Varanis — 1626 0700 Red Green
????, Fire Season, Season/Movement Week
Context
Fire Season/Movement Week/Freezeday/Afternoon [[[s01:session-38|Session 38]]]
After the events of the second Lunar quest, most of the group is sitting in the common room of the White Grape, drinking Rondrik’s alcohol and pondering recent events.
Events
When Vingan returns from her promenade with Berra, Xenofos nods to her. Varanis smiles at him. “Did you get any rest, cousin?” she says by way of greeting, peeling away from Berra after saying a quiet thank you.
“It was much longer night’s sleep than the night before.”
“True,” she agrees. “Do you need a refill?” She glances at his cup.
“I have been nursing his one, so no thanks. Getting really drunk sounds tempting but might obscure the truth.”
“Fair enough. Give me a moment,” she says before wandering over to the bar. She comes back shortly with a cup in hand. She sits beside him.1Special on a scan roll tells Xenofos that she’s just got water. In fact, it’s probably been just water every time today. And yesterday.
He says to his cousin, “I feel like I am stumbling in mist, with muted sounds calling from different directions.”
Varanis looks at him carefully. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Make world red and green again? Probably not, but thanks for asking. Taking Lunar role knowingly was not as shocking this time, but feeling of shame remains.”
Varanis nods. “At least we didn’t mess it up this time,” she replies.
“And yet I wonder… we were not supposed to get into that quest and still it happened.” He looks disturbed.
“Rajar got his own blood on the stone. He triggered it this time.” She sounds reasonably confident of the answer.
Xenofos raises an eyebrow. “Oh, that is ironic. Without Berra taking side of Dormal I would have been convinced this is just one of his nefarious, self serving plots.”
Show Conversation – contains minor spoilers, especially regarding Dormal
“No, it wasn’t Dormal this time. And you are still being very hard on him, Xenofos. He was trying to get information for our quest. He’s promised me that he won’t hide anything relevant to the quest from me, and I believe him.” She looks young, determined, and very adamant as she defends Dormal.
“When hearing of what Eril hid, I just wonder. You know, I could with help of Lhankor Mhy force him to speak the truth. Yesterday I was contemplating using those rites. I did not. I was afraid of what it might force him to tell.” Xenofos is looking startled. “I was afraid of the Truth?”
“He says that there are things he has to do, that it is best I don’t know….” She looks pained. “Maybe he’s right? I don’t know. Grandmother trusts him.”
“Dormal says Grandma trusts her, did she instruct you to trust him?” he probes.
“Grandmother sent Dormal with us and she helped me to ensure that he’d return with us, at considerable expense. So, while she didn’t say the words explicitly, yes, I believe that she trusts him to help.”
Xenofos mutters, “For stirring manure a stick is better than one’s hands…”
“What?” Varanis asks, having not quite heard him. When he doesn’t reply, she asks, “Has he caused harm to any of us since this began? I see no evidence of it.”
“Apart from starting a Lunar heroquest in Boldhome and trying to blackmail you into assisting thievery, not that I know.”
She considers his assessment of their cousin’s actions. “Did he try to blackmail me? He asked and I refused. And he says the quest was to get information to help us.”
“He asked telling you dishonorable act was a test, while giving me account just suspiciously different. So I do not trust him, nor do I – after this later endeavor – reckon him kin. But since even weasels can be useful and you have use for him, I do not make him pay.” Xenofos keeps his voice low, seeking not to be overheard in the common room.
Varanis nods. “I understand. But know that I’m not giving up on him either.”
“It is said Orlanth protects Eurmal – so be it. May you not regret that decision,” he says. “And remember that Vinga had to kick Eurmal on various occasions on trying to trick her while trying to get in her pants.”
“Well, Dormal certainly isn’t trying that!” Varanis replies with a shocked laugh.
“Point is you cannot trust him, you can protect him, use his gifts, but you can never, never really trust him,” he cautions her.
Varanis doesn’t quite shout, but her voice becomes loud and stormy. “Xenofos, we are going in circles. Enough. I’m tired of this. I respect you, I respect your wisdom, but I do not agree with you on this.” Varanis rises, and walks out of the inn, allowing the abused door to slam behind her.
- 1Special on a scan roll tells Xenofos that she’s just got water. In fact, it’s probably been just water every time today. And yesterday.
