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Post by Diocles on Feb 1, 2021 2:07:07 GMT
"So Galadrin protected you, as he protected me!"
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Post by Storyteller on Feb 1, 2021 2:10:31 GMT
"Yes!" I say. "Exactly so! For I said to Cailean that I was a Mariness, that I had been claimed as a priestess by another water god. He knew the name of Galadrin, and at that name, he drew back. He hesitated, and he said that he knew Galadrin, and that his jealousy was legendary even in the Planes. So he asked that I bring Galadrin to him someday, that he might serve Galadrin, too. And he wept for sorrow, for he said I had broken his heart. Then he set that salt tear in a crown and placed the crown on my head. I pitied him, but not for all his beauty could I love him. You and our lord Árón dwell in my heart alone."
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Post by Diocles on Feb 1, 2021 2:16:53 GMT
"So that's what this crown is? A god's suspended tear, shed in sorrow that you could not love him?" Iritari's eyes are wide and wondering.
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Post by Storyteller on Feb 1, 2021 2:19:44 GMT
"Yes," I answer, and his eyes, so dark and sweet, make my heart burst with love. "But how could I love him? My heart is already overflowing, for you and our lord Árón dwell there."
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Post by Diocles on Feb 1, 2021 2:24:47 GMT
You speak more of these things, and having talked to Aethyl, you return to your Master and find him near a sea pool formed by rock. "Are you ready, little ones?"
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Post by Storyteller on Feb 1, 2021 2:26:42 GMT
"Yes, my lord Árón!" I exclaim. My heart is so full of joy that it frightens me. How is that I, little Mairwyn the Mariness, should get to belong to Árón and Iritari?
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Nobody
Alexios Group
Posts: 1,409
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Post by Nobody on Feb 1, 2021 2:34:46 GMT
Aethyl stands in silence, bearing witness to the moment, rejoicing for his beloved Cousin.
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Post by Storyteller on Feb 1, 2021 2:36:39 GMT
I glance over and Aethyl, and I smile dazzlingly bright. I am glad that my dearest cousin is here to witness my joy.
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Nobody
Alexios Group
Posts: 1,409
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Post by Nobody on Feb 1, 2021 2:40:39 GMT
Aethyl catches your gaze, and smiles back.
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Post by Diocles on Feb 1, 2021 4:34:14 GMT
Árón smiles and begins, using ancient Kindor customs, the first being the bareback ride. "It is traditional for any man with a horse to have his love or loves ride upon the steed's back, a symbolic form of acceptance." He summons Achileon, and the pure white stallion whinnies for joy and rears back to show off for Mairwyn, the one who rescued him. Árón laughs. "Like I said, symbolic. I guess in the past perhaps there was a time when a prospective bride was thrown from her lord's horse in disapproval, but I doubt that's going to happen now."
Árón stands back and gestures toward Achileon. Without instruction, you, Mairwyn, are supposed to find a way to get atop the stallion without saddle or stirrup.
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Post by Storyteller on Feb 1, 2021 4:41:26 GMT
I do not know what might be usual, but I am Mairwyn the Mariness--formerly of Ravenwood, and I surreptitiously cast fly upon myself. Then I make as if to jump up onto the stallion's broad back, but instead I fly up, and I settle onto his back.
I lean forward and pat Achilleon's strong neck. "Thank you, so much," I murmur to the noble steed. "For giving me and my lord Árón such joy by your presence!"
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Post by Diocles on Feb 1, 2021 4:47:40 GMT
Achileon prances around proudly with you on his back and makes a quick return to Árón, where he stops and lowers his head. He seems to have been coached on the ritual. Your lord and Master takes you from the steed's back and sets you on your bare feet. "And now for the next ritual, darling," he whispers to you.
Árón announces that this custom is but rarely, for it is only when two males and a female form a triad. You are handed a length of silken rope, and then Árón takes Iritari's forearm and has the Zenji youth grasp his in like fashion.
"Mairwyn, you must wrap this rope around our joined arms, binding them in the looping symbol of infinity. But beware! You must tie the rope in such a way that it will not break, no matter how we tug against it. And Iritari and I will test the rope with all our might."
His green eyes shine with confidence that you can do this task.
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Post by Storyteller on Feb 1, 2021 4:51:39 GMT
I put my engineer's mind to this, for though I do not often play with ropes, I have seen them used plenty--Zuzias was past master at them--and I have studied engineering.
So I make the attempt. (I rolled an Int check, just in case that applied, and I made it comfortably.)
I then add in a little twist of the rope, one I saw Zuzias use, which will make the rope tighten more, the harder they pull.
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Post by Diocles on Feb 1, 2021 4:57:10 GMT
Your natural intelligence at design as well as your experience under Zuzias' tutelage serve you well. The irony makes you smile as you realize that the trauma you endured is now being used in the service of a love it tried to break. Indeed, when you cast your all onto the sea, Galadrin returns to you tenfold.
Árón and Iritari struggle with all their might to pull and break the knot, but they cannot, and the struggle is brief, for soon they are wincing and laughing. "The knot tightens the more we pull?" the Zenji youth asks. "Marvelous."
Árón says nothing, and you know he understands the knot...
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Post by Storyteller on Feb 1, 2021 5:00:07 GMT
I give my lord Árón an almost saucy look, as I say, "Yes, it does." Then I ask, "Do I release it now?"
I am filled with delight, and I hope that my dear cousin Aethyl can have his truelove, too, even if he is a pervert...
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