Home again

[Anastasia]

Syala lingers, watching you with a smile. "It amazes me," she says, arbitrarily. "How you seem to grow more beautiful by the year, Alicia. How each year you wear your light and authority with more comfort, how you look even more the commanding Queen."

[Ebiris]

She turns her head towards Syala while tightening the straps on her armour, smiling back. "It is nice to look better with age and not worse. I ascended right on the edge of when my body was starting to betray me." A wave of her hand and her inky black hair braids itself up at the back of her head to avoid catching on armour when she moves around. "Don't have to worry about ever seeing a grey hair."

[Anastasia]

"Mortality - what a strange thing," Syala says, "To condemn one such as you to a failing body. But..." Sitting up, "We go forward," she agrees. "Good luck at the Red Knight's, and after, we should spend some time focused on Sylica's community, if the looming war allows."

[Ebiris]

"What would you like to focus on in particular?" she asks, since 'focusing on the community' is pretty vague.

[Anastasia]

"The people, the culture, the cities that are beginning. Our followers see the ample bounty we have expanded with and explore it," Syala explains. "Antenora talks of a city midway on the Opal Mountain, nestled into the cliffsides. Of ports in the oceans, the beginning seeds of our navy. Great towns in rolling planes and atop green hills, where our faithful grow and prosper."

[Ebiris]

"Oh, you just want to visit places?" Alicia asks, comprehension dawning. "Do you want to do it officially or incognito?"

[Anastasia]

"Both," Syala says after a few moments, "Both have merits."

[Ebiris]

"Well we can make time for it, with our avatars if nothing else," she says, seeing the appeal of both morale boosting high visibility appearances and getting to see things from a less staged perspective.

[Anastasia]

Syala rises and gives you a kiss, a moment of unison between the two of you. "Then go show the Red Knight how Sylica hunts."

[Ebiris]

"You're coming as well," she reminds Syala, patting her hip after that kiss. "The party is you, me, and Jessica."

[Anastasia]

"...oh yes."

Syala has the graces to blush, "I'm sorry, something incredible distracted me," she says, eyes firmly on our chest. Clearing her throat, "We're ready to go?"

[Ebiris]

"You can see it again later," Alicia says indulgently, giving Syala a pat before they go to fetch Jessica.

[Anastasia]

As you go? 'Alicia,' Elle's voice in a sending, 'Efreet forces spotted in Astral. Preparing for possible attack. Be advised, contact me for more details.'

[Ebiris]

"Ah, hold on. Just got word from Elle about efreet on the astral..." Alicia says, frowning as she exercises divine will to contact Elle back.

Is it just efreet or have others joined? Do you want us to reinforce you?

[Anastasia]

'Just them so far, the situation's developing,' Elle replies. 'It could be a stray legion, a scouting force, the prelude to a great attack or bait. We don't know yet. Seira wants you to be advised.'