Tarnished Opulence [open]

[Deleted]

It’s a long and uncomfortable trip from Cole’s home barony to Teair Nova. A long and uncomfortable one-way trip. Maybe it would have been nice to leave home if it didn’t feel like he was forced out. Right now, it felt like some kind of punishment for being born third. Ethan and Blythe weren’t even under consideration for getting sent out like this. It’s not something he would admit to, but he’s bitter. Not they seemed to care with how lackluster his farewell was.

It’s already late in the day when he finally arrives at the Moon Temple. Used to rural life, the opal temple strikes him as amazingly decadent. Definitely nothing like how he pictured it. However, everything about the First District was extravagant by his standards. He probably should have expected something like this.

It isn’t until he’s gone away from the main temple and into Zepon’s personal one that Cole realizes something is wrong. Cole’s knowledge on Teair Nova was lacking. He knew that there was some kind of conflict earlier this year, but that had been underplayed. The damage to the temple speaks for itself.  A new alter was in progress, but there wasn't any place to actually sit.  All religious artwork was heavily damaged and needed replacing.  If violence from the city spread into sacred space, he worries about just how dangerous things are going to get here. Not that there was really anything he could do about it. He runs a hand over a ruined tapestry. There was already a lot of work to be done, and he just got here.

[Yuki D'Avranches]

Yuki walked into the moon temple, it lost some of it’s beautiful luster, but still it was beautiful to see even in light of the recent events. Before everything happen she was found and made to return home, thankful the person she was to be marry decided that she wasn’t worth the trouble and cancel the marriage. It was the only good thing going for her since her mother rage about being so close to moving up in life, so she avoid a marriage and sadly had to move back home.


Adjusting the basket with the flowers and some of the wine that she took from home. Even with everything that been happening at the castle with the Fated being hunted down she didn’t agree with it. To be honest with herself she felt for the Fated she had gotten to know a few while she was on the run and didn’t even know if there were alive or dead at this point. Shaking off the bad thoughts she decided to set out on what she had planned for today, praying to Zepon to guide the souls of the dead and giving him the flowers and wine as an offer for those who has passed.


Bowing her head to the few priest that she saw, watching them make their way to the God or Goddess they worship. It was peaceful minus all the other people who were off trying to fix the temple and make it new again. Quickening her pace, she made her way toward where Zepon’s personal temple was.


Walking in she saw the full extent of the destruction, it was heartbreaking to see, but a smile came to her face, that maybe Zepon himself didn’t find it too bad. Walking to the altar that was still being repair, she set down her little basket and place the items on it as an offering. She never did this before but did truly hope that Zepon wouldn’t mind her trying. During all of this she didn’t notice the man with dark hair running his hand over a ruin tapestry.


Closing her eyes, and sent a single pray for the lives of those lost in the fights, and most important to her brother who died long ago. Opening her eyes she reminded seated, looking at the altar wondering for the first time if Zepon even heard her prayers. “Would I get a sign from you Zepon to know if their are safe in your hands?” She wondered out loud, truly not expecting an answer.

[Deleted]

Cole doesn’t notice the girl in the room, being too busy fretting over everything that still needed to be done to make this place acceptable to the public. The voice, even though soft, makes him jump a little. Zepon was a well-known god, but not exactly a popular one outside of his home. He really wasn’t expecting to see very many people come in. But here she was with an offering. She couldn’t be that much different in age than himself.

The question implies a lot. He can only assume that she is referring to the dead. Walking over to her, he says, “The dead are always kept safe. When we pass, our souls go to the Glade, the home of the Gods themselves. I cannot imagine any place as peaceful. They are in good hands.” It seems like a good answer in his head at least. It isn’t as if he’s had any experience as a priest before.

He gestures to the basket. “Did you come to make an offering?” He feels a bit bad that things are in such a ruined state. However, the aesthetics were mostly for the general public as he doubted that Zepon would care about anything other than the offering and sacrifice itself. The offering itself is standard, wine. The flowers are nice though. “I’m sure he will appreciate this.”

[Yuki D'Avranches]

Yuki almost jumped hearing the voice, before she relaxed a bit. After all if Zepon wanted to scare her surely this wouldn’t be the way right. Turning her head she saw the young man, it made her wonder what he was doing here, she knew that some people enter the priesthood young, but surely he was too young to be a priest. “I know our souls go to the Glade, but what about those who were brought to our world. Do you believe their souls also return to the Glade?”


It was one of the reasons she had come today, to find answers not for herself but for her Fated friends who might have died. She wasn’t sure if they souls would wander the earth forever or if they would go to the Glade like those born of this world. “Oh yes. I normally visit once a year but after the recent events, I believe that I should come visit. If that makes any sense.”


Looking down at her basket unsure of what to say, she was already coming off as a Fated sympathize. At home it wasn’t allowed but here in the eyes of the Gods, it was only place that she was felt it was safe to express her wishes for those who she felt were unjustly hunted down. “I’m sure you must find this strange, someone my age asking for advice or even a sign from Zepon.” She tried to laugh it off but sadly fail as the sadness of those who died and the few people that cared not come and give an offering for them.

[Deleted]

It’s a good question about the journey of those who come back from death. There isn’t much that discusses that point, so Cole can’t pull an answer straight from any religious text. Instead, he says one in line with contemporary thought on the subject. “For the one that return, I don’t think they ever passed by the Glade. The Glade is a final resting place. Souls do not leave from it, but they can stray from the journey to it. I think the ones that return have some kind of attachment that keeps them here. Something that must be dealt with before they can rest.”

Cole has to wonder what exactly happened to the girl for her to find it necessary to be here, but it isn’t his place to push for information. She’d tell him if she wanted him to know. As for it being odd that she was here, her presence seemed normal to him, which it meant was abnormal for the city. He gives a reassuring smile. “It’s odd for Teair Nova, but not everywhere around the world. I imagine you must have been through a lot if you are worried about the souls’ safe passage to a final resting place. That is a bit more of Helena’s domain, truthfully, but there is a lot of overlap.”

He has to wonder how his great uncle would have handled this. The girl had probably met him before if she came here once a year, and probably expected him. He has to be a poor substitute for a man that had been doing this for years. Big shoes to fill for a job that he didn’t particularly want. However, duties aren’t choices. He just had to make the best of it. “I apologize that I didn’t introduce myself earlier. I am Cole Merritt, the new High Priest of Zepon in Teair Nova.”

[Yuki D'Avranches]

She smiled understanding what he met. It was true the souls of the dead do find they way to the resting place of the Glade until they had some kind of attachment to the world of the living. It was simple like how she felt that her brother was still with her during the first year of his death, guiding her almost wanting to tell her something. She does hope that he is finally at rest in the Glade with their father.“So you believe that even the souls of the Fated will go to the Glade?”


Laughed at a little at his comment about it seeming odd in Nova but not in other areas. “I guess you are right. In Nova Zepon is an important God but not too many follow his teaching.” She had seen that many people follow the other Gods and Goddess, but Zepon seemed to her to have the less amount of people following him. Looking around at some of the tapestries finding that it seems so damage yet, one can still see the former beauty of them.


“Oh, no need to apologize I should introduce myself earlier.” Standing up Yuki gave a little curtsey, now knowing that he was the new High Priest of Zepon. “I am Yuki D’Aracnhes one of the minor nobles of Nova. It is a pleasure to meet you High Priest Merritt, or would you prefer Cole.” Smiling at him happy to see a new face and one who seem much closer to her age.


“The last High Priest of Zepon did a wonderful job, I am sad that he passed away, but I am also happy since the new High Priest is much younger. I guess I am trying to say that I am happy that I will have someone much easier to talk to.” Reaching into her basket she pulled out of the red roses holding it out for Cole to take. “Welcome to Nova. If you need someone to show you around I happy to help. I am sorry I don’t have a proper gift to provide you, so I hope this rose will do.”

[Deleted]

The Fated. Being from outside Teair Nova, Cole had limited information on them as well. Yet, it seemed like the nature of the Gods to give them a completely different set of rules from the general populace. The Fated were here now, so they would most likely be subject to the same treatment as everyone else. “I don’t see why not. The Fated seem bound to this world and its laws in every other way. I don’t see why they wouldn’t be taken to the Glade as well. Unless, of course, they chose to find a way back to their original homes.”

Teair Nova always preferred Mylee and Ai to Zepon. It was easy to like life and love. It is easy to praise joy. It was far more difficult to consider things like the necessity of death and sacrifice. Many people dealt with it by simply calling Zepon evil. Yet, he always seemed like the most noble of the Gods. A person should do the things that they must, not the things that are easy or popular. “He is a god of uncomfortable truths, but necessary ones. It can be difficult for some to think about.”

Cole had more or less been forced to remember the noble houses of the city before arriving. D’Avranches. Minor nobility like his own house. Also, there was something about a wedding being cancelled. “Our mothers know each other. They’ve spoken very highly of you. As for address, it does not matter much to me, so whatever your preference is.” Honestly, the thought of being called High Priest Merritt felt odd. He was too young for anyone to put him in such high esteem.

Taking the roses, he is careful to avoid the thorns. There are a beautiful red and symbolic of the fleeting beauty of life. It is a wonderful gift even though roses always carried a romantic connotation. However, he could never quite understand a thorny flower could be associated with long lasting love. “It’s beautiful. Thank you. And I certainly won’t say no to an offer of being shown around the city. This place is so much larger and busier than I am used to.”

[Yuki D'Avranches]

Listening to his explanation gave her a little hope that even if they were not met for their world, they could find peace in it at some point. “I hope you are right. I would hate for their souls to remind without peace.” Turning her eyes to the ceiling knowing that Zepon might have other things to do than look at the one lonely human who chose to visit his temple that day, sending a silent pray to him once again for the Fated to find peace in the Glade.

“I think he is a fair God. After all life would be boring without evil and death, as you said he is necessary. I also think in a way he reminds us to enjoy our life while we still can.” Saying those words out loud Yuki wondered if maybe she should come pray her respects to Zepon more, She laughed knowing that her mother might have a heart attack if she started to favor Zepon over the other Gods.

Trying her best to remind calm, her mother talking to another meant a possible marriage since she just barely got out of the last one. Sure her mother would try to keep it down about the wedding being cancelled or even making it sound like the man wasn’t good enough for her. Looking at Cole even if he did look cute, but she couldn’t see herself being married to the priest of death. Shaking those thoughts from her head, knowing that if it came down she would find another way to get the marriage canceled. “Then I’ll address you as Cole, as long as you address me as just plain old Yuki.”

Her smile brightens a little happy that he took the flower, she knew that if anyone passed by and saw it might think that the two were romantically involved. Not that she cared too much about what someone would have thought since to her roses are too common for love, for her the forget me nots were better to give to someone you love. “You're Welcome. That is good, we can do it on which every day you are free.” Thinking for a moment. "I hope you don’t mind borrowing a servant's or guard’s outfit. Seeing the city is best if no one knows your social standing, plus you get to truly see the city.” Turning her eyes from him, hoping that he didn’t reject the idea of dressing like a commoner for a day.

[Deleted]

It’s a selfless wish. To hope others find peace after death. The Fated didn’t seem inherently undeserving of it, but Cole knew little of the group as a whole other than they were being targeted for a brief period of time. “I am sure that they will find final rest somewhere, whether it is here or in their home worlds.”

Life through death. One could not experience one thing without its opposite. “You almost sound like you are from Obtera, speaking like that.” Mentioning the name of barony is an accident, but it would be obvious to anyone who did their research on Cole and his family. There is nothing lost by the small slip of the tongue, but he dislikes revealing things about himself without meaning to do so.

It was fair that the one would use their given name if the other did. However, Yuki seems somewhat nervous now, and he can’t pinpoint why. He doesn’t think he said anything strange. “As you wish, Yuki. But I wouldn’t say it a plain name. I would say it is an elegant one.” Flattery comes naturally to him. And really, it was only proper when addressing a noble woman.

He’s not sure what she means by really seeing the city, but it has him curious. Teair Nova was so different home, and he’d like to see more than the first district at some point. The only hindrance was obtaining commoner clothes. “I’ll try to see if one of the servants in the castle would be willing to let me borrow their clothes for awhile then. I do have one small question before we do this though. What is the state of the city currently? I’m afraid that I’ve heard very few details about the earlier conflict and have not seen much outside the First District.”

[Yuki D'Avranches]

Nodding knowing that he was right, that the Fated would find rest somewhere, for they sake she did hope it was back in their home worlds. As much as she has come to know her Fated friends she can’t be that selfish and hope to see them in the Glade once again after her own death.


Laughing it off when he mention that she almost sounded like she was from Obtera. “Sadly I never got the chance to leave Nova. It’s something recent that been thinking like this.” It was strange for her to thinking so much about death and the great things it could bring to life. Then again she has experience death around her so much, now she was going to live her life for her and her dearly departed brother you never got the chance.


A light blush came to her cheeks, she refused to touch her cheeks to confirm the truth. She wondered why she was so easily affected by compliments even if it was coming from a complete stranger. Maybe her being married to the priest of death wouldn’t be so bad, as soon as the thought popped into her head, she pushed away, not wanting to think of romance.


She was afraid of that questions, she didn’t want to tell him that like his temple the rest of the districts were in the same manner. “Well… in truth. I haven’t be able to see the other district for a few days now. Looking at the temple the other districts are in a very similar state.” Thinking on it did she really want him to see the city, the same way she had when she ran away from her own wedding. “If you don’t want to go undercover that’s okay. I guess we could always take a few guards with us if you want.” Adding on quickly, unsure how he would feel now knowing that the rest of the city was like the temples right now under repairs.

[Deleted]

While he’s never been to the Teair Nova before, Cole’s at least had the luxury of travelling to other locations before. He can’t imagine what it must be like knowing only a single place and nothing else. “It’s always good to broaden one’s picture of the world. Admittedly, most places aren’t nearly as extravagant as Teair Nova. If you need anyone to accompany you, I would be willing to do so.” After all, he imagines it might be difficult for her to obtain permission to go on her own. It wasn’t often that noble women travelled alone.

If he notices her blush, he doesn't say anything.  It would be impolite to do so after all.  However, he can at least tell that the compliment is well-received.  Hopefully, he wasn't overstepping his boundaries.  He is unsure what exactly was the status of her last betrothal.  

He frowns slightly when told the rest of the city was also in disrepair. He was hoping that wouldn’t be the case, but it made perfect sense that it was. “I hope things have calmed down here since the initial conflict. I was told that things became heated in the city, but not quite as bad as you say. However, I am not surprised that others within the city wanted to downplay the unrest.”

All that being said, he wasn’t very concerned about travelling the city undercover. He’s never worked with guards anyways, and he could defend himself if need be. What could men with swords do that he could not with magic? “I should probably see the rest of the city without the possible interference of guards. Besides, I am unused to being followed by armed strangers even if they would be under my employ.”

All this did beg the question of how often Yuki went out unattended. It wasn’t peculiar for any noble to be trained in some swordplay, but it hardly seemed like enough to protect from a mob. “Unless of course, you believe it would be significantly dangerous to do so. You seem as if you have experience with the lower districts.”

[Yuki D'Avranches]

She understood that it was sad for her to admit that she never been outside of Nova, she did always wish to travel but sadly her mother wouldn’t allow her outside the gates of the first district let alone Nova itself. The idea of being able to visit the world, plus with Cole offering to accompany her, it would help give her some permission to leave Nova for the first time in her life. “I would love if you accompany. I am sure if my mother knew you were to travel me she would allow me to see the world outside of the fair city.”

“Things are much more calm for sure.” She said as she slowly did her best to cool her heated cheeks. “I am not sure if the we tried to downplay the unrest. Just that his Majesty King Noku seem more worried for his life after the recent attempt of assassination on his life. It was what caused the unrest in the city sadly.” She didn’t want to get into more details of it also being caused because the Fated were ones who plot the assassination and was sentenced to death. She wasn't allowed any more information of the event other than what was she given her.

She giggled happily that he was okay with seeing the city without the need of the guards. She didn’t mind seeing the city with a few guards, but it wasn’t the same seeing it without the protective. People treated her differently when she wasn't dressed to her station, it felt nice. “That is good. We just need to get you some clothes and we can set up the date.”

“Truth me no guards. The city isn’t that dangerous I have seen it many times now without anyone knowing.” Quickly realizing her mistake of revealing her secret. “Please don’t tell my mother about this, if she found out she would surely reduce my freedom.” Quickly her hands moved to rest on his arms as she looking into his eyes pleading with her own for him not to tell anyone of her sneaking out of her home. “Promise not to tell anyone.” The moment she had returned home and found out that her marriage was canceled her mother had put her on a lock down in her room for weeks before allowing her some freedom. Now with the unrest that had happened she had gained some freedom to sneak out of her home but knew if her mother found out she would be back to the beginning never allowed to leave her room.

[Deleted]

Cole smiles as Yuki accepts the offer. It was a little funny that he just got here and he was already making plans to leave. “Let me know if you have any dates in mind. Autumn is coming up, and I believe many travel to the smaller cities and towns to see the leaves change in color. It is also more comfortable weather as well. Being behind a pair of horses all day in the heat can be unpleasant.”

An assassination attempt. Had that been successful, it would have been disastrous. Not just for the city but any noble family. Supposedly, Noku Noru was was a popular king though. It was odd that such a thing would even happen. “I could understand why the crown may not wish for the fact that the king’s life was in danger to leave the city. I am glad to hear that things have returned to a normal state even if the buildings and surroundings have not. However, they will soon enough. I suppose it is my job now to make sure the castle is properly fixed.”

Cole wonders what his parents would think, seeing him dressed as a commoner. It’s not like their opinions matter as much when they were so far away. “The clothes shouldn’t be too much of a hassle. Would sometime within the next few days be acceptable to meet again? However, you can probably find me here most of the time if you need to.”

He blinks as she grabs onto him. “Your secret is safe with me.” He had no real reason to discuss anything with her mother. “I just hope you are being careful,” he says with genuine concern. To his knowledge, Yuki was the sole heir of her family’s estate. He imagines it must be a burden, but it’s one he’s never had. Instead, he had other issues to deal with.

[Yuki D'Avranches]

The simple idea of not being here in Nova even for a season or part of it was music to her. After being locked up in her home for weeks and before that never allowed to travel it was something that she couldn’t pass up. “I would love to set a date. Sadly I am not sure where would be the best place to visit first.” It was very true, the world would be hers to explore, but she wouldn’t be able to select the place she would want to see first. “Maybe you could help me decide where to visit for my first trip outside of Nova.”


Nodding her head knowing what he meant, of Noku was killed it would have thrown the city into chaos she was sure. Any neighbouring kingdoms would have seen it as a chance to invade since they would be in mourning, and chaos while trying to track down the assassin and working on who to take the throne next. “Well, you wouldn’t be alone in trying to make sure castle is properly fixed. You now have one friend you can call to help you.”


“A few days would be acceptable to meet again. Well, until you get the temple fixed I am sure. Once it is fixed I am sure Zepon wouldn’t mind if you took a day or two off from being his high priest.” Not sure if Zepon would agree with her one that one hundred percent but surely no one expected him to be here every day and hour.


“Thank you. I am normally very careful, I did make a few friends in the city. Sadly some of the guards are aware of my trips to the city.” She wasn’t going to lie about it, she knew that some of the guards were aware of her sneaking out. Just like how she knew that look the other way when she decide to have a little bit of freedom while keeping an eye on her from a distance to make sure she was safe. It wasn’t the perfect freedom, but it was better than them following her around all day while she try and pretend to a commoner.


Thinking for a moment wondering if she forgot something, remembering the festival of the gods that was coming up soon. Not sure if Cole was aware of it coming up, she had to go because it was good for appearances even if everyone was wearing masks; like years before she always found a way out to not attend. “By chance are you going to the Festival of the Gods” Depending on his answer she might for the first time in her life go to the festival.

[Deleted]

Cole is surprised that she is letting him pick. He would have thought that she may have a few places in mind. Then again, if you were sheltered, how would you where decent vacation spots were? “Very well then. However, it might be somewhat dependent on which families will allow us to stay at their estate. I’m sure it won’t be a problem for most of them though.” He can think of a few houses that would be more than happy to accommodate them and that he had been meaning to correspond with anyways.

He smiles at her offer of help, but shakes his head. As a noble, they weren’t supposed to really do physical labor like that. In addition, this was his burden and job. It would be wrong to try to pass it off on someone else. “Thank you, but I wouldn’t want to bother you with a task such as this.”

He looks around, doubtful that the temple could be fixed in the span of a few days. “It might take a little longer to fix all this. I’m not sure how long it will take to commission artists for the temple since I haven’t even been to the guild district yet. And there is little I can actually do myself here. I don’t think it will hurt to explore the city for awhile after I’ve hired people to help restore things here.”

It appeared running off into the city was a well-known habit of Yuki. Perhaps he shouldn’t be playing co-conspirator, but it seems fun. And if it was safe, then there was no harm in it. “We’ll just have to find a way to be stealthy about this then.”

It would probably reflect poorly on him if he skipped out on the Festival of Gods. Besides, he was slightly curious about it. He’s never been to one of the large festivals in the city, and never been in the same area as the Gods before. “I think I am required to make an appearance. How about yourself?”