Onwards

[Nephrite]

Moore nods and rises from his kneel.

"Of course. It was only a few hours ago that I returned from the Deep Ethereal to find a letter from him that had been delivered." Moore explains. "I went to visit the person indicated in the letter in Brightwater and returned here."

A shake of his head. "Obviously, there's more to it than that, but I feel it may be more prudent to explain my feelings in the moment, as it were, if we are to relive the memory itself."

[Anastasia]

"Go on," Barachiel invites, "Speak freely, Moore." His radiance is beautiful, all around you the room is bathed in light.

[Nephrite]

"The entire situation doesn't make sense." Moore says. "I've never even spoken to Akil before, let alone have much in common. He must've known that I wasn't going to simply make a decision on this without speaking to you all."

After a pause, his face sours. "It almost feels like his intention was to be duplicitous from the beginning, especially when you consider the neutral party is somehow connected to Hell via family ties. It wouldn't surprise me if Akil was vying for the efreet throne with the support of those like Lixer. Especially considering Lixer's recent involvement against Cryonax... I have to wonder if this is some sort of elaborate plot, beyond just ending a war that Akil realizes they can't win long term."

A breath out after all of that. Whew!

[Anastasia]

"A word of council," Barachiel says, "Know that Hell's meanings are ever convoluted. Know that good men have gone mad trying to wring meaning from diabolical feints and gestures. Know that we may never know the truth of this offer."

"Far too often," Erathaol says, "Pieces far removed from the gambit are influenced or in play. Or that this is a feint, a plot and a ploy by the Grand Sultan to lure us into a position."

"Which is why I smite devils rather than talking to them," Raziel smiles a tight, grim little smile. "It is rarely the wrong choice to smite a fiend."

[Nephrite]

Moore simply nods. "It feels to me like no matter what we decide, it could be used against us. I believe the saying is 'the only way to win is to not play.'"

[Anastasia]

"Yet to entirely ignore diplomacy is foolish," Barachiel says, "But oftentimes you are correct. Now, is there anything else you desire to add?"

[Nephrite]

Moore shakes his head. "I do not. I don't see any issue with at least hearing him out."

[Anastasia]

"Now," Barachiel says, "Do we have your permission to see that memory?" His voice is wonderful and quiet at once, like a restrained rumble of thunder.

[Nephrite]

Moore nods. "Yes, go ahead."

[Anastasia]

Erathaol merely raises his staff up slightly, and that is enough. In an instant you relieve that entire encounter, a blur of memory that's yet crystal clear. Every little detail in stark relief - from the faint scent around Brigara that you hardly noticed at the time to the exact inflections of her words. It's so real as to be hyper real, unreal by being more reality that you have ever seen before.

[Nephrite]

One day he'll have to learn how to do that! That's a useful thing to have!

[Anastasia]

Once it's done, "Thank you," Barachiel says, "You have served Celestial well, Duke. Return to Hope's Landing now."

[Nephrite]

Moore bows once again and turns to go!

Assuming He isn't just sent back he'll take care of it in his own.

[Anastasia]

You are sent back without incident, a ripple returning you.

You're back home and not immediately occupied. Next move?

[Nephrite]

I think Moore has a date with a ghost of a fortress.