042.5 "The battles will not end once the last devil is routed from Lifasa."

[Corwin]

[19:58] <Jaela> The baby will remain in Priest's care for a short while longer, Jaela decides. Bringing it to Arvandor is probably not the best of ideas, not when she's going to try and secure more aid for the Aurora. But she does decide to stop by Elrisa's tower, first.
[19:59] <Kotono> As you pass through the front entrance, the entire tower quakes! A massive peal of thunder rattles the very foundation stones of the tower, slamming the ceiling above you and making it shake like a loose tooth!
[20:01] * Jaela rushes over!
[20:07] <Kotono> Rushing upstairs, you find the Graceful Blow at practice - sort of. All the girls are plastered against the walls, wild eyed! In the actual training area are two - Mirima and Canderella. The latter crackles with electricity, a rapier thrust out! Ahead is a huge blackened crater in the floor, and just past it Mirima stands. Her arms are crossed, looking down at the crater. As you come in,
[20:07] <Kotono> "...be, but it's counter-style." Mirima says, voice unruffled.
[20:10] <Jaela> "Still scaring up the troops out in the courtyard?" Jaela comments, raising an eyebrow. "Keep up the good work."
[20:14] <Kotono> "No," Mirima speaks up, "I requested her to try this." Looking over to Jaela, as the electricity around Canderella fades, "Mixing in electric fury is an interesting idea, but it doesn't fit the rest of th estyle."
[20:16] * Jaela nods. "I get the need to test out new things when you're ironing out your style. Busy after this?"
[20:20] <Kotono> Mirima waves a hadn to Canderella, replying, "No. This is today's practice."
[20:21] <Jaela> "I want to ask for an audience with the Triune. And if denied, then it would mean a nice trip through Arvandor. Unlike Elysium, it wouldn't try to trap you into staying. Interested?"
[20:29] <Kotono> "Arvandor..." Mirima's eyes widen as she nods, "Yes! I've been listening to the firre speak stories and sing of it."
[20:31] <Jaela> "I've been thinking about going now." Jaela shrugs. "I'll wait by the gate if you want to change first?"
[20:34] <Kotono> "Give me ten minutes," Mirima says, dashing off! Soon enough Mirima is with you at the gate, cleaned up and freshened.
[20:35] <Jaela> "You look nice," Jaela comments, smiling.
[20:40] <Kotono> Brushing her hair back, a single red rose tucked behind one ear, "Thank you. As are you."
[20:41] <Jaela> "Back at you." Jaela offers Mirima her hand, and then prays to the Triune to allow the two of them an audience with her. Then, she attempts to shift to that sanctum she was one let into, hoping for the best.
[20:53] <Kotono> The two of you appear before a simple altar of holly and woven ivy. Around you is forest, thick and untamed. Yet, after a moment - it descends down. A six winged angel clad in armor of wood and leaves, ashine with glorious light. A sense of serenity comes over Jaela as the angel's feet hover a foot off the ground, taller than both Mirima and Jaela put together. "My name is Nature's Shine.
[20:53] <Kotono> I welcome you to the realms beyond death, beyond suffering."
[20:55] <Jaela> "Jaela of the Aurora," she responds. "And Mirima," Jaela adds, gesturing at the elf, "likewise. We came to ask the Triune for aid. May we be heard?"
[20:56] <Kotono> Mirima's eyes widen, yet a peaceful smile comes to her face as she manages to nod as Jaela introduces her. Nature's Shine offers his hand out, "You may be heard."
[21:02] <Jaela> Jaela takes his hand in hers, shaking it. "For a long time, Lady Angharradh indulged me and believed in me, when no one else would. In light of that, I felt unworthy to ask for anything else." She tries not to dwell on the change, pausing for only the briefest of moments. "However, I don't believe I can move forward this way. And we are still too few to make a difference, and there have been many mistakes. It is because of these things that we are here. As one of the Aurora's leaders, I would like to request forces for our Crusade to free Lifasa and thwart the Hells. And as the one responsible for that mistake, I wish to make a plea to the Triune to remove the curse placed upon Kascha, also of the Aurora, by Bahamut. Should a price be paid for that, it can come from me and not someone truly innocent like she."
[21:08] <Kotono> His grip is strong, yet with a gentleness that rival's a baby's innocent grasp. "A worthy goal. I have been instructed to follow your exploits and prepare for this day."
[21:12] <Jaela> "From your words, Nature's Shine, may I assume that the first part of my request, at least, will be granted?"
[21:15] <Kotono> "It will," Nature's Shine replies, "But understand this - you will represent the Triune Goddess in the eyes of those you lead to Aurora. Both in battle and in the recovery after Hell is defeated. The battles will not end once the last devil is routed from Lifasa."
[21:16] <Jaela> "I never expected they would," Jaela agrees, nodding at his words. "If this is what the Triune wishes of me, I will do my best."
[21:22] <Kotono> "Yes. Once Lifasa is saved, the only force there will be Aurora. From it will come kings, emperors and rulers." So he speaks, gesturing towards Jaela, one finger pointed at her. "You will be the natural ones to lead. The old lines are dead, ancient nations now ashred in the wind. Rulership is a heavy burden."
[21:23] * Jaela almost makes a face at that. Still, if that is her goddess wishes of her, she'll just have to make the most of it and do a good job. "Once it is time," she promises, "I will study the proper ways to rule."
[21:26] <Kotono> "It is good," Nature's Shine agrees, a solemn smile at that, "Now, you speak of Kascha?"
[21:30] <Jaela> "Yes. If you have been watching, then the matter must be known to you. All the same, it concerns the leaders of the Aurora at the time -- myself included, of course -- allying ourselves with a dragon called Baleruk. He seeked to become a being like Tiamat, except without her vileness. When Bahamut demanded we betray Baleruk, we refused, and in the end Baleruk achieved his goal. Bahamut appeared in person to curse those on the scene." She gestures at her forehead. "You can see it, surely. But Kascha was only there because she loves dragons and wanted to meet with Baleruk. She had no knowledge of what took place between us and Bahamut, and naturally was no part of the entire thing. Yet, despite all that and despite her love for dragonkind, Bahamut cursed her much like the rest of us. This is a travesty, and one I seek righted."
[21:37] <Kotono> "The Triune Goddess is willing to attempt so. Bring Kascha here - but the power of Bahamut is not easily overcome, and nothing is certain."
[21:38] * Jaela looks about herself to study the location, and then bows. "You have my gratitude, as does the Triune. We will return shortly." Focusing on just outside the Aurora, she shifts herself and Mirima back; finding Kascha will be easy enough with Elena's help.
[21:45] <Kotono> Mirima is silent as you go to find Kascha, eyes wide but seemingly introspective. You find Kascha talking to Gisfal - the two are sitting in the cafeteria, a table to themselves. Kascha is blushing, Gisfal speaking in low tones as the two of you approach.
[21:48] <Jaela> "May I steal Kascha for a few minutes?" Jaela asks. She briefly considered just waiting, but in the end the potential reprecussions for that feel worse than any fallout from disrupting those two now.
[21:56] <Kotono> Gisfal smirks and sits back, "I suppose," he finally says, "Kascha, do you mind if they borrow you?"
[21:57] <Kotono> Red all the way down to the top of her dress, "Um well...ah..." Kascha fumbles, "Well...what is it?" she finally manages, "I'm sort of busy!"
[21:59] <Jaela> "I appealed before the Triune to try and remove your curse," Jaela responds, opting for honesty after a moment's consideration. "Your presence is requested at Arvandor for the attempt. Would you like to come? It will only take a few minutes, however it goes."
[22:02] <Kotono> "Oh!" Nodding quickly, with a momentarily pained glance at Gisfal, "Um..."
[22:02] <Kotono> "Go," Gisfal shakes his head, rising. "I'll find you later, lovely."
[22:03] * Jaela conceals a snort. Of all the trips off plane, this will surely be the quickest and safest. She nods slightly, and turns to head at a measured pace towards the gates, giving Kascha time to say any goodbyes if she wishes.
[22:05] <Kotono> Thus the three of you return! Nature's Shine awaits, "Kascha," he intones, "Take my hands. Through this humble vessel shall the Triune attempt to restore you."
[22:06] * Jaela observes, after nudging Kascha forward slightly with her elbow.
[22:09] <Kotono> Kascha steps forward, "Thank you," she bows deeply, offering her hands out.
[22:10] <Kotono> With that, Kascha's hands are taken! (More)
[22:10] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6
[22:10] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 and gets 15." [1d20=9]
[22:10] <Kotono> roll 1d20+25
[22:10] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 and gets 37." [1d20=12]
[22:11] <Kotono> Around Kascha, three rings of light interweave throughout her body! Her back goes rigid as she cries out, her head flaring with light! A deafening dragon's call shatters the serenity of the clearing, as a great dragon of light erupts out of Kascha's forehead, exploding out into radiance!
[22:13] * Jaela stares warily, but she knows better than to interrupt. Nevertheless, her hand glows with a channeled healing spell, ready to be used at a moment's notice!
[22:26] <Kotono> The radiance is enough to blind Jaela for several moments, he reyes clearing. Kascha has fallen into the arms of Nature's Shine, who kneels to hold her up. "It is done," he announces, in a voice as grand as that dragon's cry, "The curse on Kascha is broken."
[22:27] <Jaela> That Heal is channeled in Kascha at the angel's words, and Jaela is there to support her an instant later. "You and Lady Angharradh have my gratitude, once more. Mere words will not be enough, but thank you."
[22:31] <Kotono> Kascha doesn't even stir at the Heal. "Her body and spirit are exhausted from the curse shattering," Nature's Shine replies, "She will need several hours of slumber to recover.\"
[22:33] <Jaela> "I guess I was wrong about a few minutes," Jaela muses, picking Kascha up into her arms. She grins. "I'm glad I told her the truth instead of keeping this a surprise, now." Looking up at Nature's Shine, Jaela asks, "I almost forgot to inquire about you. Are you to join us at the Aurora, Nature's Shine? Or will you merely lead the Triune's forces to it?"
[22:34] <Kotono> "I will lead them to it," He replies, "As well as selecting a general to lead them. For this general, what qualities do you desire?"
[22:39] <Jaela> "I trust you to pick a worthy leader," Jaela responds, not needing to dwell on this at all. "So beyond the obvious, I will say that I value truthfulness, even if that truth is not popular. I need them to value camaraderie, for Lifasa and Medicant both fell to trechery. And I need them to be able and willing to reach out and try to rescue someone who needs it, even if that person doesn't deserve it."
[22:40] <Kotono> "It will be done," Nature's Shine says, "Soon, they will come." Then, in an instant, the three of you are back before Aurora's gates.
[22:42] * Jaela glances at Mirima. "I thought we might have time for a nice stroll through the heavens after our audience, but I suppose with Kascha like this...." She trails off thoughtfully. "Actually, how about we let Gisfal nurse her back to health? They would both enjoy it, and I can take you to a spot in Arvandor that I like."