Ode in the Morning

--==New Scene:The Day after the Party Arrived in Sol==--
The Sun is at its highest point in the sky. A special Time for the monks from the Order of the Sun, Often creating a small flaming globes and sending them into the sky as a sign of respect the the life giver. This ceremony happened so often that the average resident of Sol overlooks it's strangeness. But to those from the outside world looking up into the clear desert sky would be small orbs of radiant energy slowly drifting farther and farther away.
The ceremony is also a signal to those doing their morning rounds of the small town of Sol to return to the temple for mindfulness teachings. A group of about four monks in the the cities center line up walk towards the temple which is located on the Eastern side.

What a serene sight. The sun glistening off of the windows, the motes of flame ascending to join their larger counterpart, and the Sun's disciples order themselves into their daily congregation.
"UM, EXCUSE ME!"
At least it was. As rugged as his appearance and only slightly more charming, Ode sprints towards the line up of monks, interjecting himself between their destination as he folds his arms with a smile as bright as the sun itself.
"Look, I don't mean to bother you too much, but I was told that I could get an audience with the Order of the Sun. Think you can help me with that uh... your... luminiescientnesses? I don't know the special titles you guys have so my bad on that one. Should've been more prepared."
Without missing a beat the lines leader,a bald man with a thin beard, meets eyes with Ode and nods. The bearded man and his troop Continue on forward not changing their path to accommodate Odes obstruction. Moving past Ode they walk to the east. After only a few moments of moving at a steady pace the enternce of The Temple of the Sun can be seen. A large opening in the center of the tall tower. Small groups of training monks can be seen funneling their way into the maw of the temple. All returning to the hive after a day of work.
The sun kissed facial features of Ode scrunch as his hazel eyes squint in the direction of the monks. "Talk about silent types...," he scoffs with a bit of a throaty chuckle to accentuate the humor he finds in the situation. Usually it's hard for people to ignore him, but when you've stared towards the sun for so long you barely notice a new star.
He follows without another word, taking in the sight of so many monks funneling into this tall tower. He tries to trail behind the bald man with the thin beard. "So," he starts as he catches up beside the man," Are you guys always this quiet or is there some sort of religious thing goin' on? Just let me know. I'll zip it as quick as I can punch."
A small smile comes across the man's face at this constant prodding. "We try to keep the thoughts we share to a minimum. However I believe those who you seek will be breaking that rule today. Please have patience..." The bearded man trails off as he reaches the enternce to the Temple. All the monks straighten themselves as there faces become plain. All except the leader make a gesture with hands by placing the index finger together then doing so with each oth there other finger the form a dome with their digets as if they were holding an orb. Making a side eye to Ode to follow the example he strides into the temple with the three others behind.
Hesitant as always when given any sort of suggestion, Ode follows the reception as respectfully as he can. It's strange really, being quiet for this long has only ever hit Ode when he's sleeping. He looks over to the beared man and mouthes," What's this supposed to mean?"
The sensation of being connected to someone yet so distant to them. To hold this... this orb of energy between two people. Is this the closest physical connection Ode has made with anyone? Yes, yes it is. And the look of pure disdain for being this close to another person is like having centipedes crawl down your back as Ode squirms at the contact.
Mouthing back "In due time. Keep your thoughts." As The man presses finger tips there is a glint of concern in the man's eyes. Ode would interpret this has concern for a fellow person. The troop moves though the enternce at a snails pace as the other member make there way to join in the lines. After what seems like forever to Ode 2 lines have formed moving two by two. Once the lines are full formed a slight buzz fills the air as the lines approach what looked like a large stone gate. Ode would soon realize that the buzzing was actually the members humming in unison. The troop stops in front of the gate waiting for it to open. Looking around Ode would be able to to see that the room was becoming dimmer and dimmer as they approach. He would also see the floating orb of light hung around illuminate carvings on the wall of intricate designs and images of the Sun.
"Wow...," he thinks while staring at the designs of the sun," These guys are more sun obsessed than me." Instinctually, Ode's hand glides to the pocket of his raggedy pants, patting his deck of cards. A deck of twenty-one cards, all of them the same yet different in their curves and designs. He flicks the latch open as the deck lays comfortably in his pocket and draws a card. His fingers, sweaty and trembling due to this entire situation, shakily pulls the card out of his pocket just low enough so that Ode thinks no one besides him would see it when he looks down.
The card reveals a winged figure, floating in a white space, and surrounded by rays of light while holding the sun in its hand similar to how the monks were holding their imaginary orbs of friendship. It looks as if it were just freshly drawn as the blue sash of the winged figure and their greenish purple wings seem to glisten in the light of the floating orb of light. Ode finds no comfort in this. He puts the card back and sighs heavily towards the floor, his eyes staring at the Sun's iconography the entire time.
The humming grows louder and more rythmic time draws on. So ode would get a sense of frustration from the surrounding crowd. Moving is hand slowly the beared Monk flicks the back Odes hand that he had that he though he was hiding so well. The beared man then hums lounder hoping that Ode will get the message and join in.
At the flick of his hand, Ode puts the card back and starts humming after a few minutes though not without a little grumble. “THIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIS ISSSSSSSSSSSSSSS STRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANGE DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUDE,” he hums with his own lyrics in mind though trying to keep the proper tone,” BUUUUUUUUUUUT I’LL HOOOOOOOOOLD MYYYYYYYYYYY OTHER THOUUUUUUGHTS HMMMMMMMMMM!”
As Ode Joins in on the ritual the room dims . The only source of light now come from the center of the large stone wall. A moment later the light is extinguisher. Then the Gate opens. A Blinding rush of light escapes to will the dark room then. With this the humming stops and all arms drop to there side as the troop moves forward into the protected room.
Once inside the Room it can be observed that the enternce must be a a bit of a formality for those on the outside as the inside of the temple was a well put together yet has a very simple layout though every corner of the massive room was lit with floating orbs. The troop walk in to see a railing blocking enternce to a sunken in sparing ground. Around the this main area small cubbies fill the walls of the tower. Seeing into a few it is clear that these were living quarters. With a loud chrash the gate behind them closes. With the ritual done the troop disbands and makes there way to there own destinations. That is when Ode would hear a new and high pitched voice from behind him "Well if it isn't Ode! We have been waiting a long time for you. Sure took your time didn't you." The voice belonged to a medium sized half-elf woman with long Brown hair and two facial scars that ran over her lips.
Ode turns, dreadlocks spinning like a parasol as he looks at the half-elf woman. The young man puts on his best smile at first though his eyes squint into confusion while the smile remains.
“Sorry for the wait, but uh... Unless you guys can send messages with your thoughts, how did you find out I was coming so Uh... soon.” He gives a cautionary look at the woman and remarks,” Also, what’s your name? Wouldn’t be fair if this was a one-sided relationship.”
The Half-elf snorts a bit as she smalls. "Your reputation proceeds you young man" standing up straight she is barely 5 feet 3 itches. But the look in her eyes as well her build gives the impression of a much larger person. "I'm Sandra Summergale. My friends call me Sandy."
"Huh," he scratches his chin as he smirks at Sandra," Soooo... does that mean we're Sandy, Ms. Summergale?" He takes out a few sunflowers seeds and offers a handful," I only share these with a few people."
"You almost had it Ode. But we will keep trying. If you would like you come with me that would be swell. " Gestureing do you to follow in a bit of a grand way extending her while are in front of her to point in the desire direction. She follows though starts heading west and passes behind curtain that leads to a small hallway. "Ode you have done well so far. What kind of questions do you have while we make our way to our destination?"
"Glad you asked, Sandy," he says with a teasing smirk," But, I feel like I gotta ask in a more... quiet place. Not that I don't trust the secrecy of this place, but I just met you guys. Soooo... What's this destination we're goin' to?"
"Not to over sell this but we're going to a room that will change your life forever." She takes three lefts then two rights then end up at a large set of wooden doors whicj seem extremely out of place in the stone structure. Placing her hand on the the door handles her hands glow a bright red. This in turn causing the handles to glow and look as off they are about to turn molten. With a quick motion Sandy twists the long bar handles and the chrash into each other and fuse in the moten state. Letting go ode can clearly see the marks of her grip left on the handles. Then she gestures for Ode to pull. " Please Ode this is your first step to the greatness you have always known."
"Hm... Yeah DEFINITELY over sold it there," he says as he grabs unto the handles," But if I said I wasn't interested, I'd be lying." He pulls on the handles as hard as he always does, with conviction and a determination known only to his enemies after a nice hit to their faces. It is quite an intimate experience during the midst of combat.
Just before he pulls he asks," So what's gonna happen next?"
"you're gonna see what happens next." As she grab his hand helps Ode pull the door open. Opening up the door reveals an almost completely empty room. In the room there are three illuminatating floating orb. But only one of the orbs shows anything of relevance. This would be dipiction of Lathander in marble. Standing tall against a shining backdrop.
The other two orbs illuminatating to stands meath for holding large books. Both have strange symbols over top of them stands. Sandy then stands Odes field of view with a big smile and says "So do you feel changed yet??"
He takes a moment to look around at Lathander, a god he's barely taken even a notice of. Then another moment. Three moments. Four moments. Five moments. Ten moments.
"Not at all," he says while looking at Sandy sadly," What am I supposed to be feeling?" He walks up to the orbs and stares at the strange symbols and Lathander.
"What's this supposed to mean? Second, how do you know anything about me? Have you guys been watching me fight or something?" He looks behind Sandy, sprints to the door, closes it, and closes his eyes, trying to focus very hard. He gives up after a few.
"Can't do it on command... Seems it only happens when I'm fighting..."
As Ode trails off looking off at the stands a flaming fist comes crashing into Odes cheek pushing him to the floor. A half smerk come across Sandys face she snots again with laughter "well show me what you got just don't hit the statue." Sandy thrust the hand out and flaps her fingers to goad Ode to attack her.
What... THE FUCK! Ode holds his cheek and looks at Sandy as he skids across the floor. "Did you just punch me... while your FIST... WAS ON FIRE!?"
He takes a moment to stand to his feet flicks his tongue around his teeth to check for any damage. He sighs into a chuckle as he taps his feet against the floor. "Nice...," and without another word he rushes to Sandy as a blur, trying his best to land a punch on her and attempting a kick to the chest once he's done with his flurry of blows.
Matching his kick with a burst of fire and attempt to get of to the way. unfortunately the kick makes contact. Using her other foot she jumps back about ten feet to get out of the way of the coming then dropping to the ground she swings feet around I'm a like a rope and flames erupt for he toe tip lighting the room up. Attempting to creat space between her and Ode. "Is that really all you got Ode? Maybe we put to much hope in your abilities to manifest the book."
Ode stares in shock as she manifests more flames and the room lights on fire. Unfortunately for her, Ode isn't afraid of fire and, as such, he rushes towards Sandy and soon IT occurs.
His veins swell, muscles constrict, and his eyes blaze into a searing bright light as he yells," WHAT BOOK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!? THE SUN!" At the command, a pair of yellow arms manifest next to Ode, floating a few inches above his own yet being translucent.
They are large and not very toned, but ninety percent muscle with long, thick hairs covering it's fore arm, elbow, and a stone circle where the the shoulders would meet the rest of the body. With their three fingers and single thumb, both arms form fists as they mimic Ode's fists. One second passes yet it's the only second Ode needs as he punches Sandy in a blur of fists like a jackhammer and only after the second, Ode's translucent fist hits her in the chest again, sending her flying into the wall.
"So long, Sandy..."
The room begins glow as one of the pedestal starts to eliminate parts of the room. The floating orb that was once over the pedestal is now above Ode engulfing him with pure light all of this seems they're euphoric after the extreme adrenaline Rush that just happened to him. For a moment there's a sense of peace that befalls him. This all changes though as two whips of fire come straight out of the dust that is settling around the what seem to be crushed Sandy. The flames though not hot wrap themselves around Odes wrists and out of the dust Sandy comes rushing in with feet fully extended towards Odes chest and pushes and straight into the pedestal. the pedestal is knocked over and slammed up against the wall the glowing still continues though but now it is shifted from the pedestal to where Ode now sits. At the large hairy arms start to dissipate due to a lack of concentration a book starts to appear within its hands as he sits there slightly dazed. on this Tome is a symbol that Ode does not recognize but is clearly the same symbol that was above the pedestal moments before.
Head revolving. World hurts. Ow...
Aaaaand there's a book. A tome, but Ode isn't the most well read. He looks at the tome and holds it, remembering the symbol and stares at Sandy. "What the...," he stutters and just has this look of WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!?
Standing up to tower over Ode Sandra looks down at him. "That was over a bit quicker then I thought but I guess you got the job done." Her half smile reveals her bloody teeth. Putting her hand down to help Ode up. " What you have just manifested is the book of Capricorn :capricorn:. And we will see how long you can hold on to it. Please try to focus on maintaining it's physical state in the temple."
The look remains, but he shakes his head. A grab of the hand and a pull Ode is back on his feet while holding the book. "Uh... any idea how I put it back? Don't want to disappoint, but all I can do is create the arms." He takes a moment to catch his breath and rub his chest. "How do you guys know so much?" "And uh... for the record, I'm not a really a guy that can do commitment sooo if you guys think I'll be staying here for years to do some soul training stuff then count me out. I only wanted a single answer, short n sweet is the preference...," he doesn't give a smile but his tone changes to that of a jest," Also this was a draw."
"and there are all the questions. You should not not put it back. The power you from cards in your pocket is drawing from that book. The more you use you power the more you will be able manifest that book. As for how we know so much Bell Buttons works for us and we have others in the wastes keep tabs for us. If your not interested in keeping the powers you manifest then that is not problem. We seek to have that book in the care of someone we trust weather it's you or locked in this rooms." A full smile now she wipes the blood of her face. "What is the question that you seek a simple answer?"
"I want...," a pause," I want..." His voice slows to a crawl as his eyes move from Sandy to the book and the realization of this situation sinks in. He's in too deep. This book shouldn't be his problem, he didn't ask for this all mighty ghost book, or being very not so subtley threatened that it'll be taken away. For someone who doesn't do commitments he sure as shit signed up for something huge. But then again...
"I want to know how the hell do you expect me to carry around this thing."
The Book is his.
with a flash the book disappears. "Again was expecting you to last longer but not bad for you first time" Winking she points at Ode "The book of Capricorn must stay safe. Now that you were able to manifest it there are those that will want to steal it from you. If that is a reasonable that you do not care to bear we at the temple understand and will take the burden on for ourselves. The most important thing is that that book is never opened again. As for your simple and sweet answer here you go. Get stronger" padding him on the shoulder." Your shaking a bit how about I take you to your chambers for the night we can talk about this more again when your less rattled" grabbing his wrist she leads him out the doorway and back into the Hall.
"Wait what? HEY!"
And here we go. Saying yes by not saying yes. Ode's done it again. He resists the pool at first as being dragged through a temple wasn't the first thing on his list, but just like the sun, he falls into a rest. He'll rise again tomorrow. Hopefully with more answers.
He takes a sunflower seed out and pops it into his mouth as he gets dragged away by his fate.