Preparations for round two

[Anastasia]

Okay, you were interested in checking on node goals?

[Corwin]

Yes, let's do a debrief

[Anastasia]

Sure, go ahead and set up what you have in mind, I'll respond off of it.

[Corwin]

"So, did things work out as I hoped?" Seira asks Ranbar once Moore and Xandra leave, Sanzha sent their way a moment later with a thought offloaded to Seira's avatar. "I bet on those flashes of inspiration you two get in and our of combat to be relevant for our quest. Was it on the money?"

[Anastasia]

"Well," Kascha says, "I did learn a lot. It makes sense that Creation has what I can only call a filtration system, doesn't it?" She sits, head resting on her hand as she hums to herself.

[Corwin]

"We've always known it had a border," Seira agrees. "But this helped us shift our perceptions from a two-dimensional barrier into something with actual depth and different possible functions."

[Anastasia]

"We also know it can be defeated now," Kascha says, "We know other Far Realm creatures have made it past, and we saw how one might endure the defenses." She  closes her eyes, as if taking a brief nap, head resting in her hand. She blows out a long breath before, "It's interesting, it's fascinating, it's illuminating: But is it useful to know right now? Our enemy is still Shar and she's of this Creation."

[Corwin]

"It's crucial," Seira insists. "You know just why she is our enemy. Destroying all of Creation would be easiest by tearing down the barrier, and given her backing, it's certainly reasonable to assume she knows of its existence. Or did you think her plan for eliminating everything had her slay everyone personally, one at a time?"

[Anastasia]

"...yes?" Kascha says after a moment, "She'd enjoy that, wouldn't she?"

[Corwin]

"I don't feel like that's the threat we're facing, but in the end it's my own interpretation of the available facts," Seira says after declining to voice her immediate reaction. "Since your words got me thinking, Kascha, does it mean you are interested in pursuing different matters? That's perfectly fine. Sanzha will come in your stead tomorrow. I merely ask that you attempt to form those chains here, to see that you can still manage it properly."

[Anastasia]

"Not at all!" Kascha gasps, "I've gotten such good lore from this. It's just that it's not going to help us with our immediate problems! Seira, how could you think to cut me off from something like this?! I want to write so much about it!"

[Corwin]

"I honestly don't know what you want anymore," Seira says in good-natured exasperation. "Just form the chains, please. Show me that you can make them work even here, and if you can't, spend the rest of the day practicing. It'll come in handy one day."

[Anastasia]

Kascha focuses...and nothing happens. "It's much harder here," she says at last, "I haven't developed my will yet like you and Amaryl have. I'll practice on it, it'll surely help with that as well."

[Corwin]

"Sure thing. And on reflection, why don't you take Oraga and go to Gates of the Moon to pay Emily a visit? Donald and Elle are there, helping out, so fill the three of them in while you can be assured of privacy."

[Anastasia]

"I'll do that, there's so much lore-"

A connection to Kascha, bright and sharp and strong. It's radiant as you feel it and...

Node update, go check.