An Invitation ...
Fandom: Baldur's Gate
Characters: Imoen, Viconia
Rating: PG
Summary: Imoen comes to the Temple of Xavin to invite the High Priestess of his new religion to a party.
“Who are you that would see the High Priestess without so much as an appointment?” A tall, strong monk dressed in the simple blue-and-black vestments of the fledging cult of Xavin, the newest God of the Realms, asked the visitor. Kendrel fairly towered over the small, unassuming female before him, her face largely covered by a hood. “If your business is not vital, I suggest you leave. The Priestess does not like to be disturbed.”
“Aw, sheesh, Kendrel. You’ve been practicing for me? I’m touched.” Imoen smiled easily as she lowered her hood. “And c’mon, doesn’t the sister of a god get special visiting privileges? I mean, it’s the least you could do.” Her eyes twinkled mischievously. However uncomfortable she was with Xavin’s ascension to godhood, she was not going to despair of it. Besides, things were better in the Realms. Mostly, she just missed her brother.
“… of course, Lady Imoen.” Kendrel replied, somewhat awkward with her easygoing nature. In his own way, he preferred the imperious Priestess. That at least made sense. After all, even if Imoen were not the sister of a god, she was one of the more powerful mages in Faerun, not to mention a rather skilled thief. “Ah, follow me. I’m certain that the Priestess will be glad to see you.”
“Oh, I’m pretty certain that she won’t.” Imoen replied easily. Her and Viconia would always feel at least a little tense around each other. “But we’re like family. Or something. So, how’s she treating you and the others?”
Kendrel took a breath. “I believe the cruelty of her past is behind her. But she is a … stern mistress. It is good, though. Discipline is needed for our avocation. We are called to acts of just vengeance. It is a careful line we tread, Lady, just as the Avenger did in his time on Earth.”
“He did.” Imoen’s cheerful face looked a lot more solemn for a moment. “I’d kind of hoped he wouldn’t become a god of something like vengeance. How come nobody becomes the god of fruit ices, fluffy puppies and cuddles?”
“Perhaps the Avenger hoped that you would fill that gap in Faerun’s pantheon.” Kendrel replied with something that resembled a smile. “I suppose he felt his power was better used in avenging those who cannot protect themselves. After all, if the forces of evil in this world and beyond had their way- there would be no fruit ices or fluffy puppies, would there?”
“I guess so. And please, don’t call me ‘Lady’. I’m Imoen.” Imoen smiled. “Just Imoen.” They came up to an imposing set of stone doors. “And … it’s Vicky’s office. Doesn’t give a very homey impression, does it?”
Kendrel bowed. “You will have to proceed alone at this point. It is an honour to see you again, La- Imoen.”
“Absolutely. Nice to see you too. Wish me luck.” Imoen smiled again and after a moment working out the mechanism to open the doors automatically, walked in.
“The prodigal sister returns.” Viconia said, dryly. “And for what inanity have you come to see me? Shall I go questing again to safely deliver a kitten from the Tree of Life?” Though her words were not friendly, there was no real hostility in Viconia’s tone, simply a mild annoyance.
Imoen raised an eyebrow at Viconia for a moment. “Don’t tell me that you’ve forgotten what’s happening in two month’s time. Because frankly … I’d be real disappointed, Vicky.”
“Do not call me that.” Viconia snapped, and then, finally she turned to face Imoen. “I remember well enough. Five years ago today, Xavin left this mortal plane to ascend to godhood. Appropriate rituals will be performed at the Temple. It would be unseemly of me to not invite you … if you wish to attend, you are welcome.” Her tone seemed more resigned than anything else.
“Aww, Vicky. I’m touched.” Imoen replied. “And I’ll be there. As weird as it will be to see you perform actual ritual acts of worship to my brother. And if you’re wondering, yes, that’s pretty weird.” It was awkward enough that Xavin and Viconia had got together. She just hoped that all of Viconia’s rituals were performed with her clothes on. “But I’m actually here about something else. I mean, you’re the priestess of my brother the god, but there’s also, you know, Xavin the man. I’m gonna try and get the group together. Have a party at the Copper Coronet.”
“… you cannot be serious, Imoen. Will you invite Korgan because he journeyed with you for a few days once? What of Sarevok? Or having Edwin and Minsc in the same room? Am I to suppose that this idiotic idea is your own doing?” Viconia sighed. “But yet- there is something to an evening commemorating the man your brother was. I do not doubt that he would wish me to go to such an event. And if nothing else, it will be amusing to see how disastrous such a gathering turns out to be.” Imoen swore that Viconia’s lips turned upwards slightly in a smile. “Very well. I will go.”
“… good. That’s good.” Imoen had long since learned to be wary of any time that Viconia smiled. Sure, her brother had managed to turn her from a path of abject evil, but she was hardly a paragon of virtue. “That’s great. I’ll see you there in two months. Bring some dip or something.”
“Mmhm.” Viconia replied. “Will you stay and dine with us? This temple is always open to you.”
“Actually, I got a dinner date with …” Don’t say Keldorn. “… Mazzy. I gotta go or I’m gonna be late. And you know Mazzy’s totally a stickler for punctuality. She’s practically Kel- Anomen-esque.”
“Of course. Farewell, then. I shall attend your party. I’m sure that Kendrel will show you the way out.” Viconia turned back towards her duties. Imoen took the hint, and left the room.
Characters: Imoen, Viconia
Rating: PG
Summary: Imoen comes to the Temple of Xavin to invite the High Priestess of his new religion to a party.
“Who are you that would see the High Priestess without so much as an appointment?” A tall, strong monk dressed in the simple blue-and-black vestments of the fledging cult of Xavin, the newest God of the Realms, asked the visitor. Kendrel fairly towered over the small, unassuming female before him, her face largely covered by a hood. “If your business is not vital, I suggest you leave. The Priestess does not like to be disturbed.”
“Aw, sheesh, Kendrel. You’ve been practicing for me? I’m touched.” Imoen smiled easily as she lowered her hood. “And c’mon, doesn’t the sister of a god get special visiting privileges? I mean, it’s the least you could do.” Her eyes twinkled mischievously. However uncomfortable she was with Xavin’s ascension to godhood, she was not going to despair of it. Besides, things were better in the Realms. Mostly, she just missed her brother.
“… of course, Lady Imoen.” Kendrel replied, somewhat awkward with her easygoing nature. In his own way, he preferred the imperious Priestess. That at least made sense. After all, even if Imoen were not the sister of a god, she was one of the more powerful mages in Faerun, not to mention a rather skilled thief. “Ah, follow me. I’m certain that the Priestess will be glad to see you.”
“Oh, I’m pretty certain that she won’t.” Imoen replied easily. Her and Viconia would always feel at least a little tense around each other. “But we’re like family. Or something. So, how’s she treating you and the others?”
Kendrel took a breath. “I believe the cruelty of her past is behind her. But she is a … stern mistress. It is good, though. Discipline is needed for our avocation. We are called to acts of just vengeance. It is a careful line we tread, Lady, just as the Avenger did in his time on Earth.”
“He did.” Imoen’s cheerful face looked a lot more solemn for a moment. “I’d kind of hoped he wouldn’t become a god of something like vengeance. How come nobody becomes the god of fruit ices, fluffy puppies and cuddles?”
“Perhaps the Avenger hoped that you would fill that gap in Faerun’s pantheon.” Kendrel replied with something that resembled a smile. “I suppose he felt his power was better used in avenging those who cannot protect themselves. After all, if the forces of evil in this world and beyond had their way- there would be no fruit ices or fluffy puppies, would there?”
“I guess so. And please, don’t call me ‘Lady’. I’m Imoen.” Imoen smiled. “Just Imoen.” They came up to an imposing set of stone doors. “And … it’s Vicky’s office. Doesn’t give a very homey impression, does it?”
Kendrel bowed. “You will have to proceed alone at this point. It is an honour to see you again, La- Imoen.”
“Absolutely. Nice to see you too. Wish me luck.” Imoen smiled again and after a moment working out the mechanism to open the doors automatically, walked in.
“The prodigal sister returns.” Viconia said, dryly. “And for what inanity have you come to see me? Shall I go questing again to safely deliver a kitten from the Tree of Life?” Though her words were not friendly, there was no real hostility in Viconia’s tone, simply a mild annoyance.
Imoen raised an eyebrow at Viconia for a moment. “Don’t tell me that you’ve forgotten what’s happening in two month’s time. Because frankly … I’d be real disappointed, Vicky.”
“Do not call me that.” Viconia snapped, and then, finally she turned to face Imoen. “I remember well enough. Five years ago today, Xavin left this mortal plane to ascend to godhood. Appropriate rituals will be performed at the Temple. It would be unseemly of me to not invite you … if you wish to attend, you are welcome.” Her tone seemed more resigned than anything else.
“Aww, Vicky. I’m touched.” Imoen replied. “And I’ll be there. As weird as it will be to see you perform actual ritual acts of worship to my brother. And if you’re wondering, yes, that’s pretty weird.” It was awkward enough that Xavin and Viconia had got together. She just hoped that all of Viconia’s rituals were performed with her clothes on. “But I’m actually here about something else. I mean, you’re the priestess of my brother the god, but there’s also, you know, Xavin the man. I’m gonna try and get the group together. Have a party at the Copper Coronet.”
“… you cannot be serious, Imoen. Will you invite Korgan because he journeyed with you for a few days once? What of Sarevok? Or having Edwin and Minsc in the same room? Am I to suppose that this idiotic idea is your own doing?” Viconia sighed. “But yet- there is something to an evening commemorating the man your brother was. I do not doubt that he would wish me to go to such an event. And if nothing else, it will be amusing to see how disastrous such a gathering turns out to be.” Imoen swore that Viconia’s lips turned upwards slightly in a smile. “Very well. I will go.”
“… good. That’s good.” Imoen had long since learned to be wary of any time that Viconia smiled. Sure, her brother had managed to turn her from a path of abject evil, but she was hardly a paragon of virtue. “That’s great. I’ll see you there in two months. Bring some dip or something.”
“Mmhm.” Viconia replied. “Will you stay and dine with us? This temple is always open to you.”
“Actually, I got a dinner date with …” Don’t say Keldorn. “… Mazzy. I gotta go or I’m gonna be late. And you know Mazzy’s totally a stickler for punctuality. She’s practically Kel- Anomen-esque.”
“Of course. Farewell, then. I shall attend your party. I’m sure that Kendrel will show you the way out.” Viconia turned back towards her duties. Imoen took the hint, and left the room.