Moths and Flames

Game Master Signore di Fortuna

"... kay."

Kelda tries to keep herself together for Lysithia's sake, but it's easy to tell that she's having a hard time dealing with her emotions.

Noticing the glazed look in the creature's eyes, Kelda just shakes her head.

"Yeaaahhhh....things just keep getting stranger and stranger around here. I...I don't know what to think anymore. I...I need to help Lysi..." Her voice cracks slightly at the end, and she closes her eyes to regain control.

Getting her breathing under control, Kelda looks down at her love. Her lips tremble slightly as she places her hands over the vicious wound that the wretched wolf gave her. Bringing one of Lysithia's hands to her lips, she kisses it softly as a warm soothing light flows out from her hands, and flows over the body of her beloved.
Closing her eyes she prays quietly, "Mighty Father of the forge, protector of hearth and home, please...please help me heal this daughter of of nature. She's my everything. While waiting to see if the remaining gobblin would say anything. Keeping her eyes closed, Kelda allows the healing to pass through her, and into the one she loved more and more every day.

Please work: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

That figures...I don't know if we can keep going on to Cooperton like this. *sigh*

That gets me to zero. Once again, I'm barely conscious.

After a moment, Lysithia takes a sudden breath, coughing a bit as her eyes flutter open, to the sigh of Kelda's beautiful green eyes, filled with love and worry.

"This is getting to be a bad habit." she says with a weak chuckle, trying to make Kelda smile.

Kelda manages a half smile, "Oh Lysi....it's one we need to break. We can't keep heading to Cooperton like this. We can't help anyone else like this. I know it keeps setting us back, but I....we can't keep going like this."

Looking up at the others, "I think we should head back to the Inn and fully heal, before trying this again. What do you guys think?"

Part of that last bit wasn't supposed to be there. I had copied it fom before, and forgot to edit it out. I need sleep so bad.

Kelda looks up at Lup from where she sits on the ground holding Lysithia, "I'm sorry we didn't stay at the Inn. If I had just listened to you, and rested another night....maybe this wouldn't have happened."

Is anyone else still hurt?

Just a bit.

Astoria shrugs and spares a glance to Lysithia hoping she'll be ok. "It's alright, we're alive and we'll do better next time."

Kelda nods before looking back at Lysithia. Smoothing the dark locks back from her love's face she asks, "Do you think you can walk Lysi?"

"I can, but not quickly. If you want to head back it'll definitely be dark by the time we make it there. If we camp in the woods I'll recover a bit more quickly. Being in nature is...it's hard to describe...it just helps, you've seen it." Lysithia says tiredly.

Kelda considers their options before shaking her head as she stands up fom the ground. She extends her hand to Lysithia to help her up, "Considering everything we've already gone through, and the extent of your injuries....I just wouldn't feel safe staying out here in the open. We can go at whatever pace is best for you, but I really think we should head back to that Inn, and completely rest up and heal before trying this again. Remember what we promised my folks, no unnecessary risks. I....I don't want to risk losing you Lysi...I just can't."

After thinking for a minute she adds, "It might take a little longer, but if it will make it easier on you, I can probably carry you."

"Alright, if you think it's best, though it will take us a while to make it back there." she replies, standing up shakily. The druidess smiles as her love offers to carry her. "While the idea of having you carry me is, very romantic...and I like it a lot it might be better if your hands are free to deal with anything that pops up, since you see better in the dark than the rest of us." she says squeezing Kelda's hand.

Kelda nods as she carefully helps Lysithia up from the ground. Wrapping an arm around her waist, she helps support Lysithia as they walk, keeping the majority of her weight off her bad leg. While she was able to stabilize her love, and stop the bleeding, the vicious wound the wolf left her with, was far from healed.

As they start heading back to the settlement she says, "I know this trip hasn't gone exactly like we thought it would, and even though there are people out there that need our help, we don't need to be in such a rush that we end up taking risks with our lives. If I had known that you were still that hurt Lysi, we wouldn't have left that settlement. I want to help these people, but I want us to do it as safely as possible."

Kelda takes a moment to gather her thoughts before resuming what she was saying. She didn't want to repeat herself or come off as sounding bossy, especially when she had already made so many poor decisions that had cost them severe injuries.

Taking a breath she continues, "That being said, I think it would be in our best interest if we stayed at the settlement until we are all fully healed." Turning her head and tilting it up to look into Lysithia's face as they walk she adds, "I know you heal faster in the forest, and while I've seen what you're able to do....I'm okay with us taking our time to fully heal, so we can give those....those watermelon heads what for when we get there. Do ye understand what I'm tryin' to say? I know I'm babbling, but nearly losing you twice....shook me up a bit. I hate feeling powerless to help those I care about....I just hate it. I don't want any of us to put the value of someone else's life over our own. We can't help anyone if we're dead."

Feeling she had said everything regarding their safety during the rest of the duration of this mission to the group, Kelda then leans closely into Lysithia and whispers quietly into her ear, "From now on young lady, I need you to be honest with me about your injuries. I love you so much, I wouldn't be able to stand it if something happened to you. So, from now on I ask that you let me know before we head into a potentially dangerous situation. If you don't, and you are hurt again like this because of it....I will make sure you're fully healed, before putting you over my knee for being reckless with your life. Is that perfectly clear young lady?" Knowing that her love was already in pain, Kelda emphasizes her point by moving one of her strong calloused hands down to Lysithia's rear and giving it a firm, but gentle squeeze.

Kelda gives her love a knowing look, before looking back out on the road and surrounding area for danger as she waits patiently for Lysithia to answer her.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

just in case it's needed.

Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

I'm sorry this post got so long. I just had a lot on my mind that I had to get out. I also have a question. Since we're only about an hour to the settlement, would they have guards on patrol outside of it at all? If so, how long would it be before we reach them?

It's just the two dwarves you met earlier. It's a small settlement like a hamlet. Since it's on the main road, there are still business opportunities but it's not that big.

The return trip is quiet and you reach the town a little bit after nightfall. The inn and the tavern are still open, but the other buildings are dark. The two dwarves from earlier are nowhere to be seen.

Gotcha

Looking around she says, "We should probably go the Inn first and see if we can get some rooms. Then we can go to the tavern and get something to eat before turning in for the night. We'll see how everyone is doing in the morning before trying to make it the rest of the way to Cooperton."

"Yes ma'am." Lysithia replies with a giggle, as Kelda gives her bottom a squeeze for emphasis. "I promise to let you know if I'm hurt, or need anything."

"Getting rooms sounds like the best first step." she says tiredly.

Seeing how exhausted Lysithia looked, Kelda didn't see any reason for terrible to have to keep walking now that they were safe.

Kelda scoops her up into her arms, "Let's find you a bed love. If you're hungry, I can bring something up to you. I just want you off that leg right now."

Carefully holding Lysithia in her arms, Kelda allows Lup to open the door for them as they enter the Inn.

OK, that was not supposed to say "terrible". I don't know what my phone was trying to do, but the was supposed to be "Lysithia". I was just too tired to catch it. Stupid phone. *sigh*

It's okay

Lysithia can't help the sense of safety that envelops her as Kelda, scoops her up into her strong arms, and carries her into the inn.

Leaning into her love, she simply nods in silent agreement.

Kelda kisses the top of her head as she looks for someone to ask about some rooms.

A middle-aged man looks up from a table covered in papers as the group walks in. "Evening."

He glances at the dwarf carrying the half-elf. "What can I do for...you?"

"Good evening Sir. Do you have any rooms available? We need a place to rest and recover from a couple rough encounters." Kelda says simply, her attention focused on her wounded love instead of making small talk.

"I have four rooms," the man answers. "Five copper a night per person, doesn't matter how many rooms you use. There's a bath o'er there. You can use the stove to heat up water. Three meals a day and I'll have warm blankets."

I added my hp to that thing under my name so it's easier to keep track of.

Kelda looks at Lup, "Thanks for the offer earlier, but I got us in this mess....again, so I got the rooms."

Turning her attention back to the Inn Keeper, "Thank you, we appreciate it. We'll take three rooms."

While shifting Lysithia slightly so she can support her with one arm, she pulls out a gold with the other and hands it to the man.

Seeing that it hadn't been that long since they ate last, she figures it would be a better use of their time to get cleaned up.

Once he gives them the keys to the rooms, Kelda looks back over at Lup and Astoria, "Hey, I think we'll go get cleaned up before I get her settled in the bed. Do you guys want to meet back down here later, or just meet back up in the morning?"

Henry says that it's about 8 or so at night and that we had a late lunch before getting our butts kicked again, so I wasn't sure if we were gonna eat again before turning in again or not. I'll leave that up to y'all. If we don't want a full on dinner, we could meet at the tavern before going to bed and if she doesn't completely pass out, I can bring a snack back to Lysithia.

"Don't sweat it, I can try again for breakfast," Lup offers with a chuckle.

At her question he shrugs and turns to Astoria and Weasel.

With a look of relief she nods, "Thanks, maybe we're meant to be here for a little while for whatever reason. I don't know, I'm just tired of us getting our butts kicked every time we turn around. For once, I'd like to do the wallopin'."

Kelda sighs a little as she waits to see what Astoria would like to do. She wasn't sure how hungry everyone was, and didn't want to assume anything.

Just like a guy. Can't commit to an answer about food, and expects the women to make the decision. LOL If I wasn't hurting so bad, I'd be crying from laughing so hard. That is the greatest debate in our house anyways. Are we hungry? And What do we want to eat? Lol

As she stands there with Lysithia curled into her, a thought occurs to Kelda. She hadn't thought to ask her girlfriend what she might want to do, but they needed to get cleaned up first no matter what. If they ran into her folks and they saw her like this....even though the trip hadn't been going well, she really didn't want to give them more reason to worry.

After a few minutes of wrestling with her thoughts, Kelda looks back up at Astoria and Lup, "Actually, I think we need to wait and see how we're feeling once we get cleaned up. I don't really want to leave Lysi alone for very long. If we need to eat, I'll probably just grab something and bring it up for us...as long as it's alright with the owner. If we don't see you two again tonight, have a pleasant evening and we'll see you in the morning for breakfast."

Who knows, maybe they would overhear some useful information if they ended up at the tavern or something. Kelda thinks to herself as she takes herself and Lysithia to the room with the bath.

Setting Lysithia down gently on her feet, Kelda starts preparing the bath.

Just like a guy. Can't commit to an answer about food, and expects the women to make the decision. LOL If I wasn't hurting so bad, I'd be crying from laughing so hard. That is the greatest debate in our house anyways. Are we hungry? And What do we want to eat? Lol

Hilariously in my fleshspace friend group, my friend and her girlfriend are the indecisive ones and I end up picking most of the time XD

O..M..G! That is so me and Henry. We can never decide where to eat unless someone else chooses. LMAO It always ends up with us going back and forth like, "What do you feel like eating?", "I don't know, what do you feel like eating?" As well as, "What type of food do you want?", and "Where do you want to go?" Which can sometimes lead into the always fun question, "how far do you want to go to get it?". Sometimes it will take so long, we get too tired and just lay down. Sometimes it leads to really fun outings. We are two of the most consistently indecisive people I have ever known, but regardless of whether we stay in or go out...I'm happy as long as I'm with Henry.

Thoroughly beaten and battered, though putting on a brave face, Lysithia deeply appreciates Kelda's loving attention as she carries her to the bath, gently setting her down, and helping her undress once the water is ready.

While her injuries initially sting on contact with the water, the hot bath is soon extremely soothing, a drastic improvement from bleeding out in the forest only a little more than an hour ago.

Though still weak and substantially injured, the presence of her love with her, and especially the tender kiss on her neck, go a long way toward making her feel better. "It's definitely helping, almost as much as having you here with me love." she replies with a smile, wincing as she washes the grit out of the wicked wound in her thigh.

Every bruise and cut she washes on her love is like a dagger to her heart. She couldn't even bring herself to think about how close she came to loosing her, twice. She can hear the pain and tiredness in her love's voice and it cuts into her very soul.

Now that they were alone, Kelda could let go and allow herself to feel. Unable to hold it back any longer, Kelda chokes out a sob that she had been holding in since being able to barely bring back her love from the brink of death.....again.

"Oh Lysi...I'm so soorry. Sorry you got hurt...sorry I couldn't do more to help you...." The rest of her words are lost as the last bit of control she held onto so tightly, falls away along with her tears.

"Sorry but I'm beat. I think I'll get myself cleaned up and then head to bed early. I'll see everyone in the morning." Astoria answers quietly. "Thank you for the room Kelda." The half-elf adds before heading to her room.

Before going to the bath

"That's okay, it's been a really long day, and we've all been through a lot. Some rest will do us all a lot of good I think. We'll see you tomorrow, and think nothing of it." Kelda watches as Astoria heads to her room. It had been a rough couple of days, and she could see it was wearing on all of them. After bidding their friends a good night, Kelda heads off with Lysithia in her arms to get cleaned up.

Every bruise and cut she washes on her love is like a dagger to her heart. She couldn't even bring herself to think about how close she came to loosing her, twice. She can hear the pain and tiredness in her love's voice and it cuts into her very soul.

Now that they were alone, Kelda could let go and allow herself to feel. Unable to hold it back any longer, Kelda chokes out a sob that she had been holding in since being able to barely bring back her love from the brink of death.....again.

"Oh Lysi...I'm so soorry. Sorry you got hurt...sorry I couldn't do more to help you...." The rest of her words are lost as the last bit of control she held onto so tightly, falls away along with her tears.

"It's not your fault love." Lysisthia replies softly, resting her head against Kelda's as they both let out the emotions of the harrowing day, in the comfort of each other's arms, allowing the tears to wash free the fear, anger, frustration, worry, and a wealth of other feeling that had been building since beginning to deal with the goblin problem.

Kelda starts to calm after a few moments and nods, "Let's finish getting you cleaned up and dried off before that water gets cold. I'll get cleaned up once we get you all dried off and tucked into bed. Here, let me wash your hair for you." Kelda rubs her back softly until Lysithia is able to calm down as well. She didn't want anything to cause Lysithia distress, or make it difficult for her to get the rest that she needed so badly.

Taking out her grooming kit, Kelda lathers up some soap in her hands that has a soft floral scent, like a field of wildflowers in summer. Kelda gently massages Lysithia's scalp as she works the soap into her hair. While being careful not to get the soap into her eyes, Kelda gently massages her scalp and temples before rinsing out the soap.

"Alright, I think that's good. Let's get you out of there and ready for bed." Helping her out of the bath, Kelda takes great care and tenderness in helping her dry off. After drying her hair as much as possible, Kelda helps her brush it out before helping her into a clean shift.

Scooping her up in her arms, Kelda carries her to their room and pulls the covers back before putting her in the bed and tucking her in.

Leaning over, Kelda kisses her forehead, "Is there anything I can do for you before I get a bath?"

"You've already done everything I could have hoped for." Lysithia says sleepily. "Once you're done, just get in here with me, and everything will be perfect."

With the day's events and emotional stresses behind her, the exhaustion hits full force, with it clearly taking effort for the druidess to keep her eyes open.

Kelda can't help but smile at how sweet Lysi looked. All sleepy and tucked into the bed.

"Alright my love, you just get some sleep. I'll be back soon." Turning down the lamp in the room, Kelda smiles softly to herself as she heads to the bathing room to get cleaned up.

After heating up some more water, Kelda starts washing herself up. Kelda takes her hair out of it's braids, Kelda lets it fall free and sighs at the release of pressure from her scalp. Her hair falling almost to her waist, Kelda realizes how long it's been since she's had it cut.

Shaking herself from her idle thoughts, Kelda quickly finishes washing herself and her hair. After drying off, she brushes out her hair and cleans her teeth. Deciding to leave her hair down until it has a chance to dry, Kelda grabs her things and goes back to their room.

Pulling on a clean shift, Kelda gets into the bed next to her love. Lying next to Lysi, Kelda smooths some of her hair back from her face before kissing her cheek. "Goodnight sweetheart, I love you." Kelda gently gathers Lysithia into her arms, letting the calm of the moment ease the stress of the day.

Doing anything, Lup? Or going to call it a night like the others?

Taking a moment to collect his thoughts he then tossed the emptiness into the air with a yawn before retiring for the evening.

You awaken to the smells of porridge and bread the next morning.

Kelda slowly opens her eyes as the smells of the morning greet her. Feeling Lysithia in her arms, she remembers the events of the previous day, and a slight shudder passes through the warpriestess as she recalls the sight of her love falling in combat.

Even though it had really only been a few days since they met, Kelda already felt a strong and deep connection to Lysithia. Almost as if she had known her their whole lives. It was something she just couldn't explain, maybe because she didn't fully understand it herself....but Kelda didn't think it mattered. Love wasn't some logical, rational thing you could explain. It's an emotion more powerful than the tides, than ourselves....than anything she had ever know. It was beautiful and terrifying at the same time.

Pulling herself back from her innermost thoughts, she pulls her head back slightly to look at her love. Lysi was more beautiful than anyone she had ever know, and she wanted nothing more than to help her heal from the vicious attacks of the last few days.

Closing her eyes, Kelda prays silently to Torag for protection and guidance. For the ability to heal the one she held closest to her heart, and their other friends as well. She prays for safety in their travels, and victory over their enemies in order to protect those that were unable to protect themselves.

Praying for 2 Cure lights, and better dice rolls.

In the name of Torag I heal thee!: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

As Kekda holds Lysithia to her and prays, a soft warm light emanates from her, and envelopes Lysithia. Pulsating for a few moments before fading, it feels like being kissed by a summer breeze as Lysithia's wounds begin to heal more fully. The wicked bruising along her face, torso, and thighs, lightening as Kelda's will and faith work together to heal her beloved.

From the depths of her state somewhere between sleep and unconsciousness, the healing warmth and safety envelops her, filling her with the sweet warmth of life, and the unmistakable signature of Kelda's love.

With a soft gasp she awakens, all pain and soreness gone, as she all basking in her love's strong arms.

with the natural healing for a night's rest she's at full hp

Good, that just leaves me and Astoria in need of healing then.

Hearing Lysithia gasp, Kelda pulls her a little closer and softly strokes her hair, as she whispers soothing words quietly in her ear, "It's alright my love, I'm here...I'll always be here for you. How are you feeling?"

Okay, so I'm down 7 hp. How are you doing Astoria? I want to make sure we're all at full hp, and have all our spells before heading back out again. It's starting to feel like something doesn't want us to make it to Cooperton.

Slight correction, I'm up to 5 hp, I forgot I got one back for resting overnight.

Astoria awakes with a smile to the smell of fresh bread. She quickly checks over her still healing wounds before she prepares for her day. After an hour of reviewing her spells, a power she earned in blood, she heads down for her breakfast.

"A thousand times better, thanks to you." Lysithia replies wth a loving smile as she leans into Kelda's loving embrace.

Kelda continues to hold Lysithia, "Good, I'm glad you feel better. It's been a rough trip so far, but I know we can make it. I figure we'll rest here one more day to make sure all of us are fully recovered, before heading out again. Right now though, I think we should go down and get something to eat, I'm really hungry and I want to check on Astoria and make sure she's okay. She seemed pretty quiet yesterday, but I couldn't tell if it was because she was upset about something, or just tired." Kelda's stomach grumbles loudly as she shrugs, "I think everyone has been feeling a little discouraged with the way things are going. Lup has seemed pretty distracted as well...." Kelda stops talking and looks at Lysithia with a slightly impish smirk, "We had better get some clothes on that beautiful body of yours so we can go eat. Before I get....other ideas." She says, giving her love's rump a playful smack.

Feeling quite reticent about getting out of the bed as well, Kelda groans as she stretches her aching muscles.

Astoria walks down to see the weasel already sitting at the table, nibbling on a crust of bread. The innkeeper grunts as the arcanist appears. "Your friend is a bit grabby."