Padisha's Dance (Moore, Tryll; 85 days left)

[Nephrite]

"Well, we didn't exactly expect you to identify them on-sight, no." Moore says with a smile. "I'm not exactly sure how you explain what they are, though..."

[Yuthirin]

"Oh."

'They're components for a ritual to possibly cause the caster to become a paragon.' Tryll explains.

[Nephrite]

"Well, even explaining it that way doesn't necessarily tell anyone what they -are-, you know?" Moore says. "I did expect someone from Celestia to be able to identify the essence of Good, though, I admit..."

[Anastasia]

"Then we wait for Wizard," Radance agrees.

Wizard is not long - a squid with a belt attached to his body, studded with pouches. A short cap rests atop his squid head as he approaches, speaking in Aquan. "Ah! What a strange group. Your Majesty, this is what you need my help with?"

"Yes," The king says, "They speak of things Radance does not understand."

"Please," Radance swims back a bit, getting out of the way.

[Yuthirin]

'Hello. I am Tryll and this is my companion, Calleigh. With her are friends Moore of Erathol, Prince Westwind of the Whirlwind Throne, and Bubbles of the Padisha's Court.'

Calleigh waves.

[Yuthirin]

'We are collecting components for a divine ritual. I seek the true essence of what it means to be squid-like. We have already collected other essences of various other parts of our natures. Divination pointed us to Oceanus, and providence has led us here. Are you able to assist?'

[Nephrite]

Moore takes a deep breath but Tryll explains everything, so he deflates somewhat. He does offer a bow.

[Anastasia]

"Oh! I know this! Barren the Bold is working on this! Radance, get Barren the Bold!" Wizard declares.

The hound archon just nods slightly and swims off to do exactly that.

"Excellent!" The king says, "Wizard is smart again!"

[Yuthirin]

Calleigh claps politely.

[Nephrite]

"Do you have a special area of study, Wizard?" Moore asks while they wait.

[Anastasia]

"Magic! I can manage the third circle now," Wizard says, "No squid has ever reached so far. I have even breathed air with magic. What a strange thing you surface creatures breathe." He takes one tentacle and points at Westwind, "What a strange thing you are!"

"Air is air and air is life," Westwind retorts, "Without the wind, water would not move and dry up, never to return without air."

[Nephrite]

Moore smiles and nods. "Well, maybe I'll come back and tell you all some stories of the surface then and see if I can teach you some other magic."

[Anastasia]

Barren the Bold is a sea elf. He swims along, body long and lithe, tinged blue. He takes one look at all of this, "Adventurers," he sighs, "I got away from everything to avoid your kind. But you seek me out. No matter." He goes upright, gesturing through the waters as her burbles at the two of you in Aquan. "What is this about squid essence?"

[Yuthirin]

"Oh my gosh a blue elf you're so pretty!" Calleigh squees.

Tryll gestures at Moore with a set of facial tendrils. 'Your turn, Moore.'

[Nephrite]

"You know, I'm starting to sense a theme with the people who are down here." Moore says. Even with that, though, this guy really needs a talking-to...

He takes a breath. "My name is Moore, of Aurora. These are my comrades, Tryll, Calleigh, Bubbles and Prince Westwind. I would appreciate it first of all if you'd not turn your nose up at us and refer to us as 'adventurers' with such a distaste and disdain in your tone. We didn't come all the way down here to bother you. I see you're still learning the wisdom of Celestia." He says that last part with just a small bit of reprimand.

"We're here because we need squid essence. How you define that is up to you, but we need the physical manifestation of what it is to be a squid." Moore explains. He takes the vial with the essence of good in it to show Barren. "This is the essence of good we obtained from Arborea. Tryll, here," He gestures at him, "Needs these in order to perform a ritual to better himself and become a paragon so that he can better fight the forces of Hell and we can liberate a prime from them."