[Nymphadora]

Nymphadora had her eyes closed, trying to sense the goddess, wanting to be aware when and if she arrived. Xanth however, obviously had something else in mind, as the next moment, Nymphadora nearly jumped out of her skin at the diety's voice. Lurching forward slightly, she twisted to see her goddess, a smile plastering on her face as she brought her hand up to her chest. You scared me. She laughed.

Gracefully sliding out her leg to push herself up, Nympahdora stood, then leaned forward to greet her goddess in a friendly hug. Nymphadora might be the only person created by Xanth with the gumption to hug a diety... but as she was trying to show the goddess... Nymphadora thought of her as more than just that. She thought of her as a friend... and friends were huged. Plain and simple.

Pulling away, Nymphadora grinned. Nearly forgetting the doll in her arms, she glanced down at it. Oh! This is for you. A friend of mine... Piper Kin, she creafted it in your likness. Beaming at the diety, Nymphadora was so proud of the doll Piper had made. She wasn't even wanting credit for paying for it, or even thinking of the idea. She just wanted Xanth to see how much she was loved, and she wanted her friend to get noticed for the fine work she did.

((Credit to Mariii's Doll House for the base.))

[Xanth]

Xanth giggled like a child at Dora's response. Indeed, it had been her intention to scare the girl though not too badly, so she was glad to see the Nymph's smile. She felt like twelve-hundred-year-old again, playing chase with Yaziz in the gardens, tumbling around as he tickled her into submission... She missed him.

Actually, she missed all but her father. She had often considered going home, if only for a sneak visit, but if Abdiriz discovered her presence - and he would - she was not only risking her own life but Elysia and Earth as well.

Distracted from her homesickness by Dora's hug, Xanth was slow to react and awkwardly patted the girl on the back. She did not think this was something she would ever grow accustomed to, this touching, but she was forced to admit it eased the loneliness.

Glancing at the doll Dora held out, Xanth was taken aback by its likeness to herself. Her jaw gaping slightly, she stared at it, slowly taking it from Dora's hands. It was... not entirely accurate but the effort was tremendous. As she listened to Dora, she scanned Elysia for the girl called Piper Kin, surprised to find the vampire had never met her. Never seen her. Had nothing but her imagination and Dora's description with which to make this.

Clearing her throat, Xanth's eyes misty, she murmured, I thank you, it is indeed a lovely gift. Hugging the doll to her chest, Xanth smiled at the nymph. You may tell your friend I thank her also.

[Pesly]

That evening, Pesly's objective was no more no less than talking to the mighty goddess. She finally had understood that in this life, she didn't only need faith, but she needed truth. She needed someone to tell her what was real, someone to wake up the believer in her heart.

Of course, nobody's better than the Goddess.

Pesly only hoped that those flowers were enough to satisfy her goddess. Or at least... Make her interact?

Anyway, Pesly walked to Xanth's statue, holding carefully the flowers to not damage them. As she arrived, she stood, staring at those big eyes the statue had. Pepe's heart started to beat harder. The statue was big... And purple, just as she expected. Kneeling slowly, admirating the sight, Pesly still held the bouquet of purple Carnations, like protecting them. But extended her hands, llike showing the statue the most beautiful flowers Pesly could find.

"These are for you... Xanth", she said. It was strange to refer to the Goddess by her name, but everyone did that, so Pepe figured she should do the same.

Expecting for an answer, she couldn't help but close her eyes, holding her emotions for the contact. Maybe she could open her heart to the biggest and best being. To the Goddess, why not?

((OOC: The flowers: http://www.eslconnec...3/carnation.jpg ))

[Nymphadora]

Nymphadora smiled softly. She was glad the goddess liked the gift. It was just as much from Piper as it was from her. Of course, with her being an aide... a gift from her... well it could mean anything to Xanth. Somehow... even though she didn't know much, Nymphadora assumed the only gifts Xanth recieved were from her patrions. And hardly then even. It was sad. More so because Nymphadora had only ever prayed to her goddess. Never given her anything. And as the woman who gave her life... or... at least the chance of life, she was just as her mother was. She deserved gifts, and love... and companionship. Again, Nymphadora couldn't really know, seeing as she'd only just started to unteract with her diety. Yet... she couldn't help but have the feeling.

It was a sad truth... but she knew most people were only looking for answers. Most people only wanted something... and then and only then, would they offer a gift. Nymphadora wasn't sure... but she had a feeling that it wasn't the doll that made Xanth happy... it was probably the fact that Nymphadora cared enough to be there... and want nothin in return. However... she kept her thoughts to herself. It was presumptions of her to assume anything of her Diety. And she shouldnt.

Nodding at Xanth's words, she had planned to do just that and tell Piper how much Xanth had enjoyed her art. No doubt this might attract both to eachother a little more. Nymphadora didn't know Piper all that well... but she hoped that the vampire could find that same comfort in finding guidance with Xanth as she did. But... she'd understand if it was hard for Piper. She was a vampire after all. Which... well actually she wasn't that sure... but she probably had been human. Most vampires had found their life starting that way. Som though... some were born into it. Which... must have made it so much easier on their life.

Lost within her own thoughts, Nymphadora noticed movment near the other side of the statue. Looking up, she smiled when she realized someone else had come to pray. Motioning toward the girl, Nymphadora beamed at Xanth. Looks like im not the only one with appreciation for you today. She said quietly. She'd hoped to have some time alone with Xanth... just to be there for her... ask her some questions about her life and family... really... just be a friend. But she could have that nearly any time. If the goddess wished it of course. This girl though... Nymphadora doubted that she'd ever get face time with the diety. Most Elysians wern't given that... which was understandable. Xanth could only be in so many places at once.

[Xanth]

Attempting to ignore Nymphadora's pity, for acknowledging it would only increase her loneliness, Xanth held the doll to her chest. Sensing the approach of a fledgling who wanted answers, the doll now meant more than ever.

Ignoring the Anyelos for the time being, Xanth smiled generously at Dora and held up a finger. Namiko and I are planning a party. All of Elysia is welcome, though the primary purpose is to introduce all the Aides to one another. I find it shocking that they have not all met, or if they have, they certainly do not deal with each other as often as they might. Bouncing up and down with sudden glee, her form rippled as if it wanted to change shape, but after a moment she was Xanth again - the perfect image of a purple twenty-two year-old.

I know you have errands to run - and I can tell you Faroah will be full of glee when he sees what you have planned for he and Jack - so we shall have our friendly chat another day, my love. She did not wish to dismiss Dora, but duty called. Besides, she wanted some time to herself to process her feelings. It was not, after all, every day she was given a gift with no expectations.

Hugging the Nymph awkwardly, she poofed across the square to the other side of the statue, still holding her doll. I thank you for the gift, she smiled beatifically at Pesly, taking the bouqet from the girl's arms to smell them. She did not always accept offerings personally but as she was here... And purple was such a beautiful colour...

((OOC: Pesly, just in case you aren't aware (assuming you're here to ask a question): The new karma system is now in place (Kaeldra post her question before karma points were announced, the delay was my fault so she got a free question). You can ask a question but at this point Xanth will refuse to answer; I recommend saving your karma points up. ^^))

[Nymphadora]

Nymphadora grinned at the idea of a party. Oh wow, that will deffinatly nice. Although... a bit nerve racking. I've not revealed myself as an Aide yet... after the party everyone's sure to know. Not that i'm ashamed or anything. Its just... big news. She mentioned as an after thoguht. Returning back to the happiness of the moment however, she smiled. I can't wait to tell Chenoan. I'm sure he'll have a good time... especially if he gets to see his friends from the grove. Im not sure how he's been since he'd lost position as Alpha.

Nymphadora's eyes brightened with the thought that Xanth already knew about her surprise for Faroah and Jack. She was also glad to hear he'd like the little gifts. Nodding, she planned to return to Piper and see if the dragons were done. It hadn't been too long, but still, maybe.

When Xanth wrapped her arms around Nymphadora, she beamed, welcoming and returning the hug with gratitude. Although it was quick and somewhat awkward, she was glad the goddess felt that open and close enough to indulge in the little gesture. Still smiling wide, Nymphadora nodded and gave a little wave at the goddess as she poofed away.

Standing there for a moment, caught up in her happiness, Nymphadora finally turned to Sacha. Grinning at him, she motioned for him to follow as she headed back toward the market square.

[Pesly]

Pesly looked up some moment later, when she heard a voice that sounded more like a melody. Not expecting that, Pesly was scared, but happy because the Deity appeared herself.
Looking at her purple hair, and even more beautiful self than the statue showed, Pesly couldn't help but smile in satisfaction. She seemed to be doing things right at least once.
Looking up and down Xanth again, Pesly imagined if she would ever have this oportunity again. To see Xanth herself. But she had never done something significative before, and never showed herself worth something, so she figured she should wait before starting to ask things.

"I'm happy you liked it", she said, standing up but still looking at the goddess. "Is she really here?", Pesly wondered, but didn't speak.

((OOC: The answer I mentioned wasn't an "answer for a question", just an answer to her gesture. I'm aware about the karma system (hihi, what other good reason for Pesly to be here?) ))

[Xanth]

Xanth continued to smile for a moment, waiting expectantly. Offerings usually preceded a question of some kind, whether it be for knowledge or the granting of a favour. Few people came here for a reason other than the rewards they thought she could grant them.

Shuffling the doll to tuck it under her arm, she fingered the petals of the carnations gently. They would look beautiful in her gardens - she would plant them and they would spread among the freesias and orchids and magnolias... a lasting tribute to Pesly's efforts.

Indeed I am here, for if I am not, then neither are you, she told the angel cryptically, a spark of mischief in her eyes. But now alas I must leave you. I thank you again for the flowers, they are indeed truly beautiful. Moving forward, she pressed a gentle kiss to Pesly's forehead, poofing away before the Anyelos could speak again.

[Castalia]

After she'd left behind Dora at the house, Castalia had wandered out into the Underground. Her head was still spinning after what had just happened. Why had Dora not confided in her any sooner? She loved her friend and respected her. Being a half Nymph-half Anyeli understandably brought it's issues with it, but Castalia would have understood and even tried to help Dora if she had a chance. She'd seen the hurt in Dora's eyes as she got of the stool and left her behind. She'd seen her friend fighting against the tears the same as she herself had been doing. Had she been too harsh?

Castalia needed guidance, an objective opinion on how to deal with this delicate balance between friendship and leadership. So she made her way to the Statue, deciding to ask the godess herself for input.

Kneeling before the Statue she folded her hands on her knees and looked up to it. "Dear Xanth" she softly whispered "I could really use some guidance now. How did it come to this?Why didn't she confide in me sooner? Was I unreasonable, asking her not to bring her weapon into the Nymph Grove? She should be able to understand that, right? What should I do ..." she sighed as she ended her plea.

[Piper]

Fawn seemed to know exactly where Piper was headed, straining at the end of her lead to get there. It was uncharacteristic for the fox to be anything but placid and her antics were making Piper giggle even as she struggled to keep her under control so passersby didn't trip over her.

Of course, it could just be that the puppy was apparently allergic to the flowers in Piper's arms. Puppy had sneezed half a dozen times before they'd made it fifty yards from the flower shop and was still suffering, the poor mite. Probably because Piper's arms weren't just full of flowers, they were packed. Excessive to offer up five dozen, maybe, but she wasn't taking any chances. Xanth had to liike at least one of the types she'd bought, right?

Finally reaching the statue, Piper shooed Fawn out of her way and knelt at the base, reading the plaque in the grass. She wondered briefly how Xanth would know an offering had been made, or what it was for, but figured it was one of those godly things that... gods did... or something.

Arranging the bunches neatly in a decorative fan, she thought about Kaida and the girls, wondering if they were okay. That Nymph... in one instant she'd seemed almost reluctant to do harm but she'd had those roots wrapped around Piper and it wouldn't have taken much to squeeze the life out of her. She'd meant business, serious business, and going up against a group like the Vipers scared the hell out of Piper even as she admired kaida's guts for doing so. She just had this awful feeling it was going to go bad and maybe this offering, pitiful as it was, would get some luck on their side.

Um... Thanks Xanth, she murmured awkwardly, glancing up at the statue. For a second she could swear the eyes glowed, but shook it off as Fawn yipped. Rising smoothly to her feet, Piper smoothed her skirt down and smiled. Come on then, guys.

[Tesability]

It seemed that the humanoid Dragon wasn't alone as a pale-skinned woman walked up to the purple-hued statue, the bangs of her ponytail-held brown hair hiding most of her pale-yellow eyes from view. Her outfit appeared militant with her shirt being a royal-purple trimmed with gold and her leather pants being brown. Her gloves, which were black like her boots, appeared covered with draconic scales of a black color and were tipped to look like claws. Mind you, she never dared use them as claws unless she was using them for non-combat reasons. Near her right hip was a ceremonial, yet perfectly usable in combat, sword that was held in a brown sheath tipped with gold metal on both ends. The handle of the sword was golden and highly-decorative with various runes, though any sage could tell that though the sword had no magical properties, it was already primed for enchantement. Maybe if she aquired the right amount of gold, she could find someone that could make it a powerful lucky charm.

Yes, luck. A mysterious and powerful force that, when influenced, can work for or against a person. Control over such magic would be fitting for someone who could easily aspire to be a thief and mercenary, but that was not why she was here.

She was here to pay her respects to a paticular diety whom she has grown more and more curious about since when her mother, who had failed the Dragon Sept ritual and remained trapped as a white Dragon, first told the Fledgeling about the 'young child' that created most of the original citizens of this world.

"Xanth," she whispered before kneeling just as a male human knight would in front of his king. "I have heard long about you from my mother, who has long served you after becoming trapped as a white Dragon. I do not have much to give you, except for one thing, something that belonged to the same Dragon."

Pulling out of a small pouch on her side, she revealed a pair of scaled gloves exactly like the black ones she wore on her own hands, but this pair was white. "This is the last thing I have of my mother, since my father, from the insanity caused by my parent's bonding, destroyed everything else. I do not wish these to be found by him, so I entrust these to your safe care." Placing the slightly-clawed gloves in their appropriate place, she stood back up on her feet, looking deep into the statue's eyes. "You can wear them, I believe they will fit your hands and they're much more comfortable than they may appear to be. The only thing I wish, if you care to hear, is that you say 'hello' to my mother, Tairoh, for me."

Her peace made, she decided to wait, for even though it wasn't likely to happen, there was that sliver of a chance that something would happen. Perhaps what was left of good luck that remained within the white gloves would help make something happen, but probably not. She knew better than to expect anything from Xanth at this point.

There is no 'magic' in EF. And money here is paid in marks or bills, not gold

[Xanth]

Silence descended around the statue like a protective bubble and the eyes sparked for just a flicker of an instant. In the next instant, they were as they always had been, but perhaps much more focused on Tesability's form.

The proferred gloves disappeared from sight with a puff of purple smoke that wafted across the Dragon's face, like the brush of a hand, acknowledging the gesture.

The noise of the market returned to a normal level and a gentle breeze swept across the grass, ruffling each blade with care. Tesability had apparently earned herself some favour from Xanth.

[ Piper's Boutique :: Dafont :: Ca-pris :: Aethereality ]

[Tesability]

((Ack, maybe I hould have clarified that when I say 'magic' I should have clarified it as something like Wiccan magic, eh?))

Trying not to become too stunned with the diappearance of her mother's precious gloves, she gave a silent bow to the statue, fancing for a moment that Xanth herself had stood before her.

She couldn't help but smirk as the thought dawned on her that they both liked the color purple. With that thought in mind, the Dragon turned around before glancing back toward the statue, swearing that it had flashed brightly for even just a moment.

"I wonder...what purple items would a being like you like," she asked without expecting an answer before leaving the statue behind, a scheme entering her mind.