Vin_Da_DM: Previously on Warriors of Destiny: As the Warriors continued their respite at the small lake-side village personal issues were brought to light. Cara also awoke with pain from her encounter with the Knights.
Vin_Da_DM: Sent into a void by an unknown red-skinned man Cara waited in the darkness for the Moonlight Key to call out. Luna responded to its call and as a result completed the summons, pulling Cara into the godly realm.
Vin_Da_DM: Along with Cara�s return an unexpected guest, Drac, thought lost, was resurrected by Shadow in an impromptu ritual. With the help of a mysterious elf Cara�s injuries were healed and the Warriors had to deal with their mixed feelings about her and her actions.
Vin_Da_DM: Also brought to light were the events surrounding Katie�s �death� and Tabris� role in killing her. Tabris, having forgotten the event was forced to face it. Troubled by this, Katie and Tabris both sought out their own ways of dealing with this issue.
Vin_Da_DM: *Time passed: A few hours*
Vin_Da_DM: The dawn begins to creep over the horizon, pushing the dark of night back into the west. The sky is a dark blue hue that begins to lighten ever so slightly. Most of the villagers are still in their homes, but a few can be heard milling about.
Vin_Da_DM: $ Start
Valrash looks at DracBlue and stops. �A Lightling here?�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse breathes heavily and lays down next to Luna, pulling half of the thin blanket with him, �I now declare you redeemed before the eyes of the gods.�
DracBlue looks at Valrash like he�s totally unimportant and continues looking for Cara.
Kyra sits up in bed and looks at Katie, who is finally sleeping soundly after a rough night of nightmares. �You�ve gotta overcome this, Kat�.� she whispers in the semi-dark
Tabris: Drained of most of his energy Tabris looks at the rut ripped into the ground because of his powers. Shifting a gaze to Claron sleeping with her head on his lap he smiles and brushes her hair out of her face, �My hero��
Luna_Faline rolls over panting, �Hmmmmm, I�m not sure, my toes still feel....dirty,� smiling mischievously.
Shadow sets down the mug he was drinking from as the next opponent at the table falls over in a drunken splunder and cheers, �Who�s next.�
^Shinta sits lakeside silently pondering the things he has seen recently.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse smirks, burrowing under the sheet he pops out at the end of the bed next to her feet. �I believe your right...perhaps a good bath is in order.�
Cara tosses and turns in her bed, calling out. �Nooo, Kabal! It is I that lost you. How could we have been so wrong? What if it�s too late to redeem myself in our father�s eyes?�
Vin_Da_DM: Taking the seat opposite Shadow, Syne smirks. �I might as well have a go at you, shorty.�
Valrash smiles as he makes Cara�s dream even worse.
Luna_Faline squeals as Eclipse grabs her again, and buries her head in a pillow to avoid waking up the rest of the Inn again.
Shadow looks at Syne, �You know, we�ll be at this for days and I�ve already seen you out drink me�which is saying a lot... how do you do it?� He chuckles and orders another round.
Vin_Da_DM: Valrash feels cold steel pressed against his throat, Stryder narrows his eyes and he holds his dagger close to his throat. �Leave her alone��
Clarice bolts up from the chair that she spent the night in next to Cara�s bed and rushes towards Cara, �Shhh, lil one...it�s just a dream�� as she gently strokes Cara�s hair.
Valrash looks at Stryder as the cold steel melts and smiles and walks away.
Claron�s eyes flutter open as she feels Tabris touch, �It is YOU that is my hero, my love.�
Kyra tiptoes to Katie�s bed, and pulls the covers back up over her, thinking to take a morning walk. Katie surprises her by lunging up at her and grabbing her by the throat. �Katie!� she squawks feebly.
Katie�s eyes look wild for a moment, before she relaxes and releases Kyra. �Oh Goddess�I�.� Katie begins to shake. �You should keep your distance from me, evidently. I seem to do you more harm than good. Perhaps you should find another roomie.�
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder watches Valrash leave, then mutters to himself, �Next time perhaps your own nightmares should be played with��
Tabris: �On the contrary...you have rescued me more times than I you,� Tabris watches Claron with a soft glance, almost the opposite look he had only hours ago.
Kyra rubs her throat. �My fault,� she whispers hoarsely, �I shouldn�t have snuck up on you. I think I�m going to go for a walk. You gonna be okay?� At Katie�s brief nod, she turns and walks out of the room.
Vin_Da_DM: Leaning back in his chair Syne watches Shadow order, �It may be due to the fact that I have no humanoid organs to poison with alcohol and that my body can absorb 75% of what I ingest...but you never know.�
Claron reaches up and gently runs her fingertips along Tabris� cheek and his jaw line,� I do believe we are even on that score��
Shadow chuckles, �Cheater. Well�anyway, I haven�t got a chance to know you yet, lad,� and continues in idle chat while drinking.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder shimmers into Cara's room next to Clarice. Looking at Clarice he talks softly, �How is she doing since her healing?�
Katie sits on the edge of her bed, absorbed in the waking nightmare that has become her life. She sighs and dresses quickly, braiding her hair and staring at her reflection morosely. �Poison,� she whispers softly.
Vin_Da_DM: �20 questions, eh? A fun game to play with humanoids�� Syne dips a hand into the bowl of fried slices of a potato-like veggies, �What would you like to know?�
Shadow sighs, �Where ye ever married, lad?� grabs a leg of meat.
Cara seems to calm down, a tear appears in the corner of her eye and glides down her cheek.
Vin_Da_DM: �Well, a few more times of saving you and I�m willing to call it even,� Tabris rests his hand gently over Claron�s and draws it out to kiss each of her fingertips, �I don�t know where I�d be without you, Claron..�
Valrash smiles and walks along and walks into the forest to be alone.
Kyra picks up some fruit from the dining area, and heads outside, inhaling deeply of the clean morning air, slight smudges beginning to form around her throat.
Clarice brushes the tear away then glances at Stryder, � She seems to be wrestling with her own demons.�
DracBlue after having no luck spotting Cara outside, goes inside and sits down at the other end of the bar away from the dwarf and orders a glass of water.
Kyra hugs herself, smiling as she remembers Stryder�s words from the night before, then winces when she thinks about Cara.
Vin_Da_DM: �Interesting question...but no. I have been to a couple though, one I even got to see the marriage, honeymoon and divorce all within a half-hour,� Syne chuckles, �And you? Got a short woman?�
Luna_Faline lays back exhausted and satisfied, purring loudly as I stroke Eclipse�s spines slowly. �No one understands me like you do.�
Claron�s eyes show signs of tears glistening, �The feeling is mutual, my love....I would be lost without you.�
Katie makes her bed, then lays back down on it, staring at the ceiling, debating hiding in this room forever.
Vin_Da_DM: �Well...almost no one,� Eclipse gazes at Luna, his eyes meeting hers.
Shadow frowns as he hears the question and pulls out a picture from his armor and hands it to Syne, �Had one, lad. Long dead by now, I�m guessing.�
Clarice looks down at the now resting Cara then glances back at Stryder, �Any sign of her father?�
Vin_Da_DM: �Then I hope she�ll win,� Stryder glances to Cara then turns, �No...but I�d bet he�s dealing with a few demons of his own.� Giving Clarice a nod he shimmers out of the room.
Luna_Faline raises a brow, �Who do you have in mind?� wondering what Eclipse means.
Tabris grins at Claron with a loving smile, looking up at the destruction again he sighs, �Made quite a mess didn�t I��
Clarice watches as Stryder shimmers away, then whispers, �I hope he conquers them soon.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Several life-times, surely there were others,� Eclipse looks at Luna questioningly, �And save that, Selenia understands us all.�
Kyra sprawls out on the grass, watching the lake shimmer in the early morning light, sighing. �What a muddle I�ve made of things.� She takes a nibble at the fruit in her hand.
Claron nods her head as she looks at the destroyed trees and deep holes in the ground,. �Afraid so��
Kyra: �No, Kyn, I wouldn�t take back what I told him. I meant every word.� Kyra shakes her head. �I guess we�ll just have to see where things go, huh?�
Vin_Da_DM: Syne looks at the picture with a tilting gaze, then hands it back to Shadow, �Maybe, any kids? You could have some relatives running around out there.�
Luna_Faline sighs. �I suppose so, although I don�t really remember anyone that understood me like you do. And I wasn�t really thinking about her that way,� chuckles lightly and kisses Eclipse softly.
^Shinta stands slowly looking around.
Shadow smiles as if proud, �Ten best in my clan. And you? Any little ones running about?�
Vin_Da_DM: �How�s Kyn doing?� Stryder says as he walks towards Kyra slowly, taking a breath of the morning air.
�Poor miserable little McKinnon. Taking to hiding, now, have we? Tsk, tsk, tsk� the voice intrudes. �Not very becoming. But trying to kill the little girl? Priceless. I�m so proud.� Katie shudders, squeezing her eyes shut.
Kyra jumps to her feet. �Oh my goodness! You scared me.� She smiles shyly, �Good morning.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse smiles at Luna, �Well, I hope we don�t run across any former lovers then.�
DracBlue heads up to the washroom and hums a calming melody as he passes the rooms and washes the smell of lake water from him and grooms himself.
Luna_Faline turns a bright shade of rose red, �I don�t think there is any chance of that. The last one was several incarnations ago.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Sorry...Sis always said I was good at it,� Stryder smirks, �Looks to be a good morning, but with us, you never know.�
Vin_Da_DM: Smirking Eclipse rests his head against the pillow, �Then I hope none are as long lived as I. Any moment now that obnoxious animal will sound the morning light.�
Luna_Faline giggles, �Maybe someone served him up in a nice soup last night,� moving to lay her head on his chest.
Clarice settles back in the chair next to Cara�s bed, her thoughts lingering on her missing drow and feeling deep in her heart that it was probably a good thing Tewyn did not see the shape his daughter returned back in.
Vin_Da_DM: �Hah, more trouble than it�s worth,� Syne chuckles again, taking a swig from the large mug of ale, ��Little ones� would require another of my kind...which I haven�t seen in ages, and the last one was male anyway.�
Shadow shakes his head, �Now there is where I disagree with you. They�re worth every second of your life. Its a rewarding experience, lad. Maybe you should try,� chuckles, �Well, can I ask what are you that is so rare?�
Vin_Da_DM: �Doubtable...if he tastes the way he sounds, I doubt he�ll be soup anytime soon,� Eclipse shifts his gaze towards the window, watching the increasing brightness in the sky, his spines perk for a moment. �So, how about that bath, I don�t hear anybody in the wash.�
Luna_Faline smiles and crawls across him to get out of bed. �That sounds like a good idea.�
Tewyn finds himself miles away from anywhere now. �Are you going to keep running, Sion? Got to let someone in at some point,� slamming his hand into the ground causing a small tremor.
Vin_Da_DM: �Shapeshifters, easier to say,� Syne smirks a bit, �Had someone ask for the real name once, wish he would have said high pitches made him pass out.� Chuckling he looks at Shadow, �And to have offspring with anything besides my own, I�d have to undergo the change.�
Vin_Da_DM: A flock of birds fly from the trees surrounding Tewyn, tweeting their objections as they go.
Tewyn narrows his eyes towards the birds, but thinks better of doing anything.
DracBlue finishes washing, gets dressed and keeps humming as he walks downstairs. He starts singing in a different language and what sounds like a dark twisting opera.
Shadow asks, �And what change might that be?� finishes a leg of meat and sets it on the plate.
Tewyn turns back toward the village, �She has to be worried by now, guess I better make an appearance,� heading back from the direction which he came.
Valrash laughs loudly as he thinks of what he will do to Cara next.
Vin_Da_DM: �Well, to do away with overly descriptive details,� Syne leans back again taking another swig, �I basically pick a form, then commit my bio mass to replicating it permanently.�
Luna_Faline grabs my dress and races out the door to the bathing room next door. �I hope there is enough hot water.�
Cara: A smile forms on Cara�s face as she dreams of Stryder forgiving and declaring his love for her.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse grabs up his clothing and races after Luna to the washroom. Pulling the heavy floor-length curtain aside he steps in with Luna. Eying the large oval shaped tub he smiles at her, �Big enough for two, how about that.�
Shadow looks at Syne, �Well. That�s interesting. And if believe we are on question 5, do you care to ask one?�
Luna_Faline: Laughing, reaches in and turns the cold shower on Eclipse. �Yea, how bout that?�
Vin_Da_DM: Syne raises a brow, �Hmm...haven�t thought about that. Any special powers? Seems our little walking sideshow has a bit of everything.�
Shadow looks at Syne, �Yes, I suppose you can call it a power. I had two gems. One showed you your worst fear, the other your most happy moment.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse�s spines smooth flat against his head, flexing a bit he blows a kiss at her before pulling her under it, �Cold, don�t you think?�
Clarice notices the smile on Cara�s face, wonders what caused it, and is relieved that Cara is no longer screaming out as she did most of the night.
Vin_Da_DM: �Interesting...bet those are fun to play with,� Syne turns one of the veggie-chips around with his fingers, �Speaking of our sideshow...when are we getting the show on the road?�
Tewyn terra surfs his way ahead to get back to the village quickly.
Shadow looks at Syne, �Dunno. But if I force someone to look into it they are stuck there until I pull the gem away.�
Luna_Faline screams and bites Eclipse�s arm as she goes under the cold water.
Shadow sets a white cloudy gem on the table. �The other one broke and apparently DracBlue came out of it. The one that shows your worst fear that is.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse frowns at Luna, �Good thing I have sturdy hide,� rubbing his hand through her fur he musses it up.
Claron�s stomach makes a loud rumbling sound, �Tab, you feeling up to returning back to the inn?�
Vin_Da_DM: �So, this one is the happy thoughts gem?� Syne leans closer to the gem and gives it a glances, �Think real hard and I�ll fly?�
Luna_Faline sobers and releases his arm smiling, �If you didn�t, I�d take care of it,� kissing the place I bit. Purring as the water begins to warm up, �You didn�t complain about it last night,� reaching for a lump of soap.
Shadow just touches the gem and Syne is sent into his most exotic, wild and happiest moment.
Tewyn stops when he sees Shinta by the lake. �Didn�t think I�d be seeing you alone this early in the morning,� walking over to him.
Tabris: �Hungry again,� Tabris chuckles lightly, �If I didn�t know any better, I�d think you were eating for two again.�
Shadow takes his hand away stopping it.
Clarice feels her eyelids grow heavy as she sits next to the bed. Forcing them back open she reprimands herself, �Don�t fall asleep, Cara may need you,� she yawns.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne perks a brow then smirks at Shadow, �Very...very interesting.�
^Shinta stands silent for a moment ,�Huh...oh, you�re back...Yea, me and solitude go hand and hand now a days it seems.�
Shadow puts the gem back, �The other could trap a soul if you didn�t know what you were doing.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse laughs as he grabs Luna�s paw as it grabs the soap, �As I recall, neither did you.�
Tewyn: �Know that feeling well, but your interest could be missing you, as I�m hoping mine did.�
Claron giggles, �It wouldn�t be from the lack of trying, that�s for sure.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Sounds like a dangerous tool,� Syne twirls his mug and looks it in before drinking the last few drops, �Your question.�
Shadow: �Is there a priest in the party? Or a wise person as they call them.�
^Shinta shakes his head, �She has another to keep her interest it seems�I�m back to watching from afar. Maybe it is time to take up my travels again�I don�t know�Your�s on the other hand is worried by your daughter�s side.�
Tabris: Sliding off their sitting place, Tabris extends a hand to Claron, �Well then, shall we get you and your bottomless pit of a gut some food?�
Luna_Faline places a soapy paw on Eclipse�s chest, �I have no complaints where your concerned, Baby.�
Tewyn eyes widen, �She is here, now!?...Where?�
Vin_Da_DM: �Baby...that�s a new one from you,� Eclipse smiles as the soap rolls down his chest with the water, �We should think about heading to Aventine today, we�ve been here long enough.�
^Shinta points toward the village, �She just appeared earlier, seemed pretty banged up though.�
DracBlue sets a small carved sapphire figurine of the waitress on the counter, �As payment for the washroom use, Miss.�
Claron�s eyes light up as she takes Tabris� hand, �Excellent idea... hope they have more of those fruit muffins,� as the two of then head back towards the village.
Tewyn: �I...see, guess its time to check on them both.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Priest? As far as the divine goes, that�s Luna�s area. As far as wise...everybody has their own wisdom to add to the situations that arise,� Syne nods to Shadow, �But fighters and soldiers a plenty.�
Shadow looks at Syne, �I�m going to need a small glass of holy water and a troubled person.�
Tewyn starts walking slowly toward the village.
Tabris: �And this time, let�s put more in your stomach and less on your face,� Tabris chuckles at Claron.
Luna_Faline shrugs, �I kinda like the sound of it, Baby. But we could try some others out if you like?� running the soapy paws over his body quickly. �I think we should get going, too. But I think we should take the shortest, easiest way. Some of our group may not handle a long tedious journey very well.� Handing Eclipse the soap, �Your turn, sugar.�
Vin_Da_DM: Syne raises a brow, �Not sure if I want to know why��
Claron playfully slaps at Tabris, �But I thought you enjoyed how I looked with fruit all over my face.�
Kyra gives him a half smile. �Yeah. The day is still young. It could get ugly in a heartbeat.� She sighs again. �How�s Cara? Have you seen her?�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse soaps up Luna�s fur with a playful swirl between her endowments, �Sugar, I like that one.�
^Shinta watches Tewyn walk away then turns his eyes back toward the water.
DracBlue asks the waitress if she has seen this person and he pulls out a carving of Cara.
Valrash walks back to town and sits down in the inn.
Vin_Da_DM: �Resting, but having some inner-struggle still,� Stryder sighs a bit and looks across the land and lake, �I wonder if we�ll be moving on today.�
Kyra: �I�kinda don�t want to, now. It�s so beautiful. And there�s some good
memories�.� Kyra�s voice trails off as she looks at the lake/
Shadow stands up, �And I know where I may get it. I�ll be back here in a bit, my new friend. Then we will finish our little game of twenty questions.�
Luna_Faline giggles, �That kinda tickles, sugar.�
Vin_Da_DM: The waitress looks at the figures, then studies the one of Cara, �Upstairs with her Aunt, I believe.�
Shadow walks out to the lake and takes off the armor at the edge of the lake and swims across gets on the temple dries off and walks up to the top floor and looks for the wise man holding an empty flask.
^Shinta watches a naked dwarf swim.
Katie gets up off the bed with a sigh. �Dammit! Go away! Don�t you think I know what I am?!�
Tewyn enters the village and looks around.
DracBlue thanks the waitress, walks upstairs and with dumb luck knocks on Cara�s door.
Vin_Da_DM: Shadow doesn�t find Rukil in his small room, but hears noises outside on the balcony that is hidden behind the goddess� statue.
Shadow speaks up, �Rukil, you here?�
Clarice jerks her head back upright as she feels it dropping towards her chest and forcing her eyes open wide.
Katie: �Ah such inner turmoil. You suffer so pitifully, don�t you? You begin to realize that they will all begin to turn their backs on you. No one wants you, little Katerina. No one.� Katie clamps her hands over her ears and begins wailing, slamming backward into the wall and sliding down it to sit on the floor.
Claron smiles happily as they enter the village, stopping suddenly as she catches sight of a very familiar looking Drow up ahead of them. �Are my eyes deceiving me? Is that our missing Drow?�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse watches the warm water as it flows it�s way down Luna�s fur to the drain hole in the floor. Shifting his gaze back up to Luna�s eyes he nods, �It was a while since I saw the maps, but there should be a small merchant�s road through the forest.�
DracBlue jumps back as he hears Katie wailing and the slam into the wall, he frowns. �She told me to go away�is she just confused or does she really want that?� he asks himself.
Vin_Da_DM: Shadow hears something fizz outside, followed by a small flash explosion. A few seconds of silence is followed by indistinct muttering out on the balcony.
Shadow slowly and cautiously gets closer, watching, but not letting himself be known.
Clarice: A knocking at the door suddenly registers, jumping up she moves towards the door and opens it.
Tabris: �Tall, dark...missing the slippers but it�s him," Tabris says after noticing Tewyn as well.
Tewyn walks around looking around at the people.
DracBlue looks at Clarice, �I need to speak to Cara.�
Claron waves her hand at Tewyn as she calls out his name, �Tewyn!�
Vin_Da_DM: Rukil sniffs the air, �Hmm...I smell like a dwarf again.� Shrugging to himself he goes back to pouring various vials into a large pot marked dish on a stone slab on the balcony.
Tewyn turns at the sound of his name.
Luna_Faline feels a deep warmth flow thru her that has nothing to do with the hot water as Eclipses eyes roam over her wet fur, �I was thinking about a shadow jump myself. But your right there is an old road that will do.�
Shadow walks out on the balcony, �You know when you smell something its usually there, right?�
Clarice shakes her head at Drac, �I�m afraid now is not a good time. She is resting peacefully at the moment.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Yes, I would prefer the scenery. My way may be quicker, but it�s far less enjoyable,� Eclipse says with a soft grin, looking around he raises a brow, �Did we bring any towels?�
Claron and Tabris continue walking towards Tewyn, �I wonder if he knows�� she whispers to Tabris.
Tewyn walks toward them, �Where are they keeping her?�
DracBlue says, �Fine, tell her to see me�when she�s better.� He feels a twinge and walks over to Katie�s room and knocks on the door.
Claron: �She�s in the inn , pointing to the building to the right. �Second floor, third door on the left.�
Luna_Faline motions to the cabinet built into the wall next to the shower, �Look in there, sugar.� I purr playfully as I lean my head back and finish rinsing out my mane.
Tewyn nods. �Thanks," heading toward the inn.
Vin_Da_DM: Rukil notices Shadow, �Oh hello! Do I know you?� Rukil glances at Shadow, his gaze a little eccentric but generally kind for an old man, �Young man, blue vial. Careful too, we don�t want you sprouting fins!�
Katie: �You cannot shut me up. You know I speak the truth.� Katie pulls her hands away as a thought occurs to her. �You are wrong. My friends would never forsake me. We are a team, as we always were. As we always will be.� With a new determination, she stands shakily and heads out the door. �You don�t exist outside my basket-case of a mind. As long as I remember that�you can�t hurt me.� She walks to the door, opening it.
Claron: �Guess that answered my question,� as Tabris and her follow behind Tewyn into the inn.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse reaches out with a shadow tendril and opens the cabinet, pulling out a towel he sets it down next to his clothes.
Shadow grabs the blue vial carefully and hands it to Rukil. �A lot of things I have been and am, but young�I don�t believe i am.�
Katie: Upon seeing Drac on the other side, Katie stumbles back. �You,� she whispers, her eyes wide, her face going paler.
Tewyn enters the inn and goes straight toward the stairs and up them.
DracBlue says, �Yes, me,� waits for her to say something, not sure what to do.
Tewyn stands by the door a moment then knocks.
Luna_Faline turns off the water and slowly shakes the water out of my fur, giving Eclipse another shower in the process.
Katie shakes her head. �This is seriously going to cause my therapy bill to skyrocket.�
Vin_Da_DM: Rukil takes the blue vial carefully and drinks it. With a small hiccup he spits into the liquid already in the dish. It fizzles for a bit then pops in a flash of smoke. A blue fish flops around as the smoke clears, �Good, good! Doesn�t look like it�s going to explode. Down you go!� Tipping the dish the fish plummets into the water below. Rukil turns to Shadow, �Still here? What do you want?�
Clarice yanks open the door, �I thought I told you, she is rest�� her words stop as she realizes Tewyn is standing at the door and not Drac, �Tewyn,� she gasps.
Tewyn: �Thought I�d come check on you both....if that�s ok?�
DracBlue looks at her, �You�re telling me. They tell me I�m dead. You think yours is going to be big�think of mine when I walk in there and tell them I�m dead.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse flicks the water off and eyes Luna, �Once was enough, thanks.� Grabbing the towel he wipes off the water that hasn�t already dripped off him.
Shadow looks at Rukil, �If you can spare some�I need some holy water.�
Tabris steers Claron to an empty table, giving Syne a wave as they sit.
Shadow holds up the flask that was in his other hand.
Katie: �Oh, but you are so wrong. I CAN hurt you. I can make YOU hurt you.� Katie winces again. �Yeah, mebbe we can get a deal on group therapy, then.� She slips past him and heads downstairs.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne nods back then goes back to staring at the ever-shrinking bowl of veggie-chips.
Clarice looks stunned, �Of course,� her voice sounds slightly chilled as she moves away from the door. �She has been asking for you.�
Tewyn: �That�s not like her...You gonna come back in?�
DracBlue looks at Katie, �You alright?� he asks as she winces.
Kyra reaches up to gingerly touch her throat absently, feeling at a loss.
Vin_Da_DM: �Holy water? Hard to do...water doesn�t like to have holes.� Rukil takes Shadows flask and walks back into his room. Heading for the stairs he nods, �Smells of dwarf...maybe? No��
Luna_Faline laughs, �Once is never enough for me. Haven�t you figured that out yet?� Grabbing a towel and beginning to dry the rest of my fur out, �Wonder if they�ve got breakfast going downstairs?�
Valrash enters the inn and sits down next to Syne. �Well, how have you been?�
Clarice nods her head, �Damn right, I am coming back in! She hasn�t left my sight since her return.�
Tewyn: �Glad it was you that was watching over her.�
Shadow says, �Blessed water. And yes I am a dwarf.�
Clarice reaches a hand out to Tewyn, �She was near death when she returned��
Katie looks over her shoulder at Drac, �Not by a long shot, but that�s nothing new,� before walking down the stairs.
Tewyn: �Must of been one big fight, I guess,� taking Clarice�s hand.
Cara stirs slightly in her bed..
Vin_Da_DM: �Of course you are! Why did you think you were something else?� Rukil laughs eccentrically as he continues down the stairs. Stopping at the bottom he dips the flask in the lake water and hands it back to Shadow, �Giving an old man his exercise...my wife�s ghost didn�t send you, did it?�
DracBlue follows Katie down the stairs. �Can I ask a question then?�
Katie: �I dunno. Do your vocal cords function?� Katie asks flippantly, continuing her descent.
Clarice smiles weakly, �I don�t know where she went, but she returned with Voyager�s heart in her hand....as well as the spirit of Drac. She has had a rough time of it�so far she has told no one anything else.�
Shadow sighs, �No. I believe I was a dwarf from birth.� Pauses then asks, �Is this whole lake blessed?�
Kyra accidentally puts too much pressure on her bruise and winces, wondering how Katie is doing.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder shakes his head, then looks at Kyra, �Sorry...having trouble clearing my head.�
Tewyn: �Guess she isn�t ready to talk...so we shouldn�t push her.�
DracBlue asks, �Did you really mean for me to go away?� He has a hopeful look on his face.
Katie stops for a moment. �What are you talking about?� then she shakes her head and walks outside, blinking owlishly in the now brightening light.
Vin_Da_DM: �Good...stubborn woman. I told her not to substitute flash powder for salt,� Rukil expresses with hands with a motion, �But no...whoosh! Pestering wife burns the house down around her,� Moving back to the stairs he uses his walking stick to support his climb. �Probably nagging some poor spirits into their afterlives right now.�
Clarice: �I agree, for the time being�that is. Care to explain where you went?�
Kyra: �No worries. You�ve got a lot to deal with.� Kyra says quietly.
DracBlue says, �You said to go away earlier today.�
Tewyn: �Had to go sort some things, make sure my mind is where it needs to be.�
Tabris takes a hearty bite of a muffin then looks at Claron, with a half-eaten piece he mumbles, �Mmm--is good.�
Claron smiles at the waitress as she stops at their table for the second time, �Hope you have more of those wonderful fruit muffins...and another large glass of milk, please.�
Katie: �Did I?� Katie shrugs, �I seem to say and do a lot of things. Don�t take it too personal,� then she cocks her head. �It was just a shock, seeing you. I�ve caused so many deaths as it is�.� She shakes her head again, as if shaking off the thought, and walks over to a bench by the lake and takes a seat, sighing.
Kyra spots Katie a few hundred yards away and gives her a smile and a nod.
Vin_Da_DM: The waitress stops by Claron�s table with another large mug of milk.
Katie sees Kyra touching her throat and feels guilt swamp her.
DracBlue says, �You didn�t cause it. Voyager�nevermind. Well I�m not dead, so you didn�t cause it.�
Claron smiles as she devours her muffin and reaches for another. �They remind me of the ones Granny used to make.�
Vin_Da_DM: �You think she�s okay? I mean...after last night,� Stryder looks at Katie then over to Kyra with some concern.
Tabris: �Really? Must�a been a helluva woman,� Tabris says stealing a sip of Claron�s milk.
Claron thanks the waitress, then gulps half of the milk from the mug after Tabris sets it back near her.
Shadow listens to the old man rant about his wife, smiling, waiting for his answer.
Luna_Faline drops the towel into an apparent laundry chute and reaches for my dress, as I slip it on my amulet and the key slip to the floor. �Oops, don�t want to lose those.� Bending over to retrieve them quickly, �You ready to go?�
Kyra: �I�m not sure. She had an episode when I tried to cover her up this morning.� Kyra rubs her throat gently, hoping the purple marks her fair skin don�t linger too long.
Clarice nods her head slowly, �And is IT...where its supposed to be now?�
Tewyn: �Well�I�m here, aren�t I?�
Vin_Da_DM: Rukil reaches the top of the stairs then looks at Shadow, �Oh, still here? If the water was not, I wouldn�t have dragged these old bones to it, hmm?�
Vin_Da_DM: �I see...are you okay?� Stryder questions seeing the purple marks on Kyra�s neck.
Cara opens her eyes as she hears the sound of Tewyn and Clarice talking.
Shadow chuckles, �I have known old men to drag the younger ones around all day just to talk with them, and when they were done talking�they finally gave what the younger ones were after, to teach them patience.�
Kyra: �I�m fine.� She puts a reassuring hand on his arm. �I�m not so sure about Katie. I don�t think she needed THIS to brood about, on top of everything else.� Kyra sighs, cocking her head in sympathy.
Clarice: �That you are, I was worried not just for her...but for you as well.�
Tewyn: �No need to worry about me.�
Vin_Da_DM: Rukil nods, his expression less of understanding and more of being polite, �Something else? Young dwarf surely doesn�t wish to hear an old man�s ranting.�
Clarice: �No need to worry...when you shut me out like that?!�
Shadow chuckles, �I should be off�but if I find myself with more time I will gladly listen to you rant,� bows and takes his leave.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse finishes getting dressed and nods to Luna, �Good to go. I suggest we find something to eat then assemble everyone so we may depart.�
Tewyn: �I wasn�t shutting you out.�Wanting to make sure I wasn�t going to snap on someone.�
Cara pushes up on her elbows in bed, �It is bout time, Father.� the crescent moon scar shows clearly around her left eye
Tewyn looks over to Cara, �Yes, I guess it is.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Goodbye then...and if you see my wife. Tell her I suggest she reincarnate as a stinger beetle, loud and annoying to better fit her personality!� Rukil calls out to Shadow as he leaves.
Luna_Faline picks up her boots, and opens the door. �I�ll pull these on downstairs,� starts down the stairs with Eclipse, �Something smells pretty good.�
Katie: �A person doesn�t have to do the actual killing blow to be responsible for someone�s death.� Katie says quietly.
Shadow shouts back, �Will do,� starts swimming back a lot slower, keeping the flask above water, and tiring completely out by the time he gets to his equipment.
Clarice manages a weak smile, �I can understand that. Shall I leave the two of you alone?� looking first at Tewyn then Cara.
Vin_Da_DM: �Yes it does,� Eclipse sniffs the air as they descend to the first floor, leaning in close he whispers to Luna.
Tewyn: �I�d rather you stay,� looking at Clarice.
Tabris: �Phew...that was what? Three, four muffins?� Tabris looks at Claron quizzically, �You were certainly hungry.�
DracBlue: �Will you look at me?� turns Katie around by grabbing her by the arms and then says, �You could not have been responsible�for you were not holding the blade. You could not have known that he would do that.�
Cara: �Yes, stay, Clarice, I am sure you both have questions for me.�
Claron: � Make it five�� as she reaches for another one.
Tabris laughs and watches Claron begin on her fifth muffin.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne sighs a bit and tosses the last chip back into the bowl, getting to his feet he stretches and walks outside into the village.
Katie looks at Drac grudgingly, �Nevermind. You would never understand.�
^Shinta hears the commotion down farther on the lake shore, walking over, �Is there a problem?�
DracBlue says, �I would if you would explain it.�
Katie looks up. �Shinta?� her face showing her relief. �Where were you?� she whispers.
Vin_Da_DM: �Hopefully it�ll work out for the best,� Stryder sighs then yawns a bit.
^Shinta: �Observing.�
Luna_Faline smiles as the whisper tickles my ear. Takes a seat at the first table and begins to pull on her boots. �These aren�t that old, and already look worn out,� with a sigh.
Katie gives him an uncertain look. �What were you observing?�
Tewyn: �Just glad to see your ok, seems you had quite a fight.�
^Shinta: �Many things.�
Kyra nods, seeing Shinta approach. �Maybe this will help.� She nods approvingly.
DracBlue sighs, �Fine, but one day you will explain it to me. But obviously now�you should be with your friend.� Takes off shooting straight up into the sky, and then gliding back down to the inn.
Cara: �If I had my way, Father....I would have preferred death.�
Tewyn: �But then you would of broken your word to me.�You still owe me some stories of you and your brother.�
Vin_Da_DM: �With all the fighting lately, I�m not surprised,� Eclipse looks at the boots, �Even plated, mine are getting there.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Maybe...guess we�ll see by how they interact,� Stryder turns his head watching.
Katie watches Drac fly off, shaking her head bemusedly, then turns back to Shinta. �Well, you�re about as informative as they come.� She says moodily.
^Shinta shrugs, �Yea, guess I am,� looking past her.
Cara looks her father in the eyes, �I...I am not someone that is very good at keeping her word.� She drops her gaze from his.
Katie: �Doesn�t look so good so far, judging by Katie�s expression�� Kyra murmurs worriedly.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne watches Drac land next to the inn, �Morning, birdboy.�
Luna_Faline sighs, �Well at least they are comfy. That makes a big difference when we have quite a walk ahead of us,� looking around for the waitress.
DracBlue looks at Syne, �Finally, a face that doesn�t resent me coming back from the dead.�
Katie feels something hollow expand in her chest, and an ache echo through it. �You seem unhappy, Shaman,� she whispers softly.
Tewyn: �Well, I�m hoping that�s a good thing...Or I would be dead now, don�t you think?�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse motions to the waitress who approaches the table in response, �What can I get you this morning?�
Clarice watches Cara closely as she listens.
^Shinta: �Not unhappy, just waiting to see if the admiring shadow appears.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Should I? Coming back from the dead is impressive, good job.� Syne gives Drac a somewhat sarcastic thumbs up.
Katie stubs up, �This again.� She says mutinously, �I should have known.�
Luna_Faline looks around at the other people eating. �Some of what they are having, and those smell pretty good. And a glass of cold cream, too,� pointing at several tables.
Tabris extends a hand and stops Claron from picking up a sixth muffin, �I think that�s enough...any more and you�re liable to explode. Then who would I sleep with?�
^Shinta gets closer and looks her sternly in the eyes, �You of all people should know love is blind, you haven�t opened your eyes to it when it was standing right in front of you...Guess some parts of you haven�t changed.�
DracBlue says, �Then why am I met with such hostility? Even the one who is suppose to be kind and patient is mean to me.� He sighs, �But then why would I be looking for a friend here? I haven�t known you all long enough, I suppose.�
Cara: �For the moment�� The sound of Kabal�s words, �do the right thing, Sis...we chose wrong�� echo in her mind.
Tewyn: �Though, hopefully this lil blonde lady will keep a eye on my back if I get in trouble with you.�
Katie looks stung. �That�s a right bitch of a low blow, Shinta,� her eyes well.
Claron gets a pouty look on her face, �But they are so GOOD.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Some of those muffins, please.� Eclipse says, to which the waitress nods and disappears into the kitchen. Several minutes later she comes back leaving a glass of cream, and a plate with some sausage, flatcakes and eggs. Along with a basket of muffins.
Vin_Da_DM: �True, but exploding wife is not. What would I tell Stryder?� Tabris smirks then does a mocking sad voice, �Sorry son, your mum ate a wee bit to much and ker-ploded.�
Luna_Faline picks up the sausage and takes a bite, then giggles. �Hmmm, tastes like chicken,� grinning at Eclipse.
Clarice squeezes Tewyn�s hand, �Always��
^Shinta: �Watching the one you care for fall into the arms of another stings just as much as those words, even more so when there is nothing but denial.�
Katie: �How dare you�� Katie hisses between clenched teeth.
Claron�s eyes follow the basket of muffins the waitress carries to Eclipse and Luna�s table.
Vin_Da_DM: �True, but your on our side, which makes you a friend at least,� Syne nods to Drac, �Give it some time, most don�t adjust overnight to people popping back from death�n all.�
^Shinta: �Yes, guess I dared...Is easier to hate me and push me away, than to accept me for what I am, isn�t it?�
Tabris scoots his chair to block Claron�s view, �Nice try, but five is enough. Unless there�s something you�re not telling me?�
Luna_Faline sees Claron watching the muffins and ears perk as I over hear Tabris� question. I almost hold my breath waiting for an answer.
Kyra�s eyes widen in shock at Katie�s expression. �I think perhaps them talking was not a good idea, after all.� She starts toward them.
DracBlue says, �Well, if I were a friend�would I not be greeted with at least a hug? I mean come on�� then he chuckles, �Well, I suppose it is a little strange.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse takes another bite of a chocolate-ish muffin, watching Luna�s gaze watching Claron.
Katie: �Your warped view of things, as usual.� Katie�s voice is steel-edged.
Claron manipulates Tabris and the chair�s gravity and scoots it back where it belongs so she can still see the muffins. �Not that I am aware of.�
Vin_Da_DM: Syne chuckles, �We�re not that good of friends...they�ll start getting used to you again, don�t worry.�
^Shinta: �Warped as it may be...It is my view, and your not telling me that its wrong now, are you?�
Tabris: �So it�s just a sugar-rush muffin craving, eh?� Tabris frowns from his chair being moved forcibly, �Fine...you can have another. But JUST one.�
^Shinta: �It is you who wanted me to be more open, and when I do you deny me and what I open up to you.�
Katie: �I�ve tried telling you. You will continue to see things as you choose.� The heat goes out of her gaze and voice, �Is this what we�re down to?� Katie looks into his eyes, �Bickering over whether or not I can have friends?�
Luna_Faline feels Eclipse watching and winks at him as Claron makes Tabris chair move, �They are sooooo married,� I whispurr.
Claron suddenly jumps up from the table, dashes out of the dining area and up the stairs to the nearest washroom.
Katie: �What have I denied you?� Katie looks tired.
Valrash walks outside and finds a nice spot, sits down and thinks, �Maybe her family next.�
Tabris raises a brow at Claron�s sudden leaving, �Told her five was enough��
^Shinta shakes his head, �It isn�t a matter of friendship...More of�is that line blending to something else�Yet you keep saying no�.Your glimmering eyes around him say otherwise.�
Luna_Faline looks at Claron running and then back to Tabris, �Sure, it was just the muffins.�
Kyra walks up, �Katie�is everythi-�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse notes Claron�s hurried leave then looks at Luna, �That wasn�t what I think it was?�
Katie: �Go away, Kyra. You don�t need to hear this!� Katie�s eyes are red-rimmed and blazing fire. Kyra stumbles back from the ferocity of the look.
^Shinta: �But your right�its just my eyes, right?....Or maybe it isn�t...I�ll just keep things inside from now on.�
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder watches Kyra near Katie and Shinta, �That doesn�t look good��
Luna_Faline shrugs and slightly shakes my head whispurring, �I don�t know, but I will keep an eye on her for a while.�
Tewyn sits beside Cara, �So...How did you pull it off?�
Kyra: �Listen, you two. Don�t do this. Katie, you�ve got so much inside eating you. Wouldn�t it be better to get it out?� Kyra pleads.
Tabris: Sighing Tabris pushes his chair back and rises. Moving upstairs he moves towards the washroom, �Hun, you all right?�
Cara slides over to the edge of the bed, letting her legs dangle off the side of it. �Pull what off?�
Katie: �Mind your own damned business, Darnier!� Katie snaps.
Luna_Faline picks up a muffin and sniffs it lightly, then takes a bite. �Tastes alright to me.�
^Shinta steps between Katie and Kyra, �She is not your enemy�do not lash out at her�Its me your angry with...so take it out on me.�
Tewyn: �Killing him...Must of been quite a battle.�
Kyra pales. �Kat, you�re not yourself�� she whispers.
Vin_Da_DM: �Probably a good idea,� Eclipse says before finishing off his muffin. �So, almost full? It�ll take a few days to get to Aventine�s borders, and it�s better if we make the most of daylight.�
Claron answers through the door, �You were right... I should have quit at four.� Tabris soon hears the sound of splashing water.
Katie: �Oh, I don�t know. Professor Shaman over here seems to believe I�m just up to my old tricks.� She looks at Shinta, �So I guess I�m the same old horrible bitch I ever was, right, darling?�
Tabris: �You sure you�re all right? Not sick?� Tabris moves to push the door aside but stays his hand.
Luna_Faline nods as I finish chewing, �I�ll go upstairs and let whoever�s there know. You go find who ever is outside?�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse nods, �Sure, the village isn�t that big, so it shouldn�t be that hard to round �em up.�
^Shinta: �Who you were, are or will become are things I can�t change...But to watch the one you love slip out of your arms is something I can try to stop.�
Shadow gets his things on and sets a red gem in the holy water in the flask.
^Shinta: �Less the feelings aren�t mutual.�
Cara nods her head slowly as she tries to figure out how to answer her father, �Hardest battle I have ever had...worse than the one with you, Father.� Cara avoids looking Tewyn in the eyes.
Tewyn: �Really? Wow, last I knew he was much stronger than most of us combined�guess something happened at the temple.�
Cara cringes for a second as Nightside touching her enters her mind.
DracBlue says, �Hey, can you stop calling me bird boy, its a little degrading.� He looks at Syne.
Vin_Da_DM: Standing up Eclipse pushes his chair back into the table, then looks at Luna. �I guess we�ll meet just outside the village, near the road we�re taking.�
Tewyn: �Never knew, I was somewhat powerful to you.�
Katie: �Good, McKinnon. Maybe you finally get it. You don�t deserve to be cared about. You don�t deserve it.� Katie�s eyes sizzle once, then go dull as she retreats again behind her protective shell.
Luna_Faline stands up taking a muffin with me. �That sounds like a good place to meet.� Kisses him quickly and starts back up the stairs to retrieve my jacket. Pausing at each door along the hall, knocking softly, �We�re leaving, meet us at the edge of the forest.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Sure thing, kiddo,� Syne smirks.
^Shinta: �So either I can love you and be what I�m hoping will be enough for you...Or I can love you and let you go to the one you really want,� touching her shoulder.
Kyra: �I know that look, McKinnon.� Kyra sees Katie flinch, �Don�t do it.�
Luna_Faline: Stopping in our room to grab my jacket, I check the pocket for the sai and grab the sheath lying on the floor.
DracBlue actually smiles at the comment. �Well, at least you understand. I think I will stop following Katie for now and follow the one who went to such ends to save me.�
Cara keeps her gaze down at her feet, �I.. I�� as she lifts her head and looks at Tewyn, her eyes show that there is something more she wants to say, but is afraid.
Tabris notices Luna in the hallway, �Hey, Luna...can you check on her, I think she�s sick.�
DracBlue says, �See you later,� and walks upstairs to Cara�s room, stands outside the door.
Tewyn: �Its ok...If you don�t want to talk about it further we don�t have to,� giving Clarice a glance.
Katie turns her eyes up to Shinta, tears pooling in a brief flash of emotion before she closes her eyes for a moment, then looks at Kyra, blank.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder stands his ground, unsure whether or not to help Kyra or stay out of it.
Kyra �Damn you, no. Not again. Don�t you dare pull that damn turtle trick again.� Kyra shakes her. �Snap out of it, dammit.�
Shadow heads back to the town. �Only thing left is the troubled person,� he says.
Luna_Faline walks out of our room and over to the bathroom where Tabris is waiting. �Ok, we�ll meet you in a few minutes.� Pushing him towards the stairs lightly. I wait for him to go then quickly open the door and slip in to check on Claron. �Are you alright? He�s really worried about you.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse looks at Syne, �We�re getting everyone together so we can leave. Seen the others?� Syne nods, �About time...I think a few of them are by the lake.�
Tabris muddles around the bottom of the stairs looking up them with a concerned look.
^Shinta: �So that�s it, Emerald Eyes...I�m only worthy of a glance now?�
Cara looks at both Tewyn and Clarice, �You are even more powerful now...don�t think I didn�t notice, Father.�
Kyra turns to look at Stryder sadly. ~I�m so afraid we�re going to lose her.~
Tewyn: �I�m sure you did, though not sure all you�ve seen.�
Claron looks at Luna_Faline, �I...I�m... fine now.... just over ate is all.�
Vin_Da_DM: ~Anything I can do to help?~ Stryder shifts his gaze to Kyra�s face.
Katie: ~Have any experience with mules?~ Kyra�s own eyes well up.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse takes a decent pace as he wanders through the village towards the lake-side. Noticing Stryder up ahead he moves towards him.
Luna_Faline raises a brow at Claron, �Are you sure? It has been long enough to be possible, you know.�
Vin_Da_DM: ~That bad?~ Stryder replies, then turns his glance hearing Eclipse walk up behind him.
Cara hears Kabal�s voice in her mind again, �He cares for you, don�t make him lose you as I did�. She blurts out, �I didn�t kill him��
Tewyn looks at Cara oddly, �But then...How did you return?�
Cara whispers very quietly, �I made a bargain with the devil��
Katie�s expression remains emotionless, but her hand raises and she grabs a hold of his. �You are worthy of more than you know.� She says in a hollow voice.
Tewyn: �That can be a dangerous thing.�
DracBlue listens, unchanging, �Devil, heh.� He says so low he can barely hear it himself.
^Shinta: �So you have said...but your eyes keep telling different stories.�
Katie: �Unlovable. Unworthy. Poison.� Katie blinks slowly, �Toxic.� She mouths the word more than says it.
Kyra sighs and walks away, shaking her head. ~Worse, I think.~
Vin_Da_DM: �Stryder, we�re getting ready to leave. Everyone is meeting at the forest road�� Eclipse follows Stryder�s gaze towards Kyra, then to Katie and Shinta.
Claron looks at Luna puzzled, �What are you implying? I can�t be��
Tabris rolls a foot against the dusty flooring then glances up the stairs again.
^Shinta: �Guess I can take solace in knowing I am possibly one of the only people to have loved you and lost your twice, Emerald Eyes, not many get that chance.�
Katie drops his hand. �What do you want me to say?�
Claron starts out of the bathroom, �Honestly, I feel fine...now.�
Luna_Faline shrugs, �You can�t be?� follows Claron out the door. �Is that the first time you�ve�� seeing Drac in the hall I don�t finish the question.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne motions to Shadow, �Eh, shorty. Looks like we�re finally packing camp and heading out.�
Cara nods her heads, �You would know all about making deals with the devil, wouldn�t you?�
Shadow smiles, �Alright, then I�m ready. Where do we head?�
Tewyn: �Yes, my daughter, I do.�
Luna_Faline stares at Drac, �If your going with us, you should be going to the forest by now, instead of eavesdropping,� with a growl.
Cara swallows hard, �Valrash�s father, Mileor, killed Voyager...right before he took me to stand in front of Daegriss and the Dark Council��
Vin_Da_DM: Elsewhere: Looking over his shoulder and peering out from under his white hood the elf listens to the forest. �They�re getting closer. Hurry, milady, we need to reach the road,� shifting his glance to the blonde Elven woman at his side he speaks softly.
Tewyn looks concerned, �Guess, I will have to protect you better now then, huh?�
DracBlue looks at Luna, �I�m staying with the one person who risked their own life to save my soul,� he growls at Luna.
Vin_Da_DM: The woman nods then joins him as the two begin making their way through the underbrush in the denser part of the forest. From behind them echoing howls pierce the air, followed by the sound of a whole pack of animals giving chase.
Luna_Faline motions Claron to go on down the stairs and goes to the door where Drac is standing. Knocking louder than before I call thru the door, �Clarice?�
Valrash overhears Syne and heads outside, and then follows Syne.
Cara: �I am not so certain anyone can protect me now...not even you�� fear shows in Cara�s eyes.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne glances around the village then moves towards the obvious looking road leading towards the forest. Leaning against the edge of the last building before the road leaves the village he looks back, �Guess we�ll wait here.�
Tewyn: �Then as your father, I must die trying to make sure you live.�
Clarice: �This deal with the devil�what was it, precisely?�
Tewyn hears Luna, �Umm, I think we are needed outside.�
Vin_Da_DM: �All right, I�ll let them know,� Stryder nods to Eclipse, then looks over at Kyra, �Looks like we�re going, think they�re ready to go?�
Clarice moves towards the door and opens it.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse listens to Stryder as he turns to head back to the village.
Kyra looks at Katie and Shinta. �I don�t know. But she�s going to break soon. Perhaps they�ll need to pick this up another time.�
Claron moves down the stairs, �Tab, I am fine��
Luna_Faline steps thru the door quickly and closes it behind me, right in Drac�s face. �Tewyn?� in shock, recovering quickly, �I hate to interrupt the family reunion, but you have an unwanted listener.�
^Shinta caresses Katie�s cheek, �Guess you�ve said enough,� turning away his eyes turning to the ground.
Tabris: �Throwing up doesn�t count as fine,� Tabris gives Claron a look.
Tewyn looks at Luna, �Time to go is it?�
Katie reaches a hand up toward him, then bites her lip, blinks back another rush of tears and lets it fall into her lap once more.
Luna_Faline nods, �Yes, we�ve lingered too long already.�
Claron: �I ate too much, really��
Tewyn looks to Cara and Clarice, �You two ready?�
Tabris studies Claron for a moment then shrugs, �Ok...see I told you five was enough. Anyway, Luna said we�re getting ready to go.�
Cara slides off the bed, �I�m ready�and who is the unwanted listener?�
Luna_Faline reaches to open the door, �You can deal with Drac however you wish,� looking at Cara.
Kyra looks around at the peaceful place, vowing to return one day. She gazes longingly at the spot she and Stryder sat yesterday, sighs and tells Stryder, �I�m going to grab Katie�s gear. I don�t think she�s in any shape to do it herself.�
Clarice: �I�m ready as well.�
Tewyn: �Then lets get moving.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Okay, want some company or you good?� Stryder looks at her curiously.
Claron slips her arm around Tabris� waist, �Where we going?�
DracBlue just stands there expression unchanging.
Kyra: �I�d love it.� Kyra musters her best smile.
Tabris: �Where else? Following the yellow-brick road to the see the goddess,� Tabris smiles at Claron and places his hand on her arm, �Grab Toto and let�s get going, Dorothy.�
Luna_Faline opens the door and walks past Drac with out a word. Leaving the others to follow, I head down the stairs and out after Claron and Tabris.
Cara: �You? I should have known...Just because I brought you back to this realm, don�t go getting any ideas��
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder smiles and walks next to Kyra.
DracBlue calls out, �I have none. You saved me. Now I owe you my life, at least.�
Tewyn turns to Drac, �And unless you want her to have to save you again...I suggest you don�t listen in on private conversations that are not your concern.�
Kyra looks over her shoulder, reliving the moment he made his declaration and hugs it to herself, sealing the memory, just in case.
DracBlue says, �I don�t listen, I just follow�treat me as you all did before, like I want even here.� He adds mentally, �Why would I need to know that I was there�.
Cara: �The hell you do!� as she moves along behind her father and Clarice. Cara stops short as she sees Stryder with Kyra, lowering her head as they pass, and keeping her thoughts to herself.
DracBlue follows Cara and watches her reaction to Kyra and Stryder.
Kyra pales as she looks at Cara, her heart giving a painful twist, her stomach cramping painfully.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder places a hand on Kyra�s shoulder, �Kyra?�
Luna_Faline moves thru the village and out towards the lake. Seeing Katie I move quickly towards her. �Katie? You ready to move on?� taking a seat next to her on the bench.
Kyra turns a watery look on Stryder. �What?� she whispers hoarsely.
Vin_Da_DM: �You ok? Don�t let her get to you,� Stryder gives her a reassuring smile.
Katie blinks, but her expression registers no change. �Whatever you think best.� She says in a flat voice.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne hums a song to himself as he kicks at the dirt, �Wonder what�s taking everyone.�
Shadow says, �Probably dealing with peoples� problems again.� He shrugs.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse meets the group waiting near the road, �Everybody should be on their way.�
Luna_Faline places a paw softly on Katie�s hand and pats it for a moment, �Let�s go, we�re taking the old market road thru the forest.�
Luna_Faline catches the fading scent of Shinta in the air and looks around for him. �Come on, girl, let�s go. The others are waiting for us.�
Vin_Da_DM: Meanwhile back in the forest: The white hooded elf throws one of his long knives with precision at the creature. Striking it, it crashes to the forest floor only to be replaced by two more behind it. �Cursed beasts...at least a dozen now.� Turning he sprints after the blond elf still moving ahead of him.
Kyra chokes up, but nods. She grabs Katie�s things, and hurries to meet up with the others.
Katie nods and rises, following Luna.
Luna_Faline leads Katie towards the meeting place, watching for Shinta along the way.
^Shinta is up ahead, eyes still locked to the ground.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne notices everybody gathering at the waiting spot, �Everyone all here? I�m just the tourist, lead on tour guides,� glancing at Luna and Eclipse he nods.
Shadow pours out the holy water onto his hand revealing a white cloudy gem.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse surveys the group to make sure everyone is present and ready to go.
Cara remains silent as they approach the others.
DracBlue Looks at Katie and sighs.
Luna_Faline nods at Syne as we reach the gathered group. Moves over to Kyra and asks her softly, �Can you watch her for a little while?� motioning to Katie.
Vin_Da_DM: �This road leads to Aventine�s borders. It�ll take us a few days and the trip will hopefully be an easy one,� Eclipse says to the group as he moves to take the lead, waiting for Luna to join him.
Luna_Faline steps away and heads for Shinta, taking pace along side him I whispurr, �I don�t know what is really going on with you two. But she needs help, help I am not able to give,� glancing over at Katie walking with Kyra.
^Shinta glances slightly at Luna_Faline, �There is no help I can give her.�
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder walks next to Kyra, glancing over at Katie he gives a look of confusion and concern.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne falls back taking up the rear of the group, looking around at the forest as they begin to head into it.
Kyra looks at Katie sadly, �I know you are in there. No matter how much you retreat. Know this. We are NOT going to give up. Sooner or later, you will have to talk to one of us.� Katie keeps walking, staring straight ahead.
Tabris gives a small frown at the road then turns his attention to Claron, �Not exactly a yellow brick road, so I guess skipping and singing will have to wait.�
Luna_Faline shakes my head, �I think you�re wrong. She needs your strength, she�s battling something that I can�t see. I can�t heal emotional, or mental wounds. It seems she is attacked when your not with her.�
^Shinta: �Is more to it than that, healer....And she has always been more than strong enough without me. Seems another fills my place quite well anyway.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse looks over his shoulder at Luna talking to Shinta. Turning his attention back to the road he nods, trying to remember the map he looked at.
Vin_Da_DM: Elsewhere: The hooded elf shields his eyes as his companion, the blond elf creates a dazzling burst of light. As it fades the soft ripple of bowstring catches his ears as the woman looses a three arrow barrage back at the attackers, turning to continue on as soon as she�s fired.
Luna_Faline growls, �Is that what your real problem is? I think it�s pitiful that you are willing to just give up on her so easily.� Looks around to see where Syne is at the moment then continues, �I am sure being a monk you are not familiar with how a...love relationship goes. But love that is planted but not tended to will not mature. Weeds will creep into the garden and bloom with their pretty flowers, but bear no fruit.�
Cara moves up to where she is walking beside her father, thinking, �How would Kabal know that Father cares? Is this one of Daegriss� tricks?�
^Shinta: �Think of me what you will, Avatar. I will hold no ill will.�
Katie: A tear tracks it�s way down Katie�s cheek.
Kyra sees it, but remains silent, merely brushing Katie�s arm with a soft touch.
Vin_Da_DM: As Eclipse continues at the lead of the group he extends the spines on his head. Tilting his head as he walks he listens to the sounds of the forest.
Tewyn looks over to Cara, �So, you feeling better? This could be a long hike.�
Shadow walks up to Eclipse and stops, listens, but hears nothing.
Luna_Faline places a paw on Shinta�s arm, �Your the gardener, you need to take care of the love you planted. Till up your rows and route out the weeds.� Shakes my head, �I don�t care at this point what you think of me, I have to focus on the group as a whole. I just don�t want to see you give up on her so quickly when she needs you more than you know. It is like an open bleeding wound every time you leave her alone.�
Cara: �Well enough, all pain is gone� thanks to some white hooded guy. Although, I did plead with him to stop and let me die.�
^Shinta: �Tis not always my choice...at some point she must open up. The weed is not easily killed�and would damage her too much to remove, it seems.�
Katie: �Do you see now? Loving you caused this. See the pain you inflict?� Katie draws in a deep breath, stealing a glance at Shinta�s back, then casting her eyes to the ground once more.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne continues the song he was humming earlier, watching the others walk in front of him, he stretches as he walks.
Tewyn: �Well good thing he didn�t�Or you might of ended up part of the brat pack back there.�
Luna_Faline looks back at Katie and pulls Shinta to a stop to face her. �Look at her, don�t you see the pain she�s in?�
Claron overhears Luna and Shinta, then adds, �I am afraid I didn�t help her any by making her relive something either.�
Valrash looks back at Syne, �You�re worse than the Lightling. Well, at least you don�t sing opera.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Don�t know much opera...but if you want a solo,� Syne smirks at Valrash.
DracBlue starts singing the opera he was singing earlier, motioning Syne to kick in.
Luna_Faline asks Claron, �What happened?�
Cara: �I think some of the others believe I am far worse than just a brat��
^Shinta: �Don�t you think I know she is hurting...I�ve seen her in pain more than I�d ever want her to have felt in three lifetimes. I�d gladly give my life to remove it from her.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse folds his spines down and glares over his shoulder at Drac.
Cara: �I can�t blame them��
Tewyn: �Me either...You are my kid�and I�m a hell-raiser,� giving her a gentle nudge.
DracBlue actually concentrates and the music sounds a little better.
Kyra sighs, leaning into Stryder as they walk.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder wraps an arm over Kyra�s shoulder.
Luna_Faline growls, �Then do something different, something you�ve never done before, except leave her alone.� Thinks, �O� goddess, I just want to shake the shit out of these men some days.�
Kyra: ~At this rate, I dunno if we�ll ever pull her out.~ Kyra�s mental voice sounds defeated.
Claron glances at Tabris before she answers Luna, �Afraid I managed to force two people I love to remember a very horrific time.�
Cara smiles, �So I got it honest then,� she muses.
Luna_Faline folds her ears down and glares at Drac and growls, �Stop that, your killing my ears.�
^Shinta: �You think I haven�t tried...Not even my love gets through to her...So maybe I�m not the one she desires�She can love me to no end�but if she isn�t in love, then I can�t have her be unhappy by my side.�
Vin_Da_DM: Further into the forest, the hooded elf pauses and turns to the woman. �On the wind...is that? Singing?� Glancing back at the creatures he notices they hear it as well. Turning to the woman he motions her to continue on.
Cara sees Stryder wrap his arm around Kyra, she wishes it were herself.
DracBlue stops singing, �God, no appreciation at all. You know, there are some who would kill to hear this kind of music.�
Tabris: �But it�s out now...not hiding anymore,� Tabris looks at Claron squeezes her hand gently.
Vin_Da_DM: �More like kill to make it stop,� Syne chuckles.
Luna_Faline looks back to Shinta, �I will never understand you will I? She�s not unhappy by your side, she�s unhappy when she�s not by your side. And apparently she�s regained more memories that were better left buried. I�m assuming it had to do with Tabris.�
DracBlue looks back at Syne, �I�ll have you know I was the best in my village, you dog you.� He smiles at him.
Claron interjects, �Shinta, she knows Tab is the one responsible now.��
Vin_Da_DM: �Must have been a small village,� Syne comments to himself as he continues following behind the others.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse arches his spines again, tilting his head again. �Movement...several creatures together.�
Katie: �You should have died long ago, you might have spared them all the trouble of having to deal with you� Katie nods seemingly to herself.
^Shinta: �She has needed to know for a long time...The sooner she faces her memories�Then maybe, the sooner we get the Katie that was so strong and so proud back to us. The Kate we know is still there, she just won�t face her, yet.�
DracBlue says, �Dear lord, I miss it�thousands of Quicklings just looking for shineys and speaking of shineys.� He bends over and picks up a shiny stone.
Claron nods her head, �It will take ALL of us. And I for one want my best friend back.�
Luna_Faline looks around at the forest then back at Shinta, �But you don�t want to help her?� drops my paw from his arm and walks away.
Valrash says very quietly, �If she wins at all.�
Tabris listens to the conversation and nods, �Good enough reason for me. Friends are worth the risk.�
^Shinta: �I can�t bring that back to her...The more I try, the more she pushes away...I�m not Kyo anymore...I�m the man who loves her, she just doesn�t see me.�
DracBlue sticks it in the pocket of his robe.
Kyra gazes up at Stryder, a wealth of emotion in her eyes, �Dunno why you stick around,� she muses softly.
Luna_Faline hears Valrash muttering as I pass and turns back to him. �What is that supposed to mean? What have you done?� I growl at him.
Vin_Da_DM: �No place else I�d rather be,� Stryder smiles brightly at Kyra.
Valrash looks at Luna, �I didn�t do a thing, but it looks like something my father made. Its so big, that it can devour the person,� he says in a low voice.
Kyra gives him a sunny smile of her own, wrapping an arm around his waist.
Claron: �She will come to realize that...we just have to get the old Katie back is all, Shinta. She always was a bullheaded one when it came to seeing what was right before her eyes.�
Luna_Faline studies Val, �Like father, like son? I better not find out your tormenting her further.�
^Shinta: �Its the ones that aren�t making things crystal clear that worry me,� looking to the back of the group.
Valrash looks at Luna and whispers in a growl, �The only one I want to torment is Cara.�
Katie stops, cocks her head, listening, then shakes it and resumes walking, her pace a bit slower, as if she�s having trouble just moving.
Cara breaks her mental silence, ~Because it is not me he loves, you ninny.~ Kyra hears in her mind only.
Kyra stumbles.
Luna_Faline takes a menacing step closer to Val, �I find out your tormenting anyone in this group and you won�t be in this group or any group after that.�
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder pauses as Kyra stumbles, �You ok?�
Kyra: �I�m�.� Kyra looks guiltily at Cara, �I�m fine.�
Tabris looks back, then at Claron shaking his head a bit.
Luna_Faline storms away and catches up with Eclipse. �Goddess, I think your the only sane man in this group. I�m so glad your mine.�
Cara looks back at Kyra. ~ I wish he did...I LONG for it...but he doesn�t�~ is heard only in Kyra�s mind.
Valrash starts walking towards Kyra.
Vin_Da_DM: �I�m glad as well�� Eclipse looks at Luna then looks ahead, �More noises...something�s coming.�
DracBlue looks at Valrash and his claws slide out of his fists.
DracBlue uses the dull side of one of his claws and bitch slaps Valrash.
Luna_Faline ears twitch listening to the forest sounds, �More than one, I think.�
Valrash flies off to the side and into a tree. The tree cracks in half and falls on him. �Ouch,� he says.
Kyra gives Cara a pained expression, then darts a glance at Stryder�s face. ~It isn�t like I�ve done anything to deserve him.~ But as she can�t control her mind link well enough, it can be heard by anyone listening.
Vin_Da_DM: Ahead of the group the road widens. From the side of the road, in between the trees a white hooded elf and blonde woman stumble onto the road from the underbrush. Turning around they glance into the woods as a piercing howl echoes across the trees.
Vin_Da_DM: Turning the man spots the group and motions at you that something is coming in the direction they appeared from. Drawing out his knives he looks at the woman, who notches an arrow on her elaborate longbow and draws it back taking aim in between the trees.
Katie shudders at the sound of the howl, seeming to shrink further in size.
DracBlue retracts his claws and smiles at Cara.
Luna_Faline looks ahead and sees the duo preparing to fight some unseen pursuer. �Oh great, just what we need now.� I growl as I extend my claws and look over at Eclipse.
Vin_Da_DM: Following the howl, the breaking of underbrush and sounds of several animals running can be heard. Several large six-legged black wolves leap from the trees landing on the road on either side of the duo.
Vin_Da_DM: �So much for uneventful,� Eclipse says taking a step to the side as the wolves leap into place.
DracBlue flies up, dive bombs one of the wolves and tries to skewer it.
Vin_Da_DM: Another set of the black wolves jump from the trees landing behind your group. Syne turns and growls at them.
Luna_Faline sees the wolves and growls, �Oh that�s not good.�
Vin_Da_DM: Drac has little room to fly in because of the branching trees, but manages to clip one of the wolves. Snarling in response it shakes the blade loose and bites at him.
Valrash crawls out from the halved tree.
Shadow pulls out his axe and runs at one of the wolves swinging his axe.
Vin_Da_DM: The white hooded man spins around towards one of the wolves, throwing two knives during his spin that sink into the back of his target.
Cara finds herself saying something she never thought possible to Kyra mentally. ~You have done more to deserve him then I have ever been able to do. He knows me for the double talking bitch I have always been.~
Vin_Da_DM: Shadow�s axe slices the wolf nicely, but only seems to make it angrier. Turning it claws him across the chest armor.
DracBlue pulls one of his claws into the dog�s mouth and pushes his hand all the way into it.
Kyra: ~There�s always been more to you than what the world sees, Cara.~ Kyra sounds anguished as she sees pandemonium break out in the road.
Luna_Faline jumps up and grabs a tree branch and swings up onto it. Begins moving from tree to tree above the wolves.
Vin_Da_DM: The wolf bites the claw and gives Drac a good shaking before tossing him off into a tree.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder scoops up a tree branch and stands close to Kyra, �Great��
DracBlue catches himself with his wings before he hits the tree and lands, grabs a smaller tree, pulls it out of the ground and throws it at the wolves.
Tabris: Creating two obsidian blades Tabris cuts into a wolf as it leaps for him.
Vin_Da_DM: Drac�s tree flies through the air and crashing into a wolf along with Eclipse.
Claron instantly begins to manipulate gravity of two of the wolves that are close together, turning them inside out.
Kyra: �Shit.� Kyra says, looking worriedly at Katie, who continues to stand blinking, looking dazed.
Vin_Da_DM: Pushing the tree off him Eclipse growls, �Watch where your throwing things!� Wiping some blood from his lip Eclipse grabs the downed wolf by the neck and gives it some unhealthy chiropractics.
Clarice reacts and concentrates on freezing one of the black wolves solid from the inside out.
Valrash takes a branch off the tree that hit him, makes a spear out of it with his fire and throws it at a dog.
Luna_Faline looks down at Eclipse, �I know you wanted to take the scenic road, but this isn�t quite what I had in mind.�
Vin_Da_DM: Claron�s wolves writhes as they become inside out, slumping to the ground they make eerie wargling sounds before fading away. The other dead wolves fade away as well. Another group of howls, growing closer sounds.
Cara brings her hand up, sending streaming pulses of bluish-purple flames at one.
DracBlue calls out, �Sorry, Eclipse.� He runs back to the fray.
Vin_Da_DM: Several more of the wolves leap out from the surrounding forest, to replace the ones that are dying.
Arwyn begins to rapid fire arrows at several of the wolves with deadly precision and accuracy.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne gets into a wrestling match with one of the wolves, becoming his bear form, he begins biting at it�s throat as they thrash about in the dirt.
Luna_Faline grabs some nuts growing in the trees and throws them at the wolves to distract them.
DracBlue throws the stone he had in his pocket at one of the wolves, that jumped out of the forest, gets closer. Sees Syne and says, �Good idea, Syne,� tries to take a bite out of another wolf.
Vin_Da_DM: The nuts splat against the wolves� heads, giving them colorful spots of nutty-goo. One glares up at Luna snarling and to her surprise, begins scaling the tree she�s in.
Luna_Faline sees the wolf climbing my tree and shoots my claws at him. Then moves to a new tree.
Claron sees the wolf scaling the tree and manipulates his gravity making it heavier for him to climb the tree.
Vin_Da_DM: �Milady, to your side!� The man says as he rolls behind her slicing another wolf across the face.
Kyra stands protectively in front of Katie. �Now would be a great time to snap out of it, turtle-girl,� she yells over her shoulder.
Vin_Da_DM: Digging his claws in, the wolf continues up the tree, slower from Claron�s power, but still going.
Arwyn turns quickly and fires three arrows in into the wolf.
Vin_Da_DM: Luna�s claws bite into the wolf, causing him to slip a bit.
Tewyn: �These things didn�t go to obedience school, huh?�
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder breaks his stick across the side of one of the wolves trying to flank Kyra.
Claron shakes her head, �Enough, you mangy dog,� as she continues to increase her concentration till she has encased it into a gravity bubble and it explodes.
Luna_Faline roars and fires more claws at the wolf�s paws as he climbs the tree,
Vin_Da_DM: The inside of Claron�s gravity bubble is filled with wolf bits, a good collection of blood and half of the tree.
Luna_Faline jumps to yet another tree to avoid getting splattered.
Claron feels bile rising in her throat as she sees the wolf bits and blood.
Vin_Da_DM: Luna hears a large growl from the branch next to her as a black wolf perches unsteady on the branch, it swipes a claw at her.
Tewyn starts tapping his foot on the ground, each tap causing a tremor, growing in size.
Luna_Faline jumps away from the wolf to another tree and screams, �Eclipse! We could use some shadows anytime now!�
DracBlue flies a few feet above the ground.
Valrash falls on his ass.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse lures one of the wolves into a shadow after him, sliding out of another shadow he looks up at Luna. �On it!� Placing his hand against a larger area of shadow he closes his eyes and concentrates. Shadowy tendrils begin to wind their way up the tree dragging the branch-bound wolf off in two pieces.
Claron manipulates her own gravity as she feels the tremors.
Shadow swings his axe. It gets stuck in the ground and he holds onto it for dear life. Lets one hand go and pulls out the pistol, shoots at one of the wolves away from the others.
Luna_Faline digs her claws into the branch under me as the tree begins to shake.
Kyra uses her wind to lift herself off the ground, but Katie is knocked down before she can grab her. �Katie!�
Vin_Da_DM: The tremors begin shaking the entire forest around you. Some of the wolves are knocked down, but some manage to continue their attacks with some agility.
Tewyn looks at the wolves, �You bore me,� bringing up slabs of rocks using the wolves like pin cushions.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne bounces and rolls in a wrestling match with a second wolf.
DracBlue dives at a wolf and takes a bite at its head while sticking his claws in on either side.
Vin_Da_DM: Several wolf-sicles are shattered by Tewyn�s tremors and rock shards.
Tewyn looks at Cara, �This is why your only allowed goldfish for pets when we get a home.�
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder gets to his feet and begins trying to get Katie to hers.
Claron rushes over towards Katie.
Kyra concentrates, and creates a wind under Katie, pushing her off the ground.
Valrash stands up and throws fire balls at the wolfs
Cara smiles, �Oh great�I had a nice Siberian tiger in mind for a pet.�
Tabris stabs a downed wolf then rips his blades out, turning he pushes a hand out sending a row of obsidian pikes plowing through a few trees and shish-ka-bobbing wolves in the process.
Tewyn: �We can talk about it.�
Vin_Da_DM: One of the wolves ignites from Valrash�s fireball, but continues it�s dash towards him.
Kyra: �Katie dammit! We NEED you!� Kyra�s voice holds a note of pleading.
Valrash smiles and opens a spire of lava flow below the wolf rushing towards him.
Vin_Da_DM: Another wolf leaps behind Cara, slashing her on the shoulder as it lands on the ground.
Claron helps Stryder lift Katie.
^Shinta: Remy starts playing duck, duck, goose with the remaining wolves, phasing in and out around them.
Vin_Da_DM: Finishing off another wolf, Sabir looks at Arwyn with a nod, �As powerful as I told, are they not?�
DracBlue drops the wolf he was toying with and rushes over to Cara slashing at the wolf that attacked her.
Cara screams out as the wolf slashes her shoulder, then turns her mage fire streams on it as it lands on the ground.
^Shinta: Remy jumps on the back of one of the wolves and rides it like a bronco biting at its ears.
Kyra drops Katie back to the ground gently, turning as a snarl sounds right behind her. The wolf�s leap catches her across the upper thigh and she tumbles to the ground in a tangle of fur and her own blood.
DracBlue pulls back his hand as it burns.
Vin_Da_DM: Dragging several more wolves off into the shadows Eclipse flips of away from his spot. Catching a wolf claw to the side he growls. Turning he holds his side and grabs the wolf with a large shadowy fist squeezing it like a grape.
Claron: �Come on, Katie. Snap out of it, time to assume command.�
DracBlue looks at it and takes a bite out of a dead wolf and watches his hand regenerate.
Vin_Da_DM: �Kyra!� Stryder narrows his gaze and turns towards the wolf, tackling it he shimmers away with the section he landed on.
Katie blinks, looking around dazedly. �Who the hell said we needed a puppy?� she says in a small voice.
Luna_Faline watches the fighting on the road below me, I reach into my pocket and take out the sai. �I hope the power is in the hilt not the blade,� I growl as I throw it at a wolf under my tree.
Kyra squeals as the two remaining pieces cover her in blood. �Ewww, dammit.�
Vin_Da_DM: The sai bonks the wolf on it�s head, looking at her it knocks itself against the tree she�s in causing it to crack and fall backwards.
Luna_Faline feels the tree falling and jumps to another tree.
Katie steps to Kyra�s side. �Easy soldier,� she says, her eyes crackling to life as she draws up a magnetic pulse and sends a wolf flying with it.
Luna_Faline roars and jumps down from the tree landing on that wolf, sinking my claws into his throat as I rip it out.
Vin_Da_DM: Katie�s wolf crashes against a distant tree with an audible cracking sound, unhealthy sounding at best.
Kyra: �Ho �much of this do you reckon is mine?� Kyra says weakly, looking at the blood covering her.
Claron smiles as she sees Katie assume a position of authority before turning another one of the wolves inside out.
Shadow pulls his axe out of the ground and sinks it into a wolf.
Vin_Da_DM: �Less than theirs,� Stryder says as he shimmers back next to her, dropping a wolf�s forearm.
Kyra smiles up at him, �I think I�mma need a rabies shot,� she says through gritted teeth.
Valrash jumps onto a wolf, grabs its throat, and then turns, pulling the neck in the opposite direction.
Vin_Da_DM: With a swift snap! Valrash�s wolf slides to the ground, and like the other dead ones fades away.
Luna_Faline leaves the dead wolf and runs to Kyra, �Oh no, you won�t" as I push against the bloody thigh healing her.
Katie: �You!� Katie�s voice cracks like a whip as she turns a cold stare on Stryder. �Secure that, private!� Then she turns back to yet another wolf and sends this one flying, too.
Vin_Da_DM: Sabir narrows his gaze looking around at the wolves, �They appear to be illusions.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Private?� Stryder says grabbing another stick and stabbing at a nearby wolf.
Vin_Da_DM: �Gah!� Syne snarls as a wolf takes a bite of his shoulder. Rolling over he swipes it across the face, dropping it.
Valrash grabs Stryder�s stick and turns it into a flaming spear, the flames subside where he holds the stick.
Valrash lets go.
Vin_Da_DM: �A flaming stick, guess that works,� Stryder shrugs then throws it at a wolf impaling it.
Luna_Faline notices the mysterious duo is not fighting and moves over to them .�Why were these wolves chasing you?�
Valrash jumps onto another wolf and punches his claw hand into it, his claws going into its back and ripping out part of its spine.
Tabris: �Honey...I love ya, but sometimes ya scare me,� Tabris comments as he brushes past Claron using twirling obsidian shards to decapitate one of the wolves.
Vin_Da_DM: Sabir looks at Luna then over at Arwyn. Looking past Arwyn he chucks a knife close to her head catching a wolf in the neck.
Katie: �Shinta! How are we doing?� Katie stares at another wolf, dispatching it like the others. �Claron! Tab! Look out!� she catches sight of two sneaky furballs advancing on the pair.
Tabris: �I see �em!� Tabris shouts, �All this fire, I;d hate to miss out.� Smirking he tosses an obsidian rock at one of the wolves which explodes into lava before hitting it.
Cara�s shoulder continues to bleed from the gashes she received from the wolf that attacked her.
Kyra smiles gratefully at Luna, then struggles to her feet. �I think she�s lost it.� She looks oddly at Katie.
Katie sends a pulse at a wolf charging Syne. �Easy, Sergeant! They�re a crafty bunch.� She whirls as one gets past her radar and bites down on her wrist.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse spin-kicks one of the wolves in the head, growling back at it as it growls at him.
Arwyn looks at the cat woman, �I am afraid they are trying to stop me from reaching Selenia�s War Council with some sensitive information.�
Shadow shoots the wolf that has a hold of Katie.
Vin_Da_DM: �Sergeant...Kat, what the hell?� Syne says as he pounces the wolf attacking Katie.
Vin_Da_DM: Sabir reaches out pulling his thrown knives back to him with faintly visible magic. Tossing several again he takes down two wolves looking to interrupt Arwyn.
Luna_Faline looks around for a moment then calls for the sai, �Eclipse?! We really need to go now!�
Katie howls in pain and tries to shake the wolf loose, causing it to tear her wrist and hand open further. The bones are now visible.
Vin_Da_DM: �I agree...something else is approaching!� Eclipse turns getting broadsided by a wolf, rolling to the ground with it Eclipse tosses it away into a tree.
Vin_Da_DM: The wolf breaks his grip on Katie as Syne and Shadow�s combined attack kills it.
Katie sinks to her knees, looking at her wrist laid open to the bone. �I fought to the death. I have no shame,� as she passes out.
Luna_Faline prays silently, �O�Goddess we need to get out of here now,� running towards Katie.
Kyra looks at the pool of blood forming under Katie and feels a bit like fainting, herself. �Kat!�
Vin_Da_DM: �ENOUGH!� A booming wolf-ish voice echoes around you. The attacking wolves withdraw and begin to space themselves enough to form a large circle. A few trees depth into the forest around you a thick red mist forms, clouding all view beyond.
Luna_Faline kneels next to Katie and grabs her bleeding wrist and heals it. �Wake up, damn it.�
Kyra quakes at the loud voice, but hits her knees next to Katie, drawing a deep breath. �Don�t be such a baby, McKinnon. You aren�t finished yet. Your squad is not safe. Dammit, do your job, or I�ll see you thrown into the brig!� She prays she�s got the words right.
Katie opens her eyes. �Sorry, sir. You�re right.� She struggles weakly to get up.
Claron gives Kyra nod of approval, �Well done, young lady. You catch on quick.�
Kyra mutters to herself, �That was a lucky guess, Darnier.�
Vin_Da_DM: A black hooded figure appears from the mist and walks towards the group, the gap it leaves is filled by a wolf twice the size of the others. The figure chuckles, �Not bad�� Shifting it�s gaze the figure settles on Cara, �I did not expect to see you so soon...you�re looking more alive then last time.�
Luna_Faline looks around for Eclipse. �Now would be a really good time to vanish.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse stares at the figure as if trying to figure out who it is.
DracBlue chuckles, �Now, where have I seen him before?� looks at Cara.
Vin_Da_DM: �Give us the elf and you will live...for today.� The figure turns it�s attention to Arwyn. �I�m afraid I cannot allow what your carrying to be seen...by anyone.�
Cara�s eyes grow large as she tries not to succumb the trembling she feels beginning in her body.
Vin_Da_DM: Sabir draws his daggers and steps in between the figure and Arwyn.
Vin_Da_DM: �Friend of yours?� Stryder looks over at Cara.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne cringes a bit as he concentrates on sealing the claw and teeth marks in him.
Cara doesn�t say a word.
Katie slumps forward a bit, having lost an awful lot of blood.
Vin_Da_DM: �Luna...heal Katie,� Syne growls out at Luna as he looks at her.
DracBlue walks towards the man and extends his claws, �Now, now. What kind of good guys would we be if we handed her over?�
Kyra: �She did.� Kyra whispers. �Now she needs to replenish what she�s lost.�
Vin_Da_DM: The figure turns to Drac, �Little lost soul...found your way home. It would be a shame to�� in the middle of his words he points a hand at Drac, who in response feelings a burning in his chest, ��lose your new body so soon. It�s sooo very useful.�
DracBlue presses forward, �When I get cleansed you will have no power over me, demon.�
DracBlue drops to his knees.
Arwyn: �Leave them alone. Your fight is with me.�
Vin_Da_DM: Drac can almost feel the smirk in the figure�s voice, �Good, on your knees as you should be.� Shifting his gaze back to Arywn, �So you will give me what I want?�
Kyra: �Private?� Katie looks up at Kyra questioningly, �I seem to have misplaced my pistols in the fray�.�
Luna_Faline grips the damaged sai tightly in my paw praying silently still, �Misstress what do we do?�
Arwyn: �I cannot do that.�
Kyra pats Katie soothingly. �They are safe, sir. I stowed them for you in your bag.�
Shadow steps in front of DracBlue and holds up his axe, �Can�t have you dying just yet now can we, lad?�
Valrash looks at them questioningly.
Katie nods, wavering in and out of consciousness, �Good job, Private,� she wheezes.
Kyra closes her eyes and wishes they were all anywhere but here.
Vin_Da_DM: �That is a shame.� The figure walks over to Arywn, sounding amused as he watches Sabir, �You know how this will end then. Shall I kill you first? Or the Warriors?�
DracBlue stands up in severe pain and says, �I bow to no man, just to the one who I follow.�
Valrash looks at DracBlue and sighs, �Dumb ass.�
Shadow holds up the white cloudy gem in front of DracBlue and it floats in mid air, spinning. Drac looks in a state of pure joy.
Katie looks at the nearly healed gashes on her wrist, a puckered scarred lump the only thing that remains of what could have been a fatal wound. �Oh dear,� she whispers to herself. �That should have done it. Let me die. Why isn�t it happening? Mam�Da�now Marco. I don�t want to be here without them.� Tears roll down her face. �I thought that knife was sharp enough��
Shadow sighs, �Can�t have you dying, lad.�
Kyra gasps, �You�ve tried before, haven�t you?� she says softly. �The lake wasn�t your first attempt at running from your life, was it?�
Arwyn: �Now what fun is that? You want what I have, but you are not willing to compromise.�
Katie: As Katie continues to babble to herself, Kyra shakes her head. �You�ve gotta quit running, McKinnon. Before you run out of road.�
Vin_Da_DM: The figure chuckles, �Compromise...you are not in a position to demand anything.�
Shadow looks at DracBlue, �So that�s what you wish, huh?� He shakes his head.
Arwyn: �Seems I am�if you want what I carry.�
Valrash looks at the floating gem in front of Dracblue, �What the hell is that?�
Shadow says, �Its nothing, just ignore it, ye demon. As far as I�m concerned your as good as they are,� points to the wolf man.
Katie�s babbling subsides and she sits quietly, staring at her wrist. A tear slides down her cheek and she reaches over and picks up her bracelet from the ground where it fell. �Bastard tried to steal it,� she whisper.
Valrash steps back half in shock.
Luna_Faline stands up and moves slowly closer to Eclipse.
Vin_Da_DM: Chuckling the figure extends his hands, with clouds of red mist two large bastard swords appear in each of his hands. Though different, both look equally dangerous, with curved designs that Cara notice are demonic symbols.
Tabris: �If anyone has any ideas, now�s the time.�� Tabris looks around at the group then at the guy.
Valrash looks at the blades and his eyes go wide.
Cara moves closer to her father, the blood from her shoulder dripping down her back, reaching over she slides her hand into his. As soon as she squeezes her father�s hand she begins to chant words that she once heard her mother speak, �Valdecium Immorterium, Telportium Unisomanus Dilictium!�
Tewyn looks at Cara.
Vin_Da_DM: The figure looks at Cara, �What are you doing�no. You�re not supposed to be able to do that!� Growling the figure shields it�s eyes as Cara�s spell causes the area to begin to glow, �Stop her!� He yells at the wolves, but they are equally stunned by the glow.
Vin_Da_DM: As Cara�s spell reaches it peak, the surrounding area is filled with a bright light. The light dazes everyone and makes you feel floaty for several moments. As the bright light fades into the clear sky overhead you find yourselves spread out over a small area.
Vin_Da_DM: As you get to your feet and look around several of you notice something not quite right�you are looking at yourself, but from somebody else�s point of view. Clearly Cara�s spell has a larger side effect then simply teleporting you to safety�
Vin_Da_DM: $ End