<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=205751.msg13005290#msg13005290">Quote from: Chloe Milev on 26-02-2017, 08:13:54</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote"><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: andale mono;">Night with Rachel</span></span></div><br/>“So yeah, um, meeting new people and learning what new things they do is great for, um, expanding your horizons…” he murmured, giving a half-hearted nod to Horishkad’s warning, hoping their conversation had inspired Rachel to explore a more mortal lifestyle.</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>"Oooh, social encounters are right up my alley!" Rachel responded with newfound energy. Kleris could feel an almost-physical jolt of energy run beneath her flesh, as though the excitement was a literal manifestation.<br/><br/>"I admit, aside from horny summoners and crusading zealots, I haven't met many mortals, really. Back in the Magocracy of Allain, I had a bit of freedom to explore, but the omnipresent wards, golems, and magical servants meant that I spent more time hiding than being free-spirited. But now that I'm here..."<br/><br/>Rachel pouted and folded her arms, breaking off from the hug. "So, I've been doing some research in a few of the faculty offices...did you know that 98% of virgin girls who attend Redhurst Academy lose it within their first year? Barring the asexually-reproducing students, this is more or less consistent across race, planar, and social background. At first I was worried I'd have competition from you and Lillin, but...with that track record, how am I supposed to compete?"<br/><br/>In spite of her gloomy mood she couldn't help but sashay over to the dresser, knowing that Kleris' eyes were following. "Sorry, it's...I'm like a tiny dog chasing a knight on a horse passing through town. Been striving for so long for uninhibited freedom, not hiding from planar binders or devilish prisoners, and now...It's all so<em>overwhelming."</em><br/><br/>Pouring a drink for two, she returned to bed.<br/><br/>"You know, we should probably do something fun. But not the predictable fun, you know? I'm not in the mood for soul-bargaining or getting together another orgy."<br/><br/>The succubus sipped from her cup, but ended up downing it in one sitting. Scanning the room, and then the ceiling in a half-drunk, half-contemplative haze, her eyes finally snapped open after setting on a<em>captured image</em>of a scantily-clad erotic dancer.<br/><br/>"Bikini calendar."<br/><br/>Sitting up with renewed energy, sentence after sentence poured out from the excitable succubus.<br/><br/>"We can get the Redhurst photo club in on it! With you, me, and a few volunteers, we can make a sensational annual gallery to sell and distribute! The boys, and more than a few girls, will eat them up! Oooh, maybe we can expand them to Firelight, perhaps some art collectors and brothels? Horny old men will absolutely<em>devour</em>half-naked jailbait mages! Wait! Why not a normal calendar, and a<em>secret nudes</em>edition too, where if you speak a command word their clothes come off?!"<br/><br/>Rachel got so excited in her brainstorming she accidentally reverted to her original form and flew up in the air, bumping her head on the ceiling.<br/><br/>"Ow!"<br/><br/>Falling back down (and likely spilling Kleris' wine in the process), she was rubbing her bruised spot as she rested her head back on the pillow.<br/><br/>"Damn, that's what I get for being over-eager...but I still like the idea. But what do you think, Kleris? How will we handle things? Recruits? Pictures? Finding buyers? My head isn't in the mood for thinking right now, why don't you do the heavy lifting right now, heh?"<br/><br/><hr/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote"><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: andale mono;">Day 84, the Riedran Embassy</span></span></div><br/>Putting on a more casual travel dress and robe, rather than a school uniform, Kleris met Retario outside Redhurst and followed to the Riedran Embassy, looking around at all the more professional and elegant architecture, in contrast to some of the more slap-dash and eclectic forms he saw in the lower districts before.  Beyond just the bustling city people, too, were the foreign guards and visitors of the embassy.  They seemed serious about keeping unauthorized people out, but apparently Retario was right about having special permission to enter with a guest on business.<br/><br/>After entering and leaving the guards behind, Kleris wondered what history Retario might have with the embassy besides his nationality.  "So have you done much work for the embassy or government before?  Or is this normal for a native to have business access to the compound?"  He looked around and absorbed all he could, sensing this was a rare privilege; he just wish he knew what this script was.  It was something to look up later, perhaps, if the library had any information on Riedra.<br/></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>"Well, being a Riedran myself, I work for the establishment by default," Retario answered. "Unlike in Breland, every aspect of life is managed by the Inspired, divine monarchs who evolved from lesser forms in previous lives. Even the lowliest cobbler has been trained and assigned his duty, for everyone's assigned to where they can do the most good. As for myself...well, they didn't want to let my charm go to waste. My duty is to 'promote international relations between east and west,' which is open enough to let me pursue my own goals for that."<br/><br/>The changeling let out a yawn and stretch, inadvertently putting an arm around Kleris. "But not to worry; service comes with its perks. Like being allowed to help out an old friend reunite with his lost... daughter?"<br/><br/>He briefly glanced down, stammering a bit. "Oh sorry, I meant 'son.' Ah, sorry, no offense meant, Kleris!"<br/><br/>Horishkad responded again.<em>He speaks the truth, albeit in regards to his homeland. It is a realm of pure order, but even then we have some free spirits like him. Put him in a place like Breland, and he'll take a mile.</em><br/><br/>The embassy's interior was a grand spectacle. It was much like a high-class manor, albeit with an omnipresent crystal motif. Large blue, green, red, and purple shards hummed with arcing energy<em>(which do not show up on detect magic),</em>powering unknown devices. The people inside were overwhelmingly human, albeit with bronze tones being slightly more common than usual. A few well-dressed folk, their angular unisex gowns, had serene, unchanging looks on their faces. One of them, clad in a black pattern, was approached by Retario.<br/><br/>(https://i.imgur.com/FTXyUut.jpg)<br/><br/><em>The Inspired,</em>Horishkad intoned.<em>They are not alone.</em><br/><br/>The quori refused to elaborate if asked.<br/><br/>"Why hello there Retario? I presume you want a private room for your 'guest?'<br/><br/>Retario shook his head, waving his hands. "Oh no, it's not like that! In fact, we need to acquaint ourselves of the Horizon Room. For dream-meditation."<br/><br/>The Inspired's facial expression did not change from his mild smile. "Of course. And since your partner's not a Riedran citizen, you informed her of the confidentiality statement?"<br/><br/>Retario froze, realizing her forgot something.<br/><br/>"Oh...yes, I have! Don't worry, she knows to be entirely discreet!"<br/><br/>The Inspired stared for what felt like an eternity, then he nodded. "Very well, you may go."<br/><br/>Retario winked once they were out of sight. "Heh, I suppose I should explain, but I take it the name's enough."<br/><br/>Heading to a door with a hollow slot in place of a knob, the changeling took out a tiny yellow crystal and inserted it, causing the entrance to open on its own.<br/><br/><div align="center">(https://i.imgur.com/dJ3XJxB.jpg)</div><br/>To say that the Horizon Room was spacious would be an understatement. Every step echoed as the pair walked inside, and the shelves were lined with thousands of tomes. A large telescope-like device dominated the area, the light of the open sky shining down through a glass roof.<br/><br/>Retario ascended the stairs as he explained things. "Kleris, this device is known as a Horizon Opener. You sit in that chair up top, and once your mind is at peace we more or less...'open' it. Are you ready?"<br/><br/>Once they reached the top, he tinkered with some panels. "Attunement crystal, check."<br/><br/>"Psionic focus, check," he said as he pulled over a giant lens under the scope over so that it would be directly in front of whomever sat on the chair.<br/><br/>Retario massaged Kleris' shoulders as he sat back in the chair, whispering into his ear.<br/><br/>"Think happy thoughts. Reflect back on times spent with friends, family, things that make you content. It can be the best moments in your life, or even small victories like saving enough silver for a romance novel's sequel. Relax, let all your worries fade away..."<br/><br/>