206.1 Winter Days, Alicia

[Corwin]

[20:14] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> ---
[20:19] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Home! A few days of rest feel divine. At last Alicia is free of sand - no sand in her hair, no sand in her boots, no sand drying her skin out. Further, no more devils are there to try and kill her. These few days pass in a strangely etherial, pleasant way. The simple routines feel good again after the constant clash of raw purity and horrifying, intense battle. It is late one evening when..."Hm?" Jessica is seated by the couch,
[20:20] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Hm?" Jessica is seated by the couch, reading. "Did osmeone just knock on the door, sister?"
06[20:21] * Alicia blinks, realising she must have zoned out. "Hmm... I didn't hear it," she admits, although her sister does have better ears. Getting up, she nonetheless steps out into the hallway and goes to open the front door.
[20:22] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Standing at your step is a woman with a gray cloak, hiding her face. Her voice is familiar and pleasant, "Alicia?" Latha's voice, restful. "Ah, is your sister well?"
[20:25] <Alicia> "Oh, hello, Latha," Alicia smiles. "Come on in and see for yourself," she invites, leading the deva through to the sitting room.
[20:28] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> She enters, keeping her hood up. Jessica smiles politely as she sees the guest, whom herself slightly nods. "It is good to see you again," she says to the former assassin, before, "Can we go and talk, Alicia? I come to help close out matters from our recent victory."
[20:29] <Alicia> "Oh, of course," Alicia nods, taking the hint for privacy. "We'll just be in the study, Jessica," she tells her sister, before leading Latha to the adjoining room.
[20:30] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Jessica smiles and waves, "Hmm-hmm," she says from her book, glancing up. Once inside, Latha takes off her cloak. She lets her radiance out, turning the room magnificent. "How's Antenora? That was miserable that the sphere affected her as it did."
[20:34] <Alicia> "It was quite distressing," Alicia agrees. "At least it was remedied swiftly - she seems to have recovered from it without difficulty, as best I can tell."
[20:41] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Good." Sitting in the nearest chair, Latha very carefully folds her cloak. A bag is on her belt, light but wide mouthed. "That was one of the hardest battles I've ever been in. A malebranche alone would have been close to a match for us. You fight like an avenging angel."
[20:44] <Alicia> "You're no slouch, yourself," Alicia returns the compliment, sitting on the chair to the side of Latha and tilting herself to face the angel. "For me it was when Gronastyx revealed his true form - I just felt my heart sink, thinking that this would be a battle too far. Yet we did indeed prevail against everything they threw at us, no matter how bad the odds got."
[20:47] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "That last battle could've defeated a solar. Each of the lesser ones were an ordeal worthy of redemption." Latha's voice is full of hope despite it, full of light that transcends the mood of her words. "...Alicia. Do you think the Crimson Guard can defeat the God King now?"
[20:50] <Alicia> "Now as in right at this moment?" Alicia asks, before shaking her head. "No. We defeated a powerful force of Hell, no doubt, and perhaps that Barregon may have been a rival to a Pit Fiend in power... but such beings are still a far cry from matching the Gods themselves, that Daa-vid was able to fight on even terms with."
06[20:50] * Alicia looks upwards in thought for a moment, as if seeking inspiration, "Perhaps his long confinement has weakened him, but until the day when we can do battle with Hell's leaders instead of its soldiers, I'd say we're unready."
[20:52] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Latha listens to that, before opening her bag. From it she withdraws the six parted sphere and sets it onto the ground. "Here."
[20:54] <Alicia> Well, at least it's not broadcasting a psychic assault on her senses, but Alicia still can't keep from eyeing the sphere with blatant mistrust. "Has a way been found to... neutralise, it?" she asks carefully.
[20:56] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "There has. For now, it's inactive and inert," Latha raps the surface of it with her knuckle before sitting back up. "Alicia, as a way to get stronger and strengthen your friends and those around you?  Those of the Light have something to give you, something your Goddess approves of."
[20:58] <Alicia> "So if I happened to have a heart attack and die right now, my soul wouldn't be trapped inside it?" Alicia can't help but ask, before shaking her head apologetically as she recognises the importance of Latha's latter statement. "Forgive me, I live with the daily threat of death, and I can accept it, but a danger to my soul is something that distresses me on a wholly different level."
[21:01] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Latha's own looks is understanding, as she reaches out to touch Alicia's hand. "I remember that every time I see ice." Latha's body shivers, "The worst is when Hell reaches not for your ruination, but for your enslavement. But yes, it's safe. The evil in it that remains is faint and asleep without a Baazetu of exceptional evil to focus it. However...it may be possible to purify it."
06[21:04] * Alicia smiles wanly as Latha's response hints at the trauma of her own captivity in Hell, yet she's still grateful for the understanding. "Purify it?" she asks after a moment, regarding the sphere with more curiousity. "What would that entail?"
[21:06] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "You've shown something very rare - the ability to both defeat Hell and to bear it's sin to redeem it. There is a way to purify some evil items and relics, if one is willing to bear the burden of such. Something that is long lost to your world; something that you have proven uniquely suited for."
[21:06] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> (More)
[21:08] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "There are rites for one who walks on the light to bear the burden of the evil invested into this. With that, they go and complete a symbolic quest. Should they succeed, the darkness is dispelled. I will go to your temple when we are done and begin the instruction of Mystra's servants here, should you be willing."
[21:12] <Alicia> "Anything that reduces the amount of evil in the world while increasing the good is something I can support," Alicia nods. "A symbolic quest... well, at least it makes more sense than debating an inanimate object on morality and philosophy," she cracks an amused smile before going on,
[21:12] <Alicia> "But what will purifying it do - if it's an evil soul prison, I'm not sure I can see too much use for a 'good' soul prison, after all. Especially since - as I understand it - it's keyed to us specifically, and no one else."
[21:16] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Enslavement shall become liberation," Latha promises, "Further...once it is purified, it's also safe to break apart. In this case, either is acceptable."
[21:19] <Alicia> "Well, I have to do something, since leaving it lying around risks another Baatezu picking it up and using it on us," Alicia nods, before frowning. "That said, what's to stop them making another?" she sighs as that realisation sinks in. "Well, ensuring there's one less personalised soul prison lying around will have to suffice..."
[21:22] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "What's to stop Hell from spawning another Barregon?" Latha muses, "It's a hard road to look down. Still..." She stops there, "The sphere is safe to keep as long as it's locked up somewhere protected by lead against divinations. It will take a little time for the servant of Mystra to master the rites, they are not simple."
[21:23] <Alicia> "What rituals will I need to perform, then?" Alicia asks, making a note to buy a larger lead box than the one she used to house the ring of eternal ingratitude.
[21:25] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "When it is time, a two day purification ritual of meditation, preparation and purification before assuming the quest and the evil of the sphere." Latha says. "The servant of Mystra will be taught all of this."
[21:28] <Alicia> "So you'll teach Shankar and I'll just follow his lead, then?" Alicia clarifies, wondering why the need for the middle man, before she rationalises that it probably requires divine spellcasting that only a priest could perform.
[21:30] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Yes. When he invokes the final prayer, you will be given a relevation of your quest and what the burden you will carry is." Latha says. "I would suspect it would have something to do with souls or redemption in this case."
[21:33] <Alicia> "Sounds thematically appropriate," Alicia nods. "So, this sort of thing is possible with other items, too?" she asks, considering.
[21:35] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Yes." Latha continues, "Not all items are possible, but I'll teach Shankar the relevant spell to determine if an item is or isn't. There's another," Reaching into her bag again, this time Latha takes out dragonscales. "From Gronastyx. These shouldn't be too hard to purify, but the same rituals should work."
[21:36] <Alicia> "Mmm," Alicia nods, frowning. "I do wonder sometimes about Seira's fascination with wearing the skins of dragons, considering she appears to be descended from one."
[21:38] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Curious, isn't it?" Latha's amusement shows. "We have something else as well. Here." REaching at hird time in, "We've gathered all of our information on Duke Agares, as well as what we've scraped up from the ruins."
[21:40] <Alicia> "Oh?" Alicia leans closer in interest. "Much as I hope his failure will result in banishment to Avernus followed by a swift death at the hands of Zquujaj or some random invading Tanar'ri, I can't help but think he'll find a way to trouble me, again."
[21:44] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Agreed." Reaching out, "Here. There's all the hard information, I'll give you the summary. Duke Agares is one of the 9 Dukes of Stygia. He rules over entropy and enslavement to loss, the inevitable decay and despair that nothing can be preserved, that all will be lost." (More)
[21:49] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "He commands 9 legions of bearded devils and 9 brigades of bone devils. He commands 9 Pit Fiends, 99 Cornugons and 9,999 Gelugons. As Stygia is a major throughway of the River Styx, he commands powers from it. His body is as black as the oily waters from it." (More)
[21:57] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "His body is said to be invincible to force - nothing can destroy the waters of the Styx. Do you remember Dest? His domain of lost and slaughtered children is a subset of the hopeless entropy Agares commands. However..." A stop here.
[21:58] <Alicia> "He took my best attacks like they were nothing," Alicia nods distantly, before picking up on Latha's hesitation, "However?"
[22:01] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "An Eladrin that did battle with him once recorded an interesting claim. As he lay defeated and Agares loomed over him for a final blow, he reached into his pack for anything, something to throw at him. He threw a vial of water from his home - water that was pure and free as the chaos and goodness that spawned it - and it made him pause long enough to let him escape."
[22:04] <Alicia> "A pity we don't have any such water convenient, here," Alicia observes. "But still, I can keep that in mind - perhaps when the time comes to face Agares again, we might have the means to collect water from Arborea. Unless... do you think merely blessed water would suffice?"
[22:05] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "I doubt it," Latha says, passing the papers over. "Unless Mystra herself blessed it for you. Beyond how Holy Water may damage a devil to begin with."
[22:07] <Alicia> "Mystra isn't especially chaotic," Alicia demurs as she accepts the papers and sets them on her desk for later perusal. "Hmm... back to something you said earlier, Latha. You asked if I thought we could defeat the God-King, but kept your own counsel on the matter - so I'll ask, since you likely have a better perspective on the matter than I could. Do you think we can defeat him?"
[22:09] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "It's why I agreed with my superior on this matter, and why we sent the request to Mystra," Latha continues on. "I do, but your strength would need to continue to blossom. With a spirit strengthened further and further by those tasks, the steel to stop the God King may be born."
[22:12] <Alicia> "Our thoughts are alike," Alicia inclines her head. "Speaking of your superiors, though - since I left in such a hurry I had to leave the task with Seira and Demedais - do you know if they were able to get any help from your superior regarding Eladi's punishment?"
[22:15] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Latha just shakes her head. "His fate is beyond any of our hands." Latha's face does fall at this. "I'm sorry."
[22:18] <Alicia> "Damn..." Alicia grimaces. "If he hadn't helped us, I don't think we could have defeated that ice devil - none of us had weapons able to inflict permanent harm on it. I owe him... and I promised. I'll have to find another way."
[22:26] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "I understand," Latha bows her head. "Your nobility speaks well of you."
[22:29] <Alicia> "But nobility doesn't help Eladi..." the paladin sighs. "Well.. I'll think of something. Nothing I can do, at the moment, it seems."
[22:34] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "If anything will free him, it will be that nobility," Latha says, standing. "Alicia."
[22:36] <Alicia> "Mmm? Yes?" Alicia replies, mentally chastising herself for belabouring Eladi's fate when it's likely a walk in the park compared to what Latha's endured.
[22:39] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Her arms wrap around Alicia, a brief embrace pressed. "Be well. I'm honored to have met you. Pass my greetings to Seira and Demedais as well."
06[22:41] * Alicia returns the hug, a bit awkwardly as her hands have to navigate around Latha's wings, but nonetheless sincere in the gesture. "The honour was mine - I hope we meet again, some day," she whispers before parting.
[22:45] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Until then," Latha turns, heading out, "I have to go find Skandar now."
[22:46] <Alicia> *Shankar?
[22:47] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Yes.

[Corwin]

[20:07] <Kotono> -----Ninja Ko hides here--
[20:14] <Kotono> Walking home from her daily duties in the Crimson Guard gives Alicia time to think. The mid afternoon is busy and noisy, her pace taking her home. Oh, she has to sidestep a few carts full of goods, bypass a group listening to a fiery preacher of Gond proclaiming how inspiration lies in everyone's grasp so that creation can live and then finally arrive home.  Yet as she does, something odd happens. It's a soft THUMP onto her head, like a w
[20:14] <Kotono> It's a soft THUMP onto her head, like a weight onto it.
06[20:16] * Alicia instinctively reaches up to rub her head at the unexpected impact just as she enters her home. The door was closed so it's not like someone could have propped something up there as some sort of juvenile prank... and that'd surely be beneath both Jessica and Antenora, anyway, right?
[20:18] <Kotono> As Alicia rubs up, she rubs up against something soft and warm. "Hey!" A voice protests in high pitched tones. "Careful!"
[20:19] <Alicia> That could only be one of two things, Alicia realises with a repressed sigh. "You're not a pixie, are you?"
[20:21] <Kotono> "Nope! I've dated one before, they're okay." The content voice looks down, a perfectly  made, tiny elven face eyeing Alicia upside down. "I'm your new familiar."
06[20:22] * Alicia blinks. Then again as she processes the words yet fails to have them actually make sense. "My new what?" she asks incredulously.
[20:23] <Kotono> "Your new familiar," The Eladrin cheerfully notes, "Mmm, you kinda look and smell like a paladin. Not what I was expecting...You must've scored some points with someone important."
[20:27] <Alicia> "Aren't familiars things like... cats?" Alicia replies in faint non-comprehension, before she gently wraps her hand around the eladrin and brings it down to deposit on her other palm so they can have a more face to face (non-inverted) conversation. "And what do you mean 'not what I was expecting'?"
[20:30] <Kotono> It's a woman - or a girl, perhaps. It has bright purple hair and a charming smile. "Oh, Her Ladyness talked about you. How you were a good servant of hers and all that, but...I guess I expected someone more robed or covered in runes instead of armor for a favored servant of Mystra."
[20:33] <Alicia> "Good? Favoured?" Alicia repeats, unable to keep from feeling a faint upwelling of pride. "So you're a servant of Mystra, yourself?" she asks, walking towards the sitting room. 'Just to check in case this isn't a trick - Hell Striker, can you tell if she is what she says she is?' she asks her sword.
[20:35] <Kotono> "Mmm-hmm. Mystra prefers angels, but she has some eladrin and others as well." Her wings flutter as she's held, "Could you let me go, though?"
06[20:37] * Alicia obligingly does so. "Okay, but... still, a celestial as a familiar?" she looks thoughtful for a moment, "Well, then again, I've heard stories about wizards with imps and quasits, but I always thought there were more like bound minions than a familiar."
[20:40] <Kotono> "Pfah," Fluttering to sit atop Alicia's head, "I could whip an imp's butt anyway." Settling in on that, "It's not common. You have to have scored points with someone. And considering I wouldn't normally be sent a paladin, you must've done something really impressive." At that, "Mystra mentioned you have a few people living with you, by the way?"
[20:42] <Alicia> "Well, I do use arcane magic, so I could be thought of as a sorceress just as much as a paladin... You know, do you absolutely have to sit on my head?" she asks in creeping irritation. "What's wrong with having a face to face conversation?"
[20:44] <Kotono> "You have a very nice head. It's the perfect shape for a perch and it's so warm. It smells nice, too." The Courre chuckles, kicing her feet near the side of Alicia's noggin.
[20:48] <Alicia> "Yes, I'm very proud of it," Alicia deadpans, before, "You talked to Mystra? In person?" she asks, her attitude sudenly becoming far more friendly.
[20:50] <Kotono> "Mmm-hmm. She's very glowy and impressive. She is the Goddess of Magic, you know. She spoke well of you and how the things here were important."
06[20:51] * Alicia flushes with pride, though when she realises how foolish she must look preening, she finds herself glad the eladrin can't see her face. "So, do you have a name, then?"
[20:52] <Kotono> "Marielle, though call me Marie." It prounounces. "By the way, which one was the girl practicing in the back yard? The one with the spear?"
[20:53] <Alicia> "That's Antenora," Alicia replies. "My sister, Jessica, also lives here. I presume you know about them, Marie?" she asks.
[20:55] <Kotono> "I heard. It's rather strange company for a paladin to keep. Then again, are they gloomy? Perhaps I can lighten them up a bit as well?" Marielle goes on, scratching at her chin. "Mmmmm."
[20:56] <Alicia> "You're not going to throw over-ripe fruit at them, are you?" Alicia asks worriedly. "Antenora had a bad experience with the last coure she ran into..."
[21:05] <Kotono> "No. Why would I do that?" She sniffs in the air, "Really now, that sounds boring."
[21:09] <Alicia> "Glad to hear you have more refined tastes," Alicia nods in approval. And if that dislodges her, that's her problem. "So... how does this work? Is there some ritual we have to do for you to be bonded as my familiar?" Some dim memory pings in the back of Alicia's mind about something costing one hundred gold.
[21:12] <Kotono> The little courre seems surprisingly adept at staying on Alicia's head. "Yes, it's not too hard, though. We can do it as soon as you're ready."
[21:14] <Alicia> "Mmm..." Alicia makes a thoughtful sound. "Firstly - why did Mystra choose you, Marie?" she asks curiously.
[21:26] <Kotono> "She said I was right for you." Thoughtfully fluttering off Alicia's head and coming to face her, "She mentioned something about you having a lot of trials, too."
06[21:27] * Alicia nods. "I don't know what role you had in Dweomerheart, but I can guarantee that you'll face far more danger if you travel with me," she warns. "Are you prepared for that?"
[21:28] <Kotono> "I can take care of myself," Marie says firmly, "Do you think Mystra would've sent me if I wasn't?"
[21:30] <Alicia> "I just wanted to make sure you knew what you were getting into - this isn't a game or a vacation," the paladin warns seriously. "If you're still willing, though, I won't turn down help if it was sent by my Goddess."
[21:31] <Kotono> "I could use a weapon, but I can take care of myself," she gestures, "Maaaaagic missiles! Fire!" Whimsically laughing, she gestures.
[21:32] <Alicia> "Uh... right," Alicia nods slowly. "So what does this ritual entail?"
[21:36] <Kotono> A day passes in seclusion and rituals. So when the day after dawns and it's finally done, Alicia is rather hungry. Going for 24 hours straight is draining, no matter how you do it. It's sometime in the morning, which means there should be breakfast to be gotten.
[21:39] <Alicia> "You're hungry, I can tell!" Marie carols, fluttering around through the air. "Wow, this is actually really great - I feel like I could take on a dozen imps, right now!" she continues in this enthusiastic vein as Alicia sluggishly heads towards the kitchen, rapidly zipping from side to side around the paladin. "If you want, I can cook - I've never done it before, but since I'm your familiar I think I should help out with stuff like that!
[21:40] <Alicia> "
[21:41] <Alicia> "Sure, knock yourself out," Alicia nods, knuckling back a yawn as she goes to lean on a counter in the kitchen and keep an eye on the energetic celestial in case she screws up cooking.
[21:42] <Kotono> Jessica and Antenora are out here. The former is eating toast and jam while chatting, whilst Antenora politely listens.  Jessica happens to react faster, turning. "...oh! Is that...a fairy?" she asks, staring at it. "Alicia, where did you get it?"
[21:42] <Kotono> Antenora's reaction is slightly delayed, both in turning and in expression. "...Alicia, why is that here?" she asks carefully.
[21:43] <Alicia> "Mystra's orders, she's my new familiar," Alicia replies tiredly as she leans back against the countertop. "Jessica, Antenora - meet Marielle."
[21:45] <Kotono> "It's adorable!" Jessica gushes and blushes, standing up. "It's so...so...small!"
[21:45] <Kotono> Antenora doesn't say a word. She stands up and turns around as Jessica advances, heading to the back exit of the house.
[21:45] <Alicia> "You can call me Marie, hi!" Marie replies, bobbing through the air in front of the duo. "I got sent because Alicia - actually, should I call her Mistress, now? Well, whatever, she needs help. But we're not really supposed to get too involved because of that whole gnome thing - except you, but you're a special case," she briefly nods towards Antenora,
[21:45] <Alicia> "But if I became a familiar it's kinda like cheating so it works. They said something about me learning from here and this being maybe a test, but the important part is that I'm here to help!"
[21:46] <Kotono> Twitch. Antenora twitches at the word Mistress, but keeps her pace going out.
[21:47] <Kotono> "Ah. Nice to meet you," Jessica smiles to the little creature. "How pleasant. That means you're going to be staying here now?"
[21:50] <Alicia> "Yeah," Marie nods, glancing at Antenora's departure. "Wow, she must have had a *really* bad experience with those other coure... Do you think she hates me? That wouldn't be fair, since that'd be as bad as me judging her just because she's an erinyes, but she's different from the others, right?"
[21:50] <Alicia> "Just give her time to adjust," Alicia suggests, deciding not to press Antenora at the moment. "Once she see's that you're not a troublemaker or a nuisance, she'll come around."
[21:51] <Kotono> "..mmm." Jessica just eyes the creature and smiles the entire time. "Alicia, you look terrible. Did you not sleep well?"
[21:52] <Alicia> "Had to do a long ritual to link ourselves as master and familiar," Alicia nods, eyeing Marie. "I think she got more out of it than me."
[21:53] <Alicia> "Nonsense! Now that our emotional states are linked, I bet you'll find yourself with a whole new outlook!" Marie declares cheerily as she starts exploring the cupboards.
[21:53] <Alicia> "That's what I'm afraid of..." the paladin mutters.
[22:06] <Kotono> "As long as you don't act like a teenager who's had too many sweets, it shouldn't be so bad," Jessica smiles sweetly at Alicia. "...say.Did you ever act like that as a teenager?"
[22:09] <Alicia> "I, ah... overindulged once or twice," Alicia admits embarrassedly. "Mostly I was a good girl, though," she assures everyone present.
[22:09] <Alicia> Fortunately Marie doesn't seem to be paying too much attention. "This all looks pretty complicated, how about I just make you a sandwich?" she suggests, sounding a bit overwhelmed as she studies the numerous cupboards she's opened.
[22:10] <Kotono> "It's hard to imagine. You're always so focused, sister," Jessica goes back to sitting, watching the eladrin get to work.
[22:13] <Alicia> "It was a long time ago. Everyone was young, once," Alicia demurs, deciding she might as well sit down as well. "A sandwich is fine, Marie. I'll just have a little to eat then take a nap, I think."
[22:13] <Kotono> "Including Marie and Antenora?" Jessica pauses on that point. "That's a good question, thinking on it."
[22:15] <Alicia> "Well, I guess you could say I'm eternally young?" Marie pipes in as she manhandles a knife as big as she is from the cutlery drawer. "At least until I get promoted or something. I've been in this form for about twenty years."
[22:17] <Alicia> "Do you remember your life as a mortal?" Alicia asks curiously, looking up.
[22:18] <Kotono> Jessica listens and watches now, "Do go on. I'd like to hear that. You're fun to listen to and so energetic."
[22:19] <Alicia> "Nope!" Marie sounds unbothered as she tries to cut the bread. It's a mighty struggle with such poor leverage, but she perseveres. "I don't really mind, though. I mean, I'm me, right? What good would it do me to remember being someone else? I guess I must have been a good person for Mystra to make me into one of her servants, but it doesn't really have anything to do with my life now, does it?"
[22:21] <Alicia> "I suppose that's one way to look at it..." Alicia nods slowly, giving her sister a speculative look and wondering what she thinks.
[22:22] <Kotono> "Careful," she gets up, going to help with the knifing in progress. "I'll show you how to use one of these. Anyawy, that's fine. Who needs old memories?" she smiles to Marie, patting her head.
[22:25] <Alicia> Marie seems grateful for the help. "Yeah, you get it!" she beams up at Jessica. "Look to the future, not the past!"
[22:30] <Kotono> "Right! I used to be, well, no good. Now? So what if I lost my memories in the Styx? I have a good life." As the sandwich is made, "My Sister's a good person like that - although, I wonder if shes'a bout to be a sleeping person with the way she looks."
[22:32] <Alicia> "I want something to eat, first," Alicia assures them distantly, her mind occupied by thinking about Jessica's words. Well, it's not like she's going to be able to get her memories back any time soon, but what to do when the opportunity does arise?
[22:33] <Alicia> "Well, here you go!" Marie smiles brightly as she somehow manages to bear aloft the plate with the sandwhich on it and fly it over in front of Alicia. "Enjoy!" Then, as Alicia starts to eat, "So, do you think I should go and talk to Antenora? Maybe she's just hurt because she's no longer the only outsider in the house and it makes her less special?"
06[22:34] * Alicia coughs as she nearly chokes on a bite of her sandwich. "Ah, no, I don't think it's that," she manages, thumping her chest to help it go down. "She just... has trouble with Chaos, which you represent. She'll come around once she sees that you're not irresponsible."
[22:35] <Kotono> "Ahem." Jessica lightly clears her throat.  "Oh yes, I remember her complaining about unicorns before. That was awhile back, but..."
[22:36] <Alicia> "Mmmm..." Marie pouts. "I'm taking orders from a paladin, aren't I? It doesn't get much more lawful than that, surely?"
[22:36] <Kotono> "Thought..." Jessica's eyes sparkle, "Perhaps the two of you will have some obscure grudged based outsider jealousy? Perhaps even a catfight?" Chuckling at it, "'twould be more appealing if either of you were male. We do seem to only have women in the house, thinking on it."
[22:39] <Alicia> "That's a shame," Marie nods. "Alicia, you should try to bring some handsome male fiend over to the side of goodness with the power of your love!" she then declares emphatically, prompting another choking fit from the bug-eyed paladin.
[22:39] <Alicia> "I'm going to bed," she declares flatly after recovering, standing up and quickly fleeing the scene.
[22:40] <Kotono> "Alicia," Jessica calls as she flees. "Yu know, it's not a bad idea! I'm sure Antenora would love you to death if you were a man, or she was!"
[22:40] <Alicia> "Hmmm. She really is uptight, isn't she? I need to work on that..." the eladrin mutters thoughtfully as Alicia's footsteps seem to quicken in pace after Jessica's parting comment.
[22:41] <Kotono> "Or perhaps if you both were?" Jessica calls one last thing, before breaking into giggles. "Somewhat. I must confess that I don't normally act like that either, but you're contagious. She's simply dedicated."
[22:43] <Alicia> Marie nods approvingly. "You've got a good head on your shoulders, Jessica," she comments warmly. "Lets hope I can help the other two lighten up as well."
[22:44] <Kotono> "Yes, but don't take it too far," Jessica answers after a few moments. "Part of the reason I don't mind having lost my memories so much is...because from all the stories and indications, I lead a horrible life before that. Alicia's life hasn't been filled entirely with sunshine, either."
[22:48] <Alicia> "That's what I want to fix!" Marie insists. "I mean, I heard a lot of stuff about Alicia before I got sent here, I know what I'm getting into - I want to make her happy, but I need to push her buttons a bit to help her come out of her shell," she reasons.
[22:48] <Alicia> "I'm not like those nonsensical Star Court floozies that'll do anything for a laugh, so you don't need to worry about me going too far. Since I'm her familiar I'll know if she gets really upset," she briefly taps her purple-tressed head, "Right now she's really embarrassed, but she's kind of a little bit amused, too."

[Corwin]

[21:05] <Kotono> <Alicia> "That's what I want to fix!" Marie insists. "I mean, I heard a lot of stuff about Alicia before I got sent here, I know what I'm getting into - I want to make her happy, but I need to push her buttons a bit to help her come out of her shell," she reasons.
[21:05] <Kotono> <Alicia> "I'm not like those nonsensical Star Court floozies that'll do anything for a laugh, so you don't need to worry about me going too far. Since I'm her familiar I'll know if she gets really upset," she briefly taps her purple-tressed head, "Right now she's really embarrassed, but she's kind of a little bit amused, too."
[21:06] <Kotono> "Oh good. I'd worried that she'd worried away her sense of humor," Jessica laughs lightly to this, "But...she could use the help that you bring. From what little I know, devils are extremely dangerous...and she fights them often."
[21:10] <Alicia> "Oh, yeah," Marie nods emphatically. "Totally dangerous! And you have to take that seriously - I don't want her getting distracted by a funny joke and then all of a sudden getting stabbed, but if she can't relax in her own home then where can she relax?"
[21:14] <Kotono> "Good question." Leaning back on the counter and going fo ra dishrag to clean her hands, "Alicia's like that sometimes. So's Antenora. You get used to it, but neither of them are very much for levity."
[21:15] <Alicia> "You think I should try and talk to Antenora, or would she probably pull my wings off?" Marie wonders, tapping her chin as she glances out the door the erinyes departed by. "She looked really steamed when she saw me."
[21:19] <Kotono> "Good question," Jessica thinks, "She's not the sort to say if she's angry or thro wa fit...well, she's not any more, apparently, but that's a long story...but she didn't look happy. I don't think she'd pull your wings off, though. Maybe use you as archery practice, but nothing too excessive."
[21:22] <Alicia> "Mmm... I think I'll give her a while to cool down," the coure decides after a moment, taking Jessica's words at face value. "Well, I suppose I should tidy up these dishes - show that I'm not a freeloader, right?" she muses, going to grab the plate with Alicia's half-eaten sandwich on it.
[21:24] <Kotono> "I should as well." Jessica muses, "I don't really bring in any money...not that Alicia would ever kick either of us out, she's too kind. But...shall we?"
[21:26] <Alicia> The tiny fairy nods as she and Jessica clean up the kitchen, passing the time in amiable conversation...