Illuminated regrets

[Anastasia]

He noticed your money, let's put it that way.

[Iron Dragoon]

"Thank you!"

She turns to leave and head to the gem seller.

[Anastasia]

Ianvasah follows and as you go out, "What is NOT for sale in this place, Alyssa? They sell the light of the elements themselves!"

[Iron Dragoon]

"Ianvasah, something you'll have to learn traveling the planes: Everything is allowed somewhere. It's all well and good to rage against things on principle, but never burn a bridge you don't have to. You dislike this business of selling this essence? Think what I can do with this in our fight. An item that dispels all forms of darkness, perhaps. Or one that reveals hidden things. Or an ability to inflict damage to anything connected to the negative energies. Yes, it's distasteful, but at the end of the battle, who wins and who loses is determined by preparation and foresight."

Alyssa wonders if anyone else ever feels like a lecturing professor to everyone they know...

[Anastasia]

"No, you misunderstand," Ianvasah says, "I do not resent it," Shaking her head then meeting your eyes, "I marvel at it the more I see it, the more it surprises me."

[Iron Dragoon]

"I thought druids had a distaste for the trappings of civilization? I'm glad you're not falling into the trap of rejecting something useful on principle. And since you're marvelling at it, let's find something for you to buy."

[Anastasia]

"...yes, but how can I not marvel at this?" Ianvasah admits, "I may have distaste for much of it, but I am not blind."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa holds up the Radiance essence.

"I'm glad you saw the light. Now! What are you interested in buying?"

[Anastasia]

"Something...perfect," Ianvasah finally says, and quieter, "What is perfection?"

[Iron Dragoon]

"In my opinion... death... or stagnation. The lack of anything to improve on. But that's my opinion.. Practically... Something that does exactly what it's supposed to. In the simplest terms... I'd consider something... Primordial. Something that exists naturally in nature, unchanging and unflinching in its purpose. Fire is the great consumer, no? It can change a bit here and there, magma, sacred, and so on, but what it is, at the core, fits exactly what it's meant to, to perfection.

But you have to decide what it means to you, and what can represent it. You seem rather taken with dragons; what's the core existence of a dragon? Maybe... The will to simply be what you are, and force everything to acknowledge that will and bend to it?"

[Anastasia]

A considerable pause at this as you stand just outside of the shop, "So...what do I buy that represents that?" she finally asks aloud, frowning. "What manner of nymph speak is that?"

[Iron Dragoon]

"Is that what it means to you? My interpretation might not fit best for you. If you still think you want to follow my definition, then consider what represents willpower to you. An immovable mountain? Maybe indomitable will of nature to rise after destruction? Or maybe there's a story or legend of a warrior or druid who stood against something and met it without bending or compromise? Think on what comes to mind when you imagine will. Your first intuition on it will usually be the right step.

And consider that simply discovering what defines that for you might be the journey of a lifetime. It might endlessly be just over the horizon. But never attaining it doesn't make the journey any less worth it, or what you accomplish on the way worth less, or the wisdom you gain any less valuable."

[Anastasia]

Ianvasah says, "Then we will go where anyone goes where they need to think." After a beat, "There are taverns here, aren't there?"

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa chuckles.

"Perfection is beer, eh? How about we get the last of what we need first. To the gem store."

[Anastasia]

The shop in question is glassy and with fine stonework, unsullied and seemingly flawlessly clean. Within are row after row of gemstones and jewelry, all on display in glass cases. A single woman is here watching the shop, a few customers browsing.