Attack on Sylica

[Ebiris]

"Yes ma'am!" Marie salutes brightly.

"It was satisfying," Alicia agrees. "Lixer may be older than me, but I've been a deity for longer. I should allow others to benefit from my experience by welcoming them to the stage."

[Anastasia]

"Still, though," Mystra goes on, "We were discussing the Competition, I believe?"

[Ebiris]

"Yes," Alicia nods, back to it. "Though for a war goddess such as myself to storm Avernus and sweep aside Lixer's opposition as I did, does that have implications for the Competition or does it have to be something agreed upon beforehand? Auril was quite insistent on getting my agreement when she wanted to Compete with me."

[Anastasia]

"Formal agreement is needed to compete, but as I said, not every advancement comes from the Competition," Mystra remarks, "That advances you as well."

[Ebiris]

"I see," Alicia pauses to have a drink as she digests it all. They've covered quite a lot of ground, with a few fruitful digressions. "Was there anything else I needed to know?"

[Anastasia]

"In your case, you're entwined with Syala. Make sure she advances as well, don't keep her entirely on the homefront," Mystra remarks.

[Ebiris]

"It suits our temperaments to divide things that way, though really one of us should be in Sylica at all times so I'll encourage her to go out while I stay here, or with my avatar if I need to be involved." And she does prefer to be personally involved in anything important!

[Anastasia]

"Good," Mystra says, "You've grown so much, Alicia. I'm proud of you. You've seen so many grow, rise and fall under your watch for them - do you understand now my pride for you?"

[Ebiris]

Alicia nods. "I've seen a few I had high hopes for come to Sylica early. Finding the right blend of natural talent, skill, drive, and plain old luck... perhaps one day I'll be giving this talk to someone else and feeling that same pride."

[Anastasia]

"All it takes is one misfortune." Mystra agrees, "Tymora is quite used to people complaining to her, as is Beshaba." A ghost of a smile shows on Mystra's face, "Or a familiar that's risen so far above and beyond the call of duty, how rare is that?"

[Ebiris]

"This has been a really good position for my development," Marie says. "I learned a lot more in the field with Alicia than I did carrying messages back in Dweomerheart. Even if mostly I just keep house these days..."

"That's valuable to me as well. Since you borrow my skills it makes sense that you fill in my stead for mundane things," Alicia says, looking over at Marie. "Not many coure hold such high office anywhere in the planes."

[Anastasia]

"Now then..." Mystra rises and...

Anything else to add here? If not, your next move?

[Ebiris]

I'm good. Lets have dinner with Syala, Latha, Antenora, Jessica, Ebony, and Emmaline so she can get socialised a bit with us.

[Anastasia]

You're not late, precisely. However your work is seldom done and your talk with Mystra runs a little long. Syala, Latha, Antenora and Emmaline are already there, only Ebony still absent. The table is a comfortable one, the room well lit and the window open to let in the breeze. It's still light out, casting the room pleasantly. A basket of fresh bread and a plate of butter are on the table along with a pitcher of berry juice.

Syala is eating a bit of buttered bread and laughing, shaking her head.

Latha's smiling as she butters her own slice of bread, listening away.

Antenora's talking as, "And then Marie said, 'Well, that's why you don't let a slaad sleep inside the house.'"

Jessica's drinking juice and listening away, smiling as she does so.

Emmaline's hiding a smile with her hand, a slightly wide eyed look on her face.

[Ebiris]

"Don't even get me started on slaad," Marie huffs as she walks in after Alicia, hearing that anecdote about herself.

"Sorry we're late," Alicia adds, going over to kiss Syala on the cheek before she pulls her own chair out while Marie goes to claim her own. "But it looks like everyone's getting along."