Aeletheros smiles widely and it is obvious wheels are turning behind his eyes at the experiences he will garner; "I would say you have yourself a Guardian and pilot. I did not spend all the time learning under my mentors to stagnate in Phantas. It would be an honor and an experience to be a member of your group."

Zosha looks around the rest of the gathered folk.  "Fine, fine!  Unless we have any dissent from our crew, I will this very evening draw up the contracts and have them ready first thing in the morning!" 

J'landria shrugs at Zosha then looks at Aeletheros and nods.

"Welcome," she says with an almost purr, almost growl behind her words.

She lifts her cup up in salute before taking another drink.

Wraith nods to Aeletheros, relieved to have another on board who is capable of piloting a vessel.  "Now that we're all here, I wonder if we've decided where and what to do next.  I know that there was mention of returning to Cymril to finish repairing The Fate.  I am more than willing to oversee the repairs, however, I can tell you that the shipwright whom I have worked with in the past commands a tidy sum for his time and labor.  It is worth the expense, I assure you."  The color seems to drain from Wraith's face as he continues.  "I would, however, prefer to leave Cymril as soon as the repairs are finished.  I won't bore with the particulars of my past, but there are matters in Cymril that I would rather avoid for the time being."

A hint of a smile crosses Zosha's lips, "I think we can accommodate you, Mr. Zephyr.  It would appear we have an agreement to search for our new friend J'landria's lost Jaka cub?"

In reply to Zosha Davij Inan (msg #288):

"Agreed," says Wraith, smiling a bit sheepishly.

Aeletheros raises his glass in response to the toast then casts a sly eye and grin at Wraith; "I am looking forward to learning more about you all. I am especially interested in the details of YOUR story, Wraith. I somehow don't think the tale will bore me. If you are willing, of course."

In reply to Aeletheros (msg #290):

Wraith's brow furrows, and a dark aspect settles on his face like a cloud.  "It is no secret that my family participated in the Tanasian coup that threatened to overthrow Cymril.  Ours was once a proud, conservative family.  That all changed when the coup was thwarted.  My family's land and resources were confiscated.  My mother and father were arrested and have not been heard from since."  Wraith pauses and drinks deeply.  "My uncle, the patriarch of our family, and one of arch-instigators, fled the Seven Kingdoms and left the rest of my family to endure punishment in his stead.  His agenda was far darker than restoring conservative rule to Cymril.  He was rumored to have studied the profane arts of necromancy, and to have consorted with demons and other beings of darkness.  I know not whether he still lives, but I fear that if he does, he may still aspire to topple the Seven kingdoms."  The airmen kneads his hands together.  "I won't tell you what it was like to come of age during the aftermath of that absurd revolution.  I changed my name to absolve myself, but it helped little."  He stares downward and says, "I spent many years living a wanton and profligate life, and I have garnered the enmity of more souls than I can name.  Suffice it say, Cymril is populated by the ghosts of a past that will haunt me until my death.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:37, Tue 15 Mar 2011.

As Wraith tells his story Aeletheros's face drops and a look of deep sadness etches itself onto his fair features; "My apologies, for some reason I was expecting a ribald tale of absconding with a rival's wife or something equally bawdy. I had no desire to open up old wounds of this depth and I hope you will accept my apology."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:12, Tue 15 Mar 2011.

In reply to Aeletheros (msg #292):

A smile like the tail of cat flicks across Wraith's face.  "There's plenty of that to go around, too!"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:32, Wed 16 Mar 2011.

As Wraith speaks of his family and past, J'landria puts her cup down, walks to behind him and places her hand on his shoulder, and gives it a squeeze before moving back to sitting down.  She picks her cup up, takes a drink and picks at the meager meal she ordered, still listening to them talk and discuss.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:37, Tue 15 Mar 2011.

In the silent pause, the Rahastran fans his zodar.  "Anyone care for a friendly game?  Or perhaps to have their fortune read?"

Feeling a bit embarrassed that he confessed so much about his past, Wraith smiles self-consciously and says, "Please do read my fortune, friend."

"I might... join you in a game if you teach me," she replies.  "After his... fortune that is."

She watches with interest, her head cocked to the side, as Athellin shuffles and then does the reading for Wraith.

In reply to Athellin (msg #295):

Mirna laughs, "My fortune lies towards fame and glory. Let's see about a game."

Aeletheros thinks for a minute, then responds to the Rahastran; "I would also be interested in hearing my fortune. I am not much for card games myself otherwise."

The Rahastran's nimble fingers fly through the cards while he focuses on Wraith Zephyr.  Quite abruptly, he lays down two cards on the table, between the dashing swordsmage and himself.

The Wizard, and Zar.  His bright blue eyes meet the gold of Wraith's.  "Some conspiracy, involving magic and sorcery, lies before you."  He hesitates for a moment before adding, in a lower voice, "and those who stand beside you."

He gathers the cards back into his deck, bright eyes now regarding Aeletheros.

"I encounter magic and conspiracy wherever I tread."  Wraith smiles wanly and finishes his drink; the prognostication, however, unsettles him.

The Rahastran continues, shuffles the cards, and places two more between himself and Aeletheros.

The Wanderer, and the Mystic.

"You will travel far, my young friend," he says, "and in your travels, you shall uncover much knowledge hidden from others."

He again sweeps the cards together.  "Anyone else, or shall we play?"

Athellin begins passing cards about the table, checking with each individual regarding whether they'd like to be dealt in.  "First hand is just for practice," he says, with a slight smile.

J'landria nods and lets out a growling grunt.  She puts her hands on the cards running her fingers over them, but she does not lift them up.  She leans down and takes a careful sniff before looking them over closely.  Her back straightens and she looks around to gauge what the others are doing with their cards.  She takes it in, examining them, then she mimics them carefully.

Zosha looks around the table.  "Much as I'd love to join in, I have several tasks ahead of me before we depart tomorrow, that I had best attend to."  She nods and smiles to the group, getting up to make her way out.


OoC:  I'll be posting back in the Green Tower thread for the following morning, but feel free to keep the conversations going here.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:28, Tue 22 Mar 2011.

Aeletheros sits back to watch the game, contemplating his reading and inwardly pleased with the result regardless of how true it is. He is looking forward to working and travelling with these people and hopes that he DOES uncover much hidden knowledge. He looks forward to advancing his skills with his magics over time.

"Yours is more hopeful divination, I think," says Wraith, smiling wryly at Aeletheros.  He folds his hands behind his head and yawns.  "You'll have your fill of adventure, I assure you."  He eyes the rest of the group and realizes for the first time that he has grown quite fond of his motley companions.

"Divinations are a funny thing, that way.  While yours certainly seems dark, Wraith, better forewarned than not.  And the Zodar only tells of what may be.  Sometimes, acting on it changes things, other times, it cause it to happen.  For instance, in reaction to your reading, you might retire to a small farm in northern Zandu to live a quiet, safe life.  Then you discover that you've built your farm on top of a necromancer's tomb, something you'd never have done had you not had the reading done."  He smiles wanly and shrugs, "Such is our master, the Zodar."