Kiss of Darkness: Part 1--A Hint of Shadow

[Rystil Arden]

[SBLOCK=Rhaka]*Rhaka finds a light white mare to take care of, and she sets Kinjon to the side, where he watches, cocking his head curiously as he glances around at all the horses. The horse is a bit reluctant at first, but Rhaka quickly soothes her and calms her down with gentle words and a soft touch, and she is easily able to brush and feed the mare, who is gentle and friendly, nuzzling up against her slightly.*

*Reyna glances over and smiles.*

"Well, I should have guessed it since you can talk to animals, but you're definitely a natural, Rhaka. Whisper is finicky and stubborn--she usually won't let anyone but her owner and sometimes me near her without a fuss."
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[Nonlethal Force]

[Sblock=RA]Rhaka smiles slightly, her mind hearing Reyna but yet more focused on finishing her meditation. In an odd and not completely well pitched "half-song" she more-or-less chants, "And thus we are blessed by the creation of the gods." It is not too difficult to realize that it concludes a litany Rhaka often sings in her mind; and Rhaka may not have intended to sing it outloud but rather been startled out of her inner devotion and accidentally blended her inner meditation and the world around.

More directly to Reyna she adds (speaking, not chanting), "As I said last evening, there is great power within the creation. When we are humble and embrace a position of servitude toward it, we often find that it is not we who are embracing creation but creation that is embracing us. This is the wisdom of nature, Reyna. It is one of many first steps if you desire to take them. I can begin to show you the steps, but many you will - and I suspect already have - discover on your own."
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[Rystil Arden]

[SBLOCK=Rhaka]"You mean become a druid? Well, I do love animals a lot, and nature too, but don't druids have to like live in a grove in a forest or something? Are they allowed to live in a city, like me? Because I wouldn't want to leave all my friends here..."[/SBLOCK]

 

[Nonlethal Force]

[Sblock=RA]"Druid? Not necessaily, although given the right desires in your heart it would be possible. But one need not forsake the call of the city to respect nature. And one need not become a full druid - to use your term - to honor the creation of the gods I worship. I suppose it even possible to own a hotel as grand as this and still respect and revere nature. The ability to find compassion for a lonely mouse, to be nuzzled by a vigorous and lively horse, and even to wonder how birds fly can be taught to anyone with enough interest."

"If it is the power to feed the poor with a wave of the hand over berries and to make a broken woman's tool whole by joining the broken pieces together there are costs that must be accepted and certain sacrifices that do need to be made. But in truth the powers are nothing compared to the blessings of simply learning to humble ourselves in service. Power that is sought after only turns oneself inward. Power that is given away allows us to embrace all things, people, and creation as a whole."

"But now I lecture you, and that was not my intent. Please, feel free to ask of me anything you might desire. But as you do so, if you would teach me about the rest of these magnificent beasts. I would value becoming wise by sitting at your feet so to speak. Tonight you are the master of this stable."

[Sblock=OOC]I wasn't sure about the whole "naming of the druid" thing. Before I put my foot in my mouth and RPed something I didn't mean to, I thought I would ask. Are druids in your homebrew secrative? I mean, I know the whole PHB prohibition about teaching the druidic language to another. But do druids try to hide their nature? Are they a proud group and welcome the attention? Easily identifiable? Do you see where I am trying to go with this?

Also, I think I stated earlier in this thread (but possibly before the crash and it was lost) that Rhaka's intentions are not necessarily to teach druidic pwers ... after all, she is only a novice at it herself! Rather, I was thinking along the lines of helping Reyna develop along the lines of - to use game mechanics terminology - skills such as Knowledge (nature), Handle Animal, etc.[/Sblock]
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[Rystil Arden]

[SBLOCK=Rhaka](OOC: Yup, I see what you're getting at Druids are proud of what they are and they welcome attention and those willing to learn their ways. They still don't teach their language to any but initiates. Definitely cool on the skills--Reyna already has Handle Animal as much as Rhaka, but she would be very interested in learning Knowledge (Nature))

"Oh, I think I understand...Yes, Rhaka, I would like to learn very much. And I'd be glad to tell you about the horses. Now, some of the patrons just came in today and a few of those aren't repeat customers, so I don't know their horses as well as some of the others, but I always ask for the names and usually they tell me. I'd be glad to tell you everything I know about each one."

*Reyna turns to each horse, one at a time, and explains about each of them, their name, their breed, their temperament, and any other tidbits she knows. To most people, especially those who aren't particularly into horses, this could get boring rather quickly, but Reyna's smile continues to grow as Rhaka sits and listens enthusiastically throughout.*
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[Nonlethal Force]

[Sblock=RA]Rhaka waits until Reyna is finished before placing a simple hand upon her shoulder. "You do know your horses, Reyna. More than I do, that's for sure. Where I come from we see more deer, elk, and even a rare moose than we do trained and bred horses. I thank you for your wisdom. And how many of these need yet to be grromed for the eve?"

Rhaka finishes grroming the horse as best she can, feeds it, and quickly says a quick prayer as she encourages Whisper to nuzzle her one last time. "May you be kept in Mieliki's grace and find favor with your master for the work you so diligently give."

Assuming there are others and it isn't to late, Rhaka continues to move about, planning to help until the work is done.[/Sblock]

 

[Rystil Arden]

[SBLOCK=Rhaka]*Whisper nuzzles Rhaka one last time before she moves on. Together, she and Reyna finish with the horses in a few hours, Reyna listening intently whenever Rhaka has wisdom or lore to dispense. When they are finished, both women are fairly dirty, but Reyna still leans over and gives Rhaka a hug.*

"Thanks so much for your help, Rhaka. I guess I can go to sleep early tonight, but I'll probably stay awake a bit longer and think on the things you've told me."[/SBLOCK]

 

[Nonlethal Force]

[Sblock=RA]Rhaka concludes, "It was my pleasure to serve, Reyna. I know not what tomorrow brings, but should I find myself here tomorrow I may come to the stables and meditate again. It is calming here, much because of tonight's stablemaster."

"But I recommend getting sleep. Early to bed is a rare gift, accept it graciously. You'll have plenty of mundane tasks tomorrow that will no doubt give you time to think, no?"

After saying final goodbyes and re-embracing Reyna with a hug, Rhaka calls Kinjon to her side and heads up to the hotel room - assuming Reyna has nothing else to speak about.[/Sblock]

 

[Rystil Arden]

[SBLOCK=Rhaka]"I'll look forward to seeing you again, then. And you're right--there will always be mundane tasks tomorrow."

*As Rhaka heads back to the inn, she sees a patron harranguing Alesia as she heads up and join the others.*
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*Rhaka heads back inside and joins the others upstairs, the stench of the stables redolent, exuding from her dirtied clothes.*

 

[Nonlethal Force]

Rhaka addresses Valerie, thinking nothing of her scent. "Valerie, I do not fit in well in these places and have no authority. But perhaps you might be interested in knowing that I passed by a patron lecturing Alesia about one thing or another. I do not know whether it was justified or not, but I can say that it didn't look pleasant for Alesia. Given her helpfulness last night, I thought it was good to make known."

She beckons Kinjon into the room and looks for a place to sit and relax before heading to bed.