Potions and things (Afina)

[Anastasia]

"Long term," 27 says. "I'm getting bad omens about her, but she'll misunderstand like last time."

[Ebiris]

"Doesn't that goldenfire spear make any omens about her naturally suspect anyway, though?" Afina asks.

[Anastasia]

"It's different," 27 says quietly.

[Ebiris]

"Hmm," Afina hums as she considers that, idly bouncing her heel against the bedpost beneath her. "Divination isn't my expertise, so I don't have any useful advice. We'll just have to keep our eyes on her."

[Anastasia]

27 closes his eyes, but adds, "Will you like me when I change again?"

[Ebiris]

"Depends what you change into. But you've been nice about all my changes, so I'll try and be considerate," Afina offers with a slight smile.

[Anastasia]

Like this 27 falls asleep, leaving you be once more.

Anything else to do?

[Ebiris]

Just killing time until Jaela gets back. Or doesn't.

Can go chat up Hanna about assaulting castles, get her perspective while we wait.

[Anastasia]

Hanna's in the baths, soaking and with eyes closed. Nonetheless as you flutter in, "Afina," she greets you. No one else is in here right now.

[Ebiris]

"Good hearing," Afina compliments for being identified unseen like that, having gotten undressed in the changing room outside so she can slip into the water, not even causing a ripple as she submerges herself up to the neck a few feet from the much larger planetar. "I'm thinking of launching a raid on Lifasa the day after tomorrow. 27 suggested you and he would have to be present, and I want to add Jaela when she gets back from her current trip. Wanted to go over plans with you now, though."

[Anastasia]

"Go on," Hanna says, "The four of us...mmm, we should be able to handle most problems."

[Ebiris]

"It's one of the traitor Harkin's redoubts, Castle Bleakcrest," Afina begins. "We have intelligence from Makaril that he's going to be hosting Duke Malphas in two day's time. They're both golem specialists so it fits, though we don't know exactly what's being discussed or collaborated on. If it were just me I'd infiltrate the place, but as a group we'd be more suited to a frontal assault. From interrogations we've learned..." she goes on to detail what they got from Willah and that devil who used to be stationed at the castle.

[Anastasia]

'It feels like a trap,' Hanna finally says, "I don't like it. It's too pat, too tempting."

[Ebiris]

"Makaril had that impression as well," Afina agrees. "Although a trap for his forces wouldn't necessarily be the best fit for us, it is a concern. I was planning on getting Jaela to give the final decision on whether to commit or not while holding her goldenfire spear, since that'd thwart divinations or destiny's machinations on the subject. But even without that just normal planning would be enough for them to prepare a trap. Hmm. We could turn it around on them, strike elsewhere?" she wonders. "I want to attack somewhere on Lifasa, this was only chosen at Makaril's suggestion. There are plenty of other targets, though."

[Anastasia]

"We could, but this is also only one trap," Hanna says, "Hell has more than enough forces to not be wholly invested in one scheme. Did 27 say if it was a trap or not?"