Thirteen 2 session 42
Summary
In the final session, Skalla takes Thekla with her to visit the Karagwasischiro, and speaks with her cousin, Soren. Lucas check in on Welumque on her return and they talk about personal growth. Hildie and Skalla talk about what the future holds and what they will do to secure it. Svald has two visitors - the first is Joanna Tekeniehnita, who talks to them about spirits, and the second is Lucas, who asks them to accompany him on a quest to help the spirits. Joanna also visits Welumque and they talk about the political future. Lucas speaks with Amatsula and Asakonige'idaksi, and invites them (and Kahon) on his quest, and then finally tells Welumque he is going.
Session
- Session date: 2023-09-24
Skalla and Thekla arrive at Goshe:ka:’ and are greeted by Soren, Skalla's cousin and Charlotta's son
<Narrator> Both being experienced outdoorswomen and travelling relatively light, you and Thekla make the trip to Karagwasischiro territory in good time and relative comfort, given the season. You arrive at Goshe:ka:’, the winter quarters of the Gaee:sos band of the Karagwasischiro, your second family tired but happy.
* NPC1 is now known as Soren
* Owahesdagaga (webchat@38.67.38.108) has joined #thirteen02
<Narrator> Goshe:ka:’ is a modest town of a few thousand souls, tucked into a mountain valley and on the shore of a crystal clear (and at this point mostly frozen) lake.
<Skalla> (frozen lakes are easier to cross :V)
<Narrator> It's been some time since you've been back here, but you easily find your way to your second family's longhouse. By luck, you happen upon a familiar face carrying a small pile of logs.
<Soren> Skalla?!
<Skalla> SOREN!
<Skalla> It's been too long
* Soren drops his bundle and rushes over to give you a big hug.
* Skalla will hug her cousin, logs and all
<Skalla> (or he can drop them, also good ;)
<Soren> So it has. It's good to see you, cousin.
<Soren> What brings you all the way out here?
<Skalla> you too - you were off huntin last time I pssed through, though I suppose you heard all about that
<Skalla> and uh. Revolution.
* Soren 's face darkens.
<Soren> So it's true what we've been hearing?
<Skalla> I'm not sure what all you've been hearing, but I exxpect the gist is right even if the details have gotten lost
* Thekla (webchat@38.67.38.108) has joined #thirteen02
<Skalla> People want to be free of Stordam - of Charinisian - control and influence
<Soren> Well, we'd heard there was some kind of rebellion among the Black Guard, and general unrest on Sisawinak.
* Soren nods at that.
* Skalla nods
<Skalla> I got arrested, Thekla led protests, the bluebacks were holded up on their forst last I saw, and the Blackguard were preparung to march on the Khalijani capital...
<Skalla> (in theor fort , gah)
<Skalla> (in their fort)
<Thekla> It's been an...unusual year.
* Skalla nods
<Skalla> Do you remember Thekla?
* Skalla asks but assumes prooobably not
<Soren> A bit. [In Karagwasischiro] Welcome to Goshe:ka:’. [In Stordammer] Welcome to Goshe:ka:’ Mamsel Gudinnashand. Please, come inside.
<Thekla> Thank you.
* Skalla smiles
* Soren will lead you inside, which will prompt a series of greetings and introductions, which will eventually quiet down so you can talk to your cousin some more.
* Skalla can help him with those logs as well :x
<Soren> So, revolution, huh?
<Skalla> It's been coming for a while
<Skalla> even the family here knew it, when Owähé'sda'ga'gá came to ask me to fond some long guns...
<Skalla> tighter controls on trade, the way things played out with thr black guard and the Emira...
* Soren nods.
<Soren> Yeah, Owahesdagaga should be on his way back from Riesig right now. From what I've heard, they're having similar problems at the moment.
* Skalla npds
<Skalla> (nods)
<Soren> How's my mom taking it?
<Skalla> all the colonies are in similar straights, from what I understand. We're trying to gather poeple to come together and discuss how we might... come together to act, I suppose
* Skalla smiles
<Skalla> She is right in the thick of it, of course
* Soren smiles.
<Soren> That's better than the alternative. And your mom?
<Skalla> I think she is a little relieved to see i finally happening, like someone who has been watching a pot, waiting for it to boil
<Skalla> *your* mother, I mean
<Skalla> Mine is... I think resigned, worried for everyone
* Soren nods.
<Skalla> She's been more cautious, but she's no less committed, I think.
<Soren> Aunt Berit has always been more level-headed.
<Soren> So what are you doing out here with all that going on?
<Skalla> I came to ask peple to join us.
<Skalla> But the trip itself was good.
<Skalla> You know. Sometimes I just need to step away.
* Soren nods.
<Soren> I know.
<Soren> Though, I have to ask, why bring Thekla Gudinnashand along? Representative for her family or something?
<Skalla> She's... a close companion
* Soren looks confused for a moment, then smiles and nods.
* Skalla says, not 100% knowing what to say there or how to say it
<Soren> I'm glad you had company on your trip, then.
<Skalla> Thanks.
<Soren> Well, Owahesdagaga will be happy for the work, I'd imagine, and better family than strangers.
<Soren> Or are you talking about more than mercenary work?
* Skalla blinks, becuse she hadn't been thkkning about that at all.
<Skalla> No. I meant that the tribe should have a voice. We're trying to bring together as many peoples as we can, not just colonists.
<Soren> So...not just revolution.
<Soren> You're not just talking about breaking away from Stordam and the rest, you're talking about making something else.
<Skalla> yes
<Skalla> we;ll isn't that the point of revolution?
<Skalla> to make something else?
<Skalla> but it affects everyone, even if it was just one colony.
<Skalla> o - everyone shoudl have some say
<Skalla> (so)
<Skalla> in how we do this, what it is we do, and what comes after
<Soren> Wow.
* Soren is quiet a moment, contemplating that.
<Skalla> people came together so much in the last war....
<Soren> That is...something new. The Atenrosera writ large, though hopefully without being assholes...
* Skalla smiles
<Skalla> hopefully
<Soren> Well, that's a...very big thing you're doing.
<Soren> I guess maybe we'll all be doing.
<Skalla> that's the idea
<Soren> Plenty here will be happy to help with the fighting, but you're going to have to work to convince the clan mothers.
<Soren> What you're talking about...it's internal and external and just...a lot.
<Soren> You have my support, though, cousin, whatever you need.
<Soren> Always.
<Skalla> thank you
<Skalla> I'll do my best
<Soren> For now, I'm going to need to hear more about this whole you being arrested thing...
* Skalla grins, and can get into a retelling
Lucas visits Welumque on her return, and they talk about the shape of personal growth
* Lucas will come and check on Welumque once she is back from her travels
* Welumque is relaxing in a chair with a cup of tea
<Lucas> How are you feeling?
<Welumque> Oh, well, you know ... I'm fine.
<Lucas> You've been pushing yourself too much.
<Lucas> You need to take time to rest and recover.
<Welumque> And do what, sit here?
* Welumque says, perhaps a little more strongly than you would expect or like.
<Welumque> There's work still to be done.
<Lucas> ... there's work to be done here, you can do it and still sleep in a bed and eat decent meals. Not hiking all over the place.
<Welumque> Well, I promise you that I'm not planning any more hikes soon.
* Lucas nods
<Welumque> It's just that being there in person, it matters, you understand.
<Lucas> I didn't mean you have to crawl into a hole and disappear.
<Welumque> I couldn't just send someone else. Not for something like this.
<Lucas> I know, but... I don't want to lose you.
<Welumque> And I don't want to lose you. But that is a risk we are all taking, in times like this, mem.
<Welumque> It is hard, every time I see you take a risk, or Skalla, or Svald, or Hildie. You are all like extra children to me, ones who I don't have any right to control.
* Lucas sits down with you
<Lucas> What do you think is going to happen next?
<Welumque> I fear that war will break out across the continent, not just here. I hope for better, but I fear that worse must come first.
* Lucas nods
<Lucas> I want to think that it will get better eventually.
<Welumque> We all want to think that.
<Welumque> Tell me about what you've been up to, while I was away.
<Lucas> Oh...tending to my regular patients. I saw M. Beaulieu again - he is continuing to improve. He... wanted to talk about things. about how things were left at my last visit to him.
<Welumque> Did he have thoughts on the present situation that he shared?
<Lucas> mostly just that he thought there would be more need of my skills soon.
<Welumque> Maybe so. Honestly though, I will be glad if it is those skills that you put to use. I worry about you still, you know.
<Lucas> about what?
<Welumque> ...
<Welumque> My husband ... he visited me while I was away.
<Lucas> really? :o
<Welumque> To see if I was well, I suppose. Or to ... I don't know.
<Lucas> what happened?
<Welumque> He's still fighting the last war. Stuck in the time before ... He apologized, I suppose, but was not interested in changing.
<Lucas> Maybe he needs more time...?
<Welumque> I know they say time heals wounds, but they lie.
<Welumque> Time provides the means by which wounds can be healed, but one has to use that time rightly. Like you have.
<Welumque> So when I said that I worried about you, what I meant, perhaps, is that seeing my husband reminded me of just how far you have come, with your time.
<Lucas> Have I? I feel like I still have so much to do, and it will never be enough...
<Welumque> It is a long path. You were in a dark place, moreso perhaps than I will ever know.
<Lucas> and then... am I only ignoring what happened to me, to my people, if I keep working here? it feels like...
* Lucas considers for a moment
<Lucas> Like perhaps what I am doing is continuing to pour water into a broken pot. I can't fill it because it can never be filled, unless what is broken is fixed.
<Welumque> You're not broken, mem. Your pot is full of kindness and compassion and sensitivity to injustice.
<Welumque> It's just that we all carry around our pasts with us, and we always will. You can never forget what happened to you, because it transformed you. But now you have had a second transformation - less jarring, to be sure, but no less profound.
* Lucas considers that
<Lucas> I have to keep shedding my skin if I want to grow, I suppose.
<Welumque> So do we all. And seeing Nulumbeso after so long made me realize, even as much as he had aged and he had had hardships, he had stopped shedding his skin.
<Welumque> So all his apologies and words were basically meaningless.
<Lucas> maybe he can still change.
<Lucas> but that will be up to him.
<Welumque> That is so. And I cannot be responsible for managing that change for him.
* Lucas nods
<Lucas> but I don't just mean that I feel broken in myself. Something bigger than me feels... unsteady. I don't know. Maybe it is just the uncertainty of what will come.
* Welumque smiles.
<Welumque> We all feel that way right now. But the only way to feel something is inside ourselves. And doing that runs the risk that we think the problem is in ourselves, when it is actually outside.
* Lucas nods
<Lucas> I'm glad you're back.
<Welumque> Me too.
<Welumque> I promise, no more great adventures. Perhaps a few well-timed speeches.
<Lucas> I promise I will tell you before I make any big decisions.
<Lucas> can I get you some more tea?
<Welumque> Yes, that would be nice.
* Lucas will go and do that
Skalla checks in with Hildie when she gets back and they talk about Life and what the future holds
* Skalla will make some time to check in with her cousin when she gets's back, beyond just the basic official catch up and family stuff....
<Skalla> Where are we goinf for beer.
<Hildie> Anywhere that's not here. While you were out gallivanting I've been in meetings and planning sessions.
<Skalla> (I assume we're well pas planning on some of this stuff by the time I get back, honestly)
<Skalla> (Probably the blockade is operating at least)
<Skalla> yeah, I did plenty of that too
<Hildie> (Probably, but I don't know how far into actual war stuff we want to get)
<Skalla> But that can't be *all
* you were doing ;)
<Hildie> Hah. Says you. How's Thekla?
<Hildie> ;)
<Skalla> We travelled together really well, actually.
<Skalla> We talked about a lot of things...
<Skalla> It was good. She's good.
<Hildie> Good. I'm glad. For both of you.
<Skalla> thanks.
<Skalla> all that *and
* I think it was good for gert to get a taste of what it's like to deal with some nnon colonial groups
* Hildie nods.
<Hildie> Sounds like it was a good trip, then.
<Skalla> Mostly, the clan mothers were still deciding what to do when I left. At the very least we can get some military support, but I think the're less certan about the rest. but they'll send someone who can read the winds when they get here.
<Hildie> Good. Hopefully they'll come on board.
* Skalla nods
<Skalla> how are you holding up?
<Skalla> Have you heard anything from your parents?
<Hildie> I'm good. Surprisingly good, honestly. I feel... useful.
<Hildie> They're concerned. They've heard about what's happening, but I don't think they know about the extent of my involvement yet. I don't relish that conversation. They can make your mother look like a revolutionary.
* Skalla smiles
<Skalla> Let me know if there's anything I can do. Even if it's just more of this.
* Skalla says, gesturing at the pub we're about to enter
<Hildie> Oh, I can always use the distraction. We've been busy here. You heard about the fort, I assume?
* Skalla nods
<Skalla> it's hard to miss the difference
<Hildie> I have the commander's sword hanging in my room. That was a good day.
* Skalla says, nodding to the harbour, where there's no Stordammer royal vessles to be seen
<Skalla> I bet
<Skalla> (or t leaast no flag flying)
<Hildie> There's more troops landed at Talat Kabira. We're busy now setting up the fort as a staging ground for future operations.
<Skalla> I'm sure I'm going to be busy, but we make a good team too. So let's not lose sight of that.
* Hildie smiles.
<Hildie> We do.
<Skalla> but Mother did mention some things and I think you might be holding out on me regarding some other partnerships...
* Hildie laughs.
<Skalla> hmm?
<Skalla> Or do you need beer in hand first?
<Hildie> Always, but no it's fine. It's... complicated. We both know that this has to come first. Until this is over... we're taking it slow.
<Skalla> pfft
<Hildie> Some day.
<Skalla> girl
<Skalla> why wait?
<Skalla> who knows what tomorrow will bring, and what 'over' will *ever
* look like?
<Skalla> sometimes things just need to come together.
<Hildie> Yeah... I'm just not sure I need more distractions right now.
* Skalla laughs
<Skalla> you clearly do
* Hildie laughs
<Skalla> anyway. It doens't have to be a distraction
<Skalla> It can be a focus
<Hildie> It will. When it's time.
<Skalla> Thekla said you told her to think about what she wants in her future - why not the same for you?
<Hildie> She told you about that?
* Skalla laughs
* Hildie smiles
<Skalla> We were tavelling alone together for months. we talked about a lot of things
<Skalla> It just kind of comes out, you know
<Skalla> and after all that, I think we're... I don't know I've never had anyone like Thekla.
* Hildegard (uid188916@id-188916.helmsley.irccloud.com) Quit (Quit: Connection closed for inactivity)
<Skalla> YOu know how I get about people
<Hildie> Oh, I do. You love bringing home strays.
<Hildie> I... take a bit longer.
* Skalla nods
<Skalla> I'm just saying - time is what you make of it right?
* Hildie shrugs.
<Skalla> I'm not sayig be like me
<Skalla> I just mean - if you both know what you want, then there is no reason to ut it off.
<Skalla> Don't lose sight of the personal
<Skalla> it's what makes all the rest of it work.
<Hildie> Oh, trust me, we got plenty personal.
<Hildie> And I can assure you, it all works.
* Skalla grins
<Skalla> well then
<Hildie> How about you and your... close friend?
<Skalla> oh we worked out a lot of things ;)
* Hildie smirks
<Hildie> Well then...
<Hildie> Well then...
<Hildie> To new beginnings?
* Hildie raises her galss
<Skalla> yes, prfect.
* Skalla will drink to that
Svald has a visitor at their studio - a half elven willworker, Joanna Tekeniehnita
<Narrator> (Svald's mostly been keeping to her studio, yes?)
<Svald> (yes)
<Narrator> One day in (very) early spring, there's a polite knock on your studio door.
<Svald> ... Hello?
* Svald will come to the door and loook outside warily
<Narrator> Outside the door is a woman looking to be perhaps in her thirties, in practical but finely made southern dress. Her black hair is pulled back in a braid, and though clearly of some human derivation, the pointed tips of her ears and general features evince an elven heritage as well. She smiles politely.
<Joanna> Svald?
<Svald> .. Yes?
* Svald answers slightly less warily
<Joanna> I hope I'm not intruding. I was paying a visit to Mrs. Cillasdottir, and I wanted to come introduce myself.
<Svald> .. Skalla's mother?
<Svald> Who are you?
<Joanna> My name is Tekeniehnita, or Joanna for the colonials. You can use whichever you prefer. May I come in?
<Svald> oh... yes, of course. sorry.
<Narrator> Something about her presence is comforting, even familiar somehow. You can sense she's a powerful will-worker like yourself.
* Svald awkwardly steps aside
<Joanna> Not at all. I'm not meaning to push in.
<Svald> I don't really have a lot of... chairs
<Svald> um.
* Svald moves some brush cleaning stuff off one.
<Svald> here.
<Joanna> You're very kind.
* Joanna looks around.
<Joanna> (What paintings might be visible at the moment?)
<Svald> (I don't know what sort of time period we're in here but ... the owlbear one and the riot one are very large so those at least)
<Svald> (let's say the mammoth)
<Joanna> Berit said you were talented.
<Joanna> I can see she was right.
<Svald> oh... thank you.
<Joanna> I have a friend from up north who mentioned you to me as well. Oshweda?
<Narrator> (That's the Atenrosera shaman y'all met when Lucas got Snek)
<Svald> Yes... I remember
<Svald> I hope they are well
<Joanna> They are, and they send their best.
<Joanna> (She, rather)
<Svald> I remember Oshweda said I should find a will worker of her people, to teach me...
* Joanna nods.
<Svald> Many things have happened since then, though
<Joanna> I've no doubt.
<Joanna> If I may, your orenda seems...troubled.
<Svald> Well it probably isn't only mine.
<Svald> I have become a vessel for another spirit.
<Joanna> Ah, that would explain it.
<Joanna> May I take a closer look?
<Svald> ... You may...
<Svald> Don't hurt it.
<Joanna> I promise I won't.
* Joanna raises a hand, and you can feel a sense of intermingling energies for a moment.
<Joanna> That is...quite the spirit.
* Joanna smiles.
<Svald> Yes, it is.
<Joanna> It actually reminds me of my sister-in-law.
<Joanna> It feels intense, but not malign, at least.
<Joanna> Are you happy with its presence?
* Svald thinks about it for a moment.
<Svald> I am content, yes.
<Svald> at this point... we belong together
* Joanna smiles again.
<Joanna> Very much like her.
<Svald> I hope that is good
<Joanna> Very much so. She's formidable woman.
<Joanna> Well, I came to offer friendship and aid, and I have, and I don't want to bother you too much. Perhaps I could call on you some other time while I'm here?
* Owahesdagaga is now known as Amatsutla
<Svald> That would be... nice
* Svald smiles
* Thekla is now known as Snek
<Joanna> I'll be sure to send word ahead next time.
<Svald> Thank you... it was nice meeting you, Tekeniehnita
<Joanna> And you as well, Svald.
Lucas visit's Svald and asks them to come with them on an adventure...
* Lucas will go look for Svald at their studio.
* Svald is standing on a stool to work on a large canvas representing the battle at Al-Aswad
* Lucas won't interrupt, just watch for a bit
<Svald> (the owlbear features :v)
* Svald hops down to view the painting from further back, and notices Lucas standing there
<Svald> Oh... hello
<Lucas> It looks amazing.
* Svald looks surprised
<Svald> Th.. thank you.
* Svald has dark paint smudged under one eye
<Lucas> I didn't mean to break your concentration.
<Svald> No, it's fine ... I was taking a break
* Lucas nods
<Svald> I need to step away to see the... whole picture
<Lucas> I was hoping to talk to you...
<Lucas> it's very big - I guess it would be hard to see it up close.
* Svald nods
<Svald> and my arms get tired
<Svald> ... What do you need?
<Lucas> It's sort of a strange question.
* Svald tilts their head owlishly
<Svald> Alright...
<Lucas> I don't know if you feel this too, but everything seems unsettled. uh, spiritually unsettled. I don't know how better to explain it. Like the spirits are as on edge as everyone else.
<Svald> Yes.
<Svald> Like animals before a storm
<Lucas> Yes, like that.
* Svald nods
<Lucas> I feel like.... maybe I could find out more about it, or even do something to help. It's what I was supposed to be trained to do, after all. To help mediate between this world and the spirit world. But... it would be dangerous. I don't know if it's even something I should try.
<Svald> You mean, talk to them?
<Lucas> Sort of. Yes. But more than that.
<Svald> What then?
<Lucas> To go there.
* Svald frowns
<Svald> HOw.. would you do that?
<Lucas> There's a place, in the where I come from, where we used to... where I could try it. I don't know if I can do it alone. I don't know if I *should
* do it at all. But... I feel like maybe going there is a start. It would mean travelling again. It would mean leaving here, at least for a while.
* Svald nods slowly...
<Svald> Is it far?
* Svald looks worried
<Svald> The travelling itself may be more dangerous with... everything going on
<Lucas> it's not close... maybe a few weeks of travel?
<Svald> So long...
* Lucas nods
<Lucas> I know it's a lot to ask. You can tell me no if you want.
<Lucas> But I hoped you could go with me. you could see another part of the country, you could bring your sketch book....
<Svald> Wait, you want *me
* to .. go?
<Lucas> yes, I would.
<Lucas> I trust you with this. I don't know if any of the others would understand... why.
* Svald nods slowly...
<Svald> Al... alright... I will keep you safe
<Lucas> but you can think about it... I don't need to leave tomorrow or anything... oh.
<Lucas> okay.
* Lucas smiles
<Svald> I need to finish this though...
<Lucas> I understand. I need time to get ready too.
<Svald> People are expecting to see it, at the salon...
<Lucas> They're going to love it.
<Svald> I don't need them to love it, as long as they feel it
* Lucas nods
<Lucas> Then I think they will. It's powerful. They can't possibly ignore it.
* Svald smiles broadly
<Svald> I can't waiit for you- for people to see it finished
<Lucas> I'm looking forward to it.
<Lucas> Thank you :3
* Lucas will give you a hug
<Svald> Of course...
* Svald hugs you back
* Hildegard (uid188916@id-188916.helmsley.irccloud.com) Quit (Quit: Connection closed for inactivity)
Welumque meets with Tekeniehnita and they talk about the shape of the future
<Narrator> Welumque, the Continental Congress (why be clever here :P ) is set for the spring, and delegates begin arriving even earlier. Being named one yourself, and living in Fastning Irena where the congress is to be held, Welumque will have her hands full. She recieves a letter from one of the delegates from Senecomaca asking to meet with her ahead of the full meeting.
<Welumque> (all right, who is this person and do I know them previously?)
<Narrator> (Roll me Contacts)
<Welumque> !roll 4d3-4
* @Lan-werk rolls for Welumque: [ 4d3-4 ] getting [ 3 3 2 2 ] for a total of [ 10 ] which, after the modifier [ -4 ] totals [ 6 ].
<Welumque> (that'll do)
<Narrator> (I'll leave it up to you whether you know her personally or not, but you certainly know *of* her. Her name is Joanna Farwell/Tekeniehnita, and she's a half-elf who is a member of the Senecomacan House of Representatives.)
* Welumque will of course meet with her at home. I'll make sure to put out cushions instead of chairs and to have the tea ready for her arrival.
* Joanna (webchat@38.67.38.108) has joined #thirteen
* Joanna will arrive promptly at the appointed time.
<Welumque> Welcome to my home, Tekeniehnita.
<Welumque> Come and sit, the tea is ready.
<Joanna> Thank you for seeing me, grandmother.
* Joanna says in only slightly accented Lèxkweyok.
<Joanna> You have a lovely home.
<Welumque> Thank you. It serves me well, and those around me who have come here to Sisawinak to seek a different life.
<Joanna> Yes, I've heard you've sheltered many in need over the years.
<Narrator> (Were you thinking they knew each other before or no?)
<Welumque> There has been a lot of need.
* Joanna nods sadly.
<Joanna> And more to come, I worry.
<Welumque> (probably not, given that she's Senecomacan. Unless she's spent a lot of time up here more.)
<Joanna> (Okay, cool)
<Welumque> (what do I know about her / her reputation, though? I think I would know a lot about her, if she's prominent)
<Narrator> (You would know she was/is a prominent lawyer in Senecomaca, and a shaman of the Sategat tribe of the Atentrosera. She's been an ardent supporter of the native peoples in general, and helped broker peace between Senecomaca and its neighbors, colonial and native alike, on several occasions.)
<Welumque> How can I help you?
<Joanna> It's funny you should ask that. I'm actually here to ask how I can help you. From what I understand, you were instrumental in the events that led to the congress, and in securing your people's participation. There can be a...tendency for the colonists, whatever their origin, to stick together, so I wanted to offer and state my support on the native
<Joanna> side.
<Joanna> I have a, well, not unique, but rare insight into navigating that intersection.
<Welumque> Thank you for that kindness. And of course I know of your reputation. Your support is much needed in these times.
<Welumque> The thing about the colonists here is that they all, well, perhaps not all, but many, think of themselves as being our natural allies.
<Joanna> Here on Sisawinak?
<Welumque> Yes, and nearby.
<Joanna> And you feel this isn't the case?
<Welumque> They act as if their subjugation to Charinisian powers makes them like us. Subjugated.
<Welumque> ... Let me ask you a question.
<Joanna> Please.
<Welumque> Have you ever known someone who has suffered much, as a child, perhaps? I'm sure you have.
<Welumque> It is unfortunately true that such individuals take out their own suffering on others. Not out of malice, but out of not knowing how else to behave.
* Joanna smiles sadly.
<Welumque> I am afraid that some of these colonial allies play at being oppressed, but in turn end up taking out their frustrations on others, and we are the others.
<Joanna> I...have some experience with that, yes.
<Joanna> That's what I'm hoping to avoid.
<Welumque> So even those who I respect greatly, I worry that when it comes to it, they will simply reproduce that which they know, even though they now claim to despise it.
<Joanna> Obviously, I have sympathy for their cause - it's mine too, ultimately - but so is yours. I *hope*, eventually, they can be one and the same.
* Joanna nods.
<Joanna> I think we have an opportunity here to build something completely new, if we can all learn from our pasts.
<Welumque> Lexkweyok people have enjoyed much autonomy even within the territories that are claimed by other nations. And as you know, they are all claimed by other nations.
<Welumque> But living as an honored guest in a house that was stolen from you is hardly great comfort.
<Joanna> Yes, I was assuming we'd work to rectify that, among other grievances.
<Welumque> I would like that.
<Joanna> Senecomaca is considering renouncing its claims to any further lands, though of course we have less overlap with our allies than Mariannas or Stordam have with your people.
<Joanna> I'm hoping we can achieve something similar continent-wide.
<Welumque> I worry that folks like the Stordammers will see expansion as a necessary step if they are to hold and preserve their own independence. That they will need to grow, or wither.
<Joanna> I'm Atenrosera; I'm familiar with the sentiment.
<Joanna> Hopefully enough voices can convince them otherwise.
<Welumque> And of course, as long as we don't turn on one another.
<Joanna> You don't sound particularly sanguine about our prospects.
<Welumque> I want to be, I really do. Seeing these young people around me, colonists and natives both, does give me hope. But I've had hope dashed enough times that I don't want to promise too much. I'm too old for that.
* Joanna smiles sadly at that as well.
<Joanna> I can understand that. Perhaps I can provide enough hope for both of us.
<Joanna> I've had plenty of them dashed in my time as well, but...I've seen what happens without it.
<Welumque> I will be there at the convention, and stand for my people, this one final time. Have no fear about that.
<Joanna> Of that, I had no doubt.
<Joanna> And I will do my best to stand for your people as well.
<Welumque> Thank you.
Lucas speaks to a powerful watersnake spirit, Amatsula and it's elven companion, Aakonige'idaksi, and invites them (and her husband) on his quest
<Narrator> Lucas, one day early in the congress, you spot a particularly notable pair: the tall elven woman of formidable mien is striking enough, but wrapped over her shoulders is a large snake with scales like the rippling of sunlight on water and a prominent horn protruding from its forehead. The snake turn to regard you with an unreadable regard.
<Lucas> ...
<Lucas> [mentally] hello?
* Owahesdagaga (webchat@38.67.38.108) has joined #thirteen
* Owahesdagaga is now known as Amatsutla
* Thekla (webchat@38.67.38.108) has joined #thirteen
* Thekla is now known as Snek
<Amatsutla> [mentally] Hello cousin, little brother.
* Snek will slither up from where he was resting in Lucas's hood to look over curiously.
* Lucas resists the urge to run away and hide somewhere.
<Amatsutla> [m]You are distressed. Is everything all right?
<Lucas> [m] I'm just... not used to being noticed.
<Amatsutla> [m] Yet you shine so brightly.
* Snek kind of pulls away to look at Lucas.
<Snek> [m] Most don't see him. Or me, if I don't want to be seen.
<Lucas> [m] who are you?
<Amatsutla> [m] I am Amatsutla, son of Adadoligi.
<Amatsutla> [m] Who are you?
<Lucas> [m] Lek'hwánwi... now.
<Amatsutla> [m] Now?
* Joanna is now known as Asakonigeidaksi
<Lucas> [m] well... I haven't always been.
* Asakonigeidaksi turns to regard Lucas and Snek.
* Snek retreats a little bit back into the hood.
<Amatsutla> [m] Who were you before?
<Lucas> [m] I don't know if it's safe to tell you.
<Amatsutla> [m] Why not?
<Lucas> [m] when people find out, it's about 50/50 whether they decide to try and kill me
* Asakonigeidaksi begins walking over.
* Lucas will stay put and wait
<Asakonigeidaksi> [In a voice you can't quite tell if its spoken or mental] Those are not great odds, Lek'hwánwi, but neither of us wish you any harm. I wouldn't have thought to see a servant of Missie Monitokeh here.
<Lucas> I try to avoid being seen...
<Narrator> The tall, stern elven man who was standing next to the approaching woman watches her walk towards you, scowls, then nods, and turns to speak to the woman they were talking to.
<Asakonigeidaksi> [same voice] That's understandable.
<Asakonigeidaksi> [sv] This seems like a place where it is easy to be noticed, though.
<Lucas> Sometimes duty requires that I be present in public... usually if my foster-mother needs me.
<Asakonigeidaksi> One of the delegates?
<Lucas> Welumque.
<Asakonigeidaksi> Ah.
* Asakonigeidaksi smiles.
<Asakonigeidaksi> I like her. She doesn't take any of the round-ears' shit.
* Lucas nods
<Lucas> I think she would like to hear that.
<Asakonigeidaksi> I'm sure we'll get a chance to talk privately at some point.
<Asakonigeidaksi> I'm curious how you and little cousin there ended up all the way out here, though.
<Lucas> She found me after the war ended and I came back here with her.
* Asakonigeidaksi nods.
* Snek will slither back out to look at Asakonige'idaksi curiously.
<Asakonigeidaksi> Have you been as involved as she in all that's been going on? The spirits speak of a healer and willworker...
<Lucas> I have... I guess that's probably me.
<Asakonigeidaksi> There may be great need of your gifts soon.
<Lucas> So I understand...
<Asakonigeidaksi> Callidora is restless, and Charinisia readies to strike.
* Lucas nods
<Lucas> I need to tend to the spirits, so I hope I can do something more than simply heal more bodies.
* Asakonigeidaksi looks curious.
<Asakonigeidaksi> What did you have in mind?
<Lucas> I'm not sure... I feel like there is an imbalance. An unrest. That maybe I can try to ... heal.
<Lucas> I want to go back to my home... to see what I can learn there. I don't know if it's going to help or not. But I feel like I should try.
<Asakonigeidaksi> That's an ambitious undertaking.
* Lucas nods
<Asakonigeidaksi> You're...of the Lenawé Saawaki?
<Lucas> I have been accused before of biting off more than I can chew. However... snakes don't chew, they just swallow whole.
* Lucas nods
* Asakonigeidaksi gives a feral grin at Lucas's words.
<Asakonigeidaksi> Truth be told, I'd prefer something like that to...all this.
<Lucas> ...
* Asakonigeidaksi gestures vaguely around at all the people and the Assembly Hall.
<Lucas> you would do that?
* Lan-phone (~Lan-phone@lns5-pool7-088.adsl.user.start.ca) has joined #thirteen
<Asakonigeidaksi> It *has
* been some time since I had an opportunity like that.
<Asakonigeidaksi> And my husband gets antsy if we're in towns too much.
* Asakonigeidaksi looks over to the stern elven man she was standing next to earlier and smiles.
* Lucas nods
<Asakonigeidaksi> Besides, we're family.
<Lucas> I suppose so...
* Asakonigeidaksi gestures between Amatsutla and Snek.
<Lucas> I am not going alone. I would have to talk with them... but I think your skills would be welcome on the trip.
* Asakonigeidaksi smiles and nods.
<Asakonigeidaksi> I'll be here, listening to speeches...
* Asakonigeidaksi sighs.
Lucas tells Welumque he's going
* Lucas will often be at Welumque's side and help her out at these long and often tedious meetings.
* Lucas will want to talk to her after one of them at some point, though.
* Welumque seems exhausted but still energized by all this.
<Lucas> You have much too much energy for someone who just sat through that session...
<Welumque> When you're needed, you're needed.
* Lucas nods
<Lucas> I think your words reached some of them, anyway.
<Welumque> I hope so.
<Lucas> I wanted to talk to you...
<Welumque> All right...
<Lucas> I know I told you I would let you know before making any big decisions. But I feel like I need to go back to my home.
<Welumque> Home ... all the way home? For how long?
<Lucas> Not forever - just for a little while.
<Welumque> Well, it might be safer there than here, honestly.
<Welumque> If there is a war, this one will be fought on the coasts.
<Lucas> Whatever was left of my family... well... you are as much my family now, or more.
<Welumque> I feel the same way, mem. You know I lost a son in the war. I don't want to lose another one this time around.
<Lucas> So please know that, if I don't come back, it wasn't because I don't want to.
* Lucas says, voice wavering slightly.
<Welumque> Oh no, you have to come back. Don't make me come after you, I'm an old lady.
* Lucas nods
<Lucas> Other people are going with me. Svald, and Chemames, and I think some others... They will also be quite upset if I don't come back. So... you can rest easy, mother. I won't be gone for good.
<Welumque> That's good company. You keep an eye on them too, mind you.
<Lucas> I promise.
* Lucas hugs her tightly
<Lucas> Thank you...
<Welumque> I'll see you soon.
* Lucas nods
<Lucas> Yes. You have to stay here until I get back, too.
<Welumque> I will.
* Lucas will make sure to leave Welumque with a lot of herbal teas and medicines in case she gets sick again, and ask Chemames' family to check in on her regular, and probably will still worry a lot about her.
