Quest - From the Heart
The tragedy of my imprisonment is that I miss Bella. Her coils of hair caught my heart years ago. It drives my dreadful dreams.
Who is Bella?
Bella is my love, from whom am I separated. My life depends on a ribbon of parchment between us. I sneak out letters to her. I have no more. But I have a message. Will you tell her something?
Where is Bella?
Bella? She's in Piet I assume. She is the barkeep of the tavern there. I haven't heard from her in over a season. Jean might know where to find her.
I will tell the message to Bella.
Thank you. The message is:
Dear Bella, The Chamber blackens. It's maze twists deeper into my mind. Each turn reveals darker creatures that I hadn't realized dwelt within. Save me from this Sgriotic realm.
- Your love, Marlin.
Take it to her now.
Why were you imprisoned?
I was imprisoned for what I know. I have seen the blackness created by the uncaring hearts. I discovered where the maddening rock had lain for thousands of years.
The Grimlok and Goblins battled over that Conix of Atavism since Deoch 6. Cyril, the councilor of Loures, imprisoned me. Cyril is dead by horrors I dare not imagine. Jean is Councilor now.
What is the Conix?
If I speak, I will lose my head. Go to the library.
What about the new Councilor, Jean?
Often I used to see him in the Library of Loures, before recent events.
Does not Jean care you are imprisoned?
He says he regrets my situation.
Yes. Bella visits him often. A guard tells me that she weeps for my release.
What Dreadful dreams?
Black fluttering wings, like the pit of my heart, clutching my love. A red scarf recedes from me and Bella's cry with it.
Jean
Cycle of Becoming
Theology of the Conjunction
(see his page for those dialogues)
(before the quest)
The transformation of Deoch's hot intoxication into Glioca's moonlit compassion reminds me of sweet Bella who used to visit me.
(after the quest)
I'm happy for Marlin, and sorry for him, too. He's loved. I don't know that i can ever say I've truly let go to love before. Marlin has.
You've taught me to see love. I don't know what's to become of Marlin, but the shell around my heart has been opened, and its precious content softened. For this brief moment, I can see as the Aisling does: love where there was only pain and desire, inspiration where there was only toil and suffering, compassion where there was only authority
Where is Bella?
Bella walks, in deep consideration, at dusk and dawn in the garden.
She told me the silliest of things.
What did she say?
She told me that on a twilight walk in the garden she met a faerie.
Please tell me more
She waited until dawn or dusk just north of the Lover's Glade. She patiently walked through the woods until she came a clearing of a betony flower, where she saw a red silk scarf. She waited.
It was a faerie. She held conversation with the faerie, who revealed that between midnight and dawn she danced there. Bella watched her dance several nights.
Do you love Bella?
I would burn down the world for her. I would do anything for her.
Would you release Marlin?
I would release Marlin if Bella would bewed me. Gladly.
Enchanted Garden - (81,7)
You notice what appears to be part of a silk red scarf.
Wait.
You wait but nothing appears. Set down some Faerie Wine?
Yes.
peeks Are all the mundanes away?
Hello.
I see you seeing me. Dance with me. Wee.
I can't.
The faerie putes a new freckle on your cheek
(end of discussion)
Have you seen Bella?
She danced with me.
Where is she now?
Dark, beating wings clutched her and carried her off!
Did you give Bella the letter?
I found a faerie in the garden who said...
My dream is true. A black-hearted creature has stolen my love. Please help me find her.
How can I help you?
In the same dream that began with the black-winged creature swooping Bella away.
What then?
Under a pillowless bed in Loures castle, a shadow opens up and swallows her. The shadow ebbs and flows in two minutes. Only during the even minute can one follow it.
A chaotic maze and finally white circles that pulse to movement of the stars.
A man and woman perform the rite of the first transformation that Jean barely understands. ~={orange}(What does the Conjunction between Deoch and Glioca has to do with this)=~
What do you think it means?
At night I hear the pulse from below the castle. I dream of incongruous dark forms, slumbering. They slip from the shadows of the cracks in the stone, dubhaimid seeping from Loures castle.
This castle is built the site of something very old, and something that is now very powerful, and very dark.
I think I can do it.
There is one more thing. Will you give her an additional message?
I'll tell her.
Dear Bella, though age claims my bones, though this cell claims my life, though poisonous thoughts claim my sanity, my heart is eternally with you. - Love, Marlin.
A large pulse moves beneath the stone.
Feel it
get sent to the Dark Maze
then to the Heart of Stone
There is an ancient Aosdic circle with inscriptions of two rituals. Which rite will you perform?
Conjunction of The Flame & The Moon
The Flame will begin the ceremony by stepping into the circle.
Whom shall you perform the rite with? One of you will begin as the Flame and the other will be the Moon.
I will perform the rite with another Aisling
Will you follow as the Moon in the Conjunction of the Flame and the Moon with ___?
I will be the Moon.
At this holy moment Jealous Fire becomes nourishing blood...
...in soft moonlight.
As it is in divinity so is it in mortality. Fire's last breath...
...kindles love.
So may it be for Marlin & Bella.
So may it be for all Aislings.
I had another dream of Bella. She was close to me, smiling. You told her. Even though you never saw her directly, you met her. I know I'll meet her again soon, too. You've given me vision, Aisling.
(there's also the heart of stone)
TODO