Spirits Transcripts

**Cyprus:** Hello. Sybil?

**Sybil:** Cyprus

**Cyprus:** What’s this?

[It doesn’t sound like one person speaking, it echoes and ripples through the air, the echoes morphing into different voices of different people, similar but not quite right. Cyprus reaches out, Sybil hears sloshing.]

**Sybil:** What is this?

**Cyprus:** I don’t know. You don’t know what it is?

[ Echoes of Cyprus, Sybil. They can only see one another, and only in silhouettes. Cyprus starts walking, the ground beneath them is thick, and they start feeling something coiling around their legs. They can barely move, but there is a slight give as they try. The voices echo Cyprus, Sybil. Sybil reaches down towards the ground, and it comes up to meet her hand, pulling her with it. It isn’t liquid, nor completely solid. It drenches her hand while still keeping a solid grip. After a moment, it lets her go. Cyprus reaches out, near Sybil now, and they manage to grab onto her hand.]

**???:** [Distorted, in a loud crescendo] Cyprus  Sybil. Who are you? Cyprus  Sybil.

**Cyprus:** What is this? Do you know what this is?

**Sybil:** No. What is this?

**Cyprus:** What are you?

**???:** Who. Cyprus Sybil what is your power? What is your might? Show yourself. Cyprus Sybil

**Cyprus:** What do you m- what do you mean?

**???:** [A thousand voices, all different, not all human] What is your power?  Show us.

**Cyprus:** Sybil, you don’t know what this is?

**Sybil:** Why would I know what this is?

**???:** Show us

[The thing reaches up to them. Cyprus lets out a Firebolt. The voice quiets. The space is illuminated in light, in complete darkness all around them.]

**???**: Cyprus. Good. Good job

**Cyprus**: What is it- what does it mean?

**???**: Show us!

**Sybil:** Maybe you’d like to show me what you are

Sybil thrusts her hand into the substance below, trying to dig into it, reaching for the same magic she uses to cast Identify. She holds onto it, grasping at it for the duration of the casting. The begin to wrap around her, coiling.

**???:** Sybil. Clever. Sybil. Cyprus. Sybil.

Sybil is paralyzed. She cannot move, there is only sound and voices in her head.

**???:** She’s smart. She’s so smart. A wizard. A sorcerer. Cyprus. Sybil.

**Cyprus grabs onto her and just shakes her**

**Cyprus:** Sybil, Sybil, *Sybil*. Come on, you can’t just stop, come on.

**???:** Cyprus. Show us yourself. Show us.

[Cyprus feels these things begin to crawl up their back, reaching everywhere, but Cyprus holds on. They don’t want this thing in their head. They focus on Sybil, on her paralyzed, the fear in her eyes the coiling around her neck. For a split second, they are stronger than it. It lets go]

**???:** oh it has friends he has friends they have friends. Friends! Who are you? *Cyprus*

**Cyprus:** *I’m not telling you who I am. Wake up!*

**???:** Cyprus. Talk to us. Sybil’s busy. She’s busy. Busy. Talk to us. You talk to them? Talk to me.

**Cyprus, using Thaumaturgy:** Who are you?

**???:** We are many. Which one. We are many. You’re our friends right? You’re our friends, you’re his friends, you’re our friends.

**Cyprus:** Whose friends are you? You’re not mine

**???:** [Laughing] Alonne!

**???:** [Distorted] We wanted to meet you. He likes you. They like you. They like you a lot. He likes you.

**???:** [In Sybil’s mind] Sybil, she’s smart, she’s a wizard, she’s clever, she tried to cast magic on us, on all of us!

**???:** Talk to us. We want to get to know you we want to know you we want to know your *friends.* You have friends right? There’s more of you.  We have only reached you.  Only you.  You’re [special/smart/special].

**Cyprus:** [at Sybil] Wake up! Sybil, wake up! I- I need you to help me. *Sybil!*

**???:** Say please.  Say please to us.  Beg, now beg,  beg,  beg us, we’ll let her go  beg us. Say-

**Cyprus:** *Please!*

**???:** Yes

**Cyprus:** Let Sybil go, just *please*

[And just like that, the voices in Sybil’s mind recede, and she is no longer paralyzed. Cyprus is sobbing in tears, grabbing onto Sybil. Sybil gasps, then shudders.]

**Cyprus:** Sybil? They’re with Alonne

[Sybil looks out of it, and terrified.]

**???:** Hi  Sybil  yes  Sybil  Alonne Firth

**Cyprus:** Do you know anything?

**Sybil, falteringly**: No, no, *no.* [inaudible mumblings]

**Cyprus:** *Tell us* who you are, before we tell you *anything*.

[The bindings up their necks start to wrap around them in almost the twisted version of a hug, and they see now this odd, dark matter. Like the strange material of Alonne’s sword, that seems to ripple through and through]

**???:** [laughs] They want our names.  We have many. [We are trapped/ You’re with us?/ You are trapped here]  We have a name  Give us yours!

**Cyprus:** I’m not giving you anything.

**???:** Tell us  something  anything  one thing  we’ll tell you! *Tell us!*

**Sybil:** Anything?

**???:** Anything. Something fun

[Pause]

**???:** We’ve met you. We know you. He knows you. He *thinks* he knows you. You think you know him?  Do you know him? How do you know him?  What happened to him?

**Cyprus:** We, we, we found him, in Fort Venture.

**???:** Oh  we also found him. Well, he found us.

**Cyprus:** I told you something now tell *me*

**???:** Tell you what? Which one? Which part? Which one?

**Cyprus:** What name does he know you by?

**???:** Oh many, He was  one of us  one of ours. We’re Ceratos.

[They feel this ambiguous substance begin to morph and wrap around them, it is no longer water, no longer mass, it is *heavy* and *warm* and it breathes, and it is flesh around them. They feel it coil, it wraps around their necks, over their heads, their arms, their mouths, they cannot breathe. But there is still a smile, there are still eyes, they can still see. Then, they wake]

##### **After the "Flesh Dome":**

Cyprus looks at Sybil, then at Alonne. They get up, and they leave. Alonne, already awake, looks at them walk away, confused. Cyprus woke up sobbing, and looks terrified. Sybil looks as frightened as the party has ever seen her.

**Thalia:** Is everything okay?

Alonne stands up and begins to follow Cyprus. Sybil is shaking.

**Thalia:** Sybil?

Cyprus is walking away, Alonne is following.

**Hummel:** Sybil?

**Thalia:** Sybil, are you okay?

**Sybil:** It kept *going* and going and going, and *going and going and going and going-*

**Thalia:** *Sybil?*

**Sybil:** Huh?

**Thalia:** Are you, wh, are you okay? What’s going- where is he going?

**Sybil:** Um. It was a dream.

[Sybil stands up and bolts after the two of them]

**Alonne, calm but confused:** Cyprus?

Cyprus walks towards the outskirts of the city

**Alonne:** Cyprus, *Cyprus-*

[He tries to grab Cyprus’ hand]

**Cyprus:** Stop. *Stop, just*.

**Alonne:** What happened?

[The party gets a few odd looks from guards and citizens. Cyprus falls to their knees, covering their face with their hands, and just freaks out.]

**Alonne:** Cyprus, *Cyprus* [He kneels down, looking very confused] Are you okay?

**Cyprus:** Wha- what did they mean you’re one of them?

**Alonne:** What?

**Cyprus:** What’s going on?

**Alonne, sounding at a loss for words:** You would have to tell me, Cyprus, I know not what you are speaking of.

Cyprus starts hyperventilating, Alonne looks back at Fiona with the most lost expression. The rest of the group catches up.

**Cyprus:** It was just, it was just *black* and there was *so many voices*.

**Alonne:** You had a bad dream.

**Cyprus:** They said they knew you.

**Alonne:** Who knew me?

**Cyprus:** Ceratos?

**Alonne:** I… am unclear as to what is going on.

Cyprus looks Alonne directly in the eyes. Alonne seems confused. Cyprus crawls towards Sybil and grabs onto her and hugs, and just holds her. Sybil is very tense and looking like she’s overwhelmed, trying to formulate words.

**Hummel:** Alonne, what is happening?

**Alonne:** Your guess is as good as mine.

Sybil turns to Alonne now, still struggling to put words together.

**Sybil:** Whatever was happening with you, whatever was your business to keep that was *fine* when it was your business and, not when something is poking into *our* heads.

**Alonne:** Sybil I have no idea what you are talking about.

Alonne just seems confused, Thalia notices that he sounds like he’s choosing his words very carefully. Cyprus tucks their face in Sybil’s neck and whispers.

**Cyprus, whispering:** He doesn’t know.

**Alonne:** I am sorry for whatever inconvenience fell upon you, but I’m afraid that, I cannot. I don’t understand.

**Thalia:** I’m thinking a few of us are just a little lost. So if you’re okay with it, could we maybe get a little bit more of an explanation?

**Cyprus:** Alonne?

**Alonne:** Yes?

**Cyprus:** Can I talk to you by ourselves?

**Alonne:** Of course.

Cyprus shakily stands up, grabs Alonne’s wrist, walking a small distance away, still within sight.

**Cyprus:** I think I know what’s in your head?

**Alonne:** Yes?

**Cyprus:** I think it took us-

**Alonne:** It *took* you?

**Cyprus:** Sybil, Sybil and I, we… woke up? And, and it wasn’t-

**Alonne:** Do not, do not force yourself, Cyprus, it is alright

**Cyprus:** You need to know

**Alonne:** Of course

**Cyprus, stammering:** It- it wasn’t water but it, sludge? And, it was just *dark* and there was *nothing* and there was just voices. *So many* voices. And, they, they asked me what my power was? And, after they got their fill, um, I tried asking who they were, and Sybil looked *frozen?* I don’t know what happened, and I had to *beg* for them to let her go and, they finally, they finally told me whose friend they were, and they said you.

**Alonne:** I’m not anyone’s friend.

**Cyprus:** They sure did like you.

**Alonne:** So you have a name?

**Cyprus:** Ceratos, I don’t know who that is. It said they went by many names, I asked which one you called it, they didn’t have something then, but they did give me Ceratos.

**Alonne:** I am sorry, my knowledge on the subject is limited. Do, you need a hug?

**Cyprus:** Please don’t.

**Alonne:** Of course.

**Cyprus:** They said they met you in Fort Venture, can you please tell me? Is that, when you got your sword and and, your coat?

**Alonne:** No, I, I begged. I begged to a thousand creatures a thousand gods a thousand stars. Nothing answered. I am sorry, Cyprus.

**Cyprus:** Alonne, I don’t think your problem is that no one answered. I think *everyone* answered-

**Alonne:** Cyprus, *Cyprus.* I am sorry, there was no god that would take pity on me! There was no being on this earth that could save me no one-

[Cyprus unsuccessfully tries to interrupt, before putting a hand on Alonne’s mouth.]

**Cyprus:** Listen, I think *everything* took you. I, you weren’t there, you didn’t see it, you didn’t hear it, but there were *so many voices.*

[Alonne grabs Cyprus’ hand and pulls it down]

**Alonne:** Cyprus, *I know.* There were so many voices in my head, there are so many whispers to this day, they call on me just like they did back then. There’s always been voices, Cyprus, ever since the day I was born, there’s been *callings to me, Cyprus.* *I am sorry*.

[Alonne lets go of Cyprus’ hand]

**Alonne:** I thank you, I now have a name.

**Cyprus:** What are we gonna do about it? Now- now that it talked to me and Sybil. You’re not alone in this anymore, and if she doesn’t already know I think you need to tell Sybil.

**Alonne:** I was supposed to be alone, but alas. Come on, they worry.

[The city begins to bustle behind them. The day is not quite chilly anymore, but there is this unsettling feeling on the skin that something is not quite right.]

#### Session 27:

##### **Sybil, on the Cerberus Assembly:**

**Sybil:** Um. Speaking of allegiances, and what you brought up. We did give a name today and we, I’m presuming, are going to stick together.

**Thalia:** I would like to stay with you guys if you’re all, if you’re willing.

**Cyprus:** I agree, I think it’d be nice to stay together.

**Hummel:** Yeah.

**Thalia:** We have a name now.

**Sybil:** Right, and we have been through quite a bit together, and… I do care about all of you. Umm, I haven’t been entirely upfront.

**Cyprus:** What do you mean, Sybil?

**Sybil:** When this was a job that I took on in Urzin, I did not have much intention of staying with anyone. I hadn’t for a while. But, seeing as we are going to be staying together. I am not sure, but there is a chance there might be people looking for me, that could pose a threat to the rest of you for… I’m not sure what lengths.

**Cyprus:** There, um-

**Sybil:** But I need you to know that, I don’t know if this will affect you. It may be very well that they do not give a single care in the world who my companions are, but it’s a possibility. And, if you would like me to leave, I would understand. We have just kept Fiona for a while at bay of the fear that someone could be after her, I do have a very real fear that someone might be after me.

**Thalia:** I don’t think that any of us are gonna turn you away for that.

**Cyprus:** No.

**Thalia:** I think at this point, I think at this point you’re probably stuck with us, but, even if you weren’t, we have been with you for quite a while and it’s possible they already know if they are actually after you. Although, where were you- do you feel comfortable telling us at least where they originate from, like what are they from the Dynasty? From the Empire?

**Sybil:** Right, context. I am a mage from the Empire. I previously did work with the Cerberus Assembly, and… then I died, and my priorities changed. So, it is quite possible that they still believe I’m dead, or dangerously possible that they’re well aware that I’m not. Especially after certain risks I took in the Garrison.

**Thalia:** That was even braver than I thought, then.

**Sybil:** *Stupid*. It was stupid and thoughtless, and might have placed me and the rest of us in more danger, but, in the moment it got us out.

**Thalia:** Well, that’s in the past. And if it happens, we’ll deal with it in the future. I don’t think that’s a reason, I don’t know, maybe it’s foolish or stupid of me but that’s not something I would want to turn you away for.

**Sybil:** I wouldn’t hold it against you.

**Hummel:** We stick together.

**Sybil:** I’ve known people longer, cared about them quite a bit.

**Cyprus:** Sybil is there anything we should look out for..? I don't know much about the Cerberus Assembly…

**Sybil:** Not really. I… I’m not sure what to say, they don’t particularly have any hallmarks. They’re quiet if they need to be.

**Thalia:** That woman that they were talking about calling back at the Garrison, she was a member of the Assembly right?

**Sybil:** Which one?

**Thalia:** Miss Dean.

**Sybil:** I, of a sort. A scourger, an executioner or assassin or spy.

**Thalia:** Oh. That’s somehow much worse than what I thought.

**Sybil:** If the Assembly wanted me dead I would be that way, that’s not quite what I’m afraid of.

**Thalia:** Do they know about your siblings?

**Sybil:** I don’t know, but I would really quite rather they don’t.

**Thalia:** Just wanted to make sure, you know. This… so it was already likely considering we have a drow and I obviously look drow but we’re not going to go to the Empire then?

**Sybil:** Well, it seems like it would matter, but, they’ve sent their spies across the border before. Quite a few of them. They’re mages, there is no one place you are specifically more or less likely to stay away from them. The Garrison was stupid because I knew they likely would be there, but there is no guarantee of the flipside.

**Thalia:** Okay well, I’m glad you told us. We can keep an eye out for this, as much as we can keep an eye out of it anyway. Uh, I still don’t blame you for not telling us, and I still don’t wanna turn you away. Like you said, we’ve been through a lot, and. I feel like there’s a lot still going on right now, so.

**Sybil:** I would rather you not underestimate this, though. I don’t mean this lightly, any of this. If you want me to leave, if there is even part of you that has the sanity to fear for your safety, I will go. Now, or in the future.

**Alonne:** I personally have never been one for *sanity*, Sybil. So please, accept it.

**Cyprus:** Sybil I, I may be scared, but you’re still my friend and. I know I want you to stay.

**Alonne:** So it has been agreed, right? You will stay. And if we need run, I have people we could run to.

**Sybil:** I appreciate that and, I would like to stay.

**Thalia:** And, like I said, my allegiance is to you all and my sister. Whether we leave the Dynasty, I’m sure I’ll miss it cause I grew up here and I miss my sister but, if we never go to the Empire, or if we just leave I think, protecting you is much more important, and I’m okay with that. Protecting you and protecting us, too, the rest of us. Because I know, you’re worried about the rest of us too.

**Sybil:** Hummel?

**Hummel:** If you- you’re staying?

**Sybil:** Unless anyone has an objection. I was just saying you are from the empire and may have had a concern about the Assembly.

**Hummel:** They are scary. I’ve seen scary things, so. It is what it is.

**Sybil:** I’m sorry for that.

**Alonne:** I fear I must ask the same thing, have I overstayed my welcome.

**Cyprus:** No.

**Sybil:** No.

**Cyprus:** I- I want everyone to stay. We’ve all been through a lot, but, I still consider all of you my friends.

**Alonne:** Well if we ever need to run somewhere, I have plenty of places to hide. And where you go, I follow.