To the root

[Iron Dragoon]

Check up on realm development. I haven't had any sort of update on that in a long time.

[Anastasia]

Okay.

It's not hard to get a familiar face in here - Delaize comes in and bows. "It's true?" he asks the moment he enters.

[Iron Dragoon]

"You'll have to be a bit more specific."

[Anastasia]

Delaize is silent several seconds, "There's nothing else that's being talked about below." he offers to you. "The signs of apotheosis."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Of myself? Yes. Of the others, also yes. Dolmaya has been reluctant to step into it, so I've made her my proxy. What's on your mind about it?"

[Anastasia]

Delaize sits, "Everything," he admits at last. "I'd heard the stories of Saint Alicia and the Mistress of the Cauldron, but..." Here he stops, "Yet you seem as you always are."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Well... I wouldn't say that. I can feel the difference, but I think because of my nature I stayed closer to what I was than some of the others. I'm also reigning in my presence. I can let you feel the difference if you want, but I don't think you'll be able to maintain the same view on me if I do."

[Anastasia]

Delaize is silent a long moment before, "I'd like to see it," he says, "I have to know what has happened."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa raises an eyebrow and then releases her full divinity, constraining it not all, bringing out all the weight of her power and influence and the parts of reality she has influence over.

Know this, Delaize: despite what I have become, I strive for the same things. I value the same things as ever; my goals are the same, my desires the same. You will forever be a mentor and ally to me, a person whose wisdom, judgement, and experience is to be exalted and relied upon. What I am does nothing to diminish who you are or what you have accomplished. In fact, your mentorship and support can be directly linked to my ascension.

Had you not opposed and challenged me in the Order, I would not have grown. Without that growth, I might have been too weak to come into what I am. Had you not followed me and become my primary administrator and council, I might have not had the focus to pass my trials. Take pride in who you are, what you are, and what you have accomplished. And what you will accomplish, hand in hand with me.

[Anastasia]

Are you using any particular facet of your divine aura here?

[Iron Dragoon]

Nah.

[Anastasia]

Delaize stares, stone silent.

The only tell is his hands, which shake visibly as you speak into his mind. "I..." Delaize begins, a pause, "It's all true."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa reigns her abilities in and smiles kindly at him, "I suppose so. I don't know what 'all' is, but you've seen for yourself. Take a few minutes to organize yourself, and I'll be happy to answer anything else."

[Anastasia]

Delaize takes several long breaths, eyes closed. He then rests his head in his hand, silent for a good few minutes. When at last he rallies, he simply nods to you, perhaps not trusting his voice.

[Iron Dragoon]

"So! What else is on your mind? Let's get those questions out of the way and then get to how our realm is doing."