S: Kennloda

## Session 23

[6:33 PM] DM: Gunnloda just smiles and shakes her head. "Dwarves are a bit taller than halflings and gnomes."

[6:34 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "Then again, I suppose maybe I'm just a big halfling."

[6:35 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): A small smile pulls at Ryleigh's lips then adds, "I would say you are of average height for your kind."

[6:36 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "And don't you forget it."

[11:30 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: "After...? I... I mean, you don't have to tell me, I'm just..." Seirixori shifts nervously, "I just like to know you better..." she ends up mumbling the last bit.

[11:35 PM] DM: Gunnloda's quiet for a moment... several moments... "I... something happened and... it changed everything." She kind of huffs a half-laugh. "It's a bit cliche, isn't it? That's... what happened to you too. Probably a lot of us in this little group."

[11:36 PM] DM: "I don't expect many farmers or merchants have a story like that."

[11:42 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: Seirixori grins, scrunching her nose in the process, "I would hope not, can't let them have all the fun." She snorts, more out of disbelief of what she said. "Well, someone did tell me not too long ago that being alone sucks and to think about letting people in a little. So, maybe one day if you wanted to share?"

[11:47 PM] DM: She smiles with a touch of sadness. "I appreciate the offer, really. And.. maybe one day if we don't wind up on opposite ends of the world. I just... you've already had more than your share of pain in the short time you've been alive. I don't want to add to it."

[11:54 PM] Felicia - Seirixori: "Well, I don't know if I'd stay that far away now that I know there's other people out there who actually like my company." She grins and reaches out, squeezing Gunnloda's hand. "How about your favorite food then?"

[11:57 PM] DM: Gunnloda smiles again, this time a real one. "Well... I'm always on the lookout for new foods to add to my recipe book. It might be time to make a visit to Ardabeh myself. I hear their spices are delicious."

[12:03 AM] Felicia - Seirixori: Seirixori lights up considerably at the thought, "Yeah? Why wait?" she lets out a little nervous giggle, "I mean... I could- I can bring some back probably too? If, if I get teleported back, I can get some and keep them with me for when I come back to you."

[12:09 AM] DM: Gunnloda just shakes her head, on the verge of laughter. "I feel sorry for everyone who never gave themselves the chance to get to know you. You're adorable. ... a little terrifying when you want to be, but... I missed being around earnest youth."

[12:12 AM] Felicia - Seirixori: Seirixori grins again, "Thank you, I think. Besides, I don't really plan on going anywhere, voluntarily, so I guess you won't have to miss it anymore."

[12:19 AM] DM: "It was a compliment." The smile fades a little as you see her withdraw a little into her mind, like she's thinking. "When I left Dhog Lodir, Vatru wasn't random. I followed someone there. Someone... special to me, though in the end, I suppose I wasn't as special to her. I'm only 85. I wasn't ready to 'retire'. You remind me of... happier times. From before everything changed."

[12:26 AM] Felicia - Seirixori: "But you're... you... I mean," She fumbles over her words, "I think you're special." She huffs, kind of put off by this random person she doesn't know.

[12:28 AM] DM: She actually blushes this time, freckles lost in the pink. She pauses, looking for the right words.

[12:31 AM] DM: "I... think I understand her better today than I have the last thirty years."

[12:32 AM] DM: She almost physically winces when she realizes what she said. "That's not..." she closes her eyes, frustrated with herself.

[12:34 AM] Felicia - Seirixori: Seirixori reaches out again, pausing for a second before giving a light mental shrug to herself and threads her fingers through Gunnloda's, giving a comforting squeeze and leaving her hand there, "It's fine, take your time. Or we can just, talk about some other stuff if you want." She smiles sheepishly.

[12:41 AM] DM: She squeezes back and takes a deep breath, her eyes still closed. "She was older than me... in solar years and dwarf years and she was always so hesitant where I was so eager. She thought that I confused being grateful for her saving my life with real feelings.  I followed her like a lost puppy, little more than a child chasing after a woman near twice my age... and halflings don't live as long as dwarves do. Now... I find myself where she was and I can't help but wonder if it's me or what I do. If I'm going to end up hurting you in the end like she did me." There's a brief pause and she finally opens her eyes and looks at you. "If I care enough about either answer to stop myself."

[12:50 AM] Felicia - Seirixori: Seirixori blinks owlishy and opens her mouth to say something but closes it. She's sure she's silent for way too long, but she's trying to process everything and she's trying to separate what she thinks is being said to what she wants to be said and if it needs to be separated. Now she's just confusing herself. So she just says the first thing that pops into her head, "Druids live for a very long time, you know." She blushes, because *really*?

## Session 27

[5:37 PM] DM: The portal fizzes to life. You see Gunnloda in a sparsely decorated room with several beds and trunks, similar to the one in the back of Takara's temple. She's going through a chest and when she finds the small box she was looking for, she pops it open, then shuts it and pockets it. She shuts the chest, and when she turns to leave, she's startled by someone standing in the doorway.

[6:41 PM] DM: Very soon after the orc disappears, Gunnloda comes out of the back, looking a little anxious. "Seirixori? What's happened? Are you ok?"

[6:43 PM] Seirixori: "Gunnloda! Hi, I'm sorry to bother you. I'm fine, I swear! Stool said if it was important and I... I mean I guess this is really important? We kind of went after Cae, Eloise's wife." Seirixori fidgets with her hands as she rambles. " well, actually we went to get a component first and Urrak pretended to be my girlfriend because some Vampire tried to hit on me, and he was gross."

[6:45 PM] DM: She puts her hand on your arm to interrupt. "I want to hear all about it, but... you said it's important?"

[6:49 PM] Seirixori: "Oh! Yes, sorry I just..." Seirixori bites her lip, and looks around, leaning in to whisper to Gunnloda, "Cae got bit by a werewolf and we don't know what to do. I want to help, but I'm not... I can't. And you're our last option, next to killing her and I don't want to do that, and from the sound of things werewolves are not something they like in Vyon. I don't want her to be taken from Eloise" Seirixori can feel the tears burning. "I don't want other people to leave." she whispers softly, quieter than the rest of her words.

[7:11 PM] DM: Gunnloda frowns and says,  "Come with me. " She heads back to the back where she'd come from and through a door to a room with a table surrounded by chairs. There's another person back there in robes like the orc but much much smaller. A halfling woman with short golden curly hair and the beginnings of wrinkles at her eyes and mouth.  She looks up in surprise when she sees you follow Gunnloda into the room.

[7:14 PM] Seirixori: "Um, Hello..." Seirixori says and waves a little awkwardly.

[7:14 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "This is one of the people I was talking about. I know it's... it doesn't fit into your retirement plans, but I can't help with what they need."

[7:16 PM] DM: Halfling: "And what is it they need, dear?"

Gunnloda glances back briefly.  "Curse removal."

[7:21 PM] DM: The halfling chuckles. "You know I can't remove the curse of Asmodeus, love."

Gunnloda frowns again.  "Not her. Werewolves. Back in Bellbury, where I've been. " She turns to you. "You have Poni right? "

[7:22 PM] Seirixori: Seirixori bites her lip again, looking between the two, she sighs, "Yeah, of course."

[7:29 PM] DM: Gunnloda nods and turns back to the halfling.  "We can teleport there, then we can use your hat to get home. Just a few hours if you have it prepared."

The halfling hops up from her seat with a sigh. "If it's important to you, dear. "

Gunnloda:  "You don't have to pretend you're doing me a favor. I know you don't want anyone to suffer like that."

The halfling grins.  "You're right." She turns to you and holds her hand up to you to shake. At only 3 feet tall, she's about waist high to you.  "Kendall Sammes. What's your name dear?"

[7:34 PM] Seirixori: "Oh are you..." Seirixori shakes her head, glances at Gunnloda for a second and holds up her hand to introduce herself. "Seirixori. I...I'm sorry for interrupting, but...I... well, thank you."

[7:43 PM] DM: Kendall smiles. "It's no problem, dear. I was just giving her a hard time. I don't do much spellcasting these days, except when it's too hard for the rest of them. If you don't mind, I'd like to take Rimands with us so we can go straight back to Vecbony when we're done."

Gunnloda nods, but she's looking at you, trying to read your expression.

Kendall walks out to go get Rimands.

[7:49 PM] Seirixori: "Is... is that who you mentioned in Bleakmourne?" Seir asks quietly, chewing on her lip and picking at one of her bracers, unable to keep eye contact with Gunnloda.

[7:56 PM] DM: Gunnloda's expression shifts to sudden understanding. "She is. When I disappeared, Karimah sent her a message-- well, anyway, she came to check on me. I've only just started telling her about everything that's happened. I'm sorry if that was... awkward for you."

[8:00 PM] Seirixori: "It's okay. I'm just... conflicted. She... hurt you at one point and I..." she chuckles and shrugs, "she's willing to help though and I can't be mad at her for that."

[8:06 PM] DM: She smiles softly at you. "She has. She's also a very good friend of mine and literally the reason I'm still standing today. I appreciate the sentiment, but I don't need you to be protective. I get enough of that from her." She sighs and puts her hand over yours. "I wish it were under better circumstances, but I'm glad you found my crest. I trust Stool was a very good guard? It only took a couple hours," she laughs.

[8:11 PM] Seirixori: Seir grins sheepishly, taking Gunnloda's hand and places a kiss on her knuckles, "I can only promise to try and not get too protective." She clears her throat, "Stool was the best guard. I almost didn't let them tell me. I didn't want to... um, invade your privacy? Still kind of feel like I am."

[8:15 PM] DM: Before she can answer, you hear a voice from the doorway. "Privacy? What privacy? You two coming or do you need to make more kissy faces?"

Gunnloda blushes, but doesn't let go of your hand. "Kendall..."

Kendall: "I mean, I thought she came for curse removal, but if it's you she's really here for..."

[8:19 PM] Seirixori: Seirixori's skin turns red, "I can't want both?" she pouts.

[8:22 PM] DM: Kendall full-on laughs. "Oh, I like her. A little young for your taste, I'd think, but that's better for you." She turns to you, still chuckling. "Is there really a werewolf?"

[8:25 PM] Seirixori: "Well, we have a friend that got bit by one."

[8:26 PM] DM: Kendall: "Then let's go. Someone owes me the rest of a story." She heads back out the door.

[8:28 PM] Seirixori: "I think you might owe more than one person a story," Seirixori says to Gunnloda, with a grin, "When you're willing to share, of course. Oh and she likes me! That's good, right?"

[8:33 PM] DM: She chuckles. "It's better than bad anyway. And... I will. I'm going to come back with her when we're done with Cae to settle some things, but... I've already told Karimah that I'm planning to leave soon. I have some traveling to do."

[8:41 PM] Seirixori: Seirixori squeezes Gunnloda's hand, "I'll be waiting." She turns towards the door, "Oh! Uh I also have some things for you, uh... maybe later..." She says more to herself, "werewolf first. Right."

[8:45 PM] DM: Gunnloda smiles and follows you out of the temple where Kendall's waiting with Rimands, her riding dog. He's a big shaggy dog with a saddle on his back.

Kendall: "So... teleporting, right?" She puts her hand on Rimands's neck and holds her hand out for Gunnloda who takes it in one hand and yours in the other.

She looks at you and smiles. "Ready when you are."

[8:48 PM] Seirixori: "That... is a brilliant idea" Seir mutters to herself as she looks at the dog, pulling out Poni and pushing the button.

[9:50 AM] DM: So Rimands, Gunnloda, Kendall, and you all appear in the basement. Kendall's a bit confused, but she rolls with it.

[9:50 AM] DM: Kendall: "So where's this friend of yours?"

[9:52 AM] Seirixori: "They're upstairs, I asked them to wait there." Seirixori steps forward to lead the way, but her eyes land on the components and she frowns. "I'll... catch up in a minute, there's something I need to do." She says as she pulls the bow off her back.

## Session 28

[8:16 PM] DM: So you are all reconvening after a short bit apart. Eloise, Cae, Gunnloda, and a halfling in white robes with blue and gold trim and the same stylized H on her chest as Gunnloda's tabard are all standing in what was once Poni's basement. She's older, maybe in her 60s in human years, but she's still pretty spry and has golden curly hair. Ryleigh's coming up from the slums area of town across the main street, Rav is coming from the town square, and Seirixori is coming up the stairs from the basement.

[8:22 PM] Seirixori: Seirixori walks up to them and places a hand on Gunnloda's shoulder, "Thanks," she whispers, chewing on her lip and fidgets with her cloak.

[8:23 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "It's no trouble, dear."

[8:24 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: Ravaphine head's to Poni's approaches and notices the robes so she bows in respect to the stranger

[8:25 PM] DM: Kendall kind of just chuckles. "I'm not that special, dear."

[8:25 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "Hello and welcome to Bellbury. I am ravaphine" she says with slight sadness in her voice, "Seir, is everything okay?"

[8:26 PM] Seirixori: "It's fine just... personal." Seir clears her throat and forces herself to stop fidgeting.

[8:27 PM] DM: Kendall: "So. Are we ready then? Who's bit?"

[8:27 PM] DM: Cae stands from where she and Eloise were leaning against a wall and Eloise follows, taking her hand.

[8:28 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "are you...can you fix it? Do you know the reversal spell?"

[8:29 PM] DM: Kendall: "We'll see. It depends on what kind of problem we're looking at."

[8:30 PM] DM: She looks up at Cae, almost twice as tall as she is. "Do you think you could sit, dear? Might make this a little easier."

[8:30 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: Ravaphine pulls out a chair for Cae

[8:30 PM] DM: Cae smiles a thanks at Ravaphine, but sits right on the floor.

[8:32 PM] DM: Kendall takes her arm and starts a bit of an examination, poking and squeezing here and there. The wounds heal at her touch.

[8:33 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh walks into poni's and sees the group. She raises an eyebrow at all the new faces, but doesn't comment on it. Ryleigh can tell that something important is happening, so she silently joins the others.

[8:33 PM] DM: She puts her hand on Cae's forehead, speaks some incantation, and there's a flash of light under her palm, but it stops.

[8:34 PM] DM: She frowns, and tries something else. She says the incantation, and there's a soft glow that stops at her hand.

[8:35 PM] DM: Kendall: "Well...."

[8:37 PM] DM: Eloise's voice wavers. "It's not working?"

Kendall: "I hate to ask... I can try one more thing, but the components are expensive."

Eloise: "It doesn't matter. Cost doesn't matter. Please."

[8:39 PM] DM: Kendall roots around in her pouch at her hip and pulls out a smaller bag. She sprinkles diamond dust into Cae's hair and puts her hand over her. She speaks the command again, and the glow is brighter, more forceful. It extends from her hand, like a bubble around Cae... but when it contracts around her, it dissipates.

[8:39 PM] DM: Kendall takes a deep breath. "I'm sorry."

[8:41 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: Ravaphine is trying not to cry while sitting on the ground closest to the stairs

[8:41 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "We... we could ask the Host. You could ask Olladra."

[8:42 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh moves to sit next to Ravaphine and places a comforting hand on her shoulder.

[8:44 PM] Seirixori: Seirixori sighs and sits down.

[8:44 PM] DM: Kendall puts her hand out for Gunnloda. Gunnloda steps forward and takes both of Kendall's hands in hers, around Cae.

[8:44 PM] DM: Kendall: "Does anyone else serve the Host?"

[8:45 PM] Seirixori: "I doubt it."

[8:46 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): "The host?"

[8:46 PM] DM: Kendall: "Or.. worship them at all?"

Gunnloda shakes her head. "Not likely. Cyan might know them. Has anyone seen her?"

[8:46 PM] Seirixori: "She wasn't around before I went to find you."

[8:46 PM] DM: Eloise: "Urrak came looking for her, but I haven't seen either since."

[8:48 PM] DM: Gunnloda and Kendall turn back to each other. Gunnloda bows her head and Kendall starts a prayer.

[8:50 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: Rav closes her eyes and lowers her head

[8:50 PM] DM: Kendall: "I call for the aid of the Sovereign Host. Arawai, Aureon, Balinor, Boldrei, Dol Arrah, Dol Dorn, Kol Korran, Olladra, Onatar... hear our plea. Please, help me heal this woman. Let me cure her so she can continue doing good things in this world and not succumb to the blood of the beast. Heal her."

[8:51 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh watches the prayer with interest and at the mention of 'the blood of the beast' she audibly gasps.

[8:51 PM] DM: Nothing happens.

[8:54 PM] DM: Their hands drop and everyone just looks at Kendall with the question on their faces.

[8:54 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): "She's infected? but how? They don't exist anymore."

[8:55 PM] DM: Eloise: "Not here in Vyon, no."

[8:56 PM] DM: She kneels next to Cae and hugs her from the side, crying on her shoulder. Cae just holds her, refusing to shed more tears.

[8:57 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh stands, "where were you when you were bitten? What realm, country, or continent?"

[8:57 PM] DM: Cae: "I don't know. It had fruit I've never seen. It wasn't Vyon or Ascus."

[8:59 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): "We should send her back, or she should leave. We don't know what she can do."

[8:59 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: Ravaphine stands up and pulls Ryleigh back to ease up on Cae. "Please...give her some respect"

[9:01 PM] Seirixori: Seirixori stands up, moving in front of them. "Not yet."

[9:01 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): "I'm sorry, I really am, but we shouldn't risk the innocents living here. We all know the stories." she lets herself be pulled back

[9:01 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "There has to be something else that we can do. Something we can all help with"

[9:02 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "Were you there? During the original breakout?" she asks Ryleigh

Ryleigh turns to Rav, "No, it happened over 100 years ago. But they were vanquished for a reason."

[9:03 PM] Seirixori: "We won't, at least not for long." Seirixori sighs, "I refuse to send her away or otherwise until we bring back their daughter. They deserve a goodbye."

[9:04 PM] DM: Cae: "We'll figure something out. And if we don't... I'll do what's needed."

Eloise: "Cae, no."

[9:04 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "NO nobody will be saying goodbye. Nobody will be leaving. We are not giving up without a fight" she says with her voice louder than usual and on the edge of tears

[9:05 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): She then says to Seirixori, "then we need to make haste, we don't know how long she has before the transformation."

[9:06 PM] DM: Cae turns to Eloise and takes her face in her hands. "Ellie... you know she's right. You love this town as much as you love me and Misha. We'll do what we can, but this... might not be enough."

[9:06 PM] Seirixori: "Let us get your daughter, first, please." Seirixori says to Cae with tears in her eyes, "I... please."

[9:06 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "They didn't try hard enough"

[9:06 PM] DM: Kendall frowns at Rav, but doesn't say anything.

[9:08 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh moves closer to Ravaphine, opening herself up but she doesn't try to touch her, "Ravaphine, take a deep breath, they've tried their best and this time - it wasn't good enough. Some things can't be fixed, but I think a goodbye is a doable final wish."

[9:08 PM] Seirixori: Seirixori laughs, "The gods only have so much power, and just as useless." she mutters. She goes to Kendall, "thank you for trying."

[9:10 PM] DM: Kendall nods. "I'm sorry."

[9:11 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: Ravaphine approaches Kendall to hug her with tears in her eyes. "Thank you so much for helping in such a short notice"

[9:12 PM] DM: She's a bit overwhelmed by your height, but she takes it in stride.

[9:12 PM] DM: Kendall: "I wish I could do more."

[9:14 PM] DM: Cae stands and pulls Eloise to her feet. "Just... please, if I could ask one favor. I don't want this news to get out. I don't want it to hurt Ellie more than it already will and we don't need another extermination scare or hunt."

[9:15 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "Please let us know how you want us to proceed. I still want to try to fight this. But we will respect your wishes"

[9:17 PM] DM: Cae: "I know a place. An old ruin. If we can't find a solution by the time the moon rises, there's a place inside where I can be locked away safely. At least as a short-term solution."

[9:42 PM] Seirixori: Seirixori sighs and turns to Kendall and Gunnloda. "Did you want to go back now?"

[9:43 PM] DM: Gunnloda looks at Kendall, questioning.

Kendall: "I think... we can stay just a little bit longer."

[9:45 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "We'll wait out here and watch for trouble in case we need to leave before you return."

[9:46 PM] DM: Gunnloda steps forward and hugs Seir. "Be careful. If I'm gone when you return... you know how to find me and I'll be on my way back soon."

[9:48 PM] Seirixori: Seirixori nods and kisses Gunnloda on the cheek. "We left some of our things next to the components in case you need to find us."

## Session 29

[11:30 PM] DM: Ok. You take them to the mansion. The sounds of cooking and laughter is coming from a side-room from the big open room with Eloise's desk and the big tables. The Moonstreams themselves don't appear to be present down here.

[11:31 PM] Seirixori: Seir takes the cloak off Stool, "Is this ok?"

[11:32 PM] DM: Stool wiggles their little cap in what might be a nod. "You're my best friend. I'm happy to be anywhere you are.... as long as it isn't too big or bright or scary."

[11:37 PM] Seirixori: Seir kneels down and hugs them, tearing up a little, "You're definitely my favorite, don't tell Gunnloda," she jokes. She pops her head around the door? of the side room just to see whats happening.

[11:38 PM] DM: Kendall's sitting up on a counter top while Gunnloda's cooking and they're chatting like old friends who know way too much about one another, laughing over shared memories.

[11:44 PM] Seirixori: Seir fidgets for a few seconds, wondering if you can just tell someone's cursed by just looking at them, "oh boy" she whispers and then knocks lightly to get their attention, "Hey, Stool came with me! Also they said I'm their best friend!" She grins, "So, I'm gonna go hang out with them and wait for the others."

[12:24 PM] DM: They both look up at you, grinning.

Kendall: "You can always hang out in here. I don't bite... except you know," she gestures in Gunnloda's direction where she's still cooking, "food. Who's Stool?"

[12:40 PM] Seirixori: "Oh um..." she nearly trips over her tail that's trying to curl around her leg, "they're a friend, we found them in this creepy spider prison thing. H-hang on." Seirixori goes to get them, "Hey. let's go sit with Gunnloda and her friend!"

[12:41 PM] DM: Stool's standing close to behind you, giving you space to turn around and leave and generally not get hit by your tail. "New friends?"

[12:44 PM] Seirixori: "Yeah!" She says, moving into the kitchen. "This is Stool, and that is Gunnloda's friend, Kendall." she points out to them.

[12:44 PM] DM: They follow you into the room and Kendall's eyes widen. "A myconid? I haven't seen one of these since," she looks at Gunnloda again who is clueless about what she's referring to. "Oh, we hadn't found you yet, right. Where'd they come from? A spider prison? What?"

[12:48 PM] Seirixori: "When we went to find Eloise. That's where she ended up and Stool was there too." Seirixori shivers, "I didn't want to leave them there. It was uh.... kind of a mess when we left."

[12:50 PM] DM: Stool walks up and puffs Kendall in the face with spores.

Gunnloda: "Ah! Stool, not near the food, dear."

Stool: "Sorry... Hi new friend!"

Gunnloda: "It was some sort of drow slave pen that we escaped from. Stool here was a prisoner."

[12:51 PM] Seirixori: Seirixori snickers at the puff of spores, "I forgot about that."

[12:54 PM] DM: Kendall's face pulls into a worried frown. "Drow slave pen? Are... well, you're here and seem fine, but were you ok?"

Gunnloda waves her off. "I'm fine, and in the moment, well... I had something of a lucky charm," she smiles at you, "that kept me from... " She turns back to Kendall. "I'm fine. Really."

[12:58 PM] Seirixori: Seirixori blushes a little, "I actually missed a lot of what happened. I kind of snuck away from everyone after I found Poni." She shrugs, her tail flitting around her, "...I realized I am not a fan of chains."

[1:01 PM] DM: Gunnloda laughs. "Few people are, dear."

[1:02 PM] Seirixori: "At least it was easy enough to get out of them," she mutters. "Also spiders. Not a fan...even if it's sometimes useful."

[1:05 PM] DM: Kendall: "So... lucky charm. Tell me about yourself. Where are you from? What do you do? How's the family?"

Gunnloda: "Kendall..."

Kendall: "What? I'm just making small talk," but she says it in that way that means she knows she's busted. Then she turns to you, "Of course anything I say is small talk."

[1:14 PM] Seirixori: "Um..." Seirixori shifts nervously, her hand going to the pocket she kept her comfort in these situations, but remembers she doesn't have it and she sighs, "I'm from Ardabeh, currently in a forest." She taps a finger on her leg, "I don't... I don't really do anything and," she tilts her head, looking at Gunnloda for a few seconds before looking at the floor, "...it's new."

[1:17 PM] DM: There's a pause, then you hear Kendall hop down from the counter. She pats Gunnloda on the arm as she walks towards the door. "It was nice meeting you. I'm going to go check on our future werewolf and see if I can do anything for her."

[1:18 PM] Seirixori: "I didn't... I didn't mean to make her leave."

[1:20 PM] DM: Gunnloda sets her spoon down and smiles, coming over to take your hand in hers. "You didn't, dear. She just didn't want to make you uncomfortable. Well... more uncomfortable. I'm almost certain there was some discomfort intended. Are you ok?"

[1:23 PM] Seirixori: "G-generally speaking." she visibly winces, "just uh... yeah. Fine."

[1:25 PM] DM: She gives you that look like she can tell you're not, but she just squeezes your hand. "I'm here if you need to talk or anything."

[1:27 PM] Seirixori: "I guess... that depends on if you want to know not good news before or after dinner?" Seir says, her voice rising in pitch like she hadn't exactly expected to say it.

[1:28 PM] DM: "You have not good news?"

[1:29 PM] Seirixori: "Yes? Kind of? I mean... um...I just really don't want to mess up this dinner thing so... maybe aftER?"

[1:32 PM] DM: "I'm not sure this dinner can be messed up more than it already is, but... if you're not ready to talk, it can wait."

[1:36 PM] Seirixori: "Yeah, ok." Seirixori leans down to hug her for a few moments and then turns to leave, "Stool, keep her company for a few, I'll... I'll be right back." She hesitates when she gets to the door, but eventually leaves to find Kendall.

## Session 30

[1:38 PM] DM: Outside the main room downstairs are the stairs that go up to the residence part of the mansion, and Kendall's just sitting there at the bottom of them.

[1:39 PM] Seirixori: Seir shifts nervously, "I'm... sorry, I didn't mean to make you leave."

[1:41 PM] DM: She smiles. "Oh, it's no problem, dear. I thought you might like a moment to chat without my old ears listening in. Teasing is one thing. I didn't mean to hit on such a sore spot."

[1:42 PM] Seirixori: She shrugs, "You didn't know. Not many do." She moves to sit down, but stops herself and paces, mumbling to herself.

[1:44 PM] Seirixori: She stops and speaks, quickly, "Can you... remove any curse? Or just some curses? Do you have to know what they are? How do you even figure that out? She's going to kill me."

[1:45 PM] DM: She kind of just blinks then laughs. "Get yourself in some trouble out there?"

[1:46 PM] DM: Then she stands on about the second or third step and says, "Come over here. It'll make me feel better to actually fix something today."

[1:49 PM] Seirixori: "Maybe?" Seir walks over.

[1:51 PM] DM: She puts her tiny hand on your forehead and says an incantation, and this time, the glow doesn't stop where your skin meets hers. It actually spreads through you and you feel the kind of gross, sickly feeling leave you. She drops her hand.

"Don't make a habit of keeping the truth from her, though. She deserves better than that."

[1:55 PM] Seirixori: "I know." She says sadly, "I... I know. I was going to tell her after dinner. It's already weird..." Seirixori picks Kendall up in a hug. "Thank you."

[1:57 PM] DM: "Oh! Ok! You're welcome... you can... put me back down though."

[1:57 PM] DM: She's kind of giggling nervously like she has no idea what to do about being picked up by someone so tall.

[1:59 PM] Seirixori: "Sorry." Seir sets her down.

[4:40 PM] Seirixori: Seirixori sighs heavily, "How much trouble do you think I'm in?"

[4:41 PM] DM: She smiles and sits back down on the step, sliding over so there's space for you if you want it. "Depends on what you were doing and why, I suppose."

[4:42 PM] Seirixori: Seirixori groans and plops onto the step next to her, "I just wanted to know what we were going to get ourselves into tomorrow. I wanted to be more prepared than normal. I just... wasn't expecting... that."

[4:43 PM] DM: "Adventuring's full of surprises and danger, isn't it? Kind of goes with the territory."

[4:45 PM] Seirixori: "I'm starting to understand that, this is... extremely new."

[4:53 PM] DM: "I take it that it wasn't entirely by choice, then."

[4:56 PM] Seirixori: "No," Seir says, visibly angry, but she closes her eyes and takes a breath. "But now I don't want to leave." She turns to face Kendall quickly and changes the subject, "So, you know about myconids?"

[4:57 PM] DM: "Very little. There was a colony in the Underdark beyond the Bastion."

[4:59 PM] Seirixori: "Do you remember the name at all?"

[5:01 PM] DM: She shakes her head. "No... I don't think we talked to them at all."

[5:04 PM] Seirixori: "Oh...h-have you ever heard of the neverlight grove? That's where Stool's from but I don't know where that is and..." Seir stops herself from saying too much again and shrugs. "That's where they were before they took them to the drow prison."

[5:06 PM] DM: She shrugs. "Sorry. I don't honestly remember much about that trip. It was a long time ago. The Bastion would have good records about what's down there though. Maybe they would know. Just don't-- well, I... never mind."

[5:07 PM] Seirixori: "Don't what?"

[5:08 PM] DM: She frowns a little, debating about whether she's said too much already. "I was going to say that if you were planning to go there, maybe don't take Gunnloda with you."

[5:13 PM] Seirixori: "Oh." Seir tilts her head, thinking, "I'm ... not sure she'd let me go otherwise." Seir laughs dryly,  "I tend to get in trouble easily."

[5:14 PM] DM: "Has she told you about... why she left Dhog Lodir?"

[5:16 PM] Seirixori: "No, not really." Seir shrugs, "I didn't want to push when I asked."

[5:18 PM] DM: She nods. "And she didn't seem... off in the slave pens? Have you been in any other... do you know what the Underdark is?

[5:24 PM] Seirixori: "I... we were together briefly, and she seemed... well she was acting different towards me and that was... well, different. And no, I don't. Honestly, you can probably assume I know pretty much nothing." The last bit comes out harsher than intended.

[5:30 PM] DM: "Well... it's not really caves, that's like saying the Everstorm is a bit of a drizzle. It's like a whole new world, underground. She hasn't had much issue with caves that go directly to the outside, but... just keep an eye on her if you end up going that way."

[5:32 PM] Seirixori: "Of course I will."

[5:36 PM] DM: She looks at you for a second then smiles. "So... family, huh?"

[5:44 PM] Seirixori: Seirixori's face turns red, "It's been... it's been a long time since anyone has treated me like... like I'm normal." She shrugs, "It's...nice."

[5:47 PM] DM: She tilts her head and really looks at you for a minute. You get the feeling you are being judged. Weighed. "I want you to think about what I'm going to ask. Be honest with yourself... for her sake."

[5:49 PM] DM: "Is your interest in *her*... or is it in feeling better about yourself? If you felt like you had other options, would you still feel the same way?"

[5:57 PM] Seirixori: Serixori tilts her head, "I didn't mean just her when I meant family. She's just a part of it. I..." Seir closes her eyes and breathes slowly, trying to not let her annoyance show, "I'm not interested in Urrak, or Ravaphine or even Ryleigh or any of them and they've been... mostly just as kind." She opens her eyes and looks at Kendall, "I ... I like her and I know it's barely been a week, if that, but she's just..." Seir trails off, not sure how to finish, "I just really like her." she finishes softly, slightly frustrated that she can't find the words.

[6:09 PM] DM: Kendall nods. "I just wanted to make sure you know what you're feeling." She smiles a little and puts her hand on your shoulder. "Be good to her. She's my family too."

[6:15 PM] Seirixori: "I may not know a lot, but I know that at least," Seirixori stands and holds out her hand, "I will. Come on, I kind of maybe worried her a little before I bolted."

[6:16 PM] DM: She lets you help her up and will follow you back.

[6:19 PM] Seirixori: Seir walks back into the kitchen and plops on the floor wherever Stool is.

[6:23 PM] DM: Gunnloda gives you both welcoming smiles as you return. "Everything ok?"

Kendall: "Yep. Moonstreams were still talking, so I didn't want to interrupt."

[6:23 PM] Seirixori: "I might have been cursed for like ten minutes." Seirixori says quickly.

[6:25 PM] DM: Gunnloda looks at you, then over at Kendall. Kendall puts her hands up with a laugh. "I didn't do it."

[6:27 PM] Seirixori: "Might have gone into the portal alone, Ryleigh and Urrak were there to watch!, I just... wanted to be prepared." she mumbles. "But I'm fine, it's fine." She coughs, her face red.

[6:28 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "They were watching? Where are they now? How did they let you get cursed?"

[6:30 PM] Seirixori: "Uh... it's really dark and they couldn't really see what happened. I also might have opened something? I... don't actually know, I thought they were coming here, or the cask, but I didn't see them when I got Stool."

[6:32 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "You'd think they'd be caught up by now."

[6:36 PM] Seirixori: Seir sighs, "I thought I was the one that went off on their own." she jokes.

[6:37 PM] DM: Kendall: "Why don't we go take a walk and check on them and let Gunnloda finish up with dinner?"

[6:40 PM] Seirixori: "Sure, and I know an easy way to find them," Seir let's out a little chuckle and grins as she shifts into a dire wolf.

[6:41 PM] DM: She raises her eyebrows and points at you with her thumb as she says to Gunnloda: "I like her."

[6:41 PM] DM: Kendall: "Lead the way!"

[6:43 PM] Seirixori: Seir bounds off outside to find her stupid friends.

[6:44 PM] DM: You check the Cask and the square and find nothing... so you head to Poni's... where you see Ravaphine in the center of the portal with Urrak next to her, both surrounded by kind of glowing purple, spectral ghost-like creatures... and you see one touch Urrak and her face goes pale.

[6:45 PM] Seirixori: Seirixori whimpers and takes a step back.

[6:46 PM] DM: Kendall: "Oh, they look like they've found more trouble than you did."

[6:48 PM] DM: Kendall: "Well... should we go save the day?"

[6:49 PM] Seirixori: Seirixori whines but nods and takes a breath before jumping in.

[8:34 PM] Seirixori: Seir's still breathing heavily, "Why does no one lisTEN TO ME?!" Seirixori yells, her form shifting back into the dire wolf and she snarls before taking off.

[8:35 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Please...no yelllin'" Urrak rolls over to her side

[8:36 PM] DM: Kendall watches Seir leave. "She do that often?"

[8:36 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Yes..."

[8:37 PM] Ravaphine: “It’s not like it was for naught. We needed to find the component regardless. But we need to stay together as a team”

[8:37 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak struggles to stand a bit, as she's still getting used to her new armor, but eventually she does.

[8:38 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh stands and walks up the basement stairs but calls down, "we have a dinner to attend soon, we should get ready." and heads to the Cask.

[8:39 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "A'course...dinner." Urrak walks up the stairs, her insides feel as hallow as a fresh grave

[8:39 PM] DM: Kendall: "Gunnloda's got some great stuff cooking. It'd be a shame to be late."

[8:40 PM] Ravaphine: She sighs. “I completely forgot about dinner. I hope we aren’t late” Rav gets up to go to the cask to clean herself up

[8:40 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak meets with the rest of the party in the cask

[8:40 PM] Ravaphine: “Should we bring a pie? Flowers?”

[8:41 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "What do ye bring to a funeral?" Urrak asks grimly

[8:41 PM] Ravaphine: “Not pie I suppose”

[8:42 PM] DM: Kendall: "Ha! No, she's got it covered. She'd accept any gift graciously, but it's not expected or desired."

[8:42 PM] Ravaphine: Ravaphine looks for some flowers to pick to bring to the dinner table

[8:43 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak finds a seat at the bar. "Ready when ye are."

[8:44 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Hopefully Moonstream Manor has soft chairs..."

[8:44 PM] DM: Kendall goes for a comforting tap on the shoulder, but can only reach your hip. "You'll feel better after you sleep."

[8:45 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak smiles down at her "I hope yer right..."

[8:46 PM] Ravaphine: Ravaphine makes her way to the bar and pours two drinks. One for herself and one for Urrak. “It’s on the house,” she says with a small smile before consuming the entire pint

[8:47 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak chuckles, she goes to take a large gulp as she usually does but chokes a bit and slows down

[8:49 PM] Ravaphine: “Take it easy there. I’d much rather have you alive, please. You did great down there to help our team”

[8:49 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Best I could do, I suppose..."

[8:51 PM] DM: Kendall cliiiimbs her way up to a stool. "We had a half-orc fighter too. Gal named Tematur. From Vatru, bit different coloration than you."

[8:52 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "We come in a few shades" she chuckles "I hope I'm at least half as good as her."

Kendall smiles. "You'll get there. Takes a few scuffles to really find out what you're worth.

[8:52 PM] Ravaphine: Ravaphine slides over to Kendall and starts wiping down a glass. “Anything I can get for you?” she says, pretending to be a bartender

[8:53 PM] DM: Kendall: "No thanks... Gunnloda's cooking is worth savoring with every tastebud, not just the sober ones."

[8:54 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Y'ain't wrong" Urrak finishes her glass

[9:35 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: She looks away "And y'gotta admit, it's awkward seein yer friends in an...intimate moment." she motions in a general forward direction, waving her hand around in a tight circle.

[9:38 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh quirks an eyebrow, "I suppose it could be awkward, but intimacy between lovers is perfectly natural and shouldn't make you feel uncomfortable." She pauses in thought, "and thank you for the compliment."

[9:40 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Y-yer welcome." a couple beads of sweat form on her forehead. "I'm...very happy fer Seir."

[9:44 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh laughs at Urrak, "Lighten up. I apologize for making you uncomfortable, it wasn't my intention - if it had been, you'd be a babbling mess."

[9:45 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak was taking a sip of provided water and nearly choked  on it as Ryleigh uttered her last sentence. "I see..." she coughs

[9:52 PM] DM: Kendall: "I'm almost out of spells for the day, love. Don't die now."

[9:52 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: She coughs a bit but gives the "Ok" hand sign to Kendall

## Session 31

[7:16 PM] DM: Misha: "Don't be jealous."

Cae laughs. "Jealous. Right."

[7:17 PM] Ravaphine: "Ryleigh. You've been awfully quiet over there with your roast"

[7:22 PM] DM: Now that everyone's pretty much done eating, Gunnloda stands to start clearing dishes, but Kendall hops up. "Sit down, dear. You cooked." And Kendall starts clearing plates instead.

[7:25 PM] DM: Malica goes to help Kendall since she's little and starts piling dishes to take back to the kitchen.

[7:34 PM] DM: Kendall: "Rule one, never let the cook do the dishes."

[7:34 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "I see..." Urrak walks slowly to the sink and places her dish inside."I suppose yer right."

[7:34 PM] Nolanos: "Thats  a sound rule. Gunnloda works very hard, that's for sure."

[7:35 PM] DM: Kendall: "Sounds like she's found herself a place here, huh?"

[7:35 PM] Ravaphine: "We love her"

[7:35 PM] Ravaphine: "Not...not like that. But she is like a family member at this point"

[7:36 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Gunnloda's incredible. She's saved our skins more times than I can count."

[7:36 PM] Nolanos: "She's pretty amazing."

[7:37 PM] DM: Kendall: "She is."

[7:49 PM] DM: You notice Kendall slip out of the kitchen and she heads through the doors you're next to outside.

[7:51 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh clears her throat, "where are you off to?"

[7:51 PM] DM: Kendall: "Oh, just to go check on Rimands."

[7:52 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): "On who?"

[7:52 PM] DM: Kendall: "Rimands. My dog."

[7:54 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): "Ah, well I'd say be careful but I've seen you in combat so there's no need."

[7:55 PM] DM: She chuckles. "I'm far too rusty for combat. We're lucky I even had a spiritual weapon to call on."

[7:58 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh smiles, "You saved our asses back there. We wouldn't have made it out without you, thank you for that, I have to much to do to die so young."

[7:59 PM] DM: Kendall smiles. "It's no problem, dear. Would you like to walk out with me?"

[7:59 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): "If you don't mind having the company? I don't want to intrude."

[8:01 PM] DM: She shakes her head and walks outside to where her big shaggy dog is. It's saddled and pants at her.

[8:01 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh walks out and hold her hand out for the dog to smell.

[8:02 PM] DM: He sniffs you and kinda noses your hand. Kendall pulls a piece of meat out that she'd pocketed from the table and feeds him.

[8:03 PM] DM: "To be honest... I was thinking I was going to go home."

[8:04 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): "Any particular reason why?"

[8:04 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh scratches behind the dogs ears.

[8:06 PM] DM: She sighs. "It's complicated. Could you do me a favor though?" She pulls a stone from her pouch. "Could you give this to Gunnloda for me? Tell her that if she needs me, I'll come for her."

[8:10 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh takes the pouch, "of course, may your travels be safe." She pauses and then continues, "while I may not be much, I am indebted to you for rescuing us. If you ever need a sword, you shall have mine." Ryleigh gives a slight bow.

[8:11 PM] DM: She smiles. "You're going to be great some day."

[8:13 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh just smiles and heads back inside to the others.

[8:13 PM] DM: Kendall and Rimands disappear.

## Session 32

[7:51 PM] Ryleigh: "But what if it isn't about today? What if its bigger than that. what if he comes for her?" She squeezes her eyes shut and then looks at the Moonstreams, "Eloise, Cae...have you asked her about him? because we took her and he may want her back. I believe Seirixori was thinking that too."

[7:56 PM] DM: Eloise looks at Cae who frowns. Gunnloda finally stands and approaches. "If... there's something wrong with it, I can call Kendall back to look. None of us wants Misha to be hurt. Let us help her. Please?"

[7:56 PM] Ravaphine: "Let us help. Please"

[7:57 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Seir's a dumbass but...she's our friend. And she means well...usually."

[7:57 PM] DM: Eloise nods at Gunnloda. "Call her."

Gunnloda pulls the stone from the pouch Ryleigh'd delivered to her and closes her eyes. The stone glows for a second, then goes dark again.

[7:58 PM] DM: Cae grumbles and walks out.

[8:04 PM] DM: **It takes a couple minutes, but there's a spark and then a familiar halfling in Sovereign Host robes and a samurai hat pops into existence next to Gunnloda. She looks bleary-eyed and half-asleep.**

**Gunnloda reaches out and puts a hand on her shoulder. "Thank you."**

**Kendall: "Of course, love. What's wrong?"**

[8:05 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "Misha. Can you... go see if there's anything wrong? If you can help her at all?"

[8:06 PM] DM: Eloise: "She's sleeping, but I'll take you up."

[8:08 PM] DM: Kendall glances around, a bit confused, back at Gunnloda, then follows Eloise out of the room.

After a few minutes, Eloise walks back in and sits at her desk. Kendall follows, and they're followed soon after by Cae and Seirixori. Cae walks Seir up to a spot in front of Eloise's desk, then walks around and stands behind her wife. Usan steps up behind Seirixori. Kendall stops next to Gunnloda.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[9:22 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh walks up to them and clears her throat.

[9:23 PM] DM: They look up at you, both looking very tired.

[9:26 PM] Ryleigh: "I wanted to apologize for needing your help so soon after your departure, Kendall." she waits a moment and then says to Gunnloda, "I'm also sorry if it seemed I was 'on the other side'..I care, I do. But I can't afford to make enemies with these people."

[9:29 PM] DM: **Kendall yawns. "If she needs me, I'll be there."**

Gunnloda: "You don't need to apologize to me, dear. I understand. Thank you for... what you did."

[9:33 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh gives them both a half smile, "I didn't do anything more than tell the truth and hoped they'd listen." She yawns and says, "I think we could all do with a few hours of sleep...." then starts walking away.

[9:34 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "Good night."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[9:38 PM] DM: After several more minutes of quiet conversation, Kendall and Gunnloda turn and start walking towards the temple.

[9:42 PM] Seirixori: Seir watches them go before standing up and heading towards them, "I..." She freezes because she has no idea what to say without crying, "I'm sorry. I didn't... I'm sorry." She says again, making sure she's a good few feet behind them.

[9:44 PM] DM: They stop and look back, then at each other. **Kendall reaches out and squeezes Gunnloda's hand then keeps walking into the temple.**

[9:50 PM] Seirixori: Seir doesn't move any closer and she closes her eyes, trying to will the tears to stop. "I... Sorry I didn't... I didn't tell you. I wasn't sure... I'm sorry." She repeats, not wanting to speak the real question she has.

[9:54 PM] DM: Gunnloda's chewing on her lip, opening her mouth to say something, then closing it. "I don't know what I can say."

[10:00 PM] DM: She frowns and shakes her head. "I'm sorry. I... When the sun rises and Kendall's hat is ready, I'm going to go back to Vatru. At least... until I end up back here again."

[10:02 PM] Seirixori: Seir's breath catches in her throat. It was something she prepared for earlier but not like this, "I... Okay. Okay." She let's out a breath, catching at the last second and her voice breaks when she asks, "Did... Did you want it back?"

[10:07 PM] DM: She closes her eyes, trying to take steady breaths and maintain control of herself. "I don't... I don't understand why. Why couldn't you just... say something? I... I thought... I don't know what I thought. I don't want to control you. I don't want to make you someone you're not. But if this... if this is who you are..."

[10:11 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "You... you pounced on Urrak. You attacked a girl. You can't control your shifting... where does it stop? What will it take? I can't... I can't. Not like this."

[10:19 PM] Seirixori: "I'm sorry, it's... I know it doesn't, doesn't excuse anything." Seirixori's not even trying to stop crying now, "I'm not, I'm not used to people caring about what I say.. .about... about anything." She groans, "That... That doesn't matter, I'm just sorry, I'm so sorry."

[10:25 PM] DM: "You can say it until you've gone purple in the face... I can't be your leash. I can't be the only thing that keeps you from hurting people who shouldn't be hurt. It's not fair to either of us."

[10:33 PM] Seirixori: Seirixori just closes her eyes and nods.  She slips the ring off, clutching it to her for a brief moment, before handing it to Gunnloda. "I'll miss..." She clears her throat, "Please stay safe." She says, turning away and heads to the Cask.

[10:35 PM] DM: You can barely hear a soft, "You too."

## Session 34

[9:37 PM] DM: The portal shows a house, smallish and halfling in style, but it's sized to be comfortable for a dwarf. In the center of the image is Gunnloda, wearing Sovereign Host robes with the evidence of many bits of food splattered and smeared across them. She's sitting on a chair at a table with Kendall. They're talking to each other, but you can't hear anything, and Kendall's squeezing her hand.

[9:38 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh squeezes Seir's shoulder.

[9:38 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: From her corner Urrak mutters a "Gunnloda..." under her breath

[9:39 PM] DM: Gunnloda does look sad, maybe hurt, and Kendall looks like she's trying to comfort her.

## Seir arrives in Vecbony

[10:30 PM] DM: It takes a minute, but Kendall opens it, wearing her robes, but not the hat. The smell of freshly baked pies and breads pours out of the open door. She blinks and then tilts her head at you. "So soon?"

[10:31 PM] Ryleigh: "Yeah, sorry to barge in but she's been so down..I just couldn't take the sad eyes anymore." Ryleigh chuckles lightly.

[10:32 PM] Ravaphine: "Hi" rav says, shyly. "It smells wonderful in there"

[10:33 PM] DM: Kendall leans over to look past you at the elf and dog in the street, then looks back and sighs. "I don't know if she's... come in. Watch your heads. Help yourself to some of the food. Kitchen's through there." She gestures to the right.

[10:37 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh walks over to Seirixori, "are you coming in or am I going to have to carry you in?"

[10:41 PM] Seirixori: Seir groans and walks in, shifting back as she does, "I just.... I just want to say something and then We'll.... well I'll go if..."

[10:41 PM] Ravaphine: Rav shoves the flowers in Seir's hands as they're ducking and walking in

[10:42 PM] DM: Kendall just gestures towards the kitchen.

[10:43 PM] DM: As you saw in the portal, it's a small house, but the doors and ceilings are sized more for a dwarf than a halfling, and especially in the kitchen everything's a little taller than what would be comfortable for Kendall. Gunnloda's not in there at the moment, but it seems like every square inch of flat space in the room is covered in pies, breads, or the ingredients for them.

[10:44 PM] Seirixori: Seir just kind of stares at the flowers and hands them back to Ravaphine, "Maybe after..." she mumbles and slowly walks into the kitchen. "...wow, ok."

[10:45 PM] Ravaphine: ((what kind of food is around))

[10:46 PM] DM: Mostly fruity pies, but there's stuff like banana bread and regular bread mixed in there too. Baked goods.

[10:49 PM] Ravaphine: Rav places the flowers on a table. "We should stay out here and let them talk" she says to Ryleigh

[10:50 PM] Seirixori: "did you guys really have to follow me here ..." Seirixori mumbles

[10:51 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh smiles at Seirixori, "that's what friends are for, to help in a time of need." She nods to the door, "we'll be around." She then walks out of the kitchen.

[10:52 PM] Seirixori: Despite what she said, she mildly panics when they leave.

[10:53 PM] Ravaphine: "good luck" Rav says, finger gunning as she walks out to follow Ryleigh

[10:54 PM] Seirixori: She starts fidgeting with the end of one of her braids, sees the disc, quickly shoves it so it's under her tunic and resumes her fidgeting.

[10:54 PM] DM: Kendall appears in the doorway before they leave.

[10:55 PM] DM: She tilts her head at Seir, gesturing for her to come over to the other room.

[10:56 PM] Ryleigh: Ryleigh looks from Kendall to Ravaphine then whispers, "so, are we staying in here?..."

[10:56 PM] Seirixori: Seir takes a deep breath and follows Kendall's direction.

[10:57 PM] Ravaphine: "Let's step outside"

[10:57 PM] DM: Kendall stops Seir with a hand on your arm. "Don't make me regret this." Then she steps back and gestures for you to go further down the hall.

[10:58 PM] DM: She looks at the two of you. "I can't eat all that pie myself."

[10:59 PM] Ravaphine: Rav looks to Ryleigh, asking for permission in a way

[10:59 PM] Seirixori: Seir nods and heads down the hall

[10:59 PM] Ryleigh: "Good, because we've been starving since Gunnloda left."

[11:00 PM] Ravaphine: "You are wonderful"

[11:01 PM] DM: Kendall leans against the doorjamb, not really coming into the kitchen, just waiting, keeping an ear on what's happening down the hall.

[12:11 AM] DM: She looks down at her hands. "I don't... I want to see what this can be. I do... but I can't handle having my heart broken again." She looks back up, the question written across her face.

[12:13 AM] Seirixori: Seir sits up quickly, almost falling over, she gets on her knees and reaches out to take Gunnloda's hands but she pauses, "Can I...?"

[12:16 AM] DM: She just barely moves her hands out to give her ok.

[12:24 AM] Seirixori: Seir holds them lightly and looks at Gunnloda, "I can't promise it will never happen, but I can promise that I.... that I love you." She flushes, but she keeps the eye contact, "Which might sound ridiculous because it's been a very short time, and... no wait, not the point..." She takes a deep breath and let's it out slowly, "I love you, I'm in love with you, and the last thing I ever want to do is break your heart, because that would mean mine is broken too and a thousand years of that is way too long. *No, I did it again*."

[12:31 AM] DM: She looks down, her cheeks burning red again. Then she steps in close and lifts her head enough for your lips to meet in a kiss. She pulls back and chuckles softly. "You're still too adorable for me to say no to."

[12:34 AM] Seirixori: Seir is pretty sure her whole body is turning red, but she grins and just kind of launches herself around Gunnloda, hugging her, and trying really hard not to cry, but she's kind of failing at it, "Please don't tell Stool you're really my favorite."

[12:36 AM] DM: She laughs. "I'll keep yours if you do the same."

[12:38 AM] Seirixori: Seir nods, pulling back and places a hand on the side of Gunnloda's face, stroking her cheek lightly with her thumb and Seirixori leans in to kiss Gunnloda, "I love you." She grins as she says it again.

[12:41 AM] DM: She leans forward, resting her forehead against yours with her eyes closed. "I love you too... but don't ever do that to me again." She laughs again. "Kendall's kitchen can't handle it anymore."

[12:42 AM] Seirixori: "That was the worst twelve hours of my life, I will definitely not do that again."

[12:45 AM] DM: She laughs again, having trouble keeping her smile off her face. "I know enough about you to doubt the first, but I'm going to choose to believe the second."

[12:47 AM] Seirixori: "Okay... maybe, but it's close."  She pouts a little. "that and making Kendall mad. Very close."

[12:48 AM] Seirixori: She groans, "Oh no, I need to apologize to her too."

[12:48 AM] DM: You hear her call from the other room: "You're damn right, you do!"

[12:49 AM] DM: Gunnloda: "Kendall!"

[12:52 AM] Seirixori: Seir flinches and turns, not quite letting go of Gunnloda, she gives a sheepish grin, "I'm sorry for doing exactly what I said I wasn't going to do... and sorry for your kitchen."

(Off screen: the short of it is that Gunnloda would be embarrassed and Kendall would be a shit. Kendall would probably make some joke and try to pass it off as no big deal and just tell you to take care of her. Make sure she has fun and acts her age sometimes. Don't let her get too serious or too sad. It'd probably start to sound too much like goodbye so before it got too heavy, she'd make some bad joke or another and tell you to take as many pies back as you can carry. Gunnloda would give her a big hug that would wind up with Kendall a foot off the ground and Kendall would take the opportunity to kiss her on the forehead and tell her good luck. .....then she would tell Gunnloda to keep her sending stone and just let her know if she needed to come back (home, implied).)

## Session 40 (Gunnloda reveals her death)

*[*6:42 PM*]*Seirixori*:*"Oh, thanks!" Seir mumbles happily around the jerky. "I mean, there is and there isn't. It's usually reserved for special occasions, or a ranger's companion. I didn't understand why they didn't... *wouldn't* do it for all of them. At least the druids I stay with don't. Or maybe they do and just didn't want me to? I don't know, animals are kind and they don't care what you look like," she frowns, "where you're from... So, I thought they were *all* special. Someone should look out for them, even in these situations." She shrugs, "I don't know if that is an explanation, but... I just like to think it gives them comfort... But maybe it's just me that gets comfort from it..."

*[*6:49 PM*]*DM*:*She seems to be listening, even though she's looking away, but near the end, her face darkens with something of a haunted expression. "There is no comfort for the dead." The words hang there for a moment until she stiffens a bit and blinks, looking at Seir. "I-- sorry, love. I shouldn't have said that. You... should do what you think you should. What you think is right."

*[*7:00 PM*]*Seirixori*:*Seir looks down, shrugging, "It's okay, you don't have to..." she looks up, smiling softly, "you don't have to protect me from everything you know. Even your own thoughts." she gives Gunnloda's hand a squeeze, and brings it to her lips, kissing it softly. "I'll be here to listen, either way."

*[*7:11 PM*]*DM*:*Gunnloda sighs. "It's not that. The clerics that taught me didn't agree. Everyone has a place after, they say. There are rules and conditions and I could spend hours explaining it all, but everyone has a place. Good, bad, or neutral." She looks back out into the next room and in a quiet voice, Seir can barely hear her say, "but it isn't true."

*[*7:21 PM*]*Seirixori*:*She chews on her lip again, unsure if she should ask, but she *wants* to know, "What do... How do you know?" Seir asks tentatively.

*[*7:26 PM*]*DM*:*She looks down at their hands and runs her thumb over Seir's ring. "Because when I died, there was nothing but darkness."

*[*7:36 PM*]*Seirixori*:*Seir freezes and looks at their hands, before looking up, "*What?*" She says it quietly, her mind racing over things Gunnloda has said before. "How-- is that where Kendall comes in?"

*[*7:42 PM*]*DM*:*Gunnloda nods slightly. "Her group found me and she performed the ritual to bring me back."

*[*7:49 PM*]*Seirixori*:*"What... What happened?" She asks, moving so that she's kneeling and takes both of Gunnloda's hands in hers. She's careful not to block the view into the other room, but she needs to touch her. Seir doesn't stop her tail this time from wrapping around Gunnloda. Her mind briefly drifts to the nightmare she had in Bleakmourne and the encounter with the vegepygmy's and she shudders.

*[*8:00 PM*]*DM*:*Her eyes dart over in the direction of the door where Cae and the others are, but almost immediately come back to Seir's. She squeezes Seir's hands and takes a breath, slowly exhaling. "I was trapped. In a cage. There was... nobody. Nothing. And... I..." She shakes her head and changes direction. "I watched my cousin die. I couldn't do anything for him but... hold his hand."

*[*8:25 PM*]*Seirixori*:*Seir sucks in a breath, closing her eyes briefly. She takes her hand and gently turns Gunnloda's face to her, letting the back of her fingers brush against Gunnloda's cheek once she has her attention. "I'm... Sorry. That is-- watching... I'm sorry." She says quietly and leans her forehead against Gunnloda's, briefly kissing the tip of her nose. Seir's not trying to ignore the part about her cousin, but she can't help but focus on the thought of Gunnloda being trapped. "If... If it helps any. I mean... I can't do it now. But eventually... Um..." she cringes at her stumbling. She takes a deep breath, centering herself, and makes sure to keep eye contact with Gunnloda, "I swear I'll always get you out. No matter where we are, or what's going on, I'll get you out."

*[*8:34 PM*]*DM*:*Gunnloda closes her eyes and nods a little, pulling Seir closer. "It's... easier now. I've talked about it and I have little... I always have food with me now. Someday, an unlimited supply. Cooking was the only thing that helped for a long time. Still helps, even with other things."

*[*8:35 PM*]*DM*:*"Mostly I don't really think about it. It's just... seeing that room. It's... a little too much to deal with without warning."

## Session 42

*[*9:03 PM*]*DM*:*She takes a deep breath and exhales slowly. "'s not your fault." She takes a drink, but it's like... half the mug's worth in one drink.

*[*9:07 PM*]*Seirixori*:*Seir bites her lip, watching, "...did you... do you want... I don't know if I should ask if you want more or not..." she kind of mutters, worried.

*[*9:16 PM*]*DM*:*She huffs a sardonic sort of laugh. "Kendall always cut me off when the accent started slippin'. You... you didn't know 'bout that though, didja? Cause I'm the first dwarf you know." She leans in like she's telling a secret, but her voice is still just as loud. "I changed my words." She sits back and frowns with a little pout. "I lied to you, didn't I? Yer not gonna like me."

*[*9:23 PM*]*Seirixori*:*Seir just chuckles and shakes her head. She takes a few moments to just *look* at Gunnloda and she smiles, "No, *tor beag*. I'm sure there's a lot I don't know, but..." she leans in, just as Gunnloda had, "There's very little you could do or tell me that won't make me love you more."

*[*9:28 PM*]*DM*:*"But you talk to *gods* and... and..."

*[*9:36 PM*]*Seirixori*:*"I do. One who saved me and one who... well I don't know what she wants." Seir waves her hand like she's waving the thoughts away, "You matter far more to me than they ever have, my love."

*[*9:39 PM*]*DM*:*"Even if..." She looks around like she's making sure nobody's listening in, then leans in again. "Even if I don't think they're really gods?"

*[*9:51 PM*]*Seirixori*:*Seir raises an eyebrow and tilts her head, "Even then." She places her hands on the sides of Gunnloda's face and pulls her in for a kiss, she pulls back, but barely, "*Tor beag*... Gunnloda, I love you. I love your messy tabard, your hesitance to sleep outside. How you take care of everyone without them asking. Your stress baking. The accent you were hiding, your thoughts that are very valid about these stupid gods. And anything else." She grins, kissing her again and looking directly at her, "*Everything* else."

*[*9:54 PM*]*DM*:*She starts crying again. "I lied about bein' all cried out too," she sobs. She crawls over to hug Seir and will probably pass out soon because while it looks like four, she was also definitely drinking while pouring the ones out front too.

*[*9:57 PM*]*Seirixori*:*She waits a few moments before moving, "C'mon, *leannán*, let's get you to bed." Seir whispers, doing her best to stand and help Gunnloda up, wondering if she's at all strong enough to carry her.

## Session 43

*[*3:47 PM*]*DM*:*She smiles and swallows a laugh. "I didn't hear a thing." She pauses a moment, then, more seriously she says, "I've been on my second chance longer than you've been alive, but it doesn't mean I know any more about this than you do. It hasn't been long, but time has never mattered much to my heart. All I know is that I love you in a way that is... different from any way I've felt before. The rings... they *are* spell components. In some cultures, people wear them to symbolize the love they share. I had them already because Kendall gave me one when we first met and... they grew to mean more eventually. She gave hers to me when she... ended things. I meant what I said. They don't mean anything more than what you want them to, and I hope you don't think they mean I'm confusing you for her or trying to use you to replace her. I just wanted to keep you safe and I couldn't get new ones quickly."

*[*4:32 PM*]*DM*:*Gunnloda pulls back a little to look in Seir's eyes. "I'm sorry. I'm not very good at... I'm used to deflection and avoidance, but I don't want that to be us, so I'm going to make you a promise. Any question you ask, I will answer. Honestly."

*[*4:42 PM*]*Seirixori*:*"I didn't want you to... You'll tell me if you don't feel comfortable answering it?"

*[*4:47 PM*]*DM*:*"I didn't want to tell you things because I didn't want you to worry... I didn't want my past to burden you. It obviously doesn't work like that. I can't say I'd be comfortable with a lot of subjects, but I don't want to hide anything from you. I want you to know me. All of me... even the hard and ugly things. And I don't want to be part of the reason you're 'freaking out'.

## Session 45

*[*5:10 PM*]*DM*:*She takes a deep breath and turns back to the counter where she was chopping apples. She picks up the knife and starts working again as the words come. "I told you about my cousin, Kafar, and the cages we were trapped in. How we were left there for... I'm not sure how long. He was hurt when we were captured and he... he died from his wound long before I did."

*[*5:18 PM*]*DM*:*"In the end, all I remember was how weak I felt. Like I didn't even have the strength to shiver anymore, or the strength to be hungry. Then it was just... darkness. Endless darkness. Not like... magic darkness where there's still *things* just... I didn't have a body, there was no floor. There was nothing." She takes another deep breath before continuing. "The next thing I knew, Kendall was bringing me back. It was too late for Kafar and she never said as much, but I think it was close to too late for me too. Those first few days were confusing and so, so cold. We were still down beyond the Bastion, but it was a cold that felt like it came from inside me and I can't tell you how many times they pulled me from the fireside, worried I'd just crawl inside to get warm."

*[*5:28 PM*]*DM*:*"They eventually took me home. Their group disbanded and Kendall stayed with me. The priests of Akthor kept telling me that it was all in my head and there was nothing wrong with me, but Kendall was kinder. I told her about the darkness and she didn't know anything about it, but she also didn't know anyone who had come back." She moves to the next step of her baking, just keeping herself composed. "I couldn't stand being there anymore. Every face I saw reminded me of his and the walls felt like they were closing in. Everyone kept telling me I had to just get over it like I was choosing to feel so... weak and helpless. I started thinking it would have been better if she'd never saved me, but every time I closed my eyes, I'd see Kafar and every time I fell asleep, I dreamed about the darkness and it scared me more than anything I might face awake. I-- I still do, sometimes. It's what woke me up this morning."

*[*5:33 PM*]*Seirixori*:*Seir moves so that she's kneeling behind Gunnloda, briefly placing a hand on her shoulder, just to let her know she's there, but she doesn't want to invade her space in case she doesn't want the closeness.

*[*5:35 PM*]*DM*:*She doesn't pull away at all, but she keeps mixing ingredients. "I couldn't stand being there, so I left. I invited myself along with Kendall to go visit her home in Halava. I saw what she had in the Host... a place to belong, no matter where she went. A place to find allies. Magic. Resources. She could heal with a touch and... I just kept seeing Kafar slowly dying and all I could do was hold his hand and watch. I never wanted to be so helpless again... but I couldn't ignore the darkness. Kendall started teaching me about the Host, thinking that maybe it was Akthor's fault. Maybe I'd have a different experience with different gods, but it all felt so... hollow."

*[*5:41 PM*]*DM*:*"I started thinking that this was all some big, cosmic joke. The gods weren't really gods. But when I tried to talk to Kendall about it, she got angry. It was like I was calling her stupid for believing in them. I just... I needed someone to talk to, but she would always shut down. I stopped trying. I decided to pretend until I started believing it. I learned about the Host and about the gods and anything else I could. I picked up the platitudes people used and just tried to forget everything else. I never told her, but I never really... *believed*. I-- Becoming a cleric was like a test. Could I still get magic, even if I didn't believe in the gods who were supposed to be giving it to me?"

*[*5:46 PM*]*DM*:*She sighs and drops her dough on the board. "And I did. I had magic. I had a position in the priesthood. And I was a fraud. I focused on the good that I could do. I could feed the poor and the hungry. I could comfort those who needed it. I could heal the hurt. Sometimes when people are at the end of their rope, a lie is what gets them through the night. But it was nothing more than a nice bedtime story to me."

*[*5:48 PM*]*DM*:*"The platitudes became automatic. The words to give thanks, to offer support, to... be a priest. Even Kendall believed it eventually because I stopped trying to talk to her about it. I was too afraid to lose her."

*[*5:54 PM*]*DM*:*"It's not that I think they don't exist... it's that I don't think they are as powerful as they say they are. I don't think they're all-knowing or all-powerful or deathless. I don't think they're infallible. I don't know exactly how to explain it, but... what makes one a demon lord, another an archdevil, and another a god besides... us? What we say is right or wrong, who we worship, what we believe? How is it that there are three gods like Arawai, Mielikki, and Takara that are all gods of the *same thing*?"

*[*6:03 PM*]*DM*:*She kneads her way through that whole explanation, her actions more forceful as her voice hardens, until she finally plops it all in a pan and puts it in the oven and turns to face Seir. The hardness in her expression fades a bit as she collects herself.

*[*6:16 PM*]*DM*:*"In the end, I suppose what I *believe* is that they're celestials with over-inflated egos. There *is* magic out there for people to gain, just like I did... and the 'gods' are just the easiest way to access it. Believing in a god of light is easier than comprehending the concept of it. It's why gods have such overlapping powers and why they're so localized and limited. If Mielikki was really a god, shouldn't she be able to appear here? Why couldn't Takara cure Cae? Why does Asten fit both Dol Arrah and Onatar? So... that's where I am. I do believe there is something, something very powerful, that you talk to, who talks to you, that goes by the name of Takara or Mielikki or however many there are..." she kind of drops her hands and her head, not really looking at Seir, "but I don't think they are what other people think they are."

*[*6:32 PM*]*Seirixori*:*Seir chuckles at the thought of Mielikki appearing in Bellbury, “Their powers *are* limited. So I’ve been told.” She shrugs, “So maybe you’re right. And… well, to be honest, even if Mielikki *could* show up here I really don’t think she ever would. She’s kind of… well, there’s a reason no one *really* believes me when I say that I’ve seen her *and* talked to her.“ Seir pauses, because she'd never really given any thought about the gods and their existence before, well except the once "I yelled at her, Mielikki. Yelled at her because she let everyone die, but saved me? I didn’t.. I understand some of where you’re coming from. But... that is not what ... sorry." Seir tugs Gunnloda so that she's closer, inches away from hugging her, but she makes a point of getting Gunnloda to look at her as she speaks, "I want you to know, that I'll listen to you. Even if I don't agree. It's never... I know what it's like to be ignored and I never want to make you feel that way. I may not *understand* some things, but I don't want you to feel like you can't talk to me about something just because I might have a different opinion..." Seir frowns, tilting her head as she thinks. "And like I said, I will do anything so you don't have to go through any of that again." She snorts, "It's a little lucky that you kind of now have your own personal heater and food dispensory... also a light." Seir winks. "So, *thank you*, for telling me. We could even discuss the god thing more if you ever wanted."

*[*6:39 PM*]*DM*:*Her composure had been cracked through the whole explanation but it shatters now and she starts crying.

*[*6:40 PM*]*DM*:*"I don't know how to... thank you, *sor'odko*."

*[*6:44 PM*]*Seirixori*:*Seir starts to panic when she sees Gunnloda start crying but she lets out a sigh of relief at her words, "Always, *mo chroí*" She opens her arms, letting Gunnloda initiate the hug if she wants it.

*[*6:46 PM*]*DM*:*She falls into Seir's arms and holds her tight, crying into her shoulder.

*[*6:47 PM*]*Seirixori*:*"Would it be bad if I said I kind of want to throw some of the citrus fruit at Kendall?" Seir jokingly whispers as she rubs Gunnloda's back while she cries.

*[*6:51 PM*]*DM*:*Gunnloda chuckles through her tears. "It was -- is -- complicated. I... can this be simple? Is that possible? "

*[*6:54 PM*]*Seirixori*:*"I'm not really sure I understand what you mean by that. Is it supposed to be complicated? Because if it is, then people are dumb."

*[*6:57 PM*]*DM*:*"I don't want to have to hide or change and I don't want you to either. Just... I'll be there for you and you can do the same and we can be happy?"

*[*7:00 PM*]*Seirixori*:*"Yes, *tor beag*, for as long as you wish, I will be there for you, all of you, whatever that entails."

*[*3:46 PM*]*Seirixori*:*Seir pulls away, worrying her lip between her teeth. "Does... Does that mean... you won't leave again if... when I do something stupid?" She whispers, looking down.

*[*4:03 PM*]*DM*:*Gunnloda puts her hand on Seir's jaw and uses her thumb to gently draw Seir's lip from her teeth. "I-- I've been afraid of doing to you what Kendall did to me since before Bleakmourne. I know what it is to be afraid to lose someone... to do anything to keep them. I don't... I don't want to be her and I don't want you to be me. I can't make that promise, but I do promise that I won't abandon you. I'll talk to you if there's something wrong and we can try to work through it together. I won't leave without trying."

## Session 51

*[*12:02 AM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*Seir can't hold back her laugh this time, "As long as she doesn't think you were inviting her to test that out. Not the one I'd be okay sharing you with." She snickers. "You know, I might not know many dwarfs... Or any, but I'm pretty sure you're a *lot* more flexible than they are."

*[*12:04 AM*]*DM*:*She blushes a little and squints a little, tilting her head. "I-- no... I didn't say it quite that way but... that's an odd way to phrase that thought..."

*[*12:06 AM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*"What is?"

*[*12:07 AM*]*DM*:*"The.... *sharing* me part."

*[*12:12 AM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*"Oh." Seir blinks, and tilts her head, "It's... I mean, if there was someone else you loved, you know? I would say kind of like Brimeia, Ravaphine, and Nolanos, but I don't think they know exactly how that works." She shrugs, "It's what I grew up with, so it's... Normal to me? I...I know not everyone is okay with it, like I told Urrak about the jealousy thing... That happened almost as often." Seir chuckles a little. "I guess I was just... Leaving it open in case you ever thought about it? This is probably a weird thing to talk about right before getting married." She grins sheepishly.

*[*12:20 AM*]*DM*:*She's stunned silent for several moments. "No, I-- I think before the wedding is a good time to talk about that sort of thing. I... didn't know."

*[*12:22 AM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*"Oh... I.. Sorry? I'm... I mean..." She mildly starts panicking, "It's not something I would consider unless you were okay with it. I don't... It's...it doesn't have to be a thing."

*[*12:24 AM*]*DM*:*She smiles and puts both her hands on either side of Seir's face. "Breathe, love. I just... I never considered it before. It's not common in Dhog Lodir... or in Vatru, really. Not where I've been. Is... is it something you have considered?"

*[*12:32 AM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*Seir closes her eyes and does just that, breathe, "Not really, no. I don't know if you've noticed, but I've been told we're kind of surrounded by very pretty people." She laughs, "They don't really interest me, but you did. You do." She leans in and gives Gunnloda a slow passionate kiss, it takes her a second to focus again. "You're the first person I've ever been...attracted to, or even thought about in anyway that was just...*more*. If it ever is a thing, you'll be the first to know. However," She gives Gunnloda several more kisses, fully letting herself get distracted now, "I swear I'm not trying to get away from this conversation, but really, I just want you, like I've never wanted anything before and I can't imagine wanting anything else as much."

*[*12:43 AM*]*DM*:*She closes her eyes, and rests her forehead against Seir's. "I love you.... I do. All the things I've said to you, to Ryleigh... I meant them. But in the spirit of 'things we should talk about before we get married'... there's probably some things we've danced around but never really talked about."

*[*12:49 AM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*"Okay." Seir pulls back a little, to sit cross legged on the bed.

*[*12:55 AM*]*DM*:*She fiddles with her fingers for a few seconds like she's trying to either organize her thoughts or muster the courage to say what's on her mind. "I've been trying to figure out how I feel about something, too. I've started wondering if I need to start journaling again because it's just... so much. It's also why I can't decide whether to use this," she pulls the stone out and throws it onto the bed next to Seir.

*[*12:59 AM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*Seir's eyes widen, and she almost reaches for the stone, just to have something to hold onto, but she takes one of Gunnloda's hands instead, if she lets her.

*[*1:04 AM*]*DM*:*She does, and she holds it like she's afraid to let it go. "I... I'm not really sure how to put any of this to words." She scoffs a little. "That's what journaling's for... helping to put words to things that are messy." She looks up at Seir. "When I used to journal... I wrote to *her*. It... scares me sometimes how much you remind me of me, knowing how it ended."

*[*1:09 AM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*"Oh..." Seir starts to chew on her bottom lip again, but after a few seconds she kind of stops and grins, like she remembered Gunnloda's words about it. She plays with Gunnloda's fingers, quiet for several minutes while she thinks. "You know...I... I might be worried if I didn't know a few things. I mean, I don't know that much about what happened but *a mhuirnín*," she runs her thumb over Gunnloda's cheek, "there's already quite a few significant differences, I think."

*[*1:28 AM*]*DM*:*"Some, maybe.... I loved her... more than anything. I didn't leave Dhog Lodir for her, but I stayed in Vatru for her. Followed her anywhere she wanted to go. Stopped talking about things that bothered her, started praying to her gods, changed the way I spoke because I thought she'd--" Her voice cracks a little and she takes a second to collect herself, but the more she talks, the more the words just pour out of her like she's not even thinking about what she's saying anymore. "I wanted her to *love* me the way I loved her. She never did.... I was persistent and she eventually agreed to... a "relationship"... but she always said it was temporary, just a temporary fling, just fun or comfort or loneliness. I thought I could change her mind if I just... changed me. I could be someone she could want. She never said she loved me. Then one day it was just.... here's my ring, have a nice life. I didn't even know how... empty it was until you. How empty *I* was. You make me feel so... full." She smiles a little. "In more ways than one. I'm... I feel overwhelmed sometimes by how much you love me. But... when you said that you'd always pick me... I didn't know what to say. I thought about it and I remembered what my ma used to say about love... that it's a choice you make... so I did. I chose you. When you said you wanted to get married, I said yes and I chose to say yes. I still do. It's just... I don't know if it's just leftover from all those years or what, but... I can't pretend there isn't some part of me that still loves her, even after everything."

*[*1:55 AM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*"Sometimes I think I want to not like her, but it's kind of impossible." Seir mutters, tears in her eyes. "It's okay, you know. To still love her." She moves and sits at the edge of the bed again, pulling Gunnloda into her arms. "And I know you love me, and that's all that matters. I mean I *know* that's not *all* that matters, but for this," She pulls back, smile on her face as she looks at Gunnloda, "For this," she says again, placing one of Gunnloda's hands over her heart, "it is all that matters. It really is okay, sweetheart. The only thing I don't want is for you to try and change yourself to *fit*. Everything else is..." She shrugs sheepishly, not really having more words for that, "You can invite her, you can still love her. You could do either or neither of those things. And I'll still be here, right next to you, for however long you wish."

*[*2:03 AM*]*DM*:*She can't help the tears that start to fall and she just shakes her head. "How are you real? You... you *are*, right? You're not just... saying everything so perfectly because it's what you think I want to hear? Not changing yourself to keep me like I did? Please don't do that. Please don't let me break you. I couldn't stand it if I broke you too."

*[*2:17 AM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*“I’m pretty sure I’m real,” She teases lightly. “My dear h-” Seir’s eyes widen a bit and she clears her throat, “Darling, I was broken when you met me, I still am. I spent several years in the woods with a bunch of people who *hated* me because of a choice I had no say in. A couple of choices, actually. I tried, *tried* to change who I was, to get them to like me. But it didn’t matter. It didn’t matter because no matter how hard I tried, all they saw was a devil trying to play in a world they didn’t think I belonged to.” She laughs, and it’s dry, “I believed them for such a long time... Sorry, that’s not the point.” She presses her lips softly to Gunnloda’s, “I’ve tried that before and it just hurt me more. So I promise you, that’s not what I’m doing.

“When I was younger I spent a lot of time watching people. It was the safest thing I could do. It was… it was the only thing I could do most of the time. And I may not be *intelligent* but I’ve seen love and I’ve seen...I’ve experienced *so much* hate. I’ve seen jealousy and I… I never understood it. I’ve seen what changing yourself for the wrong reasons can do to some people. And if anything, Gunnloda, if anything, the changes I’m making with you, they’re *good.* You’re helping me when I get too angry. You’re *helping* when I feel *too* much and just want to run away.

*[*3:53 AM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*“I promise you, I *promise* I won’t do that to myself or to you, so long as you promise me the same thing…with anyone you love.” She smiles, and it’s a little sad, “And I think… I think that maybe you *should* call Kendall here. If anything to just *talk* about this. To talk about *all* of it. I think you need to, you both need to. And no matter what happens, I’ll be here for you. I don’t like to see you upset over this when you have the chance to still  get the answers, not everyone is that lucky. I want to marry you, and I want you to be free of any doubts, *about anything* and I’m going to enjoy the hells out of calling you my wife.”

*[*4:31 PM*]*DM*:*Gunnloda sniffles a little. “You’re right, love. I’ve been holding onto this far too long. How can I tell you that you should talk to Ravaphine if I can’t talk to Kendall?” She leans over and picks up the stone. She just stares at it for a minute. “I don’t-- I don’t know what to say. I don’t even really know how I *feel.”*

*[*4:36 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*"The truth. And if you need, I'll be right beside you, or behind or... however you want me." Seir grins, "I'll even wait outside if you need me to. Maybe if you ... maybe if you let yourself talk. Like you did a few minutes ago, or like you did after the keep. Maybe if you did that, it'll all come out. And I will try to not... um... say anything if you want me to stay."

*[*4:43 PM*]*DM*:*"I think I do want you to stay. I don't want there to be secrets between us.... and whatever happens, it'll be easier with you there."

*[*4:44 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*"Then I'll be here." Seir whispers with a kiss.

*[*4:48 PM*]*DM*:*Gunnloda nods and kisses Seir one more time and steels herself, taking a deep breath. She puts her hand over the sending stone and closes her eyes. The stone glows warm for a moment as she thinks, *Not urgent, need to talk. Sooner is better.*

The reply comes immediately, *I’ll be there in half an hour.*

Gunnloda drops the stone back into the pouch and takes Seir's hand, sitting next to her on the bed. "Half an hour."

*[*4:49 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*"Anything you want to do until then?" She says with a wink.

*[*4:51 PM*]*DM*:*She chuckles and leans in for a kiss, then pulls back. "Half an hour never means 30 minutes in Kendall-speak."

*[*4:53 PM*]*DM*:*Sure enough, it’s not ten minutes later that Kendall appears in the room near Gunnloda in her teleportation hat and Sovereign Host robes. She glances at Seir and back at Gunnloda. “Feels a bit serious in here.”

*[*4:54 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*"That's a fast half hour," Seir whispers with a laugh. "Hello, Kendall."

*[*4:55 PM*]*DM*:*Kendall smiles. "Hello, dear. So... what's the non-emergency? More werewolves?"

*[*4:56 PM*]*DM*:*Gunnloda: "Marriage, actually. Seirixori and I are getting married. Tomorrow."

*[*4:57 PM*]*DM*:*Kendall’s eyebrows nearly disappear under her hat. “You are? That’s… sudden.”

*[*4:59 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*Seir gives another small laugh, "To some, maybe." Seir squeezes Gunnloda's hand.

*[*5:04 PM*]*DM*:*Kendall's surprise eventually fades into a smile. "I suppose congratulations are in order then." She turns to Gunnloda. "I'm happy for you, love. And you," she says looking at Seir, "Remember what we talked about on the stairs that day. Be good to her." She pauses and kind of looks around. "Where *are* we, anyway?"

*[*5:06 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*Seir just hums and nods, "Riverrun, um, and our...new home I guess?"

*[*5:08 PM*]*DM*:*Gunnloda sighs. "We-- I didn't just call you to invite you to the wedding..."

"You want me to do the ceremony?"

*[*5:10 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*"No, that's taken care of." Seir kisses Gunnloda's cheek and whispers, "You can do this, it's okay, I'm here."

*[*5:21 PM*]*DM*:*Kendall looks at Gunnloda curiously as she takes a deep breath. "What is it, love?"

Gunnloda squeezes Seir's hand. "Talking about it has made me more aware of some... things about our... relationship that I didn't realize until recently. I picked up some unhealthy habits and... I'm hoping that talking to you about them might-- I don't-- I don't know what this will do. I just don't want to hurt her like you hurt me."

*[*5:22 PM*]*DM*:*Kendall's near permanent smirk disappears and her face falls.

*[*5:24 PM*]*DM*:*Kendall looks away, her face drawn in pain or shame. "I never wanted to hurt you, love."

*[*5:34 PM*]*DM*:*"Please... stop calling me that. You might not have wanted to, but you did." Gunnloda's eyes are getting watery and her voice is strained. “We could barely speak to each other without... deflection and lies. You always held me at arm’s length. Always… until you pushed me away altogether. I always thought that if I fixed myself, if I *changed* myself, maybe you’d love me. But it was never enough. I don’t… I just need to-- why?"

*[*5:36 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*Seir uses her free hand to settle on Gunnloda's back, giving it a small rub.

*[*5:37 PM*]*DM*:*Kendall shakes her head. "It was... I thought I was doing the right thing."

*[*5:39 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*Seir rolls her eyes and shakes her head, but doesn't say anything.

*[*5:40 PM*]*DM*:*"The right thing? How could it be right to make me doubt everything? To make me change everything? How is taking a broken girl and hollowing her out 'right'?"

*[*5:41 PM*]*DM*:*Kendall opens her mouth, shuts it, looks at Seir, and back at Gunnloda, then back at Seir. "Do you think you could give us a minute?"

Gunnloda shakes her head. "I want her to stay."

*[*5:44 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*Seir tries to not let it, but the cheeky little grin crosses her face anyway and she shrugs, "Sorry, you're stuck with me."

*[*5:54 PM*]*DM*:*Kendall nods a little and says, "Good. She needs someone who'll stay with her. Someone she can grow old with."

*[*5:57 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*Seir makes a face, "That's... I don't have the words to tell you that's not exactly right, but it isn't."

*[*6:03 PM*]*DM*:*Kendall: "I overheard you that day. A thousand years, right? That's... long enough." She sighs and turns back to Gunnloda. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize... I didn't know it hurt you so much."

*[*6:03 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*Seir groans about being told she was overheard *Again* that day.

*[*6:06 PM*]*DM*:*Gunnloda frowns in confusion. The conversation is clearly not going in a direction she'd anticipated. "I don't understand."

*[*6:08 PM*]*DM*:*Kendall steps forward towards Gunnloda, reaching out for her un-held hand, but she stops short with a glance towards Seir like she's making sure she's not crossing any lines.

*[*6:10 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*Seir shrugs, and tilts her head towards Gunnloda, it isn't her choice to make.

*[*6:17 PM*]*DM*:*She looks back at Gunnloda and seeing no protest, she takes Gunnloda's hand in hers. "I can't tell you what hurts and what doesn't. I hurt you and I'm sorry. I knew it would... I just didn't know how much. I thought it would be a little pain to spare a lot. But you're wrong about... I *did* love you... I pushed you away because I didn't want you to know. *Hasi'aruhu,* I didn't want you to get attached to an old woman like me. You needed to find someone your own age. Someone who wouldn't make you a widow before you were even old enough to enjoy life together. And..." She looks over at Seir, then puts her hand over their joined hands, smiling a bittersweet smile, "...you did. And that... that's all I ever wanted for you. To be happy. I'm sorry I messed it up so much."

*[*6:28 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*Seir's tail flicks behind her as she opens her mouth a few times, but doesn't *say*anything. She can't quite decide if she should say what's on her mind or not so she just waits to see what Gunnloda will say.

*[*6:32 PM*]*DM*:*Gunnloda's silent for a minute, trying to wrap her mind around everything that's just been said and the years they spent together. When she speaks, she's quiet, almost like it's a thought that wasn't supposed to be spoken. "That shouldn't have been your decision to make."

*[*6:36 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*Seir nods, relieved.

*[*6:40 PM*]*DM*:*Kendall nods and drops her hands, taking a step back. "I should have realized it sooner. I'm sorry. Is there... anything I can do?"

*[*6:46 PM*]*DM*:*Gunnloda takes a breath and lets it out slowly. "I don't... I need to think. I need time. I need..." She looks at Seir. "I need to-- I'll be back. I need air." She stands and presses a kiss to Seir's forehead and whispers a thank you before heading for the door.

*[*6:48 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*Seir's quiet for a moment as she stands, taking a step towards the door, but stops and snorts, "Okay, you know, I'm normally the one that does that. I see now why people comment on it."

*[*6:51 PM*]*DM*:*Kendall doesn't respond. She's staring at a spot somewhere to the side, lost in thought.

*[*6:53 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*"Are you okay?" Seir asks, trying to get her mind away from saying a few other things.

*[*6:56 PM*]*DM*:*She blinks and looks at Seir with a sad smile. "Don't worry about me, dear."

*[*7:01 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*Seir huffs, "I will worry all I want. And I may not... I may not like you sometimes, but that doesn't mean I won't worry. Especially because even with all this she still cares for you."

*[*7:12 PM*]*DM*:*She laughs a sardonic little chuckle. "So not only did I break her, it didn't even *work.* That's... perfect. I'm sorry... I'm sure this isn't how you always pictured the night before your wedding going."

*[*7:19 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*"You're right, because I've never pictured one happening." Seir says, trying to not to get too worked up. "I am... I'm trying to not get angry about this because it's... because I can't... I can't *do* anything about something that's already happened, but you are not helping." She throws up her hands, "Why the *fuck* do people continue to make decisions for other people when it is *not* their place!?" She says it more to herself but it's not quiet.

*[*7:29 PM*]*DM*:*"What would you have done in my place? She was practically a child and I thought it was a passing infatuation just because I was the one who brought her back or because when she needed to get out of that tunnel city, I gave her a place to sleep. Should I have let her stay there and let the Akthor priests tell her to get over it? Or taken advantage of a girl who had never been outside her family's reach?"

*[*7:36 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*"You should have *listened* to her! You should have *asked* her! *Anything* than make that choice for her!" Seir huffs and she's clearly upset but it seems more than just what's occurred. She sits on the floor with heavy flop and just stares at the floor.

*[*7:47 PM*]*DM*:*"I shouldn't have let it go on so long. I know it doesn't... I don't know how to fix it. I don't know that it *can* be fixed." She huffs a little. "I keep wanting to excuse myself and get out of the way... stop making a mess of things, but that's probably not the right answer either."

*[*7:57 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*"It's not about *fixing*. It's about... it's about...goddess I don't know. Even if it can't be fixed, at least she knows now, at least she doesn't have to continue wondering what she did wrong."

*[*8:04 PM*]*DM*:*She nods and makes her way towards her door. "I'll find myself someplace to stay tonight and check in tomorrow before I go back home." She pauses at the door. "I'm sorry for... all of it, but I'm grateful for you, lucky charm. I wish you both happiness."

*[*8:05 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*"There's plenty of empty rooms here, you can stay if you want.... and thank you."

*[*8:06 PM*]*DM*:*She leaves.

*[*8:13 PM*]*DM*:*Gunnloda comes back some time later, opening the door quietly like she doesn't want to disturb anyone or wake Seir if she's fallen asleep.

*[*8:16 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*Seir's sitting on one of the beds, a journal in her hands but she isn't writing in it. It's just open, small little scribbles drawn all over the pages instead of words. She looks up quickly and smiles softly when she sees Gunnloda, "Hey there."

*[*8:20 PM*]*DM*:*"Hi..." She walks towards the bed and almost starts to crawl onto it when she realizes she's still in her full armor and she just makes an 'ugh' sound and starts pulling it all off.

*[*8:22 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*Seir chuckles and gets up to help her. "How was your walk?"

*[*8:25 PM*]*DM*:*"More crowded than expected. Still people on the streets even after dark around here." She gets the last of her armor off and tosses it into a pile on the floor, then turns and just wraps her arms around Seir's waist.

*[*8:29 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*Seir runs her fingers through Gunnloda's hair, undoing the braid. She waits a moment before kneeling and adjusting so that she can pull Gunnloda into a tight hug, "Do you... do you feel any better?" she whispers.

*[*8:34 PM*]*DM*:*"From the walk or the talk? I don't know... I just... I think I need to let it sit a while."

*[*8:41 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*"As you wish, *mo shearc*." Seir places a kiss on her forehead, "Kendall said she'd check in tomorrow. You... you still want to do this tomorrow?"

*[*8:45 PM*]*DM*:*"Nothing that's happened today has changed my mind. If anything, I'm even more certain.... if you still want to."

*[*8:48 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*"Of course I do." She grins. "Ready for some sleep?"

*[*8:50 PM*]*DM*:*She smiles and leans in for a kiss. "You read my mind, lo-- *sor'odko*."

## Session 55

*[*11:04 PM*]*DM*:*She pulls her pack off and opens it, showing Seir the several individually wrapped, specially prepared, non-perishable meals she packed. "I think I'll be all right for a bit, *sor'odko.* ...but thank you. It's... strange to say this, but thank you for your face too."

*[*11:07 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*"You're welcome to my face anytime." She snorts after a second, when she hears what she just said, "You know what I mean. I'm sure it's a good face, I don't really see it that often." She laughs a little.

*[*11:12 PM*]*DM*:*She smiles and reaches up to run her finger along Seir's brow, the side of her face, and down her cheek before dropping her hand and taking Seir's again. "It's a very good face. Back when I was... after... I saw his face everywhere. In every dwarf's face. It was part of why I kept asking for-- for Kendall. And you... you don't look anything like him. It was... easier to focus." She grimaces. "Why is this still so hard? It was 35 years ago."

*[*11:19 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*"Well I hope I don't look anything like someone you're related to." Seir teases, before biting her lip. "I..." She looks away for a moment, like she's debating with saying what she's thinking. "I don't know what happened after... but... forgive me if I'm completely wrong but..." she puffs out her cheeks as she lets out a breath, "You're kind of good at keeping things to yourself... and well... *dying* isn't something you really get over... especially if you didn't want to deal with it."

*[*11:25 PM*]*DM*:*She drops her head a little and plays with Seir's fingers. "I don't know what else I can do. I think I'm past it and then-- well, I don't know what would've happened if I froze like that when we were fighting." She suddenly sits up like she remembered something. "Are you sure you're ok? I'm so sorry... I should have used the spell again before we fought. I was so scared when it grabbed you."

## Session 59

*[*9:40 PM*]*Kelsey - Urrak*:*"What about th' halfling? What about Kendall? That hat o' hers...It'd take us right to 'er temple, right? One o' them has t' know that spell." she coughs a bit

*[*9:45 PM*]*DM*:*Gunnloda looks down, a touch of conflict at her eyes, but she pulls the stone from her pouch. "It's worth a try."

*[*9:47 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*"Are you sure?" Seir asks quietly.

*[*9:48 PM*]*DM*:*Gunnloda smiles softly. "They're more important than a little discomfort."

*[*9:49 PM*]*DM*:*She puts her other hand over the stone and closes her eyes. The stone glows brightly for a moment, then it falls dim again. She opens her eyes. "Soon."

*[*10:00 PM*]*DM*:*A minute or two later, a halfling in white robes pops into existence next to Gunnloda. She looks around for a moment, taking in the scene, then blinks at Urrak. "Wow, I thought she was taking the piss out of me. I think you might be older than I am."

*[*10:00 PM*]*Alex - Nolanos*:*"Hey Kendall. How's life treating you?"

*[*10:01 PM*]*Nicole - Ryleigh*:*Ryleigh sniggers a little, "Hey Kendall, thanks for coming."

*[*10:01 PM*]*DM*:*Kendall shrugs. "Getting along. So what's the issue?"

*[*10:02 PM*]*Kelsey - Urrak*:*"I feel like my skin is made o'parchment...Please tell me ye can help me get back t' me beautiful young self..."

*[*10:02 PM*]*Alex - Nolanos*:*Nolanos just gestures at his, Urrak's, and Ryleigh's faces.

*[*10:02 PM*]*Kelsey - Urrak*:*"Orcs don't age well..." she grins "We aren't meant fer this nonsense."

*[*10:03 PM*]*DM*:*She frowns a little. "How'd it happen?"

*[*10:04 PM*]*Gay - Ravaphine*:*"Ghosts." Rav says in a whisper.

*[*10:03 PM*]*Alex - Nolanos*:*"It's been a long day. Ghosts suck."

*[*10:04 PM*]*Nicole - Ryleigh*:*"We fought a ghost and Dawnbringer believes it sucked our lifeforces."

*[*10:04 PM*]*Kelsey - Urrak*:*"It was a real fun time."

*[*10:05 PM*]*DM*:*She frowns and glances at Gunnloda before walking up to Urrak. "Come down here and let me get a look."

*[*10:05 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*"I really don't like ghosts, " Seir whispers into Gunnloda's ear, still kneeling and hugging her as she watches.

*[*10:06 PM*]*Kelsey - Urrak*:*Urrak sits down carefully in front of Kendall.

*[*10:07 PM*]*DM*:*Kendall gives Urrak a once-over visually, then beckons Nolanos and Ryleigh down too.

*[*10:08 PM*]*Nicole - Ryleigh*:*Ryleigh kneels down in front of Kendall.

*[*10:08 PM*]*Alex - Nolanos*:*Nolanos makes his way over and sits next to Urrak.

*[*10:09 PM*]*DM*:*She looks over all three of them. "Just you three? Are any of the rest of you hurt?"

*[*10:10 PM*]*Gay - Ravaphine*:*Rav shakes her head. "Seir? Did you get hit?"

*[*10:11 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*"Um, no. I'm... I'm fine."

*[*10:11 PM*]*Nicole - Ryleigh*:*"It was just us three that took the brunt of the curse, I healed Gunnloda but she was downed in the dungeon."

*[*10:12 PM*]*Kelsey - Urrak*:*"It took over her. Th' ghost. Had t' knock it out."

*[*10:14 PM*]*DM*:*Kendall pales, but as she turns to look at Gunnloda, Gunnloda waves her off. "Don't worry about me. They need your help."

*[*10:15 PM*]*DM*:*Kendall frowns, but turns back to the three elders. "There's a problem. I can only help two of you today, and... the components are expensive. We'd have to go to Vecbony."

*[*10:17 PM*]*Alex - Nolanos*:*"We'll do what we have to. How can we get there quickly?"

*[*10:17 PM*]*Nicole - Ryleigh*:*Ryleigh sighs, "we have gold from taking this expedition, so we might be able to afford the components." She stands and steps away from Kendall, "These two need it more than I do. I'll...it's fine...it'll be fine."

*[*10:19 PM*]*Kelsey - Urrak*:*"Wait a minute! Y'can't just...you take it. I'm not worth keepin' around. You an' Nolanos have a lot more t' offer." Urrak looks to Ryleigh. "Y'don't deserve t' have so many years taken from ye."

*[*10:19 PM*]*Alex - Nolanos*:*"No, we're going to figure out how to return all three of us back to normal. Right?"

*[*10:20 PM*]*DM*:*She looks around again, counting bodies. "I can take you. ...if you all want to go."

*[*10:20 PM*]*Nicole - Ryleigh*:*"Urrak, you're literally knocking on deaths door. I'm just middle aged now, seriously. You can't tell me I need it more," Ryleigh says with a sad smile.

*[*10:20 PM*]*Nicole - Ryleigh*:*Ryleigh turns to Kendall, "I'm willing to tag along."

*[*10:20 PM*]*Alex - Nolanos*:*"That sounds like an excellent plan."

*[*10:20 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*Seir stands. "Urrak, shut up and take it." she hesitates, "Is there an easy way to get back here? A quick way?" she asks Kendall, speaking to her finally.

*[*10:23 PM*]*DM*:*Kendall tilts her head, gesturing towards her hat. "Three times today, and it will recharge over time. Well, two now."

*[*10:23 PM*]*Nicole - Ryleigh*:*"Just tell us what you need us to do?"

*[*10:24 PM*]*DM*:*Kendall: "Everyone has to touch."

*[*10:24 PM*]*Alex - Nolanos*:*"Sounds familiar," Nolanos smiles.

*[*10:24 PM*]*Nicole - Ryleigh*:*Ryleigh grabs Urrak's shoulder.

*[*10:24 PM*]*Kelsey - Urrak*:*Urrak touches Nolanos's arm

*[*10:25 PM*]*Kyris - Brimeia*:*Brimeia grabs on

*[*10:25 PM*]*Alex - Nolanos*:*Nolanos reaches for Rav's hand.

*[*10:24 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*"As long as you can get me back to Bellbury in two weeks or less..." Seir still looks hesitant to go.

*[*10:25 PM*]*DM*:*Gunnloda: "We don't all have to go."

*[*10:26 PM*]*Alex - Nolanos*:*"What's happening in 2 weeks?"

*[*10:28 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*"Cae."

*[*10:30 PM*]*Alex - Nolanos*:*"Right, of course."

*[*10:30 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*"Do you want to go?" She asks Gunnloda, "I kind of..." She whispers something to her.

*[*10:34 PM*]*DM*:*Gunnloda: "It would be safer to go."

*[*10:37 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*"Okay." Seir sighs and puts her hand on Ryleigh’s arm.

*[*10:37 PM*]*DM*:*Gunnloda takes Seir's hand and Kendall teleports the lot of you to Vecbony. You arrive at the temple of the Sovereign Host.

*[*10:39 PM*]*DM*:*"I'll go get the materials. Have a seat." Kendall walks to the back of the temple, leaving you in the large, open room lined with pews.

*[*10:40 PM*]*Kelsey - Urrak*:*Urrak takes a seat in a nearby pew, hooking her arm over the back of it. She shifts a little until she's comfortable "Ooof, been awhile since we done that..."

*[*10:41 PM*]*Gay - Ravaphine*:*"Is it story time where you start telling us stories from back in your day?" Rav tries to make light of the situation, trying to hide the worry behind the jokes.

*[*10:41 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*"Hey grandma!" Seir teases, wrapping herself around Gunnloda again.

*[*10:42 PM*]*Nicole - Ryleigh*:*"Don't worry, you'll be back to normal in no time." Ryleigh winks at her.

*[*10:42 PM*]*Kelsey - Urrak*:*"Yeah yeah keep it up, ye whippersnappers. I can still kick yer asses." she cracks her neck and groans

*[*10:43 PM*]*Gay - Ravaphine*:*"I might have a chance of beating you at arm wrestling for once!"

*[*10:43 PM*]*DM*:*Kendall returns, a small pouch in hand. "I can only cast the spell twice today."

*[*10:44 PM*]*Nicole - Ryleigh*:*"Urrak and Nolanos, that's your cue."

*[*10:44 PM*]*Kelsey - Urrak*:*"But ye can cast it t'morrow as well right? Ye can fix us all...?"

*[*10:45 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*Seir's fidgeting with her tail, leg shaking a little.

*[*10:45 PM*]*DM*:*Kendall: "It's... not certain, depending on when it happened and all, but hopefully. If you stay in Vecbony tonight."

*[*10:47 PM*]*Nicole - Ryleigh*:*Ryleigh gives Urrak an encouraging smile, "Go on. It'll be fine."

*[*10:46 PM*]*Kelsey - Urrak*:*"Th-then let's get this done. Give ourselves more time." Urrak stands as quickly as she can

*[*10:47 PM*]*DM*:*Kendall sighs. "Sit back down. How am I supposed to reach your head like that?"

*[*10:48 PM*]*Kelsey - Urrak*:*"Sorry, sorry." Urrak sits back down and bows her head towards Kendall

*[*10:49 PM*]*DM*:*She puts her fingers in the pouch and pulls them out, then sprinkles diamond dust that sparkles in the light over Urrak's head.

*[*10:51 PM*]*DM*:*She puts her small hand on Urrak's forehead and mutters a prayer. A bright golden glow extends from her hand encompassing Urrak's entire form, then it sinks into her skin and dissipates. Urrak's skin has returned to its normal tone and form and her hair, with the exception of one white streak coursing through one of her locs, has returned to black.

*[*10:51 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*"Can we go outside?" Seir asks Gunnloda, trying not to be obnoxious about it.

*[*10:51 PM*]*DM*:*Gunnloda nods and leads her out.

*[*10:53 PM*]*Kelsey - Urrak*:*"Holy shit, Kendall!" She picks the woman up and hugs her "Thank fuck y'came t' help!"

*[*10:53 PM*]*DM*:*Kendall: "Oh! Ok! Wait, I'm still old! Gentle, please!"

*[*11:16 PM*]*Nicole - Ryleigh*:*"Thanks again, Kendall. Truly. If you need us to do anything for you, don't hesitate to ask, we'll be at the Blood of the Vine and probably wandering around town for the remainder of the day."

*[*11:17 PM*]*DM*:*Kendall nods. "I'll find you there in the morning. And... actually, could I speak to you? Alone, just for a moment?"

## Kendall and Ryleigh

*[*11:21 PM*]*DM*:*Kendall waits til the others are out of the room. "How are things?"

*[*11:23 PM*]*Nicole - Ryleigh*:*"How do you mean?" Ryleigh asks.

*[*11:26 PM*]*DM*:*Kendall laughs, defeated. "Going to make me say it, are you? Gunnloda. Is she all right?"

*[*11:31 PM*]*Nicole - Ryleigh*:*Ryleigh smiles at her sadly, "I just wanted to make sure that's who you were asking about. Gunnloda is happy. She's been in a terrible state of mind the last few days, but I think that has something to do with the underground dungeon we've been in." She shrugs. "How are you?" Ryleigh says with sincerity.

*[*11:35 PM*]*DM*:*She frowns a little. "She shouldn't be underground that long. I told Seirixori--" she cuts herself off and shakes her head. "She's ok though? You said she was hurt."

*[*11:40 PM*]*Nicole - Ryleigh*:*"She was knocked out and possessed by the ghost, but I healed her and Seir did too. She's going to be alright...I couldn't let anything happen to her...she's too important to Seir. Why shouldn't Gunnloda be underground? She's a dwarf." Ryleigh asks puzzled.

*[*11:42 PM*]*DM*:*Kendall looks a little conflicted about whether she should share something that isn't hers, but says, "She started feeling claustrophobic after an incident beyond the Bastion when she was younger. That's why she left Dhog Lodir- she couldn't stand the caves anymore."

*[*11:49 PM*]*Nicole - Ryleigh*:*Ryleigh cups her chin in thought, "Ah, that explains a lot actually. I couldn't figure out why she freezes anytime we're underground. I'll make sure we try to avoid quests like this one in the future - unless our group desperately needs the gold. But Kendall, you didn't answer my question...how are you doing? I know you love her."

*[*12:09 AM*]*DM*:*A redness creeps up her neck and across her cheeks. "I-- what? No I--" She takes a breath and lets it out slowly. "I'm doing fine. If she's happy, I'm happy."

*[*12:14 AM*]*Nicole - Ryleigh*:*Ryleigh kneels down, seeking eye contact, "I didn't mean to imply *how* you love her, just that I can just tell that you do, in whatever way that is. And it's ok if you're not fine."

*[*12:29 AM*]*DM*:*She looks away. "I'll be all right. All I've ever wanted for her is a life full of happiness and love from someone who could give it to her. This is what I wanted."

*[*12:51 AM*]*Nicole - Ryleigh*:*Ryleigh sighs, "She's happy and Seirixori loves her more than I think she's ever loved anyone." She stands, "If you did ever need to talk to someone, you can talk to me."

*[*7:28 PM*]*DM*:*"I wouldn't want you to be caught in the middle of everything, but I'm-- thank you. How... well do you know her?"

*[*7:37 PM*]*Nicole - Ryleigh*:*"How well do I know Seirixori?"

*[*7:38 PM*]*DM*:*"Gunnloda. She's... dressed differently."

*[*7:43 PM*]*Nicole - Ryleigh*:*Ryleigh shrugs, "I honestly don't know a lot about Gunnloda. Seir and I are friends, but Seir doesn't usually talk about Gunnloda to me."

*[*7:45 PM*]*DM*:*Kendall nods. "I'm sorry, dear. I've kept you long enough. You remember where I live if you need anything? I'll be here or there and I'll meet you at Blood of the Vine in the morning."

*[*7:56 PM*]*Nicole - Ryleigh*:*"You don't have to apologize, Kendall. You've been wonderful to us, and I'm sorry I can't help you more. I've gathered that you and Gunnloda have some kind of history, but based on her reaction when we asked her to see if you'd help..." Ryleigh runs a hand through her hair, "I hope I'm not overstepping, but I'd guess whatever conversation was had, it wasn't a good one. You clearly care for her, maybe you guys should talk about whatever happened."

*[*8:14 PM*]*DM*:*"It's not... I think that's up to her."

*[*8:22 PM*]*Nicole - Ryleigh*:*"You can't force her into a conversation, but that doesn't mean you can't try to have it. She means something to you, doesn't she?"

*[*8:32 PM*]*DM*:*"Of course she does... but with the way things are, I think it'll be up to her to decide whether she wants to talk again."

*[*8:38 PM*]*Nicole - Ryleigh*:*"If she means something to you than maybe you should fight for her...I'm just saying a little bit of effort goes a long way. I'm obviously not informed on the situation between you two but it seems like a waste of friendship if you just let her go."

*[*8:47 PM*]*Nicole - Ryleigh*:*Ryleigh shuffles her feet a bit, "I'm sorry if I overstepped, but I remember where you live if we need anything and Kendall, thanks for everything."

*[*8:54 PM*]*DM*:*She nods. "I'll see you in the morning."

## Session 60

*[*6:19 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*Seir watches them leave for a moment, "Did you want to just go or..." she asks Gunnloda, taking a glance at Kendall.

*[*6:20 PM*]*DM*:*Kendall waves them off. "You better go before they leave you behind."

*[*6:20 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*Seir shrugs, "I can always catch up."

*[*6:22 PM*]*DM*:*Gunnloda squeezes Seir's hand and says to Kendall, "Thank you for coming."

Kendall: "Of course. Any time."

*[*6:23 PM*]*Felicia - Seirixori*:*Seir nods and heads out with Gunnloda with a wave to Kendall.