Ahead lies the great light that...

[Nephrite]

"I think you can tie hope into a lot of things. Hope that a battle plan succeeds, for example. You can trust your plan as much as you want, but there's still an element of hope there." A smile and a breath after that. "Though I think mine is a more... concrete feeling. A feeling to counter the loss and hopelessness that's sown in Creation by evil."

[Anastasia]

"The same feeling that a good steel blade puts in the hand of a warrior," The Red Knight challenges back, "Or when good orders and commands guide them?"

Meanwhile, you notice the Mercane and Cresiel share a look, stone silent and yet acknowledging one another.

[Nephrite]

"Yes, exactly. Hope is a tangible thing, just like tactics." Moore says. "The difference between a battle won and a battle lost usually comes down to those very things in the end."

[Anastasia]

"It is also the cause of death of many warriors who know not how to separate hope from reality," The Red Knight counters, "The final, lethal intoxication in a soldier's life."

[Nephrite]

Moore nods. "Yes. Like all things hope must be tempered with wisdom. Still, sometimes all someone can have is hope." A smile after that again. "It's better to face death with hope in your heart than despair, if you must. But your words are not lost on me -- it's crucial that hope be bolstered by actions, or it's an empty promise."

[Anastasia]

"There is," The Red Knight smiles and laughs again. "Not even fair and gentle Eldath pretends conflict does not exist - even if they are non violent, they participate in conflict nonetheless. Conflict requires power, be it the heft of a mace in your hand, the weight of a spell in your mind, or the sharpness of cutting words on your lips."

[Nephrite]

"Hope is not unlike faith -- something has to support it somewhere." Moore says. "But that is what I hope to accomplish, to give that power to people who need it."

[Anastasia]

"I'll watch to see how well your words meet reality," The Red Knight nods to you and turns to leave, the Mercane with him. "If you're anything like the other recent promotions, you won't be boring."

The Mercane was more than he appeared, Moore.

[Nephrite]

Considering his company, I would have imagined as such. Any idea who it was?

Moore will look around or wait to be approached by someone else!

[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 78, total 78[/blockquote]

[Anastasia]

He didn't mention his name - we had a brief telepathic conversation, but he mentioned he was the Red Knight's guest.

[Nephrite]

Do you think he was really a mercane? I wonder if Lady Sanzha or the Padisha might know who they were.

[Anastasia]

Sanzha might know. Her roots go back, and I had an impression he was old, even as the planes reckon them.

[Nephrite]

Moore nods.

We can ask after this.

[Anastasia]

Meanwhile you begin to mingle - and barely get a chance. "Moooooore!"

A cheerful call as Balyss emerges from the crowd, a glass of wine in hand. "Moorey Moore Moooore!" She's all smiles as she comes over, "You know what the best part of of filling in for Selune when she's busy?" she asks without preamble, taking a drink, "The drink is incredible at these parties."

Following behind Balyss at a steady pace is Stille. He merely nods as he gently removes the wine glass from Balyss's hand. "Please excuse dear Balyss," he says right away, "She's in recovery from a ghastly incident in a recent battle. Her stamina is not what it should be. My congratulations to you both."

Cresiel nods slightly and taps Balyss's fore head with a finger. In an instant she stops, "...did you just sober me up with magic?" she asks, a faintly accusatory tone in her voice. "I'm suddenly far less merry."

"Divine prerogative," Cresiel declares, "Do not question it."

[Nephrite]

Moore's about to do something similar, before he covers his mouth and snorts quietly.

"Balyss, Stille, it's so good to see both of you." Moore says with a smile. "I'm glad to see 27 hasn't managed to convince anyone to kill you. The Moonmaiden's been keeping you both busy, i take it?"