Log:Tales of Palanir

2020/05/12 	 Titan Artemis

1

Occupying the 38th floor (and top floor) of Quinn Tower is Robur's. Robur's is an upscale restaurant offering an exceptional view of Colonial Bay. Furnished in a pseudo-Victorian style with tasteful accents of the Victorian view of the future it might nominally be termed 'Steampunk' with a great deal of deemphasis on the 'punk'. The bar has an indoor section, but also a rooftop open area to enjoy during the warmer months.

Artemis had invited Titan after her unusual resurrection celebration, held by Nohrbor. Then it's back to her duties to her friends and the world she is temporarily guarding. She stands by a window, overlooking the city, in a bodycon off-the-shoulder dress in dark red, a thin-stemmed glass of white in her hand.

Titan is dressed pretty casually. Well, as casually as a movie star type tends to get. He's in a button-down black silk shirt with a subdued pattern on it. He walks over toward where Artemis is and gives her a wave. "Hey there."

Artemis turns towards the wave that catches her eye and smiles solemnly. "Hello, Friend Titan. It is good to see you, though I wish it were during more fortunate times," she offers kindly as she offers her hand in a hooman greeting. "I am unsure of the customs here if it is appropriate to do the shaking of hands or embrace."

Titan chuckles and smiles. "I'm good with either. I travel world-wise, so...it all blends together." He then goes to shake her hand.

Artemis shakes his hand and comes in for a one-armed hug, careful not to spill her drink. "Good. I have received mixed reactions on this planet," she smiles, then pulls back again. "I am surprise yet happy to see you able to smile after the battle in the Dwarven lands, Friend Titan. How have you been? How fares your lady love?" she asks in genuine concern.

Titan sighs. "Still in poor shape, I'm afraid. The Fae healers said her spirit just...isn't there, so she won't wake up. They suggested maybe that the Earth medical facilities could look after her, but I decided that wouldn't be ideal. They wouldn't know what to do with someone like Ghost. I mena, they would just treat her like any coma patient. The 'missing spirit' thing would be out of their realm of expertise. So, the Fae are goign to put her into a magical sleep to preserve her body.

Artemis nods sympathetically. "I am eternally sorry for that, Friend Titan. And there is nothing to be done? I thought their sorcery was strong. Were it within my power, I would help return her to you."

Titan smiles and nods. "I have a similar problem, Artemis. I...only have one tool. A hammer, basically. That doesn't solve very many problems."

"We are in the same vessel, you and I, then. Skilled in the art of war and to protect, but not to provide healing solace. There are other of the Godflora with the power to heal. My Bloodbound has a powerful mind and some power over the soul, but I do not know if this is within his power, either," Artemis says as she looks out over the city briefly. She looks back to him. "Come," she pats his deltoid. "You are surely in need of a drink for your woes."

Titan smiles. "I suspect it won't have much of an effect, but sure...a drink is welcome."

Artemis tsks. "I enjoy the taste, even if it does not affect me much. You are as unfortunate as Friend Wade and I. If I could procure a supply of off-world ale or Fae Wine, perhaps we all could indulge," she laments with a faint smile. "Hmm. If drink has no effect on you, how do you indulge, celebrate, and relax? I have yet to figure what is to be done on this planet in such regards."

Titan chuckles. "Wade? Lockwood? You keep good company. The kid seems like a good sort." He shrugs, "I usually make up for it with quantity. It'll eventually affect me. It just takes a lot."

"Yes, you know of Wade Lockwood?" Artemis smiles. "He is pure of spirit, honorable, and a patient teacher. He was the first hooman to welcome me into their celebration rituals," she chuckles, speaking fondly of him. "He has taught me much of this world's ways, but there is still much to learn." She walks to the bar with Titan. "Then quantity it shall be."

Titan chuckles. "How would I not know of Lockwood? He became a meme not too long ago, right?" He laughs again as he remembers it. "Impressive work with that ship beam weapon, from what I remember." He follows her over toward the bar. The pair get a few looks as they're recognized by the other patrons.

"A meme? I did not know he had transformed," Artemis says in shock. "Yes, he defended me valiantly against that very ship, I'm told. I was laid low by its weapons and assailants. He and others came to my aid. I owe him and the others much for preventing my capture." Artemis hasn't paid attention to the looks they get yet, mostly oblivious as she tends to be. She's gotten used to odd stares by even those she knows. "May I have another of your wines? But something sweeter?" she asks the bartender.

Titan chuckles. "No...a...hmm. How do I describe this? He had some video taken of when he was protecting you from that alien ship. And someone added words over a still from teh picture, and then shared it." He pulls out his PDA to look for it. It takes a few seconds, but he finds the picture to show to Artemis.

Artemis looks curious and gazes at the picture. "And...this is referred to as a 'meme'...I see." Her head tilts at the words. "Starguard's Ass...? They mean to insult his valor? He is a very nice person," she says defensively.

Titan chuckles. "I think it's referring to his literal butt. Not that he is himself an ass."

Artemis raises a brow and looks again. "Ah. The position and angle do accentuate his...assets," she agrees.

Titan nods. "Someone was ogling him in the video, clearly."

"Mm," Artemis makes an agreeable sound as the bartender pours her a taste of late harvest Riesling. "And everyone sees this?" she asks with a chuckle, then tastes the wine. "Ah, yes, this is better," she holds the glass back, and the bartender fills it.

Titan points to the number of shares of the meme. "Not everyone. But lots of people."

Artemis looks at the number and gasps. "That is...quite a lot. I see his was popular."

Titan chuckles, "Indeed." He smiles and puts his PDA away before he orders a sweet wine for himself. A Gewurztraminer.

Artemis laughs a little. "I wonder how he must feel on that," she says and sips her wine. "So...is there anything more to be done for your love? If there is anything within reason I can do to help, I would offer my blade."

Titan takes a deep breath. "Not that I can think of? I have no idea, I'm afraid."

Artemis nods gently. "I will consult with my Bloodbound if he has knowledge of such things. But if he was not able to restore her while I was gone, then I imagine there is not much hope with him."

Titan nods. "Speaking of which...you seem to remarkably healthy for someone who was dead?"

Artemis smiles. "I am fully restored. The Godflora are immortal." She leaves out the ways that permanent death can be assured. "Even when we are cut down, we will rise again with time. The cause of my death--to fight the dwarves for the freedom of others--was honorable, though being struck down by my own brother was a surprise. I still earned a summons to Hod's hallowed halls in the realms Beyond to undergo a spiritual test during my torpor," she smiles, speaking with pride.

Titan raises a brow. "He struck you down? That...doesn't seem like a great idea on his part."

Artemis nods, and does look offended by Nohrbor's acts. "Aye, he ended me after I was gravely injured by the Dwarvenkind. I still had enough strength in me to battle a little while longer, but he wished the glory for himself and considered it a mercy."

Titan nods. "It does seem like he did hte Dwarves' work for them by killing you." He frowns.

"That he did," Artemis sighs. "I should have had my eye on him. I'm surprised. He's only done such when I had no more fight left in me."

Titan shakes his head, "I still don't really understand. Why would he kill you when you're weakest? The mentality is lost on me."

Artemis sips her drink. "To spare me a slow, painful death," she explains as if it were normal.

Titan raises a brow, "Getting run through isn't a slow and painful death?"

Artemis seems to think on it. "It -was- more swift," she concludes on technicality.

Titan chuckles. "I still dont' get it. He was swinging your body around like a weapon. I would ahve expected more reverence than that.

Artemis's eyes widen. "He was what?" she huffs.

Titan nods. "Indeed."

Artemis looks rather offended. "As far as I have known, he has never done that. I certainly never did such with him."

Titan nods. "I seem to remember telling him to not do so. But...we were in the middle of a battle. I'm sure my memory is...hazy."

"Hmph. He has changed from the Do'jon I knew after his wanderings on this planet," Artemis comments as she swirls her drink briefly and sips, looking contemplative.

Titan nods. "I'm sure you've changed, too. But...well, you dont' seem quite like that."

Artemis looks thoughtful for a moment. "I...suppose I have as well. Perhaps the effects of staying in one place for so long," she guesses, though there have been other personal influences. "I've found living on this planet a monumental task."

Titan looks surprised and sips his wine. "How so?"

Artemis leans against the bar lightly. "It's language and people look familiar, but it took me a long time to understand them. I think I still do not. Having to hide who I am at times is difficult. Hoomans are a crafty race, and I do not think my honor has remained in tact from the foes I've faced here," she sighs. "There are perils to test myself against, but too often, no obvious foes or monsters to battle with."

Titan smiles. "Well, I think if a human is going to fight you, they need to be sneaky. I have hte same problem."

Artemis chuckles. "I would not fight a hooman without powers using my full strength. Though your Guardians...tsk...metahumans...are strong enough to defeat even the Godflora." She flashes a smile. "Such as yourself when we did battle." She looks surprised at him saying he has a problem. "Do you also have the same feeling? Of being in a strange land? Is this not your home?"

Titan shrugs, "Against a lot of opponents I can't use my full strength. And often, if someone is powerful enough to handle my full strength the fight turns into a slog. Like with the fire giant. Or...that giant dwarf.

"Ah yes, those battle were mighty indeed," Artemis smiles in admiration. "I only wish I had the time to observe the battle against the giant dwarf more closely."

Titan chuckles. "It's rare for me to come across an opponent I can't knock out with enough punching. I found both very difficult to fight."

"A challenge to grow, then. For how can you excel and better yourself if you cannot find a challenge? That is why I did battle with so many of Urth's guardians. To learn," Artemis explains enthusiastically. She might be getting a bit excited at the prospect of fighting. Some things never change.

Titan smiles broadly. "You're right, of course. If no fight is a challenge, there's little point."

"Aye," Artemis smiles and offers a careful toasting of glasses that they hopefully don't end up shattering. "Think not of it as a slog, but as a truly worthy challenge to overcome. If coming to mere blows leaves you both on even footing, then a reconsideration of tactics is needed, and you grow more skilled on the battlefield."

Titan smiles and clinks glasses. "I just need to figure out what other options I have. I'm pretty limited on the battlefield.

Artemis nods thoughtfully. "Perhaps if it will keep you occupied, we can explore that. Though I am hardly a challenge for you. Your techniques were most effective on me, but not as much on these other opponents." She smiles and looks Titan over as she considers his combat style. "Why do you think these opponents were a challenge? What strengths did they have over you?"

Titan smiles. "The ability to withstand my blows. That was the primary thing. They were very resilient."

Artemis nods slowly as she thinks on that. "And you were unable to find a weak spot on their body?"

Titan nods. "Correct. Though I tried."

"Hmmm. It could be that they truly were as tough as they appeared. The wasteland of that place provided little opportunity to take advantage of it. Though what you said of my brother does inspire me. Perhaps this giant dwarf could have been used as a weapon. When it did fall, it injured some of its down, yes?" Artemis asks.

Titan shakes ihs head, "She was so heavy...even I could not lift her. She fell toward us, and with help, I was able to deflect her falling body, but I was not strong enough to catch her."

Artemis nods slowly in thought, looking impressed. "You did very well. She was even a bigger challenge than I realized. You were not even able to trip her?"

Titan chuckles, "NEver got the chance to tyr. She was much larger the second time we saw her."

"Well, then mayhaps we will not have to face her again. She is, after all, many worlds away, is she not?" Artemis asks as she finishes her drink. She smiles to the bartender. "Barkeep, another! Please," she remembers Urth manners.

Titan chuckles and asks for another glass as well. "I am certainly hoping so. But Dr. Wyrd wanted to make a pre-emptive strike on them again. I told her...if she could confirm that those Dwarves would try to attack our world, I would consider it. but not until then."

"'Pre-emptive'....you mean start a war when we just ended it?" Artemis asks, frowning faintly. "If they truly are planning to attack the Urth and you are to go there and disarm their armies once again, you have but to ask for my sword and shield, Friend Titan," she offers warmly.

Titan nods. "That's what she wanted. I thought she was nuts, personally."

"'Nuts'? What..." Artemis is about to ask what it means, but then decides the context may save her the embarrassment, "...makes you think she was 'nuts'?"

Titan takes a deep breath. "She was talking about nuking the Dwarves. Pre-emptively. The loss of life would have been....huge."

Artemis blinks a few times. There are gears slowly turning. "Nuke....your name for the bombs of hydrogen? I have seen movie depictions of this!" At first she's excite from understanding the reference, but the excitement quickly plummets into disbelief. "No...she cannot be serious. They are a coward's weapon. That is slaughter!" Her passion over this gets her more stares. Including her use of words.

Titan nods, "Teh Dwarves themselves used such weapons with abandon. She was concerned they would send one here. But...they would need to find their way here. And I don't think they will."

Artemis frowns in thought. "How would they even know where to attack?"

Titan says, "Well, they could in theory use gates...but they'd have to figure out how to get here. And the direct way through was closed permanently."

Artemis nods slowly. "Ah...so they know we hail from Urth. Here. In this dimension?"

Titan nods. "In theory, yes. After all, Palanir was working with them. So it's safe to assume he gave them some details."

"I know little of this Palanir, save that he seemed the treacherous sort. There may be a desire to use their 'nukes' upon one of our worlds, but not a way. And if we are not certain of it, I think this...pre-emptive strike with such a weapon is, indeed, 'nuts'," Artemis practices the new word.

Titan nods. "I have a few stories to tell about Palanir."

Titan smiles and gets another glass of wine. "So, you wantted to know about Palanir?"

Artemis flashes a smile. "Yes. You said you had some stories of this vile being."

Titan nods. "I hope I get some of this right. He was once in love with Lorelei's mother. I believe they were even married. But she left...and fell in love with a mortal man on Earth. Lorelei is the child of her and the human man. Quentin Dallimore, I think? But...he has constantly been trying to take over the kingdom from the king. He had been the Warleader and attempted fmore than one coup. He started with the shapeshifting goblins. Then using hte Forsaken fae in their non-magic realms. And now the Dwarves.

Artemis listens curiously, trying to grasp all the players in this story. "So all of this woe is due to a forsaken love? 'tis an ancient tale," she nods and sips while listening.

Titan takes a deep breath. "Wait...I got that wrong. Tehy never married. Palanir and Liandere. He tried to force it by stealing her heart, since she was taken with Dallimore. Literally, I think. Or metaphorically? Magic is weird."

Artemis's eyes widen. "He attempted to ensorcel her heart? Ah, the burdens of having only one," she muses as she swirls her wine and sips. "Such magicks are indeed strange."

Titan nods. "And when Lorelei's wedding happened...he had the husband-to-be kidnapped by the Forsaken Fae, in an attempt to take over and disrupt the royal line. I was subsequently ensorcelled to try to interrupt the wedding as well. A foe I could not punch. Someone used magic to control me."

Artemis gasps and rests an elbow on the bar as she listens, intrigued by the tales. "This Palanir has no sense of honor. What did their magicks force you to do to stall the wedding?"

Titan smiles. "It forced me to challenge Duke Vanatherion...Lorelei's husband...to a duel for her hand in marriage."

Titan says, "Thankfully I was stopped before hte fight could happen. But...that's why some within Undermoon still view me poorly, I suspect."

"Surely they must understand you were not in control of yourself! It seems they are less forgiving than hoomans if they cannot. After my follies, my hooman friends did not forsake me or look poorly after I had received their forgiveness," Artemis opines.

Titan shrugs, "They always view humans as lesser than themselves. It is their way. While I was dating Lorelei, anohter suitor...a Baron, I think, challenged me to a duel. Only he felt that he didn't need ot make it one on one, since I wasn't worthy of the honor. So, he had his followers jump me."

Artemis frowns disapprovingly. "I like not the sound of those views. They gild themselves in the trappings of honor, then look down upon others. Bah...cowardice that he could not challenge you alone! I hope you arose victorious."

Titan smiles and nods. "I did from that fight. Well, with some help from a couple of other people."

"Well...t'would have been grander if you beat their cowardice singlehandedly," Artemis admits, though she smiles. "Though still fitting that they had to face things more evenhandedly."

Titan chuckles. "I...was not as strong then as I am now."

Artemis smiles. "You admit that as if you think there shame in that. There is not, my Friend," she says warmly.

Titan smiles, but there's a look of melancholy on his face, "Oh...I know. I was...just remembering the wedding. I...um....well, I know I wasn't entirely in control. But...I still feel badly about how it turned out."

Artemis looks concerned by his melancholy. "Friend Titan," she says gently, "was the wedding ended by your challenge? Did those you call dear see you as less than for it?"

Titan smiles slightly. "No, on both counts. So...it worked out. I just...don't like being used in that way. If someoen really wanted to defeat me in combat, that would be the way to do it. Indirectly."

"It is not a true defeat. They haven't even faced you in combat," Artemis believes. She does offer a sympathetic smile. "I feel the same of being used. I have had my own experiences in such matters. It does not sit well with me still, but I know I am forgiven, as it sounds you are. I still work to redeem myself, at least in my own eyes. I am sure you are forgiven, since it worked out."

Titan nods slowly, "I've been told that. I've also been told htat I'm harder on myself than others are on me."

"That...I can understand as well," Artemis smiles faintly. "What is your reason to be so on yourself?"

Titan chuckles and finishes his glass of wine. "I have...a lot of confidence in my abilities. As...well, you may have noticed. When I don't manage to...well, hit my own expectations, I'm not happy about it."

Artemis nods along. "As I suggested, perhaps you should see it as a challenge," she grins. "Rather than feel sorry or disappointment, let it fuel you! Drive you! If you let it weigh you down, it will hold you back in spirit if not in skill."

Titan nods. "There's wisdom in your words. I have hte same problem with what happened to Ghost. I've been blaming myself. Well, and Palanir."

"You could not have predicted or prevented what has happened to your lady love, my Friend," Artemis says sympathetically, now realizing how things are connected. "We know not even what happened to her spirit, or how. The blame lies not in you, but most likely in Palanir's dark plotting."

Titan nods. "Well...and the Dwarves, I guess. But I don't blame them as much. They are...what they are.

"They seem not much different from the Fae. But in this conflict, they were pawns of Palanir, much as you were at this wedding," Artemis theorizes. She's in need of more wine as she drains her glass.

Titan nods. "They are similar in many ways, yes. And yes...everyone seems to be Palanir's pawns."

Artemis makes a motion to the bartender, and he already knows now to top off her drink. "Even the Fae?"

Titan nods. "At one point...yes. And the Forsaken Fae. And the Goblins. Each has been his pawn at some point."

Artemis rubs her chin in thought about this foe. "Then I believe the blame is most definitely on Palanir, and not you." She picks up her glass and turns to Titan. "So. If we have no way of retrieving you Love's spirit, perhaps there is a way to bring the fight to Palanir?"

Titan shrugs, "How do I track down someoen who can travel across dimensions? That seems futile at best. He'll crop up again, and then I'll crush him when he does."

Artemis purses her lips in thought. "Ally yourself with someone who can?" she asks naively.

Titan chuckles, "I suppose. But...he WILL turn up again. He just does. So...we will cross paths."

Artemis sips in thought. "This Palanir cannot possibly be doing this all alone, can he? Clearly he needs pawns. If you cannot go after him directly, you may be able to get to him through his allies. Perhaps not the dwarves, but what of others?"

Titan nods. "It's possible, I guess? I'll have to think about who might know him best. Each in turn usually finds out they've been duped. So, they likelky don't know how to find him.

Artemis thinks a little more. "He is of a race who think themselves lofty and superior above others. And he, most likely believes him their betters. A man such as that would have particular tastes of where he would find respite to plot, I would think. And he was not always revealed to be the villain. There must be those who knew him and called him friend before. There may be merit in learning of the fae he was before that led to this, to help foresee his next steps. Try to think as your enemy."

Titan laughs, "That wil be difficult. I definitely don't think like he does. But...I can try."

Artemis smiles. "No taste, or no friends?"

Titan chuckles. "I am not sneaky enough."