Novalie looks around and checks on her father.
She looks down at him and smiles a worried smile before sighing in extreme exhaustion and trudging back home.
When she gets home, she will leave her swamp-caked clothes outside. If her mother is awake, she will relate what happened and that father is still unconscious in the houses of healing.
She will make a quick bowl of some hot broth and drink it, allowing the heat to suffuse her and ease her aches and pains. She will relax and try not to fall asleep before heading out to the bar to meet the others.
Freya, you open the door and find your aunt, awake, watching over your sister. Her eyes widen, and she smiles. "Freya! You're all right!" She walks over slowly, as if tired or sore, and gives you a hug. "Sorry if I smell bad. I've been in the fields all day, looking for sleepers in the crops. Can't have anyone dying alone in the cold, right?"
She sees your eyes stray toward your sister. Her smile fades. "Still asleep. She gave me quite a scare a while ago, like she couldn't get a breath, but thank the Mother it passed."
Blinking her eyes, she truly looks at you now. "I'm more tired than I thought. What in the long river happened to you? Are you hurt?"
Iryani, you come to your home, the cheerful decorations glaring and obscene amid the fear of this sudden crisis. You find your mother still sleeping. Utter exhaustion has made her look old and small, lying in the bed alone.
Novalie, your mother cuts a slice of bread, and butters it. She adds a few carrots and varied greens to a plate, and brings it all over to you. Gently chiding, motherly, "You need more than broth to keep up your strength, little lotus." She smiles cautiously, gauging your mood. "I'm sorry about what I said earlier. Seeing you again is a blessing, no matter what else is happening."
Nempura, you hear the Maelstrom Mother timidly clear her throat. She addresses the main room, with nurses, healers, and worried citizens all present. "My people. I am truly sorry for losing my temper like that. It won't happen again." Her words are sincere, but she lacks the eloquence of an experienced speaker. "We will endure this time, together. With everyone's help."
With a few murmured assents and halfhearted bows, the crowd returns to their duties, or their waiting. Tien Tuyet seems unsure what else to say, so instead contemplates her shame in silence.
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Freya sighs in relief at her aunt's safety and smiles as she answers the undine's questions. "I'm alright, the Church contacted me to help clean up a mess. I'm not even on duty yet and they're coming to me to solve problems, hah! I should feel honored, but I mostly feel tired."
"I'm glad you're alright auntie, I was worried you'd be one of the sleepers out there." The ifrit looks over her sleeping sibling, "With any luck, Illiya should wake up in the morning. Get some rest auntie, you look exhausted. I'll be going out for a bit, but I'll be back before morning."
Relieved, Freya retires to her room. She digs through her luggage, looking for spare clothes but only finds... that. There's no way I'm wearing that thing out, I'm not even sure why I brought it. Maybe auntie has some spare clothes.
It took great strength to admit failure and humble yourself. Tien, who had possibly injured her people's minds already from years of similar behavior, for the first time seemed more like the leader she was supposed to be; even if it did lack eloquence.
Nempura will continue to linger in support of Tien until her feelings of shame begin to pass and then will embrace her friend as she clearly is readying herself to leave.
"I have a duty to check on someone's health and to make sure they pulled through okay after today's events. You might do well to lay down for a little back at home. Are you going to stay here or do you want me to walk with you back there?"
Nempura:
Tien Tuyet pauses, and says, "My heart tells me not to rest, to make up for what I have done." She sighs. "But I know your advice is wise. I will rest, but I will not go home. I will remain here, with my people, as long as they need me."
The Maelstrom Mother bows to you, as an equal. "Sông yêu."
The words of Tien Tuyet inspire Nempura actually for once. She smiles openly and nods in understanding. As Tien bows to her as an equal, surely such an event has not likely happened among her rule, so the honor is not lost on Nempura. There has been a humbling change in their leader, and River was better off for it. She replies with a bow, "Sông yêu."
Nempura heads out of the healing hut, but doesn't see the rest of the group. Something tells her that she likely won't see them again. Smelling of bog water and mud, she wants a bath, but also needs to check up on those in the inn.
As she moves that way, it is not lost on her that she can't see Ky La. She doesn't particularly like the man so such a feeling doesn't stay long on her conscience. Perhaps he will be terrorizing the inn?"
She makes her way there and enters in to see the after effects of the destruction of the Dream Eater.
Nempura:
Feet aching, you finally gain the inn. You close the cheerful door behind you. Something is strange about the quality of quiet,
but you are tired and dismiss it. You have just started up the stairs when-
-a cold point against the hollow of your neck, aimed with precise pressure. A blade. A very sharp blade. Out of the corner of your eye you see an el, an ifrit by the red coloring, but you can tell little else.
A voice, both cultured and menacing, says in Common, "Are you a friend of Inquisitor Ky La?"
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Novalie takes the food with a big smile for her mother, Thank you for the food mother, I am too exhausted to make food."
In between bites, even though it's not polite, she will say to her mother, "Don't worry about it mother, I deserve a lot more harsh words than those. I'm immensely grateful you have given me a place to sleep and that you have been receptive to talking."
She will stop eating for a moment to emphasize her next words, "You are worried about father as am I. I will tell you anything I learn and I will not rest until I find the culprit and cure father."
A sharp breath is taken in by Nempura as she feels the cool steel on her neck. "Just what I needed...," she thinks to herself with a sigh. Ky La was more of a burden to her than a friend at this point.
"Friend? No. Nor is he an enemy as of yet. At best I have just met the man and have reserved my opinion of him. Pardon me, but might we have a civilized conversation?" she asks while slowly raising her arms to show a sign of surrender as they move further from the weapons at her side. Nempura speaks with a calm voice, hoping to diffuse the situation. Her tone is both innocent and gentle, yet not appearing weak at the same time.
Freya tries on her aunt's clothes. They're not a perfect fit, a little tight around the shoulders maybe, but better than anything else she had. The waterproofed silk felt odd on the ifrit, having rarely donned the material herself. Its subdued blue-greens contrasted sharply with Freya's orange skin, accentuating her foreign heritage.
But the paladin was unconcerned with how little she blended in, her mind was focused on slaking her thirst. It'd been a long one today, and a drink was well deserved. At least in her own mind. Setting aside her shield and armor, Freya took one more glance over her sibling and stepped out into the streets.
Finding her mother sleeping was probably a relief. Iryani wasn't entirely sure of her thoughts. She'd never thought she'd miss the snippish comments.
Thinking of the other family members she jolted and made sure mother was really only sleeping of exhaustion.
Surrounded by uncomfortable silence, Iryani made herself dinner and quickly left the distrubing place afterwards. For a while she kept wandering around aimlessly before meeting up with the rest.
Nempura:
The point is taken away from your neck, but the el does not sheath his rapier. You see before you a handsome ifrit, perhaps a little older than you, with a finely trimmed mustache and mischievous eyebrows. With his left hand, he doffs his hat. "You speak well, m'lady. My name is Kapelo v'Adril. I do not entirely trust you as yet, but as you say, we can indeed be civilized. May I have your name?"
With the point away from her neck, she moves a step further into the room and turns to face the el.
"Greetings, my name is Nempura Babblebrook."
She will bow in a kind fashion--much kinder than he deserved.
"I would offer you the chance to join me at a table for some food and drink to discuss this but I'm afraid the hostess is potentially out of commission. That is why I was in such a hurried pace to come here...so that I may check on her wellbeing."
It is a nice way of saying that Nempura has a job to do and he is keeping her from it--not in a nice way via swordpoint either.
"Might you feel charitable enough to tell me your stance concerning the character of Inquisitor Ky La?"
Taking a moment to appraise him, you see this el is well-dressed, in the fritan style of lace, ruffles, and doublets. He wears neutral colors, and seems to enjoy emphasizing his vibrant skin color.
Kapelo's jaw tightens. "Inquisitor Ky La is scum. He finds people in trouble, manipulates them. He had my family killed because I wouldn't do his bidding."
He sheathes his blade, though he keeps his hand on the pommel. His eyes are hooded, watchful. "I wanted to talk to you, because you seemed like the only one who hasn't had her head rotted by the gods. Your friends, the paladin and the warpriest, can't trust them, they're just as bad as inquisitors. Anyone from that damned Temple is suspect."
Realizing he is starting to rant, he takes a few deep breaths. He looks closely at you, trying to gauge what effect his words are having on you. "As for your host and hostess, they are sleeping. One naturally, one still under the strange sleeping spell."
Novalie munches away at all of the great food and drinks the beer. Her appetite kindled by the short rest at home and her improved mood from talking with her mother.
After a while of eating, drinking, and conversation, she will suddenly realize, "Where is Nempura? She's missing out on a good time."
"Still?" she sighs with frustration about the hosts and looks up into thought and closes her eyes briefly as she stresses over it. Nempura had hoped that she would have revived. At least she wasn't dead.
"I suppose I should make something then."
Her hostesses have guests still, and they are going to expect food. Although she is exhausted, and not in the mood to cook, deal with Ky La, Freya's attitude, or being at swordpoint, she will handle it all. What is one step more when she has freedom?
Moving to the kitchen away from Kapelo, she is sure he will follow and continues to talk to him as she begins by washing her hands and arms in the washing pot.
"I personally don't want to deal in absolutes Mr. v'Adril, or I could says some things about you and your people in prejudice. That is not what I believe though," she sovereignly states in an august way. For some reason, it seems to bring out just how pretty she actually is as opposed to the tired creature he sees before him. "Everyone has a spot of bad in them and no-one is perfect. I'm not defending him or those like him, but it depends on what we act on that makes us who we are, not the organization we join..." "As I bear witness of this." "...although, I see your point."
"What are your intentions coming here? What do you want to speak to me about? That I should simply be wary of Ky La?"
If permitted, she will move to the counter and by showing him her slow motions, she would grab a knife to cut vegetables. If she had wanted to cut him, she would have used her starknives already. Also if permitted, she would gesture to him to see if he would fan up the fire to help her cook.
Freya shrugged, "She's probably stirring up trouble somewhere." The ifrit nimbly plucks a prawn off a perfectly grilled skewer, "If she doesn't want to join us, it's no concern of mine."
She leans back in her chair, draining another glass. The paladin was drinking beer like it was water. "Ahhh! Nothing's more refreshing after a long day. Pretty busy for our first day of 'vacation', eh Novi? First day of duty's supposed to be a few months out, but here we are, running into trouble again." Having finally been given a chance to relax, Freya's rigid attitude seems to melt into easy nonchalance.
"How about we have a do over, let's go do something fun tomorrow! I haven't been to this village since I was a very young. I'd like to take look around Iryani, if you'd be willing to guide us."
Nempura:
Kapelo sees your gesture, and tends to the fire as needed. He has an ifrit's natural touch with flame, and the vegetables are cooked perfectly.
He smiles at you, the expression much more handsome than anger. "Tell you what. I'll help bring those meals to the other patrons. Then we can sit down with what's left and talk a little more."
"That is fine with me," she agrees. In good and excellent time, she prepares Thit Kho Tau (nice fancy dish, sometimes in weddings) and some Xoi Chay (vegetarian street food). Both after tasting, seem decent enough to her, but she was used to such food. He would notice also she had a bit more herself than a simple tasting as she was so hungry.
"Here, come taste," she asks of him as she pulls out a series of bowls for the patrons. After the day they've likely had, it was hard to know how they were feeling. Good food always could brighten the day.
"Shall we deliver it, or no?"
Looking for his honest opinion, she would wait, but if he permitted her, she would serve herself and him a bowl, and fill the others. Then she would proceed to, as kindly as possible, go deliver it to the other patrons. Taking this moment, she will check on her hosts and see if they couldn't be roused and told what happened in the swamp and in the healing huts.
Novalie pushes back and relaxes a bit. Smiling she says,"You know if this is what vacation is like, image how bad active duty is going to be?"
She looks quizzically at Freya's comment, "There are days we don't get into trouble? That's not allowed."
Turning to Iryani, she'll agree, "Yes, it's been years, please show us around a bit tomorrow. We need to find the new places we will get into trouble."
Freya laughs. "As long as there's less digging, I'm all for it! I think I still have blisters from all the shovel work, I'm not sure how Oreads can find it fun." She flushes a little at Novalie's troublemaker insinuations. "I-it's not like we're always getting into situations, they just kinda... fall into our laps. Couldn't have happened to nicer girls, I swear."
Outside of her armor, Freya is surprisingly thin, or her height makes her appear that way. She's clearly seen exercise and might even be considered nimble, were she not weighed down most of the time. With her helmet off, Freya's carroty-orange hair and small horns are visible for all to see.
Freya, you certainly get a few curious looks from the other patrons, but nothing hostile.
Nempura:
Kapelo laughs as he takes his first bite. "Say, not bad!"
He helps you to deliver food to each of the occupied rooms. The patrons seems a little confused to see a watersinger and an ifrit bringing meals, but given the general situation of the town and the sleepers, they do not ask questions. They all thank you heartily, and comment on how good it smells.
Both Bian and Binh sleep side by side in their bed. As Kapelo said, you can tell the small difference between light, healing sleep of one, and the heavier, unconscious slumber of the other.
Sitting down when the two of you are back in the kitchen, Kapelo says, "Beautiful, well-spoken, and a pretty good cook! Surprised you don't have a marriage braid in your hair." He watches your reaction, perhaps hoping to make you blush.
More somber now, "So you wanted to know what I'm doing here. I'll be honest - I want to kill Ky La if I possibly can." He looks you in the eye. "Your instincts were good enough to distrust the inquisitor. What do they say about me?"
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Written in probably the most elegant hand he has seen in a while, the note says:
"Dearest Host,
I have trudged through swamp and desolation to find answers to the affliction your wife now suffers. I've seen battle and defeated the Dark that resided there--holding sway over many of your fellow citizens. It was my hope that your lovely wife would return to consciousness after the effects have been released from so many others, but that is not the case it seems.
After some much-needed rest, I will continue in my efforts to find the cause of your wife's slumber. Please take heart and restore yourself. This food hopefully shall restore you and give you strength. Know you are not alone. Your patrons have been well fed too, so you can just relax with your wife. Any need that arises, I've asked your patrons to come to me for the time being.
Sincerely,
Nempura Babblebrook
There still were signs of mud and blood on the Watersinger, despite her washing herself clean on her hands and forearms for the sake of cooking food, but small flecks of remnants linger on her cheek and revealed upper arms. Splashing around in the swamp, even gracefully, could leave a record.
As she returns to the kitchen, she lets out quite a sigh as she sets down the bowls. Tiredness prevailed, and it seemed like every act was dragging on much longer than it should. With Kapelo returning, Nempura smiles softly his way. As he hits on her, bringing a hand up to her forehead to brush any unbound hairs off her face, he can tell she is affected by his words.
"Thank you," she replies simply in a soft tone. While her reaction is normal, she doesn't gush. She is no "geisha girl" pawing for attention or affection, particularly from an Ifrit. If anything, she was caught off-guard by the comment as she's rarely even spoken to Ifrits except when on her Northern Pilgrimage. She felt it strange to be seen as beautiful by a race that typically didn't like her kind. With her own being the Swem, even talking to him would be considered out of place.
"I've never heard of you. Not from Ky La, and certainly from the others I've traveled with...who if I'm being quite honest, have very little malice in them or deviousness enough to trick people or manipulate them. I believe you may have their character tainted in prejudice by your views of Ky La. What would you do if I told Ky La you were here?" she asks in a tempting tone, not exactly flirtatious, but challenging him to see what he would say since he did so to her. She gestures for them to take their food and sit at a table to continue the discussion.
Iryani sips her beer lightly, distracted. Realizing she has not responded, she looks toward you and says, "Sure, I can show you around. It will be nice to have a reason to get out of the..."
Another small sip, not wanting to get drunk. She looks at each of you. "Um, are your family members acting weird? Not the sleeping ones - the awake ones."
Kapelo looks at you, trying to see if there is any true threat beneath your teasing question. Quietly, "Signorina, if I thought Ky La knew I was here, I would run away, very quickly, and pray for death to take me, rather than him."
Looking down at his plate, "Let's save the serious stuff for after we eat. This food is too good to ruin, and speaking of the inquisitor always leaves a bad taste in my mouth."
Twirling a pair of chopsticks with skill, thinking of a new topic, "Well, you know I'm from Hearth. Where are you from? You don't strike me as being a 'small village' type."
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As he studies Nempura, there is little sign that she would reveal Kapelo to Ky La, despite it being a card in her hand that she could play if she willed. Kapelo's answer to her is a strange one. It makes her a slight bit more nervous about who they were in alignment with. Her study of people and cultures had not revealed to her Ky La's nefarious character, if he truly was so. Even though Kapelo's words were peaceable, it can be clearly seen that she is disturbed by them despite her desire to be without worry. His offer to just eat the food is well met by a warm smile and nods from the Undine el.
It is clear of Nempura's breeding in how she eats. When not using her chopsticks, they didn't lie on the table, but across her bowl. She would be the last person to eat from another's dish and her eating was slow and meticulous. It seemed to have spurned him inquiring into her further.
"I am from Rushing Falls," she simply answers with a shift in her chair to indicate a welcome conversation. Although many visit her town on the way south, many also travel there for entertainment and relaxation. She idly wonders if he would have been one of them. "Is this your first time leaving Hearth?"
Novalie looks at Iryani and replies "I don't know if my mother is acting weird, I haven't seen her in years. Although, perhaps the fact that she's starting to communicate with me in a non-angry tone may be considered 'weird'. If it's weird, it's good weird."
She takes a drink and considers for a moment, "I take it some of your family members are acting weirdly? How so? I'd like to keep an eye out on my mother."
Kapelo laughs, a more honest gesture than his bowing and hat-doffing. "It is both my first and my last time leaving Hearth. My childhood, young adult, all spent in the great city. But when my family was killed, I fled. The only thing that would drive me back there is knowing I could strike a lasting blow to the Temple."
He shrugs. "So for now, I find beauty and good things where I can," he indicates the meal, "and try my best to forget the rest. My blade remembers, and weeps."
Standing up from the table, giving another deep ifrit bow, "M'lady, I still have yet to practice my blade forms for the night, so you must please pardon my leaving."
Turning before he leaves the kitchen, "See you for breakfast perhaps? I will cook. Give me some eggs and cheese and I will make you a happy ele." Another slight bow, and he takes his leave.
Iryani pauses, thinking. "She was always pretty religious. And she wanted me to be a watersinger when I grew up." She rolls her eyes. "But now she's spending all of her time at the family shrine, crushing clams and other weird sacrifices I've never seen her do before. I guess all this sleeping sickness could drive anyone crazy, it was just so abrupt."
"I wonder if it was something I said?" she inclines her head as the Ifrit seems to excuse himself. "Perhaps the talk of home is still too deep of a cut and he is avoiding me to not seem emotional..."
Whatever the case is, it is a welcome one. Why someone would want to destroy the temple or those associated in it, she isn't sure. Could he be considered a villain? It is something to consider as he stands. She does as well.
"You must go then and practice. Until we meet again."
"Very well," she will say with a smile and a slight chuckle. Behind the kindness though, she is aware that a potential enemy of the state is trying to schmooze her and get on her good side. These were dangerous waters. "I shall see you in the morning."
As he takes his leave, Nempura slumps back down into her chair and decompresses. She will sit there for a while thinking on what to do before finishing her food and cleaning up the kitchen.
"They said they were going out for a drink...perhaps I can find them?"
She recalled that they were speaking about it as they walked back from the swamps as she cast her spell. With a little whimper of a cry, the Watersinger will head up to her room, and in the sight of the mirror, clean herself up and make herself presentable. Her face and body would be wiped of the mud and blood and with her adventuring gear still on, she will head to the local bar. On the way, she keeps an eye out for both Ky La and Kapelo to avoid them.
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"My family seems fine, though my younger sister is still asleep. Your mom's behavior does sound a little strange, do you mind if we visit the shrine on our tour tomorrow?" Freya didn't like the sound of this, but tries to act casual. She shoots Novalie a worried look then returns to her drink. Whatever action they took would have to wait until tomorrow.
Still, in the spirit of the night, Freya decides to cut loose a bit. She look around the bar for someone to challenge, it was the Vivace way. Be it drinks, darts or otherwise, she'd always be ready to prove her herself.
Freya was never one to turn down a challenge, but perhaps it hadn't been the wisest move after a long day hauling comatose eles.
Freya:
The fisher-el smiles at you, riding the satisfaction of winning. "So what's an ifrit doing around here? You from Hearth? Are you here to help with the sleepers?"
Freya shakes her arm, letting the feeling come back to it. "Visiting family actually. I left Hearth to visit my aunt and sister, but she's fallen asleep now, like so many others. I'm no doctor, so I've done what I can for them and come here. Better to pass the time drinking than worrying I'd say!"
She holds up two fingers to a server. Might as well buy the man a drink, he'd won after all. "But enough of the dreary things, what's there to do around here? Don't imagine there's a Brutbreve arena."
Novalie sees Nempura walk in and she waves to catch her eye and motion her over. When Nempura reaches the table, she'll motion for a server and ask, "What do you want to drink? You've missed the fun of watching Freya lose an arm wrestling contest."
She'll tell the fisherman, "We came to visit family, I'm originally from here, but I've been away for years. My father went into this sleep and we've been trying to determine what happened since then."
She lowers her voice a bit "Have you seen an inquisitor nosing around? How long has he been here? I've been wondering if he has anything to do with the sleepers. If you've seen anything, I'm curious to hear."
It wasn't long before she tracks down the bar. Seeing it brings back memories of her childhood in the entertainment town of Rushing Falls and the dances and singing events she did as a youth there. Sounds of rowdy cheers surge inside and she assumes there are competitions of some sort, but standing outside of the door will not answer such questions so she moves inside as she contemplates how to deal with Freya at this moment.
Thankfully, as she moves in, the much kinder Novalie waves her down. At first, she thinks she won't have to deal with Freya, but then sees her at the same place. In a way, there is a struggle within her as she contemplates whether to speak about this and just what kind of person Freya is. Moving past her hang-up, the Watersinger moves through the bar. Despite her normal adventuring outfit, it is nice and she is quite beautiful comparatively to many Undine. Certainly to catch some eyes, but she seems to be more focused on rushing across the room in a controlled way to get to her allies.
"A drink? No...Um...," she replies hesitantly. Her eyes dart to the fisher-el and those nearby. It is clear that she is restricting herself to say what she wants to in front of these strangers. "I'm wondering if I could speak to you all in private in a few minutes? I can see you are occupied here. Don't let me interrupt. I just have something I wish to speak to you about when you have a moment."
Scanning the room, she will look for an empty table more toward the back and facing the door so as to see anyone comes in. If there is such a table, she will head there. Most certainly, she also scans the room for their Kapelo or Ky La.
To Freya, the fisher-el says, "Broot bref? That's the ifrit sport they play up north, right? Hitting each other and trying to bounce into some hoop? Well, we don't play that around here, but there's going to be thủy cầu aplenty tomorrow on River's bend, just outside of town."
To Novalie, he says, "The weird guy in fiery robes? Sure, I seen him. Not doin' much, just creeping around and staring at people."
And to Nempura, he says, all deference, "Please ma'am, I've had my fun and drunk my drink, this here seat is yours." He gives a small bow and rejoins his friends.