Sisters of the Red Lotus - Gemstone Thread - Printable Version +- Hydaelyn Role-Players (https://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/mybb18) +-- Forum: Role-Play (https://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/mybb18/forumdisplay.php?fid=27) +--- Forum: Town Square (IC) (https://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/mybb18/forumdisplay.php?fid=21) +--- Thread: Sisters of the Red Lotus - Gemstone Thread (/showthread.php?tid=9469) Pages:
1
2
|
RE: Sisters of the Red Lotus - Gemstone Thread - Adeya - 01-03-2015 Adeya cocks her head to one side, studying the glimmering stone intently. As far as she could tell her plan had worked somewhat, if mayhaps not as well as she would have liked. Still, at least she knew for sure now that it wasn’t actually storing aether inside it, though what exactly it was using it for was unclear as ever. She would have to try this again sometime, when she had a better sense of where all that energy could possibly be going. There was nothing for it. Tomorrow she would have to begin asking around, see if anyone knew anything about either gemstones capable of directing aether over distances or the Sisters of the Red Lotus. Her colleagues at the Arcanists’ Guild seemed the best source for the magical question, though she wasn’t really expecting much; if someone had run into a gem like this before she felt sure they would have brought it up, as the potential for spellcasting was obvious. The Sisters would most likely be trickier. Still, there was a Yellowjacket or two that owed her a favor, though she loathed to call them in on something like this. In the meantime, she gave the stone one last suspicious look before she stuck it and the folded letter in one of her pockets, then downed the rest of her drink. Yet even though it was out of sight her mind remained on the stone. She wasn’t quite sure what someone would want with as much aether as the stone was evidently sending, but she had a feeling it wasn’t for anything good. RE: Sisters of the Red Lotus - Gemstone Thread - Elros - 01-04-2015 Elros made a quick right while walking down the Sapphire Exchange, then a left unto pearl lane before heading up to an unremarkable door and letting himself in. The room was large but seemed almost claustrophobic as various displays of merchandise formed a cage around him. Elros walked around the shop taking in the various wares; a necklace here, a ring there, a few earrings. What caught his eye though was an ornate jeweled dagger, curiosity eventually got the best of him but before he could pick up the dagger he heard someone emerge from the back of the shop. “Ah! Elros!†An olive skinned, blue eyed lalafell dressed in fine silks walked over to a chair situated behind the counter that displayed the dagger Elros was just gawking over. Beaming up at Elros the Dunesfolk proceeded to speak in that same deep gravelly voice as before, “It’s been awhile! How are the Ravens treating you nowadays?†Elros gave the lalafell a glare before snapping back “You know exactly how they’re treating me Zezetano!†The lalafell waved his arms in the air chuckling, “Calm down! Calm down! I was merely asking, I’m just surprised they haven’t delivered on their promise yet. Anyhow, you’re not here to talk about old friends, how can I help you?†Elros reached into his pocket and took out a folded piece of paper with a red stone. “Well…†Elros proceeded to unravel the letter while placing the gem on the counter “I received this gem along with this letter not too long ago, was wondering how much you would give for it.†Zezetano picked up the crimson gemstone and held it up before mumbling “A symbol of a jewel?†Elros quickly responded, “It’s a bit ironic when you think about it.†Zezetano gazed at Elros then at the stone “You said it was a gift? You sure you want to give it away?†Simply nodding his head, Elros stretched his arm out to hand the paper to the lalafell “Here take a lookâ€. Zezetano perused the paper over before setting it down to inspect the gem once more, “The Sisters huh?†Elros quickly chimed in saying how odd it was that a group he’s never heard of was sending him gifts. Zezetano stared at Elros before speaking up “Well I can tell you this, they are a sisterhood that is strongly devoted to Nald'Thal, but they differ from other worshippers of the twins in that they hold Thal in higher regard. Now here’s what people don’t know…. They have gil…. And a lot of it, one would imagine such a small sect amongst the worshippers of Nald’Thal wouldn’t receive enough donations to keep their coffers full, but that begs to question where all the gil comes from. They also have this notion that Thal’s chosen will ascend and bring a final era of peace and prosperity….All that being said, these sisters –ARE– a charitable bunch….I can offer you five hundred gil for the stone†Elros was about to say how cult like Zezetano made the Sisters sound until he realized how poor an offer the lalafell made him “Five hundred gil! The stone’s worth double, if not triple the amount with the religious implications it might have.†The lalafell let out a sigh “Look Elros, I have to make a profit, you know that. Five hundred take it or leave it.†Elros scoffed “I’ll leave it.†Quickly after snatching the stone off the counter he stormed out. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Clearly the lalafell peaked his interest, Elros could not stop turning the stone around in his hand as he walked down the Emerald Avenue, eventually he held it up gazing intently at the symbol carved so intricately on the stone. “I’ll keep it for now.†RE: Sisters of the Red Lotus - Gemstone Thread - Unnamed Mercenary - 01-05-2015 Quote:In the Spirit of starlight, we are distributing blessings of prosperity to all. It was normally odd enough to receive a letter. Stranger that not only was it directly addressed to him, but Franz was unaware of the contact completely. The letter and parcel had arrived together. It was left on his desk for about a week before Franz had considered opening it. He'd carefully opened the envelope and unfolded the message, reading it over a few times. "But I don't even celebrate Starlight..." The confused look on Franz's face would have been plenty of proof to validify his claim. Folding the letter back to place it back in its letter and unwrapping the gift, he held up the crimson gemstone to get a better look at it. It was certainly nice-looking. And someone had intended to give it to him... As he tucked it into a pocket, he decided there could be no home in a good-luck charm, because they simply didn't exist. And if it was "Blessed by the Twelve", then there was still nothing to worry about. Unknown to him, his own aether, if even just a little, unwound from the twisted knots it was usually in. Perhaps it may be a lucky day. RE: Sisters of the Red Lotus - Gemstone Thread - Granil Tempish - 01-11-2015 Wandering idly around the Goblet, Granil never really paid much attention to where he was going. Somehow finding his way back to the company house, he walks through the gates, blissfully unaware of the Delivery Moogle trying to grab his attention. Finally, with the Moogle screeching Kupo's and waving maniacally in his face, Granil noticed him. Tilting his head to the right, he considers the Moogle "Hmm? Messages or bundley parcels do you have for me mayhap?" The moogle, cheeks pinker than usually from exertion, throws a package at Granils feet before fluttering back to his post. Tilting his head to the left, He reached up and lightly scratched the side of his head while looking down at the parcel. Toeing it with his shoe, He leans down and picks up the small packet. Walking over to the nearby benchs, he hops up onto one, under the parasol shade, turning the strange packet around in his hand "Hmm, oddicles.... Mail for me, letter or gift?.... I hope my potions have left no one miffed!" He eyes the packet warily, pulling a book from his bag and begins to read it. ~ 3 Hours later ~ Granil sits, still under the parasol, book in both hands, though his eyes have glazed over with a slight and steady stream of drool escaping out the corner of his mouth. The book finally succumbs to gravity and falls with a thud to the ground, snapping Granil out of his trance. He casually reachs up and wipes the drool away before remembering the package beside him. Having forgotten his concerns from earlier, he reachs over, pulls the packet to him and opens it, shaking the closed end so the contents (a little black box and a letter) fly out of it and tumble to the ground. Hoping off the bench, he picks up his dropped book, the letter and the box. Setting the book on the bench, he looks to the letter first: "Dearest friend, In the spirit of the recent Heavensturn, we are distributing blessings of prosperity to all. Please accept this gemstone and think of it as a token of good fortune. — Sisters of the Red Lotus —" Blinks and rereads the letter before turning his attention to the box "Silly somepersons, this is a box, not a sparklies" He chuckles, opening the box and taking out the crimson stone. Turning it around in his hands, his fingers move over the image carved into it, a Wand with a break or crack in the middle of it "Hmm, a sparklies with a wandles of brokeness" He holds the stone up to the sun, watching the stone burst into a radiant red shine, sending light shafts of red in all directions. He both senses and observes something shifting within the gem, deep at its core "A stonsies of sparkles and something hidden within.... interestingly curious" Slipping the gem into his pocket for a closer inspection later, he folds the letter up into a crude, winged creation. Tapping Yagrush against the paper and channeling a little aether, the paper takes flight, soaring around the yard before being caught by the wind and carried over the end of the cliff face at the end of the garden. He runs up to the fence, tilting his head and watching the paper riding the currents further and further away. He raises his hand and waves enthusiastically towards it before turning around and heading into the house RE: Sisters of the Red Lotus - Gemstone Thread - Adrian - 01-12-2015 Character: Staelufre Lysmerl In the house of many people, there was often very few secrets. Doors were left unlocked, and peace was a struggle to maintain. So it was always a relief to the miqo’te to unlock her mate’s office and hear the little click of the latch falling closed once inside. Staelufre relaxed, tail swinging, and walked over to the kitchenette to grab some of the candies left out. She chewed on them, thoughtfully and happily, and walked over to the desk with purpose of stealing a nap underneath it. That’s when she noticed a little package on the table. Her tail wiggles, and immediately the pink-haired woman rips into it, revealing a small flat stone. It rested easily in her hand, a beautiful shade of red. She turned the thing this way and that, letting it change in depth depending on how the light played. Most interestingly, there was the carving of an owl in flight across the front. Immediately partaken to the thing by imagery alone, she put the little stone in her pocket. Next was a note: Quote:Dearest friend, Staelufre had no idea who those were, and that made her even more curious. She carefully folded the note and stowed it in a separate pocket, sucking thoughtfully on her candy. Why give one to her? It was surely meant to her, with the image of the owl carved on the front. L'aenoh, after all, was no owl. She wondered if the little crimson stone was actually meant to bring her good fortune, or was it meant to bring fortune to those mysterious Sisters? The miqo'te's mind continued to race, golden eyes narrowed at a spot on the wall. She could riddle out nothing, as of yet. There was too little to go off of, too many variables and too many unknowns. She would need help. Perhaps Swygsath would know. Well. It wasn’t going to be a mystery solved right this bell, so she found her blankets and sheep-shaped pillow and climbed under L’aenoh’s desk to sleep away the early afternoon. The nightmares hadn't stopped recently, and she wanted some true peace for at least half a sun. RE: Sisters of the Red Lotus - Gemstone Thread - Kage - 01-14-2015 It had been several suns since then... since the lalafell had received the parcel. He'd even met a few who had something similar but nothing that has given him any type of answers. Who were they, Sisters of the Red Lotus? What was this gift? Kage thought back to the night when he had received the item. A small gem and on it an engraving of a nutkin. Whoever these sisters of the Red Lotus were, they must have seen him with one of his pets or was a friend. But who? Kage was sure his friends would have been upfront with him with such a gift. That was when he found it odd. A strange feeling, one that was distantly familiar but unused. Aether! Something was happening aetherially with this gemstone. Almost... taking in but spreading it all around. Kage furrowed his eyebrows and concentrated, pulling some of his aether and directing it towards the gem. He dropped it in surprise and suspicion. He'd never felt or seen anything like it. So strange... though it did not feel like it was maleficent or of the void... it still made the little lalafell very wary. He didn't like being curious. What was this? Kage had already tried asking the other gemstone holders he'd happened upon. None of the few he'd met knew anything. He'd even pointed Chachanji right to that stupid damned garlean but nothing. Hell nothing came of directly asking the damned man at the drinking competition! It was time to be direct. Kage took out a piece of parchment. While penning his thoughts to paper, his eyebrows furrowed and the tip of his tongue just barely escaped his lips. He closed it, stamped it and sent it off. Hopefully someone at these Sisters organization would reply. RE: Sisters of the Red Lotus - Gemstone Thread - Tiergan - 01-15-2015 (01-14-2015, 03:38 PM)Kage Wrote: The next morning a letter arrives in the mail, written on clean crisp parchment and fresh black ink: Dearest friend, It would be our greatest honour and pleasure to send one of our Order to meet with you, answer any inquires you may have, and alleviate your concerns. If you are comfortable asking your questions around others, one of our Sisters will be meeting with another gentleman on the 6th Bell of the 18th day of this moon in Ul'dah's Gold Court. You may ask your questions there together. Otherwise, feel free to let us know where and when would be most appropriate and we will send one of our Sisterhood to speak with you. -- Sisters of the Red Lotus -- [[ A Sister is going to be meeting up with Noxalius in the Gold Court on the 18th from 6PM-7PM Pacific Time. Feel free to show up and you can ask questions alongside Nox. ]] RE: Sisters of the Red Lotus - Gemstone Thread - Gegenji - 01-15-2015 Letters seemed the order of the day, from the looks of things. For another letter was being carefully composed from within Chachanji's new room at Coral House. It hadn't been long after his official induction that he had approached Mr. Franz about their... incident at the Quicksand. Where, at the end of a conversation wrought from their two stones reacted to each other, a close pass had caused something deeper to forcefully pass between them. Memories. He had broached the subject as carefully as he could to the man with memories from Garlemald. It has ended up with him learning far more than he had expected of the much taller gentleman, from within the sanctity of the Garlean's own room. Of the experiment, of the accident, of his being cast away and left to flounder in Eorzea. And of the folks who had taken him in, to whom he had felt confident enough in sharing his secret with. And now Chachanji himself was of that number, even if the circumstances leading to it were most likely much more bizarre than that of Franz's other confidants. However, having suffered quite the startling negativity himself from a particular lady Lalafell in Ul'dah about his heritage on two separate occasions, the young Doman Lalafell was no less likely to squander the trust the Garlean had placed in him. He was, in fact, fairly certain he would've kept remained mum on the matter even if he hadn't suffered such a thing, since doing so was certainly not something a friend or hero would do. However, he could still warn the other stone-bearer he knew - his also quite new friend Kage Kiryuu - of this new change to the stones. After all, he had been standing quite close to the other Lalafell when they had talked of their stones in the Quicksand those many suns prior; and there was no hopping of his bunnystone from within his grasp nor the transfer of memories. What had been passed unto him had been private, important... and he wanted to help ensure that Kage would not unintentionally do the same, possibly to someone much less friendly than Chachan himself. So, while the handwriting was large and childish, the content within was not. ... Mostly, anyway. RE: Sisters of the Red Lotus - Gemstone Thread - Blue - 01-18-2015 ((Note: This was written by both me and Mae.)) The curtains were drawn against the afternoon light as Jet'a sat at the Orphanage's desk, his attention focused on the new inventory list he was preparing. His ears twitched occasionally as a particularly loud snippet of childish chatter and antics floated up from the playroom below, followed by either the encouraging voice of Mallow or the soft disiplines of Holly. Thank Menphina for Holly, Jet'a sent a quick prayer. The ethereal and delicate looking Lalafell was as inquisitive as her much more robust sister, but posessed a quiet maturity that made her a more than welcome addition to the meager staff that the Orphanage had. ... Elm lumber... iron... rivets... steel... He paused and frowned at the old inventory list. Walnut..? I thought we had just gotten some. How is it going so fast..? He put down the quill and sat back, holding the list in his lap as he read through it. ... Thankfully we can find most of this for sale, but I'm going to need to go and find more components for potions to sell... the antelope horn powder i-- Jet'a stopped and looked at the door. Something had thumped against it, and the sound had been repeated a moment later. He was about to go back to his work when something started to scratch at the door, followed by a muffled mewling and another thud. He looked around and then at the stairs leading to the children's playroom, considering calling Mallow if she didn't make an appearence in a moment. He wasn't fond of the orange tabby cat, and was seriously considering ignoring the little beast until a rather horrid yowl and another thud came from the door. He huffed and got up, tucking the list into a pocket before opening the door and dully staring down at the big cat. "I will not keep it open, waiting for you to make your decision." The orange tabby flicked Jet'a an impaitent look before picking up the bundle of mail it had dropped on the doorstep and sauntered into the room. It hopped onto the desk and dropped the mail, glanced around the desk, then deliberately sat on the old list before casting Jet'a another disdainful look before Jet'a shooed it away. It made a huffing noise as it hopped from desk to table, and then climbed to the top of the bookshelf. Jet'a moved to the desk and began sorting the mail; one pile for the letters addressed to the Orphanage itself, and the other for those addressed to the Gardener. He'd have to take care of the ones addressed to the Orphanage himself; the Gardener was prone to only reading the ones addressed to her, and only because they were requests for things for her to make. He was almost finished when he stopped on the second last mail: a small package, wrapped in anonymous paper. And it was addressed to his name. Jet'a frowned; that was unusual... his commissions had always and only gone through the Alchemists' Guild, that he'd visit regularly to receive them and turn in the requested orders. He had never given his address or data to anyone, due to the erratic wandering that his... “hobby†... forced him into. And also for safety measures; he knew he was probably wanted for his crimes, and even though he had always made sure to leave no witnesses (save for the slaves that he had freed and hosted at the Orphanage... making sure to serve an amnesic potion to those that decided to leave), he couldn't tell for sure that an assailtant seeking revenge would one day try to find him. And the last place he wanted to bring his own trouble at was a building full of kids and wounded refugees. He could feel something solid inside the package. With a bit of reluctance, he opened the letter and turned it upside down to let the object slip down and fall in his right hand. It was a flat, red stone, about the size of his palm. The symbol of some kind of horse seemed to be carved within, a rather unusual and unique kind of craft. Odd too, as Jet'a couldn't figure out its purpose or use, no matter on which side he'd flip it. He felt... something weird about the stone. There seemed to be a certain aetherial concentration in it; that wouldn't have been the first time for him to see something like that. It was rather common of crystals, the very reason beastmen craved for them. The Keeper of the Moon turned his attention on the package, realizing a piece of paper was folded within. He put the stone down on the desk and leaned on the desk with his left hand while reading the fresh parchment. The ink was tracing a crisp, neat script. “Dearest friend, in the spirit of Starlight, we are distributing blessings of prosperity to all. Please accept this gemstone and think of it as a token of good fortune. Signed: Sisters of the Red Lotusâ€.... I don't remember ever hearing this name before. Jet'a turned the now empty package, looking for more clues that were not there. Yet they give this to me, why? He looked at the words in the letter again, frowning quietly. It could be a trap. A little girl walked inside the building from the main entrance just behind him, trotting towards the staircase leading down. She stopped however, noticing Jet'a and the object on the desk. With curiosity she skipped over to pick it up. “Oh, this is so pretty...!†She looked up at Jet'a, who was still re-reading the letter. “Is this Golden that is carved on it?†“...No, that is a horse. Golden is a unicorn.†He replied quietly. He could detect his steed's scent on the girl's hands, and a part of his mind was already guessing what she had been doing outside. A lot of the girls in the Orphanage had found a new game in threading braids on Golden's mane and tail, something that he inwardly disapproved, but he did not feel to be his place to argue against. “Oh.†The girl looked down at the stone again, before lifting it to look at it against the light of the lamp on the desk. “It's really pretty though. Did you make it?†“... No.†Jet'a's tall collar well hid the sigh he let out at seeing the child play with that stone. “Would you mind to help Miss Mallow's cat down the bookshelf? I think he is afraid to come down on his own.†The two looked in direction of the red tabby cat, who in turn lowered his head.. possibly trying to hide. The girl blinked, then put down the stone to head over to the bookshelf, climbing on the stool and stretching her arms and legs to try and reach up to the cat. “C'mon, Mr. Fuzzyboots!†The Miqo'te took that opportunity to pick up everything and head for the door on the left, ignoring the look of annoyance the cat gave to him before picking itself up and hopping down to the child. Jet'a entered the halls, walking towards the greenhouse. He paused a second before the wooden door, the scent of fresh plants reaching his nose strongly. He knocked twice, lightly on the wood, listening for any noise that may indicate the gardener's presence and awareness. There were some skittering noises before her calm, absent voice reached him with a call. “It is open.†Jet'a entered the greenhouse, glancing around slowly. “I've brought the mail.†He informed her. The red-haired woman glanced over from the planter she was tending. “Yes?†He nodded, walking over to her and handing over two parchments. “You have two new orders...†The gardener took the letters and opened one, her eyes flicking down the paper. “I see.†“...And I've got mail.†Jet'a added just that, knewing it would be enough for her to catch the oddiness of the event. “...You do not receive mail here.†She said in an absent, somewhat mechanical murmur, without glancing up from the second letter. “I know...†Jet'a trailed off, sensing something ... tugging... on his tail, as if trying to nibble at it. “...Can you tell....†He looked back, and made a guess. It was still impossible for him to tell the two small morbol seedlings apart. “...Audrey to stop trying to eat me?†Again, the gardener did not look up. “He is not food, Audrey.†The little morbol slinked off to the other side of the room, emitting small rustling sounds, as well as a throaty noise that was almost like a growl. “...Thank you.†Jet'a bowed his head slightly, then rose his hand, to show the little pile of things, the gemstone over the folded paper, over the empty package. “This is what it contained.†Finally, the gardener glanced up from her letter, then down at the one Jet'a was holding. Her usually impassive expression actually turned into a frown. “What is that?†“A luck charm of sorts, according to those who have sent it to me.†“...†“...Something is off with it, I can feel it.†The Miqo'te observed the woman with reverential attention. “The aether in it... it's acting oddly. I thought you could know more, perhaps?†The woman's piercing golden eyes pointed on him in a puzzled look, before she reached for the stone.. and stopped, pulling her hand back. “...I should not touch that.†She said in a quiet mutter. Jet'a observed her in silence. It wasn't the simple reluctance the gardener had often shown for mundane and trivial things that was keeping her from inspecting the stone, no. She was clearly interested this time, but in a way that did not promise anything good. He looked down at the red charm, concentrating on it, sensing its aether meeting his own. It was a very odd feeling, similar to when he had attuned to aetherytes, yet different. “...It's like it's using me as a focus.†He said, before slipping the piece of paper beneath the stone and opening it before the woman. “The letter doesn't mention anything about it though.†“...How does a stone use a person as a focus?†The gardener frowned again, before looking at the paper, her eyes scanning down. “...Red Lotus?†“...There are many strands of aether coming from all directions and to this stone... It flows around my own like...†Jet'a paused, trying to find a term that did not bother him. He couldn't find any. “...It's almost a caress, like it's gingerly studying me. Do you know that name?†She frowned yet again, before carefully scooting around Jet'a, as if afraid to touch him. The wizard observed her. “...You think this is some kind of cursed object?†“...I do not know.†She started pawing through the drawers of the cabinet in the far corner of the greenhouse. “It is...†She paused and frowned, obviously struggling to find words. She was agitated, and it was impacting her ability to speak. Jet'a moved a few steps closer, trying to see what she was doing. The gardener shook her head. “Yes. It is connected.†She murmured, going back to going through the drawers, irritation slowly bubbling the surface as she seemed unable to find what she was looking for. “Is there something you require?†Jet'a found himself asking, guilt starting to creep in the back of his mind. He did not like to cause distress to women, never mind the one he considered as his “leaderâ€, or Matriarch, at best. “Rowen.†She said quickly. “...I should have rowen in here...†“You mean, a second growth of hay?†The Miqo'te glanced around, trying to figure out what she could possibly do with something like that. “No. It is a small tree that bears clusters of red berries...†Jet'a opened his mouth to further inquire, but he was interrupted as he noticed a change in the stone. He closed his eyes, focusing, to then reopen them slowly, staring at a point of the wall. “...The strands of aether...†The gardener made a noise of disgust and frustration, then pulled out a length of purplish vine from a jar before turning to look at Jet'a. “...What?†“They're coming out of the stone with new ends... and those all go in the same direction.†The wizard tilted his head slightly, concentrating on his perception. “It's like... a stream with its tributaries.. You think it could be pointing at these Red Lotus Sisters?†He looked at the gardener, and she stared back in sielnce, before muttering something under her breath, before quickly starting to weave the purple vine into a sphere, ignoring the damage the small thorns were inflicting on her hands. “...It is possible.†“Maybe I should try and see what--†The tangy, irony scent of blood struck Jet'a's nostrils, and he turned to look at her with a slightly panicked look. “...You're bleeding.†“It will stop.†“What are you doing?†The gardener shook her head, obviously feeling agitated, then held out the sphere for Jet'a to take. “... Put it in there.†He frowned, reacing to grab the sphere of vine and thorns. “...Inside?†“Yes.†She watched him gently push the flat stone between the vines until it fit, observing the result. She then wiped her hands on her pants, before moving across the room. “...Raspberry vines are not as strong as rowen branches, but.... it is the best precaution I can give at this time.†“Precaution to what?†He asked, following her gaze. “...†She stopped in front of the fountain on the north-western corner of the greenhouse. “...Things.†She then leaned over, starting to feel her way through the various water plants inside the fountain. She the straightened up and shook the water from her arms, before turning to sit on the edge. Jet'a's ears tilted backwards in slight annoyance. “I don't suppose you would be more specific than that?†Shaking her head, she frowned. “...I... cannot.†“...†The blue-haired Miqo'te looked down at the stone in the vines. “...I think I should see what's at the other end... the one that is receiving all this aether. Especially if it's something dangerous, it is probably not safe for it to have a direction to this place.†Running one hand over her face, the gardener got up and walked back over, holding a tuber in her hands. “That is... probably wise.†Jet'a looked at her and the tuber, trying to guess her intentions. The gardener did not speak, seemingly struggling to say something. She instead shook her head again and instead held up the tuber. She then very deliberately bended it, causing part of it to snap off. She did this several times, then held it out again. Although the root had been broken several times, the parts were still connected thanks to a network of thin fibers. When Jet'a only replied with a slight head-tilt, she struggled again, and finally spoke. “...Lotus... even when the root is broken... separated... the pieces stay connected.†She said slowly. “Through... fibers. Strands.†“...You are trying to say this is what is happening with this stone?†She hesitated, considering, then nodded. Again, the wizard looked down t the orb of vines, finally putting it in a pocket inside his cowl. “I'll remember that. Maybe it's not just a coincidence.†“...Be careful.†Jet'a froze, and looked up at the gardener. He felt a little disturbed to hear those words coming from her. It was the first time she seemed to express worry for someone since he had met her over five years ago. “...If there is something you know, or just feel, I'd hear it, Althaea.†He said humbly, using the name he had given her when she had been unable to provide one. The red-haired shook her head. “...I... I do not know more. I can just feel...†She gestured at the pocket where Jet'a had put the stone. “...It is foreign, and it... bothers me.†Jet'a followed her gaze, and then gave one respectful nod. “Do not be concerned.†“Lotus is... normally... not something to be wary of.†She mumbled. “A lotus is pure, but... it symbolizes life as much as it does death. ...And the red ones are for the heart.†She shook her head again, still frowning. “...Be careful.†“I will.†He slowly replied. “If I don't find anything by the time the sun rises, I'll be back.†The gardener's nod was for him her permission for him to leave the room. Jet'a grabbed the saddle and harness in the chest at the entrance of the orphanage, and turned around the corner outside to find Golden, calmly grazing on the grass next to the stabled crimson chocobo of the gardener. Jet'a took a moment to inwardly sighed when he saw the partially braided mane of his steed. He would have had to disentangle it again.. Promising himself to do it during the journey, he proceeded on saddling the dark-coated unicorn. After his ride was ready, Jet'a led Golden outside of the yard before mounting it. The stone's aether flow still pointing at a very specific direction to the north-west. Keeping his shades on against the light of the sunset, Jet'a began his ride after the mysterious stream of aether. RE: Sisters of the Red Lotus - Gemstone Thread - KitKat - 01-21-2015 The lanky elezen stared at the clock on the wall, lamenting each tick the minute hand took as it signaled an end to the deadline she had set for herself. Her hair sat disheveled and pinned to the top of her head, the stress from her job made her uncaring of her appearance today. Ultimately the deadline didn't matter and she realized it. Her failure just served as a reminder as to what was at stake here: her home and family. That particular thought rekindled the passion she held for her work. Making the decision to redouble her efforts, she rummaged around the mess on her dining room table, letting a little sardonic laugh out as she realized that it had never once been used for dining. Katriane reached into the box where she'd been storing the topaz used in her experiments. Her hand froze as she felt a little twinge of electric shock from inside the box. She unceremoniously dumped the box's contents on the table and rifled through scattered topaz until she noticed the flat red stone. Curious, she picked the stone up and turned it over in her hand. A symbol of a chalice was visible on the face of the stone. The woman ran her thumb across the carving, once again feeling a faint shock. Her eyes lit up as she realized that the stone she held just might be the answer to what she'd been working on all this time. She swept the lesser stones off the table where they clattered to the floor. Her attention was drawn to the small note that had laid buried under the topaz. "A token of good fortune..." The elezen spoke softly to herself. "I'll say. I have never heard of these Sisters of the Red Lotus. I shall have to try and learn more." Katriane left her messy room, gem and note in hand, and started off toward Ul'dah to see what she could find. ((If anyone's interested, Kat can bump into your character with this. Always up for it.)) |