Ecithian Hospitality [Finn, Pharaoh]

[Finn]

Finn smiled bemusedly at the little bird, and continued to graze when something seemed appetizing, drinking in moderation. This was a marathon, not a sprint.

"Ah... well... the short version will probably suffice for a feast, eh?" He smiled. "I was as good as an apprentice to my mother at the forge in my youth, but I dabbled with an old lute in my spare time, such as it was. With time, I improved and when we were visiting my uncle in Kalzasi, he mentioned teachers and such when I expressed more than passing interest. In any case, when I was good enough, my parents supported my choice to move to the city and give it a go. I busked. Eventually, I took a course at the Academy to learn more about history and musicology, and I slowly developed a bit of a name for myself.

"My husband was, at the time we met, employed at the grandest theater in the city. In fact, he had just played Deus Aværys when Phocion Princeps came as an envoy from Solunarium and so there was a command performance... In any case, we weren't married yet, but had been musical collaborators and, well, amorous collaborators. We decided to visit Solunarium to tug at any loose strings we could find as to his heritage. Little did we know he had been sent away as an infant for his own safety and that his mother was a princess... And only later did we discover his father was a dragon...

"So, I found Kalzasi on my own, Solunarium in order to help my lover fill in the blanks in his own story and then... well, he had to stay and I brought my family down as the Solunarian defenses against the Eclipse were superior to those of Kalzasi.

"I don't get to perform as much as I might like any longer, but the work is important."

A glance found Phædreon and Arkænyn keeping each other out of trouble, and he wasn't worried about Alikhandrian. So he was able to smile with full sincerity, not overly worried about anyone for whom he was suddenly responsible.

"Have you traveled much beyond Ecith's borders, Master Muse? They used to call me Finn Farstrider," the name in Common, "as a jest. Now Viator has become my legal name." He laughed lightly. "The world is strange."

[Pharaoh]

"Mmm..." Alikhandrian hummed acknowledgement through his smirk as Hannah expounded upon the theme of crocodilians. "Aye, 'tis good to know one's place. Most creatures do in Nature and in Solunarian civilisation." He offered before lifting the chalice to his lips for a sip of something strong and herbacious, leaving the sentiments about other civilisations implied in his prior statement tacit.

Arkænyn's interest was piqued by the question posed about Finn's path to Solunarium. It wasn't something he'd discussed with the ducal bard. He didn't tend to pursue conversation about Finn's relationship to the Princeps Draconum. He'd always known them as a pair- only knew Finn at all because of that relationship, so he'd never thought to wonder after how it had begun. He seemed to find the story intriguing now that it was being told, though.

Alikhandrian, too, shifted his full attention to Finn for the telling of his tale. Phædreon might have been listening, but seemed more focused upon the food in front of him. As the human concluded his anecdote, Arkænyn's eyes met Alikhandrian's for a brief moment before darting down deferentially. He hadn't dealt with enough dragons to be anywhere approaching comfortable in their presence. He knew the etiquette expected of him in theory, but rarely had the opportunity to practise... particularly since losing his regency. He'd dealt with Arvælyn mostly in those days and he was not a full dragon, so it was easier to think himself something akin to an equal when they had mirror posts in the upper and lower city respectively.

"It seems a practical enough name, Viator. Had you no family name ere embarking upon Solunarian sands?" Alikhandrian inquired, shifting from Ecitharese to Common easily.

[Talisman]

Hanna only smiled toothily at Alikhandrian's words. There was little doubt she caught his meaning, though whether she took offense to it or dismissed it as a typical Solunarian attitude remained to be seen. She was a patient woman, and she wasn't one to act so overtly and directly. She had earned the name Widowmaker for a reason. Many reasons.

Those at the table from the Ecithian representatives were listening to Finn's tale of his journey from strapping farm lad to ducal diplomat. There were some tidbits there about His Exalted Highness, who doubtless would make an appearance here in Drathera at some point, considering Finn may well stay for the long run, depending on how things progressed. But it presented a rather earnest young man from humble beginnings who had rose to great heights, a great deal of which was surely unexpected. Perhaps, just perhaps, he had been picked precisely for the reason that he wouldn't come in with the arrogance that seemed to emanate from those born to higher stations. Drathera, after all, did not have nobles. Did not have royalty. It was a meritocracy based on what one could do and how they worked. Here, a human or Moratallen or a gnome could climb as high as any Ork, if they worked at it.

"Many times," Chuck nodded. "I've travelled most of Ransera collecting stories and songs, and sharing those I've written and those of Ecith... especially in the northlands. An Orkhan may not be welcome in the sands, but Moratallen might pass through just fine. There are kin of mine that live and thrive out there... but I've gotten to know the Imperium quite well." The mossy half-giant took a drink. "I do hope that after the senate session concludes, or perhaps before it, you will visit Syren's Temple. She is eager to hear you play." Phaedreon was offered yet another dish, and it seemed to be some sort of chicken with a dark sauce that smelled strongly of spice and chocolate. Arkaenyn's glass was kept topped up with the beverage of choice, as was the platinum dragon's.

After Alikhandrian posed his question, the Seer had one of her own. "How does your family enjoy Solunarium?" Hanna, too, switched from Ecitharese to Common for Finn's sake.

[Finn]

"I am certain I will have time to play for Her," he replied amiably, though he did wonder whether She merely wanted to berate him over what had turned out to be Her instrument.

While he had been focusing on Chuck, he found several people's gaze catching on his eyes—an audience. He wasn't exactly waxing prolix in his storytelling, but it seemed as though several people were interested in his origin story. Cheating out his shoulders, he maintained some intimacy with the Muse, but included the others more in his answers.

"Practical indeed, Your Reverence." Farstrider just hadn't translated properly, but oh well. "Our hamlet was a small, but relatively self-sustaining community. There were folks with family names, but their origins were lost to time. Some families developed a name similar to a Vastian hereditary cognomen, and occasionally people would call my mother Fionna Smith, but usually only when in an argument. She did inherit her trade, so I suppose I might have been Finn Smith if I had followed in her forge steps." He smiled. "My father is the son of a witch, so people were too polite to give him that sort of a family name. So, gens Viator makes sense. We all traveled far to live in Solunarium, and I continue to travel.

"It is an honor, though, and if I never have children of my own, one sibling does, and they will have a legacy."

As for the Seer, "It was a marked change. After some time in the capital, my parents and one sibling, along with their growing family, moved to a smaller village where they don't feel quite so overwhelmed all the time. My mother has taken up crafting finer metals now that she needn't only supply for the demand of farmers and the like. My parents are enjoying their grandchildren, too. My youngest brother..." He paused, smiled. "Well, he is enjoying the Umbrium's nightlife."

[Pharaoh]

Alikhandrian shifted his violet gaze to fall upon Chuck, as he spoke. A stark eyebrow arched at the mention of Syren and her personal interest in Solunarium’s emissary. His eyes danced to Finn’s face as the human replied and leaden was his stare.

“For a free born Solunarian, such a thing is anathema.” Alikhandrian’s response was not an unfamiliar sentiment to Finn, who had heard the same from many a perplexed Solunarian wrestling with the notion of reaching adulthood with no family name. Lineage was so important in Vasto-Re’hyæan culture, that its children struggled to fathom the idea of lacking a legacy or the prospect for earning one. Were Finn’s distinctions not already on full display and seemingly serving their intended purpose in disarming the Ecithians, Alikhandrian might not have remarked upon it in mixed company, but here they were. The dragon’s more antiquated perspective might actually highlight the unusual assignment of Finn all the more starkly.

“I should like to meet this libertine brother of yours at some point.” Arkænyn contributed, with a wry smile that was soon interrupted by the rim of his wine chalice. The Platinum Prince was no stranger to the Umbrian nightlife himself. First introduced to it by Raithen before the realm split and whilst he was still a relatively anonymous Aurisian knight. He hadn’t been able to freely indulge as Prince Regent of the Luxium, but lately he’d made a happy return to the Noctis Æternæ quarter of the Umbrium.

[Talisman]

If the Muse was concerned with the dragon's look, he didn't show it. The platinum bird, however, poked its head out of his beard again and started cheeping until Chuck picked up another morsel from his plate and passed it to the avian, who accepted it and hid away once more. He nodded at Finn's answer. He may be marked by Avaerys, but Syren had mentioned him to Her Champion, and it was on the Moratallen to pass the word along. There would be time in the days to come, but while he was here... his music could be played. Things worked differently in Drathera and Ecith, with a rhythm of their own.

His history was of interest to all of them, and to Hanna, it was how he said it rather than the contents. The Seer may well have already looked into him, and if she had, the Triumvirate likely knew. It was one thing to see one's past, but it was another to hear how the one who lived it felt about it and could talk about it. Achaka turned his head back towards him as he talked of legacy. They would see how much he meant it when push came to shove.

"There is nothing wrong with that. Names are often earned that way here, too." Hanna offered Finn a toothy smile. "Lonelyblade. Windwhistler. Widowmaker. Your heritage is something to be proud of. What names you will add to Viator remains to be seen, doesn't it? Perhaps by the time you've retired and decided to relax and take a well earned rest, the name that follows you will be ten names long."

"There is a reason that our village system continues to thrive, even despite the strength of the land itself, and the challenges one faces in the smaller settlements. Big city living isn't for everyone," Chuck was agreeable. "Doesn't mean they miss out on anything here, big as the Commonwealth is."

When Alikhandrian and Arkaenyn were talking, the Warchief's attention had drifted to one of the tables near them, at those who were eating and drinking and conversing amongst themselves - Orkhan, Dragons in Elven and Human seeming, and all manner in between. But he looked back at Finn. "What do you hope for your own legacy to be?" Achaka spoke up for the first time in a while, the dragonborn's eyes on the Sentinel-Duke-Bard. Of those at the table, his drink had only been savoured lightly, and while it had been topped up occasionally by servers who passed around, he wasn't overly inclined towards libation.

[Finn]

Finn smiled, nodding to Hanna and Chuck. When Alikhandrian spoke in a manner that could easily be construed as critical, his smile didn't falter, though it hardened slightly. They were guests in Drathera, but in Drathera, he was the Most High in the Solunarian pyramid. Chosen of God, married to prince, and bearing draconic imperium.

"Fortunately, I am not a freeborn Solunarian," he said, for his ally the dragon as much as for their hosts. "I am a northman, but Solunarian by marriage and by choice. I have been witness to my God entertaining other Gods in his demesne, and Aværys Himself has told me that Their time in Kaladon has changed Their perspective on many things. Happily, that is likely why I am here learning to enjoy what the Muse enjoys drinking at parties rather than senselessly gnashing my teeth at his throat. The Platinum Dragonflight sponsors order and stability, but within the great order of the world, there is still change lest there be stagnation. Were I so far from the mark, I would not be here with the express approval of the Crownwyrm, who deigned to take me to his homeworld under a foreign star.

"If Syren desires my song, She shall have it. If I offend Aværys in the singing, then I will kneel to accept his scepter as scourge. If my foreignness can build a bridge between ancient enemies, mortal and divine, then I will have fulfilled a purpose greater than I could have imagined only a few years ago and I would be proud."

He looked to the Warchief and raised his glass.

"I would have that be my legacy, Warchief: peace."

While Finn had tried to be politic, he knew that what he had said might make the dragon sour toward him. Then again, Alikhandrian might respect him the more for disagreeing, and standing up to power. Dragons were unpredictable to his human sensibilities. But he wasn't here to charm a dragon. He had charmed the half-dragon he loved, and had earned the acceptance of his dragon-in-law, which was more than enough.

But Alikhandrian too was here in the service of His Exalted Majesty. Even if he hated Finn, they would have to work together for the greater glory of Solunarium, which could include the peaceful annexation of Ecith for the betterment of all involved.

[Pharaoh]

“And a sound choice it was, Amadeus Viator Finn Dux Vastianus.” Alikhandrian did not seem vexed by Finn’s response, though the reciting of his litany of names seemed pointed enough. He was content to leave the interpretation thereof up to those listening without clarification.

Arkænyn glanced up from his dry red wine with a slight cringe as his eyes danced between the human and the dragon momentarily. If he found the exchange awkward, Phædreon seemed wholly unconcerned, though he seemed to winding down his consumption. His attention was just more focused upon the Ecithians than those in his own party. His gaze followed Chuck’s to the other nearby table, which he observed with interest.

As Finn spoke on and more directly addressed the Ecithians, Arkænyn shifted in his seat when his Radiant liege agreed to accept the invitation from Syren. A goddess, even a compromised one, on her own turf was a formidable force and one their party was likely not prepared to vie against if things turned contentious. The Platinum Prince may not have been a devout follower of Sentinel Phocion, but he would have liked the Moonborn’s particular expertise before embarking on that venture… assuming he was invited, which he would insist he ought to be for Finn’s safety. He might not have been equipped to fell a goddess, but he could distract one long enough for the Viator to live up to that moniker and Traverse his arse to safety.

[Talisman]

The Muse, Warchief, and Seer watched this exchange between Finn and Alikhandrian. It was difficult to get a read on what they were thinking, and while their symphonies were not fully locked down against his Mesmer, they were not fully laid bare, either. Whether that would change if he tried to do something with his Arcane craft was anyone's guess. But as Finn talked, they shared a glance between them, brief though it was, and their attention returned to the bard-turned-diplomat.

They were not the only listeners. Some of the delegates that Achakha had looked on at the next table over had paused in their eating, and they may well have been listening in, if Phaedreon was one to judge, which was followed by a rather rapid conversation in hushed Ecitharese. Word might well spread of what was being discussed at this table with the Solunarian delegates and the Triumvirate, but they would have to see what circulated, and how that might impact the coming Senate proceedings. It hadn't spread beyond the second table yet, but given time...

"Avaerys changing. Peace upon the continent," Achaka remarked, nodding slowly. Two decidedly unlikely events. But if there was one at the table who was most likely in regular contact with Avaerys and might well know his mood, it was Finn. One finger tapped the table. He did not look away from Finn, and he did not blink. "I would imagine from your time and station in Solunarium, you are well-familiar with its history. But are you familiar with war, then?" the Dragonborn wanted to know. It was one thing for the young ones to be willing to fight and throw their lives into the fray for dogma, for religion and glory, without ever really understanding the price that they would pay for it. The price for success, and the price for failure.

Chuck looked like he was going to say something to intervene and lighten the mood lest the solemn Orkhan dampen it, but Hanna shook her head once, and the Muse went quiet.

[Finn]

Finn's eyes were haunted for a moment at the question, and for that moment he looked old enough to have lived countless lives full of warfare. He took a sip from his drink to steady himself before he answered. Only Phædreon and Arkænyn knew just how many outcomes of war he had seen; while the chronomancers among the Dratherans might take that as valid experience, he did not want to speak of any other reality save this one. Time was the purview of the piebald archduke until and unless Finn's service was once again required to maintain the integrity of their reality.

"I've experienced war as a bard experiences war," he admitted. "Someone with Syren's bequest might intuit whether I have taken those lessons to heart. While I have trained with the Golden Legion, specifically with Fosca Astræon-Sol’Avaerys Vespera and Castor Astræon-Sol’Aværys Seværys Princeps, my specific talents were more suited to the Vigilia Argenti. I have battled monstrosities in the Kalzasern Warrens, Voidborn aberrations who managed to bypass the light of Aværys' scepter, and such.

"Experience with battle, yes. Experience with war, no. I rather think war would break my heart, perhaps to be reforged into something stronger. Still and all, it seems a waste if waged as anything other than a last resort between sentient peoples. If I must fight a war, I will, but in fighting a war, I will have lost something even if I win."

Regardless, he did hope to meet Ecithian warriors and test his prowess against them. On the more expedient hand, it would help prepare him for a war against the Commonwealth if such came to pass. On the more friendly hand, expressing aggression without causing harm could help him build bridges with Ecithian warriors, who held places of high esteem in their culture from what he gathered.