659/Rhapsody visits Spira

Rhapsody visits Spira
Date of Scene:	22 September 2014
Location:	Spira(AOA)
Synopsis:	Bahamut and Rhapsody get to know each other over dinner
Cast of Characters:	Bahamut, 325

---

Bahamut has posed:
     After their first meeting, Bahamut wanted to assure Rhapsody that she did not need to worry about him thinking less of her. And of course talking with another dragon is always interesting. Except those dragons at the Rookery. They were downright rude!

     As is typical when Bahamut has a guest over, there is a large table in the middle of the temple with an equally large assortment of delicious foods from Bahamut's world. Everything from seafood to beef to vegetables to pasta dishes. And of course water, juices, and even wine. Bahamut himself is waiting for Rhapsody just outside the temple entrance in order to guide her to the main room personally. He is just as imposing a figure as the last time they met. 15 feet of bulky, metal-scaled dragon, with a confident grin on his face and his arms folded over his chest.

Rhapsody (325) has posed:
    An invitation? From a dragon outside Ravnica? Well, this was a genuine surprise to Rhapsody, but one she was not about to pass up. She remembered Bahamut, after all, he was one of the FEW people present to see her in the real. A form she did not show often to anyone besides her own family (and even Ryxinel and Sidonia would say they hadn't seen it recently). While hesitant, she gathered herself, told herself she had a Guild to represent, and set out for Spira.

    Spotting the temple was simple. Spotting its owner was even easier. Once she drew close, Rhapsody would offer a bow and a nod of her head, before greeting, "Well met, Bahamut. Thank you for the invitation."

Bahamut has posed:
     When Rhapsody approaches, Bahamut lowers himself down onto one knee and bows respectfully. "Guildmaster Rhapsody. It is a pleasure to see you again." he says before standing tall again. He then motions for her to follow. "This way. The Bevelle temple can be hard to navigate without a guide." he says before walking across the bridge to the entrance then heading through the towering archway that is the entrance to the temple.

     Once inside, Rhapsody would find herself standing on a platform overlooking a great abyss with flowing circuitry-like trails stretching between it and other platforms. Bahamut rumbles, then holds a clawed hand out to Rhapsody. "It will be faster if we fly." he says.

Rhapsody (325) has posed:
    "It's beautiful," the guildmaster muses as she follows after the much taller dragon. At the abyss, she peers up, down, then at the taller dragon, "I can fly, Bahamut," she notes before accepting the offered hand. "But if you insist.."

Bahamut has posed:
     Bahamut grins at the compliment to the temple, then chuckles at the second comment. "Forgive me. I was uncertain if you were able in this form." he says, even as he takes her hand, then in one motion pulls her up into his strong embrace. Once he knows she is secure, his impressive wings spread, then he leaps off the platform. He dives for a few moments before pulling up and heading toward a floating sphere in the middle of the abyss, barely visible from this distance thanks to the low lighting in the temple. He flies quickly toward the entrance, then spirals upward a short distance to land on the platform that leads to the entrance to the inner sanctum. His landing shakes the sphere, yet it stays floating with no apparent sorce of support.

     Bahamut sets Rhapsody down gently, then grins and motions toward the large archway, nearly identical to the one at the main temple entrance. "After you, my lady." he says.

Rhapsody (325) has posed:
    UNEXPECTED CRADLING. While just a few years ago she wouldn't have minded, her current status in Ravnica causes this to be EXTREMELY AWKWARD for a moment. She doesn't yell, though, enjoys the moment, and touches back down to the ground. "Thank you." she says before heading through further inside.

Bahamut has posed:
     Inside, the setup is as mentioned. Large buffet table with a few priests and priestesses working around it, several seats surrounding it, and Bahamut's throne at the head of the table. Bahamut heads toward his throne while the priests pour drinks for the pair. "Please, select any seat you like." he says before taking his own seat in his throne. "I'm afraid I did not know what foods you prefer, so I asked my priests to account for just about any taste."

Rhapsody (325) has posed:
    A FEAST awaits. When Rhapsody sets her eyes upon the table her pace slows, jaw hanging open for a tiny moment, "You.. didn't have to do this," she manages to say before urging herself onward to a seat. "Thank you, again," she makes sure to say before having a long draw at some water near the seat she took. "This place is ... majestic, Bahamut, I feel that it suits you well.."

Bahamut has posed:
     Bahamut nods in agreement. "I would have to agree. It was made for me, after all." he says, grinning proudly. "But, it must be nothing compared to a prestigeous guild's headquarters." he says, though his grin suggests he probably thinks his temple would out-wow the Izzet headquarters. "Please, just mention what you would like to eat, and the priests will provide it." he says, then reaches to pluck an entire steak from a plate in front of him before tossing it into his mouth and chewing politely.

     After finishing that bite, he continues. "If you are wondering why I asked you here today..." He chuckles good-naturedly. "..there was no specific reason. I simply thought it would be nice to visit. We dragons should stick together, after all. Please, tell me about yourself and your guild." he says before picking up a large ham.

Rhapsody (325) has posed:
    The comment from Bahamut gets Rhapsody to smirk, "Well, Nivix and Thirix are certainly taller, I feel," she muses with a grin. Nivix reached into the Clouds, Thirix could fly, so they certainly had their bright points. At his suggestion, Rhapsody motions for what appears to be chicken from one of the plates. It's probably chocobo, considering the size, though.

    "Mm.." chomp. Finish, continue, finish, "The Izzet League is all about research and helping the city advance via technology based on the mana-magic the city is known for. We also take care of the city's utilities: Water, heat, power, and so on," she explains. "I .. in herited it earlier this year."

Bahamut has posed:
     Bahamut chuckles at the comparison. He has no idea what Nivix and Thirix are, but from the way she speaks, he suspects they are quite impressive. "Research? Any research I have done has been rather...dry. I hope your world's research is more interesting than mine." he says before taking a large bite of his ham. He blinks when he hears that she inherited the guild. "...I am sorry for your loss. Your mother or father, I take it?" he says.

Rhapsody (325) has posed:
    "It's alright, it was before you arrived. It was Niv-Mizzet, my father. . . . I'm sure the Union has some large files on him. He had been a part of them for nearly a decade," she explains. "I never had a chance to meet my mother. Me and my siblings were confined to our eggs for ... well.. thousands of years due to beuracratic nonsense enforced by magic.."

Bahamut has posed:
     Bahamut's eyes narrow and a small growl escapes him as he hears that. "You were forced to remain in your eggs because someone somewhere signed a form?" he asks, seeming rather angered by that. "Who were they to enforce such a sentence on an unborn?"

Rhapsody (325) has posed:
    "Essentially, yes, but the document in question kept peace in Ravnica for ten millenia, so..." she gives a helpess shrug, "It wasn't something that Niv would have agreed to. He was tricked into it instead. Thankfully that issue was taken care of six years ago, or I wouldn't be here speaking with you." Smile. "The ones responsible are no longer of this world."

Bahamut has posed:
     Bahamut snorts at that, then grins lightly. "That is good to hear." he says, then rumbles pleasantly. "So, you must be rather dangerous if imprisoning you was cause for 10,000 years of peace." he says, seeming both amused and intrigued. "You do not strike me as a dragon who would go on a rampage. What is it that they feared about you and your siblings?"

Rhapsody (325) has posed:
Rhapsody shakes her head, "It was not just myself and my family. It was -all- dragons, Bahamut. The law stated that no Feral Dragons could exist within Ravnica that did not fall within three rules. I don't remember them exactly but it went something like this." she throat clears, then sounds as insanely boring as she can, droning the law out as the Azor would probably have said it.

"Feral Dragons are not permitted within the City-Nation of Ravnica. A feral dragon is define as follows:

A feral dragon cannot speak.

A feral dragon is any that would attack someone without due provocation.

A feral dragon is -any dragon under the age of 500 years.

-The Azorius Senate reserves the right to judge any dragon feral or intellectual as they see fit."

And back to normal, "The Guildpact, the original one that is, was a word spell that would magically enforce the laws on the city. The law I just rattled off was the law of Draconic Residency. One of its side effects was preventing dragon's from hatching."

Bahamut has posed:
     Bahamut feels bored as he listens, but he listens nonetheless. When he hears the last part, he blinks. "They were going to keep you imprisoned for 500 years inside your own egg?" he asks, obviously horrified by such a thing. Then, he pauses. "Yet, it seems you were aware and growing in some form despite the fact that you had not hatched." he says, then frowns. "This law sounds like one made from fear in order to ensure that those in power remain in power. Are these Azorius the lawkeepers of your world?"

Rhapsody (325) has posed:
    "Lifespan is determined from the day we would hatch, Bahamut, meaning we had to stay in those eggs until the law was repealed," Rhapsody explains. "Not a single dragon was born in Ravnica until that law was torn apart from who was easily the most noble member of that Guild. They are the law makers, but they aren't ALL bad.... they mean well, they just... well, they write laws. I don't think we can expect much else out of them. Most of them believe in the letter of the law. Only a small number believe in the meaning of the law."

Bahamut has posed:
     Bahamut growls again at hearing what the condition actually meant. "They write laws such as this often?" he asks, his own noble blood boiling at what sounds like a very unjust situation. "How can they call themselves lawmakers if they make laws which are...unscrupulous at best. And outright evil at worst. Confining an entire race to their eggs, other than those already hatched? And what of those that were hatched already and had yet to reach 500 years?"

Rhapsody (325) has posed:
    Rhapsody makes a motion for calm as the other dragon seems to be getting angrier, "This was 10 millenia ago, Bahamut. Things have gotten much better since then, I assure you." She pauses at his question, "I .. don't know. I never asked.." she says, realizing that it was a very GOOD question. "At least, now, Bahamut? Dragons are free in Ravnica. Some are good, some are bad, some don't care, but humanity is the same way, isn't it?"

Bahamut has posed:
     Bahamut lets out a heavy rumble as Rhapsody motions for calm. He relaxes again. "Well, that is good, at least." he says when he hears about the freedom now enjoyed by Ravnica's draconian denizens. He chuckles at that last comment. "Yes. There seems to be no species that is entirely good or evil." he agrees, then finishes off the ham he's been holding for several minutes now. "Well, I have asked you extensively about you and your world. Would you like to know anything about me and mine?"

Rhapsody (325) has posed:
    Seems Rhapsody's interest is held by the other dragon, "Please! I wouldn't know what to ask, though, so start where you feel would be best! I'll enjoy this feast while you speak. I would hate to pass up such a wonderful amount of food, after all." CHOMP. Chocobo's finally done. She'll be moving onto a little bit of everything that is an animal. This dragon is a carnivore, clearly.

Bahamut has posed:
     Bahamut seems pleased by the other dragon's interest. "Where to begin...?" he muses before shrugging lightly. "I suppose the best place to begin is that, while I am a dragon now, I was not always the magnificent creature you see before you. My world was beseiged by evil on all sides. The vast majority of the populace was controlled by a group called the Church of Yevon. Nearly every person of my world was part of this cult. I was not. I was part of a group of humans known as the Al Bhed. Our kind was persecuted by the church because we refused to accept Yevon as our protector and used the forbidden machina - the machines - as our tools."

     He takes a drink from a large goblet of wine before continuing. "Finally, one day, a group of Yevon's own realized the lies and manipulation that the church had been using on them all along. Yevon was essentially taking sacrifices in order to 'protect' the people, but in reality he was using those sacrifices to fuel his own unnatural life, and the high council of Yevon was doing much the same."

Rhapsody (325) has posed:
    Rhapsody gives a snort. Once her muzzle is clear she pipes up, "Machines, forbidden, sounds as though I have a point of contention with your world much like you did with mine," she points out. Then the rest. Her expression twists, "Ugh... The Dimir would have loved this 'Yevon'. Ugh.."

Bahamut has posed:
     Bahamut grins at that. "As I said, I was part of the faction that was actively using the machina." he says, then nods. "And yes, Yevon was not a good being. I suppose he may have been at one time, but after centuries of living as merely a soul inside a hard protective shell made of other souls..." He shakes his head, then continues. "So, this group of Yevon's faithful realizes that Yevon was a fraud. They banded together to defeat him, and in doing so destroyed the church and caused a power that our people depended on to start disappearing."

     "But, the spirits that had been the Fayth, the protectors of Spira who lended their power to summoners in order to defend the world, knew that even with Yevon gone, their power might be needed. So, with the last of their waning power, they imbued me with their power. The power transformed me from a human to the mighty dragon I am today."

     He chuckles. "It is very ironic and a bit enjoyable to me that I now carry the visage and the powers of a being that the Church of Yevon considered a holy figure."

Rhapsody (325) has posed:
    This gets an impressed "oooh..." out of Rhapsody. He may not have been born a dragon, but he was still-"Well, born a dragon or not, you are a dragon, and an impressive one, I'll add. I'm glad to have met you! I'm sure Niv would have been honored to have met you too."

Bahamut has posed:
     Bahamut nods, smiling just a bit. "I am glad to have met you, too. And I am sorry I was unable to meet your father." he says, then rumbles. "As it turned out, the entire high council of Yevon was actually unsent, those who have died and yet have not passed on. They believed that the living could not be trusted to govern themselves and that their undeath gave them some sort of superior insight. They were vanquished along with their corrupt 'god'. The church was dissolved, but the temples were maintained by the few who never gave up on Yevon. And with the world seemingly crumbling around them, the people of Spira did not have the heart to destroy the temples. Even with all that happened, the temples provided a sense of security." He chuckles. "And of course this one serves as my home now."

Rhapsody (325) has posed:
"It is home to a very noble individual, from what I can tell. I will have to show you Nivix sometime, Bahamut. As my father design it, I imagine you could move through it as easily as he did," she peers at Bahamut a moment, "I think he was a little taller than you." pause. "On all fours."5

Bahamut has posed:
     Bahamut seems impressed by the claim that a dragon on all fours is taller than him. And he chuckles lightly, perhaps even a bit bashfully, at the compliment to himself. "I would be honored to see Nivix. And, I am told your guild specializes in powerful and unpredictable magics. I might be interested in learning some of if." he says before finishing off his wine.

Rhapsody (325) has posed:
"Ravnican magic is simple in concept, but complicated to master. Most people only adopt one or two 'colors'. Sometimes three, but rarely more." She considers the dragon, "I'm not sure where I would see you... I can see many colors in you, White most of all, but there are others.."

Bahamut has posed:
     Bahamut blinks as the concept of colors comes up. "Hmm...I am not sure any colored magic would be a primary classification for me. My natural powers are by my world's standards non-aligned. But, I can learn spells from just about any classification. Fire, lightning, earth, water, ice, dark, holy..." He chuckles. "If white magic is to your world what it is to mine, I am certain it would not apply. In this world, white magic refers to protective and healing magic."

Rhapsody (325) has posed:
Rhapsody shakes her head, "No, not quite. The colors are just a convenient label for a wider breadth of abilities. White is similar to what you think, but it also encompases order, wrath, and a and some other things. Red is for lightning, fire, but also chaos, passion, war, anger.. All the colors have their own signatures."

Bahamut has posed:
     Bahamut nods as he listens, taking up a plate of fish to nibble on. "I see. So, they are not so much elements as ideas." he says, seeming to find that facinating. "So...I suppose white would be appropriate, given what you have told me." he says, then holds out the plate. "Would you care for some?" he asks. Whether she takes one or not, Bahamut sets the plate back down. "And, if your world's spells are more about ideas than elements or damage, then I suspect your world's magic is much more varied, and possibly more powerful, than this world's."

Rhapsody (325) has posed:
She takes a fish, sets it down, then nods, "That's right. While there are some base elements for each, the ideas are more important behind them," Rhapsody points out. "It's believed there's no shortage of spells that can be cast. A mage is only limited by their own creativity. Father said there were spells that could destroy worlds and then spells to resurrect them... it's as dangerous as it is inspiring," she notes with a small sigh. "Unfortunately, I must admit, my ability to use my home's magic is extremely limited."

Bahamut has posed:

     Spells that can destroy entire worlds, and spells that can bring them back. Such power...would be extremely hazardous in the wrong hands. Bahamut puts that thought out of his head when he hears that Rhapsody is not powerful in magic. "Is there any reason?" he asks, seeming a bit concerned. "Was that what the training I witnessed was all about?"

Rhapsody (325) has posed:
A shake of her head is given, "Something that happened before I hatched. As a result I have a lot of trouble with spells as well as .. um.." fidget. "What you saw when I was training with Jean. .. And yes that's why I was training with her."

Bahamut has posed:
     Bahamut rumbles gently then nods. "I see. Well, if there is any way I can help, let me know." he says, then looks down at the table before over at Rhapsody. "It is getting late. You are welcome to stay here for the night, of course, but I suspect a guildmaster would have no trouble getting home. Should I escort you to the warp gate?" he says, smiling.

Rhapsody (325) has posed:
"I appreciate the offer but the League never sleeps. I wouldn't mind being shown out, though. I'd rather not make a wrong turn."

Bahamut has posed:
     Bahamut is happy to show the Guildmaster back to the entrance. And of course happy to scoop her up and carry her as he flies. But, he doesn't just fly her to the platform. He spirals through the exit, and makes his way back to the war gate. Only then does he set Rhaps down. "Thank you for accepting my invitation. Our conversation was rather enjoyable." he says as he allows Rhapsody to make her way through the gate. "We will have to do this again. perhaps at your Nivix next time."

Rhapsody (325) has posed:
"Certainly! And thank you for the, ah, lift out, Much appreciated!" He didn't have to take her all the way to the warp gate, but oh well, it's done, now! "I'll see about arranging something Bahamut. Thanks again!" And off she goes.

    "What a pleasant night."