[b]Bella![/b]

"One day a dream came to me," said Princess Redana. "It came unexpectedly from someone I never thought would drop it. I had never had a dream before. There had never been anything I had thought to pray for. And yet, once I picked it up, it somehow became so important to me I could not imagine setting it down again." She turned her head to look at Bella. "I need this, Bella. All my life all I have known is whim and law and craving. I did not know what it was to imagine."

She gently placed her fingers on Bella's fingers. "You may, of course, accompany me," she said. "But I do not think what is between us will change. Princess Redana must chase her dream, and even though you are closer now you will still be chasing after her." Her fingers raised up to brush Bella's cheek gently. "You may chase as long as you like. But in my heart, I will always hope that you find a dream as I have - one that can carry you into your own future."

[b]Ember![/b]

There is no better answer. Not only have you returned in victory, but you have transformed an earlier defeat into a triumph. The question of command cannot be asked for you have answered it. Another pack may be different, but the Silver Divers cannot help but respond to plunder.

One last question, before you have the chance to present your triumph to Mosaic: What are your initial acts of leadership? A King's first decree is always the most important, as are the choices of advisors and deputies. Do you trust your rivals, Plundering Fang and Sagetip? Or is it time to replace them with fresh eyes? Will you honour the name and traditions of the Silver Divers? Or is it time to forge a new identity in void and voyage?

[b]Dyssia![/b]

You are buried underneath fluffy tails and cute girls. 

The emotions of the moment have passed. The foxgirls have gone to sleep. Warm and heavy, like weighted blankets. Everything is peaceful and contented. You have slept and you have recovered. 

And now you are a little bit hungry. A little bit bored. And Brightberry is sitting over in the corner, reading a book, and flashing a small, blinking pattern on her scales that indicates that she has a message waiting for you.

Your hardest question, then, Dyssia: How do you get out of bed in the morning?

[b]Dolce![/b]

"I understand," said the galaxy's most deadly warrior. "I appreciate you giving me time to think."

She is beautiful in her singularity. She does not need Empire or Skies to illuminate her. In her mythological affectation she shines as pure as a single moon, crafted and timeless at once. There is no tension to her in these moments; she does not need it to be ready.

"You are unusual," she said. "You are clearly a creature of fear. I know many such. You anticipate disaster, and yet you do not take the steps required to avert disaster. There are a great many and to miss any of them would guarantee calamity. Yet you are not even on the path. That gives you freedom."

She leaned forwards. "There is a way for us to be friends. It will require trust and sacrifice from both of us. Blood and virtue will be spilled. It shall not be beautiful. Nothing about me is." 

She offered her hand. "My own path leads me through blood, bone and shadow. It is inevitable. All I can promise is that it will be swift and afterwards I shall be unbound. Will you walk with me a while?"