Exalted 2.5 - Sidereals IC

[Sherwood]

This will be our IC thread.

 

[Sherwood]

It is a pleasant day in the Celestial City, but all days in Yu-Shan are pleasant, thanks to the hard work of the various weather gods on staff. The sun is shining bright in the sky, showing that the Unconquered Sun is currently ahead in the Games of Divinity inside the Jade Pleasure Dome, and right now the four of you are heading along the various paths and walkways to meet at a small tea house that serves many members of the Celestial Bureaucracy. Run by a spirit named Yababa, the tea house is famous throughout the Celestial City, and it is rumored that even Luna and the various Maidens of Destiny make the occasional stop to partake of the excellent service and outstanding tea.

Right now, it is mid-afternoon, and despite the differences of Faction, our quintet of Exalts are preparing for a quiet sit down together in one of the private rooms inside the tea house to relax and enjoy the pleasure of each other's company.

Dao-Cleaving Insight is the first to arrive, quickly followed by Xun, Shi-vash, Ghataka, and Amara. As you walk in, your noses are joyfully assailed by the smell of ginseng and honey, along with dozens of other herbs that this Storyteller is at a loss to describe. Being frequent guests, Yababa recognizes you immediately, showering you with pleasantries as she personally escorts you back to your reserved table. Walking through the place, you can see dozens of various gods and spirits enjoying the hospitality of the tea house until you are in your private room. A pull rope sits against one wall to summon a servant, but otherwise you will be left alone.

 

[D. Rex]

Xun made himself comfortable in his usual spot, propping himself up with obscene amounts of pillows. As he was fluffing one up, a topic of conversation popped into his head.

"I heard quite the interesting rumor today. One in creation named Twice-molded Jade has apparently found a creative way to use clouds. Supposedly having found a way to spin clouds into silk." He said, purposefully not mentioning their exaltation for the courtesy of privacy.

"I got to see some of it myself. A spool of it was sent along with a prayer. I didn't catch much but a glimpse. But it was so white it was particularly glowing. I would love to see something like that gain some acceptance. "

"Alas, I believe it is going into the hands of Gem. And you know how she is with any prayer that isn't properly structured."

 

[Psychie]

Amara is dressed in a nice, flowing robe, enjoying the feeling of the silk swishing against her legs as she walks. She greets Yababa with a smile as the hostess welcomes her and escorts her to the private room where her friends are going to be meeting. As she finds her usual seat, Amara takes her time to make up a piping hot cup of tea and takes a sip with a sigh of contentment. "It is good to see you, Xun. How long has it been? Two years? Three? I have been so busy it seems like it has been forever and at the same time, just yesterday since we had our last get together."

 

[D. Rex]

The smell of tea made it really hard to not make himself some. Though his tastes were much more... casual... than one should be that frequents a house of the reputation. Being a traveler, he doesnt always have access to the finest ingredients. So he did get to splurge during times such as this. As such! When he let his gold tea seep, he dared to add some ginseng and lavender(oh my!). He wasnt much one to add honey too his tea. Milk yes, but not tea. Though he didnt mind having the honey by itself.

"Has it really been that long?" He asked. "Nonsense. It can't have been any more than a week." He paused to ponder the passing of time. "Okay... maybe a bit longer than that." He dismissed the passage of time with a wave of his hand.

"Regardless, Amara, it is good to see you too. We must have been kept pretty busy to have lost track." Xun then smiled. "But such is our company that not even time can wear away at our camaraderie. A wonderful thing, indeed, to simply pick up where we left off."

 

[Random Word]

Dao-Cleaving Insight lay sprawled over a plush armchair in the northern style, swinging feet dangling over the back, head hanging off the front, fingertips brushing the floor, with what appeared to be a translucent scroll with faintly glowing gold sigils containing the latest trashy romance novel by Total Eclipse of the Heart, Raja of Ribald Prose, hovering upside down at comfortable reading distance in front of her face. She was blowing large bubbles of varicoloured luminescent chewing gum and periodically flicking a finger to signal the scroll to progress. Despite the absurdity of her pose she appears perfectly comfortable. As Xun and Amara enter she offers brief upside-down waves without taking her eyes off the scroll, but when Ghataka enters her eyes widen in mock horror and consternation, her bubble pops, and her scroll clatters to the ground.

"Xun, you shouldn't discuss such scandalous subjects. Dontchaknow we have children present?" she admonishes. "Shoo, kid. The adults are having a serious discussion about adult things, like soft fluffy clouds and deep and abiding friendship. Cover your delicate virgin ears. Also, if while you're leaving you could see fit to stop making the rest of us look bad, your honoured seniors would deeply appreciate it," she adds with a grin. "No, but seriously. Congratulations are in order for setting the Second Age record for mastering the form of a real martial art. Or they would be, if Celestial Harem Style were a real martial art. Sorry, Amara."

 

[jaydude]

Shi-vash took the spot next to Xun, "borrowing" one of the larger pillows that had fallen off his pile and sitting down on it with her legs drawn up to the side of her. She wore a kimono of amethyst-purple silk, one that made up for how much of her skin it covered with how tightly it hugged her body. Giving Xun a friendly smile, and seeing how he'd gotten started already, she helped herself to a cup of tea as well, hers made with leaves from the white dragon bush. It was said to be a very rare plant within the East of Creation, with leaves that could produce a tea "so delicious, it's heartbreaking". Taking a sip for herself, the Chosen of Secrets had to admit that the claim wasn't far off the mark.

"Im my case, I haven't seen most of you since the return of the Solars." she said, giving both Amara and Insight a glance and a little smile. Everyone else at the table would know what she was referring to. For lack of a better term, Shi-vash had "defected" from the Bronze Faction soon after the sundering of the Jade Prison had given the Gold Faction a real purpose, and made them relevant. A number of people Shi-vash had been friends with for decades had cut ties with her as a result, seeing her as a traitor and/or an idealistic fool, and though she hadn't shown it much, the Chosen of Secrets had been quite hurt in some instances of this.

Until now, Shi-vash had never been face-to-face with Amara and Insight. She'd always stayed out of their sight whenever she saw either of them during her leisure time, so that she could use the excuse of being too busy with her work to explain why they hadn't been able to talk for over five years. It was with a little reluctance that she had agreed to meet with them here. The fact that Amara was being so friendly with Xun was an encouraging sign however, given where their respective allegiances lay.

She became a bit more confident and cheery when Insight made her remark about Ghataka, even letting out a small titter at it. "Come now, Insight. Ghataka may be young compared to us, but she's hardly a child. She's been around for at least two or three mortal lifetimes. Not to mention that she's one of Venus's Chosen, and we all know what that sort of work can entail." she said in a teasing voice, thinking of relationships, marriages, and of course the debauchery that could only happen at a raucous party.

Having said that, Shi-vash smiled at Ghataka. "Likewise, congratulations. Learning one of our martial arts is not an easy feat, even for those of us who have been around for multiple centuries."

She then looked at Amara with a naughty grin. "Oh? I wasn't aware that Celestial Harem Style was even a thing. Have there been some developments in your life that you haven't told me about?"

 

[D. Rex]

Despite the look of faux betrayal he gave to Shi-vash for stealing one of his pillows, he did maintain a grin through Insight's jests.

"Of course the Celestial Harem Style is a thing. The original master tried to pass it off as one of the animal styles but the girls didn't appreciate the connotations."

"It was developed in the Second age by Irresistible Maan-Ho. A real softy. He was never able to not give in to a woman who professed their love for him. Consequently this lead to him having wives in the hundreds. As you can expect, there was quite a bit of friction and competition among them. Ho found the need to come up with a way to navigate the attention seeking masses of women and came up with the Celestial Harem Style. His martial art showcased the epitome of gentle defense and distraction. Often employing soft pillows and teasing caresses to keep the peace and manage his wives, and becoming a masterful way to keep them from killing each other over his affections. With such a Mastery, he sired at least a quarter of humanity after the end of the Great Contagion. "

Leaning back into his mountain of pillows as he ended his made-up spiel, he picked up one and spun it in his hand. "I, of course, studied into it, for obvious reason. As I never know when you ladies might decide to become voracious and attack each other for the delicacy that is Xun." He then tossed the pillow at Inisght.

 

[Psychie]

Amara sticks her tongue out at Shi-Vash, then grabs one of her own pillows and acts like she is about to throw it at Xun, then delicately slips it back into place behind her back. "Xun, you wish! You are horrible with your wild tales. And Shi-Vash, you should know enough by now not to encourage him! The only reason I don't teach you both a lesson right now is that I am enjoying this tea far too much to risk getting it spilled in a pillow fight!" She gives them both a grin, feeling genuinely good at being able to let her hair down and enjoy herself with her friends.

 

[jaydude]

"Yes, I wouldn't put too much hope in that. You know that I, for one, have always been more inclined towards women." replied Shi-vash after Xun's last remark, while grinning at him.

"And I promise you, Amara, that I was not trying to encourage anything." she said, turning to the Chosen of Endings and giving her a sweet smile. "I merely thought a bit of humor would be a good way to break the ice between us."

"That being said, I might not object too much to you hitting me with a soft pillow..." she then teased, inwardly glad that Amara, at least, hadn't rejected her over factional differences.

 

[D. Rex]

As Amara threatened him with a pillow, Xun made a dainty posture mocking what Celestial Harem style might look like. "Now now, Amara, I'll have you know I wield pillows like Mars wields a Daiklave. You have been warned."

When the deadly pillow was sheathed, Xun then picked up his glass of tea. "Besides, where would we be without horrible tales? I'm sure Insight would protest at you dissing her favored form of entertainment."

Xun turned to Shi-vash with a wide grin,"Inclination is not synonymous with exclusivity." He retorted with a wink.

"And you worry too much, Shi-vash. We have known each other for a very long time. And we didn't become friends because of whom we decided to support. Those who only care about such can only produce shallow relationships, as I'm sure all of us have lost acquaintances to such ends. Call me naive, but I find it best to think better of our peers. Sure we may favor different paths, but there is no question that all of us have the betterment of heaven and creation at heart. And that destination is just as binding as the journey to it."

 

[Random Word]

Insight grabs a nearby pillow and tosses it at the wall, where it promptly vanishes and comes flying out of a different wall on a trajectory aimed at the back of Xun's head. "No! The First Rule of Tea Time is what happens at Tea Time stays at Tea Time. The Second Rule of Tea Time is we don't talk about faction politics at Tea Time! Gold, Bronze, Independent, Silver," she covers her mouth and suppresses a giggle at the last one, "No, wait, fuck, I'm breaking the Second Rule of Tea Time. Stop it, Xun, you're a terrible corrupting influence with your sweet affirmations of intrinsic human worth that transcends political ideology. You're going to make me go soft."

She rolls over, propping her face up in her hands as her elbows rest on the edge of the seat. She whispers conspiratorially, "You know Vash, if Amara doesn't return your affections you too can always learn Celestial Harem Style. Though I warn you, when we join the Crimson Panoply of Victory we all swear an oath to Mars to mercilessly tease anyone who needs to learn one of our martial arts to get laid." She indicates Amara with two quick tips of her head.

 

[Psychie]

Amara laughs out loud at that. "Trust me, I have absolutely no problems getting sex when the mood strikes me. Besides, with a body like mine, who wouldn't want some good lovin' from me?" She shakes her torso to make her breasts wobble back and forth in a suggestive manner. "I had best be careful flaunting what goods I have, though, if we don't want Tea Time to turn into Wild Orgy time!"

 

[jaydude]

Shi-Vash smiled at Xun after his remark about inclination, not attempting to deny it.

---

"You needn't worry; I can restrain myself when necessary. Though I know I wouldn't mind some loving from you." she replied to the Chosen of Endings, smiling as she gazed at Amara's jiggling endowments, before clearing her throat and becoming a bit more serious as she addressed the two Bronzes.

"Thank you, both of you. It's nice to know that I can still count you as my friends after all that's changed between us."

Then her tone became humorous again. "And Insight, the offer is appreciated, but I don't need it. I'm hardly some shy prude, after all."

 

[Random Word]

"Hmmm," Insight feigns a critical examination of Amara's breasts, "You make a pair of compelling arguments, and I'm certainly not jealous, but!" she scowls at Shi-Vash and Amara in turn, "The Third Rule of Tea Time," she says archly, "Is no wild orgies during Tea Time. You shameless flirts, both of you. This is an upstanding, respectable, family friendly institution, and certainly not an excuse to get drunk and gossip about our betters. We have children here. You can have your sultry forbidden cross-faction tryst later. Fuck, I broke the Second Rule again."

"Well fuck it, if you're going to break a rule you might as well break it properly." She reaches out to squeeze Shi-Vash's hand, "Everyone knows I'm Bronze for the money. I'm the least fanatical most mercenary bitch in the Fivescore Fellowship, and I am wounded that you thought a power career move was going to make me love you any less. You go, girl. Fuck if we can't all see which way the wind's blowing. Heads rolled for that Tepet debacle. I'm up to my eyeballs in sanctions from the Convention on Essence Wielders for making Wyld Hunts 'dramatic' instead of 'effective', and Kejak himself is going to see to it I'm audited for every infraction my incarnations have committed back to the Primordial War if I don't start improving my body count, but this return of the Solars thing has been phe-nomenal for business. People are tripping over themselves to bet on the grudge matches. You know I got Peleps Dejar and Rushing Waters to have their third clash on a narrow ledge over a waterfall? Pure. Audience. Gold. 'Fell to his death' - he's fine, but I don't need to tell you that. Esharra bet so much I twisted her arm into giving me Queen Merela's old dojo-manse up on the hill in exchange for forgiving her debts. The concept of War is furious with me, but totally worth it. It's spectacular, you should come visit. The spa is a bound Second Circle Demon and the foot massages are clearly part of an infernal plot because I would say yes to anything while getting one of those."

"What was I talking about? Right, you. Enough about me, how are you?"

 

[jaydude]

Shi-vash let out a guffaw, not too sure how serious Insight was being in her explanation, but she wasn't going to complain about the Chosen of Battles being willing to joke around with her.

When asked how things had been for her, the Chosen of Secrets took another sip from her teacup and gave a shrug of her shoulders. "I'm fine, thank you. Been keeping to my duties, safeguarding Creation and sorting out anomalies in the Loom of Fate, and of course helping oversee the spread of knowledge throughout the mortal world." she said in a matter-of-fact voice. "My most recent assignments were a stint as a Dynast's tutor in Greyfalls, and directing the discovery and restoration of an old library from the First Age."

 

[Sherwood]

Over the course of the next hour, the group of Exalts enjoy each other's company, teasing one another in a playful manner, when there is a quiet rapping on the door. When it is opened, there is one of the serving staff members standing there with an apologetic look on her face. "I am so sorry for disturbing you, but there is a messenger here that is insisting on speaking with you. Normally we would make him wait, but he is from the head offices of . . . Chejop Kejak himself, bearing a letter with his personal seal! He says it is important, and cannot wait."

When heading out of the room and into the main lobby, there is indeed a messenger anxiously waiting for you. He is one that you all recognize as one of Chejop's aides, and as you come into view, he stands up straighter and pulls out several letters, one for each of you. "Noble Exalts, you are all required to present yourselves in the offices of Master Chejop for an important meeting immediately for a matter of serious importance. And before you ask, no, I am unable to tell you why. That is for Master Chejop to say."

 

[jaydude]

"I see. Thank you for informing us of this matter." Shi-Vash replied, standing up and taking her letter with a nod. Once the messenger was out of earshot, she would turn and speak to the others.

"What on Creation could this be about?" she asked, sounding puzzled. "I doubt it's just a run-of-the-mill assignment, otherwise we'd have gotten the details of it in the usual manner. And all five of us at once...?"

She then gave another shrug. "Well, not much to do except go to him and find out." she said. "Come on. He hates having his time wasted by waiting."

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

Ghataka smiled at her 'elders' as they tried to ribald her. She savored the tea in silence, as she contemplated her surroundings.
While the Chosen of Serenity had far too many tasks to truly feel serene, she accepted it all in mild nature. She just got back from a gruelling assignment to marry several pairs of obnoxious Dragon-Blooded, whom it took forever to convince, subtly, that they need to get married. If not for the strict orders, she would have wrapped them up in her essence, and had them lusting after one another as if they sought to practice Celestial Harem Style. And cursed herself mentally, for nearly choking on that joke. She liked that name, and would use it, in the future.

She was just about relaxed enough when they were interrupted.

"Well, I guess he learned that there was a breach of cross-faction sex about to happen, and he calls us in to prevent this? Or maybe he finally agreed to hear my petition that Xun here needs to get married. I did propose Raski as a possible bride, but I think Lilith might be a better option..." And she takes a step, and then swirls around him, clapping her hands like a little girl "I know! I know! I hear Ma-Ha-Suchi wouldn't mind spending a few decades as a woman, so we can have you marry him! And I'll add in to the marriage vows that you can get to name his 'Nameless Lair' to a better name?"

 

[Random Word]

Insight glares at the messenger and mutters darkly at Shi-Vash's question, "The Pole of Fire had better be about to fall into the fucking ocean. This is my day off." She vanishes and reappears sitting seiza before the table, pours herself a cup of tea - it would be a shame to leave without having even tasted it, and is in the middle of savouring her first mouthful when Ghataka's comment nearly prompts her to spit it out.

She stares at Ghataka, aghast, swallowing her tea before exclaiming, "What did the poor man do to you? The baby eating witch? Ol' goat horns? Ah, the boundlessly inventive malevolence of youth. And what's all this about being a woman? Ol' goat horns has two legs - most of the time. That's enough for Xun."

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

Keeping a smooth face, and a lovely smile, Ghatak responds "My dear, isn't if obvious? If he marries Ma-Ha-Suchi, even if Ma-Ha-Suchi changes to a female form, we both know that he.." and she points at Xun "Will still be the woman on that marriage."

 

[Psychie]

Amara laughs at the antics of her companions, even as she wonders just what this summons involves. It is for the five of us, of mixed Factions. What would be involved in this? I suppose that there is only one way to find out. She stretches, and with a thought, changes her easy going robes into something more appropriate to go to a meeting with the leader of the Sidereals. "If you have finished your joking about, it would seem that it is time to once more earn our pay. Shall we go?"

 

[jaydude]

Amara laughs at the antics of her companions, even as she wonders just what this summons involves. It is for the five of us, of mixed Factions. What would be involved in this? I suppose that there is only one way to find out. She stretches, and with a thought, changes her easy going robes into something more appropriate to go to a meeting with the leader of the Sidereals. "If you have finished your joking about, it would seem that it is time to once more earn our pay. Shall we go?"

"Hey, I'm not going to protest. I'm the one who suggested we leave rather than keep Chejop waiting." replied Shi-vash, as she stood up.

 

[D. Rex]

"Hohoho, really Ghataka? Still trying to get me married?" He laughed. "And now trying to hook me up with them... If the furry bunch is good enough for Solars, I can hardly say it wont be good enough for me." He then grinned,"But you have so little faith in me, i havent been idle in my training. I have tricks you havent even seen yet. But you are on the right track, it would take a legendary chosen of Luna to keep up with me. And who am I to deny a strong woman wanting me to be in the lap of luxury and trying to keep me happy while all i have to do is a little housekeeping? "

Xun hopped up from his seat, "There is no day off when your on a salary. Insight." He then nodded after Shi-vash. "Yeah. Let's go."

 

[Sherwood]

When you arrive in the offices of the Bureau of Destiny, there is a level of tension that can be felt in the many workers running about. The Celestial Lions on guard duty briefly question your presence here, but when you show them the papers that were delivered to you, they stand aside and let you pass into the upper levels of the building. Heading on up, the offices used by the head of the Bronze Faction and the Sidereals as a whole is very plush and well decorated as one would expect for a man of his station and importance in Yu-Shan.

You are quickly ushered into a large room with three people in it; one is Chejop himself, the second is Ayesha Ura, the leader of the Gold Faction, and Nazri, the Chair of the Convention of Fire. Chejop nods to you one by one as you come in, saying, "It is good that you have responded so quickly. The sooner you receive the details of what we know and are on your way, the better."

Ayesha places a hand on the shoulder of the older man, saying, "Chejop, you are making them nervous." Then, to you, she says, "You are not in trouble, so do not fret. There has been an . . . incident . . . that has us concerned. Two of our numbers' Exalted Shards have gone on to Lytek." That is a polite way of saying that they have died. "A third that was sent out to investigate has gone missing, and has not made contact despite multiple attempts to reach her."

Nazri then says, "In order to try and stop any spread of concern of a inter-Faction dispute, it was decided to gather a team from different backgrounds and skill sets to go see what has gone wrong to end up with two of our number deceased."

Chejop leans forward in his seat to once more take charge of the meeting. "Needless to say, this is an important assignment that must be handled with care. I trust that the five of you will be able to work together in this?"