[Game Thread] Chapter 6h: Of Bards and Brothers

[Acathala]

On being compared to Morgan, Nallaul is uncertain whether to feel insulted or complimented.
"Well Sulion, I mean Lady, is a great kisser." Nallaul thinks. "I think that the original plan was to have Zilira rescue my party. She had given me a holy symbol of Zilira. I didn't take it with me to the temple, as that is not something you want to be caught with."

[Makenshi]

Morgan glances to Zilira, who shrugs again. "Well, Many Faces did pray to me to get my attention, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised another of them had a holy symbol of mine."

"Can't you see those who hold your symbols?"

Zilira smiles playfully, actually reminding Nallaul of Lady when she does so. "Yes, but it is not omniscience. Unless a follower is known to me, I would have to search, and it doesn't mean I can sense anyone who holds one of my symbols unless I have a reason to look." Morgan simply raises an eyebrow, earning a snort of derision from the Goddess. "Of course I've checked and no, none of them have any symbols of mine. Any more, at least."

The hazel-eyed wizard drums his fingers against the table in thought, quill hovering over mid-writing before letting out a frustrated sigh and carrying on. "I'm assuming that's not everything? Remember, just because she acted, said or even looked a certain way to you, doesn't mean she will do the same for us. Same for her brother and the other one."

~MTWC

[Acathala]

"I'm not being deliberately deceptive. I am just not insightful, which has nearly gotten me killed a lot of times. I think she might have a human mother, as she said that's where she got her eyes from. She might also be working for someone else as she implied she was bound. It might have been a way to stop me asking too many questions." Nallaul looks at Zilira in dread. Tel'shar had warned him what was coming was unpleasant. "I think that it's time. You might spot what I've forgotten or missed. I suppose there are worse ways to by touched by a Drow Goddess, but that's not really helping."

[Makenshi]

Morgan nods. "Mmm. Most of them have made references to some sort of True Magic binding that supposedly prevents them talking about themselves openly or fighting against Zera."

Morgan frowns at his mention of her eyes. "Wait, how would her having all of her appearances since the Underdark have involved her eyes "shining like miniature suns", even when she isn't otherwise radiating lightglowing eyes mean she has a human mother? Celestial blood I could understand, but human?"

He shakes his head when Nallaul suggest that Zilira read his mind. "In time, but first I want to get what I can from you first. As soon as Zilira gets that information it'll be tinted by her point of view and I suspect that we'll need as many angles on these Gods as possible to get to grips with them."

~MTWC

[Acathala]

"She definately had hazel eyes whenever I spoke to her. It's the first thing I notice about a woman. I know it comes from human side as that is not a Drow eye colour."
Nallaul concentrates on his memories of the last few days. He does not want to have missed anything.
"She also claimed to be from House in the city of Chains. That was during the interview with Hali'ara, so probably lying. I am sure she and gadget are familial. Oh Snark is under some sort of wierd vow of silence where he can only quote religious text. He was raised amongst the children apparently
I think that's all I remember that is useful."

[Makenshi]

Morgan looks troubled by Nallaul's initial answer, even pausing in his writing, which earns a concerned frown from Zilira. For a long moment he appears to be lost in thought before shaking his head and continuing to write down everything that the other wizard has to say. Once he's finished Morgan looks over his notes in silence, not having commented on anything that Nallaul said.

"Morgan." Zilira prompts, making the wizard's head snap up.

"What? Oh, right. Thanks for your help, Nallaul. Zilira will interrogate you after you get some rest. For now, I'd suggest heading to your quarters, but remember, you're not a prisoner here so don't feel as if you have to remain in the palace."

~MTWC

[Acathala]

He returns to his quarters, although he does not plan on resting there. Using the staff Xufaer gave him long ago, he creates the entrance to his manor. Assuming it works, he pops through. After a brief trip to his wine cellar, he picked out one of his lesser wines and retreats to his bedroom. Had some wine, then rests. The ordeal with Zilira will likely test all his strength. All of it. Morgan seemed spooked by what he had revealed.

[Makenshi]

[fieldset=OOC]The entire palace is a no-go for any sort of extraplanar abilities (which he'd have been told about), but nothing is stopping him going outside of the palace, opening it up and getting the wine before coming back in.[/feildset]
Zilira didn't show up to 'interrogate' Nallaul until the next morning, where he found her waiting in one of the comfier chairs of the small welcoming room in his quarters once he'd gotten up. She didn't appear to be as tall as she had been before, probably a good head or two shorter than Nallaul if he had to guess, although given her skill at shape-shifting that could change easily.

Zilira was back to her amused and laid back disposition, would be uncaring of any state of undress Nallaul found himself in and, if anything, would seem pleased by any surprise or shock her sudden arrival might cause (or disappointed at a lack of a reaction). "Good morning, Nallaul. Sleep well?"

~MTWC

[Acathala]

Nallaul is not really surprised to see her, although he is naked. It's not something that embarrasses him. Sitting down he says "How nice you take a personal interest in your guest's welfare. The rooms are delightful, and I slept like a log. That is the human expression is it not?" He leaned forward, the scars on his chest, courtesy of Xul'olin somehow becoming clearer defined. "Is that enough to satisfy the banter portion of the conversation? I had a preview of what to expect from Tel'shar, and frankly I would rather get it done."

[Makenshi]

"Very well, if you insist." Zilira stands up and advances on Nallaul, pushing him back down if he attempts to stand up (albeit gently), before placing a hand on either side of his head. "Don't fight it."

Not a moment after her warning Nallaul feels like his head is being literally split open, with images, memories and sensations flittering across his mind almost too quickly for him to comprehend as Zilira rifles through it. It's difficult to tell for sure, as the confused fragments of memory blur time, but even though it feels like a long time until she stops, he's also sure that it didn't last as long as it did.

She pulls away from him, smiling brightly in spite of the circumstances. "Well, the good news is that I don't see any signs of mental manipulation, holes in your memory, or anything else that contradicts what you've told us. I must admit though, I find your refusal of Xufaer both curious and understandable." She grins before adding. "Please tell me that you're not doing it simply for a chance to get into the knickers of this 'Lady in the Light'." Given that she had literally just been rooting around in his brain a moment ago, she was obviously just trying to tease him, rather than actually expecting an answer.

~MTWC

[Acathala]

"I think I finally accepted she was not able to love me back. Don't get me wrong. Xufaer is still very important to me, and I still want to help her adjust to the new world we find ourselves in, but I think it's better we be just friends." He chuckles. "If Tel'shar or the twins heard me say that, they would probably tell you to check my mind again."
He looks directly into her eyes now, something that would have gotten him punished back home. "I think I am actually a little jealous of you and Morgan. The love you share. I hope I have that some day. Perhaps it's that capacity for love that makes me slightly less evil than most Drow. Can I ask you a personal question?"

[Makenshi]

Despite her teasing tone, Zilira merely listens to Nallaul, rather than teasing him any further. She is also quick to respond to his own question. "Ask away, but I make now promises about answering."

~MTWC

[Acathala]

"How do you deal with all the stuff you did in your past?" Nallaul is aware that this might be a sensitive subject for her. He half expects Zilira not to answer.

[Makenshi]

There is a long pause before Zilira answers the question, although Nallaul gets the distinct impression that it is more her thinking on the answer rather than determining if she will answer. "Well, the past is a long time for me. It was born well over a thousand years ago, during the Demongate Wars, and let me tell you, those times were far more brutal than these. Even after the Drow 'switched sides' not much really changed, just who we targetted. Even after it all ended I would hesitate to call myself 'reformed' and, if I'm being honest, I probably wouldn't be anything like I am now if I wasn't bound by the first Vulcar Halva." She frowns.

"No, I guess that isn't quite right. If he'd just enslaved me, used me as a weapon, then if anything I'd have gotten worse." She nods to herself. "Yes, that sounds more like it. I guess you could say that being the mother of a dynasty and a nation shaped me into the woman I am. Don't get me wrong though, I'm not some paragon of virtue. I care about me and mine, 'mine' just happens to include an entire nation and a rather gobby human wizard." She smiles fondly at the mention of Morgan. "Ah, but I digress. You asked how I 'deal' with it? Well, in short, I moved on and found something to occupy my time with. Children, grand-children, many-times great grand-childern and their collective legacy." She shrugs. "I'm not sure if that helps, especially since I was coerced in the beginning."

~MTWC

[Acathala]

"Respectfully Zilira, I think that perhaps you are teensy bit wrong. I am not saying you are a paragon of virtue either, but I think there must have been a very small spark of goodness in the old you that allowed you reform to the extent that you have. I certainly couldn't imagine your mother doing so." He paused. "Sorry that was insensitive of me."