He had taken his time to mentally compose the story, ensuring that he was remembering everything correctly, after all, this was a competition, and while he was not a particularly gifted storyteller, he enjoyed getting his drinks for free and with a smile he began his tale.

"Very well. Amongst Fuegan's chosen, there is a ritual that all the Fure Dragons must go through, and it is divined by the Seers to be unique for each of us. It is our Trial By Fire, at the end of which, we join the shrine and become a true Dragon."

He paused to take a sip of water as the glasses filled, then continued on with his story.

"My Trial was to forge myself a suit of armor, made from the purest iron and reinforced with wraithsteel, and don it to go find the armor of a Fire Dragon who had been slain in the webway..."

He told the story of the five long years he had spent on his trial. After the furst two months, he had found a wrecked falcon, and restored it to a mobile capacity. Months later he encountered some Comorrites, and was held captive for nearly a year. He pulled an armor plate off his shoulder and showed the scars that didn't appear to be fully healed from the whips of the Dark Ones. He told the story of his daring escape, how he had retrieved the armor and fled with aid of some of the enhanced mon-keigh. He then fell in with a Corsair fleet, and travelled with them until he neared hs destination. He gave a blow by blow account, accompanied by many gestures, of his fight with the Herald of Tzeentch, leader of a small army that was seeking the spirit stones of the fallen Eldar. The timely arrival of his Corsair allies came next, and they drove back the daemonic hordes as they threatened to overwhelm him in vengeamce for their fallen leader.

The drone mapped out the ways of the Arcadia easily as it went on its way, following like a well-trained dragonet. Occasional Corsairs would notice it. some narrowing their eyes until it moved on, others swatting at it (easily dodged; no-one wanted to seriously bring it down from the skies), and in one case posing with a wide grin in the hope of having a picture taken. Faenkon followed Orthelya to the central bar, where she collected a lined basket full of spicy bird meat fresh from the fire. Scooping up two glasses and neatly fielding the bottle one of the two Eldar passed to her with a swift motion. She found some seats, on the upper balcony, a table or two down from a couple of Eldar that the Ranger knew but she did not. Amriel and Kithaere were deep in conversation with one of the Corsair crew. The crew member nodded to Orthelya, who smiled back before sitting.

"Help yourself," she said, settling comfortably and passing Faenkon a glass. "We don't stand on ceremony here. Well, not unless the mood takes us. Some of us, anyway. The Captain might. I can't imagine Juri or Reevia doing it." She grinned, then tested the hot food. Her expression showed that it was still a little too not.

"We are on quite a mission, if what I heard is to be believed. Is it true? Are we really going to look for the Sword of Eldanesh?" She sipped at her drink. "I always thought that was a metaphor."


@kanila

"I ... might have done," replied Juri innocently, and then spoilt the illusion by grinning. "I'm sure I could work on it for next time if that will help?" But he soon settled down, watching Irlityra's deployment of the porcelain with care and attention. "Forgive me. One doesn't shake a lifetime of dissolute company and the occasional poor life decision in an instant. But I do intend to take this most seriously." If the Spirit-Seer was any judge, the Corsair appeared to be a little nervous.

"The Mind, the Body and the Soul," Juri murmured, repeating it to himself as he took in the lesson. His eyes were wide and his expression studious. He thought for a moment, examining the rune before him. It was laid out like one of the ancient Exodite alignments, viewed from above. Unseeable by all save the ancient gods - and their dragon-riding children.

Juri nodded, then gestured, using the subtle body-language of the Eldar to indicate the Craftworld-rune, and then the further indication that signified, Haven of the Spaceways. He glanced to Irlityra, anxiously, to see if he had got it right.


@Nurianis

Taking the offered glass he waited for her to pour the drinks, opting to wait on the obviously hot food to cool slightly. "Well word gets around quickly now doesn't it? And yes the rumors are true, that is the prize we seek." He casually looked around the balcony, which sent the drone in a slow loop through the area before returning to look at his host. "But time will tell, searching the unknown. It could be anything out there, maybe what we think is there is something else entirely! The possibilities are near endless! Now of course I hope what we seek is truly there, wouldn't it be amazing to view it in person and not just through story?" The thrill of the hunt was taking over, this would be a truly long journey. It would feel like an eternity longer with the confinement on a ship, even one such as this. Faenkon sighed, "But we must be patient, can't jump in feet first without atleast SOME planning." He gave her a grin then eyed his glass then back to her and back to his glass again.

"What do I do when not on duty?" Avrielle paused, though the question didn't seem to phase her. Rather, she welcomed the chance to speak of something other than wartime.

"Well, Llyr, he just likes being tickled, I think," she began, "to first say that I am not trying to steal your adorable companion. Though he is going to steal hearts wherever he goes, you know." She gave the little gyrinx a final pat. Llyr chirruped.

"As for what I like to do, well there are many things! Though I don't know if what interests me would interest you or, well, you know, many people." She rallied, refusing to falter in her good mood. "I enjoy reading the ancient legends, of course. I love to hear those tales, and we have some of the finest raconteurs among the Craftworlds, I believe. The stories come alive! But I am also someone who enjoys history. I know it is often tragic, but we Star-Children have heroism and wonder in our heritage as well."

"I build things, too. Like the radio - I built it myself, from old plans. I studied the systems used by Iyanden when under the shroud of the Great Devourer. I also looked at the Human radios - I know they are often seen as crude, but their simplicity is their strength is time of war. After all, if it's robust enough for thick Human fingers then it must be sturdy, and that's good. I often think that everyone has something to teach, you know ... even if it's how not to do something, yes, true, but also in what is good in a certain situation. So I build tiny constructs and try to make them efficient, to give them things that they can do, starting with simple tasks. I have a current record of seventeen task options. I'm working on twenty. I was inspired by Vaul's golden servants who helped him in his forge."

Did Morvan unlock some kind of daemon of loquacity?

"And I love dancing," the little radiotech continued. "I used to go to the Plaza of Lileath's Dreaming. There was always music there - sometimes musicians would gather to play, just spontaneously. I could really feel the music there - there is something so liberating about music played live; it's like the artists are seeing into another dimension of creativity and bringing us back pictures of what they can see! I feel something of the creativity I don't know how to express then. And I just dance. It feels like ... like ... perhaps it feels like flying? When a saurid takes to the air and just soars." She paused, colouring a little to match her dress at the flight of fancy.

"I don't write poetry. Words aren't really my strong suit," she said, but found Morvan's gaze again. "Though I love to hear them well-woven."

"And ... well, I - don't mean to talk so much without listening! Forgive me. I did promise Yareli that I'd eat with her, and we should probably go and find her. I wouldn't want to keep her waiting." She glanced at Morvan, and smiled. "I think - that I left the most important thing 'til last. I like to spend time with my friends." She beamed.



Avrielle arrived from an unexpected direction, and she had a Seer in tow. Morvan walked alongside the little radiotech, Llyr in his arms (or sometimes on his shoulder; the beastie was in an adventurous mood and couldn't sit still for long). She beamed up at her friend, happy to see her. There was something irrepressible in Avrielle, and her innocent joy in simple things made her charming company to those who cherished such moments.

"I hope you do not mind," she said, smiling, "but I collected Morvan. You know these scholarly types," she joked, relaxed enough with these two Eldar to risk it. "They don't remember to eat like us hungry ones." She petted Llyr, who made a sound approximately like meup and butted his head against her hand. "So. Who are we going to meet?"

She fell into step beside the Mymearan. Avrielle was dressed in red, a gown that was a little more dressy than her usual, which was admittedly Guardian armour. She looked more relaxed, too. The journey was a dangerous one, no doubt of that, but in the meantime she had obviously chosen to embrace the chance to be herself when not at war.

"Does your 'betrothed' know of your double-date?" she teased, tilting her head at the ice-blue diplomat.


@Uriel1339 @High_Adept_Zeth

[OOC

!! :O Juri is innocent*! He's not actually there. This impertinent crew member is actually Vytharion. ]


It was not hard to find the way to his quarters. Iktomi had travelled that road more than a few times, in varying states of mind and / or sobriety. It was as familiar to him as the bridge. And it was, perhaps suspiciously, more or less just as he had left it.

The bed was made, which he wasn't one hundred percent certain he remembered doing himself; that was a possible avenue for paranoia, admittedly. But perhaps he just had a generous and caring crew? The clothes he knew he had were carefully folded and put away, which was fuel for the fire. The medium-sized fortune he had accumulated for use with such races as cared for such things was untouched for sure, because who among the Eldar really wanted such baubles? Except for the particularly pleasing or sentimentally-valued. And that one little onyx marble, hidden away in plain sight, winking like the eye of a pagan god. The floor was not possessed of any strange and out of place new rugs. Someone had lined up his spare boots in a row, which again was not necessarily without the bounds of possibility.

Iktomi examined the layout of his room. He was almost sure ... A few paces to the left, and then the right. Yes.

Every single item of free-standing furniture was precisely two inches to the left.

And where, in all this, was his imperious, demanding and not-at-all-actual bride to be? Who was either promising or threatening to move into these very chambers? Was the Ice Maiden suddenly frisky, or just lebenslustig? Was either going to lead to a diplomatic incident?

@DaKaptin




*this once.

Yareli starred almost a hole into the door, when suddenly a voice attacked her from the side, surprising the diplomat who jumped slightly and put a hand on the blade before relaxing and straightening up. She was on edge. Not daring to say anything out of place, she blinked at Avrielle a few times at first, letting her brain comprehend what was said.

"Yes, Iktomi does know. From the impression I gathered, it might become quite an open feast, perhaps to welcome us amongst the Arcadians. It could get quite.... Interesting." She smiles and gently straightened out a few wild hair strings of Avrielle, caused by the tilt of her head. "Apologies, but seeing you in a dress reminds me of us nobles always ensuring we look to our most regal appearance." The Mymearan eased up rather quickly now and having tended to her friend she turned towards Morvan.

"It is good to see you well, Morvan. I was a bit concerned about you, having retreated quite a while. Forging a battle plan for our mission ahead, I assume? You know the civilian elders of Mymeara always told my father to never forget peace in times of war. But also to be ready for war in times of peace. Even in your quest for knowledge, always remember that there are other things in life, though I am certain that Llyr will constantly remind you of that." The female bowed slightly with her head to mean it as friendly advice. She had not seen a close man fall to a path as her father already was a Seer when she opened her eyes to the world.

Yareli offered her arm to be linked for Avrielle, so they could walk together if she wanted to. The colors of their clothes were quite opposing, almost as if they tried to hard to contrast as exact opposites. Where the silver-haired woman wore calm ice-blues with teal trims and gradients of skyblues to midnight blue, the technician next to her was dressed like the flame which burned within Khaela Mensha Khaine. Gaining attention and demonstrating her very active and energetic personality through pure color. Perhaps an inspiration struck her to work on with her Ocarina. Perhaps a song of fire and ice. An original piece to always remember her of this adventure and new friends.

@High_Adept_Zeth | @Jorimel

OOC:Had to look that up!I envy at the diapason of your vocabulary!

"And I love dancing," the little radiotech continued. "I used to go to the Plaza of Lileath's Dreaming. There was always music there - sometimes musicians would gather to play, just spontaneously. I could really feel the music there - there is something so liberating about music played live; it's like the artists are seeing into another dimension of creativity and bringing us back pictures of what they can see! I feel something of the creativity I don't know how to express then. And I just dance. It feels like ... like ... perhaps it feels like flying? When a saurid takes to the air and just soars." She paused, colouring a little to match her dress at the flight of fancy.

"I don't write poetry. Words aren't really my strong suit," she said, but found Morvan's gaze again. "Though I love to hear them well-woven."

Pretending not to notice her blushing, Warlock kept his gaze straight ahead, his sight wondering down the hallway, glassy, as if not really here.

"You talk like a Corsair.I did not know you had so much passion and creativity in you Avrielle.It seems...refreshing for such words to come from a Craftworlder.I`ve...never met an Eldar such as you.I am impressed. "he spoke,sparing her a glance before looking at Yareli who seemed to be waiting infront of Avrielle`s doors for a time.

"It is good to see you well, Morvan. I was a bit concerned about you, having retreated quite a while. Forging a battle plan for our mission ahead, I assume? You know the civilian elders of Mymeara always told my father to never forget peace in times of war. But also to be ready for war in times of peace. Even in your quest for knowledge, always remember that there are other things in life, though I am certain that Llyr will constantly remind you of that." The female bowed slightly with her head to mean it as friendly advice. She had not seen a close man fall to a path as her father already was a Seer when she opened her eyes to the world.

"I apologise for your waiting...but Llyr got lost and Avrielle returned him to me.I held her up, the fault is mine. " spoke Morvan,somewhat aware of the relaxed atmosphere around him.

Noting her repeated words and the slight bow of her head, Warlock nodded as the three continued their walk:
"Your advice is sound...but unnecessary for you have said it once before.I still remember those words for sometimes they echo in my visions.
You are a change itself Yareli. Not many are found in your role, i hope you see that.You have brought a welcome change to me...and for that i am grateful."

Turning his head to the two mamzel who walked together with their arms linked Morvan queried,slight anxiety gripping him.He hoped for a small gathering, where he could eat in peace and quiet...not a feast!

"Double-date?Feast?I was not informed..."

"Only through repetition, one learns... Is what one of my elder teachers taught me." Yareli noted with a soft smile. "As for the wait, worry not. Avrielle had me informed and patience is a virtue I hold dear to my heart. Nothing happens instantly, all changes slowly over time, by tending to it. Much like a tree." However the Diplomat was slightly confused about what Morvan referred to - bringing a change to him?

"As for the upcoming gathering, Morvan. I am not sure what exactly to expect, myself. The traditions and culture of smaller Void Dragon crews are completely to me. And us knowing Iktomi being the captain of the Arcadians? Who knows what really to expect. It all started with me having a nice glass of wine with one of the Corsairs, to which I invited Avrielle. And now you come as well, and Iktomi also made insinuations. Surely it is refreshing for once to not know what is coming up - socially speaking." She waved her hand as if to dismiss the entire matter and that they shouldn't worry but just enjoy that they are taken care of.

"Last but not least, I am unsure to what you refer, venerable Warlock. How could I possible phase a rock like you are? Certainly it needs more than just some random Mymearan to animate change within you?" Yareli tilted her head in curiosity. "Much more I would believe a certain adorable ball of white fur was the reason for change." Her left eye winked at Llyr the fearless Gyrinx.


@High_Adept_Zeth | @Jorimel

Orthelya sipped her drink and reached for a piece of the delicately-flavoured bird meat. "I suppose some kind of plan would be useful, at that," she agreed with a flash of a smile. "I would say that it's not Iktomi's style, but that would not be true. I'm sure he strives to give the appearance of daemon-may-care insouciance and freestyle havoc, but in truth he always has a plan. I have followed him for a long time now, in Corsair terms at least. I don't know what he has in mind, but I know he will have something."

She smiled again, gesturing to the somewhat more crowded bar (though still not full to the gills). "These are my people. And we have a generally ... hmm, shall we say positive outlook on life? Or so we say as we compare ourselves to the Craftworlds. I mean no offence, but you have more rules than us. And that can make things difficult in other ways - one can become too much the skeptic, too easily strip the wonder from things as one tastes everything at the table at once. You know?" she said, looking to him to see if he followed. "Faenkon, I believe in what we do. It is the only way for me to live. I do appreciate, though, the freshness of a new viewpoint. You bring that freedom. That is a fine paradox, is it not?" She laughed, the sound without malice. "So now I begin to speculate. I begin to believe that perhaps, you are right. Maybe we shall find a literal sword. But if we do, who should wield it?"

@kanila