[20:57] <Kotono> Afina's work on the bridge is not all consuming, but it does take a lot of her time. Early one evening she finishes her work for a moment, finding Elena waiting nearby. "Afina," she calls, waving.
[20:58] <Afina> "Good morning, Elena," the little fairy greets the little blue girl, not so consumed in her work as to lose her sense of time. It's uncommon for Elena to come to her, though, so she asks the next reasonable, if blunt, question. "What do you want?"
[21:01] <Kotono> "
[21:02] <Kotono> "Ah. Welll..." Drawing that out a minute, "Just to talk?"
[21:03] <Afina> "About?" the pixie prods, looking at Elena patiently.
[21:07] <Kotono> "Wellllll..." Drawing it out again, "Um," Lowering her voice into a deep whisper, "Galariel!"
[21:08] * Afina cocks her head. "You want to reclaim your old position?"
[21:18] <Kotono> "Just...will you just come and talk with me!" Elena turns red and glares at Afina, "Come on, aren't you interested?"
[21:19] <Afina> Sighing softly and pushing herself off the command throne - though she takes air rather than landing on the floor - Afina flutters towards Elena. "Lead the way, then?"
[21:24] <Kotono> Through a portal you go! You appear on the rooftop meeting place, where you talked before. The night sky of Ysgard is visible through the windows, twinkling with cold stars. Elena goes to a chair and sighs, "So...All the pixies I've met before have liked to help with this, so...how do I get Galariel to notice me?"
[21:25] * Afina looks inscrutably at Elena. "Your position is weaker than his. If you want to defeat him you'd be better off attacking from hiding rather than up front." She's not dense enough not to draw the connection between stereotypical pixie habits and Elena's interest, but she makes her fun where she can.
[21:30] <Kotono> "Well yeah..." Elena turns red, "But I don't want to force him! That's just wrong! I mean...are you saying I should sneak up and rip his clothes off?!"
[21:36] <Afina> The thought does entertain a little bit... but no. "I don't think that would work," she replies instead. Considering the seemingly insubstantial nature of Elena and Galariel, she's not sure their clothes can be torn off. "So, if we're to be blunt, you want to seduce him, Elena?" Considering the size difference it could be a bit iffy, but she knows - or knew - plenty of pixies practiced in
[21:36] <Afina> overcoming such.
[21:38] <Kotono> "No! I mean...maybe! I mean...just..." Sputtering, "Why aren't you helping! Pixies are always matchmakers!" Blushing and kicking the air, "He's handsome, alright? Besides, it's not like I have anyone else in the dating pool."
[21:42] <Afina> "Matchmaking wasn't a skill required of me at court," Afina replies blandly. "I suppose I can help, though. He was called the stoic angel, and I heard there were beautiful angels attending him," well, she heard of one, but there could have been more. "That means he must not be interested in those who dilligently support him. To get his attention you'll have to be flamboyant."
[21:42] <Kotono> "That I'm good at," Elena nods with a bit of a smile, "How flamboyant do you think?"
[21:46] <Afina> "Direct, but not needy," Afina nods, more confident now as she starts to consider the matter properly. "He was very dismissive of you when he took over your job. Show that you're past that - you're confident and in charge of your own life, but if he's lucky you'll make him part of it."
[21:50] <Kotono> "Make him want it?" Elena asks back, "Instead of just ignoring me?"
[21:54] <Afina> "I think that's the best way," Afina confirms. "If you're too subtle he'll be oblivious. If you can't back it up with maturity he'll see it as childish games. Take back your responsibilities in the fortress - you must know things he hasn't realised yet after running it for so long - and show that you can be partners in all ways."
[21:57] <Kotono> "Mmm-hmm!" With a nod and a rise, "Now I'm inspired! I'm gonna get him to notice me and take me seriously! Just you see!"
[21:57] <Afina> And if it means she does more work, Afina can be pleased too, thus her smile is quite genuine. "I'm glad. Good luck, Elena."
[21:58] <Kotono> Elena waves, "I'll let you know how it goes," she says, rushing into the portal and away!
[22:00] <Afina> With her responsibility to keep Aurora moving, Afina decides the best thing to do now is go to her quarters and rest for a few hours so she can resume soon with a clear head.
[18:59] <Kotono> A few days have passed. Afina sits in the cafeteria and works on her breakfast. A few groups of warriors are eating a couple of tables away, but nothing quite so loud as to disturb Afina. As she eats, "Is this seat taken?" A man's voice asks, smooth and charming.
[19:04] <Afina> Afina is sitting on the table anyway, finding the seats too low for her comfort when dining. Looking up from her plate of warm if bland bread, jam, and butter, she cooly regards the new arrival. "No one else is here."
[19:07] <Kotono> You find it is Tannin, who sits down at the request. After a moment's concentration a plate of sausage and eggs appears before him. He has a few bites before he says, "Did my first bit of work for Aurora, just finished the report. I wanted to ask if all of you wanted me to look into anyone else right now."
[19:09] <Afina> "Report?" Afina blinks her big green eyes curiously. "What is it?" It would be a good way to judge the standard of his work and see if it's worth giving him a task of her own.
[19:11] <Kotono> A sheet of parchment is produced and laid before Afina! "There's not a lot to say about this one - they mostly got wiped out in the invasion of Lifasa. Willim and the Master of the Fists of War are the only survivors I've heard about." OOC: ?You can read it in the Tannin's reports topic. It's the first and only report there, obviously.
[19:27] <Afina> Afina leans over and swiftly peruses the sheet, eyes moving rapidly until she looks up a couple of seconds later. "I see... Then I will tell you of my last moments in Lifasa, Tannin. Unlike the others, who fought until the battle was lost and then fought to defend hastily erected portals to safe havens as they and their allies escaped, I was torn from Lifasa as the battle reached its most
[19:27] <Afina> vicious point. I lived in the Gloaming Forest, the last bastion of Lifasa's first inhabitants who wanted nothing to do with the civilisations built by those who came after - we clung to the old ways, and even the grand courts of Seelie and Unseelie held little sway over our own schisms and allegiances. I served Queen Ilsenine, in the Court of Alfheimr, entertaining her courtiers and
[19:27] <Afina> assassinating those of rival Courts. When the devils came, though, all divisions were forgotten - at least inside Gloamingwood - and a great ritual was enacted to bring the Land itself to life that it may eject those unnatural invaders. But as the ritual neared completion, and I fought for my life against a devil able to match my speed, Abigor set foot on Lifasa. All heard his voice, and
[19:27] <Afina> all plants died, no matter where. The ritual collapsed, but the wild magic unleashed rent the fabric of existence asunder throughout the forest and perhaps beyond - I was pulled through a rift into Gehenna, my attacker into Limbo. Those who still lived must have been scattered across these Outer Realms, though I have heard of none in the years since." Her voice is level and steady throughout
[19:27] <Afina> her tale, traumatic though the events were, and now her somewhat unfocused gaze homes in on Tannin. "If you can confirm the existence of any who survived the last battle of the Gloaming Forest, I would be impressed."
[19:31] <Kotono> Tannin smiles. It's mostly hidden by his hood, as one green eye and one pink eye flash. "I'll have to call in some favors, but I can look into it. This one'll take longer than that last job, but I should be able to do it. So to be clear - are all the possible survivors fey, or are other creatures like elves mixed in?"
[19:37] <Afina> "No elves," Afina shakes her head, quite clear on that. "There may be primal animals - among the first of their kind to walk on Lifasa, immortal and far more intelligent and powerful than their blood-thinned descendants. Unicorns and other magic creatures commonly connected with fey." She considers herself done there, but even as she thinks to hold her tongue she can't quite keep it down,
[19:37] <Afina> barely repressing a sigh as she admits afterwards, "Fey and elves lived together across the rest of Lifasa. Even if not my people, word of survivors in their number would not be refused."
[19:45] <Kotono> "Alright," A nod and a thoughtful hum, "I'll be on it." He finishes his food up, "If things go well, I might just bring one back with me to Aurora."
[19:46] <Afina> "I'd be very impressed if you did that," Afina favours him with a rare smile, deciding she better finish her own food quickly as well so she can get back to work.
[19:48] <Kotono> "To that," Tannin agrees, standing, "I'll let you know as soon as I get back."
[19:51] <Afina> "Thank you, Tannin," the fairy nods gratefully, turning now to finish the remnants of her own meal before she resumes driving the castle.
[19:53] <Kotono> As you return to the bridge, you find Elena and Dana waiting for you. "Hey," the latter calls, waving, "So you can control this entire thing from here?"
[19:56] <Afina> "Yes, from this chair here," Afina floats up to the command throne. "Others can support as well from the other chairs to make it less strenuous, since the mental effort is extreme. Do you want to try?"
[19:57] <Kotono> "Hell yes," Dana says quickly, "So I just sit down there?"
[20:00] <Afina> "Yes, it links with your mind automatically, so you have to relax enough to let it in, but not so much that you're overwhelmed. Once you're linked, please don't try changing our direction - we're pointed at our destination and turning takes a long time."
[20:05] <Kotono> "Sure." Dana says, sitting right on down!
[20:06] <Kotono> roll 1d20+1
[20:06] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+1 and gets 15." [1d20=14]
[20:25] <Kotono> Dana sits down and promptly groans, holding her head and falling o ut of the seat!
[20:29] <Afina> "That sometimes happens," Afina notes, giving Dana a moment to collect herself. "A better way might be if you take one of the support chairs while I handle the central one. That way you can help me and get some experience at the same time."
[20:30] <Kotono> "Ugh..." Dana stumbles up and shakes her head, "Y-yeah, good idea."
[20:30] <Kotono> Elena watches and smiles a few times, but mostly keeps her own council.
[20:31] <Afina> Once Dana picks herself up, Afina sits down in the throne and resumes driving Aurora.
[20:37] <Kotono> Dana manages to get to one of the side chairs! She settles in and sits...slowly, it feels like you have a second person. A second connection, guiding the way with you. It's like taking part of a burden off your back, your concentration to the rest of it sharper.
[20:38] <Afina> She should probably give credit where it's due... "That's good, it feels easier for me now. This way I can move Aurora for longer."
[18:55] <Kotono> Dana grunts as an immediate reply, brow furrowed in deep concentration, "Yeah," she finally says, "It's like I have a third arm and second head to focus on, and they're really heavy."
[18:56] <Afina> "Adapting to Aurora's immensity is the main barrier to controlling it. Just keep supporting me, you should understand enough to drive it yourself if necessary after this," Afina tells her, eyes closed and posture serene as she exercises her mind.
[18:58] <Kotono> "Ugh..." Dana grunts as she keeps going! Time slips by. Your concentration is interrupted briefly, Galariel at your side. He touches your shoulder, fatigue lessening. You can see him going to Dana, doing the same. Elena stands to the side, a crisp nod, "Thank you. I have this under control," she says, turning her attention to Afina.
[19:00] * Afina gives Galariel a slight nod as she feels the familiar rejuvenating magic, giving Elena a slight smile once the angelic spirit has his back turned to help Dana.
[19:02] <Kotono> Elena returns that smile as Dana perks up. "Thanks," she says, voice distracted, "God, this is awesome! I feel like I got beaten for hours by an ogre, but it's all in my head! Mostly. Why couldn't Daddy get one of these?"
[19:04] <Afina> "He probably would have been killed by the guardians on the path to claiming it," Afina replies deadpan as ever. "Do you enjoy mental pain as much as physical pain, then?"
[19:08] <Kotono> "Damn right." Dana grins for a moment, shifting in her seat. "If you don't feel pain, you aren't alive. If you don't feel alive, you may as well just kill yourself or jump from the castle towers. Otherwise you turn into one of the zombies of the court - a perfumed twit who waxes stupid about bard songs and what vapid fucking dress a noble bitch is wearing.""
[19:11] <Afina> "Oh, you have experience of court life?" Afina asks, interested for once - even if it won't be a fey court, it's interesting to hear about how other races follow the same structures. "I danced for Queen Ilsenine's court in Lifasa."
[19:16] <Kotono> "Yeah." Dana shrugs, "Don't go spreading this around," She glances back, seeing Galariel gone, "Daddy is King Langersun of the Holy Kingdom of Langersun. Being a princess is a great way to be an airheaded twit who bathes in perfume, pumps out babies and sleeps around on her husband with anything that moves." With an utterly disdainful snort, virtually loaded with contempt, "At least being
[19:16] <Kotono> a dancer means you aren't sitting on a throne bored all day, every day."
[19:20] <Afina> "I didn't get to dance that often," Afina admits, faint wistfulness in her own tone, "But I was given other tasks befitting my other skills. Anyway, a princess are you?" here she sounds intrigued, "I've heard the life of royalty can differ vastly between kingdoms, but you always have the chance to change it. Perhaps one day you can overthrow the Holy Kingdom and rule as a warrior Queen?"
[19:23] <Kotono> "That's the plan if I ever get bored of the planes. I'm legally the next in line for the throne, so if Daddy doesn't like it?" A shrug, "Sacking a few castles will fix that problem. Langersun is an ancient kingdom far away from the devil-dog lands, so nothing ever happens there. Maybe a coup would liven things up."
[19:27] <Afina> Hmmm... this does sound promising, Afina thinks! "With Aurora's might we could make that happen a lot sooner. Having your country's support would help a lot in our crusade."
[19:29] <Kotono> "Oh sure, one day." Dana agrees, "Mmmm. That could be fun! I need to get better first, though. Daddy's a warrior with skill in magic. By royal law, I have to face him in single combat and slay him to be the new Queen in case of a coup."
[19:31] <Afina> "A fair law," Afina admits, "If you ever need training on how to face a warrior with magical skill - or become one... well, you've seen what I can do, yes?"
[19:36] <Kotono> "Yes. Magic bores me, I'd rather settle things with steel," Dana retorts, "But I do respect how potent it is."
[19:38] <Afina> "Death comes in many forms," the fairy agrees, regardless of whichever one prefers, another can surely find a way to make a different method no less lethal. "You mentioned devil-dogs before. Do the devils have a foothold in your world as well, or was that just a perjorative?"
[19:40] <Kotono> "They're not devil-devils as far as I know. They're close to what other worlds call goblins, from what I've picked up. More canine and more feral, stronger too. They can breathe fire, which makes them a downright bother for anything near the borderlands that has a war. They're not always at war with us - they fight with the demihumans as well, and sometimes trade with us, but they're a source
[19:40] <Kotono> of trouble fairly often."
[19:42] <Afina> "Hmm. Well, they're probably irrelevant. We'll see if we get a strong presence on your world," Afina decides at length. "Have you travelled much of the planes other than Ysgard?"
[19:45] <Kotono> "Yeah," Going on as she focuses on the ship as well, voice a bit distracted, "Started in Air. That was fun once I got used to it and figured out how to fly there. Even got into a relationship there for awhile, but it didn't last. He wanted to settle down, I wanted to raise hell. Then it was a brief trip through Water, then Elysium - BORING - and then Arborea for a bit. Tried to find the
[19:45] <Kotono> Court of the Stars on a lark but stumbled into a portal instead. Ended up in Limbo and Pandemonium for a bit, fought my way out of those, and back towards Ysgard."
[19:52] <Afina> "That sounds alike to my experiences," Afina finds some interest in comparing notes, "Elysium was disagreeable, but we should be respectful for Galariel's sake. I spent around a year in Gehenna, attacking devil expeditions and yugoloth soul traders. Then I journeyed through the... para?-elemental plane of Magma, the Outlands, and then Arborea to help a soul I found from Lifasa reach the
[19:52] <Afina> Seldarine. The forests there were painful to look upon, and I didn't stay long. I spent more time in the Outlands then the Astral Plane before I met Adrian and the others, starting the journey to find Aurora."
[19:55] <Kotono> "It's a lot of fun! It's an adventure every turn I look." Dana smiles more now, "I got tangled in a Blood War battle and...gods, if it wasn't devils and demons, I'd seriously think of joining up. I just can't stand any of the fiends is the problem."
[19:58] <Afina> "Devils and demons fought a lot on Gehenna. At first I had a hard time telling the difference, but I'd seen enough devils already to know which ones I really wanted to kill. A few demon bands tried to entice me into joining them after I killed devil commanders to gift them easy victories," Afina relays her own experience with that particular conflict. "They didn't know how to take no for an
[19:58] <Afina> answer... annoying, but demons are useful for killing devils."
[20:02] <Kotono> "Don't have a stake in that side. Something about fiends just repulses me. Must be my celestial blood," Dana shrugs, "Whatever."
[20:04] <Afina> On a philosophical level fiends and celestials are equally repulsive, denying the cycle as they both do, but Afina has no problem accepting that celestials are far more pleasant and tolerable. "I can understand that. I'd have thought the same a few years ago, if I ever considered it at all."
[20:07] <Kotono> "They all die the same," Dana flashes Afina a quick grin as she gets back to work.