052.2 Afina

[Corwin]

[19:46] <Koaway> Once the Elven Tree is destroyed, Afina falls into a flurry of golemsmithing. She works away frantically, building a new golem! When it's finally done she looks it over with that happy feeling of a job well done. Elena's there as well, noticed out of the corner of your eye. "It's done now?" she asks.
[19:50] <Afina> Testing it out with its first command, Afina flutters back and gestures, "Come here, golem," to which the large dragon of opaque white crystal lumbers stiffly towards her. In appearance its physical dimensions and shape echo Baleruk mostly, albeit a few parts are more likely to bring to mind Hope instead. They were convenient models for her sculpting anyway. "Done," she confirms to Elena
[19:50] <Afina> with a pleased nod. "It's not as mobile as I'd like, but it should be very powerful."
[19:52] <Koaway> "It's cute," Elena says, "Better not show it to Baleruk - I bet he'd want it for his hoard."
[19:55] <Afina> "It's got better things to do than stand around and look pretty," Afina objects, "And it won't be long before I figure out how to grant it intelligence and will. Hopefully I'll have made a few other golems by then, though. A shame none will have the benefit of Sunnis' blessing."
[19:59] <Koaway> "It's pretty, but speaking of Baleruk!" Quickly moving on, "I came to tell you that Baleruk and Arrel are having a stare-off over Aurora."
[20:00] <Afina> "Oh? Is it something you think I should intercede in?"
[20:01] <Koaway> "Baleruk's trying to assert his 'divine authority'," Elena explains. "It isn't helped that he wants part of Arrel's hoard as tribute."
[20:07] <Afina> "I see. Remain here, golem," Afina tells her construct, briskly flying to a portal so she can get outside and fly up to see.
[20:15] <Koaway> Going outside, you find the two dragons flying above Aurora. They're having a big old staredown, eyes locked on each other and heads merely a foot apart. Crackling intensity fills the air, Afina feeling tense as she flies up.
[20:18] <Afina> "Gentlemen," Afina greets them with forced cordiality, stopping a foot away between the two draconic heads. "Is there a problem, here?"
[20:20] <Koaway> Two extremely pissed off dragons send scathing glances at Afina! "There is NO problem," Arrel snaps, beak clicking, "Only a territorial sow of a heretic trying to unjustly expand."
[20:21] <Koaway> Baleruk hisses fire and acid out of his snout, vaporizing as it falls away. "There is NO problem," he challenges back, "Only a little SCRAP OF FEATHERS THAT WILL NOT ACCEPT TRUE GLORY AND GUIDANCE!"
[20:24] <Afina> Why do these problems always end up on her desk? Jaela could probably have the two singing campfire songs together within five minutes, but Afina's first impulse is to scream her tiny fairy head off at them. Sadly she must discount that because it won't work, but what will? "Those sound like problems to me," she sighs. "What even brought this on, anyway?"
[20:30] <Koaway> Baleruk turns, "Disciple, this feather-dragon refuses to accept my glory," Baleruk sniffs, sending painful bursts of noise out. "His defiance is the root of this."
[20:32] <Koaway> Arrel gives Afina an exasperated look, feathers drooping, "Would you inform Baleruk I have no interest in this and for him to go roll in his hoard and leave me be?"
[20:41] <Afina> "Well staring at him isn't really going to convince-" she stops as Arrel asks her to relay a message to the other dragon literally a foot away, "What are you, five?" she asks incredulously. "Okay, okay, this ends now. Either you two come with me to go find and kill something dangerous to see if a threatening situation gets you to bond, or else Baleruk, you have to stop proslytizing to
[20:41] <Afina> people that don't care, and Arrel... well, Baleruk is pretty. Compliment him once in a while, it wouldn't hurt?" She can't really be even handed since Baleruk is plainly in the wrong, but she can try and throw him a bone.
[20:43] <Koaway> There is a pause as both dragons stare, before Arrel dissolve sinto laughter! Baleruk's face screws into indignation, "PRETTY!?" one laughs out and the other bellows, Baleruk's gaze turning to boiling acid in a rainbow of hues. "I am majestic! Awe inspiring! TERRIFYING! NOT PRETTY LIKE SOME SUSSED UP BIRD!"
[20:44] <Koaway> "Pretty!" Arrel laughs and laughs, starting to fly in circles, "Baleruk the pretty dragon!" Sing-songing that, "I'm going to go hunt," he declares, flying out of Aurora and into Air.
[20:47] * Afina winces. "Sorry, every fey aspires to some ideal of beauty, it's ingrained, and... you are. Your colours and proportions are very appealing to look at," she tries to mollify him. "And listen," she lowers her voice, floating closer to his head, "Don't blame Arrel entirely. It's more Tiamat's fault that he can't accept your guidance."
[20:48] <Koaway> With an entirely unamused glare at Afina, "She will pay. She will burn, freeze, burn, fry and burst! Now," With a distinct hmph, "I will be coming soon for something that will ensure I am not seen as pretty. Be prepared to create it tomorrow."
[20:52] <Afina> "I can make the time... also, I have something else you might be interested in," Afina says slyly, flying down slowly and beckoning for him to follow, "Dragons can't worship or follow you, it's true. But what about something with the appearance and might of a dragon, that bore no heritage from Bahamut and Tiamat?"
[21:01] <Koaway> "I'm listening," Baleruk says, giving Afina another, long look. "Show me!"
[21:03] <Afina> "Follow me, then," Afina bids, leading Baleruk into the workshop where she left the golem.
[21:08] <Koaway> On returning, Baleruk heads right to the crystalline golem. He looks it over frm tip to top, "Too white," he announces, "It needs more color!"
[21:11] <Afina> "It'll look better once it has some battle honours," Afina shrugs, "Anyway, right now it's just a mindless construct, but there's a spell - one I'm working on - that will awaken it to full sentience. And if you make a good enough impression, it might consider you worthy of emulation."
[21:13] <Koaway> "Excellent," Baleruk rumbles, "Continue with this," Baleruk declares regally, before sweeping off and away.
[21:15] <Afina> Once he's safely past the portal, Afina pats her new golem on the head. "There, there. He's not so bad, really," she consoles it despite its mindlessness. "Now, follow me! Elena, could you ask Kascha and Vul'lath to come and meet me in the courtyard?" she asks, heading out herself with crystal dragon in tow.
[21:18] <Koaway> This is done without incident. Kascha and Vul'lath are there along with a large smattering of onlookers. OOC: Go ahead and set the golem up.
[21:25] <Afina> The golem rests like a sitting cat, tail flat behind it on the ground and hind legs curled as it sits upright on straight forelegs, its wings bent inwards. "Kascha, Vul'lath," Afina nods to both of them, smiling. "This is the newest addition to our forces, possibly unique in creation as the only Crystalwyrm Golem. Since you two share command with the mage force along with Hanna, who
[21:25] <Afina> usually favours close combat, I'm putting it under your command for future battles until I imbue it with sentience," she explains. "Are you both able to accept the additional responsibility of commanding it through battles?"
[21:31] <Koaway> "Oh, it's lovely!" Kascha gushes, "Yes!"
[21:32] <Koaway> Sage Vul'lath takes a much longer show of looking it over, "The construction looks sound," he finally pronounces. "It is of extremely high quality. The gift of Lady Sunnis has further augmented it."
[21:38] <Afina> "Yes," Afina nods, "It's body regenerates automatically, and that can be further augmented with fire which heals it quite effectively. Cold unfortunately slows it down, so that's something to watch out for - it's extremely powerful in close combat but cold can neuter that threat quite a bit, so I suggest you ensure there's always someone ready to fire it in battle. It has a breath weapon
[21:38] <Afina> equivalent to an ancient red dragon as well, though unfortunately it's not searing. And the wings function purely as weapons, they can't bear it aloft at all. Any questions at all?"
[21:42] <Koaway> "Can I name it?" Kascha calls back.
[21:47] <Afina> "Oh, certainly," Afina smiles. "Also I suggest you and your troops decorate it - battle standards, kills, that sort of thing to personalise it. I don't think it'll be long before I grant it sentience and all that should help it develop its own identity and affiliation towards us. Now," she looks up, "Golem, follow Kascha and Vul'lath's orders after mine," she orders it, pointing to each
[21:47] <Afina> to ensure there's no misinterpretation.
[21:54] <Koaway> "Misalak." Kascha says, as the golem takes Afina's order as requested.
[21:56] <Afina> "Sounds good. I'll leave it under your care for now, then."
[22:07] <Koaway> From there, taking the Leaf to Queen Ilsenine is without incident. Her Majesty awaits as Afina enters...OOC: Go ahead.
[22:08] * Afina walks up to Ilsenine's throne and kneels, awaiting leave to act.
[22:09] <Koaway> "You have brought the leaf?" she asks.
[22:11] * Afina rises now, holding the leaf, "It makes me feel faintly nostalgic but little more," she comments, approaching to offer it out.

[Corwin]

19:48] <Kotono> The leaf is taken! Queen Ilsenine's eyes widen for several moments before she holds it to her chest, as if a baby.
[19:50] * Afina can afford to wait a while until Ilsenine comes to a conclusion, though she certainly looks bewitched.
[19:51] <Kotono> For a little time Queen Ilsenine holds it to her, "I'm dreaming," she murmurs, "Dreaming while awake. Do you see it?"
[19:52] <Afina> "I see nothing, my Queen," Afina responds dutifully.
[19:54] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
[19:54] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 and gets 26." [1d20=17]
[19:55] <Kotono> roll 1d20+35
[19:55] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+35 and gets 50." [1d20=15]
[19:57] <Kotono> Queen Ilsenine is able to murmur a few words of magic, hand shakily rising to draw a pattern over her eyes. They glow blue as she looks at the Leaf, "Oh...oh..." she murmurs, "Oh Afina, you don't see it? Her name was Mila. A half blood of no name but who was pulled to the magics of the natural world."
[20:00] <Afina> "Mila, Majesty?" Afina asks, growing uncertain. Perhaps there's more to this leaf after all...
[20:01] <Kotono> "It's so beautiful..." Queen Ilsenine begins to cry, tears streaking down her face. "Crystallized into a single leaf, every memory of Mila as the Cycle continues."
[20:04] <Afina> "Majesty, please," Afina shuffles uncomfortably, knowing she has a free hand to end this from previous orders but unsure when she should act. The entire experience is deeply uncomfortable for her, and she seeks clarification, "Then it's an ordinary leaf with the memories of this Mila placed upon it?"
[20:08] <Kotono> Slowly, hands shaking, Queen Ilsenine holds the leaf. With supreme effort she drops the Leaf and then shudders all over. Her face is full of tears and yet with a look of sublime joy. The same shaking hand covers her face as she composes herself, "I...I am not certain. It may well be of Yggdrasil, Afina. I saw the entire life of a half blooded fey known as Mila. A druid of no small ability
[20:08] <Kotono> and talent who dedicated herself to the living world and defending it from the walking dead, she lived in died in harmony with her blood."
[20:10] * Afina approaches to pick up the leaf. "Perhaps it was her will? To those who shared her druidic affinity she willed her power, and to those who shared her heritage she willed her heart?"
[20:12] <Kotono> For a moment Afina feels pang of stronger nostalgia, but it fades back down. "Perhaps Yggdrasil records our lives. Perhaps it is something of own devising. Perhaps it is a fluke. I cannot answer it with certainty. But there is power in that Leaf."
[20:15] <Afina> "And that power can best aid the Crusade in the hands of a strong druid. I will return it to Muirfinn, by your leave," Afina bows.
[20:21] <Kotono> OOC: Good with skipping along now?
[20:22] <Afina> OOC: next on the agenda is talking to the Graceful Blow girls about Slambeat
[20:27] <Kotono> Heading to Elrisa's Tower is without incident. In the gardens you find Canderella and Misalea, the two sharing a picnic lunch together. They're quietly talking amid each other, the latter giggling and red-faced. From upstairs you can hear the clang of steel on steel.
[20:31] <Afina> It's an unlikely couple, but she's glad they're friendly. Fluttering over with book underarm, Afina lands beside the pair, "Hello you two. Is Canderella preparing you for married life, Misalea?" she asks with a trace of mischief.
[20:34] <Kotono> "Oh no," Canderella chuckles, "I'm explaining to her the advantages to various daring, desperation laced stunts. The current one was fighting in the nude," Drumming her fingers on her leg, "It's really rather embarrassing, but when done correctly you can gain several seconds of action while your foes are distracted. Most women don't have the composure to effectively use it even if they
[20:34] <Kotono> do it. It's nothing more than a gimmick and it will only work once on a particular opponent. Thus it is a desperation tactic.""
[20:35] <Kotono> "It's scandalous," Misalea blushes, "It's better than dying, but your dignity dies instead."
[20:36] <Kotono> "Mmm-hmm," Canderella murmurs, "Before you ask, and I'm sure you're curious, Mirima got the better of both of us this morning. We're discussing stratagems to rebound in the next match, though we've gotten extremely afarfield into general desperation gambits."
[20:38] <Afina> "Not to mention fighting nude is only going to shock or titillate a very small number of potential foes," Afina points out, sitting down with them. "But I've got something here that could help improve the basics, nevermind cunning stunts," she sets the book down, "This is a treatise on a combat style that shares certain elements with my own and the Graceful Blow. I was hoping a second
[20:38] <Afina> opinion would clarify it more and establish what's worth adopting."
[20:42] <Kotono> Misalea takes it, "Slambeat?" she asks, flipping it open. As she begins to read, "Ah, more from that bookshop?"
[20:45] <Afina> "I bought a few," Afina nods, "Mixed bag, mostly, but Canderella might enjoy Verhanez and the Wyrm - I've added it to the library. Anyway, Slambeat," she leans towards Misalea, "It's a blend of blademastery and dance, much as we practice, with a particular focus on these 'battle-dances'," she narrates, falling silent to let the elf read in peace for a bit.
[20:46] <Kotono> Silence reigns for a good ten minutes, "I'm just skimming right now, but it looks promising." Getting up, "Give me a night to read over this and I can give you an opinion. I'll talk it over with Canderella too."
[20:47] <Kotono> After a moment, "Er, Mirima," Misalea corrects.
[20:49] <Afina> "That's fine. I'll stop by again to see you tomorrow," Afina nods, standing up now to find something else she can busy herself with until then.
[20:50] <Kotono> On heading back to her quarters to get some things and rest a bit, she finds a surprise. 27 is sitting at her door, a plate full of salad next to him. He watches Afina as she flies up.
[20:52] <Afina> "Hello, 27," Afina looks briefly at the plate but pays it no mind, "Were you looking for me?"
[20:53] <Kotono> 27 takes up the plate with his forearms, presenting it to Afina, "Dinner," he says, before placing the plate down.
[20:54] <Afina> "Did Balyss put you up to this?" she asks wearily, going to open her door. "Come on in, then, I'll eat if it'll make you happy."
[20:55] <Kotono> "Don't want to be lonely,
[20:55] <Kotono> OOC: Gah.
[20:55] <Kotono> "Don't want to be lonely," 27 replies, coming in. He goes up on his wings and puts the plate on Afina's desk, before flying to her bed and curling up there.
[20:57] <Afina> "Why not stay in the mess hall where there'll be lots of people, then?" Afina asks, sitting on the desk and picking at her meal. "There must have been a reason you looked for me."
[21:04] <Kotono> "You're green and diplomatic," 27 replies again, as he closes his eyes.
[21:06] <Afina> "I haven't been green for a while," Afina pouts, blowing up at her white bangs, "And diplomatic? I'm the least diplomatic person in Aurora's command," she concludes with a cutely high-pitched snort.
[21:11] <Kotono> Any reply is lost, as 27 begins to lightly snore away.
[21:13] <Afina> Shrugging, Afina contents herself to eat her salad at a leisurely pace.
[21:18] <Kotono> Midway through there is a knock, "Afina?" Crystal calls, "Elena said you were in here."
[21:19] <Afina> "Come in," Afina calls, looking up from her meal towards the door.
[21:23] <Kotono> Crystal comes in, a sheet of paper in hand. "Lief brought this in," she says, handing it to Afina.
[21:24] * Afina accepts the paper and looks at it.
[21:25] <Kotono> Emblazoned in bold gray letters is the following, "CHALLENGE OF CHAMPIONS! CALLING THE MIGHTIEST WARRIORS OF WIND AND AIR! TO THE VICTORS GO GREAT SPOILS! COME TO THE EYE OF THE STORM ARENA AND PROVE YOURSELF! 3 ON 3 MATCHES TO DETERMINE THE STRONGEST!" After Afina reads, "He thought the both of us might be interested. I have to decline - I'm spending time with Hope and he's not ready
[21:25] <Kotono> to battle yet."
[21:29] <Afina> "Sounds like a good way to gain some extra funds. If we're lucky it might even end like the last tournament Lief was in," Afina smirks slightly before looking at Crystal, "Though an all pixie team would have been best..."
[21:30] <Kotono> "Sorry," Crystal shakes her head, "I failed Hope once. I won't do it again." After a moment digesting that, "Perhaps Simmer, as you're close to her? Kascha, perhaps? Someone who can fly well at the very least."
[21:38] <Afina> "Simmer's no flier, and Kascha's more a wizard than a warrior," Afina moots both. "Hmm... Mirima might be good," she decides after going through the available options. "I can ask her after I tell Lief I'm interested. Did he say when this arena was taking place?"
[21:52] <Kotono> "A few days. Teleportation means that you can get there the morning of," Crystal explains, "Jaela also would be good, or Ebony - but Ebony's not a warrior at all."
[21:52] <Afina> "Exactly," Afina nods as Ebony is discounted from the start. "And both of them are away from Aurora right now, anyway."
[21:55] <Kotono> "Well, if they get back i na few days," Crystal says.
[21:58] * Afina nods. "Gives me time to work on refining my style with the Graceful Blow girls, too," she says.
[22:02] <Kotono> OOC: Okay, skip along then?
[22:02] <Afina> OOC: yep
[22:04] <Kotono> The next day brings Afina back to the Graceful Blow. She meets with Mirima and Misaela, slambeat sitting between them. "I have good news," Misalea says, "There's the bones of a fighting style in it. It's similar to the Battle Dancer style you, the Master, Stille and Tannin are familiar with."
[22:07] <Afina> "That's what I thought," Afina nods, "But how useful do you think it is in comparison?"
[22:08] <Kotono> "It's offensive minded. There's no defense in the style at all," Tapping the cover of the book, "Battle Dancing and the Graceful Blow both integrate in strong defenses. This style doesn't. The offensive potential of the stronger battle dances is uncertain, but it appears promising."
[22:11] <Afina> "Might be worth trying to practice some of its methods, see if we can improve our offensiveness without hampering our defences," Afina suggests, "Just a shame the book mostly covers the theoretical side, so we'd be working on guesses and assumptions."
[22:13] <Kotono> "Give us some time and we can outline the style," Misalea speaks up. "Are you inerested?"
[22:16] <Afina> "Yes, I can help as well," Afina volunteers. "In the meantime, though, Lief has found out about a tournament here in Air for three on three battles. I'm going with him but we need a third and Crystal can't make it. Or you two and Canderella could go as a team to represent the Graceful Blow," she suggests to them.
[22:17] <Kotono> That gets a gleam to show in Mirima's eyes, "A battle tournament?"
[22:19] * Afina nods, "For the 'mightiest warriors of wind and air' with 'great spoils' for the victors," she recites. "It's in a couple of days."
[22:20] <Kotono> "We're in," Mirima says, before Misalea can even say a word! She eeps at that but nods, "It could be a good chance to gain gold and glory."
[22:21] <Afina> "Alright. Guess I need to keep looking for a third," Afina says, but nonetheless she smirks. Having two teams of mighty warriors representing Aurora will do wonders for their reputation.