S: Urrak plot

## Pre-1

Urrak is a couple miles away from the local town, Chaldra, headed to her next job. The land is pretty open here which makes it even more infuriating that it takes so long to reach the town that's been taunting her from the top of the hill for the last four hours. She stops to take a quick drink from her waterskin and wipe the sweat from her forehead when suddenly she's standing in the center of a town square, on a cobblestone road. The sun seems higher in the sky here.

## Pre-7

You had just helped to defeat the goblins in a cave with your Bellbury companions when poof you’re back in the middle of the road winding through the grassland, looking back up at the city at the top of the hill you were traveling to. As far as you can tell, it is the same place you vanished from, but now the sun is dipping below the horizon. Pushing forward, now that the oppressive heat is a lessened, Urrak manages to reach the town of Chaldra after dark, about ten at night.

[8:11 PM] DM: After getting to the town, securing a room at The Ugliest Pearl, the first inn your tired feet could carry you to (for the low, low price of 5cp), and getting a good night's sleep, you have about four hours remaining.

[8:15 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Rising from a restful, if not a tad fitful sleep, Urrak dons her armor once more, grabs her weapons and gear, and heads to the main hall of the inn. She asks the innkeeper if they know of the man who planned to hire her to escort him through a dark forest, a place known to be full of raiders and thieves...and in the same breath asks if there's food to be had.

[8:17 PM] DM: "Pot a' gruel back here. Copper a bowl. Nicer food to the north. Ain't seen anyone like that. Were you meetin' him here?"

[8:20 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "I'll take a bowl, don't feel to keen of dallying much longer. Time seems t' be slippin away from me these days. And not 'ere exactly. Some pub here in town. Y'know of a place where the local yokels tend t' come t'gether?"

[8:21 PM] DM: He ladles out a bowl. It has a little bit of a crust he breaks through. "Local place is up north a beat. Gray Horse. Couple roads up, on the left. Just inside the wall."(edited)

[8:26 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Thank y' kindly." Urrak places a copper piece on the counter and takes the bowl to a nearby table. She finishes the gruel as quick as she can manage to avoid tasting it and heads towards the Gray Horse

[8:28 PM] DM: Urrak starts making her way north, following the directions, and finds the Gray Horse's sign, but as she heads for the door, she finds herself back in the Bellbury town square, looking at the Cracked Cask.

## Pre-8?

You were having an... interesting morning and early afternoon in the Cracked Cask trying to avoid the memories brought on by Cyan's presence when, with mixed feelings, you found yourself standing outside the Gray Horse again instead, now a couple hours after noon.

[8:56 PM] DM: You went inside and found the man you were looking for- Mbuso. He was irritated, expecting to already be on the road, and his irritation grew when you explained that it was too late to start out now. You told him you'd head out tomorrow before leaving him to fume into his ale.

Haunted by the memories of Ancy brought on by Cyan, you penned a note to your mother, asking her how she was doing, how the stronghold was doing, and telling her that you were working hard so you could send more money home. You let her know that you were doing well and would visit soon, sending the note and 10 gp with a courier back to the D'Akshi stronghold. After that, you found a whetstone at a local smithy to sharpen your sword.

As you started walking towards the Gray Horse to rent a bed for the night, you found yourself back in Bellbury and crashed in an empty cot at the Cracked Cask instead, irritated at Poni for the complications brought to your life.

## Pre-11?

[8:14 PM] DM: Urrak poofed somewhere between 3:30 pm and 9 am and reappeared in Bellbury around 11 am, so you have 2-19 hours back home if you wanted to do something.

[8:18 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak, forgoing any hope of procuring work in her constant state of flux, decides to head towards the stronghold, hoping to fulfill her promise to her mother. She rests for a few hours and checks her rations and waterskin. She fills the skin with water from Chaldra's well and begins her journey. The coin taken from the wizard's tower feels heavy in her pack, but she reminds herself the good it will do once she reaches the gates of D'Akshi. Though, if she happened to pass by a smithy in a nearby town, she may consider picking up a javelin or two.

[8:21 PM] DM: Easy enough to do. You can find a few javelins for sale for 5sp a piece. Go ahead and mark off as many as you want for that price. How far away is this stronghold? A day's travel or more?

[8:21 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: i'd say a day and half or so

[8:24 PM] DM: So I'm guessing you're going for the long end of the time period, which means camping in the woods and continuing on in the morning with the expectation to reach home by nightfall... but then around midday, you find yourself back in Bellbury.

## Session 19

[7:37 PM] DM: Cyan: "I suppose I should have asked sooner, but do you need healing? My hands don't just open locks."

[7:39 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: Urrak blushes a bit, and with a shy, sweaty, smile nods her head "A-aye that'd be amazin'. That prison encounter went real south real quick."

[7:41 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "Urrak here is one of our strongest fighters," Ravaphine says as she pats Urrak's giant bicep, "I bet she could use a little healing after that last encounter"

[7:41 PM] DM: (Not that numbers matter anyway) Cyan stands and heads over to Urrak and puts her hands on both her shoulders, pulling back while pushing in with her thumbs in a short shoulder rub that also heals her somewhat.

[7:45 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: Urrak is filled with the rush of the healing magic, closing her eyes a moment before breathing a deep sigh of relief. "I will admit, that kind magic I enjoy greatly." Urrak smiles a bit "You have my gratitude, Cyan."

[7:46 PM] DM: Cyan grins. "You're welcome. Maybe now you'll stop being so worried about being in the same room as me."

[7:47 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: Urrak's green skin somehow turns quite pink

[7:47 PM] DM: She takes her seat again.

[7:48 PM] DM: Gunnloda hides a grin behind her drink.

[7:48 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: Ravaphine wheeze laughs at their exchange "You can add that to your resume. Turning my giant green friend into a red tomato!"

[7:52 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Aye aye save it y'pointy eared..." Urrak grumbles behind a sheepish grin. She turns to Cyan "And forgive me if ye get the impression I'd avoid being around ye'. It just....well it's a tad complicated but uh ye can be sure I don't hate ye"

[7:53 PM] DM: Cyan: "Complicated? I love a good story."

[7:54 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "You know, I feel like I've known you for ages but I don't know much about you either, Urrak. What was life like before Bellbury?"

[7:57 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Modest I suppose. Workin odd job across the country. Any way t'get gold I've likely done. 'Fore that I traded goods with me Pa." Urrak looks down, focusing on a discarded scrap of food as she continues "He died a handful o' years back." She takes a swig of ale. "But that's in the past now. As was the person my brain keeps tellin' me ye resemble, Cyan. It's a long, painful story i'm afraid"(edited)

[7:58 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "And I ain't nearly drunk enough t' tell it"

[7:59 PM] DM: Cyan: "Ah... so that's what it is. Remind you of a dead love? I... uh... sorry about that."

[7:59 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Don't be. For all I know, she ain't dead at all. Disappeared one day, an never came back."

[8:03 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "We can probably blame Poni for that"

[8:03 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "If only," Urrak stands and wipes nonexistent dirt off her armor "That was years ago too. Easier times." she walks to the end of the bar for a moment(edited)

[8:04 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "You know, we have the tools to try to find her, if you want"

[8:06 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "N-no. Thank you. It's probably for the best we don't find each other again." Urrak paces a bit, slightly embarrassed from telling folks she's only known for a few days such personal things, and attempts to change the subject "H-Have ye any idea where Seirixiori might've run off to this time, Gunnloda?"

## Session 24

[5:52 PM] DM: You took your rest in the common room of the tavern, unwilling to deal with whatever shenanigans were taking place in the group, but your sleep was anything but restful. You dreamed that night of faces… no… a face. Everywhere you looked, from the burly barman to the dwarven cleric to the tiefling with the crazy horns, every face was hers. That same grin she used to give when she would tell you her plans. The same eyes you’d stared into until you felt lost at sea. The same face you fell in love with what seems so long ago. But they’re wrong. They’re all wrong. None of them would fit in your arms the way she did. That one had way too much hair and this one’s just entirely too short. Worse yet, none of them look at you the way she had… the way she had until the day she left. Then… there! There’s one that matches. There’s the real Ancy. You’d know her anywhere. You run to catch up to her, but she’s always just out of reach, looking at you with grief in her eyes. You realize as you stumble over rocks that you’ve been chasing a ship as it pulls out to sea. She raises her hand in farewell as you wade into the surf after her. As the ship vanishes, too far for you to chase, you feel something around your ankles. You’re dragged under by a tentacle wrapped around your legs.

[6:29 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: With a gasp of air Urrak shoots up out of the cot, her face wet from sweat and...tears? It takes her a moment to fully take in where is she is, but when the inn room comes into focus she swivels to sit on the edge of the bed, her head in her hands. She thought the nightmares had stopped, that the memories had faded, but this perilous adventure she found herself in against her will had brought it all flooding back. Why? Why did that mad gnome have to go and fuck with her entire life this way?

After a few moments of deep breathing, and with a quick brush of a sleeve over her eyes, Urrak gets up and tries to see if her companions are also up and about. The sooner the machine is fixed, she reckons, the sooner she can forget again.

[10:50 PM] Alex - Nolanos: "I think we should get the rest of the group."(edited)

[10:51 PM] DM: You see a bit of a tunnel heading south and the cave opens more to the north. The footprints all go south.

[10:52 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "I ain't waitin fer the rest o' those lollygaggers. I'm gettin that component." Urrak sounds irritated and anxious

[10:54 PM] Alex - Nolanos: "Ok, I see your point, but also it seems a bit too reckless for my taste. Last time i was in here, Seirixori saw tentacle tracks...."

[10:59 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: Urrak lunges forward, grabbing Nolanos by hid hood and swinging him around, eventually pinning the dragonborn to the wall of the tunnel. "Listen 'ere dragonboy, I don't know about ye, but I'm fixing t' get as far away from this merry band o' idiots as soon as I can. Unlike the rest o ye apparently, I have a life t' get back to!" Urrak drops Nolanos suddenly and stomps down further into the tunnel.

[11:01 PM] Alex - Nolanos: Nolanos is speechless for a moment. He knows now is definitely not the time to bring it up, but makes a note to check later.

[11:01 PM] Alex - Nolanos: "okay, okay, let's just be careful then."

[11:03 PM] Alex - Nolanos: Nolanos quickly writes a note for the others saying the coast is clear, approach with caution, etc. and sends it back to the group with Reyes

## Session 26

[11:09 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: Urrak places her forehead in her hand as she rests her arm on the bar. She wipes a bit at her watery eyes, hoping no one notices. Slowly, the notes of Cyan's lyre start to reach her ears. She grips the handle of her stein tightly

[11:17 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: Urrak turns her head slowly towards the sounds of the lyre, her eyes closed and mouth clenched tight

[11:45 PM] DM: Cyan's song finishes.

[11:47 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: Ravaphine claps

[11:47 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: Urrak sighs, visions of her dream still swimming her head. She closes her eyes again, arms crossed on the bar. She bows her head for a minute, fidgeting her legs, and finishes the ale in front of her.(edited)

[11:54 PM] DM: Cyan hops down from the bar and heads over to your table, stopping next to Ravaphine with her hand on Rav's shoulder.

[11:54 PM] DM: Cyan: "Rough day?"

[11:55 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh butts in, "better now."

[11:55 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: Ravaphine nods slightly

[11:56 PM] DM: Cyan smiles and holds her hand out to Ryleigh. "I don't think we've met. Name's Cyan."

[11:57 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh smiles broadly and takes Cyan's hand, "Ryleigh. It's a pleasure to meet someone so talented."

[11:58 PM] DM: Cyan: "I appreciate the compliment." She glances over at Urrak. "Is... everything ok?"

[11:59 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): "It will be, Urrak is upset. She's been...rather difficult today, but she'll come around. I'm sure of it."

[12:01 AM] DM: Cyan: "Any particular reason?"

[12:01 AM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: Rav whispers "I may or may not have tackled her which didn't help. We just came back from a weird city"

[12:02 AM] DM: Cyan grins at Rav, looking her up and down. "Tackled? That's quite a mental image."

[12:02 AM] Ryleigh (Nicole): "We just returned from a place that seriously affected the majority of us...and not for the better."

[12:04 AM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: Ravaphine flexes a noodle arm

[12:04 AM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh chuckles and adds, "it was quite impressive."

[12:04 AM] DM: For the sake of the newbie(s?), Cyan's on the short side, especially for a half-elf and wears her hair in a bright blue pixie-cut. She wears what you'd think of with typical bar wench dress, off the shoulder white shirt with a leather corset type thing around her waist and a short skirt over leggings and knee-high boots with a rapier at her hip.

[12:07 AM] Seirixori: "Would it be a bad idea if I went and apologized?" Seirixori says quietly.

[12:08 AM] DM: Gunnloda: "Apologies are rarely a bad idea."

Cyan: "...unless you're apologizing for something they don't realize you did wrong."

[12:08 AM] Seirixori: "I mean... I kind of tackled her too. As a bear."

[12:08 AM] DM: Cyan: "Wow. I missed all the fun."

[12:10 AM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "You're always more than welcome to join in our adventures"

[12:12 AM] DM: Cyan smiles at Rav. "Thank you. I'll try to remember that."

[12:14 AM] Seirixori: Seirixori gets up and slowly moves to Urrak and sits quietly beside her. "Sorry... for the bear thing." she says after a few moments of silence, fidgeting with an empty cup, "I... I don't know what's going on but..." Seirixori huffs, trying to find the right words. "I promise to try and get you home as fast as possible. All of you."

[12:18 AM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: Urrak tenses up at Seirixiori's presence. She knows her outbursts have been causing the tiefling grief. She clenches a fist on the bar and pushes her empty stein down the bar a ways. She is silent for a moment, turning to Seirixiori slowly. She reaches beneath her collar, under her armor and mail. She pulls a small bag on a rope off from around her neck. She places this bag on the bar and slides it towards Seirixiori. "Ancy."

[12:22 AM] Seirixori: Seirixori opens it up and sees a gold ring. "I... is she...missing?" Seirixori cringes, "Sorry I just, don't want to say the wrong thing," she strings together.

[12:27 AM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Missing? That's a way t' put it." Urrak runs a hand through her hair, a sad yet frustrated look on her face "No, she...She left. My wife left me and robbed me blind." she turns her gaze towards the table "Those dreams, whatever caused them, were nothing but her. Her face, everywhere her face...I thought I'd finally started t' forget. But all this," she gestures to the general area around them "This brought it all back. Every memory." She places her head on the bar and covers it with her hands. Her body shakes a bit with soft sobs. "...I've been so terrible t' all of ye..."

[12:30 AM] DM: Cyan glances between the scene at the bar and the people at the table, then sits at the far end of the table next to Gunnloda.

[12:31 AM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh lets out a breath she didn't realize she was holding at the change in Urrak and Seirixori's body language. She then politely returns to her drink.

[12:34 AM] Seirixori: "What is wrong with people." Seirixori grumbles, her thoughts going back to the conversation with Gunnloda the other night. "How could they just... leave." she snorts. Seirixori reaches out her hand, pulls it back, and then reaches out again, placing it on Urrak's shoulder. "It's... it's ok. I... understand. Kind of? I mean... not exactly but I just." Seirixori rambles, "I'll be here for you, you could even beat me up if it made you feel better." She laughs a little, clearly uncomfortable, "I mean, as a bear. I'm a little bit hardier as that." Seir makes a face and says to herself, ~~"I should really not talk to people, wow."~~ yeah of course urrak can totally hear that if she wants

[12:36 AM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Th-thank ye..." Urrak says from under her arms. She takes a few deep breaths, working up the courage to show her face to the rest of the bar. She's worried she's made a scene.

[12:38 AM] Seirixori: Seirixori shrugs, "You... you helped me before... and you're.. you're my friend?" She questions it, still a little unsure.

[12:39 AM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: Urrak straightens up a bit, but still sits hunched. She turns to Seirixiori, tears still hanging in her eyes "...If you'll 'ave me."

[12:40 AM] Seirixori: "I've never had a friend before." She grins.

[12:45 AM] Alex - Nolanos: Quietly from the table, Nolanos had been watching with keen interest. As the conversation unfolds, his eyes grow larger and shinier and his heart is just experiencing too many feelings.

[12:59 AM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh pats Nolanos's shoulder in comfort, and gives him a encouraging smile.

[1:00 AM] Seirixori: "Do you... want to go sit with everyone?"

[1:00 AM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "S-Sure..." Urrak nervously walks over

[1:03 AM] Seirixori: Seirixori follows, sitting next to Gunnloda and whispers excitedly, "I have a friend."

[1:03 AM] DM: Gunnloda chuckles.

[1:05 AM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: Urrak sits at the table, her head hung. She attempts to avoid looking anyone in the eye.

[1:05 AM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "I'm...sorry everyone."

[1:09 AM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: Ravaphine scribbles a note on a piece of paper and hands it to Urrak

[1:10 AM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Don't worry about it...I'm still surprised y'managed it, honestly."(edited)

[1:12 AM] DM: Cyan: "Well... this means everything's good then? Good."

[1:13 AM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: Urrak's head snaps up as she hears Cyan's voice. Her mind just now processing her presence at the table

[1:18 AM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh notices Urraks head snap to Cyan and raises an eyebrow in question.(edited)

[1:20 AM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Yeah...hopefully everythings...good" she flushes a little and looks down again

[1:21 AM] Seirixori: "Getting there," Seirixori flicks a little water at Urrak and grins. "Hey did you guys want to go after another component today?"

[1:22 AM] DM: Gunnloda: "It is still morning."

[1:22 AM] DM: Gunnloda suddenly disappears.

[1:23 AM] Seirixori: "Noooo." Seirixori pouts.

[1:23 AM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "I will never get used to this"

[1:26 AM] Alex - Nolanos: "I hope I never do."(edited)

[1:26 AM] Seirixori: "Well, now I wish I had something of hers so I could see that she's ok."

[1:26 AM] DM: Cyan frowns. "Is it selfish to be sad she's gone?"

[1:27 AM] Ryleigh (Nicole): "I think Seirixori would agree with you, so no."

[1:27 AM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Gunnloda's tough. she can handle 'erself. I think we'll all miss her in the meantime though..."

[1:27 AM] Seirixori: "Yeah, but...what if she can't?"

[1:29 AM] DM: Cyan: "She's just serving at a temple though, right? She's not in any danger. I'm just going to miss talking to her."

[1:30 AM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Aye. Out of all of us, Gunnloda seems t' have the safest home t' go to."

[1:30 AM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh shrugs, "With Gunnloda gone that means you could join us, Cyan? If you'd like." She flashes a smile in Cyan's direction.

[1:32 AM] DM: Cyan smiles back. "I might like that."

[1:32 AM] Seirixori: "I think I'll ask her for something when she comes back." Seirixori says, still pouting.

[1:33 AM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: Urrak stands up quickly, nearly knocking her chair over "R-right then. Let's head out."

## Session 27

[5:46 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "I seem t' have everythin'--" Urrak quickly pats her swordbelt and bandoleer and turns to start walking outside

[5:52 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "Urrak, wait. Let me walk with you" Rav says as she also gets her bearings together to head over to wherever Urrak is headed

[5:54 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "We'll be waitin' outside!" Urrak yells back as she exits the Cask(edited)

[5:54 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: Out of earshot she asks "why does that elf always get you so antsy all the time" with a slight chuckle(edited)

[5:56 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "It's...complicated." Urrak whispers back. Once they reach the streets outside, she goes to stand by the horse tie down bars

[6:02 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh gets up, "well shall we?" she gestures for Cyan to  walk with her.

[6:03 PM] DM: Cyan follows. "I should probably warn you, I'm not quite as useful as Gunnloda probably is."

[6:06 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): "I'm sure you'll contribute to our band of misfits."

[6:06 PM] DM: Cyan: "Are we headed to the teleporter?"

[6:07 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: Rav says bye to the horse and joins the rest of the group. "I've got Poni, let's head back to the teleporter"

[6:10 PM] Alex - Nolanos: Nolanos just sort of... blinks for a second. "what the hell..." he mutters to himself. He glances briefly at Cyan and, grinding his jaw slightly, follows Rav.

[6:09 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh clears her throat, "Cyan, could I have a word?" She smiles and quirks an eyebrow, "alone?"

[6:10 PM] DM: Cyan: "Sure? Uh... we'll catch up." And she will step aside with Ryleigh.

[6:12 PM] DM: What you guys see is Ryleigh step in close to Cyan and whisper something in her ear. Cyan's face flushes and Ryleigh winks at her before Ryleigh returns to you guys. Cyan takes an extra second or two to catch up, but she follows behind.

[6:13 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "What in the nine hells is she grinnin' about...?" Urrak whispers to Ravaphine(edited)

[6:14 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: She shrugs. "I'm never too sure. Also what's gotten into you too Mr. Grumpy Gills?" she asks Nolanos

[6:15 PM] Alex - Nolanos: "Huh? Oh, uh. Nothing. I've been feeling off since Bleakmourne I think."(edited)

[6:16 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Well that feelin's mutual, friend. We understand."

[6:17 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: She hugs Nolanos. "It's been a little rough since Bleakmourne. But we're away from that town now and can forget about that darn Kraken."

[6:18 PM] Alex - Nolanos: Nolanos hugs her back. "Thanks, Rav."

[6:20 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: She hesitates before letting go and clearing her throat. "Anyways, we should head over to the portal. got some people to save!" She skips over to Ryleigh and Cyan

[6:21 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh approaches, meeting Ravaphine in the middle, "I see I've missed the feelings exchange."

[6:21 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "I could say the same" she winks

[6:21 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "She's been real huggy as of late. I'm sure you'll get yer turn."

[6:22 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "You two have a nice chat?" Urrak asks Ryleigh(edited)

[6:25 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh looks bemused by Ravaphine's comment but turns to Urrak and answers, "Yes, we did" while raising her eyebrow in question.(edited)

[6:26 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Excellent." Urrak starts to walk towards Poni's "Let's go then, eh?"

[6:26 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: Rav follows

[6:27 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh follows too!

[6:27 PM] DM: Cyan follows at the back of the pack.

[6:27 PM] Alex - Nolanos: Nolanos also follows, subtly keeping his distance from Cyan.(edited)

[7:19 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh walks over to Cyan and hands her a ring of swimming, "would you like this too?"

[7:19 PM] DM: Cyan takes it from Ryleigh and slips it onto her finger with an odd look. "Thank you. If I need the potion, I'll let you know. I don't really have anywhere to store it right now."

[7:20 PM] Seirixori: "That's... a good point."

[7:21 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh whispers to Cyan, "don't be like that" and grins mischievously at her.

[7:24 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: Urrak eyes the two a moment, unconsciously digging her nails into her palms. "Alright..." She walks over to Ravaphine and places a hand on her shoulder. "Well, let's get on with it I suppose."

[7:24 PM] DM: Cyan: "Maybe I should just skip this one."

[7:26 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh shrugs, "your loss, but I can understand wanting to avoid all of that" and motions to Urrak.(edited)

[7:26 PM] Jaymes - Ravaphine: "You sure you don't want to come with us?" she asks Cyan with a pout

[7:28 PM] DM: Cyan's eyes flick from Ryleigh to Urrak and back to Rav. "I don't want to cause any problems in there. It might be better for everyone if I wasn't around."

[7:29 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Problems? What problems could ye possibly cause? We're all...great." Urrak eyes Ryleigh

[7:31 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh raises an eyebrow at Urrak's look, then comprehension hits her - she laughs.

[7:33 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: Urrak knits her brows at the sounds of Ryleigh's laughter and after a moment turns towards the commotion

[7:33 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh strolls over to Urrak and says, "it isn't what you think."

[7:34 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "I'm sure I don't know what yer talkin' about."

[10:47 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "Yer right, Nolanos..." Urrak thinks a moment "Poni says it's somethin'...close to ye right? Somethin' personal?"

[10:48 PM] DM: Poni: "Yes, finally something gets through that thick orc skull."

[10:48 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "I almost forgot y'talked..."

[10:48 PM] Seirixori: "I will break you when we're done."

[10:48 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: Urrak places her dagger on the table near Eloise. Once it's off her bandoleer, you can see it's much too small for her to actually  use in combat.(edited)

[10:49 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "There, that should do..."

## Session 27s

[12:22 PM] DM: The whole panic with Cae and then Tor, the knight that got mad at you for wasting her time... then Seirixori showed up, asked for Poni, and left to find Gunnloda, asking you all to let her go alone and not watch. You're still standing outside the temple with Nolanos and Ravaphine.

[12:25 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "This is pointless..." Urrak looks over at her companions and sighs, a look of thinly veiled concern on her face. "Seirixiori has t' find Gunnloda...she's our only hope. Until then...I don't know. I...I'll be at th' Cask." she walks off towards the tavern, her thumb fiddling with the now empty slot in her bandoleer where the dagger had lain for years.

[12:28 PM] DM: You walk in, and it's... kinda weird being here without anyone else. There's no Gunnloda or Rav behind the bar. No Cyan perched on the end of it. None of your new friends sharing your burdens and laughter. Just a bunch of mopey looking drunks.

[12:32 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Never thought I'd be the least depressed lookin' fool in this place..." Urrak looks around a bit more, but forgoes taking her usual seat at the bar. The emptiness is too much. She steps over a man passed out on the floor and heads back out. She'd been avoiding it, but she decides to walk back to Poni's, if for nothing else, to see if Seirixori has returned with help.

[12:34 PM] DM: She's not back yet, but Eloise and Cae meet you at the ground level.

Eloise: "Seirixori asked us to make sure nobody comes down while she looks for help."

[12:36 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Ah, I-I see. So she's in then? Hopefully she finds her..." Urraks eyes trail to the wound on Cae's arm "Feelin' alright so far?"

[12:37 PM] DM: Cae: "More or less. It's not so much the injury as what it might mean. This... person your friend is going to find... are they trustworthy? I'd rather word not get out about this."

[12:38 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Aye, Gunnloda is probably the purest soul I've ever met."(edited)

[12:38 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "She'd never do anythin t' put ye in danger."

[12:39 PM] DM: Eloise nods. "I'm sorry, by the way. I should have listened sooner. I just... didn't think something like this would happen."

[12:43 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Please ye...Yer the last person who should be  apologizin'. I basically tormented ye for days over yer decision, it wasn't my place." she fiddles again with the empty loop of leather. "Ryleigh's right when she says I'm more heart than 'ead. It gets me inta more trouble than ye can imagine..." She sighs a bit, working up the courage to say the words she'd been unable to earlier "I've been terrible t' ye and I'm more than sorry for that. You've got more on your plate than I can imagine. I hope ye can forgive me, and know we're tryin' our damnedest t' find a cure for yer wife."(edited)

[12:45 PM] DM: Eloise smiles. "There's nothing to forgive. And thank you, for pulling her out of there and for what you're doing now."

[12:47 PM] DM: Cae: "Maybe a giant wolf wasn't the best idea, though."

[12:48 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Thank ye...And I think yer right about that." She chuckles a bit and absentmindedly rubs at the back of her neck. "I do have a question for ye...have y'seen a half elf come through 'ere? Blue hair? Short?"

[12:50 PM] DM: Eloise: "Cyan? She was watching the portal with me when you went after the component, but she must have left. One minute she was there, talking about some tension in the group that made her want to hang back, and the next she was gone. I'm not sure where she went. I'm sorry."

[12:53 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "I see...well thank ye anyway. I'll be back once Seirixori returns. So, soon." Urrak walks out of Poni's, a seed of worry beginning to bud in her mind over Cyan's whereabouts

[12:56 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: She wanders into the town square, hoping to catch a glimpse of her

[12:57 PM] DM: You'd think bright blue hair would be easy to spot, but you don't see her here. There's a couple people sitting at the fountain and a couple of the guards from the caravan standing next to the horses and carts they brought in. Other than that, it's pretty empty.

[12:59 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "The one time I'm actually lookin' for ye..." Urrak mumbles to herself. She walks towards the people at the fountain. "Pardon me, I'm lookin fer someone and I was wonderin' if ye could help."

[1:00 PM] DM: One of them looks up. "We can try? We don't... know much about here."

[1:01 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Ah, new arrivals? Well might as well try. She's a half-elf woman, bright blue hair, rather short. She's usually performin' at the Cask but...well have ye seen someone like that about?"

[1:03 PM] DM: The man looks up this time. "Hard to miss that one. She went over that way a while back. Shopping, probably." The woman elbows him. "What? There's a store over there!"

Woman: "Uh-huh."

[1:04 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak smiles a bit, "Yeah she's definitely hard t' miss. Thank ye, I appreciate the help." Urrak walks in the direction the man pointed(edited)

[1:04 PM] DM: You do find a general store over there, and inside, you can see Lin #2 tidying things up.

[1:06 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak enters, looking casually at the goods as she makes her way in"Good day! Been awhile since I've seen ye. Y'doin' alright?"

[1:07 PM] DM: Lin: "Oh! Hello! I was wondering when I'd see you all again. I'm... well, doing as well as I can be all things considered. Are you looking for something in particular?"

[1:08 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Some one actually...Y'haven't happened t' see Cyan around recently, have ye?"

[1:09 PM] DM: Lin: "Cyan! Oh, she's just wonderful, isn't she? She was actually in here not long ago, but I'm not sure where she might have gone."

[1:11 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Truly, yes...And thank ye, I'll keep an eye out I suppose." Urrak walks out, giving a parting wave before exiting the shop. She walks further into the shopping district

[1:12 PM] DM: Before you go, she says, "I hope you were able to help that poor man you rescued."

[1:15 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak mulls over her parting words, unsure of which man she was referring to, but soon refocuses her thoughts on finding the Blue Bard. "Bellbury ain't that big of a place, right...?"(edited)

[1:17 PM] DM: None of the other shops in the area seem to be populated, though most are unlocked. Some have been looted of useful items, most have had their gold pillaged. You don't see any people.

[1:18 PM] DM: You don't find anything that might point you in the right direction. Maybe she poofed?

[1:22 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Getting slightly frustrated she continues to search, hoping that the elf hasn't been sent to another realm by Poni's mad machine, Urrak continues past the shops

[1:24 PM] DM: You realize maybe you can trace her literal footsteps instead of wandering blindly and go back to Lin's shop. The area right in front of the door is understandably chaotic, but you do see a pair of small bootprints that head off in a much less used direction and into an alleyway.

[1:25 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak follows the footprints

[1:26 PM] DM: There's more chaos in the dust and dirt behind a couple of crates, and a single pair of larger bootprints that walk away.

[1:26 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "What in the world...?" Urrak follows the larger prints

[1:27 PM] DM: They circle around the building and back out onto the main road where you can't follow through the streets any further.

[1:29 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: A sense of dread creeps through her belly as the tracks end. Taking a breath, she continues down the main road, her pace quickened.

[1:30 PM] DM: They seemed to be going back towards the town square when you lost track.

[1:30 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: She goes back to the town square

[1:30 PM] DM: Everything's just the way you left it.

[1:32 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak walks deeper into the square, looking for anything unusual

[1:36 PM] DM: There's not really anything to investigate out here. The ground is too littered with tracks to make anything out. There's just the couple at the fountain and the guards out here.You can just barely hear the plunk of lyre strings being plucked, one. by one. by one.

[1:36 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak follows the notes as best she can

[1:36 PM] DM: They're coming from the Cask.

[1:37 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak walks briskly into the Cask

[1:39 PM] DM: It looks pretty much the same as it did before. In the corner, where you guys had been sitting before, is a man you must not have noticed before. Human, blonde, possibly drunk, kinda just... sadly plucking at a lyre that's on the table.

[1:40 PM] DM: You're not sure... but that *could* be Cyan's lyre.

[1:40 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak walks up to the man "You there! Who are ye and where'd y' find that lyre?"

[1:42 PM] DM: He startles and pushes back in his chair. "Wh- what?"

[1:42 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "The instrument y'been pluckin' at. Is it yours?"

[1:43 PM] DM: Man: "Y-yes?"

[1:44 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Alright calm down, mate I ain't here t' arrest or hassle ye. Considering y'can barely manage a tune I'm gonna say that drink ain't makin' y' truthful. Please, I'm lookin for a friend, she plays a lyre like this one 'ere. If it's hers, I'm hopin' ye can tell me where y' found it."

[1:45 PM] DM: Man: "A friend?"

[1:46 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Ah, aye, at least...at least I hope she could call me that. Honestly, I ain't been the best to 'er. It's complicated, and yer probably 3 sheets t' wind anyway, but please if ye have any leads..."

[1:49 PM] DM: He looks *really* conflicted. "You're... not going to hurt her... or me... are you?"

[1:51 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "I...what? N-no I'd never! Y've done nothin' t' me and neither has she...I may look it but...I promise ye I'm not some wild brute what swings her fists about t' get her way."

[1:52 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Cyan is...one of the nicest people I've met. She's funny an' charmin' and... *beautiful* and...I couldn't bear to hurt 'er."

[1:53 PM] DM: He bites his lip, thinking, then stands. "Come with me." And he starts walking upstairs.

[1:53 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Ah...alright..." She follows

[1:54 PM] DM: He leads you up to one of the private rooms upstairs with just a bed and a chair and opens the door, gesturing inside. There's nobody else in there.

[1:57 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak walks inside before realizing it's empty. She turns towards the man,"Uh...listen buddy I, I dunno if I gave y'the wrong impression but I don't uh...let's see...swing this" she gestures towards him "Uh...way..."(edited)

[1:58 PM] DM: He shakes his head. "Please. Sit?"

[1:58 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Cautiously, she does

[2:00 PM] DM: He steps inside and shuts the door behind him. He takes a deep breath, and you see his body almost... melt away into a smaller form and when he turns around, she's a familiar looking half-elf with blue hair almost swimming in the clothes she had on before. "Please don't hate me."

[2:02 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Cy-Cyan?!" She bolts up, hands  open near her sides. It takes every ounce of strength to keep herself from running up and embracing her "I thought...I thought ye'd..." She runs a hand through her hair "I saw some boot prints in the alley it-it looked like a struggle and I thought maybe ye'd..." She doesn't realize tears have started to form in her eyes and slowly drip down her cheeks "I thought some one had grabbed ye..."(edited)

[2:03 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "And I'd been so...horrible and selfish and distant to ye and I thought....Gods...I'll never see her again...she left cuz of me..."(edited)

[2:04 PM] DM: Cyan's got tears falling too and she almost whispers, "Like Ancy?"

[2:05 PM] DM: And... you've never been close enough to notice, but now that she's right there... she doesn't have Ancy's tattoos, but her face... she even has that cute little freckle above her eyebrow that you used to love.

[2:05 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "What...what did ye just say...?" Urrak steps closer, cautiously. "How do ye know that name..." She looks closer at her, her heart pounding in her ears

[2:07 PM] DM: She closes her eyes, almost flinching. "I... I didn't know it was you until a few days ago, when you said I looked like someone you knew."

[2:10 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak's eyes widen, her hands shaking wildly "Ancy... Ancy is that you...?" She kneels slightly brings her hands to Cyan's face, cupping it gently in her hands. She whispers softly through tears "Please...tell me it's true...Tell me I found ye..."

[2:12 PM] DM: She shakes her head. "I'm... I'm not her." She tries to pull back away from you like distance might keep her safer. "I knew her, in a way... and I understand. She was... wonderful and the most beautiful woman I'd ever met."

[2:18 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak slowly retracts her hands, a sob wracking her body. She falls softly to her knees. "I'm...I'm sorry I...I overstepped with the...touching..." She wipes the tears from her face with her sleeve. "It's just...she left so suddenly. Nothin' but a quickly scribbled note and our valuables in tow. It was most...painful thing I've ever experienced. It's been years, and while there is still some anger in me it's...mostly just worry now. She always told me she'd love me till the end of my days...how can I just...let go of that? There has t' be more to it there just--" she wipes her face again, taking deep breaths in hopes of calming herself down. "Do you...do you have any idea...where she could be?"

[2:22 PM] DM: She closes her eyes again, more tears dripping from her eyes. "She's-- She loved you. She still loved you. She was in Alderrath, using the name Ravana."

[2:23 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Ye keep sayin' 'was'...has she...?"

[2:26 PM] DM: Cyan presses her lips together for a moment, trying to hold herself together and shakes her head. "She was looking into the Gray. When I-- She left to go after them. Alone. Everyone who's ever looked for them disappeared. I couldn't-- She's gone. I'm so sorry."

[2:31 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak dips her head down, covering  it with her hands, no longer worried about what kind of scene she's making. She cries for the years with Ancy, the years without her, and for her anger stopping her from finding her again. She unravels, heaving sobs bouncing off the corners of the room. "I should've...I should've...I couldn't... I couldn't keep her safe..."

[2:32 PM] DM: Cyan hesitates, but she comes over and puts her hand on your shoulder to try to offer some small bit of comfort.

[2:37 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Gods...I'm sorry this all...this is a lot t' put on ye..." She attempts to straighten up, her face wet with tears, and eyes bloodshot. "I just...This is all..." she leans back on her haunches, closing her eyes tight to allow the last tears to fall, her mouth in a tight line. She takes a deep breath "Y'really do look so much like her...it's uncanny, almost frightenin'...I wasn't sure how t' be around ye. It was like...talkin' with a ghost..." She stands up, places her interlaced hands on her head and sighs, blinking away the remaining wetness in her eyes. "I...thank ye for letting me know. For showing me...who ye are. I'm sorry I've been such a...Gods, such a mess..."(edited)

[2:39 PM] DM: Cyan: "I didn't know it would hurt anyone. I'm sorry. I can... change, if it would help."

[2:41 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "No, no please...I couldn't ask ye t' do that." She fiddles with the loop again, hooking her thumb into it and tugging lightly "No, I'll be alright." she smiles softly, eyes still a bit red, "You're a great person, Cyan, never change."

[2:44 PM] DM: She shakes her head. "I'm not, really. And... I do change. It's who I am. It's... no trouble to me, really. I look like this because..." she pauses and tries to blink back new tears, "I loved her too. And she was so beautiful. Sometimes it's easier to survive when you're pretty."

[2:46 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "I see... well, y'got every detail right..." Absentmindedly, she goes to touch the freckle above her brow with her thumb, but recoils half way. "S-sorry."(edited)

[2:48 PM] DM: She nods, understanding. She closes her eyes and her features shift again. Still half-elf, still short, but without Ancy's face and with dark wavy shoulder-length hair. "This might be easier for both of us."

[2:53 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Aye...It just might." Urrak fixes her hair, straightens her swordbelt. She bows her head a moment. "Well then", she walks over to Cyan, stopping a respectable distance from the elf "Let's start fresh." She holds out a hand "Urrak, of the D'Akshi stronghold. Pleased t' make yer acquaintance." she smiles broadly, eyes full of their old light

[2:58 PM] DM: Cyan smiles and takes your hand, but her face falls almost immediately. "Thank you for not--" She stops and tries to find the right words. "People don't tend to like people like me. I mostly stay on the road, changing faces and names when I change towns. Maybe it would be best if Cyan "left", poofed back to Westband and I'm just... a new arrival. This is the face Ancy knew, and the name Malica. If... that's ok?"

[3:01 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Pleasure to meet ye, Malica. I hope Cyan's journey home is safe." Urrak places her other hand on top of the rest, and squeezes gently. "Come, Seirixori should be back soon. The others should meet the new you." She leads them both to the door, holding it open for her. "After you."

[3:03 PM] DM: She smiles, her eyes full of tears AGAIN for a different reason now. "I-- I'll catch up later. I have to go find my women's clothes again first. You must have found where I changed last time. I hope she found someone to cure the curse. She asked me earlier for Cyan, but I couldn't help."

[3:05 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak chuckles "Sneaky one, y'are." she turns to leave, but says before she goes "See y'soon...I hope."

[3:05 PM] DM: She nods. "We have a lot to talk about."

## Session 29

[9:52 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh doesn't take her eyes off the screen but smiles at Urrak's comment, "you seem to be in a much better mood."

[9:53 PM] DM: There's suddenly more light as the tiger pushes open what must be some sort of door.

[9:54 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "I am yeah.  Had a very... interesting talk with Cyan."

[9:56 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh does look up at that, "Good, you two needed to speak - the tension was palpable."

[9:54 PM] Alex - Nolanos: "Oh? How'd that go?"(edited)

[9:58 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "It went well...all things considered. And was it?"

[10:00 PM] Alex - Nolanos: "Um, a bit. Something was off about her though...I dunno."(edited)

[10:00 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): Ryleigh quirks an eyebrow and chuckles, "by the Gods Urrak, surely you aren't that thick. I thought you were going to punch me when I spoke to her."

[10:02 PM] Wingy - Urrak D'Akshi: "I suppose I...let my emotions get ahold o' me. I hope I didn't cause too much trouble to ya." Urrak blushes a bit with embarrassment

[10:03 PM] DM: The tiger has pushed on two walls now, though you can't really see why.

[10:05 PM] Ryleigh (Nicole): "I find plenty of trouble without anyone else's help" she shrugs, "what is Seirixori doing?"

 Session 31

[8:43 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak walks into the crisp evening air, thankful for the reprieve "Gods that was close....What y' doin here Cy---Malica?"

[8:43 PM] DM: "I didn't know there was a whole thing tonight. I was just looking for you. You said you wanted to introduce me to everyone."

[8:46 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "I understand, I guess I shoulda clarified when...I had a feelin this dinner would be tense at the very least. Hard time for introducin' someone." She runs a hand through her hair. "Trust me when I say I'm tryin' me best t' keep this all under wraps, but Rav...she seems t' be  a bit more perceptive than the rest."

[8:46 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "I just...want t' make sure yer safe." She places a cautious hand on her arm

[8:48 PM] DM: She smiles a bit sadly. "You're not the best liar either. It might not be... sustainable. Most of them... I think most of them might be ok. Ryleigh worries me."

[8:50 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Aye, I never have been." She smiles a bit and nervously rubs her neck "And Ryleigh? Why's that?" she thinks a bit "Are ye worried she'll hurt ya?"

[8:51 PM] DM: She looks nervous, a little on edge. "She... kinda threatened me. When she whispered to me before you guys met the... the vampires."

[8:51 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "What'd she say t' ye?" Urraks brows furrow and her hands begin to clench

[8:53 PM] DM: She puts her hands out on your arm. "It's not... it was my fault. I was scared."

[8:55 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Malica..." she tries to catch her eyes "You'd tell me, right? If ye truly felt threatened?"

[8:57 PM] DM: "I've been on the run so long... I get scared, I make allies with my magic. Then I leave again before it  becomes an issue. I... can't leave here. I used my magic on Ryleigh and Nolanos in case you were mad at me. She was only reacting to that."

[8:59 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Y-y' didn't think I'd hurt ye, did ye?" Urrak's face falls

[9:01 PM] DM: "I didn't know what to expect. Most people... they think we kill for our faces. I was afraid you'd think I'd killed her. I mean... I-- I probably was partly to blame, but..." She stops talking, worried again.

[9:01 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak feels her heart leap into her throat "What was that last bit...?"

[9:08 PM] DM: She takes half a step backwards. "Not... directly. We were-- I told you I loved her. I did the wrong thing. She got mad. Told me about you. She was still so in love with you. She left. Alone. If I hadn't... maybe she wouldn't have left."

[9:09 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Please, for the love of all the heavens can ye just be straight with me." Urrak sighs, bowing her head and placing her interwoven fingers on top of it(edited)

[9:10 PM] DM: She hangs her head. "I'm sorry. It's... reflex. Defense mechanism, I guess."

[9:12 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak paces a bit "I...understand...well actually I don't but...I understand tryin' t' protect yerself." She looks over to her  and places her hands on her hips "I'm sorry."(edited)

[9:13 PM] DM: "I just... feel like I chased her away and it got her killed. I didn't want her to go at all. I wish I'd just kept my mouth shut."

[9:14 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Y'can't blame yerself. Ancy has always been very...independent. I'm sure it wasn't entirely your fault." She turns a bit to hide a couple tears. She quickly recovers, wiping her face with a sleeve. "We should...we should join the others."(edited)

[9:18 PM] DM: "I'm sorry. I don't... I don't want to hurt you. You must be a wonderful person if she loved you so much."

[9:19 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak laughs "Not as good as ye may think." she pauses and hears the group say their goodbyes to the Moonstreams and walk off. "Ah, I think they're leavin'."

[9:20 PM] DM: "How do you think we should handle this?"

[9:21 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "While I don't think any of 'em would mind truly...I wouldn't do anything t' put ye in danger" she folds her arms in thought(edited)

[9:25 PM] DM: "If I could just... leave. But I can't. I could just... be someone that you don't know. Keep to myself until this whole thing blows over."

[9:27 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Malica, please" she places her hands on her shoulders "Breathe. I promise I'm gonna keep you safe. And trust me, I'm not tryin' t' pull anything." She gives her shoulders a slight squeeze. "Will ye come with me t' the Cask?"(edited)

[9:28 PM] DM: "I... ok?"

[9:29 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Sorry, I've never been the best at...talkin 't' folks." She blushes a bit and fiddles with the empty loop of leather on her bandoleer "So, shall we?"

[9:30 PM] DM: She's confused, but nods.

[9:31 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak walks into the Cask, Malica in tow "Ah good, yer all awake..."

[9:32 PM] Ravaphine: "where have you two lovebirds been"

[9:34 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Oh n-no it's not like that." Urrak raises her hands in front of her "Not at all."

[9:34 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "I was just offerin' her my protection if some creep at th' inn tried t' pull anything funny"

[9:36 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak turns to Malica "Have y' any coin? I can spot ye for a private room."(edited)

[9:36 PM] Ravaphine: She turns to Malica. "Urrak will protect you. She protects all of us. You're safe here"

[9:37 PM] DM: Malica: "I have one. Thank you."

[9:37 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Excellent." Urrak nods a tad too furiously. "Well then, I think we should all get some sleep."

[9:37 PM] Ravaphine: "I don't think anyone is collecting any money for the cask, Urrak" rav jokes

[9:38 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak blushes a bit with embarrassment. How long  had she been sleeping here?

[9:39 PM] Ravaphine: Rav smacks Urrak in the arm. "Go get some sleep. We got a long day ahead of us"

[9:39 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Aye, that we do."

[9:40 PM] Nolanos: "Adventure awaits," Nolanos smiles.(edited)

[9:44 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Right...anyway." She turns back to Malica "Have a good night then...Malica." she smiles a bit. "Hope t' see ye soon."

[9:45 PM] DM: Malica gives her a smile back. "Thank you and... I'm sorry again. For everything. Just... everything."

[9:46 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Ye don't have to apologize, truly. But if it helps...I forgive ye." she gives her shoulder a quick squeeze before walking upstairs to sleep

## Later Urica

[10:58 AM] DM: So, you said good night, but... got restless? Couldn't sleep with thoughts of Ancy bouncing in your head? So you went to find Malica, which, it's easy enough to figure out which room she'd be in.

[11:01 AM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak, sick of tossing and turning, raises from her bed. She sits on the edge of it for a spell, debating if what she feels she needs to do is right, but eventually she gets up to find Malica's room.

[11:03 AM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: She leaves her own rented space, the lightness of her traveler's clothes feeling foreign after days of wearing heavy armor, and finds her door. She pauses, taking deep breaths, and knocks softly "Malica...?"(edited)

[11:06 AM] DM: There's a moment of silence, but the door opens just a bit and you can see Malica standing there, looking out. When she realizes it's you, she opens it a bit more to let you in. The room's pretty empty, the bed still made. There's a decent sized bag sitting in the corner, but that's the only indication that anyone's staying in the room.

[11:07 AM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "I'm...sorry t' intrude. I suppose I could come back later if it's better for ye..." she fidgets a bit, twisting and rubbing her fingers with her other hand.

[11:09 AM] DM: "It's ok. I can't sleep anyway. Do you... want to come in?"

[11:10 AM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak nods, and steps inside.  She takes another deep breath, "I'm sure ye can guess what I'm about t' ask ye...do you mind if I sit?" she motions to the bed.

[11:11 AM] DM: She shuts the door behind you and shakes her head, gesturing towards the bed. "Go ahead."

[11:13 AM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak sits, her hands balling into tight fists as she tugs at the fabric of her breeches. "I need t' know. I need to know everythin'. Everythin' about...Ancy." She looks at the floor as she says her name

[11:16 AM] DM: She nods and crosses her arms in front of her, leaning against the wall opposite you. "Are you sure you're... ready to hear it?"

[11:18 AM] DM: For the sake of clarity, Cyan was always kind of larger than life, outgoing, cheerful, flirty... Malica, since she's changed, has been quiet, withdrawn, nervous, almost scared. Even now, she's folded in on herself and soft-spoken.

[11:21 AM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "I don't think I'll ever be truly ready but....I won't find peace without knowin'. I'm just...tired of wonderin'. The worry it...it feels like I'm being haunted. Buried under a mountain of 'what if's'." she grips the small leather bag on a rope around her neck beneath her shirt. Slowly she lifts her eyes to Malica.  In a small voice, completely unfitting of a half-orc fighter laden with scars, she whispers ,"Please."

[11:25 AM] DM: She nods and kind of looks away, rubbing her arms like she's cold. "I was in Lughagen when she came in. I was a face for the guild there... she said she had a message from someone in the Onyxward guild, but they'd gone dark. We hadn't heard from them in... a month or more by that time."

[11:28 AM] DM: She shrugs, a faint tint of pink crossing her face. "I wanted to help her. I volunteered to help her try to track down the people from Onyxward. We worked together for... months. Trying to piece together the clues. All this time, she was using the name Ravana. She never mentioned where she'd been or why she'd left Onyxward until we found something... evidence that pointed towards the Gray. Do... you know what that is? Do you know anything about Alderrath?"

[11:31 AM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: She shakes her head softly "I'm afraid my worldview's a bit limited. Before this all happened I'd never been much further than Nampuli."

[11:31 AM] DM: "She never talked about before?"

[11:31 AM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "As I'm sure ye noticed, Ancy never spoke too much about the past." she smiles slightly(edited)

[11:32 AM] DM: She half-scoff/half-chuckles sadly. "She... compartmentalized well.  It's... a good trait to have when you're in our line of work."

[11:33 AM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "I imagine so. It never mattered much t' me...when she was near me, that's all that mattered." her eyes begin to water a bit(edited)

[11:37 AM] DM: She lowers her head a bit, then continues. "When we found that evidence that the Gray was involved, she told me about when she was younger. She'd had a job that... something wasn't right. Somehow she wound up on the Gray's bad side. She was scared. The Gray... it's like... it's almost like a scary story you tell kids to keep them in bed at night. If you're bad the Gray will get you. Most people think it's a fairy tale... but she knew better. She left Alderrath altogether. I'm... guessing that's why she was in Nampuli. Trying to get as far away as she could, hoping she was safe."

[11:41 AM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "This Gray...it's some kind of guild?" she tries to recall any kind of mention of such a force, but comes up empty "Or...bandits?" Urrak's brow furrows as she tries to comprehend

[11:42 AM] DM: She shakes her head and there's just... fear written across her face. She's been soft-spoken this whole time, but she drops even further to a whisper. "Vampires."

[11:46 AM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: A chill shoots down her spine "Gods..." she runs a hand through her hair, eyes shifting around as she processes this revelation "And they...they found her then...when she....Gods I probably put her in so much danger tryin' t' keep her close..." she swallows hard, as a couple of tears fall from her eyes.

[11:49 AM] DM: Malica moves over to sit next to you and puts her hand on your arm. "You had nothing to do with it. They were... she thought they tracked her to Onyxward, but when they couldn't find her, they... she had a friend who sent her a Sending that the Gray was coming for them. Nampuli's sunshine would have been better for her than staying in Alderrath. Nowhere's safe there."

[11:52 AM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "And ye...yer sure they...caught up with her...?"

[11:58 AM] DM: She sighs, pulling her hand from your arm. "We were making a plan. She wanted to get closer. Try to find where they were headquartered or find out if anyone from Onyxward was still alive. We'd spent so much time together and... I must have read it wrong or... just saw what I wanted. I thought there was more than work between us. I messed up. I pushed too hard. That's when she told me about you. Told me that I--" she sniffles. "And then I messed up more. She... got mad and left. She took the information we'd gathered and walked out. Told me she didn't want to see me again."

[12:00 PM] DM: "In all our research, all the information we'd gathered, we'd never found any hint of anyone who had ever looked for the Gray and survived. Not one."

[12:07 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak places a hand on Malica's knee without much thought, "I...appreciate y' tellin me all this." she pauses a moment, lost in her memories "Y'did so much for her, and I know it came from an honest place." She looks Malica in the eye. "I just hope ye don't...it wasn't yer fault. Ancy is just...was just...a captivatin' woman. And workin' so close with someone fer  a time well...feelin's happen." she comes out of her wistful state suddenly and returns her hand to her lap "I...sorry. Again with th' touchin...." She chuckles to herself and shakes her head. "I'm just...a real mess these days."

[12:12 PM] DM: She shakes her head. "It's... fine. You're ok, and... I thought you should know. All of it. But you're wrong... about me. It was selfish. I was selfish. I shouldn't have... and now she's... gone and I'm here with you and neither of us is with her and..." She trails off and then you hear in the smallest voice, "there's nowhere to run."

[12:15 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Hey," she brushes a bit of hair behind Malica's ear "I meant what I said. That I'd protect ye. I don't make promises I can't keep." She struggles a bit to smile, eyes still red from recent tears "I'm gonna do everythin' I can t' make good on that. And as for Ancy..." she goes to fiddle with a loop of leather that isn't there "I...I might have a way t' find her."

[12:21 PM] DM: She looks confused for a moment, then her eyes widen in realization, then fear. "Poni? But... she... it's been months. And you might be able to protect me from the people here, but... if you--" She takes a deep breath to give herself time to string together more than three words. "If you go looking, you will find them... and you can't protect anyone from them. They will find you even if they have to go through everyone you love to do it."

[12:23 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "I...know it seems insane but. Well, it's hard t' explain but...I pledged my love t' her fer life" she sighs "I...have t' try."(edited)

[12:24 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "As long as there's a way...I have t' try."

[12:25 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: She sits silently for a bit, mulling over her thoughts, "Thank ye again, Malica. I needed t'  hear the whole story." She moves to stand(edited)

[12:28 PM] DM: She looks conflicted, but shakes her head. "I-- I'm sorry. I can't. My best chance is to just... keep moving. Keep changing. I can't help you... but... good luck? And... if you do somehow manage to find her... please just... tell her I'm sorry."

[12:31 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "I understand. I wouldn't ask me t' put yerself in danger." she places her hands on her hips "But...if there's anythin' else y' can tell about these Gray, t' give me some kind of idea of what I'd be dealin' with I'd appreciate it." she walks backwards a bit, slowly "For now...I think we both should get some sleep." she reaches the door, resting a hand on the rough wood "G'night, Malica."

[12:32 PM] DM: "Good night."

## Session 32

[4:53 PM] DM: As you pause at the door to say good night, you hear the sound of armor outside and a door swing open. Before you can really place the sound, you hear a thumping at the door you're standing at. A metallic thump like a gauntlet on wood. Malica shrinks back at the noise.

[4:54 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak freezes, unsure of how to handle what she knows to be armed guards. All her equipment is in her room. She puts a hand to the door and turns "Malica," she whispers "Get in the bed."

[4:56 PM] DM: She looks confused for a second, but does.

[4:56 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: She opens the door a crack and puts on her best tired voice "Hullo. Can I help ye...?"

[4:57 PM] DM: Outside is the steel-covered woman you'd encountered before, outside the temple, and a guard in leathers with the Moonstream crest on her chest. The paladin moves to push the door open further. "You're wanted back at the mansion."

[4:58 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: She pushes back a bit on the door "Come now y've just woken me an' my wife ere and yer tellin me I gotta drop everythin' and head t' where did ye say? The mansion?"

[5:03 PM] DM: Tor pushes the door open. She shoves it open hard enough to push you back a bit and reaches for her sword, but doesn't draw it. "I'm only going to say it once more. You and your "wife". Mansion. Now."

There are no windows on the second floor.

[5:05 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "Alright now, let's relax a bit..." she holds her hands out in front of her to distance herself from the paladin. She looks back at Malica, a look of concern on her face, "We'll come with ye. Just...don't hurt her."

[5:10 PM] DM: She steps back from the door and gestures for you both to move.

[5:10 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak holds out her hand to Malica, giving a reassuring nod.

[5:11 PM] DM: Malica follows, shying away from the very intimidating looking steel-woman as you pass her.

[5:13 PM] DM: The Moonstream guard takes the lead with the Mirranite walking behind you, watching you for threats, and they take you towards the mansion. Outside, there's a man in leather armor standing at the door to the mansion like he's on guard.

[5:14 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak looks around, taking in the whole scene, her mind working a million miles a minute to figure out what in the Hells is happening. "Can I ask what exactly's goin' on?"

[5:16 PM] DM: They lead you into the dining hall where you had dinner just a couple hours prior.

## Session 33

[5:01 PM] DM: Day 8, Wedan 12 Jaqmont 3Y53

A long night led to a late start the next day. It's about 2 in the afternoon. The sun is shining. The square is empty, the wagons having been unloaded and relocated. The Cask has its usual complement of sad sack drunks and people who just float from day to day hoping they might get to go home. Anyone who ate lunch basically had to go in the kitchen and make it themselves. There's a guard outside the Moonstream door, a human woman in leather armor with the Moonstream crest on her chest. She's frowning and staring into space.(edited)

[5:05 PM] Ravaphine: Ravaphine is also at the cask, sitting at the bar, eating some peanuts and drinking apple juice in a stein

[5:06 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: Urrak wakes from a fitful, but much needed rest. The night prior plays over and over in her head. She may have offered to take the time for Seirixiori, but the reveal of the tiefling's secret doings still stung a bit, somewhere deep. Rising from the rented bed, she puts her gear on, the last bit being her sword belt and bandoleer. The empty loop of leather still feels foreign. With a sigh, and a swift crack of her knuckles, she walks down to the main floor of the Cask.

[9:44 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "A'course. Wouldn't dare let it get past the group. We're here t' keep ye safe, not t' out ye t' all of Bellbury."

[9:46 PM] DM: She nods and squeezes your hands back. "Ok. ...thank you. I know you're doing everything you can think of to help. I appreciate it, even knowing why."

[9:49 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "I'm here fer anyone what needs help." Urrak lingers there a moment before she realizes what she's doing. She drops Malica's hands and begins to twist her own fingers, shame plain on her face. She knows she's already gotten far too close. "An...a'course. T' find Ancy" she swallows hard, her eyes flickering from the ground back to Malica.(edited)

[9:51 PM] DM: A sad smile flickers on and off her lips. "I don't want to make this harder for you. I'm sorry."

[9:54 PM] Urrak D'Akshi - Half-Orc Fighter: "N-no, it's" she puffs a sharp breath through her nose, its bridge now a deep crimson. "No, this is...all on me." She turns and paces a bit "It's...no matter what face ye put on....that connection is there. It's...difficult. But--" she turns back around "It's not yer fault, and my mission's the same as it was. Feelin's or no."

## Session 34

*[*5:02 PM*]* DM*:* Day 8, Late at Night.

Ryleigh came back with everyone through the portal and... it's dark. It's quiet. Everyone that was in the square is gone except that Moonstream guard. It's a different one now, the one that had brought you to the mansion when Usan summoned you all for the trial. Urrak didn't come through the portal with you all and now, an hour or two later...

*[*5:03 PM*]* Ryleigh*:* Ryleigh walks into the cask, and looks around.(edited)

*[*5:04 PM*]* DM*:* It's quiet. Most people have found beds somewhere and there's a couple people who are just passed out down here.

*[*5:05 PM*]* Ryleigh*:* Ryleigh goes upstairs, heading towards her room.

*[*5:09 PM*]* Ryleigh*:* She stops for a moment at Malica's door but decides to proceed to her room instead.

*[*5:12 PM*]* Urrak D'Akshi*:* You can hear muffled laughter and the makings of a casual conversation. After a time, loud foot steps can be heard walking across the room. The conversation continues until you hear the door creak open. "I'll be right back." you hear what sounds to be a horribly mangled elvish word at the end.

*[*5:14 PM*]* Urrak D'Akshi*:* She proceeds to close the door softly and make her way down the hall towards the stairs

*[*5:16 PM*]* Ryleigh*:* Ryleigh rolls her eyes at the *noise* from next door. Once it stops, she pokes her head out the door and sees Urrak walking down the hallway, "I hope you know what you're doing."

*[*5:18 PM*]* Urrak D'Akshi*:* Urrak stops mid step, her body tensing immediately. She turns to you, clothes disheveled, hair mussed, and a look of pure shame painted across her face. "Ryleigh..."

*[*5:19 PM*]* Urrak D'Akshi*:* "I...I..." she looks down at the floor and rubs at her neck, even in the dark, you can see a small dark mark when she pulls her hand away. "No, I'm...I'm tired of lyin'. Ryleigh can we talk...." she looks back towards Malica's room "Somewhere else?"(edited)

*[*5:21 PM*]* Ryleigh*:* Ryleigh walks back into her room for a brief moment, then steps fully into the hallway. As she reattaches Dawnbringer to her belt, she motions for Urrak to follow her down into the kitchen.(edited)

*[*5:23 PM*]* Urrak D'Akshi*:* Urrak eyes the blade, swallows hard and follows

*[*5:24 PM*]* Ryleigh*:* "Don't worry, she just doesn't like being left alone." Ryleigh says casually - like it's totally not weird.(edited)

*[*5:26 PM*]* Urrak D'Akshi*:* "Well....alright then." she walks into the kitchen with Ryleigh and adjusts her breeches. They're old, tired, and near threadbare at the knees. Her tunic is just as well worn, with holes from rubbing against her belt at the bottom and a torn armpit. You can also see that she is is totally barefoot.

*[*5:26 PM*]* Urrak D'Akshi*:* "I'm sure y'have...a lot t' say t' me."

*[*5:29 PM*]* Ryleigh*:* Ryleigh pinches the bridge of her nose and sighs exasperatedly, "oh I have plenty of things I'd like to say to you" her eyes fly open and stare directly at you, "but you're an adult. I've said my bit, if you want to get yourself killed...." her stare is very intense, "I won't continue to try and stop you."(edited)

*[*5:31 PM*]* Urrak D'Akshi*:* "I....I understand. Ry, I...I really need t' tell you some things." She bites her lip and looks to the side of her "Before y'toss me aside completely." she looks into Ryleigh's eyes, her own appearing quite tired. Softly she adds "...Please."(edited)

*[*5:32 PM*]* Ryleigh*:* "I'll listen to what you have to say."

*[*5:40 PM*]* Urrak D'Akshi*:* Urrak rubs her face, breathing deeply. She places her other hand on her hip for a spell. "Alright..."
She begins to tell you of the elf she fell in love with so many years ago. She was beautiful, intelligent, and highly skilled in all manners of deception and thievery. "She worked for a thieves guild, though I never caught its name. Her face, hands..." she pauses, remembering "Her body...were covered in these blue tattoos. Signs of status in the group." she tells of their marriage, and later of her departure. "Took everythin' what could catch some coin on the black market. All she left of her was a dagger, same dagger what pinned a note to the table." she stops to wipe a tear from her eye. " 'I'm sorry. I love you' that's all it said." She continues, skipping over her years of odd jobbing quickly as she felt they held no importance. Then "And then when I met Cyan....she....she looked just like her. Like a Ancy's ghost was there....mockin' me." she tells of how she found out about Cyan's abilities, of her transformation into Malica, and of the revelation of Ancy's whereabouts...or perhaps lack there of, and "The Gray. Mal said she was looking into the Gray before she left again." She attempts to explain how her and the changeling fell together, how the situtation became so incredibly entangled but feels like she isn't making much sense. "And so...here we are...I suppose."

*[*5:43 PM*]* Urrak D'Akshi*:* "I just....need everyone here t'...be on the same page. I'm so tired of keepin' secrets...and I hate that lyin's my first instinct, truly I do." she takes a breath "And...well..." she looks off and shakes her head. "I guess Ry, all I'm askin'...is for you--*us*--t' be...civil." She doesn't realize she's crying.

*[*5:53 PM*]* Ryleigh*:* Ryleigh walks over to Urrak and places a hand on her face, wiping away a few tears in the process. She quirks her head and gives a small smile, "Urrak, when were we not civil?..." she thinks back to tussle outside the cask, "well, except that one time you body slammed me into the wall" she laughs lightly then steps away Urrak.

"When we were in that tomb, with the specters, I made a mistake. I jumped into the that hole without thinking of the consequences, I forgot myself and made a rash decision. I should have paid with my life, but you jumped in after me...when you didn't have to. You took the hit the wraith intended for me..even if you didn't mean to." She inhales deeply, "I worry about you because its been a very long time since anyone has had my back." Ryleigh meets your eyes, "I don't trust her, but I do trust you. Only time will prove to me she has no ulterior motives. I don't approve, but I can tell that that doesn't matter."

*[*5:59 PM*]* Urrak D'Akshi*:* "Aye, Ry, yer opinion's never mattered much t' me." She winks clumsily through tears and mumbles after "*That's a total lie, by the way*" she tries to compose herself, tears welling in her eyes for a completely different reason now "I...I protect the people I care about. Whether ye want me or not." she elbows her like *yer stuck with me pal* "I just...I know it makes no sense t' ye. Frankly, it makes no sense t' me either. I mean, I don't know what t' even call it besides technically adultery but...and I don't know if y've felt this way or not," she runs a hand through her hair, as it passes, it falls to her chest, feeling for something that isn't there, "She makes me feel...*something*, and even if it's only for a short while...it helps."(edited)

*[*6:07 PM*]* Ryleigh*:* "I understand the desperate need to feel something...to feel anything other than that all consuming sadness." She looks like shes trying hard to focus on the wall behind you "....I very much understand that feeling" but it isn't sadness you hear in her voice, it's darker than that, and you see her hand grip the sword on her hip. Ryleigh looks back at you, trying to refocus the conversation, "are you going to look for her? your wife."(edited)

*[*6:13 PM*]* Urrak D'Akshi*:* Urrak places a hand on her shoulder, offering some comfort. "Ancy left me, that's certain." She drops her hand and turns around, crossing her arms and stepping a few paces away as she does so. "That was...an intense hurt that I can still feel in me bones when I remember it." She hangs her head "Took me years of drinkin' and fightin' and hustlin' t' get any kind of ok with it." She turns back around, and looks to Ryleigh "I regret those years now...it was...time wasted. I should've gone after her. I should've at least tried." She walks back to the paladin "What Malica's told me....about Ancy, about the Gray...even with my recent" her face flushes "*indiscretions*...there's somethin' tellin' me t' try again. I feel that...if this Gray is as frightenin' and powerful as Malica claims, that I have to help her. I just have to." she rubs at her neck again, a look of frustration crawls across her features "I just...I don't know enough to be prepared yet. I'm not..." a few tears come again "I'm not strong enough...not yet."(edited)

*[*6:16 PM*]* Ryleigh*:* Ryleigh looks like shes concentrating, like she's wracking her brain to find something, "the Gray?"

*[*6:20 PM*]* Urrak D'Akshi*:* "Oh yeah...gods I skipped right over th' best part" the sarcasm is thick in her voice "The Gray...seem t' be a group of Vampires. Strong, scary ones. The kind o' group y' don't cross an, apparently...Ancy crossed 'em. Don't know how but...it explains why a such a fair elf was in Nampuli..." she passes a wistful breath through her nose(edited)

*[*6:28 PM*]* Ryleigh*:* "Vampires" she breathes. "Urrak, I'm sure the group will be willing to help you look for her, after they've completed the arch." Ryleigh rubs her forehead, "I'm not sorry for what I said earlier, but I am sorry if my words hurt you. You may be a bad liar, but Malica lives a life of lies. I would know, I keep secrets too." She sighs heavily, "Just be careful."

*[*6:31 PM*]* Ryleigh*:* She looks up at you, "because..I like having a battle buddy."

*[*6:32 PM*]* Urrak D'Akshi*:* "Aye...once we complete the arch." she places a hand on Ryleigh's cheek, her rough thumb brushing it lightly. "I like havin' one too. We all keep secrets Ry. I just hope...if y'ever want t' unburden yerself from them, y'd come t' me." She drops her hand and smiles. "Or--anyone else in the...group. Obviously." she chuckles awkwardly(edited)

*[*6:43 PM*]* Ryleigh*:* Ryleigh gives you a sad smile, "you're sweet, but my nightmares follow me like a shadow." She grips the handle of Dawnbringer. Ryleigh turns her back to you but as she pushes the door open, you hear, "you might want to grab whatever it is you left the room for...and Urrak, thanks for the talk." Ryleigh then exits the kitchen.(edited)

*[*6:44 PM*]* Urrak D'Akshi*:* Urrak watches her leave, surprised by her sudden departure "I...you too."

*[*6:48 PM*]* Urrak D'Akshi*:* She grabs an empty flagon out of the sink, rinsing it and then filling it with water. She exits the kitchen, and slowly ascends the staircase again. She makes it back to Malica's room "Sorry for takin' so long" she says with a small smile. She enters the room and closes the door softly behind her.

*[*6:53 PM*]* Urrak D'Akshi*:* After a moment she emerges again with a small scrap of paper. She slips it under Ryleigh's door. In some of the poorest handwriting you've seen, the note reads "Please tell Rav it's ok to talk about this. I'm sure she's makin' herself mental tryin' to keep a secret...and she's probably upset enough with me as it is." she signs the note *"BB"*.(edited)