Burrowing ahead

[Corwin]

"Thank you for seeing us," Seira greets the Guardian politely. "The three of us are there to ask for the seed you were entrusted with."

[Anastasia]

"Beg pardon?" The Guardian looks up.

"The seed," Kascha speaks up right away. "Please."

"Oh, the seed!" The moment Kascha speaks the Guardian says, "For a friend that's different. Yes yes, that would be different. Yes, that's what I'm saying. Few have reached me, thank you. The other may, but her story continues yet. Like your story, like the seeds you already partook from."

Kascha's mouth opens and closes each time before she can speak, a finger held up before she laughs ruefully. "Why then?"

"A test no one in the Abyss could ever pass." The Guardian says, simply, his book closed. It is gone from his hand, back to the shelves.

[Corwin]

They're friends of a friend, and Seira knows how awkward that could be. She'll let Kascha take the lead for now, ready to back her up whenever it becomes necessary.

[Anastasia]

"You..." Kascha trails off before she laughs lightly, a big smile on her face. "Do you mean I already passed?"

"You passed," The Guardian agrees. "Seira did well to look into the past as well." The Guardian's gaze settles on Seira at that.

[Corwin]

"Thank you," Seira responds politely. "A friend tends to investigate in that direction, and I have been feeling a closer link to time recently. That served to keep the option open in my mind."

[Anastasia]

"Time, that would interest you," The Guardian notes, "Very much so."

[Corwin]

"At first people might be surprised to hear about it, but those who really know me and think for a second will realize how well it fits me," Seira says with a nod.

[Anastasia]

"How well it does," The Guardian agrees. Then his gaze turns on Donald.

"What?" Donald asks, openly.

"You, however, haven't passed yet," The Guardian says.

[Corwin]

"That's fair," Seira agrees. "Could you please state the nature of the test and the terms?"

[Anastasia]

Before all of you a simple dot of white light appears.

A soul.

"A soul, untouched and blank," The Guardian says, "Create something worthwhile that proves your superiority with it."

[Corwin]

"I still can't quite let go of the desire to undo Ianvasah's death, so it's a good thing this is your challenge rather than my own," Seira muses, stepping over to Donald's side. "Unlike our friend here, I don't need to test you to believe in you. Whatever you make, we'll be supporting you every step of the way."

And she certainly has enough experience with both souls and elementals to be the perfect assistant here....

[Anastasia]

Donald goes to it, paces around and back and forth. He eyes it for a long time. Finally and at last, "Seira, give me a drop of your blood."

[Corwin]

That would be a funny time to give him a doubtful look, though Seira abstains. She cuts her index finger with the tip of a claw and squeezes the wound until a drop of blood rises to the surface past the skin. Extending the hand towards him, she asks, "Do you need anything else?"

[Anastasia]

"No," he says, "All I needed was the blood of someone I look up to," he says, smearing the blood on his metal shot hand and going forth towards the soul.

[Corwin]

Aww! Donald says the nicest things sometimes!

Seira watches curiously, giving him the space to act.