The dome of the embassy seemed to radiate light down into the lobby far below, the painting of the Caelestine Goddess looking on as though a benevolent presence from above. The Pillars holding the decorative ceiling were carved masterfully from marble stone into the shape of angels of varying degrees of ascension, the standard angels at the bottom with the Seraphim at the top, arms held outward as though to hold the heavens aloft.

The floor was also formed of marble, polished to an almost glassy sheen. Gold and marble benches line the lobby's walls as angels and demons strutted to an from the entrance of the Embassy and its back offices.

The short demon was still taking in such a sight. It was very overwhelming at first, but now it was a bit easier to appreciate. Although most of the statues made him uneasy, he still took his time looking them over. Konsa was often distracting by the embassy and would zone out for a few minutes just to take it all in. He was much more used to grungier places, so this was a very new experience for him. Konsa was staring up at the Caelestine Goddess painting, eyes slightly narrowed at it.

"Beautiful, isn't she?" came a harsh voice behind. The mercenary stepped forward from behind the demon. "She hasn't been seen in nearly 9,000 years, and yet they still remember the way she looked."

Konsa jumped, spinning around; he was still skittish around Novaus. But then again, he was like that with everyone. "Yes... I suppose she's pretty." He said as he glanced back at the painting. It really was a breathtaking sight, "Must have been a pretty interesting person to leave such an impression." Konsa mumbled as he looked back at Novaus.

"Indeed, she must have been... but just as intriguing is your own Demon Lord, Drakling," pondered the mercenary. "Legend has it, she denies the Caelist her presence to keep him imprisoned, and has done so for the past 9,000 years."

"I can assure that both reside in the center of the Blade's Rim to this day," came a small voice from behind. Novaus turned around and gave the silver winged angel a courteous bow.

Konsa nodded silently as he returned his gaze to the painting once more. He didn't really care about his own kind's history, or anyones at that. Most things were not interesting to him, almost his whole life was focused on survival.

When Konsa turned to face Blind Seer he surpressed a smile. He had taken a small liking to her although he refused to show it. He clusmily bowed when he saw Novaus do it. 

The Blind Seer smiled reassuringly to them, "It is good to see that I at least have a degree of your trust, young one." She then spun on her heels towards an approaching figure, his silver gaze going over the demon in detail.

Dressed much as he was at the time of his meeting with the Grand Ambassador the day before, what was different was the presence of his satchel and its bandolier strap, and the sheathes for his six swords, the two longest of his scimitar like blades hung from his waist, while the 4 remaining blades rested in scabbards hanging at the sides of his hips.

The Blind Seer gestured towards the newcomer in introduction. "May I present to you the master artificer Conrose."

The newcomer let out a gruff breath, "There is no need for flattery. So, who is this runt?"

Konsa hid his reddening cheeks from them, not noticing the newcomer who had approached them. He didn't really like the look of this guy, his instincts were telling him that he was very dangerous. Maybe it was because he had so many swords and the way he eyed Konsa. 

At first Konsa merely avoided his gaze, trying to appear uninterested in this man. Although he glared at him when Konsa was referred to as a runt. Although technically, he was basically a runt. The demon tried not to growl and instead focused his attention to the glassy floor.

"Always trying to start a fight I see," came the voice of someone following Conrose. The eagle headed Grand Ambassador came in from the other direction, carrying a few folders with various official papers and other documents in one hand, and a spear with a wood, gold and silver shafted bronze and diamond head over his shoulder with his other hand.

"I take it, this little guy is going to be accompanying your explorer and I on this Pilgrimage," inquired the six bladed warrior with a tone of dismay.

Konsa took a quick glance at the Grand Ambassador before quickly returning his gaze to the floor. He listened to them silently, frowning slightly at Conrose's tone. It wasn't like he really wanted to be here. Konsa crossed his arms over his chest, just wanting to get this over with.

"Speaking of whom, where is he?" Conrose demanded.

Sokolniki shook his head. "He has a few minutes yet before the agreed upon..."

The Blind Seer chuckled, "It's no use esteemed Ambassador. Your artificer hasn't an ounce of patience to his credit."

Conrose's eyes narrowed on the young woman. "I suppose you understand better than anyone."

"Then he'll be happy to know that he won't have to wait any longer," A deep, confident voice spoke up from behind Conrose. Standing around a dozen feet away from the group was Aiden Toft, smiling proudly with a hand resting on his sheathed saber's hilt at his left hip. He didn't look very different at all from his appearance at the Grand Ambassador's office. The human clearly had a preference for neat, fancy clothing, even when doing field work.

Once he grabbed everyone's attention, Aiden approached the group, his cheerful smile remaining constant. He was clearly eager to get this underway. "Really, I make it a point to arrive at scheduled appointments early. Leaves a good impression, I think," The explorer explained, looking between everyone gathered around him, "Seer, Novaus, Conrose, Ambassador. Good to see you all again. I'm ready to-"

He paused as he noticed an unfamiliar figure among the group. Once he got a good look at him, his eyes widened slightly in surprise; it was a male Dalimos, a young one, at that. The horns and his skin's pigmentation were a dead giveaway. Aiden's smile soon reappeared, wider than before. "My... I see you've picked up a Dalimos." He chuckled a bit. "Unexpected, but no less pleasant. Your race has been a subject of fascination for me during my studies."

He extended an open hand out to Konsa. "Aiden Toft, certified explorer of Nexulai. I assume you'll be traveling with us, Mr...?"

Konsa watched Aiden with a suspicious look in his eyes, but did try to smile at him. It looked more like a grimace though. The Dalimos hesitated, uncrossing his arms from his chest. "Konsa." He muttered, glancing away as he accepted the handshake. He pulled away fairly quickly, prefering to keep physical contact to a minimum. 

Aiden tilted his head at the small demon, intrigued. He didn't expect Konsa to be so shy around others. Reading about the Dalimos' tribal culture and admittedly unstable history gave him the sense that many of them were haughty, bold individuals, perhaps even to the point where they could be considered arrogant and impulsive. Konsa subverted his expectations, which only served to heighten his curiosity.

"Man, er, demon of few words, aren't you?" He asked before continuing on immediately afterwards, not waiting for an answer, "I wonder what tribe you hail from. The Avaritans, I imagine? Or perhaps you're an Invidian?" Truth be told, he couldn't quite figure it out. He wanted to hear more, and it became clear to the others that Aiden was starting to forget why he came here in the first place...

"It's of little consequence," declared the man with the silver gaze as he pushed past the group and towards the portal. "Lets get going then."

The Averian let out a deep sigh. "Would it really hurt you to wait any amount of time, Conrose?"

The swordsman stopped and replied with but a glare.

"You still need documentation confirming that the officiation at the Embassy here in Nexulai has granted you passage," stated the eagle confidently. "Afterall, do you really want a repeat of 12 years ago?" The Grand Ambassador met the young man's glare as he held out the folder.

"And besides, you may have to wait a few days for the pilgrim to arrive at Keranlus, so your haste now would achieve little," came the hoarse voice of the Blind Seer's bodyguard as he walked up to the Ambassador.

Conrose bared his teeth, filled with a sense of urgency. He didn't like the thought of having to wait, but nothing could be done for it. He bared his teeth momentarily before storming out of the Embassy. His posture prompted some of the Embassy guards shifted and started towards the man, but a gesture from the Blind Seer haulted them.

"Are you certain it is wise for him to accompany Lady Seraphina," questioned the mercenary.

"I myself ponder on the wisdom of this, but the Featherkeeper has been eager to learn more of him since we first encountered him several months ago." She then turned towards Aiden expectantly, "I do not question her reason, but at the same time, I think it wise to share whatever you may know of that man with the others."

Aiden turned to Conrose upon hearing his interruption. He struggled to reply to the blunt statement, but Sokolniki stepped in, scolding the artificer. Naturally, he didn't take it well and stormed out shortly afterwards. The explorer just watched him go, bewildered. Would he have to deal with this kind of attitude throughout the entire pilgrimage? That would be... challenging, to say the least.

"I don't know anything the Grand Ambassador doesn't already know," He replied to the Seer, keeping his eyes on Conrose for a few more seconds before facing her. He opened his mouth, but paused, saying nothing as he turned over to the Ambassador, waiting for his approval to share the info the Averian shared with him in the office. Unless, of course, the Seer already knew the information, but Aiden didn't know if she did, and would need confirmation.

Sokolniki met the explorer's gaze and nodded to him. "Not much could be said... short on patience, ill tempered and dedicated to his craft" stated the Ambassador as he took one last gaze at the spear he held before handing it over to Novaus. "He came through one of the portals about 12 years ago... caused quite a mess and couldn't speak Standard."

The Blind Seer tilted her head curiously as she took in the information.

"Where he hails from, we don't know... but he's remarkably knowledgable about how magic flows through objects, made earning a living for him here quite easy," he then turned to Aiden. "I do believe you paid a few visits to him between your off world tests, correct?"

"Yes sir, but only occasionally. Sometimes, I'd come across an artifact on some of the fringe realms I explored during my training. I'd bring them to Conrose for identification, since that seemed to be one of his specialties. Of course, they didn't turn out to be very, well, valuable or practical," Aiden stated matter-of-factly, complete with a shrug, "And he was always quick to point that out. After my first visit, I never stayed longer than I had to."

He then looked concerned. "Ambassador, Blind Seer... I don't doubt that he's determined to complete whatever his mission is, but... I'm having some serious reservations about letting him get involved. His temper could potentially jeopardize our safety, if we ever get into a particularly sticky situation."

The Blind Seer turned to the young Aiden. "As I said before, your concern does have its merits." She then looked towards the door that the man in question had stormed out through a few minutes earlier. "But he is driven by a need somewhere deep in his heart. He feels that he needs to speak with the Featherkeeper... and what is that she reciprocates this sentiment. I cannot tell you why, as I was told the truth spoken in the wrong place could be dangerous." Turning to face the young Aiden fully, she paused a moment, deep in thought. "But you are not without a tool to restrain him by. The condition that Seraphina make it to the Featherkeeper should be incentive enough to keep him pacified, though I imagine he may need reminding of it."

Novaus nodded, "Regardless, if things get out of hand, I can handle him forcefully."

The Caelestine woman sighed deeply in dismay, "please don't resort to that as a first option."

The mercenary chuckled beneathe the wraps; "I'll try not to. But if he asks for it."

The Averian sighed, "And he probably will out of pride."

"SILENCE!" shouted the Blind Seer, causing all within the lobby of the Embassy to still. Reaching up to her forehead as though it ached, she took a few deep breaths to regain her composure... then proceeded in her calm voice, "What you do not see, that I do, is that it is not pride that drives him to violence and anger." She then looked up as if to pray to the Goddess upon the ceiling for guidance. "There is much more to it that that. He is frustrated and desperate for something, and reaches out to a lifeline for hope."

She then faced her bodyguard squarely, as if to meet his gaze had she still had eyes. "It is the reason he asked to see her before we could tell him that she wished to see him." She then looked over the rest of the group that had assembled. "Have faith in him... I'm certain he has more principle in him than you give him credit for."

She then made her way to the doorway, when Novaus motioned to follow, she waved him off before reaching forward to feel her way around the corner of the entrance; being able to see the souls of people did little to help her to negotiate around most other inanimate objects.

Konsa had returned his attention to the painting and the other works of art, only watching the scene out of the corner of his eye. His lips were slightly pursed as the events unfolded and he flinched when the Blind Seer yelled. She was right about Conrose, but Konsa was still very nervous around someone like him.

The dark-eyed boy glanced at the others, not sure how to proceed next. Although he was glad to put off going through the portal. He still hadn't shaken off the close encounter with the Abyss. Thinking about having a situation like that again made his hands clench into fists and his posture to go rigid. Konsa watched Novaus, waiting for his instructions on what to do next. 

If Aiden had planned to add anything onto Sokolniki and Novaus' statements, it was swiftly interrupted by the Seer's sudden outburst. He stared at her, taken aback by the brief display of anger and frustration. He was starting to believe that nothing could faze this angelic being, but that clearly wasn't the case here. It seemed that even the Blind Seer had her limits.

He watched her leave the hall, the woman's words replaying in his head. She truly had absolute faith in Conrose, despite his flaws. He told her back in the offer that he believed her words, but his doubt seeped through once again. No doubt, that must've had a major part in irritating her. The explorer sighed, feeling guilty.

"Damn it." He then turned to Sokolniki. "Sir... is there anything else I should know?" He hoped he wouldn't be kept around for much longer; he wanted to apologize to the Seer before she left the area.

The Grand Ambassador shook his head, "Nothing that I know I'm afraid." His own eyes tracked the Blind Seer as she vanished around the corner after Conrose. "What else you will need to know must come from the man himself."

"Understood... if I may? I wish to speak to the Seer one last time before we depart."

Novaus put his hand on Aiden's shoulder. "I'd give her a minute... I think she went to speak with our ill tempered friend."

The explorer turned to Novaus, hearing him out. He paused before nodding hesitantly. "Right... that's fair. I'll give them time." Aiden didn't know how to feel about this whole situation. He was looking forward to seeing Ceciderunt Dea, but Conrose would be a wildcard on this journey. He didn't know what to expect from him, and that made him nervous. He preferred to take a cautious, methodical to situations, and the artificer seemed to be anything but that. There was nothing he could do about it, of course. He'd just have to make do with what was given to him.