Illuminated regrets

[Anastasia]

Thus the party walks out of Hope's Landing.

Emily's whistling to herself, steps light as she follows.

Ianvasah is silent, gaze upward more often than not. She lingers just past the gate, gaze fixed towards the light above.

[Iron Dragoon]

"What're you mulling over, Ianvasah?"

[Anastasia]

"...I feel as if my entire life has been a mistake," she finally says. Her voice quivers, "And I can't look away from it."

"That's normal," Emily's at her side, taking her hand. "Celestia inspires introspection, especially the light above in those who haven't followed Celestia's path."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa glances up.

"Oh? I don't get that feeling at all. Why do you?"

[Anastasia]

"I don't know," Emily admits, "Not everyone has it happen."

"How should I know?" Ianvasah retorts, "All I know is that I feel like I could have done so much better with my life, that I've wasted it in my own foolishness."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa chuckles.

"Ianvasah, consider this: Had you done anything different in your life, it's likely you would not have ended up here, with us. Perhaps you led exactly the life you needed to, and made the choices you needed to. I think that for all that fate is a mixture of plan and chaos, the life that led you here was worth it."

[Anastasia]

Gimme Diplo here, relevant.

[Iron Dragoon]

Diplo/Cunning Knowledge:

[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+65 : 8 + 65, total 73[/blockquote]

[Anastasia]

"I - yes," Ianvasah tears her gaze away, "Are we done here? Let us depart before I look back again."

[Iron Dragoon]

"I am, unless either of you want to do anything else."

[Anastasia]

In that case, next move?

[Iron Dragoon]

Back to Melwether if he's willing, I suppose.

[Anastasia]

"That's it," Professor Tinsal asks when you present him the blood soon after, "Who gave it?"

[Iron Dragoon]

"An acquaintance from Celestia. Blood is a powerful reagent. To help convince her and relieve some of her concern, I've given her your name and the fact that you're in Queen Morwel's court. Anything we have that's excess, I will return to her for destruction."

[Anastasia]

"Tsk," A click of his tongue before adding, "Well, unavoidable then. Anything else to know about it?"