Session 114

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6:51 PM] DM: 11 Ropamont 3Y20

[6:55 PM] DM: Alarys's body was taken by the Nightmaster and a few acolytes after she was shot by three bolts with some strange coating on them.

Seir saw a suspicious figure entering a shop down the road, near the bridge heading south over the Muyar River.

Rukiya left to go keep an eye on the building while the rest of you rested to regain Seir's wildshapes and get armored up.

You headed in that direction, but as you crossed the street towards your destination, you saw a man standing in the mist, waiting.

Then he ran at you.

And we're going to open with initiative.

[6:57 PM] Urrak: ((23))

[6:57 PM] Seirixori: ((4))

[6:58 PM] Seirixori: Brimeia: ((12))

[7:00 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((17))

[7:10 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((9))

[7:11 PM] DM: @Urrak starts us off. The building Seir was leading you to is ahead on the left (outlined in gold). The man is running down the street towards you, also to the left.

[7:12 PM] Urrak: Urrak moves in front of Seirixori and holds her action, striking only if the man attacks the group. "Freeze, fucker!" ((end turn))

[7:14 PM] DM: @Gayle Silbando

[7:14 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((Is he human?))

[7:16 PM] DM: Make a perception check.

[7:16 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((14))

[7:17 PM] DM: He appears to be humanoid at least. It's hard to tell from the distance, at his speed, with the darkness and mist.

[7:18 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle moves up to see what the commotion is about and squints to see a man charging at them. She casts blindness deafness to try and make him blind.

[7:18 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((end turn))

[7:19 PM] DM: He is, indeed, blind. Interesting.

[7:20 PM] DM: He cannot see and fails any check requiring sight, and attacks against him get advantage, his have disadvantage.

[7:23 PM] DM: He continues his run, right into the spot between Urrak, Seir, and Ry. And he attacks Ryleigh at disadvantage, which means he does miss his first attack, and his second.

[7:23 PM] DM: @Urrak gets her held action.

[7:23 PM] Urrak: Urrak slashes at the man ((13, 14 and 29, 15))

[7:24 PM] DM: It is a single attack on a held action, but it's at advantage because he's blind, so it hits with the 29.

[7:26 PM] DM: He's largely unbothered by the attack.

[7:27 PM] DM: @Brimeia ! The foe is directly in front of you, about 15 feet away.

[7:31 PM] Seirixori: Brimeia: Bri runs up, rages, and takes her two attacks at the person. ((14a-11d, 24a-14d))

[7:31 PM] DM: A 14 just hits, so both swings connect.

[7:34 PM] DM: Gunnloda hurries up to where Seir is and touches her arm. Seir feels a wave of warmth pass through her.  (+1 AC and saves and resistance to all damage- Warding Bond)

[7:35 PM] DM: Malica attempts to cast a spell, but it fails.

[7:35 PM] DM: @Ryleigh Alastair

[7:36 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((Is it undead))

[7:36 PM] DM: Give me a perception check.

[7:37 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((12))

[7:38 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((I need to know which Dawnbringer to roll - that's why I'm asking))

[7:39 PM] DM: Up this close, you can see that there's definitely something off about him. Maybe it's the greyish color of his skin or the stench of his breath as he grunts while he attacks... or the definite stab wound to his gut.

[7:41 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh sings Dawnbringer at the man, slashing her twice through the air and praying to Asten that she hits. ((28h, 14d / 29h, 19d))

[7:42 PM] DM: Dawnbringer pulses as she hits, searing the man's flesh. When Ryleigh removes the blade from the body, there's a darkness that's visible in the wound.

[7:43 PM] DM: @Seirixori

[7:48 PM] Seirixori: Seir growls when the man gets closer, too angry to go with her original plan, she yells something in Abyssal and casts guardian of nature on herself and attacks him with the spear. ((10a and the beast form of it))

[7:51 PM] DM: Seir's teeth grow into fangs, her horns get even more jagged and gnarled. Her pink skin becomes covered in purple fur. And she misses with the javelin.

[7:51 PM] DM: @Urrak is up again.

[7:51 PM] Urrak: ((i still have advantage, ya?))

[7:53 PM] DM: Yes.

[7:54 PM] Urrak: Urrak attacks the creature again ((25, 16 and 29, 19))

[7:55 PM] DM: Both attacks hit. As more of his flesh is rent, the darkness continues to seep out. It looks very familiar to those of you who were close enough to see the thing that had attacked Ryleigh in the forest.

[7:56 PM] Urrak: Urrak is gonna use her action surge to finish this thing off

[7:57 PM] Urrak: ((30, 33 and 30, 37))

[7:58 PM] DM: You get half as many temp hp as the creature seems resistant to giving up any of its life essence. It groans and shudders and several bits of flesh fall away, but it stands now, no longer blind, and its eyes burn with the darkness within.

[8:00 PM] DM: I need Gunnloda, Seir, Ry, Bri, and Urrak to make Wisdom saves. With Ry's aura bonus of +4.

[8:01 PM] DM: Gunnloda- 26

[8:01 PM] Urrak: ((6))

[8:01 PM] Seirixori: ((29))

[8:01 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((21))

[8:02 PM] Seirixori: Brimeia: ((20))

[8:02 PM] DM: Urrak is confused.

[8:03 PM] DM: @Gayle Silbando

[8:04 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle grimaces at the sight of the creature and casts a chromatic orb of fire at it((15a, 14d)). She will also cast firebolt ((quickened spell - 17a, 11d))

[8:05 PM] DM: Ok! Now it's slightly charred darkness.

[8:06 PM] DM: It's going to glare at Ryleigh and though it sounds slurred, the word comes out, "Sssuffffer." And she needs to make a Wisdom save.

8:07 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((9))

[8:09 PM] DM: Ryleigh is paralyzed.  She is incapacitated (no actions or reactions), can't move or speak, fails STR and DEX saves, attacks against her have advantage, and any attack from 5' away is an automatic critical.

[8:10 PM] DM: @Brimeia

[8:12 PM] Seirixori: Brimeia: Bri recklessly attacks the grossness.((26a-13d, 16a-17d))

[8:13 PM] DM: Both hit!

[8:14 PM] DM: Gunnloda reaches out and touches Ryleigh, casting Death Ward on her.

[8:15 PM] DM: Malica's spell fails again.

[8:15 PM] DM: Ryleigh is paralyzed and gets no save.

[8:16 PM] DM: The creature rears back and slams down on Ryleigh with both fists.  One glances off her armor, but the other lands squarely in her face for 18 bludgeoning (reduce to 9, reduced to 6) and 30 necrotic damage (reduced to 15).

[8:17 PM] DM: And Ry is no longer paralyzed.

[8:17 PM] DM: But she is frightened. She has disadvantage and can't move closer to the source.

[8:17 PM] DM: @Seirixori

[8:20 PM] Seirixori: Seir attacks with the javelin again. ((14a-4piercing, 1 force damage))

[8:21 PM] DM: She pokes it.

[8:21 PM] DM: @Urrak  , roll a d10

[8:23 PM] Urrak: ((9))

[8:23 PM] DM: You can act and move normally.

[8:23 PM] DM: And make another Wisdom save with a +4.

[8:24 PM] Urrak: Urrak attacks the darkness ((15, 12 and 26, 10))

[8:24 PM] Urrak: ((5 WIS)) ((end turn))

[8:24 PM] DM: She hits, but is still Confused.

[8:26 PM] DM: But the confusion fades, and I need everyone but Gayle to roll another Wisdom save, again with Ry's aura if you're within the pink.

[8:27 PM] Seirixori: ((27))

[8:27 PM] Urrak: ((15))

[8:27 PM] Brimeia: ((8))

[8:27 PM] DM: Nope, Gayle's included this time.

[8:28 PM] DM: Gunnloda- 10, Malica- 20

[8:28 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((20))

[8:30 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((12))

[8:30 PM] DM: Urrak, Bri, Gunnloda, and Ry are all charmed by the pretty lights and colors that start moving around in the air around you. You are incapacitated (no actions, reactions) and have a speed of 0.

[8:31 PM] DM: @Gayle Silbando

[8:36 PM] Gayle Silbando: "Wake up, people." Gayle claps her hands between syllables. "You'll stop this now, asshole." She points her wand of paralysis at the dude.

[8:37 PM] DM: Give me a perception check, Gayle.

[8:37 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((11))

[8:37 PM] DM: He is unaffected.

[8:38 PM] DM: He attacks Ry again.

[8:39 PM] DM: Both attacks miss.

[8:39 PM] DM: @Brimeia

[8:39 PM] Brimeia: (um am i allowed to do anything? lol)

[8:39 PM] DM: Oh, right. Wisdom save

[8:40 PM] DM: Cancel that. You don't get a save each turn.

[8:41 PM] DM: Gunnloda doesn't either. Malica... has like zero useful spells.

[8:41 PM] DM: Ryleigh is also stuck.

[8:42 PM] DM: And the guy attempts to swing again, this time without the ancestors since Bri didn't hit this turn.

[8:43 PM] DM: He rolled a 10, then a crit, and Gunnloda can't block the crit, so she takes 19 bludgeoning (16) and 36 necrotic damage. (52 total)

[8:44 PM] DM: That would be enough to knock her out, but thanks to Death Ward, she instead drops to 1 hp and is no longer incapacitated.

[8:44 PM] DM: "Suffer."

[8:44 PM] DM: @Seirixori

[8:45 PM] Seirixori: Huffing in anger Seir growls and says, "Fuck you." Dropping her more feral look, she uses Polymorph on Ryleigh to change her into a giant ape and then wild shapes into a wolf.

[8:48 PM] DM: Urrak is still dazed.

[8:48 PM] DM: @Gayle Silbando

[8:52 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle goes over to Brimeia and tries to smack her out of it. "There are more of them, somewhere," she says with panic. "But I can't see where they are."

[8:52 PM] DM: Bri snaps out of it.

[8:53 PM] DM: The man growls in anger, he was so close. And attacks the ape, which at least has a lower AC.

8:54 PM] DM: 7(4) bludgeoning and 17 necrotic (21) and another crit for 20 (17) bludgeoning and 37 necrotic (54) for a total of 75 damage.

[8:54 PM] DM: @Brimeia

[8:58 PM] Brimeia: Brimeia recklessly attacks the creepy dude. ((25 atk, 18 dmg))

[8:58 PM] Brimeia: ((20 atk, 9 dmg))

[8:59 PM] DM: Both attacks connect. You start to notice that while you're doing damage, he's slowly... knitting the flesh back together.

[8:59 PM] DM: Gunnloda's still charmed. Malica, seeing what Gayle did, will run around Ryleigh's monkeybutt and wake Gunnloda up.

[9:00 PM] DM: @Ryleigh Alastair

[9:03 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: RyApe is going to ROAR and smash. ((28h, 14d / 17h, 29d - 43D total))

[9:04 PM] DM: Ry brings both her hairy fists down on the man and his whole body bends and contorts like a stepped-on soda can... but the darkness pulls at his broken bones and holds him up.

[9:05 PM] DM: He attacks Ry again. 10 (7 to 4)b and 12 (6)n, and a nat 1 for a total of 10 damage.

[9:05 PM] DM: @Seirixori

[9:06 PM] Seirixori: Seir howls and bites the darkness, because what else can you do with darkness. ((Nat20-25a, 14+20d str save 14 if it can be knocked prone.))

[9:07 PM] DM: He does get knocked prone... because he's at 0 hp.

[9:07 PM] DM: Urrak is still charmed.

[9:07 PM] DM: @Gayle Silbando

[9:08 PM] Seirixori: ((wait the second damage was 20- I forgot to remove the +3))

[9:10 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle runs around the prone body to shake Urrak awake. ((Can I look around again and see if there are others?))

[9:10 PM] DM: Perception check.

[9:11 PM] DM: Urrak is un-charmed.

[9:11 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((9))

[9:11 PM] DM: You don't see anyone.

[9:11 PM] Gayle Silbando: "Keep sharp, everyone. I can't see anybody else but I know there are more." ((end))

[9:12 PM] DM: The body stands again and lashes out at Ryleigh twice more, missing once as he lurches on wobbly legs, but the second time connects for a total of 3b and 7necro.

[9:13 PM] DM: @Brimeia

[9:14 PM] Brimeia: "Holy.. unholy hell? What's it gonna take to stop this guy anyway?" Brimeia shouts as she swings again, not sure what do.

[9:15 PM] Brimeia: ((reckless, 24 atk, 12 dmg; 20 atk, 14 dmg, ancestors))

[9:16 PM] DM: And it falls down again.

[9:16 PM] DM: One of the ancestors pokes it with a toe.

[9:18 PM] DM: Gunnloda looks at it warily... "Maybe..." And she casts Sacred Flame on the body. A column of flame-like radiance descends on the body and the darkness dissipates.

[9:18 PM] DM: Malica looks nervous and takes a step back.

[9:18 PM] DM: @Ryleigh Alastair

[9:19 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: RyApe is going to walk to the building on highlighted in yellow and jump on top of it.

[9:20 PM] DM: Sure. What are you doing up there?

[9:21 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((Do I see anyone?))

[9:21 PM] DM: Perception check.

[9:21 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: ((12))

[9:21 PM] DM: You don't see anyone.

[9:21 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: RyApe is going to roar in anger.

[9:22 PM] DM: @Seirixori

[9:22 PM] Seirixori: Seir, frustrated, starts to listen and sniff around for the others Gayle mentioned, including Rukiya. ((23p))

[9:26 PM] DM: Seir starts sniffing around, headed back towards the building... and does catch a trail that's leading towards the east.

[9:27 PM] DM: And as she turns the corner, following that direction, she spots an odd, grey elf 'hiding' behind a tree... though as they were trying to keep the tree between themselves and Seir, they slipped.

[9:28 PM] Seirixori: Seir growls and will slowly makes her way to them, trying to be intimidating.

[9:28 PM] DM: @Urrak

[9:30 PM] Urrak: Urrak follows Seirwolf and looks to see if she can spot the other enemies

[9:30 PM] Urrak: ((9))

[9:31 PM] DM: Without dashing, she can't quite get an angle to see past the corner.

[9:32 PM] Urrak: ((with my 40 mvnt?))

[9:32 PM] DM: You  have 40 movement?

[9:32 PM] Urrak: I took mobile as a feat

[9:33 PM] DM: Then you see a tree, and Seir's growling at it, but you don't see the elf.

[9:34 PM] Urrak: ((end turn))

[9:35 PM] DM: Suddenly, a glowing ring full of mist opens in the alley between the two buildings and the grey elf steps out from behind the tree, through the portal... and then the ring vanishes.

:36 PM] DM: And we'll suspend initiative for the time being.

[9:37 PM] Urrak: "What in the godsdamn..." Urrak blinks hard, wondering if what she saw was another illusion

[9:37 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: RyApe is going to walk to the end of the building and jump down.

[9:38 PM] Gayle Silbando: "Is everyone alright? Gunnloda?"

[9:38 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: RyApe is going to pound at the ground and roar again.

[9:39 PM] Urrak: "Mal! Ryleigh! Gayle! Everybody overe 'ere!" Urrak yells from around the corner

[9:39 PM] DM: Gunnloda waves Gayle off as she hurries towards Seir and Ry. "M'fine."

[9:40 PM] Seirixori: Seir drops her concentration on Ryleigh's form and continues to sniff around.

[9:41 PM] DM: Ry is Ry again, but barely standing.

[9:41 PM] DM: Gunnloda moves towards her and reaches out to heal her. (17hp)

[9:42 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle runs over towards Urrak and Seir.

[9:42 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh is breathing heavy, and eventually falls to one knee. When Gunnloda heals her, Ryleigh stands back up, still looking fairly beat up, but she quickly touches the stone on her belt.

[9:45 PM] Urrak: As the group approaches Urrak starts to describe what she saw "When I ran up here, Seir was already growlin' at somethin', then there was a flash of light an' a portal opened up, one o' those grey forest elves stepped in and vanished."

[9:48 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Reaching into the bag of holding, Ryleigh places the hat on her head, mutters the magic word and asks, "What was it, Seirixori?"

[9:50 PM] Gayle Silbando: "What the fuck do these grey elves want from us," Gayle is upset and confused.

[9:51 PM] Urrak: "Considerin' we nearly got stabbed fer litterin', it could be anythin'..." Urrak grumbles

[9:51 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ry gets a far away look on her face that quickly turns into relief. "Rukiya followed four that left to the east."

[9:52 PM] Seirixori: "What Urrak said, an elf behind the tree and then they went through a misty portal."

[9:52 PM] Urrak: Urrak turns to Ryleigh, "We gotta follow her," she reaches a hand out, "Do ye need more healin', Ry?"

[9:54 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I'm fine," Ryleigh answers, avoiding Urrak's touch.

[9:54 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Do you still want to go after them?" Ryleigh asks Seir.

[9:58 PM] Seirixori: Seir practically snarls, "Of course I do!" But her form sags, "but do what? You keep almost dying and I can't save you again and they killed her and for what!? Why--" Seir whines and instead of sticking around she starts sniffing around, like she's looking for something, anything, to help.

[9:59 PM] Urrak: "Ryleigh? Are we gonna find Rukiya or do ye think she can handle it?" Urrak says with a worried look

[10:01 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh takes a few steps towards Seir, she reaches out a hand and strokes Seir's fur. "Homashoc, I need to know if I need to ask Rukiya to come back here or if we're going after them..."

[10:02 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Her other comes up in a 'just a moment' motion to Urrak.

[10:03 PM] Urrak: Urrak nods an affirmative

[10:04 PM] Seirixori: "Do you think we can just- just capture one? Do we need to? I'm... I'm afraid to follow them."

[10:06 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I..." Ryleigh clearly hesitates. "I am too, but I'll follow you if you want answers."

[10:09 PM] Seirixori: Seir stares at Ryleigh for a good few seconds. "I don't think our fear is the same. But no, you're not going anywhere." she sighs and moves to sit in front of Gunnloda, resting her head on Gunnloda's. "Can Rukiya find out where they're going? Maybe-maybe someone a little better at this can do it with some information?"

[10:13 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I don't know, but I don't have another message on my stone. I don't feel comfortable with her tailing them past city limits, however, that isn't my choice... it's hers. Do you want me to ask Gunnloda to send her a message?"

[10:17 PM] Seirixori: She nods.

[10:18 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh turns back to the group. "I don't think we're going after them."

[10:19 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Then she says to Gunnloda. "Would you mind sending Rukiya a message?"

[10:19 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "'Course... what message?"

[10:20 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: She tells Gunnloda a condensed version of what Seir wants to ask Rukiya.

[10:20 PM] Urrak: Urrak walks back through the group to be near Malica, "Y'alright?"

[10:23 PM] DM: Malica: "I'm ok... Not really used to, or prepared for, the fighting."

[10:25 PM] DM: Gunnloda nods and closes her eyes for a moment. Several seconds later, she opens them. "She said she'll follow a bit longer, but will be back home by midnight."

[10:25 PM] Urrak: Urrak places a kiss to her forehead, "Sorry ye got dragged int'a it."

[10:27 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh pushes a breath out of her nose. "Okay." She walks back over to the body and picks it up to move it off of the street.

[10:28 PM] DM: It's... really gross. Like there's no rigidity to the body. The bones are broken and even the flesh isn't doing a great job of holding it together.

[10:29 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle goes over to Ryleigh and helps drag the body.

[10:29 PM] Urrak: "I dunno if I would touch that..." Urrak says as she walks over

[10:29 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I've got it, but... thanks for offering," she says to Gayle.

[10:30 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh fixes Urrak with a look. "The citizens of Riverrun shouldn't have to walk past something so gruesome."

[10:31 PM] Seirixori: After a minute or two of just resting on Gunnloda, Seir starts pacing back and forth.

[10:31 PM] Urrak: "All I know is, Nolanos picked up some skull fragments once and we all nearly died," she puts up her hands, "I just don't trust it not possessin' someone or somethin' crazy like that. But go fer it"

10:33 PM] DM: Gunnloda: "Why don't we go take it t'the temple? Maybe they'll--"

As she's gesturing in the direction of the massive pyramid, the light that usually shines from the top like a beacon suddenly blinks out. The sound of bells rings through the night air.

[10:35 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh frowns. "I've never seen the light go out..."

[10:35 PM] Brimeia: "That doesn't seem good."

[10:37 PM] Seirixori: Seir freezes when the bells sound, looking in their direction.

[10:37 PM] Gayle Silbando: ((Can I do another perception check? If people are running away or if anyone is watching us))

[10:39 PM] DM: No need, the commoners in the area fled and haven't come out. Far down the road, you can see that there are a few people walking down the street, and you can see, maybe 100' to the north, a guard headed in your general direction, though he doesn't seem to be in much of a hurry.

[10:41 PM] Seirixori: Seir starts heading in the guards direction.

[10:42 PM] Gayle Silbando: Gayle follows.

[10:42 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Seirixori," Ryleigh says.

[10:43 PM] Seirixori: Seir doesn't stop but she does slow down.

[10:44 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Please don't forget you're a giant wolf. You should probably shift back or you might frighten people." Despite her words, Ryleigh does walk alongside her - still carrying the gross body.

[10:45 PM] Seirixori: Seir does not do that, but does let Ry walk a little bit ahead of her.

[10:46 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh heads towards the temple, so the body in her arms can be disposed of properly.

[10:46 PM] Urrak: Urrak follows the rest of the group

[10:47 PM] DM: You head north towards the temple! The guard is still walking towards you.

[10:49 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: She continues to walk, not really concerned about the guard.

[10:51 PM] DM: The guard does consider himself concerned at the sight of a body held in a smoking woman's arms and a wolf. He puts his hand on his sword. "Hold there. Explain yourself."

[10:52 PM] Urrak: Urrak stops and waits for the guard, "Easy, pal."

[10:53 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I was attacked by this thing, and I didn't want the people of Riverrun to have to walk past it on the street, so I'm taking it to the temple. These are my guildmates - we're the Dawnguard."

[10:55 PM] DM: He kind of eyes the lot of you, then says, "I'll escort you."

[10:55 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh nods and follows him.

[10:56 PM] DM: He leads you towards the darkened temple.

[10:57 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I've never seen the light go out on the temple. Do you know what it means?" Ryleigh attempts conversation with the guard.

[10:57 PM] DM: Guard: "Last time was when the prince died. Guessing it means the Moonborn didn't make it. That or something with the Moonstreams."

[10:58 PM] Seirixori: Seir immediately stops and a beat or two passes before she let's out a mournful howl, and then she takes off down the road, opposite the temple and everyone else.

[10:59 PM] Urrak: "Oh fuck..."

[10:59 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Oh," Ryleigh says, her tone sad. She frowns and sighs as Seir takes off.

[11:00 PM] Urrak: "Where's she goin', Ry?" Urrak crosses her arms and watchess as Seir runs off

[11:02 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh continues to walk towards the temple. "I'm not her keeper," Ryleigh answers. "But I assume she's going to mourn."

[11:02 PM] Gayle Silbando: "We don't know for sure yet," she says with her head down, already knowing the answer.

[11:03 PM] Urrak: Urrak shakes her head and walks ahead of her into the temple. "Sorry fer worryin'."

[11:05 PM] DM: The guard calls out, "This way. There's a side entrance. Don't want to take it into the library." He leads you around to a separate, ground level entrance that goes into the hillside.

[11:05 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Thank you. I wasn't sure where to take the body." She follows him.

[11:07 PM] DM: As you enter, this area is different from the public areas you've accessed above. It's colder, in a way. The few acolytes you see are somber. One, in the usual blue and grey robes, approaches. "Can I help you?"

[11:09 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I apologize for coming to you at such a time, and I'm sorry for your loss," Ryleigh says softly, her tone changing to something more clinical as she adds, "This thing attacked my friends and me. I didn't want to leave the body in the street and I wasn't sure whereas to bring it."

[11:09 PM] DM: Acolyte: "Ah... This way, please. Do you know anything about him or who he was?"

[11:10 PM] DM: They start walking down the hall.

[11:12 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "All I know is that he relentlessly attacked with dark magic."

[11:14 PM] DM: They lead you into a large open room with tables set out. One of the other tables is occupied by what could be a body with a bit of fabric draped over it. "Just here, please. Thank you. We'll take care of it."

[11:15 PM] Urrak: "There were a group of grey elves near by durin' th' attack. Some attacked us with magic from afar." Urrak offers, "They escaped through a portal before we could catch them. If any o'that helps."

[11:16 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh sets the body down on the table. "Thank you."

[11:17 PM] DM: The acolyte tilts their head. "I'm sorry, I only deal with the departed. You'll want to report anything like that to the guards."

The guard you're with kind of straightens up like he didn't realize that was something he should do. "Right."

[11:18 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "It was probably a fluke," Ryleigh says to the guard. "No need to worry."

[11:19 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: She gives Urrak a pointed look and exits the way they came.

[11:20 PM] Urrak: Urrak follows behind, "I know yer worried about Rukiya but ye don't need t' take it out on me."

[11:21 PM] DM: The guard follows you out, and unless stopped, will go about his rounds once you're back outside.

[11:24 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I'm not worried about Rukiya. She can take care of herself. I'm worried about your willingness to share things with strangers. You need to learn not to advertise our business."

[11:31 PM] Urrak: "Our business is figurin' out what the FUCK keeps comin' after ye an' why. Why should I keep what could be th' cause outta th' hands of people that can help us?" Urrak shakes her head, "Whatever. I'm just tryin' t' look out fer ye. Fer everyone." she walks faster, "Find me when yer done doin' whatever it is yer plannin'."

[11:32 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Okay, Urrak," Ryleigh says sarcastically, not borthering to stop her, and heading towards the guildhall.

## [11:03 PM] DM: --------------

11:07 PM] Seirixori: Seir whines as she finally gets to a spot that is hidden enough. She paces a few moments and then shifts her form and immediately clutches at the flower. "Takara..." barely comes out of her mouth as a hoarse whisper.

[11:11 PM] DM: Takara's human form appears with her arms around Seir like she's always been there.

[11:13 PM] Seirixori: Seir's whole body language changes, her anger fades quickly as she sobs. "Why-- why would she-- why would she do that?"

[11:15 PM] DM: "Do what, sia um?"

[11:17 PM] Seirixori: "Vydea. Why have- why a 'new' Moonborn only to let her be killed. She-she was my friend." She barely manages through her cries.

[11:19 PM] DM: Takara sighs. "I don't know. I'm sorry."

[11:21 PM] Seirixori: "Why not let her come back? She didn't- she just wants-- wanted to help people." She whispers, not really expecting an answer.

[11:23 PM] DM: Takara: "It's not as easy as... there are reasons why resurrection fails, and it's not always as simple as 'because I said so.'"

[11:24 PM] Seirixori: "Should have--should have asked my wife to do it." She sniffles.

[11:28 PM] DM: Takara: "She probably would not have had more luck than the god who claimed her."

[11:31 PM] Seirixori: Seir huffs, mumbling something along the lines of, 'yes she would have', and continues to cry in Takara's arms. She gives a wet laugh, "I was going to come here and yell at you to tell Vydea she needed to come down here so I could yell at her."

[11:32 PM] DM: Takara chuckles softly. "I have no control over the others."

[11:34 PM] Seirixori: "I know, but... I was angry." She sighs, "People are terrible."

[11:35 PM] DM: Takara: "They aren't all so bad."

[11:36 PM] Seirixori: "Animals are still nicer," she half jokes.

## [10:05 PM] DM: --------

10:06 PM] DM: Everyone heads for home for the night since it's pretty late, ready to discuss further in the morning.

[10:07 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: As the others head to the guildhall, Ryleigh doubles back and head in the direction Seir took off towards... hoping she didn't go far.

[10:19 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Evenutally, after walking for a while and using her divine sense, Ryleigh manages to find Seir... walking very slowly down the street. She approaches cautiously. "Homashoc?"

[10:22 PM] Seirixori: It takes Seir a moment to respond. She slows to a stop and turns her head enough to acknowledge Ry, but she doesn't say anything.

[10:25 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh carefully opens her arms, making her body language approachable, but she doesn't close the distance between them. "I'm here... in whatever way you'll let me be. I can take you back to the guildhall... or the apartment... I just... wanted to make sure you didn't have to hurt alone."

[10:30 PM] Seirixori: She sags a bit, wiping at her eyes, "I'm sorry I ran. I-- I was going to--to--" Seir shakes her head and walks into Ryleigh's arms. "I don't want to go back there yet."

[10:35 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ry's arms wrap around Seir, holding her close. "It's okay... what matters is that you're safe."

[10:36 PM] Seirixori: "... I was going to ask Takara to tell Vydea I wanted to talk to her... so I could yell at her."

[10:44 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Seirixori," Ryleigh sighs, squeezing her a little tighter, then a small chuckle reaches Seir's ears. "We have to stop trying to pick fights with the gods."

[10:47 PM] Seirixori: "Never. I only like two and a half so far. Maybe three and a half. I don't really know much about the one Danai talked about." She pauses and looks at Ryleigh, dried tears on her cheeks and red-rimmed eyes, "We?"

[10:53 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh cups Seir's cheek, and tilts her head with a small smile. "Yeah, you and me. I did say I'd fight Meilikki for you."

[10:55 PM] Seirixori: "...Oh yeah."

[10:57 PM] Seirixori: "Do you think... do you think they'll let me in the temple this late?"

[10:59 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Worrying her lip, Ryleigh shakes her head 'no'. "It's unlikely... why don't you come back to my place, since you don't want to be at the guildhall right now."

[11:02 PM] Seirixori: Seir closes her eyes and releases a dejected sigh, "Okay..."

[11:05 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I suppose we can go ask?" Ryleigh suggests.

[11:07 PM] Seirixori: "No... I--I don't think they'd let me uh, well, take something."

[11:10 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh takes Seir's hand and starts to lead them towards her apartment. Along the way she says, "I'm sorry..."

[11:13 PM] Seirixori: She kind of laughs and shrugs, "No ones fault but my own. I only meant to watch her and instead..." Seir tsks.

[11:26 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "It's no one's fault but the people who did this." Ryleigh pulls Seir to a stop. "You're allowed to make friends, and I'm sorry that it ended this way. I know you understand loss, just as I do but..." she drops Seir's hand and runs it through her hair "...I've spent a long time being angry and feeling guilty. So much that I isolated myself from feeling anything but the anger and guilt... but I'm good at putting on mask so people wouldn't see how hard I'd become, so they wouldn't figure out that I wanted to make the people who hurt me suffer, so they wouldn't know that I have a monster locked inside." Ryleigh's hand drops to Dawnbringer's hilt. "The loss of my family changed me... I see the same anger in you and I worry... because I may have felt guilty about torturing the man in the grey cloak, but I'm not sure I would have if it were Barton or Daybrand at the end of my knife."

[11:30 PM] Seirixori: Seir looks down, bringing her hands up and staring at them. "And if you don't feel anything?"

[11:33 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh shrugs. "Sometimes I don't." Sighing deeply, Ryleigh takes Seir's hands. "I cut a man's tongue from his head for preaching lies about Asten and I didn't feel guilty... I also didn't feel better, and the lies didn't stop. So what was the point?"

[11:40 PM] Seirixori: She's quiet for a time, "Is feeling empty the same as feeling nothing?" Seir shifts on her feet, "I was afraid earlier... afraid at how angry I was. I wanted to go after them. I wanted to rip them apart. And it scared me," she whispers.

[11:45 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I..." Ryleigh starts, looking around, then taking Seir's hand and leading them to her apartment before saying anything else. Once inside she says, "What about it specifically scared you?"

[11:50 PM] Seirixori: "That feeling? I was... I don't know, I think more sad than anything when my family was killed. There was anger, but all of this... it--it feels so--so overwhelming and I-- it just felt like that was all there was. That I could get lost in it. I don't-- I don't want to, Ryleigh. It doesn't feel right, it feels... gross."

[12:00 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: "Someone, much wiser than me, once told me that I didn't have a monster inside me... that it was just the anger and guilt and other stuff that I didn't let out in a healthier way." Ryleigh shifts from one foot to the other. "The fact that you don't want to get lost to it is a good thing... losing yourself to anger leads to bitterness, and bitterness leads to..." she sort of motions to herself - still splattered in bad guy guts, still sporting a bruise along her cheek and a bloody eye.

[12:02 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: "You're better than this... better than me," Ryleigh says with a determined expression. "So don't go down the path I'm currently trying to get off of..."

[12:13 AM] Seirixori: Seir wipes off some of the blood on Ryleigh's face and mutters a few words in Abyssal as she heals her. "You could have asked," she mutters, fully aware that she also should have noticed. "I'm--I'll try. It's--it's hard separating everything lately. I'm not sure I know how to."

[12:22 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I wish I had the answers for you, homashoc, but I don't. Whenever I feel overwhelmed I take Dawnbringer's handle... or Rukiya's hand... or yours. The touch grounds me. It's difficult for me to ask for help, espeically when it might drag you all into the mess I've created, but knowing that I have people to talk to, people who'll support me, and guide me..." Ry glances away for a few moments "...it helps."

[12:42 AM] Seirixori: "Oh," she says quietly, staring at Ryleigh as her most recent interaction with Takara runs through her mind. "I'm kind of dumb," Seir says, clutching to one of Ry's hands. She laughs, "Gu-- Gunnloda said once that she couldn't be what stops me from hurting people... ok she did say innocent people, but I-I might have... interpreted it the wrong way."

[12:43 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "You're not dumb," Ryleigh says, almost sighing. "Sometimes it's harder to understand when you're closer to the problem. I'm sure Gunnloda meant she can't be your reason." She squeezes Seir's hand. "But if you ever start feeling angry, or overwhelmed... you can take my hand, or... whatever you need."

[1:26 PM] Seirixori: "I know... now anyway." She nods and steps into Ryleigh's space, her tears forming again. "I hate this," Seir whispers.

[1:34 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh's arms come up around Seir. "Yeah..." she answers softly. "Dying in Ascus as Vydea's champion would have been expected... but dying in the streets of Riverrun..." Ryleigh inhales, then exhales slowly. "She deserved better... and the people of Vyon derseved better."

[1:37 PM] DM: The door opens and Rukiya steps in, her usual bounciness gone. "You two look like hell."

[1:43 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh gives Rukiya a strained smile over Seir's shoulder. She loosens her grip on Seir as she asks, "You look tired, sun'frada."

[1:45 PM] Seirixori: "I'm not that red," Seir jokes weakly.

[1:47 PM] DM: "Chasing people across the rooftops without them seeing you is tiring work."

[1:47 PM] DM: She walks up and puts her hand on Seir's shoulder. "You ok?"

[1:49 PM] Seirixori: Seir shrugs at first and then shakes her head, "No, not really."

[1:52 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Stepping back from them, Ryleigh starts to change out of her armor.

[1:54 PM] DM: "I saw the light go out. I'm sorry."

[2:02 PM] Seirixori: Seir reaches for Rukiya, now that Ryleigh is no longer next to her, but she hesitates and let's her hand fall. "I did--didn't get to see her... I..." she laughs sadly, "I went to bother Takara instead because I wanted to yell at Vydea."

[2:07 PM] DM: There's a slight, humorless chuckle as Rukiya takes Seir's hand. "They might have a public viewing."

[2:12 PM] Seirixori: She grips Rukiya's hand tightly. "I..." she looks down, "it's not the same. I--I need-- I want... I wanted to take something. Anything that--that reminded me of her." She finishes quietly, almost as if she's afraid of the response she'll get.

[2:15 PM] DM: Rukiya frowns a little, but it's confusion. "Like what?"

[2:20 PM] Seirixori: "I don't know, I figured maybe she had some kind of jewelry on her, that's what's did before. She was--was a jeweler. Or--or, I don't know, I don't know." She uses her free arm to wipe at her tears again. "It doesn't really matter now, does it? I don't think they'd let me in."

[2:25 PM] DM: Rukiya gives Seir a soft smile. "You do know someone who works there. I can get pretty much anywhere inside, and if you're small enough, I can take you with me."

[2:29 PM] Seirixori: Seir stares at her for a few seconds, "Oh..." She throws her arms around Rukiya, "I love you." She laughs through more tears.

[2:31 PM] DM: Rukiya hugs her back. "Well, you do keep calling me your favorite."

[2:34 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh’s armor is off, and she grabs fresh clothes before walking over to them. “You make it impossible for anyone else to be her favorite,” Ry half teases, squeezing Seir’s shoulder and leaning down to press a kiss to Rukiya’s cheek. “You guys going to go now?”

[2:39 PM] DM: Rukiya shrugs through her fatigue. "Probably the best. Fewer people up and about to ask questions and I'm not sure when they'll want to start preparing her for... whatever they're going to do."

[2:41 PM] Seirixori: Seir tries to not look too excited, "Are you sure? I know you're tired."

[2:44 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: "I was going to bath, unless you wanted to join me?" Ryleigh says in elven to Rukiya, her tone concerned.

[2:48 PM] DM: Rukiya smiles and rolls her eyes at Ry. "We have a small window. It's just walking, not leaping across the city. I'll be all right."

[2:53 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh tilts head, her eyes soften. "I know you will be." She cups Rukiya's cheek and kisses her lips, lingering there for a few moments. Once she pulls away, Ryleigh says, "Be careful, you two," and leaves the apartment to head towards the bathroom.

[2:54 PM] Seirixori: Seir hugs Rukiya again, "Ferret or smaller?"

[2:57 PM] DM: "Should work. Whatever will fit in my hood or under the robe." She moves away from Seir to find her blue robes and changes into them.

[3:00 PM] Seirixori: Seir shifts into a ferret with darker fur and gets up on the table to wait for Rukiya.

[3:05 PM] DM: Rukiya finishes up, scoops Seir up with a quick forehead stroke, and sets her on her shoulder, then they're off towards the temple.

[3:09 PM] DM: She walks through the streets, through the temple, greeting other acolytes as she passes them. Eventually they reach a room where there are two covered bodies on  tables.

[3:18 PM] DM: Rukiya lifts the fabric on one, based on the profile, and reveals the silver-scaled dragonborn.

[3:19 PM] Seirixori: Seir jumps down and doesn't shift back right away. Instead she places her head on Alarys' shoulder and lies there.

[3:22 PM] DM: Rukiya folds the sheet down over Alarys's chest. Her shoulders are bare. Rukiya lets Seir have her space, moving across the room to look through a shelf.

[3:30 PM] Seirixori: A few whimpers escape Seir's little ferret throat before she jumps down and shifts back into a Tiefling. She leans down to press a kiss to Alrays's forhead and whispers a small phrase in druidic. Then she slowly starts looking for anything she can possibly take back with her.

[3:36 PM] DM: Everything she was wearing has been removed, but Rukiya gestures towards the shelf. There's a blue robe folded, but dirty with dried blood and some trinkets. The platinum and diamond symbol of Vydea she was given is not there.

[3:43 PM] Seirixori: Before moving to the shelf, Seir digs into one of her pouches and pulls out a small feather. She places it in Alarys' hand and then moves to the shelves to search through the trinkets.

[3:48 PM] DM: She didn't really have much that survived the trip through Ascus, and even less that survived the Nightmaster's transformation of Alarys into the Moonborn. Most of what's on the shelf is stuff that she must have gotten at the festival. A small, homemade bracelet of shell and beads that looks like a child may have made it. A simply sewn fabric doll. A couple carefully folded pieces of paper.

[3:49 PM] DM: The shelf below is fairly empty as well, just some dirty clothes with holes in them, boots, nothing of monetary value.

[3:51 PM] DM: Rukiya sighs and speaks softly. "They probably haven't cleaned out her room yet."

[3:57 PM] Seirixori: Seir takes the papers, "Would you mind taking me there?" She shifts into a ferret again, knowing whatever the answer is, she needs to be small again

[4:04 PM] DM: Rukiya picks Seir up again, letting her crawl into the hood of her robes. They make their way through the halls and up into the pyramid of the temple. Rukiya moves with more caution like she's not sure if someone will question her presence. She finds a door and opens it, slipping inside and shutting the door in one movement. There's no light inside, but Seir can hear soft breathing.

[4:09 PM] Seirixori: Seir chatters softly, a little annoyed at herself for not thinking about the dark. She peeks out of Rukiya's hood sniffing the air.

[4:13 PM] DM: Rukiya shushes Seir softly and moves silently through the room, setting Seir down on the floor and moving towards the bed.

[4:47 PM] Seirixori: Seir shuffles back, keeping her distance.

[4:50 PM] DM: She opens the curtain just enough to let some dim moonlight in and gently drapes a blanket over someone lying in the bed.

[5:03 PM] Seirixori: Seir makes her way forward and looks around now with the small bit of light.

[5:04 PM] DM: There's a small chest at the foot of the bed, but while the room is furnished, there's not much stuff.

[5:10 PM] DM: Rukiya carefully, quietly lifts the lid of the chest. Inside is mostly clothing, but she finds a small box. Opening it, she pulls a tiny, two inch-long figure out and she looks surprised at first, then smiles softly. She turns it towards Seir with a question on her face.

[5:12 PM] Seirixori: Seir makes her way to Rukiya to get a better look at it.

[5:14 PM] DM: It's a humanoid, decently well-crafted for the size, painted in blue, silver, and a pale skin color. Seir wouldn't know who it's supposed to be, but she could probably guess

[5:17 PM] Seirixori: She touches it briefly and then nods, nudging Rukiya's hand gently in thanks.

[5:19 PM] DM: Rukiya sets it down with Seir for a minute while she closes the box, sets it back in the chest and closes everything up, then she picks up the figure and Seir and slips back out and heads back to Ry's apartment.

[5:45 PM] DM: "It's Lucas. She must have picked it up here or in Vydenia."

[6:20 PM] Seirixori: Seir returns to her original form and looks at the figurine with a wave of sadness. "She really wanted to try her best... knowing she wasn't exactly what everyone thought she should be."

[7:17 PM] DM: Rukiya puts her hand on Seir's shoulder as she lets them into Ry's apartment. "She didn't deserve what happened."

[7:24 PM] Seirixori: "No one usually does..." She says with a heavy sigh. "Thank you for taking me."

[7:26 PM] DM: "Of course."

[7:29 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh’s laying in bed with her back to the door. She’s in a much too large for her sweater that looks old and repaired through non magical means. She doesn’t say anything when they enter and she doesn’t move to get up. It looks like she’s asleep.

[7:42 PM] Seirixori: Seir gives Rukiya a quick hug, "I should go... Gunnloda's probably worried I'm not back yet." She glances over at Ryleigh and then back to Rukiya, she starts to say something but changes her mind and instead says, "...you know where I'll be if you need anything."

[7:42 PM] DM: Rukiya nods.  "Get some sleep."

[7:44 PM] Seirixori: Seir gives one last look at Ry before she makes her way back to the Guildhall.

[7:46 PM] DM: Rukiya closes the door and locks it, heading to the bed to sit and start pulling her boots off. She's quiet as she does, but soft enough not to wake Ry if she's actually asleep, says,  "Still up?"

[8:01 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “I am,” she says, still not turning over. “Did everything go okay?”

[8:04 PM] DM: "Well enough, I think." She pulls the last boot off and drops it before leaning over to Ry and leaning against her. She presses a kiss to her shoulder. "Do you want to talk about it?"

[8:08 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “I’m sure you do.” Ryleigh turns her head in a way that she can look over her shoulder.

[8:09 PM] DM: "I meant whatever's weighing on you right now. I won't push tonight if you don't want me to."

[8:10 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “You’re tired though...” Ryleigh answers, sighing heavily.

[8:12 PM] DM: "I'm more awake now than I will be in the morning," she teases. "Besides, I still need to get undressed. Let it out, Ry."

[8:16 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh turns over so she’s at least facing Rukiya while she talks and Rukiya undresses. “It came back tonight... the thing from Ascus. It followed me here.” She buries her nose in the sweater. “I messed up worse than I thought.”

[8:20 PM] DM: Rukiya pauses halfway to pulling the robe off then finishes the motion. "I thought you killed it. Him?"

[8:24 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “I did. Or... I thought I had. We killed it again tonight too... or maybe we didn’t. I know it was the same thing and I don’t know how, but I do.” Ryleigh brings her covered hands to her face, and her next few words are too muffled to hear.

[8:26 PM] DM: Rukiya quickly finishes up and crawls into bed, pulling Ry into her arms.

[8:37 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: One of Ry’s hands stays put, but the other grips onto Rukiya’s undershirt. She trembles, and after a while, she says, “I do nothing but fail.”

[8:41 PM] DM: Rukiya kisses the top of Ry's head. "That's not true... and even if it was, it would be ok. Failure doesn't make you less of a person."

[8:58 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh lets out a humorless laugh. “Do you really believe that? What if your dad failed over and over, do you think the people would stand behind him?” Rukiya can feel her shake her head against her chest. “I shouldn’t have expected this time to be any different. I went to Ascus and failed - because that’s what I do.  I make a choice and I fail. I had to face my demons in Ascus to bring Alarys to Vyon, only to have Vydea let her die. What was the point!? I hate it, I hate that it’s broke me, I hate that I’m angry,” Ryleigh practically sobs.

[9:06 PM] DM: "Ryleigh... My dad does fail over and over again, but he does his best. You can't do big things and make big changes without the risk of big failures, and sometimes you have to fail a lot before you succeed. We learn, we adapt, and we try again... or we change our goals. I wish I knew what Vydea was doing. I wish I could tell you it was some noble reason with purpose that would serve the greater good, but I don't know."

[9:26 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh’s tone softens and she finally looks up at Rukiya. Her cheeks still tear stained, and her eyes still glossy. “I’m sorry... I know I’m just repeating myself, but when I was bathing I couldn’t get it out of my head. I kept seeing all the terrible things that have happened since we left for Ascus. The guards hurting people, the people in grey cloaks ambushing us, Barton taking credit for ‘my change of heart’, and the man I tortured...” she inhales shakily “...he wants me dead... and I’m starting to think it won’t stop until I am.”

[9:33 PM] DM: "We're not going to let that happen. I'll ask one of the loremasters in the morning, but maybe Ardabeh wouldn't be such a bad idea. Maybe by the time he catches up with you again, we'll know how to put it down for good."

[12:07 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: Ryleigh shifts uncomfortably, and she looks away. “It almost succeeded tonight, and I’m scared it will... both times have been so close. If it ever catches me alone...”

[7:25 AM] DM: "Then let's not let it. Run if you have to. Stick with the others, get help when you need it. We'll figure this out. Just don't give up."

[8:52 AM] Ryleigh Alastair: “You know I won’t fight a losing battle if it’s just my life at stake... I won’t hurt you that way.” Ryleigh makes sure she’s looking at Rukiya when she says it, but she glances away again after the words hang in the air between them for a moment. “It has the power to stop me from running away. To stop me from doing anything, and this time... it hit with so much dark energy that I... I feel terrible.”

[2:56 PM] DM: Rukiya holds Ryleigh close, but there's uncertainty in her voice when she asks, "What do you need from me, Ry? I don't know what will help right now."

[3:41 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “I want to forget. I want it to go away. I just want to feel... unburdened. Even if it’s only for the night,” Ryleigh mumbles into Rukiya’s neck, her fists tangling in her shirt, like she’s worried Rukiya might disappear if she lets her go. “Tell me a story and...” Rukiya can feel Ry’s hesitancy.

[3:46 PM] DM: "And?" She repeats, pressing another kiss to Ry's hair.

[3:56 PM] Ryleigh Alastair: “Don’t let me go?” She whispers in a broken tone.

[4:07 PM] DM: Rukiya tightens her grip and says,  "I'm with you, Ry. I've got you..." then tells her a story about something I'll fill in later.

[6:59 PM] DM: ---------

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