Niccolo sighs. "Not well, I am sure. Divitia's always been protective of me. Overbearingly so..."
He pauses then lays on the bed. "Drago...how did you win Aliethia's heart?"
Sādhanā blinks for a moment processing what just happened. A tiny part of her felt…honored? Knowing what it was that appealed to Ylrhea. She’d be lying if she said that under different circumstances the night wouldn't have gone very differently. But Clara owned her heart.
Looking at Ylrhea turned towards the wall her heart goes out to her friend. Moving over to kneel next to the other bed, she gently touches the gnome’s shoulder.
”It’s ok….I’m not upset, and you don’t need to apologize. I understand. Honestly I feel special, because I know you’re not attracted to just anyone. I know how you feel, honestly I do, and you are an amazing woman with a whole lot to offer on every level. Hell if I’d have met you a year ago we wouldn’t be having this conversation right now…but you know Clara has my heart hon.”
She rubs Ylrhea’s back comfortingly. ”Don’t you dare feel bad about having needs and desires, with everything you’ve been through you deserve to feel good more than anyone I know, and I promise you that will happen. I love you dearly and I can’t wait to see you happy. But if you act all awkward because of a kiss I’ll kick that shapely little ass of yours.” Sādhanā says with a chuckle, trying to make Ylrhea laugh.
Drago let out a heavy sigh and turned to face Niccolo. "In truth, I do not know. Our first meeting did not end well. Chalandra had sent me out for my first kill. I wandered the woods for hours until I heard singing. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard. I followed it and came upon Aliethia at a campfire. She had been travelling alone. I approached her and used my inherent ability to charm women. As I began to kiss her seductively, then I...I bit into her neck. As you could imagine, that snapped her out of my charms. Consequently, she put a dagger in my side. I howled so loud it caused her ears to bleed, and she fell over, dead. I just left her there for the animals to scavenge. Despite the fact I murdered her, there was always a special place in my heart for that one brief moment we shared." Drago paused to compose himself before continuing, "Months back, when I was setting up our campsite, the others had gone hunting for boar and I heard the song once more. Following it, I came across her once more. This time however, Calistra had raised her as a zombie. We fought, and she would have killed me if not for Calistra's intervention. When I was held by Chalandra, she did something to Aliethia and made her a full vampire. And she...visited me every night. The Dhampir's hand absently rubbed at his chest, the memory of his scarred flesh rising within his mind, "I still have not truly forgiven her for that, but perhaps in time, those wounds will heal."
Niccolo remains quiet for a moment. "I'm sorry, Drago, for all you've been through. I wish I could do something to heal you both."
Ylrhea sobs quietly as Sādhanā rubs her back. "I know how you feel for Clara...but I couldn't help myself. How can something feels so good and so wrong at the same time?"
She takes a deep breath and rolls over to face the magus. A small smile creeps across her face. "I won't act awkward...You have soft lips."
Sienna yawns and rolls over as Cyna sleeps. The tiefling stares at the walls for a moment, the chill of the room bringing her worries forth in her mind. Aliethia died right in front of them. Of course, it was a trap meant for her and Drago's mother was a clever cunt. Still...what if there was someone who wanted to hurt them all equally?
"I'm worried, cutie...What if we don't make it back?" she whispers in the dark.
Sādhanā smiles warmly. "Why, thank you. You're a pretty good kisser." she says with a wink brushing tears away from Ylrhea's eyes.
"You're a hell of a woman, Ylrhea. Don't let anyone tell you different."
"I won't," the gnome says. "Anything else on your mind, Sādhanā?"
"It's alright brother, there are just some things that cannot be healed before their time."
"Will you two please be quiet, how's a girl suppose sleep around here." Tarja thought at Drago.
Niccolo rolls over and succumbs to sleep once more.
"Not that I can think of right now. You definitely made me feel better, thank you so much for being there for me Ylrhea." the Anizari says standing up.
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A moment passed while Harakhty made sense of the words. "Then so it must be. One hundred and thirty. I will be the one to bring their deaths and blood upon my armor, calling your name as I do."
Gorum says, before storming out of the room.
"Always," Ylrhea murmurs as she closes her eyes and falls asleep.
Sienna yawns and rolls over as Cyna sleeps. The tiefling stares at the walls for a moment, the chill of the room bringing her worries forth in her mind. Aliethia died right in front of them. Of course, it was a trap meant for her and Drago's mother was a clever c@@+. Still...what if there was someone who wanted to hurt them all equally?
"I'm worried, cutie...What if we don't make it back?" she whispers in the dark.
Cyna stirs in her sleep her eyes flutter open and she notices her love staring at the ceiling.
"You didn't come down with the nightmare bug did you?" Cyna whispers.
Sienna shakes her head. "Nah, just thinking. Did I wake you up?"
"Don't know, just had a feeling." Cyna says softly.
Cyna brushes a strand of hair away from Sienna's face. "We're in a real mess aren't we?"
"That's what I'm thinking," Sienna says, holding Cyna close. "We've got psychos all around us, plus a bunch of gods playing some sort of game."
Sādhanā removes her armor and sits on the edge of her bed. Looking over at the sleeping gnome she sighs softly. "Shelyn. Thank you for bringing Clara into my life and me into hers. Thank you for giving me the perfect person to share everything with. Please do the same for Ylrhea. She fights for the good of everyone and asks for so little in return. Please bring her perfect person into her life. In the light of your love. she whispers.
Pulling on her shift she slips under the covers, and as has become her nightly ritual, kisses the amber stone on her wedding ring if possible cherishing Clara even more tonight.
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Sādhanā feels a warm contentment sweep over her and, for a moment, she can feel her wife in her arms.
More at peace than she's been since they left Valwick, Sādhanā falls into a blissful sleep.
Finding a cozy nook to lean into Cyna sighs. "We just need to find a way to come out on top. I don't like being used as a pawn even if it's for something good."
"Psychos are all the same, we've dealt with plenty and there's a long road ahead of us I think. Drago's b~&$$ mother is a little unnerving though that's for sure."
Sienna nods, her hair brushing against Cyna's face. "I don't think Sarenrae just sees us as tools though. She put everything on the line to make sure we had the edge."
The sorceress shakes her head a little and sighs. "I think I'm a little hungry."
Eventually, the inn settles into a peaceful silence and the morning comes, the sun shining but a cool autumn breeze sweeping across Fane.
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Ylrhea rises early, much on her mind. While last night wasn't a complete and utter disaster...it couldn't happen again. She slips out of the room, sliding a dagger into her boot and leaving the rest behind. Her mind goes back to that kiss, the wrongness of that desire still weighing on her. Yet...the desire didn't diminish. Once outside, she takes a deep breath of the cool air and looks around.
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Jerryl sits up as she feels the sun creeping above the horizon. Her habits didn't change though her circumstances did. She listened intently as the gnome slipped out of the other room. She closes her eyes and sighs, cut off from the prayers of her faithful. She could not hear their voices and it troubled her. An entire year of silence like this would be almost unbearable.
She thought of what the other gods said about "puling and whining", but it was never that way to her. She'd tune out the insincere and listen to the ones who truly believed in her. Prayers sounded like sweet music to her, like Shelyn's lyre. The world seemed so monochromatic now and it was depressing. She waited a few moments more before making a prayer of her own.
Though I am flesh and blood, I am still with you, bringers of justice and light. My thoughts are with you as you fight in my name and for the sake of goodness. May your blades be sharp against the darkness, may your armor hold fast against the blows of those who would do you harm. Go in peace and bring those who need it your kindness.
She got off the bed and headed down to the common room, hunger beginning to gnaw at her.
Cyna giggles at her love. "Your right about the Dawnflower. She's put everything on the line. Put her faith in us like I have for her for many years. I fear what the king of hell's plan is. I don't think he'd strip her of her powers for a year if he didn't plan to take advantage between now and then."
--- -- - -- ---
Waking early due to Sienna's insatiable appetite the two tieflings make their way, hand in hand, down the stairs for breakfast.
"Maybe today will be a bit more.... Normal?" Cyna says.
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Sienna puts the fingers of her free hand up to her temples and closes her eyes. "'Outlook not so good'."
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Cyna feigns surprise at Sienna's newest ability and says. "That's amazing!"
Not knowing what time her sister came to bed, Arista tries very hard to be quiet, but stubbing her tow on a piece of furniture doesn't help.
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Sienna laughs as they enter the common room.
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Aliethia dozes, the platinum holy symbol in her hand.
Sādhanā awakens in a better mood that normal when in the field. Looking over to Ylrhea's bed she sighs, seeing her gear and understanding her friend's need to clear her head.
Sitting up, she begins her morning ritual of meditation and study, perparing her mind for the pssibility of war, binding magical forces to her body requiring but a few guestures, words or sword strokes to call forth on the battle field.
Her preparations done, spells locked in her mind, she acsts a quick cantrip to freshen up and dons her armor, buckling Oblivion to her hip before heading downstairs to the common room.
The common room is empty, save for plates of cold biscuits and a thin, barely warm gruel. Cayden and his attendant are nowhere to be found. Robbins is likewise not present.
Jerryl takes a look at the "food" and frowns. "Please tell me it gets better than this."
Sienna snickers. "I can actually tell you that it could be worse."
"If you come back to Valwick with us you'll get to experience the wonder that is Hadrinn's," Sādhanā says with a wistful sigh. "I can make it taste better though." She says with a guesture at the food and a spoken word as a rupple passes over the meagre fare, steam rising from both biscuits and gruel moments later.
Jonas and family appear moments later. The patriarch looks over the fare. "Robbins didn't cook this, it looks edible."
Drago had slept fitfully through the night. The memories of his past haunting his dreams. He awoke the next morning feeling rather hungry, and not for food. Damnable curse. He thought as he started dressing himself. Leaving Niccolo in Tarja's care, the Dhampir headed downstairs.
Niccolo yawns, turning to watch Drago leave. "Good morning, Tarja."
Uncurling from the corner and stretching, she looked at Niccolo, "And a fair morning to you, brother of the Stormborn."
The dhampir sighs. "I suppose until I do something useful, I will always be compared to one of my siblings."
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Looking over at her sleeping sister Arista chides herself silently for her clumsiness. Before doing anything else, Arista kneels by the side of her bed and offers up a silent prayer. Bright and Blessed Sarenrae, though you are among us as mortal you are still my Goddess. My courage, strength, devotion, and love all come from you and the wonderful things you have put in my life. May we honor you in all that we do as we go forth on this journey, and may we touch the lives of others with the love and light that you have shown us. May they see in us the hope for a better future for them as well as their friends and family as we strive for a better one for our own. Help us to show the kind of mercy that has been bestowed upon us countless times to those that may need it, and help us to deal swiftly and justly with those that don't. Be with everyone here and back home in Valwick, for even without your powers the light of your love covers this land. I am, as always, your most loving and faithful servant.
Kissing the Holy Symbol she holds in her hands, she closes her eyes and thinks of Alethiro and sends all her love to him. Thinking of the one she loves almost more than anything else in her world, a tear falls down her cheek as she thinks to herself in a still quiet voice. Ohhhh, Alethiro I miss you so much. Even though the roads we travel are filled with dangers, my faith, hope, and love will keep me strong. For you, for me, for us and our baby. I can't wait to hold you and tell you of the child that grows within me. Please stay safe and know that I love you.
Wiping her silent tears away she stands up and starts the process of changing out of her dirty, blood stained, and torn clothing she tosses the shirt and leather breeches on the floor and puts the black panty set back in the bag, while pulling out the clothes she will most likely wear through these colder areas.
Arista's Pre-Apocalyptic Fashion: She changes into the red brassier and panty set, and dons her elven chainmail shirt before putting on the thick mid sleeved gold shirt with high neck. Taking the dove pin from the green shirt she pins it to the Gold top and makes sure her Holy Symbol is on the outside of the shirt, while the green emerald pendent is underneath the shirt where she can keep it close to her heart. She puts on the thick long wool Burgundy colored skirt and black leather boots. Taking her Fire Goddesses Blade, she straps it to her hip before wrapping the dark green hooded cloak around her. She takes her brush and goes through her long disheveled head of hair until she can at least get it smoothed down and places the flowery silver headband on top. While some of the curls still fall around her face, at least it keeps it from completely obscuring her vision.
Taking her warm winter blanket she places it gently over Aliethia and then gives her sister a light kiss on the forehead before heading downstairs to start her mad capped shopping adventure.
"It is not a comparison, merely a statement of your connection to the last of the Zakharov line." Tarja countered.