Advancement

[Ebiris]

"He was involved in it starting out, there's no harm in it," Alicia says as she meets with Ebony in person to relay events. "I'd rather it not be widely spread what strangeness can form in the Deep Stacks, but those directly involved ought to know."

[Anastasia]

"I'll see to it," Ebony promises, "There is one other: Afina. It may serve her well to know, but it may not be without risk to it. She has taken on her task with renewed vigor."

[Ebiris]

"Hmm... on one hand I fully support her endeavour to slay Gathgorian, but on the other this new being is innocent of his crimes. How do you think she would react to this news?" Alicia asks.

[Anastasia]

Here Ebony considers, "I've only seen her in passing since her retirement was interrupted," she admits, "She is rational but driven. So terribly driven. I do not think she would, but may consider such if she gets desperate in her pursuit of Gathgorian."

[Ebiris]

"Well... Her hatred for devils was well remarked on but she was able to work effectively with you and treat Antenora with civility," Alicia says after thinking it over a little herself. "And she's friends with Sylvie and Canderella, isn't she? You can tell her, she likely won't do any harm and might even help if she does run into them. And if it helps her defeat Gathgorian in the end, so much the better."

[Anastasia]

"Your will shall be done," Ebony agrees, and softer, "She also gets along well enough with myself, and I am not free of devilish collaboration."

[Ebiris]

"She's able to look past one's past if their heart is in the right place," Alicia agrees, smiling encouragingly at Ebony. "Go then, tell who needs to be told about this."

[Anastasia]

Ebony rises and bows deeply to you.

Anything else to add here or good to move along?

[Ebiris]

All done.

[Anastasia]

It's not long - barely two hours before Alicia gets word: Canderella petitions to speak to her directly.

[Ebiris]

How am I getting word? Is she praying, did Ebony pass along a message, has she appeared in Sylica?

[Anastasia]

She's appeared and Sylica and made the request through the normal channels. Ebony isn't with her, but she seems to know the right things to say and the right people to ask.

[Ebiris]

As Canderella's a pretty big deal in planar terms and they have a good relationship with the crusade she's part of, this petition of hers sees some swift results!

"Welcome, Canderella," Alicia says as she waits in one of Liberton's pleasant sitting rooms, two comfy chairs with a table and tea set between them, paintings on the walls showing fantastic landscapes that warp perspective in mind-bending ways. Marie, having shown the succubus in, goes to pour tea for them and act the dutiful maid for a bit after closing the door.

[Anastasia]

Canderella is clad in her adventuring gear, accepting a cup of tea and having a drink. She gives Marie a nod and smile for her service before, "Normally I'm aware of any children I birth," she begins without any preamble. "I do not expect my best friend to tell me I'm a mother, unexpected and unpredicted."

[Ebiris]

"The situation is rather unprecedented," Alicia says, having a sip of her own tea as Marie goes to stand dutifully and silently behind her. "The magic of the Deep Stacks creates... alternatives. What ifs, or variants. But they're mere phantasms, no more real than your reflection in a mirror. For that reflection to step out and take on a life of its own - well, if you surprise Mystra you can call yourself accomplished."

Letting that settle for a moment she continues, "She suspects it has to do with the power of 21 drawn by Sylvie's reflection, with your reflection and Gathgorian's drawn along and amalgamated in the final result," she gives her own explanation which may help Canderella understand it better than the second hand one from Ebony.