Private Tales Seeking Answers in Vel Numera

[Ispir Sione]

Ispir marveled at the rolling, open fields of Vel Numera while walking side by side with Zinnia all the while. Wide, aquamarine eyes drank in the rolling countryside and the sight of the The Jades in the southern distance. He felt... Different lately. More anxious in a way? That felt right.

He felt like a patient with some novel sickness being taken to some renowned apothecary. Which, to be fair, for all he knew Kristen Pirian WAS a renowned apothecary of some sort. Or more likely some renowned archimage. Though he supposed it never hurt to actually ASK Zinnia about her friend.

Suddenly breaking the silence as they drifted through the market where Jade was traded in abundance Ispir would glance at their golden-eyed friend. Only pausing as the rays from the morning sun made Zinnia's eyes shimmer like pools of liquid gold. Her scales freckles glinting in the light beautifully and he would simply stare for a moment. Only managing to summon his voice after a moment to muster himself.

"S-So umm.... Kristen. Is... Is she a mage or some sort of uhh... Smart.... Person?"

He asked incredibly charmingly.​

 

[Zinnia]

Zinnia trudged. There was no other way to describe it. Since the events of Vel Luin, things had gotten more difficult. Being out in daylight felt wrong. She was more covered than ever; Ispir would only get a glimpse of the glinting of her freckles before she pulled up a cloth mask beneath her usual hood.

If there were anywhere in Vel Anir that Zinnia would be safe, however, it was Vel Numera. This was a Pirian holding, and though they were still Anirians with all the hatred they bore for other species, Pirians tended to be much less...harsh about their prejudices. After all, it was because of them that the elven quarters began to open up.

"She's...a lot of things. Smarter than me, for sure. She's a Dreadlord like I a--er...was..." she started, feeling the sting of that recent wound still tearing at her. "She's a noble, the Lady of Vel Numera. She's a follower of Aionus, one of the Celestial gods. And most importantly, she's my best friend."

And their meeting point was nearby. Zinnia didn't want to have to risk explaining herself directly to the Stormguard, so she'd chosen the marketplace as an initial spot to link up with Kristen in her missive. Hopefully she'd be here soon...

 

[Kristen Pirian]

"But he should be arriving this very day," Mayor Caspian protested. "Surely you won't be going off on one of your excursions again, my Lady?"

Arnold Caspian, Kristen had come to learn, could be a touch rigid—and testy—when things didn't go his way, or according to some design he held dear in his mind. But still she remained in quite the good mood after her return from Alliria and her week with Sable, and so she had perhaps boundless patience for Caspian's more irritating qualities.

"Then you shall deal with Trien Banick and his 'foodstuff inquiries'," she said.

"Yet he specifically requested—"

"Show him Pirian hospitality, if it is so that he must wait."

And with that, Kristen departed the Pirian Estate. She had a more important matter to attend over some trifling request from the Banicks of all Houses. Recently come to her attention was a letter, sent by her dear friend Zinnia, whom she had not seen in some time. She was delighted to hear from her! Even if her letter suggested a rather more discreet visit.

To the market Kristen went, returning pleasantries from Vel Numerans as she went—and hoping not to be drawn into some prolonged interaction. But it was not so. And to the point described by Zinnia, a more "out of the way" part of the market, Kristen went, and upon rounding the final corner saw...

"Zinnia," she said warmly, "it is good to see you."

And she looked to her companion, a curious glance.

"But who is this?"

 

[Ispir Sione]

Hearing the heavy, stinging emotion in Zinnia 's voice Ispir would grimace a bit. His own smiling falling as he studied her for a long, long moment of silence. Only to reach out and gently squeeze before hand for a moment, venturing a small smile, and trying his best to reassure her as he murmured.

"The last thing you ever made me feel was dread anyways Zinni."

He then brightened his smile a moment, peered around the marketplace as it bustled, and followed in Zinnia's wake to the assigned meeting spot. If he was being honest this was the last place he would have tried to meet for something private, with merchants and staff milling around everywhere, but in a way he supposed that made it perfect. Hiding something in plain sight was a valid strategy.... at least sometimes.

When Kristen Pirian arrived Ispir would blink up at her in more than a little surprise. She was... not what he was expecting. He had, like his guess suggested, been expecting an old lady wizard. Even a young one. But Kristen barely looked older than him and more like a warrior to boot. This lead to Ispir blinking rapidly as Kristen greeted Zinnia, only for her eyes to drift to him.

Ispir was, well, short. More than a foot shorter than Kristen even. Wide aquamarine eyes gazed up at her curiously, currently studying her, and Ispir was... odd. He was not usually what many would call 'handsome'. Even Zinnia herself opted to call him 'pretty' and 'cute' instead. But this wasn't necessarily a completely good thing. Ispir was, in truth, almost uncanny in this beauty. His skin was impossibly flawless, his eyes seemed to almost shine, the gradient of aquamarine tiny to his twin-tails was either dyed by a masterful hand or something else entire. He was symmetrical in a way that nobility would kill for and to say he was possibly unnerving in the way a moving statue or painting created by a master of their craft could be called unnerving was very accurate.

Nevertheless at her question Ispir would beam a wide smile, only adding to the uncanny beauty, or just beauty if someone wasn't put off by it, as his features barely formed the natural creases and lines that a regular person would get from the motion. Dipping into a respectful bow Ispir would even doff his cap briefly to introduce himself.

"My name is Ispir, Lady Pirian. It's an honor to meet you."

In truth he had almost called her by her first name but, well, she was Zinnia's friend and he wanted to make a good first impression. But beyond that he didn't say anything else, not yet, and would let Zinnia lead the conversation of explaining why they were here. Mostly because he felt like any way he could describe his own.... mystery.... would sound horribly biased compared to Zinnia giving an observer's perspective.​

 

[Zinnia]

"Hey, Kristen..."

Zinnia wilted slightly under Kristen's gaze. She didn't see her nearly as much these days, and she imagined she'd be seeing her much less in the future. That was painful, but Kristen had long since known about Zinnia's condition. She knew there would be no judgment, and so she went in for a hug. Zinnia had really, really needed the hug.

The gold-eyed girl was about to introduce Ispir, but he did so himself, at least by name.

"Ispir is, um..." she trailed off for a moment. They would probably have to have a talk at some point about the nature of their relationship. For now she'd go with,
"A very good friend of mine. I met him on the road a few months back, and, well...like I said in the letter, he's got an interesting problem that I thought you might be able to help with."

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Zinnia came forward, and Kristen embraced her. Oh, the simple things, those which together amounted to greater blessings, and made life all the better. Nothing quite evoked their long parting like this embrace, and yet in the same instance did pain depart, and gentle warmth renewed.

Then came introductions.

And Kristen looked to Ispir, a face newcome to Vel Numera, and perhaps all of Vel Anir. "Anyone whom Zinnia deems a friend shall know my friendship too. We are well-met, Ispir. I am Kristen Lucretia Pirian, and I am pleased to make your acquaintance. Merely tell me of this problem, and we shall see if it is within my power to aid you."

 

[Ispir Sione]

Ispir would blush just the tiniest bit at being called a very good friend, by both Zinnia and having it confirmed and equaled by Kristen Pirian on principle. He also felt a bit awkward having what he had shown Zinnia be referred to as a "problem" necessarily but he supposed it was the easiest way to communicate the serious nature to Kristen.

In any case Ispir would nod his head and clear his throat politely at Kristen as he began to try and explain.

"You umm.... You see Lady Pirian I have this.... Vision. At least I think it's a vision. Or a uhh..."

He glanced at Zinnia uncertainly before shuffling his feet timidly and looking back up at Kristen.

".... Something like a vision anyways."

He gave a futile shrug, sighed softly, and his eyes would flit back and forth, searching Kristen's eyes for some kind of recognition as he continued speaking.

"I just see.... Nothing. Except some sort of old temple and.... Stars and.... Erm... A voice and a sword. I can't even understand the voice but the closest star tears apart the temple and it seems to WANT something from me but I have no idea what to say or do or....."

Ispir finally took a breathe and paused, lowered his gaze, and shrugged again. Only to mumble gently after a moment.

"None of it makes sense to me, Lady Pirian. Zinnia seemed to think you'd know about it."​

 

[Zinnia]

Zinnia glanced from Ispir to Kristen from beneath her hood.

"It's true. I'm not sure if it's a vision or something else, but I've seen it too. Pretty much exactly as he described."

She sighed and leaned against the wall of a nearby building.

"I really can't speak to what any of it means, but it reminded me a lot of the things you've told me about Aionus. About Mount Dincia. I thought that if there was anyone I knew who might have a clue about this, it would be you, Kristen."

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Kristen's surprise only grew as Ispir and Zinnia spoke and spoke further, and her eyes, the slight widening thereof, gave proof to it.

To Ispir she said, "I..."

She smiled softly—humbly—and looked down for a second in thought and then back to him.

"I would have thought this to be a more worldly problem!" That much was on her schedule, what with that tentative visitation from Trien Banick. "But...mayhap it is not Zinnia alone that has brought you to me."

Kristen glanced about with her gaze. They'd about as much seclusion as one could reasonably expect on the periphery of Vel Numera's market. Still, she'd ask her next question in more quiet tones—a habit of the old days, when the gods were scorned throughout all of Vel Anir.

"Tell me Ispir: are you of the faith? Of Celestialism? Many are throughout Arethil, praise be to Astra, but...not so much here, not in my homeland."

Ispir Sione

 

[Ispir Sione]

Listening to what both Zinnia and Kristen Pirian had to say, especially Zinnia's mention of a mountain and Kristen's question about his faith, before he responded slowly.

"Mount.... Dincia?"

He seemed to be only commenting to himself before he shook his head and responded more directly to Kristen.

"Umm to be honest Lady Pirian I've never really thought about it."

He gave a casual shrug, considering something, before venturing a question.

"This mountain is... Is there something special about it? Maybe especially dangerous or does it uhh.... Mess with people's minds?"

He would fidget from foot to foot, brow furrowed in confusion and worry, as he looked between Zinnia and Kristen for answers. Only to suddenly remember something.

"Oh Right! Celestialism. I met a lady named Lilette Blackbriar who also followed it and her robe was covered in constellations I know. Does that help?"​

 

[Zinnia]

Zinnia simply watched as Kristen and Ispir spoke. At the mention of Lilette, her eyebrows went up.

"You met Lilette, too? You really do get around, Ispir," she said, laughing softly beneath her mask and shaking her head. She looked to Kristen.

"Another friend, a mutual one apparently. Lilette helped me with the whole...investigation thing back in Vel Luin that I wrote to you about."

Zinnia sighed heavily, folding her arms across her chest and curling in on herself slightly.
"She and Ispir are both, um...aware of my condition, too."

She shook her head. This wasn't about Zinnia.

"A-anyways. Ignore me, please, and go on."

 

[Kristen Pirian]

She and Ispir are both, um...aware of my condition, too.

Both Ispir standing here and this Lilette out afar seemed the trustworthy sort, if Zinnia took them into her confidence concerned her secret. But Kristen at present deemed her a coincidence, not necessarily related to Ispir's concern.

For now, she tabled Ispir question about Mount Dincia.

"Ispir, know that keen discernment will be necessary here. The gods may use the unfaithful, the ignorant, and even blasphemers and evil men, all these they may use, such that their will might be enacted upon Arethil. But the ways of the divine appear mysterious to mortals, and are often unknowable in their fullness, though one might well be of vigorous faith and devoted in prayer, seeking answers and signs."

She paused.

"I say these things as a preamble to this: what makes you believe that this 'vision' is divine in nature, and not some worldly impulse? A mere dream, recurring as some do?"

 

[Ispir Sione]

Ispir would nod very slowly at Kristen Pirian 's words about the gods using the unfaithful. Yeah that sounded like hi-. The ignorant. Okay that label was a little hurtfull but no-. The blasphemers. Wait a second he had never blasphemed anything that he knew of. It wasn't until Kristen mentioned "evil men" that it finally clicked that she wasn't specifically talking about him and he nod more readily.

As Kristen paused Ispir's gaze would flicker to Zinnia uncertainly, only to return to Kristen as she stated her true question. A question that, frankly, he had a pretty easy time answer.

"O-Oh. That's easy. I didn't or.... don't? Zinnia thought that it might be related to your gods I had umm... no idea."

He gave a wan smile and shrugged sheepishly.

"I-I guess that makes me the ignorant, huh?"

Rubbing the back of his head shyly he would sigh, eyes closing, before he took a deep breathe and met Kristen's gaze as levelly as he could from a foot below her.

"I could always.... share it with you? If you think that might make things clearer?"​

 

[Zinnia]

Kristen made a fair point, but this was a bit more tangible than perhaps anyone might've been used to. She met Ispir's glance, gave a slight nod, then added to what he was saying.

"Kris, it's...it's not a dream. It's a thing he can do, or...I don't know, a place he can take your mind to or something. Maybe in relation to the, um..." Zinnia stepped away from the wall and closer in towards her companions. "Ispir, could you show her the markings? Or, some of them at least?"

She looked to Kristen once more, pupils already down to slivers beneath her hood.
"What I saw was so much like the emblems and drawings you've shown me from your holy books, Kristen, but it was in front of us."

 

[Kristen Pirian]

"Is that so?" Kristen said. So Ispir had the gift of magic, and what was more, could even share his visions. A remarkable talent, most certainly. One that could help shed light on this matter beyond what mere words were capable of.

"I...must say that I am a touch anxious." And she glanced to Zinnia, reading her and seeking in her countenance to alay her nervousness, figuring that Ispir had used his power on her already. Her pupils were thin, but otherwise she was calm, so perhaps the experience wasn't as harrowing as Kristen's imagination was making it out to be.

To Ispir she said with renewed resolve, "Very well. Go ahead. Show me."

 

[Ispir Sione]

Ispir would suddenly bloom into a brighter blush at Zinnia 's suggestion to show the markings he bore. Staring at her for a brief moment in disbelief before he took a shaky breathe and swallowed. Asking in a somewhat uncertain tone.

"The markings.... Here?"

Feeling far, far more exposed than he'd prefer Ispir nevertheless nodded a very anxious nod as Kristen Pirian encouraged him. Leading to him gently thumbing at the clasp of his cloak, then undoing it gently, and passing it to Zinnia. He then froze up for a moment, staring up at Kristen as his blush crept across his nose, and he lowered his gaze before gently unbuttoning his shirt and pulling it open at the front. Turning his head to look at Zinnia as he exposed his torso.

Upon his chest was a softly glowing, stylized sort of tattoo. At least what at first appeared to be a tattoo. Upon closer inspection this "marking" was instead more accurately described as a sort of divot or trench in his skin that was actually lower than the outside of his skin. As if he had a living leyline imbued into his very flesh. Sculpted perfectly into the lean muscle of his chest and the exact same radiant hue of aquamarine as his eyes. As flawless as his face and every bit of him she had seen prior.

Ispir really didn't want to rush things, not necessarily, but he did feel very....exposed standing there holding his shirt open for a girl he had just met. Doubly so since she was a friend of Zinnia. Triply so with Zinnia standing right there!​

 

[Zinnia]

Zinnia's brows went up, thinking at first Ispir would just show the symbols on his arms or any of the readily more visible designs that marked him. Dumbfounded as she was, she didn't realize how Ispir had interpreted the suggestion until he was already going for it.

"No, wait, I just meant--" she started, throwing a hand out, but it was too late. That same hand then palmed her face in embarrassment. Not for Ispir, but for herself. "Oh, Kress help me."

Zinnia sighed. Well, he'd already done it, so...
"Those. He has those. I don't think they're tattoos, they're more...part of him."

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Kristen had been anticipating, expecting, some manner of divination, the revelatory power of Ispir's. When Zinnia had mentioned markings, Kristen thought it to be part of Ispir's vision, markings upon some monolithic feature there. Kristen...most certainly did not expect them to be etched into his flesh. Much less right on his chest.

She half-turned away, blushing from modesty—and a bit of embarrassment over what felt like a misinterpretation. But Zinnia spoke, explained, and Kristen resolved to turn back and face Ispir again. Bending at the knees she leaned down and forward. Just enough to get a slightly better look.

"Such a practice as this is...beyond my knowledge of Celestialism. I do not know, and cannot say, if this is done elsewhere, by Celestialists in other lands. If there is some connection, I know not."

Another moment of consideration. She met Ispir's gaze.

"But how long have you had these markings? Surely...?"

You remember, yes? So she had wanted to say. But Ispir seemed...mystified by these markings, as though he had awoken one morning and found them suddenly there.

 

[Ispir Sione]

Swallowing thickly Ispir wished he could do what Kristen Pirian did and simply turn away but as Zinnia helped explain his own embarrassment only intensified as Kristen knelt down to stare at his chest intensely. He knew this was purely to try and help him but, well, seeing Kristen interpret it like she had at first and react as she did gave him the impression she at least.... Felt like.... She shouldn't look? He didn't know. This was too confusing for him.

As Kristen looked up at him he all but squirmed in place and met her gaze for only a moment, before glancing at Zinnia and giving her an... Unusual look. Only to then shake his head at Kristen's question. He had to wait a moment to master his voice again, but even then it was obvious he was embarrassed quite a bit by what was happening.

"I-I'm not.... Sure Kristen..."

Her name came out more unsteady and breathy than he intended and he simply had to point his eyes somewhere else. Not at Zinnia, not at Kristen, as he hurriedly explained.

"I've had them for as long as I can remember. E-Ever since I woke up on that mountain."

Closing his shirt shyly Ispir would then turn towards Zinnia and close his eyes, shyly reaching for his cloak as the... Leylines in his skin began to glow more brightly in sync with his emotions, allowing Kristen to see an even more elaborate pattern upon his back through the fabric of his shirt. One of the myriad symbols in his very flesh upon his back was, in fact, the symbol of Astra herself.​

 

[Zinnia]

"Right..."

That one bore explaining too.

"Ispir's an...what's the word...? Amnesiac!" she bristled a bit, proud that she managed to remember the term. Seeing that Ispir was getting emotional, though, she'd put an arm around him.

"Nothing to worry about, Is. It's why we're here, to try to figure this out."

Zinnia didn't know the symbol. But she hoped that Kristen just might.

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Ispir's an...amnesiac!

"How tragic," Kristen said, pained by the woe which had befallen Ispir. "But, though your memories may return when they please, perhaps, if we are so blessed, we need not wait that long for answers."

And, after Ispir had buttoned his shirt once more, Kristen answered his earlier question: "Mount Dincia, Ispir, is not at all dangerous—save for the elements common to all mountains. Nor does it affect one's mind. Rather, Mount Dincia is the holiest of holies in Celestialism, and is believed to be the place where Astra and the Cosmic Pantheon once resided on Arethil."

That faint glow. The symbol. She knew it.

"Ispir...that symbol on your back. It is the symbol of Astra herself. Those to whom Astra is bane—the Dark Ones and their servants—they would not have been able to etch that symbol. Now, that well leaves a great many people who could have done so, believers as well as the unfaithful. But rest assured, that the evil of the Dark Ones did not, and could not, have done this to you."

 

[Ispir Sione]

Ispir would startle a bit as Zinnia hugged him! Not in a bad way of course but it made him pause in surprise before gently hugging her back. His eyelids drooping heavily at the sheer comfort of her presence. Her scent. Fingers would softly grip at her back for a moment before he nodded to let her know he was okay.

Gently peeling himself from Zinnia's embrace he would drink in every single word that Kristen Pirian said to him. He couldn't quite bring himself to look at her directly again. But Zinnia would see the pained, confused expression on his face as Kristen lamented his amnesia. Was it odd that he had never felt particularly sad about what he couldn't remember until he'd started mentioning it to people?

Swallowing at Kristen's words and feeling vaguely ill at the..... Sheer weight of them he would turn to look at her, aquamarine orbs searching her eyes for a long, quiet moment, before he gently took his cloak from Zinnia and folded it over his arms as he crossed them in front of him. When he finally did speak his words were slow, tentative, as if he were afraid he would break them if he spoke them too loud.

"So.... I woke up on a mountain that's a holy place. With no memories. With the symbol of a goddess on my back?"

Remembering something from his first trip to Alliria Ispir would frown and fidget from foot to foot.

"Kristen? Do umm... These Dark Ones have cults all over the place? In Alliria, maybe? One of the first places I went after waking up was there and some people tried to.... T-To umm..."

He lowered his eyes, feeling vulnerable, ashamed even though he had been the victim.

".....kidnap me."​

 

[Zinnia]

Zinnia listened well to what Kristen had to say...the sign of a god? One of the celestials...so she'd guessed right. Just what was Ispir's story?

Ispir pulled away, then made a confession that Zinnia hadn't been aware of before.

"...You didn't tell me that part," she said quietly, sharing in this moment of melancholy with him.

"I'm glad you got away. Glad you're safe."

Despite her own situation, she was determined to ensure he stayed safe.

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Kristen was mildly taken aback, yet again from another surprise. He woke up on Mount Dincia? Not inside the Temple at its summit, surely, for that at least would have borne mentioning.

What a curious case of a man, he whom Zinnia had brought to her.

But now came something that did bear mentioning, and he did so mention it: his incident in Alliria.

Kristen scowled from grim familiarity. "Yes. The Dark Ones, and all manner of evil things, gods or otherwise. Cults fester because the temptations of evil are enticing indeed, for gratification, indulgence, self-exaltation, these are powerful seductions. And evil tempts with comfort and ease, attacking desire and vice, playing on moments of weakness to strike fatal wounds to one's heart and soul."

She sighed.

"As to Alliria...yes. More than one, I would wager, for it is a big city with many dark corners and places of hiding. I myself endured a harrowing incident with cult fanatics in Alliria, so your story comes as no surprise."

 

[Ispir Sione]

Ispir would give Zinnia a small smile. Though all this information, all the confusing emotions and bits of life he has been experiencing made him look just a tiny bit more... Exhausted? The smile didn't quite reach his eyes after all. He would add a small nod for emphasis and answer.

"I have a friend to thank for that. But I haven't seen her since then....."

He sighed and turned back toward Kristen Pirian as she began to explain the breadth and scope of corruption that she had seen. Ispir, quite frankly, just looked scared. He wasn't exactly brave and he didn't even try to hide his eyes widening at her mention of corruption and evils throughout the world. He had, relatively recently he supposed, encountered an evil goddess's influence in the Underrealm after all. Which left an ache in his heart when he thought about the implications.....

But at the mention of her own similar experience Ispir would frown, glance at Zinnia, before turning back to Kristen and simply.... Hugging her as Zinnia had done for him. Though they had just met he would look up at her after he had held the hug for a moment, jaw tensing, and state.

"I'm.... I'm sorry you had to experience that. You seem like a very sweet person. I know how scary it can be and....."

His gaze would slowly lower to the ground before he shrugged.

"It hurts to think about but I understand."

Gathering what scraps of courage he could claim to have he would step back, take Zinnia's hand, and struggle to smile at Kristen through the painful, scary memories but he managed a shaky one before agreeing with Zinnia's earlier sentiment.

"But well... I'm sure Zinnia and I can help keep you safe too, right?"

He was confident in a way beyond words that Zinnia would agree.​