Morning Meetings (Anjalena Palla)

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

He found it interesting how interested in him she was. She wasn’t prying where she didn’t belong, but at the same time she was indeed asking some pointed questions. She couldn’t know what he had gone through. Or how almost every single question she asked seemed to circle back around to those three years of being constantly tortured and abused…along with poisoned. Yes, that was what made him want to be part of the Opal Order. He had seen the darkness of suffering first hand; he had suffered in ways that were almost inhumanly possible to imagine. None could fathom it unless they themselves had suffered the same. It was unexplainable the feelings he had while there; and how these visions still seemed to haunt him here. Causing his reality to break and suffer every now and then. No, he couldn’t explain it…so he wouldn’t. “It’s simple really. I wish to heal, to ease suffering and it seems the Opal Order wishes to do the same. Their means are indeed Nobile; but they leave me wondering…” He paused and then knew he had laid a trap for himself, lead her into what he was going to say so he was going to have to finish it, if they see the world for what it really is. Or if they are indeed naive.” That was an elegant way of putting what he was indeed feeling right now. He wondered all the time about events that could happen; and how the Order would expect him to indeed respond. If a slaver brought one of his ‘stock’ in to heal. The healers would heal the stock…but would they return this person to the slaver? Would they defend this person from the slaver? Or merely hand the person back and claim they had done all they could? Could a healer kill in the name of a greater good? These were questions he needed answered. But not from another healer…no. He needed intervention from the highest authority so there would be no misconstruing what was said. So he knew for sure what he was getting into before he pledged his undying resilience to anyone or anything. He had to know for sure. But he wasn’t sure how to talk to a Goddess. No, that bit he was still foggy on. He knew if he could find her anywhere it would be in the Opal Temple….somewhere.

[Anjalena Palla]

Lena felt slightly captivated by what little information she was being given to piece together Serrif's story. It seemed as though he had encountered many troubles, and the ghosts of his past were continuing to haunt him mercilessly. Of course, it made sense for a (possibly) tortured man to want to seek out a land of healing and helping. It made even more sense for him to want to join them and rid the land of ailments.

She smiled inwardly to herself. She enjoyed meeting the selfless souls in the world. She strove to walk their enlightened path, to be as they were. Her tummy tickled with the thought of being someone everyone could look to for sanctuary. She wanted to defend the helpless and give them hope. To Lena, it seemed Serrif wanted the same. The possibilities made her inward smile fade outward.

"So you want to help people? I like that, Serrif." She placed a hand gently on his shoulder for a brief second, and then continued walking. "I wish to help others as well. I suppose my own past, like yours, I'm sure, has led me to this desire. I believe our paths have been crossed for true reason."

She paused, allowing the thought to sink into his head before continuing, "Thank you, again, Serrif, for your company and kind offering to show me the Temple. I'm quite excited."

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

She was indeed an enthusiastic being. She radiated energy and life. He felt that easily. She also asked a ton of questions. All kinds of questions and statements that sounded like questions at times. She was also very outgoing. Something he hadn’t encountered yet in anyone here on the isle. But it was likely because she was human like him. He wondered about her but at the same time didn’t want to seem like he was prying into her personal affairs. But curiosity was beginning to get the better of him. She was a gem he had not yet shone to beauty. He wanted to know more about this woman who just seemed to show up on the beach this day. “I believe more and more in fate each day Lady Lena.” They continued to walk and made their way into the city. There was one thing she would see immediately. Serrif was the only man about. There were however plenty of blonde haired women roaming about. They filled the streets; stalls….everywhere. They all looked so beautiful as well. “We aren’t far now.” They continued and then walked through a set of open iron gates into a courtyard. The smells from the garden drifted in the air. Smells of all kinds of ornate plants and flowers was billowing through the air. It was clear all kinds of flowers and plants were in full bloom. It was summer and well it was also warm out. He walked up the steps into the temple and there they were in the main lobby. He signaled for her to follow. “Come let me show you where I work.” He said as they then walked down a corroder to Lym’s laboratory. She wasn’t there at the time. Likely at the library studying up on something again. Maybe for another experiment of some kind? But her laboratory smelt nice. There were all kinds of wonderful scents about in the room. Then many more she couldn’t identify because they were ornate mixtures of things she had really never smelt before. He smiled and looked about. Lym had been experimenting. There were several vials that were set aside to be washed out and cleaned up. She was indeed trying to do something. Just what this was he was unsure. But he knew he would be here to help and she would likely be requiring his assistance when she returned. “As you can see we are really very busy.”

[Anjalena Palla]

The streets of Mura were filled with slender, blonde women. They were exotic and elegant, and beautiful all the same. Lena pulled her own blonde hair over her shoulder and ran her fingers through the tresses.

"These women, are they the... Konti?" She asked. "A woman spoke of them in Zeltiva. They're a captivating race."

The aromas from the courtyard filled her nostrils. She inhaled deeply as Serrif guided her through the garden and up the stairs, into the Opal Temple.

Serrif introduced her into one of his mentor's laboratory, the herbalist, she assumed. Again, tendrils of soft scents flooded her nostrils.

"Very busy indeed." She replied.

She gazed around the laboratory, and her pulse began to quicken. There was a faintly audible gulp as she swallowed.

"Are..." She paused, righting herself. "Is it true - I mean, I heard there are kennels here. With pure white wolves. Are there...?"

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

Serrif hadn't learned all that much about the Opal Order. Yes he had wondered around every now and then to get his bearings and such; as anyone would do when in a new environment. He had done this several times and found all kinds of places here. One of which were the kennels. He had seen the wolves she spoke of. They were wonderous creatures. Just like this isle he never thought such things could ever exist. They were wonderful intelligent creatures. You could see it in their eyes. It was like they understood you without ever saying a word. He even met the kennel master. She was a rarity in herself. Serrif smiled and spoke. "Oh yes, they do exist. The Opal Order actually very proud of the Ivaski they keep. The kennelmaster is an Ivaski Kelvic herself; a proud example of the the companions she keeps. The Ivaski are proud protectors of the Opal Order healers when they are out and about in the rest of the lands; since many healers do not know a great deal about protecing themselves. From what I have seen and understand the Ivaski are wonderful intelligent companions; perfect for the Opal Order healers they protect." He wasn't sure why that question had come up, but it was indeed not too absurd for someone to be curious about these companions. They were more mythical than the Konti people themselves. The Ivaski were large, elegant and yet surgically vicious when protecting those they were meant to protect. He had seen these companions and they were indeed intimidating in person. Some healers even had two of them with them at times. A sight that would humble anyone wishing to do the healer harm. And he imagined that was the point as well. To head off any aggression from third parties. "They are elegant and wonderful companions. I would be honored if one day I could have the privledge of my own Ivaski."

[Anjalena Palla]

Lena felt a pang of anxiety and excitement in her chest. After all of her searching and wondering, after all her begging for information, had she finally reached the answer? In Zeltiva, she had managed to muster up the courage to venture out into the city to question others. From the time she was young, she had wondered profusely about the differences between herself and other Kelvics. The wolves had seemed to be her cousins. She watched them run, hunt, play, sleep, eat, and compared all the similarities to herself. The differences were still strikingly notable, however, which in turn led to this adventure to Mura.

She looked back to Serrif and asked, "Do you think we could visit these Kennels? I would like to see them, if we have time on the agenda. I should like to also meet this Ivaski Kelvic Kennelmaster." Her golden eyes searched his hopefully. She yearned to visit the Kennels, to see and hopefully dispel any further questioning of her being. Could this be it?

Was she an Ivaski Kelvic?

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

He watched her closely and could tell she was anxious. But for what? She had shown interest in the Opal Order. But she didn’t mention healing or the likes at all. No she actually acted like she was surprised to hear anything about the Opal Order. She acted surprised to hear about the Konti themselves. Almost like her information was scattered about; incomplete. Like she was discovering all of this at the same time. She wanted to know specifically about the Ivaski. Maybe she was on the quest for some obscure sense of knowledge that involved knowing about the Ivaski and the Opal Order. He wasn’t going to ask why she was so interested in all of this. But he did want to know what quest she was on; what all of this information meant to her. What all of these pieces would come together to mean for her. And what it could possibly mean for him as well. “I suppose we could visit the kennels; and you could meet the kennelmaster as well. I’ve only heard of her but never met her.” He smiled and then began to draw out the floor plan in his mind. He knew where the kennels were…generally. “Let’s go ahead.” He then began to lead her where he believed the kennels to be. He then sighed and after a few minutes of walking around he spoke again. ”Honestly I have no idea where the kennels are; but this can be an adventure we have together yes?” He looked about some more and then spoke again. ”I believe by process of elimination the kennels are this way….I have explored most of the Temple; well everything that is not locked. And I assume the kennels would not be locked to keep out visitors.”

[Anjalena Palla]

Lena's heart pounded as she walked with Serrif to the Kennels. She took in and marveled at the beautiful Temple all the while, being sure to memorize her way around the halls. She would have to remember how to get back to the Kennels later...

"I'm fascinated that you can navigate these halls so well, Serrif." She smiled at him nervously, fearing her excitement may betray her inner motives. "I apologize for my urgency. I'm just... so curious. I have heard many an interesting rumor about Mura and the Opal Order since I have been searching for information on it. I'm not sure what I will do once I have gained all the knowledge I seek. Hopefully something noteworthy!" She fought to find words to fill the silence as they walked.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

Much of her urgency didn’t seem to make sense to him. She knew nothing about this place but then again as he came here neither did he. She in the very least had a past she could use for information. He had no idea where he had come from; nor what he had done in the past. He didn’t even know if he had any family at all. That would be a sorry thing indeed. But again he was going to let that all die and remain. He was where he was and who he was. There was nothing he could do about any of that now. “Fascination is a good thing, keeps the mind in check. Helps you realize how small you are in perspective of everything else. And indeed doing noteworthy tasks is indeed important. You don’t ever want to waste good talent.” He smiled and continued to navigate the halls. Eventually he came to the kennels. Large and attached to the Temple itself. There inside plenty of Ivaski were scattered about doing really whatever they felt like. The kennel master was nowhere to be found though. But they all seemed happy and well off. “I knew we would find it eventually.” He stepped inside and looked around. The Ivaski noted his entry but did little if anything at all. But he was interesting to them, being that he wasn’t a Konti.

[Anjalena Palla]

Lena's mouth parted with a gasp at the sight lain out before her. These massive white canines were elegant and yet fierce all in one. Their thick white coats hid well-formed muscles for hunting and running. Their massive paws were webbed slightly between the toes, fit for swimming. Large, intelligent eyes conveyed their understanding of the speech around them. The little Ivaski pups ran around, their ice blue eyes reminding her much of her own when she was small...

As she marveled at them, and longed to be with them, a thought entered her mind.

"Serrif, do you think you will be taking your own Ivaski, should you succeed in joining the Opal Order?"