Attack on Sylica

[Ebiris]

"I'm helping a lot more than I ordinarily would - victory should be earned, not given," Alicia says. "But your ascension gives me license to be bold, and I won't have this occasion sullied by defeat."

[Anastasia]

Antenora merely squeezes your hand at that as you see the battle unfold. They're winning - a cleric of Chauntea with them smites the nalfeshnee with holy flames, making it roar as it burns.

[Ebiris]

"In other news," Alicia says as they keep monitoring that battle. "I've decided I'm going to let Marie go soon. After she's checked out things in Balmuria with Seira for me, she can make her way to Dweomerheart and petition Mystra for a promotion befitting her experience."

[Anastasia]

Antenora looks up sharply, "What?" she asks, a single word with both eyes right on you.

[Ebiris]

"She can't stay my familiar forever, Antenora," she says mildly. "Just as we're all growing, so too should she have the chance to do so. You were teasing her about her divine aspirations not so long ago, weren't you?"

[Anastasia]

"Yes, but..." As Antenora say sthat, you see a decisive blow. Shinys breaks through, decapitating his hezoru and advancing on the nalfeshnee. He's bloodied, a shoulder wound bleeding, but he's still up and fighting.

[Ebiris]

They have a cleric, there's no need for Alicia to go so far as to provide healing too right now.

"She'll still be Marie, Antenora. Just like you're still you after your own change," Alicia reassures. "But she's earned this, and she needs it."

[Anastasia]

"It's just...she's been like this for so long. She's been Marie," Antenora finally says. "Do you understand?"

[Ebiris]

"The ever-dependable little fairy, yes?" she agrees, nodding. "It's not a decision made lightly, she's been a far better familiar than I ever expected of her. But that same excellence is why this needs to happen. She needs to grow on her own terms, not stay as Sylica's cute little mascot."

[Anastasia]

"But she's MY cute mascot," Antenora murmurs, looking away at that, blushing. "She's my Marie and I know I'm wrong, I just..."

Meanwhile you see the nalfeshnee fall, Shinys pressing ever onward.

[Ebiris]

Alicia covers her mouth to hide a smile at Antenora's blunt appraisal of Marie's role in life. "I'm sure she'll make for a cute celestial of any stripe. Like Kascha over at the Cauldron," she suggests. "But talk to her about it, then. This doesn't have to happen immediately, but it has to happen."

And of course she silently wills Shinys onwards to victory!

[Anastasia]

"I will." Antenora exhales heavily, "Sometimes love hurts a little bit."

[Ebiris]

"She'll still be Marie," Alicia reiterates. "And honestly she's been hinting about wanting to get promoted for years. You've had long enough to brace yourself."

[Anastasia]

"She'll be happy," Antenora agrees. "It...will take getting used to."

[Ebiris]

"Just like I'm sure she's having to get used to you being a goddess," Alicia observes.