Pixie power (Moore)

[Anastasia]

This time another barrage of images fills Moore's mind. The stuff of chaos becomes treasure under his will. Gold and jewels, riches enough to buy whatever he could dream of. Aurora is laden with wealth incomprehensible, Moore's many chambers filled with enough treasure to buy Brightwater itself. He sits on a throne carved from a single huge diamond, rubies the size of a large pixie lying all about. Gold ingots long and broad as a human lie about casually, as if such fantastical wealth isn't even worth picking up off the floor.

[Nephrite]

There is something tempting about that...

"Even still, wealth gained like that must be taken from somewhere else in Creation, wouldn't you say?" Moore asks. Well, 'say' is obviously not something this particular creature does, but...

"I don't do what I do for any personal wealth in such a material fashion. I bring hope to my allies because I'm needed to do so. I do not expect a reward from it except stronger bonds with my comrades." Moore says. "This control of chaos... if you can call it as such -- Is another tool in my arsenal to better my allies."

[Anastasia]

"Moore! Moore!"

Cresiel's voice shakes you from a deep reverie. You blink, standing at the beginning of the path, the stone that hit you on the head still in hand. Cresiel kneels next to you, still overshadowing you as he shakes your shoulder. "Wake up."

[Nephrite]

Moore blinks. He blinks again. One more time for good measure.

"Oh... Cresiel, hello." Moore nods. "...I'm sorry, did that hit me harder than I think it did...?"

[Anastasia]

"It may have," Cresiel admits, "But falling stones are not a hazard of Celestia, unless you are an enemy," he remarks, looking down at the stone. "But I see no reason for Celestia to reject you. There must be a greater purpose to it."

[Nephrite]

"Ah... yes, I met someone." Moore answers. "They did not identify themselves, but... well, I think they wanted to know what I intended to do with my powers over the forces of chaos. A test of character, if you will."

[Anastasia]

Immediately Cresiel nods, solemn, "How did it go?"

[Nephrite]

"They showed me a few paths I could take -- domination, control, using the powers for my own gain, that sort of thing." Moore explains. "I think they accepted my answer that I don't intend to use the powers in that manner, since that's when you woke me up."

[Anastasia]

"You acted with wisdom. All of those were the appeals of the earthly world," Cresiel stands, a sweep of his arm towards the illuminated heavens, "Celestia is not about any of that. As you climb, you fill find yourself tested, in some ways obvious and others subtle."

[Nephrite]

"I wonder if someone wanted to see if I was really worthy of landing in Venya." Moore says with a bit of a smile. "Well, my apologies for worrying you. I will try and be more observant ...ah... again, I suppose." Moore says with a chuckle.

He'll cast Divine Insight in case of another rock-falling incident.

[Anastasia]

So noted.

You wander up the path. It's a bit steep, but nothing that troubles you thanks to your wings. You soon come to a recess on the side of the path, where a humble hut of stacked stones has been built. An opening with no door leads inside of it. Meanwhile, the path continues along and upward.

[Nephrite]

It'd be rude to not at least greet anyone along the way up the Mountain, wouldn't it?

Moore flies over. "Hello? Is anyone in?" He calls out, trying to get a sense of how deep this might be.

[Anastasia]

It's a simple hut - not deep at all.

Within sits an old man, thin to the point where you can see his ribs. He wears only a loincloth, a wild and long beard and matching long hair, both white. His skin is deeply tanned and wrinkled. He rather looks like a dwarf that grew an extra few feet and went on a crash diet. He looks up, sitting cross-legged on the stone ground. "Greetings," he offers, "This humble hut will do naught but keep out the rain, but you are welcome to it, traveler and most holy one."

Cresiel shakes his head, "I am but a traveler as well, as we all are."

[Nephrite]

Moore nods his head respectfully of the elder one.

"If it begins to rain here, you may see me again." Moore says with a smile. "However, while we're here... is there anything we can get you, sir? Even if it's just some company for a while, it would be a disservice to not at least offer."

[Anastasia]

The man smiles, "Yes, stay a time."

Morniel sits on the stone ground, matching the old man's cross-legged position. "Thank you for your hospitality."

"Aaaah, Celestia welcomes us all," The old man says, "Who am I to deny anyone? Fairy, why do you climb the holy mountain?"