RP:I'm A Believer

From HollowWiki

Summary: Khitti and Talyara happen upon each other in the Adventurer's Guild museum. After a lengthy talk about god swords and religion, Talyara's recruited into the Paladin's Guild, with the title of 'Nature's Advisor'.

Adventure's Guild Museum

Khitti hadn’t quite been able to get around to checking out the Adventurer’s Guild’s museum. When she got there, she was frisked by the guard, much to her dismay, and begrudgingly handed off her katana, Tenbatsu Kaji. There’s a bit of a glare and disapproving frown towards the guard, but she didn’t really fight with them about it. With a shake of her head, she wandered off into the building, peering up at velociraptor, the tapestries, and glancing into the glass cases. She wondered if these were things that Lanara had procured all on her own? Or perhaps they were from her predecessor. Or maybe, they were all just donated from very generous rich people. They seemed to be lacking in the religious relic department, however, and Khitti of course knew why: objects that had literal god power imbued within them were hard to come by. The fact that Khitti even had one was a wonder in itself. If that sword wasn’t sentient, she’d almost consider donating it, if only because it’d be well protected here. But, it wasn’t. The sword could literally take care of itself and the last time it’d been “imprisoned”, it’d found its way to Khitti. She wasn’t quite sure what she’d do without Tenbatsu Kaji, or the holy sprite within it, Seika. But, while items like her katana were a rather difficult find, there were likely to be lesser objects, that were still capable of being powerful. Maybe the Adventurer’s Guild could find them? Knowing where to look was the hard part, unfortunately.


Talyara’s work for the Adventurer’s Guild tended to be behind the scenes as opposed to going on the -actual- adventures themselves. During their meetings she was the one who recorded the minutes—keeping a log of who attended and what they discussed so that things could be catalogued in case they were needed at a later time. She had also volunteered to take testimonies from those in the guild who went on adventurers and the details were recorded for reference. Taly had just finished writing such a testimony (from her brother, Scandal) and was coming to place it in the museum some time after Khitti had arrived. The witch is likewise frisked at the door but she has no weapons on her person so the whole procedure doesn’t take very long. She hums quietly to herself as she moves through the lobby, dropping a small notebook about Scandal’s account of the Sharknado quest in the lobby for anyone visiting to leaf through. Having completed her assignment for the day, Taly decides to take a walk through the museum, which she hasn’t really had the chance to explore to her heart’s content as of yet. As she meanders through the various exhibits, making her way towards the garden, she spies a familiar red head out of the corner of her eye. Backpedaling to confirm her suspicions, she sees the guild’s spiritualist. “Hey Khitti!” she calls out in a friendly manner, striding towards the woman so she didn’t have to shout. “Taking a stroll to acquaint yourself with the museum?"


The redhead shifted her attention towards the elf, offering Talyara a smile as she approached, “More or less. Though, I see I’ve got some work to do in the religious relic department,” she said with a motion towards some of the nearby displays that were very much not of the sort she mentioned. “That sword of mine’s--the one the guard not-so-nicely confiscated on my way in--is one of Cyris’, the god of freedom and independence, but I wasn’t the one who found it. It found -me- rather, so I’m not sure where to start so we can add more things like it to the guild’s collection. Queen Hildegarde did mention once that she wanted to seek some out--preferably Aramoth’s--but I think her duties as Queen might’ve gotten in the way, as they do.” Khitti paused and shrugged somewhat, offering Talyara an apologetic smile, “Sorry. Sometimes I’ve a tendency to rattle on about things that I know a bit about, without realizing that maybe… just maybe… the person I’m talking to might not know to what at all I’m referring.” A smirk soon formed, the last of her words clearly in jest, “Your sister will soon get to deal with that quite a bit.”


Talyara’s emerald hued eyes flick towards the nearby display cases in which Khitti gesticulated and nods in agreement that this wing of the museum seems particularly lacking. She looks back towards the redhead when she makes her comment about the sword that was taken and Taly wrinkles her nose—while she didn’t carry any weapons that warranted seizing, she knew that the guard wasn’t the most friendly and had bristled more than his fair share of people. The witch is not well versed in the specific names of the gods that Khitti speaks of but both are familiar to her; she knew that Zahrani was a paladin of Cyris and, living in Frostmaw, she knew who Aramoth was and what he meant to Queen Hildegarde. At her apology, Talyara quickly waves Khitti off and offers a reassuring smile. “Oh no, please! Talk away! I freely admit my ignorance on the nuances of the gods you speak for I’ve only worked with a general God and Goddess but I don’t mind you speaking of them, even if I don’t know what you’re talking about! It’s good for my own edification.” Talyara’s eyes skim back over the various artifacts, or lack thereof, before posing a question. “That god you spoke of, Cyris. Did he wish you to have this sword? Is that how it came to be in your possession?"


“I honestly am not for sure. Seika won’t tell me.” Khitti paused, backtracked somewhat, and clarified things for the witch, “Seika’s the sprite that was bound to the sword when it was made some time ago. I assumed it just sought me out because it wasn’t keen on being kept by the dwarves in Craughmoyle or stolen away by that drow matron, Gevurah.” She shrugged a bit, then peered around the room, “I couldn’t even understand the sprite in the beginning either. Something about the Shadow Plane magic I had at the time was keeping all the dots from connecting, so to speak. I guess it’s darker than most that’s used here, or something.” Shaking her head, she focused on Talyara again, clearing her mind of her musings to go back to the conversation at hand, “If he did, I’m not really sure why. I don’t quite even understand why it left a paladin like Kelovath in the first place. He follows a different god, but the intent of good is still basically the same. But, I guess he’s not the first to have had it, either. I guess it could just purely be that it’s better for some -not- to know. For the sake of keeping egos in check and from zealotry taking hold, as it does with some.” Khitti was hopefully not boring the elf with her rambling, crimson brows knitting together in vague confusion, “Why do you ask? I’m somewhat familiar with the god and goddess you speak of… Lanara told me about it the night she joined my guild, and I hers. And… a horse goddess? Rhiannon, I think she said. It’s not one I’ve heard of, here or in my own homeland, so I’m assuming she’s from wherever you two come from?”


Talyara blinks when Khitti mentions the name Seika. Was that another god she was unfamiliar with? Apparently not, as the redhead goes on to explain that it is the sprite which lives within her weapon. She is about to inquire on Seika further when the mention of Gevurah’s name sours her expression, the witch crinkling her nose in disgust. Talyara was a not like others who held inherent distaste for the drow (despite what they had done to her village, to her mother, to her) but she had interactions with Gevurah before and she did not like that woman at all. Taly’s face sobers as she listens to Khitti speaking, drinking in every word with extreme interest. She was not a paladin, hell she didn’t even carry weapons! Still the thought of a sword, changing owners was quite intriguing. When the redhead inquires about her interest in it, Taly flushes and laughs shyly. “Oh! No reason! I just found it so fascinating, sorry! You’re probably tired of explaining that story.” When she mentions speaking to Lanara on gods and goddesses and conversation on a horse goddess, Taly cannot help but giggle. “Oh! I don’t know about that! Lanara studied at an Academy so maybe she learned more about the specific gods and goddesses there? I only recognize them as a more generic father and mother figure but not by specific name."


Khitti tilted her head somewhat as she listened to Talyara, nodding here and there where necessary, “Ah, I see. I didn’t have that sort of opportunity either, to be honest. I’m almost entirely self taught with a lot of things. And, that’s not even the story I tell the most. The one I seem to have to tell everyone is why I run the Paladin’s Guild the way I do.” That was a subject of much frustration for Khitti and it showed somewhat. With a sigh, the templar shook her head and eyed the area around the pair, looking for a place to sit down. Finally spying a bench, she motioned to it, offering Talyara as seat next to her. “Sometimes I wonder if I should just send the sword off elsewhere, to someone else, and ignore all of this divine stuff. Just try to be ordinary. It’s not like there’s anything bad about being normal. People make it seem like I’m trying to force this down their throats, that I want them to follow the gods as I do. That’s never been my way in anything, and it’s not Cyris’ way of doing things either. I just want people to understand that things aren’t as black and white as they think.”


Talyara ’s lips twitch into a frown at Khitti’s words as she wrinkles her nose for a brief moment as if silently debating whether or not to speak. “It’s not my place, but it seems as if it’s no one’s business how you choose to run your own guild.” Taly shrugs as if this settles the matter before following the templar to the bench and flopping down in the seat besides her. She listens as Khitti talks, digesting her words thoughtfully before offering her own response. “It’s been my experience with the god and goddess that they don’t like being ignored,” she says with a smirk. “If they are sending me messages and I brush it off, they become more…persistent. I would imagine that if this sword chose you, there must be a reason for it and if you send it away, well, I don’t know if things would ‘go back to normal’ as you say.” Taly hunches over slightly, tenting her right elbow on her right thigh and resting her chin in her open palm. “People who believe -anything- is black and white, especially when it comes to beliefs are in denial. The grey area is a much bigger expanse than either light or dark. And truthfully, you need a balance of both anyway. At least, that’s what I was always taught."


Khitti mustered a bit of a smile at the witch as Talyara seemed to understand what she was saying, with regards to the guild. “That’s pretty much what Lanara said too. It would be far preferable if people could think like we do--it’d make things so much easier for the people that do. This is why I was perfectly fine with bringing Lanara into the guild. Because of the nature of your chosen way of life, it helps me to help others understand better. It’s better for people to actually witness others functioning in that morally grey area of life that no one seems to realize is there. It’s just unfortunate that people, like those idiots in Larket, would rather blemish that entirely for their own gain--whatever sort of gain that might be.” The redhead side-eyed the floor on the museum somewhat, her eyes bugging out a bit in thought, “As for the gods, whatever form they take, I’m well aware of how they keep their word on things. Seeing what they do in a positive light makes me a little nervous about going against them ever,” she said, finishing her thought with a chuckle.


Talyara smiles when Khitti mentions that Lanara said something similar and her shoulders shake with silent laughter. It didn’t surprise her in the least. “She is a good addition to your guild, as you said having someone who works within the ambiguity of the grey areas probably helps everyone overall to see that it’s not necessarily a bad thing.” As talk turns to Larket, Talyara breathes out a heavy sigh. “When bad things happen and there’s no concrete explanation, people look for a scapegoat. It’s much easier to point at something you don’t understand and say ‘that’s the reason why’ than having no answer.” The persecution of witches weighed heavily on Talyara’s heart not just because of her own wellbeing, but because of others whom she loved and cared about deeply. When Khitti mentions her own familiarity with the way the gods work, Talyara nudges the templar’s shoulder with her own in a friendly manner. “Don’t let people dwindle your confidence. You were meant to wield the sword and lead the guild. I’m sure you do a wonderful job with both."


Khitti nodded somewhat at the talk of Larket, unpainted lips twisting into a slight frown, “People were like that back home, with anyone that could use magic at all. Bad things -did- happen, and innocent magic users were to take the blame.” She’d been one of them, of course, but she didn’t bring it up to Taly--the witches that lived here in Lithrydel had gone through enough. She’d likely not have even told Lanara, but Talyara’s sister was ever the eager one to hear about new things, whether it was a sad story or not. Khitti drew in a breath and let it out before shifting back to a happier demeanor, trying to lighten the mood again, “Well, I sure hope I’m doing as well as Cyris had hoped of me. Being a leader never seemed like something I’d want to do, but I guess I was called to it, when the sword found me.” Those damned meddling gods. “And speaking of Lanara, I’m to start her training soon. A bit of book work, to learn about Lithrydel’s gods. Likely a bit of weapon or magic training as well--whatever Eli doesn’t get to, anyway.” The templar paused, eyeing Talyara briefly, struggling to find a good way to phrase things, but finally just decided to come out with it, “Do you have any interest in joining? I could teach you as well. Considering the fact that you and Lanara are obviously not the same person, I’m not quite sure if any of that would be appealing to you, but there are plenty of other things. So, the offer is there, if you’d like to think it over. And if you don’t, it’s no big deal--you wouldn’t be the first person to turn me down.” Khitti said this last bit with a smirk, remembering how she’d offered a place in the guild to Encara, only to have the drow just up and disappear without giving an answer.


Talyara and Lanara were very similar in many ways. However, one main difference was that while the other witch was always eager for conversation, ever inquisitive, Taly appreciated the need to internalize things. And while she would never deny someone conversation, or an ear should they wish to speak, she normally does not prod. There was something in Khitti’s tone, though, that made the little witch believe she spoke from a place of empathy, not just sympathy. “There are bad witches out there,” she admits with a sigh. “Just like there are bad priests, bad warriors, bad teachers, bad parents. It doesn’t mean the whole lot of them are bad.” It was a redundant statement she knew, but it hung between them. “Obviously, they saw leadership potential in you. And you’re a mother, that’s like…guaranteed leadership right there,” she adds with a chuckle. When the templar speaks of Lanara’s intended training she nods her head as her emerald eyes flick around the museum idly. However, when Khitti inquires as to whether or not Talyara would be interested in joining as well she does a literal double take. “Me?” she asks for clarification and then quickly adds. “I mean! Well, I didn’t think you’d want someone like me and well…” Taly’s cheeks flush with embarrassment and she huffs out a breath. “Sorry, I’m awkward,” the little witch confesses. “But I’d definitely be interested! Admittedly, I don’t know much about weapons, but Krice is supposed to teach me swordplay as soon as I get my dagger.” A smile curves on her lips as she turns to face Khitti more fully on the bench. “I’d be honored to study under you!"


Khitti lit up as Talyara expressed her interest, her own awkwardness about asking the witch shaken off. “Yes you!” She grinned and nodded, taking in this new information about Krice teaching her, “That’s great! I’m sure Krice will teach you well.” Khitti paused for a moment, tapping herself on the chin briefly in thought, “Is there something that you specialize in? Like Lanara does with animals? Each person has their own sort of title, I guess you could call it. For those of us that follow a specific god, I’ve been pairing that with whatever profession they’ve chosen. Like, Zahrani is ‘paladin of Cyris’ and my own is ‘templar of Cyris’. Your sister received ‘advocate of nature’ on account of how outspoken she is, about her craft and helping others. It’s nothing too fancy, but it allows people in the guild to know whom they might reach out to for specific things. And it’s also separate from ranking up in the guild.” As she awaited an answer, Khitti mulled over possibilities in her head. If only she’d had that psychic blood link that she had when she was a vampire! Things would be sorted out in seconds then, after being able to see what sort of person someone was like, without them having to explain. Alas, that sort of thing was far behind her and Khitti had to settle for doing things the old fashioned way.


Talyara looks extremely relieved when Khitti doesn’t immediately revoke her offer of invitation into the Paladin’s guild due to her awkwardness. Was there something she specialized in? “Uh…” she starts before nipping at her bottom lip in an attempt to think of what her specialization might be. When the templar makes the offhand comment about Lanara being outspoken, Taly instinctively barks out a loud laugh which startles a nearby couple who turn their way, the witch quickly slapping her hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry,” she tells the couple once she’s tempered her laughter before turning back to Khitti. “I’m sorry,” she repeats again with a grin. “I don’t know why I just found that so funny.” The witch’s eyes twinkle with amusement as she once more returns to her thoughts. “Well, I was always great with kids?” she says in an unsure tone. “In my home village when the older members were doing ritual or tending to things within the coven, it was my job to entertain and teach their children the basics of witchcraft. I’ve always had a soft spot for them as well.” Taly shrugs slightly. “I’m…not sure if that’s what you were getting at or not."


Khitti smirked and snickered somewhat at Talyara’s reaction to Lanara’s guild title, and those poor people that the witch startled. She shook her head, indicating that things were fine. In fact, the way Talyara acted reminded her somewhat how she was with her own sister, Lydia. The incident caused Khitti to reminisce, but she soon turned her own musings back to the task at hand, “Oh you’re alright. I’ve not known either of you very long, but you definitely remind me of my sister and I.” She said this with a smile before shifting back to guild things, “That’s exactly what I meant, actually.” Khitti gave it a moment of thought, then offered a title to Talyara, “What about… something like “Nature’s Advisor”? Besides all of the teachings the guild’s students receive on Lithrydel’s gods and what they stand for, I think you could do the same thing with witchcraft. It would certainly aid them all in the future. It’s better to know a little bit about everything, the almost entirely focus on one set thing. That way, depending on whom they work with, when they’re training is complete, they know how to handle a situation better, because they’ll be aware of someone’s customs, depending on their religion or way of life.” The mention of teaching brought Khitti back a bit, to clarify something previously spoken of, “Oh, and when it comes to me teaching you, as well as your sister and anyone else, I promise I’m not awful at the job. I taught for awhile in the Necromancer’s Guild, when I was deputy leader there for a time. And, I won’t force you to do anything you’re not comfortable with.”


Talyara smiles briefly when Khitti mentions that her relationship with Lana reminds her of her own with her sister. It was certainly a familiar dynamic between the siblings. She wanted to inquire more about Khitti’s sister but she didn’t wish to pry. When the templar proposes the witch’s title within the guild and what that would mean, Taly tucks her leg under her body and sits on her ankle, her head tilted slightly as she absorbs all of the information. The more Khitti speaks, the more the witch smiles and bobs her head in agreement. “That sounds…perfect actually! And an amazing opportunity, a title I would be proud and honored to hold.” Talyara is gushing but her words are genuine. “I trust you as a teacher,” she quickly assures the redhead. “If you are the leader, of course I do. I mean, even if you weren’t I still would. I mean…” she trails off and wrinkles her nose. “I’m being awkward again, sorry,” she says with a sigh. “I actually love to learn. About all things, so I’m actually quite excited about this!"


Khitti was quick to reassure Talyara about her awkwardness, “I’m the same way, really. I just don’t seem like it most of the time because I’ve learned to mimic Lionel’s leader qualities as best as I can.” In truth, Khitti was awkward as hell and could muck things up just as well as anyone else. “That guy makes it look like a piece of cake and I envy him for it,” she said with a shake of her head. “Dealing with people hasn’t always been easy for me.” Khitti shrugged, then smiled at Talyara, “I’m glad you accepted, though. I’m definitely excited to get back to teaching. I’m fond of the fighting and whatnot that I’ve been doing lately, whether it’s for Lionel’s campaign against Kahran or whatever other problem decides to fall into my lap, but… teaching was always the thing I wanted to do, besides becoming really good at playing the violin.” As she does when Khitti got excited about things, she started rambling somewhat, but soon remembered one final thing she’d not done yet to officially welcome Talyara into the guild, “Oh! Let me see your hand for a moment. I’ve got to give you access to the guild hall. It’s actually near here in Kelay, right next door to the restaurant. Big stone building. Lots of stained glass. Probably too much stained glass, but I’m a sucker for the aesthetic.” When Talyara held out her hand, Khitti would carefully take it up in her own, and draw the guild’s sigil onto it. In seconds, the sun-shaped rune would glow brightly, then disappear just as quickly as it had shown itself. “There’s plenty to be done there, if you ever feel like helping out. Zahrani’s been in the process of moving refugees from Larket to the guild hall for a short time, until we can find them proper accommodations.”


Talyara gives a small smile when Khitti mentions following Lionel’s example when it came to leading and she dips her chin in a singularly nod. It seemed like forever ago that she had a brief friendship with the warrior where she had witnessed first hand his ability to capture, captivate, and move a crowd. He was a good mentor to have in that regard. When Khitti asks for her hand, Taly immediately offers it and watches the templar curiously. Her eyes widen in surprise, her lips curving in a small “o” when the sigil glows brightly on her palm for a moment. She flexes her fingers curiously even after the rune disappears before flicking her gaze up to Khitti’s face and grinning. “There is no. such. thing. as too much stained glass, by the way.” The mention of the feline transporting refugees from Larket to the base in Kelay is met with a kind expression. “That sounds like great work you all are doing. I’m glad to be a part of it."


Khitti grinned at Talyara’s reaction to the sigil, as well as her approval of the guild hall’s windows. “I’m glad you are too, Talyara.” It’d felt like forever since she came to the museum and ultimately concluded that she should probably head home, “We’ll start your training soon as well, once everything from the holidays settle down a bit. You let me know when you’re ready, alright? In the meantime, feel free to go through the library at the guild hall--there’s plenty in there to learn from and even a section of stuff I added, for whenever anyone needs a break from studying.” Khitti pushed herself up out of her seat and smiled at the witch, “You take care, okay? If you need me, I’ll likely be at the bakery in Cenril or a ship called the Tranquility, in Cenril’s wharf--if I’m not at the guild hall, anyway.” With that said, and if Talyara had nothing else, Khitti would take her leave and head home.


Talyara ’s emerald eyes alight with excitement when Khitti mentions there being a library at her disposal. The witch had always been a reader so the thought of having a whole expanse of books at her fingertips was quite exciting. “Yes, definitely after the holidays will be good. We’ll keep in touch! If ever you need me feel free to check at Lana’s sanctuary, or if you’re up in Frostmaw I have a cottage just north of the Winterberry Garden near the fort. We’ll catch up soon!” With a departing wave to the redhead as she moves towards the exit, Taly would head in the opposite direction, intent on exploring the rest of the museum before she takes her leave.