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  1. - Top - End - #241
    Titan in the Playground
     
    Morty's Avatar

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    Default Re: Home 27: Ward-bound

    [Cass' Tower]

    Wenomir glances between the man and the cat when he enters. Who is... hmm. Cassandra said she was going to resolve the matter of the passenger in her head somehow. And this man looks like her enough to be her brother or uncle (if he didn't know better). So this must be Wren, in a brand new fashionable body. And the cat... it's a different one than the one he saw before, so presumably this one isn't a bound demon for once. Let's hope so anyway.

    "Hello, Cassandra. Happy birthday. And you must be Wren," he says, even as he crouches down to pet the cat, if the animal allows. The determined and fearless warrior is no match for the power of a kitty. "And who's this little one?"

    [Entrance to Underside]

    "Yeah, the giant molerats are cool. When Tuskfang's friends visited our cousins, they met their molerat and loved him so much that they asked their parents for one too."

    Khannie is no doubt aware that Tuskfang is the name of the two girls' younger half-Wolfen cousin, but Arthfael might not be familiar with the name. As the elevator comes to a stop, only a handful of goblins come out; a group of loud teenage boys not much bigger than Brinika or Cheasadh. When they enter, only three other passengers do so with them. One is an orc wrapped in a thick cloak, his skin a dark shade of grey. The other two are a middle-aged male goblin and a floppy-eared, wrinkly bundle he's holding - by all appearances, a goblin baby.

    The elevator is surprisingly spacious and can evidently hold many more people. It's also tall enough that even the orc doesn't need to stoop down. It is, however, not very well lit. The only light is provided by a lantern held by the operator, which seems to contain some kind of luminous paste. Khannie and Arthfael will notice something Cheasadh is familiar with by now, namely that in this gloom, Brinika's pupils widen like a cat's.
    Last edited by Morty; 2022-01-26 at 01:53 PM.
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  2. - Top - End - #242
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    Ironsmith's Avatar

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    Default Re: Home 27: Ward-bound

    [Entrance to Underside]

    Arthfael cringes as he slips into the elevator, making the mistake of going in ahead of the other goblins and therefore being stuck behind the other goblins. Nobody said anything about being stuck in here with perfect strangers! Sure, it's not all that cramped, but he's still uncomfortably close to people he doesn't know.

    Meanwhile, the paste in that lantern is going to start churning around, slowly at first, but with an increasing degree of franticness. If there are any air bubbles in there, they're going to make themselves known as the liquid slaps itself against its container, as though trying to break it open.
    Who're you? ...Don't matter.

    Want some rye? 'Course ya do!


    Here's to us.
    Who's like us?
    Damn few,
    and they're aaall dead.


    *gushes unintelligibly over our cat, Sunshine*

    [Nexus characters, grouped by setting:
    Ouroboros: here
    Maesda: here
    Others: here
    ]

  3. - Top - End - #243
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Home 27: Ward-bound

    [Entrance to Underside]

    Khannie has definitely met Tuskfang before.

    After all, she spends a goodly part of the afternoons at GLoG doing her homework most days after school.

    But hey into the elevator they go!

    Khannie does her best to avoid cooing over the baby and mostly succeeds in her quest.

    She's also considering casting her darklight spell, but it isn't THAT dark yet. Lighter than her room with the lights off and a little bit of illumination coming in through the windows. Enough to see by without having to worry that much about tripping on things.

    But if it gets REALLY dark?

    The little illusionist has a neat spell she wants to show off to her friends. She had originally developed it as a surprise for her dad on her birthday to show off how good she is at magic.

    Unusual behavior by the light quickly catches Khannie's attention.

    "Is it supposed to do that?" she asks curiously.
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  4. - Top - End - #244
    Halfling in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Home 27: Ward-bound

    Quote Originally Posted by Arkhosia View Post
    Cool Limo


    Cantata nods, clearly understanding the man's position here. "It is... the same for me, mostly," she signs after a brief search for the right words. "Uncommon" wasn't quite the truth for her, and she seems a little curious about what "feelings" might mean. Still, she continues with "What we are talking about is ceremonial, not legally binding."
    Cool Limo

    "Very well," says the prim, sagely man in the dark suit. When he shifts in his seat, faintly glittering lines of gold can be seen along the seams of the elaborate ensemble. If there were such a thing as a divine tailor, this man has them on retainer.

    "I suppose this means you have... limited feelings for each other, then?" he asks, a little more hesitantly.

    "Dad," Tina says, colors flowing in her face. She covers her eyes with one hand. "This is so we can fool around. It doesn't have to be anything. It's not even a big deal."
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  5. - Top - End - #245
    Orc in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Home 27: Ward-bound

    Entrance to Underside

    Cheasadh watches the boys leave, mostly out the corner of her eye, but isn't super interested.

    Khannie manages to divert her attention quite easily, however. "I... don't think so? I can't say I've ever really looked at it. Huh." Cheasadh can't smell magic, so she doesn't notice anything unusual. Her eyes also don't expand like Brinika's do, although she's gotten used to the dark and isn't worried about it.
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  6. - Top - End - #246
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    Default Re: Home 27: Ward-bound

    [Entrance to Underside]

    Brinika peers at the glowing paste as the elevator proceeds smoothly and quietly downwards.

    "Nnnno. It shouldn't be doing that," she says.

    The elevator operator looks at his lantern with a look of bafflement.

    "If any of you is doing it, I would ask you to please stop."
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  7. - Top - End - #247
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Home 27: Ward-bound

    [Entrance to Underside]

    ...Uh-oh.

    That sounds suspiciously like Arthfael might be in trouble.

    He doesn't want to get in trouble here. He doesn't really know what these goblins are like. What are they going to do if they catch him?

    Probably something pretty mundane, actually. A talking-to or maybe a couple of doses of the Look. But he doesn't have any guarantee of that, and while he's not actively imagining anything more heinous than that, he can't shake that foreboding feeling...

    Oh sweet Lovers above, the goblin's looking right at him (he thinks).

    Aerhfael feels his heart drop in his chest... just before the lift does.
    Last edited by Ironsmith; 2022-01-28 at 02:15 PM.

  8. - Top - End - #248
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Home 27: Ward-bound

    [Entrance to Underside]

    There's that little lurch as the elevator begins its decent.

    It's always a weird feeling.

    That sort of thrill in the pit of your stomach.

    Though Khannie really isn't paying much attention to that. Not to Arthfael acting weird either.

    That second one mostly because he always acts weird.

    Khannie is pretty sure that's a default for him.

    No, she's paying attention to that lantern.

    "It's like someone's animating it or something,"
    Khannie says curiously, scooting a bit closer for a better look. "I know how to do Mage Hand but this looks like something different."
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  9. - Top - End - #249
    Orc in the Playground
     
    Earl of Purple's Avatar

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    Default Re: Home 27: Ward-bound

    Entrance to Underside

    Cheasadh glances at Khannie. "More than me or Brinika, I think. Pookie can't affect water either, though some pokemon can." Teddiursa can't learn water moves without a magic CD to help, and Cheasadh's got no idea about those. Or where to find them. "Is Meridia doing it to distract everyone from Pookie's honey?" Although if it is, it's not worked- the teddybear is still dipping a paw into his hunny pot and sucking it. Although if she's trying to distract Khannie, it's mostly working.
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  10. - Top - End - #250
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    Default Re: Home 27: Ward-bound

    [Entrance to Underside]

    The elevator operator prods his lantern, grumbling. He doesn't know what's happening, he's not paid to deal with it and his magical talents are akin to those of a mouldy rock.

    "Yeah, this is weird. But I guess nothing bad is happening?" Brinika ventures. "And it's a pretty short ride down anyway."
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  11. - Top - End - #251
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
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    [Entrance to Underside]

    Arthfael lets out a little yelp as the elevator starts down, that little lurch coming off a lot bigger to his already-anxious mind. Fortunately, it doesn't look like anything's going to come of that. Well, other than the sensation of his vital organs trying to escape through his rib cage. He would have hoped being a vampire would have prevented him from experiencing these feelings so viscerally, but apparently not.

    More importantly, the other occupants of the elevator are going to find him out sooner or later, if he can't stop this effect. Khannie in particular seems to have a good handle on what's happening, and a smart girl like her will doubtless put together two and two before too much longer. He needs this to stop, but unfortunately, he can't just revoke the enchantment; even if that's possible, he has no idea how to do it. Instead, he'd have to layer something on top of the magic to render it dormant. Like a cat burying its waste to cover the smell.

    Which makes it fortunate that he has such a tool in his arsenal just this moment. He doesn't want to be discovered; all he needs to do is pass that on to the newborn spirit and it'll stop acting suspicious, right?

    Arthfael closes his eyes and focuses, laying the hex in place. It's a very basic application of his lessons, even he should be able to pull it off.

    And he does!

    He just kind of sends the wrong message.

    Because now the lantern paste is trying to hide from everyone in the elevator. And the simplest way to do that is to put out its light. Now nobody can see it, or anything else.

    Crap.
    Who're you? ...Don't matter.

    Want some rye? 'Course ya do!


    Here's to us.
    Who's like us?
    Damn few,
    and they're aaall dead.


    *gushes unintelligibly over our cat, Sunshine*

    [Nexus characters, grouped by setting:
    Ouroboros: here
    Maesda: here
    Others: here
    ]

  12. - Top - End - #252
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
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    [Entrance to Underside]

    Oh.

    Hmm.

    The lights went out.

    That isn't great.

    This is, in fact, the perfect moment for Maridia to climb out of Khannie's pack and begin licking Pookie since Khannie can't see her and thus can't scold her for it. Of course, Khannie immediately feels her pack shifting around as the fairy dragon climbs you.

    "Maridia you had BETTER not be getting all sticky!" the girl growls into the darkness.

    With a huff she raises one hand above her head and intones a very precise series of syllables. A few scant seconds later the elevator is illuminated again, though the effect is... strange. It's almost as if every object is outlined with a faint luminous glow, making each person in the elevator plain to see while the walls are dark and shadowy. There's a pitch black orb hovering above Khannie's hand shrouded in a deep purple aura. The eerie unlight appears to be exuding from it.

    This, of course, means everyone will see Maridia licking Pookie and getting very sticky in the process.
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  13. - Top - End - #253
    Orc in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Home 27: Ward-bound

    Entrance to Underside

    In addition to Khannie's faerie fire, another source of light is also quickly revealed. Cheasadh reaches into a pocket and pulls out a hand-cranked electric torch, which she carries for emergencies. She quickly whirs it around to create a pale beam of light, which wavers as Cheasadh stops cranking. "Well, that certainly never happened before. Not to me, anyway." It might happen regularly, just not when Cheasadh's using it.

    Pookie, meanwhile, is getting licked! Meridia is getting sticky. Pookie is fine with both of these things, and will reach out to try and give the little faerie dragon a one-armed hug- which will get Meridia even stickier.
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  14. - Top - End - #254
    Titan in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Home 27: Ward-bound

    [Entrance to Underside]

    The baby starts to whimper when the elevator is plunged into darkness. Their father starts trying to soothe them. Everyone can only hope it works.

    "What the- alright everyone, stay calm. We're still moving and we'll reach the bottom floor soon," the elevator operator says.

    His words are helped by the two new lights that appear. Brinika looks up at Maridia.

    "We should be concerned if Maridia ever doesn't use the first opportunity to try to lick Pookie."

    Thankfully, it seems no one suspects Arthfael for now.
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  15. - Top - End - #255
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Home 27: Ward-bound

    Cool Limo

    Spoiler
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    Quote Originally Posted by Murkus View Post
    Cool Limo

    "Very well," says the prim, sagely man in the dark suit. When he shifts in his seat, faintly glittering lines of gold can be seen along the seams of the elaborate ensemble. If there were such a thing as a divine tailor, this man has them on retainer.

    "I suppose this means you have... limited feelings for each other, then?" he asks, a little more hesitantly.

    "Dad," Tina says, colors flowing in her face. She covers her eyes with one hand. "This is so we can fool around. It doesn't have to be anything. It's not even a big deal."


    "…Tina is right, yes," Cantata responds - although she doesn't seem quite so confident as she signs. It was the truth from the outset of this little scheme of theirs, yes, but there was something about Tina's flippant dismissal that seemed to set a small hole in her stomach. Folding her arms, the woman shifts in her seat, glancing awkwardly out the window.
    "Are we living a life that is safe from harm? Of course not, we never are. But that's not the right question. The question is: are we living a life that is worth the harm?"
    ~Welcome to Night Vale

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    Quote Originally Posted by SliiArhem
    Arkh I may be slightly delirious but I don't think that would make sense even if I was coherent.

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  16. - Top - End - #256
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Home 27: Ward-bound

    [Entrance to Underside]

    Arthfael tenses as the situation develops, but it doesn't look like anyone's more than mildly inconvenienced. The lantern's out, but there's two other light sources besides, and even if it does keep acting weird, nobody will really be able to tell, so... mission accomplished?

    The young strigoi sighs and steps back away from the others, instinctively moving into the dark. Here's hoping the rest of the trip down is uneventful.
    Who're you? ...Don't matter.

    Want some rye? 'Course ya do!


    Here's to us.
    Who's like us?
    Damn few,
    and they're aaall dead.


    *gushes unintelligibly over our cat, Sunshine*

    [Nexus characters, grouped by setting:
    Ouroboros: here
    Maesda: here
    Others: here
    ]

  17. - Top - End - #257
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    Rebonack's Avatar

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    Default Re: Home 27: Ward-bound

    [Entrance to Underside]

    "You're banished from the backpack until I give you a bath," Khannie scolds the fairy dragon who seems far more interested in her usual greeting with Pookie. "No way I'm going to let you get all my stuff sticky."

    Having to get honey residue off all her things is just the worst.

    Well!

    It seems like they did a good job of getting the lights back on at least!

    Between the flashlight and the MAGICAL LIGHT ORB they've got it covered!

    Darklight's just a cantrip, anyway, so it isn't like casting it takes too much out of Khannie. She can keep it running for as long as they need it!

    "It's kind of funny, Cheasadh, our lights are the same. Mine's magic and yours is a hand-crank but they're both using our own power to light things up, right? Mine's just spellpower and yours is muscle-power."

    A hand-cranked flashlight is basically a Light spell that non-wizards can use!

    Khannie casts a quick glance over at Arthfael. What's he doing skulking over in the dark corner like a creeper, anyway? Is this a vampire thing?
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  18. - Top - End - #258
    Orc in the Playground
     
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    Entrance to Underside

    "Yep, though I crank to charge the battery, the battery powers the light. I don't have to keep cranking to keep the light going. Not sure your magic works the same way." Cheasadh smiles as she speaks; she doesn't know enough about magic to know if it's an accurate analogy.

    Pookie doesn't mind getting licked; he's gotten used to it. He moves to sit in the corner, dipping a paw into his hunny pot and licking it.
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  19. - Top - End - #259
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    Default Re: Home 27: Ward-bound

    [Entrance to Underside ==> Underside Tunnels]

    The elevator operator will keep prodding the lantern until the elevator reaches the bottom of the shaft, but of course to no avail. When the journey's over, the door opens.

    "I don't know what happens, but here we are. Now I'll just go replace this paste before the next trip..."

    He'll let others exit the elevator first and Brinika leads the entourage through the door. Beyond the elevator entrance is a wide, tall tunnel lit by the same glowing paste in a few openings in the walls. It's not much light, but it is something.

    "That was weird. Hopefully it doesn't happen again. We need to go down this tunnel and we'll reach the big cave where our dad's workplace is."

    All kids can see more people coming from the other side of the tunnels; all of them goblins in various ages and sizes. Notably, all of them have hats, hoods or umbrellas, since they're heading for the surface.
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  20. - Top - End - #260
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    Default Re: Home 27: Ward-bound

    [Underside Tunnels]

    As soon as the elevator doors open, Arthfael stumbles out, ahead of everyone else. If Khannie or Brinika or Cheasadh asked, he'd make it sound like it was because he was fearlessly leading the way into Underside... though the reality is, he wants to get out of the lift and away from the incriminating lantern as fast as possible.

    Not that going into a crowd of goblins is that much better. He'll quickly find himself a corner of the tunnel where he isn't going to get trampled and wait for the others there.
    Who're you? ...Don't matter.

    Want some rye? 'Course ya do!


    Here's to us.
    Who's like us?
    Damn few,
    and they're aaall dead.


    *gushes unintelligibly over our cat, Sunshine*

    [Nexus characters, grouped by setting:
    Ouroboros: here
    Maesda: here
    Others: here
    ]

  21. - Top - End - #261
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Home 27: Ward-bound

    [Underside Tunnels]

    "There are lots of lights down here, though, we'll be fine,"
    Khannie says as she sets off and rebuffs Maridia with one hand when the fairy dragon tries climbing into her backpack again. "Heck no, Maridia. You're not getting my stuff sticky. You can walk or fly or whatever."

    "Noooo my legs are so tiny and weak!" the fairy dragon complains, dragging her wings as if she were maimed. "I'll get stepped on! It'll be terrible!"

    Unmoved by Maridia's pleas, Khannie soldiers onward.

    With a little huff, Maridia takes to the air and follows. She doesn't like it when she doesn't get her way.

    "So the thing with the light? Is that the weirdest stuff that happens down here?" Khannie asks curiously as she offers a wave to any passing goblins that make eye contact with her. She's feeling pretty singled out due to her lack of hat. "Like, weird stuff happens Inside all the time. There are these weird white catfoxes going around asking girls if they want to make wishes, if you believe it. If you ever meet one say no."

    Also?

    Arthfael is given a weird look.

    "Are you okay? You're acting kind of funny."
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  22. - Top - End - #262
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    Ashen Lilies's Avatar

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    Default Re: Home 27: Ward-bound

    Quote Originally Posted by Morty View Post
    [Cass' Tower]

    Wenomir glances between the man and the cat when he enters. Who is... hmm. Cassandra said she was going to resolve the matter of the passenger in her head somehow. And this man looks like her enough to be her brother or uncle (if he didn't know better). So this must be Wren, in a brand new fashionable body. And the cat... it's a different one than the one he saw before, so presumably this one isn't a bound demon for once. Let's hope so anyway.

    "Hello, Cassandra. Happy birthday. And you must be Wren," he says, even as he crouches down to pet the cat, if the animal allows. The determined and fearless warrior is no match for the power of a kitty. "And who's this little one?"
    [Cass' Tower]

    The cat will take a moment to investigate Wenomir, apparently deciding that it likes him, as it nuzzles into the pets, purring softly.

    "Hi. Thanks, says Cass, sitting up and shifting around on the sofa to smile at Wenomir.

    "In the flesh," says Wren, giving Wenomir a wry smile of his own. "And the little one is Chatri, my gift back to Cass' household, since I happened to steal the previous one. I should warn you though, despite appearing to be a perfectly ordinary kitten, he's actually just a perfectly ordinary kitten."

    Cass shoots Wren a slightly questioning glance, detecting from his tone that that was supposed to be some kind of jab, though seemingly not quite understanding the meaning.
    Quote Originally Posted by Lord Magtok
    She’s graduated from child soldier to unstable teen sorceress, way to go.

  23. - Top - End - #263
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    Morty's Avatar

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    Default Re: Home 27: Ward-bound

    [Cass' Tower]

    So the cat really isn't a bound demon this time. Praise be. Wenomir pets Chatri some more. Once again, the warrior briefly wonders if he'd like a pet himself, but doesn't focus on it. He does need to stop petting the cat to get to the other part of his purpose here.

    "It is only fair, I suppose." Right, Cassandra did say that the demon Rahvi would be used to grant Wren his own body somehow. He's not sure about the specifics, but since the end result is Cassandra no longer having a demon familiar and Wren being able to live his own life instead of hitchhiking in someone else's head, it's obviously for the best. "My gift is less furry. It's a book series I saw someone in Vigil read. I thought it might be to your taste."

    If Cassandra opens the package after retrieving it from Wenomir, she will find that it contains three books. The first one is a young elf man, wearing a knightly main and tabard and holding a spear, set against a burning castle. Behind him are two other figures, a scrappy-looking young orc woman with a pair of curved swords and a slim blonde male human with magic swirling around his hands.
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  24. - Top - End - #264
    Orc in the Playground
     
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    Underside Tunnels

    Cheasadh doesn't know Arthfael enough to know he's acting weird, so his behaviour goes unremarked upon.

    Pookie waves a paw after Maridia as she flies away, trying to catch her to stick her to his head. If Khannie won't give the tiny dragonoid a lift, the Teddiursa will! Although it will also result in more sticky.

    "I don't have any more wishes, Khannie. There's nothing I want. Is it something to do with how you smell different? It's subtle, but... You don't smell quite as earthy as you did. Not a bad smell, then or now, just... distinctive, I guess?" Cheasadh can't smell the difference between two humans, but the difference between a Khangaskhan and a human? She can smell that, apparently. And she doesn't mean it in a bad way, though it's awkward to say.
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  25. - Top - End - #265
    Titan in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Home 27: Ward-bound

    [Underside Tunnels]

    Brinika pays no heed to Maridia's pleas either. She knows that the little dragon is very dramatic and theatrical when she wants something.

    "No, it doesn't usually happen. I have no idea what it was about," she says. "But if there's one thing I've learned, it's that when something magical pops out and offers you a wish or a deal, you should start running really fast in the other direction."

    As the four kids, the dragon and the bear go down the tunnel, its other end starts to become visible. Light is seeping through from it and it seems that whatever awaits them there is a very large space.
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  26. - Top - End - #266
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Home 27: Ward-bound

    [Underside Tunnels]

    Being fair to Khannie, Arthfael doesn't have a hat, either. Maybe that's why he's acting so weird.

    "Yep! Fine, totally fine!" Arthfael declares hastily, falling into step behind her. A wave of heat and humidity runs through the tunnel, the latter much more palpably, as it manifests as a thing fog rolling off the sides of the tunnel, leaving behind a sort of a chalky white residue. Fortunately, this isn't much of an impediment to travel or navigation, so Arthfael can pretend to just not notice it a little more easily.
    Who're you? ...Don't matter.

    Want some rye? 'Course ya do!


    Here's to us.
    Who's like us?
    Damn few,
    and they're aaall dead.


    *gushes unintelligibly over our cat, Sunshine*

    [Nexus characters, grouped by setting:
    Ouroboros: here
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    ]

  27. - Top - End - #267
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    Default Re: Home 27: Ward-bound

    Quote Originally Posted by Morty View Post
    [Cass' Tower]

    So the cat really isn't a bound demon this time. Praise be. Wenomir pets Chatri some more. Once again, the warrior briefly wonders if he'd like a pet himself, but doesn't focus on it. He does need to stop petting the cat to get to the other part of his purpose here.

    "It is only fair, I suppose." Right, Cassandra did say that the demon Rahvi would be used to grant Wren his own body somehow. He's not sure about the specifics, but since the end result is Cassandra no longer having a demon familiar and Wren being able to live his own life instead of hitchhiking in someone else's head, it's obviously for the best. "My gift is less furry. It's a book series I saw someone in Vigil read. I thought it might be to your taste."

    If Cassandra opens the package after retrieving it from Wenomir, she will find that it contains three books. The first one is a young elf man, wearing a knightly main and tabard and holding a spear, set against a burning castle. Behind him are two other figures, a scrappy-looking young orc woman with a pair of curved swords and a slim blonde male human with magic swirling around his hands.
    [Cass' Tower]

    Awww, look at Wenomir being hopeful and optimistic. Don't worry Wenomir, it won't be long before Cass has yet another demon companion for you to be nervous about!

    Cass does indeed open the present right away, if she wasn't told not to. Patience has never really been a strength of hers, after all. This lack of patience is, of course, punished rather promptly as the romance covers spill out onto the coffee table, prompting a slight blush from Cass, and a smirk from Wren. She didn't expect this!
    "Oh! Thank you."

    Damn that hyper-observant martial arts man and his super incisive read on Cass' preferences in literature!

    "While they're recovering, would you like something to eat or drink? Geneviève was over earlier. She brought lunch and a small case of spiderblood wine."
    Wren seems to be somewhere in between surprised and impressed at that last detail.
    "Quite a rare vintage of it, if my memory serves me correctly. A very impressive acquisition. And don't worry, it doesn't actually have spider blood in it. It's actually spider venom that's used to flavor the wine."
    Last edited by Ashen Lilies; 2022-02-08 at 02:41 PM.
    Quote Originally Posted by Lord Magtok
    She’s graduated from child soldier to unstable teen sorceress, way to go.

  28. - Top - End - #268
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Home 27: Ward-bound

    [Underside Tunnels]

    Khannie looks a bit sheepish at Cheasadh's observation.

    "Yeah, kinda," she admits. "It was really dumb. I was feeling extra-rotten about my illusion breaking at school and was grumbling about how I wished I was a human girl while I was waiting for the train and then all of sudden this cat thing just pops out of nowhere and says 'I can grant that, if it's your desire."

    Khannie uses a bit of her illusion magic to alter the sound of her voice, mimicking the creepy thing's emotionless tone as best she can.

    It sounds superficially cute.

    But...

    Hollow inside.

    "I should have just told him to get lost. I almost did. I didn't think he could actually do what I wanted, but he said he could. Grilled him about any traps or downsides or monkey paws with the wish. I guess he didn't lie, he just glossed over the bad parts," Khannie says with a snort. "It doesn't matter that much, I don't think. I've been having checkups at Inari's to make sure I'm okay. I just feel stupid that I got played."

    "I told Khannie she should wish for a bag of candy that never runs out but she didn't li-oop!"

    It would appear as though Maridia has been captured by Pookie.

    How tragic.

    Also?

    Even in the midst of her grumbling Khannie can tell something weird and magical is going on.

    What's with that fog? Why is it leave... what even IS that? Ice? Glue? Frosting? Bacon grease? She has no idea.
    Last edited by Rebonack; 2022-02-09 at 12:24 AM.
    Warning! Random Encounter™ detected!
    The Eternal Game Nightmære Stuff
    It doesn't matter whether you win or lose, just how awesome you look doing it.

  29. - Top - End - #269
    Titan in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Home 27: Ward-bound

    [Cass' Tower]

    "You're welcome. I hope you enjoy it. I was lucky to see it just in time for your birthday."

    Wenomir wasn't expecting Cassandra to be this embarrassed. But then he didn't expect to give her the gift in the presence of... her brother? Who is Wren to her, really? He acts like her brother, that's for sure. There's no mistaking that brotherly teasing. But it's not something he can ask about directly, so best to just move along with the conversation.

    "Gladly, although..." Does he admit he's a peasant when it comes to wine? He's not a very good liar, so let's get it over with. "Well, I'm not the type of person to recognize a rare vintage as opposed to something else."
    Last edited by Morty; 2022-02-09 at 05:58 PM.
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  30. - Top - End - #270
    Orc in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Home 27: Ward-bound

    Underside Tunnels

    "Well, that's absolutely mean and horrible. I hope you can sort it out." But Cheasadh doesn't want to press any further, if Khannie isn't comfortable talking about what exactly the bad sides of this are. "I don't need to wish for a magic bag of candy, Maridia. If I want something sweet, I ask Pookie and he gives me more honey than I know what to do with." And nobody's ever figured out where Pookie gets it from, either, because pokemon are odd. She doesn't notice the increased heat and humidity, or the fog. She can smell that the air's damper than usual, but is assuming it's just... cave-weather, or something affecting the cave's airflow. She'd also be able to smell that Arthfael's more nervous than usual, but to do that she'd need to know him well enough to know his usual scent and also train her nose a little, which is not something she knows how to do.
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