"Let's do it!" she says excitedly.
Kallie doesn't have a particular route in mind, but being in a nomadic community for most of her life has left with her the need to keep her hooves moving.
"Next adventure, huh? Do you have anything in mind? I've always wondered about an ocean voyage, but I don't know if I could realistically manage it. No place to really run; I'd go nuts just doing laps around the deck. I know I rode a flying ship when I was little, but I don't remember much of that."
"urk"
Jaya was quite unprepared for Croq's sudden hug, instinctively twisting her neck to try to find a quick escape while she willed herself to smile and pat the half-elf's broad back.
"Happy to help," she breathed, still recovering herself from the strength in Croq's embrace. "Can't imagine why I would've bothered to teach you if I was just going to do it cruelly or badly though."
***
"Ciara, aside from Alden's closure, you mentioned that you served an Eldest named Gilda; I'm not familiar with her, and without pretending to modesty, that means that she's more than a little obscure. What can you tell me about her?"
Cai’nan remained quiet during the talks with Ciara and Alden, not wanting to upset anyone with his fumbling attempts at condolences.
As the three head back, Cai’nan is still somewhat sullen. He eventually says ”Croq...we’ll catch to you and the others later...I need to speak with Jaya for a bit...”
"Let's do it!" she says excitedly.
Kallie doesn't have a particular route in mind, but being in a nomadic community for most of her life has left with her the need to keep her hooves moving.
"Next adventure, huh? Do you have anything in mind? I've always wondered about an ocean voyage, but I don't know if I could realistically manage it. No place to really run; I'd go nuts just doing laps around the deck. I know I rode a flying ship when I was little, but I don't remember much of that."
"I've been on a few ocean voyages before!" says Lullaby. "At least for the ones in Varisia, you'd get the chance to stop every few days; they tend to sail within sight of the shores. As for how you'd kill time, my suggestions would be reading or socializing with other people, especially the crew. In your case, as a wizard, it'd be a great time to work on your studies."
It takes a moment for Lullaby to realize that she never answered Kallie's first question.
"Before I met you, I was trying to acquire enough coin to found a thieves guild in Riddleport. The Vancaskerkins once had a... thriving enterprise there, but my Uncle Saul made a bad bet and lost everything short of his life. I wanted to rebuild what he lost, just under my own banner, but now..." she says before trailing off, clearly deep in thought, "it sounds like I'd just be asking for trouble. I mean, Aurealia and Croquelle's aunt just paid me more to help you fight that Mozamer guy than I ever made as a crook. So... I'm currently thinking of some light Thassilonian ruin exploration with the Black Arrows."
"Ciara, aside from Alden's closure, you mentioned that you served an Eldest named Gilda; I'm not familiar with her, and without pretending to modesty, that means that she's more than a little obscure. What can you tell me about her?"
"I'm not surprised; put simply, Her Majesty is rather shy!" remarks Ciara, some of her jovial demeanor returning. "Let me start at the very beginning. I was once an apprentice druid in Ryli's Outriders. One of my first missions was to investigate some rumors of an abnormally powerful fey lurking in the wilderness near the Mierani Forest. Unfortunately, I got incredibly lost! As I tried to find my way back to my team, I accidentally stumbled into a wyvern's cave..."
The ginger blushes slightly in embarrassment.
"To make a long story short, the chase brought me to this strange field. A pasture to be more accurate. I almost thought I was in a field of wheat, but, no, the grass was just... golden! In the middle of it, I saw a nymph in a lovely, similarly golden dress. Well, I thought she was a nymph; she had that... presence they do except... more radiant? More powerful? Anyway, this woman takes one look at the wvyern and utters a single word. It dropped dead."
As she told the story, Ciara was clearly reliving the experience; after uttering that last sentence, it is almost like she just saw the scene play out again right before her bright green eyes. Even after all these years, the sight clearly still inspires awe in her.
"Her Majesty gave me shelter for the night," Ciara continues. "In this strange golden pasture, she revealed her identity: Queen Gilda, the newest of the Fey Eldest. I got the impression that she was a nymph who had very recently achieved some form of divinity. She told me about the... Court she was trying to build. Her goals. Her ambitions. Her dreams. In summary, Queen Gilda is like Iomdaea or Sarenrae; she's a good woman who desires a world better than this current one."
It takes Ciara a moment to pull herself from the memory.
"Oh, uh, anyway, when I woke up the next day, she was gone, but I was back in my team's campsite. I left Ryli's Outriders shortly afterward; I mean, the Sihedron Heroes had already killed Alaznist, and the Outriders' original purpose was to find her, so... I thought my life would be better serving Her Majesty. I've been trying to living by her principles ever since."
A thought appears to suddenly occur to Ciara.
"...Excuse me. I meant to say that Queen Gilda is like Iomedae. Iomdaea? Who's Iomdaea?!" the jovial ginger says with a giggle at her own expense. "Anyway, if you have any specific questions, Jaya, I'd be happy to answer them to the best of my ability."
"Iomedae and Sarenrae are both frequently crusading deities, even if the aims and methods of their crusades differ rather substantially outside of regional variations, does Gilda share that method as well? Additionally, I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that she would be the only known Eldest to interact with our plane that did in fact actively want good things for mortals. Have you interacted with any of her other servants?"
"I've been on a few ocean voyages before!" says Lullaby. "At least for the ones in Varisia, you'd get the chance to stop every few days; they tend to sail within sight of the shores. As for how you'd kill time, my suggestions would be reading or socializing with other people, especially the crew. In your case, as a wizard, it'd be a great time to work on your studies."
It takes a moment for Lullaby to realize that she never answered Kallie's first question.
"Before I met you, I was trying to acquire enough coin to found a thieves guild in Riddleport. The Vancaskerkins once had a... thriving enterprise there, but my Uncle Saul made a bad bet and lost everything short of his life. I wanted to rebuild what he lost, just under my own banner, but now..." she says before trailing off, clearly deep in thought, "it sounds like I'd just be asking for trouble. I mean, Aurealia and Croquelle's aunt just paid me more to help you fight that Mozamer guy than I ever made as a crook. So... I'm currently thinking of some light Thassilonian ruin exploration with the Black Arrows."
Kallie thinks for a bit on the information Lullaby provided. "Well, I'm sorry to hear about your uncle. Gambling is called a vice for a reason. Anyway, if you decide to do some exploration in Thassilonian ruins, be careful. I'm a testament to what can happen if you're careless when messing with stuff in the ruins. Or, better yet, invite me along! I might have been affected by some old leftover fleshwarping magic, but it hasn't put me off adventuring!"
She gives Lullaby a bright grin. "Studying is great and all, but nothing beats field work."
"Iomedae and Sarenrae are both frequently crusading deities, even if the aims and methods of their crusades differ rather substantially outside of regional variations, does Gilda share that method as well? Additionally, I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that she would be the only known Eldest to interact with our plane that did in fact actively want good things for mortals. Have you interacted with any of her other servants?"
Ciara takes a moment to contemplate Jaya's question.
"Her Majesty is more of a... velvet glove deity like Shelyn. Besides, even if she was more like Iomedae and Sarenrae, I don't think her following is even big enough to launch a 'proper' crusade!" she finally says. "Granted, she has no love for fiends. Same deal with the undead, though she'd probably try to help 'friendly' ghosts like Sir Roderic... Poor guy. I hope he finds peace soon."
The ginger takes a moment to think over how to answer Jaya's other points.
"You wouldn't be wrong, Jaya. Queen Gilda told me something akin to that herself: 'All of my peers are either actively or passively evil.' As for other servants, unfortunately, no. Being a druid, I can't summon them like clerics can, and likely given how new she is, I have yet to meet another Gildan. I know Cladissa's religion spread like wildfire, but like Iomedae, she was quite famous in life, and thousands actively keep tabs on her means of apotheosis. Meanwhile, I think Her Majesty is still trying to get herself established, and she's doing so cautiously."
Kallie thinks for a bit on the information Lullaby provided. "Well, I'm sorry to hear about your uncle. Gambling is called a vice for a reason. Anyway, if you decide to do some exploration in Thassilonian ruins, be careful. I'm a testament to what can happen if you're careless when messing with stuff in the ruins. Or, better yet, invite me along! I might have been affected by some old leftover fleshwarping magic, but it hasn't put me off adventuring!"
She gives Lullaby a bright grin. "Studying is great and all, but nothing beats field work."
"Eh, Uncle Saul had it coming!" Lullaby replies with a chuckle.
For a moment, Lullaby seems to want to inquire more about Kallie's misadventure, but she ultimately decides against it.
"I'd love to have a good friend accompany me," Lullaby instead says, a sincere smile breaking out on her face to match Kallie's grin. "We could definitely use some real Thassilonian expertise as well; Dolland thinks he knows a lot, but it's probably secondhand nonsense from the Corstela woman. Plus, bringing a powerful wizard along... Yeah, that idea only gets better the more I think about it. Speaking of which, you're an enchantress, right? How'd you settle on that school?"
Kallie flushes at the compliment and being called a 'powerful wizard'. She hems a little when asked how she decided to focus on enchantment.
She shakes out her hair and pulls it back behind her ears while she thinks. "Well, it's kind of a long story. Basically, I was born in a Thassilonian ruin called a Runewell. Specifically in the Wing of L-- well, Enchantment. So you maybe can say it's in my blood."
"I suppose what I'm really wondering is this - aside from nebulously improving the world, what are Gilda's concerns? What sort of portfolio has she claimed for herself? Oh, and do you happen to know where within the First World she resides? I understand a map wouldn't be applicable, but any sort of rough geography to guide me if I decided to pay a visit?"
Kallie flushes at the compliment and being called a 'powerful wizard'. She hems a little when asked how she decided to focus on enchantment.
She shakes out her hair and pulls it back behind her ears while she thinks. "Well, it's kind of a long story. Basically, I was born in a Thassilonian ruin called a Runewell. Specifically in the Wing of L-- well, Enchantment. So you maybe can say it's in my blood."
"You were actually born in one of those ruins? Interesting… And enchantment just comes naturally to you like singing does to me? Gotcha!" says Lullaby. "Hmm... Now that we're on the subject, Sorshen was the enchantress, right? I always have trouble keeping those Runelords straight. I know the Heroes got Karzoug back when our parents were young; seriously, I know every line in Zoli Tileani’s Return of the Reclaimer saga by heart. Same deal with Krune; I hear he was a real loser too. I remember that day they announced that Alaznist had been defeated, and Doland once told me about the strongest of them all: Xanderghul. Sorshen… I don’t hear a lot about Sorshen. What do you think about her? "
"I suppose what I'm really wondering is this - aside from nebulously improving the world, what are Gilda's concerns? What sort of portfolio has she claimed for herself? Oh, and do you happen to know where within the First World she resides? I understand a map wouldn't be applicable, but any sort of rough geography to guide me if I decided to pay a visit?"
"Let me start with those first two points; for her portfolio, given her relatively recent divinity, Her Majesty is still trying to work out the specifics. I mean, it's going to be how she defines herself for eternity, so... best to put some thought into it! How other deities always seem to have theirs ready to go amazes me," says Ciara. "It will likely include divination, though; Her Majesty is really good at stuff like psychometry and precognition. Maybe she’s got nornish ancestry?"
"As for her concerns, that's easier to answer! I'll start with the big one," she continues after giving you time to process the first bundle of information. "While the world has seemingly been at peace for a generation, there have been a number of... close calls. For example, three Runelords attempting to return in the same year with one succeeding, that whole incident that made the Sihedron Heroes the Sihedron Heroes, whatever Alaznist plot they managed to foil before killing her, poor Corstela being subverted by the Sword of Pride if you wanna get really recent, and so forth. According to Her Majesty, these situations are increasing in scale and frequency, and at some point, some evil will inevitably succeed. When that happens, we will be too busy to contain the damage to stop the next one. With two massive fires to put out, we'll inevitably fail to notice the third starting... See where I'm going?"
Ciara waits for the point to sink in.
"Averting the apocalypse is Her Majesty’s big concern," Ciara summarizes. "As for her smaller ones, Queen Gilda wants to protect those being wrongly hunted or persecuted. For example, me by that wyvern. She didn't say it openly, but I got the impression that she experienced something similar. That's a big reason Queen Gilda's trying to rally the good-natured fey to her side; they frequently suffer at the hands of malicious individuals, and as you pointed out, none of the other Eldest are very inclined to protect them. Naturally, Her Majesty is willing to help other mortals as well. I mean..."
Ciara grins and points at herself.
"As for where in the First World she resides, I don't think Queen Gilda has actually staked a claim yet. It’s too chaotic. Too... dangerous. What if someone like, say, Baba Yaga or the evil Eldest came to see her as a threat and declared war on her? Right now, Her Majesty largely operates out of another realm. She calls it her Sanctuary, but I've heard it called the Gilded Pasture as well. It's connected to the First World, but she controls all the ways in and out. It's how she protects refugees under her, uh, protection. To pay a visit, you'd need to... somehow contact Her Majesty directly and get her approval. Alternatively, find some way to contact someone on the inside and have them convince Queen Gilda to open a gate; I got the impression she could drop those anywhere."
After giving you a moment of silence to digest this information, Ciara asks her own question.
"If you don't mind me asking, why all this newfound interest in Her Majesty?"
Jaya's nonplussed explanation is rather inexpertly smoothed away from an overt frown at Gilda's unclassified nature. "I'd always thought that some portion of ascendancy included carving out a portfolio of your own, but we don't have records of any of the other Eldest doing so, and she's already irregular in other ways..." She reached up and reseated her spectacles while she thought. "Is there some reason why she's so focused on the Thassilonians? And umm... a wyvern? I suppose the rise of the Runelords is a weighty enough affair to merit an Eldest's attention, if she were particularly concerned with the mortal plane to begin with, but... well, not to be blunt, but what makes you so special?"
Jaya's nonplussed explanation is rather inexpertly smoothed away from an overt frown at Gilda's unclassified nature. "I'd always thought that some portion of ascendancy included carving out a portfolio of your own, but we don't have records of any of the other Eldest doing so, and she's already irregular in other ways..." She reached up and reseated her spectacles while she thought. "Is there some reason why she's so focused on the Thassilonians? And umm... a wyvern? I suppose the rise of the Runelords is a weighty enough affair to merit an Eldest's attention, if she were particularly concerned with the mortal plane to begin with, but... well, not to be blunt, but what makes you so special?"
"All that stuff about the Thassilonians were just my examples; Queen Gilda definitely listed other incidents that happened elsewhere. For instance, she mentioned some nonsense in Irrisen that nearly spilled over into the rest of the Inner Sea around two decades ago," clarifies Ciara. "As for me and the wyvern, that's just an example of her everyday compassion for mortals. What makes me so special? Well, that's the thing; I'm not, Jaya. However, Her Majesty still helped me - a total stranger - without a second thought, no strings attached."
"You were actually born in one of those ruins? Interesting… And enchantment just comes naturally to you like singing does to me? Gotcha!" says Lullaby. "Hmm... Now that we're on the subject, Sorshen was the enchantress, right? I always have trouble keeping those Runelords straight. I know the Heroes got Karzoug back when our parents were young; seriously, I know every line in Zoli Tileani’s Return of the Reclaimer saga by heart. Same deal with Krune; I hear he was a real loser too. I remember that day they announced that Alaznist had been defeated, and Doland once told me about the strongest of them all: Xanderghul. Sorshen… I don’t hear a lot about Sorshen. What do you think about her? "
Kallie shrugs, though she suddenly becomes self-conscious of her new face and torso. "Never met her, so I dunno. I mean, she managed to never be overthrown like most of the Runelords, so she's got to be savvy. But probably ruthless, too."
Mama Ryli always got real quiet whenever I asked her about the Wing of Lust. "I mean, I'll bet she wasn't a nice person, unless maybe if she wanted to, you know, enjoy a few nights of passion with you. I guess then it makes a difference if you were willing or not. I mean, I wouldn't say no, but some people might."
She frowns briefly as she considers again the ethics of mind magic and the seriously dark paths it can take a practitioner. She suddenly turns to Lullaby. "Thanks for being so cool about the, you know, charm thing. Better than killing each other, huh?"
"Helping someone escape a creature that's not remotely a threat to you isn't exactly... After all, if I came upon an ogre menacing a traveler, I'd certainly step in without expectation of a reward or fealty, which some might call a string... Well, I suppose it's not that it's not compassionate, but it does raise certain theodical concerns unless you were wandering through her sacred woods or something." Jaya smiled mirthlessly. "In any case, I'm curious about her because she's an unknown. A... long-term acquaintance of mine is sheltering with her, and I don't know what that entails."
Kallie shrugs, though she suddenly becomes self-conscious of her new face and torso. "Never met her, so I dunno. I mean, she managed to never be overthrown like most of the Runelords, so she's got to be savvy. But probably ruthless, too."
Mama Ryli always got real quiet whenever I asked her about the Wing of Lust. "I mean, I'll bet she wasn't a nice person, unless maybe if she wanted to, you know, enjoy a few nights of passion with you. I guess then it makes a difference if you were willing or not. I mean, I wouldn't say no, but some people might."
She frowns briefly as she considers again the ethics of mind magic and the seriously dark paths it can take a practitioner. She suddenly turns to Lullaby. "Thanks for being so cool about the, you know, charm thing. Better than killing each other, huh?"
It takes Lullaby a moment to process what Kallie just told her.
"...That would explain why I thought you were my best friend despite our, uh, earlier encounter," Lullaby murmurs, referencing your first meeting with her almost two weeks ago. Evidently, you charming her never clicked until just now. Thankfully, she shrugs it off. "Still, even if we had fought, I wouldn't have tried to kill you, Kallie. Honest. I'm still honestly surprised by how vicious the other Roadkeepers got."
Thinking back, during both the fights you fought together against the goblins and Horned Fangs, Lullaby was more focused on disabled opponents and supporting her allies than slaying enemies...
"Regardless, I am truly happy we didn't fight," admits Lullaby. "Our meetings have given me a lot of... perspective on my life. Much needed perspective."
"Helping someone escape a creature that's not remotely a threat to you isn't exactly... After all, if I came upon an ogre menacing a traveler, I'd certainly step in without expectation of a reward or fealty, which some might call a string... Well, I suppose it's not that it's not compassionate, but it does raise certain theodical concerns unless you were wandering through her sacred woods or something." Jaya smiled mirthlessly. "In any case, I'm curious about her because she's an unknown. A... long-term acquaintance of mine is sheltering with her, and I don't know what that entails."
The redheaded druid takes a moment to recollect on the past.
"Hmm... I wish I had a completely satisfactory answer, but I only spent a number of hours in her company," admits Ciara. "Let me clarify what I said earlier. When I was under her care, Her Majesty provided me with a nice meal and healed my injuries. We had that long, philosophical conversation I mentioned earlier. Finally... I asked for her help with getting back to my campsite. She transported me there, and I promptly crashed for the night."
She sighs, clearly frustrated that she can't provide any more definitive information.
"Going by our talk, your acquaintance would definitely be safe; I'd be willing to stake my life on that, Jaya. They'd also be free to leave whenever they wanted. Her Majesty made that very clear to me."
I just needed information, not proselytizing... Unfair of me to ask a believer about their god-ish-thing without expecting it though.
"Thank you, Ciara. I wish I could say my mind was at ease, but I'm glad to know more than I had. Forgive me if I pressed you too hard."
I just needed information, not proselytizing... Unfair of me to ask a believer about their god-ish-thing without expecting it though.
"Thank you, Ciara. I wish I could say my mind was at ease, but I'm glad to know more than I had. Forgive me if I pressed you too hard."
"It's fine, Jaya," Ciara says with an understanding smile. "Well, if that's everything, I suppose I'll see you around? Regardless, have a good evening. And thanks again for all your help!"
Assuming no one interrupts her, Ciara waves goodbye and gently closes the door to Peacock Manor, leaving you all to your thoughts.
As the three head back, Cai’nan is still somewhat sullen. He eventually says ”Croq...we’ll catch to you and the others later...I need to speak with Jaya for a bit...”
It would have been very easy for Jaya to walk the whole way home in silence, but she knew that once she really dug in on verifying Ciara's information, wild gorgons wouldn't be able to drag her away from her books. So she waved a somewhat absent goodbye to Croq, and forced herself to change mental tracks, asking after a little while had put distance between them and their muscly friend, "What did you want to talk about, Cai'nan?"
He thought about how to answer Jaya in silence for a few long moments. Eventually he just says, his face turned to the ground ”I...” he starts before he sighs and adds ”Look...I’m sorry about whatever my father is doing to your mother. I honestly had no idea.”
Her mouth thinned to a line. "It's not your fault."
He shakes his head ”Even so. I...” He looks up at her sheepishly and continues, ”I care for you, Jaya. And I hate that my father is hurting you like this, even if it is directed at your mother...”
Her eyes softened, a little. "Well, that you do have some control over. I really do appreciate that you're willing to help - once we learn what can be done that is. And... it does mean a lot that this is something you're doing yourself, without having Kallie or someone ask."
He looks at Jaya quizzically before asking ”Uh...what’s that supposed to mean?”
She reddened, sucking in her lips while she paused, before poking her tongue to her upper lip as she carefully chose her words, "Sometimes... Well, I've noticed that when others get into...
"Look, sex complicates things. It's natural that it can lead to faster-forming bonds that others aren't involved in. I'm just glad that whatever you and Kallie have isn't calving you off from the rest of us.
"Either of you."
Cai’nan blushes furiously before stammering out in reply ”Uhm...we haven’t...you know...it’s not physically...I mean...we’ve fooled around and all...but...uh...”
Jaya screwed her eyes shut and waved her hands, "Generally! I meant generally - I really don't need the details!"
Cai’nan falls silent a moment as the two continue walking at the edge of town. He eventually mutters ”I don’t think things are going to work out between her and me, anyway...”
"Oh." Jaya's face grew very still.
"Does she know that?"
Cai’nan shrugs. ”She's been too...enthusiastic about it. But I’m...practical...I guess? And I know that our...limitations is just going to end up with me hurting her...”
"Well. Like I said. Sex complicates things.
"Are you looking for advice or commiseration?"
”I don’t know. Besides...” He takes a deep breath and lets it out before looking Jaya in the eyes and adding, ”Like I said...I care about you Jaya. I don’t know if you’ve even noticed, but I’ve been drawn to you since we met in Sandpoint. But given everything that has happened since, and now my father’s b~~$#!+$...” he says as he turns slightly away, embarrassed.
Jaya looked up at him, almost wary. "She's my best friend, Cai'nan." Her voice was low, tightly leashed.
He nods. ”I’m aware. That’s why this is so hard for me. I’m torn between the two of you, and care for you both and do not want to cause problems. But I can’t help how I feel. I’m not some heartless prick like my father!”
Jaya reached up and put her hand gently, but firmly against his chest. "I think maybe it would be better if this conversation didn't happen for a while Cai'nan. You might not be able to control how you feel, but you still have the choice of how to act.
"Now I don't know if I... Look, what we're doing here is important. Not just everything with my mother, but uncovering Baraket? Alaznist's possible return? This Matters. Even if it wouldn't hurt Kallie, now might not be the time...
"It would be so easy to lose everything we're working towards."
Cai’nan listens to her words, laced with plenty of wisdom and level headedness that he was lacking at the moment. Which was unusual for him. He put his hand over hers on his chest and simply replied ”Or we die tomorrow. I’ve seen so much death already. It’s made me want to appreciate what time I have.”
Jaya withdrew her hand. "And your idea of a good time is furtively sneaking around? Or enraged centauresses?"
”Okay. But...I do think we should discuss this sooner than later. But I will respect your wanting to wait to do so...” he replies, somewhat conflicted.
The corner of Jaya's mouth twitches in something like a smile, but the heat in her eyes is still far from inviting. "Well that at least is a base level of... I'm not the one you need to talk to."
”Any suggestions?" Cai'nan smiles helplessly. "I mean...this isn’t a normal conversation...”
"I don't know..." He knows I've never done this sort of thing, right? "Just...say you've been having a lot of fun, but that you think you'll work better as friends? It won't make her not be mad at you for wasting her time, but at least she'll know where things stand between you." She shrugs, awkwardness making her voice brusque, "Except for the 'I don't want to have sex with your horse-parts' part, it's sort of a textbook conversation to have. I would have guessed that you of all people would have had it before, honestly. So you'll tell her tonight?"
”I dunno. Maybe...” he replies, not meeting her gaze.
Jaya's eyes flashed again behind the dark lenses of her spectacles. "Cai'nan, even if you're confused about how you feel, she deserves to know that. Talk to Kallie."
He holds up his hands as if to ward off her anger, ”Okay okay! I wasn’t trying to say I wouldn’t...just concerned about the timing...”
Jaya snorted, "Like you said, life is short."
It takes Lullaby a moment to process what Kallie just told her.
"...That would explain why I thought you were my best friend despite our, uh, earlier encounter," Lullaby murmurs, referencing your first meeting with her almost two weeks ago. Evidently, you charming her never clicked until just now. Thankfully, she shrugs it off. "Still, even if we had fought, I wouldn't have tried to kill you, Kallie. Honest. I'm still honestly surprised by how vicious the other Roadkeepers got."
Thinking back, during both the fights you fought together against the goblins and Horned Fangs, Lullaby was more focused on disabled opponents and supporting her allies than slaying enemies...
"Regardless, I am truly happy we didn't fight," admits Lullaby. "Our meetings have given me a lot of... perspective on my life. Much needed perspective."
Kallie lets out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. "I'm so glad for that. The adventuring life can be one filled with lots of death. While I've already seen my share of it, I'm glad my career isn't going in that direction."
===============================
Later that evening, Kallie gets a knock on her door upstairs.
After a couple moments, Kallie opens the door. She's wearing a shimmering set of armor that covers her torso in a fancy breastplate, and barding around her lower half. "Oh! Cai'nan! Come in!"
Cai’nan looks stressed. He smiles and enters, pacing a bit. ”Ummm, nice armor. That new?”
She looks down at it and bobs her head. "Sort of. I've figured out a way to conjure magical armor without the use of a spell. Just tweaking the aesthetics a bit. Do you like? I was debating between this and something more like what the centaurs in the herd wear."
”Yeah...it’s nice,” he replies, running a hand through his hair as he goes back and forth in her room.
Kallie closes her eyes and concentrates for a few seconds and the shimmering armor fades, revealing her regular top. "Are you okay? You don't seem... I mean, is there something wrong? I'll listen."
He lets out a heavy breath. ”It’s not that anything is wrong. I mean, I dunno,” he stammers. He sighs and then says ”Look, there’s no easy way to do this. I think...I think we should just try and just be friends...”[B]
[B]"Well, of course we're--" Her eyes suddenly go wide and her legs wobble. "Wait. You mean-- you're saying that... you don't want to..." Her voice trails off. Her hands flutter as her tail tosses wildly. She squeezes her eyes shut and turns away. "No," she whispers hoarsely. "Nonono, this can't be happening."
”I’m sorry...” Cai’nan mutters. ”I...It’s just not fair to you. And to be perfectly honest, you know I’ve been uncomfortable with our differences. If I could just make a wish and turn me into a centaur I’d consider it, truly. But I cannot help that I’m a human and have human attractions...”
He steps closer and adds ”I think you are a great person. But it’s not fair of me to you to never be able to, well, satisfy you. And it makes me feel bad, even if you feel otherwise.”
She shakes her head. "Don't. Don't wish. You'd be too big for me." She keeps her back to him, but her body shudders as she tries to keep from breaking down fully. "I... understand." Her hands keep wiping at her face, but she still doesn't turn around.
Cai’nan feels sick to his stomach. ”I’m sorry I hurt you. I...I’ll just...” he says as he steps towards the door.
"If I, um, used magic, you know, to be human for a while? Would you maybe... consider?" She groans in frustration and looks up. "Gods, that's so pathetic."
He then thinks to all the pain magic has been in his life and shakes his head. ”No...I don’t think that’d be a good idea...”
She finally turns to look at him, her eyes red and filled with tears. "Why not? Sure, it would only last a few minutes, but I could finally, finally be sated! I've been so... you don't know what it's like!"
”I mean...do you even have that kind of magic? You’ve never even brought it up before. And...I mean, what would happen if it wore off in the middle of...” he asks, trying to consider the dangerous end results of such a mid-activity-event.
She tosses her hair and plants her fists on her hips. "I know of the magic. I'm sure I can learn it. The human shape is simple compared to a centaur. And I could probably get it to last for five minutes, maybe a few more if I used the boosting tricks that Papa Eugeni taught me." She shrugs. "We might be tangled a bit, but if you stay on top you shouldn't have any problems."
”Five minutes? Do you think five minutes would be enough?” Cai’nan asks sincerely, but his own discomfort with the risks and idea of it also hangs in his voice. ”Kallie...”
She throws up her hands in frustration. "No, but even a morsel is a banquet to someone starving!"
Cai’nan sighs and sits on the foot of the bed, burying his face in his hands in frustration.
Kallie deflates and runs her hands through her hair. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have... pressured you. I'll be okay. I'll maybe find a spell to make me grow, and then I can steal the heart of some stallion somewhere. Or, I dunno. Maybe there's a human out there who would want this." She runs a hand along her flank as she looks at her lower half wistfully.
”You deserve better than me, Kallie. I’m so sorry,” he says through his hands as he stands and steps to the door.
Kallie's face sours. "Oh? When did Pharasma pronounce you as arbiter of what I deserve? Don't I get a say? You either want to be with me and help us work it out, or you don't. Don't delude yourself into thinking you're doing this for me."
He shakes his head.
Dragging this out won’t make it any easier. It’s just making it worse.
He then opens the door and steps out.
Kallie shouts after him, "Coward!" Then behind her closed door she collapses on her bed and sobs.
"Kallie?" Galatea says gently. "Is everything okay? I, uh, suddenly had a gut feeling and wanted to see if..."
Gali's voice, full of uncertainty, drifts off.
Early the following morning, after everyone has finished preparing their spells and such, Galatea visits each of you individually. Well, actually, she most likely visits the Andosana Sisters together. Anyway, she delivers your share of the yesterday's spoils and then discusses something Jaya wanted to investigate.
"Here's your cut of the money. Normally, it probably would've taken me a bit longer to get everything sold, but I had some... help this time. Speaking of which, we'll be checking out that haunt soon. Will you be accompanying us?"
"Are you wanting to see your mom? Or did you already? We could go together if you want. If nothing else we should probably let Lady Jeevika what has been happening in our own words. She might have more information for us too." Aurealia looks at Croq. "Right?"
Croq puts up a beefy crocodilian thumb. "Makes sense to me! And yeah, hopefully Lady Jeevika knows something about how Mom's doing.
"Happy to go before or after checking out the haunt. I don't wanna miss that! Hey, maybe the spirits of the Roderics can help us there too."
"Of course I would never miss something so fabulously spooky as a haunt investigation! If we need to do that first we can. Jeevika can wait." Aurealia looks to Galatea to see if she wants to come with them to talk to her mom.
Cai’nan makes his way out of his room in the basement, assuming he is now enemy number one amongst probably everyone. He avoids eye contact and spends most of his time near Krodha, who has seemingly taken up residence in the translator room in hopes someone may want to talk with him.
When Galatea informs them of the plan to deal with the haunt, he nods and follows along quietly alongside his saurian friend.
"Are you wanting to see your mom? Or did you already? We could go together if you want. If nothing else we should probably let Lady Jeevika what has been happening in our own words. She might have more information for us too." Aurealia looks at Croq. "Right?"
Croq puts up a beefy crocodilian thumb. "Makes sense to me! And yeah, hopefully Lady Jeevika knows something about how Mom's doing.
"Happy to go before or after checking out the haunt. I don't wanna miss that! Hey, maybe the spirits of the Roderics can help us there too."
"Of course I would never miss something so fabulously spooky as a haunt investigation! If we need to do that first we can. Jeevika can wait." Aurealia looks to Galatea to see if she wants to come with them to talk to her mom.
"I really should have been clearer," Galatea murmurs to herself. To the Andosana Sisters, she clarifies, "I meant that Mom's here and that she's gonna be helping us deal with that haunt. Her, Yulia, and some of the other Silver Sentinels. They have special magic that should keep things from getting too crazy. Regardless, good to know that you'll be there. Cai'nan and Jaya will be joining us. I still have to talk to Kallie..."
knock-knock "Kallie? You there?"
The sound of some movement tell Jaya that the room is still occupied. Slowly, and with deliberate effort, does Kallie rouse herself and clop across her room to open her door. She's disheveled and her face is puffy from recent crying.
"Oh honey..." Jaya steps in and flings her arms around her friend. "I'm so sorry, Kallie."
Fresh tears fall as Kallie returns the embrace, hugging her tightly. A few muffled sobs escape her before she straightens and wipes her eyes. "It's-- It's-- I'll be all right. I just, just gotta..." She stumbles back into her room as she tries to stave off a bout of hysterical crying. She's only moderately successful.
"I know, I know. You'll be all right, but I'm here, okay?" Thank the gods. I was afraid she'd blame me, but this doesn't even need to be a peace offering. She reached down into her satchel and pulled out a very expensive bottle of barleywine and a couple of metal glasses.
She poured a cup nearly to the brim and handed it up to Kallie before pulling up a pillow so she could sit on the floor. "Just grab a seat and we'll talk the whole thing through..."
Kallie wipes her eyes and finds herself smiling at the bottle and glasses. "How'd you guess?" she says with a modicum of cheer. It sours almost immediately. "Wait. You didn't guess. What, did Cai'nan just go downstairs and announce that he dumped me? Am I so horrible that he needed to make sure even strangers know he's not with a centaur?"
"No, nothing like that, Kallie. Come on, drink up. You know you're not horrible."
"You turn more heads than anyone else in town - and no, not because you're a centaur."
Kallie dutifully gulps down her drink and waits sullenly as her glass is refilled. "But you knew."
"Well yeah of course, he... Oh that Aaaasssshoollllleeee!" Jaya reaches out and sloppily pours herself a glass and slams it down. "He didn't tell you!"
Already wrung out emotionally, Kallie tries to ready herself for more heartbreak. A sense of dread settles in her stomach and she tries to drown it in the barleywine. "He likes someone else, doesn't he."
Balls of flame streamed off of Jaya into the air, dancing around the room as she took another long gulp.
"He was supposed to tell you."
"Look, I wasn't gonna say it - but you are so much better off."
She shrugs limply as she takes another drink. "'S'okay. He's a human. He likes humans. Not small centaurs." She thinks for a moment. "But if he decides he likes Croquelle or Aurealia, I'll have to unnatural lust him with a giant leech."
"Hey." She reached up to take Kallie's cheek in her hand. "It wasn't either of them. It's me."
Kallie goes completely still. Jaya's hand touching her cheek feels suddenly painful. A shaking hand slowly brings her glass to her lips and she knocks it back, breaking the contact with Jaya. "Figures..."
She can't meet Jaya's eyes. She glances around the room, looking for something else to focus on, to distract her from vile and black thoughts that bubble up from her stomachs.
She paces around, stale tears wetting her eyes once more. She brings a hand to her face and notes the wetness there, and it makes her angry. "Dammit. Damn. It." She wipes her face. "Damn it."
Jaya stayed seated; the room was cramped enough with even a pint-sized centaur pacing around in it. "I didn't want this, Kallie. I'm so sorry."
Kallie goes quiet, staring at Jaya for an uncomfortable moment. Then she sighs, picks up the bottle and fills her glass. "Not your fault," she mutters. "You didn't ask to be human any more than I asked to be a centaur. Or small."
"Hey... I mean... This wasn't like a 'love for all the ages' thing was it? This was just fun with a cute guy... right?"
Kallie fills her own glass and takes another deep draught. She wipes her mouth with a bitter expression. "Well, fun just doesn't come along all that often, you know?" The alcohol starts catching up to her. "And I was fine staying above the waist! And maybe, if we'd have been together longer, he'd have... you know..."
Jaya 's cheeks colored with more than just the wine. "So he never even... I mean nothing?"
Kallie also flushes. "Well, I didn't stay above the waist." She cups her breasts. "And he got very acquainted with these."
She closes her eyes and shudders for a moment. The frustration in her voice comes through clearly. "If only I hadn't come to life in the Wing of Lust! It just-- Rrrrr!" she groans as her tail tosses back and forth.
Jaya flushes crimson and after another swig makes a terrible discovery. "The bottle's already empty huh?"
"Have you thought about... maybe a temple of Calistria or Arshea or someone? If it didn't squick me out so much I'd offer to..." She gestured vaguely before somehow blushing more deeply and pulling out another bottle of much, much cheaper fare.
Kallie's expression darkens as she takes the new bottle. "Thanks. I think."
"Oh don't give me the offended puppy eyes- It'd be like fondling my sister!" Jaya's face scrunched up in distaste at her own words.
Kallie wags her finger at Jaya, her inebriation causing her gestures to become big and expressive. "I'll have you know, that despite what I look like, and despite what those murals showed, I do not want to have sex with anything that moves!"
"But yeah, I've thought of going to the temples. I heard about one of my aunt's travel companions. 'Handsome Honey,' she called him. An Arshean." She groans. "I still want a connection! I want to get to know someone first! I'm not Sorshen!"
"Yeah... I get it. I'm sorry Cai'nan's not that for you." She flopped onto her back, loosened ties allowing her normally restrained skirts to billow out around her knees. "I don't even know why he thinks that way about me - We barely know each other! You two, I understood, you're two consenting, attractive adults who I thought were just in it for a good time, but... I don't really spend time thinking about all of you for happily ever afters, you know?!"
Kallie takes this opportunity to settle on the ground herself. "Exactly! I don't know, was he thinking I'd want to have babies with him? No thanks! I just wanted a few hundred or so nights of passion! Why is that so hard for me to find?"
"I don't know..." Jaya reached up and put her hand gently on one of Kallie's legs. "But just cause you haven't found it here doesn't mean you won't."
"... You know... obviously complications are a real concern when it comes to entanglements within your adventuring group, and it's not as though I've really been Looking-looking, but... Well we are a pretty attractive lot, aren't we?"
Kallie shakes her head vigorously. "Nope. I'm still in the stage of, 'I'll never find love and my life is hopeless.' I cannot be cheered up by such platitudes." She maintains a serious face for a couple seconds before giggling drunkenly.
"Platitudes? Who's talking platitudes?! I mean, even aside from Cai'nan have you seen the arms on either Andosana? I mean, I've only noticed them aesthetically of course except during one hug.... Sorry, we're on you and the preposterously short amount of time that will pass before you find someone else. And if your dry spell really starts to chafe, well, Kaer Maga has all kinds of opportunities for the adventurous."
Kallie's giggles die down after Jaya suggests the Andosana sisters. "I'm not--" She slumps and swirls her drink in her glass. "Yeah, yeah. Maybe that's what I need. Or, maybe I can find a cute satyr in some sylvan glade." She looks melancholy. "But, how do I face him? How can I even look at him?"
"I didn't mean for you! Bad idea anyways. Not that you should feel bad about hooking up with Cai'nan, just... Complicated. But as for facing him, I recommend picturing him wearing wayyyy too many clothes. Probably a funny hat too."
Kallie's response is interrupted by a gentle knock on her door.
"Kallie?" Galatea says gently. "Is everything okay? I, uh, suddenly had a gut feeling and wanted to see if..."
Kallie pitches her head back and groans. "No, everything's not okay!"
"...If there's anything I can do to help, just me let know," Galatea finally replies, sensing that it'd probably be best to give her niece some space. Plus, she thinks she just heard Jaya's voice, so... It sounded like Kallie was in good hands.
With most of the group ready to go, Galatea tries to find Kallie and see if she wants to join them.
"Good morning, Kallie. We'll all be checking out that haunt soon. Want to join us?" says Gali upon locating her favorite wizard. "Hey, uh, it's fine if you didn't wanna talk last night. Just so you know, your grandmother is in town. She's here to make sure that things don't get too crazy with the haunt. Evidently, one almost killed her during the journey to Xin-Shalast."
Kallie had changed her hair over the night. Now it was a vibrant pink with black streaks. She looks a bit rough from last night's drinking, but she puts on her usual smile. "Oh, good. Like, if a haunt can almost kill Grandma Jeevie, then I'm sure we're totally safe."
Jaya's also the worse for wear, and not nearly as quick to regain her own smiles, "As though every haunt is the equal of one found in the ruins of Xin Shalast..." She took another sip of the mug of tea she'd been nursing, "Better safe than sorry though, I suppose..."
"Admittedly, your grandmother was also caught completely unprepared," Galatea adds. "Also, this haunt (seemingly) left most of the Horned Fangs alive too."
With everyone on board, you all gather in your new hideout. Waiting for there right next to the walled off area in the southwest is indeed Jeevika Kailani. She is accompanied by Yulia Rockne plus a small contingent of Silver Sentinels who are working to clear the way to the haunt.
"Hello there!" greets the Treeslayer. "You all have been quite productive these last few weeks."
Jeevika looks toward the room where Alaznist's echo supposedly lurks.
"She's proven to be as elusive as ever. However, according to my divinations, this echo might give us a clue about her current whereabouts," Galatea's mother remarks. "When our angry friend manifests, I will use the Calm Spirit spell to prevent her from lashing out. Before the spells ends, a Sentinel will take over for me. From there, we will take turns with pacification. Between all of us, we have enough magic to keep the haunt under control for two hours. That should also be ample time for me to figure out how to destroy it."
Jeevika turns back to you.
"Is everyone ready?"
"Sure," Kallie says. "Though, is there anything you want us to do?"
"Sure," Kallie says. "Though, is there anything you want us to do?"
"If you could... study the haunt and its immediate area for clues while I'm concentrating, that would be a great help," says Jeevika. "While I've acquired much knowledge about Thassilon over the years, much of my attention will be focused on keeping things calm. Thus, I might miss something important."
Aurealia nods, ready to put her keen senses to work.
Croq gives a dramatic drum roll...
As Croq performs her drum roll, Jeevika leads you all into the newly uncovered room. At first, all is calm. Perhaps eerily so. However, after about a moment, a ghostly figure begins to materialize, swiftly taking the form of a certain Wrathful Runelord. Jeevika quickly wastes no time in casting her spell. For a second, magic pulses through the air, but the Treeslayer's magic takes hold, bringing a sudden stillness to everything.
"Kailani..." hisses the ghostly Alazinst, staring daggers at Jeevika.
She doesn't seem to notice any of you.
(+2 more if 'at night')
Aurealia's keen eyes and ears twitch as she takes in all the details.
Cai'nan studies the scene and the area sternly, trying to steel himself against any ill effects of this haunt...
Kallie watches intently.
"Fascinating..."
Croq pauses her drumroll and cocks her head.
Jaya's face fell a bit in resignation.
"Just a scar. Probably a bit of excess energy from the portal, drawn to some sort of resonant anger. I could subdue it for now, but destroying it permanently will take a little preparation..." She glances up at Jeevika a bit distantly, "I suppose you might have the wherewithal at the moment, depending on Shelyn's blessings this day."
Not wanting to sound dumb, Aurealia lets Jaya explain the situation. She looks at Lady Jeevika then, waiting to see if the High Priestess can take care of the haunt.
Kallie finds herself nodding in agreement. "Yep. Not the real Alaznist. My guess is, it's some kind of echo of her magic. Though, Jaya managed to catch her interest for a moment." She gives her friend a wink.
Cai'nan noticed the ghost thing taking an interest in Jaya too. Which made him take a step closer to her just in case.
"Is that it? Is it over?" he asks.
Jaya rolled her eyes. "Not likely from a mere afterimage."