HEIST! Welcome to the Desmonian Institute of Art and Science

I'm claiming this as an inventory slot.


Stone Insect “Spool” -- Warp and Weft -- Discovered by Gertude

A braided leather bracelet, very primitive, with a pair of interlocking spiders chipped from rock to form a sort of locking clasp. It seems very worn.


Stone Canine “Rabies” -- Malzar -- Discovered by Mildred

A coarse, primitive wolf-shape carved into a sort of necklace charm hung upon a rawhide cord. Putting it on evokes a sort of rabid anger and the desire to hurt anyone and everyone. [An inspection of the necklace reveals that there are six beads, three to either side of the wolf, and each bears a letter. Together, the tiny beads spell out M-A-L-Z-A-R.]

And this.

Did I mention I'm writing out THIRTY EIGHT Sumines?

((Breaking out the Character Images again! Whoo hoo!))



Really, Raferties was somewhat embarrassed at himself.

A museum, in the Village of Haven – and somehow it had utterly escape his attention?

As a Lorekeeper he really should have done quite a bit better to have found it. But as he comforted his amused pride better late than never, and given it seemed to have undergone some kind of restoration – or at least a revitalization – it was a grand time to have discovered the Desmonian Institute of Art and Science.

Given the grand nature of the gala (Hah! The angel had himself a good chuckle at the pun, even if it was only in his and a few select others' heads) it was only fair that Raferties ensured that he himself was attired properly. In addition to his usual robes, he had donned his wing guards, their Solarian truesteel gleaming under the sunlight, and around his neck he openly wore the Wing Spine that his beloved Belial had severed from one of his own wings early in their acquaintance. Gleaming like a jewel in her own right, Aurae would join in attending, perching on her Bonded's shoulder in her usual place. And though it would come as no surprise to those who were familiar with the Guardian's family of Companions though might to the museum patrons and staff, Muse the Fan Sharpblade was also going to be joining in. With even the faintest hinting of art in the air, the creative creature was drawn like a moth to a flame in short order, even going to far as to bathe three times the night before and avoid her precious paints to make certain that she would look good for it (though she was more than happy to have Kaya paint her talons and claws, which now were a lovely shade of amethyst to compliment her now-clearly-visible blue-green hide and blue stripes).

To Raferties' pleasure, Belial was feeling up to joining him, much recovered from the surgery to repair his damaged wing. It had been quite a bit since they had been out in a formal setting together, the last of his recollection being when the Total Eclipse Celebration had happened. Given both of them favored the academic and history in their own rights the decision to turn it into a date was an obvious one. They had discussed taking Kaya with them, but the little Erinyes had actually declined the event, and was at current under the watchful eye of their collective Bondeds.

Yes, this was to be as much a celebration of the Archdevil's recovery as much a celebration of the Museum's re-opening, and Raferties was quite eager to enjoy it all!





Really, as both a Junior Weyrwoman of Haven and as a Goldrider, it was Anari's responsibility to attend.

Of course, she couldn't say she was terribly thrilled about the required attire. Never had she been fond of dresses and fineries, having lacked them in her girlhood and grown up a warrior rather than a debutante her bloodline would have otherwise afforded her. But this was a gala, and she would be representing the Weyr. So if that meant she had to learn to walk in slight heels quickly (anything higher than an inch made her right leg highly unstable and was very unpracticle), so be it.

Granted when she stepped out of her sleeping chamber ready for the Gala, those Bondeds of hers who had gathered voiced their approval both in her mind and out loud with stamps to the ground and other noises.

She'd gone to Weyrwoman Sandasa and the previous Weyrwomen of the Elder Counsil, whom she'd met at the Queen's moot, for assistance. Having been raised in a temple such things were well beyond her keen, and she felt she could trust them with not putting her in something too out of her comfort zone (case in point, her adamant refusal to wear anything that came above her knees, due to the scar she still bore and her preference to keep it out of public sight). Though there was a fair share of conflicting ideas and some indignant comments, by the time the Gala actually had arrived Anari had a new, well-fitting dress of amethyst fabric that was tailored to be snug to her body, and fall in a smooth cascade from her hips; sleeveless, rhinestone-laden straps held it to her shoulders and ran trim above her waist and under her chest. It was by far the most glamorous thing she'd ever worn.

In a blatant nod against a certain time spent between-worlds when she'd been put in a dress per force, Anari left her hair down, with just a few jeweled bobby pins in place to hold her raven locks away from her face. She wore no jewelry aside from those, and her shoes were silver to compliment the rhinestones, strappy things with half an inch high heels that she'd been practicing in for the bulk of the previous day in her quarters.

She may not have been entirely 'comfortable' in the sense of being used to it, but she had to admit when she glanced in a mirror... she didn't look all that bad.

Ironically when she arrived it might look like she had worn jewels after all, as at a glance observers might see what could be taken as a rather large, copper and amethyst-enamel butterfly hair clip. But every so often the wings would move and sometimes the creature would take flight to settle somewhere else on his Bonded. Such was the Cuddlebug Wind Athid Anari had given the name Harper, her whimsical, living jewel.




((Kemori))

Hearing about the Gala, Kemori mused on it for all of five seconds before he decided to attend. One could learn quite a lot about a people, and the culture of an area, by looking at these artwork and artifacts. As he was somewhat new still to Teragaia this could help him quite a bit with getting a full bead on his new home.

If such a thing was possible, of course!

Upon arrival courtesy of Kogane, his beautiful Roc, Kemori was quick to start mingling, dressed up for the affair in his fill kimono and all the factors that included, in elegant black with gold trim and adornments and a few red accents here and there. It quite nicely highlighted his white and black fur, if he did say to himself! Granted he would be going it solo this time, his lady Rocs being far too large to enter the building. But that was alright – Kemori was certain he would make friends aplenty within short notice. That's just how he was!

Entering the area he promptly mingled with those already in attendance, nibbling some as he went and joining one attendant in an impromptu dance, flirting all the while as he tended to. For tonight, just because it was a special event, he had three of his tails presented, all of them moving and flickering independently.




((Cobalt, by special request lol! She starts with arrival, finding Arieh her 'Commander,' and gets to hang out with him and Dust... OMG))

Given her past with its emphasis on combat, Cobalt's attendance might be something of an oddity. But her Commander was attending, and Kimbule was rather insistent that Cobalt join him. Ok, that was kind of a given; the Familiar was literally the spirit of Inspiration, and this was an art museum as much as it was a historical one. And Cobalt herself wasn't unfamiliar with art, as the scratches that often adorned her arms, thighs, and even torso on occasion could attest to. (While she'd finally come into some paper and paints, courtesy of Gertude, she still fell into the old habit and thought patterns that caused her to use herself as a living construct canvas for chalk rocks). The elephant was continually trying to broaden the Warforge's horizons, as it were, and Cobalt was delving a bit more into them now that it had been explained to her that Familiar equaled Creature of the Soul, IE for the Bond to exist at all meant Cobalt, therefore, had a soul.

THAT rather startling notion had not only made Cobalt literally lose a spring, but had dazed her for several hours afterwards whenever she tried to process the fact intentionally.

But she was slowly adapting, and if her Familiar believed this would help her understand the more 'alive' side of her, away from the concept of being just a soldier and nothing else, she would trust in her unit-mate to be right.

As usual, Cannith the Athid joined her, perched on her shoulder to get a safe and good look at things. In lieu of dressing up (aside from the occasional cloak and Gertude's gifted sweater when the weather was cold, she had no use for clothing) Cobalt had polished and buffed herself until she gleamed and the scratches were only a tiny bit noticeable, if the lighting and angel were right.




Any sort of gathering was a place to find a Myrgwae, no matter what world one was on. They just gravitated to such things like a druid would gravitate to the untamed wilds, and to the first one there went the spoils of enjoying it.

In Taki's case, being the only known Myrgwae in the entire Haven Territory, there wasn't really any competition.

True to herself and her habits she was dressed exactly as she was every other day of the year, in her lavender dress and hat with her brown boots and purple scarf belt, all patted clean just prior to her arrival. Honor attended with her, mostly for her protection as he knew she could get into all sorts of trouble otherwise, without trying or intending to, and the ever-curious Cuddlebug Journeyman clung to her hat, white wings waving excitedly – so many things to see! Neither of them knew where to start first, snacks or talking or looking around – so for the first few moments Taki actually stood right where she was, tail twitching in excitement and hyperness. Then her curiosity got the better of her and she was off, questioning any employee or patron she came across about what the museum might have it and how many cultures and peoples might have items within and just any question she could bring to mind. She'd never been inside a museum before, she'd elaborate, so this was a wonderful first experience.




Really, these kind of gatherings weren't typically Keldos' thing. While he had an appreciation for art and history, especially things of a military or religious nature, most of the time he found these kind of gatherings a little too genteel (in all the negative ways) for his taste. But then Raferties had let it slip to a certain other Archdevil, Keldos oft-sparring partner Raviel. Raviel had pointed out to Keldos that Belial was still partially recovering from his surgery, and there was a slight though present chance that something might happen. Surviving a venom-gland puncture with both life and limb, then undergoing the required surgery to fix it, was something of a rarity among the more powerful devils and also taking into account how the Lord of Rivers and the Lorekeeper were connected to one another... well, Keldos had to admit he had a point.

There may have also been more subtle reasons for their attendance, but Keldos only had to admit to it if someone asked directly, and he doubted much that anyone would.

He'd decided to forego his armor for this event, the only signifiers that it was less than a thought away being the Solarian Truesteel armbands that he wore on his biceps. He had his hair tied back in a tail to keep it out of his face, and though he'd acted like he'd rather be sparring Keldos was soon smiling, enjoying the food and music and company both of the Archduke of the Sicth and those around.


((Consider this for my entire crew lol!))

Of course, that means that everything was bound to go wrong, somehow.



The scream tore through the air, and everyone with any decency to them moved to assist, thinking everything from some kind of attack to someone suddenly stricken with illness, to the IF causing more of its antics and every reason possible in between. They followed Assistant Curator Nahlrie inside after she cut the ribbon, and upon entering the reason for the cry became shockingly apparent.

"Where is everything?" Taki asked, looking around and squirming her way to where she could see.

"I would say that is the question of the hour," quipped Kemori, tails giving a unified flick until there was only one visible. Better safe than sorry with anything fragile that might happen to have survived this incident. Raferties gave Belial's hand a squeeze, horrified on multiple accounts that such relics and artworks had suddenly vanished – theft? The IF? - while Keldos was instantly scanning the area looking for exit and entry points and anything that might be of use, as was Cobalt. Anari, taking up the role of the Junior Weyrwoman she was, approached Curator Zenthim a few moments after Nahlrie had finished speaking.

"I believe I can safely say we are most certainly willing to help. But we'll need information from you to do so –what was taken, when they were last seen, did anyone notice anyone acting oddly or hear anything strange." She looked around, her mind slipping into Lieutenant of the Watch, her old role. "We'll need people looking for clues and interviewing all the staff and those who remain outside. Anyone might have seen or heard something that seemed unimportant, but could be vital!"

((Word Count: Well over 1000 lol! Magical Arts - Druid, Liminal Passages - Inspiration, Grab-Bag- genteel; Wewt Triple Play!!))

The people of Eorzea had a very specific idea of what it meant to be a Warrior of Light. Theirs was supposed to be a life of adventure and sacrifice, chock-full of encounters with the unknown and the unknowable. In that shared fantasy there was no room for the mundanities of real life. Why would a Warrior of Light waste their time filling out requisition forms when there were primals to kill, Ascians to hunt down, a Garlean menace looming large on the horizon? Such practicalities were for people not blessed by the Mother-Crystal Herself.

So ran public thought, anyway, and Telmaril had long ago given up trying to correct the greater Eorzean hive-mind.

After all, no one was going to believe him when he insisted that looking the part was the key to his success as both Warrior and statesman.

The Telmaril that strode from the back room of his weyr would have disappointed a great many Eorzeans. Gone were the practical red-edged robes of a white mage. In their place Tel wore a set of ceremonial armor long ago commissioned by the Scions of the Seventh Dawn. Red silk shimmered, gold adornments gleamed, and through it all thrummed a steady background pulse of magic meant to amplify its wearer’s innate abilities.

Tel, in short, arrived to the Gala looking like an Ishgardian diplomat ready to do battle on the field or behind closed doors.

He promptly felt ridiculous, of course, but that was immaterial.

Tel had spent only a few moments exchanging pleasantries and scoping out the snack situation when a strangled yell sounded from the museum proper. The gathered crowds promptly split in two, most surging away, the rest trickling towards the source of the sound. Midgardsormr in tow, Tel joined the latter group, only to sputter in outrage at the sight of a completely denuded Fine Arts wing.

“What... in the name of the Twelve happened here?”

And whose ass did he need to stick his deceptively-pointy boot up?



<<...you can’t go looking like that.>>

“Why not?” Dust reset his optics in his best imitation of an innocent blink. His antics made Crow bristle, shell segments sticking up every way except the way they were supposed to.

<<Because you look awful! Think of what the Vanguard would say if they saw a City Hunter dressed like that!>>

“‘Oh, hey, another Hunter looking like an idiot.’” Dust’s impression of Commander Zavala came out just a smidge mocking, a fact that made Crow steam anew.

<<Alright, fine- what would Cayde say if he saw you prancing around looking like a circus on legs?>>

Halfway across the captain’s quarters Dust stiffened with a machine snarl. Cayde-6 was a fellow exo Hunter and a relatively recent addition to the Vanguard. More to the point, Cayde was the embodiment of all that was Hunter. Every Guardian that ever donned a cloak looked up to freewheeling, gun-slinging Cayde, and none more than the lanky copper exo who’d been sent to him green as new leaves. Dust idolized Cayde, had from his first day in the City, and hearing that he was disappointing his hero...

Well, Dust tossed aside the mismatched garments he’d been considering and pointed an accusing finger straight at his Ghost.

“Low blow. Real feckin’ low blow.”

<<I’m right and you know it.>> Steadier now, Crow rose to eye level, meeting Dust’s glare with a steely gaze of his own. <<Save the plaid for another time, okay? And the tie-dye too. They aren’t going anywhere.>>

“Until you get your hands on them and trans-mat them to Mercury.” Defeated, Dust flopped onto his recharge slab and dragged both hands over his metal head. “Look, I was mostly joking. I just... the only thing I’ve got is my parade armor, and that’s not the right kind of ‘formal’ for a gala. I’m gonna look like an idiot no matter what I do. I thought it’d be best to embrace it and get it over with.”

Crow rose up, settled light as thistledown on Dust’s shoulder. <<Alright, that’s fair. But you’ve got more than your parade armor, you know.>>

A pile of neatly-folded cloth the color of lapis lazuli trans-matted in next to the exo. Dust was immediately certain of two things: one, that he had never seen it before, and two, that Crow had been planning this for ages.

“You little shit.”

<<That’s me.>>

It took the Hunter longer than he would ever admit to don the appropriately-dapper suit Crow had tracked down for him, and longer still to wrangle his tie into submission. Still, he strolled into the gala feeling like a million bucks, resplendent in a navy suit, lapis lazuli vest, white shirt, and gleaming copper tie.

Unfortunately for Dust, exos had not been built with eating in mind. He was forced to content himself with good company, better conversation, and more than a bit of eye candy. (seriously, when had Arieh shown up, and why did he look like he was having the time of his life? It was enormously distracting-)

Then someone yelled, the crowd-seas parted, and Dust found himself trotting to join the group of merry madmen before he missed all the fun.