Lessons in Love|Neo'anar | New Anarlina

[Kender Bard]

"I'm glad as well," Snow enthused quietly, rising. "Is there anything I can assist you with now that you understand our culture a little bit? Or just in general?"

[Darastrix]

"What does your faith have to say in the case of unrequited love?" he asked softly, rising as well.

[Kender Bard]

Snow's gaze softened sadly. "That if your love is not returned, perhaps the best course of happiness is to find a different kind of love to share. All love is sacred, Zira. Be it romantic, or merely friendship. After all, as long as it is deep and true, happiness can be found either way. And, in time, the hurt will fade."

[Darastrix]

Zira nodded. "I've felt the same way. But in the meantime, I can still hope, can't I?"

[Kender Bard]

"Yes you can," Snow agreed. "And perhaps things will turn around yet. Etaf only knows."

[Darastrix]

"Aye," Zira said, smiling faintly. "I can see why Zack would decide to settle here. Is there a shrine of temple to the other Forces here as well?"

[Kender Bard]

Snow gave a little nod of her head. "The lesser temple is adjoined with this one. I hope you will not be disappointed but it isn't much. We haven't had the money or resources to make anything more elaborate once our focus on the temple of love was complete. Would you like me to take you there now?"

[Darastrix]

"The trappings aren't really important," Zira said. "I'm sure the Forces can hear me just as well in a simple shrine as they could in an elaborate temple. I would like to see it, please."

[Kender Bard]

"You are right," Snow agreed, walking along and through a small corridor that adjoined a smaller room to the bulk of the temple. Inside, placed in a half circle, were the shrines to the remaining Forces - Evil absent, of course. "I'll leave you in peace," she murmured, backing out of the room to allow Zira entrance. "Perhaps I could rescue Dusk from Zack."

[Darastrix]

"I can't imagine a lady wanting 'rescue' from the dark bard of Talen'sul," Zira said in an amused tone as he stepped into the room. He bowed to each shrine in turn, bowing lower to Efil and even lower still to Thuoth, then moved to kneel before the Force of Thought.

[Kender Bard]

Snow took note of this, smiling with amusement at Zira's choice. She decided not to interrupt his worship with her pondering and so reminded herself silently to bring it up again later as she headed back to the heart of her temple to find Dusk and Zack.

[Darastrix]

An acolyte directed Snowflake to Zack and Dusk, who were in one of the smaller rooms off the main hall. The bard was seated straddling a chair with his head pillowed on his arms, which were folded across the chair back. Dusk stood behind him, fingers nimbly working the muscles of his shoulders. She smiled when she saw the priestess. "Oh, hello Snowflake."

Zack just rasied one hand in slightly greeting, not lifting his head. Dusk giggled at that. "Zack, are you going to fall asleep on me again?"

"I'm tryin'," came the muffled reply.

[Kender Bard]

Snowflake smiled, sitting down near Zack, facing him as she watched Dusk work. She always marveled that the priestess's fingerplay was almost a form of art. "So, I think I was able to provide your companion some measure of comfort and reassurance," she informed him. "He is currently in prayer, however."

[Darastrix]

"That's good," he murmured, lifting his head a bit to look at Snow through half-closed eyes. "I wanted Az' to be able to enjoy himself here without worrying about 'keeping up appearances.'"

Dusk tsked softly as she slid her hands around the bard's wings. "The poor dear."

"Yeah, he was just about a nervous wreck when I found out he preferred men. Thought I was going to end our friendship or something." He shook his head. "I could never do that to anyone, least of all Az'."

Zack closed his eyes and sighed. "Praying to Efil?" he asked Snow.

[Kender Bard]

"Thuoth," Snow corrected him with some surprise. "Why do you say Efil?" She cocked her head. "I thought you would have known of his preferences, though he did bow to Efil's shrine."