"Where Angels Dare"

[*Pashan01]

Naya gently taps upon the sensory stone, in a private moment, in the vain hope that in recording this she can make better sense of it.

Addiction..this strange compulsion, this craving, this constant desire that tests the willpower and for some behavioural addiction can lead to harmful consequences...I am not sure if my addiction is or could be harmful.

I have seen a version of it in one friend, that if not tempered and controlled, helped could lead to a health problem. I can help after the event to rejuvenate the ailing organ that that particular addiction threatens but tis clear the mind must be treated first or alongside this affliction if the friend is to be cured for the longterm.

I know the truth now that it is doubley hard for one who has led a lifetime of abstinence, limitation or restriction that such an addiction can be harder to manage once having given in and had taste of the 'manna' of that personal weakness and susceptibility. The floodgates are now open, I know this to be the truth.

I raise my hand, my name is Naya'il and I am an addict....and I also know that I do not wish to be cured of this experience.

Nibbling upon her bottom lip, Naya taps the stone sealing the experience, the memory, the thoughts and she tucks the stone carefully away to the back of a drawer to her rooms.

[*Pashan01]

Tis six, nay seven days and still no sign of my woman's time. A little nauseous in the morning, senses heightened, my breasts remain sensitive and full...I would say these are all normal human signs of being with child and...I am so happy and yet...events recently have marred the excitement of this wonderful news and while I would love to celebrate, perhaps, in the circumstances, Kelth and I should err on the side of caution and keep this to ourselves.

After fainting and seeing a vision, following the distress of a red dragon's attack upon a household in the Lady's ward, I met with Father Nathan, a fellow Pelorite, though of priesthood and clerically trained. I realised it was he whom I had seen in my vision. He suggested a pilgrimage to Elysium, closer to the source of our faith, to try to secure the infant boy Blessing's life. But I am not certain how such a ceremony should proceed and in the event of the good Father not being available, I shall have to try for myself, a last time. For some reason, I find significance in continuing to push for this despite the worry of the threat of Marius. The wife Blessing lost husband, I would that she not also lose her young baby. The two older daughters are being cared for in the Inn under my supervision until the woman is calmer of the mind to look after them. As well as the Father, a few others have offered to help in different ways; Hildmor..I find him rather a strange man... Mir and Kelth.

The good Father also advised me to sort out a healer or consultant, someone I trust to ensure all is well with this pregnancy going forward. Truth is, I am not sure I know such a person so I may have to ask him to see to this...

[*Pashan01]

Knit one, pearl one... a little early I know but...I thought I'd practice knitting, something I've never done before and my fingers tripped and fumbled over the first two rows as I sat in the outdoor bar, chatted with Mir, heard the beginnings of a tale of a gith affecting her mind and watched a huge hound, apparently named Anastasia, lap at its water.

After a long search in the bazaar, I'd managed to acquire a pair of needles from Hildmor. I've no idea how or why he would have such objects in his room but I was thankful. Piri had given me some wool to play with, unfortunately it was pink in colour...I am certain this baby is a boy...or perhaps tis wishful thinking...but as I am only practising how to craft a little jumper and boots, no harm done, I can use the pink for now and will keep searching for a more neutral and boyish colour for later.

Piri appears to have fallen in love again. I recognise the signs....she keeps sighing and chattering on about tail rides, tieflings and gnome, games of hide and seek, kisses as prizes, red hair, chin tufts, orange hoods and musical jigs...I wonder how long this one will last and if the poor fellow realises what he is in for. First the giant Gundul, then the blond haired warrior, I'm sure there was a halfling or two she fancied, then ...oh dear...she thought she was going to marry poor Dom...all after a single meeting or two and now...what? I wish some gentleman pixie would find his way to Sigil, sweep her off her feet....um...wings and have her settle down.

[*Pashan01]

I found someone to help. A Sister with a kind heart, a light blush and a feathered tail..odd that the help should be in the form of a tiefling but tentative enquiry from my side revealed what I thought to be a good nature. Her own hesitant approach had me curious. What were these protocols that had her shying from opening up to me? When I revealed that I was raised as human and did not come from the upper echelons and planes, spoke further of myself, she seemed to grow more easy with me. I recognised a kindred spirit and I felt the light of hope shine in my soul at that thought...

I am growing accustomed to the oddities of Sigil and its races, a friend can be found in the most unusual circumstances and places...and I believe she may become just that...time will tell......what I would give to find a true, deep and lasting friendship with another girl...but I would never have thought it could be with a tiefling...

She has some experience in midwifery so I listened as she advised me not to overexert or lift heavy weight in the early stages of pregnancy and supported Father Nathan's advice not to drink alcohol. I didn't tell Kelth that I'd visited the Abyss for some mild exercise bumping into Dom, the spirit of Jach, Cratten and a few others. I hadn't stayed long, feeling nauseous, but I told Sister Liliara of this and recieved a strong frown of discouragement. Perhaps I'd best not take my exercise there then from now on.

The time passed in relaxation, in the company of new and old. Kelth and I had met with a new girl, Alyssa her name, a bard of some talent on the lute and of good voice and offered to show her some wider spaces and places of relaxation as she felt 'couped' up in Sigil. After showing her the gymnasium a few of us headed to Elysium. Though I'd seen Mashanie around, we'd not really spoken together but I could see how much of a friend he was becoming to Kelth so I made effort to be friendly too, though male and tiefling still had me on my guard. I'll try not to judge and I gave him benefit of doubt seeing as Kelth enjoyed his company. They splashed like young boys in the water as we three girls sat to the beach watching and talking. I would have loved to swim, there, under the sun and closer to Pelor, alongside my love, but not with the others about and they but new acquaintance.

It seems Mashanie seeks a particular treasure, they plan to build an air ship or was it just a normal boat? and Kelth is going to help him learn to make the ladies blush like he can, or so they joked. I despair, what makes them think the likes of myself or Sister Liliara wish to be forever growing rosy of cheek to some bold tease or comment from a male? It can be most...frustrating at times, though I'm not so reserved as I was since being with Kelth, I used to avoid such a happening, knowing how uncomfortable one can feel when warm of cheek and being the focus of forward comments. Perhaps I should talk to Kelth and have him see it from the side of the lady?

It was an enjoyable time, with the recent threats and worries, it was delicious to be able to relax and let those worries, temporarily at least, be left behind.

[*Pashan01]

She heard footsteps in the bedroom. He was back. She smiled and laid the small bag to the dining table, retrieving her latest acquisition and placing it upon the surface...she had managed to acquired a ball of blue wool. She peered into the kitchen wondering what he might have been preparing for their dinner but saw nothing underway.

"I hope you brought something good back from your hunt"
"Ahh..I have a surprise for you, love...please come in"
"Oh.." she grinned and smoothed down her skirt, opening the door to the bedroom "You know I love surprises......venison? hm...no wait....a large trout?"

He was standing by the fire, turning he smiled at her, took her hand and guided her to stand before the large mirror. She squeezed his hand, smiling back, her lavender eyes sparkling with girlish excitement.

"Should I close my eyes?"

He gently guided her to stand in front of him, facing the mirror, she watched their reflections searching for his eyes as his left hand wrapped her waist and his mouth dropped to nuzzle to her neck. He glanced at her in the mirror and, softly, began to sing.

"Mmmm" her lids were half closing, enjoying the start of the song "A nice surprise indeed....to be welcomed home by melody" she sighed softly, relaxing against him.

But the lyrics were strange and his grip slowly tightened upon her. At first she paid no heed, trusting in that embrace, trusting in him but her brow took a frown as the tone and lyrics took on darker aspect.

Tha volume increases...an' tha beat goes on..
All tha players marchin' tae a different drum...
An' tha beat....goes.....on....

It was upon the last word that she felt a searing pain as the sharp blade pierced the skin of her back, between her wings and her eyes widened in sheer shock. A second deep stab, and she let out a piercing cry of pain, to hear the clang as the bloody dagger was dropped, hitting the floor as the blood flowed from the wound, coating wing, cloth and skin. Paralyzed from shock and now waves of fear, throbbing into her from the blade wound, her eyes momentarily sought his out again in the mirror as he still held her.

But he had turned, trembling, changed, loosened his grip, vomiting to the side and with the loss of that supporting arm she slumped, losing consciousness and fell with a thump of heavy wing and body against the wooden floor.

[*Pashan01]

She was flying, lifted up high...but her head was down, she was bent over, carried, wings heavy and limp hung to the sides.....hurt....it hurt...her back, her heart.......throbbing, intense fear, burning from her back, coursing through her.....sounds of doors bashing....people talking, raised voices...but she couldn't catch the words, on the move again.....blood...so much blood....betrayal....why?....WHY?...the pain was intense....then she felt cool hands turn and tend, bathe and soothe, a prayer....sobbing.....was that hers or was that HIS voice? Betrayal....more voices, blurred shadows as her eyes fluttered open for a moment....dilerium..

She was told later by the infirmary assistant that they had used holy water, celestial berries, leaves of Karasuthra and vial of the tears of angels to make compound to heal the wound, before putting in stitches, telling her that had she been full human she would have died. Sister Liliara's careful work together with those of the Infirmary staff cleansed the wound of its fiendish poison. Once the wound was tended, however they then had to deal with another problem. Fresh blood seeped from between her thighs and they saw her hold her lower stomach as hefty cramping pain surged through her. The pain had roused her awake, to see strange human male, one of the infirmary assistants tending to her, touching her, intruding. She cried out for Sister Liliara, stiffening and attempting to push the man away Touch me and you die half delirious still, the words of old, came forth to her lips. It was with relief that she saw Liliara return to her side again and help her. But it was too late to save that early life that had been growing within.

The others, Mir and Mashanie returned sometime later, but not Kelth. They told her the basics...of his missing an amulet, and being ensorcelled under a spell of influence, explained that it had not really been him attacking her, but Marius was the one responsible. They told her that Kelth headed back to Rashemen, that he blamed himself, was going to find something so that he could stand before her with honour again.... and that she should rest. She was still too weak and upset to ask further, hardly taking it all in, her sorrow taking over of the events and her loss, her tears flowing unabashedly as she held on awkwardly, but tightly to the two tiefling girl's hands as they spoke, as she told them then that she had lost the baby. They left to let her rest then, her wet eyelids slowly closing as the medication began to take affect. Sister Liliara called forth a guardian, a light archon to watch over her, and though she remembered this as a friend of old, she barely noticed or cared for that light.

[*Pashan01]

The blue ball of wool was the first thing she saw as she entered their rooms and it taunted her merely by its presence.

Useless.

The place was silent and still. No running bath water, no smells of meat roasting, no tinkling bells, no music playing, no scratch of quill to scroll, even the fire was out.

Dead.

She stepped into the bedroom and the patch of dried blood by the mirror was another reminder. She shut it out, turned her back upon it, sat upon the cushions by the grate, staring into the gray waste of the fire place.

Empty.

Two days had passed, the dagger wound healing, some energy returning, she had walked out of the infirmary. The Harmonium had come to take statement and she presumed that an arrest warrant was now out for Marius. As if that would help.

She stared into the burned out fire, then again about the room, as the edges of her sanity toyed with her. One tear, then another, soon they were flowing again down her cheeks, dropping from jaw to shoulder and breast and as they fell, she began to keen, a steady sound, a moaning cry of hurt and she rocked where she sat, arms wrapped about herself, thinking on it all.

Anguish.

The keening became louder, more of a deeper cry and she rose, arms and voice lifting, turning towards the dining room, she lashed out, hurling a divine spell in the midst of the room. A thunderclap and bolt of lightning, strong wind and acid rain tore through the room, breaking stool, tearing and lashing at the leather skin drapes, tossing books and scrolls about the room.....the blue ball of wool lost in the swirl of the storm....but her fury unleashed, found the room limiting and taunted her to do more.

Grabbing a few supplies, her scythes and pack as the storm began to ebb and shouts could be heard coming from other rooms and beneath as the rain fell through, the walls rattled and the wind boomed about the Inn, Naya'il, her golden hair billowing wildly about her face, headed out of the room to the one nearby that housed the portal to Elysium.

[*Pashan01]

She stood at the far end of the golden beach, her eyes intent upon that far bright island. She unleashed more storm, her lavender eyes blazing with her fury.

"I am done with the light....finished with showing mercy ....where is the justice?"

In her anger, she sent a quaking blast of divine power to one side of the beach some tens of feet away, causing an explosion of sand.

"Answer me!" she screamed out her request and sent bursts of sunbeam out to the nearby island frazzling palm tree, another quake to shake the foundations of that island, shifting its mass, and more storm, always more storm of her vengeance.

No pilgrimage would bring back her unborn child. There had been precious little spirit let alone soul to be saved. At the forefront of her thoughts, it felt as if she had lost her love, her child, her mind? ..what was her faith but something else to be lost? She continued to unleash her power for hours, her all, in retaliation against the emptiness...until finally, she collapsed to the sodden sand, spent.

Unbenownst and unseen to and by her, two lovers had been hidden in the tall grasses of the nearby island and a small fishing boat out of her sights eye was also caught up in the storms. The pair took damage from the acid rain and falling palm branches, clutched each other, huddling terrified down in the grass until it eventually dissipated. The fishing boat capsized and the fisherman within, barely managed to cling on to the hull as it was churned about and they were swept deeper out to sea, perhaps to wash to a far distant isle, perhaps to be lost and drowned.

[*Pashan01]

"He weren't too happy wi me no Tix..seein as how I had only scanned tha letter he sent me, made me read it thur n then, proper like, to know what ha happened"

Piri mumbled her mouth full of elven treats as she and her cousin Tixie sat about the cushions in the upstairs landing of the Foul Spirit Inn. The cushions were strewn about as the pair had been playing 'dodge-catch the cushies' across the brazier, a few were singed, but luckily none had caught fire this time.

"Nears as blamed me fer his runnin orf and leavin her 'in good 'ands' he said. Still we 'scovered tha angel-face is alive at least. Mister Hildypew scryed with his magickal scryin ball thingy.....got to git me one o those Tix...and learned tha she was somewheres on Thalasia in Elysium....was most likely place ye know?...an we went all ta the Elysium portal an tried to scry more, though the tailed ones and mister Hildypew were none too comfy there. Thas when Mister Hildypew dun told big guy she was in Pelor's domain, at tha bright isle, Krigala. Goin ta talk wi her papa or Pelor I reckon."

Piri passed another treat to Tixie and they both fell back in the coloured 'cushies' stuffin their tiny mouths for a bit.

"I went with him to tha room their see?" Piri's tiny finger made point to Naya and Kelth's room, where the door was still off its hinges. "Looked like there'd bin an attack an Naya was fightin someat, kicked off a right storm...was a mess, drippin wi water an all things torn about. Big guy was upset seein a sodden blue ball o wool. Sooooo....we went ta find mister Masha and miss Mir....an thas when the lovely lady-redhair miss Mir let on tha Naya was fine last time she seen her, only...babe were gone."

Tixie's face dropped at that news, she stopped her munching of a sweettreat as Piri continued.

"Uh huh...but I told em to try 'n cheer em up...tha it aint the end of the multiverse...they kin have more...sprog loads again see? hum...got me a filthy look er two at tha. They wanted ta find Naya then. I wondered if I could work out some kinda reverse-summonin....had ta own up about our bond then...Naya dun know that she can't release me, tho she thinks she has..heh...was a bond atween our fore-sires see? Family ta family, tis fixed, first born to first born. Ah ye know about tha don ye Tix? Fergot, ye brother had tha same."

"Aaanyway....miss Mir knew abit about summonin...and thought me idea had a chance...idea was ta get me ta call 'pon tha bond and take me ta Naya, find her like, cos Naya hadn summoned me in ages thinkin she's released me. But neither of us was sure of procedure so we thought ta seek mister Dom ta ask more, an when he was not found at the Sensbane mansion, we then thought ta find mister Hildypew cos we'd seen him in the bazaar earlier... to scry....which we did, an everyone was offerin ta help them.....felt I had to then an all....but Tix? I couldn think on how! Til big guy said to be thinkin on makin a scythe....somethin special...fer Naya I guess an he told me he'd sent me a package of stuffies fer craftin!"

"An thas it...really...ah no wait...lovely fella came along near the end, I only jus remembered who he was at tha end, mister Raymond, mage of some repute, old gammy-legged friend o big guy an angel-face, gooooorgeous golden hair...couldn help meself Tix. Think I'm in love."

Tixie giggled and picked up a cushion to throw across the brazier at her cousin and, break over, treats eaten, the game of 'dodge-catch cushies' began again.

[*Pashan01]

Naya had indeed been to Krigala but her attempts to find way into the inner Fortress chambers, the sanctuary of only those of the Shining Father's most faithful and as near to the Sun Lord as was thought possible, were unsuccessful. It was something in her eyes, her intimidating manner and forceful bearing that had a couple of Leonal guardinals wary to her intent, that despite the mark of Pelor, the sun birthmark upon her cheek, kept them at guard, refusing her entry.

So there were to be no answers. So she would have to take matters into her own hands. Her return flight across Oceanus back to the portal of Elysium was made with clenched teeth, fresh energy...a seething half-human-solar-celestial, beating fast trail across the skies.

Her first thought was to remove the 'sun' that marked her as his own, as Sorath's own...that taunted her as believer. Back in Sigil she headed for the Hive Ward, a place she had rarely explored before, thinking to find one of those tattoo shops that might accomodate her request. She approached via the Lady's Ward, a round about way boldly walking the backstreets with little care or heed in search of that place.

Her presence could not help but attract attention. Few in that quarter had seen a winged celestial let alone one exuding an aura of natural charm. Though most continued about their business once she had passed by, a small few thought to take opportunity and followed her.

Taking a wrong turn to a quieter street, she heard footsteps of three who had followed and turned to face them as they approached, fully conscious of their mal-intent but this time, she didn't flee or fly, show fear or wariness. Instead, she allowed a slow smile to spread across her lips, though never reaching her eyes, allowed the full effect of her celestial aura to emerge and surround, seducing and enticing the males' senses with an apparent promise. Her smile and aura blazed forth, a mutter under her breath and it was further inhanced with a divine spell that gave that aura a more holy aspect and therefore more temptation to such ne'er-do-wells. The golden tones of her locks and skin fully displayed with intent to enrapture, her left hand moving to her tunic front beginning to unfasten, the other raised suggestively over her head and behind, shifting her stance and body that seemed to promote all her comely assets to the motley crew before her.

The two burlier ones leered, one taunting her with suggestive words, the other holding hand to his crotch gesturing crudely, both seeking to take advantage of what was evidently being offered, though with a sense of disappointment that with this glorious creature, there was not to be their preferred usual struggle and screams. The third held back, whether because the street was too narrow or that he had more will or wisdom and therefore caution, he waited upon the others to have their way first.

"Touch me and....." the words slipped from her tongue, honey toned, seductive "..enjoy"

But her mind overwrote that last with another....die.....as one of the men raised hand and stroked the tip of her wing, with a loud grunt and her lavender eyes ablaze now showing her full rage, she reached behind for her massive scythe, hidden from their sight by her fold of wing, her holster unfastened and she brought the great weapon in full swing from over her shoulder, arm muscles taut from her grip, reaching to bring her left to carry the weight and the movement to full effect, to slice diagonally down through and across the neck of the first man, stopping his taunts. The blow glanced off of his shoulder bone, to cleave into the second male, thrusting more vertically downwards, gashing deeply into the man's chest in a downward motion toward his groin, directly ending his leering gesture of manhood and hand. Both fell to the floor bleeding profusely, one life taken instantly, the other screaming his pain upon the cobbles. She paid no heed nor concerned herself to their healing, regained her balance to deal with the oncoming third.

This one was veteran, wiser and at first sight of the silver scythe being drawn had retrieved his own blade swiftly from scabbard, threw ugly scowl at his fallen cohorts.

"So this is the way of it eh? Playin' us false angel? Thas not very nice of ye....but I likes me a bit o' a fight...likes em feisty" and with a dark glint, a controlled blade flipping, he had disarmed her, the scythe falling to the ground and she found the tip of that blade against her torso. "Now finish wha ye started...take it off" they both ignored the gargled plea for help of the prone and bleeding thug.

Her other scythe was still fastened, she looked for an opening, finding none. She saw movement behind in the shadow of the street and swore....Damnation, a fourth. Tooth and nail it would have to be...this time, she would not simply lie there, she had come along way from that time. She would have her justice, even if it meant dying in the process. Stretching fingers, balancing carefully upon the balls of her feet, looking for options before the fourth, no doubt another co-hort, made the distance to join in. She slowly lifted a hand to her tunic buttons, pretending to acquiesce to stall for time.