The Cauldron Rises

[Anastasia]

"To protect my home here, milady!" Richard says, staying up and resting heavily on his pike.

---

"I might," Kascha admits, "But I'm not sure. I should talk to Surru about as well as Tepen, they'd know." As Amaryl continues to intently watch you, "It's...he has Vivantha. I don't want to interfere in their relationship, and I think they're getting really close with depending on each other so much."

---

"Well done indeed," Jessica seconds, "That must have been a tremendous battle to see."

[Ebiris]

"Nice to save both those worlds so close to each other, even if Benfal had to go to extreme measures. Still, there's more work to be done," Alicia says, keeping scant on the details until they're settled in somewhere comfy to talk and plot properly.

[Anastasia]

Going to take Alicia on over somewhere, Seira?

[Corwin]

"That's a worthy goal," Seira agrees. "Are there other threats against it? And how do you plan to go about it?"

---

Seira grins at Kascha, pulling back into her chair. "Got it. I'll look for a suitable male caretaker you could introduce to Vivantha, then."

She snaps her fingers. "Meanwhile, could I trouble you for some more tea? Alicia and her sister are coming over."

---

"I couldn't have done it without Amaryl," Seira demurs. "And you're right, Alicia. There always is."

I'm taking us to my palace through the scenic route, where my avatar will stay at the door after leading Alicia and Jessica to me, Amaryl and Kascha.

[Anastasia]

"By being strong, strong enough to protect them!" Richard stays, managing to stand now.

---

"Sure," Kascha gets up for that and...

> roll 1d20+8
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+8 --> [ 1d20=20 ]{28}

...neatly pours a few more glasses of tea, a flourish as ioun stones fly around her head.

"It's a man. A young man," Amaryl murmurs. "I can almost hear his voice."

I'll merge Alicia into here shortly.

[Corwin]

"Then that is what you will do," Seira's image agrees. "That is what you will be, Richard. I cannot always be here, but I won't need to, not if you are there to pick up the slack."

Her powers enchant the pike, allowing it to give off a gentle golden glow.

In a month's time, I will check in with you again. Practice with your weapon. Train hard. After I evaluate your efforts, I will send you something to help you get started on your chosen path."

Pike +1, glowing.

[Anastasia]

"Yes, milady!" Richard eyes his pike with open, mouthhanging awe and kneels to you. As this happens...

---

Meanwhile, Kascha starts to speak but looks up as the door opens. Alicia and Jessica enter and...

Go ahead, you two.

[Ebiris]

"Hello again Seira," Alicia says a little bit dryly as she's handed off from avatar to deity. "Amaryl, Kascha, it's good to see you both. Glad to be back at the Cauldron?" she asks the latter as she comes in.

[Anastasia]

Amaryl is utterly focused on Seira, "So close..." she murmurs, then blinks. "Pah."

Kascha smiles even more, "Alicia! Thank you, it is nice to be back. I had to make sure Surru's lair was all cleaned up and his hoard was in good order, but I'm back now!"

[Ebiris]

"Quite the pint-sized powerhouse that wyrmling," Alicia says, recalling Ebony's reports about Surraruthru. "Maybe he'll do well having to pick up after himself for a little while?"

[Anastasia]

Jessica giggles into her hand, "Kascha, are you two going to make it official? He should start calling you mother at this rate."

Kascha reddens rather rapidly at that, "JESSICA! And he's very busy and learning so many powerful magics, he just forgets sometimes, so I do it."

[Corwin]

"I stand for Knowledge and War," Seira cautions Richard. "Don't focus so much on one that you neglect the other entirely." There is no need to suggest cultivating hope. If the situation didn't somehow lend itself to it, being a protector will lead to taking care of that.

Her image fades away at that, though Seira still keeps her eye on things discreetly, in case the dragon is particularly foolish.

---

Seira merely gives a shrug and a smile to Amaryl. There will be other chances, and she has an idea she could try then.

"Please, have a seat," Seira invites her guests. "How about some tea? Kascha brewed it~"

[Ebiris]

"Thank you, tea would be lovely," Alicia says as she takes a seat. "We've brought bread from Roald's bakery but it'd be a waste to eat ourselves. Please, take it to give to any of yours going out on missions who'll need a little extra," she offers as they get comfortable.

[Anastasia]

Everyone settles in and...

Ball is in your court, you two, go ahead.

[Corwin]

"Lovely seems to be the order of the day," Seira agrees, proposing to Alicia with a grin, "How about we swap gossip before continuing that conversation from earlier?"