Vault Hunters (Finished~)

[Katsuya]

- Isa Bianchi - ​

Isa held onto the merman as soon he came back, clutching his hand tightly. Listening to everyone’s exclamations. He was about to shout but Charon beat him to it and he grinned mischievously. He quickly looked around to everyone and put them into positions. “He’s right. We don’t have time. On team Well will be Charon, if you’re willing, Vidya, and Magni. We’re waiting for mages to come here but it might be a while because of the rain. So I suggest -“ he spotted the spider from where he stood and almost wanted to smack his forehead. “- to take the spider machine apart in the meanwhile. Use the rain proof cloaks to not get petrified by the rain. We might need it’s parts and leftovers.”

”On team snake, Moss, L, and I will go. I have a spell that can send creatures back to their realms. Since it should be willing, this would be quick.” Isa explained. “We can also look for the mages in our way back, in case they are not here. Is that good for everyone? Any requests I should keep in mind or have any questions?”

Zer0 Sisyphus Happy

 

[Zer0]

- Engine Blade -​

Moss squeezed Isa's hand back and sighed in relief. "I'm good with that plan." He was secretly relieved Isa wanted to leave the death-rot chamber. No offense to the trapped Ancient, but he cared more for Isa.

Meanwhile Liliana, whose dispelling had been disturbed when the rainbow snake fell from the sky, quickly resumed her spell on Isa, and he was once more bathed in a purple-blue cloud. "I'm going to stay here in the chamber, guys. You and Moss can teleport to safety if something goes wrong, but I might end up a sitting duck in the sky. Besides. Juuuuust in case somebody turns into stone, I can cure 'em."

Isa would feel the last of the wriggling wormy feeling under his skin stop, followed by itchiness. Lychen and sproutlings would start to shed off him, though one single stubborn sproutling seemed to remain waving in between his top hair twirl.

Katsuya Sisyphus Happy

 

[Sisyphus Happy]

Health: Healthy
| Toughness: Background Ability (10) + Armor (1) [11] | Spell Power: Background Ability (14) + Knowledge (4) + Equipment (1) [19] |Manna: Background Ability (4) + Knowledge (6) + Spellslinger (4) [10/14]
Condition: 1 | Roleplay Points: 1

Χάρων ​

Charon peered at Liliana's spell curiously while the effects of the odd anomaly melted off. A single sprig waving in the breeze elicited a quiet snort from him. Covering it by clearing his throat, he nodded at the plan. With a final look at the horizon and its looming disasters, he rubbed the top of Nava's head and gingerly stepped down the pile, placing his feet carefully on its expanse of crevices and angled platforms. At the same time, he mediated Nava's progress. He almost gave up on having her stay in one place before the end of all this. If that paw were to snap off somehow, he would be nearly distraught. Very often, he would stop and support her progress down the pile so that the paw did not strike the surface of anything with great force. Vindicated by Isa's acknowledgement of the spider machine, his reptilian eyes flitted over its mangled contents. Dismantling might yield useful materials, he reasoned, but he turned to Isa as he walked by and suggested, "perhaaaaps I ssssshaall trrrry to rrrrrepair the connnduuuit," while pointing toward the thing in question.

"Onnce thooossse ooptionsss aaare prrresented, I ssshaaall connnsssider whaaat to do wwwith thee ssssspiderrr," he explained, glancing around the room. Without his oar in hand, it was unceremoniously dismissed during the explosion, he simply tipped his chin upward to peer around the room, pointing at several pieces of rubble with varying shapes and wiggling his finger toward himself, whispering, "cooome." The whisper was overtaken by the sound of water flowing, as though near a rapids, and several chunks of rock flew from the space surrounding them and hovered in the air near him, bobbing gently as though floating on a body of water. Optimally, one roughly circular piece half the radius of the hole, two shard-like chunks half his size, quite sharp, a chunk of rock nearly the same size as the hole, one small flat piece the size of a frisbee, and the rope he pulled from the column. Most of the rocks were shaggy with moss and grass on one side.

With a cursory glance over the group, he walked over toward the hole and stepped onto the first piece of rubble he commandeered, kneeling down on it and levitating himself on the rock over near the edge of the hole. His tail twitched and curled around his body like a scaly corkscrew-belt. He began looking around but not proceeding downward, just to get a layout of his mark. Among the crumbling walls and rubble, he was searching for scattered utensils or recognizably utilitarian objects like gears or scrap. At the same time, he looked for any dangers along the way like unstable walls and errant water bubbles. The rope that he bewitched floated near him and he silently tied it around his waist, two loops and a climber's knot.

 

[Katsuya]

- Isa Bianchi -​

Suddenly covered in purple clouds, Isa started to pluck out each dying vine and leaves; not realizing one sprout stubbornly survived L’s spell. Waving gently in the wind. He peeked at Moss and smiled, happy to hear Moss’ agreement. He‘s not in the mood to be separated either.

Listening to Charon’s words, the redhead nodded and followed his pointing finger. “Alright. I trust your judgment.” Seems like Charon has a better idea on what to do about the well, which is great. Then he peered at L before nodding again. “Okay— ohmygosh, that’s itchy!!” Isa started to scratch his arms, wanting to satisfy that urge of relief from under his skin. It helped the process of getting rid of the moss on his body too, scratching off the lychen.

He huffed in slight frustration of an old sensation before holding onto the merman’s hand again. “We’ll be back soon. Good luck, guys!” Off he went with his beau, trusting Moss to use his spell on moving the rain away from them as they walked towards the rainbow snake. The little sprout waving on his head.

Zer0 Sisyphus Happy

 

[Zer0]

- Engine Blade -​

The strange storm had darkened the skies with the bottom of that otherworldly underwater world hanging above them that it was hard for Charon to make out anything clear, despite a little grey morning light seeping through the cracks, but he could still see the silhouettes of the rune lines leading further down, the closest one branching to the south and looping into a hallway of gears that had faint traces of boot prints and drag marks.

Meanwhile, Nava still hobbled after Charon, curiously sniffing the hovering rock chunk. She looked down the hole as well, then looked at him, wagging her tail. She had that eager look again, as if she thought they were going to battle. But then she looked back at the chamber entrance now partially blocked by white saplings, looked down at her paw, and then looked at him. The eagerness left her gold eyes, then she sat down, head bowed submissively, and then gently bit onto Charon's boot and lightly pulled. She had puppy dog eyes.

Liliana was too short to see, but Moss, who was helping Isa pat off lichen, stiffled a surprised chuckle when he saw the little sprout. The little gnome noticed him, saw the sprout, and then made to talk, but Moss shot Liliana a secret shake and wink, glancing at the sprout as though it was cute.

Meanwhile, Vidya and Magni were talking. They came to an agreement. "We'll help with the engine blade. Dude, is there anything you need from us?" She made her way to Charon.

Moss, suddenly remembering something, squeezed Isa's hand. "Oh, wait a moment, Vidya. I'll catch up in five minutes, Isa --- Charon!" He ducked under the floating debris, curtains of dripping water bending away with a wave of his dimly glowing white hand.

"Thank you for saving Isa."

Sisyphus Happy Katsuya

 

[Sisyphus Happy]

Health: Healthy
| Toughness: Background Ability (10) + Armor (1) [11] | Spell Power: Background Ability (14) + Knowledge (4) + Equipment (1) [19] |Manna: Background Ability (4) + Knowledge (6) + Spellslinger (4) [10/14]
Condition: 1 | Roleplay Points: 1

Χάρων ​

Charon's squinting gaze found very little at the bottom of that tunnel. Without light, the collapsed walls and piles of rubble became amalgam blobs. A light 'tche' in the back of his throat was accompanied by the tapping of paws. He turned to find Nava going through a range of emotions he didn't think possible for animals. A heavy sigh left his lips when she bit onto his -- heel, he hasn't worn shoes in several years now; not even sandals were comfortable with those scaled ankles and clawed toes. Yes, it has been disgusting at times. His eyes narrowed then softened. Gently, he reached forward and began pulling her a little closer. The rope trailing into the sky from his own waist, he reached back to grab. Gingerly, with a calm air, he began looping the rope through several elements of her saddles and tied it off. It was while he was doing all of this that Vidya and Magni arrived.

He looked up with wide eyes, as though startled, having been focused on his task and looked, somewhat bewildered by Nava and the two who approached him. Clearly feeling overwhelmed for some reason, he looked between them and could only manage an airy "u-umm..." before Moss came up. He closed his mouth and bit his lower lip when he was thanked, looking around at the people suddenly addressing him. Nothing of the sudden leadership earlier was displayed when he stammered finally, to Moss first, "y-yesss... hhheee isss rrrrecklesss," he said with concern and a smidge of annoyance on his face. At the end of it he added an annoyed scoff, remembering the insane gambit he made then. In fact, he might have caused all of this, the snake and the cracking of the boundaries between worlds. Realizing the unfairness of holding it against Isa, he cleared his throat and continued, "I sshhaall doo it eeeverrrry tiiime I hhaave thhe chhannce," he affirmed, a nervous grimace on his face.

His gaze turned to Vidya and Magni. With a slow nod, he put an index finger to his bottom lip and squished it around it a bit, thinking about what it is they could do for him. What he really needed was knowledge. As they say, he was flying by the seat of his pants. He did not know what could breach this well. He saw the spiderbot in use but even equipment as heavy as that, which could affect the construction of those giant machines -- intuitively, anything like that had to have been made with ancient knowledge, if anyone alive knew how to construct such a thing they should be hermits or in control of the realm -- but the well trapping the titan seemed to be in another league. Or was it?

"Whhaat doo yooou knnoow ooof thhisss... wwwwell?" he asked curiously, scooting aside and pulling Nava onto the rock next to him if possible.

"I knnoow ooonly thhaaat it wasss crreaated byyy aancient mmmechromaaancy aaaand thisss connduuit mmmay sssstabilize it," he said, gesturing toward the cord.

 

[Katsuya]

- Isa Bianchi -​

”Hm? Okay, mi Tesoro.” Isa smiled and gently held onto his hand until he couldn’t anymore as the merman walked away. He waited by the entrance, not close to the rain globs of doom, and inside the ruined dome. Pocketing his hands. He didn’t know why Moss wanted to go back and talk with Charon, nor could he hear them right now, however he didn’t mind. As long he could see him and is okay, the redhead won‘t react.

He took another deep breathe. He needed to calm down. Right now, he can’t take crazy methods. Not when there are people who actually care about his life. So he needs to take the more reasonable routes. He needs to practice on doing that.

Isa sighed out quietly before perking up at the incoming steps. He smiled.

”Ready, love?”

Zer0 Sisyphus Happy

 

[Zer0]

- Moss Adamaris -​

At that look of annoyance Moss laughed. "Yes he is." He glanced back at Isa with a fond smile. " He means well." He looked at the grove all around them and the curtains of water falling from the sky with a more somber look. "Usually his dares lead to good, but Isa will definitely fix this."

He smiled again when Charon offered to protect his beu. "Thank you for that, if there's is anything that you need, Charon, don't hesitate to ask me." He gave him a grateful nod, and then jovially patted the ladies' shoulders on his way back to Isa. "Good luck ladies! Keep safe!"

Magni chummily punched Moss on the shoulder. "You too um . . . don't die and, uh . . . have a nice day?"

Moss gave her a half confused look. Magni went red. "Just-just trying to wish you boys well." she muttered gruffly.

Ah. Moss smiled, amused. He was in the presence of a tough softie. "Thanks, Magni!" Then give her a punch in the shoulder. She relaxed, and nodded at him, before rejoining Vidya.

Moss returned to Isa's side, still looking amused at Magni and then held his hand. "I'm ready, love. And Magni wished us safe and nice day."

Katsuya

- Engine Blade -​

Nava padded closer, panting absentmindedly at Charon and wagging her tail.

Meanwhile, Vidya's glowing magenta eyes swept the chamber. "That was what we were going to read up on before we rushed over here. We know that those rune lines come from four different brhumestone engines and that the dais controlled this entire chamber."

"But it looks like it doesn't have power right now." said L, looking at the dais. "How did you guys manage to change the well without any power?"

In the background, Lysanthir observed politely, while examining the spider machine. He pulled out the fungus covered corpse of the Katulu and with the look of someone who was familiar with the machine, slid open a metal latch on the front panel of the spider where levers and knobs were protruding, and started peering into the exposed gears and wires.

Sisyphus Happy

 

[Katsuya]

- Isa Bianchi -​

Reaching out for Moss’ hand to hold and meeting halfway, Isa hummed. Amusement twinkled in his eyes as he listened to his beau’s words, chuckling. They must have felt shy, he pondered. “I see~ that’s nice of Magni.” Then he stared outside of the entrance and took another deep breathe. Watching the globs of manna rain plop down and how the rainbow snake’s hazy figure was still looking up.

”Shall we, love?” The redhead purred quietly, squeezing his hand tenderly. Once he heard Moss’ reply and waited for him to use his spell, Isa walked besides Moss. Walking to the serpentine to help it out and send it back it’s home.

He just hopes they can speak it’s language— whatever it may be.

Zer0

 

[Sisyphus Happy]

Health: Healthy
| Toughness: Background Ability (10) + Armor (1) [11] | Spell Power: Background Ability (14) + Knowledge (4) + Equipment (1) [19] |Manna: Background Ability (4) + Knowledge (6) + Spellslinger (4) [10/14]
Condition: 1 | Roleplay Points: 1

Χάρων ​

Charon tossed a curious look toward Lysanthir but decided to leave it. Isa seemed to tolerate him well enough, at the very least, so he could imagine there was some kind of amiable connection there. With a light grunt, he tried to move Nava onto the floating rock with gentle arms around her back and quiet coaxing noises. Regardless of the outcome, he took a moment before responding to her question. When she asked, his eyes rolled and he looked with animus toward a random direction. Clearing his throat, he groaned in an unamused tone, "hheee jussst soorrrt oooof... puuuusssshed oon thhem," he said, shaking his head, "weee nneeeed tooo mmmaaake ssssurre, khh, thhat tthhiss coonnntraptiooon wonnt exsssplode whheenn weeee turrn it ooon."

He peered down and pointed down the hole, "brrrhuuummme sssstoonne eeengine thhheerre?" he queried, leaning over the rock and squinting down there some more. It was too dark to make out details but the way down was pretty clear. Hesitation began blooming on his face. All of the rubble and disorganized destruction just rubbed him the wrong way. Glancing at the long and thin, sharp rocks he had near him, he was confident he could dispatch most of the smaller sized water bubbles.

 

[Zer0]

- Engine Blade -​

Nava obediently got on, and lay on the rock, carefully tucking her paw beneath her. She glanced back at the entrance chamber, then looked at Charon, and resumed panting absentmindedly.

"He actually went in there and touched it?!" said Vidya, she looked at the well. "But the magic there is so volatile . . . it can't be safe enough to go there unless Isa knows some kind of protection spell . . ."

LIliana followed Charon's gaze. "Yes, but Isa had the journal with the map, I think it was in his camp, unless he brought it here with him. Hold on." She opened her spell book and began casting a spell again.

There was a polite cough behind them. "You need to fix the bruhmstone engines to stop the well?" asked Lysanthir. "Before the dome fell, I was in the southern engine chamber where a half-Purrsian woman made that engine stop. I can show you the way if that is the engine you are looking to repair?"

Sisyphus Happy

- Moss Adamaris -​

Moss nodded, looking down at their hands, before he looked up with livelier eyes and a smile at how gentle Isa was being. With a sweep of his other arm, the rain whisked to the side, blobs gathering like a school of fishes in the air, casting them in a shadow waving with rippling patterns of light. And with one hand in Isa's, the two made their way down the wet steps to a desert draped with curtains of rain, surrounded by vast stretches of water reflecting the underwater sky.

They had a looong walk, climbing up the wavy rise of sandy dunes, before going down and sending ripples as they strode on the surface of widening pools. It was surprisingly relaxing, bringing forth memories to Moss of walking on the beach, the sea ankle deep, as he pulled away sea weed to look for shells when the tide was low. The growing flood around the desert was shallow, though here and there were deep pockets of water at the base of the submerged dunes.

"If this was ordinary rain, this place would have been so beautiful." said Moss.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Isa Bianchi -​

Isa peeked at Moss before smiling back, timid and happy. Then he watched with awe as his beau just sweep the blobs of water away, creating some sort of road but made with water. The sun’s light shone through, creating that same rippling effect he has seen water do in beaches on those rare sunny winter days.

As they walked above the surface, the redhead couldn’t hold back a quiet whimper and stumbled closer to Moss. Their shoulders touching, his grip tightening slightly. Yet he held his head high, wanting to brave through his fear, and try to stable his shaky legs. It’s odd that he even showed his fear of drowning, or water. Normally, he would hide it- ah, then again, he is alone with Moss. So it’s okay. He knows he’s safe, Moss wouldn’t let him drown, is what he repeated in his head like a mantra.

At first, Isa was tense, but he relaxed the more time he got used to the sight. Loosening his grip but never letting go of his hand as he observed the peaceful rippling lights and shadows, stumbling less. How the blobs clumped together from either falling on top of the stilled waters or by Moss’ manna. He perked up when Moss said something, blinking owlishly before grinned sweetly. “Yeah . . . I’m pretty sure the people here would like a new source of clean water. Especially so near to Barad Eithel . . . Does the ocean have these rippling lights too?”

He was curious as much as he was afraid. The redhead gently laid his head on the merman’s bicep, timidly nuzzling with his cheek. “Though I’m impressed that the rainbow snakes are able to withstand the petrification effects of this water. It’s like their scales are made of raincoats.”

Zer0

 

[Sisyphus Happy]

Health: Healthy
| Toughness: Background Ability (10) + Armor (1) [11] | Spell Power: Background Ability (14) + Knowledge (4) + Equipment (1) [19] |Manna: Background Ability (4) + Knowledge (6) + Spellslinger (4) [10/14]
Condition: 1 | Roleplay Points: 1

Χάρων ​

Her mention of the map had him toss his head expressively, eyes rolling up in exasperation. Convenience and ease have become estranged in these past two days. Again, the memory of languid shores, find cool breezes and gently tossing trees came to mind. Even the often wicked geological formations as a result of the land's upheaval so long ago which provided backdrops which would be ominous to those unused to him, they were only distant spectacles to Charon. There in his sudden daydream, just a moment like lightning striking, the long and low green expanses squeezed between blue water and sky turned red and barren, then back. He blinked and nodded slowly, as though acknowledging the existence of the map, though its delay made a strange response to a question.

After his moment of bemusement, his eyes roamed up to Vidya's face and he responded in a disoriented manner, "I-ahhh... hhhh... hhheeee ssseemed too beee prrroteected, yesss, I diiid nnot rrrecogniiize thee mmmagic," he admitted, shifting on the rock and tucking Nava into a slightly more stable position on it. When Lysanthir spoke, it distracted him from his activities enough for him to stop and turn his upper body on the rock, regarding him in a reserved manner. Vidya and Magni seemed easy enough for him to rad, and Liliana was obviously quite kind. However, the question made him wince; he did not even know his own plan.

"Rrrepaairr... I onnnlyy wisssh too... rrresstorrre thisss chhhamber to itsss functionnn, I donn't knoow if thisss... ennginne isss the waaay," he sighed, sitting back onto the rock and looking up at the ceiling defeatedly. The whole well, what could they have been thinking to play with something so powerful? Left to deal with their mess, unqualified entirely, Charon closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead, "whhhat do I doo?" he wondered aloud, rubbing his forehead, "theeesssse... connduitsss, leeead toooo theee eeenginessss?"

 

[Zer0]

- Moss Adamaris -

Spoiler: Moss Humming

Moss squeezed Isa's hand, and then reassuringly rubbed his thumb. "We'll be alright." His smile was calm, and his hold warm. He began to hum a light peaceful morning tune, as though they were just taking a morning walk on a bright seaside.

He nodded at Isa, "Yes, it's beautiful during a bright full moon when a storm is clearing. The darkness becomes soft, and here and there would be shafts of silver moonlight. It's very peaceful to look at." Moss gently snuggled his nose into Isa's hair, hiding a smile at the small waving sprout.

"I don't understand this water." He looked at the swaying colossal serpent a few miles away, gathering a storm. "It doesn't affect plants, just stone and us, but then those things are . . . like us?" his voice immediately became doubtful. Suddenly the serpent faded out into a great blue cloud swirling with dark purples and greenish aqua blues. The cloud stretched to the sky crack, hovering around the curtains of rain. The smaller white serpents immediately slithered away from it, some, their scales flashing to black-blue, as they hid in the storm. Wispy tendrils were trying to seep into the crack, glinting for a moment in the sun as a scaly snout loomed out of the cloud and tried to wiggle in, only to be immediately pushed down by the torrent.

Katsuya

- Engine Blade -​

Lysanthir nodded. "Yes, the engines power everything in the dome. You . . . you wish to restore the chamber to stop what's happening, do you not?" he asked carefully. "I know that the dais needs power, and that those monsters used the dais to control almost everything."

Sisyphus Happy

 

[Katsuya]

- Isa Bianchi -​

By Moss’ comforting words, Isa peeked upwards and saw his calm smile. He smiled back, hesitate but trusting, nodding. “O-okay.” The merman can see that he became relaxed the moment he hum his light tune. The way he would lean his head on his arm, the way he nuzzled, the way he would chuckle bashfully as his ears turned red. There is that twinkle in his indigo eyes, the same one that shines brightly whenever Isa felt happy and loving.

The same one whenever he stared at Moss.

“This feels surreal to me . . .” He mumbled, taking a deep breathe of Moss’ scent. Listening to his words, he imagined what the ocean would look like, and hummed. Silently enjoying the soft nuzzles Moss is giving back on his head . . . Why can he feel Moss’ breathe on a strand of his hair? Weird. It’s just on that spot too, that one single spot-

“ It sounds like how the moonlight shines through the window panes back at the sect after a storm . . . I-I hope I can see that underwater. It sounds beautiful.” His voice trembled at the thought, but he is eager to see that one night. Hopefully. Hopefully he can withstand his fear enough to see that, to be underwater and see the beauty Moss remembers fondly. Then he leaned back a bit as the couple stared at the clouds that’s surrounding the serpent. Isa’s sprout wiggled from the movement before standing still. Alert, it seems.

Isa’s eyes widened as they watched what it was trying to do. His mouth gaped as he followed it’s movements and- he hissed, wincing as he watched the torrent push it back down. “I hope it’s okay-“ With a nervous gulp, he raised his hand to cup around his mouth and yelled as loudly as he could.

“HEEEEEEEY!! OVER HERE!” Isa waved his arm up, wanting to grab it’s attention. “LET US HELP YA GET BACK HOME!” He translated his words into the languages he knew. He urged Moss to translate the same but in his birth language. Maybe it’ll understand one of them?

Zer0

 

[Sisyphus Happy]

Health: Healthy
| Toughness: Background Ability (10) + Armor (1) [11] | Spell Power: Background Ability (14) + Knowledge (4) + Equipment (1) [19] |Manna: Background Ability (4) + Knowledge (6) + Spellslinger (4) [10/14]
Condition: 1 | Roleplay Points: 1

Χάρων ​

"Verrry weeeeell," he responded, nodding resolutely. Perhaps on a better day he would be embarrassed to display ignorance. Indeed, a little irritation pricked in his chest. Used to transporting criminals and refugees, being the one in the room ignorant to a topic is unfamiliar and yet nostalgic. Peering down at the crater below him, he pointed down there, asking of this Lysanthir further, "knowessst yeee aaaany shorrrter rrrroute?" in his rasping voice, "oorrr, khhh, sssafer?"

The sound of scraping nails against stone could be heard briefly as he stood upright, shifting his feet on the stones, and looked with a concerned expression down at the stone which would be their vessel down there in the darkness. It was a tight fit, but one more person would be able to make their unsteady excursion, if they wished. He could see the gentle impressions made by Nava on his heel -- he was indeed not wearing any shoes, but her grip on his heel was quite gentle. It was the odd nature of his scaly skin, thick and plectile, the depressions would disappear in hours as opposed to minutes. A mildly disgusted look crossed his face, expressed by the curl of his lip and narrowing of his eyes at his own form.

He did not spend much time spurning himself. With a sleeping look over the room's inhabitants, he asked gently as well, "aaand... whhoo iiss cooming?"

 

[Zer0]

- Engine Blade -​

"I only know the spaces me and my people crawled out of to escape. We had started an excavation hole, though it is outside." Lysanthir glanced out at the rain. "But I know these tunnels, even though they are collapsed. If I had a landmark of sorts, I could find the way to the South Engine."

L, Vidya, and Magni looked at each other. "Can I go?" Vidya asked Magni. Magni looked down at the hole, lightly biting her lip. "Do you have to? Can you fix the engine?"

"No, I have no idea . . . But we do have Manuel's notes . . . Maybe, we can work on the spider up here, read up on the books, tell you guys information as you go down?"

L looked at the giant coyote. "I'll go down, I'm small, I can fit in very narrow spaces, and I can cure anyone who gets turned into stone." She frowned at Nava's paw. "Ohhh, doggy, are you hurt?" She came forward, casting another spell. Nava just absentmindedly panted at her, but when L made a motion for her paw, the coyote's lips curled up in a quiet snarl, tucking her paw deeper into her fur.

L immediately withdrew. "Ummmm, so yeah. Please hold this for me, Vidya, just in case." And nonchalantly, she plunged her hand into her messy blonde hair and pulled out a gold orb the size of an egg.

It had similar markings to the bowl like cavity of the well from earlier, and the little gnome just tossed it to Vidya.

"Okay, I'm ready. Is there room for me where, um, your doggy, won't get mad?" said L to Charon.

Sisyphus Happy

- Moss Adamaris -​

"Isa," Moss shrug-gestured at the sky making a half-cough half-sputtering noise, "underwater world! Leaking from the sky, desert is turning into a lake! This is so surreal." he agreed. And for a moment, Isa saw behind his chill demeanor a practiced face at staying calm leak out a little too. His expression schooled back to a protective calm, as though Moss was being sturdy for him.

"You can." he smiled softly. "I can show you." His thoughts whirled to the different sea ports with their nice reefs and was wondering which one would be best to show Isa, when he suddenly jumped, a bolt of fear shooting down his back when his beau yelled at the colossal snake in the sky. "Er." Moss just stared at Isa, gaping. The . . . the rocks on this guy . . . like is he not afraid of anything? Water yes, but Moss doesn't understand that, it's just water, but the snake? Isa's not afraid of the giant snake? Moss squeezed Isa's hand for comfort. Isa knows what he's doing, they're going to be okay.

"G-Geia! eímaste edó gia na sas féroume píso sto spíti, parakaló min mas fáte!" he said in a not very loud voice.

A blue grey eye slit open, staring down at them from the dark blue clouds.

"YOU SSSPEAK MY TONGUEE?" it hissed in Black Speech curiously. And then in a language that sounded like Moss', "MILAS TI GLOSSA MOU?"

The dark blue storm descended. Moss' tattoos glowed, as he held up a hand. A thin almost transparent sheen of droplets appeared around them, as the merman stopped the small spray of drizzles and mist from the storm from touching them. He was squeezing Isa's hand very tight, eyes alert for battle.

Silently, out of the cloud, the shadow of the colossal rainbow snake slithered down from above them, sending small waves lapping around the edges of the area Moss controlled, as its massive form solidified and settled on the shallow waters. It gazed down at them unblinkingly, forked tongue tasting the air.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Isa Bianchi -​

His hand squeezed Moss’ tenderly, indigo eyes carefully observing his subtle expressions. Then Isa smiled, realizing something about Moss that he already knew but couldn’t help to be reminded once more. He is considerate, wanting to stay calm for the scared redhead. Proving that he is here and willing to force his fear down in order to calm him down too. His hand reached up to cup his cheek and gently pulled him down to kiss his lips. Appreciation and comfort poured in like a stream before it was cut off as he leaned back—lips barely a hair strand away from the merman’s. Loving eyes gazed into his beautiful teal eyes, revealing his worry about Moss and confidence is slowly overcoming his fear of water.

“You’re right. It‘s like we’re in a dream-like state, but it’s real.” Isa chuckled quietly, gently bumping their foreheads; his sprout leaning forward with it’s two leaves around Moss’ horn like it was hugging. Isa chuckled again, sounding relaxed despite their topic of swimming underwater. “I would love that very much, mi Tesoro.” He purred before leaning back to call on the snake.

With water, he didn’t know what to do, nor does he know how to swim. He never learned how to until he met Moss a few months ago. However with creatures . . . Creatures, he is used to.

As Moss gaped at Isa’s nonchalant actions, he’d noticed how the redhead‘s eyes went from loving to sharp. Alert and brimming with mischievous confidence that he’s known for. The demon hunter from Loki’s sect is aware of what’s going on and Moss knew because he took a step forward and slightly stood in front of him. Protective as the serpent came closer. He squeezed Moss’ hand as he peeked behind him with an impish smirk. “We’ll be okay. Just talking like when we talked with Raptors, yeah?” He cooed quietly before facing the large reptile. . . It knew black speech?!

It knows black speech!! And Moss’ language?!! He wanted to nerd out so badly-

Like where did it come from?! Why does it know their languages?! These serpents, were they here long time ago when the Arcana folks were here? What’s it’s name? How old is it? He needed to stop-

Isa perked up, his smirk softened to an excited grin, and nodded. “Yes, I can speak your tongue~” Oh how he wanted to flinched back when he saw those waves, but Moss is behind him. So no. He will not move nor flinch away. Instead Isa stood taller as soon the rainbow snake slithered forward. The redhead gave the serpent a wave.

”Hello~ My name is Isa and I noticed ya wanna go back up there?” Isa pointed up at the sky where the crack is. “Well I know a way to send ya back there if ya are willing. I’ll even explain how it works so ya won’t be surprised. All I ask is to warn the others to be weary of the spot until it’s closed. Will that be okay?”

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Moss Adamaris -​

Moss' white eyebrows shot up in surprise, then mellowed, as he smiled in their kiss. Isa understood what he was doing, and Moss became happily bashful that he liked it very much.

"I . . . nai . . ." Moss said dumbly in Nazja. "You'd be surprised how many times you put me in a dream-like state, Isa~"

Secretly, now, as they faced the snake, with Isa flashing him his rakishly charming, mischievous confident smirk, a part of Moss wanted this to be over with quickly and snuggle with Isa somewhere. Also, it still continuously surprised him how Isa could be so calm. The loving high giving way to apprehension, Moss was . . . Moss' heart was beating very fast having this very large thing in front him. The last snake like creature he had the pleasure of meeting from another realm left him quite the trauma after it continuously hunted him for almost two weeks.

At least the one who banished it is now standing protectively before him, and Moss' heart calmed at the reminder.

"I AM SSSKÝDGRAUVLAUDR, LITTLE ISA." said the serpent rising proudly. "AND I AM LISTENING." it hissed.

Katsuya

 

[Sisyphus Happy]

Health: Healthy
| Toughness: Background Ability (10) + Armor (1) [11] | Spell Power: Background Ability (14) + Knowledge (4) + Equipment (1) [19] |Manna: Background Ability (4) + Knowledge (6) + Spellslinger (4) [10/14]
Condition: 1 | Roleplay Points: 1

Χάρων ​

Charon nodded solemnly, first at Lysanthir's information and then toward Magni's plan. By all means; he did not wish to plunge into this tower's bowels again either. Hopefully this Manuel character can yield something useful to their search. When Nava pulled back her teeth, Charon wasted no time in reacting. With obnoxious shushing, aided by his anatomy's propensity to hissing, he shoved his head into her neck and hugged her in such a way with one arm that he could scratch the underside of her chin. With his other hand, if she succumbed to his pushing to roll her onto her side, he would began petting her vigorously on the stomach and chest -- with the back of his hands since his claws were troublesome in these situations. A face-full of coyote fur was not necessarily what he needed at the moment, his body had just undergone enough stress to put a mother on vacation, but if L was offering to fix that paw, he wouldn't take no for an answer.

"SHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhh," he coaxed toward Nava, his arm firm around her neck, his head laying on her shoulder. Waving L toward himself, he said in a gravelly tone, "leeet heerrr woorrrk," very gently rubbing the leg carrying the stone paw with the hand he was using to rub her underside, "goood," he continued, still making clear with his body language that he was referencing L in his coaxing. Perhaps he was expecting much from a coyote, but there is no harm in trying to simply ask her to do something. He had no impression so far as to the extent of her intelligence; if she would not allow L to do it, he would do it himself.

He thought back to the odd palpitations of magic emanating from the water, about how it hardened flesh. Informative enough, it could happen; he got a good look at the effect in addition. It was as if the flesh could have been stone all along. No, that doesn't make any sense. He slipped into a daydream just like that for a few moments, his eyes wandering and becoming dull. Perhaps in the same way, stone could become flesh -- or plants. Well, duh, plants grow in dirt -- stone powdered by weathering mixed with decayed plants. The old texts speak every so often of the cycle involved in life and death, and mentions many terms which are as of yet difficult to ratiocinate into understandable concepts simply by context clues -- or so he has been told. Is this what it means? That stone has the potential to come to life, and vice-versa? Life, of itself, which surges and swells and; the genera of which grows into each other with chaos, even its borders mix and pass into each other? A wave of vertigo rolled over him. Suddenly, the world became unfamiliar again, as it did when he imbibed that gaseous substance. This time, it became more vibrant.

His mind was butter before, when that beam dominated his senses with its sheer power. Imagery of color and borders eating each other cyclically danced through his mind almost against his will, and his pupils constricted into the tight slits afforded by his form, where one genera of life took root in another. Flowing like liquid and light suspended in water to elucidate the minute paths taken by the substance, the way it moved billowing and serene at times, turbulent too. The picture swelled and overtook him as his mind, of its own accord, spun through all the articles of life he could think of, and knit it all together in his new understanding of this cycle. Knowledge from the words he has read dissolved into experience and a more complete understanding of this phenomenon, the result of which a more complete understanding of the world around him, he looked down at the wrinkled and scaly flesh trespassing the palm of his hand and then down at the stone paw of Nava. It seemed outwardly that he was in some sort of stupor. To move the borders of life, he thought, by the process he witnessed in that water, could be done, or undone, or further exacerbated. The vertigo intensified as he realized he could totally change himself in many ways, become something physically other. His form became fragile to him, the quiet resolution afforded by surviving being shot several times and collapsed under a building undone again. His mouth was slightly open and his breathing was abated. Luckily, there wasn't any drool escaping his mouth. Beyond the paltry process by which some creatures could be temporarily turned into others, he was already going through the motions of how to change the flesh more fundamentally.

 

[Katsuya]

- Isa Bianchi -​

Moss could feel Isa squeezing his hand tenderly, letting him know that he’s not alone. Keeping him steady and calm this time as they faced the large serpent. The redhead was close to nerding out, his fiancé can see from the starry look in his eyes. Then the redhead cleared his throat, trying to squish his excitement of talking with a large serpent thatcantalkblackspeechtoo-

”Giant SSSKÝDGRAUVLAUDR, I have a spell that sends beings back to their realms. It won’t hurt, all ya need to do is be still and not fight against the spell. Let me know when you’re ready.” Then he looked at Moss with a relaxed grin, slightly tugging his hand. His cheeks and tips of his pointy ears flushed pink as the little sprout waved side to side.

“Mind wrapping your arms around me, Moss? I need both of my hands for the spell.” He asked bashfully, grabbing his staff with his other hand; he didn’t want to let go nor stop touching Moss. He’s aware that he could stand on his own, but . . . Moss’ touch is comforting.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Engine Blade -​

Nava's eyes closed lazily, and with a big ol' huff, limply rolled over, leg kicking the air.

"Careful, L." said Magni's voice warningly.

Suddenly Nava's sagging head perked up when the little gnome muttered her spell, and a purple blue cloud floated on to her paw, which she sniffed --- gave a mighty sneeze, and then pulled her paw closer to her, but the magic was already doing the work.

Slowly the color returned from slate grey to rust red fur. The lichen began falling off, and Nava, sensing this, stilled her leg kicking, and tilted her head at her paw. She licked away the plants, her breathing relaxed once more, and settled to grooming herself, and also Charon, whom she licked at the side of the head, making one side of his hair stick up.

"There, good doggy." smiled L happily. Cautiously she approached the floating rock, but Nava didn't pay her any mind as she climbed up, followed by Lysanthir who called out.

"Please tell my servants I have gone down to help fix the Southern Engine." he said to Vidya and Magni, who were relieved the big coyote was alright with the little gnome. "I have told them to aid you with whatever you need, if it is in our power to give. Er, friend, shall we go?" he added curiously to Charon, noticing the look on his face.

Sisyphus Happy

- Moss Adamaris -​

Moss gave Isa a half-smile, half-disbelieving look. But he shrugged --- who was he to complain? --- and wrapped his arms around Isa. He was so amused, of all the times to flirt. Nothing was going to stop Isa from flirting with him, even if the sands opened up and swallowed them, Isa will probably still give him the giddies as they are falling if he's confident they'll be okay --- wait, hadn't he done that already that one time they fell off the bridge in Windshear?

The colossal snake slithered around them quietly, a great wall of coils on either side of them. "IF AT ANY TIME I FEEL PAIN OR SOMETHING IS AMISSSS, I WILL EAT YOU BOTH." it hissed. "I AM READY." It looked up into the sky.

Katsuya

 

[Sisyphus Happy]

Health: Healthy
| Toughness: Background Ability (10) + Armor (1) [11] | Spell Power: Background Ability (14) + Knowledge (4) + Equipment (1) [19] |Manna: Background Ability (4) + Knowledge (6) + Spellslinger (4) [10/14]
Condition: 1 | Roleplay Points: 1

Χάρων ​

Snapping out of his stupor when L cast her spell, he looked down at the paw and the effect dissipating.

"I--" Charon began but then was cut off by Nava's sneeze. Laying gently on her form, when her ribs knocked from the force, at her size and strength he was tossed briefly. "I shhhaal nnot allooow hhher tooo aaattack eeell," he admonished gently, waving toward Magni dismissively. Once the spell finished, he sat up and ceased his scritches. His eyes trailed to the sides of their sockets toward Nava when L began to climb on but it did not seem that Nava -- a wet streak materialized across the side of his face and he paused once again. His mouth, which was open at the time of the attack, remained agape for a few moments before he closed it again. His lips curled in a little bit and he reached up with his clawed hand but then put it down defeatedly. It did not seem he wished to spread it. He needed a bath anyway. Death's stench had hardly left him since the day before. While the dried blood was mostly gone, there was still the lingering scent of that poison, and mortar in his nooks. Smelling faintly of pennies, he stood carefully and made more room for his compatriots, turning his body toward Nava to make it abundantly clear that he was not going anywhere.

One end of the rope held Nava and the other held him -- yet there was an entire tunnel's worth of rope floating above them in a kinked arc. Idly reaching up and grasping it in his comically leathery hands, he pulled it down and looked between Lysanthir, just after his exclamation, and down to L. Clearing his throat with a tuft of softly glistening hair pointing up from one side of his head, he looked to Lysanthir, now nearer, and gave him a once-over. Unsure how to feel, he gestured the rope toward him, "dooo yooou fffeel theee neeed tooo, khhh, ffffasssten yooourssself, ssssirrr?" he hissed politely, "I mmmaay liiiffft alll ooof usss wiith iiit, I beeelieeve," he said, leaning to the side to peer down the shaft again, looking for outstanding water droplets.

 

[Katsuya]

- Isa Bianchi -​

Isa‘s grin softened to a smile as he felt Moss’ arms around his waist, secured as quiet relief overflowed his senses. Leaning back a bit to feel the merman’s chest with his back. At least this way, he can be sure that Moss can be transported away with him, in case the snake wants them for a snack while he traveled. That quiet relief was broken by the snake’s promise to eat them if the spell failed, causing Isa to snap back without thinking. His eyes sharpened as he stared at the snake.

”I’m helping ya go home, don’t insult my work nor our good will.” Isa’s smile tensed into a harsh smirk before calming down. He took a deep breathe and released a sigh as he lifted his staff up, holding it with both hands, and steadying it just above and in front of his waist. The eyes of the Raven glowed into a golden yellow. The air changed around the couple as a golden transparent hexagonal panels surrounded Ssskydgrauvlaudr in an sphere It pulsated like a heart beat, turning into a brighter golden and going back to transparent gold in a tranquil rhythmic pattern. Like the panels wanted to help calm the individual inside, reassure them that they will return home soon. Should Moss peek, he’d see that Isa’s eyes were wide open and glowing entirely white. Then he spoke, his voice echoed around them as if they were inside a large and spacious temple. He sounded like he was singing? But he wasn’t. Serene. Their clothes and hair billowed slowly like they were underwater. The little sprout waved slow, hypnotic even.

”Spread your wings,
the call beckons for your return,
like the dandelions in the wind,
you must leave and root anew.

Leave this realm.
To where you once came from.”

The panels stilled as the serpent inside can see a small opening to his watery realm — yet no one outside is reacting to it. Like they can’t see what he can see. The spell is coaxing him to go inside and wishing him luck. Isa is keeping his word, he’s sending Ssskydgrauvlaudr back to his realm safely.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Engine Blade -​

"I think that is a good idea, and please, call me Lysanthir." said the drow, bowing to Charon and then L, and then taking the rope and tying it around himself.

"Hello, Lysanthir, I'm L!" said the little gnome, also cutting and securing herself with a piece of the rope. "Thank you for helping us, your people had it rough. When I was doing rounds in the healer's tent I heard you all talking about going home to Windshear?"

"Yes, it is going to be a long walk, though, we thought of trying to fix the portal to get us home. Turning on the engine will help us with that."

Sisyphus Happy

- Moss Adamaris -​

HISSSSSSS

"YOU HAVE SPIRIT FOR SOMEONE SO SSSMALL. YOU ARE NOT AFRAID OF ME." The rainbow snake sounded . . . amused? It immediately twisted around the golden sphere surrounding it, gazing at something Moss could not see. Meanwhile, the merman was burying his face in Isa's back, silently chuckling. Somehow it doesn't get old seeing these powerful creatures be surprised that Isa is brave enough to talk back to them.

A giant forked tongue tasted the air, then it turned away and bent down at Isa. "THAT IS MY HOME . . . WHAT STRANGE MAGIC YOU WIELD IN THIS LAND . . . YOU HAVE MY GRATITUDE. IF YOU COME TO THE VIMUR RIVER, SING FOR ME BY THE BANKS OF VANDRAD, AND I WILL COME TO REPAY THIS KINDNESS, LITTLE ISA."

And with that the rainbow snake slithered into nothing, leaving behind the grey blue storm that began to clear.

Moss let out the breath he had been holding. "That went surprisingly well."

Katsuya