047.4 Coda

[Corwin]

[20:00] <Kotono> A day passes. A dull, drizzy-cold day, winter coming closer and closer. All gather back in Whimsical Sweets save Sylvie: Aaeru, Whurric, Arachiel, Josa, Neveril, Lyris and Marianne. With you is Cran, who opens things once everyone has arrived. "I say that we exchange stories, since I wasn't expecting what happened and all of you weren't expecting aid deep in the heart of darkness."
[20:03] * Aaeru decides to make their side of the story short. "We went to kill Senaril and she had a crazy lot of really strong minions and we had to kill them first. Then we killed her forever and ever."
[20:03] * Arachiel nods. "Those monks were scary."
[20:04] * Aaeru grimaces. "I really need to train more. Like, seriously."
[20:05] <Kotono> "That is the summarized version, yes," Josa nods, "The short and the long of it is more complex, but the heart of the tale is not any different."
[20:08] <Aaeru> "She's an evil Sharran, but anyone there would know that. And we killed her before, but it didn't stick so it doesn't matter that much." Aaeru frowns. "She also killed a lot of our friends before that but we're, like, bringing them back."
[20:09] <Kotono> "Mmm-hmmm," Cran murmurs to that, "We had found traces of a Sharran infestation south of Wetwind Harbor about six months ago. After some work we were able to track down the location and I went to inflitrate it. It was a monastery of the monks of the Dark Moon, lead by a wizened master. Just as I managed to get settled in, Senaril came. She bore the rank of Dark Justicar, a favored servant of
[20:09] <Kotono> Shar. She took command of the entire monastic cult with unbelievable charisma and vigor. She seemed to only care about one thing," Cran pauses and with a slight smile, gestures to encompass the entire room. "At the time you arrived, I was trying to feed the flames of a coup against her, in hopes that the temple tore itself apart. Our original plan was to infiltrate and destroy it from the inside
[20:09] <Kotono> out, so that would have worked just as well.""
[20:10] <Aaeru> "So, like, did you have to do all sorts of creepy things while working for her?"
[20:14] <Kotono> "Nothing too horrible. The master wasn't nearly as..." A pause to clear his throat, "Extreme as Senaril or other Sharrans. To be frank, he was more akin to the idealized, propagandized image of a devil warrior. That same honor had him swallow his pride and fury as he bowed before Senaril, for she had the favor of Shar. It's why infiltration was a viable tactic in the first place."
[20:15] <Aaeru> "So she didn't have you, like, eat people to prove your loyalty? Because she did that the first time and it was really creepy."
[20:17] <Kotono> "No, thankfully. She took us all at face value. She mainly wanted a force to attack all of you, not institute a purge. If she had, I would have had to cut my losses and slipped away." At this Cran smiles a moment, "Your attack was another unforseen change. By the time I was aware of it, you had breeched the first line of defenses. I took the chance and snuck away, using the light of life to
[20:17] <Kotono> quench several of the undead Senaril had in reserve to trap whomever came in.  Then I caught up with you and the rest you know."
[20:18] <Aaeru> "Okay. I'm pretty sure I would've died without you there, so thanks. Not that dying's that scary, but... yeah."
[20:19] <Kotono> "Indeed, we are in each other's debt," Josa declares, "Whimsical Sweets is grateful for your aid, sir."
[20:19] <Whurric> "It's just a mite painful to go through though," Whurric notes with a grimace.
[20:19] <Kotono> "You were well timed," Marianne admits, sitting away from everyone and watching. "Ah yes, those blows did look like they hurt. Your ribs were shattered and your skull smashed,  if I recall."
[20:21] <Aaeru> "You were killed really, like, thoroughly," Aaeru agrees. "I could see that when I brought you along."
[20:21] <Kotono> "Thank you," Cran inclines his head towards Marianne, before continuing on. "Now that your battle is completed, what will you do now? I beg your pardon, but I asked some questions about you. This isn't the first Sharran incident you've smashed. Do you look to make a career of this?"
[20:23] <Aaeru> "But we're not very good at it," Aaeru says, suddenly sad.
[20:24] <Kotono> "We had no desire to oppose Shar once again," Josa begins, "Truly, our fortunes ebbed to it's lowest mark in Senaril's return; we did only what any decent and intelligent folk could do in the face of such perservity, malice and murderous intent. We are a candy shop and troubleshooters...why the dark choices of fate have favored us is a question I aim ill-armed to answer."
[20:24] <Whurric> "Shar just hates sweetness?" Whurric offers.
[20:26] <Aaeru> "She's just a big bully!"
[20:27] <Arachiel> "Shar is evil, and she needs to be punished for being evil!" Arachiel nods. "We lost some people, and for that I'm sorry, but Senaril's evil would have consumed others, maybe other people who were less able would have died fighting her." She shakes her head. "It's bad enough we lost Janson."
[20:29] <Kotono> "Truth," Cran agrees, and after a moment, "I did not say exactly who I serve. I serve two - the Righteous Avenger is my patron; I serve in the Crimson Guard to stop things just like Senaril and Shar. If your desire is to continue to fight all that would ruin our world, crush our hopes and enslave our souls...we could use more good men and women."
[20:31] <Aaeru> "But you don't look local at all!" Aaeru exclaims, peering at Cran closely.
[20:32] <Kotono> That gets a hint of a smile, "The Crimson Guard recruits far and wide. Besides, my parents come from the Sultanate of Tash, but I was born and raised in Victoria."
[20:32] <Aaeru> "Huh. And, like, who's the Righteous Avenger?"
[20:34] <Kotono> "Alicia. Andrea's patron," It's Josa who speaks up at that, "That is a noble offer, sir. One cannot easily discount such an honor, so by our leave would you give us a little time to think and discuss?"
[20:35] * Aaeru finds herself turning towards Neve. "Do you wanna do it?" she asks before all else.
[20:36] <Kotono> Cran nods and departs downstairs. As he does Neveril answers, "I don't know right now. I still miss Janson, Yuria and Orval." A pause to sniffle and wipe her nose with a bit of cloth, "It's all so sudden."
[20:36] <Kotono> "Indeed, indeed," Josa says, "I confess I have no joy at thet hought of such an undertaking, regardless of the honors given. I myself have seen more of Shar and darkness than I ever wish to see."
[20:37] <Kotono> Lyris meanwhile shrugs, "Do they pay well? Prestige is nice, but it doesn't feed you or pay for equipment."
[20:38] <Aaeru> "Do you two want to join Whimsical Sweets?" Aaeru asks once again.
[20:39] <Arachiel> "If it means fighting evil, I'm happy to help out!" Arachiel says. "You two should join us! You were great back in the cave!"
[20:40] <Kotono> Marianne and Lyris exchange a silent look. Both have poker faces on, showing little. After about ten seconds of this they turn back, Marianne speaking. "If you would have us, yes." She pauses, "I owe all of you thanks and gratitude. Lyris has always told me we didn't deserve a second chance, let alone a third."
[20:41] <Arachiel> "Everyone deserves another chance to be good! Even Senaril, though I don't think she cared."
[20:42] <Aaeru> It really makes sense to keep them close even if they didn't deserve any chances, but Aaeru happens to think they've proven themselves despite recent temptation. "I don't think she did," she tells Arachiel, then. "No, I really don't. Mercy isn't about being dumb."
[20:43] <Kotono> Josa clears his throat at that, "Before we begin a discussion of the proper applications of mercy and forgiveness, may we instead focus on more productive avenues? In particular...first of all, today I intend to have Yuria and Orval called back. Second of all, we have a great honor offered to us."
[20:44] <Arachiel> "I think she was a little crazy." Arachiel replies. "Sometimes evil can't be fixed, you just have to put it out of its misery. That's what the trumpet archons used to tell me."
[20:45] * Whurric smiles quietly at Josa's mention of Yuria's and Orval's return.
[20:45] <Kotono> "She deserved it," Sylvie's voice carries up from above, the blonde coming up the stairs. She's dressed in her full adventuring garb, face drawn and haggard. Her eyes are puffy and red, though her face is otherwise clean.
[20:45] <Aaeru> "A little," Aaeru dubiously agrees, following Josa's request and moving past that. She sneaks a glance at Sylvie, before looking away helplessly
[20:48] <Kotono> "Dear Sylvie, I-" Josa begins, before Sylvie cuts him off. She shakes her head, "Don't, any of you. I came to say farewell." Looking to each of them, "At least for a little while. I..." Another pause as Sylvie gathers her breath, "I can't accept that this is the end. I won't. If Janson's leaving this life, then," Her fist is balled up, held up as Sylvie looks at it, "I'm going to go to the next
[20:48] <Kotono> one and find out why, dammit. I was going to get him to propose to me once all this Sharran business wound down." A long exhale at that, shoulders slumping, "I know that magic can take me to Jannath's realm, if I have the coin and determination to go."
[20:50] <Arachiel> "You want to go and get him back?"
[20:51] <Aaeru> "I'll go with you," Aaeru offers immediately.
[20:52] <Kotono> "That or at least answers." Sylvie says, letting her fist ball back down. "Aaeru..." she pauses, almost smiling, "I'd love that, but Neveril needs you. Also, I want to make this journey on my own."
[20:53] * Arachiel looks at Sylvie in surprise. "You do? Are you sure?"
[20:54] <Whurric> "What about your family?" Whurric asks curiously. He doesn't really know them, but he was at least aware that Sylvie had some.
[20:54] <Kotono> "Mom can look after Calley and I left enough money to take care of them for a long time," Sylvie answers right back, "If there's problems she can come here for help."
[20:55] <Aaeru> "She'll get it," Aaeru promises. "Like, go without worry. I'll do everything here!"
[20:59] <Kotono> "Thank you," Sylvie says, nodding to everyone in turn. "Send my share of Senaril's treasure to Mom and Calley. They'll watch over it and use it if they need it."
[21:02] <Kotono> "Good luck," Neve offers with a nod back to her, "I hope you find what you're looking for."
[21:05] <Aaeru> "And, like, if you have magic to travel there, you have magic to call for us!" Aaeru speaks up once more. "Just say it and we'll be there to help!"
[21:05] <Kotono> "Got it," Sylvie says and after a long breath, "Take care all of you. I'll be back, I promise."
[21:07] <Aaeru> "You better!"
[21:08] <Arachiel> "Good luck, Sylvie." Arachiel says, hugging her.
[21:08] <Kotono> A hug is given back to Arachiel, before Sylvie smiles once more and heads downstairs. Down and out, Josa exhaling after into a gusty sigh, "Truly, I cannot fault her reasons, nor the need for it, but the heart still aches."
[21:09] <Arachiel> "I don't know Jannath very well, but I don't understand why she wouldn't let Janson come back." Arachiel shakes her head.
[21:10] <Aaeru> "It's your final reward! If you've lived your life right, you should go on!" Aaeru exclaims. "You-- you came from there! You should know that!"
[21:11] <Arachiel> "Yeah, I did, and we send souls back fairly often. Either as a reward for good work or the desire for continued service."
[21:12] <Kotono> "Still," Josa speaks up again, "I shall tell Cran we need time to think, then...I shall go ensure yuria and Orval are brought back to us with all haste."
[21:13] <Aaeru> "That... that makes no sense!" Aaeru sputters. "If you're good you go up, and if you're good there you go down? That... what...."
[21:14] * Arachiel smiles. "Sometimes people have a strong connection to their lives, and it is more of a reward to return them to the that which they love so much."
[21:29] <Kotono> Thereafter the group heads over to the Lunatics. You are escorted inside by Balyss, who falls in step with you. "Ready for this," she asks.
[21:30] * Arachiel nods. "Very excited!"
[21:31] <Whurric> "Aye, I'm happy to see the pair of them again," Whurric says.
[21:32] <Whurric> "Should be funny to see how my brother reacts to me being taller now, don't you think?" he asks Arachiel. She hadn't known him long, but she had still been his familiar.
[21:33] <Arachiel> "I was thinking the same thing about myself! He won't recognize either of us!" She giggles.
[21:34] <Kotono> Inside you come to a small room. The room is painted pure white, the ceiling above glass. The drizzle bounces off, a gentle, steading thudding. "Normally we hold resurrections at moonrise," Balyss speaks up, "But you're close to a week with Orval so we're not going to wait any further. Seat yourselves against this wall? There's magic in the room, please don't do anything that will disturb it."
[21:34] * Arachiel sits patiently.
[21:35] * Whurric nods as he obeys the request.
[21:36] * Aaeru knows better than to disturb magical rituals. Unless they are evil, Hell-created rituals.
[21:39] <Kotono> About ten minutes pass the party is at wait. It is then that Balyss returns, carrying stone tablets with her. She goes to the back of the room, kneeling down before them. "Shh," she murmurs, readin the tablets intensely.
[21:43] <Kotono> Thereafter Balyss reads and begins to chant! Her words are incomprehensible, and in counterpoint to them, the drizzle turns into a heavy rain! It pounds against the ceiling above like the gears of Mechanus tearing against each other! Minutes of this pass, Balyss chanting to the counterpoint of the rising rain!
[21:47] <Kotono> Higher and higher Balyss's chants rise, as the rain explodes against the ceiling! It's almost hard enough to crack, surely...and then, it stops! Above you the full moon shines, as if night has fallen! Rays of moonlight cascade down, weaving together into a spotlight before Balyss! That moonlight blends together, forming arms and legs and torso and head! Before you Yuria is recreated! She lies
[21:47] <Kotono> there, body perfect...and then her eyes open. Large gray eyes, all pure, misty gray within. She blink-blinks, "Huh, where...like, why am I naked and why is everyone here?!" With a blush she covers herself with her arms, "I didn't get drunk and sleep with everyone, did I!?"
[21:48] <Aaeru> "It's really better if you don't remember why!"
[21:48] <Kotono> Josa blushes but doesn't look away, "Ah, you've come back to us!" he says, coughing.
[21:48] <Whurric> "No drinks were involved this time, lass!" Whurric says with a laugh, glad she was still much the same. "Just a crazed fey, and a lot of evil stuff, but aye, best to leave it forgotten."
[21:49] <Kotono> "Oh..kay..." Yuria looks around with a long blink-blink, "I'm just, like, completely confuzzled here."
[21:49] <Aaeru> "Your eyes are gray!" Aaeru blurts out.
[21:49] <Arachiel> "At least she's still human!"
[21:50] <Kotono> "Better than her breasts," Josa murmurs just a little too loudly, and then in his normal voice, "Ah yes, I'll go find a blanket." he rises and hurries out.
[21:50] <Whurric> "Huh, so they are...somethin' about death must stick with you?" Whurric ponders, turning to look towards Josa in question and then towards his own pale skin.
[21:50] <Aaeru> "Yeah, totally, that's what happened to Whurric. It's so weird!"
[21:51] <Kotono> Balyss exhales long at that, wiping her brow. Above them oon fades, drizzle resuming. "It happens sometimes. Dying can leave a mark, even if you're brought back successfully. Gray, misty eyes are a mark of the Well of Souls."
[21:51] <Whurric> "That's not -all- that happened. I'm still getting used to being human now... Not quite as odd as having three eyes, but still a different perspective if nothing else."
[21:51] <Kotono> "What, like I die-Senaril!" Yuria yelps, leaping up and droping her arms. She looks ab out back and forth, a blur of skin and blonde! A second later she turns rose-red and covers herself, shivering, "...Whurric?"
[21:51] <Whurric> "Aye?"
[21:51] <Aaeru> "So!" Aaeru steps forward, taking Yuria's hands. "Whurric's human now! But really pale and stuff!"
[21:52] * Arachiel chortles.
[21:52] <Kotono> Josa returns with a blanket, Yuria using it to cover herself. Once done she pads on over to Whurric, "LIke wow, you make a really cute human!"
[21:53] <Kotono> "AHEM!" Balyss clears her throat, "Would you quiet down and sit down? I still have another resurrection to go."
[21:53] <Whurric> "I'm sure I'll tan!" Whurric protests. "Humans get darker skin out in the sun don't they?" he asks, before grinning at Yuria. "Well, my beard isn't quite what it used to be, but thanks."
[21:54] <Aaeru> "I'll believe it when I see it," Aaeru says with a sniff, retreating once more to let Balyss work.
[21:56] <Kotono> Once againt here is more chanting, Balyss getting to work! This time there is naught by silence as the rain pours before Balyss chants! On and on she goes, u ntil the moon breaks out above! Moonlight again comes down as...before you is Orval. He is a dwarf still, sitting up and holding his head. "Aye...what..." he says, "You want that, aye?"
[21:57] <Aaeru> "Is he, like, broken inside?" Aaeru whispers to Neve beside her.
[21:57] <Arachiel> "Orval!" Arachiel shoots out of her seat and glomps onto the dwarf. "Hi! Welcome back!"
[21:58] <Kotono> "I...well." Orval's voice has a laugh in it, "I didn't except my reward to be quite so busty," he says, "I'm alive?"
[21:59] <Whurric> "Brother!" Whurric also goes closer, and clasps him in the shoulder hard, since Arachiel is occupying most of his space. "Hah, still the same, aren't you?"
[21:59] <Arachiel> "Yes! We brought you back!" Arachiel crows from his back. "Hi!"
[22:00] <Whurric> "What d'you think of the changes Arachiel and I've gone through while you've been gone?" Whurric asks, hoping his brother starts sputtering or something from shock.
[22:00] <Whurric> It'd be hilarious to keep reminding him of how he acted now if he does.
[22:02] <Kotono> Blink-blink, "Arachiel?" He stares a moment, "Brother? I need a drink."
[22:04] <Kotono> At this Josa just laughs a bit, "Welcome back. I second that motion - let us go back to Whimsical Sweets and celebrate, and also remember those we lost. After this, I reckon we all need it."
[22:05] <Arachiel> "Hi! I was a lantern archon when you last saw me but then a solar came down from Celestia and told me that I had to help Whimsical Sweets and then he made me into a mortal so we went to kill Senaril in the desert to avenge you and Yuria but then we had to fight a bunch of evil monks and shadows and Whurric didn't make it out of there alive and Senaril killed Janson so I shot Senaril in the heart
[22:05] <Arachiel> with an arrow and she died!" She manages all in one breath.