[center][h2][b]Dire News[/b][/h2][/center]


“Mmm,” Liana sipped her tea and kicked her dangling legs.  She watched Asceal fuss over the palace courtyard from her vantage point on the edge of the balcony and opined, “I think the reds should be a bit darker.”

Asceal looked up from the reddish pink mango tree and cocked her head, “Really?”

Liana nodded.  Asceal was her friend, but the Goddess’s colour palate could best be described as lurid.  She supposed it made sense, but that didn’t change her mind on it.  The Lustrous Garden sported crystals of every colour imaginable, at least, insofar as they were colours that could be described as bright.

The vine woman hoped her input could make the central courtyard of the palace a bit nicer.  The spiraling pattern of stout colourful mango trees was pretty, but it lacked variety.  Liana didn’t bother to raise her voice despite the distance between her and Asceal, Gods tended to have good hearing, “I like the way the center is darker than the edges, but the effect would be better if there was more contrast.  That, and other trees.  I know you love mangoes, but really?”

The Goddess frowned and stepped closer to one of her trees, almost protectively, “Mango trees are pretty, I like them.  It’s not like you recommended any other plants Liana.”

“I wonder why that would be.” Liana smirked.

“Sorry,”  Asceal winced, “Again, I didn’t realize that it was…  Boring up here for you.”

Liana shrugged and willed a large vine to dip into the exposed courtyard.  She stood up and hopped onto it, allowing the enormous limb to carry her down to Asceal, “You should have, but we’ve already had this conversation.  Anyway, the trees should be a bit darker, don’t you think?”

Asceal pursed her lips, but took the hint.  She tapped the leaves of the nearest tree and watched as it took on a deep crimson hue.  The effect, in Liana’s opinion, made for a much more attractive plant.  She still wanted to go to Galbar, but not before she managed to guilt Asceal into implementing a few more of her suggestions for improving the Lustrous Garden.  It was, after all, her home too.  As much as she’d berated Asceal for leaving her alone in it, Liana still loved the Garden.  

“Now that’s better, isn’t it?” Liana finished the rest of her tea and handed the empty cup to the vine that had carried her into the courtyard, which promptly retracted back into the great mass of its kin above.

Asceal didn’t look convinced, but the Goddess reluctantly nodded and stepped up to the next tree.  She ran a hand through its leaves and watched as it changed to blend in with its modified sibling.  The Goddess moved from tree to tree, absentmindedly changing their very natures.  Only when the center of the grove was uniform in its crimson colouration did she speak, “So, how do you think the kids are doing?”

Liana, who’d been keeping pace as Asceal worked, resisted the urge to roll her eyes.  Ever since Eline and her siblings had departed the Garden Asceal had been tense, and Liana couldn’t imagine why.  The vine woman knew her friend's children weren’t as innocuous as they seemed.  If there was something on Galbar that could hurt them, Liana didn’t know what it was.

“I imagine they’re having a grand time in one of your hotsprings.  Or perhaps they’re sharing tea with Shengshi,”  Liana grinned, “You shouldn’t worry so much Asceal, they’d let you know if anything was wrong.”

The Goddess sighed and ran a hand through her long shimmering hair, “I know they would, but Galbar isn’t a paradise Liana.  Not all of my peers mean well.”

Liana wrapped an arm around Asceal’s shoulders, “Maybe, but they’re not dumb enough to pick a fight with a god.  No, I’m more worried about what they’ll do to each other.  Can you imagine what would happen if they found a strawberry bush?”

The pair shared a chuckle, but Asceal’s mirth was short lived.  She looked around and frowned, “It’s almost loney, without them.  I really am sorry for leaving you here Liana.  I had no idea, not that that’s an excuse.”

The vine woman bit her lip and withdrew her arm, pulling Asceal to face her as she did, “It was a mistake, and you apologized Asceal.  I’m not mad, not really.  Heck, I even made some friends while you were away.”

Asceal smiled weakly, “I know, but still.”

“You know,” Liana suggested, “You could make it up to me.  Remember what I said about your hotsprings?”

The Goddess laughed, “Alright.  As soon as we’re done here we’ll spend some time on Istais.  How about we visit Xiaoli and Hermes too.  I think we could both use the distraction.”

Liana’s eyes widened and she hugged Asceal tightly.  For as much as she’d been looking forward to seeing Galbar, hearing the words was something special.  It was a moment she’d have cherished, if it wasn’t for her friends sudden panicked shout, “Liana, wait, the kids!”

 The vine woman let go and stepped back, at once confused and worried, “What?  Has something happened?”

“They- They’re telling me they ran into something awful.”  Asceal’s features were contorted into an expression of pure terror, “Makab is hurt.  I have to go to them, I’m telling Shengshi about this.  Last I saw him he was near the place Akam is describing.”

It was the last thing Liana has expected to hear, and at the worst time.  She shook her head in disbelief, but she didn’t hesitate, “If you’re going I’m coming with you.  They’ll need all the help they can get.”

The Goddess looked like she was about to refuse, but she didn’t waste the breath.  Liana was as much a part of family as any of them, and the vine woman wouldn’t take no for an answer.  

Wordlessly Asceal summoned the glowing bubble Liana had once ridden to Heliopolis, and soon the two of them were speeding towards the tower.  To the Lustrous Garden’s connection to Galbar.  To the kids.
 
[hider=Summary and Might Costs]
Liana and Asceal work on a garden.
They talk about the kids and loneliness.
Asceal promises to take Liana to Galbar.
Akams message terrifies Asceal.
Liana and Asceal go to Galbar.

No Might Spent[/hider]