Fairy waltz

[Nephrite]

"I suppose it's possible. But we can't send avatars." Moore says. "If we do that, it exposes the fact that we even have them... ugh, I'm not sure how we get around that."

[Anastasia]

"We don't have a choice here," Sylvie agrees, "I think we need to ask an established deity to help us with this by sending an avatar and owing them a favor. That or take a different approach altogether."

[Nephrite]

"Then let's ask in house." Moore says.

Lord Erathaol, may I speak to you if you are not busy?

[Anastasia]

The turn of a page. In the corner of the room Erathaol sits, reading a book. He marks his place and closes it. "Moore?" he asks.

[Nephrite]

"We have need to get in contact with Mask." Moore says. "It's time we appease the Archangels for access to the divine seed in Elysium."

[Anastasia]

"He's not responding? Hardly unusual for him," Erathaol notes, "But troubling under current conditions."

[Nephrite]

"I did not tell him specifically why we were asking." Moore says. "I do not know if that would make a difference, though. Our next option was to go there directly, but Sylvie rightly pointed out that Shar would interdict us somehow, so the idea was to send avatars... of which you know we can't do, else we spread that information, which I think would cause larger problems."

[Anastasia]

"Both untenable," Erathaol agrees, "So you must choose which of the lesser poisons to imbibe, or you need a favor from another deity."

"That's about it," Sylvie agrees, "But few want to fritter away an avatar since Shar is bloodthirsty and murderous, or a battle they're doomed to lose because of the Prophecy of Primus."

"I wish I could," Kaja says, "Sword on sword, our styles are the same. Give me a chance and I can match her. I know it." His fist clenches tight, "Sword on sword, I can win."

[Nephrite]

"That's the trouble with her - you can't count on anything being a fair fight." Moore says. "We also can't discount that Shar may have done something to Mask, can we?" He looks to Erathaol. "But if he had, wouldn't someone have known? I... oh. You know... it's a side point, but... Sylvie, you weren't with us yet, but somehow Torm showed up on Arcadia - well, an avatar of his, anyway - and no one noticed his intrusion. I wonder if that avatar had something that shielded it from some sort of divine sight..."

[Anastasia]

"Also, do not discounting any insights or back doors Torm had because of his former nature." Erathaol says, "It may be that the entire process was corrupted or bypassed."

"Yeah," Sylvie says slowly, "Hard to say there. Interesting, but unless we can go get the truth from Torm, it's not very helpful right now."

[Nephrite]

"Right. Well... hm, I wonder if that means Shadow has a back door?" He says. "Either way... if Mask has been captured, or... well, perhaps we can't worry about that... but should we operate on an assumption Shar has done something to him?"

[Anastasia]

"It is possible," Erathaol says, "Or that he serves her willingly."

Sylvie makes a face, "Which just makes this worse. Mask might be a dead end, unfortunately."

[Nephrite]

"Any of that is possible. If we can find out one way or another we should..." Moore says quietly. "I'm not sure we can do much here. Lord Erathaol, what do you think? If we can help somehow, I'd like to."

[Anastasia]

"I would suggest the investigation of Mask's holdings beyond Shadow," Erathaol says, "If you cannot reach him directly, try more indirect means."

[Nephrite]

"Ah, of course, that does make sense." Moore says. "We can do some digging, I'm sure they're relatively discreet."