033.1 "It wasn't in public! It was a secluded sylvan spring!"

[Corwin]

[19:56] <Magical_Teacher_Ko> Jaela needs another day to really feel functional. Not great, but functional. The next morning with Ithea visits, Hanna gives Jaela a look over. "Alright," she says at last, "You can get up and go. But don't overdo it today. I want you on light duty."
[19:57] <Jaela> "I'll try not to plane shift all over," Jaela says dismissively, pulling on her gauntlets.
[19:59] <Magical_Teacher_Ko> "Ithea," Hanna looks right to her, "If she even thinks about pushing it, you have my permission to knock her out and drag her right back here. Nay, a duty." Going to the catgirl and putting both hands on her shoulders, staring into her eyes, "Do you understand?"
[20:00] * Jaela rubs her neck upon standing up. It seems like it will remain a bit stiff despite her best efforts, however, and with a gesture Jaela is clad in her forest-green millennial chainmail.
[20:00] <Ithea> "She'll be fine, don't worry, Hanna," Ithea says. "We're just going to go chat with Priest and stuff. What could she do to push it?"
[20:01] * Jaela snorts. "Pff, we're in Ysgard. Let's go give him the tradition greeting!"
[20:02] <Magical_Teacher_Ko> "Jaela, don't make me kick your fucking ass so far that they'll be wiping your asshole in the Abyss." Sweetly smiling and waving her hand, shooing, "Now get."
[20:03] * Jaela wipes an imaginary tear out of her eye. "I didn't think you had it in you, Mom." With a wave back at her, she grabs Ithea by the arm and pulls her through the portal outside into the courtyard.
[20:06] * Ithea lets herself get dragged along, though she does mouth silently, 'She'll be fine,' to Hanna as they head away.
[20:08] <Magical_Teacher_Ko> Off the duo goes! OOC: Going straight to Priest?
[20:08] <Jaela> OOC: Works for me
[20:09] <Magical_Teacher_Ko> Priest is found awaiting where Ithea left him. It's quiet here, a sort of simple serenity that defies the noise just beyond. "Jaela," he greets. "Have you been well?"
[20:10] <Jaela> "Had my ups and downs," Jaela responds, waving in greeting upon her approach. "Hi! I've been hoping to see you again."
[20:12] <Kotono> He rises, this time offering a hand to shake. "There was some debate within our convent, and it took time to gather everyone together."
[20:14] <Jaela> Her hands are free by now, and Jaela shakes his happily. Then, his words get across and she looks about. "So you didn't come alone?"
[20:15] <Kotono> "I came alone," He demurs, "The rest of the convent would like to meet Aurora's higher ups before we commit. It's a formality." So answering with a warming smile, "One of our acolytes was gripped by a vision of some of Aurora facing off against a Fallen," A look to Ithea at that, "You were in the vision, as were others."
[20:16] <Ithea> "Kascha, Sylvie, Muirfinn and I had an encounter a while back with one," Ithea confirms.
[20:17] <Jaela> "The majority's here, I think," Jaela muses. The reminder of that particular encounter darkens her mood, but she tries not to show it. "Is that enough for an official meeting, or do you need the full command staff?"
[20:17] <Kotono> "At the least the two of you are required. Any others from the vision or in command would be appreciated as well." Priest replies.
[20:18] * Jaela blinks, before deciding not to guess. "Elena!" she raises her voice. "Which among Adrian, Afina, Kascha, Muirfinn and Sylvie are home right now?"
[20:20] <Ithea> "Sylvie and Kascha should be around, still trying to decipher the tomes we recently acquired," Ithea muses. "Hopefully not while drinking that awful concoction of theirs."
[20:23] <Kotono> Elena appears, clad normally today. "Adrian's with Misalea, Afina's away, Sylvie is working on that book again and Kascha and Muirfinn are away too."
[20:24] <Jaela> "Please ask those present to come to this temple," Jaela asks of Elena. "Misalea is also welcome, if she wishes. If they ask, it is a matter of formalizing an alliance."
[20:27] <Kotono> It doesn't take long for Adrian and Misalea to arrive, and right after them is Sylvie. "Pleasure," Adrian and Priest shake hands, Misalea and Sylvie following suit.
[20:28] <Jaela> "Our majority," Jaela says, as introductions are taken care of, placing her hands on Adrian and Ithea's shoulders. "And othose involved in the vision," she then follows with, nodding at Ithea again and Sylvie.
[20:29] <Kotono> After the normal introductions, "This many will require a Gate," Priest murmurs, "Fortunately, I have prepared for this contingency. We can leave whenever you wish it to be so."
[20:30] <Jaela> "I can plane shift us," Jaela innocently offers.
[20:31] <Kotono> "Oh, can you manage so with this many people? That would b e opportune." Priest replies, "Can you get us to Arborea?"
[20:32] <Jaela> "Anywhere in particular?" Jaela asks. "Oh, and we'll need to be outside. We took care of that opening after you visited last."
[20:35] <Kotono> "Just Arborea. From there, the path will reveal itself," Priest replies again.
[20:36] <Jaela> "Sure thing." With that answer, Jaela leads the way to the gates.
[20:42] <Ithea> "So how goes the research, Sylvie?" Ithea asks as they move out to the gates. "Any progress making sense of things?"
[20:57] <Kotono> As you walk towards the gates, "Difficult, but I'm making progress." Lowering her voice, "Nothing on Kascha, but it is easier to do it alone. It's harder on your head, but you don't have to try and communicate the uncommunicatible to another person."
[20:59] <Jaela> Waiting at the gates for the others to catch up, Jaela casts Fortunate Fate in advance of the trip.
[21:00] * Ithea nods. "Good luck figuring it out when we come back. If you decide you do want help, you know where to find me," Ithea says, as she stops once she's standing next to Jaela.
[21:01] <Jaela> "Somewhere in Arborea, was it? I'll just shift blindly," Jaela says once they are gathered outside in Ysgard. "On three, one, two--" And they're shifted across the planes!
[21:04] <Kotono> "Thanks," Sylvie smiles a moment as everyone gathers.
[21:04] <Kotono> "Anywhere is fine," Priest says.
[21:05] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:05] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 49." [1d100=49]
[21:09] <Kotono> You stand in deep, virginal forest. As if a mortal or immortal foot has never stepped here, everything thick with eternal growth. There is only one exception - a single footpath. "Come with me," Priest says, "We may encounter others on the way."
[21:10] <Jaela> "Sure thing," Jaela agrees, quite content to keep near Priest as he leads them onwards from there.
[21:11] * Ithea nods, following some steps behind Priest. Out of habit, she enchants her weapon, regardless of how unlikely a fight is to follow.
[21:12] * Jaela grins back at Ithea in approval as she spots the spell.

[21:12] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:12] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 74." [1d100=74]
[21:12] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:12] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 61." [1d100=61]
[21:12] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:12] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 96." [1d100=96]

[21:15] <Kotono> You wander for a time. Eventually, you pass by a grove. Tall blue flowers, as tall as a man, are all ahead. A brillant deep blue, each one with large petals and a pollon filled, yellow center. From somewhere within, you can hear feminine laughter.
[21:16] <Jaela> "Others encountered," Jaela muses, the tips of her ears twitching at the laughter. "We gonna go say hi, Priest?"
[21:17] <Kotono> "It would be best not," Priest coughs gently, "It is likely a nymph bathing spring. They do not take weill to invasions of privacy."
[21:18] <Kotono> Adrian quickly clears his throat, "It would be rude," he says, before Misalea can react. To that she looks to him and smiles a little bit, "I've had strangers barge in on me when bathing outdoors. It's nothing but a terrible embarrassment."
[21:19] <Jaela> "Why would you do that?" Jaela asks, shaking her head. She'd hardly barge in on happy if shameless bathers, however, and proceeds onwards while giving the grove a wide berth.
[21:22] <Kotono> "One claimed it was an accident. I got to know him afterwards, and I believe him. He was traveling and had been a time before his last chance to refill his waterskins." Misalea says, face darkening red, "The other...Elrisa had words with that peeper. He didn't even try to deny it.
[21:22] <Kotono> "
[21:23] <Jaela> "No. I mean yes, why would you fucking peep at someone like a total creep? But yeah, I was asking why you'd just go have a fun naked time out in public like that? I don't get it."
[21:24] <Kotono> "It wasn't in public!" Misalea protests, turning redder, "It was a secluded sylvan spring!"
[21:24] <Kotono> At this point Adrian gently interjects, "I think she means the nymphs."
[21:25] * Jaela can't help but laugh. "Yeah, though the two travelers? One even by accident? Doesn't sound that secluded to me!"
[21:27] * Ithea stays silent about her own time stumbling into someone bathing.
[21:31] <Kotono> "Hmph," Misalea reddens bright, Adrian patting her and hiding a bit of a smile. "Well, I'm sure accidents happen," Adrian says, "Shall we continue on?"
[21:32] <Jaela> "Actually, this does make me wonder," Jaela muses, her laughter mostly given way to an amused smile. "How are we safeguarding our bath back home? We probably should toss in some wards, just in case."
[21:35] <Ithea> "I always just figured Galariel or Elena were watching each side somehow, and would say something if anything inappropriate was going on, but no reason not to have some wards," Ithea comments.
[21:36] <Jaela> "Yeah, let's go with that. And some smaller communal baths for, uh, couple and stuff." Growing quiet, Jaela follows Priest once more.
[21:36] <Kotono> "Ahem," Adrian coughs, "Yes, that would be for the best."
[21:39] <Kotono> On you travel, the rest of the trip without incident. Ahead in the strange twilight under the endless canopy, you come to a clearing - only as clear as that you can see tall wall sahead of you, instead of trees. They are covered thickly in vines, only a gate to within free of them.
[21:40] <Jaela> "Any etiquette we should follow?" Jaela asks Priest by the entrance. "Just how formal is this gonna be?"
[21:41] <Kotono> "I'll lead you through anything. We're not too strict. Your religious training for the Triune Goddess should be enough." Priest says, "Take the lead behind me."
[21:42] <Jaela> "Got'cha," Jaela asserts, falling in step.
[21:42] * Ithea takes step behind Jaela.
[21:53] <Kotono> Within is a small courtyard. It's almost dark here, the foliage so heavy above that it blocks a great deal of the sunlight. Several vine covered buildings are about - and dead ahead in the center is a large carving of three interlocking rings.
[21:54] * Jaela pauses before the symbol, coming to one knee to pay her respects.
[21:55] <Kotono> Priest does the same, and after a moment Misalea follows suit, then Adrian and Sylvie bow momentarily.
[21:56] * Ithea also pays her respects with a bow.
[21:58] <Kotono> After a moment Priest rises, "This way," he murmurs, going past it and towards the farthest building.
[21:58] * Jaela wordlessly follows his lead.
[22:02] <Kotono> The center building leads it one large, open space. Three interlocked rings are carved on the ground, where Priest goes and appears. He kneels a moment, "My family," he intones, "I have returned."
[22:03] * Jaela offers a bow that befits a military officer. "Jaela of the Aurora, at your service."
[22:04] <Ithea> "Ithea of the Aurora, likewise at your service," Ithea says while repeating a bowing gesture.
[22:07] <Kotono> Around you a circle of them appears. Each is clad the same as Priest, with a halo of light around their head. Each bears the symbol of the Triune Goddess. Each three hold hands, linked together. "As three are one and one is three, we all greet you as one, those of Aurora."
[22:11] <Kotono> "Hello," Adrian says, "Thank you for offering your aid to us."
[22:12] <Jaela> "Our cause is a worthy one," Jaela agrees, nodding at Adrian slightly. "You will not regret joining it."
[22:18] <Kotono> "We would ask only that you show your devotion to the Triune Goddess," The circle speaks, "There is no need for a test of your faith, or the righteousness of Aurora's cause."
[22:32] <Jaela> Then there is no need for further greetings or platitudes. Jaela kneels where she stood, clasping her hands around her holy symbol and closing her visible eye. "Unity above all, where it count," she recites from heart. "It is the key to strength. Diversity, cherished and treasured, for only that way can stagnation be avoided. Vigilance everlasting, against oppression and evil. Arts, skills, creativity, interests -- all are important as they are different, coming together to form the future." The dogma is clear, even if some would say it in a prettier of more flowery way. But having variations like this is, itself, a kind of diversity that Lady Angharradh cherishes. "As we serve the Triune Goddess, so do we observe the following," Jaela continues after that brief pause, moving on to recite the code of her order. "To never lay down arms. To seek after wonders. To never do outrage. To fight for the safety of one's country. To give one's life for one's countrymen. To give mercy unto him that asketh mercy. To never break faith for any reason. To always flee treason. To grant hospitality to anyone, according to your best ability. To favor truth over all, whether in honor or disgrace. When called upon, to defend the rights of the weak with all of one's strength." And the thing that shows her devotion in earnest is that Jaela genuinely believes in them all and would defend them with all she has.
[22:36] <Kotono> At the end of that, applause come. All the celestials around you clap, loud enough to sound like a standing ovation for a great play. Thereafter Priest smiles, "Our order is known by many names. For this task, let it be known as the Order of the Rising Sun." Offering his hand out to Jaela, "We will triumph."
[22:37] * Jaela slowly rises to her feet, reaching out to take the Priest's hand in hers. "Of that, I have no doubt."