Knowledge shall lead the...

[Corwin]

"There comes a point where we can't just keep on holding your hand and telling you all that you want to hear," Seira tells Emily, getting angry despite herself. "We're talking about ascension! For the sake of taking out Shar for good! If you can't decide on your course without running back to us, you shouldn't be a goddess. It wouldn't matter how many rituals and how many divine seeds there are, in the end you must have ironclad resolve! The resolve to stand and fight, the resolve to protect those you care about!"

[Anastasia]

"What do you think I'm doing?" Emily says, stepping back forward again, "I'm protecting someone I care about from the mercies of the Far Realm!"

[Corwin]

"If you want her to have an alternative, take her on a quest to retrieve one of the seeds. Otherwise, trust in Alyssa and support her when she challenges herself through the Beyond," Seira insists. "Both are a step forward. But this, what, coming to us for permission? So that your agency is lessened through our wisdom? We can make the choice for you, and we can cloak it in words you will accept without question, but that's the wrong choice! It's a massive step backwards I won't let you do!"

[Anastasia]

"You are my MOTHER!" Emily exclaims, "I'm going to ask you if I need advice!"

Amaryl starts to say something, but Donald intercepts her, a hand on her shoulder. Quietly, "This has been brewing."

Meanwhile Emily just glares at Seira, "It's a huge choice no matter what I do, I'd be a fool if I didn't ask others for advice."

[Corwin]

Fair enough.

Seira inclines her head. "Alright. My advice is to seize the opportunity and go forward. Once you grow in power, use that power wisely to assist others in their own ascensions."

[Anastasia]

This gets Emily to stop, blow a breath out and close her eyes. She's silent a few moments, "Thanks, Mom," she says at last. "Mom, what do you think?"

"I agree with your mother. If you feel you're worthy of this, as an oak is worthy to be felled, then take this chance." Amaryl agrees.

"Yeah," Donald says, "If you want to pass then pass, don't feel obligated. You'd make a shitty deity if you did it because you felt you had to. If you want to go for it, leap on it like Seira leapt on Amaryl."

Amaryl reddens at that, "Donald!" she protests, a hand on her hip as she turns to her friend.

"I saw you two make googly eyes at each other," Donald fires back, grinning. "You still do sometimes." Raising his voice to a bad falsetto, "Oh Seira, you're so wonderful!" Then to a slightly lower one, "Oh Amaryl, you're so beautiful!"

Quietly Emily blushes slightly at it and then starts to smile at Donald, as he goes on. "Oh Seira, take care of me!" A switch again, "Oh Amaryl, I'll take care of you forever! Oh Seira! Oh Amaryl!"

[Corwin]

"If I hadn't gathered the courage, we might've never come together," Seira muses, looking over at Amaryl. "And if I weren't able to show my committment properly, perhaps you would worry about it from time to time."

She turns her attention to her daughter, then. "Donald is an idiot but he understands you don't do things in half-measures. Like we all told you, find the resolve within you that you are the best woman for the job, and then do the best job ever!"

[Anastasia]

"Thanks, Mom." Emily smiles and rises, "I'll go now. I'll be sure you hear my decision."

[Corwin]

Seira approaches her to give her daughter a hug.

[Anastasia]

Emily returns it, and a whisper to you as she does, "You're okay after the Far Realm?"

[Corwin]

"I can control it even better, now."

[Anastasia]

A long sigh at that, "That's a relief."

[Corwin]

Seira smiles at her.

[Anastasia]

A smile back.

"...are you waiting for me to tell you now?" Emily asks. "I did make up my mind."

[Corwin]

"If you like. We want to support you in your life, not micromanage it," Seira assures Emily.