AVB: Fluttering Fanatics

[hustlertwo]

Jeriah or DM only, all others will be sent to swab out Jasper's litterbox.

The girl walks along in silence, taking in everything as you go to your temple.

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I'm not sure what temple that is, though. Need your sheet link.

[Jeriah]

So... I hadn't really intended to head back so soon, so tell me why you want to fly so much.

The two travel rather slowly, as Flutter flies at only 10ft/round.

[hustlertwo]

"Well first off, it's cool. You have to see that. All these walls in the city don't mean anything to you. You can go wherever you want, do whatever you want, and no one can stop you.

Besides, it's definitely something different. And in my life, anything different would be good."

[Jeriah]

Oh, walls mean a lot to me. They're very important. They show boundaries and property and they give privacy. Violating that would be wrong.

I fly as I do mostly because my legs aren't very strong, and I can't keep up with bigger people like you walking. When I fly, I'm as tall as everyone else, and they at least notice me and move at my pace rather than leaving me behind... I don't fly very high though... I'm afraid of heights...

[hustlertwo]

She shakes her head firmly.

"I'm not afraid of anything, especially heights. I'll fly so high that this whole stupid city will look like a speck."

[hustlertwo]

As you consider the girl's impassioned (and slightly immature) outburst, you see your old friend Father Jereboam out in front of the smallish temple that currently serves the believers of the Amensian Pantheon. Though it lacks the awe-inspiring size or dazzling opulence found in the grand structures for Pelor and the other high-profile deities, there is a core group of loyal worshippers there at almost all hours. Today is no exception. Jereboam is tending the garden growing outside the temple with half a dozen of his flock, gathering up the produce to bolster your meals in the near future. Any left over will likely be sold to bolster the temple's coffers, or distributed to Amensian parishioners in need.

He sees you floating toward him, and waves a silent greeting before returning to his weeding.

[Jeriah]

Well, we're here. What would you like to see?

[hustlertwo]

"I dunno. You're the one who knows what there is to see."

[Jeriah]

Well, the main meeting hall is there, there's a garden there where the Father is working, and there's a small building out back where the priests live. It's not much, especially compared to temples like Pelor's, but our gods are primarily worshiped in more distant lands...

We are growing though.

[hustlertwo]

"And to learn how to fly, would I need to move in here, or just become a regular member of the temple.

And...what is it you worship, anyway? I guess I should have asked before, I just got a little distracted by your...well, you know."

She gestures to you as you float beside her.

[Jeriah]

By my incredible beauty? Yeah, that happens sometimes. She says that with a grin and a wink.

Well, you don't have to live here, but you would want to join us and train to become a cleric of the Amensians. The Amensians are a group of gods who form a small pantheon, an alliance if you will, dedicated towards preserving order and protecting the world from divine threats, such as evil gods trying to raise armies of mortals to conquer or destroy the world.

[hustlertwo]

Her eyes widen.

"You do all that? Wow. What armies have you stopped?"

[Jeriah]

Oh, I've personally never been in a war, but my adoptive father gave his life in the last big one. That's why I dedicated myself to the gods, to serve in his place. I'm not very strong, so I ended up here in Aldhaven to help spread the faith and tend to those who have been hurt. It may not be as glamorous, but I enjoy it, and it needs to be done.

[hustlertwo]

She listens intently.

"Sounds a little scary, dying just for a god. But I think I'm ready to join. I've never seen people like you, who spend so much time and effort trying to make everyone better. Seems like a good way to be."

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Is Fillian ready for the Fight Night? I PMed you the link to the thread a couple days ago.

[Jeriah]

He actually died defending children against The Orphanage. It... sounds bad, but it was actually a very good cause...

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Well, it's only about two weeks late, but...

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY AVB!!!!


Anyone who sees this and quotes it in their thread before midnight on Jan 30th gets a free 100XP.

[hustlertwo]

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Go ahead and toss that sweet, sweet XP on your sheet.

"Yeah, I'm guessing that it wasn't an actual orphanage. I think if you're ready, I'd like to meet the Father."

She gestures to Jereboam, still working in the garden.

[Jeriah]

Right then.

She leads the girl over to Father Jereboam.

Father, I have someone here I'd like you to meet.

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Cue the DM talking to himself.

[hustlertwo]

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Well, I already do that all the time in my PC thread with Wilstaff and Bennett, so I guess I've had plenty of practice.

The father looks up from his labors and smiles broadly at your approach.

Ho there, my dear Flutter. I see your excursion into the city has been fruitful. Who is the new arrival?

He extends his hand, and the girl shakes it.

"My name is Lucrezia, but everyone calls me Lu. Except my parents, who never seemed to mind the name they stuck me with."

A flash of concern crosses his face; the new arrival doesn't notice it, but you have spent too many years with the man for this to go unnoticed.

Lucrezia....a fine, distinctive name to be sure. But Lu seems to suit you better. And what is it you wish from us?

"I...I think I want to join you here. This is exactly the sort of thing my life's been missing up to this point."

I can already tell you would be a fine addition to our fold, Lu. I'm looking forward to the rites to make you an official member of the congregation. But if you'll excuse me a moment, this sun is brutal, and I need to spend a moment in the shade before we discuss such weighty matters. Feel free to spend this time meeting a few of our other pantheon worshipers.

He gestures to those working around him. After she turns, he silently motions for you to follow him to the nearby tree where he sits down and fans himself.

[Jeriah]

Flutter flutters along to help fan the fanatical priest. The flitting breeze her fluttering produces is fantastic.

[hustlertwo]

As soon as you reach him he whispers to you while fanning himself in a rather overly theatrical fashion.

Your recruiting drive has reeled in a whopper this time, dear child. There's only one female human I know of in this city with that unfortunate name. Her parents are extremely major supporters of the Temple of Kord...and the amounts we're talking about are not those earned by honest labor. Simply put, Lucrezia is the daughter of a suspected gangster.

I have never turned away a believer in need, and I have no intention of doing so now. But I must ask if you are ready to accept the dangers that may arise from people knowing who it was that led Lu away from her family's path.

[Jeriah]

Huh. I don't know what to think about that. What do you suggest, Father?

[hustlertwo]

As I said, turning away those who wish our guidance and aid is not something I would normally do. And it's not as if the Kord followers don't tend to despise us anyhow. This may simply cause that simmering resentment to break out into naked aggression. I just want you to understand that this aggression could be directed your way.

[Jeriah]

Ah, I see. You're concerned for their safety.

[hustlertwo]

No, I'm concerned for YOUR saf-

He stops and laughs.

OK, fine, you got me on that one. Point taken. Go take the new convert to her quarters.

[Jeriah]

We're going to house her at the temple? Do we have room for her? I thought we were pretty well full...

[hustlertwo]

Roomwise, yes. But there's a spare bed in storage, and some of the rooms are built large enough for double occupancy.

His eyes have a devilish gleam.

In fact...I believe your room is one of those, isn't it? And seeing as how she's already become so attached to you...

[Jeriah]

...

Flutter just stares at him for a moment.

I never have understood your since of humor, Jereboam. What do you really suggest?

[hustlertwo]

I'm saying meet your new roommate. You are a paragon of the values we hold dear, and your devout faith is an inspiration to us all. I can hardly think of someone better to mentor this child into becoming a full member of our congregation.

Go to her, and tell her the good news. I think I actually will remain here a moment more, these bones are not as spry as they once were.

[Jeriah]

Flutter hovers a moment, silent. She then returns to the girl.

Apparently, the father wants you to be my new roommate if you stay with us. If you would rather stay at home in your own bed and with your family though, there is no problem with you only coming during the days to learn.

[hustlertwo]

She looks enthused at the prospect of staying with you, until you actually show her the quarters you'd be sharing.

"Actually...I think I'll be fine just coming in to study. It's not that far to walk, and hopefully before too long I won't have to walk it at all, right?"

You hear her mutter under her breath "...wow, I think my closet is bigger than this..."