The duty to live

[Ebiris]

It was. I don't think she's used to being touched.

"You have to learn how to seem like you're paying attention and care deeply about the concerns and proposals you receive from other powers, even if you don't really. Some deities are powerful and secure enough that they can brush off everyone who comes to them, but you don't have that luxury. Also, you might actually be surprised and make friends in unexpected places if you give them a chance," she summarises her diplomatic advice.

[Anastasia]

I don't thinks he has, but she likes it. Why don't you find a reason to touch her too?

Queen nods slightly to that, "It may be so," she says at last, "But so many seem to only nakedly care for their own interests."

[Ebiris]

"Of course they do," Alicia agrees, finding a useful segue that works with Syala's request as she scoots over closer to Queen, "The trick is to find ways to make their interests line up with yours," she reaches out to take one of Queen's hands in her own, rubbing her thumb against the back of it. "One hand washes the other, is the old saying."

[Anastasia]

Raw Charisma check here.

[Ebiris]

[20:29] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+21
[20:30] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+21 --> [ 1d20=20 ]{41}

No wait Alicia, that's too much!

[Anastasia]

Queen doesn't resist, and after a few moments she shivers and you notice a distinct tinge of red to her cheeks. "Ah...yes, I see," Queen says at last, eyes closed.

[Ebiris]

Alicia feels embarrassed but masterfully controls her composure as she gives Queen's hand a final genial pat and then lets go. "Any other issues you want to talk about while we're here?" she asks nicely.

[Anastasia]

Oh Alicia. Alicia, Alicia, Alicia.

Meanwhile Queen has a hint of red on her cheeks as she says, "...nothing so urgent now," she confesses.

[Ebiris]

Embarrassment or not it would be really sad to rush Queen off now so Alicia will make the best of it. "Then why don't we get some refreshments and we can fill you in on some stories of our dealings with other powers, so you have an idea of what to expect for your own?" she suggests.

I'm not blind, that was your fault. I don't normally go around touching people so much!

[Anastasia]

Alicia, it's not me that makes people fall in love with you. That's all you.

Meanwhile Queen murmurs her agreement, no resistance to that idea.

[Ebiris]

It only takes a few minutes before some adorable coure eladrin flutter into the garden, bringing with them a basket full of tasty baked treats along with a couple bottles of fine wine and glasses. Glasses are poured for the three goddesses and Alicia thanks the eladrin before they go and she settles back with a drink. "This realm was actually created by the arch-angel Triel... who might well have still been an angel when you got trapped at the bottom of the stair, now that I think about it," she begins.

"Unfortunately he's now better known as Beezlebub, Lord of the Seventh Hell. That meant our very first diplomatic visit here was an especially fraught one. Considering the disparity in strength between us at the time, we had to bank a great deal on his respect for our achievement in defeating a challenge he'd set before his fall, and potential backup from Mystra if things got really bad. Luckily it passed with the bare diplomatic niceties, but you can't ever take in person meetings with evil powers for granted as being safe."

[Anastasia]

Syala settles in and has a long drink, savoring the taste. She puts it aside after that and says, "We may not have won if he fought us, even if Mystra intervened. That may have been the only thing that saved us, the threat of Mystra taking offense."

Queen has a long sip of her drink, scooting a little closer to you. "Is it not how it always is, that evil consumes everything around itself, including those who give into it? I fear that we could be consumed by another's evil, destroyed in a futile chase."

[Ebiris]

"He was able to use us to undermine Bel," Alicia reminds Syala. "We're useful even if we're in opposition. That's part of planar politics too, playing your enemies off of one another." She has a sip of wine and then grabs a jam-filled pastry which she bites into. "But it's a gamble no matter who's doing it. Evil's always a threat, and you should take great care if you try to wield it as a weapon for it can easily turn back and strike you, or others who are innocent."

[Anastasia]

The jam is rich and sweet, the taste of strawberries strong. "It's plots, plans and angles as far as you can imagine," Syala agrees with you.

Queen sighs at that, "I had hoped it would be more....heroic." She finally says, settling on a word. "Like you did, you came and saved me, as well as put a great injustice to rest."

[Ebiris]

"We do lots of that too," Alicia reassures Queen. "It's just as a goddess you're responsible for so much more. You can't just be the adventurer beholden to none and following the path to a new quest each sunrise. You have so many people relying on you, and so many others willing to use those same people as a means to hurt you, that you have to cover all the angles and manage the after-effects of your decisions."