Another Day, Another Democracy|Sensatia

[Darastrix]

Nagi sighed as he and his group teleported into Sensatia. His feelings about his impending fatherhood (three??) had gone down from blind panic to a quietly churning sense of anxiety. He wasn't totally sure he'd be able to concentrate well on his conversations with Master Thelon, but on the other hand, the work might give him something else to focus on. Plus, there were so many different ways to relax in Sensatia. This had to be better than spending the summer worrying in Khelek.

"I really hope nothing 'interesting' happens on this trip," he murmured to himself.

Crawford raised his brows, but didn't comment. Nagi and Locket had had a run of poor timing with the places they'd visited. Plague, a murder, and a kidnapped noble.

~'Master' Thelon,~ Crawford sent, doing the mental equivalent of choking out Sensatia's choice of title, ~Their Highnesses of the Khelek Crystalands have arrived in Sensatia.~

[Kender Bard]

~If my title is so burdensome to speak, then you may refer to me as 'Elder' or 'Master Elder'~ Thelon told Crawford. ~As the Fires do.~

Next to Nagi, Locket silently held his hand. Since the news, she'd been oscillating between a sort of forced optimism and subdued silence. She was deeply troubled, but didn't like knowing that it bothered others, so she tried to lighten up spirits where she could, when she could. Other times she lapsed, as she did for the moment, into her own thoughts.

Nalani stepped a little closer to her and softly brushed her fingertips over the back of Locket's other hand in wordless support. It brought a faint smile to Locket's face; the two girls had become closer friends and some of the support that Nalani offered only strengthened the new friendship.

~I wanna go say hello to Libre!~ Harmony insisted to her mother. Filly pat her softly.

~Hush for now.~

Thelon appeared to them after a moment. "Welcome to Sensatia, Prince and Princess," he greeted, bowing low to them. His eyes flickered over Locket but he didn't register a look of surprise, even if he was. "And may I offer my congratulations to this unexpected sight."

"Thank you," Locket murmured softly.

"Come, to comfort," Thelon said and touched the two signs on his forehead, teleporting them all to his home, specifically to a sitting room that seemed already prepared for them. "Please, sit, make yourselves comfortable. Tell me how Khelek fares."

[Darastrix]

~I apologise if I have given offense, Elder Thelon,~ Crawford said as he waited on Locket and Filly to take their seats before following suit. ~I mean no slight against you; it's simply that the title of "master" does not carry pleasant associations.~

Nagi waited until Locket had gotten settled to sit beside her. "It's been thankfully quiet since last fall," he told Thelon. "At the end of summer, Amastar was attacked by raiders from Fireteeth. Rebuilding has been going well, and we haven't heard anything from them since."

[Kender Bard]

"Raiders?" Thelon repeated, taking his own seat. He teleported his quill and some parchment to himself and began to scribble something down. "That's terrible. I'm glad they have not given you further grief."

One of the few servants in Thelon's household entered the room and wordlessly offered them all refreshments--and a cookie for Harmony, who wolfed it down with glee.

"Well, we'll discuss that in more depth later," Thelon said. "I look forward to teaching you what I can. Our lands have more in common than meets the eye. Both of our people are, by history, reclusive. Here." He held the parchment out to Nagi. "A gift to parenthood. The comforts of my city are at the free disposal of you both while you stay. I do hope you find time to enjoy yourselves."

[Darastrix]

"Thank you, Master Thelon," Nagi murmured as he accepted the parchment. "Truth be told, we have been looking forward to taking advantage of some of the services Sensatia offers."

[Kender Bard]

"Then by all means, do," Thelon encouraged with a smile. "I have guest rooms prepared but I'm afraid I don't have enough space for all of you to have a separate room. Would the ladies mind terribly sharing accommodations? I've only three spare rooms. The beds are quite large and comfortable though."

Nalani glanced at Filly and shook her head. "I don't mind."

"Nor I," Filly agreed.

Harmony made a face and said nothing. Thelon grinned faintly. Perhaps he could ask Flame if she would let Harmony sleep in her room whenever she was at Fira.

"As a brief overview of some of the things to come, I thought that I would show you some of my daily goings-on," Thelon explained to Nagi. "Furthermore, I would like to later introduce you to my advisers after better explaining their jobs in detail. I also have quite a number of books of political theory at my disposal. You may, of course, borrow them as much as you like during your stay. I've also considerable patronage with the local Thuothian wing here, and I'm sure that they'd be happy to share their resources as well if you find my personal library lacking in any way."

~That should be pleasing to Nagi~ Filly murmured to Locket, who'd started grinning knowingly as soon as Thelon mentioned books.

[Darastrix]

Nagi was listening to what Thelon was telling him, of course, but when Thelon said "books," he sat up a little straighter and his eyes seemed to light up with renewed interest. "I'd like that very much," he said. "Any history texts would be appreciated as well." Politics and a nation's history did tend to go hand-in-hand, after all.

[Kender Bard]

"Oh you'll be pleased with what I have," Thelon chuckled, seeming to show a different, more friendly side of himself as he did. "I'm fond of history as well. Granted, most of it is chronicled history of the Minds, but, well, it's good reading." He shared a small, almost secret grin with Nagi. ~And I have a gift for you, too, in regards to my books.~ His smile faded into a speculative look. ~I hope you won't take offence; it does come from Morilanta.~ He teleported it into his hands and offered it to Nagi.

The title was very plain: Discourses on Tyranny

~Very fascinating read~ Thelon added, quickly. ~Philisophically speaking. I received it as a gift myself, in fact. I highly doubt you'll be taking your education to Morilanta, and they probably wouldn't tell you the truth anyway. As far as I can tell, that book is as close to true Morilantan politics as can be.~

[Darastrix]

Nagi stared at the cover for a moment, feeling a vague sense of discomfort at being presented with something from his former homeland. It was just a book, but the concepts in it....

They shouldn't be forgotten or ignored, or else they could just crop up again anyway.

~You are right; I have no intention of ever setting foot in Morilanta again,~ Nagi finally said. ~I...may be able to tell you how close to the truth it comes, though. I was brought into Lucifer's household in Old Morilanta when I was very young.~

He accepted the book, and added, ~And it is as important to be aware of what paths one doesn't want to take as well as the paths one does. Thank you.~

[Kender Bard]

Thelon let out the breath he was holding and gave Nagi a small nod. ~You and I think alike in that respect. It's why I read it. Studied it. I can tell you honestly that the things written in there chill me to the very bone... not for its brutality which was expected.~ He grew slightly tense. ~But because.. of how seductively logical it all is. It's terrifying because it makes sense. But it is invaluabley instructive and, at the very least, a good thing to know if you ever find yourself growing hostile with Morilanta. With Nissar's death, I no longer fear that but for Khelek, with your proximity, the threat is always there. Use the knowledge well.~

Relaxing again, he smiled apologetically to the non-Minds. Locket and Nalani didn't seem to care; they were both very use to sudden mental conversations springing up.

"Well, I'll let you all relax and enjoy the beautiful day," Thelon concluded, rising. He pointed out their rooms; they were just down the hallway from their current room. "If it's not too soon, I'd like to start work with you tomorrow, Nagi. But I hope today you can all find peace and relaxation at the skilled hands of my people. If you need me, call out, but I may not be here. I'm hoping to bring my wife and children home from Fira so I'll have to go there to get them."

"Libre's not here?" Harmony cried out in dismay.

"Not right now," Thelon told her.

Damnit, Harmony thought sulkily. Filly pat her on the shoulder gently.

Locket plucked lightly at Nagi's sleeve. "Hot springs?" she asked hopefully.

[Darastrix]

Nagi gave Locket a small smile and nodded. He remembered the hot spring from the last time he'd been in Sensatia, and he'd enjoyed them very much.

"Tomorrow will be fine, Master Thelon," he replied, rising as well.

[Kender Bard]

Thelon gave a smile and nod and abruptly teleported away.

Filly glanced at Crawford. ~Do you have any plans for how to spend your leisure time?~

"I'm going to the temple," Harmony declared, standing.

Nalani looked at Locket and figured she'd prefer to spend time with Nagi. "May I come?" she asked lightly. Harmony looked a bit surprised but nodded, taking Nalani's hand and teleporting, remembering the place from the last time she'd been here.

"Do you mind teleporting us?" Locket asked Nagi.

[Darastrix]

~Not any firm plans, no,~ Crawford said. ~I do want to pay Mikasi a visit at some point, however. Even I can look at a cut and decide how well it's healed, but I don't think I can with my mind.~


"Of course not," Nagi replied, and took her hand to take them to the hot springs' building's entrance.

[Kender Bard]

~If you don't mind, I'd like to go with you, at least for a while~ Filly suggested, still speaking telepathically even though they were alone now. She did let her guard down a bit and smile sweetly at him. ~To remind him of my interests in learning under him.~

"It looks bigger," Locket remarked in surprise. The springs had expanded in the back, where they wouldn't crowd against their neighbors so much. She headed inside; a blonde woman with a business-like smile and wearing a sontief was writing at a desk, occasionally looking to one of a few hourglasses with varying amounts of sand in them. She glanced up at the couple and paused in her writing. "Welcome to Hotsoak. How might we serve?"

[Darastrix]

Crawford nodded. "That's fine," he said. "I think I would rather walk than teleport. As I recall, it's not a great distance from here."

---

How might they serve? It was just a bunch of hotspring rooms. Or at least, that's what it had been last time.

"Have you added other services?" Nagi asked, looking a bit puzzled. "We've both been here before, but it was a few years ago."