WoDaD Session 36

## Recap

Maria wakes up in Bran's tearful embrace, her first thought being to ensure Selvara is dead. Bran is too overwhelmed to see if the elf's body is there, though, so he picks up Maria (and has an Origami Jeffory pick up the violin) and heads back to Thor Aru through the tree portal. They find the Diviner in a stand-off with a student who fled Lo'Nactha through the same portal. Bran calms the situation down a bit, but the student refuses to talk until Maria, the woman who destroyed his home and killed many of his peers, is gone. Maria walks back to her room and after the student tells Bran what happened, Bran tells them to forget what they were taught by Selvara and the Daybreaks because war and genocide are bad, actually.

Meanwhile, Chi Pin parties and celebrates the Choosing Ceremony. They have a chat with their mother, Queen Viessa, in which she shares that she too traveled around with the intent to save the world and stop the war when she was younger. She had a party of traveling companions, including the "Golden Girl." Chi Pin asks if they can count on Thor Aru's help when they need it; Viessa is reluctant to abandon Thor Aru to the Daybreaks, but offers some help if they can figure out a way to protect the forest while the druids are gone. The Diviner appears and tells the Queen that something happened to one of Chi Pin's party members, but the Queen seems less than surprised and simply asks if it is done. The Diviner is reluctant to share more in front of Chi Pin, and so asks the princess to go to Maria's room.

Amros flirts with Ember as they drink in a fire-themed bar, but Ember says it would be unethical to flirt back with a student. He tells Amros to maybe find him after he saves the world. Amros handles his liquor a lot better than his teacher before the Diviner comes in and tells Amros to meet at Maria's bedroom.

Everyone convenes at Maria's room at once. They gently ask Maria what happened and she explains about Lo'Nactha, Selvara, and what just happened there. Amros, Bran, and Chi Pin all wholeheartedly take Maria's side but ask why she didn't get their help or run. Bran walks out, emotional, and Chi Pin follows. Amros asks about the sparks between Maria and Bran; Maria doesn't deny it. In the hallway, Bran confesses his own feelings: relief for Maria's safety, anger that she didn't get his help, fury at the Diviner for sending her there, and love for Maria that he doesn't know what to do with. Chi Pin comforts him and he feels a bit better.

As he gets up, Bran suddenly hears the scratching of a quill on paper in his bag. His map, linked to Nūt's map, is being updated to include reports of a new Azural Master, one with control over earth and stone, right in Thor Aru. As if summoned, Roquette appears next to them. Bran tells her she's an Azural Master, but she says she just wants to become a bard so she's apprenticing under Carter Flints and his party, which includes Matariel and Xan'li. He tells her to follow her dreams, but also asks if she could come help the party when they call on her. She says maybe and runs off.

Maria joins the group in the hallway and Chi Pin leaves to give them privacy. They apologize to each other and make up. It's very sweet and cute.

## Continuity

The previous session is WoDaD Session 35. The next session is WoDaD Session 37.