Session 36 - So About That Wheel

As Vendetta continues to move across the Stonelands, Aiaoue appreciates Yenush having Yelkin talk to the girl possessing him. She's glad there is legality to it. Yenush notes that his decision has nothing to do with the legality of the whole affair. Oh? Aiaoue promptly turns to Cadence. How are you? Cadence is doing much better now that she isn't overtaken by bouts of anger. That's good! The first step to finding a mate is finding inner peace!

Returning to the Hall of Sprawling Roots, the group is greeted by Mya. Her mother is out on the outskirts of Grand Aetheria and her father's gone. Arkyn immediately chimes in with a: "Gone? I'm so sorry". No, not dead gone. While Aura is managing the borders of Grand Aetheria, Sylvatis took Evandra and Broscoe (and a handful of Aetherians) across Eden's lands back towards Legacy. They'll be moving quite slow so, if the group plans the leave soon, they should certainly catch up with them. She'll get some of the Aetherian weavers to rotate the Iron Arrow towards the gate to Idyllis.

Mya also notes that the Wildlands gate is opened, though Cadence quickly notices that the gate is very unstable. With his arcane knowledge, Arkyn suspects that their must be an issue on the other side. Mya mentions that there used to be wooden components to the Wildlands Gate that are no longer there, so it's taking a bit longer to stabilize the Gate. Aiaoue offers help with the Gate, but Mya notes that she'll have ample time to stabilize it so don't worry about it! Aiaoue also asks if Mya could help use some of the Aetheria fruit she has and make totems that will restor them greatly (rather than to a lesser extent). Mya is happy to help and if she has weeks to work, should definitely be able to construct totems of "Restore You Greatly".

Oh, and there will be a wedding in the near future! You will all be invited! Mya would be delighted if everyone attended. Who's getting married? Mya notes she is! To WHOM? Eden! Arkyn immediately asks if this was with her consent and if she's happy. Mya notes that Eladrin marriages, traditionally, are carefully arranged and given her heritage, a marriage to Eden is a means for her to have a family. While it may not be a traditional marriage, she is content and happy. Arkyn notes that in the dream, Aiaoue was REALLY working on getting Eden to have a match. Mya notes that, in their records, Eden has never taken a mortal consort. She's not certain when the wedding will be as they do need a groom for a ceremony, but she would be delighted by the group's presence!

Arkyn sneaks off without Sayah noticing, though Yenush clocks his exit. Yelkin asks when this conversation with his little brain passenger is going to happen. Yenush thinks its better to get it over with... Yenush asks Mya if she has a suggested location and she offers the Hall of Seasons. Mya accompanies the group up through the tree as Aiaoue quickly ducks off to the Parks. She finds a Spring Eladrin named Attwell and his buzzbur Bitsy. Aiaoue inquires if anyone can ride a Buzzbur. Do you have your Buzzbur license? Nah, just kidding! You can ride Bitsy here if you wish. Aiaoue notes she'll be back shortly then!

Arkyn heads over to the Watering Grove where he begins to partition off a portion of the pools. Some of the Aetherians find the behavior amusing and weave walls of branches when Arkyn isn't looking. With Sylvatis gone, there's a new bartender in charge: a bestial eladrin named Mallora. She sets up Arkyn with some drinks and sends him on his way. Grabbing Sayah, Arkyn leads her to the bath. He's not sure if this qualifies as an Act of Service, but he's trying to show that he appreciates Sayah dealing with him. As Arkyn is still talking, Sayah begins to strip and get into the bath, seemingly amused with Arkyn's reaction as he scurries off after Yenush.

Nessa, Ignorance is Bliss

Aria seems to have been set up with an office and a place to sleep directly in the Hall of Seasons. Cadence happily informs her that no one died this time! That's always an improvement! Cadence asks if Aria knows anything about Nacheevi's Antagonist and while Aria is familiar with the Greatwyrms, she's afraid she doesn't know anything about this Antagonist. Despite having little to offer in information, she is still happy to support Cadence in the endeavor. With other preparation made, Arkyn arrives and casts Telepathic Bond on Yelkin, Cadence, and the presence attached to Yelkin. A moment passes before Yelkin's demeanor changes. In her mind, Cadence hears: "Hiiiiiii~"

I'm Nessa, nice to meet you! I'm so BORED trapped down here ALL ALONE. With Yelkin's body, Nessa waves at Yenush who immediately twitched towards his gun. After a brief moment of speaking with Cadence in her mind, Nessa begins speaking out loud through Yelkin (Arkyn immediately nopes out). Nessa is Nacheevi's antagonist and she supports having a drink, smoking a joint, and frolicing through fields! How did you get into Yelkin's mind? Oh, well he let me! How? Nessa launches into an explanation, leaning in towards Cadence and Aiaoue to note that Nacheevi didn't usually send is first string playthings, but always second the second tier. To bind her, Nacheevi sent people with ties to him who were SUPPOSED to be strong of mind. Nacheevi's so mean, knowing that they'd have to let her into their mind for the chains to work and that she'd have no choice but to TRY as it was her ONLY way to potentially escape. Yelkin was the first one who let her sneak in! Yenush notes that Yelkin DIDN'T let her in. I don't want to HURT Yelking; I've helped him even! How? Well, I've turned his brain to puddy so it's hard for people to navigate it. You what? Don't worry, he's still smart underneath!

Would you prefer a willing host? Are any of you offering? No one steps forward. Nessa turns to Yenush. We should talk about the Wheel. If the wheel was going to crush your brother, would you break it to stop it? Or would you let you brother be crushed, crushed, crushed until he was nothing but dust? Yenush responds that the wheel shouldn't do that. BUT it already DOES! Oh, aren't you blind! Nessa notes that the wheel has crushed thousands, but does it not matter because it's beyond the border of Nacheevi's lands? Nessa notes that the factories of Ah'Shal, churned, oppressed, and killed in the name of advancement... in the name of the wheel. Yenush responds that the factories are another region's affairs. So does justice end at the borders of Nacheevi?

Nessa, despite her chaotic and often frazzled rambling, doesn't wish harm on Yelkin, but she does want to be free. What would you do if you were free? Frolic! Remind Nacheevi that his wheel isn't everything and sometimes you just have to exist! You don't want to end the world? NO! Did you think I would go murder people! No, I don't do that. Nessa is telling the truth, though while she may have never intentionally killed someone, her influence could have resulted in someone's death before. Do you remember what happened last time you were out? Nessa notes that Nacheevi locked her up. He was so mad. There's a pained flicker in Nessa (Yelkin's) eyes and she doesn't elaborate further.

Nessa turns to Yenush again. Don't you think its odd how he micromanages everything? How he masquerades as a human in that standing? Yenush responds that he must have a perfectly good reason to do so. Ugh, you won't live long enough to see, but he'll keep doing it even when a normal dwarven lifespan has elapsed. But how about a proposal! Yenush initially states that he doesn't want to hear it, until Nessa remarks that even a serial murderer on trial has the right to be heard if they take the stand. Yenush relents. Nessa notes that she'll let Yelkin go if she's freed... AND, she'll even remove all evidence of Yelkin's crime! And you can go back to being a family!

Before departing, Nessa turns to Cadence and Aiaoue. Would we be able to speak to you again? Please do! Nessa is incredibly bored (and alone) trapped beneath the lake. I like you both! You're now my friends! And Nessa's influence fades, leaving Yelkin clutching his head. Cadence checks Yelkin over and he doesn't seem to be suffering from anything other than a headache. If Nessa is turning Yelkin's mind to puddy, it's difficult to discern. Yenush gets Yelkin up to speed on what happened. Yelkin seems fixated on the potential to wipe his "crime" from the records entirely. Yelkin admits that he ran, in part, to avoid tarnishing Yenush's reputation, but it seems he was sent regardless. Yenush notes that he asked to go after Yelkin; are you sure thats not just what he wanted you to think?

Yelkin seems to share the uncertainty around what releasing Nessa would mean: would innocents die? How badly would she break the wheel? And if freeing Nessa isn't an option, there is another option: Yelkin sells his soul. He's been - perhaps vainly - holding onto the hope of seeing his parents again when he died, but Eight's offer would remove that possibility. The Order of Blood is recruiting and it would, at the very least, severe Nessa's influence on him. Yenush prods, why do you think you won't seee our parents again? Yelkin is on the run from the House of the Law, how would I ever be able to go to where they've gone? Tired, Yelkin stops the conversation and leaves.

Aria provides a bit of guidance and advise. Mortals exist to remind the gods of who they serve. Caliban holds that it is mortals who hold the reigns of their fate, not he. Perhaps her chaos is a necessary step in the Ordained Order. Cadence thinks they need to do some research. Perhaps there are people they can reach out to in Dremora? Yenush notes that he may have a connection and perhaps Milo might have some as well.

Date Nights and Conversations

  Aiaoue grabs Arkyn and asks him to cast Telepathic Bond on her and Alcide. Now connected to her husband's soul again, Aiaoue returns to Attwell who gives her free reign of Bitsy. Aiaoue informs the Buzzbur that it'll be the two of them. Making eye contact, the Buzzbur buzzes an affirmative. The moment Aiaoue is secure, Bitsay takes off like a professional racing Buzzbur, whizzing through the canopy of Grand Aetheria. After a bit, she slows down, allowing Aiaoue (and Alcide) to look over the far more visible sunset. Alcide thanks Aiaoue for taking him flying again and he expresses that, while unconventional, he's happy to just be here with her. Aiaoue notes that it is partially her fault that he's behind her nose rather than in front of it. Alcide reiterates that he doesn't blame her. While his time may be more limited than hers, he's just happy to spend the present with her until that time comes. And even after, he'll still be there in some way. Aiaoue regrets that it took this experience for her to see that too. Don't regret it; perhaps it was fated. Aiaoue feels the sensation of being held as Bitsy returns them to the ground.
  Arkyn hauls ass back down to the Watering Grove where Sayah is relaxing. He delivers another round of drinks and begins to play the lute. Sayah seems amused when Arkyn asks if he can join her. Sitting 5 feet apart so there's no accidental disintegration, Sayah notes that he should hurry up and get that fixed. He's next on the list! Sayah remarks that Arkyn is perfect just the way he is, even if he can't see 10 feet in front of him. Arkyn responds that he really does need Sayah. She notes that it is nice to be needed. She has a complicated relationship with her mother and it has perhaps driven her to be independent and to put on a "mysterious visage" to guard herself. Sayah begins to laugh as there's a voice from beyond the wall: "ARKYN?" Tree?
  Arkyn runs over to find Teagan near the entrance to his secluded part of the Watering Grove. How's it going? Good. Teagan slaps a hand on Arkyn's shoulder, suppressing his curse (in the bar, Jin passes out). Go get em. Arkyn, with no hesitation, runs back, yells "I'M SUPPRESSED", and then slips and falls into the water. Sayah is still laughing when Arkyn surfaces. You're suppressed? Arkyn clarifies: curse suppressed. Oh? Then why are you still all the way over there. Arkyn doesn't trust his legs so he vortex warps over to Sayah and doesn't let her go for an hour.
  Meanwhile, after giving it an hour, Yenush goes and finds Yelkin watching the sunset. For a bit, they just sit there in silence. For what it's worth, Yenush thinks that Yelkin will see their parents again one day. Yelkin, not fully convinced, is merely taken aback by how quickly he's having to consider his mortality (or potential lack thereof). They're not THAT old yet. Hey, do you remember what it was like to always be the tall ones? Yenush notes he almost always has a crick in his neck from looking up at people now. Their conversation turns to Vendetta and Yenush discovers that Yelkin has REALLY put some thought into what putting a forge in Vendetta would be like.
  Cadence finds Quill in the Bennu. She mentions that she thinks Sayah's tendency to steal Quill's blade isn't necessarily her fault; it's driven by something similar to how Cadence would go "darkness and anger". Quill knows she's not at fault and he should strive to be better than the humanoids. Isn't that tiring? Quill has a lot to live up to. Cadence notes that she was supposed to be a bard, but chose not to much to her parents' disappointment. Quill is familiar with failing to meet parental expectations. Ever met an adult Bronze? They're all on the dot, tight schedules, and his father sometimes doesn't move. But Quill thinks that Cadence's parents are certainly still proud of her and love her all the same. Cadence turns that logic back on Quill, though he notes he destroyed part of Procelain Avenue, that's a bit different. Well, I'd fight for you. Quill appreciates that, though notes it should really be the other way around. The two talk about the lands of Caliban and Quill is happy to divulge all the secret good spots along Porcelain Avenue that he knows of.
 
   

On the Road to Legacy

  In the morning, Aiaoue picks up some Bloom-Apples and everyone boards the Iron Arrow. Idyllis is in the process of being rebuilt. As Mya noted, they are not trying to recreate everything as it was; the people have changed and Idyllis must form in a new era for a new generation of people. The Iron Arrow returns to the tracks and begins its journey – now miasma-free – back towards Legacy.
  When Teagan gets a response from his daughter, he asks whether or not Arkyn heard back from his family. Heard back, what now? Arkyn seems to have absolutely no recollection of agreeing to send to his family. After reconvincing Arkyn that the potential benefits outweight the potential pain of reaching out to his family, Arkyn writes out a sending, gives a copy to Teagan, goes to send it... and then promptly forgets what he was going to do. Obviously if it was important, he'd remember, right?
  Aiaoue keeps watch on the radar and, on the third day, notes a pecularity. Stopping the Iron Arrow, a group of Aetherians are in the process of surveying the land nearby, led by Sylvatis, Evandra, and a tall, lanky Eladrin who gives a very lethargic wave. Arkyn yells to Sylvatis about Mya's wedding. Yes, Sylvatis did give his blessing before he left. With Evandra now on board, the Iron Arrow continues forward, barrelling into the miasma and approaching the station at Legacy.