To make the glass full (Afina)

[Anastasia]

Mei tilts her head to the side at that, staring at Afina.

Canderella laughs loudly, "If you make one, wouldn't that be like a child for you? Then again, if those golems count by that logic, you're already a mother."

Ebony shakes her head with a rueful smile, going for more wine. After a moment, she pushes some towards Afina as well, a murmured, "You may want it in a moment."

[Ebiris]

"There's a degree of parental responsibility even if it's not entirely the same thing," Afina acknowledges, having had this discussion with Crystal before. Accepting the wine from Ebony she swiftly drains another glass.

[Anastasia]

More glasses are taken, "We were planning on getting quite drunk, so keep that up," Canderella encourages, taking another glass for herself. "Most children don't start of being capable of pounding trolls to mush, unless their father is a balor."

Ebony looks mildly perturbed, frowning and hiding it by also going for another drink. "I suppose it does prevent unique challenges," she remarks carefully, "Celestial children are powerful, but are born with innate wisdom and restraint. Alicia's sister, Jessica, has had several children. Each of them is a full celestial and stunningly well behaved. If one of them wanted, they could give a trained warrior a thrashing or compete with a court wizard."

Misalea shivers, "Disturbing," she mutters, shaking her head quickly.

[Ebiris]

"And that's the thing, all my golems are static, complete beings. There's no childish innocence, no awkward adolescence for Smrgol or the others. But by the same token there's no growth, no refinement of skills or development of the spirit. While their wills are their own and they can form new opinions, the intelligence and talents I imbued into them are all they'll ever have. Even then though, you can see how Rushing Tiger, Vanguard, and Reflection all have their different outlooks and present themselves uniquely despite being more identical than any set of triplets," Afina says, explaining some of her golems' nature for those who might be curious.

[Anastasia]

Mei nods along to Afina, putting a hand on her shoulder.

Ebony considers, "You sound something like a mother already," she comments candidly, "Even if they are born complete, they are still in some sense your children."

"Creator, mother. Mother, creator," she sings those words as she helps herself to a bit of cake, "Is there really a difference, be it creating life in your body or with your own hands?"

[Ebiris]

"Until I've done it both ways I couldn't offer a properly reasoned opinion," Afina replies with a coy smile. "But yes, I'm very fond of my intelligent creations. I gave them the gift of free will and they chose to fight for a world none have ever seen. Whether that makes them noble heroes or loyal children, it's appreciated all the same."

[Anastasia]

"Cheers to that," Ebony raises her glass, drinking more down. She sits back and sighs happily, closing her eyes and savoring.

"I don't know, it'll be sooner or later if Crystal gets her way," Canderella says, just as coy as Afina. "Did you know she asked me for advice for helping you find true love?"

Misalea snickers loudly, as Mei starts to laugh as well. She hides it with her hand, as if trying to reign it in.

[Ebiris]

Afina groans and reaches up to rub her face before she extends her arm out to procure more wine. "Crystal is becoming a hopeless romantic. I hope you didn't encourage her," she says wearily.

[Anastasia]

The wine helps, if nothing else does.

Canderella waves a hand, "Oh, I made a few suggestions. The first involved a self-focused transmutation and taking matters into her - or his - hands. Amazingly, she didn't take my advice. So I told her you were a powerful, confident woman. Romance has to happen naturally, not be forced. You're not some wilting maiden sitting on a throne, waiting for Moore to sweep you away." Smirking at that, as Misalea snickers anew, "I told her to find someone and she said she would, even if she has to go out and recruit your dream date herself."

[Ebiris]

"She needs a date of her own," Afina mutters sullenly, letting the imprecation towards her Majesty slide just this once. "Or some other sort of project to distract her. Maybe I should have a think and come up with something of my own..."

[Anastasia]

"She does. Right now, you're her project," Canderella nabs more cake, popping it into her mouth. "Mmmm. Strawberry," she murmurs in approval, then more wine. Afina's feeling good - warm and steamy from the bath, light and happy from the drink. Everything just seems fine right now.

Mei leans forward a bit, gesturing. She points at Afina, then at where Afina sword usually rests. She then pantomimes handing it over to someone and then points, as if banishing them out.

"Why yes," Ebony drawls around another drink, giggling. "Give a paladin a sword and a task and they'll be quite occupied. I think she has it, Afina. When Crystal gets on about this, give her something to go smite."

Meanwhile a squad of courres come in. They carry more trays, placing them down on the water. More sweets and more wine are on them, as they then go about and take up empty trays. Once they fly off and are gone, Misalea starts nodding, "Oh yes, it's like a calling. Ever since I took holy orders, I think about fighting evil in a whole new light."

[Ebiris]

That's a good idea. "Jaela keeps bringing back these tainted evil items she wants to fix, maybe I'll tell Crystal to lend her a hand."

If she's spending time with Jaela's good friend Mei then Jaela can spend time with her good friend Crystal. An elegant solution!

[Anastasia]

"Exactly, and we'll get more useful things out of it," Ebony agrees, "Purifying evil items is worthwhile but time consuming. That elegantly solves both issues. Bravo." She claps a bit, impromptu cheers coming from the other ladies - except Mei, of course.

Mei smiles and nods quickly and fiercely.

As that dies down, Misalea asks, "None of us are intending to do much today," she says, "What about you, Afina?"

[Ebiris]

"I'm just waiting till Kascha's at liberty to take us to the Cauldron," Afina answers, seeing no way in which the sweet natured eladrin could object to bringing along the similarly sweet Mei. "So until then we may as well join you in your leisure," she nods agreeably to that prospect, sinking more wine down her throat.

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d100
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 99 > [d100=99]

From here the day passes in revelry and joy. Later, Afina has foggy memories of it. Soaking for hours in the tub, drinking, eating and chatting. Wandering out, the wobbling from her perch on Ebony's shoulder. Singing along with Ebony and Canderella, then a swim outside. Then...Lady Skye and fey unison, she thinks. Something. It gets even hazier from there.

She awakens to a parched throat, a sour taste in her mouth and a bit of a headache. She's somewhere dark, curled up and hugging something to her. Her hat, she realizes after some foggy efforts to clear her head.