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RESPITE - NEAR THE WALLS
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Annika had set up a little target range in some clear space against the outer wall of the city. She had considered the training grounds, buuut, well, with what she was trying to do, she couldn't actually guarantee safety, and besides that, she wanted privacy, and this little spot was much better for that. There wasn't many people just wandering about after all, and the range was pointed out of the city. Everything the other side of the target was open country. For herself, she was back in her 'hunter' garb, and had acquired a slightly nicer bow, complete with a little hardening, to defend herself if people got too close with sharp weapons. It wasn't much, but at least it could now be used to parry.
Victoria is standing to the side and slightly behind Annika, having followed the fox out of curiosity for this 'practice'. It's not like she truly has much to do before the inevitable call to action comes, since she wasn't the one scouting this time around. She glances at Annika and her weapon, giving a toothy grin: "So, archery, hmm?"
Annika gives a smile back "Yup! I'm trying some illusion tricks as well" She draws an arrow, and lets fly, landing the arrow in the second ring. "If I'm going to be backing you up, I have to be able to do something useful, right? I'm not going to become a crackshot overnight, so" She breaths in, and focuses a moment, taking in that warm 'glow' grinning beside her "Okay, here goes" She takes the next arrow, and twirls it in her fingers, before quickly shooting at the tar..no..wait, as she releases the bowstring, a dozen arrows fly out from the bow, all of them flying to pincushion the target..naturally, only 1 thunks in (Second ring again) while the others fly harmless through. "One girl covering fire~"
Victoria blinks and stares for a moment before recovering. "...impressive. I didn't know you could do that!" She looks over the target, tilting her head: "...those seemed pretty real to me."
Annika: "Well, they're moving so fast, it's hard to get a good look" She twirls her fingers, conjuring up a fake arrow, and yeah, when Victoria can see it by itself, it's pretty "low resolution" with the arrowhead and shaft all being one solid chunk of metal, and the quivers, equally, being little metal flares "Illusions seem to be the easiest thing I can do. Little tricks~" She grins, and 'pokes' Victoria with the arrow. There's the
Annika: briefest hint of a 'phantom feeling', but..well, it's a fake "One thing I'm trying to do is something I've worked out once before. I was able to make an illusion 'physical'. If I could do that..well, it'd be a great trick~!" She winks "While they're working out what's real, you'll be able to get in there, and be very, very real"
Victoria looks at the arrow, raising an eyebrow: "Hmm. Well, I couldn't do any of that illusion stuff." She then grins, patting one of her knives on her hip: "But these babies are very, very real indeed. I certainly don't mind you coming along."
Annika: "Of course! I wouldn't be staying behind at this point, and I've been thinking of a way to help out, which is why I'm working on illusions. Which, I'm getting better at? Right now I need to study what I'm making an illusion of pretty closely to get a good one, so it's ..hard" She ponders "Like, I still can't do people"
Victoria shrugs: "Don't look at me, I know nothing of the stuff. I just gotta trust you to know what you're doing, and I'll do my thing." She glances upwards: "...whatever we need to do, we will. After what those guys did out at the farms..." She lets out a feral growl, indicating her thoughts fairly accurately without further words.
Annika gives her a squeeze on the shoulder "I know, but..still. We're going to rescue everyone first. Revenge rampages later, I'll be doing my thing, and be as much help as I can" She focuses, and gestures out, trying to make an illusionary Victoria. It's..not very good. Thankfully, it remains outside the uncanny valley, but it's fake looking, with it being difficult to say why...all the right descriptions are there, but the light on the fur is all wrong, and the movement is just kinda janky. Annika sighs "Best I can do"
Victoria looks at the illusion with surprise and the tiniest bit of disgust, prodding at it after a moment's hesitation. Her hand goes through and she swallows slightly at that, shivering. Gathering herself, she sighs and turns to Annika: "I know. We're there to rescue. I just don't think we're going to be able to just walk away with our people." She picks up her knife, smiling again: "...which is where this comes in."
Annika: "I know.." She's a lot less eager about it than Victoria "If it needs to be done, it needs to be done" She banishes the illusion "I'm..just.it's not something I want to do. I did it before and..well, it kinda messed me up for a while" Annika still hasn't directly killed anyone that Victoria has seen "I always said that killing would be a last resort and..I want to stick to that"
Victoria looks at Annika sharply: "Couple of dozen of Respite Falls folks are already dead. I think we're plenty past 'last resort' phase." Her expression softens though there is still an undertone of anger: "Look, I'd prefer to kill just for hunt too, but I ain't sitting around waiting for more helpless farmers to drop."
Annika: "That..that doesn't make the killing in return right. If they get in the way? That's different. I'm not saying we sit back, and do nothing, but we get in there, and put a stop to it. I'm not for putting everyone involved to the sword. It's just..not my style" She seems very sad about it all. She doesn't fault Victoria for her opinions, and she wished that she could share in her view of the world, but..just..didn't have it in her.
Victoria looks at Annika, not quite understanding her view but not really feeling like pushing the issue either. She looks aside: "We'll do what we must, whatever that ends up being."
Annika: "Yeah" She nods. The conflict of feelings, well, it's not nice, but..it's there, she takes a breath, and murmers to herself as she drew another illusionary arrow from nowhere "Every emotion is an energy" Conflict, two different realities, who was to say what was 'real'? She fired the illusionary arrow, and with a thunk it struck into the inner ring of the target "Well..it seems I know what to tap to be able to do that..." The arrow shivered gently as it remained in the target, quite solid.
Victoria blinks at the arrow in slight surprise, then turns to look back at Annika. She slightly shakes her head: "No one really knows what awaits us there. Whatever we can prepare, the better... even I understand that."
Annika: "Yeah. I just..just want this to be over. I don't like learning to use a bow, expecting to fire an arrow at a real, living person. I don't want to be talking to you about..the ethics of it all. I just want to get back to playing dress up, and drinking berry tea" She gives a weak smile to Victoria "So..so long as you can be looking forward to getting back to just..living, I think I can get through this with you"
Victoria hums, nods, then turns to Annika with a smile: "Trust me, my first priority is getting you back intact. I don't want to die out there either, exactly." She glances towards the training grounds, scoffing. "I'm not as idiotic as some of the Guard think I am." Lie she keeps telling to herself, or some truth to it? Hard to tell.
Annika: "Well, if that's your priority, then it's my priority to give you something fun to get back to!" She chuckles "I don't think you're an idiot at all. You're just straightforward about what you're doing. That's a good thing" She nods "You know, you're the only one that I can even make a bad illusion of" Victoria is the only person Annika has 'studied' enough. "I'm determined to get it good enough to actually fool people as well"
Victoria considers this, nodding: "I guess I am. And... well, if an illusion of me will help us gain the upper hand, I'm all for it." She pauses, frowning: "...even if it's kinda freaky."
Annika: "Well, that's because it looks all weird. I just need to ah..study more"
Victoria tilts her head, catching on: "Study more... me, you mean? How-" She blinks and blushes, her desire to finish that sentence swallowed.
Annika clears her throat "Ah, not necessarily like that, I'm sure there's..other ways"
Victoria gives a nervous giggle she would not give to another living soul: "Oh, heh. S-sure. Wasn't thinking about... okay maybe I was. A bit." She looks at Annika, not for the first time admiring the curves of the fox.
Annika shuffles awkwardly at the look she's getting. She's never been frumpy, but the leathers she changed to are much better at showing what she's got. She's athletic, and spends 8 hours+ a day walking around town carrying goods for work. It shows! "Well..ah, I mean, that..would also work. Uh..it..did get a lot better after..uh..the other day"
Victoria smiles with still a bit of a blush: "Yeah, uh. Let's... ponder about that later, maybe?" She sheathes her knife, completely not searching for a distraction: "Uh... you hungry? We can't really go out to hunt, but the butcher owes me as always."
Annika: "That sounds..uh..good! Yes. Meat, food! Eat!" She nods quickly, putting away her bow, to distract her hands "We can do that!"
Victoria nodnods, attempting to bring back the serious predator in herself and only mildly succeeding. "Let's... let's go." Confounded blush, why is it so hard to be rid of? She clears her throat, shakes her head and starts leading Annika towards the butcher's shop.
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RESPITE TRAINING GROUNDS - AFTERNOON
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Fiora walks over towards one of the break areas after a long sparring session with some of the more veteran guards of Respite, old hat combatants who know a thing or two about fighting, giving even Fiora a good fight. She's still wearing her armor, but doffs the helmet to set it down on the table, grabbing a cool towel to drape over her forehead for the moment.
Gareth has been nearby at one of the other rings, barking orders and suggestions at the guards currently training under his watchful eye. He seems to be teaching them a few things about being less rigid in a fight, to mix things up without getting tangled, and just general unconventional tactics.
Fiora walks up alongside the wolf to watch a moment, waiting for a pause in the action as she smirks. "They roped you into this too, eh? Guess that's what we get for being top tier bounty hunters."
Gareth looks around and grins upon seeing Fiora, giving the guards a bit of a reprieve. He nods in response. "Aye, that they have. Besides, I figure I should lend me expertise so more o' these folks can come back home alive. They're good, but they've clearly not really seen much in the way o' massed combat."
Fiora nods, "Yeah, which is fine. A few are real ringers though, so be warned. There's a few folks throwing magic around too, so keep your head down. You're not packing fifty pounds of enchanted plate on you." She clangs her gauntleted fist on her chestplate.
Gareth nods over to one of the clusters of training dummies where Teis is busying herself with more practice. "Aye, I know about the mages gettin' some practice in. Teis over there is doin' it fer defensive reasons, so I don't think anyone's in trouble. I'll keep me eye open fer others, though."
Fiora watches the cat for a moment, "Yeah, that's the one I was watching... ah well, you know what you're doing." She points at Gareth's shoulder. "Wound doing better? Honestly, from what I heard the fight was pretty intense."
Gareth nods and pats at his shoulder. "Aye, it's healin' up well. The stitch might even come out before the guards head out, at the rate it's goin'." He pauses for a moment, "Speakin' o' the fight, I've got a question fer ye, Fiora."
Fiora tilts her head, "Eh? What's up?"
Gareth shrugs. "Well, durin' the fight, I did somethin' a bit odd, and I don't know what to think o' it. Maybe ye could help me test it a bit?"
Fiora raises an eyebrow. "I'm not letting you shoot me. Again. Took forever to polish out the scorch marks on the breastplate and hurt like hell."
Gareth laughs a bit and shakes his head. "Nah, don't worry, lass. It's not like that, this time. I need ye to punch me this time."
Fiora doesn't look any more confident in Gareth's response than she was before. "I thought that arrow hit your shoulder, but maybe something else hit you in the head. You want me to punch you?"
Gareth nods, completely serious. "Aye. Ye see, durin' the fight, the leader o' those raiders managed to hit me with two arrows. The one that caused this..." He gestures at his shoulder, " Was the second arrow. The first exploded, but... well, I don't know what happened. Everythin' went black fer a few seconds, and when I opened me eyes again, I was a few yards behind him."
Fiora: "So the blast... blew you backwards without harming you? That's definitely weird I guess. So you want me to punch you to see if you... what, exactly?"
Gareth shakes his head in response. "If I'd gotten blown backwards, I'd have still been standin' in front o' the guy. No, I think... I think I might have teleported somehow." He gives Fiora a look, "Ye remember that incident at the generator a while back?"
Fiora thinks back a moment, "The whole... boom and then the weird blast that hit you? Yeah, sorta? It didn't really do anything though. You telling me you think it gave you teleporting magic?" She sounds just a little incredulous.
Gareth shrugs at the question. "It's the only thing I can think o'. No one else was nearby to help, and that blast hit me square in the chest, so I should have died. Yet, here I am, talkin' to ye, and as alive as ever."]
Fiora lifts her hands to prepare herself. "Alright then, just remember you asked for it. You need a second to prepare or anything?"
Gareth shakes his head. "I wasn't too aware o' the arrow when it happened, so no. Just, er... don't hit the shoulder, please. I'd rather the Doc not get on me case about openin' the stitch back up."]
Fiora steps in closer to Gareth, grinning just a bit. "Okay then. Nice solid hit to center mass. I'll hold back a little so as not to break anything. I hope. Count of three then." She rears back to strike. "One... two..." It's an old trick, but still a solid one; she strikes on two, bringing her fist forward with surprising speed for a giant giraffe in plate mail, delivering a solid punch aimed straight for Gareth's center of mass.
Gareth apparently falls for the ruse, and is very much not braced when Fiora's fist flies out and connects with his gut. He lets out an explosive breath of air as the wind gets punched out of him, thankfully not accompanied by the sound of anything breaking. The force is enough to send him sprawling backwards onto the ground.]
Fiora pulls her fist back and sighs, "Well... there goes that theory, I guess?" She walks over to where Gareth's fallen and waits for him to recover, extending a hand to help him back up. "C'mon now, you've taken worse hits then that."
Gareth groans a little, then coughs as he draws a breath again. He reaches up and clasps onto Fiora's offered hand, then hoists himself up onto his feet with her help. "Ugh... well, damn. I guess that didn't solve anythin'..." He bends over a bit and massages his gut, "That wasn't one o' me smarter ideas..."]
Fiora makes sure Gareth is steady on his feet before she releases his hand, patting him on the back, "No, not really, but eh, whatcha gonna do? Maybe the magic is only activated by arrows or something? Or explosions? Or both. I don't think I'll test it by shooting any explosive arrows at you... though I do still have that firegas bomb..."
Gareth catches his breath quickly enough and straightens back up. Years of seafaring and combat have definitely honed his ability to recover quickly. He chuckles weakly at the suggestion, however. "I, uh... I think I'll pass on testin' out that bomb o' yers, lass. Thanks fer the offer."]
Fiora chuckles, "I figured. I'll find a use for it someday though, and it'll be awesome, I promise you."
Gareth laughs and smiles. "A thing like that, I'm sure ye will find a way to use it, Fiora. Just warn me if I'm nearby, aye?"]
Fiora nods, "Oh yeah, sure. I was gonna fire bomb an Ahnkeg mound down south, but stuff came up. Probably still there. Folks've been a bit preoccupied to go out and stomp it out."
Gareth blinks and looks curiously at Fiora. "An ankheg...? Those things are kind o' large, aren't they? Ye sure a single bomb would do more than just piss them off?"]
Fiora shrugs, "Don't know. Figured I'd find out. Fight the rest off." She pauses, then frowns, "Look, my head was in a bad place. The point is, I'm better now, and I still have the bomb!"
Gareth hums and nods. "Fair enough, lass. Hopefully ye find a good reason to make use o' that thing, then." He reaches over and pats Fiora's arm, "I'm glad things are workin' out fer ye here in town."
Fiora hums, folding her arms loosely in front of her. "Trying to, but yeah... Thanks. And I'm glad whatever teleporty thing you did to keep you from getting blown up worked when it needed to, even if it can't dodge fists."
Gareth shrugs a bit and grins. "I'll figure it out eventually, I'm sure. Thanks fer humorin' me attempt at tryin' to learn more about whatever happened."
Fiora chuckles as she steps away to retrieve her helmet, "You know I'm always good for punching whoever you need me to punch. Including you. Best get back to work though, eh?"
Gareth nods and glances at the guards he'd been instructing earlier, who seem to be getting a bit too relaxed. "Aye, that we should, lass. Thanks fer the chat." He grins and gives her a salute, "See ye at the Minnow later, if anythin'."
Fiora turns and waves a hand behind her as she dons her helmet once again, "First round on me, even." She heads back towards the sparring rings to continue training.
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THE EDGE OF AEPHIX - YZZAYT'S PROMINENCE - EVENING
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Louma slithers back and forth within her home after eating only half of her food. Her mood for the day had been low, a nightmare the night before leaving her agitated and exhausted, enough so that she had opted to remain in the abode for the day. Not a good idea, as she looks exactly how one would assume she would after thinking about nothing other than home all day; unkempt, tear stained, and tired.
Narrator: Late at night, though firelit as usual thanks to the lack of natural light this far into Yzzayt's prominence anyway, the doors to Louma's home are unlocked and Tizza is allowed to enter, quickly being closed behind her. Immediately, her eyes are drawn to the general state of both Louma and her house, and the half-eaten food. ". . .S-Sister Louma?" Tizza tentatively greets.
Louma looks to the door as it's opened, tensing up, though she has no reason to fear anything. After all, what could she have done wrong today? When she sees it's Tizza, a visible wave of relief rolls over her. "Oh, good evening Tizza!" She straightens up a little, subconsciously patting at her feathers, though it would take more than a little finger-preening to fix her current state. "How... How are you?"
Tizza gives a sad smile to Louma, concerned for her state. "I'm, uh. . .I'm good. I. . .Confronted Usid! I made him see!" Tizza somewhat cheerily replies. "But. . .That's not why I'm here. I have news, Sister Louma."
Louma blinks, Tizza's happiness a beacon in this dour day. She offers a cautious smile, nodding. "That is... Good, I'm glad for you. What is your news?" She settles her tail around her in a coil as she speaks, resting clasped hands on top of it as she tries to relax a bit.
Tizza: "I've. . .Found a few people who'd be willing to help free you. There's, ah, probably more? But I don't want to risk The Whisperer catching on. He might think we're subverting Yzzayt's will. Which, maybe I am? But. . .Is it actually if I'm doing this to help Yzzayt?" Tizza derails.
Louma glances toward the door, then back to Tizza. "Wh... What? Really?" She hesitates, though. "But others? That puts you at risk... I... Can't believe you're doing this..."
Tizza is snapped back to the matter at hand by Louma's response. "Maybe. But Tizza not afraid. Yzzayt will redeem Tizza."
Louma sighs, looking aside. "Yzzayt will, hm? You might be right... If we are ancient kin, you would be doing a good thing. But going against Xeilzrus will cause you trouble, either way."
Tizza: "Mm." Tizza hums in response. "I have plan, with what few people will help, for Sister Louma."
Louma looks to Tizza, cautious hope in her eyes. "Oh? I... If you're serious about it, I will hear. I mean... I want to go home. To see May..." She shakes her head slightly. "It's selfish though... To put others at risk for my freedom... Only if you're sure."
Tizza: "Selfish? Maybe. Right thing to do? Also." Tizza nods. "So long as you try to bring peace, I will try to do the same." Tizza pauses. "How are your wings? Are you. . .Doubtless that you can fly?"
Louma turns her head, humming. She spreads her wings out as far as she can in the room, the tip of her right wing brushing the wall across from her table, blotting out the small candle lights behind her from Tizza's vision. The joints touch against the ceiling as she flexes them, feeling only discomfort from stiffness. Here she has not flown once. Back home she'd take any excuse to leave the ground. She smiles at Tizza, nodding. "I think so. You are a fantastic healer."
Tizzanods, smiling back. "Glad. You will need them." Pause, "One of guards overheard conversation between The Whisperer and Sister Louma when you first came. They heard that The Whisperer might send you to the mines. Sister Louma should do this."
Louma hesitates, the tone in her voice highly incrdulous. "What?"
Tizza: "Yzzayt's Prominence, glorious it is, well guarded. You not get far. Yzzayt's Abyss, the mines, also well guarded. Between? Not so." Tizza elaborates.
Louma folds her wings in slowly as she considers this, unable to hide the smile that starts as she returns her gaze to Tizza. "Yes... You may be right! I would be escorted but, that may be the ones who wish to help, right?"
Tizza nods. "Yes. But then hard part. Evade Nyzai The Clever and her scouts."
Louma grunts, narrowing her eyes slightly. "Nyzai... The flying one, hmm? I was tired when she caught me, I had been flying for near a day at that point. I will not be caught so easily after a good rest. And if she can keep pace with me, well... I will find a way. If you can get me into the sky, that is where your worries can end, I promise you that."
Tizza nods. "Good, because there no help then. Best we can do. Nyzai has eyes everywhere, voices everywhere. She will know quickly."
Louma uncoils as Tizza speaks, slithering forward and resting a hand on Tizza's shoulder. "This means a lot to me. I know much of it is that you want to do what you think Yzzayt wants, and that's fine. I'm sure it is right. We just need a way to get me sent to the mines, and well... I have a few ideas on that. Just let me know when and it can likely happen."
Tizza puts her own hand atop Louma's. "It is great honour, Sister Louma. I'll send word, be ready starting morning."
Louma chuckles, nodding. She's trying to suppress it, but the guard's face and demeanor show a giddy excitement building in her. She should be being cautious, it could be a trap after all. But that thought doesn't do more than flash in some corner of her mind. The hope is too strong. "So soon? No matter, I'll be ready."
Tizza: "Plan not complicated. Only need make sure at least one friend is helping escort you. So, soon, yes." Tizza replies. "I'll. . .Likely not see you again. So this is goodbye, Sister Louma."
Louma loses some of her smile to a tinge of sadness, leaning down to Tizza and wrapping her in a feathery hug. "Perhaps, but I will never forget you if it is, my friend."
Tizza happily hugs Louma back, though the size difference makes it hard. Once the hug is broken, Tizza moves for the door, knocking on it to leave.
Louma moves back from the hug, sighing slightly as she turns away from the door once Tizza has left. She tears up, though now out of an overflowing excitement, as she heads to the bedchamber. Despite the mood, the exhaustion from the previous night will at least let her sleep as well as possible tonight. Tomorrow might be an interesting day.