Private The Evening is wiser than the Morning.[EWM]

Geminus laughed at Bruynzeel's comment about it being so difficult to look so good, but almost choked and spit the mead out when he mentioned shrinkage. He had to pull out a rag to wipe up the mead that almost got away as he watched Tappit trudge back up to their gear.

Finishing off the chunk of cheese he was eating, he was about to chug down the rest of the mead when Tappit returned, dressed, and with Bruynzeel's gear. Setting the gear down rather heavily next to Bruynzeel the faint chimes of music could be heard from the gear. The faint tremor of the vibe went through him, he shivered and whipped his head around at the sound, not knowing why...

Geminus tilted his head, straining to listen harder. He would have sworn that it was music he heard but he also thought he could hear his name being spoken... a raspy, seductive voice, beckoning him. The 'vibe' flared so strongly through his very being in protest... he was nearly knocked from the bench to the floor. The bottle of mead that was nearly to his lips slipped from his hands and smashed on the floor. His breathing became labored and his armor felt like it was crushing him... He stood up and took a deep breath of the cool mirky air. He thought better while on his feet anyway and the armor seemed to loosen its grasp on his chest. "What is it? A new powerful enemy? Something powerful lurking behind the door?" He looked around to see what the others were doing. Duva was standing at the edge of the upper walkway staring at the water as if she was trying to decide to jump in or not."There doesn't seem to be anything blatantly threatening about the area at the moment. What could be triggering his vibe?"

Running a guantleted hand through his hair he took a deep breath and heard the music again, faint, raspy, beckoning. The tingling sensation of the vibe went off again and this time it almost seemed like a voice was in his head warning him away. The music beckoned...

"Geminussss" the music hissed... he turned looking for the sound, grasping the enormous hammer, he started to turn towards Tappit and Bruynzeel, looking... as he moved slowly closer, the hammer just draggd loosely along at his side, the head scraping the ground noisely.

"Geminussss" the music insisted, "Yesss, closserrr," it coaxed, guided him. The source of the music was within Buynzeel's pack and it picked up a more subtle pace, the tune changing into some different unwordly collection of notes, not seeming to make sense to the others that might hear it, but the tones were grouped together forming an undertone of chimes that were sorrowful, dreadful and alluring. Geminus twitched and shook, to anyone else observing he appeared to be in a trance and he might fighting some kind of internal struggle against it. Torn between the warning calls of the 'Nine' that guided him and this new seductive music, "Comeee closerrr" it rasped sounding as if the voice in the music was amused and if it were possible, a smile could almost be detected in melody of the music.

The music boxes tingling tentacles reached out for Geminius, and Bruynzeel reeled emotionally "Enough!" Bruynzeel roared. The shout echoed about the cavern and rested against the lichen covered rock walls. Duvaindes took this outburst as a reaction to her mischeavious ways, she pooched her bottom lip out and ducked under the water, swimming away. Tappit threw his hands up "Okayyyyyyy" he walked away, glancing behind him as Bruynzeel dug into his pack. Bruynzeel felt about and found the familiar hard box and slammed the lid shut. Geminus shook his head and looked around in wonder. The nine seized the opportunity and told him what must be said. Why meeting this group of adventurers was not by accident and what must be done next...Geminus listened intently...and understood.

Bruynzeel had offended the others...he knew this right away, but there would be time to repair those bridges, there was always time. He sighed. There were more pressing matters to attend to, it had become more urgent. It wanted Geminus. The music box had taken to pushing further without Bruynzeel's consent nor participation. Perhaps the cursed music box knew of his 'minor rebellions' and had formed suspicions of his loyalty. Bruynzeel searched within himself. He heard the laughter fading back into his own thoughts...

Seizing the moment for a honest thought, Bruynzeel quickly approached Geminus and said "As soon as I am groomed and dressed, you and I need to talk. I was not ready for this but it must be done quickly and quietly. I suggest moving back to the previous room for a private chat."

Bruynzeel then goes over to his pack and pulls a set of brushes out and proceeds to groom his fur back to its proper form, a long brush for his back, and a short hard bristle one for all the front. Then he puts back on his leather armor checking for water damage, and oiling up a few spots that got damp. replacing the brushes in his pack and rewrapping the music box so it couldn't be easily opened. He then starts up the ramp and states "Coming, Geminus?"

"Enough" Bruynzeel roared,
swimming away towards another ledge, she quickly cast an invisiblity spell upon herself, pulling herself out of the water.
She makes her way back to her clothing leaving behind her wet foot prints on the walk path, reaching her stuff she digs in her bag and pulls out her white shirt.

Patting herself dry as the spell wears off, she shakes her hair, like an animal shakes to get dry, pulls it back into a ponytail, she gets into her gear and gathers her stuff, quickly tying her quiver straps, but not well enough, sits down and pulls on her boots.

Stands up and walks over towards Michael

In a trance like state Geminus shuffled toward Bruynzeel and Tappit. The splash of water from Duva jumping into the water didn't bother him and he shuffled further dragging the hammer. The music, the voice, so haunting, inviting, lulling... stopped.

The hammer clanked to the floor as he came out of the trance, the handle bouncing off his steel boot. Shaking his head he blinked several times... looking around he was confused. "how did I get over here??"

Tappit was backing away from Bruynzeel hands raised saying "okayyy" and then walking away across the lower platform almost at a run.

There was a small splash of water behind him, but all he saw was foot prints on the walkway. "What the?" He watched the foot prints ascend the walkway and fade out.

Reaching for his sword he turned back to Bruynzeel slightly pulling it from the sheath...

The vibe it was back but there was more, voices lyrical in sound as if multiple voices spoke at once, not like the one he had just heard... these adventures were special... the Khajiit especially so... no accident your meeting... he listened... and slowly sheathed his sword.

Bruynzeel approached still in his loin cloth, "As soon as I am groomed and dressed, you and I need to talk.... not ready... quickly, quietly... back to the previous room to chat." He heard fragments of it as he still was digesting what had happened... what the Divines had just told him.

Something like this has never happened before to anyone in the Order, he was sure of it. The Divines only gave the 'vibe' to those they wanted to guide. They never, or rarely, ever spoke to the Knights. This was unprecedented. The artifact must be truly powerful. He had to prepare, but what to do...

"Coming Geminus?" Bruynzeel asked as he walked up the ramp.

Shaking his head again to try to clear it he said, "Yeah, let me grab my helmet." Stepping over to the bench, he picked up his helmet and lashed it to his belt and then followed Bruynzeel up the ramp past the others. He tried to look into their eyes trying to gauge their feelings as he pass each in turn.

Arriving in the entrance way to the cavern he puts a hand out to stop Bruynzeel. With a questioning look, "What in Oblivion, was that... music??" releasing Bruynzeel, "What have you done to me?" Setting his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Rath looked around at the giant cavern.
He watched as a few of the group messed around in the water. Others talking and exploring.
Rath walks over to the ledge and looks down. He kicks a stone over the edge watching it fall into the water with a loud sploosh sound. "Hehe" Rath laughs childisly. (Bigger stone.. Bigger splash) He smiles in excitement of dropping a bigger stone.
He quickly observes the room. All the stones tightly in place the only loose stones seem to be holding the cave ceiling up.
(Not a good idea...)
He runs down to the spiral walkway. (Pff guess they thought stairs were over rated)
The water looks inviting to Rath. He quickly flashes back to his earlier "Bath" A smile crosses his face.
He sits at the waters edge casting his telekinisis on the water lifting up a ball of water Not paying attention to anyone or anything just the ball of water.
He rubs it gently on his face before placing it back into the pool/lake.
(Love... What is it? Mabye bruyn will know he seems pretty wise. I don't really want to talk about it here... But I may not get another chance... Oh well Bruyn sure is strong I'm sure he'd survive. Ya know Idk what it is about him. He just feels diffrent from the others. Like if I ever needed anything I could ask him and he'd point me in the right direction... Sorta like my dad.)
Rath smiles.
(Haha of course I need to keep these feelings to myself. Don't want to make it all akward.)
Rath stands up. He looks out into the pool.
(Peace. I bet it hasn't been disturebed for hundreds of years. And after we leave. It will probaly be 100 more until another crew like us come through.)
Rath gently pulls his hood up. (Guess i should head back up.. I'm way over due for some meditation)
Rath turns to walk up the walk way. But a glint of something cathches his eye.
"Eh?" Rath looks around seeing nothing... "Could've swore I saw somethi.." His voice trails off as he heads back up the walk way and to the middle of the supported sturcture on which the 3 paths meet sitting himself down in the middle.
He bends his knees up wrapping his arms around his legs while setting his head on his knees.
He lets out a sigh and closes his eyes.

As they pass Bruynzeel feels the eyes of all his mates and companions the weight of friendship and connection weighing deeply on him. He feels strangely wounded.

Arriving in the entrance way to the cavern Geminius puts a hand out to stop Bruynzeel. With a questioning look,"What in Oblivion, was that... music??" releasing Bruynzeel, "What have you done to me?" Setting his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Bruynzeel slowly turns sighing deeply, his shoulders hunching low like a defeated foe. "I did nothing, I am going to be brutally honest. You are gonna have to be prepared for that. Are you, are you prepared for literally anything. Because I know most of the story and still don't believe it, having lived it."pauses but just as Geminus is about to speak halts him with this.. "And no, I am talking about more than what just happened." takes a drink of a silver flask. and lites a small pungent cigar. then looks at it and the flask and asks "Care for some,.. but no your a athlete, a Strong and Noble son of the Nine." puffs once while putting the cap back on the flask then pulling the cigar and exhaling while slowly demurely saying "You should talk to them if you can. You need to know maybe more than I even know. I have a story, but alas it is only my version, I am sure, outside eyes look at it different."

Geminus, alert and slighty wound up, gripped his sword and watched Bruynzeel as he turned, his shoulders drooping, seemingly defeated. "Curious," he thought, "In the few hours that he's know the Khajiit he has seemed so sure, proud, knowing and formidable, especially after that show of magic and swordskill with the spider, but now... " Bruynzeel started to speak saying he did nothing and was going to be honest about something that Geminus needed to be prepared for it. He offered up a drink from a fancy flask and a cigar but then reconsidered because Geminus was a Knight and he apparently didn't think he smoked. "I prefer a pipe actually, but thanks anyway and I'll take the offered drink at another time perhaps." Bruynzeel exhaled the pungent cigar smoke and suggested he talk to the Divines and that he had a story, his version of a story that others would probably see differently.
"I've prayed to the Nine, but it is a rare thing for them to actually speak to us. I've often thought I've felt their presence with some kind of guidance through a vibe, a feeling if you will." He paused to think about what he should tell this Khajiit that he's just met? He knows about the Order, but how much? Does he know about our current plan to collect artifacts, good, bad or benign? Does he know where they are stored? Is this a ploy to learn this information?
"Tell me your story friend, and then let's get back to this adventure."

Watching as the others frolicked in the water, Michael looked around the platform. He was tempted to jump in aswell but casting ice spells while wet can be... problematic. He'd remembered once, when a young mage who he had met in his travels had jumped into a lake near Riften. The lad was attacked by two slaughterfish, while he attempted to catch some fish for ingredients...He got to the shore and cast a frostbite spell on the fish but... his feet were still in the water... He froze to death.

Michael shook his head to reliquish the thought of that happening to him, and at the same time Bryun shouted. Starteling him he quickly looked over towards Bryun and Tappit, who quickly took the blame.
Bryun walked off with Geminus to the previous room, while Duva swam to a nearby ledge near the water and dissapeared from sight... "Invisibility spell... Are her?..." he wondered. After a few moments he could see a transparent figure walking towards him.

The spell wore off and Michael looked at the wet elf... "Cold huh?" he said with an evil smirk. He cast a large Flames spell in his right hand and brought it close to her.

flicks her wrist showing up a flame spell of her own "Thanks Michael" smiles "But I am use to being cold, helps during the winter" lets the flames die out "How come you didn't join in the swim? Water was nice and refreshing"

Glad that she didn't notice what he meant by the "Cold" remark, Michael responded to her question. "Let's just say I have my reasons... I'll tell you the story another time".

shurgs "Ill make time to listen, after the ruins you and me around the fire and story time" smiles tilts her head and grabs her pony tail and squeezes the rest of the water out "And Im just going to disregard your cold comment..." looks closely at him "You remind me of my brother"

"My brother" Tappit called to Rathalos, who sat at the centre of the intersecting pathways, knees drawn up and hugging himself. His head held low, forehead resting on his knees. Tappit approached the young man at his leisurely pace, he appeared either asleep at an unnaturally awkward angle or deep in his thoughts. Perhaps in prayer?. Tappit shrugged and lowered himself to sit alongside his newly found companion, his legs thanked him with a dull ache he relished. He leaned back, shifting his weight and splayed his legs out in front of himself. "In time..." he spoke off the cuff to Rathalos "...I'd like to be able to manipulate objects without touching them like you can" he squinted at the dusty gravel in front of them and focused on a particular grain. He held his breath, imagining the feel of grit in his hand, the weight, the taste? no, not the taste... Beads of sweat formed on his brow...nothing...merely a speck of gravel, immovable, may as well be a mountain. He exhaled in defeat, his breath pushed the grain further away and over the side to the water beneath. He snorted "Bigger rocks, bigger splash"...
Rathalos raised his head "huh?"...

Geminus leaned against the wall, almost feeling the cold rock through his armor, his head against the wall in thought...he closed his eyes...

"He's telling me he's immortal? Under the control of some entity that is no where near by? The music box helps him center AND weakens the hold of this *entity*? Is this for real? What information could this entity have on me? I've no secrets... well the artifact collection is kind of a secret... but still. Why would this entity want to enthrall me? for this vibe?" His brow furrows and Bruynzeel can see he's deep in thought. "It's just a feeling? right? not some kind of power?"

His eyes snap open, vacant, looking through the wall across the passageway, seeing something that isn't there....he tenses up...

An image appears and floats before his eyes, it slowly shimmers into focus, there are flames and wings, a tail, a head, eyes appear glowing red against the yellow flames, a DRAGON.**

A voice... a snarl, growl, whisper... sweet, sensuous, demanding, comforting... tinkling like fine glass shards on marlbe surface, like a thousand windchimes chiming in the wind.... multiple voices at once and in an echo...

"Your vibe, it is a gift Geminus, it is a warning, caution, premonish... a guide, advisor, beacon... feeling, hunch, impression, sense... We give it to those that we deem worthy, that follow the covenant of the Divines. You have been granted this gift because you have proven your potential."
Bruynzeel can see his brow furrowed again as if he was confused at something being said to him...

"Be warned Knight! You will be tempted! Coerced! Tricked! The Khajiit knows his master, get him to reveal what he knows..."

He blinked... his lips moved like he was talking but no words came forth...

"What/who is this master? How can I protect myself?" he asks put get's no response... the voices and the image faded away...his eyes appeared to focus on the wall... He relaxed... slightly...

He looks at the Bruynzeel, not really trusting him at the moment, but not feeling that he should run or defend himself.

"Tell me Khajiit, who is this master that has you enthralled? What gifts of power does he grant you that you'd allow yourself to be in this situation?" He paused and pushed himself off the wall, "What missions do you do for him? Why is that music box so special?" He hesitated and looked out the passageway towards the others, "Do they know you are leading them on some secret mission and... just what is in this ruin that your master wants?"

Bruynzeel waits patiently while Geminus seems to be in thought about what is said. Then a whisper of chimes and distant voices unintelligable, and a strange sense of comfort comes over him and He knows Geminus can help break his curse. Bruynzeel just has to make sure Geminus is prepared and doesn't fall victim to the lesser daedra controlling himself.

The defensive use of khajiit does not escape Bruynzeel. Taking a last puff on his cigar he flips it over the edge and down to the water to hiss in protest as it strikes.
"I'll answer the last first, we are not on one of my masters missions. Other than perhaps he knew we would cross paths and therefore allowed me this side trip."

"I do not know his name, I know it seems funny because of the time I have spent under his care. I only know he is a lesser daedra and seeks a balance in force. He has me do missions to take down those that have too much power and raise up those with none. So I would assume he is a subject of one of the daedric princes of order."

"The music box, well that was a gift from my father on his last day. He gave it to me and told me to keep it close, it would help me. That very same day I made the pact with my master and started this life of power and servitude, but I tire of it and wish for a long awaited rest."

sighs deeply like a truth revealed is painful. "I was not gifted with a magical ability, he promised me I could learn to use magic and being still young, I thought only of the power it would bring. Not of the cost it would take from me. My family has a interesting trait we are naturally long lived. You might have met my brother on the roads... M'aiq the Liar, though in all honesty I have never known him to tell lies just cryptic truths. But this natural trait is what has had us a target of this daedra for as long as I can fathom, my father before me. And I believe another power he grants is a accelerated healing. So not truly immortal, though at this point I no longer know." Then as almost a after thought "He talks to me in my head, though for some reason he is strangely quiet now"

Geminus listened, when Bruynzeel paused, he replied, "So, let me get this straight, you were born over two thousand years ago, survived the plaque that nearly wiped out the population of Tamriel and allowed yourself to become the slave of a daedra for the power of magical abilities and fast healing to extend your existing ability to live a longer life than normal."
He pause for a moment and started pacing the passageway, he tried to keep his voice even, without trying to sound to accusatory, "In return, you do this daedra's wishes in taking down those with power and helping those without." Another pause and turned back, "And now, after all these years of servitude, you're tired of doing what this daedra wants, you want to give up this power, these abilities and live a normal life until you grow old and die." He stopped, glanced at Bruynzeel, "But at the same time you don't want anyone else to fall enthralled to this daedra?" He watched Bruynzeel, "You think this daedra wants to enslave me because I get a gut feeling about things? Is that about it?"

"Well, I don't need or want his power of magic or faster healing, I know restoration magics and can heal myself quickly enough and I can heal others. I don't want to be immortal, I just want to live a full life and do what I can to help. I'm no steal from the rich, give to the poor kind of person, and I've had to work with some shadey people before, but I don't need a daedra's gifts," he said emphazing the word "gift".

He looked back at the others on the walkways and with a nod of his head, said, "So, do the others know of your secret, Of being nearly immortal and under the thrall of some form of daedra?"

Rath sits still eyes closed. But his mind is elsewhere
(...But why come to me now? After all these years you come to tell me that I have some higher being to thank for my powers. "I do not reveal myself to those who are not worthy" Hahaha Worthy? By the Nine! "The Nine? You're no child of the divines." Haha true I just wanted to hear your reaction. "You're very foolish child. Playing with a power greater than yourself." Hahaha "You do not reveal yourself to those who are not worthy." You must want something from me. What is it? "The time is not right to reveal what I want of you." ..... Rath pauses in silence... So umm you still there? "I'm always here my child." Will you protect me as we journey deeper into the ruin? "I already have." And the fal.. "I know what you're thinking do not consume the falmer." Ahh okay then... Namira.... "Yes my offspring?" Oh nothing I was just trying to remember your name. Another pause. I havent meditated in a long time, and the last time I did this I wasn't accompanied by a Godess. "Don't fret you will get used to it." Huh I sorta envisioned you to be much harsher. "We have plans for you my son. Your fate is much larger than you relize. You are of importance to me and therefore I respect you as if you were my own offspring." Thank you my lady. "Go now child. May darkness guide your path." As you wish.)
Rath opens his eyes.
"Huh?"
Rath turns his head and looks at Tappit.
"Oh hey Uh when'd you get here? Sorry I was kinda spaced out. Haha"
(Object manipulation?) "So you want to move stuff like me? Hahaha It takes practice and a lot of determination." Rath looks at a pebble he concentrates hard on the pebble clearing his mind of every thought and only focusing on the pebble. Without moving his hand he slowly lifs the pebble and brings it up to Tappit's chest floating and inch or two away from it
"Remote manipulation without hand movements is very very hard. Ugh" Rath says slightly strained.
"But on the upside! Unlike other spells the use of magicka is so low you barely notice unless you're reaching your limit." Rath releases his hold on the pebble. "Sure I can teach ya. Wanna start now?"

Geminus watched as Bruynzeel slumped in apparent defeat as he said "I could use your help," as if it were something that he despised doing.

Putting out a hand and taking the Khajiit by the shoulder, "Qa'Bruynzeel, I will help you in as much as I can, for it is in my nature to do so, but know you this, I am not interested in this daedra and I am most positive that if I were to accept it, I would be defrocked from the Order and probably attacked in some way by the Nine. I will also defend myself in every way possible if the daedra takes control of you... even if that means I have to put you down, which I would not like to be forced to do." He paused and searched the Khajiit's face for a reaction, "You should die honorably in a fight of your choosing or in bed with your loved ones and friends," He paused, "although I suspect," his brow furrowed but he smiled, "that the former would be your choice."

He release Bruynzeels shoulder and stepped back, "I'm still curious to know what information this daedra has told you about me..." pausing and then clarifying, "but not curious enough to let it enslave me."

"Now, what do you say we get back to the others and see what these ruins will reveal to us."