Armel is indeed sitting next to Aleksei, shaking his head slightly. "Nah, just should have bobbed instead of weaved, you know. And no you're not the best, he is." He waggles a hand toward Mathias, over there at the Disciple table. "For fighting, anyway." He doesn't comment on the 'weird' part, seeming at least a touch sympathetic for that. He glances around at all arriving, tipping a polite nod as he waits for it all to begin properly.

Gisele's smile actually tucks deeper when Mathias gives his apology. "No, no, it's alright. Mistress Gisele Aurum, Master Mathias. And I only have a little etiquette myself. Mother thought it best to learn, when Poppop became Archscholar," she confides, tilting a little towards the sellsword and pitching her voice low. "So we wouldn't embarass him." She might be trying to make a joke. Sadly, she is terrible with jokes. Also with compliments, which lead to her shaking her head slightly. "It was Vellichor's doing. I'm only his servant. But... thank you." Pause. "We do still have so much to learn about them don't we?"

While the Knights of Solace are known to be the Defensive arm of the Faith, it is the Knights of the Temple that guard the Rectory. And while this may be an open brunch for all members of the Faith, there is still a noticeable Templar presence to be had. A pair of them at nearly every entrance or exit, dressed in their white tabards and shiny armor. These are the honor guard of the Faith, and they snap to attention for each expected guest that comes through. These are the silent dinner guests that remain ready for trouble.

Aldwin has been talking quietly in a corner with the Grandmaster of the Templars, no doubt discussing some of the same things that have been a matter of discussion for the guests. Bringers in the City. But that conversation is ended and the berobed old man turns away and ambles towards the head of the Godsworn table, the sound of his staff on the floor making an audible rhythm for his steps that his slippers don't. He's smiling as normally he would - genuine, warm - and gives a few nods to those known to him. "Children of the Faith, as we serve the Compact each day of our lives, so we can serve ourselves in this hall." A hand gestures towards the side tables where food has been laid out in simple fair (arthenware crocks of oatmeal, loaves of bread, dishes of butter, containers of honey, some seasonal fruit, cheese, and even bacon). "Please, find your food and drinks hm?"

Prism steps into the main hall of the rectory. She leaves her staff leaning just to the side of the entryway, and then proceeds directly to the buffet table, before anyone else has a chance to form a line. She serves herself this and that, enough this and that to have a full plate by the time she turns on heel and looks out at the tables. Oh, choices! She looks simultaneously delighted and undecided.

In contrast to how carefully spruced up and fancy he has looked recently -- like when he dolled himself up for Aleksei's swearing in -- Aureth looks frankly awful. It's plain that he hasn't slept.

Sophie has joined the a tall table for disciples.

Aleksei's frown furrows deeper, and he looks over to consider Mathias with a critical eye. "Could probably beat him," he says with a shrug before Aldwin steps towards the table and announces brunch. He straightens in his seat, sliding out with another yawn, and then his mouth twitches in a smile when he catches Prism's entrance. He steps over towards her on his way to the sideboard, lowering his voice in a brief murmur, and then moves to pile up a plate. It's heavy on the bacon. He's a WARRIOR.

In contrast to how carefully spruced up and fancy he has looked recently -- like when he dolled himself up for Aleksei's swearing in -- Aureth looks frankly awful. It's plain that he hasn't slept. His hair has been twisted into a knot at the back of his head, out of the way. He gets -- a little fruit and bread on a plate and blinks at Prism with the first hint of smile that he's worn in hours. Since he and Aleksei are getting food around the same time, he fluffs his hair in passing on the way to dropping into a chair next to Gisele with like, enough force make the chair complain about it.

Aureth has joined the a tall table for disciples.

Prism clutches her plate tighter as Aleksei approaches, like she suspects him of coming for her own considerable helping of bacon. She whispers a quick response to him.

Armel smirks, remarking simply, "No you couldn't." He then rises as Aldwin makes his announcement, all too ready for that bacon as well. It'll be a wonder if there's any left for the others after those two are done. Hey, it's the meat available! But there is some bread and butter grabbed as well, of course. Can't be that greedy. He hums to himself as he moves away from the table, leaving a rather sizable dent in that poor meat supply.

Mathias smiles in response to Gisele. "Well met, Mistress Gisele." Joke or not, it does get a chuckle out of the man. "Reckon that was wise, some are terribly strict about proper etiquette." he grins. As to the Bringers... well, that does wipe SOME of his smiling off his face. "Perhaps we have. Would rather it be done purely in a historical manner, /after/ we've destroyed them all." He looks back to Aldwin when the Dominus speaks up, and does exactly as His Holiness decrees. Fighting Bringers dig an appetite. Though he does, for the sake of decorum, eat at a more leisurely and proper pace than he might normally do. He catches Aleksei's stare and arches a brow at the man, and Armel, as he figures out the subject of their discussion. "Are ye really setting me up for a duel?" he asks towards the Godsworn table.

Making his way over to her, Aldwin briefly sets his free hand on Gisele's shoulder, giving an affectionate squeeze. "Thank you for your assistance last night," he tells the Scholar. With that he goes to fetch hisown breakfast - which seems to be entirely oatmeal with some fruit and honey and a cup of tea. Seating himself back at the Godsworn table the Dominus smiles a bit more, watching the comraderie between the various fighters come to life at breakfast.

After looking between the two tables and waging some sort of fierce internal debate, Prism does at last take her plate to the godsworn table. She announces, once there, "I am going to sit here because the chair looks nice, but for the record I am not sworn to anything, I can't be, and I won't be." With that said, she settles primly and starts into her meal.

They have to move to get food? Poor sleepy Gisele. With Aldwin's pronouncement, she looks from Dominus to sideboard to Mathias-- oh hello Aureth. Blink blink. "You look terrible," is said with enough sympathy to (maybe) make it not an insult. It's alright, Aureth. She's looking bedraggled and puffy-eyed herself. The fellow's wrist is gently patted before she rises to go get herself some common fare. Just in time to have that quiet moment with Aldwin, whose words make her eyes shine as she smiles up at him. And then she trails, duckling-eager, to secure herself some of the same-- oatmeal, fruit and honey, a cup of tea. Simple fare that is settled at the disciple table with much less ruckus.

Prism has joined the a tall table for godsworn.

Aldwin has joined the a tall table for godsworn.

Aleksei /does/ include things that aren't bacon on his plate -- some of everything, really. (Is there coffee?) He looks over to Aureth with a crooked smile when his friend fluffs his hair, although his gaze perhaps falters a little /concerned/ for how /awful/ he looks. He sidles on back to his table and slides back into his seat between Armel and Prism. His lips twitch in a smile for Prism's words, and he glances over at Aldwin to see if he's going to protest. While digging into his brunch.

Aureth blocks a yawn with his fist. He huffs a breath past his nose as he slouches deeply in the chair. He doesn't-- actually seem that inclined to tackle his spoils; he has started to push a couple of pieces of fruit around his plate with his fingers like he's not entirely sure what to make of them. "I know," he says. When Gisele returns to the table, he adds, "Good morning," and then sniggers, for no discernible reason. His smile improves his general aspect, face-transformative as it tends to be; still, when it fades again, he looks drawn.

Armel tucks into his bacon and all the rest, probably snagging something to drink along the way, even if it's only water. He glances to Prism, but doesn't seem about to protest, glancing likewise to Aldwin and pretty well tossing that only at his feet. He is otherwise rather more interested in his dinner than general discussion at this point. Aleksei's plate gets an approving look, though.

"We are honored to have your company, Prism. Words or not, you have made your choice and we recognize it as devout as our own," Aldwin intones. He picks up a spoon and stirs his oatmeal around. Pale blue eyes then look around, regarding each attendant in turn, waiting for them to get their food and settle back into their chairs. "We have, all of us, made our choices in life and they have brought all of us here to this place, at this time. I think that an excellent place to start the official conversation. With Choice. Perhaps you would care to instruct us on the First Choice, Prism? Or Aleksei?"

Lack of sleep is not in shortage. Alas, not even Arx's Hand of Mercy has a cure for that. There is tea, though, and bacon and other delicious things. Tired around her kindly eyes, Sophie warmly smiles and offers greetings to those she sees, then settles in at the disciples table, her attention fully turned toward Aldwin before flickering between Prism and Aleksei -- the former garnering a hint more interest.

Gisele stirs her oatmeal around and around and around, but like others, her appetite seems diminished. Stirring is finally traded for sipping tea, an act which will /hopefully/ help with the urge to yawn now that certain others have started that trend. That Aureth is smiling returns her smile and she lets her shoulder graze his-- solidarity! Except not with his snickering-- before lifting eyes to the godsworn table. Oh, is this the part where they listen quietly? /Excellent/. Sip.

Prism looks up at Aldwin, eyes wide, her fork lifted midway to her mouth. "First Choice is a wandering, homeless bum who would probably enjoy a free breakfast," she says, and then, having done her due diligence, goes back to eating her bacon.

Mathias likewise decides to just sit quietly and listen while enjoying a good, healthy breakfast with a nice portion of bacon. Because what good brunch would it be without bacon? High fives to all bacon enthusiasts out there.

"Well, he drinks free at the bar," Aureth says, and heartened by his own devotion no doubt, he toasts Prism with a piece of fruit and then pops his first bite into his mouth.

Armel blinks at Prism, and veeerrry slowly slides his gaze from /that/ explanation toward Aleksei. Maybe he will have more to say on this issue. Maybe not? That's his choice, after all.

Gisele's eyes tick wider. Oh my. She took looks at Aleksei, and then Aldwin, before sloooowly leaning closer to Aureth to whisper a thing.

Aldwin can't help the brief quirk of his lips that's somewhere between grin and smirk. "Thank you for that bit of edification, dear one." Spoon of oatmeal hovering, the Dominus looks at Aleksei - expectantly.

Aleksei's mouth is full of bacon when Aldwin gives the floor to him and/or Prism. He glances over at her first when she speaks, snorfling a bit on his mouthful and working to swallow. "Well, I'm sure he'd be /welcome/ to it," he replies to Prism before looking back to Aldwin. "Should I do, uh. History and message? Or--" Wow what a great priest.

One of the beautiful things about bacon is that the happy expression caused by its deliciousness seemingly trumps any other response. Although, hey, Sophie is not one to turn down a delicious breakfast, free or not. So, points: Skald. She does refrain from quipping that free drinks at the bar might not want to be mentioned because that surely would lead to an uptick in those seeking godhood.

"He probably wandered into a free breakfast somewhere else," Prism offers, in what, judging by her tone, she hopes to be a helpful insight. "He does that. He's unpredictable. Like you all are. Choice makes you so."

Armel doesn't react much to Aleksei's waffling on how to begin, just eating his bacon and waiting rather patiently. If nothing else, he seems a bit sympathetic to the man being put on the spot like that. He does grunt and twitch a faint smile at Prism's words. "Makes life interesting."

"I think most here would be interested in his history," Aldwin agrees with Aleksei. "In better understanding what he represents to all of us. Other than as a possible meal companion or drinking friend." Not that Aldwin does not look quite amused at Prism's descriptions.

Gisele's eyebrows quirk together but she gives Aureth a small, slow nod of acknowledgement. Then it's back to stirring her oatmeal. This time, she manages to carry a bite to her lips as she listens. Look, Aleksei. Look at the gaze of gentle expectation levied upon you!

Prism looks at Aleksei with, oh, such piercing anticipation. Like she is consciously pinning him in place, where he sits.

"Good to know he enjoys breakfast though." Mathias casually remarks, so helpfully. Apparently unfazed with the lack of decorum or whatever fancy thing might be expected from this sort of brunch.

After murmuring with Gisele, Aureth turns his chair slightly at the table to twist, bracing his elbow on its back and propping his somewhat scruffy jaw against his palm. Since Sophie hasn't made her joke, he offers no response, and there is no witty repartee to entertain their respective tables. "Do you need notes?" he asks Aleksei. Helpfully.

"Right. Uh." Aleksei straightens in his seat a bit, shooting Prism a bit of a nervous look for all her expectations. He takes a slow breath. "So. Back before humans were around, there was Fate and there was First Choice. Skald. They couldn't exist together, so Skald challenged Fate and won, and that's why we have free will. No predestination. Everything we do is up to us." His hands flatten on the table a bit. "In the days before the Reckoning -- a lot of people had been imprisoned, enslaved, enthralled. Bound by Writ by the Rex'alfar. The other elves -- Nox'alfar, Sylv'alfar -- and humans. And it was -- anathema to him. So many Writs." His expression furrows slightly. "So he came down to free them. And that's -- how everyone discovered what happens when the gods act freely. He moved to help us, but it also let his Reflection move. And that's -- what started the Reckoning." His gaze flits briefly over to Prism. "He fought and defeated his Reflection himself. But in doing so, he lost a lot of his power." He pauses a beat, and then adds, "Hence the homeless, wandering bum part."

"He knows it very well," is Gisele's soft remark, possibly meant for Aureth-- she must have missed the rampant harassment occuring, friend on friend. Sleepiness is her defense, and some distraction as she listens to the explanations given by the newly anointed godsworn.

"He still has enough power to not be a homeless, wandering bum," Prism says. "If he chose to be. But much of his nature, and his gifts to this world, can be explained in what he chooses to be." She reaches out to pat one of Aleksei's flattened hands, trying to ease any lingering nervousness.

"That will be the core of the message that we are to send on Skald," Aldwin addresses those gathered. "That his representation in our Pantheon is that of Choice. We are all of us free to be who wish to be, to do as we wish to do, for those are our choices. But like Skald, we will also have to accept the consequences of those choices. We may end up homeless bums from them, but they are our choices, and we must respect the life that we have because of them."

Aureth grins in a white flash at Gisele and says, "Oh, I know he does." He also knows this part pretty well, apparently; he gives Aleksei a thumbs up across the separation of their tables.

"He is really good at dodging consequences, too," Prism offers, helpfully.

Armel actually stops eating, even though his own appetite seems pretty aggressive this morning. He seems intrigued, some of what's said new to him, perhaps, and swiveling his dark eyes to Aldwin. He nods, a faint frown upon his face, but the nod showing acceptance all the same, if a troubled one.

Mathias nods, apparently accepting all of this, despite their rather novel quality. But then, that's to be expected from newfound Gods, is it? Still, lots of information to process and accept, so the ex-sellsword just continues to eat and does not speak.

Gisele's eyes drift to Prism and there is a moment when the little disciple seems almost compelled to speak. A troubling thought, surely, given the way her eyebrows lift and rumple her forehead. But that moment passes, and she too is left looking thoughtful. More oatmeal is had, another sip of tea, and when a yawn comes, she's energetic enough to cover it in time.

"This is the time to ask questions, dear ones," Aldwin says. "Do not fear asking questions. You won't learn unless you do." And then he has a few more bites of the fruity oatmeal.

In truth, Sophie wasn't sure what to expect to learn from Skald, but Aleksei's summery draws forth a pensive expression that ends with a small nod and smile of approval. What Prism says, though, does have the Mercy of Lagoma inquiring, "Pardon but, what is edifying about dodging consequences?"

Armel doesn't seem to feel that more of his own words are necessary, merely gesturing toward Sophie as she apparently asks the question that is upon his own mind.

"Freedom to act means freedom to make mistakes. Poor choices. Accidents. But that's where growth comes in." Aureth starts methodically shredding his piece of bread into smaller pieces on his plate. "Humans grow and change. That's not what Skald does. Skald will act true to his nature. Because he's a god and that's what they do."

"But..." Gisele catches herself, tilting a look of apology at Aureth. "But that implies. We can improve. And the gods can't."

Sophie has rolled a critical success!
Sophie checked composure against difficulty 15, resulting in 50, 35 higher than the difficulty.

"Well, Skald wouldn't exactly be the best -- Disciple of Skald," Aleksei points out to Prism a bit dryly. His gaze swivels over to Sophie with a faint smile. "Well, we're not exactly going to put it into the doctrine, even if he /does/ it," he says. "All of the gods are -- limited. They can only be what they are. One single one of them doesn't offer a full view on any situation. Sentinel can judge someone totally objectively -- and /truthfully/ -- but it doesn't have room to consider how that person has or might change, because that's Lagoma's domain. Humans are the ones who can look at all of it." His gaze sweeps over to Gisele, and he hesitates a moment. "There are things we can do that they -- can't. Because we have the ability to look at all of their concepts. They can each only act within their own."

"The Gods are the Gods. They have their natures and must act according to them. Sometimes, just sometimes, peopel can change to have a new nature. That is part of what Skald has bought for us." Aldwin smiles proudly at Aleksei.

Tipping his chin in Aleksei's direction, Aureth says, "It would follow, wouldn't it?" His smile is without apology. It lingers on his features, warming them.

Whatever the cause of her unease, Aleksei's answer puts Gisele's worries to rest. While listening, a smile starts and only grows throughout his answer. "Thank you, Brother Aleksei," she murmurs when he finishes. There, that flash of pride she'd worn during his anointing-- the non-swearing parts-- is evident again now, before she bows her head over her tea.

Armel taps his fork against the edge of his plate softly, nodding for a moment as he says, "Well, that part does make sense, but to be clear, still no honor or Godliness in dodging the consequences of our choices, correct? I do not treasure having /that/ become part of the Faith, or I'll forever be having to slap people down. Choice and perspective is good, but so is humility and responsibility."

Prism catches Gisele's gaze from down the table, and smiles with encouraging brightness to her. "There may not be anything at all edifying about dodging consequences," she answers Sophie. "But the nature of gods is not to edify. They are what they are. But your Faith is a composite of all gods, yes? Skald does not espouse humility or responsibility. He should not be made to. But another god does. This is why you worship all gods, none greater than any other."

"Maybe you should respect Skald a little more and slap people down a little less," Aureth says with the shiver of a laugh buried in his low voice. "Let them make their own choices." He winks. Because he's a dork. Apparently engagement in the conversation is helping him to be more awake and present and less like a crawling zombie of sleeplessness.

"You need not approve of everyone's choices all the time, Armel. You just have to give them a chance to make their own choices. Nor do we keep consequences from touching those who make choices," Aldwin make shis opinion known on the matter.

Armel gives Aureth something of a squint at his words, but there is a slight twitch to his lips. A smile? Nah, that'd be crazy from the rather dour knight. But he does bow his acceptance of Aldwin's take on the matter. "And so my questions are answered on Skald," he confirms, going back to eating quietly while he listens to whatever happens to come next.

"Your 'lost' gods are not easy gods to worship," Prism says, as she butters a piece of bread for herself. "They are much easier gods to lose. But, /oh/. It is hard for you to understand how much your freedom means, without ever having seen people born without it. Stripped of it, even as they take their first breaths."

"Then we'll let Aleksei and Prism enjoy their breakfast and move on to interrupt Master Aureth's eating." Aldwin turns his head towards the Grayhope in question. "Master Aureth, the Queen of Endings is your topic to share with us. Would you be so kind?" Pale blue eyes shift /just/ above Aureth's head. For a moment.

A smile from Prism is enough to provoke Gisele to flee, at first. She ducks her head down and lifts her mug, and subsequent glances come furtively. But with Aldwin's words, that surreptitious and shyly smiling observation ends-- yes, yes, let them eat, she can do that-- in favour of looking to Aureth. Here, the same quiet encouragement (and pride) offered Aleksei is visible.

Perhaps more than most, Sophie has a LOT (a lot) to say about the nature of change and growth. She is, after all, a most devout disciple of Our Lady of Change. Even so, the Mercy listens and politely nods. If she is satisfied or dissatisfied with the answer, that's something Aldwin will surely hear about later. Especially because the Dominus is ushering along the topic of conversation to Death. "Thank you for you answers," is politely offered before her tongue contends with more tea, less words.

"You're -- welcome," Aleksei says to Gisele's thanks, smile warming a bit as he realizes he has -- oh, been /helpful/! His gaze flits to Prism with a faint, sad sort of smile before he reaches for his fork again to stab a bit of fruit. His gaze slides next over to Aureth with a faint smirk.

Prism's speech pattern gets a slight frown from Mathias, but he doesn't speak up. Not knowing who the woman really is probably doesn't help. Instead, he turns his attention to Aureth, now that he's been singled out on the matter of the Queen of Endings.

Prism is enjoying the rest of her breakfast, when she senses Mathias frowning (slightly). She stares back at him. Full-on stare.

"Hah." Aureth hasn't eaten much. He drops the piece of bread he's shredding to his plate and scrubs his hands loosely together over it. He inhales. For all that he should have been expecting this, there's a moment where he's visibly marshalling his thoughts. "I can't give you the same kind of history lesson that Aleksei can give you," he says. "There's a lot I don't know about what was. There's a lot that's been lost. I can tell you that when Skald defeated Fate, he essentially made room for Death. The Queen of Endings and Beginnings." He stands suddenly as though continuing to sit just makes him more restless. He paces as he talks, prowling between the tables with the general impression that if he had a tail it would be lashing. "Most of what people say about her seems to be stupid misconceptions," he says, which is a great beginning, Aureth, oh my god, calm down. "But Death -- the moment of transition between this life and what comes next. She weaves our souls and sets us in each life. She sits a throne made of bone and guards the Wheel. And this is Her city that we're standing in." He inhales, and then pulls a book from where it has been hidden on his person. "She gave me this," he says, "I think because she had to have been getting pretty anxious about people fucking around and disbelieving reality." He casts the book onto the godsworn table. "Well, when I say she gave it to me, I mean, she dropped it on my head. I took the point, I hope."

Aureth drops Death's Guide to Silence, Archfiend of Oblivion for Dummies.

"She's very sassy," Prism observes, of Death. She leans in to get a look at that book, but doesn't reach out to touch it. "Low tolerance level for incompetence."

Mathias he stares back for a moment, his eyes expressing curiosity rather than disapproval, puzzlement... but then Aureth's explanation begins, and his gaze turns to the man. That doesn't clear his puzzlement, but he does glance at the book on the godsworn table.

"Even lower tolerance level for willful stupidity," Prism adds.

He /casts/ the book. /Casts it/! There is a very, very soft gasp from Gisele, and then a moment spent holding her breath. Fortunately, she recovers. "I had a question, Master Aureth. When... ah. When questions are allowed," she ventures to say, with a glance at Aldwin.

"We have all been touched by Death," Aldwin points out. "We all had her vision thrust into our minds, all across Arx. Aleksei pointed out that Skald's free movement allowed an Archfiend similar freedom to move. The Bringers you fight in the city and beyond? Those are the movement of Death's Reflection, and so they have bought her a chance to move freely as well." He turns his smile from Aureth to Prism, the curve of lips growing. He's not stopping questions, for sure.

Sophie checked composure against difficulty 15, resulting in 29, 14 higher than the difficulty.

Armel raises an eyebrow at the parts about 'stupid misconceptions' and /especially/ with the 'her city'. As a servant of the Goddess of Civilization, his eye twitches more than a little, but he holds it in, letting the man continue on and listening carefully to all he says. He reaches out to take the book and turn it toward him, if nobody stops him. To his credit, he's very careful not to dirty or damage it as he flips it open to peer at the flowcharts inside, lips quirked faintly.

Armel checked composure against difficulty 15, resulting in 9, 6 lower than the difficulty.

"It helps that Arx is her city," Prism says. "You are all closer to her. To the Thinnest Point. It makes your minds, and your dreams, just a little easier for her to reach into."

"Reckon I can get behind a Goddess that moves to the quick of things and speaks straight." is Mathias' added remark. The parts of Arx being her city does get an arched brow, but he shrugs it off. Back to the breakfast!

Aureth beams at Prism. "Me, too," he says. "That's why she's my favorite." He hooks his thumbs into his diagonal belt and bounces a little on his feet. "And when people /ignored her/ and thought her vision was a /trick/ or some other idiot thing, she gave me the book," he says. "I won't trouble you with the gory details, but it's because I'm her priest already. Even if I haven't sworn the godsworn oath like you all did, I did swear an oath to a god. /So/." He jerks up his chin, sleepless eyes widening very slightly. "If Brand reaches the Thinnest Point ... it's all over. No more Death, no more Wheel, no more us. That's why those Bringers were trying so hard to get through to the graveyard last night and that's why that was my living nightmare and why I--" He breaks off, shakes his head and shudders, open and raw for a moment as he scrubs at his face. "Sorry. Question?"

"No more you," Prism says, and some of her brightness dims, her silver-eyed gaze turning more somber. "And no more anyone who came before. Every soul in the Shining Lands will disappear, along with every soul in every body, along with ... just everything. You past, and your future."

"Arx's construction was part of, uh. Calming her down a long time ago. When the Rex'alfar removed souls from her Wheel. It was made as her shrine," Aleksei shares. He looks over to Prism at her addition, his expression knitting into a frown.

Gisele was content to wait patiently. But, as Aureth finds his stride and /really/ rolls into his preaching, there miiiight be a hint of concern that shows as she studies the man. It does mean a delay before the question is asked and then a scramble to hurry up-- as if she hopes this might be a less incendiary subject to discuss. "If she keeps our souls, Master Aureth, after we die... do we not move on? To Elysia and the Shining Lands? Must we always stay on the Wheel when we die? Is the Wheel the Shining Lands, and our souls only allowed temporary rest there?"

Aldwin checked composure against difficulty 7, resulting in 10, 3 higher than the difficulty.

Armel clears his throat and, still being very careful with it, closes the book as he turns to Aureth. "Is this not the same Goddess that the Nox'Alfar worship? The people-murdering, deceitful elves who laughed in our faces and left us to our fate? I do rather hope that is not what we are aspiring to. Goddess of Death? Alright, I'll venerate that she has her very important purpose, but how do we /worship death/? And what abou-yes, what Gisele said?" He is clearly agitated, and not hiding it all that well, even if he really does try to keep it civil. He really does.

Aureth checked composure against difficulty 15, resulting in 17, 2 higher than the difficulty.

"That's not /really/ what happened," Aleksei says dryly to Armel, but he doesn't jump in to try and lecture about the Queen.

"The Nox'alfar did not just leave us to our fate, Armel. Nor should you confuse a people for the sum total of a Goddess and her worship. The elves, like humans, can make their own decisions, for good or ill. How they choose to react is nto a reflection on their patron goddess." Aldwin sip shis tea after.

"Laughed in your faces and left you to your fate is a rather interesting and deeply politicized rendition of events," Prism says. "The Nox'Alfar are /exhausting/, and they must seem dreadfully foreign to all of you, but they are a part of this world, and not, I think, a part that is going anyway any time soon. They are just ... they are so old. Time has made them very strange."

"Didn't they?" Mathias speaks up at that point. "Didn't they choose to leave us to face the Silence alone once that Redrain prince insulted their emissary?" Common man, doesn't have access to all the fancy info some of the others seem to possess.

Sophie checked composure against difficulty 15, resulting in 21, 6 higher than the difficulty.

"You mean the elves that /we/ broke a treaty with, and then /repeatedly/ insulted their ambassadors when they came to treat with us?" Aureth smiles very faintly as he arches his eyebrows at Armel. "Yes. The Nox'Alfar are Her children. They worship her. As do I. As should we," he says. "Death made your soul, Sir, and gave it to you. The seed of identity behind your eyes, that's Death's gift. And when you die, where you go next, it will be Death's hand that guides you into your new story -- on the Wheel, or beyond." He chews a little on his lower lip, and then adds, "Gisele-- I don't think so. They're not the same."

Armel checked composure against difficulty 15, resulting in 20, 5 higher than the difficulty.

"What the Nox'alfar have done is not a matter for the Faith to discuss. Politics are not our venue. If you wish to have those discussions you do them outside these halls. We have had enough wounds inflicted into our holy body by such things in this building already. We are here to discuss the Lost Gods, not political entities!" Aldwin levels looks between Armel and Mathias with this. "If you cannot separate the two matters..."

Mathias shrugs. "I don't claim to know much about the gods, especially the now found ones. My understanding was that the Nox'alfar were one of the rare examples of people who worshiped Death. Since they're my only basis of comparison, it'll colour my understanding some, until some clear indications on how the Queen of Endings expects to be worshiped is given." he replies calmly.

Prism slices into a piece of fruit, cutting it meticulously smaller and smaller still. "It would not be at all surprising if the Goddess wishes her children to one day be returned to her city," she says. "Politics may not be the venue of the Faith, but the wishes of a goddess are. I wonder what you all will do?" She says this a bit abstractly, in a 'not my goddess, not my problem' sort of way.

Sophie remains keen-eyed and quiet, and she keeps drinking tea. Lots and lots of tea. So much tea. She eats delicious things, too. It helps her stay serene and keep her mouth shut. There is a proper time and place for all things, after all, so says the teachings of Lagoma. Blue eyes flit across the room, taking in the reactions of others as she takes in all the words.

"Yes, I mean the elves that decided to only come to us when they /needed/ u-" He trails off as the Dominus speaks, dipping his head toward him. "As you say, Most Holy. It does not, however, answer my question of /how/ we venerate Death and make sure she is worshipped properly. And the wheel versus the Shining Lands issue. People are going to ask that one as one of their first questions, I imagine, when it comes up. Death is a rather immediate concern for many right now." He does seem to be trying to be calmer, and he shrugs aside to Prism. "Imagine we will make that decision as it comes, hmm?"

"They needed us because we messed up their stuff," Aleksei says flatly to Armel, but he ducks his head at Aldwin's clear, uh. Line. Religion at the table, yes. Politics, no. He clears his throat. "I think she, uh. Chooses? Who goes on the Wheel and who moves on."

Though Aldwin's words are not directed to her, Gisele bows her head and keeps her silence as if they were. Counseled not to speak on it, she says nothing at all at first-- though plenty of sidelong glances are stolen at those to the sides, the more tense exchanges leading the little disciple to fidget with her napkin. But Aureth has given her an answer and even if it doesn't educate, she's relieved enough to tilt her head and give the man such a smile. "Thank you," she tells him. "If she can act, when this is all over, maybe she'll teach us more. It would be good to know for certain, if we're allowed rest after this life."

"That is a bridge we will get to when we must," Aldwin says to Prism. "One we must have more understanding of." He looks about. "That is what I want you to all know from this: though we have recovered some of what we lsot in our Lost Gods, there is still much we must recover. Do not expect instant answers; anything worth knowing takes time, and effort."

"You die," Prism says. "Or your body does, anyway. Your soul returns to the Shining Lands, and there it waits. Maybe forever. Maybe just a day. The Goddess chooses -- when to return you, and how often. Some people are reborn again, and again, and again. Some only once. And some have not been reborn at all. But the Shining Lands is not a cruel place. The souls there don't mind."

"You need to do some research into what actually happened before I debate with you anyway, since it's clear you're missing the entire /treaty thing/," Aureth says with an airy wave of his hand. He's not very good at this staying shut up, thing, but he does move on: "I mean, I think that the first steps to revering Death are to make sure she survives," he says. He lifts his chin, indicating the book he left on the table. "But I have a few ideas. A temple would be a good start. Red candles," he adds with a fainter smile. "I can tell you that souls are sacred to the Queen. I can tell you that our souls are made of the same stuff, that each life is important, that memory and life and understanding twine together into weaves, new tapestries. I think an embrace of life would be a good start. To worship." His pale eyes lift towards Prism, shadowed, and his smile pulls a little wider as he says, "Thank you."

Sophie has rolled a critical success!
Sophie checked composure against difficulty 15, resulting in 54, 39 higher than the difficulty.

"Does that mean then that... our souls and those of the Nox'alfar are of the same stuff? Do elven souls end placed in human infants?" The questions, they spring from Gisele's lips, surprised from her. She cuts a glance between Aureth and Prism, unease and concern now replaced with /rampant/ curiousity.

Mathias checked composure against difficulty 15, resulting in 10, 5 lower than the difficulty.

There's a rather sharp 'drop it' kind of look given from Aldwin to Aureth. "Thank you, Prism," The Dominus goes on to add.

Mathias grunts. "Guess we'll figure it out when we're not facing complete destruction." he remarks. Aureth's blatant arrogance doesn't seem to sit well with the Knight of Solace, and his eyes harden until Aldwin steps in. He shakes his head and goes back to his breakfast.

Armel glances between Prism, who gets a faint smile and a sincere, "Thank you for that, Miss," And to Aureth, who gets a semi-annoyed arch of an eyebrow as the man insists on getting the last word. But he doesn't say anything, Aldwin's words still pretty much ringing around the room on 'no politics'. "Well obviously, on the survival part. If the Silence is brought on, none of it matters anyway. As for the rest...Surprisingly tame. People will embrace it, I think. Thank you on that part, Aureth."

"No wonder there's fighting about where funeral rites go when you lose Death," Aleksei says with a crooked grin. His brows sweep up at Gisele's question, and he seems to have a thought about it, but he looks back over to Aureth and gives him room to answer first.

"Oh, that would be an awfully cruel thing for the Goddess to do to one of her beloved Nox'Alfar," Prism says. "The souls of the Nox'Alfar move with more freedom than your own. They are not so very bound to their bodies."

"I expect it'd be up to Death," Aureth says with the drop of his shoulder in a partial shrug. "But no, I don't think so. Their souls can hop about a bit in life, anyway, and their lives are very, very long." He nods to Prism, and then adds, "When I say they're made of the same stuff, I mean she weaves us from the same /source/, not that our souls are the same souls." He smiles a little as he glances at Aleksei. "Right?" he says. "Yeah."

"Thank you, Aureth," Aldwin pushes his empty bowl away. "We will move along, then, as this is only an introduction to the Lost. You have heard of Skald, the First Choice. You have heard of Death, the Queen of Endings and Beginings. But there was one that existed before either of them. Aion, the Dreamer. Aion is the god whose dream we all reside. The one that created the other Gods, the one that created our world."

"All the Nox souls are so /old/," Aleksei says, boggling a bit as he thinks about it. There's a faint frown that knits his expression, and his gaze slides away, thoughtful. He chews on a bit of cheese without really paying attention for a moment or two before his attention slides slowly back to Aldwin.

Sophie checked composure against difficulty 15, resulting in 24, 9 higher than the difficulty.

That is a relief, and Gisele marks her gratitude to Prism, to Aureth, in a new smile. "Thank you," she murmurs, and then reaches for the spoon she'd set aside again. Not much of the oatmeal is eaten but she tries to eat a little more, listening-- and then forgetting to eat entirely as Aldwin continues on. Manners are forgotten: she is left staring up at her grandfather, appearing fascinated. "...oh."

"You are reborn, and you are wiped clean," Prism says. "It is hard to be eternal. To live, and live, and live. It has changed the Nox'Alfar." As the topic of conversation slides away from Death, and on to the Dreamer, she rises to help herself to a second serving of breakfast from the buffet table.

Aureth moves back to his seat. He'll rescue his book later; for now he leaves it as an object lesson on the Godsworn table. He picks up a small piece of fruit from his plate and rolls it between his fingers before he eats it.

Armel does, himself, rather tuck back into his food, the subject of Aion clearly quite interesting to him as he munches away. He leaves the book for now, the contents seeming to have mostly contained flowcharts for the same conclusions he already knew, from his lack of surprise.

Aldwin checked composure against difficulty 10, resulting in 13, 3 higher than the difficulty.

Sophie is doing a remarkable job of keeping her trap shut even though she /really/ has some strident opinions she's shelving. And so she eats more bacon and drinks more tea, her attention perking at Gisele's question, and then filing away Prism's answer before Aldwin has steered things towards Aion -- and a definition that goes contrary to the doctrine of the Faith the Mercy was taught. Still keeping her trap shut, though, except to eat food. So much food.

There's a look given to Prism, hard to read, when she talks about how hard it is to live and live and live. Aldwin sips the rest of his tea. "Aion is the least well known of any that have been rediscovered. We know that Aion dreampt up our reality, that Aion is as far above our Pantheon as our Pantehon is of us. But we are still looking for more information. If any of you would like to assist in those investigations, please let me know."

Mathias has left the a tall table for disciples.

"Lady Clover has asked my help to learn more about Aion," Gisele pipes up, voice pitched soft but meant to carry to Aldwin. "And there are others. If it is Vellichor's will we find more, we will."

"Aion is ... hard to know," Prism says, as she returns to her seat at the godsworn table. "Hard to define, as an individual entity. But he is in the fabric of everything. One day, perhaps, you will begin to see the threads of the Dream."

"Even Skald doesn't know that much about them," Aleksei says with something of a grimace.

Armel turns toward the others, and asks curiously, "Are we sure he is the only God on...That level? Could there be others that we have forgotten? Gods of other realities?" He seems hesitant to even ask, but he puts it out there all the same.

"Him, them, it," Prism says, correcting her choice of pronoun. "An entity almost beyond comprehension."

Aleksei checked composure against difficulty 15, resulting in 16, 1 higher than the difficulty.

Aldwin checked composure against difficulty 10, resulting in 25, 15 higher than the difficulty.

"Skald used 'they,' so that's what I've been using," Aleksei says with a shrug. At Armel's question, his expression remains steady, but he does slide a look over towards Aldwin.

'Almost beyond comprehension' is something of a gauntlet thrown, for Gisele. The light kindled in her eyes rivals the lamps, and the morning sunshine streaming through windows. "I want to know," she says, but so softly it may well be lost with in the greater conversation. The boook set beside her plate is retrieved, its pages turned slowly, carefully.

"I have heard Lady Clover started a more recent inquiry," Aldwin bows his head to Gisele. "It is good to ahve multiple sources of inquiry. Helps us vet out the bits that are untrue, hm?" Another nod to Prism and then Aldwin addresses Armel. He addresses Armel with a stroke of his beard, a faint tugging of the white hairs. "That could be a very dangerous line of inquiry that our enemies would gladly take from you to lead you down dark paths. Be careful of such things. We have had thirteen altars in this city, and we now have thirteen names for the gods they represent."

Aureth looks suddenly very thoughtful, his breath trickling out past his teeth with his smile. He doesn't immediately say anything, though.

Armel bows his head to Aldwin and lifts a hand. "I do not mean to recommend dark research, of course, or heresy, Most Holy. But with all these new Gods being remembered, it is a thought that occurs that there might be more that remain beyond our pale. Please take no offense." He doesn't seem all that sorry for the curiosity, but also suitably humbled, looking down at his food as he mulls over the Dominus' words.

Prism claps her hands in delight, at Armel's question. "Oh, maybe!" she says. "Who knows what exists beyond the Dream? Who will ever know? Would you pull at the threads of the Dream itself, to find out?" She spins her finger, like it's been caught around a thread. "The reality you see is maybe not the reality that is. There are hidden truths woven into everything around you. One day, maybe, you will all be able to open your eyes again."

Armel seems to brighten a little at Prism's enthusiasm. Also maybe a bit more anxious about /that/ possibility, eyes a little wider now as he eats that bacon with almost fierce determination.

"No offesne, Sir Armel, merely a heartfelt warning. Understand these are not /new/ gods. Merely ones we have lost sight of. Their altars remained the whole time, and much of my time as Archscholar was spent in contemplation. Nor am I saying it is a bad conversation to have, just one to be careful of." The Dominus is still smiling! See? No Templars rush forward to stab anyone. That's very poor manors over a meal. "I do have a few things to tend to though. But I will welcome any other discussions later. Please, stay and enjoy your meal."

"Yes, Dominus. I would like to help with the older too though. I'll speak with you soon." Gisele lifts her eyes from the book to smile at Aldwin. And then all focus to Prism, and that fascination is born anew. Goodness, suddenly she does look hungry. She collects herself only to rise, a mark of respect and affection for her grandfather.

"I wonder," Prism says, and since she's claimed a second plate of food, she's hardly going anywhere in this very moment, "with all that you have now learned of your lost gods, would you wish to lose them again? Would you choose to forget?"

"Never," Aureth says so quickly his mouth is still full. But of course /he/ would say that.