Lian-shi consists of several mountains and what lies between. All in all, the Estate of the House of Ono. The entire place, its every aspect detailing a culture very foreign to Ionnya's, is beautifully sculpted and yet, at the same moment, perfectly wild and in tune with its natural surroundings. Rich, beautifully designed buildings and their courtyards fade seamlessly into the forests about them, often muted by the mists that shft through the valleys and bathe the place in surreal mystery.

---

Meir'cillus has been settled into a room that makes the term "elegant simplicity" more than a myth, laid upon a thick, soft mat that's nestled beside a window. Rey'deyono would be with him, but she's resting as well...a servant or, occasionally, that "Tiono'chian" fellow looks in on him every once in awhile to see that he's still asleep and not in need of assistance or explantions.

The drow lord's strength doesn't take all that long to return to him, at least enough for him to start demanding things... most importantly, to see to Rey'deyono and make certain she's alright. For all he knows this is still one of vayen's tricks. 

He stands at the window, looking out. "From one hell right into another."

The servant he'd talked to had gotten flustered rather quickly...she doesn't speak common, and Meir'cillus isn't known for patience. "I don't think it's so bad," someone observes from behind him. It's the same voice that had spoken in the other dimension, but, without astral projection and its universal language, is now quite thickly accented. An accent that Rey'deyono shares, actually, but she's worked hard to minimize hers, and succeeded admirably.

Meir glances at him, then back through the window. "I hope not. If you hate your own homeland, then you have a problem." He stares outward for a little while longer, observing. "How is she?"

"Tired. Drained. Much as you are, I'm sure. That was an impressive piece of antimatter magic."

The drow lord gives a light, almost uncaring but simultaneously preening, shrug. "It's what I do. If I didn't do it well, then I'd be doing something else."

"Logical. I believe that Deyono'rey is bathing at this point. It's an option that's certainly open to you as well, along with possibly trading out your clothes while we can wash and mend them for you. If you're going to take audience with our father, it may be appropriate."

"Not a fan of blood and stink, is he?" Meir'cillus shrugs. "If it's necessary. Show me the way, oh ye of the articulate tongue."

"Speaking of which..." the orange-eyed sibling holds out a small chain of some sort with several studs, designed to quite easily monopolize three of Meir'cillus's ear piercings. "You may consider wearing this. Not everyone here speaks common, and many accents are even more difficult to understand than mine. This will allow you to both understand and be understood. On the side you have an ear, of course." Every remark deserves another.

Meir'cillus tilts his head. "I only heard half of that." He still reaches out for the charm.

Chian smirks, eyes amused. "My twin will be pleased that you're on your feet. She was quite worried about you after the jump."

It takes Meir'cillus a moment to fasten the thing into his whole ear, but his expression noticeably alters at that. He's still shocked that she cares at all. 

"Well... I get my ass kicked a lot these days. But it's good to know someone cares. Now..." Meir tugs on his own shirt collar, "I don't suppose you want me to get undressed here. I don't know you quite that well yet."

"I have to pay for dinner first, huh? If you'll follow me..." the slightly younger sibling leads Meir'cillus just a few rooms down, stopping outside of one and pushing open the door to the bath. "There are some clothes lain out for you. They should be self-explanatory, but feel free to ask a servant if some piece doesn't make sense. What you're wearing now will most probably be taken before you're finished, and returned once it's mended, which should only take today."

Mier'cillus nods. He reaches up to his ear and fiddles with it a second, and then to the halfear. "I want to ask a favor of you. These earrings..." Meir holds them out, the three that had been replaced by the communication charm, "... these are important to me. They are there to remind me of things... please, hold on to them for me."

Tiono'chian nods, accepting them with a slight bow of the head. "I'll take care of them. Let me know when you'd like them back."

"I appreciate that. All right, I'll be... taking an uncomfortable bath in a strange place now." Meir steps inside the place, tilting his head this way and that as if searching for traps. Well... of course. He disrobes, having no real compunction about nudity, and gets to the serious business of washing away too much road dirt.

Nothing's out of the ordinary with the whole thing. The simple facilities are clean and more than adequate, and, as expected, his Ionnyan garb goes missing perhaps halfway into the bath.

Meir'cillus comes out a bit later, looking... odd... in the white that these folks seem fond of, but certainly much more like the king he used to be. He would look perfectly regal, were it not for the rings that cover his face and the missing ear.

"So," he says to himself, looking around, "I suppose its time I observed this place." That said, he starts walking, in search of anything of any interest.

The complex is definitely...alien in its construction. It's quite beautiful to an eye accustomed to it, perhaps too simple to one not. A little bit of the influence actually does seem to have crept into the ex-temple's design. Before long the hall Meir'cillus is exploring opens quite seamlessly into a garden courtyard.

Meir'cillus sneezes. Twice.

"...dammit. Give me a rocky wasteland." He hunts about this place, not entirely sure what he's looking for, but stopping anytime he sees someone to contemplate asking them a question. Generally he's too far out of earshot, and so he just keeps going.

Rey'deyono is in the garden, too, standing still and quietly watching fish in a pond with subdued, meditative interest. She's more kempt than Meir'cillus has probably ever seen her, freshly scrubbed and without a hair out of place. She's actually not in white, but rather richly embroidered material in fully indigenous clothing, cinched quite tight at the waist. The rich beauty of the garments is quite enough to distract from the fact that she's still a bit too thin...and the outfit naturally hangs far over her hands, luckily enough.

The drow lord doesn't approach at first. Just leans against a tree and observes her for a moment, in her element. No wonder he'd always considered this woman to be upon a tier above himself. She looks like a saint. He probably looks like an idiot. 

After a bit, he walks in her direction, not speaking until he's close enough to see the fish.

"Does it do any tricks?"

She stiffens a little, startled, but then turns her head and smiles at him. "None it wishes to show. How are you feeling?"

"Better now that I've seen you," he answers her. He blinks. Ah, hell, that sounded... too honest. "That I know you're alright. I was concerned, what time i was awake."

Rey's cheeks had colored a little at the first part, but she does smile. Still that small, characteristic one. "Well. I think that we count ourselves very fortunate that we've both managed to escape Cocytus intact, and, as far as I can tell, without permanent harm." An older family member, a healer, had worked quite hard on Meir'cillus's hand and, though stiffly bound and bandaged, features all the natural attachments extended to metallic bones where they were lost or damaged badly. It will be slow to heal, but it will heal.

"Yeah. I don't think I have ever feared failure so much... but it's over." He glances down at the fish. Watches for a moment. "So... now that we're here... what's next?"

"Well, here and now, I'm largely waiting to see whether anyone can track down a casting robe for me. This is hardly appropriate attire for one of my order. As for the bigger picture...I suppose that we'll be addressing my father this evening." She keeps her expression carefully neutral here. "After which time we can start inquiring as to transportation back to Ionnya, if you wish."

Meir'cillus looks away. "I am not sure that's what I want, Rey'deyono." He glances meaningfully at her.

"Oh?" She looks to him quietly for further explantion, ready to listen with full attention to whatever he needs to say, as she has so many times before.

Oh, dammit. I have to say it.

"Vayen would certainly come after us, if we returned. I'm not afraid of him, but... if something were to happen to you, again..." he doesn't finish. He's sure he doesn't have to.

Rey'deyono's eyes soften. She considers her words carefully before speaking. "I can't say that I don't fear Vayen. Not fully, not after what's already happened. But my order is based on Ilitair and, if it's been less than six months since I was officially recognized as dead, I am still its High Priestess. I must go back and try to quell the upheaval that must be rocking the Temple leadership. Even if I have lost my title by this time, I must not balk at placing myself wherever a priestess is most needed. I've sworn not to. And I think that there can be little doubt as to where that is."

Meir'cillus had expected as much. "So the balking is to be left to me, then?" He grins a little. Weak, but now he's just stalling. "Well... I can't let you face that alone, you know. I'm afraid I'll have to go supervise." 

The priestess smiles, her eyes warm. "Thank you, Meir'cillus."

Now that Meir's nerves are fried beyond all mortal recognition, he figures that he's allowed himself a sigh of relief. He takes it, just standing with her for a while as he sorts things out in his mind. 

After a few minutes, Tiono'chian finally brings the robe she'd requested, greeting them both politely. "Are you going to wear this when you address father?" he inquires as she puts it on.

"I haven't yet decided." Rey'deyono feels quite a bit more comfortable as she fastens the concealing, shapeless robe over her fine garments. "I'm the unwanted child anyway, last I checked."

"Heading a large religious order, even one he considers heretical, has redeemed you somewhat, Rey...please, at least think twice before tossing that to the wind."

Two things occur in Meir's mind about then.

What kind of idiot would cast her out?

And...

"Heretical?" The less offensive one, for once, finds Meir'cillus's tongue. 

"One of the religions typically observed by this particular corner of our family not only looks to higher powers, but also denies other interpretations of them," the Priestess explains without much emotion as she fastens the robe's throat. "Father follows it quite closely. That his own daughter, who, by rights, should bow before all his whims, is a cleric addressing other deities, is considered sharp betrayal."

"Subjugation? I've been there." Meir'cillus isn't just agreeing with her, either... of all the qualities he hates in Drow, the whole 'do as we say' thing has always galled him the most. What use are subjects if they are all mannequins? "Is this going to pose a problem?"

"I'm not sure yet. The name 'Ono' was placed firmly into an international political forum when I became High Priestess. That must have smoothed things to some extent, made me at least somewhat less useless in his eyes."

Tiono'chian nods. "But her relationship with father is and always has been a slippery, uphill slope, so any act that may be considered blatantly disrespectful--such as covering fine garments with a work robe during a formal audience--isn't to be undertaken lightly."

Rey'deyono nods in turn, then looks back to Meir'cillus. "But we're in no danger of harm or detainment or similar, if that's what you mean. In the worst-case scenario, we can be cut from family resources and such, but hardly more."

Meir tilts his head. "You probably don't want to hear this. But... I've always found that the best way to make an unpleasant situation bearable, when it comes to people, is to kiss a little ass now and again."

Rey'deyono chuckles quietly.

Tiono'chian grins. "I don't think that my big sister here knows the means of the phrase."

The priestess smiles. "That, and the fact that I really don't try to earn my family's disdain. It just...happens."

"I'll tell you what, then, my dear Priestess. Think of it this way." Meir glances at the other Ono. "You've both met me. There is no way that your father can disapprove of you while I'm around to draw in all of the disapproval."

Rey'deyono's smile broadens a little for amusement. Chian laughs. "Well, at least it won't be taken too seriously in any case."

Meir smiles. It feels good, to be good... sometimes. "Well... Rey'deyono, just let me know when you want to get this over with, and I'll be right beside you. Probably making an idiot of myself."

She smiles. "It won't be earlier than this evening...but thank you, I appreciate that. Though I doubt that you'll make an idiot of yourself." All told, she'd be much more worried if it were Faresylia with her.

Meir nods. "So, how are we to spend our time until then. I don't suppose you think I'm going to let you out of my sight, do you,my priestess?"

"Food is always a good thing, if it suits you." She's quite hungry. Not that she'd say that.

"Whatever you want. Though if the clothes are any indication, I'm sure the food'll be terribly plain with a foofy flavor." He holds out an arm, bechoning her to go on ahead of him. "Shall we then?"

Rey'deyono smiles a little, and looks to her brother. "Would you like to come, Tiono'chian?"

He shakes his head. "I just ate, but thank you. I'm sure that you two can find plenty to discuss after your experiences anyway. I'll be sure to talk to you later, sister...we have plenty to catch up on, ourselves."

Rey smiles and bows her head. "We do. I can't wait." She looks to Meir'cillus, still smiling, some meant for him but most left over from the novelty of seeing a brother she's quite close to again, and starts off towards the kitchen.

Meir'cillus trots along behind her. Fucking family, complicating/saving things.

Before long, each of them has a bowl of rice and a pair of sticks that the drow will no doubt find...amusing.

Rey'deyono eats quietly, somewhat introspective. She's still trying to figure out certain unexplained aspects of this situation.

Meir'cillus examines the sticks. He's eaten rice before - what poor person hasn't - but never with these things. He tries stabbing the rice... no real luck there. Then holding one stick in each hand and prying a few pieces up. Nothing. 

"Rey'deyono, please... explain these sticks before someone has an accident." He looks at them. "Vel'klar wun uoi'nota zhah natha damned fork lu' spoon? Xa'huuli shu jiharden!"

"Hm?" She looks up quickly, barely containing a full laugh to her normal, restrained chuckle. "Oh, dear...forgive me, it hadn't occurred to me." She pauses a moment, considering. It's difficult to explain something that's such a natural habit. After a moment, she removes the top stick and holds up her hand. "Just hold the first like this..." she adds the other, "and the second like this. The bottom stick will just sit still, and you can move the top one like this." She demonstrates, then tilts her head, waiting to see whether the instructions will take.

Meir'cillus gives it a try. Fails, as the top stick keeps falling out from between his fingers. Tries again. The bottom stick rolls along his thumb so that the top on crosses it. 

"I've conquered nations that went more willingly than this." Meir is so tempted to throw the sticks that it's funny to watch his facial expression alter back and forth. "Gah! I'll just eat the sticks!"

Rey laughs softly and stands up, setting her own food aside. "Here." She picks up an again-fallen chopstick and, taking hs hand, positions first that one, and then the other, between his fingers.

He watches, pays close attention, observes with every ounce of his attention...

... certainly not the chopsticks. But he does manage to get hold of them this time. "Huh..." he marvels at them, wondering how such a simple device could stump a master sorcerer such as himelf.  "Thank you," he nods looking at them still, "I think I've, ah, got it this time."

She smiles and goes back to her own bowl. "By and by," she comments after a moment, "even if I hypothetically did not speak Drow, note that that translator that you're wearing will make everything you say in any language clear to everyone around." Her eyes are laughing.

"Heh..." Meir'cillus turns his head to look around. "Well then. Let's never speak of this again." His smile is unmistakable though... and unusually perky, for a bloodthirsty killer. 

Rey'deyono smiles, and simply goes back to eating. "It's rather strange," she notes after awhile, mostly just to keep Meir'cillus from feeling awkward or bored to tears, "to be here again, after so long."

"Why did you leave?" The question leaves Meir's lips before he can stuff more rice in to quiet them. 

She should have seen that coming. And so considered her own statment better. But oh well. "Because it's my place to honor my family's wishes. Even unspoken ones."

Meir'cillus eats quietly for a few moments. 

"You aren't under any sort of obligation to tell these things to me, you know, Rey'deyono. But trust me when I say that I well understand family difficulties." He smiles. He still remembers the day the palace came down, and hasn't failed to laugh every time he's thought of it.

"No. It's why you don't already know them. But I'm the one who led into the conversation, and it would have been impolite to just discontinue it so abruptly."

Meir's smile cracks, fades back into seriousness. Did he detect a touch of snappishness in her voice? If so, he's headed down the wrong road and needs to reroute in a hurry.

"This rice has a nice flavor to it," he notes, which is true, but a pointless observation. 

"It's a very region-specific variety that tends hard to grow elsewhere." The priestess looks up. "Forgive me. I'm just...rather on edge about this whole situation, for all that it's illogical. We do owe my family our lives, no question, and I should be grateful." Not holding grudges. Some Priestess. Her mental blame very suddenly shifts to herself at this point.

"Then let's get you un-on-edge. There is no reason to chafe under a favor, and if they wish to hold it against you, then that is their problem, not yours. You have nothing to worry yourself about." Meir'cillus nods to his own statement. Personally, he would have said 'thank you, now I'm going home' but then, she has temperance. "Right?"

She smiles a little. "Right."

The day passes largely quietly. The priestess finally looks to the sky. The sun's definitely on its way down. It's not sunset or even twilight yet, really...but getting close. Probably an aesthetic relief to Meir'cillus despite spells protecting his eyes and skin from the glaring day. "If there will be an audience today, it won't be long...there's something I should do alone before hand. Will you feel comfortable wandering awhile?" She looks to Meir'cillus at the genuine question.

Meir'cillus, still distracted while practicing with chopsticks, glances up from what he's doing. "I'm sure I can manage. I'll be around where we met this morning, most likely, if you need me." His answer is a bit more frank than he might have liked, but he's quite tired, his eyes hurt, and the damn chopsticks just don't work.

Rey'deyono nods. "I'm going to speak to my ancestors...anyone here will be able to point you in my general direction with that information." She smiles, just a very little bit, and starts off down one of the paths, her pace unhurried.

Meir'cillus watches, finally tossing the sticks into a pocket. He's altogether unsettled by this place... and the people here unnerve him to no end. He's simultaneously disgusted and intrigued by them, but that one of them might oppose Rey'deyono makes his blood absolutely boil.

The drow lord heads off towards that pond after a while. He's quite enamored by the idea of lazing by the water for a bit.

He does get that solitude for awhile. It's only broken by footsteps once, and those not quite on the same path. After a time, though, when the sun begins to set, Tiono'chian approaches him quietly, and then just stands, looking out to the water as well. "Are you enjoying your stay?"

Meir gives a slight nod, though his eyes don't deviate from the water nearby.

"As well as can be expected, I'm sure. Did you want something?"

"That was a large part of it." A slight pause, and the orange-eyed Ono looks down to Meir'cillus. "I'd also wanted to inquire as to my sister's well-being in the recent past. She doesn't seem right somehow, further than a two-day stay in even such a hellish place as Cocytus explains, I think."

Meir'cillus looks at Chian at that. Narrows his eyes. "She isn't right. A drow lord not unlike myself destroyed her temple and all but killed her." Meir glances back to the fish, a little bit curious as to why saying this isn't harder than it is. "He kept her in stasis, a thread from death, for some time before I found out about it. I was only able to free her a few days ago."

"I see." The human absorbs that quietly for a few long moments, watching the fish. "And before that? Do you know?"

Meir'cillus shrugs. "A few years before that, she was abducted. I left the country almost immediately after her return, though, so I dont' know a great deal of what happened between those two events."

"I see." The first abduction he'd known about...since her primary skill is dreamwalking, they're able to keep in touch to some degree. "Well. Then I guess that she does have reasons for seeming so much older than she should." This bit is largely to himself. He looks out over the pond quietly.

"She might seem more lively if she weren't walking on eggshells around here," the drow lord notes, calmly, but certainly to a point. "She walks this ground like every step is costing her something. Like every breath she breathes guiltily."

The younger twin's quiet a few moments, pondering how much to say. "Deyono'rey," he finally notes, "has been considered and treated as a living, breathing shortcoming quite literally from the moment she was born. She does not discount that notion herself."

"It sounds like a crock of horse shit to me, if you'll pardon. I feel the need to be frank with you so we don't waste breath." The drow lord turns at last to face this orange-eyed fellow. "I understand how that feels, believe me. But I doubt she would take the road I did to get out of it. She's not the patricidal type. What escapes the boundaries of my understanding is how a person of such ability and personal depth can be considered flawed, let alone a disappointment."

Chian shrugs. "I certainly agree with you. I know my twin's abilities better than anyone." He sighs, and, after a moment, sits down. "I suppose I should first explain that by this land's tradition, sons bring honor to the family. The only prominent way in which a daughter can effectively do the same is by high marriage. We're the oldest children of this family...and expected to be twin boys. This would have been a very, very great honor to my father. However, this obviously was not the case. Deyono'rey even had the audacity to be born some minutes ahead of me, robbing our father of even the salvaging grace of the eldest child being male. He never forgave her for that, and has always made a show of treating me with favor and her as an eternal disappointment: a child slower, weaker, more stupid, and less powerful than his son would have been."

Chian watches the fish in the pond for a few moments. "It did not help that she displayed an early, strong magical talent in planeshifting, an art that, for lack of self-contained, practical purpose, our father considers a selfish waste of energy. Her skill would have been lost were it not for our great aunt, who nurtured and trained Rey's ability. When the time came, her potential husbands were always chosen far below our status. Her status; hardly even acknowledging her as being of the House of Ono, let alone the eldest child of such a central unit of it. She couldn't wed without disgrace, and it became obvious that the clear, intended alternative was to leave and seek her own fortune and her own way to bring honor to our house. Perhaps she would succeed, and were she killed, it would have been a heroic end for a girl, and...well, you see the intention." A fish rises to the surface quite near his feet, and then is gone again. "She travelled a very great distance, eventually ending up on Ilitair after a long sea voyage. There she met a travelling priestess who bore a message of equality and personal responsibility that my sister had never known and was immediately drawn to. And...you know the rest, I'm sure."

Meir'cillus can't help but scoff.

"Even among drow I've never heard of anything so stupid as 'the audacity to be born first.' You'll pardon me if I don't understand why father isn't a corpse yet." He glances at the fish. Curious little bastard. "In her place, honor to a house that spurned me would be the last thing on my mind. No wonder she's so withdrawn and humble." There are no apologies in his tone -when are there ever- as he says these things. "Even as a king I wasn't such a stuck up jagoff as that."

Tiono'chian simply shrugs, not prepared to insult his entire culture though certainly not agreeing with this segment of it. And certainly not prepared to wish death upon a father who, despite everything, is kind to him. "How my sister has maintained such true concern with our tradition of service to the family before the self despite her order will probably always be beyond me. But I do believe that she has."

"She may change her tune someday. I doubt it, though, and I have no right to question what she wants in her own life." Meir'cillus's tone clears slightly. "This place, to me, is a formal hell. Courtesy and politeness on top of a sick sense of pride and megalomania. Not that I don't appreciate your kindness, I do, but the way it is affecting her makes me wish that I could raze the lot of it." He sighs. "I mean no offense to you. But I've seen her smile. And to me, anything that would deprive her face of that singular beauty is just another enemy."

Tiono'chian smiles just a little bit after a moment, not looking away from the pond. "You love her, don't you?"

Meir'cillus gives a soft, short chuckle. "Yes, I do. I didn't think I was being that obvious."

"Well. Not many men would offer to wipe out life in a given area for the sake of a woman's smile." Chian's eyes sparkle with amusement that's a much livlier, more mischievous version of his sister's, but still a version of it.

Meir grins too. He can't help it, he likes this fellow... at least as much as he ever has any other acquaintance.

"She's done great things for me, with that smile. My entire life has centered around my ability to end the lives of my enemies. Nothing more, nothing less... until I met her. Disgust turned to grudging respect, grudging respect to tolerance, to admiration, to..." the drow lord shrugs, "... this. She's allowed my personality to have facets... which is something of rarity where drow are concerned."

"Well. It makes sense that humans are the more jumbled emotionally...we have less time to fit each mental experience into our lifetimes. Even us, my twin and I, as relatively long-lived as we are."

"Drow are boring. My eyes are open to that, now... not that I prefer humans, mind you. Humans think they know far too much, in general, for their own good." The drow lord kneels, reaching down to touch the surface of the pond. "Why else did you come here? You seem like an intelligent fellow... you'd probaby already deduced all of the things you've asked me."

"Less than you'd think. I wanted to see if I could get more insight into what has Deyono'rey upset than she, in her eternal refusal to admit to problems, was willing to give me."

"I see." Meir sticks his tongue out at the fish. "She has been through a great deal in the last years. I think a smattering of sympathy from papaw would help her immensely."

"It would make her whole life. But I think relief will have to come in some other form."

As though in snippish response to Meir'cillus's teasing, the fish nibbles at the sole of his boot.

"I think daddy needs his ass kicked." Meir'cillus looks over at Chian, stepping carefully away from the pond to avoid harming the fish. "Again, pardon. Perhaps my presence will help when she meets him. Perhaps not. I'll confess to not being all that talented with affairs of the heart."

"It may. You're the king of your nation, are you not?" Chian looks up after a moment, standing up too.

"Former king. Although..." Meir'cillus blinks. "...I guess I kind of am again. I had the man who took my place assassinated..." here he watches closely for Chian's reaction, "... so I suppose so."

The fire mage is a little surprised, but not horribly disturbed considering what he does know of the situation from talking to his sister. "I'd strongly suggesting promoting that to my father when asked your identity. It may help things along...for both you and Rey."

"I will. Do you have any notion of when this witch trial is to take place?" Just as expected... minus the horrific reaction part.

"Well, hopefully it will just be a civil meet-and-greet, simply Deyono'rey and father acknowleding one another's existance. It should take place in about an hour. Speaking of which, your clothes have been mended, if you'd rather wear them?"

Meir'cillus's eyes widen. "Absolutely. These things are far too... flowing... for my tastes. Quickly now, let's go."

Tiono'chian laughs. "Right this way." Sure enough, back in the room Meir'cillus had first awakened in, the worn old garments are just as repaired as they can be. "The shirt's actually new...it was fashioned after the original pattern. The original was just too damaged to save." It's made, amusingly enough, of a matte black silk.

"Long hair and leather out of fashion, I guess?" Meir'cillus picks up the outfit, gleeful to be dressing in something that doesn't make him want to kick his own ass. "I'll be changing now."

Tiono'chian takes the hint, heading for the door and waving casually over his shoulder. "I'll have someone track you down before you have a chance to be late for any audience, so don't worry about it."

Meir'cillus grumbles an acknowledgment. He couldn't get out of that foofy pimpsuit any sooner, he's sure of it. Afterwards... he decides it's probably best to stay where he is, and simply await the arrival of this little get-together.

It's quiet awhile. Perhaps twenty minutes. This time it's a soft, familiar knock at his doorframe that disturbs his solitude. Rey'deyono looks very calm and...priestessly at this moment, nearer the normal visage she wears at the temple.

Meir'cillus couldn't be more pleased with the intrusion. "My priestess. Did you find whatever you went for?" He holds out an arm, gesturing for her to come inside.

The priestess smiles a lttle as she steps ino the room, hands folded before her within her sleeves. "In a sense. I went to pay my respects to my ancestors. It has been a very long time since I have had physical access to the shrine."

"Ah, I see. Do you feel better having done this?" Meir'cillus understands this point at least. He might have hated his family, but he did have some measure of respect for Yerosyn.

"I do. Access to those sites is one of the things that I miss most about this place." She tilts her head a little. "I see that you're clad as yourself again."

"Do you approve?" Meir closes the door without looking back right away. "I doubt that aesthetic finery fits me all that well."

"Whatever makes you the most comfortable is certainly the best for all involved." A little smile touches Rey'deyono's lips.

The drow lord grins a little. "Well, I am definitely comfortable. At least for the moment." He gestures towards the bed that he had been lying upon before. "Take a load off."

The priestess smiles. "Thank you." She seats herself quietly, hands still folded together.

Meir leans against the door, gazing in her general direction with a dozen thoughts kicking and screaming for supremacy in his mind. At last, it settles upon...
"I've been speaking with Chian, a bit. About you."

"Oh?" She tilts her head. "And here I thought he liked me." The same sparkle of humor in his eyes sits in hers now, though very much muted.

"Oh, he does. That's why he isn't bleeding internally right now." Meir shrugs. "I do believe he is more concerned about your well being than anything else. I must say that I admired his affection for you."

Rey'deyono smiles, eyes softening a little. "We are and always have been very close. I've missed him, and I daresay he missed me as well."

"I can see why he would." Meir's eyes close. He's thinking... the gears are turning... he has a thought, but to implement it might hurt the way she looks at him. "Rey'deyono, he spoke to me of you and your relationship with your father."

Her expression fades over the course of a few seconds to something very neutral. "Oh? And what did he tell you?"

"Things about why you aren't looked at in the highest of standings." Meir'cillus steps over to Rey, his mind perfectly made up, and his nerves equally on edge. "Something about bringing honor to his house. Rey'deyono... I am again King of Ionnya. If..." he looks away. Looks back. Bites his lip. "If you..." he breathes. "Rey'deyono, would you become my wife?"

The priestess quite noticeably gains a shade of white, eyes widening. She opens her mouth to speak, then just takes a slow breath, looking aside. "I...don't know what to say, Meir'cillus."

The drow lord kneels in front of her, but keeps his hands to himself. "My priestess... I'm not sure how exactly you feel about me. I know that I love..." he nods, "... love you. And if you were to become a Queen, then... would that not bring honor to your family's name? Ionnya is a good and prosperous nation... Vayen aside. It has done things that few other places even dare, in the name of equality."

Rey looks to him, for just one intense moment, then closes her eyes. She's silent a few moments. "Were I not...so deeply in the service of the Twins, then I would say yes. As it is...I don't know." She opens her eyes tentively. "There is...much to be considered."

Meir'cillus felt his entire world implode there for a moment. Her answer, all told, was more favorable than he'd hoped. He had quite expected to have a sting in his cheek and a broken heart to mend. A yes would have been better, but...

"I don't intend to pressure you, or even attempt to persuade into anything, my priestess. My words are my bond and my offer... is pure. I mean no farce for family's sake." He smiles. "Look at me, Rey'deyono. I will be the same man you've always known, no matter what your answer is."

She smiles, though a little tightly. She just...thoroughly, completely doesn't know what to think. "Thank you, Meir'cillus." There's a slight, uncomfortable pause, and then she stands up. "I should...go get cleaned up before the audience tonight."

His eyes flash their normal lively flash. "Alright. I'll be here, if... you need to hit me with something." He gives her his most jovial smile. Still a bit on the eery side, though. 

A little grin, a laugh that doesn't quite make it, crosses her face. She stands for an uncomfortable moment, then heads for the door quietly, smiling sheepishly before taking her leave.

Meir'cillus lets her go. He knows that he has either done something incredibly right, or screwed up in ways that are not meant to be documented. He's aware that the meeting with her father may sway her decision... and honestly, he is quite happy just knowing that she is alive and safe. At least, that is what he would tell anyone who asked.

As it is, the drow lord has naught but to await the meeting, and reflect upon what to do and not to do. He sits upon the bed, eyes closed, to do so.

Perhaps half an hour later--more of it spent with the priestess trying to gather her demolished stream of consciousness than actually dressing--Rey'deyono comes calling again, knocking very much like before. Chian had managed to find a nicer robe for her, less utilitarian and removed from the plain grey of he other one, so she's allowed that compromise between her priestessly modesty and dutiful, womanly formality, and what precious little or her had been out of place or dirtied isn't anymore.

When Meir'cillus answers the door, it as the King of Ionnya, not Meir'cillus the rabble-rouser. For his part, he is more than approving of Rey'deyono's appearance, but since he had fallen for her while she wore most unflattering garments, he's sure this doesn't make him hypocritical.

When he speaks, it is again, just like the King. 

"My priestess. I suppose everything is ready then?" He knows better than to bring up their brief conversation of earlier. For now, he keeps himself as collected as possible.

"I think so. There are a couple of cultural protocol notes that I should probably mention first." Though she does feel a pang of guilt for doing so, she'd rather not bring up that particular issue just yet, either.

"You have my ear." This, oddly enough, was not intended as a pun. "Let us talk on the way, though." So that we aren't shut up together in a small room again. "Do you mind?"

She smiles a little, gratefully, and steps out of the doorway. "Not at all."

The drow lord feels a lot better about all this, with that smile. He steps outside, narrows his eyes, and prepares himself to become King Meir'cillus for an audience.

"Well, first, your name. I'm sure that you've noted the discrepancy between how I'm called here and how I would be in Ionnya. Here, the family name is more important than the given one and comes first. Introducing yourself as Viszelunore Meir'cillus will be a means by which to avoid confusion down the road."

Meir'cillus glances at her. "I noticed that. But wouldn't it be more prudent to call myself 'Yerosyn Meir'cillus?"

She smiles a little, at the renewed implication that he's coming back. "Yes. I suppose that it would."

The drow lord's heart warms at that. Good... she doesn't hate me.

"Now... how shall I refer to papaw? I had fully prepared myself to call him 'hoss'."

The priestess's expression fades a little. "By his name, Tiono'sai. There are a number of terms of respect, but they're very complex...I would recommend 'li'. Tiono'saili."

"Tiono'saili." Meir'cillus repeats the term, memorizing it, so as not to screw it up and accidentally insult someone. "Is there anything else that I should keep in mind, so as not to make a complete idiot of myself?"

"Only one." Rey'deyono pauses a moment, then continues. "I would be...startled...were we able to go long without my father insulting me. While I cannot and will not forbid you from defending yourself should it come to that, I would ask that you don't call out my father on my behalf. I am ...accustomed to his slights."

"I'll do my best. I... cannot promise anything, except my best." Meir'cillus nods. "I hope you understand. But you are the high priestess residing under my banner. If he insults you, he insults my country. You understand?"

"I understand." She looks to Meir'cillus, eyes quiet and hard to read. "I also understand that he has a very large hand in determining how quickly and easily we are able to return to Ilitair."

The drow lord bites his lip. "As you wish, then." His own eyes are very easy to read in this situation. He isn't irritated, only... it is a shot to his pride to have to bown down before anyone. "I won't disappoint you then, my priestess."

She smiles a little. "Thank you." Then looks ahead. "If you're ready, then, this can happen at any time." And she'd dearly love to get it over with.

"Now would be perfect, before my temperament gets the better of me." The drow lord strides ahead, just a bit. He needs to look away from her, to remind himself of what's going on.

She nods, and leads him through the sloping, often "floating" pathways until they reach the largest teired building. The Priestess takes a deep breath and, head held high, steps inside.

The audience chamber is surprisingly small. Not tiny, but far from grandiose. The decor is as it is elsewhere...slight, subtle, but of very fine, expensive materials. The priestess is, without a doubt, from very wealthy family. There are a few people seated around on cushions...several smile quietly at Rey'deyono.

The priestess, though noticing them, is intent on the man sitting on a low platform on the far wall. She approaches quietly and, kneeling before him, bows with absolute meekness. "Father."

He returns the bow with one of the head. "I see that my daughter has finally seen fit to return. And brought a visitor."

Rey bows her head once more in acknowledgement, then looks to Meir'cillus for his own introductions.

Meir'cillus keeps his head held high, per to his somewhat unofficial title of King, though he does hold up a hand in greeting. 

"Tiono'saili. I am King Yerosyn Meir'cillus, of Ionnya." His eyes harden slightly but, he's sure, don't betray anything that a king's wouldn't. "My privelege to meet you."

The man, too incontrol of the situation to play the posturing game, bows his head as he had to his daughter. "The pleasure is mine. I appreciate your helping my daughter out of the trouble she makes."

Meir'cillus eyes soften. "She has done far more for me than I for her, my lord. It is only fitting that I lend my services where they can useful."

"I see. Well. Sit, make yourselves comfortable." He looks to a woman off to the side who brings strangely-colored tea to the two. Rey sits more comfortably upon her own cushion, quiet and closed to the world. The woman who pours tea for them gives the priestess a very slight, very reassuring smile, her eyes quiet, which is the first that Rey returns.

The drow lord sits as well, retaining his air of importance for Rey'deyono's sake.

"Your hospitality has been far beyond sufficient. I appreciate the trouble that your house has gone to over all this. However, I must ask you to forgive me for coming to a point." He doesn't yet take of the tea, his eyes lingering, though not fixed, upon the head of the house. "That we may return to Ilitair is the topic on my mind."

"Ah, yes. I'm not surprised that my daughter wants to desert her family as quickly as possible."

Rey'deyono's eyes remain unfocussed, and she says nothing, just sips the tea after her father's done the same.

"It is nothing of the sort," the drow lord calmly answers. "My kingdom needs its King and its High Priestess. Especially now, when war barks at our doors."

"I see." Tiono'sai sips his tea thoughtfully. "You're referring to the sorcerer Vayen, yes?"

Mier'cillus gives a slow nod. "Yes." He has nothing to add until he knows exactly what this prick is getting at.

The household's head looks to his eldest. "He's the one who defeated you, yes, Deyono'rey?"

Her expression doesn't change. "Yes, father."

"And wouldn't he only do so again?"

"He would, in the same situation." Her answer is careful, humbly soft, but very measured. "But my order needs me, and as long as I am still able, I must honor that committment."

"Ah, yes, the 'high priestess.' I am so proud, daughter, that you seem to have learned to sleep with all the proper people, to reach such ranks." He sips his tea.

Rey flushes, just very slightly, but looks up. "My rank was earned in part by my merits and in part by our name, father. It brings honor to the House."

Meir blinks. The things this man says... they are but pointless digs. It's almost as if this idiot wants to be snapped at.

However... years of torture sessions has taught Meir'cillus that he doesn't have to give in to wants.

"There are things that must be attended there, even forgetting that Vayen exists. There are homes to rebuild, an army to quarter and supply, trade routes to be reestablished, a government to be picked clean of dissention... far too much work for us to be away for long." The drow keeps his tone even, almost maddeningly so, or so he has been told before when employing it.

"I see. Your presence is most certainly needed there, then, and arrangements will be made. Though I must say I'm curious as to why Deyono'rey is needed as well." He looks back to his daughter. "I say this, because we've finally found a decent suitor willing to take you, a sorcerer of the Ellisae line. The connection to Serandein would be most beneficial to our house."

Rey'deyono stiffens, just slightly, but then sips her tea, hiding the reaction admirably well. "I am our connection to Ilitair," she advances.

"Ilitair is weak. This has been proven. You would be more useful elsewhere. As the wife of a prestigious family, not a chaste, untied priestess of a heretical religion." He says this in a very conversational way.

Rey is becoming noticeably harder beneath her eyes...nearer and nearer what she would take before the Church's high council. "I am the highest servant of a religion of international, intercontinental recognition, father."

"A servant," he notes, "is just a servant."

Meir'cillus's expression finally changes. Twists. The smile that breaks out across his face is far too chipper for his countenance, even though his eyes retain that same neutral quality.

"No wonder I've never heard of you, if that's what you think." His voice is jovial, conversational, but not smug in the least. "The people follow this 'servant' much more willingly than a King. Where there is dissent she has but to lift to her voice and it grows calm. She averts wars, and has done so on more than one occasion. If that is a servant," the king sips his tea, "then I wish I could be one, too."

"A diplomat. A cult leader, a politician. Oh, and we mustn't forget, a planeshifter." Tiono'sai goes back to his own tea. "This family is and always has been above such matters of the physical world. Sorcery is in our blood, and it is by marrying into strongly magical bloodlines that our own has remained so strong."

"The magical aspect is only one part of this world, father. One half of an important balance." Rey'deyono is only partially surprised to hear herself say this. It's a bold, insolent remark for a daughter to make to her father despite a quiet, humble tone. Regardless, she meets his eyes though her chin is still somewhat down. "Tiono'chian and I have always formed halves of a balance...him fire, and me water. Him combat, and me pacifism. He honors the family through his sorcerery, and I try to carry your name through the physical plane." 'Your name' is unusual for an Ono to say...it's definitely meant as appeasement.

Tiono'sai narrows his eyes. "Do not, daughter, presume to push your hertical 'religion' upon me." He's obvious familiar with the order's creeds.

Meir'cillus takes all this in dutifully. Rey had almost snapped at her father... how delightful.

"Tiono'saili, can you bear children?" Meir'cillus asks this question straight out of the blue, his eyes alight with... something. It could be mischeif. Or supreme, infallible hatred. It's hard to tell.

The household's patron looks away from his daughter to Meir'cillus, trying to evaluate both the drow lord and the question. "I most certainly cannot."

"Does this concern you at all?" Meir's tone is perfectly casual, as if he's discussing frogs in a pond. The glint in his eyes suggest that he's got something in mind, but then... it could be frogs in a pond.

"Of course not. It as things are meant to be."

Deyono'rey is listening with intent, nearly fearful curiosity to Meir'cillus. She dearly hopes that he isn't about to get her disowned...or executed.

"Then how is it that you can criticize a person for things decided for them long before birth?" Here the drow sounds even more friendly, as if he's jesting. He calmly sips his tea.

Tiono'sai is not taking it in amusement. "Would you care to expound upon that, King Meir'cillus?" Again with the tea. It's a farce in the truest sense of the word.

Meir'cillus slows his breathing, keeping calm. Blasting this idiot would only cause trouble, and he'd rather not kill the father of the woman he hopes to make his.

"Well. I revere the mother of a child. She has created life within her own body, and so I hold her in high esteem. However, I do not criticize her husband for being incapable of birthing the child himself. He was born without the ability, born as a male." Meir'cillus glances over at Rey'deyono, briefly. "Your daughter was born a female, her mind in tune with planeswalking. Even though you might revere a male who can level buildings, is it not within the scope of yours understanding to not criticize a female who cannot?" Meir keeps his lips set in a neutral expression. "She was born a certain way. To judge her for that is to judge a mother for having a vagina."

Rey'deyono...doesn't know what to think. Part of her is grateful in one of the most profound ways she's ever experienced...while she's almost equally as horrified. She glances up to her father, however briefly, and promptly puts her full attnention on her tea, face very consciously held expressionless.

Tiono'sai's jaw has tightened slightly at this. "You make great presumptions, Lord Drow, to criticize my attitudes while drinking my tea, in my hall, in my home, in clothes my tailors have repaired, having been delivered from a wicked fate by this house. Deyono'rey's choices of profession, lifestyle, and magic-craft are her own, no one else's. I make no secret that I wanted twin boys, however, this Deyono is not persecuted based on her sex, whatever she would lead you to believe. My concern with her isn't, as you so eloquently put it, her 'vagina,' but the fact that she has completely betrayed her station in life by chosing to leave."

Rey is quiet. What Chian had said was true. It had been made clear, however subtly, that her departure was desired at the time she left. But she doesn't say this, only closes her eyes a moment a sips her tea.

Meir'cillus tilts his head again. "I am not trying to start a debate with you. Presumptuous is favoring someone with various things only to assume that someone owes you a favor." He's not flustered in the least... outwardly. Inwardly, he'd love to take his sword and practice the philosophy of 'pointy end goes in a man'. "What I am saying is family is something to be treasured. The lives of your offspring, if spent to give honor to your name, are favoring you. They owe you nothing. To treat them with the deference due those who go out of their way to be good to you would be proper. However, if this doesn't satisfy your pride, you can at least not insult them." The drow lord remains perfectly calm, still, but knows that the time to end this is swiftly coming. "This is a dear subject to me. I had a family once myself."

"And you treated them with all 'derence,' I'm sure."

The drow lord laughs. Quietly at first but... not so quietly at the end.

"Yes," he says, wiping a tear from his eye, "I treated them exactly as they deserved" He sets down the tea. "Because I was born, they wished my death. Hated me because I stood in line for succession to the throne of Yerosyn, even though I was not the eldest. Drove me out. So I treated them with the deference they deserved. I killed them, down to the last snivelling brat prince." Meir'cillus takes his hand away from the teacup. "Because they hated me for things that were none of their concern."

It's still. Then the father sets down his cup. "I think that it's time for you to leave now." He pauses, then looks to his daughter. He doesn't say or really show it, but Meir'cillus's words had had some impact on him. "Deyono'rey...If you return here with such company again, you will not be permitted to return again. Ever. Do you understand?"

She lets out her breath, then bows her head. "Yes, father," she assents quietly.

Meir'cillus just smiles. It's been time to leave for some time, in his opinion. "Just show me the door. "

"I trust that you can find it."

There is certain ceremony to properly leaving tea unfinished if necessary, which Rey observes with hardly a thought, standing up. She bows to her father, looks to Meir'cillus a moment in signal, and heads for the door.

Meir'cillus smiles and winks at the eldest Ono. Then he turns, without a further word, and follows Rey'deyono out of the house.

He's silent for a bit. He's sure that she'll be angry with him, and that worries him far more than some idiot patriarch's opinions. 

"I think I did pretty well in there," he says offhandedly, not paying much attention to... anything, really.

"Well...I was not disowned, which was a possible outcome." Her hands are folded into her sleeves, as per usual. All told, she's still trying to get her heart rate down.

"Would that really be so bad?" Meir asks the question before he thinks, but once it's out, he agrees with his reasoning. "Forgive me, Rey'deyono, but that man is a fool. The kind of thinking he displayed in there never leads to anything but ruin."

She closes her eyes. "He remains my father." And she does wish, sometimes, though she has long abandoned the hope on conscious levels, that she could please him. And that he would say so.

The drow lord looks off into some nameless pocket of greenery. "I'm sorry, Rey'deyono. I didn't intend to make you unhappy. There are many things I don't understand, where family is concerned." He's quiet again, for a while. "How," he asks, "can I make this up to you?"

She shakes her head. "There is nothing to be 'made up,' Meir'cillus. None of what goes on here has been your fault. In either case, I must admit that I am still torn as to whether I'm more flattered or horrified by your confrontation of my father."

Meir takes this in, thinking not too hard about it. "Go with horrified. I deal with that reaction more naturally." He hopes that his smile will steer her in the opposite direction of course, but that's his own thought. "You really deserve better than that."

"What do you mean?" She looks over to him. She legitimately doesn't know.

He blinks. He'd thought it was fairly obvious. "Well... people tend to react badly to me, especially when they oppose me in some way. Unless you meant about you deserving better, in which case..." he looks back at the house. "All the great things you've done and you get met with mockery. You deserve praise, support, pampering even. Even drow recognize ability, admitted scum though we are." He doesn't say, 'I could give you better' but he does think that it's implied.

"Ah..." she looks back to the path. She's silent a few moments. "I had hoped for a kinder welcome," she admits finally. "That I had finally have pleased my father. But I suppose that some things simply aren't to be." Rey'deyono looks ahead again, doing her best to sweep her own emotion behind her. "There are several ways to return to Ilitair, some faster than others. A close cousin is a dragonrider who specializes in great distances. I cannot guarantee his help, but it is a possibility. A trip over land would take us to an aunt capable of transportation spells of enough power to return us to Gerionay. If all else fails, ships headed for that direction are common, however, that would take half a year, hardly fair to Ionnya."

"I'm sure I could persuade your cousin, if he was hesitant." Meir blinks. "Unless you like him. In which case the aunt would be the better choice. Don't you think?"

She glances towards Meir'cillus, just a hair under sternly. "There is to be no threatening, badgering, maiming, or killing of any member of my family, least of all while we are here. If you would be so kind."

The drow grins. "I have to work without tools, eh?"

Rey looks forward again, not responding. "The first preference for dragon or the spell is your choice."

His smile fades almost immediately. What had he said wrong?

"The dragon is closest, right? Let's do that first." His own voice lacks the sudden dejection that he feels, all the way to his core. Maybe he should've tried to stay on Vayen's good side. "Quicker the better."

She nods a little. "The dragon it is." She walks quietly for a minute or two, until slowing to a stop atop a tall hill without much apparent cause, looking back over much the compound that's her original home. And somewhere she'll probably never really find a place. Her eyes are quietly, contemplatively erased...stricken when that facade slips for moments at a time.

Meir's first instinct is to comfort her. But... honestly... he doesn't understand this fascination with pleasing the family, and he really doesn't care. He chalks it up to his nature, and simply waits quietly for her to finish whatever mindless contemplation she's undergoing. Comforting her in this case only seems to start frustrations between them, anyway.

The empath...isn't oblivious to his indifference. Not for long. And even if he's drow...it does hurt. She just closes her eyes a moment, turns back to the path, and continues down the other side of the hill towards the first buildings they'd been in, hands folded into her sleeves and posture quite straight. "I'll see about getting us supplies and currency and such, and a few things must be set in order. Then we'll see you back to your nation as soon as possible."

"See me? You are coming, right?" Meir follows along, not entirely bereft of the knowledge that she probably knows how he feels about all this. "Aren't you?"

"I can't honestly say that I'm not tempted to the contrary. I've checked the timelines, done some research via some planeshifting. I'm not the High Priestess at this point. The church does not need me; in fact, my return may actually cause more problems than dealing with the idea of a martyr." Her expression darkens. "I'm not even officially a priestess of the order at this point."

"Then don't come back as a priestess." Meir'cillus steps in front of her, showing in his expression some inexplicable trace of uncertainty. "Come back with me."

Rey'deyono, of course, has to stop abruptly to avoid running into him. Eyes soften a little, relax. She hadn't consciously been testing anything, but...he had cared enough to stop her after all. Cheeks color after several seconds. She looks aside. And then, after a few long moments, back to Meir'cillus. "I believe...that's a fine plan."

Meir breathes a sigh of relief. Apparently, he'd come within a hair of ruining everything he'd given up his station for... but that seemed averted. 

"I think so, too," he replies to her, "after all, who is supposed to keep me in check if you can't?" Gleeful, stalling... whatever. He has to say something that isn't too pathetic. He holds out one hand. "I don't know the way to this dragoner. Show me?"

The...priestess-in-spirit...hesitates at the hand. Until, finally and hesitantly, takes it lightly with one still covered by an elongated sleeve. "I would like to make my goodbyes to Tiono'chian first. But yes. Before long." The corners of her lips twitch.

Meir'cillus's eyes lighten somewhat at her expression. "Maybe I just wanted to hold your hand, Rey'deyono." His voice is cool, soaked with the subtler charisma that he doesn't use all that often. "We can leave later." 

It's not a change that's lost on Rey...her cheeks flush a little. She very honestly doesn't know how to return the flirtation. "We...probably should find my twin." She's flustered. In a good way, but slightly flustered nonetheless. Her recent experiences have definitely made her a little more open with her emotions...though there's no telling how long that will last.

Of this, Meir'cillus is quite aware. Which is why he doesn't let go of her hand. Why his eyes lock upon hers.

"Not yet. I'm not ready to return to posturing yet..." his grip tightens just a little bit.

Rey'deyono's heart is quite thoroughly racing at this particular moment. "And what are you ready for?" she manages quietly after a moment.

Meir'cillus's other hand lifts to the former priestess's cheek. He knows what he wants... but her reaction will decide whether he gets it or not. He gazes purposefully at her.

She...doesn't really know her own responses, for how mixed they are. She stiffens a little at Meir'cillus's touch, eyes uncertain...but they do remain on his. She starts to say something, but somehow doesn't manage.

That's a yes to him. Meir'cillus steps in close to her, turns his head enough so that his cheek presses to hers without his ear smacking her head. His hand finds its way to her back. 

"Rey'deyono, I am ready for us," he whispers, "I've been ready. I can't let this chance slip away again."

She can't speak. And wouldn't know what to say if she could. She can't honestly say that she's ready...but neither can she say that she's not. After a hesitant moment, Rey'deyono wraps her arms around him and simply rests her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes, brow creased ever so slightly.

"Don't be afraid of me, Rey'deyono. You may... be the only one, but you have nothing to fear from me." He holds her with arms that he considers far too gentle, but he's lost in the moment... even if the timing had been sudden. That she is in his arms eliminates all other considerations. "I know that I am different from what you've seen for yourself. I am trying. You can put your faith in me, Rey'deyono... don't be afraid."

"I'm not afraid of you, Meir'cillus." She opens her eyes, turning her head just a little to look at him. "I trust you." Away again. "It is myself that I fear. My self has always been...to be repressed." She closes her eyes again, stays where she is.

The drow smiles at her just a bit. "Perhaps it is time you freed your heart and mind, then." He looks at her again. Tilts his head.

"Perhaps...little by little."

Shut down.

Meir steps slowly out of the embrace, letting his hands linger upon her shoulders. "I would hope for nothing less," he lies right through his teeth. "Let's go find Chian."

She nods, hesitates a few seconds, and then kisses his cheek lightly before starting down the hill. Which she turns to quite quickly, hopefully enough to hide her quite red cheeks.

He'd guess, more than seen, the color of her cheeks. It's good that she left so quickly, though... he doesn't care to be caught blushing, either.

Meir follows her down the hill, his mood greatly improved. Not that he wouldn't still strangle daddy if she gave the okay, but still, greatly improved.

It's a few minutes before Rey is able to find her brother. He's sparring with several other people, no magic for the moment...beating the crap out of them, too. It makes her smile just a little, and she simply watches quietly.

Meir observes quietly for a little while, delighted that something does occasionally get its ass kicked around here.

"I wouldn't have taken him for a brawler. Remind me, and I'll have him out to a pub sometime." Meir grins, speaking sidelong to Rey'deyono.

Amusement sparkles quietly in her eyes, accompanied by her usual, very small smile. "He is very good. The assertive fire spells that I used in Cocytus were learned from him."

"Who are those poor bastards he gets to slap around in there?" Meir inquires, truly thrilled by this find.

"Apprentices, I would imagine. He is teaching them. Many come to seek training from our family, and a few are accepted to do so. Nearly always for magic, but my twin has also earned a reputation for swordsmanship."

"It sounds like my kind of learning. 'Lesson one, get slapped around.'" His chiding is not without admiration, though. "But combat isn't about a controlled environment." Meir looks towards the battle, and cups a hand to his mouth to shout, "Make sure to waggle things at the ones you defeat, Chian!" 

Rey'deyono laughs softly, admittedly covered fingers to the bridge of her nose. Meir'cillus's complete disregard for decorum has alwas been amusing to her.

The other Ono looks to Meir'cillus, grinning a little and seeming distracted. One of the apprentices tries to take advantage of this...and gets a wooden sword to the head. Tiono'chian says something to the other man, face far more serious, and looks to the other, indicating the end of the match by expression. Chian demonstrates two specific maneuvers that had been used for his students, and then leaves them to practice on one another. "Yes, but swift knocks to the head are far more amusing," he observes as he approaches the Ionnyans.

"That all depends on which side of the stick you're on." Meir'cillus eyes the weapon with distaste. He had gotten his first training with a board lined with nails. "Are you beating on them for a reason?"

"Because that's what they came here asking for." Tiono'chian shrugs, then turns partly to watch the sparring. "But mostly because they're new. I need to convince them that they're not nearly as good as they think they are. They have to be broken down before they can be built back up."

"In that case you aren't hitting them hard enough." Meir pulls his sword breaker out just enough to show the blade. "Use this one."

Chian grins. "I'll let them beat one another for awhile, but I may take you up on that later." He looks to his sister. "How did the audience go?" he inquires gently, eyes concerned.

"It went...better than expected."

"The good news is that everyone is still in possession of their bodily functions," Meir adds, not really feeling up to telling this story to anyone.

"I see. I'm sorry, Rey...I had truly hoped he'd finally found it in himself to treat you more kindly, after all you've done." He does take the hint, though, and lets it die. "So what else brings you two down here?"

Meir glances at Rey'deyono. She'd been the one wishing to see Chian, after all.

"I think it's time for us to leave." Rey'deyono's eyes saden quite genuinely at that. "We came to say goodbye."

Tiono'chian is quiet for a moment, then sighs quietly. "Well. I can't honestly say that I'm surprised. At least give me a hug, big sister."

This she does, with little regard for decorum, squeezing her eyes shut. "I'll miss you, Tiono'chian."

His eyes soften. That's hardly necessary, Deyono'rey...I, for one, think that it's fabulous that you're a planeshifter. Just keep in touch as you have, all right?" He'll miss her, too.

Meir bites his lip.

God dammit.

"You know, I'm going to need talented trainers for my elites in Ionnya. Can't defend a country without elites." Meir looks away as he says this. He really hates doing favors out of the goodness of his heart.

Rey looks rather surprised at that. She knows her brother's answer, but smiles at Meir'cillus for the thought.

Chian's quiet a moment, then looks to the drow lord. "I appreciate the offer, and it's certainly not one I take lightly. But I have a wife and children here, and it's also to me to maintain and eventually inheret this land. My place is here."

Meir finally looks at him. "A family... Chian, I misjudged you."

"Oh? How so?"

Rey'deyono lets go of her brother, standing by his side and making the fact that they're twins exceedingly obvious.

Meir shrugs a bit. "Well... I was toying with the notion that you were gay, from the foofy clothes and all."

Rey'deyono blinks, amused but torn as to whether she should laugh.

Tiono'chian has no such qualms. He grins. "What? You mean that your clothes wouldn't make you a eunuch where you're from?"

"Don't you think I would be taller, if I was a eunuch?" Meir makes the observation with a quirky sort of look on his face. "See? You're already thinking about my goods."

Chian finally laughs heartily. "You two are sure that you can't tarry longer? These guys," he indicates the apprentices with a wave of the hand, "take me far too seriously."

"There's no telling what Vayen will do to Ionnya, Chian," Meir answers, growing slightly serious. "I want to be there this time."  He looks over at the apprentices. "Perhaps you could wear a dress while training them?"

Chian snickers. "That would work. But yes, Vayen...I have something for you on that matter. If you'll follow me." He turns and heads for the nearby building.

Rey'deyono blinks. Whatever her twin has planned, she had nothing to do with it.

Meir'cillus glances at Rey'deyono. He smiles though, when he sees her face. 

My image is ruined, he says to himself, but he follows along anyway. For about two seconds. He turns, and holds out his hand for Rey'deyono to take.

The priesess smiles just a little and, after a moment's hesitation, takes his hand.

Meir threads his fingers between hers and starts to walk again, holding gently to her hand. "Let's go talk to Chian about... whatever it is he's got up his sleeve."

Rey'deyono hesitates at his bare hand against hers...almost as though it's something distinctly...naughty. Really, though, concealment of hands isn't even a part of her modern order...but it was once, and it's certainly ingrained in her by now.

Meir stops to look at her, when he feels her hesitating. "Rey'deyono, what's wrong?" He gives her hand a gentle tug. "Come, or he'll think we've forgotten him."

She smiles, just a little, and insincerely at that, but says nothing, nods, and follows.

Meir walks across the way, trying to ignore the surroundings that he has come to dislike very much, in search of Rey'deyono's twin. He can't help but wonder why she seemed so distrusting of his hand in hers, but puts it out of his mind. He doesn't want to find a new way to offend her, today.

Rey'deyono has a very good idea of where Tiono'chian must have gotten to, so they dont' have difficulty in finding him. She glances through the dark, utilitarian room, and then to her brother. "Chian? What is this?"

"It's very simple." The other Ono looks over to her. "I cannot tolerate what Vayen did to my big sister. And I will not allow it to happen again." There's something hard and angry in his voice that hadn't been there before this point. Rey isn't the only one around here who hides emotion.

Meir'cillus's smile widens noticeably. "What did you have in mind? If it involves turning Vayen into chunks, I'm all for it." He lets go of Rey'deyono's hand at this point, deciding that she's had enough of that... and he'd hate to link cuddling in her mind with war.

"That's essentially it." Chian looks to Meir'cillus. "I got some help to go back and examine exactly how you tried to oppose him the first time. The idea was more than sound, but he had a trump card. My sister." His face stays impressively even at that bit. "And there's nothing to say that he couldn't manage that again. Your telekinetic, your nation, your queen...there are too many variables to just try it again."

Meir tilts his head. "So what do you suggest, Chian? Vayen has more power than anyone I've ever faced, in addition to having said trump cards. I can't fight in a way that turns a blind eye to my people. I'm a bastard on a thousand levels, but not that particular one."

"A simple turnabout." Chian folds his arms, leaning against a table with several implements on it, one covered. "Vayen can't order or activate anything if he's transported away as he transported you two. It will put you one on one with him. It still won't be easy, but I hope to help you level the playing field.

Meir strokes his chin, at the light, silver beard that's just a goatee gone a few days without a trim. 

"I'm not sure that I could beat him, even one on one. His power is something else... though what kind of use it has in one on one, I don't know. I've only ever heard of him using large scale spells, or enchantments." He glances between the twins. "Not that I'm saying no. But... any thoughts?"

"He can," Chian states simply. "I don't have anything that can outright sap his power the way that the orb you had at first did...it was employing sensitive information I dont' have. But this," here he sets his hand over a shape hidden under the black silk on the table, "can evenly disperse power levels in a given area. That is to say, your raw power level would be exactly equal to Vayen's, and vice-versa. It's a pendant, by and by, but highly sensitive to light. Virtually any amount of light activates the field."

"No shit," Meir says in a state of awe and interest. "Where do you find toys like that? I would've loved to have had one of those when... nevermind." He examines Chian without a hint of trust. "And what would I owe you for this... service?"

"Don't forget what house is counting you its guest." A small, wry smile traces across Tiono'chian's lips. "'Toys' like this start somewhere. This is where they're made." The smile vanishes entirely. "I will give this to you. Instruct you in its use, along with two more implements, yours as well. But in return you must protect my sister as long as you live."

Meir considers this, putting the entire weight of his consciousness behind tedious, soul-searching pondering, for the exact span of .25 seconds.

"Agreed." He looks at Rey'deyono. Even if she doesn't want to be his wife... well, every noble should have a bodyguard.

Rey just...flushes lightly, and looks down after a moment. She doesn't know what to say, really. Chian has always been there to protect her...she's always been the one who hates to fight, who once refused and nearly died for it, bringing further disdain upon herself. And maybe...now someone else is will to do that, too. It's a lot to think about, really.

Chian smiles, a serious, warrior's sort of smile, and nods once. "I'll take that as your word, then. He looks to the table and picks up the pendant, carefully wrapping the dark cloth beneath it." He holds it out to Meir'cillus.

The drow lord takes it, nodding. "My word is my bond. And it isn't that I don't trust you, but I wouldn't mind field testing this thingy at some point." He doesn't look at Rey'deyono. The swell of pride in his chest demands that he just savors his act of selfishness/charity.

Chian nods. "This is the device that equalizes power levels in an area. Again, it's activated by light. It's not dark enough in here...you can put it safely on in a deep cave or on a moonless night. Really, since you're drow, anywhere that even you can't see. And then put as many layers between it and light as you can. Mail, shirt, doublet, whatever. If you do wish to test it, then I'll be glad to accompany you away from here to do so. Our power levels should be different enough to make the point clear, however, the area affected won't be localized enough to avoid disturbing the household."

"Actually," Meir grins, "I was thinking that you should use it on your apprentices out there. Stress technique over raw power, for a change."

Tiono'chian pauses at that. Rey'deyono takes over for him after a moment, shaking her discomfiture enough to look over to Meir'cillus. "Our family name doesn't have such global significance by accident," she advances, somewhat softly and not entirely proud of what she has to say. "We very intentionally employ 'shock and awe' techniques, hinting at power every so often and never giving a hint that it ever wanes, in any Ono. A power equalization, even temporary, may be considered a sign of weakness. It would show that it can be done."

Chian nods just a little, thoughtful. Her explanation is right. "Still...it may have the opposite effect."

Rey'deyono smiles at her twin. She always did like him best. He's always been able to look past the norms and to what's truly practical. "Yes. Being able to demonstrate superior skill, control, and knowledge on a level gaming field can hardly be considered weakness. It demonstrates that we are more than raw energy."

"Much more," Meir'cillus nods. "So when does that ass kicking begin? I'm enthused, now. I might want to play, too."

"Whenever you like, I suppose." Chian shrugs. "It's nearly sundown, and since it's a moonlit night, it should activate the pendant without gaining too much area."

"No point in screwing around, I guess. How about now?"

The swordsman nods. "I'll talk to the apprentices, and be ready as soon as it's dark enough." He looks to Rey'deyono. "Would you like to come, too, sister, or would you rather remain here?"

A pause. "I'd like to accompany you, if it's no trouble."

Chian smiles. "Certainly not."

Meir heads out of the little room, making certain that the pendant is well bound and concealed. He's looking forward to beating someone down, even if it is just 'training'. By the time they reach the ring, he's practically frothing.

Chian arrives a minute or two later, still explaining the exercise to his two apprentices. Rey is about, but quite on the outskirts, hands folded into her sleeves. Her eyes are quiet and evaluating.

The two apprentices--both human, one eastern and one not--are buzzing with quiet excitement, curious to see Tiono'chian's "real" skill level.

Chian looks to Meir'cillus. "The sun should be low enough now. So whenever you're ready."

Meir doesn't waste a second in unwrapping the little device. He's more than a bit curious, himself, as to how skilled this 'ono' really is.

Chian sucks in his breath sharply when something like harsh static slashes through his mind, completely cutting him from large parts of his perception, closing his eyes a bare moment before looking back to the two accolytes to monitor them for ill effect.

Rey'deyono's eyes widen, though she doesn't gasp...she stumbles back against a tree, eyes closed and head down while she orients herself to the unfamiliar sensation.

Meir'cillus clenches his teeth just enough to take his mind away from the odd feeling that seems to pervade the air all around. Still, he can barely contain his interest.

"The odds don't favor you, Chian. I'm betting against you, by the way," the drow lord calls, his laughing tone mostly meant for reassurance.

The swordsman smirks at Meir'cillus sidelong as he draws his weapon. "Are both of you all right?" He inquires of his two students.

One nods once.

"I, teacher..." the other observes, raising his own sword, a sly smile in his eyes, "have never felt better."

Both their power levels are up quite a bit. Chian and Rey, though the latter doesn't often show it, are both quite powerful in their own right, quite enough between them to increase the apprentices' power several times.

Chian isn't pleased at the young man's arrogance. "Good. You first, then." He stands out of a fighting stance--though one especially experienced would see just how maneuverable his position really is, and how quickly he could get to one if necessary--and simply spreads his arms. "Hit me."

The apprentice blinks, then shrugs. He plants his feet, well-versed and even advanced in typical regional styles, and charges Chian, sword flashing up.

Only one of Chian's feet moves. And it moves perfectly, his body crouching and then springing somewhat in a beautifully controlled movement that the brings his sword into the other at just such an angle, coupling with his torso's shift to get the opponent's sword's path safely a few inches away. Tiono'chian's blade doesn't fully stop moving until the flat of his sword plants firmly into the back of the other's head, sending the apprentice crashing to the ground. He tilts his head. "Your charge is a bit loose."

"Art," Meir'cillus claps his hands together, "pure art. Not that such a move would save your life on a battlefield, but the showmanship is quite there, and I adore the underlying principle." He glances at Rey'deyono. "Sucker them underestimating you, deception, deception, deception."

The cleric smiles her quiet smile in response, though she's a bit uncomfortable with the conversation. Not only because her beliefs are very contrary to glorifying deception...but because she has most certainly employed that technique herself by exploiting her pale, understated appearance. It makes for a very effective shock factor when she needs to put her foot down in matters of the church.

Chian smirks at the drow. "Yes, well, there is certainly fun to be had in the art as well."

"And how," Meir'cillus answers, nodding his silver-haired head. "So tell me, I'm dying to know. When do I get to play?"

Chian bows a little, in invitation. "Whenever you wish."

"Rey'deyono," Meir looks at the priestess, "remember. If I lose, I meant to do it." That said, he steps over the boundary and into the ring, binding his shirt to be certain of the jewel's staying where the hell it is. "Hand me one of those, please," he points to one of the training swords."

Rey's eyes sparkle with amusement.

The defeated apprentice is on his feet, but loath to embarass himself further. The other observes him for a few moments and then tosses his own practice sword to Meir'cillus.

Meir catches it, bowing slightly in thanks. He tests the weight... not heavy enough use as a club, which would be the practical purpose. 

"All right then," the drow lord smiles at Chian, taking a stance that is not without form, but still fairly pedestrian.

Chian smiles in return, and takes a similar one, logical counter to start. "Well. Are you starting, or shall I?"

Meir answers with a half step inward, flicking the sword outward in the fencing equivalent of a jab as his feet reposition themselves at a wider base, possibly heralding a defensive stance.

Chian is quite sure that the drow is much better than these early maneuvers would indicate...he elects to follow along and see what he's planning for now, taking a more aggressive manner though quite aware of Meir'cillus. He turns the jab aside and tries to counter with a similar though quicker one of his own.

Meir'cillus's sword moves with Chian's turning of it, moving downward and around in a circular motion, and coming back up to tap at the tip of Chian's sword as he steps back.

A smile crosses the human's lips. Fair enough. Next. His next maneuver is quicker...more controlled and less flashy than the one he'd used on his apprentice, feet moving carefully around his opponent to slash at Meir'cillus's side. 

Meir grins at this, smiling brightly, as he puts weight to his rear foot and guards the swing, by holding his sword vertically, tip towards the ground. In that moment he steps in, thrusting the handle of the sword towards Chian's nose. Risky, but fun.

The Ono isn't surprised by the unorthodox maneuver, not really...Meir'cillus doesn't seem to be one who likes to be predictable. Interested amusement flashes through his eyes...he lets his sword be deflected, working with the movement to bring it back and keep full control even as he nearly falls backward to avoid the weapon's "hilt," one leg sweeping into a low kick for the drow's legs, his own sword ready to smack the crap out of a falling opponent.

The thought of what an interesting counter flashes through Meir's mind in far less time than it actually takes to think it. His knee turns just slightly, so that the sweep doesn't quite trip him (though it hurts like all hell, as well as exposing his calf to a follow up kick from the other side) and covers for himself by bringing his own sword straight down , wrists unbroken, towards Chian's groin.

The kick, predictably, had been on its way to Meir'cillus's calf, but it shifts quickly into a shove that sends Chian back a step, a light smirk on his lips as he takes a step back, standing up. "And assuming I want to have children again, that seems a good place to end that particular round." Sword goes up, in a defense that looks almost lackadasical, though the drow probably knows by now that that's a favored trick of his opponent's.

Meir steps back, readies his sword. The amusement is only partially present in his smile, but his eyes have grown cold, the bitter cold of a midwinter sleet. If ever Rey'deyono wished to see how he would react in real combat, this is the time; whether Chian is playing around, Meir'cillus certainly isn't. "Your turn," he murmurs, his mind nigh blank, save for the nervous tinge of anticipation.

The priestess is absolutely attentive and equally quiet.

Chian's growing more serious as this progresses, as he becomes more aware of Meir'cillus's mindset. He shifts his grip. No playing, then. No baiting except in genuine strategy. He shifts his foot and leaps forward fast, slashing at the area between the drow's neck and shoulder, at a nearly full display of skill.

Meir's lip pulls back just slightly. No playing. His stance widens slightly, weight distributed towards his rear foot. He lowers his sword and pulls back slightly, not intending to block the blow, but to counter it, and take whatever pain comes with it. Much like his fight in the underground cavern a while back, he points the sword outward in the same phalanx move as back then.

Chian adjusts to suit, footwork and direction changing to move completely around Meir'cillus, to the side with the foot back. The sword doesn't stop in its swing, but now it will connect with the base of his head.

The movement is a tough one to pull off without hesitating, and Meir is just impressed enough for it to show in his mindset. He drops, turning on his weight-bearing foot... and dropping his sword during the turn. When he comes up, his teeth are quite bared, hand shooting up at Chian's eyes behind the hilt of Chian's sword, but still wthin close quarter attack range.

It's a good maneuver...there's no room for Chian to get any force behind a standard use of his weapon. His blade turns until it's vertical, then jerks up sharply, aimed for Meir'cillus's chin as his head and shoulders jerk as far back as possible, eyes narrow for both practical reasons and thinking that this is leaning towards combat that's too genuine.

Meir jerks his head back, tumbling backwards with the suddenness of it, and rolling over until he's up on a knee. Though his eyes are absolutely burning, he doesn't press the attack this time. He doesn't speak, can't really. Just sort of stares at Chian.

Rey'deyono couldn't speak if she tried, eyes ever-so-slightly wide. Even with largely deadened power, she certainly knows that emotions are somehow both shutting off and running high at once. The intensity is something she hasn't sensed since...since she faced down Vayen.

Chian raises his practice sword, wan orange eyes quite blank and face much the same, his stance solid again. He doesn't move, just waits for Meir'cillus to retrieve his weapon again.

Meir rises, slowly, eyes never leaving Chian. He lowers his hands. "It's hard," he finally manages to say, "to subdue certain instincts." Of course it's an understatement. That second round... Meir'cillus had every intention, though he wasn't consciously aware of it then, of killing Rey'deyono's twin. "Perhaps enough is too much."

"In some cases, yes." Tiono'chian lowers his sword. "That's enough for now, I think." He looks to his two apprentices. "We'll conduct a similar exercise at some later point. But for now, we're done."

They just nod, speechless.

Meir'cillus looks at them for a moment, then stoops to retrieve the training sword. He tosses it to its owner, working hard to control his breathing, to let loose of that murderous intent. "No hard feelings, I hope, Chian."

"Not at all. The pendant's power was demonstrated adequately, and it was an interesting spar, to be sure." It's honest, for the most part, though Chian is still trying to work through any potential dangers to his sister, since Meir'cillus changed so quickly this time. He's still not entirely convinced that he would harm Rey...regardless of whether the drow had been ready to gouge his eyes out.

The apprentice catches the sword, looking at it thoughtfully.

Chian looks to his sister for her reactions to all this. She's unnerved, he can tell...but hiding it very, very well. She's been able to do that for years, and has improved since she was last here. He looks back at Meir'cillus. "Well. Would you care to cover the stone again, that we can head back?"

Meir wraps the thing, smiling pleasantly. He's a puppy, right now. "Certainly. I can't tell you how wonderful it would be to have a glass of water right now, anyway." He looks to Rey'deyono, grins at her, too. "My priestess? Shall we?"

She smiles at him, a little wanly, though that's not due to the fight. "In just a moment, Lord Yerosyn." She's shaking off the disorientation of her perception flooding back.

Meir tilts his head, terror assaulting his senses. Had Vayen left some other trap spell in her mind that he hadn't known of, fearing intrusion by a third party? Is she ill? He'd been so wrapped up in his irritation with daddy-figure and the thirst for Vayen's death that, he fears, he hadn't been paying enough attention to her. "My priestess," he says, stepping close to her and reaching a hand out for her shoulder. "Rey'deyono? What is the matter?"

Chian's eyes finally soften again at that. No. Meir'cillus is a ruthless, bloodthirsty bastard, that's been proven. But his affection for Rey'deyono is equally unquestionable.

The priestess smiles at Meir'cillus and covers his hand reassuringly with the silk over her own. "I am fine, Meir'cillus. Simply disoriented from that bauble that you and my twin have been testing, nothing unexpected." She stands up carefully from leaning on the tree.

"I apologize, I didn't think about that at all." His eyes linger upon her, seeking assurance that she is, indeed, alright. "I shall not unwrap the bauble again in your presence, if I can get around it. I promise. Can you walk alright, or shall we rest a moment?"

"Oh, no...I am fine now." She smiles. "Shall we go?"

The drow lord takes back his hand, relieved. "Yes. Chian, do lead the way. I think I would like to stay near her... for observational purposes, of course." He smiles at Rey, the bloodlust of moments ago completely forgotten.

She smiles in return, a little, a light blush coloring her cheeks.

Chian smiles. "Of course. Observation." He doesn't make the crack on that springs to mind. He turns and heads back towards the buildings. "So you two were wanting to leave...when? Today? Tomorrow?"

"As soon as is practical, I suppose. Pardon my lack of delicacy, but screwing around on this matter is more than a little dangerous." He looks at Rey, but only briely, sensing that he might be stepping upon her sense of decency too much already. "Vayen already showed irritatingly little regard for my kingdom, even before I displayed my gegard for his being skinned alive."

Rey nods. She knows that even better than Meir'cillus, having been present through every stag of the gradual domination.

Chian nods. "You'll most certainly have to take the pass at night if you go now...it's certainly not impassible, but there is a good chance that you'll encounter bandits of some sort."

Meir'cillus trots along, whistling most interestedly. "Bandits, in this area? I would have thought that you and your ilk would have have eliminated all of that sort of rabble long ago, Chian."

The heir shrugs, smiling crookedly. "People are people, wherever you go. We've put them down for years or decades at a time, now and again, but they come back sooner or later. They're considered a minor annoyance, really...don't normally murder people, since they know that'll bring us down on their heads. And they certainly don't attack anyone who they notice has solid eyes."

"Well, they are quite intimidating on you." He looks again at Rey'deyono, thinking to himself that on her they are anything but. "Either way, thank you for the warning. What sort of time frame should we expect, for the return to Ionnya?"

"That depends on your method. Has Deyono'rey gone over the possibilities with you?" He's referring to the teleportation, dragon, or ship, she'd run through.

The priestess is looking around quietly, at a home she hasn't seen for a long time and probably won't see for a long time more.

"Quite. I've been forbidden from my particular brand of persuasion in the matter, but I believe we'll be heading off to visit her cousin with the dragon." The drow gazes at the priestess, his heart truly going out to her, but his personal sense of irritation with this place preventing him from singing its praises. "What were the other two baubles, by the by?"

"The first is a cloak that will mask your energy." Chian tilts his head, thinking through the items in question. "Vayen will certainly feel his own power drop with the pendant's activation, but, if he cannot sense you, he should not realize quickly enough that yours has risen."

"And the second?" Meir blinks. "Although, that is an interesting though. I wonder, though... will this bauble effect his flunkies, too? I would hate to have to fight five or ten men at equal power levels."

"It will affect everyone who's in the span of its field, which varies depending on light exposure." Chian nods in agreeance with himself. "The final tool will create a means by which you can re-open recently used portals in a given area--and Vayen is known to employ them often, so finding one is not a large concern--and use the resulting area as a place to isolate you two combatants and so keep his minions out of it."

"Run that by me again? Portals... like..." Meir blinks. "I'm a very basic drow, Chian. Explain as you would a person who has spent his life poking people with sharp things."

Chian grins sidelong at him. Without a hint of disdain, just amusement. "Forgive me if I end up telling you things you already know, I'm just going to run through from the beginning to save possible confusion." He looks ahead again. "A 'portal' refers to any opened gateway between dimensions, planes, pocket dimensions, whatever. Anywhere that's not here." Pauses. "Vayen's been known to use a lot of them, for various reasons. This trinket will reopen the nearest one when you tell it to. That will let you pass, making that your new battlefield and taking Vayen off of his own territory. I will caution, though, that the sorcerer does do some demonic summoning, and that involves portals as well...it will be easy to tell, since an infernal portal opening nearby will soundly slap every sense you have. Just tell manacle to close it again in that case."

Meir listens to all this with a sense of patience that he tries not to let show too often. "So," he says, testing the waters, "I just have to follow him to a safe place, then? What is to stop him from moving again?"

"Restrictions on ability. I'll admit that I'm not sure just how powerful he'll be after you've pulled out the pendant--I'm not exactly sure of how powerful either of you currently are--but it's likely that his normal methods of opening portals will become much more difficult. That, and if you keep him busy, he won't be able to maintain the kind of intense focus and planning necessary to successfully open and direct another portal. He'll just have to deal with you, instead."

"Ah. Well, I guess I am as prepared as I will ever be." The drow lord turns his attentions once again to Rey'deyono. "If you are ready, my priestess, we can be off any time. But don't rush yourself. I would feel better if we left when you are ready."

She looks over to him after a long moment. Doesn't smile, just nods. "I am ready. We should take our leave." Before she loses that resolve.

"Good choice," Meir nods to this, "saves time. Chian, it's a pretty long trip, yes? We'll need food. Water. Talk to me about availaibility of food in case we get sidetracked. A medical kit couldn't hurt. Why are we still standing here?" Meir grins. "I'm sure the Ono estate can't wait to be rid of me in a hurry, so let's not disappoint."

"I'm sure that father will be pleased. But follow me, all that will be taken care of."

Over the course of the next couple of hours, most everything that's useful to travel--including warm winter cloaks and even a pair of horses--is gathered together. Chian finishes tying a bag onto his sister's mount. "...that should do it."

Meir'cillus, who doesn't usually like winter anything, nods approvingly at Chian's efficiency. "Well met, Chian. Are you sure that you weren't born a woman?" He hides his face, peeks out between spread fingers.

Chian snickers. "I hope not, or my wife will expect me to know more...nevermind. Forgive me, Deyono'rey."

Her eyes sparkle. She just hugs him once his hands are free. She does love her brother.

Meir'cillus keeps his mouth shut for once, just lets them enjoy theirselves for a bit. He might feel bad for stealing her away from all this, but then... this place doesn't deserve her. Meir knows well that a system that is without adaptability is doomed to failure, much as Ionnya was before the integration of humans and drow together. He just tends to his own things, making sure one more time that enough food and so forth has been packed.

Chian finally kisses Rey's forehead and helps her onto her horse. "Be safe, big sister...take care of her, Meir'cillus."

"As if you had to tell me... but of course." The drow lord hops onto his own horse, giving a slight, but noticeable, bow of respect to Chian. He pats the beast's head. "We'll be off, I suppose. Rey'deyono." He spurs the horse gently on, heading down the way that Chian and Rey'deyono had indicated. It'll be a long way, and they still have a great deal to think about and discuss.

Rey'deyono smiles back at her brother sadly a few moments, somewhat wistful, and then turns her horse after Meir'cillus's before she loses her resolving, wiping expression from her face but quite quiet.

The drow lord stays silent for some time, though not coldly, just quiet. He follows the route, looking to her every so often to make certain that she is alright. 

"Tell me, Rey'deyono," he says, his patience wearing thin fairly quickly, "when we arrive in Ionnya, do you suppose it's best that I face Vayen down immediately, or..." He smiles. "I ask because you have a better head for unity than I."

"It will depend on the situtation when we arrive, to be sure." She ponders his problem quietly, still lost within her own thoughts but, all told, is grateful for the distraction. "Both strategies do have sound arguments in their favor, however, I'm moved to suggest confronting Vayen first. Getting the nation behind you will do nothing to help defeat him, only make him aware of your presence. They would react more strongly to news that he had been defeated than news that you intended to confront him. And, finally..." she pauses. This is difficult for her to say. "...Should you lose, it would not benefit the nation to be shown a glimmer of hope and have it immediately dashed."

"I won't lose," Meir is quick to answer, perhaps too quickly. He considers the answer, most thoughtfully. He looks down at the horse's mane, just concentrating on that. "If it comes to that, I will be counting on you... to convince Faresylia to evacuate as many people as will flee."

Rey'deyono nods solemnly. "You have my word. But for now...let us assume that you will not lose."

Meir rides along, still quietly. Damn it all to hell, but this is really awkward.

"I can't help but wonder," he says that after a while, just dreaming aloud really, "what will happen after he's gone."

"It is...infinitely hard to say." The priestess blinks slowly, eyes on the path ahead. "He has been so powerful on Ilitair for so very much longer than either of us has even been alive...it will be a shift, to be sure."

"There will be a lot of mopping up to do. His subordinates will need to be eliminated, the most loyal and the least loyal anyway." Meir sighs, softly. "I am tired, Rey'deyono. Not of the fighting. Heavens no. But, of the politics. The nations and cities."

The priestess is quiet a moment, torn like she wouldn't be with anyone else...between being a consoling cleric, or being a friend and actually speaking her own mind in return. "I am too," she finally advances, somewhat quietly. "Of the constant threat of war and destruction, of the struggles all over the continent. Of its people having to be so afraid for their very lives that their daily tasks are nothing but frightened farce." She shakes her head. "All this...must end."

"If this upsets you, we can discuss other things. The flowers that make no sense to me when you aren't around, for example." 

Her cheeks color lightly, and she affords the smallest of smiles in his direction. "You are too kind, Lord Yerosyn. It is not a subject I fear to discuss, but thank you."

Silence again, for a few moments. Meir averts his eyes from her to watch the road, to seek for any threats that hadn't been mentioned or simply hadn't yet appeared. There are things he needs to say, but he's really too conflicted right now to do anything about it.

The priestess thinks that may be better to leave him to his own thoughts, and so allows herself to sink into nostalgia. This is a path that she has traversed a number of times. Thus, she is far from surprised as the temperature drops sharply as they rise and, despite still occupying the latter part of the summer, isn't stunned as a fast-blowing snowstorm, nearly a blizzard though not quite so severe or crippling, blows up around them as they approach the first pass. The horses are irritable, but plod on without trouble.

Rey'deyono holds her cloak tightly to her throat, blowing into her hands every now and again to warm them.

"Do you suppose this storm will pass quickly," Meir calls to her, nearly shouting to get over the roar of the snow, "or shall we find a place to shelter for a while?"

"It is very difficult to say," she calls in return. "It will probably cease fairly quickly, but it would be in our best interests to keep moving, lest it take longer and we be snowed in somewhere."

"I don't know your tolerances," Meir laughs as he answers, "but my rings are freezing together!" He marches along though, not really aware that she may as well be royal and he the servant. He's lying a bit... the cold is getting to him just a little bit, and all that white is playing hell with his eyes.

Rey'deyono looks over to him, concerned. "Would you like to stop, Meir'cillus? I am certain that we can find a safe, sheltered spot to do so, given a little time."

He smiles in the direction he thinks she is, but... really, he can't see much of anything now. He shuts his eyes against the white. "Maybe... but... what about you? Will you be alright with that?"

"Of course." She pauses a moment, then guides her horse alongside his, taking his reigns gently. "Here...I may vaguely remember a shallow cave near here. In the meantime, you should bind your eyes before you're too dazzled and develop a real case of snow blindness."

Meir just nods, as he fumbles to tie his hair in front of his eyes... it'll be a bitch to get out, but worth it for the moment. "I trust you, my Priestess." He fumbles around with it for a moment until it's tied, and then holds onto the horse for every thing he's worth.

Rey'deyono smiles gently, then looks back to the path, narrowing her eyes against the blowing snow and focussing on the very serious task of trying to guide two horses through it. The greater part of an hour later, she breathes a sigh of relief, narrating to her companion as she's done intermittently since the drow, who has an understandable fixation with knowing what's going on around him, had first covered his eyes. "We're here, Lord Yerosyn...it was a bit farther than I remembered, but we are here nonetheless."

Meir reaches up, disentangling his hair with only a few yelps, and smiles his thanks to her. He gets down from his own horse, examining the innards of the little cavern to check for threats of any sort. When he's pleased that nothing inside will harm them, he calls for her... it's only a moment, really.

"Rey'deyono, it should be safe. Are you alright to come inside?"

"In just a moment, thank you." She finishes tethering the horses loosely beneath a well-sheltered outcrop, and then joining meir'cillus in the cave. She'll retrieve the packs after she's had a chance to catch her breath from the snowstorm, rubbing her hands together and blowing into them. "Goodness...I do not miss the quickly-spawned storms to any great extent."

"What's not to miss?" Meir inquires, his hands still set over his eyes. "Is everything okay? And... shall I see about a fire?"

"Everything seems to be in order, yes. The packs still need to be brought in...a fire would be lovely, but dry wood may be hard to come by, as this is a fairly wet snow. Perhaps I should seek wood while you bring in the packs?" They're heavy and, regardless of who's taller, Meir'cillus is stronger than her by a fairly stunning measure.

"Yes, I suppose that would work. But don't hesitate to call, snow or not, if you need me." The drow lord blinks a few more times, and gets to his feet to do just as she'd mentioned. 

Rey'deyono nods. "Thank you." She pulls her hood tightly over her face and sets out to do her part. Some time later, she returns with an armload of enough wood to at least last a few hours. "Phew...thank you for bringing in the bags." She pokes around in them until she finds a tinderbox and gets to arranging the wood and trying to start a fire...somewhat clumsily. She doesn't normally have to do this kind of thing.

"I, ah," Meir, who has finally gotten the ache out of his sight, kneels next to her, "I can help, if it wouldn't be an imposition." He looks at her, but away fairly quickly so as not to step on any toes.

She smiles at him sheepishly, and turns over the tools gratefully. "Be my guest. I am obviously not adept in the art. How are your eyes?"

He takes them, not laughing or anything to save her face. "You shouldn't have to be. And my eyes are fine, now, though I fear the rings are frozen in place now." He grins at her, flicking the box, working with it unsuccessfully for a bit. "Piece of... ah..." he blinks. "There we are," his own face saved as a neat little spark does its deed and begins a slow fire in the hastily constructed hearth. He smiles at her and stows the box. "Comfy?"

"I am sure that I will be soon." She smiles, settling into the cloak she'd already gathered over her shoulders.

Meir grins. The thought of 'that depends on how long it takes me to say something idiotic' crosses his mind, but not his lips. He leans back, stares at the fire, and wishes he had something to say to her that wasn't going to get him into trouble. He's a male, despite his Drowness. He has one real duty in natural life. But... he's not that far along yet. He just wants to be close to her, but speaking just seems to distance them.

Rey'deyono just...enjoys his company, quietly. She's hung up about having to leave her brother again so soon, yes, but...she is content in the knowledge that both she and Meir'cillus are, against all odds, safe thus far. Surely whatever comes next can't be as great a danger as Cocytus. "I am glad that you are all right," she notes after awhile. She'd wondered often in his long absence.

Meir tilts his head. "What do you mean, Rey'deyono? I have been right here with you."

The priestess smiles a little, not looking away from the fire. "I mean...in all the time you were absent from Ionnya. I wondered often as to your safety."

The drow blushes in a very drowish way. "I'm... comforted to know that, my priestess. In..." he pauses, thinking. "In a thousand ways, I had wished for you to forget me, and let my ill treatment of you become a ghost of the past. But I am thankful that you didn't." 

Rey'deyono smiles in her quiet way, mostly in her eyes, at his emotion though not looking his way. "I could not. Though I do not know that you have ever treated me so badly as you seem to think."

"Walking away from you is a sin that will take my entire life to pay penance." When Meir'cillus says this, it isn't as he'd quite intended. He sighs softly. "I do apologize for the constant valedictions. I really can't help myself."

"You needn't excuse yourself for saying what it is that weighs upon your mind, Lord Yerosyn." Rey'deyono finally glances up to him. "I do not mind listening. It is my place as a priestess...and as your friend."

"Then you would hear me sing my icy little heart out into eternity." Meir'cillus chuckles. "Perhaps I can put a lid on it once in a while, though. May I ask you a slightly personal question?"

"Certainly."

The drow scoots around a bit closer, to face her. "Earlier, when I touched your hand. You seemed... repelled. May I ask why?"

"Oh..." her cheeks color a little at that, embarassed. She glances down to her covered hands. "I was not repelled, exactly...I was simply startled, and unsure as to how to react. For that, I apologize." she pauses a moment. "It is an old tradition...as the hands are perhaps humanoid creatures' greatest physical advantage and therefore our greatest tie to the physical plane, the clerics of my order were once required to cover them, thus keeping attention strictly to the higher powers. This practice is no longer required by the church as a whole, as the result of several consecutive high priests and priestesses more lenient than I. However, some individuals still maintain it. I encourage its revival, though I have no intention of legislating it for fear of alienating too many of the Twins' servants and thus defeating any purpose." She flexes one hand thoughtfully, beneath the cloth. "When you cannot easily use your hands, they cease to be something to take for granted. Their being bared to anything is always to be carefully weighed and decided, and, as any aspect of a good cleric's life, should seek to serve the Two in some way." She looks back up to Meir'cillus. "I have kept my hands covered for many, many years. You are the first to have reached out and actually touched my bare hand in all that time. I was startled, I suppose, just at the unfamiliarity of it. Again, I apologize at any offense. It was not intended, you certainly did nothing unpleasant."

Meir just smiles, rather like a person who is being told why exactly, in crude terms, the political system of a faraway country is bankrupt. He cares, but he really, really doesn't understand... both parts are fairly obvious in his expression.

"All that I worried was that I had harmed you in some way," he manages to say through all that. "Or violated something. Though that happens occasionally."

She smiles at him, her eyes softening. He cares. That's impressive, really, considering what he does and who he is. He has no reason to care about a quirky bit of religious dogma, unless because it was for her. "Not at all, Lord Yerosyn. Suffice it to say..." she ponders this... "that my own bared hands are never something that I take lightly, per a conservative interpretation of one of my order's creeds."

"Is it just your hands?" Meir wonders aloud, looking at her curiously. "Could I, for example, touch your cheek...?"

The blush remains, though now for a different reason. She seems to do a lot of that with him around. "Yes. That particular restriction only applies to my hands."

Meir'cillus nods, as if pondering. Tentatively, his hand stretches out, to cup her slightly waif-ish cheek, if she'll permit. His eyes are as questioning as his voice would be, if he had it at the moment.

Her own is somewhat caught in her throat, too, so it's no help at all. Rey'deyono's blush deepens, eyes travelling down and then almost immediately back to his face. Unsure, certainly. Repulsed...no. No...far from it.

The touch is gentle, of course, but embracing, his palm cupping over the arch of her cheek, fingers settling below and behind her ear. The move in soft strokes, gradually searching her skin, but make no move to do anything further. This, he is quite sure, is like the gate to whatever paradise exists for Drow. In his eyes, something foreign shines in muted colors, like a wine red rose blooming over tundra; passionate, alien, but deserving of its hard-earned place.

Rey'deyono's breath is clipped...she's not sure what to think of this, what she should think of it. She does know...that this is something she isn't sure she hasn't been waiting for for a long time, even without realizing it. And she doesn't want it to stop.

And he doesn't. But for once he excercises good judgment and doesn't try to push further, for embraces or kisses. Not until she is ready. "I have nothing clever to say..." he admits, smiling softly at her, "... I hope that is alright with you?"

A smile finally manages to tug at the corners of her lips. "Quite so."

He sighs the contented sigh of a victorious man. "So.." his thumb runs gently up and down her temple, "... what now?"

"That...I am not sure." Her eyes travel to the cave's entrance. "The storm is not yet abating."

"Nor should it," Meir laughs softly. "Not now, anyway. You... really must forgive me, Rey'deyono. I am lost within the scope of you right now..."