This elf doesn't seem familiar. Perhaps he's a new hire?
"Of course." He turns and leads you into the house. It's as tidy and well-ordered as you remember.
"The libraries are through here." He directs you to a maple-wood door with a carved image of a pair of crossed quills on it.
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Saersha followed the man to the library, her hand around Embyr's back, and watched the woman's face for her reaction on seeing the library. She figured her Pet had never been in one before and, while not the largest one ever, the library belonging to her family was one of the bigger private ones containing several fairly rare tomes. The focus was on magic, particularly enchantment as well as lore on the Runelords.
Embyr looks quite intrigued by the library, her hands twitching for a moment before she shoves them in her pockets.
"So... what are we looking for, Mistress?"
Saersha noticed how Embyr reacted with a slight smile. She knew she could trust her Pet to behave herself and so instead turned her gaze to the elf and said, "We're looking for any information we can find on the Lady's Light. I believe there was some information in one of these books but I can't recall which one."
As she turned and began to look through the books Saersha said, "I don't remember you, one of Mothers more recent interests?"
The elf wrinkles his nose. "I'm her newest assistant. My name is Anduvar."
Embyr starts rifling through the books.
Saersha nodded and said, "Mother always did like to keep her pleasures separate from her employees." She looked at the elf as she reached up to brush one of her locks from her face and said, "Nice to meet you Anduvar." With that Saersha began to look through the books as she tried to find any information that might help them.
Your research into the Lady's Light doesn't seem to uncover anything new at first--you already know the general purpose of the Light and can make reasonable assumptions of the hazards contained within.
But after a while, you start to put together a few new pieces of information that might make entry into the Light easier...
--Runelord Sorshen did not put any means of visible conventional ingress into the structure: considering her choice of magic specialization did not preclude the use of teleportation magics, that may not come as a surprise. However, her less-magically inclined subjects and servants could still come and go from the Lady's Light via a network of caverns and tunnels within the lagoon the Light was constructed in.
--That being said, the subterranean entrance to the Lady's Light is said to be well-guarded by something called 'The Lady's Pillars'--a cadre of magical constructs whose sole purpose is to ward off intrusion by those who would seek entrance to the Light. Only those who bear the symbol of Runelord Sorshen--the rune of lust--may pass them without fear.
While she at first thought the time might have been wasted Saersha hit pay dirt near the end of her search. The knowledge of where to look for an entrance was significant but even more so was the knowledge of the constructs and how to pass them. It shouldn't be too hard to have a way for everyone to bear the Rune of Lust so they could get past the constructs and possibly other, unknown, threats.
Saersha turned to Embyr and said, "Are you ready to go My Pet? I found what I was looking for and we need to go meet the others." She walked over to Embyr as she spoke to see what her maid was doing. She looked to the elf, Anduvar, and said, "I have what I needed. Let my mother know we are heading to the Lady's Light and I hope to see her when we return."
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Some time (over an hour) after disappearing into her room with Ryn, Azura reappears, having switched back to her old (re-stitched) bodice and skirt for the trip. She closes the door quietly behind her (letting Ryn nap? Change? Clean up? Who knows?) and heads to the kitchen for a small snack. Unsurprisingly, Zev tends to lurk around the kitchen...
"Hey Zev!" she says brightly as she fetches a kitchen knife and starts slicing cheese off of a large wheel. She arranges the slices in a half-circle on a platter, deftly making a simple arrangement, and then applies the knife to a fresh hunk of brown bread, cutting it into small pieces.
"Want to join me for a snack?" she asks. "Maybe I'm jittery because of the upcoming trip, but I'm just all kinds of hungry today." She flashes one of her dazzling smiles at Zev as she putters around looking for a piece of fruit to slice up as well.
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”Sure!” Zev immediately adds, his mood brightening at the offering. ”There’s so much delicious food here, but it’s even better when you eat with friends,” he adds, not commenting on her current glow might something to do with being hungry. Though the pre trip jitters might have accelerated that as well he thought.
”I’m excited too, I’ve never been on a ship before. Have you?”
"Only a couple of times, and only small ones," replies Azura as she slices up some pears and adds them to the trencher, then brings the platter over to the table and sets it down near Zev. "Most of my travel before this was overland - I traveled up to the north back when I thought I might join the Mendevian Crusade at the Worldwound, but then realized that it wasn't the right path for me. Then it was an overland trip all the way back! My experience with boats is mostly in the form of river crossing ferries."
She tucks her skirt and takes a seat at the table, casually crosses her legs and snags a slice of pear, which she uses to gesture.
"Also, I hear that food on ships isn't very good, so we might as well enjoy this bounty while we can! Help yourself," she says, then pops the pear slice into her mouth.
Zev takes a wide step to sit down, unconsciously conditioned to avoid sitting on his tail even if he didn’t have it out. Picking up a slice of pear and cheese he listens to Azura and responds before taking a bite. ”Ah, don’t tell me that, now I’m not as excited. Maybe we can fish off the side?”
”The Worldwound sounds like a horrible place, I’m glad you decided to come here instead.”
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Azura chews on the pear slice and listens to Zev, swallows and then replies. "I didn't think to ask about the fishing rules!" says Azura. "I do plan to bring a little fresh food with me, but we'll have to eat it quickly because it won't stay fresh for too long. Then it's back to biscuits and jerky and nuts."
"The Worldwound is indeed a terrible place. There is much suffering there. More than I could handle. I had many, um... experiences there, and while I would say that I learned a lot, it's also something that I'm happy to leave in the past."
"I'm glad to be here with you all too," she beams as she takes a piece of bread and some cheese. "It's a lucky coincidence that we all fell into this adventure together."
"I don't think I've really said it before, but I'm glad to call you a friend, Zev," she continues. "You are definitely a caring and happy person, even in spite of the hardships that you've lived through, and you genuinely add to the joy of people around you."
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Zev thought about teasing her more about the food but with how serious she was taking this upcoming trip he figured the ribbing would be more stressful than amusing. Mmm, ribs...
”I could say the same for Nidal,” Zev responds with a solemn look before staring at what was left of the bit of pear and cheese in his hand. Tossing it into his mouth and chewing his mouth reforms into a smile.
”Thank you Azura,” Zev said, the Aasimar’s word having untold weight to them as the Witchwolf heard them. ”I’m glad to be here, and have friends. Have you and the others as my friends. I’m glad to be a your friend, you’re a wonderful bright spot.”
”I’m glad you and Ryn got together, you two are always so happy around each other, even when Ryn tries not to show it when she’s being.... Ryn.”
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Azura daintily finishes off a bite of black bread and cheese and replies, "Nidal sounds like it was terrible too. Maybe someday we can do something about it? But for now it's just best that you've gotten away from that part of your past. Now you can be with people who love and appreciate you and you can use your talents for good." She leans forward to briefly take Zev's hands in her own, gently squeezing them as she reassures him, but doesn't keep hold too long, as he still needs his hands for eatin'!
Sighing, she says, "Ryn is wonderful, she's such a great protector... thank you for your well-wishes, by the way! - at first I thought maybe it would just be a fling to help her work out some of her own sexuality, but now it feels more... long-term. She's been very good and understanding to me and I just hope that I am not asking too much of her."
Embyr looks up from the book she was reading and nods. "I'm ready to go."
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”I’ve never felt better since I’ve left.” Zev’s eyes drift up in thought for a moment, ”Nidal has been Nidal since the stars fell out of the sky and brought the darkness that still lingers to this day. I don’t see it changing any time soon.”
His thoughts are broken as she takes his hand, so soft and caring he can’t help but smile.
As it switches back to her and Ryn he nods. ”With your Arshean practices?”
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"Oh, yes, that but also... she's just very understanding and very supportive in general," says Azura. "Even if I didn't have certain needs I feel like she would be a wonderful partner."
Leaning back a bit in the chair, Azura says, "I hope we haven't, um, disturbed anyone with our enthusiasm. I'm not really... I dunno, body-conscious? Ashamed? But sometimes other people are, and I try to be respectful of their boundaries."
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Zev nods in agreement before chuckling. ”Ada hasn’t said anything to me about it and I certainly don’t mind, the privacy you two still take is beyond anything we would have have in the Uskwood so this is all new and wonderful to me anyway. Privacy that is, not, um, very happy couples one room over.”
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Azura stifles a giggle. "Well, yes, and fortunately I made sure that the ship we're going to be on has some rooms for us. But while we're camping out in dungeons and ruins and such I would imagine it can be a little... distracting, since it's not like we have partitions set up. Anyway if it's ever a bother don't be embarrassed to let me know and I'll make sure that Ryn and I find somewhere away from the rest of the group to do our little dance."
"I see that you and Ada have gotten a bit closer," she adds. "I'm happy to see that. Ada's been so shy and introverted for a while, I was a little worried for her, but she obviously likes your company and it's good to see you both enjoying time together."
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Zev doesn’t giggle but he does wear a smirk. ”Sure, but a bit of advice from someone who lived in the woods, some evil ass woods, just get sneaky, don’t wander off. People who do that tend to not wander back.”
”You think so?” he asks, ”I do like being around her, and watching her read, and organize books, and playing with Erras-he’s warming up to me-oh, I’m not stealing the covers anymore either!” he goes on, obviously excited but he catches himself before he gets carried away even more. ”I just hope I’m not boring her.”
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"Oh, yes, pairing up to go traipsing off into the unknown would be juuust a little too dangerous," agrees Azura. "But I do require a daily outlet, so I may have no choice but to hide under the blankets and bite a pillow."
Azura leans forward again at Zev's good news. "Oh, she definitely likes your company," says the bard. "She's just quiet and shy. And if you're sharing the covers that's definitely a good sign too!"
"Have you thought about buying a book to share with her? One that the two of you can sit up and read together?"
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”You say that like it’s a bad thing, or worse, something Ryn wouldn’t like,” Zev responds, getting a bit of that smirk back.
At the encouragement he smiles, a bit of concern lessening in his mind. When she brings up buying a book he gets a thoughtful look. ”That sounds like it would be fun, I wouldn’t know what book to get though. There’s also the... Uh... the... I can’t read.”
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"Oh I'm sure Ryn would have fun, I just don't want everyone else to be upset about it," quips Azura. "I mean we know that Saersha would be just as happy to ogle, but I especially didn't want to make Ada or Ulfr or you feel uncomfortable. But if everyone's fine with it? Heck, boobs out and gasping for more. After all, everyone who went to the art party has already seen me naked."
Taken a bit aback by Zev's confession, Azura says, "Well that's a great reason to get a book! One that you can read together so that she can help you with letters. Maybe a faerie tale or another simple, whimsical story. Then you can snuggle together and she can help you read it and you can doze off together."
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"...But if everyone's fine with it? Heck, boobs out and gasping for more. After all, everyone who went to the art party has already seen me naked."
Embyr's ears start to burn. She has no idea why.
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Zev blinks and tilts his head, processing what the Aasimar suggested. ”You think that would be something she’d be interested in? That does sound really fun.”
Scratching his chin he looks back up at Azura. ”For you and Ryn, you could just tel Ulfr it’s an endurance competition, he’d probably go with that.”
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"She likes books and she likes you - combining the two is a good way to spend time," says Azura. "At least, I think so. Plus I think she would be happy to help you learn your letters."
"As for Ulfr, I'm sure he knows full well what we're up to, but some folks just get exasperated about it. I get the impression that he isn't really bothered one way or the other, but who knows? I guess I'll check with him at some point, just to be sure."
"We could always try to keep it to late at night after everyone's asleep, of course," she adds with some thought. "But you have really sensitive hearing and smell, right? So I was mostly worried about disturbing you and Ada. I think Ada is embarrassed about it and I don't want to upset her."
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Zev nods along as he listens to Azura go over each point. ”Sensitive to bad things, not good things. You and Ryn wearing each other out? Not gonna bother me. An extra pair of footsteps after everyone’s supposed to be sleep? That’ll wake me.”
”And yeah, this should be something to talk with Ada about.”
He then blinks, obviously just thinking of something. ”Where we’re going, the wizards were like Saersha. Do you think there’ll be creatures and magic left around specifically for noticing people who had sex or horny or something?” he says sniffing the air.
"Saersha would know better, as she studies the Runelords - and ladies - specifically," says Azura after a moment's reflection. "But I suspect that if this is a demesne of the Runelady of Lust, there will be, um, guardians or magics that reflect her interests. It could be interesting but... you remember how Saersha and I had that conversation about personal boundaries. I like sex but I don't like coercion, which is really going to color the experience."
"Still... probably there will be something or someone that will try to tempt me. It's not hard to tell that I'm horny. Just... um..."
She pauses and then blushes deeply and says, "Oh, goddess, I didn't wash up after, I'm sorry, is the scent bothering you? I'll just go clean up really quick." She rubs her legs together self-consciously and starts to push herself up from the chair (pending Zev's reply).
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Zev goes back to nodding along, thinking things over, ”Yeah, the whole thing has my hair and fur on end.”
”And then there’s-wait, hmm? Oh! I’m sorry!” he says, blushing slightly. ”The smell isn’t bothering me, I just noticed it is all. You don’t have to take a bath because of me... buuuut if you haven’t taken one, and Ryn hasn’t taken one, then you two have the rest of the morning laid out.” he said trying to smooth it over.
Azura slowly sits back down and says, "Ah, sorry about that anyway. I um... yeah, I'll make sure to wash up a bit after we're done with lunch here." Her flush subsides and she says, "See how easy it is for things to get flustery? Anyway, if you're not bothered, I won't worry about it." She picks up another piece of pear and takes a bite demonstratively. After consuming the slice she continues, saying, "Speaking of your fur on end... you can control your shifting, right? But sometimes it gets carried away? Just curious, if it's not too personal."
Smiling Zev goes for another pear as well. As Azura’s curiosity gets ahold of her he arches a brow. ”Sorta? I can only have so much changed, and if I keep it all suppressed to look human it feels... off. Moving around what part of changes isn’t that hard, it just takes some time.”
Holding up the hand not holding the slice of peach the nails start to elongate into claws as loud snaps are heard as the finger lengthen, the skin tears at the knuckles and joints revealing fur underneath that quickly spreads over the hand. After a moment with no more changes he merely flexes his hand and pops the knuckles a few times.
”I can try to force more but it doesn’t do much other than feel like I’m pulling myself apart in opposite directions. At most I just get a little bit more fur before I strain myself. If you were wondering about the moon I don’t lose my mind if I see it. It does make me even more uncomfortable if I don’t have anything changed at all, and feel better than I currently do when I do. But it doesn’t force a change or give me more control. Yet, anyway.”
Azura watches with interests as Zev shows off his flexibility. "So the tail is just... more comfortable? More 'you'?" she says. "Don't worry, I'm not scared!"
Smiling Zev shakes his hand as the feral features recede, accompanied by the sounds of more bones popping as they did. ”You could say that, when I have claws or fangs my head gets filled with what naturally comes with it, the beast trying to win out over the man. With my tail it’s the opposite, there’s no unrest in my mind, it brings a sort of balance to me. Literally, also. It takes some adjusting to walk without it I’ve found.”
Once everyone's business has concluded, the party reunites on the docks and makes their way to the moored Lion's Pride.
The Lion's Pride is a mid-sized, two-masted sailing vessel kept in spotless condition. Its lion's head figurehead glares down at the surrounding ships and its green-gold colours fly proudly in the breeze. Her crew is busy tying off the ship's rigging and making her ready to sail with the tide.
Captain Farrah stands at the ship's helm when the party arrives. "Hail! Ready to get underway?"
Ulfr is packed and ready. His armor is tied to his pack and he carries a spear with curious holes in it, an item you haven't seen him carry in normal circumstances but Ryn or Ada might recognize as a weapon he used occasionally in the Arena.
He is wearing loose, desert oriented robes decorated with Kellid fetishes over his Ork and Shoanti tattoos. As usual, his club rests over his shoulder. The wind catches his hair as he approaches the boarding plank and he pauses. He looks at the scrap of wood, then up to the ship.
Azura's also bringing extra gear this time, predominantly the excavating kind, just in case the Lady's Light proves to be crumbling and in need of a little work to explore. She has returned to wearing her former bodice and skirt along with her armored shirt, the adventuring accessories that provide better protection than some of the stylish dresses that she's purchased recently in the city. She reaches the edge of the ship with Ryn nearby and says, "Permission to come aboard, cap'n?"
Assuming that permission is forthcoming, she clambers onto the ship and stows her baggage once shown to one of the small staterooms.
"Should be an uneventful trip. How does the weather look?"
Captain Farrah nods at Azura. "Attention, ya dogs! Guests on deck!"
"Weather should hold as long as we depart within the hour."
Ulfr watches Azura board. More specifically, he watches the board under Azura as she boards. Seemingly satisfied, he carefully makes his way on deck, keeping a wary eye on the ramp the whole time.
Despite her luggage, Azura has a good sense of balance and easily makes her way across the plank and onto the ship proper. After stowing her baggage she makes her way back up onto the deck to watch as the ship is untied and made ready for sail, doing her best to stay out of the way. She winds up drifting over near Ulfr.
"You done much sailing, Ulfr? It wouldn't surprise me in the least if you said you'd been the drummer for a ship's rowers at some point."
Ulfr is standing near the rail as well. And has it clamped in his hand so tight you suspect the railing would scream if it could. Would it surprise you to hear that I have not? Tales I have. And most of them involve monsters and sinking and storms.
"It would actually! I've never been on an extended boat trip, mostly just river ferries. So this is a little new for me," says Azura. She wobbles slightly from the rocking of the boat and similarly puts her hands on the rail, though without the intense grip. "If every ship journey involved monsters and sinking and storms, I suspect there wouldn't be any ships left. We have harbors full of them! But you only hear the adventuresome stories because those are the ones that are gruesome and entertaining. Just like you never hear stories of the caravans that travel boringly across the countryside going from one part of Varisia to another without any trouble, you only hear about the ones that are attacked by monsters or led astray by faeries or ambushed by competing merchant-houses." Her voice is both amused and comforting, as she wistfully gazes across the bay, thinking about all kinds of travel stories.
Or Shoanti. he finishes grimly. You seem to forget who I am, Azura. More than a few merchants have fallen to the Sun Tribe of the Cinterlands. He touches a totem pinned near his heart. It's a tiny piece of bone bound to a small, brown feather so that it stands up against the bone like a little sail. Those of the desert do not belong on the waters. As much as I would like to believe that I am not bound to any destiny, there are winds in this world that operate without my permission.
"So much is outside of our control," Azura replies. "We prepare as best we can, and then we surrender to fortune."
"Before this is all over we'll probably be in swamps, mountains, maybe even the demi-worlds shaped by the Runelords themselves. This is a chance for us to grow beyond the confines of our former experiences." The bard looks up at the massive half-orc and pushes her golden hair back as it's been kissed by the same winds that are filling the sail. "Did you want to swap stories or something to pass the time?"
Ulfr chuckles. It's tight and uncomfortable, but it's a chuckle. He looks down at her over his shoulder. I'm always up for a story. I think you may have been betting on that.
"Good! I'll start then," she says, gathering her thoughts for a moment.
"Would you like to hear a spooky story, or a funny story, or a sexy story, or... ?"
Keep it light. I can almost see the Spirits watching. I would hate to offend before we've even left harbor. He says with a quick glance around.