Days Go By

[Mishel Kryze]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Today promised to be a fun one, the Baroness and her mother would be out in the city and have a little adventure at the Zoo. Of course, there was much in the way preparations before they could actually venture out. The young Baroness had been secluded at the Villa for quite some time. Firstly to keep her safe, secondly to avoid any unnecessary tabloid journalism and lastly to ensure that she could have a childhood, as normal as possible for one of her rank and wealth. Things that Riona had no comprehension of, and would not have for quite some time. All she knew now was that she had her mothers, her sisters and the Villa.

Officially, Riona had yet to be recognized but that would happen soon enough, for now - she was adjusting to the title and the sound of it. Baroness Riona Kerrigan-Alcori of New Santaissa, at four years old she was most likely among the youngest nobles within the galaxy. While most wouldn't blink at her title, they would blink at her name. Kerrigan-Alcori, it bore a lot of weight and with good reason, her mothers had done much to establish themselves and have raised their own company that by all accounts is practically a household name now, Firemane.

Thankfully, today was not about titles, wealth or mega corporations, today was about family bonding time. Riona was being looked after in the living room, having spent most of the morning being dressed by Bo'Sara, a twi'lek who'd become something of a part-time governess for the young girl. It would be the last 'free' weekend as Riona was expected to begin schooling soon.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]


Tip, tap, tip, tap the sound of Siobhan's created a rhythm of its own, though it was more restrained when it touched the rich fabric of the carpets that were spread across the teakwood floor. Despite her limp, she smiled brightly when she entered the living room. This was before her apocalyptic encounter with [member="Matsu Xiangu"], before their combined dark power rained down hell upon an entire town and levelled it. Before flayed skin, nightmarish illusions and catatonia.


Today was a day for family. Specifically for the Firemane matriarch and her little angel. With Natoline lost to madness and Aba estranged, she had focused her time Riona, Galina and the babies. The jury was still out on what to do with Natoline's unfinished little house. The Countess was inclined to give it to Laina and Morrigan so that they could have some privacy, but still be protected. Or to Tempest and Elpsis. Then again, since Elpsis was joined at the hip to the Amazon, perhaps they could just share it.


But that wasn't pertinent today. No, today she wanted to show Riona the wonders and sights of New Santaissa. It was not a wild ride on the back of a raptor, but she hoped the little one would enjoy it and that it would help her get used to the world around her. For the time being, Riona was still an enigma as far as the public was concerned, though Burlap Brigade had mentioned her!


Siobhan had a strong suspicion that she'd feel the urge to punch a tabloid gadfly before the day was over, but as long as Riona had a good time and a smile on her face when the day was over, she'd consider it a success. So she approached the little one, who was being fussed over by Bo'Sara. "Hey, there, how's my little angel?" she asked warmly. "Ready to go out and go sightseeing a bit?"

 

[Mishel Kryze]

With Bo'Sara as the governess, Riona had been given a new vocabulary one that echoed of her rank. "Mama," she says smiling, "I am ready!" She's repeating the words that Bo is mouthing to her. Riona's language skills had reversed a bit, which was to be expected as she had been through quite the number of events over the past few weeks. Though she was settling in quite nicely. Bo stood and looked proudly at the young girl, and then to the Countess.

"I'll have everything prepared for her ladyship upon your return, Lady Siobhan." Bo tells the Countess plainly, "was there a room you wished prepared for Lady Riona's schooling?" She inquired, wanting to ensure that everything was well in place for the tutor when they arrived at the Villa. Another servant, a valet cleared her throat, "the transport is ready m'lady, would you be needing an extra footwoman for the day?"

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]


"Excellent. You look lovely, sweetie," Siobhan said enthusiastically. She was trying to be as loving and open as possible. Looking after a toddler was an adjustment, but she was determined to be a good mother.


She glanced towards the Twi'lek governess. Bo had been a big help with the young girl, though she encouraged Rio far too much to sneak into her mothers' bed at night! It could lead to compromising situations. "I think my old study would be suitable. It's very spacious, there's rooom for books and state-of-the art comms equipment if they need to access the 'net. I'll just have to move some of my stuff out."


"Thank you, Jade," she told the valet and took Riona's hand. "Come on, sweetie. Let's go explore. Say thank you to Bo'Sara." A rather shiny, undoubtedly expensive speeder was waiting for them outside on the landing pad. Today was a lovely day in New Santaissa. The sun was shining and it seemed mercifully free of storms.

 

[Mishel Kryze]

"Of course, ma'am, straight away," Bo acknowledged and looked on a moment after Jade before disappearing up toward the old study. Harmony could be heard giving instructions to a maid about the proper cleaning techniques, Chesna was also about somewhere on the Estate, perhaps looking after the stables or seeing to the stablehands. The Villa's staff ran themselves, for the most part, understanding their role in keeping both the Estate and the Countesses' family well cared for.

Jade saw to Lady Siobhan and Lady Riona to the transport where their driver awaited. She looked to Hannah who'd been brought on as an extra footwoman for the day. "Your ladyship!" A maid ran out, "you forgot George!" The woman of whom most of the servants had referred to Laura had a hand on the hem of her skirt and the other holding the stuff tauntaun.

"Georgie!" Riona exclaimed and was quite grateful to Laura, "thank you, Laura."

Laura looked between Jade and Hannah, both smiled and looked to the young Lady Riona.

"You are quite welcome m'lady," Laura replied taking a step back as Hannah assisted the Baroness to the transport.

Jade cleared her throat and walked toward the transport herself. "Did you have a particular spot in mind for your first stop today, Lady Siobhan?"

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]


"Oh, silly me, how could I forget little Georgie?" Siobhan laughed self-deprecatingly. "Thank you, Laura." Now that Riona had been reunited with the stuffed tauntaun, the little family trip could begin. Hannah helped little Riona into the transport, then Siobhan climbed in after her. She smiled at her daughter and stroked her hair fondly. In the distance, they could see the Eldorai capital, for the villa was built on the mountains overlooking it.


The morning sun reflected off the white domes and towers, creating a breathtaking site. White stone buildings, built to deliberately emulate the style of classical Eldorai architecture, dominated the classier part of town. Even at this early hour, the city would be a hub of activity, as it was Tygara's commercial centre. Heavy guns were concealed in the mountains to protect the capital against intruders.


"I believe we could stop at the ziggurat first. We'd have a lovely view of the city from the rooftop." The ziggurat, or the 'big white building' as Siobhan sometimes called it to troll less frivolous Space Elves, was both the Queen's palace and New Santaissa's main temple. According to an archaic Eldorai law, no building was allowed to be higher than it.

 

[Mishel Kryze]

The transport having been loaded with the proper servants left the Villa on this perfect day. With nothing standing in the way of the mother and daughter duo they took in the skyline of the Eldorai capital. Sun shining down reflecting off both the new and the old that made up various districts of the capital. Riona's eyes went wide at the site of it all. The young girl could see bakers showing off their goods, produce being unloaded, boutiques opening up and putting out signs of sale. All the while the faster paced of their society couldn't seem to get where they were going fast enough. As the transport moved along Riona and little Georgie the tauntaun marveled at it all.

Jade looked into the rearview of the transport, "we're just about there m'ladies."

Hannah smiled fondly toward Riona and then her eyes went to the Countess, "would you like me to stay with the transport your worship, or should I accompany you and the young Baroness?"

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]


"You can come with us, dear," Siobhan spoke jovially. "Maybe we can buy you something nice." For all her moodiness and strong demand for attention, Siobhan tended to be more egalitarian than most mistresses. She was also quite generous.


She glanced at her daughter, smiling proudly at her. "Enjoying the view, sweetie? That big building is where the Queen lives. Auntie Anya. She's a very nice lady. You'll get to meet her one day," New Santaissa had been built from the ground up and was the largest city on the planet. Zeheb, the Qadiri capital, would not only be lost in the sprawl, but outshone.


The ziggurat before them was shining white, even the glass had been created to appear a shimmering ivory. Unsurprisingly, they had a privileged landing space and were greeted by Angelii dressed in ornate armour. The Eldorai warrior women saluted the humans in the traditional way, right fist over heart, and opened the imposing door, ushering them into an enormous entry hall bathed in light and covered with exquisite artwork saved from Kaeshana.


The Eldorai Star Queen was an absolute autocrat, and while Anya was more liberal than her predecessors and not a spendthrift, she'd wanted her palace to remind her people of their old home. Hence its design had been based on detailed notes taken before the cataclysm devastated Kaeshana. "Take a look around, we'll go to the roof. We can see the entire city from there."

 

[Mishel Kryze]

"Quite alright m'lady, it shall be an honor to accompany you and her ladyship." Hannah smiled to Riona, who nodded to her mother. She was enjoying the view quite a bit! Was the queen her aunt? How many aunts did she have, exactly? Riona's brow was quirked as she tried to recall just exactly who she was related to, but the four-year-old was distracted by the shining white ziggurat. She settled down into her seat as the transport came to land, and she was ushered up out of her seat and ready to disembark.

There were ladies in fancy armor that greeted them after opening the door of course, Riona followed after her mother, and after her was Hannah who nodded in acknowledgment to the Countess, "of course your worship."

Riona at this age knew nothing of the history that surrounded, she only knew that it was all so splendid and so magnificent. Walking alongside her mother, she noticed how her shadow fell into step with hers, and as she slipped her small hand into the Countess's hand. A different kind of smile came to her face, the entry hall was beyond enormous, and as she looked ahead the young girl wondered just how high they were if they were to be able to see the whole city of New Santaissa.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]


If the view in the entrance hall had been spectacular, then the one of the city was breathtaking once the group reached the rooftop of the magnificient, white ziggurat. Siobhan slipped her hand into Riona's, guiding her daughter across the roof so that she could behold the city.


By now, most of the construction work had come to a close. As far as the naked eye could see, there was a city by the grand sea, a shining jewel of a place where white stone buildings were commonly used in the more select areas. They blended in with newer, less fashionable districts that reflected a more modern, utilitarian style. "Behold, that's New Santaissa, sweetie. You can see the monorail there. That's what most people use to go from one place to the other," she pointed towards the massive monorail. Her eyes darted towards an imposing tower that rose up into the sky.



"That's the Angelii Citadel. The ladies we saw downstairs live there. They protect the Eldorai from bad people. There's the gardens. That's where we're gonna do to see the animals. And over there you can see a big river. It's the Argive Lake," she indicated a glorious blue river in the far distance. This was where the surface port lay. Since so much of Tygara was covered by rivers and oceans, ships of all sorts traversed the waters and gathered at the port.

 

[Mishel Kryze]

And soon they reached the top of the Ziggurat. Here, Riona and her mother could see the entire city, it would be a moment that would last for as long as she lived. She would always remember the day her mother brought here. As far as she could see there were sparkled reflections of sunlight from either the city or the waters that hugged it. The wind brushed by her and she was simply in awe of the magnificent beauty that laid before her, "wow..." She breathed, and then her mother pointed out the monorail.

The Angelii Citadel was pointed out to Riona as were the Gardens, but Riona's eyes fell beyond the illuminated skyline, "what are those?" She asks pointing to the areas beyond where the sun's light would reach and then her eyes found something unique within the city. "And that? Over there?" Perhaps it was a museum or a temple, she did not know, she was very curious to see the city that she would live in, the city that she would grow up around.

For she did not know now, but this would be the city that would shape her view of the world, her view of the galaxy... of life itself.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]


Siobhan beamed when she saw her daughter's reaction. It was so adorable. The girl's bubbly enthusiasm and feeling of wonder when she beheld the vast cityscape made the Matriarch feel a little old in comparison! "That's the Lion's Gate spaceport, sweetie," she answered in response when Riona pointed at a series of remote structures on the outskirts of the city, beyond where the sun's light would reach.


"It's where all the spaceships go to. We landed there when we brought you to Tygara." Her eyes followed Riona's finger when the little one focused upon a truly unique, very impressive structure. It was a massive tower made out of white stone and with an ascending spiral conical design. The spiral contained stairs that reached straight to the top.


"Oh, that's the Cathedral of Ashira. The Eldorai believe Ashira is a goddess. Basically, a higher being who gave them life a long time ago, their mother. They believe she protects them from evil. They assemble in that place to celebrate her works and ask for her help in times of need."


As if by chance or design, it was in this moment that the call to prayer came from the top of the Cathedral. It was broadcast from the spire by an Eldorai Priestess whose task was to call the worshippers to make obeisance to the Goddess. "Ashira is the Greatest. In her name I offer worship. May the Goddess' protection cover me. May the Goddess' light illuminate me. May the Goddess' wisdom enlighten me."


As soon as the chant began, Siobhan and Riona would be able people below on the streets suddenly raise their hands to the sun and form a ring with their fingers around it. Even on the market vendours and customers alike suddenly turned away from their business to respond to the chant. The Angelii standing guard upon the ziggurat's rooftop made V signs with their hands and quietly recited the declaration of faith. It was written that Ashira had been spawned by the sun, moon and the stars to give birth to the Eldorai.

 

[Mishel Kryze]

Riona smiled and clapped excitedly at the name, "are there lions at the lions gate, mummy?" And then she remembered when she arrived on Tygara. She was holding onto her mum, still sleepy from her trip from Tabaqui.

The massive tower made of white stone and that ascended into the sky with a set of stairs had Riona in awe, "Ashira?" She questioned and while her mother was talking she was focused on the actions of the people below them. Surveying the city below she watched as the people made the gesture and then she looked at her hand and did her best to mimick them. And then she could hear the prayer, and quietly she listened to it and when it was over she tugged at her mother's skirt, "can we go there first?" She points to the Cathedral of Ashira...

There can be miracles, when you believe, though hope is frail it is hard to kill, who knows what miracles you can achieve... When you believe, somehow you will, now you will, you will when you believe...

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

​

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]


Siobhan chuckled. "That would be fun...but I'm afraid not, sweetie. Only lion statues. But there'll be real ones at the zoo!" she said brightly. The little girl was so bubbly and giddy withe excitement that she could not help but smile. The way Riona reacted to the call to prayer took her by surprise though.


She furrowed her brow, then nodded and gave her an indulging look. "Of course we can, angel. One of the Priestesses is a good friend of mine. Maybe she'll be at the ceremony!" Siobhan herself was an unrepentant agnostic, though outwardly she sometimes paid lip-service to the Church of Light because that was expected behaviour.


She glanced over to Hannah. "Slight change of plans. We'll be going to the Cathedral first. If you'd rather not attend the ceremony, that's fine with me, dear." Angelii would escort them from the ziggurat's roof. From there it would not be far to the Cathedral. The temple would probably be teeming with worshippers by the time they arrived.

 

[Mishel Kryze]

"At once your ladyship, and I'll stand by the transport if that's quite alright," Hannah says in acknowledgement as she walks behind Siobhan just to the left. Their Angelii escorts led them back through the large entry, and while it was not her place to say - having see the young Baroness' reaction to the prayer, made her think that perhaps she would be a wonderful liaison between future galactic interactions with the Eldorai. As the sun shined behind them, the Baroness and her mother the Countess were led back into their transport.

Riona was glad that they could go to the Cathedral first, she hadn't experienced anything like it before. She wanted to look inside the big tower and to hear the prayers in person. On Tabaqui her family was not the religious sort unless you counted currency. And it did not take long to reach the Cathedral, for they were not that far from it. The young girl's facial expression grew into delight but she was quiet, somehow she knew to be silent and to keep her reverence discreet. The Cathedral was far more massive in person, as were all the buildings surrounding them, everything looked much different on the ground especially from a four-year old's perspective.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]


The inside of the massive Cathedral might have been almost as impressive as its size. By the time mother and daughter arrived, the sacred hall had already been filled. It was a magnificient sight. Pink mist rose into the air, there were long rows of pew pews and seats, enough for hundreds upon hundreds of devout worshippers. Red and white stained glass windows and mosaics dominated the walls, displaying saints, holy warriors and deities. This included an idealised depiction of Tassaria the Liberator, the first of the Star Queens. Man-height obelisks rose out of the ground, projecting lines of holy Eldorai texts in the archaic script of Old Eldarai.


At the head of the stood an imposing altar and the chair of the head cleric, which was elevated above the rest of the clergy. The podium of sorts was draped in Eldorai banners and flags. Chants and patriotic hymns could be heard when the two entered, praising Goddess and Queen. Some of the believers shot Siobhan and Riona glances that varied in nature, for the congregation was almost exclusively composed of elves.


However, they obviously got some of the best seats because Siobhan was a powerful matriarch. The Countess spied the red-maned Priestess Eileithya, draped in black robes, appear alongside the Cannoness and gave her a wink. Eileithya looked a bit surprised to see her, but then smiled. It was the Cannoness who began the ceremony, for she was the senior handmaiden of the Great Goddess.


"Believers, fellow Eldorai, today we give thanksgiving unto the Great Goddess Ashira. In Her name, we offer worship. Her light guides our path. Her fire burns away all falsehoods and smites the wicked. We pledge ourselves to Her and Her daughters, Valora and Ardarvia, the embodiments of valour and justice," the Cannoness spoke. She wore a more ornate pair of embroidered purple robes and projected a commanding aura. She wore an eye-shaped amulet meant to ward off evil spirits. Despite the fact that she did not use a microphone, her voice was strong enough to reach the entire hall. "There is no Creator but Ashira and Tirathana is Her viceroy."


The last line, which represented the declaration of the faith, was repeated throughout the congregation, which rose as one. Several Eldorai made the V sign with their fingers, which was a bit like the sign of the cross on a planet far, far away. Uplifting music, church organs, played while she spoke, accompanied by impassioned chanting here and there. The Canoness lit several candles with a snap of her fingers, casting the hall in fiery light.


"We believe in you, our mother and goddess, and in your governor the Star Queen. You were born out of the sun, moon and stars, and breathed life into the Eldorai. You set us upon the path of righteousness. Betrayed and struck by the Arch-Enemy, you cast her down into the pit of hell and ascended to heaven. Upon death, all those who are pure of heart will sit at your side, the wicked shall be smote. The night is dark and full of terrors, but your light banishes the darkness."


She gave Eileithya a nod and stepped back slightly, allowing the lower-ranked Priestess to step forward. "We are a strong race. We do not bend, break or bow. We lost our homeworld, but found a new home in the stars by the Goddess' grace. It is Her invisible hand that shields us. Where there is suffering, she gives hope. Before we partake in the sacred bread and wine, let us join in the Chant of Light. Our children's choir will be leading it. As always, we shall be accepting a few volunteers from our congregation."

 

[Mishel Kryze]

Inside the Cathedral of Ashria, Riona's mouth was open in awe of the Cathedral. Pink mist in the air, rows of pews and stained glass on either wall that not only honored saints, warriors and other deities - but the elevated podium, the ambulatories on either side of the cathedral where the devout would walk. And then the obelisks, there was so much, just so much to take in that Riona was not aware of the looks that both mother and daughter drew from the overwhelming population of Eldorai in attendance. Nor was she aware of the reason why people moved over for them when they reached a pew near the front, where they could see the Priestess who had such a bright color of hair that Riona wondered if she too was an auntie.

And as the Cannoness began the ceremony, she might as well have been singing. No doubt the ceremony was in the Eldorai native tongue, but to Riona it did not matter - they could have been speaking Rodese for all she cared. She listened, mostly lip reading, or trying to lip read at any rate as she looked at the ornate embroidered robe that the Cannoness wore. As the ceremony progressed she followed each physical motion as much as she could and with earnest as well. And the choir, the choir, that above all drew her attention she fumbled over her words but to say she was excited about all of this, was an understatement.

Some of the more conservative in attendance held their tongue knowing better than to speak ill of the child with the Countess; at least while the Countess was there. The more liberal of those there, smiled with joy for here was a young girl who knew not of prejudices, of hate or disdain but rather was open-minded and welcomed their religion with open arms...

​

​

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tknPYGGrQq8[/media]​

Lyrics (x)​

​

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]


The Ashiran Faith was a product of a time when the Eldorai were convinced that they were the only intelligent race in the Galaxy, for Kaeshana was isolated. The Kar'zun, the only other race to inhabit the Eldorai homeworld, were reviled as the demonic spawn of the Death Goddess Illyria, who was said to have rebelled against the Goddess and tried to strike her down.


Undoubtedly, this belief reflected the bitter rivalry between both races, who fought for dominance for centuries till the Eldorai decisively won the war, driving the rock people to the brink of extinction. Officially, the Church still saw humans and other aliens as lesser beings, the old laws were simply not enforced anymore. For one, all but the most bigoted and arrogant recognised that their entire race would have been wiped out when Kaeshana was destroyed if not for the help of outsiders. Moreover, faith in the Goddess had suffered a blow due to the cataclysm. Change was coming, but at a bantha's pace, for tradition was holy writ to the Eldorai.


Siobhan smiled at her daughter, taking her little hand into hers to give it a squeeze. Her own relationship with the Church was complex. She believed in no deities, but recognised that the Church had a charitable side that helped the destitute and gave people hope. At the same time, its upper crests were defined by power struggles and intrigues.


"Enjoying the ceremony, sweetie?" she asked softly, keeping her voice down to avoid disrupting the ceremony. The little one's innocent excitement was just so...adorable. There was no other word for it in Sio's dictionary. Meanwhile, the choir had begun singing, with Eileithya directing them. Musical instruments played, and the chant was so strong it could reach the entire hall.


"Great Mother of Heaven, look down on us.
Great Mother of Heaven, preserve us.
High Goddess, grant us your favour.
High Goddess, show us your mercy and grace.
Revered Lady, take us and lead us to salvation.
Revered Lady, allow us to imitate your virtues.
Holy Ashira, preserve us from evil and sin. Holy Ashira, in your name we worship."


"They're praying to Ashira now," Siobhan explained since the elves were obviously speaking in Eldarai. "The elf lady with the red hair over there is Eileithya. You can meet her when the ceremony's over,"


The chant finished and the Eldorai girls, all of whom wore their finest robes, bowed. Eileithya stepped forward again, thanking each of them in turn before addressing the assembled worshippers once more. "Thank you all, believers. We all have suffered loss. Kaeshana's fate is a void in our hearts, but we can find comfort in the certainty that we will see our loved ones in heaven again," she spoke solemnly, voice full of emotion. She snapped her fingers and two lay sisters stepped forward, carrying trays with bread and drink.


"Accept the blessed meal, believers. Eat the blessed bread and drink the blessed wine, as our forebears did aeons ago when Ashira walked the earth." She referenced the covenant that was supposed to have existed when Ashira reigned as God-Queen of Kaeshana before Illyria's betrayal. Obviously the little children would not get real wine, which was terribly watered down because no one wanted a congregation full of drunk elves, but grape juice! The lay sisters went on their rounds, passing out drink and food to the believers.

 

[Mishel Kryze]

If a woman loses everything she owns, has she truly lost her worth? Or is it the beginning of a new and brighter birth? So how do you measure the worth of a woman? In wealth, strength or size? In how much she gained or how much she gave? The answer will come. The answer will come to she who tries, to look through her life through heaven's eyes. And that's why we share all we have with you, although there's little to be found when all you've got is nothing there's a lot to go around. No life can escape being blown about by the winds of change and chance. And though you never all the steps, you must learn to join the dance... You must learn to join the dance.

"Yes!" Riona exclaimed as the ceremony's process proceeded and the chant echoed throughout the cathedral moving through the ambulatories and moving up through the steeple for all to hear. Rio was silent while the prayer was being said and put her hand over her mouth when her mother said she could meet the priestess. And then they proceeded to take part in the bread and the wine, or the body and the blood - and as that was being prepared the young girl looked to her mother, her mother, a Countess, an Executive, a Warrior, a Grandmistress of her own Force Order and asked, "can we come again?"

So how can you see what your life is worth? Or where your value lies? You can see through the eyes of woman, you must look at your life, look at your life through heaven's eyes. So how do you judge what a woman is worth, by what she builds or buys? You can never see with your eyes on Tygara look through heaven's eyes, look at your life - look at your life through heaven's eyes.

How intriguing it was for the Eldorai to see a young human girl not only attend their ceremonies but to be so taken by them. The conservative ilk were not so happy about this, how could a human child understand? But those that were more progressive, they knew, they knew that Ashira worked in mysterious ways and who were they to question their Goddess and how she moved? A young Eldorai girl who by human standards was about the same age as Riona had managed her way beside her. Her mother apologized to the Countess, but then Riona took that young Eldorai girl's hand and was led to join - to partake with grape juice and bread with the other more liberal Eldorai children.

And while the music played the girls held hands and the young Eldorai girls took to teaching Riona how to sing with them, although they already believed that Ashira could understand this strange child with the Countess, they too wanted to hear Rio and understand her in their own tongue.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oG0a9WFkgzU[/media]​

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]


Siobhan was more than a little surprised by Riona's enthusiastic reaction. In a way, it made sense. These ceremonies and pageantry were all new to her. There was also a sense of community and togetherness among the believers. On a practical side, it would help integrate the little one into Eldorai society if she was seen partaking in it.


She wondered what Tegaea would think. "Of course we can, sweetie," she said softly. "I'm glad you're enjoying yourself." Then things seemed to happen fast. They accepted the blessed bread and wine, then an Eldorai girl about Riona's age slipped alongside them. The mother apologised profusely to the 'Exalted High Lady', but it seemed little Rio was quite taken by her.


"It's ok," Siobhan spoke jovially. "Let them share the meal together. I'm glad my Rio is making friends. Your daughter is very kind," she responded. The girls Riona joined were from the lower middle class. This strata of society tended to be more open-minded, not the least because contact with outsiders had opened up economic and social opportunities that they previously had not possessed. Siobhan kept a watchful eye on the kids, but there was a smile on her face.


But not all Eldorai were this open-minded. A golden-haired lady dressed in a beautiful silk gown had been watching proceedings and scowled. Indeed, she looked like she'd just tasted something foul. "This is blasphemy. Our late Queen would be disgusted if she saw monkeighs soil our sacred temple. I pity today's youth," she whispered to her companion. She'd kept her voice low and had spoken in Eldarai, but unfortunately for her, Siobhan had heard enough and understood the language. The elf was caught like a deer in a headlight when Siobhan shot her a death glare. If looks could kill, the Eldorai would have spontaneously combusted. She took a breath and promptly looked elsewhere.