As Zatraum is taken back through the main sanctuary to a meditation chamber, it's clear that word has spread about a new arrival. There are perhaps a dozen Yodhzakaro in the space, and what may be a barzakaro or two back amidst the columns. The priestesses don't look like they're in any shape to be running around naked in the cold, as most are past middle age. And with the younger ones with talent leaving to ply their skills in the darker parts of Babel or to try their luck as witches in surrounding communities, the ones left behind may not be able to muster up much in the way of miracles.
Zatraum walks along, trying not to stare too much, though she does wiggle her fingers in greeting here and there. If there are any Barzakaro, they're probably at least somewhat grateful to see a younger one here for a change! Or may not care at all! Temples and people in them are just weird.
They go past a pair of columns, and the walls soon become more cave like again, with the little lantern working extra hard to illuminate anything more the dampness of the stones. They stop at a natural fissure in the stone, with the sound of distant water flowing. "This is the best meditation chamber," Ashe claims. "The flowing water overwhelms any other sound the deeper you go."
"It also probably encourages the need to pee," Zatraum quips as she listens to the flow of water beyond. "So, I just ... go in there? It's not really a lair in which you're just trying to feed me to a monster?"
"We have Eeps," Ashe points out. "They do not flourish in places with noisy echoes."
"You also have Ephasto lingering about," Zatraum points out, smiling, "And I don't think loud noises bothers her. Still, this will do. I should be able to make use of it to contact 'his oddness' and see about borrowing the knife."
"If you slip and fall, be sure to scream so we know what happened," Ashe says. "Also, don't slip and fall. I don't remember if the giant mushrooms are in season or not."
Zatraum has to ask, "Why would that matter?"
"They soften the landing," the Yodhzakaro explains. "And release glowing spores when disturbed, which can cause fun hallucinations."
"And vomiting," Echidna adds. "Soooo much vomiting.."
"Sounds like something from Gorphat's temple," Zatraum admits as she peers at the crack again. "All right, time to go into Zakaro's crack. Wait ... that sounds bad." She shakes her head, then pulls her wings in close to try and squeeze in.
It's not difficult of a squeeze, as she's thinner than the (previously) typical Yodhzakaro. And it's not that slippery.. at least now against Eeee claws. It does widen out as it goes though, making it more difficult to move without stretching out. The echoes from the water really do mess with things as well, no psychedelic mushrooms needed. There's a flat shelf where the passage turns to a shallower angle.
Zatraum keeps on squirming, and regretting having to pretend to be all these different people! Though in the case of some they really do seem like different people. Onward she goes until she's got good distance, and hopefully a way to actually sit down!
The passage doesn't quite level out, but it's closer to horizontal than vertical. The sound of the water seems to be everywhere, and she hasn't encountered any mushrooms yet. They may be further down.
At least, at this point, it's unlikely Ashe and those at the top will be able to hear anything (short of a scream).
No fungus, must mean keep going! So, she keeps going. At least for a bit more. She also realizes along the way she could just try to shift her arm and just pull the knife out ... then claim the Barsunala somehow appeared and gave it to her! They might even believe it.
If not, they'd have to believe she had it hidden on her person beforehand.
And the whole point of the Yodhzakaro being naked is to prove that they don't need weapons.
And not because they're lazy and like to show off tattoos at all. Still, onward she goes until she can sit comfortably.
She finds a mushroom. One big enough to sit on.. a Legendary Yodhstool! And if not, she can always be the first to name it such.
Zatraum snorts at that thought, but she still does plop her butt down on it ... carefully. So it hopefully doesn't explode. Seated now, she lifts her right hand and peers at it, then tries to revert just that ... keeping it well, female per see, the smaller and more delicate version of Alptraum's usual ugly hand to try and expose the knife.
It does look a bit like the skin is peeling back away from the chitinous subsurface, except once exposed the revealed surface actually expands out further.
Zatraum makes a face. "Well, that's rather disgusting!" she comments. Afterward even though she's seen it plenty before, she pokes and feels at it anyway as if it were new..
It's still soft in spots at first, but then hardens.
Well, at least it wasn't slimy. She does poke around on top and bottom to test her sensitivity in it; it's been a while since she checked how well she can feel, or not.
As usual, things are a bit dull on underside, with the top being semi-sensitive that something touched it, if not being to pinpoint the point of contact, as if the shell is just pressing down on something deeper that does have sensation.
'Bout the same," she comments. Then she's moving to the knife hilt and after gripping it with her left hand starts to pull slow and steady.
There's resistance, and a sense of things stretching. Then when it's out far enough the first bits of goo appear. At least it's far too dark to see the colors. And then it releases with a pop, and Zatraum has a slightly damp black-bladed dagger in her hand.
Zatraum shakes the dagger off to clean up any gunk that might be on it. Then oddly she puts it in her lap and pokes her own hand again in spots, testing to see if having it in or out affects sensation any.
It doesn't seem to, beyond occasionally causing more goo to be pushed out of the scabbard. It does feel slightly warmer to the touch on the underside though. Given that originally the spirit-blade produced cold mist that shouldn't be too surprising though.
Of course Zatraum pokes on the scabbard just to see how much goo she can get to come out and how bad it smells. Why? Because it's there and she's a bit crazy. Small things are amusing!
The effluvium does stop eventually (and by volume, it must have been pretty compressed to all fit into her forearm.. unless most of it came from the dagger. In the moist confines of the chasm, it doesn't smell bad.. just like blood and death.
She shakes her hand out a bit, then it's attempting to change it back. She can't go back out with it looking like this. That would raise a lot of uncomfortable questions she'd have to answer. So, now it's focusing on making it look like a normal Yodh hand! Normal.
The fur and skin seem to bunch up at the end of the chitin, creeping like a sleeve over it and occasionally leaving wrinkles, which are most notable in the darker tattooed symbols.
She wiggles her fingers some afterward, testing them and sensation, before she tries to get the 'wrinkles out' so to speak.
It really does feel like a sleeve sliding over something hard at first, but repeated smoothing softens it up until feels like normal flesh again.
She actually checks how sensitive it is like this as she leans back a bit and sort of zones out. She needs to kill a bit of time anyway before going back since coming back early would be odd too! So, hey, a moment or two to space out and be, why not?
With the transformation complete, the sensation returns. Still more sensitive on the underside though, which was nearly as sensitive as her left forearm. It would be unnoticed if she wasn't deliberately testing it.
Zatraum finishes her little time-wasting moment, takes up the knife again and gets off the fungus. "Dangit!" she also says when she realized she could have spent the time diddling herself instead of her hand; that would have been more fun! Also, making interesting smells, though she might have to explain. So ... she shrugs and starts her careful trip back!
It's a little easier climbing out, since the cacophony of echoes from the water lessens as she goes. She sees the yellow-green light of the lantern eventually, and begins to pull herself out of the original fissure.
The Yodh waiting for her are napping.
So ..o she takes the dagger out of her mouth, then kicks Ashe lightly. "Wakey," she remarks as she does so. "Problem solved faster than I expected."
"Are you even damp?" the chief Yodhzakaro says as she stirs. This wakes Echidna as well. Tabyr is further down the tunnel, towards the Temple itself, but turns at the noises.
"Why would I be wet?" Zatraum has to ask, and then holds up the knife. "I have no idea how he did it, but he was able to come to me, sort of, and ... hand me this. So ... no need to travel it turns out."
"Is that obsidian?" Ashe asks, squinting at the blade. It did look a bit like something shaped by knapping more than anything else.
"Blood, actually," Zatraum admits, "From when he killed a nasty beast and imprisoned it. But, it should serve the purpose."
"Blood to draw blood then," Ashe says, and seems enchanted by the notion. "It feels very portentous," she claims, and leads the way back towards the sanctuary. "Have you thought upon your oath?"
"Admittedly, no. It feels like it should be important, but at the same time also not," Zatraum admits. "What was yours?"
"I don't remember," Ashe says. "Something about fire.. fire in my soul.. I was just a young girl back then. It was a long time ago."
"You're still young," Zatraum comments and shrugs. "Sounds like you were trying to be all impressive and brooding."
"The oath is between you and Zakaro," Ashe notes. "And yes, some try to impress Her, since confidence in power is important to Her. Ultimately it's just the two of you though, nobody else to hear."
"No pressure, eh?" Zatraum remarks and smirks some. She shakes her head a little. "I have already spoken with her some, when I was chosen for this. But ... I guess this makes it formal."
The Sanctuary is empty when they arrive, and dark. A single lamp sits on the edge of the well at the center. "Well, this is it," Ashe tells Zatraum. "If you've had visions of Her before, then you should be fine. This is a rather unprecedented situation. Go the well, say your oath into it and cut your palm. Make a fist, and hold it over the center of the well. At least one drop of blood needs to fall from it."
"So, are you staying to observe, or is it really just me?" Zatraum asks as she walks a bit closer to the well and eyeing it nervously. The last time she pledged to a Goddess created Scourge the Yodhgorphat, and the horrors she has gone through, and still goes through.
"It doesn't matter if anyone is here, really," Ashe says. "It's more of a courtesy. Everyone knows it's supposed to be just them and Zakaro if it works. So we clear out, in case it doesn't work but then they don't have to admit it."
"Then you just have to bring in the mop and buckets to clean up, right?" Zatraum asks. She's not worried about failing here, but still. BAd things likely happened in the past!
"Not always, sometimes nothing happened," Ashe claims. "Just lots of crying. Once a girl just threw herself down the well. Being found unfit is one thing, but at least it meant Zakaro tried to see if the girl would pass, but to be completely ignored? Tch. That hits hard."
"Being selected is hard too, though," Zatraum points out. "Don't ever get the Barsunala drunk and get him talking. You might want to off yourself afterward; the stuff he's hard to deal with and the choices made. Anyway, I suppose I should go through this."
"Good luck," Ashe says, and then she heads back towards the gallery of columns and the passages behind them. Despite its size, the Sanctuary is very quite once the trio has vanished.
Zatraum rubs her forehead. She had not expected to find so many! Or something so formal. Still, she's here to also rework this temple and Zakarao, she must act. She approaches the well and stands before it. For a while, really, as she ponders over just what she should say. "Mother Zakaro," she finally begins after some very awkward silence, "I come to join you of my own free will. The luck of birth has granted me many abilities and through my journeys you have also taught me more. So, it is time for me to give back, and become one of Your daughters. To pledge to You my service and devotion. To offer up this body to shape as You desire, and my skills to leverage as You wish. I promise to help that Your temple does not fade, but to live and continue in the new world. If you will have me, and if you will help teach me, and embrace me as one of Yours. With this pledge, this body becomes Your property, and in it, I your servant and devoted Daughter. I ask of you, please accept."
She holds out her left hand over the well, then using her right she drags the blade along the palm to draw blood. Why the left ... it comes without dragon taint. She worries what pledging with that might do. But ... if Zakaro wills it, she will offer blood from that hand as well. The skin does cut and she winces, then squeezes her hand to try and drip blood in the well.
There's still the nagging sensation that the blade is drinking the blood, so that she'll have to squeeze extra hard.. but in the end several drops fall, and the last one.. stops. It just hovers above the well, and the Sanctuary begins to fill with light. "I hadn't expected so much from you," Zakaro says, and for the first time Zatraum feels it's the Voice. Zakaro is actually presenting herself as a Goddess this time. She sits at the edge of the well across from Zatraum in the frozen moment. "I could be greedy with an oath like that. It's part of who I am in the Lore. But.. I don't think that that is the way forward for us." The aura diminishes, although the light and frozen moment stay as they are.
"It would have felt ... improper to not offer in the way of your Lore," Zatraum admits, "And even if I cam coming with a position of actual bargaining. You deserve respect, and a proper oath. In spite of ... everything. I do honor and respect what you were. I do not want to try and hide the past, but grow from it. To work together. That has always been my goal with all of you. And thus, I mean what I said. In this body, I am Yours, and I will serve You, if you will have me, Mother Zakaro. I will look as You wish, and be as You wish, as we find a new path forward that will work with the new world before us. I will take the name you decode for me as well, as I have in other forms for Your Sisters. I don't pledge lightly, because I want to ensure You do not fade from this city either. Offering all, so that we can work together for a better future for all."
"A name.." Zakaro muses, and seems to look around the brightly lit, but empty, Sanctuary before settling back on Zatraum. "Shadow would be obvious, but.. inappropriate. Plus, you have white fur. It should be a striking name. Sister... Aster. Alliteration is a bit off though. My second choice would be Moment. Do you have a preference?"
There's a pause as she considers the options. "Aster," she answers. "My mind kept drawing back to that name over Moment. It just seems more ... fitting. Though if your theme is my color, well, there is also Waxen, Frost, or for shadow ... Dusk. Those would also work."
"Aster is more uplifting," Zakaro says, and points towards the stone ceiling. "Stars live in the sky, after all. And my hope is for you to bring my Daughters back above ground someday. You've been outside the city, trucked with witches and mages and monsters. You have an idea of what's needed, don't you? What people need?"
"Yes," the newly anointed Yodhzakaro Aster replies. "But it is also important what You get things You need as well. There should be no resentment if this is to succeed. All things in balance. So, if there are things You wish, sometimes even selfish, I will try to help."
"What I wish for is endless bounty," Zakaro says, and the Sanctuary is soon home to a giant table laden with food and delicacies. "To gorge myself on.. well, power, if I'm being honest. This is all symbolic. But power was my downfall." A wave of her hand banishes the feast. She looks to the suspended drop of blood then. "A drop of blood. Enough to convey the spirit. Enough to open a path. I've no power to grant you that you don't already have, Aster, but I will teach you to use that power."
"I know. In my case I am giving you power, not asking for it," Aster claims. "And I thank you for your help in honing it. My control is a bit lacking."
"Well, let's begin then," Zakaro says, and claps her hands together. This causes the drop of blood to finally fall into the well. "This place is my territory. My home. Explore the confines. Sound it out. Memorize and make it your own. It will be your training space."
And sounding she does. Eeee work best off maps made from sound after all! Sure, it might look weird to spin and while sort of clicking, but it serves a purpose. After that, it's on to trying to feel it out by auras and the latent sensations and echoes the room has. "At least it's not full of weird bondage things like Inala's places were," she jokes, and starts to move and also feel the room out with her hands too.
Beyond the columns to the sides is.. soft space. A hazy area that absorbs sound, and also touch, like pushing into fog. Only the space of the Sanctuary itself is solid, even the space beyond the main entry is soft and undefined. Zakaro waits patiently for Aster to finish.
"Heh, sort of limbo," Aster finally admits as she returns to her place near the well.
"In more than one word, how would you describe it?" Zakaro asks.
"A room wrapped in a thick blanket; cut off from the outside with a soft boundary," Aster answers.
Zakaro smiles, and tilts her head to the side. "Almost," she says. "This is a core," she explains, gesturing with her eyes to room around them. "It's solid, unchanging and stable. But it's not cut off. Because the surrounding vagueness can connect to any territory. So in one word, this is a Nexus."
"The creamy center of a good candy?" Aster jokes, grins.
"It can be," Zakaro rhymes and laughs. "A territory can be.. a place, a time, a person, a moment, a feeling or a thought. Soft, sharp, wet or hard. So long as it is something you know, for whatever reason. It made an indelible impression." She stands up from the edge of the well then. "And it can something that never was. A dream."
"I'm pretty sure I've been in several of those," Aster admits as she remembers those bizarre dreams with Hexen.
"Come to think of it, also other odd ... dream events that have left me permanently changed, for that matter," Aster adds, "Such as a lot of Scourge's changes, or even the ones that marked this body."
Zakaro offers her hand to Aster. "But never under your control, were they?"
Aster shakes her head, then peers at that hand. She tentatively reaches to take it?
So Zakaro closes hers around Aster's, and pulls her towards a pair of columns.
Eeeeee! goes the Aster!
They pass between the columns, and through what feel like heavy curtains.. and then they're in the crystal chamber within Rephidim, on the familiar raised dais. "Pretty!" Zakaro says of the glowing crystal outcropping in the ceiling.
"Yeaaaaaah, this would be the place I tend to end up hurt in some way," Aster admits as she peers about this place. "What a cult of weirdos."
"But you come here often, don't you?" Zakaro asks, almost teasingly.
"Not by choice!" Aster claims in a hurry. Even though it's totally by choice and that she likes being used the way she is here.
"Well.. take us somewhere else then," Zakaro says. "Reach out your hand to part the veil to a new territory."
Aster grumbles about being put on the spot! But, she does reach out, and out, and out. And everything around them falls away until the crystal caverns are gone and instead they stand in the gloomy remains of an old forest under a storm-wracked sky. "Huh," she says. "This was a place we often set up camp at. The trees here have wards carved in them that kept the undead away, so .. it was one of our few safe places back then."
"What memory anchors this place to you?" Zakaro asks. "Something good, bad, or perhaps frightening?"
"Ugh. We were being pursued by the remnants of a zombie horde. One of our usual travel stop towns had recently been ... eaten. We didn't know, and ended up with what was left of them chasing us. Then they just stopped. They wouldn't cross the trees here. It's when we discovered this was some place important in the old Necromancer war. A place of one of the last stands when things were dark. Ever since that day, though, we always knew it would be safe to stop here. One of the few oasis of safety .. so hard to forget it," Aster explains. "When most of your early life IS a nightmare, it's the times it wasn't that stick in your memory."
Zakaro goes to examine the marks carved into the trees. "Witchcraft," she says. "Very handy, but very specific to an area as well," the goddess remarks. "Now.. try to pick a specific place, and part the veil. But not the old ruins where you went wine hunting."
"Don't want to argue with your Sister?" Aster teases. "I'm sure she'll let you be tied on the rack."
"It's not good for us to cross paths in such a manner, it can result in altered memories," Zakaro explains.
Giggling while she thinks and the world changes around them again. Now they're standing in the ruins of an old church, with worn statues to the old form Gods all around. It's cold in here, and water drips from many of the holes in the ceiling. "I found the dagger here," Aster explains, "Buried in the remains of the old pulpit. Hard to forget this place. It also reminds me of the time I met Nekara too; it was in the ruins of an old shrine."
"Fate is a funny thing, whether you believe in it or not," Zakaro says, finding her own figurine, though the paint is long faded. "Or it may be our natures that guide us to certain places. Barada may claim to see the future, but we Sisters claim a lot of things."
"For good or bad, it's always memorable. So many of my memories are bad, though," Aster admits. "I almost took us into the depths of the Tower, the day it fell."
"A useful memory to have, actually," Zakaro says. "A memorable one for the General, after all. Such things can be weapons."
"I almost committed suicide that day to prove a point," Aster notes.
"But you didn't," Zakaro points out. "These are yours to use as needed, and bring others into. Friends, enemies, lovers.. anyone. Only you can do that."
"No, I didn't. Was it good, or bad I didn't? Have anything I've done made any difference?" Aster notes and even shrugs some. "But not all memories are bad," she concedes as thing melt and they're now standing on a tower decorated in hundreds of candles. "One of my cheesy romantic moments, where I brought someone dear to me here and told them that since we never saw the stars in Sylvania, I had to make them so she could be amongst her family again, the stars that inspire, guide, and to reach for. But always out of reach."
"And will you bring them here again, now that you can?" Zakaro asks, looking out over the town below.
"I'm not sure. It's hard to make time for things like this when there are so many other things to deal with that seem more pressing," Aster admits.
"This training is all about making time," Zakaro says. "Or making more of you within a given time. Same difference."
"Not quite, but ... okay," Aster concedes and laughs. "Just as long as I don't have a pervy fox constantly pulling me into his nursing fantasies."
"A pervy fox?" Zakaro asks. "Aren't your fondest memories tied up with that creature?"
"Yes, but not in the ways he apparently fantasizes about. I never realized how much he liked to imagine me as a girl," Aster admits.
"When you were a young man, you did look like a girl though," Zakaro points out. "Well, a Sylvanian girl. They tend a bit towards the Yodhrephath end of things."
"Some would argue all Eeee look like girls," Aster admits. "I guess it's also a bit ironic I spend a lot of time now as a girl."
"Well, at least you have the body for it now," the goddess says, and pats Aster on her.. aster.
"Of course, you'll also need to learn how to defend your territories," Zakaro says, as if she didn't just pat Aster. "Undefended ones can be used by others.. such as pervy foxes, apparently."
Aster smirks. "I'm well aware. Lately my body keeps shifting to .. well, unless I really put in effort, I'm a girl now," she admits, actually a little embarrassed about that. "If I lose concentration for a day ... I'll wake up a girl. I can actually feel changes during days now as my body shifts."
"I would also imagine the others would need to know them, and me well, to make use of them, though?" Aster asks.
"Yes," Zakaro says. "Which is why the crystal place is easy to bring you to. You recent weirdness with your fox friend seem to stem from an experience you had bathing in a particular river. And you've been in the General's throne room."
"Once," Aster corrects ,"I've been in the General's throne room just once. I would be quite concerned about going there again."
"Understandable," Zakaro says. "You can also use this as a means of communication of course, which can be useful."
Aster nods. "That could be very useful, yes. Best to pick a very neutral space for that. Like ... I could take us to the Mage's Tower," she says, innocently.
"Do they have a Dream Mage stationed there?" Zakaro asks. "Some types of magic or spirits may be able to notice you based on which territory you use."
"They absolutely do," Aster confirms. "And the most famous mind mage."
"Well.. you should probably warn them first then," Zakaro suggests. "Especially if they have traps set."
"May need to, since I want to broker peace and cooperation between the tower and the Yodhzakaro," Aster admits.
"That may require tracking down the rogues," Zakaro notes. "You did it for me once before."
Aster nods. "Do you want me to bring them ... home?" she asks.
"Or push them out," Zakaro says, turning to lean on the stone railing. "If they have what it takes to be witches."
"Why push them out? You do not want capable daughters?" Aster inquires. "Or do you feel it would serve you better?"
"It may serve them better," Zakaro says.
"I'm surprised you're concerned about what would serve them better. In reality, if some agreement isn't made with the mage's guild, it will be problematic in general for them to do things. I hope to broker some sort of alliance with them," Aster says.
"They might be better off becoming witches outside of Babel," Zakaro suggests. "Of all the Yodh, mine are most likely to do well beyond the city. I don't know in what ways the Mages would be willing to compromise though. The government sides with them, since they don't want any more towers to fall down. Especially those weakened by the Boomer."
"I do not know either, but it doesn't hurt to try," Aster points out. "Worst case is nothing changes."
"My Yodh are not what they once were," Zakaro says, looking back the the rest of the sanctuary. "We may be.. obsolete. We need a new path to survive. While the most powerful of my daughters exhibit affinities for particular types of magic, they can develop quite a broad range of abilities, which makes them distinct from Mages. The Collegia and Guild are not fond of Mages learning more than one of their designated Spheres."
"They tolerate and accept me, and I am outside of their sphere as well. I don't want to give up on anything until all possibilities are exhausted. There should be a place somewhere in the new world. At least in my opinion. I'm sort of the patron of lost causes, admittedly," Aster admits.
"And among the Yodh, mine are the most lost," Zakaro claims. "Well, save for the Yodhinala, who no longer exist. The survivors of that raid are likely now ensconced in the most opulent rooms available from the nobility."
"They still exist to a degree. There are attempts to rebuild them anew and better than they were. Time will tell," Aster admits and shrugs a little. I know I cannot promise anything, but I have to try and find something. There must be some sort of skill that is unique to your children."
"Well, they all have a piece of me within them," Zakaro notes. "Most of them, anyway. That is something the Mages lack. But not something they can exploit. I am vulnerable through these links to me."
"That isn't something that is usable to any degree for the betterment of the city," Aster points out, frowns. "One thing that hasn't been discussed ... historians. Since their skills are unique, can some read the history of a place, the impressions of those that were. And if so, could they be impressed upon more of those unusual talking figureheads? I am wondering if they couldn't become the catalogers of history. Not secrets, that's Barada's domain, but them focusing specifically on retaining history and records. It seems that skill was practiced here."
"Perhaps," Zakaro says. "The secret of memory impression has been passed down successfully for many generations, and is unique to the Yodhzakaro as far as I know. I had never considered them as more than curiosities before. But you have the most experience dealing with artificial spirits."
"Or consider the value people might place on being able to record the last voice and will before dying?" Aster also offers. "So that not only is the words recorded, but also their voice. I can see families definitely valuing being able to do something like that. I also know a mage that would probably be fascinated by such things and would enjoy studying it. She's a bit crazy, though."
"Hmmm, given our funerary customs that may be possible, depending on how involved the process is. You will need to talk to the Librarian for such details," Zakaro says, looking thoughtful. "I'm sure the Spirit Mages could do it, but the Yodhsunala would be more likely to allow something done within the Yodh."
"The latter is what I am thinking. This is an area where delegating to the local traditions would be more appropriate than to a group who's seat of authority is far away," Aster notes and nods. "It's important to respect traditions of a people, if you ever hope to build trust. It's something the mages need too."
"And I'm aware politics may make all of this impossible, but I have to try. I don't want to just see things wiped away. Yes, the Yodh have done harm, but they have also done some good, and they are our people too. I feel all of us needs to find a place. Even if different, a place and a respect for what came before even if it had to change."
"The Yodhsunala have already taken the previously banned Yodhrhinala under their wing," Zakaro notes. "We do not trespass on the specialties of other Yodh for the most part. The Yodhbarada have moved further into the shadows, but they still function. If the Yodhsunala accept the idea of talking memorials, then we wouldn't need to discuss it with the Mages until after the fact."
"I am fairly sure I can talk the Yodhsunala into it. Think of it as a kinder and safer approach then a Srinala is. Or even consider this ... a parent that knows they are dying and have young children; imagine a memorial or bust enchanted to tell bed time tales in their voice. It's a way for a young child to know their parents to a degree in spite of tragedy," Aster suggests as she paces a bit and ponders. "It just needs to be clear it's not their soul or the like, just an echo so that history will remember them."
"I understand that quite a bit of the personality gets through as well," Zakaro notes. "If you feel this is worth pursuing, then you have my Blessing to act as you see fit."
Aster nods. "I am just trying to think of new paths of relevance. This place could even be a center for the studies of new forms of magic, since as you say people's skills do not fit neatly into one 'bucket' like the Mages tend to prefer. And the ones in Babel at least I do not think would care. Many would probably be fascinated with the mixed skills," she says. "they sure are interested in me, after all."
"They sometimes give a pass to those with an inherent ability, but will likely want to evaluate them," Zakaro says. "It depends on the ability though. If it's making ice for example, something useful but harmless. If any such meeting were to take place though, it would have to be at a place of my choosing. Or perhaps within a territory. You still need to master summoning people."
"Of course. I wouldn't want anything except a neutral ground sort of location where no one would be at risk," Aster says, nods. "I just need to figure out how to best spin the offer to meet. Also, which of your daughters should be there as well."
"I suggest getting the Mages to agree to such a meeting first, by claiming you might be able to get a Yodhzakaro. If they agree, then you can approach my daughters here and see who is willing to attend such a meeting," Zakaro suggests.
"Oh, I know one mage who would agree immediately. She's an oddball, though," Aster says, "But yes, I will need to test the waters first, so to speak."
"Is she from Babel?" Zakaro asks. "A native would be best, if possible."
"No. But another I would ask is, The Avenger himself, Cyprian," Aster points out.
"Cyprian is certainly one that would be accepted by my daughters," Zakaro says with a smile. "And perhaps any others so long as he attends."
Aster nods. "So! I just have to figure out how to suggest it to them," she says. "And when, and a small set of topics to discuss. I hopy our daughters do not flirt with Cyprian, though. He tends to get flustered."
"Flirting is not among the strengths of a Yodhzakaro," Zakaro claims. "I am generally quite blunt."
"Then he might just pass out," Aster remarks dryly.
"Claim that he is already your lover then," Zakaro suggests.
"That wouldn't go over well, either," Aster notes. "Especially since this will all be arranged by the Barsunala to a degree."
"He wouldn't see Yodhzakaro Aster?" Zakaro asks. "You look like a Yodhinala after all, and would be naked."
"He may! It all depends on how it is arranged. Initially it would have to be the Barsunala, since I can enter the tower in that form without a problem," Aster points out.
"That seems sensible then," Zakaro says. "I suppose the Barsunala should also be the one to speak with the Yodhsunala about interactive memorials."
"Yes. That would go over the best, after all," Aster points out.
Zakaro hops off of the edge of the well, and comes around to Aster's side. "Well then, I anoint thee Yodhzakaro Aster," she says, and kissed Aster's forehead. "Mistress of Light and Shadow."
Aster goes a bit cross-eyed at that! For all the lore about crazy and power mad, Zakaro seems positively sane and easy to talk to. "I ... well ... thank you?" the new Yodhzakaro says. "How will I prove to the others I passed? Or does it require proof?"
"My mark is upon your forehead.. at least while in the Sanctuary," Zakaro explains. "It will fade of course, but it is the traditional way of showing that I have accepted you."
"Aww, it won't stay? Pity," Aster admits, and even pouts a little! Then she grins and nods. "All right, I suppose I'll end up on the bottom of the group, given I'm the newest. Hopefully that won't go poorly."
"My daughters are more of a meritocracy, but things may have changed as they were forced underground," Zakaro says. "And your sigils are permanent."
"Well, we shall see. I don't want to push a position, but rather be accepted by them over time. It's ... more effective usually," Aster admits. "Who is the current High Priestess?"
"Ashe holds the position by consensus," Zakaro says.
"But do you also approve it?" Aster asks.
"She was instrumental in the evacuation of the surface temple and in creating the convincing 'charred corpses' for the invaders to discover," Zakaro says. "The previous High Priestess did not survive the attack. Ashe is concerned about the survival of the remaining Yodhzakaro, and is very proactive about it. In these circumstances, I think she is the best sister for the position, but she will not call herself High Priestess."
"Should I try to get her to acknowledge that position and herself?" Aster asks.
"If it is necessary for dealing with the Mages, yes," Zakaro says. "Calling herself Acting High Priestess would show how weak our position is. Someone has to speak on behalf of the Yodhzakaro that the others will follow."
Aster nods. "Do you know why up to now she has not used that title?" she inquires. "Reluctant?"
"Her focus is on survival, I believe," Zakaro says, "but mainly I think it is because the Temple was destroyed, and that is the seat of the High Priestess, not the old Sanctuary and archive."
"Does she feel she is a failure? That she couldn't prevent it?" Aster asks.
"I don't know, she hasn't told me in her prayers," Zakaro says. "And I have not demanded it."
"What are the themes of her prayers? You need not tell me the exact asks, just what overall they tended to focus on, vaguely?" Aster inquires next. "Trying to get a feel for her state of mind."
"She asks for protection, and the strength to protect the others," Zakaro says. "She faced you in the Temple rather than hide. She's willing to risk herself for others. But underneath she feels desperate."
"I know that feeling well. She likely also feels unworthy of the title, and an imposter," Aster offers. "Most in such a position, and are worthy of the titles, never feel they are."
"She doesn't seek power, which is her flaw as a Yodhzakaro," Zakaro laments.
"It also makes her the most worthy of it," Aster points out.
"Not in the old way of doing things," Zakaro says, a bit melancholy. "The New Way probably requires it though."
"It gets you better leaders," Aster points out. "Much better, generally. They do it because it is needed, not because it is desired."
"Not much fun for them though," Zakaro points out. "In the old Temple, Ashe would have still been the one getting things done as the High Priestess's assistant. A position she declined when it was offered, however. Too much responsibility, she felt."
"Again, not surprising," Aster admits. "Many will do the work, but prefer having an out of not being officially responsible for it."
"If you wish to talk to her about it, feel free, but I advise against pushing her too much," Zakaro says.
"As she might pull back?" Aster asks.
"Or explode," Zakaro says. "She may not claim the office, but she still maintains a brave (if dour) face for the others."
"Is she part Eeep?" Aster jokes.
"All of my daughters are a bit volatile, why else is the Eeep our sacred creature?" Zakaro says. "It's expected of people to be cautious around us."
"Though to be fair, I have no idea why they would listen to me at all," Aster admits.
"Well, you're my specially chosen troubleshooter," Zakaro claims, grinning. "So go shoot the trouble."
"If they even believe me," Aster points out, shrugs! "Well, off to go do ... something!"
"Getting out of here is your first territory assignment," Zakaro says, and vanishes.
Aster rolls her eyes! "Of course," she mutters. Well, going back ought to be a matter of focusing on herself, and the room she was in, with the well. So, she tries that specifically!
The tricky thing is that the Sanctuary was empty when Aster started, so it's still going to be empty (presumably) when she returns to it.. just with people somewhere.
Unless people pocked their heads in, she realizes. But she tried to focus on herself there, and trying to get that self feeling out to see if there are people nearby or not.
There are auras, and in places that didn't exist in Zakaro's territory, so that's a good sign. She's fairly certain that Ashe is nearby. Certainly close enough to come if called to.
Alptraum rubs her own face. She also ponders poking herself with the dagger again to see if she feels it ... but she feels pain in weird places, so probably not a good sign to test that.
The cut mark is still there on her left hand, seeping a bit. If she squeezes her fist it might bleed again. There's no sign of blood on the dagger of course.
"Ashe?" Aster calls out to see if anyone looks in. She also licks her palm because, well, blood.
It doesn't take long for Ashe to appear. "I see you have the mark," Ashe says as she approaches the well. "At least I'm pretty sure you do. I've never seen it myself, even when I passed the test. No mirrors. I think the Yodhinala had all of those."
"I did. I have been named Aster by Zakaro," Aster agrees, and nods. "And discussed the needs of things going forward a bit. I want to try and set up a talk between the Temple and the Mages in a neutral location. I am pretty sure I can through the Barsunala arrange that Cyprian, known as the Avenger, and at least one more mage would be willing to meet. But the question is, would you be? You are the leader of those left."
Ashe's left ear twitches and being singled out as the leader. "What would we be meeting for, exactly?" she asks. "We aren't going to just surrender ourselves to the some foreign authority."
"Not the purpose. More of how to move forward without the fear of being persecuted. To find a way to work together, while retaining your autonomy and where your Temple can fit in publicly, instead of hiding underground," Aster explains.
"And we have to recognize the official authority of the Guild over magic, I suppose?" Ashe asks, looking unhappy. "At least, that's what I would demand if I were them."
"No, I didn't say that. I would not ask that, and I would preface any meeting with them as that can't be a demand, either," Aster says as she holds up a finger. "This needs to be a meeting of equals, with respect on both sides, or it will fail."
Ashe is breathing loudly, as if trying to calm down. "Equals.. they have all the advantage. Our safety depends on them not knowing we still exist.. I don't know," she says, and grabs at her ears. "It should be someone else, like the Librarian or. or.." She quickly runs out of replacements.
"No, they don't have all the advantage," Aster points out. "We have a huge advantage they do not. And he will be present as well; the Barsunala. This is all his plan and wish. The Mage's Guild respects him and he has the right to come and go as he wishes in their Tower. If it wasn't for him, they wouldn't have held and been able to deal with some of the remaining royal mages. And no, it needs to be you; everyone here looks up to you; it's obvious. I know it's scary to believe, but you already know that too."
"It's one thing to be looked up to, it's another to be.. diplomatic," Ashe claims. "I've got so much anger.. enough for Rephath herself.."
"What are you angry about?" Aster asks, "You don't have to worry about me, I'm not here to replace you, only help."
"If only you where here to replace me!" Ashe says, waving her hands. "I'm angry about being bombed by a foreign army for some political whatever that I don't know. I'm angry that it could happen again, without warning. I'm angry that the Coalition Government has basically sided with the Mages Guild on maintaining the towers.. just because one or two middling ones collapsed due their owners' lack of faith."
"You're better as their leader than I ever would be," Aster says and waves her hand. "If the Barsunala were here ... he could probably top you on anger. There was a time he'd have burned the entire world if he had the chance to. Anyway, I say that because he would understand that feeling intimately. But he realized at some point he had to let some of it go if he were to do something meaningful and helpful. Rage is easy, helping isn't. Though if you want motivation; nothing is a greater spit in the eye of those that tried to remove you than to survive, return, and flourish. So, if you want revenge ... succeed. Forge alliances where there wasn't ones before. The other Temples are finding places in the new world, and this one can too. There are things that only this Temple does, that I think could work well. And I know you are mad at them, but there is a large part of the Mage's guild in Babel that just want to help. They don't care about the politics, they just want to help. It's why they work with the Barsunala; and why he's been given leave to come and go from the Tower at will."
"I can't go to their tower," Ashe says. "And they can't come here, to Mt. Zakaro." She's giving some conditions now, which is a far cry from saying 'no' to the idea.
"Of course not. We would want a neutral location so neither has advantage from that," Aster agrees. "One option could be Mount Dronnel; since it's allied to none of the other Temples."
"Dronnel is still a sacred place, but the Yodh have free access to it," Ashe says, sort-of agreeing. "Just me and the Barsunala and the Avenger?"
"Probably one other mage. Likely a spirit one since she's a bit of an oddball and would be fascinated to meet you, actually," Aster notes. "And one area where you could be public has some tie to it. I've never seen a library quite as what you have here, and I think you could ply that art in a way the people of Babel would cherish."
"The Library?" Ashe asks. "You mean the crazy heads, right?"
"Yes. Think about what the term 'Living History' could mean. Or how things like that could be used to allow someone to know parents who died when they were very young," Aster prompts.
"You mean, have non-crazy people make their own?" Ashe asks. "I'd need to talk to the Librarian about what's involved. But.. you don't mean to turn that over to the Mages, do you?"
"Of course not," Aster says. "I'm thinking it's a way you can show the people what you can do and that it has a positive benefit. The mages are so they are aware, and to get them to agree to not interfere. And in time, work together."
"Nnnnnnn," Ashe goes as she grinds her teeth. "Fine! I have no ideas on how to.. get out of this anyway," she admits, waving her hands to indicate the hidden Sanctuary.
"Get out of what?" Aster asks. "Do you wish to leave the Temple?"
"I want.. to not be hidden," Ashe says, dropping her arms and looking tired. "Being afraid."
"Of being hunted?" Aster asks. "What is it you fear?" She pauses and looks around, then adds, "If you wished it, you can leave the Temple and the city. There are plenty of towns that could use a protective 'witch' to help them with the supernatural. Even Zakaro suggested it may be a role for Her daughters, to have a life outside of being hidden in this city."
This gets a shocked expression from Ashe. "Leave? I can't leave the Yodhzakaro to fend for themselves!"
"But you act as if you hate this," Aster points out. "Leaving the city would grant you freedom and relieve responsibility."
"I'm a Yodhzakaro," Ashe says. "This is my home, these are my sisters. Let the ones that ran off be witches! I don't care how hard or hopeless it is, but this where I stand."
"Just be ready to bend some then, so you don't break," Aster advises. "And also why you are best suited for the role that you chose."
"I didn't choose it," Ashe claims. "It just happened. There's nothing official."
"Not even the faith of Your Goddess in you?" Aster asks, innocently.
"Still not official," Ashe claims. "The High Priestess is appointed by the sitting High Priestess or by vote of all Yodhzakaro.. barzakaro not included."
"And you think they wouldn't vote for you?" Aster asks. "You'll have more authority when meeting with others if you had an official title."
"They'd vote for me," Ashe grumbles. "We just haven't needed a High Priestess since the Temple fell."
"Do you feel there is a better candidate?" Aster asks, "For a Temple that will rise from its ashes?"
"I see what you did there," Ashe says. "And no, there isn't, or I would have forced a vote to get them in place."
"Regretting deciding to meet me instead of staying hidden yet?" Aster asks.
Ashe glares at Aster for a moment. "Still undecided," she says. "Zakaro sent you though. Or the Barsunala. I'll arrange a vote, and you arrange the meeting."
Aster holds up a finger. "Or, I could leave and everyone forget everything that has happened. I came to help, but if it is unwanted by the majority, I can also just leave quietly," she offers. "No harm, no upset, no bad feelings. This is a choice the Temple must make on its own, with no pressure. I know what I want; but what matters more is what you want."
"Oh, hell no, they going to vote for me to make the decisions," Ashe says. "I don't trust them to make a big decision."
"Either way, it's something you all have to decide. I have to stay out of this decision. The offer has been made, and options thought of at this time provided. I'm too new and not impartial," Aster says. "Should I leave and give the Temple a few days to consider?"
"Yeah.. tell the Barsunala we'll be ready in a few days if he wants to meet on Mt. Dronnel," Ashe says. "And there'll be a High Priestess. The Avenger has to be there too, especially if he'll be bringing another Mage along."
"That sounds like you have already decided," Aster points out. "Not that you would be considering my proposal."
"I've decided to call a vote," Ashe says. "I'll fill everyone in on why I'm calling the vote. If they don't want to do this, they don't have to vote for me. I'll need a majority vote to be declared High Priestess, but nothing will really change if I don't get it."
"And if it does fall through, who will explain that to the Barsunala?" Aster asks.
"You will, unless he decides to come here in person," Ashe says. "He may be more convincing than I am, and then we can call another vote."
"Fair enough then. I will relay the plan to him," Aster agrees. "So, sounds like we've both got a lot to go do."
"I have to get everyone awake at the same time now," Ashe bemoans. "Come one, I'll get you past the Eeeps."
"Easy solution is to scare them, then run away. No more Eeep problem," Aster quips as she heads towards the way out. "Might make Ephasto mad, though; she's near them."
"Ephasto doesn't have to feed them," Ashe points out at she leads the way back through the caves.
"Or clean up their poo," Aster adds as she follows along. "I'll also warn the Avenger you will likely be nude. He finds that distracting."
"Or so the Barsunala has mentioned to me when I've asked to speak to Cyprian directly," she adds.
"Yodhzakaro are not meant to be arousing," Ashe claims. "Except for you apparently. The barzakaro asked about you."
"Pardon? Why?" Aster has to ask.
"Eh, they want to have sex with you," Ashe claims, as she begins her Eeep sedation process.
"Don't they have sex with the other Yodhzakaro? Why me, specifically?" Aster asks.
"Or each other?" she adds.
"You're pretty," Ashe points out. "And your ribs aren't showing. I suppose they might have sex with the others. It's not an official thing."
"Which one is yours, then?" Aster asks, innocently.
"Which one what is mine?" Ashe asks. "Which barzakaro? None of them."
"Surprising, most men find women like you hot," Aster comments, shrugs. "If they want to do such with me, they'll have to ask."
"My specialty is fire, ash and smoke," Ashe points out. "Of course I'm hot."
"And thus all the Barzakaro probably lust after you," Aster quips.
"Not my problem if them do," Ashe says as she leads the way through the slumbering Eeep field.
"Ah, you prefer women, then," Aster says and nods sagely as she follows in Ashe's exact footsteps. "Not uncommon."
"I prefer fire," Ashe claims. "I'm a virgin. Lots of Yodhzakaro are. But some are born into this. So we have barzakaro."
"I can fix one of those," Aster jokes, grins. "Joking aside, it's a good way to relieve stress."
"One paradigm shift at a time," Ashe replies, as the get to the ramp leading upwards to the hidden door. "Stress keeps me sharp and borderline crazy, like all good Yodhzakaro."
Aster chuckles. "Sorry, just trying to break the ice as it were," she admits. "Bad habit I learned from the Barsunala."
"He seems rather relaxed for an offshoot of Death," Ashe notes as she undoes the lock and gets the hatch opened.
"He has to be, he deals with people in their worst moments. If he didn't learn to relax, he would be more miserable than he is," Aster explains and pats Ashe on the butt. "I should have some info from him in a day or two. Have fun stepping into your new role."
"Butt patting will not get you any favors," Ashe claims. "But good luck with the Barsunala."
"I didn't ask for any favors," Aster points out. "And thank you. You may not believe it right now, but things will get better. It's just one step at a time. Think about the type of Temple you would be proud of. You need to start setting goals now..."
"And maybe some bricks and mortar would help as well," Ashe says.
"Well, you know what they say, the mortar the merrier," Aster quips! "And I bet you're amazing with a kiln. So, perfect job for you. Though in all seriousness, you're a credit to the Temple, it's been an honor to meet you."