At a time like this, there's not much to do beyond waiting. A brief break to freshen up is appreciated, followed by going out to see what's going on.
Any preferences here, Moore?
He'll stop in at the Celestian Temple and see if everything's good there, and then other than that just make sure the troops are in high spirit, unless something crosses his path.
The newly made Celestian temple is peaceful and quiet. More than a few archons area bout in silent contemplation or prayer, while some mortals are also doing so. You feel a sense of peace here, the tension elsewhere in Aurora not present.
Moore smiles. He's glad, at least, he can offer this peace to people.
He'll take a seat and say a prayer to Erathaol.
'I don't think I've ever actually found myself praying before, but I wanted to say thank you for giving me the opportunity. I still don't know why I ended up here, but... I'm glad I'm here, no matter what happens. No matter what I remember or forget -- thank you for showing me Celestia's wisdom when I am in need of it, and thank you for guiding me to meet those I've met on my path. I hope I can continue to work destiny in our favor.'
He takes a deep breath afterwards and lets it out.
You feel better at that, focused and centered. Worries leave you and you mind feels clearer.
There isn't so much difference between knowledge and joy, is there?
He rises and will go tend to the soldiers outside to make sure they're motivated and morale is high.
Just going to be speaking to 'em? Make an preform: oratory check.
[13:37] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+38+15
[13:37] <Kobot> Nephrite rolled 1d20+38+15 --> [ 1d20=18 ]{71}
This takes some time and goes quite well. You raise morale considerably by your own eye, until at last you're done.
Elena pops up once you're finished, "Oh Moore, Crystal's looking for you."
Moore nods, satisfied with himself for now. He needs to get some items to help with this sort of thing...
He turns and nods to Elena. "Please let her know I'll meet her at the Court."
With that, he'll fly in that direction!
You find Crystal in the antechamber, waiting for you. "Ah, Moore. Good day to you," she greets, clad in her normal arms and armor.
"Crystal." Moore nods. "What's up? I mean... besides, you know. Hell." He makes a sour face at that.
"Her Majesty is calling the Court to order," Crystal confesses, "We will all gather in an hour, both for readiness and to keep morale high. Your presence is desired."
"Of course. I'll go and freshen up then." He says. "Are you doing all right?"
"Well enough. Battle awaits us," Crystal says, "It is only a question of how."
Moore nods. "All right. I will be back shortly, then."
He'll go take a shower, freshen up his clothes with some magic and come back. He won't be wearing the mask for the time being.
This goes well enough. On returning you find Lady Skye waiting, greeting fey as they go through the antechamber and in.
"Moore," she greets you, "Her Majesty expects all of us. General Afina may not attend yet, as she is dealing with Aurora business."
"Yes, I understand." He says with a nod. Did they not tell him because it doesn't concern him? Hm... Well, it's not really worth worrying about, he understands the basics either way.
He'll go to take up a proper position and wait.
You settle in as fey enter the court. Queen Ilsenine is last, coming from her quarters and sitting on her throne. She raises her voice to be heard from front to back, "Let us mingle and celebrate amid ourselves. A chance to strike against Hell may be coming soon. We will be ready and we will face them with glad hearts and sharp blades."
Moore will wait for the crowd to disperse some but he'll indeed mingle, unless given some imperative to do otherwise.
Any preference to mingling targets?
He'll just go with the flow until he gets a look from Illsenine or she isn't busy.
It's quite hectic, but soon enough you notice Queen Ilsenine isn't immediately occupied.
He'll fetch her a drink, then, and go and fly over. "Your Majesty." He says quietly as he offers the glass over.
This may actually matter, so what sort of drink?
He's going to go out on a limb and pick a berry-based wine that isn't too tart but also isn't overly sweet.
Queen Ilsenine takes the glass and sips, "Thank you," she murmurs. "There is just one small thing. I feel the performance here is not to my tastes." She looks at you, meeting your eyes. "Fix this."
Moore smiles, then offers a bow, the type where you keep your hand folded at his stomach. "As you wish, Queen Ilsenine."
Moore stretches a bit and will retrieve his harp from his bag. He'll move to the foot of the throne and start -- this doesn't have to be nearly as good as the one he used in Brightwater, but it should still be good enough!
He's going to throw a Divine Insight and Improvisation into a string performance.
[22:50] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+27+15+11+12
[22:50] <Kobot> Nephrite rolled 1d20+27+15+11+12 --> [ 1d20=1 ]{66}
He'll also do some singing.
[22:50] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+27+11 perform (oratory)
[22:50] <Kobot> Nephrite rolled 1d20+27+11 perform (oratory) --> [ 1d20=1 ]{39}
Maybe it's some lingering thoughts about The Father, maybe it's just exhaustion, but he's sure this isn't his best performance... but he's going to give it his all no matter what.
You get attention, the nymphs stopping their music. Sure, many faces are on you, but you feel tired. Tired and hungry as you go on, stomach rumbling.
No.
Not now, not at all. He's going to simply have to power through this.
"Friends! Now is a time for revelry, to prepare ourselves before a battle!" Moore calls out, fishing into his bag to put Cloud Dancer's mask on. "A song for the future, of hope! Let no one have to sit here and wallow or mope!"
He's basically going to try and power through the hunger that he thinks is entirely fictional and brought on by The Father by wearing the mask and more or less trying to focus on giving some more music.
Make a Fortitude save.
[23:08] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+39+12 mettle if it applies somehow
[23:08] <Kobot> Nephrite rolled 1d20+39+12 mettle if it applies somehow --> [ 1d20=8 ]{59}
And if it's somehow an evil outsider (you know like the Father I guess) then I'd get another +4
You battle down your hunger as you sing. It's a tough thing - you're decidedly past munchy and into stomach rumbling, but you endure. You're still hungry after it's over, though, even if you've largely managed to put it aside.
...maybe this was regular hunger after all. ...
Moore takes a breath and goes to eat some snacks after his performance.
You eat normally enough and your hunger lessens. Sure, you get a lot of clapping, but you mostly feel relief as no mouths start to form on the walls.
Queen Ilsenine claps the most of all, cheers going up from your song.
Moore relaxes a bit. Is it the mask? Maybe...
Either way, he's satisfied for now -- both in body and spirit.
As the celebration continues, Crystal drifts your way. You excuse yourself from a conversation with a pair of nymphs, fluttering over to meet her.
"Moore," Crystal greets, "You have a pixie admirer, one that is not Her Majesty. She has requested that I ask if you are interested on her behalf, as she fears Ilsenine holds your heart and would not dare directly moving against her." She pauses to snatch a glass of wine from a passing tray and takes a long sip.
Moore smiles, sipping a glass of juice as he clears his throat. "It was very kind of her to go through such measures. This is a difficult question to answer... only because she is right, but I do not wish to cause turmoil within the Court for the news. However, it seems like most already have some idea and do not care about it, so perhaps it isn't a big deal?"
"Most have chosen not to chase your heart," Crystal fires back with a serious expression. "Please understand the gravity of this as well as her feelings. I pray that you act with wisdom in your respone, which will be...?"
Moore's smile slowly fades into a serious expression himself. "Please let her know that my heart is entwined with another, though she has no need to fear approaching me if she has any other need."
"I understand. I will endeavor to do so with all grace and goodwill, so that dignity and honor are maintained." Crystal replies. "Thank you."
"Please do. I would not wish to offend anyone." Moore responds. He sighs a bit into his juice. It was really only a matter of time before this happened, wasn't it?
"Yes," Crystal says without hesitation, "Your performances are remarkable. It is inevitable you will woo a few hearts."
Moore laughs a little, but it's a rather dry, humorless one. "It's important to remember, even in situations like the one we're in... that hope and joy are free."
"Yes, and they always will be, even when we're hungry," Crystal agrees, fluttering away.
Moore laughs a little, a bit more merry than last time.
Yes, it's going to be soon that they're all going to have to deal with that, aren't they... He closes his eyes and sips his juice again.
But that's going to have to wait just a bit longer. Can it?
Anything else on the todo list right now?
Technically speaking he'd go talk to their new numerologist but I don't know if that's "happened" yet. Other than that there's not a lot he can go out and do as it stands.
It has, so I'll move you over to Yuth's thread as soon as he posts. This thread's locked.