019. "I am Gust, son of Chan."

[Corwin]

[20:29] <Kotono> Weeks pass as Aurora focuses inwards, repairing and slowly traveling along towards the Earthfall. The first week is uneventful. As the second finishes and the third winds along, repairs finishing? Slowly Aurora is surrounded. They come from all directions, from the size of a cat to the size of a titan. Vaguely humanoid things composed of whirling air and tornados. Hundreds of them, silently
[20:29] <Kotono> surrounding Aurora and flying along with it.
[20:31] <Afina> Since she's not driving right now, Afina has the leisure to fly around the edge of the barrier dome and study these escorts, seeing if any register or respond to her presence through the protective field before she bothers going out to parley.
[20:33] <Jaela> Being the one taking the Aurora on its steady, slow course towards Earthfall at that time, Jaela simply watches this happen through the viewports and awaits.
[20:34] * Ithea just waits on the courtyard, observing the many flying creatures.
[20:35] <Ithea> roll d20+24 K:P to recognize?
[20:35] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+24 K:P to recognize? and gets 30." [d20=6]
[20:35] <Willim> Willim ignores the tornados outside! If they're hostile, they'd have done something by now surely! Instead, he beats mercilessly on a training dummy in the soldiers' training area.
[20:37] <Kotono> As Afina flies up and Ithea watches, one of the beings catches her eyes. A moment later a wind-voice speak in the breeze, coming from all directions. "Medicant! Medi's dream and hubris flies again! May I enter? I would like very much to meet those who have returned it to Creation's light."
[20:38] <Afina> "Permission is given for one emissary to enter," Afina replies without giving it much thought. She can handle one and she doubts anyone would object. Thus she flies swiftly towards the gate to greet whomever enters from the swarm.
[20:41] <Jaela> "Elena," Jaela voices, not bothering to yell when she's in their command center. "Open a portal for me to wherever it is our guest is taken."
[20:42] <Kotono> At the front gates are a few people watching - Crystal amid them, notably. Once permission is given, a man enters. He is solid, with skin the color of the morning sky with moving patches of white, like clouds. He wears a fine doublet and hose, perhaps six feet tall. He has a smile on his face as he looks about, before bowing to Afina. "I am Gust, son of Chan."
[20:43] * Ithea joins Afina at the gate, just as the man enters. "Hello, welcome to Aurora. I'm Ithea," she says with a short but polite wave and nod of acknowledgement.
[20:44] <Afina> "Afina," the fairy doesn't bother listing her parentage, knowing no one would find it the least bit interesting. "We have recovered Medicant to wage a crusade against Bel's forces that have despoiled our world... and renamed it as such, now Aurora."
[20:45] <Kotono> Gust leans forward, taking Ithea's hand and bringing it up to his lips. He kisses it, like a warm spring breeze blowing over her hand. "Charmed." He smiles, "Aurora is what you've christened it? Aaaah, aaah." Nodding to it, "But perhaps we can discuss this somewhere more comfortable?"
[20:46] <Afina> Afina nods, "Come, we'll take you to one of our meeting rooms." Their only one but why quibble? Floating towards the portal at the front door, "Just follow us through, it will take you where we go," she advises before floating in and to the briefing room.
[20:47] * Ithea smiles at Gust's gesture, then nods as she follows after Afina, walking besides their guest.
[20:48] <Kotono> With that the trio head to the meeting room. On getting there they find Jaela stepping out of the portal just after them. Gust turns, "Ah!" He smiles, "Hello, m'lady," he offers to her, "I am Gust, son of Chan."
[20:50] <Jaela> "Jaela, daughter of Hanna," she responds with a mental shrug. "Welcome."
[20:51] <Kotono> "Charmed," He repeats, going to take a seat. "Are you three the main force behind Medicant's return?"
[20:52] <Jaela> "Aurora," Jaela automatically corrects him, sitting down on the opposite side of the table.
[20:53] <Afina> "There are others just as involved, but we've been here since the fortress was recovered," Afina allows, keeping her cards close to her chest as always. "Is it idle curiousity or something more that brings you to our gates, Gust, son of Chan?"
[20:54] <Kotono> "If any are important, could they join us?" Gust replies first of all, a smile tugging at his lips. He looks about and sits back, "I thought Medi must've blown the entire fortress to oblivion. I never put any stock into the stories he hid it away or that the fiends got it."
[20:56] * Afina cocks her head. "Having all the important bodies in our Crusade in one room with a stranger doesn't occur to me as sound judgement," she confesses blandly. "You seem well informed, though, so I'm curious - perhaps if you explain a little bit first?"
[20:57] <Jaela> "The summoning, once we decide to issue it, would go pretty fast," Jaela adds to soften the impact of Afina's words slightly.
[21:04] <Kotono> "Fair." He nods slightly, "Lady Chan loaned Medi an artifact known as the Crown of the Four Winds. It was lost with Medicant. Lady Chan would be pleased if it was returned. Quite pleased."
[21:05] <Jaela> roll 1d20+18
[21:05] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+18 and gets 25." [1d20=7]
[21:05] <Afina> "Then let us ask someone who was with Medi at the end," Afina decides to settle this swiftly. She did mention there were artifacts in Medi's thus far unreachable quarters. "Elena?"
[21:05] <Ithea> roll d20+24 K:P
[21:05] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+24 K:P and gets 35." [d20=11]
[21:06] <Kotono> Elena steps through the portal, "You called?"
[21:07] <Afina> "Chan loaned the Crown of the Four Winds to Medi. Do you know what happened to it?" Afina asks, right to the point.
[21:07] <Kotono> "Um..." Elena bites her lip and kicks her feet, "It sounds familiar...if it wasn't destroyed in the last battles, it's probably still in Medi's quarters."
[21:08] <Jaela> "Can you describe it to jog her memory?" Jaela asks Gust.
[21:09] <Kotono> "Oh!" Turning around and rising, "Allow me. Elena! It's been eons! I remember you!" Coming forward and bowing before her, leaning forward to kiss her intangible forehead, "It is a four pointed crown, each point facing a cardinal direction and set with a large gem representing that wind."
[21:10] <Kotono> "Aaah..." Elena steps back, "W-well...um...yes, that does sound familiar. It's probably in Sir Medi's quarters then, definintely!"
[21:11] <Kotono> "I see," With another smile at Elena Gust sits back down, "So his quarters are unimpeachable?"
[21:11] <Jaela> "We can let Lady Chan know for certain when we take a look inside," Jaela offers. "How does that sound?"
[21:11] <Afina> "Unfortunately," Afina has to interrupt the heartwarming reunion, "Medi sealed his quarters and they remain beyond our ability to unseal. However when we do manage that I don't see any problem with returning something to its rightful owner."
[21:13] <Kotono> "Damnation." Sighing a moment and snapping his fingers, "Medi was the best mage I'd ever met. If he meant for it to be sealed, it's going to take a lot to undo that." After a moment he nods, "Lady Chan would be grateful." After a beat, "Could you tell me about your crusade a little more?"
[21:14] <Jaela> "Of course." Jaela lays her gauntleted hands upon the table, leanign forward. "We're going to free all of Lifasa's prisoners still held in devil hands. Then we're going to take Lifasa back from them, killing any devil that comes across our path. And we can't forget punishing all those who were involved in the invasion and the atrocities, either."
[21:14] <Afina> A subject near and dear to her heart! "Elena, could you get Adrian and Willim, please?" she asks the little blue girl. "They're the other two who escaped Lifasa and have been with us since this fortress was found."
[21:16] <Kotono> Elena goes to do just that! In the meanwhile Gust listens, "These sound like good goals." He smiles even more at that, "By chance, did you come to Air looking to bolster your forces?"
[21:17] <Jaela> "We're always looking to bolster our forces," Jaela agrees, "though our destination is Earthfall." It's as good a time as any to see if the name evokes anything, and it's not like they could hide their approach even if they tried.
[21:17] <Afina> "That is always our goal, although it's also at the behest of another potential ally," Afina nods,
[21:18] <Kotono> "Earthfall?" Frowning a little bit, Gust pauses. AS he ruminates on that, Elena returns with Willim and Adrian. The latter comes in and sits, "Nice to meet you," he says casually, "What's going on?"
[21:19] <Afina> "Adrian, Willim, this is Gust, son of Chan. An old associate of Medi's," Afina provides the requisite introductions.
[21:22] <Ithea> "He was here looking for something Medi had, but if it's still here, it's probably locked up in Medi's quarters unfortunately," Ithea adds.
[21:22] <Kotono> "There's been odd rumors about Earthfall lately, but I haven't talked to anyone that's investigated." He observes thoughtfully, "Do you know what's happening there?"
[21:23] <Jaela> "We'll get there eventually," Jaela says in response to Ithea, shrugging. She then returns her gaze to Gust. "It seems to be some fight between dragons."
[21:27] * Willim almost asks why they havent gotten into Medi's rooms yet, but then stops. Must be magic. "There's a blue dragon there, isn't there?"
[21:27] <Kotono> "Dragons," Shaking his head, "Alright then." After a moment, "Your crusade seems to be in good order and you're using Medicant to good ends. Lady Chan would like to offer an agreement. If you agree to take all possible steps to unsealing Medi's quarters and recovering the Crown of the Four Winds, she'll be willing to meet with you. If you make a good impression, she'll be interested in helping
[21:27] <Kotono> your cause."
[21:29] <Jaela> "I think it's a given that we will," Jaela muses, looking around the table for any hints of disagreement.
[21:29] * Ithea nods in agreement as well.
[21:29] * Willim shrugs.
[21:29] * Afina nods agreeably. Trading an artifact they didn't even know they had for an ally works for her.
[21:29] <Kotono> "I'm in for it," Adrian agrees.
[21:30] <Jaela> "There we have it." Jaela grins. "So what's our next move, Gust?"
[21:30] <Kotono> "Good! It just so happens that Lady Chan has an opening in her calendar." Rising, "I'd like to invite you all to come meet Lady Chan."
[21:32] <Afina> "As individuals or with Aurora?" Afina asks, considering the logistics.
[21:32] <Kotono> "Individuals, up to seven of you," Gust answers.
[21:34] <Jaela> "The five of us should be enough," Jaela asserts. It was enough for this meeting, and it should suffice for meeting with Gust's mother.
[21:35] <Afina> "Yes, so long as we aren't gone too long," Afina agrees.
[21:39] <Kotono> "We can leave at your pleasure, then," Gust replies grandly, rising. "Meeting with Lady Chan is a great honor. Prepare yourselves for it appropriately."
[21:40] <Jaela> "My armor's no good?"
[21:42] * Willim goes off to shower off some of the more pungent sulfur smell!
[21:42] <Afina> Her formal wear is either ashes or being used as baatezu toilet paper... in fact Afina has been wearing the exact same clothes ever since the fall. Prestidigitation and Mending being exceptionally useful for that. Still, she wouldn't have it said that the survivors of Lifasa are paupers, so she'll try and find something nice - Skye's managed to find some nice clothes after all. "Understood, give
[21:42] <Afina> us an hour. Will you be providing our transportation, Lord Gust?" If his mother's a lady it's only polite.
[21:43] <Kotono> "It is a royal audience, not a chamber of war," Gust replies, "More elegant clothing is expected. I will be providing the transportation."
[21:44] <Jaela> "Alright. I'll be in Brightwater. Who wants to come?"
[21:44] <Kotono> Adrian frowns a bit, a hand going his amulet. "I'll have to dig something up," he murmurs. "I may as well, traveling clothes aren't any good at a noble's house."
[21:44] <Ithea> "I'll need to come as well if elegant clothing is expected. Haven't worn a gown since...well, since Lifasa," Ithea comments.
[21:45] <Afina> Buying her own is better than scrounging off of Skye, "I as well," Afina asks Jaela.
[21:46] <Kotono> In a lower voice, "Willim as well." Adrian murmurs, "Something particularly suiting for him to make a good impression."
[21:46] <Jaela> "Elena will look after you while you remain our guest, if that's alright," Jaela tells Gust, waiting for any other takers. Her strongest spells are limited, after all.
[21:53] <Willim> As he's heading toward the portal, Willim turns to Jaela. "I'll go!"
[21:56] <Kotono> OOC: Make a quick GI check then since you'll be lookin' around? Whoever has the best mod is fine.
[21:57] <Jaela> roll 1d20+21
[21:57] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+21 and gets 25." [1d20=4]
[22:00] <Kotono> Around you Brightwater glows. The realm throbs with radiance and wealth, as you wander and look about. Around you walk the creatures of the planes - angels and celestials, elementals, humanoids, elementals and far stranger things. As you look about, one shop catches your eye. It's a grand pillared affair, decorated in the finest marble and inlaid with gold. A sign atop it says 'Giovanni's Fine
[22:00] <Kotono> Clothes, Jewelry and More.' In smaller letters beneath it, 'The best and fastest things you'll ever buy!'
[22:01] <Jaela> "That's practically us," Jaela says, pointing the place out and then heading for the store without any delay.
[22:02] * Ithea follows right after Jaela, agreeing that it is exactly what they were looking for.
[22:02] * Willim nods slowly, not really knowing what he's doing!
[22:02] <Afina> Afina approves of swiftness and floats along after Jaela so she can quickly pick out something nice, pay, and go.
[22:05] <Kotono> As you step in, the scent of vanilla fills your nose. Ahead of you is thick red carpeting, deep enough to be able to swim in. There are couchs and chairs about, sparsely sprinkled all over. On the wall is strangely surreal art, often entirely done in circles, squares or cubes. The moment you step in they appear - dozens of measuring tapes, beginning to immediately measure the party in every
[22:05] <Kotono> direction and angle at once! As they do you hear a clap, "Ah welcome!" A high pitched voice greets. He is a slender man, wearing a tight black tunic and pants. He has snow white hair, loose to his mid-back. His entire movement is graceful, hands clapping together once as he approaches, "...goodness." He takes one look at the party before shaking his head, "Friends, I completely understand. You
[22:05] <Kotono> clearly need a whole new wardrobe from the ground up! The adventurer look is so last millenium!"
[22:07] <Jaela> "I need a dress fit for meeting the princess of a plane," Jaela says without any delay. "Elegan, close-fitting, low back... sheathe-style, of course. I'll go with straps, tied behind the neck, and a long slit... about thigh height, I think? Got anything that fits in purple silk?"
[22:08] <Willim> "...adventurer look?"
[22:09] <Ithea> Ithea's mouth twitches in amusement. "Well, we're here for help after all," she admits. "Unless you think you have something that might suit me better, I'm looking for something white or silvery color, something that feels nice and airy. Some jewelry with orange gems should work well too."
[22:09] * Afina looks down at herself. Aside from the sword what she's wearing is quite passable for an exotic dancer, and not at all suited for wading through tombs or battling swamp monsters. She just carries it off that well even in those situations. "I only need a formal dress. Pink and yellow with lace, and a long skirt." Watching how the tailor moves, so carefully graceful, as if everything's in
[22:09] * Afina slow motion for him right now... it reminds her of herself. "And a hat," she adds.
[22:10] <Jaela> "Good point." Jaela nods. "I'll go with an ornamental hair pin, myself."
[22:11] <Kotono> "Of course, girlfriend!" Nodding, "Some gloves would go great with that look, too! Oh, and have you ever tried wing jewelry? I have these silver studs that glow, and they'd set of your eyes just right!" After a moment of that and turning to Willim, "Yes yes. You look like you killed a dragon then slept in a ditch." Sniffing the air, "Smell like it, too. But don't worry," As the measuring tapes
[22:11] <Kotono> work, "We'll get you taken care of...hm." Going around and giving Willim a look, "You really do have good muscle tone. Something to accent that, I think. Work with what we have."
[22:12] <Willim> "We haven't killed the dragon yet." Willim shakes his head.
[22:12] <Jaela> Jewelry is essential, after all, and Jaela is more than open to those possibilities.
[22:13] <Kotono> Going over to Afina, "Of course, of course," she nods, then to Ithea and Adrian, "I'll work something out. I can have them done in a half hour."
[22:13] <Jaela> "That leaves plenty to get presentable, even without magic." Jaela nods to herself curtly, before asking the others, "Are you all clear on just who it is we're meeting?"
[22:14] <Afina> "Not until you just said who she was," Afina replies. "But it was obvious she was powerful and noble before that."
[22:16] <Jaela> "Pretty much. She rules over all of the good air elementals and the fliers too, and since Air's heavily tilted to good it means she beat the opposition very badly. There's smarts, power and the inclination to work with us, if we do it right."
[22:16] <Kotono> "Now it's 500 gold for each suit and jewelry combination," He goe son, "With five of you, you get a group rate. That's a total of 2,500 gold. But that's nothing to look fabolous when meeting the nobility of Creation, isn't it?"
[22:17] <Jaela> "Fabulous is the idea," Jaela agrees. Even though she's not sure how the group rate ends up with them paying the same thing, she produces the platinum for her share without a single complaint.
[22:18] <Kotono> In a low whisper, "Loan me 500 gold," Adrian whispers to Ithea, "I don't actually have that much money."
[22:18] <Afina> "The price is fine," Afina agrees without hesitation, also noticing the fake group rate but not caring. From her money bag the same sum is procured, albeit in the form more of gems since she prefers not to carry vast quantities of heavy metal on her person.
[22:19] * Willim nods absently.
[22:19] * Ithea also pays for her share and after rolling her eyes at Adrian, also passes along Adrian's share. "Do you know of any good hair dressers around here that I can go to while we wait?" Ithea asks after paying.
[22:20] <Kotono> "Oh of course, of course," Coming over, "I know just the man. His namem is Chet, and oh, he'll make your hair so cute!" Clapping his hands together again, "Now let me tell you about that..."
[22:22] <Kotono> A half of an hour later your clothes are ready, able to be changed into...OOC: Go ahead and describe yourselves, all.
[22:26] <Afina> Unlike her previously skimpy outfit of black lace and purple mixed with orange, Afina now has on a flowing garment of white lace and pink mixed with yellow... it's rather a candy-cane effect, but she seems excessively pleased (in her own typically understated manner) with it, the long skirt trailing well past her feet but in no danger of tripping the airborne fairy, and its puffy and long design
[22:26] <Afina> allows her sword to be easily hidden underneath. Long white gloves adorn her slim arms and a twin-pronged spiral patterned hat rests upon her head.
[22:30] <Jaela> Her purple silk dress shows more cleavage than Jaela might have originally wished, but the rest of it suits her expectations just fine. A red rose emroidery adorns her left side, studded with tiny rubies that flash with reflected light, and she actually went with entirely impractical shoes for the first time in years. Her wings are there to provide sufficient balance, however, even if they are adorned with glittering silver jewelry. Her gauntlets reformed into white leather gloves, as form-fitting as her dress and going past her elbows. Her eyepatch, too, was replaced by one made of white silk and further covered by the bangs Jaela allowed to escape from the elaborate bun much of her hair was somehow gathered into, framing her face.
[22:30] <Kotono> Adrian comes out wearing a tunic and pants uniform. It looks military in design, yet rich, as if worn by a high ranking prince. The color is white, a sash of blue across his shoulder. A rich, royal blue cloak joins it, as well as well cut, soft leather boots.  Various rings are also worn, gemstones glistening in the light. He takes a look at Afina, "You know," he says slowly and casually, "What's
[22:30] <Kotono> with the hat...hm?" Turning to see Jaela, he whistles low.
[22:31] * Ithea looks happy as she spins around in her white dress, somehow Giovanni (assuming their salesman was in fact the man in the shop's name) had managed to capture the 'airy' feeling she was hoping for, the white cloth gently flowing around her body, with the skirt trailing around as she spun. Her hair also looks nicer pulled in a nice braided style
[22:31] <Ithea> towards the back where they mix to a loose ponytail, and the gems of the jewelry sparkle as much as her own eyes.
[22:32] <Ithea> "...This is a nostalgic feeling," Ithea says with a happy sigh.
[22:32] <Jaela> "This kind of thing is nice, once in a while," Jaela asserts, testing her balance for a few steps before feeling sure of herself.
[22:34] <Willim> Vastly different from his worn, weathered, and nearly-destroyed clothing from Lifasa, Willim now stands (leans?) in a double-breasted black silk jacket with a white collared undershirt. He wears matching black pants that come down to his knees and on his head is a tall black hat, coviring the headband on his head. His leg fur and hair are richly scrubbed, and for once he smells not of sulfur
[22:34] <Willim> and brimstone, but of soap; his unruly hair combed out (no doubt with a very wide-toothed comb) and tied back in a loose ponytail with a white band. His horns and hooves are polished to a shining black. In his left hand he leans on a simple black cane. "...not bad."
[22:34] <Afina> "I always wear a hat," Afina replies simply, following Adrian's gaze and studiously keeping any envy out of her expression. "Keeping it on when I move so fast used to be a challenge for myself, to stay graceful no matter what."
[22:35] <Kotono> Your host comes along, "Well, I did some extra-special work to get all of you looking fine. Are you all satisfied?"
[22:35] <Willim> "I feel it's missing something..." Willim mutters.
[22:35] <Afina> "Yes," the well dressed fairy nods. "Thank you."
[22:36] <Ithea> "Very much so," Ithea says for her part. "You do live up to the reputation on the store sign."
[22:36] * Willim starts to search around the place.
[22:37] <Jaela> "Do you have a chain?" Jaela asks. "In gold or silver? To be connected between his belt and pocket?" She indicates Willim with a slight nod of her head, careful not to disrupt her hair.
[22:38] <Kotono> A chain is easily produced and given! "Come back the next time you need fancy clothes!" he calls, "Toodles!"
[22:39] <Jaela> "You bet!" And once everyone is ready to return, Jaela is there to provide the transportation.
[22:39] * Willim spots what he needs and snaps it up, shoving it onto his face. He now sports a circular bit of glass rimmed with silver covering one eye! "That's better. It feels right."
[22:41] <Kotono> Once you are back, you find Gust awaiting. He meets the five-some in the courtyard, nodding slightly. "Oh, nice hat," he nods to Afina, taking in everyone's outfit. "Our transportation is waiting just outside."
[22:43] <Afina> It's not much different than her usual hat, which is delivered to her room in a seconds long round trip via portal along with her normal outfit. But the compliment is appreciated and the green-haired pixie smiles slightly.
[22:43] <Jaela> "Please, lead the way," Jaela says, feeling pride that they, too, now have their own means of transportation courtesy of that general. Gali-something?
[22:47] <Kotono> Outside of Aurora, you find it awaiting. It is a creature in the shape of a vast dragon, made of gleaning like and whirling winds. Several seats are attached to its back, Gust flying right to them. "My friend and mount, Shinear. He's a dragon of few words, but he's the best ride this side of Air."
[22:48] * Jaela waits for Willim to take a seat, before claiming one behind him to shield herself of any headwinds.
[22:49] * Willim does so, leaving room behind himself!
[22:49] * Afina takes a seat near the front, hoping the dragon's as fast as advertised.
[22:50] <Ithea> "Nice to meet you, Shinear," Ithea says to the dragon before getting on the dragon along with the others.
[22:52] <Kotono> Adrian takes a seat in the middle, whilst Gust takes one in front. "It will be a trip of an hour or two at the most," Gust calls back, as abruptly...aaaah! Shinear takes off with a speed that leaves you stomach-sick for a few moments, before becoming smooth and zippingly fast. Yet there is not a single breeze that ruffles you, nor is there any sort of noise. "Shinear travels at over 6,000 feet
[22:52] <Kotono> a second within Air." Around you the open spaces of Air are naught but a blue-white blur, nothing else.
[22:52] * Willim blinks as he attempts to do the math in his head...and fails, going cross-eyed.
[22:53] <Jaela> "That's fast." And sadly not conductive to sight-seeing. "Do you ever leave Air together?"
[22:54] <Afina> "Incredible!" Afina gushes, showing honest excitement for a moment at the idea of moving so quickly, looking down at the dragon with great respect!
[22:55] <Ithea> "Very impressive," Ithea says, amazed at the speed.
[22:55] <Kotono> "On occasion. Shinear is connected to Air through the will of my mother." Reaching down to path the dragon's scaly back, "He prefers not to. Other planes have too much Earth in them to be comfortable."
[22:55] <Kotono> Adrian raises an eyebrow but otherwise stays quiet.
[22:56] <Jaela> "Is that a feeling most of you share?" Jaela wonders. "Our crusade's taking us to all sorts of places."
[22:57] <Kotono> Turning back to look, "Any plane that isn't Air has too much Earth. We can all tolerate it. Shinear here is so connected that it's less tolerable for him, so I don't take him except when I need to."
[22:58] * Jaela nods back at this reasonable explanation.
[22:59] <Afina> "At such speeds earth would be a hindrance," Afina commiserates, reaching down herself to stroke the dragon's scales.
[23:03] <Kotono> It's not even an hour. Really, it's closer to a half hour of blurring zoom, before abruptly you are going slower. Circling. You circle slowly around a vast palace, crafted of air and wind. A castle from a fairy tale, towers reaching up endlessly into the endless skies of Air. As you circle around you come closer, the main gates large enough for a dozen wyrms to pass through. Indeed, hundreds of
[23:03] <Kotono> air elementals pass. As one they pause to raise a hand in salute as Shinear passes by and lands on the airy ground. "We're here," Gust announces, hopping on down and landing softly.
[23:04] * Willim dismounts semi-gracefully, his hooves clopping on down as he lands. He sets himself with his cane and looks around. "Nice place."
[23:05] * Jaela follows suit, manipulating the plane to allow for a smooth landing rather than bother moving her wings.
[23:05] <Afina> "Thank you, Shinear," Afina whispers in the dragon's ear as she floats past his head after dismounting, content to  hover near Gust rather than walk.
[23:07] * Ithea nods, giving a quick "Thanks..." as well to the dragon as she also dismounts.
[23:10] <Kotono> "Thank you..." In a whisper of perfect Sylvan does Afina get a reply, as does Ithea.
[23:12] * Afina gives the dragon a smile that probably looks a bit alien on her face to those who know her, but quikcly moves along with Gust otherwise.

[Corwin]

[20:06] <Kotono> As you walk ahead, the floor beneath you becomes interlocking patterns of airy diamond and oval shapes. The walls are slightly translucent, yet just solid enough to prevent you seeing through them. The floor feels entirely solid to your step as Gust leads you along. Through these halls you walk a time, down a side passage and into a small room. A door is ont he other side, "Please wait here
[20:06] <Kotono> briefly," Gust says, "You'll be announced. Afina, Jaela, Willim, Ithea and Adrian. Those are the right names to use for you to be heralded, right?"
[20:07] * Willim nods, careful not to jostle everything he's got going on his head.
[20:08] <Afina> "Titles are meaningless for remnants of a conquered world," Afina agrees, settling down back to her usual temperament.
[20:08] <Jaela> "I bet we'll pick up all sorts as we take it back, though," Jaela muses.
[20:10] <Kotono> Adrian nods back, cracking a smile, "We can probably make up our own titles after we take it back," he adds.
[20:10] <Kotono> Gust listens and then slips away, out the door.
[20:14] <Kotono> The wait is perhaps five minutes. It is broken by a light rapping on the door Gust went through, followed by it opening. "This way," A windy voice calls.
[20:15] * Ithea nods and follows.
[20:16] * Afina floats along easily through the amiable air.
[20:21] * Willim heads in as well.
[20:22] <Kotono> Ahead of you, the floor becomes one smooth surface, a gale racing beneath your feet and the solid floor. Ahead of you is a great throne room, hundreds within. Many are barely seen, forces of wind and light molded into a shape. Others are humanoid - some with blue or white skin, others yet with skin the vibrant red and orange of the sunrise and set, tinting into purples as well. Finely dressed
[20:22] <Kotono> lords and ladies all, the wind constantly blowing through their hair. At the back is a throne. At each side of the throne a dragon rests, mammoth in size, yet somehow not overshadowing even the smallest lady. To the throne's left is a dragon that looks to be made of molten silver, chill mists surrounding its form. To the right is a dragon that looks to be sunlight held in form by skin made of
[20:22] <Kotono> wind, as if millions of tiny walls of wind were forged to capture Lathander's glow. (More)
[20:24] <Kotono> Sitting on the throne is a cloud. A cloud that has the faintly formed face of a woman, with a serene smile. A sense of warm peace fills you as you view this, bringing to mind vivid, passing memories and sensations, of being held by a loving mother. As you see this, the wind picks up and howls, "Afina, Ithea, Jaela, Willim and Adrian of Lifasa, masters of the lost fortress Medicant!"
[20:27] * Afina doesn't correct her, saying Aurora would probably mean nothing to the audience here. Floating towards the throne but not too close - she's familiar enough with a royal court to guess protocol wouldn't be dissimilar here, she finally alights on the ground in order to bow, her long dress floating around her. "Lady Chan, thank you deeply for honouring us with your attention," she makes her
[20:27] * Afina obeseience as is likely required.
[20:27] <Ithea> Ithea's smile widens in amusement, guessing the last part was probably added by Gust after hearing the others talk of titles. She does curtsey right afterwards to the woman on the throne. "Yes, thank you very much," Ithea agrees.
[20:27] * Willim bows at the waist, sweeping his hat off at the last moment so that it doesn't topple to the floor. "Hello."
[20:29] <Kotono> Adrian bows as well, following with the others. "Thank you, Majesty," he adds in.
[20:30] * Jaela advances towards the throne, much like Afina had. She comes to one knee, lowering her head, and says, "It is an honor, Queen of the Winds," before straightening back up.
[20:35] <Kotono> Her voice is warm, like the breezes of high spring. It smells of roses and raindrops, blowing over each of you. "I congratulate you on finding Medi's lost legacy."
[20:36] <Afina> "Perhaps none who sought it in the past had so strong a motivation as we," Afina reasons, taking that as permission to raise her gaze.
[20:40] <Kotono> "It may be true," Chan agrees, "Your cause is one Medi would have taken up without a second's thought. He never accepted what was fated to happen, instead always blowing away fate to make his own path."
[20:42] * Jaela hopes they come to a better end, if not for them, then at least for their world. This is hardly the point to interject or protest, however, and she listens to Lady Chan with a politeness those who know her might find positively strange.
[20:43] * Ithea remains quiet for the moment, though she does go back to standing and looking straight once Lady Chan begins to speak.
[20:43] * Willim adjusts his monocle and idly wonders what it would be like to attempt to fight a living tornado with his fists.
[20:44] <Afina> "Fate hasn't spoken for Lifasa, but for all the force against us we may as well be challenging that," Afina on the other hand seems quite content to converse with the Queen of Air and make a point to any listeners. "But no obstacle can match the resolve of we who have seen our beautiful world turned to ashes."
[20:46] <Kotono> "Long ago, Medi came to this court and bowed to me, asking for my help in overthrowing evil." Chan continues, "He came, he demanded and I rejected him. On that very floor you sat on he heard that, and he sat down and waited. He waited a year and a day, never giving up." At this Chan laughs, laughing like all the spring zephyrs together. "What can one do in the face of raw stubbornness like that?
[20:46] <Kotono> He would never accept defeat, destiny or loss. In all of you I see the same sparkings of indomintable will. You won't accept what happened, and you'll fight for Lifasa until your last breaths."
[20:48] * Jaela finds herself amused by the anecdote. "Does this mean that you will aid our crusade, Lady Chan? Without us needing to sit here for a day and a year to prove ourselves?"
[20:50] <Kotono> "I will, on the condition you make every effort to unseal Medi's quarters and return to me the Crown of the Four Winds. My son said it was probably sealed within, by Medi's own hand?"
[20:51] <Jaela> "It's possible that is how it happened, Majesty," Jaela agrees. "He was betrayed near the end, so it would make sense that with his last breath, Medi would try to prevent his most prized artifacts from falling into the wrong hands. It goes without saying that we will return what is yours as soon as we can."
[20:56] <Kotono> "What sort of aid do you desire?" Chan asks this as a low murmur of conversation runs through the rest of the court, soft and indistinct.
[20:59] <Afina> "Our Crusade is yet in its infancy," Afina admits, "Brave souls who wish for a chance to battle Hell for a worthy cause would be welcomed within our ranks. And while freeing Lifasa is of course our ultimate priority, we won't spurn any chance to strike at Hell if you have information on useful targets you would care to share, Lady Chan."
[20:59] <Jaela> "We don't lack in anything specific, Lady Chan," Jaela agrees. At least she doesn't think so. It's possible others might have a different idea. "But every crusade needs soldiers. Good officers to lead them. Advisors. And yes, information. Someone in your position would surely be better placed to learn things about devil outposts, their strengths, where they hold their prisoners... information that can make or break our crusade."
[21:06] <Kotono> "Soldiers and warriors you shall have, then." The Queen of the Winds says, "There is one target, one that Medicant's defenses give you a powerful advantage in confronting. Within the Negative Energy Plane lies the Castle Crumbling, a redoubt of the Arch-Devil of the Undead, Lixer. Within this gloom lies unholy experiments and nightmares bred to terrorize all Creation."
[21:08] <Jaela> "It's true we can get there with the Aurora," Jaela admits. "But how would we find this castle?"
[21:10] <Kotono> Before you the winds gather! They grow tighter and stronger, howling with the force of a tornado! These winds blend into one, becoming a perfect pale-green diamond, the size of a fist. It clatters onto the ground with a soft tinkle, "This stone holds truth within it. Take it to whomever controls Medicant; Elena was mentioned as still being there. It will part the myriad lies and illusions
[21:10] <Kotono> protecting Castle Crumbling, showing you the way."
[21:11] <Afina> "It will be no match for our Aurora," Afina asserts confidently, looking forward to such a test in battle for the fortress as a whole.
[21:12] <Jaela> That sounds like their next destination, after Air, and Jaela kneels to pick the diamond up. "No doubt about it," she agrees with Afina.
[21:15] <Kotono> "Be wary." Chan continues, "Lixer is the son of Asmodeus, and only slightly less favored than Glasya. His servants are not weaklings." The diamond glows in Jaela's hand, as a voice calls, "My Queen!" Coming forward is a creature of air. It is the size of a small giant, 12 feet tall and slender. Wings of half wind and half white feathers rise out from his back, "I would be honored to join with
[21:15] <Kotono> the heritors of Medi's legacy."
[21:16] * Willim eyes the newcomer, sizing him up.
[21:17] * Ithea turns to the creature offering assistance, waiting for him to tell them something about himself.
[21:18] <Kotono> He walks with a confident step, windy body indistinct. You can see his face more - a proud, strong face, eyes that glow like pinpoints of light. To this the archomental speaks, "As you desire. My great-grandson Drena would wish join your crusade. What say you?"
[21:19] <Willim> "Welcome aboard then." Willim nods.
[21:19] * Jaela resists the urge to toss the diamond up and play catch with it. "Drena?" she repeats, smiling at the giant. "Like Willim said, welcome."
[21:19] <Ithea> "A pleasure to meet you, Drena," Ithea says as well.
[21:20] <Afina> "We would be glad to add your strength to our own, Drena," Afina adds to the supportive welcoming shown.
[21:23] <Kotono> A nod to all, then back to the Queen, "By your leave, I would take a proper unit with me. I shall gather them immediately." Drena says, heading off after a moment of unspoken assent.
[21:24] <Afina> "A good start," Afina approves before speaking up to Chan, "Thank you for entrusting your kin to us, Lady Chan. He will be treated as a brother by us."
[21:25] <Jaela> She definitely won't let him die the first time they take him anywhere, Jaela swears to herself.
[21:26] <Kotono> "I ask that you strive to fulfill Medi's dream." A sigh follows on the wind, "Medi had a chance to change Creation. There may never be another with the ability to change fate as Medi, but I will watch to see if you strive to live up to his legacy."
[21:27] <Jaela> "We've been told we won't be able to stop after freeing our world, Lady Chan," Jaela muses. "I guess we'll see about what comes later when it happens?"
[21:30] <Kotono> "Be brave and strong," Chan speaks, "Go then. You may explore the palace if you wish, or return to Medicant."
[21:38] <Afina> "By your leave, Lady Chan," Afina lowers herself into another bow at the dismissal before she backs away from the throne.
[21:38] * Willim wanders off, looking for food.
[21:39] <Jaela> There is plenty of time, with Shinear being impossibly fast and Jaela herself having the spells to bring them back in a fraction of that time. "By your leave," Jaela echoes Afina, withdrawing from Lady Chan's presence. Visiting a royal's palace sounds nice, and this is a chance to act like she doesn't usually.
[21:40] <Ithea> "Thank you, Lady Chan," Ithea says as she gives a quick curtsey before moving around the castle, looking for something to do. She wasn't going to be ditching her new dress so quickly, no need to go back to Aurora just yet.

[Corwin]

#d

[21:51] <Kotono> Ithea and Jaela wander off. As they do, Gust slides up next to them, "Lady Chan liked you," he observes. "Also, are you looking for anything in particular?"
[21:54] <Jaela> "First time visiting a palace," Jaela replies. "And since the Lady was so nice as to offer...." She trails off, shrugging. "Kinda wanted to see where stuff happens, how people act when not in her presence. Wanted to check out the gardens, too. You have those, even though it's Air, right?"
[21:55] <Ithea> "I just wanted to look around, I wasn't looking for anything in particular for my part," Ithea replies.
[21:58] <Kotono> "Of a sort," Gust replies, "I can take you to them if you want."
[21:59] * Ithea smiles and gestures for him to take the lead. "Lead the way then, kind sir."
[21:59] <Jaela> "Thanks." Jaela waits for him to start leading and then easily falls into step with Gust. "So tell me, do you often go meet up strange flying fortresses over Air, or were we just special?"
[22:01] <Kotono> With a pleasant enough smile as he leads you through halls made of nothing but wind, gliding along, "Medicant is special."
[22:03] <Jaela> "Aurora," Jaela corrects him with a smile of her own. "We're honored by the treatment, then."
[22:04] <Kotono> "I also wanted to ask - where was Aurora hidden away all these eons?"
[22:05] <Jaela> "Deep Ethereal, believe it or not," Jaela is content enough to inform him. "Were Medi and your mother close allies, then?"
[22:06] * Ithea thinks about mentioning the celestial key and how that was hidden away from Aurora, but figures it's mostly unnecessary information, and continues just looking around the castle as Gust leads them to the garden.
[22:08] <Kotono> "Really? I'd heard speculation about the Court of the Stars or Chronias, but never the deep ethereal." Gust leads you to an archway with a door of shimmering air, going to open it, "One line of thought had it as the celestials keeping it as a trump card for a cataclysmic battle in the far future." The castle walls are air - decorated with swirling gusts forming spirals, or great long lines of
[22:08] <Kotono> gale winds.
[22:09] <Jaela> "Medi probably wanted it that way," Jaela reasons. "To deceive your enemies, you have to be good enough to trick your friends first, right?"
[22:10] <Ithea> "And a good thing too, I'd hate to find out what celestials -would- consider cataclysmic given the lack of intervention from that quarter with what happened in Lifasa..." Ithea notes quietly.
[22:11] <Kotono> "That has been troubling me," Gust pauses at the door, "Why didn't the Heavens counter Hell's powergrab? Do you know, by any chance?"
[22:13] <Jaela> "Dunno if it's strange for someone like me to say it, but isn't that per norm for the Heavens?" Jaela asks back with a shrug. "We've come across mentions of this other Prime, Benfal, that also got overrun a while back. Once is happenstance, twice is coincidence... I guess we're at coincidence and not enemy action, so thank the Seldarine for that, at least."
[22:17] <Kotono> "Another one?" A deeper frown plays on his face, "That doesn't...I mean...why do you think the Primes aren't destroyed in the battles of good and evil? You can't just lead an army of demons or angels and triumph like that. Not normaly."
[22:19] <Jaela> "Well, it's like this. There are all sorts of rules and laws and contracts. Mutually binding, the works." Jaela snorts. "But one side holds onto them even when it's dumb and self-defeating, and the other cheats like crazy. So we get worlds falling and the celestial host sits on its collective ass and looks away. If you've got a better theory, I'm all ears."
[22:22] <Ithea> "I try not to think of it much myself, it's enough to know that we needed to take charge of the situation. Focusing on growing stronger is more important than trying to understand what was going on in other people's heads while all that madness happened," Ithea comments. "Still does frustrate me from time to time, though."
[22:23] <Kotono> "There has to be a reason," Gust shakes his head, "I've been to the Prime, helping hold evil in check. We're often subtle and help mortals do it themselves, but we hardly let Hell, the Abyss or any of them run amok like that."
[22:23] <Jaela> "Hey, there's a cure for that," Jaela tells Ithea. "You already know the personal strength and self-reliance parts, so all you need to learn is the part about having low expectations. No one's really going to swoop in and help you out, that's just not how it works."
[22:24] <Jaela> "How about free choice?" Jaela asks Gust. "Heavens respect that, don't they? So say some retard dug up an ancient Abigor-summoning ritual and did it. Wouldn't the Heavens stand aside and let it happen? Shame about all the collateral damage, but still, mortals brought it on themselves and all."
[22:26] <Kotono> "Generally, yes." Agreement comes there, "If some mortal managed to summon a Duke of Hell or worse to the Prime..." He shudders abruptly, "The Prime and planar champions like that don't mix well."
[22:27] <Jaela> "But here's the rub. Our world's been clean for ages. So the only real way for something like that to find itself to the hands of a mortal would be by some agent of Abigor. Cheating."
[22:34] <Kotono> "That's a fairly big assumption," Gust points out as he opens the door, "Ghastly idea, but it wouldn't explain why there wasn't a celestial counter-attack."
[22:35] * Jaela shrugs. "I like to stick to the simplest explanations, when possible. Anyway, doesn't really matter, does it? Either we kick their asses off our world, or we die horribly like we should have, that day. Our fate can only improve."
[22:37] <Kotono> "Unsolved mysteries so distract me," Gust frowns as he leads yo uinside. Within are currents of air. As you step in the air forms around you! Free floating plants and flowers, of pale green, blue and purple, are about. Long dangling vines full of flowers, shrubs that blow in a constant gale wind that you don't feel, blossoms of thornless, pale purple roses.
[22:39] <Jaela> "We'll be sure to let you know once we beat the answer out of Bel's followers," Jaela is far too happy to promise than what is probably reasonable. "Huh. So that's how a garden without earth works. Neat stuff."
[22:39] <Ithea> "A beautiful garden," Ithea says admiringly, happy to move on to a different topic, smiling as she moves closer to one of the purple roses, touching its petals.
[22:43] <Kotono> The garden exends above and below you, great pillars of vines forming boundaries. The scent of wildflowers is in the air, a sweet perfume that clings to your nostrils. "All of these plants live off air instead of earth," he says, "Lady Chan made them herself."
[22:44] <Jaela> "Awesome bit of magic." Jaela whistles, softly running a hand up the stem of a flower the color of her dress. "I'm impressed."

[Corwin]

#ed

[21:52] <Kotono> A few polite questions lead Willim to the kitchens. Here blue skinned humanoids in white chef's clothing work, forging gusts of air into solid food. One in particular has a big ol' cutting knife, slicing air. The air falls away, becoming solid slices of what looks to be roast beef. He whistles a merry tune as the others work around and with him.
[21:57] * Willim eyes the roast airbeef with trepidation. "I don't suppose you have...actual meat?"
[21:59] <Kotono> The whistling stops, all the chefs ceasing their work! The chopper turns to Willim with a grave, unhappy look. "Are you implying, good sir, that my meat is not real meat?"
[22:00] <Willim> "...it's air!"
[22:02] <Kotono> SWIIING! The knife slices through the air, grapes, strawberries and dates falling to the ground in its wake, from thin air! "I'll have you know that my Air Cooking Mastery makes finer food than you could find elsewhere! It's hyper-real! More real than the real thing!"
[22:03] <Willim> WOOSH! Willim points with his cane dramatically! "I'll believe it when I taste it!"
[22:04] <Kotono> The chef steps back from his works, several slices of roast beef layered on each other. "Try away. My cooking is undefeated."
[22:06] <Willim> Nodding, Willim lowers his cane and deftly plucks a slice with his claws. He folds it over itself and eats!
[22:09] <Kotono> It's good! It's juicy and strong-tasting, like a prime cut. The taste lingers in Willim's mouth, longer than it should.
[22:11] * Willim chews thoughtfully. "...how does this taste like meat? Is it actual meat?"
[22:12] <Kotono> "Yes. I transmute the air into food," He says proudly, "Using the powers of shadows and illusions, I make it real, then hyper-real." Gesturing with his knife, "Air is all you need."
[22:15] <Willim> "But...can I live on it?" Willim looks confused.
[22:15] <Kotono> "Of course you can!" Waving his knife about, sliced radishes falling from its arc, "It's real!"
[22:20] * Willim rubs his chin. "I don't suppose you would be interested in seeing the multiverse? Cooking for hundreds? Saving a realm?"
[22:24] <Kotono> "Hm. You're from Medicant, aren't you?" Giving Willim another look, "Can any of you cook at all?"
[22:25] <Willim> "Our food is made by magic, but it's not all that great. Tastes like...real food and paper."
[22:27] <Kotono> "Ah, I see your problem," He nods slightly, "If any of you from Medicant can cook me a meal worthy of praise I'll consider your offer. A group that cook has no heart, no soul and no allure for me."
[22:32] <Willim> "Hmm." Willim nods. "Deal. I'll be back."
[22:34] <Kotono> "Fine," The chef gestures with his knife again!

[Corwin]

#d

[22:47] <Kotono> As the two fo you talk, the doors open again. Willim comes through them.
[22:50] <Willim> "I need a chef!" Willim cries.
[22:50] <Jaela> "Oh. Right." Jaela sighs. "Gust, can you tell him where the kitchens are?"
[22:50] <Ithea> "Go to the kitchen then?" Ithea returns with a raised eyebrow. "You won't find chefs here in the gardens, I think."
[22:50] <Kotono> Gust stops his answer halfway, "The kitchens," he waves vaguely, "There's plenty of chefs there, and they can make yo ua nything you want."
[22:51] <Willim> "A different chef!"
[22:52] <Kotono> "I'll have you know that the chefs here are the best in Air!" Gust humphs, crossing his arms, "If you need a different chef, something is gravely wrong."
[22:52] <Willim> "Iknow! That's why I need a different chef!"
[22:52] <Jaela> "I'll send you to the plane of your choice," Jaela says, reaching out for Willim. "Name your destination."
[22:53] <Willim> "We don't have someone who can cook on Aurora?" Willim asks Jaela.
[22:54] <Jaela> "How should I know? What do you want, anyway?"
[22:54] <Willim> "The chef here says he'll join us if we can cook well enough to impress him!" Willim says. "He's very good!"
[22:55] <Ithea> "Well, Annalise has all those years of cooking experience, remember she cooked one time for us?" Ithea offers.
[22:56] * Jaela sighs.
[22:56] <Ithea> "I can't think of anybody else, though you could ask Adrian if any of the people he knows is a good cook..."
[22:56] <Jaela> "If I promise to ask her when we get back, can it wait?"
[22:56] <Willim> "Sure."
[22:58] <Jaela> "Fanfuckingtastic." Jaela barely manages to avoid dislodging her hairpin, as the urge to run a hand through her hair is overwhelming. "I guess our time here will be cut short, Gust, but I kinda wanted to know before we leave. I guess it's all this talk about heavens and acting and what not. Do you think you know anyone who can help us and would want to, if we ask properly?"
[23:02] <Kotono> "Let's see. Elemental planes? Zaaman Rul of Fire if you can find him - he lies low since Fire is overwhelmingly controlled by Imix, the Sultan of the Efreet and a few others. There's Ben Hadar in Water, the Prince of Good Water creatures. I'd avoid him - he's old and pragmatic. There's Entemoch and Sunnis in Earth..." A shudder passes through Gust, "They're not horrible, for Earth. If you're
[23:02] <Kotono> looking four all four elements, there's a new Goddess on the Astral, Seira. She's working on combining the elements. As for the Heavens? I know Celestial and the Triad are always up for a good crusade, as is Ysgard and Arborea. The House of Nature surely would help if you ask properly, too."
[23:03] <Jaela> "Which of them will be fine with helping out instead of coopting our crusade and trying to call all the shots?"
[23:06] <Kotono> "I don't know. Having Aurora is a big barganing chip - andi t's a temptation, too. Medi's fortress is a fine piece of war. Not to accuse others unduly, but understand that anyone who gets Aurora under control is a player in planar politics."
[23:07] <Jaela> "Zaaman Rul sounds like the best bet so far, then," Jaela muses, glancing at Ithea and Willim. "If he's pushed into a corner, he might be more open to allies than others. And Fire plays nicely with Air, from what I hear."
[23:09] * Willim occupies himself in the garden as he waits for Jaela to do what it is she's doing!
[23:16] <Ithea> "I think we should worry about our current objectives first before worrying about who to recruit next, really."
[23:17] <Jaela> "Planning's good, don't you think?" Jaela asks, returning her attention to their host. "Say, Gust, are you usually staying here at the palace? Is it okay to visit?"
[23:18] <Ithea> "It is, but there's a thing as planning too far ahead too," Ithea replies with a shrug.
[23:20] <Kotono> "You're welcome to visit. Lady Chan may request you to visit on occasion, to be updated on your efforts," Gust replies, "I am."
[23:21] <Jaela> "Thanks. I figure it's good to make friends, not just allies. Of course, same goes to you and the Aurora." Jaela shrugs. "And since I mentioned planning, do you think you could help us get the scoop on Earthfall? If we share a bit of what each of us knows, we might see a clearer picture. You said you didn't like riddles, so isn't it a bit like one?"
[23:24] <Kotono> "Alright," Gust agrees after a moment, "What DO you know about Earthfall?"
[23:26] <Jaela> "Like I said, it's some sorta dragon business. One fighting another, or whatever. What we know is that the one living there goes by Arandalhaz. You might've heard about him? Rumor goes he went to ground a while back, so this seems where he decided to hide. Our ally's his enemy, so we're here to help him out." She shrugs. "How about your side?"

[Corwin]

#t

[21:53] <Kotono> As Afina heads back she finds someone falling in step with her - well, closer to hurrying, anyway. Adrian follows, not saying anything right away. He just follows, as Afina heads back to Shinear. Said dragon is where you left him, still and seemingly at rest.
[21:56] <Afina> "Impatient to leave?" Afina asks Adrian since he's come along with her... though her motivation has a bit less to do with impatience to leave and more interest in the stunningly fast dragon that bore them here.
[22:00] <Kotono> "Yeah." Shaking his head, "I'm a warrior, not a made up and fancy dressed noble." Tugging at his collar a bit, "Harder to talk without my cape, too."
[22:03] <Afina> "Weren't you a guard of the ascended throne?" Afina asks, turning fully to regard Adrian. "I thought it would be familiar for you."
[22:06] <Kotono> "I tolerated it." Frowning a moment, "I didn't like it." He speaks slower, frowning even more. He goes to sit next to the dragon, resting his back against it's massive body. "I'm not a leader, I'd rather stay in battle and get my hands dirty."
[22:08] <Afina> "You led us to Medicant, didn't you?" Afina retorts blandly. "None of us were even close to being leaders in our old lives, but we have to adapt."
[22:10] <Kotono> "I gave you all the work I did. We lead each other. I'd have failed alone." Sitting back and staring up at the whirling winds, as air elementals pass by, "I need you to do me a favor."
[22:12] <Afina> "Yes?"
[22:15] <Kotono> "If I'm not there and you are when Misalea goes to battle, watch over her." He pauses again, "She's lost a lot, and Elrisa is the latest. Don't let her lose herself."
[22:18] <Afina> "Hmm. You don't want her to end up like me?" Afina asks, smirking slightly as she draws the parallels between the peaceful singer forcing herself into a life of battle, and the young pixie dancer pressed into the life of an assassin. "I'll keep her alive. What I did on Hades won't happen again."
[22:21] <Kotono> "We're already damned to save Lifasa or die trying," Adrian gestures with one hand, a vague sort of thing. "I don't want her to damn herself to avenging Elrisa, until she dies or wakes up one morning and isn't the same Misalea that knew Elrisa."
[22:23] <Afina> "It would be sad," she isn't heartless enough not to see that. "But I'll leave comforting and loving her to you, Adrian. My role is on the battlefield."
[22:26] <Kotono> "We're...sort of spending some time apart. It's how her people mourn," Adrian replies, looking really rather uncomfortable at that. He quickly clears his throat and goes on, "Has there been a plan for our assault on Arandalhaz yet?"
[22:28] <Afina> "If there is no one's told me," Afina shakes her head. "We could follow the plan we were given, of course, but I'd rather see for myself and determine the best action than trust that."
[22:35] <Kotono> "I'm expecting a hell of a fight," Adrian opines, "I don't know about dragon gods, but I think it's safe to say they're sending strong servants."
[22:38] <Afina> "It's good practice," Afina concludes simply from that.
[22:41] <Kotono> Adrian goes quiet at that. As he does, a soft whispering wind of Sylvan, "You understand speed?" It murmurs to Afina.
[22:44] <Afina> Ah, and she so wanted to talk to Shinear before Adrian distracted her, too! Floating all the way around to the dragon's head and smiling much more openly now, the fairy nods. "I'd only ever seen one to match me before today," she replies in her native tongue, "But compared to that you're a thing of perfect beauty, Shinear!"
[22:50] <Kotono> "You love speed," The answer follows, "Would you like to learn more?"
[22:55] <Afina> Oh she's like to do far more than that! An uncharacteristic giggle threatens to bubble up inside of her but she forces it down easily. "Yes- no, not just that," she stumbles a bit over her words, "You're enthralling, Shinear. Perhaps we can teach each other things?"
[22:58] <Kotono> Shinear's maw starts to smile, just a little bit. "Get on," he says quietly, "I'll show you speed."
[23:00] <Afina> Looping around in the air, Afina promptly settles herself at the base of the dragon's neck, forgoing the seats and just holding on tightly!
[23:04] <Kotono> WOOOOSH! Just like that Shinear is out, leaving the palace behind! You're flying at blur inducing speeds again, the wind flowing neatly around you, not dislodging a hair on your head or your hat. "It's safe here!" Shinear's  voice shouts, "When you're ready, leap off me! For a moment you'll have all the speed I have!"
[23:08] <Afina> There's no obstacles for possibly hundreds of miles... and that could well be the amount of space needed for safe maneuvers at these speeds. Hasting herself as is her wont, Afina flips off of Shinear's back with a dancer's grace, cartwheeling through open air and pushing herself forward with all her might to negate the effect of deceleration from air resistance.
[23:08] <Kotono> OOC: What's haste's boost?
[23:10] <Afina> OOC: +30
[23:11] <Kotono> OOC: Make a fortitude save?
[23:12] <Afina> roll 1d20+12
[23:12] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+12 and gets 14." [1d20=2]
[23:15] <Kotono> Speed. Afina moves faster than sound, like light rushing ahead! Everything is a blur as massive force plows into her body, soaring erratically in the air! The rush is like nothing else - moving so fast that she covers miles in an instant, soaring like a falling star through the heavens! It is...soft darkness. It is warmth, being held, head stirring as something hard holds you.
[23:17] <Afina> For a moment Afina snuggles insensately against that warmth before awareness returns and she sits up, blinking and taking in her new position. That didn't last nearly as long as she would have liked...
[23:18] <Kotono> You are in the claw of Shinear. "You passed out," He answers shortly, "Want to try it again?"
[23:20] <Afina> "Definitely," the little pixie smiles dreamily as she stands up, resolving to bolster herself further to better endure the strain for longer next time.
[23:21] <Kotono> As you get back on and he begins to fly again, "Long ago I taught another mortal like this," he says, "He developed his own art of speed around it."
[23:22] <Afina> "Can he go as fast as you?" Afina asks eagerly.
[23:23] <Kotono> "Not quite, but he found other secrets." Speed blurs around you again, "His body heals fast as a troll's does, and he can run so fast as to pass through solid material as if it were air."
[23:27] <Afina> "I can do that last one," Afina murmurs softly, "I still have a lot to improve, though. How did you learn to fly so fast? Was it just bit by bit, a little at a time? Or was there a breakthrough?"

[Corwin]

#d

[19:59] <Kotono> "I don't keep up on dragon tales," Gust admits, "Nothing against Shinear, but they're rather charmless beasts on the whole. In any case, Earthfall is a scar. Before Ogremoch was the Prince of Evil Earth, Ulimoch filled roughly the same position on Earth. He raised a grand army and attacked Air. His army was routed and he was slain in combat by Lady Chan and...another." A flicker of distaste
[19:59] <Kotono> shows on Gust's face, "To slay the archomental for all time a fragment of Earth was needed to fill the Air. Ulimoch was slain, but his death left the Earthfall as a mark of his destruction and the resulting of channeling Earth into Air liket hat."
[20:01] <Jaela> "A scar you can't heal?" Jaela sympathizes, knowing a few things about that.
[20:02] <Kotono> "A price to be paid for destroying the Prince of Elemental Evil." Gust's face shows distaste, "I assume it can't be, for Lady Chan has never moved to restore it."
[20:04] * Jaela nods, moving past that issue. "It makes sense you wouldn't know much about the dragon himself, but what about his minions? There should've been a lot of traffic to and from the area lately, and we know Earthfall blocks the easy path in. They had to have come from outside the region."
[20:04] <Jaela> roll 1d20+18
[20:04] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+18 and gets 29." [1d20=11]
[20:05] * Jaela tilts her head in thought. "If you've got a map of the caves or whichever in Earthfall, that would be pretty handy too."
[20:08] <Kotono> "I've heard a few rumblings. There's been mention of mortal mercenaries, as well as yugoloth sell-swords." He admits, before shaking his head, "We've tried a few times for maps. The problem is that the constant erosion of air against earth causes the rapid erosion of the Earthfall. The passages change fairly rapidly...and frankly, none of us like going there. The locals all avoid it, so there's
[20:08] <Kotono> not much call for maps."
[20:09] <Kotono> After a moment, "Still, we do have these problems like this, every once in awhile someone takes residence in there and raises trouble. That usually falls to the Knights of the Serene Wind to deal with. You may want to talk to them for advice on how to handle Earthfall."
[20:10] * Willim carefully and gently eats a flower, chewing with a look of great contemplation on hs face.
[20:11] <Jaela> Jaela snorts. "So even the dragon and his minions won't be able to rely on them, and if we reshape something, they might not even realize it wasn't natural at first. Nice to know." The mention of yugoloth's brings scorn, but that might be a chance in itself. Perhaps they could even run into some not-so-old acquaintences. Ignoring Willim's actions with such aplomb she genuinely might not see them take place, Jaela asks, "How about an introduction to those guys? Any Knights staying here?"
[20:12] <Kotono> Gust stops and stares at Willim, "Ah, why are you...you do know...those are poisonous!" He shakes his head, "Highly poisonous! They're beautiful but not for consumption!" OOC: Make afortitude save.
[20:12] * Willim glares at the plant as though it personally offended him.
[20:12] <Willim> roll 1d20+22
[20:12] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+22 and gets 39." [1d20=17]
[20:13] <Jaela> "This is why you don't insist on meeting everyone involved," Jaela mutters, repressing a sigh.
[20:15] <Kotono> Willim feels a bit of stomach-acid rise up, but nothing worse. Gust stares and shakes his head, "Your body," he mutters, "Charmless, but alas..." Going off from that and lookinb ack to Jaela, "Knight-Captain Zephyr was at court. If you're done trying to committ suicide by flower, I'll take all of you to have an audience with him."
[20:15] * Willim shrugs and eyes a different flower.
[20:15] <Jaela> "Ugh, don't fucking group me with him," Jaela complains. "If you've got issues with me, pick them over my own damn faults."
[20:18] <Kotono> "I'm afraid he is going to have to go with us," Gust shakes his head, "Lady Chanw ill be out of a garden if I leave him here to graze!" Making a shooing motion with both hands, "Now you two, let's get going. This way, come with me now!"
[20:18] * Jaela snaps her fingers. "Don't eat the fucking garden, Willim. Let's go."
[20:19] <Willim> "Fine." Willim heads on over. "They don't taste great anyway."
[20:20] <Jaela> "They why eat them? For fuck's sake, man--troll-whichever!"
[20:20] <Willim> "I was hungry!"
[20:24] <Kotono> Gust facepalms and stares at the two, starting to walk. "Just...come with me," he instructs, visibly suppressing a sigh.
[20:25] <Jaela> Twitching, Jaela follows.
[20:26] * Willim does so as well!
[20:27] <Kotono> It's a trip out of the garden and up open shafts of air, into a place where the walls of wind glow white. Against them as you walk, you can see images. Moving images, showing air-elemental warriors at glorious battle. They stand tall and true, looming over small, twisted things of soil and earth. Each time they triumph, utterly vaniqushing what stands before them.
[20:28] <Jaela> Nice propaganda! Jaela has to nod a bit at the decisive triumphs depicted.
[20:30] <Kotono> "That one there is the triumph of the Knights against an incursion lead by Zanimoth, an obscure earth Archomental," He gestures, "The one on the other wall is the Battle of Four Winds, where the forces of Earth were enveloped and smashed between four armies."
[20:31] * Willim nods. "Sounds like they were some good fights."
[20:32] <Jaela> "Any relation to the Crown?" Jaela pipes up curiously. "Os it is just a popular name?"
[20:34] <Kotono> "Unrelated," Waving a hand, "A four sided attack," With an elaborate shrug, "The name was obvious. Oh yes, you probably don't know this, but we internally call each of our armies a Wind. The closer translation is Battle of Four Armies."
[20:35] <Kotono> After another moment, "That doesn't make it the Crown of Four Armies. Your language has a distressing lack of ways to express air and wind."
[20:35] * Jaela laughs. "I'll learn a spell to deal with the language barrier some day. We can chat plenty about winds then."
[20:37] <Kotono> "Oh yes, it's the only way you can have a real conversation here," Gust agrees quickly, "Your Common tongue is difficult for us to learn. A beginner may use wind or breeze several times in the same sentence, all incorrectly substituted for another word."
[20:38] * Willim has rapidly lost interest in the conversation, insted looking at the walls.
[20:38] <Jaela> "I guess it's like Sylvan and trees, huh?"
[20:41] <Kotono> The walls are decorated with more battles - much the same. Ahead you see a barrier of wind, much like a door. "Yes. The Common tongue is useful, in part because it lacks a focus on an element or an aspect of good, evil, law or chaos. Elven, Dwarven orother racial languages for mortals are good for it as well. All of Lady Chan's diplomats and servants are required to learn all three of those
[20:41] <Kotono> languages," Shifting to Elven without missing a single word, "Better to talk in Common to an angel or Elven to an Inevitable. It's imprecise, but you can express everything close to properly."
[20:42] <Jaela> "Really? I figured you had plenty of celestial speakers around these parts, if you needed to chat things over with an angel."
[20:44] <Kotono> "Oh, we do," Switching to Celestial andbuffing his nails against his tunic as he pauses before the barrier, "But just as how certain concepts are hard to speak in Auran or overspecialized, the same can be said for Celestial regarding good and evil. If you have to express deep, profound evil, Celestial isn't the best tongue to do it in."
[20:45] <Kotono> Stopping before the door and tapping a finger against it, the air barrier splitting apart, "I can express love, compassion and hope a thousand different ways in this tongue. Cruelty, hatred and evil? There's not near the same breath and depth of knowledge," A pause as he switches to Infernal, "As this tongue gives."
[20:47] * Willim perks, recognizing the sound of that language!
[20:47] <Jaela> With the barrier splitting apart before them, Jaela proceeds past it. Part of her attention is on Willim, in case he randomly decides to attack Gust.
[20:48] * Willim does indeed eye Gust warily!
[20:51] <Kotono> Within the next room, dozens of things float in the air. Shattered swords, sundered scalemail, battered breastplates. Gust waves a hand, switching back to Common, "It's not a good tongue to speak. It's very precise and demanding, and at the same time predictable. Have you ever seen two high ranking devils speaking Infernal alone? They can hold an entire conversation by only uttering the first
[20:51] <Kotono> few words of a sentence, as the meaning is inevitable and undeniable due to how Infernal is structured." Smiling a little bit as you see inside - past all the sundered weapons sits a low backed throne, the size of a house. A huge whirling mass of air sits in it, swirling towards it's middle. In that middle is open air, a perfect calm eye. "Knight-Captain Zephyr. I trust you saw Jaela and Willim
[20:51] <Kotono> earlier? Ignore that last bit, I was just going on about languages with them."
[20:52] <Kotono> The great mass of air shudders, hurricane force winds momentarily battering the trio! What follows is the sound of a short laugh, the noise coming from the eye of the mass of air. In a hissing blast of air, "You and your languages. Yes, I heard of the liberators of Medicant. You have business with me, or is this a social call?"
[20:53] <Jaela> "Can't say I had. Devils, high ranking or otherwise?" Jaela snorts. "They just tend to die or run away when I see them, these days." Having waited for a response to their introduction, she smiles at Zephyr. "Knight-Captain? It's a bit of both, if you've got the time."
[20:54] <Willim> "That last one said he was a general, didn't he?" Willim says.
[20:56] <Kotono> There is a greater gust of wind! The vast storm curls into itself, exploding inward! Now there is a humanoid about 10 feet tall, reclining back. A breastplate and armor of air surrounds it, "Her Majesty is free with titles. She insists anyone who has one should have several," The Knight-Captain says, "The wind is always moving and changing direction. One title simply won't do. Lady Chan herself
[20:56] <Kotono> has 777 titles, but no matter. You came to me, so what do you want?"
[21:03] <Jaela> "It seems like when there's troublemakers over at Earthfall, you go out and deal with them? Since we've got business there, I figured we might ask for your expertise."
[21:07] <Kotono> "Earthfall, eh?" Nodding slightly, "First thing to know is that there's gravity here. Weak gravity, but it does exist. Falling is harmless, it's so weak. Even a landbound fool can leap high and long in it."
[21:08] <Jaela> "I figure we'll do fine with that," Jaela muses. "When you have to go in, do you try to sneak in, or just go right in and bust up whoever needs busting?"
[21:14] <Willim> "We should probably just go in and fight everything...it IS a dragon..."
[21:20] <Kotono> "It depends on what's making trouble." The Knight-Captain replies, "If it's something that's going to fight is straight up, we use direct force. If it's hiding, we fan out and smother it. We almost always enjoy numerical superiority, so in depth sneaking is usually discarded."
[21:23] <Jaela> "Makes sense. Do you keep an eye on the kind of mercs making their way there lately?"
[21:31] <Kotono> "Scouting's not our task, we're the warriors." After a moment he looks to Gust, who nods slightly back to him. "Reports indicate a band of mortal mercenaries known as the Red Crescent Banner have been seen heading there. They're a Blood War company. Professional, seasoned and dangerous all around. There's also been sketchier reports of yugoloth activity in the direction of the Earthfall, as well
[21:31] <Kotono> as a few sightings of ogres, dire wolves and goblins." Rubbing his airy chin, "Our guess is that it's some sort of negotiation between the Red Crescent Banner and some yugoloths who want to hire them."
[21:33] <Jaela> "Isn't it usually the other way around?" Jaela can't help but ask. "I mean, 'loths the ones hired as mercs by the devils and all?"
[21:35] <Kotono> "Not quite. The 'loths work for the devils or demons, or whomever hires them. They're known to sub-contract or hire additional help for certain tasks. The Red Crescent Banner's good at what they do, so we assumed they're planning something big where they need privacy. There's no trace of evidence that this is against us, so we're watching and waiting."
[21:35] <Kotono> "Unfortunately," Gust speaks up, "Your theory is also wrong, based on evidence you don't know about yet."
[21:37] <Jaela> "We'll deal with those guys," Jaela asserts, wondering whether they could get to ram something with the Aurora.
[21:38] <Kotono> Now with a look of pique, "So what don't we know, then?" He gives Gust and then Jaela and Willim a long look, "What do you know that we don't?"
[21:39] * Willim shrugs.
[21:40] <Jaela> "Hey, don't take it personally, big guy," Jaela protests. "We know it's a dragon on dragon fight 'cause we're on the side of one of them."
[21:41] <Kotono> "Dragons," A deep snort, sounding like a burst of gale-wind. "What's it about, then?"
[21:42] <Jaela> "You know how they are," Jaela responds with a snort of her own. "Pride and ULTIMATE POWER."
[21:47] <Kotono> At this point Gust clears his throat, "I believe the Knight-Captain wants details. It's only diplomatic." Jaela gets an elbow in her side, and a out of the side of the mouth murmur, "Please. I just told him to share information with you. It's a two-direction breeze."
[21:50] <Jaela> "He thinks the other guy is holding him back from becoming all-powerful, blahblahblah." Jaela shrugs. "He's pretty weird, even for a dragon, but he also seems strong and wants to join us. Hey, who am I to tell a guy there's no such thing as a rainbow dragon and wishing to become one won't make it happen?"
[21:52] <Kotono> Shaking his head, "As long as it doesn't spill out of Earthfall, we don't care." The Knight-Captain decides at last, "We prefer to avoid Earthfall when possible."
[21:54] <Jaela> "Got it," Jaela asserts with a nod. "And if there's actually anything to it? I'll let you guys know afterwards. Hells, stranger things happened, so it's not entirely impossible."
[22:03] <Kotono> "Alright," The Knight-Captain agrees after that, "Good hunting."

[Corwin]

#t

[19:52] <Kotono> "Centuries of practice, then Lady Chan," The dragon murmurs right back.
[19:53] * Afina has centuries of practice, but has no right to ask for such a boon yet, and so remains silent, first pensive but soon relaxing at the overwhelming sensation of movement the dragon's flight creates.
[20:10] <Kotono> On you fly, faster and faster! "Are you going back with your friends?" Shinear asks quietly.
[20:12] <Afina> Smiling gently now, the assassin nods. "Of course," she says as if it's the simplest thing in the world. "They're all that's left of my home. They'll help me regain it," she concludes with absolute conviction.
[20:13] <Kotono> "Can you come visit?" Shinear asks quietly.
[20:14] <Afina> Her smile widening now, she replies, "Absolutely."
[20:16] <Kotono> Before Afina the air twists and molds into the shape of a book! A bright-red letter book, "He wrote down his accomplishments and the methods he used to learn them. They're for you, friend. Use them or find someone who can use those lessons."
[20:19] <Afina> "Thank you, Shinear!" Afina all but gushes, earnestly hugging the book to her chest before she turns and tucks it carefully under one of the passenger seats, "For safe keeping until we return," she whispers, intending of course to attempt some more supersonic flying in a moment or two.
[20:28] <Kotono> As you fly on, "Now jump!" Shinear calls, "Jump and fly!"
[20:29] <Afina> Again she hastes herself, though this time with the further bolstering of her heroism spell, before she leaps off of Shinear. No acrobatics this time, just arrowing herself into the slipstream and flying as hard and fast as she can!
[20:30] <Kotono> OOC: Make a fort save again.
[20:30] <Afina> roll 1d20+16
[20:30] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+16 and gets 20." [1d20=4]
[20:32] <Kotono> Into the air you go again! You fly free and open, soaring like an arrow-shot! You can feel the air shatter around you, denotation of sonic power in your wake! The winds blow into your face as the thrill of speed ov ertakes you, rushing ahead without care or concern...! This time, the blackness came abruptly, the awakening once again in Shinear's claw.
[20:36] <Afina> Waking up more quickly and coherently this time, she sits cradled in Shinear's claw with a complicated expression. "The barrier's too much... I wonder if it's because I'm so small?
[20:38] <Kotono> "It's a matter of endurance," Shinear quietly adds. "The speed makes you lose awareness."
[20:49] <Afina> "Suits a dragon more than a fairy," she nods, accepting basic reality. But that doesn't make it impossible. As she said, she can slip through a castle's walls or even the barrier dome of Aurora - perhaps the wall of air resistance can be countered the same way. Likewise careful shaping of shield spells around her might guide the air around her like a dagger rather than a hammer. Finesse
[20:49] <Afina> was always her way, and she would rather solve this her way than with a brute strength impossible for her. "I have an idea, though. Let me cast some spells and then try again, it might work like this." So saying she casts the simple shield spell... four times in quick succession. The extra three won't add any protective benefit from attacks, but if she positions all four of the invisible
[20:49] <Afina> barriers slanted like a pyramid with its point in front of her, they could serve to warp the air around her so it doesn't hit her full force. Then she casts her shadow form spell, colours bleeding out of her as she moves to fly back onto Shinear's back, her monstrously unnatural grace far more pronounced with such a spell acting upon her. "One last time!" she calls, voice tight with
[20:49] <Afina> determination!
[20:54] <Kotono> OOC: What does Shadow Form do?
[20:55] <Afina> OOC: 50% concealment (negated in bright light), +4 escape artist, hide, move silently. Most pertinently depending on your ranks in escape artist you can slip through a 5ft wall, a 10ft wall, or a wall of force. Afina's ranks qualify for the last.
[20:58] <Kotono> With that the dragon accelerates, speed coming in a blinding gale, "Again!" Shinear calls, "Jump!"
[21:00] <Afina> Ensuring her shields are interlocked perfectly, slanted as narrowly as she can make them, Afina restores her haste spell and leaps, angling both her body and her windshield, her colourless form knifing through the empty skies of infinite air to taste this perfect speed properly!
[21:03] <Kotono> Speed explodes around Afina! This time her awareness doesn't begin to ebb! Instead she feels tremenous force around her, her shields pressed back! You can see them begin to crack and shudder as you race - but oh, the speed! Faster than you have ever been before by a factor of ten, racing along like a streak! The air and sound itself sunder before you, exploding in a massive trail of
[21:03] <Kotono> denotations in your wake! You feel every moment of it, even as your shields shatter, one after another! Slowly you descend from those vast speeds, slipping through the massive currents of air.
[21:07] <Afina> A joyous shriek tears itself from Afina's throat, the sound left miles behind even as soon as it leaves her mouth. The shields aren't perfect, but they did their job in getting her through the worst, giving her enough awareness to let her agility guide her through the rest. Of course she doesn't have nearly enough speed to maintain this velocity, far less ever accelerate to it under her
[21:07] <Afina> own power, but now she's truly experienced it, truly knows it can be done. Even as she decelerates she exerts herself to keep it up as long as she possibly can, slipping down to subsonic speeds miles later and then more quickly falling back to her own native speed. Grinning fiercely, she performs some acrobatics to burn off her remaining energy before looping towards Shinear. "It worked!"
[21:26] <Kotono> "It worked!" He echos, a broad smile creasing his draconic maw. "How did it feel?"
[21:31] <Afina> "Like I was flying into forever...!" Ecstatic, Afina flutters up to Shinear's maw, leaning in and planting a kiss on his nose. Normally she forgets her problems and loses herself in violence, the art of murder ugly no matter how much grace she seeks to instill within it. But this was something pure and perfect, the only way it could have been better was if she had had Lifasa's horizon
[21:31] <Afina> passing by underneath as she flew. "Thank you, Shinear. No one has ever given me such a gift - ask anything of me anytime and I will answer," she pledges with all sincerity.
[21:37] <Kotono> "Thank you," Shinear answers back, smiling more again. It's an utterly fearsome look on a dragon's face, all airy scales and menace.
[21:40] <Afina> And right now it's more welcome to Afina's eyes than the most beautiful nymph in the Summer Court. "I want to do it again... but I'll hold back so I have more reason to achieve such speed on my own. When I come to visit you next I need to have something new to show you."
[21:46] <Kotono> "Good." THen with a smile, "We should head back..." With a gleam in his eye, "I'll race you."
[21:47] <Afina> It's a race she can't possibly win. It's absurd to consider it. But at the same time she must consider it, if she's to have any hope of making her own way there. "And what does the winner get?" she asks with a coy smile.
[21:47] <Kotono> "Bragging rights," Shinear retorts.
[21:50] <Afina> "Alright," she nods, hiding her disappointment and accepting that. "A moment," she takes her time to reconstruct her shields - perhaps they'll help her get a bit more speed. Or if she's quick on the mark she might be able to sneak into Shinear's slipstream and pace him that way, so long as she can contrive some manner to steal the lead at the very end. Floating up now so she's level with
[21:50] <Afina> his nose, she angles her shields and body for the least air resistance. "On your word?"
[21:51] <Kotono> "Ready....GO!" With that Shinear is off like a shot, racing through the air faster than the fastest arrow!
[21:53] <Afina> Afina doesn't hesitate, off in an instant - her acceleration is near perfect at least up to her far slower maximum speed. With that she angles herself towards Shinear so she can hopefully benefit from his slipstream and ease into far faster speeds. To help herself out she adjusts her personal gravity as well so that in effect she's diving the whole way.
[22:03] <Kotono> OOC: Hmmmm. Let's call for a dex check here to see how well this goes.
[22:04] <Afina> roll 1d20+7
[22:04] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+7 and gets 15." [1d20=8]
[22:07] <Kotono> Afina falls into the slip stream, soaring ahead! Her own speed picks up -she's still behind Shinear, but it's giving her a huge boost of speed!
[22:11] <Afina> There's no point in pulling ahead - she'd lose the benefit of having the dragon's huge body split the air for her, after all. With his head forward to cut his own resistance down he can probably still sense her with blindsense the same as she can sense him, but any assassin worth her trade can deal with that trick. Thus Afina alters her body's rhythms to simply slip out of such extrasensory
[22:11] <Afina> perception, unless Shinear is highly aware. That'll give her the freedom to move around his body without giving a clue as to her exact position, something she'll need to capitalise on when they hit the last stretch.
[22:11] <Afina> roll 1d20+37 hide opposed by spot/listen to be invisible to blindsense etc
[22:11] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+37 hide opposed by spot/listen to be invisible to blindsense etc and gets 39." [1d20=2]
[22:17] <Kotono> roll 1d20+54
[22:17] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+54 and gets 60." [1d20=6]
[22:18] <Kotono> OOC: Go ahead and describe your gambit then and I'll adjudicate it.
[22:22] <Afina> She has no way of knowing if it worked or not unless he says anything, of course. Nonetheless she trusts in her own skills, positioning over his back, almost close enough to touch his scales. Keeping up her speed to maintain their relative positions, she daren't blink from the time Chan's palace becomes a spot in the distance, there being absolutely no margin for error at these speeds.
[22:22] <Afina> She can't pull ahead, it's physically impossible... her only recourse is to smash physics aside when they're a thousand feet from the landing space - constrained by physics Shinear will have no choice but to decelerate unless he wishes to crash. But for one instant she can match his top speed unaided, and so she capitalises on that by casting dimension door at the last moment to teleport
[22:22] <Afina> herself onto that spot and hopefully snatch the win!
[22:24] <Kotono> OOC: Make a dex check? Considering the massive speeds involved I feel it requires some sort of test to see if you get the timing right.
[22:24] <Afina> roll 1d20+7 of course it's a contest!
[22:24] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+7 of course it's a contest! and gets 14." [1d20=7]
[22:25] <Kotono> roll 1d20+2 dragons are not particularly dex-heavy at the best to times.
[22:25] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+2 dragons are not particularly dex-heavy at the best to times. and gets 20." [1d20=18]
[22:26] <Kotono> Woosh! Afina steps through the dimensional door and appears - at the same split second Shinear appears as well, comingto a perfect stop nearby a waiting Adrian.
[22:27] <Afina> With the moment of disorientation caused by exchanging her physical location without traversing the intervening space, Afina can't tell for sure, but her instincts tell her it wasn't a win. "Was it a draw?" she asks, looking between Shinear and Adrian as the independent witness.
[22:28] <Kotono> Adrian shrugs, "As far as I could tell? You appeared at the same moment."
[22:29] <Kotono> "It means, when you return, we'll race again," Shinear concludes.
[22:29] <Afina> "Definitely," Afina grins for a moment, flying up now to retrieve the book she kept for safekeeping under Shinear's saddle. "The next one will be even more interesting."

[Corwin]

[22:32] <Kotono> The return to Aurora is without incident, on the back of Shinear and with Gust. As you fly back, Gust looks back, "We should be there in a few minutes. Oh yes," He snaps his fingers, "I almost forgot. Drena and his soldiers should be waiting just outside of Aurora for us. Lady Chan took care of those bothersome things like distance and travel time for them."
[22:33] <Jaela> "Gate's so useful," Jaela says in clear approval.
[22:33] * Willim nods.
[22:33] <Afina> "Again she has our thanks," Afina approves.
[22:34] <Kotono> Gust looks back, with a bit of a smile, "I'll be around on occasion for diplomatic communications."
[22:35] <Jaela> "Sure! We'll get you a suite when you stop by next."
[22:40] <Kotono> Woosh! On you go! Soon enough you stop before Aurora! Outside stand three lines of creatures of air. Made of wind and loose form, they stand at attention! At the head is Drena, raising a single hand as Shinear stops before the gates to Aurora. "We are ready to enter and join your forces, with your command."
[22:42] * Afina floats off Shinear and passes by the line as if inspecting them, though of course it's a foregone conclusion. "Permission is given. Enter orderly through the gate, then we'll provide you quarters and see to your other needs." Offering a tight smile now, "Welcome to the Crusade."
[22:43] <Jaela> With the formalities over and done with, Jaela offers Gust her hand. "Till we meet again, then?"
[22:46] <Kotono> As the soldiers march along, Gust takes Jaela's ahnd and shakes it. "Until we meet again."
[22:47] <Jaela> If she doesn't do it, Willim might get annoying or harrass someone. And it's not like it's a chore for her to see Annalise at any time, after all, so Jaela makes her way towards the places Annalise likes to frequent.
[22:48] * Willim heads inside, pestering every single person in sight about finding someone who can cook well.
[22:56] <Kotono> Jaela and Willim head vaguely Annalise-ward. She's found in the Library, curled up in a chair next to a stack of books. "Hmph," With a little piqued look as reads a book, "Nonsense! No wonder this is your recovered lore and testimony!"
[22:57] <Jaela> "No wonder Dana uses these books as pillows, then," Jaela greets her with. "We just came back from visiting Chan. How was your day?"
[22:59] * Willim blinks.
[23:01] <Kotono> Snapping the book shut and dropping it to the ground, "I'm finding out why the Recovered Lore of Gran the Mad had to be recovered. Well, I see Chan didn't smite you into a bloody smear, hm?"
[23:03] <Jaela> "Why would she do that? She seemed pretty nice, and she gave us troops." Jaela raises her hand. "On another thought, don't answer that. Do I warrant a compliment?"
[23:03] <Kotono> With a coy little smile, "I'd say you got what you wanted, so yes."
[23:05] <Jaela> Jaela's face falls, and she raises her left hand, where her gloves morphs back into its gauntlet form. "I guess this look ain't really me, then." Light covers her form, and then she is standing there in her usual armor once more. "Still, we did get all we hoped for, and we even learned a bit about our enemies at Earthfall, while the locals said they'd stay out of it."
[23:10] <Kotono> "Oh, it's you," Annalise says, smiling a little more, "But why would I insult such beauty by trying to append words to it?" Waving a hand, "Good." A look at Willim, "Though I have to ask, did you ask Willim along for a reason?"
[23:11] <Willim> "I need a chef!" Willim says. Shouts, really.
[23:11] <Jaela> "He was bothering other people." Jaela grimaces. "I'm making a sacrifice. He's been muttering about cooks and meals all the time, and tried to eat poisonous flowers. You're the best cook I know, so if anyone can help...."
[23:15] <Kotono> "Oh, well then." Annalise just smiles, "Cooking I can do. Come with me," Annalise instructs, "You two will help me."
[23:16] * Willim is already standing.
[23:17] <Jaela> "If you need anything cut, I'm your gal," Jaela affirms.
[23:18] <Kotono> Soon enough, the trio is before a fire. Meat, vegetables and stranger things yet are splayed out before you. "Help me prepare this," she declares, as...OOC: You two make wis checks. It's an untrained profession check to aid. In the event you have something like profession(chef) say so now.
[23:19] <Jaela> roll 1d20+5
[23:19] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+5 and gets 15." [1d20=10]
[23:20] <Willim> roll 1d20+4
[23:20] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+4 and gets 13." [1d20=9]
[23:20] <Kotono> roll 1d20+23
[23:20] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+23 and gets 33." [1d20=10]
[23:21] <Kotono> With chopping, slicing and mincing aid, Annalise works! It looks to be some sort of casserole, cooked and covered it. It smells like meat, spices and something else. Something that you aren't sure what it is, but it smells good. At last it's done, Annalise presenting it, pan and all. "Here," she says, passing it over to them.
[23:23] * Willim snatches it up. "I need to get back to the air place we were at before."
[23:23] <Jaela> "I could send you over if you like?"
[23:24] <Willim> "Please!"
[23:25] <Jaela> "Right-o." Jaela focuses. "If you can't get back, just wait by the palace's front gate tomorrow at dawn. I'll come pick you up." She frowns for good measure. "I fucking hate waking up too early for that shit, so try not to make me." The magic gathers quickly! "Ready? One, two--"
[23:29] <Kotono> Woosh! In an instant Willim is before Chan's gates once more, now with food in hand. Tasty smelling food and a palace ahead of him, a chef withing, waiting.
[23:29] * Willim wastes no time, re-entering!
[23:34] <Kotono> Finding the kitchens is without incident. The chef is there, looking at you once you come in. Crossing his arms, "Oh, so you took up the challenge?"
[23:34] * Willim plunks down the pan. "Yes! Try this!"
[23:37] <Kotono> The food is dutifully tasted! He blinks at this, "What?! No one has made this in eons!" He smacks his airy lips together, "Where did you get it?"

[Corwin]

[20:07] <Willim> "A friend. I think she knows more recipes like it." Willim entices.
[20:08] <Kotono> "Well then," Folding his arms, "Your offer suddenly got interesting."
[20:11] <Willim> "Aurora's still in the area. If you want to join us, you'd be welcome. Lots of devils to kill, see the planes, maybe get rich too." Willim offers.
[20:12] <Kotono> "I just want to cook," The chef retorts, "Are there people to cook for?"
[20:12] <Willim> "Hundreds. Thousands soon."
[20:13] <Kotono> "Very well then," With that agreement, "Let's be off."
[20:15] * Willim turns and heads back to the entrance!