To make the glass full (Afina)

[Ebiris]

"You clearly knew well enough about Lief and Muirfinn to seek a divination about them," Afina says, not impressed with the tiny draconic tantrum.

[Anastasia]

Kascha meets Surraruthru's gaze, unblinking and utterly serious. "You're lucky I don't transform right now, grab a hold of you and fly off to teach you some respect," she says, "I have half a mind to do exactly that! Muirfinn and Lief are my friends, as well as Afina's and everyone else's here. They're suffering for all of us, possibly for eternity!" Tears shine in her eyes, but they don't fall. "Any of us would face down anything to help them without question. If it happened to you, I'd be the same way if someone else made that joke."

[Iron Dragoon]

"You're right, I did know enough to ask in my divination. The fact that I did shows I pay attention to the people around here. If you didn't like the joke, then I'll apologize for it.

I apologize for any inadvertent insult."

[Ebiris]

"Apology accepted," Afina says coolly. "Now if it would please your draconic majesty, would you go and share the results of your divination with Balyss so she can do a follow up? I'm eager to reach the Cauldron."

[Anastasia]

Ready to skip along? Telling Balyss will likely just retread your previous summary, so it can be skipped over unless you wanna deal with it.

Assuming a skip, will one of you add that to your pending stuff list to resolve after the Cauldron?

[Iron Dragoon]

I'll add it. And moving on is fine.

[Anastasia]

Soon enough the party is in the Astral once more, the realm free of the damage and chaos from before. Like this, they take off towards the Cauldron.

> roll 1d100
<Penuche> Space_Cat invokes Penuche's magic: < 5 > [d100=5]

The trip is not a terribly long one, as much as you can reckon time. Suddenly, you stand before a great volcano in the Astral. It floats unattended, golden dragons flying above the top of it. A great mountain with semi-hidden cave entrances is before you, the occasional elemental of varying type spotted about as well.

Kascha clears her throat, "Welcome to the Cauldron, Surraruthru. Afina, are you going straight to find Lady Sanzha?"

[Iron Dragoon]

Surrarthru eyes the land mass.

"Impressive. I'll have to make my grove match it one day. I assume Seira resides in the center of the volcano?"

[Anastasia]

"She does," Kascha leads the way, flying on up towards the top of the volcano. "Let's make an entrance," Kascha smiles, "Unless you'd like to visit that bust of Alicia again, Afina?"

[Ebiris]

"Sanzha first, please," Afina says.

[Anastasia]

Thus the party flies up and in. to the top of the volcano. Within lies a great many terraced layers, buildings built into the greater Cauldron. Elementals of all sorts can be seen, as well as quasi and para elementals. Gold dragons fly overhead, whilst humanoids of all stripes go about the terraces. Celestials are sprinkled in as well, as you head most of the way down. Farther below is a lake of lava, a palace of gingerbread and whimsy besides it.

You are lead into this palace through a simple side door, unseen until Kascha takes you right to it. Then it is simply there, as if it was always there and you merely looked past it. You step into a warm, comfortable and cozy room. A fire crackles in a fireplace grated with candy canes. Chairs are about, wispy clouds that float in the shape of them. A pitcher of ice water sits on a table of polished wood, decorated on each corner with dragons.

"Welcome back." Lady Sanzha greets the four of you, enjoying a glass of ice water. She is blue skinned and beautiful, a tight-fitting dress worn. A trident rests nearby.

[Ebiris]

"Hello again, Lady Sanzha," Afina greets the marid, walking over and giving her a little curtsey in greeting. "It's been too long. Have you had any further successes with blending the elements?"

[Anastasia]

"We have made some innovations based on your success," she greets, "Water? Also Kascha, it's been too long. Who are your friends?"

Kascha smiles warmly, "Ah, this is Mei of the Triune. She has taken a vow of silence, so please don't hold her being quiet against you." Mei waves and smiles. "And this is Surraruthru, a fairy dragon from Lifasa. Seira has him guarding me."

"Seira mentioned that," Lady Sanzha says, giving Surraruthru a look. "Sit down, rest. Amaryl or Seira will be with you once Afina and I go to see to her next step."

[Ebiris]

"Thank you," Afina gratefully accepts the water and parches her thirst. "You're right though, I'm here for those next steps. I wanted to try accepting Earth into me first, and then Air."

[Anastasia]

"Hmmm," Lady Sanzha pauses to sip her water, "One after another?"