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Not speaking the language of these beings, Quasit contents herself with smiling and nodding at everyone on the landing, then wonders whether baring one's teeth is considered friendly on other planets.
'Feathers, you gotta teach me some of their babble." she mugs out of the side of her mouth, maintaining her smile.
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"Never fear, I shall inform them that you are not speaking because of an unfortunate congenital mental defect, which should satisfy them." Tezuzu answers cheerfully as he pats her head. He then steps forward and speaks in Draconic.
"Well, all things considered I think that went remarkably well, but we have all sustained injuries. Does Spurhorn have facilities for treating its wounded, or shall I continue to call upon the spirits to aid us? And once everyone has their wounds seen to, perhaps we could meet with someone here and formalize our ... partnership? I'm sure there are many questions to be addressed on both sides."
He pulls out a little lacquered wooden box from his pack. "I shall be happy to draw up the contract." He actually seems quite eager to do just that.
Maka introduced and translated for her party members.
"No one looses arrows line Fin, there is no one I'd rather have guarding me than my Bull, Saki is basically the prettiest and most powerful girl there is, Tez always has a way to help but he gives you homework so be careful, also Selena is kind of mean so also be careful around her. And Quasit is our leader and just plain amazing! If she wasn't so good at plans and words we would have never gotten this far." Maka's excitement was clear even to those who didn't speak draconic.
"You'll likely have to repeat all of this to our leaders," Beyscalie says, pointing towards the keep in the center of the fortress. "Come on, they'll probably have to call a meeting. You should have some time to rest."
Beyscalie and Efrixes lead you towards the central keep. The rider speaks with a guard for a bit in her native language while the dragonkin waits patiently.
"Okay, they'll call for you during next morning's war council," Beyscalie explains once the conversation finishes. "I'll show you to the barracks for now."
The pair lead you inside and down some stairs, then through a number of passageways. It quickly becomes clear that much of Spurhorn is carved into the mountain itself--the structures above are only a small portion of the fortress. The barracks they lead you to are simply appointed, but there are at least warm beds enough for all of you.
Syvet pops out from where Selena had been carrying her. "Not up to my usual standards, but anything is better than Stumpy at this point," the now-ferret declares, promptly curling up in the middle of a bed and closing her eyes.
"Is there anywhere we could take a bath? Also is there any food? Also where are the training grounds! I have so many questions for your battlemaster!" Maka translated Fin's request and added a few of her own.
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”Maka, before she leaves, can you ask her where we can wash off? Erastil’s antlers, I long for a hot bath!”
Tezuzu pipes up in draconic to help explain things.
"Yes, our friend Findurel here comes from a ancient and noble race known as 'Aquatic Elves'. If they are not regularly able to immerse themselves in water, they grow weak and sickly and despondent. They will lie about listlessly sighing, pining for their native fjords. It's quite heartbreaking, I assure you."
You find that the amenities in Spurhorn are fairly... austere. There are two communal baths, and you're welcome to share them with whichever soldiers and servants are in them at present. Training is generally done in the courtyard area. The fortress's servants are presently working on the evening meal, which will be served in the mess hall in about an hour--as guests, you get your meal as part of the first shift.
Whereever you wander in the fortress you are accompanied by at least one 'helpful' guide... who is likely there to make sure you're not spies as much as to guide you.
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Fin breaks into a grateful, and very wide, smile upon hearing of the baths. Turning to his friends, he says, ”Awesome! Dunno about the rest of you, but Izzy and I are heading there now for a nice, long soak. I know some of you aren’t comfortable with communal baths but you’re welcome to join me all the same…”
Looking to the ‘guide’ assigned to them, he grins and nods to Maka. ”Don’t translate this but our guide here is fixing to make history…the first of their kind to see a naked Elf from Golarion,” he says before continuing with a smirk in a self-deprecating tone, ”I hope the moment doesn’t overwhelm them…”
Fin opens up the backpack to free Izzy and the croc takes a long stretch and looks up at the Elf expectantly. Smiling, Fin pulls out a bit of dried fish which he drops into the waiting maw of the croc…
”Come on, Izz, time for a soak!”
With that, Fin heads to the nearest communal bath. Upon arrival, if there are any native folk there, he’ll nod and give a warm smile, then look for an area a bit further away as not to make the natives restless. He disrobes, folding his clothes neatly, and then enters the bath, completely submerging, then just bringing his head up out of the water, letting out a long and contented sigh…
Even as he relaxes, he’ll keep an eye out for anything that might be deemed strange, and make sure that Izzy doesn’t disturb any of their new friends…
I hope the moment doesn’t overwhelm them…”
"Not to mention the rest of us! Do you think they have other races here? All I've seen are the triaxians, but maybe they are like humans back home?"
"I'll go. I kinda wanna see naked aliens. Plus I'm feeling a little grungy, to be honest. Saki? Maka?"”
"Yeah I can't wait to see what they have under their armor! I mean they look like they have breasts, but what else do they have and don't have?
Maka was not nearly as polite as Finn, very obviously studying the naken form of the Triaxians in the bath. "Oh, they kind of look like furry elves! I was expecting more scales."
Quickly throwing her clothes in a pile on the floor, Maka immediately waded up to one of the bath's inhabitants. "Hi, I'm Maka, my friends and I are from another planet but don't worry we are friendly and here to help. Do you know Bescaylie and Efrixes? We already made friends with them. Want to touch me? Can I touch you?" Maka ended her barrage of draconic with a full body flex, causing her wet, gleaming muscles to ripple.
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Maka was not nearly as polite as Finn, very obviously studying the naken form of the Triaxians in the bath. "Oh, they kind of look like furry elves! I was expecting more scales."
Fin scrunches his eyes at Maka’s observation, murmuring to himself. ”Is that what I’d look like with fur? Hmmm…”
Quickly throwing her clothes in a pile on the floor, Maka immediately waded up to one of the bath's inhabitants. "Hi, I'm Maka, my friends and I are from another planet but don't worry we are friendly and here to help. Do you know Bescaylie and Efrixes? We already made friends with them. Want to touch me? Can I touch you?" Maka ended her barrage of draconic with a full body flex, causing her wet, gleaming muscles to ripple.
Fin chortles at Maka’s unabashed exuberance, only imagining what she must be saying to the Triaxians…
"I'll go. I kinda wanna see naked aliens. Plus I'm feeling a little grungy, to be honest…"
Fin arches an eyebrow seeing Quasit interested in a communal bath. ”A bit surprised, but happy to see you’re joining us, Q! C’mon in, the water’s hot and feels fantastic…and don’t be shy ‘bout the Triaxians, with Maka occupying them, I doubt they’ll pay attention to anyone else till after you’re in the water…”
He waits a second and then deadpans. ”And I was wrong in my earlier statement, Q. It appears they were not overwhelmed at all…”
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Sakitu's eyes go wide at Quasit's invitation. "A communal bath? You mean where everyone is in it together? Naked?" She shakes her head vigorously and blushes at the thought. He blush grows even redder when she considers that Fin would be there and he'd see her naked. "No. Sorry, I can't."
Sakitu's eyes go wide at Quasit's invitation. "A communal bath? You mean where everyone is in it together? Naked?" She shakes her head vigorously and blushes at the thought. He blush grows even redder when she considers that Fin would be there and he'd see her naked. "No. Sorry, I can't."
"Don't worry Saki, I have some fresh bandages you can wear." Maka said as she threw a comforting arm around Saki. [b]"
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"A communal bath? You mean where everyone is in it together? Naked? No. Sorry, I can't."
"Ok, that's fine, no big deal." says Quasit gently, taking Sakitu's hands in her own and talking to her in a comforting voice. "Normally I'd agree with you. But I suppose being on another planet has left me feeling sorta... I dunno, liberated. Tell ya what, we'll go back again later tonight, after everyone else is asleep. Get some rest. I'll see ya at dinner. Hopefully alien stew isn't horrifying."
"Yeah I can't wait to see what they have under their armor! I mean they look like they have breasts, but what else do they have and don't have?"
Quasit bursts out laughing at Maka's incorrigible brashness. "Maka, leave it to you to go straight to the heart of the matter! Just remember, you can look at all the alien ding-a-lings and hoo-hahs that you want, but no touching! We don't want to start a riot over outraged breaches of alien social morals. The Heavens only know what these people consider acceptable, and what they consider a capital offense."
Quasit then grabs her pack and joins the others at the bathing pools. On arriving, she confirms that the liquid is water, and not knowing how scalding or freezing a Triaxian likes their bath, she dips a few tentative fingers into the water to test it. Finding all this normal, she pulls off her boots and armor and wintersuit and then wades into the water otherwise fully clothed. She sits and submerges up to her chin, then begins to pull off her breeches and her shirt, leaving her in her linen undershirt and undershorts. A small sinuous ribbon of bright blood leaks from a not yet closed wound in her left arm.
With her right arm, she reaches up to her pack, rummages about blindly inside, then eventually yanks out a hunk of the fancy soap she bought at the centaur camp along with a brush she lifted from the Hut. She then begins scrubbing both herself and her clothes, rubbing away the stains of the road. But as the minutes pass she finds herself spending less time scrubbing and more just soaking drowsily.
She slides down to dunk her head below the surface, sways her head and hair about slowly from side to side, feeling the water on her face, hearing the muffled vibrato of Maka pestering the nearby Triaxians back above the surface, and lets her mind drift back to the public baths in Absalom with their dark somnolent grottoes... their spooky, lovely, all-too-lifelike statuary... the warm spicy stink of the incense and the bodies and the steam all making a dreary delightful soup to breath in... the strong heavy pressure of the masseur's hands pushing along the contours of her muscles like so much dough on a slab... kissing Nevar underwater...
She comes back to the surface and smooths back her short hair. Then half-swims about the pool to sit closer to Findurel.
"I wonder why aliens coming here is not so unusual to these people. So far we've excited about as much interest as a band of peddlers coming to town on market day. I mean, I know they're pretty focused on their siege and all, but you'd think more of these people would be gawking at us and our conspicuous lack of fur. Especially after we ass-kicked our way through enemy lines in full view of everyone. Maybe Triaxians are just nonchalant about everything?"
"Maybe we should forget Baba Yaga, keep the Hut, and I can just set up my shipping business and run trade between Golarian and Triaxus. They must have something of value around here. They didn't seem to go for chocolate, but maybe they'd like spices or booze or something."
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Quasit bursts out laughing at Maka's incorrigible brashness. "Maka, leave it to you to go straight to the heart of the matter! Just remember, you can look at all the alien ding-a-lings and hoo-hahs that you want, but no touching…”
Fin snorts, unable to suppress a laugh. ”Good luck with that, Q…remember her curiosity at the Centaur Camp? Seems like ages ago…I was a little drunk at the time but I recall something about her experimenting with the lanet hai on a Centaur…but knowing her friendly nature, I don’t think they’ll take offense…”
Noticing the blood, Fin’s smile is replaced by a look of concern. ”Q, we might want to see if they have healers here…or I can tap you with the wand…”
”I wonder why aliens coming here is not so unusual to these people. So far we've excited about as much interest as a band of peddlers coming to town on market day. I mean, I know they're pretty focused on their siege and all, but you'd think more of these people would be gawking at us and our conspicuous lack of fur. Especially after we ass-kicked our way through enemy lines in full view of everyone. Maybe Triaxians are just nonchalant about everything?"
Fin nods his head. ”Aye, same thing crossed my mind…perhaps they’re just being cautious…or perhaps more folk from Golarion have made this journey than we know of and we’re nothing that they haven’t already seen. Or, as you said, maybe nonchalance is ingrained in their character. Beyscalie seemed interested in us though; mayhap we’ll find out more when we meet with their leaders in the morning…
“I suspect they want us as allies in their war. Might give us a chance to acquire not only the key here but the one in their enemy’s fortress as well…”
”Maybe we should forget Baba Yaga, keep the Hut, and I can just set up my shipping business and run trade between Golarian and Triaxus. They must have something of value around here. They didn't seem to go for chocolate, but maybe they'd like spices or booze or something."
Fin smiles. ”Aye that’s a good thought…I enjoyed my small trading ‘business’ when I rafted throughout the River Kingdoms for several years…life was simpler then. And I think you’re right, there’s bound to be something on Golarion the Triaxians would pay top gold for…
“Only one thing stopping that…we have no control over where the hut goes as all the damn keys just lead us to the next stage in finding Baba Yaga…that and I’m not sure what Elvanna’s eternal winter would do to Golarion, and perhaps beyond. Still, it’s a good idea though and I’ve certainly got nothing to do when this adventure is over, if I survive, that is. Perhaps Baba Yaga would lend us her hut for the venture in exchange for finding and freeing her…”
He lets out a long sigh as he scratches lightly between Izzy’s eyes. ”I never thought we’d make it this far, Q…especially considering the deaths and the departures, all the close calls…and now we’re on another friggin’ planet…pretty amazing when you think about it. How ‘bout you?”
The soldiers seem quite used to having company in the baths, though the fact that you all only have fur on top of your heads draws some comment. "Are you summer-born?" one of them asks Fin.
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”Q, we might want to see if they have healers here…or I can tap you with the wand…”
"Hmm? Oh." says Quasit as she looks down at the clean slice on her arm as it slowly sluices blood into the warm water. "I hadn't noticed it was bleeding so much. It doesn't even hurt that much. Sorry, it's making the water all gross, I'll put a bandage on it."
”I suspect they want us as allies in their war. Might give us a chance to acquire not only the key here but the one in their enemy’s fortress as well…”
"Bescaylie has pretty much already let us know they're hoping we fight for them here. And while normally getting mixed up in someone else's war isn't a prospect I'd even consider, the only other option I see would be to try and steal the keys from both sides and make enemies of them both. And that makes even less sense. At least these guys seem friendly enough, and it'll be nice to have a base that gives us supplies and information. And the other guys are summoning evil custard demons, so they do seem like the baddies."
”Perhaps Baba Yaga would lend us her hut for the venture in exchange for finding and freeing her…”
Quasit snorts a little sardonic laugh. "Yeah, I'm guessing she's not really the lending sort. And I'm also guessing that our reward for freeing her will be either some morally ambiguous magical boon that involves drinking the blood of a child, or more likely a pat on the back and a quick 'thanks, kid' before she poofs off to go back into her own nefarious business."
”Summer-born? I’m afraid not; I’m an Elf…from Golarion. Excuse my ignorance, but what is summer-born?”
Quasit turns to listen with interest to this new conversation, and takes this opportunity to wrap a bandage from her pack around her wound.
"I bet it involves being born in the summer." she deadpans to her companion.
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”At least these guys seem friendly enough, and it'll be nice to have a base that gives us supplies and information. And the other guys are summoning evil custard demons, so they do seem like the baddies."
”I agree…I’d like to stay friends with these folk, though it may be hard if they ever discover the key missing. Perhaps I can slip out after most go to sleep, sneak around and try to determine just where the key is? Not take it right now, just scout it out so we can make a plan…”
Quasit snorts a little sardonic laugh. "Yeah, I'm guessing she's not really the lending sort. And I'm also guessing that our reward for freeing her will be either some morally ambiguous magical boon that involves drinking the blood of a child, or more likely a pat on the back and a quick 'thanks, kid' before she poofs off to go back into her own nefarious business."
”Aye, most likely you’re right…but an Elf can dream, can’t he? Traveling back and forth, trading between planets, in an intergalactic hut that looks like a chicken, sounds like a worthy, and fun, venture…better than sailing the rafts in the River Kingdoms between the various ports, which is where I’ll likely end up when this is all over…but at least I’ll get to occasionally shoot some Razmirans there…”
"I bet it involves being born in the summer." she deadpans to her companion.
Fin rolls his eyes as he lets out a laugh. ”Good one, Q…you’re just a fountain of knowledge, you are…
“I was just wondering how Triaxians may vary here…perhaps these folk here are called winter-born, hence the fur. Then I’d guess the summer-born look much the same but without the fur. Hmmm…maybe Maka had it right about them being like Elves with fur…”
Fin turns to the Triaxian speaking to him and asks. ”Excuse my manners, my friend, I am called Findurêl, but you can call me Fin, and I’m at your service. Do you have healers here? My friend here, Quasit, was wounded by some of your enemies while we fought our way to Spurhorn and could use some medical aid…”
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”Aye, most likely you’re right…but an Elf can dream, can’t he? Traveling back and forth, trading between planets, in an intergalactic hut that looks like a chicken, sounds like a worthy, and fun, venture…better than sailing the rafts in the River Kingdoms between the various ports, which is where I’ll likely end up when this is all over…but at least I’ll get to occasionally shoot some Razmirans there…”
"Yeah, well, don't forget the Space Pirates. There's gotta be Space Pirates, right?" returns Quasit, grinning.
”Do you have healers here? My friend here, Quasit, was wounded by some of your enemies while we fought our way to Spurhorn and could use some medical aid…”
Quasit smirks and leans back, slouching down into the pool to chin level and jabs an elbow at Findurel. "You're just as wounded as I am. And Maka's ribs are the color of angry storm clouds. But good job slipping in the humble brag about fighting our way past the enemy." she says in a low voice.
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"Yeah, well, don't forget the Space Pirates. There's gotta be Space Pirates, right?" returns Quasit, grinning.
A big smile spreads across on Fin’s face. ”Space Pirates? Aye, shooting Space Pirates might just equal shooting Razmirans…”
”Quasit smirks and leans back, slouching down into the pool to chin level and jabs an elbow at Findurel. [b]"You're just as wounded as I am. And Maka's ribs are the color of angry storm clouds. But good job slipping in the humble brag about fighting our way past the enemy." she says in a low voice.
Fin grimaces slightly as Quasit’s elbow reminds him of the singeing he took from the dragon’s fire. With a sheepish grin, he nods, whispering, ”It’s funny…I had forgotten about my wounds when I saw yours…and Maka handles pain so well, it’s hard to tell she’s wounded at all…and she kinda likes pain, methinks. I guess we could all use a visit to their infirmary…might give us a chance to get more of the layout of this place too. And aye, I thought a subtle reminder of our skirmish with their foes might bode well…”
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A hulking shape fills the doorway. Even walking on all fours it is as tall as an average human. Yet, it clearly has two arms as well as two legs, the former ending in flexible fingers tipped with sharp talons.
Much like the triaxians in the pool, it is covered in fur, but unlike their relatively short, white fur, this creature's is shaggy and has a distinctly yellowish tinge.
And while the triaxians might look like elves with fur, this beast looks more like an oversized baboon complete with a snout full of wicked teeth and a pair of short horns sprouting from its head.
Despite its bestial form, it wears armor. Despite wearing armor it sniffs the air, catching the scent in the room and grunting dubiously at what it smells.
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Seeing the fierce looking ape creature enter the bath, Fin’s first reaction is to reach for where his bow would usually be…but being without his gear, not to mention his clothes, he sinks back down in the water, looking to the Triaxians for their reaction…seeing as they hardly show a reaction at all, the Elf follows suit…
Looking to Quasit, he murmurs lightly, ”We’re not in Golarion any more, Q, that’s for sure…hope Maka doesn’t ask this creature if she can ‘touch’ it…”
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Maka's warmth and earnestness soon saw the embers of friendship spark with several of the soldiers in the bath. Between physical descriptions and inspections, it soon became apparent that the human and triaxian form were of similar shape and purpose. Laughter at description of waste function and linking looks and touches proving some things were identical.
Still, there were noticeable differences. Notably their ears. Unlike an elves long ears, triaxian ears had a good deal of mobility, being able tilt, rotate, raise, or lower. Their ears were always moving about and adjusting. As Maka continued to observe them, she realized their ears were actually quite expressive. The fire monk quickly decided this was her favorite part of the triaxian body. Well, except for her usual favorite parts.mAnother notable feature was their lack of hair, instead having bodies covered in a thin layer of fur. Maka's long braid proving a curiosity once it was undone and floating on the water.
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Despite its bestial form, it wears armor. Despite wearing armor it sniffs the air, catching the scent in the room and grunting dubiously at what it smells.
"Hi! I'm Maka Na'shota of the Dragon Eye temple. Who are you?" Maka waved and called from the bath, seeing no reason to think the large creature wouldn't have human intelligence.
The triaxians (and dragonkin) seem wary of you Golarians, but curious as well.
"Do they not have seasons where you are from?" The one talking with Fin asks. "We are all winterborn, as I thought everyone in this generation was. You look like the stories of those born in summer, though... not exactly."
He cocks his head to one side, considering the elf. "From what our ancestors say, summerborn have darker skin, for one thing."
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Internally, Sakitu feels relief when Quasit lets her off the hook. She half expected her friend to try to convince her to go to the baths. Going later, when no one should be there, sounded like a great idea.
Back and their lodging, Sakitu tries to find something to do and relax. No one else is there. She knows the Maka, Fin, and Quasit are at the pool but she doesn't know where Bulvi is. And Selena? Who ever knows what's going on in that girl's head.
The room seems deathly still. And lonely. The group has been so occupied with fighting monsters and keeping out of danger, Sakitu never even realized just how much she enjoyed being around everyone. Until now, when there is no one around.
She grabs a book from a shelf and starts to thumb through the pages. The writing, of course, is unintelligible but there are a few pictures. It looks like the book is some sort of military training book. There are a few diagrams of the aliens in uniform or in formation. Ugh. Boring. Sakitu tosses the book back onto the shelf. For the third time she straightens out her bedroll and then flops on top of it with her arms folded behind her head.
A group of Triaxians shuffles loudly past Sakitu's room and while she can't understand what they're saying, the laughing is unmistakable. They are having fun together while Sakitu is laying alone in the room. "Ok! That's it!" she says to herself and she jumps up from the bed. "I'll just go get close to the baths. I don't have to look at everyone and I don't have to get in. I can probably just sit close and still visit. And didn't Maka say I could just wrap myself with bandages? Oh, and this will help." Sakitu shifts into her vulpine, fur-covered form.
It doesn't take long for her to find her way to the bath house but she gasps and pauses. A gigantic four legged creature is moving down the hallway ahead of her. And it's covered in yellow fur. What is it??? Is a monster about to attack everyone in the bath house?
Sakitu shrinks up against the wall and waits to see what happens when the shaggy beast enters the bath.
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”We’re not in Golarion any more, Q, that’s for sure…hope Maka doesn’t ask this creature if she can ‘touch’ it…”
"I wouldn't put money on that."
The rogue looks the creature up and down and gives a low whistle. "That's a really big monkey. You don't suppose that thing is the general here?" says Quasit as she looks around to see how the rest of the room reacts to the shaggy simian.
Not wanting to get involved in a public bath, especially with Maka who'd likely get all touchy-feely, Selena instead goes to find a place to sit and watch the dragons come and go, spurring her grandmother's familar to join her and have a long talk about what her grandmother was like, and the events after Baba Yaga took her away. She ignores the the fact that a handler is following her around, though she still treats with proper politeness, never letting on her uncertainty about the local variations of what might be considered polite.
She also continues to pretend she doesn't know draconic. Perhaps, they will drop their guard and speak amongst themselves, when they think she can't understand them.
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Sakitu shrinks up against the wall...
Tezuzu turns a corner and finds Sakitu.
"Good gracious! Miss Sakitu! What are you doing, playing hide and seek with the Quasit? You could hardly find a better place to do so, I myself have been lost in these blasted corridors for the last 20 minutes. I've wandered the Ice Caverns of Khan-pei, and they seem positively simple by comparison."
He wanders past Sakitu and sees the large shaggy beast in the doorway to the baths.
"What is that? Some sort of yeti? Well, this won't do. Come along."
He gives Sakitu a few robust pats on the shoulder and then shoves her forward into the corridor with himself. He walks up behind the beast, pulls out a bone rattle, and shakes it vigorously to get the creature's attention.
"I say, could you step aside? The lady and I would like to go inside. There's a good fellow." the tengu says in draconic, then adds a few more shakes of his rattle for emphasis, cocking his head sideways. "Or perhaps you'd care for a bath as well?" he adds, a trifle pointedly.
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"Good gracious! Miss Sakitu! What are you doing, playing hide and seek with the Quasit? You could hardly find a better place to do so, I myself have been lost in these blasted corridors for the last 20 minutes. I've wandered the Ice Caverns of Khan-pei, and they seem positively simple by comparison."
Sakitu starts as Tez suddenly appears but she's grateful to see a familiar face. "Did you see that big hairy monster thing that was just here? It moved ahead into the baths."
He wanders past Sakitu and sees the large shaggy beast in the doorway to the baths.
"What is that? Some sort of yeti? Well, this won't do. Come along."
Sakitu follows timidly behind Tez as he negotiates with the beast. It doesn't seem have immediately started attacking everyone. Sakitu is afraid to relax. She waits to see how it responds to Tez.
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"Do they not have seasons where you are from?" The one talking with Fin asks. "We are all winterborn, as I thought everyone in this generation was. You look like the stories of those born in summer, though... not exactly."
Fin tries to give a reassuring smile. ”Ah, yes we have seasons…but on Golarion, birth happens pretty much regardless of the season. I am an Elf and was born on a midsummer’s eve roughly 115 years ago…but where I lived, many of my kind were born throughout the year and most looked similar to me, differences in gender not withstanding…there are other types of Elves where appearance might differ slightly, but usually not too much…”
He cocks his head to one side, considering the elf. "From what our ancestors say, summerborn have darker skin, for one thing."
Fin nods. ”Aye, there is a difference in skin color among the various types of Elves on Golarion. I was considered both a desert Elf and a wood Elf, so my skin was more tan than other Elves. We have some Arctic Elves who inhabit cold climes, and they are light skinned, but they have no fur. But there are other races on Golarion that do…”
Upon seeing Tez talking with the ape creature, and noticing Sakitu right behind him looking nervous, Fin smiles to reassure her and waves. ”Saki! Come on over here and join us!”
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The ape creature is so large that it is understandable that the newcomers don't notice the Triaxian on the other side of him. All the more so because his coloration is so similar to the apes. His fur is a bit paler and much shorter and the breast plate he wears is even paler still with strong hints of blue in the scales but detecting white on white is not the easiest of tasks.
He steps around behind the ape and spots Tezuzu and Sakitu first.
"Oh my...they really got you didn't they? I can't do much to deal with curses, but if you're wounded otherwise, I can provide some assistance," he says.
"Come in and I'll tend to you all, at once. If...I can get past..."
He pushes against the ape, which is about as effective as trying to push down one of the walls.
"CHEST THUMPER! Move! People are trying to get through!"
The ape gives a grunt, scowls back at the triaxian then sighs heavily, the breeze it creates actually ruffling the fur of some of the nearby triaxians.
It does move, however, skirting the edge of the baths and watching the newcomers suspiciously.
"80 years," Kalchine answers Quasit's question. "How many years does it last on your world?"
His ears perk with curiosity then turn down a bit as he looks over the newcomers. "Well, none of you seem quite as affected as these two, but whatever curse stole your fur and mangled your ears, we'll have to deal with. Have no fear, it will be dealt with."
At first, he seems to be unable to look past the lack of fur but then, you can almost see when he notes the physical forms beneath. And you can definitely see when he notes that some of those forms are female and much like those of a triaxian woman. He quickly averts his small eyes, though he moves toward Maka, his trained eyes noting that she is the most injured.
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"80 years," Kalchine answers Quasit's question. "How many years does it last on your world?"
”Winter for 80 years?” Fin exclaims, letting out a low whistle. ”Erastil’s antlers, that’s a long time. On average, it’s three months in Golarion…in the northern reaches, in places like Irrisen and the Land of the Linnorm Kings, the cold/snow lasts a while longer…but nothing like 80 years. Do your summers last 80 years as well?”
After a second, the Elf does a double-take. ”You speak the common tongue of our world? That’s most welcome to our ears…where did you learn to speak such?”
His ears perk with curiosity then turn down a bit as he looks over the newcomers. "Well, none of you seem quite as affected as these two, but whatever curse stole your fur and mangled your ears, we'll have to deal with. Have no fear, it will be dealt with."
Fin rises and bows. ”Forgive my lack of proper etiquette, my friend. Findurêl, at your service…but my friends call me Fin. May I ask who it is that we are indebted to that has so generously offered to heal our wounds?”
Suddenly recalling he is naked, thinking it might disconcert their new friend and embarrass Sakitu, Fin shrugs apologetically and promptly sinks back down into the hot water…
"I apologize. I should have said 120 years. As we usually only live about 80 years, I fear I got caught in the trap of thinking things will not last beyond me, as is common for many people," the man says.
"I am Kalchine and yes, I speak your language. I did not even realize that I had spoken it until you just pointed it out. One of my teachers taught it to me when I was a child. She claimed to be from another world, but most of us just thought she was trying to be exotic...or that she was crazy," he continues.
"Though...now that I think of it...she was also furless. We all thought she was just a very long lived Summerborn."
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"Well, none of you seem quite as affected as these two, but whatever curse stole your fur and mangled your ears, we'll have to deal with. Have no fear, it will be dealt with."
"Me? Fur? Inconceivable! I try to avoid snap judgments, but I can't say much for your skills as a healer if you can't tell a perfectly healthy tengu when you see one." snorts Tezuzu.
Mustering all his dignity, he makes his way to the pool, quickly sheds his robe, then hops down into the water and and begins violently frizzling and quaking his feathers, kicking up an enormous spray in literally all directions, pausing occasionally to run his beak through some of his longer more prominent feathers.
"Ears! Preposterous! The idea!" he huffs, mid-flurry.
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Quasit pops out of the water, turns her back quickly to the newcomers and yanks off her undershirt, then pulls a homespun blue dress out of her pack and throws it over herself in a swift motion, then stands and turns back to Kalchine. She tilts her head and begins wringing out her hair to one side. She lightly skips away when Tezuzu begins his violent bathing.
"Oh, what a relief to meet someone here who speaks our language!" says Quasit excitedly. "Nice to meet you Kalchine! Call me Quasit. And yeah, the skin and the ears are normal for us, except for the bits that are bleeding. So is... he? your pet?" She points gingerly at the yellow ape.
"Oh...so...you are...supposed to look..." he gestures around to take you all in. "This way?"
He looks at the group dubiously.
"I saw the battle from a distance so assumed that you had been cursed during it."
Then he looks over at the ape which is still on all fours continuing to watch you suspiciously.
"Pet? No...more like...partner, I suppose," Kalchine says.
"May I?" he asks Maka, reaching a hand toward one of the "bleeding bits."
Some of the water rises and caresses the wound, growing a bit hotter then much cooler then warm again.
Chest Thumper approaches Maka just behind Kalchine. Before the triaxian can do anything he reaches out one giant finger and pokes her shoulder before scurrying away sideways, baring his teeth as though expecting her to explode or bite him.
Maka laughed at the creature's reaction. "Ohh so he's like a dragon planet monkey?"
"Come in and I'll tend to you all, at once. If...I can get past..."
"May I?" he asks Maka, reaching a hand toward one of the "bleeding bits."Some of the water rises and caresses the wound, growing a bit hotter then much cooler then warm again.
As the rest of her part began to dress, Maka remained characteristically nonchalant about her nudeness. "Yeah I got stabbed real good by a dragonkin. I burned the wound shut but it hasn't fully mended." Maka turned toward the newcomer and raised an arm so he could her a better look at her side.
"Oh and the dark shapes are normal, they're just tattoos. But the blotchy darkspots are bruises. Well I guess those are still normal for me." The fire monk's bruised and marred flesh began to knit together cleanly as Kalchine's healing magic washed over her wounds. In a few moments only some slight swelling and scarring were the only trace of the injuries. "Thanks, that's much better!"
"I apologize. I should have said 120 years. As we usually only live about 80 years, I fear I got caught in the trap of thinking things will not last beyond me, as is common for many people," the man says.
"Oh wow, that long? No wonder there are summer and winter versions of things. I guess it also makes sense for Baba Yaga to come here, I mean besides the obvious dragon reasons." Maka
"Ears! Preposterous! The idea!" he huffs, mid-flurry.
Maka looked stunned for a moment before lookin Tez over. "Oh you don't have ears! How have I never noticed!?" Maka burst into laughter at her sudden realization.
"Pet? No...more like...partner, I suppose," Kalchine says.
"Can he talk in your mind, or is that only dragonkin?"
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Sensing the bath is at an end, Fin gives a somber sigh, rises and turns away, slipping on just his undershorts so his burns can more readily be healed by their new friend, then moves nearer as Kalchine heals Maka…
”My thanks to you, Kalchine, for healing Maka’s wounds; she took the brunt of the assault as she met it head on, as is her style. If you could heal Quasit here next, I’d appreciate it; she took a claw while fighting off a daemon. I was just singed a bit by a wizard’s fire so I can wait…our friend Bull needs healing as well…he took wounds much worse than I but I’m not sure where he is at present…”
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"Honestly it's not that bad. Maybe just look it over to make sure it isn't poisoned or infected or something. It doesn't even hurt that much." says Quasit, rolling up her sleeve and displaying her arm with a touch of bravado. She also keeps shooting curious looks at Kalchine's 'partner', as if expecting him to do something besides be a big monkey. "So, you're the doctor here, huh? You must stay pretty busy. What with the war and all."
Kalchine looks to Chest Thumper who has relaxed enough to at least sit down, though he still watches the non-triaxians warily, especially when Tezuzu begins frothing up the water. He gives a hoot of protest.
He nods to Maka. "Still needs a little work," he says as he examines the bruises that still remain. "I fear I'm a bit limited in my healing magic so let me check on your companions and then I'll return to you."
"Not a bad result given the fight you were in. Especially since the other side fared so much worse," he replies to Findurel's litany of injuries.
"More like a medic," he answers Quasit as he examines her wounds.
"Or, I suppose, more like someone who can heal people up while fighting."
He places his hands over her arm and the wind comes in from a window, chilling her flesh until it is numb then rapidly warming to a relaxing temperature. The process is so quick and seamless it seems as though he does it more from habit than any effort.
"Oh, and to answer your question, no, we can't read each other's thoughts. I don't know that either of us would like that. We do have a...connection but it's not that deep," Kalchine says, looking at Chest Thumper.
He nods to Maka. "Still needs a little work," he says as he examines the bruises that still remain. "I fear I'm a bit limited in my healing magic so let me check on your companions and then I'll return to you."
"It's okay, with some food and sleep it will be mostly healed by tomorrow." As if on cue, Maka's stomach loudly voiced its displeasure at being empty. "Someone mentioned dinner right?" Maka said with a laugh as she patted her stomach.
Taking a safe few steps back, Maka held her nose and blew, covering herself in flames and completely drying herself off. Pulling out fresh clothes from her pack, Maka got dressed before starting the long process of combing her hair.
"Oh, and to answer your question, no, we can't read each other's thoughts. I don't know that either of us would like that. We do have a...connection but it's not that deep," Kalchine says, looking at Chest Thumper.
"So he's like Izzy then!" Leaning down, Maka gave the crocodile chin scritches. "Maybe you'll make a new friend huh?"
In wondering around after her chat, Selena passes by and notices many of her companions in here.
"I thought you guys were headed for the baths. What are you all doing in here?" Selena asks with curiosity. She looked over the big creature as she first steps in but otherwise pays it no attention as she talks to her companions, seemingly unimpressed by it.