Scion

[Elusa]

Alice disrobed and donned her ragged robe. It was ugly, dirty, and even a little bit smelly. But that was the point. Her radiance was normally a welcome gift, but now she had to do everything she could to hide it. She tied her hair back and raised the hood. Some would say it was a crime to hide her face like that. Certainly her goddess would rather her raise the spirits of others with her beauty and talent. But Alice felt that there were more to spreading joy than dancing and singing. The desperate and downtrodden would never be able to appreciate such things as long as they were starving.

There were greater issues to tackle as well, but Alice felt recently that there might be no way for her to change things. The Valley was in as much disorder as when she arrived, and while her overriding Purpose compelled her to keep trying, she was exhausted. She was turned away or ignored, as people clung to their beliefs. And because of her job, she could feel the distaste and lack of trust by others. If only they tried to truly understood her, they would see that her Purpose extends far beyond Blackwood. They would know what she really desired.

But this morning was a respite. She set to work with Sister Adolina, preparing the tasteless slosh that passed as soup. She slaved over the stove and cut vegetables and meat. She had worked enough to become reasonably proficient. She couldn't make a five course meal, but throwing ingredients in a pot and making bread were not beyond her, although she generally left Adolina or Abby to handle the bread. She rarely spoke to Adolina while working, and she ducked her head while serving to avoid drawing attention to herself. As others had pointed out, she really wasn't Made for this kind of work. But it was relaxing, compared to the world of politics.

But while working with Abby, Alice simply couldn't help conversing. She would gladly take an arrow for her. She would gladly die for her, if it meant the difference between Abby living or dying. She cherished every moment with her, no matter how transient. While Abby wasn't the only reason for her being there, she doubt she would have put as much effort into helping the cause as she was.

(( Feel free to chip in if you want to contribute your character's actions. ))

[Bloodriki]

Among the hustling volunteer workers tilling about, Duncan loomed over a cast iron pan. The paladin was without his Triadic armor, choosing instead to don a simple sleeveless tunic and a rather comical looking apron that barely fit his large frame. A stack of fish was to the side of his work area, his spice kit on the other.

"Pinch of garlic. . Red pepper flake. . Powdered onion. ." He muttered the routine, one fish after the other. Hands were a flurry of action, selecting the spices from his side with precise familiarity. "I have some lemons, perhaps a zest?" Whilst the fish cooked he fetched a knife to drag it's blade along the exterior of the fruit, collecting a fine mound of shavings. Oh how he loved to cook. It was plain for all to see, presented by the smile on his face.

The work came at a rapid pace. Practiced hands made for quick work, and soon he'd see that pile of raw fish served. No doubt the patrons were treated to a fine meal, one outside the norm of what was usually given. Alice was a blurry visage to the side. A woman whose face he'd not yet seen, so enamored with his work he was. If anything he tried to stay out of her way, conscious of the cramped space they had to work with.

[Elusa]

Alice noticed immediately that Duncan was not the average volunteer. His shoulders seemed too wide, his muscles too large, and he gave off a certain aura. But worst of all, he was a good cook. The smell alone told her that much. She guessed him to be one of Abby's recruits. While approaching the man, but staying outside his movement range, she thought to tell Abby to more fully inform any volunteer cooks.

Alice kept her head ducked, and with the height difference, he probably wouldn't be able to see her face unless he kneeled down. She spoke to Duncan just loudly enough to be heard, but soft enough that the sound wouldn't extend beyond the kitchen. "Tone down that cooking or Sister Adolina will be on you. I'm not here to tutor you on Sanctuary principals, but the food is tasteless on purpose. Ask Sister Abby if you need to know why."

Alice heel-turned and walked back to her area. She sped up her cooking to try and meet Duncan's speed. With luck, the fine food would be gone fast.

(( This thread will eventually reach beyond the Sanctuary. Enjoy the ride. ))

[Fuzziebunny]

The gentle rustle always started her. No matter how many times she wore these robes, she always seemed to forget how much noise cloth made. Not that her silver mail, with it's decorated gold place was exactly quiet. But it was a different set of background sounds, something familiar and comforting. She was use to the armor and always felt out of place without her concealing metal skin. Of course, the lack of any sort of weapon also bothered her but she had never had any problems when she worked here. No one seemed to know or care that she was a member of the Triad. And it seemed likely that today would go on as all the other days. And anyway, today she rather doubted anyone noticed anything else aside from Alice and the food Duncan was currently making.

Kindra lifted a gloved hand to adjust the wimple covering her bright hair. She had spoken to Abby and it was one of the days she had volunteered to assist the other healers in the sanctuary. She often came in when she could. She was use to the sight of Alice's beautiful face and the other woman's graceful figure, in such drab clothing, no longer surprised her as it once did. Alice was always there doing something. Sewing this or that and in general, trying to help in some way. No, it had not been a shock to see Alice, but the sight of Duncan had made her pause. She considered greeting him for a moment. Then she smiled and discard the idea. He looked like he was enjoying himself. Why bother him?

She moved around the other two quietly, replacing ingredients when they seemed low, and taking bowls away to be washed. She knew the Sisters frowned on her washing dished with gloves on and normally she let others do these little tasks. But Alice was scowling up at Duncan muttering and gesturing to one of the more plain faced nuns. And Duncan was, well... Duncan; focused and intent. She expected that he would notice the beautiful woman sooner or later. Really, she was hard to miss, but for now they seemed to be rather busy. No, this once, she thought, the nuns might not mind. Or maybe with a little luck, they might not notice.

Her lips curled into a smile, and she felt content for the first time in days. Even the ache in her bad hand didn't seen so sharp today. Though, she knew she would have to change her wet bandages soon, or that would change. There was time enough before she would need to see to it. Right now she had dishes to do. And she had better hurry up because it looked like there was quite a pile of them building.

[Elusa]

(( Let's keep it to 3 in the kitchen. It's not that big ))

[Laurk]

Another frantic day at the Port Avanthyr Sanctuary. The clatter of the crowded commons fades into a muffled abiance as the small healer plucks out shards of broken bottle from an ugly cut. The salty looking sailor she's working on seems oblivous as he grins at the glowing ball over the surgery table, clearly not feeling much. Finally something good has come out of Thay.

As she removes the final shard and drops it with a tiny clink into the dish nearby, the Ilmatari whispers a prayer. She channels the warmth of divine healing through her small frame and into the gastly wound, sealing it in a flash of blue radiance. Next she purges the toxins from his system, abruptly rousing the man to unwelcomed sobriety.

Abigail's nose begins to detect something wrong. She smells delicious food cooking and rubs her temples. "Oi tha' smells good sista, moind uf oi' getta bit o' tha'?" entones the rough sailor as he sits up on the table. Abby smiles and gestures non-commitally before wiping her hands off on her vestments. Sister Juna approaches the sailor to finish up as Abby crosses over to the infirmary door. The sounds from beyond move from ambiance to the fore as the plank door opens, revealing the bustling, noisy commons. Lines of refugees and their families wait as Alice and Adolina slop soup into bowls with polite smiles. Tables and benches are filled, and people try to squeeze in here and there. Kindra slides past her with a small smile and an arm load of medicines which she begins to sort and put away in the infirmary.

Abby notices craned necks among the refugges in the soup line. She follows their gaze and spots Duncan through the press, cooking whatever is giving of the heavenly aroma and whispers a silent prayer that a riot doesn't start over it when they get tastless soup in their bowls. Still she can't help but smile as the big warrior in his hat pinches delicate amounts of seasoning over his concotion.

Just then, the small healer notices a little boy among the crowd who looks a little too sneaky for his own good. He can't be more than six or seven. His rags are filthy and torn and his eyes dart about in the manner that spells trouble. He slips up between a couple of older people near the front counter and gives a quick look around. For only a moment, their eyes meet, and Abby recognises the infamous child they've been trying to spot. Of course the boy know's he's been had and darts up between the older couple, and shoots a little fist into the soup. Before Abby or anyone else can even react, the child is dashing for the door; a handful of soggy soup in his little fist. That's five times in eight days.

"Hey its FREE!" Abby call's after the boy, but he's already out the door speeding off to wherever it is he hides.

Alice shrugs, wiping soup splatter from her homespuns. "We'd better put out a bowl Abby, or we're never going to catch him," she calls over the din of the commons. Abby sighs with a small smile and nods to Alice. River had the right of it.

The next day, just outside the Sanctuary on an empty crate rests a bowl of soup, a chunk of grey bread and a tiny sack filled with popped amaranth with a smiley face drawn on the side.

[Bloodriki]

The rather timid voice that roused Duncan from his trance stopped him mid-motion. A slight frown curled his lips, but he nodded his understanding. His spice kit was stowed away, above and beyond reach. "My apologies for the slight, I did not mean-" with hands free he wheeled about, only to find the robed woman retreating from his side. The back of his right hand came up to wipe away the dewdrops of sweat that'd accumulated on his brow. "I enjoyed our conversation, however short." He muttered as he pivoted about, stopping to wipe his hands and subsequently stain his lovely apron.

Undeterred the Paladin took to his task with renewed vigor. There were plenty of ways to make a fish come out succulent and tasty. It was all in the technique one utilized to bronze and cook, this he knew. The natural flavor of the creature would have to suffice for his lucky recipients today.

Soon enough, Duncan found himself back in his wacky zen-cook groove.

[Elusa]

As the day wound down and the doors closed, there was still a lot of work to do. Pots and bowls and cutlery to be cleaned. The lobby was a mess more often than not, and duties included cleaning up sick on the floors and tables. The other Sisters were usually quick to tend to the diseased, but often not before they spread their vomit all over the place. She figured that since they were healing the diseased, she might as well be the one to clean up after their symptoms.

Alice had no problem with this dirty work. The smiles of those who were able to have a full belly for the first time in their lives always made it worth it. Sure, the soup was bland and the bread stone-hard, but it was a hell of a lot better than nothing. Occasionally a man or woman would come in who she knew was particularly destitute and without hope. She would silently add a little spice or tasty morsel in with the rest with a wink and a finger to her lips. She knew instinctively that the kindness would not be forgotten, and kindness and hope were contagious.

With the doors closed for the night, Alice headed upstairs for the night. Second room on the right, bottom bunk. When she thought of how it was reserved for her, a warmness filled her heart. The mattress was little more than wool over a wooden base, but she had added extra padding to make it more comfortable. The room was tiny, barely enough to fit the bunk and desk, but it wasn't some transient resting place. On top of that, the fact that she shared it with Abby was an honor.

Alice took off her scratchy, woolen robes and changed into a silken nightgown. She allowed herself such small luxuries while upstairs, away from patrons. Of course if she really wanted to, she could rent a room at the Mariner, but this place was too much of a home for her. She took a book with her to bed, light reading. She'd come to enjoy the escape that fiction provided, although the morning would always remember certain harsh realities. In short time, she fell asleep with the book still open on her chest.

[Elusa]

Several days passed, and to Alice it hardly felt as if anything that happened was real. Her, Ilmateri? It hardly seemed possible. She had always thought of Him as a god worth praying to, but somehow her work at the Sanctuary had brought her to a greater understanding. But what came after, not even Abby's foreshadowing could have prepared her. Understanding of not merely the mind nor the heart, but of the soul, is not easily explained in a way that normal mortals could understand. But now that her soul was officially bound to Ilmater, those inexplicable feelings and dreams began to crystallize.

She was called, and it was of the sort that she couldn't refuse. She felt it more strongly than anything she had experienced before. Even priesthood seemed possible now, although it would take her much more time to consider. But she understood well the sacrifices she would have to make, and the restrictions it would place on her. For now, she felt she was serving as well as she could. Being a priestess wouldn't excuse her from sick cleanup, regardless. Someone had to do the work, and she was the junior of the bunch. For now, she chose to wait. Nothing that happened at the Sanctuary had ever been predictable or foreseen. Save perhaps Abby's eyes, which saw farther than her own.

Now, she had begun to work full eight hour days, from opening to closing. Sometimes that stretched out to ten hours. In part, because the situation with Blackwood had gone downhill fast. She idly wondered how many in Sundren would be willing to work so long and so hard for payment only in the form of bland food and a hard bed. They had volunteers, of course, although they were not as much needed anymore. Between Sister Adolina and herself, they were plenty able to cook enough food for all the refugees. But they rarely turned down a volunteer. Those who wished to do good shouldn't be denied the chance.

[OnyxTigress]

It was almost the end of her patrol, and she had one last stop to make. It wasn't an entirely official duty, but she did it nonetheless out of respect for Lord Esmond and Kimaris, wishing to show them both that she valued her duties to the order as well. As she neared the docks, a smile slowly appeared as the familiar scent of salt water hit her. It was an all too familiar smell to her, being a native of the Port. The Helmite passed a few beggars along the way, a hand held up to them as she passed by to signal that she would be unable to fill their coffers as they hoped.

She finally reached the doors to the Sanctuary, and paused to give a look around. No trouble was near, as far as she could tell. Which, to the young woman, was a relief. She had been by her a few times already, and there had not been a speck of trouble. She could only pray that it would continue as she finally made her way inside. The opening of the door and the creaking of her armor gave way to her presence, and she offered a smile to the Sisters who took notice.

"Just making my usual rounds, and figured that since it is near the end of my duties that I could offer my help here if it is needed." She entered further into the Sanctuary, brushing strands of hair off her cheek as her dark blue eyes scanned the room around here to see where she would be needed. This was not the first time she had offered her help to those within, nor would it be the last.

[Elusa]

Alice had already begun to work, going through the tedious process of preparing mediocre food. Sister Adolina handled the front for the most part, leaving much of the behind the scenes jobs to Alice. Of course, she didn't mind.

Alice immediately noticed when Lilith came in. It's hard to miss shining armor. A few moved to a spot further away from her. Alice stepped forward into the serving area to speak to Lilith.

"If you can cook at all, I could use a break. You might want to talk to Sister Juna if you have healing powers. Otherwise if you could scrub down the tables; there's a nasty bug going around that we're trying to avoid spreading. There uh... might be a bit of sick on the floor worth cleaning up. Sorry, it's not a glamorous job."

[Elusa]

(( Slightly more mature post to highlight some real dangers women of the Sanctuary face ))

A few days later, Alice came down and started the day sporting a new look. She had hair cut short, just below the ears. More dramatically, her face was extremely plain, based off a passing peasant she had seen on the streets, minus the dirt and grime. Her breasts were significantly smaller, though not as flat chested as Abby. She'd put on a little weight as well. A blind man would still recognize her voice, and a familiar friend would recognize the subtle aura she kept, but her disguise spell did a remarkable job.

She had to renew it every few hours, but she didn't have to pretend not to notice people's stares and the occasional grope. There was only so much a hood and tightly wrapped chest could hide. Of course to regular offenders she whispered threats of denied food. It was a lie, of course. They would never deny anyone food except those who could afford it. Usually the whisper did the trick though. She worded it so it wasn't a straight lie, but she always felt guilty about it.

She hoped the disguise would help with the whole ordeal. She was always struck with fear when Abby mentioned the very real possibility of rape. They were completely helpless against such acts, save to be undesirable as targets. She'd thought of even using the spell to disguise herself as a boy, but unfortunately the spell did nothing to alter her real body. Besides, she had pride. And she supposed if they were attacked, she supposed she might have time to change disguises, but then there was not guarantee that would stop them...