Mechanus Trip

[Ebiris]

Marie neatly folds  up the parchments Antenora gives her, otherwise sitting still through her haranguing of the devil. She doesn't even lean her chair back, not wanting to be disrespectful when her wife is in such fine form!

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d20+54 (+7 circumstance)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 65 > [d20=11]

The devil looks on - and stares up in shaking, quivering defiance, "I can't," he says, voice strained.

"...I'm sorry, then," Antenora stands up, spear in hand. "Remember - it will be available as long as you live."

> roll 1d20 1 check
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 3 > [d20=3]

Not bothering with damage here, she blew a smite so it's academic against a low level creature.

In a flash Simande is impaled, turning to ash in seconds, which dissolves into a foul, green smoke that lingers in the air. Antenora sighs and shakes her head, "Even then, changing the heart of a fiend is hardly the work of moments, no matter how strongly you persuade them. Come on, Marie, let's go before we get ejected. We'll find a better gear."

[Ebiris]

"It was fun while it lasted," Marie stands up and smooths out her skirt. "Sorry for the interruption everyone," she says to the others at the tavern, leading Antenora out of the door and then flying up into the air to leave this cog behind.

[Anastasia]

Rather hurriedly, as robotic Inevitables are heading to the tavern. But you're faster and smoother, Antenora not stopping, "It was a fun try," she agrees, "So, now for the vacation part of this. What sort of gear do you want, Marie?"

[Ebiris]

"Lets try the forest one?" Marie suggests, pointing it out and teleporting closer.

[Anastasia]

As the two of them go there?

Meanwhile...

Alicia's work is never ending. Right now she watches the beginnings of her realm's navy. Naeys is there, magic woven to construct long, low ships in moments, others watching. Celestials and mortals both, taking in his work. The boats are unadorned, unremarkable - and solid as can be, real things created.

'Alicia,' Emmaline's voice, a prayer, 'Can you hear me?'

[Ebiris]

Alicia smiles as she watches the work proceed, answering Emmaline's prayer not with words but with a warm sensation of encouragement, the recognition that someone is listening and she's not just shouting into the void.

[Anastasia]

'Does it ever get easier?' Is the message you get back, a voice full of longing.

[Ebiris]

That deserves an actual reply, and Alicia gives it to her.

Time is a great healer. The sadness, the pain, those sharp-edged feelings do round themselves off in time. You focus on the happy memories, the good moments grow easier to recall instead.

[Anastasia]

'Time,' Emmaline responds, 'How do I endure the time when I hurt so? How do I endure the sharp edges when they cut into my soul? I'm not strong enough.'

[Ebiris]

I didn't think I was strong enough either. I distrust any that would claim otherwise. While you will have to find your own answer, for me? It was distracting myself. Keeping my mind and body busy with other tasks so I didn't spend all my time dwelling on the wound in my heart.

[Anastasia]

'What can I do, then?' Emmaline asks, 'Food grows as it is needed here and money is a luxury. What is there to do here, Alicia? What can I do?'

[Ebiris]

Where are your skills and interests? You have a talent for magic? You can refine that, learn more - or teach what you already know to others. Or you can put that talent to use more directly, as I used my skill at sword and spell to protect the innocent and slay those who would inflict such loss on others.

Take heed my warning if you countenance the latter path, it can be a lonely road soaked in blood. Having trustworthy comrades and friends can make all the difference in the world.

[Anastasia]

'...I'd like to teach someone,' Emmaline finally says. 'Someone who can keep up with me.'

[Ebiris]

Alicia sends a feeling of warm encouragement and approval for Emmaline's choice there. There are many potential students here in Sylica. I will see that one finds their way to you.

After all, she has people pray to her for help in improving their magic all the time, it shouldn't be hard to find a promising candidate with a sweet personality to send over to Emmaline.