S: Kennloda 2

## Session 72

[7:49 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Gunnloda... I hate to ask with the day you've had, but... we need to call Kendall."

[7:51 PM] DM: Gunnloda looks up at Ryleigh and there's the ghost of the sadness and panic from earlier in her eyes, but she swallows it down and nods. "Might as well see if... I was right."

[7:54 PM] Seirixori: Seir frowns and gives Gunnloda's hand a squeeze, "I'll be here."

[7:52 PM] Ravaphine: Rav looks over to Ryleigh, and over to Gunnloda. "This is a lot to ask...I'm incredibly sorry for having to bring this all up. I'm...I'm sure there's another way around this. Maybe once we get back into town we can...I don't know." Rav starts to stutter at the end there.(edited)

[7:54 PM] Urrak: Urrak gets up and walks towards Ravaphine. She places a hand on her shoulder, "Hey, don't apologize. We all want t' help ye."

[7:54 PM] Seirixori: "We-- we have time though. It'll be at least four days before the full moon."

[7:55 PM] DM: Gunnloda kind of chuckles in that sad, self-conscious sort of way. "Well... if we call her now, at least she can take us back to land too."

[7:55 PM] Urrak: "That... is not a bad idea..."

[7:56 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "We don't know how much longer it's going to take us to get back to Rodoza. We can't risk it taking too long and Ravaphine transform before we get some help."(edited)

[7:59 PM] DM: Gunnloda pulls the stone from a pouch she keeps tucked in her belt. She closes her hands over it, there's a faint glow, and then it goes out again. "She should be here within the hour."

[8:02 PM] Ravaphine: Rav rushes up to Gunnloda and gives her a hug, finally letting out a good, long sob. "I'm so sorry. This wasn't your problem to deal with, and it was my mistake. You're too good to us," she manages to muffle into her shoulder.

[8:04 PM] Nolanos: Nolanos has been sitting quietly and listening to the conversation, in too much shock to say anything.

8:04 PM] DM: Gunnloda kind of frowns and pats Rav on the back. "I'm... not sure I understand quite what you're apologizin' for, but... it's beyond my ability to help, so I'll call someone who can."

[8:06 PM] Seirixori: Seir glares, but more at the horizon, "I bet you can. At least eventually," Seir mutters.

[8:09 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia looks among Gunnloda, Ravaphine, and Seirixori with a worried frown. Everything is all weird lately.

[8:10 PM] Brimeia: "We really appreciate everything you do, Gunnloda. Dunno what we'd do without you, honestly."

[8:10 PM] Nolanos: Not saying a word, Nolanos finally stands and hugs Rav. "We'll fix this. We have to. I can't lose you too..." he murmurs, face buried in her shoulder.

[8:10 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh sit beside Seirixori and takes her hand - she whispers some in infernal to Seir.

 Kendall arrives

[8:12 PM] DM: About twenty minutes later, there's a pop and a familiar halfling in white robes with blue and gold edges and a samurai styled hat appears at Gunnloda's side. She smirks a bit and says, "You lot have the worst luck... how'd you go and find yourselves with the only two werecreatures in the world?"

[8:13 PM] Ravaphine: Rav returns Nolanos' hug.

[8:13 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Just lucky I guess," Ryleigh says, half grinning.

[8:14 PM] Urrak: "Ye have a shitty definition of luck, paladin." Urrak jokes, "Thanks fer comin' Kendall."(edited)

[8:15 PM] DM: Kendall: "Of course, dear. Who's the lucky victim?"

[8:15 PM] Ravaphine: "Curiosity killed the cat...or created one in this case," Rav raises her hand before looking down at her feet. "Thank you for coming on such short notice, Kendall."

[8:16 PM] DM: Kendall tsk-tsks. "And both elves too!"

[8:16 PM] DM: Her smirk falls away and she's about as serious as most of you have ever seen from her. "You know there's a chance this won't work, right?"

[8:17 PM] DM: Gunnloda quietly gets to her feet behind Kendall and walks away.

[8:18 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia watches sadly as Gunnloda walks away.

[8:18 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh nudges Seir to follow Gunnloda.

[8:19 PM] Seirixori: Seir hesitates for a second but then follows after her.

[8:18 PM] Brimeia: "But it might?" she asks Kendall.

[8:19 PM] DM: Kendall: "I can't say until we try. There's a lot of variables. What bit you, whether it's the incurable kind or lycanthropy, whether you waited too long."

[8:19 PM] Ravaphine: Rav nods her head just a little. "I am ready to accept the worst. I'm just thankful that you are allowing me this chance."(edited)

[8:20 PM] DM: Kendall: "I had hoped it'd work for your other elven friend, but we know how that turned out."

[8:20 PM] Urrak: "Don't get her hopes up, there, Kendall."

[8:21 PM] Nolanos: "Is there anything we can do to help?"

[8:22 PM] DM: Kendall smirks again. "Not unless one of you can cast powerful cure spells."

[8:22 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia glances the way that Gunnloda and Seir went.

[8:23 PM] DM: Kendall: "Ok, come on down here, beanstalk."

[8:23 PM] Nolanos: Nolanos shakes his head at kendall's statement, and squeezes rav's hand before she walks over.(edited)

[8:24 PM] Ravaphine: Rav squeezes back and kneels down in front of Kendall.

[8:27 PM] DM: She glances around like she's looking for something- someone- and her smirk fades again. "Right." She reaches into her pouch and sprinkles diamond dust over Rav's hair. She puts her hand out on Ravaphine's forehead and closes her eyes. She mumbles a prayer almost under her breath, and a glittering golden aura envelops Rav, pulls in until it's a layer of golden starlight twinkling across her skin, and slowly dissipates into her skin.

[8:47 PM] DM: Kendall looks around again. "Camping..."

[8:47 PM] Ravaphine: "Terrorist groups. Dead people. The usual."

[8:47 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Walk with me?" Ryleigh asks Kendall and jerks her head towards the beach.

[8:49 PM] DM: Kendall's mouth pulls to one side like she's considering, but nods.

[8:50 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh starts walking away from the others.

[8:50 PM] DM: Kendall follows.

8:51 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "How are you?" Ryleigh asks once they're out of earshot of camp.

[8:53 PM] DM: She looks around and, seeing that they're alone, her whole expression and bearing changes. Her shoulders sag a little and her ever-present smirk disappears. She sighs. "Getting along."

[8:56 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh places a hand on Kendall's shoulder, squeezing it in a comforting way. "I'm sorry you aren't doing better since we last spoke."

[8:58 PM] DM: She nods a bit. "And on this end? The newlyweds still happy?"

[9:01 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "They are," Ryleigh says, but there's clear hesitation in her tone., "despite recent revelations."

[9:03 PM] DM: Kendall frowns. "What does that mean?"

[9:09 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "It isn't my secret to tell. You'd have to ask Gunnloda about it." Ryleigh is also frowning slightly. "Kendall, it might not be any of my business, and... I'm sure you'll be okay - eventually - but you can talk to me if you need to or you could try to amends with Gunnloda. Maybe a friendship with her might be better than her complete absence from your life."

[9:14 PM] DM: There's something akin to fear that flashes in her eyes before being contained. "Ab-- I-- No... I want to... be friends. I just... I fucked it all up. I hurt her. I can't make her talk to me if she doesn't want to."

[9:23 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "You're right, you can't, but that doesn't mean you stop trying." Ryleigh is quiet for a moment before she says, "She didn't leave camp tonight because of you, it was because of something else."

[9:24 PM] DM: "I... no?"

[9:27 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "No. It's..." Ryleigh sighs "...it wasn't because of you. She didn't want to interfere with your ritual... but I can't say anymore without revealing too much and it isn't up to me to inform you."(edited)

[9:31 PM] DM: Kendall takes a deep breath and thinks for a minute. "You're right... I should probably talk to her before you get back on your way to town."

[9:34 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "About that..." Ryleigh grips Dawnbringers handle "...we sort of sailed here on a makeshift raft after our ship crashed on Mocha Island."(edited)

[9:34 PM] DM: "You what now?"

[9:35 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh chuckles a little. "We rowed here on a raft, all 11 of us. It was a real blast. I was hoping maybe you could help us with transportation - if it isn't too much to ask."

[9:36 PM] DM: "Eleven is a bit much... I'll have to take two trips... which means someone's staying here overnight."

[9:40 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I'm sure some of us won't mind staying behind. Are you sure you don't mind? I'd hate for you to get the impression we're always using you... You've never asked for anything in return when you've helped us. I stand by what I said that night in Bellbury. If you ever need anything from me, just ask."

[9:41 PM] DM: She laughs a little. "You should know by now I'd do near anything for her and if helping you helps her, it's no trouble.... I wouldn't make her sail across the sea on a raft if I could prevent it."

[9:43 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh grins. "Regardless, my offer will always be there and maybe one day you'll let me repay our debt to you. Are you ready to go talk to Gunnloda?"

[10:14 PM] DM: There's a pop and Kendall appears next to Gunnloda again, pocketing a piece of stone.

[10:16 PM] Seirixori: "Hello, Kendall." Seir says giving a tiny wave.

[10:17 PM] DM: Kendall smiles at Seir. "Hello, dear."

[10:18 PM] DM: Ryleigh heads back to camp and the three of you walk closer until Seir's comfortable with the distance.

[10:20 PM] DM: Kendall: "I probably should've asked before I took them back to Rodoza and used my last teleport to come back, but if you don't want to talk, I can make myself scarce."

[10:22 PM] Seirixori: "Gonna be a weird conversation." Seir laughs dryly.

[10:22 PM] DM: Gunnloda nods. "Did it work?"

[10:24 PM] DM: Kendall smiles and nods. "One less lycanthrope to worry about."

[10:24 PM] Seirixori: Seir sighs, unable to hide her slight disappointment.

[10:25 PM] DM: Kendall looks between the two of them. "That's... not exactly the response I was expecting. What's wrong, lo-- Gunnloda?"

[10:27 PM] DM: Gunnloda's lips are pressed together like she's trying to to let too much emotion out. "There's... somethin' wrong with me. I think it was my fault you couldn't cure Cae."

[10:29 PM] DM: Kendall immediately moves like she was going to reach up to touch Gunnloda's forehead as her eyes start scanning over her, but she reins herself in after a moment and holds her hands back. "Sorry-- what do you mean, wrong with you? Do you need healing?"

[10:31 PM] Seirixori: "There's nothing wrong--" Seir huffs and stops herself. She sits down, feeling a little awkward towering over both of them. She rubs her thumb across Gunnloda's hand, not saying more unless she needs to.

[10:32 PM] DM: Gunnloda glances over at Seir and sighs as she turns back to Kendall. "D'you remember when I... the darkness I talked about. When I... died."

[10:32 PM] DM: Kendall nods.

[10:35 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "Ryleigh noticed that I have an aura when she uses her paladin abilities. It's not like any she's seen before... and Seirixori... well... at least one god can't... see me?" She looks over at Seir again, for confirmation.

[10:38 PM] Seirixori: Seir nods, "Takara ... when I asked her to come to-- she said she didn't hear me when--." Seir closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. "Takara can't hear me if she's near me. She can't even see Gunnloda either, so it's possible she can't see me either."

[10:39 PM] DM: Kendall: "Takara? Why does that name sound familiar?"

[10:40 PM] Seirixori: "...oh," Seir blushes, "The um... goddess."

[10:43 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "She's... similar to Arawai."

[10:44 PM] DM: Kendall smiles at Seir. "I didn't realize you were religious, lucky charm."

[10:49 PM] Seirixori: "That's um... that's a bit of a stretch, really." Seir starts picking at her shirt with her free hand, "I... they're... kind of... Takara was asked to watch over me and I uh... talk to her. Like.. um... in person."(edited)

[10:53 PM] DM: "I knew you had to be special to catch her eye," Kendall says, nodding towards Gunnloda, "but to have the favor of a god?" She sounds impressed, but then she frowns as she turns back to Gunnloda. "So what's... you said she can't see you?

[10:57 PM] DM: Gunnloda nods. "You remember I thought they... weren't really 'gods'?"

[10:57 PM] DM: Kendall's expression hardens.

[10:59 PM] DM: Kendall: "I thought you'd gotten over that. Your wife says she talks to a god and you still don't believe in them?"

[11:02 PM] Seirixori: Seir practically snarls, "Don't you dare!" Seir barely manages to stay seated, but she's glaring something fierce, enough that she's aware she's pushing her anger issue more than she has lately, "She can believe whatever she wants and why would anyone want to believe in them if they can't see everyone?"(edited)

[11:06 PM] DM: Kendall doesn't exactly recoil, but she glances between the two of you for a moment, like she's suddenly unsure of her footing.

[11:10 PM] DM: Gunnloda takes a moment to collect herself. "I'm not sayin' they're not real and I'm not saying you're wrong for believin' in them. I never have. Certainly not now. I just want to know if you've heard of somethin' like that. The gods being unable t'see someone. I think it may be why all I saw was darkness. If they couldn't see me, couldn't reach me..."

[11:13 PM] DM: Kendall swallows and shakes her head, closing her eyes and looking away slightly. "You think I didn't ask everyone I knew, try everything I could to research what happened to you?" She looks up again, pain in her eyes. "I talked to every cleric and paladin I could find. Prayed to all nine of the Host. I asked clerics of other faiths. If I'd ever heard of anything remotely like what you went through, I'd have followed that thread to the answers you needed."

[11:17 PM] Seirixori: Seir shifts, now feeling a little uncomfortable.

[11:19 PM] DM: Kendall continues. "I thought it might be my fault. That I messed up calling you back somehow, especially when you kept complaining about the cold. Cade assured me that it wasn't the case, but..." She sighs.

[11:22 PM] DM: Gunnloda closes her eyes for a moment, then looks at Kendall. "The darkness existed 'fore you raised me. It wasn't your fault. You saved me from that, and no matter what happened after, I'll always be grateful t'you for it."

[11:28 PM] DM: Kendall: "I'm sorry. For all of it. I don't know if you're ready to hear it, but I just want you to know... I never wanted to hurt you. I wanted to protect you, even if it was from myself, but I shouldn't have made that choice for you. I was wrong and... I hope you can someday think of me without hurting again."

[11:34 PM] DM: Gunnloda looks down for a moment, thinking. "I'm not ready yet. I'm still sortin' through what all o'this means and I haven't even got the chance to figure out what I feel about everythin' that happened with us. I don't know if I can... I don't know if I can untangle the love I feel or felt for you from the rest of it.... but I'll try."

[11:36 PM] DM: Kendall nods. "That's more than fair. I'll try asking around again. Maybe someone's found something new. Can I do anything else to help?"

[11:37 PM] Seirixori: "So... weird question, can you do the detecting aura thing that Ryleigh can do?" Seir says from her spot on the ground.

[11:42 PM] DM: Kendall thinks for a few seconds. "I might be able to do something similar with a spell. I can try in the morning, anyway."

[11:43 PM] Seirixori: Seir nods, "If you don't mind. I just... want to verify something...I guess."

[11:44 PM] DM: Kendall: "Did she say what it looks like?"

[11:47 PM] Seirixori: Seir tilts her head, "Black, but also..." she hesitates. "I've been told mine isn't red."

[11:48 PM] DM: Kendall tilts her head. She looks kind of like a puppy with a box on its head when she does. "That I know I can check, but... I mean no offense but... you're obviously of infernal blood."

[11:51 PM] Seirixori: Seir chuckles, "Funny thing about appearances and auras. They apparently don't match up all the time. Ryleigh... Ryleigh said it was pink."(edited)

[11:54 PM] DM: Kendall stops herself from laughing with what almost comes out as a snort, but then decides to just let it out. "Wow. You are special. A lot of this conversation just made a lot more sense to me." She stops laughing and kind of squishes her face up in thought. "Not all of it, though."

[11:58 PM] Seirixori: Seir kind of shrugs, "Takara said she'd keep a closer watch, but...well. I'm going to see if I can find out anything more when we're back in Riverrun."

[12:02 AM] DM: Kendall: "I take it you know what that means, then." She chuckles a little and looks at Gunnloda before shaking her head. She looks like she's about to say something, then thinks better of it and lets her laughter die out.

[12:05 AM] DM: She takes a breath and reaches out for Gunnloda's other hand. "Don't worry. Between the two of us, I'm sure we'll figure out what's wrong. If it's the last thing I do before the Host takes me, I'll make sure you have a place to go too."

[12:09 AM] Seirixori: Seir nods, knowing she'll do the same.

[12:11 AM] DM: Gunnloda squeezes both your hands. "Thank y'both."

[12:12 AM] DM: Kendall smiles softly at first, then her smirk returns. "I meant to ask about the accent... Have you been drinking?"

[12:13 AM] DM: Gunnloda's laugh is watery and she almost throws Kendall's own hand back at her. "Let me be."

[12:15 AM] DM: Kendall laughs and winks at Seir as if to let her know it was a joke. "Well, I'm guessing there's at least one spare tent over there. I'll let you two enjoy the moonlit beach." She exaggerates a bow and heads back to the campfire.

[12:27 AM] Seirixori: Seir watches Kendall go and starts drawing in the sand with her free hand, "So... I've been... freaking out a little bit because there's a chance that when I said I think of Mielikki and Takara as family that it might be, uh, an actual thing."

[12:31 AM] DM: Gunnloda plops down next to Seir like she's too tired to even bother sitting down like a regular person. She doesn't say anything for several seconds, then, "Because they didn't tell you?"

[12:39 AM] Seirixori: "That's part of it." Seir moves so she can sit behind Gunnloda and wrap her arms around her, now playing with the edges of Gunnloda's shirt. "But also because I was worried about you... and kind of blaming them and myself for it." She shrugs, "I know I... shouldn't, but I just... I might be related to people who don't even know you're there and I don't like it."

[12:41 AM] DM: She leans back into Seir and kind of laughs. "We have more in common than you think."

[12:48 AM] DM: "If I were t'take you back t'Dhog Lodir, my family-- my parents-- would probably pretend you weren't really there. I get that families're complicated... and that our families mighta helped make us who we are... but they're not us. And I know that you wish you had a better relationship with yours. I don't fault you for that. I hope you have all the family y'ever dreamed of. It's messy, but we'll make it work because you are my family now."

[12:56 AM] Seirixori: Seir buries her face in Gunnloda's hair, "I-- I always wanted mine back... but I never thought-- you gave me one I never knew... never thought I could have." Seir sniffs, "I love you, invisible wife," She giggles a little, "Sorry, that was dumb."

[12:59 AM] DM: Gunnloda chuckles. "I'm sure it sounds better in Infernal, like tor beag." She takes a deep breath and relaxes into Seir a bit. "There's just too much to think about. It's overwhelmin'. I don't know what to think or how to figure it out. If I'm doin' or sayin' the right things. Makin' the right choices."

[1:10 AM] Seirixori: "I don't know, I like a lot of your choices."  Seir laughs, playing with Gunnloda's hands now instead of her shirt, "Maybe we'll get lucky and we can put this aside for a bit and worry about... whether or not I'm going to bring seven stray animals into the guildhall."

[1:12 AM] DM: "Seven?"

[1:15 AM] Seirixori: "It was a tough choice but I have picked out the most who need help. Seven was the lowest." Seir is grinning, but she's absolutely serious.

[1:17 AM] DM: "Are y'planning to stop travelin' the world to take care of animals, sor'odko?"

[1:20 AM] Seirixori: "Stool can have more friends!" Seir says, before addressing the question. "Maybe after, if you're up for it. I'm sure a hundred years or so is long enough to see everything. And then," Seir raises her hands taking Gunnloda's with her, "all the animals."

[1:23 AM] DM: She laughs and pulls Seir's arms tighter around her like she's looking for warmth. After a moment of silence, she says, quietly, "Thank you, by the way... for defending me. "

[1:28 AM] Seirixori: "Of course. I... thought about apologizing but... I'm not sorry." Seir happily snuggles closer.

[1:35 AM] DM: "D'you think..." She stops and reconsiders her words, but sighs. "I don't know how to say it... d'you think I'm doing the right thing with her?"

[1:41 AM] Seirixori: Seir's quiet for a minute and then she sighs, "You're a lot more forgiving than I am, I think. It's hard for me to not even say anything when they ask to get her. I-- I know she means a lot to you and she saved you but that doesn't mean she can get a pass on hurting you..." Seir sighs, "So yes, I think you are. Being away sometimes helps put things together too."

[1:48 AM] DM: "It's funny. I can protect the people I care about against anythin' but... I'm not very good at protecting m'self. I know it's not fair of me to ask, but... if y'think I'm letting m'self be blinded, would y'tell me? I let m'heart do as it would for far too long and... if I hadn't found you, I don't know where I'd've wound up."

[1:52 AM] Seirixori: Seir shifts, so she's in front of Gunnloda and releases one hand to cup her cheek. "I promise. You ... you made me feel again. Did I ever tell you that? Well, you did, and I'll do whatever I can to help with whatever you need." She finishes with a deep kiss.

6:49 PM] DM: When they pull apart, Kendall makes her presence known again with a polite clearing of her throat after a few seconds so all parties can pretend she wasn't just waiting for them to come up for air.

[6:55 PM] Seirixori: "Tents not good enough?" Seir cringes, "That sounds worse than it did in my head..."

[6:59 PM] DM: Kendall glances away for a moment, but looks back with determination. "Your friend keeps telling me I need to try harder.... and she's right. I don't mean to interrupt, I just... think its time we had a proper chat about everything. Seems we were both in the muck. And... well, it doesn't seem there's much left to protect at this point."

[7:01 PM] DM: Gunnloda looks at Seir, not really asking permission, but more like she's asking if she minds the interruption and/or wants to stay.

[7:05 PM] Seirixori: Seir kisses Gunnloda's forehead and whispers, "I'm here, I'll go if you want, but you did tell me to let you know when your heart is making your choices."

[7:09 PM] DM: Gunnloda pauses, but she says, "It's up to you. I'd like you t'stay, but I don't want you to be uncomfortable.... and I imagine it will be."

[7:14 PM] Seirixori: Seir shrugs, "Then I'll stay."

[7:15 PM] DM: Kendall comes closer and motions to a spot on the beach opposite Gunnloda. "May I?"

[7:15 PM] DM: Gunnloda nods, and Kendall sits.

[7:20 PM] DM: Kendall: "While I was sitting over there, it occurred to me that we both lied... I'm not trying to cast blame, I just thought maybe it would be... I thought we should try to speak honestly, warts'n'all. I lied to protect you, to give you the chance to find a love that could last all your days. And you... you lied to protect yourself."

[7:22 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "I stopped bringin' it up because it didn't get us anywhere. It just made you mad."

[7:23 PM] DM: Kendall nods. "You never actually followed the Host, did you?"

[7:25 PM] DM: At Gunnloda's frown, Kendall corrects herself. "Believed. You never believed in them. I know you lived by their word and did everything that was expected of you."

[7:27 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "No... I wanted to, but it never felt like I thought it should. But it made you happy and I thought maybe it would come in time."

[7:31 PM] DM: Kendall scoots forward a bit so she can take Gunnloda's hand. "It made me happy because I thought you... I thought it meant you were better. I thought we'd found the answer. You were happier, you weren't talking about what had happened as much." She pauses and frowns, remembering the conversation earlier. "Did you really not know that's why we traveled so much in the early days?"

[7:33 PM] DM: Gunnloda shakes her head. "I thought you liked to travel. That you just wanted to show me the country."

[7:36 PM] DM: Kendall gives a bit of a disbelieving chuckle. "No. I was trying to find you help... but then you started learning about the Host and when you were ordained... that's when I had the house built. I thought you found your answer and we could stop traveling."

[7:38 PM] DM: Kendall: "If I had known, I never would have stopped looking."

[7:40 PM] DM: The words hang there in the air for several moments until Kendall adds, almost reluctantly, "because that's what you do for people you love."

[7:43 PM] DM: Gunnloda looks like she's on the verge of tears. "I don't get it. If  that's how you felt, why did you make me think you didn't care?"

[7:49 PM] DM: Kendall sits up, releasing Gunnloda's hand and sighs. "You know why. I told you enough times back then.... you were too young, too mixed up in gratitude for pulling you out of the dark, you just needed someone who could get you out of that cave city. Once I got it in my head, I couldn't stop thinking it."

[7:54 PM] DM: "You looked at me like I hung the moon," Kendall continues, looking away like she can hide the pain the words bring. "It got harder and harder to convince myself to push you away. I couldn't bear to deny you anything you wanted or needed."

[7:55 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "Except you."

[7:58 PM] DM: Kendall nods sadly. "Until that wasn't true either." She laughs in that self-deprecating way she has. "I even tried to set you up with other girls... I don't think you even noticed."

[7:59 PM] Seirixori: Seir trying to not make a sound ends up almost choking on a laugh. "Sorry," she wheezes out.

[8:04 PM] DM: Kendall chuckles a little. "Oh believe me, a couple of those girls were right gutted, thinking they had a chance only to have her treat them like they were just friends and coworkers."

[8:05 PM] DM: Gunnloda blushes. "I didn't mean to upset anyone."

[8:07 PM] DM: Kendall takes Gunnloda's hand again and runs her thumb over the ring she's wearing. "It's why I had to give these back to you."(edited)

[8:11 PM] DM: Kendall sighs. "I kept hoping that even having what we had, if I kept it from getting too serious, you'd eventually find someone else. I realized I was fooling myself. I was just holding onto you because I didn't want to let go, but you were never going to find anyone else if you weren't even looking." She swallows hard, the pain returning to her features. "I had to send you away or it was all for nothing."

[8:12 PM] Seirixori: "That was still dumb." Seir mutters.

[8:14 PM] DM: Kendall half-shrugs. "Maybe... but it worked. Who knows if she'd have looked in your direction if I was the one still wearing that ring."

[8:18 PM] Seirixori: Seir shrugs, "It's possible to be in love with more than one person. Although... that isn't the only issue."

[8:19 PM] DM: Kendall just raises an eyebrow like she's waiting for Seir to elaborate.

[8:24 PM] Seirixori: Seir starts chewing on her bottom lip and glances at Gunnloda, squeezing her hand. "I'm... I'm not sure it's-- you let her change herself, completely. Because she thought-- you didn't say anything, did you not like--?" She stops, feeling weird about being the one to bring it up, unsure if she should have even said anythign to begin with.

[8:26 PM] DM: Kendall looks confused. "I let... what?"

[8:35 PM] Seirixori: Seir looks at Gunnloda and shifts using her other hand to start picking at the sand again, "Sorry I-- I didn't mean to... to bring that up without-- without asking." She sighs and slumps, wishing she hadn't said anything.

[8:40 PM] DM: Gunnloda squeezes Seir's hand and says, "It's all right..." She looks back to Kendall and clarifies, "My accent and everything... I figured if I acted more like the people you knew, you might be able to love me." She can't quite keep eye contact with Kendall, like she's embarrassed.

[8:47 PM] DM: Kendall's confusion turns to disbelief and sadness. "Is that-- I thought you just didn't want to be reminded of what had happened. You left your friends, your family, your country... you could hardly stand to talk to other dwarves we met for... ages. I thought it was just another thing you were putting behind you. I never would've asked you to do that for me." She sits back and drops her face into her hands. "Gods... that's just fucking brilliant." She looks to the side and just lets out a frustrated "Fuck."

[8:53 PM] DM: Kendall takes a deep breath and looks back at Gunnloda. She leans forward onto her knees so she can take Gunnloda's other hand. "I am so sorry. I didn't know..." She trails off and then her face turns to internalized anger again. "And I didn't know because I made it too hard for you to talk to me. I should've... I should've done something. I shouldn't've made you feel like you couldn't talk to me. Or like there was something wrong with you. Gods... I had no idea you thought like that. I thought you knew how much... I loved you. You were perfect... too good for an old woman like me."

[8:55 PM] Seirixori: Seir rolls her eyes, "Stupid." She mumbles again, then grimaces, realizing she said it outloud

[8:56 PM] DM: Kendall: "You're not wrong."

[8:58 PM] DM: Gunnloda's been quiet, just trying to let it all sink in. At some point, the tears that have been threatening start to fall, but she still doesn't say anything.

[9:01 PM] DM: Kendall nervously bites her lip. "I've talked a lot tonight... and for the last few decades apparently. Say something? Please?"

[9:07 PM] DM: Gunnloda sniffles. "Why couldn't we have talked like this thirty years ago? I'd've happily stayed with you until... You think I cared that you were older'n me? You were... kind and beautiful and generous and you stood up for me when I needed it."

[9:08 PM] DM: She squeezes Seir's hand, realizing those are the same things she loves about Seir.

[9:12 PM] DM: Gunnloda continues. "Even when we were 'together' and you were tryin' to push me away with one hand while y'held me with the other... those periods of time between were everything I ever wanted. What could we have had if you'd just let me?"

[9:15 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "We could've had almost a century together before you were gone. And you think that wouldn't have been worth it just because then I'd live another two or three after that?"

[9:19 PM] DM: Kendall closes her eyes and drops her head. "When you put it that way... what can I say that your lucky charm hasn't? I'm... I'm sorry. I'm an idiot. I don't know how to even start apologizing or making up for all the hurt I caused you."

[9:24 PM] Seirixori: "You know, tor beag," Seir lifts Gunnloda's hand and gives it a kiss, "That thing I said the night before we got married. I didn't say anyone in particular, but I was definitely talking about Kendall." She gives a small chuckle, "Maybe not uh, right away because healing is a thing and it's probably best not to just jump into that but," She shrugs, "If it's something you wanted..."

[9:29 PM] DM: Gunnloda blushes quite a bit, enough that Kendall notices and looks a little confused.

[9:31 PM] DM: Gunnloda stumbles over her words for a bit before she takes a steadying breath. "That's not something I reckon we need t'talk about tonight."

[9:33 PM] Seirixori: Seir grins and nods, "Just something to think about, llaro."

[9:37 PM] DM: Kendall watches, curious and a little amused by how completely flustered Gunnloda became. "As much as I'd love to ask what all that was about... I think I've pressed my luck enough tonight. Just know that I'm sorry and I'll do whatever I can to make it up to you. I know you probably think I'd drop everything and teleport across the world at a moment's notice for anyone, but... I'll always be here if and when you need me. Ryleigh's already figured that out."

[9:39 PM] DM: She stands and gets ready to walk back to camp. "I'll see you in the morning."

[9:40 PM] DM: Gunnloda nods. "Thank you."

[9:41 PM] Seirixori: Seir gives a small wave.

[9:41 PM] DM: And she leaves! Again.

[9:43 PM] Seirixori: "Well now I feel a little bad for earlier."

[9:44 PM] DM: Gunnloda dries her tears with the heels of her hands before she gives Seir a friendly shove to her shoulder. "Can't believe ye'd make me make such a fool of myself, droppin' that like y'did."(edited)

[9:47 PM] Seirixori: Seir almost falls over, not expecting it, but she laughs, "Sorry, sorry." She laughs some more, "It just sort of came out."

[9:52 PM] Seirixori: Seir tugs Gunnloda to her, "Did you want to stay out here longer or go get some sleep?" She pauses and grins, "Or sleep out here, this time with sand, water, and probably bugs too."

[9:53 PM] DM: "Tent, please. I'm not eager to get sand in more places than I already have."

[9:57 PM] Seirixori: Seir nods and jokes, "I think the sand feels worse than being crushed by rocks." She gives Gunnloda a kiss before standing and leading them back to the tents.