Seira's morning glow

[Corwin]

"Welcome, Antenora and Zariel," Seira greets them anew as her true self. "I'm glad you could make it." She sweeps her arm in a wide arc around her, saying for Zariel's benefit, "This is the Temple of the Golden Flame, the sole temple that my faith has across the planes as I prefer a more nomadic and ad-hoc approach for my agents." The other arm draws slower, and golden light plays across the forests surrounding her temple. "A recent change is the cathedral established in Amaryl's name on this very level. The two of you share a love for forests, Zariel, so perhaps you would like to visit and see how it compares to Sylica's selection?"

[Anastasia]

A nod, "I would like to see that," Zariel says, her voice carrying throughout the cathedral.

Antenora follows, but stays quiet.

This is your show here with Zariel, Antenora's mostly going to stay out of it.

[Corwin]

"It shouldn't be a surprise that Arvandor served as the inspiration," Seira says, guiding the three of them into the outer ring where, before long, they are lost amidst the trees. "Still, an influence just as important is the elven nation of Pallanth upon our Prime of birth. It is where Amaryl grew up and where we met, and if I'm not mistaken--" Seira smiles, as the trees part into a clearing, complete with turquoise lake in the middle. "Yes, there is a spot just like it in Pallanth's forests, and I've suffered my share of teleport mishaps to keep it memorable even after all this time. Of course, there's no nymph living in this one."

[Anastasia]

"Beautiful," Zariel murmurs, "It feels just like an elven forest." Her gaze sweeps across the entire expanse, taking in everything here.

Antenora follows, "It suits Amaryl well."

[Corwin]

"She's very elfy!" Seira readily agrees. "And really, given her recent ascension Amaryl is barred from setting foot on Prime in person, whereas it would take her a while to get an avatar ready. So having this place helps a lot with that, I think."

[Anastasia]

"Is Amaryl here?" Zariel goes to the lake and kneels by it, peering into its depths. "I do not sense her nearby, though."

Antenora stays back, just following for the moment.

[Corwin]

"She's looking for Sharran plots to dismantle, though I could pass on word that you want to say hi," Seira offers. "She's not committed to anything just yet." Following Zariel's gaze, she asks her, "Fancy a swim?"

[Anastasia]

Just for reference and not tied to this particular thing, gimme a Diplo check. I may need it for something in the next post or two, which may fall into evening resolution. I'd rather have that than wait on it until the morning.

[Corwin]

22:45 <Lucille> roll 1d20+73
22:45 <•Penuche> Lucille invokes Penuche's magic: < 75 > [d20=2]

[Anastasia]

"Let's," Zariel agrees, beginning to disrobe.

Antenora follows suit, slowly as she adds, "This is secluded and private, is it not?"

[Corwin]

"Of course," Seira responds, following suit. Her divine will is enforcing the seclusion and privacy! Since Zariel had said forests held a special meaning to her, Seira has tried to ensure she would have a chance to enjoy and reconnect to them without gawkers.

[Anastasia]

Zariel soon hops in, followed by Antenora. Both swim a little, enjoying the cool waters.

"There's water in Hell, but seldom satisfying. In retrospect I can see that applies universally to everything in Hell. What appears good rarely satisfies in a meaningful way. It merely feeds the worst of you, binds you deeper to Hell's will." Zariel remarks, slowly floating on the surface of the water. "How had I been so blind and consumed by hate to forget such a thing?"

"Hell is a nation of fools," Antenora stays in place now, up to her neck in the water. "Where one hateful soul makes all else dance for his amusement. Asmodeus..." Breathing the name out, "One day I will see you die, monster. I will see the Serpent's Throne smote from above and Nessus lit with holy radiance so bright as to scorch away all the wicked. I will see the end of Hell, be it tomorrow or in a trillion years."

[Corwin]

"Because we can feel love, be it affection or friendship," Seira muses, floating lazily on her back and staring at the distant sunlight in-between the canopies of the trees, "we also feel its absence sharply. To lose such bonds so suddenly makes us vulnerable, and Hell's quite good at exploiting those moments of weakness. Sounds corny, doesn't it? But I think it's a big part in why things are the way they are."

[Anastasia]

"Perhaps, but I don't think you're entirely right. Evil can feel love - a twisted mockery of it, torn asunder and puppeted as a necromancer puppets dead flesh, but still love. The obsessive stalker who hurts his love, yet is undoubtedly devoted to her." Antenora says, "The cold satisfaction of taking and using something you care about and dominating it to you, grinding it beneath you."

Zariel heads back towards the two of you, slowly floating in your direction. "Some say hate and love are two sides of the same coin. Even now I'm not sure I know the truth of that, but I know my hate burned as brightly as my love once did."

Antenora gazes up at the sun as well, shadows and sunlight dappling the three of you from above. Soft shadows and warm sunlight, a cloak of day and night rippling over all of you. "Eblis has lost so much and is so lonely, yet his hate still burns bright as his love once did. One is such a lonely number." Antenora's voice trails off slowly. "Is survival at that price worth it, even should all else perish?"

Slowly Zariel turns and adds, "What? I feel as if I missed some of the conversation, Antenora. What does the Nemesis have to do with any of this?"

"...nothing. Nothing at all. My thoughts grapple with questions that may have no answer for lifetimes yet." Antenora softly sighs, "Think nothing of what I said."

With the barest hint of a smile on her face, "You are a beard, walking stick and sour temper away from being a philosopher-sage, you know that?"

[Corwin]

"The sour temper is actually optional, although speaking in riddles is a staple."