Glorious Home

[Anastasia]

"Iris?" Grias asks, "Why do you say that?"

[Nephrite]

"Why, is there something strange about the name? I met her... uh... a while ago. when I was passing through on my first... visit, I guess you'd say." Moore says. "She was a really good cook."

[Anastasia]

"No, I didn't," Grias says, "I mostly learned myself."

"It's good," Xandra adds, "So, Cresiel's training and preparing in between waiting for you to get back," she says, "Along with reflecting on the past battle. I also know you got recent guidelines - how are you going to fulfill them?"

[Nephrite]

"Well, you did an excellent job." Moore says as he turns his attention to Xandra. "Well, we need more allies, that's for certain. There's a lot of ways and means to go about it... I have a contact within the Silverbrow Consortium in Brightwater. I think I'll start there -- I can also visit Lliira's area since I do owe them a visit too."

He leans back and looks upwards. "Honestly, I relied so much on Aurora's information network, we really need someone... we need a good investigator. Someone who's really good at finding information and leads. They don't necessarily need to be good at fighting, but right now I'm just grasping at straws for things and that's... well, we can do better. So I think that'll be my first question to them." He nods afterwards, as if satisfied with his own answer.

"I'm not sure where else to focus our attention right now, I think that should be first. Do you have any suggestions?" He asks over at Xandra. "Or you, Grias?"

[Anastasia]

Before an answer can be given, the door opens. Cresiel strides in, face solemn. "Moore. A word, please."

Xandra merely clears her throat and rises, "Thank you for the meal. I believe Cresiel wishes to talk to Moore privately."

[Nephrite]

"No, it's fine. You two keep eating." Moore says as he gets up and heads out.

[Anastasia]

You head out into the hallway. Cresiel looms over you and shakes his head, "Moore. You know better and I know you know better than to take risks like that. If you need me, get me, for anything big or small. I can protect others around me."

[Nephrite]

"I know." Moore insists, smiling nonetheless. "I also know you're angry. I had to go by myself. It won't happen again." He takes a breath. "I promise. I'm not going to leave here anymore without at least one of you. Consider what happened to be the last, selfish request of Moore of Aurora."

[Anastasia]

Cresiel's gaze stays on you, "And what was this request you had to do by yourself?"

[Nephrite]

"I made a promise to not talk about it." Moore said. "Not to anyone in particular, more to myself. I know that's not a satisfactory answer -- it wouldn't be if I asked someone the same thing." He shuts his eyes for a moment.

He opens them again. "I understand your concern. I know we both bit off more than we could chew once and managed to live to tell the tale." He stops and looks off to the side for a moment before he looks back. "I also realize this looks like the second time I did that... I can only say it was different - and that I understand that it was inexcusable. There will come a time when I can share it."

[Anastasia]

"Wait. Stop." Cresiel says, "Back up. You made a promise to yourself not to talk about it, something that had dire and ill omens sending Xandra into a spasm of worries." His gaze is on you, the full gaze of a being born of fire and justice, of love and fury.

[Nephrite]

"I don't think anything except the truth is going to satisfy you and that's something I can't share right now." Moore admits. "I can only give you my word that I'm in full control of myself and didn't suffer any lingering effects. If you have further concerns, then I welcome you to take me wherever you wish to prove it."

[Anastasia]

"Why, then?" Cresiel says, "What provoked this entire situation and promise?"

[Nephrite]

"It was a lead on someone who I think will be an ally to us." Moore says. "I still do."

[Anastasia]

"You think?" Cresiel says, "Heaven's enemies and allies are usually clear cut," he remarks.