The Cauldron Rises

[Anastasia]

It's moments like this where Seira can feel everything.

Amaryl is curled against her, a reverie deep in your personal rooms in the Cauldron. She does not sleep, does not need to, but the two of you...drowse, perhaps, growing sated merely being together. Like this she is drunk on Amaryl, her mind left fallow to revel in all the going ons of her faithful. Prayers for love, prayers for bravery. Pleas for victory, pleas for wealth. Thanksgiving for hopes, thanksgiving for mercy. A child mimicking his parents, praying to you that his parents don't find out he took a copper from his parents bag, because he really, really needed it. Cries of those in pain, cries of those in the ecstasy of love.

All of it occupies Seira for a time as she simply enjoys her reverie.

The Cauldron above bustles to her senses, the terraces all full of residents, visitors and servants. Dragons fly above, joined by elementals and her celestial servants. Good are bought and sold, agreements made, treasure flowing - all in the direction to accomplish Seira's goals.

As she basks in this Amaryl smiles and gently squeezes your hand. "Sometimes, I think I can hear them," she murmurs. "Just outside of my hearing."

Go ahead and intro yourself, as well as go for any goal you want to establish first. If you don't, you'll get an event to move you along to something, since it just the first post.

[Corwin]

"It's overwhelming," Seira muses, closing her eyes. "I don't know how Shar handles that level of resolution or the sheer volume of prayer." Rather than sound defeated, however, she is nothing of the sort. "I guess we'll have to match her with strength of numbers, so it's a good thing we'll have you there before long."

[Anastasia]

"I don't know how anyone does," Amaryl agrees quietly, "But they do. I wonder if they have avatars who focus on that alone?"

As you reflect on that, you feel a presence. A presence you know all too well - Waukeen's. It is at the border of the Cauldron, an avatar rather than her true form. The deific equivalent of knocking at the door before coming in.

[Corwin]

"We have a guest," Seira tells Amaryl, sending an extension of her will over to meet Waukeen in person. Even as Seira prepares for the day, her avatar is doing her best to be a great hostess!

[Anastasia]

Does your avatar look like you or have you made any alterations?

[Corwin]

Indistinguishable. A half-elf with golden dragon wings dressed in a replica of my traveling clothes.

[Anastasia]

The woman who stands at the border of the Cauldron is unremarkable. A merchant perhaps in traveling clothes, black haired and pleasant enough looking, but ultimately plain. Only a bit of jewelry, a walking stick along with her.

"Seira, dear," Waukeen's avatar smiles and comes forward, giving your avatar a hug. "How are you? How's Amaryl and everyone?"

[Corwin]

"We're doing just fine," Seira responds, happily returning the hug. Upon letting go, she gestures towards the Cauldron-proper in clear invitation. "High on Aurora's success, as might be expected. Oh! And Amaryl seems close to her breakthrough, so that's one more bit of happy news!"

[Anastasia]

"Lovely news," Waukeen says, flying along ahead. You feel her weave magic around her through divine will, a cloak to make her seen and yet not remembered.

"This avatar is for when I don't wish to be known," she explains as you head in, "Being seen with you could complicate future matters. So! This investment looks to be paying marvelous dividends, so tell me all about it."

[Corwin]

Seira has already planned to take an unconventional route where they aren't likely to be overseen, so that should suit Waukeen just fine.

"Which one?" she asks her erstwhile patron with a cheeky grin, even as her magic masks her words so they won't be overheard past the intended target. "The Cauldron is doing well, as can be expected. It's our foothold on Astral, and we maintain cordial relations with the our only neighbours, the Gith. More cordial than could be expected, really, since we're unofficially offering sanctuary for any of them that don't want to become Vlaakithfood. Our growth as a true trading hub could do with some help, but our research into elemental harmony is beyond anything else across the Planes. Then, we have me. I got to punch Bel in the face and he went away in tears! And I did it before it was cool! And Amaryl should join up sooner rather than later, like I was saying."

[Anastasia]

Waukeen laughs as she falls in with you, a bright sound like the tinkling of coins jangling together.

"Vlaakith has been rather accepting the last few decades. One wonders what scheme she's working on. Have you heard anything new there?" Waukeen asks, "Congratulations again on Bel. It's only a shame Lixer apparently finished the job rather than you. My, the planes are aflame with rumors about that. I've even heard he's here! You aren't secretly giving Bel sanctuary, are you?" A coy smile is on Waukeen's face as she says that, "It would be downright devilishly tricky of you."

[Corwin]

"Nothing recent," Seira responds, shaking her head. "We didn't even cross paths in the recent Astral debacle. As for Bel? I sure as hell don't want to hold Avernus or rule over a bunch of devils, so finishing things would've been counterproductive. That said, there is one bit of unfinished business I have where I wouldn't have minded hosting him in exchange for his help." Since she has Waukeen's attention at that, Seira tells her, "It's the window of opportunity we've been waiting for to jailbreak Zariel and bring her home."

[Anastasia]

"Zariel, Torm's old follower?" Waukeen says, "Mmm, it is a gamble, but the risk and reward is in good favor for you," she remarks, "The return on success is high. Do you know how weak Lixer is right now?"

[Corwin]

"He has to be at his most over-extended in a long time," Seira posits. "Between consolidating his gains, real and political, the uncertainty over Bel and the outcasts next door and the need to look after his old investments-- and we haven't even considered handling the nominal duties of keeping demons out of Avernus? There won't be a better time." Peering sideways at Waukeen, she asks, "Do you know anything that might help with our planning?"

[Anastasia]

"A few things," Waukeen smiles coyly, "But it's not for public ears. There's a baker here that makes lovely pretzel rolls, too. Let's get some and get somewhere more comfortable, Seira dear."