The Great Druid Hunt (Jaela)

[Corwin]

"So you were talking about reading people?" Jaela voices, in part to take Crystal's mind off her suffering. She launches herself into the air, keeping a speed both Hanna and Crystal would be comfortable with.

[Anastasia]

As you start to fly along, battles far ahead and heard as you go, "Yes, I rather made a hash of an attempt to pair Moore and Afina together." Crystal bows her head, "As well as made several blunders thereafter, once Her Majesty's interest in Moore become abundantly clear."

[Corwin]

Jaela winces. "Yeah, don't try this matchmaking thing. Now, gossiping? That's just fine! So Moore's been getting around?"

[Anastasia]

"Oh goodness," Crystal shakes her head, "Did you hear what happened when he met Queen Ilsenine?"

[Corwin]

"Oh? Do tell!"

[Anastasia]

"He introduced himself...and she blushed!" Crystal laughs a little, "Like a maiden stunned when she first meets her prince. Clearly love at first sight."

[Corwin]

"You don't say! Did he get a title out of the deal, to make it more socially acceptable?"

[Anastasia]

"Goodness no, such a move would be far premature, they've barely begin to court one another." Crystal says, "She has given him a few tasks, to which he will be expected to excel at and earn her favor." This gets Crystal to sigh a little bit, "I thought him a good match for Afina, but the fickle fates had another idea, such is the lot of the plans of pixies and fey."

[Corwin]

"Afina can find her own match easily enough," Jaela dismisses. "It's just awkward to have a friend set you up." She grins. "I can only imagine how you'd react in her spot." Rather than embarrass Crystal too much, Jaela instead asks, "How about your training?"

[Anastasia]

"Yes, that's usually a parent's role," Hanna remarks, giving you a sidelong look.

"If Afina tried, I would at least be flattered. Yet I doubt she ever thinks of such things, so occupied with the Crusade, her magic, her forging and her duties. Ah, such is my lot." Crystal then says, "That goes well. Hope and I continue to improve, striving to bring ourselves together into a perfect fighting unit."

[Corwin]

"Ah yes, I'm still repressing that time you tried to do that," Jaela responds, flashing her mother a grin. "Anyway, don't worry about it. Not everyone needs it, or even looks for the same things in a relationship. Besides! Get someone first, then worry about your friends."

She nods at the hope to improve, reasonable as that sounds. "Same here, where training goes. I'm pretty sure I'm on the verge of some things, but no great paradigm shifts. I did want to teach, or maybe train people. I'm just not sure how to start. Recruiting for the Crusade is one thing, but recruiting solely for my own school of combat feels like treading too closely to seeking out worship. I've seen how bad that goes. But! I do so want to pass on my school! Not everyone wants to prance around in practically nothing like the Graceful Blow. Some people actually like armor!"

[Anastasia]

"Yes, quite," Crystal says, "I find those who go without it to be puzzling, though perhaps understandable with magic or bracers, for surely the touch of cool steel against your body is a tremendous bolster to yourself confidence."

[Corwin]

"And it looks imposing! Before you even cross blades you're already fighting against your opponent's perceptions and willingness to commit to battle."

[Anastasia]

"An opponent willing to fight me is already committed," Hanna says, "One does not challenge a planetar lightly. Armor does little to make it any worse and it really only gets in the way."

[Corwin]

"Really? So when you're out on the field of battle, one out of many combatants, you don't think the enemies just take a look at what's available and decide who they want to go up against?"