Log file from Aroree. 6-8-00
Wherein Aroree finally makes a decision about Winnowill's offer of nearly a turn ago.
Players: Savith, Dodia, Areelia, Aroree and Winnowill (Several times during the scene Savith kept getting disconnected, so some of his poses seem a little out of place, and some questions directed at him were never answered, poor Savith!)

You make your way out of the Aerie and into the Hall of the Chosen Eight.
Hall of the Chosen Eight
Roughly circular, this hall is a good four spans from wall to wall. The pearlescent shimmer of the indigo blue stone reflects the light that filters in from some unseen source. Here and there about the room shadows dance over ornately shaped whorls, some taking on half-familiar shapes before melting back into the walls. The walls themselves are smooth as glass and free of the minute cracks and fissures that are so evident in the rest of the Mountain. Rising out of the floor, roughly in the center lies an oval table, the shaped benches below it appear to provide comfortable sitting for four on a side, one bench to either long side of the table. Nine passageways lead out of this room, one each to the private quarters of the Chosen Eight, the ninth leads up a short stairway to the aerie.

Savith has arrived.

Aroree stands near the center of the room, looking at the table there and the eight chairs thoughtfully... each has a name associated with it to her, old and familiar and gone...

Savith drifts out of his chambers, murmering to himself.. the murmering stops as he looks up and notices you ** Examining the old chambers for something suitable, Aroree? ** he asks, a light lilt and amusement to his send.

Areelia has arrived.

Aroree blinks away her introspection and looks up at Savith's greeting "hmm? oh, no Savith, not quite that at least."

Savith chortles a bit, offering Areelia a nod as she enters ** MMhmm.. ** he tilts his head ** Still considering just how much to allow yourself? **

Areelia slips from her chambers, adjusting her collar somewhat as she does so, distracted. When she sees the two of you here though, she pauses, blinks. She nods to you both. ** Greetings... **

Savith smiles ** Good day Areelia.. **

Areelia returns that smile almost hesitantly. As if she doesn't quite know what a smile is doing on her face. But it's a genuine expression all the same. She nods to him.

Dodia comes in from the Aerie.
Dodia has arrived.

Aroree dips her head slightly in a polite enough greeting "Areelia."

Aroree lightly rests her hand on the back of one of the chairs, glances down at it... none of you would know that it was once the one she occupied on a fairly regular basis... who sits here now she wonders... a sigh, she's in a typically brooding mood. "Just pondering things gone and past I supose, Chosen."

Areelia raises a brow. "Might I ask what has gotten you particularly introspective today?" she asks, slightly sardonic as per usual, but there's a touch of actual curiosity there too.

Savith arches a brow, chortling a bit as he nods to Dodia, marking her entry before looking back to Aroree ** Fond memories then? **

Slipping from one of the passageways is Dodia. She'sfully dressed and looking bright and cheerful. She's bouncing just a bit as she walks, smiling brightly.

Areelia also turns to nod politely to the arriving Dodia before her attention settles back upon the brooding Aroree.

Aroree glances over at Savith for a brief moment, then quietly answers Areelia's question "Lord Winnowill has offered me my talon whip back." reason enough for brooding, don't you think?

Dodia pauses faintly, her head tilting to the side. Her jovial mood slips just a bit, glancing about to test the waters.

Areelia watches Aroree for a little while before answering. Reason enough indeed. "Aroree... If you wish to take it..." She lets out a soft breath. "I know that I have perhaps made things difficult for you in the past. I ... regret that. I will make no trouble for you now if you wish to take up Lord Winnowill's offer."

Aroree turns to regard Areelia for a long quiet moment, the other glider has been acting oddly mature lately, a slight nod "I thank you, Areelia, though that was hardly the greatest of my fears, it was one of them. There is little love lost between me and many gliders."

Areelia nods shortly in answer. What Aroree says is likely true. However, she herself has no wish to continue those hostilities. Frankly... there are a lot of things she'd prefer not to continue. "How is our visitor? Windkin? Has he decided to behave himself yet, do you think?" A slight upward tilt of her lips indicates the beginnings of a smile.

Aroree sighs and turns away from the table, leaning against the ornate back of the chair she gladly takes the offered change of conversation topic, less than happy though it is. "Windkin, well... I can only hope his mother is able to talk some sense into him, I dare say Dewshine can keep him out of trouble for a while at least... has anyone heard of Flashfire and Haikari? It would be better for all if they leave soon."

Dodia shakes her head a bit, "No, but I know Windkin." She says, then bites her bottom lip, "Sorry for interrupting."

You say "do not be regretful of speaking Dodia, your insight is certainly as welcome as my own, if not more so." she offers a slight smile to the sunvillager "Please, tell me your prediction for a happier outcome to the present difficulties?"

Dodia shrugs faintly, "I don't know. I'd be happy to talk with him and see if I could help. I might be able to, but I might not." She shrugs once more, chewing on her lip.

Areelia nods... This would be a *very* good idea, she thinks... "Dodia, I think perhaps hearing it from someone who is not a glider, might make him feel a bit better about giving in. But *please*. If he is to get out of this unscathed, you must advise him to keep his temper in check. It does no one any good." She sighs.

Dodia nods faintly, "I realize that much..Where is it that he is?"

Aroree looks over at Areelia, she is acting differently to be sure, displaying an inordinate amount of common sense, passing up an opportunity to be self-rightous, failing to oggle Savith... will wonders never cease? A slight smile threatens her normally gloomy visage, and she decides to keep these thoughts to herself for now.

Savith listens pensively to all this as he looks between the three females, his brow arched slightly ** What is it you intend to do Aroree? **

You say "Windkin is still in the Cage, last I checked. Hopefully that matter will be remedied swiftly." She does not reply to Savith's more direct question, at least not outwardly.

Aroree steps away from the table and walks, steps light against the ground in that manner common to those whose aquiescence of gravity is purely voluntary, those few steps toward the sunfolk "Tell me Dodia... do you ever miss your position as a hunter for the village?"

Dodia nods faintly, "Some. but, I know that I can go out to hunt if I want."

You say "Yes, there is that." she glances toward the exit out the the aerie, illusion of freedom that is... "But you do not miss your companions? Riding with the pack?"

Dodia smiles faintly, "Dune's outside, waiting for when I come out. She's content, besides, she's mostly lazily anyways. thinks she's some big cat."

Savith chortles a bit, but otherwise remains silent as he settles into his chair around the table

Aroree flickers a glance over at Savith, weighing that. "I've been blessed with quite a few friends, Dodia, here and elsewhere, truely I am fortunate in that regard."

Dodia nods, "That is a blessing indeed. I don't know where I'd be if I'd never had friends."

Aroree sighs and could tell you exactly where she'd be without friends, she's been there. But out of politeness she chooses not to.

You locksend to Winnowill, Aroree's mind touches yours lightly, a hesitant sending, uncertain she truely wishes to make contact... but... ** Lord Winnowill? **
Aroree is still a moment, sending perhaps.

Winnowill locksends ** What is it, Aroree? **

Aroree sighs, takes a few steps away from everyone and places a hand against a avian-shaped wall sconce for a moment, her thoughts kept to herself.

Savith arches a brow as he turns to glance to Aroree ** Is everything alright? **

You locksend ** ... were I to become your Chosen once more... I could not change my opinions, nor would wish to, I will still believe as I do... would you heed my counsel? ** to Winnowill.

Winnowill locksends ** I will hear your counsel and heed it as I see fit. **

Aroree speaks quietly "I am not certain, Savith."
Aroree closes her eyes, sending...

Dodia frowns, "Something I'm missing?"

You locksend ** I will not lie to you, I do miss my old post, my old companions and comforts... I need an assurance however, something to prove to me I am choosing correctly by accepting you as my Lord. ** to Winnowill.

Savith frowns a bit to himself, watching Aroree as well. He murmers after a moment to Dodia "I believe we both are, dearest.."

Dodia nods faintly, "Seems like it.." She shrugs faintly, moving to sit down as well.

Aroree realizes how rude she's being and turns back toward you both again with a faintly appologetic smile "Forgive me, my manners have apparently suffered greatly over the years"

Savith shakes his head, arching a brow "Not at all, my friend.. You'll be alright then?"

Winnowill locksends ** What sort of assurance is it you seek? What is your fear? **

Dodia shakes her head at Aroree, "You've not been rude, just was worried something was wrong."

Aroree glides back over to the table, looks down at its surface with quite a serious expression "Quite understandable Dodia, I also am worried something is wrong..."

Dodia frowns, "Has something happened?" She asks, starting to stand up from where she sat herself.

You locksend ** My fears are countless, Winnowill. For one that I shall only fail again where once I failed. In the past I found your orders at times... difficult ** and isn't that putting it mildly? ** Secondly, I do not wish to betray those whom I care for... there are orders I will not obey. ** to Winnowill.

Savith tilts his head "Would you like to talk about it Aroree?"

Winnowill locksends ** <> You will find me changed from the Lord you once served. In my pain over the loss of our beloved Voll I made many mistakes. I do hope you will give me a chance to rectify this. **

You say "Savith... you and many others have told me Winnowill has changed, that she is no longer the hard ruler she once was... It is hard to place my life on such assurances, no matter the trustworthiness of the source."

Dodia settles back into her seat, drawing her knees up to her chest. She falls quiet, listening, ready to add in a thought, if she feels it neccesary.

Savith nods slowly "A wise consideration.. just remember where your duty would lie.. to the mountain first.. the Lord is only part of the larger whole.. What is it worth to you?"

You locksend to Winnowill, Aroree is less amused, more she is hesitant, afraid, uncertain... ah, but her longing to belong, to be useful is for once greater than her fear ** Far be it from me to refuse another the chance of redemption...** a noticable pause as she takes a breath and screws her courage to the sticking place ** Hear me then, there is some responsiblity I bare towards our recent guests thanks to past sins. I feel it unwise to keep Windkin Caged, it only feeds the anger in his soul. I ask that you consider releasing him and his kinfolk... and... I would be your Chosen once more. **

Winnowill locksends ** You may release Windkin and see him along his way. As for Flashfire, he stays for the call of Recognition to one of our own. It is between himself and Haikari when he may once more be free to do as he wills. **

Aroree takes a step over to that one particular chair and settles down into it. Her eyes remain downcast "You speak convincingly, Savith, words like sweet honey... "

You locksend ** So be it... my Lord. ** to Winnowill.
Aroree closes her eyes a moment, holding her breath.

Dodia is sitting, quietly. Listening. nothing more, nothing less.

Winnowill locksends ** I am glad, My Chosen, that you see it so. **

Aroree releases her breath and looks up, frankly a little stunned. "It is done." she almost wispers the words, faintly horrified perhaps as well as strangely euphoric.

Savith arches a brow and smiles, nodding "Welcome, Chosen.."

Dodia raises a brow, "What's done?"

Aroree sighs and stands from the table "I am Chosen again." the words a little hollow, she still can't believe them... a slight bow to the two of you and she drifts out to take care of one small task. Releasing Windkin.