Gul'tal turned back, furrowing his brow to retort angrily, only to catch the last sight of mist dissipating on a magical breeze, surging towards the front of the group.

Appearing as the forerunners arrived to the mouth of the opening of the spider-shaped temple to Lloth, Jevan elicited a momentary guarded reaction from both Malaggar and Houndarel who reached briefly for their swords. Upon recognizing the spontaneous appearance of Jevan Freth, they forwent the drawing of the blades and instead armed themselves only with a disapproving glare.

Meanwhile, three drow men, dressed as students of Sorcere, had been hanging around the entrance to Arach-Tinilith as well and seemed similarily surprised by Jevan's sudden arrival; one pointed at him in some gesture of recognition and the three began to make their way towards Jevan until the disapproving glares of the Melee Magthere masters fell upon them as well. The three fell back and made only small polite bows of respect as the procession moved to pass them and enter Arach-Tinilith.

"A thousand pardons, Masters," Jevan said, wiping the lint from his shoulder with a delicate hand. "Duskryn needed some help tying his shoes. I promise I will endeavor to keep up."

Stepping through the arch, Jevan picked up his pace to rejoin the front of the column away from the tiresome antics of Gul'tal and Vahn'Galen.

Jevan enters Arach-Tinilith, flanked on either side by Houndarel and Malaggar, without knowing or caring for whatever situation he left behind with Gul'tal, Vahn'Galen, and those other three Sorcere students. The rest of the class files in and the ceremony begins uneventfully; a religious affair wherein the mistresses of the academy drone on and one for what seems like eons to the noble son.

At the center of the ceremony is a huge drow woman, easily a foot taller than Jevan and likely larger that Gul'tal as well. Angaste Vandree, this year's top graduate from Arach-Tinilith and soon to be high priestess. She stands before the procession of academy graduates, entirely nude except for some blood and paint adorning her body in profane symbols, as she moves through the complex gestures and ritual preparation of a spell to summon a demon to offer a sacrifice to in the name of Lloth.

Standing opposite of the ceremony, Jevan recognizes the almost mirror positioning that denotes the other top students of Sorcere. On his side, Jevan stands with Houndarel to his right following Malaggar, and Satou at his left, Gul'tal next to him and the continuingly demoting line of Melee Magthere students following. Across the way, the Sorcere side is much more sparse with less than half the total number of graduates; nothing unusual as while Melee Magthere had a very usual graduation cycle of ten years, Sorcere was more dependant on individual students and tended to have far less graduates each passing year. Thanks to the limited selection, Jevan couldn't help but to notice that the three at the head of the class were none other than the three students he had glimpsed outside, and who seemed to have recognized him and attempted to approach before being headed off by Jevan's instructors.

The center of the circular ceremony chamber erupts in flames as Angaste continues her ritual summoning. The other graduating priestesses began to fan out around the room, initiating a new part of the ceremony; students could break free from their hierarchical positions an move freely, but respectfully about the chamber; the first to break was Da Hekar who simply moved a few steps closer to the ritual center and kneeled quietly. The graduating class of females was tasked with moving between each student and blessing them all in turn, a slow but efficient process.

One of the graduating priestesses was familiar to Jevan, determining her spot in the hierarchy of the graduating class was more difficult, but she was definitely the same one who had placed a death ward upon Jevan before the Grand Melee. Unfortunately, it became difficult to track her as the priestesses began to mingle along with the crowd in the chamber.

---

What would you would like to do?

Jevan found his attention drawn repeatedly back to the three Sorcere students throughout the proceedings. What matter of foolishness had they been conspiring, he wondered. The sudden eruption of flames caught him momentarily unawares and it took him a second to realize that the lines had subtly shifted and students were finding their place on the floor.

Jevan wasn't sure if Angaste would take part in the individual blessings or if her role was to lead the procession as a whole. If she did participate her individual attention was likely to be coveted as a sign of personal or familiar esteem, however Jevan was not inclined to place himself deliberately in her path. Angaste was no prize in Jevan's mind.

He knew of Angaste Vandree of course. Anyone of worth in Tier Breche did as a matter of course. But he didn't know Angaste the way he did some of the other priestesses. Her momentary consideration would not meaningfully affect his social status. The chance to make a connection that might outlast his stay in the academy - now that was something of value. Let Duskryn and the head boy of Sorcere vie for Angaste's attention. Jevan had his own prize in mind.

Stepping carefully and unhurriedly through the crowd he found his priestess - the one who had claimed him in the labyrinth - and waited patiently for her to work her way back to him. When she arrived at last he looked up at her with the same knowing smile he had given on the day of the Grand Melee. Then he bowed his head and awaited her benefaction.

Acrobatics to navigate the crowd without impediment.
12:12, Today: Jevan Freth rolled 17 using 1d20+7.  Acrobatics.

Jevan stepped between the milling students as if they weren't there at all, his path carrying him deliberately and effortlessly closer. Wherever he took a step forward it seemed as if a space opened up to envelop him, like a fish swimming through a placid pond. Finding his quarry was a far simpler task when nothing stood between them.

Thanks to his swift and skillful crowd maneuvers, Jevan was able to catch up with the priestess before she disappeared too far in the sea of students. She was with none other than one of the other Sorcere students, who caught Jevan's gaze across the priestess and gave him a sly smile and wink as she made the motions of reverent spellcasting.

---

Give me either a check; inisight, arcana, or religion would all work in different ways. You can try any combination of them, or anything else you would like to attempt of course.

Jevan caught the freshly minted wizard's gaze and tried to read what lay behind his sly smile. Normally he was a fairly deft judge of character though the continual irritation was grating on his nerves. As to the ritual itself, Jevan had learned a thing or two at both of the other campuses of Tier Breche, though neither could have been said to be a focus.

May as well roll all three since you've offered. Not sure how helpful they are.

13:18, Today: Jevan Freth rolled 15 using 1d20.  Religion.

13:17, Today: Jevan Freth rolled 10 using 1d20+4.  Insight.

13:17, Today: Jevan Freth rolled 12 using 1d20+3.  Arcana.

The priestess's form as she placed her blessing upon the other student was in perfect execution of Llothite rites to Jevan's eyes. She finished her blessing after a short while and the wizard gave the thanks, then leaned in closer and seemed to whisper something suggestive to her, but the priestess batted him away somewhat playfully and turned to leave; encountering Jevan as she did.

A long smile appeared on her face as she looked upon Jevan as he bowed politely; "Well well, if it isn't the grand champion of Melee Magthere; your status may grant the boon of one of the mistresses of the academy, should you prefer..." she said in a friendly demeanor.

The name of the priestess clicked in Jevan's mind; Rilnia, Rilnia Do'Duis, a noble from a lesser house Jevan knew nothing of. Like all of the graduating priestesses, Rilnia was wearing a scant and revealing outfit of black spider silk, which contrasted nicely with her somewhat light skin tone similar to Jevan's own, and complimented her long, black-died hair that tumbled naturally around her shoulders and midway down her back.

"It was your blessing that saw me through to the very end of the Grand Melee," Jevan replied. "It may well be that the mistresses of the academy might grant me their favor, but I know whose it is that I want." Jevan's allowed his gaze to brazenly travel down Rilnia's figure before returning to her inquiring stare.

"If of course you are willing, priestess."

"A fine boast, but unlikely... Mistress Baenre is a righteous bitch after all" Rilnia responded cheekily.

She accepted Jevan's gaze without reproach, even shifting her stance slightly as if on display, and shaking her hair back so it tumbled out of her modest but appealing cleavage. She inched closer to Jevan, beginning the gestures and movements of a blessing before leaning in close to whisper in Jevan's ear; "Besides, one such as you should only receive the blessings of Wendonai."

Jevan wasn't sure if Rilnia could see his expression from where she stood but if she could the second son of house Freth was grinning from ear to ear. What a find in Loth's own clergy! Evidently there were heretics even greater than him. It didn't matter if Rilnia's house was of no importance, Leaving Angaste for Duskryn - or whoever had the honor of receiving her benediction - had been a blessing.

"I think I made the right choice," he whispered back.

"I will see you later, I hope?" he continued intimately, turning to catch her gaze. "Once I've finished playing whatever part it is in this the masters would have me play?"

Rilnia clasped Jevan by the collar, keeping him close. "Now what kind of priestess would I be if I let a catch like you slip through my web?" she said with a sly grin. She began to pull him across the room towards a small chamber, secluded but still integrated with the larger ritual chamber not unlike a private booth featured in many clubs or restaurants. "The masters have little more to offer you other than partaking in this fine ritual, they wouldn't want you getting too many ideas now would they? I only graduated third in my class, not as illustrious as some but it affords me some privileges such as a bit of privacy."

Jevan chuckled, and allowed himself to be led away without protest. "No, I suppose they would not. I think the masters have had quite enough of me and would prefer I was somewhere else altogether away from here that they needn't worry about."

Third in her class. No wonder she had drawn the attention of the wizard from Sorcere. And no wonder again that she had been able to lay claim to him at the outset of the Melee. Jevan hunted through the crowd for Rilnia's would be suitor from Sorcere and offered the mage a conciliatory smile and a shrug as he was pulled away to the private enclosure. Inwardly though he was gloating.

"A tactful finish," he said in praise. "I put some noses out of joint on my climb to the top," he added mildly. "Duskryn in particular seems to be having some trouble letting it go. I can't imagine Angaste would take it any better."

Jevan had pushed as far as he had, secure in the knowledge that his name would protect him. Do'Duis did not command that respect from the high houses. A third place finish from a minor noble house was an achievement on par with Satou's.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:04, Sun 16 Jan 2022.

Jevan caught the eye of the graduate from Sorcere, who furrowed his brow in indignation at the sight but was powerless to intercede.

"You and I share a greater power to thank for our successes" Rilnia responded as she pulled Jevan into the security of the more private sanctum. It was a deep, recessed alcove in the chamber wall, set at an angle with a divan at the back so that a majority of the space was away from eyes of a casual observer, and low voices could speak with some level of privacy.

"Every day I divine for signs that Wendonai's influence is growing, you can imagine my surprise and thrill when my answer came so much more close than I ever dared to hope. Though, I'll not discount my own part to play, after all someone had to make sure those tomes were in Sorcere where they could be found without being purged by the clergy."

"So I have you to thank for my education, Rilnia," Jevan remarked thoughtfully as he made his way across the enclosure to the divan seat at the back. Under other circumstances it might have been crass to address the priestess so informally - or at least to do so publicly. Their relative houses being what they were he almost certainly would have gotten away with it, but she was a priestess of Loth by all accounts and he was just a lowly male no matter how high born in station.

But here in the heart of Arach-Tinilith discussing no less than treason to the Spider Queen it hardly seemed to matter. Wendonai, for what it was worth, cared not at all for the rigid gendered hierarchy that defined the drow. And besides, Jevan wanted her to know that he remembered.

He smiled and held out his hand, inviting Rilnia to join him on the couch.

"I trust you'll forgive me for not revealing myself sooner? I wanted to see what you were capable of on your own merits, though those magic hands did almost squeeze it out of me" Rilnia responds with a smile, not showing any offense to Jevan's familiarity. Instead she took his proffered hand gently, twirling, and coming to a seat directly on his lap.

"So by your own words you have me to thank for your education, as well as keeping you safe in the Grand Melee, and lets not forget this lovely venue. And I have you to thank for many wonderful massages; I would say we are even no?"

Jevan chuckled as Rilnia settled into his lap. "You're forgiven," he said in good humor. "Although surely I owe you one more." He tilted Rilnia forward slightly and gathered her long hair together behind her head, letting it fall down between them so that he could better expose he shoulders and neck. From what he recalled, Rilnia enjoyed having her shoulders rubbed. And she really liked having her neck massaged.

For the next several minutes Jevan let his fingers do the talking. They were far more eloquent than he was anyway. And he listened to the movements of Rilnia's body, letting her guide his hands where they were most needed.

"You know," he said at last, his lips close behind Rilnia's open ear. "It really is a lovely venue. Perhaps you'll enjoy it more lying down."

"Truly..." Rilnia remarked with a slight giggle, as the roar of fire and the chanting of priestesses--mixed with a few other more carnal sounds--could be heard just outside. Rilnia was entirely receptive throughout Jevan's impromptu massage, and slid off his lap at his recommendation to lie down.

"You know, I've missed these far too much. You'll simply have to come visit me some time after we leave; once you get settled at home of course."

"Let me help you with this," Jevan said, unlacing Rilnia's bodice from behind as she lay face down on the divan. "You won't be needing it," he added with a grin and unflappable confidence.

"I'm afraid I haven't got any oils with me," he continued as he sat down on the edge of the couch beside Rilnia and set to work on her bare back. "But I'm sure we'll make do."

To the discussion about returning home and future visits he smiled again although Rilnia could not see it, turned away from him as she was.

"I should hope so. You've seemingly worked ever so hard to get me here."

Jevan paused to remove his surcoat and shirt. It was hot in the chamber with the roaring flame after all. When he settled back down he climbed astride the divan rather than on the lip, straddling Rilnia's thighs so that he could but his full weight down the length of his arms into the heels of his hands.

"It would be terribly rude of me not to visit," he said, resuming his efforts.

"Will I be welcomed at House Do'Duis? Or shall I have to sneak in through a window?"

Jevan catches the corner of Rilnia's side-turned mouth curl into a mischievous grin as he unlaced her bodice, and her back practically melts beneath his touch. When he gets up to remove his surcoat, she half-turns as if to protest, but once she realizes what she is doing she only grins and watches until he returns to his work.

When he asks about his reception at house Do'Duis, she laughs casually; "Oh, almost certainly the latter. If my mother knew, she would accuse me of threatening ruin and calamity upon her house. She never appreciates any of my work."

"Well then you will have to point out the correct window," Jevan said. He walked the way down the length of her back with his hands, up over her shoulders and along the length of her arms, stretching himself forward to the point that his bare chest lay flat against Rilnia's back and she could feel the heat of his breath upon her neck. He held there for a moment, heart beat against heart beat, before working his way back down in reverse.

When he reached the small of her back Jevan settled himself lower still, moving from astride Rilnia's thighs to her calves and drawing her garments, scant as they were, down with him. With the priestess now fully exposed he continued his ministrations, working his way down one flawless toned leg before the other, letting the heat build between her thighs.

"I'd hate to pick the wrong one by accident and have to explain myself to your mother."

Rilnia lets out a small groan of pleasure, which built to yet another chuckle. "I'd prefer you to explain just the edge of your sword and the force of you magic. Perhaps I'll point out the wrong window, though then I risk you as likely to seduce her as you are to kill her."

"Well if she looks anything like her daughter it would certainly give a man pause," Jevan remarked.

Having reached the bottom of each leg in turn he paused to unclasp his belt, pulling it free of its loops before heaving it onto the pile of his clothes. Turning his attention back to Rilnia he began to work his way back up her legs, alternating from one to the other and punctuating his words with light kisses upon her skin.

"Is that the plan then? Having mastered Arach-Tinilith, Rilnia Do'Duis plans to ascended to the head of her house in swift order?"

He had neared her buttocks again and Jevan let his hand wander up the inside of Rilnia's thighs towards the furnace between her legs.

"I could help with that," he said, gently grazing her with his fingertips and thoroughly enjoying the double entendre.

"If you wanted me to."

"Mmmm, she's similar, but older. I'd have to kill you for the insult though and what a waste--ahh" Rilnia responded, though there was no venom in the bite of her words which evaporated quickly into a moan.

Once she had caught her breath again she continues; "I was hoping you'd offer, but you have a lot to consider with your own family first... and alas, you are dangerously mixing business with pleasure at this point, Jevan..."

"You're right," Jevan said. He drew up even with Rilnia so that his lips were just behind her ear and his hips rested easily above hers before pressing off the table and sliding down his trousers. "We should dispense with the pleasure first."

"Then we can discuss the business without all the messy distractions."

She was right about his family as well, Jevan knew. Ten years was a long time, even for a long lived people like the drow. A lot could happen in ten years. It would take time to reestablish his place in the house, and he would have his hands full for some time.

But not tonight.

Tonight he had his hands full of Rilnia, and that was enough.