Anne's daggers materialize into her hands "That is exactly what assassin's would say." her tone is flat, tinged with anger. She might be a not exactly living person but she has had a LONG night.
Piotr is dead tired, dragging his armored form forward as best as possible, so missed the people appearing behind him. With a heavy sigh, he pulls his longsword out of the worn scabbard, and gets ready to attack.
“Ma petite amie,” says the woman to the fairy, “remind me to shake my head in your general direction at a later time.”
She slowly raises her hands toward the siblings. “If you would beg my pardon, Mademoiselle, an assassin worth her weight in salt would not deny her profession. She would neither be heard, nor seen.
“Take, as an exemplar, the crossbowman on the rooftop.”
About a hundred feet away, in the direction that the woman cocks her head, is a metallic cranking.
“Or the gunman in the alley.”
From an alley, a click-click.
“Or if you listen carefully, you may even hear the huntress draw her bowstring.”
There is a barely audible stretching heard from somewhere in the dark of night.
“But, speaking for myself and my little friend, we are but unarmed women. Yes, we followed you shortly after you emerged from Iris Hill. But not with ill intent.
“If you would kindly sheath your blades, that may bring comfort to Violet—and yourselves as well, for arms are not necessary at this time. Violet Femme… she is ma petite amie, and I am Rose Fatale. If such a moniker gives the impression that I am an assassin, then you may consider a particular inhabitant of Iris Hill to be my target.”
Piotr's day is catching up with him and all he can answer is "Huh?"
Ann's daggers disappear. "They say they're not here to fight, but nothing other than of merit." she tells her brother. Her cold eyes turn to the pair, adding a simple "Leave us alone." the ghostly girl turns and starts to get her brother back to the inn, hopefully, something warm and meaty in his belly, and then to bed.
Rose curtsies.
“As you wish.”
With those words, she melts and seems to disappear. Where she once stood, there is a sewer grating.
“Not the sewer again! Rose? Why?!”
The fairy hovers in place, smiles awkwardly, then says, “Ahh… ’scusez moi.”
She flies very quickly to the sewer that Rose’s seemingly-liquid body seeped into.
"Great. Just great." Kilarra grunts.
At the inn, Kilarra goes up to her room right away, takes off just enough armour to be moderately comfortable, and hits the pillow face first.
"Uhhh...who are you?" Winter stammers at the woman and her fairy.
"Oookay. Though your last name, Rose, is rather foreboding for someone who doesn't want to be known as an assasin. What business have you with the inhabitants of Iris Hill?"Winter asks bluntly.
The party escorts Hanako and Baldhart to the temple of Pharasma, while staying outside. Maeve looks shocked to find her covered with blood and bruises. "What happened to you, Hanako? And where are the rest?" Naysa says urgently. "I can wake Priestess Trillis to see to your wounds or if you would rather not, I have a first aid kit around and can get them dressed."
As Winter expresses interest in talking, Rose turns back. (And Violet is happy not to take the underground route!)
“It is not that I have business there, exactly,” she replies to Winter. “It is the witch from the grotto who changed me. Perhaps she was using me for some grotesque experiment, or perhaps I was intended to be her sacrificial lamb.
“What cannot be reversed is of little importance. The witch has been captured by a force stronger than myself and my little friend.”
Of course she means the fairy who is now seated on Rose’s shoulder.
“We believe the Grotto Witch has a contact there, in Iris Hill. We are not killers—if she can be arrested, as the witch was, that would be enough.
“Are you the ones who captured the witch?”
She and Baldhart disrobe to the necessary extent, and Hanako tells of her kidnapping. She wonders if Maeve sent for a runner, or whether the runner was in fact sent by the witch. In any case, she tells all except for Kilarra’s retreat or anything else that may cast doubt over her heroic friends.
They saved my life. I must never utter a harsh word about them, despite what was said to me…
She eventually misters the nerve to say, “Naysa, I am not strong like the others. I know it is wrong to invite myself, but if you would not object to Maeve having a big sister… and a little sister,” she adds, patting Baldy on the head, “I could earn my keep at the theater, and my healing song may help you with your patients.
“Baldhart and I would not take up much space, me in my fox form, her normally…”
It is awkward for Hanako to invite herself in this way, but she is certain that a life of violence, however justified, will bring out a darkness in her. She would rather purge that, starting with that awful spell.
Ann shoots Winter a look and looks like she's about to snap something mean at this Rose person, but Piotr puts his hand on her shoulder and shakes his head. Ann looks even more irritated then disappears.
Piotr looks even more tired than he did a second ago, and responds with as few words as possible. "Yes"
"Guys please no - no more fairies" - are the only words from Garrosh - "Nothing personal" - he adds to the newcomers, and continues on his way.
Though Rose is not particularly observant, she does pick up on social cues. Those who drew arms against her surely have their judgment impaired perhaps from the fatigue of battle.
She exchanges a look with Violet, then makes contact with the man.
“Please rest. What I have to offer for discussion can, and should, be postponed until the morrow.”
Rose waits patiently, wondering if there is interest to meet in the morning… and where.
"Yay, makes sense... see you in the morning." the big man will agree to anything involving rest at the moment, well most things. He points toward the place they usually eat and then shuffles off.
"I don't know what to say, Hanako."Maeve says in a soft voice while touching Hanako's hand. "I mean the whole thing sounded awful and it was all because you were coming to see me! I was the reason you got kidnapped by the awful witch got hurt so badly."Maeve bursts into tears.
"There, there."Naysa tries to console Maeve. "That's what bad people do. They do bad things because they like it and they don't care if other people feel bad. That's why they're bad people."
"We didn't send any letters,"Naysa says grimly. "It was a nasty trap laid for you. And because you cared about us too much, you took it in, hook, line and sinker." Naysa looks pained. "Logically I can say that, but emotionally, taking my own advice is harder."
"I'm glad the party managed to rescue you, and I'm happy that you're coming with us. At least we can keep an eye on you and from what I've heard about, you'll love the Theater at Oparra."Naysa replies. "And there's a lot to be said about starting life on a new slate."
"The witch is dead." Winter says flatly. "He," she points at Garrosh, "shot her in the heart."
The party heads towards the Sleepless Detectives, where Megan is manning the Fort at night. Megan, seeing the party's state, whips up some oatmeal porridge for them, and pointedly reminds everyone to use the shower before hitting the sack.
“It is not your fault, Maeve. And it is for the best that the trap was laid. The monstrous creature is one who attacks ships. It had to be put down.”
She finds it funny that she won’t use the word ‘killed’ in front of a child who has witnessed so much horror.
“Besides—if not for the way the night turned out, I may have continued to help the others fight. Nothing like a near-death experience to help you see what matters most.”
Being a big sister.
Even with the grand theater of Oparra to look forward do, all the stray fox truly needs is a home.
She snaps her fingers, willing a lute to fall to her hands.
“How about a lullaby for my two little sisters?”
The fairy flies close to the child, and should Maeve try to hold her in her soft hand, the fairy will not resist.
Rose is not the least bit bothered to learn of the Grotto Witch’s partner’s demise, nor does she take particular pleasure in it.
Of the half-orc who is clearly disinterested in conversing, Rose says to the priestess, “It would appear your friend has less tolerance for witches than he has of fairies. Good to know.”
"Well the witch had it coming." Kilarra replies to Rose. "But I don't think fairies rank very high either. Or pixies. Whatever. Look, we literally just sent away a noodle-armed magical fox-girl with a pixie, who was raised by succubi, cuz she couldn't hold her own and her personality didn't mix with the rest of us. We're a gritty, grim, dark, and brooding group with no memories and an unhealthy desire to kill ourselves to just be done with it all. You're a less noodle-armed but still thin mystery woman with a small fey creature on your shoulder. Your revenge or whatever has already been carried out. Are you sure this is the right place for you to be? We're gonna go back down there tomorrow to clear out the rest of the cult, and maybe you can join in, or we can find a mercenary in one of the taverns or something, but so far in this short time, I ain't feeling good vibes off of you."
“I know nothing of this foxy noodle or her fairy, but judging by your haste to write me off, it sounds like you do not know them either.
“As for your memory loss, I trust you have therefore forgotten the most basic of manners: you give the respect that you expect to receive. These vibes you speak of travel on a two-way street.”
She points in the direction of the restaurant the big man gestured toward earlier. “I am a woman of my word, and will meet as promised. Clearing out the cult interests me. Grimdark brooding does not.”
"You can have my respect once you've earned it." Kilarra retorts.
"Well, I had a big sister once," Maeve answers, "But she got married and I never saw her again."Maeve says dolefully. "But now I get to get a nice big sister again." Maeve wipes her tears away, visibly cheered up.
"Yes, I think it would be good for Maeve to have an elder sister as well. We're all the family she has left."Naysa says somberly.
The morning dawns fair and the party feels better after the nights of sleep. Winter casts restoration on Garrosh while the party breakfasts over Shevan's pancakes.
Whether she needs to dispel the carriage or not, she at least wants to show Maeve the interior. “In Oparra, my magic will be accepted, and we can enjoy this sweet ride every day! And… speaking of magic and acceptance, I think to be a true sister to you, I cannot keep any secrets from you.
“So I will let you see the face I always, always keep hidden.”
Hanako is visibly nervous. She is always guised as a human, like her father, or an ordinary fox. But she never shows her form that is both woman and fox.
While seated in the conjured carriage, she shifts to her true kitsune form—for Maeve’s eyes only, and Naysa’s too, if she chose to climb into the carriage. (Just to sit inside if she told Hanako not to ride this in public. Hanako will obey her new mother.)
“This is me, Maeve. This is the animal that I am. I do not want the world to see me like this. It is easier to appear human. But when it is just us, I can be… me!”
Hanako has a large fluffy tail. She adjusts her magical outfit to accommodate this. Perhaps the soft tail is less frightening to the child than her strange face.
The goddess seeks the young giant’s approval. Now is not a good time to show her I can be a giant too.
The fairy remains very tiny and very quiet. She pays careful attention to the child’s reaction.
If this is to be a sister-hug moment, I must avert my eyes. For I cannot show the goddess my tears.
Last night’s racism rolled off Violet like glitter off a fairy’s wing. The sage knows the value of silence, and she knows who Rose is tentatively dealing with.
Violet knows that this party, like the half orc, the tiefling and the human were working for the Count Lowls, the ruler of Thrushmoor and did his dirty work. Some of it involved procuring occult books or magical artefacts from people who did not want to part with them for any price. They made an effective, if brutal team. Previously they were accompanied by a nervous fellow in blue wizard robes, another moonlight haired lady and a motherly looking woman and her son. But those other people seem to be no where to be seen now and the townsfolk regard them to have a change of heart, dealing with the "witch across the lake" problem, and the "monster at the pier" as well as quelling an angry mob and cleansing Fort Hailcourse
Rose begins her morning out by the lake, with a suture vine* clung to her body. She watches the sky change color with the rising of the sun, prays to her goddess, and contemplates the information heard through the suture vine.
No one sees the 30-second spectacle that ensues. At the end of it, there is a fairy where there was once a plant.
“None of the rumors speak of the spaghetti-vixen and her fairy—the latter a witchlight born here? Would that make you sisters? No matter. These local thugs-turned-heroes were indeed here. They captured my tormentor and killed her partner.”
Violet’s information and Rose’s word are reasons to head to the meeting place without delay. Rose takes the form of an amazonian 6’4” woman. Violet can easily conceal herself under the loose clothing of this tall, broad-shouldered form. (The clothing morphs to accommodate the change in height and girth.)
The guise is not meant to fool those she means to assist. Rose simply does not want to be trifled with, approached or delayed…
Piotr feels much better after a shower and bed, but the oatmeal beforehand is what truly warmed his heart. He thanks Megan heartedly.
Ann remains sulking a bit in Piotr's head, since she cannot scare the locals, but Piotr is at breakfast without delay.
The morning dawns fair and the party feels better after the nights of sleep. Winter casts restoration on Garrosh while the party breakfasts over Shevan's pancakes.
"Thank you Winter" - Garrosh nods - "I really am beginning to owe you much more than I will ever be able to repay" - he adds in his customary grim tone.
"And thank you Megan for the food yesterday" - he adds - "I was needing it more than I thought"
"What do you have in mind for today?" - he asks of Piotr and Kilarra - "We need to go back, and clean out that damned hole once and for all" - his voice lowers into a growl.
When Rose is permitted to enter, she is again her five-foot-four self. Violet is not to be hidden here. This is not the first time those inside have seen a fairy, Rose supposes.
Despite the hostility shown to her, she bids all a pleasant, “Bonjour.
“I trust your intention is to paint the yellow robes red today.” Her eyes follow the pleasant scent coming from the table. “Half an hour after breakfast, I presume?”
"Mmmpfph" Piotr says with gusto through a mouth full of pancake. Nodding to make sure the new person understands. He points to her and their thumb points to him, and tilts his head in question. "MMhy youpfh muffin?"
“But of course.”
She seats herself and adds a swirl of syrup to the pancake, plus a drop on the outer edge. This she serves to Violet. She watches the fairy, making sure she enjoys her first bite.
Only then does Rose serve herself. She savors the first bite, as if there cannot be a second.
“Who is the chef who is to receive my compliments?”
Piotr points at Shevan, or at least toward where ever he thinks she is. Expanding vocally, but incomprehensively, about how amazing Shevan's cooking is.
Ann sighs inside his mind.
“Thank you, Shevan,” says the fairy. “I don’t usually eat human food, but this is exceptional.”
Shevan hears the compliments from the kitchen and comes out with an extra large jug of honey."More honey here, and since we have more guests, I'll need to make more pancakes." He retreats back to his kitchen domain."Do you two want any coffee or tea?" He asks Rose and Violet.
“Tea is the preference for ma petite amie, thank you very much. I will have coffee, if you please. Black.”
"We are just finishing breakfast" - Garrosh nodded at Rose - "Would you mind waiting outs...." - the words die out in his mouth as the woman unceremoniously sits down with them.
"Thank you for the food Shevan" - he finishes his coffee and gets up - "I will wait outside then, when you guys are ready to go" - the half-orc adds, and leaves to grab his equipment.
Rose contemplates the proper response to the half-orc’s refusal to sit at the same table. It certainly should be addressed, but to do so would ruin breakfast. She considers her place as a guest takes precedence.
She speaks to the party in general, and the half-orc can choose to listen, walk out of earshot or eavesdrop as he pleases.
“Violet has learned of your deeds simply by listening to public opinion. Through her, I understand the people of Thrushmoor once regarded you as thugs under Count Lowls’ employ.
“Through your actions, the sentiment has changed. Your reputation is now that of heroes—for slaying the monster at the pier, for the cleansing of Fort Hailcourse, for the peaceful resolution involving an angry mob… and I am personally grateful for your capture of the witch who has given me a memory that makes me somewhat envious of your amnesia.
“That said, I am not making light of your burden. What failed to kill me has instead forged me into a weapon, and the unpleasant memory is a necessary tool.”
She makes eye contact with the half-orc if he’s still there. Else, her eyes search the table for listeners.
“Ask yourselves what is necessary to defeat our mutual enemy. And then, ask yourselves what is not only unnecessary, but detrimental.”
The sage whispers through Rose’s message spell. Whatever they have against me for what I am, don’t address it. It’s divisive, but so far, also unprovoked. You’ll only make unity impossible if you go there…
The whispers go on. The fairy has concerns, but she looks for something positive to contribute.
“Keeping each other alive is necessary,” Violet offers. “I have a modest ability to heal; however, I could use this ability often with a healing wand in hand… if you happen to have one—” (This she says whether or not she noticed one among the party.) “—and wouldn’t object to letting me use it.
“I would of course heal who is most in need. Rose is my friend, but if we work together, I support the team, not just her.”
What is unnecessary and detrimental is the anti-fairy sentiment. Rather than speak of it, Violet hopes her diplomatic tone will win someone over. Pancake Man is happy, so of the two women…
Piotr swallows and speaks before continuing his decimation of the pancake fortress on his plate. "We're not heroes, we're just doing what has to be done... while looking for some answers to some things" his voice dipped low for a moment as his mind tries to remember. A futile effort, abandoned quickly "Meaning if you're looking for a job, you came to the wrong place. We're not the guard, sleepless detectives, not even adventures, nothing like that. If you just want to help, for reasons of your own, then yay, your welcome to come along." Piotr is tired of almost dying over and over so would accept a battalion of help if offered.
Garrosh waits outside.
Rose replies, “I am telling you the perception of the people. It is to one’s benefit to know this.”
As for her own reasons, “You oppose the yellow-robes, as do I,” says Rose as she removes her hat and places it on her lap.
She remains seated, postured, ladylike and unperturbed by the metamorphosis that follows:
A crown of thorns emerges from her hair. She could surely gore a foe with a headbutt. She then holds up her hands as she did in the night. Last night, it was to show she was unarmed. Now, the nails on her right hand extend into greenish claws. They simultaneously resemble leaves and knives. Her left hand is still a hand, but the outside is covered in what appears to be hard and plantlike. She clenches her fist, and it resembles a relatively large rosebud, or the head of a mace.
She picks up her fork in her left hand, but uses a fingernail on her right instead of a knife. As she delicately cuts into her food—table manners are important—she asks,
“Is this not reason enough?”
Rose asks this as if the sight of her alone answers both the question of her motive and of her contribution, as it matters in battle.
She takes a bite of her pancake, puts her fork down, then takes her hat off of her lap and places it on her head. The horns pierce through the fabric easily, leaving the hat impaled in a slightly askew position. She then sips her coffee, savoring the warmth.
"You can come along if you like. But mind you, the road will be dangerous." Winter says in a serious tone. "Hopefully the person we killed last night is their leader, but since we didn't go to the upper floors of the mansion, we can't say for sure. Or maybe they regrouped and are now planning an ambush against us." Winter worries.
Winter looks at Rose, slightly uncomfortably while involuntarily rubbing her glove. "I'd be careful with doing that down in Thrushmoor. You should know by now Ustalav burns witches at stake, and it doesn't take much to get a witch hunt going." Winter warns Rose.
The party returns to Iris Hill grounds by the gates. The bodies in the courtyard have now been cleared.
Rose thanks Winter for the advice.
“I worry that Violet would be harmed for what she is… strange the townsfolk feared her and her sisters in their most infantile form. Witchlights… such a misnomer.”
She is able to will the natural weapons away as easily as she forms them. In addition, she uses her scarf and robe to conceal her tiny friend.
For preparation, she will cast spells that last over an hour, if not several.
She then shows her hands, which like her face, appear hardened and plantlike even where weapons have not formed.
“If anyone would like me to harden your flesh or enhance your eyes so they see what cannot be seen, ask now or never. I will not waste time spellcasting when we face the enemy.”
Violet offers, “I can get a closer look and report back, if you’d like.”
Piotr doesn't mind another person wanting to fight and already had made it clear reasons didn't matter. He demolishes the rest of the pancakes and nods after Winter gives her approval.
At the place, he wills protection for his sister.
"Slow and steady." he suggests to the group at the front door of the new building. "Garrosh, want to make sure it won't explode on us?"
Violet doesn’t think an extra pair of eyes can hurt.
And if she can peek through the keyhole (if there’s no trap) or peer over the wall, she does so…