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[Ebiris]

He's disturbingly close to the truth with that analysis. Though... "Children are usually given toys rather than making them, but I understand. Is that why you came here, to talk about the impermanence of life?"

[Anastasia]

"I guess," Calley finally says, "It's not fair I don't get to be a child all the way, either."

Looking up at the statue, lost in inspecting it for a few moments, "I would have called him Daddy. It's not fair I didn't get to grow up with him." Hands still in pockets, "Are things like that not being fair why people become evil?"

[Ebiris]

"It's not fair," Alicia agrees. "Power is a responsibility, and one that must be earned. Your mother was wrong to burden you with it. But I don't think unfairness causes people to become evil - I've known awful people who came from privileged and pampered backgrounds. Unfairness is an injustice, and an injustice is a call to action that motivates us to right it, or at least ensure it isn't repeated."

[Anastasia]

"Then how come no one righted the unfairnesses that happened to Mom?" Calley asks back. He kicks at the ground after that, "Don't bother, I already know the answer, or you'd be out of a job."

[Ebiris]

"Why have you come here, Calley?" Alicia directly asks him after that bit of petulance. It might be expected from a child, but most children aren't powerful enough to necessitate her personal attention.

Not that Jessica's children are especially powerful, but that's different.

[Anastasia]

"Mom used Medi's legacy to make herself a spirit without dying," Calley looks up, "Did you do that to your loved ones so they wouldn't die?" His gaze is on you, eyes meeting your own in that moment, a brightness to them beyond a child's, beyond twenty years, forty years or a hundred.

[Ebiris]

Jessica became an outsider just from living around Alicia/Anty/Marie back in Balmuria. Does just living on an outer plane surrounded by outsiders make someone likely to become one over time?

[Anastasia]

It's known to happen, yes.

[Ebiris]

"Not consciously," Alicia answers, unperturbed by Calley's gaze, whatever in his eyes nothing compared to the prayers she hears on a daily basis. "Some of my closest friends are outsiders perfectly happy to have left their mortal lives behind. But simply living with me was enough for my sister to change, no ancient archmage's secrets necessary."

[Anastasia]

"She's lucky," Calley says, not looking away. "Do you think 21 could change that, get people to stop dying?"

[Ebiris]

"I've only ever heard of 21 being used to kill," Alicia replies firmly. "It consumes, it destroys. Don't make the mistake of thinking it will provide an answer that you seek."

[Anastasia]

"Yeah. It's just something that destroys to try and find a meaning," Calley agrees, "Still not fair," he murmurs.

[Ebiris]

"If you wished a sympathetic ear you need only pray. Since you sought me out physically I'll but ask; are you going to do anything about it?" Alicia asks directly.

[Anastasia]

"I could," Calley finally says, "But should I? Mom did a lot of thinks she shouldn't have done, no matter how she felt."

[Ebiris]

"Consider it carefully, and talk with your grandmother," Alicia suggests. "Will anyone be hurt by your actions? Will it be dangerous, will it require taking something from someone else with their own needs, will it invite reprisals? Sometimes a decision is obvious and clear, sometimes it's not. But you have time to weigh everything up and come to a considered decision in this case. Few of those who pray to me have the luxury of dying to mere age."