Carissa has joined the Artisans Nook.

The Archlector of Jayus is standing at the front of the worship benches, looking at the well-constructed wall that now takes up one side of the Shrine of Jayus, and the young man standing nearby. She shoots Sparte a nervous smile, watching as people start to file in, drawing a breath. Her hands open and close in a brief flicker of nervousness, but she waits until the patrons are settled to speak, murmuring something to herself. Words of affirmation, perhaps.

Oswyn files in, his satchel slung over his shoulder, as usual. He finds himself a bench to sit on and smiles at Wylla and Sparte both, raising one hand to wave a little. Then he's pulling his satchel around and unbuckling it, pulling out one of his books and a quill and ink. Probably to take notes.

Sparte smiles at people as they come in, patiently waiting to see if others will show. He glances over to Wylla, giving her a reassuring thumbs up before looking back to the people filing in. Rocking back and forth on the heels of his shoes every so often.

Lethe takes a curious glance around once she arrives and then finds a place to sit.

Dutifully filing in with an expression that would rival that of any of the stones herein, Augustus Grayson also appears to be carrying a writing supplies. If he notices the exchange between priestly-types, he doesn't seem to react in any way other than a small uptick of his right eyebrow. Being rather evidently unaware of the protocol for this particular occasion, the Grayson elder elects to remain standing, somewhere near the periphery.

Carissa walks in, looking around curiously, before taking a seat somewhere. She folds her hands and looks attentively toward the front.

Oswyn's head bobs politely several times - to Lethe, to Carissa, and to Augustus, though with a bit of trepidation for that last one. It's the stony face.

Wylla draws a breath, eyeing Sparte, and trying for a reassuring smile. And then she looks sidelong at Oswyn, coloring a little at him, pointing out, "You're the one from that tea." And then she studies the small crowd that has gathered, a few dozen people here at the Shrine, and clears her throat. "I'm, um, pleased you all could make it and we won't run out of refreshments." A little laugh at her own joke. "But really, this was Officer Sparte's idea, so I'll let him tell you about it." She makes a gesture to the wall, as if people haven't already seen it.

Isabelle, who is just so tired of everyone's nonsense, Steve, an ungainly pelican, 1 Grayson House Guards arrive, following Niklas.

Elizabetta, a disapproving lady-in-waiting, 2 Grayson House Guards, Valor, a small brown and white corgi puppy, Lily, an aloof lady-in-waiting, Clark, an exasperated guard, Niklas arrive, following Sabella.

Oswyn smiles pleasantly at Wylla, confirming that, yes, it was him at that tea. He dutifully turns his attention to Sparte. Oswyn's sitting on one of the benches, a book on his lap and his quill in his left hand, ready for note-taking.

Glancing from Wylla to Sparte to wall, Augustus' expression doesn't change much beyond an apparent mild curiosity when his attention drifts towards the wall itself. It's a display of curiosity so mild that it would be akin to something labelled 'for Arvani' at a Ahj'on banquet. When refreshments are mentioned, however, his attention once more shifts to the room itself, as if his old-man senses could feel the tea calling out to him.

Wylla checked perception + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 23 higher.

Vald arrives, following Sina.

Vald have been dismissed.

Carissa smiles to Oswyn, before looking to Sparte again. The familiar face gets a warmer smile, encourging even.

Wylla has a quiet word with one of her disciples, who goes to tell another disciple at the refreshment station something. Within a minute or two, Augustus will find himself with a saucer bearing a cup of tea, hot and ready to drink. Wylla offers the old prince a sympathetic smile as she steps aside from her central position, leaving the floor to Sparte.

"Thank you everyone who came today for this discussion." Sparte gives a smile to the crowd, a bit of nervousness showing through but not enough to slow him done. "As... Some of you might remember being announced by the Archlector Wylla, when last year's shrine was destroyed, there is a new initiative for this year. A wall, dedicated to giving everyone in Arx an opportunity to participate in showing homage to Jayus." Sparte gestures to the low wall beside him, made of unmatching cobbled stone. "This is that wall. Each year, talented craftsmen contribute to the Shrine of Jayus. Some are in this room. Yet... How can one without a trade of their own join in that praise? How can the old, the inform, or even a child? All may offer prayers, yet I thought perhaps we could make it possible to offer something more."

"That is why this wall is made not of fine material, but of common stone. Nor just one stone, but the stones from our yards, our rivers, our gardens. This wall, is a wall of prayer stones." Sparte rubs at the back of his neck. "And this meeting is an invitation to talk about how more people might have the opportunity to be a part. To find a stone, to make it their own in some way, and then to donate it to this wall. So that their prayers, their small bit of craftsmanship, might be celebrated through the year."

Sina makes her way into the Shrine, draped in her warm cloak, the hood pushed back as she glances about. She comes in just in time to hear Sparte's explanation of what the whole stone thingis about. She lingers at the edge of the shrine, watching quietly, lips curved into a little smile at the idea.

Oswyn considers this for a moment, and sets his quill down. He nods as Sparte speaks. He is an attentive listener.

Sabella and Niklas come strolling on in, laughing at something one of them has said, "He really said that?" She quiets just a little when she hears Sparte start to speak, still grinning. She gives little waves and nods to those she knows.

Rather graciously accepting the cup of tea with its saucer, Augustus manages to expertly balance the holding of the cup and saucer as well as his ruby-red quill. He tucks some of the parchment-looking writing material under his arm as he raises the cup to sniff at its contents. The Grey-son raises his gaze slightly in an attempt to meet Wylla's and offers her a courteous, if curt, nod of the head. His attention is diverted from tea momentarily as Sparte begins explaining exactly why everyone is here and what rocks are and so forth, and Augustus allows himself a small bemused sort-of-smirk before it is quashed by his overriding sense of not letting anyone see him smile ever.

Jayden steps in and hangs back at the edge of the Shrine; in a satchel over his back he carries various things, one which will come to be a half-finished little wooden carving. Strapped to his leg is a knife for carving in a sheath, but he doesn't take it out immediately. He seems curious but is keeping himself somewhat aloof. Stone? He looks down at the piece of wood in his hand, takes his knife out, and... carves. Lightly, Just cutting through the wood.

Wylla smiles at Sparte's idea, clearly fond of it. She draws a breath, some of her hesitation fleeing as real things are discussed. "So we have an example there in the wall. If you look, you'll see an already made stone. The, um, painter has symbolized Petrichor, with the forest. Mangata, with the water. Lagoma, with the sun. And the Wheel, with the circle around the stone." She smiles at Niklas and Sabella's arrival, waving slightly towards the couple. "We thought other people might want to design their own, for their specific prayers, for their specific, um, investment?" She's not sure that's the right word. " -- in this year's Shrine."

Oswyn brightens and gives a little wave to Niklas and Sabella, gesturing to the bench beside him.

Sina eventually edges her way over to the Painter's alcove where she perches in a chair, letting her cloak settle about her. Her silvery eyes are bright with interest in the project, though she doesn't seem to have much to say. The slender Scholar does listen though, glancing about briefly at the others. She dips her head respectfully toward Sabella and Niklas as she recognizes them, and gives a respectful inclination of the head toward Wylla as well.

Sina has joined the Painters Alcove.

Steve, an ungainly pelican have been dismissed.

Isabelle, who is just so tired of everyone's nonsense have been dismissed.

1 Grayson House Guards have been dismissed.

Oswyn has joined the worship benches.

Carissa watches the goings on with bemusement before returning her eyes to the front of the room and Sparte.

Niklas follows Sabella in, snorting at the bit of the story he's already told. "You know how he is. He said it like he was surprised anyone was even upset." He shakes his head and quiets up when people are making announcements. A wave is sent Wylla's way and then he pulls Sabella over to the bench where Oswyn sits. "Oswyn Spencer as I live and breathe. I feel like I haven't seen you in weeks. I hope you got the chance to see my show." He gives the scholar a shrewd look. "I hope Mistress Thornburn got a chance to sit in the audience. Perhaps sitting next to you? Coincidentally?"

Sabella has joined the worship benches.

Niklas has joined the worship benches.

Lethe has joined the worship benches.

Sparte inclines his head to Wylla as she speaks. "And we have more promised, though we are making it clear no one is being asked to rush in this. We have all year to assemble this wall, for talented hands to piece together our prayers, our plain and painted stones, into a unique tapestry of devotion to Jayus." Sparte licks his lips, pacing a little to the side as he gestures to the wall again. "However, I'm not just asking for your stones. I am asking for people to assist me in bringing stones and decorating supplies to their friends, their families, their coworkers, their fealties. To thank those who assist, to recognize you, there will be an honorary title of stone tender granted. It may not have the weight of grander titles, but for the people you bring a little closer in their faith, it may well mean the world."

Sipping slowly from the still-steaming cup, with a mouth apparently made of asbestos, Augustus continues to silently listen and observe as is his wont. He is apparently oc

Sabella looks around to see who else she knows and then brightens considerably, waving enthusiastically to Augustus, "Gusty!" She calls out with a bright smile, gesturing to the benches, "Come sit with us!" She then asides to Oswyn and Niklas, "That's my Great Uncle Augustus, which I could never say as a child so I shortened it to Gusty. The G for great, the U for Uncle and the usty for Augustus. And it just stuck." Probably not for him.

Oswyn murmurs quietly at the benches with Niklas and Sabella. Super quietly. Like 'Scholar in a library' quietly.

Jayden continues, for the moment, just to carve and watch and not make a scene as the main phase seems still going on. So, Lord Jayden considers options, and heads over to the Artisan's nook to sit himself casually on the edge of one of a seat, not entirely committing to sitting, either.

Wylla smiles to the crowd, her eyes bright and her manner shyly hopeful. "I think this is a brilliant idea, and I want to emphasize that Sparte -- sorry, Officer Sparte! -- has my full support in this, in my capacity as the Archlector of Jayus. You can share your hopes, your dreams, your most meaningful prayers for Jayus and all the Gods, and you can make a difference both in this year and in the time to come." She pauses, before she nods towards the Artisans' nook where Jayden has found himself. Jayden will be the first to notice various crates of rocks stacked up in the nook, hidden from view by the Shrine at large due to the shelves of the artists'collection. "We have some stones over there if anyone would like to give theirs to Officer Sparte at the conclusion of the presentation."

Sipping slowly from the still-steaming cup, with a mouth apparently made of asbestos, Augustus continues to silently listen and observe as is his wont. He is apparently occupied enough with listening to the religious twaddle in silence until the mention of 'assist me' and 'honorary title'. Ah. Donation time. He is drawn from his reverie by the far-too-happy-to-be-awake voice of Sabella hollering at him as if he were an old servant carrying a clattering tray of tea so she can draw him into a freezer. Or something. He peers over at her and raises an eyebrow gently, his characteristic display of every single emotion possible. Augustus does, eventually, deign it acceptable to silently sidle over towards the benches to which he has been summoned. "Dear Sabella," he intones with more than a soft hint of disapproval in his rather imperious voice, "Shouting across rooms is for children and Islanders. You are neither."

Niklas may not be a children (debatable!) but he's definitely an Islander. "Hello Prince Augustus! So good to see you again!" He's not shouting, but he's probably talking louder than he really needs to be. He turns back to Sparte and Wylla, nodding a bit at what they say. He ain't gonna donate nothin'! But he can still nod approvingly.

Thank the Gods that Asher isn't one for frivolous attire. He's able to slip into the Shrine without so much as a word, and hopefully he can see what's going on here without too much attention. That would certainly be the case, with his bland leather armor, the peacebound blades, and overall 'likely from the Boroughs' look to him - except that he's wearing a rather nice pair of golden rat earrings, as well as black iron bear earrings. Hopefully there's some shadier spot that the man can lurk, so he's not in the way while he watches. And hopefully it doesn't make him look too suspicious; he's just trying to keep warm in this chill!

Jayden blinks when the spot he was choosing to kind of *hide* is called attention to, and he can't help it-- he laughs softly. He moves a little over to lean against the wall, and continue carving the wood and wait for the main speech to be done before saying anything to anyone. He is... humming, softly, though.

"Ah, but I did marry an islander, so he must be rubbing off on me. Still, my apologies, I should not have shouted. I am just excited to see you twice in the span of as many days!" Sabella says with genuine delight, giving Augustus a brilliant smile, "Had I realized you were interested in this event I would have offered to walk with you. What do you think of the stone idea? I think I shall take a bunch down to the Tragedy for the orphans to decorate, wouldn't that be extraordinary? Maybe I'll see if they can make a day of it and they can bring them up here to place themselves. Would that be all right, Archlector?" She asks Wylla.

Sina glances over toward the nook that Wylla had pointed out, her eyes searching for the rocks that had been mentioned. But after a moment, she turns her attention back to Sparte to see if there is more he intends to present or say, quietly attentive. Like Asher and Jayden, she seems to prefer a bit of anonymity in larger groups of people. The Quite scholar does seem half-lost in thought though, her silvery gaze going a bit distant.

Carissa looks to the stones curiously, before considering. But Sabella beats her to the question, so she simply smiles and nods.

Wylla sort of stares at Sabella's bright chatter, floating an uncertain, "Yes?" at her idea. She looks towards Niklas, as if seeking confirmation from the new husband that, yes, this is a good idea.

Oswyn is not Sabella's husband, but he pipes up with, "That sounds like a wonderful idea."

Sparte glances over to Wylla as she answers the question, nodding a little before opting to speak up. Perhaps to spare the Archlector. "And with that, I applaud you all for the patience of sitting through me talk about rocks, after what I am sure was a confusing invitation. I promised to many it would make sense once you heard the full of it, and I hope I was true to my word. I ask those interested to get in touch so that I can help to keep efforts coordinated between stone tenders, and so I can properly thank you at year's end for your work. Now..." He parts his hands as he gives a questioning look to those gathered. "Any questions?"

Pausing slightly Augustus sips from his tea, apparently concluding that the Archlector isn't trying to poison him with this particular cup. When he finally settles it down back into its saucer, however, the elder statesman frowns slightly, "I suppose that is to be expected. Such a... complementary pairing is bound to have this effect."

The old man glances thus to Niklas, "I apologise for my generalisation, that all Islanders shout across rooms." He smiles, thinly, "Naturally thralls would not do so." With regards to the rocks, however, Augustus raises both of his eyebrows, "Perhaps a... series fundraising dinners, with stone painting as an activity afterwards for those inclined to participate. One in each major district of the city, so that none are left out. With monies raised going towards the maintenance of the various projects undertaken by Jayus' representatives in our realm - for those that pray with their purses."

Carissa has left the Artisans Nook.

Wylla smiles at Oswyn's confirmation, apparently trusting it too. She beams at the idea from Augustus, all the Islander talk quite clearly going over her head. "That's a lovely idea, sir!" she chirps to Augustus. "Would you like to organize them? You can be in charge of that." She beams a smile at Augustus, bright and hopeful as ever, and then looks back towards Sparte. In the meantime, disciples start filing past Jayden to arrange the rock distribution for the faithful once the meeting cedes.

Niklas looks back at Wylla. "What?" He looks around, confused, then looks over to Sabella, hoping for some kind of explanation. Then he looks back to Wylla, "It sounds like a great idea to me? She doesn't really need my permission to go to the lowers? I'm an Islander, but I'm not /that/ Islander." He turns a bright smile on Augustus and says, "You know, it's hard to say! I'm not accustomed to being around thralls, since my brother freed all of ours. I'd think you'd know that, since it's almost every Grayson's favorite subject of conversation with me! 'Remember the time House Kennex cost us a few extra steelsilk hats by freeing the thralls? Goodness!'. I'm glad to hear you are fully on board with the freeing of the thralls, though!" Big smiles for Augustus. We're all friends here!

"I do not pray in stone, I always pray in wood. I shall make from time to time a pretty prayer to hang upon your wall, but can not help build it. That said." Jayden approaches Wylla and Sparte, "There are some in the North who hare taking to your Faith, and I will help them ferry their stone-prayers from the Northern Square, those that may wish to. I like your idea and the way you think."

Sparte's attention turns to Augustus. He nods slowly, consideringly. "I had thought to schedule eight gatherings before the end of the year, one in each of the major sections of the city. The five great fealties, the uppers, the lowers, and the ward of the crown. The thing that I cannot decide however, is what order in which to do them." Sparte glances to Niklas, squinting at the man before an idea seems to pop into his head. Perhaps inspired. "So I'm going to make it random. I will be drawing colored stones from a bag, one for each of the eight. That will determine what order we hold the events in, unless anyone objects." He blinks a bit as Jayden approaches, grinning and nodding. "Thank you. I look forward to it."

Oswyn takes a stone from one of the disciples with a small smile and a word of thanks. He holds it in his hands, regarding it thoughtfully.

Wylla ooc :thumbsup at Sparte.

Sparte is overheard praising Wylla: For supporting the wall of prayer stones to Jayus!

Sina rises from where she had been sitting, and declines a stone for now. She quietly makes her way back out of the Shrine, looking thoughtful.

Sina has left the Painters Alcove.

"Prince Niklas was a Kennex," Sabella points out to Augustus lightly, though she's otherwise distracted by the talk of parties. "That sounds like an excellent idea and I think you'll be brilliant at organizing such things, Gusty. Honestly, it never occurred to me until this very moment that you might be favored of Jayus, but of course you would be, you like to write! I just handed off a book I wrote to Lady Monique for her contest. You should also enter! There's a fiction and a non fiction category," she chatters, giving Jayden a smile at his questions, "That sounds like a wonderful idea, making sure that those who are new to the Faith feel included. What a lovely gesture!"

Ebenzer Jenkins have been dismissed.

Nevermore the Raven have been dismissed.

"Contests are for people with somwething to prove, dear Sabella," Augustus says with an impassive coolness that would chill his tea were it not a metaphorical construct to illustrate character and personality, "I am a Grayson, thus I need prove nothing. Though I appreciate your desire to show your talents to a larger audience." To Niklas, though, he frowns slightly and shrugs his shoulders, "Correcting a historical mistake does not undo the mistake, nor does it clean associated stains quite so simply." He pauses. "I am pleased, however, that unlike many of your erstwhile fellows you have not elected to sever my legs at the knees for the insult." He smiles, thinly and almost so swiftly as to be imperceptable, "Progress, of a kind."

"My question is..." Jayden inclines his head slowly to the Archlector, then to Sparte, "...as I do not wish to break holy protocol or offend unintentionally, will your Jayus accept a prayer.." He lifts what he's carving up -- it looks quite skillfully done, though far from finished. But already, it's a bird. "...from one who will offer no like prayers to his siblings? I am not a member of your Faith and have no interest in it." Pause, "Except for Jayus."

Wylla's eyes widen at Jayden's question. She goes a little white, looking to the crowd and then back towards Jayden, taking a step back. "I, um, I think that's a matter of discussion for another time," she hedges, a little uncomfortable, "but if you want to donate a stone with your hopes and your well-wishes on it, that's all right, at least, I think." She's suddenly very, very self-conscious, shrinking back anew.

Oswyn closes his book and tucks it into his satchel. No notes were taken. The quill is tucked away safely as well, and then the rock. He quietly stands up, slinging his satchel over his shoulder again. "I'll bring my rock back in a while, I think."

"Are you going to go to the Coroner's event next?" Sabella asks Oswyn curiously and turns her sunny inquiry Augustus' way as if sensing his tone might need some warming up. "I was planning on attending, though going to the Lowers makes me nervous. The last time I was in the clinic was for the most dreadful of reasons and I'm hoping this time is much more informative in a nicer kind of way. Plus, I figure I ought to know what I should or should not be calling upon Lady Margret for. When is a cold not a cold but something I might need her attention with? I have a feeling the next few months are going to be full of false alarms and anxiety, so I might as well be informed!"

Niklas offers Augustus' comment a soft laugh. "Now, I'm not one to go cutting anyone off at the knees. At least not with steel. I'm a man of words, Uncle Gusty." He turns back to Wylla and reaches out to take his wife's hand, saying mildly, "Having nothing to offer isn't the same as having nothing to prove, though." He waves to Wylla, "Go ahead and save us a a dozen or so rocks, Archlector. I'm not certain why the idea of sharing art with the children of the lowers was so readily dismissed, but every denizen of Arx deserves exposure to the works of Jayus, even its meanest citizen."

Sparte furrows his eyes at what Jayden says. "That is... Hrmm." Sparte looks to the people nearby before looking back to Jayden. "It is a start. I hope you will reconsider in time, but for now, it is a start." Sparte gestures for Jayden to come closer. "Now I expect we should talk, you and I, before you get yourself in the sort of trouble they're joking about." Sparte lifts his voice to the crowd again. "The meeting is at an end, but the refreshments will stay out. Thank you, everyone, for coming."