025.2 "Can anything be salvaged there?"

[Corwin]

[20:50] <Kotono> Later that day, Afina and Jaela are off. Willim is practicing, whilst Ithea steers Aurora along. As she does, she sees something ahead. A single figure, momentarily radiating enough light to flare up brilliantly in Ithea's view.
[20:53] <Ithea> "More guests, it looks like. Joy," Ithea says as she continues moving the fortress a bit closer before stopping and getting out of the room, heading towards the courtyard.
[20:56] <Kotono> Ithea heads to the courtyard, Willim out there as the Master puts him through the paces. Coming to the gates she sees a few other people about - Dana watching Willim, Tannin resting near the outer wall, the giants playing Galuh. Just outside Aurora is a figure of radiant light. An angel, glad in armor of gold andwith a shining bright halo. He is ageless and beautiful, as if a perfectly carved
[20:56] <Kotono> statue given form. As Ithea approaches, "I greet you as a messenger of the Maimed God. I request an audience."
[20:57] * Ithea raises an eyebrow, and moves to the side, gesturing in. "Please, come in."
[21:00] <Kotono> The angel comes in, offering his hand to Ithea. "Morniel," he greets her, voice a melodic song. He carries a greatsword on his back, rustling against his golden-blonde hair when he moves.
[21:01] <Willim> Seeing that they have a guest, Willim nods to the Master as he halts his training. He heads over to Ithea to back her up. More angels could be trouble.
[21:02] <Ithea> "I'm Ithea. A pleasure to meet you," Ithea says politely, shaking the angel's hand, before gesturing towards one of the portals. "We can talk inside."
[21:03] * Ithea also greets Willim as he approaches. "Oh, this is Willim. Willim, this is Morniel."
[21:04] * Willim nods to the angel. "Hey. Not here to cause trouble, are you?"
[21:04] <Kotono> His grip is quite strong, restrained enough to be gentle. Once done he offers his hand to Willim, "I'm here in good faith, on the command of Tyr."
[21:07] <Willim> Hearing that, Willim takes the hand in his own. "Oh, yeah. I remember we found one of your priests in the Abyss. Sent him on his way, I hope?"
[21:09] * Ithea smiles at the angel. "Yes, the lack of the usual threats when you spotted us was a good sign of that. Is this a follow-up on Jaela and Afina's visit to one of Tyr's temples?"
[21:09] <Kotono> "Yes." His grip is indeed strong - able to match Willim's. He follows along, "It is. Let's go inside and talk."
[21:10] * Ithea nods again, leading towards the usual meeting room. "I'm afraid Jaela and Afina are out at the moment, so I hope you're alright with us, otherwise you're welcome to wait."
[21:15] <Kotono> "I don't mind repeating myself," Morniel says easily as you head to the meeting room. Once there he sits, "So you're aware of what Afina and Jaela did?"
[21:17] <Willim> "I'm not."
[21:18] <Ithea> "Only somewhat," Ithea replies.
[21:22] <Kotono> "In essence, they asked for Tyr's help in patching some of your difficulties with the Triad and other celestials." Nodding slightly at the reply.
[21:23] <Willim> "Oh yeah. Jaela made Helm mad...somehow."
[21:23] * Ithea nods. "And?" Ithea asks.
[21:25] <Kotono> "It is our opinion that you could use an advisor and diplomat to help guide your actions," So explaining, "Your hearts may be in the right places, but you've also upset several entities so far and made enemies. If you're on the side of righteousness against the devils, there's no profit or gain for this to be happening, for anyone."
[21:28] * Willim thinks for a moment, then bobs his head. "Yeah okay. Welcome aboard." Willim says, then shouts off to the side, "Elena!"
[21:30] <Kotono> Instead of Elena, a faint blue outline of Galariel appears. He bows slightly, "Elena is occupied," He intones, "What assistance do you need?"
[21:30] <Ithea> "Would you be the one to serve in that role, Morniel?" Ithea asks.
[21:31] <Willim> "Need a place for this guy to set up camp." Willim points at Morniel.
[21:34] <Kotono> "I would. I've served in the Bringers of Hope, Celestia's diplomatic service. I've dealt with almost all the Planes through it." Morniel replies, a moment's smile.
[21:35] <Kotono> "It is done," Galariel replies after closing his eyes a moment. He pauses to nod at Morniel, who returns the gesture. Thereafter, "Do you require anything else for Medicant?"
[21:39] <Willim> "Nah."
[21:41] <Kotono> With that, Galariel is gone. Once he is, Morniel looks to Willim and Ithea. "I've been told the broad details of your problems with Helm and Bahamut. Could you elaborate on those problems, and any other things? We'll start there."
[21:44] <Ithea> "We might as well start with this morning, I think, since that's not necessarily a problem yet," Ithea says, as she starts to recount the earlier problem with Baleruk's abominable state against the laws of nature and Varakhut.
[21:44] <Ithea> "Can anything be salvaged there?" Ithea asks after she finishes summarizing.
[21:48] <Kotono> Morniel listens well, rubbing his chin. He sits back, his wings wrapping around him like a cloak of white feathers. "A Valakhut coming like that is a warning or a probe of your will and intentions. Mechanus is fairly regular about how it approaches problems. If it was a warning they're giving you a chance to surrender before they attack in earnest.  If it's a probe, they'd gathering information
[21:48] <Kotono> on you and that was the entire point of it. Is this the first contact you've had with Mechanus?"
[21:52] <Ithea> "It is," Ithea answers with a nod.
[21:55] <Kotono> Rubbing his chin further as he looks down for a few moments, "Considering the scope of what you've done, it was probably a warning. It can be remedied, but you may not like what it takes to fix the problem. Mechanus isn't long on compromise." At that he looks up, "Ideally, what you want to do is gather a diplomatic envoy of three people, none of them chaotic. They go to Mechanus and request
[21:55] <Kotono> a hearing. That stops Mechanus cold, as long as they feel you're making a good faith attempt to negotiate. From there it gets a little more complicated."
[21:57] * Willim frowns. "Complicated?"
[21:59] <Ithea> "I'd be surprised if things didn't get complicated. I'm wondering how we get through to them that we aren't going to just allow them to kill Baleruk because they want to," Ithea comments.
[22:01] <Kotono> "Once you request a hearing you get involved in the justice system of Mechanus." Folding his hands together, "From there you try and defeat the entire thing from the inside or broker some sort of agreement. Mechanus will usually negotiate a fee of two highly lawful deeds in exchange for every chaotic deed you've done. There's a lot more finer detail to it, but that's the most likely result.
[22:01] <Kotono> That assumes a competent diplomatic crew and hiring a good lawyer."
[22:16] <Kotono> "Once you request a hearing you get involved in the justice system of Mechanus." Folding his hands together, "From there you try and defeat the entire thing from the inside or broker some sort of agreement. Mechanus will usually negotiate a fee of two highly lawful deeds in exchange for every chaotic deed you've done. There's a lot more finer detail to it, but that's the most likely result.
[22:16] <Kotono> That assumes a competent diplomatic crew and hiring a good lawyer."
[22:20] <Ithea> "You know any such good lawyers?" Ithea asks.
[22:22] <Kotono> "A few. You'd be surprised at the variety of lawyers, too. I even had a pit fiend for a lawyer once," Morniel chuckles, an entirely warming sound that banishes worries like the first ray of sunlight at dawn. "A good lawyer costs money, so you'll want to send your diplomats with a supply of currency."
[22:25] * Ithea nods. "Well, a pit fiend lawyer isn't what I'd want on my side, but I suppose they'd know how to twist the law to their side," Ithea says. "What do you think are our chances? And what happens if we were to lose such an agreement attempt or something? I don't want to send people to their deaths either."
[22:26] <Kotono> "Diplomatic envoys have immunity and the freedom to leave, as long as they don't commit seperate offenses there," Morniel explains, "As long as none of them had a direct hand in any of the incidents."
[22:28] <Ithea> "Well, I'm pretty sure all the ones who had a direct hand would count as chaotic anyway, so that shouldn't be a problem," Ithea admits.
[22:31] * Willim nods.
[22:32] <Kotono> "Alright. There's more details to be gone over for that now, but that can wait. You should be at least able to stall and control this situation," Morniel concludes, "Any other enemies or problems to mention? For that matter, whoare your allies?"
[22:32] <Ithea> "But alright, I guess that's one situation that can be diffused at least. How do we avoid further problems over Baleruk?" Ithea asks Morniel. "Honestly, it feels like everyone else wants to cause problems and then blame him for them...he's been pretty tame all things considered."
[22:33] <Willim> We've managed to make Bahamut and Tiamat mad at us too with Baleruk." Willim says.
[22:34] <Ithea> "Those two I don't think we can fix into being okay with us, but I'd rather not have the rest of existence against us too when Baleruk hasn't tried to destroy anyone or do anything evil," Ithea comments.
[22:41] <Kotono> "Probably not, from what I understand. Alright," Another nod, "For now, decide on a good envoy to Mechanus. Once you get that going, the other problems can be dealt with."
[22:45] <Ithea> "Alright, the question is who to send then. Adrian probably works, Dana would be a bad idea, Drena on the other hand already seemed to know a little about how to deal with them...who for third though?" Ithea muses out loud.

[Corwin]

[19:50] <Kotono> "Someone intelligent is preferable, as well as with any training in law or legal professions," Morniel points out, "Mechanus respects logic and cold reasoning, and that equates to intelligence."
[19:51] * Willim immediately does not volunteer for this.
[19:54] <Ithea> "Well, I don't know of anyone who has training with law. It'll be something to think about, I suppose," Ithea answers. "Maybe we can ask Adrian and Drena for their thoughts too."
[19:57] <Kotono> "Onto other subjects," Morniel agrees, "Bahamut and Tiamat are lost causes. There isn't any reasonable way to fix that. Since we can't fix that, let's look at it. There's no benefit in trying to fix Tiamat anyway. She's with Hell and Hell is your enemy - so she's already your enemy, right?"
[19:58] <Willim> "I suppose so."
[19:59] * Ithea nods. "We pretty much expect that, yes."
[20:00] <Kotono> "In that case, ignore Tiamat for now. Bahamut doesn't have that problem, so if we can't get him to relent ourselves, we can use others to isolate him and soften his wrath." Nodding to that slightly, "If the Celestial Hebdomad, Tyr, Ilmater and even Helm come to support you, it greatly weakens Bahamut's position. Celestia is about cooperation for the greater good. The nature of Celestia means
[20:00] <Kotono> outliers are genly persuaded to question their views."
[20:01] <Willim> "So how do we fix the problem with Jaela and Helm?"
[20:04] <Kotono> "The same way. We use the others as a level to help against Helm, then we use them plus Helm as a lever against Bahamut. Which means it is time to make amends and get in Celestia and the rest of the Triad's good graces." Here he pauses a moment, "Do you have any followers of Celestia or the Triad in your army?"
[20:05] * Willim shrugs. "Maybe? I follow Tempus. Not sure if he's with you guys or not."
[20:06] <Ithea> "Not as far as I'm aware, though we have so many here, that it wouldn't be too shocking to find someone," Ithea replies.
[20:07] <Ithea> "Regarding Bahamut and his position, would the curse he laid on Kascha help our case any?" Ithea asks, temporarily diverting the discussion back to the dragon god. "Bahamut cursed all those present when Baleruk finished his ritual, including a ghaele who was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time. She never fought any battles or aided in any of what led to the ritual."
[20:09] <Kotono> "He isn't," Another slight nod to that, "Are you two personally familiar with the Hebdomad at all?" A moment's pause at that, "It's possible, though Bahamut never does things rashly." Humming to himself a moment and lowering his gaze before lifting it back up, "That could be a good card to play in the right circumstances, but perhaps not agaisnt Bahamut himself."
[20:11] <Willim> "I barely know anything about Tempus. Other gods are a mystery to me." Willim admits.
[20:14] <Ithea> roll d20+21 K:R Hebdomad?
[20:14] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+21 K:R Hebdomad? and gets 37." [d20=16]
[20:45] <Ithea> "Personally familiar, no. I know they are the rulers of celestia, of which Zaphkiel is at the top, and some of the general stuff, but that's really it," Ithea answers.
[20:50] <Kotono> "In short? The Hebdomad are the rulers of Celestia. They are lead by the ancient and mysterious Zaphkiel, lord of the Seventh Heaven. They are, from lowest layer to highest: Barachiel the Messenger, Domiel the Bringer of Mercy, Erathaol the Seer, Pistis Sophia the Ascetic, Raziel the Crusader, Sealtiel the Defender and Zaphkiel himself. They rule Mount Celestia jointly, but each one ultimately
[20:50] <Kotono> defers to Zaphkiel. That means there's seven discreet powers we can appeal to. In essence there are only six, since Zaphkiel rarely makes himself known to any but the Hebdomad, and none have ever returned from Chronias save Zaphkiel."
[20:54] * Ithea nods. "Alright, and would we be appealing to them regarding Helm, Bahamut or both?" Ithea asks.
[20:55] <Willim> "...we should probably start with Helm, right? You said Bahamut was a lost cause."
[20:56] <Kotono> "Yes," Morniel agrees, "That's the logic I'm using. If we curry enough favor to reconcile with Helm, we can use all fo them to soften Bahamut."
[20:57] <Ithea> "Alright, and would we need a lawyer's service and another trio of diplomats?" Ithea asks.
[20:59] <Kotono> "With Celestia, everyone starts at the bottom and works their way up. It's a matter of ascending, as climbing the Holy Mountain is a spiritual journey." Steepling his fingers together in his lap, "Celestia respects the law, but is more open to mercy for the sake of good instead. They aren't another Mechanus. A more personal appeal can serve you better."
[21:01] * Ithea nods again.
[21:02] <Kotono> "So a personal appeal to Barachiel and his agents is likely your best option. It would involve a trip to Celestia. Bear in mind, any trip to Celestia is a spiritual journey. It is best to go with an open mind and seeking enlightenment as well as understanding. If you see it as a chore, or merely something to be bought off, you'll fail."
[21:05] * Willim settles back, looking thoughtful.
[21:06] <Kotono> "Celestia has its own opinions on what is important and what is the Truth." He says it so that truth can just be heard to be uppercase, with heavy emphasis. Morniel thinks a moment, "You're spreading a message of hope for Lifasa and those displaced by Hell?"
[21:07] <Ithea> "Pretty much," Ithea says in agreement. "It's not just Lifasa after all, though it does come first for us."
[21:08] <Willim> "Jaela said something about some other place that wound up like Lifasa? I can't remember what it was called, but maybe there are survivors out there for that place too."
[21:09] <Kotono> "The Truth is that you're doing that. That message is compatible with Barachiel. As the Messenger and Guardian of Heralds, bringing messages of hope, joy and salvation fall under his duties. It means you have something to work with-" A stop there, "Do you know the name of this world?"
[21:10] <Willim> "I'm sure someone does." Willim says.
[21:11] <Ithea> "Benfal?" Ithea replies.
[21:13] <Willim> "That's it!"
[21:22] <Kotono> "This place is shielded from listening and prying eyes?" Morniel asks quietly.
[21:23] * Willim shrugs.
[21:25] * Ithea pauses and calls for Galariel again.
[21:26] <Kotono> Galariel appears immediately, "Yes?"
[21:29] <Ithea> "How well is Aurora shielded from listening and scrying?" Ithea asks, gesturing towards Morniel for Galariel to answer to.
[21:32] <Kotono> "It is protected," Galariel says, "You should have nothing to fear here."
[21:38] <Kotono> Morniel nods, "There are forces working to liberate Benfal already. I was told of this by the will of Tyr. They prefer discretion and have largely bred a resistance movement within Benfal itself, working to undermine the Archdevil Semyaza."
[21:39] <Willim> "Who's that?"
[21:42] <Ithea> "Well, I wish them luck in their resistance. Hopefully they succeed, but if they're still fighting later on..."
[21:42] * Ithea shrugs.
[21:55] <Kotono> "Semyaza is the Archduke of Sensuality. He is a Fallen...one does not need to think far on why he fell." Bowing his head in thought a moment, "Are you interested in helping Benfal?"
[21:58] <Willim> "As long as we kill devils." Willim nods.
[21:58] <Ithea> "Yes, though I admit Lifasa is more of a priority for me. Though dending on where their resistance is at, if they're about to act and support was needed now? Well, I'm pretty sure all of us would help."
[22:01] <Kotono> After a moment of contemplation, "Sylica. I don't know anything more than that, I'm afraid. The demiplane of Sylica is where you should discreetly search for more information about Benfal. Besides striking a blow against Hell and tyranny, aiding Benfal would be, frankly, further good works and a way to influence opinion for Aurora to the better.""
[22:03] * Willim nods. "Making Bahamut and Helm look bad for opposing us is good. I'm all for it. And killing devils. Actually, I think we all like killing devils."
[22:08] <Ithea> "Alright, hopefully Jaela and Afina return soon and we can start prioritizing the order we need to do things. I don't think there's anything else that's a concern, so I'll go look for Adrian and Drena in the meantime, and see if they have a third person in mind, or even others they might think are better qualified to make the trip to Mechanus," Ithea suggests.
[22:10] <Kotono> "Right. I'll want to sit down and have at alk with them as well," Morniel comes forth to each of them, offering him his hand again, "For a better day for us and a worse day for Baator."
[22:12] * Willim can agree with that, and shakes the hand offered.

[Corwin]

[20:13] <Kotono> Adrian's found first. He's found with several children from Lifasa, telling stories told and untold. He glances at Morniel as Ithea approaches, whistling low. "Congratulations, you found your catnip, eh?"
[20:15] * Ithea rolls her eyes. "No, but we did find a way to keep you out of trouble for a while. How do you feel about a trip to Mechanus? All expenses paid vacation time," Ithea replies. "Just you, Drena, and...well, haven't figured out the third person yet."
[20:16] <Kotono> "Can't say I'm wild about the idea," Adrian crosses his arms as he nods to Morniel, who returns that nod, "What's the reason for the trip? Tracking something down?"
[20:18] <Ithea> "No, more fun than that. You get to play diplomat," Ithea answers. "We need a trio of non-chaotic people to go, and your random dropping of bad jokes probably doesn't qualify you for chaotic, so your name came up."
[20:19] <Kotono> "Gee, thanks," Adrian huffs a moment, "Who els eis going?"
[20:19] <Ithea> "Well, off the top of my head the other names to come up were Drena's and Dana's, but Dana...probably isn't someone we want for diplomacy. She can probably act the princess diplomat part, but I doubt she'd want to," Ithea admits.
[20:20] <Kotono> "Yeah," Scratching at his chin, "So it can't be anyone aligned with chaos?"
[20:22] <Ithea> "That's what Morniel said," Ithea answers back.
[20:24] <Kotono> "It's a matter of diplomacy," Now he finally speaks up, "They take it poorly and there's no need to start on the wrong foot."
[20:25] <Kotono> "Hmph." A mutter as Adrian seems to digest that, lowering his head, "Hell, I can try. I don't think I'll make a great diplomat, but I'll try. Do you want me to dig up this third person myself?"
[20:27] <Ithea> "Well, I can't really think of who qualifies as non-chaotic around this place and would be good at diplomacy. If you have anybody in mind, both for the third spot or any other spot if you want to get out of it, that's alright," Ithea admits.
[20:28] <Kotono> "I was going to bring Misalea," Adrian admits right away, "I've never checked, but I don't think she's disposed towards chaos. Plus she can be charming when she wants to be."
[20:30] <Ithea> "Charming, huh?" Ithea asks with a raised eyebrow.
[20:30] <Kotono> Adrian grins right back. After a moment, "I'm serious, Ithea."
[20:36] <Ithea> "Right, well, I don't mind if she doesn't," Ithea says with a shrug.
[20:38] <Kotono> "I'll go talk to her," Adrian turns and nods to the children a moment, getting cheery waves back. Once done, "Anything else?"
[20:41] <Ithea> "You know where Drena might be right now? Haven't asked him to go yet either," Ithea asks.
[20:44] <Kotono> "Outside again," Adrian jerks a thumb that way.
[20:46] * Ithea nods, and goes look for Drena.
[20:52] <Kotono> Drena is easily found. He stills his flight as Ithea and Morniel approach, the other air elementals flying along.
[20:54] <Ithea> "Drena, hello," Ithea greets as she approaches, doing some introductions while she's at it. "This is Morniel. Morniel, this is Drena."
[20:56] <Kotono> After a murmured greeting back and forth, "Bringers of Hope," Morniel extends his hand, to which Drena takes. As they shake hands, "Don't think I've met you before, but good greetings."
[20:57] <Kotono> "I've never been stationed in duties regarding Lady Chan," Morniel explains, "Most of my elemental duties involved Water and the marid. I've heard good things about that court from friends, though."
[21:01] <Ithea> "Drena, we were talking about the varakhut earlier and how to try and keep things from exploding into a bigger mess. You seemed to know a bit of dealing with them, would you mind dealing with them a bit more?"
[21:03] <Kotono> "Diplomacy?" A curious question and a slight tilt of his head, as a gust of wind follows a knowing nod. "I'll do it. By Lady Chan's eternal winds, far better than fighting endless tides of Inevitables."
[21:07] <Ithea> "Pretty much. We already have to deal with devils and probably dragons, I'd rather not have to add a third faction of problems to our mix," Ithea agrees. "Morniel has an idea of how we can hopefuly try and solve this diplomatically. Even if it fails, at least we'll have tried."
[21:08] <Kotono> "I accept," Drena replies. "When is this happening?"
[21:10] <Ithea> "Not sure yet, we wanted to get three people first, we can all meet together and Morniel can outline his plan then. Right now it looks like it'll probably be you, Adrian and Misalea," Ithea explains.
[21:19] <Kotono> "That's fine," He replies.

[Corwin]

[20:11] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:11] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 92." [1d100=92]
[20:12] <Kotono> The return to Brightwater is without incident. You walk through the gilden, golden streets. The scent of fresh air and gold tingles your noses as you pass by the great shops and sales, heading from Waukeen's realm towards Sharess's realm. On reaching the fairy-tale bridge leading into Rapture, you find a big, black panther lying on the bridge, blocking the way.
[20:14] <Ithea> ooc: sleeping or what?
[20:17] <Kotono> The panther does not look to be asleep.
[20:18] * Willim waves at the oversized housecat. "Hey."
[20:19] <Kotono> The feline stares at Willim, baring teeth.
[20:20] <Willim> "Nice. Sharess around?"
[20:30] <Kotono> "Tell me," The panther licks its lips as it steps forward, face to face with Willim, whiskers twitching. "Do I like it when you make the lovely barkeep who puts out bowls of milk for me cry? Then you attempt to call on Lady Bast like a common woman?"
[20:31] * Willim stares back placidly. "Dunno, do you?"
[20:37] <Kotono> The shinck of claws popping out is heard, "Do you have any manners? Any shame?"
[20:37] <Ithea> "The answer's -usually- no, Willim," Ithea points out, watching the panther. "And what would be the proper protocol to call on Lady Bast, if I may ask? I didn't find Willim's request one for a common woman, personally."
[20:39] * Willim shrugs. "Think someone's gonna sit down a demon troll and teach it manners?" he asks with a bit of sarcasm. "S'not my fault she was crying, anyway."
[20:47] <Kotono> A low growl comes from the panther, but it at least looks to Ithea. "Go and look for her - or she'll find you, as she desires."
[20:53] <Willim> "Alright then." Willim moves around the cat!
[20:53] * Ithea nods. "If your barkeep still feels the urge to visit Aurora, tell her to find us before we leave, the offer still stands," Ithea says as she moves past the panther.
[20:56] <Kotono> The cat moves to stop Willim, growling, "I want you to apologize to her," It says, even as it blocks the way. "Sincerely...and..." A hard growl, "You think she's going to come and visit you after that?!"
[20:56] <Willim> "Why?" Willim asks, confused.
[21:00] <Kotono> "You...you..." The feline's growl becomes loud, thrusting its face forward into Willim's! Between clenched teeth, "You have the gall to insult her and then act like that?! Inexcusable!"
[21:00] <Willim> "Wait, what?"
[21:01] <Willim> "Why are you mad?"
[21:02] <Ithea> "We were blocked from entering her establishment again. If she wants to meet with us, she'll have to come to us," Ithea points out. "As for expecting an apology from Willim...as he stated, he's a troll, he doesn't feel he did any wrong. I may very likely apologize if she seeks us out, I had my own part to play in that misunderstanding, though she should also be aware that some blame lands on her own shoulders as well."
[21:09] <Kotono> It's something else to see a huge, lithe panther twitch. Its entire body convulses once, eyes half shutting. "I would suggest that you leave. Now."
[21:12] * Willim looks over at Ithea. "Cats make even less sense than people do."
[21:17] * Ithea sighs. "Look, I don't see what you're expecting from us. We're clearly not welcome at the Cat's Howl, there's no way anything will happen there. Unless she seeks us out, nothing's going to happen. I've said I'm willing to apologize for my part as well. If you're pissed because I said she shares some of the blame? Well, I can't do much about that. She does, get over it.
[21:17] <Ithea> I'm not asking -her- to come to us and apologize, I'm not saying we don't share blame or that we're innocent. I'm just offering a visit to the Aurora and my own apology," Ithea tells the panther. "If she wants either, she can come, if not, she can remain in her bar, we'll stay out of her way, and we don't have to deal with each other. You can keep getting pissed, or pass on the message."
[21:20] <Willim> "And explain how it's my fault."
[21:21] <Kotono> "If you truly want to apologize," The feline speaks slowly now, "Go to the Cat's Howl and seek her out. You...you..." A moment later the cat's gaze is on Willim, "Don't you even understand how horrible it is to make a woman cry!?"
[21:22] <Willim> "I don't even know how I made her cry!" Willim throws his hands up in the air.
[21:22] <Ithea> "When a woman asks if she's ugly, don't ask Dana if she is. Dana will always say yes, the woman wants to hear you say no," Ithea explains to Willim. "I still don't have any idea why she asked that of all things, to a troll, but that's what made her cry, Willim."
[21:23] <Willim> "...that makes no sense. How should I know if things aren't ugly!?"
[21:24] * Ithea looks at the panther, and asks, "Are you -still- not getting why expecting an apology from Willim would just be pointless?"
[21:25] <Ithea> "He doesn't say things because he's being cruel. Dana? Oh, she was totally cruel when Willim asked her for an opinion, but Willim himself?" Ithea explains to the panther before gesturing to the confused troll.
[21:26] * Willim now has his hands on his horns, and is pulling on them in frustration.
[21:26] <Kotono> Huh. Somehow the panther is nimble enough with its pay to face palm, covering its face with one. "Never insult a woman. Never. A woman's pride is her beauty and confidence! And never insult a woman at another woman's behest! I'm a cat and even I know that!"
[21:27] <Willim> "I DIDN'T!"
[21:27] <Ithea> "And he'll probably forget the next time a woman asks him," Ithea confides in the cat in a serious tone.
[21:35] <Kotono> "Now you do." In a low voice, "Will you apologize to her now, troll?"
[21:37] <Willim> "Fine!" Willim shouts. "Can we go!?"
[21:38] <Kotono> At last, the panther steps aside. He doesn't give you a friendly look, but he steps aside.
[21:38] * Ithea shrugs. "Sure, let's go. If it's clear we're still not welcome in there though, I'm not going to try again. She'll have to come seek us out then," Ithea warns the panther as she starts heading towards the bar.
[21:43] <Kotono> The trip to the Cat's Howl is without incident. On reaching it, you find that it is just as busy as before. The same woman tends bar, currently serving a pretty blonde and brunette. No bouncers immediately react to your presence.
[21:48] * Ithea moves slowly towards the bar, not trying to hide her presence. If the bartender wishes to throw them out, she already told the panther what would happen.
[21:49] * Willim follows, being an extremely obvious walking ugly slab of muscle!
[21:51] <Kotono> The barkeep is there, giving the two a hooded look. She crosses her arms, but says nothing, merely waiting.
[21:56] * Ithea isn't positive if it's okay to apologize with the two other women at the bar able to listen in. "...So Willim and I have something to say," Ithea starts, before looking towards the two women again and then back at the barkeep, wondering if she minds at all having listeners or not.
[21:57] <Kotono> The blonde clears her throat, rising. The brunette eeps and follows suit, the two quickly departing away.
[22:00] <Willim> Meanwhile, Willim looks at Ithea. "We do?"
[22:01] <Ithea> "Sorry, about driving away some of your customers. I figured you might prefer this a bit more private, well as private as an open ba..." Ithea pauses, looks at Willim, and says, "Did you really already forget what you just talked about with that panther?"
[22:01] <Willim> "Oh, that." Willim says. "Yeah, okay."
[22:04] * Willim looks at the woman. "I'm sorry that you think you're ugly. You really shouldn't talk about yourself that way. It's probably not good for you. I'm sure there's someone out here who will disagree with you."
[22:05] * Ithea smacks her face. "...Willim, shut up, please?"
[22:05] <Willim> "Okay."
[22:06] <Kotono> The barkeep twitches visibly, "What...did you...?!"
[22:06] <Ithea> "Before you kick us out again, let me explain that Willim has zero concept of manners," Ithea starts by saying quickly to the barkeep. "I'm really very sorry for him, but please, please, ignore anything he says."
[22:09] <Kotono> OOC: Make a quick diplo check?
[22:10] <Ithea> roll d20+10 using cunning insight for a measly +2
[22:10] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+10 using cunning insight for a measly +2 and gets 22." [d20=12]
[22:10] <Ithea> ooc: cunning knowledge rather, but same diff
[22:11] * Ithea rubs her forehead before adding, "Look, we're getting off to the wrong foot again. I'm not going to apologize for Willim, he really has no idea that he's insulting you, ask that panther friend of yours, he'll -hopefully- confirm what kind of character he's got, but I can at least apologize for my part in that mess the other night."
[22:16] <Kotono> The woman slowly exhales, nodding, "Thank you," she says to Ithea, "You weren't the problem...you," A look to Willim, not quite a glare, but not far from it, "And that aasimar hanging off you."
[22:32] <Ithea> "Please don't expect an apology from either of them. Willim barely understands that he even did anything wrong after talking with that panther, and well, you saw what his attempt to apologize was like," Ithea says.
[22:38] <Kotono> A longer sigh, "At least you had the good graces to apologize," she says at last.
[22:45] <Ithea> "Look, the offer to visit the Aurora -is- still open if you want it. You'd probably end up meeting Dana again, but she'll...well, actually, I can't guarantee that she'll be polite. She never really is with any of us," Ithea adds. "But it's still a place worth seeing once if nothing else, and the sights will hopefully at least make up for a bit of the crying you had to go through because of us."
[22:46] <Willim> "Dana's fun like that though. No frilly stuff. Simple, easy to understand." Willim grumps.
[22:49] <Ithea> "She's very colorful," Ithea says in agreement. "For a princess."
[22:52] <Kotono> "Wait," The woman holds up a hand, "Did you say that this Dana is a Princess? The same one who was with him before?"
[22:53] <Ithea> "I got a good laugh out of it when I found out," Ithea confirms.
[22:54] * Willim nods.
[22:55] <Kotono> "Impossible! She's a disowned illegitimate heir and not a real Princess, right?" Staring with open disbelief, "I've never heard of a real Princess acting like that! Even the worst has manners drilled into them!"
[22:56] <Willim> "She hates her dad!" Willim supplies helpfully.
[22:57] <Ithea> "She drilled them right back out," Ithea says. "She's got too much fighter in her, and she kind of went overboard getting out of the princess routine, I guess," Ithea says with a shrug before nodding at Willim.
[22:57] <Ithea> "There's that too."
[23:00] <Kotono> "Unbelievable," The barkeep stumbles back, sitting down heavily. There seems to be a stool behind her, as she shakes her head, "Good birth and breeding, wasted on a woman like that."
[23:00] <Willim> "Hey!" Willim says, not sure why he's offended.
[23:02] <Ithea> "Oh, sure, -that- you can tell is a bit insulting," Ithea jokes at Willim's statement.
[23:03] <Ithea> "Anyway, we still have other stuff we need to do, and it's not exactly nice to be talking about Dana like that. Are we okay now?" Ithea asks the barkeep.
[23:06] <Kotono> "We're okay." she finally says, "Go, before something happens and another argument breaks out."
[23:07] <Ithea> "Good, and you're probably right. Before we go, you know if Jessica, the girl we were playing matchmaker for, stayed with the guy we set her up by any chance?" Ithea asks as she starts to get off her seat at the bar.
[23:07] <Kotono> "Yeah," she gestures towards outside, "They're at the Warmgrass Park."
[23:08] * Ithea nods and moves towards the exit.
[23:09] * Willim follows.
[23:10] <Kotono> The Warmgrass Park is found, sundappled and full of shady, shadowed nooks and crannies. It's silent on first glance, but as you look about it? You can see hints of couples - and on more than one occasion, seeing a bit of discarded clothing at the edge of a hidden little nook. No immediate sign of your lovebirds.
[23:11] * Ithea is actually looking more for cats than Jessica, figuring Sharess is probably watching the couple. Well, more hoping than figuring.
[23:13] <Kotono> There's a few felines about, napping in little places where soft-focus sunlight breaks through.
[23:17] <Ithea> Maybe it's better to look for Jessica after all, then look for cats!
[23:18] * Ithea searches for Jessica
[23:20] <Kotono> OOC: Make a search check?
[23:22] <Ithea> roll d20+6 search
[23:22] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+6 search and gets 19." [d20=13]
[23:26] <Kotono> Ithea searches! The first nook she checks...gah! Two women doing that?! How are they so flexible?! Quickly retreating away Ithea catches the next one - at least it was a man and woman this time, but why the quarterstaff?!?! The third nook is the charm. You find both of your quarries there, sitting on a picnic blanket. A basket of food is between them, both of them laughing happily over
[23:26] <Kotono> something or another.
[23:28] <Willim> Having not followed Ithea everywhere, Willim is spared the madness.
[23:29] * Ithea waits outside the nook, not wanting to interrupt if she hasn't been spotted. She does look for any cats nearby. Is Sharess really going to pop up?
[23:29] <Kotono> No sign of felines right now. After laughing, Jessica says, "I can't believe he did that! Then what?"
[23:30] <Kotono> Going on from that, "He finally had the sense to quit," He says, gesturing in the air. He smiles a little bit, "But it wasn't all bad."
[23:44] * Ithea moves towards Willim, leaving the two to their privacy. "Well, they look like they'll be a good couple. The question is if we can find Sharess now."
[23:46] <Willim> "She said she'd find us."
[23:48] <Ithea> "Yes, well, I'm not that patient, unfortunately. Let's just go walk around for some time, if she doesn't pop up, we'll try again another day or something," Ithea says with a shake of her head.
[23:48] * Willim shrugs.
[23:49] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[23:49] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 67." [1d100=67]
[23:49] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[23:49] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 58." [1d100=58]
[23:49] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[23:49] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 31." [1d100=31]
[23:50] <Kotono> You wander for a few hours - no sign of Sharess today, it looks like. Just as you're about to give up, walking down a shadowed alley? Ithea feels something hit her shoulder! A white cat lands there, curling up around the back of Ithea's neck.
[23:51] <Ithea> "...well, that's an interesting way to say hello," Ithea says to the cat.
[23:52] * Willim blinks. "Oh, it's a cat." He reaches over and pats the cat on the head.
[23:58] <Kotono> That cat purrs away and rubs its head against Willim's hand. As it does, a voice comes from it, the voices of your two friends! "Well?" Jessica asks, voice a little light. A few moments later the reply is, "You're easy to talk to and so fun...it's like I have a sister I never met." A few more moments before Jessica replies, "I know. I never had a brother, but its like what I imagined."
[00:01] <Ithea> "...well, huh."
[00:01] <Willim> "...that....doesn't sound like love."
[00:02] <Kotono> "Uh huh," The cat agrees, "I was told to let you know this, and to help them find passion instead of just friendship."
[00:03] <Ithea> "Well, at least they're not childhood friends. Those never go anywhere," Ithea says with a sigh.
[00:05] <Ithea> "Guess we're heading back towards the park, Willim," Ithea says.
[00:05] * Willim nods. "This is hard." Willim whines.
[00:06] <Kotono> "Make them feel passion," The cat pipes up, "Epic, romatic love! Like a dashing pirate rescuing a fair maiden, or a knight saving anoble princess!"
[00:07] <Willim> "Pirate? Does that mean I need an eye patch?"
[00:08] <Ithea> "If you want to poke out your eye, be my guest, though I don't think it'll help," Ithea says.
[00:09] <Willim> "I did that once already, remember?"
[00:10] <Ithea> "Epic romantic love usually requires conflict of some sort, but the only thing I can think of is bringing in some sort of rival and starting a love triangle that leads to them figuring out the right one for them is each other...I have zero idea where to find a patsy to play the role of the rival though," Ithea muses.
[00:13] <Willim> "...I can kidnap her and you can encourage him to rescue her?"
[00:14] <Kotono> "See, that's good thinking," The cat pipes up again, "That sort of trial can breed love and passion!"
[00:14] <Ithea> "We kind of put them together, I think they'd know something's up if we do it. You're not exactly easy to forget."
[00:15] <Ithea> "For that matter, I don't think I'm easy to forget either."
[00:16] <Kotono> "Don't you have any - meow - friends that can help?" The cat asks.
[00:17] <Willim> "...the giants!
[00:17] <Willim> "
[00:19] <Ithea> "I kind of wanted to ask the pixies. Fey like to play tricks right? This'd be up their alley, I think," Ithea suggests.
[00:19] <Willim> "Or that. Probably better."
[00:20] <Ithea> "Let's see if we can drum up some volunteers fast. The longer they stay in the friendship zone, the harder it'll be to jostle them out of it later," Ithea says.