Peek: Fellowship

"So let us strive to uplift each other even as we hold each other accountable. Never be afraid to ask each other for help. Someone might just have that missing piece to make a struggle into something trivial," finishes High Priestess Aranya, smiling at all those gathered in the growing ratkin church. Most of those here for the sermon are from the enclaves, but there is a large minority of people from Fourdock, too.

The couple Shield scribes were confusing at first, but they're the kind of theological nerds that just want to know as much about any deity as possible, even if they give their devotion to the Shield instead of Lord Thedeim. They're good people, and always interesting to debate with, while also being respectful enough to simply listen and maybe take notes whenever she does a service like this.

She makes note of Rezlar in attendance, too, the elf eagerly absorbing the wisdom of Lord Thedeim as she does her best to dispense it. "Thank you all for coming. I believe Norloke wished to invite everyone to the spiderkin enclave for lunch?"

The triumvirate member stands and nods, sweeping her gaze over all gathered. "Our cave lobsters have been particularly bountiful this season, enough so that we simply don't have the ability to feed them all. So we will be hosting a feast in the enclave so they don't go to waste. I hope to see you all there, and be sure to bring your appetites!"

With that, the people stand and mill around, chatting with each other about the sermon and about life in general. Norloke approaches Aranya, and the kobold smiles at her as she nears. "I hope there'll still be some by the time I get there!"

Norloke waves off her concern. "I wouldn't worry about that! The lobsters are practically crawling out of the tanks right now. Something about how we're feeding them led to a lot more than expected making it to adulthood. We'll need to expand the tanks before the next hatching, I expect."

"Sounds like a good problem to have," she replies with a wide smile. "How about you? How is everything going?"

"Oh, it's going marvelously! The new types of fabric are a dream to design with, and the experiments with the composite armor keep me guessing," she happily chats as Aranya steps away from the dais to be able to mingle properly. "I'll have to give you the details at the feast, though. I can't send all these people and not be there to help receive them!"

"Of course. I'll be there as soon as I can!" The two hug in farewell before Aranya turns her attention to those gathered, and decides to check in with the Shield scribes. "Are you going to head to the feast?" she asks them, interruption their quiet conversation.

"Ah, High Priestess!" answers a catkin, his elven companions letting him speak for them. "We were just discussing that! It wouldn't be an imposition if we went, would it?"

Aranya smiles and shakes her head. "None at all. As I understand it, the spiderkin are worried about having too many to handle, so eating them will be a big help. Have you had the cave lobsters before?"

"I did, once," answers the elven man. "I visited the enclave not long after it was finished, and was able to barter for lunch. They look disturbing, but taste wonderful."

The elven woman beside him looks concerned about his description, but Aranya titters at his bluntness. "They do take some getting used to, as far as appearance, but they're one of my favorite treats. I eat them shell and all. It's great for my scales," she points out, pretending not to notice the elven woman turning a slight shade of green.

The catkin pretends not to notice, either. "Well, that's two people who've had them and endorse them! I think I'll go and visit, then. If you have other business, Celia, you can tend to that instead of coming." He smiles at the elven woman, giving her mercy as she eagerly nods her head and makes her exit.

"Then I'll see you two there!" She hugs them as well, before returning to mingling, and soon Rezlar approaches her.

"Ah, Lady Aranya!" She suppresses her cringe at the title, but doesn't try to get him to drop it. Lord Thedeim never asked to be called Lord, just as she never asked to be called Lady, but some things are beyond the control of a single person.

"Ah, Lord Mayor!" she answers, getting her petty revenge by using his own title. Said revenge is getting less and less effective as he gains more confidence in his ability to govern, but it's still their little game to play. "Will you be coming to the feast?"

He looks genuinely disappointed as he shakes his head. "Unfortunately, no. I want to make sure the road and the hold both have too much momentum for my father to easily stop once he gets here, so I'll be busy. I might ask Miller to get some for the manor, though. It sounded like they're up to their spinnerets in lobsters over there."

Aranya giggles at that image and nods. "That's my understanding of it. Did you need any help with the hold and road?"

"Coda and Lord Thedeim's denizens are being a great help! If any of the dwellers are interested in that line of work, the guilds are always looking for more apprentices. Aside from that, it's mostly negotiations and making payments, drawing up contracts, and all the things that need to be done to actually see people obligated and compensated for their work."

"I'll see if any of the engineering caste from the antkin are interested. Most prefer smaller scale than what a hold would need, but there will probably be at least a few interested. There are probably more than a few workers who'd be interested, too."

"Excellent! If they need any directions, town hall should be able to sort them out to whichever guild they'd need to apply to. I really do need to get going, though."

Aranya nods and hugs him as well, soon returning to the throng of people milling around the temple. She makes more small talk and chats as the group eventually starts moseying toward the spiderkin enclave. It seems a lot of them have never had the cave lobsters before, so she's looking forward to seeing their reactions to how they look, and how they taste.

As she walks with them, she offers a small prayer of thanks to Lord Thedeim. He'd probably try to deny it, but this wouldn't have happened without Him. He might think she gives Him too much credit, but she thinks He doesn't give Himself enough. That's probably just another reason she follows Him.

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Inspired by Samlam, who wanted to see what a church service to Thedeim would look like.