"You know," Aolani teased as she rose to her feet, brushing herself off as she continued, "No is a perfectly valid answer, too. But since you've said yes, please follow me." The angel gave a bell-like chuckle as she turned on her heels to walk, gesturing for the man to follow. No doubt he was irritated with her persistence, but that was nothing a meal couldn't fix.
The walk to the temple was peaceful and still. Aolani made no conversation as the darkness of night grew more intense, swallowing the world in deep blues as the stars grew brighter. In the distance the shrine appeared, an observatory of gleaming white stone under the moonlight. The glass dome of its vaulted ceiling glittered in the moonlight, reflecting the stars above. As Aolani drew nearer, attendants opened the golden doors for her, which were inlaid with engravings of the sun, moon and stars.
"Lady Aolani," said one of the attendants as they bowed in greeting.
She bowed her head back as she continued through the doors into the main body of the temple. Her body was perfectly reflected in the deep blue floors, likely the one she had helped to polish earlier that day. The angel paused before the altar and bowed before turning to walk down one of the many hallways branching off from the observatory. Her quarters were in the back, likely to give her some privacy as head priestess. Her door was more ornate than the rest, a gleaming platinum rather than gold, engraved with an image of Haliea creating angels, and the subsequent fall of their demon brethren.
Aolani opened the door with a flick of her wrist, and gestured for her companion to enter. "Please make yourself at home. I'll go request to have food brought in." She gave a shallow bow as she departed down the hall once again.
The woman's room was pale blue, like a new winter's sky, and consisted of a sitting room, with her chamber likely beyond the closed door at the other end of the room. The furnishings were comfortable and well made, if not a little modest. Books were lined neatly on shelves, many of which appeared to be well read. The most jarring pieces of the room were on either side of the grand fireplace. A large shield, nearly the size of Aolani herself, sat to the right, while to the left sat her poleaxe. The silver shield had seen use, with minor dents and scratches, but was obviously well cared for. Engraved with her family crest, it was obvious that this was one of the woman's most cherished possessions.
-x-x-x-
The walk to the temple was peaceful and still. Aolani made no conversation as the darkness of night grew more intense, swallowing the world in deep blues as the stars grew brighter. In the distance the shrine appeared, an observatory of gleaming white stone under the moonlight. The glass dome of its vaulted ceiling glittered in the moonlight, reflecting the stars above. As Aolani drew nearer, attendants opened the golden doors for her, which were inlaid with engravings of the sun, moon and stars.
"Lady Aolani," said one of the attendants as they bowed in greeting.
She bowed her head back as she continued through the doors into the main body of the temple. Her body was perfectly reflected in the deep blue floors, likely the one she had helped to polish earlier that day. The angel paused before the altar and bowed before turning to walk down one of the many hallways branching off from the observatory. Her quarters were in the back, likely to give her some privacy as head priestess. Her door was more ornate than the rest, a gleaming platinum rather than gold, engraved with an image of Haliea creating angels, and the subsequent fall of their demon brethren.
Aolani opened the door with a flick of her wrist, and gestured for her companion to enter. "Please make yourself at home. I'll go request to have food brought in." She gave a shallow bow as she departed down the hall once again.
The woman's room was pale blue, like a new winter's sky, and consisted of a sitting room, with her chamber likely beyond the closed door at the other end of the room. The furnishings were comfortable and well made, if not a little modest. Books were lined neatly on shelves, many of which appeared to be well read. The most jarring pieces of the room were on either side of the grand fireplace. A large shield, nearly the size of Aolani herself, sat to the right, while to the left sat her poleaxe. The silver shield had seen use, with minor dents and scratches, but was obviously well cared for. Engraved with her family crest, it was obvious that this was one of the woman's most cherished possessions.
