2023.05.13 Explaining the Thallain to the Dragon

2023.05.11 Explaining the Thallain to the Dragon
Stella and Sark invite Peri out for a private chat on the island about a problem Sark is faced with.
IC Date	05.11.23
Players	Peri, Sark, Stella
Location	Windstrom Island - Meadows
Spheres	Changeling Bygone

So its a nice lovely Spring afternoon, and Peri might be surprised by getting a text message out of the blue asking if she would mind coming out to The Island to talk for a bit. Assuming she'd agree, she'd be directed to a specific private ferry dock down at the harbor, where a single car ferry will be waiting, just give her name to the Captain. The ferry ride takes about 30 mins to get to Windstorm Island, and once there, the ferry crew will just point her up the path towards the ranch house, indicating 'they are waiting for you in the meadow behind the house.'

Of course, Sark and Stella can probably be heard before she gets there...his rumbling voice and her lighter one just busy with conversation, with the faint sounds of someone's iPod playing a Pandora station at low volume. If course, when she gets within sight, there is a rather large scaly creature sprawled flat on his face, legs splayed out in a very undignified fashion, with wings folded up out of the way. HIs eyes are closed as he murmurs to Stella, "Well, maybe we can convince Kieran to go for another night on the club, and I PROMISE I will not shotgun the alcohol this time..."

Peri is casual per her usual; jeans, a deep-red tee, black-cherry combat boots, a leather jacket slung over one shoulder along with her backpack. In Fae mien, she looks like her knightly self, of course. When she approaches, she stiles a laugh at the snippet of discussion she sees, and her eyes light up with a bright-blue frisson of amusement.

"H'lo!" She speaks loud enough to be heard, not loud enough to be unkind of a hangover. "Sark, my friend, are you *hung over*?" She giggles softly and looks to Stella with amusement. "You might want to order him Shirley Temples. Poor dragon." And as she approaches, she lays a hand kindly on his head, admiring all that golden beauty. "If I'd known, I would have brought you some aspirin. Or some herb tea."

For her part, Stella is sitting cross-legged ( https://i.pinimg.com/564x/37/b2/99/37b299c2720d2e560cb4c2c80ddeb154.jpg ) in fluttery shorts and a white top of similar material. She's facing the snout of the splayed out golden dragon. On her phone is playing 'Sweet Baby James' by James Taylor. ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyoZLKgLcys )

"Did you just say SHOTGUN the alcohol? Awww. My little boy is growing up," Stella can be heard teasing through the tall grasses before Peri comes into view. "I would very much enjoy another night out like that. And that courtyard... I'm pretty sure that it had ..."

Stella turns her head toward the greeting. "Hi, Peri. Nice to see you again. I may ... owe you an apology for the first time we met." Stella looks at the very least rueful, maybe even abashed. She follows Peri's approach with a curious expression, even the kind hand on the dragon head seems to intrigue her.

It's a gorgeous day, but Stella would be chilly if she were in the shade. In the sunny day with a blue sky with puffy clouds and she seems to be entirely comfortable sitting with a golden dragon chatting like they were ... two people in a coffee shop. "I like your boots."

Sark slowly opens one eye when Peri speak sup and approaches/. The chuckle under his breath comes out like a low rumble that vibrates the ground a bit, beofre he finally offers, "Not hungover. Just lazy. Hello there my dear." He actually gives Stella's closest hand an affectionate lick, letting purple forked tips lance around her wrist, before he finally lifts his head with a soft groan of effort.

Shaking his head lightly to throw off the grassy bits, he inhales and explains, "Thank you for coming out here. Was the only way I could ensure we wouldnt have any eavesdroppers. When we were at the boat christening, Kieran warned me that the piece of gold I had been chewing on was a Thallain broach. I dont know who these Thallain are, but I realize I might be in a sudden very bad situation I am going to have to deal with. Can you tell Stella and I more about who the Thallain are?" He pauses, "I want to offer more context, but I have made an agreement not to violate a small group's privacy....now, if I find out they have betrayed me, then that oath is moot, but I need to know before..."

Peri laughs. "Oh, no, you don't owe me apologies. You were delightful, honestly." She's not at all bothered, and there's clearly no insult taken. "I don't mind honesty. And... well, I look like this, so I do get used to the reactions. It's not like I chose it, but I have it, so..." She shrugs and laughs again. "Honestly, no offense was taken at all. On my word as a Knight of Fiona."

The compliment about her boots makes her smile, too. "Thank you! I have a bunch of different ones but these are my favorite. They're actually comfy, once you get used to them."

Another little laugh follows the declaration of laziness. "Oh, well, in that case, carry on with your lazy self!" She's amused, and she finds herself a spot to perch and listen to them both.

"A Thallain brooch?" Okay, suddenly she's all serious. "Oh, that's not good. Can you tell me where you got it?" The word of an oath makes her brows furrow; she rises again, pacing a bit as she listens, and replies. "The Thallain... are the twisted mirror of the Kithain. The fae you know and encounter are the Kithain. The Thallain are the darker-than-dark, twisted reflections of each Kith, or type of fae. The Boggans are twisted into the Boggarts, for example. The Satyrs become Nasties. They take the worst part of each Kith and exaggerate it, making it into a hideous mockery of the original."

There's a soft, throaty laugh from Stella that is rather quiet at the teasing purple tongue. Stella reaches for her phone and stops the music. She's quiet for Sark's words bringing Peri up to speed. She certainly doesn't make an effort to be the center of attention in any way. As for the boots? "They're marvelous." It's not an empty compliment.

Her lightheartedness ebbs as Peri starts to speak of Thallain. (Stella will hold off on her apology for another time, perhaps.) A twisted mirror. Uh oh. Emilia didn't meet them, herself; she's fully attending to every word.

Sark looks for a moment like he just swallowed something horrible, as a frown creases that scaly snout while he listens to Peri. His voice stays low for the moment to murmur, "I was given a large chest of gold to cement a temporary bit of non-agression with a group...that greatly resembles what you are describing." He pauses, as if consider something in his head, then tilts it to regard Peri again, "Has the local Duchy reported any problems with Thallain in the area in the last...six months? Part of my agreement was that they would not be party to any aggression on the mainland or against the fae there." While he speaks, one foreclaw idly shifts to lightly rake his claws along one of Stella's crossed legs.

Peri mmms. "Yes. I have heard this tale, though I wasn't there. There was an incident about Deirdre's boat where a group of Thallain tried to board and take it over. Kieran, apparently, was the big hero on that one." She offers a wry smile for that, and then goes on, more serious. "How long ago was your agreement? Because this was... hrm. I want to say over a month ago? Kee will be able to give more specifics, as I wasn't there, but at the least, that should get you started. I'm surprised she didn't mention it--"

She pauses, looks thoughtful. "She may be trying to protect you both," she concludes. "We all know how fond Kee is of you, Sark, and... well, her love for you shines in her eyes, Stella." Those words make her lips curve into a happy expression; love is still worth celebrating, even in tense moments.

A moment or two later, she inhales, and regains her serious demeanor. "How much can you tell me of this?"

A frowning dragon is an intimidating thing, to be sure. Stella's gaze is locked on the dragon for this portion of the exchange, and she doesn't seem to mind at all that incredibly dangerous dragon claws trace over her bare leg -- which, in and of itself -- is not how a wise person would react. She traces one fingertip over one of those claws from limb to tip -- but it's not like Sark can feel it.

"I also am surprised she didn't mention it. Kik-- Kieran was fighting these twisted SOB's?" The woman in shorts, sitting facing the dragon's head frowns a little. She murmurs more softly, "She --should have-- mentioned it, Sarkesian."

Peri's statement about Kieran potentially protecting them adds a bit to Stella's frown, though it isn't directed at Peri. She does nod though. Kieran is fond of Sark. As for herself ... Stella finally looks at the stunningly lovey Peri once more. "If they were aggressing on Kieran and Deirdre, that does not sound like they were keeping to the secret oath you must keep to yourself, dragon. I do not like it." It's not so much that what Stella does or does not like is the opinion that matters here, as it changes Stella's bright green gaze like a cloud passing in front of the sun.

Sark chuffs softly and still looks irritated, "So they attacked on the open water. Of course they did." He shakes his head very slightly at Stella's pronouncement of things, "Remember my dear, oaths with faerie are very specific and you have to be very very careful with how you word them. The Wyrd does not give two shits if you MEANT something else. It is what you SAID that matters. So if I, hypothetically, agree to give a group their privacy in return for a chest of gold and their agreement that they will not attack anything on the mainland or the freeholds there...they can quite easily attack my friends on the open water, and no oath has been broken." He grumps again, clearly not in a good mood from this revelation, "Which means I might have to start politely insisting I accompany my dear DeeDee the next time she has a boating outage with other fae. Because if they attack again and I am present? I made no such promises to defend myself."

With that said, he looks back at Peri, "I am sorry for this development, but I may need to impose upon your grace and standing in the local court to gain an audience with the Lady Miranda sometime very soon. Suffice it to say I am going to attempt to find a way to invalidate this oath I made, which may involve tricking them into something....or perhaps getting this island declared part of the duchy...which would certainly put me in a position of being able to force them off. If they resist, well, it has been a long time since I have been able to set somthing on fire."

Peri draws in her breath. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't've brought it up... she probably didn't want you to worry, Stella. If she wasn't hurt, there wasn't any reason for you to worry." She winces, hoping she hasn't cause a problem. "Well, one may pre-date the other. But if it's an Oath given to the Dreaming... the Dreaming itself punishes oathbreakers. It's one of the things that makes oaths sacrosanct."

She points to Sark as he explains the oathing process. "That," she nods. "Exactly. You understand us well. And yes, it was on the water, on the ship, from the story I heard. But none of the people aboard were hurt, from all reports. Again... I wasn't there."

The smile returns, and she says, "And best part is, you would not be in violation of your oath, because if they weren't, you wouldn't be."

She nods again and says, "I can do that. The Baroness seems like a good sort, and one that is well worth the time to talk with -- and in any case, she would need to know about this group of Thallain. But have a care before giving your land to the Fae..."

She exhales and shakes her head. "My people -- the Sidhe -- are known to take a mile when offered an inch. Do NOT give away your demesne. If you offer them anything, offer a small presence in a spot on the island to be made very specific. Do not even think about giving them this land." Shge shakes her head again and notes, "You can't invalidate it. But you can trick them into breaking it... the Dreaming is very, very literal in how it takes words."

Shaking her head faintly, Stella inserts when not interrupting, "You were not wrong to say it, Peri. And I am more of a mind with Sarkesian regarding the full strength of the combined power brought to bear, rather than anyone worrying about anything. I believe that if these twisted creatures are invasively trying to slip their way in, they will find full force between them and what they want." Well! Stella certainly doesn't sound like she's voting for the merciful approach.

She seems to like Peri's perspective on 'the best part' of a water confrontation.

Sark's reminder about faerie oaths is taken with a thoughtful expression. "Are they here? Now?" She pauses, then elaborates, "On the island?"

Ah, Miranda. Stella never did quite sort out the title she should use. Lady, perhaps? "Oh, dragon. You can trick them." She looks like she is going to say more but she seems to swallow those words. Fire. Dragonfire. The woman in the shorts looks like she wouldn't mind seeing that brought to bear.

Sark taps his claw on the ground then LIGHTLY taps Peri's knee, "That is precisely what I mean, thank you for restating it. I cannot break the oath myself, but I can trick them into giving Dobby a sock." Oh holy shit, Sark pulled off a Harry Potter reference? "And you are probably right about the land grabbing. Fortunately just a random thought. I am thinking that offering my services as Marine Defense may be the best way to go. I can create an entirely new human appearance that they should not be able to sus out until it is far too late and they have given me valid reason to defend myself. But yes. I am very aware that I am a guest in the Dreaming and while I am not an actual subject of the Duchy, I do not want to give her the impression that I do not need or do not respect her authority. I am very happy to be a friend to the fae. Juuuuuust maybe not THESE assholes."

When Stella asks if the Thallain are on the island, Sark stops, then tilts his head and lightly taps a claw on her foot, "I SPECIFICALLY cannot answer that question." He pauses, then adds, "Which you are both smart enough to realize that is the crux of my problem."

Peri nods agreement with Stella, her expression turning a bit grim with that. "Well, *this* knight is sworn not to a noble, but to the Dreaming itself. I was given my Knighthood from the Dreaming, not from a noble. So my oath is to protect against precisely the sort of things the Thallain represent. Understand that it will come at a cost... but it is a cost I bear because I can, and because I must. The bold and the brave must lead from the fore."

Weirdly, she smiles, and it seems serene.

"Are they? I could go looking, but did they make a deal with you to be on the island?" It's a valid, and important, question. As Stella asserts that Sark can trick them, Peri grins broadly. "Our lore is full of tales of oaths and how people tricked their way into, and out of, said oaths with cleverness."

She laughs at the sock reference and says, "Yeeees. Exactly. And while I don't think this is a land grab attempt, I would not allow that opportunity to occur. Too many freeholds are falling fallow in this place already for lack of proper caretakers, damn their holders for abandoning them." She exhales angrily and looks off into the distance for a moment, calming herself. "Those are not the Fae. The Thallain are... the hideous twisted leavings of the Fae, perhaps. Some horrid echo of us. And... if you cannot answer that question, I will not ask that question."

She considers this for a time, and then asks, "Are there any fae or fae-type creatures that you cannot identify living here?"

... into giving Dobby a sock. Stella just LOOKS at the golden dragon for a few long moments. Marine defense. The Baroness or Countess or whatever Miranda is. It seems like a prudent plan for in the meantime. At 'a friend to the fae', Stella nods a few times in agreement. The fae would be wise to accept Sark's friendship.

Stella asks her question and then listens, observes. "Oh dear." Stella's bare foot gets tapped. "I suppose that I cannot do anything aside from making a carefully worded deal. But I'm not certain that I have anything that they might want that I am willing to offer up to tempt such individuals ... " She says grandly, "... WHEREVER THEY ARE."

Peri is sworn to the Dreaming? Now that earns Peri more respect than before. "A cost to you, Peri?" Stella's brows furrow just the slightest bit. Too many freeholds? Oh! Stella wants very much to ask how many freeholds in the area have been lost. And she looks displeased to say the least that such is the case.

Stella looks from Peri to Sark at the new query from Peri to the dragon.

Sark mmphs softly and leans in close to give Stella's face a large lick, "YOU will, under no circumstances, go looking for trouble in this regard. From what I can tell, THESE are the faeries that tend to inspire the Hans Christian Andertson tales of people being spirited away and kidnapped for using the wrong word or being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and they do not do pleasant things to their captives. I will wreak unholy havok on things if they lay a finger on you. You have something they would want...a live body and an active imagination, that they could twist into something for their purposes."

With that said, he chuffs again and rumbles at Peri, "I would not advice going on an exploration around the island. They....seriously outnumber you and while I am sure the fight might be heroic, even if I join you I am not entirely certain we would be the victors. Let me find a way to confront them where we are on our terms....and preferrably NOT on this island. You are, however, correct. I should inform Lady Miranda that the threat exists. I am hoping that if I explain my position, she will understand why I cannot be specific about them."

Peri is a fae who has definitely accepted the friendship of the golden dragon -- if anything, she's delighted as a child to be a friend to a dragon, chimerical or not. "I would honestly advise not poking at them at the moment, to be fair. They can't break their oath to you without suffering some severe consequences. So if they remain here, they won't do you harm, or your home. They may leave and cause problems on the water, but there's ways around that, too. I won't go in half-cocked, I assure you. While I don't fear them, I'm also not a fool."

She waves aside the cost. "No person of the Dreaming can slay another without a cost. I can drive them off, demand oaths at sword point, and not actually slay them, if need be. Every cost has a means by which one can make things right with the Dreaming once more. I would prefer not to kill them, but if there is no other option..." She holds up her hands helplessly. "But I'm not without resources of my own."

She agrees with Sark and tells Stella, "I would not seek to encounter them. These creatures are defilers of many sorts. They exist to feed on dead dreams. You don't want to contemplate what lengths one must go to in order to entirely kill someone's dreams. The human mind is resilient and people somehow dream even when tormented with pain."

She nods agreement with Sark's declaration. "There are others to whom I can turn. As much as I may not wish to ask, if it comes to a confrontation, there is another Sidhe knight in this demesne I can ask to join in the battle, and her reputation speaks well of her prowess."

She pauses and looks to Stella, noting, "Don't think that Knights sworn to nobles are less brave or bold or honorable... many times, it is the only way a fae of another Kith aside from mine can gain a title. Of us, the most honorable are the Trolls, as a general rule. The word of a troll knight is worth more than faerie-gold, it's said."

She grins surprisingly, and says, "You should, certainly, inform Lady Miranda that the threat exists. And yes, Lady is the correct title before her name; if you refer to her full title, it is... much longer and includes the title Baroness and the name of the Barony at the end. Kind of a mouthful. Even my title is a mouthful and I barely have any." She chuckles. "Sorry, got sidetracked. She will understand. I will attend alongside you, if you would have me do so. That will allow me to explain what you cannot, by oath."

Stella is prepared to --- she is licked by a large dragon tongue and ends up going from sincere to laughter. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, she is told. And here it becomes quite obvious who of the pair is the one who makes the decisions of import. Between Sark's and Peri's descriptions of what she could expect, she pales somewhat -- and Stella's quite a brave soul who is more than willing to put herself between whatever force and the dragon. But not, it looks like, in this case. She hums a soft sound that doesn't sound like talking back. More like a deference, an agreement.

It seems as though it all comes back to Miranda and sea-faring strategy.

This is new: //No person of the Dreaming can slay another without a cost.// Stella's attention is on Peri now, though she reaches forward to touch a few golden scales idly. There may be a slight shudder at the description of killing someone's dreams. "Worse than ravaging, then?"

Peri seems to read her mind about Knights and to what or whom they are sworn. "Why is a title so important?" she asks sincerely. Trolls. She wants to meet some trolls, now. There's a nod from Stella as Peri offers to accompany Sark to speak with Miranda. Respect.

Sark bows his head a little, "If there is to be a confrontation, I would not be against allowing the presence of any of the Duchy that want to participate in the fight. I know it would make for wonderful, honorable stories for any that are involved, and I can feel some kithain practically creaming themselves over the idea of an epic fight against bad guys beside an actual dragon." He sounds amused at that idea, but at least understanding, "O just have to be cautious...and perhaps a little stereotypical about being a conniving lizard, hmm?"

With Stella's questions to Peri, he doesn't try to answer them, but he DOES add a small comment, "Is important to understand that what lives in the Dreaming is not democracy. We are guests there of a feudal society and people like Peri are the authority there, even over people like Kieran. So we step carefully, because I want to be friends and I believe they want the same things I do out here in the 'Autumn' world."

Peri purses her lips. Were she able to feel fear, this would induce it in her. Since she cannot, instead she just looks mildly concerned. "The cost is that for me, or someone like me, to slay another like myself takes some of our own Dream away. Permanently. By doing something heroic or worthy of stories and tales, one can regain the lost sliver of Dream, but from what I have heard, the soul never quite fits right afterward."

Yes, it's horrible, terrifying... and yes, this Sidhe is speaking of it with some sadness, but no horror.

"Much worse for the fae than Ravaging, but Ravaging is about what it does to the human soul. With Ravaging, one gains a small measure of the chill of Winter, of a world without dreams, as a warning. With a killing... you actually remove some of the wonder from the world, because wonder is not always pretty." She offers the other woman a quiet, rueful smile. "And there is a price for that. For fae, at least."

The question about Title is one that calls to Peri's own nature, though not in the way one might expect. When she answers, it is with fire and passion in her words. Somewhere in there, a Truth-qith-a-capital-T lives. "The Dreaming enforces the hierarchy. If someone has a greater title than mine, and forces me to magically obey, I *must* obey. There is no choice. And most of the titles held among the fae are held by Sidhe. Some say this is as it should be, because the Sidhe are dreams of leadership and honor. I say this is nonsense, because most of the Sidhe ran away and fucked off to Arcadia when things began to get hard for us in the age of the Church's Ascent. Those of us who stayed began to understand how to become part human, and better comprehend those we used to see as fodder."

She blows out a breath, and says, "Know that my view isn't typical of my type. I am called an Autumn Sidhe because I stayed and endured Autumn, the darkening of Dreams, instead of leaving. The other Sidhe are called Arcadians, because they returned to, and later came back from, Arcadia. More of my kind are Arcadian than Autumn. Few of us stayed with our fellow Kithain and endured the chill of Autumn. But the ones who did, we began to better understand how untenable a feudal system is. For myself? I want to influence human politics, and help make this world's Dreams brighter and kinder. I'm actually in human college, taking a Politics major. Learning... things I knew once, but forgot between lives. We don't always carry over much of our memory."

She laughs at Sark's summary of the possibility of a fight. "Some of us would, yes. Me, for one. Fighting alongside a golden dragon of great honor? Yes, please!" A pause, and a laugh, follow. "Understand I'm not the most conniving person in the world, but I do applaud creativity like any walking Dream will."

She points to Sark's answer about the politics of the fae. "I am of the belief that if we are to survive, we need to evolve past what most of the human world left behind centuries ago. Dreams are not just about the past, they are about the future. The Resurgence happened because people saw the Moon landing and began to dream of space again. And... yes. Technically, my voice has more weight than Kieran's, because I am 'Dame Astraleigh Peregrine ni Fiona' and not just 'Astraleigh Peregrine.' That is how it works. I've been known to use my title to help people without them deflect things. And many of us want change in the world of the fae, because a beneficent *master* is still a *master*, and we do not need *masters*. We need wisdom, not might, to guide us, and the Sidhe lost whatever claim most of us had to wisdom when we ran to Arcadia and slammed the doors shut behind us."

Conniving lizard? Stella's gaze lingers on the splayed out golden dragon she's facing from her seat on the grassy ground. Feudal society. Stella is either neutral on the matter or she's very good at maintaining a serene demeanor. "Yes. We step carefully. We are visitors. And, for myself, I wish to continue to visit as I can from time to time."

Stella's attention strays to Peri, thoughtful, interested, drinking it all in. The cost to Peri should she have to take a fae life. Dreaming-enforced hierarchy. Magical obedience. Autumn sidhe versus Arcadian sidhe. Stella presses her palms back a few inches behind her to prop herself up as she listens, a bit of a spark in her green eyes. Untenable -- feudal system paradigm. Why Peri is in college.

The Resurgence. Evolving from the past. //We do not need masters.// Guided by wisdom.

"I believe I like you, Peri. Perhaps more now. And I am grateful for your honor and your help." Help for Sark, she probably means. There's not a helluva lot she'd be able to do in a full out battle. A one-time human shield. A distraction. Assisting the ones fighting, maybe.

Sark FINALLY settles his head back down, unceremoniously placing it in Stella's lap like a very large dog might, positioned so he can watch Peri while continuing the conversation. He winks at the conniving comment and murmurs, "I have read enough to understand that most fae appreciate cleverness, over outright deception." He does trail off when Peri goes into more detail about the history of the Sidhe and the Resurgence, only murmuring, "And to think I slept through all of that. That would have been FASCINATING to witness first hand. I am...a little sorry I missed it." He even smiles a little more, "If you have stories of that time you wish to share sometime, I will very happily listen to any you wish to retell. I am sure Stella would love to as well, and she has a smorgasbord of snacks and drinks she can set out for a lovely evening in the grass here." He pauses and closes his eyes, "I don't want to insert myself too much in local faerie politics. I feel I have an overbearing presence already at the local Market, so I am trying to very carefully watch my steps. The Dreaming has been a haven for the fae. Regardless how wonderful it feels, It should remain so."

Peri grins at Stella and says, "The feeling's mutual. And... well, this is who and what I am. But your thanks are welcome. Friends help one another, even outside the normal boundaries. And I think you inspire Kieran more than you know."

She mmms, and nods agreement with Sark. "Well... that part of it was. The War that followed... less beautiful. Too many fae died, both temporarily and permanently. At the hands of Sidhe, in far too many cases. This is why I don't object to the blood-price the Dreaming demands. In time, it makes sure the worst of us don't return."

She hrms and finds a seat again, noting, "I have tales of my own, and tales of others, and I will be happy to offer either or both. Politics... well, politics is a game among the fae, a very dangerous one. Just... if you have a question, I will always give you an answer. You may not always like the answer, but it will be honest." And then she smiles, settling in, and shares some of the classic, and not-so-classic tales of the Fae.