#lilyliux

[aegeanxcalla]

who?: @lilyliux when?: some point after aventia fell where?: temple to juno

Acquiring the Courtesan's time was no easy feat nor was it particularly cheap either. Calla wasn't noble and she certainly didn't have an elevated place at court. A Tower witch was probably not her typical clientele, but Calla was resourceful, determined, and willing to pay extra for a meeting despite not wanting her services beneath the sheets. She was the only one in the Temple the night of their meeting as promised. This was sacred ground so nothing untoward would occur, though as she saw the Courtesan climb the Temple's steps Calla couldn't help but admire how beautiful she looked in the moonlight. "I imagine I'm not your typical clientele, and that this isn't your typical place of business. Still, I appreciate you giving me your time," she states, her hands fiddling with the ends of her hair. Calla had nerves, and rightfully so. Women like her, strong and beautiful, always made Calla feel like she couldn't measure up. "I thought the setting was appropriate because it's not just your time I want. I want your knowledge as well."

[spiralailani]

Manicured fingers tap against the table before her as Lailani thinks. Change it’s in the air, for all who look closely to see. The Pattern moves and shifts, the Veil fettered against her fingers tugging one way or another with knowing insistence. Iskaldrik’s fall was the prelude to something bigger, something heavier. Old things stir awake, both those who have been hidden in the shadows and those who are meant for the light. Rumors had reached her ears of the nobles gathering in Mythal’s Glade. The All-Mother’s home calls, and soon her justice will be delivered. 

“The pattern protects and destroys as it wills, and we must ensure it remains untouched by anything but the light when the darkness grows near.” There is a cadence that presents itself in conversations such as these. Heavy and thoughtful, two old souls standing before the other and reflecting on what they know and what they don’t. “Do you have a clue as to the provenance of this song? A name perhaps? I can see what I can find, or ask my friends to research it on Arvandoril if you deem it necessary.”

Nature had been out of balance for so long, the world spun on its axis with a jilted tilt, a heavy grasping breath from corrupted lungs and it was on the verge of collapse, poison toiled underneath the Earth's soil as the blight stole flora and fauna for itself. Humanity lost itself along the way, fighting in the gutter for it's bread and butter. Yet she could feel an awakening, Sceafa had visited in her dreams and spoke of the Old Song, of life that was stirring again out of dust.

She was use to a disjointing of spirit and mind, of recognizing familiar ground in her soul of old that her mind of current had not seen and had yet to understand. Lailani was one that understood often before Lily could find the words, it brought comfort to feel so understood in such an uncertain world. "Dark creatures will often desire to fed on the weave, the pattern will protect and yet even fate can be changed. Remember that whatever may come that you are not alone, our voices can topple Queendoms with a united whisper." A breath as a faint smile tugs on her lips. "I had a vision of a druid who had existed long before this age, the vision still lays in shadow, the edges are blurry. It's an old song of a creature that slumbers below the Earth, there is an opportunity for light from it's awakening but an equal moment for darkness."

[akanisxingrid]

Where: Noble quarter

Who: @lilyliux

Even the queensgaurd got breaks, it wasn’t like Ingrid could venture too far as she would have to come back and take up guard again, after all it is what she was paid to do. So she stayed in the noble quarter, finding a bench that she could perch upon. Opening what looked like a dairy she started to write down her feelings. The only problem was it wasn’t private, a few minutes of feeling like she was being watched, her eyes flicked over to a puddle of water. In the reflection she could see Akanis looking over her shoulder to read what she had written. Suddenly she slammed the book close “ Why don’t you give me some privacy huh? Honestly you're obsessed with me.” she huffed allowed to the reflection. But no one else could see him like she could, she must have seemed crazy talking to herself. Then her eyes locked with the woman who looked like she was going to sit next to her “I don’t mean you…” oh now this was awkward.

[aegeanxcalla]

Lily's quip had Calla chuckling. She tried to mind her manners and genuinely practiced holding compassion, but there was little love lost when it came to the upper echelons of society. Those born with privilege didn't amount to much in her mind, but those who worked for their luxuries were worthy of respect—a holdover attitude from a life that was not her own. "Then I won't hesitate to book more of your time in the future. It's a bad habit of mine, but I am insatiable when there is something I want to know," Calla shares candidly, leading Lily on a slow stroll about the sacred temple. "I'm interested in the Veil, specifically where it's weakest. I want to be able to map said locations, but I have no natural attunement to the Veil. However, I imagine you can navigate the abnormalities I seek without much trouble."

Her teachers within the The Harmonium taught her to bore no one, welcome everyone, always keep a smile near and entertain whoever crossed her path. To be a Nightingale meant being prepared for the unexpected and to keep her ears preened for any information as every piece could prove useful later. It was a tower witch that summoned her and her lips flicked upwards as she'll have fun with this one, it certainly wouldn't be a chore to share a night with her and yet it seemed as if the other wasn't in want of touch but instead to inquire into Lily's mind, the knowledge that the other saw her as more than a pretty face was more flattering than any compliment upon her physical appearance could ever be. "You're welcome reprieve from my normal Saturday night which includes the company of a man who has more hair coming out of his ears than he does on his head. How can I help you my dear?"

[spiralailani]

Nightingale meetings are always done in such a way to be inconspicuous. Whether it is just a quick meeting while out shopping, or a more deliberate tet-e-tet in the middle of a bar or a crowd, people rarely understand the true meaning of the meetings if they are not involved. Going to visit the little caged bird that had chosen her own cage in order to gather secrets for their benefit, Lailani takes pain to ensure people believe her believing the courtesan for her services, rather than anything else. It’s not an unbelievable lie, considering how popular the courtesan is, and no one else will be aware of what happens behind closed doors. 

“I suppose it is not strange for old things to awaken now that Aetheron has re-entered the stage,” she admits with a sigh, considering their options as her awareness expands to check that there is no one listening to their conversation. There is no hint of any other emotions nearby, other than Lily’s so she lets go of her expansion and then wraps her ability in a small ball in her chest to give the druid some form of privacy. “Do you now what exactly awakens?”

Who: @spiralailani Where: Lily's private wing within her patron's home

Lily was grateful for the crone who had opened her home for Lily and had paid for her time at the Bards collage, she was labeled by society as crone for her lack of marriage and kids, yet she had a cackling laugh that never failed to bring a smile to Lily's lips. They had carved a home out of society's courts, extending the right etiquette and yet whispers followed them wherever they stepped.

There was information that Lily had yet to gain about what was happening beyond the court of the nobles and yet she could feel the buzz of information that existed out there as if they were insect wings that fluttered agaisnt her skin. She had invited Lailani over for a private meeting in which they could share the secrets they had learned and the influence that was planned to be pressed on others. "We are lucky to be safe, others stand on the fine line between life and death. Change is coming and the old are awakening." It was a dance that she was invited to her dreams that was for the Dúnedain.