"SASHA!" Alis' eyes go wide at the huntress' remark, and she groans before heading back up the hill after Mal.
For her part, Sasha just gives a impish grin and strokes Lureene's cheek with the back of her hand. "Guess I'll just have to show you some time..."
With that she kisses the palm of the hand still on her own cheek and says, "There, all better." Pulling her into a hug, she whispers, "You really do hit like a girl, you know that right?"
Uhhh...Sash? I AM a girl!" Lureene starts following Alis up the hill, although she does give a smile back to the huntress, "I am sure you knew that already!"
I have to be more careful about what I say to her...
Upon seeing the others approaching the top of the hill once more, Priyya's gaze shifts over to where Darvesch has been roused by Lureene's outburst. Walking over with a measure gait, she kneels nearby and says in a cool tone, "It seems that Lureene took a bit of an exception to your involvement with Sasha and ran off. Your cousin gave chase, and Sasha and Mal went after them. They're coming back now... headed this way."
"Thanks, Priyya." He says with a disappointed tone. He stands and readies himself for their arrival. "Put me in front of a demon, and I'll slice it down. Put me in front of a woman, and I'm clueless." He sighs and waits for the women.
A look of almost motherly understanding softens Priyya's hard features. With an almost imperceptible wince of effort, she rises back to her feet and comments, "To be fair, you are no worse off than most of your gender regarding the later. Unfortunately for you, it just so happens that some of the women you are dealing with fit into both categories."
She pauses for a moment, noting that Sasha and Lureene are now walking hand-in-hand behind Alis.
"Actually, I should amend that last assertion. Most of them are..."
With that, she claps Darvesch on the shoulder in a sign of camaraderie, grateful that her own clandestine relationship still remains as such.
Lureene sees Darvesch standing there and shoots a quick glance aat Sasha. For a brief moment, her imagination fills her mind with an image of the huntress and the inquisitor, and she is mortified to feel the blush on her face returning.
I...I really have to work on this some more.
Taking a few deep breaths seems to help. She waves at the dwarf and approaches him while giving him a gentle, almost wistful smile.
"I hope you slept well, Darv. If I woke you earlier, I do apologize for that." She glances towards Aycenia's tree, as much to avoid staring at the dwarf's physique as it was to see if the dryad was about. "Has Ayecnia paid her respects to Jask already?"
"I believe so, yes. She should be with him still." Is all the conversation he offers due to his hidden shame of recent events.
Lureene looks at Darvesch for a few seconds, and realizes he is ashamed of what happened between him and Sasha. She inwardly groans, I think it would be best to leave him alone for now, he feels bad enough what with Jask's death and all. I hope Sasha gets that as well.
She offers the dwarf what she hopes is a reassuring smile, replying "I suppose it was hard on her learning of his death...I know it is still hard on me...."
She turns to Alis, eager to change the subject. "So, should we spend the evening here and head off to the lighthouse in the morning?"
Priyya surveys the awkward interchange between Lureene and Darvesch with a flinty gaze before murmuring to Alis, "Well that was rather restrained."
Alis rolls her eyes and gives an abbreviated shake of her head.
Without commenting on the situation any further, or making eye-contact with Darvesch, she says, a far-off tone in her voice, "Grateful or not, it's a small wonder that Aycenia hasn't chastised us for disturbing her peace of her home by now."
I wonder if she's simply hoping we'll just depart of our own accord...
Not allowing her disappointment to show, the princess begins, "Perhaps setting out for the lighthouse isn't such a bad idea we still have Brightpool–"
From the outskirts of Aycenia's ancient banyan tree, a voice reaches you that is at once familiar in its tone, yet wholly new in its quality, "Hospitality does indeed have its limits, and you should all feel ashamed over the disrespect you show our lovely hostess. Aycenia may be too kind-hearted to say so, but say them someone must!"
"The... hell?"
"Um, El?" The huntress puts a hand on her short friend's shoulder, squinting into the light of the sunset in disbelief, "I take back what I said about you hitting like a girl. You must have really socked it to me..."
Alis arches a slender golden eyebrow in surprise at what she hears, and turns slowly, gazing up the hill towards the tall, thin figure silhouetted against the sunset. The figure is tall and slender yet definitely male, following a few steps behind, she can make out Aycenia who is leaning heavily against her tree even as if she had just run a long race.
As the familiar stranger approaches, you can make out the points of his ears — too short to be a full-blooded elf or a fey, too tapered to be a human. Suddenly, when he turns to support Aycenia, Alis notes the profile of his face and here eyes go wide.
"JASK?!"
Lureene stares in disbelief at what her eyes tell her.
"Sash, is that who I think it is? Jask?? No...it cannot be...how is this possible?"
There is a lengthy pause, before the tall man says hesitantly, "Jask? as if not sure of the answer. Slowly the half-elf and the dryad approach, and the princess casts a light spell so that you might all see more clearly.
The man certainly looks as though he could be Jask, or at least the offspring of Jask and an elven woman anyway. He has short black hair and a bit of white scruff on his chin as though he had been shaven clean just a few days prior.
Holding up a thin, dark-skinned hand to shield hazel eyes from the sudden light, he studies each of you carefully, looking to Aycenia briefly as if for approval. "H– highness Alis?! Mistress Lureene?"
Aycenia lays a delicate hand on the half-elf's arm and nods encouragingly. She looks quite exhausted and you are reminded of how fatigued she was after journeying to the seaside a few days prior to break the polymorph spell Malikadna had cast upon Malandraenas. Sighing more in relief than out of weariness, she says, "Yes, you remember. These are your friends and your princess. Together you with them, you all saved the jungle from a great evil."
"I–" Jask looks about studying everyone's faces. As the rest of you look on in wonder, you realize that he looks much younger, younger even than Alis or Sasha. At last his gaze falls upon Darvesch and he puts a hand to his chest as if recollecting a grave memory. "You, Master Darvesch, you survived! I remember a dark place, full of death, smoke, and rot. You fell and I rushed to aid you yet we both were stricken by a great violet monstrosity!"
Lureene heart swells in joy at seeing the reincarnated Jask. She stepds forward and gives him a nod of encouragement.
"Yes, Jask. You remember us...and what happened in that horrible place! I am SOO happy to see you alive again!" She steps forward to give him a hug, but stops suddenly remembering her earlier outburst.
She bows her head in a gesture of respect, mixed with shame and softly adds, "Jask, you are correct. I...I owe you and Aycenia an apology for my outburst. It was disrespectful of our hostess."
Jask nods in acceptance at Lureene's apology, but it is obvious her earlier comment left him confused.
"Alive again?" The young man seems looks to the dryad with questioning eyes.
Aycenia smiles and nods reaching up to brush her hand against Jask's new ears. "Yes Jask, you gave your old life bravely for others. The many who you saved each gave a portion of themselves back to honor that sacrifice. You have been born again in a body new."
Jaw slack from surprise, the young cleric reaches up touching Aycenia's hand even as he feels the tips of his new ears. He then runs a hand over his scalp and across his no-longer-wrinkled face, surprise mounting with each passing moment.
"A miracle," he murmurs, "I– I am an elf now?"
"As much as I am, Jask" Alis says, violet eyes glistening in the glare of the sunset. "Aycenia I– thank you!"
"I–" Jask looks about studying everyone's faces. As the rest of you look on in wonder, you realize that he looks much younger, younger even than Alis or Sasha. At last his gaze falls upon Darvesch and he puts a hand to his chest as if recollecting a grave memory. "You, Master Darvesch, you survived! I remember a dark place, full of death, smoke, and rot. You fell and I rushed to aid you yet we both were stricken by a great violet monstrosity!"
"Alas, I did. Were it not for you, I fear I wouldn't be standing here now. Thank you." Darvesch turns to Aycenia, "Thank you." he says simply.
So you know, the short exchange he gives to Aycenia is for a reason. He's trying to appear as diplomatic and thankful as he can without giving away his shock of seeing the power over life and death used so blatantly. I'll just say it has something to do with something in his history taught him about life and death, and this doesn't seem natural to him at all, even going so far as to putting something in his history about hunting a necromancer or some such thing as one of his initial assignments.
Of course, nobody knows all the history behind it, but anyone that knows him well enough would know he's uncomfortable now, not necessarily why. I'll even include a bluff and acting roll, if necessary.
Although Darvesch's tries to maintain his usual gruff and stoic countenance, it is plain to everyone that this turn of events has left him surprised. Yet it is only his cousin and the sage cleric who tended his wounds who realize that there is something more to his reaction than mere awe.
Later that evening, after everyone has taken their repast and shared in joyous celebration, Alis excuses herself to quietly seeks out her cousin. It is not a long search and she soon find him sitting atop an outcropping of stone that offers a good view of the lighthouse and the moonlit sea.
Smiling gently, knowing full well what a strange day is has been for him, she nods to the shining beacon, and says, "When I was a little girl, Alexis would sometimes slip away from the guests and galas. I often used to find her up on the parapets of father's castle gazing out at the harbor, watching the ships come and go by the beam of the lighthouse."
She gives a short laugh of amusement and sits down next to him, one arm around his broad shoulders. "Of course she always new I'd come and find her, but I think that was kind of the point."
With a wistful sigh, she leans her head against her cousin's. "So we've fought off... what? three, maybe four godlings since we arrived here, vanquished a tribe of evil cannibals, granted eternal rest to all the ghosts in the surf, saved a kindly dryad and her rather untamed woods from some manner of infernal blight... Yet after all that, my dear Frændi looked like a ghost himself when he saw an old man reborn."
"Or at least," she rocks against him to nudge him from his brooding, "that's what he wanted us to think anyway."
The tiny woman draws her knees up to her chest and rests her chin atop crossed arms. "If I had to pick a single word, I'd say you looked... unnerved. Why was that?"
"Jask died saving me. And now he's risen? That cheapens what he did for me. Not to mention the fact that it's just not right. We can't just go around raising all our loved ones, that's selfish, and unnatural. Life begins, and so too must it end. I don't know if I can explain it to you properly Frænka.. not the way I was taught." He looks to her, as sorrow, fear, and anger wash over him, "Promise me. If I fall, never raise me. Even if it's within your power."
"Hmm..." Alis sits quietly for a long moment thinking on the matter. Certainly the people of Ortalok had a much different apprehension of magic than her own, but even among elves, even amongst royalty, the use of magic to return the dead to life was very rare indeed. It was not necessarily that it was seen as an abomination, indeed it was seen as a great gift from the Heavens. Yet practitioners of sufficient holiness to beseech the gods for such aid were themselves quite rare, and the resources needed to perform such rituals with any regularity could easily threaten to drain the coffers of a nation.
More often than not, when even members of nobility and royalty were slain they were honored and laid to rest. Still, that wasn't necessarily the issue here.
"My step-sister, Princess Larathiel, said that war isn't about dying a noble death for your cause, but about making your enemy die for theirs. She said it was 'Better to seek glory in creating great works than to glorify war.'" She gives a short laugh at the irony, "Mind you, that coming from the youngest commander ever to lead Ilmarond's special forces."
The princess frowns for a moment before looking up at The Kinogriff, the constellation attributed to Bälezu, keeper of the spirits of the dead. "I don't know what Jask's beliefs are on the matter, but I imagine that if he is with us again, then the gods must have allowed Aycenia to return him. More importantly, he must have wanted to come back, meaningful sacrifice or not."
She meets Darvesch's gaze, a touch of sorrow evident in her eyes at his words, yet there is also understanding. "Frændi, I'm not ready to bear you back to Uncle Morgaard on your shield any time soon, but
I do know that a soul must be willing to return in order for such magic to work. If... you truly mean that–"
Even as she wills herself not to shed even a single tear, Alis coughs trying to conceal the fact that her voice is about to crack. Yet Darvesch knows the chinks in the well-practiced armor of her emotions quite well. He notes the deep breath his cousin takes to steel herself, and the twinge of emotion at the corner or her mouth.
"Frændi Darvesch, if you fall, I will respect your wish not to be raised, even if it is one that I would not share. Just please... don't make me have to, Darv. I'm not certain if I could forgive you..."
...or myself.
Bluff Checks
Sense Motive Checks:
"Well, I'm not looking for death or anything. You're going to be stuck with me for quite a long time before you're rid of me." He nudges her playfully. "Just remember though, my duty comes first. Right now that's to you and your protection. And for now, I have to put aside these feelings and just get on with my job. Which, isn't much more than just sitting here." Darvesch sighs at his last statement. "I'll have to pray on this. Maybe it's another one of His tests." Looking up, as if talking at someone in the sky.
"Well, I'm not looking for death or anything. You're going to be stuck with me for quite a long time before you're rid of me."
Alis becomes less tense and relaxes with an ironic smile at Darvesch's nudge. "Hmmph. Well, I'm going to remind you of that that the next time I catch you trying to kill some overgrown monstrosity by getting lodged in its wind-pipe."
As he continues, speaking of duty, she bites at the corner of her mouth and nods knowingly. "Calling, fate, duty, or passion... I wonder sometimes how different someone's might be if the circumstances of their life were different. What if someone with the heart of a prince was born to a cooper, or a valiant hero was born in a land that would never know strife?"
She leans up against her cousin, star-gazing with him. "Of course, I guess we're living proof that the gods have plans for us. What are the chances that this rock we're just sitting on happened to be on the same island where so many wrongs needed to be righted... where we both were shipwrecked?"
She gives a short laugh and says, "You know, when we finally get back to 'civilization', you're probably going to be wishing you were back here sitting on this rock... I've got the nasty feeling that I will too."
"I suspect you're right. Let's get back so we can get off this island already." he says as he stands, offering his hand to help her up.
"Agreed," Alis says, accepting Darvesch's hand. As the two return to the grove, she comments, "All things considered, I suspect it's about time we move our encampment elsewhere. Even if we have destroyed the source of that blight, I'd rather not overstay our welcome."
The following day, all of you bid Aycenia farewell, all except for Jask who had decided to stay behind with Alis' blessing...
"You have a new life now," she said, "any debts from your prior life passed away with that white-haired old man. Live well, and without fear, Master Derindi. If you change your mind, you would be welcome at my court."
If Aycenia took issue with his decision, she did not voice it. To the contrary, a feeling of peace and happiness seemed to surround the ancient tree spirit, and you would have sworn that tiny silver flowers began to blossom in her blue-green tresses.
"This island... my home... it is a better place now for having been visited by such noble souls."
The dryad clutched her hands together, gazing deeply at each of you, her sunset eyes even brighter than you remembered. In a light voice, she lamented, "It is sad, but I do not think there is anything I could give that could properly reward such selflessness. But..."
The leaves of the trees surrounding her grove and the blades of grass within it seemed to whisper as a strong yet gentle wind rippled thru them. Even as the tall beauty raised her hands, you could see a few fruit of extraordinary color flower and grow from the boughs of her banyan, their skin seeming to glow from within with a golden inner light. Harvesting them with as much care as if they were newborn babes, she motioned for each of you to approach, bestowing upon each of you a single glistening fruit.
"Take these," she said, "and may your days be blessed and many!"
With that, you take your leave, heading south towards the lighthouse. As you go, those of you who accepted Aycenia's gift study it. While Lureene is able to tell that they radiate some sort of transmutation effect, none of you are able to discern what effect they might produce.
Know: Arcana Checks
Spellcraft Checks
Darvesch accepts the gift graciously. As he walks away, he puts the fruit in his pack, intent on eating it before they get to the lighthouse.
Lureene touches the fruit, running a long fingernail across the unblemished skin. Her gaze returns to the grove where the newly- reincarnated Jask watches the proceedings.
I...I am flattered by this gift, and this is certainly valuable, considering the magical auras surrounding it. But I cannot accept this gift. Yet to refuse this gift would be a grave insult to our hostess. I have always taken from those who I care about...'Lis, Rath-hun, 'Lexis....and they have done SOOO much for me. I would feel better about myself if I could return the favor...
She runs back to the grove and approaches Jask. Giving him a curtsy and a smile, she asks "Jask, I hope you do find happiness here with Aycenia. I am happy you have returned to us." She looks down for a moment, before continuing, "Would you do me the honor of accepting this gift from me before I depart? Whether you decide to plant it, or consume it, it matters not to me." She stretches her wings out, allowing the sunlight to reflect off her golden wings. "I just hope you remember me as I aspire to be and not what I was in MY prior life."
Jask blinks in surprise, hardly believing his new, elvish eyes. "You are quite certain Miss Lureene?"
The young man looks down at the shorter woman, seemingly ready to insist, but upon seeing the hopefulness in her youthful features, he nods graciously and gingerly accepts the smooth, glistening fruit.
Smiling for perhaps the first time Lureene can remember, he leans over somewhat hesitantly and gives her a strong hug. "I believe that you will succeed, chi–" he pauses momentarily realizing that they might now seem the same age. Smiling at the thought, he simply finishes and says, "Yes, I believe you will succeed. A new life offers many possibilities."
Straightening, he nods respectfully, his eyes dewy. "Take good care of all that which is dear to your golden heart. Farewell, my... friend."
Lureene returns the hug, already feeling tears brimming in her eyes. Truly the road to redemption to her lay before her, she needed to abandon her fear and move forward.
She releases the hug and replies "And you as well, Jask. I will miss you. Please take care of yourself, and...thank you!"
"This is a most fascinating, specimen!" As you walk thru the growing heat of the tropical morning, Gelik muses openly on the nature of the unusual gift. He looks up with scientific curiosity plain as day o his face even as Darvesch heartily munches away at his. He gazes up at the taller dwarf with great interest, noting every droplet of nectar, every fleck of pulp. "Hmm, succulent, rosy flesh like a peach, juicy like a tangerine, and a smooth, resilient skin like a vintner's prized grapes... Is– is the pit glowing?"
As the studious researcher pauses, fervently jotting down observations and sketches in his journal, Sasha looks over hers. "Hey, how long do you think they'll keep? I bet there's probably a rich noble in Dafar would would pay a mint for one of these things."
Priyya shakes her head, a wry smirk on her face. "Tides rise and fall, winds shift directions, but through it all, Sasha remains unchanging as a rock."
The Surya-ka-Caravaah's smirk turns into a broad grin when she sees the bits of pulp flecking Darvesch's face and beard. With great enthusiasm, she thrusts a hand in his direction, proclaiming, "See? That is a zest for life! Alis, don't let this old girl down. You're not going to get all whimsical with yours like those three are you?"
She makes a loop with her finger, indicating Lureene, Gelik, and Sasha.
Lureene gives Sasha a grin, clearly in a good mood. "Due to the magic imbuing these fruits, I suspect they will keep a loong time, Sash. Much longer than a nobleman's fancy for a pretty young lady like yourself, I am sure!"
"Wym-sicle?" Lureene's words interrupting her thoughts, Sasha scrunches up her face and looks to Lureene, shrugging her shoulders. "I didn't think about that, but I really don't think it would fit, Priy'."
"Auugh! Sasha!" Alis turns around, an incredulous look on her face, but she can't help but laugh at the redhead's helpless confusion.
Sighing as she tucks a loose lock of hair back into her coronal braids, she answers Priyya, "Well there's no point in bearing fruit if it isn't meant to be enjoyed. It would be a shame if it doesn't keep and ends up bruising..."
Lureene glances back at Grak, who flies behind the group seemingly unconcerned with the fascination concerning the gifts bestowed. She turns to Sasha, not saying anything, but there is a reddish tinge to her cheeks.
"'LIS...No, I am NOT gonna ask..."...what she meant by that.
There is a look of smug satisfaction on Priyya's face at the reaction of the other women. With a bold gesture, she hoists her gift into the air and challenges, "Last one to finish is a dainty elf!"
With much gusto, she digs in, dark eyes lustrous as she steals a furtive glance up at the tall warrior beside her like a cat feasting upon a hard-earned kill.
"A dainty..." The princess laughs and waves a delicate hand before taking an exceptionally dainty bite as if to prove Priyya's point.
What kind of gaggle of whacked-out...
Mal points an accusing finger at his charge, scowling as he speaks, "Dammit woman, are you eating the thing, or kissing it?"
Without saying a word, Alis tenderly her fruit in both hands, and holds it up to her face, a look of perfect doe-eyed innocence as she makes fish-lips.
Fvcking impossible...
Growling and grinding his teeth, Mal shoots a look at Priyya to see if she approves of such nonsense only to find her making cat-eyes at him as she sucks the pulp off the smooth, glossy pit, her tasty treat already devoured.
I can't win.
Nearly shaking the earth as he walks, the big man stalks over to Lureene and catches her wrist in his huge hand, forcing her fingers open with a squeeze on a pressure point. None too delicately, he slaps his own fruit into her palm and says, "I'm going hunting for real food with Little Sister. Eat the damn thing, or it's going up your ass!"
As the vicious cat and the black-furred lion lope off into the jungle, you can hear him call out, "You can thank me later, Ourson."