Session 127

Back - Next (Back to Logs)

7:09 PM] DM: You're all in the crystal room with lots of crystals that grow from 5' to the full 20' height of the ceiling. There are roots growing down through the ceiling. Ry and Urrak are statues. Seir has Dawnbringer. Gunnloda's pulling out her stone to call Kendall.

[7:10 PM] DM: Gunnloda drops the stone back into its pouch and heads to Seir's side, taking her free hand. "Soon."

[7:13 PM] Seirixori: Seir awkwardly pats Dawnbringer and it takes her a moment to respond to Gunnloda. "Great. Cool. Awesome. My entire body hurts. I do not recommend getting shoved into a ceiling and then falling."

[7:14 PM] DM: Warmth pulses from Gunnloda's hand up Seir's arm and through her body. (21 hp) "Better?"

[7:17 PM] Seirixori: She nods, "I'm really glad I didn't fall into the hole... do you think I need to go down there just to-- just to make sure?"

[7:18 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "I'd rather y'didn't. Not by yourself."

[7:19 PM] DM: Probably fifteen minutes goes by before there's a pop and Kendall appears next to Gunnloda. "Sorry 'bout the wait. Had to run to the temple first."

[7:20 PM] DM: Her eyes grow wide as she looks around. "Wow. This is... something. What have you got yourselves caught up in this time?"

[7:21 PM] Seirixori: "Weird Crystal shit and big creepy things with a lot of murder eyes and magic negating. You know, fun." Seir says, lying on the ground.

[7:23 PM] DM: She finally stops looking at the colorful lights and sees Ry and Urrak. "Let's take a look."

[7:26 PM] DM: She tells Bri and Gayle to step back. "Time won't have really passed for them, so best to give them space in case they think they're still fighting."

[7:28 PM] DM: She kind of climbs up Urrak so she can sprinkle the diamond dust over her, then climbs back down and stands to the side. She says a prayer to Arawai, Sovereign of Life and Love, then touches Urrak. Her skin turns from stone back into flesh.

[7:30 PM] Urrak: Urrak finishes the swing of her sword, yelling at the beholder that isn't there. She looks around, frantic for it, but when she sees Kendall she stops. "Wha---where? What happened? Is it dead? Was I dead?"

[7:31 PM] Seirixori: "Certainly hope it's dead. Gunnloda doesn't want me to go look by myself."

[7:34 PM] DM: Kendall holds her hand out towards Urrak. "Here, make yourself useful and sprinkle this over her head."

[7:35 PM] Urrak: Urrak holds out her hand, "Oh, uh, sure! No problem."

[7:35 PM] DM: She hands the diamond dust to Urrak.

[7:37 PM] Urrak: Urrak walks over to the petrified Ryleigh and sprinkles the dust over her head. "Ready, Kendall."

[7:37 PM] DM: Kendall says a prayer over Ryleigh too, a little different from the first, this time to Dol Arrah, Sovereign of Sun and Sacrifice. Ryleigh's form shifts from stone to flesh.

[7:40 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh lifts her foot, like she's about to move, but then she sees the beholder is gone, and everyone is standing near her. She sets her foot back down, her eyes landing on Kendall. "Thanks, Kendall." Then her eyes widen with realization. "I know you," she says evenly.

[7:40 PM] DM: Kendall laughs. "I sure hope you do."

[7:43 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Giving Kendall a half smile, Ryleigh's eyes bounce around the room, landing on each party member. Once she locks eyes with Seir, she silently walks over to her, pulls her up from the ground and into a hug, then whispers, "I'm here. I'm sorry, homashoc... I'm so sorry."

[7:44 PM] Urrak: Urrak's eyes widen "Holy shit yer memory is back!"

[7:46 PM] Seirixori: Seir's eyes immediately start tearing up, but she doesn't quite say anything yet, too overwhelmed.

[7:52 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh pulls back just enough to cup Seir's face in her hands. She softly brushes at her tears and says, "I'm here, homashoc. I remember."

[7:54 PM] DM: Kendall kind of awkwardly clears her throat and looks around, swinging her arms. "So... crystals."

[7:54 PM] Seirixori: Seir sniffs and then starts sobbing, holding onto Ryleigh tightly.

[7:56 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh won't let go of Seir, until Seir decides she wants to let go.

[7:59 PM] Urrak: Urrak crosses her arms. "Th' crystals here mess with yer mind. Ryleigh's memory had been completely wiped. I had a compulsion t' pick at my skin where I thought th' crystals were. They infect livin' things, take them over. When we fight them, they explode int'a a fine dust that covers everyone close by." She smiles at Ryleigh and Seir's reunion. "We were lookin' fer th' tree before that big creature attacked us an' turned Ryleigh and I t' stone."

[7:59 PM] DM: Gunnloda gives them their space and heads over to where Kendall and the others are standing. "Thanks for comin'."

[8:00 PM] DM: Kendall smiles at Gunnloda, "Always."

[8:00 PM] DM: Kendall: "That's quite a lot to deal with."

[8:01 PM] Urrak: "It's been tough, that's fer sure. Thanks fer helpin' us."

[8:01 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "I'm sure Ryleigh will want to reimburse the temple for the diamonds."

[8:03 PM] Seirixori: Seir pulls back to show Ryleigh, Dawnbringer. "I have your sword... that is currently smaller than when you have her." She manages through some lessening sobs.

[8:04 PM] DM: Dawnbringer's blade is shorter than usual, somewhere between a dagger and a shortsword.

[8:08 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Thank you for taking care of her while I was indisposed." Ryleigh reaches for Dawnbringer, but doesn't immediately take her from Seir. She waits for Seir to physically hand her to her.

[8:10 PM] Seirixori: Seir stares at Ryleigh's hand, momentarily confused. She blinks, "Oh, right," and hands Ryleigh her sword.

[8:13 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh takes her and places her in her sheath, then quickly takes Seir's hand. "Are you ready to join the others? I need to pay Kendall for the resources she used to heal us."

[8:14 PM] Seirixori: She nods, her grip on Ryleigh's hand is tight.

[8:16 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Gently pulling them towards the group, Ryleigh tells Kendall 'thank you' again and offers to pay for the resources she used from her temple.

[8:19 PM] DM: Kendall and Gunnloda are having a very quiet conversation just to the side of the others, but when Seir and Ry approach, Kendall smiles. "You're welcome. I borrowed the diamonds from the temple's stores, so I'm sure they'd like to be replaced. They were a hundred gold a piece."

[8:21 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: With some difficultly, because she refuses to let Seir's hand go, Ry eventually gets her hand into the BoH and withdraws the coin for Kendall.

[8:22 PM] Seirixori: Seir stares at the bag for a moment and then says, "Wow, I would have been even more screwed if we couldn't turn you back. All my stuff is in there."

[8:26 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I'd say 'next time I'll be more careful' but... honestly I was being cautious and still got turned to stone... and lost my memory."

[8:28 PM] Seirixori: Seir nods and she gives a quick and heartfelt thank you to Kendall, but her attention turns to the hole in the ground, "Can I go check on it now? It's creeping me out even though I'm pretty sure it is dead."

[8:29 PM] Urrak: "Whoa there, we should rest before ye do somethin' like that. What if there's more of 'em?"

8:30 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh rolls her eyes at Urrak. "Seirixori isn't going to be able rest if we don't go check it out. AND if it isn't dead then we won't be resting anyway."

[8:31 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I'll go with you, homashoc," She says a moment later... tugging Seir towards the pit.

[8:31 PM] DM: The pit is only ten feet across... and looking down, you don't see a bottom.

[8:31 PM] Urrak: "I hate that I missed yer eyerolls." Urrak shakes her head, smiling. "An' hey, ye two aren't goin' alone! That thing nearly killed 6 of us."

[8:32 PM] Seirixori: "I was gonna be a spider and just go..." Seir says as she's pulled over.

[8:33 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "That's certainly less conspicuous," Ryleigh says, but her tone is less than convinced.

[8:34 PM] DM: Gunnloda follows with Kendall at her heels, but she doesn't come close to the pit itself.

[8:35 PM] Seirixori: "How exactly did either of you think this was going to go? You just...fall down on your faces and then magically make your way back up?"

[8:36 PM] Urrak: "I mean...I have rope?," Urrak rubs the back of her neck

[8:37 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Yes, I was definitely planning on falling down an unknown pit with no way to get back up," Ryleigh snarks. She peers into the pit. "Maybe we should drop one of these glowing crystals in and see how far it goes down first."

[8:38 PM] Seirixori: "...Or I can just spider my way down, or fly, and then come back up."

[8:39 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh looks at Seir, then kicks one of the crystals into the pit and watches as it falls.

[8:40 PM] DM: It falls. And falls. And bounces off a side. And falls. And falls. And eventually, you don't see the light anymore.

[8:40 PM] Seirixori: Seir huffs for a second and sticks her tongue out at Ryleigh.

[8:41 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Looks pretty deep," Ryleigh says, with a playful wink.

[8:44 PM] Seirixori: "Ugh," Seir rolls her eyes and walks away from the hole, back towards the way they came in. "Fine, I'm sure it would have come back to eat us by now if it were still alive, anyway." She rubs at her shoulder where her mark is, "I think I need to go talk to a gnome about a tree..."

[8:46 PM] DM: So you head out of the crystal cavern and crawl back under the weird half-wall in the middle of the passage (Kendall can walk under it comfortably).

[8:48 PM] DM: You squeeze back through the hall, past the thorny passage, then back up through the center, past the machinery and up the stairs.

[8:50 PM] DM: Back through the well-lit gnome-sized locker room and desk area.

[8:50 PM] DM: You pull the levers to open the doors and walk past the rotating gears under the floors, and back out into the open air of Murias.

[8:52 PM] Seirixori: Seir is extremely excited to be outside again and says as much.

[8:52 PM] DM: You cross the bridge over the now wet canal and into the crystallized gardens.

[8:53 PM] DM: You head back north to the tree.

[8:54 PM] DM: The tree's still standing. The gnome's still cackling beneath it, talking to someone you don't see. The tree's still tilted dangerously with spires of earth and stone pressed up against it like they're trying to hold it up.

[8:57 PM] Seirixori: "Hey..." She pauses, not remembering if she ever had the gnomes name. "We killed the thing under the tree."

[8:58 PM] DM: Gnome: "HEY!!! It's MJ! You came back! He said you wouldn't come back. He thought you'd die down there, but I said HAHAHAHAHA NOPE! Not if she is who she says she is, right?"

[8:59 PM] Seirixori: Seir groans as soon as the nickname is said.

[9:00 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "She doesn't like nicknames," Ryleigh tells the gnome, and her tone isn't polite.

[9:01 PM] DM: He eyes Ryleigh. "Fine.... I won't call her MIELIKKI JUNIOR." He tries to hold his laughter in, but snorts, snickers, then falls backwards laughing.

[9:02 PM] Urrak: "I'm definitely not goin' t' miss him."

[9:03 PM] Seirixori: "Ugh, I don't know which version is worse."

[9:04 PM] DM: Kendall raises an eyebrow then steps forward. "Y'seem right knackered there, friend. Mind if I pray for you?"

[9:04 PM] DM: He stops laughing, sits up, and narrows his eyes at Kendall. "Pray? Hehehe... for ME? HAHAHAHAHA"

[9:05 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "She's pretty good at it," Ryleigh says to the gnome. "You should let her."

[9:06 PM] DM: Gnome: "What if she's working for THEM?" He turns to the side. "Do you think she is? At least she's short."

[9:06 PM] Seirixori: "Will you tell me who them is now? Or do I need to guess?"

[9:07 PM] DM: He narrows his eyes at Seir. "Wouldn't YOU like to know."

[9:08 PM] Brimeia: "If it has to do with the tree and us helping to save it, yeah we would."

[9:08 PM] Seirixori: "....No. I'm asking just to be a fucking nuisance."

[9:08 PM] DM: Kendall sighs and takes a handful of diamond dust out, then blows it at him before saying a quick prayer to Olladra, the Sovereign of Feast and Fortune, then reaches out to tag him. He shivers, then sits up, then slowly gets to his feet.

[9:09 PM] DM: Gnome: "I... thank you. It's been... so long since I could think clearly."

[9:10 PM] Urrak: Urrak blinks, "Of course he was effected by th' crystals, how could he not be?"

[9:10 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh smiles at the gnome.

[9:10 PM] Brimeia: "Was it the crystals?"

[9:11 PM] DM: Gnome: "Yes... I ran out of the diamonds to cure myself long, long ago."

[9:12 PM] Brimeia: "Sorry. That sounds terrible. You must be very dedicated to have stayed so long, even in your... condition."

[9:12 PM] DM: Gnome: "Even... addled as I was, I knew the tree was important, and I couldn't leave anyway."

[9:13 PM] Seirixori: "See. And I don't even know what it's for." Seir mumbles the last bit.

[9:13 PM] DM: Gnome: "I tried to tree stride once not long after the evacuation to get help, but I was trapped."

[9:13 PM] Seirixori: "The barrier?"

[9:14 PM] DM: Gnome: "I assume so. You say it's down now?"

9:15 PM] Seirixori: Seir nods. "Unastine asked Mielikki to take it down for me. The crystals started spreading past it."

[9:15 PM] DM: The gnome smiles. "Unastine still lives? That is... good. Good."

[9:16 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Um, sorry to interrupt, but we didn't catch your name... who are you exactly?"

[9:17 PM] Seirixori: "Is it?" She grumbles again, but half-hearted.

[9:18 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh nudges Seir's shoulder with her own at that comment.

[9:18 PM] DM: Gnome: "My name is Wrenn. I was once the Keeper of the clan here. Closest to the Lady."

[9:20 PM] Seirixori: "What? She sent me here without any kind of warning or information or anything." Seir complains.

[9:21 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Oh, I'm not saying you shouldn't be upset - trust me. I was just... nevermind, it's not important right now."

[9:21 PM] Seirixori: Seir tilts her head and nods, "Wrenn. I'm Seirixori." She pauses and then blurts out, "Did Mielikki always think everyone wants a child as a gift?"

[9:21 PM] Brimeia: "What lady?" Bri asks Wrenn.

[9:21 PM] DM: Wrenn tilts his head and looks at Seir. "You truly are the Lady's child?"

[9:22 PM] Brimeia: "Oh. That lady," Bri mumbles to herself.

[9:22 PM] DM: Wrenn: "The Lady of the Forest. Mielikki. This is- was- her holiest city. All that remains now is her Tree."

[9:23 PM] Brimeia: "Wow. Wish we could've seen it before."

[9:23 PM] Brimeia: "What happened here?"

[9:23 PM] Seirixori: Seir shifts a little uncomfortably and glances quickly to Brimeia, Gayle, and Kendall before she nods, "Yes."

[9:23 PM] Brimeia: "How did the crystals start appearing ?"

[9:25 PM] DM: His face grows dark, the wrinkles deepening. "Darkness. Corruption. A split between our people made catastrophe by an invasion from below. I-- I would rather not go too deep into it at this time. I must still do what I can to save the tree. Give me a moment, please."

[9:26 PM] DM: He turns and puts his hand to the tree and you can hear him muttering something that none of you understand.

[9:28 PM] DM: He then lifts his head and seems to speak directly to the tree. A stick falls from the tree's branches high above and lands softly in the dirt at the gnome's feet. He picks it up and holds it out to Seir. "In our... foolishness, we sought to protect Mielikki's gifts from our own. They are held behind druidic magic, but this will grant you passage. If you are hers, you should collect her gifts. They do no good here now."

[9:30 PM] Seirixori: Seir hesitates but eventually grabs the stick with a little confusion. "The thorns?"

[9:33 PM] Brimeia: "Did your invasion from below include a lot of eyeball monsters?"

[9:33 PM] DM: He nods. "She gave us four gifts that we held here in Her city. When the others became corrupted and sought to turn away from Her love and pursue  their twisted agenda... well, we were too late anyway. But between these barriers and the one that surrounded the area, the Gifts should still be within. Some are keys themselves. The Spear of Lugh, the Stone of Destiny, the Sword of Light, and Dagda's Cauldron."

[9:34 PM] DM: Wrenn: "The creatures were our ancient enemies, the Fomorii, though there are legends about a great warrior named Balor who had a great eye that would kill dozens or hundreds with a glance."

[9:36 PM] Seirixori: "The... Fomorii? So... not the Queen of Air and Darkness?"

[9:37 PM] Brimeia: "I think we might've met that Balor. Not fun. Hope that's the last of those, but maybe we should block off that hole just in case."

[9:43 PM] Urrak: "Whatever it's name was, I'm glad it's dead."

[9:44 PM] DM: Wrenn looks a bit confused. "I'm not sure I know who that is."

[9:45 PM] Seirixori: Seir shrugs, "I don't really either, just another issue that I thought might be related."

[9:46 PM] DM: Wrenn: "I sent a message to the Lady and the Circle so that they can help with the tree. It will take time to save it, but I have faith that we can do so, now."

[9:47 PM] Seirixori: Seir lets out a huge sigh of relief, "That's good."

[9:47 PM] Brimeia: "That's a relief." Bri glances at Seir.

[9:48 PM] Brimeia: "Anything else we can do to ... help that along?"

[9:51 PM] DM: Wrenn: "No, it will take the Circle and the power of the Lady herself to move this tree to a safer place. Your work, while substantial and key, is at this time over."

[9:53 PM] Brimeia: "Alright then, hope it all works out then. Glad we could help get that going."

[9:55 PM] Seirixori: "Kind of wish I could ask Findarris to come help us find stuff." Seir sighs. "Is there anything else you can tell me about where the items are, or what we might find if we do go, uh, farther underground? More crystals?"

[9:57 PM] DM: Wrenn shakes his head. "I avoided entering the Center when Murias was alive. I know our gifts were held there "for safe keeping," but whatever they did there felt... empty and later, the people who served there became selfish and corrupt."

[9:59 PM] Seirixori: She shakes her head, "They tried using crystals to have machines do... I don't know, mining more of them? There's just a bunch of dormant machines in there."

[10:01 PM] DM: Wrenn sighs. "It was the argument that tore us apart. They wanted to learn more about the crystals, use them. I cautioned against it. The Lady would give us everything we would need. The Overseer and his people turned selfish, cruel, overly ambitious. They thought of nothing but those damned crystals. They forsook Mielikki in the name of their Science."

[10:04 PM] Seirixori: Seir makes a scrunchy frowny face, "We found some similar machines a few miles away, up-river. They built a wall to stop the water from flowing this direction. Could it be the same people?"

[10:07 PM] DM: Wrenn grumbles. "Yes. The fomorii were coming up through the waters somehow. They wanted to block the river to stop the fomorii. The river itself is holy. I refused. They did it anyway, so I put up the barriers to stop them from using Mielikki's gifts after forsaking her river, her tree, her land, her people."

[10:08 PM] Brimeia: "Sounds like quite a disagreement you all had there. Should we go knock down that wall then? We just dug a little ditch around it."

[10:09 PM] Seirixori: "Well, we got some of the river coming back here, at least." She frowns.

[10:10 PM] DM: Wrenn: "I will speak to the Lady about it. Perhaps she has other plans for it now, after so long has passed." He mutters to himself wondering just how long it's been.

[10:11 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "We can't just take down that wall. It'll affect the towns and cities that have been built around it in the last thousand years," Ryleigh finally speaks up.

[10:12 PM] Brimeia: "Oh right."

[10:14 PM] Seirixori: "I can go ask Mielikki about it. The river and everything. Though she didn't even tell me about this place or what was happening to it..." She coughs, "Or I'll leave that to you because it would probably be nice for you to do that yourself after all this time."

[10:16 PM] DM: Wrenn moves his hand, causing a small stool of earth to sprout, and he tenderly lowers himself to sit on it. "I will await their arrival. The Lady will come. I am sure she misses her Tree."

[10:17 PM] DM: Gunnloda takes Seir's hand.

[10:20 PM] Seirixori: Seir gives it a squeeze and nods to Wrenn. "O-okay. We'll, uh go see about those gifts and maybe clear out any crystal creatures still left." She shifts a little, "Do you need anything?"

[10:21 PM] DM: Wrenn smiles. "The Lady provides. She's provided the magic I needed to survive, the strength to protect her tree.... and you to free us."

[10:23 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh turns away from the gnome and rolls her eyes, she starts to walk away.

10:26 PM] Seirixori: Seir looks a bit taken back by that and her cheeks have a slight red tinge. "Uh... Okay. Um... m-maybe we'll see you later." She gives a very awkward wave and starts to head towards the Center again, but very quickly releases Gunnloda's hand and goes to the tree. She presses her forehead and both hands to it and mutters a few words. She goes to release her hands and stares at the tree for a second before shaking her head.

 Then she turns and takes Gunnloda's hand again and continues forward.

[10:35 PM] DM: Forward to where?

[10:36 PM] Seirixori: ((towards the Center again))

[10:38 PM] DM: You head towards the Center!

[10:38 PM] DM: I assume to the thorny closet?

[10:39 PM] Seirixori: ((yeah. Sorta. Seir's mostly walking away out of being awkward))

[10:41 PM] DM: You head through the Center to the closet where the thorny barrier is, next to the bronze barrier with the small hole in it. As Seir points the stick at the barrier, the vines shrink and move aside and there, on a pedestal, is an iron pot.

[10:42 PM] Brimeia: Bri follows along once Seir starts moving. "So.. mission success, eh?"

[10:43 PM] Seirixori: Seir shrugs at Brimeia.

[10:43 PM] Seirixori: Seir kind of blinks and stares at the pot. "I somehow thought this would be a little harder to actually find." She heads to it and starts to reach out to it but stops.

[10:44 PM] Brimeia: "Is that the pot that feeds people they were talking about before?"

[10:44 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Possibly. We won't know until it makes food."

[10:45 PM] Seirixori: Seir pokes the pot with the stick and then finally tries to just pick it up.

[10:46 PM] DM: Roll a De--- you pick it up. It's a pot.

[10:46 PM] Brimeia: "Oh. Are these things we should be worried about touching?"

[10:46 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "This place is magic, so we should be cautious."

[10:47 PM] Seirixori: "Brimeia, I literally know nothing about this place except for what Wrenn just said. The only Helpful Gnome." She says as she starts to turn the pot over in her hands to examine it.

[10:48 PM] Brimeia: "If only magic weren't so complicated," Bri grumbles, mostly to herself.

[10:49 PM] Urrak: "Let's just get these things as fast as we can so we can get outta this deathtrap, eh?"

[10:50 PM] Seirixori: "I'd rather get them safely than quickly."

[10:50 PM] DM: Kendall: "I might be too late to save you next time."

[10:51 PM] DM: Kendall: "Kind of... underwhelming innit?"

[10:51 PM] Urrak: "Ah, yeah. Suppose that's a good point."

[10:51 PM] Seirixori: "Also, my wife healed me, but I just got thrown into a ceiling and then dropped from it... things hurt." She grumbles, continuing to poke at the pot.

[10:52 PM] Seirixori: "I thought maybe this would be more flashy... until I realized that it's Mielikki's so I'm not exactly surprised it looks so... plain."

[10:53 PM] DM: Ryleigh sings a song and almost flinches. "It's very magical. So is the stick. Obviously."

[10:54 PM] Seirixori: ((how big is it? Like the opening of it?))

[10:55 PM] DM: It looks almost identical to the one Urrak apparently carries around with her shovel.

[10:57 PM] Seirixori: "Hey, you think the Sword of Light he mentioned is kind of like Dawnbringer?" Seir actually looks like she's very much contemplating putting the pot on her head as a way to hold onto it. "I'll just... hold onto this for now."

[10:57 PM] DM: Ryleigh just says, "Maybe."

[10:59 PM] Urrak: "I'm always open t' findin' some fancy weapons."

[10:59 PM] Brimeia: "I hope one of them is a nice, big axe," Bri muses.

[11:00 PM] Seirixori: Seir looks up, "Don't you have one?" She asks Urrak, making her way back out and to the middle of the bigger room.

[11:01 PM] Urrak: "Can never have too many options, Serixiori." Urrak grins

[11:02 PM] Seirixori: "You don't even want to use anything else, so yeah, I think you can." She groans and sits down. "Can we just sit for a bit?"

[11:03 PM] Seirixori: ((what time is it anyway? Lmao))

[11:03 PM] DM: It's getting towards sundown

[11:05 PM] Urrak: "I wouldn't complain. Ye did say ye got smashed against a ceilin'."

[11:05 PM] DM: I think this would be a good place to stop for the night. You can resty squish through the week.

## Devil's Food 1

7:39 PM] Seirixori: Seir groans as she gets up and makes her way slowly to Kendall and Gunnloda. She thinks about kneeling but decides against it for fear of not being able to get back up. Instead, she places a hand on Gunnloda's shoulder and squeezes gently. "Tor beag, Kendall," She gives a smile and nods to her. "I'm going to go head back to the tree and talk to it-- and Wrenn. To make sure his message got through."

[7:41 PM] DM: Gunnloda's brows pull together. "Y'sure that's safe, sor'odko?"

[7:43 PM] Seirixori: She smiles softly, "I'll take Ryleigh with me. And," she holds up the stick and pot with a cheeky grin. "I can throw these at things."

[7:47 PM] DM: She glances worriedly at Ryleigh. "She up for that? Last couple days have hit her hard."

[7:49 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh is leaning against a nearby wall, clearly stuck in her head.

[7:49 PM] Seirixori: Seir chuckles, "Even if she weren't, you know she'll... lovingly force her way into coming with me."

[7:53 PM] DM: Gunnloda sighs and takes Seir's hand. She murmurs something in Dwarven and Seir can feel magical energy surrounding her, almost encasing her, then it seeps into her skin. "Be careful. Come back, even if it means... we all go back for her."

[7:57 PM] Seirixori: Seir laughs again, leans down and places a kiss on Gunnloda's head, "I will, llaro."

[8:00 PM] Seirixori: Seir makes her way to Ryleigh.

[8:04 PM] DM: Gunnloda motions towards one side of the room to Kendall and the two of them step to the side while the rest of the party eats and gets ready for camp.

## Seiryleigh and the Tree

8:01 PM] Seirixori: Seir leans against the same wall, opposite of Ryleigh, "Hey." It's soft and quiet and she's a little fidgety. The stick in one of her hands and the pot being held between the same arm and her body.

[8:14 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh smiles, but it looks fake and it doesn't reach her eyes. "Hey, yourself. Going somewhere?"

[8:16 PM] Seirixori: Seir holds out her hand, "Only if you come with me... please?"

[8:19 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh takes Seir's hand and nods, the fake smile still present.

[8:23 PM] Seirixori: Seir quickly leads her out of the Center, but once outside she slows down considerably and starts to lead Ryleigh towards the tree. "Talk to me?"

[8:25 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "What's there to say? Apparently I'm chatty and fun and more likable without my memory."

[8:29 PM] Seirixori: Seir stops and places her hands on her hips and frowns at Ryleigh, which is probably more comical than Seir wishes with the items she's still holding, "No."

[8:32 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "You and Dawnbringer being the exception," Ryleigh corrects. "But... I'll be fine. I'm... I'm more concerned about you. I-" she stares down at her feet. "I know my memory loss hurt you terribly."

[8:39 PM] Seirixori: "Rukiya too..." She says before going quiet again. She doesn't say anything or move for a few seconds. "You know, maybe it'll, it'll- h--help when-- when" She let's Ryleigh's hand go, just long enough to grab the pot, and throws her arms around Ryleigh in a hug, crying again.

[8:49 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh’s arms come up around Seir too. After a minute or so, she starts to sing a familiar lullaby - the one Seir knows Clemency would sing to Ry when she was upset.

[9:00 PM] Seirixori: Seir's grip tightens and there's a small whine as she tries to calm down. "I- I mi-missed you so much."

[9:05 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “I’m so sorry you had to miss me at all.” Ryleigh’s hand trails softly up and down Seir’s back. “But I’m here now, and I’m not going anywhere... okay?”

[9:15 PM] Seirixori: "O-okay, okay," Seir manages. She pulls back only enough to look at Ryleigh's face as she takes her time to study her. There's a moment where she looks like she's going to say something, but in the end she only continues to look at Ryleigh.

[9:16 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “What is it? You can say it...”

[9:23 PM] Seirixori: She shakes her head, "I don't know *how* to say it and I'd- I'd kind of rather not stumble through it right now. I really did have another thing to do," She nods towards the direction of the tree. She gives a little crooked grin, "Maybe I'll figure it out, or I'll wait for Rukiya to use her fancy words."

[9:27 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh nods, and offers a small authentic smile. “Can you at least tell me if its something good or bad?”

[9:33 PM] Seirixori: "I think it's good." Seir pulls all the way back now, sticking the pot on the stick and takes Ryleigh's hand again, finally heading towards the tree again.

[9:36 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “I don’t know how to feel about the memory loss,” Ryleigh finally says as they walk towards the tree.

[9:57 PM] Seirixori: "Not a lot you could do about it." She sighs, "I would tell you that you shouldn't worry, but I know you will anyway." She gives a small smile.

[10:12 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “Yeah...” Ryleigh squeezes Seir’s hand for a brief moment. “You were definitely irritated with my antics. I can’t believe you didn’t like my ‘is it hot in here or is it just me’ line.” She snaps her fingers and her armor starts smoking.

[10:14 PM] Seirixori: Seir groans again and instead of walking beside Ryleigh she pulls her so she's leading, "The worst."

[10:32 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ry lets out a soft laugh, letting Seir lead for a solid 30 seconds, before tugging her back to her side. “Why didn’t you like me like that? Why...” she stops herself, pursing her lips momentarily then asking, “why do you like broken me?”

[10:46 PM] Seirixori: Seir sucks in an audible breath and she stutters out some words before she stops and tries again, "I don't!" She almost yells. "I don't," she repeats, much quieter. "It hurt-- it hurt so much because I thought at least you--." She shakes her head, "It wasn't about you not being broken. It was-- it was about you not remembering your family. About forgetting me, Rukiya, Clemency, your dad, your brother, those dragonborn you told me about. Forgetting all of that family, that--that love." She sniffles a little, trying to stop herself from crying *again*.

"So, yes, it was *really* nice seeing you so carefree and not worried or--or hidden away to protect yourself. But.. but you didn't know-- you couldn't remember where you-- where your-- you didn't sing." She finally says, unable to really put it to words, but hoping Ryleigh understands at least a little bit of what she's going for.

[10:55 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Pulling Seir to stop, Ryleigh uses her free hand to cup Seir’s cheek. She nods and presses a kiss to Seir’s forehead. “It’s strange. All of it feels like some kind of weird dream where I wasn’t me but... kind of was me. I’m sorry for asking... I remember you saying that you didn’t like it because I wasn’t *your* Ryleigh.” She drops her hand from Seir's face and in an odd display of honesty and vulnerability, Ryleigh admits something she probably wouldn’t have, “It hurts that the others don’t like me like this...”

[3:30 AM] Seirixori: Seir frowns and huffs, "Yeah, well, they're stupid." She kicks at a little at the dirt, "Or they just like seeing you because they don't know how to do that with the walls." She mumbles a little, reluctant to say it.

[10:36 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh sighs, her shoulders dropping slightly. Instead of responding, she tugs Seir so they start walking towards the tree again.

[12:21 PM] Seirixori: "Sorry," she whispers. Seir doesn't say anything else, leaving Ryleigh to her thoughts and she struggles slightly to get her focus to shift towards the tree as they get closer.

[12:27 PM] DM: As you approach, you can see several of the druids - mostly gnomes - getting situated in a circle around the tree. A bright light flashes and several more, followed by Unastine, walk out of the tree itself. Wrenn seems to be directing traffic.

[12:30 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “Whoa,” Ryleigh says at the sudden appearance of people coming out of the tree.

[12:34 PM] Seirixori: Seir squeezes Ryleigh's hand before she lets it go and gets closer to the tree and the people. She frowns a moment at Unastine, but turns her attention to Wrenn. "Oh, that's good. I was coming back to make sure..." She kind of waves her hands, nearly forgetting about the items in one, indicating to the people around them. "Do you-- can I h-help? Or watch? I can just watch."

[12:36 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh stays where Seir left her, choosing not to move closer. She watches Seir, making sure she’s okay.

[12:37 PM] DM: Wrenn smiles. "If you like, but we'll be praying for... at least through the night. Possibly longer."

[12:45 PM] Seirixori: Seir scrunches her face, clearly not wanting to do that. "Maybe... for a few minutes then." She shifts on her feet, feeling like maybe she should say something else, but can't think of anything and she quickly turns and faces the tree.

[12:45 PM] Seirixori: After a moment of looking, she heads towards it, purposely walking by Unastine as she does. She places her free hand on it and whispers in Druidic, *"I wish you'd told me... I'm glad I could help you."*

[12:47 PM] DM: The tree answers in Mielikki's voice. *"Told you what?"*

[12:56 PM] Seirixori: Seir blinks and looks at the tree and then her hand and then back to the tree again before she finally answers back, *"A-about this place. What was wrong... any of it? All of it?"* She shrugs, *"It-- I didn't know."*  she finishes, feeling more upset with herself for never asking.

[12:59 PM] DM: *"Wrong... yes. Something is wrong."*

[1:02 PM] Seirixori: Seir's brow furrows and she tilts her head, *" We got the thing below the tree. Is-- is there more?"*

[1:03 PM] DM: *"Fuzzy. Unclear."*

[1:07 PM] Seirixori: *"Is there anything I can do to make it clearer? A lot of ou--your people are here, Wrenn, Unastine-- he said they were going to pray around the tree. Oh! I have your pot thing too."*

[1:09 PM] DM: Wrenn approaches. *"We are going to move the tree. I'm hopeful that if we remove it from the crystals, the connection will be restored."*

[1:13 PM] Seirixori: Seir frowns, *"Is that safe? Should it be moved? She said--, "* she stops and doesn't continue, focusing on the tree again, wishing she had something to talk to it.

[1:17 PM] DM: Wrenn smiles, it's soft and a little sad. *"It will be fine. It is part of Her. I... I spoke with her briefly. She seems to have been greatly affected by all of this. Your arrival... your actions... have brought salvation."*

[1:26 PM] Seirixori: Her eyebrow raises a bit, *"You spoke to her before we left?"*

[1:28 PM] DM: Wrenn: *"Shortly after, through the tree. She was unable to speak without its assistance. It is a sort of conduit."*

[1:37 PM] Seirixori: She nods, her focus back on the tree and instead of whispering she says in her mind, *"They're going to move the tree. That should help, right?"*

[1:42 PM] DM: There isn't a verbal response, but she feels a warmth.

[2:38 PM] Seirixori: She turns back to Wrenn, her hand still on the tree, kind of like she doesn't want to let go, *"I should speak with Unastine before I go back..."*

[2:42 PM] DM: Wrenn smiles. *"Strange to see her so old. Would you like me to get her for you?"*

[2:46 PM] Seirixori: She hesitates but eventually nods, *"If you don't mind."*

[2:48 PM] DM: Wrenn smiles again and leaves to find Unastine.

[2:50 PM] Seirixori: *"They'll get the tree moved and I'll find the gifts you'd given them... and hopefully clear out this place a bit. Even if no one comes back to it."* She says once Wrenn leaves.

[3:01 PM] DM: *"Yes."*

[3:03 PM] DM: Unastine hobbles over.

[3:05 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh moves close enough so she can overhear Unastine and Seir speak.

[3:07 PM] Seirixori: It takes Seir a moment to not bite out her question in anger, "Was there a reason you didn't tell me what to expect here?"

[3:14 PM] DM: Unastine's neutral expression turns to a frown. "What was I supposed to say,  exactly?"

[3:18 PM] Seirixori: "*Anything* other than, 'you'll see when you get there.' What the crystals did, how they effect people, *something* to better prepare us than nearly going insane to figure it out because you somehow didn't feel like any of that was important."

[3:26 PM] DM: Unastine: "I didn't know the extent of much of it. So quick to pass judgment when you know so little."

[3:37 PM] Seirixori: Series eyes narrow, "And why is it that I know so little, when I was left for you to teach me?"

[3:43 PM] DM: Her jaw clenches a bit but she doesn't respond right away. "You have clearly learned enough to be able to do what you've done here. My life is not your lesson."

[3:55 PM] Seirixori: Seir nearly snarls, her teethed bared, "*Clearly* you seem content to let Her teachings, Her history, die with you." Seir removes her hand from the tree briefly to rub at her mark. "I only learned as much as I did because I was away from you. You may not have hurt me with your words like the others, or tried to trick me, but you *clearly* wanted nothing to do with me. Even when *your* god left me in your care."

[3:56 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh silently walks over to Seir and takes her hand.

[5:02 PM] DM: The color drains from her face and she sounds flustered when she replies,  "I- you- I've done no such thing and this is not the time or the place for this conversation."

[5:14 PM] Seirixori: Seir snorts, and with a low, barely controlled growl she says, "No, you're right. *Never* will be the right time to have *any* conversation with you."

[5:16 PM] DM: Wrenn steps up to the three of you. "What's happening over here? This is a good day. Why is there so much negativity?"

[5:18 PM] Seirixori: Seir, her eyes not having left Unastine, says, "Just a question about important information and *teaching*. Or a lack thereof."

[5:21 PM] DM: Unastine: "It's not important. We should start the ritual."

[5:25 PM] DM: Wrenn seems a bit surprised. "Well now, we have the last Keeper, the Lady's Chosen, and her own kin here. Seems anything that happens between any of the three of us is important. *Especially* considering what we're about to do."

[5:29 PM] Seirixori: Seir nods to Wrenn, her eyes still not leaving Unastine, but she doesn't give any response.

[5:31 PM] DM: Unastine's nerves seem to harden. "It's not *my* fault that you were never around to teach."

[5:42 PM] Seirixori: "Again, you're right. It wasn't *your* fault they trapped me in a tent with someone I'd already had to bury. It wasn't *your* fault the things they called me, to my face. It wasn't *your* fault the tent, if you can call it that, I lived in has been used as someone's target practice. Of course it wasn't *your* fault when I would be their target for spell practice. No, because you eventually came around, but only if it got too violent. So, sorry that I thought it better to *leave*." Seir's voice gets lower as she speaks. She squeezes Ryleigh's hand tightly as she tries to not focus so hard on the anger, unsure of how much longer she can control it.

[5:46 PM] DM: Wrenn's frown gets deeper and deeper as he listens to Seir until he turns to Unastine. "You let the Lady's own *child* be treated like this? And she-- she couldn't even intervene in her current state." There's a literal flash in his eyes as his mind continues to work after his mouth has closed.

[5:49 PM] DM: Unastine's hard expression cracks and her eyes go wide, like she's been put on the defensive. "You- you don't understand. You don't know what it was like after."

Wrenn narrows his eyes. "You're right. I don't... because I was here, tending to our Lady as best I could, cut off from her and the rest of my people... but I do know what it was like before. You were never the best student, but was I such a poor teacher?"

[5:52 PM] DM: Wrenn shakes his head. "So many peculiarities... I suppose I didn't want to see the obvious reason."

[6:03 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh squeezes Seir’s hand back and presses a quick kiss to the temple of her head. “You have every right to be angry, *homashoc*... but try to breathe - they *may* feel threatened if you turn into a bear.”

[6:04 PM] Seirixori: Seir rolls her shoulders and huffs, "Obvious reason?"

[6:13 PM] DM: Wrenn: "The Circle. There's barely a druid here who can even shift. They looked at me with blank stares when I told them what ritual we'd be performing. There's not one person who knows what this city was besides..." he turns his gaze on Unastine. "You."

Unastine tries to bluster back, a slight spark running the length of the staff she carries. "I was the only survivor--"

Wrenn's voice cuts her off with a crack of thunder. "No. No, you were not." He seems to stand taller as he continues, his voice carrying and growing in volume. "You stand here using the Staff of Storm like a walking stick, dragonscale on your back while your people flounder and *your goddess suffers*. You sit alone at Her side as if it is your place and not the place of all her people. Your ambition has poisoned you and nobody could stop it because you even poisoned Her."

[6:13 PM] DM: By this time, the other druids have started to take notice and have been gathering around, getting closer and listening.

[6:16 PM] Seirixori: Seir lets go of Ryleigh's hand at this point, taking a small step forward, "*What*?"

[6:16 PM] DM: Unastine shakes her head, looking like a child who's been caught with their hand in the cookie jar and fears the punishment to come. "N-no, I... I didn't know..."

[6:20 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh’s hand grips Dawnbringer as Seir let’s it go. Her eyes bounce between the old gnome, unastine, and Seir.

[6:24 PM] DM: Wrenn: "You knew enough. You knew what these crystals were doing to our kin. You knew sealing me in here would be a death sentence. You watched her weaken and *did nothing*."

[6:29 PM] Seirixori: "You *did* know," Seir doesn't bother to control it this time. However, instead of the bear it's her slightly larger than normal dire wolf form standing there and growling at Unastine.

[6:33 PM] DM: Unastine grips her staff, almost using it to shield herself from Seir.

[6:43 PM] DM: Wrenn sighs. "And I was about to make matters worse with this ritual... but I don't know how to proceed."

[6:46 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh steps in front of Seir, facing her. “*Homashoc*, what’s important right now is healing the tree and helping Mielikki.”

[6:50 PM] Seirixori: Seir growls again for good measure and takes her sweet time reverting back. She glares hard over Ryleigh's shoulder at Unastine then turns to look at Wrenn. "I'm not sure what you need, but know I will try."

[6:53 PM] DM: Wrenn: "To move the tree, I was going to imbue it with the remainder of my life force. It would make the tree ambulatory long enough to get out of this place, to a spot where it, and she, could heal. But now I'm not so sure that I can leave this Circle in Unastine's care."

[7:00 PM] Seirixori: Seir frowns and there are so many thoughts through her head and she struggles a moment and then looks at the stick in her hand and then at herself. "Does it have to be *all* of someone's life force?"

[7:02 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “Could... could everyone sacrifice a little of their life force to move the tree?” Ry chimes in.

[7:04 PM] DM: Wrenn shakes his head. "It involves cutting the still beating heart of a volunteer out. It is not the kind of sacrifice many can make."

[7:07 PM] Seirixori: "Oh, that one." Seir continues to frown and she glances at Ryleigh briefly. "I could--" she shakes her head, "...is there possibly another way?"

[7:09 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh grabs Seir’s hand and drags her a few feet away. “Y-you should stay and take care of Mie- your people,” Ryleigh says, her voice shaking a little. “It’s what you were born to do.”

[7:14 PM] Seirixori: Seir's silent as Ryleigh speaks, her head down. With her on shaky breath she says, "They've never been my people. There's not a single one of them that would listen to me." She squeezes Ryleigh's hand, drops it, and walks back to Wrenn.

[7:18 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh follows Seir back, but she stays a pace away... making sure she isn’t infringing on Seirs space.

[8:20 PM] Seirixori: When she gets to him she says, very hesitantly, "I-Is that the only way? To move the tree?"

[8:22 PM] DM: Wrenn considers for a moment, but sighs. "I don't know of another. Not with our Lady as weak as she is. I'm open to ideas, but... whatever we do, it must be soon before the weight of the tree collapses the cavern beneath."

[8:27 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “Wrenn, would you feel comfortable leaving the Circle in Seirixori’s care?”

[8:29 PM] Seirixori: Seir's eyes widen at Ryleigh actually making the suggestion and she quickly says, "No, I-- that's not a viable option."

[8:30 PM] DM: Unastine starts to object, but Wrenn shoots a look at her and she clams up. "Why would it not be an option?"

[8:35 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “It’s starting to sound like the only viable option,” Ryleigh says.

[8:37 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “Something would have to be done about that one though.” She points at Unastine. “I refuse to leave Seirixiori with her after the emotional abuse and neglect she put her through.”

[8:42 PM] Seirixori: Seir's eyes begin to tear up, "No. I- I can't. They wouldn't listen to me and-- and I don't *know* anything! I didn't even know about this!" She motions to the tree. "The only reason we even got the Center open is because I'm not a complete idiot. I c-can't stay. There's too much I have to do... there-- Ryleigh, stop, please." She begs.

[8:53 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh steps in front of Seirixori and takes her face in her hands. “I love you, and I don’t want you to stay but...” Ryleigh’s voice breaks. “You’re special...” Her eyes fill with tears. “Rukiya and I... we’ll come visit you and Gunnloda here. I can bring you Stool. It’ll be fine.”

[9:03 PM] Seirixori: "No," she whispers through her own tears. She takes Ryleigh's hands and pulls them off her face. "No." She says more sternly. She moves aside, addressing Wrenn again. "I can't. There will be no benefit of me teaching them. I do not know enough-- and I cannot sacrifice myself for many reasons. Which really leaves one option, doesn't it?" Her eyes glance over at Unastine and then back to Wrenn.

[9:05 PM] DM: Unastine physically recoils to the point that she takes a few unsteady steps back. "You can't be serious."

[9:08 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh glances at Seirixori then at Wrenn and Unastine. She doesn’t say anything more, she just stands next to Seir.

[9:12 PM] Seirixori: "Are you going to actually start teaching things? Letting them grow?" Seir shakes her head, "Not that your answer really matters at this point. I don't trust you."

[9:19 PM] DM: Wrenn: "It wouldn't matter. I can't imagine our Lady will be pleased once she's restored and understands what's happened." He doesn't even pause as he turns to Unastine. "I hope I don't have to tell you it would be pointless to try to run from her judgment."

[9:21 PM] DM: At this, the weight of all that's happened in the last few minutes seems to truly hit Unastine. Her composure and attempts to diminish what she'd done shatter. She stumbles against the tree, leaning against it heavily as tears start rolling through the deep creases of her face.

[9:37 PM] Seirixori: Seir sighs and shakes her head, a small part of her feeling bad. "I don't really know how else to help the tree, unless there's some way we can just reinforce it from the cavern below. Or if it can somehow be transported out of this place with all those mining carts." It's a bit it a joke, but she's a little serious too.

[9:47 PM] DM: Wrenn shakes his head. "If it were possible, it would take too long."

[9:54 PM] DM: Wrenn looks at Unastine and the hardness and disappointment slowly fades to pity and compassion. "You've lost your way... but there is a path to redemption for you. When our Lady recovers, she's likely to strip you of your powers. Without them, you might have days. Likely far less. You wanted to be important... more important than any one of us has any claim to. It is truly pushing the definition of 'volunteer,' but joining your essence to the tree to save it may bring you some last shred of favor with her. Perhaps she'll even allow you to stay in the Grove instead of barring your entry." He sighs again, turning to Seir. "I can't say the thought hadn't crossed my mind, but in the absence of guidance from our Lady, I must ask you to offer yours as her proxy. Do you believe this to be the best course of action?"

[10:05 PM] Seirixori: Seir's eyes widen and her shoulders tense. The only movement from her is her tail, twisting about behind her. "I--uh," her eyes darting between Wrenn, Unastine, and the tree. She doesn't dare look at Ryleigh. With a deep breath and a brief closing of her eyes, Seir nods. "I see no other way."

[10:09 PM] DM: He nods respectfully and says, "Thank you," then turns to Unastine. "What say you? Will you take my place in the ritual and seek your redemption by saving our Lady?"

[10:12 PM] DM: In this moment, she looks even smaller than her gnome form usually does. She tries to regain at least some shred of her dignity, but avoids looking in Seir's direction as she stands and nods.

[10:16 PM] Seirixori: Seir takes a step back, twisting the staff in her hands, unsure if she should say anything else at this point.

[10:18 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ry cautiously reaches out, placing her hand on Seir’s shoulder for a brief moment before withdrawing it. “Did you want to stay for the ritual?”

[10:21 PM] Seirixori: "I-- I don't know how long it will take."

[10:23 PM] DM: Wrenn: "A full day, effectively, though if you'd like to be present for any particular part, it would be your right and our honor to have you there."

[10:27 PM] Seirixori: "I kind of want to-- no." She kind of mutters to herself. "Maybe-- maybe once you're done and the tree starts moving? It might be best for my friends and I to find the gifts you spoke of while also taking care of anything left here so it doesn't interrupt."

[10:30 PM] DM: Wrenn: "We should finish at sunrise, not tomorrow, but the next day."

[10:34 PM] Seirixori: She nods, "I will find my way. We'll be in the Center for the night if you need anything."

[10:36 PM] DM: He nods. "Thank you again. I have faith that you will, in time, answer the call."

[10:37 PM] Seirixori: She turns to leave quickly, only briefly stopping to pause by Ryleigh's side, just to make sure she follows, and starts heading back towards the Center.

[10:38 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh does follow Seir, because of course she does.

[10:42 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh sighs once they’re far enough away from the tree. “Did I overstep?”

[10:48 PM] Seirixori: Seir doesn't respond right away, in fact it's long enough that Ryleigh might think she *won't* respond. When she does, there's a sadness in her hushed tone, "You tell me you like that I tell you the truth, yet every time I do, you're sad after. And while I *think* I know better, it felt like you were  trying to get rid of me just now." She stops and looks at Ryleigh, "I know you try to protect yourself by not getting too close to people and I thought I was an exception. Now, I'm not so sure." She takes another second to hold Ryleigh's gaze and then she turns and continues back to their camp.

[10:50 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “I didn’t know,” Ryleigh admits, not continuing forward.

[10:58 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: She literally plops down on the ground, puts her hands in her lap and says, “Pushing people away is something I’ve been doing without realizing it. It’s an automatic response for me and... I don’t know when that became something regular in my life.” She sighs again, but it’s defeated. “I believe you have a higher purpose, and it felt selfish to not suggest you stay and lead them, but maybe I was being selfish by trying to get you to go.”

[11:12 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “And sometimes it hurts when you’re telling me the truth... and yes, sometimes it makes me sad, but you’re one of the people I can be me around and not hide what I’m feeling.” Ryleigh falls to her back, and looks toward the sky. “Or... I thought you were, but I hide from you too. Losing my memory... it made me see that I’m unapproachable... that I’m so riddled with guilt I can’t function... and that I push people away unknowingly - because I don’t feel deserving, because I believe that anyone who loves me will pay a price that’s too high to ask. The anger and isolation and self harm is all I know now. My family would be ashamed of me... they died so I could live, but I’m so fucked up that I don’t know how to move forward... even when I try to.”

[11:21 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “I feel stuck and the strides I make never feel like enough. It always feels like I’m taking one step forward only to take two steps back. And you don’t deserve to hurt because I don’t know how to be what you need.”

[11:33 PM] Seirixori: Seir slowed to a stop when Ryleigh first spoke up, now she's turned around by the end of her speech. "You have Rukiya. You... You have me. Kind of Gunnloda by extent. Brimeia has warmed up to you and you know Urrak is still trying with you. So maybe look around once and a while. There are people here for *you*. You just need to get your head out of your ass every now and then to see that there *is* progress, no matter how small you think it is." She walks to Ryleigh and holds out her hand, "Get up, Gunnloda will kill you if you keep me out here any longer."

[11:40 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh looks like she’s about to say something, but she stops herself and takes Seir’s hand to stand. She drops it as soon as she does and starts walking them in the direction they need to be.

[11:46 PM] Seirixori: "Do me a favor though," and her voice is a little strained, but serious. "Stop trying to make decisions for me... You-- *I* don't want my feelings for you to be similar to the ones I have for Urrak."

[11:50 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “I wasn’t trying to make the decision for you.” Ryleigh looks over at her. “I was trying to voice what you already know. It’ll be you leading them one day... and they needed you. I know how stubborn you can be and I just wanted to reassure you that *if* staying was your decision... it’d all work out.”

[12:01 AM] Seirixori: "One day. One day a *long* time from now. When you're gone and Gunnloda's... When I actually know what I'm doing. How can I be the one to help them when I know *nothing* about Mielikki? You know that. So even if you think you weren't trying to... you kind ofwere doing it anyway."

[12:05 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: “I know you don’t know a lot about her, but from the conversation it sounds like Mielikki hasn’t been herself for quite some time. She’d be able to teach you once she and her tree are restored. I’m not Urrak. I won’t make decisions for you, but I’m also not Gunnloda and I won’t stay quiet when I know something needs to be said.”

[12:09 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: “I also know you’re tired - physically and mentally - and that you’re very angry with Unastine. Any other time, I’d let you use me as an outlet for your frustration, but I’m afraid I’ll break if you do that right now.”

[12:19 AM] Seirixori: If Ryleigh is looking she can see Seir clench and unclench her jaw several times. "Then this discussion needs to wait until later."

[12:35 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh is looking, and she does catch the movement. She softly brushes the back of her fingers against Seir’s jaw and... a few tears fall from Ryleigh’s eyes. “I’m sorry. I... I’m just not okay right now.”

[12:40 AM] Seirixori: "I know. Nei-- I know." Seir briefly gives Ryleigh's have a squeeze, but again, lets her hand go instead of keeping their connection.

[12:42 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: Several more tears make their way down Ryleigh’s cheeks, her lip quivers, and she swallows hard in an effort to stop crying, but she continues to walk at Seir’s side.

[12:48 AM] Seirixori: Seir sighs heavily and once the Center is in view she stops and pulls Ryleigh into a tight hug, "I'm sorry."

[12:54 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh continues to silently cry into the hug. Her hands fist into Seir's clothes in an effort to keep her close and she manages to mutter, “I love you... so much. Don’t forget.”

[12:58 AM] Seirixori: "I love you too..." She whispers, rubbing her hands down Ryleigh's back. "...but I'm still kind of mad at you."

[1:02 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: She nods while actively trying to loosen her grip on Seir. “I don’t mean to poison everything,” She says, like that explains anything.

[1:04 AM] Seirixori: Seir scoffs and tightens her own grip on Ryleigh, "Shut up."

[1:10 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: There’s a sniffle... or three in acknowledgement. Then after *maybe* 3 minutes or so Ryleigh pulls back a little. She’s still clearly crying.

[1:27 AM] Seirixori: "Do you want to go inside?" She whispers, wiping some of the tears from Ryleigh's face.

[8:39 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: “I’ll just bring the mood down...” Ryleigh answers, blinking several times in an attempt to halt the tears leaking from her eyes - it doesn’t work. “I don’t want them to have more reason to miss ‘memory loss’ me...”

[1:44 PM] Seirixori: Seir sighs, "I will stay out here with you, but... It would be a step towards letting them see that you aren't a robot." She teases lightly. "I'm not going to push you, but it is an option."

[1:50 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Do you really think it'd help?" Ryleigh mumbles.

[2:03 PM] Seirixori: "Yes." She places a kiss on Ryleigh's forehead. "We don't have to go in right away, maybe when your a little calmer, but... they do worry. They'll probably be even better at making you feel better." She pauses. "Okay actually ignore that part, there's a high chance for something dumb to be said and accidentally hurt your feelings. But it *is* a chance for them to get to know you more. Even if it's just a tiny bit, *issui'as*."

[2:51 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “Alright, I’ll try,” Ryleigh sighs, sniffling again and pressing her forehead to Seir’s. “Seirixori, even if it wasn’t my intention to hurt you, I still did and I’m sorry. I hate it when we fight.”

[2:55 PM] Seirixori: "I know. I do too. It feels terrible." She has her own sniffles, "Sorry for taking out my... frustration on you."

[4:12 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh pulls back a little and gives Seir a watery smile. “It’s okay. I’d rather you take it out on me than bottle it up and rip Urrak’s face off in bear form.”

[4:14 PM] Seirixori: Seir snorts out a laugh, "I guess."  She takes Ryleigh's hands, "C'mon, they're probably worried." But she wants for it to be Ryleigh who leads them inside.

[4:28 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “One more thing... before we go inside... I know what it’s like to be judge, jury, and executioner... when you need or want to talk about it, I’m here.”

[4:31 PM] Seirixori: Her whole body seems to tense, "I know."

[5:07 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh squeezes Seir’s hand and takes a deep breath. “Okay, I’m ready.” She walks them to the others.

## Back to the others

5:08 PM] DM: Seir and Ry are gone for a while. Long enough that anyone paying attention can tell Gunnloda's getting anxious, but Kendall's keeping her calm and occupied, sitting against a far wall of the room, talking quietly and occasionally tracing her fingers over Gunnloda's hands.

[5:23 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh walks in first, her hand in Seir’s. It’s very obvious that she’s been crying - she occasionally sniffles, her cheeks are still damp with tears, and her eyes are red and puffy. She presses a quick kiss to Seir’s hand and softly says, “go,” with a head nod in Gunnloda and Kendall’s direction.

[5:37 PM] Seirixori: Seir's entire body is tense, her tail twisting agitatedly behind her. She nods to Ryleigh and starts to head towards Gunnloda and Kendall but stops several feet away.  She looks back towards the door, at a wall, the little room off to the side... and she sits down where she is, closing her eyes and taking a few deep breaths.

[5:41 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ry stays by the door, choosing a spot next to it to take a seat with her back pressing firmly against the wall, her knees pulled to her chest.

[5:41 PM] DM: Gunnloda stands and moves to Seir's side, kneeling next to her and putting a hesitant hand on her forearm. "Y'ok, darlin'?"

[5:49 PM] Seirixori: Seir shakes her head and whispers, "N-no, I don't think so."

[5:50 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "What d'you need?"

[5:52 PM] Seirixori: She continues shaking her head, "I don't know, I don't know."

[5:55 PM] DM: Gunnloda pulls her into her arms and Seir can feel the rhythmic pulses of gentle magic she usually uses when she's trying to help Seir sleep after a nightmare.

[6:08 PM] Seirixori: The stiffness in her shoulders lessens slightly, but the tears finally start flowing. She tries to say something and has to start over several times before she finally gets it out. "Wrenn was going to sacrifice himself so the tree could move out of here..." She stops there, her thoughts still a chaotic mess.

[6:11 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "Take your time, darlin'. We're not goin' anywhere. Take a deep breath."

[6:15 PM] Seirixori: "Turns out," She a watery laugh, "Turns out Unastine was fucking over the whole Circle, not just me." She sniffs, "He-- he didn't want to- didn't want to leave it in her care anymore and Ryleigh..."

[6:16 PM] Seirixori: "I know she didn't mean it, I know what she was doing. I know. But it still--" She hiccups as the tears fall faster, "It still felt like she was trying to get rid of me."

[6:28 PM] DM: Gunnloda frowns and her eyes dart up to glance at Ry, then she returns her focus to Seir. She's quiet for a long moment and it's not clear if she's just trying to figure out what to say or trying to keep her voice down, but she finally says the Dwarven phrase that she'd taught Seir back on Sariel's ship.

[6:48 PM] Seirixori: She shakes her head, "I can't. I can't teach them, not yet. I know so little. And I said as much so the only option I thought that was left was... was for Unastine to sacrifice herself." Seir closes her eyes and releases a shaky breath.

[7:00 PM] DM: Gunnloda doesn't say anything, just continues to hold Seir tight, uses her cantrips, and runs her hand along her back.

[7:25 PM] Seirixori: "I-it was my idea. Th-there wasn't another way. Anything else we could have tried would have taken too long, it would have-- Mielikki would have died. H-he asked me to-- in place of her-- I was the one with the final decision."

[7:31 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh shifts like she’s about to get up, but then she settles back against wall, looking conflicted.

[7:34 PM] DM: Gunnloda leans back and tilts Seir's chin up. "Y'did your best, darlin'. Sometimes that's all we can do."

[8:03 PM] Seirixori: Tears continue to stream down Seir's face as she looks at Gunnloda. "U-unastine sent me here without telling me anything on purpose, she didn't teach me-- or them-- anything on purpose. She was letting Mielikki slowly wither away... b-but does that mean it was okay for me t-to be the one who decided she had to sacrifice herself?" She's not really asking for the answer, it's really her voicing the thoughts running through her mind.

[8:13 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "Are y'worried that you only picked her 'cause she hurt you?"

[8:17 PM] Seirixori: She gives a very tiny nod.

[8:25 PM] DM: Gunnloda closes her eyes and rests her forehead against Seir's. "You're a good person, darlin'. If it was the only way, it was the only way."

[8:32 PM] Seirixori: "It doesn't feel good," she whispers.

[8:38 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "It's not supposed to."

[8:56 PM] Seirixori: "Th-the tree is going to move after tomorrow. I-I wanted to go see it, but I don't know how long it will take us to get th-the items."

[9:14 PM] DM: Gunnloda takes Seir's hands and presses a kiss to them. "We can come back up. Y'know I'd rather not be under any longer than we have to anyway."

[9:40 PM] Seirixori: Seir gives a genuine smile, "Thank you." She tilts her head a little to glance at Kendall then back to Gunnloda, "Sorry if I interrupted."

[9:56 PM] DM: Gunnloda smiles a little. "No... she was mostly keepin' me distracted from worryin' about you."

[10:03 PM] Seirixori: There's a small smirk at one corner of Seir's lips but she says, "I would have taken you back to the tree if it wasn't-- well, not that I knew it then but-- if it wasn't actually a piece of Mielikki." She frowns in thought, "Or something to that effect."

[10:15 PM] DM: Gunnloda nods. "I figured as much. I just... didn't want you gettin' in trouble out there."

[10:16 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh gets up and slowly walks over to Seir. "I'm sorry... I can't take it anymore." She kneels down and says, "I had to come ask... are you okay? Or, feeling better?"

[10:18 PM] DM: Gunnloda watches Seir carefully for any discomfort from Ry's presence.

[10:21 PM] Seirixori: Seir's shoulders tense again and she sighs. "Ryleigh..." She trails off, not really sure what to say.

[10:24 PM] DM: Gunnloda's voice is harder than usual when she says, "Maybe you should give her some space."

[10:45 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh’s eyes water at Gunnloda’s words and she nods at Seir’s silence. Excusing herself, Ry walks away and out the door. She pokes her head back in briefly just to announce to the group that she needs some air and is right outside. She also doesn’t bother to hide the crack in her voice or her tears.

[10:49 PM] Seirixori: Seir slumps as soon as she leaves. "Thank you." She sniffles, not really wanting to cry again.

[10:50 PM] DM: Gunnloda just pulls her in for another tight hug.

[10:56 PM] Seirixori: Of course that makes her start crying anyway and she manages to get out, "S-she shouldn't be-be alone right now, t-though."

[10:58 PM] Urrak: "I can go an' talk t' her... If ye think it'll... Help, " Urrak offers meekly.

[11:03 PM] Seirixori: Seir tenses again, but she does nod.

[6:57 AM] Seirixori: "Sh-she'll be okay, right? Sh-she'll be okay, she'll be okay..." she continues repeating, her words falling to barely audible whispers.

[7:01 AM] DM: Gunnloda: "Ryleigh'll be fine, darlin'. Mielikki, too. I think y'need some rest."

[7:26 AM] Seirixori: There's a whine in the back of her throat, "But wh-what if something happens?"

[7:28 AM] DM: Gunnloda: "T'who?"

[7:36 AM] Seirixori: "T-to Ryleigh or- or if- if something shows up? I-I don't know."

[7:37 AM] DM: Gunnloda shushes her. "Ryleigh'll be fine and Urrak's with her. We'll keep a watch like normal."

[7:46 AM] Seirixori: Seir still looks like she wants to fight resting-- despite what she had said before she left with Ryleigh-- but she doesn't have any real argument.

[7:57 AM] DM: "Come on, then. It'll all look better in the mornin'." Unless met with resistance, Gunnloda will try to maneuver Seir into some sort of resting position and start running her fingers through her hair and humming a lullaby that's now familiar despite Seir not knowing any of the words.

[8:17 AM] Seirixori: There isn't any resistance, only mild and half-hearted complaining. Before Seir finally passes out she mumbles, almost incoherently with a small smile on her lips, "It makes flowers."

[1:03 PM] DM: Kendall comes over shortly after Seir relaxes into sleep and sits next to Gunnloda. "You remember the song."

[3:24 PM] DM: Gunnloda chuckles softly. "Course I do."

[1:49 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "Y'don't hafta stay. I know how much you'll miss your bed."

## Ry outside

11:06 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ry is seated just outside the door, her back is firmly pressed to the wall. Her knees are pulled to her chest, her eyes are closed, and her hands are covering her ears. She’s taking deep, shuddering breaths and silently crying.

[11:08 PM] Urrak: Urrak waits for an awkwardly long amount of time before getting up and slowly creeping outside. She leans over, halfway out the door. "Um... Hey Ryleigh..."

[11:09 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: She doesn’t hear or see Urrak in the doorway.

[11:09 PM] Urrak: She creeps out a little further, "How, uh... How ye doin'?"

[11:12 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh’s eyes blink open. She lowers her hands from her ears and wipes a little at the tears on her face. “Not so good.”

[11:13 PM] Urrak: "Ye mind if I sit with ye?"

[11:14 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: After a long moment of Ry staring up at Urrak... she finally shakes her head, and scoots over so Urrak and sit next to her.

[11:17 PM] Urrak: Urrak sits down beside her. She brings her legs to her chest and rests her arms on her knees. "We don't have t' talk. I jus'... Figured ye might want a little company. So ye don't feel like yer... Alone." She offers a small smile.

[11:19 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “Thanks, Urrak... but I’m afraid my feeling alone is no ones fault but my own,” she says, a few tears leaking from her eyes. “I’m very good at making sure I always end up alone.”

[11:28 PM] Urrak: Urrak thinks for a moment, "I don't know what exactly happened with ye two. I just see that th' two o' ye are real upset, either with one another or someone else... Or both." She worries her fingers, "An' I don't know yer life before ye came t' Bellbury. But..." She pauses, "I'm pretty sure, from what I do know of you, Seirixori, Rukiya... Yer not gonna end up alone. There's too much love there." She leans forward, resting her chin on her crossed arms, "I...love ye. A-As a friend, o' course. We all do, in our own ways. Whatever Seir is feelin' now, I know fer a fact that deep down, under all th' hurt, she cares about two people above all else: her wife, and you."  She straightens up, "Is...is it ok if? " she hovers a hand near Ryleigh's shoulder

[6:23 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I... I don't know," she sighs out, her eyes filling with tears again. "If I say 'yes' is it because I actually want your comfort, or am I saying yes because it might hurt me and I feel like I deserve it... even though I-I... I don't."

[7:19 AM] Urrak: Urrak pulls her hand back. "H-hey now, don't worry! It's alright. I know I'm not th' best person fer all this," she rubs the back of her neck. "An' I certainly don't want t' make ye feel worse. Been a rough couple days already." She fidgets with the Ring awhile, "H-Have ye talked t' Rukiya?"

[9:37 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh’s quiet for a few moments, a few tears making their way down her already wet cheeks. “You’re doing okay,” Ryleigh says, “and there isn’t a lot about this that I can express in 25 words, but she knows I have my memory back and that I love her.” Her voice cracks as she adds, “I just want to be home.”

[12:01 PM] Urrak: "Ye will be, soon enough," Urrak sighs and relaxes again, "Hopefully we'll find those artifacts quickly an' then we can get outta here, " she looks at her hands, "No more crystals, crystal bugs, or giant magic sucking monsters, " she tries to joke "I dunno about you but I prefer stayin' flesh n' blood.  Besides, I make an ugly statue."

[1:19 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh doesn’t say anything. Occasionally, she’ll sniffle or a few tears will escape her eyes, but otherwise, she’s silent.

[6:14 PM] Urrak: After a long stretch of silence Urrak asks "What did happen? Between ye two? An th' tree?"

[8:04 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “It’s not my place to share everything, but the old gnome didn’t feel comfortable leaving another druid in charge of the circle. So... I suggested Seirixori stay and lead them. She felt like I was trying to get rid of her...”

[9:20 PM] Urrak: Urrak furrows her brow, "What made you think she could lead them?"

[4:02 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh's head whips around and she gives Urrak a hard look. "What do you mean what made me think she could lead them? What makes you think she can't? She has all the qualities of a good leader. She's honest and inspires hope. She's growing more confident in her abilities with each passing day. She never stops learning from the world around her and she's passionate." Sighing a little, Ryleigh continues, "She needs to learn how to communicate better, how to delegate to others, and how to make tough decisions without it eating at her... but those things will come with time."

[6:47 PM] Urrak: "Hey now I--" she stops herself and takes a deep breath, "I didn't mean t' imply she wouldn't be able to. I just wondered if she ever said anythin' t' make ye feel she wanted t' lead. From what I remember her an' th' Druids didn't exactly have th' best relationship."

[11:37 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh shrugs. “They didn’t get along but...” She leans her head on her arms and her next few words are a little muffled because she’s talking into her lap. “She might not like the druids or Ardebeh or Unastine... but she loves Mielikki and her forest and all the animals that live in it. When I...” Ryleigh lifts her head just enough to wipe the tears from her face. “When I suggested she stay it was because we just found out that Mielikki’s been distant all this time because her tree was corrupted by the crystals. I-I wasn’t trying to push her away when I said she should stay... I was just trying to tell her that I’d still love her and be there if she chose her mom over all of us. Because now she has the chance to learn from Mielikki and have a relationship with her...” Ryleigh says, the tears silently falling down her cheeks once more. “I didn’t mean to hurt her... but it’s what I do best so I shouldn’t be surprised.”

[12:05 PM] Urrak: "Ryleigh, I'm gonna say somethin' an' don't get mad cuz it's said with love," she crosses her legs, "Stop with th' pity party. Y' put yerself down in order t' keep th' conversation goin' in circles." Urrak leans her head back against the wall, "I can see why ye thought Seir would be a good fit. I agree with ye, she'd bring a whole new way of lookin' at things t' a bunch of folks who've been seein' things the same way fer centuries. But that's... A big decision. An' it's one that would have her leave th' few people she's found that accept an' care fer her, regardless of what she looks like. People who don't leave." She closes her eyes and sighs, "Ye misspoke, it happens. I know that ye don't want her t' leave, that ye weren't tryin' t' push her away. She was overwhelmed by it all. Gods know I would be. Just...Give her a little time, she'll come around."

[12:30 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I know we'll will be okay, but I hate that I hurt her... losing my memory and seeing who I could be - or might be - or am," She pushes out a frustrated breath, "I'm... not in a great space right now." Ryleigh turns her head to look at Urrak, but it's still resting on her arms. "I'm sorry I've been so nasty to you... You hurt me, and you've hurt Seirixori, and I don't know how to deal with it, but I've been unfair to you."

[12:41 PM] Urrak: Urrak looks away from Ryleigh, "I-I dunno about unfair. All of that is still true." She fiddles with her dagger, "I don't know that I can help how ye feel right now, so if you want me t' leave ye be, that's totally fine. I know yer not gonna do anythin' stupid...I hope anyway."  She returns her gaze and smiles softly.

[1:40 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “You should stay... she’ll worry if you don’t,” Ryleigh whispers, a tear... or three falling down her cheek.

[1:47 PM] Urrak: Urrak chuckles, "Alright. I'll stay. Fer Seirixori's sake."

[2:03 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh half smiles. “Having you here makes it more difficult for me to stay in my head and I’m oddly aware that not very nice to myself now.”

[10:52 PM] Urrak: "I'd argue ye aren't very nice t' yerself most of th' time. But I think you found that out when ye lost yer memory. "

[4:24 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “Yeah... I just said that,” Ryleigh responds.

[7:05 PM] Urrak: "R-Right. Ye did. Well, now I'm sayin' it. Ease up on yerself y-ye tin can." The teasing is hesitant and half-hearted, like she's testing the waters. She chuckles awkwardly. "I mean, uh, fer yer own sake."

[10:06 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh stares at Urrak for a long moment then says, “I’d offer to take first watch with you right now, but I think it’s better for everyone if I don’t.” She stands and starts to walk back inside, but she stops just shy of the door and says, “thank you.”

[11:18 AM] Urrak: "Aye, n-no problem. Ye should get some rest," She rubs her arm, "I'll be out here a little while longer."

[11:32 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: Nodding, Ryleigh heads inside.

[12:53 AM] Urrak: Once she's sure Ryleigh is gone, Urrak buries her head in her hands and sighs softly at the ground beneath her.

[10:29 PM] Brimeia: After a while, Brimeia steps out, pausing a bit before plopping down on the ground near Urrak. "Mmm, yeah. Nice scenery out here," she comments in a deadpan tone.

[11:00 PM] Urrak: Urrak startles when Brimeia speaks, but tries to cover it with a laugh "Ah ha, yeah. Great views out here."

[11:05 PM] Brimeia: "Yeesh, jumpy. Though, can't blame you, here."

[11:31 PM] Urrak: "It's been a long couple days..." She straightens up and leans against the wall,  "Did y' need some air?"

[11:37 PM] Brimeia: "Me?" Bri looks genuinely confused. "I'm fine. You didn't go back in, and this place might still be a death trap for all we know."

[11:39 PM] Urrak: "Oh, I didn't mean t' worry ye," she rubs the back of her neck, "I must've lost track of time out here."

[12:32 AM] Brimeia: "Yeah, what with the beautiful scenery and fun to be had sitting on the dirt out here and all," Bri laughs.

[1:36 AM] Urrak: "What can I say, I love a good apocalyptic landscape," Urrak says with a wry smile

[10:24 PM] Brimeia: Bri chuckles. "Well at least you haven't lost your sense of humor."

[2:07 PM] Urrak: "Y'know what they say, sometimes ye gotta laugh t' keep from cryin'." Urrak chuckles but it's half-hearted. "I'm ready t' leave here, but I don't know that I'm fully ready t' go back t' Riverrun either."

## Ry and Gayle

[12:53 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh walks back inside. Her eyes glance from Kendall to Gunnloda and finally to the sleeping form of Seir. She turns away from them and takes a seat next to Gayle. Her eyes a red and puffy from crying but she says, “So, you want to know how this lot found out that I’m an anarchist working for a organization that fights against tyranny? Spoiler alert... they did not figure it out and I did not willingly tell them.”

[10:11 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle chuckles a little. “They are a perceptive bunch sometimes so I’m definitely curious. What did you do to check in at your HQ? There’s not much privacy here.”

[8:46 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh launches into the story about how the arrived in Radoza, how her and Rav were arrested (while conveniently leaving out the mind control and nearly killing Rav), and how the others busted them out of jail. “So we were on the run, and we used the resources I had at my disposable.” She shrugs. “This particular HQ was in a restaurant and they had this ridiculously disgusting dish that was the signal that I was one of them.” Ry leans over and whispers to Gayle, “they didn’t even complain when I ordered the liver and tongue in clam sauce for EVERYONE.” She being a little more animated than usual, but not as animated as when she had lost her memory.

[3:02 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle goes on an expressive facial journey while listening to Ryleigh explain the happenings, ranging from concerned, to surprised, and to humored. “Well shit, Ryleigh. How does the weird stuff always end up happening to you,” she nudges her shoulder lightly to Ry’s. “But I’m glad you all ended up okay. They trust you, you know. Even enough to eat that delicious dish if it were real,” she laughs. “And I’m glad you trust them...enough,” she pauses for a bit at the end. “I know it’s hard keeping secrets sometimes.”

[4:24 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "They trust me enough to know I'm not leading them into danger," Ryleigh responds, then purses her lips and adds, "I'm learning to trust them too, but the secrets I keep are for the greater good - and they aren't the best at lying, or charming their way out of situations," Ryleigh says with a small smile.

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