Only the best of time's memories come here. It is a very temperate place, cool and warm, wet and dry, perhaps the most beautiful place in all of existence. Orchards and fields, plains, and the landmark once called Mount Olympus stand here, looking out over mechanized cities of brass and gold. Gods, sorcerers, men, and beasts all call this place home.

---

Inverse Time
Dothaven
The Exalted Plane
The Unsung Plane
The Celestial Plane
Infinity


Celestial Plane I

---

Down the short hallways marked with the medical sign, Creeper is leaning against a wall, biting his fingers, waiting. He looks up when Felina enters, and all but rushes her.

"I knew you'd come. You were worried too." He smiles. "Um... you wouldn't happen to be a master healer, by any chance, would you?"

"Depends. Is it that bad?"

Creeper nods, ears drooping. "It's really bad. I found out why Leilia was fighting... someone cursed her. The doctors and the healers can't do a thing with it, but whatever it is, they know that it started functioning right after she lost the fight." He looks down at the ground. "It's killing her."

Felina frowns...eyes holding a deadly seriousness. That's a damned good reason to fight, yes...damnit. She should have sensed something wrong...but still isn't acclimated enough to this plan for that. She nods. "Let me take a look..." walks over to Leila without awaiting permission.

It really is a dramatic curse. Where there had been no physical or otherwise signs of it before, now it pulses hot around the woman's brain. Her youthful skin draws up in lines and wrinkles even as the doctors look on, the color fading as her hair goes gray. She lays all but still, eyes closed. 

Creeper follows Felina inside, wondering.

Felina narrows her eyes just a little...steps past the doctors without asking permission. She sets a gentle hand on the woman's forehead, and her mind opens guardedly to examine what's really going on in there.

It's... a mess, to put it lightly. Leilia's energy strands are all out of place, shoved aside by thick black strands of dark matter not unlike the void essence Creeper mentioned. Her body, as a result, is degenerating rapidly.

Felina's physical eyes widen a little, but she only becomes more stolid mentally. It's with the utmost care that she analyzes the void energy and, gingerly and ready to defend Leilia's mind at an instant's notice, draws on about seven different techniques she knows to create a possible counter-energy...tries to isolate a small part of the magic as much as possible, powerful shields guarding the Leilia's mind, and tries to cut into into the magic.The proper result would be a simple disintigration.

Felina obviously knows her stuff. The material within Leilia's mind burns away quickly and completely, to the great joy of the healers present. The doctors, of course, are more concerned about that the fact that the starship captain's body seems to have aged about sixty years over the course of all this.

Felina lets out her breath...sets Leilia's mind's threads back to their proper places, and then retreats momentarily fully to her own body, taking a few deep breaths, eyes still closed. "Relax," is all she says, muttered to the doctors... "nothing irreversible." She opens her eyes.

"You okay, Felina," Creeper asks, stepping closer to her, "you need a chair? That just felt tiring."

Felina smiles at him. "I'll be fine. But thanks, I appreciate it."

"You are fine. And I appreciate that." Creeper grins. 

Leilia's eyes open, their glittering green sparkling with something like resignation.

"Where is Drianis...?" she asks, in an old woman's voice. "Is he still here...?"

Creeper bites his lip. "He went to find Daimord Di."

Felina closes her eyes. That would have been her next move, too. She looks down to Leilia, sitting partway down onto her feet to do so less intimidatingly. "Miss. What can you tell me about happened here?"

She looks at Felina, quietly. "I don't even know where 'here' is. My ship... the Red Rouge. It was pulled into a rift. I was here... they sent me to a place..." Her eyes close, consciousness doing its best to flee from her.

Mmm...so someone's figured out how to manipulate the system. Felina sets a hand on the woman's forehead to ease her pain and send her fully to sleep, then looks up. "Anyone who has any connections that might possibly turn up information about Leilia here, please exploit them now. Every detail counts." She stands up fully again, and starts for the door at a quick walk, senses peeled for the signatures of Diamord and Drianis.

She's a very calm person under pressure. The most upsetting thing on her mind, really...is the realization that she can't go anywhere, ever, under any circumstances, without taking trouble with her. Somehow.

Drianis's signature is still fairly obvious, but he's left the arena for certain. Daimord Di's is much less so, though it quietly exists just in front of Drianis's... maybe a mile or so.

"Felina, wait," Creeper's voice calls out, as he hurries to catch her. "Can we talk a minute?"

"Sure. Walk with me."

He smiles at her, and trots along with her, looking profoundly nervous about something. 

"Felina, do you believe in predestination?" he asks, looking at her almost embarassedly.

"I'm a watcher superior...I have unsolicited visions of the future I can't change. But one, once, changed. So, to an extent." She offers him a reassuring little smile, then looks ahead again.

Creeper scratches his hair. "I hope you don't think I'm going to say something like 'we're meant for each other', even though that's what I might normally say. But in this inverse time, things are a little different. Some of us know things we probably shouldn't." He closes his eyes, bites his lip... and about that time, a subtle change in his energy signature begins to manifest. It's very well hidden, but at the same time, awfully prominent. "I want to tell you this. Do you ever thing that you aren't taking trouble with you, so much as trouble springs up when you are there, because you are the one who is meant to handle it?" He looks at her, meaningfully, wondering if she'll catch onto what that sentence entails.

All told, she's too focussed on this thing with the curse to read into it as much as she probably should. Her face just clouds at the statement. "I've been trying to decide between those two for years." Hell, she'd tried to kill herself over it a few years ago. She does notice the beginnings of the change in his signature, though.

Creeper lowers his eyes. She's too distracted by the problem at hand to notice that he'd been reading her mind. He decides to go for a more obvious approach. "I know. Solomon lied to you, said he chained your life force to Diamond to you wouldn't go through with it." He looks at her. Surely that's clue enough.

Felina's face jerks over to him, searching. "Are you saying," she manages after a moment, "that my coming here was arranged specifically to deal with this?"

Creeper shrinks back, as if stung by her words. "No, not exactly... I just... wanted you to know that it's not your fault that bad things happen. I've been waiting for you for such a long, long time, because I knew you would be here when this bad stuff went down." He smiles just a little.

Felina's eyes soften a bit again, and she nods, smiling a little. "Well. I guess it's time for both of us to deal, then, huh?" She looks ahead again. "So, telepath, what other fun details have you been hiding?"

Creeper stands a little taller, now that she's not angry with him. "Many. I, uh... well, I'm an associate of Abyss. There are three of us, he called 'Fate, Origin, and Path'. I'm 'Fate'. I just... like being an usher. I've been training with your father for some time now, learning things, making myself better." He closes his eyes. "I know how this is going to turn out, and it isn't good. I wanted to change it. I..." he stops walking, looks at her. "I don't want you to die."

Felina stops as well. Digests all that for a few moments, before looking back at him. "You know, usually when someone's been hiding something, he just says he's really a woman or something."

"I wish I could be so mundane," Creeper answers with a very low-key tone. "Unlike you, as a watcher superior, my knowledge of the future is pretty constant. Abyss made me promise to never act on it. He said that the future was the only thing more certain than the past."

"What exactly is it you're risking by telling me all this? You probably know as well as anyone that I have very little fear of death...else, I couldn't do what I do. Is it really the best of ideas to put so much on the line for one person?"

Creeper holds his head up proudly, smiling a suddenly regal smile at Felina. "Disillusionment," he answers, pride shining in his voice. "If Abyss so chooses, he will obliterate me, and everything I am and have ever been will be gone. And yeah, I do know you, and I know that you're fearless. But look at what happened to Tel-tiono's parallel without you... or do you know?"

She closes her eyes...nods. "Even so, though...the universe worked along just fine before I ever so much as existed. It's hardy that way...there's always another hard-headed little hero or heroine to stick out hir neck." She doesn't like what he seems to be sticking on the line. At all. Not that she's extremely fond of knowing with pretty much absolutely certainty, either....

Creeper leans against the wall, his ears twitching just a little bit. "The universe is hardy, yeah. Life... much less so. Listen, if you want, I can walk away now. I can even ask Path to screw with your mind, make you forget that we ever spoke. That you ever met me. But I'm already dead. So... I wish you would hear me out."

Felina closes her eyes. "You seem like a nice guy. I like you. I don't want you to risk this much for me...to get hurt." She looks over to him, eyes shining subtly. "Isn't there any way you can step back, just walk away, and be safe yourself again?"

Creeper just shakes his head.

"How sure are you that Abyss is already...going to unmake you?"

"You're asking Fate that?" Creeper chuckles quietly. "Felina, I'm resigned to what's going to happen. I've seen it. The future is such an interesting thing... how do I know that the future that I've seen is a result of my not interfering? Maybe I've seen what would happen if I did interfere. Or what would happen if I thought that, and interfered differently to keep that from happening? I know that I have seen myself being unmade.'

"Of course." Felina sighs quietly...a little shakily. Alright. Tell me whatever it is you think I should know?" One of the harder statements she's ever had to make, something her ears reflect nicely.

Creeper gets up from the wall, nudges her gently. "Hey now, don't make that face. I knew it was over for me long before you ever came here. If it means anything, you're the only person I've ever even considered helping this way. Ever." He grins. "Listen. It won't happen for a while yet. But at some point, you are going to help Drianis find his daughter. Your bestest girlymouthed buddy will be there, too, though. The daughter will be a trap. If you try to help her yourself, girlymouth will trick Drianis into thinking you are the one who hurt his daughter. You'll fight bravely against all three of them - Drianis, Moorn, and Daimord - but you'll lose." He looks at her, his eyes pleading. "Don't frown. Just live. Creeper will be happy that way."

Felina's nodding quietly to his account...finally smiles just a little, though sadly. "So I won't have any memory of you at all then, huh?"

A little bit of regret shows in Creeper's smile about then.

"You'll remember an usher, here today, probably. But not me."

"I see." Felina ponders this quietly, then leans forward and kisses him, for several seconds. "Don't worry, Creeper. I don't know if anyone can truly unmake that which was meant to be, and I know for a fact there's an afterlife." That said, she turns back towards Drianis's signature. "Take care, huh?"

Creeper's eyes close at her kiss, faint little tears slipping between his eyelids. They're there, but even he doesn't acknowledge them. 

"I hope I get to see you again before then," he whispers to her back, "but at least I got a glimpse of heaven in this life. Thank you... farewell, Felina."

She squeezes his shoulder reassuringly for a moment, but doesn't trust herself to say more, and starts off in the direction of the signatures again, mind silent. Just...damnit. Damnit, damnit, damnit.

Creeper smiles until she's out of sight. His eyes slide shut again, a grim, determined expression settling about him.

"Okay. I did it... Abyss... you can take me, now." Little spheres of violet light form around Creeper's arms, his legs, lifting him off of the ground. He closes his mouth, and sucks in one last breath before the light envelopes his head. In a silent flash of white he vanishes, two mute teardrops the last evidence that he ever even lived.

In that moment, Felina's memories shift, and the Serinian Creeper is taken away from them. 

Felina's left feeling...uneasy. Something wrong...and yet she can't place what, and has the eerie feeling that there's no way she can possibly figure it out. She shakes her head, tries to shake it off, and keeps after the fighters' energy signatures at a quick step.

They haven't gotten too far. Not surprisingly, people are fleeing in terror about two streets over from Felina's tower, the energy signatures both surging around one another.

Damnit! She shakes off her feelings of unease and sprints in that direction, enhancing the speed of her jumps psychically to get there fast.

Daimord Di's is the most obvious signature. The pretty man floats high above the street, raining explosive spheres of void energy down upon the city area itself. Drianis is there too, putting his body in front the spheres to prevent their impacting the city, but it's taking his toll on him. The ones he's failed to deflect he has been forced to absorb, and his bland-handsome face is already covered with blood and burns.  It won't last much longer.

Felina narrows her eyes before really reaching the scene as her telepathic sense lets her know what's happening. She takes a detour, fastening her father's cloak around her throat, the one that hides her signature entirely...leaps up the sides of two towers, springs into the air off of one, and slams down at Diamord with a powerful, battering ram-esque attack. It's designed to stun, take down, and pin to the ground far below, all in one surprise maneuver.

It works beautifully. Di is so busy throwing bursts for Drianis to absorb that he doesn't even notice her coming, and yelps in shock when she smashes into his back and drives him like a cute-eared piston into the street below. 

"Get the hell off me!" he growls, struggling a little bit.

Drianis just lowers to the street, his energy still largely constant despite the condition of his body. He's quietly impressed... he'd wondered about Felina before, and is glad to know that his senses aren't useless.

"Stop that." Felina quite simply slaps him as though he'd touched somewhere he shouldn't have. Her other hand is burning with a power-constraining field. "What the hell is wrong with you? Bystanders much?"

"I didn't start this brawl, thank you. Ask soldier-boy over there," Di snarls, still struggling. Drianis simply regards him with uninterested eyes, waiting to see what Felina is doing here.

Felina narrows her eyes. Doesn't release Di. But looks over to Drianis. "So. Your turn. Why start this level of fight with this many people around?"

"I meant no harm to him. I simply demanded an explanation for why his presence was so powerful inside of that girl's mind." Drianis, honestly, looks both bored, and as if he wants to kick a hole in Di's head in the same expression. "As you can see, he refused."

"Yeah, well..." Felina glances pointedly at the people peeking out from wherever they'd taken cover. "Not the best considered of methods." She looks down at Di. "But, since we're all being civil now, same question." The power-inhibiting spells on her hands increase, and she really has him quite effectively pinned physically. "Satisfactory answers get you let up."

"I don't suspose you'd be satisfied with 'go fuck yourself'," Di growls, and blows his hair out of his eyes. "Little human, lost in un-time. She was supposed to suicide bomb him. Know what else? She was supposed to do it in the first round. But some idiot usher got in and screwed with the schedules, and now, I can't even remember his name to go kill him." Di groans at Felina unbelievable strength, reminding himself never to discout Serinians. "The curse was an insurance policy. If she killed him, I would send her home."

"Send her home? After being a suicide bomber? How...generous of you. So. Why go to that much trouble to kill Drianis of Dothaven over there? Just because of some silly arena standing?"

Di opens his mouth, but closes it. "On second thought, go fuck yourself."

"You know, I could just leech it from your mind, and I can do just as much skewing as I want in the process. I wonder how you'd like to start arguing with the announcers that your name isn't 'Diamord Di', but 'Sylvia'?"

"I wonder how you'd like to be blasted into orbit?" Di isn't relenting... in fact, a surge of void essence is building within him as if to make good on the statement. Felina's spells prevent it from becoming any real threat, but it shows that he's trying.

"Oh, don't even try. I destroyed your silly little curse, and I can manipulate any other incidence of that energy, too. Come on. I have better places to be than sitting on your chest, but, with that inverse time thing and all...I can stay here just as long as I need to."

"You know... I knew that if I walked around long enough, I would find you getting into my business again." The mental tone of Radivishe Moorn's voice filters through their minds just before the real tone of it does, the sorcerer manifesting about fifteen yards away from them. "I swear, Felina. It is almost like fate wants us to tussle more often."

Drianis's eyes simply bulge at the sight of Moorn still alive. His every instinct says to charge, to kill, to destroy that monster, but pure shock holds him in place for the time being.

"He's my hireling, just like any of the dozen assassins I sent against Mi'ehna. Only," Moorn looks squarely at Drianis, "I really do want this idiot dead."

Felina stiffens. She's torn...but jumps back off of Di after a moment. She doesn't want him up, but she can't be pinned down with Radivishe Moorn around, either. "Fate's a bitch, huh?" She feels guilty saying this, completely inexplicably. "How the hell did you get here, anyway?"

"What do you think? Even I can't fight off the Malufel. Of course I didn't come alone." The sorcerer sighs quietly, looking at Daimord Di. "Get up, idiot." Di scrambles to his feet, ignoring Drianis as he scurries to stand closer to the sorcerer. "Next time, I use a dragon, or a yeti."

"Ugh...I didn't think it would get up in four seconds, to get you too..." Felina's claws are between her eyes. "Please tell me that that 'not alone' bit doesn't mean Mi'ehna's here?"

The sorcerer just laughs, but Drianis's head jerks aside, to look at Felina. "Felina," Moorn mutters, "he thinks his daughter is dead, remember? She might still be. Maybe I killed her, I can't remember these things."

"Grah! I'll kill you!" Before he can even think about doing so Drianis finds himself rushing the sorcerer... and just as quickly finds himself flying back the other way, his skin smoking from a mid-grade burst of elemental lighnting.

Felina sighs quietly. "That worked well." Not that she doesn't feel for Drianis, she does, and some potent healing spells thicken around him. "Drianis, I'm not sure yet whether you're from our parallel, or not...whatever the case, the Mi'ehna in our parallel is very much alive, but has been in Dothaven for a very long time." She looks to Moorn. "Which raises the question. Where is she now?"

"Somewhere. We were separated when the beast took us. Can you believe that idiot in the top hat suggested I go to Infinity? I'm sure the head wound I gave him is still regretting it."  Moorn shrugs. "While I'm here, though, I may as well kill him. I have been meaning to for some time." 

"Imagine you being sent to the plane for heartless bastards. Shocking." Felina steps closer to Drianis. "But for now, back off. It's not like this is going to accomplish anything anyway."

"Says you. I have wanted this man's blood for longer than you've been alive. So step aside, or I can move you." Moorn walks calmly towards them, his entire being shuddering with energy. "We have danced this dance before. Let's not do it again."

Felina's hand goes to the hilt of her sword. "Ah, but you're obviously my favorite partner."

Moorn sighs quietly. Here they go again. The energy drawing up from within him peaks, and he draws back with a hand burning in white flames.

Flames that freeze in place, abruptly, under the aura of a tremendously powerful nullification spell.

"That is quite enough, Gabriel." Tel-tiono's outstretched hand glows a bit, lighting up the alleyway from which he'd just come. "You have no business here, sorcerer. Leave."

Moorn gazes in quiet wonder at someone who is powerful enough to simply... stop one of his spells in mid-cast. He knows better than to fight something like that, though, and slowly begins to back off.

Felina lets out her breath...her pulse slows bit by bit. She glances to Tel-tiono, and back to Radivishe Moorn. She stays quiet, doesn't move or bother explaining. She knows the similarity in their energy signatures outlines anythign she could have. She really...can't even describe how it feels to be defended by her father again. Absolutely can't start to explain.

Moorn smiles a wicked smile at them both. "Just because I'm impressed with you," he says to the wizard, "doesn't mean I won't kill you. Felina, I'm sure I will be seeing you later." His pale hand reaches out, snatching Daimord Di by the hair, and both of them vanish in an instant, bound for heaven knows where.

Tel-tiono lowers his hand once he's certain that the sorcerer is gone, and not simply playing a trick. "Nightshade. Are you hurt?"

"No. I'm okay." She closes her eyes, steadying herself, banishing tears, and controlling her emotions somewhat, before looking over at him. "Thank you."

The old wizard just smiles that smile, and nods, not wanting to make her feel any more out of sorts than necessary. "It has been quite some time since I've done something like that. Nightshade, what of your friend?" The wizard looks to Drianis, who is sitting on his heels, still shaking ash out of his hair. "He seems well."

Felina looks over to him, and nods. She takes a slow breath, and walks over to Drianis, sitting demurely on her feet a short distance away. "Are you okay?"

"Apart from my pride, I am fine," Drianis answers her, shaking his head. "He looked just like... felt just like... someone I knew years ago. And he knew my daughter's name." He looks up at her. "How do you know my daughter? Did you speak the truth, that she lives?"

"Well...all of this is assuming that we're from the same parallel..." she glances to her father for confirmation of this before continuing.

Tel-tiono considers this for a moment, searching through his memories. "I believe that you and he are of the same parallel, Nightshade."

Drianis stares at her as if ever word from her lips is holy speak.

Felina nods, and looks back to Drianis. Looks down. His emotion is threatening to overwhelm her empathetically, and the face doesn't help. "Yes. She's still alive. A few days ago, a girl I'm a caretaker for disappeared into a prison dimension called Dothaven...I went after her, and came across a rather interesting pink-haired telepath who had a bit of a history with that sorcerer, whom I've also had extensive dealings with...as you may have gathered from our interaction. Mi'ehna had been...where she was...for a very long time. But was alive."

"Dothaven? It cannot be." Drianis shakes his head, his big heart absolutely hammering at the mention of his daughter's being alive. "I was there. I spent years in the machine city before being sent here." That emotion is only growing, but its weight is decreasing somewhat at the same time, as the air softens with support spells cast by a particularly interested wizard.

Felina's eyes soften with pity at that. She almost doesn't want to say the next part. "She...wasn't in the machine city. She was on the other side of Dothaven...of the Malufel's area." She hadn't known about the machine city, of course. Or the lair. But psychic sense prods her to consider to oppositely-placed cities.

Drianis looks like he's just been kicked in the gut. "You mean... she was that close to me, and..." he sits back, perfectly dumbstruck. "I... am going to need some time to digest this," he softly says, the authority all gone from his voice. "I... should go and see to Leilia Bairen. Thank you for..." the big man lowers his head a bit. "Your intervention."

Felina had just nodded quietly to the first part, eyes closed. "My pleasure." She finally looks up...sets a gentle clawed hand on his knee. "She'll be fine. Let me know if you need to run your mouth at someone who knows both Mi'ehna and Moorn...and certainly let me know if you're in danger from him, or going to do something particularly stupid involving him. I like having a hand in stupid things involving him." She stands up and starts to head back to Tel-tiono without further ceremony.

Drianis is silent, simply looking at the ground until she's gone a bit away. He then picks himself up and shuffles off, his mind absoutely boiling with both rage and something bordering on depression.

The old wizard smiles at her when she gets close, fighting his urge to be relatively public in his affection for her. Time does that, even to someone like him, and... he can't help but feel a little bit heightened emotionally. After all... he knows exactly how Drianis feels.

"So. I see trouble has found you again." His smile is a little bit crooked.

Felina smiles...wryly and joylessly. "Yeah. Like always. So much for this place bing a respite." There is a wrenchingly profound sense of loss somewhere deep in her at that.

He can feel it. Eating at him. But... bringing it to her attention is probably the wrong thing to do. "This... is a freak occurence, daughter. Do not let it trouble you." He holds out his free arm anyway, smiling his comforting smile. She needs it. They both know it.

Felina sighs...and hugs him tightly, squeezing her eyes shut. Something just feels...wrong. She's sure she's lost more than just this today...and yet this, in its way, was so much. She stays there a few moments, but doesn't tremble, and then at least looks calm and strong when she steps back. She does keep a public image, it has its place and can help things along. She's more genuinely ready to help him back to their tower if he needs it, despite the cane that still bothers her deeply, and is just quiet.

"If you would not mind letting an old man lean on you," the wizard says with a smile, so desperately wanting to make her feel better. It bothers him to no end that, having been reunited with 'Felina', he has only seen her in pain. "Let us go home. There will be time for fretting later, Nightshade."

She smiles a little, and nods. It's the right button to push, and something in her unwinds just a little, and steps over to him again.

The wizard leans his meager weight upon her, and begins to walk back towards the tower. Calming spells surround them, of course, and the fact that he so delights in her company now must be obvious to her.

The slightest smile does touch Felina's features after a minute or two. Of course she can sense that. And, well...her emotions are certainly a mess right now, but they're just that: a mess. Part of the confusion does come in the form of being so very happy to see Tel-tiono again.

The gates of the tower stand open when they arrive, and Emshei can be seen standing in the foyer, calling for them. The old wizard reaches down and gives his 'daughter' a gentle push against her back.

"Nightshade, go ahead and see what he wants. I will be along."

Felina nods, ever-obedient where he's concerned, and, making sure Tel-tiono's steady on his feet first, heads towards the foyer at a more typical step. "Hello again."

Emshei turns at her voice, and smiles his big dumb smile at her.  "Hello! I was wondering where you had gotten to. I was going to tell you that a very shark-looking man was here looking for you while you were at the arena. I wasn't certain if you'd gotten back yet."

"'Shark-looking?' White hair, black eyes, or another one?"

"That's the one. He looked like a drag queen."

Felina snickers at that. "He found me. Thank you."

About this time Tel-tiono ambled in, taking his time even more so than the cane would explain. He just... doesn't feel rushed right now. Sort of enjoying the world, and all that.

"Ah. Well, I hoped he wouldn't. I told him you were on business at The Unsung Plane... he was a very unpleasant fellow." Emshei shrugs. "I hope you don't mind the liberty I took. How was your visit to the arena?"

"Not in the least. And it was interesting, thank you...the fights that go on there are most definitely interesting." She neglects seven-eighths of what had actually happened, of course.

Emshei, of course, is an idiot. So he doesn't notice. "Anyway. I brought a little care package for you, I hope you don't mind." He waves his claws at a stack of wrapped boxes sitting in one of the chairs. "Some rice from the fields down the way, the wizard said you might like it. A lockbox for your reserve pass, and, oddly, your reserve pass. Hmm... some tickets for a show next week. Did you meet Oops at the arena? She's singing for some kind of progressive opera. Ehm... let's see. A dress for that occasion. I dont' know your size, but I see you like white. Umm..." he scratches his head. "Oh. And your account information, so you can buy things. You don't have much yet, a few thousand credits, but Tel-tiono has plenty accrued so you'll both be fine."

Felina's eyes shine faintly at this...not really at the things, but at the consideration and though behind them. "Thank you. That's very kind, I appreciate it."

Emshei just grins. He really does look like a moron, but he's sweet anyway.

"Good people, get good things. Now, I have a few errands to run." He bows his head a little bit, and trots for the door, stopping at the edge. "Unless either of you need me for something?"

Felina shakes her head. "I'm well taken care of, thank you."

Emshei nods. "Master Wizard. I'll be about." 

Tel-tiono nods, and sinks down into an empty chair as Emshei makes himself scarce.

"Well. You have had enough adventure, I think, Nightshade. Make yourself comfortable." The wizard looks down the hall, to the larger library area. "This is a home for you, after all."

Felina smiles a bit, and nods. She lets out her breath slowly, quietly sorting through the things that Emshei had brought. Her head tips a bit at the dress when she opens its box. It's very pretty, really...her in a dress is a new and different concept, though.

Tel-tiono watches idly, leafing through that book again. "Nightshade in a dress. Perhaps it is a different sort of pride, but I would be proud to see you don something ladylike, daughter."

Felina smiles faintly, cheeks colouring just a little. "Maybe...it's time to give that a chance, then." She folds the dress carefully back into its box. "Ansendul asked me to enter an arena tournament as well, which really may not be all that bad...maybe it's time to put the past behind me and move on. Stop letting it control what I will and won't do today."

The old wizard agrees wholeheartedly, though his tone is predictably more subdued than that. "This is the place to do so, Nightshade. The past does not matter, here, not really."

"Well, not in anything but psychotic sorcerers running loose. I guess I probably should go check on Top Hat first off and see if he's okay..."

"It may be prudent. I will stay here, and rest my legs." The wizard flips pages in the book. "Do not hesitate to return if something is wrong."

Felina nods, getting the pile of boxes fairly stabilized before gathering them up telekinetically. "I'll remember that, thank you." She will. And she appreiciates it, a lot. A simple teleportation spell drops the pile into her room for later sorting, and the dress hangs itself in the closet. She'd forgotten to send Ansendul's hairbrush, as she realizes too late, and just sets that on the table for now. "I'll see you later then, father." She takes off, headed for the transport station.

The wizard gives her an inaudible farewell, and sets to reading.

Outside, most everything has calmed back down. People are doing their normal routine, all the way up to the station.

"Hello," the fuzzy lizard-ish guard greets her. "Where are you headed, miss? And can I see your pass?"

Felina holds up her pass. "I was hoping to head back up to customs."

The guard scans it dutifully, checks out the information. "Oh, you're Zurk's? I'll send you, but I don't know if you'll be allowed in... apparently there was a disturbance there today." He waves, and a gate opens up in front of Felina. "You remember your car, I hope?"

"I do. Thank you." She doesn't comment on the disturbance...just tracks down her car.

KTTY is pretty much empty. Nobody seems brave enough to go back that way today. In fact, only one person is inside, a very mellow-looking Djinn-thing. His eyes follow Felina for just a second, before closing again.

Felina takes her own, again creepily-labeled set, quietly, and waits.

The aircar takes off with its quiet rumble, heading back to the customs dock of course.

"You seem a little troubled," the Djinn speaks about midway through the trip. "My name is Ahziz.  Could I be of assistance?"

"Hm?" Felina had been lost in her own thoughts...looks up quickly. "Oh...hopefully it's nothing. I'm just going to check on a friend's wellbeing." She smiles a little at the Djinn. "But thank you for the offer. I'm Felina, a pleasure to meet you."

Ahziz nods his head, black hair spilling over his eyes.

"Ah, so Zurk is your case worker as well, madam Felina?"

Felina nods. "Yes, she is."

"I heard that her boss was assaulted earlier, so I came to try and lend a hand," The Djinn continues, wondering if she's into small talk or not. The car moves on, and begins to slow for docking.

Felina nods. "That's very kind of you. I'm sure it will be appreciated That's actually related to why I'm here, too...I want to see whether he's okay." And ask for information. But...mostly, to see if he's okay.

The aircar settles into the station, and the pressurized doors hiss open at the dock of Inverse Time.

A little while later, Tel-tiono looks up from his reading, a little bit surprised to see his daughter simply materialize in front of his eyes.

"That was swift, Nightshade. Welcome home."

She blinks a couple of times, slowly, and then looks over at Tel-tiono. Yes...the damage wasn't really that bad. Well...not counting property damage. She sits down quietly, trying to decide how to broach this topic.

The wizard closes his book, a different one than the one he'd had when she left, and sets it aside. "Have you yet put aside your distaste for alcohol, Nightshade? Perhaps a drink might help settle whatever troubles you?"

The corners of her lips twitch at that. "Can you ensure that I can be stone sober in two hours?" Probably. But it doesn't hurt to ask.

"Certainly, Nightshade. Would you be so kind as to acquire a pair of glasses and the dark green bottle from the rack there? The pantry is across from the library." The old wizard chuckles calmly. Felina, ever the good girl.

Felina has to smile, and nods as she stands up. Of course, the sound of his chuckle does far more to relax her than most any amount of alcohol could. Well. Almost any amount of alcohol. She retrieves the things he'd asked and sets them neatly on the table.

"We should be celebrating your arrival anyway, child." The wizard lifts a finger and the cork on the bottle shoots out, pinging neatly against the ceiling and landing gently upon the table next to them. "So." He pours a very not-generous serving for both glasses, hanging one to his daughter. 'Daughter'. "What is on your mind?"

Felina accepts the glass with a little smile that fades into thoughtfulness. "There's...time. As I'm sure you know. Maybe...it really would be better to just sit. And...enjoy each other." She doesn't manage to look up from her glass, but smiles, still a little, almost shyly. It feels so good to be in her father's presence again. She can't begin to even describe it.

The wizard considers this, but nods. "Certainly, daughter. But I would like to talk with you, either way. About other things." He takes a sip, really about half of what's in the glass. "How has Saea come along, with you?"

Felina sips her drink...more gingerly, but she does. She's taken up drinking in the last few years, mostly in private...probably a bad habit, but she does it in moderation, so...maybe not terribly. Her eyes stay down in the liquid. "Saea is much stronger than when you died. In more ways than one. He's also...I don't know. He's kind of sentenced to an eternity of watching and waiting. He's always worried about me, and looks out for me as best he can, but...you know. I've returned to the gardens injured in some form or fashion, often seriously, and he's tended me. I know how much it's really starting to bother him, but I haven't been able to think of another way yet."

Actually, she has. If this place is really normally calm...what if she can get her brother here? To stay? With the father, he's also loved, his whole world? She doesn't know if she belongs here or not...but she's not so sure Saea wouldn't.

Still, that's only a vague, half-baked idea.

If Tel-tiono was a man to swear, horse shit would have been the expletive of choice. But, he chooses not to prod her or show that he knows more or less what she's thinking, preferring to maintain her solidarity and independence whenever he can. 

"And... have you found anyone for yourself? I know that it is... not something you have concerned yourself with." He smiles, sips. "But... a father wonders these things of his daughter."

She smiles the faintest bit, a little color touching her cheeks, though it's a sad smile. "I...started to. Kaies was more than a friend, with much patience from him."

Of course, calming, comforting spells float along in the nothingness at that smile. "And friends? Aside from the Guardians, of course. Have you improved your social circle?"

"Somewhat, yes..." Felina nods. "Mostly on the nether plane...my double, Mara-kuru, and her friends, and a few others from the plane as well. The vampire Korliss, if you know him, for one."

The wizard nods, pours a little bit more for himself. "Is your double anything like poor Emshei is to your Kaies? More?"

"Mara is...well...Ahmin Rei-ono really screwed her up psychologically. She's a mess, in a lot of ways, though improving. She's also much more friendly and social than I am, better at associating with people who can't blow up her head on sight."

The wizard nods, and holds the bottle out to Felina. "I wonder if it would be possible to meet her, as well?"

Felina smiles sheepishly, and accepts it. Yeah...considering how much is still in her glass, it's been a long day. "I...don't know, really. I don't know what circumstances people can come and go to this plane."

"We should see, I think," Tel-tiono notes. "I think I would like that very much." He tilts his head, grayng black hair swishing a bit. "Did you say that Saea had a double?"

"Eh-heh...remember Monrovia? She's his double." She takes another sip, beginning to feel the effects on more than just her peripheral senses.

The wizard laughs, a bit louder than usual. "You must admit, Nightshade, that it is appropriate. A fear elemental being the double of Saea."

Felina smiles, eyes sparkling at his laughter, and nods. She's certainly had time to consider the parallel herself.

Tel-tiono leans back in the chair a little bit, not tipsy, just starting to feel the beginnings of the approaching warning signs of a decent buzz. 

"If I thought you would, I would listen to everything in triplicate Nightshade. But, even here, I am certain that you haven't the time for that." He grins, a bit looser, more relaxed. "How about your future, Felina? Do you have real plans, or to simply... go with it?""

Her expression fades...she looks down. "Honestly?" Normally she's just tell her current goals and what she's trying to do. But, she's susceptible to alcohol.

"Of course," he answers back, a bit of worry clouding his eye at her expression. 

"I don't expect to live that long." Her tone's rather even. She sips the alcohol again. "My seeing has been...rushing in. Shorter and shorter. The distance I can see forward now is...well, pitiable."

Alarm, perhaps, is the best word to describe the absolute hotpoint of emotion that drives through the wizard's mind for the split second before he can get it under control.

Felina closes her eyes. She hadn't wanted to say that...isn't sure why she had. Glances at her drink. Damned alcohol. Starts to set it aside. Decides she needs it. Takes another drink, and then a deep breath before continuing. "That's part of the reason I've been trying to hard to figure out somewhere for Saea to be, that's not with me...Kaishen, a wraith of Ahmin Rei-ono's, might be able to protect him...powerful, but not absolutely trustworthy, believes in putting goals and greater good over individuals...Korliss, maybe, however long he's alive...Saea hates the nether plane anyway, I know he does, the energy inversions make him uncomfortable. Yue...it's possible, but he's just not strong enough for some of our enemies. Some of his allies are, though, so I guess that's a possibility." Felina shakes her head, looking at nothing. She doesn't know.

Tel-tiono just stares into his glass, eyes cloudy. He knows he can't lose her again. Not again, not ever.

"I... no. Felina, no." He looks at her, pleading in his expression. "I will not allow that to happen again!"

Felina's taken aback at his expression, thoroughly, her ears dropping down justbefore her eyes. She looks back up after a moment, almost tentatively. "But...what what can I do? It's what's fated."

... look at what happened to Tel-tiono's parallel without you... or do you know?

The wizard's eyebrow arches. He looks around. He hadn't said that.

Felina stiffens, starkly startled when she realizes that he doesn't know what it was. She looks around, but can't find the source... "what was that?" Still...a feeling of deja vu wraps over her at this, quite intensely enough to draw a shiver.

Felina, do you believe in predestination?

Tel-tiono rises from his chair, looking around still. "Who is there?" he demands, illogically fearing that someone has come for Felina already.

Felina's quiet for several long seconds, leaving her father's voice only to echo in the largely empty room. This is...almost overwhelmingly eerie. And yet... "I don't think he means any harm," the construct notes softly. That...she's somehow sure of.

Tel-tiono sits again, but is understandably on guard now.

"What do you want?" he demands again, worry still lingering in his voice.

I just... wanted you to know that it's not your fault that bad things happen. I've been waiting for you for such a long, long time... the echoes into sound, openly audible now. 

"I don't want you to die..."

Felina's heart is hammering. "This sounds...very familiar..." she notes quietly, to her father. "Very, very familiar, like an echo...but I don't know from when, or where..."

The wizard shakes his head. "It isn't a vision, then..."

"Hey now, don't make that face..."

A pause. The old wizard is positively dumbfounded... on the surface. He's beginning to suspect, though, something about the nature of this. He wonders if idoesn't have something to do with the snatch of memories he seemed to be missed since earlier. Something subtle, that just made him very uneasy.

"The daughter will be a trap. If you try to help her yourself, g... to trick.... y... Di... b... you'll lose."

"If I try to help her myself, he will trick Drianis into thinking I'm the one who hurt his daughter. I'll fight against all three of them...but I'll lose," Felina completes softly, eyes focussed on nothing. The knowledge is there...just...subsconious, and broken. But it's there. She blinks. Where did that come from? And fight who? Who's the third?

"Don't frown. Just live... will be happy that way..."

Whatever presence had been, now, it is gone. Tel-tiono shakes his head, slightly irritated that he can't figure out what the hell just happened. All that remiains, though, is a very warm, very affectionate aura in the air, one slightly tempered by a bit of sadness.

After a few seconds, Felina looks at her drink, blinks and sets it aside.

She doesn't really blame alcohol for what had just happened...but still. She'd like her senses to be clearer at the moment. The deja vu is still there...she's aware of the aura to be sure. She almost knows what it is...but not quite, not consciously. She's just quiet, since she knows her father can't answer her questions anyway.

Tel-tiono puts down his own glass too. "I... think you should be wary of any daughters, Felina, in the near future." He nods, wondering. "What a strange occurence..."

"Drianis's daughter...Mi'ehna..." Felina clarifies quietly. She nods, though. Runs her claws thoughtfully through some loose strands of hair. "Though I'm not positive how I know that..."

"It must be important, Felina. Does it by chance have anything to do with what troubled you before?" The wizard looks intently at his 'daughter'. Sparing her feelings is one thing, but this seems awfully important.

"Maybe..." she corrects herself. "I think so, yes. It's just...I don't know. I can't explain it. Just...uneasiness, something I cant identify."

The wizard nods. "Whatever it was, it cannot be put aside. You must avoid this Mi'ehna at all costs." It doesn't sound like a command, exactly... at least, he doesn't think so.

Felina looks up quickly. "I know Mi'ehna. even if she tried to kill me and damned near succeeded...it really wasn't her fault." She looks down. "If she's in trouble--and I'm positive she is, she has a history with Moorn and there's every reason to believe that he has her right now...I have to try to help her if I can."

"If it means your life then... I..." He's torn. He loves her, has stood on the edge of insanity since her death, and could not bear to lose her again. But he doesn't want to alienate her. Still... "Nightshade, I... I forbid it." The anxiety and uncertainty in the command is more obvious than the command itself.

Felina's taken aback. Extremely. Too much to speak for several seconds. She's not sure how she feels about that...not at all. "Running from fate doesn't thwart it. Didn't you tell me that at some point?"

"Yes, but... I cannot stand to lose you again..." the wizard's calmness is beginning to crack, and his face is starting to show it. "My ideas changed somewhat when I lost my children, Felina. You must understand that..."

Felina's eyes search his face for a few moments, torn a thousand ways, but, mostly...nearly pained with sympathy. She looks down for a few moments, eyes closed, then back up to him, eyes still shining with sympathy. She stands up. You won't lose me, if I have anything to say about it. That voice was trying to help...somehow. But not by running away from the situation, that will only postpone it. If I'm supposed to die...then running won't help. Only facing it and overcoming it will. A pause. Please...don't hold me from the same type of insticts you wrote into me. Please. She doesn't know what the effect will be...but she doesn't want to know. She's only just gotten her father back.

The wizard is struck dumb. Of course that's how she was written, what in the seven hells was he thinking? He gazes sadly at her, then shakes his head.

"You are right, Felina. I had no right to forbid you from that which you were made." His smile is gone, but... he understands, and that is communicated between words. "Go ahead, and do what you must."

Felina closes her eyes...breathes out shakily. That could have been bad...now, it's just sad. So very, very sad to see what's become of what's essentially her father's life. Her head's down for a few moments, before she steps forward, and simply hugs him tight. Even her mental voice knows nothing to say.

The wizard is at a loss. Not because he has nothing to say, really, just... because he's said everything that he needs to say at the moment. He does accept her hug and return it... he does love her dearly after all.

Felina sighs shakily...stays where she is, even as the subject changes. "Top Hat said he sent you an invitation...did you receive it?"

The wizard had no intention of letting her go anyway, so this is a good chain of events.

"Invitation? Ah. Yes, the hunting party." Tel-tiono looks at her, even as he strokes her shoulder. "Is this what had you so worked up, Nightshade?"

Felina nods, though she's somewhat calmed by his touch. It's a respectable part of it, yes.

"I take it then that you were asked as well." He nods, petting her hair gently, and marvelling at it. She always had such wonderful hair. "Would it ease your heart if I accompanied you, daughter?"

She shakes her head stiffly. No...I know it's selfish considering the conversation that we just had, but...with your leg...I can't stand the idea of your being in so much danger, not at your full strength. I couldn't lose you again.

The wizard closes his eyes, and nods. "Then be safe, Nightshade. You... have my blessing." And he clings to her. He doesn't know he's doing it, not at first.

Felina nods. Thank you... She closes her eyes. She knows it wasn't easy for him to say. And she feels selfish. She's only lost one father...he's lost two children. More. But two recently.

If it were up to him, this would be forever. Holding his daughter, and forgetting the mistakes he's made... but. 

"Be cautious, then, Nightshade. Be wary of trickery; it is a weapon of the cowardly, but just as deadly as any sword." He reluctantly lets go, smiling his subdued smile again.

Felina nods, returning it...the smile is artificial, she's too overwhelmed by other moods for it to be otherwise, but the relief at his not going, and allowing her to go, and so on, are real. And that she loves him. That's real. "She nods. I'll be careful. I promise." She glances at the door. "I...should go now."

"Would you take something for me?" The wizard asks this almost as if it has just occurred to him. "On the table there is a weapon, in the library. I have been preparing it for a friend, but he seems to have gone away. Please deliver it to Drianis?" 

Felina nods. "Certainly. Is there anything else?"

"Just be safe... Felina."

Felina's eys soften, and she nods. "You have my word...father." She heads off to the library.

That word will never, ever get old. Tel-tiono leans back, his heart lightened quiet a bit at that single utterance.

The maul is right out in the open, a fearsome silver and jet thing with a very obvious crescent moon carved in the crystal head. It's actually floating an inch off the table, and glows with a mysterious, powerful energy.

Felina studies it quietly for a few moments...the hair on the back of her neck actually prickles for some reason that she can't begin to describe. She finally analyzes the energies supporting it and finds no shields or such, and reaches out to grasp it, first with one hand before joining it with the other.

It takes a moment, but the energies around the maul shift at her touch. The unusual energy molds and alters itself until it matches Felina's type almost perfectly, as if it has changed to suit her as soon as she touched it. There are no tricks or defenses attached to it... although the carving at the end does change abruptly, shifting from a dark crescent moon to a clear image of her father's seal.

Felina raises an eyebrow. Quirky. She wonders if there's some kind of guard to keep it from molding to the wrong person's power. She'd hate for Radivishe Moorn to get ahold of something like this. She takes it securely in both hands...damn. Heavy. Lift-able. But heavy.

She finds a simple harness nearby that seems to have been designed to carry it--albeit, designed for someone taller than her--and adds a strategic knot to sling the heavy thing over her shoulder as she heads off towards the arena.

At the entrance, the sasquatch bows his head and opens the door for her, without asking for a pass.  For an ape, he has an excellent memory. 

In the main foyer, Top Hat and Drianis are sitting around a high coffee table, with Top hat sitting on a much taller chair to be able to reach. Both of them look vastly uneasy.

Drianis stands as Felina approaches, bowing his head a respectable distance. "Madam. It is heartening to see you here."

Felina bows her head as well, smiling just a little, though more politely than genuinely. "The company was enticing. Oh..." she slips the maul off of her shoulder, holds it out to him. "My father sends you this."

He looks up, curious as to what it might be. "A weapon? How... strangely appropriate to the times." He takes it, holds onto the haft with a careful grip. Again the weapons energy molds, changes to fit his own signature, but this time it's far more dramatic. His eyes, wells of violet that glow just like Mi'ehna's, sparkle with the strange enhancement of his own power, like the maul was built specifically for him. 

"Please tell your father that I am in his debt, madam. I will strive to repay him however I can." He bows his head again. In his mind, though, he just wants to test this thing up the back side of Radivishe Moorn's head.

Felina smiles, returns the gesture again, and then looks to Top Hat. "Tel-tiono won't be coming, himself."

"Fuck!" 

Felina blinks. She hasn't known him long enough to be surprised by much yet. "Ehm...is that a problem...?"

Drianis jumps a bit at Top Hat's very... uncharacteristic expletive, looking at the little guy with a very curious look.

"Eh... sorry. It's just that with the exception of you two, every single person on our list declined." Top Hat sighs softly. "That is so... unusual."

"Is there any particular reason for the trend, bad timing, or...do you not know?"

Top Hat shakes his head. "I can guess. Normally people jump into this... it's a game in a life that's sort of dull for powerful people." 

"He means that they have been gotten to," Drianis fills in for him.

"Tel-tiono isn't here because I dissuaded him, with his leg. He offered to come," Felina is quick to clarify. A momentary pause. "So you mean something's happened to them, or they've been influenced, or...depends on the case?"

"I hadn't expected him to come. He usually keeps to his business." Top Hat settles himself in, bites his lip. "We should find out about them. Would you two mind?"

Felina shakes her head. "Certainly not. Whatever needs to be done."

"Please do, then. Grakhast lives just north of your tower, Felina, next to the marbleworks." Top Hat bows his head a little. "This just sucks."

Felina nods. "In the event that nothing's wrong, do I try to convince him to come, or just leave it be?"

"Well, if nothing is wrong, do ask for his decision," Top Hat nods, "I may be getting worked up for nothing."

Felina nods, smiling just a little bit. "There's always that chance, and here's hoping." She turns and heads for the door again. "I'll be back when I can be, then...see you soon."

Drianis goes out behind her, looking to Top Hat. "I will speak with one of the others. She can handle herself well enough."

Hopefully. She really doesn't know what she's getting into, since she doesn't know who this Grakhast fellow is. No one's told her he'd built her tower for her, so she doesn't realize she has even as much leverage as she does. As it is, she straightens her appearance a little, getting her sword laying the extra half in into its ideal position and getting her vest straightened out and such. She looks up as she approaches his tower.

The doors are standing open, and gentle trickles of smoke pour from the inside. A few bricks in one of the walls have been blasted out, and a heavy aura still lingers upon them. The psychic signature is unquestionably Mi'ehna's.

Felina's ears press down somewhat at all this. Her step quickens, though barely perceptibly, as she approaches the tower, guard up. "Hello?"

There's no answer from inside. Nothing, not a peep. Only a very weak life signature exists somewhere inside.

Felina's step picks up to a run. "Hello?" she starts calling again at intervals, following the signature as best she can.

Inside, the tower is a total wreck. Physically, it is mostly a clone of Felina's, though the decor is slightly different. 

Grakhast is not hard to find. Most of him, anyway. A man lies on the floor of the foyer, his body... ruined. He sitll breathes, but to look at him, one would think it nothing short of miraculous. Blood stains the floor and two of the walls.

Felina wastes no time dropping to a knee beside him, mind searching for anything that might react dangerously against her magic in the half second as she does. She finds none and her hands are settled on the sides of his head almost as fast, and a large measure of her power pours into advanced healing magics the likes of which she couldn't have touched before her father died.

It takes some time. Grakhast had been hanging just at the brink of death, but his vital signs strengthen gradually. His eyes... his eye, the one that isn't lying on the floor across the room anyway... looks at Felina , blinking.

"Who are you...?" he rasps, breathing slowly.

"My name's Felina Deyono. Relax, don't try to move. You'll be all right." She doesn't let up on the healing spells, despite how intense the effort is, slightly painful...which reminds her to strengthen the pain-numbing spells on him now that he's awake. And she does. Drianis, it's Felina. Grakhast was attacked, he's in pretty bad shape...we need to check on the others as fast as possible, even if it means getting more people to help.

Drianis hears and acknowledges this, though... since he isn't a telepath, he can't really answer. 

"Stop. I will be all right, don't... waste your strength. I am... a sorcerer too, I can heal myself now." Grakhast lets his head back, breathes slowly in and out. "I was attacked by a woman. She was... evil. Pure evil, I have never felt such a thing..."

Felina doesn't stop entire...sits back on her feet, though. Looks over to the eyeball in the floor...takes it gingerly between her fingers. "Violet hair, perchance?"

"Black..." he shakes his head, "black as sin. Her eyes, too."

Felina narrows her eyes. That can't be good. Maybe she's wrong about feeling Mi'ehna here? But probably not, all considered... "did you catch her name, perchance? Sit still a moment, we'll try to repair this..." the partially crushed and truly gruesome eyeball knits itself in her hand, and leans forward to push it gently back into Grakhasts's skull. The connections of all sorts make themselves again over the course of a few seconds.

He trembles and quivers, but knows what she's doing. His own energy starts to become apparent, supporting hers to ease the strain on her.

"She didn't say anything. Just walked in and broke up the place... dressed in leaves."

Felina nods. Lets him take over the energy support for what she's doing in the incriments he tries to, though keeping careful tabs on his own power levels after a near-death experience. "I think I know who we're dealing with. What can you tell me about the energy, anything? Could you identify it with something in particular, demonic or chaotic or any such?"

Grakhast sets his hand on his face, hiding the ruin of it from her until it heals. "It was unreal. No god could have had a hand in it. But she was very efficient, very... surgical. She was certainly intelligent."

Felina nods. "'Intelligent'... and sentient? If you had a guess, would you call her an individual, or a pre-programmed construct?" She wants to know if Mi'ehna is...well...Mi'ehna." She's begin to realize teh very unhappy possibility of killing the other telepath...with Mi'ehna's power, and her instability...no, none of it is her fault, but it may be necessary. No matter how long it would take her to forgive herself.

"I don't know. She came in, got my attention, and beat me nearly to death with her bare hands." Grakhast smiles a bit. "I didn't even have time to ask her sign."

Felina laughs softly, appreciative of his keeping his sense of humor. "'Caution: blasting zone ahead.' Do you think you can stand? I don't know that she'll return, but for the moment, your not being alone until you have your defenses peaked again is preferable."

"I really couldn't stand right now, no. Though... open your mind. I think help is coming."

Drianis's signature is not far out, and moving fast. 

"I think the big lout can help."

Felina's brow creases, and she nods. Drianis, is everything all right? What's wrong? She'll hear if he answers, since she's listening.

"No need for that," Grakhast notes, "he is right outside."

Sure enough, Drianis all but explodes through the door, maul drawn, ready to fight. He drops his head a bit almost immediately, lowering the weapon. "Good," he notes, "they did not come back Felina, Marcus Ecket is dead."

Felina closes her eyes a few moments. "Lord Grakhast here is lucky not to be. These hits are absolutely designed to be fatal. No intimidation involved. Who else do we need to check on? Forgive me for this, please, there just isn't time..." at the last statement, she gathers Grakhast from the ground into her arms. No more time to spend here.


"Apart from you and I... only Tel-tiono remains." Drianis blinks. "Give him to me. Go!"

Felina's face pales at that. The command's hardly out of Drianis's mouth before Grakhast is in his arms and Felina's headed back towards her father's tower at absolutely the quickest speed that she can manage...which is beyond formidable, beyond the naked eye for all the magic involved. The only thing comparably quick is her pulse, and her sword's drawn on the short way.

When she gets to the door, it, like Grakhast's, stands open. Only a black spot shows up from the inside, as if the energy signature from within has been cut off, shielded.

And so it's Tel-tiono's she searches for...though she's certainly aware of the other as she literally flies into the tower, feet only touching the ground for directional purposes. "Father? Mi'ehna?" She's already off at a blindingly quick clip again, guided by her "yes/no" sense.

The black sense ebbs and is gone in moments, as soon as Felina shows up. As it goes, it reveals Tel-tiono's signature, just about the time Felina's eyes should find him. Lying at the top of the stairs, he looks just like Grakhast, though is not nearly so close to death as had been the sorcerer. Unlike Grakhast his face is intact... just... the rest of him is a mess. His legs are obviously broken, one twisted at a sick, inhuman angle. Thin rivers of blood flow from step to step, all the way to the bottom.

Felina freezes in the air. Actually loses her levitation and freefalls to the ground, for how completely her mind is paralyzed, only catching herself on her hands and knees by reflex. She's barely breathing. "Tel-tiono...?" Her voice is barely loud enough to be called a voice. Ears flat back, the construct creeps up the last few stairs on four limbs to where he lays, slowly and gingerly. "Father...?"

"Nightshade. Is that you... of course it is." He looks at her, though there is a far away look in his eyes. "I am all right. I am. Are you... okay? His left hand moves a little. 

Felina swallows the lump in her throat as she gets to his side...nods. "I'm...fine. Unhurt." Her eyes scan over his body for a few moments, all of her trembling, before she closes her eyes. Okay...time to stop being a stupid little girl, yes? this is quiet and intended for her. She sets a hand very gently on his temple, hesitating before she can bring her fingertips to connect, and promptly begins to work that same, wickedly intense healing and painkilling magic she had on Lord Grakhast, unable to say anything or form a complete thought. Just...works.

"Easy, Nightshade. Cast gently. Do not rush." Dreadfully slight calming spells are in the air, purely to remind her of how to handle it. "I am okay, daughter. Worry about yourself first, I beg you. I... could be bait."

She lets out her breath slowly...nods, and adjusts how she's casting slightly. It becomes easier on her, mostly, and she'll be able to sustain te same magic far longer and more easily for him. She almost--but only almost--doesn't notice how nice it is to have someone who understands her power helping her along. "You aren't...the only one, though. Everyone Top Hat invited was attacked...except Drianis, so far. Marcus Ecket is dead. Justice Grakhast...nearly was, but he'll recover. I wasn't on Top Hat's list of people to invite." Her heart's in her throat even as she speaks...Drianis...he has to be next. But she can't leave her father injured and vulnerable, either...damned if she can. she would lose her mind.

"I can take care of myself now, Felina, Tel-tiono assures her, "You have done enough. You may be under their eyes too. That girl... I could feel your power floating underneath a black mask..."

What immediately goes through her mind is that he hadn't been able to fully take care of himself even before he was injured like this...but she nods hesitantly. Doesn't stop her magic, though. "It's Mi'ehna, I'm sure, even how different she feels...she absorbed a good deal of my energy when we fought, I couldn't stop the transfer and that's how she beat me. I don't know what power she absorbed or was forced into her this time...it's probably Radidivishe Moorn's fault." Felina bites her lip. "Killing her is the last thing I want to do, it's not her fault, but...if it comes to that... lets the thought die. "Do you know anything about the black energy? Who or what it's from?

Tel-tiono's own magic begins to work more heavily upon his wounds, as he thinks. He sits up dizzily, but successfully. "In all of my years I have never seen such a thing, felt something so... empty, except for once. Only once, when I was introduced to Abyss."

Felina stiffens. Stops working. "Oh my god..." Silence. Dead silence in her mind, for a second or two. "If Mi'ehna somehow absorbed Abyss's energy...and Radivishe Moorn is directing this...." She's speechless. Whether he's still in control or not is debateable, but...Moorn may finally have his unstoppable power. She sinks back onto her feet, thunderstruck.

"He cannot absorb power directly, Felina. He needs... her as a conduit. It will take time. And they cannot challenge Abyss itself." The old wizard is thinking hard, but he doesn't really know why Moorn would direct something like this. "I wish I knew what was being planned...

Felina looks down, quiet for a few moments. "I do, too." Further pause. "Father, is there somewhere safer that you can be?" She can't believe she'd almost lost him...again...

He smiles at her, reaches out to touch her cheek. "Nightshade, I will not be caught off guard again. And I do not believe that she had any intention of killing me the first time." Tel-tiono shakes his head. "If Marcus Ekhet is dead, then it was probably accidental. She overestimated him."

Felina smiles a wan smile at the touch. She nods...eyes trail down. "These have been...really brutal hits, at first I thought they were meant to be fatal...but you're right. There's entirely too much damage, it's consistently too gruesome and the results too showy to be consistent with the kind of cold precision Grakhast mentioned, if they were meant to be fatal." She takes a slow, shaky breath, trying her best to separate her perceptions from the fact that one of the truly horrible pictures she'd seen had involved her father. Doesn't manage. But tries. "Trying to intimidate into non-resistance, you think? But, in that case...why not just take one extra stab to kill? It's more effective at neutralizing the potentially dangerous parties and demoralizes those they'd protected more..." She bites her lip lightly. So many inconsistancies.

Tel-tiono's calming spells grow stronger as the wizard does, relatively quickly. "When I fought with her, I saw her straighten up through the blood in my eyes. Stiffen, as if she was listening to something far away. And then she left."

Felina breathes out slowly, eyes closed...nods. Lets the calming spells take some effect, doesn't fight them for once. "I seriously doubt she was running from me. Did you sense who she was talking to?" Drianis, are you still okay? she inquires telepathically as she waits for her father's answer.

Tel-tiono shakes his head. "No. But I think your instincts probably are not off."

A moment passes before Drianis thinks to think of an answer.

I am fine. I have returned with Grakhast to the Arena. Though... I believe someone was shadowing me. When you return, do so with care.

Felina responds with a mentally conveyed nod, and looks back to her father. "Are you sure you'll be safe here...?" Not that she can help. But she's still really shaken up.

"I will go to stay with Grakhast and Top Hat." Tel-tiono rises, a bit laboredly, but on his own. "Do not fear for me, daughter. I can handle myself, I think." Some of his irritation with the situation is beginning to show through. Not really anger so much as... 'how the hell could I let myself get taken like that?'

Felina's eyes sparkle with admittedly subdued humor when she senses that wordless thought. Yup. He's definitely her father. Or rather, she's definitely his daughter. She helps him to his feet carefully. "I'll help you get there. I'm sure you heard that Drianis thinks he was followed, but as long as that shadow is waiting for something...yeah. He's okay."

The wizard nods. "All right. Let's not waste any time, then." He looks down the stairs, utters the equivalent of a silent curse. "Stairs."

Felina takes his upper arm to help him stand, being as unobtrusive as possible about it...a moment later, they're both at the bottom of the stairs via a teleportation spell he'd tried to show her shortly before his death, though she'd failed it at the time. She looks back at them. "Stairs."

He looks at her, eyes lighting up. "You did... that? Nightshade, I am covered in blood, or I would hug you."

Felina's smile lightens just a little. "Well...I didn't stop trying to study what taught, even when...well, you know. Your letters help, too." Letters, scattered at odd intervals that she manages to find only when the time is exactly right, that help with this or that situation or technique that she really can't grasp on her own or with her brother's help. She's trying to help heal him as they start walking, though he's still doing more...she's more in the pain-numbing department, to be sure.

Letters. He remembers them, but... there had been no need for them in his parallel. None. So he squeezes her a little bit as they walk, though he stays quiet. 

Felina smiles a little at the squeeze, but it's somewhat half-hearted. She senses his thoughts about his own written letters...either still tucked into their hiding places, all of them unusued, or all destroyed.At least...he understands why she can't stand the thought of losing him again. But her heart still cries for him.

When they reach the chairs, Tel-tiono leans down and grabs his cane. "All right. Let us go to the arena then, and see this nonsense ended."

Nightshade smiles a little, however seriously, and nods. The smile's fully gone as they approach the arena, her senses piqued for any hint of what Drianis had sensed following.

Tel-tiono is looking around, trying to spot whatever it is that's kicking at the back of his head right now. "Felina. That girl is here, somewhere. Not close enough to attack, though..."

The doors of the arena are sealed, and the sasquatch still stands guard, though now a vigilant Quaiesh is standing there as well, looking not-so-bright.

Felina nods, but is otherwise quiet as they approach. These two should recognize her, and certainly her father.

It's better than that. Tel-tiono grins as they approach.

"This always amuses me." He holds out his hands and the sasquatch grins and steps forward.

"Master wizard," the beast says, bending to kiss his hand, "you honor us." 

Quaiesh opens the door, but doesn't speak. Moody little bastard.

A truly pleased little smile creeps onto Felina's lips at that. It's only so often in her life she's seen her father paid the amount of respect she thinks he deserves...though still, a sasquatch is a funny one to see do this.

Tel-tiono grins. "Now. You know it is my pleasure to see you." He pats the beast's cheek. "In, Nightshade. The shadow approaches..." he looks at the others, "and you two. Inside. An enemy comes."

The sasquatch and Quaiesh do not hesitate to go inside, and the wizard follows them. Inside Drianis and Top Hat are waiting with a fully-healed Grakhast.

"Felina, thank heaven. I was worried that you and master Tel-tiono might not have made it," Top Hat stands and speaks as they enter.

"We're both okay." Felina nods, though staying on her father's arm. She doesn't speak for him and explain the attack...let him say whatever he would or wouldn't.

"The enemy's power is enormous. Cataclysmic. But she is not in full control of it, and I doubt that she is in control of herself either." The wizard, guided by his dutiful daughter whom he loves so much, sits at the seat vacated respectfully by Drianis. "Nonetheless. Destroying her may be the only option available, to save ourselves as well as to save her." From the bloodied state of his clothes, they can guess what happened.  None look pleased about it.

"What's worse is that the black energy that assaulted us is approaching this place. We should be prepared for the worst."

Felina's eyes are down. There's something she's not entirely sure is known...or not. A soft, wordless telepathic question whispers to her father. About whether Drianis knows that the assailant is his daughter. Whether she should say so or not if so.

"I doubt it, Nightshade. I... think if he knew, he would be breaking down doors. I know his type. Please keep this a secret for now... for all of our own good."

"This assailant," Drianis asks, "tell us about him?"

"Her," Tel-tiono corrects him, "her. A girl with black hair, and poisonous power. I did not detect any particular magical ability in her, though she was a physical savage and strangely immune to my hasty defenses."

Felina sits cross-legged a few feet above the ground, strangely quiet for...her. Someone who knows her well could certainly say that she's hiding something. But then, she's new here. Of course, she's aware of this too. "I know that I was too quick to say that the attacks looked like they had fatal intention earlier," she notes softly and belatedly, "but Tel-tiono brought up the possibility of Marcus Ecket's death being an accident, an overestimation of his abilities, and I had to reconsider...so ponder this. If you can break bones and disable an opponent so effectively, you could have snapped the spine. If you can gouge out a man's eye, you could have shoved something up into the brain. Anyone laying injured for even a few minutes would almost certainly be found and healed by the rest of us. Further, the kind of precision that Lord Grakhast described doesn't mesh with the consistent gruesomeness of these attacks."

She pauses again, then looks up to the group. "They weren't meant to be fatal, necessarily...though that makes why intimidation is being favored over incapacition the new question. What are all of you needed for?"

"Marcus was a close associate of Abyss," Grakhast notes with a hint of sadness in his voice. "He never gave me all the details, said he couldn't, but... there was a lot to him that he never talked about. He never would tell us where he came from. For all anyone knows, he has been here since the beginning of inverse time. I, on the other hand, am just an official. Equivalent of a town magistrate, really. I have symbolic power, but I am not all that mighty compared to our dear wizard and his..." Grakhast smiles, "... beautiful daughter."

"Keep your eyes focused, Grakhast. She saved your life," Drianis is quick to put in. 

Felina smiles about equally at both of them, though it's underlaid with a good deal of seriousness. Really, she doesn't even absorb Grakhast's flirtation...she gets to single-minded for that, and has several male friends and allies who do it jokingly on a fairly constant basis anyway, which she's learned to not notice.

She ponders the rest of what the sorcerer had said. Also ponders how to make all necessary points perfectly clear and yet not give everything away to Drianis. "If he was a close associate of Abyss...maybe it wasn't an accidental death after all. Maybe, of cours. But Tel-tiono noted a striking similarity in the black energy of this attack and what he's only sensed around Abyss itself in the past."

"Abyss has no reason to interfere in our affairs," Top Hat firmly states, "he has never done so, and if he did, he is powerful enough that wouldn't need to use a cronie."

"Yes. But no being is invincible, and perhaps Abyss wanted to use this assassin to save face?" Drianis speaks slowly, but even he doesn't believe what he's saying.

"I'm not one to discount anything, but there's nothing saying it's Abyss itself, and I'm not trying to argue that it is at this point. I don't know Abyss or its intentions or its methods or anything else, and wont' pretend to. For now let's work under the assumption that it's just letting this happen instead of causing it, for all our sakes." Felina's speaking fairly slowly, making sure she doesn't say a single word that thwarts her meanings. "The fact remains that the energy similarity is there. The question is how. There are ways to mimic energy. Absorb energy. Outright recreate energy. And every so often, some metaphysicist comes along who manages to do something that no one thought was possible. Might there have been anything tucked away in Marcus Ecket's mind that would have been a key to something like that, a final puzzle piece?" Still, the theory omits why the rest of them were attacked, unless for coverup.

"...an associate of Abyss. There are three of us, he called 'Fate, Origin, and Path'..."

Grakhast, Drianis, and Top Hat all blink simultaneously.

"Wizard," Drianis notes to Tel-tiono, "now is not the time for mind games."

Felina closes her eyes. "It's not him. I think...I don't know. It's realated to me somehow." She ponders very closely for a few moments. Fate...origin...path... her eyes widen suddenly in the most life she's shown she's shown the entire meeting as she very suddenly makes an important connection. "Shit...that voice is one. Marcus Ecket was either fate, origin, or path...I don't think Fate, gut feeling. Either way...there's still a third. There's going to be another target." Her eyes glance immediately to her father, then to Top Hat, looking for any guidance on 'who' and racking her own brain.

Top Hat's eyes widen. "Oh, hell. Felina, I..."

The door all but explodes inward in the same instant. Black mist pours inside, enveloping the form of a short girl with raven-black hair and empty, pure ebony eyes just like those of Radivishe Moorn.  The girl stands in the door, regarding them all, and then raises a lithe fingertip, pointing directly at Top Hat.

Drianis's jaw drops open. "Mi'ehna..."

Felina bares her fangs. Shit! It's a fraction of an instant before an impossibly fast jump with an unnatural arch has her in front of Top Hat, sword drawn and entire body in a defensive stance. "Mi'ehna, snap out of it! What the hell has gotten into you this time?"

"I only want Path," Mi'ehna whispers, the though far more audible than the voice. "Please do not get in my way. I will only hurt Path. You have been warned. You will move.

Drianis growls softly. "Mi'ehna! What... what has happened to you? You are not yourself!"

Mi'ehna simply walks into the room, eyes fixed on Top Hat.

Tel Tiono puts himself between his daughter and Mi'ehna, in the same way that Felina had moved just now. His arm raises, a paralysis spell so powerful that the effect literally tingles in the air shooting off of his fingertips.

Mi'ehna keeps coming.

Felina grits her teeth...carefully steps to supplement her father's energy with her own, all in whatever single spell he has active, eyes narrow. At the same time, she sheaths her sword and takes a step backward, grasping one of Top Hat's wrists tightly.

Mi'ehna slows a bit, but it is as if the spell just dissipates before it reaches her. Tel-tiono lifts his staff to fend her off, but when Mi'ehna moves, she moves. Sight cannot keep up with her, and before Drianis can leap the table the wizard has been hit six times. Mi'ehna returns to sight back at the door, almost instantaneously. Tel-tiono shudders but doesn't fall.

Felina starts at that, sucking in her breath...really, if anything can get to her, that's it. Mind races. No, grabbing Top Hat and running won't work. A pause. Then she lets go of his wrist. He vanishes, short-distance teleportation...and two Top Hats appear elsewhere in the arena. One's real, one's not, but they have identical signatures. Then two more appear. One's standing up in bleachers. Then they double again, but this time scattered further than just the arena. The signatures are getting to be shakier and shakier facimiles...but all are still reminiscient. Felina breaths out a pained breath at the exertion of this spell. But then they double again. Her eyes stay on Mi'ehna as she rushes to her father's side, just slightly behind him, hand on the hilt of her sword.

Mi'ehna looks around, growls a pained, irritated growl. "Felina. Next time I will take his eyes. I will tear them and stomp them into muck. Do you want that? Give Path to me."

Drianis has had enough. He pulls back with the maul and swings at blinding speed for Mi'ehna, but the girl moves too quickly. Drianis stiffens, his knees buckling and blood bursting from his lip and cheek before she reappears again in the same place.

Felina sets her jaw, eyes going to Drianis, but looks back to Mi'ehna, eyes stolid. "Mi'ehna, tell me what's going on. Let me help you. Not your aim, you." She knows better than to try to invade the other telepath's mind in any way. Her own mind would be instantly shredded at the older psychic's current power level.

"I am lost," Mi'ehna answers, "I am lost in the shadows. My soul. Give it back to me. No. I will not. But you must! I will not!

"Mi'ehna, help me. How do I do that? I want to help you. Help me.

"Felina? Is that you?" Mi'ehna's eyes clear of the blackness for just a second. "Yes, help me. Help me." Eyes blacken. "Help me find Path. I will reward you. I. We. I will reward you."

That moment of clarity does wonders to harden Felina's resolve. Mi'ehna will die if it has to come to that...but that's not the first choice. "I'm listening. Who's 'we'?"

"We. I. Felina...!" Mi'ehna shakes her head, her expression going dead. "Felina, thank for giving me this power. Without you I never could have done it. A soul is a small thing to trade. If you want to stop me. Fine, I owe you. Next time I will kill you."

And just like that... she's gone again.

Felina lets out a shaky breath... heavy healing magic wraps itself through Drianis's wounds, but she turns to Tel-tiono. "Father. Are you all right?"

The wizard nods. "That is what she did before," he tells her, his own healing spells working on a very broken rib. "Her speed is unreal."

Drianis's lucidity does not return with his physical health. "Mi'ehna," he whispers, staring, "Mi'ehna, why..."

Felina closes her eyes. "Drianis...I'm sorry. And...it's not Mi'ehna, exactly. She's being controlled and overwhelmed by...something." There's blood in the back of her throat at the exertion of her duplication spells, but the copies of...Path...still roam here and there. She feels for a few moments to see that Mi'ehna is really gone, and then an obvious copy appears back with the group. His badly distorted, weak signature is really just an illusion. It's the real Top Hat. Felina doesn't really know what to say...to anyone. Drianis...Path...her father...anyone. Just sits down, and leans back against something convenient, torn between thinking and not, just supporting a duplication spell she'd been inspired to learn dealing with Radivishe Moorn.

Top Hat looks around, eyes taking on a sheen of worry at the sight of everything here. "Dear... what happened?"

Grakhast looks up from where he was beginning to kneel next to Felina, to add his sorcerous energy to hers and restore her a little bit. "She came back. The same girl who attacked me, and I assume the same one who killed Marcus. Top Hat, we must find a way to end that girl before ghaak!"

Drianis's hand clasps around Grakhast's throat, eyes blank. "No. She will not be harmed!"

Tel-tiono shakes his head. "Drianis. Let him go. He's right, you know it, I know it." The wizard sighs a bit, and Drianis releases the justice. "Did you feel her mind, though? She will not live much longer. Her body cannot contain the stress of that much power."

Felina nods. "Mi'ehna...has endured a lot, for a very long time. The absolute best-case scenario for her is undoing this control and totalling and permanently stripping her power and her capacity for power..." she sighs. "But, that's idealistic. It's going to be hard enough to incapitate her in any way without worrying about containment and such too." She's still deciding what to do about Drianis...shifts to take the folded, signature-concealing cloak her Tel-tiono had made for her close to three decades ago from a large-ish pouch on the back of her belt, and throws it to Top Hat. "Put this on for now so I can safely get rid of all these copies, huh?"

Top Hat catches and dons the cloak without question. He knows she knows what she's doing.

"We will have to find her," Tel-tiono continues. "And do what we can with her. If someone else put that energy into her, he would have to know that her little body could not withstand it. And to only use her as a scare tactic, knowing that her strength would be temporary... he must be planning on removing it somehow. Right?"

A good many of the copies, probaby a third, vanish the instant Top Hat dons the cloak so he's not an isolated case. The rest will get there shortly. "Probably." She nods. "One pertinent bit of information we don't have is precisely who 'we' is. Just who's controlling her. Her eyes were certainly identifiable with Radivishe Moorn's, but...he doesn't have nearly that sort of power, either."

"Never underestimate that man," Drianis quietly says as he looks over to Felina again. Tel-tiono lowers his head, nods is slightly melancholy agreement. Lots of bad memories there.

"Some information on the girl would be nice, first," Grakhast interrupts, "we all need to be brought up to speed. Why is she so powerful, we can't answer, but... what traits did she have before? Her personality?"

Felina lowers her face a few moments at Drianis and Tel-tiono's recollections, eyes closed respectfully. She nods, conceding the point, and then looks up to Grakhast after a moment. "Mi'ehna...where to start. She's a telepath, not a half bad one, but, more strikingly, absorbs several types energy around her. She doesn't seem able to stop that process totally, though she can use shields, regardless whether the current incidence is helpful or harmful. Her personality is...well, quirky, she's had an interesting life. She's nice enough when she has pink hair and eyes, but can quickly turn viciously homicidal with violent ones. The colour seems to indicate which energy infusion and corresponding personality is active. She also got one from me, an unintentional effect of a fight between us, yellow hair and eyes, which seems to have enabled her to handle this black energy, wherever it's from. Usually only the iris changes." She lets out a very slightly strained, relieved breath when the last of the copies of Top Hat disappear, and she leans her head back. "She has a complex history with Radivishe Moorn and hates him, though she doesn't seem to be able to help working towards his ends with the violet hair. She's been banished to the containment dimension Dothaven for a very long time. She's...also Drianis's daughter, in case you haven't gathered that."

Grakhast looks at Drianis, smiles a bit. "I would never have guessed. She is very pretty." Drianis can't help but smile a little.

"Go ahead, finish it," he nods, and Grakhast grins.

"And you sir, are a man-beast."

Felina laughs softly.

"Mi'ehna is not my natural daughter. I was not her biological father, nor was the other paternal figure in her life. Her full name is Mi'ehna Sheridan. Her mother was a revenant human living as a rune sorceress. I do not know her real father, and unless she has learned, neither does she. The violet in her is a seed of pure malice inerted into her by radivishe Moorn, that he used to control her long ago. She hates him because he crucified her in her own garden, after whipping her until he had enough blood to leave a trail all the way to his fortress, purposefully." Drianis nods, breathes. "That is who she was."

Felina closes her eyes at this, brow creased and face lightly pained. That...would explain a lot, yes. Poor Mi'ehna....

"Moorn may well have exposed her to Abyss, then, seeking to contain his power... either until he figures out how to claim at for himself, or to simply use it for a doomsday strike. This still does not change the fact that she must be found and neutralized."

Felina looks up again, and nods. Stands up with some shakiness and stays leaning on the wall, dizzy as though she's been sitting much longer than she has and standing up much faster than she is. It should pass. "So. We need to know about the power that she has if we're to neutralize it, and go from there. Whether she's really moving that fast, or working with a time magic...what can neutralize the energy. What won't work." She looks over to Top Hat pointedly. He's outed anyway, may as well tell what he can.

"There is no question," he nods, lowering his head. "It is Abyss's power in its purest form. That girl is dead. I am sorry." He tilts his head. "Perhaps Ansendul can help deal with her speed. Abyss will not help, I'll stake my hat on it."

Felina nods. "Do you know of any way to neutralize the energy?"

"Her body is mortal. You just have to kill her." 

Drianis closes his eyes.

"You'll just have to catch her."

Felina nods. Looks down. "Drianis...I know Mi'ehna. I can't promise anything, and I know you understand why...but please believe me when I say that killing her is absolutely a last-resort option. I don't intend to do that." She doesn't intend not to, either. Mi'ehna's life was meant to have ended long ago...and she's still suffering because of it. The fact that Mi'ehna is a natural being instead of a construct makes this an easier choice, since Felina knows beyond any doubt there will be an afterlife for her.

But she still doesn't intend to kill her. Not if there's another way.

"You will not kill my daughter," Drianis rather coldly answers her. "She will be saved. She will be saved!"

"Lord Drianis... calm down. You know that emotional involvement only..." Top Hat hasn't finished speaking before Drianis takes his feet and heads for the door. "Where in hell are you going?"

"To find her. Talk will not save her, either."

Tel-tiono just watches him, keeps his mouth shut.

Felina closes her eyes. "Drianis...she isn't herself. She'll kill you, she's proven that."

"Then I will die." He has no more to say. Through the open gate he goes, heading plainly for Infinity.

Felina's eyes stay closed. She wants desperately to restrain him. But...it's his choice. Isn't it? And she's not sure that she can spare the kind of power it would take to hold him, given the current situation. Still, her heart is positively tearing in two at her own decision...but she lets him go. Gets steady on her feet after a moment, and walks over to her father to see if he needs any further help, eyes downturned.

Tel-tiono is fine. But he knows, and just hugs her. "You couldn't have convinced him, Nightshade. Let him go." He kisses her hair, something that he might not have done were it not for the flood of feeling in the air around her. 

"The question stands, people," Grakhast notes. "Can we find them quickly enough?"

From Infinity, Mi'ehna's new power signature appears... in very bold, vibrant strokes. Like a beacon, almost, begging to be noticed.

Felina frowns a little at that, though staying firmly where she is, drawing comfort from her father though she doesn't physically show it much. "I do believe we're being baited...Top Hat, how would I go about getting ahold of Ansendul?"

"Yue is his only servant that comes here," Top Hat notes, "you know him. But I have no idea where he is now."

"The way her body is deteriorating, I doubt very seriously that you will have to deal with her speed, Nightshade." Tel-tiono shakes his head. "I feel it even now. Unless something is done, she will die within a few hours."

Felina nods. If her father says so, she trusts it absolutely. She ponders quietly a few moments, then looks to Top Hat. "Do you know what use there could be in targetting you?" Not 'you three' or any such. He knows they all know, she doesn't have to rub it in.

Top Hat shrugs. "This nonsense isn't written. Fate might now, but... it's strange. I cannot even remember where to find... him? Her?" He blinks. "Something is badly wrong with the system here, Felina."

She nods grimly...closes her eyes again. "Well. I guess the only thing to do is go after them, then." She stands up, pulls her sword a few inches from its sheath to check that it can still be quickly drawn, albeit from habit, and then sheaths it fully again. "I don't know what Radivishe Moorn's up to, but it can't be good. And he doesn't need to be handed even more time to work."

"Just be on your guard and do not hesitate to flee, Nightshade." Tel-tiono smiles his subtle smiles as he offers this advice to her, still feeling good to have her despite the circumstances. 

"Do you want your cloak back?" Top Hat asks, "Just in case?"

"Well..." Felina ponders this. He needs to be cloaked...looks to her father. Can he keep Path's signature hidden so she can take the cloak?

Tel-tiono smiles. Of course he can. He nods.

Felina smiles, almost brightly considering the circumstances. It's so nice to have him here to help her again. So very nice. She looks back to Top Hat, holds out a hand for his tossing pleasure. "Sure, thanks. My father will conceal you."

Top Hat smiles and throws the cloak. A shift occurs in the beacon energy, but briefly. "Hey what the h---" A surge, a flash of black, and nothing. Top Hat vanishes as if he was never there.

Felina bares her fangs, ears snapping down. "Someone please tell me that didn't just happen..." the cloak's flung around her shoulders and, even before the statement's complete, she forces a parallel path and leaps.

---

Felina takes a deep breath just before returning to the arena...her heart absolutely aches for Drianis. And she doesn't know what to expect, either. She appears a little out of the way, and walks up quietly beside her father.

"Welcome back, Nightshade." The arena quakes, rumbles enough to send a clock tumbling from the wall. Tel-tiono bites his lip gently. "Are you injured?"

Felina's ears press back...eyes close, but she shakes her head. "I'm fine." She bites her lip at another wave of tremors. "And...so you know, the moment I was supposed to die was about half an hour ago. It was thwarted." She's not exuberant about it under the circumstances, but she knows it will be a relief to him, and she is grateful.

Tel-tiono's eyes close. He maintains an air of nonchalance, but to Felina it should be more than obvious that he can start breathing again. "I suppose you know..." another rumble, "... that Drianis was not so fortunate as I, then."

She nods, eyes still closed. "It turns out Mi'ehna was dead before ever coming here. It was Radivishe Moorn manipulating her body the whole time. The illusion she was alive was to get under Drianis's skin, get him enraged enough at...anyone...to blow off some of the power Moorn needed." It's only a fleeting shadow of a thought, but she does't doubt that Tel-tiono had picked up on the fact that "anyone" was going to have been her. She opens her eyes and looks quietly to Drianis. Leans on her father. She's tired, though not willing to leave right now, eyes shining with sympathy.

Tel-tiono wraps his arm around his daughter, just thrilled that he isn't sharing Drianis's pain right now. "You should rest, daughter. Drianis will be throwing things down there for some time, I think." He looks down into the pit where Drianis is standing amidst whisps of torn-out hair and raining sand. Just... screaming. "I may move him somewhere he will not have a chance to cause anyone harm. I am not sure yet."

"Abyss can and will resurrect her if given a perfect sample of her energy...he also gave me the means to leave here. So I'll go and look for her double...as soon as I'm able. But will telling him that right now help anything, you think?"

Tel-tiono turns a slightly worried expression upon his daughter. "I strongly recommend staying away from him, Nightshade. I wonder if he could even tell you his own name right now." Another rumble, another scream. "Yes. Distance is the best choice, I think."

Felina closes her eyes again...nods. She's trying to shield her mind from Drianis's emotion at the moment...she can imagine well enough, and doesn't want to deal with that right now.

"If you can come and go, perhaps you should go somewhere in this nether plane where you can rest." Tel-tiono sighs softly. "I am going to take him somewhere else. A pocket dimension, perhaps. Somewhere he cannot harm anyone..." he looks down, at the hair and droplets of blood that stain the sands. "Or put him to sleep so that he does not harm himself."

Felina opens her eyes, nods again, and looks up at him. "That may be a good idea...be careful?"

The wizard nods, and gently squeezes her. "I will. His strength is practically godly, but it is almost entirely physical. I will be subtle."

Felina smiles, wanly, and nods. She stands up, and pulls the hood of her cloak over her head. "Okay...hopefully...I will see you again before long." She's unexpectedly loathe to leave, even for such a short time, and even under the circumstances. Inverse time hasn't been particularly kind to her...but it has Tel-tiono.

"Take good care of yourself, daughter."
I love you, Nightshade. Come back safely."

Tel-tiono takes up his cane and descends into the pit, the calming spells around the area suddenly a great deal more obvious than they had been.

I love you, too. Felina watches him head into the pit, expression bemused...but trusts him to take care of himself. Not as much as she once had, since her version is dead and all...but he's certainly better at keeping himself alive than she could be. She looks at Abyss's stone a few moments. Just like teleporting, huh? It's not like the notion of artifact-assisted teleportation is alien to her or anything. She vanishes for Wu Yuan.

---

When Felina returns four days later--after, yes, an earlier return to restore Mi'ehna, she's quite blank-faced. Her interactions with Saea make this a rather interesting trip. She searches the area absently, feeling for Emshei, Drianis, and, yes, her father. And anyone else of note.

The signatures are fairly obvious. Emshei is with Tel-tiono at Felina's tower, and Drianis is with Mi'ehna at the arena. All told, everything is as quiet and pristine as a place like this ought to be. Although, a quaint little ghoul does come up and ask Felina for an autograph.

Felina doesn't know what to make of that or how to handle it, of course...finally laughs softly, notes something about being flattered, and signs her name.

The little ghoul's sad face lightens quite a bit at that, and she floats off, waving as she goes.

"Look! Felina Deyono gave me an autograph!" her little voice can be heard saying to her circle of friends; a lamia, an ogre of tremendous size and mellow demeanor, and a tall, thin man who casts a glance in Felina's direction briefly.

Felina scritches her hair, embarassed, and just heads off quickly towards her father's tower, pulling up the hood of her cloak and keeping her head down.

Tel-tiono's casual smile broadens just a little when she walks in. He closes his eyes, and sips his tea. "Welcome back, Nightshade. There's a cup for you as well, if you would like some." Poured about two minutes ago, just long enough to have cooled to exactly how she drinks it.

The corners of Felina's mouth twitch. "Thank you. Hello father, Emshei."

Emshei rises when Felina enters the room, his eyes bright and flashing. "Welcome back, Felina! Did you return to take in Oops's performance tomorrow?" He seems entirely too happy to see her, really.

Felina smiles at him. She'd forgotten. But isn't going to say that. "Hello, it's nice to see you too. I came back to check on everyone after all the recent chaos, actually, but I may still attend, thank you." She bows a little.

Emshei lowers his eyes to the floor. then looks back up. "Would you be affronted if I asked to accompany you, milady?" If he has any idea that she had, he doesn't show it. He almost seems to be looking past her, though his attention is certainly on her. He isn't sure why, though.

Felina pauses an instant at this, then smiles. "Of course not. Is there room for my father as well, though?" She walks over to Tel-tiono's side, taking what's apparently her tea. "If he'd like, of course?" She glances to him.

The wizard smiles a little, but more than that with his eyes, and nods slightly. It had been a good call on her part, one that assures him that she's significantly more socially experienced than she had been before she'd died. He's more than happy to help...and besides, what father would be less than thrilled to accompany his dressed up daughter to an opera, anyway?

Felina smiles at him gratefully, and looks back to Emshei, tilting her head, expression one of friendly casualness.

There is perhaps the slightest flicker of disappointment in Emshei's eyes, but his idiotic smile returns quickly enough. "Hm. Tell the most powerful man in this existence no. Let me think about that... of course. I'd be honored. Though..." Emshei glances at the eldest Ono, "... do you have suitable clothes? I could scare up a suit for you, I'm sure."

"I am certain that I can find something." Tel-tiono smiles and nods. "The offer is appreciated, though, Master Emshei."

Felina nods. "Yes, thank you. This should be an enjoyable evening." She smiles, sweetly for her, eyes closed a moment. "I suppose I should try on the dress you were kind enough to bring me."

"If there is a kind god, yes!" Emshei smiles a bit and lowers his head with the respect due to Tel-tiono. "I must go and get ready. We have some time yet, so do not feel too rushed!" He steps past them, smiling brightly at Felina. "Is there anything I can get either of you, by the way, for when I come back?"

"Mm..." Felina shakes her head, but smiles. "I don't think so. Thank you, though."

"Yes. That." Tel-tiono nods once, smiling. "Thank you for your assistance, Emshei. We will look forward to seeing you this evening."

Felina nods agreement, actually looking forward to this a little. It should be fun.

Emshei waves then, and trots off, feeling far too comfortable with going somewhere nice with Felina Deyono. He carefully shuts the door behind him, leaving father and daughter alone. For the moment.

Felina lets out her breath, and looks over to Tel-tiono with a quicky grin. "Thanks."

He smiles affably, and sips his tea. "It is my pleasure, Nightshade. I'm proud of you for handling this situation as you are. For now, though, your tea is cooling all the time. You are thirsty, yes?"

Felina smiles a little, nods, and sits down, leaning back and trying to relax. "Right. Thank you."

He smiles, a quiet grin in his eyes. "It is my pleasure, Nightshade. Now then, how have the last several days been to you?"

Predictably, what follows is very much chat. Felina's trying, in a way, to keep herself aware of the fact that this isn't her "real" father--particularly since she's spent a formidable amount of time on her creator's grave these last two days, just literally praying for guidance, some hint on what he wants her to do. Tel-tiono, this one, of course, senses this, and of course it's not entirely a nice feeling. But the sheer level of respect that she has for her father--for him, in a way--gives it a very positive aspect as well.

Some hours later, a well-bathed Felina's faced with the very unfamiliar task called primping, and stares blankly at a make up kit. Actually pokes it with her sword, because it amuses her in some way...twice, actually. Hm. No. Just...no. The make up kit gets stuck in a drawer, where it will probably live for a good many years.

Well. That taken care of... Felina tilts her head, looking at her hair. None of Amethyst's fancy styles. Hell no. Still, the other Guardian does have admittedly good taste in hair...and Yue with Momo had also cornered her a few times in her "Golden" days and forced coiffing on her. Still, she doesn't want anything elaborate. Two thin braids that fall over her hair towards the front wind themselves until thin, invisible ties materialize around the ends. Felina smiles at how they look, adn just folds her hair into an admittedly better-groomed version of her usual ponytail. The usual yellow band is replaced by a simple, elegant, translucent white one.

The dress turns out to need a little adjustment...but she's herself. She usually just magics her clothes into existance, so adjusting a waistline is a simple matter. She smooths the gathered top skirt over the smoother floor-length one, admittedly pleased at how sleek they are together, not floofing out anywhere at all like Yue's cumbersome garments. Dress shoes are actually an issue she's had to deal with, again with Yue, so a pretty set of shoe-like white straps appear around her feet, though they still lack even a sole, let alone a heel.

She looks over her sword a few moments. A new belt materializes beside it, similar but for its lack of a shoulder strap...and actually pristinely clean. Imagine the thought.

She tilts her head at herself in the mirror. Not exactly high society. But close enough.

Her father's eyes soften with very warm pride when she walks down the stairs. He offers her a hand to help her down the last few. "Nightshade. You look beautiful, daughter. I cannot recall last time I have had such a warmth in my heart as now."

Felina's cheeks warm a little at that, but in a good way, and she looks down, smiling a little. "You look nice as well, father." It's not far removed from his usual outfit...actually, almost everything's the same. After all, it actually is fairly formal garb of his culture. There are finer, richer touches added here and there, though, mostly subtle things. The golden bands in his hair are a different pair, finely etched, the material of his jacket is more richly patterened. It's also removed from his usual green to a subtly, beautifully gradiated series of very deep purples, blues, reds, browns, and a little amber. The stitch work is gold.

They make a handsome pair, really. Especially to someone who can sense power...but to anyone. Father and daughter, thoroughly.

Predictably, at the appointed time, a knock sounds at the door of Felina's tower, accompanied by a soft, male voice.

"Are you ready, friends?"

Felina looks up to her father a moment, getting permission to head over there, smiles, and heads to the entryway as Tel-tiono retrieves his cane. It disturbs her quite enough to merit his going without it on occasion, using levitation to aid himself instead...but she does need to get used to seeing it. His leg is a fact that must be accepted.

Felina pulls open the door and smiles at Emshei. "I think so, thank you. Come in a minute?" She steps aside.

Emshei takes the dressed up Felina in before he can even take a step. "O-of course. You look fantastic, lady Felina." He himself is attired in a very un-Kaies-like, high-collared robe that looks very religious. A deep blue with mint trim, it is actually quite becoming on him. He steps inside, wondering what's up.

Felina smiles at him as she closes the door. "Thank you. You look nice, too. My father's getting his cane, I think...we'll be ready to go once he has." A polite person would offer him something to drink here. But she doesn't have all the finer parts of this "social" thing down yet.

Emshei doesn't seem to notice. He is fidgeting a lot, though... she looks so much like Mara did whenever she would dress up. So much...

"It should be a good show," he nods, "Oops is really a tremendous singer, and rarely has mishaps on stage."

Felina grins, laying a light calming field against his mind as she leans casually against a table, arms folded. Yup. No "formal" or even "female" switch in her brain, she still moves like a fighter. Or a Guardian. "Well, that's good to know. It's nice to hear that she has her niche." She stands up straight when her father walks in, and heads over to take his arm gently, trying to help.

He doesn't need it, of course, not really...but he appreciates it. That's reason enough. He smiles at her. "Good evening, Master Emshei. It has been quite some time since I've seen you present yourself in such finery." Not that he should talk, hermit that he is.

Emshe blushes a bit. "Not every day sees me in the presence of such a ravishing creature as yourself, though, master wizard, or a woman so captivating as Felina." He bows a little bit... very dopey, but with a good grasp of social interaction.

Tel-tiono smiles, eyes softening...almost entirely to the compliment to his daughter, who gets a brief, warm glance before he looks back to Emshei. He returns the bow with one of his head. "In any case, this should be a most enjoyable evening. Is there anything left for you to attend before we leave, Master Emshei?" Felina's quiet. She was always quiet around her father when someone else was involved, since his friends were typically far more intelligent or at least far more reputable than a construct too young to have gained any real distinction for herself.

Of course, that habit doesn't entirely stand nowadays...but still.

Emshei nods briefly. He steps towards Felina, producing a long-stemmed rose from behind his back. "For my lady," he notes with a quiet humility to his voice.

"Aww...that's very sweet, Emshei, thank you." Felina smiles at him...accepts it with a little bit of a blush.

"If everyone is ready, we can go, I think. If we walk, will get there as the doors open... and I hope you do not mind. I reserved seats for another couple to sit with us." Emshei gestures to the door, smiling a very Kaies-esque smile. 

Felina smiles as well, cheeks still warm. "That will be lovely, I'm sure."

"And the walk as well." Tel-tiono nods as they head outside. "Living in a place which such mild seasons can be nice at moments."

Emshei nods, but makes certain as they walk to put himself beside Tel-tiono and not Felina... she is not Mara. He knows that, on some level... Mara is gone. But still, he knows to keep the 'charm' low-key when he can.

"I miss the winter, in a way," he notes as they approach the Glory Lake Opera House. "There is nothing like ice sculpting."

---

A few hours later Emshei reemerges from the opera house, presumably leading Felina Deyono and her father. He walks along in relative silence, waving now and again at people who look at them. Several people openly stare at Felina in a dress, most having known of her legacy before.

"They like you, Felina," Emshei notes, "they appreciate grace, it seems."

"And notoriously masculine girls in skirts, too, I'm sure."

Tel-tiono grins at this. "A sense of fulfillment can accompany multiple facets in life, Nightshade."

She smiles at him for that one.

Emshei nods. "I really must agree, because, as I'm sure you know," he coughs softly, "it sounded smart." He's sure that Tel-tiono will get a rise out of that... Emshei isn't exactly legendary for his intelligence.

Despite what Felina is probably thinking, nothing of dangerous note happens on the way. They reach Felina's tower in good time, and Emshei holds the door for the tragically gimped wizard.

Tel-tiono smiles, bows his head to both of them. "Thank you, Master Emshei. And thank you for a lovely evening. Take good care of my daughter...and enjoy yourself, Felina."

Felina smiles, and nods. "Speaking of which...hm..." she wave a hand over herself, kneeling to brush it past her ankles. The dress vanishes, replaced by her usual outfit. Hair's still slightly done, though the hairband's replaced, too. She grins. "Better." The dress is upstairs on the bed.

Tel-tiono smiles, eyes sparkling. He remembers the that she has finally perfected that technique...she'd been excited, too. Actually, some modifications to her clothes that became her current outfit grew from it. "Yes, there is certainly something to be said for comfort. Enjoy your evenings, both of you."

Emshei bows his head to Tel-tiono. "Good evening, master wizard. My lady, shall we?" He holds out a claw, gesturing to a very utilitarian tower just down the way. "It is the one that looks like a cherry tree."

Felina smiles, and nods. "Lovely," she notes as they start heading that way. "You'll probably have to explain this card game to me. I seriously doubt that I know how to play." Mara had forced her to learn solitaire, though Felina edited out the rules relating to changing your underwear colour whenever you draw and such.

"Faro is easy," Emshei nods, climbing a short set of stairs to his door, which he of course holds open for Felina. "Gin is a bit tougher, but not much. We have all night, I hope?" It's certainly more of a question than a statement.

"Sure, if the evening calls for that. Sleep is good too, but that can come in teh daytime if necessary." Felina smiles at him as she heads inside. Oh, good. It's going to be an interesting evening.

Emshei has no idea if she was just being coy, or flirting, or neither. He just grins his muppet grin and steps in behind her.

The house is... spacious. Emshei's sense of decor is impeccable, and his notions on interior design bordering upon that vaunted genius/idiot line. Far from trussed up, the place could generously be called Spartan... neat bookshelves line one wall upon a mirrored floor, while intricate murals depict a cityscape of this particular part of the celestial plane. A well-stocked kitchen is visible through a double door to the left, and a bedchamber that has - oddly enough - no bed to the right. In front is a set of lifts, leading to the upper floors where Emshe's storage and wardrobe can be found. A door marked 'utility' is actually the restroom, and the bath chambers are just beyond his bed chamber. A picture of a very grim-looking Mara-kuru hangs on the bedroom wall, her poise very much that of a trained and able warrior.

"Have a seat in whichever chair you like, my lady, or have a look around," Emshei says, gesturing towards a smallish, round card table with four black leather chairs around it. Two of them are much larger than the others, a nod to the diversity of species in this plane. "I would like to change out of this monkeysuit, if you would not mind waiting?"

"Of course not. You saw how long I kept the dress." Felina smiles. She stares at the picture of Mara-kuru as she waits...interesting. Her Mara would never wear that look. And, though she's quite a good fighter, she tends to shun classic stances for goofy-looking ones that usually work anyway. She can see what Tel-tiono had meant...Emshei's Mara really was a good deal like her.

Emshei notes her looking at the picture, and his expression is somewhat difficult to read as he closes the door to change. When it opens a moment later, the picture has been turned around so that only the frame shows. He does not look at it, or mention it. "So," he beings, holding up a couple of decks of cards. "Want to learn Faro, my lady?"

"Sure." Felina smiles. "Just so long a you have plenty of patience to spare." She grins, trying to put him a little more at ease after the picture thing.

"Alright! Have a seat, my dear Serinian." He plops down into one of the larger chairs, frilly shirt bouncing a bit. He really is a handsome creature, and fits the outfit very nicely, even though his mentality seems off for the wardrobe. "Now," he begins, as he shuffles the cards, "the cards are based on an old monarchial system. Each one has a point value... the numbered cards have points equal to their number. The face cards, jack, queen, king, and ace, are worth ten, eleven, twelve, and thirteen points respectively. Do you follow?"

"I think so." She nods. She'd be more confused if Mara hadn't familiarized her with a deck of cards, but gets it well enough now. She's better with a card-like game her adoptive father-figure as a kid had occasionally gambled away their food budget on. Occasionally earned their food budget on it, too, but anyway.

"There are variants of course, but the idea is for you to get a lower point value than the dealer. I will deal you one card, facedown, and you cannot look at it yet." He does. "Then I will flip over the dealer's one card." He does, and shows a Jack of Hearts. "For this game, the suit does not matter... you know the suits, right?"

"Mm...hearts, diamonds, clovers, and trowels, right?"

Emshei grins. "The clovers are clubs, the trowels are spades. You almost had it. Anyway, normally Faro players have to bet something, usually money, but I do not condone gambling with money. Before you look at your card, you have to look at the dealer card and decide what you want to bet, based on its value. If you think you have a good chance of your card having a lower point value than mine, you bet big. Or, you can fold and refuse to bet, if you think you don't have a chance." Emshei nods, taps his card with a claw. "Some variants keep both cards face down, some let you look at your card. We can play however you like from now on. As for betting..." he shrugs, "usually we just bet with dish duty."

Felina smirks. Good solution, she likes it. "That works. I might have trouble with this game..." she scritches her hair sheepishly. "I can play cards to some limited extent, but never with other people...if I give half a thought to wondering what a face-down card is or what's coming up soon in the stack, I know automatically. I don't mean to, I just do. And even if I avoid that and don't know the card exactly, I tend to just know what the better move to make is since it's usually a very cut-and-dried answer."

"Cheating," Emshei mock-sternly answers, tapping the jack, "is punishable by cooking duty."

Felina laughs softly at that. "Believe me...that would be more 'punishing' to the people who have to eat it. Ask..." Kaies. Right. "It's not a good idea," she recovers, eyes amused.

Mara hadn't been much of a cook in his plane, either. She had once managed to burn beef broth. Burn it. "I would cheat too, though. Help you in the kitchen when no one was looking." He taps the jack. "You can do it. You just have to think you can."

"Well...I guess I can theoretically mute my senses..." she ponders this. She's a bit uneasy with this idea. Emshei should be able to tell, his Mara almost certainly would have been, too. "I mean, it's not like this plane seems unsafe...of course, when I was here last week...that was fun." She blinks. She's trying to talk herself into it, she is.

Emshei nods, and flips Felina's card over for her. Three of clubs. "You win," he smiles at her, though the expression is somewhat muted. 

Felina smirks. "Yay me." She looks up at him. "You okay?"

"Just fine! I lose, though. Speaking of food, are you hungry at all?" Emshei has an excellent poker face. In truth, the way she's carrying herself does remind him of Mara, reminds him also of the whole 'duty' issue that had separated them and eventually cost Mara her life. But his smile is sincere.

"Actually, a little, thank you." She smiles.

"So tell me," he asks as he deals another hand, not flipping his card over this time. "What do superheroines eat?"

"Heroes who give their 'pats on the back' too low." Felina smiles sweetly. She looks at his card. Jack of diamonds. Okay. "So...if I think I have a good chance of my card being lower, I just...what? Since we're not betting normally?" Her eyes are very deliberately averted from the back of her own card...they go all around it, never on the card.

"Bet whatever you feel comfortable betting. Silly things, risque things, but not material things other than food. Chores... then only thing is, not betting money means that the other players have to match the bet." Emshei takes a small blue chip out of one of the card packs, sets it in front of Felina. "So I have a betting chip. When more people are playing, we pass the chip around, and whoever has it in a turn gets to be the bettor."

"Fair enough. So..what are some common bets?" She going into this pretty blind, and is determined not to have a social meltdown again.

Emshei leans back, scratching his cheek with a claw. "It depends on the group. Some people, obviously, wager clothes. Dish duty and kitchen duty, as I said... Top Hat had to clean Marcus Ekhet's house once. I got to arm wrestle Zurk..." he chuckles at the memory, "... got pinned, too. Oops had to kiss Drianis once..." Emshei pauses a moment. "Funniest thing I think I have ever seen. She was pleasant enough about it, after we brought her a step ladder, and she kissed him very, ah, well. He looked so bored he could have passed out... and for weeks after, people were asking if he was gay."

Felina snickers. "I can imagine that happening." This is going to be...kind of awkward for her. But she'll at least try to relax. After all, it might be fun, right?

Just like Mara. Emshei taps his card - a custom deck, with each card coated so that various clawed creatures won't accidentally shred them - and favors Felina with a warm, apologetic smile. "I can't force you, my lady, and I wouldn't. We can certainly find something else to do."

"I'll do my best. And if nothing else, I'll just watch. It should be interesting." Felina smiles at him for the thought. "but thank you."

Emshei grins at her, nods. "You win again, by the way." A knock at the door, gets his attention, and he winks before leaving the table, and leaving her to figure out how a non-telepath knew that Felina had a ten of spades sitting in front of her.

Felina blinks at that. She knows he's right. Flips the card and confirms it. Well. She'll be damned.

A moment later, Emshei returns with Mi'ehna and Drianis behind, as well as a couple who are, by their attire, apparently married. 

"Felina Deyono, you know Drianis and Mi'ehna of course." Bows of acknowledgment. "This is Chance and Celicia Eminent. Say hello kids."

Chance, a very young man who has doubtless not yet seen two decades, nods his bushy head at Felina. "A pleasure for sure!" Celicia simply smiles a shy smile and nods. "I," Chance announces, "get to cook today, since I lost last time. I hope you like meat."

Felina stands politely to greet them, and grins at Chance. "Meat would be lovely. It's a pleasure to meet you both."

Mi'ehna lifts her hands and signs rapidly for a moment. 

"She says that she'll help Chance cook. And..." he blinks. "Mi'ehna, I am not saying that."

The empath signs more emphatically. 

"She says that she doesn't want to strip us all in Faro again." Emshei sighs softly. Yup. He lost that game too. "Meanwhile, Felina, you might be interested to talk with Celicia at some point. She's a white witch, very capable." 

Celicia blushes a bit, her fair skin turning quite pink as she looks away. "Emshei..."

"Anyway... let's get to this. I'm hoping that I might win back my dignity." Drianis moves to sit in the larger chair, Celicia in the smaller one, and Emshei back to his own. Mi'ehna grabs Chances arm and leads him rather forcefully into the kitchen, to begin what should be an eventful cooking session.

"So Felina," Emshei asks as he sits, "are you sure you are up for this?"

"No, but I'm still willing to try." She smiles. "Besides, this seems like lovely company."

"Quite," Emshei notes, looking deeply into her eyes. "So. Who wants to start the bet? Felina, since the chip is already in front of you, you get first choice." Emshei shuffles and deals the cards very expertly, one to himself, one to each player, all face down. 

"Ehm...can I choose to let someone else make the first choice?" She grins sheepishly. Is trying very, very hard to not look at her card.

Celicia reaches down, takes the chip in a graceful, and yet somehow frail-looking, hand. "First choice of whether to bet or not, Felina. I will go first, if Lord Drianis approves."

Drianis nods, looking down at his card quietly. Mostly he's just listening to the banging and rattling of pots from the kitchen.

"Is that okay with you, Felina?"

"Certainly. I just don't have a tremendous idea of what's going on, so I wasn't comfortable starting. Thank you." Felina smiles at Cecilia...and still looks everywhere but at her card.

Celicia nods, and Emshei flips over his card. Five of hearts. Drianis and Celicia both tilt their heads... it's a hard one to beat. 

"I will bet..." the white witch pauses a moment, deep blue eyes focused upon the center of the table... "one embarassing moment." Drianis groans, and Emshei chuckles.

"Now, Felina, I forgot to mention this before. But since Faro is usually one on one, we've altered the rules a bit... with multiple players, the winner is the one whose card is farthest to the left of the dealer. Others who are to the left 'push' and don't have to give up the bet, but they win nothing. Those to the right lose, and have to give up the bet."

Drianis shakes his head. "I think I fold, this time."

"I think I understand." Felina nods a little. "I...damnit. Fold." She laughs softly, shakes her head a little to herself. She'd accidentally glanced at her card and, sure enough, got the gist. She has a three, by the way. Aw, well. Next time. It will be a very good exercise in control anyway.

Celicia's eyes brighten. "You knew? How did you do that?" She smiles, and flips her card.

Ace of spaces.

"... oops."

Felina grins. "Don't worry about it. The game's only just begun. And for the 'how did you do that' part..." she tips her card to show just Cecelia, to give her a better idea of what's going on, grins a little. After all, she'd have won. "I'm my father's daughter. But I don't have uite his control, so I'm just doing my best to not figure out what my cards are ahead of time."

Celicia smiles a bit at that. "Emshei, May I see the deck? Felina, Drianis, your cards...?"

Drianis flips over a four of diamonds, and hands it to Celicia. "So, Celicia. Story time, dear lady?"

The witch winks. "In a moment, my lord. Felina, if you would like, I can make it so that you cannot see the underside of the card."

"That's very kind of you. The bigger problem isn't knowing the number, though, just knowing if the card can beat the other or not." Felina smiles. "I don't want to be any trouble, really."

"It is no trouble," Celicia is quick to answer. "Besides. It's hard to find a practical use for my spells these days, so I like to use them when I can." 

"She really is amazing, Felina," Drianis notes. "Most of us are relieved that she stays out of the arena."

Celicia stutters something, looking away.