Rising higher

[Anastasia]

"Perseverance is a virtue," Xandra says, coming in and taking a seat. "But so is honesty. Have you considered telling Melia what happened?"

[Nephrite]

Moore tilts his head. "Tell her about what, exactly?"

[Anastasia]

"About the fact that you haven't solved her riddle?" Xandra asks, cocking her head slightly. "That is what this is about, is it not?"

[Nephrite]

Moore blinks, then laughs. "No, this isn't about her riddle. Remember the person I left that letter for some time ago? I think it's from them."

[Anastasia]

"Ah, I see," Xandra says, "In that case, have you made much progress?"

[Nephrite]

"Some, here and there." Moore says. "But I think It's a matter of getting something I'm 100% sure of as a starting point, then working from there... but I may be focusing too much on what I think I've got right. So I may need to try and... ah, what's the word... relaxing?"

[Anastasia]

"You should. In the meantime, may I see your work?" Xandra asks, "A second set of eyes can see what the first cannot."

[Nephrite]

"Ah... it's not that I don't want to." Moore says. "But if I don't solve it on my own, then it... mm. How about this -- I think it's fine if you just confirm something that I feel is right, and that will give me a foundation to work from." He smiles at that. Technically speaking there wasn't anything in the letter about people helping, just magic... so this is still within the boundaries of something acceptable, right?

"One of the riddles here is, to paraphrase, 'the end of celestials.' To me, the answer that immediately comes to my mind is Chronias. That's where all celestials eventually want to go -- and thus, is their end."

[Anastasia]

"Certainly correct from a proper point of view. But would any eladrin agree with you?" Xandra says after some consideration, "Are you certain your writer is an archon or another resident of Celestia and thus would think the same way?"

[Nephrite]

"They're definitely not." Moore says. "So... in that regard, hmm... I see, I've been looking at it from the wrong perspective indeed. I think I know where to focus some attention, then. Thank you, Xandra."

[Anastasia]

"Riddles are dastardly things, a matter of direction and anticipation," Xandra concurs, "Is there anything else I can help with?"

[Nephrite]

"Just make sure I don't spend too much time on this." Moore says with a smile. "I want to get it done, but not at the expense of my other duties."

[Anastasia]

"I shall," Xandra promises, "Everything in the right time and right place."

[Nephrite]

Moore laughs and nods. "I doubt the voice is going to help me with this, but you never know. Make sure Kaja doesn't leave with Villisa too, all right?"

[Anastasia]

Xandra laughs at that, a warm sound that seems to chase any chill out of the room and brings joy to you. "I suspect Villisa's infatuations will pass as the summer breeze passes. I will keep an eye on them, just in case. I don't think we could endure if they eloped and made it permanent."