"We do not hear much of the outside world, living at the Temple.  It is my understanding, however, that the young Empress has the love and respect of her people.  They love her because she loves them and so they turn to her with smiles as the morning wildflowers turn to the sun.  And thus there is harmony in the realm.  The death of Pro Consul Talaric changed very little.  He was a man who cared only for himself while he lived in this world, and so no one cared about him when he left it.

To understand more local events it is best to go to the taverns, inns, and markets where the people gather.  There you can learn much that is not heard elsewhere.  The broadsheet could indeed be most useful, if someone has lost a pet."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:08, Sun 14 Aug 2016.

Stardancer continued to calmly work the knots of matted hair, finally ony a few bits remained.  Out of its eyesight she gestured to Rinaldo for a slim dagger.  Keeping it distracted she carefully cut the creatures fur, and released it from the collar.  Massaging the animal a bit she spoke softly "No matter how gilded the cage....it is still a cage." wondering if the collar left any lasting marks.  She handed the collar to another to examine.

Xi looked to Fairaday as she spoke of the broadsheet "I'll go.  I would like to gather my things at the inn for the moment.  I'll return soon" She moved to leave.  She was happy to note that of the carriages, atleast 1 or 2 stayed on for a bit.  For a coin tip inspired one to take her to the inn and secure knowledge of a broadsheet posting.

==>to the Rutting Dragon Inn
This message was last edited by the player at 05:10, Sun 14 Aug 2016.

In reply to Stardancer (msg # 45):

"Some wouldn't know how to live without their cage." Rinaldo glanced to Petal and Lilbug.s he rested da hand on Stardancers side."they are happy, secure, and have a purpose that's all they desire."

he smiled slightly, an odd expression on his face"We have to struggle daily to find purpose in life."

As no one had taken the cat's collar from Stardancer as of yet, Mariasha stepped forward. I am Mariasha,  a friend of Brother Galen. It is a pleasure to meet you, Stardancer. Perhaps, I can take a look at the collar? She asked gently offering a hand for the said object.

"Hey, any friend of Galen is a friend of mine," Crow beamed as he clapped a hand on Mariasha's shoulder in a jovial manner.  He peered over her shoulder at the collar and asked, "So... what are we looking at here?"

"Hold on, Xi.  I'll go with you.  I left a few things at the inn as well," Motoko exclaimed as she hurried after.  She glanced over her shoulder toward Petal and said, "Come along now, Petal."

Noting the lack of carriages left, she climbed into the one that Xi picked out.

==>to the Rutting Dragon Inn

"Of course Mistress." Petal followed immediately keeping pace with her mistress Smiling happily as she replied. Climbing into the carriage she took her place by her mistresses feet settling in on the floor of the carriage for the ride.

Brother Galen quietly stepped up to stand beside Mariasha.  He watched with interest as Stardancer freed the ragged kitty's collar.  He smiled easily, scratching the kitty and quietly calming him with slow, gentle pets and kind words, until the kitty was purring audibly.

"Stardancer, my name is Brother Galen, I am a monk from the Temple of Enduring Truth and a friend of the Empress.  You do not know me, but I have heard much about you.  Forgive my rudeness earlier, this has been an eventful evening.  That does not excuse my behaviour, however, and so I humbly ask your forgiveness."

He bowed deeply, respectfully, and with the practiced grace of someone who had spent his life doing so.  His face is a kind one, his smile bright and warm.  Most striking of all, there is a stillness to him; as peaceful and calming as a moonlit lake, and yet quietly strong, like a mountain.

"Mariasha is a dear friend of mine, and I have been remiss not to introduce her properly.  She is a devoted and skilled healer and, it is my hope, we will all be good friends."

The happy slave ran to the kitchens to do as his Mistress asked.  His enthusiasm for serving Her was evident in the broad grin that bloomed on his face whenever he was given a command.  He practically danced to the kitchen!

He soon returned with all that was asked and more on a large cart.  Cooked meats, fresh cheeses, condiments, and bread and butter for sandwiches.  Another platter was piled high with grapes, melon slices, figs, dates, several kinds of ripe berries, apples, and plums.

Behind him, another servant brought silver trays with shaved meats, cooked eggs, and even a small platter of cooked filleted fish, along with bowls of fresh water.

Lastly there was as servant with a cart on which was a samovar filled with hot tea, along with honey, lemons, cream, cinammon and other spices.

As the woman introduced herself and the one called Brother Galen did as well she turned the collar over.  She nodded quietly to them as she still stroked the skinny cat.  Free of the collar she still used the oiled water to clean the animal.  She felt a bit ...ashamed of her words earlier, they did not come out as she had meant them too.  Part of her thought the collar, perhaps had been too tight for the cat.  Moving so she moved to get food for both it and little momma kit.  "If the others do not mind I will tend to the needs of both our little friends here" her tone a bit admonished.  Close to Rinaldo she whispered

Xi nodded to Motoko coming with her, Petal as well.

==>now leaving
This message was last edited by the player at 00:43, Sun 21 Aug 2016.

 She watched lilbug run around doing her bidding and smiled at his eagerness to please. She loved when he was happy, even if it sometimes made her feel strange ordering him around. But knowing how much he loved it made it strangely pleasing to do. It was almost comical to her how she had gone from a quiet shadow hugging distrustful lonely woman to an indulgent and somewhat harsh Mistress all at the same time. She laughed and gave lilbug a swat on his hairy butt as he went by.

 She watched closely as Stardancer freed the bejeweled collar. She smiled encouragingly to her as she carefully teased out knots and...as the water ran red, dried blood it would seem. Of course with the torn ear, where one of the cat's ear studs had been ripped out it had bled and snarled the hair as it dried. But upon closer examination, there seemed to be more blood in the cats hair than could be explained by the small tear in the ear.

 "Too bad we don't have a healer with us. We could repair his ear without leaving a torn ear. Poor thing. Where did all that blood come from?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:26, Sun 21 Aug 2016.

Stardancer found some small saucers to use and placed some egg and meat in both for each cat and beeped the nose of Cooper as she found a dish for him as well.  "I know a bit about herbal healing but I think our new friend may not appreciate having to wear such for a day or two.  And it would not repair the tear in his ear.  Brother ..Galen? Do you or your companions know such healing?" she hoped she got his name right.

Rinaldo moved to help Stardancer with the food for the cats, speaking softly as he helped her with the chore.

"I think we can let the little fellow enjoy his meal while we get settled in. Tomorrow we can send a messenger to the city and have them inquire if anyone is missing a pet with a jeweled collar."

He took his time and examined one of the jewels rummaging into the small satchel he wore on his belt to remove a small magnifying lens and examining it. deft hands turning the gem to the light of the lamps to catch the reflections and color patterns to aid in determining it's quality.

OOC: Take 20 on Appraise: total 24.

Allow me to help, Stardancer, I am a healer. Mariasha offered with a serene smile. She made certain to make no sudden movements as she settled on the floor beside the injured cat. Then she gathered the cat gently into her lap and with deft hands she examined him, humming softly as she worked.  She easily identified the torn ear, however the amount of blood in cat's hair did pose a concern until she confirmed that it was indeed not it's own. Once certain of all his injuries, Mariasha set to work. Her violet eyes settled upon the task her before and she continued to hum softly as if it helped her concentration.

She could feel the silky strands of the cat's hair, wet and slightly oily from Stardancer's administrations, and beneath that the warm flesh and muscles. His heartbeat steadied out, as if it kept time with her humming. Soon she felt the familiar, comforting warmth build up from her core and pulse through her nerve-endings until it pooled around her hands in soft, white light.  Gently she cupped those glowing hands over the torn ear, she could feel the cartilage and skin knitting itself back together. She did not pull back the light until she was certain that the ear was whole once more, only then she drew the threads of power back.

There, little one, does that feel better? She whispered, as she gently scratched beneath his chin.

 The Tom settled in on her lap calmly as if knowing she meant no harm. As Mariasha drew power from within he started purring loudly in time with her humming it seemed. The ear flap healed quickly and whilst and cleanly. Even some of the blood seemed to fade away. But not all the blood fades.

Everyone roll 1d20 perception roll.

Today lilbug rolled a 12 on a 1d20

Lilbug doesn't notice much.

stardancer still attends the food as the woman continues to tend the cat

Stardancer rolled 3 using 1d20.

Apparently Stardancer is blinded by the other cute animals about.

Rinaldo was absorbed in studying the gemstone and oblivious to anything else.


00:04, Today: Rinaldo Scyffia rolled 4 using 1d20.

Anu observed closely alert and wary as always.


00:07, Today: Anu rolled 18 using 1d20. perception check.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:32, Tue 23 Aug 2016.

Mariasha had been more absorbed in the healing of the cat then in noticing anything else.

Mariasha rolled 5 using 1d20

"Oh ho... good as new.  That's some fine healing powers you've got there," Crow grinned as he watched the healing process.  He would've offered to cast a healing spell himself, but Mariasha had already stepped up to the plate.

02:10, Today: Crow Reeds rolled 12 using 1d20.  Perception.
02:15, Today: Cooper rolled 5 using 1d20.  Perception.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:15, Mon 22 Aug 2016.

She thought she noticed something strange with the cat but wasn't sure. She looked around to see if anyone else had noticed.