021.2 "Nothing some time in the Court can't improve."

[Corwin]

#ed, Afina and Jaela

[20:22] <Kotono> The three women get together in the courtyard. Crystal is dressed to her finest, new armor worn and spotless. "If we're going to look for the Court of the Stars, we need to go to Arborea and look for one of the shifting paths to it. You can't just travel to the Court directly. With our intent and good deeds, there's a fine chance we'll find one soon. However, there's no guarantee of that.
[20:22] <Kotono> We could be awhile if the Lady of the Lake or fortune frowns on us."
[20:22] <Jaela> "It's a lot about intent, from what I know," Jaela agrees. "Kinda like Astral in that way, right?"
[20:23] <Afina> "Most of the outer realms seem that way," Afina notes, dressed normally but she has a sack with her nice clothes in it resting on a floating disc.
[20:24] * Jaela wears her mithral armor, but her weapons are all stored away. There is no need to brandish them, when just a thought can bring them into her hands. "Ready, then? I won't even aim anywhere specific." She counts to three, plane shifting them across on the final mark.
[20:25] <Kotono> A passing smile comes to Crystal's face, "Yes. It's somewhat like a fey realm," Crystal says, "In particular, paths usually only appear at night, in the moonlight. So we'll be traveling during the night whenever possible."
[20:29] <Kotono> After that the party shifts! You stand in the sylvan glades, the rising trees of the forest all around you. A sense of belonging fills each of you, a sense of completeness. It swells from within your hearts and spreads out, even as the fair, forest-sweet scent of this plane fills your noses. Crystal breathes in deeply, "..aaaaaaaah..." she sighs, "It is good."
[20:30] * Afina mutely nods. Yes, it feels like home, like she could lay down her burdens and relax here. But it isn't home.
[20:31] <Jaela> "No matter where I go in Arborea, it feels like that," Jaela agrees, taking a moment to breathe in and relax. Only a month ago, she would be uspet at the similarities to home, but now she finds herself able to just enjoy the peace, however briefly.
[20:33] <Kotono> "This realm calls to our souls, for we are compatible to it," Crystal speaks softly as you begin to travel ahead, "Would we let it, it would take us into it's own cycle, one that would leave ours behind. But...? Paradise can wait."
[20:34] <Afina> "Yes," Afina agrees, floating serenely along behind Crystal, her pace ever so slow to match the others.
[20:34] <Jaela> "Yeah, we'll get here soon enough," Jaela muses. "Unless our souls get trapped or destroyed, I guess."
[20:37] <Kotono> At this the party begins to travel, searching for a gate!
[20:37] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:37] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 30." [1d100=30]
[20:37] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:37] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 54." [1d100=54]
[20:37] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:37] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 27." [1d100=27]
[20:39] <Kotono> Night has fallen as you continue to search through the peaceful glades.  Perhaps you are in a quiet bit of Arborea, for you have not yet come on anyone. As you walk along you come to a clearing in the forest. A small one, but enough that the canopy is broken. Above you can see the shining night sky, full of stars and with a waxing, heavy moon shedding its silvery light down.
[20:41] * Afina spends a moment looking up at the moon, matching its lines to Lifasa's celestial companion to the sun, before she continues trailing Crystal.
[20:42] <Jaela> "How long did either of you ever go without sleep?" Jaela suddenly wonders.
[20:44] <Kotono> "Without magic to help? Four days, a long time ago." Crystal replies as she looks up at the moon, "'twas what I called the worst days of my life until the fall." As Afina looks up, the stars in the sky glow a little brighter, dancing and swirling in the sky. Slowly, one can note tiny motes of light coming from them, as if starting to rain down towards you from far above.
[20:45] * Jaela whistles. "Not bad," she voices, as her eyes follow the motes of light. "Think those are an invite? We could fly up."
[20:45] <Afina> "Time was hard to tell in Gehenna," Afina shakes her head, "The sky never changes. I think it was a long time, though."
[20:48] <Kotono> "It might be," Crystal starts to ascend, "If nothing else, it's worth investigating?"
[20:48] <Jaela> That's good enough for Jaela! Her armor disappears, letting her use her full speed and maneuverability, and then she follows this potential invitation!
[20:49] <Afina> Dismissing the disk, Afina picks up the bag and takes flight after Jaela, lazily ascending upwards.
[21:01] <Kotono> Up and up you fly! As you ascend past the forest the rain of light reaches you. As it does it forms a stairway beneath your feet! Above, it connects to the sky, where in the stars above form what looks to be a grand archway.
[21:02] <Jaela> With a stairway appearing in such an invitation, it would be rude to fly on. Jaela lands upon it, and proceeds ahead!
[21:04] <Afina> Afina just can't bring herself to walk when around people more than twice her height, though she does orient by the stairs to float up behind Jaela.
[21:07] <Kotono> Crystal follows as well! To the archway and through you go! Past it you stand in darkness. Far below you can see endless forests. Just below you are all the stars, as if you stand just above them. It is now as if you stand in the night sky. But beyond and above - you hear the gentle sounds of a harp being strummed.
[21:08] <Afina> Even if it can't be seen, she can still follow her ears towards the source of that music!
[21:08] <Jaela> "Sounds like we should go for the harp?" Jaela voices, snorting to herself. "Pun and all."
[21:09] <Kotono> "Pun?" Crystal asks Jaela as they ascend. She furrows her brow and makes a faintly contorted look, before, "I don't see the pun at all."
[21:09] <Jaela> "That's because you hear, not see it." Jaela nods to herself. "Think it's far?"
[21:11] <Afina> "Does distance matter here?" Afina asks with a lithe shrug as she flutters higher above the stars.
[21:12] <Jaela> "Probably not!"
[21:16] <Kotono> "I'm not sure," Crystal shrugs her shoulders, "I'm honestly not." As you fly along towards the sound, you see her ahead. A woman with long silver hair, so long it trails down past her body. She is lithe and elven features, clad in the light of the moon. She plays her silver harp, stars falling from each contact of string and hand, coming to fall to the heavens below and take up shining.
[21:16] <Kotono> Her eyes are a soft, liquid blue, as if condensed water and tears. "Hail, fair travelers. In one world, the tears of Sehanine Moonbow mixed with the blood of Corelleon to create the elven race. In another, the elves were the first thought of the Triune Goddess, coming to life to serve them. In yet another, the elves are the last Fair Race, the only ones left from the Great Fall. Tell me...if
[21:16] <Kotono> all are true, then what is truth? What is a truth that endlessly contradicts itself, travelers?"
[21:17] * Jaela glances at Crystal and Afina, before shrugging. "Can't all be true? Different worlds, right? Lots of different elves out there."
[21:20] <Afina> A riddle? A pity they don't have any elves along with them. Jaela's answer seems acceptable on its face, though it doesn't match her own understanding of the elves being thin-blooded fey. "The World Tree bears many fruits." Inspiration comes even as she speaks, an answer to the riddle, "But a truth that can contradict itself is faith."
[21:23] <Kotono> The women is silent for both answers, her harp music stopping. "You have spoken wisely, Afina Petalwisp. You will see many truths in your journies ahead. True faith can judge truth and create truth, should it have the ultimate strength of conviction and might. For your first act of faith...fall. Let your wings rest, all of you."
[21:24] <Jaela> 'Petalwisp?' Jaela whispers to herself, a most puzzled look on her face.
[21:25] <Afina> "My true name," Afina answers defiantly. "Gloaminggloom felt far too self-indulgent after finding other survivors." Still, it's somewhat awkward so she needs no further impetus to cease the motion of her transluscent wings.
[21:26] <Jaela> The unhealthy obsession with her falling just makes her roll her eye. Then again, if she dies she'll just end up here anyway and beat up the skimpily-clad harp player. Folding her wings before her chest, she allows herself to tumble back.
[21:29] <Kotono> Crystal follow suit! Yet you do not fall. Instead you glide down! You glide down like a super-fast slide, the sky becoming a blur as you plummet down! For a few moments you can only see that blur then BAM! You land hard but without pain, the echo of your crash hitting down hard.
[21:29] <Afina> Tumbling and rolling with the landing to bleed off inertia, Afina ultimately lands upright!
[21:31] * Jaela stretches up as she gets to her feet. "Think we'll get more puzzles ahead? I'm not that good with them."
[21:32] <Afina> "Tests are nothing new to us," Afina replies blandly, looking around.
[21:33] * Jaela shrugs. "It's more about guessing what someone else is thinking, you know? I usually can't be that bothered."
[21:33] <Kotono> You stand on what looks to be a large courtyard. Around you are perhaps four dozen elves, staring and gawking! Some sort of palace is around you, but you hardly have a chance to look, "What the HELL?" A female's voice rings, striding towards out and out of the pack of elves. She is an angel, clad in a simple toga. She steps forward - she has Jaela's face or close to it. "Why are you interrupting
[21:33] <Kotono> us like this?"
[21:34] <Jaela> "Why are you wearing a sheet?"
[21:35] <Afina> "We were just passing by..." Afina replies, trying to see and understand what they were doing that's so important to not be interrupted.
[21:35] * Jaela blinks. "Wait. Wait wait wait. What are you doing with those elves while dressed in a sheet? This is super important!"
[21:46] <Kotono> "One, it's the current style," Giving Jaela an utter death glare, "Two, you interrupted these souls! I'm teaching them how to adapt to the Court!"
[21:47] * Jaela can't help but laugh, utterly relieved. "It's okay if everyone's wearing it! You're Hanna? Tell me you're Hanna. I get how this place works, so you have to be Hanna!"
[21:48] <Kotono> "Of course I'm Hanna, and why do you..." she begins, before abrupting stopping. She gives Jaela's face a long, soulful look, "...oh. Oh!"
[21:50] <Jaela> "I came to visit before I died properly!" Jaela announces, latching onto the angel in a semblence of a hug. "Hi! Nice to meet you!"
[21:51] * Afina just glances at Crystal and elects to remain mute for now.
[21:51] <Kotono> Crystal returns the look, a slight nod as she flutters back a bit. In a soft whisper, "Not our moment on stage, eh?"
[21:53] <Kotono> The hug is returned, gasps coming from the assembled elves. Hanna merely holds Jaela tight, "Jaela! Oh Jaela, what's happened to you? For that matter, why the eyepatch and not regeneration? Did someone give you a cursed wound?" Her voice swings low pitched.
[21:56] <Jaela> "Well." Jaela tries to run a hand through her hair before giving up on it in her current situation. "Lifasa got conquered and burnt to the ground by devils, so it feels tacky to treat myself before I deal with that. You know? Sometimes hating something gives you strength to live and all, so things like that can help you focus. I guess. And this isn't awkward at all or anything."
[21:59] <Kotono> "Jaela dear?" Hanna smiles, ever so nicely, "You're doing it wrong. You regenerate your eye so you can see fully and better kill the devils who did this to you." Another hug, as murmurs and little cheers of approval rise at the reunion, "How are you, besides that?"
[22:01] <Jaela> "Working on my fighting style. Killing devils." She waves Afina and Crystal over. "These are my pals from the Aurora-- that's an ancient planar fortress we claimed for ourselves to fight the devils. We're going around messing shit up and trying to turn things around."
[22:02] <Afina> "Hello," Afina greets placidly, bobbing in the air.
[22:02] <Kotono> At the noise Hanna looks up, "Class dismissed for now. Go celebrate," she waves, and then turns her attention over. "Greetings," she offers to the pixies in Sylvan. Though after that she switches back, "Shit?" She asks back at Jaela.
[22:03] <Jaela> "Yeah, you know." Jaela makes a vague gesture. "Killing those fuckers till they die of it, stirring up a bunch of hornets nests."
[22:05] <Kotono> "Fuckers?" Hanna repeats, "Do you speak Celestial with that dirty mouth of yours?"
[22:07] <Jaela> "It lacks all the good words," Jaela laments. "Shame, that." Putting it out of her mind, she asks, "So what have you been doing the last, uh, two decades?"
[22:13] <Kotono> "It's been two decades...of course it has," Shaking her head with a rueful smile, "It's so easy to lose track of time when you serve the Court. As of lately, I've been helping honored petitioners adapt to the Court. This sort of dramatic entrance and revelation wasn't a bad lesson, really."
[22:14] <Jaela> "We fell pretty far to get here, so it damn better be dramatic," Jaela agrees with a nod of affirmation for good measure. "Still, this is the Court of the Stars? Not some branch of it, but legitimately part of it? We can hang out for a bit?"
[22:15] <Kotono> "A part of it, yes," She gestures about. Around you is high rising columns, a grassy courtyard. The sky above twinkles with stars, the scent of gingerbread in the air. Let's all go somewhere private, before everyone hears what happens. I won't get a moment of peace once that happens."
[22:19] <Jaela> "Yeah, sure," Jaela readily agrees. "Umm, Afina, Crystal, this is my mom. Surprise, huh?"
[22:20] <Afina> "You must be very proud," Afina tells Hanna, voice deadpan.
[22:20] <Kotono> "It's a pleasure," Sweeping into a bow, "That sounds fine."
[22:20] * Jaela rolls her eye. "I turned out alright, didn't I?"
[22:21] <Kotono> Hanna smiles a tiny little bit, "Nothing some time in the Court can't improve."
[22:23] <Jaela> "So yeah, let's go!" Jaela claps her hands together. "Maybe we can take care of our business while we're at it, too, instead of the other way around like I figured would happen."
[22:25] <Kotono> It's easy enough to be swept along. Through fairy-tale arches, into a garden and through the rose bushes. You come to a quiet place, several stone benches around a fountain. Around you fruit trees grow, familiar and alien fruits on display. Hanna goes to sit, "You mentioned business...what else has brought you here?"
[22:27] <Jaela> "You did hear about Lifasa, at least?" Jaela seeks to confirm. "Dad died ages before so he's not one of those stapled to the Great Tree, and most of me left there, too." Her eye peers towards her eyepatch. "But that just means our family's had it good. Way better than, what, 100% of the rest? So we're Crusading against Bel and Abigor, now."
[22:28] <Afina> Alighting on the edge of the fountain, Afina speaks up. "We seek the brave and the cunning to stand against the endless hordes of Hell and reclaim our home."
[22:30] * Jaela nods at the pixie's words. "And we lack expert crafters and mages and healers in sufficient qualities, while we're at it. Afina here's a pro at it, but we've got a growing army to think of. Best be self sufficient about that sorta thing."
[22:32] <Kotono> "Stated honestly, we need help," Crystal speaks up, "We have a fortress and a few soldiers, but we need so much more to triumph. Things that ensure we aren't beholden to any one power as a weakness."
[22:36] <Jaela> "We're making some dubious deals," Jaela admits. "But if we had legitimate help, not of the bullshit sort of 'bow down to me and beg, and I might send a solar over', then I bet we would be making a whole deal less of them. The Court's pretty much the closest thing most of us survivors have to a natural ally, so...." She trails off, shrugging her shoulders. This should describe their problem adequately.
[22:39] <Afina> Hearing that, Afina does start to wonder if she should approach some of the higher fey courts herself. She has enough ties to Aurora not to be swept along in their own issues by now... but one thing at a time!

[Corwin]

#ed, Jaela and Afina

[19:57] <Kotono> "That more than makes sense," Hanna finally says after some contemplation, going to pluck a strange fruit that looks like a deep purple apple with soft skin. Holding it in hand, a hint of a smile blooming, "Your best maneuver would be getting an audience with Queen Morwel or one of her two consorts, Lady Gwynharwyf or Lord Faerinaal."
[19:58] <Jaela> Since her mother's getting one, it should be safe to pluck one herself. Doing so, Jaela asks, "Can you help us out with that?"
[20:01] <Kotono> Coughing delicately, "I can set up an audience with Lady Gwynharwyf," Hanna replies as she smothers a slight smile. "I am actually one of her champions, though audience is hardly the word. She prefers the rougher sides of the Court, save when her Lord and Lady ask her to sit in Court."
[20:02] <Jaela> "From what I heard, she's more the martial side of the Court?" Jaela says, glancing at Afina and Crystal. "Sounds like the kind of person to talk to about a Crusade."
[20:03] <Kotono> Crystal replies at that look, a voice full of wistful pride, "Yes she is. I ask her for blessings before battle."
[20:03] <Afina> "I think we'd be better able to appeal to that side of things," Afina agrees.
[20:07] <Kotono> As you walk a gentle breeze blows. The night sky above sparkles with stars, as at the same time the trees turn from green leaves to red and gold. A hint of a chill passes through the air, just enough to draw the sensation of goose bumps across your flesh. "I'll go arrange it," Hanna says, placing her fruit down uneaten. She rises and comes over to Jaela, "Daughter, who tried to force you
[20:07] <Kotono> into these dubious deals?"
[20:09] * Jaela bites into her own, unable to resist the temptation of trying something new. "I think we've only had one person show up genuinely wanting to help, no strings attached," she reponds, shrugging. "That's life for you. The rest wanted to put us through all sorts of tests if they were nice about it, or told us we had to choose between them and other allies if they weren't, or gave us shitty ultimatums. That stings, you know?"
[20:12] <Afina> "I don't mind the tests," Afina admits. "They're good practice."
[20:12] * Jaela blinks. "Oh hey, Kascha showed up, so that's two people who want to help with no real strings. Maybe our luck's turning around?"
[20:13] <Kotono> It tastes like sweet smoke, bringing to mind the taste of fall air, as you come inside and smell the smoke of the hearthfire. "Who was the other?" Asking with a slightly raised eyebrow, "Jaela, watch your mouth!"
[20:14] <Jaela> "Yeah, yeah." Jaela takes another bite. "Lady Chan. She was pretty nice, and her own condition was very reasonable."
[20:14] <Afina> "Drena, grandson of Chan," Afina supplies as to their other no-strings volunteer ally.
[20:15] <Jaela> "I think they're a package deal?"
[20:15] <Afina> "Elrisa didn't really have any conditions other than that we found Medicant first," the fairy adds sombrely. "We're not that alone."
[20:16] <Jaela> "She really didn't deserve what happened to her," Jaela adds solemnly.
[20:17] <Kotono> "Drena? I've met him!" Hanna smiles warmly at that, "He's a wonderful person to have along when smiting evil!"
[20:17] <Jaela> "So, uh, you leave the Court from time to time, then?"
[20:22] <Afina> "He's already shown himself a reliable ally," Afina nods, though she hasn't spoken to him enough to say much more than that, yet.
[20:24] <Kotono> "On occasion. That's how you were made," she points out with a teasing smile, ruffling Jaela's hair. "He came as part of a diplomatic envoy."
[20:29] <Jaela> That's not really a topic she wants to discuss! "About that audience thing?" The change of topic is blatant, but it's not like she needs to hide it. "It's not a battle, is it? I'm honest enough to say we can't win against someone like her."
[20:34] <Kotono> "Oh, she may want to fight you, but winning isn't the important part. She likes to know the mettle of those who come to her. Besides, she's only been beaten three times. Once by Queen Morwel, once by Lord Faerinaal and once by the slaad lord Renbuu. She doesn't expect to be defeated or to hold it against you."
[20:35] <Afina> "Well, we've had similar challenges before," is all Afina cares to say on the subject. It's probably not polite to talk about potentially beating a would-be ally into submission.
[20:37] <Jaela> "True enough," Jaela agrees. "So do we just wait or what?"
[20:44] <Kotono> "Just wa-" Hanna begins, but she's cut off. A man strolls on in. He has a huge smile, striking blue eyes and a pleasing face. His blonde hair is kept short and well trimmed, ears showing an elven point even though his face looks human otherwise. He is surprisingly stocky - not fat, but more filled in like a muscular human. He wears a painter's frock, splattered with multicolored stains.
[20:44] <Kotono> "Hanna," he calls, looking about. He pays the pixies little mind, but settles on Jaela, "Is that your long lost daughter? Fantastic!"
[20:45] <Kotono> Muttering a single dark word under her breath, "You know if I came here I wanted privacy and discretion, Valis." Turning her head back towards him.
[20:45] <Afina> Even if no one pays attention to her, she pays attention to the unfolding drama!
[20:45] <Jaela> "Does he need to have his ass kicked?" Jaela asks her mother, getting straight to business. "He looks that way, but you never know."
[20:47] <Kotono> "A chip off the old block," Valis smiles and approaches, "Such a heartfelt reunion deserves to be immortalized for all time. That's why I came; don't worry, no one else saw me come this way." Holding four fingers up, making a square to view mother and daughter through, "Beautiful. Especially in the faces and the wing-tips. You can really see the family resemblence!"
[20:48] <Kotono> "No," A hint of an exasperated smile shows as she shakes her head, "Valis is just an artist."
[20:48] <Kotono> Crystal watches this unfold, "Afina?" she murmurs a question to her.
[20:49] <Jaela> What a rude artist. And for her to think that, Jaela wonder how others might see him. "Huh. Yeah whatever."
[20:50] * Afina turns her head towards Crystal.
[20:59] <Kotono> "It may be best to leave all this to Jaela," she murmurs after some thought, "The allegory of this realm being like an eternal play seems apt, and right now Jaela is the starring performer. Perhaps we can do more in our own production elsewere in the court."
[21:00] <Kotono> "Would you like a painting of your reunion?" Valis asks, "Aaah, with unshed tears shining in their eyes, mother and daughter embrace after decades of seperation!"
[21:02] <Afina> Her own impulse is to stay together, but Afina defers to Crystal's greater experience with this aprticualr realm. "Excuse us," she speaks softly, standing up and bowing before she takes flight outside, waiting for the paladin to guide her elsewhere.

[Corwin]

#ed, Jaela

[21:04] * Jaela suits up with a thought, raising her hand up as her spear materializes within it. "Instead of an embrace, how about a cool pose?"
[21:06] <Kotono> "Glady," Valis grins, stepping back, "Hanna, why don't you step back and I'll get to work on one for that, then?"
[21:10] <Jaela> She wants to ask, she really does. Why was there even a separation, much less decades of it? But with that nosy guy around, it's not a good time. "I can loan you a weapon of your own," Jaela tells her mother instead. "If you wanna humor this guy, that is. Or do you summon them too? Because that would be a neat trick."
[21:11] <Kotono> Hanna shakes her head, "This isn't really the time," she says, "I don't. Why carry a weapon in the Court, let alone when I'm assisting petitioners?"
[21:13] <Jaela> "Hey, look, I dunno," Jaela says placatingly, spreading her arms. "About your job or about the Court that much, or any of that. Only way I would is if you told me, I figure."
[21:19] <Kotono> "We've just met again, Valis," Hanna sighs, "We need to go see Lady Gwynharwyf, not pose for a picture."
[21:20] <Kotono> "Truly so?" With a hint of a frown showing, "Such a tragic rejection. Alas," Snapping his fingers, "Perhaps after that, then? There's no charge, in case you are thinking by mortal conventions, Lady Jaela."
[21:21] <Jaela> "I did consider it," Jaela responds, banishing armor and spear alike. "But then I figured you're the one asking about it so it's not like you can make me pay anyway. Since you found us now, I bet you won't have any trouble doing it again?"
[21:28] <Kotono> "He won't," Hanna cuts in quickly. She takes Jaela's hand, "I'll introduce you more formally to Jaela later, Valis," she says, starting to lead Jaela away. "Another time."
[21:29] <Jaela> "So what was that all about?" Jaela asks as they leave the man-elf behind.
[21:34] <Kotono> "Valis? He's...well..." Hanna starts to try and say it before she sheepishly chuckles. "You're all grown up, so I won't hide it. We're off again, on again every few centuries for dating. Right now we just met after a few centuries and the last breakup and we're on again. He's a wonderful elf, just so enthusiastic about his art."
[21:36] * Jaela snorts. "I actually thought it might be that, but didn't want to jump to conclusions like with the sheet thing." She's content to walk in silence, before catching a particular word. "Centuries? Hey, does that mean I've got siblings and shit?"
[21:45] <Kotono> "Six others," A smile comes to that, "One was born an aasimar and lived and died long ago. Four others were born as half-celestials and have since become a part of the essence of the realm. One serves on the Prime as an agent of the Lady of the Lake to this day. His name is Prosperity. He's a few thousand years old now...he's attached to mortal life and what he can do for them."
[21:46] <Jaela> "I guess I should be used to everyone around me counting by the millennia," Jaela mutters. "Man, whatever I do, you all just see me as a little kid, don't you? What do I actually need to do to definitely get respect?"
[21:52] <Kotono> As you walk back into the endless palace, past a male and female elf holding hands and whispering sweet nothing to one another, "Age doesn't matter. It brings wisdom, but your age doesn't determine respect. I know some very foolish ten-thousand year olds. Deeds bring respect."
[21:54] <Jaela> "Heh. It's all about patience, then. I guess I know that, but sometimes you just want some shortcut." Afina and Crystal have left, but the outcome of any fight would have been predetermined anyway. Still, hedging her bets can't hurt, and Jaela asks, "Any tips for what I should do when we see your lady?"
[21:58] <Kotono> "Be yourself and be respectful," So answering, "Lady Gwynharwyf has little need for the false nicities court brings."
[22:01] * Jaela nods firmly. "I can watch what I say, if I have to." She snorts. "There's so much I wanna ask. Hell, I don't even know where to start. Is that how it always is? Did you figure I'll look you up one day? Did the others do the very same thing? Did you keep an eye on them? On me?"
[22:03] <Kotono> "Some did, some didn't. I keep loose tabs on each of you. You're strong children with strong blood, who deserve to make their own way without Mommy holding your hand forever. I trust in each of you to find your own happiness and niche."
[22:06] <Jaela> Forever is a bit much, considering Jaela can't recall ever seeing her before. But considering her mother's age, a few days and a few decades might not make a difference? She wonders if she'll get that sort of mindset some day.
[22:06] <Jaela> "Even if I'm being an idiot about it, it's okay if I'm happy and confident and have a goal? That sorta thing?"
[22:09] <Kotono> "That's exactly right," A warm smile comes to Hanna's face.
[22:10] * Jaela laughs. "Just keep that in mind. I'll have you know I did some pretty dumb things already."
[22:13] <Kotono> "You aren't pregnant,a re you?" Hanna asks immediately.
[22:16] <Jaela> "I--" Jaela stammers, briefly taken off guard by the question. "I don't think that's possible, on oh so many levels." She shakes her head. "Nah. I've got actual problems. You know how you get when you're messed up and know it, but can't help yourself? Like, how I have my ideals and Code, and I figure I'll hold to it even if a demon challenges it, but bring a devil into the equation and I don't know what I'll do. I think I won't be able to stop myself. That's not something a little time in Court can fix, can it? I guess I worry about it sometimes."
[22:18] <Kotono> "What do you mean, exactly?" Your Mother asks you, "What sort of conflict?
[22:18] <Kotono> "
[22:23] <Jaela> "I think if I see a devil being tortured, I won't stop it. Because they all deserve to suffer. That's horrible, right? But I'm also kinda happy about that, too." Jaela shifts her shoulders uncomfortably. "I think I'll make an exception for them if it comes to mindwiping them, too, or other stuff like that. Anyone else, I think their choice is important, and they should have a right to make one. But with those things, it's like they're animals. They don't really count."

[Corwin]

#s, Afina

[21:14] <Kotono> Leaving the garden behind, Crystal takes to the air. "I say we go find our own adventure for the moment and trust in the Court to provide," Crystal remarks, "All the Court is a stage, waiting for actors to take to it."
[21:15] <Afina> "You know it better than I. Lead and I'll follow," Afina nods, flying upwards after Crystal.
[21:21] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:21] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 34." [1d100=34]
[21:21] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:21] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 63." [1d100=63]
[21:21] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:21] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 5." [1d100=5]
[21:23] <Kotono> You fly through the palace. It seems that autumn has come. All the colors have shifted to that, the trees taking on mantles of red, orange and gold to match the decorations. You fly on a time. As you do, you pass by a door. As you do, "Blast it!" A man's voice is heard from within, "Argh!"
[21:26] <Afina> Autumn colours are pretty. Even the Unseelie have a sense of beauty to them, Afina reflects as she flutters along with Crystal. Hearing what sounds like someone having difficulty, it only makes sense to see if they can help given the lack of other things to do. Floating over towards it, she calls through, "Do you need any help in there?"
[21:30] <Kotono> "Please!" A man's voice calls back, as Crystal goes to open the door. Within are shelves and shelves and shelves of books. Farther than the eye can see, each shelf made of wood that blossoms with occasional flowers. Each shelf rises up hundreds of feet above, to a ceiling that is one great tree canopy. Each shelf is stuffed to the brim with books.
[21:30] <Kotono> OOC: Gah.
[21:31] <Kotono> "Please!" A man's voice calls back, as Crystal goes to open the door. Within are shelves and shelves and shelves of books. Farther than the eye can see, each shelf made of wood that blossoms with occasional flowers. Each shelf rises up hundreds of feet above, to a ceiling that is one great tree canopy. Each shelf is stuffed to the brim with books. Near the door is a pile of books, a great
[21:31] <Kotono> heap of them. Buried in them up to his neck is an elven man, calling, "The books fell. Could you, ah, unbury me?" he asks.
[21:32] <Afina> Hasting herself and Crystal as a matter of course, Afina flies over and starts pulling books off and neatly stacking them besides the pile with uncanny precision and alacrity!
[21:37] <Kotono> Together, the two pixies quickly unbury the elf! He's middle aged in apperance, slight lines to his otherwise eternal face. Patting his white linen robe clean, "Thank you," he says, "Goodness, I do so hate when that happens. Occasionally one of the trees shakes and...aaah. My manners, my manners. I am Pilisdro."
[21:40] <Afina> "Afina, and Crystal," Afina provides for introductions on their end. Looking at all the books present, its even more impressive than Aurora's library, "How far does your library go? It must have books about almost everything..."
[21:46] <Kotono> "Oh yes, yes," Nodding to that, "I'm one of the Assisant Librarians here. It goes as far as the Queen wishes it to go."
[21:52] <Afina> "All of the Court's knowledge, then?" Afina clarifies her understanding. That's surely a lot, then! "Are visitors allowed to look?"
[21:53] <Kotono> "Of course. You're free to look. If your cause is just, you'll find what you need, if it's known to this library. If not..." A momentary frown comes to his face, "If not, not."
[21:54] <Afina> "Quite," Afina nods at the simple wisdom in those words. Then she glances at Crystal, "Want to see if we can find out anything useful about Abigor?"
[21:59] <Kotono> "Abigor?" A frown comes again, "As in, Duke Abigor?" Pilisdro asks, his brow furrowing.
[22:02] <Afina> "Yes," Afina nods, "He led Bel's forces in conquering our home... a battle we might have won if he hadn't slain every plant on Lifasa the moment he set foot on it." Really she'll never know if the crazy WorldGod-creating spell would have actually worked, but even if not losing every dryad and treant and shambling mound at a stroke *hurt*.
[22:05] <Kotono> "There was a woman a few months ago who passed by, looking for information about Abigor, among other things." Shaking his head slightly, "She didn't find it, but it was because of what was in her heart that foiled her, I think."
[22:06] <Afina> "Why? What was wrong with her?" Afina asks, with some concern. If the woman had a heart filled with hate and vebgeabce then she's in trouble, too! "And why was she looking?"
[22:06] <Afina> *vengeance
[22:11] <Kotono> "Bitterness. Her heart was filled with it. Bitterness and resentment, leading to an anger at everything." Sighing as he goes to a shelf nad starts to check over book, slotting them in and out and blowing them clean of dust, "She was seeking things that...I fear to know what she would do with them. I tried to talk to her, but her defenses were too ingrained." A longer pause, "Frankly, I'm
[22:11] <Kotono> surprised she made it into the Court. Perhaps she found succor elsewhere and has begun to heal her pain."
[22:13] <Afina> "Anyone who needs to know more about devils can't not have bitterness in their heart. I never gave a thought to them until they destroyed everything I knew - it's probably the same for that woman. What was her name?"
[22:15] <Kotono> "Anna," Pilisdro replies, "She didn't mention a last name, I'm afraid."
[22:18] <Afina> "Hmm..." Afina glances at Crystal. "I'm not sure we'll have much luck finding our enemy's secret weaknesses in the library, but maybe a link to a potential ally is more important. Think she might still be somewhere in the Court?"
[22:19] <Kotono> Crystal nods after that, "Sound logic."
[22:20] <Kotono> "I don't know. It was months ago and I haven't seen her again." Admitting as much, "You'd need to ask around. I haven't mentioned it to anyone besides the Main Librarian."
[22:21] <Afina> "What did she look like?" Afina asks. "Even if she's not here we might find out about her cause and where she went afterwards."
[22:23] <Kotono> "Red hair, striking. Human." Smiling at it, "She was really rather pretty. A warrior, wore a holy symbol I don't know offhand."
[22:25] <Afina> "Thank you, Pilisdro," Afina smiles back, giving him a last piece of advice that he should, "Be more careful with your books in future!" before she flutters out, intending to start asking around about this redheaded Anna!

[Corwin]

#s, Afina

[19:59] <Kotono> OOC: Go ahead and roll GI, Afina? Crystal will assist since she has zero ranks.
[20:01] <Afina> roll 1d20+10 I have no ranks, either!
[20:01] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+10 I have no ranks, either! and gets 17." [1d20=7]
[20:05] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9 But she has a worse cha mod.
[20:05] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 But she has a worse cha mod. and gets 22." [1d20=13]
[20:10] <Kotono> Wandering about is pleasant. A feeling of peace and contentment never leaves you as you look for people to talk to. Eventually you come 'round a corner and into a small, dead end room. It is open roofed, the sparkling night sky above. Piles of whispy clouds and fallen, unrotted autumnal leaves are about. In one of the piles sits a silvery-skinned dwarf. His entire shade is silver, even his
[20:10] <Kotono> beard looking sterling. In one hand is a tankard, his other resting. His gaze is towards the night sky. "Hm?" He looks to you as, you ask, "A red head named Anna, wasn't it?"
[20:12] <Afina> "We'd last heard she was here a few months ago," Afina clarifies, fluttering above the leaves nearby. "Do you know of her? We think she might share a common interest with us."
[20:14] <Kotono> Crystal lands, sitting on a stray puff of clouds, like a chair. "Anything would help," she adds.
[20:14] <Kotono> "
[20:16] <Kotono> "Aye, I did," A gulp of his tankard, "Reminded me of ol' Lisabeth, 'fore she got drained by the Wretched. Hair that looked like Moradin breathed his forgefires onto her head. Damned shame she couldn't grow a beard of it like a proper dwarf." Sighing long and that, "Ya ever heard of the Wretched, young'ins?"
[20:17] <Afina> OOC: arcana or nature?
[20:18] <Kotono> OOC: K:A.
[20:18] <Afina> roll 1d20+23
[20:18] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+23 and gets 29." [1d20=6]
[20:19] <Afina> The name obviously means something bad, and few things drain as much as undead do, but that's as much as Afina can guess. "No, is it some kind of undead?"
[20:24] <Kotono> "It is, young'in," The dwarf sighs, "Back on my world, something happened. A magical accident by Mas-Profen. The Wretched were zombies fully alive and fully aware, able to manage a semblence of reason. They were an un-living plague, aye." Draining his tankard down, "Dwarves, elves, humans, half-bloods, goblins...hell, everything. Every race was pushed back hard. Me?" He drinks, "Brings back
[20:24] <Kotono> memories. 'twas born in one of the first refugee camps, just outside of fallen Nepar. Ol' Lisabeth took care of me, since me mother didn't make it much past my birth. Hair just like that...'till she got drained. All fell out and turned dead grey." Looking up, "No more than 10 years old, and I freed her from the life of the Wretched." Raising his tankard up, "Here's to you, Lisabeth. Corelleon
[20:24] <Kotono> should've made more elves like you."
[20:26] * Afina lowers her gaze in a moment of respect for the fallen. "Were the Wretched ever finally defeated?"
[20:27] <Kotono> Crystal matches that gaze, "I'm sorry...did you help defeat them?"
[20:32] <Kotono> "Aye. Turns out someone had to do it, and after Ol' Lisabeth? Ten years old or not, someone had to get it done. Helped the surviving realms and armies unite and rally. A hundred year war, each league liberated coated in blood. I always rode the head of the battle, aye. Got damned good at killing 'em. Decapitation worked best by a silver blade. That or soaking them in gallons of holy water.
[20:32] <Kotono> Didn't much mind the cold or heat, or even acid or lightning. Funny thing, they always looked happy to die. They knew, aye, they knew." Gaze on the sky, "Never died is the thing. Commanders of the front lines were lucky if they made it a year before dying or needing to fall on their blade. I made it ten without dying or being terminally infected. Charmed life. 'ventually, we pushed them
[20:32] <Kotono> back to the tower...found out later it was Mas-Profen's. Fought my way in as the primary spearhead, only one to survive. Killed every single fucking Wretched there was in there, made it to the heart of the problem. Mas Profen was the first Wretched, told me everything. Couldn't stop himself. A stupid accident, fool was seeking eternal life and managed a spell no moral or god would ever
[20:33] <Kotono> cast. So I freed him and smashed the energies of the ritual. That finished things for good."
[20:36] <Afina> And he just looked like any old dwarf to her! Well, Afina certainly takes note of such a tale, "Lisabeth would have been smiling for you, I hope," she offers, not sure what actually would have happened to her soul. "Oh, we never introduced ourselves - I'm Afina, and this is Crystal. We're hoping one day we'll have as much success in pushing the plague of devilkind off of our world."
[20:37] <Kotono> "Hail, brave warrior," Crystal bows her head deeply.
[20:44] <Kotono> "Good fortune to ya. Call me Silver. It's what everyone calls me now. Take a wild guess why." Tapping his chest, a metallic ring echoing, "When it was finally over, the Gods sent servants to offer me a reward. One from the gods of each race. From Moradin I wished to be forged into a body that no Wretched could ever corrupt. Don't care if one never rises again, ain't want to even think about
[20:44] <Kotono> that fate. From Kurtulmak I asked for 'em to give all the races the secrets of Kobold minin'. Ain't enough dwarves left to mine for centuries, but those things spawn like rabbits. Corelleon? He was the last wish...kept reminding me of Ol' Lisabeth, and I was so tired. Asked for somewhere I could rest at. Ended up here." Finishing his tale and draining his tankard again - when did it get
[20:44] <Kotono> full again? "Sleep here a lot. It ain't the Grand Forges of Moradin, but it's...nice. It's somewhere I can sleep when I'm tired and pass the days in peace. Lets me remember. Ol' Lisabeth was only one of many. Someone should remember all of them." Going on from that, "'minds me a bit of the Wretched, devils, only crueller."
[20:45] <Afina> "That they are. It's because of devils that we're looking for Anna - we heard she was asking about Abigor when she was here. Did she talk to you about any of that, Silver?"
[20:51] <Kotono> "Oh yes, Anna, aye. Pretty thing. Reminded me of Ol' Lisabeth. Took me back. Didn't drink, though. Ol' Lisabeth sure could put them down, that I remember. Everyone did when they had a chance, even nasty camp beer. Made the nights a little easier to live with. If you got so drunk you didn't dream, you were a winner for the night. Looked like she could use a drink, too. Bet she has her own
[20:51] <Kotono> nightmares, eh? Seen her type too many times, remember too many of them. People who resent it all and let it completely consume 'em. Gotta balance it. Gotta cope better than that. Still, Anna. She was looking for something and information. Abigor sounds right, aye, but that wasn't all. Was lookin' for something lost. Something that didn't sound like a word when she said it."
[20:52] <Afina> "Do you know where she was looking, or where she planned to go after she was finished here?"
[20:55] <Kotono> "'fraid not. Got sleepy and she wanted to go. Wish she'd stayed..." Trailing off and draining his tankard again, "Can tell you a bit more about what she was looking for. I asked her what in the Hells she was talking about. She said that it could be called 21 in our words. Said it was her key, her goal. Said it could set things right. Revenge, I thought. Pretty sure she wanted revenge, aye."
[20:56] <Afina> "No doubt she suffered at devil hands," Afina can well understand that motivation. "But something that means 21? Do you have any idea, Crystal?"
[20:57] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20
[20:57] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 and gets 22." [1d20=2]
[20:58] <Kotono> "21 is a special number. 3 times 7. I'm not much of a student of numerology, I'm afraid. I know 7 is the number of the heavens, I forget what 3 is, but I remember it's important."
[21:01] <Afina> "I heard someone mention a rule of three once. It's an important number for all the planes. I'm not sure, we can ask the others?" Turning now to the dwarf and inclining her head respectfully, she floats higher afterwards. "Thank you for speaking with us, Silver. Is there anything you would have in return?"
[21:03] <Kotono> "Yeah." Hoisting his tankard, "Both of you drain this tankard in memory of Ol' Lisabeth and say a prayer for her," He says, "The celestials here say that prayers to the fallen warm the departed souls, no matter what their final fate."
[21:05] <Afina> A fair bargain, and so Afina accepts the taknard first, for all that it seems comically oversized to her, and tilts it up to her lips to begin steadily draining it dry...
[21:12] <Kotono> It tastes quite strong and bitter, the powerful liquid hitting her over and over as she works it. It seems far too long and her throat burns by the end, but Afina drains it.
[21:17] <Afina> Her throat bulges as she feels a strong urge to burp after imbibing a significant amount of her body mass, which she struggles to keep down before utterly failing and letting loose an almost titanic alcohol-scented belch that sees her tiny body double over before she can even think about a prayer.
[21:18] <Kotono> Crystal is there, helping Afina stay upright and lending her a shoulder. "Here's to you," Silver raises his hand in salute.
[21:20] <Afina> Raising a hand weakly in response, Afina composes herself and passes the tankard off to Silver, "Wherever you are, Lisabeth, know that you're loved and remembered," she lowers her head as seems appropriate for a prayer as she murmurs that. Then she lands on the ground and sits down to recover herself for a moment before she has to find a spot to relieve herself.
[21:23] <Kotono> Crystal looks down in the magically refilled tankard, before starting to drink! She raises it up and gulps, gulps and gulps some more! Somehow she keeps going, needing quite a bit of time to drain it all! Wheni t's done she drops the tankard and mimics Afina, burping tremendously! She staggers and falls over onto her side, "By the forest," she manages, as Silver salutes her as well.
[21:25] <Afina> Fluttering her wings to take off - which feels far harder than it should after drinking all that - Afina grabs Crystal's hand to help her up. "Thank you, again," she bids Silver before the pixie duo most depart on a new and far more urgent quest.
[21:26] <Kotono> Crystal manages to fly along with y ou, and as the two of you depart, "Afina?" Crystal asks quietly.
[21:27] <Afina> "Yes?"
[21:29] <Kotono> "What kind of drunk are you?" Crystal asks, with a nausated and entirely shaky smile. "I'm told I sing quite a lot."
[21:32] <Afina> "Affectionate," Afina gets out, that one word covering quite enough. "Not there yet, but gotta pee," she adds, looking around for any convenient and infrequently travelled bushes. Thankfully the alcohol hasn't really permeated, yet.
[21:33] <Kotono> There are indeed such bushes, Crystal fluttering off woozily, enough to let Afina do what must be done.
[21:38] <Afina> And the less said about it the better. The end result has Afina flying back out with a considerably lighter load, even if her flight is a bit erratic, trading in her eerie grace for a much more unsettling stop/start effect. Still, she has her faculties and her hatred for losing control, and so she does her best to stay herself despite the fogging of her mind. "Can we sit down for a bit?"
[21:38] <Afina> she asks plaintively, looking around for her best friend Crystal.
[21:39] <Kotono> Crystal has somehow gotten a little ahead, sitting on the ground. Her weapons lie besides her, as she smiles a bit. "Over here!" she calls, "Wow, tha twas strong!"
[21:43] <Afina> "Dwarves, huh? How's he drink so much?!" Afina agrees that it's entirely unfair and goes to land next to Crystal, leaning against her for support and closing her eyes so that the world stops spinning for a bit.
[21:44] <Kotono> Crystal stays next to her, "Silver body," she says sagely, before a moment of giggles comes to her. "I hope Jaela isn't mad we went and got drunk. Hope it's worth it...21, 21, 21. What did you want with that, Anna?"
[21:47] <Afina> Afina's green eyes open wide. "Ithea has a badger called 27! The green one with the sword for a tooth that talks in numbers!"
[21:48] <Kotono> "That thing? That's her pet?" Crystal's eyes meet Afina's, "Wait, 27 isn't 21, is it?" Pausing to count on her fingers, "It's six more than 21, and six is a bad number. Or wait, is that 8? Or wait, do you mean that it might understand it?"
[21:51] <Afina> "It talks in numbers!" Afina repeats. "Maybe 21 means something to it, like how Silver said it meant something different! Like, um... U! It means U!" she suddenly realises, recalling the code despite her impairment.
[21:52] <Kotono> "It means you...oh, U." Blinking at that, "So we should go and ask it that?"
[21:56] <Afina> "It's the best idea I've got," Afina's head lolls down then jerks up in an approximation of nodding. "But we have to wait for Jaela anyway... her mommy seemed nice. Don't you think so?"
[21:58] <Kotono> "Uh huh. I wonder if Jaela got her temper from her?" Crystal queries, managing another nod as well. Her smile comes far and easy, "It must be nice having an angel as a mommy. She can smite any evil that threatens you!"
[21:59] <Afina> "And they're so big!" Afina leans backwards and spreads her arms in an encompassing gesture.
[22:03] <Kotono> "So big!" Crystal agrees, eyes going wide, "She's like as six pixies! How come Afina gets a giant angel mommy, Afina? Don't we deserve one too?"
[22:06] <Afina> "Jaela has the giant angel mommy, not me!" Afina corrects with a giggle. "But yeah, when you see a biggun it's like being a baby all twice again!"
[22:08] <Kotono> "I know!" The giggles spread, Crystal lying back, "You know, this is a magic realm! Maybe if we look around we can find a giant angel mommy of our own? Queen Morwel is like a loving, mysterious older sister and mother already, so maybe we could?"
[22:10] <Afina> "But y'know what? Y'know what?" Afina asks, leaning towards Crystal and sputtering somewhat with giggles coming through her speech, "She can't be as big as Queen Titania!"
[22:11] <Kotono> "I bet so, but I know sometimes they're confused for each other," Going on with a sage nod and giggles coming again, "I bet they're like sisters. Big, cool older sisters!"
[22:17] <Afina> "That's just stupid, they're totally different," Afina sniffs, before graciously conceding, "But they can be friends if they want." With that said she leans back but not completely as Crystal does, propping herself up on her arms. "The Jarl's crazy big, too. How come there's no one smaller than us?"
[22:17] <Kotono> "Well, they need all that size to keep up with us?" Crystal opines, a half sleepy smile showing on her face, "So maybe that's it?" Meanwhile you can hear the sound of footsteps approaching.
[22:19] <Afina> "Be funny to try the other way about, though," Afina suggests thoughtfully, glancing over to see who's approaching.
[22:20] <Kotono> The woman that approaches is elven, clad in raiments the color of fallen leaves. Her hair is a vibrant orange, wings shimmering like autumn sunsets coming from her back. She slows a moment as she approachs, "Hello," she nods politely, subtly sniffing the air a moment later.
[22:22] <Afina> "Hello!" Afina greets the nice woman with a wide smile. At that sniff she self consciously blushes, "We drank to the memory of a fallen heroine. Dwarf-sized drinks are *big*!"
[22:23] <Kotono> "Huge!" Crystal echos, "Big as us!"
[22:24] <Kotono> "Ah, Silver, Silver, Silver," She sighs, rubbing her temple with her hand. She kneels down and offers her hands out, palms down. "Step onto my hands, I'll take you somewhere nicer, better than just lying on the floor."
[22:26] <Afina> "Oh, we're embarrassing ourselves, aren't we? I'm *so* sorry!" Afina gushes shamefacedly as she gets up and shifts forward to kneel on the woman's palm, bracing her hands against her forearm. "My name's Afina!"
[22:28] <Kotono> Crystal follows, blushing, "Crystal," she adds, "It just seemed like a good idea at the time!"
[22:29] <Kotono> "No shame in it, it isn't your fault," Somehow her hand is big enough to stand on, lifting you up and putting you on her shoulders. They're perfect as chairs, the woman somehow big enough to support the pair of pixies. She starts walking, "Oh, are the two of you the pair that came with Hanna's daughter?"
[22:30] <Afina> "We had an obligation!" Afina adds, and those are things a fey simply cannot ignore. "Yes, Jaela! You know Jaela? She's our friend, we fight together a lot," she explains importantly, making herself comfortable and sighing happily at her nice new perch.
[22:32] <Kotono> Crystal rests her head against the woman's head, sighing exactly at the same time as Afina. "She's a good warrior and she's got to be happy to have found her giant angel mommy."
[22:33] <Kotono> "Oh, I heard. It's a lovely story! Her long lost daughter, coming back to visit her! Even making time in the middle of a holy crusade! It's heartwarming," The elf angel laughs, a sound like bells in the wind.
[22:35] <Afina> "Aurora's really slow," Afina is forced to admit. "I don't think she expected it, though, or she never said! We were coming to look for allies, but who's more allyianing than your mommy?"
[22:36] <Kotono> "Yeah," Crystal nods agreement again, "It's nice to have a mommy like that, isn't it? I know she'll help Jaela a whole lot."
[22:37] <Kotono> As you travel the gentle rythym of steps soothes and lulls you, like a rocking chair. "It is," The angel agrees, her voice turning soft and lulling. "Why don't the two ofyou rest and tell me about your mothers. Just relax and tell me your memories."
[22:43] <Afina> Afina's expression turns wistful as she brings up memories she'd tried not to for the entire conversation centred on maternal figures. "She taught me to dance... I wanted to show her a dance different than any other, an' I did... Queen liked it, too. I remember her face when I was summoned to Court... then when little Afina became a murderer. I remember her face..." She blinks her own big
[22:43] <Afina> emerald eyes against the mistiness spurred by that rarely considered memory.
[22:46] <Kotono> The angel's voice is soft and soothing, speaking with a gentleness like how a mother talks to a baby. "How did she take it?" she asks.
[22:50] <Afina> Telling a stranger things she hasn't spoken of in centuries comes easily, moreso than just alcohol would allow. "She cried. Only wanted little Afina to make people smile, not make 'em dead. Said she should've never taught a single two-step if she'd known. Mm'a bad daughter..."
[22:52] <Kotono> "It's alright," The voice murmurs, "It's never too late to make her proud of you again. A mother will always forgive you, if you are heartfelt and honest."
[22:54] <Afina> "Can't," Afina shakes her head, resigned yet steadfast. "Too many devils. Have'ta kill 'em all."

[Corwin]

#s, Afina

[20:09] <Kotono> "I can kill them," Crystal speaks up, "Gonna kill 'em all. It's not bad when a knight does it."
[20:09] <Kotono> "Shh," The angel's voice lulls Afina again, "There's always tomorrow. Don't worry about it - just rest."
[20:11] <Afina> That does sound nice enough, she seems trustworthy as well as comfortable. With all that heavy alcohol in her a crash was inevitable anyway, so Afina spares no more effort towards staving it off. Leaning her head over the autumn-haired elf's hair, she closes her eyes and lets herself drift away into slumber...
[20:16] <Kotono> Deep sleep. The only thing it gives way to is to warmth. Mmmm. A fog of awakening, parting. Warm. Afina is very warm, like being tucked in ona cold winter's night. She can dimly feel blankets over her, smell the scents of something sweet. Honey? Yes, it smells like honey.
[20:19] <Afina> Real honey? After so long on the false substitute offered by Aurora it's a tantalising smell, that lures the fairy awake despite suffering from a crushing hangover. She shouldn't have drank that, she knows. But Silver helped them and she had no choice but to reciprocate on anything he asked... It's done, though, and nothing disastrous happened it seems like. Hopefully waking up and seeing
[20:19] <Afina> her surroundings won't change that view.
[20:20] <Kotono> No hangover at all. No headache, no thirst, no pain. She lies on a pixie sized bed, tucked in under a warm quilt up to her chin. Sleeping next to her is Crystal. You are in a delicately small room, sized just right. The walls look to be natural wood, a knotty hole in the wall just the right size to allow Afina out. Beyond that, the room is decorated with flowered vines.
[20:21] <Afina> Are her clothes and sword present?
[20:22] <Kotono> Afina is wearing a simple pink nightgown of cloth. Her clothes and sword are neatly lying on the floor near the bed. On the other side of the bed you can see Crystal's equipment.
[20:26] <Afina> Deciding to let Crystal enjoy her sleep a bit longer, she soundlessly gets up and changes back into her usual attire, affixing the sword across her back below her wings as is normal. Someone obviously changed them out of their clothes into these nightgowns, which produces a momentary spate of pique inside, but she pushes it back - there are more important things than vanity right now. Once
[20:26] <Afina> fully attired, she flutters through the hole to see if she can find their host.
[20:28] <Kotono> The hole leads into a kitchen. One that is outdoors, the walls interlocked trees. A large fire with a grill over it dominates, stone slabs that look to be counters. A few vine and wood breadboxes can be seen as well. There is a table, where the angel fromlast night sits. Around her bees fly, despoting what looks like drops of honey into a bowl she holds in one hand.
[20:32] <Afina> "Hello, again," Afina greets the elven angel, fluttering over. "I'm sorry, we must have caused you trouble, and you've shown us your hospitality. I'm at your service," it's a polite enough speech, and entirely sincere, for all that it's a far cry from the gregariousness she showed last night up until the talk turned to a subject painful for her.
[20:36] <Kotono> The bowl is half full of honey, the smell beautifully sweet. "Oh, I see," With a wise smile, "Are you at my service to enjoy breakfast? The bees are bringing it over for you two."
[20:39] <Afina> "I doubt Crystal will sleep much longer," Afina opines. A knight should be used to early rising, to say nothing of what the traumas since Lifasa would do to one's sleep patterns. Sitting down facing the other woman, she's certain she never gave her name last night, still she phrases it otherwise, "I'm sorry, I can't recall your name from last night..."
[20:44] <Kotono> "Bansa of the Found Children," she introduces herself, gently pushing the bowl of honey towards Afina.
[20:50] <Afina> Leaning forward to take the bowl the rest of the way, Afina scoops up some honey on her fingers before daintily licking at them, a contented smile manifesting on her face at the simple pleasure of some real genuine honey. "Thank you, Bansa," she smiles, content to accept the role of guest here. She seems nice, anyway, that opinion hasn't changed since she sobered up. "Who are the Found
[20:50] <Afina> Children?" she then asks, guessing it's a faction within the Court.
[20:52] <Kotono> "Scant decades ago, a host of eladrin children were held captive in Androlynne of the Abyss, to be the hunting sport of the demoness Pale Night. Our souls were trapped, our numbers dwindling...until a group of great heroes known as the Crimson Guard shattered the forces of Androlynne and freed our souls to return to our true homes here. For so long we were lost, but now we are at last
[20:52] <Kotono> found."
[21:01] * Afina wonders if the sylvan children of Lifasa are suffering similarly in Hell given the fiendish obsession with fey souls for their unfathomable plans. But that doesn't diminish her empathy for a fellow sufferer at the hands of the outer realms... even one who dwells there herself. "You must have lost much in your time there, Bansa, whether friends or innocence. I am sorry for you - the
[21:01] * Afina Crimson Guard sounds a worthy group."
[21:05] <Kotono> "They are. The members that saved me moved on to greater glories - goddess and a watcher of death, now." Bansa watches Afina eat with a content smile, "They're a powerful force for good...mmm, when I finish growing up, I may see if I can join them in that Prime world of theirs."
[21:09] <Afina> "You seem mature enough to me," Afina points out as she looks over her bowl of honey at Bansa. "Though you seem a figure of serenity rather than war... perhaps it is but a reflection of your surroundings?"
[21:14] <Kotono> "I've not grown up yet." Bansa replies, as meanwhile you can see Crystal emerge. She flies over, "Morning," she greets.
[21:16] <Afina> "Good morning," Afina nods towards Crystal, licking the last of the honey off her fingers and passing the bowl over to the fey knight. "Bansa was just telling me about the Crimson Guard. They sound like mighty warriors."
[21:18] <Kotono> Crystal tucks into the bowl with a restrained eagerness, "The Crimson Guard?" Looking up and licking her lips clean, Crystal replies. "I've heard of them, the Heroes of Androlynne. They defied Pale Night and freed the eladrin children after eons of captivity.
[21:18] <Kotono> "
[21:21] * Afina cocks her head in restrained amusement at having just heard the exact same tale. "They might be worth seeking to see if they'll join the Crusade, then?"
[21:42] <Kotono> "Worth a try," Crystal agrees, "All the help we can get."
[21:43] <Afina> "Speaking of, I hope we haven't let Jaela down... how long were we asleep, Bansa?"
[21:48] <Kotono> "A full night and half the day," Bansa replies with a hint of a smile, "I sent a messenger to let your friend know. Even with recovery magic, you needed to sleep of the absurd amount you drank. You really drained Silver's mug dry? You'd be dead if this wasn't one of the Heavens."
[21:52] <Afina> That makes Afina pale, imagining her end in such a pointless manner while so many of her kindred suffered and died under baatezu claws. "I had no idea it was so strong, it seemed like weak ale until I started!"
[21:53] <Kotono> "The ale is strong enough to make someone with a body of mithral drunk," Replying deadpan, letting that sink in a few moments, "Silver knew you'd survive, but you'd have the mother of all hangovers for a week or three."
[21:54] * Afina winces. "I let my guard down. I shouldn't have offered a bargain so carelessly..."
[22:20] <Kotono> "We do need to watch our word," Crystal adds, "I'm not sure he even expected one."
[22:20] <Afina> "His story touched me, it just felt right," Afina admits, shaking her head. "I'll watch my words in future, as you say."
[22:25] <Kotono> "It's all true," Basna speaks up, "He's spent millenia sitting and drinking, and sleeping dreamless sleeps."
[22:27] <Afina> "Yes," Afina agrees readily, "His past holds power, and demanded from me some form of recompense. I must resist such urges when they next arise." Speaking of rising, she gets up now, "But Jaela must be impatient in waiting for us, we should return to Aurora."
[22:42] <Kotono> "Go ahead," Your host says, "Your'e free to leave when you're ready."
[22:43] <Afina> "Do you know where we'll find her?" Afina asks hopefully, given they wandered randomly for a while and then were KO'd for a day... wandering randomly might work, but better to ask.
[22:46] <Kotono> "You'll find her," Gesturing ahead, "Trust that things will work out for the best."
[22:49] <Afina> That's fair. "Thank you again for troubling yourself with us, Bansa. If you ever cross Aurora on your travels we'll gladly return your hospitality," Afina offers, giving her a wave before she flutters off into the trees.

[Corwin]

#ed, Jaela

[20:08] <Kotono> "It's why you can't shed any tears when you kill a fiend," Hanna speaks quieter and stops, "But don't you dare get into torture. Often you have no choice but to kill a fiend for the sake of others. Torture darkens the soul, Jaela, and it's unreliable as well. If you absolutely must have answers, find a well trained mage."
[20:09] <Jaela> "I know that! But knowing's one thing, and feeling's another. You know? And-- wait, how does a mage help here?"
[20:14] <Kotono> "The right spells can compel truthful statements," Hanna says, "There is a fifth circle spell that excels at this."
[20:17] <Jaela> "Oh, that? I know a truth spell...." Jaela trails off, staring at her mother in confusion. It is only after she goes over what she had said that she realizes the problem. "I think you got me wrong. I didn't say I'd do it for information. I meant that I want them to suffer instead of having a quick death. Just that." She shuffles uncomfortably again. "I know it's wrong, but what if I can't stop myself some day? I can't let go, though...."
[20:19] <Kotono> "Oh." There's a pause there, "You're right, I misunderstood." The pause resumes and becomes heavy, pregnant and then downright gives birth to triplets. Finally she broaches it, "Jaela, you hate them. They make you angry, don't they?"
[20:20] <Jaela> Not just devils, but that's true enough and she nods. "I want to pay them back. I want them to feel what we all felt. But that will mean doing the same things they did to us, too. It's a mess."
[20:26] <Kotono> "It's alright to stop them, to understand why you have to kill them," Hanna says, "Lady Gwynharwyf teaches us about righteous fury. But vengence is a dark road that achieves nothing but the blackening of your soul." Coming to put both hands on Jaela's shoulders, facing her, "It was wrong what they did. Does another wrong on them make up for the first wrong? No. You have to master your anger
[20:26] <Kotono> and use it as a weapon, not as a means to cause meaningless suffering."
[20:28] <Jaela> "Yeah, well." She shrugs, not not so hard as to dislodge her mother's hands. "I've been telling myself the same thing, just with different words. I mean, I told you I get it. But still. I can't help it. Can't I do something about it without going off like some berserker just to blow off steam?"
[20:35] <Kotono> "You can," Hanna says solemnly, reaching out to tap her daughter's sternum with a finger. "One of the great differences between good and evil is limitations. We accept there are limitations and things that must not be done. Evil feels no such restraints. As much as we learn might and power, we must learn that restraint. We learn to master ourselves as much as we master our blade." After that
[20:35] <Kotono> she pauses, looking Jaela into the eyes, "We turn that rage into a controlled weapon. A righteous fury is used to oppose evil and rejects the berserker fury you worry of. You can't rid yourself of your anger easily, but you can control it and use it."
[20:36] <Jaela> "You know how to do that sorta thing?"
[20:37] <Kotono> "I am a champion of Lady Gwynharwyf. I can safely say that you got your temper from me," With a warm smile, "It's not easy and takes great strides into self control to manage. I thought I'd never be anything but an angel of vengence when I was first created. In time, I've mastered my anger and grown greatly."
[20:38] <Jaela> "Huh. You know something?" Jaela grins at her mother. "Just blaming you for everything actually works for me."
[20:42] <Kotono> "Me?" With a slightly cross look that melts into a smile, "Oh Jaela. You remind me of myself, long ago."
[20:44] * Jaela laughs. "Oh geez, I hope not. Anyway, it's something I should have, right? You were made with it, and I was born with it? So it's not some weird foreign emotion taking me over but just a part of me. If it's like that, then the devils didn't get to tme. If I think about it like that, I don't have to worry as much."
[20:49] <Kotono> "Of course. Something that you feelis naturally a part of you," Hanna blink-blinks, "Aaah."
[20:50] <Jaela> "Yeah, yeah!" Jaela nods emphatically, before grabbing onto her left wing. "I got this stuff all of a sudden, when 'my blood awakened' or some stupid shit like that, so it'd make sense I'd get a few things you couldn't see as well!"
[20:53] <Kotono> Laughing a little, "Good. Now come along - somehow I think the Lady Gwynharwyf is expecting us, now."
[20:55] <Jaela> "Yeah, you'd know." Jaela falls into step with her mother, before suddenly scrunching up her forehead. "And hey, pregnant? Did that happen with an older sister or something? That's so weird, I never really worried before since I always thought we had control over that sorta thing. Don't we?"
[20:59] <Kotono> A chuckle follows, "Yes. A 15 year old daughter got pregnant from her first boyfriend and somehow managed to get her way here, 8 months pregnant and panicking over the child. Your sister was...rather..." She drawls here, "Courre-like."
[20:59] * Jaela snorts. "I bet that was fun."
[21:13] <Kotono> "If I were mortal, I would have had grey hairs by the end of it," Hanna smiles asyou are lead along. Coming ahead there is another courtyard. Here the clang of metal on metal sounds. Dozens of angels, celestials and elves are in battle, against one figure! A whirl of wind and flesh, the body of a woman and at the same time a raging tornado. Her hair is white and long, flowing freely and
[21:13] <Kotono> wildly in her own winds. She wears a simple black bikini, a scimitar in each hand as she pounces about the battlefield! Ten on one, twenty on one, thirty on one. None seems to slow her at all, not a single blow landing as dozens of challengers are laid low at once.
[21:13] <Kotono> OOC: Make a wills ave?
[21:14] <Jaela> roll 1d20+29 saving vs bikini?
[21:14] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+29 saving vs bikini? and gets 49." [1d20=20]
[21:16] <Kotono> The figure's presence overwhelms you. The sense of her being leaves your senses reeling. Before you is War and Fury. Before you is something that is both an endless tornado that cleaves evil and a woman berserker, who dances and delivers death like nothing you have seen before. To merely look at her makes Jaela's mind shudder at the perfect immensity of what the woman is and what she
[21:16] <Kotono> represents. Despite this awe, despite this potency, she somehow keeps her wits about herself and can stop herself from staring.
[21:17] <Jaela> Standing respectfully amongst the audience, Jaela sneaks a peak at her mother. Since she is Gwynharwyf's champion, she would know the proper way to behave. Jaela just needs to copy that.
[21:19] <Kotono> Hanna watches, eyes taking in every aspect of the battle.
[21:20] <Jaela> "Is landing a hit impossible?" Jaela wonders quietly, returning her own eye on the essence of Fury and War given form. "Or has it been done before by someone like me?"
[21:38] <Kotono> "It takes the greatest skill to land a blow," Hanna whispers, "Lady Gwynharwyf has battled Demogorgon before. We mere angels are but candles in the wind before her. I know, I've tried."
[21:40] <Jaela> Skill, luck or a cheap shot. Maybe all three. Jaela wonders whether she'd be asked to demonstrate those qualities just a short time after.
[21:46] <Kotono> Soon enough the battle has ended. Allt he challengers lie defeated, while the Lady Gwynharwyf is unwounded. Her attention comes to Hanna and her daughter, a smile coming, "Welcome, Jaela," she greets.
[21:48] <Jaela> "Thank you, Lady Gwynharwyf," Jaela returns, summoning her spear long enough to salute her respectfully with it. "It is an honor to meet you." She can't help but sneak another glance at her mother to see how she's doing so far, and whether she needs to adjust herself even more.
[21:50] <Kotono> Hanna is polite and reserve, returning the Lady's look with calm respect.
[21:50] <Kotono> "I can feel your anger," Lady Gwynharwyf responds, "Yes, you are Hanna's daughter, without any doubt."
[21:52] <Jaela> Confident that she is on the right track, Jaela can't help but grin at what must be praise.
[22:14] <Kotono> "Would you like to see if youc an land a blow?" Lady Gwynharwyf asks, "You're welcome to try."
[22:18] * Jaela rubs her neck in embarrassment. That means she was overheard, does it? She summons her armor and Val'Finnegan, not bothering to ask silly things such as whether it's okay. With Gwynharwyf herself offering, does she really need to force her to repeat herself? "Only if we hit each other, Lady Gwynharwyf," she responds. "It won't feel right otherwise."
[22:21] <Kotono> "Come and give me your best attack," Lady Gwynharwyf beckons, as your mother quicklys teps back.
[22:23] <Jaela> Oh crap. Why is there a need to run away? Is she going to hit with an area attack? Fuck, is her sword like an area attack? Furiously chasing those thoughts out of her head, Jaela does indeed go first by slipping into what is swiftly becoming her preferred combat stance and beckons Gwynharwyf to attack.
[22:23] <Jaela> OOC: True strike, gambit, divine might, haste, protection devotion
[22:27] <Kotono> Like a blur, Lady Gwynharwyf is on Jaela too fast to even fully know she's there, swords striking!
[22:28] <Kotono> roll 1d20+65 (-20 PA, +4 robliar's) go ahead and take your AoO while I roll damage, assumign she doesn't one. Yes, fighting a power isn't remotely fair.
[22:28] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+65 (-20 PA, +4 robliar's) go ahead and take your AoO while I roll damage, assumign she doesn't one. Yes, fighting a power isn't remotely fair. and gets 75." [1d20=10]
[22:28] <Jaela> roll 1d20+50 I expected as much
[22:28] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+50 I expected as much and gets 66." [1d20=16]
[22:29] <Kotono> roll 1d6+40+10d6+10d6 and will.
[22:29] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6+40+10d6+10d6 and will. and gets 102." [1d6=2][10d6=5, 3, 1, 5, 2, 3, 2, 4, 2, 1][10d6=6, 5, 2, 5, 2, 1, 4, 3, 1, 3]
[22:30] <Kotono> OOC: Also damage, you did actually land a hit.
[22:30] <Jaela> roll 1d8+32 glee~
[22:30] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d8+32 glee~ and gets 40." [1d8=8]
[22:30] <Jaela> roll 1d20+29 will
[22:30] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+29 will and gets 44." [1d20=15]
[22:31] <Kotono> roll 1d20+65 (-20 PA, +4 robliar's) attack 2
[22:31] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+65 (-20 PA, +4 robliar's) attack 2 and gets 76." [1d20=11]
[22:31] <Kotono> OOC: AoO again.
[22:33] <Jaela> roll 1d20
[22:33] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20 and gets 5." [1d20=5]
[22:33] <Jaela> roll 1d4+5
[22:33] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d4+5 and gets 6." [1d4=1]
[22:37] <Kotono> Thus do the two meet int he middle of the field, sword against sword! Abruptly Jaela finds her chest split apart, her arm severed, her legs cut in half like split sausages! Despite this there is no pain...and Lady Gwynharwyf has a single droplet of blood trickling down her cheek, where Jaela's lance grazed her. The eladrin princess smiles with a solemn look, taking the droplet of blood with
[22:37] <Kotono> a single finger. Approaching the greviously wounded Jaela, she presses her finger to Jaela's mouth.
[22:39] <Jaela> If she is not dead, then she can still act. If she can do that, then Jaela prays to Angharradh, calling upon the divine power of healing granted to her.
[22:42] <Kotono> To this Jaela's wounds heal, the pain vanishing way.
[22:43] * Jaela remains lying on the ground and staring up at Gwynharwyf in confusion. Is she a vampire? That makes no sense whatsoever.
[22:44] <Kotono> The finger is withdrawn, the blood not even leaving a stain on her lips. Instead she offers her other hand, as if to help Jaela up.
[22:46] <Jaela> Her armor and spear banished once more, Jaela accepts that hand, looking confused. "You're not a vampire, so what's with the blood?" she simply has to ask.
[22:47] <Kotono> "Lady Gwynharwyf's blood is that of a paragon of chaos and goodness," Mother approaches, bowing deeply to Lady Gwynharwyf, "She only grants it to those who please her - it bestows a blessing from that power."
[22:48] <Kotono> Gwyharwyf nods, utterly solemn now, "A prize won fairly. Few manage to wound me, even with time to prepare."
[22:50] <Jaela> "My style is about counters," Jaela feels the need to elaborate. "So I can use a spell during the very duel itself, even with zero prep time. But it's not like I thought I'd beat you or hold up to a storm of blades or anything."
[22:51] <Kotono> "I know." A slight smile, "Your friends will be indiposed for a time, a messenger is coming to tell you that as we speak. But worry not about that - you deserve a celebration for your martial skill."

[Corwin]

#d, Jaela and Afina

[20:02] <Kotono> A night passes in festivity for Jaela. When it's all said and done she goes to clean herself and prepare for the next day. As her mother leads her along towards where Lady Gwynharwyf is surely awaiting her, from a side hallway come Crystal and Afina...
[20:03] <Jaela> "Heard you guys got indisposed or some shit," Jaela greets them quietly, after a welcoming wave. "What's wrong, someone gave you gals grief?"
[20:05] <Afina> "I placed us under a foolish obligation and we had to drink a dwarf's tankard of spirits," Afina replies embarrassedly. "We've spent most of the time since then unconscious."
[20:06] <Jaela> "Oh. Huh." Jaela blinks. "Doesn't sound too bad. I had to celebrate through the night because I impressed Lady Gwynharwyf. Wish you could've been there, shit was grand." Lowering her voice further, she adds, "Used a restoration after to feel all perky. Need one too?"
[20:07] <Kotono> Crystal shakes her head, "We're fine."
[20:07] * Afina shakes her head. "We're fully rested now. Not even a hangover. Have you had any luck with recruitment?"
[20:08] <Jaela> "She was adamant about waiting after the party, but I think I like our chances?"
[20:09] <Afina> "Good. We thought we had a lead on someone who was here before and trying to investigate Abigor, but she's long gone. Apparently in search of some... thing, no one can say it properly but it also means 21? We had an idea of asking 27," Afina explains what little progress they had before getting smashed.
[20:10] * Jaela snorts. "Maybe it's his archnemesis. Sure why not."
[20:16] <Kotono> On you walk. In good time you come to a hall. A hall with weapons and armor on display - hideous things. Blackened blades, spiked armors, writhing gauntlets, red-eyed shields. Each one is broken, shattered into pieces. Waiting amid this is Lady Gwynharwyf, Hanna speaking low, "This is the Hall of Victories. Captured weapons beyodn redemption are destroyed and displayed here."
[20:17] <Jaela> "Beyond redemption? Harsh." As she takes these twisted treasures in, Jaela can't help but wonder if the Abyss or one of the Hells have a place like this as well.
[20:18] <Afina> "Whoever crafted them had no sense of aesthetics," Afina gives her own weaponsmith's opinion, looking this way and that as she goes. Of course her current creation is little better, but working metal around an antler is hard to make for clean lines.
[20:25] <Kotono> As you approach, Lady Gwynharwyf turns. She greets you with a solemn moment of quiet introspection, before, "Here lies the remnants of thousands of prideful fiends and mortals hardly different from them. To adding more to them," she says, as if a vow. Her sense of presence is heavy, but more restrained than it was when Jaela met her at first. It's still hard to look at anything but her, every
[20:25] <Kotono> word capturing your attention.
[20:25] <Kotono> "M'lady," Crystal takes to the ground and kneels a moment, fist over her heart, "Thank you...for everything."
[20:27] <Afina> Deciding to show respect herself, even if ignorant of who exactly she's showing it to, Afina echoes Crystal's kneel from just behind her.
[20:28] <Jaela> This worked for her the previous day, and Jaela salutes her respectfully with her spear. "To adding more to them, Lady Gwynharwyf," she repeats after her. It sounds like a good vow to make.
[20:31] <Kotono> Hanna steps back at this, not quite excusing herself, but hanging back. "Rise," She commands, "Medicant has returned." Her voice is long, "You plan to use it how Medi desired it to be used, and to avenge the horrors of Lifasa. Rise. We are friends."
[20:32] <Jaela> "Not just avenge those, My Lady," Jaela voices in response. "We'll use the Aurora to free it! To take it back!"
[20:34] <Afina> Straightening up and then fluttering into the air, Afina speaks up, "Lifasa will be free again, and the devils will learn regret. But that day is still many seasons away, for our numbers remain small compared to the horde which toppled our home in a single day."
[20:34] <Kotono> "Our world will shine again. Aurora is both its vengence and the ark that will bring life back to it." Crystal adds.
[20:41] <Kotono> "Good words!" With that and growing energy, like a lithe hunting cat stirring from sleep, "Word of your Crusade has been spreading - I've heard of you from several now. The Princess of the Winds only had good things to say of you, and the Speakers of Branca sung of your coming."
[20:44] <Afina> "Aurora is a beacon, a symbol of defiance that will blaze across the planes," Afina asserts, pleased at the recognition. "With hope and resolve, we hope to attract many more to our banner than just those affected by Lifasa's fall. In a sense we fight for all who've ever suffered baatezu oppression, and perhaps the Crusade will continue even after our home is restored. That is why we thought to
[20:44] <Afina> find support here, at the farthest place in the planes from Hell."
[20:45] <Jaela> "As I told my friends," Jaela adds to that, "this Court is the closest thing we could possibly have to natural allies. We came here hoping that you would recognize that very thing and join us on our Crusade."
[20:53] <Kotono> "Agreed. We have been preparing our own response to the nightmare of Lifasa," A nod follows from that, "Those soldiers are yours, but there is another thing I must know first."
[20:54] <Jaela> "What is it?"
[20:58] <Kotono> "Why do you hold Val'Finnegan?" She looks towards Jaela's lance, "Had the Triune recovered it, or had Moonbow?"
[20:59] <Jaela> "We received it in return for partnering up with Baleruk," Jaela responds, not seeing a need to lie. "Is there a problem with that weapon? I know some of the legend, but a lot still remains hidden from me, even though I wield it."
[21:02] <Kotono> "Baleruk?" A much more guarded look passes over Gwynharwyf's face, "Baleruk is the slaad lord Renbuu's latest 'masterpiece' in the making. I see why you have it now."
[21:04] <Jaela> "A masterpiece of a slaad lord?" Jaela wonders. "We know that Bahamut doesn't approve, but considering he hopped into bed with Tiamat over it, his concerns hardly have the weight they might've otherwise. Is there more to it than a spat between dragons?"
[21:05] <Afina> "We are mostly concerned with the fact that he should be a powerful ally that Bel will have difficulty countering," Afina speaks up. "In return for our aid in achieving his potential he will devote himself to our Crusade."
[21:06] <Kotono> "Renbuu is the Lord of Color, he paints all he sees as his own art. Doubtless the concept of such a colorful dragon is a new form of art to him." Tot his the Lady considers, "Bahamut will consider you an enemy if you break the ancient pact forbidding the prismatic dragons to return. I have heard that you have futher caused trouble in Celestia. Is your Crusade to become a war of Law and Chaos
[21:06] <Kotono> opposed, as well as Good and Evil?"
[21:08] <Jaela> "It's not like we want it to!" Jaela exclaims. "All we want is to fight devils! We just want to stop them! But there are some who just think they know better, and won't reconsider when some dumb law's stopping them from doing the right thing or showing a bit of mercy! What are we supposed to do? Fill out forms in triplicate before making any move with the Crusade?"
[21:09] <Kotono> "I don't know about law and chaos," Crystal speaks up, "All I know is that I want to stop the devils and save Lifasa. If law gets in the way...what can we do but go on? We are Lifasa's last, best hope."
[21:10] <Afina> Speaking up with more moderation, "Our enemy is Hell, any who fight it are welcome with us. Even those we would never have dealt with on Lifasa. In this case we consider a prismatic dragon's aid to be worth the censure of Bahamut - Tiamat dwells in Hell herself, so her opinion does not come into it, and dealing with her renders Bahamut's opinion even less relevant."
[21:11] <Jaela> "We definitely won't team up with the Abyss just to get at the devils," Jaela vows. "We won't sink to that level of forgetting everything at the cost of destroying them. Law and Chaos? Those who claim to be all about Law are the ones making this distinction to stop us! We remember just what the Crusade's about, alright!"
[21:17] <Kotono> Gwynharwyf features you with a long look - yet as she does, a warm, spring-like breeze blows. From that breeze she emerges - an elven woman of ear-searing, brain melting beauty. She walks lightly, wearing a dress made of all the shimmering stars of the sky above. It reaches the floor, trailing behind her in sparkles. Her hair is a soft, light brown as she approaches Gwynharwyf, placing but a
[21:17] <Kotono> single hand on the Whirling Fury's shoulder. At this Lady Gwynharwyf is silent, still. The other speaks, oh that voice! You find yourselfs unable to look away, pinned by a sudden, heart-enthralling presence. "An army you come seeking, an army you shall have. Understand that your choices are important ones, and they have taken you down this path. Baleruk's ascension will further be a victory of
[21:18] <Kotono> Chaos over the dictum of Law. Should you choose to help him, Baleruk will be your responsibility, for weal or woe."
[21:19] <Kotono> Immediately Hanna kneels, casting her eyes down. Crystal soon follows, "Yes, m'lady," she breathes, voice just audible.
[21:20] <Jaela> The part of Jaela that can still think curses Annalise for making her notice all these beautiful women around her. She never used to do it before meeting her! Kneeling seems to be the right thing to do, and Jaela lowers her head to further show her respect, but she keeps her eyes on the lady of the realm.
[21:22] <Afina> Recognising this figure as one of standing to rival the monarch of any seasonal court, or perhaps even the Seelie or Unseelie themselves, Afina kneels as is only proper. But she speaks after a moment, considering it appropriate. "If Law means the stagnation of the outer realms which gives Hell free reign to conquer worlds such as Lifasa, then sowing some Chaos in our wake feels like our due."
[21:24] <Jaela> "And as for me," Jaela feels obligated to state, "it will not be the first responsibility I assume while on this Crusade." She's blushing. Why is she blushing? Mortified to the core and unable to look away, Jaela vows, "If he crosses the line, I will make sure to stop Baleruk without fail, My Lady!"
[21:24] <Kotono> "'tis your choice to be freely made, the burden of this responsibility yours." The Lady speaks, and in a soft voice, as if in prayer, "For the people of Lifasa." Then she is gone - everything around you somehow seems darker, dimmer, less magnificent.
[21:26] * Afina keeps looking down. Occassionally Queen Ilsenine had a talent for evoking such feelings in Afina, a few kindnesses dropped amidst her royal aloofness. But right now is on an entirely different level, and quite uncomfortable! And then she's gone, and Afina emits a heartbroken little sigh before she gathers her tattered dignity back together and tries to compose herself...
[21:27] <Jaela> She is still flushing, though now it is mostly with self-directed anger. "It seems... our request was heard and approved," she forces herself to continue as naturally as possible. "Can you please tell me more about the potential of this holy spear, Lady Gwynharwyf?" With the conflict dealt with, she decides to raise the question anew, if only as a way to move past the discomfort.
[21:30] <Kotono> With a grin spreading on her face, "Queen Morwel has made her will known. She's always been good at doing that." AFter that, and another look at it, "Val'Finnegan is a spear of potential. It resonates with the holder, growing stronger with them. As the moon is full, it magnifies the light of the sun and grows more magnificent. Further, it can steal the potential, the essence, of another and seal
[21:30] <Kotono> it within itself. As the moon grows empty and new, does darkness overshadow. The strongest wielders can learn to command Val'Finnegan and take this essence. From your resonation with it, you have not reached that point yet."
[21:30] <Kotono> Crystal finally rises, red faced to the core. Yet her eyes are distant and full of wonder, "Oh Afina..." she breathes.
[21:33] <Afina> "That's a Queen," Afina offers in response, knowing she won't escape that vision for a long time.
[21:34] <Jaela> Yes, yes. She's still too weak. But not for long if she keeps this up! Invigorated by this goal she has just gained for herself, Jaela bows in gratitude. "My thanks, Lady Gwynharwyf." There was one last matter she had always intended to bring up. In fact, it is the main reason for this visit, after all. "Troops aside, may I ask for capable officers? I feel we lack enough of those; squad leaders and those of similar rank. Those, as well as capable mages, crafters, artificers, healers... the list is long and impossible to fill out, without doubt, but if we could have even some of those for our Crusade as well...."
[21:35] <Kotono> "Hanna," Looking to the angel, "Gather up a squad of those and leave for Aurora once its done." Gwynharwyf commands, getting a startled eeep from the angel.
[21:36] <Jaela> That startled eep quickly becomes a treasured memory for Jaela.
[21:37] <Kotono> "But what about-" she begins, but stops after those three words. "...I suppose they isn't any point fighting a plot twist," she opines aloud, which brings a smirk to Gwynharwyf's face. "It will be as you say," she says, "Give me a few hours and I'll have them prepared. I already have a several in mind."
[21:38] <Afina> "It seems fitting for family to stand together," Afina smiles at the mother and daughter duo.
[21:39] * Jaela would bet an elf painter will somehow find its way on the list, but it would probably need to be someone capable to catch her mother's eye. And even if he weren't, she would hardly stand in her way.
[21:49] <Kotono> Soon enough the group returns to Aurora. There you find them waiting. A squad of pixie-like courre with bow and arrows, a group of autumn-haired firre elves leading several groups of elven warriors. They are proceeding through the gates...