039.4 Afina and the visit to the Cauldron

[Corwin]

[19:55] <Kotono> Of the two, Simmer's easy to find and easy to get to tag along. Finding Kascha takes more effort. You eventually find her in the infirmary. She lies next to 27, the two staring into each other's eyes.
[19:57] <Afina> "Oh... have you been here all night?" Afina asks dubiously as she flutters over the pair.
[19:59] <Kotono> "A long time," Kascha says, not even looking up. "27 is trying to teach me about time paradoxes."
[20:01] <Afina> "Oh, if you're still learning we'll come back later, then," Afina demurs, considering that a worthy enough cause for her not to disturb her over.
[20:06] <Kotono> At this 27 gets up. It looks about with dazed eyes, before muttering, "Anarch," and stumbling off towards the portal. Kascha blink-blink sa moment, "HEY!" she sits up, "Where are you going?"
[20:07] <Kotono> "I think just got ditched," Simmer pipes up, "Or slaad-told to come with us.
[20:07] <Kotono> "
[20:07] <Afina> "Maybe you need a break, anyway?" Afina suggests, patting Kascha on the shoulder. "How about showing Simmer and I around the Cauldron now that you're free?"
[20:21] <Kotono> "Oh, you're ready to go?" Kascha perks up, "I'm ready, then." Shaking her head clear, "You'll like it there, it's warm."
[20:22] <Afina> "Great, lets go out the gates and you can take us there?" Afina smiles, starting to head towards the portal.
[20:27] <Kotono> With that the trio heads out! "I'll take us to just outside of the Cauldron," she says, "We'll go inthrough the outer caves instead of flying up. It's nicer in there for you."
[20:28] <Afina> "Ah, you're so thoughtful," Afina nods gratefully, taking Simmer and Kascha's hands. "Lead the way, then?"
[20:33] <Kotono> Woosh! You appear before it - around you is the silver sea, the timelessness of the Astra Plane. It looms over all of it - a huge volcano, heat radiating off of it in waves. The entire thing is mammoth, with several caves spotting and dotting the slope upwards. The waves of heat are refreshing, like how a cool dip in a pool during high summer would be before. Simmer immediately makes a
[20:33] <Kotono> contented little noise from deep in her chest, "Maaaaaah, that's better," she says.
[20:35] <Afina> "Isn't it?" Afina agrees, feeling relaxed and content all the way down to her toes in the face of such heat. "You have a nice home, Kascha. Are we going in through one of those?" she points out the caves visible.
[20:38] <Kotono> "Sure, just don't tell anyone we did," Kascha says, going to scoop up Simmer. Simmer eeeps as she's lifted off, "Follow me!"
[20:40] <Afina> Fluttering along and matchinf Kascha's pace, Afina asks, "Are they forbidden?"
[20:45] <Kotono> "Welllll, visitors aren't supposed to go poking," Kascha says, "But it's fine if you're with me."
[20:46] <Afina> "It is, you're not a visitor so who would argue?" Afina agrees cheerfully as they fly along.
[20:57] <Kotono> Thus you fly to the caves! Stepping out as you approach are two fire elementals, who step aside as Kascha comes to the cave. A reddish light comes from the caves, "This way." Even as she steps in you can feel the heat, warmer ye talready.
[20:59] <Afina> "This is like the idea I had for Aurora, so we don't have to take up the forges," Afina comments as they go. "Something underground so it's out of people's way, and the heat can stay in, with a nice big pool of lava to relax in."
[20:59] <Kotono> "Oh, it gets better." Kascha says, lowering her voice, "You'll see."
[21:01] <Afina> Taking the hint, Afina falls silent but nods as she goes along.
[21:03] <Kotono> A moment later, Kascha again causes her body become that of fire! Thus you proceed in. The tunnels are narrow and segmented, defensive arches and iron doors passed, manned by fire and earth elementals. Warmer yet - and ahead, you can see what is a dimly golden glow to the walls.
[21:05] <Afina> Curious, Afina flutters closer to the walls. "Gold ore?" she wonders aloud.
[21:08] <Kotono> "Yes. You'll see," Kascha smiles, as you approach. You can see the walls are shot full of little veins of molten gold, bubbling within the stone. Simmer pauses to examine them, "Pretty. Can we take samples?"
[21:11] <Kotono> "Don't," Kascha says, "Seira would share with you if you asked, but it's impolite to take it without asking."
[21:14] <Afina> "There's no need, I suppose. We can go to the Mineral plane if we want gold," Afina shrugs. "But this is the only place anywhere you can find Cauldron Iron, isn't it?"
[21:17] <Kotono> "Yes," Kascha says, "Shh." She advances ahead and past another gate. Amdi the gentle glow of gold, you begin to hear a loud, liquid splashing, a heavy thudding. Down the path you go, to another curve. Kascha stands aside, "Go on and look past the curve."
[21:18] <Afina> Looking curiously at Kascha, Afina nonetheless braces herself for something that must be impressive, and flutters around the curve to see.
[21:22] <Kotono> Ahead is an open chamber! The entire chamber is lit golden, a vast pool of liquid gold ahead! From a hole in the ceiling a great streaming waterfall of liquid gold flows down into the center of the lake. Simmer stares and stares long, finally whistling low.
[21:24] <Afina> "Now that, is a lot of gold," Afina opines, soaking in the incredible heat from molten metal. "It actually looks quite pretty as a liquid, too."
[21:35] <Kotono> "That is enough gold to rich as a dragon. A dragon princess, even," Simmer grins goofily, approaching closer, sighing happily with each step.
[21:37] <Afina> "I wonder where she gets it all from?" Afina wonders, fluttering alongside Simmer as they advance into the giant smelter. "Perhaps another thing to ask about..."
[21:42] <Kotono> Kascha follows, "Seira's a Goddess. How do you think she gets it?"
[21:42] <Afina> "Magic?"
[21:45] <Kotono> "Well yes," Kascha sputters a moment, a look of faint pique, "But you needn't be so offhanded about it!"
[21:46] * Afina looks confused. "How would you have said it?"
[21:46] <Kotono> Simmer kneels at the edge of the lake of gold,  leaning forward to be face to face with the gold, not quite touching. "Oooh yes, so hot," she sighs happily. "You know Afina, if you aren't quick about your quest, all this warmth will convince you to stick with fire."
[21:46] <Kotono> "Divine miracle? Something that doesn't sound like a hedge wizard did it?"  Kascha says, "Just saying it's magic is so...so...it's not magical at all!"
[21:47] <Afina> "At least I didn't assume she'd dug it out of the ground herself," Afina consoles, fluttering over after Simmer, "We'll see," is her response there.
[21:51] <Kotono> "You will," A tremendously loud voice comes from the golden lake, causing all the gold to ripple and splash! Simmer yips and stumbles back, face and chest covered in liquid gold! As she stares ahead, the lake ripples! From the lake of gold comes a massive golden head, that of a gold dragon! "Sxtyvaril!" Kascha eeps, dashing ahead, "Um, pay no attention to the curse on us! It's me, Kascha!
[21:51] <Kotono> We're just visiting! The entire mark is a misunderstanding! We're not going to steal the gold or anything or attack the Cauldron! Bahamut was just hasty in his judgment!"
[21:53] <Afina> This is the first time she's met one of Bahamut's brood since that whole mess... she wonders if Tiamat would still laugh and turn it into a zombie if she killed it. Staring with equanimity up at the grand dragon, she grants it the first move.
[21:57] <Kotono> The dragon's head is larger than the three of you combined, dripping molten gold. Its scales are the same color as the lake, appearing as little more than an extension of it. Its eyes blaze with a white lined gold, "The Dragon Princess has already informed me of your situation. I understand." He speaks slowly, "She expressed her displeasure at this state of affairs."
[21:59] <Afina> Well, that's alright, then. she's still not keen to turn his back on him, though the feeling's likely mutual.
[22:03] <Kotono> Kascha exhales deeply, as meanwhile Simmer licks her lips clean of gold. It's Kascha who goes on, "I was just showing two good friends from Aurora around. They're both part Fire, so..."
[22:04] <Afina> "I'm Afina," she introduces herself to try and reduce some of the tension. "General of Aurora."
[22:06] <Kotono> "Simmer. This is really good gold," she says, licking a bit off her cheeks and swallowing it. "Satisfying."
[22:06] <Afina> That has to be poisonous, surely!
[22:08] <Kotono> If it bothers Simmer she shows no sign of it. Meanwhile, Sxtyvaril gazes longer, "It is interesting meeting you," he says, before slipping back beneath the golden lake.
[22:10] <Afina> "Likewise," Afina nods, looking to Kascha now for further directions.
[22:12] <Kotono> "Oh Afina," Calling and scooping up a bit more gold on her cheeks, "Try this, it's good!" Meanwhile Kascha exhales heavily, "Around the side of the path there are you eating gold?" Kascha switches midway.
[22:14] <Afina> "Surely you can't eat gold?" Afina agrees. "And... won't you have to give it back?" she asks that last part with barely any shame.
[22:19] <Kotono> "Humanoids can in limited quantities. I've had gold leaf dishes in Brightwater," Kascha speaks up, "I've seen earth elementals eat solid bars of gold."
[22:20] <Kotono> "If Seira wants to retreive it, she's welcome to," Simmer says, "Besides, it already got splashed on me."
[22:21] <Afina> "Well if you relieve yourself while we're here I'm sure things will find their way back," Afina offers dryly as she starts fluttering towards the side path.
[22:47] <Kotono> "Huh?" Simmer starts a moment, "I haven't done THAT since my transformation." she replies, "Whenever I eat something, I figured it just burns up in me."
[22:49] <Afina> "Well, I won't tell Seira if you don't," Afina shrugs, letting it drop.

[Corwin]

[19:48] <Kotono> Simmer lingers a moment, "Say..." she looks to Afina, before coughing, "Have you...?"
[19:52] <Afina> "Have I what?" Afina asks, cocking her head at Simmer curiously. "Oh, that?" she blinks, "Ahh, no... I haven't eaten or drank anything either. I hadn't really thought about it since it was just yesterday, but I haven't been hungry." Of course now that she thinks about it, dryads in their natural state don't have the same bodily functions as other fey, anyway. Photosynthesis and all.
[19:54] <Kotono> "Yes, it was the same for me," Simmer says, as Kascha leads you along. "I've been wondering how the change affects us and if it was the same."
[19:57] <Afina> "Well, I found out one difference," Afina flutters close to Simmer, almost over her shoulder. "I'm still fertile," she whispers sympathetically.
[20:00] <Kotono> "Oh!" Simmer's voice hitches a moment, even as a smile comes to her. "I'm thrilled for you, Afina! I'd hoped it was just the circumstances of my change that did it to me. No life can come from a burnt down tree..." Murmuring that softer, keeping her voice down as Kascha leads you into a narrow tunnel, the walls pulsing with liquid gold light, "But let me give you some advice. Most of
[20:00] <Kotono> the fire elementals out there make lousy suitors. You'll want to stick to creatures with a little more personality."
[20:04] <Afina> "I don't bother with romance anyway. When I do decide to have children it'll be with another fey, though. If you're interested yourself, well, you said magic before? Aurora has very skilled healers, and spellcasters who can grant wishes or call on miracles," she offers for Simmer's benefit, pitying her own situation.
[20:08] <Kotono> "I told you, I got it taken care of," Simmer replies, "It's fixed. I'm just not ready for a serious relationship right now with anything except Fire."
[20:10] <Afina> "Oh, I see!" Afina lightens. "I misunderstood, I'm glad," she smiles, fluttering away from Simmer now and ending their quiet conference so Kascha needn't feel self conscious about ignoring them. Either that or she's gotten her mind occupied with something again and has no idea they're even here...
[20:14] <Kotono> Once Afina seperates Kascha turns back, "You two done," she asks cheerfully.
[20:15] <Afina> "Yes, sorry about that," Afina apologises as she catches up. "Changing into a creature of fire has a lot of details to it."
[20:18] <Kotono> "Yes." Kascha has a sad little smile on her face, "I remember how different it was to be a mortal, but now it almost seems like a dream. I can barely remember what it's like to be hungry or thirsty. Eating is an occasional hobby, something I do once a month or less."
[20:20] <Afina> "It's a strange existence, so disconnected from even the little parts of natural life," Afina nods thoughtfully. "Nothing to do but get used to it, though."
[20:24] <Kotono> "Or more connected, and that natural life is merely mortal fraility." Kascha observes as yo ucontinue to go, "I've seen that philosophical view point before. Hunger, pain, fatigue, age? Nothing but signs of a body of dirt and dust, a cage for the eternal soul."
[20:27] <Afina> Well, age isn't really something fey deal with either, but the rest? "That decay too is a part of the Cycle, as my Unseelie former cousins would strongly attest. I suppose it just depends where your priorities lie."
[20:30] <Kotono> "It is. I've heard that pile of horse droppings too," Simmer adds, "I get the impression outsiders don't think much of the fey viewpoint about that."
[20:32] <Afina> "No, they really don't," Afina shakes her head. "Nor do we think much about their views, I'll grant. But since we keep to ourselves, and they're so active and prevalent, theirs is the belief which dominates most of existence. Something to think about."
[20:37] <Kotono> "It's also a question of framing. For fey, the Cycle is everything. For outsiders, it's a small part of a greater whole," Kascha says, "I don't want to say one's right or wrong, just...different viewpoints."
[20:39] * Afina nods, appreciating Kascha's diplomacy. "We all have our own interests that define our views."
[20:40] <Kotono> As you walk along you come to anupwards ramp, "Oh, here we go. We'll be coming out soon," Kascha says.
[20:41] <Afina> "What's next?" Afina asks as she flies up the ramp.
[20:44] <Kotono> "We're coming out on one of the shopping layers," Kascha says, "You'll see." Indeed, you soon do, coming out of a cave exit! You stand on one layer in the middle of a volcano's interior, vast indeed! Here great shops and bazaars are all about, elementals, humanoids and celestials all in sight - including even water elementals, and beings of pure, boiling steam. The shops are often
[20:44] <Kotono> interconnected and multistory, walkways between them and little hills adding depth and height differences. The warmth is down here, not nearly as pleasant as before.
[20:46] <Afina> If she can endure Ysgard she can surely endure this. "Hmm... the ambience is like Brightwater, but the scenery most definitely not," she muses, looking around. "So, I'm here to buy clothes, either of you two in the market for anything?"
[20:49] <Kotono> "I'm here to browse," Kascha says, as Simmer thinks a moment, "Maybe if I see something I like."
[20:51] <Afina> "Well, take us to places you like and I'll see if I can grab some fireproof clothes along the way," Afina asks Kascha, electing to follow her lead here.
[20:53] <Kotono> "Oh, we'll get your clothes first," Kascha says, "I told you I'd take you. C'mon."
[20:55] <Afina> "Thanks," Afina smiles, fluttering along beside the angel as they go.
[21:12] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:12] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 51." [1d100=51]
[21:12] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:12] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 27." [1d100=27]
[21:14] <Kotono> You wander amid elementals and other stranger things yet, but it's not far. A five story building half built into the surrounding rock wall is here, the third floor with letters of pure fire. Neverburn is written there, as Kascha points up to a walkway going into the side of that floor, "We'll go in through there,' she says, taking to wing after scooping up Simmer again.
[21:16] <Afina> Flying up after Kascha, Afina looks amusedly at Simmer, recalling all the times Willim would scoop people up to fly around with after he grew his wings.
[21:18] <Kotono> Simmer yelps and blushes, "Could you carry me some other way than this?" she asks, held in Kascha's arms bridal style.
[21:19] <Kotono> As you fly up to thew alkway, sturdy stone that supports both of them easily, "It's practical," Kascha says quizzically, placing SImmer down.
[21:21] <Afina> "It's more dignified than if she slings you over her shoulder, and doesn't get in the way of her wings," Afina nods sagely.
[21:25] <Kotono> Simmer grumps as Kascha leads ahead! Within it's hot, so much hotter! The innerwalls are red-glowing steel, shedding glorious amounts of heat. Hot enough to instantly burn lesser things apart, but to the three of you it's merely nice. Racks of half molten iron hold clothes of all type - utterly unstained and unburnt, despite the heat. As you enter a little chime sounds, and from the
[21:25] <Kotono> racks he comes. You know this type of creature - an Azur, a flaming dwarf. This one looks just as dour, but instead of a simple kilt? He wears finely tailored clothes, bright yellow pants and red tunic, and a cloak of cherry red flames. "Well, well," His voice is a crackling boom, "Little Miss Kascha, you're back! I heard you were off on assignment again, dragons wasn't it?"
[21:26] <Kotono> "I'm just visiting," Kascha giggles at that, "Afina, Simmer, this is Azuril. Azuril, this is General Afina of Aurora and Simmer...say, does Simmer have a rank?"
[21:29] <Afina> "Not formally yet. I'll make you a Major based on the power you've wielded," Afina tells Simmer out of hand. "I'm looking for clothes that won't catch fire, Azuril."
[21:34] <Kotono> "Aurora!" Azuril gapes a moment, as Kascha says, "Put all of Afina's clothes on my offical business tab," she says, "She'll be needing an entire customized warddrobe."
[21:35] <Kotono> "By the glory of the Princess, it will be done," Azuril replies, "Come back here so I can get your measurements, ma'am," he says.
[21:38] <Afina> "Of course," Afina flutters over and lands by the dwarf, waiting attentively to be measured. "I'll pay you back when we get back to Aurora, Kascha."
[21:39] <Kotono> "No need," Kascha shakes her head, "I get a budget to work with." Smiling warmer now, "Just enjoy it!"
[21:44] <Afina> "I will, then," Afina nods happily, looking forward to getting new clothes. "I like designs with squares or diamonds on them, alternating colours. Purple and orange are good, but why not throw some green in as well? Since my hair isn't that colour anymore I may as well wear it."
[21:49] <Kotono> "As you like it," Azuril leads you back, starting to take measurements. As this goes on, "Is it true the Aurora is the size of Mount Celestia?"
[21:51] <Afina> "I've never seen Mount Celestia, so I couldn't say," Afina admits, "But it's a bit wide then the Cauldron, and not as tall. So probably not?"
[21:58] <Kotono> As he measures away, working on Afina's wings, "I've heard so much about it. It's THE big story of the year!"
[22:00] <Afina> "And what have people been saying about us?" the fairy wonders curiously, standing still otherwise.
[22:06] <Kotono> "All about how you're fighting Hell," Going on from that, "Avenging a lost world, I think."
[22:07] <Afina> About right," Afina nods just a little. "We'd like to liberate rather than avenge, but we'll take what we can get."
[22:10] <Kotono> "It must be something," Azuril comments as he works away, "I've never actually seen a Crusade or anything like that."
[22:13] <Afina> "Well, if you're interested in sating that curiousity, Aurora has its own commerce, but we've been lacking in a really skilled tailor," Afina offers since he's hinting around it.
[22:15] <Kotono> "Mmm, the market here is about saturated. Some time away would drive demand back up," Azuril considers, "How big is the army?"
[22:17] <Afina> "Right now about two thousand, but we have a population of noncombatants about half that," Afina replies, it not being a particularly hidden figure.
[22:20] <Kotono> "Oh yes, I could make money there," Azuril murmurs, "Well then, I'll just have to relocate over there temporarily!" he declares.
[22:22] <Afina> "Sounds good. It'll save on having to go to Brightwater for clothes, or cobbling together garments on our own," Afina nods in satisfaction. "I'll be in the Cauldron for the rest of the day with Kascha, do you want us to pick you up or can you arrange your own transport?"
[22:26] <Kotono> "I can get there myself," He asserts, "I'll start on your clothes after I relocate."
[22:30] <Afina> "Good. We're on Ysgard not far from Sylica right now. If we're not back yet, just tell them Afina sent you, Elena should look after you until I'm there to vouch for you," Afina tells him, fluttering into the air. "Either way, I'll see you next on Aurora, Azuril!" she waves and flies off to reunite with Kascha and Simmer.
[22:32] <Kotono> SImmer's grinning and Kascha's smiling as well with a blush. "Nice work," Simmer calls, "That'll be convienent!"
[22:34] <Afina> "It was a convenient meeting, all told," Afina nods with a smile of her own. "Now, how about we spend a little while browsing and then you can show me what efforts the Cauldron's made on merging the elements, Kascha?"
[22:36] <Kotono> "Sure!" OOC: Move on a bit?
[22:39] <Afina> OOC: yep
[22:42] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[22:42] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 45." [1d100=45]
[22:42] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[22:42] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 1." [1d100=1]
[22:42] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[22:42] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 58." [1d100=58]

[Corwin]

[19:47] <Kotono> After pleasurable window shopping, Kascha leads you into another cave. This one immediately goes down sharply, "This is a shortcut," she says, "We're going right down for a consultation for you, Afina."
[19:47] <Afina> "Oh, thank you, Kascha!" Afina beams, fluttering up alongside the angel's head. "I really appreciate you doing this for me."
[19:51] <Kotono> As you walk down - well, fluttering, anyway - "It's fine." Suddenly blushing and looking away, "I still owe you for embarrassing the both of us!"
[19:54] <Afina> "Oh, that time with Sylvie's special drink?" Afina giggles suddenly at the recollection. "Like I said before, I wasn't offended. It was charming, really." More on the amusing than the gallant side, though, as evidenced by her light laughter.
[19:56] <Kotono> "What happened?" Simmer chimes in with a playful smile, sliding up to Kascha's side. Meanwhile Kascha blushes more and shakes her head.
[19:58] <Afina> "In a moment of weakness," Afina begins, flying around the pair to reach Simmer as she goes, "Kascha revealed a rather keen fondness for my hat," she perches said headpiece at a jaunty angle and giggles while returning to her prior position. May as well spare Kascha further embarrassment by keeping quiet her curiousity as to a pixie's taste.
[20:01] <Kotono> "Oh," Clapping her hands together, Simmer just laughs. Kascha shakes her head and points, "Oh! I almost forgot. There's a bunch of carvings and busts ahead. One of the earth elementals has a taste for art, and he decorates some of the passages."
[20:02] <Afina> "Lets go look, then?" Afina speeds up a little, agreeable to Kascha's subject change.
[20:07] <Kotono> Down the tunnel you find the walls full of red-lit grottoes. Each one has a bust in it as you begin to look about...OOC: Make spot.
[20:08] <Afina> roll 1d20+29
[20:08] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+29 and gets 37." [1d20=8]
[20:13] <Kotono> You spot one of Kascha down a ways, notably. And just a bit past that-! A particular grotto has a woman's bust. Her features are fine and noble, and her long, straight hair...on her head...her head is perfect. Absolutely perfect. That is the best head Afina has ever seen. A strange, deep urge fills her, an almost childish desire to simply sit on it.
[20:14] <Afina> The stories were true! But she'll ask anyway, "Kascha?" she tugs on the angel's sleeve, pointing to the perfect head ahead, "Is that one of the goddess Alicia?"
[20:18] <Kotono> "Oh!" Suddenly Kascha giggles as Simmer turns, "It is." With a big smile, "You like it?"
[20:20] <Kotono> "That's a head," Simmer says slowly, before snapping her fingers, "OH! I've heard those stories in Balmuria too."
[20:21] <Afina> "I heard stories..." Afina admits, blushing and restraining herself from lunging at it. "If even her bust has that effect - a bust of her, I mean, then it must be true."
[20:22] <Kotono> "It doesn't even radiate magic," Kascha pouts, "Seira and I think this proves Mystra has a sense of humor."
[20:25] <Afina> "It's... it's not magic, it's something more perfect," Afina shakes her head in denial. "The form and proportions... it's like a drug that can affect you through taste, but in this case it's only sight... and probably touch. I bet it feels great to touch." Looking uncomfortable at her near loss of control, she quickly distracts herself by looking squarely at the one of Kascha. "Your bust
[20:25] <Afina> is really nice, too, though!"
[20:26] <Kotono> Laughing, Simmer waves a hand in front of Afina's face. With a devilish grin, "Why don't you go touch it," she says in a teasing voice.
[20:27] <Kotono> Kascha giggles again, into her hand, "Simmer, that's really not dignified...though you've been acting a lot happier since your transformation. You've laughed, and I don't think I ever saw you laugh before it."
[20:30] <Afina> "I- I laugh!" Afina asserts defensively, turning and landing on top of the Kascha bust to regard them both. "But you're right, it's harder to control my moods, now. It's much more extreme."
[20:31] <Kotono> "It's hard not to notice," Kascha smiles now, friendly and open. "I thought you were depressed over Lifasa before."
[20:35] <Afina> "I suppose... but I've always been pretty restrained, at least for the last few centuries. What happened to Lifasa... yes, if anything it just made my bad moods more foul. I never really *enjoyed* killing before that. Now I'm just all over the place."
[20:36] <Kotono> "Some fire in your belly may have been just what you needed," Simmer pipes up now, "Maybe this is also a chance for you to be reborn into something happier?"
[20:39] <Afina> "I have been happier lately anyway, with the success of the Crusade and making new friends," Afina points out, pushing off Kascha's bust and taking flight again. "Anyway, I want to see what all my options are. Being all colourful like Baleruk doesn't sound bad if I can manage it, but if not I'll get used to being this way. Whatever happens, there's no going back."
[20:43] <Kotono> With a nod from Kascha the trio continue on! The cave eventually comes to a simple iron door, Kascha opening it! The air in here is cool, and before you is a mage's laboratory. Amid the beakers and pentagrams Kascha walks, the cavern high ceilinged and with impressive stalagmites hanging from above. "Hello?" Kascha calls, "Is anyone in here?"
[20:44] <Afina> Recalling her own efforts in devil summoning, Afina looks approvingly to the pentagrams.
[20:49] <Kotono> "Hmm, hmm, hmm," A somehow watery voice is your answer. Coming 'round a tall rack of beakers is a woman. Her hair is blue and she wears a tight, formfitting blue dress. Her hair cascades to the floor like a river, the sounds of her footsteps a musical one-two beat. Water clings to her fingers, like droplets of loathesome power. "Kascha." she says, "You've brought guests."
[20:49] <Kotono> "Ah!" Gasping at that, and bowing slightly, "Afina, Simmer, this is Lady Sanzha, former Padisha of the Marid."
[20:51] <Afina> Oh, it feels unpleasant to see that water, but intellectually she knows it's not so. Doesn't help people with phobias and it doesn't help Afina, but nonetheless she's determined to endure! Landing on the ground and bowing like Kascha did, she flies up after. "It's nice to meet you," she smiles, strained and wondering if Sanzha is feeling the same as she is. Probably handling it better,
[20:51] <Afina> though.
[20:53] <Kotono> Simmer quickly mimics, despite a subtle tensing of the face. Lady Sanzha smiles, as Kascha goes on, "Afina, tell Lady Sanzha your story?"
[21:00] <Afina> "For reasons I won't bore you with, I was on the plane of Fire to capture a Sundered Sun for Zaaman Rul," Afina begins, "He was at Magmasoul, a powerful site in fire capable of teaching great secrets to creatures of fire, and turning others into creatures of fire themselves. I wasn't interested in either, but when my elemental transformation was dispelled and I started burning to death
[21:00] <Afina> at the hottest site in Fire, I was rather short on options. I submitted to Fire and was transformed from a fey of Summer to an outsider of Fire." That's the history, now to the theory, "After I returned to Aurora, though, a dragon that had become a prismatic dragon thanks to Renbuu's teachings suggested that if I could take the other three elements into myself the same way, I could
[21:00] <Afina> undergo a similar transformation as he did... though even without that, becoming linked to all of the elements would put me closer to nature once more, so it's worthwhile either way. And so I'm here to see how it might be possible."
[21:04] <Kotono> Lady Sanzha crooks a finger to Afina, "Come here, pixie."
[21:05] <Afina> Suppressing her instinctive revulsion, Afina flutters up to the marid, stopping a foot away from her.
[21:07] <Kotono> Despite that deep revulsion, Lady Sanzha opens her arms out, "Come here, let me hold you," she commands.
[21:08] <Afina> She has to take a deep breath to centre herself, before jumping into Sanzha's arms on the same principle that one might jump into a cold pond rather than slowly dip themselves in.
[21:10] <Kotono> It's worse than cold. Sanzha's embrace is WET. Her body is entirely Water, holding Afina close. With an unperterbed smile as she holds Afina like a baby, "Can you endure this every second of every day, times two? What you want is still being developed, but it is not an easy path. It may not ever be an easy path. But if Kascha speaks for you and you can bear this, we can talk about it."
[21:15] <Afina> She shivers long, but her resolve doesn't waver, forcing herself to still and endure. In her life she's endured a great deal of distateful things, and always in the service of another. This, though, is all for her. And for that, she'll endure a great deal. "I can b-bear it," she insists despite her teeth chattering.
[21:31] <Kotono> Lady Sanzha smiles at that, letting Afina go. "Come back with me, Afina. Kascha, we'll be back."
[21:32] <Afina> Fluttering up now and out of the marid's grasp, Afina nods as if to reassure herself that she's doing the right thing. "Don't worry about me, you two," she reassures Kascha and Simmer, following Sanzha.
[21:34] <Kotono> You go back deeper, surrounded by a jungle of tables, glass tubes and other things yet. "There's an ice-spring tucked away just past here." She smiles pleasantly to Afina, "We'll go take a dip and talk it over. So tell me more about this dragon?"
[21:38] <Afina> Oh, this is going to be unpleasant, and Afina's face doesn't hide how much she thinks so. But that's what it must be... if nothing else it will overcome a weakness in her thinking, if not her body, to become inured to such. "His name is Baleruk, he started out as a green dragon. An exemplar of such. By claiming the essences of other exemplar dragons, and with help of a ritual performed
[21:38] <Afina> by Renbuu, he became a prismatic dragon. He's very loud and... dragon-like," she says that word diplomatically over 'greedy', "But he's a good ally, if not friend."
[21:40] <Kotono> "I see, I see," Her answer is pleasant as you walk further in, to an iced over door. Wards surround it, and Lady Sanzha pauses, "You may want to brace yourself."
[21:42] <Afina> "I guess there's no point using magic to ward myself, is there?" Afina asks rhetorically, visibly gearing herself up in anticipation of extreme coldness, trying to recall memories of her previous lives as wintry fey to help... it's not much. "I'm ready."
[21:55] <Kotono> "That would be missing the point." With that he door is open! Bitter winter assails Afina like whips, staggering her all over! Each moment bites into her, as through freezing eyes she sees a small path leading to an ice rimmed pool set into the ground. Lady Sanzha goes right into it, sinking in without even taking her dress off.
[21:57] <Afina> Still on the 'dive into a pool quickly' idea, Afina likewise doesn't waste time stripping, just jumping into the freezing water herself!
[21:58] <Kotono> OOC: Fort.
[21:59] <Afina> roll 1d20+17
[21:59] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+17 and gets 22." [1d20=5]
[22:07] <Kotono> The cold overwhelms Afina! She knows nothing but agony for a time, her body a curled up, blue skinned, shivering mess. Then a wave of warmth washes away the pain, as her recovering body is lowered into the ice pool. "Slower next time," Lady Sanzha advises. "You blacked out."
[22:09] <Afina> Moaning pitifully, Afina shakes her head. "It's not the same as jumping into cold water when I was a fey, no," she admits reluctantly, taking a moment to gather her wits and catch her breath before she more gently and gradually immerses herself...
[22:13] <Kotono> This time it's only unpleasant, miserably so. But Afina bears it, slipping into the icy waters. As intense shivers wrack her, Lady Sanzha primly sits in the waters up to her chin. "What you want may well be possible, we've struggled to find someone with the will to maintain all four elements in harmony. It takes tremendous will to balance them and bring harmony to the competing forces.
[22:13] <Kotono> Secondly, taking all four elements into you requires much of your power. You'll have to dedicate yourself to that instead of advancing other talents. In many ways, for a time you will find yourself growing weaker and weaker as you strive to contain them."
[22:18] <Afina> "I'd already become weaker in many ways for becoming Fire," Afina admits through gritted teeth as she forces down the urge to fly far away. If she could stay off of Alicia's bust, she can stay in these icy waters! "But through the lessons it teaches, I may yet become stronger."

[Corwin]

[21:13] <Kotono> "Are you certain of this path? I'll only ask once more," Lady  Sanzha says, "In these freezing waters, the complete antipode of what you are, can you say you are willing ot bear that?"
[21:16] <Afina> "Yes," Afina asserts, no hesitation despite her pained discomfort. "If it's possible for something like me to accept this, I will do it."
[21:20] <Kotono> Rising out of the waters, not even shivering, "Then we'll try. We'll start with Water. If you can maintain it in your body successfully, you may have the will to do this."
[21:22] <Afina> If she can handle water now then the rest should be do-able, so it makes sense to try the hardest first before it gets revealed as a wasted effort. Staying where she is in the miserably wet and cold water, she waits for Sanzha to explain exactly what's required.
[21:26] <Kotono> Sanzha stands in the water, as the pool is overlaid with a sparkling ice-pentagram! Images form in it, circles within stars, forming four of them. Within, icy images of fire, air, water and earth can be seen! The ice passes around Afina and Sanzha, complex arcane runes slightly above them. "What you need to do is submerge yourself and breathe in water. Fear not drowning - if you fear
[21:26] <Kotono> drowning and draw back even slightly, you will fail. You have to embrace water with all your heart and soul."
[21:30] <Afina> Trying to draw up happy thoughts about water isn't actually hard, if she recalls her fey existence anyway. Finding the Waters of Life with Jaela and Canderella, shaping water to her will and moving through it as if born there. Her experience with fey unison, becoming one with the deep fjords of Ysgard. And Jelestre, the friendly nixie back on Lifasa who would grant her water breathing
[21:30] <Afina> to enjoy her aquatic home from time to time. With all that backing her up and pushing against her physical ails around water, she nods and slowly sinks herself until she's submerged, opening her mouth and breathing as naturally as though she had a water breathing spell on her.

[21:32] <Kotono> roll 2d10 damage, more
[21:32] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d10 damage, more and gets 3." [2d10=1, 2]
[21:34] <Kotono> Pain. Afina's reward is pain into every pore of her body. The water soaks into her, paining the eternal fire that burns within her! Despite that she embraces it, refusing to relent! Afina gathers her will over as her lungs fill with icy water, awareness taking a sharp, dim stab down! Despite being underwater, Sanzha's words are not muffled. Yet Afina cannot understand them - flowing,
[21:34] <Kotono> watery words that mean nothing to her. Even as she is pained, she swears the water is pouring into her faster!
[21:36] <Afina> Fast or slow, water is water. Though her awareness is subdued, her will remains constant, forcing herself to endure and accept this foreign element within herself and achieve a measure of balance.
[21:37] <Kotono> roll 2d10 damage, more.
[21:37] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d10 damage, more. and gets 10." [2d10=7, 3]
[21:38] <Kotono> The pain flares yet worse as the water begins to glow bright! Rays of light refract in it, dancing in the icy circles and pentagram on the surface of the water! In heavy words of Common now, "First stage...begin!" Sanzha calls! OOC: Will save.
[21:39] <Afina> roll 1d20+27
[21:39] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+27 and gets 44." [1d20=17]
[21:40] <Kotono> The pouring water soaks into Afina's body! The pain grows even more, as she struggles to contain it! But she does, as she begins to feel the water soaking into her, right into her flesh now!
[21:42] <Afina> Though it conflicts painfully with her current nature, Afina embraces it willingly, slightly hoping it won't hurt so much once an equilibrium has been reached but willing to submit to it either way.
[21:42] <Kotono> roll 2d10 damage and more.
[21:42] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d10 damage and more. and gets 13." [2d10=9, 4]
[21:43] <Kotono> Agony. It hurts every cell of her body, every thought in her mind. But it continues to pour in! Then, "Second stage...begin!" Sanzha is heard, "Hold strong, Afina!" OOC: Will again.
[21:43] <Afina> roll 1d20+27
[21:43] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+27 and gets 46." [1d20=19]
[21:45] <Kotono> Again Afina holds her will, as abruptly she can begin to breathe! It hurts even more somehow, but she' snot drowning now! "Halfway!" Lady Sanzha is heard in common, so far away, before the watery chanting continues, "Focus with everything you have! Two more stages!"
[21:48] <Afina> Oh, this is so hard! She wants to cast greater heroism to help her endure, but isn't sure if casting would disrubt the ritual. Or worse, destabilise the eventual balance so that it can only be reached with the aid of that spell. Thus she says nothing, floating in a ball underwater, raggedly breathing. To her old frame of reference it's like breathing in a desert after a vicious and
[21:48] <Afina> prolonged battle, for all the contrast that has with this situation.
[21:49] <Kotono> OOC: Will save again.
[21:50] <Afina> roll 1d20+27
[21:50] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+27 and gets 28." [1d20=1]
[21:50] <Kotono> roll 4d10 damage and more
[21:50] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 4d10 damage and more and gets 14." [4d10=3, 4, 5, 2]
[21:51] <Kotono> ARGH! AFina's focus slips, the water making her scream and bubbling heat beginning to form around her like a nurturing coccoon! "Afina!" Lady Sanzha's voice is sharp, "You're losing control! Focus again! Draw it back inside!"
[21:53] <Afina> With an effort of will, she holds her breath to avoid inhaling any of the warm water, focusing her will on drawing that heat back into her body so the freezing water can return and play its role in the ritual properly. Only when she feels it cold on her skin again does she open her mouth, sucking in pained lungfuls of freezing water!
[21:54] <Kotono> OOC: Will, +2.
[21:54] <Afina> roll 1d20+29
[21:54] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+29 and gets 32." [1d20=3]
[21:58] <Kotono> Despite Afina's best efforts, fire explodes out around her! From her very innermost soul pure fire erupts out! In an instant a blaze evaporates all the cold water and the icy symbols, the water not even able to boil before it explodes into steam! Merciful relief floods Afina as the foul, cold water is pushed from her body, warmth enveloping her like a healing hand. She lies in the now
[21:58] <Kotono> empty pool, panting as a corona of fire burns around her, like a second skin. Lady Sanzha lies crumpled against the far wall, getting to her knees and up, flowing like water and barely keeping her body solid. "Breathe, Afina." She approaches, "Breathe. It's over." Stepping into the now empty, balmy-warm pool, she picks up the pyrofey in her arms. Despite the flames she does not burn,
[21:58] <Kotono> and in fact healing energies flow into Afina. OOC: HP restored.

[22:01] * Afina can barely look at Sanzha even as her drained state is alleviated hy that heal. "I'm too weak as I am," she concludes morosely, seeing the path closed until she toughens herself up further to cold and wet.
[22:02] <Kotono> "You are," She doesn't argue it at all."If it is any consolation, you're only the fifth to ever broach the third stage. Your will is strong, but not strong enough. Not yet."
[22:05] <Afina> "No, not yet," Afina agrees. "I'll return in the future to try again, if you'll have me. For now can I help fix the mess I made?" she asks, extricating herself from Sanzha's grasp.
[22:06] <Kotono> With an absent gesture ice returns. The pool refills in an instant, everything restored to bitter, painful cold. "The end result of failures are explosive. We've taken steps to do that without effort."
[22:07] <Afina> "Ah," Afina nods, a slight shiver evidenced as cold returns. "Still, I thank you deeply for allowing me this far. If there's ever anything I can do for you, please ask."
[22:08] <Kotono> "Are you certain, fey?" Lady Sanzha asks quietly, "Will you give your word to me? I know the power of agreements with your kind."
[22:11] <Afina> "I'm not sure if I'm a fey any longer," Afina admits, "But my nature in such matters runs deeper even than the Cycle. Yes, what you've done today and what you offer in the future can only merit such a response in kind."
[22:13] <Kotono> "I will call for that favor one day," Lady Sanzha says, "But that day is not today." She heads out, leading Afina back. Simmer and Kascha await, the latter giving Afina a look, "How'd it go?"
[22:14] <Afina> "I failed," Afina shakes her head. "I need to better steel my body towards such rigours before I can think about trying again."
[22:17] <Kotono> "How far did you get?" Kascha asks, as Simmer smiles supportively. "We'll go find something hot to cheer you up before we leave," she says.
[22:19] <Afina> "The third stage," Afina replies, guessing Kascha is familiar with the terminology. "My will broke, and that was that." Unwillingly she does smile at Simmer's offer, even if she ought to be subjecting herself to cold and wet situations instead.
[22:22] <Kotono> "That's not so bad," Kascha says with good cheer.
[22:22] <Kotono> Simmer smiles back, "C'mon. My treat, Afina. We'll do that then go home."
[22:23] <Afina> "Could be better, though." Turning to the marid, she offers a brief midair bow. "Until next time, Lady Sanzha," she offers before fluttering over between Simmer and Kascha.
[22:25] <Kotono> From there you go on. Kascha begs off to visit a few friends, but the two of you get directions. You head to a huge metal building, glowing molten red. Within is a single fire elemental, standing at attention before a door. "The heat baths within are open to any who can withstand them. Resistance to heat is not enough, nor will typical sorcery protect you. If you are able to withstand
[22:25] <Kotono> this, head within." Simmer nods to him and murmurs thanks, going to the door.
[22:26] <Afina> This at least is easy. Shrugging, Afina flutters after Simmer.
[22:27] <Kotono> Within are simple clothesracks and lockets. Simmer strips down without fanfare, heading into the next room.
[22:27] <Afina> Following Simmer's example, even doffing her hat, Afina follows the pyrodryad.
[22:30] <Kotono> Within ia a large, sprawling rooooooooh! Hot! The heat within slams into you like waves of massaging glory. Each moment in here is like beautiful heat going through you in waves, enough to make Simmer spread her arms wide, "Oh Kossuth yesssssss!" she cries! Meanwhile a voice is heard, a sizzling female voice speaking in Ignan, "The temperature of the room may be raised by the phrase Make
[22:30] <Kotono> it Hotter, Cauldron. It may be raised once every thirty seconds." About the room are several rock benches and chairs, Simmer going to a bench and lying stomach down on it.
[22:33] <Afina> The heat right now is just fine, and though she feels guilty after failing at the cold just now, Afina finds herself enjoying it a great deal. Going after Simmer, she sits on the bench ahead of her, leaning back and closing her eyes to merely bask in the heat. "You serve Kossuth?" she asks Simmer in idle curiosity, not moving.
[22:36] <Kotono> "No. I had a lover in Fire who did. He said it when...you know." Glazing over it, "I started using it when he gave me massages, and it stuck." Lazily replying as she rests, "I can't imagine doing what you did. Kascha told me about it while you were in there? Ice water? Never."
[22:38] <Afina> "I've always liked water," Afina admits. "The way I am now, it's a weakness. Weaknesses should be overcome or excised. And if I can do the same with all the other three elements, I think I'd learn a lot even if it did weaken me at first."
[22:39] <Kotono> "I don't know." Simmer's quiet after that, replying only after basking in the heat. "I don't think Fire is a weakness, or not much of one compared to what it gives."
[22:42] <Afina> "It's better to be happy, so your approach is right," Afina concedes, tilting her head to look at the dryad now, "And I'll emulate you if this fails again. But while it's still new and I have a chance to broaden myself. I'll take it."
[22:44] <Kotono> Smiling at that, "See, you have the right idea. Once I accepted what I lost and what I became, I was much happier. I think all of this means well, but it's against the natural order. It is breaking a cycle of nature. Fire and Water are apart. Combining them is wrong." Admitting as much, "At least that's what I think."
[22:47] <Afina> "I don't have a good argument for that," Afina admits, "This is just something I want to try, if I can. Ever since Baleruk mentioned the possibility, it's just been tugging at me."
[22:50] <Kotono> Simmer smiles and basks, "Besides, there's a spell. An extremely advanced spell beyond the ninth circle. It can stop cold completely. I'm going to learn it and excise that weakness from myself that way."
[22:53] <Afina> "Sounds like you've got a plan," Afina grins at Simmer now, repositioning to lay on her back, feet away from the dryad. "I'll give mine another chance, though, once I've had more practice enduring cold in this body."
[22:54] <Kotono> "Don't try too hard. I'll just share that spell with yo uonce I learn it," Simmer encourages, "Cauldron, make it hotter!" Oh, the heat basks both of you, rolling in like undulating waves of fiery bliss!