Almost like a monastery hidden in the clouds above Terra, this palace compound exists in a realm of eternal night. Brightly lit by the billions of stars overhead and dozens of sorcerous braziers below, it is a serene paradise for the studious and the thoughtful, and even more so, for those who love peace. Generally off limits to mortals, this place is inhabited by divinities and demons of a dozens sorts, all watched over by an enigmatic ruler known only as 'Pretender'.

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Helantri Deru

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When Felina appears, the first thing she does is feel for Lisaria's signature. She gets the feeling it will be helpful.

Amidst the walking about divinities, demons, and other assorted mythological creatures, a woman dressed in plain white makes herself apparent by rising a few feet into the air. Lisaria gazes at Felina, a worried little smile upon her face. Without her armor, the goddess looks... rather plain, but her signature is unmistakable.

Felina's demeanor is overall serious as she approaches...her appearance is pretty impeccable for her, though. She smiles, still seriously, and works her way through the crowd towards Lisaria. "Hello again. Thank you for meeting me."

Lisaria returns the smile, bows her head a little bit. "I am glad you came. I need to... apologize for being so direct. But I saw him, and... knowing what he did to my sister all those years ago, I snapped a little..." she lifts her eyes. "Pretender is waiting for you in that castle over there." She looks to her right, into the open gates of a tremendous palace, whose black-bricked walls are kept from being ominous by brightly colored frippery of all sorts.

Felina looks over that way. Nods. "Right. Thank you. And don't worry about it, I certainly understand having a history with him." She starts off in the direction of the castle, quiet, clarifying her ideas in her mind. She's not sure whether Lisaria will follow or not.

"Wait, wait!" She does indeed follow, holding out her hand as she runs. She catches back up to Felina at the gates, shoving something towards her. "Take these," she warns her, "and plug your ears. Mortals can't hear Pretender's voice, it kills them. These little glass balls will filter it down so it won't melt your brain."

"Ah. The lack of the brain-melting is nice, yes." Felina pauses to slip the things into her formidable ears.

Lisaria smiles at that. She likes Felina's sense of humor, she really does. "See that tall woman over at the table? The one sitting, not the one standing. That is Pretender... now. She is about 6'5'', but doesn't like to be poked about her height. She makes her decisions entirely based on those giant tarot cards she's dealing right now... generally, they are sound decisions. But she doesn't like to deviate."

The other woman walks away from the desk, smiling brightly. "It was a lucky draw," she says to Lisaria as she passes.

"Heh...height issues. Can relate to that too. Anything else that I should know?"

Lisaria shakes her head. "Not especially. Just don't threaten her. She doesn't like it."

Pretender glances up from her table, and motions for Felina to come and join her. She's already dealing the cards for her, her dark violet eyes turned upon them in earnest.

Felina bows her head briefly to Lisaria, and heads towards Pretender. She's quiet, as she's positive that it's better to wait to be spoken to in this circumstance.

"Felina Deyono, please, sit. We will dispense with pleasantries and delve into the fruit of the matter." She looks up to Felina, the darkness of her eyes contrasting heavily with the milky white of her skin. "You neglected to report the presence of an escaped, damned soul. Why?" Nothing in her voice is accusing, or even terribly unfriendly, really.

Felina sits quietly. Regal, professional, and collected. "I wasn't aware that this was a stipulation. I deal almost exclusively with mortal affairs, and my repertoire of reactions reflects that."

"Your history with Radivishe Moorn is unprecedented. He never had an enemy for as long as he had you, and then you killed him. Is it your modus operandi to harbor genocidal maniacs?" Still, nothing offensive in her voice. In fact, her smile now is practically divine, as she sets out four cards in front of Felina.

"You're right." Felina nods. "But, in all that time, I never struck him truly pre-emptively. I am a very defensive creature by nature, and only hit in direct reaction to a threat to me or a charge. When I sensed his return this time, I immediately headed him off where he appeared...however, he wasn't looking for a fight, and thus, I didn't start one. That would fall outside my modus operandi." Felina's not smiling, exactly, but her manner is casual, and--though careful--not particularly defensive.

"He told me that he wasn't looking to act upon old grudges. He was also looking for his daughter, who is resting in my estate. He was worried about her; I took him to see her." Felina glances down to the cards with quiet interest. "Fate has a way of twisting our paths together. However, as wickedly uncomfortable as I may be with his resumed existance, it's too early for me to determine just what the circumstances will demant this time."

"Ah yes. His daughter, Mi'ehna. Ai, these days. I have business with her soon, as well." Pretender reaches out, rearranges the cards, which are still face down. "It seems that she is teaching your son forbidden runes. The same runes that your rival Moorn used to blast cities into rubble, and enslave two separate races of people."

"Nearly any magic can be horribly perverted," Felina notes, carefully. "Which runes and taboos are you referring to, specifically?"

"Every rune on her body, which is the reference she is using to teach him, is considered forbidden by the Pantheon and the bulk of mages around the universe. Ai is unaware of this. Her father knows. This is not a threat, only a suggestion." Pretender gazes serenely at Felina. "If Dewei insists on learning, he must be aware that some would seek to harm him for his usage of the magic. In return for your accomodation of this situation, I can promise that my forces will not. As for the task at hand, I remind you that Radivishe Moorn must be returned to hell. The cards will decide what role you will play."

"I see...well, thank you for that insight." Felina nods thoughtfully. It's something to keep in mind...something that she needs to make Dewei understand as well. "Is Radivishe Moorn's being here creating a physical disturbance of order, then?" It hadn't the first time, that she knows of. This is looking like it's very much out of Felina's preferred realm of action, and Pretender must know that.

"No. It is a matter of order." Pretender taps each card, setting their intricate back designs to glowing. "If the other denizens of hell realize that escape is possible, the system may break down. At this point the overseers are outnumbered thousands to one... only despair keeps the damned in line. They are controlled by an illusion of power that is not quite so firm as they believe. You have four choices, Felina Deyono, daughter of Telian Tiono, Guardian Topaz. Elect to give your fate to the cards, and we will follow what they say. Refuse, and I will be forced to decide myself."

"And the other two choices?"

"Choose a card, and defy your fate," Pretender continues quietly, "and become my enemy. Or offer a better solution, prove to me that is such, and gain my favor. I do hate to sound like a monarch, but... yes."

A corner of Felina's lips twitches at the 'monarch' bit, legitimately amused. Now. Back to business. "Hell is ruled by more than one overlord, yes? Which held Radivishe Moorn?"

"His name was Algeshionix. Obliterated, though, by Moorn's hand." Pretender's smile doesn't waver. She's so pleasant that it's borderline sickening.

"Good. That's wonderfully easy to twist in your favor." Felina tilts her head. "Since keeping prisoner morale low is the issue at hand, just circulate a conspiracy rumour that Algenshionix was stepping out of line, himself, and that the other overlords cooperated to take him out and decimate his region and power base. Immediately and strongly get a new overlord put in his place as though he had been pre-selected...order needs to be restored immediately, and, that in place, the hierarchy won't seem divided and vulnerable, but rather, conniving and capable of moving as a brutally unified whole. Logic will expand the rumour to Moorn's having been offered reprieve in return for doing the dastardly deed. After all, he'll probably only live a few millenia before someone or other sends him back there, just a flicker of time in the grand scheme of things. The moral of the whole messy matter won't be that hell is fallible, but rather that absolutely no one in it is safe from its ravages or brutality. Prisoners duly scared into line, order restored."

"You have a vicious mind, Felina," Pretender observes. "Though it is a sound plan. I will put it into motion. For fun, though... no strings attached..." she smiles. "Turn a card, let us see what you would have gotten."

Felina smiles a bit...bows her head rather humbly. Wow. Bullet dodged. Her eyes glance over the cards briefly. She feels drawn to...that one. She turns it smoothly with her clawed fingerly.

Pretender doesn't even have to look at it. The card shows an image of a man dressed in sagely clothes, whispering into the ear of an obvious King.

"The advisor," the card reads and Pretender says, "supplies wisdom in times of crisis. It is the fate of the advisor to shoo away catastrophe with words, and strategy, instead of swords." Her eyes twinkle. "Good choice."

Felina's lips twitch into a smile. "Well. What do you know. Thank you for the audience, Lady Pretender."

"You're welcome back anytime. I rarely extend the privelege." She smirks a bit. "But I like snippish bitches. Oh... do talk to your son. It is an important matter."

Felina snickers at this. "You're all right. And I will make sure he understands the gravity of what he's getting into, that he can make an informed decision on the matter. What of the Pantheon's tolerance of him, should he continue to practice this form of the art...?"

"Officially I will forbid the gods from seeking his harm. However, that may not be enough to stop all of them, and so, you should be aware. Some are as strong as you, I think." Pretender takes the cards back up. "Your son is strong, and his intentions are good. As are Ai's."

Felina bows her head. "Thank you...and yes, he's a good hearted boy. I will talk to him." She stands up as she senses this meeting drawing to a close.

"No pleasantries, remember." Pretender shuffles the card. "You know where the door is."

Felina smirks. Actually, far from what she'd expected...she actually likes Pretender quite a bit. "Yes...I won't let it hit me." And she heads that way, letting out a slow, quiet breath. Crisis averted. For this particular three-minute period.

Lisaria is waiting for her at the door. "It went well, right?" She holds a wrapped box out to Felina, tied with a soft pink bow. "For you. Ambrosia, for... whenever. Add a little bit to food and it amplifies the taste nicely."

Felina actually smiles a little, and accepts the box lightly. "Thank you...that's sweet. And yes...it went extremely well, really. I couldn't be more pleased." Yay. She really only wants to deal with trouble on the mortal plane, she doesn't need divinities getting involved too. "Besides, I think I like Pretender." She's amusing in a dry sort of way, but very businesslike. Gets things done.

Lisaria smiles a bright, goddess's smile at that. "Oh, good... I was worried. She can be so... her. Ugh. Well... about him...?"

"I'm not positive...at least in terms of settling things in hell, his being re-damned is no longer necessary. You can probably interpret what that will mean better than I."

Lisaria frowns then. "I wish it were othrwise. My sister... she won't be pleased to know he's alive. She might try to take Ai again. But that's our business and I won't trouble you with it." She smiles again, prettily. "Thank you for going to the trouble. You can leave, right? You don't have to be sent back?"

Felina smiles a bit, and nods. "Certainly. And...hopefully Moorn will lay low awhile. It's hard to say, but maybe he'll just content himself with being alive awhile and not bother the rest of us."

The goddess's smile softens. "You do not really believe that, do you?"

"I'm not sure. But I can hope. Things were just settling down on the home front." She laughs softly, shakes her head. "Oh well...whatever happens, will be dealt with."

"I am sure. Well... goodbye, Felina. Hopefully, if we meet again, I'll have good news." Lisaria grins. "You can keep the plugs." She takes a step past Felina, heading into Pretender's chamber, waving as she goes.

Felina smiles a bit, and waves in return, and then vanishes with her pink-ribboned box for Helantri Deru.