RP [The Silent Horizon] (TSENLAN/YSE) Compassion

AKINA, Bard Cluster, YSE​

Asarthotar City​

Orphanage for Children of the Craethel War​

As the children sang their sweet song where they greeted each other good morning at the start of classes. Their teacher and house mother took a paper notebook from her desk and carried it over to where the children had gathered. When their joyful song ended they quieted down, as their teacher opened the book. "We are going to do something special today, you get this morning off your mathematics class, and we're going to read a story. The teacher said, the hood of her simple white sholar robe pulled up with some of her platinum strands exposed. Unlike most their teacher didn't arrive on one of the leviathans, rather she had come to the International Relations Conference with Nira and just remained behind when he left. When she was hired, no one had really questioned her, it was not like there was a line of people who wanted to take care of these children scarred by a violent and nightmarish war.

One of the children raised her hand, and the teacher pointed in her direction, "Miss Aynu? What kind of a story is it?" there was some chatter in the group after her question was asked, mostly among the older ones, they were probably too old for storytime.

"It is an important story of something no one but those who know it are very special..." Miss Aynu replied and pulled her hood back, he triple pointed ears blended into her platinum blonde hair. "Alright class we will begin now..." she said.

The class went silent as Miss Aynu began to read the story.

"Not long ago, in a place far far away...."

In the heart of the verdant realm, where emerald canopies kissed the azure skies, lay the ethereal riverside village of Lilmgroth. As dawn broke upon its cobblestone paths, the symphony of nature awakened: the melodious trill of songbirds harmonized with the rhythmic gurgle of the winding river, while the ancient waterwheel of the mill whispered tales of forgotten lore. The gentle caress of boats tethered to the dock provided a soothing backdrop to the whispers of the lush forest that enveloped the settlement.

Smoke, a gentle wisp of morning haze, danced gracefully from the chimneys of the meticulously crafted wooden abodes. Each dwelling stood as a testament to elven craftsmanship, their elegant designs blending seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. Fragrant tendrils of cherry and apple wood mingled in the air, interlaced with the tantalizing aroma of freshly baked breads and pastries that permeated from the bustling kitchens of early risers.

At the edge of the rippling river, where the waters whispered secrets to the ancient stones, there resided a sprightly old gnome named Padum. With a twinkle in his eye and a boundless energy that belied his age, Padum was a fixture in the riverside village of Lilmgroth, known for his penchant for mischief and his heart of gold.

On this particular morning, as the sun began its ascent above the horizon, Padum found himself embroiled in a most peculiar predicament. At the water's edge lay Tetsuya, a young traveler between worlds that he had encountered several times before had succumbed to exhaustion and found himself face-down in the mud, his form motionless and his breath shallow. Undeterred by the sight before him, Padum sprang into action, his diminutive frame darting about with the agility of a woodland sprite. With a mischievous grin plastered across his weathered face, he approached Tetsuya, his voice a cacophony of joviality as he attempted to rouse the unconscious traveler from his muddy slumber.

"Oi there, sleepyhead!" Padum exclaimed, his voice carrying over the gentle murmur of the river. "Time to rise and shine, my friend! Can't have you napping in the mud all day, now can we? Someone is going to notice you!" With a gentle nudge and a hearty chuckle, Padum endeavored to awaken Tetsuya from his unintended repose, his spirited antics serving as a beacon of levity in an otherwise tranquil morning by the riverside.

Meanwhile....not very far away

The day had started off like most days in her life, the sun peeking through the slightly parted curtain just enough to wake her, the sound of the chirping birds greeting her back into the world of the living leaving behind the dream land she escapes to each night. Stretching beneath her covers, the young elf finds that it was particularly difficult this morning to get herself out of bed, the soft feathers of her pillows assuming the role of quicksand as her body only continued to sink into them. It was only the thought of Bella’s nagging voice that caused her finally will herself to rise.

Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Ves took little time to get ready for the day, slipping out of the thin night dress she wore every night and into a heavier, thicker outfit that protected her from the pricks and sticks in the woods, her morning destinations. Before leaving her bedroom, she pauses in front of the mirror that hangs in the corner of her room, holding back a snort as she catches sight of her pale pink hair in crazed curls, something she couldn’t even blame on the bedhead for her hair always had a mind of its own. Doing her best to pile it into a neat bun that rests on the top of her head, Ves slips out of her room and home without managing to interact with anyone else, a happy feat.

From here, her day was ordinary…grabbing breakfast from a nearby fruit tree, waving to the other early risers as they passed her on the main road, only to spend the rest of the morning scavenging for wild mushrooms and flowers, knowing her family’s stall was lacking such things. By the time high noon hit, the bag that bounced on her hip was heavy and full, a sign of a good day's work. Knowing she would need to head to the market place soon, Ves makes a point to take a scenic route, walking along the river's edge, admiring the way the sun danced upon the surface. Her steps slow down as she draws out the time it takes to get to her destination, knowing what awaits her once she joins up with her family… Up ahead she hears a voice, her long ears twitching a bit as she catches half of the conversation being had, or rather the only half for it seems as if the dwarf up ahead was speaking to no one at first, Ves not noticing the man that was laying in mud.

The story continued, and the children listened carefully.

Little did they know...the story they heard was not fiction at all...

Authors: Andrew and Chi

Click to expand...

Page after page, Miss Aynu read from the Epic of the Starlost Lovers, the tale of two star-crossed souls journeying together across space and time on the greatest adventure. The story held the young children spellbound, and she'd nearly lost track of time when the lunch bell chimed. She paused at the end of a page, closing the book with a warm smile. "Time certainly flies when we read together. Pair up with your buddies and head to the fountain~hands and faces clean before lunch!" she called out. The bell chimed again, and the children lined up, their chatter spilling into the hall as they headed off to wash up. Lunch was taken care of by the orphanage’s volunteers, which left Aynu a rare moment to herself.

She slipped the book back into her desk and locked it, then looked up to see her son standing in the doorway. He was tall, draped in a striking white Maejaes Vyrdi, shimmering with gold patterns that wound up to the hood like delicate vines. Aynu's face brightened at the sight of him. “Tog! You could’ve come in sooner,” she greeted with a chuckle. “No need to be shy; only a few bite, and they know better than to do it in here.” Tog pushed his hood back, revealing platinum hair and calm blue eyes mirroring her own, their unique triple-pointed ears marking their heritage unmistakably. Their gazes met in a moment of quiet reunion, and then he spoke, eager and hurried. “She’s here. Come on, while the kids are at lunch, we can talk.” Tog glanced back down the hall as he added, “Didn’t want to interrupt. I was hoping you’d get to my part, but the bell beat me to it.”

Sen'quellari slipped into the room a moment later, a quiet presence cloaked in black Maejaes Vyrdi with silver accents that matched Tog’s. She lowered her hood, her neatly kept blue hair framing her face, her pointed ears adorned with gold and jeweled clips. On her neck, a tattooed glyph for "jihyli"~ Nira'las script for "love" ~added a traditional touch that was rare in her appearance, which remained as fiercely elegant as it was defiant. She dipped her head respectfully toward Aynu before sharing a meaningful look with Tog, who leaned over to give her a gentle kiss on the cheek. “Apologies, love,” he murmured before turning back to close the door. The cheerful glint in his eyes dimmed as he faced his mother, stepping up to her desk.

“Mother, Artemesia was supposed to arrive last night. She never got on her transport.” He hesitated, glancing toward Sen before leaning against the desk. “This isn’t like her; something’s happened.” Sen joined him, her own face shadowed with worry as she added, “No trace from our watchers on Noria either. We can assume Vaelaris and his lot were involved. They’re still hunting us and our allies. Another day or so, and we may have to consider the worst.” Sen’s voice was grim, a voice long-tried by endless pursuit since the fall of their former institution, the toll of which showed faintly in her weary expression.

Aynu listened with her eyes closed, the weight of their news settling over her. “She’s strong. Artemesia wouldn’t go quietly. Let’s not lose hope yet. She’s always had an edge, always another way out. We can’t react rashly~keeping safe here is the priority. This is our sanctuary. Tsenlan and Yamatai are secure, and we don’t want 'his' eyes following us here.” She braced herself, shaking off the need to dwell on things she couldn’t change. “We move forward,” she said firmly. “What about Adrin and his rebels? Do our watchers think it’s safe to reach out, or should we hold until they arrive?”

Asarthortar Palace​

Tsenlan (Akina), Yamatai Star Empire

"Mother, are you sure about this?" Tog asked, his voice low and heavy with concern as they approached the grand steps leading to the palace’s towering doors. His hand hovered near hers, a silent plea for caution. "There are no guarantees they won’t just arrest you outright. Without Tetsuya as a leader, our assurances of protection since the church’s fall are... uncertain at best," he continued, his eyes searching hers for any sign of doubt.

Unya turned to face him, her expression resolute despite the forced smile that tugged at her lips. She placed a gentle hand on his cheek, her touch steadying them both. "The promise was that all who came here would be safe," she said softly but firmly. "I am choosing to trust that this promise extends beyond just the Norian people. Aelya is Tetsuya's sister—she knows what that bond means. I have to believe she will honor that promise, even after all that has happened with the church. These people may no longer see us as divine, but I still have faith in their sense of justice and honor." She withdrew her hand, her gaze lingering on Tog’s for a moment before she lifted her hood, exposing her face and the twin points of her ears.

Without another word, she turned and climbed the steps with deliberate grace, her footsteps echoing in the quiet of the palace’s outer courtyard. At the top, she stopped before a stern-faced security guard. His initial reaction betrayed a flicker of recognition—her face was one he had only ever seen in statues and holo-archives from Noria, back when the church still stood. Unya inclined her head slightly, her voice calm yet commanding. "I am here to request an audience with your Aester, Aelya Eitan."

The guard blinked, visibly taken aback, but his training quickly reasserted itself. He activated his commlink, speaking into it with a low, measured tone. "There’s a visitor requesting an audience with the Aester. She’s not on the schedule, but… I strongly recommend the Aester sees her." After a brief pause, the guard nodded at the response coming through his earpiece. Turning back to Unya, he said, "Please wait here. They will determine if the Aester is available to see you."

With that, he stepped back into position beside the doors, his posture returning to rigid formality. Unya remained where she stood, her calm exterior masking the storm of anticipation swirling beneath. Tog, lingering a step behind, studied her with a mix of admiration and unease. For better or worse, the next moments would test the promise she had chosen to believe in.

Asarthortar Palace - Quorum Offices​

Tsenlan (Akina), Yamatai Star Empire

Aelya was in her quorum office when she received a notification from Trinua Ajai that guests had arrived. Shortly after that Kytas passed along the guards message, it seemed quite important. The Aester's interest was piqued, she opened the attachment from SPHIIR and her eyes shot wide open. That face! It was the very same as the one who had been presented to her as Aynu at the International Relations Conference earlier that year. Though she did not recognize the platinum haired man that stood with her, who was he? There was a complex issue at hand that she did not have a lot of time to ponder. Why did they come here? What risk do they pose to us? Either way there was a risk with both decisions at hand. Let them in to have the audience they requested and see what happened? There was a lot of trust in that path, that they would do no harm to those within Asarthortar Palace walls. Tetsuya promised that all who came to Tsenlan would be safe, would they respect that or were they here to cause problems? On the other hand, what would happen if they were turned away?

There was only one answer, the risks were worth what stood to be gained from allowing them in. "Kytas, take Vasati and escort them to the Ysi Conference Room. Have extra personnel ready to enact emergency plans if this goes sideways. If Cheol is able to make it, then he may excuse Vasati" Aelya vespered to Kytas. "Yes, Aester. Will have the elite force ready incase this goes ary. Let's hope it does not take that path." Kytas responded through vesper. As of yet the pair posed no obvious threat to anyone, but given what the Church of the Builders had done to her people she would always be wary. Especially if parties to it showed up at her doorstep. Aelya was not sure where Cheol was at the moment, but if he was in the palace she would want him in on this. She shot off a message to Cheol, "You around? Unya showed up, we'll be meeting in the Ysi Conference Room. If you are available or want to attend."

"Well this is certainly going to be interesting," Aelya thought as she stood. She swiftly vespered an order to the kitchens "Chef we need an assortment of snacks and beverages brought to the Ysi Conference Room, VIP Package." With a thoughtful pause she gathered herself and centered on what Tsenlan's purpose was. She would have to put her personal feelings aside and do whatever it took to fulfill that purpose. That also meant she would do whatever it took to keep the people of Akina-Tsenlan safe, no matter what. Aelya folded her hands in front of her at waist level, her pale skin standing out against the background of black uniform. She walked briskly towards the Ysi Conference Room which was just a few minutes walk away, it was just outside of the Quorum offices and a separately secured area in and of itself. Vulre followed shortly behind her on the right side with Chanyeol to his left. Vulre had arranged for an emergency contingent as well to appear if need be, in addition to Kytas' elite forces.

Chanyeol knew heavy was the burden that now plagued the Aester's thoughts as the group walked in silence. First they found out that not only were there survivors of the Craethel War, but those survivors thrived as the United Norian Imperium. An unexpected twist that pulled Tetsuya back to serve as Jol'Aestaesys and left Cheol in charge of Tsenlan. Then Cheol was called to serve in a different way, as Director of Transuniversal Operations with the Star Army of Yamatai. This left Aelya, who never expected to find herself in such a position, as Aester of Tsenlan. All this within the span of a year, topped with the fact that her beloved brother had perished under less than kosher circumstances. The doors to the Ysi Conference room opened and the party of three made their way in to await other arrivals.

Asarthortar Palace - Outer Courtyard​

Kytas stood in her black uniform with green paneling while she signaled for the doors to open. She stood with Vasati on the other side, "Let them in," Kytas vespered to the guards and watched as the guards parted to allow Unya and the male through. "Welcome to Asarthortar Palace, the Aester is ready to see you. We will be heading to the Ysi Conference Room. Please let me know if there is anything you need." Vasati said warmly as both women offered an open-handed cross-chested salute, as Unya had rendered this honor to the Tsenlanese party at the IRC it was seen that they should do so now as Unya arrived to the palace. Kytas watched with an unemotional expression after etiquettes had been exchanged and signaled the door to close. "The Aester is ready to see you, if you would follow me please." Vasati echoed in a welcoming tone as Kytas led them towards the conference room. Vasati positioned herself to walk beside them in such a way as to convey that they were welcome guests. If they chose to chat she was readily open to it, but chose not to pry as any questions from her would likely lead to something best said behind closed doors.

Asarthortar Palace - Ysi Conference Room​

The doors opened to reveal a dimly lit room with all black facades. Its lighting adjusted per Aelya's command to levels more suitable for outside guests. A long black rectangular table in the center with several adjustable black chairs along either side. At the far end of the room a black chair was positioned, identical to those that ran along the sides. The palace chef was already inside setting up beverages with several members of his staff. Aelya smiled, a look rarely seen since all of the events that had unfolded.
"Thank you Chef," she vespered to him while she walked to the head of the table. "Give my thanks to your crew for getting this done so swiftly. I would like to chat with you about something after this if you are available." she added in private vesper. "Yes Aester, I am available whenever you need," he responded.

Aelya sat softly at the head of the table, Chanyeol sat to her left as to leave room for guests to sit on the right side. Vulre stood just to the right behind Aelya's chair, waiting to see which other participants would join them. Unless Aelya or Cheol specified otherwise he would likely remain where he was. Though it was yet to be seen if the Senator would be available for this last minute gathering. As the initial party settled, the chef left two of his crew behind to aid with serving or conveyance of additional requests.

Once more the doors opened to the conference room, Kytas entered first. All seated at the table stood to welcome Unya and her guest. Kytas rendered a norian salute in respect to her Aester, which Aelya returned in kind. After saluting, Kytas stepped to the side and remained by the door. Vasati stepped through, having rendered a salute at the same time as Kytas. "Aester, may I present our guests." she said in a professional tone with a volume that could be heard by all present. "Welcome, please sit." Aelya said warmly gesturing to both sides of the table that had open seating. "Help yourselves to some beverages and small delights if you are hungry. If there is anything else you require we can have the chef bring it up." she said as she switched to vesper Unya. "If you would like a more private audience, I can have most of them leave." she vespered with a respectful connotation to the woman she knew formerly as a builder.

Asarthortar Palace - Outer Courtyard to Ysi Conference Room​

Unya looked around the courtyard, observing the unique flowers she was unfamiliar with as she waited. When Vasati approached, and asked her to follow she said quietly in Nira'las, "Thaunr wie.'" ("Thank you") Tog didn't follow, he said quietly, "I will wait here mother, this courtyard is beautiful. You know to call me if you need me." Although it had been years since the church fell apart, Unya felt uneasy as she followed through the halls to the conference room. She had no idea if the behind-closed-doors agreement that had been made with Tetsuya would be honored anymore. She stopped outside the conference room for a moment and just closed her eyes. She took a deep breath in and slowly let it out before she entered the conference room. Since her arrival on Akina after the IRC, the Espra had kept to herself and to the orphans in her care.

Cheol unfortunately was on Yamatai, but he did respond that he intended to take the next PAINT back to Akina. Aelya could handle this, if anyone could it would be her who would make the right decisions.

When Unya entered the room, she took in her surroundings. The dark walls, the embellishments of gold. It reminded her of Tetsuya's tastes in architecture, the spurred emotion she buried deep. She had never had any direct dealings with Aelya, yet she knew that her and Tetsuya had been close as that he often spoke of her. She stood before the Aester and crossed right arm across her chest, with her palm open as that she was not military. She then bowed deeply and said, "I appreciate your willingness to receive me, Aester." She then sat down in the comfortable seat and rested her back against the back of the chair. "Thank you for the offer of food and drink, it looks lovely. Perhaps we should talk first," Unya said. She was surprised the Aelya knew that their kind could vesper as well, she couldn't help but think that Nira had something to do with that. //"You may have as many people as you think you require. My son is waiting out in the courtyard -- exploring the beautiful trees and flowers that have been planted there.

Even when the Church of the Espra was abolished Unya had not been vengeful or plotted against the Norians. She didn't blame them for their realization about them - they had been ready for it several years before. The Craethel War with Morrgho had cost the Norians so much and she blamed herself for all of it. Now there had been another turn of events, one of her own was missing and unaccounted for and she didn't want to wait anymore to see if the resourceful Eitan before her knew anything about it. "Tsenlan is beautiful Aester, you have truly built a pleasant and peaceful home here. I hope that y revealed presence will not stir up trouble....we didn't have anywhere else to go. Vaelaris is insane and is hunting us. He already killed my daughter Niratheya and my other daughter Artemesia is still missing and didn't board the transport she was supposed to arrive on," Unya explained the situation the best she could, she couldn't imagine what the Norians in the room thought of the former Builder sitting there with tears locked in her eyes asking humbly for a Norian Aester for help.

Hopefully Tsenlan was all that it promised to be. She anxiously awaited Aelya's answer. The length of a breath felt like an eternity while she kept her emotions under control the best she could.