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Forbidden Temple of the Great Falls

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Zato cut in here
"Mary, relics don't always hurt people in the most direct method. Sometimes, they have rather strange effects. However, they are always malevolent."
 
She looked up at the blind monk out of reflex

"I don't like to be alone any more..."

she remembered the Library, the kitchen, the hallway... it brought up bad memories,

it had hurt her, the air around the library, was that a relic? had she managed to break the one rule she was told to never disobey?

it made sense, it hadn't just hurt her there, she still hurt, inside, it made her head hurt, it spun and drummed on her brain when no-one was around...
 
"Now now, they aren't always strictly malevolent. In some cases they are merely useful, if awkward. Vernello's Tears as I recall was a vial of unending water composed of an incredibly hard material. Not strictly evil, though by all accounts the water had a salty taste in spite of containing no salt. But such are the partridges amongst the pigeons, so to speak."

With a grin, Wolfram had managed to approach unobserved -in part due to Swiftbeak's eyecatchingness- and so interject in the talk. He nods to the group as he takes a seat, setting his bowl down. "I came to check on some things. Firstly, I must ask how things are for you at the temple..." Sir? Brother? Hmm. "Lord Swiftbeak. I trust everything has not been exceedingly difficult?"
 
The gryphon nodded at Zato's statement, and then at Mary's.

"The relic I touched made me look big and scary, so that people would always be afraid, and I would be alone. People have tried to hurt me, but nobody has talked to me until I came here, and now I don't feel as alone. I know I still look mean, but it's very kind of you to talk to me."

The gryphon would have put a foot amiably on Mary's table, but they sported terrifying talons; likewise his beak was huge and sharp. Nor could he extend a wing to her, for obvious reasons; ultimately, he settled on trying to make himself look non-threatening: Fluffing up his feathers and making a high, happy, chirp-like noise from the bottom of his throat.

"It would make me very happy if you weren't afraid of me. I know you can't really help it, but I hope you understand I will not hurt you."

It was now that Wolfram approached, catching Swiftbeak's attention; he still viewed the Knight as the foremost authority at the temple, and the ultimate say in his fate.

"You may simply call me Swiftbeak. Titles are for men; I do not deserve one. But it has been quite a pleasant stay so far, all things considered; Brother Al has put up some shade for me in the gardens and seen to it that I am watered, and your kitchen is most accommodating." He lifted his foot at an angle, displaying the deer haunch to Wolfram alone. "That said, I do hope I am not taking advantage. The time will come for me to earn my keep, I trust? I do hold hope I am still to be seen as a guardian, rather than a prisoner. Or..." His tone darkened. "A pet."
 
"You may hold what beliefs you wish about yourself, such is your right. And likewise mine ar to hold my own. And besides, whether you know it or not there is one domain you rule over that no other man might claim." Grinning as he speaks, Wolfram takes his time eating a bit before responding.

"The Temple does not take prisoners, and no man owns another in Teigee last I heard. Not since the Second Age has the practice been widespread. You are... a different type of guest, one about which precautions must be taken. My own doubts lurk yet, but I think you not an active threat. For whatever my words counts to you, all I ask is you take them at that value." After a couple more bites, he turns himself to Zato and Mary.

"Senior Brother, I must confess it was fortuitous to meet you here. I must admit I would seek your advice later if you are willing to part with some of the hard earned grains of wisdom to me."
 
"I would be more than happy to," Zato replied
"But, is it something that can be spoken about in front of Mary? If not, I would like someone to keep an eye on her while we meet."
He leaned in closer and said quietly,
"She's been a little shaken since the incident earlier today"
 
Wolfram answer just as quietly, masking his speech with the movement of food to his mouth. "...It would be no problem, I think. In fact, I might ask some things of her, assuming she might be willing to answer. It may be good for her." Wolfram also takes the opportunity to eat swiftly, coughing a bit with a sheepish grin on his face after some food goes down the wrong pipe.
 
The small girl leans in, her face a picture of concern, completely oblivious to the prior conversation.

and then she says in an equally hushed tone

"...Iss rude to whissper..."

she leans in closer

"...Least, that'ss what youss always told me..."

She sits back smugly and finishes her mashed potatoes, at one point having trouble keeping it on the end of her fork.
 
"Ah, well then, we'd be happy to help" Zato replied.
"Of course though, I also promised Mary some ice cream after dinner"
 
While everyone was conversing, Al took advantage of the time to enjoy his meal. For a blind man Zato sure could cook. The beef was excellent. It practically melted in his mouth. And the drink was amazing. A medley of berries that the goddess herself might sip in the evening. For a monk so used to fasting and grabbing meals whenever possible this was a luxury indeed.
 
Swiftbeak had to suppress an urge of pride at Wolfram's words; he had promised himself he would never see his state as anything but a curse, for seeing a demon's gift as a boon is the first step on the road to damnation, but he couldn't help but feel buoyed by the knight's reminder of his dominion over the sky. He had to wonder when he would get the chance to return it, if he would.

"True enough, however lonely it is above the clouds. If you must speak with the others privately, I can depart; I had wished to spare the child the sight of my meal, in any event. I confess that my table manners are likely not up to standard."
 
Kira makes her way to the temple and she wasn't sure if this was a good idea that her father sent her here and she sighs. It was a pretty big temple and she isn't sure if she'll fit in or not and she scans the area very carefully hoping this was te right choice to come here to see what this temple is all about. She enters into the temple and she sees all kinds of different hallways and pictures and she wasn't sure where she should go right now and she keeps quiet and does not say a word at all.
 
"Just eat your meal Swiftbeak. You are obviously hungry." The things stomach sounded like it might house a demon itself. "Horrible fate or no, you still live. Denying yourself sustenance is no way to go about redemption."
 
The gryphon fixed Al with a steely glare before looking sympathetically to Mary, and then down to his meal. He so wanted to indulge his instincts, to ravenously tear into the haunch like he'd just ripped it from his living, screaming prey, feel the rush of blood and tendon and viscera down his throat...

Instead, the daintily hooked his talons into the meatiest part of the limb and carefully pulled off a long strip of meat, which he lowered his beak to and took into his mouth. He still had to throw his head back and toss it into the air like a bird of prey to work the food down his throat, but it was certainly a much less gory affair than if he had pinned the haunch down and began biting off chunks. He went about the rest of his meal in this manner, and though it took great restraint not to indulge his hunger in one ravenous feast he worked the haunch down to the bone without staining his feathers with blood.
 
Around the start of Swiftbeak's dining, Wolfram finishes his own meal. Nodding to himself, the monk stands from his chair, nodding to Zato before realizing how silly that is. "I will be in my chambers in... oh let's say an hour, shall we? Now, if you would excuse me, I have men to avoid and men to seek." So saying he turns, bows to the group, and leaves.

Walking the hallways looking for the hugeman, Wolfram doesn't even consider pulling out his book as he walks for once. So without his usual lack of observation he notices right away the figure moving the halls at a distance, her -her? Yes, surely her- white outfit reflecting even the faintest of light in the corridor. Certainly she isn't sneaking in that getup. How odd indeed.

Cautiously, he moves to follow. Hollering for aid might ruin any information he might gather, so investigation must be done alone as he keeps the slim figure in sight.
 
Kira walks around the temple and she is al ittle bit lost and she wasn't sure where she'll be going and she wished that someone would greet her and tell her which way to go and this temple was a bit of a maze for her to try to figure out which way was right and not wrong.
 
Al is impressed with Swiftbeak's restraint. He had obviously won over the beast inside for this meal. And for Mary's sake, no less. "All right. Let's go explore a bit, shall we? I know you would like to get acquainted with more temple-goers and I could use a little more knowledge of the grounds." Standing up and making sure the gryphon followed, Al entered the halls once more.
 
"Yes, please Mister Zato,"

she looks down sheepishly

"and erm if you don't mind me asking, what were you and Mister Wolfram talking about?"
 
"Well" he said as he stood up, pushing his chair in
"He wants to ask us both some questions. He didn't say what about, though."
He began to walk towards the kitchen.
 
Soon they had made their way to the kitchen, and Zato had gotten the tub of ice cream from the freezer- a large, sealed room filled with blocks of ice and snow, from further up the mountain. They filled a bowl with a sizable portion of the dessert, and he asked,
"Now, how much honey do you want?" as he found a jar.
 
"err, 3, no 4 spoonfuls please."

the small girl was practically bouncing on the spot with excitement.

her apron still in place to ward off dirt, grime and food.
 
The gryphon rose to his feet- And bumped the table with his chest, nearly sending it on its side; just in the nick of time he caught it with his beak and gently lowered its legs back to the ground. Even the cutting board and the loose collection of venison bones remained off the floor. With his head held high in accomplishment, he dutifully followed Al outside of the mess, bowing his head to Mary and Zato as he passed.
 
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