Date night

[Anastasia]

On your return Antenora awaits in your office. Once you enter, "There is a three day ceasefire in the war, due to negotiations," Antenora begins, "Both Celestia and the Cauldron believe this is the time to force the Grand Sultan because politics have turned against him in all directions - including Water. I'm not clear on it, but the war turned in such a way that the Water Lord was willing to participate. Between the Battle of Father and Son and the situation with Eblis, the political landscape has sharply turned against the Grand Sultan, and is further complicated by intrigue at home."

[Ebiris]

"Looks like we just got our attack on the Abyssal Lake in under the deadline then," Alicia says. "It'll be a relief for our soldiers not to have to see much fighting after all. Lets pull them back to defend Sylica - chances are someone like Malcanthet or Shar was planning on attacking us while we were busy fighting abroad anyway."

[Anastasia]

"I already began that," Antenora agrees, "Also...I never truly understood. I only have handfuls of faithful at most, many yours who also pay me homage now, and yet it's so much. My mind is constantly awhirl with everything from that." Resting back, looking up, "It feels right to tend to them, does it not?"

[Ebiris]

"It's a God's role, it's why we exist," Alicia nods. "Even as One, the template is the same. A responsibility and a duty."

[Anastasia]

"A duty," Antenora seconds. She pauses a few moments, lost in thought. "If the war winds down, do we have a plan to advance forward?"

[Ebiris]

"That's something we'll have to decide on, isn't it?" Alicia returns. "We have problems of our own with Shar, Malcanthet, Hell, our outstanding commitments to Aurora and Daun. Honestly if the war does wind down I'll want to re-prioritise Sylica's resources back towards growth and giving our people more time to rest and pursue their own interests. We're stretched extremely thin right now and we're lucky that hasn't been tested."

[Anastasia]

"Extremely lucky," Antenora says, "Shar's been quiet after Dragodan, I suspect she's preparing something." Rising, going to the window and looking out at the sunlight, "Also all the more reason to get a little rest in while we have only a need for vigilance. With commands given, I am going to take Marie to a beach for sunbathing. A respite before more coming trials, or further war if the war continues. Would you, Syala, Jessica or anyone else care to join us?"

[Ebiris]

"You and Marie go have some private fun, we've been busy enough you haven't had much time for it," she encourages, gesturing for Antenora to go. "Build a few sandcastles or something."

[Anastasia]

With a growing smile at that, "I think Marie's hands will have other things to occupy them." Antenora says with a contented warmth. "But thank you."

[Ebiris]

"Just go have fun," she says with an indulgent smile.

[Anastasia]

Going to be doing anything in particular during this time or holding down the fort/seeing if anything bad happens?

[Ebiris]

Playing defensive for the moment.

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d100
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 48 > [d100=48]

It is a lull of momentary peace, of everyone regearing and preparing for what may come. As the sun sets you stand atop a cliff, looking over at Sylica below. As you take it in, your thoughts tumbling over each other as you watch it all?

"She was right," Syala says, at your side in an instant. "We won't have a chance to rest for some time even if we get peace."

[Ebiris]

Well she found a few minutes, even if her avatar is busy elsewhere... and two other avatars are growing with painful slowness towards finally being useful themselves.

"There's never peace in Creation, not everywhere," she answers, turning towards Syala.

[Anastasia]

"Yet when I'm with you, I have enough," Syala reaches up for your cheek, to cradle it - and stops. In a soft voice she whispers, "Shar."