Zses's eyes will grow wide at Allie's comment: the witch will try to say something, but Crow will precede him, croaking menacingly at the gnome.
Still shaken by what Allie had said, Zses will wait for Neverhome and Silence to talk to the woman first: previous experiences had taught him that he wasn't the person best suited to talk with people.
Best that they calm her down before I talk about the specifics... She isn't trapped on this earth like a ghost does, but she still had to die in the creation of that doll...
Allie didn't understand why everyone was getting so upset. It was the truth after all. When she heard her sister, she looked at the woman. "Sorry, I guess." Little Allie went on to mock Crow fervently. This made Allie laugh. Under her breath, Allie mumbles: "Letting her daughter go off with a witch. I can't believe how wonderful of a mother she is!" Allie frowned. "I think they're right. Leave her alone."
"Thora's just a child - didn't really mean what she said. Just playing around. But Lady Masilliovna took her anyway. Said she'd 'teach her proper manners.' You know how the Witches are. That was two weeks ago. We don't have much, but we're hoping that if we bring some Ice Wine to her as a peace offering, she'll let me take my daughter back home. That's where we were going when those bugs attacked." Nadya glares at the rude Gnome and mutters, "I didn't have a choice. She'd have killed us both if I refused. I don't want to talk about this anymore...."
Letting out a deep breath Neverhome will crouch down on his knees in front of Nadya before speaking. "You have my deepest sorrows, on our way here we came across Witch's Hut with doll inside. When it attacked us I destroyed it. She is at peace now."
"Yea, losing family always sucks." Hobbes says with great familiarity.
Silence oppened his mouth to speak when Lyosha spopke again. He wrinkled his nose at his words... he certainly would have said it different... maybe. It was a tough thing either way.
If that witch was responsible for that travesty yes yes, then she has a part in the unnatural winter plagueing the other lands... We came through a magic portal to here trying to find a way to stop it. Diplomacy by sword it seems may be required. Let us get your wounded friends in a safe place perhaps you could tell us more about this witch yes yes?
The felinerai began offering the woman a deep deep bow.
Sigrun's face is a grim expression of quiet anger. "If your daughter is lost I am truly sorry. This witch will suffer for what she has done to you and your child."
When the conversation turns to killing witches, Percy pops up our of her butchery again. A witch? Needs killing? I'm there!
Zsestrian will nod at his companion's words "Yes, we came from a portal that opened near here: it's spreading winter far into our homelands. While we where there we found an hut, with engraved chicken legs, and..." Zses will pause for a second, gathering courage "we found the spirit of your daughter and the Soulbound Doll for which it was used for. She's not here anymore, but her soul is free and safe, now."
The witch will take a deep breath before continuing "We're here to close this portal, but if you need help with this Lady Masilliovna..."
Zses will fall silent, thinking about what Mother Theodora said to him and his own suspicions.
Do I have something to do with this Winter Witches? They create those damn portals, raise undeads, and kidnap and murder little girls to use them at sentinels! The idea that I'm even loosely related to them makes me sick, but everything points to that... What if I discover that my family is from here? What if all those memories I'm slowly recovering are only fakes, and I'm the son of a Winter Wit-
"Snap out of it!" Crow will say before pecking Zses's head, moving his orange scarf with his legs.
The witch will look at the bird, then at the scarf, and smile faintly.
"Silence's right. Let's find a safe place first, lest we get attacked by other oversized insects."
Allie thought on it a moment. 'soul bound doll.. Hmm..' She spoke up.
"Looks like she died anyway. And now you are left to live alone, knowing that it was your fault. That really sucks. Sorry, lady."
Then Allie attempted to climb onto Neverhomes shoulders.
Neverhome will let her scamper up his shoulders. At least she's trying to be empathic... I think.
Allie Cuddles Neverhome's head. "I'm tall now!" She giggled in Neverhome's ear.
At least I'm capable of making someone happy...
Nadya looks confused, then grieved as Zes' words begin to sink in. Once her companions are loaded into the Slaygon, you continue traveling toward the distant village of Waldsby. It's a very quiet journey - Nadya in particular seems lost in thought and stays distant from everyone else. After several hours, the darkness and approaching snowstorm necessitate stopping to camp for the night.
Silence opened his mouth and then shut it again. That was just mean. He didnt remember the flutterby of fire making little one being so mean. He certainly hoped she was just irratible by bugs.... and the cold. yes yes that had to be it. He gave the woman her space, He couldnt imagine what it would be like to be in her shoes. Instead he focused on the mounts and getting people to the town, all the while trying to keep a sharp eye out for further troubles.
Peculiar assists in securing the newly carved mantis shells and getting everyone bundled. Who knew a hobby could become so handy. When the Slaygon is forced to stop, Percy works her way around and directs where her burned hands prevent actual physical assistance. She directs her and Allie's tent to be set up near the wagon. Their tent was smaller and needed shelter from gusting winds.
Zses will offer his help to prepare the camp, still lost in thought.
Now that I think about it, I haven't slept in hours...
Hobbes takes direction and helps set up camp as well.
Neverhome will help set up, though he's not as useful as he'd like while being an outpost for Allie.
Allie hugs Neverhome's head. "I like you Lyosha. You're nice and sweet. If anyone hurts your feelings, tellme, okay?" Allie whispered. She quickly kissed Neverhomes cheek, her lips warm against his skin.
While the kiss shot through him more like ice water than anything, more from longstanding absent affection on his part rather than any perceived malevolence coming from Allie, he is actually able to steer himself and respond to the fey child. "And I would hope the same unto you Milady Allie."
She giggled and kissed him once again. "I will." She then climbed down and helped him with the set ups.
What weird, strange place and people I've found myself wherein. It is not so bad.
Once the campsite is set up, Nadya begins to make a fire. The cold wind makes this difficult until Allie, seeing her struggling, launches a small ball of fire at the kindling - igniting it instantly. Nadya nods grudgingly in thanks. Everyone breaks out rations and begins eating when you notice a figure approaching. As it draws closer, you can see it's a hairless satyr with a slightly fiendish face. It's clad in an entertainer's outfit and carries a lute slung over her shoulder. "Hail, friends! May I rest my weary legs at your campfire? My wealth is small, but I offer an evening of laughter and song in payment."
"Of course Milady. There's plenty of room." Extending a hand he motions to one of the empty spots around the fire. And while his hospitality is genuine he hopes his comrades don't take that as a cue to lower their guard.
Allie looked at the creature. "You have hoofs... Interesting. Wanna see something cool?"
Allie begins to concentrate and moves her finger in the air. A lovely fire etching in the sky appears line by line, drawing the creature. The fire changes color while it burns in the air.
Little Allie changes into the strange creature and pretends to play a lute.
He blinked at the strange creature for a moment he carefully worked a sharpening stone over his Naginata. His tail stilled and his ears twitched back for a moment as he watched her... finally after a moment of studying he went back to sharpening the Naginata.
Welcome friend yes yes, Always room for a fellow traveler out here in teh wilds I would imagine." He offered doing his best to sound friendly. His tail at least went back to a friendly slowly wave back and forth even if his ears continued to lay back.
Sigrun studies the woman quietly then nods. Not seeming overly concerned yet still a bit guarded. "You are welcome at our fire this cold night."
"Yea, sure why not." Hobbes shrugs. She wouldn't be the strangest traveler here, that's for sure.
Well, she looks like a nice person. And she's not throwing toothpicks at us like the last blue-skinned people we've met.
"Sure thing! I'm Zses" he will smile widely "What brings you here? Seen anything interesting?"
Vashti keeps a close eye on every one, paying very close attention to the newcomer, Allie, and Nayda.
Zses can't help but chuckle at the gnome climbing on Neverhome's head.
Wow, she doesn't look anything like she did before. I can't believe she's the same person that was so harsh at Nadya...
"Is your sister always like that?" Zses will ask with a smile to Percy, pointing at Allie.
Pretty much. Percy says with a sigh. Usually I can keep her from burning places down, but she's gotten us thrown out of more than one town. One time she actually burned down the town's tavern. Took us weeks to outrun the posse.
"She REALLY likes to burn things. I've seen that first hand. And that's not good. At least on the receiving end." Ered just grimaces as she remembers the last experience with her fiery nature.
Allie frowned, looking a bit sad and confused. "Hey, fire brings new life. Sometimes, for reasons I dont really know, I just do it... Where there are ashes, flowers and crops grow even better... I guess they should thank me... I don't know what happens sometimes... But I do like fire!" Back to the cheery face she had before, she touches the creatures leg. "What's it like to have hooves?" Her face lit up.