009. "A maid spirit? What a lovely idea!"

[Corwin]

[19:46] <Shao_Koahn> -------------------
[19:46] <Shao_Koahn> roll 1d100
[19:46] * Hatbot --> "Shao_Koahn rolls 1d100 and gets 67." [1d100=67]
[19:46] <Shao_Koahn> roll 1d100
[19:46] * Hatbot --> "Shao_Koahn rolls 1d100 and gets 65." [1d100=65]
[20:00] <Shao_Koahn> Time passes, as much as it ever does on the Astral. Rest and the driving of Aurora occupy your time as Aurora glides through the Silver Sea. It is Ithea who happens to be controlling it as at last you approach Elrisa's abode, the mighty fortress overshadowing it like a giant before an anthill.
[20:06] <Ithea> As the pilot, Ithea shifts the ship's movement so it comes to a stop now that they're so close by, before letting the others know that they've pretty much arrived at their first stop.
[20:07] <Afina> Thus informed, Afina goes to the courtyard to meet her comrades before they go pay a visit to the school of the graceful blow.
[20:08] * Jaela chooses to forego her armor for the occasion, deciding to try and make a better impression this time around. Once everyone is gathered, there is nothing to stop her from floating all the way across and knocking on the front door.
[20:09] * Willim follows along, gnawing on an aged hunk of meat and trying to look unobtrusive. It's not really working.
[20:10] <Shao_Koahn> In the courtyard awaits Adrian and Annalise. The former looks ever so mildly out of sorts, while the latter has the a slightly amused smile. "Well," Adrian says, "I'm ready." As the party gathers and heads out, finding no need to knock on the front door. Elrisa and her students and friends are already outside, staring up! The looks range from shock to disbelief, with one flopping back in a dead
[20:10] <Shao_Koahn> faint! "My goodness..." Elrisa whispers, a hand to her lips. "Jaela? Afina?" Looking towards the two women that approach, "You succeeded!"
[20:10] * Ithea joins the others soon after getting out of the piloting chair, ready to meet Elrisa as well.
[20:11] <Jaela> "Pretty much, yeah," Jaela agrees, floating to the fainted student and trying to restore her to her senses.
[20:14] <Shao_Koahn> "We did," Adrian says, raising his voice and looking back towards Aurora. "We call it Aurora now. You can call it home."
[20:14] <Shao_Koahn> The fainted student groggily recovers, staring up in complete stunned rapture!
[20:15] * Jaela considers slapping her back to her senses but then decides not to go through the hassle. She'd be fine evenentually on her own. "Yeah, about that," she follows up on Adrian's words. "Gonna be coming with us after all like you said?"
[20:16] <Afina> "It wasn't that difficult actually," Afina answers diffidently. "Certainly far easier than defeating the devils. If you're still willing we'd love to have you join us."
[20:16] <Shao_Koahn> Misalea stares up at Aurora, "This is bigger than even..." she murmurs, "The story of it's founding must be an incredible one!"
[20:17] <Shao_Koahn> "We will. I gave my word," Elrisa replies, voice just a little overwhelmed. She looks up another moment before tearing her gaze away, "We'll ened a bit of time to gather our things and ready ourselves."
[20:17] * Willim shrugs. "We were founding it in the astral plane. Was not so hard."
[20:17] <Jaela> "Or we could bring your home along," Jaela offers. "The courtyard's pretty huge, and you won't need to leave anything behind."
[20:18] <Shao_Koahn> Willim gets an elbow in the ribs and Afina a moment's glare from Adrian, "I'll be happy to tell you the story, Misalea," he comes forward to her, smiling, "Perhaps over dinner? Aurora has these cafeterias, they're amazing. They can make anything you want."
[20:19] <Afina> "It's possible," Afina agrees. "The structure is slightly malleable, so it could be possible to incorporate your tower securely," the fairy keeps her attention on the school's mistress, ignoring the hagspawn's courting rituals.
[20:19] <Ithea> "Yeah, but the food's kinda flat in taste," Ithea chips in, warning Misalea. "Still, it's some nice quick source of variety."
[20:19] * Willim eyes Adrian with confusion.
[20:20] <Shao_Koahn> "The entire..." Elrisa takes a moment and exhales, "That's truly possible?"
[20:21] <Shao_Koahn> Ithea gets a glare that could melt a kitten in it's cradle, "Ahem, the food's fine," he recovers quickly.
[20:21] * Jaela extends her hand to Elrisa. "Come and see for yourself. We've got time."
[20:21] <Afina> "There's room. And really, the fortress could use some colour," Afina nods steadfastly. Galariel did imply cosmetic changes wouldn't be too onerous, so that's another thing to consider.
[20:22] <Shao_Koahn> Elrisa takes that hand, "Let's go see," she agrees!
[20:22] <Jaela> It's only a formality due to the way Astral travel works, but Jaela still guides Elrisa into the courtyard past the fortress's massive gates.
[20:24] * Ithea rolls her eyes at Adrian, and turns to pay attention to the others. "Anybody else want to come look?" Ithea asks of the students before she goes join Jaela and Elrisa.
[20:25] <Afina> "If you do join us I'd be happy to teach you my own style in addition to the Graceful Blow of Elrisa," Afina adds to the assembled students, giving them some extra incentive.
[20:34] <Shao_Koahn> Elrisa and a gaggle of students follow Ithea, Afina and Jaela in. They watch and fly along, taking it all in. Adrian and Misalea linger at a slower, more conversational pace. Annalise lingers as well, looking over to Willim. "Lonely?" she asks the question in a single word, a hint of a smile showing on her face again.

[Corwin]

#d

[20:35] <Shao_Koahn> "This is amazing," Elrisa repeats, "This oversized fortress moves on it's own magic? All the legends of Medicant were accurate?"
[20:36] * Jaela shrugs. "Kinda. It takes willpower to pick a direction for it, though, and it drains you pretty badly to do that."
[20:36] <Ithea> "As far as we can tell. It does need a lot of repairs here and there, but we haven't seen anything to really disprove any legends so far," Ithea answers.
[20:37] <Afina> "We'll need a goldmine to have it fixed, it's still a shadow of its former self, apparently," Afina explains. "There was a lot of damage when it was subverted and then hidden away."
[20:38] <Shao_Koahn> A semi-familiar, purple haired student nods at that, "Such is a treasure of entire kingdoms! The humans and dwarves would be routed with such a fortress!"
[20:38] <Jaela> "A gold mind and a crazy crafter," Jaela agrees with Afina. "Don't suppose you know one? It's not like we can just hit all the problems with gold and make them go away."
[20:39] <Shao_Koahn> "Do not underestimate them," Elrisa does not raise her voice, but there is a note of reproach there. "Mmmm, yes, I do know one who may be interested," she says.
[20:39] <Afina> "Without an army a fortress is just a piece of land. But one day... perhaps," Afina smiles placidly.
[20:42] <Shao_Koahn> On you go, towards the entrance of Aurora and near the end of the courtyard. Elrisa turns and looks back, "Were the tower here, amid an entire gathered army..." she murmurs this, "I would drown in worthy students to teach the Graceful Blow."
[20:43] <Ithea> "Well, we'd probably have a fair bit of guys around too, but yeah, even then you probably will have a ton of people willing to learn," Ithea notes.
[20:44] <Afina> "There might be a few schools competing for attention if we're lucky," the pixie notes with a sly smile. "But you're the first, Elrisa. I suppose that's an advantage."
[20:46] <Jaela> "Being deadly and looking nice during it does wonders to sell a style," Jaela agrees.
[20:46] <Shao_Koahn> At this you pass into the main hall. Elrisa looks about and takes it in, followed by her students. "Oh yes," Elrisa smiles at that, "Men just don't understand - it's all muscle and smashing for them. A graceful, refined style appeals to the visual and creates art, all while being just as deadly. No, more deadly. Were any of you interested in lessons?"
[20:47] * Jaela nods. "I wanted to give it a try. Dunno how well it will go and all, but hey, can't hurt to."
[20:49] <Afina> "Perhaps... or perhaps I might steal your students away for myself," Afina muses, her tone leaving it hard to tell if she's serious or teasing. "At the least, you're good to practice with."
[20:50] <Ithea> "I have some interest, but I'm so used to being in armor that lessons might not really stick with me," Ithea answers honestly.
[20:51] <Shao_Koahn> "Your style is worthy," Elrisa says, cracking just a little bit of a smile, "Of course, if you take on students I'll have to do likewise."
[20:52] <Shao_Koahn> "It's fine, anyone can learn how to disdain armor." Elrisa promises, "Based on the potential Afina and Jaela have, surely you're just as worthy, Ithea."
[20:53] * Ithea just shrugs. "We'll have to see. We'll certainly have plenty of time to do that once you all move in after all."
[20:54] <Jaela> "We're doing this, then?" Jaela asks, gesturing about the courtyard. "Getting you guys settled in, school and all? Do you need to let your contacts off Astral know about the change in address?"
[20:57] <Shao_Koahn> "It is taken care of," Elrisa says, "I had thought it just in case, but...it turns out it was wise."
[20:57] <Afina> "I like your confidence in us," Afina approves. "We'll be moving around a lot, anyway. Next to find some other refugees Adrian knows about, after that it's Ysgard, right?" she checks with Jaela.
[20:58] * Ithea laughs. "Nice to see you had that much faith in us, Elrisa."
[21:00] <Jaela> "I've been thinking about that myself," Jaela muses. "There's a gith who wanted to take a look at Aurora, but we probably should do something about the shield here before we come to a gith city. So there's Elrisa's crafter who could actually fix stuff here for us, Adrian's bunch of refugees with their archmage and Ysgard." She considers this briefly. "How about we actually take the Aurora to Ysgard? I could take Adrian back to those refugees and bring them over with a precise plane shift, and Elrisa could do her own prep there."
[21:01] * Afina shrugs. "Might as well. Maybe we can find a gold mine there, too. Or a dragon."
[21:02] * Jaela shrugs herself. "We can always challenge someone to a duel over something expensive, and even if we go all out no one will die. Everyone there is pretty chill about the whole fight to the death thing, too."
[21:03] <Afina> "Would that help with Annalise, then?" Afina wonders.
[21:03] <Jaela> "How so?"
[21:04] <Afina> "Feeding her without anyone dying?" the fairy prods, before glancing backwards and sagging. "I guess it doesn't help the other part, though..." She still has pangs of need that she has to keep down herself.
[21:04] <Shao_Koahn> "Annalise?" Elrisa asks, "The blonde woman who was lingering near the troll-thing, or another?"
[21:06] * Jaela beats down a pang of irrational jealousy at Elrisa's words, even as she studiously refuses to look for herself. "It's possible. I think Ysgard works that way, as long as they're finished off the normal way. But it'd need to be pretty clear in a friendly duel, so we shouldn't do that unless some asshole devils attack us or something."
[21:07] <Afina> "That's her," Afina nods. "She's a vampire we found in a ruin on the astral plane. She pledged to help us in exchange for freeing her..." sensing the inevitable outrage she tries to temper it, "I know, she's an abomination, but it's a sign of how desperate we are. It helps that she's congenial... if insistent on the benefits of her state." Addressing all the students, "Feeding one vampire is
[21:07] <Afina> enough, please don't anyone take her up on her offers to be turned."
[21:08] <Jaela> "Or feed her yourselves! Just don't do that!"
[21:08] <Ithea> "I don't recommend offering to feed her either. She gets all attached then," Ithea agrees.
[21:11] <Shao_Koahn> A murmur of surprise ripples through the women. Elrisa's expression goes from warm to cool, "That speaks to a desperation beyond words. Her life is an abomination to nature!" Elrisa protests, looking right at Afina. "She defies the natural order."
[21:16] <Ithea> "I mostly agree, but we really ARE that desperate, and she's been surprisingly decent in all the time we've traveled together," Ithea says in Annalise's defense. "I'm not saying you have to trust her, but at least tolerate her for now?"
[21:16] <Jaela> "And if you can't, what do you wanna do with her?" Jaela asks. "For real."
[21:17] <Afina> "She does," Afina is unapologetic. "But when the unnatural forces of these outer realms trample my home, I cannot give thought to anything else. She'll fight for my home without reservation, and we can't afford to be choosy. There may be others like her who we would normally shun, who can prove their value in loosening Hell's grip - best to make this clear now."
[21:20] <Shao_Koahn> Elrisa returns that stare with a cooler one, arms crossed over her chest. "I see. You speak of her as if she is tamed. Vampires are savage beasts who exist only to drink and hunt living creatures like prey, under a thin veneer of sensuality. Is this somehow different with her?"
[21:22] <Jaela> "You can't kill her, and if she's as bad as you say, you can't let her go either. So what do you wanna do? Go back to where we found her and trap her, so she's awake and suffering through two thousand years more? I'm serious, it's easy to say 'she's a savage beast' but what do you do about that? For me, I'm taking responsibility for freeing her. If she's not who she says she is, I'll do something about it then. But I want to give her a chance cause she might actually be legit. What's so wrong about that?"
[21:25] <Afina> "She's a human who became undead out of vanity and a desire to be immortal," Afina sums up her read on Annalise bluntly. "Hunting creatures as prey is natural enough... her sensuality even might be noteworthy but not unremarkable," she gives the half-nymph before her a significant look. "Her existence is monstrous, but not significantly worse than that of the typical human except for her power
[21:25] <Afina> and immortality. And like a human, she does have some capacity for reason, which has brought her to join our cause willingly, even enthusiastically."
[21:26] <Ithea> "Like I said earlier, you don't have to like her or trust her. But keep in mind that we have been traveling with her for a while, and she really has been behaving," Ithea says. "Well, outside of the asking for feeding or turning, but that's all she does."

[21:26] <Shao_Koahn> OOC: Make a diplo check, both of ya?
[21:26] <Jaela> roll 1d20+22 elves!
[21:26] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+22 elves! and gets 24." [1d20=2]
[21:27] <Afina> roll 1d20+10 not diplomatic
[21:27] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+10 not diplomatic and gets 30." [1d20=20]
[21:27] <Ithea> ooc: not diplomatic, eh?
[21:27] <Shao_Koahn> OOC: Go ahead and make one as well, Ithea?
[21:28] <Ithea> roll d20+6 I'm even less diplomatic
[21:28] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+6 I'm even less diplomatic and gets 16." [d20=10]

[21:29] <Shao_Koahn> After all of that Elrisa frowns, "You play a dangerous game...but if you think you can keep her from taking innocent lives, I can accept it for the moment," she says at last, "But I ask - you said you can't kill her?"
[21:29] <Jaela> "Deities themselves can't kill her, according to her," Jaela responds simply. "Considering how we found her, I think she's being honest."
[21:30] <Afina> "Sunlight only makes her tired... I don't presume to be an expert on vampires, but she claims to have seduced the first vampire into turning her. I expect that counts for something," Afina offers.
[21:34] <Shao_Koahn> "Monstrous," Elrisa murmurs, "I know not of a first vampire. Do you?"
[21:35] <Jaela> roll 1d20+18
[21:35] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+18 and gets 30." [1d20=12]
[21:35] * Afina shrugs, it not being something she'd particularly cared about. "You can ask her if you're curious."
[21:35] <Ithea> "She -is- pretty old to boot, soooo..."
[21:40] <Jaela> "Would fit the timeframe," Jaela says with a shrug. "He disappeared ages ago, seems like."
[21:41] <Shao_Koahn> Shaking her head, "Worrisome," she confesses, "Is hall have to ask another of it. But...you spoke of raising the tower into this place?"
[21:42] <Afina> "The fortress is mobile, so it could be positioned underneath your tower and then raised till they make contact. At that point we should be able to anchor it," Afina nods, glad to be on another subject.
[21:42] <Shao_Koahn> "Then let us see this," Elrisa agrees.
[21:43] * Jaela wonders if Annalise could be that first vampire herself, although she keeps that to herself. "Yeah," she agrees, staying to safer topics. "Especially with a few of us helping guide the tower in the right direction. Plus I think Galariel might change all sorts of stuff in the courtyard, so maybe he could make it a really light gravity to pull the tower in slowly."
[21:52] <Shao_Koahn> Going to the bridge is simple enough. Once there you direct Medicant, below and then up! There is a soft thump as Elrisa's tower is taken in the courtyard, settling in! Medicant itself reacts to your will, the bottom of the tower flowing and sealing into the ground of the courtyard!
[21:54] <Jaela> "Nice," Jaela says with clear approval. "You girls are gonna be staying there for now, or do you wanna move to quarters in the fortress itself? They're pretty okay, if you're into that sort of thing."
[21:55] <Afina> "According to Elena there are even better quarters but they're ruined right now. You'll need to meet her and Galariel, you could call them the spirits of Aurora," Afina adds.
[21:55] <Jaela> "Elena's the maid spirit," Jaela helpfully elaborates.
[21:56] <Shao_Koahn> "A maid spirit?" At that Elrisa smiles, "What a lovely idea!"
[21:57] <Jaela> "Galariel thought so, too," Jaela agrees with a grin. "She's a spunky blue elf, you can't really miss her!"
[22:01] <Shao_Koahn> Elrisa nods, "How about you two introduce me and we'll go have lunch at the tower? I have some fresh fruit there."
[22:02] <Jaela> "Hey, Elena! Elena, you there?" Jaela raises her voice. "I know you can hear us! Come on over and say hi!"
[22:03] <Shao_Koahn> In an instant Elena appears, sticking her tongue out at Jaela, "I'm not a maid!"
[22:04] <Jaela> "We need a bell for her or something. You ring it and she appears," Jaela muses, glancing at Elrisa for confirmation. "That's how maids work, don't they?"
[22:05] <Afina> "I hope we can put Elena to more important uses than serving tea and fluffing pillows, although Galariel has usurped almost all of her work..." Afina eyes the blue elf speculatively.
[22:05] <Shao_Koahn> "That is often the custom," Elrisa smiles just a little bit, "Dear, you are a lovely young woman. Sticking your tongue out isn't graceful at all."
[22:06] <Shao_Koahn> "I can do something...I'm lovely?" Elena turns to Elrisa, "Well, I suppose I am!" Her cheeks redden, "Not that anyone here appreciates it..."
[22:07] <Jaela> "I don't know. I think fluffing pillows and serving tea is just the thing for Elena to do," Jaela says with a grin. "We might as well make it official."
[22:08] <Shao_Koahn> "It is not!" Elena turns, "This is Sir Medi's fortress and I'm a part of it! I'm not some trussed up servant girl!"
[22:09] * Jaela shrugs. "Head house maid, then?"
[22:10] * Afina nods. "If we want servants we're better with those of flesh and blood," she agrees. "But still, what can we put under your responsibility now that Galariel is in charge of most maintenance?"
[22:12] <Shao_Koahn> "That cold hearted jerk of an angel can have that," Elena mutters, her blush still on as she crosses her arms and looks away, "Well, as Me-Aurora gets more people, there's going to be a lot of need of someone just going around and helping out, isn't there?"
[22:14] <Afina> "Hmm... we should designate titles and duties," Afina murmurs thoughtfully, recalling the pomp and ceremony of her home court. "Heraldry, too. You can be the Majordomo, then?"
[22:14] * Jaela honestly doesn't see much difference between greeting people and guiding them along and between an actual servant's duties, but decides to let it drop for now. "Sure, let's go with that for now," she voices. "So if I call for you anywhere in the fortress you can hear us? What about the courtyard?"
[22:19] <Shao_Koahn> "Anywhere," Elena says, "Majordomo sounds good too!"
[22:22] <Jaela> "Great! Wanna tag along with us for tea? You won't be serving it." This time.
[22:23] <Shao_Koahn> "Sure!" Elena says! From there the foursome head back to Elrisa's tower. In the gardens a meal of fresh fruit and juice is presented, sitting within the sweet smelling garden. After eating a little bit, "Tell me more of your plans and enemies, then."
[22:24] <Jaela> "For the heraldry?" Jaela asks. "Maybe something simple, like the rising sun? Fits with the Aurora and with what we're doing, too."
[22:25] <Afina> "The devils are our enemy - anyone and anything else is incidental," Afina states with utter conviction. "After gathering the other free survivors still willing to fight, we need gold for repairs. I was thinking of either finding some untapped in the ground and mining it out, or taking it from dragons."
[22:26] <Jaela> "Oh! You meant plans for fights!" Jaela exclaims, shaking her head ruefully. "I'm with Afina on that. We should keep an ear to the ground and find out where devils are making trouble before kicking their teeth in to test this place out and get more people to join us."
[22:27] <Shao_Koahn> Sipping her drink, "A beautiful battle is preferred to the trouble of mining. Do you have any idea of dragons willing to give up treasure at the end of a blade?"
[22:28] <Jaela> "It's really best if it's devils. Want to or not, they'll give their treasure and their lives." Jaela shrugs. "If not that, I figured a few duels on Ysgard would settle the initial bill? People come there to show off and look for a good fight all the time."
[22:29] <Afina> "That sounds good," Afina agrees. "If we want to talk about or symbol or flag, I thought a leaf or flower might be best to symbolise growth since we... oh!" she stops and shows a rare grin, "A phoenix would be perfect to symbolise our cause, wouldn't it?"
[22:30] <Jaela> "I figure it'd be great as long as there's plenty of fire on the banner."
[22:30] <Shao_Koahn> "Oh, that is good," Elena says, "They're gorgeous birds, Sir Medi had a few before the end."
[22:32] <Shao_Koahn> "A worthy symbol," Elrisa's agreement comes as she gently sips her drink again. "My students are a small cadre, how many survivors are there to pick up? How many can fight?
[22:34] * Afina has no idea, just going with the others since they're the ones who know about these survivors.
[22:35] <Jaela> "I've got none, but I'm trying to look into that," Jaela admits. "I figure, even if they're not from Lifasa, plenty of people hate devils? And if they help us, we could help them back, so it all works out. I'm pretty sure I know a few like those on Ysgard."
[22:37] <Afina> "Adrian and Ithea were the ones who escaped with other survivors," Afina adds since Jaela doesn't know any. "I was on my own, a portal pulled me into Gehenna when they opened up all over the forest."
[22:38] <Jaela> "Those I was with are just happy prancing about in Arvandor," Jaela confirms with a grimace.
[22:44] <Shao_Koahn> "Some of the survivors may not fight," she murmurs, "But the ones that can should be welcome. From there, Ysgard sounds like a fine place." Humming a moment, "I had another visitor after you left and before you returned. She had just been there, as a matter of fact.  She was very knowledgeable and told stories of the realm."
[22:45] <Jaela> "Oh? Anything good?"
[22:46] <Shao_Koahn> "Stories of endless battles by day and revelry by night. Stories of great fjords that hold water colder than ice, next to burning hot volcanoes. She spoke of demiplanes and powers. Her stories had the ring of truth to them," With a slight nod at the end, "She is a warrior, and a good one by my estimation."
[22:47] <Jaela> "Does she hate devils?"
[22:48] <Shao_Koahn> At this Elrisa's face becomes slightly sad, "I do notk now, but her main target of enmity are not fiends at all. Had I said I worshiped Chauntea, I fear a battle would have erupted. She did not hide her scorn for the mother of nature."
[22:50] <Afina> "Hmph. As far as deities go, at least the ones who exemplify nature are inoffensive. I can think of worse targets for emnity," Afina disapproves.
[22:50] <Afina> *better targets
[22:51] <Jaela> "I guess we'll be running into that sorta thing a lot," Jaela grumbles. "Ah well. Can't be helped?"
[22:52] <Shao_Koahn> "As can I," Elrisa agrees around another sip of juice. Gently placing her glass down, "I know not where she was headed, but I suspect it tied to that."
[22:56] <Afina> "To challenge a deity is a brave thing," Afina allows some small measure of approval for the unknown warrior.
[22:57] <Jaela> "Speaking of deities, how about we aim for the House of the Triad for the stop after Ysgard?" Jaela proposes. "Our pal probably reformed there, and there might be others who'd be all about going to fight the devils with us."
[22:57] <Shao_Koahn> "A suicidal thing," Elrisa demurs, "But her hate was strong and obvious. Had she not been so consumed, I would have attempted to teach her the Graceful Blow. What little I showed to her she learned immediately." Nodding along, "The realm of Helm, Tyr and Ilmater?"
[22:58] <Jaela> "Yeah. The kid served Torm, the old Torm, so he'll probably be there."
[23:00] <Afina> "He was Annalise's jailer, and followed us to monitor her until a dragon in the ethereal plane slew him," Afina explains who the 'kid' was for Elrisa's benefit.

[Corwin]

#t

[20:39] <Willim> "Willim not understand question?" Willim says, looking confusedly at Annalise.
[20:40] <Shao_Koahn> "Oh, Adrian going off with that lovely little thing and the others going to have girl time, leaving you by yourself," Annalise floats closer, "Lovely things, aren't they...while you end up all alone." Noting that, "Would you like some company, Willim?"
[20:43] <Willim> Willim's look turns cagey. "...what bitey girl want? You is not biting Willim."
[20:44] <Shao_Koahn> "I'm not thristy quite yet. The Astral is good for that," Annalise says with a gentle little smile. She reaches out, brushing Willim's wrist with her hand, "But aren't you lonely, Willim? Surely most women give you one look and then pretend you don't exist."
[20:48] <Willim> Willim gives her the eye for another moment, then nods slowly. "Is not like that. Willim is looking trolly and demony and big. Most humans run. Is not Willim's fault that villagers is tasty. Should try harder...but sometimes Willim is lonely. Miss friends and monks."
[20:50] <Shao_Koahn> "It's not. Oh, villagers can be...mmm." Annalise smiles and licks her lips, "That I understand too well. You miss those monks, hm? What did you do with them and your friends?"
[20:53] <Willim> "Monks is probably all dead or slaves." Willim nods. "Friends is probably all dead or hiding. Probably dead. They not come with Willim to monks. Most people not like Willim's friends. Villagers throw rocks and call guards."
[20:55] <Shao_Koahn> "Ah, I see." Annalise murmurs, "Perhaps I can help alleviate that. Have you had anyone to practice fighting with lately? Surely those monks were good for that."
[21:03] <Willim> "Was angel-man, he was fun. Dog-man was good sport. Since Lifasa, is mostly fights in bars, in villages, with devils, or stupid bandits." Willim points at himself. "Willim is looking like good person for robbing? Willim hit them lots for that. "
[21:05] <Shao_Koahn> "Would you like a practice fight, then? One without risking being robbed?" Annalise asks, "The practice grounds within Medicant are good, and I've not had a chance to really stretch my legs the past few days."
[21:07] <Willim> "Bitey girl is fighter too? Willim thought just magic." Willim looks interested, keenly so.
[21:08] <Shao_Koahn> "I dabble." With an amused look, "I can take whatever you have without you holding back. Would you like that, to fight someone you can go all out on, without any danger of truly hurting them?"
[21:09] <Willim> "Dunno, Willim is very good at hurting."
[21:10] <Shao_Koahn> "Willim," Annalise leans in, her cold breath teasing at Willim's face, "Far greater than you have tried and failed. If you can kill me, you deserve it." You can smell something on her, something that makes your blood boil and your body heat up. "Come now," she relents, starting to walk, "Come with me to the training grounds."
[21:14] <Willim> Willim bobs his head. "As long as bitey girl is not biting Willim like is biting the girls. Willim like what brains he has, is not wanting scrambled by you."
[21:16] <Shao_Koahn> Annalise just laughs as the pair head inside and to a portal. Once done they appear in the training halls. Annalise walks forward, her clothing shifting to a simple pair of knee length pants and a plain, sleeveless tunic. She stretches, "Mmmm. I'll cede the initiative to you," she says, "Come at me with your best shot." She's slow at stretching, pressing her chest forward just a bit as she does so.
[21:23] * Willim concentrates, thinking on all that he lost on Lifasa, a good home with the monks, fresh meat whenever he wanted, and all his friends, lost. With a massive roar, his muscles bulge and his eyes glow a burning red like hot coals, steam rising off of his skin. With that, he takes a galloping lunge at Annalise, clearing the distance between them in the blink of an eye! OOC: RAAAAAGE
[21:23] <Willim> roll 1d20+20 PA-9
[21:23] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+20 PA-9 and gets 38." [1d20=18]
[21:26] <Shao_Koahn> Annalise watches Willim come, not moving! His fist slams down with enough force to shatter plate mail in a single shot! Yet it hits an intangible barrier around Annalise! Cracks run up and down it, in the loose shape of a breastplate. It absorbs the force of the blow as Annalise raises but a single eybrow, "Not bad. That would had hit me on a slightly slower day. Now then, let's begin
[21:26] <Shao_Koahn> by testing your defenses, hm?" As she speaks, her fist slams out twice, a savage two-some into Willim's gut!
[21:26] <Shao_Koahn> roll 1d20+16
[21:26] <Shao_Koahn> roll 1d20+16
[21:26] * Hatbot --> "Shao_Koahn rolls 1d20+16 and gets 19." [1d20=3]
[21:26] * Hatbot --> "Shao_Koahn rolls 1d20+16 and gets 30." [1d20=14]
[21:26] <Shao_Koahn> OOC: AC?
[21:33] <Willim> OOC: AC 28 with Rage
[21:33] <Shao_Koahn> roll 2d6+6
[21:33] * Hatbot --> "Shao_Koahn rolls 2d6+6 and gets 13." [2d6=1, 6]
[21:33] <Willim> OOC: DR 3
[21:33] <Shao_Koahn> A fist slams into Willim's stomach, bringing a bit of pain! For a woman, she hits surprisingly hard! "Now then, try again," Annalise instructs, "Hold nothing back! Show me all your rage, all your fury, all your might!"
[21:33] <Shao_Koahn> OOC: You're up.
[21:35] <Willim> roll 1d20+29
[21:35] <Willim> roll 1d20+29
[21:35] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+29 and gets 39." [1d20=10]
[21:35] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+29 and gets 31." [1d20=2]
[21:35] <Willim> roll 1d20+24
[21:35] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+24 and gets 34." [1d20=10]
[21:35] <Willim> roll 1d20+19
[21:35] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+19 and gets 33." [1d20=14]
[21:35] <Willim> roll 1d20+24 bite
[21:35] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+24 bite and gets 32." [1d20=8]
[21:39] * Willim drives forth with a powerful flurry of swings, snapping wildly at Annlise!
[21:40] <Shao_Koahn> The flurry of blows misses! Some narrowly get evaded, others deflect away for no reason, and even another grazes her but doesn't even bruise her! Annalise smiles, "Is that it? Is that all your mighty rage?" she taunts just a little bit, holding her blows and defending herself! "Try as hard as you may. If you can land a blow now that I'm defending myself, I'll teach you a secret." OOC:
[21:40] <Shao_Koahn> Go, Willim. She's defending.
[21:42] * Willim lunges at her, fists screaming in to beat the vampire girl silly!
[21:42] <Willim> roll 1d20+29
[21:42] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+29 and gets 48." [1d20=19]
[21:42] <Willim> roll 1d20+29
[21:42] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+29 and gets 48." [1d20=19]
[21:42] <Willim> roll 1d20+19
[21:42] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+19 and gets 34." [1d20=15]
[21:43] <Willim> roll 1d20+19
[21:43] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+19 and gets 35." [1d20=16]
[21:43] <Willim> roll 1d20+24 bite
[21:43] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+24 bite and gets 36." [1d20=12]
[21:43] <Shao_Koahn> OOC: Two hits.
[21:44] <Willim> roll 1d10+15 She won't even feel these
[21:44] <Willim> roll 1d10+15 She won't even feel these
[21:44] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d10+15 She won't even feel these and gets 20." [1d10=5]
[21:44] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d10+15 She won't even feel these and gets 19." [1d10=4]
[21:47] <Shao_Koahn> With pure fury Annalise takes two punches, one in the chest and one in the face! The facial blow doesn't even seem to phase her, not a mark left! She merely smiles after that, "Better," she says, "Let us begin with a secret - how to shore up your mental will. Resist as best you can." OOC: Make a will save?
[21:48] <Willim> roll 1d20+13
[21:48] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+13 and gets 14." [1d20=1]
[21:50] <Shao_Koahn> Abruptly Willim's rage is gone. He stands slack jawed. Mistress is before him. His will is utterly crushed, his mind thinking of only how to serve Annalise. She smiles for a moment...and the sensation is gone, free thought restored, even if his rage is shattered. "Mmm, yes, your body is strong but your will is weak. You need this training, Willim. What is a body without a powerful mind
[21:50] <Shao_Koahn> to direct it? With my help, we'll begin to remedy that. Now then, look at me again."
[21:52] * Willim sighs, already feeling tired. He looks at Annalise. "What Willim do about it? Is not so smart."
[21:53] <Shao_Koahn> "Simply try to resist again." With a coy smile, "How does a fat man get in shape, Willim? Effort and exercise. This is exercise for your will, for your mind. Now," Her eyes draw you in, pools of absolute dazzling whirls that make your mind reel! OOC: Will again.
[21:54] <Willim> roll 1d20+13 Willing for a non-1!
[21:54] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+13 Willing for a non-1! and gets 29." [1d20=16]
[21:55] <Shao_Koahn> Again Willim feels his will crush and crumble, his entire soul dedicated to Annalise...and just liket hat it fades, his right mind back. "Better, not still not there." Annalise instructs, "Again. Sit down if you care to, as long as you can look at my eyes."
[21:58] * Willim hunches down a bit, resting on his hands. He grumbles, but looks again!
[21:59] <Shao_Koahn> OOC: Will again.
[21:59] <Willim> roll 1d20+13 will
[21:59] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+13 will and gets 16." [1d20=3]
[22:00] <Shao_Koahn> Once again it repeats, Annalise going to sit as she holds and then releases Willim's will. "We're on the Astral, so practicing this is without the usual drawbacks," she goes on, "It's exhausting mentally, but you won't have that problem here. Again. We're going to keep doing this for awhile. Whenever I release your will, breathin and out once and look up. If you manage to resist, do the
[22:00] <Shao_Koahn> same and the look back into my eyes. Don't worry about failing - it's the mental effort that's important, not the success or failure."
[22:05] * Willim scratches at the base of one of his horns. "Is like lifting rocks?"
[22:05] <Shao_Koahn> "Yes. Your will is like a muscle - train it well and it will get better. Your entire mind is like that, as a matter of fact." Nodding once, "Now look into my eyes."
[22:06] * Willim does so!
[22:06] <Willim> roll 1d20+13 will save!
[22:06] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+13 will save! and gets 29." [1d20=16]
[22:10] <Shao_Koahn> Over and over it happens. Willim resists as best he can. Most of the time his will is smothered, but every so often he manages to resist. On and on and on it goes - surely hundreds of attempts if not thousands, just sitting there and focusing his mind. Atlast Annalise nods, "That's enough for the moment. How do you feel?"
[22:12] <Willim> "...Willim not sure." he says, puzzled. "Is Willim supposed to be smarter now?"
[22:14] <Shao_Koahn> "In time. Like any exercise, you have to keep doing it to progress. Come back tomo-well, that won't work here. Come back a little later. I'll fight you again to warm you up, then we'll practice this again. Oh, and remember to work your mind. For now..." Tapping her blood red lips with a single finger, "Ah yes. I. Use I for yourself and not Willim. Make sure you do that, work your mind
[22:14] <Shao_Koahn> a little harder."
[22:15] <Willim> "I is Willim?"
[22:17] <Shao_Koahn> "Yes. I is the proper way to express yourself. Should I say 'Annalise is bored' or 'I am bored', Willim? What way does everyone else say it?" With a look to him, "You should have said, 'I not sure. Is I supposed to be smarter now?' The grammar of it is wrong now, but it's still an improvement. Part of being smarter is sounding like it and working your mind to talk better."
[22:17] * Willim looks thoroughly confused.
[22:19] <Shao_Koahn> Annalise takes a breath, "Willim, how do you feel right now?"
[22:21] <Willim> "I is Willim...not sure?" Willim looks to be trying very hard.
[22:21] <Shao_Koahn> "You should say it like this, 'I am not sure.' Say it like that, Willim," Annalise instructs, "Think about it and where to use I instead of Willim."
[22:22] <Willim> "But Willim is Willim! I is not Willim's name!"
[22:23] <Shao_Koahn> Annalise takes another breath, "Willim, do you ever wonder why people say I instead of their names when they speak, but you don't? That's the proper way to refer to yourself int hese instances."
[22:24] <Willim> "Because they is smarter than Willim and is making fun!"
[22:25] <Shao_Koahn> "No." Shaking her head, "It's because that is the proper way to speak. Once you learn to speak that way, they won't be able to say you're dumb and make fun of you." Annalise smiles a little bit, reaching out to take his hand. "Now, try saying you are not sure, but with I instead fo Willim."
[22:28] * Willim eyes the smaller woman suspiciously. "You is no making fun?"
[22:29] <Shao_Koahn> "I'm not making fun of you," Annalise takes another breath, "I am not making fun of you at all. Now try and speak like I showed you."
[22:33] * Willim carefully goes over what she said in his head, then tries to repeat it as best he can. "Willim...I is...not sure?"
[22:43] <Shao_Koahn> "Almost there." Annalise closes her eyes a moment, "Say this: I am not sure."
[22:48] <Willim> "'I am not sure.'" Willim clearly repeats. Simple enough!
[22:49] <Shao_Koahn> "Exactly! That's the first step. Now tell me how you feel, using I instead of Willim," Annalise smiles, "Just like you did there."
[22:50] <Willim> "Willim feel fine." He nods.
[22:52] <Willim> Wilim blinks. "Wait. Willim not fine?"
[22:52] <Shao_Koahn> There is a pause while Annalise stares at Willim. She exhales slowly, "No, say it with I. Use I instead of Willim. Try it that way."
[22:52] <Willim> "Willim is I? Right?"
[22:55] <Willim> "I is feeling fine?"
[22:56] <Shao_Koahn> "Close enough for now," Annalise says, standing up. "Just try and speak better with I."
[22:57] <Willim> "But Willim is I! You is bitey girl! You is not I!" Willim palms his face. "Willim no inderstand!"
[23:01] <Shao_Koahn> "You will i time," Annalise rises, "Go now, and come back later, as much as there is ever a later in the Astral. Another set of exercises will strengthen you further."
[23:05] * Willim heads off, looking even more confused.