026.2 Jaela and Filmarous's ring

[Corwin]

[20:12] <Kotono> You find Hanna resting a bit in the hot springs. She sits in there, up to her chin in steaming hot water. Her eyes are half closed, her wings down and immersed. Her hair has a soapy, sweet smelling lather sitting in it, staining it a bubbly white-pink. Her axe is nearby, sitting at the edge of the bath, within arm's reach.
[20:14] * Jaela can spare a few minutes for a nice soak for herself, and sends her armor away before starting on her clothes. "Nice, innit?" she asks. "I was dubious about it when Ithea brought it up, but it's not bad once in a while."
[20:17] <Kotono> "Mmm-hmmm." Hanna makes a little noise as she cracks one eye open a moment, "Especially after you venture into one of the Depths Below. I always feel slimy after visiting one."
[20:19] <Jaela> Lather, scrub, rinse. Jaela joins her mother in the spring soon enough. "I try not to go there much. At least Hell's not as creepy as the Abyss."
[20:21] <Kotono> "Hell's worse." Hanna's reply follows with a hint of tiredness in her voice, "No demons would fight like those cornugons did. At least with a demon, all they want to do is murder you. Hell will murder you if you're lucky, and if you're not...did you know that according to Celestia's recordkeepers, Baator takes about 85% of its non-demon foes as prisoners rather than killing them? They handle reeducation on lower layers with them."
[20:23] * Jaela snorts. "Good luck with educating me. But no, didn't know that. What about the Limbo frogs? Do they try to reeducate those too?"
[20:27] <Kotono> "It's not a joke." Hanna's eyes open, "...I know people who went through it." She doesn't reply past that, instead looking at the steamy ceiling. "I've heard they've tried. I've never seen or heard of a success, but I would wager they've had a few. Fucking bastards, all of them."
[20:28] <Jaela> "I know." Jaela shrugs, settling down next to her mother. "But you know how it is, don't you? It's either cry or laugh it off. And wallowing in pity never helped anyone."
[20:31] <Kotono> "Yeah." Still looking up, "It's a shame about him." After a few moments of companionable silence she answers, "A tiefling and a troll, trying to do the right thing and fight back against Baator. He deserved better. So few of his kind - either of his kind - ever amount to anything but blights, monsters or menaces."
[20:34] <Jaela> "Guess he found the afterlife to his liking." Jaela shrugs again. "I learned from the thing with Elrisa. Before you came, but you probably heard about it? I went to Arvandor and everything, and ended up consulting specialists later. Thing is, if you really want to rest in whatever heaven you go to, that's what you do. Dunno how people just forget all they were fighting for, but I don't need to understand to respect their choice. Just asking the once, and if they refuse... that's that."
[20:38] <Kotono> "Yes." Hanna flicks her fingers on the surfaceof the water, a small wave coming from it. "You might even do the same thing if something happens to you. It bothered me for a long time, until once I asked Lady Gwynharwyf about it. According to her, a pit fiend's fury and a balor's hate combined is a paltry foe compared to resisting the lure of the hereafter once a mortal passes. Do you know how
[20:38] <Kotono> you feel at home when you come to Arborea or a similar realm? It's like that, but far more profound." She sighs after, "I talked to that blonde ghaele," Snapping her fingers, "Kascha, that's her name. She can tell you about it, she's one of the rare ones who go through that, merge and end up coming back out. It took a Goddess to get her to resist and come back out."
[20:40] <Jaela> "Maybe I'll just come back all like you." Jaela brushes a hand against her mother's wing. "You never know, right?"
[20:42] <Kotono> Hanna smiles at that, "You'd have a fair chance of it." Pausing again to lean back against the edge of the pool, "Why'd you ask about the slaad, though?"
[20:42] <Jaela> "Just curiousity. With the demons being kill on sight, I figured they'd be the same. You met them, didn't you? So weird, every last one of them!"
[20:47] <Kotono> "Insane." Hanna smiles at this again, lingering tiredness and sorrow leaving her. "I can understand them as much as anything can understand chaos, since I'm of chaos as well. Just go along with what they do if it's to your benefit, ignore them if not and defend yourself as needed. Trying to actively understand them doesn't work. You have to grasp it without trying, to go with the flow, to
[20:47] <Kotono> comprehend without thinking. Or whatever, I'm sure your thinking that this is bullshit right about now."
[20:49] <Jaela> "Pretty much yeah," Jaela readily agrees, leaning back. "Mom, can I ask for some advice with the Court of the Stars?"
[20:51] <Kotono> "Yeah. Going to visit," Hanna looks on over to Jaela.
[20:52] <Jaela> "Mmm. I made some inquiries, so I think it's a choice between the Court and Elysium. Basically, I need to get a top quality hammer. You know, like those they use at forges? Blessed, too."
[20:55] <Kotono> "The star-crafters," Hanna says immediately, "Brissael owes me a favor, go look him up. He'll take care of you."
[20:56] * Jaela grins. "Knew it was a good thing to ask you! Got any tips on how to use one, or you're mostly an axe sorta person?"
[21:00] <Kotono> Reaching out, Hanna takes Jaela's hands. Amid the splash of water from this she stands, pulling Jaela up with ease. "What you want to do," she begins, "Hold it in one hand like a hammer or a mace. Often you forge with one hand while using the other to steady what you're working on, ors o that you don't apply too much force to what you're shaping. What you do," Dropping one of Jaela's hands and
[21:00] <Kotono> using the other, raising it and down in a classical bludgeoning strike, "Is apply just enough force to do the shaping and shifting you need."
[21:01] <Jaela> "Watch my strength, basically?" Jaela nods. "I can do that!"
[21:05] <Kotono> "Yes. Accuracy and control are the important parts. Don't miss, don't let your blows glance off. I've taken my own hammerblows in the stomach and chest when I forget that." Poking each with her free hand, "Star fragments hurt like hell and have a knack at wounding past your natural defenses, too, so we get that lesson drilled into us."
[21:07] <Jaela> "I have magical defenses!" Jaela boasts. "Hey, speaking of magic. Would it work if I used it? A spell to hit more precisely, or another to guide my hand? The problem is that it'd take me a few moments to cast. But metal needs time to cool off between strikes, too. I think? I'm pretty sure it does. Does it?"
[21:10] <Kotono> "It can work. I know some who use magic to forge. I prefer the old fashioned way, but." A shrug as Hanna settles back down into the water.
[21:11] <Jaela> "This has to be perfect, though," Jaela insists, settling back herself. "I'm gonna be working on a ring, and I'm not really that good at it or anything. So I've gotta put all my effort into it!"
[21:15] <Kotono> "Perfect doesn't come with just picking it up in a few days or weeks," Hanna herself looks back up at the ceiling, "That ring you got from one of the cornugons before you caught up with me?"
[21:18] <Jaela> "Took it off some loser that got sent to kill us. Acted all like a pimp with his bitches, but they all died."
[21:22] <Kotono> "Good work," Hanna grins at this, as there's a pause. The sound of a door opening and closing, "Oh there you are, Jaela," Annalise calls, voice all sugar and honey. "I was just looking for you," Coming in and dropping her towel, "I thought I'd catch you before you leave so we could have some fun togethe-oh Hanna," Smiling as she comes to slip into the waters, "Hello there."
[21:23] <Kotono> "W-" Hanna closes her eyes, and exhales through her nose, then again and again. "You're in fine form today," is what she says at last.
[21:24] <Jaela> "Hi Annalise." Jaela waves, even though she wants nothing more than to palm her face. "You know, I won't pretend that we'll get along on it, but how about going on a trip to that Prime you both met on? Pick a weekend and just visit it together. You've both got good memories from it, don't you?"
[21:27] <Kotono> "Mmm, that could be fun," Annalise says agreeably.
[21:27] * Jaela looks expectantly at her mother.
[21:29] <Kotono> Hanna merely exhales again, "Let's talk about it after you get back from your errand with the ring," is her reply. Meanwhile Annalise puts an arma round Jaela, holding her close and scooting in to her personal space. "After all, there's a tleast a few days before you'll be done, I imagine, and there's a whole lot of things that could happen. Why, someone could get an axe to the face, an axe to
[21:29] <Kotono> the chest, an axe to the stomach, an axe to the face again, another axe to the face, and another and another. You know, the sort of things that give life zest. But if nothing's come up, I don't see it asbeing a problem."
[21:32] <Kotono> "Ah, zest," Annalise observes, "Indeed, all sorts of things could happen."
[21:33] <Jaela> "I can guarantee a week of happy fun axe time," Jaela responds, just deciding to follow her mother's slaad advice. It works surprisingly well for adults acting like bickering children, too. "Maybe two, if I get stonewalled." She leans back in Annalise's embrace, closing her eye and relaxing. "And there will be plenty of other visits, too. Once Tannin returns, we'll have our chance to try our hand at... I think it goes by muscular diplomacy? Where you threaten people with your huge fortress if they refuse to negotiate in good faith?"
[21:37] <Kotono> "Mmm-hmm, diplomacy through superior force." Annalise murmurs, warming with the water. "You know, you don't need to be left out. Jaela has another side, Hanna, and I do too. It feels entirely too pleasant to rest against another like this in the bath."
[21:38] <Kotono> Hanna scowls, "Now you're just trying to piss me off," she retorts, crossing her arms, "Superior force? I like that type of diplomacy."
[21:43] <Jaela> "I don't doubt for a moment that we're superior," Jaela states, ignoring the bickering as much as she is able to. "So it's up to us to make it come clearly, but not have to resort to it either. I think of it as a handicap. Things are more fun with those."
[21:45] <Kotono> "Mmm-hmm,"Annalise murmurs, fangs brushing a moment against Jaela's neck as she leans in even closer. "Have a weapon but only use it if you have to. Sound enough diplomacy, especially for mortals."
[21:45] <Kotono> Hanna exhales one more time, "Yes. I think you're right, Jaela. Still, force can also save you a lot of time if it is used wisely."
[21:48] <Jaela> "Once you draw your blade, you're committed to using it." Jaela shrugs. "Sometimes, it's not the sorta commitment you want. Drawing it against a Prime is probably one of those times."
[21:50] <Kotono> "You'd be surprised, too. Occasionally the Prime has devastatingly powerful figures that resent such an attempt to intervene, or even a deity takes offense," Annalise supplies, "I was that sort of devastatingly powerful figure a time or two." A nostalgic smile graces Annalise's face, "That solar never had an idea of what was coming until it was too late."
[21:52] <Jaela> "Well, that's horrible."
[21:54] <Kotono> Hanna scowls, "Up to no good again, vampire," she virtually spits the last word out, her glare cold enough to make Jaela forget she's in a hot tub.
[21:55] <Kotono> "Oh no, he simply attempted to use force in place of diplomacy, and ruffled entirely too many feathers. He had a proper chastisement," Her smile doesn't fade at all, "I suppose his situation must have required it, for I hav enever met a rash or unwise solar."
[21:59] <Jaela> "I guess it's a good thing that you're both coming along, then?" Jaela asks, turning around to kiss Annalise. "Whoever'll try to go against us, we'll have just the thing against them." She rises after, her magic already going to work at drying her off. "I better go before I'm a prune. Just don't destroy the bath? It's a bitch to rebuild. Love you both."
[22:04] <Kotono> You get calls back, as Annalise and Hanna stare at each other. Hanna doesn't hide the fact that she's grabbed her axe, "Now speaking of zest," she calls with a obviousy fake sweetness in her voice, "Let's talk about zest. A lot."
[22:05] <Jaela> She doesn't wear much underneath her armor, and once that's all been put on, the rest is just a mental command away. Clad in mithril, Jaela heads outside while trying to block out anything further coming from behind her.
[22:15] <Kotono> Oh it's just the sounds of magic an battle, raging on. Nothing unusual!

[Corwin]

[22:21] <Kotono> Arborea. It feels like coming home after a hard day's work. A sense of relief and joy fills Jaela as she appears, standing within the eternal sylvan glades. Her worries and concerns fade away, leaving behind only a resonating joy within her.
[22:23] * Jaela embraces the feeling, even as she rises above the treetops upon her wings. Maybe living and planning for the future won't be that bad.

[Corwin]

[20:11] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:11] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 97." [1d100=97]
[20:13] <Kotono> For a goodly time Jaela soars over the forests. The light of the sun banishes all her aches and pains, warming her to the marrow of her bones. The wind is sweet, full of the scents of home, nature and life. On she flies for a time, until ahead? She can see something on the horizon, something glittering in the sunshine.
[20:14] <Jaela> That's how it started last time, so Jaela simply keeps on flying towards the glitter. Will it be stars, again? That seems like how the court named after them would work.
[20:18] <Kotono> As it comes closer and closer, Jaela can see it is not starts. It's big - much bigger than Jaela. It has scales the color of burnished brass, shining under the sunlight. A dragon! A rather big one, sailing through the air with deceptive looking ease.
[20:20] <Jaela> Once upon a time, this could have been a pleasant encounter. Now, however, Jaela decides to wait and see what happens. A dragon's top speed beats anything she can do, even with magic, so she bolsters a couple passive defenses and hovers in place.
[20:22] <Kotono> The dragon is a massive thing, looming vastly over Jaela as it approaches. It looks to her - and slows and stops in the air. Its great wings cause gusts of wind to batter Jaela as it stops, the glitter of burning anger in its eyes.
[20:22] <Jaela> roll 1d20+22
[20:22] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+22 and gets 23." [1d20=1]
[20:25] <Jaela> "Jaela of the Seldarine, heading for the Court of the Stars," she decides to introduce herself. "I'm having a disagreement with Tiamat and Bahamut, but not with this plane or their children."
[20:26] <Kotono> OOC: Make a diplo check, -40?
[20:26] <Jaela> roll 1d20+37+15-40
[20:26] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+37+15-40 and gets 19." [1d20=7]
[20:28] <Kotono> The dragon glowers at Jaela - like she's the most miserable thing it has ever seen. But after a few long moments of it, it turns away and resumes its flight, leaving Jaela behind.
[20:29] * Jaela nods at the dragon in passing, and proceeds upon her original course. Aimless, in a sense, but the important thing is to act appropriately while seeking the Court out and want to get there, and so she does.
[20:32] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:32] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 51." [1d100=51]
[20:32] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:32] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 33." [1d100=33]
[20:33] <Kotono> Night comes, the sun sinking onto the horizon. The sunset is spectacular, a painting of bright oranges, reds, violets and purples. It lingers just long enough to appreciate it, before the black, diamond studded velvet of night emerges. The stars above glow, moving in the skies. They seem to be gathering into several groups.
[20:34] * Jaela hovers in place once more to study the groups for anything she recognizes.
[20:37] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:37] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 95." [1d100=95]
[20:39] <Kotono> The stars above form into several shapes - a man, a woman, a giant and a castle. The woman stands atop the castle of stars, looking out forlorn....until the man approaches the castle. The stars shine, a knight in armor and blade out. Soundlessly he charges into the castle, confronting the giant! The two take to battle!
[20:39] <Jaela> While the knight and the giant fight it out amongst themselves, Jaela takes off towards the woman in the castle.
[20:42] <Kotono> Jaela flies up and up and up and up and up! So much higher up, the air still warm and still full to breathe. The castle grows more solid as you approach - a real sized castle, made of glittering stars and light! Suddenly you can hear them - the thump of the giant's fist against the shield of the knight, the gasp of the Princess above. "Princess, worry not," the knight calls as the two do battle!
[20:44] <Jaela> "Does this happen often?" Jaela asks, alighting on the battlements by the princess.
[20:51] <Kotono> "Oh!" The Princess of stars turns to Jaela, "Brave ange-" A pause, as below? The giaint strikes out! Its fist is heavy - heavy enough to shatter the shield of the night and drive into his chest, hundreds of stars exploding out in all directions as the knight is defeated! The giant roars in triumph and turns, looking right to Jaela and the Princess! "Aaaaah!" she calls, "Angel, save me! You have
[20:51] <Kotono> to defeat the giant!"
[20:52] <Jaela> "Can do," Jaela affirms, Val'Finnegan summoned and raised in challenge!

[20:54] <Kotono> OOC: Roll init.
[20:54] <Kotono> roll 1d20 Giant of Stars
[20:54] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 Giant of Stars and gets 3." [1d20=3]
[20:54] <Jaela> roll 1d20+6
[20:54] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+6 and gets 9." [1d20=3]
[20:54] * Kotono changes topic to 'Jaela(9)>Giant of Stars(3)'
[20:54] <Kotono> OOC: Go Jaela.
[20:57] <Jaela> The princess wants an angel? She gets one, as Jaela's hair is bleeched of color and her eyes turn silver. Ghostly replicas of her spear surround Jaela in a loose ring, while a rune flares up at her feet to bolster her defenses.
[20:57] <Jaela> OOC: Holy Transformation, Divine Retaliation, Protection Devotion as immediate
[21:02] <Kotono> The giant bellows at that magic, leaping up! He clears the jump with plenty to spare, making a massive SLAM at Jaela as he descends, both fists into an axe-hammer blow!
[21:02] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20 (-10 PA) AC?
[21:02] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 (-10 PA) AC? and gets 28." [1d20=8]
[21:02] <Jaela> OOC: 31!
[21:03] <Kotono> But the double blow misses as Jaela hops back, slamming the star-castle instead! A few stars are sent flying at that ,as meanwhile the Princess calls out in terror! Missing, the giant falls back down, landing nimbly and unharmed below! OOC: Go Jaela. Giant's back where it started below you.
[21:07] <Jaela> Since he's too cowardly to truly come after her, Jaela dives down at the giant!
[21:08] <Jaela> OOC: I'll surely get AoOd, ac for charge is 29
[21:09] <Jaela> OOC: Sorry, 30, ArmorHaste
[21:15] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20 (-10 PA)
[21:15] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 (-10 PA) and gets 28." [1d20=8]
[21:15] <Kotono> OOC: Carry on.
[21:15] <Jaela> Val'Finnegan makes room for her trusty lance, and Jaela drives Gae Dioltas straight through the middle of the giant of stars!
[21:16] <Jaela> roll 1d20+34 divine charge, divine might
[21:16] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+34 divine charge, divine might and gets 35." [1d20=1]
[21:17] <Kotono> Jaela charges in hard, but the giant is unscathed! Jaela misaims, the light of the stars pierced bu tnothing solid! Roaring victory, the giant slams both fists at Jaela once more!
[21:18] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20 (-10 PA)
[21:18] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20 (-10 PA)
[21:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 (-10 PA) and gets 32." [1d20=12]
[21:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 (-10 PA) and gets 36." [1d20=16]
[21:18] <Kotono> OOC: AC?
[21:18] <Jaela> OOC: 29
[21:21] <Kotono> roll 2d10+20 retaliate away these are both nonlethal
[21:21] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d10+20 retaliate away these are both nonlethal and gets 34." [2d10=10, 4]
[21:21] <Kotono> roll 2d10+20 retaliate away these are both nonlethal
[21:21] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d10+20 retaliate away these are both nonlethal and gets 32." [2d10=2, 10]
[21:22] <Jaela> OOC: No gambit this time, will use it next go
[21:23] <Jaela> Battered from both sides, Jaela grins up at the giant. "So you think you've won? Fuck no!" Val'Finnegan returns to her grasp, and she retaliatates with her full ability for violence!
[21:23] <Jaela> roll 1d20+33 divine might, gambit, divine retaliation
[21:23] <Jaela> roll 1d20+33 divine might, gambit, divine retaliation
[21:23] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+33 divine might, gambit, divine retaliation and gets 42." [1d20=9]
[21:23] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+33 divine might, gambit, divine retaliation and gets 40." [1d20=7]
[21:23] <Jaela> roll 1d20+28 divine might, gambit, divine retaliation
[21:24] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+28 divine might, gambit, divine retaliation and gets 29." [1d20=1]
[21:24] <Jaela> roll 1d20+23 divine might, gambit, divine retaliation
[21:24] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+23 divine might, gambit, divine retaliation and gets 42." [1d20=19]
[21:27] <Kotono> OOC: Three hits.
[21:27] <Jaela> roll 3#1d8+27+10 silver+good+magic
[21:27] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 3#1d8+27+10 silver+good+magic and gets 128." [3#1d8+27+10 = 41, 42, 45]
[21:27] <Kotono> Under the assault of Jaela's lance, the giant of stars breaks apart! The stars that form it fly apart, leaving behind only glittering silver dust! OOC: Free act.

[21:28] * Jaela salutes the fallen giant with her spear. "A worthy opponent," she declares, and he was, for a warm up. Then, she flies back up to kneel before the princess.
[21:33] <Kotono> The Princess pre-empts that. As Jaela comes back up she glomps onto her, "Oh my hero!" Before Jaela can react she lays a big kiss on her lips, feeling like nothing more than a chilly breeze bringing moonlight to her. "Thank you! You saved me!"
[21:37] <Jaela> "I was glad to help," Jaela assures her. And who didn't want to be part of a story like that when they were younger? She certainly did, while in training before the invasion. "In fact, saving you was an honor, Highness!"
[21:43] <Kotono> Hugging Jaela tight, "Now I'm free..." The Princess sighs, before breaking apart. She leaves silvery glitter all over Jaela, as the castle she stands on break sapart as well. The stars fly up, flying high and higher yet into the night sky!
[21:46] * Jaela waves at the retreating stars which composed the princess, but when the castle breaks apart as well she decides to follow it further into the sky.
[21:48] <Kotono> Up and up and up and up and up higher Jaela flies!  The world below is a blur of darkness and trees! Above her, she can see the moon. A moon that grows larger as she approaches, the stars flying towards it.
[21:49] <Jaela> Onwards! As silvery as the stars themselves, Jaela acts just like one of them as she seeks out the moon!
[21:59] <Kotono> On towards the Moon! As you get closer you can see dozens of arching fairytale castles, all dotting the surface of the moon. Each is made of what looks to be shining silver and white marble, as pure as the newfallen snow. The stars fly into those castles and vanish within them.
[22:00] <Jaela> This is always the trickiest part of visiting the Court. But Jaela decides to go along with it, driven in large part by the desire to be part of a fairytale for a while longer. If that is not her place, she will get a clear answer upon trying.
[22:10] <Kotono> Jaela follows the stars in! Within the castles you come to great forges. Here the stars fly into the forges, melting down into pure light. Here dozens of figures of light with wings work, so radiant that Jaela's eyes protest looking directly at them. They gather this light into balls and gently hammer it, forging it together. New stars are shaped, glowing bright and sailing out.
[22:11] * Jaela blinks. "Wow. Just... wow." She touches down next to the closest of the figures, careful not to get in its way. "You're making stars? For real?"
[22:17] <Kotono> "That's right," It's a man's voice that replies, body too cloaked in light to discern even that much otherwise. "...your mother isn't a planetar, is she?"
[22:19] <Jaela> "Hanna's her name," Jaela supplies. She recalls her previous visit, then, and how it had lead her directly to her mother in a strange serious of improbable coincidences. Thus, she decides to add, "She said she knew a top-notch crafter going by Brissael who owed her a favor when I mentioned that I really needed a blessed forgehammer to remake a Hell-forged ring into something more suitable. Any chance you could point me in the right direction?"
[22:21] <Kotono> "He's in the back," Gesturing on with pure light, "Keep walking."
[22:21] <Jaela> "Thanks muchly!" Jaela inclines her head and then proceeds in the direction indicated. What luck!
[22:26] <Kotono> You walk deeper yet, past the star-forgers. Deep in the back you find one figure - taller than Hanna, a body of light so bright that it makes Jaela's head hurt to look at him. He is at the biggest forge of all, working great big stars.
[22:28] <Jaela> "I'm impressed," she voices upon approach. "And I don't say it often. Got a moment for me, Brissael? If you're Brissael. I got pointed this way, and you know how that goes...."
[22:32] <Kotono> He looks Jaela's way, face hidden by light. "Let me guess - one of Hanna's brood caught up with her?" he says, "And she sent you to me for something or another?"
[22:34] <Jaela> "Brood's such a weird word. But I'm her daughter, yep. Anyway, she said you owed her a favor and talked about what a badass you are about anything worth crafting, but that's not really how I wanna go about it. Just gimme a couple moments and I'll tell you why I'm here. Then you could decide if you liked the cause enough to pitch in or not. Sound fair?"
[22:36] <Kotono> "Go on," Brissael confirms, keeping up his crafting all the while. He wields a hammer - slamming it into the stars, soundless but shaping the light all the same.
[22:41] <Jaela> "I want to take this ring," Jaela says, retrieving that token and holding it out, "forged in Hell and carrying Dispater's symbol of oppression. Then I want to break it apart with the biggest fucking hammer I have, shatter it into pieces and reforge them into a symbol of righteousness and freedom. I wanna do that to show someone that we're not set in place and that we can all change if we work at it hard enough, and that I'm someone who has that sort of power within her since power's something she respects. Now, the Seldarine are sponsoring me on this. I need to go to Elysium and do it at the River Oceanus. But my tool for that? Gotta be the best blessed forgehammer in the multiverse. Then we come to my mom, and me asking her who'se the best. And then we come to you, Brissael. So how about it?"
[22:43] <Kotono> "I owe Hanna anyway," Brissael tosses his hammer to you! It's big enough to be a two handed weapon, flying at Jaela1 It glows terrifically with light! "It sounds like a good quest."
[22:46] <Jaela> "Dunno if it'll work out in the end," Jaela admits. "For a fatalist I can get pretty optimistic at times. But thanks! I'll put it to good use, don't doubt that!" She raises the hammer and gives it a few practice swings to get used to the weight before it joins the rest of her weaponry, stored in her gauntlet. "You're okay, Brissael. My name's Jaela, and I'm with the Aurora. Mom's there too, now, crusading against Hell with us. If you ever need anything, gimme a Sending or stop by!"
[22:51] <Kotono> "I'll remember that. Tell Hanna she should come back and forge some stars with us again soon!"
[22:52] <Jaela> She has the coolest mom ever! "Will do!"
[22:52] * Jaela bows before Brissael, and then plane shifts to Elysium.

[Corwin]

[19:50] <Kotono> The shift is one that feels good. It feels right, the realm becoming brigther, more alive, more real. Everything is more vivid as you stand in an open field. Colors are more intense than every before, the air is more breathable, and even your own body feels more alive.
[19:52] <Jaela> Crap. Did she miss? She must've missed. Jaela decides to gain some altitude to see how far from the River Oceanus she landed.
[19:57] <Kotono> Taking to the bright and fresh air, Jaela sees she is not far. The great river roars ahead - a few hours by foot and on the horizon, less by air. All that' sbetween her and it are gently rolling hills.
[19:58] <Jaela> She decides to make it a walk, landing back down. Since she's been doing so well, time-wise, Jaela might as well give her wings a bit of rest and enjoy the scenery.
[20:02] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:02] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 89." [1d100=89]
[20:02] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:02] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 85." [1d100=85]
[20:04] <Kotono> As Jaela walks, she passes a stone. A heavy brown stone, with a heavy mace lying on it. The mace looks entirely plain and unassuming, well used and with a worn leather grip. Writing in Celestial is below it, which says, "Seven dawns reveal all."
[20:06] <Jaela> "Yo, anyone here?" Jaela calls out, pausing. "Is this a sign that I got the wrong tool for the job? What?"
[20:07] <Kotono> There is no reply.
[20:10] * Jaela taps her foot. To be practical or to not be practical? The former wins out, and she reaches for the mace's handle to pick it up.
[20:13] <Kotono> Jaela finds that her hand refuses to wrap around the mace. She tries - but it's not happening. She simply cannot grasp th emace.
[20:16] <Jaela> "Huh. Strange." Wishing that mace the best of luck in finding a proper owner to wield it against devils, Jaela proceeds onwards.
[20:21] <Kotono> On to the river Jaela goes! Nothing happens between the rock and the river - the great River Oceanus flows before you. A river almost as wide as a lack, cutting a deep ribbon across the surface of Elysium. Its waters flow constantly, a beautiful blue.
[20:24] <Jaela> "I'm sorry for washing this shitty thing in you," Jaela tells the river, fishing out her ring. "But that seems the very thing needed to reforge it." She shrugs. Her armor disappears; she can hardly wash in the river with it on, magically warded against rust or not. And then Jaela gradually steps into the river until she is submerged up to her neck, taking care to keep her balance.
[20:27] <Kotono> The waters rage against Jaela, rushing onward - but keeping her balance isn't so hard, at least!
[20:29] <Jaela> You always make sure to wash your hair when you bath, don't you? Rooting herself, Jaela dunks her head into the water so that she is fully submerged. A few moments would suffice, and then she can rise, newly cleansed and ready to proceed.
[20:31] <Kotono> The water is really rather cool. Not cold, not unpleasant. Merely cool, warming quickly to her body. It washes the sweat and dirt from Jaela's body, freshening her.
[20:35] <Jaela> Better than Prestidigitation! Appreciating the situation and deciding to view this part of the ritual as a reward for being so close to her goal, Jaela edges out of the water and seeks out a spot to place the ring on for her attempts at reforging it. An anvil would be too much to hope for, but a naturally occuring smooth rock in the vicinity may well be possible to find.
[20:37] <Kotono> A bit of searching leads Jaela to a smooth rock indeed - it's not huge, but enough to place the ring on.
[20:42] <Jaela> Jaela does so. As soon as the ring is placed, she takes the time to construct a small altar to Lady Angharradh. It is the thought that counts, more than anything, and once she is ready the area is placed under Hallow in the name of her patron goddess. Freedom of Movement is imbued into it, more for the symbolism of what she is about to do than anything else, and then Jaela finds herself almost ready.
[20:44] <Jaela> The blessed forgehammer is retrieved, and then Jaela places it down on the ground, invoking a spell to become large enough to wield it comfortably. And then, after all that preparation, she is finally ready! Using the smaller Val'Finnegan to keep the ring in place, Jaela wields her hammer and strikes at the mark of Dispater upon the ring!
[20:45] <Kotono> The ring sits there, ready for Jaela to strike! On her first strike the ring  shudders all over, cracks running up and down it! The impact sound is like that of a church bell, ringing loud!
[20:46] <Jaela> "One!" Jaela calls out, refocusing her mind on the task before her. Accuracy and control, that's what it's all about. She aims properly, and strikes with the hammer precisely once more!
[20:54] <Kotono> A second blow, the ring cracking further! Another bell is heard on the strike.
[20:55] <Jaela> "Two!" There is no time for a proper prayer, but Jaela makes a quick one that her efforts be blessed. Her task really is too monumentous to succeed on her own, but it's an entirely different matter if she isn't alone in trying.
[21:02] <Kotono> A third swing makes cracks spread even more, the bell sound louder again!
[21:06] <Jaela> "Three!"
[21:06] <Jaela> The fourth strike is made by channeling all of Jaela's rage against Hell. Much like her mother would, rather than let it consume her Jaela turns that rage into a tool she controls and uses for her own purposes. The strike isn't too strong. It doesn't go wide. It is exactly the force and precision necessary to strike at an artifact of Hell.
[21:07] <Kotono> On this strike, the ring shatters! A swirl of black energy erupts out, the scent of rusty metal filling the air. This time there is no sound, the ring's fragments awaiting more.
[21:09] <Jaela> "Four!" Jaela calls out, not letting her surprise at this shake her concentration. Is there a point to hitting swirls of energy with a hammer? That would sound strange normally, but she is aware that this is a ritual taking place on more than the physical level, and thus proceeds. Even though the ring had been shattered, this strike confirms her superiority lest it get any ideas about reforging the wrong way.
[21:09] <Kotono> The fifth strike causes fragments to unite, the ring shakily held together! The sound this time is of a forgehammer, as it should be.
[21:11] <Jaela> "Five!" She is certainly on the right path! With the ring reforging, now is the time to focus on what she wants it to become. A symbol of freedom, rather than oppression. That is what the ring she is hammering at should stand for. And the message is heard twice as loud, when one knows what the ring used to symbolize.
[21:12] <Kotono> The sixth blow sounds even louder, the ring almost reforged now! There's only a few cracks left.
[21:17] <Jaela> "Six!" This time, Jaela has to wrestle with her own excitement and enthusiasm, instead of struggling with her rage. Only one hammer blow remains, and that one will seal the deal. If that is the case, then this is where Jaela has to put her desires for the ring. She wants Annalise to hold the reforged ring and understand exactly what took place. How Hell's power over it was broken, and how it had been remade by her. How her patrons unshakenly supported her along that path. Annalise always talks about potential, so this is what Jaela wants the ring to embody. Jaela's potential, and even Annalise's. It's never too late to change, is it? It just takes will. With that thought, the blessed forgehammer comes down one final time.
[21:20] <Kotono> OOC: Make a charisma check.
[21:21] <Jaela> roll 1d20+10
[21:21] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+10 and gets 21." [1d20=11]
[21:23] <Kotono> The seventh strike causes the ring to be whole once more! The symbol of Dispater on it crumbles away, replaced with a three-fold, interlocked set of rings. The ring is whole now, whole and restored.
[21:25] * Jaela sags in relief, seeming to collapse in on herself as she resumes her proper size. The forgehammer and Val'Finnegan are placed away, and then Jaela kneels before the altar she had made and prays to Lady Angharradh in gratitude for granting her request.
[21:28] <Kotono> Jaela feels her spirit calm, the ring glistening in the sunlight from above.
[21:30] <Jaela> "Right. Right!" Prestidigitation finally dries what the sunlight didn't, and Jaela resummons her armor, picking the ring up.
[22:35] <Kotono> The ring feels lighter than it should be, as if the iron that forged it is made of a light wood instead.
[22:37] <Jaela> Time to head on back home, then! Jaela aims for Aurora's courtyard.

[Corwin]

[22:42] <Kotono> On arriving at the courtyard, Jaela finds it relatively quiet right now. For once there really isn't much going on with it.
[22:43] * Jaela snorts to herself. Since she took so little time, she sincerely hopes her mother isn't still busy trying to kill Annalise. "Elena!" Jaela raises her voice, striding towards the front gates.
[22:45] <Kotono> Elena so appears. She looks tired, wearing pajamas and holding a stuffed bear to her chest. Her eyes are half open, one hand rubbing them. "What?" she asks.
[22:46] <Jaela> "You sleep?" Jaela asks in surprise. "Seriously?"
[22:49] <Kotono> Yawning deeply, "I can if I want to. Sir Medi taught me how." Yawning again and rubbing the sleep from her eyes, "What is it?"
[22:50] <Jaela> "Oh. Sorry." Jaela blinks. "Damn that's cute." She coughs into her fist. "You didn't hear that. So. Just a couple small stuff. Can you tell me where Annalise and Morniel are? And did Tannin get back already?"
[22:54] <Kotono> "You know, Sir Medi said the same thing..." Elena trails off, looking down. "Anyway, Annalise is in your quarters and Morniel is talking to Tannin now - he just got back." Coughing into her hand, "You may want to visit Annalise last. She's going to be distracting you, I think."
[22:55] * Jaela snorts. "Savvy! I'd ask you to join Morniel and Tannin when I meet them, but you look like you need the rest." She pauses for a moment, before adding, "Listen, Elena, let's catch up sometime. Tomorrow or whenever you see that I'm around and free and so are you?"
[22:58] <Kotono> "Everything's so busy. I lose track of people," Elena nods, another yawn splitting her face, "Sir Medi would approve of this, I just know it. Gathering people, fighting against the fiends and evil. It's what he made M-er, Aurora for. But I'm so busy because of it!"
[23:01] * Jaela laughs, shaking her head. "Find a spot of time anyway, will you? It's been ages since we did something nice, and you deserve a break after all that work."
[23:14] <Kotono> "Alright, alright," Elena laughs, "I hear you. I'll put the time aside."
[23:15] * Jaela pats Elena over her nightcap and heads to join Tannin and Morniel.
[23:23] <Kotono> Coming into the meeting room, you catch, "...if that?" Morniel frowns a bit, as Tannin nods. He has a mug of something warm and steamy, sipping from it. He replies, "About my opinion."
[23:24] <Jaela> "Hey," Jaela greets them, alerting both men to her presence. "What did I miss?"
[23:26] <Kotono> "Nothing vital," Morniel says, "We'll start over."
[23:26] <Kotono> "It went fine," Tannin adds, "So quiz me, Jaela. What do yo uwant to know?"
[23:27] <Jaela> "First, let's start with your general impressions," Jaela says, taking a seat where she can look at both of them at the same time. "Are they a generally reasonable people?"
[23:31] <Kotono> "They seem that way," Tannin replies, "They're reasonable and rational - they believe they were in the right. Long history of war, each side having grevances. I didn't see any signs of the dwarves being secretly an evil empire." He sips deeply from his drink, "My take is that it was a racial thing that grew inflammed over time, and the elves were the grand losers."
[23:32] * Jaela nods. "That works in our favor. What about the deities? Their level of involvement, and which are venerated and villified?"

[Corwin]

[20:06] <Kotono> "Dwarven pantheon," Tannin picks up, "The names are different and there's local variances and customs, but it matches in broad terms. There's a few others that don't match - the All-Seeing one some of the dwarven mages call on. Might be Mystra or someone form Dweomerheart, not sure. Most of the dwarven pantheon isn't long on magic so it's probably not them. Gond also has a following - nothing
[20:06] <Kotono> unusual about it. It's probably not of native origins, since those tend to take on unique style for the world. As for bad guys? I heard some references to the normal crew of the nastier deities, as well as what's probably a few demon princes. Hard to say without better intelligence, and you can't just easily find information on them without getting a lot in return."
[20:08] <Jaela> "How about the human deities or the Seldarine? Those would be pretty key to our interests."
[20:12] <Kotono> "I didn't find much on the elves," Tannin admits, "If I had to guess, I'd bet the Seladrine gets veneration from them, too. The humans tend to revere Helm, Tempus, Tyr, the Red Knight. Warriors." Pausing to rub his chin and drink, "The nastier side also gets a lot of worship from the humans, as long as they're battlers. Doesn't seem to reach the dwarves, though."Putting his glass down, wavering
[20:12] <Kotono> a hand back and forth, "I don't think the humans are particulary nasty. But they do seem to have focused on warfare." A beat, "Then again, the sources were the ones I got from the dwarves, and it is primarily a military alliance."
[20:13] * Jaela shakes her head. "No. I mean... what's gonna happen when a representative of the Seldarine just up and shows at their doorstep? Do they treat me as hostile from the get go, or is there some clear separation between their elven enemies and their gods and their servants?"
[20:15] <Kotono> "Oh." Tannin rubs his face, "Well, they'll at least treat you with diplomacy. They're civilized enough. Hell, they took pride on imprisoning captives of war instead of executing them. Can't tell yo uabout the last one - I really didn't get enough of a read on elven worship. It wasn't the best place to find out. Gut hunch, ou should be okay."
[20:17] <Jaela> "Good enough. It's best to be clear about who we are. And actually, if they misunderstand our angle it only works in our favor." She decides to move on. "What about the leadership? Is it tyrannical or reverred? Somewhere in between? Pretty much, can it make an unpopular deal or would it be too afraid of the consequences?"
[20:24] <Kotono> "The current monarch is Rihet III. Well liked, revered well for the victory over the elves. He's had near total political freedom since the end of the war." A pause here a moment, "Quick information, the monarch has a lot of power, but he's limited by a council of nobles. But he's been making a lot of changes and as the bringer of victory, he's had almost no opposition, even to ideas that would
[20:24] <Kotono> normally be resisted. That's the read I get, anyway."
[20:25] <Jaela> "Good, good." Jaela taps the desk as she thinks. "Justice system. What sorta crimes are the elves in for? Just prisoners of war, or something extra, trumped up or not? Are they sentenced or just endlessly awaiting trial? How does the treatment compare to the normal sort of criminal?"
[20:27] <Kotono> "Prisoners of war and dangers to the Crown and State," Tannin recites, "They're sitting in jail at the pleasure of Rihet. There doesn't need a trial when the Crown intervenes like that." Reaching for his drink again, finishing it, "I couldn't tell you the treatment beyond that they're stuck deep underground in a prison. Dunno how well they're taking care of them."
[20:28] <Jaela> "Yeah, that makes sense. But no charges of massacres or stuff like that? True or false?"
[20:31] <Kotono> "Nothing but whispers. Nothing solid - it's all the sort of dreck you get in a war. The truth's hard to ferret out. Some called them honorable, others called the elves monsters who butcher dwarven babies." Letting that hang as he ponders, "'minds me of something on my home world. Countries had been at war for generations, to the point where they saw the other countries as little more than fiends.
[20:31] <Kotono> For my money? I don't know. Possibly? Bad things happen during wars. One side's massacre is another side's justified response. I don't think the elves are blameless and bloodless, at least."
[20:33] <Jaela> "Just because we're getting them out doesn't mean we'll free anyone who was in jail." Jaela nods. "That's what I'm thinking, anyhow. Okay. Next I wanna know about the situation over there. Any human-dwarven tensions? When we go there, we only need to talk to this Rihet guy? Humans are all sorts of irrelevant and don't even hold any prisoners?"
[20:36] <Kotono> "Nope. Rihet seems fond of the humans from all reports. I get the impression not everyone agreed, but victory scuttled all the bitching. In fact, Rihet adopted certain human tactics. THAT put some dwarven generals besides themselves - the story I heard is that there's a no shit drinking song about one general who was so infuriated when he heard that he dropped over dead." Still, Tannin shrughs,
[20:36] <Kotono> "But victory over the elves seems to have swept that all under the rug. No serious tensions I detected from the dwarves, at least on the common people levels. I don't have a read on the diplomatic side of it, but circumstancial evidence doesn't suggest any serious tensions."
[20:38] * Jaela snorts. "Okay. One last thing, then. What do they need? What do they want? Elves or no elves, they're not some utopia. What opening can we exploit?"
[20:40] <Kotono> "The dwarves?" Tannin asks a moment, "Or the elves?"
[20:40] <Jaela> "Those we negotiate with."
[20:44] <Kotono> "They really dislike the elves. If you can offer them some way to get rid of them and a promise they won't come back, you might be able to sell them on it. Offer to pay a ransom if you're willing. They're still dwarves and have a taste for gold, jewels and stonework."
[20:45] <Kotono> "The opening is the monarch," Morniel speaks up, "If he's independant enough to chart his own course, that means he could be persuaded to release the elves to our course and care."
[20:46] <Jaela> "I think we're done. Excellent work." Jaela nods at Tannin. "Can you handle getting everyone together tomorrow morning? We'll leave then to open negotiations." Another nod, this time at Morniel. "Of course. Our initial approach seems to be workable, so we'll do that. Interested in tagging along?"
[20:48] <Kotono> "Yes," Morniel replies, "A new diplomatic experience is always welcome."
[20:50] <Jaela> "Thanks. We'll take the tent over. That should be impressive enough." Standing up, Jaela offers the pair a bow and then heads outside. She has kept Annalise waiting long enough, after all.

[Corwin]

[21:08] <Kotono> Jaela finds Annalise in her quarters. Annalise is sitting there, waiting. Besides the fact that clothing was optional, nothing's unusual about that. She slinks up to Jaela as she approaches, "Ah, you're back," she says in a sultry voice, "Perfect timing."
[21:12] * Jaela dismisses her armor and closes the distance between them, unclasping her cloak. "This is where I get distracted?"
[21:18] <Kotono> Holding Jaela close, "I'm thirsty," she says, "I want to show you something...interesting this time, too."
[21:19] <Jaela> "I want to show you something, too," Jaela whispers. "Close your eyes."
[21:19] <Kotono> Annalise smirks a moment but does as requested.
[21:21] * Jaela retrieves her reforged ring and borrows Annalise's hand for a moment. She slides it on her finger before leaning in with a kiss.
[21:25] <Kotono> Annalise is chaste in returning the kiss, but far from uneager. She looks down at the ring, "My, my. I see you were successful." Smirking a moment, "I suppose it's good I have a gift for you all lined up."
[21:26] <Jaela> "It's not just from me." Jaela taps the symbol adoring the ring. "No tricks. I was upfront about the whole thing, and she guided my hand."
[21:30] <Kotono> "The irony." Annalise chuckles, "I was completely upfront, not even serious - and she leapt on the offer. Dana would make a fine servant for you, eh? "
[21:30] <Jaela> "What?"
[21:38] <Kotono> "It 'twas merely a joke." Annalise begins, guiding Jaela to the bed. "A bit of banter and she began to lead me along. Still, Dana could be all yours - of her own free will. Turning her would be a simple thing, and I'd be more than happy to have her serve you."
[21:40] <Jaela> "I--" Jaela heavily sits down on the bed, raising a hand to hold Annalise off. "Do you have any idea how hard it was to put this together? Do you know just what I'm gambling with for your sake? Are my feelings and, fuck it, well being just a joke for you, Annalise?"
[21:47] <Kotono> "Of course not." Annalise replies with easy patience, "But I know that in the end," Looking down to her ring, "They'll betray you. You don't want to believe it, you fight against it, but in the end, they will." Looking to Jaela, a gently amused look on her face, "They always do. The Gods and Powers ultimately care only for themselves. They've given you latitude - far more than I would ever
[21:47] <Kotono> expect, but surely they'll grow bored of your deviations soon." Her voice softens, "It isn't what you want to hear, Jaela. I've lived a very long time, in part because I listen, even when it's something I want to reject with all my heart. When they do betray you, you'll need allies and power lest you be swept away. This?" Looking down at the ring she wears, holding it up to the light, "A beautiful
[21:47] <Kotono> symbol, but hardly eternal. After all, they have the freedom to grow tired of you, the same freedom you champion." Lowering her voice, "I don't want you alone and miserable when that happens."
[21:52] <Jaela> "Bullshit!" Jaela snaps. "Bullshit!" she repeats, lunging to her feet. "You can't do that, Annalise! You can't admit your expectations were proven wrong, and then use that as proof of being right! When you say that shit, I can tell that you care about me. In your own way, you do! But you fucking degrade me at the same time! Don't treat me like some no-name loser who'll never amount to anything! I'm exceptional, dammit, because I have to be or all I'm doing is for nothing! I need allies? I'll get them myself, or we'll get them together, but not through some fucking low hanging fruit! Not by turning them, but by having them join us of their own free will! And when they do, it's not below us like a bunch of servants but alongside us like how allies and friends are supposed to be!" She gestures at the ring. "That's not enough? Then I'll show you more and more! As much as it fucking takes to get you convinced! All you need to do is believe in me and wait by my side. That's all!"
[21:57] <Kotono> Annalise doesn't bat an eye. She watches Jaela and soaks in every word. "Degrade you?" Her lips twitch, a smile fought off only with effort. "I give you a beautiful woman who would serve you for all eternity. I offer you power and life beyond your wildest dreams. I help your cause without question." Here she stops, "But all the anger, all the power, all the desire in Creation doesn't mean a
[21:57] <Kotono> thing to the Gods. It's not that I don't believe in you. I don't believe in them. Besides, it's not low hanging fruit. It's a gift that any other would spent a life looking for and fail to obtain."
[21:58] <Jaela> "I don't want to do it that way! I don't want you to do things like that! I told you as much, too, didn't I? So when you ignore that, how's that not degrading me?"
[22:02] <Kotono> "Because I know, ultimately, that one day you'll be cast out from grace." Annalise doesn't even break at that, "One day, I'll be all you have. Your magic will be gone, the favor of the Seladrine gone. You'll have enemies far and wide, waiting for a chance to drag you down. You don't deserve that. I want you to have something better."
[22:07] <Jaela> "Say it happens," Jaela responds with a snort. "So you're telling me Afina and Ithea were okay about telling Bahamut and Tiamat to fuck off by my side, and they took me over any help from the Triad when I offered them the chance to cut me off, just weeks after meeting each other. That they stood by me through all that, but I'll end up alone without the Seldarine there for me anymore? Think again, Annalise. And they're not alone. You three, and many other allies I've made over this time. My magic? I'm pretty smart, I'll figure something out. My enemies? Fuck them, we'll take them all on together." She shakes her head. "That somethng better you want for me? It's us, all of us, being together and fighting the good fight. It's me showing you that you're wrong, again and again, till you finally try believing for a change."
[22:09] <Kotono> Annalise smirks, "You know." Annalise begins, "Maybe if you were willing to trust me, I'd accept what you're saying? You're one of the few that will say more than five words to me, or want to kill me. Besides, if you have so much trust in your Gods, surely they'll forgive you for being turned if you can bring me around, hm?"
[22:12] <Jaela> "I'm... compromising a bit," Jaela admits. "It's not like I think being a vampire is good. I'm just trying to look past it and see you. But... but that doesn't change what it means to turn someone. I can't see it as-- it's horrible to me. I can accept that you have the power to do it, Annalise. But I can't accept you actually doing it. Even to an enemy. Not when you promised to compromise too, for my sake. That just has to be one of those things."
[22:17] <Kotono> Annalise leans in, "Compromise just a little more then. If you do that, I'll compromise. I'll believe in the promises your deities offer," A finger traces Jaela's cheekbone, "If you only take my promise and offer. Or are you unwilling to accept even that, and yet expect others to compromise entirely alone?"
[22:24] <Jaela> "No." Jaela places her hands on Annalise's shoulders. "I won't become a vampire, not even for you. Just because it would be for you doesn't make it any less wrong. You're a lot more experienced, but even I can recognize a trap. The two things are not the same. You want me to do something I feel is wrong. All I want from you is to not do something you can get by without just fine. Ask me for something that truly goes on faith without going against my ideals and you'll see how much I'm willing to go for you. Say, invite me on a trip to the Abyss to a demon-run library where I can't hurt any fiends that mouth off to me?"
[22:35] <Kotono> Annalise chuckles. It is an entirely dry sound, devoid of much of anything. "It is your choice," Annalise says, "But speaking of chocies, what if Dana chooses to be turned, hm?"
[22:39] <Jaela> "Her choice is her choice," Jaela responds instantly. "But there's more to it. She can't wish really hard and become one. It takes two, and that makes it your choice too, Annalise." She purses her lips. "Turning someone is fucking horrible and we both know they angst and die and go to Hell or go batshit and die and go to Hell. You must be the sole exception in the entire history for that. So choose to do something that goes against my morals and I can't abide with, and you're choosing turning someone for a few cheap laughs over me. So it's your choice. I want you to choose me, but I can't make it for you."
[22:40] <Kotono> "Oh how you forget. Any I turn won't be so subject to such misery," Annalise drawls, "I told you that before. You confuse me with common vampire cattle."
[22:42] <Jaela> "I don't even care when you lie to me, like just now," Jaela says without batting an eye. "You're the one who told us about your past lover, and Helm and Lady Angharradh showed me plenty of others in that same vein. It's not a question of power or ability, because they still go nuts and die and end up in Hell. I'm asking you to not do something that I can't accept. Respect that part of me, even if you disagree, and we can be together."
[22:52] <Kotono> After a time, "You could have everything. You could be a Queen among Creation." She actually sighs, "So doggedly persistent, railing and holding on."
[22:57] <Jaela> "Holding on?" Jaela snorts. "More like I'm clawing and climbing my way on. Remember how we just met? I was a sorry thing, just waiting to die. Well, somewhere along the line that changed. I'm gonna live to the fullest. You think you'll get rid of me that easily? I'll go find out how my brother managed to keep himself going for ages. Beat it out of him if I have to. That same persistence will get those asshole Hellish nobles defined by having me as their enemy instead of the other way around. And it won't be long before they'll be the ones running from my presence. I'll get there as myself."
[23:00] <Kotono> "I wonder how many have said those words, only to find the cold comfort of the grave? I've known far too many," Annalise says with an idle bit of amusement, "The rare ones that succeed are exalted, of course. But emphasis lies on rare."
[23:02] <Jaela> "Just pretend that you have exceptional taste," Jaela tells Annalise with another snort. "And I'll trust in your superior judgement. And if you do feel like tossing it all off for some cheap thrill, pause a sec and wonder 'what if she's the one after all?'"
[23:10] <Kotono> "Just remember my offer." Annalise retorts, "It'll be here for when you need it."
[23:13] <Jaela> "And I'll be here reminding you that I won't need it," Jaela counters. "Man, I'm so tired-- the fight before, and walking for hours, crafting, discussing strategy...." She trails off, tossing her gauntlets on the ground by her bed before sitting down to remove her boots one by one.
[23:14] <Kotono> With an easy smirk as she watches Jaela relax, "I don't ever get tired, except in sunlight. It's really rather nice."
[23:15] <Jaela> "I can get past it with a simple spell," Jaela mutters in mild annoyance, "but there's something to be said for having a nice rest. Catching a few dreams. That sort of thing." She pats the side of the bed. "Wanna give it a try?"
[23:18] <Kotono> "Why not?" Annalise comes to lay with Jaela, "Sleep now."