Cadence Anakevo's page

Cadence hugs Beatrice and Alfred. "We won't be settling here, though I hope to spend a month or so before I leave. He wants to go back to the life he made for himself on another world. I want him to be the man that he is when he is there. Mom, Dad... If I go... If I do this trip, it's kind of a one-way journey. There's a time dilation effect out in Triaxus. If I go... I'm not coming back each year for the harvest festival. I'm not coming back ever."

She looks at them with tears in her eyes. "You've gotten to see us all grown. This month, I want to hold on to you as hard as I can... And then, I'll need to say goodbye." She squeezes their hands. "He offered to stay for me. But if he stays, he can't be the dragon slayer. He'll be just another tiefling... not fully trusted. Not fully at home."

She takes a deep breath. "There will be work there for me too. I'm going to found a Pathfinder Lodge out there, and help him with his mission. Mom, Dad... I'm sorry that this cannot be easy, and that I won't be close. But I think this is the path I need to take."

I am finally coming back. So... Where are we on this wedding thing?

Hmm

"Crummock is a gnome?!" She blinks. "What? How...? His own demiplane?" Then she notices the jug. "Plum wine, please."

Then she thinks a moment. "But if there is a time dilation where a day on Triaxus is a year here... Surely we have time to say goodbye to my family and maybe exchange vows before them? If you are asking me to leave with you forever... Could we have my family at our wedding?" She glances at Einar, pleadingly. "We can do something short. We can do something soon. But I want them there."

Then she notices Mr. Whiskers. "Mr. Whiskers! Just in time to be a witness!" She kneels down, holding Einar's hand. "Einar, traveler of the planes, slayer of dragons, friend to the weirdest big gnome in the universe and a rather stalwart ratfolk, will you marry me?"

Back with Einar -- In Skald

Cadence listens to Einar's mad rush of words, holding his hand all the time. Triaxus. Twenty days becoming twenty YEARS? She sucks in her breath. If he goes there without you... You'll never see him again. If you go with him, you'll never see this place again. Never see your family. Never know what happens with them. It's a one-way ticket."

But if you don't take that ticket, will you be looking back for the rest of your life, wishing you had?

Then she reaches out and touches his horns. "Such a journey you've had. It's not fair that you learned all your wisdom in such a short time, when my path of learning took two decades." She grins. "But then again... Maybe it's a good thing you're such a quick study. It would have been a true tragedy if you were gone for twenty of my years without learning anything."

"You've learned that revenge reaps bitterness, but that building something brings joy. You've found the place where you can make a difference, and where people need you." Cadence takes a deep breath. "I've found that I can make a difference too, but I haven't yet set down roots anywhere else, and the roots that I had here... They've grown more tenuous every year. Erlis has her own militia. Freya is the town wi -- er -- herbalist. Even George has grown up. They don't need me like they used to."

She looks at Einar. "So... Tell me. Do you think your terrible and beautiful planet might have need of a Pathfinder Lodge?" She laughs. "I have no idea how we'll report, but exploring and cooperating... I think we could manage that."

Busy day. I will try to respond to Einar's lovely post in a few hours.

Hugs all
Hmm

Cadence blushes. "Of course. If you'll walk with me?" She gestures to a path towards the orchards outside of town. "Are you back for good, now? Or only for a little while?"

Seeing the chidren running up to Einar, Cadence takes her cue and strides purposefully towards him. "Einar!"

Propriety be damned.

She runs to the warrior and sweeps him into a hug. "I thought... I thought I'd never see you again!" There are tears glinting in her eyes. "I'm so glad you're back!"

Cadence turns at the sudden commotion in the town square. There they were. Had Freya foreseen this? It looked like neither Einar nor Mr. Whiskers had aged a day. Einar was as young looking as ever. Yet Cadence had learned much in the past two decades. She'd come to embrace the celestial heritage that she'd discovered, even though it caused her some anguish when she realized that she'd outlive her family by some thirty years. Still, at 40 Cadence looked good. A little older, but still in her prime.

Back straight, she strides into the crowd trying to catch Einar and Mr. Whisker's attention. Easy, Cadence. He may not want to renew this relationship. Her heart racing, she pushes the pesky voice out of her mind. Yeah? Then why are they here?

Quick update. New job assignment is mucking with my time at keyboard -- there is far, far less of it here at Linden Hills. I will try to update on my lunch hour.

Hmm

Thanks darling!

Mort, move me back to active until you close up shop. That way I can track posts!

Meanwhile, Back in Heldren

Cadence comes back into town, greeting local townsfolk and seeing her family's laughter. George's children toddled towards her, "Auntie Cadence! Auntie Cadence!" They leap and they clamor as she scoops them into her arms. "What did you bring us?"

Cadence laughs, and pulls all sorts of trinkets out of her haversack, letting them stare at the Wayfinder and the Venture Captain Insignia. Soon, it would be her responsibility to start a new lodge. She's tempted at the thought of doing one here, in Heldren. But would having Pathfinders in and out of it change the town?

She grins as she looks around. The town is bustling, and at least ten new businesses have opened since she was here last. Staying back a year to defend her home and all she loved... It was the right decision.

But she feels a stab in her heart as she thinks of the road not traveled, and a warrior with accented speech, a past of horror, and a kind demeanor. Where was he now?

"Mooning over Einar again, are we?" Like always, Freya had come up behind her with barely a ghost of a sound.

Cadence turns to her sister with a huge hug. Freya had grown tall, her long hair windblown and especially witchy today. The look suited her.

"I can't help but think of him, Freya. He was the one, and I let him go. Do you know that I once traveled somewhere where he went? The Pathfinders sent me to Whitethrone on a stealth mission. In Waldsby, I kept hearing everyone talk about the bold demon warrior who slew brigands and bullies with a rat by his side..." Cadence closes her eyes. "He and Mr. Whiskers had been there a scant 9 months ahead of me. Who knows where they are now?!"

Freya grins. "Stay in Heldren an extra week, Cadence. Visit everyone, even Dorcis."

"An extra week?" Cadence looks exasperated. "Valsin wants my decision in the next four days."

"Ken a spell. Send him an animal messenger. Tell him you're on vacation." Freya looks at Cadence, eyes gleaming.

"What are you up to, Freya?" Cadence asks.

Her sister only gives her a kiss and a laugh, disappearing into the crowd once more.

Cadence takes J's hand. "You wear the proud garb of an Eagle Knight, and you've traveled with us side by side. Can you return home after this? There is another path. Have you considered being a Pathfinder? I think you'd be simply terrific!"

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

Before with Cassiel

Cadence had been quiet, thinking over Cassiel's sad history. "As hard as it is to die, it can also be hard sometimes being the one who lives and is left behind. My sister died before I was born, a fact that I can never forget. I love her, Cassiel, as I'm sure J loves you, and I miss her every day, even though her spirit comes with me."

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

____

Currently with Colson

Boo, what do I do? Cadence agonizes as she speaks with Boo over the telepathic bond they both share.

Boo's voice bounces in her head, blithe and happy. What do you do about what?

About Colson! He's a hypocrite. Listen to him talking about honor and freeing imprisoned people in Nex, and he's dirty... Grisham had a reason to collect that information. He wanted to hold his brother accountable for his crimes, right?

I think so...

Cadence feels like screaming, "Liar, liar!" at Colson, but she has to keep calm. Now is not the time for hystrionics. He should be held accountable, but we need him to commit to freeing Pip's family first.

Cadence keeps her face calm, and then offers a hand to Colson. "I don't believe that we've met. I'm rather new to Liberty's Edge. I'm Cadence."

Bluff: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

She looks him in the eyes, trying to get the measure of the man, but she never was very good at reading people. Still, she's decided. This information will see the light of day. There is no way that she'll allow Colson to escape the consequences of his crimes.

____
Cadence votes to reveal the papers, but not to Colson.

Cadence opens her mind to the psychic emanations within the room, prodding gently for the history of it. Her mind opens up...

A man's face, eyes wide with terror, his mouth opening in a scream.

'Drown in the yard
Drown in the yard
Drown in the yard
Like the REST OF US!'

Hands shaking, mouth dry she turns to Gitano. "I think I know what may have killed them. When I just cast my spell, I had a glimpse of horrified faces and heard screams of terror. A group of ectoplasmic kids surrounded two of the slain men, creepily chanting something about drowning in the yard, their voices speaking in an eerie unison." Cadence shakes herself. "Please give me one of those wand charges. We need to be very careful here."

Heal: 10 + 6 = 16

Cadence kneels down beside her sister, her red hair falling in her face as she expertly examines the bodies. "These people died two months ago, but they show no signs of physical injury. What the heck killed them?"

She casts Detect Psychic Significance, hoping to find a clue.

"Boo, I think it's time for you to become secret agent ghost!" Cadence concentrates, helping Boo transition to her incorporeal state.

This will take a full minute.

Then she takes her own wand out.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

She turns to the others. "Are you okay with Boo scouting ahead and taking a peek?"

Cadence hands the other melon to Mort as she eyes his muscalature. "I won't get great use of it, but you might!"

On Tuesday, I leave on the train for PaizoCon. I expect wifi to be spotty if it exists at all.

Horrid, isn't it?

I did NOT exaggerate.

Hmm

Cadence pauses a moment, taking in the room, and concentrates, trying to breathe in the history of this space, and get a feel for the richness of its auras. Surely a garden like this one would have a story behind it.

Casting Detect Psychic Significance. If there are any items with a powerful history or resonance, Cadence might find them with this spell.

"A master gardener? How interesting!" She looks to the others. "Can we at least take a look at these gardens for a moment?"

Have a wonderful trip, Red! The hiatus will be good timing for me. I am finishing up two of my campaigns, writing chronicle sheets, etc, and then diving into preparing to oversee Cosmic Captive. This will give me some time to get more done on both my PbP Guides project and on Cosmic Captive!

Jamaica sounds lovely... Swim, relax and have a fine time.

Hmm

Cadence does indeed roll up her sleeve. "What sort of research on blood do you do?"

Dealing with Real Life stuff today. Please bot me.

Hmm

Cadence kneels down. "How wonderful you are! I could think of no one else better suited to guide us to the wonders of this place. Would you do us the honor?"

Cadence, who can hear Boo's thoughts as clearly as her own, blushes madly. Recovering herself she says, "The Precipice quarter sounds good!"

I thought it was bad when you were just inside my head...

^ That was me last year! I made the decision last year that I would do PaizoCon after hearing EVERYONE ELSE plan for it. Painlord's Paizocon Bloggery thread made me decide to go..

Hmm

"You were trapped underground and surrounded by Allips? How horrible." Cadence takes Junia's hand. "You and Grishan are very brave, and it is an honor to make your acquaintance!"

Then she pauses. "If Grishan is here with you... What are you seeking from a return to the Triwaters Yard? Are there other ghosts to lay to rest?"

Squee!

"Well done, Mort!"

Cadence kneels down to meet Grishan. "Oh my. I never thought to meet anyone else like me and Boo. But... I didn't think J had siblings?"

"I'll introduce you to her." Cadence concentrates, and Boo manifests.

^ You have more PFS characters than I do, K!

Five stars is a big deal, Larry. Congratulations!

Hmm

Gitano... Oh man.

Congratulations on the 5th star!

Cadence laughs a moment at Gitano’s song. "That's lovely!"

Boo claps along with the song in her head. Ooh, I like that one! Can I be his Candy Girl?

Still smiling, Cadence says gently, ”I wasn't the sweet one.” She sighs. "In Ustalav, when one of a pair of twins is born dead, they call him or her a 'Sugar Twin'. My parents always told me that my sister, Busara, was so sweet and good-natured that the gods took her soul early." Cadence glances up, pain in her face. "They said it whenever I did anything they did not like, sort of as a rebuke for being the one the gods left behind."

"It wasn't until I was a little older that I realized that Busara had never left us. Or rather, she never left me. We’re twins. Her being dead never changed that. Um, would you want to meet her?”

Okay, Gitano's song won me over. Liberty's Edge faction it is!

As she notices the outfit, Cadence grins. "J, I like your style. A Chelaxian noble wearing an Eagle Knight outfit? Awesome!"

Then her smile flickers for a moment. "But before we go, there's something you should know because I don't want to spring this on you, J. Especially if you've ever felt haunted." Cadence's intense dark eyes meet Junia's. "I am from Karcau, 'Village of Voices'. It's known far and wide as a home for Lovers and Music. It also has more than its fair share of ghosts and hauntings. Have you ever heard the Ustalav term, 'Sakhar-Bliznet' or 'Sugar Twin' before?"

Knowledge Local, Untrained, Coins: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Knowledge Local, Untrained, Docks: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

"I guess we can talk while we're wandering. So are we going through the Coins or the Docks? The Docks aren't crowded at all, but it's a pretty rough neighborhood." Before Junia can protest about liking danger, Cadence notes practically, "My outfit might attract the wrong kind of attention."

I recommend having at least one PC available for all the levels of PFS.

Getting someone to higher levels is good.

Hmm

Cadence looks at Lady Dacilane with great sympathy. "I think this is a wise course, Lady Dacilane. We always should face the ghosts that haunt us. If we don't, we never move on, learn, grow or change."

You learned from me? Of course you did! Boo is excited.

Yes, I learned from you. Including a bunch of lessons that I never wanted.

That's me, educational! Boo says proudly, completely missing the sarcasm that Cadence had given her.

"Lady Dacilane, it will be our honor to escort your girl on this mission.". I wonder what her ghosts are like?

As Gitano leans over to wipe the lipstick off her collar, Cadence blushes. "Thank you. Um... She sees ghosts, you say? Huh. How very unusual. Imagine that."

Yummy, aren't they? Boo's voice echows in her head.

NO. They are teammates. We don't sleep with teammates, Boo! Cadence tries to reason with the voice in her head. Why did Boo have to be so single-minded?

We don't? How very disappointing. She can hear the pout in Boo's voice. Are you sure?

Cadence responds by walking faster, using the clip-clip-clip of her heels against the cobblestones as she runs along. Then Corona's fresh innocence makes her smile. "New friend? I like that. I'm Cadence, and very pleased to meet you!".

When they arrive at the manor, she kneels down to chat with the Halfling, "Bettina, do you have any Ustalav wines? I've become fond of one known as Liquid Ghosts."

That should fit. This place looks like a funeral home... What's with all the black?

"Wait for me!" A young red-headed girl in a party dress and high heels comes running up the hill after you. Her hair is flying everywhere, and there's lipstick on her collar, and she's breathing heavily. "I wasn't in my own room last night, so I missed the message, but fortunately I'm still in my party clothes! Um, did I miss anything?"

Darling... They're all looking at you. Boo is very amused. Never apologize for something glorious.

Shut up. Cadence's smile to the group never wavers as she admonishes the spirit in her head. It's your fault I'm in this mess!

Okay, so Boo is not finished, and won't be until tomorrow. Do you want me to wait to post until my homework is done and my character sheet filled in?

Yeah. I'm representing the phantom "Boo" with the PFS character on the forums. I may also discuss with Erica at Anime Detour about putting one of my unclaimed tables of House of Harmonious Wisdom on this one.

I am starting to think that poor Rataji will never be played again, so I am considering revamping the avatar, but it may be easier to take Cadence here and make her over, since that game is definitely closed, while Rataji's game is on hiatus indefinitely.

This character looks like a mostly human ifrit, don't you think? I am thinking of being an ifrit spiritualist so I can take the ifrit trait that makes you harder to intimidate. I could also haul out an aasimar boon for this one, but hey... an ifrit could be a lot of fun and would take this character in a different direction than her previous avatar incarnation.

I was going to go Silver Crusade, but maybe I'll go Liberty's Edge with this too. I've been toying with the idea of a naughty Lust phantom, and having someone go with being freeing might be an entertaining idea.

Hmm

TIME WARP: With Ziva, Crummock and Mr. Whiskers

She hugs Ziva fiercely. "You take care of yourself and Vernai, as well as them."

With Mr. Crummock, she shakes his hand. "It has also been a pleasure working with you, however brief it was."

She kneels down to shake Mr. Whisker's hand. "Oh my friend, how I've loved your conversations. Keep safe, stay smart, and may the gods watch over you all." Then she decides the handshake is not enough, and hugs the small ratfolk.

TIME WARP: Before Bedtime

Cadence comes to Einar that evening with two gifts. One is the Cloak of the Yeti, which she wraps around his shoulders, and all the other things the party picked up together. The other...

"I wanted to be able to say goodbye properly." She looks a question to him, looking at the still open door. "May I spend one last night by your side? I know you're shy, and if you're not ready... I won't push. But I would love just once to wakeup in your arms."

"Ziva, is it okay if I take Einar away for a moment? There was something I wanted to tell him. I'll be back in a few moments, okay?"

Cadence intercepts him on the way back to the Inn. She takes Einar's hand one more time, and then hesitates a moment, and touches the brand at his neck. "I know there's a story, here." Who had he killed? A cousin? A brother? Had there been an argument? She puts a finger to his lips. "But it's not a story for now."

She kisses him full on the lips before she can second guess herself or change her mind. It's not a timid kiss. She throws everything she has into it, and she takes her time. When she pulls back, she looks him in the eyes and says, "I want you to have a reason to come back to me, someday. Einar... I've been torn up inside about leaving my family this time around. I've been having nightmares about them all alone without help. Now that I see Ziva, I know what my dreams have been telling me. They've been telling me that I should stay to guard the homefront... and that you and the others should go wherever this mystery will take you."

She touches her hand to his face. "You have no idea how much I don't want to let you go, right now, but I think that are paths are taking us in different directions for a while."

Cadence grins at the hissing mantis, and then gives Ziva a significant look. "You want danger and challenge? You should come see what we've been facing with these fey. They fly, and shoot magic missiles and..." She pauses. "Actually, why don't you join us? We could use the help."

She takes Ziva's hand and drags her back to the others. "Einar, Crummock, Mr. Whiskers! Come meet Ziva and Vernai! Ziva claims that she's been bored with caravan work. Want to share with her some of what we've been doing?"

Just before Ziva arrives.

The story of the death of Einar's mother hits her hard. "She was burned... to the ground?" She squeezes Einar's hand, wishing she could give this steadfast friend more to comfort him. "That must have been so difficult for you."

She looks up at him, her stomach flopping. "I've had nightmares of something like that happening to my family, and me not being there to take care of them. Everytime we go out in those woods, I'm terrified that the fey will pour through and hurt my family. They're a part of my soul, Einar. What if the fey come and I'm not there to protect them?"

After Ziva's arrival

Cadence runs up through the snow to hug her friend. "I was in Oppara, and then I came back to visit my family." A pang of guilt hits her. "But I've hardly seen them since I came home, because we've had this crazy weather and bandits and..." She breaks off. "I should let you catch up, first, huh?"

She kneels down in the snow to greet Vernai. "Of course I remember Vernai! How can one forget the cleverest giant mantis I've ever met? Vernai, how are you?"

She takes his hand. "Einar... Some of the things you've said. The way you've reacted to my family... You haven't told me much about where you've come from. Everytime I leave my family, I feel a little ache in my heart. Do you miss your family? Do you have brothers? Sisters?"

She wants to get to know him, and figure out why he acts so weirdly around her family. "I know we've only just met, but I've been feeling --"

She breaks off as the Caravan comes in. "Wait, I know that girl! Ziva!" She lets go of Einar's hand. "That's an old friend of mine. I have to say hello!" She waves. "Ziva! Over here!"

Cadence glances over at Einar's untouched meal. "You're preoccupied. So am I. Maybe we should go for a walk. Do something a little different. Talk." She grabs his arm, laughing. "C'mon! Out of that chair! Follow me!"

And offer a chance to see someone else to see us when they come into town...

So Ziva, what sort of personality and backstory do you want to come up with for our past hijinks?

I'll send you a PM, and we'll work it out together.

Cadence

Come up with what you want, and then Cadence will work with you on your transition into the group and how we know each other. In fact, I'm looking forward to it!

Ginja -- Why go for a mantis instead of a roc?

(I love rocs. So pretty!)

Waves at TL.

Just letting you guys know that I'm still here until Ginja has her background ready.

Hmm