"So, you're a scribe in the making," says the Sorian named Seb, indicating that Midian should take a seat. "What was that you said earlier about Aieda?"

The Stemian's eyes have gone elsewhere, following the derriére of one of the serving women as she walks past.

He then nudges Seb and points to the woman's shapely behind and says, "What about her?"

Looking a bit embarrassed, Seb says, "Very nice. Very nice indeed."

"Go on then," says Walt, giving Seb a grin and a wink. "It's time to become a man."

Midian attempts to use Insight based on the repeated uses of the goddess Aieda's name in conversation, trying to parse out if it might be a code phrase, or if it just reflects the general noise level of the place and the inebriation of his new acquaintances.  

Insight: 13

[OOC: The name of the goddess has been used by both the two students and Midian, and while she is a fertility goddess, it is perhaps unusual that her name has come up in this place.

Midian originally overheard the goddess's name when eavesdropping on these two students, so they were apparently speaking about her even while the dancer was taking her clothes off, which tends to suggest what they were talking about was important to them.

Midian does not think the name is being used as any sort of code phrase.]

"Going to sow some wild oats in Aieda's honor, eh, Seb?  Not a bad idea.  Make today auspi...auspish... memorable for more than one reason  - not just the day the high and mighty made other faiths ana... anathema -" he purposefully struggles with the word, feigning the role of a lucid drunk "-but the day you and that lovely bundle of curves celebrated being alive, and her being mostly naked."  

The two look at each other and then Walt starts to laugh.

"Yes, I suppose I should," says Seb, getting to his feet. Then, after looking uncertainly in the direction the serving woman went, he follows after her.

Walt laughs again and then takes a long pull from his flagon.

He then speaks to Midian, saying, "Take a seat, friend Dorian. Seb won't be long, it's his first time."

“Ah, maybe he’ll want to impress us and he’ll stay behind to talk to the lady a bit, here all the exciting ins and outs of the world of a paid companion,” Midian says. “Just don’t let him fall in love.” 

He pauses and regards his glass disdainfully as he waves for service. “The mood of this city is terrible today. I probably had the same idea as the two of you, Walt. Forget about it all with a bit of carnal delight. Not that we need a special occasion for this to be worthwhile. But it is good that some things don’t change.”

Walt smiles and then says, "I don't know about the mood of the city, but it's been quite a day at the School as well."

He takes a sip of his drink before continuing with the air of someone with something exciting to tell. "I wasn't there, but according to Seb, the goddess Aieda manifested in the School today in front of most of the students and all of the masters. And something strange happened, which is why Seb is all of a sudden wanting to... you know, have his first woman."

“Of all the days I decide to ditch classes,” Midian says. “Wait... are you serious? This actually happened today?”

Quote from Izraal1 >>

“Of all the days I decide to ditch classes,” Midian says. “Wait... are you serious? This actually happened today?”

[OOC: Midian would not have said the above as the scriptorium school he is pretending to be a part of is not part of the School of Occult Studies, it is a separate organisation in another part of the Scholar's Ward. That is why Walt and Seb aren't saying things like "I don't remember seeing you around", etc.]

OOC: Ah, different campus altogether.

"Well of course the interesting manifestations of the divine don't happen at the scribe college," Midian says.  "Wait, are you serious right now?"

"It's what I've been told, and it's all very mysterious," replies Walt. "A priestess of Aieda came to the School and asked for protection... And then, you'll never believe this, she attacked an alumni of the School who she came with, as well as one of its masters, and then disappeared somewhere on the grounds. The whole School was set to looking for her, but we never found her."

Walt takes another sip before continuing. "That was yesterday and I went home for the night and didn't get back till this afternoon. Apparently, the woman turned up out of the blue having supposedly 'healed' Master Minton, the creepy gatekeeper... And then, get this, she was presented to a School assembly as an avatar of the goddess and proved her power by making everyone start kissing and feeling each other up."

Walt then sits back to wait for Midian's reaction.

Midian regards the youth with a reasonable level of suspicion, then points with his glass, sloshing some liquid out.  "That's the craziest thing I've heard in a while, Walt.  I know your school is far more interesting, but a mysterious priestess causing spontaneous orgies?  That's too much, man.  I love it!  Either you've been witness to something incredible, or your real magic is your gift at spinning a fantastic tale.  You say this woman is still somewhere on campus?  I would love to see that in person.  Now that would be an adventure."  

Midian tries to get a read on whether the student's drunken ambition could be twisted to leading him onto campus to hunt for the mysterious priestess.

Insight: 18

[OOC: Walt is a second-hand witness, but he seems to believe what he has been told.]

"She's still there," says Walt, taking another drink. "She with the archmagus and the rest of the masters. Not sure what they're doing, but no doubt they will be contacting the Aiedan Temple sometime soon... And wouldn't I love to be a fly on the wall when that happens."

Walt then changes his voice to a more officious sounding one before saying, "Excuse me, but your goddess came and tried to stage an orgy in our School, please come and get her before she starts corrupting the young children."

Then he burst out laughing again.

Midian shares in the laugh, and then says, “Strange days, indeed.  I suppose when things get dull, there’s nothing like a goddess in the flesh to get everyone randy.  Not to disparage the earthly beauties in this man made garden of delight, but I can’t help but want to feast my eyes on what a literal goddess of fertility might manifest as. I think that could make be quite pious indeed.” 

Midian continues to play the role of jovial drunkard for a bit longer, but he also is looking for a good time to excuse himself, as this information seems worth looking into. 

OOC: Aloma had seemed to be a fairly insightful contact, in their prior encounter, and as a priestess of the deity allegedly manifested at the school, his plan was to consult with her first, and then return to the school to investigate firsthand. 

Midian finds the chance to break out of the conversation he is having with Walt when a new dancer comes out; Walt being now more interested in watching the unveiling than talking.

Midian makes haste through the city, returning to consult with Aloma about the manifestation of her order’s goddess before going to the school to investigate directly. 

After fending off enquiries from the doorman about why he is leaving the Leer Inn so soon, Midian makes his way back across to the main island where the Temple Ward is situated.

Arriving without incident, he enters the Temple of Aieda and after passing through the publicly accessible areas is stopped at the entrance to the private parts of the temple by a pair of Aiedan temple guards in their midnight blue uniforms.

"Hold citizen," says one of the guards brusquely. "This area is not open to the public."

“Midian Voda, acolyte of Donai, I am here on special assignment,” he says to the guard. 

Midian now has the full attention of both guards. 

"You are not dressed as Donai acolyte," says the guard who stopped him. "And you are unfamiliar to me."

He then looks at the other guard, who shakes his head at the implied question.

"Do you have any proof you are who you say you are?" asks the first guard.