Delilah sits one evening in her little crow's nest, happy for the escape from the castle and all the emotions that come with it. Passing by her small shrine on the way here, then bathing in the moonlight and shadows in the trees, filled her with solace.

The moon was finally full again, bathing everything with sharp contrast. This always seemed to help her focus better. Her shadow stretches out along the pine beams and Delilah practices plucking it up and placing it down again. It was definitely more tangible now, and she had realized (earlier this week after handling it enough) that it was just like her cloak. She still had no idea why, but often compared the two now.

A chill runs up her spine from a breeze sweeping in from the south. She huddles in her cloak tighter bracing against it. The snows have come in a few times already, but she knew it'd start piling up soon. Laying down to enjoy the warmth a little better, she covers her face. "This is quite nice..." She mumbles, her eyes open and starting at the shifting fabric. She tries to focus on it, straining her eyes against the blackness. Forcing them to see the shape and form that both is and isn't there.

She then feels a strange sensation... like sinking into an extra feathery bed. Then she feels her stomach drop and climb up to her throat in an instant, and shards of a sickly green flicker around her. Then she's falling, looking up at the canopy of the tree flying away from her.

She lets out a shrill cry, grasping out trying to grab a hold of something, anything, as she smacks against the pine branches. Her cloak tangles around her tightly. Seeing the ground below her coming up fast, her heart beats out of her chest and her her mind focuses sharply on the shadows. "P-please!! Please work!!" She cries out, then falls through it, landing--

--in the tall, breezeless waving grass of the shadow realm. What should have been broken bones and bloody injuries, replaced by the tickling of a blade of grass on exposed skin.

The enormous dark shadow trees loom overhead, their needles poised, ready to drip their thick, black ichor at any moment. A nearby stream gurgles as the water flows over the rocks, rushing towards the ocean far below. A pack of Umbris howl in the distance.

This place, once strange and discomforting, now feels like a second home almost. Familiar...

Delilah pants trying to catch her breath. Wondering if she died again, feeling no pain. "I... I'm... okay?" She blinks, taking in her surroundings before rolling over and clambering away from the acrid trees.

She sits, looking around. "I can... I can see things too?" She rubs her eyes, taking in the much finer detail than she could the last time she was here... at least until she used Rolland's unique concoction.

Stumbling upright, she sways a moment before steadying herself. She creeps closer to the sound of the water. The sound of Umbris still unnerves her--she'd rather not run into anything unsavory... alone. (With advantage... nat 20 stealth, 27 total. XD)

A faint breathing is getting slightly louder, a creature making it's way down to the stream for a drink. The breathing sounds nasally, almost as if the creature has a short muzzle and large mouth. A series of short chirps and high pitched growls escapes it's mouth as the small shadow beast hops up over the rocks, peering down below. It's feathered wings are tucked along it's back and it's tail has multiple spines which are dragging the rocks, occasionally kicking up orange sparks. The beast's tongue hangs out of it's mouth, tasting the air. It's large ears twitch, listening for something...

Content with it's surroundings, the mottled gray Bryxxni happily hops down the rocks, jumping from one to the next, finally splashing into the stream and burying it's face in the water taking large gulps.

(Looool... tried to roll an insight check.. got a nat 1 now...) Delilah watches, slightly enamored with the small creature. She tries to remember if she'd ever been told about these types of creatures, but can't recall...

The Bryxxni suddenly freezes, peering downstream with it's ears pinned back and it's eyes wide. It spreads it's wings and begins to twitch it's tail as the muscles in it's powerful legs and back begin to bunch and coil like a spring.

Almost too quiet to hear, the little shadow beast launches into the air, gliding down the waterway on it's outstretched wings. Her vibrant blue eyes never leaving the spot downstream where she was looking earlier, the Bryxxni begins to circle a wide pool in the stream.

Curious... Delilah tries to follow after. Not sure where else she should go, nor if it matters if she is actually...dead, she'd rather know of her surroundings than hide. (21 stealth, 17 perception?)

The Bryxxni circles the wide pool for what seems like an eternity, occasionally flapping her wings, although you wouldn't know it if you weren't watching.

Finally, the moment is right. She tucks her wings and dives into the pool, her mouth open wide, exposing rows upon rows of razor sharp teeth. Just before her head breaks the surface of the water, she lets out a shrill cry, paralyzing the fish she is hunting.

A few seconds later, the dripping wet shadow beast emerges from the water, a large fish in her mouth. Using her powerful wings and legs, she swims to the edge and climbs out onto the bank, shaking off the water before enjoying her meal.

She smiles, intrigued. Delilah sits, wrapped up in her cloak as she watches the little beast. Her stomach growls a bit as she watches it eat. 'Guess I ain't dead if I'm hungry...' She slips her hand into her satchel, finding a small pack of jerky. It's a little of what's left from Dolor, the special, seasoned meat Ruck gave her at the party. She indulges herself, content and comfortable for the time being... but knowing she'll have to find her way out of here again soon.

The little beast eats for quite some time, almost daintily picking at the fish for a creature with so many sharp teeth. Finally satisfied, the Bryxxni walks down to the edge of the stream and dunks her head in the water, shaking it back and forth almost as if she's washing off after dinner.

After playing in the water a bit longer, she suddenly flinches and her ears stand straight up, twitching across the stream. She takes a tentative step backwards, watching the trees on the other side.

(NAT 20! XD Perception check... but... 12 on stealth...) Delilah realizes there's something wrong. She slowly pulls out her small gun, eyeing the treeline where the animal is backing away from.

A pair of golden eyes break through the trees. "I thought that was you I heard screaming, my dear..." Nerezza smiles mischievously. He looks at the Bryxxni and titters, the shadow beast calming down and resuming her playing in the water.

"Smart creatures, Bryxxni. Very intuitive and observant... a bit energetic for my company, usually though." He steps to the stream's edge, crouching down and cupping some water to his mouth.

"How are you enjoying the shadow realm now, my Child?"

Delilah lets out a sigh of relief and a nervous sort of chuckle. Putting her weapon away again, she stands and comes out toward the stream. "I'm finding it rather pleasant today, sir, regardless of the circumstances of my arrival..." She smiles, a little nervous around the excited Bryxxni. "Quite a different experience than last time. It... feels different."

Watching the shadow beast, she lightly tosses the rest of her strip of jerky on the shore nearby for it as a peace offering. "I suppose you knew when I arrived here, correct?" She smiles at Nerezza.

Nerezza chuckles. "Well, it's kind of hard to miss a human scream amongst all the shadow realm sounds... and whether you meant to or not, when you crossed realms, you were screaming." He grins at Delilah, watching the Bryxxni.

The little shadow beast retreats at the sudden movement on the bank next to it, but is drawn back to it by the smell. Slowly and cautiously, she creeps forward, sniffing and tasting the air until she is nearly on top of the remnants of the jerky. She snaps it up, chewing and swallowing it quickly before sniffing around for more.

Delilah turns a bit red at that. "O-oh, was I? It was all rather sudden, to be honest..." She fishes out another piece of jerky, tossing it over. She really loved it and didn't want to waste it, but something about the creature charmed her.

Nerezza clicks his tongue. "You'll never be rid of her, now. May as well take her with you..." he points at the Bryxxni hurriedly scarfing down the new piece of jerky, a content and happy growl emitting from her throat as her tail swishes back and forth.

Using his wings, he jumps the stream and lands near Delilah. Straightening his jacket before wrapping his wings around him like a cloak, he snaps his fingers a few times and the small beast prances over.

"And yes, you were quite loud. But don't worry. At least you landed your first time. My son smashed face first into a tree." He snickers.

Delilah chuckles. "Poor Rodrick... That's too bad. I wasn't sure what would happen when I landed."

She kneels, looking at the Bryxxni up close. "She's rather cute, as far as the creatures I've come across have been. Reminds me of an old pet I used to have when I was a girl." She somewhat nervously holds out a larger piece of jerky.

The Bryxxni sniffs it, then pushes it with her nose back toward Delilah. Nerezza lets out a genuine laugh. "Either she's full, wants to share, or she thinks you are one of her babies."

"O-one of her babies?" Delilah snickers. "Really now?" She looks the Bryxxni in the eye, then stands and tears the jerky down the middle. She hands half to Nerezza. "You can have some too, your son--Ruck--he made it. I'm sure he'd be happy knowin' it's bein' shared."

Nerezza smiles, taking the jerky and nibbling on it. "Thank you. So, my dear... how are you adjusting to your new found abilities?" A flicker of amusement and a smirk come across the Shadow God's face.

She chews the jerky thoughtfully as she contemplates his question. "To be perfectly honest, I can't really tell how well I'm adjusting, since it's so... new. So different."

Looking up around them at their surroundings, she continues. "I noticed my eyes are better here... and in the dark back home. That's been comforting. I've noticed new things about the shadows, and how to touch them."

"Coming here was... honestly an accident. I didn't know I could do that." Her ears turn a bit red and she takes another bite. "But I'm glad I did, otherwise I-- well..."

"It will become more natural with time. Easier. Second nature. Shadow and darkness aren't things to be afraid of anymore... they are tools to be used. Weapons at your disposal."
She nods, thinking about that. "You mean that literally and figuratively... I've seen what Rhys can do." She snickers a little.

Nerezza smiles, his eyes flashing brightly for a brief moment. "Quite..."

She looks at her hands, then at her cloak. "I'm really not sure what happened when I came here. I just sank into my shadow. Is that... did I start to shadow step and stopped half way? Is that how I got here?"

"I did shadow step once before, but that was... rather by accident too, honesty. I kind of tripped into my shadow, escaping something, and--" She laughs a little, "I dragged someone with me. But it worked."

Nerezza ponders for a moment. "I think the easiest way to describe it is somewhat as you said, but with a modification. Shadow stepping is using the shadow realm as a means of moving further distances at great speed... but when you shadow step, generally you have an idea of where you want to step through to. It's like stepping through a doorway you can't see through, but you know what is on the other side... stepping to the shadow realm and staying here, rather than continuing through and out the other side is more like stepping onto the surface of a lake and allowing yourself to sink into the depths..."

"I see... That's a good way to picture it, I appreciate the explanation. I'll try to keep practicing, sir." She looks determined, trying to shake away her anxiety. Her skin tingles a bit, her nerves a bit twitchy. She doesn't want to seem unsure about any of this. She asked for it, after all.

Nerezza scoffs. "Please, my dear... I am old and have lived many lifetimes, and in none of them have I enjoyed being called sir, lord, or any other title other than my name. Nerezza will do just fine." He grins.

She falters, a little smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Y-yes, Nerezza. I'll keep to that then." She shuffles a bit on her feet, looking at the Bryxxni again as it plays nearby. "May I ask a question?"

"Of course, Delilah. Any time..."

"When I've come here before with your son, or even just shadow stepped with him, it's very..." She chews on her lip, trying to think of how to describe it. "Very floaty... but like I'm... falling? My head kind of spins. And it's always been rather... well, black."

"But this time--did I do something wrong? Different? There were colors this time... is it because I can see better in the shadows?" She looks genuinely curious.

Nerezza smiles. "My dear... go look at your reflection in the water... what you see may surprise you."

She gives him a funny look and slowly approaches the water, peering into it. Delilah lets out a little noise of surprise, then leans down and peers into the water to get a better look. "Well that's different!" There's a distinctive, silvery glow emitting from her eyes. "Is this just when I'm here? Or in the... the..." She's not sure what to call the normal world, now that she thinks about it. "Back home, I mean? I've never noticed it..."

"Your eyes will emit light anytime you are in darkness, unless you're making an effort to hide them from sight. It's similar to how creatures od this realm avoid each other... they see the glow from a distance and know they don't want to go over there."

She stares for a moment longer, blinking, then standing up again. She looks back at the shadow beast and its bright blue eyes. "That's rather fascinating! I'm..." Delilah looks a bit sheepish. "I'm glad I could learn more here. And have the opportunity to be your student."

Delilah follows the river a few paces, looking out along the horizon. She has a funny expression on her face as she asks, "We're close to the ocean, aren't we? That's it over there?"

Nerezza follows her gaze. "One of them, yes."

"I didn't think one would be so close to the castle... I'm rather surprised. Rhys told me once you warned him to avoid them."

"My son isn't ready for the dangers that lurk beneath the depths of those waters..."

Delilah gulps, then sits on the bank near the river. The inky black of the sea seemed... vast. She eyes the Bryxxni nearby, figuring she's safe around it. Especially with the Lord of Shadow himself nearby.

Looking like something occurs to her, she speaks before she really considers her words. "Do you have a home within this realm, Nerezza? Oh! I'm sure it's... all your home, though... Perhaps that's silly of me to ask." She looks sheepish like a child.

Nerezza throws his head back, laughing. "I do have a home... and you are correct, while this whole realm is my home, I understand what you meant. If you focus your eyes behind us, far up the mountains in the distance, there is a structure on the top of the lone peak. That is Castle Onyx, named for the color of it's stone walls."

Rather excited to hear that she turns to look, squinting her eyes against all the muted shades of shadow. After a moment Delilah thinks she can just make out a distant shape, pitch against the sky. "Castle Onyx..." she repeats the name, rather awestruck. She would have never noticed it.

"That's an impressive home..." she smirks. "Home... Shoot.." The smile turns into a bit of a worried look. Delilah glances around, then down at the shadows around her, thinking... She feels self conscious.

"Um..." She bites her lip, thinking. She tries to picture the forest she left from, and Castle Rend. "When I need to leave, I just... Have to imagine where I was? Or... Where I hoped to go, right? But I know this must correspond to somewhere at home..."

She looks like she's really trying to figure it out without asking for so much; she's been given quite a lot already.

Nerezza chuckles, patting the Bryxxni on the head. "Imagine yourself stepping through the doorway..."

(Per DM, needed to roll a Wisdom save or be stunned. Rolled a 9.)

Delilah stands up with as much confidence as she can muster. 'Through the doorway,' she thinks, 'like a shadowstep. I'll just go back, then try returning again. I can totally do this.' She focuses intently and imagines taking a big step.

She feels like she's floating again. The world around her floods with black shadow. Then, green sparks flicker like a dying fire being sharply kicked. In the blink of an eye she is back on solid ground in the Forest Rend. For just a second.

She immediately stumbles, roughly falling face first in the frost covered pine needles. Her head spins, her eyes flash with pinpricks of bright light, and her ears ring. Stunned, she lays on the cold ground for the next 5 minutes, unable to move and barely able to catch her breath.

Shakily standing up, she wipes the blood from her nose. "Ok... Uh... Trying... Trying this again." She braces herself confidently and steps back through.

To her joy, she does it. But the same sensation makes her feel sick, and she returns, this time a little further up the river. Delilah stumbles through the water, collapsing on the shore, stunned, the same ringing and flashing green specks in her vision. It wears off after a minute.

(Rolls again, 3)

Delilah shakily crawls out of the river both embarrassed and wet. Striding forward with a grumble, not even daring look around, she pictures home again....

...and stumbles through the magic curtain, cracking her shins on a fallen pine. Once more she's beset with a blinding flash and her head aches with the ringing. A migraine slices through her temples and she lays for almost ten minutes, exhausted and in pain.

She groans, sitting up and holding her head. "I've done it before just fine... Ugh... Practice hurts..."

Aching and nauseous, Delilah stumbles back through the trees toward the castle, making for her room. Her limbs itch and tingle, but not in the numbing, painless way she wishes they would.

"More later... Perhaps. I'm sure it'll get better..." She shivers and grumbles the whole way.