(2022-06-05) Trinkets and Traumas (S6E5 - White Squad Log)

Details

Author:	inkie
Summary:	White Squad ventures into Sethekk Halls, accompanied on this occasion by Gerhold, who wants to see the arakkoa corruption for himself. No one in the group speaks Sethekk. Almost all of the dying is done by the arakkoa. Almost all.
Rating:	M for Mature 17+

Arc: Season 6

[Tadget]: Absolutely spectacular. I killed a god, you know.
[Tadget]: I mean, not by myself. But when it died, it was definitely full of my stab-holes.
[Cressidha]: Did you really?
[Tadget]: I did really.
[Bennarin]: Afternoon, Cressidha. An'–
Bennarin blinks at Tadget.
[Cressidha]: Good afternoon, Ben.
[Bennarin]: … Lord Tadget?
Tadget laughs at Ben.
[Tadget]: Boy, been a while since I heard that one.
[Tadget]: Are you the officer in charge?
[Bennarin]: One of 'em, yes ma'am.
[Tadget]: Wait, uh… who is my commanding officer exactly, in this situation?
[Cressidha]: Are you assisting one of the squads?
[Bennarin]: I was not briefed that you was comin' with my squad. Into the arakkoa base?
[Tadget]: Oh uh. I'm… Ethereals.
[Bennarin]: Huh. Must be Cole who's your officer, then.
[Tadget]: Cole?
[Bennarin]: Aspenwood.
Bennarin tips his head at Cressidha.
[Tadget]: Oh no.
[Tadget]: Blond guy?
[Cressidha]: Although Mr. Dane Atley's the squad leader.
[Bennarin]: … oh no? Yeah, blond fellow.
[Tadget]: Well, drat, I was hoping to make a better first impression on whoever.
Gwenivene pulls her tabard out from under her cloak, then pulls it on… over her hat. It's not at all awkward….
Harbrooke arrives with Gwen. He smiles and holds a hand out to Colson.
[Tadget]: Hello again!
Tadget salutes Aspenwood with respect.
[Tadget]: Sir.
Gwenivene beams happily at Mordecai and Colson.
[Bennarin]: Hey Cole, Mordecai. Miz Gwen.
Bennarin nods respectfully to Gwenivene.
[Tadget]: Greetings! Sergeant Tadget Slipshank, 7th Legion. Reporting for duty under the command of Colson Aspenwood today.
Gwenivene smiles. "Hello, Ben! Hello, Cressidha!"
Aspenwood takes Mordecai's hand with a smile, and inclines his head to Tadget. "Sarge." He looks up at Ben and salutes with a faint smile. "Lieutenant."
Gwenivene looks down at Tadget
[Cressidha]: Colson. Mordecai. Miss Whittle.
[Cressidha]: Ah!
[Gwenivene]: Hello… um… hello, miss!
Cressidha puts on her hat.
Bennarin looks between the two Hats.
Harbrooke mumbles a hello, looking down.
Gwenivene gasps at Cressidha.
[Gwenivene]: I LOVE YOUR HAT!
[Cressidha]: Thank you, ah. I… Ismene and I were given them by the arakkoa…
Cressidha might be blushing? Just a tiny bit?
[Gwenivene]: It. Is. AMAZING.
[Cressidha]: Thank you. I'm quite fond of it myself.
[Gwenivene]: Wait, wait…
[Gwenivene]: May I…?
[Cressidha]: Hm? Yes?
Gwenivene reaches up to adjust Cressidha's hat, rotating it about 10 degrees
[Gwenivene]: There. Perfect.
Bennarin watches the Hat Ritual, looking slightly baffled.
[Cressidha]: Oh. Ah. May I ask… what do the different rotations mean?
Gwenivene blinks at Cressidha in confusion
[Cressidha]: The… hat alignments.
[Gwenivene]: Well…they…um…
[Gwenivene]: It's about…attitude!
Cressidha looks completely serious.
[Cressidha]: I see. Which one is this?
Gwenivene looks up at Cress's hat, then back into her eyes with utmost seriousness. "Dedication."
Gausanders waves.
Gausanders looks at Gwen and Cress. They seem to be a very important, serious, mage discussion. He does not interrupt.
Cressidha nods. She reaches up to touch the brim of the hat as if memorizing the hat alignment.
[Tadget]: Sir, can I get a rundown of who is doing what in our squad, sir.
Tadget salutes Aspenwood with respect.
Aspenwood regards Tadget with a mild, polite expression. "We shall be venturing into one of the Draenei tombs with the intent to further investigate the Ethereals there. That is all I am aware of, Sarge. In the field, your commander will be Dane Atley."
[Tadget]: Oh thank heavens.
[Tadget]: I don't know him.
[Tadget]: So who all is on the squad and what are their roles? I know my role, but I would like some indication of what to expect from the others, if you would.
Tadget is All Business. Her demeanor is quite different from at Stratholme.
Aspenwood 's lips are twitching as he listens to Gwen and Cress, but he pulls back on a serious expression for Tadget. "Forward lead, Dane Atley. We have a battle mage, Miss Gwenivene Whittle, as you see here." Colson nods at her.
Tadget peers at Gwenivene searchingly.
Tadget nods crisply.
[Aspenwood]: Sandy Spellbond is our warlock in the back ranks attack, and I am a front line healer.
[Tadget]: So you're on heals. Understood.
Gausanders salutes Tadget with a huge grin on his face as his name is mentioned. "Hello!"
Gwenivene turns and blinks at Colson. "Battle mage…?"
[Cressidha]: Ah. Water.
Cressidha begins to hand out conjured water to everyone except for Gwen. Ben gets water. Tadget gets water. It's not cinnamon rolls.
[Tadget]: Greetings. Sergeant Tadget Slipshank, 7th Legion, Sixth Expeditionary Unit. Reporting to Atley today.
Bennarin accepts the water with a grateful nod. Hydration, y'all.
Aspenwood inclines his head to Gwen. "In the field, at least." He smiles very faintly.
[Tadget]: Thanks. *She winks EVER so slightly at Cressidha.*
Gausanders thanks Gwenivene.
Gwenivene makes a sound of discomfort.
Ismene waves to everyone as she heads for the merchants.
Bennarin straightens and smiles warmly, involuntarily, at the sight of Ismene.
Silvestre waves.
Atley marches up to the group. "Hullo', you lot."
Cressidha passes Sil and Dane some water as they approach.
[Aspenwood]: Sil. *Colson nods.* Ismene.
Gausanders goes to stand next to Gwen and waves at both Sil and Dane.
Silvestre thanks Cressidha.
Tadget salutes Atley with respect.
[Tadget]: Sir!
[Gwenivene]: Oh, n–nice to meet you, Miss Tadget Slipshank.
Bennarin nods respectfully to Atley.
Atley eyes Tadget up and down.
[Gwenivene]: Er… Sergeant.
[Atley]: Mm. Hullo' there.
[Gwenivene]: Sandy!
Harbrooke begins to inch behind Colson.
[Tadget]: Sergeant Tadget Slipshank, 7th Legion, Sixth Expeditionary Unit, reporting for duty sir!
Gwenivene throws her arms around Sandy's neck, hugging him tight.
Gausanders hugs her back, smiling. "Sorry, I didn't say hi earlier, you seemed to have a very important conversation with Cress!"
[Gwenivene]: Oh…right. Yes, it was very important. Hat talk.
Atley raises his brows and before briefly glances around. "7th Legion? They sent an attachment?"
Ismene wanders over to lurk behind Ben.
Bennarin glances back at Ismene and flashes a smile at her over his shoulder.
[Tadget]: Sir, it's just me today, sir!
Atley waves a hand. "M'no knight, Dane or Atley'll do. S'likely a bit less formal here than wot' you're used to, soldier."
[Tadget]: …oh.
Tadget looks rather adrift for a moment.
Aspenwood ties his water to his belt as always.
Silvestre notices Tadget. "Oh wow, haven't seen you in a long time."
Gerhold wanders over, scrubbing a hand across his face.
Bennarin turns to survey Gerhold. He nods respectfully. "You are comin' with us today, sir?"
Cressidha nods politely. "Gerhold."
[Atley]: I'd heard word we were to receive a visitor from the 7th today. Glad to have you about.
Ismene peers around Ben at Tadget.
Gerhold smiles at Cressidha.
[Gerhold]: That I will.
[Gerhold]: Lady Cressidha, how does the morning find you?
Gerhold seems to be under the impression that it's fairly early in the day.
Tadget is silent for an extended period, looking as though she is doing some sort of complicated math or engineering in her head.
[Cressidha]: Well, thank you.
Silvestre comes around to whisper to Mizzy. "That was our accountant. Can't recall if it was before you joined or not."
Ismene eeps and hops a little at Sil's whisper. She whispers back, "I thought you were going to start stomping more."
Silvestre whispers back. "Oh… right. Sorry."
Gausanders lets go of the hug and gasps. "People are noticing your incredible hat skills!"
Gwenivene blushes at Gausanders.
Gausanders waves at Gerhold.
[Gwenivene]: Well… I… I don't know about incredible….
[Gwenivene]: Oh, hello Mr. Fauntleroy!
[Gerhold]: Gwen.
Gerhold eyes Gausanders severely.
Gausanders grins wickedly at Gerhold.
Gerhold 's fingers twitch almost reflexively as he gives a careless smile, letting his eyes drift over everywhere else.
Atley takes a moment to peer at his squad members before he performs a thorough check on his own armor.
[Tadget]: Ready when you are, sir. Atley.
[Gausanders]: Me too!
[Tadget]: I'm gonna do sir, sorry. I can't get my head in the right place if I don't. Sorry, sir.
Atley looks to Tadget. "That'll be well enough, Slipshank."
Tadget salutes Atley with respect.
Harbrooke whispers to Colson, "I love you. I'll be here when you get back."
[Bennarin]: Okay. White Squad all account for?
[Cressidha]: Sir Gavynn?
Ismene looks around, trying to figure out who's not here, who's taking whose place.
Gerhold gives Bennarin an approximation of something that might generously be called a salute.
[Silvestre]: Here! *Sil raises his hand, just in case he's been too silent*
Gwenivene quietly slips her hand into Sandy's.
Gausanders squeezes her hand, smiling.
Aspenwood pulls Mordecai's hand up to his heart briefly, and looks at him for a moment. "I love you. Give my regards to your former unit, if you see them."
Harbrooke smiles at Colson. "I will."
[Bennarin]: Sir Gavynn is in the Plagueland today doin'– Scarlet things. Mr Fauntleroy will come with us for the Kirin Tor to look at this arakkoa business.
Atley perks a brow at the news, but otherwise remains stoic.
[Silvestre]: Oh, more birds today! Cool!
[Gerhold]: Splendid.
Gerhold 's smirk turns a very slightly shade of vicious at the mention of the birds.
Ismene 's eyes widen as she stares at Gerhold. She quickly shuffles more between Ben and Sil. Maybe she thinks he's going to explode. Who knows.
Gerhold gives Ismene a very gentle grin and wink. Like his trademark, only with less alcohol.
Ismene doesn't eep aloud, but it's still there.
[Cressidha]: I see.
[Bennarin]: We are goin' into a nest of 'em. Down in the tombs. Like everyone these days. Tombs is the hot place to be, I guess.
[Silvestre]: You'd think it'd be a cold place.
[Atley]: Wager they're running out f'holes to hide in.
Bennarin nods at Atley.
[Bennarin]: Okay. White, let's get movin'.
The gang rides for Auchindoun. Mysteriously down one mage.
[Silvestre]: Where did Gerhold go?
[Bennarin]: Reckon he knows his way some.
[Cressidha]: We can call him to the stone if need be.
[Ismene]: He's a very powerful mage.
[Silvestre]: Yeah, he's Kirin Tor, they know just about everything.
They make their way about halfway down a tunnel into the ruin and come to a broken wall overlooking the central crater.
[Silvestre]: Bet we could jump here.
[Bennarin]: Close enough.
They do, in fact, jump. No one loses a knee.
[Silvestre]: See? Not all my jump plans are awful.
Cressidha floats gently down.
Ismene grins at Cress.
[Bennarin]: We got some graceful ladies.
[Silvestre]: And tough guys.
Bennarin peers in to the cavern ahead.
[Bennarin]: Okay.
[Bennarin]: This is where they said go.
Ismene continues to be slightly floaty.
[Silvestre]: It's an arrakoa!
Bennarin eyes Isfar up and down.
[Ismene]: See? There he is.
[Bennarin]: You– with the good ones, then?
Bennarin surveys Isfar dubiously.
[Gerhold]: Lady Cressidha, I neglected to inquire– did those reagents I sent you arrive safely?
[Cressidha]: They did, thank you.
Gerhold nods, pleased. "Splendid."
Isfar, meanwhile, is rambling at the group about how his sister is being held hostage in the passages beyond by their brother, who has turned to shadow and gone mad. He asks White Squad to kill their brother and free his sister. He also asks them to retrieve from the arakkoa within some relics that once belonged to the great arakkoa hero-king Terokk.
[Bennarin]: … wait, Terokk is a hero? That is not the impression I am gettin'.
[Silvestre]: Are you saying the current Terokk is a fake?
[Cressidha]: Perhaps they simply name their children after the original.
[Gerhold]: …there was a time when Prince Arthas was considered thusly as well, however. Parallels.
[Bennarin]: Oh. Uh. Fair point.
[Silvestre]: No, no, he says it's this Ikiss guy, claimin' he's Terokk reborn.
Ismene stays silent, toying with the stitching on her cape. It's beginning to fray.
Yes, agrees Isfar, Talon King Ikiss in fact claims to be Terokk reborn. The arrogance!
[Bennarin]: That is pretty arrogant indeed, *Ben agrees politely with the arakkoa.*
[Gerhold]: Well, if that's an option, perhaps I'll start claiming to be Antonidas.
[Cressidha]: Ah.
[Bennarin]: Okay. I guess let's see what's what in here.
[Gerhold]: Ben, you're a smith, yes?
[Bennarin]: Yessir.
[Gerhold]: So is that technically a sword or an axe that you have there?
[Bennarin]: It is a sword in a draenei style? Took some gettin' used to.
Gerhold gestures to the bifurcated nature of the blade. "I can imagine."
Cressidha pours some shimmering greenish-yellow liquid on her staff.
Ismene doesn't speak, at least not out loud. There's just the shimmer of, well, anti-magic, anti-shadow that settles over everyone.
Bennarin eyes a Sethekk Guard up and down.
[Bennarin]: Okay. I am gonna run at them an' then pull 'em to you.
[Cressidha]: Understood.
[Bennarin]: Gettin' that walker when he come back.
Cressidha gasps as the bird swoops for Ismene.
Ismene wipes the blood off her face with the back of a glove. By which time there's no more bleeding.
[Silvestre]: Trained for priest-pecking.
Ismene doesn't seem to be talking much. That's probably because of how she's not talking much.
[Bennarin]: Stay here a sec. Lemme look it over.
Gerhold inspects the decor.
[Silvestre]: Least we stopped them getting some of 'em trained up, last week.
[Gerhold]: Interesting metalwork. I wouldn't mind these for my apartments.
Silvestre nods at Gerhold. "Real swirly."
[Bennarin]: Cressidha, I am gonna get a fellow and a bird. Well, a… bird-fellow an' a bird. Can you make the bird a sheep when we get 'em?
[Cressidha]: I can.
Cressidha readies a skein of wool.
Ismene mouths silently 'make the bird a sheep'.
[Silvestre]: Gosh they really do train 'em to go for the healers, don't they?
[Silvestre]: That's kinda evil.
[Bennarin]: You okay, Mizz?
Bennarin eyes Ismene up and down.
[Cressidha]: It's smart. Are you all right, Ismene?
[Ismene]: The birds don't seem to like me. I wonder if it's because I smell like Hattie?
[Ismene]: Do birds have a sense of smell?
[Gerhold]: They certainly do like you, Mrs. Hazan.
Ismene ducks her head and blushes when Gerhold speaks to her.
Ismene says softly to the floor, "I'm fine, thank you all."
[Cressidha]: Good.
[Gerhold]: And yes, many birds have excellent olfactory capacity.
[Gerhold]: Vultures, specifically. Many others as well.
An arakkoa mage reflects Gerhold’s polymorph spell back at him.
[Gerhold]: RUDE.
[Cressidha]: Watch for the blue shimmer. That's their reflective spell.
Gerhold nods at Cressidha.
[Gerhold]: Fascinating.
Ismene is most earnest when she assures Gerhold, "I wouldn't let you stay a sheep."
[Gerhold]: Much obliged, ma'am. Your talents are highly appreciated.
[Bennarin]: Damn. I got… short for a minute?
[Cressidha]: A curse.
Bennarin does not approve of bein' short.
[Bennarin]: Okay. How we all feelin' about this so far?
[Silvestre]: Arakkoa don't seem to be any match for us!
[Bennarin]: Hm.
[Ismene]: Now that the birds have stopped clawing at my head, I'm feeling confident.
[Cressidha]: It seems to be going fine?
[Silvestre]: Hope that fellow's sister is okay in here.
[Silvestre]: Is this like… a ghost of an egg?
[Ismene]: And it's humming.
[Silvestre]: It looks kinda… glowy.
[Silvestre]: I don't feel like bird eggs should be glowy.
[Gerhold]: Likely some sort of enchantment, or natural bioluminescence.
Silvestre pokes the glowy bird egg.
[Bennarin]: Okay. We are gonna clean up that side of the room. I am gonna ask for two sheeps, an' we are gonna jump those three in the corner.
[Cressidha]: Understood.
Ismene does not offer an opinion, but she does hide behind Ben's arm for a moment.
[Cressidha]: I'll get the one on the left.
Sethekk Initiate says: Darkfire — avenge us!
The Sethekk are not avenged.
Ismene sips water and tries not to look too pleased with herself.
[Bennarin]: Everyone good?
[Silvestre]: Never better!
Bennarin is out of breath but looks pretty gleeful.
[Gerhold]: Well, that went fairly smoothly, even by Citadel standards.
Gerhold looks like Citadel standards means "doing it with a champagne flute in your off-hand."
[Bennarin]: Was some nice teamwork. Gerhold, you see that thing on the floor there? That is the kind of runes we been seein'. Only usually more… glowin' than that.
[Cressidha]: This is a new one.
[Silvestre]: Maybe this one's inactive.
Gerhold wanders over.
[Bennarin]: And the skulls usually are… kind of piled neater.
Bennarin surveys the skull arrangement critically.
Cressidha says quietly to Ismene, "You're certain you're all right? It's difficult for me to stop them mid-air when they swoop."
Ismene smiles at Cressidha. "I'm fine."
Cressidha nods.
[Gerhold]: Decay along the engraving lines makes it look — expended, yes.
[Silvestre]: Maybe this one's a work in progress.
[Gerhold]: Single foundation with twin axials, three accessory circles…
Gerhold grabs a skull either as a sample or a souvenier.
[Bennarin]: We are gonna repeat that strategy this side.
Bennarin glances up as the small darkhawks fly overhead and vanish out the roof.
[Bennarin]: … whoa.
[Bennarin]: Uh. Okay.
[Silvestre]: Holy… I did not see it was open up there.
[Bennarin]: Yeah, I did not neither.
[Silvestre]: That normal, how the clouds spin like that?
[Bennarin]: I seen 'em doin' that when we are up there, yeah.
[Gerhold]: It can be, but it sometimes results from a conflux of magical energies as well, sooooo….
[Bennarin]: Like a storm comin' but… not ever comin'.
Gerhold nods at Ben.
[Gerhold]: Exactly.
[Silvestre]: So whatever exploded this place might've done it.
Cressidha gets in position.
[Bennarin]: Ready when mages are.
Time-Lost Controller says: Ssssekk-sara Rith-nealaak!
Sethekk Guard says: Arak-ha!
Nobody in White Squad speaks Sethekk. If the arakkoa were asking not to get killed, it did not translate.
[Cressidha]: Which direction are we going in?
Bennarin glances from tunnel-mouth to tunnel-mouth and visibly does eeny-meeny-miney-moe in his head.
[Bennarin]: … left.
Ismene picks some moss out of the nest. Gross, Mizzy.
Cressidha holds up her wool.
Cressidha snaps her fingers in a Z formation to counter the chain lightning. "Hm."
[Bennarin]: Real smooth, y'all.
Gerhold is still taking copious notes at every pause in the conflict.
Gerhold smirks as the swooping avian fails to penetrate his frost barrier.
[Bennarin]: Gonna repeat last strategy. Stay put.
[Bennarin]: Except Cressidha, you come up here with me.
[Bennarin]: Try to get that fellow still in the room.
Bennarin points at a Sethekk Oracle.
[Cressidha]: Very well.
[Ismene]: Oh! How disorienting that was.
Bennarin glances back worriedly at Mizzy.
[Bennarin]: You okay?
[Silvestre]: What happened?
[Silvestre]: I was very focused on the slicing and dicing up here.
[Ismene]: I'm not entirely sure. It was gone so quickly.
[Cressidha]: She was cursed to shrink. I removed it.
[Cressidha]: Which, I suppose, meant she got smaller and then taller again very rapidly.
[Ismene]: Thank you. The last thing I need is for Ben to tease me about being even smaller.
[Bennarin]: … wait, Mizzy can get smaller?
Bennarin grins at Ismene.
Cressidha laughs out loud. She covers her mouth.
Silvestre lets out a hearty chuckle.
Ismene sighs heavily, but she smiles as she does it and shakes her head. SMH, Ben. SMDH.
Gerhold prods at the crystal embedded in the structure.
Bennarin waits patiently for Gerhold to finish his crystal-prodding.
[Silvestre]: Is that an Old God crystal?
[Gerhold]: That's… not exactly how things work. I mean, possibly. But not–
[Gerhold]: Just trying to get an overall picture of what's happening.
Silvestre nods at Gerhold, as if he totally gets it.
Cressidha makes sure her hat is still aligned properly in the Dedication Position.
[Bennarin]: Okay. Keep hangin' back. Gettin' the lay of it here.
[Cressidha]: In range.
[Gerhold]: Well executed.
Gerhold claps half heartedly, clearly unimpressed with the Sethekk Initiate.
[Gerhold]: These avians need to go back to the tomes.
[Bennarin]: There is some adamantite there. Anyone object if I get it?
[Cressidha]: By all means.
[Silvestre]: For sure.
[Ismene]: Carefully, please, Ben.
[Bennarin]: I am always careful, *says Ben, who is not.*
Silvestre brandishes his [Adamantite Rapier] and says, "I like you getting adamantite."
[Bennarin]: Gerhold, there is some stuff there. Like, orbs an' totems.
Gerhold steps over, taking a few measurements on the layout of the ritual components.
[Bennarin]: Lemme know when ready, sir.
[Gerhold]: Take it away, Ben. Any moment now.
[Ismene]: You know what I wonder? Where the spiders are.
[Silvestre]: Spiders?
[Silvestre]: Oh, yeah.
Ismene points. "The ones that make these big webs."
[Bennarin]: Bird wanderin' in there. Gonna shoot it.
Gerhold snaps up the book on the table.
[Silvestre]: Maybe they cleared out the spiders to make their home here
[Ismene]: Or they were bird food, that's true.
[Silvestre]: Birds eat spiders, yeah?
[Gerhold]: Some do.
[Silvestre]: Like night elves do.
[Ismene]: And vice versa, I suppose.
Gerhold points at Silvestre.
[Bennarin]: Birds an' night elves.
Gerhold agrees with Silvestre.
[Bennarin]: Cressidha with me.
[Bennarin]: Spread out.
[Bennarin]: Get back an' spread out.
[Cressidha]: I want to be in range to counterspell.
[Bennarin]: Bringin' 'em back.
[Bennarin]: There is a big fucken fellow in there.
Bennarin peers at Darkweaver Syth searchingly.
[Silvestre]: Probably Old-God infected!
[Ismene]: The bigger they are, the harder they hit.
Gerhold nods at Mizzy's comprehension of basic Newtonian physics.
Ismene is educated.
Gerhold is proud of Ismene.
[Bennarin]: Hold up. Lemme see how it looks aside from him.
[Bennarin]: Okay. He is on his own.
Bennarin rolls a shoulder and surveys Darkweaver Syth narrow-eyed.
[Cressidha]: There's someone in a cage back there.
[Silvestre]: Is this the sister-kidnapper?
Silvestre peers at the cage Cressidha pointed out.
Cressidha mutters, "Who would put their own sister in a cage?" She does not seem to approve.
[Bennarin]: Hang on. Sandwich.
Bennarin sits to eat a sandwich with slightly appalling speed.
[Bennarin]: Okay.
Darkweaver Syth yells: Nice pets, yes… raa-a-ak!
White Squad, I guess, are the pets? If so, they are not at all nice pets.
Darkweaver Syth yells: I have pets — ca-caw! — of my own!
His pets are a shitton (as Ben would say) of elementals. White Squad runs them through a blender.
Darkweaver Syth yells: Mmm… no more life. No more pain. A-ak!
Lakka yells: Well done! Hurry, though, we don't want to be caught!
Lakka is the sister bird in the cage.
Bennarin peers at Lakka searchingly.
[Bennarin]: Miss?
[Cressidha]: Are you all right, ma'am?
Bennarin studies Lakka dubiously.
Lakka says: Thank you for freeing me! I'm going to make my way to Shattrath!
[Silvestre]: Glad you're okay, miss.
Silvestre waves at Lakka.
Gerhold nods at Lakka.
[Ismene]: Shouldn't we go with her?
[Gerhold]: All that's between her and the exit is corpses.
Bennarin waits until Lakka is out of earshot before observing, "I guess there is lady ones."
Silvestre whispers, "She was walkin' kinda stiff. But maybe it's just an arakkoa gait."
[Ismene]: Either that, or a very old injury. Nothing that I could heal, I could tell.
Silvestre points at Darkweaver Syth.
[Silvestre]: He said "No more life, no more pain."
[Silvestre]: Weird thing to say.
[Cressidha]: Hm.
[Gerhold]: Well, it's possibly true.
[Silvestre]: Almost sounded like he was hopin' somebody would stop him.
Cressidha collects a mask from Darkweaver Syth's corpse.
[Cressidha]: This must be the relic.
Cressidha puts it away in one of her bags.
[Gerhold]: Fascinating!
[Bennarin]: Hold up a minute.
[Bennarin]: They got them flyin' snakes in here.
Gerhold eyes the Cobalt Serpent up and down.
[Gerhold]: Well now.
[Ismene]: Not the exploding ones, I hope?
[Bennarin]: Damn. Okay.
[Bennarin]: All right. Lemme have a look.
[Cressidha]: In range.
[Bennarin]: Okay.
[Bennarin]: Good. Nice.
[Bennarin]: Waitin' on this snake.
Gerhold scoops up two more books.
[Bennarin]: Mind that gap.
[Bennarin]: Okay, Mizz?
[Gerhold]: Ah, flocks.
Ismene nods. "He was slow. I had time to get a shield up."
[Bennarin]: Okay.
Cressidha offers a vial of greenish-yellow liquid to Gerhold.
[Cressidha]: It's not full, but it's what I have.
Silvestre carefully laces his swords with poison.
Gerhold thanks Cressidha.
[Bennarin]: Lemme know when ready. Goin' on a bird shoot.
Cressidha drinks some water.
[Cressidha]: Ready.
[Ismene]: Maybe we can have bird for dinner.
[Bennarin]: Was a shitton of birds.
Gerhold picks his way around the guano.
[Bennarin]: That was real good, y'all.
The next arakkoa they encounter cast a Fear spell, and send Ben and Sil fleeing. Mizzy manages to dispel it from Ben almost at once, but it takes a second before she can catch Sil. She is apologetic afterward.
[Silvestre]: No, no it was alright.
[Silvestre]: If it's just me out alone, I can try to disappear.
Ismene inspects Sil just in case.
[Bennarin]: Yeah, that was a good call, Mizzy. Strategic.
[Bennarin]: Sil can disappear, I can't.
Silvestre smiles reassuringly at Mizzy, and nods at Ben.
An arakkoa dies and immediately turns into an Exploding Ghost. WooOoOoOooOoooBLAM.
Cressidha leaps back from the ghost.
[Gerhold]: Looked like some sort of vengeance spirit.
[Ismene]: I wonder why some beings leave… vengeance spirits?… and others don't.
[Ismene]: It's a very slow sort of vengeance, isn't it?
[Bennarin]: Best serve cold.
[Gerhold]: Most of what I do is.
Cressidha turns a sheep into a different-colored sheep.
[Bennarin]: Okay.
[Silvestre]: Looks like more of the same ahead?
[Gerhold]: Quite an extensive sequence here.
[Bennarin]: Yeah.
[Gerhold]: Looking forward to seeing what Ikiss/Terokk has in store.
Sethekk Ravenguard says: Ssssekk-sara Rith-nealaak!
Still don’t speak it, buddy.
[Bennarin]: More crowds. Stay back.
[Bennarin]: Same again, probably. Stay put.
Cressidha readies her wool. "Out of range."
[Bennarin]: Pullin' back to you.
[Bennarin]: You okay, Mizz?
Ismene laughs a little. "You should've seen the expression on his face when he turned into a sheep right in front of me."
Silvestre lets out a hearty chuckle.
Bennarin grins.
[Ismene]: It's hard to tell with the beaks sometimes, but the eyes get big and the feathers puff out.
[Gerhold]: Apologies, Mrs. Hazan — I was a touch delayed on that.
Gerhold gives Ismene a half-bow and a smile.
[Bennarin]: Sit tight again. Bringin' 'em to you.
Cressidha readies her wool.
[Ismene]: One could wish they wouldn't scatter so.
[Bennarin]: Pullin' some more because I don't want all of 'em at once.
[Ismene]: Smacks of a lack of discipline, if you ask me.
[Gerhold]: Ooooh, is that a mausoleum of sorts?
[Gerhold]: Giant sarcophagus sort of thing….
[Silvestre]: This whole area's full of tombs, so probably.
[Bennarin]: Everyone still good?
[Silvestre]: Yep!
Ismene nods at Ben.
[Cressidha]: I'm well.
[Bennarin]: Gonna run at these ones. Y'all do sheeps when I go.
Sethekk Talon Lord says: Protect the Veil!
[Cressidha]: Ah.
[Cressidha]: Over in the circle, here.
[Silvestre]: This is the book they told us to find?
Gerhold gathers up the book to go with the rest.
[Gerhold]: Very much so.
[Bennarin]: Okay. Hope it's useful.
[Silvestre]: I would like to read this one. But it's in Arakkoan.
[Cressidha]: Ismene, is that moss useful?
[Bennarin]: May be ugly. There is as many of them as us this time.
He is speaking of the next pull, not the moss. Although the moss is kind of ugly.
[Ismene]: Quality over quantity.
[Silvestre]: It does seem kinda odd these birds set up their home inside a tomb. *Sil eyes the giant sarcophagus.*
[Gerhold]: Squatters.
[Bennarin]: Home, tom– no that ain't rhyme.
[Silvestre]: Special-looking one in there. Maybe the Terokk wannabe?
[Gerhold]: Well, well.
[Bennarin]: We are gonna find out.
[Ismene]: If I'm ever an evil overlord, I'm going to wear the same clothes as everyone else.
[Silvestre]: But what if you're bigger than everyone else? That seems to be a thing, too.
Gerhold sits down on the threshold and starts diagramming the room.
Ismene ponders, then brightens. "Give everyone else lifts in their shoes!"
Talon King Ikiss yells: Ra-ak! Trinkets, yes. Pretty trinkets! Ak! Power, great power. Ra-kaw! Power in trinkets! Ak-caw!
[Cressidha]: Well, now.
Talon King Ikiss yells: Ak-a-ra-k! No escape for — caw — you!
Talon King Ikiss yells: Ka! Stay away from trinkets!
The group is obliged to make a swift strategic retreat and regroup. The Talon King does not pursue them but returns to protect his trinkets. He is really into his trinkets.
[Silvestre]: Wow, okay, this guy is no joke.
[Silvestre]: Probably not Terokk still, though.
[Cressidha]: Focus!
[Bennarin]: Yeah. Okay. Round two.
Cressidha tosses a pair of elemental binding bracers away from her and quickly traces a sigil in the air to conjure a water elemental bound inside of them.
A heated (and extremely explodey) battle ensues. At the end of it, both Ismene and Cressidha are sprawled on the floor of the chamber.
[Silvestre]: Does it look like Mizzy is coming around?
Bennarin crouches down to shake Mizzy's shoulder gently.
[Bennarin]: Mizz? Mizmainy? Hey.
Bennarin leans in anxiously to touch the side of Mizzy's neck.
Silvestre heads over to Cressidha to shake her awake.
Gerhold conjures a shield of icy barriers.
Silvestre reaches in to check the pulse at Cressidha's wrist.
[Silvestre]: She uh, better wake up soon. Cressidha's dead.
Ismene wakens and crawls blearily to Cressidha.
[Bennarin]: … oh, shit. Thank the Light.
Bennarin steps back and sits down hard.
Ismene basically collapses on top of Cress, but hey.
Gerhold stands in a fiercely guarded stance near Cressidha.
[Silvestre]: Is it fast enough? *Sil looks up at Mizzy* You still see her soul?
Ismene calls on the Light, and draws Cressidha’s soul back to her body.
Cressidha pushes herself up to a sitting position and flops against Ismene.
Ismene sort of hugs Cress wearily.
[Silvestre]: Oh, thank the Light.
[Cressidha]: Nnn…
Bennarin drags both hands through his hair, looking haggard. He watches the two women, hangdog.
[Bennarin]: I am so sorry, y'all. Shit.
Gerhold exhales a slow breath, jaw tight with rage.
Ismene murmurs, "I saw you. I had you, Cress. I couldn't let you go."
Cressidha hugs Mizzy back.
[Silvestre]: I do not think that guy was an ancient hero reborn, but he was some kinda thing.
[Bennarin]: He was some kinda asshole, is what, *Ben says viciously*.
Bennarin turns his head and spits on the floor, then wipes the back of his hand across his mouth. His expression has gone from stricken to furious in record time.
Silvestre looks over at the Talon King's body.
[Silvestre]: Some kinda dead asshole.
Ismene looks up at everyone, dark circles under her eyes. "I think I can stand." She does not stand.
Bennarin gets up and goes to Mizzy. He crouches by her again and puts a hand on her back.
[Bennarin]: Hey. I got you. You got Cressidha an' I got you.
[Gerhold]: Times like this are when I am supremely grateful I am not on good terms with warlocks. Or one myself.
[Silvestre]: Was he a warlock? I thought he was castin' mage stuff. The polymorph and the arcane attacks.
Gerhold gestures negatively toward Sil. "No, he was not."
Gerhold blanks and glances down at Cressidha. "Are you well enough to walk, Lady Cressidha?"
[Cressidha]: I… might need more healing.
Ismene reaches out to rest a hand on Cressidha as Ben helps her up. "Sorry. Is that better?"
Cressidha staggers to her feet. "Yes, thank you."
Silvestre moves over to take Cressidha's other side, for more support.
Cressidha moves deeper in. She does lean on Sil.
They proceed cautiously out into the center of the now-empty chamber. Ha ha buddy, got your trinket. (The trinket is a key. To the Shadow Labyrinth.)
Gerhold allows himself a smile at the key, before soberingly turning back toward Cressidha.
[Ismene]: I think I just want to go sleep for a million years. Is that all right?
[Ismene]: Do you think you have the energy, Cressidha? To get us home?
[Gerhold]: I can.
[Cressidha]: We should…
[Gerhold]: Let her rest.
[Cressidha]: Make sure the sister made it out…
[Bennarin]: Let's let the fellow know we done what he asked, yeah.
[Gerhold]: Naturally.
[Ismene]: Oh… Yes, I suppose.
[Silvestre]: We did good, right? Saving Lakka and stopping this guy.
[Gerhold]: Indeed.
[Bennarin]: Stoppin' this guy, for fucken sure.
[Ismene]: Let's hope he doesn't have a twin brother.
Cressidha groans. She takes her hat off and rubs her head.
[Silvestre]: If I hear any tales of the Talon King Berokk or somethin', I'm just gonna not listen.
[Silvestre]: Or I guess it'd rhyme his real name? Ikiss, was it?
Ismene shuffles over the mound of bones. Whatever. They're dead.
Bennarin stops and waits to collect Mizzy's hand and help her along.
Cressidha stumbles a little as she walks, grabbing on to Sil's arm more tightly for balance.
Gerhold flinches toward Cress as she stumbles.
Gerhold looks like his issues with the arakkoa have gone from academic and professional to PERSONAL.
Silvestre keeps an eye on Cressidha, making sure to offer more support when needed.
They exit the Halls, and report to Isfar.
Bennarin nods wearily, tight-jawed, at Isfar.
[Cressidha]: Your sister… made it out?
Gerhold glances around, not seeing Lakka locally.
His sister is fine. He gives them all necklaces.
[Gerhold]: To Shattrath?
Ismene leans against Ben's shoulder.
[Cressidha]: If… you wouldn't mind.
[Gerhold]: Anything needed, Lady Cressidha.
Bennarin wraps an arm around Mizzy and watches Gerhold. He nods at him.
[Gerhold]: After you.
Ismene smiles at Gerhold. "Thank you."
Gerhold nods at Ismene.
They step through Gerhold’s portal and find themselves once more safely in Shattrath City.
Cressidha looks Tired, Actually, probably for the first time that many people here have ever seen.
[Cressidha]: Where… hm.
Bennarin looks deeply concerned by Tired Cressidha. He watches her gravely.
[Gerhold]: Do you require anything specific?
[Ismene]: I'm sure Gerhold can see you home, Cressidha.
[Gerhold]: Message to your brother, or…?
[Cressidha]: Would you be able to inform him that I'm all right? I just need to find somewhere to sit down for a while.
[Bennarin]: You gonna be okay with that? One of the fellows go with you, maybe?
Ismene closes her eyes and leans on Ben.
Bennarin would offer to go but he is propping his wife up.
Silvestre looks at both the ladies with worry.
[Cressidha]: I'm not certain if they've passed through yet.
[Gerhold]: Absolutely. Are you lodging in the City here, or…?
[Cressidha]: Honor Hold. I have my hearthstone set there.
An NPC nearby cries loudly.
Ismene rouses at the sound of crying and looks over, assessing.
Ismene sees no one bleeding and drops her head against Ben's shoulder again.
Bennarin pats her hip soothingly.
[Silvestre]: I guess… Gerhold, you're gonna make sure Cressidha gets home okay?
[Gerhold]: I shall.
[Cressidha]: I can activate my hearthstone and walk upstairs, Silvestre.
Silvestre nods, ambiguously enough that he is agreeing with both of them.
[Cressidha]: I can climb a flight of stairs.
[Ismene]: This would be a terrible time to find out you can't.
Cressidha seems confident in her ability to climb a flight of stairs.
Gerhold pulls out a piece of parchment. "What would you like me to tell Lord Aspenwood?"
[Cressidha]: Tell Colson I died and I'm recovering in my room in Honor Hold?
[Cressidha]: If you would.
Gerhold dashes off a quick note and then casts a quiet spell, and the letter incinerates into a shower of lavender sparkles.
[Cressidha]: Thank you.
[Gerhold]: He'll be receiving that promptly.
Cressidha takes her hearthstone out and activates it.
Gerhold waves goodbye to Cressidha. Farewell!
Silvestre waves after Cress.
Ismene murmurs, "Niris never let her die."
Bennarin leans over absently and kisses the top of Mizzy's head. "Aunt Nir got twenty years experience on you. You done a hell of a job."
[Silvestre]: We're also doin' wilder stuff now, too. Not just local bandits.
Ismene looks around. "'M going home." She pushes herself off Ben's arm and walks in the wrong direction.
Silvestre watches Mizzy worriedly.
[Bennarin]: Hey. Mizz, hey.
Bennarin goes after her and catches her, redirecting her gently.
Ismene stops to blink at him.
[Ismene]: Oh. Right.
[Gerhold]: Ben, excellent leadership, trials notwithstanding.
[Bennarin]: Uh, thank you, sir.
Bennarin makes a gesture like he would salute Gerhold but, once again, holding the wife upright.
[Gerhold]: Well done, everyone. Many thanks for your services.
[Bennarin]: Thank you, sir. Hope it was useful.
[Gerhold]: I'll be in touch!
[Silvestre]: Guess I'll head off my way as well. Was great workin' with you Mr. Gerhold.
Bennarin nods.
The others having dispersed, Ben and Ismene head — slowly — toward their Lower City lodgings.
[Ismene]: I think Sil and Gerhold are both sweet on Cressidha.
[Bennarin]: … you think? Huh.
Bennarin glances back.
[Bennarin]: I would not have guessed about Sil? Gerhold… maybe, yeah.
[Ismene]: Can I tell you something?
[Bennarin]: 'course.
[Ismene]: I died.
[Bennarin]: … what?
Bennarin stops.
Bennarin stares at Ismene, stricken all over again.
Ismene stops by necessity. "Home, please?"
[Bennarin]: … okay, I– shit, okay.
[Bennarin]: Mizzy, you–
[Ismene]: It took me a moment to figure out how to get back. But I was dead. I could still heal you, and I did. And Sil, and Gerhold. Then I couldn't anymore, I was too far away. And I had to get back. I saw Cressidha.
Bennarin stares hollow-eyed and appalled at her. "Mizzy."
Ismene leeeaaanns.
[Ismene]: That's how I knew to bring her back when I came back. I was barely back and I knew I had to catch her so I just…
[Bennarin]: You– are you– okay let's get you inside. Let's get you a lie-down. I will make you some supper. We can talk about it.
Ismene nods, exhausted.
Bennarin fishes out his key to let them in to the house.