She could feel the stress of the day just ebbing away.
Azura says, "Hey, as I recall, you are pretty good at doing your own business with your own tail... though two could be fun as well. I like how yours works." She smirks and tosses her golden hair back again with a glance in the water where Luci's tail currently twitches.
"I'm going to step outside and check on Alexa real quick, let her know what we were thinking regarding portraits, and then come back with a fresh cloth for her to use when it's her turn. Enjoy your relaxation - I'll return in a few minutes," she says. She puts the scrubber aside and stands easily, then whisks away the dampness that now pervades her clothing with a pass of her prestidigitation and strides out the door, sparing a small wave and blowing a pair of kisses.
Alexa stabs one of the small mushrooms and finishes it, in spite of her confusion.
Irabeth moves around the confused crusader and hacks at the other mushroom.
With the fungal heart and the smaller mushrooms destroyed, all that's left to do now is wait for the spores to wear off, then dig up and burn the remnants of the fibers.
As you are recuperating, Azura peeks out her head from the back door to speak to Alexa, but then says, "Oh dear! You've gotten in a bit of a mess. Here, let me help."
"It's a shame I don't want to keep Alexa waiting too long," she said, "I think this is the most privacy we've had since the attack."
"...I'd really like my bath now, please."
With labored breathing, she slowly gets to her feet and rubs at one of the ribs she is almost certain had gotten bruised in the fight. "Uhh...could you make that two baths, please?"
"A bath? Why there is digging to do now." Sario says with her left hand clamped over an area that is bleeding. [b]"I can manage this myself, if i need help I will send for it.
"I'll go let the other ladies know that it's time to switch. Do you want to share a tub or take turns? Also, Alexa, we had some portrait ideas, we can discuss them whenever it's convenient."
With the fungal heart destroyed, the civilians slowly file out into the back. A ragged cheer goes up and one of the children saved from the orphanage rushes up and wraps her tiny arms around Sario and shouts, "Sario, you're the best!"
Azura then slips back into the Heart to go let the bathing crew know that it's time for a shift change.
Azura comes back from outside bearing an extra cloth and says, "There was a bit of a scuffle out back. Apparently some kind of demonic fungus took root. The other ladies have taken care of it, but they took a few nasty hits in the process. They're ready to get cleaned up whenever."
"Sorry to rush you, but all good things must end," she says. "But you can always head upstairs to relax - I'll come up after I finish helping with the next bath."
She looks at Iomenna. "I really don't care about who shares a bath with me. Do you?"
With the threat in the garden eradicated, people finally have time to replant, clean up, and get some much-needed rest. Some people sleep more than others.
The next morning opens with a light drizzle that helps to clear away some of the ash, and then becomes a mostly-clear sky. This looks like a good omen, as the air is fresh but visibility is good and the temperature is only slightly chilly.
Packing in supplies, you prepare for the short half-day's journey to Truestone Quarry.
The orphan children huddle around you as you make preparations in the entry hall, and the little girl hugs Sario and says, "You better come back so you can show me how to garden and stuff!" One of the lads strikes a (poor) fighting pose and says, "Yeah! Give those demons what for!"
A part of Luci had been concerned that she wouldn't able to relax enough to enjoy intimate company until things calmed down. A lack of privacy compared to what she was used to, concerns about the city or something happening while she was indisposed.
Fortunately her concerns had been unfounded, leading to a very pleasant evening. And following morning.
She actually hadn't realised how tense she'd been until afterwards - not from the lack of sex beforehand; she'd gone weeks without before so a few days was no issue - but what had happened to the city must have stressed her out more than she realised. A night for her to forget it all with pleasant company had been just what she needed.
The morning wasn't needed, but it hadn't taken much persuading.
************************************************************************
Luci couldn't help but chuckle at the boy's enthusiasm. "Oh we will, you can count on it."
In the morning, Iomenna wakes up later than most, and when she finally does it's with a surprising lack of discomfort. She had been sure that she'd wake up covered in bruises and cuts from the fight in the garden, but apparently the healers had done their work well. "Gods, I'd love to know more about how that works," she says to herself as she feels for any sore spots in her ribs and finds none.
She enjoys the breakfast provided by Kimroth, and chats with him briefly while she eats, discussing spots that might be good to clear out to make room for expansions to the inn-turned-fortress.
Afterward, she once again enlists Darya's help with her armor, which is now a much more involved process as she had secured some banded mail from the crusaders who had been able to piece together some odd bits. "So," she says teasingly to her fiery-haired friend, "I didn't see much of you last night after you went off to your bath. How was your evening?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
The golden-haired bard follows Luci downstairs in the morning, looking deliciously disheveled. "Listen," she says to Luci while puttering about looking for breakfast, "while you are all out, Irabeth was thinking of forming up a small group to see if we can find other survivor enclaves. She's curious about the crusader camp. A lot of the crusaders carry cold iron weapons, potions, talismans, that sort of thing - could be very useful even if we don't find any more strong arms to join the enclave."
She brushes up against Luci (not accidentally) and says, "But, it might be really risky to try while you are gone. I'm not sure if it's a wise plan to split our forces this much. I guess it's up to Iomenna to decide."
"Anyway, thanks for letting Alexa make those portraits of you and me and Darya... I'll definitely keep one nearby while you're gone."
~~~~~~~~~~
"I wouldn't have been able to do it without all of you, that plant almost got the better of us. Now we just need to dig it out and get rid of whatever remains." Sario looks at the work a head of her and gets going with the help of anyone who is willing. Once the job is done she will retire for the night.
Luci's hand brushed along Azura's back as she passed, wondering just how the aasimar could look so good even while dishevelled. Then again; she wasn't needing to tie her hair back for potential combat like Luci was.
"It's not a bad idea," she replied, "we were going to head out to the camp once we were done in the quarry, but having another group check it out as well could save us some time. Even if they just do a quick scouting run. Probably best to leave that one to Iomenna's call; I'm no strategist so couldn't say whether it's worth the risk or not."
She smiled at the mention of the portraits. "Yeah, I'm sure you will. Although I hope you remember what I said would happen if a... certain subset of those portraits became public."
Sario has the grateful assistance of several of the local survivors in digging out the remains of the horrid fiend-fungus... it makes a nasty smell as it burns, but at least the corruption is rooted out.
"Our next big problem," says one of the laborers to Sario, "is gonna be getting more seed stock. We have grain from the granary, we can use that to plant some wheat and barley and rye, but we need more variety - cabbage, carrots, melons, parsnips. Otherwise it's gonna be a rough summer come harvest time. I know you're busy with, well, saving everyone's butts, but could you keep an eye out?" The laborer doffs his dirty hat and holds it over his chest. "I know maybe we townsfolk don't give the druids as much respect as we should, but... well... our lives kinda depend on it."
~~~~~~~~~~
Azura says to Luci, "All right, I'll talk to Irabeth when she is trying to figure out the next move."
"As for the pictures, well, a particular one is going to be part of my very private collection."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Alexa smirks at the others around the breakfast table. "Glad to hear it."
"Although you could've waited until I was out of the room to move things along." Her voice drops to a whisper.
"To be honest, I can't help but feel a bit jealous of you all."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Azura whispers back to Alexa, "It is a requirement of faith in my religion to reach sexual climax every day. Besides, that gave us the best portrait!"
"Still looking for a sweetheart of your own?"
Alexa sighs. "...I would, were it not for this damnable invasion."
"It's just... well, it's only recently that I've actually started thinking about what I'd rather do with my free time instead of preparing for a demonic incursion."
"Well there are plenty of surviving crusaders who might be interesting people. And townsfolk. We all live in pretty close quarters," says Azura helpfully.
"Also you should get a hobby! Studying magic or music or something. Heck, it was your portrait-drawing that led to an entertaining evening. That's always a great way to meet people."
"...sketching things IS my hobby." Alexa takes another mouthful of food.
"Problem IS, I almost never have time for it."
"To be fair, Alexa, I did tell you to leave when I saw Azura get that look in her eyes." Luci said between mouthfuls of coffee. "And you're not the only one not sure what to do after this is over - I was just gonna join the city watch or maybe a garrison force and both of those options were off the table the minute everything started to explode."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Look... you have time. You can make time, if it's important. But more importantly, you're not alone, which gives you time. What I mean is, I can see you're worried about your family, and about the pressure of saving the city and protecting all the people here - not just Miles, but everyone. Well, folks like Iomenna and Irabeth and Luci and Darya are going to help with that. They'll help find your family. They'll help keep the city safe. It's hard to let down your guard and take a moment to stop worrying and just relax and be yourself, I know. But even in the middle of all this, we can find the time for it," says Azura sunnily.
She smiles sweetly to Luci and leans over and whispers to her.
"You knew that I need to have an orgasm and you knew that I needed your mouth on my boob. Don't pretend you didn't like it."
Then she quickly gives Luci a peck on the cheek before leaning back into her seat and saying, "I have a suspicion that our hands are going to be full for a while. But it also means we'll have new options that we can make for ourselves. And I don't think Kenabres will be on its own forever. There are other cities out there, word will get out, people will come. Survivors, folks who rebuild, folks who held off the demons and fought the good fight - they will have opportunities."
"Look... you have time. You can make time, if it's important. But more importantly, you're not alone, which gives you time. What I mean is, I can see you're worried about your family, and about the pressure of saving the city and protecting all the people here - not just Miles, but everyone. Well, folks like Iomenna and Irabeth and Luci and Darya are going to help with that. They'll help find your family. They'll help keep the city safe. It's hard to let down your guard and take a moment to stop worrying and just relax and be yourself, I know. But even in the middle of all this, we can find the time for it."
Alexa looks down at her half-eaten breakfast and sighs. "...I know."
"I've been on guard for so long, it's... difficult... for me to relax and enjoy myself."
"So who are you looking for? Someone sweet? Someone tough? Someone smart? Man, woman, don't care? Someone to share magic with you or someone who likes drawing or sunsets or conversation?" says Azura.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"...we're really doing this now?" Alexa arches an eyebrow at Azura. "Don't we have an assignment--"
She abruptly cuts herself off. "Dammit I'm still doing it."
"...mostly, I just want someone who can really understand just how lonely a spy's life is." The aasimar pokes at her breakfast, her appetite not what it once was.
"Actually, I'm reminded of that time Miles and I were in the Worldwound... there was a woman who guided us to safety. She followed Desna." She closes her eyes for a moment, then her brow furrows. "...bizarrely enough, those are the only two things I can remember for certain about her. Everything else about her is fuzzy."
A half-smile quirks over Azura's face and she says, "... like a dream?"
"And now's as good a time as any," she says as she spears a small piece of cubed melon. "We're not in the middle of a fight or a planning session."
"Besides, if it's a romantic connection you're trying to find," she adds with a twinkle in her eye, "I can almost certainly help."
After quite the fantastic night, Darya awakens a little before dawn. Smiling at Luci and Azura still cuddled up together, she gently slips out of bed, and grabs her clothes, slipping on the basics before heading to her room. Rather relaxed, she prays to Ragathiel to be with her as they venture out to face the city once again, and gets properly dressed, checking in on Iomenna before heading down to breakfast.
Finding her getting ready for the day, she helps her with her armor, grinning as she mentions the night before. ”Definitely enjoyable.” she replies, her grin broadening as she remembers the previous night’s activities. ”It’s good to be reminded that in all this damn near apocalyptic chaos, we’re still people with needs and desires, and things we enjoy. Fighting demons all day doens seem as bad if you can fall asleep in someone else’s arms when it’s all over.”
Darya gives Alexa a look of understanding and compassion. She knew what it was like to lose family......hell she had lost her father before she ever met him. "Azura's absolutely right. We'll do everything we can to help you find your family Alexa."
Smirking as the conversation goes in an even more interesting direction she grins at the scout. "Oh she can definitely help with that. Azura has a special talent for that." she says with a chuckle.
Impulsively she reaches across the table to squeeze Alexa's hand. "And yeah, don't let the insanity of it all stop you from living. If we're facing the end of the world, we might as well take hold of whatever joy we can grab in the middle of it right?"
As Darya finishes fastening the last of the straps on Iomenna's armor, she turns and lays a hand on Darya's shoulder. "Good. I'm glad you were able to find something to take your mind off of all of this for a while. We all need that from time to time." He voice trails off at this last statement, and her gaze falls to ground. After a moment of quiet reflection, she looks back to Darya with a smile. "Anyway, it sounds like you've found a person or two who you can find comfort and peace with, and I'm happy for you. Now let's head down. I wanted to check in with Irabeth before we head out, and I know Azura and Luci are probably missing you after, what, these last ten minutes? Hehehe!"
********
After getting all ready for the trip, Iomenna heads back downstairs with Darya and finds Irabeth. "Well, we're just about ready to set off. I heard something about plans to send a group out to the camps or to find other groups of survivors? What kind of force were you thinking of sending out?"
"I will keep an eye out yes" Sario heads off to find her companions.
"So we are heading out to the camps? I am looking for seeds while we are out and about." Sario Tells Iomenna.
Irabeth is quick to respond to Iomenna. "While our forces are currently limited, I think it might be worth sending some of the scouts to check the remnants of the crusader camps," the half-orc woman says. "Now that the other team is assaulting the garrison, I don't need to keep my scouts harrying that area constantly. I've received a report that they've made it inside."*
"Since the crusader camps were essentially tents and shanty-towns outside of the wall, I expect it's mostly a disaster, but that also means it's easy to get in and out of there. We might find some useful supplies left over - it's not like the demons are going to try to round up the holy water and cold iron weapons and cart them off en masse. I think we can do it with minimal risk if it's a quick there-and-back. If you think it's too much of a risk, we'll wait for you to get back from Truestone."
* DM note: The other team is just wrapping their fight for entering the barracks, but since you guys are now at the day after that, presumably they make it inside and are slogging their way through.
Azura's & Darya's offers of help finding a romantic partner cause Alexa's expression to turn deadpan. "Not that I'm not appreciative of the thought, but what happens if the end of the world doesn't come and the person you find isn't the right one for you?"
...that, and most people here are Templars.
She shakes her head. "Eh, all this talk of love is making me hungry." She gets back to her bacon & eggs, taking a mouthful and swallowing. "So, how long have the lot of you been with the Crusaders?"
Azura says soberly, "If the end doesn't come and the person isn't right for you, you move on." She wavers a bit when Alexa mentions crusaders. "Teeeeccchhnically I'm not a Crusader. I'm simply traveling to various exciting places to have interesting experiences ever since I left my family holdings in Magnimar. My family matriarch didn't really approve of my lifestyle choices and it was kind of irreconcilable. I came to Kenabres because of all the stories of the heroes facing the Worldwound... turns out I had crossed paths with Luci before and we reconnected right before the apocalypse. And Luci introduced me to Darya, and we hit it off right away."
"So...the first time we met, it was your first time meeting Darya as well?" Alexa takes another mouthful of bacon. Her plate is almost clean.
"Yep! Luci vouched for her so I knew she was all right and we've been friends ever since. Funny to think it was only a few days ago!" says Azura.
Irabeth is quick to respond to Iomenna. "While our forces are currently limited, I think it might be worth sending some of the scouts to check the remnants of the crusader camps," the half-orc woman says. "Now that the other team is assaulting the garrison, I don't need to keep my scouts harrying that area constantly. I've received a report that they've made it inside."*
"Since the crusader camps were essentially tents and shanty-towns outside of the wall, I expect it's mostly a disaster, but that also means it's easy to get in and out of there. We might find some useful supplies left over - it's not like the demons are going to try to round up the holy water and cold iron weapons and cart them off en masse. I think we can do it with minimal risk if it's a quick there-and-back. If you think it's too much of a risk, we'll wait for you to get back from Truestone."
* DM note: The other team is just wrapping their fight for entering the barracks, but since you guys are now at the day after that, presumably they make it inside and are slogging their way through.
Iomenna's eyes close and a sigh escapes her as she hears that the others are past their first obstacle. "Good! I'm glad the stratagem to draw away the defenders worked. Now that the scouts are off that assignment, I think it would be alright for them to make a trip to the camps. Let's have them prioritize survivors first, then weapons, then food stores or seeds for Sario here. If we can get any combination of those things, it'll be a huge boon for us here."
"Sometimes you just instantly connect with people. Life is too short to not trust your instincts." Darya says with a smile as she eats. ”As far as being a Templar…..so I grew up here, my mother was a priestess in the crusade, so I pretty much grew up with a sword in my hand, training to fight the evils here, but……well I’m not quite the typical personality of your everyday crusader. “
Darya's words cause Alexa to blink in surprise.
"...how old were you when you joined the Crusaders, Darya? If you don't mind my prying."
"I'm no Crusader either - like I said before, I was just gonna join the city watch or something here in Kenabres and try to save up to start on a little project I've had in mind. The one I mentioned the night before the attack."
Azura winks and says, "I like to call her project 'hookin' for good.'"
After whispering to Luci, Azura giggles hard enough that she snorts.
~~~~~~~~~~
Irabeth nods to Iomenna and says, "Yes, commander. I'll send out word to the troops to assemble for a sweep-and-reconnoiter operation."
Meanwhile, Sario is greeted for breakfast by several of the laborers who helped with the garden yesterday.
"Miss! We started planting some wheat. There was a little grain left in the basement," says one of them.
"Do you think we could raise poultry? Or maybe goats?" asks another.
Iomenna grasps Irabeth's forearm in a gesture of farewell, "Good luck, Captain.* Tell your scouts to be as quick and as careful as they can manage. We don't want any unnecessary losses just for a few stray swords."
She heads back to the main hall, where she finds Alexa, Azura, Darya, and Luci gathered and chatting idly. "Well, ladies, I think we're just waiting for Sario to finish commanding her army of gardeners and we'll be set to leave. Do you all have any more preparations you need to make?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Azura spears another piece of melon and waggles it on her fork as she replies to Iomenna, "I think they're all sexed up and ready to go, Commander." She once again chuckles. "Also, they can fight."
"I started my training at 8, though that was probably more of an anger management thing. But it turns out I was pretty good at fighting and the physical activity helped me deal with stuff. I'm 21 now." Darya answers Alexa.
She almost chokes as Azura replies to Iomenna, turning into a full on laugh. "That's....a pretty accurate assessment actually. Ready to go!"
"'Hookin' for good' is a bit of an oversimplification. Not the full extent of what I'm considering, either."
She'd been about to tell Iomenna she was right to go when Azura made her interjection. "You couldn't have tried for something a bit more subtle? Taldane's that flexible a lang- no, forget I said anything; you'd just make a remark about flexibility and we'd be back to square one. Anyway," she stopped talking for a moment to drain the last of her coffee, "now I'm ready to go."
Alexa purses her lips and rises from her table, her breakfast finished. "Ready."
...she was younger than me when she joined. Except she volunteered.
Lucky b!&&!.
"Do we have much of a grassy area around for goats? Chickens we will need for them and right now we don't have it. We can try and probably should but be prepared for them to not lay like we want them too." Sario says greeting the workers.
Darya notes Alexa's slightly terse reaction to her reply. "It's pretty likely that without the outlet of training that early on, I'd have ended up going down a pretty dark path."