Family Reunion

[Anastasia]

"Oh, that's a lovely idea,' Mother says, "Alihana, come along."

Alihana is lost studying the bracelet, startling and looking up. "Oh! We're going out?"

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods.

"Come with me for a minute while mom gets ready."

Alyssa leads Alihana out front.

[Anastasia]

Alihana follows, and once outside she looks on coolly, "Yes?"

[Iron Dragoon]

"I know I've been dazzling mom and dad since we came here, but I really want to convince them to stay here with me."

She takes her sisters hands, "You too. I think all of us have more potential than we ever thought, and I want to help us all get there. I want you to really think on what you want to do and learn, and I'll help you get there in any way I can. I can set up times for you to talk with and learn from any of our craftsmen, or anyone else, just let me know what you're interested in."

[Anastasia]

Gimme a Diplo check here since you did the right move, albeit with a -20 circumstance penalty.

[Iron Dragoon]

> roll 1d20+37-20+21 Diplo/Cunning Knowledge
<Kobot> Iddy rolled 1d20+37-20+21 Diplo/Cunning Knowledge --> [ 1d20=20 ]{58}

[Anastasia]

SLAP!

The pain in your cheek is only matched by the look of fury on Alihana's face, sheer poison. A moment of it, a long moment as she glares and words tumble out of her mouth. "Of course they'll stay with you, Queen," she snaps, the word dripping with venom. "You dash right in like a fey story, full of magic and mystery, good at everything! You throw around a king's ransom like it's nothing!"

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa gives her a sad smile and pulls her into a hug.

"Yes, I know. But that doesn't mean I don't want the same for you, or they for you, either. You all took such good care of me when I was a sickly little girl, I just think this is everything due to you for it. I owe all of this to you, too. You helped me so much and played with me enough to keep me away from the impact of Thoben, I owe you so much. I'm not trying to take anything away from, especially not mom and dad. I want us together, but I have to be here, so I just want it to be the best option for everyone."

She lets go of the hug and wipes a bit of tears away. "I'll say this though, with that sort of slap, maybe you should go into battlemage training."

[Anastasia]

Alihana - freezes. She stares at you as you hug her, mouth slightly agape as you talk.

"I..." Her word sounds feeble, breathless. Then a scowl, "You...why aren't you angry!? I slapped you!"

[Iron Dragoon]

"Well, I honestly sort of expected it. I've had to deal with a number of runaways that show up here, and some of them are from similar situations. The youngest in the family, but talented. People resent them, but they sort of deserved it, too. Most of the time. They tend to not consider those around them and how they make them feel. I started falling into that myself, so I think that slap is something I earned, not something to resent. A wake-up call, so to speak. Besides, we're family. A fight passes, but that remains. I figured you might have been feeling like you were starting to lose your place in the family, which is why I wanted to have this talk."

Alyssa slides up closer to Alihana and whispers, "Besides, I think you might be the only person to have ever hit me here in the Order. When that gets out, you'll get a reputation yourself."

[Anastasia]

"You...you impossible bitch!" Alihana finally says, a hmph as she blushes. "Stupid...stupid...stupid Alyssa! For that, you're buying me two dresses!"

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa laughs. "Madala says the same thing about me quite often. Speaking of buying things, I wanted to talk to you about Thoben's share of the money. I've set aside the same amount for him as I did for all of you. What do you think we should do with it? Establish an estate for the family, or something else? An orphanage or school?"

[Anastasia]

"Well..." Alihana begins.

Family is precious, Alyssa. Hold them close. Shar will not hesitate to hurt them to hurt you, given the chance.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa narrows her eyes and tries responding.

'That is sound advice... Might I be introduced to the one who gives it?'

[Anastasia]

"What?" Alihana stares at you, a confused frown on her face. "Alyssa?"