Ramiel And The Divine Priestess' Curse

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(Where We Last Left Off)

Taomin followed Ramiel's lead this time, waiting as he made an opening in Nyake's shadowy form. "There!" Taomin cried out, etching into the sky an incantation that would take the form of a Talisman. She pointed at the skull and directed the Wind to guide the slip toward the skull so that it would hopefully attach to it and begin to siphon its power -- a Siphon Talisman. "Ramiel!" Taomin cried, etching more Siphon Incantations in the sky, forging them into Talismans, "Distract Her!" He should be able to take care of that for her, and then the Talismans would be allowed to do their work.

"Ramiel..." Taomin uttered under her breath, awestruck that he had suddenly overcome his deep emotional pain and doubt for her sake. Normally, Tia would have gotten to her, but she didn't hear a word this time. All Taomin could think was, 'I Have A Real Friend Now...' and that was all she needed to keep going.

With her arms in her sleeves, she spread her Crystal Wings and let out a powerful downward flap, sending light shooting throughout the entire floor of the room, which should have forced Tia off of the ground and up into the darkness of the upper parts of the chamber -- where Ramiel was headed.

"This Time, I'll Seal Her Off For Good...!" Taomin said, drawing her hands out from her sleeves. A flurry of her enchanted Talismans shot out from her sleeves and laced the surface of the walls and ceiling where Tiamat had already been removed, preventing her from moving to those locations any longer. "... And I Will Purify Myself By Myself!!" Taomin spread her wings again and unleashed a bright light that amplified the light of Ramiel who had passed through the Crystal Wings' light before as well as engulfed the spread Talismans with the same holiness. "This Place Is Possessed," Taomin said, drawing forth one exceedingly large Talisman from her opposite sleeve and holding it outward, "And Needs To Be Exorcised!!"

Tia was not expecting this to occur, for the rabbit's sudden burst of heart coupled with Taomin's suddenly had Tiamat trapped in the Sky Sanctum. Where normally Tiamat would just disappear and evade such a straight forward attack such as the one that Ramiel initiated, because of the Talismans all across the room, she was forced to a focal point in his direct line of travel -- something like a bullseye of pure darkness.

"KYEEEAAAAARRRRGH!!!!!" the great shadow dragon cried out in pain as she was inevitably pierced right in the central point by Ramiel thanks to the efforts of both he and Taomin. But she was a Goddess, and even from another Goddess, one strike would not dispel her completely. "NOT. AGAIN!!" Tia cried, since the two of them had previously used this tactic on her before when she was Nyake to seal her powers. They were at it again.

"That Is Alright..." Tiamat said, excreting Ramiel from the depths of her Living Shadow innards from her mouth, "... I Am Eternal." It seemed like she was regaining composure, but she was still stuck on the wall as a giant target -- a huge face surrounded by Talismans keeping her in place. "One Puny Strike Is Nothing To Me."

She would spew a 'Fang Of Tiamat' from her mouth at Ramiel at a high speed, the sharp arrow of wind condensed to the point of being able to pierce armor and cut through the wind with literally no resistance. Tia knew that no type of wind element would function on Taomin, but it was still good to distract her. With a whisper of "Kamikaze" from her lips would a vacuum vortex suddenly spur in spontaneity around Taomin at a high speed, seeking to suck out the very breath of her mouth and keep air from being able to enter her presence, leaving no oxygen and thus no wind to control.

Tiamat seemed calculating about her tactics, since she was just a face on the wall now. She barely spoke, but it was clear this was because she was fighting for her life now.

Ramiel brought his off hand up again to summon his ring's shield. There was a time before, where he didn't have the magic armor and shield, and back then, he would have dodged. But now, his equipment encouraged tanking.

This was a mistake.

The Fang pierced the shield, making an otherworldly snk-snap sound, and kept going unimpeded into his vambrace, arm, and chest, where the wind arrow stuck. This did set off the armor, sending back some piercing damage to Tiamat in roughly the same spot on her person.

The rabbit pushed forward, and up. He lept right to Tiamat and rammed his spear into her throat, upwards into her head... or where he thought they were in the shadow. He pushed the control of his spear forward again, and the head snapped open to the sides like a pair of scissors. He twisted the shaft and yanked back as he dropped to the ground, and then the spearpoint closed back up to its normal state.

He didn't know if his attack worked, because his sight went dim, his ears started ringing, and his body numb. With his heart pierced, the rabbit had no chance. He simply fell over limply, dead.

Taomin was shocked by this untimely death of Ramiel, trying to gasp but already having the breath sucked out of her as soon as she acted. Any mortal would be dead, but Taomin merely suffocated for a short while before flapping the Crystal Wings and completely dispelling the vacuum vortex with a swift counter spin of her own.

She did not even take the time to speak.

Instead, Tao nearly warped over to Ramiel's side and encased him in her shimmering, iridescent wings. She lifted him up, speechlessly, and glared at Tia with eyes burning with ancient fury. In that, the enormous Sealing Talisman that she created was hurled to Tia's face so that she would not be able to interfere at all, and so that she was trapped inside of the Sky Sanctum until Taomin summoned her again. Taomin was more than royally pissed that her dear friend was cut down, especially so easily.

Yet, Taomin knew better than any mortal that death was not permanent, especially in the Veritas -- the land of the life restoring Crystal Tears. Though, because Taomin was a Priestess, she would be able to revive him with her own power, without shedding a tear.

Her silence was enough.

Taomin was a Goddess, and she was going to damn well act like it. Her rage subsided and turned into a peaceful sort of compassionate serenity, her eyes and markings becoming bright green during the process. Placing several 'Sealing' Talismans upon his open wounds -- especially on his heart -- she closed them immediately before his blood spilt out too much and he would require a Crystal Tear to replenish his lost blood. Right now, Tao was going to revive him by herself, as a Goddess should be able to do for her champion.

She breathed.

The same way Ramiel was restored by her air kiss from before, he would find the breath of Taomin rejuvenating; invigorating, even, should he awaken immediately. It first went into his lungs, resuscitating him immediately by suddenly pouring blood into his heart and regulating his breathing all by Taomin's will alone.

Finally, she spoke.

"Rise, My Champion," Taomin spake, her voice more stately than ever, "I Have Brought You Back From Death And Blessed You With Great Power." The very air that was coursing through Ramiel's body would give his blood and brain more oxygen, causing him to regenerate more swiftly. "In Addition To Regeneration, I Have Also Bestowed A Bit Of My Divine Power Within You. It Will Act As A Powerful Force Whenever You Concentrate, Enhancing Your Strength Overall As Well As Grant You Potent Control Over The Wind And Sound." With Taomin's blessings as a Goddess, Ramiel was risen from the grave and given a chance at a life of greater potential than ever before. She knew that the increase in oxygen flow through the body to recover any wound swiftly and control over forces would increase his physical strength, giving him the power to stand up to beings like Tiamat without being totally helpless.

"Continue?" Taomin asked in a joking fashion, her eyes still filled with the compassion a Goddess should have. She thought about her people a little bit differently now and knew what she had to do once she was done exorcising Tia -- which was more or less done already.

One of Taomin's nine tails whipped out before Ramiel, smearing from its tip a portal back to his home world. "Eight," she said jokingly, as if in a video game. "Seven," she called, using her next tail to gently nudge Ramiel closer to the portal. Even as she did so, she thought of all of the things they would not be able to do together in the Veritas; she wouldn't be able to show him around the other realms, to meet the other spirits, to dine at the Cantina, to see the College, travel the various inhabited Moons... None of that. "Six..." she said, a tail drooping down as tears finally rolled down her cheeks. The thoughts of having fun with another person... What she wanted most... Was what she was giving up. Sure, Ramiel could get more enchantments, enhancements and blessings from the Veritas, but he already died once from being involved. "... Five..." Her voice was breaking. Yet, she painted for herself from her next tail a portal for herself to travel through, after Ramiel made his safe return.

By this time, Tiamat, the Living Shadow, was confined to the Sky Sanctum; mangled, dangled and bruised, to say the least. The shadowy apparition looked as if she'd been torn to pieces, and the Sealing Talismans kept her in place feeling all such pain and being forced to remain in that state until the seals were undone.

Silently, she suffered -- Ramiel's strikes did not go in vain. Tia was now sealed with that pain and mangled shape all until Taomin removed the Talismans...

Ramiel opened his eyes, twin pools of peaceful blue. He stared right into Taomin's eyes. He put his free hand to the back of her head to hold steady as he lifted his own.

He lightly pressed his forehead to hers, and let her nose rest on the fuzzy tip of his muzzle. He shared this small moment with her, just looking at her. His eyes danced from side to side as he focused on each of her eyes intermittently. The only other thing he dared do right now was breathe, and even that was wrought with hesitant shudders.

Just seeing Ramiel's eyes open after all that happened warmed Taomin's aching heart. She tried sending him away, but he was in no condition for such right now. Maybe that was not the best solution in the first place. It was his place to decide whether he stay or go, and that could only happen after he recovered.

The signs of affection and endearment were pleasant to Tao, for she had never actually experienced such things before... Not since youth, when her parents acted in such a fashion. Her glowing green eyes held a certain calming property to them that would likely ease Ramiel's mind whilst her power worked its way through his heart and body. The light of Taomin's eyes fully engulfed them in the greenness, so her pupils and irises could not be seen at all -- only the beaming green.

She nuzzled him gently, letting their cheeks roll against each other, feeling the softness of his fur on her skin. "Four..." Taomin continued, wrapping the next of her tails around him to comfort him, the plush texture acting as a blanket, whilst the previous tail that sought to push him through the portal allowed him rest as a pillow. "... Just Kidding," she finally said, stopping her 'counter' at 'three'. Laying her head down on his chest after their intimate engagement, Taomin both listened to Ramiel's heart and also comforted herself.

"I Almost Lost You," she started to say, "In More Ways Than One." Taomin brushed the tail that blanketed Ramiel with her claw, letting it rake through the thick fur as though a comb. "I Am Just Happy That You Are Alive," Taomin mumbled, letting the Crystal Wings rest over the two of them now and encapsulate them in their translucence. "This Will Never Happen Again," Taomin promised, closing her eyes and clenching her fist, pulling some of her tail fur in the process, "Never."

He hugged her, and whispered, "Thank you. I knew I saw this in you. Thank you for finding your strength to bring it out."

He caressed her cheek. "It's a bit more dangerous here than I thought. When I felt her strike, I knew I was done for." He coaxed her to bring her face near, "Sorry you had to finish that fight alone."

He looked into her eyes for a moment more, and softly kissed her lips. His eyes closed then, and tears dampened the fur on his cheeks.

The Crystal Wings glowed brightly around the both of them, replenishing their energy with the holy light that came from them. They broke away feather by feather, spreading and fading away in a soft gust. Only one remained -- one for Ramiel -- which would lay neatly on his chest after they shared in the soft kiss.

"Dry Your Tears," Taomin said endearingly, wiping away what she could with her kimono sleeve, "The Goddess Is Pleased," Taomin finished jokingly, yet with a serious tone. "And I Was Not Alone. You Were There In Your Heart." Sure, it was something that perhaps one would hear coming from a cheesy revival scene in any form of entertainment, but it was both true and real. He was there in his heart, and it gave Taomin the strength to become the Goddess she needed to be -- the Divine Priestess of the Veritas.

"The Veritas Is Usually Not A Dangerous Place," Tao went on to add, gently applying pressure to the wounds where the Sealing Talismans were to see if they still needed recovery time, "And Usually We Have Peace Among Us. You Just..." Tao's eyes fluttered, shying away from contact now out of embarrassment, "... Happened To Become Friends With The Only Person In The Veritas That Wasn't Living Up To Her Potential." It was the sad fact about Taomin. "What Tia Said Was Right About Me Always Being On The Run And Messing Things Up, Usually On Accident. I Just Did Not Realize That I Was Fighting With Myself About My Duties Until You And She Really Opened My Eyes."

Taomin looked up to the place where she stuck the large Sealing Talisman and said, "Tia Is Not Actually That Bad. She Is Just Strict And Absorbs Negativity. She Is Like A Mother Figure To Me, And You Know Mothers And Daughters Fight." Taomin knew the truth about the entities of the Veritas... but Ramiel did not.

"... Maybe It Would Be Best For You To Meet More Stable Individuals Of The Veritas, Such As The Water Goddess. Her Oasis Of Serenity Is Able To Replenish And Restore Anything That Should So Even Dip Into It." It would be like a relaxing day in the pool for the both of them. "She Is My Water Form. I Am Her Wind Form." That might have been irrelevant.

"What Would You Like To Do, Ramiel?" were the next words Taomin said as the two of them lay on the checkered floor of the grand hall of the Sky Sanctum.

He smiled and then squeezed his eyes shut as he let out a small, stressed grunt. He was mended well enough, but now that he was made whole, his body was informing him of what damage was done before.

"An Oasis... sounds nice."

Taomin nodded her head, ready to show Ramiel to the Water Realm, where the Water God and Goddess lived, "It's The Best." A tail of hers flicked outward and cut open a portal to the Oasis Of Serenity in the Veritas using just the tip.

The slit slightly slid open.

"Or, Wait, I Can Just Take Us There By Making A New Reality Around Myself And It Being That One."

Taomin had the power of Infinite Creation, and each of her nine tails could sustain one entire reality as a paint-like substance at the tip of her tail.

"I Mean... 'Three'."

She started counting again, right from where she left off. "Two," she said, raising up her tail to paint over them with the inky substance serving as an actual portal to another realm.

"One."

With a quick fwip around them, the scenery suddenly changed in a fashion that was like moving an entire area, itself, instead of two people manually. The reality that leaked from the edges of the tail oozed the previous reality all over the ground, like water, then disconnected after forming the 'Oasis Of Serenity' underneath Ramiel. He would fall straight into the healing water -- but not too deep in -- whilst Taomin looked at him from the other side of the reality; smiling, her eyes a bright green.

You arrive at a peaceful oasis that is a beautiful lagoon-like place with much greenery all along the pathway and purified waters, something like a Japanese Garden.

Dead in center of the Oasis is an Enchanted Palace, which is where she lives and watches over all that goes on in her domain.

It is a naturally quiet and serene environment.

The waters feel like they are actually adjusting to your body heat and making the water a temperature that is comfortable to you.

Eventually, you are met with the mistress of the Oasis of Serenity, who goes by 'Serulenia.' She is clad in dark blue armor and has long, flowing hair like the waves of a waterfall going down the side of her face as she looks at you -- which is a lighter shade of blue.

She speaks to you, her voice temperate and melodious; somewhat low and seductive yet also fiery and vivacious. "I See You Have Met Taomin," she says to you, observing both you and your wounds. She smiles at you. "Never Fear, Weary One, We Are One And The Same -- Like Water." Serulenia chuckled. "Think Of It Like You Already Know Me."

Ramiel had no fear of going under the water. As soon as his head went under a bubble of air formed around his head, thanks to the air crystal he been given by Stenella, Knight of House Humbolt, from the underwater Coral City. His home was similar to here, it connected itself to many realms.

He didn't remain where he landed, and surfaced to get a better look around. He looked to the new face, and smiled as he tread water. "Hello, Ma'am."

With his powerful leaping legs, swimming was a breeze, almost like a third home, if land and sky were the first and second. And so he swam to get onto a pathway nearby.

With even that brief dip, he felt like a new rabbit buck. Still dripping wet, he turned to the water goddess and bowed. "It's an honor to meet you."

He adjusted the strapping of his pierced vambrace, the metal was bent in where it had been struck, and that bit of deformation was digging at his arm. "I hope Rodoc doesn't get mad when he sees this."

Taomin plastered her face into the portal where she transported Ramiel, having it blend in with the very atmosphere around them seamlessly, as the very air itself. Her facial features -- such as eyes, mouth, cheeks, nose and hair -- bled through, but they were completely transparent and difficult to see without Taomin's gleaming green eyes to light up the space her face was taking up.

"I Hope You Enjoy Yourself With My Water Form, Ramiel~!" Taomin chimed. "I'll Still Be Here, Though. All Of The Gods And Goddesses Of The Veritas Are Omnipresent, But We Don't Like To Converge Our True Forms Just Anywhere All Of The Time."

Now, Taomin was the wind itself, and as her face moved through the air, streaking behind her translucent hair would be the nightfall of dusk, as if it were hurled as a robe over the sky and darkened it thoroughly. Taomin's eyes gleamed and sparkling stars suddenly glimmered into existence across the night scape she'd created over the skies -- which she ruled. She smiled, closing her eyes and letting her mouth take the shape of a crescent moon in the sky, as if it were one of the many moons of the Veritas.

It was just Tao hiding.

At Ramiel's quite respectful bow, he would be met with another as Taomin literally 'painted the sky' indigo. "The Pleasure Is All Mine," Serulenia said, smiling softly. "You Will Enjoy Yourself Here," she insisted, raising an armor-clad hand up to stretch out over the horizon of the Oasis and illustrate length to Ramiel, "All Of This Is My Peace. I Do Not Like It Broken, And As Such, I Keep A Certain Serenity Everywhere I Go And In Everything I Do." She put her arm down, letting the metal clink together.

She looked like a battle-maiden -- a warrior who was prepared for a fight. Yet, her disposition was like that of a seasoned general that knew not to merely be so combative. Her entire demeanor was different from Taomin's. Her glowing blue eyes shimmered like water, batting a few times as she placed both of her hands before her clenched together in front of her pelvis, almost shyly. Yet, when she spoke, there was a commanding tranquility that showed her stern firmness of self.

"Your Armor..." Serulenia noticed, "... Hm. Is There Any Way To Repair It, Or Do We Need Some Sort Of Enchantment?" If so, Serulenia had just the ticket. "There Is The God Of Lightning, Who Is A Scientist, That Works With Enchantments And Spells. If You Need Something Enchanted, Do Let Us Know, And We Will Allow You Presence With Our Plasmatic Form -- God Of Lightning." Serulenia smiled warmly and nodded her head assuredly.

"And, If There Is Anything Else We Can Do For You Here In The Veritas, Let Us Know. It Is A Living Being, You Know."

Ramiel listened and nodded to the imago of Taomin before she made herself one with the sky.

Afterward, he gave the other goddess his full attention. "What may I call you, Madame?" Most guys might reach out a hand, but Rami did not. Back home, it was more polite to wait for the lady to offer her hand in greeting, rushing forward comes off as a command.

Then the questions about his armor, "No, Ma'am. I know the man that made this, and he would be insulted if I let another tinker with his work. It is the metal of his kind, only they know how to shape it, and imbue it with power. This metal is alien, even to my world." It was true, Rodoc would be upset, but he more feared retaliation from Nessilda, Rodoc's wife and forge partner. That woman stood head and shoulders over Ramiel, and her passions never, ever ran mild.

He looked at his shield ring, then put his arm up to deploy the shield it summoned. The plain-looking metal was undamaged, And Ramiel remarked on that. "The same attack went through there. But I've yet to see any damage remain on the shield between uses. It must manifest a new instance each time." He felt over his chest for the final point Tiamat's Fang struck, one single scale. One tiny weakness, that he could live with for now.

The aqua-themed woman stood in silent solitude as the rabbit explained his situation, reviewing the information given in her head. She stood silent for a while, then smiled warmly once again, her lids lowering compassionately at Ramiel's gentlemanliness. It seemed that he knew that though Taomin and Serulenia were the same, they were also very distinctly different from each other. "You Are Very Wise, Captain," Serulenia stated, sharing the same memories as Taomin through the Family Bond being active at present between them, "You May Call Me Serulenia -- The Name Of My Past Life." That life was her life as a mortal -- a witch, but a mortal all the same. "Though My Name Now As Water Goddess Is 'Tethys'." There was a certain code within every name of one who underwent rebirth into Godliness during the Transcendent Stage of the Veritas that happened so many years ago... When many mortals found out about or were inducted into the heritage of the Tensei Family.

"Though I Prefer Serulenia," the water maiden went on, expounding on her preference. "The Land Is Named After Me; Nautilus Serulenia, The Water Realm. I Am One With It And All Waters In The Veritas, Along With My Husband, Triton. We -- As Water Gods -- Are A Singular Entity That Splits Into Three Parts, Yet In Truth Are An Asexually Reproducing Androgyne." This information was for Ramiel to understand the difference between the single Goddess, Taomin, and the dual God and Goddess -- who were married -- Tethys and Triton.

Serulenia now doted on the information given by Ramiel about his armor and she, as a seasoned battle maiden, knew and understood what it meant to have your own master of the forge. She was such for the Nereids and other Naiads that she was queen over, due to her ability to generate armor out of water and ice. "Well Now, If We Cannot Repair It, So Be It." Serulenia sighed deeply, closing her eyes, smile still on her face, "Yet, If You Would Care For Anything Else, My Beloved Children -- My Servants Who Share Part Of My Soul -- Will Be Happy To Assist You."

Without even calling their names, three new maidens appeared in various fashions -- one, who came in a blurred flickering motion, was in a gothic maid's attire, bearing short and silver hair with beaming red eyes and a stagnant, blank expression on her face; the next was one who wore a large gothic lolita dress, was bespectacled and hovered down on large black angel wings, her brown hair flowing lusciously as her yellow eyes pierced through the rabbit's own; the final simply walked in from the pathway to the Enchanted Palace, bearing on her dark colored armor that seemed to shift hues, even in its darkness, and her blonde hair up in a ponytail.

"Ramiel," Serulenia began," These Are, In Order: Echo, Lavis And Rynoh (Rih-Noh)." Each of them bowed deeply to Ramiel, Echo, the Chef, zipping over to him and inspecting him thoroughly whilst Lavis spoke.

Lavis: "Thank you, Mistress, for having us meet this new face. The pleasure is all ours, sir."

Rynoh gave him a gruff look, but smirked and lifted up her hand for a thumb's up.

Ramiel smiled warmly and even purred a little as he bowed to the three maidens approached. Yes, rabbits purr, though it's not quite the same sound as the more familiar feline rumble.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Serulenia. And well met, Echo, Lavis, and Rynoh."

It was hard to make eye contact with Echo as she looked him over, there wasn't too much to see but damp rabbit in soggy armor. There might still be some salts from the waters of the bay there. Though the armor had proven to be durable, it certainly would need a lot of maintenance soon to keep it that way.

Lavis got a smirk from the bunny, who found her glasses to be kinda cute, and Rynoh's thumbs up was answered with a wink.

The women respectively acknowledged Ramiel in his actions, each responding with their own.

"Well, Aren't We Charming?" Serulenia said rather playfully about the chivalrous knight -- which she could spot from a mile away, given her battle experience.

Lavis adjusted her spectacles and closed her eyes, clearing her throat, "Yes, well met, indeed! It seems as though someone we meet FINALLY has some manners, Mistress." She smiled at him -- which she rarely did, beyond service to Serulenia or calculation of a battle strategy. "Though, I certainly hope it holds, lest we deal with him in the appropriate fashion." Lavis, the most intelligent of the three, also spoke the most, as she was something like Serulenia's right hand, though she was a mere maid. Her charcoal wings gave a light flutter before wrapping themselves around her waist, looking as if it were another layer to her dress. They ruffled lightly as she placed her hands upon them, opening her eyes sharply to Ramiel, yellow eyes glinting.

Echo finished inspection and said softly, "... Tea?" She was very reserved, but was the swiftest of the three.

Rynoh kinda gave a lazy two-finger salute, mumbling something along the lines of, "Yeah, definitely, you too." She chuckled, crossing her arms.

"You Should Really Be More Careful," Serulenia stated in a motherly tone, "We Wouldn't Want Another Mishap In The Veritas. Surely, There Are Other Creatures To Fell Than One Of Us." Though she was already fully aware of the situation and knew that Tia was the one in the wrong, she still felt compassionate concern for Ramiel and his health. "You Seem To Think Yourself Invincible. I Hope This Has Taught You Otherwise." Serulenia's words might have seemed harsh, but they were just spoken in regard to Ramiel's recklessness.

A sudden powerful gust of air blew past Ramiel like a storm, drying him off as thoroughly as a hand dryer. It seemed that the crescent moon snickered afterward, and was no longer located in the same place in the night sky. In fact, one of the Moons of the Veritas came into view -- the nearest, which was the Blue Moon. Yet, the suspicious crescent moon whistled nonchalantly, sending another gust, yet this time much more tame.

Hopefully Ramiel were dry from that, lest the Wind Goddess come find him and thoroughly air him out, herself.

The rabbit shook his head. "I'm sorry, I tend to get overly friendly. And flirt a lot." He rubbed at his helmet-covered head, "I have a earned reputation for it back home."

He lets out a sigh, "I know I'm not invincible. No one is. But I'm a guard. My job is to put myself in harm's way to protect and defend others. I'd rather die for what I believe in than to be a coward. So no, I don't think I'm invincible. I just refuse to give up. But I won't refuse tea." He smiled, trying to put the grim thoughts to rest.

As to getting the celestial blow-dry, it certainly helped, but he'd be tempted to not turn down a more personal treatment from Tao.

Serulenia chuckled, her servants getting to work immediately. "You Are Quite Alright, Sir Captain. You Are Most Honorable, Despite The Flirtatious Nature."

Lavis' eyes gleamed as she heard that Ramiel was flirtatious, immediately becoming defensive -- as, she was the most defensive of the three -- and saying, "You'd best find it wise not to make such divvy with the Mistress!" She scoffed, feathers flustering, "I would not have such a thing!"

"Yeah, Milady's already got a husband, ya see," Rynoh interjected before Lavis got too sharp, as usual, "And a child. And, as odd as it may seem... They're all one being split into three." Rynoh put a finger up to her lip thoughtfully, biting it in the same sense, "Though, I think you were told that already..."

Echo, who had already come and gone, was back with a silver tray of tea for the group. She moved so quickly and silently that no one even noticed her leave, but once she was back, it was clear that she'd already had things in order for the guest. She walked up to serve him first, bowing her head humbly as she awaited him to take the tea.

Rami bowed again and took the tea with both hands. He'd look for a place to sit, and if none were found, he had no problem settling on the ground, and sitting cross-legged.

"Don't worry, I wasn't going to intrude into anyone's relationships." Invitations, however, were another thing entirely. The rabbit then lightly blew over the cup of tea to cool it, then took a sip.

Serulenia noticed with a quirk of the brow that Ramiel wished to sit.

"Rynoh," Serulenia commanded.

"Yes, Milady," Rynoh said with a soft bow of the head.

There was a coil around Rynoh's head like a halo which was imbued with several colorful crystalline spikes. The halo rotated a few times until the color of the topmost spike were brown. Summoning her large longsword from an earthen spire that jut from the ground, Rynoh slammed the sword into the ground and two stumps of earth shot up before Ramiel; the lower, a chair -- the higher, a table.

"There y'are," Rynoh said kind of lazily, leaning on her sword after she stabbed it into the ground. Serulenia quickly cleared her throat, Rynoh straightening up immediately with a sweat bead rolling down the side of her head. "Uh, Sir!"

Serulenia smiled, Echo placing the silver tray of tea upon the artificial earthen table before them now. Serulenia took a cup for herself, as did Lavis.

Rynoh passed.

"So," Serulenia began, waiting for her tea to cool, "We Have Explained Much About Ourselves..." Serulenia smiled slyly, taking a sip of tea that she cooled on her own, "... But Little Has Been Said About You." Serulenia did notice the conversation being a bit one-sided, so she politely gave it over to Ramiel. "You Seem To Enjoy My Oasis. Is Water Your Preference? Do Tell. Anything You Like."

The rabbit nodded his thanks to Rynoh, and sat. "I don't need to be called sir. It makes me feel old. Rami or Ramiel is fine. And I rather prefer being on the ground, I'm just not a stranger to the sky or sea. As for anything else about me, feel free to ask."

"What Is Your Life Like, Captain?" Serulenia asked inquisitively, seeming to distinctly be interested in Ramiel's ways back home. "You Are Captain Of The Guard And Allegedly Have Many People Who Know, Love Or Depend On You." Serulenia sips her tea. "Elaborate On Your Life, If You Will."

Lavis seemed peculiarly interested in Ramiel's life story, as well. For analysis purposes, of course.

Rynoh seemed to be still sort of trying not to slack off, but since she wasn't in battle, she was more lackadaisical than most.