Stone's Throw

[Charon Tethras]

"Meat buns should be fine."

[Andreas Amell]

"Got it." Flashing a thumbs up, Andreas hurries off.

When he returns, it's not just with a flimsy box made of bark, but with a Gentle at his side. The priest is a merikos dwarf man with an unusually clean shaved face that reveals his relative youth, along with a friendly smile.

"Good evening, guests of Compassion. I hope your bath was pleasing?"

[Charon Tethras]

Charon straightens up, his laid back demeanor gone. "Yes, Brightness."

[NPCs]

"I am Gentle Sam," the priest introduces himself, bowing politely. "And Goodman Andy here has asked for a Shared Blood Reading to be performed between the two of you. Is this something you consent to, freely and of your own will?"

[Charon Tethras]

"I do, Gentle." Gentle, right, that's the right name. 

[NPCs]

"Very good then," he intones, the air of solemnity coming off a touch dramatic, even forced, as the fairly young priest attempts to seem more professional. Or maybe more mystical. "I would suggest you both sit, next to each other regardless. I will then recite a series of prayers and invocations before asking you both to drink for a chalice. Hold the water in your mouths until I gesture that you can swallow." He makes a curved motion with his hand towards his mouth, palm cupped to demonstrate. "The shared water is the link that will allow His grace to determine your kinship."

[Andreas Amell]

"That... seems simple enough. And painless," Andreas adds, having expected this to require a small bloodletting.

[Charon Tethras]

Charon relaxes slightly, also having expected there to be blood involved. "Alright. That I can do."

[NPCs]

Evidently reading their expressions-- or simply having done this before-- the priest chuckles briefly. "Blood is easier and more powerful, yes, but Bastion is Lord of all waters, and for two willing souls, present and assisting, saliva is more than sufficient. Are you both ready or..?"

[Charon Tethras]

Charon nods, a little more relaxed. 

[NPCs]

Getting a mostly firm agreement from 'Andy' as well, Gentle Sam claps his hands lightly, then pushes back his sleeves. "Okay then, here we go." 

Clearing his throat, he sets a goblet on a small stand he'd brought with him, one just large enough for the goblet, a flask and a hand-sized book that he flips through for a moment. "Beloved Heart of all Families, I come before You this evening to ask for not Your Kindness or Compassion, but for the surety of known Kinship."

From that point, the priest slips into fairly decent Celestial. A few minutes pass, the priest glancing down periodically to check the book or flip a page, before he begins waving a hand over the flask. Another couple of minutes goes by, then he solemnly pours the water into the goblet and offers it to Charon without halting his incantations.

[Charon Tethras]

Charon takes a sip, holding the liquid in his mouth as he passes it to Andreas. 

[NPCs]

It's actually far easier to resist swallowing then he probably thought it would be. The water is cool and refreshing, the taste lacking any discernible flavor and yet being pleasant and soothing. If far out stripes even the cleanest well water or the most sparkling stream. Which is rather good, given that the priest continues to chant for another good five minutes.

Eventually, finally, there's a upwelling of pale blue light from the water still in the goblet. When it fades, the water there has crystalized into a small tablet about the size of a playing card. 

"Excellently done, lads. You can both swallow now," Gentle Sam informs then. He plucks the tablet out of the goblet and sets it on the table Charon had been eating at, all while very pointedly not looking at it. "Shall I give the two of some privacy or would you prefer I remain to offer what help or comfort I can?"

[Andreas Amell]

Andreas, eyes locked on the tablet opens his mouth to answer but then hesitates. I'd prefer to be alone but... "Up to you."

[Charon Tethras]

Charon reaches for the tablet, not bothering to answer -- doesn't matter to him either way. Please don't be in Celestial. But if I can ask a second favor, being a distant relative to a Light can only help, right?