Empire lost, but the spark remains v2 - original setting CK2 quest

The conundrum that the children had presented resulted in a lot of long hours of discussion, discourse, disagreement, and dispute.
And for all of her displeasure at such decorum-less debate, Astaria, by nature, nurture education, vocation and inclination found herself in her element.
Tempers were soothed, opinions were impartially weighed, passions were tempered and finally, an agreement was reached.
As with all compromises in life, it was not an agreement than anyone necessarily liked, but it was the one that most everyone agreed was the best reasonable outcome.

The children - all of the children - would fall under the nominal custody of the crown, but, seeing as the children were quite explicitly guided to the exodus by divine machinations, the religious institutions of the nation-in-exile would be expected to share equally in their care.

Unfortunately, that conference led to another, much more contentious and less easily - not that there was anything remotely easy about the whole mess - settled line of issues that needed solutions to be debated and considered and eventually resolved.

Namely, the issues inherent in determining what exactly would even be expected of the religious institutions in this new system.
Historically, while the shrines, temples, orders, monasteries and the other assorted bits, bobs and belfries, were afforded a significant amount of soft power in Tasakarim, they were, on paper, expected to steer clear of the imperial politics.
That, demonstrably, did not work.

It was argued that, had the Tasakars been obliged to listen to the cults, rather than it be an easily ignored or dismissed courtesy, the entire brouhaha they had found themselves in, could have been avoided entirely.
The counterpoint to that argument came in the frank, if entirely undiplomatic, assessment that stated that the arguer should spend less time in confined spaces with lit incense and sandalwood since the mad Tasakars had been cheerfully ignoring their own intelligence apparatus, government, bodyguards and sundry, and thusly expecting one more voice in the crowd to make any difference was patently absurd, naive and showed hubris on par with the mad ones.
It descended from there and lasted well into the night until finally, a tired and at an end to her reserves of patience Astaria settled the issue via The Spark-infused royal decree.
(choose one)
[] The religious institutions will fall under a new ministerial position
-[] presided by the temple of Isanella as the cult with the greatest representation and the most resources amongst the exiles (bonus to piety actions, bonus to actions relating to the cult of Isanella, malus to morale, malus to dealing with non-celestial cults outside the realm-in-exile)
-[] presided by a representative chosen by the conclave of all clergy thereby represented (bonus to actions relating to the cult of Isanella, roll for possible malus for actions involving other cults)
-[] presided by a representative chosen by the conclave of all cults and temples thereby represented (malus to internal piety actions, bonus to external piety actions)
-[] presided by a court appointee (bonus to stewardship actions related to the religious institutions, malus to morale)
[] Religious institutions will be kept out of direct governmental affairs, but the crown pledges to establish a post of personal religious adviser.
[] While no overt power will be granted to the clergy, the restriction upon them taking up governmental and/or administrative positions will be lifted
[] There will be no changes in the current way of doing things. Separation of church and state will remain in effect

-*-*-

"Are you sure this is what you want to do Tary?" Tywin idly asked his sister over a cup of mild spiced wine he had near-forced into her hand, expertly ignoring her feeble protests that she was in no mood for drinking.
She eyed both the wine and him with annoyance and clear disfavor.
He continued to smile at her.
She seriously considered pouring the wine over his fool head.
He continued to smile at her.
She glared. It was the glare she had used all throughout their lives to make him get in line.
He continued to smile at her.
Defeated, she took a big sip of the beverage and answered him tiredly.
"Stars and strife Ty, of course, I'm not sure. I am as shaken, confused, and outright terrified as everyone else. But I can't show that. Everyone is counting on me to have all the answers, solve all the problems and keep them safe and prospering." she huffed and growled and spit the unpleasant truths.
And the dratted cheeky degenerate had the sheer gall to continue smiling at her.
He took a sip of his own - small and languorous, taking shameless pleasure in the activity, before answering.
"There. Was that so hard?"
At Astaria's astonished expression, he just gave a huff of amused laughter.
"Tary, you are smarter than me and infinitely more responsible. Heck, you were more responsible than our parents. But there are areas where you can get remarkably stupid. Just because you are a responsible person does not mean you should take up all the responsibility. That kind of behavior is dangerous, especially in our current circumstances.
For all your responsibility-ness, you are still just as fallible as the rest of us. You need to remember to take off your ruler's mask when in private, or soon enough it will consume you. Trust me, a bard knows all about masks people put on." He finished loftily and took another small sip of his wine with every sign of savoring every single drop.
"I... But... I..." Astaria gaped at him.
That was more depth even she expected out of him, and she had spent, what she felt like the entirety of his life defending the existence of a functioning brain within the apparently well-aired spaces between his ears.
"Yes? Do speak up sister dear, it is so unlike you to lack proper verbiage." He grinned impudently at her.
Despite herself, Astaria laughed.
It felt like the first proper, honest laugh she has had in a long time.
Her shoulders slumped slightly as if relived of a great burden.

Impulsively she set down her cup and grabbed her brother in a tight hug.
"Ack! Wait! Watch the wine! watchthewiiiiieyeh!"
Having not expected that particular reaction from his normally grim and taciturn sister, Tywin was caught totally unprepared and, predictably, found himself covered in the contents of his own cup.

Paying absolutely no heed to his muttered imprecations, Astaria leaned in and kissed him on his scruffy cheek.

"Thank you, you wonderful, silly caricature of a functional human." She playfully yet sincerely commended him.
He continued to be a sourpuss at his spilled wine.
She smiled at him.
He pouted at her.
She smiled at him.
He reached for her cup.
She smiled at him and non-to-gently swatted his hand away.
He pouted some more.
She continued to smile.
He finally huffed in defeat.
Her smile transformed into an urchin-like grin, which made it quite obvious that for all that she had mothered him for as long as anyone could remember, she was not that much older than him.

Deciding that if he had to concede defeat to her, he could still have the last word he opened his mouth again.
"Do you want me to take responsibility for the bratlings?" He asked.
Correctly interpreting her astonished expression he huffed.
Despite the lightness of his tone, his grin grew dry and humorless.
"I might be... What was that charming euphemism of yours... Ah, yes 'As reliable as rain in Hegada', but I am hardly stupid..."
Seing her eyes light up in an impish delight, he hurried on before she could insert any pithy cometary.
"... I. AM. NOT! And what we are doing, what we will have to do... Mists and mayhem, what you are having as attempt means whatever I might prefer, I will have to step up, if I intend to support you in the way you need support. I will always... ALWAYS! have your back. No matter what! so, I figure I might as well start shifting some burden of your shoulders to mine, right now."

Astaria gave him a long, considering look.
For all his many, many, many, many faults, he always was there for her, when she needed it. And when she did not need him. And when he was annoying to deal with, he was still there, obnoxious and irritating, and at times infuriating but always on her side...
She gave his shoulders another squeeze.

"I'll think about it. Now, if you will excuse me, I think I will take my mulled wine, find a reasonably secluded space and stargaze for a bit."
Putting her words to action, she collected her cup and vacated the tiny cabin Tywin had claimed as his own.

(choose as many as you want)
[] Let Tywin be the one to officially adopt Jarrod
[] Let Tywin be the one to officially adopt Bea
[] Let Tywin take charge of Addy, if nothing else, his guardsmen were well experienced in cleaning up messes.
[] Let Tywin take point in the dealings with Livvy and her mysterious patrons.




Well, here we are.
Later than I wanted, but I'm kinda happy at how it turned out. I am especially proud of the interaction between the siblings.
No moratorium, go crazy.

Also, y'all still have time to debate and decide where you want the fortune roll for those divine affairs rolls to go.