014.1 Jaela in Arvandor

[Corwin]

[20:05] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:05] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 82." [1d100=82]
[20:08] <Kotono> The celebration of life. The smell of nature fills Jaela's nostrils as she appears within Avrandor. You stand about log cabins woven into the trees about. You can faintly hear music, the chirping of songbirds mixing into it. No one is immediately about, but yet you feel better. You feel at home, a sense of a forgotten desire fulfilled.
[20:11] * Jaela smiles faintly despite herself, but does not relax as she had during the trip to the House of the Triad. She pulls her cloak over her shoulder to cover Elrisa's body, and then heads towards the music.
[20:15] <Kotono> Following the music, you come to a log behind one of the cabins. Here a male elf sits. His eyes are closed, blonde bangs hiding much of his face. He plays on his lute, but oh! Music of all types come from it as he plays, an entire orchestra of nature in one lute.
[20:17] * Jaela leans against the cabin with a clank of metal. With these types, it's better for everyone involved to let them play till they're done. Sounds nice, too.
[20:19] <Kotono> As you settle in the music slows, the player opening his blue eyes. He has the classical elven features, with a warmth to his face that puts Jaela at ease. "I didn't know anyone lingered," he remarks, "But you hardly look like the type to live here. Hail and well met," he raises a hand, speaking in Elven. "The first rays of dawn on you."
[20:23] <Jaela> "Hey," Jaela greets him back. She glances down at her burden, and then gives him an apologetic shrug. "Sorry about not shaking your hand. Or about being covered in devil blood. I'm more the 'Be ever vigilant and work together against evil' type than 'Nature is what is beautiful'."
[20:29] <Kotono> "Whatever makes you happy," He shrugs, "So ah, looking for me? I don't think I've had the pleasure."
[20:29] <Jaela> "Jaela."
[20:32] <Kotono> "Charmed," He smiles a little bit, "So, why are you looking for me?"
[20:36] <Jaela> Shouldn't introductions go both ways? She always meets strange people while traveling through the heavens. "I think it was chance, but this place being what it is, it might be that we were guided here. In a nutshell, we're fighting against the devils that invaded and occupied Lifasa. My friend here," she glances down once more, before returning her eyes to the elf, "went with me and a few others to break fey hostages out of a fortress on Hades. We did that, but the pit fiend there killed her out of spite before running away. We had a healer try to do something about it, this giant, but I think he's a quack. If you want something done right, you should just do it yourself, but since I can't just yet, I went to do the next best thing. Can you help me find a great healer?"
[20:40] <Kotono> "Mmm," Strumming a few notes on his lute, "I've heard of this in recent times. Her soul was called back but it didn't return? Or do you think the giant was an outright fraud?"
[20:41] <Jaela> "He's kinda dim. Let's face it, he throws rocks and boozes for a living. The healing thing is more of a hobby, there. I ain't looking for a miracle here, but I wanted to do it properly. Elrisa's got students waiting for her, these young kids who're impressionable and shit. I owe her this much."
[20:43] <Kotono> "I can swing a resurrection or two," He says thoughtfully, "I've picked up a lot of everything in my travels. I'm not a great professional about it, but you could say I'm a gifted amateur."
[20:44] <Jaela> "Can you give it a couple tries, then?" Jaela asks, carefully laying Elrisa's body down on an adjacent log and sitting down next to it. "I'm broke but if helping a decent person isn't enough I'll owe you one."
[20:47] <Kotono> "Well, cutting it straight," Scratching his chin a moment as he kneels and examines Elrisa, "If it was done right and she didn't come back, it's probably not going to work short of the Seladrine intervening. By the way, she is heading here, isn't she?" A glance back, before wrinkling his nose, "A pit fiend did this, you say? Looks like their handiwork."
[20:49] <Jaela> "A bitchy one. You know, a chick pit fiend?" Jaela shrugs. "She wasn't even that good at fighting, Elrisa went down to a lucky hit that stunned her and the cheap shot from the pit fiend. Pretty sure she'd be heading here, but it's not really the same. I figure it should be her choice. Even if you try to resurrect her a couple times, it's not like you could make her get back if she didn't wanna."
[20:52] <Kotono> "Oh, do you mean a female pit fiend or a paeliryon?" Glancing over at Jaela and away from Elrisa's mortal remnants, "Eh, it doesn't matter. It's a question for the sages." Going back to studying her, "Stay with her? If it's like this, I'm going to cast a divination first, to better understand the will of the Seladrine in this matter." Rising up, "I won't be too long; there's no point invoking
[20:52] <Kotono> a resurrection for no good reason. That power shouldn't be used frivoulously."
[20:53] <Jaela> "Sure thing. If they say she wants to pass on, that's what goes. I'll be here."
[20:57] <Jaela> Whether it's being in this place again, or the mood set by the circumstances of her arrival, but Jaela decides to reminisce about Lifasa as she waits.
[21:11] <Kotono> A time passes in solitude and peace. Jaela finds it easy to drift here, easy to feel the storm within her soul calm despite anything else. When your new friend returns, he comes and sits next to Jaela. "Elrisa was tired." Reaching out to stroke her charred cheek with one hand, leaving behind whole and unblemished flesh in its wake, "She had begun to lose hope in her world, dreading in her heart
[21:11] <Kotono> that the humans and dwarves would never be defeated." His hand works, the flesh of her face restored to pristine, lifeless beauty. His hand travels over her body, doing the same to all of it as he speaks. "She was torn between her duty and a chance to rest, to put it all behind her. In the end, she closed her eyes and went back to sleep." He looks to Jaela then, "Resurrection will not call her
[21:11] <Kotono> soul back. It would take the touch of one of the Seladrine to restore her to life now."
[21:14] <Jaela> "That would go over swell with her girls," Jaela mutters. "Uh, I feel bad asking more of you and all, but is one of the Seldarine gonna restore her to life? Is there a divination for that?"
[21:16] <Kotono> "Not in any meaningful sense," So he admits, finishing with her body. Her burned body is restored, as if it was never cut, scarred or burnt. Dusting his hands off after, "You can go seek them out. It is a quest that may end in a minute or last all of eternity without success. The Seladrine sees much and has wisdom we can't begun to grasp; it is beyond my magic to divine that or any success of
[21:16] <Kotono> an appeal." Now, as he gazes at Elrisa's form, "She wanted to be beautiful in life, I see no reason to deny that to her in death."
[21:20] <Jaela> "I thought we stopped with the senseless deaths back on Lifasa...." Jaela stretches her hand and runs her fingers through Elrisa's hair. "Silly me." She laughs. "Wanna join us? It's a good cause, but you probably won't live to see your next birthday. Unless that's a plus?"
[21:33] <Kotono> "I'd join your cause if you could show me a moment of perfect joy, wrought by your own hands." Grabbing his lute once more, "Something to balance within Avrandor if I leave."
[21:38] <Jaela> "That's a proposition, right? I don't even know anymore, because I must look like shit after today, but I just dunno what else it could be." Jaela snorts. "Sorry, I'm all for freedom and for choice, but I don't think it makes cheating okay." She pauses in consideration. "When I leave for the Aurora tomorrow, I could bring you along and show you the fey prisoners we got back. If you look them in the eye when we restore them, I'm sure there'll be a moment of perfect joy or dozen in the mix."
[21:41] <Kotono> To your surprise your new friend smirks and laughs, throwing his head back, "Your sentiment is appreciated, even if your intent is misaimed."
[21:48] <Jaela> "Oh, you weren't? Sorry." Considering that matter closed, Jaela leans back, supporting herself on her arms. "I'm just a bit depressed and worked up, but we do get to have fun. To those of us from Lifasa, the Aurora and what it stands for is that perfect joy. Elrisa died and it feels like shit, but that'll pass. We'll always remember rescuing those who were past hope, though, whatever the cost. I think it's something you will understand if you spend some time over. Lifasa, that other world, Benfal? We'll be their hope. I'm going to make it happen." Jaela glances down at Elrisa, and shrugs. "Or die trying."
[21:56] <Kotono> "Or die trying," Your friend echos, looking to Elrisa as well. "Are you going to seek the Seladrine for her?"
[21:57] <Jaela> "Gonna come along? Cause I'm all sorts of lost, here. I dunno how to even try, if I'm on my own."
[21:59] <Kotono> "I'm aiming to stay here and keep playing. If you seek them, it needs to be on your own two feet and your own quest," Shaking his head, "I'm just a passerby in your tale right now. Who likes someone who comes along and hogs the spotlight? 'tis ruined many a good book or story."
[22:03] <Jaela> Jaela snorts, and pulls herself to her feet. Brushing off her hands, she says, "If I don't die, when we meet again I'll show you something amazing. Remember what you told me!" She picks up Elrisa, no longer needing to cover her body with her cloak, and when she looks up at the elf she appears confident once more. "Maybe you can even tell me your name that time."
[22:07] <Kotono> "You may be ready to hear it then," Your friend retorts with a pleasant smile.
[22:09] <Jaela> "Sure thing!" With that said, Jaela returns to where she had appeared on Arvandor. This was a detour, so it makes sense to start a quest from that spot. Then, she picks a direction entirely in random and heads there.

[Corwin]

[19:57] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[19:58] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 43." [1d100=43]
[19:58] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[19:58] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 72." [1d100=72]
[20:01] <Kotono> For a time Jaela wanders. The amount of time she cannot tell - things fade into a blur, of barely noticed forest as she walks. It's a thoughtless haze, one of tranquility. Her awareness falls into a doze, as if on holiday. For a time she wanders just like this, until something disturbs her reverie. Ahead of her is a forest path, dim. At the end of it is light, shining brighter.
[20:02] * Jaela heads into the light~
[20:05] <Kotono> Into the light Jaela goes! She finds it leads into a clearing. Here a rainbow of colors awaits - flowers of every bloom blossom ahead of you, a small footpath leading further in. From vibrant reds to misty-pale blues, to throbbing purples and delicate yellows, even drops of black flowers like inkblots, flowers of all type bloom. The air is decadently rich with the scent of pollen and nectar, a
[20:05] <Kotono> sweet smell brings to mind happy days as a child, eating candy and running in fields of flowers.
[20:06] <Jaela> "Hello? Is anyone here?" Jaela asks, looking about. No matter how nostalgic the situation makes her, carrying around a corpse dampens things quite a bit.
[20:07] <Kotono> There is no answer. Ahead you can see the path leads up a hill - a hill that rises as you watch, flowers making it akin to a rainbow's arch.
[20:09] <Jaela> Then up that hill is where Jaela heads, careful to step around the flowers so as to not to crush any of them beneath her feet.
[20:11] <Kotono> Jaela heads up the hill! It rises high - farh igher than it should. Up and up you climb, the trees becoming treetops, then to the brilliant, open sky above. A pure blue sky, the color of sapphires mixed with clear blue seawater, shines above. Atop the hillt he flowers grow thicker, save for the very center. Here in this center is a space, about equal to a the body you carry.
[20:13] <Jaela> "I guess that's for you?" Jaela says, glancing down at Elrisa. Upon ascending the hill, she kneels by the flower-free space and places her down upon it.
[20:14] <Kotono> On placing Elrisa down, your vision is drawn about. Atop a flowered hill does Elrisa rest, the beauty suddenly and sharply vibrant to you. The sky above contrasts with it, the view of the endless forests visible from horizon to horizon.
[20:17] <Jaela> "Wow, you're hot. Criminally so. I never noticed." Jaela decides to take a seat nearby, gazing out ahead. "Can you even hear me when you're dead? If you do, I bet it's weird how this voice keeps on talking to you. Though it would be kinda nice, too, since I think you're being an idiot and giving up too quickly. How can you be satisfied with what happened? Don't you wanna free your own world?"
[20:21] <Kotono> Elrisa's body lies there, unresponsive. As a warm breeze blows by, you hear her voice. It's a whisper, strangely youthful, "....please, teach me! They've taken so much and ruined everything beautiful! Teach me your art so that I can show a little more beauty to the survivors!"
[20:23] * Jaela snorts. "Is that how you started out? So what is it? Did you show the survivors enough beauty? Everyone gets tired of living a crappy life. But isn't the important thing about it that you feel satisfied? I dunno, do you? With your life, what you did with it so far?"
[20:27] <Kotono> Again, no answer from Elrisa. There is quiet for a time, and this time it's the murmur of leaves rustling in summer, "...I have planted the flowers and tended the garden, Mother. Bell will keep up with the rest of it, I have to leave. I love you, Mother...I know you are back in the cycle now, but...please smile for this. When I pass, I would love nothing more than to rest amid flowers and beauty,
[20:27] <Kotono> like this."
[20:31] * Jaela lays back until she can stare at the sky and feel the breeze on her face.
[20:35] <Kotono> How long does Jaela stay there? Time seems to have little meaning here, the sky absorbing her attention like a wondrous gem. What disturbs it is the sound of footsteps, unguarded and yet light, approaching.
[20:35] * Jaela turns her head this way and that in an attempt to spot her visitor.
[20:38] <Kotono> The person that approaches is a elf. She is of beauty - breath-taking beauty, glad in gossamer silk more akin to morning mist than anything solid. It forms a dress around her of purest misty white. Her hair is a deep, midnight black and her face captivates you. She silently passes Jaela, going to kneel next to Elrisa. She places two fingers on her lips and then kisses her forehead.
[20:40] <Jaela> "So what now?" Jaela asks, not bothering to move from her spot. "This is where I get my no?"
[20:41] <Kotono> "My daughter is at rest. She will have her peace in this realm before re-entering the cycle," she says, glancing over at Jaela. "As I am resting now before I rejoin the cycle. Thank you for bringing her here - she always wanted beauty."
[20:43] <Jaela> "I dunno what to say. Guess nothing's changed for me."
[20:45] <Kotono> "There are no more words that need to be said." Staying besides her daughter, "Return to your duties as a member of the living. This is a place for those who have left behind their mortal shell."
[20:47] <Jaela> "Mmm. Was nice meeting you, I guess." Jaela closes her eyes. "Tell Elrisa I'll see her soon?" She has no idea how long she's been walking through the heavens, but it's probably enough. She calls upon Greater Plane Shift to return to the Aurora.

[Corwin]

[20:53] <Kotono> On returning, finding Tannin takes some work. You find him watching the giants play Galuh, leaning against a far wall and drowsing. He raises a hand as you approach, even though his head is down, as if asleep.
[20:54] <Jaela> "Is this a 'hi' or a 'don't talk to me, I'm thinking' pose?" Jaela asks, nevertheless approaching.
[20:59] <Kotono> "I'm fine," Tannin doesn't look up, "I always need time to recover from Hades. The grays don't agree with me," Without looking up, "Condolences."
[21:00] <Jaela> "Yeah well. Not the first time, not the last." That's all Jaela intends to say on the subject. "You're all about information, so what do you have on me?"
[21:01] <Kotono> "Besides the obvious? You have good taste in women if not species," A dry chuckle follows, "Why do you ask? Are you going to want me to investigate yourself?"
[21:02] <Jaela> "It's not-- I'm not--" Jaela clenches her fist in irritation. "Nevermind. There's something I want you to investigate that's for the war effort, and something personal just for me. That okay?"
[21:04] <Kotono> "Doesn't matter to me," Tannin murmurs, "What are you interested in?"
[21:05] <Kotono> Meanwhile a thrown boulder crashes down on the Galuh board, giant cheers heard as they celebrate.
[21:08] <Jaela> "You're already looking into the survivors, right? Those who escaped and are fighting, or those who were taken? I just want to add a few names to the list. Elrisa had a teacher that showed her how to dance pretty and gank people, and I know she had some other students, too. For all we know they all died to the last, but if not, I wanna track someone down who'd take over the school. You get me?" Jaela shuffles uncomfortably. "The private thing, it's about my mom. She was killed ages ago, but with her kind that's just an inconvenience. I get her not visiting me due to the bullshit rules on outsiders, but I guess I've started wondering if she wouldn't wanna say hi, what with me having a permanent home outside Lifasa and all now. This stays between us, yeah?"
[21:12] <Kotono> "Alright," Tannin murmurs, just loudly enough to carry over the celebrating giants. "Does your mother have a name?"
[21:13] <Jaela> "Of course she does!" Jaela bristles. "I asked you what you knew about me, didn't I?"
[21:15] <Kotono> "Then tell it to me," he goes on, glancing up. His eyes are a sharp gray and black, "If what you think her name is and what I know is different, then either you or one of my sources is wrong. Confirmation's a big part of this business, you get it whenever you can."
[21:16] <Jaela> "Well... I... don't exactly know it. I mean she had one! Everyone does! But I was really young when she died so I don't really... remember it and stuff."
[21:18] <Kotono> Tannin grins, lowering his head back down. "Hanna."
[21:18] <Jaela> "Hmph." Jaela crosses her arms before her chest.
[21:19] <Kotono> "I was worth the investment, wasn't I?" With another chuckle, this one a little more hearty than the last, "Give me until tomorrow, then I'll begin. I'm still shaking off the grays."
[21:21] <Jaela> "I would've paid triple that rate without blinking," Jaela tells him bluntly. "I'm not the only one with a reputation. For what it's worth, I think you picked a good cause. But then, I'm biased, ain't I?"
[21:22] <Kotono> "I know I did." Tannin retorts.