Dionysus Martha and Hyun are in her room, excitedly talking.

• Aurelia pauses outside the door, smiles, and knocks.

Dionysus Martha answers, "Aurellia! Come in!"

• Aurelia does, smiling.

Aurelia "Congratulations."

Dionysus "Congratulations to you, too!"

Dionysus She laughs, spins, and falls onto her bed where Hyun is lying down in ecstacy.

Dionysus Bartleby smiles from the doorway

• Aurelia tugs lightly at his sleeve to urge him forward into the room proper. "Bartleby the Rogue. Martha Mellaus. Hyun Boxmaker."

Dionysus They all bow and greet each other.

Dionysus He comes in.

Dionysus Martha says, "I could take anyone right now!"

• Aurelia 's smile brightens a touch.

Aurelia No verbal response, but she's happy Martha is happy and excited.

Dionysus Hyun and Martha ask you to join them for a meal.

• Aurelia would love to.

Dionysus The meal is celebratory.

Dionysus To Darion after that?

Aurelia Yes.

Dionysus He's in his room, reading quietly.

• Aurelia knocks. Bartleby would know where she was going. Would he come, or stay?

Dionysus He'd go.

Dionysus Darion slowly answers the door, calmly. He bows when he sees you two, "Welcome."

• Aurelia smiles slightly, then curtsies back. "Congratulations, on your performance and choice."

Dionysus He bows again, "And my deepest gratitude to you, Duchess Lucent, and my congratulatory tidings as well."

Aurelia "Thank you."

Dionysus "The Bat Cultist was talented, but my renewed place has given me strength. When I face the undersea denizens, I shall yet again prevail, and I owe it to you."

Aurelia "The cage was built in vengeance. If you have benefited, your strength is to credit."

Dionysus He bows, "You showed me the error of my ways. The credit is yours, in my eyes. May I interest you both in a prayer?"

• Aurelia glances at Bartleby.

Dionysus Bartleby shrugs, "Sure, coz."

Aurelia "Yes."

Dionysus He kneels and reaches out to take your hands, "Father of Order, the world has been led astray. Bless us your servants, your children, the pieces in this great machine, the notes in your symphony, and guide us to the Right Path. In your name, we pray!"

Dionysus And he goes on like that for a while.

• Aurelia listens and waits, a touch bewildered, but attentive.

Dionysus After about five minutes, he stops, and releases your hands. Tears run down his face, and he lowers his face to the ground to kiss it. "Thank you," he says as he rises.

• Aurelia touches his shoulder lightly for a moment.

Dionysus He bows his head

• Aurelia then turns to go.

Dionysus Bartleby joins you

Aurelia "He unmade the cage."

Dionysus Bartleby nods, "He's a new man."

Dionysus Where to next?

Aurelia To give the Crystal City to the empath.

Dionysus She is hard to find at first, as she is patrolling the revellers.

Aurelia I'd wait till fairly evening for her to return to her room, checking in every now and then.

Dionysus She's there late.

Aurelia In her room, or she's out past sane waiting?

Dionysus She's in her room

• Aurelia knocks quietly.

Dionysus She answers, "You're like a roaring elephant when it comes to empathy, you kniow."

Aurelia "Yes."

Dionysus She laughs at your response, "What can I do for you?"

• Aurelia isn't embarassed or apologetic. It's just a fact at this point. She is a touch hopeful and cheerful.

Aurelia "This is for you." She uncovers and offers the painting.

Dionysus She gasps, awed. "It's... beautiful."

Aurelia "Qui'sagiris, in Kyellezhi."

Dionysus She touches it lightly, "Th---thank you."

Aurelia "Beauty was salvation when I lived in walls. This... felt suited to you."

Dionysus She smiles, her heart melting a little, "Beauty is a nice escape."

Aurelia "Yes, but, too, validation."

Dionysus She breathes, "Yes, like a happy heart."

• Aurelia smiles, outside and in.

Aurelia She's happy that the gift was accepted and appreciated, and... thrilled? fulfilled? at that small melting of the walls.

Dionysus The judge smiles, thanks you again, then weariness hits her, and she begs off.

Aurelia "Dream well."

Dionysus "And you."

• Aurelia returns to her own room.

---

• Aurelia will spend a few hours on the Painting the second day.

Dionysus Which?

Aurelia The fairytale castle.

---

Dionysus What do you say to Conell?

• Aurelia would seek Conell out the afternoon after the first round.

Aurelia "What day was it, when you came to this arena?"

Dionysus He blinks, then says, "November 8, 696."

• Aurelia bows her head a touch and nods. "Thank you."

Dionysus He nods.

• Aurelia goes.

---

• Aurelia goes the next day to visit Martha again and the empath whose name I still don't have.

Aurelia And spends a few more hours painting if time allows.

Dionysus Martha is a little disheartened at her loss, but she's still hopeful. "The Hurricanes are nothing!"

Dionysus The empath is nice to you, but busy.

• Aurelia is encouraging with Martha, and friendly. Likewise friendly with the empath, and if she seems too busy Aurelia will just exchange hellos and return later.

Dionysus She's extremely busy, actually.

Dionysus It's getting intense around here

• Aurelia will wait until later in the evening again, and if she feels too worn or still busy, will let her be for the night.

Dionysus She'll be asleep by later, actually. She's had a rough day

• Aurelia doesn't bother her.
• Aurelia also, to note, doesn't feel slighted or upset in the least when the first try is brief. A touch concerned, but happy enough to wait till later.

Dionysus She just feels harried by her work