Indeed, much of the Shrine, which was actually a sprawling complex above and below ground, was a labyrinthine obstacle course that none of the students had yet seen. Most entrances were hidden in plain sight, such that very few outside those trained in the ways of Kandaras would be able to see. Trees, stones, the walls of the shrine, almost anything might hide a door.
