9582/Turquoise Hair

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Turquoise Hair
Date of Scene: 11 January 2022
Location: Nilaa - Other Dimensions
Synopsis: Martin meets the Lady Turquoise. She's kinda intense. In the end he chooses Earth. Next stop Castle Amethyst.
Cast of Characters: Amy Winston, Jonathan Sims, Martin Blackwood




Amy Winston has posed:
Following the events at the Grand Archive in the Citrine capitol of Manipoor, Princess of Ingvie of House Citrine has been tasked by Lady Senshe with seeing one Martin Blackwood safely delivered to Castle Turquoise and an audience with the famously, some would say infamously fierce Lady Turquoise, a swordswoman said to have few if any peers in all of Nilaa. Even on the backs of flying Vyala, creatures that resemble some sort of lion-bird hybrid but are ridden like a horse, it still takes over a week, with stops at various towns and inns along the way.

The journey is thankfully uneventful and as the sun begins to set on the ninth day, flying above the Plains of Bliss in the Turquoise domain, in the distance Castle Turquoise comes into view. It is a spectacle far grander than anything Manipoor had to offer. The Seat of one of the Great Houses, it is a magnificent crystal palace, much of it seemingly hewn from turquoise itself. The monumental structure glitters in the setting sun, growing ever larger in the distance.

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    Jon and Martin have a few long-needed talks along the way of the journey, culminating in one in which Jon finally presses Martin on why he doesn't believe in magic--and gets Martin to admit that, yes, magic might be real. So it's with lighter hearts that they fly across the Plains of Bliss to Castle Turquoise.

    "Dear /gods/, look at it!" Jon calls as they come closer. He... likes flying too much. A lot, actually. He /relishes/ every chance they get to climb on the backs of the Vyala, even if he was rather nervous about the whole affair until they got up in the air, muttering about how he'd never even ridden a horse. But once they did? He /loves/ it, and he's always a little giddy while they're up there.

Martin Blackwood has posed:
    Martin isn't as enthusiastic about the Vyala as Jon. He's riden horses. He's flown in quinjets with the back open for ops. He's even done drops with minimal parachute time. Open air riding on the creature isn't too far fetched. The creature itself however... is another matter. Like everything else he's experienced in Nilaa it takes some getting used to. The tusk-faced viciousness of the creature draws him up short on the first encounter and he almost refuses on the spot. But Jon warms up to his mount with relative ease, so it's the least Martin can do to attempt to try and do the same.

    Perhaps it's his apprehension, or perhaps it's just that Martin's not the most graceful at piloting the creature. Even after his discussion with Jon he's still having some trouble making the thing stay on a straight course. Horses are--he decides--much easier than bird-cat hybrids.

    Castle Turquoise makes his breath catch in his throat. It is beautiful. Resplendent in the sun. A beacon of something Martin's been seeking his whole life: Answers. Maybe here he can find some of the lost side of his parentage and where his power truly comes from.

Amy Winston has posed:
The closer the trio gets to Castle Turquoise the bigger it gets, it is hard to appreciate how far away they saw it from due to the flatness of the plains and just how big the structure actually is until they actually do get close, a massive glittering fortress that offers no potential cover to any attackers from any direction.

Leading the way and controlling her Vyala with relative ease, Ingvie guides the other two on the final descent to the spacious courtyard. It is quite wide and open and seems to have been designed with accommodating such aerial arrivals in mind. Waiting on the ground when they dismount are several members of the Turquoise Royal Guard. The Turquoise Guard, like the castle itself, are a whole different breed from the soldiers of Citrine. They are adorned in glittering crystal plate worn over an under suit of fine chain and some very serious weapons adorning their persons. There is also a sense that they are probably exceedingly proficient in those weapons, some about the way they carry themselves. There may be a bit of illusion in play enhancing their presentation, but the entire place has an air of constant military readiness. But then it is one of the few places still known to resist Opal on occasion.

"Your steeds will be taken to the stables." One of the Turquoise soldiers informs them once everyone has dismounted.

"You are expected." Another soldier adds as if on que, while the first begins leading the Vyala away. "It is best not to keep Lady Turquoise waiting, please come with us." Two of them turn and start marching off, while another two wait pointedly for the first two to be followed so they can bring up the rear.

For a moment Ingvie seems like she might just call her duties fulfilled having gotten them this far, the Turquoise army is plenty intimidating for a minor house, even the Princess, but ultimately turns to Jon and Martin. "It's best to do as they say, let's go."

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    Jon glances to Martin and Ingvie, shrugs, and then goes ahead and follows the guards. He looks around with wide eyes, the way he's been fairly constantly since they first arrived in Nilaa.

    "Excellent defensive position, don't you think?" Martin's more of an expert on that sort of thing, and Jon looks to him for his response. "Nobody could sneak up on this place in any /normal/ fashion. I imagine they keep the plain around lit at night to discourage attacks in the dark, too." He's musing aloud, more than anything; glancing at the guards they're following he suddenly shuts his mouth, as if realizing speculating aloud on their defenses is... probably not the best idea.

    "Err, sorry," he mumbles. "I, ahh... this place is... impressive, is all."

Martin Blackwood has posed:
    Martin is staring at Jon as he muses about the defensive capabilities of this very militaristic castle. He rolls his eyes and shakes his head as the man apologizes as he follows in step with Ingvie.

    "Why not gauge their combat readiness too while you're at it, Jon" he says under his voice to the man. "I'm sure they won't mistake us for spies or anything..." He sounds (and to Jon's connection with him, feels) nervous.

    There is a resonance to this place that he can't quite feel as a conscious thing but it's tugging on hidden strings and hidden feelings that he only just recognized a few nights before.

Amy Winston has posed:
Ingvie clears her throat as the procession makes its way into the castle and through its sparkling halls, still lit up by the remains of the sunset. She makes a swiping gesture near her throat in the universal gesture for 'for the love of all that is sacred please stop talking', a gesture that apparently holds true even across dimensions.

As the sun fades below the horizon though, brilliant crystalline lights spring to life and even as evening takes the world outside the castle it might as well be daylight within the way the light refracts through the structure.

The procession ultimately enters a grand audience chamber floored in smoothly polished turquoise with no apparent seems and a quality that might as well be marble like the entire thing was carved from a single mountain sized piece of turquoise. Seated on a raised platform made from stacking several thick slabs of the same turquoise as the floor on top of each other in ever smaller sizes to create a pyramid effect is a glittering throne of grand scale, a fitting match to the woman of grand scale sitting upon it.

Just as the House of Amethyst are in fact blondes, Lady Turquoise's hair is not in fact Turquoise, rather she is a stunning red head with a mane of fire that flows down her back. The turquoise can be seen in the color of her eyes though and the sharp gaze that greets the newcomers. Standing easily over six feet and decked out in even more ornate turquoise plate armor that she barely seems to notice the weight of, Lady Turquoise cuts an imposing warrior's profile sitting upon her throne. Next to her is a sword as tall as she is, one hand resting easily on the hilt with the point down as she leans forward. Though numerous other weapons are clearly visible on her person. Looking at her it is plain as day why, while they might not have the numbers to reconquer Nilaa, Turquoise is able to remain somewhat defiant. While possible, to claim victory over this place would be costly at best.

"Lady Turquoise. I present Princess Ingvie of House Citrine, The Lost Seed Martin Blackwood of Turquoise, and his servant." One of the Turquoise guards at the front announces before falling back.

Ingvie for her part seems a bit surprised at the introduction and then just sighs internally. She knows better than anyone her mother can have a wicked sense of humor when annoyed by something. "Lady Turquoise, I bear greetings from my mother the Lady Senshe. We were just as surprised as you undoubtedly are when an individual from First Home bearing the blood magic of your house showed up in our domain. He says he wishes to return to First Home, however such was not ours to grant and so we present him to you, the Lady of the House for your judgement." She bows deeply.

Lady Turquoise's fingers curl around the pommel of her greatsword, whose blade sheds faint turquoise light along its length, as she takes in the spectacle before her. She hasn't survived this long by being careless with unknown actors. "So, I know what I have been told, but that is rarely even half the story." Her slightly deep, husky, voice echoes through the chamber. "Speak Outlander! Tell me your tale and you will have my judgement."

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    Jon gives Ingvie an apologetic look and keeps his mouth shut for the rest of the walk through the castle.

    He looks over Lady Turquoise and then... blinks at the guard. "Servant?" he mutters, visibly thumbing the golden ring on his left hand. He looks to Martin, though, and frowns thoughfully, then carefully takes a step back. This is his show, really. Hopefully he'll clear up the identity issue.

Martin Blackwood has posed:
    Martin nearly chokes at the introduction of Jon as his servant but manages to compose himself before stepping forward. "L-Lady Turquoise..." he says,bowing and then looking up at the imposing woman on her dias. "Jonathan Sims, the Archivist, isn't my servant. He's.. he's my husband. I believe Lady Senshe gave such an introduction to humble him for a slight he made against her while we were in her presence."

    He clears his throat, still quite nervous but some of his confidence is returning. After all, if he is truly a Lost Seed of this place, it should come with some measure of authority... right? "We both come from First Home, Earth as we call it. I was born there 34 years ago to a human woman. I never knew my father and I manifested this... ability," he holds up a hand, turquoise light surrounding it though no effect is given, "when I was still a teenager."

    He continues, more confidence filling his words. "My mother was a...." he frowns, "my mother was a witch. A mystic. She had knowledge and could do small things but she had no real power of this sort." He frowns a bit more. His mother's relationship with him was always a touchy subject. "She told me that I looked just like my father, I even had his power, and... and she hated me for it. Even up to her death, she hated me for it."

    "I've searched all over Earth... scouring genetic databases--" he cuts off, trying to think of how to best explain such tech to this land of magic, "umm... archives that match blood to blood so that people can find lost relatives--to no avail." He shrugs. "Which tells me that he never got sick on Earth, a feat that I find rather doubtful, or he wasn't from Earth originally."

    He runs a his non-glowing hand through his dark curls. "And then... by accidental means we end up here, on Nilaa, and Jon finds that he is connected to House Citrine and I'm informed--by their leader--that I am connected..." He looks around. "Well, here. I want to know about my past. About my father if I can... but Princess Ingvie is right, we also want leave to return home. If my roots truly are to this place it is well that I know that and learn all I can from you, but Earth *is* my home and has been all my life."

Amy Winston has posed:
There is a clang of metal on metal as Lady Turquoise slaps her knee and laughs out loud at the explanation Martin provides for Jon's introduction. "That's not really that far off now is it?" She gives a toothy. "So you managed to piss off Lady Senshe?" She seems to find this quite hilarious even as she glances towards Ingvie.

"Yes, give my regards to your mother and maybe tell her to lighten up a bit." Lady Turquoise at least can seem to find humor in the situation, but then she does not seem nearly so pressed and on edge as Senshe was. There is a fierce self-assurance to her, not letting things that refuse to appear before her worry her in the slightest.

Lady Turquoise visibly frowns at the mention of the treatment that Martin endured from his mother, for all of her rough and intimidating exterior that doesn't sit well with her at all. She may even think he killed her, the way the story is told, and doesn't seem to blame him for it one bit.

"So," Lady Turquoise begins to speak again. "A lost orphan found his way back to Nilaa. I don't know who your father is, nobody /should/ have crossed to First Home during that time period, not between the Exodus and the return of Princess Amethyst. There may be answers here, but you aren't the Crown Princess. You can stay and learn, or you can go, but the Exodus happened for a reason and if you bring First Home's dangers here," The tip of her sword rises an inch off the ground before clanging back down. "I will not be merciful. Nilaa has enough problems of its own."

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    Jon stands quietly, listening, while Martin speaks about himself, relaxing a little when he's introduced as 'husband.' "I don't appreciate... we had to /fight/ for the right to be married," he grumbles. It doesn't seem commesurate to the slight, but then, how can Senshe know? So that's all he says, falling silent as Martin continues.

    When Martin talks about his mother, and how she treated him, Jon reaches over to take Martin's hand, squeezing the fingers gently. That's all, just a small reassurance. He doesn't let go of the hand, though. And he'll let Martin answer regarding the question of First Home's dangers. Maybe he's learning wisdom, in not trying to talk to these people.

Martin Blackwood has posed:
    Martin makes a face. "I know I said I wanted to learn from you. But... learn...what exactly?" he asks. "I mean... is there more we can do than illusions and healing?" He quickly adds, "I mean, not that those aren't immensely useful. I just... I'm not entirely sure -what all- I can do?" he asks frowning and suddenly seeming completely out of his depth.

    He squeezes Jon's hand, accepting the support and reassurance the man provides. "I didn't entirely believe in magic until coming here and seeing it shoved in my face like this. I guess, prejudice from Mum runs deep even after her death. But... if I am more magical than I thought, to what ends can it be refined?" he asks. making another face to show he wasn't happy about his word choice. It's all so new to him. To see that natural magic is in his blood and not just some figment his mother believed in was still something he was struggling with.

Amy Winston has posed:
The sword in Lady Turquoise's hand, though it remains pointed downward, begins to swirl with Turquoise energy, the glyphs along its length flaring to life with incandescent light one after another. "Do you really think illusions and healing are the only forms of sorcery the finest warriors in all of Nilaa would avail themselves to? Do you take us for Aquamarine?" She smirks at the very thought. "It is true the blood powers have certain inclinations, but at their core they are just that, power. The latent abilities of the strongest magical bloodlines magnified by the power of the stones."

Lady Turquoise gives another closed mouth laugh behind her smirk at Martin's declaration that he didn't believe in magic though the tail end of it briefly escapes as a chuckle that refuses to be contained. "You really are from First Home. That's why the ancients left in the Exodus, magic was dying there. Though not completely dead it seems."

Without warning, her head suddenly snaps in the direction of one of the Turquoise Elite Guards. "Search the records." She gives Martin another appraising look for a moment. "For any strange and if need not so strange disappearances within the last forty years." No sooner has she spoken than the guard rushes out of the room to see to their new errand.

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    "Magic is not completely dead there, no," Jon says. "Not nearly so prevalent as here, but nowhere near dead, either." He glances at Martin. "His refusal to believe in magic is more about personal issues than an actual lack of magic in the world."

    He notes the glyphs along the sword with a brow, but doesn't comment further.

Martin Blackwood has posed:
    Martin shakes his head. "It's mostly forgotten. I mean... in the grander scheme of things. We have myths and legends and of course the homo magi are a thing, but... this..." he lifts a hand and light blue energy sparks off his fingers. "And what Jon can do..." he shakes his head. "It's completely unexplained in our world. I thought I had some sort of latent meta-human genes but genetic screening from--my work--proved me wrong on that."

    He looks at the length of the blade that Lady Turquoise carries and frowns. "Are... is it completely dependent on the gemstones for enhancement?" he asks, studying the markings on the blade, dedicting their shape to memory, he was nowhere the repository of memory that Jon was... but he could remember something if he dedicated his mind to it and already his brain swirled with possibility.

Amy Winston has posed:
"Magic is a cosmic force within the multiverse." Lady Turquoise explains like this is something every gemchild learns from their tutors, because it probably is, at least the noble ones. "Just as humans evolved from animals, those who resonate with this power and can more freely manipulate it evolved from humans. Its ebb and flow exist everywhere, in some places like a vast ocean, others like tidal shores, First Home became a dried up spring of cracked barren Earth, and so the Exodus occurred."

The glow around Lady Turquoise's sword intensifies. "When the Exodus came to this world gems of great power unlike any of their counterparts on Earth were found here. These were presented to the most powerful bloodlines that matched their affinities and a symbiosis was formed. The gems of this world are not the source of our magic, that is in our blood, but they enhance our magic like focusing lenses particularly where their affinities are concerned. Some can be imbued with power of their own like the Citrine of Languages, but the crafting of such treasures is a separate art."

The sword is lifted so that its tip no longer touches the ground again. "This sword, as it is now, filled with my power, could cleave a Blight Lizard in twain." Whatever a Blight Lizard is. Then the power is released and allowed to dissipate. "But on its own? It's just a sword and wouldn't even pierce the armor of my guards." Deflecting things being the purpose of armor after all.

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    Jon closes his eyes for a moment in irritation at Martin's statement. He can argue with his husband about the nature of magic on Earth /later/. He knows that Martin's wrong; he can demonstrate just how wrong he is once they're home.

    He listens quietly to Lady Turquoise's explanation of the gems, frowning thoughtfully but not commenting. It's not a new concept to him, using items as foci, and it stands to reason that a world full of magic would have such materials.

Martin Blackwood has posed:
    Martin listens with a frown of concentration. "So the gems are amplifiers and tools but not necessary for application. Okay. Got it." He nods and gestures at the sword. "And are weapons the only useful foci for this...House?" he asks.

    "I mean, I got that Citrine were record keepers, like Jon." He looks around the hall. "I guess what I'm asking is, what is Turquoise's... purpose? Obviously you're powerful. I can see that in your presentation alone. Are you... 'we'... the military might of this land or does that belong to another House?"

Amy Winston has posed:
Lady Turquoise lets out a bit of a sigh as the point of the very large sword clatters against the floor again. "Magic is not so limited, only by an individual's own ability to shape it. Channeling power through my sword but an example of how power can be used in ways that are not healing or illusion." The patience of a school teacher Lady Turquoise has not.

At the mention of military might Lady Turquoise's expression darkens. "There is no Great House that does not possess military might or that didn't. We stand aloof because for Opal to crush us the cost would be too great. But make no mistake, the current balance of power here is firmly in Opal's grasp."

Her grip tightens around the hilt of the sword but then relaxes. "Citrine is a Minor House, it is in their nature to specialize."

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    Jon sighs, and looks over to Martin. "You're thinking too... practically. Too..." He hesitates for a moment. "Think of it like this: magic is just the power behind what magi /do/. It's like electricity." He waves a hand in the air. "There's magic in the air here, free for the taking--much like Earth has an electromagnetic field, like electrons are constantly flitting about..." He pauses, frowns. "Well, that's the impression my college chemistry courses gave me, anyway, that they're always hopping around between atoms."

    He shakes his head. "Point being... electricity animates your body, it's the spark that starts a combustion engine, it runs down fiber optic cables and powers our computers and sPhones. We can use it to transfer information or provide power to light up a city. In a place like Nilaa, magic's much the same. On Earth, you have to work harder to tap into the power, but it's there. That's why most magic on Earth is so... constrained by words and drawings and specific rituals, because most people can't just... draw on it easily. Back home, for most people, drawing on magic is like trying to guide a lightning strike--they can't handle it." He snorts. "I've seen more than one backfire when someone's placed a /tiny/ bit of a spell wrong."

    He looks to Martin earnestly. "But... for /you/ it'd be different. You're probably more like me. The sword, the gems, the glyphs... they focus and amplify what you can already handle." He gestures toward Lady Turquoise. "For people like us, magic is only limited by your will and your imagination. You're focusing on the little things your mother had to do, instead of recognizing that she was only grasping at the edges of something much larger and more profound."

Martin Blackwood has posed:
    Martin listens to both Turquoise and Jon and seems to understand a bit more. "Oh... that's..." he blinks and suddenly understand what he has in his grasp. "That's a lot..." he says, swallowing deeply and paling a bit. "Umm... wow." He blinks and does his best to move past the revalation he's been given.

    He sighs. "I wish there was more we could do help with that who war business. But... I mean, we're outsiders from Earth--First Home. It's not really our place to get involved is it?"

    He looks to Jon and frowns. "And we have our own obligations for Earth that take precedence, don't they? Chief would kill us for involving ourselves in a war just this side of First Contact, blood ties or not."

Amy Winston has posed:
Lady Turquoise seems content to let Jon take over explaining, seemingly more equipped as he is with alien analogies to make things easier for Martin to understand. He at least doesn't /sound/ wrong. Though most of his discussion of Science is akin to trying to teach Marin about magic to her ears.

Lady Turquois' eyes fix on Martin though. "That is your choice to make. If you stay the troubles of Nilaa become your own, if you choose to go, then you go. But do not, I repeat, bring First Home's problems here. Nilaa has more than enough to deal with already." She seems rather adamant about that.

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    "I mean, I suppose we should probably check with her before dedicating ourselves to a cause, yes," Jon says with a faint smile. However much he might like the place, and find it fascinating, Earth /is/ his home, after all.

    He looks to Martin, and squeezes his hand. "Well? It's your choice, like she said."

Martin Blackwood has posed:
    Martin frowns. "Is there any sort of way we could come back... visit?" he asks. "I mean, we don't want to bring any of Earth's issues with us obviously. But... well, there is much to learn here isn't there?" he says, looking to Jon. "About both of our pasts."

    He adds. "I... we should tell you how we got here if you're worried about outside threats." He quickly shorthands the experience at the museum that started this adventure. It feels so long ago, with the number of revalations he's experienced in that time.

    Whe he's done he adds. "I'm not sure if that... wizard? Warlock? Whatever is a true threat to you and yours, but they at least have been making excursions into our world without authorization. So..." he shrugs.

Amy Winston has posed:
Lady Turquoise's fist clenches around the hilt of her sword and the point digs into the floor of the dais. "Carnellian." The name is spat like a curse. "Opal's adopted son." She is apparently not too fond of him. "What could he possibly want in First Home, no, what does /Opal/ want in First Home."

The flash of anger fades and her composure returns. "We cut off contact with First Home for a reason, it is better, safer, for all concerned." She does not seem to be a big fan of any sort of crossing. Though in the Crown Princess' case she can't exactly stop her. The revelation about Carnelian does seem troubling to her though.

Martin Blackwood has posed:
    Martin frowns and nods. "Alright. Then... if... once your guard comes back with any information about what you asked for..." He sighs and looks at Jon. "I guess we'll be on our way back home, if we can do that?" he asks. "That is... if you give me permission to leave."

    He will miss this land of wonder and... magic, but it's not his home as much as part of his origin is from here. He has a home and people he cares about back in New York. Maybe the answers he finds here will be enough, and maybe their paths will cross again. But for now... knowing might just be enough.

Amy Winston has posed:
After some time the guard returns shaking his head. "There don't seem to be any records of strange disappearances around the time in question. At the very least nothing obvious. A full investigation would require time and," The guard glances at Ingvie. "Likely the cooperation of House Citrine and their archives."

"You are dismissed." Lady Turquoise informs the guard, who falls back to their post. "Like most things, answers, if they even exist, would likely take time." She studies Martin again. "That is your decision then? You are not a prisoner and will not be forced to stay. Getting you back to your world though could be tricky. Those sorceries have not been in active use for a long time," There is a brief pause. "...save for House Amethyst."

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    Jon lets out a breath he didn't know he was holding when Martin asks to go home. Was he worried Martin might want to stay? Maybe a little.

    "House Amethyst again," he murmurs, raising a brow, and glancing to Ingvie briefly before looking back to Lady Turquoise.

Martin Blackwood has posed:
    Martin looks to Ingvie as well. "Do we... do we need to go find her?" he asks. "If she has the most reliable methods to go back and forth..." he seems at a loss. "I would rather not get lost in the middle of some place because the magic we use to go back is... stale?" He looks at Jon. "Is that even a thing?"

    He glances at Lady Turquoise his expression somewhat hopeful, perhaps meeting this Princess would allow him to get a rapport to come back somehow as well. He didn't want to forget this place is he didn't have to, and that might give them the time to find the answers he wanted.

Amy Winston has posed:
Lady Turquoise for her part seems like she doesn't really want to even suggest this. Probably because she knows Princess Amethyst and while her ally, doesn't really want to encourage this whole interacting with First Home nonsense. But all the same she looks to Ingvie. "Take them to Castle Amethyst. The Witch Mother Citrina should be able to get them home."

Ingvie bows to Lady Turquoise. "Of course Lady Turquoise. Thank you again for this audience." It was work for Ingvie one way or another, escorting the outworlders or searching the records had they chosen to stay. Somehow things always seemed to wind up being work for Ingvie where errands from her other were involved.

Ingvie turns towards Jon and Martin. "We can rest in the castle town and depart tomorrow for Castle Amethyst." She says leading them out of the Turquoise throne room.