What is Faith?

[Lalaith Va'lash]

In the twisting, turning, and ever changing conscience of Kali's mind little has their ever been the opportunity to take something entirely on faith.  Not because the opportunities would not have presented themselves though, but because she often wouldn't let them.

Gradually over the last decade or more she has slowly began to shift and slowly she wavers on the edge of a chasm of no return.  Looking to make a final leap or turn back to her old ways.

[Lalaith Va'lash]

Kali : [Party] *She takes a deep breath after her travel, arriving in Hlint.*
Kali : [Party] **She approaches quietly, looking over those at the temple, nodding silently to Amenithrylia and Calise both.*
Kali : [Party] *A little embarrassed she smiles lightly offering a small donation to the temple in exchange for her question.* Do.. you mind if I just stay here a little bit?
Calise: Greetings Madam.  Welcome to Ilsare's Temple Fundraising Center. Would you like to see my wares?
Kali: I would like to donate gold to the temple.
Calise: Oh, a gold donation to Ilsare's Temple Fundraising Center! Do you wish your name recorded for this entry?
Kali: Yes please.
Calise: Excellent, and how much will you be donating today Kali?
Kali: *She hands her a small sum of gold*
Calise: Are you sure you wish to donate to the Temple of Ilsare?
Kali: Yes
Acquired Item: Temple Donation Receipt
Calise: Ilsare thanks you for your donation.
Kali : [Party] *She smiles and whispers thank you in Elven, taking the receipt from the donation, and looking around the structure, her eyes drifting between the statue of Ilsare and the flower garden.*
Kali : [Party] *Quietly she kneels down outside the garden.*
Kali : [Party] *She fumbles with a bracelet on her wrist her fingertips shaking slightly as she closes her eyes.*
Kali : [Party] *In Elven* Reckon' that I've never been much of the prayin' type except in passing, and that its been more curses than prayers..
 Kali : [Party] *She exhales and closes her eyes continuing.* Things been a bit different for me lately ... and *She goes her best to wipe the silly grin of her face* I can't even ever hope to know if'n you'd listen to somebody like me or not..
Kali : [Party] Reckon though that somebody has been watching from up there... So maybe it is you? *She opens her eyes and glances up at the sunlight in the blue sky.*
Kali : [Party] *She closes her eyes, laughing at herself slightly.* I don't know.  Not really hoping to gain anything by it.. sense of peace maybe?  *She grins slightly, her eyes still held shut*  But I guess the ways of the heart are a bit like the Ocean's.. bit chaotic?
Kali : [Party] *She inhales* Never wanted anything from the Gods before.. can't say that I really require anything now.  But maybe that's my problem, hey?
Kali : [Party] Lots of people around me are always devout and prayin, more than just the lip service type.. **She shakes her head a little* But I'd also reckon'd that the God of the gypsy's tumbled from the heavens and was havin' to much fun on Layonara to go back.
Kali : [Party] *Her smirk fades and she becomes more serious.* But I digress...
Kali : [Party] About four years ago somebody up there decided to grant me a gift of hope.
Kali : [Party] First I thought it was a cruel joke.. but when we needed to ask Mist's Priestess for blessing to bring him back.. well.. I ..
Kali : [Party] Guess I learned a lot about me that day.
Kali : [Party] *She pauses for a while, her hands still clasped as she leans back on her feet and opens her eyes.*
Kali : [Party] Maybe your not even listening..
Kali : [Party] **She shakes her head a little, fighting back the tears.*
Kali : [Party] *She closes her eyes again, leaning up on her knees*
Kali : [Party] Guess its enough to say that somethings pierced my heart, whether by you or another..  **She shakes her head a little* Just a little worried about all those other things..
Kali : [Party] Reckon' that you' preach to follow your heart and do well for the hearts of others?  Can't help but wonder how it works when those things are in contrast though.. I guess.
Kali : [Party] Anyway.. *She sighs a little* Reckon' if you are listening.. thanks..
Kali : [Party] *She smirks* otherwise.. sorry for trampling the flowers.. *She moves a little away from the garden, leaning down to pick a red rose.*
Acquired Item: Red Rose
Kali : [Party] *reflex check*
Kali: Reflex Check:  1 + 12 = 13
Kali : [Party] ouch! *She pricks her finger on the rose accidentally*
Kali : [Party] *She laughs a little sucking the blood from her fingertip.* Good to know that even Ilsare's roses have thorns I guess..
Kali : [Party] *She smirks looking up to the heavens*
Kali : [Party] maybe we're not so different.. *She exhales and starts to walk away*

[Lalaith Va'lash]

Several days would pass after Kali's prayer.  Her words remaining secret until a group seeking adventure became a little too proud and fell in over their heads.  Kali fell in battle attempting to come to Tobias' aid.  

For the first time Kali felt the icy grasp of the soul mother's fingertips plucking away at a strand of her bindstone tethered soul.

Shaken, she told Hardragh of the prayer.  Was it an ironic coincidence? or did sending her voice into the heavens garner more attention than she had wagered for.

For the first time Kali now understands the consequences of death beyond the painful after effects and the free trip to Leringard it used to cause.

[Lalaith Va'lash]

Things seemed to go well on this route at first until a note from an employee at the arms spins everything into drama and chaos.  

Kali learns (or thinks) that Hardragh is again seeing another elf named Jaelle. Needing time away to think, she drops everything and leaves the Arms.  Instead of playing the role of jealous lover Kali takes the news completely calmly as if the pain it would cause to get worked up over the issue again was too much to bare.

When she returns to the Arms she learns what consequences her leave caused and seeks and finds Hardragh waiting for her at the temple of Ilsare.

There talk is quiet and calm, although mostly what sent her away was a misunderstanding, for the next several days Kali remains distant from the man she loves.

Although Kali doesn't entirely understand the dogma of Ilsare she gets caught on the part about doing what is best for the heart's of others. When she realizes that another's heart feels as her own she almost abandons her thoughts to the goddess.

A long conversation sends her searching in another path which she had initially passed by years before after having issues with a certain devout priestess.

[Lalaith Va'lash]

*The two sit quietly in front of the fireplace in a private room at the Arms.  A successful opening has just ended. But, a slight emotional distance remains issue for the two.*

Kali : [Tell] Although his eyes were most definitely closed, it seems that for a brief moment when his lips met hers, she 'struggled' with something, as if trying to cope with something.

Hardragh: **runs his hand up through her red locks, pulling her close as he turns slightly and lays his other hand on her waist. His lips but an inch away from hers as he looks back in her eyes,*

Kali: *Her eyes, which were closed up until then open, and look back to his own eyes.  Her eyes, as deep of a green as they ever were watch him for the long moment as she breaths slowly, again her warm breath leaving a featherlight touch against his lips.  She swallows slightly, letting her fingertip trace down the muscles in his arm, as she continues to look back.*

Hardragh: *His fingers trace the back of one of her ears lightly, his eyes keeping locked with hers. He moistens his lip and presses them together in a wistful smile as his other hand slips around her back, pulling her ever closer to him*

Kali: *As if every touch, every breath, every moment is taken in slow motion she moves near him when beckoned closer. Her hand gently placed at the base of his neck where her fingertips trace across his hairline in a barely there manner. She leans forward and touches her lips to his neck briefly in a soft affectionate kiss.*

Hardragh: **He moves slightly, brushing against her as his hand runs down to the small of her back, stroking softly. He tilts his head and kisses the spot below one of her ears and speaks softly* This is all that is on your mind tonight?

Kali: *She exhales lightly and closes her eyes, inclineing her head ever so slightly  to lean back into his touch, his lips, and the softness of his breath against her skin. She moves her hand to caress her palm against his cheek, then opening her eyes looks back to him.* It was, and then it wasn't..  *Her eyes search his with a certain longing after the quiet words pass her lips.* When I closed my eyes I couldn't help but think..

Kali: *She swallows slightly, a wave of apologetic emotion crossing her features as if she suddenly felt a bit silly. She presses her lips together and waits for him to speak.*

Hardragh: [Whisper] *He swallows slightly, his fingers softly trace the back of her neck, traveling down further as they caress the soft and warm skin of her back. He presses his lips together and in a slightly sad smile whispers* Must be dire to pop up at a time like this?

Kali: [Whisper] **She inclines her head a little, smiling briefly at his choice of words, as she listens to his whisper back to her, she starts to speak.... then nods silently, pausing another moment as she looks back to his eyes.* I reckon that the hardest part is knowing that I was able to forgive before.  And then within these last few days when there was nothing to honestly forgive, I cannot seem to forget..  Which pains me, for your sake, and my own.  I hate to even think it, let alone bring it up, but when I close my eyes and consciousness slips away, I'm simply left with why....

Kali: [Whisper] Before you speak.. *She looks to him, interrupting*

Hardragh: [Whisper] *he presses his lips together, nodding slightly*

Kali: [Whisper] Let me finish... because if I don't I'm afraid I might never.. and then I'd probably regret it always.

Hardragh: [Whisper] All right..

Kali: [Whisper] *She swallows slightly, looking back, and facing whatever words are coming with a little difficulty*

Kali: [Whisper] I did pray at the temple of Ilsare.

Hardragh: [Whisper] *his eyes stray for a moment, but quickly lock with hers again*

Kali: [Whisper] More than donate, and visit the garden, I spoke to the heavens for better or for worse.. seeking.. *She searches for a word, but then seems to give up slightly, her tone changing subtly with her next words.* Seeking... I'm not sure what exactly.

Kali: [Whisper] But I did that when you had told me of your deal with G'ork.. and your crystal clear stipulation made.

Kali: [Whisper] First her stipulation, and then her letter, and although it kills me inside to say it, the girl became more than just smitten with your charm in all the times you made acquaintance.

Kali: [Whisper] *She swallows slightly and then continues.* Maybe I can't blame her.  *She glances at the fire briefly.* but it took far longer than I'd ever thought it would to put an end to it... and after the night in Krashin.. *She looks back and trails off before looking back , and starting to speak again.* I know your probably sick to death of it all...

Kali: [Whisper] I want to be able to be there for you.

Kali: [Whisper] *Her eyes look back to his.* And you know that I trust you.

Kali: [Whisper] But if there is something else that I do not know...

Hardragh : [Tell] will check
Hardragh: Will Check:  3 + 11 = 14

Kali: [Whisper] *will save*
Kali: Will Check:  16 + 6 = 22
Kali: [Whisper] *She moistens her lips slighlty but does not speak.,*

*As the silence continues*
Kali: [Whisper] *will save*
Kali: Will Check:  2 + 6 = 8

Kali: [Whisper] *glancing away slightly* Pains me to close my eyes when you kiss me, and see your lips on hers instead..

Hardragh: [Whisper] **he presses his eyes closed tightly for a moment and opens them, looking back at her with his grey eyes, glistening slightly with tears as he shakes his head. He swallows slightly and his voice croaks for a moment as he speaks No.. I..

Kali: [Whisper] *She glances back looking to his eyes, his hurt reflected in her own eyes as they desperately search his expression.  Her expression one of forgiveness as she longingly looks back to him, but holds for him to finish.*

Hardragh: [Whisper] You know all.. **he exhales and drops his arms, his hands resting lightly on her sides* I can't beat the past.. I don't know. *he glances at the fire* I want it to stop haunting me.. us.

Hardragh: [Whisper] **he closes his eyes for a moment*
Hardragh : [Tell] will save
Hardragh: Will Check:  15 + 11 = 26

Hardragh: [Whisper] **then takes a deep breath, looking back at her and smirks apologetically* I don't know what to say.. everything I did seemed to only put more fuel on the fire..

Kali: [Whisper] To be entirely fair, I will never believe it was completely you.. *Quietly as she watches his expression change.*

Kali: [Whisper] But, she does love you. *She inclines her head slightly.* Maybe she won't admit it, and maybe she confuses love with lust or charm. I've barely met the elf..  But she has Brian and who knows wrapped around her tiny finger, and yet its nature to desire that which seems forbidden.. *she shrugs*

Hardragh: [Whisper]  It no longer matters, she doesn't.

Kali: [Whisper] *She raises an eyebrow.* Does that statement change if your answer is wrong?

Hardragh: [Whisper] No... no.. I meant she doesn't matter.

Hardragh: [Whisper] *he smirks slightly* Whatever she feels or think she feels.

Kali: [Whisper] *She moves her legs, her knees passing over his slightly as she moves a little closer to him. Her eyes looking back up to him.*
Kali: [Whisper] *will save*
Kali: Will Check:  6 + 6 = 12
Kali: [Whisper] *She smirks a little, clearly  as if she cannot resist just a tiny bit of their old game, for a moment.* and the center of attention?

Hardragh: [Whisper] **chuckles slightly at that and looks at her, raising an eyebrow* Never shifted.

Kali: [Whisper] *She smiles a little at the humor that passes between them, before sliding her arms around him to hold him.* Tomorrow, or maybe in a few days, I want to go to the temple... but not of Ilsare..

Hardragh: [Whisper] *He slips his arms around her back, stroking her soft skin, halting a moment at her words. He gives her a curious look* Aye?

Kali: [Whisper] **She nods a little as she chooses her words.* At the very least you can tell me what you might tell any new recruit... at most, I' would like to speak to Aine, I owe... we owe her a great deal and I never offered anything of myself in Brandean's stead when she asked.

Kali: [Whisper] *She smiles a little.* I'm beginning to think of some debt as less than chains and perhaps more like anchors.  Which some ships do need, if they hope to weather the worst of storms to go sailing once more.

Kali: [Whisper] *She leans forward, her slender hand reaching towards his ear and gently brushing strands of dark hair away from his features.*

Hardragh: [Whisper] *he smiles strangely at that, looking back at her and runs his fingers lightly down her back, before moving his hands back up, the palm of his hands caressing her soft skin* Reckon that an eye in the storm doesn't have to be a place, aye?     And.. *tilts his head slightly* Was going to check up with her at any rate, aye.

Hardragh: [Whisper] **he leans in and kisses her softly, pulling her against him tightly* I'd like that.

Kali: [Whisper] *She smiles lightly, her eyes looking back to him.* I reckon that it doesn't have to be a place.. *She returns the kiss. this type inhaling deeply, and as she closes her eyes her body is drawn to his in gentle embrace, her fingertips gently stoking his back, her hands move to embrace him, pulling him against her*

[Lalaith Va'lash]

I'm beginning to understand first hand what I believe to be Mist's part of Mist's alliance with Ilsare.

Though proposing to do good for the hearts of yourself, the hearts of others, and the hearts of all.. Ilsare's dogma fancies this chaotic twisting changing emotion called love.

The nature of the thing that can make ones heart pause, skip, and flutter, and proposes some trial and fear, can be, for lack of better words, insanely chaotic.

I do not believe real love to be fickle like a chaotically changing storm. But, more like the ebb and flow of the ocean's great tides there is a quiet persistence that will always return despite whatever storm thrashes at the surface of the waters. It is this persistent sort, that follows such rhythms as the lapping ocean waves, which beats in my heart.

I'm sure there is more though, to Lady Doom's alliance with The Goddess of Love though.

Should one set sail on the ocean's ocean, letting go freely and taking both smooth waters and treacherous depth in kind? Or I wonder, does Mist herself have an anchor to drop someplace.

I found much respect Ilsare, but to do only good for the hearts of others knowing what I know now is something I cannot.

Perhaps my prayer does indeed belong at another temple.

[Lalaith Va'lash]

The small wooden boat bobbed in the waves, tugging defiantly on the old rope that holds it to the dock.  She watched a moment as it moved in the waters, pressing her perfect rose colored lips together as the ocean beyond drew her eyes and thoughts away from everything that surrounded her.
Snapping back to reality she climbed down into the small boat. Hardragh followed, grabbing both of the oars as he started rowing them towards the island.  What normally would have been a fond amusement of watching his strong muscles ripple as he pulled the oars against the water was tampered by the thoughts that entered her mind.
Reaching the island she climbed out of the boat and planted her feet firmly on the ground. The thunder hearkened above and the lighting stuck across the sky and yet despite the rain storm she whispered "Seems.. surprisingly calmer than I remembered."

Walking behind her as her eyes searched the small island and Mist's temple, Hardragh asked quietly "I wonder where you would sit?"

After a long pause, She begins to speak as she tucked stray tangled strands of rain-soaked red locks behind her ears. "I'm confused.  Do you mean me? or us?"

A smile creped across his lips as he looked back to her.  "You"

Kali's eyes traveled around the island as if looking for a spot.  She couldn't help but wonder if this were some sort of test.  What did it matter truly where they sat on the island? The storm raged around them and even her eyes could barely pierce the dark skies that surrounded.  "I'm not sure what your asking" She interrupted her own thoughts, her voice a bit foreign to her in the sounds of the raging storm.

"If there'd be a spot you want to sit and think. Where would it be?" Hardragh added quietly, his hand caressing her shoulder as she passed.

Kali took a long while.  She watched the temple and the surroundings, her emerald eyes dancing alive with every flash of lightening that reflected within their lustrous depths. Slowly she walked beyond the temple to an edge of the island where the waters tumbled roughly back into the sea.  He stood watching her for a long moment.  It had been raining since they left Leringard, but oddly enough it wasn't a cold rain, or, at least it didn't feel like it to Kali that day.  Her soaked clothes clung to her lithe figure as she moved, but that wasn't what made her shiver.

Her eyes fell onto the abandoned and broken ships that littered the ocean waters surrounding the island, when as if sensing Kali's feelings, Hardragh's voice broke the silence once more, "Think the sight is most eerie from there. The ships seem like skeletons in a way, hm?"

She had nodded slightly, agreeing with him in part, but describing how she wasn't sure eerie was the word she would call it.  But, she was at loss for the word she was looking for.

"Maybe it will come to you." He spoke quietly as he took her hand within his, gesturing with the other one a little ways from where they stood.  "Lets sit over there."

She breathed in deep as thunder crashed above them, a small smile pressed into her lips as she followed him. "I think it matters not where one goes on this isle to think.  When your here, no matter at which point on the compass one would stand, you get drawn into the storm..." She had meant the statement in a positive way, but was unsure if it came across that way.
The two sat comfortably near the edge of the island where the land drops  steeply down before the jagged rock-face meets the thrashing ocean waves.  Kali had noticed that Hardragh sat on the very edge of the ground and unlike the time she was dangerously dancing on a cliff's edge high atop Firesteep, this time,  he didn't have that look in his eyes like he was afraid she might fall.

Instead he looked at her and smiled.  "Reckon you never told me about life as a gypsy."

At his words her melodic laughter mingled with the sounds of the waves and the storm above and she smiled back to him, squeezing his hand in hers.* "Aye?  And I thought we'd come here to talk about life as a Misty.  What do you want to know about life as a gypsy?"

The two talked quietly for a while, him curious about a gypsy's sense of home and her explaining more about the attachment that one might have with the people in the caravan, rather than a place to call home. He had grinned slightly as he admitted to wondering  what she was like back then.  Before the Arms.

"I was a child." Was her answer, and then she continued "To most elven standards I was that when I left too."

She had looked back to him at her statement, trying to get a better sense of him at that moment, but she could not.  She continued speaking, talking about the stories and the things she loved when she was a part of the caravan, and then finally, what it was that drove her away from it. "You can only listen to another's story for so long, before dreaming of writing your own."

To that, Hardragh smiled and agreed adding that too often people don't follow tat feeling. That instead they "prefer the comfort of what they know."

Kali then spoke of chains, or rather, the lack-there-of in the caravan, before she got a slightly far off look in her eyes and started to speak about the Arms. "I was surprised that The Arms took such a hold on me.. when it did. I tried  for years to get away from it, but always found myself back there. Not truly because of the stability..., because  even if you stand in one spot long enough, the things around you change.. as they did there too."

With a slight smile pressed into his lips Hardragh replied "Reckon the Arms is quite different from what it used to, heh. Wasn't one of the founders a Toranite?" To that Kali had laughed, entirely relaxed with him and her surroundings she looked back to the grinning Hardragh.

"Thought you'd enjoy that thought." He replied still grinning.

There talk of business at the Arms and the influence that people had on it eventually grew into speaking about Derrick's dealings with priestesses of Mist.  The mention of one of The tides brought a new line of conversation.

"They say that soon enough there will be a change among the Tides" Hardragh stated, smiling slightly.

In reply to her asking of who, he answered that most guessed the Tide of the North.

"Which one is Yash?" Kali tipped her head and asked the question, despite already knowing the answer.

"The Tide of the North."  He replied.

She nodded slightly and the conversation continued.  He had already spoken to her many times before about the structure, or in some cases lack of it, that defined Mist's clergy and the temple. They spoke of Aine liking her chances  at becoming a Tide and Hardragh mentioned that he didn't think it was a wise time for Muireann to try, but that they would have to wait and see.

What followed that was a moment of silence.  Kali's eyes drifted from his calm features to the energetic motion of the tumbling waters below them. But, then as  he spoke those words, immediately her eyes snapped back to him, and she began to listen to the tone in his voice.

"Been meaning to tell you something." Hardragh had pressed his lips together after saying that, the moment being longly drawn out.  

Kali could have all together stopped her breathing and not noticed it.  As it was, a mixture of emotion must have crossed her features as she inquired barely audibly to him, because he smiled slightly and then smirked amused  at her as he replied. "Tis good news... or at least I like to think so."

A wave of relief passed over her.  Why it is that when somebody starts a statement with those six words that over half the time what follows is something bad? or maybe it was just her with him, after everything that had happened.

As her nervousness subsided she looked back to him with more curiosity, smiling at his comment.  "So, out with it already"  She had laughed the words looking back to him as he spoke.  "Well, reckon I have more strands to spare these days." He continued "Kind of a fresh start after the foolishness of the past."

At that she leaned in and kissed his lips, smiling brightly. "Good news indeed."

The playfulness continued between them for a while longer and she made him promise never to start a sentence like that again.  He had again smirked amused as he admitted trying to savour the moment, but then quickly he kissed her to interrupt any objections she may have. "If I ever bring bad news.. I'll promise you flowers first." He added with a wink.

She had returned the kiss, savoring this moment of her own before replying  how she remembered him saying before that only the guilty brought flowers. To which he laughed in reply that one never does see a florist without customers.

Kali continued to smirk slightly, clearly challenging him with her next statement, at which he raised the bar a little.  "Perhaps it's actually a beautiful thing. To feel guilt?" He continued a little more seriously. "Used to be the only boundary in my life... " "Until you started complicating my life that is." The smirk had returned to his lips at that statement before he mentioned how you can only go so far from center till it draws you back.

She bit her lower lip slightly as she smiled back to him in reply. "Guess I did rather well at complicating the hell out of things then.  But don't you for a moment think that you didn't repay the favor in kind."

After which he was rewarded with an affectionate kiss on the cheek, which he returned to her while chuckling softly. "Would hope so."

The next moment, like so many familiar moments passed between them quietly. She would smile as her emerald eyes locked onto his own grey eyes and his lips curled up in return.  Nothing forced, just a quiet moment in which they could simply be together.

"Did promise to talk about Mist.."  His voice interrupted the silence.  "Reckon we did speak about things that grew strong among adversity, aye?"  As the words passed his lips and his eyes looked back to hers and he squeezed her hand affectionately in his.

His hand still clasped in hers she raised them both to her lips and kissed the back of his as the ocean drew her eyes away from him for a brief moment.  The tumbling seas and crashing waves began to give her an odd sense of understanding as she continued to listen to him speak.

He glanced up at the sky and then back to her, explaining that he felt everyone had their own reasons in the beginning to find such devotion, and how, in the beginning his was ambition. As the moment passed Kali's features betrayed her thoughts.  She smiled back to him a little curiously and with a certain sense of quiet acceptance. "I've often wondered that.. " The words passed her lips before he continued to speak again.

She asked him then how the devotion had changed since then, how it had grown. Still holding onto one another's hands they watched the rushing water for a while as he explained to her how he has grown deeper in his understanding since then.  But maybe it was because of the things that enriched his life. He spoke of things changing when some alliances of old were broken.  She remained quiet, listening to his soft words as she turned to him, watching the storm reflect in his calm grey eyes.

"My reasons only sparked the devotion, they were never it." He continued. "Reasons... they matter where becoming a Voice of Mist is concerned."

It was in that moment and the ones following it things seemed more clear in the stormy weather than they ever had before.

"If I can prove my worth in front of Mist's eyes, I am happy. She raised the bar for us all... And she challenges us, to help us grow. Some people see her cruelty. They miss the fact that the trials we face make us grow."

"What else?" She had asked as a smile crossed her perfect lips.  Her expression was curious, likened to that of a child understanding something for the first time and hungry for more information.  In truth Kali's feelings reflected much of what her features displayed.  She had already felt at home with Hardragh, but this.. this was different.  This wasn't about understanding him any more.  It was about finding her own faith, and here on the island admits the storm she was coming closer.

He smiled at her as he continued. "What else?.. Well, it is easy to think that it is just every man or woman for himself. Yet.. her devotion is greatest where people sail her oceans and rely on each other to make their way safely home... A change in the weather can come quickly and unexpected. And the value of a crew is determined by their whole, how they manage to adapt."

The conversation continued and the spark in Kali's tone of voice enlivened as she compared some of the sailors to living in the caravan and they spoke of the ferociousness and necessity of Mist's storms.

"You ever find yourself losing patience?'  The question had passed Kali's lips as a natural part of the conversation, but once spoken it seems to hit a little closer to home than the gypsy realized it would.  

"Occasionally" Hardragh had replied simply, while sucking in his cheeks a bit as his eyes drifted towards Mist's ocean.  He continued "There's a place and time for everything and it's not something you can plan your week on, I reckon."

Kali nodding, agreeing, a smile once more passing her lips as she stretched her feet in front of her and laid back in the wet grass on the island. It was a fair answer, and she stated that it was, but he continued to speak as her eyes watched the storm above.  In truth, he figured the question deserved more of an answer, but wasn't sure what that was or how to say it.

Laying their on the island and watching the storm was really when Kali took that final leap.  Feeling like she could finally place her devotion, her faith into something that wasn't material at all. She confessed this in part to Hardragh, when she thanked him for talking to her about Mist, about helping her to understand. "Ylwamlaanillw" She had said called it  in elven, her tone melodic as the word naturally rolled off the tip of her tongue.

In the next moments that passed another promise would pass her lips as well, one she truly meant and would do what it took to keep it. It started with a curious smirk on her lips and a bit of conversation..

 "was just thinking about something you'd said..About Mist raising the bar, and you'd be happy if'n you could prove your worth in Mist's eyes?" Kali continued looking back to him. "Its a challenge.  Probably greater than any other mastered...  a challenge that many would, will, do.. probably fail and have to climb back up and try again.. each time of course growing and learning from the trial.. Out of all the gods and goddesses... it seemed like hers would be the hardest test..."

Hardragh interjected "A test of worth, not of compliance"  

and Kali continued " Aye, that is what I was beginning to understand."

In that moment Hardragh reached out to her, tucking a bit of stray red locks behind her ear and caressing her back slightly as she confessed never before to be able to see past Mist's clergy, to really see what benefit one might have in devoting themselves to Mist. He agreed that it was sometimes difficult to see past their games.. "And that will be your challenge one day as a Voice of Mist.  To Show her to others beyond the clergy's games, their agenda's?" Kali asked quietly.

Hardragh confirmed and then talked a little more about the Tides and the clerics below them. But, added how things could all change swiftly.  Then, as Kali nodded subtly he touched her cheek and asked if there was anything else, or if she wanted to go home, because he would really like to spend some time with Brandean.

That was the moment she had said it, a slight smile pressed into her lips. "I want to help you, by whatever means.. if you'll have me of course."

He had smiled genuinely and said "I do"  but commented then about the stories it would be worth.  Kali meant what she said to him and in another instance she'd have said it again, just for him.. but this time it was for her too, and for Mist.

It wasn't that she only wanted to help him, but she'd now seen the bar placed high up there too and was ready to rise to the challenge of finding her worth in Mist's eyes.

And some things you cannot do alone.




After that the two left the island to go see their son, thinking of ways they could possibly tell Brandean not to play in the rain, when they were both soaked themselves going to greet him.

[Lalaith Va'lash]

-placeholder-

[Lalaith Va'lash]

*Written on slightly thick cream colored parchment in elegant flowing blue script that echoes of the shape of waves*

----------------

Quiet song
so long
rains pour
into night
Thunder crash
waves thrash
lightening strikes
so bright
Quiet prayer
salty air
swift winds
sailing right
Mist's will
to fulfill
while hard
within sight
Bar raised
goddess praised
faith found
in divine
Cards set
wager bet
hardest test
now mine

----------------

[Lalaith Va'lash]

*Kali sits quietly by a lit candle at her desk, the sapphire ink flowing elegantly from the nib of her quill across a cream colored price of parchment.  

After she finishes writing she reads it over a few times.  Nodding satisfied she sprinkles the parchment with sand and blows gently on it as the ink sets into place.  

Carefully her slender elven fingers and roll the parchment, before she ties a soft blue ribbon around it.  Setting it aside she blows out the candle promising to send it by falcon in the morning.*

For many moons now Kali has continued to write, from poetry and letters, to prayers or simple emotional words and phrases, her pen has hardly been idle.  

At some point the inks shifted from red to blue and the color of the ribbon changed as well.  But, that is hardly what is significant, and sometimes she opts for variety.  

The work is hardly every signed, though it is clear that it is from her hand and her heart.  It is only ever addressed to one person though.

Over time her her faith has solidified into more than just a whispered prayer at a vessels side and over time her love has solidified into more than just an anchor to help stand in rougher waters.

[Lalaith Va'lash]

OOC message to character approvers.

/////

I would like to make a request to have Kali's deity field set from blank to Mist.

While I have not been able to really keep up on her character development thread, she has over the course of the last two RL months developed her faith in Mist in her own way and along side Hardragh. She has also, for the decade (IG) before that, or probably more been in agreement or curious of the Mist and sometimes Ilsare faiths, but couldn't at the time see past the clergy to Mist.

Filatus can attest to the RP surrounding this shift as well as the countless falcon messages that the last post in in this CDT alludes to.

I ask via this method (posting in the private CDQ thread) since it would not be widely known to many PC's yet that Kali has found faith in Mist. She is a public face of a well known establishment and plans to use that to her advantage in the furthering of Mist and her temple in Leringard.

This was developed privately in the private CDT open to Character approvers and GM's and I'd humbly request to keep it that way by not posting in the open forum submissions for the change.

Thanks,

Lala

/////

[Lalaith Va'lash]

Everlasting Embrace
*************

Tonight I saw the skies all alight, with those jagged blue flames. Ripped across the sky, like a life invaded. In a moment... gone. But spoken with conviction.  Stepped up to the fight, in this moment of ambition.  Falling stars, falling sky, falling sands in the glass of womanly figure, fleeting thoughts may pass again
only to return with stronger vigor.

Tonight I felt the soft rains, and smelled the sweet salt sea. Ripples in the ocean, and waves thrashing all around me. Caught within the storm, trapped within the fog, looking for the calm, the calm promise of words spoken. Gale winds, Mist’s gift, the land slides into waters deep, fleeting moment’s pass,
while precious ones we keep.

Today I thought I awoke, to the cold of the bed beside me, empty sheets I thought I dreamt of days as a widowed bride. Caught in reflection, wreathed in thoughts that disguise my pride.  Like the ocean’s ebb and flow while winds wreck havoc on the tides. Cool pride, soft side, and the beats of heart trace. Caught is the storm,
by one moment to embrace.

[/I]

--

[Lalaith Va'lash]

[INDENT][INDENT]Novlar 5, 1430 - Anchored Deep.
---------------------------------

A chaotic heart beats fervently, caged within
its chest. Leaping, pounding as blood pulses
heavily through veins like lightening.

Though unchained its anchored deep, steady
against the ebb and flow of persistent tides.
It withstands. Weathering most storms.

Connected to the senses it leaps again as
eyes spy river waters running deep of
crimson red. Lover’s blood, spillt harshly.

Senses drown to black in thick atmosphere
as breath sinks deep into chest, crushing
weight of the unknown surrounds.

Voice cries out a song of troth as hands
wave pulling weave strands to stop the
river’s flowing.

Eventually again once safe it calms to
beat persistently, and with a love most
worthy of bestowing.
[/INDENT][/INDENT]





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