Hidden truths

[Nephrite]

Moore nods. "I understand. If you do hear of anything contrary to that, would you please let me know?" He asks. "I value your friendship - any of Mineral who ever wish to visit Hope's Landing are always welcome, and will be treated with due respect."

[Anastasia]

There is one thing, a gift. Look up.

[Nephrite]

Moore does so!

[Anastasia]

A large gemstone - a diamond. A diamond larger than yourself, cut and faceted. It descends ever so slowly, flickering with rainbow colors in the light.

This gemstone was recently found and it would suit you well.

[Nephrite]

"I would be honored to accept your gift." Moore says with a smile.

What to -do- with it is a different story entirely...

[Anastasia]

The gemstone comes to you, as Kaja stares at it.

Xandra bows, "Thank you, Crystalle."

Go with my well wishes.

[Nephrite]

"Know that we are forever allies of Mineral." He says as he leaves with the gemstone and the others!

[Anastasia]

You head out. Once you return to Hope's Landing, secure in one your internal rooms there, away from the traders, away from the light and the celestials?

"That could buy a kingdom and he just gave it to you?" Kaja says slowly, in wonder.

"Yes, but remember. Crystalle could likely create such a thing in a moment if he cared to. He has dominion over all of Mineral and its wealth." Xandra points out, "That may be equal to leaving half of a penny as a donation to charity when you walk with pockets full of gold. A meaningless bit of wealth to him, in other words."

[Nephrite]

"It's meaning is in its symbolism." Moore agrees. "The denizens of Mineral see the objects there are mundane, just like Xandra says. At the same time, Crystalle knows that the relationship we have is something special, so this was an item that symbolizes it. Yes, to him and to Mineral it isn't of much value, but the value simply lies in what it means, not what it is."

[Anastasia]

"In other words," Kaja finishes, "It may as well be a stone for all the value you can get for it, since you can't sell it." He lets out a sigh, "My dragon side thinks it offensive, even if my mind knows it's right and just." He goes and pats the gemstone atop its smooth top, as if it were a child that did well.

[Nephrite]

"Oh, we could absolutely sell it." Moore says. "But there's no point in doing so. Kaja, you can literally just... make things with your divine will that have value and then go sell them if you really want to!" Moore says with a laugh. "If we were ever in a position where we needed as much gold as this is worth, we would be in a lot of trouble, I think." He says with another chuckle.

"But still... if Shar is interfering with Grumbar, she's doing it quietly." Moore says. "I guess that makes sense. We'll just have to keep an eye on it going forward." He says.

I do not have anything else specifically pending to do, unless miraculously the people in Dis want to trade for Syllen's items. I am going to guess they don't, because they're assholes. Other than that, let's check in with Melia and see if she's found anything good. I -think- she was investigating the efreet the last I had her working? But any other interesting hooks she might've found are fine.

Or anything else too! We're mostly waiting for things with Danaxmos to move ahead.

[Anastasia]

You're indeed correct. It's almost like they're being told to sit on those items. Scary.

It's not too long before you get a visitor. Canderella enters Hope's Landing. The lightning bolts that slammed down and flash-glassed patches of sand were a pretty obvious attention getter, really.

[Nephrite]

We'll have to find some way to loosen their grasp...

Moore is there almost in the same instant with open arms to greet an old friend.

"It's been so long!" He greets her with a smile. "Goodness, and with such panache, too."

[Anastasia]

Canderella comes forward, "It has been a long time. You reek of divine power now," she greets, as glistening glass glitters in the sand. "Ilsenine's right, you've grown a lot."

[Nephrite]

"It's been... an interesting time." Moore says. "Please, I'd show you around, but if you wanted to do that you wouldn't have gotten my attention. Let's talk about what you want to talk about."

It's a moment before they're in a nice sitting room with a window view of the fields of Lunia outside and the light from above shining in - on a simple table with comfortable seats all around it.

Moore has Grias prepare some snacks and drinks for his guest - and does also let Sylvie know Canderella is here if she wants to see her!

"So." Moore says with a bright smile. "What can I do for you?"