Glorious Home

[Anastasia]

"Ah, a worthy cause. Cresiel always finds his way to those," Villisa says, a gesture of her hand, dainty and elegant. "I'd be glad to pass on any information about Shar that I come on. Cresiel, I'll just have to inform you whenever I do. Moore, where are you at in Celestia?"

Empress Sulia's smile is unhidden, watching the byplay. "Though Moore, does this mean another has your heart?"

Cresiel merely stands his ground, as best he can.

[Nephrite]

"You can find our base of operations in Lunia." Moore answers. He turns to Sulia and bows his head once in deference. "Yes, I am with Queen Illsenine of Lifasa's Court." He smiles and looks off to the side. "I will have to let her know she missed quite the event."

[Anastasia]

"Oh, lovely." Empress Sulia raises her glass, "May you have many long years together, and may the path you follow stay as flat as the plains and as bright as the noon sun."

"Cheers," Cresiel adds, raising his glass after, everyone following suit.

"Mmm, yes," Villisa says, "I hope you have many wonderful children together. Cresiel-"

"Mother." Cresiel says, completely deadpan.

And picking up without missing a beat and smiling, "-I would adore grandchildren. I know Romiel would as well. If that stodgy Vel Custos can find a wife, surely Celestia can find one for you."

"Perhaps it's not his fate to find love there?" Martan says, "If a forest is empty of game, then travel to another forest to hunt. What forest is more full of game than Brightwater?"

"Lovely! Moore, I'm sure I could find someone who would contribute to your efforts and would be a lovely match for Cresiel." Villisa says, drinking from her glass, golden liquid shimmering like the sun. "What do you say?"

[Nephrite]

Moore can merely raise his own glass in response.

"We can use as many allies as we can get right now, Lady Villisa." He just smiles at Cresiel at that before he adds, "Of course, the relationship side of things I leave up to Cresiel's discretion. You can bring a horse to water, and all that."

[Anastasia]

"Moore." Cresiel says, just as deadpan before. "I was not aware you were familiar with the rituals of Stygia."

Villisa claps her hands together, "That's wonderful, Moore! I'll send her along as soon as I find her. Of course you can't make a horse drink, but I'm sure you can help them along. Oh, how about double dates with you and Ilsenine?"

Martan starts to laugh, hiding it by having a long drink of his own.

Cresiel slowly closes his eyes and takes a long breath out. "Mother, the last time I had a double date, I spent a decade tracking down a balor as a result."

"I still maintain that was Beatrice's fault," Villisa retorts, a wistful look. "Such a lovely young woman. Bloodthirsty, but she applies it so well by being bloodthirsty for fiends. Really, it's a miracle she ended up in Sune's realm. Then again, Syala."

Here Empress Sulia merely says, "I would not think hunting a balor would be objectionable to you, Cresiel."

Taking a breath, "The circumstances were...difficult. I would prefer not to talk about it."

[Nephrite]

Moore takes a drink himself to hide his smile, at least for a moment.

"There's time enough for the... extra-curricular side of things when we've got a better handle on our fledgling escapades." Moore says with a smile. "I'll certainly ask her the next time I go visit Lifasa."

A turn to Sulia at this. "Empress, is there anything I can do to help you at all currently? Any projects that need a bit of aid or anything of that sort? I'd hate for you to have been so hospitable to us without at least being able to offer something to you in return."

[Anastasia]

"Why thank you," Empress Sulia says, "There is. I am interested in commissioning a golem from Aurora, would you know how to best get in contact with them? I've heard marvelous things about Afina's craftwork, and a mercane I discussed this with had nothing but complements."

Smiling, a thing that makes her all the more radiant, Empress Sulia presses on. "Alternately, if you ever find the Mantle of the Martyr, please bring it to me. You will be richly rewarded for it."

[Nephrite]

Moore nods a bit. "Afina is on a bit of a sojourn at the moment, though I would imagine anyone in Aurora could still help. I could probably take a swing at it too, though if you're dead-set on Afina and willing to be patient, I'm sure she'd be happy to do so." He smiles. "As for how to best get in contact... I believe they're still stationed in Lifasa. I'd be happy to write a letter for you if you think it'd smooth things over."

A nod again after that. "Certainly, if fate finds it to be put into my hands."

[Anastasia]

"A letter would be lovely, thank you," Empress Sulia says.

A moment of peace before Villisa speaks up, "Cresiel dear, so tell us more about your-"

"Ahem." Cresiel clears his throat, "Mother, I believe you owe me the story about that Loviatar cult from last time."

Villisa's expression turns cooler in an instant, like fall overtaking summer. "I did, didn't I?"

[Nephrite]

Moore nods and reaches into his clothes to get out a parchment and something to write with. It's always good to have those things handy!

"I wouldn't mind hearing that myself, if it isn't an imposition." Moore says as he starts writing. "I haven't had any engagement with Loviatar or her ilk since Aurora's crusade was rather firmly cemented in opposing Hell."

[Anastasia]

"Ahem,"  Empress Sulia clears her throat. "How violent a tale will this be?"

"...moderately," Villisa finally replies, taking a few moments.

"Ah. Then let us focus on more pleasant matters." With a warm smile, "I recently had a lovely engagement in Avernus. Why, such luminaries like Lixer and Glasya were in attendance. Quite the time for all, though I do not believe Lixer enjoyed the fete. Perhaps it was Alicia Reynes throwing a ship into Noir Jardin that did it."

[Nephrite]

"Goodness, I'm sorry I missed out." Moore says with a smile. "I can only imagine his pride was harmed rather fiercely from the whole affair. It's certainly good timing, what with his takeover. I wonder if the likes of the Abyss will want to capitalize on the situation?"

As he muses he continues to write.

[Anastasia]

"A marvelous time," Martan agrees, "Though I had an encounter with one of Glasya's dogs. An entirely poisonous woman named Kaessa. I am not ashamed to admit I fled, as I knew the battle was not one I would triumph in. I do not believe she counted on someone seeing through her and fleeing so decisively."

"Discretion, is that not the word?" Cresiel says, "I would have spared myself some trouble had I used more and not been captured by Lixer's forces." Looking down into his glass and then drinking, "But what's done is done."

At this Villisa's face softens and she reaches out, laying her hand over Cresiel's.

[Nephrite]

"There's no sense in spending time worrying about your mistakes when you've gained wisdom from them." Moore concurs. He neatly folds the letter up and gently pushes it across the table to Sulia.

"Besides, in the end, it worked out -- you were rescued by Aurora and now you're with me." He beams a small bit at that. He nods to Martan afterwards. "I've heard of Kaessa, she attended a diplomatic function some from Aurora went to some time back. I'll be honest, I don't quite understand having charm and charisma and using it in such a vile manner... it feels like such a waste and perversion of something so graceful."

He sighs and shakes his head. "It's just very saddening. I suppose it's because I don't live to try and ensnare people with what I do, I use it to let them become more -- show them what they can do with a bit of support. Ah, excuse me, I've rambled." He smiles and holds his drink up. "Do you have any other children, Lady Villisa?"

[Anastasia]

"Two. I've always meant to get married, but it's never quite worked out," Villisa says as Cresiel squeezes her hand back, "One was a mortal named Crystal - a man, I assure you," she appends quickly. "In that world Crystal was a man's name, not a woman's name. We had a beautiful baby girl named Eluya. This was countless ages ago, and she has long since become a part of Arborea and Brightwater." A pause, Villisa's voice faraway a moment. "Oh, my beautiful baby girl. Hair as fair as spun gold and a face as innocent as an angel's. You were too good for Creation. You were too good to last long, to do anything but become part of eternal goodness and joy."

Meanwhile, in a softer voice once Villisa speaks, "Moore," Empress Sulia asks, "Is the letter done?"