Gossiping (Afina)

[Anastasia]

"Good," Baleruk rumbles.

The two of you are skipping ahead to the gate. Bringing Drena and anyone else? Go ahead and set yourselves up since appearances will matter here.

[Ebiris]

Just Drena I think.

As she'd earlier told Elena, Afina's outfit for this excursion emphasises the translucent. She wears a dress of rubbery blue-ish fabric that hints towards being see through but retains enough opacity to be decent, its design tailored to amplify and refract the changing colours that subtly play across her skin. At the waist it bulges out in a bell-like skirt with little frond-like streamers dangling off its bottom, and atop her head her hat has shifted thanks to a recent enchantment to take the form of a conical protrusion with twin fins on either side. Altogether she looks like an unholy fusion of jellyfish, squid, and pixie.

And she seems quite pleased about it too!

"Everyone ready? I don't have any good teleport spells but I can simply Gate us to the Coral Palace with a little detour via the astral," she asks, their gift to the Padisha kept in a little wooden box she carries. For a change she lacks her usual twin swords at her waist however, the occasion not suited to coming visibly armed - if trouble does occur she can rely solely on her magic and unarmed skills to carry the day, for she's still fully equipped with her usual defensive and augmenting items.

[Nephrite]

As Afina is the senior member in charge, Moore decides to opt to make his outfit more muted than hers, simply changing the color of his attire via his magic to a similar watery blue with some emerald green here and there. He'll wear his normal -- hat, vest and other bardly attire over his armor. It worked for the Aurora Court, there's no reason it shouldn't work here.

"Yes." Moore affirms.

[Anastasia]

Drena is dressed in usual and in uniform - and keeps stealing wide-eyed glances at Afina. "Yes," he says, "But do not try to gate directly to the Citadel of Ten Thousand Pearls. Aim near it and you'll be directed to one of the gate points."

[Ebiris]

"Makes sense," Afina agrees, not wanting to seem like an invader launching a surprise attack. Fluttering towards the edge of Aurora's demiplane she conjures a gate to the astral, not being so picky about making it flush with Aurora. No sense being squeamish about getting wet where they're going.

The gate directs to the astral plane near where the Graceful Blow tower used to stand, and she goes through after it forms. Assuming no excitement on the other end, another gate takes them about a mile out from the Citadel.

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d100
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 29 > [d100=29]

Indeed, your Astral trip is unremarkable. You then step through another, appearing with the Citadel ahead. Light comes from above, rather like sunshine. It makes the waters quite well lit, to the point where visibility is far higher than it should be, even with that light. Ahead is free floating coral reef of splendid colors. It stretches for miles and miles, truly an overwhelmingly huge thing. Rising up from atop it is a city that surrounds a massive citadel of copper beckoned with countless pearls that shine in the light. The water here is warm and fresh, no chill to it at all.

Nearby are half a dozen blue-skinned creatures. Each carries a spear with a head that resembles a gill and is easily 10 feet tall, wearing naught and riding vastly oversized sea horses. One comes right to the group the moment you come out, "Pixies and air elemental, identify yourself," he declares, voice perfectly clear despite the water.

[Ebiris]

Oh, Afina casts Water Breathing on Moore and Drena while we're in the astral, 23 hours each, CL 23

"I am Afina Devilsbane of Aurora. With me are Moore, and Drena of Aurora and Princess Chan's Court," Afina introduces herself and her entourage, speaking in Aquan. She'll save the High Maridi for the Padisha herself. "We are here to pay homage to the Padisha and further the negotiations recently performed with Shahzada Badahur Paria."

[Anastasia]

Drena's an elemental so breathing isn't needed for him anyway. Feel free to dump the full duration on Moore.

"You are expected," The guard immediately says, "Come." With a few words, the guards cluster around you, an honor guard as they begin to escort along.

[Ebiris]

46 hours for Moore then

"Lead on," Afina burbles, swimming through the water with consummate ease in the middle of the marid formation. Hopefully Drena and Moore can manage this too.

[Anastasia]

As Drena falls into position, "An honor guard is for respected dignitaries from other realms," Drena adds to Afina. "The fact that we're getting one speaks to the political opinion here."

[Ebiris]

"Lets do what we can to nurture that opinion," Afina says in response. Of course their honour guard will hear what's being said but it's hardly controversial - their presence here means of course they're trying to get the marid on side.

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d100
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 52 > [d100=52]

You approach the city. As Moore begins to swim along, one of the guards says, "Sir," he nods to Moore, "Do you wish to ride instead of swim?"

[Nephrite]

"It looks like I'm not really cut out for water travel, am I?" Moore admits rather sheepishly. "Yes, please."

[Anastasia]

"Then swim with our Padisha's blessing, honored guest," The marid taps Moore's hand as liquid cold flows through his veins. When it passes, he finds swimming is far easier and faster. It's like someone turned on a switch and it's taken care of.

30ft swim speed, Moore.

[Nephrite]

Moore will swim with the others in that case!