046.2 Afina and the Court of the Fey

[Corwin]

[19:48] <Kotono> Rest. It's a chance to recover and restock, for reading and other things. A quiet message from Elena gets both Muirfinn and Afina to come, as well as Balyss and Hanna. Awaiting you is Elder Magi Tepen, in the library. "Thank you for coming," Tepen announces.
[19:49] <Muirfinn> "Ah, Tepen. How are you feeling? Everything well?" Muirfinn asks.
[19:49] <Afina> "It's no trouble," Afina shakes her head, taking in the others present. "What do you need?"
[19:53] <Kotono> Balyss murmurs something quietly, while Hanna crosses her arms beneath her chest, "Three healers," she observes, "You aren't having problems, are you?"
[19:55] <Kotono> "I'm fine," Tepen holds his hands up, "Magi Ellese, now...Afina, you helped rescue her. She is not unknown to me," Lowering his voice and sighing, "We met a few times over professional matters. She was a vibrant, intelligent young woman possessed of strong gifts of sorcery. Now..." Tepen merely shakes his head. "I seek advice on how to help her."
[19:56] <Afina> "Oh," Afina blinks. "I'd actually hoped the opposite - the similarity in your titles didn't escape me, so I thought you might be able to help her," she admits.
[19:56] <Muirfinn> "I'd heard mention of a young elven woman who had been seen around, but I'm afraid I don't know much about her situation. Could you elaborate? I hope I can help."
[19:59] <Kotono> "I hadn't heard," Balyss admits, while Hanna shakes her head, "I had. I'd visited her briefly." Her color turns pale, "She was broken and abused in mind, body and spirit. Her devil captor sought to turn into an obedient dog - and that is to be taken literally, I'm afraid."
[20:00] <Kotono> Tepen closes his eyes and exhales through his nose, "Yes, that's right. Suffice to say she has endured every indignity and misery this devil could concoct, and some that is it best we do not consider."
[20:01] <Afina> "She barked when we met her, but was still able to call for help to get our attention. Healing made her coherent, but that's about all it did," Afina supplies. "As sickening as it is to think about, it's something best remembered should we ever be in a position where capture is likely," she adds for Balyss and Hanna's benefit.
[20:03] <Kotono> "Selune..." Balyss gently sighs, "That's not easy to repair. Recovering from that can be a task of a lifetime - and often far more than it." At this Balyss smiles grimly, "Suicide is unacceptable in Selune's church, but I was offered a special dispensation if capture is inevitable."
[20:04] <Kotono> Hanna picks up from there, "Worry about that if you are to be taken hostige," she speaks up, "More importantly, I can tell you this much. Helping Magi Ellese will be a long, hard and bitter road. One that is worth walking, but know well the difficulties."
[20:04] * Muirfinn closes his eyes and shakes his head. "Must these devils corrupt everything they come across? I do not understand them." he sighs. "Very well. This will likely take some time, then. We must teach her what it means to be who she is, all over again. Was she badly injured when she was found? Visible scarring or deformities?"
[20:05] <Afina> "Physically she *looked* in perfect health," Afina tells Muirfinn. "Below the surface is another story. She's been tainted from her blood to her bones, in some ways she could be considered half fiendish by now. They used her to..." she winces, really not wanting to talk about it even with her famous lack of reserve, "Incubate, lemures."
[20:06] <Muirfinn> "...incubate?" Muirfinn looks both incredulous and disgusted, eyes wide and mouth agape.
[20:07] <Afina> "Its exactly as it sounds."
[20:09] <Kotono> "...yes." Tepen's voice cracks quietly, "Itis a monstrous violation."
[20:09] * Muirfinn shakes his head as if to banish mental images. "This...this will not be simple. So foul."
[20:10] <Kotono> "Oh Selune!" Balyss visibly winces, "That is...that is..." she fumbles with it, color going from white to green with a startling rapidity. She puts a hand to her mouth a moment later, stumbling away and being violently ill. Meanwhile Hanna watches on, eyes narrowing at all of that. "Extreme measures and patience will be required, of that I have absolutely no doubt."
[20:15] <Muirfinn> "Even so, she will still have to live with the memory of it all." Muirfinn says grimly. "Perhaps...please do not be offended as I suggest this. Consider the mercy it would be for her. Perhaps a properly worded wish would allow her to repress or forget the more vivid memories of her captivity."
[20:18] <Afina> "It would be up to her, but it's worth suggesting," Afina accepts that. "Otherwise there's no easy fix, and we can only offer her our friendship and protection as she deals with her horrors in a safe and caring place... her physical condition's another story, of course."
[20:19] <Kotono> Here Tepen looks away, before sighing and shaking his head. "That is not an option," he says, "I was about to speak of her abilities, but I suppose this leads into it."
[20:24] <Kotono> "After regaining my soul," Elder Magi Tepen continues, "It shames me to admit that I tried exactly that - without even asking her. Better to forget and live again than to be crippled under that. It worked for about ten minutes," He glances then, "We spoke - at first lighthearted, and I thought it worked. Then she smiled and thanked me for trying. Inquisition lead her to explain how she
[20:24] <Kotono> managed to keep some fragment of herself during the torment. A mental defense, squaring part of herself away in memories and happy places, a place that would not and could not forget. She developed it during her torture to try and keep herself and now...?" Tepen helplessly shrugs.
[20:25] <Afina> "I wasn't counting on an easy solution anyway," Afina shrugs.
[20:26] <Muirfinn> "Now it keeps us from quickly helping her. A blessing and a curse." Muirfinn says. "It kept her sane enough to get to us as well as she is, no doubt. We will have to do it the hard way then."
[20:28] <Kotono> "Afina!" Elena appears before you, "Oh sorry to interrupt, but this is important!"
[20:30] <Afina> "Yes, Elena?" Afina turns quickly to the little blue girl in question.
[20:32] <Kotono> "Queen Ilsenine and Crystal have returned," Elena dutifully reports, "They're bringing over friends, too."
[20:33] <Afina> Well, whether the fey spurn her or not, she is still a leader of Aurora so they'll just have to deal with her. "Will you four excuse me? There's not much more I can add to this discussion anyway, I'm sorry."
[20:34] * Muirfinn nods at Afina. "Best of luck, Afina."
[20:35] <Kotono> "Thank you," Tepen nods, "Go. I invited you since you had familiarity for her."
[20:37] <Afina> "I'll check in later," Afina says as she takes flight, fluttering to a portal to go and see how well her Queen's diplomacy paid off.

[Corwin]

[20:44] <Kotono> The courtyard is bustling, but Afina passes that right by. Just inside of Aurora's gates are two - Crystal and Queen Ilsenine, the latter flying just behind and to the side of Queen Ilsenine. Her Majesty silently watches Afina as she comes forth, regally awaiting.
[20:47] <Afina> Stopping before the other two fairies, Afina kneels as is proper. "Welcome back, your Majesty. Was your mission successful?"
[20:50] <Kotono> "I have secured aid," Queen Ilsenine states with regal composure. "You have changed."
[20:52] <Afina> "My duty and resolve remain the same. That is all that matters," Afina replies tightly, wishing this could be left to a private arena. Then again it could be a show for the other fey she's rallied to her cause, assuming they're around to see.
[20:56] <Kotono> You can see fey outside, but Queen Ilsenine draws your attention to her. She approaches, alighting on the ground before Afina. She leans in, kissing her forehead once. A chaste and passing kiss, "You are my trusted general," her voice is loud, carrying well. "That has not changed." In a lower voice, down to a whisper, "We have all had to change with the fall of Lifasa." Queen Ilsenine
[20:56] <Kotono> states, "Fear not, my savior."
[20:59] <Afina> Her controlled expression slips into an unrestrained smile - of course Ilsenine always knew how to wrap her around her fingers and ensure such loyalty, but even recognising it doesn't diminish the allure. "Thank you, my Queen," she returns, rising up only after Ilsenine does. "Our new allies are welcome within Aurora, the gate stands open."
[21:22] <Kotono> Before you they enter! Rows of satyrs, clad in horn, armor and arrow. Pixies, flying true with arrows and spears at the ready. Nymphs, eldritch power crackling around them like a second skin. Row after row of things and stranger things yet, fey clad in bright and wild colors. A small army marches through the gates of Aurora, loud, boisterous and cheerful.
[21:24] * Afina can't but smile at the sight. The faces may not be familiar, but seeing so many fey instead of a small band of dispossessed pixies and a burnt out dryad, it reminds her of home. "I was worried that you were gone so long. But it looks to be worth it."
[21:27] <Kotono> "It took longer than I desired," Queen Ilsenine says, and for some reason Crystal smiles faintly there. "But it is done. Come tomorrow we shall hold a grand court to introduce everyone. You will be there, General Afina. Bring the burned dryad as well."
[21:30] <Afina> "Her name is Simmer," Afina supplies. "Though by tomorrow I may look different again."
[21:32] <Kotono> "Go then," Queen Ilsenine commands, "Make it so."
[21:32] <Afina> She'd expected to be asked for an explanation, but no matter. "I'll speak to you later, Crystal," she adds for her friend before she goes to seek out Kascha.
[21:42] <Kotono> Kascha is found in the farms. She sits there and stares off, a long suffering sigh escaping as Afina approaches.
[21:44] <Afina> "Problems on your mind?" Afina asks as she flutters over and sits next to the blonde angel.
[21:46] <Kotono> This draws a long, miserable sniffle from Kascha, "Uh huh. I wish I knew why I was so plain, so ugly."
[21:48] * Afina blinks and looks up at Kascha in surprise. "By any standard I can think of you're beautiful. Has someone been insulting you?" she frowns as she considers that. Kascha manages to inspire protective instincts, after all.
[21:51] <Kotono> Sniffling again, "Gisfal met one of the new commanders, Rosa. He's spending so much time with her, and she's so lovely. She has red hair like Jaela and beautiful posture, and she smells so good. He barely even glanced at me when I found the two of them talking. Didn't even notice me."
[21:54] <Afina> Oh, and she had seen him and Kascha getting awfully cosy lately! "He must not care for committment..." it's something she can understand well herself, so she can hardly criticise him for it. "Still, he should have explained the situation to you, that's not fair. But I'm sure it had nothing to do with your looks!"
[21:59] <Kotono> "Oh...then I just wasn't enough to interest him?" Kascha sniffles and falls into a wail, wiping her eyes with her hands, "I'm just another boring angel to him, while she's a vibrant wildflower in full bloom. H-he didn't even care to explain it, did he?"
[22:02] <Afina> "Th-there there," Afina flies up and awkwardly hugs Kascha's shoulder, her tiny arms unsuitable for getting around the angel. "You're not boring, Kascha. You're charming and sweet and cute, and I know I'm not the only one who thinks so."
[22:03] <Kotono> Tears some - sad, sniffling tears and little cries of sorrow. After a few moments of hugging and crying she wipes her eyes again with her hand, "Then how come he's ignoring me?" she asks, sounding piteous. "I was going to ask him to come visit the Cauldron w-with me and now...now he's all interested in Rosa!"
[22:05] <Afina> "He just wants novelty," Afina assures her. "The next pretty face we recruit, he'll move on from Rosa and work his charms elsewhere. It's not your fault, it's just the way some people are."
[22:11] <Kotono> Wiping her eyes, "I just want a relationship!" Kashca whimpers, hands shaking as she does so, "How come I keep finding all the free love eladrins instead?"
[22:12] <Afina> "I think that's what most of them are," Afina admits, "They're like fey... aren't you an eladrin, too, though?"
[22:15] <Kotono> "Uh huh," Kascha sniffles, "But not all of us are that way. "Q-queen Morwel is entirely faithful to her two consorts. The Children of Liberty are loyal to one mate when they do mate. Seira and Amaryl are devoted to each other...they aren't eladrin, but still! They're elves, or were."
[22:18] <Afina> "Two consorts, I think that's an answer right there," Afina notes with a teasing lilt in her voice. "Did you talk with Gisfal at all about previous relationships? If not consider it when you're interested in someone, it can clue you into what they're like."
[22:21] <Kotono> "I'm not interested in sharing!" Kascha blurs and turns cherry-red, "I'm not some libertine courre! Still." Taking a breath, shuffling a bit, "I never really asked."
[22:24] <Afina> "I actually meant in how it showed Queen Morwel does practice free love," Afina amends with a giggle. "Talking about previous lovers specifically is bad taste, but in general terms it can tell you a bit about them. Anyway, the most important thing to remember is that you're not plain or anything of the sort, Kascha. Don't get yourself down over this."
[22:28] <Kotono> "T-thanks," Kascha sighs and shakes her head. "It's just...I guess I'm still more mortal with love. Most eladrin...well...they don't really care about gender or strict monogamy.  I hoped Gisfal was better than that."
[22:31] <Afina> "You're cutting out half your options," Afina points out lightly, lifting herself up and sitting on Kascha's shoulder. "But if you think like a mortal, why don't you look for love with one, too?"
[22:34] <Kotono> At this Kascha sighs long, "Am I the only woman in this castle who wants a man and only a man? You would think men didn't exist!" Giving Afina a long suffering look, "I've thought about it, but...I don't want to watch someone I love grow old and fade away. The thought terrifies me."
[22:38] <Afina> "I suppose that would be unpleasant..." Afina mutters, quieting for a moment. "Well, there are plenty of men on Aurora, and we travel enough you could meet one away from it, too. All you can do is pull yourself together and keep trying till you find one that thinks like you and appreciates you like you deserve."
[22:40] <Kotono> "Yeah, you're right," Kascha clears her eyes, no more tears coming.  A weak smile comes onto her face, "Thanks."
[22:41] <Afina> "Any time," Afina pats her on the back of the head. "Now, if you're feeling up to it, do you want to go visit the Cauldron today?"
[22:45] <Kotono> "Oh? Are you ready to try again?" Kascha inquires.
[22:47] * Afina nods. "It's been long enough, I think I'm ready. This will be the last time, though."
[22:52] <Kotono> "Success or fail?" Kascha rises and dusts her dress off.
[22:53] <Afina> "Either way. If I succeed then I'll of course attempt the other elements. If I fail then I know it's not to be and I'll just follow Simmer's lead."
[22:54] <Kotono> "No matter what," Kascha weakly smiles, "You'll be fine."
[22:55] <Afina> "I will," Afina agrees, taking off from Kascha's shoulder and fluttering alongside her.
[23:32] <Kotono> From there you travel to the Cauldron and to Lady Sanzha. You meet her in the laboratory, "Afina, you're ready to try again?"
[23:34] <Afina> "I think I'm ready for another attempt," Afina nods with the gravity she feels the situation deserves.
[23:36] <Kotono> "Are you certain of this path?" Lady Sanzha asks, "If you are, come with me." Thus she heads back, to the room you've been into before - of frost and water, everything anathema to her.
[23:38] <Afina> She's been spending a lot of time in water since then, since confirming she could survive it. She only hopes its toughened her up enough to handle it when it becomes part of her. "I'm ready. The same as before?" she confirms, hovering over the edge of the water.
[23:39] <Kotono> "Yes." Thus the two pass in - again pentagrams and circles surround you in the painfully cold water, "When you are ready, submerge yourself. Remember, do not worry of drowning - for the slightest hesitation will lead to failure."
[23:41] <Afina> Rather than hurling herself in like last time, she sits down at the edge, dipping her feet in without care for her clothes, before sliding herself fully into the water and letting herself float spread out and face down, trying to maintain an aura of serene detachment from her environment.
[23:43] <Kotono> The water is cold - so painfully cold. Yet even as you float, "Remember, you must submerge yourself and breathe in water," she states, "It cannot begin until you do this - at your pace, of course."
[23:44] <Afina> Even as she inhales the water, Afina inverts herself and with a single kick submerges herself fully so that even her wings are beneath the frigid liquid, letting herself remain spread out no matter how much she wants to huddle her body inwards for whatever warmth it can eke out. That was her failing last time.
[23:46] <Kotono> roll 2d10 damage and more.
[23:46] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d10 damage and more. and gets 19." [2d10=9, 10]
[23:47] <Kotono> Absolute, undeniable agony lances through Afina. Every inch of her body freezes in complete anathema to herself, water pouring into her! The watery, impossible words of Lady Sanzha are heard above, flowing with the water!
[23:50] <Afina> It is pain, but pain can be endured. Though she twitches, Afina refuses to betray further reaction.
[23:50] <Kotono> roll 2d10 damage and more.
[23:50] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d10 damage and more. and gets 8." [2d10=4, 4]
[23:51] <Kotono> More pain, even as light pours in from above! The water becomes radiant as..."First stage, begin!" Lady Sanzha calls! OOC: Will.
[23:51] <Afina> roll 1d20+31
[23:51] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+31 and gets 37." [1d20=6]
[23:54] <Kotono> The misery of water pours into her flesh - she can feel it all over, the water relentlessly coming into her! It's a struggle with each breath, letting it while resisting the painful rejection of her body, trying to suppress it!
[23:54] <Afina> She can't afford to take it easy any longer, working harder now to centre herself and not lose control. This part was easy before, compared to what's ahead, she can endure it a second time!
[23:56] <Kotono> roll 2d10 and more
[23:56] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d10 and more and gets 15." [2d10=9, 6]
[23:56] <Kotono> The misery is like her entire body shriveling, yet Afina keeps at it! Through this Lady Sanzha is heard, "Second stage, begin!" she calls, "Don't lose your focus now!" OOC: Will.
[23:57] <Afina> roll 1d20+31
[23:57] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+31 and gets 47." [1d20=16]
[23:58] <Kotono> Watery, agonized breath! Again Afina breathes, hurting in a different, deeper way than drowning before. The chanting continues, as...OOC: Will once more.
[23:58] <Afina> roll 1d20+31
[23:58] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+31 and gets 43." [1d20=12]
[23:59] <Kotono> Barely - just barely Afina holds on! The agony is overwhelming, dazzling and dazing, stunning and sickening! Yet despite that she holds on, just barely, "Third stage, begin!" Lady Sanzha cries in common, "Afina, drink in the water, all you can! Don't stop for anything!"
[00:00] <Afina> She's already breathing it, so this is going to be tricky... then again, it doesn't matter which pipe it goes down, either way is good! Opening her mouth wide, the pyropixie doubles forward in the freezing water, gulping down great mouthfuls one after another, her brain freezing as she bloats her stomach!
[00:00] <Kotono> roll 6d10 damage and make will, Afina.
[00:01] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 6d10 damage and make will, Afina. and gets 31." [6d10=2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 4]
[00:01] <Afina> roll 1d20+31
[00:01] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+31 and gets 42." [1d20=11]
[00:02] <Kotono> ARGH! Agony! Afina feels her fire flicker and burst around her, starting to warm her and ward away fire! "Afina, listen to me!" Lady Sanzha calls, "Focus!" Her voice is smooth and strong, "Focus! You're almost to the fourth stage! Don't lose control now!"
[00:03] <Afina> Not again, this is where she failed before! Afina struggles to bring her heat inwards even as she keeps gulping down water like a dying fairy in the desert!
[00:03] <Kotono> OOC: Will.
[00:04] <Afina> roll 1d20+50 moment of prescience
[00:04] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+50 moment of prescience and gets 52." [1d20=2]
[00:04] <Kotono> roll 6d10 and more
[00:04] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 6d10 and more and gets 49." [6d10=7, 7, 7, 8, 10, 10]
[00:05] <Kotono> It is enough - just enough, Afina on the ragged edge of her energy - but she draws the fire back into her! The water soaks into every aspect of her body and into her very spirit, as she feels a whirlwind of water surround her! Lady Sanzha's chanting - she can understand it now! "Oh Water, source of all life, begin!" Then in Common, "Fourth stage...begin! Afina! This is it! Accept Water
[00:05] <Kotono> into yourself completely! Draw in every breathe - you succeed or fail in this moment!"
[00:08] <Afina> She's come too far to back down now! Switching back to breathing rather than drinking, she breathes long and deep breathes as quickly as she can without hyperventilating to ensure it saturates her lungs utterly. Here her future will be decided!
[00:08] <Kotono> OOC: Will. Gooooooood luck!
[00:08] <Afina> roll 1d20+31
[00:08] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+31 and gets 40." [1d20=9]
[00:12] <Kotono> Water. Water pours into you! Endless Water - and closer and closer and closer and clAAAAARGH! A scream erupts from Afina's very soul, the water around her exploding as her concentration fails completely! The walls explode out as spirals of lava fly towards her, soothing away the pain, embracing her and vanishing the water! Shaking. Everything is shaking in the lava all around her, as if
[00:12] <Kotono> the Cauldron is caught in a deep earthquake! Her wounds heal in an instant, banishing the damages of water from her. Afina feels herself rising amid the spiral, great wings of burning rock supporting her! Then...it stops. Around you is broken walls and pools of lava. Lady Sanzha lies agaonst the back wall, slowly rising and coughing. Afina feels herself fall to the ground, utterly spent
[00:12] <Kotono> and yet somehow rejuvenated to the core, as heat radiates around her. "Peace. Cease." Lady Sanzha holds up a hand, "It is over, Afina."
[00:15] <Afina> Such rejuvenation feels hollow, and Afina feels no pleasure at the ascension of her element, for she accepts now that it is her element, and no force as paltry as her own will will ever change that. "Again it comes to this. I am sorry," she hangs her head as she lands at the edge of the pool, or what's left of it.
[00:15] <Kotono> "Sorry?" Lady Sanzha gracefully comes over to Afina, "You reached the prepice of success. None other has ever reached that point. Your will is that of iron."
[00:17] <Afina> "It is a precipice I fear I will never cross, though. And I know I caused you pain throwing you across the room just now, which is what I apologise for."
[00:18] <Kotono> "You may yet if you further bolster your will," Lady Sanzha replies, and she begins to speak in the same smooth, watery words as she chanted in. "Do you understand this now?"
[00:21] <Afina> "I do," she confirms, sighing. "I will come back and try one more time if you wish it, Lady Sanzha. But no more than three times will I follow what seems a doomed quest."
[00:22] <Kotono> "It is your choice," Lady Sanzha agrees, "For if your will to try vanishes, there is no hope of success. This is High Maridi, the royal speech of the marid. Another who came almost as close as you retained the ability to understand it. For whatever reason, this knowledge remains."
[00:25] <Afina> It's not likely to see much use, but who knows? "I made it one step further than last time. Perhaps with more time I might yet make one more..." she allows the possibility. It's tantalisingly close, and considering that the Blade of Endings may portend, she could well need such power beyond what one element provides, a power that only dragon gods have thus far claimed. "I will return,
[00:25] <Afina> in time, then."

[Corwin]

[19:47] <Kotono> As Kascha and Afina walk back out, through the blissfully warm caves of the Cauldron, "How're you feeling now?" Kascha breaks the silence.
[19:49] <Afina> "Disappointed," Afina admits, "When I reject the water and the cold, it's always such a powerful expression of fire, far moreso than even my spells. But it only reminds me that my will has faltered. I was on the very precipice this time, too, so I've decided to have one more try."
[19:54] <Kotono> "I think you'll do it," Kascha smiles, "You're so close already that with more practice you should be able to surpass the final stage."
[19:57] <Afina> "I hope so," Afina smiles back gratefully for the encouragement. "I have a feeling I'm going to need the strength that comes with being prismatic, even if I'll be weaker in the short term while adapting to the other elements. I might start swimming in that fjord near Aurora, since I don't think hot baths are good enough practice."
[20:01] <Kotono> "Brrrr." Kascha mock shivers, "So cold."
[20:02] <Afina> "For me!" Afina retorts, "Don't angels hardly even feel the cold?"
[20:20] <Kotono> "That's true," Kascha admits, before giggling, "On my home world, there's mountains to the west of my homelands. They're bitterly cold, I went there once to soak in sub-zero waters after one too many days working with lava and fire magic."
[20:23] <Afina> "Well if you could enjoy it then I'm sure you could appreciate it even more, now," Afina nods sagely as she flutters along besides Kascha. "You could keep me company, then."
[20:24] <Kotono> Giggling even more, "Sounds fun!"
[20:27] <Afina> It'll give her something to do besides mope about finding a relationship, so Afina considers it a good deed well done. "Keep a few hours free tomorrow and we can start then. Do you want to visit or do anything else in the Cauldron before we go back?"
[20:30] <Kotono> "Let's go back," Kascha says  cheerfully.
[20:41] <Kotono> It takes some doing to find Simmer. She is in Baleruk's lair, sitting indian style. Strangely, she is nude. All around are whirling, ethereal statues of Simmer - Baleruk stands in the center, claws darting about as he works on each statue. The color of the statues varies, but each has a gem-like sheen to it.
[20:42] <Afina> Oh, this is interesting. She really should speak to Baleruk as well at some point, but for now unless she's asked to leave she'll watch and see his craft at work.
[20:45] <Kotono> Faster and faster Baleruk goes! Dozens of Simmer-statues are made - in every mode of movement. Running, walking, leaping, ducking, rolling, sitting, lying down, sleeping. Baleruk is a rainbow blur as he works, faster and faster and faster!
[20:57] <Afina> This gets Afina to sit up and notice, seeing someone working even faster than she does!
[20:58] <Kotono> Baleruk seems ina complete frenzy, a low, gutteral, sustained growl as he works! As he does, rainbow rains begin to emit from the statues, bouncing about the lair like strobing lights! Through this Simmer sits, completely relaxed.
[20:59] * Afina just watches, her keen eyes taking in every detail of the dragon's work. Errand or not, this is a worthwhile way to spend her time, she thinks.
[21:02] <Kotono> Soon it becomes a blur of rainbow light - and with a titanic BOOM, the statues shatter! At this Simmer blink-blinks, rubbing her eyes. "Mmmm. I didn't nod off, did I?" she asks, as Baleruk glares at the wreckage of the statues.
[21:05] * Afina shields her eyes to protect herself from any shards that might get in them at that explosion, lowering her arm as the dust settles. "That was brilliant art, Baleruk. But what happened at the end?" she asks, deeming it safe to flutter forward without distracting anything important.
[21:19] <Kotono> "Too much prismatic power," he says shortly, "Stronger materials will be required."
[21:20] <Kotono> Simmer glances over, "Oh hello there, Afina."
[21:22] <Afina> "Hello, Simmer," Afina replies with a smile. "I was actually looking for you, my Queen has come back from the fey realms with reinforcements today, and she's asked if you would attend court tomorrow."
[21:23] <Kotono> "Court? Me?" Simmer turns fully over to Afina, "She does know all about us, right?"
[21:26] <Afina> "She knows, and I've already been assured that nothing has changed for me," Afina nods. "It could be a good way to clear the air so we don't have problems with all the other fey that have arrived today, and there's quite a lot."
[21:30] <Kotono> "That many? I'll make time for it," Simmer replies, before Baleruk interjects, "Court of the fey?" He rumbles, "I shall come as well, disciple. These fey shall be instructed in the proper ways of veneration."
[21:32] <Afina> "You do know that fey refuse to honour gods, don't you, Baleruk?" Afina asks, turning back to the colourful dragon.
[21:40] <Kotono> Baleruk smiles, an expression of draconic superiority and power. "Will they REFUSE ONE WHO STANDS BEFORE THEM IN FULL MAJESTY?!" His bellow is louder than the burst of the statues!
[21:44] <Afina> Oh those cold iron teeth really rub her the wrong way... waiting a second for the ringing to stop in her ears, she answers placidly, "Given that their fealty is already owed to various Seelie courts headed by beings of great majesty in themselves, they just might. I can ask for your attendance to be permitted, Baleruk," she flutters up to stand directly before his snout, looking into
[21:44] <Afina> his eyes, "But understand I will tolerate no disrespect to my Queen."
[21:47] <Kotono> Baleruk comes close - his head comes to be within an inch of Afina, eye as large as she is. Baleruk just stares at Afina for a time, prismatic power sparkling around him.
[21:50] <Afina> Dragon or sylvan lord, it makes no difference. Afina has killed those who disrespected Ilsenine in the past, and while she'd much rather not hurt Baleruk, he has to be made to understand the importance of this if he's to be permitted anywhere near a formal fey setting. Thus she meets his stare flatly.
[22:00] <Kotono> For long moments this stareoff holds firm, "You will do so," he finally states.
[22:04] <Afina> She could only try to reign him in for so long before he'd call her bluff, she supposes. But if necessary she'll show that it's not a bluff. "I will not," she retorts grimly. "Do not test me in this, Baleruk, as much as I value you, she is my Queen."
[22:07] <Kotono> There is longer silence, "I meant that you will speak to your Queen as proposed," he answers, a hint of amusement coloring his rumbling tone.
[22:10] <Afina> "Ahh..." a slight redness colours Afina's cheeks as she flutters back. "That I will do," she agrees, relaxing a bit that the confrontation has blown over, "I will return shortly with her decree, then." With that she can flutter off to go see Ilsenine and Crystal.

[Corwin]

[19:42] <Kotono> From there you find Queen Ilsenine in her court. It is empty save for Lady Skye and a scribe, as Her Majesty dictates away. OOC: Go ahead, Afina.
[19:43] <Afina> If this is confidential she'll surely be sent away, so Afina goes to linger at the outskirts until her Queen is at leisure to hear her.
[19:48] <Kotono> After a few moments the diction pauses - something about tomorrow's grand court - and Queen Ilsenine raises her voice, "Approach, General Afina."
[19:50] <Afina> Going to stand before the throne and then kneel, Afina explains her reason for coming, "Simmer has agreed to be present at tomorrows court holding, your majesty. But one other has expressed a desire in attending, the dragon Baleruk."
[19:55] <Kotono> "That dragon?" Queen Ilsenine murmurs, "For what purpose?"
[19:59] <Afina> "He wishes to preen himself and see if any are interested in venerating him," Afina admits bluntly. "I will confess that I myself am learning from him so that I may become a prismatic being rather than merely tied to fire."
[20:00] <Kotono> "Out of the question," Queen Ilsenine replies without hesitation, "We are not interested in satiating his vainglorious pride."
[20:02] <Afina> "As I expected," Afina rises, "I will inform him of this."
[20:05] <Kotono> "Do so," Queen Ilsenine commands. "With the proper discretion and diplomacy, as required. Vainglorious he may be, but he is also a dragon."
[20:06] <Afina> Discretion is certainly an assassin's watchword, but that other word? Eugh. "He is a valuable ally, I will make him understand," she promises before heading back to Baleruk's lair.
[20:10] <Kotono> Thus Afina returns. You find Simmer there, submerged up to her head in a vat of boiling black oil. Her arms are bound behind her in chains, raised above her head. Baleruk meanwhile intensely eyes the entire situation there, as what looks to be a ball of glowing, gem-like red light forms above him, slowly swelling.
[20:11] <Afina> Those two really are getting chummy. Well, she can wait till Baleruk's done, this looks like delicate work.
[20:19] <Kotono> Slowly the light becomes a gemstone of bright, radiant light. Big as an apple, then a cantelope, then finally a Galuh stone! Simmer gasps aloud as her body crumbles into dust, a torrent of flame exploding around the gemstone! Baleruk's triumphant roar is deafening as flaming warmth momentarily blinds Afina!
[20:20] <Afina> Blinking the vision back into her eyes, Afina flutters closer. "What did you do?" she asks, unsure what's just happened.
[20:26] <Kotono> Before Baleruk are two things! The first is Simmer, arms crossed under her chest as she leans forward, studying the other thing. The other thing is a statue of pure ruby, a perfect likeness of Simmer - down to the size. "I impressed her spirit into this statue of protoplasmic gemstone." Baleruk answers, a fierce joy in his voice. "Like clay, it retains her form as fine jewelry."
[20:28] <Afina> "It certainly is a beautiful sculpture," Afina agrees, looking at the ruby and then at the real thing. "I wonder if I could make a golem that way?"
[20:33] <Kotono> Baleruk suddenly turns his attention to Afina, "Your idea intrigues me."
[20:34] * Afina nods. "Decorative and powerful guardians... depending on how much power can be impressed into the crystal shell, of course."
[20:51] <Kotono> "Exactly," Rumbling low, "This will have to be investigated."
[20:51] <Afina> "What do you think of it, Simmer?" Afina asks the dryad in question how well she's been represented.
[20:53] <Kotono> Tapping her ruby chest, "I think our dragon exaggerated a bit here," she says lightly, "They aren't THAT big. But it's a good image otherwise."
[20:54] <Afina> "Are you sure?" Afina looks back and forth, since it seemed a perfect likeness at first glance.
[21:00] <Kotono> "Perspective," Baleruk rumbles, as Simmer shrugs. "Anyway, I'm going ot get dressed if we're done."
[21:04] <Afina> Makes sense, even if Afina doesn't have any endowments to compare. "Baleruk, I've spoken to my Queen about your request. Unfortunately your presence would be too imposing and attention-getting for such a formal event, so you will have to find other occassions to present yourself to our new arrivals."
[21:16] <Kotono> Here Baleruk's attention focuses on Afina, but after several moments, "In light of your recent suggestiona bout golems, I shall accept this for now, disciple."
[21:18] <Afina> "Most kind of you," Afina smiles slightly. "So about these statues, when you say it impresses her spirit, how much actually goes in?"
[21:23] <Kotono> "All of it, momentarily," Baleruk answers, "It is a momentary transferance."
[21:25] <Afina> "Now obviously it doesn't steal Simmer's form, since she's right here. It's a copy, so if it could be expanded to copy certain skills as well as form... well, that's a handy golem right there. A more focused variant of the simulacrum spell might work?"
[21:34] <Kotono> "It may," Baleruk finally agrees after some thought, "I believe it may."
[21:37] <Afina> "A shame I don't have the funds to pursue it further at the moment - golems are incredibly costly. But we can work on the methods until I manage to acquire more gold," Afina nods, fitting it into her plans.
[21:37] <Kotono> "So it will be! Go and strive to make it so!" BAleruk thunders, as meanwhile Simmer dresses, taking that chance to slip away.
[21:38] <Afina> Afina likewise departs!

[Corwin]

[22:06] <Kotono> The day passes and the 'morrow comes. With plenty of time to spare there is a knock on Afina's door, followed by, "Afina?" Crystal calls, "Are you ready yet?"
[22:09] <Afina> "Yes, come in," Afina bids, turning away from where she sits on the windowledge to face Crystal as she enters.
[22:16] <Kotono> Crystal enters, in full uniform. "Are you excited?" she asks as she flutters over to Afina.
[22:20] <Afina> "A bit," Afina admits, patting the ledge next to where she sits, dressed in an outfit purchased from Azuril, mostly tight where it covers her body in black from neck to toes, but adorned in drapes and ruffles of various vibrant colours in various clashing displays, and her usual hat on her head. Not to mention three blades hidden on her back underneath those trailing bits of fabric. "You
[22:20] <Afina> know I don't care for Court, but I'm keen to see who's all come to join us. Any standouts you can tell me about?"
[22:23] <Kotono> "I could," Crystal has a hint of a smile, "But how about keeping the surprise? I'd hate for you to be bored because you know what's coming."
[22:24] <Afina> "Suit yourself. Well, what can you tell me about your time in the fey realms? Did you meet anyone interesting?"
[22:27] <Kotono> Crystal sits next to Afina, "Of course." Kicking her legs a moment, "I meat a nymph bard who preferred to change her shape into a handsome male bard named Anadel. A strange one, driven off course by the loss of her love to the point where she has strove to become him."
[22:29] * Afina shivers, once more affirmed in her belief that love is nothing but destructive. "That sounds terribly sad."
[22:29] <Kotono> "Perhaps so." Crystal murmurs, "She - or he, I suppose, tried to woo me most persistantly. I must confess that he had an amazing voice and a flair for the dramatic."
[22:30] <Afina> Well, now it's actually sort of amusing if Crystal's being put in that position... "Tempted at all?"
[22:35] <Kotono> "Only slightly. Her size was that of a human - I had no desire to indulge in those things." Crystal wryly smiles, "I had another nymph attempt to woo me, but I'm not interested in that sort of dalliance." Humming a moment, "Apparently a touch of the divine is the current rage in many of the courts - all the ladies are making overdone attempts to be pious. Mockeries of real faith, more
[22:35] <Kotono> than anything else."
[22:37] <Afina> "What a bizarre fad... I suppose it would make them popular in Aurora, given all the servants of the gods we have floating about," Afina shakes her head, unable to really give it any credence. "Did you have any luck finding the source of those nightmares you told me about?"
[22:40] <Kotono> "I doubt it." Crystal says, "Many of the displays were sacreligous. I found myself offended more than once, though I held my tongue." Going on from that, "No. They ultimately stopped after augmented castings of dispel evil. Her Majesty is still doing better - her sleep is much calmer now."
[22:42] <Afina> "That's good," Afina approves. "We've been quite busy here. Although you haven't missed any large scale operations, I managed to acquire the Blade of Endings, and we've made a few successful raids on Lifasa."

[Corwin]

[19:28] <Kotono> A chill smile comes to Crystal's face, "Good."
[19:30] <Afina> "Jaela also managed to get some reinforcements from her goddess, and that's about it as things pertinent to the Crusade go," Afina concludes. "As for me personally, I've been getting used to what's happening to me and trying to make the best of things. According to Baleruk I have the potential to become a prismatic fairy, but it's a difficult task."
[19:31] <Kotono> "Prismatic? Like the spells?" Crystal blinks at it, "Like Baleruk?"
[19:32] <Afina> "Like the dragon," Afina nods. "I'd have to take all of the elements into me and not just fire, though. It's very hard and will make me even weaker, but in the long term I could gain a lot. Having some form of balance also appeals."
[19:33] <Kotono> Crystal makes a small noise as she sits there, "Her Majesty will support you as long as you don't become a fiend," Crystal states, "So will I."
[19:34] <Afina> "Better than just being fire," Afina shrugs. "But if I fail I'll just have to get used to it."
[19:39] <Kotono> Quieter now, "What's it like?" she asks, "Fire, that is?"
[19:41] <Afina> "I'm always cold and I get distracted by watching things burn," Afina replies bluntly. "It enraptures me, but I'm self aware enough to know it for what it is."
[19:45] <Kotono> "It sounds like a broken mind," Crystal says, "Like the mind of a fool obsessed with setting fire? Pyromaniac is the term for it. No offense meant."
[19:46] <Afina> "It's fine," Afina waves that off. "I know what I am. Even my magic reflects it now. Less subtlety and more immolations."
[19:50] <Kotono> "I heard you even opened up a lava bath?" Crystal shakes her head, "It sounds absurd, but I was assured that the fire elementals are happier."
[19:51] <Afina> "It's very pleasant," Afina nods. "Remember what I said about always being cold? My body heat might burn you, but it offers no comfort to me. Still, I need to inure myself more to water if I'm to have a hope of accepting that element. I'm going to go for a swim in the fjord outside after court is settled."
[20:10] <Kotono> That makes Crystal visibly shiver, "Those fjords are bitterly cold." Crystal remarks, "I'm certain the water is as cold as ice." After a moment, "I suppose I'll have to come with you, then."
[20:12] <Afina> "I wouldn't mind the company, I've already invited Kascha. She doesn't feel the cold much anyway," the ruddy-skinned pixie agrees with her paler colleague. "The sort of cold I have to endure to become a creature of water is far worse."
[20:19] <Kotono> "It would be...nice." Crystal says quietly, "Between helping Ilsenine and diplomacy, I had no free time at all to appreciate the normal sights and joys."
[20:20] <Afina> "No? A shame, I've heard many stories about the fey realms, but never seen them for myself. Were they like the Gloaming Forest?"
[20:50] <Kotono> "They were...alive, so alive," Crystal says, voice becoming reflective. "Nature and life all over, and in such ways I never imagined. Life is brighter there, more intense. Somewhat like the Court of the Stars in that regard."
[20:53] <Afina> "I suppose they're farther from the Unseelie sequestered in their own realms than we were having to deal with them every day," Afina muses to that, somewhat disappointed nonetheless to find it sounds so different from her home. Isn't that the sort of place fey should live, on the seeds of the world tree? Well she's just a commoner so what does she know?
[21:00] <Kotono> "It's interesting," Crystal says, "It's like Lifasa was, but more. It's...one of those things I don't think words can really describe well."
[21:01] <Afina> "Ah," Afina responds eloquently. Well not much point asking then, she's not likely to ever see it herself.
[21:23] <Kotono> Soon enough you reach Court! Here you take position with Crystal, the original surviving fey of Lifasa present and awaiting. Simmer is also there, a bit ot the side, but there. Lady Skye comes up to address all, "By Her Majesty's command, each new entry to our Court will be escorted in by groups," she states.
[21:24] * Afina contents herself to stand silently and attentively to see what their new recruits are made of.
[21:32] <Kotono> "First - the Purple Pixie Brigade!" Lady Skye announces, and after several moments, they come through the portal. Several dozen of them - pixies clad in all shades of purple, each with crossbows and daggers. As one they fly in, forming looping aerial patterns as they bow. One cute voice pipes up, "We are the Purple Pixie Brigade! Honored to make your acquantences!"
[21:35] <Afina> On the other hand, being silent doesn't really impress on them that they're in the presence of one of Aurora's leaders... "As are we honoured to have you join the Crusade," she speaks up from beside Ilsenine's throne. "Be welcome, for our home is now your home."
[21:36] <Kotono> "This home shall be your home," Crystal adds in after Afina, "Guard it with your lives."
[21:38] <Kotono> Queen Ilsenine merely nods slightly from her throne, as they form a line behind the rest of the fey. Little smiles and winks go back and forth, as Lady Skye cuts in, "Next are the Satyrs of the Sunrise!" What comes in next is indeed a band of satyrs, clad in yellows, reds and purples, a riot of colors. Each carries pipes and blades, many wearing light armor with those bright clothes. 
[21:38] <Kotono> As they enter they form concentric circles around the portal, beginning to play a merry tune! When the last steps in he does not join them, but instead sings to the song! A rousing song of bravery and battle, stirring Afina's blood!
[21:39] * Afina listens with a smile, applauding at its conclusion. "Such songs will stir our hearts even in the darkest of hours. Welcome."
[21:46] <Kotono> "Be welcomed, for our home is now your home," Crystal adds, as they move away from the portal. Then, "Next is the fey blooded centaurs of Halas!" These centaurs come in - perhaps a dozen, each with bow and arrow. The leader has butterfly wings and a steady gait, bowing before all. "I apologize that many our number are not here this moment," he explains, "For we are many. We foreswear
[21:46] <Kotono> our bows and arrows to you, Queen Ilsenine. I greet you again, m'lady Crystal," A grin shows on his face, as Crystal coolly regards him and replies, "Greetings and welcome to Aurora. May you protect this home well."
[21:49] <Afina> "May your arrows strike true in the cause of liberation, for Lifasa will surely have room for all your number," Afina offers with a smile over at him.
[21:57] <Kotono> "Next," Lady Skye speaks up amid the gentle murmurings of court, "Is one of the Ladies of the Butterfly Kinship." She emergies from the portal - a gorgeous elven woman, surely a nymph. She sits on the back of a giant butterfly, sidesaddle and demure, carrying no visible weapon. She speaks in a honeyed tone that dulls the senses like fine wine, demanding more, "We shall serve you in flight
[21:57] <Kotono> and in druidic magic, Majesty. For the fallen world of Lifasa!"
[22:00] <Afina> "We lost many great druids when Abigor set foot on Lifasa. To once more count such as you amongst our numbers is a welcome balm," Afina inclines her head, reflecting that it's a shame they can't have any dryad druids join them on the Crusade. Not unless Simmer retrains as one.
[22:04] <Afina> Shivering slightly, Afina looks around to try and determine what's causing this sudden onset of cold and if anyone else is afflicted...
[22:09] <Kotono> You can notice Simmer scowling and notably shivering.
[22:11] <Afina> At least it's not just her... not wanting to draw attention by blatantly casting a spell in the middle of court, she speeds herself up so fast that she gets the spell out in less time than it would take to blink. Now armed with the ability to percieve magic, she tries to discern just what sort of subtle attack they're under!
[22:11] <Kotono> OOC: Make spellcraft.
[22:12] <Afina> roll 1d20+33
[22:12] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+33 and gets 39." [1d20=6]
[22:14] <Kotono> Afina can't detect anything awry, magically. As she does so, "Be welcomed, for our home is now your home," Crystal adds once more, as the nymph flies up and takes an aerial position, "Next are the Freed Eidolons of Rimefire."
[22:15] <Afina> Ah, that makes sense... unfortunate, but she'll just have to deal with it. It's practice, if nothing else.
[22:25] <Kotono> The creatures that come forth appear as a jagged chunk of ice surrounded by a nimbus of chilling blue fire. It walks along with the aid of several thin tendrils, about as tall as a typical elf. Dozens of them enter. While the creatures lack eyes, Afina can just feel that she's being watched. "Lady Ilsenine, long ago we lost our glacier homes and were cast afar. In your time of need, let
[22:25] <Kotono> us help you. We understand."
[22:27] <Afina> "Your understanding is appreciated, and your help welcomed," Afina returns, committed to being pleasant. She hopes to embrace ice and water, no matter how much her body detests it, after all. "Know that all who fight for Lifasa are assured a home there when the last devil has been driven out or killed."
[22:32] <Kotono> "Be welcomed, for our home is now your home," Crystal adds yet again, seemingly content letting Afina take the lead. At this Lady Skye rises, "Now, let our court celebrate in the name of Queen Ilsenine!" she declares! With that servants with trays of food and drink enter, as well as several more centaurs and butterfly nymphs and other things yet.
[22:39] <Afina> Since it's so cold and it takes an effort to avoid shivering, Afina decides to just stay where she is. If anyone wants to talk to her they can come to her.
[22:40] <Kotono> It takes perhaps 15 seconds for Simmer to find her way over to Afina. She keeps her voice down, "Cold yet?" she asks, conversationally.
[22:42] <Afina> "A bit. It doesn't seem to bother anyone else, and I've even got a spell up to help tolerate temperature extremes," Afina agrees quietly. "Sorry, this probably puts a damper on things for your first visit here."
[22:43] <Kotono> "Oh no, dreams of turning the room into a bonfire are a fun distraction," Cheerfully going on, "I'm going to go mingle."
[22:45] <Afina> "Have fun and don't act on those dreams," Afina giggles lightly as Simmer goes off.
[22:51] <Kotono> As Simmer goes off, Crystal smoothly takes her place. "Giggling?" she asks.
[22:56] <Afina> "Giggling sounds like something little girls do," Afina pouts in response, even if she's forced to admit that her laugh does have a very much giggly quality.

[Anastasia]

> "It's not bad," Crystal says quietly, "It soothes my heart to see you showing signs of happiness."
<Afina> Probably wouldn't if she knew what she was giggling about. "I'll try and do it more often, then."
> "Embrace it," Crystal says with gentle severity, watching as food and drink are taken, the celebration starting in earnest. Queen Ilsenine sits alone and watches over the rest, as Simmer goes to mingle and Lief is spotted sitting on the shoulder of the butterfly nymph, waving a pixie sized tankard about as he tells at ale.
<Afina> Well, if Simmer can handle the cold she really ought to, so Afina focuses on conversing to distract herself from it, "So you seemed to have a history with that centaur?"
> "As far as he tried to woo me," Crystal shakes his head, "I think he does it because it gets a rise out of me. We were stuck waiting for a few hours together. It was tedium until he made a comment about that and I retorted. Then it became annoing tedium for me and perhaps amusement for him."
> *annoying
<Afina> "You get yourself riled up too easily," Afina comments with a slight smile. "Just say something noncommittal and change the subject when that happens."
> "I tried," Facepalming with one hand as she sighs, "He has a mind as straight and unyielding as the head all men think with. By the mercy of the Court, the best I could do with him would be to hang off it like a decoration, and yet he still pursues."
<Afina> "Oh. It works for me," Afina admits with a shrug. "I suppose you're more appealling, though."
> "SLASH!" Lief cries, voice carrying loud, "Then I struck the bastard Yian..." Over this Crystal cracks a smile, "You'd have your own pursuers if you weren't so reserved." Pausing to think, "Afina, you should go out there, find someone you like, and have some fun already. You may not be a part of the Cycle anymore, but that doesn't mean you need to forget how fey frolic."
<Afina> "I haven't wanted to frolic since Lifasa fell," Afina points out without rancor. "But I suppose I should at least mingle," she allows, fluttering off to do just that.
> "Afina," Crystal calls just as she starts to go, "I worry about you. Try."
<Afina> Not inclined to try but neither wanting to refuse Crystal, she doesn't reply either way as she goes to try and get to know their new allies.
> Thus Afina goes to talking. She finds herself next to one of the centaurs and several of the satyrs, "Well, it's General Afina!" The centaur calls, "I've heard of you!"
<Afina> "Hello, welcome again to Aurora," the pyropixie smiles, fluttering at their height. "I hope what you've heard is encouraging. What are your names?"
> "Ada," The centaur greets, as you get a cluster of satyr names following. "I heard you personally robbed one of Hell's nobility, then killed a dragon on the way out."
<Afina> "I think your tales are a bit muddled," Afina smiles indulgently. "I haven't robbed any noble devils, though I did recently kill a dragon on a raid we made to relieve the pressure on our friends still on Lifasa. A rust dragon, though I'd never heard of such a thing before."
> "I have," One of the satyr's speaks up, voice deep and rich, "Oh m'lady, once I knew some dwarves who were amining and adigging, and suddenly? The vein collasped into empty space! A rust dragon had ended up there somehow, and had been eating up through the vein for thousands of feet."
<Afina> "Greedy things, devouring the earth's womb and providing nothing in return. Killing it was a good thing on many fronts," Afina nods severely. "But you all must have tales of your own. Would any be willing to share?"
> "Ah, let me tell you about the maid and the maiden," The centaur begins. He begins to weave a story of a servant and mistress, captured by a vile noble to serve his debased human lusts. Then in rides Ada, saving the day and liberating both maid and maiden.
* Afina listens attentively throughout. It sounds like one of Stille's tales, she thinks... "Remind me to introduce you to Stille later. I think you and he would get along just fine, Ada."
> "It's a date," he flashes Afina a toothy grin at that, "I look forward to it."
<Afina> Nodding and smiling to that, Afina flutters off to continue mingling.
> Several more conversations pass without incident. As she goes from one to another, she finds her way blocked. One of the Eidolons of Icefire stands before her. "Greetings," it says in a calm, soothing voice, barely audible over the din of conversation.
<Afina> She's happy to talk to them even if it's chilly! "Hello," she returns. "I'm Afina, I suppose you may already know that. What's your name?"
> "Chillwind," It answers, "On behalf of all of us, I'd like to assure you that as long as you seek not to melt our ice, we seek not to freeze your fires. We don't want any misunderstandings."
* Afina smiles in what she hopes is a reassuring manner. "You have nothing to fear. If you have come to join our Crusade I will defend you with my life," she swears. "I'm actually trying to become more inured to the cold, since my fiery state is only a recent development."
> "Ah!" The eidolon replies, "I've never met a fire creature who would...! Oh, we have to help you." Bobbing down in the air, tendrils going flat to allow it to lie down, "Would you ride on me?"
<Afina> It feels fairly foolish, but since it asked... Afina flutters up and drops on top of the eidolon, kneeling with balanced poise despite the chill. "This isn't uncomfortable for you, is it?" she asks since she knows how hot her skin can be to others.
> The cold flames lick against Afina, sending shivers up her body! "No. We've adapted," The eidolon replies, rising up into the air! It begins to fly as an intense cold comes over Afina, "Our kind are like dryads, except bound to a glacier or iceberg instead."
<Afina> "So how do you survive without it?" she asks the obvious question, her breath misting pure white.
> "Our Elder was able to forge a spell strong enough. Otherwise, we would have perished when we lost our homes," It explains.
<Afina> "If only our dryads had been able to do the same..." Afina murmurs wistfully.
> The cold becomes more intense as you find the eidolon to be taking you over to Simmer. Said pyrodryad is sitting next to a satyr, the two pleasantly chatting away about this and that. "Could you introduce us to the other creature of fire here?" it asks.
<Afina> "She's not as accepting as I am," Afina warns softly, but too late to turn back. "Simmer! This is Chillwind-" she pauses almost imperceptively, unwilling to say 'it' and having to assign a gender to the genderless, "She was interested to meet you. Who's your friend?"
> Simmer shivers visibly, "Hello there," she says, voice a study in feigned politeness. This is Manular. We were just having a private conversation...mmm, though this isn't the place for it."
<Afina> "Yes, you two can talk another time, then?" Afina suggests patting Chillwind's surface to try and guide it away from Simmer and her potential lover.
> As the eidolon is guided away, it softly replies, "Ah, I see. Too bad."
<Afina> "She is not a bad person, but she is fully devoted to fire," Afina whispers, "It's just not to be."
> As the two of you chat, Crystal flies up. She has a glass of wine in hand, "Ho there, Afina," she calls, "You're getting along well with the new recruits!"
<Afina> "Everyone seems eager to be here," she nods, "Crystal, this is Chillwind. I don't know if you two have met before?"
> "Only in passing," Chillwind replies, "General Crystal, it's good to see you again."
> "Likewise, likewise," Crystal takes a good draught from her glass, "Are you going to stay much longer, Afina?"
<Afina> "I expect so," Afina replies, a brief look to see if things are winding down that she hadn't noticed. "Why?"
> The celebrations are going on full bore. Lady Skye can be glimpsed, talking to one of the butterfly nymphs, holding up vial of sludgy green liquid to her. Queen Ilsenine continues to preside over all of it, watching alone. "I was wondering if you'd make an early escape, that's all."
<Afina> Guessing that Crystal has something important on her mind and is trying to be subtle about it - why else suggest that after exhorting her to frolic around, Afina lifts off from Chillwind's body. "I'll talk to you later, Chillwind, we can look into how you can help me once you're settled into Aurora," she suggests to her new friend before looking expectantly at her older friend.

[Yuthirin]

[13:05] <@Kotono> "Queen Ilsenine would like you to subtly disrupt or redirect Lady Skye's imminent use of fey-unison." Keeping her voice low, "Be it on herself or on another."
[13:08] <@Afina> Why her? Why her of all people, who isn't even a fey? Feeling stung by having such a task, she nonetheless nods blankly and goes to find Skye.
[13:13] <@Kotono> Lady Skye is found with one of the butterfly nymphs, aloft on the butterfly and above it all. They're chatting away, audible as Afina flies up, "...absolutely amazing," Lady Skye is heard, as the blonde haired nymph listens. The vial of fey-unison is held by Lady Skye, right in her hand.
[13:14] <@Afina> "Hello, Lady Skye. Would you introduce me to your friend?" Afina asks, not really sure how she can deter any use of fey unison without killing someone but figuring that talking is a good start.
[13:16] <@Kotono> "Ah, this is Mirabella," Lady Skye introduces you, "Mirabella, this is Afina."
[13:17] <@Kotono> "Charmed," she smiles winsomely, glad in gossamer silk, hanging in place with as much a prayer as anything else. "Aren't you adorable!" she gasps, "Oh, that's such a unique look, General Afina!"
[13:20] <@Afina> "Thank you," Afina's cheeks dimple in a smile that's slightly forced, though she is genuinely flattered, "A shame you couldn't have seen me before, but my appearance now only signifies my resolve. Can I also say that you and your butterfly look most fetching? Those are very nice wings."
[13:21] <@Kotono> "Oh, Vai's lovely too," Mirabella pats one delicate wing, "Would you like to join me on her?"
[13:23] <@Afina> "Oh, if it's alright," she nods, not wanting to exclude Skye - or have her wander off to offer Unison to another, "Will you as well, Lady Skye? There's lots of room for those like us," she offers, fluttering up to land on the butterfly next to Mirabella, copying her pose.
[13:25] <@Kotono> Lady Skye smiles faintly and joins the duo, one on each side of the nymph. "So cute," Mirabella gushes, sweeping both pixies up! She presses them to her soft chest in a big hug, "You two are just to die for!"
[13:25] <@Kotono> "Mgh!" Lady Skye's next words are lost from being muffled, her wings going rigid as she squirms in Mirabella's arms.
[13:28] <@Afina> Afina endures with more stoicism, just glad she isn't burning the nymph's skin with the contact - or burning those silks. Otherwise marvelling in the nymph's... bigness, she waits for the hug to loosen before saying anything, "Just remember we're not children, I've heard often that big folk see us that way," she reminds, her tone light.
[13:30] <@Kotono> "Oh, I know," She doesn't look pained by the fire, as Lady Skye gasps and sputters, "But fire's so cute, too. It's also dangerous, but in there lies the appeal."
[13:33] <@Afina> "Danger and burning's what most people think of, even me," Afina admits. "But I've heard of other concepts it embodies, light to guide us in the darkness, warmth to chase away Winter's touch..."
[13:37] <@Kotono> "That's right," Mirabella is all smiles now, "Fire is a part of nature too, something many of our kind forget."
[13:40] <@Afina> "Summer Court, then?" Afina guesses she shares an affiliation with Mirabella, which is at least nice since most fey she actually knows align themselves with the Court of Spring. Doesn't suit a killer like her, though.
[13:43] <@Kotono> "Yes," Mirabella replies, "You as well?"
[13:46] * @Afina nods. "I'm not sure how it really sticks, being what I've become. But it's suited me all the years before this one. "Also..." she leans around the nymph's bosom to look across her chest, "I think you're suffocating Skye."
[13:48] <@Kotono> Skye is let go, red faced and gasping! She giggles at that, pushing Afina in, "Oh, but you two are so cute! Especially you," she says, sending Afina back to a soft, squishy prison. "So a pixie general of fire. How unique! I confess I hold no such exalted rank."
[13:51] <@Afina> With her face smooshed in so tightly it deprives her of breath, Afina doesn't waste effort on replying, waiting until the nymph's grip slackens enough to say, "Before all this I held no rank either. There are opportunities in desperation, if nothing else."
[13:55] <@Kotono> This lasts a little longer than it should, but Afina is able to breath and talk after several more seconds. "Yes. I never had a chance to join the Ladies of the Butterfly Kinship until a swath of the previous members were assassinated."
[13:56] <@Afina> Well it wasn't her! "Sounds like a dangerous position."
[14:00] <@Kotono> "It's fun...and I know how to stop assassins, so I'm alright," With a winsome smile now, "Lady Skye here was talking about this wonderful fey-unison. It sounds nice, but a little bit dangerous."
[14:01] <@Afina> "It can be," Afina nods. "When we tried it before I ended up naked, all of my clothes and equipment lost down a river. It was only luck that an earth elemental Skye had befriended managed to find them for me. It was fun, but one must be careful where it's used."
[14:13] <@Kotono> "Really!
[14:13] <@Kotono> OOC: Gah.
[14:14] <@Kotono> "Really!" Gasping mockingly as at last Lady Skye shows signs of recovery, "My, so many people want to see nymphs naked. Lady Skye, were you hoping that this brew would cause me to dance around nude, hm?"
[14:14] <@Kotono> "Nonsense!" Lady Skye sputters, "It's an enjoyable experience, nothing more!"
[14:16] <@Afina> "Now, now," Afina interjects for Skye's benefit, "She'd be too uncaring to look herself if you both took it. It's a way to become one with nature, not one with each other."
[14:21] <@Kotono> "I tease," Mirabella giggles once more, "I've merely found that almost everyone wants to see nymphs intimiately. At least it seems that way. No one ever wants to strip down a pixie or a satyr, do they?"
[14:21] <@Kotono> "You may be pleased to know I am not almost everyone," Lady Skye huffs, "Not at all."
[14:24] <@Afina> The devils might, but Afina refuses to tarnish the pleasant mood by saying so. "You can hardly call yourself innocent, either," she teases herself, "Your clothes must invite thoughts of them falling off from anyone who looks."
[14:25] <@Kotono> "Of course. A habit of my previous profession," Gently smiling now, "When one looks at your body, they seldom notice a knife behind your back or a spell on your lips."
[14:28] <@Afina> Afina's never had the looks to pull that off, but the concept is still one she recognises well, nodding in approval. "You were an assassin, then?"
[14:29] <@Kotono> "Yes," she confesses, as Lady Skye's eyebrows rise. "I had never been content to take a pond of my own. Unlike many of my sisters, I understand that death is a part of life. One must be willing to clear away rot so that new life can bloom. In this...I have heard that perhaps you are a kindred spirit?"
[14:32] <@Afina> "We lived close to the Unseelie in the Gloaming Forest, and the courts all had their bitter rivalries and games," Afina explains her background, "My job was a necessary one, and the skills I learned have served just as well against the devils."
[14:35] <@Kotono> Nodding to that, "It's not a proud job nor an enjoyable one, but necessary is apt." Mirabella smiles and hugs Afina close yet again, "When life became foul, rotted or misshapen, I was called to trim it away for new growth. The skills of magic and stealth I learned served me well with the Ladies."
[14:38] <@Afina> Waiting till she can breathe once more, Afina continues the conversation, "And the group hasn't suffered any assassinations since you joined, I hope?"
[14:41] <@Kotono> It takes a few moments, this squishy purgatory smelling of lilacs and flowers. "Not since then," she confirms, "I take care of ensuring our safety."
[14:46] * @Afina nods, running out of things to say, although at least it looks like Skye's attempts to share some unison around have been derailed so she can call it mission accomplished. "Well, perhaps we can exchange some tips some time, Mirabella. Until then I hope you and your friends enjoy Aurora's hospitality. Skye, it was fun as always," she adds for the other fairy, seperating from the
[14:46] * @Afina nymph and fluttering her fiery wings to lift herself from her butterfly.
[14:47] <@Kotono> "I see you later!" Mirabella calls as Afina takes off.
[14:49] <@Afina> Waving back in agreement to that, Afina goes back to mingling,
[14:56] <@Kotono> OOC: Ready to skip along some now?
[14:56] <@Afina> OOC: yes
[14:57] <@Kotono> In time all of this passes. AFter several hours Crystal comes up to Afina, "Are you ready to make a getaway now?" she inquires.
[14:59] <@Afina> "May as well," Afina agrees, feeling she's done more than enough to put herself out here. "Still want to go swimming with me?"
[15:04] <@Kotono> Giggling with a bit of a flush to her face. "Of course!"
[15:06] <@Afina> "Lets go get changed and find Kascha, then," Afina nods as she flutters out.
[15:14] <@Kotono> As you head out, Elena appears, "Afina," she calls, "Hold on a moment."
[15:14] * @Afina stops readily to hear Elena. "Yes?"
[15:21] * Ithea is now known as Merc
[16:14] <@Kotono> Elena scoops Afina up into a hug, just for a moment! She giggles as she fades away, "I wanted to do that, too!"
[16:16] <@Afina> Too shocked to react before the hug ends, Afina just giggles while Elena vanishes. "You just had to ask," she replies, sure Elena will hear it even if her presence is gone.
[16:17] <@Kotono> Crystal stares for a moment, before laughing at the entire thing. "Oh Afina, Afina, Afina."
[16:18] <@Afina> "Don't tell me you want one, too?" she asks blandly, turning to look at Crystal.
[16:18] * Merc is now known as Ithea
[16:18] <@Kotono> "Don't be too silly," Crystal retorts, flying to the portal.
[16:19] <@Afina> Shrugging, Afina does likewise, intending to go back to her room and change into her normal clothes.
[16:21] <@Kotono> The changing goes without incident. You meet back up with Crystal, who is clad in a simple brown tunic and pants. Really rather bland and old looking clothing, the complete opposite of her uniform.  You meet in the entry hall, Crystal sitting on one of the Medicant Golems. Nearby is Kascha, clad normally.
[16:23] <@Afina> "Hello, Kascha," Afina smiles at the blonde angel, "How are you, today?"
[16:25] <@Kotono> "Well," She answers with a cheerful lilt to her voice, "I've had Arrel and the libraries to myself all day. Sylvie and Muirfinn are out, Tepen's busy with Ellese and Sage Vul'lath is working on a private project. Dana's not even sneaking a nap in there."
[16:25] <@Afina> "Read anything good?" she asks while starting to head outside.
[16:27] <@Kotono> The trio head outside, andin a low voice, "A romance novel," Kascha adds with a naughty blush, "Sir Pennington and the Dragon of the Wychlund."
[16:28] <@Afina> "One of the ones where a knight saves a princess from a dragon or was it a girl dragon?" Afina clarifies curiously.
[16:30] <@Kotono> In a scandalized whisper, "Both. The wicked dragon fell in love with Sir Pennington and attempted to seduce him away from the Princess. Then a spell goes wrong and the Princess falls in love with the wicked dragon, and it's a huge mess. It ends with Sir Pennington breaking the spell with the power of his love and slaying the dragon with his lance."
[16:31] <@Kotono> Crystal rolls her eyes just a little bit, but stays out of Kascha's line of sight.
[16:32] <@Afina> "Love and killing do seem to go hand in hand," Afina admits philosophically as they go.
[16:34] <@Kotono> "That's the way the world works. No one wants to share a lover...well, almost no one," Kascha confesses as you go through the courtyard. "Some eladrin practice free love, even in devoted relationships. The fact that it only seldom ends badly is a testament to the enlightenment they benefit from.""
[16:36] <@Afina> "Ended badly for that dragon, though," Afina points out, much as it has for many in her life.
[16:38] <@Kotono> "The dragon meant well, but it was evil," Kascha hums, "Dragons well...you know how the stories are."
[16:39] <@Afina> "Written by humans?" Afina guesses since Pennington sounds like a human name and humans are all about killing dragons in their stories.
[16:42] <@Kotono> "Yes. They also are known to sleep with anything." Lowering her voice, "I've studied them extensively, and there are fascinating psychological and anatomical differences between them and other types of creatures. Did you know that female dragons can get pregnant at any time, even though many of them have a defined period of heat? Did you know that they experience higher fertility with
[16:42] <@Kotono> humanoids than dragons?"
[16:44] <@Kotono> "That's...interesting," Crystal murmurs, a noticable pause midway through that. "Really."
[16:45] <@Afina> "What, really?" Afina blinks, her knowledge of dragons not extending that far. "I suppose things like humans and goblins breed very quickly compared to most things, so maybe that's averaging higher with the dragon's lower levels?"
[16:52] <@Kotono> "That's one of the schools of thought about it," Kascha says, "Other sources have speculated that this is intentional and that half dragons are a desired part and function of a dragon. Those are the two dominant theories. What's interesting is that the same benefit applies to races who lack the same fecundity as humans, such as elves. Dragons mothers have the same increased odds, more
[16:52] <@Kotono> than either parent would suggest." Shaking her head, "Dragons are a superior life form. A typical mortal can't hope to even slow one down long, and they can compete with spirits and powerful supernatural creatures. Perhaps spawning half-dragon children is meant to give them more tools and influence? Of course, sometimes it goes too far. Especially with male dragons. In one land there's
[16:52] <@Kotono> a type of snake known as River Winders. Nothing unique, but Amaryl has a half dragon one they found. I've seen half dragon golems, half dragon vampires - though the specimen was almost certainly born a half dragon and then turned - a half dragon nymph and a half dragon eye tyrant."
[16:56] <@Afina> "I suppose it makes sense if a dragon is in charge of a lot of weaker creatures then it could make children off of them that are stronger and more effective servants. You hear about that sort of thing happening a lot," Afina concedes as they leave Aurora, flying towards the nearby fjord.
[17:00] <@Kotono> As you fly, coming close without incident, "Oh yes. Not every dragon does it or approves of it, but most do. If nothing else, dragons tend to become taken with their favorite mortals."
[17:04] <@Afina> "Dragons are mortals, too," Afina points out as they descend towards the deep dark waters, feeling cold just from looking at them.
[17:05] <@Kotono> Kascha descends to 10ft above them, "Ice cold," she murmurs, dabbing a single toe down into it.
[17:07] <@Afina> "Sanzha's water is colder, but this should be good training," Afina steels herself before lowering into the water, her body shivering.
[17:10] <@Kotono> "No bathing clothes?" Kascha asks as she submerges herself in! Oh, it's cold! COLD! Crystal shrugs and submerges herself as well, gasping but holding her own!
[17:12] <@Afina> "T-too much ch-chance of d-devils," Afina replies bobbing with her head above the water. Since she can't breathe it like Sanzha's she may as well stay like this rather than worry about going under and having to come back up for breath.
[17:17] <@Kotono> As Crystal shivers and shudders, "Oh," Kascha says, "Why not just ask me to prepare the right spells to stop that from happening? I'd be glad to do it, rather than going around in fear."
[17:18] <@Afina> "You h-have spells for th-that?" Afina asks, her arms hugging her body and her legs kicking gently to keep herself afloat.
[17:19] <@Kotono> "I-it would help!" Crystal shivers, rubbing her arms up and down, moving in the water as she starts to swim.
[17:24] <@Kotono> "Mind Blank," Kascha says cheerfully, "I have it on myself, but I don't have any more castings prepared. I could manage a second with a Wish, if I needed to."
[17:27] <@Afina> "That won't stop any spies they have just watching Aurora, but it's still a good precaution," Afina reasons, the chattering of her teeth slowing as she becomes more used to the water, though it remains unpleasant. Still, she feels comfortable enough to start moving, begining to swim around after Crystal's example.
[17:31] <@Kotono> "Y-yes," Crystal shivers, "I-I'd intended to c-change, but I'd feel silly being the only one changed." Pulling at her brown shirt, "At least I chose an old, uninteresting shirt. It doesn't matter if this gets wet."
[17:32] <@Kotono> As you swim you feel the lancets of cold water torment your body, as you strive to endure. Kascha lazily backstrokes, staring up at the sky. "Facing the anger of an entire realm is what's so terrible about Hell. I find a single demon to be worse than a devil, but devils reply on organization to be devastating. Still, Ysgard is fairly safe."
[17:36] <@Afina> "Yes, and it's not far for help or to just flee... we can do that tomorrow, then," Afina agrees, deciding to play it their way. Taking a deep breath, she plunges underwater, diving down just a bit and then floating submerged as she does in Sanzha's laboratory, trying just to endure it.
[17:40] <@Kotono> Time passes at this, swimming and enduring. As yo udo...OOC: Make a fort save, Afina?
[17:41] <@Afina> roll 1d20+19
[17:41] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+19 and gets 39." [1d20=20]
[17:46] <@Kotono> The cold is miserably jarring - and yet, Afina feels a strange detachment within herself. Her body grows numb, as does her spirit. A deep lethargy comes to Afina, sensationlessly pulling her towards slumber.
[17:47] <@Afina> There's nothing she can do, by the time it has its claws into her it's too late. As her eyes clothes her last waking thought is that Crystal or Kascha will keep her from drowning.
[17:51] <@Kotono> The slow, steady cold numbs Afina further. She drifts...breathing in and out, the water passing into her lungs. It chills her further, even as she finds herself...not drowning? Her hazy mind can notice that she's not drowning.
[17:54] <@Afina> Her dazed mind can only note that this makes it even better training, and she spares as much effort as she can in this lethargic state to focus on breathing, on taking water into herself...
[17:56] <@Kotono> In and out. In an out. Nothing but numbness and water. You feel nothing, nothing at all. Just the steady current of water, swirling around you.
[18:00] <@Afina> Since she's not falling asleep after all, Afina just lets herself drift idly through the water... if this was Sanzha's lab she'd probably be done by now. But maybe a longer exposure like this will better prepare her for that.
[18:01] <@Kotono> Drifting. Not quite asleep, but Afina's mind feels off. Disconnected. Numb. Here she drifts for a time, the exacts lost in a fade of in and out, back and forth. Then - "Afina!" Crystal's voice, followed by water falling away, being replaced by flowing air.
[18:04] <@Afina> Water pours freely from her mouth and nose and she coughs as she has to adjust to breathing air instead. "I... I was breathing water..." she gasps, shivering in vague confusion as her senses reassert themselves. Is this another leftover, like knowing how to speak High Maridi?
[18:05] <@Kotono> Blue. Her skin is red and blue, the blue fading to red. "I think so," Kascha says, voice going a mile a minute, "Afina, you were showing signs of elemental combining! You were breathing water and taking on elements of a half water elemental in apperance! That's unprecedented, but no one's ever made it as close as you have," Going on and on, "Oh, how do you feel? Are you alright? Do you feel any different?"
[18:07] <@Afina> How does she feel, now that she's breathing air instead of water?
[18:21] <@Kotono> Afina feels numb, but feeling is slowly returning to her. Breathing air doesn't feel odd or anything.
[18:24] <@Afina> "Numb, but it's fading," she replies thoughtfully. "This practice has been more fruitful than I'd hoped. Think we should go visit Lady Sanzha?"
[18:25] <@Kotono> "That's what I was going to say," Kascha says quickly, "Something's happened - maybe you began the change but didn't lose your progress?"
[18:27] <@Afina> Pushing up and fluttering her wings to get aloft, she doesn't bother to dry herself now. "Lets go now, then. Crystal, want to come?"
[18:28] <@Kotono> "I'd best," she decides after a moment. OOC: Going to want to skip along to the Cauldron now?
[18:29] <@Afina> OOC: yep
[18:40] <@Kotono> The trip to the Cauldron is a fast paced blur. On reacing the laboratories you find Lady Sanzha awaiting, "Back swiftly?" she asks, "Is anything the mat-" She is cut off by Kascha, "Afina's showing signs of water combining and was breathing water unaided!" she blurts, "I'm theorizing that she's managed some of the change since she came so close, like with High Maridi!"
[18:42] <@Kotono> "Truth?" Lady Sanzha turns her full attention to Afina, "Tell me what happened as best you can. Leave nothing out."
[18:43] <@Kotono> Crystal is more subdued, seeming to take everything in with a calm but interested gaze.
[18:43] <@Afina> "I went swimming in one of Ysgard's fjords, for practice," Afina explains. "I submerged myself fully and began to feel numb, detached, like in the moment just before sleep. I was only dimly aware that I was breathing water, I don't know for how long before I was pulled to the surface, where I saw that my skin had turned blue in places."
[18:44] <@Kotono> "About two minutes," Kascha says, "Crystal and I were distracted momentarily."
[18:44] <@Kotono> "Come with me, Afina," Lady Sanzha rises, "Kascha, take care of our fellow guest in the meanwhile."
[18:46] * @Afina obligingly flutters along behind Sanzha.
[18:49] <@Kotono> You are lead to another side room. Here images of light flitter about, making a crude circle in the center of the room. "Strip and step into that circle. A gas will come, breathe it in and do not resist. It will put you asleep for half an hour while I cast various divinations and analysis spells on you.  It is imperative that I ascertain the state you are in, and if you are in any danger
[18:49] <@Kotono> from a possibly incomplete and unbalanced transformation."
[18:52] <@Afina> Oh... and she'd taken it as a good sign of progress. Nodding, Afina doffs her hat, sets aside the single blade she had carried out today, and strips out of her clothes without reservation before stepping into the circle and sitting down.
[18:58] <@Kotono> Gas comes - an invisible thing, tasting of faint foulness and sweetness intertwined. The nothing - pure dark unawareness. What pierces it is Lady Sanzha's voice, vision dark, ears deaf and other senses nil. It is heard without hearing, "Afina," Her voice whispers, "Listen to me. I'm contacting your mind directly while you sleep. Can you hear me?"
[19:00] <@Afina> "Yes."
[19:03] <@Kotono> "Your elemental affinity is out of focus," Lady Sanzha explains, "I believe you began the change, but were not able to complete it. As a result you have some water within you, but it is in conflict with the rest of your nature. If left unchecked, you will begin to sicken and eventually perish. Worse, the contamination with water may well make it the final death. I can remove the water and restore you with fire, but I fear it may forever seal this chance from you. Alternately, we may attempt the ritual and begin what is started, and ultimately balance you properly. Choosing fire is safe, but your dream will never come to pass. Choosing water may lead to your dream coming true, but failure could be catastrophic or even fatal."
[19:04] <@Afina> It felt easy back on Ysgard... feeling confident now that it's possible Afina replies without hesitation, "Do it."
[19:04] <@Kotono> "Do which?" she asks right back.
[19:05] <@Afina> "The ritual."
[19:13] <@Kotono> "Very well. You will awaken there and the ritual will begin. Gather your strength as you rest."
[19:14] <@Afina> Feel firmly confident now, Afina mentally reviews all her past experiences with this ritual and what happened on Ysgard, mentally preparing herself for every aspect.
[19:20] <@Kotono> With that, blackness comes. When Afina comes to, it is cold. So cold. She lies undressed on the edge of the icy pool. Lady Sanzha is within, submerged up to her chin and kneeling in the pool. "Come," she instructs, speaking in the High Maridi. "I will guide you myself in this final, dangerous ritual. "
[19:23] <@Afina> Nodding, Afina slides into the pool, dimly aware that without her enchanted items bolstering her she's at a disadvantage... but maybe those were holding her back all along, preventing her from achieving with communion with water as herself, no tricks or advantages. Serene almost to numbness at this ritual which really will be final unlike her last one, she accepts the water around her as she floats towards the marid.
[19:25] <@Kotono> "Now," Lady Sanzha's voice is sonorous and commanding, the water stirring with each word, "Submerge yourself and breathe in the water. Hold nothing back."
[19:25] <@Afina> Angling herself down, Afina pushes herself under the water, breathing it in without reservation.
[19:26] <@Kotono> Pain comes. Curiously lesser pain - it hurts, but at the same time it is not so terrible. It is more...manageable. The cold is not so terrifically jarring.
[19:27] <@Afina> In and out, in and out, pain is an old companion for her by now, and she breathes almost easily.
[19:28] <@Kotono> roll 1d10 and more
[19:28] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d10 and more and gets 4." [1d10=4]
[19:29] <@Kotono> There is pain, there is misery - yet it is less. Less as light comes from above, and Lady Sanzha chants, "First sta--g--ah!" The light grows stronger, as Afina feels the water starting to swirl around her! Her innards drop and tension explodes in her chest! "Afina, your will! Gather it!" Lady Sanzha calls, "Something in you is reacting!"
[19:30] <@Afina> So soon?! Curling herself up under the water, Afina tries to pull this tension back, tries to regain the sense of serenity!
[19:30] <@Kotono> OOC: Will save.
[19:32] <@Afina> roll 1d20+46 moment of prescience
[19:32] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+46 moment of prescience and gets 57." [1d20=11]
[19:35] <@Kotono> Water crashes into Afina. All the water in the pool flows into her skin, permeating in! She feels herself rising up, a tornado of banded fire and water whirling about her! Lady Sanzha is sent flying back from you, as you feel the elements swirl around you! Your entire body throbs, bloody cracks appearing all over! With the blood comes trickles of fire and streams of water! Over this din Lady Sanzha shouts, "Afina! You have to center yourself and combine them! You have to make a whole greater than the sum of your parts! Focus, or you'll be ripped apart by them!"
[19:43] <@Afina> She... she has to become BIG? Momentarily struck by horror, Afina digests the rest of it and wonders if she's being too literal. In any case... water spreads to fill its container, and fire spreads so long as it has fuel... again that's leading towards becoming big, unfortunately. Not that she really knows how other than willing it to happen and seeing. Concentrating hard on what both fire and water mean, both elements of motion, ones that spread within limits, one that smothers and one that covers... all these commonalities and contrasts have to be reconciled together inside of her body if she's to survive, and she sets her mind to the problem fervently, her fires spreading out and the water rushing after to follow the trail so blazed. Working hard to bring the two
[19:43] <@Afina> into synchronicity with each other by force of will alone, she closes her eyes and shuts out all of her senses, all distractions so that it's pared down to just these two battling elements warring inside of her.
[19:45] <@Kotono> OOC: Will save again, Afina.
[19:47] <@Afina> roll 1d20+27 no tricks this time!
[19:47] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+27 no tricks this time! and gets 42." [1d20=15]
[19:47] <@Kotono> roll 5d10 and more
[19:47] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 5d10 and more and gets 23." [5d10=1, 8, 1, 7, 6]
[19:50] <@Kotono> Slowly the world dims. The agony of splitting apart is numbed away by pure mental focus. In your mind's eye you can see fire and you can see water. One crashes against the other, the two fighting, evaporating, quenching. You can feel the very essences oppose each other, bitterly battling your will. Amid the pain questions come into your mind. What good is water to fire? What good is fire to water? Pain. Misery. Despair. Hate. Hate. HATE. You feel a hate breath-taking in its raw immensity, dwarfing Afina as a planet dwarfs a speck of dust. Eternities of bitter hate crash down in on her as agony fills her senses again, a cascade of voices screaming at her, demanding of her what she can bring, how a mere failure of a fey can dare to combine what must not be combined.
[19:54] <@Afina> What can she say in the face of such powerful and ancient emnity? In the end, it comes down to a simple bit of wisdom known to anyone with even a basic grasp of the obvious, though it took her too a long time to recognise. "If there's one thing... that I've learned from Lifasa's fall. It's that we're stronger together than apart."
[19:54] <@Kotono> OOC: Make a will save. G'luck.
[19:56] <@Afina> roll 1d20+27
[19:56] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+27 and gets 30." [1d20=3]
[19:56] <@Kotono> roll 8d10 and more
[19:56] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 8d10 and more and gets 50." [8d10=10, 5, 8, 6, 4, 6, 10, 1]
[19:57] <@Kotono> Agony. Pure, unbridled agony! Afina is splitting apart! She feels her flesh explode out, blood vessels torn asunder! Despite this absolute torment, she hangs on! She feels the forces tearing at her, battering her - but she still maintains herself, holding on with her will!
[20:01] <@Afina> All she can do is maintain that will, there's no way out now, trapped in the maelstrom of conflicting elements. "I... won't give in..." she rasps, "Join together... in me!" With her body tearing apart all she has is her will, directing it towards remaking it of the two elements whether their ancient hate permits it or not!
[20:01] <@Kotono> OOC: Will save. G'luck.
[20:02] <@Afina> roll 1d20+27
[20:02] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+27 and gets 34." [1d20=7]
[20:03] <@Kotono> roll 8d10 and more
[20:03] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 8d10 and more and gets 55." [8d10=9, 7, 4, 9, 3, 10, 7, 6]
[20:03] <@Kotono> The agony is without end. Afina knows nothing but pain...and somehow her will forces itself. She forces her will on everything, pushing back hard! Splitting apart, dying, drowning, burning! Afina is all of those and more, shuddering all over! Yet, in the end...steam. In her hazy, bloodsoaked eyes, she sees...steam?
[20:04] <@Afina> "Wh... s'that it?" she asks weakly, feeling none of the primal elemental power that accompanied her previous failures, but instead a profound sense of relief mixed with fatigue. Looking down, first at herself to make sure she's the same size as always, and then at the room to ensure Sanzha is well.
[20:05] <@Kotono> Not fire or water, but steam. Steam is all around her, as her body breaks and blood pours out of her! She can see steam, as she feels the forces rearing back, as if to finally rip her in half and end this nightmare!
[20:06] <@Kotono> Afina thinks she's the same size as always - but her vision is hazy and bloody and steamy.
[20:08] <@Afina> It's not over, but she just has to endure, surely. While she feels the brief swell before the wave washes over her, she uses it to wish for healing, as paltry as it may be, while marshalling herself to hold together just a bit longer.
[20:08] <@Afina> roll 4d8+19 cure critical wounds via limited wish
[20:08] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 4d8+19 cure critical wounds via limited wish and gets 45." [4d8=5, 7, 7, 7]
[20:08] <@Kotono> OOC: Will save. G'luck.
[20:09] <@Afina> roll 1d20+27
[20:09] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+27 and gets 38." [1d20=11]
[20:11] <@Kotono> Agony again! Agony flares in Afina - but somehow, this time she holds firm! Screams fill her ears, this time of pain instead of hate! She feels her body exploding and rippling, steam exploding all around her! In exhaustion she falls face down flat, utterly drained! At the same time a massive torrent of steam explodes out, shaking the ground like a titanic earthquake! OOC: HP is 0, but you're awake and stable. All your spell charges are exhausted, as are your SLAs. You gain the half water elemental template. You'll need to pay for it in the coming levels. You also gain a swim speed equal to your land speed and the ability to breathe water. Your cold vulnerability is gone, but you do not gain immunity or resistance to cold. Go ahead and describe your new apperance - go ahead and figure out how Afina looks now.
[20:14] <@Afina> OOC: I'll add the LA to my existing one, since I'm gonna be doing that with all the other elements it feels cheesy to pay in advance for what'll end up being 9 level adjustments
[20:14] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[20:18] <@Afina> Rolling over, Afina moans softly, her skin having turned a clammy pink rather than its ruddy colour of before, not quite the same paleness she once had as an ordinary pixie, her wings a wispy white colour now like steam burning off a pure water spring while her hair has turned the same pure white. Her eyes aren't quite white, though rather than being orange they're now a stark silver.
[20:20] <@Kotono> Slowly Lady Sanzha approaches, waving off steam. Afina can faintly see her - her left eye is dark, her right eye hazy with blood. Slowly Lady Sanzha kneels next to her, "You did it," she whispers, gently picking up Afina, carrying her in both arms. "You need rest - the way you bulged at the end, you came within a hairsbreath of tearing yourself apart."
[20:20] <@Afina> "Least I... didn't turn big," she chuckles weakly, allowing herself to be carried.
[20:23] <@Kotono> A haze. A haze of things. Of moving, voices from faraway - Crystal and Kascha. But they fade. Next to the warmth of Lady Sanzha, Afina finds herself hurtling into exhausted rest. OOC: More. Restore HP for one night's rest. Your spell charges and SLAs are still exhausted.
[20:25] <@Kotono> When Afina awakens once more, she finds herself lying in a decadently soft, pixie sized bed. The white sheet feels silken soft against her bottom and the quilt tucking her in keeps everything pleasantly toasty. Her vision is still hazy and an immense sense of fatigue batters Afina - but she's awake. A room. A room - the Cauldron, she thinks. Nearby is Crystal - awaiting and sitting at
[20:25] <@Kotono> attention, eyes gazing into yours. "Afina," she asks, voice a gentle sound, a hand going out and snaking into the sheets, finding Afina's. "How do you feel?"
[20:25] <@Kotono> OOC: In case it matters, Afina is treated as exhausted right now.
[20:26] <@Afina> "Tired," she murmurs, pushing herself up just a bit to regard Crystal. "I did it, but it was so hard, so wearying..."
[20:28] <@Kotono> "You've been out about a day," Crystal replies, "You did it," A squeeze of Afina's hand, "Her Divinity stated that healing magic won't work on you until your body fully heals on your own, so rest."
[20:29] <@Afina> "I will," she replies, squeezing Crystal's hand weakly and closing her eyes already.

[Yuthirin]

[11:46] <@Kotono> Sleep comes once more, like a torrent of exhaustion. A deep sleep. This time it has fragments of dreams, recalled only dimly later, in the haze of awakeness. Dreams of steam, water and fire. Dreams of steam, forever in her mind. Scalding steam, terrifically hot and destructive. But all of that fades as awakeness returns once more. Afina still feels bone-exhausted, her eyes opening. She's
[11:46] <@Kotono> in the same position as last time, Crystal in the edge of her vision. "Afina?" she asks. OOC: Still exhausted, recover one night's rest again. Spells/SLAs are still tapped.
[11:48] <@Afina> "Mmmrgh..." Afina makes an incoherent noise of sleepiness, rubbing at her silver eyes and blinking at Crystal.
[11:49] <@Kotono> "You're at rest in the Cauldron," she goes on, "Everyone at Aurora knows you're safe. You've been asleep two and a half days now."
[11:50] <@Afina> "Feel stiff'n tired," she admits, propping herself up a little. "S'there anything to eat?" she asks, not that she has appetites as such any more, but surely some sustenance will aid her recovery?
[11:52] <@Kotono> Crystal goes to the side - there's a table set up. She comes over with a tray, a steaming tea kettle and an assortment of small, pixie sized foods. "Her Divinity said you need to recover your strength, and that it will take about a week."
[11:55] <@Afina> "Was easier with just fire," Afina admits, a bit more coherent now as she smells the food, sitting properly and starting to eat. "But it's better this way. How do I look?" she asks curiously, peering at her sunburnt looking limbs.
[11:57] <@Kotono> "Sunburned, but your hair and eyes are pretty,"  Crystal sits back now as Afina eats. As she takes her first bite a terrific hunger overtakes her, demanding more food. "Lady Sanzha has offered you a magical hair ribbon, if you care to change your apperance. She sends her congratulations and praise, though she will not visit until you have recovered your strength."
[11:59] <@Afina> "There's no need, if I wanted I could turn myself into the form of a courre and look more or less a normal fairy," Afina demures amidst mouthfuls of food. "It'll change again with Earth and Air, anyway."
[12:00] <@Kotono> Crystal smiles faintly as Afina eats, watching the food vanish as Afina sates her resurgent hunger. "Kascha's been put to research work," she continues, "To make sure you're stable, but all signs indicate you are."
[12:05] <@Afina> "It's uncharted ground, even if they've been aiming at this for years. I don't doubt there'll be a lot to find out with how I work," Afina nods, washing her meal down with a long draught of boiling hot tea. "Feels good, though, even with the tiredness."
[12:07] <@Kotono> That draws a faint smile from Crystal again, "It's showing. When you snore, your nose exhales steam."
[12:08] <@Afina> "I snore?" Afina's head jerks up to look at Crystal, appalled.
[12:10] <@Kotono> Crystal blinks a moment before dissolving into giggle-fueled laughter. "Of what I said, that's what bothers you?" With a rather large smile on her face, "You have been on occasion while resting. What's so terrible about it? You're not loud about it. You can hear the hiss of steam if you're paying attention."
[12:11] <@Afina> "I'm normally very quiet, though," Afina asserts, leaning back. "At least I don't need to sleep, now. It would be terrible for an assassin to find me from my snores..."
[12:12] <@Kotono> Laughter coming softer now, "Oh Afina," Crystal smiles. "If you haven't snored before...could it be that you're jettisoning steam from within you?"
[12:18] <@Afina> "No one's mentioned it before, but maybe they were afraid to?" Afina wonders. "Do I steam when I breathe normally?" she asks, crossing her eyes to try and see if any rises from her mouth or nose.
[12:19] <@Kotono> None that Afina sees. "No," Crystal remarks, "I confess the theory isn't mine. Kascha proposed it when I mentioned it to her."
[12:21] <@Afina> "Hold on a second," Afina asks, holding her breath for a bit until the desire to breathe becomes too much and she opens her mouth wide in a yawn, to see if it elicits any steam production.
[12:22] <@Kotono> A faint mist of steam comes out of Afina's mouth.
[12:24] <@Afina> "It must just come when I'm breathing deeply, then," she concludes. "I don't know if it's coincidental or a function of my lungs, we'd need a healer to tell that."
[12:25] <@Kotono> "I'll ask about it for you." Crystal says, "Now rest. You're on bed rest until further notice, anyway."
[12:25] <@Afina> "Yes, nurse," Afina replies playfully, easing her head back onto the pillow and closing her eyes.
[12:29] <@Kotono> Sleep comes. Afina dreams of steam and heat, lost in dreaming fragments. When awareness comes back to her, she feels only drained and tired. The bone weary exhaustion is gone, though Crystal isn't to be seen. OOC: 2 days rest of HP restored, you're now only fatigued.
[12:31] <@Afina> She feels a pang of disappointment, being used to having Crystal's presence when she rouses herself... but nevermind, she surely has other things to do. Propping herself up she looks around to see if there's at least some food around.
[12:32] <@Kotono> Indeed there is. In the corner of the room is a woman carrying  a tray. She is elven at first glance, blonde hair and blue eyes. She's just above 5ft tall, walking with the natural grace her race possesses. She's entirely pretty, yet there is a faintly reptilian cast to her features, a hint of something far from elven. She wears a silken forest green dress, "Are you awake?" she asks,
[12:32] <@Kotono> soft-spoken.
[12:34] <@Afina> "Yes, I'm Afina," she introduces herself although she expects the elf to know. "I don't think we've met," she adds, sitting herself up.
[12:36] <@Kotono> The tray is full of piping hot foods, a small cloud of steam rising up from all of them. "We haven't. I'm Amaryl," her smile is gentle as she places the tray before Afina.
[12:39] <@Afina> "Ah, Kascha's spoken of you," Afina comments, recognising the name. Taking the tray and sampling the foods with no fears for their scalding temperatures she goes on, "Thank you for visiting me, I understand you must be very busy."
[12:41] <@Kotono> "Thank me? There's no need, for I want to thank you." With a joyous smile, "We've been working for decades to achieve what you've done. Your success has confirmed it can be done, as well as providing great amounts of useful knowledge."
[12:45] <@Afina> "It's been done with your support, so that can make us even," Afina smiles back happily, pleased that things have went well for both sides. "And I expect I'll need that same support with Earth and Air."
[12:47] <@Kotono> "You shall have it," Amaryl declares. "Seira is extremely pleased with you as well."
[12:51] <@Afina> "That's flattering to hear," Afina eases back into her cushions comfortably. "If there's anything you or she want to know about how I've changed and what it was like, I'm happy to answer."
[12:54] <@Kotono> "Lady Sanzha will be handling that in due time," Amaryl notes, "Also, should you ever find yourself in need of a patron to guide your life, come to us."
[12:55] <@Afina> "Ah, thank you for the invitation, but I'm afraid I'll remain true to my Queen for so long as she'll have me," Afina tactfully demurs the offer.
[12:58] <@Kotono> "No harm done," Amaryl smiles, "Crystal will be back soon. Please rest until then. Our research indicates this time is essential for your body to adapt to the elemental duality."
[12:59] <@Afina> "Don't worry, I'm no no hurry to get up while I'm feeling like this," Afina promises, offering back the tray and laying herself down again.
[13:01] <@Kotono> Thus Afina rests. Sleep comes with startling ease - she's back asleep before she even realizes it. This time she doesn't remember her dreams, only awakening. She feels much better now - awake, alive and aware. OOC: HP restored to full, SLAs and spells back. You are no longer exhausted.
[13:02] <@Afina> Sitting up and stretching, Afina yawns hugely and looks about to see if anyone's nearby. She feels alive again!
[13:05] <@Kotono> Crystal is nearby. She sits on a pixie sized chair, wearing a sleeveless silver ballgown. Her hair is done up and she wears silver jewelry all over. In her lap rests a pair of high heeled slippers. She snoozes gently, slumped in her chair.
[13:08] <@Afina> Looks like she's been having fun. Ah well, if she's been content to sit by while Afina sleeps, she can at least do the same. Getting out of the bed, she looks to see if her clothes or any pixie-sized clothes are handy, first...
[13:09] <@Kotono> Afina finds her gear and hat tucked away into a dresser on the side. It smells good, freshly laundered.
[13:12] <@Afina> Good to see! Getting dressed and equipped, she tests her wings and limbs, fluttering around the room and stretching, just some light exercise done quietly to ensure she's performing well enough without disturbing Crystal.
[13:13] <@Kotono> Everything seems to be in order.
[13:15] <@Afina> Well she'll pass her time doing exercises until Crystal's awake again, then!
[13:18] <@Kotono> Perhaps an hour, perhaps two. It's something like that w hen Crystal stirs. She sits up slightly, yawning wide. "Mmm...Afina?" she says, voice sleepy, "Oh, you're up!" She rubs her eyes, "My apologies. They've been having celebrations and Sir Donald dragged me to one."
[13:20] <@Afina> "That's alright, I'm feeling fine now, Crystal," Afina replies brightly, fluttering over to sit on the side of the bed facing her friend. "What was the occassion?"
[13:23] <@Kotono> "You." Yawning once more and taking to the air, Crystal stretches. Once done she alights back down, "To quote one of the toasts, you've vindicated decades of research, and will the first of many successes. They have a grand ball for you planned, if you wish to attend."
[13:24] <@Afina> "Well, it'd be rude not to, after all the help I've been given here, not to mention their support for the Crusade," Afina nods decisively.
[13:24] <@Afina> "But did you have fun at your celebration?"
[13:26] <@Kotono> "Yes. I confess I don't enjoy those sort of gatherings over much, but it had a festive air to it that many lack." Crystal stretches again, "You're not obligated. Lady Amaryl said you could plead away because of your duty, and you've been away a week. It's really your choice."
[13:27] <@Afina> "I already told you, I'll go. When is it?"
[13:29] <@Kotono> "About 8 hours, a third of a day." Crystal rises, "We'll need to get you a dress. Something suitable, they have a tailor who can make anything fast. Think up something suitable."
[13:31] <@Afina> "We'll need to stop by Aurora for me to get some money," Afina responds, looking over Crystal's dress for ideas. "Know where Kascha is?"
[13:32] <@Kotono> "The money isn't a concern," Crystal remarks, "She's probably studying. I can take you to her if you like."
[13:33] <@Afina> "Lets go, then. Do you want to get changed first yourself?" Afina asks considering how done up Crystal is.
[13:50] <@Kotono> "I'll reuse this," Crystal says, "There's no point." From there you head out. You find yourself lead to a library. Here stone dragon maws rise from the cave ground, full of large books. Glass globes with fire inside illuminate everything. Kascha stands before one such maw, a large book floating at eye level. Its page turns on its own as she reads.
[13:51] <@Afina> "Hello, Kascha. Good to see you again," Afina greets the ghaele readily, fluttering over to join her. "Reading anything interesting?"
[13:52] <@Kotono> "Ah! Afina, you're up!" Kascha turns to her, "It's been a week already?"
[13:53] <@Afina> "I've no idea, since I've slept most of it," Afina admits, looking to Crystal for help.
[13:55] <@Kotono> "A week," Crystal confirms, "Just about."
[13:56] <@Afina> "I feel fine, now," Afina confirms, "Maybe even better. How about you? Crystal tells me you've been kept busy doing research on my change."
[14:02] <@Kotono> "Oh yes. I have good news," Kascha brings her hands together, "You're stable.  You did it, Afina!"
[14:04] <@Afina> After a week she'd sure hope so! "With a lot of help. Crystal tells me there's a celebration later today, will you be coming?"
[14:06] <@Kotono> "Oh, there is?" Kascha says, "Of course I will!"
[14:07] <@Afina> "Want to come shopping with us to find dresses and you can tell me what you've learned from studying my change?" Afina offers.

[Corwin]

[20:00] <Kotono> Afina is at work. She's in the forges, crafting magic wonders small and large. As she works, suddenly the grounds shake! The walls quiver, as if an earthquake is rocking Aurora!
[20:02] <Afina> Sounds like they're under attack! Putting aside the amulet she's working on, she turns and zips towards the portal to see what's going on from the courtyard!
[20:06] <Kotono> Afina races out to the courtyard in a hurry! Coming out she finds hundreds of soldiers are out! Amid them you can see Dana, the Master and Rosa, keeping order. Outside? It's huge! A booted foot bigger than a fire giant looms over the gate, shadows cast over Aurora as an absolutely titanic figure in plate armor stands over you! You can see upand up and up and up that armor, up to its
[20:06] <Kotono> chest, face too high up to get a look at.
[20:09] <Afina> "Hold fast for now," Afina instructs the present commanders, "We don't know if it can pierce the barrier. Has it made any aggressive moves?"
[20:11] <Kotono> The Master trots over, shaking his head. "He's watching over us, waiting."
[20:12] <Kotono> A muffled din carries over the courtyard, soldiers at the ready as orders are shouted out.
[20:15] <Afina> "Very well, in that case I will attempt to parley with him," Afina decides, hoping this isn't that titan Jaela talked about provoking. "If he attacks and shows any ability to move Aurora or pierce the barrier, Gate to the astral plane immediately and I will follow." Orders given, she hastes herself and flies out, ascending upwards to the giant's head.
[20:17] <Kotono> It's a long flight! The creature is impossibly tall - rivaling the mountains around you! Yet at last you fly up, having to fly back to get some image of its face. It has a white beard and eyes of the beautiful blue sky. It wears a horned helmet to match its heavy armor, and speaks in a world shattering whisper, hurricane winds whipping around Afina in the wake of his voice, "A little
[20:17] <Kotono> pixie is the one brave enough to meet me?"
[20:19] <Afina> "I am General Afina, and I represent the fortress Aurora!" Afina calls loudly after the effects of his whisper diminish, shouting to make sure she's heard. "Why have you approached us?!"
[20:21] <Kotono> A chuckle like the earth heaving is your reply, and then a normally spoken voice is heard in Afina's mind. 'Good. I expected no less of those who recovered Medicant.
[20:21] <Kotono> OOC: Gah.
[20:22] <Kotono> A chuckle like the earth heaving is your reply, and then a normally spoken voice is heard in Afina's mind. 'Good. I expected no less of those who recovered Medicant. I approach you because I feel like it, little dusk speck.'
[20:24] <Afina> "And what do you feel like doing now that you have approached us?" Afina retorts waspishly, crossing her arms as she flutters in place on wings of steam.
[20:28] <Kotono> 'Whatever I feel like.' Is his retort, as he goes to kneel. He drops massively to one knee, the ground shaking tremendously! He turns his huge face up, hands bigger than Aurora poised at the rock near the gate, 'Scoop it up and put it on my mantleplace.'
[20:31] <Afina> Flying back down now, to ensure she remains somewhat level with his gargantuan visage. "It is called the *mobile* fortress for a reason. You should not expect it to stay there even if you were to succeed," she informs him, piqued by his cheek.
[20:34] <Kotono> Laughter comes - muted and contained, as the giant's shoulders shake. He stands back up and looks down at Afina, 'Not a hint of surrendering or fear.' Nodding once, 'Medicant's in brave hands, Medi's should be happy about that.'
[20:35] <Kotono> *Medi should
[20:37] <Afina> "Bravery by itself is worthless. More importantly to his memory, I'd hope, is our continuation of his original mission's spirit," Afina comments, eyeing the giant speculatively. "Where comes your interest in testing our character?"
[20:38] <Kotono> 'Obligation to an old friend,' The giant replies, 'Medi talked me into training one of his friends and impressed me with his determined courage.'
[20:40] <Afina> "A contemporary, then. Would you like to speak with Elena?" she asks curiously, assuming she'd know the giant, or at least wish to reminisce with someone who knew her master.
[20:42] <Kotono> "Elena's still alive?" The giant asks aloud, torrential force sending Afina careering back crazily! Laughter buffets Afina as the sound ceases, the behemoth before her shrinking down to size! It's now only the size of Hanna or so.
[20:45] <Afina> Recovering herself and flying forward to resume her previous position, Afina then has to fly down to match the giant's new stature. "She was left in charge when Medicant was hidden away," she explains, moving towards the gate and calling, "Elena! There's someone who wishes to meet you here!" If she recognises him then she'll have no qualms about inviting him in so they can catch up.
[20:46] <Kotono> Elena thus appears at the gate! She opens her mouth to say something, but eeps instead! "Brani!" Her hands go to her cheeks, "I should have known it was you as soon as you pulled that trick again!"
[20:47] <Afina> Nodding briefly Afina gestures for the gate, "You're welcome to enter, Brani."
[20:48] <Kotono> Laughing now, as an entire small army stares, "Just like old times is how you say it." Stepping on inside and slinging an arm loosely over Elena's shoulders, "Let's go get one of the suites and catch up!" Glancing over at Afina, "So did you do all this yourself or did Medi intervene?"
[20:49] <Kotono> Here Elena's cheer fades, "Brani, you know he's gone, don't you?" she asks, looking down and away.
[20:50] * Afina thought that was obvious, and given the giant's earlier statements assumed he knew as well, so she looks somewhat confused by the question.
[20:50] <Kotono> "Nonsense," The giant brushes that right off, "An archmage could ensure he lives again, and Medi was far more than an archmage. So he's not involved, but don't tell me yo uthink someone like that would just die?"
[20:51] <Kotono> "He's gone," Elena shakes her head and looks up. She looks drained at those words, "He's dead, Brani. Dead or gone somewhere so far away he can't come back."
[20:54] <Afina> "Brani, you're upsetting Elena," Afina intercedes protectively. "Surely you can reminisce without dredging up hurtful matters?"
[20:56] <Kotono> "I didn't think she's believe he's dead," Brani says, removing his arm from Elena. She looks down and away, arms hugging herself. "Little Elena," he says, getting on a knee. He places a handon her shoulder - or as close to it as can be done, anyway. "I'm sorry. You know how hard it is to put an archmage down for good."
[20:57] <Kotono> Elena sniffles, a miserable sound, "I...I'll go prepare one of the empty suites..." she sniffles, before vanishing away.
[20:59] <Kotono> Brani sighs very lightly, turning his attention to Afina. "Could you walk me to the suites?" he asks, considerably more subdued now.
[21:00] <Afina> Even with Elena gone, Afina still bites her tongue, knowing she's capable of hearing them... but on reflection, she probably doesn't want to. Thus she approaches Brani, "Consider how Medicant's mission failed, in betrayal and strife, destroyed not in some grand battle to decide the future, but rotted away from the inside by those Medi believed he could trust. In such circumstances, the
[21:00] <Afina> ability to transcend death is immaterial without the desire." Waiting a moment for that to sink in, she then begins fluttering towards the portals.
[21:01] <Kotono> Afina and Brani walk to the entry hall without incident. Once in and away from the slowly disperting army, "She had it for him," Brani begins, "Still does, based on the way she reacted. Should be obvious, she hasn't changed a bit."
[21:03] <Afina> "She misses him a great deal," Afina agrees quietly.
[21:06] <Kotono> Reaching the portals quietly, Brani pauses, 'I don't know if he's really gone,' he says into Afina's mind, 'I fully believe he chose to withdraw and allow time to erase the memory of his failure. Medi never gave up - if one thing failed, he's try another approach. I won't speak of that again with Elena - she believes otherwise.'
[21:07] <Kotono> After a moment, 'After all, if I'm right, it's far worse than if he's dead. He left her and Medicant to rot.'
[21:09] <Afina> "Indeed," Afina agrees quietly, satisfied with his assurance that he won't speak of it again with her. Requesting the portal proceed to the suite Elena has chosen, she leads the way through it.
[21:10] <Kotono> Thus you two go into the suite. It's one of the unused ones, Elena sitting in one opulent chair. Her sadness is gone like a summer breeze, all happiness now, "Brani!" she calls, "Come over here! Afina, get Brani some water!" Calling out, "He's too chicken to drink!"
[21:11] <Kotono> "Chicken?" Brani chuckles, "It's called wise temperance! Alcohol is the work of fiends. Why, a glass dulls the mind and destroys judgment!"
[21:12] <Kotono> "Cowardice," Elena affirms, grinning back, "The same way you won't hit things anymore."
[21:13] <Kotono> Coming over to sit, laughing at this, "It's called a vow of non-violence, and yes, I do still keep it." So answering, "It doesn't extend to certain creatures," he adds casually, giving Elena a long look. To this Elena just giggles, "You also wouldn't hit a defenseless girl for running her mouth."
[21:13] <Afina> Now she's a servant? Well, for now she supposes it's not so bad to indulge Elena, going to fetch a pitcher of iced water which she puts on a tray with a tumbler and delivers to the table before Brani, pouring him a drink and then handing the full tumbler to him. "Will there be anything else, ma'am?" she asks Elena, her voice turned down submissively.
[21:14] <Kotono> "Thanks," Brani says, as Elena laughs, "Afina, I was going to ask you to join us. Unless you want to borrow one of my servant outfits?" she asks, "I think I could get one small enough for you."
[21:15] <Kotono> Meanwhile Brani takes a few sips, "Dress up? You?" Shaking his head with a wry smile, "Imagine Medicant dressing up on command. There's hardly a difference there."
[21:17] <Kotono> "There is too!" Elena pipes right back up, glowering at Brani. After a huffing breath, "So, do you want to join us, Afina?"
[21:18] <Afina> "Well, why not," Afina allows, going to sit on one of the other chairs. "So you mentioned earlier about training one of Medi's friends, Brani? How did that go?"
[21:21] <Kotono> "I had fun. He didn't, but he learned a lot," Brani replies, "I'd already taken my oath of non-violence by then, but I decided it wasn't a violation to show another how to fight. Not everyone is so fortunate as to be able to renounce violence as a method of achieving what they need."
[21:22] <Kotono> "He had a name," Elena retorts, "Don't tell me you've forgotten it!"
[21:22] <Kotono> "I have," Brani admits with a roll of his shoulders, "He wasn't the most interesting person. Medi? Interesting. Elena? Interesting? He was more of a wall flower with muscles on muscles on muscles."
[21:25] <Afina> "Well, what do you remember about him, Elena?" Afina asks the blue girl since Brani's no help.
[21:26] <Kotono> "Well..." With a blush, "He was mostly muscular. He wasn't the biggest talker - his name was Besmalan. If you want the truth," Scratching at the side of her face, eyes looking away, "I hadn't thought of him in centuries until just now. He was a useful part of Medicant's forces and could lift ten tons with one hand...and he barely said enough words in all the time I knew him to fill up
[21:26] <Kotono> a dinner conversation."
[21:27] <Kotono> "Pebbles are more charismatic than he was," Brani goes on as he works on his drink. Waving a hand, "The breeze? More charismatic. This water? More charismatic."
[21:29] <Kotono> "Besmalan!" Snapping a finger, "That does sound like it." Brani exclaims, "Got anyone like him around here now?"
[21:30] <Afina> A poor way to remember him, Afina thinks, but if he never made an impression then such is life. "I'm not sure if anyone here can lift ten tons with one hand, actually," she replies, refusing to be drawn on whether she considers anyone under her to be lacking in charisma.
[21:31] <Kotono> "No," Elena says after some thought, "To both of those. Willim was the closest to him, but he talked more despite having the strength to come closer to that. The Master's sort of like that until you see him fight. He saves his charisma for battle. No...no, I don't think we have anyone like that here."
[21:35] <Kotono> "Mmm." A momentary lull, one that lasts only a few moments until Brani fills it, "Do you remember when Medi brought Ulsaos to tour?"
[21:35] <Kotono> "Oh!" Snapping her fingers, "That was the time with the impostor!"
[21:36] <Kotono> "I still remember the way Medi said she froze up when he casually mentioned he could see past her Mind Blank spell," Brani chortles, "In a room full of angels."
[21:37] <Afina> "Imposter?" Afina asks curiously, wondering what they're talking about. A disguised fiend probably, considering the part about a room full of angels.
[21:39] <Kotono> That makes Elena dissolve into giggles, "Ooooh, I remember that! I felt bad for her since she soiled herself when - oh, right. Medi was supposed to be touring an eladrin prince through Aurora. Somehow or another a succubus got wind of it and she was a powerful enough sorcerer to try and take his place." Going on with a fond smile, "Her named turned out to be Ulsaos. They were nice about
[21:39] <Kotono> it. They used magic to clean her up, sat her down and encouraged to tell the truth! She did with just a little bit of encouragement. It was like watching a mouse in a roomful of cats."
[21:40] <Kotono> "A succubus?" Rubbing his chin a moment, "Wasn't that before...?"
[21:40] <Kotono> "No, not quite." Elena explains, and turns to Afina, "Before the obyriths were replaced by the tanar'ii. It was in the period where there was a lot of overlap."
[21:41] <Kotono> "Was it?" Frowning half to himself, "I thought Medi came later than that." Frowning a little more before shrugging, "My memory's never been fully accurate after several centuries."
[21:42] <Afina> "I can't remember that far back, either," Afina consoles him. "So she would have been one of the first succubi, then?"
[21:43] <Kotono> "Yes. Contrary to popular myth, most of the first ones weren't particularly powerful," Rubbing his chin, "It's that only the powerful ones survive long enough to be remembered in history. Now that I remember clearly. The stronger ones were born master sorceresses or assassins."
[21:44] <Afina> "I wonder if Canderalla knows the name?" Afina muses, "So what became of her?"
[21:45] <Kotono> "Ulsaos could manage 10th circle corrupted magic," Elena says, "She was probably one of them. Sir Medi talked about it - there were several branches of succubi that were born sorcerers. It was a strange racial mutation that made most of them lose that ability. Sir Medi studied it and said for some reason the Abyss didn't seem to favor it, as near as he could tell."
[21:46] <Kotono> "Canderella?" Brani inquires back, "The angels offered her a chance to turn to the light. She lied to them, but they went along with it briefly until she tried to escape. She fought back when she was confronted and..." A shrug, "They took her to the Heavens. Last I ever heard of her."
[21:47] <Kotono> "Sir Medi heard that they imprisoned her in Elysium's swamp," Elena adds in, "From what I've heard, most everyone's forgotten the main purpose about it, except the guardians and the oldest spirits."
[21:49] <Afina> "She's a succubus who joined our Crusade. Not quite as powerful as your Ulsaos, but not far off it, if more focused towards magic of storms," Afina explains briefly.
[21:49] <Kotono> "Wonder if she ever made it out," Brani hms to himself, "There's really no way to know, even if we met her again." Nodding briefly to Afina, his eyes narrowing, "A succubus in Medicant?"
[21:49] <Kotono> "Wait, wait." Elena holds a hand up, "One of Talos's girls that rose up with him."
[21:50] <Kotono> "Wait WHAT?" The roar is loud enough to rattle Afina's teeth, all of his attention on Elena. "Talos rose?! That's wonderful news! I didn't think it possible a deity could do that!"
[21:51] <Kotono> "I don't really know the details," Elena winces and holds her hands up, "But I know Torm fell too, and Helm took his place in the Triad. I've been out of communication until several months ago, too."
[21:51] <Afina> Wincing and rubbing her long pink ear a moment, Afina looks askance at Brani. "I would have thought it well known. Where have you been?"
[21:52] <Kotono> "Asleep," Brani replies, "Every few millenia I fall into a torpor, journeying into the realm of dreams for centuries or millenia or more. It's a defense of my people, lest we become bored of the rational, logical world."
[21:54] <Kotono> "His people think in tens of thousands of years in the same way we think of weeks and months," Elena pipes up, "His race is the race titans descended from. They're known as elder titans in most lore.
[21:54] <Kotono> "
[21:56] <Afina> "Ahh. It must be confusing every time you wake, with so much changed," Afina wonders. "Though I suppose I've met a few who've slept or been sealed a very long time since Lifasa fell."
[21:58] <Kotono> "It's natural for us," Brani goes on, finishing his water, "I take on many of the styles of mortals, but most of my kin do not bother. Most of them have grown bored of Creation and removed themselves from it, by death or other means. Our people do not fear death as mortals do, nor the loss of time."
[22:00] <Kotono> "So serious," Elena lightly chides, "Don't tell me you're thinking of that?"
[22:00] <Afina> Ordinarily Afina would comment on fey having similar sensibilities. But since she's proven herself plenty fearful of death she'll just let that one slide...
[22:01] <Kotono> "No." That answer's short enough, "I don't want to die and what lies beyond is a madman's path. None who have chosen that have come back or communicated back. Perhaps there is something more or perhaps not, but I care nothing of it." Slinging an arm over the rest of his chair, "Look at us, talking lore that would make a sage green with envy. Do you have anything to add, Afina?"
[22:07] <Afina> "You speak of what lies beyond as a madman's path," Afina begins, gathering her thoughts since they're on this topic, "You could be right. When fey die, they are merely reborn through the Cycle. When mortals die they are reborn as outsiders, or become one with a particular plane. When outsiders and elementals die, so too do they become one with a plane. If you can be assured of none of
[22:07] <Afina> these fates with your own death, then the only possibilities left are complete oblivion, or consignment to the insanity that lies beyond creation. Neither should be welcomed, and I would only choose one if left with naught but the other."
[22:09] <Kotono> Brani is silent a moment after that, "You speak as if you know something of the madness beyond Creation. Most would not understood what I alluded to."
[22:11] <Afina> "I am no expert," Afina demurs, and recalling Ebony's chastisement once about speaking of such she keeps herself vague, "But I once met a lord of wraiths, a most powerful and ancient undead. He chased oblivion, and from his words I understood the beyond to be at his heels."
[22:13] <Kotono> "What lies beyond is poison to the mind and spirit, and accursed mana to the body." Brain continues here, voice dipping into a grave monotone, "I care nothing of what lies beyond, but I have learned of it. Avoid it at all costs is the only sane council to it."
[22:17] * Afina nods, not disputing that. But the Blade of Endings will remain as one of their only counters to Destiny... and a final resort should Hell push too far.
[22:20] <Kotono> After a brief, awkward pause around that, "So," Elena claps her hands together, "Enough about that!"
[22:21] <Kotono> "This is turning morose," Brani agrees, "So," Scratching at his chin, "Got anyone with too many muscles who needs something to do with them?"
[22:23] <Afina> "I... think the Jarl is the strongest physically among us?" Afina wonders, looking at Elena to see if she has any ideas. "But he's a healer foremost."
[22:25] <Kotono> "He doesn't really fit," Elena says. After a long pause, "Dana does the most. She's not the strongest, but she relies on brute strength in body and mind."
[22:26] <Kotono> "I owe Medi a debt of friendship, and his successors seem like good folk," Brani goes on, "I can train her or another how to fight. I can undo mistakes of the past and refocus someone on how they should be fighting."
[22:28] <Afina> "Her primary weapon is one normally used with finesse, but she's skilled with others. She won't come near to lifting ten tons even with both hands, but I suppose she'd like to if you could help her train that way. Otherwise Adrian's probably the best bet. Do you want an introduction?"
[22:28] * Muirfinn (~Yuthirin@c-71-57-26-119.hsd1.il.comcast.net) has joined #terrorofdunes
[22:29] <Kotono> After Brani nods, Elena waves, "I'll do it!" She volunteers, vanishing away! Once gone Brani leans back in his chair, "You're courting a disaster worse than anything Hell can do."
[22:33] <Afina> Guessing he's pegged the blade without her having to mention it, Afina merely nods. "I realised that the first time I used it. But Hell has its own weapons for which it's the only answer."
[22:35] <Kotono> "Find another way. What comes from beyond is never worth it. Never." Shaking his head back and forth, "Even if you win with it, Creation loses."
[22:36] <Afina> Other ways were sadly lacking, but since he's suggesting it... "Do you know of a means to defeat or ignore Destiny, then?"
[22:37] <Kotono> "Destiny? As in the metaphorical force of destiny or something similar ot it?"
[22:42] <Afina> "The one who masterminded Lifasa's fall is Taelfagn, the Duke of Destiny," Afina begins to explain. "A great many coincidences and oddities combined to ensure our defeat was comprehensive and swift, which perhaps could be attributed to masterful planning. But from Ygorl and certain guardians of time we've learned it's a more material force, controlled or manipulated by Taelfagn to move
[22:42] <Afina> Creation ahead on the diabolical timetable. And it protects him directly as the most perfect shield, which thus far we believe only something from outside its purview can ignore."
[22:47] <Kotono> "No defense is perfect," Brani replies, "There's other ways to work around it, or trick him into a situation that defeats him without engaging the shield. Besides, destiny's a concept of order. Chaos should have a counter."
[22:50] <Afina> "The Blade of Endings was forged in Limbo..." Afina notes with a shrug, "Not to mention it was Ygorl who pointed us towards it."
[22:51] <Kotono> "Ygorl-" A pause as Elena returns with Dana in tow. Said woman is whistling and wearing her armor, "Yeah, you needed me for something?"
[22:52] <Kotono> "No," Brani shakes his head, "I'm not done talking to Afina yet. Really Elena? THat's the most obvious and inconvinent interruption you could manage?"
[22:53] <Kotono> "Well, yo udidn't say to wait for you to finish talking," Elena huffs and crosses her arms, "Fine, fine. Come on Dana, we'll go wait."
[22:53] <Afina> "Sorry Dana," Afina waves briefly as the two depart.
[22:56] <Kotono> With a choice oath Dana departs, and once gone Brani continues. "Do you know what Ygorl is?"
[22:56] <Afina> "Slaad lord of entropy," Afina recites.
[22:58] <Kotono> "Death, entropy and destruction," Brani agrees, "Now do you think a being focused on that would be the best one to consult for a way to stop Hell, let alone a safe way that isn't a bleeding wound on Creation?"
[23:03] <Afina> "His aid has been given freely, and saved many lives," Afina feels the urge to defend their ally, though it's nonetheless a good point. "Still, our situation is no longer quite so dire, we can afford to pursue other options while what we have can act as a safeguard. Can you think of any better placed to provide what we need, and with the same impetus to do so?"
[23:05] <Kotono> "Chaos. The eladrin should have something, but you probably won't find it on the first layers of Arborea or in the Court," Brani muses, "Ssendam, Chourst and Renbuu are probably still slaad lords and may have something. Renbuu only cares about his art and is the hardest to approach about anything else. The others are...erratic."
[23:07] <Afina> "Renbuu has actually been helpful to us in the past," Afina puts in. Perhaps Baleruk would be worth talking to about more than just her prismatic journey.
[23:08] <Kotono> "Renbuu AND Ygorl? Ygorl's terrified of Renbuu for incomprehensible reasons," Brani remarks, "It's usually one or the other, or at least Ygorl before Renbuu."
[23:10] <Afina> "We don't keep them in the same room or anything," Afina hastens to inform him.
[23:12] <Kotono> That draws a snorting laugh, "Hah, well said. Still, it's rather infamous and unusually stable for a slaad. It's remarkable because of it. Yalandir may have something," he says, "If the slaad don't work out something better for you."
[23:13] <Afina> "Yalandir?" she asks, that name unfamiliar to her.
[23:15] <Kotono> "The seventh layer of Arborea," he replies, "I'd be more surprised if you've heard of it. They were sealed before I was born."
[23:18] <Afina> "I thought Arborea only had a couple of layers," Afina admits, "I'll speak to Hanna about it. Now, I think we've kept Dana long enough and she's not the most patient girl, so I should let you meet her before she blows up at Elena," she goes on, rising from her chair.
[23:20] <Kotono> "One more thing," Brani adds, "If you're interested in Yalandir, write it down and keep it somewhere you'll see every day. Somewhere private, otherwise you'll forget I ever told you this within a day. There's magic in place that causes it to slither out of the mind of those who hear about it. It can be defeated, but it takes time," Here he chuckles, "To ensure you don't forget it."
[23:21] <Afina> "Ah, I'll put a note in my quarters first thing, then," Afina nods, "Farewell Brani," she waves to him before heading out.
[23:22] <Kotono> On going out you find Dana pacing, arms crossed. Once Afina emerges,"About damn time," she says, "Can I go in now, mother?"
[23:25] <Afina> "Am I going to have to wash your mouth out with soap, then?" Afina retorts with a brief smile. "Go on in, see if he can teach you anything useful," she suggests, fluttering away first to write something down in her room before she goes to look for Hanna.
[23:27] <Kotono> Hanna's found in the bookshop. She's holding one leatherbound tome up, hesitating, as if debating. She looks lost in her own world, not looking up as Afina comes on in.
[23:28] <Afina> "Not another cursed book, I hope?" Afina asks as she flutters up alongside Hanna with a glance towards Vel.
[23:32] <Kotono> "Nothing like that," Hanna replies, "One of the Lost Lore of the Abyss tomes. Have you read Tannin's new report?"
[23:35] <Afina> "About the disposition of forces on Avernus?" Afina asks. "Good for us in the short term if we can increase the tempo of our attacks."
[23:36] <Kotono> "Yes, or rouse someone to attack Avernus," Hanna agrees, "Demons tend to do that a lot." Raising her book up and putting it away, "I got the impression Tiamat's helping out to spite us."
[23:38] <Afina> "Spite's something I suspect they're never short of in Hell," Afina bandies back. "Looking for ideas on demons to rile up, then?"
[23:38] <Kotono> "Got it," Hanna says, "What about you, same idea?"
[23:41] <Afina> "Actually I'm considering other means to counter the Duke of Destiny," Afina replies. "The Blade of Endings might work, but it carries with it great risks. One of Medi's former compatriots is visiting and suggested it's because Ygorl pointed us to it that it's so excessively destructive, and other exemplars of Chaos might be able to offer other methods of countering Destiny."
[23:46] <Kotono> "Alright," Hanna replies, "Researching something about it then?"
[23:48] <Afina> "Hoping you might know something about eladrin particularly opposed to the concept," Afina replies. "Brani - Medi's old friend - said I'd probably have to look deep, though. Yalandir?"
[23:50] <Kotono> "Yalandir..." Hanna murmurs, snapping her fingers. "Yalandir...Yalandir. No, but it sounds familiar. I can't put my mind to it, but I recall something...aaaah..." Breathing and looking up, arms crossed under her chest, "Dammit, it's just out of my mind's eye."
[23:51] <Afina> "Seventh layer of Arborea, so I hear," Afina mimics Hanna in crossing her arms. "How many layers does it have, anyway?"
[23:53] <Kotono> This causes Hanna to start slightly and rub her eyes, "Yalandir...I can't remember, damn it!" Hanna growls, "It's...oh! I remember now. Kascha!" Snapping her fingers, "Kascha, she asked me about something called the Hidden Layers and that was one of them."
[23:54] <Afina> "Apparently you forget if you don't remind yourself at least every day," Afina nods. "Know anything about it in particular?" Maybe Kascha would actually know, considering she was part of Arborea itself for a few millenia?
[23:56] <Kotono> "Seventh layer?" Hanna mouths, disbelief evident in her words. "Arborea only has three layers. Everyone knows that. But I forgot Kascha mentioned that. I completely forgot," she murmurs. "Elena!" she calls out, "Where's Kascha?"
[23:57] <Kotono> Elena so appears, "Library!" she says quickly, a flash of her wearing a maid's uniform before she vanishes moments later.
[23:58] * Afina chuckles slightly at the sight. Looks like she must have put Elena in the mood for it. "Want to go to the library, then?"
[23:58] <Kotono> Hanna's already going at a fast clip, gliding over the ground, feet just off it. She doesn't even dignify that with a reply, hurrying off.
[00:00] <Afina> Fluttering along behind her, Afina keeps an easy pace with the angel.
[00:01] <Kotono> Kascha is found at the library. She's face down in a book, snoozing away. Several other books are around, opened to various pages. A half eaten plate of food is forgotten, balancing on the edge of the table. Her wings are wrapped tight around her, like a blanket.
[00:04] <Afina> "She's just too adorable..." Afina shakes her head at the sight, glancing to see what she was reading. "I suppose it can wait until she's rested, then. I can ask Baleruk since maybe Renbuu has possibilities to counter Destiny as well."
[00:04] <Kotono> Hanna shakes her head, "She's not adorable enough to me. Wake up," Hanna reaches out and shakes her shoulder, "Rise and shine!"
[00:05] <Kotono> Hanna is reading The Lost Writings of Apostledom.
[00:05] <Afina> Oh! So mean! Feeling guilty, Afina lingers since it'll likely mean answers to her questions.
[00:06] <Kotono> "Mgaghsgh." Kascha's reply is incoherent, blinking her eyes open. A yawn follows, "Oh, how mortal of me!" she says as she sits up and stretches, "Sorry! I remember thinking about how I used to fall asleep reading when I was alive."
[00:06] <Kotono> "Right. Hidden layers. Yalandir. We," A sidelong look at Afina, "Want to know all about it. Now."
[00:07] <Afina> "One of Medi's old friends is visiting and he mentioned it. It could be helpful," Afina explains with an apologetic look.
[00:07] <Kotono> "Oh!" Kascha gasps, "Something reminded you?" Asking that, "I've accidentally made reference to it a few times, but no one's pursued it and I assumed it had been forgotten. If you don't know about the Hidden Layers, I'm not supposed to tell you." Scratching at her head, "Especially you, Hanna, since if you're in the Court and haven't been told, then you're not ready yet."
[00:08] <Kotono> "Hang the court," Hanna replies crisply, "If it's so damned wrong for me to know, I'll forget again."
[00:08] <Afina> "What about me?" Afina asks hopefully.
[00:09] <Kotono> "Well, you are a...well, you're..." Kascha hesitates, before humming. "Well. Technically, you're my superior officer, but eladrin don't care too much about it. So you could order me to tell you, but you have to promise not to tell anyone else I told you! Promise?"
[00:10] <Kotono> "Yes, blaming your superior officer won't work in Arborea," Hanna agrees, "But I'm sure our reason is good enough. Arborea supports us."
[00:11] <Afina> "Well it's Arborea or Limbo, and Limbo took the last shot at this problem," Afina shrugs. "I promise I won't tell anyone what you're about to tell me," she goes on with deadly sincerity.
[00:13] <Kotono> "Alright." Kascha says, smoothing her face over and uncurling her wings. "There's really twelve layers to Arborea. All but the top three were sealed immeasurably long ago. Three important things manifest there - mutable concepts of the truth, time and dreams."
[00:13] <Afina> *that you told me what you're about to tell me
[00:14] <Afina> So it's only halfway through the hidden layers... "What does Yalandir manifest?"
[00:19] <Kotono> "Concepts of mutable truth regarding lawful and righteous deities, the domain of the archon keeper of the Temporal Compact and the dreams of adults, freshly grown into that age. Each of the keepers of the Temporal Compact have a domain in the Hidden Layers, even the evil ones. Of course," With a giggle, "They're powerless to affect anything but their agreed to duties there, and they're
[00:19] <Kotono> still affected by the plane. Baator gets the realm of toddlerhood. Have you ever seen a toddler pit fiend or gelugon? The Children of Liberty also wander all the Hidden Layers - they're eladrin formed from the dreams of Queen Morwel. They guard dreams and are also known as the eladrin of might. There's also a lot of quaruts around, serving the various keepers of the Temporal Compact.
[00:19] <Kotono> They don't like it there at all, but they serve as ordered, even to the chaotic lords of the pact."
[00:21] <Kotono> "Oh yes. Of course, anyone but eladrin who go to those realms take on the age the layer represents. A child in Velar becomes an old man, as does anyone who goes there, for as long as they're visiting." So adding, "That's why the residents change in age. The keepers, the Children of Liberty and the quaruts are immune, but typical servants aren't."
[00:22] * Afina momentarily loses herself in a happy fantasy of storming into a devil crech, drop kicking baby pit fiends into the distance, picking up and slamming squalling infant hamatulas into walls... Kascha's latter words put a stop on that, if she'd be a baby herself, though. Her face visibly droops as she catches up with the conversation. "Which one's Yalandir?"
[00:24] <Kotono> "The seventh layer, like I was just describing. The one about adult dreams...not like that," she adds, suddenly reddening. "Though I suppose adults do dream of that more often than most. Anyway, in Yalandir only archons that get along extremely well with eladrin are allowed to serve. A lot of the most comprehensive agreements and owrks between chaos and law within Good can be traced to
[00:24] <Kotono> there, especially when the angels intervene."
[00:26] <Afina> "So, if an eladrin wanted to ensure there were loopholes for freedom in any sort of destiny an archon wants to set up, the details would be established there?" Afina suggests. "It sounds promising - but I take it getting there is no easy task?"
[00:28] <Kotono> "It would be," Nodding once, "The archons selected invariably understand and respect freedom, even if they don't agree with it. I'm pretty sure both sides do completely on purpose, lead to it by the angels. Getting there's hard. You can't plane shift or gate to the layers unless you're one of the keepers of the Temporal Compact or a Child of Liberty. There's not gates - instead, you have
[00:28] <Kotono> to have been told by an eladrin the exact method to travel to the next layer or back up to the next layer."
[00:29] <Kotono> After a beat, "Once you visit the fourth layer or deeper, you won't forget about the Hidden Layers again. Of course, the fourth layer is where Chronos Supreme resides and most of the quaruts who serve cluster there. They don't take kindly to unauthorized guests, so the going is...tricky," Kascha finally finishes.
[00:29] <Afina> "So it's a layer by layer journey, like Celestia," Afina nods digesting that. "So we'd have to start on the third layer and work our way up? Or down?"
[00:30] <Kotono> Pausing, "Moreover, that's the oldest age, at the cusp of death. Anyone who enters becomes an ancient specimen, seemingly only a day from dying." Going on and nodding, "Down." Smiling cheerfully now, "It's counter intuitive on purpose, I'm thinking. No one thinks of looking downward for more rarified Heavenly planes, do they?"
[00:32] <Kotono> Crossing her arms, "The only way to go safely would be if I went with you," Kascha admits, "But if I go, they'll know I told others and I'd get in trouble - and I have work with the Lannark negotiations coming up soon. Um...hm." Kascha says, "You can get in a lot of trouble for this. If you're told about the Hidden Layers, you're trusted not to do what I'm doing now unless it's absolutely
[00:32] <Kotono> the right thing to do. Even then I'll get talked to about it to make sure it's exactly that."
[00:35] <Afina> "Well, it opens up a way to both thwart the Duke of Destiny, and remove our reliance upon the Blade of Endings," Afina tells Kascha, "Either one alone I'd hope would be considered worthy, taken together I hope you're considered justified. Since you can't come yourself, could you direct us to the most likely place on the third layer to find the secret to the fourth, and we can hopefully
[00:35] <Afina> find our way from there?" It being we since it seems pretty clear Hanna's committed to this, now.
[00:36] <Kotono> "I could petition Lady Gwynharwyf," Hanna speaks up, "I agree with Afina. We have good reason for this and it's for Good."
[00:40] <Kotono> Looking between the two, "You could, but just make sure she'll agree," Kascha says, "There's no one best place for it to find the secret. You won't - Mithardir is designed so that you won't stumble on it. There's no back doors or hidden ways to find it. It's not meant to be found."
[00:42] <Afina> "We have to be told, yes," Afina goes back to what Kascha said earlier. "I presume it'll be easier going from fourth to fifth, since at least everyone on the fourth knows of the next one down existing, whereas on the third we'll probably get blank looks from most eladrin... but are certain types or castes more likely to be in on it as you are?"
[00:44] <Kotono> "Right," Kascha agrees, "You'll only see Ghaele, Tulani and greater eladrin. No courre or lesser eladrin are permitted," Kascha explains, "To go from the 3rd to the 4th layer, you have to make a sandcastle in Mithardir's endless white sands. It has to be well made and big enough to support a door you can pass through and must be on a wall, not on the ground or floor of the sandcastle.
[00:44] <Kotono> You have to knock on the door. Do so and it will open a portal to Metalandir."
[00:47] <Afina> "Big enough for me is easily done," Afina looks up at Hanna, "You might have to stoop a little."
[00:47] <Kotono> Hanna cracks a smile at that, "Well, at least that sounds like a fun afternoon's work."
[00:49] <Afina> "Anything else you think might help us, Kascha?"
[00:50] <Kotono> "Oh, and whatever you do?" Kascha adds, "Never go to the 12th layer. You shouldn't be able to, but in case you somehow have the chance, don't. You'll become a child and eventually be drawn into a whirlpool, where your body will dissolve and your soul will be sent into a child to be born - reincarnation, either as a mortal or as an eladrin depending on your karma and what type of creature
[00:50] <Kotono> you are. It can event affect a spirit like us."
[00:53] <Afina> Well if it's not as a fey... well, actually even then it's a nice thought. But not until the Crusade is finished! "If Brani has it right we shouldn't need to go past the seventh. Is there anything you need to take care of before leaving, Hanna?"
[00:56] <Kotono> "Nothing in particular," Hanna replies, "Kascha, tell Elena that if Jaela asks, tell her we're visiting Arborea for something. Be vague." After a beat, "It's best not to involve her yet in case this does manage to go wrong. She's off with Mirima anyway, and they'll be a few more days, I think."
[00:58] <Afina> "Alright, meet me by the gate in an hour and we can go?" Afina suggests, turning back to the other blonde angel, "Thank you Kascha, as always you're a tremendous help."

[Corwin]

[20:15] <Kotono> With that, you find Hanna awaiting at the gates. A faintly familiar man is near her as Afina approaches, "...3 sets of twelve, and then two sets of twenty one for the overhand strikes." He is wearing light armor and carrying an axe, seeming to hang on Hanna's every word.
[20:17] <Afina> "Training goes well, Rennar?" Afina asks Hanna's apprentice as she flutters up to the pair.
[20:19] <Kotono> Turning and kneeling momentarily to Afina  - really only going to eye to eye level with her, "I'm learning," he confirms, "It goes very well, thanks to Lady Gwynharwyf and Lady Hanna."
[20:19] <Kotono> He keeps hie eyes down at that, but nonetheless they slide back over to Hanna.
[20:19] <Afina> "Good," she turns up to Hanna, "Giving him some exercises to do while we're away?"
[20:26] <Kotono> "For the first practice. Any more and you should work on your own and build on what you've learned," Hanna says, to which Rennar nods. Once done Hanna smiles, "Go on. I may be gone a little while, so don't be afraid to ask any of my friends for help."
[20:26] <Kotono> "Yes Lady Hanna," Rennar replies, kneeling to her before rising and going off.
[20:28] <Afina> "How's he coming along?" she asks curiously once Rennar's departed.
[20:32] <Kotono> "About as expected," Hanna watches him go a moment before turning her attentions to Afina. With a hand on her hip she wryly smiles, "Including infatuation with me. I expected it considering what he came from, so it's a matter of letting it pass constructively. It wouldn't be right to indulge with him - it would be too tangled up in his recovery."
[20:35] <Afina> "Would be for the best, yes," Afina agrees. "With luck it'll pass as he learns to stand on his own. Still," she looks sidelong at Hanna, "That's pretty smug of you to take it as expected."
[20:38] <Kotono> "Oh," With a coy smile, "It's not about my beauty, personality or any of that. It's a matter of him attaching to me because I'm helping him escape the pain of his past. He's been through Hell, and all those miserable memories are now behind him - and I factor largest in his life now. It's only natural for him to become attached to me."
[20:39] <Afina> "That makes sense," Afina allows with a nod. "Anyway, ready to go to Arborea?"
[20:40] <Kotono> "Mithardir," Hanna nods, offering her hand out, "Are you familiar with the layer at all? We may not end up there more than a few hours to build that castle, but it's time enough for something to happen."
[20:42] <Afina> "No," Afina shakes her head as she slips her clammy small hand into Hanna's, "The only part I've been to has been Arvandor."
[20:45] <Kotono> "It's an endless white desert whipped by winds. The weather varies wildly between hot and cold and great wind and rainless thunderstorms can erupt within minutes. It's a hard land to survive in and legends say that an ancient race of titans lived there." Here Hanna lightly shakes her head, "I've heard mixed reports about that, and now I wonder even more about that. In any case, we'll
[20:45] <Kotono> want start building as soon as we find a place where the wind isn't so bad, or some ruins or rocks that give us protection from the wind. I scrounged up some things that should help with building the castle." Patting the bag on her belt, "Keep your eyes open. It the most directly dangerous Heavenly layer there is...which makes much more sense now."
[20:46] <Kotono> Frowning after that, "It never even occurred to me in all my years to seriously question that. Someone would say it and the conversation would just slide past it, now that I think about it."
[20:48] <Afina> "Very secretive, isn't it?" Afina agrees. "It's just the weather and terrain that's a hazard, though? We won't be attacked by wild beasts or hostile eladrin?"
[20:51] <Kotono> "No eladrin, but there are things that occasionally raise hel-er, Heaven." Ruefully rubbing her temple, "Heaven touched or chaos touched creatures are common, there's the rare bacchae that ends up there and odds and ends. Mithardir has a reputation of having the strangest creatures on occasion. So keep your eyes open."
[20:52] <Afina> "Alright, may as well go and find out for ourselves, then," Afina braces herself.
[20:53] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 53." [1d100=53]
[20:54] <Kotono> Sand. White sand stretches as far as you can see, under a bright blue sky. Chalk-like sand that's hot under your feet, waves of heat basking both women. Open plains of sand as far as the eye can see, not a single feature within eyeshot." A steady hot breeze blows, rustling Afina and Hanna's hair.
[20:56] <Afina> "Hmmm..." Afina hums as she looks around, savouring the heat but at the same time wishing it was more humid, "No sign of any shelter as far as I can see..."
[20:59] <Kotono> Hanna lifts up off the ground, "Let's get looking for somewhere with light wind or cover. Hopefully before we get buried in a sandstorm."
[21:00] <Afina> "Right," Afina nods, taking to the air herself and ascending upwards to broaden her horizons.
[21:14] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 70." [1d100=70]
[21:14] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 69." [1d100=69]
[21:16] <Kotono> You fly for several hours. The winds range from strong to relatively mild, with bands of cold and heat as you go. But none of it sticks as you search - until, ahead on the horizon? You see something green far ahead, like a smidge on the horizon.
[21:20] <Afina> "Are there oasises here, Hanna?" Afina asks, pointing to the green. Not that they can build a sandcastle in an oasis of course, but perhaps the wind will be less around it?
[21:22] <Kotono> "There are," Hanna remarks, "But nothing green grows at them."
[21:24] <Afina> "What do you think it is, then?" she asks as curiousity compels her to start in that direction.
[21:35] <Kotono> "I'm not sure," Hanna finally says as she takes to wing, "It could be something green, like a large creature, or some sort of artifical effect," she says. Flying closer, you see that it is indeed an oasis. A thick brush of palm trees surrounds it, and a large stone creature - a golem perhaps, several feet taller than Hanna - stands outside of it, unmoving.
[21:38] <Afina> "Must be something new?" Afina hazards, descending but keeping out of easy reach of the golem as she calls, "Hello?"
[21:44] <Kotono> OOC: Are you calling to the golem or just in general?
[21:50] <Afina> OOC: in general
[21:52] <Kotono> After calling that out, the golem's head swivels up towards Afina. "Yes?" It answers, in a distinctly masculine, powerful voice.
[21:55] <Afina> "Ah, I just wondered if anyone was here," Afina replies. They can't after all make a path to a hidden layer in full view of someone else. "Did you make this oasis?"
[21:56] <Kotono> "No, my creator did," The golem replies, "He and his companions are celebrating within."
[21:56] <Kotono> Hanna alights down, "A sorcerer of some sort, then. That neatly explains it."
[22:00] <Afina> "So you're an intelligent golem?" Afina perks up since it seems it's not just projecting the voice for some wizard. "Are you loyal to your creator out of gratitude for being made?" It's handy to know what's likely to make them tick for when she does it, after all! Assuming of course that even such things as materials and construction types don't lead towards diverging personality types...
[22:19] <Kotono> "Gratitude?" The golem laughs - a rumbling, grating sound. "At first, but he's interesting. I struck out on my own for a time, but bashing in the heads of goblins and dragons is boring."
[22:22] * Afina nods, considering whether she'll need some sort of indoctrination program to get any awakened golems of hers caught up on the whole hate devils thing. "So what's the celebration for, and why here of all places?"
[22:26] <Kotono> "My master enjoys the flesh on flesh things all fleshy things do," It says, a hint of dry sarcasm, "He and several of his female friends are doing fleshy things together. I'm supposed to ensure no one tries to come in unless they're a beautiful woman."
[22:26] <Kotono> Here Hanna rolls her eyes, "Right. You choose Mithandir for a secluded tryst.It sounds like your master has more power than common sense."
[22:29] <Afina> "Yes, we'll just be flying right along, I think..." Afina says with a shake of her head, fluttering away from the oasis. "At this rate I think we'd be better off making a shelter of our own," she mutters to Hanna.
[22:34] <Kotono> Hanna merely laughs. It's a rich sound as she shakes her head as she flies along, "I can guess - it's a young sorcerer prodigy with more power than sense.  At least you have the common sense not to hatch a dim scheme like flying in there."
[22:37] <Afina> "I had considered going to discuss golem crafting... but no, I'm not that desperate," Afina shakes her head firmly, flying up further on the off chance there's any sight of shelter. Otherwise they'll just have to put some distance between them and the oasis before making some of their own.

[Corwin]

[19:28] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[19:28] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 27." [1d100=27]
[19:29] <Kotono> Fortune is with you! After a few more minutes of flying, you chance on a bit of a ruin. A few crumbling walls jut out from the white desert, the highest seven feet tall. It's tall enough to provide shade and a wind breaker on a casual glance.
[19:30] <Afina> Landing in the side opposite the prevailing wind, Afina smiles in relief. "This should do, don't you think?" she asks Hanna, taking a moment to look over the style of the ruins. "Think we'd find anything if we dug them out?"
[19:33] <Kotono> "It's possible. I've heard of tales of treasure here, as well as danger." She pauses thoughtfully, "An Earthquake may reveal anything, but it could break things up too. Otherwise, you'd be looking at a lot of digging, barring magical aid."
[19:36] <Afina> "Shame I haven't become part earth elemental yet, that'd make digging easier," Afina reflects. "Well, we're going to have to dig some to get sand for our castle anyway, so lets start digging around here," she points to the wind-shaded area around the tallest wall, "And stack up everything we dig to the sides. It'll give us more room to build our castle and if we find anything that's a
[19:36] <Afina> bonus."
[19:39] <Kotono> Hanna lands and takes things out of her bag - small shovels, pails and several jugs of water. "These should help!" OOC: Okay, what's your int score?
[19:40] <Afina> OOC: 30
[19:40] <Kotono> OOC: Okay. Make a craft(sandcastles) check, with a +2 bonus for tools. HAnna will also attempt to aid.
[19:40] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 Hanna's aid
[19:40] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 Hanna's aid and gets 19." [1d20=13]
[19:41] <Afina> roll 1d20+12 if this was sculpting it'd be way easier!
[19:41] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+12 if this was sculpting it'd be way easier! and gets 22." [1d20=10]
[19:42] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[19:42] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 42." [1d100=42]
[19:42] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[19:42] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 70." [1d100=70]
[19:44] <Kotono> It takes a few hours of work to get anywhere. Building sandcastles is more effort than Afina realized, but in time you assemble one big enough to have a door large enough for both Afina and Hanna. It's not the best work of art ever, but it's quite competent and isn't falling apart. Deeper you find more sand and a few old hunks of stone, matching the wall, but nothing else.
[19:45] <Afina> Should've just cast fabricate, she thinks... nonetheless, she flutters up and knocks on the door where the drawbridge and portcullis would normally be.
[19:49] <Kotono> The knocking causes the castle to crumble away...and its wake, a swirling portal appears!
[19:51] <Afina> "Ready?" Afina checks with Hanna before they commit themselves to the hidden side of Arborea. "We'll be old ladies on the other side, so it won't be so easy to move or carry things."
[19:53] <Kotono> Hanna looks on at the portal, gaze locked in on it. "I know. If you need to put anything in here, my bag has space." She pauses to gather up your digging tools, cleaning them off before putting them in.
[19:55] <Afina> "I travel light," Afina shakes her head, just having a small blade as well as her clothes on. Waiting until Hanna's gathered everything up, she jumps into the portal!
[19:57] <Kotono> The touch of cold steel is all around. You stand in a field of metal grass, under a starry night sky. Around you is an open field, all metal. Yet...pain. Pain and infirmity enters Afina, as age takes her! OOC: Afina is now venerable aged. -6 to all physical scores. (str, dex, con, min 1.) Your movement speed is quartered for all modes of movemetn. Go ahead and describe Afina after that.
[20:05] <Afina> If there's one thing fey do, it's age gracefully. Afina isn't a fey anymore, but her body is still fundamentally patterned on one, thus she hasn't quite been turned into a prune. Instead she looks almost insubstantial, her rudely pink skin now pallid and transluscent to match her white hair and wings, her posture not quite stooped but at the same time holding a fundamental stiffness and
[20:05] <Afina> stillness that belies the capability for motion she once had. And when she does move she finds herself struggling somewhat, limbs and wings expressing themselves jerkily rather than with the eerie grace they should possess. Her smooth and somewhat stretched looking face twists in pain as she feels her body protest every movement, landing to rest her wings and looking around a moment at
[20:05] <Afina> her surroundings before seeing how Hanna is.
[20:08] <Kotono> Hanna is ancient. Her body is terrifically wrinkled all over, sagging and slumping. Her wings have no luster now, and instead hang down instead of pointing up. She takes a few steps forward and winces, "I ache," she declares, voice cracking and tired. "Everywhere."
[20:10] <Afina> "There's no dignity in age," Afina agrees, her voice wispy and oh so tired sounding. "At least... everyone here has to deal with it."
[20:13] <Kotono> "I'm sure it'll help, missy," Hanna drawls, rubbing the small of her back. "My wings are sore. I didn't think that was possible."
[20:15] <Afina> "Well, we'll have to fly to see where to go," Afina sighs tiredly. "Feet hurt just as much, too," she adds since it all seems to even out. Fluttering her wings, she begins to fly upwards... slowly.
[20:20] <Kotono> Thus do the two old ladies take off! Flying up, you find a metallic world ahead of you! You're on a small plain, and ahead is a gleaming forest of hard iron and rich silvers. From it you see metal owls fly from branch to branch and...something else, but your eyes can't quit emake it out. It just turns into a blur.
[20:21] <Afina> "Can you see what that is?" Afina asks, gesturing weakly at the blur in the distance.
[20:23] <Kotono> Hanna squints hard, "I...I think it's something humanoid shaped." Rubbing her eyes, "Damn eyes."
[20:25] <Afina> "I can't see it at all, except a blur," Afina commiserates. "Kascha mentioned Chronos Supreme, ever heard of that?"
[20:29] <Kotono> "No," Hanna begins, as you can see the blur moving towards you - you think. It's getting bigger, but still blurry.
[20:31] <Afina> "It's coming towards us... think it's either that or a quarut?" Afina rasps, squinting her eyes and tensing even though it makes her hurt inside just to prepare herself for confrontation.
[20:34] <Kotono> "Be ready, I doubt we can outrun it," Hanna agrees. As it comes closer you can see it. It's about a dozen feet tall, a humanoid wrought of metal but clearly inhuman. It wears a purple cloak, flying with no wings. It comes to 20ft away, bowing low. "Visitors, I am Wallum mark 39.9...no," It pauses, pure vexed annoyance expressed in that single no. "I am Wallum mark 40.30 mark V. I apologize
[20:34] <Kotono> for the miscommunication of my rank, but local conditions impede precise organization."
[20:37] <Afina> "Heh, you're not the only one out of sorts, don't worry about it," Afina chuckles weakly. "I'm Afina and this is Hanna, both of the Aurora, and of the Seelie and Court of Stars respectively."
[20:38] <Kotono> "I am not aware of you being on the approved visitor list." After a moment the mechanical man's shoulders visibly dip, a sigh coming from him. "Unfortunately, the list often changes without notice or consultation, and in the most sudden and unpredictable ways. One of my designations is to aid travelers in this realm. How may I aid you?"
[20:39] <Kotono> Hanna chortles - a dry, exhausted sigh as much as a laugh. "I see that your order and Arborea are at nines to one another."
[20:43] <Afina> "It's not this realm we want to visit, Wallum mark 40.30 mark V," Afina responds glad he's not just trying to eject them. Maybe she's got some good vibes from Inevitables from that one she rescued on Ysgard? "We're looking to go down to Yalandir, so we need the key to the next layer if you know how to get it."
[20:46] <Kotono> "I am authorized to do so," Wallum mark 40.30 mark V replies dutifully, "You must find a rocking chair. Rock forward and a portal to the next layer will appear. Rock backwards and a portal to the previous layer will appear."
[20:48] <Afina> "Ahhh..." Afina rasps thoughtfully, her tongue sticking to the roof of her mouth for a moment before she can work enough boiling hot saliva to unstick it, "Find a rocking chair. So it's no good if we make one?"
[20:50] <Kotono> "A made one will work just as well," Wallum replies, "If you are capable in this state."
[20:50] <Kotono> Hanna chuckles and rubs the small of her back, "Sonny boy," she drawls out, laying a hand on his shoulder, reaching up to do it and wincing slightly, "Our magic is still sharp. We can manage."
[20:53] <Afina> "Fabrication is easy even like this, and I could use a seat anyway," Afina chuckles roughly at Hanna's old lady act. "It won't be a problem if we use the grass, will it?"
[21:00] <Kotono> "None at all." The quarut says, "The grass is living metal, but it is no more aware than plant-based grass."
[21:01] <Afina> "In that case we'll be moving on... do you know who commands the fifth layer?" she asks as an afterthought just as she begins to descend.
[21:08] <Kotono> "Qurele, slaad." The second word is said with such utter disdain that the mechanical cretaure looks visibly ill.
[21:25] <Afina> "Things won't be quite so simple, then," Afina reflects wryly. "Thank you for all your help. If you're ever by Aurora you're welcome to stop in and see us as we really are," she offers with a look between her and Hanna's decrepit forms before she resumes descending.
[21:26] <Kotono> Thus the duo descend down. Hanna lands with a wincing sigh, "I suspect there's a point in all this," she says, "A lesson in humility, as well as being understanding of those who age."
[21:29] <Afina> "What about dragons?" Afina asks with a grimace as her joints protest her landing, "Put Baleruk here and he'd be a great elder wyrm all of a sudden."
[21:30] <Kotono> "I...do wonder how it works with dragons? I shouldn't ever age, but I have. It may not be the graceful aging of dragons that he receives."
[21:31] <Afina> "Good point," Afina admits, straightening and casting her fabricate spell using the natural materials here to form a simple rocking chair out of tightly bound metallic blades of grass, all pressed flat and curled inwards to present no sharp edges to anyone sitting on it.
[21:40] <Kotono> Thus is is done. Hanna looks at it, "Go on, the sooner you do it the better," she instructs.
[21:41] <Afina> With a few laboured flickers of her wings, Afina lands herself on the chair and rocks it forwards, quite prepared to just fall off and into the portal that appears.
[21:42] <Kotono> Afina's chair rocks forward! The chair dissolves, and just behind Afina a swirling portal appears!
[21:43] <Afina> Only her thankfully still quick reflexes save her from a sad collapse onto the now bare ground, but Afina rights herself midair and flies through the portal!
[21:51] <Kotono> Thus you fly on! The grip of oldest age leaves you, as Afina's body becomes merely old. You stand atop a frigidly cold mountain peak. From here you can see ahead under the starless sky - flat plains and steep mountains chaotically and impossibly mixed together, from high peaks to low, sundrenched plains with nothing in between. OOC: Merely old now. -3 to physical ability scores and
[21:51] <Kotono> movement speed is only halved now. Go ahead and intro Afina.
[21:54] <Afina> There's a bit more colour to Afina now, her fundamental pinkness managing to reassert itself somewhat, and while she doesn't quite feel pained she doesn't feel all that much better than she did a moment ago. "So, time to try finding a slaad?" she asks Hanna, fluttering her wings and finding that while they're slow and stiff they don't actually hurt much at least, making flight a good
[21:54] <Afina> deal more pleasant.
[22:02] <Kotono> Hanna's wrinkles are gone. Her face is drawn and her feathers don't have the luster of before, but she looks mostly well preserved and bordering on youth. "Joy," Hanna drawls, utterly deadpan. "If this one thinks I'm purple, Lady Gwynharwyf help me."
[22:06] <Afina> "Purple?" Afina repeats with a wistful smile. Talking this way reminds her of Annalise more than anything else, but still it could be useful in dealing with slaad.
[22:10] <Kotono> Hanna starts visibly, "How the hell did you do that?" she asks, aged eyes growing wide as saucers.
[22:14] <Afina> "Annalise taught me," Afina responds, the words turning grey with the sadness she allows herself to feel for the vampire's death, "It's easy to learn because Renbuu blessed me."
[22:24] <Kotono> "Less yellow," Hanna winces painfully, "She was full of surprises."
[22:28] <Afina> "That's how I reacted," Afina grins briefly at Hanna's reaction to yellow speech. "I'm not sure if you can learn, since you're a creature of chaos that might help, though."
[22:36] <Kotono> "Later," Hanna looks around, before taking to wing. "Let's find a slaad or someone to help."
[22:37] <Afina> Nodding to that, Afina takes off following Hanna.
[22:40] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[22:40] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 52." [1d100=52]
[22:58] <Kotono> You wander for a time - until, atop a singular mountain peak, you find a cottage. It's big and yet balanced on a razor thin peak, as if an idyllic forest cottage was placed here.
[23:00] <Afina> Seems worth a shot! Afina flies over and pauses briefly, gauging whether knocking might make it tip over and fall down the mountain... she settles for just calling out instead, "Hello?"
[23:06] <Kotono> It looks balanced despit ethe offront to physics it provides. There's no reply to Afina's shout, at least.
[23:07] <Afina> It may be balanced now, but any force could unbalance it! She flies towards the nearest window to peek inside.
[23:09] <Kotono> In the window Afina sees - slaad! Dozens and dozens of slaad, human sized and the color of newfallen snow. They're packed in shoulder to shoulder, eyes closed as if aslumber.
[23:10] * Afina looks at Hanna. "Any idea what this means?"
[23:14] <Kotono> roll 1d20+27
[23:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+27 and gets 45." [1d20=18]
[23:16] <Kotono> "Those are white slaad," Hanna hisses low, taking a step back, "One of them's a match for a pit fiend or a planetar! There's dozen of them in there!"
[23:18] <Afina> "Do they get sleepy with age?" Afina asks, not perturbed since it's more likely that powerful denizens such as these would know more about the realm's secrets, such as the path to the next one. Acting on a whim she tries calling again with, "Hello?"
[23:40] <Kotono> "Ahem." A deep, baritone voice clears its throat out from behind Afina and Hanna! Hanna whirls around immediately, hand going to her axe, even as it draws a faint wince from her and below her breath, "Abyss-damned back!"
[23:40] * Afina turns more smoothly after Hanna's pained example.
[23:42] <Kotono> Behind you is a figure a good head taller than Hanna. It's one of the white slaad, but bigger! Its eyes are pools of molten snow, as a long frog's tongue licks its lips. "You..." he breathes, "Fried and wet eggs. You...purple." To Afina and then to Hanna, "Lost?"
[23:46] <Afina> Fried and wet does encapsulate her somehow, although egg... maybe there's a metaphor for potential there. "Looking for the way to next layer down," she explains as to their lost-ness.
[23:48] <Kotono> Hanna's hand goes to her axe, but she otherwise holds.  Meanwhile, "You woke up all my fish," he replies, "They're boiling in time for the day after yesterday."
[23:51] <Afina> "Oh, I hope waking them won't upset the boiling," Afina apologises, just going with it since trying to force it onto her level surely won't work.
[23:56] <Kotono> "It is spoiled tomorrow," The creature bellows, yet throws a hand to the sky and points! Bringing it down and towards Afina, it starts to say something and stops. It stops completely before screaming at the top of its lungs! Utter terror comes to its face, scrambling back in the air, frog-like arms coming up to shield his face.
[23:59] * Afina looks over her shoulder.
[00:00] <Kotono> Nothing at all. Meanwhile the slaad scrambles away before vanishing entirely. Hanna stares at it, before sighing. "Pixies scare white slaad. Good to know."
[00:02] <Afina> "Old pixies," Afina clarifies bemusedly. Well if he's fleeing she'll just have to ask the slaad in the cottage, turning to look in the window. "So what's your story?"
[00:05] <Kotono> In a dazzling cavalcade of sound, each of the slaad in the cottage scream, "COLOR!!" before vanishing one after another!
[00:07] <Afina> "That was no help," the steam pixie sighs, turning about in the air to look over the landscape for any other points of interest.
[00:08] <Kotono> "Color?" Hanna stares at the now empty cottage, "Color?"
[00:10] <Afina> "Color." Afina corrects easily, looking to see if there's anything left inside except from four walls now the slaad have fled.
[00:22] <Kotono> "Like Renbuu?" Hanna inquires as you check in. Within the room is a haphazard, irregular series of shapes and circles drawn on the floor. Erratic symbols are all over, forming mathematical conclusions that are brazenly wrong and self contradicting.
[00:26] <Afina> "I suppose," Afina allows although she doesn't know if there's a direct connection. "I don't think there's anything helpful in there. We might just have to fly around and hope we find someone more helpful."
[00:27] <Kotono> "Like you just mentioned you were blessed by him," Hanna observes, idly rubbing the small of her back as she goes on, "Like its said slaad lords are terrified of him? It seems to make sense...which knowing slaad means it's most likely completely wrong.""
[00:28] <Afina> "They can't be that terrified if they talk in colours, though," Afina protests.
[00:30] <Kotono> "It's slaad," Hanna says, going to rub her temple, "It seems strange that they reacted like that to you and that's the most logical connection. Ugh." Idly pounding the cabin wall with her fist, still rubbing her temple with her other hand, "...say, you've seen Tannin's eyes, haven't you?"
[00:31] <Afina> "Different every time," Afina nods, waiting to see where Hanna's going with it.
[00:33] <Kotono> "27's not fond of Tannin. I'd say he's even afraid of him. We've never had a clue why. We just had slaad run away screaming over color. Tannin's eyes are always changing color." Looking up at the starless night sky, "Renbuu is color and Renbuu apparently represents something terrifying to at least some slaad. Seems similar, doesn't it?"
[00:35] <Afina> "Hmmm, you might be onto something there," Afina smiles softly, pleased at finding an explanation for 27's fear of Tannin. "I've never heard 27 talk about Baleruk, pity since that could confirm it. Well, it might be best if you do the talking for the rest of this layer in that case."
[00:38] <Kotono> Hanna smiles herself, "I hope I'm right. I'd like if we finally settle that question - maybe it'll get something out of 27 if he tell him that. Anyway, I can take over the talking. Shall we before arthritis sets in again?"
[00:39] <Afina> "Lead the way," Afina gestures, falling in behind the aged planetar.
[00:40] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[00:40] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 60." [1d100=60]
[00:42] <Kotono> You fly perhaps for ten minutes, above freezing mountains and boiling hot planes. It is then that you are abruptly surrounded! Dozens - no, hundreds! Hundreds of the same design of inevitables as before. Except these seem to have been painted random color, forming a random of them all around, above and below the party! They speak as one, "Identify yourself, spy of..." It shudders and
[00:42] <Kotono> sighs, the voices speaking with as much resignation as conviction, "Renbuu."
[00:45] <Afina> "Afina," Afina replies since they clearly mean her, "General of Aurora." She wonders if it even means anything in these closed of planes...
[00:46] <Kotono> Hanna flies forward, "I am Hanna, Champion of Lady Gwynharwyf. I believe there has been a misunderstanding, hasn't there, Afina?"
[00:48] <Afina> "I think so," she agrees, "We are not here to spy, nor am I serving Renbuu. We merely seek passage to the next layer."
[00:51] <Kotono> "Can you prove your words at all," They ask, sounding outright hopeful.
[00:53] <Afina> "Sorry... I can't prove a negative," Afina shakes her head apologetically. "But if you know the way to the next layer we can be on our way and not trouble you further?"
[00:56] <Kotono> "As much as we would like that," The creatures speak as one, "We are under orders from our..." An open shudder of disdain, "Master Qurele to bring you in if you can't prove it."
[00:57] <Afina> "What proof would satisfy you?" Afina asks wonderingly. It's so obvious to her, she's a general of Aurora looking for a way to overcome a devil, but they won't just take her word for it and she doesn't have any objects that would prove it...
[00:59] <Kotono> "Some proof you have nothing to do with Renbuu and are who you claim to be," They suggest, and look amid each other. "If you happen to serve a lawful deity and possess a holy symbol, that would help. Do you have anything on you that could be construed like that at all?"
[01:06] <Afina> "All I have is this," Afina replies, drawing her sword slowly and holding it out flat. "Hywelbane II, the sword I use to carry out the Crusade and kill the devils who conquered my home." It may not be a holy symbol, but it's an artfully constructed blade following sylvan patterns, it's shiftsilver gleaming and shimmering in the air, etched engravings surrounding the fuller showing leafy
[01:06] <Afina> patterns and tiny sylvan runes signifying its cause and purpose.
[01:09] <Kotono> "Killing devils is a chaotic act," The metal creatures state as one, sighing. "However, your sword does look legitimate.  If you're with a champion of Gwynharwyf..." There's a long pause as the creatures exchange looks, before fading away, one after another. The voice grows quieter as they do and reply, "You may go. To advance, you must play a tune on a musical instrument. If it is a
[01:09] <Kotono> lively tune, you will travel to Adalir. If it is a funeral dirge, yo uwill travel to Metalandir."
[01:11] <Afina> "What's more lawful than revenge?" Afina posits wryly as they leave, nodding her thanks and sheathing her sword. "How are you with instruments?" she asks Hanna.
[01:12] <Kotono> Hanna leans back and laughs, staringup at the night sky as she does so. "Aaaah. I do believe Queen Morwel's sense of humor has an ironic cast to it." Now turning, "I learned a little bit of the lute and song comes to me naturally. I've played a flute a few times and I told I have potential, but I never got around to it."
[01:15] <Afina> "That's good. I have a sense for it from dancing, but I couldn't be called skilled. I'll see if I can find something to turn into a flute? We'd need something's guts to make a lute."
[01:15] <Kotono> OOC: What do you need for a flute?
[01:16] <Afina> OOC: wood would be best, but metal could work? If all else fails I could make an ice one that might last one tune
[01:16] <Afina> OOC: or bone!
[01:18] <Kotono> Afina looks around a bit. There's no wood - only plains and mountains. Same with metal. There is some ice on the mountains, and bone...well, you have bones, but no animals are around, unless you want to use your own.
[01:19] <Afina> "Have to be ice, so make it a quick tune before you melt it," Afina tells Hanna as they alight on a mountain and she fabricates a primitive flute out of ice, not touching it herself once it's made since her heated skin would melt it all the sooner.
[01:20] <Kotono> Thus a flute is made, "I'll try," Hanna says, taking the flute and playing!
[01:20] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
[01:20] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 and gets 16." [1d20=7]
[01:21] <Kotono> Hanna plays - a jaunty tune, but one that hits a few sour notes, the flute starting to melt. She does finish the song, but nothing happens. Putting the melty flute down, "I'm out of practice. I can try again if you can make another."
[01:21] * Afina nods, refabricating the same design, but this time she casts resist fire on it to keep it from melting and hands it to Hanna.
[01:22] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
[01:22] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 and gets 14." [1d20=5]
[01:22] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
[01:22] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 and gets 19." [1d20=10]
[01:22] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
[01:22] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 and gets 11." [1d20=2]
[01:23] <Kotono> Hanna tries three tunes! But each time she hits sour notes or simply makes mistakes! The unmelting flute is lowered after the third, "I'm not making good on my claim, am I?" she remarks, taking a moment.
[01:24] <Afina> "Here, let me try," Afina holds her hand out since Hanna's having no luck.
[01:24] <Kotono> The flute is passed on over, "See if you can hit it."
[01:25] <Afina> Bringing it to her lips, Afina attempts to play something she might dance an energetic performance to.
[01:25] <Afina> roll 1d20+12
[01:25] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+12 and gets 26." [1d20=14]
[01:29] <Kotono> Afina plays the flute! She manages to get a mistake free, jaunty tune out! Hanna claps along as Afina goes, and on the last note, a swirling portal appears before you! From it you feel a sense of comfort and love, safe and enveloped in absolute love.
[01:31] <Afina> "Ready to be middle aged?" Afina asks Hanna, tossing the flute down the mountain.
[01:32] <Kotono> "Better than this," Hanna says as she passes into the portal.
[01:32] * Afina flies in after her.
[01:36] <Kotono> You stand not outside, but inside. A warm, firelit study. A single window lets in absolute torrents of moonlight, bookshelves aplenty here. Besides the fireplace are several chairs, including one sized for Hanna and one for Afina. Sitting in one of them is an older man. His face has a close-cropped white beard and his matching hair is cut short. His deep blue eyes sparkle with life and
[01:36] <Kotono> mirth, utterly ageless. He appears to be old, yet his eyes betray him. You feel absolute love from him, like a warm blanket of happiness and acceptance. From his back are six wings, each one of pure white. From the tip of each one an hourglass hangs, not sagging the wing at all. He otherwise wears cloth of white. "Would you care to join me?" he asks.
[01:39] <Afina> Now comfortably in middle age, Afina looks to be thoroughly herself again. Briefly taking in her surroundings, the six winged figure naturally draws all of her attention, and she has no reason at all to decline his offer. "Happily," she smiles back, fluttering over to land in the chair that fits her. "I'm Afina and this is Hanna. We're trying to get to Yalandir."
[01:40] <Kotono> Hanna looks the same - perhaps a touch aged but nothing more. Hanna smiles as she takes a seat, "Thank you, though my back is feeling better." OOC: -1 to physical scores and no movement penalty.
[01:41] <Kotono> "I know," He says, "I am called many things, but you may already know me as Grandfather Time. In your timeframe, I spoke to Ithea and Kascha before. Welcome to my realm."
[01:42] <Afina> "They mentioned that... you helped them with a method for containing the Blade of Endings," Afina puts it together, "We ended up using a different method, but thank you all the same."
[01:46] <Kotono> He inclines his head forward to that, "You're welcome, and I apologize for the blade you now carry."
[01:48] <Afina> "There's no need to apologise. I desired a weapon that would fundamentally eradicate devils from existence," Afina shrugs, "All problems aside, it delivers on that. But yes, I'd rather not use it if there's an alternative. In most cases there's a ready one, but not in the case of being able to bypass Destiny."
[01:50] <Kotono> To this Grandfather Time merely nods. "You may or may not find what you seek in Yalandir, of that I cannot speak. I am here to give you advice. It would be best for you that I tell you the method for advancing on and that you go no further into Adalir."
[01:52] <Afina> "That suits our purposes anyway," Afina accepts that readily.
[01:52] <Kotono> "It does...but why?" Hanna asks, "If this is your realm, then it's safe?"
[01:54] <Kotono> "To advance further, stick your right hand into any fire within this realm and think of the past. To advance back, do the same with your left hand and think of the future." Grandfather Time says, "I can answer your question if you ask again, but the path of wisdom is to subdue your curiosity. You tread in things hidden from knowledge."
[01:56] <Afina> "It's fine," Afina shakes her head, "We were directed to Yalandir and that's where we go. There's no reason to tarry in the other realms except to find the way to our goal." Looking at the fireplace for a moment she then looks back to Grandfather Time, "Is there anything else?"
[01:56] <Kotono> "Pass my warm regards to Ithea and Kascha, and tell them that I hope that the future Aurora wishes for comes to pass," Grandfather Time says.
[02:00] <Afina> "We will. And thank you," Afina smiles, standing up and walking to the fireplace, sticking her hand in the fire without any hesitation or discomfort as she wistfully recalls learning how to speak in colours from Annalise.
[02:01] <Kotono> There's a strange, blurry moment, and then Hanna is besides you. On placing your hand into the fire and remembering, a swirling portal appears!
[02:02] <Afina> "Farewell," she bids Grandfather Time, stepping into the portal.
[02:06] <Kotono> Light. You step into light, and you stand in snow. A snowfield, rolling hills covered in snow. You feel yourself fully, age having no more grip on you! You stand in chin deep snow, at least for Afina. Far on the horizon, the hazy outline of a tall mountain can be seen. The sky is at the first bit of light before dawn. OOC: Normal ages.
[02:09] <Afina> The snow at least melts swiftly, even steaming a bit as her body pushes it away from her and makes enough room for her to fly up into the air next to Hanna. "Looks like the archons have made themselves at home," she says looking towards the mountain.
[02:10] <Kotono> "What else do they have but time?" Hanna remarks with an offhanded shrug, "So do you know who rules this layer?"
[02:11] <Afina> "Archons," Afina says again, "I don't know a specific figure, though."
[02:16] <Kotono> "Then we'll just have to look." Taking to wing and stretching, "By Lady Gwyn's blade do I feel better." With a hint of a smile, "Want to race, Afina?"
[02:18] <Afina> "Where's the goal?" Afina asks, entertained by the thought of racing. Though angels are notoriously fast fliers...
[02:21] <Kotono> "Until we get tired or find something," Hanna remarks, "Do we need to worry about a goal, some end point to the race, looming like death? No. Let's just have some fun instead."
[02:24] <Afina> "Alright, then," Afina nods, "To the mountain for now, then," she suggests, dipping low to scoop up a snowball which she throws high in the air before positioning abreast of Hanna. "When the ball hits the ground," she declares, waiting for that instant before surging forward!
[02:25] <Kotono> Thus Hanna surges forward as well! OOC: For reference, what's your fly speed?
[02:25] <Afina> OOC: 90
[02:34] <Kotono> The flight through the cold air is one of speed and racing! Afina is even matched with Hanna, the two darting about the skies as fast as they can! You swoop along and forward, flying on! Throughout this the mountain does not seem to get any closer - but ahead you're rapidly coming up on something. A town of snowhouses and igloos, of frozen ponds and icebridges.
[02:36] <Afina> That counts as something, so Afina pushes herself faster, "First to the bridge wins!" she calls to Hanna, refraining from hasting herself and relying on pure flying skill to try and beat the angel.
[02:37] <Kotono> OOC: Opposed dex checks.
[02:37] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7
[02:38] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 18." [1d20=11]
[02:38] <Afina> roll 1d20+12
[02:38] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+12 and gets 31." [1d20=19]
[02:40] <Kotono> The two go neck and neck, all wings and speed as the bridge races forward - and yet Afina pushes herself harder, faster and faster yet! With all her energy she makes one huge dart ahead, landing on the bridge a second before Hanna touches down! "Hah!" Hanna cries, before looking over at Afina and laughing, "Got me at the last burst."
[02:42] <Afina> "Always save something for the finish," Afina replies with a grin of her own. Victory established, she turns about to look over the town they've arrived in.
[02:45] <Kotono> A town of snow, a town of streets cleared smooth and houses made of freestanding snow. Approaching you is but a tiny lantern archon, a scarf clinging to it's upperbody, as if warming a non-existant neck. "Hello there! Welcome to Whitefor!"
[02:48] <Afina> "Hello yourself," Afina greets with a smile, "I'm Afina and this is Hanna. What's your name?"

[Corwin]

[19:47] <Koaway> "Nook," It answers right away, "What can I help you with?"
[19:48] <Afina> "We're looking for someone who's an expert on destiny," Afina supplies. "Do you know anyone who might match that?"
[19:53] <Koaway> "Oh, oh, oh!" Bobbing up in the air, "I do!"
[19:53] <Afina> "Excellent," Afina approves happily, "Can you lead us or direct us to them?"
[19:57] <Koaway> "Sure!" The archon bobs in the air, towards the mountain on the horizon, "He's in town now. He'll say it's fate that you came here!"
[19:58] <Koaway> "We're fated to find his help?" Hanna shrugs, "If we have to brook fate's grip, better than it be a favorable fate. A fortunate one, even." A slight chuckle follows at that.
[19:59] <Afina> "It's not bad when it's on our side," Afina allows as she follows the archon, "But the risks when it's against us are too great to give it a free hand if we can help it."
[20:03] <Koaway> Thus you advance towards a simple house of snow and ice - and as you approach, the world stops. A flash of white assails you, followed by a sense of overwhelming presence. It makes Afina's knees shake and wings momentarily give out. A presence of mindful wisdom and overwhelming power, making Afina feel faint. Hanna stops, wobbling on her feet, driving her axe down into the snow to balance.
[20:03] <Koaway> "Oh!" The lantern archon bobs in the air, "The seer is not hiding his presence!"
[20:05] * Afina lands as her wings become unreliable, her knees quivering all the same as they're made to bear her on the snowy ground that melts around her feet. "It's... it's a potent presence, Nook," she observes haltingly before stepping forward and continuing.
[20:09] <Koaway> "Erathaol the Seer awaits," Nook flies aside, the door to the house closed. "He...he wishes to see you now. Go in."
[20:12] <Afina> "Oh..." Afina registers that as the name of one of Celestia's rulers... well, all the same she's hopefully going to the right person for the advice she needs. Sharing a brief look with Hanna, she opens the door and enters...
[20:20] <Koaway> Hanna returns that look, all humor gone from her face. Within you find an exceedingly simple space. The floor is snow with an ice coating over it, a small carved out pit with a blue flame flickering over it. It seems so simple - and at the same time, impossibly regal. For the man who stands before the flames has the bearing of a king. He has skin white like the snow, angel's wings and
[20:20] <Koaway> long brown hair. A staff of ivory is in one hand, long as he is tall. His motion forward has a regal delicateness as he speaks, "It shall be as spoken," he murmurs, "You've come far to oppose the Duke of Destiny."
[20:26] * Afina kneels before him, as is appropriate to one of his station. "In my hatred I chose a weapon of purest destruction to visit my wrath upon the devils and strike past Destiny's warps," she acknowledges how far she's come on that score. "But such hate must be tempered with restraint, or far more may suffer for my revenge."
[20:32] <Koaway> Hanna kneels as well, keeping her head down and silent. "Come." The seer speaks one word, "Take my hand and understand."
[20:33] <Afina> Standing, Afina steps closer and raises her comparatively tiny hand to fit into the Seer's.
[20:40] <Koaway> Before your mind's eye, you see flashes of battles. You see yourself in battle, bearing the Blade of Endings. It slices through all, rendering all to naught. As you watch this, you begin to hear a thin, faraway flute play. It is a mind dulling, enticing sound, filling Afina's mind with cloth to what happens ahead. Each swing of the Blade she watches seems more and more warped. How she
[20:40] <Koaway> cannot explain, but in each one it warps - and the visions of battle are overlain with another. Shapeless things full of shapes, mindless horrors of terrifying intellect and screaming silences of the empty void pour through - through the Blade, ever widening not into a blade, but into a gash, into a tear, into a rip. As it does the sound of the flute grows louder, throbbing in Afina's
[20:40] <Koaway> ears with her heartbeat. No, not her heartbeat, replacing her heartbeat. The creatures do not flood into the world, but into her, all through one....!!!!
[20:46] <Afina> "Aaah!" Afina jerks back as if burnt - and isn't that a strange thought, now? She'd imagined them as shadowy horsemen on the horizon, chasing her as they'd chased Makan, to one day inevitably run both down. She imagined it was something she could fight off, delay and stall for as long as she could, but this? How can one fight would comes from within? Her ears sing with the remembered
[20:46] <Afina> fluting that overlaid her murder of the rust dragon and she doubles forward. Her persistent clamminess increases as she sweats, beads of water forming on her skin and steaming away over and over. "N-not even once..." she murmurs dazedly, looking at her hands in sick fascination, hands that grasped the bone-chilling tear through a thin shell of a material perhaps as terrible. "I can't
[20:46] <Afina> ever use it again, n-not even against Taelfagn. No one can."
[20:49] <Koaway> "That," Afina is aware of Hanna at her side, murmuring words of no sound - no, no. Shaking her mind, it's just words she can't hear. The Seer continues, "That is a potential future should you embrace the Blade. It is a power to tear apart even Destiny, should you desire it. It is a power a creature of perfect self-absorbtion would care nothing if he gave to another, even under the guise
[20:49] <Koaway> of desiring to aid them against Law."
[20:52] <Afina> "I-is there another way?" she asks weakly, turning her pallid gaze up to Erathaol. "A way to cheat Destiny? Escape?"
[20:57] <Koaway> Erathaol's smile banishes the lingering terror in Afina, "There is always another way to a better future. The path will not be an easy one and will begin with sacrifice. What you find will suffice, but it will not be the easy power Chaos has directed you to. Many times you have chosen to stand with Chaos, as has Aurora. Understand that chaos is ultimately self-absorption. The eladrin
[20:57] <Koaway> temper it into freedom, but the slaad are not so restrained."
[21:10] <Afina> That somewhat brings Afina out of her fugue - she'd hardly call anything they've done *easy*, and in certain cases with Baleruk being a prime example it would have been easier and more immediately fruitful to side themselves with Law. Likewise with Annalise, actually... thinking about it, Chaos has seemed to be about siding with individuals while Law offers entire groups to aid them or
[21:10] <Afina> hinder them depending on the choice made with those Chaos-aligned individuals. "This... this isn't about your two ethical sides," she shakes her head in denial, not wishing to have herself bound into what she can only see as two opposing 'teams' that can neither encapsulate the whole of fey existence. Elemental she's unsure about, but it still comes back to self identification. "Lifasa
[21:10] <Afina> wasn't about law or chaos, or even good and evil. It had rulers and rebels, healers and murderers... we're a world, not a moral ideal. We shouldn't have ever had anything to do with these planes and their factions - we don't see things in the terms you do."
[21:15] <Koaway> "Mortal beings are not ever truly meant to travel these planes, yet they do," The Seer agrees, "You came to these planes as a fey and now you are one of us - an eternal spirit, never again to know Yggdrasil. All we can do is make the best of it for a better tomorrow." Now the seer lets go of Afina's hand, "I will give you two tasks. The first is to travel to the void beyond Creation.
[21:15] <Koaway> Cast out the Blade of Endings there, back to whence it came. Be wary, for this will not be unopposed. Once you have returned, seek Xiranthador in Venya. There lies the wisdom that will lead you on a path to overthrow Taelfagn."
[21:17] <Afina> The first makes perfect sense, since no place in creation would be safe to sequester the blade she had considered the possibility already. "Thank you," she bows her head. "Do you know how to reach the void, though?"
[21:20] <Koaway> "The means are in your possession," The Seer states, "Of that I have seen. Speak to Ithea, for she knows of it."
[21:22] <Afina> Really? Nodding, Afina stands and steps back. "Thank you, great Seer. We should go, now."
[21:23] <Koaway> Hanna rises as well, "Thank you," she murmurs.
[21:24] * Afina extends her hand towards Hanna's for her to take them back to Aurora.
[21:25] <Koaway> "Go now...and you are not incorrect," he adds, "There is some wisdom in seeing that chaos is about the individual and law is about the many. But it is not the only truth to them, for the hordes of the Abyss are endless and infinity is a concept with strong ties to chaos."
[21:27] <Afina> Nodding, Afina accepts that... contradictions also seem to mesh with it.
[21:28] <Koaway> With that, Hanna attempts to take them back - for a moment you feel resistance, but a moment later you find yourself standing before Aurora. No shift, no sense of movement - just standing there, the chill of the realm still clinging to both of them in the relatively warmer air of Ysgard.
[21:30] <Afina> "Did you get all of that?" Afina asks Hanna, her earlier sweat having finished evaporating to leave her looking comparatively normal.
[21:40] <Koaway> "I did." Hanna says, and only now do you notice her color is rather pale.
[21:41] * Afina nods, respecting Hanna's colour. It wasn't pretty, after all. "I need to find Ithea. You don't have to come along for the next part."
[21:44] <Koaway> "I'm going to go soak," Hanna decides, "You aren't going to rush off after this right away, are you?"
[21:45] <Afina> "Sooner the better, but if you're willing I can wait for you," Afina allows.
[21:48] <Koaway> "Call me if you need me," Hanna says, "You're in charge...and I've probably expended all my fortune for brazenly defying my superiors." With a tsk of her tongue, "I did the right thing, but his words hit home."
[21:51] <Afina> "Thank you, Hanna," Afina smiles at her gratefully, wanting her to know that her presence was welcomed and appreciated even with that. Then, letting her go bathe as she pleases, Afina asks Elena if Ithea's around.