Sigurd Rainecourt: That was a lovely story.
Xenedra Ambreaus: It was *you* who asked if I'd heard a different version, yes?
Xenedra Ambreaus: And thanks.
Xenedra Ambreaus smiles at Sigurd Rainecourt.
Sigurd Rainecourt: It was me, yes. I'd heard mention of another version, but I'm not to familiar with any version to be honest.
Xenedra Ambreaus: Ah. I was hoping to hear it~
Sigurd Rainecourt: Reinette might know. She had made mention of it.
Xenedra Ambreaus nods to Sigurd Rainecourt.
Xenedra Ambreaus: I'll~ go ask. Thanks.
Xenedra Ambreaus bows courteously to Sigurd Rainecourt.
Sigurd Rainecourt: Certainly.
L'aenoh Tia turns, tail freezing in place upon catching sight of Xenedra. He nods to them both and takes the pouch and the handful of shells and wanders off to his own little quiet corner for his prayer.
Reinette Sompt inclines her head to Xenedra.
Xenedra Ambreaus smiles at Reinette Sompt.
Reinette Sompt: Is there any service I may offer to you, Madame? I am hear to listen to the stories, or offer advise in the ways of giving to Nald'thal.
Xenedra Ambreaus: Hey, Sigurd said you'd be the one to ask about an alternate version of the story I told?
Reinette Sompt: Ah, yes. My grandmam told me one different than that.
Xenedra Ambreaus: I'd love to hear it- if you don't have time now, though, maybe you could write it down for me..?
Reinette Sompt: Ah, I could absolutely speak of it now. It is fitting, after all.
Xenedra Ambreaus: Great~
Reinette Sompt: She told me, in days of old, Nymeia would often cross between stars and mortal plane. She was the weaver of all things, and oft found herself living amongst those whom she wove for. Yet, she could not  watch them from her heavenly body if she walked the planes beside them. So, she spoke then to Althyk. He who creates change.
Xenedra Ambreaus listens intently, ears perks forward, a cheerful expression on her face.
Reinette Sompt: Althyk told her, there must be a way for change and fate to entwine and become one. For her to keep her seat above, and see all that happens. He proposed Nald. She, however, wished for one to carry out that which she dictated and bring the ends of fate. She spoke of Thal. They argued long and bitterly, both forming images and shapes of the new god. It was Menphina who approached and told them, both Nald and Thal were to exist together. As the same image, and as opposites. A coin, so to speak.
Reinette Sompt: Both sides heads. And thus, the images of Nald'thal became one. Twins born of need and desire, of trade and end, to allow Nymeia her time in the heavens.
Xenedra Ambreaus: Huh~
Xenedra Ambreaus: I suppose it make sense...
Reinette Sompt: Very different than the tale you told, I admit. I almost enjoy your version better.
Reinette Sompt: Thinking of the Twelve as once mortal is, in its own way, a comfort.
Xenedra Ambreaus: It's got the Nymeia element in common, though. That tickles me a bit~
Reinette Sompt: All tales must have a strand of truth, do you not think? Perhaps she truly did birth Nald'thal.
Xenedra Ambreaus: Nothing I've ever read says directly that. They almost seem to appear out of nowhere- with the exception of being brothers with Oschon.
Reinette Sompt: The Twelve are bound together, all in some way. It'd be interesting to find new information of such old tales, but I've little hopes of it. So much has already been lost.
Xenedra Ambreaus: Aaah, you're sadly so correct...
Xenedra Ambreaus looks away from Reinette Sompt, sulking.
Reinette Sompt smiles almost wryly. "Does not mean we should stop looking, however. Should Nald'thal acknowledge our efforts... we could perhaps be rewarded."
Xenedra Ambreaus laughs at Reinette Sompt.
Xenedra Ambreaus: Wouldn't that be fun~
Reinette Sompt reaches into a pocket, offering Xenedra a few shells. "We have all lost in these recent cycles. Take these, so those you love may rest in ease."
Xenedra Ambreaus blinks at the shells in her palm before looking back up with a smile. "Thank you again for sharing that version."
Reinette Sompt: It is my pleasure. In the Shroud, we had little more entertainment than sharing tales. I've plenty to give.
Xenedra Ambreaus: Be careful, I may hunt you down for more~
Xenedra Ambreaus bids farewell to Reinette Sompt.
Reinette Sompt takes the empty pouch. "That would please me, Madame. I hope to see you again."
Xenedra Ambreaus smiles at Reinette Sompt.
Reinette Sompt places the empty pouch in her belt once more.
You smile at Xenedra Ambreaus.
Xenedra Ambreaus: Just letting you know I'm headed out. Thanks for the fun.
Jancis Milburga: "Lady your story was incredible. Thank you for sharing and staying so long. Pray be safe."
Xenedra Ambreaus: Thank you for enjoying it~
Xenedra Ambreaus bows courteously to you.
Xenedra Ambreaus: G'bye~
Edda Eglantine bows to the stranger. "Thank you for the lovely tale!"
Xenedra Ambreaus smiles at Edda Eglantine.
Xenedra Ambreaus: Thank you as well~
⌘⌘⌘
Otto Vann: "Cortana did you have anything to share with a prayer or something?"\
Cortana Affranto: "Eh? N-No sir, I didn't"Reinette Sompt: Monsieur Vann, and mademoiselle.
Otto Vann: "Good evening again my dear. Â I'm wondering what someone like me does to 'pray' or make an offering for departed ones"
Reinette Sompt: Both are perfectly acceptable. Like the gates behind me, the way to Thal's halls are there but yet unopened to us. So it is easy to be that those beyond will hear our wishes and memories. Leaving shells for them, and sharing their tales amongst others will ease their ways in the next life.
Otto Vann sighs for a moment, listening to her "Very well then, next time perhaps I shall be more prudent and bring shells like you said. Â Forgive me" he says with a reluctant bow.
Reinette Sompt reaches into a pouch at her side. She pulls out a few of the small shells to hand out to Otto Vann.
Reinette Sompt: We have all lost in the harshness of the Calamity. In the face of it, death is as much a part of living as any other aspect. It is easy to forget that, when it is paired with loss.
Otto Vann accepts the shells from Reinette, holding them in his hand as he rubs them between his thumb and fingers "What do I do with them?"
Reinette Sompt: Hold them, and pray for whoever is lost to you. Then place them amongst the water to rest, as you wish for your loved ones to rest. It is simple, easy. Speak the words that have burdened your heart.
Otto Vann regards Reinette with a smile, sad but composure kept "Very well. Â Thank you for taking the time to speak with me. Â Forgive me I should let others have a chance to speak with you. Â "
Otto Vann: "I will....do my best"
Reinette Sompt: Please, it is a blessing to be able to help you. I am sorry for any heartache you've experienced, but I am sure many here would relate.
Otto Vann: "Good day Reinette, a pleasure to see you again. Â Thank you"
Reinette Sompt: Twelve bless, monsieur Vann.
⌘⌘⌘
L'aenoh Tia: "...Yeah, there're some I've lost. I don't-- ..do I just tell you about them or give you money? I'm unsure."
Reinette Sompt reaches into a pouch at her side, bringing out small shells to hand to L'aenoh. "Take these. Hold them to your breast and speak the words of your heart to this loved one you lost. They shall hear, as Thal shall ensure so. Then you place the shells back to where they rest in the bed of the water below, as your loved ones now rest too." She gestures to the water around them at that.
L'aenoh Tia looks up at Reinette then down at the shells. Back up at Reinette. ".. I'm going to need a lot more shells for this."
Reinette Sompt nods solemnly. She takes the pouch and hands it to L'aenoh, looking solemn. "As many as you need, dear friend."
L'aenoh Tia takes both the pouch and the offered shells with a gentle dip of his head. "Thanks. So do-- am I supposed to speak these words aloud or can I keep silent?"
Reinette Sompt: Whichever makes you easiest, monsieur. Should it ease your soul for the living to hear, then it would do well. If it is between you and those in Thal's halls, then let it be.
L'aenoh Tia turns, tail freezing in place upon catching sight of Xenedra. He nods to them both and takes the pouch and the handful of shells and wanders off to his own little quiet corner for his prayer.
L'aenoh Tia murmurs to himself for quite a while and submerges each shell individually, one beside the other in a neat little row. He does this until roughly fifty or so are laid underneath the water's surface.
L'aenoh Tia scratches his neck once the pouch is emptied then pulls himself to a stand and returns to Reinette's side. "I'm done. Here, take your pouch. S'yours."
Xenedra Ambreaus: I'll let L'ae here back in.
Xenedra Ambreaus nods to L'aenoh Tia.
L'aenoh Tia: "I'll be nearby if needed."
⌘⌘⌘
Jancis Milburga: "Thank you for helping."
Reinette Sompt: Have you any prayers yourself, mademoiselle Milburga? --Ah? No, do not thank me.
Jancis Milburga: "Mayhaps another night. Dare say I am exhausted."
Reinette Sompt nods, smiling. She grabs a couple shells from her pocket and hands it to Jancis, "Here, for later."
Jancis Milburga smiles gratefully and nods.
⌘⌘⌘
Reinette Sompt approaches J'irachi, pulling out a few cowry shells and holding them to him. "If you wish to make an offering to Nald'thal, these are traditional."
J'irachi Vashyr blinked holding out his hand to the Elezen woman. "Oh, thank you."
Reinette Sompt: You are most welcome. Twelve guide your way, monsieur.
⌘⌘⌘
Reinette Sompt: Hello again, mon cher.
Sigurd Rainecourt: Hello again.
Reinette Sompt: Did all go well on your end?
Sigurd Rainecourt: It did. A lot of people made offerings for themselves and for loved ones.
Sigurd Rainecourt: I'm usually the one praying. It's nice to help others as well.
Reinette Sompt: I noticed you sent the bard madame over my way.
Sigurd Rainecourt: Xenedra? Yes, she overheard me mentioning an alternate version of the story.
Reinette Sompt: Are you thinking of returning any time soon?
Sigurd Rainecourt: Considering getting something to eat, probably at the Bismark.
Reinette Sompt: Ah, that sounds delicious. Moreso than the meal I had not yet planned out at home. Would you mind if I joined you?
Sigurd Rainecourt: You didn't have anything planned, did you?
Reinette Sompt: Nay, I did not. It'd please me to fill the time with your company.
Sigurd Rainecourt: Certainly. We haven't spent much time together since research and the Ossuary stolen my attention away from you.
Reinette Sompt smiles, leaning over to kiss his cheek. "Then this we must remedy."
Sigurd Rainecourt: How could I possibly say no to that?
Reinette Sompt: That, I'd hope, would be the point.
Sigurd Rainecourt: Do you want to invite friends or just the two of us?
Reinette Sompt: I would not mind inviting others. It's a night of celebration, after all.
⌘⌘⌘
Iron Sea drops down to his knees hard, drawing in a ragged breathe before lowering down to cover his head in his arms, sobbing softly as he closed his eyes and prayed.
Viral Light looks around.
Viral Light: "You're in red."
Viral Light points at Iron Sea.
Reinette Sompt: Indeed I am. Have you need of aid, mademoiselle?
Viral Light: "That one, over there."
Viral Light: "His words need to travel where mortal voices can't reach."
Viral Light: "And I don't know what the custom is, but I have Gil."
Reinette Sompt: Gil is not necessary, but I shall do my best.
Sigurd Rainecourt: Customary but not necessary
Viral Light: "Sorry for interrupting, I'll have her back to you in a short bit!"
Sigurd Rainecourt: Not a problem. We're happy to help.
Viral Light nods to Sigurd Rainecourt.
Reinette Sompt walks over, gently setting a hand on Iron Sea's shoulder. "Monsieur," she says softly, "I hear you are in distress and need to commune with Nald'thal."
Iron Sea had never been a man of faith, it would figure on the night he chose to come to this place, he would be hit so hard. He barely noticed the other step up beside him, as he mumbled softly into his arms, sleeve damp with tears.
Viral Light: "You seem important, so I'll stop bothering you."
Sigurd Rainecourt: Not a bother at all.
Iron Sea: "W...what can I even say....? I just want ..her to know I'm sorry...."
Viral Light: "Since it's not a bother...what is the custom?"
Sigurd Rainecourt: Gil is often the custom for offerings, though prayers are heard without it. Nald answers prayers for fortune of the living while Thal answers prayers for comfort of the dead.
Reinette Sompt reaches into her pocket, giving to him a small handful of cowry shells. "Hold these gently. Tell her your apologies, your burdens. Give to her all she needs to rest with ease, and Thal shall ensure she hears."
Viral Light: "Alright. I'll rephrase. What is the customary donation of gil for..whatever this is?"
Sigurd Rainecourt: Whatever you have to give.
Viral Light gazes upon Sigurd Rainecourt in deep reflection.
Iron Sea trembled as he reached out to take those shells. He stared at how small these looked in his palm. Iron was never shown as a weak man, far from it...yet his lips trembled as he closed his hand around them, and lowered his head to rest that fist to his lip "Nat......I'm sorry.....I'm so sorry you went alone.....that I didn't go with you....That I didn't stop you...."
Sigurd Rainecourt: There are often donation jars at the altars out in Thanalan and even within the city itself. I have one set up on the west side over there, but there are others about the place.
Reinette Sompt keeps her burnt hand resting on Iron Sea's shoulder, nodding along with his words. "Say all that is in your heart. Give to her all you did not say before."
Viral Light takes out a red pouch, and hands it to Sigurd Rainecourt. The pouch isn't light.
Sigurd Rainecourt takes the offered bag with a bow. "You can say a prayer out loud if you wish or silently, for yourself or for someone important to you."
Viral Light: "It's not for me."
Iron Sea her hand on his shoulder only made the tears well up in his eyes more. Her coaxing of his words letting him speak the secrets they had kept behind the doors of the place they called home " You...were the only person who really understood me...I wish..I'd been public with my love....that I coulda shared life with you....."Iron clenched his teeth hard grinding them together. "I don't want to be here without you.."
Viral Light: "Do with it as you will."
Viral Light rests a hand on Iron Sea's large shoulder.
Jancis Milburga beams at Vaughn before hearing the loud sobs from the alter. "Oh, Thaliak's Grace..."
Viral Light: "Finish what you came here to do."
Jancis Milburga: "Ah, pray excuse me. Have a good night. Be safe. I shall hopefully cross paths with you both soon."
Reinette Sompt gives an expression of empathy. "Now offer the shells to Thal, so he may carry your heart's thoughts to Nat where she rests. And when you meet her next, she will know your love and will offer love in return."
J'irachi Vashyr 's ears twitched at the crying behind him turning to watch Jancis approach.
Viral Light shushes Jancis Milburga.
Viral Light: "He's busy."
Otto Vann kneels and leans to be close to Iron just watching him.
Jancis Milburga nods, keeping her distance.
Viral Light whispers to Jancis Milburga.
Iron Sea clenched his fists tighter...he didn't want to let them go. Utterly surrounded now, he felt completely alone. Iron sighed deeply, choking back a sob before opening his hand and placing the shells down upon the altar..."