The Court of Aurora (Afina and Moore)

[Nephrite]

Moore smiles and takes the offered hand. "Was that before you found a love of crafting, or was that part of it?" He asks. "Let's see if we can raise some spirits, knowing full well how many eyes are on us, hm?"

[Anastasia]

The two dance, skilled and going at it slowly amid the others. Eyes turn to them anew, more than last time.

Go ahead and chat for now, it's largely a situation where the two of you can do so.

[Ebiris]

"Oh long before," she answers, shaking her head as they set a sedate pace with their aerial dance. "On the surface I served as a dancer for the entertainment of her Majesty and nobles like Lady Skye, and in the shadows I served with my blade murdering any who displeased her - and there were quite a few, you'd be surprised at how much more forgiving she is now," she explains. "Then Lifasa fell and I found other scattered souls like me. Together we found Aurora, and our freshly born Crusade needed far more than a mere dancer or assassin. I only dabbled in woodcarving before, but I taught myself to forge armour and weapons, how to enchant them to equip our growing army. Just as I had to learn to lead rather than follow, to be a general rather than a servant. It's surprising what one can be capable of when pressed, don't you think?"

[Nephrite]

Moore smiles, occasionally throwing extra flair onto a move so that Afina can captivate on it. She's of higher rank than he is, so he's going to do what he can to make sure she can impress should she want to.

"People can certainly change when their entire world comes crashing down." Moore says quietly. He perks up at Afina's last comment. "That's precisely the reason I found myself enjoying motivation." Moore nods in agreement. "Motivation is just another name for willpower -- all I do is help people find the willpower they need to draw out what's already there. Many circumstances conspire for and against people... it's my job to make sure the person knows what they can do." He says while doing a double twirl. "I look forward to working with you in your forges -- your talent and expertise is clearly noted. I'm happy to be able to  push you to even greater lengths... you strike me as the type who's not satisfied until you know you've done a good job with something."

[Ebiris]

"That's true," she shakes her head ruefully before stretching out into a dip, resuming her talk as she closes the distance with Moore once more. "We were recently in Lathander's realm and I offered to help the angels in their goldenfire forge. I used magic to enhance my native skill in a similar way as the techniques you likely use, and had we been in my workshop I've no doubt it would have been a weapon of legend. But the goldenfire rebelled against my forging so it was left as merely adequate. I felt like I'd been slapped."

[Nephrite]

Moore winces, as if he was slapped himself. "That must've been a blow. But you have to have failure before you have success." Moore says. "We'll make something of legendary quality together, I'm sure of it. Maybe it won't be goldenfire, but we'll make it work. Ah... hm. It makes it sound like you need me when I say things like that, doesn't it? I mean no offense to your skill." Moore says with a grin and another flourish. "We just all have to know what our strengths are."

[Ebiris]

"Like I said before, the main thing is enchantment which is more a matter of power and focus than skill or expertise. Anyone who puts their mind to it can make a 'masterwork' that serves a fine base for any weapon or armour. But it is possible to take crafting further, and the facilities here are ideal for it. We'll probably be busy after the next round of attacks when people have money from their loot to finance equipment upgrades."

[Nephrite]

Moore nods. "We can give poor Crystal the wrong idea by working so closely together. Why is she so worried about you, anyway, if you don't mind my asking? Is she concerned you'll end up married to your work forever?" Moore asks with a small laugh.

[Ebiris]

"She has a bit of the busybody in her," Afina says dismissively. "She means well but her priorities and mine aren't the same. Speaking of priorities, you could be a great help to our collection of sages with your skills. They tend to be called upon even more than my crafting prowess is."

[Nephrite]

Moore can't help but chuckle at that. "No worries on that front. I won't try and court you, despite her protests. We can always make up a scandalous story for the court if we need to, though." Moore says with a stretching of his shoulders as he does a quick spin up and backwards. "Sages, hm? Like Sir Tepen? I'll have to ask him how I can help. I haven't tried drawing on too much of my connection with Lord Erathaol yet, but I'm certain he'd appreciate my sharing the tools to reach more knowledge." Moore says with a considerate look.

[Ebiris]

"Tepen and Vul'lath are the main two, Muirfinn was as well before we lost him," Afina says, slowing down as she draws their dance to a natural conclusion. "There's Sylvie as well, but it mostly tended to be those three who collaborated. Anyway, I'm sure you have other admirers looking to create scandalous stories of their own, so I'll leave you to getting to know everyone here," she smiles and flutters off to do her own mingling.

[Nephrite]

"Of course. We'll talk again, General Afina." Moore says with a gracious bow to his superior.

At that, he'll scan the crowd to see if there are any others who look like they might be waiting. Perhaps even her Majesty?

[Anastasia]

Clapping follows as the two part, coming from all quarters. Even Queen Ilsenine adds her approval, the two parting as they return to mingling. Afina finds Lady Skye approaching, "Ah, a fine dance," she complements, "Her Majesty approves."

Moore can see all the clapping about - Queen Ilsenine does seem to approve, in case he wishes to approach her.

[Nephrite]

Moore thinks about it... he decides he may as well. He flies over towards Illsenine, but keeps his distance to wait for her to beckon him closer.

[Anastasia]

Moore positions and waits, until Queen Ilsenine gestures for him to approach.