One step forward and many to go

[Anastasia]

"That's right. Like a pebble that touches off a great avalanche, or a seed that grows into a mighty tree, that in turn grows an entire forest around it," Amaryl concurs, "It only takes time."

"...yeah." John shakes his head, "Martha was a refugee. She never saw that before she made it to Aurora." He puts his hand on Martha's shoulder, "But I saw all of it. Heh, guess I've never had much give up in me?"

"Even with asking me for a date," Martha adds quietly, starting to smile at it all. "Did you see? He asked me again and again until I finally agreed. He'd saved up his money to take me to Cresea's Eatery."

"Dunking my head in that cake was pretty funny, in retrospect," John agrees, his gloom fading. "Expensive, though."

[Corwin]

Seira laughs. "It was still better than with us. I asked Amaryl out while realizing we were actually on a date!" Shaking her head in amusement, she says, "And your story's got me thinking. What would you like to see here? We're aiming for a school, a place of learning and knowledge, but it doesn't have to be confined to that. A variety of eateries and restaurants might work out better than the single inn. So what are your suggestions?"

[Anastasia]

"A builder's guild," John asks right away as Amaryl smiles, blushes and laughs. "Something to that can help people create instead of destroy."

"A good mine," Martha speaks up, "There's gold and mithral in the ground here, and that can support the region for generations."

Meanwhile you see more and more people cautiously stopping, watching in interest and unhidden awe, some kneeling or praying before the two of you.

[Corwin]

"I think it's a good time for a short break, don't you?" Seira calls out to the other builders. "Come on over and meet Amaryl! We're just discussing all the things our ridiculous magic could streamline for you, like digging the foundations for a mine or divining a good spot for one. The only request is that I'd like it somewhere close by, so that it could serve as the beginning of a town some day."

[Anastasia]

'Let me take over once they gather,' Amaryl sends to you. 'It's time to be noticed.'

[Corwin]

'Just handling the introductions, honey,' Seira agrees, as that is in fact the main purpose behind this visit.

[Anastasia]

Soon people are gathered today, standing around the two of you.

Amaryl takes a breath, "Everyone, thank you!" Her voice carries, well trained. "Thank you so much for your effort, first of all."

[Corwin]

Seira's eyes are drawn to her wife, same as everyone else's. Amaryl is the focus of this, and she can only step aside and support her.

[Anastasia]

"Now we are grateful - you have done so much with what you were given! Now it is time for us to reward you your steadfast service, for we aid those who aid us. Like trade, we depend on one another to grow stronger," Amaryl explains, "Magic you know, for mortal mages can manage the same. Identifying a spot to mine the earth's treasures nearby, which will sustain a city for generation after generation. Magical healing, so that the touch of death is further away and you can enjoy the celebration of life fully."

> roll 1d20+41 diplo
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+41 diplo --> [ 1d20=16 ]{57}

You can see the crowd being drawn further and further in to Amaryl's words, listening attentively to her.

[Corwin]

'And beyond that, concepts,' Seira thinks to her, knowing that Amaryl has plenty of practice with their telepathy during official events. 'Just like I'm Seira, I'm also the planar concept of Hope. That separates us from mortals, but also allows them to feel it, be drawn to it and take little parts of it into their own hearts.'

And if Amaryl doesn't stand for a concept of her own, Seira muses to herself, she soon will. Perhaps thinking about this now will help bring her closer to that goal.

[Anastasia]

'Add something about that? I'd like to see you express that to them," Amaryl sends back.

[Corwin]

"And we stand for something greater than any single person," Seira speaks up at Amaryl's request, coming over and putting her hand around Amaryl's waist. "Battle, courage, knowledge...." Her lips quirk mischievously, as she thinks to Ales. "Hope and protection, patience and zeal. We are all drawn to these concepts, and those that resonate the most with us are what forges the link between a deity and the faithful. That's how I see it. People want to believe in something greater than them, and deities personifying those concepts are never happier than when they are vindicated and upheld. That's why a trade is the right analogy, but at the same time could be misleading, for we don't expect a quid pro quo. We're happy when you're happy, when you're working to improve your lives. And sometimes, we can't help but step in, each in his or her own unique way, overt or covert. We're all different, after all."

She winks at the crown. "That's why some of you are looking towards Amaryl even now, while I'm speaking, and not because of her transcendent beauty~"

[Anastasia]

"We represent hopes, dreams, concepts, desires," Amaryl continues, "So look to us and find the resonation within you. Come to us, serve us and we will aid you. We promise you eternity and great insight, so fear not."

[Corwin]

"You own a piece of something greater than anything else in the world. Of something more precious than any tangible reward. And finally, of the knowledge that you've earned it through your righteous actions," Seira agrees with a grin. "What's not to like? For me, that means that nothing, absolutely nothing in the universe is impossible. The odds might be against us, the timing might be wrong -- there could be endless reasons and excuses, but I can promise you all a chance." That confident grin morphs in a softer smile, touched with just a dash of uncharacteristic biitersweetness. "Only a chance, yes, and sometimes not even a good one. But there will always be one, and its existence often makes all the difference in the world."

And it is Amaryl's chance, now, to follow up with her own promise. The unique contract every deity promises to their faithful, the same way Seira had just done for herself.

[Anastasia]

"For me, that means that I can help you. I will grant you swiftness, strength, grace...and most of all, the ability to stand on your own, no matter how hard it is. The strength of will and the wisdom to take the future in your own hands, no matter the pain or fears of the past." Amaryl's gazes sweeps about, meeting eyes as she slowly takes in the crowd. "I will be there for you, merely pray to me." A gentler note in her voice, soothing, "Today, tomorrow, forever. Just as Lifasa is free forever, I will be there - forever. So that you can stand on your own, knowing someone is there to support you."