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"There's also a good chance that if your arrow pierced that thing, whatever it is, you might break it." notes the tengu. He looks Selena up and down appraisingly, as if trying to gauge her motives. Then he shrugs and looks about the chamber.
Fin sighs. ”Didn’t think of that…I was thinking that since the keys were mixed in the kettle, they’d be fine…but perhaps you’re right…”
"Of course, it would be quite helpful if Jadrenka herself were to come out of hiding and tell us what we're dealing with. I'm quite sure she's watching or listening, somehow." he says, in a rather loud voice.
The Elf snorts. ”You’re talkin’ ‘bout the woman whose twice left us to fight something to prove our worth or because we were late…from our experiences thus far, I imagine she’ll show, just not till after we retrieve the key from the pit…”
"Is there any more magic y'all can cast on him? I don't trust this tricky witch pit."
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"Is there any more magic y'all can cast on him? I don't trust this tricky witch pit."
Trying to look more confident than he feels, Fin gives a quick wink at Maka. "I think they've done all they can for me, Maka...Erastil willing, I'll be back in a flash with the key..."
Having had the resistance and age resistance spells cast on him, mustering up enough courage to overcome the trepidation he feels for the pit, he takes a deep dive down into the pit to travel quickly, aiming for the dark blue thing in the area cleared of bones, stopping on a dime as he gets to the bottom...
...he'll pick up the dark blue object and then immediately fly back up as quickly as he can...
Findurel can feel the air in the Pit sapping his vitality, though the magic cast on him seems to provide some level of protection.
With the magical protections on him, Fin emerges unharmed from the Eon Pit. Now that he has it in hand, he can see that the item he claimed from the bit is a blue dragon's scale.
No sooner does he land than Jadrenka, in her crone form, is suddenly there in the middle of the room.
"Well, I suppose you lot aren't completely useless," she states. "You'll need this, too."
She pulls a rough nugget of gold out of the air and tosses it on the ground in front of Selena.
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Sakitu is about to jump in and give Fin magical resistance when Selena beats her to it. She glares at the back of Selena's head for a moment or two before she folds her arms across her chest then steps to the other side of the pit to see what happens.
"Fin. That was so good. I can't believe how fast you can fly. And, well, uh. Was there any bad magic there? Are you ok?"
Before Fin can answer Jadrenka appears before them and Sakitu slinks back. The gold nugget must be another part of the key but Sakitu isn't going to touch it. She reaches forth with her magical sense to see if there the nugget is imbued with any magic.
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Fin flies out of the pit with both worry and relief etched in his face. ”That was weird,” he says as he pats his various body parts to make sure they’re all still there. When satisfied, he looks to his friends. ”Do I look OK?” he asks before adding absentmindedly, ”Oh, I think I got the key…looks like a blue dragon’s scale.” He shows it to the others…
He then bows to Selena. ”And thank you, Selena…while I don’t know much about arcane magic, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have survived without the spells you cast upon me…I am in your debt…”
"Fin. That was so good. I can't believe how fast you can fly. And, well, uh. Was there any bad magic there? Are you ok?"
Fin shrugs sheepishly. ”Thanks, Saki…you’d be surprised how fast you can fly when you scared sh…umm…witless…
“It was like the air in the Pit was alive…and not in a good way…felt like it was trying to suck the life outta me…don’t want to go back in it again, that’s for sure…
“As for being OK, other than a bit of adrenalin rush, I feel the same…but you tell me…how do I look?”
No sooner does he land than Jadrenka, in her crone form, is suddenly there in the middle of the room.
"Well, I suppose you lot aren't completely useless," she states. "You'll need this, too."
She pulls a rough nugget of gold out of the air and tosses it on the ground in front of Selena.
Seeing Jadrenka appear, Fin bows yet again. ”Thank you, m’Lady…we’re glad to be of service and thank you for the remaining key. That being said…can you also tell us the quickest way outta here so we can get back to the hut and continue our search for Baba Yaga?”
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He then bows to Selena. ”And thank you, Selena…while I don’t know much about arcane magic, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have survived without the spells you cast upon me…I am in your debt…”
Selena shrugs. "The scroll did most of the work. I only read it." she says indifferently. She still seems a trifle annoyed that she didn't make the trip into the Pit.
She pulls a rough nugget of gold out of the air and tosses it on the ground in front of Selena.
Selena bends down and picks up the gold nugget. She looks it over briefly, then slips it into a pouch on her belt. Her inclines her head respectfully to the old crone.
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Selena shrugs. "The scroll did most of the work. I only read it." she says indifferently. She still seems a trifle annoyed that she didn't make the trip into the Pit.
Fin eyes Selena for a moment before turning and whispering to Quasit. ”Did you send me into the Eon Pit because I was the best choice? Or because you knew it would annoy the hell out of Selena? Either way, next time, feel free to send her…the Eon Pit was downright spooky… might’ve shaved a year or two off of my life…”
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”Did you send me into the Eon Pit because I was the best choice? Or because you knew it would annoy the hell out of Selena? Either way, next time, feel free to send her…the Eon Pit was downright spooky… might’ve shaved a year or two off of my life…”
"Fin, there's no need for me to risk your life just to annoy Selena. I do that just fine simply by existing, apparently." answers Quasit with a weary glance at the littlest witch. "It was simply a matter of speed. With that spell, you could get in and out fastest. If we let Selena go, she'd still be trudging down those steps most likely."
"Thanks for doing it Fin. You were a real hero today. I don't know what we'd do without you." she adds, patting Findurel's arm and smiling up at him.
Tezuzu folds his hands behind his back as he addresses the old witch.
"Jadrenka, do you know where these keys are likely to take us, once we get back to the Hut?"
"Baba Yaga explains herself to no one," Jadrenka responds. "As for leaving, the moon is near enough full that the exit is in the Mother. So go on. Get!"
Both the dragon scale and the gold nugget radiate magic, but resist any attempts to determine more about their properties.
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"I seem to recall a half mile climb once we come outside the doors." says Tezuzu. "My magic is practically exhausted for the day. I'd recommend that we find a good place to rest here, perhaps back in Marislova's room, then tomorrow I should be able to cast enough flight spells to get us all safely down into the ravine again."
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"Fin, there's no need for me to risk your life just to annoy Selena. I do that just fine simply by existing, apparently." answers Quasit with a weary glance at the littlest witch. "It was simply a matter of speed. With that spell, you could get in and out fastest. If we let Selena go, she'd still be trudging down those steps most likely."
Fin nods. ”Sorry, Q…I know you’re smarter than that…I was speaking tongue-in-cheek…but I’m still pumped with adrenaline and, to be honest, a little fear, so I’m afraid it didn’t come out quite that way. I just can’t figure Selena out…even when I compliment her, she gets pissed…”
"Thanks for doing it Fin. You were a real hero today. I don't know what we'd do without you." she adds, patting Findurel's arm and smiling up at him.
The Elf blushes, his face turning a deep red. ”Sorry, I wasn’t trying to fish for a compliment, Q…and I’m no hero…just trying to keep my friends, and myself, alive, just like everyone else…”
"Baba Yaga explains herself to no one," Jadrenka responds. "As for leaving, the moon is near enough full that the exit is in the Mother. So go on. Get!"
His attention drawn back to Jadrenka, he bows to her for what he guesses will be the last time. ”As you wish m’Lady…thank you again. Fare thee well…”
Turning back to his friends, he nods in agreement with Tez. ” I agree, my friend. So are we ready to head back to the Mother now?”
When his friends are ready, Fin will draw his bow and lead the way back to Marislova’s room, in his usual style…
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Maka gave Fin a back breaking hug as he fly out of the pit, spinning around several times before planting a kiss.
he asks before adding absentmindedly, ”Oh, I think I got the key…looks like a blue dragon’s scale.” He shows it to the others…
"Don't worry, the witches didn't do anything to your pretty face. Guess whatever they didn't think about jumping in and flying out real fast!"
"My magic is practically exhausted for the day. I'd recommend that we find a good place to rest here, perhaps back in Marislova's room, then tomorrow I should be able to cast enough flight spells to get us all safely down into the ravine again."
"That sounds good, I'm starving!" As if on cue, Maka's belly loudly rumbled. "How long have we been in here anyway?"
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Tezuzu turns to Findurel. "So, felt like the life was being sucked out of you, eh? Not entirely surprising I suppose. Let's have a look at you."
He examines Findurel's eyes, makes him stick out his tongue, pokes numerous tender spots with his claw, listens to his heartbeat by pressing his head against the elf's chest, and periodically blowing various colored powders all over Fin.
Fortunately, Fin resisted the effects, so he did not become supernaturally aged nor go insane from instant senility.
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Tezuzu finishes his appraisal. "Well, I can detect nothing amiss, so whatever curse was swirling about in that pit, it appears you fought it off, or at least escaped its clutches before it could really latch onto you. I pronounce you 'right as rain'."
He holds out a claw. "That will be 1000 gold for the house call."
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Maka gave Fin a back breaking hug as he fly out of the pit, spinning around several times before planting a kiss. "Don't worry, the witches didn't do anything to your pretty face…”
Fin laughs heartily, relief overcoming him like a flood, as he returns the hug and kiss all while trying not to get dizzy from her spinning. ”Thank you, Mistress of Fire, glad to be back…for some strange reason, felt like I was gone much longer than just a few seconds…and I didn’t think my face was all that pretty before going in, so perhaps the Pit improved it…”
"That sounds good, I'm starving!" As if on cue, Maka's belly loudly rumbled. "How long have we been in here anyway?"
Frowning, Fin says, ”Good question, I’ve lost track of time being in here…but yes, a decent meal would go a long way…and I wonder if Marislova has a bath?”
Tezuzu finishes his appraisal. "Well, I can detect nothing amiss, so whatever curse was swirling about in that pit, it appears you fought it off, or at least escaped its clutches before it could really latch onto you. I pronounce you 'right as rain'."
He holds out a claw. "That will be 1000 gold for the house call."
Fin gives a wry smirk as he quips, ”Put it on my tab,” before looking over at the others saying, ”…and you say Tez has no sense of humor…”
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Quasit takes the bag of holding and loads in all the gold and gems from the chest. The only exception is a pretty little ring crusted all around with tiny rubies that she slips on one of her fingers, just to treat herself. She also loads in all the magical goodies from the centaur priest as well as his masterwork armor. She hums like a child the entire time.
Then she comes up and throws an arm around Sakitu's neck.
"And we even found a book to break the spell on Ratibor. I think we did pretty well, all things considered. You know, I wouldn't bet against us actually succeeding on this crazy mission after all."
She holds her other hand out so Sakitu can see the ring. "Pretty, huh?" she says happily. "Feathers just proposed to me. How could I resist?"
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Sakitu smiles at Quasit as her friend's arm settles on her shoulders. She responds by putting her own arm around Quasit's waist and she squeezes.
"And we even found a book to break the spell on Ratibor. I think we did pretty well, all things considered. You know, I wouldn't bet against us actually succeeding on this crazy mission after all."
"Really? You think that book we found will help that old man? That should make him happy." Sakitu pauses as she searches for words. "You are right. We might succeed at this. I mean, we're saving the world, right? And we might do it. When I left my home those months ago, I would have never guessed that this is how it would turn out. I just wanted something less boring. I mean, my parents are nice and all, but it was just so, you know, dull. And maybe if we are heros when this is all done, my parents won't be so mad."
She holds her other hand out so Sakitu can see the ring. "Pretty, huh?" she says happily. "Feathers just proposed to me. How could I resist?"
Sakitu's yelps and let's go of Quasit. She jumps up a couple times clapping and yipping not a little like a fox. "Wow Quasit. That's amazing. I mean, I didn't know that you and Tez were like that close. But wait... how do you kiss? I mean, I know I'm not an expert but that beak? Well, I guess it doesn't matter. I'm so excited for you."
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Sakitu's yelps and let's go of Quasit. She jumps up a couple times clapping and yipping not a little like a fox. "Wow Quasit. That's amazing. I mean, I didn't know that you and Tez were like that close. But wait... how do you kiss? I mean, I know I'm not an expert but that beak? Well, I guess it doesn't matter. I'm so excited for you."
Overhearing their exchange, Fin smiles fondly at Sakitu, having the manners to stifle a chuckle at her naïveté. ”Hlao-roo,I hope you never change…”
Looking at the ring on Quasit’s finger, he nods in admiration, murmuring, ”Nice bling, Q…it fits you and you wear it well,” before bowing deeply and continuing, ”…and congratulations on your upcoming nuptials, m’Lady…or dare I say…Mrs. Feathers?”
Nothing bothers you on the way back. You actually bump into Marislova in the hall outside her room. She raises her eyebrows a little when she sees you.
"Good news or bad news?" she asks.
And, if so…do you have a bath?”
"Or food? I'm starving."
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Upon reaching Marislova's room, Quasit disappears behind a curtain and attends to a personal matter for a few minutes before reemerging and flopping down heavily into a big comfy chair and heaving a relaxed sigh.
"In Absolam, there's this little tavern in the Ivy district that makes the best food. Kinda pricey, but worth it. 'The Bloated Goat'. They made this pork goulash that was absolutely amazing. And they had the best bread, so sweet it was almost like cake. And always fresh butter that they kept chilled. Me and Nevar used to go there once a week and stuff our faces, then get a room nearby and hump like minks. Ohhhh, what I wouldn't give for some of that goulash now."
She kicks off her boots, flexes her toes and rubs her heels.
"How about you Marislova? Are you ok?"
Responding to Marislova in a serious tone, "I'm wondering if I should Be worried that a bunch of southerners passed all the tests and still beat the invaders. Did she underestimate the power of a Jadeuga, or was it supposed to be easy enough for any half decent individuals?" then glancing at Quasit, "Or less in this case." She waits for Quasit's expression before grinning in her jest.
Marislova makes a face. "I don't have my own bath. There's this kind of... communal one, but, well, with some of the types of guardians here, I usually just..."
She casts prestidigitation and cleans herself off. "Though every now and again I'll use it. After I give it a thorough cleaning."
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"...Me and Nevar used to go there once a week and stuff our faces, then get a room nearby and hump like minks. Ohhhh, what I wouldn't give for some of that goulash now."
Fin grins as he arches an eyebrow. "Did that goulash have any oysters in it, by chance?"
Responding to Marislova in a serious tone, "I'm wondering if I should Be worried that a bunch of southerners passed all the tests and still beat the invaders. Did she underestimate the power of a Jadeuga, or was it supposed to be easy enough for any half decent individuals?"
"Just look at it this way, Selena...we may have just spared you yet another reincarnation..."
Marislova makes a face. "I don't have my own bath. There's this kind of... communal one, but, well, with some of the types of guardians here, I usually just..."
She casts prestidigitation and cleans herself off. "Though every now and again I'll use it. After I give it a thorough cleaning."
Fin nods at Marislova. "Communal baths are fine by me; is it behind one of these curtains here or is it in another room? I'm sure Maka here could scour the bath clean with her fire, before and after. If we have time, I'd like to clean up a bit...how long are we looking to rest here, Q?"
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Fin grins as he arches an eyebrow. "Did that goulash have any oysters in it, by chance?"
Quasit lolls her head back to look at the elf. "Honey, we didn't need oysters." she leers.
"If we have time, I'd like to clean up a bit...how long are we looking to rest here, Q?"
"Frankly I want to get out of here pretty quickly. No offense Marislova, but I don't really trust all the witches and hags and nymphs running around in here. So I'm thinking a nice 8 hour rest, time for some food and sleep and a quick bath and some spell meditation whatevers, then we fly down out of here.
"Then we make a good hike back down the canyon for the rest of the day. I'd like to make for the centaur town again. There if we want to take a longer rest we can, but no more than a couple days in my opinion.
"We've bought ourselves some time by stopping the Tchotchke centaurs, and it'll take a while for their masters to figure out that they've failed, and a little more time to get some new squad on our tail. But as long as that Hut is sitting out there, the Queen certainly knows we're in Iobara. We still have a target on our backs. Our best defense is to keep moving."
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Quasit lolls her head back to look at the elf. "Honey, we didn't need oysters." she leers.
Fin's face turns the deepest shade of red, almost purple in fact, even though he manages a wry smile in return as he shakes his head. "Touché! I had mentioned earlier that I should not bandy words with you, Q...and, again, I did any way...and, again, you have showed me why...
"Marislova, if you'd kindly point me to the baths, I'll happily 'retreat' there now..."
"It's over in the Maiden. A, um, little secret spot."
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"Hey, don't go alone." Quasit says to Fin before he leaves. "Nobody should wander off alone in here, even now. Besides, you'll need someone to wash your back."
Fin nods, ”Aye Q, you’re right…no need to tempt fate when we’re this close to being outta here…anyone else feel like a bath?”
"It's over in the Maiden. A, um, little secret spot."
Fin frowns. ”You mean the pool in the ritual room? We’ve been there…or do you mean a secret spot we missed? Is it far away? I was hoping it would be closer, here in the Mother. Not sure if we should split our party into two different dungeons…perhaps, it’d be best if I wait till we get back to either the centaur town or the Hut…I’ll just go back behind one of your curtains, wet a cloth, and wash off that way for now…”