Onwards

[Anastasia]

Cards are dealt as all of you get comfortable, the game beginning. As Kaja draws and discards, "Yet you're still going, Moore, and you had it worst of all of us."

At this Jetina frowns and shakes her head, "I'd need to tie him to his bed to get him to rest longer term."

[Nephrite]

A grin as he discards a card to draw a new one. "It wouldn't be a good example to the rest of you if I was just bed-ridden after everything that happened." He says and then he leans back. "It goes against my rule of being a source of inspiration. But I know my limits, don't worry."

[Anastasia]

As she draws, takes a card and discards one from her hand, "I hope so," Jetina says, "I can heal most things, but I have limits."

"Mmm-hmm." Xandra agrees, "Let's not earn the ire of Orcus again, and hopefully he's not going to pursue us."

Kaja shivers visibly as he draws and tosses the card down again, "Tiamat's teats have more luck than I do today," he growls.

[Nephrite]

"We do still need to go back to Foggard." Moore says. "But... let's give that another day or two before we do." A chuckle, then a look over at Xandra. "I take it you got banned from playing these?"

[Anastasia]

"Again," Xandra smiles without looking up, turning the page of her book.

Meanwhile Jetina draws another card, "Dragon!" She calls, laying her cards down.

"Already? AGAIN?" Kaja looks on in disgust, tossing his cards down.

As Jetina smiles widely and collects cards, Cresiel says, "Rest is good, but we have things to do besides leisure."

[Nephrite]

"Yes, you're right." Moore says. "I was going to go see the Authority of Hope, actually... it's... mm." A small smile as he draws his cards again. "I almost feel like I've already met them? It's hard to explain."

[Anastasia]

"You'd be a good one," Cresiel speaks up at that as cards are dealt anew. "There are usually at least a few who would be a perfect fit for an Authority's office, yet who are not one at the current time."

As Kaja takes his cards, "Yes, you'd do well in that role. But have you met them or is it because you're similar to it?"

[Nephrite]

"It's probably just the same calling." Moore says with a smile. "Kind of how you feel you've met a warrior who fights the same way you do, or... something like that."

Another discard. "I did consider the idea of... 'applying,' or if you will, but... if the current one is doing fine in the job, then there's obviously no need for a new one." A smile after that. "Besides, I have other plans anyway."

[Anastasia]

"It's not a position to apply to, it's a calling. You're chosen," Xandra keeps on reading, "The person who is right for the role at that time is the one chosen."

"Really?" Jetina draws and keeps her card, making Kaja growl low. "It's like being appointed by a king to the nobility?"

"Close enough," Xandra says, "Often, Authorities serve until they are called to Chronias. It is a final task and a final honor before ascending. Occasionally an Authority is lost or destroyed, but this is rare." A page turn, "There's more change there than something like Hell's nobility, who have nowhere to go but down."

[Nephrite]

"Yeah, that's the other reason." Moore admits. "I'm not going to be a proxy or anything, either, so it's my own path forward that I have to fulfill."

A smooth smile as he holds his cards. Could these be any worse?

"That may be it, that we're both called to the same thing." Moore says. "Or... I suppose I can't deny the possibility that I maybe met them when I was in the Lost Realm."

[Anastasia]

Kaja draws and discards, sighing. "You think so?" Jetina asks, "Or is that just a guess? If so, who is it?"

[Nephrite]

"Just a guess." Moore says. "I know bits and pieces about them, at least from reading up on all of them." He says.

[Anastasia]

"Are you familiar with the Authority of Hope?" Xandra asks at that, "Do you wish me to educate you?"

[Nephrite]

"I know some." Moore says. "But by all means."

[Anastasia]

"The Authority of Hope is named Mazana, a female spirit. She is ethereal, spending more time without a body than time with. I understand her normal routine is to be unseen and provide powerful boosts to morale and hope to allow mortals to solvea problem with their own two hands, though she is capable and willing of more direct intervention. Otherwise she tends to all of Celestia's hope and various duties there." Xandra says.