Facebook Chat Archive for March 2019 (Part 2, after we find Luther)

 

Briar Luther takes his time getting used to his new get-up in Armella's armor (he being quite a tall man could fit in the armor, if being a little lanky). He jumps in it, walls and paces about in it, and tests its weight on his shoulders. It's hefty, but a good fit. He smiles boyishly as he moves about in it. "I think...I think I'm ready."

Eliza/Ruby smiles watching him, his excitement contagious. 'It almost feels like a dream, being here...' She thinks to herself. She was terrified to hope he was alive, doubt coursing through her after all that happened, and her heart rent for months following their escape. He was always more than an employer to her. He was a father. Finding him alive... seeing him with that boyish smile and that excited gleam in his eyes, that look of hope... She felt at home again.

"I think I'll accompany you to the station, just to make sure you arrive safely..." She feels jittery and nervous, hoping the plan goes well and he can make it back to the Skyshadow.

"I'd journey with you the whole way if I could, but..." she glances at the others, staging the apartment for a mock crime scene. "I think it's best we get out of here before dawn as a group... Once you're absent from work the Rhenese will likely come here. We will head to Central, then take the next train back to Trenfield. Oh, we have so much more to share with you..."

Briar returns the sentiment. "If only we had more time...and less of this new fangled government interference in our lives...I would travel the whole world with you and your friends, Miss Ruby...Eliza," he corrects himself. "I would love to hear more of the stories of your adventures!" The heavy armor rattles and clatters noisily in the night as he moves about.

She chuckles again and hugs him. "We will travel the world soon enough. I can't wait to get back on board and show you the places we've been!"

She gathers her things, gets his train paperwork ready, then bites her lip. "Eliza probably shouldn't be seen with you right now... If I'm to keep up appearances. She has been seen with the ship and on the train already, and I'll be her tomorrow..." She paws through her bag for what trinkets and other mock outfits she brought along. "I'll be right back."

After a few minutes out of the room, she returns wearing an altered version of her outfit, a blonde wig and blue contacts. She looks like a peppy, flirty young adult, perhaps even a little airheaded. She rarely uses this style but it's fitting when it's needed... Luther has met Kitty Fisher once or twice before, and would know it immediately.

"Miss Fisher," he says with a twinkle in his eye, "how good to see you!" Luther cracks one of his dashing smiles at her, and folds his arms...as best he can in the heavy armor set.

He stops his pacing and moving about and eyes you. "So where to first, madame?"

Handing him his permit and a forged identification card, she smiles. "Let's get you on that train..."

The two head outside, exiting as quietly as possible. Kitty looks back and forth, (4) but it's so dark she has trouble seeing anything but shadows and the dim lamplight down the street.

Luther also looks this way and that, but cannot see anything. "Moon's not out today," he surmises. Suddenly, as Luther and Kitty are making their way across the street, two Paladins of the Rhen round the corner.

She sees them immediately, and whispers to Luther, "Just act natural. The best disguise is confidence."

They continue walking toward the soldiers, Kitty wearing a big flirty smile--quite a different feel than Eliza, for sure. If they were real people, they would likely despise one another.

"Like, there are soooo many strong men out tonight." She acts as if she's talking to Luther, but is rather loud about it. "You are all just too much! It's sooo nice... This city has like, never been safer." She waves an impartial greeting, one you might to a friend in passing, staying near Luther. (17/19 persuasion with advantage)

The two paladins passing by smile and wave back, soaking up the flirtatious attention they get from Kitty. The two men give a salute to a disguised Luther, and continue on their way. He does his best to imitate the salute.

The paladins continue on their way into the inner city, taking no further heed of Kitty and Luther.

"I'm glad we found you. I... I honestly thought you didn't make it out of Central." Kitty looks over with a sincere expression, her voice back to normal now that they are alone again.

"Something..." she bites her lip, not sure how to say it. "There just came a moment I knew you were alive, and I had to make sure I found you, no matter what."

"We all have moments that can spur us into action, Miss Fisher," replies Luther kindly. "Sometimes they can come from the most unexpected places, but it's always up to us to nab the opportunity when it arises, and take charge!" He pounds his chest with his fist, the armor plates clattering as they hit one another. "Take me, for example: I took a gamble on this party, and I very nearly lost you all." His head bows, morose in his thoughts. "Well...I lost one of you...," he turns his face away, masking the tears threatening to seep out of his eyes. "But I myself, ahem, was determined to find you lot, indeed." He turns back, a puzzled look on his handsome features. "Say...any word on what happened to Miss Trident, and Acolyte Vorgrimler?"

Her eyes widen. "Oh! Yes, they... They were fine when we last spoke. Miss Trident needed to take a leave of absence and... I believe she's in the west right now? We had some nasty business with... Monsters in Elingrad."

Her face looks dark, a stark opposite to the type of bubbly disguise she's in. "It kind of hit her hard, so she's had to take her leave from our group as well."

He leans in close, and speaks out of the side of his mouth. "You know, I do like that new character in your group...The tall red one? He is impressive and without a doubt NOT an orc!" He chuckles.

She snorts, and looks around to see if anyone is nearby. "Well, he was raised by orcs, so... We're treating him as one." She smiles slyly. "As long as the Rhenese believe it. He definitely has power in him that could outstrip any man, dwarf, or orc I ever knew."

He nods in agreement. "I couldn't have surmised less of the fellow. He is fearless, fierce, yet wise beyond his years." Luther continues to walk beside Kitty, pondering upon this whole mess. "You know, the curating business has tired me out. I think...," he strokes his well chiseled chin. "I think I'm going to go into the amusement park business after all this is over, and build roller coasters!"

Kitty snorts with laughter. "Roller coasters..??" She looks at Luther incredulously. "You know, that honestly sounds rather fitting for you. If I can help... Let me know."

They arrive at the entrance of the train station, and she gives him a nod. "You got your name down? An alibi? Cause you aren't Briar right now. You're...?"

He adopts a mock Rhenese accent. "Rufus Korngold, ze Paladin of Tarj martial 8th class!" He snaps to attention and gives the honorary salute of the paladins. Out of the side of his mouth, he whispers "I'm around them all day."

She chuckles. "You're a natural." Producing some written instructions from her bag, she hands them to Luther. "You can find our ship at this dock in Trenfield. Feel free to stay in my room until we get accommodations set up for you when we get back. I can probably bunk with Miss Mella."

She smiles nervously, hesitant to leave him and watch him go. "We'll be back in just a day or two, I'm sure. Stay safe... Please?"

He rests his hand on her shoulder reassuringly. "It will all work out. Trust me, as you always have, but most of all, trust yourself, and the friends you have now. Having friends like yours gives you a serious one-up in this cruel world."

His face turns suddenly sous as the night train pulls up to the station. He looks upon you, his voice drowned out in the noise and whistle of the train. You discern four words from his lips.

"Give em hell, Ruby!"

He takes the documents and bounds up to the train, his armor rattling. That is the last thing you see of Mr. Luther before he gets on the train...

 

***Haven City, after getting Luther to the station; same night, 12am-2am***

Returning from dropping Luther off at the station, Ruby slinks back into the apartment building as quiet as a mouse. The chilly air outside feels still and tense. Judging by the drooping autumn moon in the sky, she guesses it must be close to midnight now.

Careful not to disturb anything, she tiptoes down the hall, locating a small unoccupied guest room. Most of the others are sleeping or working quietly in their own corners, and she closes the door behind her.

Letting out a huge sigh she sits down on the bed, exhausted. Pulling off her wig and effects as Miss Fisher, she rubs the makeup away, Delilah's freckles showing through. She glances out the window. "I'm so tired... But my mind is too wound up... Maybe I can wind down with some reading."

She nestles into a quilt and reaches in her bag, wondering if she packed any reading material. She had left quite a lot back on the Skyshadow, after all. But her hands do find a small book--the storybook Rhys gave her on Dolor.

"Oh... Right, I was in the middle of this one." She smiles and relaxes as she continues from her bookmarked page. The handwriting is immaculate, and seems to possess a strangely similar style pen stroke as the elf's tattoos.

She reads through several stories in silence for at least an hour. At certain times she chuckles, winces in shock or shakes her head. She was always a fan of folk tales and fairy stories for children, and these were some of the best she'd heard... All new to her too, seeing as they were likely from thousands of years ago.

Feeling bittersweet as she reaches the last pages, her brow knits. It reads:

'None of these tales of adventure and fables of daring are fiction; mere stories to encourage toddlers into obedience. They have truth in their words, based on real events my father saw or even participated in personally. Some stories are about him.'

Ruby contemplates this, wondering if Rhys wrote that to tease her. Some of the tales were definitely believable, but others... She remembers spending time with Nerezza in Trenfield just a few days ago and tries to put his face to the stories.

She continues reading, mumbling the words quietly under her breath.

"If ye doubt, speak to the shadows. Call upon his name and he will come to confirm... or pass judgement upon you for doubting." She chuckles and shakes her head. "Oh he is definity teasing me. What a punk..."

She rests her arm across her eyes and yawns loudly. "Nerezza, Mr. God of Shadows..." she starts, sarcastically, "...wouldn't just show up to talk about children stories... He can't just hear people like that."

Mere seconds after Ruby is finished talking, the room begins to quiver and shake, the light being cast from the lantern being pulled against it's will in a direction that fights the very nature of flame and light...

The shadows seem to coalesce and settle in a rocking chair in the corner of the room, creating a familiar human shape, the large feathered wings spread out like that of a great winged beast preparing to dive at it's prey... suddenly, the lights stop moving. The room is still, and a golden light eminates from his eyes as he opens them, dimly reflecting off his teeth as he grins. "Why Ruby... what kind of God would I be if I didn't answer the call of those who asked of me?"

At the quivering and shuttering of light, Ruby lets out a muffled yelp, scrambling frantically to extricate herself from the tangled quilt. She tumbles over the side of the bed in a heap. Her heart pounding out of her chest, she twists around to watch the shadows coalesce into the massive, predatorial wings above her. And lastly at his voice... her blood runs cold.

She tries to speak, but her voice seems suddenly small and timid. She feels like a mouse being eyed by a hawk. His presence here now starkly more intimidating than when she met with him in that quiet cemetery.

"I-I...didn't..." She stutters, grasping desperately for what to say. "I mean..." she glances at the book lying on the floor nearby. She feels utterly foolish, small, and insignificant. "I thought your son was teasing me... I didn't know that I could call for you, like... he or Balgor could..." She looks apologetic, as if she disturbed him by bringing him here.

Nerezza chuckles. "I see he gave you a book of tales I've told him. I suppose you were curious if they are real or not?"

He leans backward, crossing his legs on the footrest in front of the chair and tucking his wings back as best he can into the rocking chair.

"Also, anyone who speaks my name and calls upon the shadows can call me to their side... whether I come or not is my choice."

She looks up at him in awe. "R-really?" Ruby contemplates that, thinking of Tarj and comparing the stark differences of these two gods. She shudders, trying to still her racing heart.

Glancing at the book again, she gently retrieves it. Still sitting on Luther's quilt on the floor, she looks back up at Nerezza. "I--yes, I suppose so." She shyly flips through the pages. "These are all real, then? Everything Rhys shared?"

"For the most part, yes... judging by the title of that book, I'm sure Rhys left out certain details as the tales are for children.... but they are, in fact, true." He smiles, leaning forward slightly.

"You seem nervous. Do not worry, as I've said before, I don't actually steal the souls of children..."

She blanches slightly, letting out a weak chuckle. "I see, yes... That makes sense. A-a-and I don't suppose you would..." Looking at the book in her hands, she wonders with curiosity what other darker tidbits were left out. She makes a plan to read it again later, with these new revelations in mind.

"You make quite an entrance when you arrive, I must say..." She runs her hand through her hair, sheepishly trying to smooth it back down and feeling a bit foolish. "W-were you still in Trenfield when I... um... called you?"

"I was... nearby." His eyes seem to gleam with amusement at the word. "As to making an entrance, would you expect anything different from the God of shadows and trickery?" He spreads his arms as if to gesture to himself.

Ruby snorts. "No, no... I suppose you're right. The flashy theatrics fit you." She scoots against the side of the bed and leans against it, watching him. Now that the shock has passed her nerves are calming down.

"Shadows and trickery? Hmm.." She considers your words, wide awake now. "How does one become a god of titles like that? Is it just... The person who is best at those things? Do you have other titles you've taken, too?" She smirks.

Nerezza cocks his head to the side, looking at Ruby with a slight grin. "The domains a God is the God of deal immensely with who they are. Balgor, for instance... he is the God of Slaughter, among other things. This title was bestowed upon him because he excels at it. I myself, am the God of shadows, trickery, secrets, and memories..."

"Memories..." She thinks back on the orb he used to show her the past. Magic... Gideon... His sweet daughter.

She hugs her knees. "...How would you compare the concept of memories with knowledge?" She looks up at him earnestly. "You've seen a lot in your life, right? If you're the God of Memories as well, can... You see other people's memories too? Or just your own?"

Nerezza stands up and walks to the window, looking out into the night sky. "I can see, and sometimes feel or experience memories. Anyone's. Before magic became broken, I could even at times view future memories."

He turns around, looking at Ruby. "Seeing other's memories is slightly more complicated than my own, but I can do it. Why do you ask, Dear Ruby?"

She seems to sink into herself a bit, realizing how that may have sounded. "Oh, n-no personal reasons, really..." She hugs her knees tighter, thinking... and remembering.

She tries to shake those new questions from her mind, then elaborates. "I've followed Tarj the Wise my whole life. The concept of Gods other than him, over different... Domains? It's just so foreign."

She shifts uncomfortably. "I suppose then he'd be over... Knowledge, and Order? He brings us good things. Medicine... Alchemy... He's been a-a just and fair God." Her heart pangs a little as she says it.

Mixed emotions swirl behind her eyes. "But you showed me things... Memories... Of things I never knew of. That's... not bad right? That's just knowledge, too..." she asks it quietly, almost if to herself.

Nerezza walks over and kneels down next to Ruby, smiling kindly. "Knowledge is what we make of it. Power to some, a crutch to others. Only you can decide what Knowledge it is you seek, and what you desire to do with it..."

He reaches into his shadow-like jacket with a smirk. "I, however... possess the knowledge that you... enjoy these." He pulls out a cracker and holds it out to her.

A little taken aback, Ruby looks down at the sugary cracker and back up at Nerezza. She studies his kind, ancient eyes for a moment as she tries to process her feelings.

"Yes... You are right. I won't deny you've made a fan of me." She takes the treat gratefully with a humbled sort of smile. Without thinking much on it she breaks it in two, handing half back to him.

Nerezza laughs wholeheartedly before accepting the sugary treat. "Thank you. That was very kind of you. I have more, so you didn't have to share but you chose to anyway. That proves to me once again the type of precious and generous person you are, Ruby. Don't lose that. Don't let anyone take that from you."

Ruby blushes, mumbling a gentle "thank you" as she takes a bite. She rubs the sugar on the outside with her thumb, contemplating.

She feels a warm comfort from his words. Something about it all made her feel like a child again. Not patronising, but... like it in a really tender way.

"I never thought of knowledge being a-a crutch before. But..." she turns her head away, looking a little ashamed. "Perhaps that's what I've made it for a long time, Nerezza. I considered it power. It helped me feel in control..." she sighs. "But I didn't always do good with it. I just... I desire to do good with it now, I guess..." She nibbles at the cracker, savoring it.

Ruby turns to look at Nerezza again, something on her mind. "What was it like? When... When there were many gods, ruling Terra? Was there any order to it at all?"

Her heart hurts, trying to make sense of her feelings. Was the past really all that terrible? Everyone has grown up for generations to believe so. Order should and must reign over chaos, or so they're told. One god is orderly... Isn't it?

Nerezza smiles as he sits down, wrapping his wings around Ruby and himself like a large, feathered blanket. "We all played our part... before I was part of those among the throne room, I often wondered how everything kept itself in balance..." he grabs a nearby pencil and sets it on his finger, balancing it so that neither side is too heavy. "Once I took my place among them, I learned that their hand... sometimes my hand, aids more often than I realized. If one side started to get too heavy..." he slides the pencil one way, it beginning to tip. "One of the Gods would sometimes step in, be it in person or sending their disciples, to restore order and balance once again." He rights the pencil.

Ruby shrinks back slightly, a bit nervous of his large and imposing wings which earlier looked so dangerous. She closes her eyes, but after the shadowy feathers wrap around them both, she feels... different. She relaxes and looks down at them, overwhelmed by the comfort and gentleness they possess.

"S-so..." she tries to find her voice again, stroking the feathers absentmindedly. "Even that hinged on balance? With so many gods, it would always reach an equilibrium...?" Her mind feels a mess. "That sounds... orderly. Much more so than it is now with just one god. Balance... Is that what we're missing...?"

She looks at this diety, sitting right beside her, who's talking to her on her level. It feels so foreign. Yet, so much more real than...anything she'd yet experienced with Tarj. She thought she was close to her god. She prided herself on it growing up. She embraced her faith with everything she had! But...

Doubt wavers in her mind. She looks distraught and chokes back her tears, looking away quickly with shame from the God of Shadow.

Nerezza allows Ruby to take whatever time she needs to herself, while he just still sits there with his wings wrapped around her, while munching on a cracker and humming a very old, strange tune. It tugs at memories in your mind, long lost to time and age, memories from your early childhood. In a very calm and soothing voice, he begins to sing...

"Memories fade to tomorrow, yesterday passes with a glance, remember to enjoy the little things, for it might be your last chance. Shadows encroach upon my vision, bringing darkness to the light, though I know you are still with me, you aren't within my sight. Though you journey on before me, know I'm never far away, following after you eventually, we'll dance again someday..."

He continues humming for a minute, then stops. "I sang that for my wife and daughter both... it's a song close to my heart."

As she registers the melody, Ruby feels every ounce of fear, guilt, and worry slip from her mind like water. The gentle singing breaks open something deep in her heart. Young, faded memories, like sun-bleached photographs, seep out and pull at her, a child's hand urging her to remember.

She turns to look at him, a strange expression on her face. Her eyes seem to be reliving the earliest of sweet, tender, and innocent happinesses she had forgotten. Tears fall, but no longer fueled by hatred or sorrow. She can't seem to talk at first, but nods in understanding until the feelings and memories recede.

"You seem such a just God, Nerezza... so full of humanity and gentleness, even though you are so ancient and powerful." She wrings her hands, still buzzing with feelings. "I can tell you had--have--an infinite love for your family. Beyond anything I've ever witnessed before."

"It--that... music. It made me..." She struggles, unable to explain the mix of pain, confusion and happiness still coursing through her mind. "Your family was... Precious."

He merely nods, a somewhat morose smile on his face. "Music is a conduit that can harness magic, even in it's broken state... many of the old Gods had songs, chants, or hymns... because the magic in the words is amplified when sung."

Ruby looks surprised to learn that. "R-really?" She feels confused but definitely certain of the affect it had.

"It didn't... Break then, though... Did it?" She looks at her hands, a bit shaken.

"Music isn't so much it's own magic source, but rather a neutral, powerful carrier for magic." He offers Ruby another cracker

She takes it gratefully, savoring it. The flavor brings her back to the moment and starts to clear her head.

"That's really interesting..." Ruby hesitates, not sure how to ask. Her amulet feels heavy around her neck. "What... What other ways did people use to channel magic, long ago?"

Nerezza ponders the answer for a moment, interlacing his fingers placing his hands on his knee. "Wands, rings, books, totems... basically anything that could be used to channel and harness energy."

"A-and it all just... Worked?" She remembers your orb again, seeing those foreign idealic places with nymphs and wisps and other creatures in your memories.

She studies you, then looks down at your feathery wings around her. "How are you channeling magic? You don't seem to use any of those."

Nerezza smiles coyly. "One doesn't have to use an object to channel magic... it merely makes more difficult things easier. For instance, when I showed you what magic was like before Gideon... I used a crystal orb, so that you could see with your own eyes as well as not have to enter the turmoils of my mind. When two parties are scrying without an object of focus, both people tend to be forced to experience passing and fleeting memories as the scry spell solidifies. It can be haunting."

As that understanding washes over her, Ruby's eyes grow distant. She curls in on herself, and trying to keep from shaking, leans into Nerezza and his wings. She buries her face in her hands.

"The only r-r-reason we came to Haven City, the only r-reason we are here, was because I... I scried with Balgor. T-that's how I knew Mr. Luther was alive. T-that's how I learned of m-my family here in Alwyn."

Her breathing is shallow and pained as she struggles to continue, ranting with utter frustration. "H-he offered. I was s-scared, but I was s-selfish. I wanted to know. I n-needed to know... to know what happened to them after th-the bombing... I'm here for Balgor's crystal b-but I'm... I'm here for my family!"

But I..." she bites her lip, hard enough to taste blood. "M-most nights now I can't sleep. I used t-to have nightmares of m-mindflayers, and monsters, but now t-that's all intermingled with... With blood, and gore, a-and torture and horrid, horrid things. With his fondest slaughter." She says the last line thick with sarcastic and melancholy acceptance.

"He warned me... He did... It wasn't his f-fault, I was determined to keep going... T-to keep scrying. B-but... I know I sacrificed for it. It's hard to...to bear falling asleep, sometimes. Knowing. I keep telling m-myself it was worth it."

"If I just.. Just KNEW more about m-m-magic, about... All of this, maybe i-i could have been better prepared, I could have.. Learned earlier, learned they were safe, and not.. Not..." Ruby shakes with the pent up anger at herself, and then relaxes, defeated. "I... Thank you. For... for teaching me more. Helping me understand. I s-see where I went wrong. But I know I can't change it."

Nerezza looks at you with genuine concern. "Do Balgor's memories haunt you that much that you are afraid of falling asleep?" He looks distant for a moment, as if mulling through a thought process.

Eventually he kneels up and scoots closer to Ruby, again pulling out the black crystalline orb. "I do not do this often, nor lightly... but... if his memories truly are plaguing your thoughts, dreams, and conciousness... I can lessen them. Possibly even remove them... from YOUR memories... you will still remember scrying with him, but the horrendous things you saw will be either forgotten or blurred..."

She slowly lowers her hands... Thinking. Contenplating. She then turns to look at the crystal orb, and then up at Nerezza.

"Y-you can... Help me forget?" There's a genuine well of both fear and desperation in her eyes. "But memories are... are..." she struggles to find her words now, having exhausted herself so emotionally.

"But they are important though... So I can learn, and do better! But..." She closes her eyes tightly, her vision smeared red with an ocean of death. "P-please..." she pleads desperately. "Help me forget these memories of his."

Nerezza slowly nods his head. He gently takes your hand and places it on the orb. "You will have to experience them one more time. Channel only the memories you wish to have lessened or forgotten. I cannot control what memories you bring to the surface, so I advise caution. Think only of those that you wish gone."

Nerezza cradles the orb in one hand, his other resting upon Ruby's. The room once again begins to have light pulled against its will, shadows flitting and darting around the room towards the orb in their hands. Nerezza's eyes begin to emit a dim golden glow as he accesses the memories of the old world. "When I nod, begin pouring those memories into the orb. Imagine yourself pushing them into a vast fire or other means of riddance."

She takes a deep breath, struggling to keep her hand from shaking between his and the cold surface of the orb.

Waiting for his signal, she slowly exhales. Fears creep in her mind that she will think of something she doesn't want lost. That she could lose herself. That maybe it won't work.

But then he nods. As she focuses her attention on the concourse of slaughter--instead of struggling to bury it in her subconscious--her eyes swim with tears. The memories burn through all of her nerves like hot fire, and she imagines them vividly.

Picturing herself pushing them down her arm, to her hand, and into the orb to be devoured by hungry shadow, she sees every last horrid thing again. But as they leave, less and less replace them. (9) As she struggles to push the final scenes of murder from her mind--a vicious execution of a dutchess and her mewling child down a dark alley--what she feared perhaps more overtakes her. She starts picturing other things... She sees her brother flit acoss her vision, and yelping, she jerks her hand, not trusting herself to lose any of her other memories instead.

Nerezza sets the orb to the side. "I hope that your mind is stilled, some. Altering memories is a delicate thing. You may still see bits and pieces of what Balgor transferred to you, but it should have less of a haunting impact now. I felt towards the end that something, perhaps precious, began fighting it's way into your mind. Fear not, that memory is intact and still with you." (I rolled a 17)

He looks at Ruby, an odd look in his eyes. "Are you alright? I know it's a daunting experience."

Ruby lets out a sigh of relief. She nods, fishing through her feelings and thoughts for anything strange. She remembers... Sadness and death now, but nothing like the emotional evisceration that came with the scrying before.

"I... I think I'm alright. I feel... Better. Tired... but better." Ruby appreciates the sort of gentle concern of his, and she looks over at the orb with a dubious expression. "What happens to those memories I lost?"

"That is a very complex question, and the answer is even more so... let's save the long version for another time, shall we? The short answer is they are lost to you and forgotten from this world by all those who were in contact with the Orb of Memory at the time."

Ruby nods, rubbing her forehead. "That's fair."

She hesitates, looking up at him with a deeply genuine expression of gratitude. "Thank you, Nerezza... You've been so kind to me, and helped me so much. This is...more than I could ever imagine repaying."

She reverently bows her head. "But if there is anything I can do to repay even a fraction of your generosity, please... Let me know."

Nerezza smiles and pats Ruby on the shoulder. "You've already done more than I could ever ask of you, Delilah... you are friends with my son."

She bows her head further. "I do my best to be a good friend to him, sir." She seems hesitant a moment, looking up at Nerezza again, a strange look on her face.

"I've... been wondering," Ruby--Delilah--almost whispers. "I know things between kids and their parents can be... Difficult." She seems to think back on some of her own childhood.

"A long time ago, when I was first getting to know him... Rodrick shared with me that he doubted magic. Then you..." she isn't sure how to voice her question, but unconsciously puts her hand to her side, remembering his scars.

"Rhys has similar powers to you, doesn't he?" Her eyes give away the memory of his ferocious shadow needles. "Is that true, you first showed him your power that way?"

Nerezza frowns sadly. "Yes, I suppose that is how he would remember it... that incident happened shortly after my son returned from hell, his mind nearly destroyed... the one known as Rodrick was rude and belligerent, saying the kind of magic I told him about wasn't real and that I had somehow done what happened to him on purpose. He was angry, and attacked me... I reacted in a way no father should." He hangs his head. "I fought back."

Delilah looks downcast, truly sorry she brought up such bad memories. "I... I can understand, I think... In a way. I apologize for bringing up the past. Family matters are... Well..." she trails off.

"I know not all of--him--sees you rudely. Rhys seems extremely fond of you." She tries to smile a bit but falters. "But, as hard as that experience was, he... Rodrick, actually... Seems to remember some fondness there. He said you took him to see his 'mother' there...? In hell?" She looks somewhat shaky discussing this, but tries to press past her nerves.

"I didn't take him, but I helped him get there, for a time. I stayed here. That was part of the deal with Asmodeous, whom is the demon king that rules over the hells."

"Oh..." she considers the weight of that. "Why... Why is she there, Nerezza?" Delilah tries to probe as gently as possible, thinking of the promises she's made and hoping to learn as much as she can.

He shrugs, a confused look on his face. "I honestly have no idea. She just kept saying she had to wait there for someone..."

Delilah nods slowly. "I... I only ask because..." She fiddles with her hands, watching for his reaction; knowing she is definitely outclassed by her companions in power and utility, and this likely seems like guaranteed suicide....

"I've promised your son and young Hikaru I would help them get to this hell place. Partly... because we hoped to rescue her from Admodeous."

Nerezza huffs and then chuckles. "Good luck convincing her to leave, she's adamant about staying until this... mystery person... she's waiting for arrives."

"That does put a wrinkle in things..." she sighs. "We'll see what happens. I'm not even sure how we would make it there, honestly... Unless this place Balgor is getting crystals for has a... a way there."

"Are there many other places? Out... Out there? Like hell, and this place connected to Dolor? You showed me strange things when we scried, but... How vast is it?"

"Larger than anything you've ever imagined... the amounts of planes and realms connected to this one is almost endless... I hope one day you can see some of them with your own eyes."

She feels a pang of desire hoping to someday, her mind trying in vain to comprehend. But... a guilt lingers after; her pendant to her god still hanging heavily with the dissonance of her from her faith.

"I... I hope to. Perhaps some of the beautiful places, not just... well, this Hell place." She chuckles sadly.

"Oh, but I'm glad that I've had the chance to see your--" she pauses, realizing he didn't know of her jaunt into the shadow realm yet. Or did he?

Nerezza smirks. "My what? Birthplace? Oh yes, I know about my son taking you and Hikaru to the shadow realm. Not much happens there I don't know about..."

She shakes her head. "Of course. I should not be surprised, you are the god of that realm too, after all."

"Is... Was that alright, that I went there? To hunt?" Delilah looks a little worried, hoping she didn't do anything offensive by it.

"Why of course. My son wouldn't have taken you if it would have been a problem. I will just caution you like I have told him... the oceans there are dangerous. Avoid them if you can."

"Right, they are definitely not a place I am keen on visiting, if possible." Delilah visibly relaxes again. "The other things I saw there are... definitely a handful enough on their own."

She looks at her hand, seeing the still rather fresh scars. She clenches her fist. "I'm trying so hard to become stronger. I... don't want to burden anyone." She chews on her lip. "But every small step I improve, I feel like--rather, I know that--I'm always going to be outclassed in power. Perhaps tenfold."

She chuckles, then unclenching her fist rubs her messy hair. "Like being there, in the shadow realm? I did better than I ever thought possible. I found a power I didn't know I had. But," she shrugs with a smile and a sigh, "I know I would have been dead in a second on my own. The others, they have...terrifying power just spilling out of them. And," she bitterly adds, almost to herself, "they still got hurt, trying to protect me..."

"What advice can a god give a mortal?" She looks determinedly at him.

"Nerezza... What can I do to grow stronger?"

"My dear Delilah... the difference between my son, Hikaru, and you, is they have magic in their veins. At the moment, you do not... if you were to push yourself to the limits of your body, you may find a strength hidden within, much like Hikaru or my boy... different, though. Strength comes from experience, and using what you've learned to your advantage... for instance, you now know that felpids are extremely sensitive to light. If you had to face another one, I'm sure you'd try and do something to cause a large light source to appear... that... is a strength you have. Your brain. Your memory. Your wit." He smiles, tapping his head

Delilah furrows her brow, mulling that over. "Maybe that is... I'll... I'll do my best. Perhaps I can hunt another Felpid sometime, and try what I've learned." She smiles, finally. "Even from failures I... I can learn, too."

She snorts a soft chuckle, looking at the window. "I guess my forte has been places like this. Among normal people. I have skills, I just..." she shakes her head. "Where we've been the last year or two, what I've seen there... It used to be all foreign and frightening. I felt I had nothing to offer what we were up against. Now THAT seems more normal. I almost feel out of place returning home. Is that... Bad?"

"Change is good. It means you are growing." He smiles, his eyes glinting with the knowledge of a wise old man

Delilah blushes, rubbing her arm. She feels comfort in hearing that, and it relieves a bit of stress that she's been feeling for some time.

Letting out a yawn, she suddenly feels... exhausted. All the emotional, physical and mental exertion she's dealt with the last few days catching up to her.

"I... May catch some sleep then, before we leave at dawn." She looks up, somewhat sad to end their conversation. "Perhaps we can... Chat again? Sometime?"

"But of course. All you have to do is ask... "

he stands up bows. As he raises back to his full height, the light about the room once again begins to shift and shudder, being drawn to a specific point near him. He smiles at Delilah, the shadows across his face being oddly distorted and making the smile appear twisted and jagged. The shadows begin to faintly whistle as they draw him in, enveloping him in their grasp. The last thing visible is the faint golden glow of his eyes as he steps backward into the shadow's dark embrace.

"Until next time, William's Ruby..."

The room returns to normal, the only evidence that Nerezza was there is the couple of crackers that somehow managed to get placed on the nightstand.

 

 

***Haven City, late at night after Luther is taken to the train station***

Armella hangs back and doesn't go to drop Luther to the train station since it might draw more attention. Plus, she felt a little odd giving her armor away. It had always been a kind of shield for her and now it was just her. Fiddling with her necklace that she had gotten what feels like so long ago, she walks down the mostly empty street.

'I'm not doing enough, am I? I'm carrying around a bag, that doesn't really seem like a normal bag and I probably shouldn't even have it. But it helps us stay safer.' She argues with herself going over her charge of destroying magic. It can't all be bad, but it doesn't make it good.

The night is long and full of people milling about. The curfew that was so rudely enforced in Trenfield is more lax here. The air is cold and full of stars. Suddenly, before your very eyes, there is a meteor shower! It is brilliant and beautiful to behold! It is one of many that happen each month of the year.

Armella stares up at the sky, watching. 'Maybe this is what I was missing. Maybe I just need to slow down.' She thinks to herself, remembering the guidance of the stars. "I wish things were always this beautiful," Armella mumbles to herself

The night continues to be still and quiet, the suburb Haven City going to sleep. Little do you realize or notice the eyes following you from dark places in the bitter watches of this still night. But you're just taking a contemplative stroll through the streets, thinking on your choices this far...

...Aren't you?

Armella watches the sky for a little longer, thinking back on the travels. Wondering what would have happened if they had kept their noses out of things. Continuing down the street she wanders back towards where they met with Luther. Stopping at a bench she sits and pulls out the Lodestar that the High One had given her. Thumbing through it she reads a few pages, pondering who she should give it to.

Hikaru swaggers up and looks up at the stars. "You alright there armella?"

Armella looks up, closing her book. "Yes, I was just thinking it would be nice to get away for a bit. It is a lovely night,"

He looks up, looking at the stars almost for the first time. "I really don't look up at the stars too often. My mind is usually occupied with more, lowly thoughts."

Armella looked up as well and sighed, "I want to make things simple. But I don't think that will happen for a long time." Looking at her book then back at Hikaru, "I was told to gift this to someone. You would be my first choice if I wasn't inclined to believe it would end up as target practice," she said with a slight laugh. "I mean, if you do want it you can have it though. But I imagine you are on a different path than me on that particular subject."

"What exactly is it?"

 

Armella holds up the Lodestar, angling it so the cover is more visible in the light. "I got it from a very human High One at church the other day, with Ruby and Rolland."

"Will it try to possess you?"

 

Armella makes a face at him, "No it won't possess you. How can an object possess someone?"

"With magic armella. Or alchemy."

 

*This should seem shockingly direct considering hikaru has always professed to not believe in magic*

"Why would the church use magic though? They want to destroy it. Besides, alchemy can't do that. It can compel you to tell the truth, but that's not the same. You could have just said no, it's an ordinary book Hikaru."

"The church shouldn't have a weird tentacle faced monster in it's basement acting as a priest but it did. Magic exists in the church. Maybe not inherently in the system but someone tried to screw with miss Ruby. Also I wasn't really sure to be honest, if I wanted it I mean. But it may be sacrilegious to take one as I'm trying to act as missionary for Balgor." He doesn't seem cruel or angry, merely matter-of-fact.

Armella facepalms with the book, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have offered it, I'm not used to there being a third option of religious choices" Putting the book back in her bag

"That's alright Armella. I know you mean well. And Balgor doesn't seem like the jealous type so he's not gonna smite you or anything."

"You know Armella you're too kind for their church. If you ever find a god more suited to your gentleness you should try to join him instead."

"Can he smite us from here? Things don't work like they do on the island. He's such an odd person. Why would anyone want to be known for slaughtering? It seems like all that would be left from that sort of life is causing pain and always having to look over your shoulder because you never know when someone will come after you." She pauses, thinking, "Why weren't there nicer gods? Slaughter and the weird shadowy guy, they don't seem like very pleasant things. Were times just that dark there wasn't anything better to do then kill and live in shadows?" Armella asks, more to herself than as an actual question. Her head hurt thinking about this but she pushed it aside as just a normal headache from a late night

"I don't know Armella. But if there are bad gods from old time then it stands to reason that there are good gods, just like there's bad people" points to himself, "and good people" points to armella.

Armella frowns again, "You aren't a bad person Hikaru. Maybe you make decisions that aren't the best, but that doesn't mean you're bad. But you're probably right, maybe there was a balance between the two. Maybe we should have asked Balgor or creepy shadow man about the old world more, just for the sake of knowledge." She leans back on the bench and sighs.

"Maybe I'm not black and white enough for a Paladin, I think having an open mind is not a bad thing, but at the same time...It seems to be getting me into trouble."

"Right, for knowledge's sake. Might as well. Shouldn't be too hard to ask. Now gettin an answer may be harder."

"True, but would it be safe or smart to ask? Besides, would they actually show up if we called them? And does it actually matter if there were good gods? Things should be more simple"

"Maybe having more gods would be simpler. Then everyone could believe what they wanted to believe instead of just the one church."

Armella stiffens slightly, "Maybe, though I guess we'll see how things play out. I just hope to avoid any unnecessary attention, we're an odd group as it is so getting to Republic Central without any events would be nice."

"it would be nice for once."

"That reminds me, I haven't really traveled here before so maybe I'm missing a custom, but have you seen robed people around? I didn't recognize them from the church at all but I have never been here before, so maybe it's nothing"

"Ochre robes?"

Armella shrugs, "I don't really remember, I only saw them once and it just struck me as odd. It was probably nothing"

"I also saw a person like that. Struck me as odd. But in my experience odd seems to be dangerous. Miss Ruby seemed unnerved by it too. Think we should ask her?"

"Maybe that would be a good idea, perhaps we can discuss it on the way to Republic Central."

"Perhaps..." He looks thoughtful.

*             *             *

Armella made her way back to the apartment later that night. She wasn't quite sure what she wanted to do, the past few days had been less normal than she had hoped. The lack of a monster at the church despite what Rolland sensed was unnerving but there may have been a different reason for it not working. It was magic after all and they were in church. She prayed for guidance before sleeping, hoping for guidance on less magical ways of identifying the creatures and strength to avoid magic.

In the morning she got up early and went to the train station and decided that she would make her way directly to the place Ruby mentioned and would wait for the others.

 

 

***Haven City, before dawn the next morning***
 (since most people requested we rp our leaving to Republic Central.... I guess I'll do mine lol.)

Ruby fiddles around the apartment one last time, making sure she has everything she needs. For not having had much sleep, it doesn't seem to have bothered her much.

When she finds each of the others, she discusses plans for their departure with those individuals. Making sure everyone has their paperwork, she states it might be safest if they leave at different times to avoid drawing attention.

"I also have to attend some... Business as Eliza in Dewar. I'll be taking a longer route to stop there first--just a short layover. I won't be in Central more than half a day later than anyone else, I'm sure..." She always smiles as she explains it, but has an anxious look in her eyes.

"If we don't cross paths immediately, we can all meet at this location..." she jots down an address on a paper for each person. "I'm sure things will be fine."

Around 5 am, Eliza stands on the whistling train platform. As she hears the engine approach, she studies the train route on a large map against the wall.

Her eyes seem far away as she contemplates exactly what she needs to do when she gets there. Thoughts tumble around in her mind like a whirlwind.

With a rush of cold air and hot steam filling the station, the train car screeches noisily to a halt.

Eliza pulls her fur shawl tighter around her, and joins the throng of early morning commuters bustling aboard, particularly wary of her surroundings. She peers at the faces nearest to her. To her relief, no strangely robed individuals leer back.

She gets her ticket to Dewar punched and her permit stamped before settling for a seat near the back. She feels safer having no one behind her. Now with a good vantage point of both the passengers around her and the door beside her, she relaxes.

Suddenly and without warning, a voice rings out from behind you...

"Traveling alone at this hour? I would expect that out of Sarah, but not you, Eliza..."

A familiar figure sits down next to you, his black hair pulled back and elven features hidden underneath a hat, tattoos covered by a long sleeved jacket.

Eliza nearly jumps out of her skin at the surprise, holding her hand to her heart. "Lord almighty Tarj, you scared the daylights out of me, Rhys!" She hisses at him in a whisper, trying to relax and compose herself again.

She sinks back against her seat, not feeling particularly Eliza-ish. She gives him a sidelong glance, feeling a distinct sense of deja vu. He really is like his father.

Glancing around at the other passengers nervously, Eliza sighs. "I wasn't sure if anyone was... keen on a detour. I know we have critical business to attend to in Central. But..." She looks visibly pained and stares out the window at the foggy pre-dawn. "I need to make a stop. I don't know when I'll get another chance."

"And..." She lets out a small chuckle, eying him. "...here I thought I was on my best guard." She smirks, trying not to look bothered. But honestly it terrified her to think of the ochre robed men from the city. "Although I failed that, I-" she looks a little vulnerable. "I'm glad to have a friend here with me."

Rhys smiles from underneath his hat. "Don't feel too bad, the only reason you didn't see me earlier is because I wasn't here when you looked..."

He rolls his neck from side to side, as if stretching the kinks out of it. "I had been watching where we were staying for a while. When you left this early, I figured maybe you could use some company, possibly some assistance. I followed you. Forgive the invasion of your privacy, but I don't believe any of us should travel alone..."

She nods quietly in agreement, then sighs. "I suppose it was rather foolish of me to try to... But..."

She glances over at Rhys with kind of a sad look, before looking out the window again as the train picks up stream. "I've worked alone a long time. I've accomplished a lot. Maybe I feel more in my element here. Among people... In cities... This is where I would reign. This is how -I- worked my own mag-" she ends her sentence catching herself, and shaking her head.

Rhys nods in understanding. "Working alone has its benefits at times, but more often than not, the loneliness and worry take over, causing more harm than good. It only takes one misstep from not sleeping because you were too busy watching over your shoulder for something bad to happen."

As Eliza almost slips the word magic, Rhys smiles and brings his finger to his mouth. "Might not be the best place to mention that..." he whispers with a grin, his eyes glinting with a teasing quality.

She blushes embarassedly and sinks into her seat further. "Y-yes of course. You're right, as you usually are. About... All of it."

After a moment of silence, she fidgets. "I need a few hours in Dewar... I'm stopping in Matapar." Giving him a long look, she explains quietly. "I believe I told Rodrick about my mother. That's where Eliza's vineyard is, and the home I take care of...her."

She gives a small smirk. "I'm not sure how much you all share... But seeing as you know about Sarah... I'm confident you know a lot."

Rhys returns the smirk. "Quite..." he reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a small loaf of bread wrapped in a cloth. "A Traveling snack, from our big friend the cook." He winks as he cuts it in half with a small knife from his belt, offering half to Ruby.

Baked inside the somehow still warm and buttery flaky loaf, is a wonderful blend of different meats and herbs, cheeses, and various vegetables, some sweet, others savory, and some spicy even.

"He says one loaf of this will sustain you for a week, taking the place of those enormous trail rations they sell in town." Rhys takes a bite. "Tastes better, also." He says with a grin.

"Now, I know about the vineyard and all. Is there anything you need my help with while on that trip?"

The delectable smell hits Eliza hard, and her mouth waters as she takes the piece. "T-thank you! When did he--" she smiles amazed, shaking the curiosity from her head.

Taking a small bite, the flavors wash over her. She'd been so tense and distracted lately, that she didn't really remember the last time she'd had something hearty to eat. She felt more energy than she'd had for days.

Chewing another piece she thinks about his question. "I am... Not sure. I don't know how my mother is, other than a brief glimpse of what Balgor showed me." Normally thinking of it would bother her, but she doesn't feel anything painful remembering their scry. "But we will see what Matapar is like now. Perhaps I'll need help, I just... I do not know yet."

"Not a problem. I can either wait at the station for you or accompany you, whichever you wish." He takes a bite of his loaf, enjoying the flavors before pulling out a bottle of light red liquid. "Some of Rolland's fruit juice, perhaps?" He offers the bottle to Eliza

She smiles, "Yes... Please. That would be lovely." Eliza carefully sets her bread on her lap and takes a small drink, then passes it back. It's deliciously refreshing and light, and seems to clear her mind a bit.

"I... Well I suppose maybe I shouldn't go alone. But..." She looks at Rhys. "I'm nervous. My mother doesn't know much of my work. But at the same time... she may like seeing I've made some friends for once. Perhaps you could accompany me, if that's alright?"

Rhys cracks a genuine smile. "But of course, Eliza. I can, and would be honored to be introduced to your mother as your friend."

She returns the smile, feeling happy about it--about everything. She relaxes. Things almost felt normal in this moment. Things were working out. Everything was good. Maybe their luck was changing.

She gets a curious look on her face and takes another bite of bread. "You were on that train from Trenfield to Haven City... Did you see any strange people in your carriage car?"

He thinks for a moment, chewing on the bread. He swallows and takes a sip of the juice before answering. "I don't believe I did. Why, was there in yours?"

 

She hesitates. "I think so. I doubted my eyes, but I believe Hikaru saw them as well." She swallows a bit of her nervousness. "They... Were wearing strange clothes, and watching me. Watching us." Eliza looks around the train car they're in now, looking for anything odd.

"They were there, and I'd feel a chill when I'd meet their gaze. And then..." she furrows her brow, "they'd disappear."

Rhys hesitates taking another bite. "Strange... I wonder why they avoided the car I was in. Perhaps they know about me?" He whispers in a low tone

(17) She gives Rhys a funny look, hearing him but not sure what he means.

"You have... been around a long time. No offense," she chuckles, "Just compared to someone like me. I don't recall any strange priests of the church like them, nor other groups of interest in my line of work... who are like that."

"Have you ever come across them before? They wear a purplish or maroon type of garb, robes I think? It's hard to say... Rather sinister looking. There was... A poster of some murderer in Trenfield, too? Soldiers were hanging them up before we left. Do you think they're related...?" She shivers, the thought of a serial killer following her rather unnerving.

Rhys looks around the car. "You mean that Malice fellow?"

"Yes, that's right." She looks uneasy, but eager to talk. She thinks of him as one of the most clever people she knows, and honestly appreciates his wisdom. "Did you see the poster then? What do you think?" (8 xD)

"I saw it. I think the Rhenese government have no idea what kind of mess they are stirring up if they plan on setting off on a crusade to hunt that man down... " there is a cool and calculated calmness to his voice.

Eliza gets a worried look in her eyes. "He--he is that dangerous, then? You don't think they can stop him?" Scanning around the car again, she looks down at her hands, feeling nervous. Now she is even more glad to have such powerful traveling companion, in case anything were to happen. "You don't think he's following us, do you...?"

"I think they stand little chance stopping him, should he decide to wage war with them. He's not one to trifle with..." Rhys takes another drink. "But not to worry. He has a code. No innocents, no extra casualties, no more than necessary hurt. I've been around when people have talked about him before..."

"O-oh... I see. Well that's... That's good, then. I suppose everyone had a code." (3 loool)

She relaxes, watches the scenery flashing past. The train starts slowing, making it easier to take in. The countryside of Dewar, although chilly, is lush and beautiful. This stop is more of a quaint town, sprawling with fields and vineyards--hearty fruits that crave the southern icy winds for a strong growing season in the springtime.

Rhys pulls his hat down close again. "I'll follow you, Eliza. You know this place. I do not. I'll defer to your judgement."

She nods, swallowing a nervous lump in her throat as she packs up her bread. "Understood."

The wheels screech to a halt, the metallic sound echoing through the small train station. The car begins to empty, and Eliza stays seated, watching the others leave... Still scanning the crowd for signs of strange individuals. None seem to appear (or disappear, thankfully) and she follows them out with Rhys.

Cordelia has no idea why she walked into the next room. It was obvious that she had had a clear purpose for doing so, but the memory and reason for it escaped her waning mental faculties. A tear of frustration rolls down her cheek, and she quickly brushes it away.

Cordelia Pennington decided then to go back to her study. Something tickles at the back of her mind, but she can't quite put her finger on it. She makes her way morosely back to her study. There she will continue to look over the picture of her deceased husband, the only memory she had left.

Delilah puts on her best attempt at Eliza, smiling serenely at passerby. Some people here recognize her and stop to make small talk, asking of her health and business abroad, but with easy words and smiles she parts with them gently.

They make their way up a finely cobbled street, then down a side road toward a small villa. Normally Eliza would have ample funds to hire a ride there, but with a tighter wallet and a nostalgia of the area... She doesn't mind the slightly out of character stroll.

Approaching the house, she seems... Uneasy. She glances at Rhys with a little apprehension, not used to having company here. She pins a smile back on though as an elderly man hobbles over. "Hello, Theodore... It is nice to see you again."

"Oh welcome home, welcome home Miss 'Liza! How long it's been! And welcome good sir, welcome!" He offers to take her bag but she kindly declines, and he continues talking instead, leading them in past the vineyard.

"It's been a sorry year it has, we were worried for your health as we hadn't heard back! So glad you're alright... So glad." His hands shake with age but he is all kindly smiles as he takes them into the main house. It's well-kept enough, covered in ivy, and perhaps just slightly worn from age.

Eliza coughs a little. "I--ahem, I am...glad to be back, at least for a short while. I must go pick up an order in the city in a few hours, but I... Hope to return for a longer visit soon. It has pained me to be away so long." Her eyes dart about, but she tries to keep her composure. "Where is...?"

"Oh, Lady Cordelia? Same room, same room... What a sweet woman, it was quite kind of you to take her in, what with the... Oh, well, nevermind that. I talk a lot with her you know! Good company. All about my grandkids..." he prattles on, mostly talking of gossip from employees, issues with the Rhenese, and less and less money. Eliza tunes him out early, kindly dismissing him when they reach their destination.

She hesitates, her hand on the doorknob. "Rhys, I..." She can't seem to find what she wants to say, and shakes her thoughts away in defeat. Instead she smiles as best she can. "Thank you for coming along." With that she heads inside.

Rhys follows along is general silence, only speaking when necessary and giving short and to the point answers.

Upon arriving at the door, he leans against the wall and looks at Eliza. "You are welcome. That's what friends are for. I'll wait out here. Call or come get me if you need me."

Eliza nods quietly, an extremely appreciative look on her face. As she enters, she leaves the door slightly ajar.

A kind-faced woman, perhaps in her 50s, sits at a small table, absentmindedly stirring a cup of tea. She has lines of age on her cheeks, likely from a great deal of laughter in her youth long ago. Her wavy hair is partly braided, with a coppery sheen to it that is reminiscent of Delilah, and on the table is a picture of her late husband. He smiles up at them with a sly grin, a mess of tawny hair and freckles.

Eliza approaches apprehensively and stands nearby the table, fiddling with her gloves. She drops the fake voice and is most certainly and unequivocally Delilah now.

"Howdy, mom... Long time no see."

Rhys chuckles at the drop of all guise in her voice that he can hear through the cracked door.

He closes his eyes and begins meditating, reliving the past few days searching for these strange figures in oddly colored robes, wondering if he had seen them and just written them off or if they truly have eluded his sight.

Delilah tries to keep a happy face, smiling kindly at the woman. She gently takes a seat opposite her at the table, careful not to move too fast or talk too loud.

She slips off her wig as if it were just a sunday hat, and gingerly puts her hand out on the table, as if she desperately wants to touch her mother's hand. She holds her breath, waiting to see if there's a look of remembrance, of...memory, in those eyes.

"It is a beautiful day. How are you feeling? It's... It's Delilah, mom." She winces a little. "It's little Ruby."

"Oooh...Little Ruby! I remember her! Oh, she was such a little darling girl!" The woman who is your mom looks up at you, her eyes questioning. "Have you seen her lately?"

What Rhys doesn't see are the multiple pairs of eyes watching the homestead. They move in strange patterns, and are completely invisible.

But both of you are here to just take care of some business and reunite with family and friends, and Rhys, you're just standing guard.... Aren't you...?

Delilah's heart aches, a sharp twang like ice through her at those words... At that look.

She cracks a big grin, smiling wide. "Yeah! She--Ruby's doing fantastic." She opens her arms and leans back, gesturing happily, "She's got lots of friends now, and, just... busy as ever! You know how she was." Delilah beams at her mother, then relaxes a bit. "Ruby sends you all her love, Cordelia, and hopes to visit soon. She...wrote you this new letter, so you could... read it, when you have time."

Cordelia, gladly takes the note and opens it carefully. She reads, and reads, and reads it again. The handwriting...
The elegant, sincere signature...
The woman standing there with tears in her eyes...

Cordelia looks up again, tears and years of recognition coming back, and for but a moment, she sees this young woman there, holding back barely tamed emotions. Cordelia's own emotions are raw.

"Ruby?"

Struggling to contain herself, Delilah forces a tender smile and gives a gentle nod.

"Hiya, mom. I'm here. You... You okay?"

"Oooh is it....is it really you? You've come...to see me?" She gets up from the table and rushes toward you in an effort to embrace you. She comes up and throws her arms around you, almost desperately, and kisses your face and forehead.

"Oh, my little Ruby, how you've grown! I can't even believe it! Yes...yes, I'm okay. I just...forget things is all."

Trying to keep it together, she hugs her mom back just as eagerly, just as desperately. "I know mom, I know. It's--it's okay, I'll always be here for you. Always. I'm glad we could see each other today."

"Oh, me too, dearie, me too."

With that she takes you into the main room of the house, and sits down on one of the couches, gesturing for you to sit with her.

"Well...since I...forget things...forget things quite often these days, would you like to write a long letter with me? I would love if you could dictate to me as I write what things you have been up to. Is...Is that too strange a request, darling?"

As they leave the study, Delilah chances a glance at Rhys. The look in her eyes is odd, but she follows quietly after her mother. They don't sit too far from where he's waiting, but Cordelia hasn't noticed him yet.

"I'd be happy to mom, it'd be my pleasure. Let me just think on it..."

Delilah picks her words carefully as her mother jots them down, slowing at times out of courtesy or stopping to help spell words. She talks about working for a museum curator, traveling the world, visiting some very... foreign locals. Just enough information to be truthful. She explains she's been practicing her alchemy, hunting... Even working at a forge for a short time. She flashes a small smile at Rhys as she talks about it.

As they wrap up, Delilah gives her mom a gentle kiss on the head. "I'll bring you more tales of adventure. I promise."

Cordelia smiles brightly and caresses your arm. "I'm so glad you came." Her eyes turn sad as she thinks on her next words.

"I may forget again...and if I do, I'll have this to read. It may help me remember...I...don't want to forget you, but...my mind...It ain't quite right at remembering and all. I'll keep this and your other letter though, for safe--"

She suddenly stops mid-sentence. A change comes over her face and there is a blank look in her eyes.

"Oh! Hello! Um...Have we already met? I wonder what the day is." She looks at you concerned. "Have you seen my little girl, Ruby? I hope she is well."

Delilah's body relaxes, and she gives her mother a serene smile... the best she can muster. "Yes, she is well. I promise. I just came to deliver this to you." She taps the letter on the table. "I hope you have a fantastic rest of the day, Cordelia. Stay warm, the frost will be coming in." She stands, removes her fur shawl and gently places it around her mother.

"I'll visit again soon."

With that, she bids farewell and walks past Rhys with another strange look, and a small nod of the head to indicate he can follow her. She doesn't wait for Theodore, and heads to the entrance once more.

Rhys follows her out the entrance, waving off Theodore as he came towards them. "That couldn't have been easy. I don't envy you for that. Apologies for overhearing. Shall we continue our journey?"

"Yeah... Best we move on." She closes the door behind them, shaking slightly. Her hand still on the door handle, tears fall quietly down in waves. She tries to keep her composure, but keeps looking away to hide the cracking facade.

"I know I didn't get a chance to introduce you. But... But thank you for coming along. Your company was and is appreciated."

"I came along not to be introduced, but to keep you company and help make sure you're safe. Thank you for allowing me to come." He pulls his hat down low, making sure his elven features are hidden.

She readjusts her wig, trying to get back into the guise of Eliza. Nodding at him, she tries to smile and force a better face. A stronger face.

"Well we should not dally too long. I do not wish to worry the others in Central, should they be there already."

Walking onward back through town, she clears her throat to comment, "Have you much had the pleasure of visiting Dewar, before?"

"I have not, other than passing through. At one point, there was a lovely little bakery by the train station... they had delicious pastries and coffee."

She perks up at that. Ruck's delicious bread loaf has still left her rather full, but...

"Coffee sounds... Pleasant right now. Especially after such a short night of sleep. Would you join me for one, while we wait for the train?" She smirks, "If this bakery you remember is still there?"

"It was on the west side of the tracks, tucked back behind a large furniture warehouse... I never learned the name, though."

Eliza shrugs. "Well we shall make it an adventure. A small town one, if you will..." She chuckles. "They do not all have to be big."

They make their way toward the station, spying a large building at the end of the block. Walking past, a tiny sign swings in the breeze, indicating some place further back.

She points up at it. "The Honeyed Grapevine, is this the one?"

"That sounds right. Maybe... our small friend had been up working in the shop for a week before coming here..."

She chuckles and shakes her head. "He was always the workaholic. Does that... Bother the rest of you? The lack of sleep?" She pushes the door open and the tinkling of the bell rings overhead.

"Yes, he's always done that... it does effect everyone, yes." He follows her inside, breathing the wonderful aroma of the coffee

Eliza orders a black coffee with a small mug of cream, placing a few copper on the counter. "Well hopefully I can keep a better eye on him... I promised him that as well, but it is hard to tell when he gets any shut eye. Aside from the banging and clanging in the hold... I am sure you know."

Struggling to keep her mind clear of her family problems, Eliza sits at a table to stir her coffee. She spots a black cat wandering past the shop outside, and a small smile creeps on her face.

Glancing at Rhys, she teases. "So... I noticed you're not a fan of... cats."

Rhys joins her at the table, a carafe of coffee in one hand and a beautifully glazed pastry in the other.

Following her gaze, he sees the cat. "Cats, I'm fine with. Felpids," He almost spits the word out "on the other hand... can rot in hell."

She chuckles sipping her drink. "We can take some there if you would like."

Glancing over, she probes with curiosity, mostly glad for a distraction. "So did you have a bad encounter with one?"

"You could say that. A few years after we returned from hell, I went to the shadow realm with my father. He was teaching me about things there. He went to investigate why the Tylisyr were acting strange... he left me in a clearing we thought to he safe."

He takes a drink of his coffee and a bite of his pastry, the memory of what happened long ago still fresh in his mind and apparent across his face. "Within ten minutes of Nerezza leaving, a felpid, larger than any I have ever seen, attacked me. It was different from others. It had been born with some sort of mutation, because it was white. What's worse, light didn't hurt it. It walked right through the torchlight and sunk it's teeth into my leg, beginning to drag me off into the shadows. If not for Nerezza hearing my screams, I wouldn't be here."

Eliza lowers her cup, gingerly sitting it on the table. "I'm... Sorry to hear that happened, Rhys. My apologies for stirring up bad memories."

She looks outside at the cat, cleaning its face in the sunlight. She mumbles, almost to herself. "Not bothered by light... That is definitely something odd."

"Did..." She hesitates. "Did Nerezza kill it when he found you? Or is it still there?"

"No. It... let me go when he started getting close. Still haven't found it, either." He takes a sip of his coffee, staring into the cup.

Eliza blinks. She watches Rhys, seeing his somewhat uncharacteristic responses, and feels a pang of both guilt and empathy.

"Hey, you... you doing alright?" She tries to be humorous, and says with a little smile, "Once I'm more... adept, perhaps we could hunt it down together? Be a nice trophy for the Hold in the Skyshadow."

Rhys rubs his thigh absentmindedly, pondering her words. Eventually he lets out a small sigh, smiling. "If it's still alive, it would make a nice trophy... if it's dead, it's a shame I didn't get to put it down..."

"Would your dad know if it is? He knows a lot of what goes on there... right?" She sips at her coffee, contemplative.

"He might... I'm not sure. The beasts tend to avoid him." He takes a drink of his coffee, savoring the deep, rich flavor.

Eliza ponders that, remembering her conversation with his father. Taking another sip of her drink, she watches him. "You get along rather well with your father? More than the others..." She swirls what's left of her coffee. "At least from what I've heard."

"I do get along with him quite well... more so than the others, yes." He nibbles at his pastry, brushing a crumb off the table with his thumb.

She hesitates, not sure if she should mention anything about it. He obviously wrote that in her book on purpose, but...

"You been... Doing okay? Not any more dreams like.... Well, like the one a week ago?" She asks rather quietly, and fidgets with her cup.

"No, not any more disturbing dreams. I have been on edge, though. That dream shook me up. What about you?" He sips his coffee. "Are you doing okay?"

She finishes the last of her drink, trying to contemplate a passible response to that. "I'm glad that was the last of it. That was a hard night... And I... I'm doing alright." (5....lol) Smiling as best she can, she shrugs. "Not much to do but keep going forward."

"And," she chuckles, "No weird dreams. Probably the first night I've had a dreamless sleep in a while." Her smile softens, grateful.

"Hey Rhys, thank you for the suggestion. This was a deliciously pleasant detour." She stands, placing an extra copper on the table. "I suppose we will want to head over and catch the next train. It should be leaving shortly."

Rhys smiles before finishing his coffee, placing the cup and carafe on the edge of the table before grabbing his pastry and standing up, placing a couple copper coins on top of his now upside down cup. As he leaves the shop, he turns to the person behind the counter. "Some of the best coffee I've had in a long while. Thank you."

He follows Eliza out of the small shop, making their way back to the station, all the while munching on his honey glazed pastry.

"Thank you, Eliza. A break from the usual routine and chaos was just what I needed."