Session 88

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This session was played on November 2, 2018.

## Synopsis

When a freak storm chased after the Delphin, Astara and Nysa sought safe harbor in an old volcanic caldera, but while the storm's effects were lessened inside the bowl, an eerie song called to the group, making many of them long for lost love.

Urrak and Brimeia jumped from the ship, swimming to shore. Seirixori summoned 2 giant octopi to try to catch anyone who jumped, but Brimeia resisted the grapple. Urrak came to her senses. One of the human sailors slapped the other, snapping her out of the song's charm effect. Danai also jumped from the ship, but the second octopus grabbed her.

Gunnloda spotted the source of the song and used a Silence spell to stop it, breaking everyone from the effects. Astara started shouting commands to the sailors, initiating a (wo)man overboard rescue from Nysa.

When Rukiya moved to help get Danai back aboard, she saw movement down below. Seirixori dunked her head under to look and saw a five-headed hydra coming straight up towards the ship, so she summoned a tidal wave to try to push the ship out of the way. One of the humans got knocked prone in the ship and Nysa and Danai were no longer visible, but the ship was safely out of the way.

The octopi dove to find Nysa and Danai while the harpy flew from the bubble of silence, grabbed Gunnloda with her razor sharp talons, and dropped her in the water. Seirixori managed to swipe at the harpy, but it wasn't enough to stop Gunnloda from being snatched. Gunnloda disappeared under the water for a moment from the fall, but a burst of water and scales and crocodilian heads had Nysa, Danai, and Gunnloda all reappearing at the surface, being attacked by the creature's many mouths.

Gunnloda's bitten, two heads attack an octopus, Nysa manages to dodge out of the way, but Danai is left motionless. Gunnloda threw a Healing Word at Danai who woke up again, then made an effort to swim to the boat. Astara tried to Witch Bolt at the harpy, but fails. Danai swam as far away as she could, though she didn't know where the boat was.

Ryleigh helped Gunnloda into the boat before walking out onto the water. She used Compelled Duel to focus the hydra's attention on herself to give the group time to rescue Danai. Urrak threw javelins at the harpy while Rukiya tried to offer Ryleigh support. Brimeia failed to connect with Eldritch Blast against the harpy.

Seirixori called lightning down from the storm above before turning into a Plesiosaurus. The human sailors started firing crossbows at the harpy while Nysa again swam for Danai. The harpy slashed at Seir's face while the hydra attacked Ryleigh and hit her with four of its five attacks. Gunnloda fired a Ray of Enfeeblement at the hydra to try to help Ryleigh not die and Astara connected with her Witch Bolt against the harpy.

Ryleigh shouts to get Danai back on the ship before launching an all-out assault that left one of the hydra's heads slowly sinking to the bottom of the caldera. Urrak fired four crossbow bolts at the harpy while Rukiya continued to try to help Ryleigh. Seirixori called lightning down again before healing herself.

The harpy took the full force of the lightning and retaliated with another claw attack that left Seirixori bloody in her tiefling form while the hydra repeated its attacks against Ryleigh with far less success thanks to Gunnloda's spell. Gunnloda, who had been mid-cast to heal Ryleigh, shifted from a single heal to a mass heal when Seir fell.

Ryleigh said something extra and used her Vow of Emnity to destroy another hydra head, Urrak leaped from the ship to crawl atop the hydra's back and try to stab it, giving Ryleigh another few hit points from her magic ring. Rukiya finally got a hit on the hydra, stabbing one of her daggers right through an eye and killing a third head. Unfortunately, every time a head died, two more replaced it.

Nysa and Danai got into the boat and Brimeia raged, throwing a javelin and her ancestors at the harpy. Seir used a largely ineffective Moonbeam then returned to her dino form. The humans changed their targets to the hydra and Nysa used Vicious Mockery on the harpy. The harpy tried to flee, but Dawnbringer managed to use Ryleigh to kill her as she tried to fly past. The hydra dove after the harpy and the group scrambled back to the boat. Astara sailed right back out of the caldera, into the open sea where the storm had dissipated with the harpy's death.

Now in relative safety, Gunnloda healed Ryleigh, Seir climbed back into the boat as a tiefling, and Gunnloda shifted her attention to her wife. Ryleigh and Rukiya share a short conversation about Ryleigh witnessing Danai's death and resurrection, though Gunnloda claimed it was a simple healing spell. Ryleigh talked about her feeling of responsibility for Danai's life which prompts an argument about who's responsibility Danai is. Ryleigh got upset and claimed that eventually the group's decisions were going to lead to her own death because none of them thought things through.

She said again that Danai died, made a comparison to Cidro's non-death, then sang the song that lets her find Seirixori using her aura. She says that Danai's aura shows she died and also says something about "her aura being whiter" to Seirixori. The argument dissipated and eventually the Delphin arrived in Miteia for the night. Astara showed the Dawnguard to an inn and left them to themselves until sunup.

Seirixori spoke to Danai, apologizing for not preventing her death and Danai spoke about what she saw when she did. She gave Seirixori a small charm of Hestia that had been her mother's. Ryleigh then asked to speak to Seirixori and they talked about Seir's guilt, Ryleigh's recklessness, and Seir's anxiety about seeing her mother again. Afterwards, Ryleigh spoke to Rukiya about Rukiya's homesickness and Ryleigh's recklessness.

## Transcript

[5:03 PM] DM: A freak storm formed and headed your way, causing Nysa and Astara to seek shelter. Finding a potential safe harbor, Astara steered the Delphin into what appears to be the remnants of an ancient volcano. The storm's effect is somewhat abated here, the waves are not as choppy, but the interior walls are steep and riddled with holes and small caves. A collapsed section offered the inlet to this flooded portion, while one side of the interior has a small bit of gravel beach. An eerie song can be heard echoing off the walls of this dormant volcano, and Ryleigh, Danai, Brimeia, Urrak, and one of the human sailors all have the very strong urge to get to the source of the sound immediately, no matter what stands between them.

First, I'll ask for initiative rolls.

[5:05 PM] Urrak: ((22))

[5:08 PM] Seirixori: ((14))

[5:08 PM] Seirixori: Brimeia: ((16))(edited)

[5:10 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((2.12))

[5:14 PM] DM: So we're going to kick it off with Urrak! Urrak hears the promise of being reunited with Ancy in the tune and has the uncontrollable urge to jump from the boat to seek her out on the tiny beach.

[5:15 PM] Urrak: Urrak will dash towards the sound

[5:16 PM] DM: Urrak jumps from the boat and into the water. However, because she's swimming, she can't quite get to the beach, even at a dash.

[5:19 PM] DM: Rukiya sees the frantic but empty look in Urrak's eyes reflected in Ryleigh's and, since she doesn't see the source of the song, she shouts, "Keep them in the boat!" and readies a grapple against Ryleigh, as ineffective as it will probably be.

[5:20 PM] DM: @Brimeia also failed her save and hears the promise of unconditional acceptance from Atalanta and feels an uncontrollable urge to follow Urrak to shore.

[5:22 PM] DM: She manages to get past Urrak in the water.

[5:22 PM] DM: Let me get new wisdom saves from Urrak and Brimeia, since you get them at the end of your turns, please.

[5:23 PM] Urrak: ((nat 20))

[5:23 PM] Seirixori: Brimeia: ((4))

[5:23 PM] DM: Urrak comes to her senses... 25' from the boat and 10 feet from shore.

[5:23 PM] DM: Brimeia is still lost.

[5:23 PM] DM: @Seirixori is in the boat!

[5:27 PM] Seirixori: "Keep them in the boat," Seir kind of mocks and groans at not having certain things and summons 2 giant octopi, one to grab Brimeia and the other to anyone else who tries to get off the boat.(edited)

[5:30 PM] DM: Ok! Two octopi appear. One attempts to grapple Brimeia, so I will need an athletics or acrobatics check from her.

[5:31 PM] Seirixori: Brimeia: ((24))

[5:31 PM] DM: Brimeia is not grappled.

[5:32 PM] DM: One of the human sailors shouts out, "Don't listen to sound! It's a trap!" And she reaches over and smacks the shit out of the other sailor. The other sailor gets to save again and this time, succeeds and snaps out of it.

[5:34 PM] DM: Danai leaps into the water and struggles to swim. The struggle continues as the other octopus grabs her and holds her still.

[5:38 PM] DM: Gunnloda searches the cliff face for a target. With a contested roll of 22 vs 4, Gunnloda spots the singer in the cliffs, about 40' above the beach. She points her finger and shouts, "HUSH'ERMOUTH," an old Dwarven incantation... and the singing stops. The urge to follow the song stops. If you follow her line of sight, you can see that the thing, a winged woman is clinging to the edge of a cave, shouting, but you hear nothing.

[5:41 PM] DM: Astara starts shouting commands to the sailors, pointing towards Danai and the winged woman.

[5:42 PM] DM: Nysa jumps into the water to help Danai. She moves through the water swiftly.

[5:42 PM] DM: @Ryleigh Alastair

[5:50 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh shakes her head, her mind now free from the spell. She draws Dawnbringer, readying an attack if the creatures comes within range.(edited)

[5:55 PM] DM: @Urrak ! You are free of the song's influence. You're swimming towards the beach with a giant octopus and Brimeia in front of you. Roll a perception check, please.

[5:57 PM] DM: All the water and splashing is distracting you. Go ahead.

[5:59 PM] Urrak: Urrak looks around her, confused for a moment as to why she's in the middle of the ocean, but realizes staying there won't help her, and so she'll try to swim to shore

[5:59 PM] DM: You can reach the beach with 10' to spare.

[6:00 PM] Urrak: With the spare 10' she'll move towards the siren

[6:02 PM] DM: Ok!

[6:02 PM] DM: Anything for your action?

[6:02 PM] DM: It is about 50' away from you, 20 horizontally, 40 vertically

[6:02 PM] Urrak: ((nah, end turn))

[6:04 PM] DM: Rukiya can't throw a dagger that far, so she moves to the edge of the boat to ready a helping action to help Nysa get Danai in the boat, but she spots movement deep beneath the boat. "Something else is down there!"

[6:04 PM] DM: @Brimeia !

[6:07 PM] Seirixori: Brimeia: Brimeia is going to follow Urrak's lead and swim to shore and hold an action.

[6:07 PM] DM: She can get to the beach with 10' of movement. Does she want to move closer?

[6:08 PM] Seirixori: ((Yes))

[6:08 PM] DM: @Seirixori

[6:09 PM] Seirixori: Seir looks at the flying thing, curses, leans over the boat and dunks her head underwater to see what it is.(edited)

[6:12 PM] Seirixori: ((Can I use Tidal Wave to move the boat to shore? Lol))

[6:14 PM] DM: Y'know what? Sure. But there's a chance of capsizing. Say... a 1 on a d20?

[6:14 PM] Seirixori: (((.....fuck it))

[6:16 PM] Seirixori: "Shit, fuck, hold on, that is not something we want to stay on or in the water with," Seir quickly stands and starts some movements and says some things in Abyssal and a tidal wave appears as she tries to get out to move the boat to shore.

[6:20 PM] Seirixori: ((13))

[6:23 PM] DM: The wave lifts the boat and pushes it sideways towards the beach. Everyone on board grabs hold of something to stop from falling out, but one of the humans falls prone in the pit. As the wave settles, you notice that Nysa and Danai are no longer at the surface.

[6:24 PM] DM: What would you like your octopi to do?

[6:26 PM] Seirixori: ((Get Danai and Nysa to shore if possible))

[6:28 PM] DM: The two octopi dive down to look for them, but nothing is visible below the waterline.

[6:29 PM] DM: It starts to rain inside the volcano's mouth as the storm moves overhead.

[6:29 PM] DM: The prone human stands, holding her head, and draws her rapier. "What the FUCK is happening?"

[6:30 PM] DM: The harpy leans out of her hole, watching, then flies down at the one who silenced her.

[6:32 PM] DM: Wow, and with a 25 attack, 29 damage, Gunnloda is snatched by massive talons on the ends of the harpy's feet and grappled. Seir, Ryleigh, and Rukiya all have the chance at an attack of opportunity if you want it. (Melee weapon attacks only)

[6:34 PM] Seirixori: ((23a, 7d))

[6:34 PM] DM: Dawnbringer and Rukiya's dagger both miss. Seir smacks the harpy with her quarterstaff on reflex, but it's not enough to prevent her from lifting Gunnloda from the boat... and dropping her into the water.

[6:39 PM] DM: As Gunnloda falls into the water, she disappears for a moment, but what can only be described as an explosion of water and scales bursts from the sea as a huge scaled creature leaps from the water and lands, its five sets of jaws snapping at the four targets in front of it. One jaw snaps at Gunnloda who takes another 6 damage. One bites the octopus for 15. Another snaps at the other side of the octopus like it's fighting for the scraps for 6. Another bites at Nysa who manages to kick off the thing's neck to dodge. And the last head... chomps down on Danai who lies motionless in its mouth.

[6:44 PM] DM: Gunnloda sputters through the sudden influx of seawater in her mouth and points at Danai, casting Healing Word at first level, but because of her connection to the line between life and death, she heals max hp to a creature with 0 hp. Danai is alive, but still in the water.

[6:45 PM] DM: She then uses her movement and action to try to swim closer to the boat.

[6:49 PM] DM: Astara throws a hand out in the direction of the harpy. A beam of blue, crackling energy coalesces around her hand and leaps out at the harpy, but the harpy dodges.

[6:49 PM] DM: Danai can't see anything, but tries to swim away from whatever is making that really terrible sound.

[6:50 PM] DM: @Ryleigh Alastair

[6:56 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh helps pull Gunnloda into the boat. She then jumps off the boat and moves to the Hydra taunting, "Let's go." ((using compell duel))(edited)

[6:58 PM] DM: All five of the heads snap in Ryleigh's direction.

[6:59 PM] DM: @Urrak !

[7:01 PM] Urrak: Urrak is going to clamber back onto the boat and head towards the Harpy. She pulls a javelin out of her pack and throws it at the creature

[7:02 PM] Urrak: ((28, 8 + 18,6))

[7:04 PM] DM: The first javelin stabs into her thigh, the other tears through one of her wings. Both fall into the water and start to sink.

[7:07 PM] DM: Rukiya throws a dagger that sails well wide of the hydra and shouts to Ryleigh, "The left head! AND YOU BETTER NOT DIE!"

[7:07 PM] DM: @Brimeia !

[7:10 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia moves as close as she can to attack the harpy.(edited)

[7:11 PM] DM: If you have a ranged attack, you can.

[7:15 PM] Brimeia: ((11,10, eldritch blast))

[7:15 PM] DM: Dark energy causes Bri's hand to glow, then a beam fires towards the harpy, but she manages to duck out of the way again.

[7:15 PM] DM: @Seirixori

[7:17 PM] Seirixori: "Fuck everything," Seir growls dismissing the octopi and takes control of the storm for herself and using it to call down lightning on top of the flying annoyance. ((21 for full))

[7:18 PM] DM: DC?

[7:18 PM] Seirixori: Then she takes a running jump off the boat and lands in the water as a Plesiosaurus and moves up to her new friend. ((DC 15 dex))(edited)

[7:19 PM] DM: The harpy does dodge out of the way of the lightning bolt, but takes 10 damage, and Ryleigh feels a tickle in her toes.

[7:21 PM] DM: The two humans reach into compartments on either side of the ship and pull up crossbows, firing at the harpy. One hits for 9 damage, the other misses.

[7:21 PM] DM: Nysa goes to pull herself up when she realizes the blind old lady is still in the water and kicks off from the ship to go save her instead.(edited)

[7:22 PM] DM: The harpy is going to fly down and attack Seir's face with both her razor-sharp taloned feet.

[7:22 PM] DM: (19a/20d, 14a/27d)

[7:24 PM] Seirixori: ((They both hit, 13 ac but Seir's fiiiine))

[7:24 PM] DM: The hydra gets to make five attacks... all apparently against Ryleigh because this is what you wanted.

[7:27 PM] DM: (23/15, 19/9, 24/11, 22/13, 26/10) One after the other, four of the heads chomp down, trying to tear the human from each of the other heads for a total of 49 damage. The spell fades because she fails the concentration check.

[7:28 PM] DM: Ryleigh does manage to keep hold of her shield and Dawnbringer.

[7:31 PM] DM: Gunnloda points her hand at the hydra and a black and sickening green ray flashes out and catches the hydra in the chest, causing it to have a sickly green aura.

[7:32 PM] DM: Astara tries to attack the harpy again and this time, a lash of blue, electric energy ties itself between her hand and the harpy and the harpy is zapped with lightning.

[7:33 PM] DM: Danai grabs hold of Nysa as she reaches her.

[7:33 PM] DM: @Ryleigh Alastair

[7:38 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh who barely manages to hold onto Dawnbringer and her shield, and is half kneeling from the hydra's attacks, shouts towards the boat, "Get Danai into the boat!" She straightens up, her eyes lingering on Rukiya for a moment longer than they should, before she strikes out at the hydra. ((22A, 11D; 21A, 11D; 25 smite))

[7:40 PM] DM: Dawnbringer flashes with the extra divine energy and Ryleigh takes the far left head clean off.

[7:41 PM] DM: @Urrak

[7:44 PM] Urrak: Urrak grabs a crossbow from the compartment and aims it at the harpy "Fuck off, she-beast!" ((21,9 + 14,6))(edited)

[7:47 PM] Urrak: and she'll use her action surge to fire another volley ((9, 4 + 17, 7))(edited)

[7:49 PM] DM: Three of the bolts hit for 23.

[7:52 PM] DM: Rukiya yells at Ryleigh, "Don't make me come out there to get you, Alastair! You are not allowed to die!" And she'll toss another dagger at the hydra. It hits sideways instead of point first and bounces off the scales. When the far right head looks at her, Rukiya shouts, "Right! It's distracted!"

[7:52 PM] DM: @Brimeia

[7:55 PM] Seirixori: Brimeia: Brimeia goes to help Nysa bring Danai back to the boat.

[7:58 PM] Seirixori: Seir brings the lightning down again on the harpynotharpy, and uses up a couple spell slots to heal herself because ow. ((23 damage for full and heals for 15))

7:59 PM] DM: This time, the harpy is too busy watching everything to get out of the way of the lightning and takes it fully, screeching with pain as the lightning courses through her.

[8:00 PM] DM: The two humans attack with crossbows again. Together they deal 14 damage.

[8:00 PM] DM: Bri helps Nysa and Danai get on the boat.

[8:02 PM] DM: The harpy will attack Seir again. This time one of her claws hits a crit for a total of 69 points of damage as the claws slash at her face and throat.

[8:05 PM] DM: Seir's dinosaur shape disappears and leaves a bloodied tiefling in the water.

[8:10 PM] DM: The hydra regrows two heads from the stump of neck that Ryleigh'd managed to cut off. All six heads attack, but the sickly green aura seems to have an effect and while four of the six heads hit, one does no damage as its teeth fail to penetrate Ry's armor, and she takes only 10 damage total from the other three.

[8:16 PM] DM: Gunnloda was going to heal Ryleigh, but as Seir's dinosaur form falls away, her attention is pulled elsewhere. She started to cast healing word towards Ryleigh, but as she casts, she pulls it and transforms it into a mass healing word, healing Ry, Seir, and herself for 6 hp each.

[8:17 PM] DM: Astara pulses another 9 electrical damage into the leash she has around the harpy.

[8:17 PM] DM: @Ryleigh Alastair

[8:22 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I am the wings of despair. I am the breath of ruin. I am Ryleigh, Black Knight of Asten. Now, return to the depths from which you came!" (casting vow of enmity) (20A, 14D; 21A, 16D)

[8:24 PM] DM: Dawnbringer takes another head off.

[8:24 PM] DM: @Urrak !

[8:25 PM] Urrak: "Gods fuckin' dammit--," Urrak sets the crossbow down and jumps off the side of the boat, she swims towards the Hyrda and tries to climb up onto it(edited)

[8:26 PM] DM: Give me an athletics check.

[8:27 PM] Urrak: ((22))

[8:27 PM] DM: Urrak manages to climb aboard!

[8:28 PM] DM: And even though that should be your action, I'll let you take one of your two attacks and say you count the other as a grapple to mount it.

[8:29 PM] Urrak: Urrak  draws her greatsword and attacks the beast! ((11,13))(edited)

[8:30 PM] Urrak: she'll also use her bonus to cast healing word on Ryleigh

[8:32 PM] DM: Unfortunately, Urrak slips as she's attacking and misses. Ryleigh gets 8 hp back.

[8:34 PM] DM: Rukiya yells at Urrak, "STAB DOWN!" (You get advantage on your first, next attack) and throws another dagger. This time, though, that dagger pierces right through one of the thing's eyes and the head dies, but isn't detached.

[8:35 PM] DM: @Brimeia

[8:43 PM] Brimeia: Now that Danai and Nysa are relatively safe back on the boat, Brimeia goes back to helping with the harpy

[8:47 PM] Brimeia: ((27,17, ancestors on hit))(edited)

[8:47 PM] Brimeia: She rages and chucks a javelin at it.(edited)

[8:55 PM] DM: As she rages, her human ancestors appear and fly with the javelin, taking up positions on either side of the harpy. She then throws another javelin that also hits for another 9 damage. However, both those javelins then fall into the water.

[8:56 PM] DM: @Seirixori !

[8:59 PM] Seirixori: Seir groans and casts Moonbeam on the harpy and then wild shapes back into water dino. ((...3))

[8:59 PM] DM: If it helps, it does fail and takes all 3 damage.

[9:00 PM] DM: The two humans fire at the hydra this time. One misses, the other hits for 10 damage.

[9:02 PM] DM: Nysa finally has the chance to do something and casts Vicious Mockery at the harpy.  It fails, takes 4 psychic damage, and has disadvantage on its next attack.

[9:03 PM] DM: The harpy screeches and moves to fly away, prompting melee attacks of opportunity from Ry and Seir.

[9:04 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((27A, 14D))

[9:04 PM] Seirixori: ((Surprise, Seir misses with a 10))(edited)

[9:05 PM] DM: As the harpy moves to fly away, Dawnbringer alerts Ryleigh who makes a 'blind' swing, following Dawnbringer's directions and her blade slices down across the harpy's back, causing her to fall into the water and sink.

[9:06 PM] DM: The hydra regrows four heads (and 40 hp) but when it sees the harpy fall into the water and start to sink, it dives after her.

[9:06 PM] DM: Urrak can take an AOO if she wants to.

[9:07 PM] Seirixori: ((Is it farther than 10ft from Seir?))

[9:07 PM] Urrak: ((13,9))

[9:07 PM] DM: No, but you only get one reaction to take AOOs

[9:07 PM] Seirixori: ((Oh yeah lol))

[9:08 PM] DM: Gunnloda casts Healing Word at Ryleigh for 12 hp.

[9:09 PM] DM: Astara starts calling for the sailors to take their positions to try to get out of the caldera before the hydra returns.

[9:09 PM] DM: @Ryleigh Alastair

[9:11 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Come on, get in the boat and let's get out of here!" Ryleigh shouts to Urrak, hurrying to the boat and climbing inside.

9:11 PM] DM: @Urrak

[9:12 PM] Urrak: After splashing back into the ocean for the third time today, Urrak swims towards the boat and climbs aboard

[9:12 PM] DM: Gunnloda and Rukiya help Urrak into the boat.

[9:13 PM] DM: @Brimeia or @Seirixori ?

[9:14 PM] Seirixori: DinoSeir's just gonna see if she can help push the boat.

[9:14 PM] DM: She can! Which is good because she kinda beached the boat a little with the tidal wave.

[9:15 PM] DM: The crew manages to get the oars set and starts making for the opening in the side of the volcano.

[9:15 PM] DM: The storm dissipates.

[9:16 PM] DM: And the hydra doesn't resurface before you make your escape.

[9:17 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia will do whatever she can to help them get out ASAP.

## On the Sea Again

[9:17 PM] DM: Once clear of the rocks, the sail is dropped and though everyone's on alert, watching the sea, after several tense minutes, you manage to start relaxing.

[9:19 PM] DM: Gunnloda starts moving through the group, healing as needed, starting with Ryleigh.

[9:21 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Thank you," Ryleigh mumbles appreciatively.

[9:21 PM] Seirixori: Once safely away Seir drops her wild shape, climbs into the boat and lies on the floor with another groan, "Ow..."

[9:22 PM] DM: As soon as she does, Gunnloda moves straight to her side and starts healing her instead.

[9:26 PM] DM: Rukiya takes the seat Gunnloda vacated and puts her hand on Ryleigh's, but looks out at the water, maybe watching for the hydra.

[9:25 PM] Urrak: Urrak sheathes her sword and sits. She leans back to take a breath and get her hair out of her face "You are insane, Alastair...absolutely insane...But holy shit de ye do some damage out there. And Seirixori, fuck, ye alright?"

[9:27 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh nods to Urrak, her face still looking grim, but she gently squeezes Rukiya's hand.

[9:26 PM] Seirixori: "Yep, fine. To--totally fine," she says, completely unconvincing.(edited)

[9:31 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia looks sideways at Seirixori and Ryleigh and just shakes her head, though it's fond.

[9:32 PM] Brimeia: "Glad we didn't lose anyone. Thanks again, Gunnloda. A real life-saver you are."

[9:32 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Yes," Ryleigh whispers, looking over her shoulder at Danai, then back out over the ocean, "literally."(edited)

[9:32 PM] DM: Gunnloda looks up from patching Seir up. "It's the least I could do."

[9:34 PM] Urrak: Urrak looks out at the ocean a moment and then turns to the rest of the group "Gunnloda, c'mere, I can heal ye some with th' ring."

[9:34 PM] DM: Gunnloda waves her off. "I have plenty of magic left."

[9:35 PM] Urrak: "Alright, well ye should use it, gotta keep up with this group o' trouble-makers." she chuckles as she ties her hair back. She wrings some water out of the loose bun

[9:35 PM] DM: Once Seir's healed, she does tend to her own wounds.

[9:37 PM] Seirixori: "Sorry about the wave thing, didn't want the big thing to knock the boat over."

[9:38 PM] Urrak: "Ye did what ye thought would help. I was already in th' drink chasin' after nothin' so it ain't like I can critique ye. And ye probably saved th' ship from bein' wrecked"(edited)

[9:40 PM] DM: Astara nods. "The speed the hydra came up with, it could have easily capsized us or worse."

[9:40 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "How long until we reach our destination?" Ryleigh asks Astara.

[9:41 PM] DM: She looks at the sky and glances over the horizon. "About nightfall, probably. Four or five hours?"

[9:42 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh sighs heavily.

[9:43 PM] Seirixori: Seir, still lying down, one hand keeping in contact with Gunnloda, says, "If you give me a little time to rest, I can push the boat again, if it'll help."(edited)

[9:44 PM] DM: Astara: "Not sure what help you'd be, honestly."

[9:46 PM] Seirixori: Seir shrugs, or tries to, "Just as the big swimmy thing if it'll help go faster. Otherwise I will stay right here."

[9:46 PM] DM: Astara: "Rest. The Delphin'll get us there."

[10:15 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia pats Danai's arm gently. "No shortage of excitement around here, huh?" She laughs a little awkwardly

[10:16 PM] DM: Danai: "A little too much."

[9:45 PM] DM: Rukiya runs her thumb over Ryleigh's hand. "Are you ok?"

[9:48 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Physically... yes. Well, I might not be for much longer," Ryleigh says, as the boat sways. "Are you?" She softly asks.

[9:50 PM] DM: "You scared me."

[9:52 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I know." Ryleigh brings Rukiya's hand to her lips. "Everyone made it out though..." her voice trails off.

[9:53 PM] DM: Rukiya: "What is it?"

[9:55 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh's eyes bounce from Gunnloda, back to Danai. "I watched her die," Ryleigh whispers.

[9:59 PM] DM: Rukiya frowns. "Are you sure?"

[10:03 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Nodding, Ryleigh answers, "Her body was torn apart by the Hydra's teeth. I saw it knit itself back together. She was dead. She died, but she's still here." She shakes her head, a little frustrated.

[10:06 PM] Urrak: ((19 perception))

[10:09 PM] DM: For what it's worth, if you look, Danai's sitting in the back corner of the boat, keeping to herself.(edited)

[10:12 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Her blood would have been on my hands had she died. I shouldn't have allowed her to come..." Ryleigh says in a hushed tone, more to herself than Rukiya.

[10:13 PM] DM: Rukiya squeezes her hand. "That wasn't your decision to make, Ry."

[10:13 PM] Urrak: Urrak rests her cheek on her hand and turns her head, her ears twitch as she listens closely. She can't make out everything, but can pick up some bits and pieces.

[10:13 PM] Seirixori: Seir throws a smooshed and waterlogged berry at Ryleigh's head, "No. Bad."

[10:17 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: As the berry hits her, Ryleigh looks in Seir's direction, but she doesn't comment on it. Instead she says to Rukiya, "Maybe not, but when they chose to bring her, she became my responsibility. That much was made clear."

[10:17 PM] Seirixori: Seir throws another berry at Ryleigh.

10:18 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh bats the next berry away and says to Seir, "Will you cut it out?"

[10:18 PM] Seirixori: "You cut it out."

[10:19 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I'm just stating the truth!" Ryleigh half shouts.

[10:20 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia looks over, confused.

[10:20 PM] Seirixori: "Stop making everything your responsibility. You aren't the only one on this journey for fucks sake, Ryleigh." It's all kind of muffled and tired sounding, as Seir hasn't gotten up yet.

[10:23 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I nearly died because none of you thought about the logistics of bringing her! Instead you let your hearts dictate your decisions and one day it's going to kill me."(edited)

[10:26 PM] Brimeia: "So... are you mad that I brought her or that we got attacked by a freaky sea dragon?" Brimeia looks even more confused.

[10:28 PM] Urrak: "I don't see how this is her fault, Ry. We were all in danger, an' th' harpy got t' a lot of us."  Urrak offers calmly

[10:29 PM] Seirixori: Seir grits her teeth, "Sorry for having feelings." The sarcasm and anger from Seir is practically palpable.

[10:31 PM] DM: Gunnloda puts her hand on Seir's back.

[10:35 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "It's not about having feelings... or lack thereof," Ryleigh says, equally as angry. "I'm mad because no one except Gunnloda, Nysa, and myself seemed to care about the elderly, blind woman aboard. And none of us were the ones who invited her along. Do you think I wanted to distract the Hydra? My girlfriend almost had to watch me die. Dawnbringer could have been sent to a dark, watery grave. Neither of those things are acceptable."

[10:38 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Gods forbid either of you jump in to save her," Ryleigh points to Urrak and Brimeia. "You're both so keen to play the hero, except when it really counts."

[10:40 PM] Seirixori: "You're right. I wasn't trying to do anything at all." Seir deadpans and then turns to her side so her back is to Ryleigh. Or tries to... her horns not making that easy and she just gets more frustrated and smacks her elbow on the wood as she throws herself onto her back, "Fuck!"

[10:41 PM] Urrak: "Hey now, no need t' get so upset. We were all workin' towards a common goal, an' we were all tryin' t' get each other out o' that mess. What matters is we're all ok an' we still got a boat."

[10:42 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Spoken like someone who was never in any real danger," Ryleigh snarls at Urrak.

[10:43 PM] Urrak: Urrak rolls her eyes and crosses her arms, but doesn't say anything back

[10:44 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Yeah, that's what I thought."

[10:44 PM] DM: Rukiya squeezes Ry's hand. "Ryleigh..."

[10:45 PM] Urrak: "I ain't gettin' int'a this, Ry. Ye've been weird since we left Riverrun an' I'm tired o' fightin' with ye."

[10:45 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh looks at the hand in hers, like she almost forgot it was there.

[10:46 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "It's never been much a fight with you, Urrak," Ryleigh taunts. "And I'm tired of having to pay for your poor choices."(edited)

[10:47 PM] Seirixori: "Can you make them shut up?" Seir whispers to Gunnloda.

[10:47 PM] Brimeia: "Ok, look, I get that I'm not as... thinky about the future stuff," she huffs, waving her hand as she tries to find words, "as you are, but when I asked about bringing Danai, I was trying to get advice, to learn. I wasn't asking for your permission or your to take it all upon your shoulders or whatever. My decision and its consequences are my own damn responsibility."

[10:48 PM] Brimeia: "I appreciate your helping Danai, but you don't get to take that out on everyone else."

[10:49 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Then act like it!" Ryleigh shouts. "She died, Brimeia. Or did you conveniently miss that? I watched her die. She was gone. And what'd you do about it? Nothing. It was me who jumped in to save her, not you."

[10:53 PM] Brimeia: "That was your decision! No one asked you to or said you had to! I heard what you said and understood there was a risk. I decided it was worth it to get her away from that place. If I was wrong, then that'll be on me. Not you, or anyone else!" She folds her arms and huffs.

[10:50 PM] DM: Rukiya speaks softly and runs her thumb over Ryleigh's knuckles. "Ryleigh, you're allowed to be upset and angry and hurt, but you're going to say something you can't take back if you don't calm down."

[10:52 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh grits her teeth, she takes a deep breath, exhaling it out her nose. You can visibly see her trying to calm down, trying to put her anger back into its box.(edited)

[10:54 PM] DM: Gunnloda frowns and holds Seir's hand. "She wasn't dead. It was a healing spell, not a resurrection."

[10:55 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "No, Gunnloda. She was dead. Her body was completely torn apart. I saw it. Then when you cast the spell - it... it like - knitted back together. I've never seen a healing spell do that. Except... with Cidro," she says it almost like she's having a realization.(edited)

[10:57 PM] Urrak: "Let's all take a fuckin' breath, eh? We can fight later. We've all been through it t'day," Urrak rubs her eyes, "It'd be easy t' be seein' things."

[10:59 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh hums, what is now a familiar tune to all of you.(edited)

[11:02 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia glances between Gunnloda and Ryleigh with a scrunched brow then just shakes her head like she's trying to shake off the thoughts, too complicated for the moment.

[11:02 PM] Seirixori: "I didn't go anywhere," Seir mutters, knowing what Ryleigh's doing-- and it's a little light-hearted.

[11:05 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh gives Seir a knowing look, the corner of her mouth turning up just slightly. She turns her attention to Danai, asking, "Danai, were you ever brought back from the dead, before our adventure?"

[11:06 PM] DM: Danai hesitates, uncomfortable after all the conversation that's happened, but she shakes her head no.

[11:08 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Biting her lip, Ryleigh gently says, "I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, Danai. I don't want you to think... it's not that I don't..." she sighs, feeling like it doesn't matter.

[11:08 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Her aura is different," Ryleigh announces.

[11:10 PM] Seirixori: Seir sighs and finally sits up, "Whiter?"

[11:10 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Yes."

[11:11 PM] Urrak: "An' that means what, exactly?"

[11:11 PM] DM: Danai: "I think she's right."

[11:12 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Danai died, her aura is grey. It means she was brought back."

[11:13 PM] Seirixori: "Is that... a good thing? For both?"

[11:14 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I don't know," Ryleigh answers honestly.

[11:17 PM] Urrak: "Well then...That's good t' know. I s'ppose. I mean, Cidro came back. Even after Bri nearly cleaved th' man in two."

[11:17 PM] Urrak: "Seemed like he came back in one piece--er--mentally that is. Physically too, a'course"(edited)

[11:20 PM] Seirixori: "I'll tell Takara when we get back," Seir moves so she can pull Gunnloda into her lap, needing the contact. "Or maybe find a temple of Artemis and ask her," Seir kind of jokes.(edited)

[11:23 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh gives Seir a swift nod and partial smile. She then sits back in her seat, giving Rukiya's hand a quick squeeze.

[11:23 PM] Urrak: "I mean, I'm sure ye could. Get th' whole lot o' those Shasemin gods an' have a party. I hear one really likes wine." Urrak smiles, thankful that the yelling has stopped(edited)

[11:29 PM] DM: As the conversation dwindles, the ship continues until the Delphin docks in Miteia. It's a decent sized town, maybe a bit larger than Bellbury, and Astara leads you all to an inn where you can rest for the night. "Be back to the docks by sunup or we leave you behind." She winks, almost reflexively, before leaving you to your rest.

[11:29 PM] DM: And that's where we'll stop, with room to squish over the next week if people would like to chat.

## Seir and Danai

2:25 PM] Seirixori: Seir asks to speak to Danai alone, and doesn't take her too far, just a decent amount of space away from everyone else so they aren't easily overheard or talked over. She sits them down and with a shaky breath says, "I-- I'm sorry. For today... for all of it."

[2:30 PM] DM: She's silent for a moment, but she finally asks, "Where are you from?"

[2:33 PM] Seirixori: Seir doesn't answer right away, extremely confused, "Uh... Lima-- Ar-rdabeh."

[2:43 PM] DM: "I don't know the name, but you sound like someone who is from very far away. Someone who travels great distances." She takes a deep breath and continues, "I've lived a long, long life, almost entirely in Cusmasir under the eye of Lapis. If not in his house, then in his city. I never thought I'd leave it, to be honest. I knew there would be a great price to pay for leaving."

[2:55 PM] Seirixori: "It is very far away..." She says softly, fidgeting with her hands. "That shouldn't have been-- I never meant to--" Seir makes a sound of frustration in the back of her throat, "--it shouldn't have happened."

[2:55 PM] DM: "What shouldn't have?"

[3:05 PM] Seirixori: "Dying," she swallows thickly, "I-- I managed to get you before you swam off like the others to the voice but I--" it takes Seir a few deep breaths before she can continue. "Instead of getting you back on the boat or to-- or even to the little bit of shore there was I just... I left you in the water and then you died and I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." She manages to get it out but not before she starts crying.

[3:15 PM] DM: Danai reaches out towards the sound, running her hand along the table until she can find Seir's hand. "I won't lie... it was terrifying... but there was nothing you could do. You cannot deny the will of the gods."

[3:23 PM] Seirixori: Seir takes Danai's hand and moves a bit closer, lightly placing her other hand on top. She begins to say something but stops herself and instead, with a great amount of irritation, says "I can try."

[3:31 PM] DM: Danai shakes her head with a soft smile. "You shouldn't test them. They can be spiteful and the stories are full of people punished for trying. I should be apologizing to all of you. I thought the price would be mine, not all of ours."

[3:41 PM] Seirixori: Seir doesn't bother to respond more to the gods thing, for once. "There isn't a price that should be paid just because you want to get out of a terrible situation, especially not that high."

[3:43 PM] Seirixori: Seir grumbles to herself and softly  says, "I'm doing it again." She clears her throat, "I'm sorry, I never asked how you were doing, do you need anything? Are you cold at all?"

[3:54 PM] DM: "Cold?" she asks, almost laughing. "No, I--" she stops to collect herself. "It was like a dream. I wasn't sure if I could believe it... until your friend said it was true. I was sitting next to a great fire, watching it dance in the hearth." She paused and repeated, "Watching it. Resting in Hestia's embrace by the fire of the gods... even when I returned to my body, wet and scared, I could still feel her warmth. I still can. Part of me wishes I'd had the choice to stay there, but the gods must still have need of me here."

[3:59 PM] Seirixori: As she absorbs the information Seir looks over towards her wife and friends, "I think more than just gods have need of you here."

[4:12 PM] DM: Danai pulls her hand from Seir's and reaches into a pouch hidden by the sash around her waist. She pulls a small disc with a symbol engraved on it out and runs her thumb over the engraving. It's worn and shiny where she does, like she's traced the symbol countless times. She takes Seir's hand again and presses the disc into her palm, closing her fingers around it. "You have a good heart. Kind and compassionate, like Hestia. Even if you aren't from here, maybe she can guide you too."

[4:40 PM] Seirixori: Seir stares down at it, and tries to find something to say, "Are you sure you want to-- you want to give this to me? I-- I mean it-- it seems like you've had this for a while."

[4:49 PM] DM: She smiles and nods. "My mother was a midwife who served Hestia. She gave it to me a lifetime ago, but I don't need it anymore. I can feel them both here," she says, putting her hand over her heart. "I've seen my true home and I know it waits for me."

[5:02 PM] Seirixori: Seir pulls it to herself and immediately starts to turn it over in her hand. "Thank you." She says quietly.

[5:10 PM] DM: It's a small disc, about the size of a coin, made of metal with a simple carving that looks like a little table with a u-shape on it. There's a little hole at the top edge.

[5:10 PM] DM: "You're welcome."

## Seiryleigh

9:04 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh walks over to Seir and Danai, clearing her throat she asks, "I'd like to talk to you, Seirixori. If you're willing, and done here..."

[9:11 PM] Seirixori: Seir takes a deep breath and squeezes Danai's hand as she stands, "I'll make sure Brimeia or Gunnloda come get you, okay?" Seir tells her and waves one of them over before she finally turns to Ryleigh. "Okay."

[9:13 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "My room, or yours?"

[9:13 PM] Seirixori: "Yours is fine."

[9:16 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Without another word, Ryleigh leads them to her and Rukiya's room.  Once they're both inside, she says, "Talk to me?"

[9:21 PM] Seirixori: Seir continuously flips the small disk in her hand, taking her time before she says anything. "About what, exactly? Because... there's a lot."

[9:22 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh steps closer to Seir. "Okay, why you were crying back on the boat?"

[9:26 PM] Seirixori: She immediately looks down, "I could have-- she didn't need to die."

[9:29 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "It wasn't your fault..." Ryleigh sighs "...what happened - maybe it could have been prevented, but it wasn't. I am still upset about the entire situation, but that's for other reasons."

[9:40 PM] Seirixori: "But it was," she nearly yells. She sighs, frustrated, still unable to voice exactly what she wants, "It doesn't even matter, nothing I did mattered." She says sharply and turns away.

[9:46 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh cautiously steps up behind Seir, gently placing a hand on shoulder. "That's not true, homashoc," she softly murmurs. "I would have died if you weren't there. Distracting the water-beast was something I could do because you were keeping the attention of the flying creature."

[9:48 PM] Seirixori: "That's not what you said before."

[9:49 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I wasn't talking about you," Ryleigh groans.

[9:54 PM] Seirixori: Seir's quiet but eventually she turns around, taking Ryleigh's hand off her shoulder and keeping it in her own. "I know that... now. At the time-- it hurt... it hurt a lot because it felt like... like I didn't matter." She shakes her head, "You weren't the only one who almost died."(edited)

[10:01 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I saw you get knocked out of your animal form, but I didn't put it together."  Ryleigh's brows knit together. "I was angry when I said those things. I... I'm sorry. I can't seem to shake the fear in Rukiya's voice, or the look in her eyes. Dawnbringer was terrified for me but also for herself. It's one thing to die, it's another to make the people I love watch it happen."

[10:07 PM] Seirixori: "Maybe try not to get the full attention of something with five different sets of teeth."

[10:08 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh half smiles. "I didn't know another way to get everyone to safety."

[10:09 PM] Seirixori: Seir sighs and pulls Ryleigh into a much needed hug, "The only reason I didn't... Sometimes, I can heal myself when I'm in that form. Had I not..." She stays quiet, not feeling the need to finish.

[10:15 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I'm sorry for not paying closer attention. You have so much power that sometimes I forget you can die." Ryleigh runs her hand soothingly up and down Seir's back while they embrace. "And I don't want to lose you too..."

[10:19 PM] Seirixori: "I need you," she whispers echoing what Ry had said to her before. "So please, we have a group for a reason, they can take some hits too. They just can't exactly walk on water... because I only thought about us being able to breathe." She rolls her eyes at herself.(edited)

[10:22 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh pulls back just enough to press their foreheads together. "I'm not good with depending on others," she softly admits, "but I'll try to be better about it, because I'm not leaving you."

[10:29 PM] Seirixori: "Thank you," there's a pause and then she let's out a small laugh, "Dying just before seeing my mother again would just be something that would happen."

[10:31 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "How are you doing with that?" Ryleigh asks in a hushed tone.

[10:43 PM] Seirixori: "So much has changed in such a small amount of time... it's not what I thought it was going to be." Seir sighs, "One minute I'm excited because all I've wanted was to find her. To see her again. Even if-- even if all I found was her body. But I'm also terrified because a small part of me wonders if she wants to see me, or-- I don't know, what if she forgot who I was? What if-- what if she doesn't like who I am now-- or if she doesn't like Gunnloda?"

[8:26 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh sighs deeply. "Maybe she was taken and couldn't return to you. Maybe she's under a spell and doesn't remember who she is. Maybe she won't like who you've become or that you're married or that Gunnloda is trying to fatten you up with all her baked goods." She grins a little, pulling back and cupping Seir's face, before continuing, "But no matter what happens... your chosen family - Gunnloda, the others, me..." she smirks "...maybe Rukiya - we'll be here for you. And you are and will always be enough for us."(edited)

[11:36 AM] Seirixori: Seir rolls her eyes, but her cheeks are a little pinker, "Gunnlods is trying to do that." She closes her eyes, a tear escaping as she does, "She was all I had for so long, Ryleigh. And even though I have a new family..." her voice trails off as a few more tears escape before she opens her eyes again, looking just to the side of Ryleigh's eyes. Her voice is quiet and thick with emotion, "I just want my mama."(edited)

[3:26 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Softly brushing a few tears from Seir's face, Ryleigh presses her lips to Seir's forehead, mumbling, "You'll see her soon, homashoc." Seir can feel Ryleigh take a shaky breath.

[5:28 PM] Seirixori: "What's wrong?" she asks, finally looking at Ryleigh again.

[5:45 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "It's nothing," Ryleigh responds, she lets her hands fall from Seir's face, but she stays close, "and it's not about me right now."

[6:09 PM] Seirixori: Seir wipes the rest of the tears off her face with one hand while the other reaches for one of Ryleigh's, "Will you tell me later?"

[6:34 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh takes Seir's hand, giving it a squeeze and nodding 'yes'.

[6:46 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I wanted to apologize for my actions at the temple. I shouldn't have gotten upset and I should have listened to you, because I am human and it does make a difference."

[7:17 PM] Seirixori: "You have the right to be upset, but yes, listening to me is usually a good idea," she teases. "I know you want things to change, I do too, but..." she lets out a tired sigh, "unfortunately the blame is never placed on the right people."

[7:23 PM] Seirixori: "And sometimes all we need is a shield, not a sword."

[7:26 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh audible swallows, looks away, and takes a step back from Seir. "Right. Of course, a protector not an agitator," she says mechanically, almost like it's said to herself.(edited)

[7:38 PM] Seirixori: "Hey, come on. No one's going to get it right all the time. Don't make me throw more soggy berries at you."

[7:40 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Yeah, please don't," Ryleigh chuckles, but it sounds forced. "Speaking of berries, I really need you to try to eat more."

[7:52 PM] Seirixori: Seir groans, "I'm not starving myself. That's what the berries are for." She let's out a heavy sigh, "I've tried and I can't keep anything down, or even get it down to begin with." She shrugs, "So, a berry a day, and I have extra just in case."

[7:55 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Is it nerves or something else?"

[8:11 PM] Seirixori: "Nerves. Not much else it could be." She grins, a teasing glint in her eye but she doesn't say anything else.

[8:13 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Okay, but I expect you to eat more after all this and when we get home..." Ryleigh's voice trails off "...I mean Riverrun. Assuming you stay after we find your mom."

[8:17 PM] Seirixori: Seir's eyes widen, "Oh..." she gasps softly. " I never... I didn't think about that..."

[8:21 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh's hand grips Dawnbringer's handle, while she tries to keep her voice light, "It's not something you have to think about yet, but it is something you should give some thought to."(edited)

[8:25 PM] Seirixori: Seir tilts her head and rests her hand on top of Ryleigh's,  "No, not really."

[8:30 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "It'd be okay if you went back. I wouldn't be-" Ryleigh closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, before repeating, "It'd be okay if you went back."

[8:40 PM] Seirixori: "You're an idiot," she says affectionately. "How could I leave you, na'auiy noaroaca? Someone's gotta be your special eyes."

[8:58 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh gives Seir a half smile, her eyes a little glossy but determined. "She's your mother, Seirixori, and I'm... I'm just me and I'm not a good reason to stay in Vyon." She turns her hand over, taking Seir's and pulling her close.

[9:06 PM] Seirixori: "Someone's a little full of themselves." Seir teases again, hugging Ryleigh. "You may not be my entire reason, but you are part of it. I love my mother, I never would have believed I'd have to find her somewhere other than Ardabeh. But..." She pauses, trying to put her thoughts together, "but I love you, and I love Stool, and I love Gunnloda. I can't ask any of you to come with me just because I found her again. Besides... that place fucking sucks."(edited)

[9:11 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "You know they'd go with you, if you asked. I couldn't," Ryleigh mutters, "I have responsibilities in Vyon... things I need to help change in Ascus. I just... want you to be happy - whatever that may be. Even if that means visiting you, stool, and Gunnloda in Ardabeh."

[9:16 PM] Seirixori: "Maybe eventually, that will be the case, but not for a while." Seir frowns, studying Ryleigh for a moment or two. "What's really wrong, Ry--" she pauses, testing it out but quickly makes a face and finishes, "--leigh."(edited)

[9:20 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh physically deflates. "I'm used to losing people, homashoc. I'm just preparing to lose you too."

[9:39 PM] Seirixori: "You're not going to lose me, na'auiy noaroaca," Seir says softly. "Even if I'm somewhere else, I'll still be here for you. We're both used to losing people, I'm not about to start letting go of the people I just found."

[9:43 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Okay," Ryleigh whispers, her tone a little watery. After a few moments she asks, "What is it you keep calling me?"

[9:47 PM] Seirixori: "I only told Gunnloda what tor beag meant because I was kind of drunk," she laughs. "But I guess I can tell you, pouty paladin, since you asked so nicely." Seir grins.

[9:51 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh's eyebrows draw together, but the corner of her mouth is quirked up. "That's more of an insult than I was expecting. I'm not pouty... I'm... I'm surly."

[9:53 PM] Seirixori: Seir starts laughing really hard. "Yeah okay, na'auiy."

[9:55 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh fully smiles when Seir starts laughing. "Are you feeling better yet?"

[10:04 PM] Seirixori: "A little. Just... sore and tired. That thing hit really hard."

[10:08 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "It's pet hit hard too, but I'm used to taking a beating," Ryleigh cringes slightly at her own words. She leans in to press another kiss to Seir's forehead. "Get some sleep, homashoc. I'll see you in the morning."

## Ryfika

2:24 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh watches Seirixori leave. Once alone, she takes another shaky breath and places Dawnbringer near the bed. As Ryleigh starts to remove her armor, her breathing shallows, and her chest constricts. She hurriedly props her shield up, takes a fighting stance, and slams her fist into it until the panicked feeling goes away. When it does, Ryleigh hums a soft tune, healing her cracked knuckles. She changes into common clothes and heads downstairs.(edited)

[2:52 PM] DM: Gunnloda and Danai are chatting at a table downstairs, but Rukiya's not with them. Gunnloda waves Ry over and says, "Rukiya went to get some air, but said if you were looking for her, you'd know where to look."

[2:55 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh thanks Gunnloda and heads towards the roof of the inn.

[2:58 PM] DM: It's easy enough to find a way to climb up, especially without armor. Rukiya's sitting with her back against a low wall that edges the rooftop, bathed in moonlight. She looks lost in thought, absently fiddling with the ring she usually keeps around her neck.

[3:01 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "May I?" Ryleigh asks, motioning if its okay to join her.

[3:03 PM] DM: Even though Ry's pretty sure Rukiya didn't notice her approach, she doesn't jump or flinch when Ryleigh speaks. She just closes her fingers around the ring and looks over at her. "Sure. You and Seirixori work everything out?"

[3:07 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh takes a seat next to her. "I think so. She had some things she needed to talk through..." she reaches for Rukiya's hand "...talk to me?"

[3:09 PM] DM: She leans into Ryleigh, using her shoulder as a headrest. "Just feeling a little homesick.  It comes and goes... but it's come up a lot lately, so it's hitting a little harder than usual."

[3:12 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "It's only come up so much because I pressed you too hard," Ryleigh whispers, her thumb sweeping over the back of Rukiya's hand. "What is it you're missing about home?"

[3:20 PM] DM: She huffs a slight laugh and says, "A little bit of everything," but it doesn't cover the emotion in her voice very well. "You know what it's like to miss people. The little things you'll never have again... my brother's laugh, my father's hugs, my mom's smile. They're still out there, but I can't ever have them again... and I don't know if that makes it better or worse."

[3:29 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "It can't be easy to grieve the loss of someone when they're still around. It's different knowing they're out there and you can't go to them."

[3:34 PM] DM: "This is the only connection I have to them anymore," she says, holding her ring out to Ryleigh. "It's really more for them than me, though. It's not like something could happen to them and I wouldn't know."

[3:37 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh leans in to get a closer look at the ring, holding it carefully in her hand. "I know it's magical... but what does it do?"(edited)

[3:42 PM] DM: "Each stone is connected to one of us. As long as they stay clear, we know the others are ok." Her voice wavers and she tries to swallow against the lump in her throat. "They don't know where I am or what I do... they mourned for me once, but if the stone turns black... it's the only way they'd know."

[3:54 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "L'auorphiem," Ryleigh says softly, pressing her lips to Rukiya's temple. "Nothing is going to happen to you. You're strong, deadly, and incredibly charming. And I doubt anything will happen to your family. Most people in Vyon love them - including half the people we're traveling with."(edited)

[4:04 PM] DM: "That doesn't mean anything. I'm not immortal... none of us are. You could have died today. I could have lost you and..." Her voice cracks and she turns into Ryleigh even more, wrapping her arms around her and letting the tears come.

[4:35 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh pulls Rukiya into her lap and holds her close. “It means everything. You aren’t Danai, you aren’t helpless and you don’t have to wholly depend on others if you find yourself in a life and death situation. I, more than most, understand how fragile life is, how quickly it can be taken away. I nearly died today...” her voice is hushed, her tone a little frightened. “I know there’s no acceptable apology that I can give you.”(edited)

[4:48 PM] DM: She shakes her head. "That's not..." She takes a deep breath to steady herself, trying to figure out how to explain what she's feeling. "When Rinan died... it was like my heart was ripped from my chest. I couldn't... I couldn't function. My mom sat with me for hours, just listening to me cry about it. I could have lost you today... and my mom wouldn't even know who you were. They don't know anything about who I am today, who I love, what I do. I'll never be able to introduce you to them, never be able to share how I feel with them. They'll never know that... that my heart healed. This stone can't tell them any of that."

[5:06 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I... I'm sorry," Ryleigh says, cupping Rukiya's face and wiping away some of her stray tears, "I didn't understand."

[5:14 PM] DM: She sniffles and scoffs at herself. "That's because it's stupid and selfish. I just... I miss them. I miss them terribly and I won't survive losing you without them. You mean too much to me."

[5:24 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "L'auorphiem, it's not stupid, it's okay to be selfish, and it's okay to miss them." Ryleigh brushes her lips against Rukiya's forehead, then looks into Rukiya's eyes. "Has your heart really healed?"(edited)

[5:30 PM] DM: "He's always going to be part of me, but it doesn't hurt to think of him anymore. I don't feel guilty loving you. I don't feel broken like I did."

[5:49 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I promised you once before that I wouldn't leave you in loneliness, that I wouldn't put you through that again... I've done a bad job of upholding that promise to you, and I'm sorry... I'm so sorry, Rukiya. I don't mean to be reckless. I'm just trying to do the right thing... and sometimes that means putting my life on the line, but I can't keep putting you through this. You don't deserve it." Ryleigh's hands drop from Rukiya's face, she slouches a little, looking properly ashamed.

[6:01 PM] DM: "I know why you do what you do... just try to remember that you are loved and would be missed too. Your life is worth saving. Fight for it as much as you fight for everyone else's."

[6:09 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh nods, then takes one of Rukiya’s hands. “You, Dawnbringer, and Seirixori have made me realize what the consequences of my actions could have lead to today. I worried you all to tears...” she then corrects herself, “well, Dawnbringer doesn’t cry but she was very upset.”

[6:12 PM] DM: Rukiya chuckles and wipes her cheeks dry. "I'm sure. Seirixori would've had to dive down and look for her."

[6:21 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "She definitely would have," Ryleigh says, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Thank you," she adds in a soft tone, "for talking to me, for confiding in me, for loving me."

[6:32 PM] DM: The corner of her mouth quirks up. "I'm not thanking you for making me. Not yet.... but maybe some day." She leans in, her nose brushing against Ryleigh's. "For now, I just want you to love you as much as I do."

[7:21 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I've hated myself for so long, that it feels strange learning to love myself again." Ryleigh pushes forward, bringing their lips together and pulling Rukiya closer - the kiss is desperate and needy.

[7:30 PM] DM: She smirks through the kiss and pulls back just long enough to say, "Well learn faster. You're worth it."

[8:08 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh whispers against Rukiya's lips, "Take me to bed and show me how worth it I am, so I can spend the rest of the night thanking you with my talented tongue - over and over again."

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