Sylican morning

[Anastasia]

For giggles, make a profession (chef) check, unless you have another skill reasonably suitable for it.

[Ebiris]

[18:34] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+9 lots of sad customers here today
[18:34] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+9 lots of sad customers here today --> [ 1d20=18 ]{27}

[Anastasia]

It goes...well. Surprisingly well once you get into it, cooking away. It's nostalgic, bringing back memories of days long gone to you. The simple interaction, the -mortalness- of it is a balm to you, putting aside your worries.

Cake after cake is made and put out, the world around Alicia a blur. In due time - a few hours you think - you finally pause. The crowds are even larger now, Jessica coming over, "Whew. Good work, sister."

[Ebiris]

"Thank you," Alicia says. "Though I don't think you're going to be getting much respite for a while," she looks over the crowd pushing out onto the street with a slight smile. "We should talk, though. I'll come by your house after you close up, okay?"

[Anastasia]

Next move?

[Ebiris]

Lets go chat up Latha and Antenora now they've had a chance to think. Syala too.

[Anastasia]

There are quiet places in Sylica. Places of refuge, of meditation, of beauty. This is one of them.

A crevice in the mountains, a hidden place with walls of natural stone going up hundreds of feet, magic and instructions keeping it private. Within it is a vast, steaming pool of water, a natural hot spring. Stone steps lead in, decorations of various aquatic creatures about. All excellent stonework created by Syala's will, letting out steam and jets of water as desired. It's quiet here, the gentle noises of nature and movements of water the only sound.

This is where you find Latha and Antenora, soaking in the hot waters. Antenora's eyes are closed, up to her chin in steaming water. Latha sits up to her hips, gaze up at the sun above as the afternoon begins to give way to evening. A glass of ambrosia is in hand, sipped from occasionally. A bottle of ambrosia and another cup is there, a good ways towards being emptied.

Go ahead and set up.

[Ebiris]

Alicia arrives with Syala and undresses so as not to be the odd one out, slipping into the water facing Antenora and Latha. "Had some time to put your thoughts in order, both of you?" she asks.

[Anastasia]

Syala settles in, lights gone as she soaks. "Alicia," Latha concurs. "I have. Antenora?"

"I have," Antenora says, then pauses, "Could you invite Marie, please? Her elven form. She should be here for this, she has a say in it as my wife."

[Ebiris]

That's easily coordinated with her avatar and a moment later Marie appears as a naked elf-maiden who slips into the waters next to Antenora. "Here I am!" she says brightly, getting comfy.

[Anastasia]

"Marie," Antenora turns to her, "We met Xerona today, who implied that others may rise along with Alicia and Syala, and that they may be a way around Ao's judgment. In particular, she suggested those closest to Alicia." She meets Marie's eyes, "What do you think? Such a thing would be a huge change, were it to happen."

[Ebiris]

Alicia keeps quiet for now to let Marie and Antenora hash it out.

"So you want to become a goddess?" Marie asks point blank. "I don't mind it. Alicia hasn't become impossible to deal with. And I could become one too if it's on the table, right?" she says casually. "But there's a lot more to it than just holding up your hand. As a goddess you have to represent something, something that people care enough to worship that they're not already getting elsewhere. Like..." she points at Syala. "Syala's a nature goddess but she's different enough from Mielikki or Chauntea or Silvanus that there's reason to follow her rather than one of them. And Alicia?" she points at her master. "She's basically what Torm used to be but with a bit more emphasis on arcane matters. So if this whole Zariel plan comes through and Torm comes back to the light, it's actually going to be a bit awkward for the two of them."

"What I'm saying is," she says, looking between Antenora and Latha, "Is being a god isn't just a nice power-up like promoting to a stronger form. You're putting yourself out there on the market basically, and you don't want to be selling the same thing someone else is already selling, otherwise what's the point? So what's your answer to this question: Why should I pray to you?" she challenges.

[Anastasia]

"Redemption," Antenora answers without hesitation. "The shining symbol of what anyone can become, no matter how deeply steeped in evil. A soul redeemed through loyalty and compassion, who understands those virtues. Perhaps we shall have a mild conflict with Torm should he be saved, but...we will be able to cooperate."

Then, with a faint smile, "Love, I never said I wanted to become one, did I?"

"You didn't, did you?" Syala says with a note of amusement in her voice, "Regardless, you've thought about this?"

"I have." Antenora confesses, "Before this way. I had considered that perhaps once our great task was done, that the situation may allow more liberal deification. If I could rise up to that and support Alicia, support so many others, it would be my duty to do so."

[Ebiris]

"If you didn't want it we wouldn't be talking about it," Marie shrugs, a little splash of water around her. "Still, that's a good answer. Alicia sort of skates by on attracting those sorts just by association with you. That's how we've got Ebony and Marchalu and a few others like that around here."

"That sort of faith might not have the most broad appeal to the lay-worshipper, but for those it does speak to they'd be the most devout anyway," Alicia speaks up. "I see the Torm comparison you just made Marie, though I think of myself more as drawing from Mystra, giving voice to those who'd use magic to battle evil, rather than simply loving magic for its own sake. It doesn't have the same broad appeal, but it's focused so those who do cleave to me, they do so passionately."

[Anastasia]

Steam gently billows around the five of you, obscuring things momentarily as warmth suffuses your bodies. The red light of sunset begins to shine on the waters, casting everything in darker colors and soft shadows. "More importantly, not everyone sees the same thing and follows for the precisely same reasons," Antenora looks up now, "You fancy yourself a deity when you're still a familiar?" Smiling now, "Why Marie, aren't you just a cute little fairy?"

Latha smiles at this, "Ahem. Before the two of you begin flirting, please. Alicia, my name is Latha. A fragment of Lathander. How can I be anything but?" She shakes her head, "I struggle with this and struggle for a way to discern myself from him."