Sapher can't find Ez anywhere, and then comes back to tell Vels that and can't find her. Frowning something fierce, she decides to sit down for a bit in a huff.
|
”She said she had to talk to her, but promised not to hurt her... so small blessing at least.” He sighs. ”I could use a drink. Also, I suppose I should read that letter.” He goes upstairs and finds the letter, and takes it to the bar, where he gets a few mugs of Dwarven beer and brings them to Sapher. ”Want any?” He offers one to her. If Sapher declines, he’ll drink both and read the not Esrisi left.
He frowns and sighs, ”I feel bad for her, but she is so disruptive... if she had just listened to us a little bit.” He throws his hands up, and is exasperated. ”What should we do?”
Sapher accepts the mug with thanks and downs it slowly but in one continuous glunk. After a moment basking in the warmth, she says softly "Have you ever been bullied, Mok?" she sighs "If I was ever given a way to make one of my bullies Like me... I don't know if I could have said no." Sapher sits in her huff for a bit longer "The shards are important. Replacing anyone will take time, and hold the same potential for mayham" she pauses "Maybe not the same, but still..." looking up a tthe elf "Esrisi isn't evil, her heart is right, just her actions which blow up repeatedly." a clanky shrug "I am willing to go back down with her. But you have to decide on your own if you are." she pulls herself up "I stink. That otyugh's attempt to kiss me, WHICH we will never ever tell any of the others, got slobber in places that should..." she stops remembering that she wasn't go to ever mention it again either, her cheeks reddening as her frown deepens. "I need a bath."
She put her hand on Mok's shoulder "You didn't give up on a friend, no matter what else, remember that. Good job." then she goes to boil her entire body.
Sapher goes into her rooms for a change of clothes before the bath and sees a letter. Opens, and reads. Looking up and gets grim. Stuffs the letter into her stinky belt and heads out to look for her friend.
She'll start at the docks.
|
Esrisi leaves the lodge but doesn't know where to go. She knows she can't go home and she knows that she can't stay here, but other than that she is clueless. She slings over er pack over her shoulder and just starts walking. Eventually she finds herself in Dockway again, booking a room in the Fang for the night until she figures out what she's going to do next.
Fortunately for Veltariel, Esrisi is a fairly easily described and noticeable figure, and is t very keen on covering her tracks. It’s not long after she gets settled into her room when she hears a firm knock on her door.
"A blonde. Um... pretty. Human. Tall like Insane Tall..." the dwarf is asking a bartender, sighing as she gets nowhere, then reaches into her pouch for a coin. "Either acts like a giddy noblewoman or a grumpy kitten? Remember her now?"
|
|
The bartender clearly remembers a tall, blond human female who threw a fit asking for the nicest room that they have and refusing to pay top coin for some "skanky room that smelled like a skunk".
Esrisi does not expect any of her former companions to track her down so easily, so she is guarded when she hears a knock at the door. She moves the door and responds "I'm a simple woman with no money or valuables in my possession. Please take your business of peddling wares or robbing women elsewhere."
Esrisi heard an all too familiar voice growl through the wooden door ”Open the damned door, Esrisi.”
Getting a nod of she's here from the greedy keep, she'll order a lot of food, heaping helpings of it, plus a mug of anything really. Than finds a place to sit. The people around her find it in their hearts to give her room (and their noses a safe place away from her).
So she waits.
And eats.
Veltariel doesn’t even deign a response. She takes the handle and forces the door open, stepping inside and closing it behind her. Her fists are clenched tightly at her hips, and her eyes burn through Esrisi from the doorway.
”Do you have any idea what you did? What you stole from me?” she hissed as she slowly walked forward towards Esrisi. When the other girl had nowhere else to run, Veltariel continued until she was inches away. ”And then, you think you can just run from it?”
Veltariel snaps! She rushes the short distance between them and slams her hands into the wall on either side of Esrisi’s face, holding them there as she seethed into her ear ”You stole my mind! My free will! You put me at odds with the one friend I’ve had since I had to leave Kyonin!”
She pauses and leans back, her eyes full of emotion as she peered into Esrisi’s. ”You stole my heart, Es! I know it was with magic, and that magic is gone now. But...it didn’t change how it made me feel...” she adds, her voice trembling as a single tear trailed down her left cheek.
|
|
Esrisi closes her eyes and is ready for the blade to pierce her flesh. She knows that there is no chance she's getting out of this alive, so she tries to steels herself the best she can and waits for the pain.
Her body trembles and she prepares for the worst, but when it doesn't come and Veltariel's emotions break, she slowly opens her her left eye and looks at the crying elf. "What?"
She breathes quickly as she tries to grab a hold of her emotions and the situation. "You don't, you don't want to kill me?"
Veltariel glares into your eyes, and the storm of emotions there raging in her mind and heart are clear. ”Part of me, more than anything,” she confesses. ”But, instead...you are going to have to earn this love you have forced me to feel. Do you understand? And it’s not going to be easy. And I’m not going to make it easy for you. There will be times you will wish I’d just kill you. But no. You will make this love something real. In honor of what my love is worth. I’ve lost it once before...” she says before trailing off.
She shakes her head and steps back and adds ”And I’m not going to let you run from this. You try, and I will hunt you down and drag you back by that rogues hair you have stuck in your scalp.”
She then turns and walks to the door and throws it open. She then looks back at Esrisi and then motions towards the door with her head.
Maybe it would be easier.
”Shut up with the killing. We are going back to the Lodge,” Veltariel says gruffly as she follows Esrisi downstairs.
As the two make it down the stairs there is a large smash, clatter, ruckus, (take your pick) as a plate full of spiced potatoes falls to the floor in the wake of a very surprised dwarf's sudden fit of standing.
"together you two are together and..." Sapher peers quickly for blood stains and sees none "Are... you both... okay?"
Veltariel puts her hands on her hips and says ”We are fine. Esrisi is coming back to make her amends properly. Right?” Veltariel asks Esrisi with a stern look.
No violence, no bruises (well no new ones). Weapons in their sheaths... even hair in place. The dwarf looks at both of them with appraising eyes.
Then grins.
"Hi Ez. I was just coming to say Bye if you really meant it, in person and all since that is the way of things. But... I see that isn't needed." she'll nod and smile at Vels as well. "Would you both like a bit of healing before I head back to a nice warm bath, now that wearing scars isn't necessary for penance?"
|
|
Esrisi timidly responds, her words a complete jumble of confusion "Ah. I. I wasn't planning but on returning, but Velatriel is herself again and has convinced me I should return. So, yes. We are fine. I am fine. I'm still alive. We. I decided. I was just coming back to the lodge. Now. Yes."
"Healing. I suppose healing is wise if I shall be returning. Thank you."
Once the warmth of the blessed spell washes over her she thanks the dwarf. She looks over at the waiting elf and nods, "I am coming, Veltariel." as she moves in to walk behind her.
”You already have,” Veltariel says bluntly and somewhat loudly, a grin of mischief on her face as she leads the trio out. ”Twice if I recall. And quite vocally.”
|
|
Esrisi's eyes widen and she sucks in a breath to look and see if Sapher is still within ear shot. "Duh. Uh. Uhhhh." Her cheeks flush red as she looks away from the dwarf and she hurries up beside Veltarie. "That's not. Uhh. That's, that's not. Uhhm." she repeats trying to figure out what to say but drawing blanks. She tries to shrink down into her clothes, hiding and doing everything but looking at the dwarf again. She looks at Veltariel and tries to discreetly shake her head to make her stop.
Veltariel simply continues walking, pretending not to notice Esrisi’s embarrassment. There was one saying that she picked up from some Nirmathan freedom fighters who were seeking aid in Absalom that she had to confess was quite fitting in this moment, even if it was a human one.
Payback’s a b+!@#.
Seemingly out of the blue, Caroliss appears, her eyes red and teary. Though she no longer seems sad. "Ez! You're back!" She hurries over and throws her arms around the much taller blonde. "I knew you couldn't stay away." She rests in the embrace for a while, before suddenly jabbing Esrisi's side with her finger, hard!
"That's for being mean enough to leave me in the first place! Gosh! Next time you want to run away from home, we'll go together."
”She’s not going anywhere, right Esrisi? She enjoys coming here too much,” Veltariel says with a disturbing smile.
|
|
Esrisi is happy to see Caroliss. She rests her head against Caroliss and says "Ouch! I'm back. I did not expect to come, er, return back so soon. No. But I am here now. I am sorry I left. I didn't know what to do. I'm just, I don't know, I'm so confused by all of these feelings."
She groans when Veltariel speaks, her shoulders slumping in defeat. She nods along with Caroliss's statement. She pleads to Caroliss "I deserve that. That's fair. Don't you need me to go do that thing we planned. Alone. Together alone. You know?"
Caroliss nods right back at Esrisi. "Oh yes, I'm definitely not done with you, Ez. We have so much lost time to make up for!" She starts pulling Esrisi away and towards their shared room. "Catch up with you all later!" she says to Vel and Sapher.
Veltariel looks at Caroliss and adds ”I apologize about before. It was uncalled for and beyond my control. Should you and Mokhasi desire to court one another, I will not cause you further grief,” she says before walking on up to the Lodge proper, taking a seat beside Drask on the porch and kicking her legs up on the banister.
After a moment, she says bluntly ”Sorry for all the nonsense before.”
Caroliss puts her hand over her mouth in exaggerated surprise. "Me and Mokhasi? Don't be silly, Vel. You know he can't stand Esrisi, and in his eyes, I'm mostly an extension of her. It's all business with him, nothing more. He's a much better teacher when everything's professional. In fact, I think he'd like a nameless Pathfinder a lot more than the real me. Or have you forgotten that nonsense!" . Whatever disappointment Caroliss may have felt in having Mokhasi not show up for dinner seems to be in the past now.
"Next time we go out, let's find a place that has some fine elven wine. You know, the Temple of Calistria has its fair share of elves. You might enjoy it there."
Sapher plods along behind the two other women, fine with them walking faster to whisper alone. A refreshing change from the fighting screaming lustiling (Sapher pauses in her own thoughts to wonder if that is a word) craziness of the past few days.
The lodge. Caroliss has the other two in toe, so that is good, leaving... Mok (well Drask too). So much has happened and the mage was considering leaving, so before a bath, she should try and talk him out of it, if he is still considering.
Knocking on the door, she'll poke her head in. "Mokhasi? Do you have a moment?" if he does and is willing to talk, she'll tell him everything she knows and most of what she suspects about Vels and Ez, and then ask him "The shards are important, but you are more so. Will you continue to travel with us?"
|
|
Mokhasi, as usual, is reading. This time about earth elementals, devils, and the like, studying the new runic scripts and practicing the sounds of the language.
Four others return to the lodge, and they split off, leaving Mokhasi to his studies, other than Sapher. She approaches him, and he looks up when Kiir glows a warm blue color. ”It appears that you found her, and the others as well. Somewhat improbably, it appears that Esrisi is not dead. The day is full of surprises, it seems.” He closes his books, in response to Sapher’s question, and stares off into the distance.
”It sounds as if Veltariel intends to ... stay, and so I must stay as well. I suppose. I will have to further compartmentalize my anger - I cannot day how that will manifest, but I expect that with Caroliss and Esrisi, until she truly repents, our interactions will be only formal. You say she is not evil, but her choices, not her curse, show a callous disregard for the lives and wellbeing of others. She is selfish, and impulsive, and vain. Caroliss refuses somehow to hear any criticism of her friend. Very little of our dialogue has led to growth or meaningful changes in behavior. So if I were to stay, those feelings must be suppressed. It will be... a challenge. I am very angry.” He says, sullen and morose. ”I would hope this could be temporary, until I can ‘get over it.’
”I have thought: have I contributed negatively to the situation? It requires further introspection. I do not believe that my reactions have been unwarranted, but perhaps they have not helped.” He rubs his temples.
”Perhaps the compartmentalization will help. Allow me to think clearly.” He smiles wanly. ”Thank you for being a good friend.”
While Sapher deeply worries about "compartmentalization", she knows she'll never truly understand Mok's mind and how it copes. Instead of probing, she returns his smile, "Good, I am glad you are going to stay." she swats at the flies she is starting to draw and goes to finally get her bath.
After the group deals with the fallout of Vel and Es, and Es clears things up with Sheila she gathers the group to talk to them before they depart.
"I understand there have been some difficulties within the group and emotions have been running high. The life of an adventurer, a Pathfinder, is difficult. You go out and risk your lives on a regular basis. I am pleased that, for the most part, things have been resolved but I need you all to remain focused on the task at hand. I don't have time to send for other Pathfinders without risk of our discovery getting out to more nefarious groups. I would ask you all to remember that although there may be misunderstandings or difficulties among your ranks you are a team and you must rely on one another to not only achieve your mission but also, potentially, to survive. I am always here to provide support and guidance as needed, but it is my hope that with some issues resolved you will be able to carry on with your mission."
With her little speech done she looks to each in turn for anything they might have to say before retiring to her office, letting you all get back to work.
You eventually make your way back to the Crow. Heading back to where you left off you find that now the door to the lower level where you had entered previously is now closed, where you had left it open previously.
Drask has nothing to say to their Pathfinder handler, nodding and exiting with the others. Once outside he looks at Es. "So, gonna tough it out a bit, eh?" He says with a raised eyebrow. "Well, next time you think about getting into trouble in town, talk to me first. Robbing your parents place, there are smarter ways to do that."
|
|
Esrisi waits for Shelia to say something in particular and call her aside, but she does not. When everyone is finished with her speech and departs, Es hangs back. Once they are all gone she says "First, I want to both apologize for my irrational behavior and thank you for allowing me to return."
She fidgets with her hands a bit before getting to the second piece. "Uhm. I also think that perhaps, maybe, I would like to ask for the shard that I returned to you back in case I need it again. Please." And I like the way that I feel when it's in my possession. You forgot to tell her that part.
She looks across at the Venture Captain, hoping she will return the shard.
"Veltariel didn't give me a choice. I think she would have killed me had I said no. My track record at subduing her is sub-par and I didn't particularly feel up to losing a third battle that likely would have had more severe consequences."
Looking over at Veltariel walking ahead with Mokhasi, she remarks idly "It would appear I am to atone for my previous erroneous judgments. So yes, I'm going to tough it out a bit."
Done with the whispering, she returns to a normal voice and clarifies "For the record, I did not intend to get into any trouble in town. And I didn't exactly rob my father insomuch as my sister-" she sighs, giving up on the explanation. "Okay. Got it."
After the others have left and you waited behind to make your request, Sheila asks you to come into her office. She pulls the shard from one of her draws and holds it in her hand. "I have no doubt this would be of great assistance to you and your companions, however if I return this to you, I expect you won't go running off in the future like a child, yes? Everything else aside, I would have hoped that by now I had taught you that you can not run away from your problems..."
She has a look of disappointment on her face, but you aren't certain whether she is disappointed in you, herself, the situation, or a little bit of all the above.
|
|
She starts to speak but pauses and takes a moment to gather her thoughts. After five seconds she raises her head and says "I give you my word that no matter what, I won't abandon either you or my fellow Pathfinders again. I will seek to employ more sound decisions in the future and prioritize our mission of finding these shards over any personal goals I may have. Additionally, I will face all consequences of my actions without running away. "
"I took an oath and I need to see it through, not hide when things get difficult. I will bring these others shards to you and I give you my word that you haven't made a mistake entrusting me to this task, Venture Captain."
She lets go and steps back as she nods toward the door saying "You better catch up with your companions."
|
|
Mokhasi checks and rechecks his gear. None of the fury that was evident on his face remains, and he walks silently, his journal hanging from his belt for easy access. Everyone notices that he has more white paint on his face, neck and upper arms. It seems that the paint stands out brighter, and appears to be almost luminescent in the sun, but silvery in the shade. Nothing remains of the scent of garbage, or his previous experiences, but Kiir seems to be glowing more strongly, and will periodically tinkle as the stones make musical notes that seems to be on the verge of a language, while never being understood. From time to time, Mokhasi will whisper something in the same melodic way, back to Kiir, who responds by brightening, and occasionally Mokhasi will chuckle.
Mokhasi says nothing, but bows slightly at the Venture Captain when she finishes. When Esrisi addresses the party, he again seems to regard her with disinterest, as if she is a curiosity, but Kiir pulses with rose light until she is done speaking. It is similar to his earlier behavior, though it seems to have been refined and controlled. When she finishes he simply adds, ”shall we depart? Has everyone procured their necessary supplies? Recall that we will be fighting devils - so silver and holy items will be valuable.” He pops out some vials from his wrist sheaths, and holds them up, ”if you have not obtained this now, it would be a good time to before we enter the Crow. I do not intend to leave again without cause.” He pats his satchel, and you get the impression that he has brought enough food for at least a week.
|
|
”There is a spell to do so temporarily, but I cannot cast it. There are silver blanches as well, but you would be severely burned. You may find it better to purchase a silver-tipped quarterstaff. It may break a little when you hold it, but you will find it strikes harder against nupperibos and lemures regardless,” he responds.
Caroliss chimes in. "I can memorize magic that should help when we need it."