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THE UNRESTING EXPANSE; BASE CAMP - FIELD KITCHEN
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Emmeline has had her few minor wounds and exhaustion dealt with, and is now allowed to wander the central parts of the camp. With the near starvation diet she'd been on in the abyss, she's been eating quite often as her appetite slowly awakens after months of being suppressed. Currently, she's just leaning against one of the crates of dry goods by the field kitchen, trying to keep out of the way of the cooks.
Nesseth is making his way past the kitchen, having been helping the captains draw up plans for the Abyss, just in case negotiations and peace talks fall through somehow. The planning has gone through most of the morning, but they've managed to come up with something that works for as much info as they have, both from Respite's own scouts checking the place out, as well as information gathered from Usid and the others. For now, though, he's got himself a couple of buns from the kitchen and intends to just enjoy the day for at least a few minutes while having a little meal.
Emmeline takes a few moments to recognize Nesseth as he walks by, but once she does she rises to her hooves and makes doubletime to catch up to him. "Nesseth! Wait..."
Nesseth hums curiously and turns to look at whoever is calling after him. He waves as best as he can once he recognizes them. "Hm? Oh, Emmeline, right? Is something wrong?"
Emmeline steps up to Nesseth and looks him in the eyes, her own eyes full of worry. "Yes... I just... I didn't have a chance to ask during the debriefing earlier with Captain Throckmorton... but... do you know if Jennica is OK? The other cow who runs the market stall with me? I'm pretty sure you've met her... She's still in town, right? Didn't run off to try to find me? I just... I need to know that she's safe... please." At the end of her questions, one of her hands is grasping at Nesseth's uniform.
Nesseth nods, understanding the worry Emmeline has for her friend(?). He offers a reassuring smile as he uses his free hand to gently pat at the one grasping the front of his uniform. "Before the guards left, she was spending time with May, the town's magitech engineer. Before that, the town was doing everything it could to ensure everyone stays within the walls, where it was safer. She's not with the rescue team, and the town still has a pretty sizable guard presence, so she's safe."
Emmeline lets go and slumps back, giving Nesseth more room. "Oh thank providence... thank the stars... she's safe..." Her eyes start to water a bit as a genuine smile crosses her lips. "Thank you lieutenant... I just... I was so worried... because if she wasn't in town and wasn't in the Abyss, then that would have meant..." She trails off, not even wanting to entertain the thought any further.
Nesseth shakes his head. "Usid has said that he and that pterosaur Nyzai were the ones tasked with raiding the town and caravans. Usid and his clan are on our side now, and Nyzai's clan is scattered, while Nyzai herself is gone. The town is as safe as can be right now."
Emmeline nods, shivering a bit at the mention of Usid's name. "I still... can't trust him. Can't forgive him. Keep him away from me..."
Nesseth nods as he gestures out to the east. "He's personally staying at his clan's camp out that way. He only shows up here for planning and discussions, since he's their leader. Don't worry about running into him, but you'll likely run into their healers, crafters and such, since they're all mingling with us." He tilts his head curiously, "Will that cause any issues?"
Emmeline shakes his head. "I met some of the healers, they're nice... but Usid... and his cronies... they caused so much pain." She looks down at her hooves thoughtfully, mulling things over.
Nesseth glances over to the side while Emmeline takes a few moments to think, watching some of Usid's clan members helping with some things near the kitchen. "Well, Usid and his riders are at least staying at their camp, doing what they can to rest up in case there's a fight at the Abyss, so you won't have to worry about running into them for a while yet. Of course, once we all get back to Respite... you might wind up meeting one or two of them here and there."
Emmeline looks up most of the way. "Yes... of course... good to have some time right now though." She gives a shaky smile. "I should probably... walk more... sort through all this stuff in my head..."
Nesseth hums and smiles again. "A little walk to clear the head is always a good idea. But don't worry about Jennica, at least. She's safe back at town."
Emmeline gives Nesseth another nod. "Well, I'll leave you to whatever it is you were doing. Thank you again... sorry for being... this way right now." She heads off before Nesseth replies, clearly dealing with a lot at the moment.
Nesseth is about to respond, but Emmeline turns and heads off a bit too quickly for him to do so. Instead, he just watches as she goes for a few seconds, then sighs and goes to have his meal. Part of him starts to wonder, if Emmeline is this bad... how are the others still in the Abyss holding up?
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NORTH OF RESPITE - LATE AFTERNOON
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Tarbin had emerged from the clinic an hour or so ago, satisfied with the tasks laid out to the pair of them by Plume. For the most part, things have calmed down in recent days, thankfully, since there wasn't much energy left in the lizard to do much after the familiar duties. Not enough energy to follow up on their promise before today, in any case. Heading through the North gate after a short word with the guard stationed there, Tarbin detours from the road after leaving sight of the wall, his eyes not on their surroundings, but tracking the lines of magic in the ground toward the local focal point. It takes a short bit to find the entrance, but the lizard looks upon the mostly-familiar formation with a nod.
Melia manifests walking next to Tarbin, humming. The elemental is bright in green color and just about as bright in demeanor; she has been waiting for this. [Think Zayzzes has been holding up well? I haven't felt anything, but... well.] She waves her hands as she looks around the greenery around them.
Tarbin nods, glancing around at the healthy foliage, quite the improvement over the strangled plants that had surrounded the area on their first visit. "I hope so... We'll see in a moment, wont we? I wonder if he'll notice how much more solid you've gotten." He grins at Melia before pushing the hanging ivy aside, revealing the mouth of the cave. "After you, 'avatar'." He bows his head slightly and speaks the title with respect, though it really only comes up in conversation related to Zayzzes. As much awe as he still has for Melia's existence and connection to Nature, there's a familiarity there that makes worship of that kind seem impractical.
Melia gives Tarbin's shoulder the mildest of near-physical shoves as she walks by: [Cheeky lizard. Avatar my non-existent ass, we're in this together.] Her grin at him is pretty unmistakable, though - she definitely likes him a lot, circumstances nonwithstanding. She extends her frills, having gotten entirely different levels of control of her manifestation since the beginning. [Do I look good?]
Tarbin smiles, nodding to her question as he steps in after her. "Beautiful, yes. The frills are a nice touch, very... [exotic]." He tries to not bump into her frill in the relatively confined cave entrance, thankfully the steep path widens out a bit as they descend toward the knot of flowing magic below.
Melia gives Tarbin a smirk as she walks with him: [Oh, that word again? How should I take it, hmm?] She gestures with her hand and the frills turn slightly more longer and more flowy along her neck. Totally not just messing with Tarbin, of course.
Zayzzes sits almost unmoved from his position where Tarbin and Melia last saw him, the hulking Triceratops sitting in quiet contemplation and mediation. Though, unlike last time where death and disease poured from him like an open wound, now he seems to be much more in communion with the plants around him, his scales look healthier and less leathery, though his great age is still evident. His touch upon the flow is obvious, and Tarbin and Melia both feel his presence acknowledging them from the cave below.
Tarbin blushes as he looks at Melia, barely admitting to himself that he's stolen glances at her new form more than a few times. "It's good. Suits you, really." He clears his throat as the two step closer to the chamber, slowing his pace a little before he changes the subject. "Zayzzes? We're returned... Are you here?"
Melia walks into view with Tarbin, smiling: [We're back! By which I mean, we're here, like he said.] She points at Tarbin, giving him a grin before looking at Zayzzes: [You look great!]
Zayzzes hums from his sitting position, "I am. You return, Tarbin of Yuretti. As does Melia, the Avatar." He slowly opens his eyes and bows his head. "...You look good as well, both of you. To what does this old Saur owe the honor of your presence to?"
Tarbin bows to Zayzzes. "Greetings Zayzzes. We were hoping to check up on you. Things have been calming down around town, there hasn't been a sighting in a few days, and a little longer since the last attack."
Melia points a finger at Tarbin: [He means we were actually able to leave town and stuff. Those Guards have been very stiff all around.] She shrugs: [I mean, I guess for a reason, but Nature is healing so what's the worry, right?]
Zayzzes stretches in place, his large form looming up before relaxing, though his tone is tinged with worry. "Hmmmm. Avatar Melia's blessing has done much to aid my recovery, and in turn I have done what I can to undo what I had done."
Melia waves her hand: [Oh it wasn't much. And um... not really an avatar. Or well I am, Nature and stuff, but it feels awkward when you put it like that.]
Tarbin looks to Melia, humming. "Nature will almost always recover, that is true." He looks then to Zayzzes. "You do seem much heartier. It's good to see. I take it you haven't heard anything from your Whisperer?" Tarbin finds a spot of soft soil, settling on his knees for now.
Zayzzes curls a lip in an expression of distaste. "So you have learned of him, hm? No. I have not heard from him, nor from Yzzayt in my prayers. Save for Nature's own response, which is Yzzayt's response in a way as well, I suppose."
Melia tilts her head, frills swaying: [I don't hear any Yzzayt around. But then again, he might not want to talk to me. I dunno.]
Tarbin chuckles quietly. "Sorry, yes. Word has been spreading in some circles ever since a captive of your village escaped and returned. Melia brings up a point there. This Whisperer... Do they have any connection to power? 'Magic'?"
Zayzzes sighs, "Powerful magic, yes... but I do not know the source. Yzzayt, he said. Our God. He proved his connection, and the Clans made him Whisperer, for he spoke with Yzzayt's voice. But I... doubted."
Melia looks at Zayzzes curiously: [Do you mean he's not all that he's supposed to be? Uhm, whatever, Whisperer is supposed to be?]
Tarbin hums, nodding after a few moments. "I suppose it doesn't matter right now... That situation is in the hands of others now." He looks back up to Zayzzes. "Is there anything you need of us?"
Zayzzes takes a deep breath, "It is... complicated. But I cannot say. I told you before I was torn between three Masters... my calling to Nature's flow, our God Yzzayt, and... the Whisperer, who is as our God given flesh. Or he should be. But I have known Whisperers in the past and this one..." He shakes his head and sighs, then turns to smile at Tarbin. "Now I am clanless, but Nature provides for me. I am content."
Melia nods slowly, then looks at Tarbin: [Well... we perhaps could use your help, regardless. Maybe. Sort of? We're not sure.] She gives Tarbin a helpless look. [Tell him of our bond.]
Tarbin smiles at Zayzzes, glancing toward Melia. "There is something to be said of a simpler life. Being so torn... I can imagine it. Even sympathise. I was once in a similar position, between my people, my country, and Nature. I chose, in a way." He sighs quietly at Melia's words. "Yes. Melia's growing stronger, but as she was with the garden, it seems we're more permanently bonded than I'd thought..."
Zayzzes narrows his eyes, putting a hand down on the ground, he pushes himself up, then moves closer to Tarbin and puts a hand upon his shoulder. "Hmmmm. Bonded, you say? That shouldn't be..."
Tarbin nods, tilting a bit at the weight of the saur's hand. "She was linked to her garden, unable to leave. I think when I broke that anchor, she anchored to my body, instead."
Melia shrugs with a lopsided smile: [Yep, I'm sorta just stuck on him. Anchored, if you will. Can't get far from him even if I wanted to.] She pauses, blinking: [...not that I really want to.]
Zayzzes looks curiously at Melia's semi-solid form. He reaches out through the flow to feel the connection between them. "I have never encountered an Avatar of Nature in my long, long years, but Nature does not constrain itself in this fashion naturally. Your bond is... curious to me. You were 'anchored' to a garden beforehand? How?"
Melia shrugs again: [Not sure. I think I was... created, for a lack of a better term, as a copy of the owner of the garden, but that did not really work out in the long run.]
Tarbin looks to Melia, blushing slightly. "We don't know how or why she was born, but yes, it was sudden and limiting."
Zayzzes removes his large hand from Tarbin, walking back towards where he'd been sitting and plopping back down with a thunderous 'omph'. "Most unnatural. Nature is sudden and violent with one hand, but gentle and welcoming with the other. Yet it is never without purpose."
Melia looks at her left hand. Then at her right. [Not sure I get it.]
Tarbin grunts, nodding. "So far, Melia has been a great help healing people and bringing health to the land but... She could do more if we didn't have to do everything together."
Zayzzes folds his fingers together and thinks. "You, Melia, are what you are, but this 'anchoring' feels unnatural to me. You are bound to some... source. Some little thing that feels strange and different to me. That power created you, and my guess is that it was what was in this garden first, and now it is within Tarbin."
Melia tilts her head, confused as she attempts to parse this: [I am... I guess whatever or whoever created me would know.]
Tarbin nods along, though he can't begin to think of what might be within him that was also within the garden. "I think you're right. I suppose we have to find the person that caused this, then." He looks to Melia. "You're stuck with me a little longer."
Melia blinks, then gives Tarbin a little grin: [I think I can live with that. Well, living as I am. Here, anyway.]
Zayzzes sighs, "My apologies, Tarbin, of Yuretti. Melia. Were this purely an issue of flow and natural magic, I am confident we could work together to solve this. But this... something else, whatever it is, I cannot aid you with it."
Tarbin smiles at Melia, then Zayzzes in turn. "Thank you in any case, my friend. Any information is helpful, even if it just closes a path."
Melia nodnods: [Yuh, thank you. We're gonna solve this, uh, somehow.]
Zayzzes untwines his finger, bringing one hand forward, clenching the fist, then unclenching it to an open palm. "I owe you both my life, and whatever aid I can provide is yours. If you need my aid, my power, for whatever solution you may find, it is yours... friends."
Melia looks at Tarbin with a smile, then steps forward to Zayzzes and gives him a big near-physical, sorta-ephemeral hug. [You'll be on our minds, Zayzzes.]
Tarbin chuckles quietly at the difference in the two gestures. "If it comes to collecting on that, we might call on your help. We'll keep an eye on what is happening in town, as well. I don't think you want to live in this cave forever."
Zayzzes nods slowly, lowering his hand. "And... if word comes of this war... of my people... I..." He sighs, shaking his head. "Perhaps it is best if I do not learn their fate."
Melia nods slowly as she lets go of the hug: [Well, we will know of that later. Well, hopefully.]
Tarbin lowers his head solemnly. "We will." He stands up, dusting the soil from his knees. "Anything we can bring you, though?"
Zayzzes does not seem to know just how to react to Melia's hug, shaking his head as she releases it. "I have water brought to me from the roots, and food grown from the plants. As I said, I am content." He hesistates, seeming reluctant to add anything, but it's clear he has some request in his mind.
Melia tilts her head, still standing next to Zayzzes: [Content but... something on your mind?]
Tarbin nods encouragingly
Zayzzes snorts. "It is foolish." He glances around the damp dirt cave surrounded by plantlife. "...I admit that I miss a warm fire. My old bones dislike the cold, but that I can overcome. But I do miss boiling the roots and leaves given to me into teas."
Melia blinks, frowning briefly before nodding: [Fire... I guess we can do that.]
Tarbin grins, nodding. "Then a tea pot and something to keep a fire contained. We would be more than happy to oblige."
Zayzzes chuckles, "Please do not put yourself in debt upon my account. You are still aiding the enemy, I imagine many would believe."
Melia shrugs, smiling: [Enemy is... relative. I'm more worried about fire, but... maybe, yes.]
Tarbin also shrugs. "She's right." He turns toward the cave entrance, "We will come by again, Zayzzes. Take care, yes?"
Zayzzes dips his head. "I have no where else to go, my friends. But I am not yet ready to depart this world. I shall be here."
Melia steps closer to Tarbin before spinning around and giving Zayzzes a big cheery wave: [We'll come to you! No worries. Well, at least no more worries, given the situation. I mean, um... nevermind. No worries.]
Tarbin grins at Melia and gives one final nod to Zayzzes before heading back up through the tunnel, quietly contemplating where to get the gifts for Zayzzes as the two return to town in a roundabout fashion, still not wanting to attract any extra attention to the cave.