Cameron replies to Alayna, "We should ask around, somebody is bound to know where that ship hails from. Mind you I promised to help Nessa find out who has been murdering those girls."
He walks over to Nessa and Izkrael and adds, "If we don't stand up for what's right, nobody will. Not in this town. I reckon you could do with my spear and a little of the lady's luck..."
I won't call my motives "standing up for what's right", but this man is braver then I'd expected. And if he's blessed with the Lady's luck...
"It would be good to have you on our side, Cameron. Maybe while we walk you can answer some question regarding Desna for me. I never found anyone who was willing to tell me about her, apart from saying that she's the goddes of luck, dreams, stars, travels and so on. I had a dream, recently. And a friend of mine told me that dream was a message from Desna. Well, I would like to get your opinion on the matter. In a quieter situation, of course".
Nessa smiled at both Izkrael and Cameron, "Thank you both." Turning her attention to Izkreal she says, "So how've you been Uncle Izzy? I haven't seen you for over ten years now I think, where have you been in all that time?" Nessa continued to sit with Sylee in her lap giving the little girl all the affection she can after what had just happened.
Izkrael warped his lips in a faint smile: "I've been fine, Nessa. Thank you for asking", Is this how they say, isn't it?, "I've been doing the same things as always. Hunt here, kill the monster for that caravan there, get along in the wilds...And I was fine that way. My last job in Riddleport was a nightmare, so I was content with not coming in the city anymore. Too much blood flows through the cobblestones of these streets, Nessa. Human blood. I can't understand why they seem to be so eager to spill their own kind's blood instead on focusing on something else".
After a short pause, Izkrael looked at the little thing in Nessa's lap: "But look at you...You're the one who has changed. The Nessa I met long ago, well...She won't never...". For a moment, it seemed like Izkrael wasn't able to find the right words, "...Let's just say that I never imagined you as a mother. This...little thing...Is your daughter?".
She still isn't a proper mother! Alayna nods at the suggestion of hunting down the murderers. "It'll keep our arms strong an' our wits keen. Let's go to it, then."
Nessa's eyes narrowed as she thought she detected a note of disgust in Izkrael's voice. She realized that he was just akward with his words as always. She shook her annoyance off and said, "Well I did finish growing up Izy, I wasn't quite an adult yet when you left." Nessa looked down at Sylee who was partly hidden within Nessa's wings and giving Izkrael a nervous look. Giving the child a reasuring smile Nessa continued in a tender voice, "I never expected to have a child either Uncle Izy but I couldn't tell Sylee no when she turned to me and asked me to be her new mommy when Alayna refused the job." Nessa's expression turned very emotional, "I've never had someone look at me with such sorrow and desperation. My kind aren't well liked but here's this little girl so desaperate for a mommy that she'll accept me, probably the scariest being she'd ever seen, and asked me..." Nessa's words choked off as she swallowed a sob and held the little girl close, "I just couldn't say no to her, no one has ever broken through my perpetual state of lust like my daugter has, I love her and I am trying my best to do right by her." Nessa broke off again and put her lips next to Sylee's ear whaipering, "I love you honey, I love you my Sylee girl."
You have very few informations about the murdered prostitutes, partially because Nessa hasn't been really attentive. For what Nessa heard, they were working the docksn which is quite a common place for this kind of "business".
Murders of streetwalkers happens more or less often, of course. But these were quite savage. It could be a gang, a madman, a religious weirdo, an angry wife, even a customer with darker purposes ...
Nessa gave each of them a grateful look and said, "Thank you, I just hope we can do something about this. First off let's go by Caithlin's home, she might know something, and I need to ask her about something else as well. Once that's done we can go from there."
"Right you are." says Cameron as he follows Nessa to Caithlin's house.
As the group make ready to depart, Cameron falls back slightly and whispers to Alayna and Izkrael, "Keep your eyes peeled. We're doing the right thing, which won't be appreciated in this town."
As they head off Cameron tries to keep his own advice, without being too obvious about it.
Assisting to Nessa’s emotional break off, Izkrael couldn’t do anything but stay frozen, unable to comprehend that sentimental momentum. The truth was that he was used to attend to such scenes and he could understand that they were part of short-lived mortals’ nature; he simply never experienced anything similar first-handedly, and couldn’t comprehend how to properly react to such a situation.
I know one thing, and that is that in such moments mortals love to defuse the situation.
“Well, I suppose that this makes me a sort of great-uncle to this child. Great-uncle Izy sounds too bad?”, said the elf trying to broaden his mouth in a smile.
***
When the group is ready to depart, Izkrael nods towards Cameron. I wish I could tell the difference between right and wrong too, but about one thing the human is right: we need to stay wary. With slow and calculated movements, refined from practice, Izkrael fastens his bow behind his back, fixes its cloak and finally wears his hood. “Let’s do it”.
Nessa guides you around the town to Caithlin's house, in the eastern part of the town called "Leeward district".
It's Riddleport’s largest district, and Leeward is built into the protecting curve of the city’s eastern ridge, where it is sheltered from the worst of the winter winds.
The majority of the city’s population resides in the tall tenements of this district, and most buildings have a shop at street level where
standard goods and services can be obtained.
Caithlin's home seems cosy from the outside, but not ostentatious. A wasp-alike handle waits for a hand to bang it on the door.
Nessa giggled at Izkrael and said, "Oh I don't know, I think it sounds almost perfect!" She looked at Sylee and said, "What do you think sweetie, should he be Great-uncle Izy?"
Before leaving the casino Nessa changed herself into something more sedate, it still revealed a lot, but more by what it hid than what it showed. Walking up to the door, with Sylee's hand in hers, Nessa looks back and says, "Well, here we are." She knocked on the door and waited patiently for an answer, something that seems rather unusual for Nessa to do and showed the depth of respect that Nessa held for this individual.
Someone opens the door..
The elf woman is still slender, with the right amount of fleshy parts at the right places. Her snow white hair falls down unhinged and enhances the delicate traits of her face.
After a few seconds, she smiles and bows
Nessa. Welcome back. Please do enter.
Nessa smiled brightly at Caithlin, "Come one let's get inside so we can talk." Nessa steps in with Sylee andd heads to the sitting room giving Caithlin a quick kiss on the cheek as she passes. Once there she sits and pulls Sylee up onto her lap. Once everyone is seated she says, "How've you been Caithlin? I want you to meet my friends, Cameron, Krucina, Dolgrin, Izkrael, and Alayna." She gestured to each in turn before continuing, "I also want you to meet my daughter Sylee. Sylee, this is Caithlin, she took care of and raised me more than any other, I guess you could call her my mother, or at least as close as I have to one."
Izkrael slowly entered Lady Caithlin's home. Once in, he removed his hood and before sitting down he said: "Pleased to meet you, Lady Caithlin ". He took an attentive look at the elf woman: she seemed very young despite being introduced as "old". As always, elven and human labels were pretty different.
Cameron took his hat off respectfully as he entered Caitlin's house. When introduced he smiled and nodded, saying "Ma'am' He had many questions, not least of all how she was aquianted with Nessa. Through the church of course, but there was undoubtedly a story there. Still it was Nessa's show and Cameron was content to watch and listen while she spoke.
Letting every on in, Caithlin says to Nessa, with a slight smile and a twinkle in her eyes as Cameron enters
I'm not used to entertain so many people at the same time anymore, do you know, dear?
Please do enter all. Would you like something to drink or eat, before Nessa asks me to be a grandmother for young Sylee?
"That's mighty kind of you Ma'am. Could I trouble you for a glass of water?", Cameron replies.
His eyes flick to Nessa and then Alanya, studying each of their reactions to Caithlin's statement. He does his best to keep his own council, knowing how proud Nessa is...
"A glass of water will do for me too, Ma'am", says Izkrael before sitting near Cameron.
He seems worried about Alayna and Nessa, but he won't speak to not further complicate this thing. He's a wise man, I shall do the same", thinks Izkrael to himself.
Caithlin calls for a servant, and waits until everyone is sitted on large sofas.
She has money, obviously, but isn't "too rich".
After the servant has given refreshment to everyone-and a plate of honey cakes to Sylee, the same honey cakes that Nessa has eaten more than once in her youth-she waits for you to start talking, playing the courteous host gracefully.
Nessa, sitting with Sylee, turned her attentuon on Caithlin, "The first thing I eant to ask is a personal request." Nessa looked nervous but forged ahead, "I've been told that raising Sylee in the temple is a bad idea, and having her stay with me at work is dangerous due to recent events. What I had hoped to do was move in with you for a while. I'd of course do what I could to help out around here, and I had hoped you'd be willing to watch Sylee for me while I was at work or attending services." Nessa realized that Sylee might feel Nessa was trying to get rid of her so she hugged the girl tightly and said, "I'm not leaving you or getting rid of you honey, I'm just trying to find ways to better take care of you and provide for us both."
Watching the scene play out is surreal. Hunting murderers is all to the good, but - Bah! Wot can a lass do ta' get out o' dis spinning mess? She tries to keep the storm clouds from her face, but this whole meeting stinks. Aye ta' tha' faithful it must sound all well and good ta' press flesh with all that has flesh for pressin'. But to make it such a show! Alayna holds her tongue and looks for something to hold her interest - This is not tha place ta' have a row. When Nessa suggests leaving Sylee with this woman the Alayna has to turn away, her cheeks darkening. Oh, that'll do the wee lass! Example a' home and trainin' in off times. Any course, Nessa don't care a wit abou' the girl, but that she makes Nessa feel desired fer more than 'er slick cunny."
Suddenly a thought crosses her mind. Do nae' let tha old Jenny even answer the request. Brightened by the idea of the ploy, she turns back to Caithlin, "If eva' we were ta find our way, we'd best be gettin' to tha point. Madame, we come to you because we know your ears are keen, and yer wits keener still. We want to do a good service for your Favored Sting's faithful. We wanna catch us a killer. Bring 'em ta temple for ya lot to find a way ta keel haul or maroon," She looks over at Sylee and thinks better of her next descriptive words, "Ahem, ta serve 'em justice."
Seeing the tension in Alayna's neck, and the way she cracked her fingers as Nessa made her suggestion gave Cameron a sinking feeling, 'Oh here we go! A fight between those two would get real ugly.'
He noticed a thought ripple through Alayna as if she'd changed tack at the last moment, but she was committed to saying something now. 'Wow talk about to the point. Being interrupted like that is going to piss Nessa off, but oh man for a moment I thought Alayna was about to throw the gauntlet down! Could still happen.'
From where neither of the girls can see him, Cameron shares a look with Izkrael as if to say 'If it comes to it, we separate them!' Heart in his mouth, Cameron watches to see what happens next.
As the matronly elf bids the party enter, Krucina smiles brightly at their gracious host. "Pozdrowienia, matka. How kind of you to entertain us so unexpectedly. You have a lovely home."
As the group is given the grand tour, Krucina randomly picks up various objects as they are lead around, viewing the intricacies minutely. A vase here, a tea spoon here, the butler's monographed handkerchief....she never pockets the items, merely ascertains their state of being and replaces them without looking.
She lets loose a long whistle.
Nessa bristled at Alayna trying to change the direction of the conversation but decided it was simply her desire to find the culprit behind the murders and gain the reward. She looked at Alayna and said, "One thing at a time Alayna, I realize you're anxious to earn some form of reward but don't rush things."
Izkrael nods to Cameron. The last thing we need is an inner fight. Izkrael then puts his hand on Nessa's arm, trying to calm her down. He usually tends to avoid physical contact, but this time he makes an exception. "Calm down, Nessa. Everything will be just fine", he whispers.
adressing Krucina
Thank you, my dear. You seem to appreciate and value beauty. It's always a fine thing.
She then fixes Alayna, then Sylee and Nessa
I understand your concern, even if my affiliation with the Favored Sting is looser than in my youth. I'll do what I can to help you. But please, let an old lady indulge first in her only pasttime, and satisfy her curiosity. Nessa has introduced you to me, but I'd like to hear your own stories, each, knowing who are these young girls and boys-yes, even you master dwarf, are quite a young boy to me, even if it's bad taste to ask a lady her age. Let's say I've seen my third century.
Her smile is gentle, and she gives another bit of honey cake to Sylee. Under the silken robe, her arm looks quite frail.
Do take something to eat, you need to put some meat on these bones. Please all, help yourself with the cake, and relax. I'm not a threat to you. This is a friendly home.
Nessa nodded and said, "Thanks Caithlin, I haven't had your honey cakes in a long time." She took one to eat and waited on her companions to tell their stories to Caithlin while she sat and enjoyed the honey cakes with Sylee, passing the plate around to the others.
Cameron looks around the group, and quite a few faces seem to be studying the floor. He shakes his head slightly before taking a seat closer to Caithlin.
Cameron chuckles slightly, "If this is your third century, Ma'am you've lived through some interesting times. The fall of Aroden, the rise of the Inheritor. Back then Clan Hawkwinter was much more numerous, there were twenty wagons in the train when my great great great grandfather Marcus Hawkwinter traveled to the bi-annual clan moot. Today, as far as I'm aware, I am the last of the clan. My cousin Milon vanished a few weeks ago. I went looking but only found some old bones that probably aren't his. My brother Silas vanished from the Kitharoadian Academy five or six years back, I assume he's dead. Ten years ago tomorrow, my parents and the majority of my first and second cousins where killed by bandits or more likely cultists."
Looking far away, Cameron murmurs, "Dad was a wanderer a song smith, and busybody. I think it got him killed. As for me." He produces a small green plant, a closer looks reveals it to be a four-leafed clover. He carries on, saying, "I've always been lucky. I'm sure you as an initiate of the favored sting will understand when I say not all luck is good. The currents of fate are twisted and as fickle as a river, but there's beauty there. On the coldest nights in winter, when the fire lights the sky, I have caught the faintest refrain of a song, the song of the spheres. In the gambling halls, and in the eyes of lovers I have seen people following their dreams for good or ill. I believe there is a pattern to it all, some grand design, yet from the ground it is too complex for mortal eyes to see. I have my doubts as to the purpose, but some strange tide of fate threw our motley crew together. I know it in my heart it was for a reason. I doubt it was to run the goblin, although that's a good a place as any to tend my flock."
He's right as a sail with a belly full'a wind, he is. We're here for some reason... Alayna frowns, thinking about what Cameron has said, knowing he's speaking wisdom.
"Ah, then it be ta' me. My tale is less romantic and I am nae as well spoken as our mate Hawkwinter. I was raised for the sea, in the Shackles. Never knew mah' da' and my mum did as she could to raise me. It t'weren't much. Being penniless an' all. So, before I got ta' ten winters I was at the docks, mostly running messages and deliverin' payments. 'Til I got onta' a ship and became a bilge and scullery rat. Spent a year or two dodgin' cookie's spoon or the bosun's fist an' I made my way above decks, inta riggin' a sailor's work for sure. A'coupla' years of monkey time an' I found mah' way into some trouble." She pauses and clears her throat, "See, I had stopped bein' just a bilge-rat little girl, and became somewha' more." Alayna adjusts her arms and leans forward, giving Caithlin a view of what she's referring to, "And wit dat I became a target. At first it was leers, and I chased off most'a those with a slap - see, on'a crew, you get picked on quick-quick if you cannae hold yer own. For a year or so this went on."
"At any port ya lose some crew, and gain some crew. It's the nature - even salt blooded sailors need time a'shore wit' their families as what has 'em, or sometimes, games a' Pirate's Bones lead ta..." Alayna stops, thinking of Sylee listening and changes her choice of words, unfriendly ends. Our Cap'n took on a true bastard, one that had no respect for the rest o' tha crew. He took it in 'is 'ead that he an' I would make tha beast wit' two backs. He was nae gentle with 'is attentions so I stabbed 'in 'is leg. My reward for this was bein' dropped off at tha next port. Only this rat's charms dinae end there, they ended later tha' night. It cost me my best knife and ended wit' me joinin' the next crew leavin' tha port."
"Some other adventures n' whatnot an' I am here." With a sigh, she finished relating as much as she is going to, No need ta speak a' no missing loot, or a man tha' led me astray o' a good crew...
Caithlin listens intensely at Cameron, then at Alayna. Her beautiful face turns to Izkrael
Even if we share the same ancestors, you are a mystery to me. I'd like to know more about you.
Izkrael had listened attentively to Cameron's and Alayna's stories: he didn't know their stories himself, because never had the chance to ask. But now Lady Caithlin was directly questioning him. He had hoped to stay silent with no one noticing it, but was now forced to speak by Lady Caithlin's question: "Well, I'm somehow a mistery to myself too, my Lady. I don't even know if we truly share the same ancestors, since I've never known mine".
"All I remember is a house near the haunted forest, where my adoptive parents brought me up. They were human farmers, nothing more and nothing less. Then, as humans tend to do, they died. I was very young for elven standards, but I learned how to survive alone. I worked as a monster hunter for some time, helping varisian caravans to scare off monsters and bandits, and spent the rest of my time hunting and trying to get along in the wilds. Then I began to accept some works in Riddleport, but I was coming here the less I could; I never loved cities. Finally, some months ago, I had a dream. I consulted a varisian harrower who I has seen growing up from a child to a woman, and now I'm here, trying to find some answers to the many questions filling my mind." He looked at the elf in front of him, hoping she had some of the answers he was looking for.
Visions. When they come from Varisian Harrowers, I tend to respect them. But I always had an hard time understanding them. Let's hope you'll be wiser than me, and realise their true meaning before it's too late.
She gives yet another honeyed cake to Sylee, and looks at Krucina
I have lived a few centuries, but I can count on my hand the number of times I met someone of your kin, no offense meant. What can you say about you, dear?
While the others are retelling their stories, Cameron has a chance to study their host as she listens while Alayna and then Izkrael tell their stories. He wonders, 'It seems we've all had a hard life, so much pain in Izkrael and wow Alayna. I don't think I could have been that strong, I suppose I don't have to. Doesn't seem fair that half the world has to fear over unwanted attentions...'
In his minds eye, Cameron replays the conversation between Caithlin and Izkrael. Knowing what little he does of Elven culture he is aware that being clan-less is a big deal, and being raised by humans is tantamount to being raised by feral dogs. 'She seems remarkably composed, Hal would have been in a spitting rage...'
Krucina sniffs at the "honey cake" and her eyes widen. As she is stuffing the entire piece into her mouth, the beautiful matron directs her attention wholly onto her. Her face and engorged cheeks become a dark grey and she lets out a muffled "eek!" followed by a hasty explanation of her recent past. She very much looks like a greedy chipmunk got stealing from the bird feeder.
UM NUT SHOORT VART TDO SHVART
She swallows quickly to further avoid raining crumbs and gob over everyone in seating around her.
My apologies, matka. Where to begin but the beginning, I suppose. I was part of small but successful group of traders. We traveled from this plane to the Shadow realm, getting things that people from this realm paid handsomely to acquire. I say this with no boasting, but we were the best. If someone wanted it, we would get it. Always. Relics of power, weapons of devious intent, scrolls of every kind.
There were 10 or so total in our little guild. Przemysl, our leader, and a genius tactician, lead us to our prize every time. And he made sure that he was always the last to be paid.
It was he clever tactics that ruined it all. That and that thrice-damned wizard!
Tears roll down her face and her hands shake in fury. She releases a torrent of curses
Ten cholerny czarodziej! Mam nadzieję, że Asmodeusz poślubia jego dupkiem gorących wibratory!
{b]I never even saw his face. Or her face, for that matter...Covered in black robes from tip to toes. The wizard had a supple, fluidness when moving,almost feminine, but barely contained a raw, unrelenting power.
However, long story short, the wizard only spoke the Dragon's tongue. I speak it, so I was the liaison. We brokered the deal and got the bauble. (It seemed utterly worthless to me) When we returned, the Wizard blamed me for stealing the trinket and deceiving the group. Without a word, the Wizard destroyed Przemysl in a gout of flame from it's outstretched hand and called the local militia. I was hanged on the spot.[/b]
She pulls back her hood and collar to show a collection of horrible scars ringing her neck.
Fortunately for me, the rope broke, I escaped and got lost in the biggest city I knew. I fear that the wizard is still searching for me....
She stops her story and crams another honey cake into her mouth and quietly chews in silence.
Caithlin pats Krucina's hand, as if she was a child needing confort.
This is indeed a big city. Let's hope the wizard never finds you again. And remember you're not alone.
She seems a little worried
I'm sure I will enjoy to hear your story too, master dwarf, but you seem to be enjoying my honey cakes. So please help yourself and eat, you'll talk later. I'd like to say something, but first you'll need some more refreshments
She rings a bell, and a servant comes
Please asks Runter to bring back some wine.
The servant seems surprised, but obeys, and Caithlin turns to Nessa, Alayna, and Sylee.
I think you two ought to talk.Right now, and without anger. I would like you to listen first, Nessa, and to keep in mind that your blonde friend want the same thing you want: to ensure Sylee will be safe and cared for. Now, Alayna, I've seen you watching Sylee as a precious treasure. What do you have in mind for her?
Nessa nodded and said, "Of course Caithlin." With Sylee next to her Nessa placed an arm around the little girl's shoulder and hugged her as she focused her attention on Alayna. While the tiefling was obeying she knew that something was up and she was visibly nervous, her tail lashing slowly as a sign of her agitation.
Takin' the wind out o' my words wit Sylee here.
"The wee lass is a lost one. She needs a mama that has her as their first, last and only thought. Some cannae put aside their own self ta' give tha' ta Sylee. It's nae enough for Sylee to be loved, and cuddled. She needs mother'n and she needs guidance. When one works a trade that lends itself away from mother'n an' guidin'..." The sentence trails off as Alayna tacks back onto her original thought, "See, this is abou' what the waif be need'n nae about how I feel, or how Nessa feels." She looks Nessa dead in the eye, "Sylee is not a pet, not a pup ta' feed or forget. She is nae a snake wot can go a week an' not 'ave a proper feedin'. If you need someone to stroke your ego, go to Cheliax and buy a trained muppet." Struggling to keep the vitriol out, she adds, with finality, "Sylee is nae wot you need - she just makes ya feel special in a way you aint known."
An' tha nex' words she speaks better be ta understandin'!
Caithlin takes Nessa's hand in her, and turns her warm smile to Alayna.
I'm glad you told us your story first, miss. We can now understand that, maybe, you don't want Sylee to feel alone as you were. You think that Nessa's.. occupations won't allow her to be a good mother to Sylee.
She pushes aside a lock of hair
As you might already know, I was a member of the Calistrian temple myself, years ago. As years piled themselves, I became less and less involved in the carnal pleasures, and became too frail to indulge in the acts of vengeance. So I became a "mother" for street children, or children of the "ladies of the night" who wanted to give them a roof, some food, and some love, while they were "working". Over the years, these children grew up, some died of old age, some were good men, some were bad to the core, some were just decent, everyday people.
Caithlin glances at Sylee, who bothered by the adult's talking, just wander in the room, still munching another honey cake.
May I ask you first a few questions, miss Alayna, so I better understand the situation? How long have you known Nessa? How did you all meet Sylee?
"Ah, now those are easy. Been a short while, but tides run true, and it don' take too long ta see the pattern. As ta Sylee, we found here when we were doing a bad man's bad work. By the stars and dreams, I know who I am, and I know that in my line o' work I could be gone tomorrow, dead or workin' sails. The lass was a ragamuffin in an orphanage beggin' ta' be loved. Within' minutes o' f!$~in' a man, then gougin' out 'is flesh wit 'er claws, our lovely Nymph'o'tha Pit claimed her prize - a chil' a' flesh n' blood." Alyana's voice slips into a sarcastic tone, "Truly motherly instincts if I ever saw 'em."
"An' I hear the meanin' o' yer words. Sounds ta' me you can act as patron to Sylee. But how do ya mean ta do it? Keep 'er yerself, or just have Nessa drop her off between jobs? One may be a solution, another just hurts the lass."
She starts to answer
Sylee could stay..
but she is interrupted by the young girl cry of fear
As she rushes to Nessa's arms. You all turn and see a big, very ugly half orc that scared the young girl
Thank you, Runter, you can put the tray there. This young man
She shows Cameron
Will take it from here.
Caityhlin looks at Sylee, then at Alayna
Do you really think our opinions matter? Sylee's heart obviously already made her choice. It's up to Nessa to be a good mother, or at least to try to be as good a mother she can be. She will do mistakes. Those who raise children always do mistakes, I have made mistakes, you, Alayna, will do mistakes when you will rise your own children. I listened to you, Alayna, and not once you told me that Nessa mistreated Silee, or was harsh-talking to her.
She shows the room
In this house, Sylee can be cared for, feed and loved. In this house, Nessa can be a mother, something she can't be at the Temple, I agree with you. I never could have children of my own, Alayna, but raised a few of them, over the years. Hasn't Sylee suffered enough? Isn't a mother like Nessa better than no mother at all? Doesn't they BOTH deserve a chance? You like Sylee, you really like her. But you said it yourself, the little girl isn't a toy or a pet. She can made her voice heard, and already has. Now, I think that Sylee AND Nessa can do with your help, if you want. Sylee need all the love she can get, after that bad start in life, and if I can be a substiture grand-mother, maybe you can be her adoptive aunt. Now, as we listened to you, I'd like you all, and you particulary, Alayna, to listen Nessa's story. Maybe you will better understand her after.
She nods to the tiefling, still cajoling Sylee
Nessa reached out and took Sylee into her arms, she spun to place herself between Sylee and the door, her wings wrapped around the child. She looked back and saw whatt, or rather who, had scared Sylee and rezlized that it was Runter. Nessa croned to Sylee, "It's alright honey, that's Runter, he works here to help take care of the place and Caithlin. He won't hurt you, your safe Sylee." Nessa picked up the child and turned so she could see Runter and said, "Runter is it me or have you gotten bigger since I saw you last.
."
Nessa sat Sylee down and let her go to Caithlin for some more honey cakes and then sat. She crossed her legsmat the knee and folded her wings down to be as modest as she could. "I've told some of you aof my past but I think it's time to tell the whole thing, or as much as I know. Caithlin, maybe you can ad in the things that I miss or don't know. I was born around sixty four years ago near the docks in a warehouse. My mother was a priestess of Calistria and had been taken by a man who was attacking women in my profession and abducting them. He was in league with a succubus who was using him for her own ends, namely to produce tiefling daughters that she could turn i to half fiends in service to her. The priestesses tracked them down and banished the demon, her puppet going with her, but not before they took all of the babies but me to the abyss."
Nessa's gaze became distant as she continued, "I was left with no one, my mother was the last of her clan of vishkanya in the city and to my knowledge there have nevver been any others here, so the temple took me in. To say I was raised in the temple was misleading, even they knew it wasn't a safe place, and it was around this ttime that Caithlin rtitred from her duties. She took me in and raised me for a time in the temple but later here. That's not to say I didn't spend time there, I did, but I spent more here. As I grew up I was drawn to the temple and serving Calistria largely because of my heritage, the daughter of a vishkanya and a succubus toy, how could I not be. I entered the priesthood because I chose it, not because I was raied around sin and deboauchery."
Nessa turned her head to Alayna and said, "Despite what you might be thinking, the incident right before I accepted Sylee was not because I wanted it per se, I woudldn't have serviced a disgusting lecher like that if it hadn't been in an effort to help you deal with the other thugs more easily. As for taking in Sylee after that, well, I admit the timing could've been better but I had already seen you turn her down, a lonely child who wanted nothing but love, and I couldn't turn her away. Despite Caithlan being my surrogate mother, I always felt that whole where mine should have been, and I can't let Sylee suffer suffer like that, like I could have. You may think my motives are selfish, and I admit that they partly are, but I do this more for Sylee. You seem to think I'm incapable of listening to what you say, but you've never truly talked to me about it like this, you've never tried to get to know me other than one time, it feels like you hate me on general principles and it hurts, it hurts far worse than how Cameron reacted to me with disgust when we first met. We came her today largely because I did listen to you, I accepted yout words that I needed someplace else to live at and raise Sylee. Here she and I can have the stability and safety we need and I can still do my work both at the temple and the Goblin while keeping Sylee in a safe and stable environment. Sylee will have her mother, she'll have a grandmother," Nesaa looked at everyone gathered and said, "and I hope she'll have all of you too because Caithlin is right, Sylee needs all the love she can get."
Cameron accepts the tray from the half orc, and can't help marvelling at how insignificant he feels in comparison to Runter's brute strength. He offers the tray around before sitting back down.
He blushes slightly with the painful details of Nessa's life is described, and he thinks of his own reactions to Nessa's appearance and behavior. He had been scandalized at first, and had written Nessa off as a wanton hussy, but then she had truly surprised him by saving the waif. Cameron understood where Alayna was coming from but he felt she was being very uncharitable over Nessa's motives.
Arms folded, "If you say so."
Dammit! Nothin' said was heard, I be screaming "land! land! land!" and the wind of whim whips away the words. Yon Jenny'll never understand how she'll fail the wee lass...
"Fine. If I am ta' be no more tha' muscle for our activities, let me know."
She stands and addresses Caithlin, "Ma'am your hospitality is amazin', but I thin' I be needin' ta find a safe place fer my upcoming drunk." In a flippant gesture, she replace her tricorn and taps the brim. She wanders out of the house, whistling as she goes, What can ya do with a drunken sailor?
Passing the massive half-orc, she jokes, "Gads! It must be nice ta 'ave a friend like you - both door and butler!" Without further pause she keeps whistling and lets herself out into the night.
Nessa was startled by Alayna's words and sudden move to go and replied with a hurt voice, "Alayna, please, you're opinion does matter but all I've heard from you is that I'm a worthless waste of a person who couldn't possibly raise a child. You're only evidence was a specific incident I explained, and you've made no sense to me at all. I'm trying to follow your advice, I'm moving out of the temple to live here with Caithlin, I'm doing my best to not cause Sylee to feel like she did earlier again." There was a slight catch in her voice as she said, "I can't do this without making mistakes, I'm trying to learn, I'm trying to change, it's hard, but I seem to warrant no help from you at all." There was a pause as the tiefling tried to martial her emotions and finally said in a very small voice, "I thought you were my friend Alayna, was that all a lie?"