Dawn of the Third Age/IC Logs/Session 54

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With the Solars returned in the Third Age and thus both the memory of and the original reason for the institution of the Calibration Feast the tradition has been rekindled.

And thus the Imperal Palace sees a gathering of Exalted in numbers almost beyond counting tonight. Dragonblooded of the Terrestrial Chamber of the Deliberative, politicians and nobility Exalted and not, entertainers and caterers, all naturally orbiting around the gravity wells of Celestial power at the center of the festivities.

Even so the enormous palace holds enough rooms and provisions to ensure a bit of quiet and privacy for those who wish it.

Shrike: Shrike, in a very slinky black dress, is near the center of the festivities, a glass of a fine vintage in one hand as she surveys the crowd.

Nomoe_Hideaki: Nomoe Hideaki is present, the draw of such a gathering strong enough to require his presence even though he would rather be at home in Sanken with his family for this celebration.

Wearing a white haori embroidered with pale blue cloud patterns over deep violet robes, appropriate to the time of endings and new beginnings, but few of his usual Presence Charms he keeps his distance from the centers of debauchery, and unusually for him the hotbeds of intrigue as well.

Bright_Snow: is busy chatting to old lunar friends, looking relaxed and wearing a red patterned dress with cream cloth and gauze arms. She holds a flute of sparkling wine and appears quite engrossed in conversation.

Shrike: Shrike grins as she shares a slightly racy joke with Siran, before turning away and, spotting Snow, raising her glass in greeting.

Bright_Snow: */Nomoe of course knows this to be less than true. Her agitation for the upcoming tournement hard to shield from him, if no other./*

~Anshu: Anshu is moving through the gathered dignitaries, making the rounds of his supporters and frenemies. As always, he wears an Immaculate's white silk robe, but with an outer sash of resplendent golden silk, rather than his usual black.

Nomoe_Hideaki: As a small circle of people - several Dragonblooded, a venerable white-haired mortal, and a little girl bearing a Starmetal key - with whom he'd been discussing matters of obscure history slowly dissolves again Nomoe Hideaki once more returns to wandering, a thin flute of clear liquid in hand.

Shrike: Anshu, upon being spotted, gets a broad smile from the redheaded Solar as well, and she starts in his direction - which also takes her in Snow's general direction as well.

~Anshu: Anshu gives Shrike a pleasant nod of acknowledgement and a small smile. "Deliberator Shrike, a pleasure to see you. You look stunning this evening," he says, not stunned in the least.

Shrike: "And you look dashing as aways, Deliberator Anshu," Shrike says with a nod of her own. "Calibration has always been my favourite time of the year."

Nomoe_Hideaki: Be it fate or some instinct, Nomoe's steps will carry him to the hall where Bright Snow is conversing with her friends. *Hideaki's presence is solid if slightly melancholic, endeavouring to be a balance to the agitation. He believes in Bright Snow, knows well how capable she is, and above all how motivated. His concern that Deliberator Li might be less than sporting he hides well.*

~Anshu: "Really? Why is that? Most find it to be rather inauspicious."

Anshu gestures for Shrike to walk with him as he moves on, carrying them further in Snow's direction.

Shrike: Shrike joins Anshu, nodding to those they past, a slight sway in the Solar's hips. "Well, it's just a time to relax and enjoy a nice party with friends and companions," she explains. "At least for me."

Bright_Snow: glances over at Hideaki as he enters, offering him a cold glance with the audience of the hall present. */a small burst of happiness fills the bond at the same time as the glare/*

~Anshu: "Ah, yes. Parties like this are something I have learned to tolerate; I prefer more private, personal gatherings and celebrations. But I'm glad you apporached me, I have a small gift for you, in honor of the season. I trust you'll find it useful."

Nomoe_Hideaki: As he drifts along the edges of the crowd in the next room Nomoe spots several faces he had been waiting to see. There's Deliberator Anshu - not speaking to the Grand Circle member would be inexcusable - and Deliberator Shrike who had contributed to the hard won successes at Damon's Isle and ...

  • Hideaki's mood brightens considerably in an instant /Ah, here you are,/* he inclines his head slightly in answer to the cold look before moving on. */I was beginning to fear I'd spend this whole affair fated to always just barely miss you./*

The tone of his mental voice is humorous, but with a more serious current underneath.

~Anshu: Anshu reaches into some hidden pocket and pulls out a small amulet; interwoven orichalcumand moonsilver shine within the polished adamant egg.

Bright_Snow: */It is true we've not had much time together recently./ There is a small sense of sadnessa this/ but we shall both be at the tournement I trust?/* She breaks to laugh at the comments of one of her companions.

Shrike: Shrike smiles, as she reaches to accept the amulet. "It is beautiful, Deliberator Anshu. Thank you very much. I believe I have something for you as well."

~Anshu: "Oh?" As they draw closer to Snow, he drops his voice for her ears only. "Something suitable to give me in public, I hope.'

Shrike: From Elsewhere, she produces a small box, which she hands to Anshu.

"Oh, I have some very unsuitable things, but they can wait until later," she whispers back, sotto voce with a smirk.

Nomoe_Hideaki: */Our paths carry us where they must, but I am happy that they continue to intertwine./ Calibration is a time to be with family, but in a way Bright Snow counts as family as well, to Hideaki's mind. /I would not miss it for anything, not when you're competing./*

~Anshu: Anshu takes the box and opens it.

Nomoe_Hideaki: His route now intersecting with Anshu's and Shrike's Nomoe bows in greeting. "Deliberator Anshu, Deliberator Shrike, a good evening and a safe Calibration to you."

Shrike: Inside, Anshu will find a pair of sais, gleaming orichalcum polished to a mirror's finish.

Shrike smiles to Nomoe, bowing in greeting in return. "Deliberator Hideaki. A good evening and save Calibration as well. I trust you are enjoyinig the party?"

Nomoe_Hideaki: "I am indeed, thank you for asking. I hope the same for you."

~Anshu: "Thank you, Shrike. I will put these to good use." Anshu closes the box and nods to Nomoe. "Deliberator Hideaki. Good evening to you as well. The Deliberator and I were just exchanging gifts; I have something for you as well, though not with me at the moment."

Nomoe_Hideaki: "And I further hope that you will enjoy this modest gift, Deliberator Shrike." Nomoe reaches into a small bag he is carrying with him and brings out a flat wooden box that is intricately carved.

Shrike: "I am having a very fine Calibration, thank you. " Shrike smiles and accepts the box, opening it with a curious expression on her face.

Nomoe_Hideaki: It's a small calligraphy set with various brushes and implements to prepare ink. "There is a blessing on it from the Duchess of Hearts Carried by Paper," he explains. "Perhaps you will find it useful."

"I am honored, Deliberator Anshu, that you went that far for a mere acquaintaince."

Shrike: "I believe that I will," Shrike says with a smile. "And I thank you. I offer you this as well," she adds, producing a small crystal vial, containing a curiously strong-looking blue liquid, from her dress, and offering it to Nomoe.

"It is a fine ale from the East. It is extremely strong. I thought you might find it useful the next time your path crosses with Brazen's," she says, completely straight-faced.

Nomoe_Hideaki: accepts the vial with a bow. "My thanks for your forethought and kindness," he says with a similarly straight face.

Nomoe_Hideaki: "There is a token of esteem that I would be happy if you accepted it, as well." Nomoe withdraws a wax-sealed scroll case and offers it to Anshu with another bow. "It might be best if you not open it here, though."

"Inside is an illuminated account of the time of Immaculate Dragons, which I found in my family's archives and thought you might find interesting. Due to its age it requires delicate handling."

~Anshu: Anshu accepts. "We may be only acquaintances, but not a mere one. Consider it a gesture in favor of strengthening our relationship. Though we may often disagree, I find you much easier to work with than some other Hierarchists. And thank you for your gift; I will treat it with care."

"I have a gift for Deliberator Snow waiting with yours; I hope you will not mind if she accompanies us?"

Shrike has quit IRC: Disintegrated: ~ Trillian Astra - www.trillian.im ~

Bright_Snow: is still embriolled in conversation nearby.

Nomoe_Hideaki: Nomoe inclines his head slightly at the slightly thorny compliment. "I would agree that working together has been quite productive at times and might well be more so in the future."

"And I personally would not mind the Deliberator presence, though no doubt you are aware of the political tensions that might arise from undue outside attention to such a gathering." Nomoe speaks quietly.

~Anshu: "Mmm," Anshu acknowledges, as Shrike drifts off to enjoy more of the party. He mentions a particular anteroom, just off the Palace's main courtyard. "In perhaps a quarter of an hour?"

Nomoe_Hideaki: Nomoe bows. "Certainly. Maidens watch your steps until we meet again, Deliberator," he says as they part and he returns to his circling.

His step perhaps a fraction lighter now.

~Anshu: Anshu now walks over to Snow and her friends. "Deliberators," he says with a polite bow. "A good evening and safe Calibration to all of you."

Bright_Snow: bows her head curtly but not rudely to the Deliberator. "A good evening and safe evening you, this Calibration." She says in response

Bright_Snow: "It is good to see you again, Deliberator Anshu" she says more formally when she notices who it in fact is. "I thought you were someone else..."

"Apologies for any rudeness." She says with a slight flash of colour both in her cheeks and her eyes.

~Anshu: "It is easy to lose track, at such large gatherings as this,

" he answers. "I came to wish you good fortune in the coming tournament, and to invite you to meet me at," he lists the anteroom again, "in a quarter of an hour or so. I have a gift for you there that was just a bit too large to carry around the Palace."

He smiles with some rare but genuine humor. "I'm sorry to say it's not something that will help in the tournament. That was my first thought, but considering I will also be taking part, I thought it likely to prove unwise."

Bright_Snow: A smile plays its way across her lips, "I understand entirely Deliberator. I shall bring along my gift for you as well. As I was planning on havingmost delivered; as alas," she gestures around her," I lack the attendants, servents or other staff that the rest of the Deliberative seems to have dogging their every step."

She says this with good humour and the slight tone that suggests she considers such servents entirely superfluous to her requirements.

"Thank you kindly for the invitation, I shall indeed be there and the best of luck to you in the tournement."

~Anshu: He nods in understanding. "I look forward to it. Deliberators," he bows in farewell and moves on.

Nomoe_Hideaki: A quarter of an hour later precisely Nomoe arrives at said anteroom, his attendants left behind somewhere.

~Anshu: Anshu arrives shortly after Nomoe, the gifts he had received having disappeared somewhere in the intervening time.

Nomoe_Hideaki: "Deliberator Anshu, what a fortunate coincidence to meet you here," Nomoe smiles very slightly.

~Anshu: "Indeed, Deliberator Nomoe. It is most fortuitous."

Bright_Snow: arrives last, quietly and without fanfare. She is carrying a small wooden box.

Bright_Snow: "Deliberators, how fortunate to meet you here."

~Anshu: Anshu smiles and enters the anteroom, leaving the door ajar for them to follow.

Nomoe_Hideaki: bows. "Deliberator Snow." *happiness /Auspicious intrigue that sees us both here. Lord Anshu knows more than he should, but for once I am grateful./*

Bright_Snow: "Deliberator Nomoe." Her tone is less cold than it would be normally. */Her emotions mirror his for the moment/It is indeed./*

Nomoe_Hideaki: gestures for Bright Snow to precede him, then follows

Bright_Snow: wadners into the private room and settles in a chair by the fire, her eyes reflecting a myriad of colours as both Nomoe and Anshu follow her in.

Nomoe_Hideaki: stands, patient. It would be impolite to rush the elder Exalt.

~Anshu: Anshu is picking up a bundle of white cloth. "For you, Bright Snow, a Cloak of Vanshing Escape." He walks over, offering it to her.

Then he turns to Nomoe. "And for you, Nomoe Hideaki, a Sorcery-Capturing Cord, for the Celestial Circle."

He offers Nomoe the cord of starmetal and moonsilver.

Nomoe_Hideaki: bows and receives the artifact. "A princely gift, Lord Anshu. You have my thanks."

~Anshu: "You are most welcome. I tried to find things that would be useful to you."

Bright_Snow: leans her head down and allows Anshu to slip it around her neck. "My thanks, Deliberator." She says kneeling by her little wooden box.

Bright_Snow: "Now I suppose it would be right for me to present my gifts." She says with a grin opening the box.

~Anshu: Anshu smiles and takes a step back.

Nomoe_Hideaki: In fact it is suspiciously precious, Nomoe considers for a moment as his paranoia rises. Or is the Grand Circle so unfathomably rich, so far beyond his own means, that such artifacts are mere baubles to them? Or perhaps that is merely what he means to convey, something to remind a younger and ambitious peer of his place?

None of these thoughts show on his face, but Bright Snow might catch some of them.

Bright_Snow: With a slight rummage she produces several items. A fine crystaline display, and three small pieces of moonsilver wrapped in adamant with a gemstone floating inside all are inside a smaller case of wood on a small cushion of velvet.

Bright_Snow: hands the lot to Anshu, "A small player of everlasting glories of my own deisgn, along with three interesting recordings. The first the memoirs of a Solar named the Heirophant, transcribed from a data crysal recovered from the Fae in the north." She points to the leftmost adamant stick...

Bright_Snow: "The central one is the recording of the daystar rising from the face of the Throne of my lady. A true harmony of Sun and Moon."

Nomoe_Hideaki: Fortunately his own gift was of intellectual and spiritual value, avoiding a direct comparison, or Sanken etiquette would hold him obligated.

~Anshu: "And the last?" Anshu asks.

Bright_Snow: "The last is a copy of a small selection of research I have been engagining in during my absence from the Deliberative. It records the cultures of the East that remain." She says, "In totallity I believe I have recorded them all but I have not yet sorted through the remaining recordings."

~Anshu: "Thank you, Bright Snow. I look forward to viewing them all, particularly the Heirophant's memoirs."

Bright_Snow: "He was a shallow man, Deliberator Anshu, I would take what he says with a pinch of suspicion were I you. Though I imagine you'd find his sermons more interesting." She says with a shrug, "He does not seem the sort to emulate."

Bright_Snow: pauses after she hands the box to Anshu and then glances at Nomoe. "And for Deliberator Nomoe I have a simple gift." She reaches inside and pulls out a rose of liquid silver visibly flowing in the firelight, it is encased in glass. "A Rose of Moonsilver, do with it what you will."

~Anshu: Anshu nods slowly. "There are records of him in the Sword, but mostly of the dry, official variety. I will keep your advice in mind."

Bright_Snow: shrugs, "At least you've heard of him. The gift would be somewhat less if you had not." She says after presenting the glass enclosed rose to Nomoe, kneeling to shut the heavily carved wooden box.

Nomoe_Hideaki: stands silently for a moment, emotions shifting too swiftly and privately to be made out through the bond. He accepts the glass case then, bowing deeply. "Thank you, Bright Snow."

Nomoe_Hideaki: Holding up the case he examines the rose up close by the light of the fire. "It's beautiful," he says quietly. */And not an easy challenge./ both amusement and seriousness, affection*

After a minute he sets it down on a table and produces a flat, rectangular package wrapped in paper. And offers it to Bright Snow with both hands.

"My gift for you, if you'll have it."

Bright_Snow: */It wasn't meant to be easy, after all nothing in life ever is/returned affection/*

Bright_Snow: stands again and accepts the wrapped paper, slowly carefully pulling it off neatly without tearing it. */excitement/*

Nomoe_Hideaki: */Nothing of value anyway./*

Inside is a dress of some strange fabric softer and lighter even than Heavenly Silk in subtle shades of the evening sky, blue gradually darkening, then transitioning to violet and finally black.

The way it seems to shift slightly when seen from different angles gives it an almost uncanny impression of depth like a piece of twilight itself made into cloth. The cut is elegant but modest, and the edges are embroidered with impossibly fine snow flakes, no two of them exactly alike.

~Anshu: Anshu has left by this point, making the quiet excuse that Cerise has requested his presence.

Nomoe_Hideaki: "It is said that the Silver Lady wears a cloak made of the night itself," Hideaki explains in a quiet voice, "to, as She desires, hide Her, shield Her or provide a contrast against which She shines all the brighter. I would not presume to tread upon the domain of your patron, but I thought it only fitting for one who carries Her light to wield a piece of her dominion as well."

"While not as changeable as you are it will alter its appearance according to your desire, being less conspicuous or even actively concealing if you wish. And if you ever should need it to it is my hope that it will serve to turn away the blades of your enemies before they find your blood."

Bright_Snow: looks at in awe for a moment or two, before carefully placing it to onesdie and slowly and ever so gently embracing Nomoe */ affection, approval, joy /*

Nomoe_Hideaki: *suprise, a moment of paralyzing uncertainty, joy* After a few seconds Hideaki hesitantingly and gingerly returns the embrace.