A Faraway Victory

[Anastasia]

Alicia stands there, watching, and it is good.

Marie returns, her task completed.

Shinys stands over the lich, his holy blade carving through it and the phylactery, reducing both to the embrace of death.

At this moment at least, things are going well.

Ball is in your court to begin your next move so go ahead, Alicia.

[Ebiris]

After Marie returns and tells Alicia what happened, the goddess nods. "21 isn't going to be so easily found," she accepts, currently watching over the forces preparing to be detached to Daun, her words for Marie's ears alone and her familiar's likewise only for her. "Still, with that last mission for me I think it's time. Are you ready?"

Marie straightens her shoulders and stands tall. "You know I've been angling for this since before we even met. Don't worry though, I'll still come back to you even if I'm not your adorable familiar!"

"Good," Alicia nods, smiling and reaching out to pat Marie's head, mussing her hair. "Our contract is dissolved, Marielle. Go forth with my thanks for your years of loyal service."

And suddenly Marie looks a little bit... less. "Oh... you get so used to it and then it's gone. So much..." she blinks owlishly, seeming dazed.

"Even still you're no ordinary coure, the weight of your experiences clings to you. Don't forget all you've done and learned," Alicia says encouragingly, before startling as Marie abruptly transforms back into her tiny coure form and launches herself forward and up to alight atop Alicia's head.

"Just one last time for luck, I'll be too big next time we meet!" she giggles. "Oh, except you can go giant sized can't you?" she leans forward to look at Alicia's face upside-down. "It's almost like we planned this out in advance, isn't it?"

"Just go," Alicia laughs wearily, opening a gate to Dweomerheart, Marie flying through to face her destiny.

[Anastasia]

Once Marie is gone?

"There she goes," Syala says, standing next to you. She smiles wistfully, "Good for her, she's more than earned whatever form Mystra gives her."

[Ebiris]

"She's done a lot in our years together, been with me through things that would break even the greatest of celestials," Alicia agrees as Marie vanishes. "It was actually a lot harder than I let on to release her. I'm not that much different than Antenora, it'd be nice to just hold onto her as my familiar forever... but we're all changing to meet what's coming. She needs to as well."

[Anastasia]

An arm goes around you, pulling you to Syala. "I know. I grew fond of her over the years. She's remarkable, but it's time, because it's a crime for her not to promote. She's become so much more than a courre, was before we even met her. I don't know how she never promoted, I blame Mystra's plans for you."

[Ebiris]

"She's still young for a celestial, Mystra probably wanted her to have more experience. Apparently her last job before being my familiar was quite prestigious too," Alicia says as she leans against Syala, shoulder to shoulder. "Anyway, I hope she doesn't have to sit in a cocoon for a few years before her promotion is finalised, we'll see though. In the meantime, anything on your agenda right now?"

[Anastasia]

"Oh, finding a proxy to kidnap," Syala says quite lightly, "Preferably after beating him down."

[Ebiris]

"Had any luck?" she asks. "One of Shar's would be ideal, or some no-account demon lord. Don't really want to start a blood feud if we can avoid it."

[Anastasia]

"Oh, one that's a bit of revenge for you, too," Syala offers, "How does a proxy of Malcanthet sound?" Syala's voice is light, "I got a lovely hint where one would be from Sharess."

[Ebiris]

"That does sound promising," Alicia agrees, turning her head towards Syala. "Tell me more."

[Anastasia]

"Are you familiar with the Radiant Sisters?" Syala asks, "Beyond the idea that they exist?"

[Ebiris]

"I've had the dubious pleasure," Alicia says with a roll of her eyes. "That time before I met G'Renna, Radiant Sister Ebony wanted me. Not nearly as nice as our Ebony."

[Anastasia]

"Dubious indeed," Syala concurs, "Harlots will be harlots. The one we're looking at is named Jade, who I hear has been given proxy status and is setting up a fortress in Limbo, with the aid of a slaad cult, a  mutated band of githzerai, earth elementals and a mated pair of black dragons. Sharess isn't sure what's going on and why, but she got wind of it and is weighing her options."

[Ebiris]

"Is anything else in that part of Limbo?" Alicia asks, though it certainly sounds like an 'interesting' fortress.

[Anastasia]

"Limbo?" Syala shrugs, "Not really, but that's how Limbo is. That could change in an instant, but it seems secluded."