034.3 "Better to be known as a streaker than a cathead!"

[Ebiris]

[18:03] <@Kotono> In the aftermath of examining the Sigil of the Burning Aeropolis, Jaela stalks off to be by herself. Hanna lingers in the chapel with Afina, going to pick up the Sigil. "Devilcraft," she says aloud, glancing over to Afina. "So the question is now, what do we do about it and how?"
[18:09] <@Afina> "We have Yian," Afina begins thoughtfully, "The other eight traitors are sure to respond. Either they'll grow nervous, fortifying themselves and becoming less of a threat, or else they'll move rashly and attack either to 'rescue' their comrade or else to prove their own superiority as their ranks reshuffle without Yian. From what we've learned, I think Harkin and Velasca are the most likely to move openly against us - subtly in the latter's case, at least. Willah's a potential wildcard, given her interest in Ilsenine and without Yian around to back up his blackmail of her schemes."
[18:13] <@Kotono> Going to lean against a wall and examine the Sigil as she nods along, "From what Yian said, if Willah's involves, Ettan may be as well. He implied they work together. I've been reading the intelligence and interrogation summaries - Harkin's the one working on the Hellfire Engines?"
[18:16] <@Kotono> *involved
[18:16] <@Afina> "That's what Mala implied. I expected him to be a wizard of some sort, honestly," Afina admits, finding it an odd mix. "To be honest I'm expecting Velasca first. The others would have to gather armies or the like, while she would work best infiltrating Aurora on her own and then performing assassinations or sabotage as she sees fit. Since that time Ithea caught a devil in the courtyard, we can assume Elena and Galariel don't have any talents for detecting infiltrators, so we need to post more particularly attentive soldiers by the gate in case she comes in that way. A golem or two wouldn't hurt, either."
[18:18] <@Kotono> "That would be my guess...unless it gets worse. They mentioned the Exalted Ones. I'm fairly sure I know what they meant by that, and they're bad news." Hanna shakes her head, "I'd rather face an army from the traitors than an attack by them."
[18:24] <@Afina> "Tell me," Afina turns and gives Hanna her full attention. "Melisa was far from helpful. If Hell expects them to bring me in I want to know what to expect."
[18:26] <@Kotono> "Nessian Pit Fiends," Hanna says, "According to the lore, they're the personal servants of the Courtiers of Perdition - the dukes, archdukes and Lords of the Nine. They're fanatically loyal to Hell and tower over regular pit fiends in prestige and power. They're roughly akin to the Children of Liberty in the Court of the Stars, if you know what they are. Anyway, if you've offended Hell past
[18:26] <@Kotono> the normal reprisals, past the Spark Hunters, past bands of cornugons or gelugons, past assassinations, to the point where the powers of Hell take offense? That's when they send them."
[18:29] <@Kotono> "In combat, they're pit fiends, but with far more power. Quickened, empowered and violated meteor storms are the typical opening move, coupled with a charge or a spell known as Hellball. Alternately, they just rip you limb from limb," Hanna goes on.
[18:29] <@Afina> "How arbitrary. They deem us dangerous enough to send their very best, but rather than killing they think we're meek enough to be... what did she call me? A deviant little breeding fey?" Afina pouts, sounding and looking entirely put out. "It sounds like Gathgarion. More or less powerful?" she clarifies to try and stay on topic.
[18:33] <@Kotono> Hanna cracks a smile at that, hiding giggles with her hand. Taking a breath, "To be honest...I don't know. I'd guess Gathgorian, but I wouldn't want to fight either. By the way, isn't it Gathgorian? Anyway, I wouldn't want to fight either of them. Fortunately, there must not be very many of them, since they rarely come out to play." Pausing and humming, "If I were going to face one, I'd want
[18:33] <@Kotono> as much mobility, protection from fire and healing as possible. I'd want to try and take it down without melee, try and trap it somehow."
[18:37] <@Afina> "Devil language is hard for me to get around," Afina waves that off. "Melee's all I have. I'll just have to count on not being scried upon when I leave Aurora, then. Ah well, for now why don't we see about re-doing the gate guard schedule and then think about how to handle the other threats?"
[18:39] <@Kotono> With that, checking up the gate guards go without incident. As you head away from that, you see another figure. Crystal flies up, "Afina," she calls.
[18:42] <@Afina> "Hello, Crystal," Afina greets her fellow fairy, waiting expectantly for whatever she has to say.
[18:46] <@Kotono> "Queen Ilsenine and the Court will be receiving Lief and his offerings of victory," she says, "She would like you to attend. Unofficially," Lowering her voice, "With the capture of the traitor Yian, she understands if you cannot. If not, she would still like to see you later today for a personal discussion."
[18:48] <@Afina> Well, the note did say just not to leave Aurora without the power to forge stars, she supposes she can leave Hanna alone this long. "I will," she nods to Crystal, though she won't be wearing that horrid uniform she made for last time. "We'll resume this later, Hanna?"
[18:49] <@Kotono> "I'll be training my recruit," A short nod to it, "A teacher's work is never done." Waving, Hanna goes off. Crystal smiles momentarily as Afina agrees to come, "I had been meaning to ask - did you get your own uniform now?"
[18:51] <@Afina> Feeling an uncharacteristic pang of hate towards Crystal, Afina nonetheless admits she does have a uniform, better than the last improvised one but still nowhere near as good as her normal attire. "Yes, will I have to wear it?"
[18:53] <@Kotono> "Yes," Crystal says, "I'll go with you, I want to see yours. I can change into mine after real quick."
[18:55] * Joins: Muirfinn2 (Dis@h69-128-28-206.vnhlil.dedicated.static.tds.net)
[18:55] * Quits: Muirfinn (~Dis@c-67-175-227-120.hsd1.il.comcast.net) (Killed (NickServ (GHOST command used by Muirfinn2!Dis@h69-128-28-206.vnhlil.dedicated.static.tds.net)))
[18:55] * Muirfinn2 is now known as Muirfinn
[19:02] <@Afina> Resigned to fate, Afina leads Crystal to her own quarters where she briskly undresses and changes into the uniform she had bought after the last court session. It's at least a bit better put together, for all that it lacks her usual magical gear except for the belt. A maroon coloured tunic with a double row of tiny gold buttons running down the breast and a white mantle worn half off her left shoulder, her sword is sheathed at her hip to display prominently rather than her preferred position across the small of her back. Her legs are covered in purple leggins with yellow diamonds running their length, and little black slippers on her feet. The whole overdone ensemble is capped with a large black bicorne hat with a strange fluffy white tail thing curled over it and dangling from one end.
[19:03] <@Kotono> Crystal watches Afina get dressed, looking over the finished product. After a few moments she looks up at the hat and says, "Nice tail."
[19:05] <@Afina> "I thought it was nice," Afina smiles and gives the fluffy accessory a pat, making it bounce slightly. "But for a military uniform I'm far weaker in this than in my normal clothes. If Aurora gets attacked it needs an assassin, not a pretty officer."
[19:08] <@Kotono> "Why not enchant the uniform, then?" Crystal asks, "At least with some basics."
[19:09] <@Afina> "That'd be too wasteful. I just have to wear it as little as often," Afina shakes her head. "Lets go to your quarters so you can change as well and then we'll attend court?"
[19:16] <@Kotono> "It's too bad. Those leggins are you," Crystal smiles just a little bit, giving them a once over.
[19:19] <@Afina> "Yes, they're alright," Afina will allow that much, looking down at them. "They bring some much needed colour, and don't weigh me down any."
[19:21] <@Kotono> As the two of you talk, Elena appears. She's clad normally for once, waving, "Hi. Afina, got a message for you."
[19:22] <@Afina> "Hello, Elena," Afina greets Elena with a smile. "What is it?"
[19:23] <@Kotono> "Woah!" Elena stops and stares, "Woooooow!"
[19:26] * @Afina blinks. "That's the message? Who's it from?"
[19:26] <@Kotono> "No! I was just looking at your outfit," Elena retorts, "It's something, though the hat needs to go. It looks like a black cat with a white tail pinned on."
[19:27] <@Kotono> "The hat does NOT need to go," Crystal counters, "It looks jaunty and military, and the tail's a fetching touch."
[19:28] <@Kotono> "Does too!" Elena turns to Crystal, "Who want sto go around looking like they're wearing a witch's cat as a hat?"
[19:28] <@Kotono> "Afina," Turning to the other pixie, "Ignore her. Clearly her tastes are deficient."
[19:29] <@Kotono> As Crystal turns, a little upraised hmph from her nose, Elena scowls, "Hey, I'm just telling the truth! Hats are terribly overrated, anyway."
[19:30] <@Afina> "Mmm. She does have lots of clothes," Afina admits looking at Elena as she takes off her hat and holds it protectively by her chest, "But her style isn't mine. Sorry, Elena, you don't understand pixies. The hat stays."
[19:34] <@Kotono> "Oh come on. I'd rather go naked than wear that hat," Elena grumps, crossing her arms and turning her back, "Better to be known as a streaker than a cathead."
[19:34] <@Kotono> Promptly ignoring Elena's outburst, until the last word, "...cat head?" she slowly turns again, "Cathead? Really?"
[19:35] <@Afina> "Go tell that to Ithea, then," Afina retorts, lifting the hat up and jamming it onto her head forcefully.
[19:35] <@Kotono> "Yes really!" Elena retorts, turning with a blush. "Just...don't you see it?"
[19:35] <@Kotono> That gets Crystal to crack a big smile that gives way to a laugh, "Yes, go tell that to Ithea. Go call her cathead, Elena."
[19:37] <@Kotono> "Fine, I call her a damned cathead," Elena grumps, a cute little pout on her face. "Anyway, Gisfal was looking for you, Afina. He wants to talk when you have some time."
[19:38] <@Afina> "Tell him I have to attend court first but I'll be with him afterwards. Also, I heard Galariel really likes cats so keep that in mind for your next costume change, Elena," Afina returns blandly.
[19:39] <@Kotono> "Hmph!" Elena blinks and vanishes away! After a beat, "Does he really like cats?" Crystal asks.
[19:40] <@Afina> "I've not a clue," Afina admits, heading for her door.
[19:42] <@Kotono> Crystal just chuckles at that, as the two head for court. You arrive with most everyone already there, the two falling into positions before the throne. Not long after, the last few arrive and Lady Skye steps forward. "Your Majesty," she bows, "Lief has returned from his quest, victorious."
[19:42] <@Kotono> Queen Ilsenine nods slightly, "Good. He may come forth."
[19:44] <@Kotono> Lady Skye flutters over to the portal, briefly coming back and forth. When she returns, it is with Lief. Behind him is Kascha, carrying a rather large, golden cup styled trophy. Lief approaches and kneels, "I return," he announces, "Shall I tell you of of the great victories won?"
[19:48] <@Afina> Oooh, Kascha's back as well? Still, this is Lief's moment, so Afina settles in to hear of his victories.
[19:53] <@Kotono> After a nod form Queen Ilsenine, the stories begin. Grand stories of one pixie against larger foes, berserkers and warriors of great skill. In lurid details he describes these battles, the court taking in each gritty but ultimately triumphant battle. The final battle is against a double greataxe wielding giant, each blow told in lurid detail. "...and then, with a great dive, I burst through
[19:53] <@Kotono> the giant's chest, arrows first! It was over, and I was given the trophies and rewards...but then! All around me the arena burst into flames! An inferno hotter than hell," Opening his arms up wide, spreading them out, "And he descended down! A great pit fiend with the features and muscles of a dragon - Yian, traitor to Lifasa! He had come to snuff me out personally!"
[19:54] * @Afina finds herself smiling at the grisly and overdone stories, but her interest is particularly piqued now by the battle with Yian. Ithea made it sound altogether underwhelming, but Lief's perspective might differ...
[19:58] <@Kotono> "Out of the corner of my eye, I saw all hope was not lost. General Ithea was there, along with the Warmaster," Going on, words heavy, "So I distracted him, kept him talking." Tapping the side of his head, "It gave the two of them time to teleport over and wound him, giving me a chance to fire! Already wounded, my arrows hit him like the wrath of all Lifasa! He fell to his knees and cried
[19:58] <@Kotono> out, wondering why his power had forsaken him, before collapsing!"
[20:00] * @Afina finds herself giggling slightly as she pictures it. Ahh, to share this with everyone in Lifasa, oppressed and devil alike, it would do wonders for morale.
[20:09] <@Kotono> A cheer goes up amid the court, Queen Ilsenine even smiling. "As of that victory, Yian is our prisoner!"Finishing with a bow and stepping aside, "I present you the victor's cup. A gift from the triumph for you." Kascha comes forward and places the heavy looking golden cup down, stepping aside after.
[20:09] <@Kotono> "I am pleased by this," Queen Ilsenine smiles, "You have brought glory to our court, Lief. Well done."
[20:14] <@Kotono> "Thank you," Lief replies, looking about. His gaze lingers on Afina a moment and he grins over to her, before taking his position. Thereafter Queen Ilsenine looks, "In two days I will be leaving for the fey courts. Soon, we shall be joined by allies and those who would seek to law the devils low for their impertinence. Have heart, for soon we shall be many."
[20:17] * @Afina elects to speak up now herself. "And with Yian captured thanks to Lief's quick thinking, we now have a bounty of information on our world and Hell's designs. Already two devil plans against members of Aurora's command have been thwarted, and we now have a much clearer idea of what we're up against. Our foes are strong, but wit and subtlety can triumph as surely as weapon and spell."
[20:24] <@Kotono> Another cheer rises, as Queen Ilsenine nods. She rises, "Now, celebrate!" After, in a lower voice, "Afina, Crystal, with me," she says.
[20:26] <@Afina> Oh, but she wants to talk to Kascha! Well, whatever knews she has it probably will keep... without a word, Afina falls in with her Queen.
[20:30] <@Kotono> The trio head back to a back room of her suite. Here is a far more intimiate sitting room, low-lit with soft chairs and gentle, soothing music playing. The source of it is indistinct, but it lulls you immediately. Like a lullaby, bidding you to sleep in a mother's arms. Queen Ilsenine murmurs a single word, the music becoming nearly silent and merely a background murmur of soothing. "Sit,"
[20:30] <@Kotono> she says.
[20:31] * @Afina obediently settles herself in one of the chairs facing the Queen, waiting for her word.
[20:32] <@Kotono> "I've been informed that I'll need an honor guard," Ilsenine goes on, "They want one of my two generals to lead it." Going on without hesitating, "Which of you shall come?"
[20:38] * @Afina must demur. "I'm an assassin, Majesty, I'd be a poor fit for leading a guard. However if you require any equipment or materials I could have it provided before departure," she looks at Crystal in particular, "The chainmail designs Jaela showed me would work as quite an improvement over your leafweave armour, Crystal."
[20:52] <@Kotono> "Please," Crystal says, "Something that'll cut a good figure for a guard captain."
[21:00] <@Afina> "I have just the thing. Like Jaela's but with a few differences," Afina nods happily, thinking it over. "I'll make it tonight after I've spoken to Gisfal and Kascha."
[21:07] <@Kotono> "Thank you," Crystal says, and then Ilsenine nods, "So be it. Thank you, Afina. You're welcome to go then and return to your duties."
[21:08] <@Afina> Standing and bowing, Afina excuses herself, going back to her room to get changed and then asking Elena where Gisfal is.

[Ebiris]

[17:57] <@Kotono> Elena so appears! This time she's dressed up! She wears a full body cat suit, fluffy white furred. She has whiskers painted onto her face, cat ears atop her head. "Meow?" she says to Afina as she comes into sight.
[17:58] * @Afina twitches, then covers her mouth and looks away to better hide the cascade of giggles that threaten to come forth!
[17:59] <@Kotono> Crossing her arms and blushing, "Well, meow you." With an entirely cross turn of voice, "Why don't you meow yourself, and then go meow Crystal?" Her voice is cutesy, played up for high pitch and girlishness.
[18:00] <@Afina> "I'm sorry," Afina holds up her hand a moment until her mirth subsides and she can look at Elena properly, "I'll let you get back to rubbing against Galariel's legs in a minute. I just wanted to know where I can find Gisfal."
[18:02] <@Kotono> "On the roof of the Graceful Blow's tower...I mean Elrisa's Tower," Correcting hersel fa moment later, "Meow, I hate when I do that."
[18:04] <@Afina> "I know what you meant," Afina reassures. "Good kitty. Thanks," she bids before heading off to her new destination.
[18:05] <@Kotono> Going to Elrisa's tower, you find the top busy! In the center of the roof Adrian and Gisfal are back to back, swords drawn. Around them a dozen of the Graceful Blow dance, testing their defenses! The clang of steel on steel is a sweet song throughout the courtyard, a crowd around the tower and watching.
[18:07] <@Afina> Flying up to get a better vantage, but otherwise joins the gawkers!
[18:11] <@Kotono> The battle is a fierce one! The students test the two men, as Adrian grins! Gisfal is grimmer about it, but the two keep their guard up! As you watch...a squad of air elementals comes from above, swooping down to add more pressure, attacking from above while the Graceful Blow continues its assault!
[18:15] * @Afina is briefly tempted to haste some of the combatants to make it a bit more interesting, and quickly gives into said temptation. Fluttering down a bit closer to the action, she hastes the graceful blow students, "Faster, girls, don't let up!"
[18:17] <@Kotono> Adrian spots Afina as he parries a swifter swordblow, ducking an elemental's punch! "Hi Afina!" he calls back, grinning as he whirls, cloak misdirecting another strike! Meanwhile Gisfal's face is pure concentration, "Faster! HARDER!" he demands, "Glory doesn't come to any except those who reach out and take it!"
[18:19] <@Afina> "Hello," Afina gives a pleasant wave back. "Having fun?"
[18:20] <@Kotono> CLANG! Adrian parries a pair of swords, grunting as he pushes them off! "Does it look like I'm having fun?" he calls back with a huge grin, as Gisfal holds up a hand. "Enough!" At this the battle ceases, the eladrin turning to Afina.
[18:21] <@Afina> Since they've ended savage combat, Afina flies along closer to Gisfal. "Elena said you wanted to speak to me, Gisfal?"
[18:25] <@Kotono> Gisfal nods once, nodding to Adrian. Adrian looks about, "We're done here. Dismissed." At his word the Graceful Blow members head away, the air elementals flying off. The crowd disperses, leaving the three of you in relative privacy. "I've heard you are an assassin," he gets right to it.
[18:28] * @Afina nods mutely, waiting for him to go somewhere with that fact.
[18:30] <@Kotono> A nod of acknowledgement to that is the reply. Then, "How good at it are you?"
[18:32] <@Afina> "I'm out of practice for two years," Afina admits, "But I was good, yes."

[Corwin]

[19:48] <Kotono> "Good." A short nod to that, "Assassination is part of any good war strategy. Slicing the head of an army off can make the body easy pickings." A beat to consider, "In particular, I'm considering our forces and the best ways to multiply our effective force. Are there any other assassins in Aurora?"
[19:50] * Afina shakes her head. "There are some with potential, but no experience. Unless they're concealing that."
[19:54] <Kotono> "Have you considered fostering an order of assassins? We can't outnumber Baator. Precise strikes and assassination are two of the best tools for numerically inferior forces." Gisfal goes on.
[19:58] <Afina> "Everyone I've killed since we started this has been as part of a battle," Afina reflects ruefully. "After the upcoming operation I'll see what can be done. There might be some in Aurora who could take well to the role."
[20:00] <Kotono> "Lief has potential, if his bragging is at all truthful," Gisfal adds, "Yian accidentally showed exactly what we should be doing. Lure them out, slaughter them as best we can."
[20:04] <Afina> "Lief was one of those I was talking about," Afina agrees. "But getting Yian like that was pure luck catching him by surprise in a battle. To properly use an assassin we'd have to send her deep into the enemy's home without support and count on her being able to do the job and leave safely. The more people you involve in a single assassination the more places it can go wrong."
[20:08] <Kotono> Nodding to that, "You've done it before in various forms, as well as other special operations. The extraction of Ilsenine was well done," Gisfal meets Afina's eyes, Adrian speaking up here. "I like the idea, but I like any idea that gives Hell a black eye. More importantly, isn't it high risk, high reward? Killing a high placed devil would help, but if the assassin makes a mistake or is
[20:08] <Kotono> discovered? We're consigning that assassin to death and potentially an eternity of misery."
[20:15] <Afina> "Exactly," Afina agrees with Adrian. "Also, local knowledge is important. I knew the Gloaming Forest intimately, that made finding people and escaping after I'd killed them much easier. In Hell, or even in Lifasa as it stands now, it won't be nearly so simple. It's not impossible, but it's a lot more complicated than how I used to do it, and thus more likely to go wrong."
[20:24] <Kotono> "Yes. Keeping tactics simple as possible is a virtue," Gisfal agrees, "Do you have any specialists versed in local knowledge about Hell?"
[20:28] <Afina> "The only one I could think of is Ebony, and even then it's unlikely she knows much past a small section of Cania very well, just like I don't know anything about Lifasa past the Gloaming Forest," Afina shakes her head. "Our best solution is the capture of resident devils through planar binding and extracting as much pertinent information as we can about a location before performing any
[20:28] <Afina> operations there."
[20:30] <Kotono> "It's a shame there aren't any traitors from Hell," Adrian says, "Human armies can have traitors and people you can bribe into treason."
[20:32] <Kotono> "Too bad," Gisfal remarks.
[20:36] <Afina> "Hmph. Talk to Jaela about that," Afina replies nonplussed, crossing her arms. "Anyway, assassins need to be versed in stealth and detection, and have the combat skills to quickly kill their target as well as any defenders that interfere either with the murder or the escape. Fast movement and teleportation abilities are a help, even plane shift if we're doing assassinations away from Aurora.
[20:36] <Afina> Being able to stop teleportation is also necessary against devils. If you know anyone with potential in these areas, let me know."
[20:39] <Kotono> "I'll be looking into it," Gisfal says, "Thank you, Afina." After amoment, "To victory...or is it 'For Lifasa', as I hear it here?"
[20:43] <Afina> "For a lot of us it means the same thing. I'm sure no one will hit you for it," Afina smiles briefly before fluttering away. Now to find Kascha and see how her trip to Fire went!
[20:45] <Kotono> Kascha is found with Morniel. The two are in the library, talking about something in hushed voices together. Neither seems to notice Afina approaching in the quiet, reflective peace of the library. Nearby is Dana, a book over her face as she very quietly snores.
[20:46] <Afina> Fluttering up until she's between them, Afina announces her presence. "Hello, you two. How did the trip to Zaaman Rul's realm go?"
[20:51] <Kotono> Morniel looks up, nodding and all business, "Quickly. All three of us called in favors and we managed to get an audience with Zaaman Rul to explain the intrusion of Annalise. His ire was greatly roused." Morniel leans back and steeples his fingers together, as Kascha picks up, "Well, he was about to appear before you and attack for the insult. He was furious." Reddening, "Passionately,
[20:51] <Kotono> overwhelmingly furious. Bringing a creature of the living dead to Zaaman Rul's realm, one of the few purified places in Fire?" Kascha shakes her head, "Fortunately, cooler heads -" a pause for a demure giggle, "Prevailed."
[20:54] <Afina> "Well, I'm sure he'll be thrilled to hear Annalise is no longer among us," Afina replies dourly. "I don't know if anyone's told you two since you got back? Her and Jaela had a falling out, so she walked away."
[20:56] <Kotono> Kascha gasps, while Morniel nods solemnly. "I'd been informed," he says.
[20:57] <Afina> "I'm not counting her out just yet, but... well, we'll make do without her for now. If you got that smoothed over, how did the rest go?" Afina asks, happy to move on.
[21:03] <Kotono> "Zaamul Rul has what we need," Morniel confirms, "There has to be a trade for it. A powerful, crafted magical item of high quality could help, for Zaaman Rul is relatively short on resources compared to the other players in Fire. Alternately, some sort of quest to weaken evil within Fire."
[21:04] <Afina> "How powerful? Something within my abilities or completely unique?" Afina asks, weighing the options.
[21:05] <Kotono> "At the limit of your abilities," Morniel says, "Any uniqueness would be a plus."
[21:05] <Kotono> Kascha hums there, "A special material may help. I could get you some Cauldron Iron if you'd like, but Seira's traded gifts with him before, and I know she's given him a weapon made of it."
[21:11] <Afina> "Hmm, I'll have a think over it. I have to make some armour for Crystal tonight anyway, maybe something will come to me as I work. Whatever we do it'll have to be put off a few days anyway. Did you hear we captured one of the nine Lifasan traitors?"
[21:15] <Kotono> "Yes," Kascha speaks up, "Congratulations!"
[21:18] <Afina> "He's been a bounty of information, we've already stopped a few devil operations based on what he's told us, and we're planning something even bigger in the next day or so. For good or ill, we'll see Lifasa again soon... shameful as it will be for you two to get your first taste of our home in such conditions," Afina shakes her head briefly, feeling a maudlin mood settle even as she thinks
[21:18] <Afina> that. "Anyway, I'll let you two get back to your reading," she smiles briefly and then flutters off.