Mission Impossible

September, 18th 2007

Summary:

Pinnos takes the opportunity of having everyone present to tell Dulin of his plans for opening a mission in Witch Hill, for the orphans. Hoping for a reasonable debate at least, he instead finds unwavering opinion and religious dogma on all sides. It further transpires the cleric was correct in his prediction that Bella would be the orphans' third spiritual patron, in accordance with his 'vision'; but not in the way he had intended...

White Hart Inn - Common Room

Present are: Pinnos, Illuminada, Gelthagar, Dulin, and Bella

Out of the tin-can again for the day, Pinnos comes quietly down the stairs; he's got on a typically unassuming tunic and woollen pants. He just doesn't have the constitution to wear full plate all day and all evening, if he can help it. He greets the paladin by name, clearly pleased to see him, and then finds Illuminada over by the hearth. Wandering over to give her a peck on the cheek, he mutters some pleasantries, and brightens considerably.

Illuminada smiles ever so brightly as she's kissed on the cheek, and she turns to try and return the kiss. She taps the table and requests, "Please join me." She turns to peer at the paladin Pinnos greets and she flashes him a smile as well.

The Paladin returns Pinnos' greeting and then goes back to his meal. He neither smiles nor frowns, aside from the small flash of teeth he had offered the cleric. Gelthagar stares off into the distance, occcasionally remembering he had food in front of him as he ran over his deep thoughts.

Dulin slips quietly into the inn from outside, where she seems to have been fighting the wind for control of her cloak. Muttering to herself, she hangs the cloak up on a peg near the door, and moves to find herself a seat.

Dulin sits down at Table by the front door.

Having no desire to appear frivolous in front of the Skylord's warrior, Pinnos takes Illuminada by the hand and quietly asks her to join him, over by Gelthagar's table. "Paladin, may I introduce to you Illuminada Dawnsinger? She will be helping us with our endeavour." And with the return introduction, "This is Gelthagar, a holy warrior of Aurinko." And there with Dulin coming inside, Pinnos manages to fit in a smile of greeting to the elf.

Illuminada rises as her hand is taken, and she smiles at Pinnos, wordlessly agreeing to join him. She dips into a slight curtsy as she's introduced to Gelthagar, "It's a pleasure to meet you, good sir." She waves to Dulin as she sees the priestess enter, cheerfully.

Dulin waves to Illuminada and Pinnos as well, but doesn't move to interrupt whatever's going on.

Gelthagar flinches ever so slightly at the mention of his deity's name. Although he knew that most could care less about the Skylord's proper name, he holds it with such reverence as to never utter it unless absolutely necessary. Regardless, he rarely faulted people for it. Bowing his head to the woman, he smiles, and says, "The pleasure is mine, m'lady. I was just contemplating our endeavour, in fact."

The flinch certainly draws Pinnos' eye, though he offers no commentary, instead seeming eager to complete the introductions and get everybody seated. For a quiet sort, he certainly seems to have time to socialise. Then gain, there seems to be some sort of pressing business for the three. "A drink, anyone?" He suggests to the table, before stepping towards the bar. Illuminada has yet to order, and Gelthagar may need a top up.

Illuminada mms, and asks of Pinnos, "Mulled wine please." She then settles into a seat at the table, giving the paladin another soft smile. Dulin is waved to, and she tilts her head, peering at Pinnos. "Have you spoken to Dulin about things, Pinnos?"

Gelthagar shakes his head, gesturing to his nearly-full mug, "I have plenty already, friend, but thank you." He takes a bite of his food, a hot meat sandwich, complete with vegetables and some kind of house dressing. Chewing, he enjoys the flavor.

Bella comes into the common room from the street.

It's the striking elven woman over by the bar to whom Pinnos seems to be making a bee-line. Nodding in response to his companions, he side-steps a few of the inn patrons, each of them a little worse for the ale, and draws up by Dulin's side. "Would you care to join us?" he asks her, after giving one of Aron's barmaids the necessary order.

Dulin blinks as Pinnos makes his request, then shrugs, and nods, "Er... of course." She stands up then, and starts walking over toward the small group.

Dulin stands and leaves Table by the front door.

Pinnos sits down at Table under the left window.

The Paladin of the Skylord watches as the follower of the Holy Spark approaches and takes a draw from his ale. Gelthagar hesitates to think about inviting her into the movement, but he decides to wait for Pinnos to bring it up before starting any arguments. Instead, he gives Dulin a brief smile. Illuminada smiles cheerfully as Dulin and Pinnos head back to the table. She clasps her hands on her lap and just sighs softly.

Returning to Gelthagar's table, with a couple of mulled wines in hand, Pinnos passes one to Illuminada and then indicates Dulin. "Have you met?" he asks between the paladin and elf. The social butterfly routine really doesn't come easily to the Kunnite, though he is making an effort. All the same, he seems eager to get on to whatever it is he wants to discuss.

Dulin finds a seat, looking more than a little confused. "Err... if I say 'no', will that affect my reliability as 'someone who knows everyone'?"

Dulin sits down at Table under the left window.

A sudden influx of cold air and the clank of steel herald Bella's entry, and the latter continues as she moves towards a table of her own. Her omnipresent armor appears freshly cleaned, though scrubbing has done little to fully remove a section of dents and distortions.

Pale blue eyes follow Bella briefly when she walks in, but then Gelthagar's attention falls back on Dulin. "I am Gelthagar Hjortpanne, lawful servant of the Risen One." The Paladin had a little more social savvy, considering his line of work and the diplomatic nature of many of his missions for the church.

Illuminada accepts the mug of wine and she smiles, "Thank you, Pinnos." She sips from it and peers between the others. She starts to introduce the priestess and the paladin when Gelthager speaks, so she goes quiet, and smiles.

Doing his best to ignore the commotion of Bella's arrival, Pinnos takes a free seat, and settles quickly down, addressing the table in a soft tone. He seems typically good-natured, though with a certain pregnancy of purpose, this night. He can't quite help casting a lingering glance over the Bloodmoon's servant though, and his eyes remain contemplative when they pass back over to Gelthagar.

Dulin nods to Gelthagar, offering her hand. "Melian Illyanari, called Dulin by most. High Priestess of the church of Duralion, proprietrix of the Stonesong Sanctuary, bard of the elaidar, escaped slave, and occasional drunken whore." Then, for good measure, she adds, "A pleasure," with a smile.

At your table, Pinnos listens politely as the basics of social etiquette are observed. He doesn't seem so terrible a novice in the whole matter of social activity, simply... reticent in manner. Where some would gain energy from it, his own is sapped. Regardless, he continues to take the lead, murmuring in a tone both pleasant and edged with conspiracy, "It is indeed a blessing we should all converge here this night. No mere accident, I'm sure. Dulin," he looks evenly at the priestess, "We would like to tell you of a task the three of us have decided to undertake. I plan to open a mission; a place of refuge for the unwanted of Witch Hill. We intend it to be a place where one can gain the benefits of moral schooling and the discipline of structured routine; and we intend the children who currently enjoy the safety of your woodland sanctuary be its first guests."

At your table, Illuminada is quietly drinking her wine, looking between the others thoughtfully. She smiles then as she hears Pinnos speak of his plans, and she nods very gently.

The quite somber demeanor of the Forstorelsette is split with a blooming smirk. Bella pauses in her steps to look towards the table that bears Dulin's introductory remark and companions. Hmm. Elf... elf... elf... and an Aurinkan. If that is not a group that warrants some attention...

At your table, Gelthagar sighs, a little louder than he had hoped, but with the shaking of his head, it is evident he is none too pleased. "Pinnos, my friend, I wish you had consulted me further before inviting Miss Illyanari into this." Turning to the primal elf with a furrowed brow, he states, "I apologize if this offends to, but I am afraid that there would be no way for me to work alongside you. Our philosophies are too radically different." Back to Pinnos, the edge in his voice becoming sharper, "I believe we already discussed the suitable philosophies I am capable of working alongside. If this is a problem for the project, then I will wish you the best of luck and be done with it. I cannot bend on this principle."

At your table, Illuminada knits her brows as she hears Gelthagar's words, and she shoots a glance to Dulin.

At your table, Pinnos holds up a hand to the paladin, staying him as politely as he's able. "Gelthagar," he returns, quickly, though with far less of an edge in his voice, "You misunderstand me. I do not intend to burden Dulin with this matter; simply to gain the custody of the children she currently shelters. We still seek our third," this sounding a little cryptic perhaps, to those not in the know, "And I trust your choice in that matter implicitly." He casts an apologetic look to Dulin, whom he's likely interrupted.

Dulin listens quietly to some things being said at the table, then just starts laughing uproariously. "You don't want my help. You don't want anything to do with my help." She points to where Gelthagar is sitting, "That chair there is just about exactly where I was sitting the night I told some idiot woman that if she didn't learn to watch her tongue, I'd cut off both her thumbs, then come around the next day to heal them... just so I could cut them off again... and do that every day for a year." She rises then, "I wish you good luck, sir, but in my experience, the benefits of combining 'moral schooling' and 'discipline' prove beneficial /only/ for those who seek to run others' lives for them. I, alas, prefer to let people live as they see fit, so long as they harm no-one. But consider this: those 'unwanted' on Witch Hill already live by the moral codes they see fit to live by. And they will likely react as I have." She looks to Pinnos then, "My answer is 'no'. You will not have them. Good evening."

Dulin has departed. Dulin stands and leaves Table under the left window.

The continued conversation of the group only serves to hold Bella's interest, so much so that she has yet to order. Snippets are caught here and there, though it is once more Dulin's comment that contributes to the smirk upon her face. The laughter in the face of the Sky-child doesn't hurt, either. She could easily espouse the merits of both discipline and the waste of charity in favor of self-reliance, but remains silent. This could be quite amusing even without her own input.

"Dulin," Pinnos stands as the woman takes her leave, "Leaving an adult to live as they see fit is one thing; it is quite another for a child. Will you not at least hear us out on this?" Seeing Bella s interest, he cuts the woman a sharp glance, but seems to have few words to spare for her.

Illuminada is quiet now. Her expression is much less serene than previously, her full lips pursed somewhat. She's focused on dulin and Pinnos, sighing softly.

Dulin says "No. It's not. Indoctrinating a child with one person's morality, and an adherance to discipline... it's dangerous. It's reckless. Better they be exposed to the underlying concepts, taught to think for themselves, and make their own decisions about the kind of life they want to lead. Have you seen what happens when one of your 'moral' and 'disciplined' children grows up to follow the rules and be good, only to find out the world doesn't *play* by those rules? I have. This city's suffered under the 'laws' that kind of person creates: laws that seek to enforce 'the rules' on the world... to make everyone else act the way they believe everyone should... and the funny thing is: they're always... *always* willing to ignore those rules when it comes to having things their way."

"Nobody said anything about indoctrination," Pinnos responds, still standing, and speaking loud enough for Bella to hear him. The discussion is wide open now, and he's doing all he can to reason with Dulin before she shuts him out completely. "Gelthagar," he nods to the paladin as Dulin speaks of rules. "What is it I said was my ideal for their tutoring, when we spoke the other day? Above all else? Was it not that they learn to think for themselves? Were they not my exact words? To consider each of the faiths we present them, and review them in a reasoned light?" His hopes ride on his reply, though as all would know, the paladin's response will be no lie.

Gelthagar unclenches his jaw to answer Pinnos, but does so in very short form. "It was," comes the strained bassnotes of the Paladin. He very badly wants to retort at this nonsense that no law-abider ever follows all laws, and they twist them for their own gain, but to do so now would ruin any future chance of helping these children, and the man's diplomacy wins out for now.

Dulin says "And which faiths would you present them?"

That's the question that seems to intrigue Illuminada, and she focuses on Pinnos when Dulin questions him. She glances at Gelthagar as well, and gives Bella a passing glance.

A world without rules would prevent most children from ever reaching adulthood, killed by their own siblings without fear of retribution. While favoring the strong, such anarchy would collapse upon itself. "Yes, let them choose for themselves. The Bloodmoon would gladly aid those who helped themselves." Her silence is now broken as she opines her way into the discussion. She hardly agrees wholeheartedly with the elf, but cannot ignore the chance to defy the Aurinkan.

"I speak of my god to all who are willing to listen," responds Pinnos quickly to Dulin; the implication being that yes, Kunnia is definitely going to be on the curriculum, but perhaps more importantly that he might well understand not all are suited to his particular faith. His friendship with Gelthagar would support this, in a small way. "And of course the Skylord's faith would also naturally feature," he accedes, though without apology. "Illuminada will naturally be keen to teach them of the flame of Tuli." All this, fairly evident. Then, "We still seek another faith though. Something to temper our endeavour. And whilst Gelthagar has made his stance on your own faith quite clear, I would beg you hold, and help us reach some palatable agreement here. If you feel our scripture speaks too much of the Law, let the third stand in peaceable counterpoint."

Dulin says "Well... ignoring, for the moment, that Kunnia, Aurinko, and Tuli would already /be/ three... I would suggest Hemlig."

Illuminada blinks, and then stares at Dulin at her suggestion.

The Paladin of the Skylord knows Bella is only trying to get a rise out of him, but he was already too agitated to cede to his better judgements. "You see, Pinnos? As I said, the Bloodmoon would gladly take these children. Already, you've given sway to one god of unlawfulness, and if we follow Dulin's suggestion, we'll allow evil into our midst, too. Forget it. If it helps you get the children, then perhaps it is for the better, but I am out of this completely. I cannot stand shoulder-to-shoulder with evil or those who violate the law." Standing, the Paladin grabs his shield and helm and begins for the door.

Dulin tsks, "And that, you see, Pinnos, is exactly what I'm talking about. When they find out that they can't have it their way, they sulk, they pout, they decide they don't want to play any more. Completely ignoring the fact that he's made no inquiries as to the truthfulness of /any/ of my objections, made no attempt to find out more of who I am than what half-truths I've said here, and certainly made no attempt to determine whether or not I, or the Bloodmoon's faithful here, are actually /evil/... he'll consign us to the darkness because we don't fit his views. Nevermind that I've defended the innocent against demons, or died to protect others. He can't see past his upbringing that says he's right, period, all the time. And that kind of stiff-necked arrogance is why Aurinko turned his back on Alance, once. Thankfully, he's learned, and is a fine paladin now... but not always..."

Gelthagar stops, his face red now. "That is not what I said, not is it the basis of my words. I have always believed actions were more important than words, and have done nothing but priase you for helping the orphans as you have so far. And for all your claims of -my- stubborness, you yourself have done every single act you just accused me of. My concern is in teaching the ideals of these deities who do not fallow the law or what is good. Period. It matters little what actions the teachers take, if the Bloodmoon's philosophy is that all who do not follow Her are to be slaves; Or if the Liesmith teaches the children about deceit and treachery above all else."

"Illuminada is not an authority in her faith," Pinnos explains his own take on the math here. "And so whilst I am more than content for her to spread the word of her faith, our third will need to be a true, holy representative." Why it -has- to be that way is anyone's guess. But there we are. At least there we were. Gelthagar is now intent upon the door. "-Hemlig-? I might, at a push, go with Kaupias, but surely not the Liesmith?" He eyes Dulin, wondering if she's similarly just trying to wind up the paladin now. Pinnos sighs after him, but does not move to stop him. This may go better without the fellow, besides. Speaking in his defence though, the Kunnite replies, "Gelthagar has a noble soul. Whatever his perceived failings may be in the rigidity of his faith." Walking quite a tightrope here, trying to find some neutral ground between Duralion and Aurinko's faithful, without insulting either... Imploring the room, "Stop. Please, let us calm down here. Let us be reasonable."

Surely, there exists a suitable snide addition to Dulin's eloquent views of Aurinko and His servants, perhaps something to further exacerbate Gelthagar's flustered state. Such words currently escape Bella, however... and she regrets it not in the slightest. In fact, the priestess' lips curl into a smile that is much more flattering to her visage than the usual smirk.

Dulin says "Well..." She turns toward Gelthagar, "I can understand that if that were the whole of either of those deities' ideals. But they aren't. Hemlig teaches self-reliance. You can't trust anyone... because you can't. And I'm not saying that as any kind of condemnation, either. You simply can't. No-one else will ever think, want, or do exactly what you believe they will. Never. Nobody. Trust /yourself/. Trust others to /be/ themselves... but never try to trust them to be doing what's best for /you/. They aren't you. Usually, they won't even /know/ what's best for you. Not really. So don't go leaving that burden on them. And Forstorelse..." She turns to look toward Bella, then back, "The Bloodmoon teaches many lessons. Among them is one that Aurinko will never teach you: Don't. Lose." She takes a deep breath, then lets it out slowly, "There is a darkness that wishes to destroy...not enslave, mind you, destroy... all that is. All that any of us loves. Aurinko opposes that, and I thank him for it... but he plays by the rules, and Varjo does not. The Warbringer teaches that when your options are: Break the Rules, or Lose... you BREAK THE RULES. Win by any means necessary. Because being the heroic martyr and dying to save someone else is all fine and noble, but the /next/ time someone needs you to save them? You're DEAD. They suffer for your selfish act of nobility. Each of the gods has valuable lessons to teach. Study them all. Temper them with one another. To exclude /any/ is to miss a piece of the puzzle."

"Yes," Gelthagar says with cynicism, "we all know about pantheism, Dulin. For all these 'merits' you list, though, the piece of the puzzle you miss is that there is only truth. You seem to believe only in the here and now and not the glorious future of peace and harmony that the following the law and perfect morality will lead to." The Paladin turns back to Pinnos, "But if you wish to corrupt these children with the help of all the deities who would gladly watch them die to gain power, you do it without me." And with that, he walks out the door.

Hopefully before the paladin can slam the door behind him, Pinnos announces to Dulin, after duly considering her words, "You seek to test us, to see if we are blinded by ideals. I am grateful for that, for were I not convinced of the holy duty before me, I would not dare risk the lives of these children in the name of doctrine. And that is what matters to me here. Not potential converts, not minds to mould in arrogance; but young lives that deserve a chance. A chance to see that someone will stand up for them, offer them protection, in a city they fled in terror, and now feel has no place for them. With all the goodness that the Stonesong will provide them, there is one lesson it will never teach them if they are allowed to remain: that fear cannot be conquered by running."

Dulin smiles, "No? Then you do not understand Stonesong. It is a refuge. It is a place where harm /does not come/. Lords of the Tanari'i have tried to attack my house. And they fell. Can you offer the same?"

"I fully intend to," the Kunnite replies. "Though if I doubt for one moment that I can offer them the necessary safety, then I will not go through with this task. Thus, I seek allies. And my point is not that the Stonesong is an unsafe haven; but only that if these children do not return to the city they fled in terror, they will grow up fearing it for the rest of their lives. I would show them another face to Vintermor; once of acceptance. Without it, they are condemned to live as outcasts."

Illuminada is quite silent on the argument. She's no priestess! She does have her views on the gods, and such, but they're her own.

Dulin says "And they will return to Vintermor. But they will return to their own lives, not to another prison."

"If you let them grow to adulthood in the wilds," Pinnos is getting short on patience now, "They will not return. Because all they will remember of Vintermor is violence and fear."

Bella now forgoes any interest in refreshment in favor of the ongoing discussion. She steps towards the table that Gelthagar hastily vacated. "It may be a refuge, but it cannot shelter everyone forever..." Such stagnation would benefit no one. "I would gladly train those in hiding, both mind and body, so that they would no longer need to fear or hide." She then looks to sanctuary caretaker. "Perhaps there will be more need for my services than you originally expected, Dulin..." There is little need for Bella to remind Dulin of their previous discussion, save to annoy the paladin, which is cause enough.

Dulin says "I have no intention of raising them. That is why there are already people looking into the matter of their abusers." She nods to Bella, "I'm sure they'd be interested in learning. Marian will likely be involved as well, when she can be."

Pinnos seems only to be hearing Dulin, right now. "And what lives are they to return to, exactly? The ones they left? Begging on the street for food or coin, prey to any thug that cares to hurt them?"

Dulin says "Not at all. They will have access to training, to learn to defend themselves, to learn a trade... and they will have their freedom." She smirks a bit, "Even to enter into your care /if they choose/."

Illuminada is frowning mildly as the argument drags on. She eventually pulls herself out of her chair and moves to Pinnos, whispering something to him before she starts off.

You sense Illuminada sighs, "Good luck, dear one. If you need me, I'll be in my room, but I must prepare for tomorrow."

"I think that constitutes raising them," Pinnos notes with a quirked brow, though says it quietly enough as to indicate he does not intend to drag this any further. He's made his position clear enough, and spoken from the heart as much as the head, tonight. He looks worn down, irritated by Dulin's perceived stubbornness; frustrated this should all play out in front of one of the Bloodmoon. He clasps Illuminada's hand briefly, by way of goodbye, then announces, "You ask we temper our teachings of law and discipline. I'd ask you temper your own notions of wanton freedom." This is not said as some petty attempt to score points though; more an acknowledgement of seeking middle ground.

Dulin says "Oh, I don't advocate /no/ rules... that would be silly. But discipline for its own sake is only smothering."

The Forstorelsette is, ironically, one of the few not argumentative, and apparently quite willing to offer aid in the general endeavor. There is no reason to bludgeon a dead horse, however, and she will allow the others to continue their haggling. In her mind, the exchange was quite favorable, and would benefit both her Matron, and those she instructs. "I will make arrangements to train those who wish it..." This is offered as a parting farewell to Dulin as Bella, too, has other matters that also draw her time and attention.

"I made no argument for discipline for its own sake," Pinnos sighs, the matter a dead loss to him now. "But your position is clear enough. I must take some air." With effort, he nods to the elven woman, effort made to present her a calm expression. "Good evening, Dulin."

Dulin nods, "Good night."