Sylica: A New Beginning

[Anastasia]

If you need any last minute adjustments to your sheets, say so now.

Sylica's light is bright, radiant. The realm's every moment is felt by Alicia Reynes as she stands on a balcony in the palace of Liberton, overseeing Mercia below. The sun shines high in the sky, showing a horizon where the Opal Mountain glows brightly. In this one moment all is right in Alicia's world, her eyes drifting shut as she loses herself in a thousand prayers, a hundred thanksgivings and a dozen births.

Syala's presence is unspoken, felt as she appears at your side. She looks on at the horizon, clad in radiance and light. A small smile shows on her face as she joins you, not disturbing the moments of tranquility.

Before you lies the bustling city of Mercia, large streets and broad plazas filled with the faithful, be them immortal or mortal. Celestials of all stripes fly in the skies above it, going to and fro, joined by golden, celestial birds. Below you look down, your sight able to see the merchants selling, the people going, the brave Felis Knights riding about in formation. Beyond that you can see planes and rivers, valleys and forests, mountains and sky.

Like this, Syala hums and...

Chance to intro yourself, as well as set an immediate goal if you have one. If you don't, you'll get an event since this is just the beginning. Entirely your choice how you want to handle things.

[Ebiris]

Alicia's eyes are closed, not that it makes much difference to what she can perceive but it helps her centre herself in a place of peace as she absorbs the prayers of those who've chosen to put their faith in her, the energy of this realm she's built into a bustling and vibrant home for those who'd stand against the worst evils Creation has to offer. For all her deific stature she looks close to how she did in her earlier years; no fluffy white wings in evidence here, just a tall and well built human looking woman with bronzed skin and dark sun-burnished hair worn loose down her shoulders. She's not garbed for war right now, but that could easily change, a somewhat snug long-sleeved tunic and leggings worn, both in black.

As Syala joins her she raises a hand to take her lovers', squeezing it slightly as her eyes open. "Benfal and Lifasa are both recovering well. The coup on Avernus is over, but it'll take time for Lixer to consolidate. There's an opportunity there for us, if we can take it."

She has little worry of eavesdroppers or lip-readers making out her conversation with her fellow goddess, the light and wind of Sylica both conspiring to ensure her words aren't for any others.

[Anastasia]

"There is," Syala's lips curl upward as she smiles, "Do you think we can challenge Lixer before he grows too comfortable with his mantle of Supreme Warlord of Avernus?" Her hand is strong in yours, smiling to match yours. "Or do you mean something less ambitious?"

[Ebiris]

"Only slightly so," she chuckles. "Zariel, Torm's highest angel who struck at him under the thrall of Daa-vid and was cast down into Hell for it before Torm himself went mad and fell to the Abyss. Seira and I long ago resolved to get to the bottom of that, but the Bronze Citadel is no easy target."

She turns her head towards Syala, "Now, though? All of Bel's defences are suspect, they'll be changed to stop any loyalists from taking advantage of their knowledge - or selling it to Lixer's enemies. And in their place new defences. Fiendish no doubt, but still untested. And Lixer is no Bel when it comes to cunning strategy."

[Anastasia]

Syala grins, "See, I knew there was a reason I liked you. Though I'd bet Lixer's put the house on defenses there, since it's a logical target now that Bel's out.  We'll need to go in hard." Pausing to consider a moment, "Antenora would be a bad choice, as effective as she is there. Plus she's the key one to lead a rescue mission in case things go horribly wrong. Jessica would make much more sense."

After a moment's pause, "Let me go ask Sharess if she knows anything, gossip up the rest of Brightwater. Someone's probably made a rash try at it already, and that could mean valuable knowledge. You could do the same in Dweomerheart."

[Ebiris]

"Good idea," she nods. "The idea I had in general was a diversionary attack by me, while Seira infiltrated to actually get her out. Jessica could go with Seira's group while she might lend me Donald or Oraga or someone. We can play to our own strengths while still blending our forces for best effect."

[Anastasia]

"I'll see you soon, lover. Meet back here tomorrow?" Syala asks, dropping your hand and looking down over Mercia, then vanishes.

[Ebiris]

Now that she has an avatar Alicia can at least delegate to that rather than putting Marie in charge of everything in her stead when she's absent. Though she goes to fetch her familiar anyway, since she always enjoys a chance to visit Dweomerheart.

Said familiar is currently busy going over various items of paperwork in her own office and is delighted at the chance to get away for a bit. "Oh, that sounds great!" the tiny and delicately built woman with long radiantly purple hair and slender pointed ears pushing past those luminous tresses says, a little green dress worn on her doll-like body. "Just let me go tell Antenora we'll have to put off our lunch date. Why don't you go get Naeys as well, I bet he'll enjoy coming along?" she suggests, closing a thick leather binder bigger than she is with a resounding thump before her tiny little wings carry her into the air and the two briefly split up again, Alicia going to enlist Naeys while Marie manages her own business.

[Anastasia]

Naeys is found with Jessica, the two sitting in one of Liberton's gardens. They sit beneath an apple tree, slices of fresh apple on a plate between them.

"Now, when you call on the names, you must remember to always pronounce them properly. Most mishaps that happen to amateurs are from mispronunciations," Naeys lectures, a book on Jesscia's lap that they both read from. "As magic becomes more advanced, the need for this only intensifies. Certain spells may require a slightly greater inflection on part of the name or less of one, or a slightly variant alteration is called for due to the other names it is paired with."

Jessica nods along, "Oh! Sister," she looks up from her book, "I'm brushing up on my magical theory."

[Ebiris]

"Never hurts to stay up on that," Alicia says approvingly as she walks over. "Though calling on Names and formulas for spells is more outside of my own speciality," she leans over to look at their book. "Kascha goes in pretty heavily on that for her magic though, if I recall. Anyway, can I steal Naeys away from you for a bit?" she asks before turning to the archmage, "Marie and I are visiting Dweomerheart to get some current events and context for what's happened on Avernus, it'd be good to have you along as well."

[Anastasia]

Naeys rises and takes one final apple slice in hand. "Then I will come with you."

"Sure, but that means you'll need to watch the kids next week," Jessica says, "Especially Will. I haven't told you what he did last night, have I?"

[Ebiris]

"I'm not sure I want to know at this rate," Alicia says, a smile tugging at her lips when she considers her energetic nephews. "What happened?"

[Anastasia]

"Mother and Father were visiting," Jessica begins, "Over drinks after dinner, he comes flying down the stairs - literally flying - and shooting searing light at make believe shadows." Jessica lightly sighs, "I thought his twos were bad enough, but he's even worse at eight. He broke some pottery, knocked over a tapestry and almost set a rug on fire."

Naeys smiles at that, "As I said, all within reason for a child, though he needs to learn not to do that inside."

[Ebiris]

Searing light, the third circle spell? Alicia momentarily recalls the days when that was the height of mortal sorcery which only the most gifted or ancient could aspire to. "Well, so long as it's only the furniture he's shooting it's easily fixed. I'll make sure to tire him out with target practice next time he's in my care," she resolves. "Anyway Naeys, shall we? Marie should be just finishing up on her end."

[Anastasia]

Okay. How do you plan to visit Dweomerheart?