032.4 Fire

[Corwin]

[19:59] <Kobrb> The four gather in the courtyard the next day, ready to go out...
[20:01] <Jaela> "Zaaman Rul's the one we're gonna visit, right?" Jaela confirms as they gather. "He's connected to that armor, probably won't hate us on sight and is desperate for allies. That about right?"
[20:01] <Afina> "I see we've both brought company," Afina comments to Annalise with a smile at Jaela. "Annalise, I don't think you've met Ebony. Ebony, Annalise." Nodding at Jaela's summary which proves she's caught up, "That sounds a good first stop. Who needs protection from fire before we go?"
[20:02] * Jaela grins back at Afina. "I've been away long enough, so when Annalise said she was leaving again...." She wards herself against fire, waiting to see if anyone else requests it at Afina's prompting.
[20:03] * Afina casts fire resistance on Ebony as pre-arranged and then turns herself into a fairy fire elemental.

[Corwin]

[20:04] <Kozzz> Ebony and Annalise eye one another, neither saying much. Eventually Annalise breaks the silence, "Well then, shall we?"
[20:05] <Jaela> roll 1d20+23+15 Eblis
[20:05] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+23+15 Eblis and gets 50." [1d20=12]
[20:07] <Afina> "Jaela, since you have an idea about where to starts why not do the honours?" Afina entrusts plane-shifting duties to her so Annalise can have a break from doing it.
[20:08] <Jaela> Annalise might think herself protected decently, but Jaela spends a moment more to cast the same spell upon her all the same. Then, she nods at Afina and aims to plane shift the four of them for Zaaman Rul's realm!
[20:11] <Kozzz> Everywhere around you burns. Fire is everywhere. You burn alive over and over, within a sea of superheated air. The party emerges from this fire, standing amid an endless burning. The blaze is unreal, blistering all around them. Great flames dance higher than the party can see, without end and without mercy. Within this maelstrom of fire, a voice crackles in the flame. "Who seeks the realm
[20:11] <Kozzz> of Zaaman Rul?"
[20:12] <Jaela> "Jaela," she responds, before gesturing at her companions. "Afina, Annalise and Ebony." She decides to keep things simple, continuing, "We are from the Aurora, and we share a couple friends with Zaaman Rul. We're looking for an audience."
[20:13] <Afina> Being currently made of fire, Afina rather likes being burnt. Since Jaela took introductions she just remains silent.
[20:15] <Kozzz> The flames around you roar into brillance! The voice from it turns into a crackling roar, "You have brought an unclean abomination into this realm! She must be purged into naught but ash!"
[20:16] <Jaela> "Is that more important that having a common front against Imix?" Jaela asks back, not flinching away from the flames.
[20:17] <Afina> "She is our ally and stands with us!" Afina retorts quickly, positioning herself ahead of Annalise. "We come in friendship, and she will do no harm to you."
[20:18] <Kozzz> roll 14d10
[20:18] * Hatbot --> "Kozzz rolls 14d10 and gets 73." [14d10=1, 5, 8, 3, 3, 9, 7, 7, 9, 2, 8, 1, 3, 7]
[20:19] <Kozzz> Ebony hisses, as the fires around you grow white-golden! The flames are growing more intense by the moment, Annalise catching fire in a dozen places! She holds her ground, a smirk even as she burns. She doesn't say anything, instead a voice of outrage from the crackling fires. "Begone from this place! There is no more need for impurities within the Temple of Fire!"
[20:21] <Afina> Seeing an opening that might prise further to salvage the situation, Afina calls back into the flames, "What do you mean no 'more'?"
[20:28] <Kozzz> "Imix and those of his spawn rule enough of Fire," Is the reply, "Leave now, or face the flames of purification!"
[20:29] <Jaela> And they'll keep doing that, from what she sees. "This is pointless," Jaela voices. "I'm taking us back."
[20:30] <Afina> "Do it," Afina agrees, seeing no point in further negotiations.
[20:30] * Jaela shifts them back, to a spot by the Aurora's gates.
[20:31] <Kozzz> Thus you appear! Annalise is covered in burns, fading in moments. Dusting herself off, "I will not indulge in saying I told you so," she says, with just a hint of airiness, "But I do note that once again the powers care for nothing but their own hypocritical interests."
[20:31] <Kozzz> Ebony slowly pushes her hood back, staring coolly at Annalise all the while.
[20:32] <Jaela> "I've always wondered why the good side on Fire's been losing forever," Jaela mutters, casting Fortunate Fate on Ebony.
[20:32] <Afina> "We're not giving up," Afina declares. "What about other powers? Like Kossuth?" So long as they avoid that ingrate from Lifasa, anyway...
[20:33] <Jaela> "Kossuth is a lost cause. Eblis is a renegade Archdevil so fuck that. But we do have one more option on Fire. There's a sultan of the efreeti, so let's visit his place?"
[20:34] <Kozzz> "The Sultan of the Efreet is a friend of Baator," Ebony speaks up, keeping her voice quiet, gaze still boring into Annalise. "He regularly entertains devils and pit fiends."
[20:34] <Jaela> "Yes, Fire is shitty like that."
[20:35] <Afina> "If we go there then it would have to be incognito," Afina states. "I'm fine like this," she gestures at her flaming body, barely recognisable as herself. "What about you three?"
[20:36] <Jaela> "I guess it's time to use the ash, again?" Jaela asks with a sigh.
[20:42] <Kozzz> "I can alter my shape," Ebony speaks up, murmuring a few words. She becomes white haired, eyes a deep blue. She looks no older than 20 now, full of striking youth...and yet there's a distinct air of agelessness to her, a certain incongruity to youth in her eyes. She is now several inches taller, just a bit past 6ft.
[20:42] * Jaela can't do that, but she can try for a more mundane disguise, just like for her trip to the Abyss.
[20:42] <Jaela> roll 1d20+10+15 disguise
[20:42] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+10+15 disguise and gets 37." [1d20=12]
[20:44] * Afina now looks expectantly at Annalise.
[20:47] <Kotono> Annalise returns that look crossly a moment, before sighing, "I suppose Baatorian agents may identify me," she at last says. Her hair turns black, a vacant gaze with dull red eyes and plentiful attributes - and not a speck of any hint of intellect. "Is that sufficient?" she asks, "A dumb woman - most would not look twice at me, the same way they ignore the harem women."
[20:48] <Jaela> "They'll look alright, but it works for what we need," Jaela voices, armored in Brokion and wearing her distasteful erinyes guise.
[20:48] <Afina> "It's not really you, but I suppose that's the point. Lets not make this visit official anyway - for our cover we can say we're mercenaries or something. Anyone have any ideas for fleshing it out if we're questioned?"
[20:48] <Kotono> Ebony speaks in a haughty, cold voice, "I shall play the role of the uncaring power seeker. 'tis one I know well from my youthful mistakes."
[20:49] <Jaela> "Remember that Blood War company we captured a while back, at Earthfall? We know a few details about how they operate, so let's go with that."
[20:50] * Afina nods. "We can be the Red Talon company looking up information on Bristis Pel for a job we've got going, how's that?"
[20:50] <Kotono> "As you say, it shall be," Ebony replies quietly.
[20:51] <Afina> "Call me Cinder," Afina belatedly adds a fake name for herself. May as well be thorough.
[20:52] <Jaela> "Fake names? That's the best part of this, I guess. I like Scarlet." She glances over at Annalise. "What do you think?"
[20:54] <Kotono> "Call me..." Tapping her lips a moment, before smirking, "I'll go by Lena," she says.
[20:55] <Kotono> As Annalise suggests her own name, "Maila," Ebony says. "It will suffice."
[20:56] <Afina> "With that I believe we're good to go. May this trip go better than the last."
[20:56] <Jaela> "Right. I'll aim for a short bit away from the city? Ten minutes of walking, give or take?"
[20:56] * Afina nods agreeably to that.
[20:56] <Jaela> And so, they plane shift once more!
[20:58] <Kotono> You appear in burning flames. The heat is enough to nearly cause you to faint, save for Afina. Oh, the heat is a torrent around you, crackling and rising. Amid it you see it ahead. A great city on a hill, shining brass. A vast city, seemingly too vast to see. Around it magic carpets fly, great efreet giants of red flying on them. Nearby you see a great road, creatures of burning flame and
[20:58] <Kotono> red scales traveling on it towards the City.
[20:59] <Jaela> "Lead the way, Cinder?" Jaela suggests, intending to keep near the back herself.
[21:01] <Afina> Nodding, Afina takes on the role of a local guide, keeping her pace slow to match the others as they head onto the road, walking onwards to the city nearby.
[21:03] <Kotono> You fall in to the road. Ahead of you are dwarf like creatures of flame, ones you know. Azers, reminding you of you rlast real trip to Fire. Behind you walk dragon-men of red scales, each bearing a great chunk of solid black rock on their backs. They speak not a word, but carry their loads without anything but diligence. As you advance ahead yo usee that the brass gates that lead into the
[21:03] <Kotono> city are manned by several efreet, wearing black sashes and carrying large scimitars. Each wears a considerable amount of golden jewelry - rings, earrings, necklaces, anklets and so forth.
[21:04] * Afina keeps well away from the dragon men, keeping an eye on what others do as they pass the guards at the gate in case there's any ritual or custom to observe.
[21:08] <Kotono> Ahead you can see that the scimitars are not of metal, but of boiling magma! As you observe this you see that each one listens to a declaration from the guards. It goes something like this, loud enough to be overheard. "Ahead is the Brass City, throne of the Great Sultan, the most Pussiant Hunter of Fire, Lord-Marshal of the Burning Sky!" From there the entrants bow and murmur something back
[21:08] <Kotono> and head into the city.
[21:10] * Afina strains her ears to hear what is murmured from the group just ahead of her!
[21:10] <Afina> roll 1d20+28 listen
[21:10] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+28 listen and gets 34." [1d20=6]
[21:10] <Kotono> Afina can pick up the following: "Eternal be his reign, in the name of all fires we seek to humbly enter his abode."
[21:11] * Afina can lead the others through that. They should be smart enough to follow her example, anyway.
[21:13] <Kotono> Soon enough you are before the guards! They speak! "Ahead is the Brass City, throne of the Great Sultan, the most Pussiant Hunter of Fire, Lord-Marshal of the Burning Sky!"
[21:14] * Afina kneels and says for her comrades to hear, "Eternal be his reign, in the name of all fires we seek to humbly enter his abode."
[21:14] <Kotono> Ebony and Annalise both do the same, casting their eyes down.
[21:15] * Jaela follows Afina's example, bowing like the group that had been ahead of them and murmuring the same.
[21:16] <Kotono> With that the guards step aside, the path ahead revealed. Ahead is burning. Basalt stairs are beneath you, almost liquid beneath your feet. As you walk in the streets, you find them of brass. Fountains of fire decorate intersections, lava flowing like aqua. Great towers of basalt rise higher than you can see, domes of flaming beauty. Efreet and fire elementals walk freely here, as well as
[21:16] <Kotono> other creatures of flame. OOC: Ball's in your court, go ahead.
[21:17] <Afina> "Now we need to start asking around," Afina turns to the others. "This place will have all the amenities any other city has. We should use them to try and track down anyone familiar with Bristis Pel, especially her death and what happened to her belongings."
[21:18] <Jaela> "An inn's best for that," Jaela responds, agreeing with the plan. "Let's look around for one and take it from there?"
[21:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100+25 and gets 29." [1d100=4]
[21:19] <Kotono> roll 1d100+25
[21:19] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100+25 and gets 85." [1d100=60]
[21:21] <Kotono> Finding inns is simple, as there are several. The first is the Burning Isle, an inn largely occupied by visiting azur. It looks stony and sturdy, but none too fancy. The second is the Flame's Respite. It looks to be a general non-native's bar. A quick look in can show various mortal and non Fire native creatures. It looks fancier than the first, more agreeable. The third is Unicorn's Pyre,
[21:21] <Kotono> wherein a quick glance shows several erinyes and barbazu about! It looks more luxurious than the previous two. Finally, there is the Bey's Pleasure - a beautiful black basalt dome, surrounded by gardens of fiery foliage and virtually dripping wealth.
[21:22] * Jaela peers into the Bey's Pleasure to see just who happens to frequent that particular establishment.
[21:23] * Afina steers well clear of the Unicorn's Pyre, not wishing to get too close to any erinyes. Nor should her companions!
[21:24] <Kotono> It's too surrounded by flaming foliage to tell. As yo utry, you can see a sparkling carriage of ruby, drawn by flaming winged horses, approach from the streets towards the Bey's Pleasure.
[21:25] * Jaela pauses for a look!
[21:28] <Kotono> It stops at the entrance - a beautiful, classical wrought iron and black basalt affair - as the carriage opens. First a pair of nubile, unclad, red skinned maidens emerge, tossing out rose petals onto the ground. They burst into flames instantly on contact, and thereafter the two women grovel objectly before the carriage. As they do the sound of a great trumpet is heard, followed by a figure
[21:28] <Kotono> emerging! The creature that comes out is 15ft tall easily, clad in a dazzling array of jewelry of ruby and platinum. He carries a bejeweled scimitar on his belt, heading towards the entrance. The two women crawl after him, slavishly licking the ground where he steps.
[21:29] <Kotono> "Tsch," Ebony clicks her tongue, breathing in as her jaw tightens around a scowl.
[21:30] <Jaela> "Looks like a native," Jaela says neutrally. "This place or the Burning Isle?"
[21:31] <Afina> "That's disgusting," Afina remarks quietly as she watches, "The Burning Isle. At least first, anyway."
[21:31] <Kotono> "The rich are often also knowledgeable," Annalise murmurs, "Especially in the affairs of the Planes, for money is part of power." For a moment she smirks, "I believe it speaks of his own insecurities, much how a man who masters a fullblade speaks of his own personal shortcoming."
[21:33] <Afina> That draws a chuckle. "You're probably right, but if we can find an alternative to treating with that like I'd be happy."
[21:33] <Jaela> "With our luck he wouldn't talk to us while we're dressed, anyway," Jaela says with a scowl. "Burning Isle it is."
[21:33] <Kotono> "I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss it," Annalise retorts, "Arrogant swine he may be, but within that dome is vast luxury. The efreet," she drawls that word, "Do know how to live, and with the proper coin we would buy our own entry."
[21:36] <Afina> "If the Azer don't pan out," Afina allows. It's better than non-natives or devils as far as useful information is likely to be.
[21:37] <Kotono> That draws a pleasant smile from Annalise and a neutral look from Ebony. The foursome return to the Burning Isle...OOC: More.
[21:37] <Kotono> roll 1d20+25
[21:37] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 and gets 29." [1d20=4]
[21:38] <Kotono> The trip is without incident. Getting in is simple - there's a plain, stone hewn tap room, where lava is drank like wine. The Azer are about, talking and sitting on great communal benches of stone, holding dozens of them on each one.OOC: Go ahead withthe GIing.
[21:38] <Jaela> roll 1d20+22+15
[21:38] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+22+15 and gets 41." [1d20=4]
[21:39] <Kotono> roll 1d20+30 Ebony will aid then
[21:39] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+30 Ebony will aid then and gets 41." [1d20=11]
[21:39] <Afina> roll 1d20+10 i aided
[21:39] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+10 i aided and gets 14." [1d20=4]
[21:40] <Jaela> OOC: 45?
[21:42] <Kotono> With some work and Annalise hanging back, the group soon combs the bar. Jaela finds that her sooty wings get generally positive attention, and Afina is greeted with respect by all on seeing her blazing body. Ebony seems to know just the right thing to say, a sly smile or few musical, alluring words getting an azer to spill.  The Azer don't know a lot about Bristis Pel. About half haven't
[21:42] <Kotono> heard of her. Of the other half, most think she's some old legend or concubine of the Sultan or Imix. One azer gives Jaela a sharp look, "The former lover of Imix, and whispered to be perhaps the mother of the Resilient Ember. That Bristis Pel?"
[21:44] <Jaela> "She and none other," Jaela agrees, pleased to actually have someone recognize the name after all that effort.
[21:45] <Kotono> His bearded face is kept down, a whisper, "You and your friends each bring me a mug of lava up to my room, 542. Talk up there." Keepins his voice down, he thereafter rises. Finishing off his mug of lava, he goes and heads upstairs.
[21:46] * Afina can probably drink lava like this! But she'd better pass it before the spell ends or she's guaranteed a sore stomach...
[21:46] <Jaela> Even if she'd never think of drinking it, Jaela orders half a dozen of the drinks before judging that enough time has passed since the azer's departure. Then, armed with his room number, she heads up with the drinks in tow.
[21:47] * Afina is right there with her!
[21:48] <Kotono> The foursome come bearing lava. As they ascend up to the 5th floor, "Hmph, reduced to mere beer - excuse me - lava wenches," Annalise drawls, in a completely airheaded and vapid tone. "Oooooh, I hope he likes me!" Braindead giggles follow.
[21:49] <Afina> "With your smouldering personality?"
[21:49] <Kotono> Ebony keeps her hood drawn, not breaking character a moment, "Worry about more important knowledge, wench," she retorts coldly, "Focus on what's important."
[21:49] <Jaela> "And still treated better than in that dive," Jaela mutters back. Coming upon the door to the azer's room, she knocks on the doorframe.
[21:51] <Kotono> The door is ajar, opening on the knocks. The room within is a slab of stone for a bed and little else. The azer motions you in, quickly closing the door behind the four. He goes up to Jaela and takes her mug, drinking it down fast and hard. Once done he tosses it aside, "So you want to know about Bristis Pel?"
[21:52] <Jaela> "About her last moments, more like," Jaela directs the conversation, setting the other mug she's been carrying on a free spot on the bed.
[21:56] <Kotono> He takes it and guns it down, tossing aside that mug too. "Heard and traded my fair share of poems about that," he says, "Grand old drama, about how Imix killed her and Zaaman Rul swore revenge. It ultimately lead to the battle of the Plains of Burnt Dreams, where Imix slaughtered the armies of Zaaman Rul."
[21:58] <Afina> "Imix did well out of that. But someone like Bristis Pel, she must have had a lot of treasures from her escapades piled up here and there," Afina throws in. "We're looking to find out what happened to them. Particularly something she stole from Eblis."
[22:01] <Kotono> Rubbing his chin as he gets up and takes Afina's mug, gunning that one down like the other two, "Aaaah, her treasures! In sweet burning Astreoheim does a wealth worthy of the Sultan reside." Quoting a bit of musical poetry, "Rich enough to make a pauper a lord, and to cause a dragon to go mad in greed. I'm afraid I don't know details. I would assume either Zaaman Rul or Imix took her treasures,
[22:01] <Kotono> and if not, some other treasure hunter already did."
[22:02] <Afina> "Astreoheim?" Afina queries, about the only potential lead available from that.
[22:04] <Kotono> "One of Bristis Pel's castles. Said to hold all of her wealth...nothing more than ash on the wind now after what Imix did."
[22:05] <Jaela> "Say we're looking for something specific for someone. Something that got stolen and they'd want it back," Jaela muses. "Maybe Imix took it as spoils, or maybe it was Zaaman Rul. But is there anyone who'd know for sure which one it was?"
[22:07] <Kotono> "There's a strange man in the court of Kossuth. A real man, like a mortal. He serves a deity known as Oghma. His name is the Fire Sage, and is said to know almost as much about Fire as Kossuth. He'd know ifa nyone does."
[22:08] * Jaela clucks her tongue in irritation at the mention of Kossuth's realm.
[22:09] <Afina> "Could be worth checking out. Thanks for your help," Afina nods to the azer, considering that about the limit of his knowledge here.
[22:10] <Kotono> "A word of advice, friends," He adds, "Speak her name lightly and wisely here. She was no great friend of the Sultan, or so it is said."
[22:12] <Afina> "She's dead and we want to loot her grave... or at least track who looted it first," Afina remarks bluntly. "Still noted, thanks."
[22:20] <Kotono> OOC: What are you four gonna do now?
[22:21] <Afina> OOC: go try more info gathering at the Bey's Pleasure
[22:21] <Jaela> OOC: Let's try the Bey
[22:23] <Kotono> roll 1d100+25
[22:23] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100+25 and gets 38." [1d100=13]
[22:25] <Kotono> The trip back to the Bey's Pleasure is without incident. The fiery foliage and path to the front entrance is before the party.
[22:26] <Afina> "You mentioned money, Lena? Does anyone have much currency on them?" Afina asks, all her belongings currently aflame with her.
[22:28] <Jaela> "I've got a bunch of ioun stones in a pinch," Jaela mentions. "Think it'll work?"
[22:29] <Kotono> "Not much," Ebony replies, "Lena, perhaps one of us should go and withdraw funds?"
[22:34] <Afina> "Or we could just brazen it through," Afina suggests, "I'm sure between us we can... what's the human phrase? Bullshit them?"
[22:35] * Jaela shrugs. "Worth a try. If all else fails, there's that sage, too."
[22:38] <Kotono> Annalise hums, and in Jaela's mind, 'It may work, it may not.' Meanwhile the doors are indeed ahead if the party wishes to try.
[22:39] <Jaela> "I'll get the door, Lady Maila," Jaela says, deciding to give it a try.
[22:44] <Kotono> The door opens! Within you see beautiful, flame-gold light. Carpets. Carpets are ahead of you, so soft that you sink in up to your knees. It massages your feet with pure warmth, ankles shivering pleasurably. They don't hinder your steps in the least. Above you is the dome - gold plated and massively, rising high, high and higher yet! Before you cans ee much more, an efreet clad in pure gold
[22:44] <Kotono> from head to toe is before you. "Welcome, honored Lords," he says, "May I have your reservations?"
[22:47] <Afina> Since they're putting up Maila as the noble lady, Afina goes with that. "Presenting the peerless and most splendid Lady Maila!" she announces, kneeling at the side for greater beings than she to sweep in. "Glory and rejoice for your establishment has been chosen by her majestic ladyship!"
[22:49] <Jaela> All she can do is trust in Ebony's ability, and so Jaela mirrors Afina's attitude, coming to kneel subserviently at the other side of their supposed lady and lowering her head.
[22:51] <Kotono> Annalise simpers and kneels as well, looking up with empty, lustful eyes! Ebony's stare is uncaring, "You dare question my reservation?" she intones lowly, "I grow weary of incompetence before me. I desire the proper refreshments immediately!" OOC: She's making a check, all three of you can aid another for her bluff.
[22:52] <Jaela> roll 1d20+8
[22:52] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+8 and gets 15." [1d20=7]
[22:52] <Kotono> roll 1d20 Annalise pretty much autopass
[22:52] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 Annalise pretty much autopass and gets 5." [1d20=5]
[22:53] <Afina> roll 1d20+10
[22:53] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+10 and gets 17." [1d20=7]
[22:54] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
[22:54] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+15 and gets 29." [1d20=14]
[22:55] <Kotono> The efreet immediately coughs and clears his throat, bowing low, "A thousand pardons! A thousand pardons!" After a few moments of utter groveling he rises, "This way, Lord."
[22:56] * Jaela remains kneeling until Ebony passes her, intending to fall in half a step behind her.
[22:57] <Afina> Mirroring Jaela's actions, Afina dutifully flanks Ebony into the inn itself.
[22:57] <Kotono> Switching to haughty, displeased Infernal, each word crisp as the edge of a dagger, "Make it so, before I express my displeasure further." Under her breath a moment later, to Afina and Jaela, "Distract him away from me for just a few moments."
[23:00] * Afina flies up towards the efreet, at his head level with her fiery body obscuring Ebony as she gets his attention and then guides it somewhat to the side as she talks, "The Lady Maila cannot abide to lumps in her lava. I trust the supply here is pure and consistent with no unsightly magma clumps? I understand some low class earthy types might prefer that both in their drinks as well as decor, but it simply cannot be allowed for one of her unique and excellent tastes. I trust you understand?"
[23:03] <Jaela> "Yes," Jaela agrees as she joins Afina, pinning the efreet with her gaze to the point where she seems to tower over him regardless of their actual sizes. "You will make sure these misunderstandings don't happen."
[23:05] <Afina> "Also she must have access to a window facing South south west to channel her inner energies to maximal effect. Anything less would be tantamount to an assault on her person which absolutely will not be tolerated!" Afina insists stridently.
[23:07] <Kotono> The efreet bows deeply, scraping the ground. "Of course, only the purest refreshments!" he says ,"Nothing else would be worthy! A south by south west window, of course. Nothing else would be acceptable!" Meanwhile Ebony softly mouths a few words, gesturing! Thereafter she strides ahead, "Enough prattling." Her voice is resplundently rich now, even in Infernal. "Refreshments now, my patience
[23:07] <Kotono> is at an end."
[23:08] * Jaela retakes her place by Ebony's side at that, staying respectfully a step behind.
[23:10] * Afina likewise zips back to subserviently follow.
[23:14] <Kotono> You are lead through a hall of wealth. Here statues carved of human sized rubies are on display. Statues of efreet, of erinyes, of elementals. You are lead to a vast hall before you can really appreciate it. Here is a vast fountain of pure lava, surrounded by intimate little couches, soft and red. Ebony takes a seat at one, a table of pure crackling fire appearing before her. The efreet
[23:14] <Kotono> bows, "Your first course will be here immediately, Lady Maila."
[23:15] <Kotono> With barely a look at him she nods slightly, settling in to observe the fountain in a disdainful reverie. Meanwhile Annalise stays standing, looking at the fountain with a slack jawed fascinatation. "Pretty..." she murmurs, as if only air exists within her skull.
[23:16] * Afina takes position watchfully behind Maila... at worst they only have to pay for one person? She's rather out of her element, fire notwithstanding, but it seems a lot harder to just mingle and ask questions like in the last place here.
[23:16] <Jaela> It's actually disturbing to see her act so vapid, so Jaela channels those thoughts into fueling her scowl. But never for Ebony, no; it is reserved for those who might misbehave around her as a stern warning.
[23:17] <Kotono> Once the servant is gone, Ebony murmurs in a richly thrilling voice, "I will ask for someone worthy of conversation when he returns," she says, "Follow my leads, but pay attention. If any disrespect me in any slight way or anything that could be a slight, immediately chastise them. Status is all important right now."
[23:18] * Jaela gives a slight nod of acknowledgement back, asserting, "Without fail."
[23:18] <Kotono> Barely a moment later, a beautiful humanoid approaches. He is mail and wears naught but a loincloth, muscled all over. He carries a silver tray with a steaming, dark red bowl of soup. "Your first course, m'lady," he places it on the table and promptly grovels.
[23:19] * Afina nods. That at least is a concept she's eminently familiar with. Even if Ilsenine preferred her to make such chastisements known in the shadows after the event, she doesn't mind responding promptly and decisively,
[23:20] <Kotono> "You there," Glancing only a moment at the soup, "This fountain is not enough to hold my attention for even a moment. Bring forth someone with at least a modicum of intellect and learning." Her voice is like a cold whip, "If you fail, I will personally be offended with you," she adds, in an absent appendix.
[23:20] <Kotono> 'Angel's Blood Soup,' Annalise sounds in Afina and Jaela's mind, one after another. You can see her bow her head as she licks her lips, hiding it.
[23:21] * Jaela narrows her eyes slightly at the man to make that threat a lot more explicit and weighty.
[23:22] <Afina> 'Do you think the angel that gave that is treated as nicely as you treat your source of angel blood?' Afina wonders, her dislike of this place solidifying.
[23:22] <Kotono> "Yes, m'lady," the servant whimpers, and abruptly Ebony scowls again. She takes the bowl and slowly pours it out onto the ground, eyes flinty-cold as she catches the gaze of the suddenly terrified servant. "Do I look like a vampire?" she whispers, "Unacceptable! This slop isn't even worthy for the party whore to lick off the ground."
[23:23] <Kotono> 'Oh, I doubt it,' Annalise adds with a dry chuckle, replying to Afina. '...aaah, such a waste...' she murmurs, barely audible in Afina's mind.
[23:24] <Kotono> "I...I'm sorry!" The man goes right back to groveling, as Ebony looks away from him, "Fetch me what I commanded, as well as a better first course. Now."
[23:24] <Afina> 'If she hadn't said that you could have licked it up, too. I'm sure Jaela will feed you once we're done here, though.'
[23:25] <Jaela> Yet another bad experience to join several past similar ones. Fire is a place to be avoided, Jaela decides.
[23:25] <Kotono> With a murmured apology the servant runs off! Once he's gone, "Harden your hearts to the deception," Ebony murmurs, "Best they think me a noblewoman in good standing with Mephisto, who will brook no disrepect."
[23:25] * Afina nods minutely.
[23:27] <Kotono> Annalise chuckles just a little bit, but otherwise resumes her vapid staring. It's only a few more seconds before another servant returns - a woman this time, clad only in a loincloth and strips of cloth over her bosom. She presents a platter of fried meats before Ebony, who merely waves the woman off after.
[23:27] <Kotono> roll 1d20+24
[23:27] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+24 and gets 30." [1d20=6]
[23:28] <Kotono> Ebony takes a strip and nibbles on it, "Acceptable," she says at last, "If you are a dog. You three may eat this unworthy offering."
[23:30] * Jaela would rather have nothing to do with this place, but following Ebony's lead is crucial to the deception. She bows stiffly and picks one of the fried pieces of meat before stepping back to her spot and biting down on it.
[23:30] <Afina> Having a vague idea of what eating involves for fire elementals, Afina bows deeply and picks up one of the strips, letting it char and melt away in her grasp until it's utterly consumed by her flames, making a small sigh of contentment afterwards.
[23:31] <Kotono> The meat tastes like beef. It is intensely spicy and flavorful, and undeniably excellent food. Afina meanwhile burns hers up, leaving behind nothing at all. Annalise looks on and takes a strip, slowly licking it up and down and inserting it into her mouth. Ebony looks on with disinterested amusement a momenta t that, before turning back to the fountain. To this Annalise giggles brainlessly,
[23:31] <Kotono> smiling winsomely to the other three.
[23:34] * Jaela can only hope it's beef as she slowly consumes the strip, before picking another.
[23:37] <Kotono> As you sup on the meat, a man approaches. He is an efreet, clad in orange-red robes and carrying a book underarm. A set of spectacles sit on his face, balancing perfectly on the end of his nose, "M'lady," he bows deeply, "I am Sage Eucra, student of the forbidden lores. I am at your full disposal."
[23:37] * Jaela gives the sage an assessing look to determine if he is a threat upon that approach.
[23:39] <Kotono> "Lord Maila to you, servant," she corrects with a frigid coldness, not even looking as the same female servant brings steaming hot wineglasses of pure, smooth lava. They are made of red-tinted glass, curved 'round and 'round like a spiral. Ebony takes one and sips once, glancing at Afina. "You may take the other," she commands. The Sage does not look hostile, but you can notice pouches for
[23:39] <Kotono> spell components all over his robes.
[23:39] <Kotono> "Lord Maila," With a deep bow, going down to one knee, "If I may presume-" he begins, Ebony's glare silencing him. She lets the silence hang a moment, "You may not. I am your superior, you need know nothing more."
[23:40] <Afina> He's shown correct deference so far so Afina lets him continue living. Taking a wineglass, she takes a small drink herself without her eyes leaving Eucra.
[23:41] <Jaela> At that word, 'presume', Jaela favors Sage Eucra with a glare. But she hardly takes it past that. The man can learn, after all.
[23:41] <Kotono> Bowing even deeper, pressing his face down into the carpet, "Yes, Lord Maila." After a moment of silence to that, "You are well versed in the history of Fire?" Ebony asks. The lava burns going down, yet feels strangely good, strangely right to her elemental body. Almost like milk and honey when she's fully fey.
[23:42] <Kotono> He starts to rise, which causes Ebony to state, "Scarlet, should he rise without permission, kill him." Her voice is utterly disinterested, the sage immediately going back to groveling.
[23:42] <Afina> Just so long as it doesn't turn to stone in her fairy bladder later on. A few more sips are taken before she lowers the glass, waiting for further commands or excuses for violence.
[23:43] <Kotono> After that moment, the sage replies, "Yes, Lord Maila. I am fully aware and versed in Fire's history."
[23:43] <Jaela> "Without fail, Lady Maila," Jaela echoes, her eyes boring into the groveling sage's form.
[23:45] <Kotono> "Good. My studies have directed me towards the treasures of Fire, and Lord Mephistopheles commanded me to pursue this matter after a promising breakthrough." Emphasizing Lord Mephistopheles with a chill weight, Ebony allows that to hang in the air. "This treasure was likely in the possession of the weak willed fool known as Bristis Pel. When her weakness caused her to be laid low, who claimed her treasures?"
[23:47] <Kotono> Ebony has another few sips of lava, and in Afina and Jaela's heads, 'I'm in contact with Ebony. She'll need healing the moment we get to Aurora, or the lava turned to stone will greatly harm or kill her. Be aware. You may as well, Afina, but your elemental body should process the lava far better.'
[23:48] <Jaela> 'Tell her that the spell I cast on her in advance should provide it, in an emergency,' Jaela thinks back, even as she retains her stoic vigil.
[23:48] <Kotono> "It is said that The Great Imix personally took her treasures, m'lady," Groveling yet more, "With your permission, may I rise and continue?"
[23:50] <Kotono> "You may continue. You may not rise." With a tone of bored offense, "You have presumed again. Should you do so again...Scarlet, such an incompetent sage sh ould not continue his bloodline. Your blade can ensure that he never has a heir. Now then," Continuing on, "So Lord Imix has all the treasures of Bristis Pel?"
[23:50] <Afina> 'I can stay like this indefinitely if I have to. Ebony can be generous to me if she wants,' Afina suggests, drinking deeply from her glass and setting it down empty afterwards with a satisfied hiss.
[23:50] <Jaela> If Imix has it, then does it make the venture a bust? Jaela fights to keep the grimace off her face, and eventually decides to turn questioningly towards Ebony to seek her decision.
[23:51] <Jaela> "That's twice you presumed above your station, worm," Jaela hisses at him, directions given. "There won't be a third time, will there?"
[23:51] <Kotono> With a silent eep the Sage buries his face down all over again, as if trying to use his face to burrow into the floor. "O-o-of course the truth is hardly one fact!" he blurts, "'t-tis said that many opportunists snuck in! 'tis said that the Failure of the Hebdomad took others, and that the cowardly, weak Zaaman Rul snuck away with a few trifling trinkets. A-a-at your command I could tell
[23:51] <Kotono> you who is said to have what, at your leav.e"
[23:58] <Kotono> As you talk the female servant comes back again. This time she brings several rich, red fruits. Each one is about the size of a pear, lava-red. They burn and crackle with smokeless fire. With them are several dark blue grapes, each one the size of an apple or so. Despite looking like nothing more than carved ice they do not melt. The female servant bows, hurrying away. "I suppose this is
[23:58] <Kotono> marginally acceptable," Ebony says at last, taking a knife provided. She cuts off a bit of a grape and a bit of a pear, eating the two bits together. She closes her eyes and sighs with a contented sound, "Silence for a moment, sage. Your words are unworthy of the Sultan's fire fruits or the grapes of Cania." Another savored bite follows, one of the fire fruits passed to Afina, "You have been
[23:58] <Kotono> useful this day. This is your reward," she intones to Afina. "Yes, we are looking for a particular piece." Snapping a finger, "Scarlet, take out the note with the exact name of our object. You may whisper it into the fool's head, and he may reply. Your lips are not worthy of speaking of such a treasure aloud, otherwise."
[00:00] <Afina> "A thousand thank yous, Lady Maila," Afina lowers her gaze, trying to bite and swallow this one rather than just burning it in her hand.
[00:00] <Kotono> Quietly in your minds does Annalise reply, 'Ebony wishes to make an escape if we find reliable information, for no bluff lasts forever.'
[00:01] <Kotono> Afina mouth explodes in heat! It's as if she's eating heat, the taste unbelievably good! She swallows it, tasting it as it passes deeper into her body! Her entire form quakes with the taste from the single bite!
[00:01] <Kotono> *Afina's.
[00:01] * Jaela wordlessly approaches the sage at the command, and bends down to grasp him by the collar. He's yanked up and she hisses into his ear, "The Armor of Quilium, fool. Be quick about it." She lets him drop back down, then, and pushes him the rest of the way to the ground with her boot.
[00:01] <Afina> Hissing in pleasure at that, Afina replies mentally to Annalise, 'Gracefully or abruptly?'
[00:04] <Kotono> 'Gracefully if possible. Abruptly if needed'. Meanwhile the sage utters, 'T-that armor..." he gasps, "I-" he stops and quickly reverses course, "It was taken by Zaaman Rul." He finally replies, "He passed up far greater treasures to claim it, it is said."
[00:05] <Jaela> roll 1d20+22 sense motive?
[00:05] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+22 sense motive? and gets 24." [1d20=2]
[00:05] <Kotono> "Mmmm," Savoring more of the mixed fruit, face softening slightly into a mask of distracted pleasure, "Mmm yes, Zaaman Rul then. You have served acceptably, just barely. You may rise and leave - fast now, for I grow weary of you. Scarlet, if he does not show proper respect or speed, kill him." Focusing on her meal all the while, "Now go."
[00:06] * Jaela sneers down on the sage as she pushes him none-too-gently with her foot. "Move."
[00:10] <Kotono> With stumbling speed the Sage stumbles away, as the serving girl returns. She brings a covered silver tray, presenting it to Ebony, who shakes her head. "Enough for now. I shall summon if I desire more...hm. On second thought. Look at me." she commands. The woman is really rather pretty, brown hair and fine features. "What is your name?"
[00:13] <Kotono> To this the woman shakes her head, and after a moment Ebony frowns. "Ah. I see. I fancy you, and the whore here grows boring." After another moment, "This woman desires for me to purchase her." she says with a hint of bemusement in her voice, "She has even offered to take Lena's place to any and all of us." Meanwhile in Jaela's mind, 'Ebony wants to know how fast yo ucan get the five of us
[00:13] <Kotono> out of here. She's making designs on saving the serving wench, I believe.'
[00:14] <Kotono> "That's...um, dumb!" Annalise meanwhile protests! "I'm not boring or that other fancy word!"
[00:15] <Jaela> "Hmph." Turning away, Jaela calls upon Detect Magic to see if any wards preventing dimensional travel exist in this place.
[00:17] <Kotono> OOC: Spellcraft.
[00:18] <Jaela> roll 1d20+24+15
[00:18] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+24+15 and gets 56." [1d20=17]
[00:19] <Kotono> "Silence," Ebony says to Annalise without even looking at her. After a moment Annalise speaks to Afina's mind, 'Can you carry this woman if it came down to it and we have to make na escape? She sounds hellbent on not letting someone suffering and desiring escape from bondage languish,' With a mental click of her tongue following, 'She's making trouble for us.'
[00:20] <Afina> 'I can dimension door us all out in an instant. You'll have to plane shift us,' Afina replies.
[00:22] <Jaela> No scrying? Jaela brushes her hand against Ebony's back, casting Heal. "Summon your superior," Jaela tells the serving woman. "Return with him at once. Do not keep the Lady waiting."
[00:24] <Jaela> 'Only way out is fight our way, or force them into cutting a deal,' Jaela thinks to Annalise, hoping that she passes it along to the others.
[00:25] <Kotono> Nodding, the serving girl hurries away. "Well then," Ebony murmurs, "We'll just have to buy her." Pausing a moment to exhale, "If any of yo uwant to try this, go ahead. My appetite is gone."
[00:26] * Afina has had plenty already and probably shouldn't chance her luck. "We can obtain extra funds if you believe it necessary... Lady."
[00:30] <Kotono> "Do so," Ebony says without hesitation, and in a quiet voice, "I will repay you as soon as I am able. I will not abandon one who has asked for help to her fate."
[00:31] <Afina> "How much do you believe will be necessary?"
[00:31] <Kotono> "She is not that expensive," Ebony murmurs, "But err on the side of caution. 7,000, just in case the negotiations are difficult."
[00:35] <Afina> Hmm. Maybe she can procure funds on site... Afina looks around to see if anyone has any sacks of cash nearby. Or even some adamantine or anything she can pilfer. Be quicker and easier than going to Aurora and back.
[00:35] <Jaela> "Negotiations will not be difficult," Jaela assures Ebony. "May I conduct them?"

[Corwin]

[20:21] <Koaway> There's nothing quite so opulent as pure money lying about. Oh certainly there is taste and wealth, and plenty of gold in the domes above, but no stacks of coins for the taking.
[20:21] <Koaway> Ebony nods slightly, "You may."
[20:23] * Jaela gives Ebony a deep bow, before resuming a haughty wait for the owner to appear.
[20:23] <Afina> Well, if she goes that far they may as well fight it out. "I will return shortly with extra funds for this additional purchase, Lady Maila," Afina bows. "Lena, come with me," she instructs the vampire, heading out.
[20:24] <Koaway> Lena so follows immediately! OOC: What's your plan here, Afina?
[20:25] <Afina> OOC: Go outside, have Annalise plane shift back to Aurora, dig into my monetary funds, plane shift back, return to Ebony and Jaela.
[20:26] <Koaway> OOC: Okay. As yo ugo do that, meanwhile...
[20:26] <Koaway> A moment after Afina and Annalise vacate themselves, the gold clad efreet retrns. Bowing low, "Lord Maila, I have been informed that you wish to purchase this servant?"
[20:27] <Jaela> "There is no need for Lady Maila to lower herself to respond," Jaela cuts him off immediately, stepping forward. "That girl is suitable. That is all. How much for her?"
[20:30] <Koaway> "This lovely young girl is properly broken in all physical and spiritual aspects. She will serve any and all physical needs, up to and including suicide in the name of any dark lord of your choice." Voice a smooth, oily and jovial thing as he continues on, "Spiritually she has no fight left in her. Further, she is well along in being trained in projecting her mind's voice. As she's almost
[20:30] <Koaway> a perfect slave, no light sum will do. I could be tempted to let her go for...65,000 gold?"
[20:33] <Jaela> "You are lucky," Jaela tells him in a low voice, "that this boasting is meant for my ears, and not those of the Lady. I would not be able to stay my hand, otherwise." She sneers at the efreet. "A tenth of that is already too much. And projecting her voice? A slave should know her place instead of speaking up! Five thousand would be a most generous offer."
[20:35] <Koaway> "Telepathy is a fine, useful gift." Despite that he bows low, opening his hands upand spreading them. "In preparation for various defiled acts by our esteemed patrons, she has been throughly blackened. She feasted on part of her mother's flesh, aided several ritual sacrifices of unworthy slaves and other proper, vile things. Such a well prepared servant is surely worth at least 30,000 gold
[20:35] <Koaway> coins! Suggesting that a mere 6500 is too much is lunacy!"
[20:35] <Koaway> Ebony exhales lightly, but audible, but otherwise is silent.
[20:39] <Jaela> "That merely explains why Lady Maila deigned to so much as look at her," Jaela sneers, embracing her role to the fullest. The alternative is slaying this hateful thing before her and going on a rampage through his clientelle, and neither Ebony nor the girl she wants to save will survive that. "I am not beyond reason. A thousand more for six thousand, in light of such careful preparation. I fear it is too much already, considering how we differ on what constitutes useful traits."
[20:55] <Kotono> OOC: Make a diplo or intimidate check, your choice on which.
[20:55] <Jaela> roll 1d20+35 diplo it is
[20:55] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+35 diplo it is and gets 48." [1d20=13]
[20:57] <Kotono> Drumming his fingers together, "Well, letting go of such a morsel is not easily done," The efreet says, "Perhaps I can go as low as...8000, then."
[21:02] <Jaela> Arguing over the cost of a person's life is distasteful, yet giving in too quickly would seem suspicious. And she needs to buy enough time for Afina and Annalise to return.... Jaela shakes her head. "Perhaps I might have deigned to spare my Lady the wait had you named that from the start, but the price you started with was outrageous. Tenth of that is the final offer. Let it serve as your reminder of your station."
[21:05] <Kotono> Meanwhile Afina and Annalise return, as the efreet frowns. He rubs his chin, "6,500 is your final offer?"
[21:06] <Jaela> "It is," Jaela responds with a steely voice.
[21:07] <Afina> Behind Afina trails a floating disc containing her sack of gold as she resumes station behind Ebony.
[21:10] <Kotono> "Welll..." Pondering beforen odding, "Just because it is you, of course. Deal." He offers his hand out for Jaela.
[21:12] * Jaela looks down at the offered hand with the distaste she doesn't have to fake one bit. "Deal," she repeats, turning away abruptly and heading for the sack Afina brought back with her. "Deliver her at once, or Lady Maila will not be amused."
[21:13] <Kotono> With a snap of his fingers, the slave comes forth, standing at his side.
[21:14] * Jaela draws the funds and tosses them at the efreet's feet negligently, before turning to kneel before Ebony. "Are you pleased, My Lady?"
[21:17] <Kotono> "It is...acceptable." She says at last, eyes on the slave who slowly approaches. "You are dismissed," she adds to the efreet, who gathers the coins up and bows, before leaving. Then she rises, "No servant of mine will be glad so garishly," she demands, "There is a worthy tailor nearby, he will do."
[21:19] <Jaela> "Then we are departing, Lady Maila?" Jaela asks, raising her head.
[21:20] <Kotono> She does not answer that, instead rising and heading on out. "Lead the new slave, Lena," she commands, as Lena frowns deeply, grabbing the girls' arm and dragging her along.
[21:21] * Jaela takes her place behind Ebony, though her unhappy grimace clearly says what she thinks of the entire affair.
[21:21] * Afina obediently follows after the group at the rear.
[21:22] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:22] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 45." [1d100=45]
[21:22] <Kotono> The walk back outside is without incident. Immediately and in a low voice, "We return home now," she says, nodding to Jaela. "Before anything can go awry."
[21:23] <Jaela> Not arguing, Jaela shifts them towards the entrance to the Aurora.
[21:27] <Kotono> You swear you hear a loud shout of some kind as you shift, but it's lost! You appear before Aurora, Ebony exhaling. "I apologize to all of you for any offenses given," she says. Meanwhile the slave stares up in open mouthed shock a moment.
[21:28] <Kotono> Annalise pats the girl on the back, while asking, "Now what? Will we venture out again today?"
[21:29] <Jaela> "That realm is offensive, not you," Jaela says, gritting her teeth. "Just... do something about this girl?"
[21:29] <Jaela> At Annalise's question, she shakes her head. "How about we try a roundabout way this time?"
[21:29] <Afina> "Do you want to drop her off in Sylica or keep her as an apprentice?" Afina asks Ebony, looking curiously at the girl.
[21:30] <Jaela> "She's done too much to just be dropped off and hope for the best, didn't she?" Jaela voices. "It'll take a lot of care."
[21:30] <Kotono> Ebony takes the girl's arm, "I'm not your Master and you're not my slave," she gently coos, "You're free." Looking up, "She'll need to stay with me at least for a little while," she says, as the girl stares uncomprehendingly ahead. Sighing ever so lightly, "These things can be difficult. The concept of being free may be alien to her. This will not be a simple task."
[21:31] <Kotono> "Oh?"Annalise asks, "Also, Afina and Jaela, there's something I need to talk to yo utwo about."
[21:31] <Afina> "Go and get her settled, she's free to stay with you as long as you like," Afina tells Ebony before focusing her attention on Annalise.
[21:32] <Jaela> "Yeah," Jaela tells Annalise, glancing at Afina next. "Zaaman Rul's pals with Princess Chan, and with the Cauldron as well, according to her. If we ask Drena and Kascha to pay him a visit, they might just negotiate for the armor for us. How about that?"
[21:33] <Kotono> Ebony leads the unresponsive girl off, as Annalise smiles. No, smirks. It's distinctly a smirk, "I feel some of my power straining to return. I can almost feel the 9th circle spells reforming fully in my mind."
[21:34] <Afina> "That seems best," Afina agrees with Jaela. "That's good. Any noteworthy spells at the forefront of your recollection?" she asks Annalise next, letting her indulge in all the smirks she wants for such an occassion.
[21:34] <Jaela> "Congrats," Jaela tells Annalise. "Hoped I'd beat you for it, but that's life."
[21:35] <Jaela> Now that they are safe and no longer need to worry over a potential fight or their deception seen through, Jaela casts a Heal on Afina so that anything she's eaten on Fire won't come back to haunt her when she turns back.
[21:36] <Afina> "Thanks," Afina nods gratefully to that, though she'll still let nature run its course and maintain this form a few hours more before changing back to be on the safe side.
[21:38] <Kotono> "I need just a little more aid," Going on with a pleasant smile, "Giving someone the gift of eternal life would suffice." Coming up to Jaela, putting her arms around her while looking at Afina, "If you still wish to hold to your old supersitions, draining you two and a third to the brink should be enough to suffice as well."
[21:41] * Jaela clenches her fists before she can stop herself. "I don't want you drinking from other people. The reason you're drinking my blood is so everyone else doesn't get involved!"
[21:41] <Afina> "What about draining Jaela to the brink three times?" Afina suggests. "She has lots more blood than I do, anyway."
[21:43] <Kotono> "Oh Jaela, calm yourself," Annalise murmurs with a smile, holding her tighter. "Your blood is rich, but I need more...unless you'd accept my offer and make two others unneeded for this," she whispers to her, and then looking up to Afina, "I'm afraid not. I have chaos in my blood, just as you do. Repetition does not entirely agree with it. Variety is needed. Regardless, blood potency is not
[21:43] <Kotono> based all on size. With the energy in your veins, you are as potent as a normal giant to drink. All the sorcererous and fey power singing in your blood...!"
[21:45] * Jaela shakes Annalise off. "Go drink a sheep, see if I care," she says in annoyance.
[21:45] <Afina> "If you can make your bite painful rather than pleasurable I would consent - with Jaela's permission. Otherwise I can summon something nobody cares about for you to do with as you like," Afina offers. "That is the best I can do."
[21:47] <Kotono> Annalise sighs, "I see." she says, turning her head away. "I see you still don't trust me," she observes coolly.
[21:48] <Jaela> "It's not that at all!" Jaela snaps. "I-- goddess! I wanted to ask you if you wanna move in with me. But what you want is to just go drink from a bunch of people because I'm not enough? Whatever. I'll go see what Elena's up to."
[21:48] * Jaela stalks into the Aurora proper.

[Corwin]

[21:51] <Kotono> As Jaela stalks off, "If you trusted me, you wouldn't be upset," she says, putting no emotion into it.
[21:51] * Afina shrugs apologetically to Annalise. "I don't want to go behind Jaela's back when she feels so strongly about this. You'll have to convince her or just practice like the rest of us do to improve your skills."
[21:56] <Kotono> "That," With an imperious toss of her hair as she watches Jaela stalk off, "Does not help. My problem is not a matter of improving new ground, but recovering lost ground." With a rather distinct scowl on her face now, tightening around her lips, "She desires the power to enact her will, yet constantly undermines herself. Maddening."
[21:58] <Afina> "You've been regaining your abilities steadily anyway, though, right?" Afina ask. "So even if it takes longer on your current diet you'll still get there eventually?"
[21:59] <Kotono> "Not until I do what I said," Glancing at Afina, annoyance still writ large on her face, "I know what I need. Until I do, it's a barrier impeding me."
[22:07] <Afina> "And since you've told us that, you can't now sneak off to feed and come back later saying you've miraculously regained your former potency," Afina shakes her head sadly, flying up to pat Annalise on the back, "Your honesty does you credit. See if you can convince Jaela and I'll be able to help," floating back down and towards the gates, "Even if she trusts you, she's scared of losing you."
[22:12] <Kotono> "Ah yes, feminine insecurities. How I forget that lesser females deal with them," With a disdainful gaze ahead at Aurora, "Well, if she's acting like a girl, she'll need to be treated like one. Let's go find her."
[22:15] * Afina blinks a fiery blink at those words. "I'm not getting inbolved in any lover's tiff," she insists quickly. "But my last advice before I go and find anything else to do; reassure her rather than mock her. She's bound to respond better if you at least act like you understand her concerns."
[22:19] <Kotono> Annalise nods minutely, before storming off after Jaela! Meanwhile...After Jaela stomps off and clears the courtyard, Elena appears as requested. "Yes?" she asks, clad normally for once.
[22:20] <Jaela> "Hey," Jaela greets her. She might be upset over Fire and Annalise, but Elena has nothing to do with either. "Is the roof free? I kinda want some space."
[22:22] <Kotono> Elena blinks a moment before nodding, "Nothing's going on up there today. Crystal and Hope were working with some aerial forces, but they packed it in before lunch."
[22:24] <Jaela> "Nice. Wanna take a few and be my company?" Jaela asks, starting to fly there as her armor is discarded into her gauntlet.
[22:24] <Kotono> Elena follows along, "Sure," she says, "Quiet day. Tannin's in the infirmary - Ithea brought him there. Otherwise not much is going on." Reaching the roof is without incident.
[22:25] * Jaela starts on the arduous process of cleaning up her wings, feather by feather. "He's okay, though?"
[22:28] <Kotono> "Think so," Sitting at the edge of the roof and dangling her feet off the edge, "So how'd your trip ot Fire go? Who's the new girl with Ebony?"
[22:29] <Jaela> "Keep an eye on her when you can?" Jaela shakes her head. "She's pretty messed up. Fire's all messed up. You--" She stops abruptly. "Nah. You don't wanna know. Just make sure she doesn't hurt herself by accident or some shit?"
[22:34] <Kotono> "That bad, huh?" Elena frowns, but doesn't have much of a chance to expound on it. Annalise rises up from below, giving Elena an imperious glare full of anger. "Aaaah..." Elena stutters, as that gaze turns onto Jaela. It softens slightly, "Send Elena away."
[22:34] * Jaela gives Elena an apologetic look. "I shouldn't drag you into my problems. Catch you another time?"
[22:37] <Kotono> Elena quickly vanishes!
[22:38] * Jaela snorts. "Help me with the soot?" she asks Annalise, extending her right wing over.
[22:42] <Kotono> Annalise sits next to Jaela, smiling a little bit. It doesn't really reach her eyes, "Don't worry about that right now." She pauses a moment, "You know I don't offer to turn someone unless I'm content with having them around me, possibly forever."
[22:43] * Jaela nods slightly. "I figured as much. Maybe the reasons are different and it's a sort of vampiric pride, but I doubt you went around turning people left and right before we met."
[22:45] <Kotono> "I am rather fond of you," Annalise continues, looking out and away from Jaela. "I'm not going to let you get away from me, Jaela. I'm not going to let you die clinging to some bothersome devil's blade, or under a barrage of unholy magic.
[22:55] <Jaela> "I don't plan on doing that anymore, either," Jaela agrees, steadily working her way through her left wing. "And once I master the ninth circle myself, I'll try looking into my own brand of immortality."
[23:00] <Kotono> Annalise is silent for a little time, "I think it's time you ceased playing," she finally says. "You know why you were unable to even hold a candle to Gathgorian? Oh, you've gained a lot of power in a little time, but you can't compete against eternities of practice and honed might." Looking to Jaela now, eyes a deep, rich blood red, "It'll be the same when you face Abigor or any other real
[23:00] <Kotono> devil champion. The chaff we've faced so far is for the plebians and mortals to play with. You'll prepare as best you can, strengthen yourself...and die." Drawling out that last word without a hint of warmth in her voice, "I'm not going to let that happen."
[23:02] <Jaela> ""What's your plan?" Jaela asks Annalise curiously.
[23:12] <Kotono> Fangs are seen as Annalise smiles, all white and sharp teeth. "I'm going to give you a choice - I suppose I could force you, but I've passed up countless chances to do that already, so what is another?" Licking those fangs, "You submit and I turn you. You gain what you need to triumph, and we end these silly games of you continuing to scrape and seek the approval of the deities. You finally
[23:12] <Kotono> start making the intelligent, hard choices that being a leader of Aurora demands of you." Closing her mouth after, "Or you again stubbornly cling to your misplaced hope and optimism. Once you choose that, I rise and walk out those gates. You continue on with your life as best you can, alone, until a devil takes it from you. Your childish choice weakens your Crusade and ultimately ensures
[23:12] <Kotono> your failure. Oh, perhaps your deities will give you some words of encouragement before they wipe away your mind and make you a silly little courre and invalidate everything you tried to be in life."
[23:17] * Jaela leaves her wing aside and stares out at the Aurora's courtyard. "Me aside, you're saying you're gonna just walk out on all your friends? People who like you? Because I was jealous?"
[23:23] <Kotono> "Yes." Oh, Annalise looks out with Jaela. "I won't linger if you're all going to end up throwing your lives away for no gain. If your friends are deadset on destroying themselves, all you can do is get out of the way. You can't defeat the real powers of Creation like this. You simply don't have the ability gain the strength to defeat them like this. I can change that for you. Well? Will you
[23:23] <Kotono> accept my offer and gain the power you need, or will you throw everything away? Your Crusade's chances ot succeed will be naught but ash, you will be alone and forsaken, and all that awaits you is defeat and despair - just like everyone else in Lifasa."
[23:24] <Jaela> "Take a trip with me," Jaela says, standing up and then offering Annalise her hand. "I'll give you my answer there."
[23:26] <Kotono> "No. I'm tired of playing these games with you, Jaela." Annalise shakes her head, standing nonetheless. She is 5ft away, offering a hand out to Jaela. "Spare me the saccarine attempt where you try and convince me of your convictions. The choices is here, Jaela."
[23:26] <Kotono> *choices are here
[23:36] <Jaela> "Sorry. I'll just have to do the convincing here, then," Jaela responds, not sounding particularly apologetic. "Remember the surprise I mentioned? Since you're gonna be walking out anyway, I'll just tell you instead of showing you. You're welcome to the divine realm of Sylica." Jaela raises her hands half-heartedly. "Surprise! It's a brand new divine realm so I'm sure you never had a chance to visit, and it wasn't fair that you kept doing things for me but not the other way around." She snorts. "I seem to recall you saying that any attempts to get the decent deities to accept you were doomed and misplaced hope and optimism, too. Except it wasn't that misplaced, was it? So what makes you think we can't take this blade and End that fucker Abigor with it? We keep on defying your expectations time and again, so who's to say you'll end up watching us die instead of win it all?" She takes Annalise's hand in her own. "I'm very serious, about this and about you. I'll make the rest of them accept you, too, and when it's time, I'll stop Abigor. I already did something you believed wouldn't happen, and I won't stop there." She shakes her head. "Choices? Didn't you forget the one where you could give up what you are and gain the power to take Abigor out? That alone means there's more than your two options, and I'll show you another one if you stay with us."
[23:38] <Kotono> Annalise sighs. She shakes her head back and forth, removing her hand from Jaela's. In Celestial she utters, "Goodbye, my love." Turning away and beginning to walk away on the roof, "The various trinkets in my room are of no value to me. You may do with them what you will."
[23:43] <Jaela> Free will. She never wanted to go against it more strongly than now. "I love you!" Jaela calls after her. "I meant it when I said I want to spend my life with you, Annalise! It was never about some trinklets or power!"
[23:44] <Kotono> "If you do love me, you know what you need to do. I can't shift away until I'm out of Aurora." At that she leaps off the roof, flying down towards the gates out.
[23:51] * Jaela does, there is no doubt of that. But just like she didn't put an ultimatum of changing her nature before Annalise, she is not about to change her own. Not even for Annalise.
[23:54] <Kotono> Thus Annalise flies away, to the gates of Aurora. She doesn't hesitate save for just a moment, stepping through and past them. Then, in a wink of her magic, vanishes from sight.
[00:00] <Jaela> In a daze, Jaela peers at her dirtied wings for a while before giving up on everything. She leaps off the roof; her window is nearby, on the top floor, and she gets back to her room before locking window and door securely. Her gauntlets are tossed aside, and she sinks into the carpet Annalise had gotten for her just the other day.
[00:04] <Kotono> The carpet even smells a bit like Annalise, bringing to mind holding her there. As Jaela can reflect on this, you hear a tiny voice - Elena's, "I'm sorry," she is heard murmuring.
[00:06] <Jaela> "Figures the locks won't keep you out," Jaela muses, turning around until she lies on her back, arms and wings spread out to the sides. "But freeze the portals heading up for me? Not like anyone else's living on this floor anymore."
[00:07] <Kotono> You don't see Elena - but you can hear her voice. "Okay," she says, "Do you want me to get your Mom or anyone," she asks, voice hesitant. "Or...even a sending scroll?" In a little voice, "Sir Medi forgive me, but that was really heartbreaking." Sniffling, "I'm so sorry, Jaela!"
[00:09] <Jaela> "I can do with a day without Mom's gloating, thanks." Jaela closes her eye. "I was thinking all day about asking Afina how heretics marry, too. Strange how things work out, right? It's strange."
[00:11] <Kotono> There's a pause, "You know," she says, "Galariel and I are fighting over this, too. He says good riddance and I think you should've kept her from leaving," Elena murmurs, "Strange how things work out, right?"
[00:12] <Jaela> "How?" Jaela asks listlessly. "I don't want to become a vampire. I don't want to lie to her about becoming one. What else was there? Maybe I'm dumb, so if you know of a way, go on and tell me."
[00:16] <Kotono> With a sad little sound, "Maybe she was worth it. I don't know...and I know Sir Medi would be rolling in his grave if he heard this, but...maybe she was worth it. I don't know. I wish I did," Elena sighs. "Sir Medi always believed will could overcome anything and change the universe...until the hearts and emotions of his friends ultimately betrayed him."
[00:17] <Jaela> "You're not helping," Jaela says curtly. "Leave me alone for a while."
[00:19] <Kotono> Elena is silent for a time - just when you think she did leave, "Sometimes I wonder if Sir Medi would have had a happier fate if he compromised his principals for something else. Love? Practicality? Wealth? I don't know. I just...It's one of the things I wonder about, Jaela. That's all. I hope you feel better. I'll leave you be now, just...I wanted to say that."
[00:22] <Jaela> There is no need for someone else to say what she's thinking herself. Jaela doesn't react, lest she encourage Elena. She's been alone to begin with, and she'll get along just fine now with the delusion that someone from Lifasa can find happiness out of the way.

[Corwin]

[00:26] <Kotono> Afina gets sidetracked - a minor thing with Crystal, consulting over some training. Once that's finally sorted out, Afina is heading to the portals to track down Drena. Yet stepping into one, she finds herself in the strategy room instead. Elena's standing there, looking downcast, "Um Afina...can we talk?"
[00:26] <Afina> Well, this must be important. "What is it?" she asks, landing in front of Elena.
[00:28] <Kotono> Slumping into a chair, "Annalise left. She's gone." Elena reports, "Annalise and Jaela had a fight - a really bad one. It came down to Annalise demanding Jaela accept her embrace or she'd leave. She left."
[00:29] <Afina> "What?" Afina takes just a second to process that - an eternity for her, "When I told her to convince Jaela that's not what I meant! Where did she go?"
[00:31] <Kotono> "Out the gate and vanished." she answers. "Jaela's holed up in her room - um, I tried to talk to her and it didn't go so hot." Shuffling her feet, "It happened so fast! It's like they  were bluffing each other, and they called each other's bluffs!"
[00:34] <Afina> "It must have been simmering under their relationship the whole time... at least one didn't have to kill the other," Afina sighs. "We effectively forced her into helping us in exchange for her freedom... I should find her and make her live up to her end of the bargain. But if we don't let her feed freely it's limiting her ability to help in the way she sees best. I can understand her
[00:34] <Afina> frustration." Shaking her head, she dismisses her fiery transformation and sits down next to Elena. "We'd been getting along really well the last few weeks, too."
[00:35] <Kotono> "I don't think either of them was willing to submit to the other's ideals," Elena says softly, looking down at the floor. "I...Am I a bad person if I wish that if Annalise wouldn't accept Jaela's, that she'd at least accept Annalise's embrace? The entire thing was horrible and depressing."
[00:38] <Afina> "I hope Annalise didn't take my jokes about her curing herself to kill the Duke of Destiny to heart..." Afina mutters before looking up, "They can only follow their own hearts. If they can't accept the differences between each other they'll just have to part. I only wish that parting didn't take Annalise away from all of us."
[00:40] <Kotono> "Yeah. She...wasn't so bad, later on." Elena admits, wincing, "I haven't told Hanna yet - you're the first one." Kicking at the ground, "I floated the idea of her getting a sending scroll to send something to Annalise, but she wasn't interested. I just...It happened so fast. You think you can just say something and push it back, or prevent someone from walking out of your life so quickly."
[00:42] <Afina> "I think I'll use a sending, just to say goodbye and that she'll always be welcome. But that's it, I can't bring myself to force her back after this," Afina shakes her head, leaning back in her seat and just digesting this and how things will change without Annalise around. "She was with us since the beginning, really..."
[00:44] <Kotono> "Yeah. I remember trying to kill her with sunlight," Smiling a moment, "Jaela told me to keep her left alone, but I'm planning on ignoring that. I mean..." Shrugging, "Being alone is terrible, especially when you're sad. I know that much too well."
[00:48] <Afina> Perhaps this is a time when she should appeal to Jaela's maternal instincts with her pixie cuteness? "I'll go keep her company. Zaaman Rul can wait," Afina agrees, standing up.
[00:51] <Kotono> "I was supposed to seal her area off, so when you get there that jig's up," Elena adds, "Good luck. I...I think she wants me to avoid telling her mother, but is there anyone else who could help Jaela here?"
[00:57] <Afina> "She underestimates Hanna, but we should respect her wishes that far - let her tell her mother herself when she's ready. I think she relates best to Dana out of everyone here, and she knows what it's like to lose someone even in different circumstances," Afina suggests. "I'm going up there, now," she heads for the portal.
[00:58] <Kotono> "I'll send Dana along," Elena says, vanishing.
[00:59] * Afina takes a portal up to the floor Jaela lives on and knocks on the door. "Jaela? It's Afina. Can I come in?"
[01:00] * Jaela sighs. "I can't stop you."
[01:02] <Afina> Thus Afina comes in, walking gently over to join Jaela on the rug that she mercifully doesn't know what transpired on recently. Putting an arm over Jaela's body, she offers tentatively, "Do you want a hug?"
[01:05] <Jaela> "I don't know what I want," Jaela responds, keeping her visible eye closed. "If it were you, would you do it? Give up what you are and become a vampire to be with her?"
[01:08] <Afina> "No," Afina replies instantly. "I'm not you, though," she adds more gently wrapping her tiny arms around Jaela in a somewhat awkward hug, "I'm sorry, though. I told her she should try and convince you about drinking blood to get her powers back. I didn't expect an ultimatum."
[01:09] <Jaela> "I... yeah... I mean, you know what it feels like. How could she say that while holding me? And I've been thinking about stuff too, and then she goes and does it. Who wouldn't be upset?"
[01:11] <Kotono> There's another knocking on the door, "Jaela?" Dana's voice carries over, "You in there?"
[01:12] <Afina> "I thought she might be good company," Afina tells Jaela quietly, "You don't mind?"
[01:12] <Jaela> "I'm beyond caring."
[01:14] <Afina> "Come in, Dana," Afina calls on Jaela's behalf.
[01:16] <Kotono> Dana walks on in, out of her armor for a change. She's wearing pants and a tunic - rather more like a man than a woman, really, should dress. She sees herself in and sits next to Jaela, "Hey. Fucking bullshit, right," she offers with an uneasy smile on her face. "...you okay?"
[01:18] <Jaela> "Just another failure in a long string of them." Jaela sighs again. "Look, it's fine. I tried to do something above my station and got smacked back down. It happens all the fucking time. I'm used to it."
[01:20] <Kotono> "Angst, angst, angst," Dana rolls her eyes, "Y'know how I was thinking about becoming Annalise food awhile back, until I got talked out of it? Same thing with the golem infusion?"
[01:21] <Afina> "You were put in an unreasonable situation by someone you loved, there's no shame in that. It happens to all of us," Afina reassures before falling silent so Dana can conclude her point.
[01:21] <Jaela> "Yes, you're a moron," Jaela grits out at Dana, sitting up and glaring at her. "Not new."
[01:22] * Afina gratefully detaches from the awkward hug as Jaela gets up.
[01:22] * Afina gratefully detaches from the awkward hug as Jaela gets up.
[01:25] <Kotono> Dana gives Jaela an obscene gesture, "Oh, go fuck yourself," Rolling her eyes, "Oh wait, you'll need to now unless Mirima's going to pick up where Annalise left off?" Reclining back with a smirk, "What I'm getting is that I was thinking about doing that to piss off Daddy, then because you love her is a way better reason for it. Shit, I'd have gone full ugly troll if Willim was still here
[01:25] <Kotono> and I had to. Who the hell cares, Jaela? I'm not much of a knight. Got all the training, never use it any more. Know why? Fuck the stupid code of honor and conduct. Fighting you told me I needed to stop being held back by shit like that."
[01:28] * Jaela gapes at Dana.
[01:31] <Afina> "I think she's saying that she would have become a vampire, just like I wouldn't have," Afina tries to helpfully defuse things, "You made the only decision you could make, in the end."
[01:31] <Kotono> "Go fuck yourself and fuck your bitching, you stupid airheaded cunt," Grinning atthis, despite every single word she utters, "Willim isn't the first special friend I've seen die. So sorry if I'm invalidating your special pity party where you nurse your anger and broken heart. For fuck's sake, get off your ass and find her if you love her. Unless all that other shit's more important than that
[01:31] <Kotono> anyway."
[01:33] * Afina shrugs helplessly. Maybe this is what works for aasimar and half celestials?
[01:36] <Jaela> Mustering her anger is difficult, but Jaela has plenty of training in that. "Alright," she tells Dana. "How am I supposed to find her now? Ask for divine intervention?"
[01:37] <Afina> "Sending her and say you've changed your mind?" Afina suggests before Dana can suggest something cruder.
[01:37] <Kotono> "Fuck, you're the magician and priest, you tell me." Not breaking her grin, "Afina, how do you contact someone far away or on another plane? If that fails, how do you find 'em?"
[01:40] * Afina just said how!
[01:44] <Jaela> "Sending. Right," Jaela slowly says. "I'll need a scroll, then. Do we have one?" Elena must be listening in, the sneak, so she better make herself useful.
[01:45] <Kotono> Elena opens the door, "Here you go," she calls, "I had the general fund pay for it." OOC: Put the price of a scroll of sending into loot after the normal discounts.
[01:51] <Jaela> Her magic lets her use it, although that won't last, Jaela knows fully well. "I don't want to live without you, Annalise," she says, casting the spell. "Where are you?"
[01:54] <Kotono> For long moments there isn't any reply at all. Then, 'If you're serious, come to the hideaway of darkness where I had the berries. Come only if you never wish to breathe again.'
[02:00] <Jaela> "I, uh, guess it's goodbye?" Jaela says awkwardly, looking about her room.
[02:01] <Kotono> "Hey, wait a second!" Elena pipes up, "What do you mean its goodbye! Aren't you two coming back?"
[02:03] <Afina> "I think she means goodbye as a living being...?"
[02:06] * Jaela tries to form a response, but after a few failed tries just gives up on it and heads towards outside and the gate.
[02:07] <Kotono> "Well yeah, but..." she begins, reaching out for Jaela as she heads out. As Jaela rises, "...good luck either way, alright?" Dana calls, "You're a pretty awesome warrior, Jaela. No matter what happens."
[02:08] <Afina> Escorting Jaela out of Aurora, Afina is silent until they reach the gate, where hse flies in front and turns to looks sternly into her eyes. "Whatever you decide Jaela, I want you to remember one thing," she states, willing the young angel to understand and take heed, "Love never lasts."
[02:12] <Jaela> "I don't know what to do," Jaela admits to Afina quietly. "I wasn't sure then and I'm not sure now. I just--" She shakes her head. "I hope I'll see you again. It's been good fighting by your side." Jaela takes a step past the gates, then, and plane shifts to Annalise's realm.