Sage consultations (Moore, 86 days left)

[Nephrite]

Moore nods. "I'll consult with Adrian or Gisfal tomorrow on it. Is there anything you can think of that would make us invisible to a magical sensor? I know our regular mental protections prevent most scrying and there are some spells to prevent it, but I somehow doubt a regular spell would be sufficient against what they were using. I don't consider myself a magic master, but if I was unable to dispel the actual sensor, it was put there by someone quite powerful."

[Anastasia]

"Mind blank, but the devils are using something to bypass it." Tepen smiles thinly, "They are not the only ones, it is one of Sage Vul'lath's and I's personal projects. Being able to pierce more diabolical defenses would be invaluable." He reaches over and brings back his tray of food, "We would go from emptiness on that front to a meal of scrying before ourselves, though we must use it wisely. Peering directly into the personal abodes of the Nine or dark Nessus is to court disaster."

[Nephrite]

Moore nods. "You start to have some sort of one-upping of magic on each side. Hmm... all right. I'll just have to be more careful in the future. Thank you, Tepen."

[Anastasia]

"You're welcome," Tepen says gravely, "Is there anything else?"

[Nephrite]

Moore lets out a breath. "I'm sure there is, but I'm in no condition to learn it right now." He says with a weak smile.

[Anastasia]

"Going to seek rest and succor?" Tepen asks with a kindly smile. "Your mistakes weigh heavily on you after that." It's not really a question with the way he says it, simple certainty appended.

[Nephrite]

"They don't call you Elder Magi for nothing." Moore says with a bit of a sad smile. "Thank you again." He bows to him and will do just that -- at least for now, he'll go to his room to lay down. It may not be time to sleep yet, but...

Man, he really screwed everything up today. It's hard to just ignore that even if he realizes there's no sense in wallowing in his own self-pity.

[Anastasia]

You go back to your room to rest. Have you ever heard the story of the Hecatoncheires?

Your bed is soft and succor for your body, even if your mind is restless. Tannin met him, you know, and survived to tell the tale. But surviving him isn't the hard part if you can avoid attacking him.

You see Jetina's face in your mind's eye, a hazy glow of memories that inevitably terminate to the horrifying cries of the Nessians. The powers erred in making the Hecatoncheires as well as how they treated it. They shirked the duties given to them by the Three Incarnations and then attempted to dispose of it.

Jetina...is she safe? Did she reform? The thought comes to you more than once, along with the knowledge that you just don't know yet. Everyone makes mistakes, even those chosen to return from the light. Do you understand what must be done?

You are tired, no sleep coming despite your fatigue. So tired. Everyone stumbles as they walk to Chronias. The journey is not only about traveling to it, but picking yourself up after stumbles and resuming the path up the holy mountain.

[Nephrite]

Even the gods themselves can make mistakes, right?

For some reason, that thought comes to him... not to worry.

Right? You shouldn't worry about things outside your control -- you should just do what you can do.

Ugh, but right now he can't sleep.

...When you're tired and you can't sleep, the best thing to do is...

There's some irony in this sort of thing, isn't there?


He pulls himself up out of bed to go get a snack, again from the cafeteria.

[Anastasia]

You head to the cafeteria. It's noisy even this hour, people eating and drinking with their comrades.

Looking for a particular thing, just a snack to go or someone to spend some time with?

[Nephrite]

Some light crackers and tea. If he sees anyone he knows he'll go sit with them.

[Anastasia]

There's a few people you know about.

Gold is sitting and eating a roast chicken, Hamogan keeping him company.

You spy Mirajane drinking something by herself, gaze far away.

[Nephrite]

Well, if there's anyone who can see clearly through someone being bleary and exhausted, it'd be Mirajane.

He heads over to where she is -- now, knowing her, she'll probably turn to see him before he even gets there...

[Anastasia]

Mirajane does so, tea and crackers appearing by her will as you sit down. She sips her drink - it looks like milk - and speaks once you're comfortable. "You can't rest like this, can you? Not yet."

[Nephrite]

"I'm not used to failure." Moore admits. "At the same time, if I'm trying to be an inspiration to other people, I can't let failure stop me." He takes a breath and stifles a yawn with some tea.

"I'm not willing to let it go. Jaela said she'd help, but I know she's busy with Afina, so... I have to do it myself, but... this time, I'm going to do it right. Prepare properly." He says, with some amount of confidence in his voice.