Advancement

[Anastasia]

"Nothing that I can find," Jessica remarks, "But I've barely touched it, sister. It's too vague, I'm trying to find more information to clarify first." Sitting back as she waves a hand, "Like a gust of wind. I think the bottom of the stair is easier to research, because it's a more concrete thing. I need to talk to Ebony and have her direct me to Vivantha, she'd be a good contact. Actually... I'm thinking mortal again. I'll invite her to come here."

A moment's concentration and then, "She's willing to come."

[Ebiris]

"She's a good starting point," Alicia agrees. "When will she be over? If it's soon we can talk to her before this meeting on Mechanus."

[Anastasia]

"Soon," Jessica says, and...

Where do you want to meet her and with who? She'll be here with time to spare for Mechanus.

[Ebiris]

Lets go with me, Jessica, and Marie? We'll use the same room I met Canderella in, with furniture appropriate for a giant snake lady to get comfy.

[Anastasia]

Vivantha slithers in soon enough. She smiles and bows deeply, "You helped us all when we needed your help," she says, "For both myself and Brave Hero, thank you."

[Ebiris]

There's a big red divan suitable for Vivantha to rest herself on while Alicia and Jessica have chairs. Marie stands around looking dutiful and efficient because she gets a kick out of such things. "No thanks are necessary, you too contributed greatly to freeing Lifasa along with your fellows," Alicia reassures Vivantha as they all get comfy, Marie pouring out tea for everyone. "We've asked for you because we're looking into unorthodox lore regarding the infinite staircase. Specifically the hypothetical bottom of it."

[Anastasia]

Jessica inclines her head in greetings, "We fought Hell. That's enough. Though - how is Muirfinn? Has he recovered fully?"

Vivantha takes the tea and sips, "Muirfinn's doing very well. The sick on Lifasa are well tended, and there will be tortles there. They're doing well, and recently they had contact with the new irrigo children. They were fascinated by the tortle's shells, and the tortles were happy to have a deep sea creature that was wholly friendly to them and theirs."

"I'm glad," Jessica says, then with a look to Alicia, "But we can talk about that later. If you would?"

"My apologies," Vivantha replies to Alicia, "Our legends say there is no bottom. In truth - we don't know and our kind privately holds differing opinions. We hear all manner of stories from our own and from others."

[Ebiris]

"That about matches what we've heard," Alicia agrees, having a sip of her tea. "Can you put us in contact with any scholars or explorers who've been searching for the bottom? I'm not sure how fruitful it would be since if they'd found it already we'd know, but perhaps we could help with reaching some form of conclusion."

[Anastasia]

"I will," Vivantha says, "Here." She takes off the delicate crown of crystal she wears, "Show this to any lillend, they will understand the gravity of the situation and aid you. I suggest starting by contact with Valnala- she is said to be the foremost of the scholar-sages who investigate it."

[Ebiris]

Alicia reaches over to take the crown from her. "Thank you Vivantha. We'll return this to you soon - and if there's ever anything we can help you with, don't hesitate to ask."

[Anastasia]

A moment's consideration.

"Could I speak to Syala?" Vivantha asks. "Brave Hero and I would like to start a family and..." A trail off. "We are not precisely compatible to make children without intervention."

[Ebiris]

Aren't outsiders supposed to be really good at that kind of thing? "Of course, let me get her now," Alicia says agreeably.

Syala, could you come visit? Vivantha is petitioning for your aid in a family matter.

[Anastasia]

Syala appears, "I overheard," she says easily, offering her hand to Vivantha. "I'll show you some options."

Once that hand is taken they're gone.

Jessica hms, "It's a start," she says, "Also, don't tortles lay eggs and lillend bear live young?"

[Ebiris]

"When has that ever stopped a half dragon from being conceived?" Alicia asks Jessica in a bland tone.

[Anastasia]

Jessica has a hand to her mouth, a few giggles muffled. "Well, then love will find a way?"