The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Zevran]

Also noting the sound of someone nearby but trying to relax, Zevran just grins. "Why thank you kindy," the merikos drow purrs, reaching across the table to rest a hand on Shisou's arm. Beth gives him a look, but doesn't comment on it. "Care for another story? Or perhaps a different sort of entertainment?"

[Shisou]

"What did you have in mind?" asks Shiori, trying to sound daring and seductive but mostly sounding a little nervous. 

[Bethany]

Feeling vaguely protective- and also horny- Beth snickers. "Zev knows all sorts of entertainments... but maybe... how would you two feel about doing some swimming? There's this underground grotto here that's fed by a hot spring..."

[Haliel Lightsong]

In the kitchen, Marian enters to see Haliel brewing a pot of tea. The aasimar doesn't notice her, at least not at first, as she appears to be deep in thought. 

[Marian Hawke]

Marian hovers in the doorway, watching Haliel for a long moment. Should I go to her? No, I should-- I shouldn't get any more attached than I am. Just in case. I don't want to keep hurting her, I... 

But, what am I doing? she wonders, swallowing. Distancing myself from my family, my friends... Then what? What is my Path, if not them? Alchemy, alone? Nobody ever became untouchable through pure alchemy. I should find out if I can do rituals. If I can still... 

She rakes a hand through her hair, changing her mind abruptly. "Hey, do you have a minute? I could use a hand with something."

[Haliel Lightsong]

Haliel jumps slightly, looking over at her sharply. "W- Marian. Sorry, lost in... in thought I suppose, though they hardly feel worthy of the word." She reaches up to run a hand through her hair and smiles wanly. "And yes, of course. I'm always happy to help." Especially you, beloved. But out of respect for Marian's choices, she leaves that part unspoken, if not entirely unsaid.

[Marian Hawke]

"You were raised religious -- surely you know some overly elaborate rites or rituals?" she asks, rubbing the back of her neck. "The ones I know are mostly short-cuts, and I want to test with something that uses the whole seventeen locks: candles, focuses, all the frills. Less mental strain that way."

[Haliel Lightsong]

"I... I know many, yes," Haliel asks, brow furrowing. "Or, well... What kind of rituals? Do you mean ones for faith, reverence and celebration? Or ones with a magical effect?"

[Marian Hawke]

"Magical effect -- divine, arcane, doesn't matter. I need to know if I can do them without causing a migraine -- I'll back off if it starts to hurt. It's one of the last things I haven't tried."

[Haliel Lightsong]

Halial nods, mulling that over. "I only know a handful of that sort, all dedicated to Bastion," she replies tentatively. "Well, I have a primer for one to Astea that I'm learning... maybe you could help me with that one? She and Zanon are well known to be.... rather more friendly with each other than any other Bright and Dark god, much to Vangal's annoyance. Or we can adapt one but..." She wrinkles her nose, clearly uneasy with that prospect, with good reason. Changing rituals is... very risky stuff for a non-expert.

[Marian Hawke]

"As long as it's not like, vows or anything, I could do a healing ritual or something like that," says Marian, hesitantly. "This is--this is part of finding my Path. Big Z will understand, I think."

[Haliel Lightsong]

"No, no vows. It's a prayer of thanksgiving for beauty and a request that the invoker be given a measure of inspiration for their next working. Artistic working, I mean," Haliel clarifies. "Which can help with improvement so... doubly acceptable, I would think?"

[Marian Hawke]

She nods. "Alright. And it's got magic in it? Not just worship? Then-- then I suppose-- since it's Beauty, it might be alright. It might not... but if it goes badly, I want to try a Bastion one before I give up. It could be just that I'm not... compatible with Astea."

[Haliel Lightsong]

"Of course," Haliel agrees. "The ones for Bastion are all healing ones... minor things, nothing I can't do with my innate talent but..." She shrugs. "Did you want to try now or..?"

[Marian Hawke]

"Yeah. Let's -- let's do that," she says, smiling.