[The Sanity Center] Baby Steps. (Open!)

[Nixie]

The mans words did have some truth to them; Nixie knew she couldn't very well stay here the rest of her life. And his playful gesture did help to convince her, however bold it was, though she wouldn't admit it. Her only response the crossing of both arms over her chest and a gaze that followed his hand as it reached out to grasp at her arm. She wouldn't flinch away or say anything, but her heart quickened as the two stopped just short of the thin line that separated them from the tricky streets. When he nudged her silently to take the first step, a fleeting hand went to his arm an clamped down with unintentional force. As if perhaps he would be the lifeline that kept her from plunging into momentary madness once more. Pulling him into the streets, she clung to him.

Her first steps, this time, were a lot less terrifying than she had expected them to be. Fully believing that it was thanks to the strangers presence keeping the illusions at bay. However false the notion was, it still helped to ease her mind. And even as mild as the illusions were this time, she was not ready to release him, walking with a tight hold on his arm. Taking in the ever changing surroundings, an uneasy feeling remained. One moment the streets were full of busy people, forcing them to dodge oncoming traffic. Next they were completely empty, their own footsteps the only sound to be heard. More tricks, as she expected, but these ones didn't frighten her nearly as much as the first. Merely posing a surprise that kept her on edge.

Buildings towered over them on both sides, but they remained steadfast, unlike the faces that occupied the streets one moment, only to disappear the next. But as they carried on down the streets, even they started to waver as if you were looking at them through a surface of moving water. Then they sunk down into the ground, a wide open plane and foliage appearing suddenly in their place. The illusion wrapped around the exterior of a large stone building that appeared in the center. Standing with the stranger, she glanced down quickly when she felt flagstone push up through the ground to form a flagstone path that lead to the building. Then looking to her guide with questioning eyes, she wondered if he would know where they were.

[Eridanus]

She finally decided to take the plunge, though her hand reached out to grab him as if he would form some sort of anchor of stability in their travels. That was far from the case, but the vantha allowed her to continue thinking so, such that he could be her psychological anchor in the sea of uncertainty that was her current mindset.

As they walked, the streets changed, reflecting different parts of the city as they strode on. That was strange, for the city was usually not so whimsical. It was as if it was trying to impress this newcomer, quickly showing a collage of various points of interests that it held in order to intrigue her more. Most of the time Alvadas was just like any other city, not like the increasing blur of illusions like this time. Fortunately, time spent in the Underground was enough to keep his mind on the game, and Eridanus remained by far unaffected by the shifting images.

"What's your name anyway? We never really had the chance to properly introduce ourselves. I'm Eridanus," He attempted to make conversation in a bid to distract her from the illusions. It was also his way of bringing her mind off the disorienting spectrum of locations that flashed around them with each step they took.

Finally, the shifting slowed down, as if the city acknowledged that a destination had been reached.

I can't believe this!

The first place the woman led them to was the Temple of Illusions! The elusive Ionu's Temple that he had tried hard but rarely could find access to.

Why you... damn Ionu...

It seemed that the city or the god favoured her or something.

I'm a damn citizen you know! What favouritism is this...

Despite his internal grumbling, he waved his hand and gestured at where they were.

"Welcome to Ionu's Temple, young miss. Since the city deemed you important to bring you here, let's not waste our lucky chance and take a peek inside."

With his hands extended courteously towards the main door, he gestured for her to take the lead.

[Nixie]

After the illusions seemed to still, Nixie found herself standing before what was a giant of a building. A proud one of interesting design. Small windows started down at the pair as if waiting for them to make a move. Moss climbing and twisting up the walls, threatening to conceal the openings in some places, blocking visitors from their sight. Once Nixie was done gawking, and realized she still clung to the mans arm, she was quick to release it and step away; the closeness leaving her feeling uncomfortable.

Returning to a stance not unlike before traversing the Alvadas streets, Nixie crossed an arm over her chest, her other hand holding the pipe. Staring ahead at nothing in particular, or perhaps the temple still, she spoke.
"The names... Nixie." She wouldn't say much more then that, her voice falling silent once more. Though her gaze did shift in his direction for a moment when he introduced her to the place, speaking its name. It didn't stay for long though, turning to look ahead in contemplation this time. Did she really want to take a look inside? Regardless of her answer, it seemed the temple had chosen for her. Even in her stillness, the building seemed to be growing closer, or perhaps it was the stone path that moved her forward. Persuading her to take a futile step back. "You first." She insisted, but before he would have a chance, the doors were before the two, within arms reach of Nixie.

Reluctant at first, she eventually reached out to touch the door, and with contact made, the doors opened for her. Urging her to take a second step back. Shadows seemed to pour out and push back what light shown down on the entrance. A slithering, crawling, darkness that almost pulled at her. Enveloping her, whispered voices tickled her ears, familiar yet strange, all of them seemed to be one. They tugged at something in her, coaxing her to comply with whatever emotion it was they provoked. Frozen in place, Eridanus' presence faded to nothing as if she were alone now. All before taking even one step past the threshold.

[Eridanus]

Now this is strange.

He could feel Nixie's presence when she took a step into the temple. Inside was all darkness, and it was as if that black cloud swallowed her whole. Frowning, he began to dip into his djed pool, focusing djed-charged eyes into the entrance. He could not see anything at first, but slowly glimpses of colour began to show from within the darkness, and he found a sizeable aura just in front of him.

That aura was just beyond the doorway.

Another one of those illusions, huh.

Due to being an agent of the Department of Illusions, an occupational hazard was being overly cautious with supposedly normal illusions like these. Up in the city it was harmless most of the time, but in the Underground, underestimating illusions generally led to gruesome deaths.

Yep. Occupational hazard.

He looked beyond her, and noticed several more auras moving about. The size of the coloured clouds were that of normal sizes indicating average civilians, and several more smaller sources indicated magical objects or animals.

Stop being so paranoid.

Shaking his head, he powered down his use of auristics, taking the step into the darkness. For a split second he was engulfed by the black cloud, and his heart jumped for a moment when he wondered if he had made a fatal mistake.

Then suddenly, the darkness disappeared, and light flooded into the room. He breathed a sigh of relief, though he realized that it was quite obvious to Nixie and he stopped it half way.

The temple this time decided to show itself as made of obsidian stone, though with slightly reflective surfaces. A few others milled about, seemingly lost in their thoughts while a few were on their knees praying at the altar.

"Since we're here, why not pay our respects to this city's patron deity and divine founder?" He gestured, leading the way to the altar.

[Nixie]

The mysterious shadow, or illusion, had temporarily paralyzed Nixie. The voices that tricked her, silenced when another interrupted them and pushed back the darkness that clung. In her stupor, she missed Eridanus' moment of unease, but his words had reached her. Pulling her from what felt like a dream, only to earn himself a slight nod and a mouth hung agape. Having heard him speak, without listening to what he spoke of, it was a mindless response.

Sealing her lips over the end of a pipe and clearing her throat, her gaze followed Eridanus' extended arm. As did her feet as she moved forward in slow pace. What am I supposed to be doing again? He had mentioned something about paying respects, if she could recall correctly. Before realizing it, she stood before an alter, looking garish, awkward, and out of place. While one arm hung limp at her side, the other's hand grabbed at its elbow. Most participants stood off to the side preoccupied with whatever had brought them today, while a few others cast curious glances. Oblivious to them, Nixie turned to her guide, perplexed.
"Why do I need to do this?" She had prayed to gods before; for her brothers safety, or her parents love. But that was when she was young and still held a child-like faith in the mysterious. Now though, through the years of growing and learning, she never dwelt on heavenly realms or hoped for blessings. Let alone gave the gods respect.

OOCAlright, alright, I know this one is super short and maybe lame! :/... I wasn't sure where to lead the thread in this post. I didn't know if you wanted to post again in this location, or move onto another. :x... Sorry! D:

[Eridanus]

"Well it's up to you, m'lady," Eridanus shrugged as he uttered a short prayer to the patron deity of Alvadas.

"An illusion like a play
A play unlike an intrusion
Our minds intruded by day
I'd say it's all a delusion"

The vantha laughed at his nonsensical composition, shrugging while dedicating it to Ionu anyway.

Ionu was the one who created this city, and he just felt that it was only right to pay the proper respects to a god that created a relative safe-haven to the dangerous wilderness out there. He had always felt that the god tended to keep away from him, for some reason, and it bothered him slightly. Then again, perhaps it might just be his own psychology at work and Ionu was really like that.

Who knew?

"When you're done, Nixie, let's go. Your horse might be somewhere out there, and I have a little bit of spare time squirrelled away."

With that, he headed out of the door of the strangely resplendent yet gothic temple, squinting as the burst of sunlight hit his eyes. He had heard of stories of how the insides of the temple often changed to fit Ionu's current mood, and he was not surprised for the city itself often changed as well.

"Where to next?" He mused, tapping his finger on his chin as he awaited the girl's exit from the temple doors.

[Nixie]

Nixie was relieved when Eridanus came to stand beside her, his presence somehow easing the discomfort she felt while shadow's peering eyes were upon her. Glancing at him, her gaze wouldn't linger long before she turned to the alter again, noticing he was paying his own respects. Not wanting to intrude on what seemed to be something private or personal. But to her dismay, it only took him a moment before he was finished and ready to leave her standing alone again. Her eyes following him in his retreat until he disappeared through the doors they had entered a short time ago.

Left to her unease, Nixie's paranoia had her believing that others in the vicinity were watching her again, however unlikely it was. Surely they had better things to do than stare at a silent girl. She couldn't simply walk away though, could she? Surely the temples patrons would find her sudden departure an insult to the god they all worshiped. At least, that's what she thought. So furrowing her brows and concentrating on the alter, she searched for some way to show her respect to Ionu. Eventually settling with the awkward folding of hands and a few mumbled words of her own. But what words were those; how was she supposed to talk to a god? Thank him? Praise him? Show herself fearful of him? None of them really felt right to her; rejecting the idea that he somehow deserved any of it. So instead she reverted to awkwardly make small talk...
"How are ya doing, Ionu? Is it nice wherever you are?" Unable to comprehend the idea that he could have been everywhere or anywhere within his city; she imagined he probably looked like any other person on the streets. Then after a pause and some more silence, she felt silly, as if she had been waiting for a reply that would undoubtedly never come. Clearing her throat, she mumbled a few more indiscernible words. "Alright, well... Bye." With that she turned to follow in Eridanus' steps to the exit and into the temporarily blinding light.

Walking through the door, Nixie bumped into Eridanus outside, practically bouncing off his back with a muffled huff.
"Sorry," she said awkwardly before pausing a moment. "Next can we go someplace that's... not a temple? maybe someplace with less people?" But remembering her journey from the Sanity Center and the people who seemed to faze in and out before her eyes, she realized that a place like that could be anywhere the city wished it, or... Ionu wished it? She still wasn't sure exactly.

[Eridanus]

While he waited, he began toying with the idea of individually observing every passer-by with Auristics. It was a very tempting concept, and he found himself drawn seductively by the knowledge of understanding every person's aura, and anything he could draw from there.

That was when he felt a bump from behind him, interrupting his thoughts.

I really shouldn't do this.

It was one hell of a habit to conquer, and his job exacerbated it for it was one that encouraged continuous and meticulous observation. Still, the citizens of Alvadas had their privacy and he should give that to them. Perhaps he could start by limiting his use of it, and not extending it to every and any stranger. Yes, that would be best.

Shaking himself out of his reverie, he took a step forward, gesturing randomly in front of him.

"Two streets left, up by the yellow brick, then walk in a full circle around a lamp-post!" He sang as they walked. After that ridiculous set of directions, they did ended up somewhere different.

"You look like a drug addict," A statue commented gravely to Nixie.

Eridanus sighed. They were at the Idol Slanderer.

"I don't suppose you could ask that statue if it had seen your horse?" The vantha whispered to her.

[Fallacy]

XP Award! Name:Nixie XP Award: +3 Rhetoric +3 Interrogation +2 Observation Lore: A Dark Tunnel Eridanus Entering the Temple of Ionu Notes: Name:Eri XP Award: +2 Rhetoric +1 Teaching +1 Writing +1 Poetry +1 Leadership Lore: Nixie Entering the Temple of Ionu Notes: Any questions or concerns about the rewards gained please send a PM