Ash spent a little while with the two gods, chatting with them and enjoying their company. Eventually, though, she started to tire and had to excuse herself no matter how much she wanted to spend all the time in the world with them. It was interesting to see him alongside Umbra, new even to her. She didn't hate it, though, enjoyed seeing the two gods together because they looked so very content at each other's sides.
It was a peaceful night for her, leading into the morning routine she was least looking forward to. Luna was quiet, performing all of her duties in frustrated silence. Ash spoke as they finished eating, deciding that honesty might work best to improve Luna's mood, "Luri, if I'm being honest, I don't want you to go," she said softly, "But I also know how you'll feel later if you don't and something goes wrong with the festival without you there to guide it. I've seen how often you've had to pause to answer messages. They need your help."
Luna sighed, sounding tired and angry, "That's the problem, Asha. They never should have needed my help in the first place. All of these people should already know what they're doing. Things should run as smoothly as they are here where even with my rank I should have nothing to do but planning while the new younger members of the temple take care of the set up and execution. Instead I have multiple temples where none of them have been taught what to do and have to spend two days teleporting around on a quest to save all of them from their own incompetence. I wouldn't feel so mad about it if it was a simple lack of training but it isn't. It's deliberate choices by the temple heads to force me to be a part of their celebration so they can say the grand high priestess or whatever they've started calling me now graced their temple with her presence. They'd all be demanding you, too, if I wasn't so firm with them."
Ash understood her frustration but wished there was something she could do about it, a sentiment the priestess seemed to pick up on as she came over and ruffled her hair before taking her leave. She still felt Luna's magic and so knew the priestess hadn't left to take care of the festival yet but trusted it was important. Ash stood, making her way out into the garden and checking on everything before heading into the city for the day.
She was grateful when Yarrow wasn't waiting for her at the teleportation array and made her way towards the temple. It was a hive of activity, people rushing in and out carrying things and taking papers from people only to run out again. As she watched, Yarrow and Gardenia approached. Gardenia greeted her and headed into the temple, presumably to take charge of some of the activity.
Yarrow smiled and greeted her, "It would be my honor to escort you around Redwood Stars today so you know how to find more than just the guilds and the temple," he said with an apologetic smile.
Ash grinned slightly, "It's not as if I gave you much of a chance to show me around, got straight into trouble starting my first day here. Let's start with the library, I'd like to see what I can learn from the books there."
The library was a grand thing, though it seemed to be a strange flurry of activity, surprising even Yarrow. One of the librarians rushed by as they came up the steps, directing someone else with a box of books in where to take it. She paused, turning towards them with an ever so slight scowl tilting her lips downward.
"Today might not be the best day if you're looking for something particular. The temples have all been scarred stiff by the gods acting differently to their memory and a number of them have apparently gone further and reminded the clergy of their past deeds when angered. A great number of temples have started donating beginner level grimoires and copies of some of their other books and we're trying to arrange everything."
It was clear by the way the librarian spoke that she'd likely delved well into historical accounts of the gods and so was unsurprised by any of the changes in their behavior. A pendant around her neck showed a sign for Lady Prudentia.
Seeing Ash's scrutiny, the woman spoke again, "I was once an aspiring priestess and historical scholar for the temple. They did not appreciate my council, told me I was reading the texts wrong as if the words themselves were somehow lying to me."
Ash shook her head at that, her expression soft and sad. She knew all too well how it felt to have someone tell her that she was wrong when she wasn't, "I'm sorry. I didn't intend to pry."
She shook her head, one of her gentle golden Vulpine ears tilting as she listened to the activity in the library, "You didn't. I offered the information because I know a unicorn when I meet one and in the wisdom I've gained from my research, it would seem the bound races experience such events often. I hope these changes might solve your own worries in time. Is there anything particular you're searching for today?"
Ash watched another person passing by with a box of grimoires, "I'd like to get my hands on some of those grimoires if I won't be in the way."
The librarian gave a slight nod and turned to lead the way inside, redirecting someone with a box of books to the correct room as they passed. She found a quiet room where there was minimal activity and asked Ash to wait, returning with a small pile of books.
"You'll be able to find more later as this chaos resolves itself but these should keep you busy for a few hours, at the least."
Ash glanced over at Yarrow, about to apologize, but instead watched as he caught hold of a grimoire with the mark of Venatio's temple and started to peruse it. Being the Lord of the Hunt, Venatio's magic was well-suited towards finding things. It would certainly help him when it came to hunting down dangerous creatures like the flame boar the city would be dealing with all too soon before they became such a large threat.
She smiled slightly and picked up another of the books on the table to begin reading, surprised when Yarrow spoke up past his own book, "Are you planning on using these spells or just looking for new things to work with?"
"All beginner level magic is useful," she responded, "Though it does hold more use to me than just the spells I'll gain it doesn't change that I will likely use these spells or a slightly changed form to be more suited to my purposes. It's what everyone does with the help of a bit of divine magic to push along their ability to see the patterns and where to change them."