Study group (Lucy)

[Nephrite]

"I have not had the pleasure of visiting there, but I think we'd be received well since they are allies of Aurora." Moore answers with a smile.

[Anastasia]

"It's difficult and requires a lot of training," Ebony says, "I've not found a way to circumvent that, beyond rigorously working each spell and drawing on my piety as I cast them." She finishes her bit of cake off and puts her fork down. A small smile is on her face, "We cannot forget that divine magic is a miracle given to us from above. To fully divorce it from that source, to make it something it is not, may be possible. But is it wise?"

[Corwin]

"Ah, but is the miracle in the very magic itself, or in its delivery?" Lucy asks her, delightfully finishing the last of her own slice. "Many spells are granted to those on both sides of this divide, utterly similar in all but outward feel. Yet what is that distinct feeling, that flavor to the spell, is from the way we have arrived at it? You can gain magic from careful study, or through inspiration, or from following encoded pathways in your very blood... who are we to say that literally being rewarded by the divine installing such a channel into their favored servants is not another such method?"

[Anastasia]

"In truth, I don't find it terribly compelling," Ebony admits, "The miracle is the important part, not the mechanism there. Faith sustains us, is a nectar to us that heals all our wounds and sees to our needs."

[Corwin]

Lucy finds herself in a conundrum, as Ebony is clearly wrong. But she's also nice! Maybe it's best to change the subject?

Making a noncommittal noise, she asks, "On a slightly different topic, Miss Ebony, I believe you mentioned sojourns into sorcery?"

[Anastasia]

"Oh, don't let her fool you. She's a natural sorceress." Canderella chimes in, "My, she was so eager to help me refine my sudden thunderbolts spell. Don't be taken by her humility, she's an arch sorceress."

Ebony merely smiles slightly again, "I am skilled in sorcery, yes."

[Corwin]

"Miss Ebony is lucky to have a friend like you, Miss Canderella," Lucy says with a smile of her own, turning towards the former. "How does the inspiration for your sorcerous spells differ from the bardic ones, if I might ask?"

[Anastasia]

"It comes from within, from prayer and meditation. It comes naturally," Ebony says, "Through communion, be it infernal or celestial."

[Corwin]

Lucy stares at Ebony, before blinking slowly. "Fascinating," she murmurs, turning to look at the other apparent sorceress at the table. "And you, Miss Canderella? Have you shared in that experience while drawing upon your magic?"

[Anastasia]

"Oh, nothing like that. I call the thunder and it responds to me," Canderella sits back with a coy smile. "It knows better."

[Corwin]

"And what do you do if the enemy has earplugs?"

[Anastasia]

"Lightning." Canderella says simply, as electricity crackles all along her body.

[Corwin]

Lucy giggles. "Very versatile of you, Miss Canderella!"

[Anastasia]

"What of you," Canderella asks, the bustle of the eatery a gentle noise all around the four of you, "How do you call your magic? For that matter, what of yours, Moore?"

Ebony sits back, pulling her hood up and sipping her tea, holding it in both hands as she listens.

[Nephrite]

"Huh, me? I dunno... it just comes to me." He says with a shrug. "I use a bit of arcane here and some divine there, I never really gave it too much of a thought, honestly. It's just another part of what I do to bolster people or myself."