Vault Hunters (Finished~)

[Zer0]

- Ebony Oasis -
"December 30, 600, Late afternoon"​

Earlier, Lia blew out air, struggling for a moment to find words. "She . . . bring to . . .'ksh- kaimela . . . " she looked at Qualanthri for help.

"Nightmare." said Qualanthri, who had her eyes on their prisoners.

Lia clapped her hands. "She bring to nightmare." she nodded at Isa. "Nightmare owned ---" she looked at Qualanthri again who just nodded at her encouragingly, "--- nightmare . . . make tongue talk . . ." Lia gestured meaningfully, lightly patting the silently screaming girl's shoulder. "mani naa halli e' sen lambe?"

"Havision? Lucidation --- hallucination!" said Qualanthri clapping her hands at the same time Lia did, like yes, we got it!

"She bring to nightmare, make tongue talk hallucination!" said Lia, smiling at Isa.

Later, now in each other's arms, Moss laughed a little. "Yes, please cleanse it in the flames of your Ancient too." He was in no hurry to get up and just stayed there on the sand with Isa.

A moment later, Althea blinked and the Templar girl gasped, then fell sideways, asleep, eyes fluttering uncontrollably. The drow's eyes became blue again and her hair pure silver white. "Edainme watch over sen amin anta a' brien Lysanthir y' beth." she said quickly to the two girls. Althea's entire demeanor had changed, as though she learned something urgent, and she quickly walked off out of camp.

"Mani's i' beth?" Moss suddenly called out to her.

Althea looked back in surprise and she had a quick exchange of words with Moss before she continued off.

"Isa, they're scouts from the Templar army from Menagerie. They received orders from the Grand Cleric of Vanar himself to capture the dome and obtain all knowledge of mechromancy." Moss gave a long drawn out sigh. "Is there no end to this?" Honestly, every time some ancient technology resurfaces it draws the Templars to them like flies. He just wants his friends back home, he didn't want to be part of another battle.

Katsuya

- Ebony Oasis -
"December 30, 600, Late afternoon"​

Nava came bounding to Charon from outside of camp, a half-eaten snake in her jaws. Her stomach rumbled when she dipped her head down under his hand expectantly for pats.

Later, when his magic spread out around him, Charon experienced something odd, like a pillow was pressed over his senses, muffling everything, and he spotted one of the older mages, one with short curled hair and crow feet lines under his eyes, who, come to think of it, hasn't really been helping much, but was usually just sitting nearby, reading some of the notes from the books Isa lent them. He was exuding a strong magical aura that made seeing magic all muddy and sluggish so that even the bright energy from the ragnite of the spider machines the drows were opening up and repairing was dizzily out of place, unfocused and watered down. Yet the drows who were casting magic as they did delicate enchanting work didn't seem perturbed, and this aura seemed to just curl around them safely, not interfering with them. This aura didn't interfere with any of the drows.

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) [12/14]
Condition: 3 | Roleplay Points: 1

Χάρων ​

Charon cocked his head at the sensation. Never before had he felt such an effect. During his stay in the camp, he never bothered to open his senses to sweep for any unwanted influences. There was no need, it seemed, these older drow were connected to manna as well. The sensation distracted him, he was intrigued foremost with the effect and sensations. Idly, he peered over at the man with a curious expression on his face before politely turning his head away. But... it was so weird he had to mess with it. When Nava showed up, he reached down to pat her and made no comment about the snake. He took out a few of the meat based rations in his possession and handed them down to his new responsibility. While gently petting Nava, he found himself caught up in the act of messing around with the odd effect. He idly pushed manna out of his fingers and watched as it mingled with the effect. It was inspiring to behold and he spent several minutes vibing in this magical fog. He once intended to go bathe and talk to Lysanthir but his mind was working overtime to understand the effect. In a sense, it hit the reset button on his priorities.

His brain went through his priorities for something fun to do and he ended up wandering into his tent and uncovering the pile of crap he found on the way in there. He sighed and laid on his stomach in the tent, inviting Nava in with him and letting the flap fall shut, though unsecured. Loosening his tunic and gathering his blankets under him to prop his shoulders up, with his detect magic ability active, he began sifting through him in much the same way a teenage girl sifts through fashion magazines. His legs were up and kicking through the air while his eyes, wide and enraptured by a truly stimulating twenty or so minutes, flitted over the objects, his fingers finding their quiddity while the ripples of magic emanating from them and washing over his face were distorted terribly. It was like a puzzle within a puzzle spread out on a work of art.

 

[Zer0]

- Ebony Oasis -
"December 30, 600, Late afternoon"​

The circlet Charon examined was of dark obsidian, embedded with six onyx stones and one purple materia. It was embellished with designs reminiscent of brains and tentacles. It strengthened the wearer against enchantments that attempt to control it.

Sisyphus Happy

Spoiler: Dark Circlet

Dark Circlet
+4 Spell Power against mind-controlling magic.

 

[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) [12/14]
Condition: 3 | Roleplay Points: 1

Χάρων ​

Charon hmmed quietly at the circlet, his tail twitching limply on its spot laying over to the side and his kicking legs stopped. Now who would this benefit? He sighed and rolled over onto his back and holding it up over his face when he realized he tossed another twenty or so minutes out of the proverbial window. As though he had been in a trance, his priorities returned from their lunch break. With a grunt, he tightened his tunic again and pushed himself to his feet, gathering up his sleeping supplies and leaving the stuff he found covered over in the floor of his tent. The rustling of fabric emanated from it while he extracted himself from his gloomy cavern with a bundle of clothing over his shoulder. He made his way to Lysanthir either by sight or by looking around for him. A long slender brush of white wood bearing stiff, straw-like bristles on its smooth head, dangled from his bundle, bobbing while he walked. One might recognize it as a similar type of brush to that used to wash short-haired farm animals. Upon finding his opportunity to speak to Lysanthir, the circlet in his hand, he folded his arms and walked forward, nodding a greeting at the drow.

Earlier in the day, between Isa's visit and eliciting laughter from Lysanthir, Charon had forged something like a good mood. Now, embarrassingly getting caught up in some kind of incredibly subtle and enthralling distortion ability drove him back to his tired manner and stiff upper lip. It was an odd cycle to be sure, to work and become relaxed while idleness caused him to recover something like dignity. His shoulders were straight when he approached Lysanthir.

 

[Katsuya]

- Isa Bianchi -​

Earlier, Isa had patiently waited for Lia to sound the sentence out. His grin softened to a smile, ever growing slightly the more words she used to explain what’s going on. He felt like a proud figure—like a teacher watching their students doing their best in a study. Holding back a coo as he figured they wouldn’t appreciate a stranger cooing at them, being warrior women and all.

So when she finished with her sister, both looking so proud and happy to translate what they wanted to say, Isa had to hold back his urge to pat their heads. He’s still awkward about touching others. However he did clap softly a few times, showing that he was impressed with them. “Ahh~ I see. So she is creating a nightmare to gather information from the lady. Interesting ~”

He nodded and because he likes to chat with others, Isa started to ask what their culture was like. Mentioned how he has a mentor in his Sect who is a Drow as well and the man didn’t usually talk about his old home, so he always wanted to learn about it.

Later, within each other’s arms, Isa perked up like a puppy; the little sprout on his head waved about happily. “Okay~” Yes, he set things on fire later to purify~ Plus Isa is comfortable where he is right now, laying on the sand and muddied Moss as they watched what has happened.

The redhead blinked owlishly before peeking up to listen Moss understand— he can understand them?! That peaked his interest, looking proud to have a fiance that knew something he did not. Then his happy smile was wiped off at the news and huffed noisily.

”Of course. Of courssssse~ they would. Uggggh.” Isa plopped his head on Moss’ chest and took a deep breathe. Taking a whiff of Moss’ faint scent and mud. He huffed again.

“I believe the entire clan that’s here are gonna defend them off at the dome until they go inside the portal. So for now, we should be fine . . . Should.” Isa muttered, sounding annoyed as he slowly got off the merman, and outstretched a hand for Moss to grab in case he wanted help to stand. ”We should follow them-“ Once again, Isa glared at the captured templars. They can see it in his face; he was questioning if he should burn them up But went against it in the end. He promised to get to the healing tent, should the sisters let him.

He doubted it.

”Shall we go, Moss?“ Isa rather they be safe than not. He rode on Okami and behind Moss, having no shame to nuzzle into his back as they moved the waters around for the large doggy to run through with the spider machines. He asked the sisters if he could bring the burnt templars to a healing tent or back to their own tent first, in case they needed them again.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Ebony Oasis -
"December 30, 600, Evening"​

Lia in her faltering but determined words in common, happily told Isa fragments of her culture. How the House of Evindal lived underground in the blue-lit icy crystal caverns of Eranathalas where, before Theosebia enslaved them and took over their home, her house pursued the explorations of ruins to uncover their lost history from 600 years ago .

Lia, Althea, and Qualanthri were not sisters by blood, but by bond. They were huntresses and the only survivors of their hall. Althea, the eldest , had held them together during their captivity and kept their spirits up. Lia couldn't wait to retake their home and rebuild it just the way it was before.

Later, Moss shared Isa's annoyance and patted his back, concerned that he was still dirty, yet not, for Isa didn't seem to mind. It surprised him that his different states of uncleanliness didn't bother Isa at all and that he would still hug him. It was sweet; Okami actually went down into the pit carefully and submerged himself in the mud to stay cool in the heat. Moss absently looked at him.

"Yeah, I hope all the water keeps them away. I doubt the army thought to bring boats into the desert." said Moss. "Speaking of portal, we should talk about what we're doing next later, Isa, because we could go in the portal too if you want to help me get Panacea next? Or do we fix up Gaius and ride on him?"

He agreed to go back to Barad Eithel with Isa. When Althea came back, the sisters said that they will bring the Templars back to their own camp, and to leave this situation to Lysanthir. They don't want to start a fight with the Templars, but they didn't want them to interfere with them going home either. In any case, House Evindal will protect them, and the drows offered to have the two and their friends stay with them in their camp if they wished.

It was night time when they spotted the reflection of the moon against the still lake around Barad Eithel. Moss went with what they decided earlier, settling for the night in the camp they chose to stay in and finally taking that bath he wanted.

Katsuya

- Drow Camp -
"December 30, 600, Late afternoon"​

"Yes, Master Charon?" said Lysanthir looking up from where he had been writing at his table outside his tent. He looked a little surprised to see him, probably because he thought he was on his way out earlier.

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) [12/14]
Condition: 3 | Roleplay Points: 1

Χάρων ​

"Yes, I know," he sighed rapidly, in response to Lysanthir's surprise, rolling his eyes, "I got distracted -- there is this experienced gentleman emanating such a cloying and wonderful magic field, I couldn't help but -- never mind, it is unimportant. Have this, it gives one greater resilience to mind control, I'm sure you will find a use for it," he offered. Charon gently lowered his bundle of laundry out of the way of the entrance, grey, brown and indigo mixing chaotically in the rough jute cord binding it all. Striding forward, he gently held out the circlet, glancing curiously at the pieces of paper on Lysanthir's desk for just an instant before pulling his eyes away -- mostly out of respect.

 

[Katsuya]

- Isa Bianchi -​

Being a history buff that he is, Isa is completely entranced by Lia, Althea, and Qualanthri’s homeland. This is the second time he has met a group of people that are protecting and discovering their ancient roots and this made him happy. Knowing that there are others on the far side of Leor that want to know of their ancestry too. His respect towards the sisters seemed to grow too as he listened to more to Lia’s words, rapt attention to how they would support each other. As Lia expressed her excitement, she would feel a gentle and hesitant pat on her head. Then Isa retreated his hand awkwardly, letting It fall to his side as he smiled at her. It was like he wasn’t used to patting anyone’s head, but he was happy to hear her positivity.

“I’m glad to hear that.” Isa replied sweetly before he turned his head around, facing away from her. She can see that the tips of his ears are turning red.

The redhead didn’t mind the mud covering Moss, it felt cooling despite their hugging. Plus he could cuddle the merman longer. As the sisters were getting ready to go back to the dome, Isa pondered on what they should do before taking up of their offer to camp with them. “It’s safer to stay with folks who like the night. Plus, I need to chat with L.” He remembreed how she would like to talk with him about something.

When it came to if they should walk through the portal, Isa nodded. “I do. I want to help ya get Panacea. So we’re gonna have to go through as well— but I’m gonna deactivate that portal. About Gaius . . . I think it’s best to leave it with Leonid. I mean, I thought ya need an underwater Goliath?” There is the ruins close to Bird village. Who said there isn’t a water goliath inside the lake? Maybe. He doubt it, but they were close to the ocean so . . . There’s a chance to find one there. He would need to talk with everyone about that, if they wanted to come with them after this. After using the engine blade for L’s wish—-for all their wishes.

After settling in their camp, Isa wondered if he could share the bath with Moss . . . but instead he waited just outside of where the merman was taking the bath. It wasn’t as if it was all that erotic either. Just a wet towel being dipped in a barrel, yet the redhead turned red. Knowing that Moss is probably taking his clothes off without hesitation. He is still shy about showing skin and wondered if he could just let the mud dry on his clothes for a few days. Then he thought Moss might not like the crusty mud while cuddling. . . So he took a deep breathe and waited without saying a thing until Moss was done and clothed. Then he went to the barrel, steaming red, and looking down. He really needed to stop being modest. When he was finished, Isa quickly dressed and practically jogged to the makeshift desk he would usually draw on top. Pulling his hood up and over his head to hide his ever steaming face and swirling eyes as he focused on what gears the portal for Loki needed. He sent leyline messages to Moss and L; to Moss, he told him that he was by the desk at the moment and would like to know when he would like to go into town to have their newly built traveling home (if they have the time to make their new home as they would want) . To L, he asked her to let him know when she would like to see him.

Zer0 Sisyphus Happy

 

[Zer0]

- Drow Camp -
"December 30, 600, Late afternoon"​

Steel flashed briefly in Lysanthir's eyes. He glared at the crown with the same look he gave the katulu corpses. "That is Manuel's . . . Forged by the Khlul′-hloo. So that's why he wore it . . ." Delicately, as though touching something filthy, he picked up the crown by the very tip. "Forgive me . . . he wore this the day he attacked our house. . ." His schooled polite expression came back. "Greater resilience to mind control, you say? Thank you, we will have use for this." he tapped the purple materia. "But forgive me if we destroy the rest of the crown, Master Charon."

Sisyphus Happy

- Barad Eithel -
"December 30, 600, Evening"​

Lia actually leeeeeaned away looking at Isa's hand questioningly, but then the moment the gentle pat softly rufled her silver top, she perked up like she liked it, smiled at him back, then reached out to gently pat Isa's head too.

When Moss and Isa talked about what to do next, he thought about it. "I do need an underwater goliath, I just don't know where to get one and Gaius is already there. Pelagia is nearby too. One could be in the Sunken Ruins, but question is, if it's deep deep down underwater, how can we get there?" They decided to talk about this on the way back, as night time was coming on soon.

They saw the reflection of the moon on the lake surrounding Barad Eithel past dinner time. On the way to the drow camp after getting their stuff from Mrs. Kettlewhistle's workshop --- she had gratefully thanked Isa for telling his friends to help find her daughter too, and said that if ever he or his friends needed to use her forge or needed a sand boat, they can come to her --- Moss asked Isa if they could stop by the closing market place to buy bathing herbs, oils, a large barrel and pick a tent together, and convinced a merchant to sell them a white tent with a decorative brass roof tip cap that held tear-shaped arabesque banners of ochre, coffee browns and reds in place that flowed down on either side of the tent. Moss told Isa he liked how the banners ended with long frilled edges with a circular geometric pattern of the sun at the bottom, it gave him ideas of replacing the sun with the pattern of his future shop one day.

They set up the tent away from the others, hidden from view, and close to Loki's portal. Moss then started a cooking fire outside where he plopped in some rocks from the Ebony oasis. He went over to the drow forges to have the barrel sawed in half and with Isa's help set up a little curtained off wash area in their enchanted tent with half the barrel as a small make-shift tub and the jars the two had chosen as their bath water. Before it was Isa's time to bathe, Moss asked him to wait a moment, and then came back with the bathing herbs, oils, and hot stones in a bucket so that Isa could have a nice smelling, hot steamy bath if he chose to plop in the stones in the water barrel, and have something warm to hold and touch.

Moss replied to his message about the market being closed, though maybe he can send a message to Mrs. Kettlewhistle to see if she would be willing to help them look for someone who'd be willing to hear them out tonight. He also told Isa that he'll keep dinner hot for him while he goes talk to Liliana, and also to ask her if she's eaten and if she wants to have some. While a groggy, sleepy sounding Liliana just said. "Uhhh, now? Lemme just --- yawn. Okay. I'm at the Healer's Tent near the West Bazaar. Where are you so that I can fly over?"

Katsuya

Spoiler: Moss Shops

4-Person Tent
With Enlargement Charm. Can fit eight people inside.
Total Cost: 20 alchemical

Bathroom Kit, 1 week
+1 to Condition. Also comes with cosmetics and all kinds of bubble bath bombs.
Cost: 4 Alchemical

 

[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) [12/14]
Condition: 3 | Roleplay Points: 1

Χάρων ​

"Make a party of it," he replied wistfully, draping his hand over his collarbone once the drow took it. The expression on Lysanthir gave Charon pause for a moment. More questions burgeoned in his mind, fighting his sense of -- propriety? Though such a virtue would lead one to abstain from probing such a clearly sensitive issue, it was not propriety which kept Charon's mouth shut; indeed it was likely impropriety that Lysanthir liked him for -- just a little. When he thought of asking about the events, a faint tightness clenched in his chest. Poor manners do not make him feel such a sensation. With a pensive breath, he turned away toward the door. It was probably out of sympathy that he did not ask. The circlet produced enough of a reaction in Lysanthir. Possibly more ill expressions lurked in that conversation topic. Charon turned before he exited the door, stooping to retrieve his bundle of laundry.

"I take it there were no takers for the offer of bathing? I am leaving now, and I'm afraid my... means of transportation is costly; I will not be turning back," he warned. As he spoke, a bit of playfulness entered his voice.

 

[Zer0]

- Drow Camp -
"December 30, 600, Late afternoon"​

"No, we do not bathe in the presence of others." said Lysanthir pointedly, laying the crown to the side. He was in a bad mood. He called for someone in his native tongue, and one of the mages, the old one with the short curly hair and crow feet lines under his eyes came, inclined his head to Charon politely and then began engaging Lysanthir about the crown in their native tongue.

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) [9/14]
Condition: 3 | Roleplay Points: 1

Χάρων ​

Charon paused and rolled his lips into his mouth between his teeth, retorts proliferating in his mind with a bit of a shocked feeling lighting up his chest. Plenty of "I am not bathing with anyone, merely offering a bathtub you dolt!" and "take this all out on me, will you?" and "I suppose this is what I get for handing you an effigy to burn," but there were many unkind things behind those, which he was not confident to stop if he began. Instead he physically bit his tongue and gave a short bow, a stormy expression on his face when he turned to leave, his laundry flopping against his hips as he walked. Ignominy burned on his face and tinted the expression red, as though he had been been spanked for a misunderstanding. Lysanthir's tone was not particularly inflaming to him, it was the fact that he, perhaps, could not make himself understood and as a direct result suffered Lysanthir's cold further. These actions were certainly inappropriate but all dissent in his mind about them was destroyed by a simple clearing his throat. They were silenced by a swelling of that red memory which in some way connected him to his power. Power washed over him, he needed focus for this sort of spell. As power washed over him, that red misty vision of water washed over the ground in an area around him, though it swirled like the nebulae in the night sky in the presence of that odd, cloying magical field. The sound of water running filled the area as well, also strangely distorted. Charon knelt beside Nava nearby and ran his fingers through her hair. She had some rations earlier.

"Stay here, I'll be back in a few hours," he said soothingly before standing and striding toward the edge of the camp. The spell began to take effect.

Stopping mid step, Charon grunted as waves of strange distortion, uncannily familiar to those with a magical background in the presence of the unstable well, rolled off of him. Hunched over a little, he winced and turned his head as a quiet cracking sound could be heard from his right arm, along with an aching pain. Feathers appeared under his skin and began breaking the surface, massive feathers, in a matter of seconds they were two feet long. As he stared at them, he could see his perspective changing, as though someone was lifting his head up into the air while the rest of his body remained. When he opened his mouth to release some sort of nervous shout, instead nothing but a strange, raptor-like caw emanated from his elongated throat. He could feel the skin on his feet growing and spreading across the ground, tiny pebbles rolling underneath of it. He, or some grand form which grew from him, was on the verge of hyperventilating. Somehow, it even seemed easier to breathe. Before his eyes, his fingers fused together and sprouted feathers, all at a rapid rate now. Great and powerful wings stretched from them with gigantic feathers covering his body -- his new body, a great hunched back and somewhat elongated neck like a vulture, orange feathers covering his top with cream covering the bottom, all fading to a dark brown on the edges of the wings where two great red spikes protruded like a bat's thumb from the joints. A massive feathered tail with a fluff at the end whipped around clumsily and powerful talons stepped clumsily along the ground. Charon's massive head, without feathers, loomed around to regard it all, and his beak opened revealing, of all things, some rows of sharp teeth, as a quiet dinosaur-like tittering emanated from his gizzard and a range of confusion and awe flashed through the pure red beads forming his eyes.

Careful not to whack anyone with his tail, he looked around in this massive form and unsteadily planted those giant talons, stretching out his wings to an impossible span. Almost nine feet tall, his wingspan was something like twenty-five feet. A great whooshing sound filled the chamber as he tested the wings, dust and dirt scattered from around him. A sheepish noise emanated from the throat of the beast he inhabited, something like a raptor attempting to enunciate, "saaahree."

The great beast began edging its way along through the camp, taking extreme caution not to cause any damage. Noises emanated from it, mostly apologetic, anyone who knew Charon might wince at how similar it was to his own intonation. If only a cursory beat of the wings caused such a disturbance, he would not want to knock any tents over. The gargantuan form tottered through the camp, stepping around carts and crates and people, clearly heading toward the massive hole in the roof nearby. As he moved in this great form, Charon found greater and greater intuition with its features. The beating of the wings gave him the indication of how to fly, as though a memory he'd held all along. Every step made his progress more resolute and precise. His tail remained lifted easily and once he reached the rubble, he found that the great talons on his wing's joints were perfectly suitable for climbing and made little fuss hopping onto some of the larger slabs of stone dislodged from their place. Scaling the moiety of the wall with little trouble, bird-Charon clawed his way onto the lip of one of the great holes leading to the ceiling and looked at the sky. Something became vivid about it, the vindication of returning from a long trip and finding your home unchanged. With a lightness in his bird chest that might be attributed to a displaced esophagus and heart, he stretched the massive wings out and joined the sky, doing his best to use the Eithel tower to cover his massive form and hide amongst the taller structures until he broke the city limits, at which point, the ground far below him, the sky endless above him, the wind kissing his every inch, he released a shattering cry and flew for the first time, faster and faster, a dark streak through the sky heading toward the Ebony Oasis.

 

[Katsuya]

- Isa Bianchi -​

Isa froze when she patted his head, feeling that odd tug that’s at the center of his cranium as she lightly ruffled the sprout. He wondered once more as to why he felt that tug while resisting his urge to back away; he still didn’t like to be touched... But he patted her head first, so it’s fair that he stood still. When she was done, he gently smiled.

During their walk back to the dome, the redhead thought about Moss’ question and then snapped his fingers. Grinning. “I’m pretty sure there’s a Dias for that goliath. Just like how there’s a Dias for the four close to Barad Eithel. I can check in the dome’s Dias for the map in case it has it there too.” By the time Isa was gonna bath, he expected to see a barrel with water and a towel. Not a barrel with steaming water and wonderful scents. It made Isa relax just by the waft of the aroma and he melted. Touched by Moss’ care. He stayed in the bath a while longer than he thought he would bare to take. Letting his tense muscles loosen up by the warm water.

When he got out, Isa went up to Moss, gently held his cheeks, and pulled him down for a deep kiss. Then he left to his desk, bashful and giddy. Steaming red in his melty joy. He got the reply from his fiancé and from his gnome friend. “Alright, I shall wait until she does and thank ya, Love~” He purred at the end. To L,—“I’m sitting by a stone slab desk, right by the Windshear portal.”

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Barad Eithel -
"December 30, 600, Evening"​

Moss silently gasped watching Isa and Lia's exchange. 'You let someone touch you!' he pointed, mouthing quietly, and gave a supportive thumbs up looking glad and relieved Isa was becoming more comfortable around people.

On their way back, at the mention of the dais, Moss nodded and asked Isa if he could teach him how to read and use the dais more if he had time with all the things he has to do.

Later that night, Moss was absently humming to himself, sitting on his sleeping bag and applying a second layer of glue to Isa's hook poem, while his death worm steak sizzled above the cooking fire outside, when Isa suddenly kissed him.

He didn't care about the steaks and just let them burn, as he enthusiastically kissed him back. Isa left Moss as hot as his sizzling pan and Moss, with a wink, playfully told him he'll serve dessert when he returns.

Later, Isa would see a colorful streak drunkenly fly across the night sky towards him. And a very worn out but pleased looking Liliana landed down as the colorful salamander form melted away like a shadow down her small gnome form.

"Hullo, Isa." She waved, and shook her head almost like a dog going brrrrrr, and looked up at him more awake. "I forgot what we were going to talk about, but then I remembered!" She clapped her hands. "Come, follow me. I want to show you something. You know, when you were down there trying to fix the chamber I tried something with the well that sort of worked but didn't."

And she pulled out from her hair the small golden vault key. She was leading him towards the golden dome.

"And I have a request . . . Actually. Me and my friend have a request. Will you leave the freeing of Titan to me? You can teach me how, because . . . I need the well to help my friend. At least I think I do. Because I don't have any other leads other than what I'm about to show you."

She led him into the quiet grove where the well sat peacefully. There were a few drows here on guard, but they simply bowed at the two as if they were expecting them. "Will you please make the well arrange to show this symbol?" She showed him the vault key and Isa would see that she had reconfigured it. It was now showing the symbol of a circle with a dot in the center surrounded by eight smaller dots. "I saw this when it was still all unstable and the rings were spinning. One of the rings has this symbol and I think this key and that well are connected."

Katsuya

- Drow Camp -
"January 1, 601"​

The next day yielded better progress on the portal and the rune lines. Small islands of sand rose in the light of the dawn as the heat of the desert was finally starting to dry the shallow lake up. Clearing the debris was faster, and with the research Charon and Isa had done the previous day, the drows were well on their way to forging the missing pieces of the portal. Their spirits were high and the morning broke out with elven song.

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) [9/14]
Condition: 3 | Roleplay Points: 1

Χάρων ​

Bathing is some sort of panacea; Charon did not stir through the night and his heavy eyes parted reluctantly at the sound of choral singing. A sticky burning sensation itched at his them and his sinuses stung, the faint scent of pond-water wafted over his nose. His legs were splayed out and his bedding was wound between them in a chaotic lump of fabric. His body weighed a ton; the ground seemed to be pressing into him, his limbs were sluggish to respond to his wishes, his nose seemed to wish to slough off of his face, and the faint light filtering through the heavy tan fabric draped over his sleeping form prickled his vision. Even his hair was heavy, he could feel the bangs, lengthening all the time, they fell away from his forehead and hung toward the ground, tugging on his scalp. On account of the oil he applied the evening before, he did not need to worry about fixing a crescent ridge of hair which would have formed from him laying on his back for this few moments. The base of his tail was being crushed between his pelvis and the ground but frankly, the intense stretching feeling was tremendously comfortable. Seeking the same feeling for the rest of his body, Charon groggily grunted and reached up to rub his face with his hands and lean upward from the ground. From there he slumped forward, his eyes closing again to attempt to alleviate the stinging sensation, and dug his fingers into the ground to reach forward and began pulling himself into a stretch, grunting loudly while he did so. How sweet the feeling of stretching can be after sleeping like a log for Titan knows how long. He took several minutes to proceed in that manner, engaging in all kinds of weird lizard-yoga until he finally emerged with a slow and lucid air, smelling not of a reptile cage but of cinnamon and coffee to face the music, so to speak.

He went straight from his tent to the portal. His clothing, though the same set he was wearing the day before, was far fresher than they had been since Lysanthir met him. His skin was no longer tinged with dirt and grime, now a more natural tan color, and his scales were a clear sage green color. Though his hair remained its weirdly wavy qualities, it was glossy with oil rather than grease and caught the light in a more flattering manner. It was certainly an improvement of presentation, but somehow his mien was more reserved as well. His face was relaxed and demure, and no intense expressions befell it. He stopped near the portal to survey what he missed since the morning. Still, his face seemed a little droopy from the night's sleep.

 

[Katsuya]

- Isa Bianchi -​

Crookedly smiling, Isa licked his lips. “I’m excited~” What sort of treat will Moss make tonight?! His stomach is grumbling at the thought of possiblilities. He was still a bit miffed of the templar guy eating Moss‘ food before (and he silently gushed that the merman was making it for him~), but now he is feeling better. Still hungry but happy.

Later, Isa hadn’t looked up to see the drunken movements of a flying salamander but he did cover his eyes with an arm as dusty sand gusted to his face. Hearing a heavy thud on the ground and familiar voice piped up- ah. Indigo eyes looked up at L with a slight deadpan, watching her change forms; she can see a bit of sand on his head and the sprout that he has yet noticed was going on his head. Then he grinned and waved. “Hiya, L~”

Small group chats aside, it’s been a while since they had a one to one chat. Then again, he couldn’t exactly ask her questions either without anyone else hearing them talk about certain things. Listening to her talk, he stood up from his usual spot and followed her. Just hearing her out. He raised a high brow at her, frowning. “Um. That’s the thing, L. It won’t be easy. To release Titan from the well, ya need the same power levels as an Ancient . . . And I was thinking to ask Loki if he could help after I fix his portal.” Unless her ‘friend’ happens to be an ancient as well, he doubted that she could undo Titan’s seal.

As they walked towards the grove, the little sprout on his head stood alert with it’s chubby leaves flapping about noiselessly. Isa nodded back at the drows who stood guard before looking down at L. Thoughts whirling once more as he stared at her drawing quietly. Then he looked at her. “Just answer me two things, Lili.” He was curious, taking a step into the manna-filled space Titan ruled. Shuddering as he felt that weird but familiar sensation of growing worms wiggling under his skin; moss and leaves slowly grew on his skin once more. Seems like Titan recognized him. What Isa didn’t know is that the little sprout popped a gently glowing little orb in a form of a dandelion.

”What is it exactly that you are hoping for with the engine blade? And your friend . . . He’s here, isn’t he?” He asked calmly, turning around to face his friend. Pocketing his gloved hands.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Barad Eithel -
"December 30, 600, Evening"​

"I'm hoping the well and this will lead me where to go next. " She worded carefully, cradling the vault key. " I've been thinking, Theosebia can't have been the vault if one needed this key and she was after it too . . . I want . . . I want to know . . . how to make a body and put a soul in there. And that's my friend's soul . . . one of my dearest friends. He's . . . both here and not. Um . . . Isa? Don't be alarmed, okay? He . . . He's in me." And Liliana blinked.

But instead of bright big blue eyes looking up at Isa, quiet uncertain green eyes peeked at him. "She . . . she shoved me out." said the voice of a young man. "Hellooooooo." the stranger in her eyes waved nervously, but genially. "I'm Larc, we've sort of met, but haven't! I share all that Lili experiences!"

Katsuya

- Drow Camp -
"January 2, 601"​

There was a great shadow over the camp, and looking up they'd see the underbelly of one of those gigantic mechanical spiders just squatting directly over the center of the camp. Below it about six different mechanical spiders crowded around the portal, four holding in place the rings of the 'sun', while two were slowly and delicately welding them in place at the direction of the sleepy, but pleased looking elder mages.

There were more guards too, and even Lysanthir today was sporting make-shift mismatched armor. All around the drow forges were belching smoke as smiths forged weapons. Apart from the portal, there was preparation for a fight. And there was word that the oncoming Templar army may mean trouble for the drows.

But their progress was moving fast. With Charon's help they were able to connect the rune line to the portal, and the next day, with a crowd of gathered drows, they all watched as with a surge of cackling magic followed by a turn of rings, a swirling black space of nothingess opened within the sun.

It was working.

Now what was left was finding out of it opened to the right place.

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) [14/14]
Condition: 3 | Roleplay Points: 1

Χάρων ​

A feeling of relief washed over him when signs of life appeared in the machine. He could only really stare at it when it began operating. Such a curious machine, what does the blackness mean? Though the rune lines -- the only component of the machine he could understand -- should hold for a while barring sudden interference, he felt an impatience while watching the machine work. As though it could blink off at any moment and condemn him and those around them to the Templar force heading in their direction. Wasting little time, he strode to Lysanthir and suggested, "I shall go first," with an impatience gleaming in his eyes, "I will send a message if several creatures attempt to blow me up," he continued, turning his head to the side and turning his palms slightly toward the drow in a posture eagerly awaiting his response.

 

[Katsuya]

- Isa Bianchi -​

Isa silently listened to her words before raising a brow. Don’t be alarmed? He’s in her? Then he blinked owlishly as he watched her eyes changed colors; bright sky blues to vivid emerald greens. She seemed confused . . . Oh. He seemed confused.

He couldn’t hold back his amused grin nor stop his snort. The redhead wanted to laugh. “Of course, she’d shoved ya out.” Isa replied, chuckling. “Nice to finally meet ya, Larc.” He is the real ‘L’, isn’t he? All those odd times, the handwriting switches, the detailed plans, that moment of her eye color changing. Eyes don’t usually change colors unless a spell involved and he never saw a hint of manna strings whenever he noticed the tiny changes.

“I’m Isa and I’m glad that ya are there for each other-despite the odd circumstances. I won’t tell anyone else.” Isa simply replied as he barely stretched out a gloved hand. As if he wanted to handshake, but the redhead hesitated. His anxiety over touch came again and the redhead sighed out, changing his hand’s position to a wave of sorts. His grin stretched to a mischievous one; as usual, hiding his hesitation by acting casual. He really couldn’t get over his other fear, could he? Of being pulled and knifed-

The redhead took a step back, toes pointed towards the well as he grinned at Larc. “Let me know if ya need help with something too.” Then he walked towards the well, quietly talking to the trees and plant life as he rotated the well’s rings manually; the well is stable enough. Less pain for Titan too. “Don’t worry, we’ll have ya out in no time.” Isa mumbled to Titan’s tree, hearing a slight rustle from the red leaves above as he moved the last ring. Making it form into a circle with a dot in the middle. After that, he gently patted the bark comfortingly, silently giving his prayer to the tormented Ancient before walking back out of the manna-filled area. He blinked a few times as he felt the wiggling worms stopped wiggling before bidding Larc and Liliana a goodnight. Obviously excited about Moss’ dinner and dessert; They can hear him humming about having sweet delights with his beau. He had asked for his books back once Lysander was done with them, wanting to hide them under an illusion or put them somewhere that the Templars wouldn’t be able to see. As much as he wanted to burn them, Isa wanted to keep them; only burning the parts that he didn’t need like what he deemed too dangerous for others to know.

That next morning, Isa can be found near Loki’s portal. Mapping put the rest of the portal’s missing or broken gears. As much as this portal wasn’t in bad shape, the redhead couldn’t be too sure. He had to double check-triple check if the gears and pipes were in good condition to function. There are moments that he would peek at the crowd; excited to see them be happy after a long time away from their homes. Though he tilted his head when he saw Charon speak with Lysander about something, not that he would be able to hear them being far away. Then he returned to his project; have Loki’s portal working again.

Zer0 Sisyphus Happy

 

[Zer0]

- Barad Eithel -
"January 01, 600"​

"O-okay! Thank you, Isa, glad that you're not weirded out by this." said Larc, watching him work.

As Isa moved the rings, eight miniature gates rose from within the well, and from the center, the largest forest-green soul shard he's ever seen. It felt like countless sunrises, as though if it broke, the ancient spirit within would bring forth the morning, and with it a changed world. Yet there was a dangerous heaviness in it, like all souls trapped within soul stones, the sunrise within rose to screaming rage, great, careless, and terrible like an erupting volcano. Yet for all its anger, it was helpless, beating noiselessly against its prison.

Yet when Isa patted that bark, he felt it try to listen. Stop for a moment and see if finally, finally it was going to be set free.

"Wow . . . " Larc's green eyes glimmered, moving his hand across the rim of the well. He looked sadly at the soul shard and touched it. "I'm sorry, but allow me to do this for myself, then we'll set you free."

Isa felt it rage again. Relentless. Like a neverending storm, but the Ancient could not choose.

"We'll figure out what this does tomorrow." said Larc, and Isa saw his sad eyes harden at the Ancient's plight as he resolved himself to do what he and Liliana had set out to do from the very beginning. "Thank you for helping us, Isa."

Later that night, since the death worm steaks got burned, Moss served Isa red dates quail soup with black sesame. At the mention of dessert, Moss suavely smiled saying he meant a different kind of dessert, and trailed his fingers up Isa's arm. Needless to say, that night he did have sweet delights with his beau.

The next day, after Moss pulled him in again for a few sweet minutes after breakfast, Isa received a ley message from Liliana.

'Isa? Uh, will you please come here, the well ate the vault key and turned into a floating giant vault key by itself.'

​

Katsuya

- Drow Camp -
"January 2, 601"​

Lysanthir was surprised. "Master Charon, no." he looked at him evenly. "Granted your prowess surpasses mine, but this is not your fight and you have helped us. We do not want you blown up."

He straightened. "As steward it is my duty to go first." He looked at the swirling black maw steadily, though his hands were turning a pale purple. And before it looked like his courage was going to fail him, he quickly called someone in his native tongue, and a drow came forward with a winter fur cloak and other clothes for the cold.

Though there were no guards or any obstacle really that was currently blocking Charon's path to the portal.

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) [14/14]
Condition: 3 | Roleplay Points: 1

Χάρων ​

Charon looked away and bit his lower lip before turning back, somewhat irritated -- no, unsettled, "h-hold on just a minute then," he requested, holding up both his hands pleadingly before turning tail (literally) to run back to his tent, a little gloomy cavern, and throw aside the thick blanket covering his pile of junk scavenged from these old ruins. Clumsily reaching forward, the sound of wood tumbling against wood and some chitinous material clattering around resounded around his tent and backed out of it tail-first with a bundle of black, ugly sticks hugged in his grasp. In his two fists, a bottle and a stick. Holding all of these, he trotted through the camp carefully, nearly falling over with the sticks in his hand, but returned to Lysanthir in double-time. He leaned forward toward a nearby drow with the wand and the potion and gingerly pressed the staves against his body while regarding Lysanthir, somewhat winded, though the run was short. Such is the life of a mage.

"I, ahem," he began, his voice cracking a little, "shall ask you to address four things. One, when I alighted upon his beautiful city, I brought with me only four things. My peace, my honor, my dignity, and my boat. If I leave here today in pursuit of other goals, even nobler ones, if they exist, I shall have left with one fourth of what I arrived with. The second point is that this war is not only your fight. These creatures are -- were guided by an ancient intellect with a purpose unknown, to me, anyway. They have such capabilities as I have not seen or heard of from any army marching across this land. They might have invaded Flamward bleeding keep, but they went to Windshear. They long for something there and may have already found it; someone must discover what piece of the puzzle rests there. It could be you, but I should want to help," he explained, at this point leaning down a little bit and bracing the bundle of ugly, alien staves with his hands, he set them down and held them upright, regarding Lysanthir with something like stubbornness, "and I should want to help because of my third point. You are so incredibly noble, all of you, I fear that if you encounter an enemy with insufficient spine to conduct itself respectably in a conflict, a deadly coward's plot may befall you; I died only two or three days ago because of a horrid gas which turned all of us, me and the soldiers I was leading, against each other. He lifted up his tunic on the left side where an ugly scar, a puckered ring like the mouth of a volcano nearly three quarters of an inch in diameter, "this is the bullet of a templar who was near in proximity to me. He had just finished scattering his friend's brains amongst the rubble. I fear that if I were not part monster, you might have had to fix the manna conduits on your own. I will not even insinuate that the Drow are incapable of handling themselves in equal measure cunning and force, only that even one more fighter with a strong connection to manna might make the difference between a close victory and an utter disaster. My fourth point," at that point he lowered his voice and stepped nearer to Lysanthir, "is that I have helped you, indeed, but I should be strung up to four," he paused and looked behind him at his tail, "five horses and pulled apart for what I've done," he paused and stared at the Drow's eyes, unwavering, "I feel as though I ought to shed blood for the camp," though this last one seemed less vehement. With that, he stepped back and looked at the ground for a moment before blinking and gesturing the staves toward a nearby dark elf, saying, "if you have any desire to touch a weapon made by the enemy, this serve to empower users of manna."

Directly after which he added, "oh, and a fifth lesser point is that I will miss you and you all," he added, shrugging, mumbling, "where is my dog?" and looking around.

 

[Katsuya]

- Isa Bianchi -​

Most things wouldn’t shock him, not that easily. For goodness’ sake, his own mother’s soul stone was part of Manuel’s grimore and that hadn’t phased him; he expected it, to be fair. Same with Larc hiding inside of Liliana. “I serve Ancient Loki.” He started, grinning proudly. “If this surprised me, I wouldn’t been able to comprehend the odds of this realm and the next.”

As he finished rotating the last ring, he watched eight little gates rise up, pushing the largest soul stone he has ever seen. “So . . . Green.” Isa hadn’t stopped patting Titan’s bark, understanding that heavy anger the soul stone exudes and not being able to do anything. Trapped to just watch as the people around you flounder, he couldn’t help but see himself in this situation. When he couldn’t express anger while cursed, destined to change into a demon, had Moss not been there months ago. He prayed, listening to Larc’s words.

“You’re welcome.” Isa replied quietly before taking a deep breathe and left. The little sprout on his head started to dull it’s light, barely visible by the time he reached Moss. He didn’t mind that the steaks burned (because it was his own fault there . . . Whoops.), however the red date quill soup is delicious and he enjoyed himself to a second plate. Mid sip of his last slurp after asking about dessert, the redhead froze. Feeling his arm tingling as a pair of fingers lightly teased his overly sensitive skin. Indigo eyes slowly trailed to his side to see the merman smiling suavely. His cheeks hinted pink at the sight as he heard Moss’ dessert choice. That night, Isa immensely enjoyed desserts with Moss.

Isa woke up, being pulled for more sweet delights from Moss. He liked this, he like this a lot, and he showed it, leaving little bite marks here and there. A few minutes in, suddenly he received a leyline message from Liliana. He groaned in slight annoyance before it switched to happiness as Moss kissed him. Would Liliana be annoyed from him not coming in a few more minutes? Probably. Plus he didn’t want her to come in their tent. It was starting to be hard, resisting Moss is getting hard for the redhead. He wanted to wait- After a looooong minute of delights, Isa flipped Moss and lightly pecked him. Grinning excitedly. Moss can see that Isa is slowly waning. “I’ll b-be back, Love~” He kissed him in a daze and left, hurriedly putting on his favorite shirt with the funny sassy quote. His hair is a mess, not that he cared. Several red marks left on his pale neck, not that he noticed.

That’s when he saw what Liliana was talking about, blinking owlishly. He stood next to her, pocketing his gloved hands. “Oh . . . Wow. Uhh. Should I even try to twist this around like before?” He asked.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Windshear Portal -
"January 2, 601"​

After listening to Charon, Lysanthir looked off at the portal before he sighed. He gave an order to the drow who brought him the winter clothes, then the servant ran off, and then returned with a piece of meat on hand a bounding Nava following him. The servant had another fur cloak tucked under his arm, which he presented to Charon.

"If this will help you regain your peace, honor, and dignity, very well." said Lysanthir. "But Master Charon, know that at least to me and many of us here," he glanced at the elders, "you have done enough and I feel no ill will towards you."

And when they were ready to go, Lysanthir had the drows line up around the portal in battle formation. Ready to charge or defend or shut it down if need be. Then he looked at Charon and nodded. "Let's go."

It was like stepping into a curtain of whipping cold. A momentary darkness, and then all their vision was white and snow, black rock mountains jutting outwards into the sky. And before them . . . numerous mounds under a heavy snow fall. There was frosted wreckage all around, and the glint of metal from many fallen spears. The wind shifted, carrying with it the metallic scent of blood and a familiar putrid smoke. As far as the two could see, not a soul moved in the freezing misty morning.

Sisyphus Happy

- Barad Eithel -
"January 1, 600"​

The next morning, still all stretchy comfy like a cat from Isa's love bites, happy teal eyes looked up at his slight groan of annoyance in the cool dim comfort of their tent. "What's wrong?" murmured Moss, concerned.

When Isa told him he received a message from Liliana and that he didn't want to stop but has to, a gentle hand soothingly caressed Isa's ear, fingers threading through his hair. Moss' warm weight shifted on Isa's belly, as his sweet yearning affections trailed up his neck and then kissed the worries of his responsibilities away. Just for a while. Soft lips brushing across his, a blur of eye lashes and the comforting scents of smoke, cooking spices, and citrus, creating a quiet safe place for Isa to rest and gather his strength for the day.

And then he was suddenly flipped. A flushed Moss looked up at Isa, still dazed from having their fill of each other. "Alright." He cupped his cheek and quickly kissed him back, expressing his reassurance and just a failed hidden hint of I-don't-want-you-to-go-too. "I'll go to Mrs. Kettlewhistle's this morning and then start helping you look for the portal pieces. Be safe with Liliana, luprisca!" and he hugged him one last time.

Later in the dome, Liliana was gazing all awe-struck at the giant floating orb accompanied by one of the elder drows, one with a darker violet skin than most who sported an elaborate tattoo of a spider on of his arm. She seemed to be trying to reassure him in their native tongue that everything was alright.

"Hello, Isa!" she waved. "Ummmm, I don't know? There is this blue light, like a window slit on this part?" the drow stood aside and just watched the two with quiet polite interest, as Liliana walked over to the dais where there was a stool, and she stood on it, looking up at the starry illusory controls. "New stars came out. Can you read them?"

Isa would see that eight new runes appeared: Aqranilor, Breveus, Eprotosh, Oxilune, Sanctum, Stroxea, Theosebia, Zosimos.

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) [14/14]
Condition: 3 | Roleplay Points: 2

Χάρων ​

An apologetic expression pressed into Charon's cheeks, carried in a tight smile, when he heard Lysanthir's sigh. Reflecting for a moment on what he just did, in front of so many people, a sense of vertigo covered him while the servant arrived and returned. With a winter coat; he winced at the thought of cold, but he took it and threw it on, glancing down at Nava with a bit of worry. Her fur should be sufficient for at least a few hours, perhaps he would fashion a set of winter clothing for her. He looked up to Lysanthir's voice and a look of concern supplanted that of apology. Is this selfish now? Is it starting to consume him? These thoughts and more were cut off when Lysanthir gave the order to line up. His emerald eyes lifted to the mirror of black before them. It seemed so peaceful. What would it feel like? It looks like stepping into nothing.

The drow nodded toward him, he turned dumbly, his mouth a little open, his eyebrows knit together. His lips formed the "wh" syllable but he already heard the shifting of metal and clothing behind him. At the very front, he would not become an obstacle. In his mind, he would have been the probe to make sure that the portal was not trapped or made for ambush but there were so many -- darkness. It puzzled him retroactively, standing in a field of white crystal powder and mighty sugared basalt, that the black pool like perfect glass could feel so battering. He inhaled and winced instantly, the cold stinging his nose and mouth, his lungs burned a little. With a full-body cringe, he wiggled his toes in the constricting boots provided to him and drew the heavy cloak closer around him. He reached down and threw a lip of the cloak over Nava's shoulders, sharing its bottom portion with the poor desert-dwelling creature. Instantly, snot began running from his nose from the temperature shock. His pale hands were red and his forehead was also looking rather rosy.

He sighed weakly, closing his eyes to the wind. Slowly, he opened them while his body adjusted (poorly) to the sudden change in temperature. His tail tucked rather literally between his legs. A forest of hafts came into focus. The ground, unnaturally uneven and battered with snow and wind, lumpy and suggestive of death and battle, became an immediate concern from him. So many hiding spots. With gently chattering teeth, he grunted and tossed his cloak over Nava, fumbling over several ties while shivering gently in the cutting wind.

"Whhhh... w-wait a m-moment, I can get an aerial view if you think it is worth revealing that we've arrived," he suggested to Lysanthir, raising his voice just over the wind.

 

[Katsuya]

- Isa Bianchi -​

Isa is secretly happy that he wasn’t the only one who just wanted the world to just stop moving. He hugged Moss tighter, squeezing him until he felt like he could handle the day again. Was it strange that he wanted the day to pause? Just be still? Well, it shouldn’t be.

The redhead tilted his head as he slightly bends over, hovering above the Dias to read the stars. Liliana can see his eyes flashing recognition before he looked at her. Frowning. “Aqranilor, Breveus, Eprotosh, Oxilune, Sanctum, Stroxea, Theosebia, Zosimos. These are names.” Curious how their names are written here. Once again, Isa‘s mind whirled at the implications. The vault key, how Theosebia is looking for it desperately, how there was a something that he couldn’t remember what it was but he remembered it was called ‘Uroburos’.

“I swear it’s like Uroburos is Zomisos and Theosebia was separated from him as punishment from the Ancients.” Isa commented lightly, his tone is dry as he was about to cross his arms. He almost wanted to poke a rune-

Welp, he just poked a rune. The one for Zosimos.

Of course, he did.

Zer0