| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Hobbes nods to the mini him. "I am a sexy beast, ain't I?"
Zses raises an eyebrow at Mini Allie's antics.
Ok, now I'm really sure I missed something.
With a grunt, the witch gets up from the ground, dusting off his (well Radosek's) robes. "Let me give you an hand, Percy. It'll be faster, and it will keep my mind off things. I hope." Zses adds tentatively, trying to convince himself more than anyone else.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Letting out a sigh of defeat Neverhome will go find Hobbes to ask if he has any Neverhome sized clothes. All the while the blood languidly flows back through his body instead of just his loins.
Why not ask the laughing man
Those clothes suit you much better
Witch's robes, a perfect fit
For a Witch-boy
But it doesn't really matter
Does it
You'll be taking them off soon enough
Once your back to her
There's no use pleading
You know exactly where this is leading
Just as soon as you touch her
Just as soon as you hold her
The moment she says your name
When you're burying yourself to the hilt
It's not like she's waiting
Not like she's crying
She's dying alone
While your lying with another
She gave you her heart
Her most precious gift
And you spat on it
Stomped on it
She'll never... forgive you
You have... No right to live
No right to do this to her
Worthless monster
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
As Lyosha Neverclothed comes up to Hobbes asking for something to cover up with, the halfling considers messing with the kid. But seeing that he's been through enough, he'd be generous just this once. He reached into his pack and pulls out a pair of breeches first. "Just don't poke me in the eye kid." The breeches are rather simple, though rugged. Mostly white and gray that matches most of the outside, though padded for warmth and protection. Then he pulls out a light gray buttoned shirt along with a black vest, a giant skull stitched onto the back with a set of matching gloves. At first the hobbit thinks he's done until the kid looks down to his feet. Hobbes sighs. "Oh right. You people wear shoes." He struggles for a moment with his backpack but he eventually produces a pair of sturdy iron-toed boots, light gray in color. "Happy now?"
While it seems they are studying things beyond his knowledge the felinerai begins to take the gathered loot and make the long trips down to load up the slaygon... and check on Mule his best good friend. He wouldnt put it past evil witches to have tried to do the bad things to Mule, not that Mule wouldnt give him a hoof up the jacksies for it.
Arching an eyebrow Neverhome nontheless resists the urge to quip back at the halfling as he begins producing clothes. And he's glad for doing so, he preferred dull muted colors, grays and blacks... But with an added touch of the morbidity of the skulls for some reason? "Da! Thank you, very much so!" he says with a wide smile as he goes about donning his gifts. Though the presence of the skulls bugged him he thought better than to pry into the reasonings behind a gift, he hardly ever got any.
Hmm, the gloves will help keeping a grip on weapons.
The armored boots will definitely hurt if I kick someone with them.
The clothes are comfortable and practical, not restrictive like Eredhaias'.
The skulls though... Bitterleaf clan totem?
| 4 people marked this as a favorite. |
Hobbes quickly gets an idea and rummages through his pack. He pulls out a small set of pants, colored black with flames shooting the sides, with a blouse that matches, a flower on the right side of the chest, and the letters PS initialed in the middle of the flames on the back. He then pulls out an identical set, except with the initials AS instead on the back. He hands them to the respective twins with a wink to Percy. He even produces a tiny set for Mini-Allie.
He then retrieves a set of furry ugg boots, iron-toed as well to hand to Sigrun. He then produces leather breeches, dyed a dark crimson and a leather bustier that ends in a short leather skirt. On the back is a strap that seems suited to holding a large hammer in place.
For Mamushka, he somehow finds less combat ready garb, though still functional. He finds a long dark blue dress with skull shaped buttons and a leather battle apron with short heels and black arm-length gloves . He also produces possibly the most expensive thing yet, a silver necklace with the holy symbol of Pharasma at the end.
For the elf, he pulled out a dark green vest and cloth breeches along with a belt attached to a scabbard. He resisted the urge to grab pointy shoes and instead pulls some more reasonable brown boots and a long brown cloak. The elf always looked really cold and pale for some reason.
For Whiskers, Hobbes pulls out a long kimono, colored bright red and green. An embroidered double headed dragon facing off against a tiger on seen on the back and it came with a belt with a buckle that read "Honor" in some strange language that only the Kat understood.
For the man-witch, the halfling produces a short robe, not unlike the one Zsestrian was already wearing. Though far less evil, this one was colored a brighter blue and white with a small patch that read. "My name is Zsestrian Raven." For Crow, he gives the bird a small vest that has a strap for scrolls or messages on the back.
This whole task was exhausting so he grabs a canteen of water before finally getting himself something new to wear. Hobbes pulls out a small set of breeches, padded and colored green and black with a leaf pattern. His forest green shirt had the letters SSGOW on the front in bold black letters. He had gloves, an embroidered F on the right glove and an embroidered U on the other. He even gets himself a new quiver with the phrase. "Get busy shooting or get busy dying."
Percy takes her clothes with an appreciative Ooooo, then compares them with Allie's. She squeaks in delight and hugs her new halfling and dances back into the store room to try them on.
They are comfortable and warm with just the right personal touches. Thanks! She says as she admires everyone else's newest fashion statement. This was the best day Ever!
... squeaks in delight and hugs her new halfling
Looking at the outfit Hobbes produces, Sigrun flashes the halfling a smile, and with a shrug changes out of her own old clothes and into the new leather outfit. The dark crimson breeches fit her like a second skin, eliciting a smile, and she obtains Vashti's aid in fastening the back of the bustier.
In the deep red leather, her pale skin seems to have an icy sheen to it, her red tresses even more pronounced, accented by the jet black streak.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Lost in the simple beaming at getting a gift of clothes whatever willpower Neverhome had recuperated was immediately crushed once Sigrun started changing clothes again. At least this time he was wearing pants.
The effect actually seemed to be heightened once she was fully dressed again, the dark leathers contouring to her body, causing his eyes to run up and down and sideways in very specific ways.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Zses stands speechless for a second when the halfling hands him the robe, then he beams a large smile. "I-I don't know what to say...thanks Hobbes!"
the witch manages to say, overjoyed. "There's even a name tag, in case I forgot that too!" he adds overjoyed with a huge grin stamped on his face, quickly entering one of the side rooms to change. Crow follows shortly behind him.
Wow I never would have thought Hobbes was able to do this! he thinks to himself while switching clothes No one ever made clothes for me...
"I think?"
"I think it's time for you to have this" a distinctively male voice said to Zsestrian, handing him a long orange scarf, with green and pink embroideries.
"Oh!" the young man replied, taking the garment and passing an olive-skinned hand over it "It looks just like the one mom had..."
The other voice stays silent for a second, then adds "Of course. In that scarf, there is written the history of your whole family. Your past. Your future. It is how it has always been for us Varisian, and it will always be. Don't lose it."
Zsestrian nods firmly, and tuns to a nearby mirror. The polished surface reflects an olive-skinned young man, with brown eyes and curly, black hair. The reflection then starts to flicker to the image of the same person, now his skin completely drained of color. Apparently running away from something, he turns occasionally back to look with light blue,almost white, eyes, looking at his pursuers and the other side of the reflection.
The olive-skinned man doesn't seem to notice anything unusual, and carefully wraps the scarf around his neck.
"My Kapenia, uh?"
Zses shouts from inside the chamber he's changing in.
A few seconds later, he runs into the central room, sporting his new robe and hugging the first person in range (namely, Lyosha).
"I remember!It's a Kapenia! I'm from Varisia! I'm not an evil Winter Witch! I'M NOT AN EVIL WINTER WITCH!" he keeps shouting euphorically, jumping around the room.
"Obviously." Neverhome flatly says to the man hugging him and loudly denouncing his non-witch status.
The felinerai, why... disheartened at the loss of his armor certainly seems pleased at his new kimono, at least if the little wiggles and wavy tail say anything about it.
After the ecstatic not-witch finally frees him Neverhome gives his shoulders a few rolls, still getting used to the lighter southern style clothing. Seeing Zses move about in his new outfit though gave him an inkling of a thought. Going about and searching the rooms for the tower Witch's discarded robes he keeps unconsciously swinging his arms in an arc, the lack of weight, the freedom of movement, it was all so... Suffocating.
Upon finding the dark ownerless robes he'll cut them up the middle, making an inpromptu jacket which he hastily dons. Giving his arms and shoulders a few more rolls and swings he found the familiar weight and slight restriction comforting.
See
Such a respectable looking Jadwiga you make
You knew all along
A perfect fit
Your mother would be so proud
To see her monster now
The magic users spend some time pouring over the loot. Luckily, they manage to spot the subtly yet deadly nature of the ring just in time.
Percy makes a point of telling everyone, Do not put this here ring on. It is cursed and will do it's best to steal the life right out of you. Stupid witch even trapped her treasure.
Spending more and more time among the more magically inclined Neverhome finds himself at ease looking over Percy's shoulder as she investigates the ring. "Can you be more specific?" he thinks more than says aloud as he watches the ring, a gleam showing off in his dulled eyes.
The elf looks at his new clothes in a fair bit of shock, smiling momentarily, as he sheaths the weapon in its new scabbard, while turning the clothing over. Ered then looks to his small fighting companion. He doesn't say anything for several moments, which makes the silence all the more uncomfortable.
Eventuality even he realizes that something needs to be said, and he manages to choke out a brief Thanks in response before changing clothes and begin to furiously clean his weapon, rather than speak more.
He only looks up from his cleaning when the mention of cursed items comes up.
"Cursed items are bad. They stick to you and don't like to leave. If that one is the type to try and kill you, then it will certainly do so. And I believe right now, you do NOT have a death wish?" the elf still has a cleaning rag in one hand, the weapon in the other as he poses the question.
"Now?" he murmurs without looking around.
Clever fey
He knows you want to live
Just long enough
To touch her
Just long enough
To prove how worthless you really you are
"... Nyet."
Selfish
Worthless
With a shrug he'll finally turn around to face Eredhaias, wearing a dead stare and an empty smile all the while. "Ask me again after I get through cheating on Alma."
At least your man enough to finally stop lying
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"We should destroy it! Unless we can put it on the one who left it here, as our thanks for her....hospitality." Sigrun says with a grin.
A grin that falters upon hearing Lyosha's words.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Turning around he catches Sigrun losing her smile... he liked that smile. "I won't lie. I want to hold you. I want to feel you. I want warmth. I want all those things and what comes with them. I do, so I'm not going to lie and say I don't."
Go on...
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Sigrun's eyes widen at the plainly stated truth in Lyosha's words, her face flushing slightly, the smile slowly returning to her face, this one, a sincere expression of emotion. "Good, because you deserve warmth Lyosha, no one who cares for you would want you to suffer. Loneliness is suffering."
Moving closer, her hand comes up to touch the side of his face, strong, scarred yet possessing what could only be described as a tortured beauty. "When we finish what we set out to do here, we will talk more. We will do more than talk. You need to live. I can remind you how."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Gripping her hand his lips part slightly to say something before stopping, instead he simply closes his eyes and lets his head instinctively nuzzle agaisnt her hand. So warm. The smile he was wearing now wasn't quite so empty.
She looks so pretty when she smiles. So happy.
"I remember!It's a Kapenia! I'm from Varisia! I'm not an evil Winter Witch! I'M NOT AN EVIL WINTER WITCH!" he keeps...
"Yea we're all happy fer you. Now pipe down. Geez, so loud."
Spending more and more time among the more magically inclined Neverhome finds himself at ease looking over Percy's shoulder as she investigates the ring. "Can you be more specific?" he thinks more than says aloud as he watches the ring, a gleam showing off in his dulled eyes.
Out increases the damage taken in combat. It also can't be removed without the most powerful magic. We should sell it to some sucker and be rid of it.
" I mean, sorry Hobbes." the witch replies, still ecstatic. He smiles widely, if a bit perplexed, at Sigrun and Lyosha's display of affection
Aww, they are so cute! When did they get this close, by the way?
Keeping up his hyper mood, Zses starts trying to figure out the circle's magic, humming happily in the meantime.
Unfortunately, he's unable to keep his concentration "Not a witch, not an evil witch..." he keeps humming to himself.
Ered just shakes his head, looking at Neverhome. The elf seems disappointed at the outburst but then returns to his cleaning, humming quietly to himself.
People must not believe you to be all that smart, elf.
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
Happily content he simply stands there idle while she caresses his face.
She's so warm
Alma was warm
So soft
Alma was soft
So nice
Alma was nice to you
She's smiling
Alma smiled for you
She's holding me
Alma held you
She likes me
Alma loved you
She cares a-
No she doesn't
...
She doesn't care anything about you
She's just tired of having something so useless around her
You're confusing what you feel
For what's real
Every single person here has a purpose
Has a reason to exist
Except you
Do you think they like carrying you
Having to protect you
The fox and the cat slaughter with steel
The fey, their spells
The halfman, his crossbow
The raven, his laugh inspires
Mother keeps everyone alive when things get dire
Even someone as worthless as you
As useless as you
But what about you
You can't fight, can barely even survive
You know no spells, no inspirations,
You can't even die properly
Because the only thing you are
Is WORTHLESS
MISERABLE LITTLE WORM
WHY DO YOU GET TO LIVE WHILE OTHERS SUFFER
CAN'T YOU SEE BEHIND THAT SMILE
SHE HATES YOU
SHE'S DIGUSTED BY YOU
SHE DOESN'T WANT SOMETHING LIKE YOU TOUCHING HER
JUST DIE
SAVE HER AND EVERYONE ELSE THE MISERY
THE CONSTANT ANNOYANCE THAT IS YOUR EXISTENCE
AND DIE
WORTHLESS WRETCH
JUST DIE
AND BE FORGOTTEN
NO ONE WANTS YOU
NO ONE CARES ABOUT YOU
NOT EVEN YOU
SO JUST DIE
PLEASE DIE
WHY WON'T YOU DIE
Content, he simply stands there idle while Sigrun caresses his face.
... Because I'm selfish.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Though his eyes were closed and his face peaceful, Sigrun could sense more of whatever inner struggle Lyosha seemed to perpetually be locked into. Going up onto tiptoe she gently brushes her lips against his cheek and whispers in his ear.
"You are a far better man than you believe." she says before stepping back and slowly turning her attention to those studying the globe.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
One simple touch of softest flesh was all it took. The raging coils in the pit at the very back of his mind grew silent and still as a tremor ran up his body. "If that is what you believe, then I believe you."
As she stepped away he gave her a grateful smile. A genuine smile as the serpent mulled and stewed far from his thoughts for the time being.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Hobbes just sits back and enjoys watching the party enjoy their gifts. "Big Red and the kid are awful close. Of course it's that easy for the stoopid kid. Ya know, I'll just be happy fer him. And besides, Beautiful is happy right now. All that matters."
"I..I think I got it." Zses says, scratching his head.
Whew, that took more time than expected. Still thinking about not being an evil witch!
"Not a witch, not a witch... A-hem." he starts humming again, before cleaning his throat. "So, there are two ways to shut this thing. The first is to use a conjuration spell to destabilize the orb and force it to shut down. The other is to simply mess with some key parts the summoning circle. The first is probably dangerous, and I don't know if anyone of us is capable of doing that. Sorry if I have to go back on my word, but no exploding tower, we'll have to do it the boring way.I mean" Zses chuckles, pointing at the hole the chaos ritual made "we kinda managed to blow off the tower, so we tried at least!" he adds before crouching on the floor and start deactivating the portal.
Percy assists with the disassembly mainly because she's still on her magic high and secondarily because this circle looked like it took a lot of time and effort to create. They needed to mess it up in the best way possible!
The dis-assembly proceeds smoothly. Interestingly enough, once concluded, nothing appears to have changed. No explosions, colored lights, or sparkles. After several seconds, the map icon corresponding to the Portal in the Border Wood vanishes. Mission Accomplished!
Unfortunately, the number of portal icons has increased while you were working. While the immediate danger to Varisia has passed, Golarion is gradually becoming colder. Even worse, the Pale Tower was only keyed to the one specific portal. If you want to close the others, you'll have to go elsewhere. As if this isn't bad enough, the absence of the Winter Portal means you have a very long journey back to the village of Heldren.
He poked the box with his now drawn katana for a moment. Listening silently for any response. Carefully and slowly he went to undressing the box of its paper and bow, carefully expecting shennanigans.
Staring at the glowing orb Neverhome begins scratching the side of his head. "Is bad that I was expecting... Boom?"
Percy looks back at Lyosha and mutters, No...
"... So what now?"
Load the slaygon, I guess... Next stop, that city where the witch went. We still have revenge to exact. Percy grabs some loot and motions to her sister. C'mon, sis. Witches need killin'.
"It will take us days to get that far. We should take the opportunity to rest here, go through the palace and see if there is anything else we can use against the witch before we hunt her down." Sigrun says thoughtfully.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Was there any place in here we haven't explored?" he turns to ask Sigrun while still shooting furtive looks at the orb.
"There are the individual side rooms, I don't think we checked them all on the way up."
With a nod Neverhome will begin heading to the ice teleporter.