028.4 "Ah yes, I've heard you have compatriots in Ysgard."

[Corwin]

[20:12] <Kotono> Ithea and Muirfinn await in the courtyard. A few others are about - much of the Graceful Blow, some practicing and others catching up. Mirima can be seen with them, swinging her new courtblade about in a deadly, swift flurry of death. Arrel is nearby, watching. Kascha is curled up near Arrel, one wing of his acting as a far oversized blanket. A book lies on the ground, one she writes in by
[20:12] <Kotono> pointing and uttering a few magic words. Then, after enough time and waiting - a blue portal opens up in Aurora!
[20:16] * Muirfinn leans on his staff, watching. "Hopefully they'll all be able to come through."
[20:28] <Ithea> "How many of your kinsmen were going to join us?" Ithea asks.
[20:30] <Muirfinn> "Somewhat less than fifty. We were once of much greater numbers, but between devils and despair, we lost most of our race." Muirfinn says, looking stoic.
[20:34] <Kotono> As you speak and attention turns to the portal, they come through. Each one looks much lke Muirfinn - a humanoid turtle, carrying themselves through. A pair and then four and then six and then a dozen and more and more, Muirfinn's promised numbers coming through! With them is one in particular - a weathered old turtle, shell dull and green flesh deeply lined and sagging. He walks with the
[20:34] <Kotono> help of an ornate, shell-shod staff. To Ithea he speaks, "I am Elder Kole of the Shellscale Tribe. Muirfinn, this is Aurora?"
[20:36] <Muirfinn> OOC: Spiritwater!
[20:37] <Ithea> "Yes, this is Aurora. Welcome to our little corner of the infinite planes, Elder Kole. I'm Ithea, how do you do?" Ithea greets as she comes closer to the elder, extending her hand and offering to shake his.
[20:37] <Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[20:38] <Muirfinn> Bowing at the waist, Muirfinn greets the ancient tortle. "Welcome to the Aurora, Elder Kole. It is good to see you well."
[20:40] <Kotono> "Amazing." Elder Kole looks about, "It is like the stories said."
[20:44] <Muirfinn> "Yes, it is quite nice. Those in control here have been very nice, and the races assembled here seem to get along quite well. I think our people will be happy here." Muirfinn says. "Did you have any trouble?"
[20:45] <Kotono> "No, the beasts and lizards have been quiet," The Elder replies, offering his hand out to Ithea, "Thank you for your hospitality...one of the interant races who came to live on Lifasa. That you have extended this same gift to us that Lifasa gave to you is proper."
[20:46] <Ithea> "I'm sure the stories didn't do it enough justice," Ithea says with a boastful smile. "And we'll do our best to see that Muirfinn's words are true. As you said, it's only proper."
[20:49] <Kotono> "You're welcome," The answer Ithea gets is with a smile, "May we look around?"
[20:51] <Muirfinn> "Of course, of course. I'd like to join you, if you don't mind. I have not quite gotten the hang of this portal system yet."
[20:55] <Kotono> A short nod to Muirfinn, "Then, shall we?"
[20:56] <Muirfinn> "Sure. Coming Ithea?"
[20:56] <Ithea> "It's not that complicated, you'll get used to it quickly. As for looking around, of course, make yourselves at home. I can show you to the rooms if you'd like to unpack some of your belongings first, or the cafeteria if any of your people are hungry."
[20:59] <Kotono> After showing the tortles around, Ithea and Muirfinn are walking down the entrance hall. Past Lief weaving amid the Medicant Golems, the pixie giving a momentary wave before going back to work. As they do, "Ah," Morniel's voice is heard, as he approaches, "Ithea."
[21:01] * Muirfinn stops as he hears the call for Ithea, waiting patiently!
[21:02] <Ithea> "Morniel, hello," Ithea returns the greeting with a nod of her head.
[21:02] <Kotono> "Can I have some of your time?" he asks, "I have matters I would like to discuss."
[21:04] <Ithea> "Sure, I'm free. Tannin mentioned you'd been working on some plans, is it about that?" Ithea asks.
[21:07] <Kotono> "As a matter of fact, it is." After a moment, and a look at Muirfinn, "Do yo uwish for Muirfinn to be there as well?"
[21:10] <Ithea> "I don't see why not," Ithea says with a shrug.
[21:12] <Kotono> "As you wish." Morniel leads the two into the strategy room. Once there and seated, Morniel clears his throat, "Since Tannin seems to be aware of this and has made it clear, I'll get to business. As of now, Aurora's command structure is somewhat ad-hoc, without any firmly established lines. I believe we should change this, and establish measures of command and authority. The loss of high
[21:12] <Kotono> ranking members such as Willim may happen again."
[21:14] * Ithea nods. "What's your thought on the matter?" Ithea asks, curious to see what proposal Morniel has. "We do have quite a few capable leaders and warriors, do you hope to give all of them a rank?"
[21:16] <Kotono> "Moreso than that," Nodding, "From the lowest soldier to the highest ranking general. A method of coherent organization allows the unification of forces and better use of them. As of now, the various forces are somewhat ill-integrated, kept in the groups they came from."
[21:17] <Muirfinn> "You propose intermixing the forces to better use their skills and abilities?"
[21:20] <Ithea> "Well, we've somewhat done that when we led the charge into the battle of Earthfall, though I do imagine it'd get harder to do that as our numbers continue to increase," Ithea admits. "At the same time, I'd like to keep some sort of flexibility though," Ithea muses. "If we become too rigid, that comes with it's own sets of problems."
[21:22] <Kotono> "That's exactly it. It has several other benefits as well." Clearing his throat, "Conflicts are inevitable in a group this size. I'm surprised there haven't been more yet," Morniel pauses a moment, "Seira's elements are superbly trained and disciplined on that point, which has likely prevented several elemental skirmishes. Still, it's only a matter of time. Forced integration allows bonding
[21:22] <Kotono> and understanding - and cuts a potential problem off at the knees." Nodding to that, "What I propose is a base 10 system. Ten soldiers is a unit, and ten of those form a company of 100. Ten companies form a division of 1,000 soldiers. Should our numbers rise enough, ten divisions could form one 10,000 soldier army. With this, you can have that flexibility."
[21:23] <Ithea> "Alright, that seems simple enough. What about ranks?" Ithea asks.
[21:29] <Kotono> "I recommend seven non comissioned ranks - private, master private, corporal, lance corporal, sargeant, master sargeant and command sargeant.  This goes into army structure - I can give you more information on this later, it's not essential to understanding. As for commanding officers," Clearing his throat, "Aurora has several elite warriors and forces, yes? They consitute much of Aurora's
[21:29] <Kotono> power, especially against high ranking devils of note. Further, this becomes entangled with the command and control of Aurora."
[21:33] <Ithea> "What do you mean by entangled?" the duskblade asks for clarification with a frown. "It hasn't honestly felt that complicated to me."
[21:38] * Muirfinn looks back and forth between the angel and the cat. "That sounds vaguely reminiscent of that we had back on Lifasa. Regimented ranks for ourfighters, hunters, and civilians."
[21:45] <Kotono> "The exact command structure roughly appears to be shared between you, Afina, Jaela, Adrian and Willim. Willim is no longe rwith us and Adrian seems to often defer to the three of you. Beyond that, it is murky. There's no absolute authority to Aurora, no exact measures of who commands who."
[21:47] <Ithea> "That's pretty accurate," Ithea admits. "Like you said, it's pretty much us four, then all of the elite warriors which we've pretty much just all lumped as an officer rank, then everyone else."
[21:50] <Kotono> "Allow me to suggest something different. A series of ranks." Folding his hands together, "Major is the lowest officer rank. It's to the powerful who don't command. Someone such as..." Thinking a moment, "Arrel perhaps, or Sylvie.  Certainly powerful, but not leaders.  Colonels, those who handle some command but who are not involved in the serious decision making. Someone like Mirima with
[21:50] <Kotono> the Graceful Blow, or Crystal with the fey. Generals, who hold the power of decision making in Aurora - such as the five I mentioned. These can be expanded if you desire greater definition or more ranks, but that is the basic thrust of my proposal."
[21:53] <Ithea> "Seems reasonable enough, I don't have any argument against expanding and defining ranks a bit more fully, though I think we'd probably want Jaela, Afina and Adrian to participate in how we might hand out ranks to our officers. You seem to have a pretty good idea for it though, been spending time observing and talking to everyone while we've been out, I guess?" Ithea asks.
[21:56] * Muirfinn nods. "We should involve the others before enacting something like this."
[21:57] <Kotono> "Exactly so," Morniel confirms, "An army that is organized and defined is an effective army. Further, Hell's armies are well organized. The demons can only oppose that by massive weight of numbers. We do not have that luxury." Now leaning forward a little bit, "So far, Hell has not made an en masse assault on Aurora. I have my suspicions why, and if I'm right, this may end soon."
[21:59] <Muirfinn> "Is that so? We should prepare for the assault, then." Muirfinn nods.
[22:00] * Ithea frowns. "I see. Well, hopefully Jaela and Afina will return soon to provide their own input, so we can make changes, and Adrian can provide his when he returns, we can make changes as needed then," Ithea comments, remembering how 27 stated that the second act was opening now. "In the meantime, can you share your insights both on assigning ranks and your suspicions?"
[22:03] <Kotono> Nodding slightly in return, before sitting back, "The devil's hand seems to revolve around destiny. Why would they allow Lifasa to grow this large instead of concentrated sally to crush it early and claim Medicant for themselves? As I have read, the fiends wanted Medicant when Medi commanded it long ago. It doesn't make sense...unless they were completely confident of their victory. If fate
[22:03] <Kotono> itself promised victory, now? If a Child was to be born that could dominate all those of Lifasa?"
[22:06] <Ithea> "Ah yes, that little monstrosity," Ithea says with a grimace.
[22:09] <Kotono> "Thankfully, the Child is no more, praise be to Tyr." A moment to pause and bow his head in silence, before rising up and continuing. "What I worry is that if I am correct, the planners of this entire scenario are going to be dealing with shattered plans. With an assured victory ruined and Aurora growing in strength...what would you do if you were Hell? Allow Aurora to grow stronger yet and
[22:09] <Kotono> challenge your hold on Lifasa, or decapitate the problem before it becomes even more dangerous?" Here Morniel pauses, "Do you agree?"
[22:12] <Muirfinn> "They would gather their forces and immediately attempt to destroy us, as the most powerful of their opposition." Muirfin agrees grimly.
[22:14] * Ithea nods, still grimacing after the mention of the child. "Yes, that's true enough. We probably still have a bit of time, but it really is likely to start getting a lot worse very soon," Ithea says, sighing as she passes a hand through her hair while thinking.
[22:20] <Kotono> "Which brings me to my second point," Morniel nods, "We've been drifting in Air for some time. May I suggest that we be a little more active with where Aurora is? In particular...a Heaven in good standing with us with the local authority's consent. That alone would help forstall any attack, at least until Aurora needs to leave to go somewhere." Pausing briefly, "This sacrifices some of the
[22:20] <Kotono> mobility of Aurora in exchange for greater security. Any serious diabolical attack while Aurora is in a Heaven will invite a massive retaliation from the local celestials and deities."
[22:22] * Muirfinn nods. "I was thinking the same thing. Ithea, what is the most friendly celestial realm for Aurora?"
[22:27] <Ithea> "I imagined we'd want to head back to Ysgard. I do have a niggling thought I might be asking Galariel about which could make Elysium a better option, but probably Ysgard. A lot of our warriors were recruited there, familiar grounds might be good for their morale as well, and it'd be good encouragement to finally go through with Gisfal's request," Ithea muses outloud.
[22:28] <Kotono> "Ah yes, I've heard you have compatriots in Ysgard. Further, losses there are non permanent, short of particularly unpleasant methods," Nodding, "A fine choice."
[22:29] <Muirfinn> "Gisfal?"
[22:32] <Ithea> "Yes, that's one extra benefit. Certainly should be useful to do training and seeing where everyone stands and working out many of the kinks in trying to organize ourselves," Ithea replies to Morniel with a nod of her own before turning to Muirfinn.
[22:33] <Ithea> "An eladrin of Tempus, he commands an army in Ysgard and offered us his aid if we would do a task for him. Many things happened since we left Ysgard, however, and we unfortunately veered away from the task, even though it would assure us a strong ally."
[22:34] <Ithea> "Given that we're no longer afforded the protection from devil prophecy, odd as that sounds, it might be a good priority to focus on once more."
[22:35] <Kotono> "Yes." A nod, "Ysgard won't slow down certain other problems, such as Mechanus if it comes to that, but even at worst fatalities will be passing inconvienences. It will allow us to preserve our strength," Morniel agrees.
[22:39] <Ithea> "Not entirely, since even if Aurora is stationed there, the rest of us won't necessarily all be there. We'd simply be imprisoning ourselves in the heavens if we did that," Ithea says with a small shake of her head. "And it was in one such trip that we'd lost someone, back when we were still traveling through Ysgard."
[22:43] <Kotono> "Yes, the third point," Going on from that, "Is that Aurora's mode of operation is often to use Aurora as a safe base, and sally forth with small specialized groups to accomplish goals and dispatch threats," Morniel says, "Considering how plane shifting and teleportation is used, there's no reason for Aurora to be somewhere unsafe much of the time."
[22:49] * Muirfinn nods. "That makes sense, yes. We should consult Afina and Jaela on this after they return."

[Corwin]

[20:14] <Kotono> After chatting with Morniel, Ithea and Muirfinn are just heading out of the strategy room. It's then that Elena appears, "Ithea!" she calls, "Sorry to bother you, but we have guests!"
[20:15] <Ithea> "It's not a bother, Elena. Have they entered Aurora, or are they waiting outside the courtyard?" she asks. "And who's come by anyway?"
[20:16] * Muirfinn looks over to the ghostly girl, interested!
[20:19] <Kotono> "A bunch of burning oozes, lead by a dwarf," Elena says, "He's asking for the leaders of Aurora and says he wants to meet in peace."
[20:21] <Muirfinn> "...burning oozes?"
[20:22] * Ithea blinks at that. "...burning oozes and a dwarf?" she asks, puzzled. She wonders if it has to do with that Azer they met briefly what seems like ages ago and trading. She shakes her head and adds, "Nevermind that, so where are they right now, then? In the meeting room or outside?"
[20:22] <Kotono> "Outside in the courtyard," Elena says, "I don't know, either, but he was insistent."
[20:26] * Ithea nods, heading that way. "Thanks, Elena. I'll go meet him then. You're welcome to come join us, Muirfinn, it's good to have a second point of view when making decisions, and I'd appreciate any of your wisdom regarding what this dwarf might have to offer."
[20:26] <Muirfinn> "It would be my pleasure. I'll admit that I am very curious." Muirfinn says.
[20:29] <Kotono> Heading out to the courtyard, the two find the dwarf awaiting. A burly dwarf with burn-blacked skin, as if he just came from wading into a deep earthen forge. His beard is a perfect charred black, bald otherwise. His arms are crossed, wearing plate armor that glows cherry-red hot, steam rising from it. Behind him is a large metal cage, glowing the same. Within it you see oozes - dozens of
[20:29] <Kotono> them, the color of spewing lava and burning with occasional bursts of flame.  Yet none of the mtry and escape the cage, instead milling about inside.
[20:31] <Muirfinn> "They really are burning slimes! I've never heard of such." Muirfinn says, staying back as he feels the heat. "Hello." He greets the dwarf.
[20:32] <Kotono> "Damn straight they are. Pulled 'em out from Magma with my own two hands," He holds his hands up, gauntlets glowing fiery red. "Called conflagration oozes. They're exactly what they look like. So, you running this place?"
[20:34] <Ithea> "I'm one of those that keep this place running. Welcome to Aurora, I'm Ithea and this is Muirfinn. Now what can we do for you?" she asks.
[20:35] <Kotono> "Heard you've kicked Hell around." His voice is sharp in tone, "That true, cat?"
[20:39] <Ithea> "Well, we do seem to have pissed them off, so I'd say they consider themselves properly kicked around and hurting from our encounters," Ithea replies with a raised eyebrow. "We'll probably keep on pissing them off and kicking them around too."
[20:41] <Kotono> "Good. I want in," He says, getting right to it, "Got a bunch of burning oozes to bring with me. Won't be much good against a real devil, but any 'loths or lackeys they have still burn."
[20:45] <Ithea> "Well, we're certainly not going to reject anybody with a bone to pick with Hell, though I'm curious as to your reasons," Ithea asks, before peering towards the cages, observing their behavior. "And how well do you control those oozes, anyway?"
[20:46] <Kotono> "Completely," He grunts at this, "Name's Burns. Yes, it's intentional. Don't much like devils, lost a lot of friends to them."
[20:46] * Muirfinn nods. "We know the feeling."
[20:48] <Ithea> "You'll find a lot of people here that have that in common," Ithea says in agreement. "Are you a warrior of some kind, or just an ooze trainer, or you have other talents to bring in to the war against them?"
[20:49] <Kotono> "Can fight a bit, but the oozes are it," Jerking a thumb back at them, "We got an understanding?"
[20:50] <Muirfinn> "We can probably find you a nice place with the fire elementals." Muirfinn nods. "Unless you'd personally prefer some place cooler?"
[20:52] <Ithea> "Do you need some sort of...I don't know, kennel or something to house them in as well? And can you get more or do you, err 'breed' them, whatever it is that it takes to get oozes to make more anyway?" Ithea asks, counting as best she can the number the dwarf's brought with him.
[20:54] <Kotono> "The cage'll do. Ain't gotta worry about that. They breed by burning'n'killing. Preferably devil lackeys. Gimme a lot of those, and you'll get more oozes." Nodding once, "Anywhere'll do."
[21:00] <Muirfinn> "Elena should be able to help you get set up, then. Feel free to ask anyone for help getting around if you need it. I assume Jaela and Afina will want to meet with you as well when they get back. Otherwise, on behalf of us all, welcome to the Aurora!" Muirfinn bows at the waist.
[21:02] <Kotono> "To burning devils," Burns grunts, "To burning a lot of devils."
[21:02] <Ithea> "Agreed," Ithea says.
[21:02] * Muirfinn nods.

[Corwin]

[21:48] <Kotono> Muirfinn and Ithea find Sylvie in the library. She's reading a book - while hopping between bookshelves, parrying and dodging invisible foes and repeating.
[21:52] <Ithea> "Sylvie! Remember the crazy plan with the pixies and the love couple? I feel like giving it a shot right about now, want to see if it somehow works or explodes in our faces?" she calls out to the bibliophile in greeting as she approaches. "Muirfinn's going to donate an elemental friend of his to play the role of the big bad villain too!"
[21:52] * Muirfinn watches for a moment. "That's a hell of a way to study."
[21:59] <Kotono> Leaping down, "It teaches you to dodge without thinking, or some such. The Master went on about it and I wanted to try it." Closing her book, "You mean the scheme in Brightwater? What's your plan?"
[22:03] <Ithea> "Well, first I find them and talk to 'em again, see where their relationship is and if this harebrained scheme is even needed. If it isn't, adjust from there! If not, create an epic battle scene where the guy has to rescue Jessica from the evil elemental and his pixie minions, with help from me, some illusions that will prompt a tragic love confession, and
[22:03] <Ithea> then the reveal, leading everyone to happiness! Or something like that," Ithea says, before pausing. "You've read trashy romance novels, right? Any advice?"
[22:04] <Kotono> "Yes, I have." Sylvie sighs, "Okay first, why are pixies and a huge elemental working together?"
[22:08] <Ithea> "...the elemental pays well?" Ithea answers weakly.
[22:08] <Muirfinn> "You know," Muirfinn says speculatively, "I don't quite know human mating rituals very well, but don't think my wife would have fallen for this."
[22:12] <Kotono> "Oh, you're married? Congratulations," Sylvie offers, before smiling a bit, "I can gather that. If I were a big, huge and strong elemental, I wouldn't even look twice at pixies. Right?" Pausing a moment as she hums, "Does he have the ability to defeat illusions or the wisdom to identify them?"
[22:13] <Ithea> "Well, I have outright admitted to a lack of experience in this subject," Ithea says a little hotly as she crosses her arms, before sighing at Sylvie's questions. "...you already know I don't even remember much about this guy. He could be some epic wizard for all I know and see right through everything," she admits.
[22:14] <Kotono> "Okay, okay," Holding her hands up, "Relax, Ithea. Why don't you just..." here she pauses, "Can't you get your hands on some aphrodisiac in Brightwater?"
[22:14] <Muirfinn> "I was, yes." He says. "An aphrodisiac? Trying to force the issue?"
[22:15] <Ithea> "Sharess said none of that stuff was allowed," Ithea says with a shake of her head. "She wants it passionate, sure, but she also said she wants it to be real."
[22:17] <Muirfinn> "If she wants it to be real, she probably wouldn't appreciate what we're trying to do here."
[22:17] <Kotono> "Oh, damn." Snapping her fingers, "Well, that means you can't cheat. Have to do it the hard way."
[22:20] <Ithea> "Well, her cat emissary actually seemed to approve of the idea, actually, that's one of the reasons I was trying to roll with it... And I guess...I guess we just came up with it while Willim was around, so I kinda wanted to do it in his honor?" Ithea comments, musing over what she's just said.
[22:20] <Ithea> "...wow, that was a stupid reason to go with this plan, wasn't it?" Ithea asks rhetorically.
[22:22] <Kotono> "Yes, yes it was," Sylvie agrees, deadpan, going to a nearby chair and sitting. "I still say the answer is the obvious one - go find some guy there you like and have a few nights of passionate, hair pulling, back scratching sex. Just have to find some guy who makes you all hot and warm and you're good."
[22:22] <Muirfinn> "While admirable in a strange way, yes. It may have worked with a...troll, was he? But not a water elemental."
[22:27] * Ithea blushes at Sylvie's words. "Sylvie! Really, did you have to be so...so graphic?!? Honestly!" she exclaims, shaking her head, as she rants. "Look, maybe I could in fact find a guy... but what am I supposed to do? Just go talk to all the bachelors amongst the catfolk recruits and see if anyone wants to bang and then try to get him into a meaningful relationship if the sex is good the next morning?"
[22:28] <Kotono> "Well, I'm just trying to get to the point," Demurely blushing despite a grin, "Really, Ithea. Is it any worse than describing a kill you've made?" Going on from it, "Regardless, you do need a better plan."
[22:30] * Muirfinn nods all the same, unfazed by this racy talk! "Perhaps we should find a different couple, or at least encourage these two to see each other as mates?"
[22:35] <Kotono> "Anything, yes," Sylvie replies, "It's such a stupid, abstract problem. You can't force people to fall in love."
[22:35] <Ithea> "Okay, so let's work with the find them, and talk to them part of the plan, and ditch all of the parts with pixies and elementals," Ithea says with crossed arms. "If that doesn't work, we'll check if there's nobody else we can try to set up in Brightwater, and if -that- doesn't work...fuck, I'll at least try getting to know the other catfolk a bit better and see if there's any options there for me."
[22:37] <Kotono> "Y'know," Sylvie points out, "Have you considered talking to the two people who yo uintroduced in the first place about this?"
[22:39] <Muirfinn> "That's what I just said." Muirfinn grumbles.
[22:39] <Ithea> "I did just say we'll keep the talk to them part of the plan," Ithea points out, before pausing yet again. "Well...So okay, I wasn't exactly planning on saying 'we're trying to set you up, can you please cooperate?', but I guess we could give that a shot."
[22:40] <Kotono> "A lot of intelligence is repeating smart things other people have said," Sylvie retorts, unfazed. "So you need transportation to Brightwater?"
[22:40] <Muirfinn> "Well, that probably won't work, but perhaps describing them in an aluring way?"
[22:41] <Ithea> "Let's find them first and worry about that after we find them," Ithea says, nodding to Sylvie. "Transportation is very much in need, yes."
[22:43] <Kotono> "Right, let's go then," Sylvie says, "You two ready?"
[22:44] * Muirfinn nods.
[22:45] * Ithea moves her hand and goes for her weapon, enchanting it with greater magic weapon. "I'm ready now," she says firmly after that's done.
[22:53] * Muirfinn eyes Ithea. "It's Brightwater, not Nessus."

[Corwin]

[21:37] <Ithea> "Yes, well, Marambor isn't Nessus either, still got into a fight there. I'd rather not get caught unprepared a second time, Muirfinn," Ithea says with a shake of her head. "I don't -expect- any trouble, but...trouble does seem to have a habit of finding Aurora's people."
[21:38] <Muirfinn> "Hmm...I suppose you're right. It can't hurt to be on guard. LEt me go grab my friend first." OOC: It's water elemental time.
[21:43] <Kotono> Going back to the tortles, Muirfinn finds his elemental easily enough. It's hard not to miss a giant elemental, looming over the other tortles, in particular.
[21:53] <Muirfinn> "Hey Crash," Muirfinn says in Aquan as he approaches the massive elemental, "sorry I couldn't take you to Marambor. You know what would have happened. We're headed over to Brightwater and I thought you'd like to come." In response, the elemental rumbles like discontent bubbling water and moves over to Muirfinn, falling in step with him. "Alright, let's go then." With that, he waves at the
[21:53] <Muirfinn> other tortles in greeting as he passes by, on his way back to find Ithea.
[22:02] <Kotono> On getting back Sylvie and Ithea await. Sylvie looks up at the huge elemental, "How'd you get one that big to follow you?"
[22:02] <Ithea> "...nice friend," Ithea says as she eyes the elemental, agreeing with Sylvie.
[22:03] <Muirfinn> "He got stuck on Lifasa about a hundred and fifty years ago. We formed a bond and he's gone pretty much everywhere with me." Muirfinn says. "He doesn't fit in houses, but he's amiable enough and is nice to have around."
[22:04] <Muirfinn> "He doesn't understand the common languages though, so if you don't speak Aquan, he won't understand you."
[22:08] <Kotono> "Still useful to have around," Sylvie replies, "Well then, ready to go?"
[22:08] * Muirfinn nods.
[22:08] <Ithea> "I recently started studying the language," Ithea says in Aquan, with an accent that caused her words to be a bit drawn out, though her point got across. Switching back to common, she nods. "Yes, let's get this over with."
[22:09] * Muirfinn nods at Ithea. "He's not too talkative, so don't be offended if all he does is make a noise or two. They're not quite like most people."
[22:10] <Kotono> With that, hands are linked! After a moment of travel? You appear standing in a tiled platform within Brightwater - the typical places one appears when shifting there. The air is good to breath, the sound of bartering and  jingling coins filling your ears.
[22:12] * Muirfinn peers around, remembering Ithea's warning.
[22:12] <Ithea> roll d20+19 GI to try and find the happy couple.
[22:12] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+19 GI to try and find the happy couple. and gets 37." [d20=18]
[22:15] <Kotono> You wander about Brightwater - it doesn't take long. A merchant sitting before a spread of gilded pots and cookware of fine make looks up. "Oh, those two?" he says, "Sold them a pot three days ago." The merchant is a human, save that his skin is a deep green and his hair resembles a thick black paste atop his head. "Why are you asking?"
[22:17] <Ithea> "I met Jessica recently, we seemed to get along well enough and I wanted to see how she's doing," Ithea replies easily enough. "Trade stories over what we've each been up to and that sort of thing, you know?"
[22:25] <Kotono> "Oh, she and her friend were talking about taking a journey to the House of Nature," Replying as he reaches down and rubs one of his pans, "I'm not sure if they've left yet, but I got the impression it was happening soon."
[22:26] <Muirfinn> "The House of Nature?" Muirfinn asks, intrigued.
[22:26] <Ithea> "Well, I'll see if I can catch her, if not, oh well," Ithea says with a shake of her head. "Thanks for the heads up though."
[22:28] <Kotono> "What about i-oooh. I see," Starting to smile, "All of this is new to you, eh?" A nod to Ithea at that, as Sylvie clears her throat and answers, "It's the realm of the various nature deities."
[22:29] <Muirfinn> "I've spent some time in Brightwater, but most of that time has been to secure passage elsewhere." Muirfinn admits.
[22:29] <Muirfinn> "It should be quite nice then!" Muirfinn says, "We should go!"
[22:31] <Ithea> "We were planning to? To find Jessica?" Ithea points out with a laugh, at the excited tortle.
[22:31] <Ithea> ooc: K:R, K:N, K:P to know where to go and such for house of nature? or just have to ask the merchant?
[22:32] <Kotono> OOC: K:P.
[22:32] <Ithea> roll d20+29 K:P
[22:32] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+29 K:P and gets 47." [d20=18]
[22:32] <Muirfinn> OOC: Not rolling. Have already statd that I don't know where ti is.
[22:41] <Ithea> "I know how to get there, but let's see if we can spot Jessica around here still," Ithea suggests, figuring one of Sharess' cats might intercept them if they do so. "If we can't find anything, we can head there next...well, actually, Sylvie, how many times can you plane shift today?"
[22:45] <Kotono> "Twice more," Sylvie replies, "I can go somewhere else and we can head back or back to here, but that's it," she replies.
[22:48] <Ithea> "Okay, so we could still head there and then back to Aurora from there. Great," Ithea says. "Let's wander a bit more here though before we head there. Even if we find them still here, I guess we could go to satisfy Muirfinn's curiosity?" the last part is said with a grin at how excited he'd seemed.
[22:49] * Muirfinn looks immensely pleased with the prospect!
[22:51] <Kotono> "...no." Sylvie pauses, "Sorry Ithea, but I can't go there." Her voice is hesitant, quiet as her eyes look downcast. "Not again. They may be expecting me, anyway."
[22:52] * Muirfinn turns to Sylvie. "What? Why not? What happened?"
[22:53] * Ithea blinks. "Oh...uhm, well, I guess we can go another time, Muirfinn, and more reason to hope we do find them still around here?" Ithea says, taking it as face value and figuring Sylvie might not want to talk about it, starts to move around the city again, searching for signs of Jessica or Sharess.
[22:54] * Muirfinn exhales dejectedly through his nostrils. "Well, maybe later."
[22:56] <Kotono> OOC: Going to go into Sharess's quarter and search?
[22:57] <Ithea> ooc: yessir
[22:58] <Muirfinn> OOC: Let's LoveQuest
[22:58] <Kotono> OOC: GI.
[22:59] <Ithea> roll d20+19 GI
[22:59] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+19 GI and gets 25." [d20=6]
[22:59] <Muirfinn> roll 1d20+21
[22:59] * Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+21 and gets 24." [1d20=3]
[22:59] <Muirfinn> OOC: Seriously.
[23:00] <Kotono> OOC: Hatebot.
[23:01] <Ithea> ooc: nobody's excited about lovequest, not even hatebot~
[23:02] <Kotono> You wander a bit into the shadowy streets. As you wander down, you pass a building with a closed door. A bare chested elf stands outside - he wears green pants and has a lithe, strong musculature and a graceful and noble face - the image of every stereotypical elf. With a smile that could melt permafrost he looks to Ithea as she passes, "Madam," he greets in Common, "Pardon, but may I have
[23:02] <Kotono> amoment of your time, radiant one?"
[23:03] * Muirfinn gives the elf a glance, looking for devilish traits!
[23:04] <Kotono> It's a beautiful elf. Nothing remotely diabolical can be glimpsed on him.
[23:04] <Kotono> Sylvie raises an eyebrow, taking a look over and whistling, but otherwise not saying anything.
[23:04] * Muirfinn thusly decides to watch the interaction!
[23:05] * Ithea turns to look at the elf, blinking at his words. "Uhm...yeah, sure?" she asks, a bit surprised at the complimentary way she was referred to.
[23:08] <Kotono> Coming forward and bowing deeply to Ithea, "M'lady," he takes her hand and raises it to his lips, "Many times a day do I fall in love with all the sights in this realm, and truth, I am again smitten. Allow me to offer you within, a free beauty treatment to bring out your lovliness."
[23:11] * Ithea blushes. "Uhm, I'm flattered, but..." she stammers, as she looks towards Sylvie and Muirfinn. "...but I do have things to do with my companions, so...so it's not like they'd be okay just sitting around waiting for me!"
[23:13] * Muirfinn shrugs scaly shoulders. "If you want to."
[23:14] <Kotono> "Madam," In a low, sensual voice as he leans in, "I would personally ensure your friends are entertained, if that is all that takes for you to grace us with your presence."
[23:14] * Ithea scratches the back of her neck, still blushing. "...you said it was free, right?"
[23:15] <Kotono> "You only have to pay us with your lovely presence," The elf confirms.
[23:20] * Ithea looks up at the name of the shop, then back at the elf making sure this isn't some sort of scam or something, debating the idea. She'd never had a 'beauty treatment' before, in all honesty...
[23:20] <Ithea> roll d20+10 sense motive just for the heck of it
[23:20] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+10 sense motive just for the heck of it and gets 18." [d20=8]
[23:20] <Kotono> No shop name on the door.
[23:24] <Ithea> "...well fine," Ithea says, still a bit hesitant. "If Muirfinn and Sylvie both don't mind, I guess it's okay?"
[23:28] <Kotono> Sylvie glances over to Muirfinn, "Do you mind?" sh easks.
[23:29] * Muirfinn shakes his head. "Not at all. I understand. My wife used to do something similar."
[23:35] <Kotono> "See?" The elf smiles again at Ithea, "Madam, of course it's fine. Come this way now, let's make you gorgeous!"
[23:36] * Ithea scratches the back of her neck again and nods, following the elf inside.
[23:43] <Kotono> As Ithea goes off, Sylvie glances over at Muirfinn, "So why don't you tell me about your wife?" OOC: #terror, Ithea.

[Corwin]

#t

[23:47] <Kotono> Into the building you go. A simple front room without anything of immediate notice, save for a door to the back. Here the elf stops, "Go in," he offers, opening the door and bowing.
[23:47] * Ithea nods, and enters!
[23:52] <Kotono> Inside the walls are covered with shelves and bottles. Thousands of bottles, each one glass and a bright shade of pink, blue, red, orange, yellow or white. The creature within here is female - the upper body of a beautiful human woman, the bottom of that of a blue fish - a mermaid. Her scales are a rather deep and shiny blue, her top wearing a pair of seashells as a bikini. Her hair is
[23:52] <Kotono> a long, flowing blue as she swims through the air as if it were water. "A feline humanoid!" Clapping her hands together, voice a rather sultry one, "I haven't had a chance to play with a cute kitty in awhile! Dear, come in," she swims over to a deep, plush chair in the center of the room, "Sit down, dear."
[23:56] * Ithea does so, ducking first and placing her glaive besides the chair, before sitting down. "Uhm, so what sort of makeover is this exactly? Make-up? Hair? Magic?" she asks curiously, as she crosses her fingers together, letting her hands settle in front of her, fingers wiggling as she eyes the mermaid. "Oh, and... I'm Ithea. Nice to meet you?"
[23:59] <Kotono> "Blue,' She answers, "Make up and magic and potions," she smiles, "Oh, you have such pretty fur!" She swims over to a shelf, getting a red bottle. "Let's start with this, to bring out your natural shine."
[00:01] * Ithea nods, feeling a little antsy, but just continues to wait in the chair. "Do you rub that, or is it something I have to drink?" she asks.
[00:07] <Kotono> "Rub it in," she says, opening the bottle and smearing something oily into her hands. "Close your eyes and relax."
[00:08] * Ithea closes her eyes, though probably doesn't do the best of jobs relaxing. She at least tries not to be tense as the mermaid touches her with splotchy, wet magical hands.
[00:16] <Kotono> The oily substance is cool to the touch, making Ithea's skin tingle. She rubs it in all over her face, "Oh, you'll be so lovely after this," she coos, "What sort of perfume do you wear?"
[00:18] <Ithea> "I don't wear perfume. It's not worth it's while in my...profession," Ithea says when Blue's hands aren't near her lips.
[00:23] <Kotono> "Oh, nonsense!" Taking another bottle and spraying a dab near Ithea's face, she immediately smells something light and flowery, "You can always take the time to smell good! Especially if you're active."
[00:25] <Ithea> "There's times when it's not so good to have a foreign smell in the air," Ithea points out. "Even if it's a light pleasant smell."
[00:31] <Kotono> "Oh come now, you'd be doing what you're fighting a favor," A little smile passes over Blue's face, going for another bottle, this one pink. "Now drink this one. It'll make sure your entire body stays clear of blemishes and outbreaks."

[Corwin]

#ed

[23:49] <Muirfinn> Muirfinn's beak curves as he smiles fondly. "My wife was beautiful, the finest green and blue scales you could find on Lifasa. She gave me strong sons and proud daughters. Two of my sons founded their own tribes along the coasts. The grandchildren seemed endless, and I thought I would get to live to see my blessed family go on forever. Thankfully, my wife died some thirty years before Lifasa
[23:49] <Muirfinn> fell." Muirfinn sighs, shaking his head. "My sons and grandchildren were not so lucky."
[23:57] <Kotono> "...Sorry." Sylvie's smiles falls, "It hurts, I know. The Gods say they're at peace now and happy and all that. We're even in one of the Heavens now. Cold comfort, isn't it?"
[23:58] <Muirfinn> "When the devils came, my people as a race numbered between two and three thousand. I could not have given you an accurate count, as not all tribes got along with each other all the time. You know how it goes. We age slowly, and do not produce offspring more than once or twice. Occasionally, a tribe would wage war on another for food or mates. Didn't last too long, though. That all changed
[23:58] <Muirfinn> the day Lifasa fell. We were used to fighting each other, and hunting. When the devils fell from the skies and rose from the polluted waters, we were not ready. Those tribes that did not band together died, or worse. Even still, while we managed to fend off the small number of devils that came to our remote shores, we were devastated. Where once we numbered in the thousands, now we numbered
[23:58] <Muirfinn> less than one hundred. Those of us left immediately decided that we must flee to survive. We did not want to, but what choice did we have? On that day, I lost all of my sons and daughters, their grandchildren with them. I pray to the Mother Ocean that they all died at the hands of dvils, and not something far worse." He shakes his head, his eyes sad. "My wife was beautiful, and I am eternally
[23:58] <Muirfinn> grateful that she never saw our world as anything but as beautiful as she was."
[00:00] <Kotono> Nodding along to the rest of the story, "It's horrible," Sylvie goes to sit against the building, "I guess I just can't make myself run away anymore, though. Can't flee anymore, don't want to. Is it the same for you?"
[00:03] * Muirfinn nods. "As a race, we may well be doomed. Mating and growing takes time. With so many lost, so many of fighting and mating age, our outlook is bleak. The Aurora is our final hope. We cannot run. I could not face the Mother or my wife if I ran. So I will not."
[00:09] <Kotono> "Then we'll fight," Sylvie murmurs, resting in the shadows. "It's going to be a long fight, I think."
[00:11] * Muirfinn nods. "I said I am blessed, and I am. The Mother Ocean blessed me with the waters of life, and I shall not die by age or disease. I hope to see the end of this conflict, and help with the restoration of what we all lost."
[00:15] <Kotono> "Good." Sylvie lapses into silence for a little bit, before she suddenly laughs. "I'm in the realm of sensuality and sex, and here I am talking to a humanoid turtle about a depressing war. Doesn't this seem a strange?"

[Corwin]

#t

[20:15] <Ithea> "Outbreaks of what?" Ithea asks as she grabs the bottle, smelling it.
[20:17] <Kotono> "Acne, rashes, hives, anything like that." This bottle smells like roses and a bit of bitterness. "Dandruff too."
[20:17] * Ithea scrounches up her nose a bit at the smell, but raises it to her lips and downs it.
[20:22] <Kotono> The taste is thick and cloying, like bitter roses down her throat. It clings to her lips, her mouth, her tongue and her throat. Meanwhile Blue is already moving, getting another a little tube from behind a bottle, "Something good to go with your fur - hm, how do you feel about red?"
[20:24] <Ithea> "If you're planning on changing my fur's color, I'm perfectly happy with my coloration," Ithea says immediately.
[20:26] <Kotono> "No no," Shaking her head with a growing smile, coming over to hover in front of Ithea's face, "Lipstick. You would look dashing with white fur, wouldn't you? Hmmmmmmmmmmmm!"
[20:31] <Ithea> "I have light gray hair! Why would I want my fur to be white too?" Ithea points out, not entirely sure how much she trusts this beautician to actually beautify her now. "And everyone uses red lipstick...wouldn't a light orange lipstick work better and enhance my eyes?" she continues to say.
[20:33] <Kotono> "A white cat is just lovely, don't you think?" Blue retorts, "That's all. Still, your eyes...hm..."
[20:39] <Ithea> "Perhaps 'just as lovely', but certainly not 'more lovely', and I was born with this brown fur. Abandoning it for such a reason would be wasteful," Ithea replies at the retort.
[20:42] <Kotono> "Come now, it's a lady's perogative to change those things," Blue retorts again, starting to smile, "Though if you're going to be pragmatic about it, black fur would help you hide better."
[20:45] * Ithea shakes her head vigorously. "Look, I am pragmatic, really, but I don't like to change myself heavily. I am who I am, and all that junk, okay? Little highlights and that stuff is great, but I don't want huge changes."
[20:47] <Kotono> "No changes? Really?" Looking shocked with her jaw hanging open, "Don't you get bored of that?"
[20:51] <Ithea> "Not really, and it's not like I can't change myself if I really want to..." Ithea says. "I have a bit of talent at changing my appearance, although I've admittedly not had to use it since settling in my newest home."
[20:53] <Kotono> "Really?" Raising an eybrow and crossing her arms under her bosom, "Why don't you? Give it a try! Make yourself all new and pretty, then go out there and knock all of them dead! Got a special friend you want to impress out there?"
[20:56] * Ithea shrugs. "It's not worth the effort, I'm only going to pretty myself up if I have a party to go to, or I guess if I got, uhm, a 'special friend', not that I even have any," Ithea says. "Anyway, yeah, if you want to work on me, please keep it to small changes? I'm sure you're talented enough to make me more beautiful while still leaving me perfectly recognizeable, right?"
[21:02] <Kotono> With a gusty sigh Blue nods, getting to work! A flurry of brushing, painting and primping follows! Blue seldom stops save to get a new bottle of something, working away on Ithea at a speedy clip.
[21:13] * Ithea waits, not really having much to add, letting the mermaid do her work. She just hopes the mermaid's not one of those idiot 'artists' that does whatever they want and damn what the customer wishes. It at least didn't -feel- like she was doing anything she'd disapprove of though...
[21:30] <Kotono> On and on she works! At last, "Done," The mermaid declares.
[21:33] * Ithea nods. "Do you have a mirror then?" Ithea asks.
[21:34] <Kotono> A mirror is produced! Ithea's eyes are all prettied up -  lashes long and full. A hint of red stains her cheek fur, as if her blush extends that far. Her lips have an orange shade to them now, her actual fur shiny and soft to the eye.
[21:37] * Ithea isn't entirely sure how she feels about the blush effect, but it doesn't look permanent, and the rest really does look great. Overall... "It looks wonderful," Ithea admits. "You did really nice work, Blue, even with how difficult a customer I probably was."
[21:43] <Kotono> "Oh, it's fine. Now you're all cute!" Giggling, "Go on, go knock them all silly."
[21:44] * Ithea smiles. "Thanks," Ithea says, as she goes out to join Sylvie and Muirfinn and see what they think.
[21:44] <Ithea> "It was nice to meet you, Blue," Ithea says in parting as she leaves the room.

[Corwin]

[21:49] <Kotono> As Sylvie and Muirfinn pass time without incident - at last the door opens once more, Ithea emerging! OOC: Go ahead and intor yourself, kitty.
[21:53] <Ithea> "Hey guys, so, what do you think?" Ithea asks with a smile, showing off the slight enhancements that Blue did to accentuate her features after the full make-over idea was nixed.
[21:55] <Kotono> "It's cute," Sylvie replies with a hint of a smile, "I like the blush."
[21:56] <Muirfinn> "Ah, very lovely." Muirfinn allows, not really seeing it but complimenting anyway.
[21:57] <Muirfinn> The water elemental says nothing, but bubbles softly in such a way in that it may be compliment, or it may just be bubbling uncaringly!
[21:57] <Ithea> "Really? Huh, that was the one thing I wasn't so sure on, but I guess my feminine appreciations of make-up are a bit out of date or something," Ithea says with a grin. "So what'd the elf do to keep you two entertained while you waited?"
[21:57] <Muirfinn> "I...the elf?"
[21:58] <Ithea> "Didn't he say he'd keep you entertained?" Ithea asks with a blink.
[21:58] <Kotono> "He never came back out," Sylvie replies, "Now that you mention it."
[21:59] <Ithea> "...huh."
[21:59] <Ithea> "Weird," Ithea finally says, shrugging. "Sorry you got left hanging then, you tw..three, rather."
[22:01] * Muirfinn waves it off. "Shall we return to our previous task?"
[22:02] * Ithea nods. "Let's look just a short bit longer, if we can't find any sign of Sharess or Jessica, we can head back to Aurora, and we can try to head to the House of Nature at another point without Sylvie," Ithea says agreeing.
[22:03] <Muirfinn> "Sylvie, if you don't mind me prying, why would you not be able to go to the House of Nature? Surely you don't have enemies there?" Muirfin gently prods.
[22:05] <Kotono> Sylvie starts to shake her head, but words come anyway, "Chauntea. I..." For a moment her face twists, "I haven't been good to her clergy. Violently so. In the face, violently."
[22:06] <Ithea> roll d20+23 K:R Chauntea
[22:06] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+23 K:R Chauntea and gets 38." [d20=15]
[22:09] <Muirfinn> roll 1d20+23 K:R
[22:09] * Hatbot --> "Muirfinn rolls 1d20+23 K:R and gets 39." [1d20=16]
[22:12] <Ithea> "...alright, not entirely sure how she'd react to anybody that calls themselves your friends popping by, so might actually want to consider how to approach that without resulting in something where they ask for your head on a platter," Ithea finally says.
[22:13] <Muirfinn> "Well...I'm sure there's a story there?" Muirfinn says awkwardly. "Perhaps another time then."
[22:13] <Ithea> "Another time, I think," Ithea agrees.
[22:13] <Kotono> "There is. It's one I really don't want to tell right now," Sylvie quickly agrees, "Let's just see about finding Jessica and company."
[22:14] <Ithea> "Right," Ithea says, pretty content with that idea, even if she wonders just how badly Sylvie burnt bridges with the House of Nature, as she starts wandering again searching for a sign of Jessica or Sharess.
[22:14] <Ithea> roll d20+19 GI again?
[22:14] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+19 GI again? and gets 37." [d20=18]
[22:15] <Kotono> A few hours of asking around does not reveal any local friendly Goddesses. As far as you hear, you just missed the couple - word is they left yesterday.
[22:17] <Ithea> "Well, that's a wash then. Any shopping either of you guys want to do while we're still here in Brightwater?"
[22:17] <Muirfinn> "We could browse, but I have nothing I need as of now."