Gearing up (Moore, Ithea)

[Anastasia]

"Good luck," Adrian says, heading into the forges without a second look back.

Crystal sighs, "Hopefully it's not dragon art time," she murmurs.

[Nephrite]

"It will be fine." Moore says with a smile. He'll wait for Crystal to lead him to Baleruk!

[Anastasia]

Baleruk's lair nests above Aurora - a strange thing that you enter and find yourselves in another place. Ahead is gold - a vast pile of gold. Treasures are all about, beautiful and prismatic. But they're dominated by the dragon who rests there. He shines with every color of the rainbow, eyes on you the moment you enter. The dragon's bulk shifts as it stares at Moore several long moments.

[Nephrite]

"Hello, Sir Baleruk." Moore says, bowing his head and then giving him a more formal bow afterwards. He figures he'll just see how things go from there. If he's angry, then he'll just have to endure it.

[Anastasia]

Baleruk comes forward, head bigger than Hanna coming to within inches of Moore and Crystal. You end up right next to one big, rainbow colored dragon eye as Baleruk says, "You smell like MINERAL!"

[Nephrite]

"Yes, we've just returned from there." Moore answers. He thinks that it's best to not be overly informative right now.

[Anastasia]

"Yes, and you've received your share of the treasure as agreed on," Crystal chimes in, "Sir Baleruk, I trust everything was sufficient?"

Baleruk's eye swivels slightly, going back and forth between the pair of pixies. "Sufficient? Sufficient? Things ARE ONLY SUFFICIENT WHEN-" He stops and eyes Moore a second time, before taking a sniff of the air. "You also smell like Celestia. Are you one of Bahamut's minions?!"

[Nephrite]

"I am not, Sir Baleruk." Moore answers. "However, I am in league with Erathaol. He sent me here."

[Anastasia]

Baleruk's gaze is aaaallll on Moore now. "Explain yourself."

[Nephrite]

"To make a long story short -- I woke up in Venya, did some traveling there and found out that Erathaol had chosen me to be instrumental in the battle against the Duke of Destiny, Taelfagn. He sent me here to join Aurora and I have been offering my assistance in both martial as well as social manners." Moore answers, not usually his light-hearted and carefree attitude, but just answering the exact question the way he thinks Baleruk wants it answered.

[Anastasia]

Baleruk withdraws back, giving both pixies some space. "Very well, I will allow you to serve me. Your tribute is accepted. One of my student is attempting to become a prismatic pixie. You will join Crystal in being her aide and minion."

"Minion?!" Crystal sputters out, "I'm not Afina's minion!"

[Nephrite]

Moore looks over at Crystal and then back to Baleruk. "Sir Baleruk, I'll do whatever I can to aid you and Aurora in keeping with Erathaol's wishes." Moore says. He's most certainly not lying about that part, just... leaving a lot out.

"I'll see how we can help Miss Afina out once she returns." Moore adds. Again, not untruthful!

[Anastasia]

Make a diplo check here since you're trying to calm the dragon.

[Nephrite]

Taking 10 for 47

[Anastasia]

Crystal's objection is noted and promptly ignored. "Go forth, minions," Baleruk declares, "NOW GO IN MY NAME AND MY BLESSING!"

This gets Crystal to turn and promptly fly off.