More Offensives (Afina and Jaela; 84 days left)

[Anastasia]

"Afina," Sylvie smiles warmly at that, nabbing the flask for another drink. Then in a faux whisper, "Balyss was the irresponsible one today!"

[Ebiris]

"Well getting out of bed in her earlier condition does sound like that," Afina is compelled to agree. "But if that's what you're told to do, that's what you do."

[Anastasia]

"Yeah," Balyss agrees, "Selune says and we do. S'how things work. Get the message and go smite things in the name of the moon. Always wished I learned how to smite, but I've never had the time. Spell studies take up so much effort." A long huff of breath, arms crossed beneath her bosom as she adds, "Jaela, where do you find all the time for your training?"

[Corwin]

"Turn almost everything into training to stay in general shape, multitask by considering spells and tactics while practicing repetitive maneuvers," Jaela responds. "Not having much of a civilian life helps." She smiles at Balyss, adding, "Glad to hear you're doing better. And hey, did your body have to die for this, or was that just me?"

[Anastasia]

"I could'v elived, but the stress would be there. Y'know, mortal bodies just aren't made for this." Balyss snatches the flask back and drinks, "Applejack," she offers afterwards, "We all knew it would happen one day, servants like us rise too high to be treated like mortals. Selune just moved up the timetable. She does that. Like one time I thought I'd go on a date next week, but right after smiting some unexpected evil, I ran into my date and we had a dinner date then."

A wistful smile plays on Balyss's face. "We broke up the next week, but it's the thought that counts."

[Corwin]

"You should've tried smiting evil together," Jaela suggests, holding her hand out for the flask in clear invitation. "It's a good conversation starter, if nothing else."

[Anastasia]

You're given the flask. "See, problem is that the guy was more into another girl and apparently they were childhood friends," Balyss makes a face. "His heart just wasn't into it. Jerk."

Sylvie smirks at that, "Yeah well, some people have no taste."

[Corwin]

"Huh." Jaela takes a long sip, before offering the flask to Afina.

[Anastasia]

It's strong stuff to be sure. A long sip hits you harder than the sunriser, at any rate.

"Yeah, huh. I bet they have a bunch of babies now that run and drive their mother crazy." Balyss says.

"Gee, yeah, kids are a hassle," Sylvie drawls before giggling.

"Bitch," Balyss turns with an annoyed look, grabbing a nearby pillow from her bed and chucking it at Sylvie.

[Ebiris]

Afina takes the flask and has a little sip of it to be polite. "Oh, I ate a steak earlier," she mentions amidst the brewing pillow fight. "Haven't noticed any differences since then."

[Anastasia]

"Well, you don't gain weight overnight, but good for you," Balyss says with a broad smile, "How was it?"

[Ebiris]

"It was very chewy, I almost choked," Afina reports blandly. "I still feel it in my stomach actually, like an extra weight. I should do something about that before we go out again."

That's one plus of being an outsider and thus freed of dietary necessities that she's appreciated for a while.

[Anastasia]

"Aw, you aren't used to it," Balyss waves a hand, "So you had questions?"

[Ebiris]

"We're looking for a good lead on the remaining traitors," she explains, landing on a convenient bit of furniture for talking without having to crane her neck up. "We managed to kill Quinn on our earlier outing." No need to burden Balyss with knowing that all the sacrifices got killed too, "So that leaves Ettan, Harkin, and Silvber, but we don't have any solid ideas of where any of them might be hiding."

[Anastasia]

"Hiding like rats," The voice that speaks is not Balyss's, but Selune's. Balyss floats up off the ground, beginning to radiate silvery moonlight that illuminates the room in moon-glow. "Your Crusade has been triumphant yet again and forced the hand of Hell. The Duke of Destiny has called many infernal favors to surround the last three with all the protection he can muster. Silvber hides deep in the unholy ley lines Hell has installed, in a new fortress known as Gar-Malleos."

The light is overwhelming, radiant as Selune speaks. It is too much, as you feel sheer presence manifest in the room. It overwhelms you like an overpressure wave, "Ettan and Harkin are protected in another way. They are now destined to face Aurora, but only when Aurora attacks to wrest control of Lifasa back and save it. Only then can Aurora find them and confront them, over the fields of battle. The Duke of Destiny has expended a great deal of power to do this, I suspect he will not be capable of many other tricks now. But until that time, finding the two will be nigh impossible."

A pause, as the pressure becomes more. So much more, so much overwhelming moonlight, the room becoming hazy, the roof replaced with the night sky, the moon shining above. "Know that the Lord of the Ninth has chosen to support this venture of Taelfagn's. Nessian Pit Fiends of dreadful power protect Silvber and will aid Harkin and Ettan's armies. They crawl across Lifasa like reavers, stealing away life and any fragments of good that remain. The climax to this war draws close. The bonds of our eternal Competition loosen around Lifasa, for the rules have been broken. Do you understand how Lifasa must be saved? I may answer this, for Asmodeus has spoken on how Lifasa may be damned or destroyed.

A warm spring wind blows, refreshing both of you as the moon shines brightly, the stars twinkling around it in the dark sky. "Know that I shall not allow those that are mine to enter this battle unprepared. Balyss shall be my proxy for this battle, Stille shall be gifted and I will augment the power of Gaelach. Know that Hell will do similar things, and these coming battles will be the apocalypse of Lifasa. Its life or death hinges on your shoulders now. The end need not be the final end, Lifasa may yet be saved."