RED DYED WISTERIA; STUCK IN A STORM

***RED DYED WISTERIA; STUCK IN A STORM*** is the seventeenth session of *Glimpses Into The Fade.* As Anthir gets reached out in his dreams, a new day eventually rises for the unnamed party. What will be their next step? What will they do to move forward? Or will they find themselves stuck in place?

## Musings

*In moments of great desperation, in moments you find yourself in again, what will you sacrifice..what will you do? And what have you done to deserve the gravity of the situation you find yourself in?*

## **Synopsis**

Late in the night, Hira is the last person on the first floor, sitting at the bar. first floor of the tavern staring at the sending stone. Finding the courage to contact Ambrose, she sends her first message to him, apologizing over how the day had gone. He had reminded her of someone, and her friends made the decision it was best to leave. A message returns moments later from him. Ambrose apologizes for causing her discomfort, reassuring her that his door is open to her anything. They can perhaps try again without her friends around, regardless he hopes she is somewhere safe.

Hira assures him on her safety. She admits her situation seems different then her Aunt's, their curses seem different. She asks if he's upset or angry with her or her friends, asking of Monsoon's safety. There's a pause from Ambrose, but returns the message, stating he wasn't upset with her. By extension, he will let go of her friends transgression but Monsoon is apologizing in his own way. Hira replies, stating her wish to return to Glenwell to learn more on the urgent matters he referred too. She asks for safe passage, and the reassurance they aren't criminals. He mentions giving her friends a pass, but considers Monsoon a friend, she asks if there's anything she can do to assure his safety.

Ambrose reassures her they aren't wanted criminals, promising safe passage. He acknowledges them being in Moonvale City, and offers to pick them up when they are ready. He reminds her that they must understand where they stand, he holds Hira dear to him, but hierarchy must be present. He assures Monsoon is alright, but if she wishes to talk more about him, it have to be face to face. Hira doesn't respond to his message, finishing her drink before heading to bed. With a bit of sway in her movement, Hira falls asleep. In that quiet, Anthir stirs in a dream...

Anthir awakes in a dream, woken by the drizzle of rain as he lays in swaying grass. He sits in a puddle of warm blood, wisteria petals flying off the branches as if weeping. The trunks of the trees glow blue, its roots reaching towards a figure in the centre, moving as if lighting. Vilya sits on the grass, holding herself small. Anthir approaches her, asking to heal her but finds himself in between the veil and the Fade, rendering his Cure Wounds spell to not go through. Anthir is frustrated, wondering why magic wouldn't go through, but Vilya assures him it's alright. He asks how she is, to which Vilya admits she's frightened. She wish she hadn't jumped back into the portal to fight.

Vilya asks how he had gotten here and Anthir says through a dream, although he isn't sure how. She asks for him to watch over her as she attempts to trance, to which he agrees. Curling up to one of the roots, there's the distant sound of thunder and lightning above them. Vilya requests a story, or at least an update, Anthir brings up Monsoon briefly then pauses, saying it's not to time to elaborate. As she falls unconscious, the wisteria petals begin to fall in droves, leaving them bare, the rain grows heavier and thunder echoes around him. In the distance Anthir spots Arel, who in a mist of white snow appears behind him.

The air around them is cold as they move past Anthir to step in front of Vilya. Anthir attempts to stop them, but feels a magical force keeping him on his plane. Anthir yells at them, asking haven't they done enough, but Arel disagrees, ripping the golden feather from her ear. Crushing the earring to golden dust, Arel steps back as their tentacles flare up, shooting eldritch energy at the unconscious Vilya. They look wicked, happy to have an audience as they finish off their former party member, dealing a final blow right above her heart. They pull something from her body, a part of her essence flies to Arel, placing it into their talisman around their neck.

Arel bids Anthir farewell as they teleport elsewhere. Anthir rushes to her, her body frail as her breathing has ceased, finding no pulse. The wisteria trees are dead, only the lightning like tree roots move to cover her dead body. He tries to reach out and something allows his hand to push through the veil, persisting to reach her. He attempts to wake her but she is still. He's in denial of her death and similarly it feels as if the roots and lightning are as well. Attempting to heal her once more, but watch helplessly as he body lays still in the Fade. Something approaches him, a huge white deer with antlers shaped as a heart looks down to him, claiming he did not belong here in the Fade.

The being introduced themself as a remnant of Mithal, and had come to retrieve one of her most loyal followers. Anthir asks if anything can be done to bring Vilya back. The being, a Halla, says they could but the Fade works in a tricky way, one must give something in order to receive in return. They can give up their name, a favour, or even a powerful enough memory. Anthir asks if his memories of a specific individual would suffice, Halla agrees, but warns Anthir he's not making this offer to them, but to Mithal herself, he will be bound to her will. Anthir insists, agreeing to the terms. All the memories of this person flashes forwards before disappearing, for as long he remembers after leaving Rune, they've been alone. The party is his first group of friends.

The Halla moves towards Vilya, pressing it's forehead against hers. Slowly Vilya's chest rises, the wisteria surrounding her begin to rebud with new found life. Anthir thanks her as he weeps, the Halla doesn't seem to understand his emotions. They reassure him they'll stay with her until she awakes, wrapping it's body around her and the roots. They reassure him they'll call when she needs them, and not to forget the favour Mithal has blessed him with, he's of Elven kind now, one of her kin. Anthir thanks them once again, before falling back into their slumber, he casts another Healing Word on Vilya.

Night passes gently and the sun comes up once again. Hira awakes early in the morning, attempting to read a volume of *'The Encyclopedia of Dark Magics'* , but has troubles focusing. As the remainder of the party awakes, she shares parts of her conversation with Ambrose -- that the party was pardoned, have safe passage to Glenwell, and Monsoon's repayment. Anthir brings up his dream of Vilya, how Arel had appeared and took a part of her with them, how she died but was brought back. He reveals he made a deal with another being, Mithal, and Hira begins searching in her *'Book of Elven Legends'* to confirm.

Mithal is called several things, shes the almother, the Goddess of love, the hearth, the home. She rules the Elven Pantheon with her Husband, her worshippers portraying her as a pure white dragon or a white deer with golden horns, the deer being her most prominent imagery. Hira is relieved the being Anthir made a deal seems kind. Anthir explains they couldn't heal her himself, that the Halla appeared to collect Vilya, but offered help. Bran questions the bargain he had struck, Anthir says he gave up a memory, but doesn't remember which ones. Anthir reassures the party Vilya is alright now with the Halla watching over her and Bran asks if Arel had done anything to hurt him. Anthir seethes in anger, saying Arel hadn't pothered with him at all. The room going silent, Hira says there's much to think about, suggesting the group take it easy today.

Heading downstairs, the party find the booth they sat at is already set up with breakfast. Oriza beelines to the kitchen but is interrupted by Mio, who rushes out of it. Greeting them all, Mio explains his father having the day off, and opted to make them all breakfast as part of their "package deal." Anthir thanks him, causing Mio to grow flustered. From across the inn Hira asks Bran what had happened. Bran's answer is vague, stating she'll have to find out herself. Confused she asks Oriza if they noticed anything, but Oriza claims she was watching Hira drink all night. Hira asks if Oriza had fun the night prior, which befuddles the paladin. He states they spend their free time taking care of things and people. Hira states they need to find something fun for them, to which they claim is a useless endeavor, however Hira sets it as a goal to do so.

Talking over breakfast, Bran asks Riya of her Nanna's position at the academy as a professor. He asks if he could pay her a visit, to which Riya happily agrees to tag along. As they finish this meal, Hira and Oriza plan on visit the Lunar Knights Adventuring Guild, heading to their room to prepare. As the two dress, Hira brings up Oriza's goal of revenge, hearing it was for a loved one. She asks them what drives him to carry out revenge, wondering if its love. Oriza looks to her, stating it's love, anger, and hatred, a mix of emotions. They look forlorned in the distance, recalling memories of years passed as they speak of a dear friend, a princess of a kingdom.

Oriza states the woman was vital to who they are, and for her to be taken away, they aren't sure how one could be the same after that. Anger and hetred fester, and perhaps revenge would relieve them of those feelings. Hira takes Oriza's hand, apologizing that someone so bright in their life was taken away from them. She asks for her name, to which Oriza states they imagine they would've been great friends. His lady was named Princess Loralynn, Hira is familiar of the name, recalling a kingdom southwest of Esmos that had been covered in the Blight and the Princess who once recided there. She asks if the Blight had taken her, Oriza revealing they had escaped in time, but isn't sure what would've been a worse fate. Hira is glad they escaped if it meant they spent more time with Loralynn, to which Oriza agrees. Letting go of his hand, the two finish getting ready in silence.

Meanwhile Anthir finds Mio at the bar. They ask him of the Merchants Post, how it differs from the Trading Block, to which Mio explains the Post are merchants, and the Block is for local businesses. Anthir thanks him, then asks when are they free. Mio says he'd make time for them, having other people working for him. Mio runs by a few places they could go to, and Anthir's interest is peaked at the mention of the flowers in Saint Vanya's Park. The two settle on a picnic, claiming it's indeed a date! Planning to meet up, Anthir walks away with a skip in his step whilst Mio's face grows flushed, preparing for the day ahead.

## Featured Characters

#### The Fireflies

* Anthir
* Bran
* Hiraeth
* Oriza
* Riya

#### **Returning**

* Vilya
* Ambrose
* Arel

#### **Mentioned**

* Monsoon