The mystery of Benfal (Moore, Tryll)

[Anastasia]

"I am aware," Queen Ilsenine says, "I did play some small role in matters. You speak of those moments that were lost?"

[Nephrite]

"Yes." Moore nods. "Tepen asked me to investigate it. I went on a trip to Celestia... I actually got to Venya for my first time, uh... for real, anyway. I met the Authority of Wisdom there -- nice guy, actually knows how to tell a joke, I was really surprised. Anyway..." He takes a breath.

"I was researching Cantasa Alexandria. I... think. I told you about my own memory loss... right? Well, I... think this is similar. I... can't remember looking up anything about her in the library... but... Well, let me put it this way -- I'm pretty meticulous about not forgetting things nowadays... I'm pretty sure I forgot something about all of this. It... bothers me that... ah..." He takes a breath. "I'm sure there's something I've forgotten. I'm just not sure if now is the time to really focus on it and worry about it."

[Anastasia]

"It is most vexing and displeasing," Queen Ilsenine agrees, "No matter how I think on it, I cannot recall. I would give much to have this overturned, though I fear it cannot be so easily done. I know the magic of the mind, this is no trivial feat."

[Nephrite]

"I think anathemic knowledge is something worth investigating... but I don't think it's something I should devote all my waking hours to." Moore says with a smile. "I think as I have free time, I'll do a bit of searching here and there... maybe it gets easier. At any rate, I was going to go to Mineral on a diplomatic trip, would you care to accompany me? It's uh... well, on the one hand it's pretty to look at, just... probably not the most ideal place for a date."

[Anastasia]

"I would like that," Queen Ilsenine says.

[Nephrite]

Moore nods. "We can leave as soon as you're ready."

[Anastasia]

Ilsenine smiles, fluttering up and speaking in warm, welcoming tones. "Yes, we can leave soon."

Taking anyone else? Also, any prep before you go?

[Nephrite]

Why ruin a perfectly good date with a third wheel? Moore will hit up the arch just in case.

[Anastasia]

Okay, where in Mineral are you aiming for?

[Nephrite]

As close to Crystalle's palace as Greater Plane Shift will allow.

[Anastasia]

You appear in splendor and radiance. A steady, glassy click-clacking fills your ears as you stand before a lake of gemstones. A rainbow potpourri of gems, raining down from a steady moving waterfall of them. They fall hundreds of feet before hitting the lake, many of them shattering into tiny shards. A thin cloud of gem dust hovers all about here, as light comes from the walls of rock and precious metals.

[Nephrite]

"You... kind of have to get used to this sort of thing." Moore says with a gesture at the lake. "It's actually a really interesting... mm... perspective, I guess. The natives here all see this stuff as perfectly normal and I think, to them, as common as water or dirt to us. Even so, I've made it a... conscious decision not to touch anything here. I think they appreciate it." He looks around a bit to try and get his bearings. "I've not been to this part before, but generally speaking, we'll get guided to where we need to go if we get too lost."

[Anastasia]

Ilsenine watches the waterfall of gems, not replying as gem after gem falls. "Beautiful..." she murmurs, rapt.

There's a few passages leading deeper into Mineral's caves, but you don't immediately recognize any of them.

[Nephrite]

He has a spell that can get them where they need to go in a jiffy, so he isn't terribly worried.

"I've never really dwelled on the... ah...  "How" side of things here." Moore admits as he goes to take Illsenine's hand. "We could follow the river as it was back to its source, if you'd like."

[Anastasia]

Ilsenine takes your hand and watches, "I'd like that," she murmurs, "Oh, to give Aurora all the treasures here."