IceAndWave/TheMorningAfter
The Morning After
In which family is introduced, cheating occurs, and the sweetness of candy is discussed...
The 1st Day of Ascending Air, Realm Year 764
The summer sun shines onto the bed on which Sian & Aia collapsed after the partying and drinking of last night. All of Whitewall, it seems, joined in the celebrations, and when the Syndics made a rare public appearance on a balcony of their Palace the cheer that rose into the sky shook the high roofs of the city.
Aia stirs, yelping as a beam of light shines straight into her eyes, "Oooh! Ow!" She rolls out of the way, and knocks her head straight into Sian's. "Ow!"
"Ow." Sian rubs his forehead. "Too early for ow."
Aia rubs her head too, sitting up, and then holding it, "Owwww..." She moans, "Sorry, but... the sun... my eyes."
"'s okay." He yawns hugely, and stretches. "Mmm... good sleep."
"Oh yes," Aia smiles, "And a good party, too. I think most of the city is still asleep after that."
"Heh. Most likely. Don't blame them, though." He rolls onto his side, resting against the warm catgirl's legs.
"No, I don't," Aia reaches down and ruffles Sian's hair, "Who ever thought that the world would look so good?"
"Certainly looks good from where I am." He grins.
Aia looks down at him, and then twists away, "Pervert." She grins back.
Sian just laughs, and sits up, giving her a kiss. "Wanna go get some breakfast?"
"Lunch, I think, looking at the sun." Aia nods, and then winces. "At least my head doesn't hurt as bad as it has."
"We'll see if there's a herbalist open. Maybe find you something for that."
"I'll be OK. It's not bad. Today I don't mind having a headache. I wasn't even sure that there was going to be a today." She slides over to Sian and kisses him deeply. "There is. I'm happy."
Sian smiles a little as the kiss ends. "Same here."
Aia slides off the bed and searches for some clothes, "Are we going out for food?"
"Yeah. Might go see if the inn is open... Ishandia is probably one of the few people awake." He likewise locates his pants and shirt.
"Ishandia...?" Aia stands up, clutching a blouse to her breasts, "Your mother?"
"Yeah. Seems like as good a day as any for you two to meet." He sits on the bed when he's done dressing.
Aia nods slowly, "I guess..." She pulls on the blouse, and then looks for some pants, "It's just... does she know about...?" she wiggles her ears.
Sian writes a quick note for Cassia while the catgirl dresses. "No... I don't think I told her. Should be a bit of a surprise."
She nods, doing her pants up and slipping into her shoes. "Well, if she managed to raise you I am sure that she is a living saint."
Sian makes a face. "And I was going to get you fish for breakfast, too. Oh well."
"Evil," Aia glares at Sian.
"Indeed I am." Despite his evil self, he is quite content to carry her outside.
Aia wriggles pleasantly in Sian's grasp, then slips down when they reach the bottom. She looks around, still shielding her eyes a little, "Which way?"
"This way." Sadly, in the direction of the sun.
Aia whimpers a little, and then follows.
Sian rubs her ears in apology, leading her down the street and towards the Jupiter's Shadow.
The large inn is uncharacteristically quiet, with only a single thin trail of smoke coming from its many chimneys and almost no sound from the open doors and windows. Ishandia's voice can be heard from within, mildly berating one of her girls.
Sian lets himself in, and rings the bell on the counter.
"Yes, who is..." Ishandia walks around the bar, "Sian!" The large woman runs up to the Exalted and wraps him in a massive hug, "You're back!"
Sian grins, and returns the hug with equal strength. "So I am."
"When did you get back?" she looks up at Sian and then notices the catgirl behind her adopted son, "Is that... the girl you told me about?"
Sian nods slightly, taking a step back so they can see each other properly. "It is. Meet Aia, my soon-to-be wife. Aia, my mother, Ishandia."
"Hello..." Aia says quietly, looking carefully at Ishandia.
She takes one look at the catgirl and then gives her a hug as massive as the one she gave Sian, followed by big kiss to the cheek. "Congratulations, Aia! He's a fine catch!"
Aia looks a little bemused.
Sian smiles at that.
Ishandia finally lets the out-of-breath Aia down and turns to Sian, "You didn't tell me she was this pretty."
Aia blushes.
"That's because I spend all my time telling her instead." He gives said catgirl a kiss.
Ishandia smiles, before calling out, "Carp! Bring a bottle of ruby out of the cellar. We're celebrating again."
Sian is rather curious to see how the girl is doing, and it shows. Scarlet Carp emerges, carrying a bottle filled with red wine and several glasses. She looks much better than the last time Sian saw her, healthier and not as skinny. She sees Sian and nods with a smile, before turning to pour the wine out.
Sian likewise smiles, thanking her for the drink.
Ishandia notes Sian's interest, "She's been doing well. Her mother is better, I have been told. She was just skin and bones when you brought her here, too..."
"Glad to see she's okay. And you? How have you been?"
"I've been fine. Business has been good, apart from the last few days," she shudders. "I don't think I'll ever forget them."
"Mm, neither will I. I spend most of the third day coughing up blood." He rubs his chest, remembering.
"How awful!" Ishandia hugs Sian, "Better now, I hope?"
"Yeah, it's gone. Still wasn't very pleasant, though." He tries to smile. "At least it's over now."
"Yes. Hopefully things can get back to normal... at least as soon as they can rebury all of those bones," she shudders again, "I was visiting Jurol, I thought I would be joining him soon... and then..." she turns and wipes a tear from her eye.
"Oh, Ishandia, I'm sorry..." His turn to embrace her tightly.
"It's alright..." she sniffs, and sets her shoulders, "We've had worse things happen to Whitewall and we've always come though them. Whatever that was, we'll survive it."
Sian nods slightly. "I'll help you bury them. I'm going to be here for a while."
"Thanks," she smiles, kissing Sian, and then turning to Aia, "He's such a helpful boy."
Aia nods, "I know," she smiles, "He especially likes helping me out of my clothes."
Sian coughs, and manages to look embarassed.
Ishandia smiles, "I could tell you some stories..." she looks at Sian's face, "But I don't think I will. The walls weren't especially thick in our old home, though."
Sian looks even more embarassed. "I can tell letting you meet was a bad idea..."
"I'm only teasing," Ishandia says. "But, really, thanks for the offer to help. Jurol deserves better than this."
"He does." He gives her a quick squeeze. "Do you think you could manage us some breakfast? Been on the road for days... no time for a real meal."
"Of course," she nods, "Anything in particular?"
"Tuna!" Aia pipes up, before sticking her tongue out at Sian.
Sian pokes his tongue back out. "Fine, fine. Tuna it is. And maybe some eggs."
"Tuna and eggs... I'm sure we can do something a little more interesting with that..." she walks over to the bar, collaring one of the maids and whispering for a couple of minutes.
Sian lifts an eyebrow, but knows better to argue.
Aia shuffles over to sit next to Sian, "I like your mother," she whispers, nibbling at his ear.
"Good. She likes you." He slides an arm around her, tickling her lightly.
Aia squirms a little, settling down when Ishandia returns, "Tuna, and eggs, and a little something extra..." she smiles.
"Hrm. Not sure I like the sound of that extra."
"Just some toast, fried sausage, and pickles - to go with the tuna omelette."
"Ah. Thanks." He digs in! Leaving the omelette for Aia.
Cassia stirs in the early afternoon sun. Limbs not her own are laying across her body, accompanied by slight noises from below the covers as her movements register on her companion.
Cassia smiles lazily at the woman, reaching down to stroke her hair, then leaning down for a gentle kiss
"Mmmm," is the response, "Mornin'"
"'s not morning." she says, then kisses again The response is stronger this time, hands sliding up to cup a breast while Cassia's companion melts against her Exalted lover.
Cassia strokes her hair, making pleased noises as the hand moves up. Sian wouldn't be missing her, would he? Kisses change into nibbles, the girl working her way down Cassia, who mumbles incoherently against her skin. Some time later, Cassia disentangles herself from her companion and slips from the bed "I should be going now." she says with a kiss.
"Aww..." the girl, brown hair tousled and sweat-ridden looks up at Cassia, "Do you have to?" she unctuates the word with a sexy gesture.
"Mmm," Cassia nods reluctantly, "I have to." She starts to hunt around for her clothing.
She sighs, "Will I see you again?"
Cassia pulls on the clothes she finds, "I don't know how long I'm staying in Whitewall." She kisses her lover again, "I'll try."
"Please do," the girl collapses onto the bed on her back, gravity doing delicious things to her anatomy. "I'll wait."
Cassia laughs softly, then after a final kiss, departs. She shivers as she steps outside, so much cooler than inside and then heads back through the city to Sian's flat, picking up some food on the way.
The available food is somewhat lacking, most likely due to a majority of the city still being passed out following the non-apocalypse party. On arrival she finds a note, "Have gone out for food with Aia. At the Jupiter's Shadow inn. Will be back later." The note ends with directions and Sian's scrawled mon.
Cassia plucks the note off the door, then sets off through the city to find the inn Sian named, ducking inside and looking about for him. The inn named in the note is large and easy to find. The name is proudly painted above the door in a bright green, and the doors and windows are open, although the interior is obscured by shade. Once her eyes have gotten themselves used to the dimmer light, she looks around for Sian and Aia.
Inside the bright sunlight is replaced by the calm blue glow of lightcrystals, Sian and Aia sitting at a table with a large mound of food in front of them. Also at the table is a large, older woman, her face covered with smile-lines, partaking of the feast. She looks up when Cassia enters, "Yes? Can I help you?"
Cassia smiles warmly in greeting to her "I'm meeting someone ... Hi Sian."
Sian turns to see who it is, then offers a wave. "Hey. Cassia, this is Ishandia, owner of this inn and my adoptive mother. Cassia is a friend of mine."
Ishandia smiles, "Any friend of Sian's is always welcome here." She gestures at a stool, "Sit down, girl. Have some food. There's plenty for everyone, apart from the tuna omelette." Aia makes a satisfied sound.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Ishandia. Thank you." She sits on the stool, selecting a wide range of foods, eating hungrily.
Sian is already mostly full, so just sips at his drink now and again, idly looking around the room.
Cassia slows after a time, "Mmm, I needed that. Thank you, Ishandia."
People are starting to filter in as the over-indulgence of the last night fades into hangovers and aching bodies. Ishandia looks around, "Back to business for this old woman, looks like." She sets her shoulders and gets to hurrying the staff along, seeing to customers, getting the fires going, everything that a large successful inn needs doing.
Sian yawns a bit, and clears up the table, carrying them to the kitchen as he used to do.
Aia smiles, patting her full belly, and winks to Cassia, "Where did you go last night?"
"I found a pretty girl's bed to sleep in."
"Ah," she smiles, "It was a good night, wasn't it?" Aia stretches hard, her ears folding back as she almost triples her length.
Cassia blinks "...Yes," she says, distracted by the strangely elongating Aia.
Aia sits back, smiling after her stretch, and then at Cassia, "He's always so helpful. I can't wait to hear the stories his mother has."
"He is." Cassia laughs, "Those might be interesting."
Sian returns, rolling his sleeves back down now that the dishes have been rinsed. He lifts an eyebrow. "More gossip. I think I will be keeping you women apart from now on... too hard on my heart."
Cassia leans back and grins up at him.
Aia joins in, smiling up at her fiance, "What are we doing for the rest of the day, then?"
"You two can explore, if you like... city should be safe at the moment. I need to go see the kings."
Aia looks up, "The Syndics? I'll go back home, then. They... they scare me a little."
"I would like to see them but..." Cassia shrugs. She could see them another day. "Could you show me around the city a little Aia?"
Aia nods and smiles, "Sure. We can talk about Sian, too."
Sian rolls his eyes. "I think I will go while I am still somewhat ahead. See you later, the both of you."
Cassia grins at Sian then waves "That sounds fun."
Sian disappears, waving in return as he goes.
Cassia picks up some more of the food then looks at Aia, "Well, shall we go?"
Aia nods, getting up, "Yes." She waves to Ishandia and then hooks her arm into Cassia's and leads her out into the city.
Cassia waves to Ishandia too, and follows Aia out into the city.
The palace of the Syndics has an indefinable quality about it that says life has returned to it. Guards welcome Sian and Sliding Joy is, once again, there to manage the schedule of her masters.
Sian greets Sliding Joy with a mild wave of his hand, walking up the hall towards her.
The hall of the Syndics is airy and well-lit, the three god-kings, for once, sitting on their thrones. "Greetings, Sian Nerivus, our."
"Envoy and representative. It."
"Has been too long since we."
"Last saw you."
Sian's stance is unmoving, his expression steady. "With good reason, as I recall."
"Yes, our deception. We."
"Do not ask that you forgive."
"Us, Sian Nerivus. We did."
"What was necessary for the."
"Continuance of our city. We."
"Can sense that you have come."
"Into the power of sorcery, you." "See, so our goal was achieved."
Whitewall is still quiet, the tall tenement blocks reflect the sunlight down, white stone mirroring the heat and making the streets summery. Aia smiles at Cassia, "I like this about Whitewall, it gets almost as warm as home in the sun."
"Where is home?" Cassia asks idly, "Though this is a change from Tideholme."
"Chiaroscuro," Aia smiles wistfully, "My mother is the goddess of black cats. It's been years since I was there." She shrugs, "Mother sent me here. I don't like to talk about it much."
"Sorry for asking." Chiaroscuro... the city of glass... Cassia remembers hearing a story about there long ago...
Aia smiles, "It's OK. Sian rescued me, and that's why I'm here now instead of where I was." She looks around, "Was there anything you wanted to see?"
"I don't know... what is there to see here? All the stories I know just talk about the road and the monsters..." something in Cassia's voice suggesting that the latter might be something interesting to see, not that she suggests Aia shows her.
"My wife was captured and tormented, and our child taken. Forgive me if I do not consider magic a fair trade."
"Nor should you. We accept." "Your censure with a heavy." "Heart, Sian Nerivus, but we have." "Our own burdens."
Sian nods slightly. "But I have her back, now, and I intend to find my daughter soon. You have always provided for me, so I can at least tolerate that much."
"We understood your need for."
"Distance from us, which was."
"Why we only contacted you when."
"It was a matter of urgency."
"Did you obtain Gyren's Star?"
"I did. It is how I found her." He draws it out of his pocket.
The Syndics rise from their thrones and glide across the floor towards Sian. "We are pleased, our most." "Excellent associate. It is a."
"Precious artefact that the."
"Forces of Oblivion must not be."
"Permitted to acquire."
"They almost did. My companions and I were nearly killed retrieving it."
"And our friend and ally."
"Gleaming-Quartz-in-the-Darkness?"
"What became of our."
"Cousin?"
"Well, there is the wall," Aia smiles, and then looks around, "I actually think that the Syndics like keeping Whitewall quiet." She looks up suddenly, "There are the gambling halls. Those are fun."
Cassia grins, "We should have a look around the city a little ... but some gambling sounds fun."
Aia nods, "Just don't tell Sian. I think his head would explode." She grins.
Cassia grins, "I'm not making any promises if we win."
Aia nods, "Win or lose, it's all fun." She winks, "Some of the boys there are very pretty, too."
Cassia smiles, "Mmmm... though I did sorta promise I'd see her again.." Cassia shrugs "It will be fun."
Aia nods to Cassia, "Follow me," she smiles and runs off down the warm streets towards the gambling hall building.
Cassia runs after her, letting her hair stream behind her, dodging around people. She hadn't run like this in years...
Sian reports, "He was killed by the ones who had the Star. The Sentasto."
The Syndics freeze and, for a long moment, they look like nothing more than statues. All three of them speak at once, "We mourn his loss." Tears, sparkling like diamonds form on their faces and fall to the ground where they shatter like glass.
Sian is rather surprised by this, his composed expression breaking. "I... am sorry. I did not get to him in time."
The Syndic's tears fall for a few seconds, before their icy composure reasserts itself. "We thank you for." "Your words. You never met."
"Him, but he was a close friend."
Sian nods slightly, and collects himself again. "I came here to ask you what we are to do from here on."
"You must keep the."
"Star safe. It is vital."
"To the future. Your."
"Desire to see your child."
"Is understandable. We have seen."
"That you will find her."
"Can you help me to do so?" Sian asks intently.
"What have you found."
"Out about why she."
"Was taken from you?"
The gambling hall is a large building, music and light spilling out of the doors. Aia runs inside, to a large open room filled with people gathered around tables. The sounds of dice and coin and laughter can be heard, as the people of Whitewall are somewhat freer with their money on this day than they normally would be.
"Do you have a favourite game?" Cassia asks as she stops behind Aia, her hair falling neatly back into place, looking about the room. This would be fun!
Aia says, "I like Rubies & Emeralds. It's a good dice-game." She tugs Cassia along to the table, quickly explaining the rules and the use of diffent types of dice.
Cassia remembers the rules, of course. So now I just have to work out the tactics, she muses, pleased. This game did seem fun... She starts out playing slowly, as she gets a feel for the game.
The crowd around the table parts for the two pretty girls who arrived with money to spare, and groups of dice are handed to each of them as a new round begins.
Cassia puts forward some money, and some more for Aia if she doesn't have enough for a stake, then picks up a couple of the red dice, throwing them with one of the green. A little risky, but that was most of the fun... They clatter down onto the table.
Sian thinks, "Something about... a gate. The Soulgate."
"The Soulgate is a."
"Failed experiment that should never."
"Have been attempted. It must"
"Not be opened again. Any."
"Price must be paid to."
"Prevent that from happening."
"Any cost."
Sian stands firm before his patrons, "Any costs you may pay, I want to be informed of, if they are anything like what I paid for sorcery."
"Sian Nerivus, the price."
"You paid for power is."
"Insignificant. If sacrificing our."
"City and our lives would."
"Ensure that the Soulgate remains."
"Closed, we would pay."
"It gladly."
"Regardless, I want to know." Sian is unbending!
"Agreed." All three speak that one word.
Sian nods again. "I do not trust you as I once did, but I will still perform tasks, if you ask them of me."
"We understand. We will."
"Send for you when."
"We need your services."
"Once more."
Sian bows shortly, and exits, finding that his audience with the Syndics was, perhaps, unsatisfying - their unbending nature and willingness to sacrifice anything and everything unnerving given the lengths to which they have gone to secure Whitewall's future.
Sian is somewhat used to it by now, but it still worries him. He wanders back home.
Sian finds his home empty. Presumably this means that Aia & Cassia are still out, although the lack of explosions and panic in the streets speaks volumes about what hasn't happened.
Sian is relieved! He flops onto the bed, stuck for anything else to do.
Aia and Cassia run out of the gambling house, laughing after being "asked" to leave by a couple of particularly burly men, a large quantity of winnings in hand. Aia turns, "How did you win that much?"
Cassia shrugs easily, and walks on for a bit "They weight their dice. Only, if you know it's there, you can make them roll the other way." she grins.
Aia grins at Cassia, "So they cheat? And you cheated them?"
Cassia nods and smiles, "Now, do you want to buy Sian a surprise on me?"
Aia's ears perk up, "A surprise?"
"Anything you like. A nice dress for you to wear? Something like chocolates? Do you want to take him out somewhere?"
Aia grins at Cassia, "I know a sweetshop that he might like. It's been too expensive for me to even think about, though. He works for the Syndics, but he doesn't seem to care too much about money."
"Let's go there then." She lets Aia lead her to the shop, and then pick out what she likes, Cassia picking some thing for herself too. The shop is small, buried between two larger houses. The window reveals row upon row of delicate candies and chocolates, the frost at the glass' edge hinting at some enchantment to keep the interior cool.
"Interesting shop you found here." Cassia eyes the frost warily and the chocolates with delight.
Aia nods, "Expensive, though. That kind of enchantment isn't cheap."
Cassia nods, "I'm sure."
Aia walks into the shop, the slight chill that bleeds out from the display visible in the air as the faintest cloud of breath, "Come in Cassia, there's a lot more inside."
Cassia wasn't staring that much at expensive chocolates! She goes inside, shivering a little as she crosses the portal. Inside there are glass-covered shelves behind the counter, and a large glass-fronted cupboard fills up the back of the shop. On what looks like a hundred shelves little candies, each one exquisitely made, rests on a little paper cutout, kept cool to improve longevity.
The proprietor is a fat, dark-skinned man with an apparently perpetual smile on his face. He emerges from a doorway only just large enough for his bulk to fit through, and smiles at Aia and Cassia, "And how may I help you beautiful ladies?"
Cassia's eyes widen as she looks around at the walls of chocolate before she composes herself and smiles to the proprietor, "I think we'd like to buy some of your wonderful chocolate." She glances down at Aia.
Aia nods, "Very much so." Her hand darts around, "I'd like a box with two of these, one of these, a few of those..." she directs quickly, picking out enough candy to fill a small box.
Cassia picks out her own small box with only a little more deliberation. "There."
The proprietor smiles even wider, "It is good to see such young ladies who know about the finer things in life." He scribbles some notes on a slate and lists a price, almost half of what Cassia had just won.
Cassia pays the price from the winnings, then leads Aia out of the shop with a smile and to home.
Aia heads back also, looking forwards to greeting Sian with the candy, although she is unable to resist sneaking one or two on the way. "Mmmm..." Aia smiles blissfully, "They're very good."
Cassia silently curses Aia, and samples one of her own as they walk back. "They are." She quickly closes the box again.
Returning home, Aia knocks once on the door to Sian's apartment before walking in and finding Sian on the bed. She leaps onto him, kisses, "I'm home!"
Sian was dozing lightly (but not sleeping, of course), so naturally this is something of a surprise. A pleasant one, though. "Ah... so you are."
"I bring gifts, too," and she pops a chocolate into Sian's mouth.
"Mmph. Chocolate." He munches away on it. "Not bad."
Cassia shakes her head, "See you two tomorrow."
Aia waves, "Thank you, Cassia."
Sian also waves. "See you."
"Don't mention it Aia." she waves, then leaves the pair, shutting the door on the way out.
Aia kisses Sian again, "How was your day?"
"Could have been worse. Syndics and I are on neutral ground at the moment."
"Oh. Did they explain why they let m... explain anything?"
"So I could become a sorceror, apparently." He strokes her hair slowly. "I'm not particularly happy about that."
Aia starts at that, "What? Why? What is so important about you being a sorceror?"
"They didn't say. Just the usual about it being important and necessary." He sighs. "Same thing they've always said."
Aia nods, "I wish I could hate them, for what they did. But, my mother is a god, too. And gods always have reasons."
"How can you still believe in them? After your mother... you know."
"I don't know. Maybe it's in my blood, but I feel more and more that mother had a reason for what she did," she shrugs and lies flat on Sian's chest, "I do wish that the reasons hurt me less, though."
Sian just kisses the top of her head lightly, hands resting on her lower back. "I don't care what their reasons are. God or no, no-one is going to hurt you again."
Aia whispers, "I love you, Sian."
"You too." He hugs her gently.
Aia hugs back, smiling, "I have the man I love, a warm bed, and some delicious chocolates. Right now, life is very good indeed."
"And the house to ourselves..." He grins.
