[hr][center][H3][u][b][Stoneworks - Interior][/b][/u][/H3][/center][hr]

ID... Crimson was left to her own devices following the conclusion of her deal with the Erlings. With the occasional pulse of activity rippling through the barrier there was naught to do but wait for the Hunt to end.  Though she didn't take her mask off, she strolled slowly through the idyllic gardens with her hood down, allowing her long, neatly curated braid of (very slightly red tinged) black hair to swing idly between her shoulder blades.  She'd taken the opportunity to change into some fresh clothes that weren't melted... a pair of rugged, pitch cargo jeans and a fitted red long sleeved top made of a proprietary fiber.  The outlines of ultra-thin armor plates showed vaguely about her shoulders and vital areas, peeking out to cover over her throat.  A finely etched [Array] shimmered softly through the fabrics if the light hit it just so.

Crimson would leave her old clothes at a dead drop for a courier to collect along with notes about their performance.  She'd have to work with the Quartermaster to formulate an enchanted weave with higher heat resistance next time she was home.  Her fingers caressed the current of [Nature/Light] radiating softly from a nearby cairn stone at the center of the garden, and the flowers all leaned towards her as she knelt down to take in the fragrance.  A leisurely stroll took her past the markets where she sampled wares and restocked her supplies, then to a café where she just sat for a while in full [Dreamsight] to watch the currents and flows of the Stonework's [Domain].  She remembered when this area had once been home to a [Death] domain and was considered irrevocably haunted.

One of the merchants directed her to the temple where she purchased feed for the spectral beasts.  She spread a fair bit in a trough and was rewarded a few minutes later with a pair of starlight deer coming to investigate.  A smile pinched the corners of her eyes when one ate from her hand and allowed her to stroke its neck and cheek.  Farther along she traded a fistful of seed to a curious corvid for a piece of shiny, polished glass.  It would make a good base for a decorative amulet...  The frequency of pulses through the barrier had abated, so Crimson began to make her way towards the edge of the settlement: it was time to go check in with Mother and see if the Graves Blacksites were still intact.

[color=39b54a]"Hmmm!  Yes!  Student of the [Will] I see?  Don't see many around here,"[/color] a gruff but well-articulated voice called out to her as she passed by the Temple.  Crimson paused, turning towards the voice.  It belonged to a quite large specimen of the Diabolus Vulgaris deviant variety... Goblinization for the layman.  Or it could be an actual Orc it was difficult to tell these days.  While sitting down, he was nearly as tall as she, and the healthy green buff of his massive, oak-like arms glinted gently in the light.  Each of his thick digits was nearly the size of her forearm and his raw strength pummeled the air as he beckoned her over.  She couldn't help herself.

[b][color=#d9145f]"What makes you say that?"[/color][/b] She asked, as she stepped closer.

[color=39b54a]"The [Currents] pay you respect.  They part to make way for you, and wait in anticipation of your [Words],"[/color] he explained.  [color=39b54a]"[Mana] pays heed to you, stops, waits for your guidance.  [Will] Shapers have a particular aura because of this,"[/color] he chortled, picking at something behind one of his tusks with a long, claw-like nail.

[b][color=#d9145f]"You aren't wrong,"[/color][/b] she chuckled.  [b][color=#d9145f]"Student of the [Will] is a very old title though, most modern Awakened call us 'Black Mages.'"[/color][/b] 

[color=39b54a]"A dirty association,"[/color] he shuddered audibly.  [color=39b54a]"Anyone who's done a lick of study knows... the Black Mages were only a minority subset of the tradition who valued the pursuit of power above all else,"[/color] he scoffed.

[b][color=#d9145f]"An educated man.  My heart,"[/color][/b] she gave a genuine laugh, bringing an enormous smile to the Orc's face.  [b][color=#d9145f]"What can I do for you?"[/color][/b] 

[color=39b54a]"Hmmm!  Yes!  Well!  What would you say if I told you, I also was a [Will] Shaper of sorts?  Belonging to a more Shamanic subset of the tradition than the 'Student's' purely academic one at least.  And!  And!  I could tell your... FORTUNE!"[/color] He waggled his fingers dramatically at the statement.  Crimson's grin wrinkled the corners of her eyes.

[b][color=#d9145f]"I would tell you that Students of the [Will] make their own fortune,"[/color][/b] she replied, unable to suppress her amusement.

[color=39b54a]"YES!  Hmm!  The retort of a true Student.  Mana is science.  Knowledge. Is. Everything,"[/color] he snorted, slapping his monstrous thigh.  The clap echoed through the temple like a gunshot, startling some of the other priests.  [color=39b54a]"But! I would also tell you!  HMM!  That I do, indeed, live with one eye in the [Astral Sea] as well as you.  Yes!  I am afforded, a much clearer visage of the Red Thread of [Fate], tied to whom you will create your destiny...,"[/color] he explained.  Mysteriously, of course.  [color=39b54a]"Lend me your hand,"[/color] he instructed, to which Crimson obliged.

Her hand was nearly child-like in his massive mitts, though she was surprised at how positively gentle he was when he turned her hand over with one of his enormous fingers.  His eyes rolled back as he delicately touched the end of her pinky.  Her skin tingled, but she didn't detect any change in his Astral Form.  He spoke with the voice of a dozen men and women layered on top of one another.

[center][color=39b54a][i][Sun] and [Moon] confront at the [Shield]
Twin Dragons collide.
Great [Hunger] chases the trail
Paved by the Traveller of [Void] and [Light]
[Third Eye] ripped open
Veracity sunders souls.
The [Sun] will appoint...
Destruction - T̵̡͛ṳ̸̒r̶̟̽ṇ̶̈ ̷̗̔ã̷͙l̶͍̒l̷̟̈ ̵̗͒ṫ̷̻o̵̖͆ ̷͓̒a̷͇͒s̵̤̊ĥ̷̹.̶̮͑
Or yet... Pennance...[/i][/color][/center]

A crackle of thunder punctuated his fortune, causing Crimson to flinch.  No... it was the barrier beginning to come down.  She turned her eyes back to the priest, whose hand was still outstretched.  He groaned quietly in trance with the whites of his eyes still showing.  After a moment Crimson snorted, dropping a handful of coins into the Orc's palm.

[b][color=#d9145f]"Thanks, old man,"[/color][/b] she giggled lightly.  [b][color=#d9145f]"You can read my fortune any time."[/color][/b] Crimson scooped her braid up into her hood as she slid it back over her head and made her way towards the edge of the settlement.  Looks like it was finally time to be on her way.  The priest's eyes fluttered back a few minutes later, and he snorted and champed as though he were coming out of a deep sleep.

[color=39b54a]"Right!  Hmm!  My apologies, first I attune to the-"[/color] he blinked, staring at his palm for a long moment.  [color=39b54a]"Hey check it out!  I FOUND TEN CLAT!!"[/color] he bellowed excitedly into the temple, pocketing the coins with a mirthful smile.  [color=39b54a]"Hmm!  Yes!  Lucky day, that."[/color]