2 Ropamont

28 Takaramont- 2 Ropamont- 3 Ropamont (Back to Logs)

### Major Events

Sariel left the party, Gunnloda took Valris and the others to prepare for the journey to Bellbury, and Ry and the others escorted Alarys to the Nightmaster in Riverrun. Ry and Rukiya talked about Ry's past and her feelings of being less than useful. Rukiya surprised Ry with bracelets.

## Meta

### Dates of Play

April 19, 2019

[10:07 PM] DM: The Revenge sits at the dock in Tradewind, waiting for you all to board. The first mate reports to Sariel that they have supplies to last and are ready to set sail once everyone's aboard. The boat will be a little cramped, but it'll only be 3 days to Riverrun.

[10:09 PM] DM: You sail north across the open water, to the bay, past Muyar Harbor, and on the second of Ropamont, you pull into Riverrun. Welcome home.

## Riverrun Edit

[10:12 PM] DM: Sariel: "So.... this has been... fun. But I miss my boat so thanks, but no thanks."

[10:14 PM] Seirixori: Seir frowns at the news, not really surprised, but all she does is nod and makes herself busy with helping everyone else.

[10:14 PM] Urrak: "Thank ye fer th' use of yer ship, Captain.  Safe travels," Urrak pats her shoulder and follows Seir

[10:14 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Thanks for the ride," Ryleigh says, helping get people off the boat too.

[10:15 PM] DM: Sariel: "I'm sure you can contact me if you need me."

[10:15 PM] Gayle Silbando: "Thank you, Captain. Good luck on the rest of your journey." Gayle puts her arm out to shake.

[10:16 PM] DM: Sariel shakes it.

[10:18 PM] DM: Everyone gets off the boat. Where to next?

[10:19 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((take Alarys to the temple))

[10:23 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: " Homashoc, we need to take Alarys to the temple, but do you want to go with us to the temple or would you like to make arrangements for everyone to Bellbury while we take her? We can't show up at Vydea's temple with 20 people."

[10:24 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "I can take them t'our guildhall t'wait, if y'like. ....I might not be the best person t'go there."

[10:24 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh nods. "Right... of course. Sorry, Gunnloda."

[10:26 PM] Seirixori: Seir turns quickly from facing the boat, like she can hide the giant octopus that's now on deck. "Uhh... I'll go if you need me to, but..." she shrugs, "I think I'd rather help arrange things."

[10:30 PM] DM: Gunnloda to the travelers: "Well, let's at least stop by th' hall first and get a good meal in all our bellies after all that travel. We can talk about how t'finish the trip there."

[10:26 PM] DM: Sariel: "Uhhh... thanks?"

[10:28 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Okay," Ryleigh laughs. "I'll talk to you later. You know where to find me if I'm not at the guildhall."

[10:28 PM] Gayle Silbando: "May I assist you at the temple, Ryleigh?"

[10:29 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Sure? I just didn't want everyone coming with us."

[10:29 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Alarys, it's this way," Ryleigh says, waiting to start moving the direction of the temple until she knows Alarys is following.

[10:30 PM] DM: So Seir, Gunnloda, and 20 tourists head toward the guildhall. Everyone else going to the temple?

[10:33 PM] DM: The Temple of Vydea sits on the hill, a massive pyramid with a light shining from the top. You all climb the hill and the stairs. Yahya's understandably excited, but even Taji seems to be in awe at the scale of the building.

[10:37 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Welcome to the Temple of Vydea," Ryleigh says. "The moon passes directly over it, and it's truly a sight to see."

[10:39 PM] DM: When you enter the front doors, you see a somewhat familiar androgynous half-elf, Dellynn, one of the acolytes who has helped you before.

[10:39 PM] DM: They look up and smile, standing to greet you. "How can I help you find what you seek today?"

[10:41 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Actually, it's not knowledge we seek today," Ryleigh moves slightly aside, her hand extended in Alarys' direction. "The Moonborn requested to come here."

[10:43 PM] DM: Before Ryleigh can get the whole statement out, there's a bit of a commotion before an older half-elven man in very nice blue and silver robes, with his long, silver hair in a low ponytail, rushes forward with his arms open. He stops a respectful distance away from Alarys. "Moonborn. Welcome. I am the Nightmaster, Swain. We look forward to serving you and helping you to serve our Lady. I apologize for not greeting you on arrival. I only just heard from Our Lady that you'd arrived in Riverrun."

[10:45 PM] DM: Alarys: "Thank you. These people all helped me get here. The Dawnguard and my two friends, Taji and Yahya."

[10:46 PM] DM: The Nightmaster bows. "Your services are much appreciated. Dellynn, can you see that they are properly compensated?"

[10:48 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh puts up her hand. "Please, Nightmaster. Compensation isn't necessary."

[10:47 PM] DM: Yahya: "This is... amazing. Can I be an acolyte?"

[10:48 PM] DM: The Nightmaster chuckles. "We are always looking for enthusiastic new members of our church. Please, Moonborn, if you don't mind, I'll take you to the back where we've prepared quarters for you."

[10:49 PM] DM: Alarys nods and turns back to the rest of you. "Thank you. For everything you've done to get me here. If you need anything, let me know."

[10:50 PM] Urrak: "Coin would be very much appreciated"

[10:50 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "And if you ever need anything, you're always welcome to stop by our guildhall," Ryleigh says, with a small smile. "Take care of yourself and your friends, Alarys."

[10:51 PM] Urrak: "Which, takes a lot of gold to run. Th' Guildhall, that is," she nudges Ryleigh with her elbow

[10:52 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh raises an eyebrow at Urrak.

10:52 PM] DM: The Nightmaster, Alarys, Yahya, and Taji all head to the back of the temple.

[10:52 PM] DM: Another blue-robed acolyte comes out of a back room with a small chest and hands it to Dellynn who hands it to Urrak. "With the thanks of the Nightmaster."

[10:52 PM] Urrak: "An' thank ye t' th' NIghtmaster," Urrak cradles the chest.

[10:53 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh turns around and walks out of the temple.

[10:53 PM] DM: And as you all find yourselves back home for the first time in nearly a month, we're going to call it here and allow for squish over the week for the night of homecoming.

[10:54 PM] DM: The chest has 25 platinum pieces in it.

## Ryfika

12:47 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryfika head to Ry's apartment to discuss Moonborn things. Once they're inside, Ryleigh starts to take off her armor.

[12:48 PM] DM: Rukiya chuckles. "Here I thought you'd want to talk first."

[12:51 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh stops unclasping her chest piece, rolling her eyes and smiling. "I just want to be out of my armor for a little while. I rarely took it off while we were in Ascus."

[12:52 PM] DM: "That doesn't surprise me." Rukiya moves behind her and helps Ry out of it. "How are you doing?"

[12:54 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Half shrugging, Ryleigh says, "That's a loaded question. Are you sure you don't want to ask about the Moonborn before I start crying about my past?" She tries to make it sound like she's joking.

[12:55 PM] DM: Rukiya wraps her arms around Ry's torso from behind, resting her head against Ry's back. "That stuff will still be there later."

[12:57 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh deflates at Rukiya's touch, a sigh escaping her lips. “Going back to Ascus reminded me why I spent so much time isolating myself from everything and everyone."

[1:01 PM] DM: "You didn't forget how to let people in, I hope..."

[1:05 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Turning in Rukiya's arms, Ryleigh dips her head to press a swift kiss to her lips. "No, never with you... I think you've permanently brought down that wall."

[1:06 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: A moment later, the words are tumbling out of Ryleigh's mouth. "Being back there made be realize that I don’t belong with the humans and that I’m not welcome with the non-humans. The Astens there… most of them are okay with the way things are, and they think I should have faith in the path He has for me, that I should accept that maybe I have only part of the picture. And the Whispers in Ascus didn’t trust me. They all thought I was the enemy because I look like I am. I spent years distancing myself so I wouldn’t feel like this again… like I’m being pulled in every direction, and yet, I don’t belong anywhere. It really made me think - made me realize some things.”

[1:08 PM] DM: "I'm sorry I asked you to go back... realize what?"

[1:11 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "You might have asked, but you didn't force me... I went because I knew it was the right thing to do," Ryleigh says determinedly.

[1:12 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I realized that Whispers doesn’t ever give me assignments, because of course they don’t - I’m not what they need. The most important mission they’ve ever given me was to fetch you from Bellbury, because you’re the operative they can’t afford to lose.” Ryleigh grins sadly at Rukiya. “Or that the Asten Temple hasn’t trusted me with a mission since I failed at Myrka 2 years ago when I tarnished Asten’s name and made a fool of myself.” She clenches her jaw, swallowing hard against the emotion building in her throat. “I used to believe the Dawnguard needed me, but they don’t. There’s nothing I do better than anyone else in the group - other than speak, and be human. How can I be part of 3 organizations and none of them need me?”

[1:16 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: After a few moments Ryleigh continues, “That’s what I realized while I was in Ascus… that they don't need me, but... it’s me who needs them. I need Whispers because I believe in fighting tyranny, in making a better world. I need Asten because the world is filled with darkness and despair, and I want to bring light and hope, and freedom, to those places. I need the Dawnguard because I’m better when I’m not alone, and I hate myself less when they’re around.”

[1:20 PM] DM: "There's nothing wrong with needing people, Ry. We all need connections in our lives... people we can talk to, people we trust. They do need you, and so do I."

[1:24 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh smiles and as she says the next bit, her eyes are steady, but her voice shakes. “Good, because I may need them... but not as much as I need you." She pauses, a spike of anxiety hitting her that she forces herself to push through. "I need you more than the anger… more than the vengeance. I need you more than Whispers.” She hesitates, only for a moment, before adding, “Asten forgive me, but I need you more than Him too. And Rukiya... I’m scared of what that means, or what it says about me, but I know it’s true.” Ryleigh’s eyes fill with tears as she realizes exactly what she's confessing. Then she softly says, “I’m flawed, and struggling, and uncertain, but I choose you, and I’ll always choose you, because you give me somewhere to belong.”

[1:34 PM] DM: Rukiya's eyes tear up and she leans up, wrapping her arms around Ry's neck to kiss her. "I'm with you. We can figure out the rest."

[1:48 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Closing the short distance, Ryleigh kisses Rukiya... it's desperate and needy and without really thinking, Ryleigh lifts Rukiya, pressing her against the nearest wall.

[1:52 PM] DM: -----

[1:59 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh's laying on her side, the sheet pulled to her waist. Her fingers drift slowly up and down Rukiya's spine, every now and then she'll press a kiss to Rukiya's shoulder.

[2:03 PM] DM: Rukiya smiles softly into her pillow. "What's on your mind, Ry?"

[2:06 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Move in with me?" Ryleigh asks.

[2:07 PM] DM: She smirks, cracking one eye open with a quirked eyebrow. "I sleep here more than at Whispers. Haven't I practically already?"

[2:10 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Yes... but like, I mean... an apartment with a bedroom, so you can have some privacy when people barge in. A place where it's ours, not just mine with a few of your things here."

[2:14 PM] DM: She's quiet for just a second, then says, "Ok."

[2:18 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh presses a kiss to Rukiya's cheek. "How have you been? With all this 'Moonborn' stuff."

[2:24 PM] DM: Rukiya rolls to her side, propping her head up on her elbow. She uses her free hand to play with the fingers Ry had been tracing her back with.  "Curious, mostly."

[2:26 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Anything you want to ask about? I did just spend two weeks with her."

[2:30 PM] DM: She sighs and rolls her eyes with a smile. "Ok, fine... Not so much curious about her specifically, but about Vydea's... motivation."

[2:38 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Is that jealousy I'm detecting?" Ryleigh says, careful to keep her tone light and not accusing.

[2:46 PM] DM: "Pft. Jealousy? Over a thing I thought I'd given up when I left? That would be childish and silly."

[2:50 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "*L'auorphiem*... it's just me. You don't have to pretend you're not upset. Your feelings aren't childish or silly."

[2:55 PM] DM: "I'm not upset... but maybe I did have some lingering hope that I hadn't given up everything and that she'd still find a use for me." She chews on her lip a little and her eyes start to water. "But maybe I just disappointed her too. It's hard not to feel like I ruined everything."

[3:01 PM] DM: "Ok... maybe a little upset."

[3:19 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh scoots closer and cups Rukiya's cheek. "I wish I could tell you why Vydea chose another... but I'm..." she sighs "...you've found purpose outside of Vydea these last few years, haven't you? You're helping people, Rukiya... and you're doing it without her help. You don't need her."

[3:24 PM] DM: "I know..." She takes a deep breath and exhales. "So... what's she like?"

[3:32 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "She's not you," Ryleigh answers, "but she is kind, and wants to help people. But we didn't spend a lot of time together. I'm the enemy, remember?" She half teases.

[3:38 PM] DM: "What, you mean your charm didn't break down all those pre-existing ideas about Astens immediately?"

[3:42 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh laughs. “Was it my charm that won you over?”

[3:43 PM] DM: "It didn't hurt," she grins.

[3:48 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “So it wasn’t just my pretty face and hot bod?” Ryleigh jokes.

[3:54 PM] DM: "Those helped too," she laughs, "but we were friends first... and that wasn't because of all this," she gestures at the whole of Ry, "or your honeyed tongue... but what's in here." She puts her palm against Ry's chest. "And no, I don't mean the so-called monster you thought was in there, either." She doesn't say anything else for a moment, then hums a little, smiles, and scoots in close to cuddle up against Ry, resting her head on Ry's shoulder.

[4:02 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I know there's something dark in me... something that itches to get out every now and then, that makes me want to make wrong doers suffer... to make them hurt the way they've hurt others, but I'm learning to hate myself less the longer you stick around, and the more friends I make."

[4:04 PM] DM: "Good... I don't like the idea of anyone hating you... yourself included."

[4:07 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh presses a kiss to Rukiya's forehead. "Did the sending stones help you worry less?"

[4:08 PM] DM: "Mostly... though there were a couple times that the word limit wasn't enough. They were a great idea."

[4:12 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Saying anything in 25 words is hard for me," Ryleigh says, then hesitantly adds, "I'm just curious... do you use the bracers more or just... carry the stone?"

[4:16 PM] DM: "Just curious, huh?" Rukiya teases, pressing a kiss to Ry's jaw. "It depends on what I'm wearing. I love the bracers, but they don't really work with formal wear."

[4:17 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I suppose they wouldn't look good with a evening gown, would they?" There's a bit of anxious energy coming off of Ryleigh.

[4:23 PM] DM: "*But*..." she says, rolling away from Ry and standing. She walks over to where her clothes were thrown and digs through them a bit before finding what she's looking for. She comes back to the bed, sitting next to Ry. "That's why I had these made. Simple, inexpensive, but they look nice." She holds a small box out to Ryleigh.

[4:24 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh takes the box, a little unsure and opens it.

[4:27 PM] DM: There are two bracelets inside. One is delicate, silver herringbone chain with a golden sun charm attached at the center. The other's a little sturdier, braided rope chain in gold with a small silver disc at the center.

"A crescent seemed too obvious, so I thought full would be a good compromise."

[7:35 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Rukiya..." Ryleigh says, her tone disbelieving. Her glossy eyes move from the bracelets to Rukiya's eyes. "I... I'm afraid these might mean more to me than you might mean them to..."

[7:43 PM] DM: Rukiya chuckles. "Do you think I can't read between the lines, Ry? Tell what you're saying when you pull up short?" She looks down for a moment and takes Ry's hands in hers, setting the bracelets aside for the moment. "I've told you I need you. I told you I'm with you. I don't know how else to tell you how important you are to me." She looks back up and makes sure to meet Ry's eyes. "You're my home too."

[7:59 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: A few tears escape and roll down Ryleigh's cheeks. "I didn't mean to doubt your feelings... I just wanted to make sure you understood what you’re giving me." She lets go of Rukiya's hands to cup her face with both hands. Ryleigh leans in to capture her lips in a lingering kiss. Then she says, her tone watery, "The bracelet is beautiful. It's perfect and I love it... is it okay if I put it on you?"

[8:02 PM] DM: She takes a moment to brush Ry's tears away with her thumbs before she nods.

[8:06 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh picks up the box, taking out Rukiya's bracelet and carefully clasping it onto her wrist. She stares at it for a moment, more tears falling from her eyes.

[8:09 PM] DM: "My turn?"

[8:14 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh nods and wipes at her eyes, then holds out her hand.

[8:18 PM] DM: Rukiya clasps the gold bracelet around Ry's wrist, then holds her hand and smirks. "Naked and in bed wasn't exactly how I planned this to happen, but I suppose I should have expected it."

[8:20 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "You had something planned?" Ryleigh asks, struggling to speak around the emotion in her throat.

[8:22 PM] DM: Rukiya climbs back up to her spot in the bed and snuggles close. "Nothing solid, just vague ideas of waiting until the right moment. Maybe dinner or a walk in a secluded place."

[8:25 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh's arms immediately wrap around her."I'm sorry if I ruined it."

[8:30 PM] DM: "You couldn't ruin it. Besides," she adds as she turns and straddles Ry's lap. "This is one of my favorite places anyway."

[8:37 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh's hands fall to Rukiya's hips. "I promise it wasn't my intention for us to spend the rest of the day in bed, but you're making it particularly difficult for me to want to leave anytime soon."

[8:38 PM] DM: "Maybe that was *my* intention."

[8:50 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: That makes Ryleigh smile, and she leans up to kiss Rukiya, but before their lips meet, Ryleigh whispers, "Even if it wasn’t, I’m glad we’re here."

28 Takaramont- 2 Ropamont- 3 Ropamont (Back to Logs)