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[dndfuckhouse]

vengaboys haiku

We like to party.

We like, we like to party.

We like to party.

[dndfuckhouse]

Session 61 - Back to Bakaldor's Gate (Three)

> 🎵 Campfires / Below OST

We pick up again in the clearing a cave found below the underwater tunnels. Relatively stripped down and with ropes tied around themselves the two make their way down.

The two swim downwards a ways through before turning right alongside the tunnel, it begins to grow pitch black as they lose the light from the surface. The path begins to branch ahead of them as they try and remember the way forward as described to them by Mars.

The two of them manage to find their way, Psalm leads with Han following his movements via feel of the water alone in the dark. They take the path further downwards, as it twists and curves back up again. A little close to their breath limit the two finally surface out again into a large cavern gasping for air, the same one Mars happened upon as a fish. Han peers around as she sees small torches attached to the cavern walls, letting off blue flames to light the interior somewhat. The ropes around their waists go taut as they surface, so they make to tie them somewhere on the nearby rocks.

Han: "there's light here…? cant dragon see in dark?" Psalm: He just shrugs, although he does think its a bit weird for it to have lit torches in its lair at all. Han: han shrugs back Psalm: "I do find it a bit strange for a dragon to have lit torches in its lair. Not what I'd expect." Han: "maybe it just think it look cool…? (cause it kinda do…)" Psalm: "Yeah doesn't seem like there's anything of any worth here, but we'd be better of checking probably."

Han hops out of the pool, and climbs a rock for a better vantage point. The floor of the cavern seems mostly flat around them, aside from the torches along the walls and the pile in the corner nothing else seems to sticks out. The giant pile looks to be made mostly of wood and flora, all stacked in a large pile. From her better vantage point you can see branches, leaves and trunks of trees, as if ripped up and carefully transported down here somehow.

She notes other small oddities, ripped out pieces of wooden caravans, crates, and other manmade items. Rope, string, metal hooks and nails, metal trimmings too. Most of them look unusable, due to the condition of them having been dragged down here through the water, and for all its grandeur it doesn't feel like the piles have been here all too long. It might be interesting to sift through regardless.

Han: ???? han tilts her head in confusion "that looks like nest, but it look like it full of junk.. let me-"

Han spies nothing suspicious on her way, and reaches the pile safely enough, the height of it goes a little higher than her head. She glances around and pulls herself up on a few of the logs and scans around carefully. As far as she can tell the pile isn't trapped at all, most likely since the dragon lounged in or around the thing. She assumes its safe to pick through.

Han: "this is probably nest for dragon form, right? height seems about correct…." han climbs over, looks over the place quickly before sticking out a hand back down to psalm "you want up?" Psalm: Psalm holds out his hand. Han: han tugs him up

The two get to investigating the pile, Han glances at the various bits of plant life torn up and tossed in here. She notes a few of them seem a little out of place. She'd assumed most of this had been scavenged from the local area but she finds small traces of grass and plants native to a completely different place, squashed in the corner. In particular she sees blue lillies the party havnt seen anywhere near here at all.

Han: "this place is weird. its just collecting herbs like regular person. maybe plummy and cimmy can figure what these are.." Psalm: "So what's with all the traps and attacking adventurers then… If its just trying to collect plants…" Han: "yeah, i don't really understand… did it actually take anything from adventurers…?"

Psalm digs around as well in earnest for any valuables, he finds various bits of gold scavenged out of tossed and smashed crates (total 42gp). He also uncovers beneath a few of the wooden planks, scattered bones, large and small, and in some unfortunate cases a few of them still appear to be rotting carcasses.

He also spies the end of an unusual looking handle in one of the smashed crates, messing around with it he pulls it out and stare at it. He pulls out what looks to be a broom as tall as himself, squinting at it he sees some kind of arcane runes scrawled into the handle. In the meantime Han scavenges some ripped cloth to wrap around the flowers.

Psalm: "I guess we can have one of the others take a look at this later." He puts the broom to the side and just pockets the money for now. Han: han puts the flower punch on her panties "well, this was honestly underwhelming. i thought it would be like" she gestures to smth with her whole wingspan "be like whoooole place covered in gold. you want to try looking in that pool?" she nods towards the second poo Psalm: "I agree. It's a bit underwhelming so far. Lead the way."

Han hops down from the pile and holds her arms out to catch Psalm in hers afterwards. He hops into them obediently enough as she princess carries him over to the other pool, glancing down to see if they can see anything inside. The blue torch light illuminates it somewhat but not that much, as far as they can tell it leads out to another underwater tunnel, similar to the one they came through.

Han: han looks at the rope.. looks at psalm… looks at the pool…………. looks at psalm again "i really wanna see if theres something more down there…………."

Han scavenges around to see if she can find any extra rope from the pile, finding around ten feet or so.

Han: "psaaaaaaaaalm… do u see more rope.."

Following after her he scavenges about twelve more feet.

Psalm: "Maybe we just go without?" 😬 Han: "and go swimming in complete dark….? well." she thinks "you see in dark, correct? maybe its enough if i tie me to you?" Psalm: "Sure. I can see well enough if you wanna go behind me? Although it does seem risky. And it might just be more junk at the end." Han: han fashions herself to psalm hand to hand, han snorts and holds his hand, entwining her fingers with his, grinning "brown rope of fate" Psalm: Psalm rolls his eyes (but in a way that implies he's entertained somewhat).

Hand in hand the two hop into the pool as Psalm takes the lead again, somehow managing to coral the two of them through the dark tunnel. Though Han seems to struggle a little getting her bearings the rope does its job in not separating the two of them.

They find themselves swimming and turning right along the tunnel as it branches back up and to the left, they continue on for twenty seconds or so somewhat unsure where they'll end up, before they watch the tunnel turn again and spy the surface and its bright light above them. As they splash their heads out of the water they notice they've surfaced in a lake in the same clearing where they fought the dragon nearby.

> 🎵 The Forgottten Village / Folklore OST

Hearing the noise they party all turn to see the two surface completely elsewhere from where they'd entered, a ways across the clearing.

Psalm: Psalm waves when he sees the others. Han: han does too YOOHOO BOYS AND GIRLS Rokka: 0_0 Finn: "anything interesting down there?"finn raises an eyebrow and just thinks theyre[psalm and han] weird for this Plum: "anything interesting down there?" Psalm: Mostly just junk, but I did find some gold and this weird broom that I'll head back down for once you give me your bag of holding, please." Keva: keva sighs, "what did i say…" at her prediction proving correct Plum: "sure, just bring it back for me to expect you know the drill.

Psalm dives back into the pool, the added weight makes it somewhat of a struggle but he manages to surface below again, grab the items and head back up, only feeling a little winded when he returns.

Psalm: He's just gonna pull himself out of the water and hand the broom and bag over to Plum (both soaked) to start identifying the broom. Finn: "a broom? you brought back a broom?" finn saunters over and puts his hands on his hips Psalm: "Seems so, yeah. There wasn't really much by way of treasure down there, alas." Cimmorro: cimm has scuttled over, curious of their findings Han: "i found some cool flowers and plants! they dont seem from around here! makes me feel worse about killing the dragon!" she says this likes its a joke but it also seems true Plum: plum raises their eyebrows a bit. "well they were killing other people but, i get it." Han: han walked off a couple meters to shake off water like a dog, and she comes back with a sheepish expression, smiling as though to placate "i know, i know, it just…" her expression flags and she isnt sure how to continue "..it collected flowers" she finishes meekly Plum: plum doesn't know how to say what they mean here. it's not like they thought the dragon was just some beast, so enjoying things like beauty doesn't really surprise them or move them. they just nod kinda slowly. Han: han watches plum's face watch her and just realises she sounds like shes an idiot. she looks away quickly and just goes "… anyway!"

Mars goes about pulling the rest of the rope out of the water as Plum identifies the broom. After about ten or so minutes of concentrating the identify spell goes off.

Broom of Flying / Wondrous Item, Uncommon This wooden broom, which weighs 3 pounds, functions like a mundane broom until you stand astride it and speak its command word. It then hovers beneath you and can be ridden in the air. It has a flying speed of 50 feet. It can carry up to 400 pounds, but its flying speed becomes 30 feet while carrying over 200 pounds. The broom stops hovering when you land. You can send the broom to travel alone to a destination within 1 mile of you if you speak the command word, name the location, and are familiar with that place. The broom comes back to you when you speak another command word, provided that the broom is still within 1 mile of you.

Plum: "i knew it," they say to everyone. "you can fly with this thing. what else would a broom with runes on it be for?" they wave the broom a bit. Psalm: "I honestly assumed it could just clean rooms by itself or something…" Psalm says. Finn: finn thought the same but he decides against admitting this Keva: keva eyes it curiously 👀 she wonders how high she could get on it Plum: "i'd have liked that, to be honest. we have to come up with a command word first, but we can change it so it doesn't matter what it is." Psalm: "Well I can't say it wouldn't have been convenient." Psalm eyes the broom warily. "Anyone want to give it a try?" Cimmorro: cimm fails to contain or hide his excitement behind the rest of the group he's like a cat with dilated pupils rn Psalm: Psalm watching like so is that a yes Cimmorro: 🙋‍♂️ "vengafly" Plum: "you wanna try?" they say and hold out the broom to cimm. Cimmorro: 😳 "if no one else wants to go first…." he takes it while looking at everyone else to see if anyone else wants to Plum: "yeah, please go ahead" [explaining the broom to him a bit]

Han: han takes the flowers out of the pouch and shows to plum, cimm and vinny "these are ones i was talk about. maybe they are useful? i can just tell they arent from here" Plum: "oh these are pretty," they say, taking one

Psalm eyes them with the assistance of Cimmorro, they recognise the lilies as ones from the coasts of Shar Yun, though they cant recall the name.

Vinny: as you say so vinny blinks and nods "oh yes, now that you say that i think they're Nymphae Waterlilies actually, how did they get here…" he side eyes cimmorro after a little about the broom conversation as he recalls their conversation with mars about the view from the dragon Plum: "maybe they poached some off of one of their victims? but why bring these over here…? maybe they do have some sorta use." [thinking] Han: han shrugs "they didnt look taken care off, but the place itself look like its lair, so i thought it found them useful" Plum: "i can't think of any use for these.. i guess they were just decorative…"

Cimmorro: he gets a feel of the broom before he tilts his head towards plum. "so umm how would it know the command? do i just.. shout it?" Plum: "you can just say it i think?" "this thing's not very loyal… oh but you just tell it it's the command word is all, so it knows." Cimmorro: he laughs at that. "lets hope it doesn't drop me then?" then at the added instruction he nods then holds the broom closer to him. "right so… your command word is now: vengafly!" Finn: finn closes his eyes and he imagines hes at a beautiful beach watching the sunset

Cimmorro: "time to see if it works…" he steps back a bit and gets into position.. and then not… and then again… as if he can't figure out an epic pose to set this off with a bang. eventually he lands on a pose [pictured below] and goes, "ladies and gentlemen, i now present to you our newest product, and for a limited time only, comes with a handsome cleric if you call the following number and order now: xx-xxxx-xxxx" then puts the thing between his legs "the vengafly!"

Plum: plum is clapping to play along Vinny: vinny claps along with plum while also trying to hold back a laugh Psalm: psalm like is he doing an ad? Keva: keva scoffs a laugh at the display Rokka: "Wooo go cimmm!!" Han: han also hoots and hollers

Soon after he speaks the word the broom begins hovering underneath him. As he shuffles his legs a little he finds himself sitting astride it floating in the air a foot off the ground, free to direct it as he please, though the seats a little uncomfortable.

Rokka: Rokka ooh and aaahhs at every slight movement Plum: plum is so fascinated by this broom right now Mars: mars kinda too but he's thinking if the broom needs those motorcycle foot pads Han: while cimm does his little magic show, hans gonna jog over and put her clothes back on occassionally looking at what cimm is fucking up Psalm: (he goes to change too) Cimmorro: cimm shakily goes "w-whoa!" as it begins to levitate but amazed nonetheless. he eventually tries to find balance and a more comfortable way to settle on it then goes :DDDD at everyone else. he gives it a curious tug forward and back before hovering it in a circle around the group. "easier than i thought it would be-- BUT I CAN FEEL MY ASS IS GONNA GET SORE AFTER A WHILE OF THIS" Han: from a distance "nothing new for you!

Plum: "would it be possible to tinker with it, so that only all of us in the group could activate it, you think? i don't like that just anyone can say the command word…" plum is gonna ask vinny in lieu of me just asking chip. they're watching cimm kind of warily Vinny: he watches cimmorro as he goes around "perhaps its in need of some modifications…" he turns to plum "it's possible… though id have to examine the enchantment first to see how the original caster did it" Plum: "yeah, okay. i just feel like just anyone being able to control a flying broom is dangerous, is all," they sniff Mars: "Could probably get a chair installed…" Cimmorro: "can you?" he asks, curious. at mars' suggestion he hums. "it'd probably look a little goofy though wouldn't it…?" (he is imagining a fully framed chair) then he spins around with a 'wheeeeee' Mars: "Uhhh…" he looks at vinny Vinny: he smiles at plum "i can give it a look when were all done playing with it" he glances back at cimmorro "well maybe not a full chair but a little seat…. some stirrups..?" he starts mumbling under his breath as he tilts his head Plum: plum imagining a chair attached to the broom and does not like it but does not say anything. "yeah, thanks." Vinny: he looks back up from his mumbling "well… i have experience with making furniture it wouldn't be too hard?" he's amused mars seems to lost Mars: He looks back up at cimm like 'There's your answer'. Psalm: "I think anything that might make it less likely for the rider to fall off would enough. Doesn't have to be a fully fledged chair."

Finn: "do you think it can hold more than one person?" he finally squints at cimm Cimmorro: "m-maybe?" he wobbles for balance for a split second, still trying to get used to it. "now you wanna try?" 🤨 <---- thought you were displeased of it being a broom…. ! Finn: "what? no!" he snaps defensively and his eyes dart around "everyone else is so excited i figured they'd wanna try as soon as possible… it'd save us time if they tried together…..i can already fly by myself" he pouts Cimmorro: his spinning makes a quick halt, then makes the broom hang himself upside down, floating high enough to meet finn's eye level despite it. sticking out his tongue he goes "suit yourself!" then he hovers towards vinny to listen to his mod plans

Keva: keva jokingly jerks the handle of the broom downwards to spook cimm Cimmorro: "wuh--! OY!" growling a little at her but half assed. "if you knew how rickety this is you wouldn't be doing that!" Finn: finn approves of something keva does for the second time today… 'scary!' he think Vinny: vinny watches the shenanigans wondering if cimms going to get his lip busted again today Keva: she only looks at him innocently but she's not trying to hide the mischievous smile "hm? doing what? minding my business?" Cimmorro: he squints at her and huffs before tugging at her ponytail and flying up out of her reach

Before Cimmorro can fly off Keva snatches the end of the handle with both hands, and starts swinging it in a circle to try and throw him off. Cimmorro yelps and manages to keep his hold on the broom throughout the abuse.

Cimmorro: "CUT THAT OUT" he's holding on for dear life rn Han: "GET HIS ASS" Rokka: "DONT WORRY CIMM IF U FALL I'LL CATCH U" he starts running in random directions trying to predict the fall

After a few more swings round and round Cimmorro finally loses his grip and goes flying off the broom a few feet into the air, as Keva retains her hold.

Though before he hits the ground he feels someone cast feather fall on him as Vinny goes "ah…" while watching, raising a hand quickly as he goes. Instead of bashing his face into the mud below, he slowly drifts down as Rokka positions himself underneath, catching Cimmorro in his arms.

Mars: mars just pats vinnys back like lol gj Vinny: he looks at him and shakes his head with a sigh Mars: like parents at the side of a playground seeing kids launching each other at mach 5 on the see saws Han: han goes to hi5 keva Keva: fully reciprocated she looks like she's having fun

Rokka: "I GOT U!!!!!!!!" Cimmorro: cimm blinks when he realizes he's in safe hands and then clings onto rokka and starts fake crying "WAHH WAHHH SHE COULD'VE JUST ASKED IF SHE WANTED A TURN" Rokka: Rokka smiling that cimm landed safely in his arms, but gets startled by his (fake) reaction and quickly turns to keva "KEVA LOOK WHAT U DID!!!! :(" Keva: "looks great to me" Cimmorro: at the lack of reaction from keva, cimm cheekily bleeeeh's at her and goes slack in rokka's arms. "you can put me down now rockster thank you for fighting for my honor " Rokka: He gives her a look of disapproval like a shame on u! >:^( . He gently puts cimm back on his feet and pats him "of course!!! What are friends for, right!?!?" He beams Cimmorro: "you're not only my friend, but also my hero now….!" he flutters his eyelashes at rokka all playfully Rokka: Rokka just stares at cimm in shock, brows twitching a little as he tries to figure out how to react to that. "O-oh, uh, no way..! Haha" he ducks his head shying away with a small chuckle. Unsure if cimm meant it as a joke or not he felt conflicted at the word hero, but still touched nonetheless Cimmorro: cimm literally just stares at rokka like 'okay….' but pats his back as another gesture to say good job and smiles

Psalm: ""I guess it was worth it bringing it back after all ☠" Plum: "do you want a turn actually?" feeling like designator of the broom Keva: turning to she says "why not" trying to not give away that she does in fact want to try, and then adds "could probably take the both of us if you want to give it a shot" Plum: "huh? o-oh, yeah why not." they were not expecting that at all. "after you?"

As the group horse around, Finn goes to look around the dragon corpse again to find his missing hat. He spots it easily enough searching around the dragons throat. He pulls it out, though like his clothes its covered in blood and saliva.

Finn considers this for a moment but comes to the conclusion that he will replace his clothes either way so why bother washing this…. he tucks his hat under his coat, not quite ready to return Vinny's hat yet and returns to the where everyone's assembled.

Keva: keva climbs on a little further back on the broomstick so plum has room to get on the front. "you're saying the command, not me" Plum: "fuck! i knew you would say that," they mutter. then they say with no fanfare and kind of quietly, "vengafly" Keva: that makes her laugh

The broom begins hovering beneath the two of them, as they both carefully situate themselves, Plum retains command of directing it being the one who spoke the command word.

Plum: "oh, i'm controlling it because i said it." they sigh. "i was really gonna ask you to say it…." they make the broom fly slowly upwards, not liking too much being off the ground. "wanna go higher?" Keva: keva notes the slow ascent and squints a little at them to get a sense of how willing they'd be to go higher even "are you scared to?" Plum: "eh, i wouldn't say scared, just a little reluctant since i haven't done this before. but it's fine, cimm fell off just now anyways. can't be too bad. i was pretty curious how high this thing could go actually..?" Keva: "let's go then" plum can't see it with keva being behind them and all but she's got a little bit of the anime sparkle in her eye Plum: "okay," they say and command the broom to go more quickly upwards, angled more rather than going up vertically.

As the two ascend above the treeline they see the landscape of the coastal road theyve been travelling down and the small cluster of forests dotted around the swamps and clearings. The colour along the seaside is vibrant and the sun shining high in the sky gives them a clear view of the area, its quite picturesque as they glance at the hills off in the distance.

Rokka: Rokkas just gonna stand idly watching keva and plum in case they fall too Han: hans gonna sidle up to rokka, giving him a small pat on the back and grinning, saying "good catch!" about him catching cimm earlier, and then joins him running around under kevas and plums shadows Rokka: He grins up at her "THANKS HAN!" (as if vinny didn't safely land cimm in his arms for him loool)

Keva: keva quietly takes in the view with awe 🌅 Plum: "whoa, this place suddenly feels so much nicer without worrying about a dragon clawing your head off," plum says, leaning back to look more. "i forgot we were even near the coast." Keva: she snorts in response. "think we can spot bakaldor from here?" Plum: "hmm, can we? they squint, looking off in bakaldor's direction. "we could probably even fly there and back in no time at all." Keva: "ought to start making our way back anyway so we can get back on the road" Plum: "yeah, i want to quit this place already." plum is gonna quickly bring the broom back down. Rokka:

Plum: plum's gonna bring the broom back down and turn to keva. "all good right, you don't wanna see anything else on this thing?" Keva: "maybe later, i think we should hit the road, what with the uh, dragon flesh sitting on our caravan" Plum: plum lands the broom then. they gesture to rokka and han, "you guys interested? or should we start heading out now?" Keva: keva hops off and stretches a bit to relieve some of the discomfort of sitting on a stick Plum: not as bothered bc theyre small Rokka: Rokkas holds his arms out shuffling back and forth to ensure they don't fall "I think I'll pass! The airship was plenty of air for me!" He shivers Han: han snorts a little "i wont break it?" Plum: "you should be good i think? it holds up to 400 pounds." Han: i dont think hans ever weighed herself genuinely so shes just guesstimating how much she weighs vs an inn's weeks worth of apples and trying not to seem too excited about flying "y-ye… i wanna try…!" Plum: "okay…! here," they hand han the broom. "i don't think you'll break it or anything so don't worry." Han: :3 >:3 han sits on the broom and screams VENGAFLYYYYYYYYYYYY at the top of her lungs and full speed shoots off at a 45 degree angle into the sky

Rokka: Rokka is gonna scream a little freaked "HAAAAAN!!!" 🫨 Han: distant YAAAAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Keva: keva watching her go with her hand shading her squinting eyes Cimmorro: cimm watching han shoot off and clapping like the pikachu gif Rokka: Seeing that she's enjoying herself he relaxes a little Plum: plum cheering Psalm: Psalm also cheering Han: saddened this thing doesnt seem to go quite as fast as when plum and keva were on it but alas. cant win them all. she'll fly for like a minute, making a loop around the dragon fight clearing, watching out for anything interesting

As the group continue messing around with the broom, Finn takes his chance to approach Vinny.

Finn: while everyone is broompilled finn takes the opportunity to bug vinny "hey vinny could i actually… borrow you for a moment?" he says it like he hopes no one will hear Vinny: he glances over from the group horsing around to see finn and just raises an eyebrow at him Finn: "i-its nothing serious… just. come into the caravan with me real quick?" he frowns and grimaces "please?" Vinny: vinny furrows his brows a little and glances at the caravan as its mentioned "i… suppose?" Cimmorro: cimm left wondering if he did soemthing wrong for rokka to shift gear but shrugs it off for now…. he turns and was about to thank vinny only to see finn probably propositioning him so cimm just squints at where he's standing Finn: finns shoulders slump in relief and he just spins on his heel and climbs in first. he waits in the lounge for vinny to follow. like the first room. seating area or whatever

Mars: mars was staring up at the flyerrrrrs and vaguely sensed vinny leaving his blindspot, so he turns and just sees vinny and finn going off into a dark and weary nook Cimmorro: pokes mars once vinny marches off. "what was that?" head jutting towards the direction the other two went off Mars: "Well I didn't see the… Finn guy so I wasn't sure but he just wanted to talk to Vil in private I think…?" He's mostly just unsure where finn was going with it but privacy is privacy..! Cimmorro: "which never really ends well…" he groans as he glances back at the caravan, weighing his options. "guess i'll just stay right outside. just in case…" mars can sense he's uneasy abt the whole thing as cimm makes his way over to the horses. Mars: He thinks a bit about Vinny like he can't imagine him being super disagreeable with too many people but then he thinks about how Finn did get a rise out of him and goes 'hmm' as he follows Cimm. "I doubt they'd be fist fighting in there right…?" Cimmorro: his reply was quick "they better not be." Mars: mars enters standby mode

Vinny: he follows afterwards trudging a little through the muck as he sighs when finns out of earshot. he walks inside after him and closes the door a little behind him, leaving it ajar. once inside he glances at finn again expectantly, though he scrunches his nose a little now in personal space with his odour Finn: "i just wanted to return your hat, luckily i found my own, but um.. i couldnt exactly do that outside and i also didnt want to touch it with my filthy hands" he frowns and avoids looking at vinny, he bows slightly but stays out of vinnys personal space so he can take it off of finn himself Vinny: at mention of it vinny glances down and see's finn's hat squelched underneath his arm "a-ahh right…" he glances at the top of finns head and carefully plucks it off before situating it on top of his own before glancing at finns clothes again "er… i cant imagine it'll be comfortable to wear on the ride back…" Finn: "thank you again for lending it to me at my time of need" finn awkwardly delivers his thanks and shuffles around on his feet a bit. at the mention of the state of his clothes he cringes "it wont be. i…..havent figured out what ill do about it. ill throw this out by the end of the day though" he lifts his coat a bit and just stares at it "ill just stay inside until then i suppose" he starts undressing and by undressing i mean hes shrugging his coat off Vinny: he watches the goo crust off him as he tries to take his jacket off and just goes "ah-ah wait wait itll get on the carpet, here i can take care of it" he flicks his fingers in front of him, speaking a phrase and casts prestidigitation on finn a few times in a row, cleaning the muck and grime off of him from head to toe, making the clothes clean again "there you go" he dusts his own hands after

Cimmorro: mars and cimm like bouncers at the club a couple of feet outside the caravan then @ sending vinny "kick the door if you need help" Vinny: he blinks a little as he hears cimmorros voice and just coughs into his hand and goes 'mm hmm' pretending as if hes just praising his own work on finns clothes Finn: finns eyes go wide with wonder at vinny cleaning his clothes with just a spell! he holds his arm out in front of him and just marvels at his beautiful sleeve! he takes his hat off and inspects it from all angels too "y-you can just do that? why.. thank you so much vinny!!" he cant hide his joy and just smiles genuinely at vinny, he spins around once, relieved at the feeling of his clothes being dry again.. no grime flaking off either! his relief is visible and he seems less subdued and mopey "really thank you… i didnt want to um.. after everything that happened i just didnt have it in me to deal with water- you might know? or have noticed before im skittish around it… its a hassle for a vampire" hes a bit awkward but in better spirits now Cimmorro: cimm just kinda makes a face at mars when he gets vinny's reply. "i think he's fine?" Mars: "Well good for them then." He just whispers back. "I'd rather not yell at him again." He grimaces at the thought. Cimmorro: "well i'd enjoy it if it came to that ☺" after vaguely hearing finn's gratitude, he visibly eases up the slight tension he didn't realize he had til now. well they're fine for now. starts petting horseys Mars: Its hard to tell if mars' sigh is fond or exasperated but he does it anyway and just keeps watch by the horseys watching everyone else's antics from the caravan and also keeping an ear out for. bro idk. finn bites vinny asmr

Vinny: he nods, pleased that at least finns in a good mood with the cleaning "i got a sense… you didn't seem the type to enjoy er- not cleaning up if possible, especially since the others have already" he makes a lopsided face at mention of earlier events as he folds his arms "yes… well…" Finn: "i mean, the way they looked i was going to throw them out either way! theyre not my best for a reason…" he chatters like usual "a little or a lot of dirt doesnt make a difference in that case" he notices the face vinny makes though halfway through his rant and feels the tension return "ah uh…. are you actually… mad at me vinny?" Vinny: he sort of takes finns chatter in like a wave over the seaside nodding his head though wondering to himself why he'd actually throw them out (the rich…) when finn points out his demeanour he blinks a little surprised he was still giving off the feeling. he coughs into his hand once and rearranges himself a little less dourly "well, i was very angry earlier actually finn but i don't really intend on making you cry again, it's fine" he waves a hand through the air as if to brush it aside Finn: finn frowns but hes got his crying for the day in, he thinks. "youre not the reason i cried… the sun just really hurt… if youre mad at me- or well, you dont make the impression of being the type to be mad for long but if youre upset… then you can be. i wont cry or be mad at you in return for that" he sighs and fidgets but straightens up "i appreciate that you helped me in spite of your feelings" theres a clarity to finns voice like you can actually reason with him right now. hes also maintaining eye contact confidently again Vinny: he scratches his nose a little as he attempts to word his response diplomatically "i… was referring more to the other night but yes. what you did was extremely childish finn, i'm sure even you understand that. especially to someone who was trying to assist you… that i had just attempted to assist myself" he sighs as if he doesn't want to actually discuss this "just… don't try to brawl our companions again…" he rubs his bridge of his nose as he speaks

Finn: finn actually entirely disagrees with vinny on this. it wasnt childish and had he succeeded and ascertained his dominance via violence they wouldnt be having this conversation right now "trying to assist me? you… give more credit than is due to that brute" he scoffs "first he directly harms me by exposing me to sunlight and then throws his cape over me like im less than he. you saw that. you saw the apathy, the way he looked down on me. do not deny it" he folds his arms "not even the vengaboys would treat me that way" and i would not brawl them anymore, he thinks Vinny: vinnys face twitches a little as he breathes out of his nose "yes, assist! that is what i said. whatever you perceived about how he did it is your own issue, he cut you out to assist you, he covered you to assist you" he puts his hands on his hips and taps his foot "if you perceived any slight it was of your own imagination, that is why it is childish finn" he tilts his head a little as if to go 'come on'

As the two speak the rest of the party begins making their way over to the caravan, ready to leave. Keva hops in front, acting as driver for this leg of the trip.

Han: after landing hans gonna double check all her gear, along with checking if they need to pick up and move anything (she will do that cause i pk dont remember if we did) and then head to the caravan "shall we head back then?!" shes a bit winded from the flight Finn: before finn has the chance to go in depth about how wrong vinny is, the vengaboys seem to return in droves and finn regards him with a cold smile "… thank you for mending my clothes. truly. i wish i could say the same for our conversation." he then retreats to the other room to his coffin Vinny: though it was smart of finn to end their conversation vinny finds himself getting angrier at being brushed off so coldly. he grinds his teeth a little with his hands on his hips as finn walks off. he walks past the others heading in, and goes out the door in a small huff to go sit outside in the front next to keva instead, not wanting to stay indoor

Plum stares at him as he leaves getting a sense of weird air as he goes, Psalm also notices but finds himself too tired to care. Keva blinks in surprise when she sees the man seat himself next to her, eyeing him curiously. He seems angry and upset about something but also as if he were actively trying to calm himself down by coming to sit out here. She gets a feeling he doesn't really want to talk about it.

Cimmorro: cimm watches him storm out then get that seat like oooookayyy…….. Keva: after a moment of pause, keva places amos in vinny's hands and says "hold onto him for me, will you?" before she takes the reins Vinny: he blinks a little surprised as she hands him off, carefully cradling amos in his hands as he starts to pet him "o-oh… sure…" he smiles a little at amos as he does Amos: amos squirrels around in his hands, full of energy and curiosity

The group pile back into the caravan and make back for Bakaldor, intending to arrive in the evening. Cimmorro decides to take flight on the broom for the start of the journey, buzzing around Keva and Vinny in the front with Jasper on his shoulders.

Inside Mars focuses on a ritual to turn Silva back into a bird, Plum moves to orgnaise their items waiting for Cimmorro to tire of the broom. Psalm goes to nap in the meanwhile Han organises her own items in the common area, before napping herself.

New dragon spoils and treasures in hand, the party ready themselves for the city behind.

—-

Notes

a Broom of Flying 🧹was found in The Cobalt Dragon's Lair 🐲

[dndfuckhouse]

decided to draw this to get back to drawing after coming back from my trip (rattles him around like a cat toy)

[dndfuckhouse]

session 59 & 60 - Strip The Car(cass) for Parts

SESSION 59 - 10/3

> 🎵 The Dual-Bladed Duelist / Paper Mario The Origami King OST

We pick up again in the throes of battle, having dropped its magnetic field on Cimmorro’s command the dragon hovers twenty feet above the party in the air. Flapping its wings and bleeding heavily from its head, its white eyes gaze out amongst the swarm of people below it. They’ve managed to deal it a great deal of damage, but it seems to still have enough energy to fight back against the party’s onslaught. Its steely gaze considers the group of and its next actions.

Keva quickly moves to hide in a bush, before sending another blinding arrow in the dragon's direction. The shot blinds the dragon anew as it shakes it head to and fro in the air from the hit. Newly blinded it growls loudly through the open clearing. Rokka runs closer to the dragon afterwards, but lacking a way to actually reach it he drops his rage and simply keeps watch.

Following after, the dragon growls under its breath before rearing its head back in the air opening its jaws wide. After a few seconds they hear a ringing in the air before the party see a blast come flying from its mouth.

A chaotic beam of magnetic energy bursts forward striking Cimmorro, Psalm, Han, Rokka, Keva and Mars. They feel their blood wobble in their veins and their heads pound as their armour and metal fastenings clenches around their bodies. The first four take the damage at full blast, feeling a ringing rip through their ears, the latter two managing to dodge slightly out of range of the blast.

The dragon rears back shaking its head as if brushing off the ringing sound before letting out another loud roar into the air as it flies northwards, remaining in the air.

Shaking the sensation off, Han runs up and shoots another volley of arrows at the dragon's underside. It lets out another roar of pain as it beats its wings blowing Han off her feet wish a harsh crash to the ground.

Finally steeling himself, Finn transforms back to his normal form. Running to pick up his sword again he runs closer to the dragon, pointing his sword at it even though it is blind before loudly shouting at it with determination.

Finn: "mighty dragon! i lay another chance before you, i ask again, declare your name to us or become naught but a stain on our glorious history!" Cobalt Dragon: the dragon moves its head in the direction of finn's shouting and growls under its breath impatiently and for the first time you hear it speak in its deep gravelly base high above you "…bleating sheep" as it continues to flap its wings Finn: finn blinks in confusion at that name…he regains his footing quickly "bleating sheep, you have proven yourself a worthy opponent, albeit a strange judge of names and titles! now prepare to fall at the hands of the vengaboys!" Cobalt Dragon: the dragon eyes you confused (as much as it can blinded)

Finn shoots off an acid arrow spell that barely clips the dragon's wing, panicking his mind races on a way to injure the beast before he gets an idea. Quickly using an action surge he transforms into his bat form, and using the rest of his movement sets a course directly for the dragons face in an attempt to crawl up inside of it through its nostrils.

The dragon attempts to bat him out of the air on his way but its watery and blinded eyes allow Finn to slip past its defenses directly to its face. He immediately lodges himself inside one of its nostrils as it reacts with a series of confused grunts. His stubby litle bat legs kick back and forth as he tunnels himself deeper. The inside of the dragons nasal cavity is constricting and gooey, covered in dragon mucus but he feels he'll be able to crawl deeper inside from where he is, even as the dragon wags its head back and forth as if trying to dislodge him.

Watching him, and also being unable to do much from the ground, Mars gets an idea. Pulling out a length of rope he expertly aims, tossing it around the dragon's neck from the ground lassoing it.

Wrapping one end of it around his arm, he makes a running jump using it to climb up and swing onto the dragon's neck before quickly slashing at it with his sword, recalling Psalm's advice at striking at the throat. The dragon lets out a deep cry of pain as it gets assaulted inside and out, it seems to start flagging in the air slightly as it grinds its teeth.

Vinny stares at both Mars and Finn's displays with open mouthed shock and horror for a few seconds before he's released from his temporary stun and stumbles forwards to get closer to it as he reshuffles through his mental list of spells. He shoots off another fireball aiming for its belly underneath, the explosion rocks the beast as it lets out another roar of pain. Though in reaction the dragon rolls through the air as if trying to put it out, as soon as it does Vinny realises what hes done and screams.

Mars on its back however manages to pull the reins of the lasso close enough to him that he doesn't go flying off the creatures back once it begins spinning through the air.

Plum follows up, attempting to damage to dragon with a few acid arrows, though both end up going wide. A little frustrated they turn, letting off a heal in Psalm's direction.

Ghester: though as you deliver a heal to psalm you hear ghester in your mind pipe up "appreciate the assist" Plum: this was so worth it forget psalm

Cimmorro follows up, attempting to get the dragon to ground itself with another command spell, but it seems to resist his demands and shrug off the spell.

Similarly frustrated he casts spiritual weapon after, a giant dagger appear near the dragon floating in the air with a dull red glow to it.

From the ground Psalm lets off a couple of eldritch blasts at the dragon's side, the dragon twitches where it feels the blasts make contact with its underbelly, growling as its breaths become more laboured and more blood drips from its hide.

Ghester: you hear ghester speak in your head in response, giving a comforting "good work" Psalm: "Gee, thanks!" Ghester: he gives a little laugh but its more nervous than amused

Following after him Keva pulls a healing potion out of her pocket and opens it before running at Cimmorro, dumping the contents down his throat before he can protest.

Keva: hurriedly like "open up" before pouring it waterfall style Cimmorro: hes like "WHAT- AHBLKEUUEHLGHOEIHGOEHGU"

Afterwards she takes aim at the dragon letting off another arrow show, this one ends up accidentally striking Mars on the way however, grazing him before it sticks itself into the dragons side. Vinny lets off another scream as he sees the display. Rokka continues to keep his distance, downing a healing potion as he waits for an opportunity to step in.

Keva: NOOOOOO bruh Mars:

The dragon thrashes about in Mars' hold again as it rears its head back to let off another magnetic blast off. Letting out a bone chilling roar its jaw widens as the same ringing sensation fills the groups ears, a beam of energy blasting forth striking Han, Vinny, Rokka and Psalm. The first two manage to shrug off some of the damage by dodging out of the way, but Rokka and Psalm both take the hit at full blast and hit the dirt, unconscious.

> 🎵 Blinded By Light / Final Fantasy 13 OST

After the dragon breathes its blast Finn finds himself jostled out of the nose not all that deep just yet. He manages to cling with his little bat hands on the outer rim of the dragons nostril for dear life, dangling as it whips about.

Psalm: psalm is dead 🫡 Rokka: rokka gets blasted and screams while clutching his ears from the ringing before passing out Han: han hearing psalm n rokka drop behind her

The dragon flaps its wings and moves eastward as it eyes the ground below and a deep bassy chuckle rings out under its breath.

Following after Han casts Ensnaring Strike at the dragons face, snapping its mouth and nostrils shut. Finn manages to grip with his little bat hands and reinsert himself into the dragons nostril and make his journey within as fast as possible beforehand.

The cavity is tight and damp and gooey and dark but with his tiny form he manages to make it through labouring as hard as he can. Behind him the entry point is squished tightly closed by Han's ensnaring strike gripping the dragons jaws and snout shut, nearly crushing him in his mad dash.

Han: finn, you hear han scream "keep that FUCKING TRAP SHUT"

Situated somewhere where the throat meets the mouth, Finn aims for the breathing hole and ends up picking right despite the kerfuffle. As he passes through the sticky pipe he reaches a section of the throat where the flesh wall glows a dull light blue, and feels flesh harder than that around it, throbbing harder than rest.

As he considers his next move, Han eyes the dragon from his perch, getting a sense that their non magical attacks are hitting for their full worth before striking at the neck again three times. Steadying himself easy enough he carves away, sprays of blood rushing out as the dragon lets out another roar of pain. It barrel rolls through the air again but he manages to grip tightly and keep his position.

Within the throat Finn feels the convulsions of the throat threaten to crush him as he it moves.

Back on the ground, Vinny rushes over towards the two downed men sweating, his eyes near bulging out of his skull. He skids to the ground and casts cure wounds on Rokka, laying his hands on his shoulder as the man blinks back to consciousness. He whips his head in Psalm's direction after, pondering his next move.

Plum follows up, throwing a healing word as well in Rokka's direction.

Vinny: your eyes blink bank to conciousness, a very anxious man staring at you Plum: healing word so im yelling at rokka incomprehensibly but its raising his constitution Rokka: Rokkas going to groggily blink at vinny and then plum like wtf is happening but is appreciative <-out of it

Plum scurries behind a bush as Cimmorro follows up, casting a cure wounds spell on Psalm.

Ghester: you hear ghester's voice in your head as a "our saviour returns!" Cimmorro: cimm's deadpan and tired like "please make yourself useful" before getting back up to do a quick prayer facing the dragon Psalm: Psalm just sighs and grumbles like, "I didn't even want to fight this thing." (Doesn't care that he's in earshot)

Psalm quickly moves to stand before setting off a couple more eldritch blasts in the dragon's direction, though one of them ends up going wide.

Keva follows after him, letting off arrow as the volley on the dragon continues. It flags in the air, blood flowing easily from its throat, head and back. Trying one last time to hit it Rokka recasts his rage before throwing one of his weapons at the dragon, though it also ends up going wide.

The dragon beginning to grow irritated with its riding visitor, turns its attention to Mars and strikes at him with its claws and the lasso around its neck. Despite the barrage of attacks and the blood whipping his face, Mars manages to keep conscious (at 1 hp) gripping the rope tightly in his hands with a deathgrip. The dragon lets out a frustrated growl as it doesn't feel him drop from its back and flaps its wings, soaring through the air again to try and shake him off.

Despite the acrobatic maneuvers and against all odds, Mars manages to keep his concentration on the dragons back and clings on with monstrous strength as blood falls into his one good eye.

Mars: ID LIKE TO SEE YOU TRY YOU SILLY LITTLE CUNT ILL PUT YOU IN TEH FUCKING GROUND <- mars rn on 1 hp

Han: han is gonna run up once again, making a SHOO SHOO SPREAD OUT motion to everyone on her right , while also trying to watch for mars after seeing him nearly fucking stumble off just now

Firing off another volley of arrows at its underside, Han sees the dragon dip in the air as it lets out a muffled roar of pain between clenched teeth, getting a feeling shes near close to downing the thing.

Finn lodged in the the throat transforms back into his elven form with a guttural scream as he attempts to tear the harder section of the flesh to shreds with his vampire bite.

Immediately he feels the tightness of the throat restrict and begin to crush his body, though his mass also crushes back and with his teeth he manage to tear a bite into the small blue flesh wall of the dragons throat. He feels like the attacks more effective than expected, as he bites down he feels the dragon groan and thrash about violently outside. He feels a liquid burst into his mouth that tastes utterly vile, cold and metallic and almost dulling on the senses, he'd vomit if he had the presence of mind to do so.

Outside however the others see the dragon thrash violently, its neck suddenly BULGING before it drops, falling to the ground, at zero hp and finally having lost energy and power as it careens like a meteor for the dirt.

Mars manage to maneuver himself on the top of the dragon that he keeps hold on its back, buffeting any damage he might have taken from it hitting the dirt with a loud crash. As it rolls he rolls with it before jumping off at the precipice of a loop and landing on his feet a little dizzy. Directly under where it lands, Han dodges out of the way as the body clips her, sliding through the dirt.

Mars: mars just stands there like a cat equally shocked it landed on its feet, too busy catching his breath n wiping his face bcs he cant fucking see Han: han gets smacked with a wing and she just kinda lets it take her to the ground with a oof, immediately raising a hand up and muffledly going "IM GOOD" Keva: i think keva just kinda uncrouches from where she's hiding and just stand there for a bit while still processing what the fuck just happened and the fact they won

The party all stand around delirious and victorious over the dragons corpse.

SESSION 60 - 17/3

> 🎵 The Forgottten Village / Folklore OST

We pick up again fresh off the heels of victory over the cobalt dragon, its gargantuan corpse having slid through the mid and the grass after its crash landing back towards the ground. It lays motionless as blood oozes from its wounds, staining the dirt beneath it red and dark. The relative silence that follows is calming and surprising both to all who can hear it. Mars somehow remains standing after a miraculous dismount as it hits the dirt.

Glancing at the corpse, the dragon’s throat remains almost comically bulbous as Finn remains stuck within, slowly being crushed by the flesh walls surrounding him with the taste of most rancid bodily fluids filling his mouth. The group have a few moments to attempt to help before he’s dealt bludgeoning damage again.

Psalm: Psalm, still sitting, wonders aloud in no small amount of surprise "What happened to it?" Han: han scurries out from under the wing, yelling "HEADCOUNT! HAN PRESENT" Finn: still stuck in the throat, finn surprisingly feels no need to make an attempt to alert the others or escape. his eyes feel kind of heavy and the feeling of being crushed is not so unpleasant right now. the pain he feels is rather dull, probably due to his emotional state. the disgusting fluid still coating the inside of his mouth barely registers. he exerts the minimum amount of effort possible to unglove a hand and he reaches for the bare flesh hes entrapped in, and he gropes and feels and squeezes, almost as if to go along with bleating sheep into oblivion, almost as if siphoning the remaining warmth and life. until he regenerates in his coffin anyway. Han: "DID FINN FLY INTO ITS FUCKING MOUTH?" Psalm: "Surely that's not what killed it."

Vinny: as mars stand deliriously coated in both his own blood and the dragon’s, vinny nearly trips on his feet running towards you shouting slightly “gods, how a-are you alive!?” flicking a hand out as he finally reaches you. he feels himself regain hp as a spell thrown at him seemingly begins to stitch a few of his wounds back together. as it does vinny almost drops where he stands making a deliriously pained expression before shaking it off, his eyes remaining blurry after. mars notes dried blood on vinnys face and from his ears, no doubt damage from the dragon. Mars: "Cripes Vil what are you- Wait-" He was partially clutching his head nursing a headache and wiping blood off his face. Before anything else happens mars is gonna do a headcount and realise they're one freak short and looks around and notices the giant bulging neck. "Just- One moment." He's gonna start ripping the neck open or at least attempt to Vinny: vinny blinking blearily barely responds to you before you run over to the neck sword in hand Han: hans gonna run over and help mars (if he. fucking needs any) but she smacks him on the back first and goes "nice landing! what you do??"

As Mars gets to work with Han's help Plum and Cimmorro begin doling out healing spells to help buffer those that need it. Mars scans the neck and quickly ascertains a method of slicing it open, cutting into the flesh swiftly and carefully. The neck pops open like a balloon and blood and spews out, coating him once more alongside Han in the splash zone.

The crushing sensation on Finn quickly ceases as he slides out on a pool of blood from the throat laying face down, almost with a popping sensation as the neck flops over open behind him as he stays out on the grass. Though having lost his hat in the viscera his head explodes into smoke as it had previously under the rays of the sun, dealing him radiant damage as he begins to cook.

Keva: that's what snaps keva out of her moment of being stunned and makes her gag lol

Mars realizing the error of his actions takes off his cloak and quickly drops it over Finn's head, cutting off the reaction.

Mars: "Landing…? I just did what I had to do." HE'S WAITING FOR FINN TO STOP GRILLING LIKE A STEAK Finn: finn immediately feels the displeasure as the crushing sensation disappears. he doesnt want to see anyone, he doesnt want to talk to the vengaboys right now. how awful to be forced. he does little to resist sliding out but once his face begins melting, the visceral pain snaps him out of his depressed stupor "Y-YOU!!!!!" he screams, scrambling and flailing helplessly as he burns. as soon as the cloak is dropped on him he huffs and makes an effort to sit up, but he peaks out from under the cloak just enough to glare at mars as best as he can, which might as well just be his knees "YOU FUCKING IDIOT WHAT DID YOU THINK YOURE- UGH" he coughs and cradles his face in his hands, just wheezing and waiting for the pain to ebb away Han: han Genuinely has no fucking words rn Plum: plum is just watching that play out unimpressed Rokka: rokka is just gawking at the sight Mars: He doesn't even verbalise the 'You're welcome.', he just turns back to han and vinny a little dazed after finn's outburst. "Sorry, what were you two saying?" Han: wipes goo from her face "g…. good… reflexes……………"

Plum: i'm gonna go over and ask han if we can start cutting up the dragon Han: han takes a step back from whatever the fucking finn and mars are doing and cleans the viscera from her face "yea, im not that great at gutting, but if you can guide, i can try… what you need?" Plum: "well, i wouldn't say i'm great at gutting… but we gotta prove we killed this thing somehow. would the head be good?" the head is huge Han: han turns to look at mars "er well…. mars ! do you know what we need to bring for bounty?" loud enough over finns din

Keva: hearing plum's question, keva approaches the dragon where she can't see its guts spilling out bc gross and considers how she might take a small enough scale to give to orin as a… souvenir seems like a weird word, but he's the one who's always dreamed of adventure. she thinks it'd make him happy.

Keva moves to chip off a nice little handful of scales, about ten or so off the hide, taking a little bit of effort to pry them from the flesh as the drama continues away from her.

Not happy being ignored, Finn attempts to lunge at Mars legs to start a fist fight but the man easily side steps him while keeping his eyes on Vinny and Han. Vinny looks between the two of them after the attempt and scuttles over to stand between them.

Vinny: like keeping two children away from each "S-STOP!! finn you are both near death!" Finn: finn forgets for a moment that he respects vinny, he punches the ground out of frustration where he lay and then pulls the cloak more tightly over his head. for a moment he considers tossing it away since it belongs to that rotten mercenary. he would if it didn't mean certain Ultimate death for him. he sits up again and huffs, he sounds like hes on the verge of sobbing. he cant even shout at vinny that he wishes so bad mars was just dead, that it'd be good riddance. he sits like this for a good moment, its embarrassing and painful, but he seems to calm down the slightest bit, eventually reaching his gloved hand out to vinny, obviously wanting to be pulled up Vinny: vinny grinds his teeth in his mouth half expecting a tantrum and hes half a mind to start screaming again but as finn stops vinny feels like hes able to relax from maximum blood pressure and actually take a deep breath. as finn reaches a hand out vinny lets out a sigh and lifts him up still a little harried "dont…. do that! again..!" Mars: Still somewhat jumped up from the fight, Mars finally realises he's sidestepped Finn and is once again pulled back from Han and Vinny and turns back down to what he's actually contributed. He looks down on Finn with as much anger as he can muster at the moment and glares at him through the cloak "What by SUNE'S FUCKING WREATH is your GODS DAMNED problem." Plum: <-- JUMPING IN SURPRISE Han: han jumps too, immediately starts inching back closer, prepared to separate mars and finn if things escalate Rokka: rokka jumps at mars raising his voice slowly inching closer Cimmorro: cimm's just pleasantly surprised Psalm: Psalm also looking over like wtf is going on over there Keva: keva glances over mid-descaling, then turning back to her work, mumbles "about fucking time someone says it"

Finn: as finn gets pulled up by vinny hes still huffing and babbling incoherently, its barely audible but all that matters little when mars suddenly shouts at him. finn stiffens under the cloak and silently the tears his been holding back spill down his face. at least no one is going to see "m-my … my face…" but they hear. he croaks more than he speaks, and his shoulders sag, involuntarily shaking the way they do when people start crying and sobbing "its your… your fault i…" finns voice fades out, becoming so quiet only vinny would even hear what hes trying to say right now. he looks like a child trying its hardest to make itself small and hide away Cimmorro: cimm's gonna pull vinny a bit away LOL Plum: plum is looking between han, mars and finn awkwardly. then they whisper to han "can you go get mars to help us with the dragon…please" Han: han just shoots plum the most like ARE YOU SEEING THIS? WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO LIKE ON GOD withered expression she can muster Plum: THEYRE LOOKING AT HER LIKE I DONT KNOW WHAT TO FUCKING DO EITHER Vinny: vinny nearly jumps at mars yelling like he nearly was about to five seconds ago though as cimm tries to pull him away he keeps his ground noticing finn crying and seems conflicted putting his hands out between finn and mars "okay okay, l-look its fine lets just all take a step back, okay?" trying to manouver mars a few feet away without touching him Han: han is gonna mime at vinny (hoping finn doesnt see) something that she hopes says CAN YOU PLEASE TAKE AWAY FINN AND BABYSIT HIM IM SO SORRY I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO ABOUT THAT Mars: He gets back his bearings and rubs his temple again. Whether finn learned his lesson or not is of no relevance to him. "If you're not going to help with dissecting this dragon then go find some nice shade to recover under." He backs off and turns around once more to vinny and han . "Right." He says with a tense clap of his hands. "Dragon. Dissection. Bounty delivery. There's no easy answer to this, we'd have to go back to Bakaldor to collect the bounty."

Psalm: Psalm calls over "If the theatrics are done with for the moment, would anyone be interested in helping me figure out what to do about these caves?" Plum: plum in their mind like thank god for psalm. "can't swim, i'm gonna help with cutting up the dragon." Psalm: Psalm just nods in their direction Rokka: rokka slowly steps away seeing as the others are handling it, "i-i'll help..!" and begins light jogging over Keva: keva softly scoffs in disappointment seeing people let finn off for being a bastard yet again, and simply pockets the scales before heading over to psalm. "i can't swim either, but if there's traps i'll see what i can do."

Cimmorro: "you're injured and you should sit down for a while. they're grown men and you don't need to coddle them" he shoots a stink eye at finn as he says coddle. he lets plum take care of the rest of vinny's injuries before assisting with dissection Vinny: he heaves a sigh happy mars is back on track so quickly and nods, still standing between the two of them as the talk goes on "yes…. we did good work" he nods feeling a little better as he notices himself healing, shooting a grateful smile at plum then at han his face kind of flattens, he nearly speaks up before cimm does and falters for a moment "w-well, i'd just rather all the healing not go to w-waste…" he glances at finn and feels weariness pull on his shoulders again Finn: finn sniffles, and he frowns quite a bit under the cloak but hes already lost so much during this exchange and before in the battle too. he wipes his snotty nose with the cloak and begins coughing as a cover for actually blowing his nose with the cloak (as sneakily as he can) "i-i dont need…coddling" his voice is still shaky, hes very audibly still crying a bit but he does his best to put on a front "ill - help with dissecting.. i just-" he tugs on vinnys arm "could i borrow your hat vinny?" Vinny: he blinks and easily enough pulls it off his head, placing it quickly over finns "y-yes? thats fine" he eyes finn suspiciously as if he somewhat doubts his ability to keep it together and if he should just walk off into a corner with him for everyones sake but hes also lost alot of blood recently so he lets him be after that Finn: finn takes the cloak away as the hat is placed over him "t-thank you" he stutters out and breathes deeply as if to reassure himself "ill return it… later" he then simply listens to what han and mars discuss about the gutting

The group split off between two, one immediately going to cut into the dragon's corpse and those investigating the pond it emerged from.

Psalm: "Right then." Psalm says acknowledging Rokka, he rustles through his belongings for some rope and begins tying it around himself

Psalm starts shedding his cloak, vest and boots, assuming he's going to go for a little swim soon.

Psalm: "With any luck there are no traps within what I'm assuming to be it's own lair, but when has luck ever served me…" Keva: "you don't think there'd be more traps the closer we get to its lair?" Psalm: "Well, fair point but a guy can dream cant he.." Rokka: rokka watches him prep "uh, what should I do, roomie?" Psalm: "Not that I've any plans to go far, but in the event something goes awry I need you to just pull me out of the water. I'll pull the rope if I need help, or just pull me out after… say two minutes." Rokka: rokka's anxiety creeping its way back in, now realizing the dangers caused from the dragon isn't over yet "r-roger!" he salutes Psalm: well Psalm's just going to investigate the nearest pool of water then, he points at Rokka and goes, "remember, two minutes, or if I start urgently pulling the rope." and with no further preamble he cautiously enters.

Looking out over the pond the dragon initially emerged from, Psalm eyes the displaced mud and dirt and water from when it burst. As he drops into it and look around he sees the start of a tunnel at the bottom of the pond, about the same size as the dragon, 20 feet by 20 feet (6 metres by 6 metres).

Presumably it leads further underground, water the entire time. He doesn't see any other creatures in the water.

Psalm: As much fun as going into a dragon's lair by himself underwater at below half health seems, he actually does not have a death wish. At the very least though, Psalm decides to investigate the entrance to the tunnel just a little

He swims over to the entrance and glances down, he sees it travel down a ways before it branches turning right into the earth out of sight.

Psalm: Psalms gonna give up for now and head back the way he came, pulling himself out of the water. "Well, as expected there's a tunnel down there. No means to investigate it currently though Keva: keva tsks a bit. "there's gotta be a way we can get to its hoarde. assuming it has one." she sighs as she picks up psalms cloak and dusts it off before holding it out to him "watch it all be stuff for building its traps" Psalm: Psalm takes it from her with a nod but doesnt put it on again just yet. "Better left down there if that's the case." Rokka: "does it seem super deeeeep" he pulls out the wand bc he remembered "would this be any help? I haven't used it and honestly still not quite sure how it even works" he shrugs Psalm: Psalm looks at the wand, frowning at it as if he can discern its use from doing so, which he cant, so he asks "What is it exactly? Its deeper than I think any of us would be to comfortable investigating without help from some kind of tool at the very least." Keva: "we'll have to head back to bakaldor to collect our reward anyway. maybe we can find something there." Rokka: he turns the wand around as if to examine it "i think cimmy said it can detect traps within 30ft of the user? like you point and when it WOOOSH and WUUUOOW'S you the trap. idk magic is confusing HAHAH"

Mars:"If you want to wait a while I can turn my bird into a fish, have her look around." Mars calls out mid skinning Psalm: Psalm turns to Mars and calls back, "That would be helpful, thanks!"

Psalm: to rokka "Oh perfect, no risk of dying immediately to some idiotic underwater trap then." then to keva "I suppose we can see what we get done with our own power first," he gestures at Mars, "and then if anything we try again? Although it would delay the trip quite a bit…" Rokka: "yeah!" he's gonna pass the wand over to psalm now

Back at the gutting crew, the team decide what they're going to be cutting up exactly.

Han: han stop miming as soon as mars turns to her n plum n plasters on a weak grin, shooting one last look at whatever is happening with finn "you have experience with dissecting this? we can just bring head, yes?" Mars: He breathes in a little before answering Han. "The head's plenty, the rest we can just keep, or let nature run its course with it over time." He looks back at just how big the dragon is. "Though people rarely do that, a lot of waste to just leave it be. Scales, claws, horns, innards, meat, you can use it if you know how to." Plum: "i really want to avoid wasting, but i don't know if it's worth bringing all this back in my bag." Han: han takes out 2 crowbars to hand out, and a dagger + light hammer for herself "its hide… thick right? we could try this?" she hits the hammer on the dagger pommel to simulate how she can get thru Plum: "that makes sense to me," though they wait for what cimmorro is going to say. in the meantime they pull a light hammer out of their bag. Finn: "should we.. split? or are we going to…" he doesn't finish but does walk into her view and mars Han: han spares finn bit of a worried glace, but gets on with her job "depends on what we want to take. i know dragon scale good for armour, if we can find someone who work with it. difficult material. bone good for weapon, trinket… meat is meat, good for eating" she ends with a bit of a laugh to her voice

Mars: "That ought to be enough." Mars looks back to finn and makes a mental note to get his cloak back later. "The dragon's large and there's enough of us, we might works faster if we split our tasks." Finn: "right" he remembers to hand mars his stupid ugly cloak back now and holds it out to him coldly Mars: Rips it back from him but does not put it on that shit is drenched. Finn: finn does NOT thank him and makes that a very big point by staring at mars as he takes the cloak. then he folds his arms and looks elsewhere Mars: IGNORING ALL THAT Plum: "can we get a fucking move on now…." plum says looking at finn and then at the group tiredly

As they chatter Cimmorro glances around the body of the dragon ascertaining where parts of its anatomy would be, tracing areas as he recalls them to be in other creatures. He points out what areas would be good to start if they wanted to skin the creature and where good entry points would be for getting to the innards. Han moves to start cutting the head from the neck.

Vinny chooses to remain nearby and do his best to not involve himself in Finn's social life unless another fist fight breaks out, he silently glances at the others figuring out where the organs of the dragon would be to try and regain his bearings from living through that fight in the first place.

Mars: at Vinny just staring at the dragon he finally walks up to him. "You know any good ways to use dragon parts?" He doesn't add aside from eating. Vinny: he leaves his blank state and looks over at mars "oh? hmm…" thinking again now that he's talking "the teeth are useful, the eyes are rare and some people use them in potions or brews… the scales are useful for weapons or armour, could have a good smith make something with them. they sell well to enchanters additionally" hes recalling all his merchant training now feeling his vigor return "oh! though the glands in the neck where they use their ahh… breath magic, the liquid from those are also useful, for potions or to sell" Mars: "Right, we can probably split up by different parts based on significance then." Mars is gonna start skinning it as far away from finn as possible

Listening to the two Plum agrees with all the things Vinny notes, but recalls an additional use for bits of dragon liver that crafts a particularly rare alcohol brew… they remember it being called Roaring Gut or some such.

Cimmorro: "do you think we would have to preserve it on the way back? i can halt its decomposition for a few days if so." at the convo about the dragon parts he wonders and listens if vinny would advice to preserve it for such use as well Mars: "You can if you want, but…" He thinks about where Han is chopping off and recalls the size of the caravan. "Carrying it back shouldn't add too much to our travel time, no more than a day I reckon." Cimmorro: "yeah should be, from where we are. i don't suppose a dragon's carcass decomposes that quick, hopefully?" Mars: "Shouldn't yeah, its just like any other creature." He's pretty sure of this.

Attempting to cut the the neck to remove the head, Han makes an awkward initial cut into the dragons neck, either her weapon isn't sharp enough or the angle was wrong. She only cut about halfway through the neck and struggles to get further. Cimmorro comes in to assist her after she pouts and makes a face at him.

After a bit of maneuvering and sweating and Cimmorro pointing out sections shes struggling with, she manages to cleanly separate the head from the neck after about ten minutes or so.

Han: 💪>_< Cimmorro: cimm cheers and claps when han gets it Plum: praises han

Mars meanwhile begins the process of skinning some of the hide near the rear of the dragon. Like a boy on a farm he easily begins the the process, cutting through a good section of the back easily enough and gathering about a bear skins amount for himself.

Finn, after chipping off a few glittering scales, attempts to also cut off some of the hide. Comparatively he struggles a little making cuts with his knife into the dragons hide to skin it, its alot more difficult than picking scales off. He cuts off a section about as big as his torso sweating and heaving by the end.

Finn: finn very quickly finds he doesnt care about getting more for the others, he takes a break after he accomplishes this humongous task and takes a moment leaning against the dragon heaving and sweating and catching his breath, very weakly clutching the part he cut off (its mostly on the floor but hes holding onto it) this will have to be enough for whatever

Seeing the head free now Plum moves to harvest the eyes, though on their first attempt they end up accidentally one with their small dagger.

Plum: they say, "can someone else do this" Cimmorro: since we're done with separating the head cimm will curiously skitter over to where plum is and just goes like "oh.." seeing the crushed eye Plum: "please just look away…" they say quietly…. Cimmorro: cimm makes a little face before answering, "i don't think there's salvaging that one, but there's still another" Finn: finn weakly perks up at this and sluggishly walks over, looking at the eye plum crushed. he doesnt say anything about it though, not really caring about the mishap anyway. "do you want to…" he heaves "try? or should i?" Plum: "i'm gonna call keva, keva can you come here……………………….." Finn: "guess its up to keva anyway" he responds dryly and looks expectantly at keva Cimmorro: "does she even want to," he snorts Keva: when keva makes it over there she reflexively makes a face and a "aeuhgh" sound at the crushed eyeball Plum: plum feels weirdly subdued by the fact that finn did not shame them over destroying a dragon's eye, something vinny just told them was rare, but they don't say anything either. Cimmorro: "i can try? never had to deal with a dragon's but-" Keva: keva picking up on the fact they want her to get the other eye and makes a face once again, but gets out a dagger anyway

With a speed that surprises even her, she pops the eye out with an easy flick in seconds, its about the size of her palm.

Keva: it's much lighter than she expected as if not solid all the way through… what are eyeballs made of anyway, she starts to wonder. her disgust winning out over her curiosity, she insistently holds out the mass of jelly out to plum to take Plum: plum takes the eyeball and is not as grossed out as they thought they'd be. for now they just lay it with wherever other parts are, not really wanting to put all these bloody things in their bag yet. "thanks," they say casually. Keva: "sure" said a little unenthused, keva only flciks off whatever bodily fluids are now on her hands and i guess waits for someone else to direct her Finn: "is there anything else you wanted?" finn asks casually Plum: "i'm going to see if vinny needs help getting that gland he mentioned, and then maybe i'll try (getting help) with the liver," they say also casually. maybe too casually now

Vinny: vinny watches mars cut his section of the hide giving him a good work once he sees him finish up Mars: He's rolling up his end of the dragon skin before calling back to Psalm "I'll be with you in a bit." Psalm: "No, I'll come help. Nothing to do for the moment now anyways." At the very least Psalm's gonna observe or something. He places his cloak and other clothes on top of his bag and heads over Mars: psalm and vinny just watching mars now its a good thing he's still to jumped up to be nervous n just gets back to skinning

Psalm: "Is there anything I can do to help?" Han: completing the head, hans gonna siddle up to mars, watching him work too "can i help you instead? you look like u know what you doing" ehe jpg Mars: he turns back to the sudden audience still at work skinning it with his sword. He points to the trio with the pommel of his blade "You three can help me skin the rest of this if you want to earn some extra dosh. Or… pluck out its teeth, I think they need help up in the head." Vinny: vinny glances between han and mars and thinks "maybe ill try searching around the throat for that gland…" Mars: for the love of god stay safe <- mars internally. Psalm: Psalm is unconvinced he has the strength required to pull teeth out so he decides to help Mars skin it…! "Alright Ghester, you're up." he says, summoning him. Ghester: you hear a laugh as hes summoned physically "feels good to stretch my legs" Psalm: "Maybe next time we wont fight something fifty feet in the air."

Han, Psalm and Mars get to work cutting out another section of hide the side of Han's torso, the group of them tiredly sweating by the end of it. Rokka in turn goes to the head and makes a few easy cuts followed by a pointed YANK to pull off a nice hefty dragons tooth for himself.

Mars: "…. Not sure how we're gonna store all this." He mentions offhandedly to han and psalm. Psalm: "Maybe we can decide what we'll have the most use for after we're done. If only so that this isnt a massive waste of effort." Psalm says, tired as all hell Mars: "We can't eat all this…" He mutters under his breath.

Rokka: rokkas going to show the teefies off to mars "i got the teeth! would this be enough?" he holds out the tooth Mars: "That's a good amount yeah, good work Rokka." Rokka: he beams at mars for the praise Mars: 🥺 mars rn

Han: han look around at the shit theyve collected for now "umm………….. we do not think it through…. maybe we can just give some away in bakaldor? seems like waste to let it sit here… well, not like other animals wont eat it" Mars: "Maybe we ought to just take as much as we need 💀" Psalm: "Im fine with wasting it if it means less work carrying it all back." Han: han pouts a lil "i want to try the dragon meat…." Mars: "We can try some…" And at psalm "Well we'd be doing the best we could with what we had, if we're that worried we can notify the guild back in Bakaldor, see if they want to send people to pick it off." He thinks a little on what Cimm was saying. "Cimm mentioned decomposing and given what he knows he can probably halt the decay a little." Han: "i wanna try some…!!!" eyes sparkling, shes ready to cut off a chunk, before getting a little more down to earth "ye, but , even if he stop the decompose, other creatures will gather, no? good to warn for" Mars: "Yeah that too. Lets just do as much as we can until Keva comes back then. We can go help out in the other parts."

Meanwhile Cimmorro observes the dragons hindquarters, noting it to be female and on the older side, given its size. Though as far as he can tell it hasn't recently given birth at all. He picks off a few scales as well for his own use as he informs the party of his finds.

Vinny in the meantime is joined by Plum as the two go digging around in the torn open throat. Keva decides her strength isnt needed and goes to walk off to pick up the caravan and bring it to where the group is alongside their cabal of animals.

Psalm: "Going alone? I could…um, keep an eye on you, so to speak." (he really needs to get around to explaining this shadow dog thing) Keva: keva squints at him once again but says "okay…?" wasn't he keeping an eye on amos…? Psalm: Psalm can more or less guess what she's thinking by her expression, so he says, "Amos hasn't moved from his spot (not really), but it'd be safer if you weren't completely on your own." Keva: "fine" she gives him a wave as an okay Psalm: Psalm has his dog possess Keva's shadow. Sorry for the bad vibes.

you get a vauge feeling of dread fall on you, like youre being watched. but nothing else

Keva: keva doesn't seem to outwardly react much but she certainly does feel the need to get a move on

Vinny: he winces a little as he notices the section youre looking for has already been torn open "hmm… well lets see what we can do…" after a few minutes of sticking your hands in the flesh in the throat and getting them coated in muck alongside vinny, holding bits open for him to pry deeper he manages to pull out a small vial and cork a section of the fluid still seeping from the wounded area "that's enough for something…?" he thinks idly to himself hands coated in goop and blood Finn: finn would kinda wanna go with keva (rare) to get the caravan, but he doesnt know thats what shes planning on doing so he goes along with vinny and plum. he wonders if he should keep quiet about having bitten into the gland but ultimately decides to admit it "my apologies……that would be my fault vinny" he avoids looking at him but its not as serious. hes excited for the innards and liver Vinny: vinny glances over from where hes crouched in the muck at finn standing behind them "oh? is that what you were doing in there…" he shakes his hands a little "well, for what its worth i dont think it enjoyed it…" and shrugs while glancing through the vial "itll have most likely have magnetic propeties… thats what im most curious about" Plum: "is that vial enough? you don't want more?" Finn: finn nods and tries awkwardly to help by holding the skin uselessly "it was the worst taste ever… i can vividly recall it now that the situations been dealt with" he grimaces at the phantom taste that washes over him "and i am not exaggerating… i can only be grateful i didnt have the mind to throw my own innards up" he curiously looks at vinny then "but i wonder if thats because of my vampirism. would it taste different to you?" its a dare more than anything Vinny: "w-we could try for more but we'd really have to dig in there…" he doesnt seem to mind but is apprehensive about forcing plum to stick their hands deeper, then to finn "thats not too surprising, i dont imagine magnetism tastes… hmm well good?" he thinks for a second longer before looking at finn again a little haggard "you bit it…?" Finn: "w-what else would i have done?" finn is surprised at the question and blinks sheepishly Plum: "eh, i don't see why not. this isn't going to get any less fucking gross, anyhow." they dig around for an extra empty bottle they might have. Vinny: he thinks and looks back at the throat "i... dont know i s-suppose i assumed the force from you simply crushed it" he pauses "its not good to ingest these things... you could get poisoned..." he wilts a little before watching plum shuffle around at plum he smiles a little "you can get the whole of the next one then" Plum: "aye aye," they say and dig around with the intention of collecting one or two or so bottles more im impartial unless you want us to limit how much magnetic dragon liquid we collect.

Plum manages to pry the throat open and assist Vinny in filling two more small bottles up with the magnetic liquid. he hands them both of to you as he starts wiping his hands a little to remove the blood speaking to Finn as he does.

Vinny: "well… let this be an anatomy less for you i hope? it is a sac full of the matter it uses for magic… bad to put inside you in any capacity" Finn: "clearly not my field of expertise" finn mutters and watches the two work…. "plum said they wanted the liver next so… are you in for that, vinny?" <- still sheepish because hes embarassed. kicks a pebble around Vinny: he blinks a little surprised finn's suggesting it before looking at plum "hmmm, i dont mind, it cant be all that different to a cow could it, well aside from the size…" he starts mumbling under his breath getting a little lost in thought as he gets curious Plum: plum pretends they're not starting to feel like they're third wheeling something unfortunate rn. they add to finn's statement: "i want to use something in the liver to make alcohol, if you don't mind helping me. or if we want the innards for anything else, really." Vinny: his eyes widen as he gets even more interested "really? you know of a brew that uses it? id be be curious to try it" he starts to grin at the thought as he rubs his chin Finn: "alcohol? from the liver?" finn isnt so stupid he doesnt know what a liver is for, but he cant really grasp the reverse-engineering here so he just tilts his head owlish-ly "i dont mind helping either way" he looks vaguely over the dragons body, wondering where exactly the liver would be Plum: "thanks, and yeah seems weird, but i'll try brewing anything once. why not." more at vinny they say "it's called the 'roaring gut', which i hope is not prophetic for what drinking it will do. but i'm good with poisons so i'm not too worried." Vinny: he nods happily "i can help you brew it if you like? if anything toxic occurs four eyes is better than two… and i've my own experience with things going awry with liquids" Plum: "oh, yeah, that'd be great," they say with a smile. then they grumble, "in case i fuck up something again," which is a half-joke about the eye but they're actually really annoyed they did that. Finn: alcohol isnt something finn really thinks about anymore since hes become unable to drink it so he just nods along with plums explanation. hes slightly surprised that plum is a brewer, but its not something hes bothered to learn until now anyway so its not too interesting either. he wonders briefly though if he would've enjoyed their drinks were he alive but discards the thought as quick as it came.

Mars moves to go sit down to cast his find familiar spell, borrowing a bit of gold from Han and Plum to do so, changing silva from bird to fish as the others get about to cutting open the dragon and its innards. Psalm goes to join him for a bit sitting beside him as he catches his breath and rests a little, while Rokka keeps his distance disliking the smell.

Han manages to carve out a good chunk of meat from around the stomach and intestines, she hands it to Cimmorro to examine for his own curiosity. Close to them, Finn and Plum go in slicing for the liver, they're both a little clumsy in their cutting and directing. Vinny helps course correct them both well enough that they manage to extract a usable enough section of meat for their own use.

Cimmorro: he gives han a grateful WOO YAYYY Han: han WOO YAYS back ^o^ then stares curiously "learn anything interesting?" Cimmorro: "seems like a full on carnivore. any herbage in it's digestive track was probably just caught on something it hunted," he just casually slips a hand into one of its intestines, trying to find anything interesting.

After a bit of fishing around Cimmorro pulls out what feels like a few pieces of a shattered arrow.

Cimmorro: he brings it up to show for han. "ooh! we're not the only people who's tried hunting it recently… but wasn't the bounty fairly new?" Han: han looks it over "why would they put bounty up if it wasn't bothering them, right"

Han looks over the arrow if anything about it sticks out to her but it seems inconspicuous beneath the digestion, a nice heavy arrow.

Han: han fiddles around with the arrow cimm gave her "meh, i thought it might have some sign of maker… see none tho. pity." drops it "any other interesting organ you want?" Cimmorro: he thinks for a moment while wiggling the stomach lining. "uhmmm. the heart!" Han: han pauses a moment as she considers the logistics "ye, sure"

Finn: finns smiling a little to himself, feeling a little relieved for the first time since his outburst, just because he was able to immerse himself in something. he looks to plum to see how satisfied they are with the liver Plum: that was harder than plum would've guessed. thank god for the little cimmorro in their head telling them what to do. and vinny also telling them what to do. "i think this should be good…? making alcohol out of meat is going to be interesting." Finn: "i never knew people could make alcohol from meat. whyd you want the liver for that specifically?" finn ponders which organs he wouldve chosen instead and settles on the brain Plum: "well, i've only heard of it. if i had to guess, there's probably something stored in here that i can use to ferment something else, rather than actually using the liver itself. or maybe i'm just completely wrong, and it actually is alcohol from a dragon's liver. i'll look it up more before i subject anyone to drinking it." they are talking a lot because this subject interests them, more than anything. they kind of trail off, wondering if they'll have time to visit the library again. "did you want anything else here? any useful innards?" Finn: finn listens patiently. Plum: they are looking at finn a bit warily, and also a bit surprised, while he listens. they thought he would've gotten bored, or something, considering most of the trip they seem content to talk with vinny. whatever, they're not going to question it.

Vinny: he glances inside the dragon again at the prompt "hmm… a few things but nothing id know how to use myself… and i dont exactly have ways to store much else at the moment. we can leave it be id say" he moves to stand up again making an 'oof' as he stretches his legs. he gives a glance at han and cimmorro messing with the stomach curiously. Plum: "okay, sure." and then more generally they say "when everyone is done carving this thing up i'll help sort out how we can bring it back to town." then they just kind of park themselves where they were standing, exhausted. Vinny: vinny gives plum a friendly pat on the back as they sit after wiping his hands a little more as he glances back at mention of a heart and walks over to han and cimmorro

As Plum settles down Vinny wanders off to see what Han and Cimmorro are doing. As they split off, Finn moves to take a bite out of some nearby flesh tender enough for it inside the dragon. As he sucks and drinks he notes the blood makes his teeth tingle, a faint echo of the magnetism feeling. It's not nearly as rancid as whatever you drank from the throat though, sure enough its still blood. It packs a punch though, after a few gulps he needs to rear back as if recovering from a strike to the head.

Finn: finn is disappointed this blood is pretty rancid too… he was hoping dragon blood would be the fanciest of all and that he could boast about it to his family when he returns home… what a let down! he lazily wipes his mouth with his sleeve, since hes covered in all kinds of fluid at this point anyway… the snufkin outfit he wasnt keen on ruining, but his other clothes were meant to be collateral anyway. ah he needs to replace his hat… he thinks about shopping for clothes in coralwash and sits down, watching the others carve

As Vinny, Han and Cimmorro get to work, over by the relaxation crew Psalm strikes up a conversation with the other idlers hanging around Mars.

Psalm: he asks, "So in the event there are traps, will your familiar be alright you think? I have a wand for disabling them but if she's scouting ahead of me I'm not sure it'll be all that useful." Rokka: rokka's gonna step in "actually i don't think it can disable the traps, just point u to it" Mars: "Well….." He thinks about how often silva and him gets in trouble actually and grimaces a little. "She'll bounce back from it, but if she goes poof in there you'd be on your own for a while." Psalm: "Oh, my mistake. Bit of a shame." He crosses his arms. "Well I can only hold my breath for so long anyways, so I suppose we'll just have her scout first and see if its even worth going down there." Mars: "Good point… It could take a while too, if the thing's lair is connected to all these ponds." He looks around at the other bodies of water in the area. Psalm: "Part of me hopes there's nothing actually worth all the trouble…" Mars: "It'd be a hassle to get fish it out if its deep in there." He mumbles "Well, actually." He recalled a bit during the fight after a while. "You seemed like you knew a thing or two about the dragon, what do you reckon we'd find in its lair? Aside from detritus and trap making tools."

At the question Psalm thinks to himself, he recalls that the items a dragon covets differs by its type, for a cobalt he'd guess it'd have a hoard of items it uses to craft its traps. From what theyve seen so far, a lot of metal bits and wood. He cant imagine it covets much aside from that, though maybe stranger items or contraptions also interest it.

Mars: "Let's hope it really is nothing worthwhile down there then 💀" Now that the task turned more slowpaced he's starting to realise how tired he is

Enjoying the benefits of a long rest in the interim, asides from Keva, the party heal up somewhat.

Keva: would be enjoying the peace and quiet if it weren't for the feeling of dread making her look over her shoulder constantly

Vinny: "you've got to be careful to not cut to deeply into the… was it the rightmost valve…" he continues speaking of the scant knowledge he recalls handing a dried out once for his store Han: 😗"how cooome" @ vinny Cimmorro: cimm mimics this Vinny: he thinks "it has something to do with how the flesh settles after… if you cut it too hard near the valve it pierces a certain section of the heart and it releases something that effects the rest of the organ" like pufferfish…

With Vinny's explanation and Cimmorro's expert medical experience they manage to cut precisely at the correct spots to keep the organ unsullied, its quite large, about the size of his head once extracted from the rest of the body.

Cimmorro: cimm's like "whoah what that's so cool…! what'd you use it for?" he just leaves the heart daintily resting on the ground or smth while he examines it Vinny: he responds after with a laugh "oh i didn't use it… i purchased it to sell at the store, it was rare stock so i could upcharge it.." evilgrin.png "i was curious to mess around with it myself but i knew i didn't have the experience at the time… and ruining it would have been …. very embarrassing" he glances down at it "usually parts of it are used to craft powerful potions, depending on the dragon type. potions to alter your physiology, temporarily or permanently… or something directly related to the element of magic" he thinks to himself "a magnet potion…"

As the heart is removed as the last bit of organ dissection, after Han collects a bit more meat for eating purposes, Keva makes her return to the clearing with the caravan. The horses and animals within safe and sound, Amos eagerly rejoining her earlier within the confines of her cloak. Mars spell also finally casts after the downtime period.

Keva: keva's also happy to have amos back (and also jasper) to help with the feelbads Mars: Silva Has Become Piranha Psalm: Psalm recalls his dog Keva: keva's shoulders noticeably loosen lol Psalm: Psalm watches with silent curiousity (and apology, although it's not like he understands exactly the circumstances)

Cimmorro: "ah, but does that mean you can mess with it now?" he looks up at him expectantly, like he's asking for a cool magic trick. "also… do all dragon hearts operate the same way (pufferfish) or it's just this particular type?" Han: han kinda mutters "alter your fizzy-wha?" Vinny: he stares at it and puts a hand to his chin as he thinks to himself "well…. maybe….?" he continues muttering under his breath a little "i might still mess up… maybe its better to just sell…but.. hmmm…." he remembers to answer questions and looks up again and coughs "ah all of them operate this way, though the properties given differ" and then to han he smiles "your body and uhh genetic makeup!" Cimmorro: he blinks at vinny as he goes thru his internal conflict. "do YOU want to mess with it?" Han: han blinks at this and scratches her chin "you mean… you can become …. dragon yourself?????" her eyes widen slightly in shock horror "do..do you know how to make that" Vinny: he stares for a moment then looks away "a little bit…" at han he looks over and his eyes widen "aha no no! -erm with the properties of the dragons magic" he thinks "though i suppose something like that also isnt im…possible?" he thinks to himself "much more difficult though to make" Cimmorro: "then i think you should," he says simply. "i'm curious to see what you can make out of it! plus i think we can get plenty enough of money from the reward and the other parts we've gotten." Han: han imagining vinny with dragon features and then has to shake herself out of the stupor a lil

Vinny: he looks at all the parts getting loaded by the party and strokes his chin" i suppose thats true enough…" he glances back at the heart "i'll think up what i'll need back in the city when we go drop the head off, i think ive got a few ideas" theres a sparkle in his eyes as he gazes at the heart Cimmorro: cimm laughs amused at the vigor coming back to him. "as long as you take me along with you." he starts to wrap the heart with some cloth before handing it to the others where they wanna load it Vinny: he smiles as he glances back at cimmorro "it'd be my pleasure! i know where the stores are now even…" he watches cimm wrap it up as the cogs behind his eyes continue to click

The group begin loading and cleaning the parts they wish to take back with them. Han, Keva and Rokka working togetehr almost make the matter of shuffling the head on top of the caravan trivial. They begin to tie the head down securely over the ration boxes affixed to the roof. It droops a little in the back but is certainly not going anywhere in its state.

Keva: keva watches alla that from the entrance to the caravan, having slunk down from the roof and eating a small dried snack and giving amos a bit to munch on too

As they do Psalm goes to join Mars now that his fish has purpose.

Mars: "Alright she's good to go now." He says as he places the finished reformed Silva in the pond he was about to enter. Psalm: "Great! We can send her ahead and if the coast is clear or there's anything worth checking out we can proceed from there."

Watching through Silva's eyes Mars swim down the tunnel, it’s width around her is a little staggering. Swimming on you he heads downwards through the water before turning right following along with the tunnel, running underneath the ground in pitch darkness. After fifteen or so seconds of swimming you see the tunnel branch ahead of you, one route going deeper below and another continuing along the path ahead of you.

Swimming dowards he continues deeper down the tunnel and feels it turn again, and then again twist back upwards as they continue follow through. The tunnel around her is unremarkable, just dirt mud and the occasional rock, after another ten seconds or so he spies the water's surface above her, opening up to something.

Making Silvas surface, Mars glances out of the water as a little fish. He sees the interior of a small cavern, part of it looks natural but sections of it also appear to have been carved out of the stone and dirt manually. The ceiling hangs high above her, he's guessing around 50 feet high, and the air feels stale and heavy.

Stalagtites of rock hang from the ceiling and drip liquid every now and again, he notes another pool of water on the other end of the place as well. He can a large pile of items further in but cant discern much from his fishvantage point.

Mars: to anyone watching "…. Well there's probably the lair, about a minute down, no traps, think you can hold your breath that long?" He asks psalm specifically. In the mean time he's gonna have silva swim the other way back and see what's on the other brancing path. Han: "is it very deep…? i can hold breathe for long, but my swim experience is lacking." Cimmorro: cimm overhears this and shouts at their direction while tending to vinny, "i have a necklace that can help you breathe in water but you'll have to attune to it? which takes quite a while-" Finn: finn pettily thinks to himself that he would be perfect for the job and that he would not help even if he were able, just because mars is the one asking, but that would probably piss everyone off so hes glad hes physically unable to help anyway

Psalm: "Only a minute? Shouldn't be an issue." Mars: "Not the deepest, but there's a couple of twists before it opens up to a cave… lair thing. If you're going down you wanna take the path that leads deeper down, not other one." Han: "do you want me to go with you?" 😗 Psalm: "Of course." Han: HEHE… I WILL NOT LET U DOWN PSALM -han internal monologue

As they chat Mars steers Silva out of there to explore the other path at the fork he didnt take. The path continues onward in a forward line before bending back upwards before you see the surface of a body of water again, peering out with fish eyes he sees the sky once more. Silva is back on the surface in the bed of a nearby lake.

> 🎵 Pastoral Excursion / Tangledeep OST

Han and Psalm strip down, tie themselves to some rope and begin their swimming descent. The others wash up in the meantime, Cimmorro and Vinny break off for the same clear pond as Keva makes for one herself, after washing she goes to watch the pond, Plum joining her after their own quick clean.

Keva: once keva finishes her bit of jerky she washes up at a different clean pond than cimmvinny, and then joins the others at the edge of the murky one, when plum joins keva in watching the ropes she asks, "find anyhting interesting in the dragon?" Plum: plum thinks for a moment. "i'm gonna try making alcohol out of the liver, which hopefully won't be a fucking terrible idea. and vinny found a gland that has some magnetic sort of fluid in it. other than that, just the usual guts and all." Keva: keva makes a face of surprise "is alcohol usually made of guts?" she's not sure what she thought they were made of before, but that's not what she was expecting Plum: "it's made of plants, mostly…. like barley, or grapes. or honey, actually. so i don't think fermenting meat will make the alcohol, i'm thinking something in the liver will be what i use to ferment. and i'm hoping it won't taste like absolute shit." Keva: she snorts, "good luck, alcohol tastes like shit as it is" Plum: plum is incredulous. they almost gasp, "you think so??? you don't drink……………………..?" Keva: keva turns to them, brows raising a little at their surprise. "nah, not in a long while anyway. s'lost the appeal," she finishes with a half shrug. "you seem to like it tho. you been making it a long time?" Plum: "oh, i thought you were one of the types who just thinks it tastes like shit and that's it. i mean, eh, i don't judge. i would just hate to miss out, personally." they screw up their face for a moment. "my family runs a brewery. i used to help out. it's not all that hard, honestly. i think i could brew something in my sleep at this point."

Keva: "mm…" thinking on it, she's probably only had cheap ale before, so she imagines there's plenty she's 'missing out' on. but drinking still brings up a little too much for her, so she's fine with that. "yeah, i think i've had enough, at least for a good while. but maybe the others would enjoy whatever liver beer you end up making. would be nice after all of this." after a pause, she adds, "actually, does your family know how to make honey pine dew?" (inserting item desc from a shorewater resto for your sake gab "An imported halfling drink, served in small cups. Very pleasant and fresh taste, cheap in halfling towns, but expensive elsewhere") Plum: "yeah, well, i hope they enjoy it. vinny offered to help, so it can't go too badly. though anything after this would be better. i'm not hopeful, but i never want to do this again." plum is familiar with people swearing off drinking, so they don't say anything about what keva says or see it as particularly odd. "and they do. not my favourite or anything, but that one's nice, if you like sweets. which i do. why, interested? i could make something much more complex than that i'm sure." (i'm assuming i know it from the description+how much they like alcohol it seems very likely) Keva: (it's actually not alcoholic but it'd be funny if plum made a spiked version of it lOL) "would be a nice non-alcoholic option. there was a place selling it in shorewater, but it was 2 whole gold pieces" Plum: (oooh okay i get you now i was wondering why she was asking about it) "sure, i can make that for you if you want. i can make all sorts of things, and regular beverages are easier by far, and you wouldn't have to waste gold on it. if i'm making a drink for everyone i wouldn't enjoy leaving you out anyhow, although i guess i can't account for finn." they vaguely figure he can drink the dragon's blood or something. not sure if they saw him doing it in game or not earlier but, eh.

Keva: keva smiles a bit at plum's consideration. "thanks. i'll still pay for whatever things you need to make it. it's easy to get back home, but i guess at 2 gold it must be harder to make outside of where halflings live, and we're pretty far off from talankra." Plum: "if you want," they shrug. they really don't care either way. "if you ask me i think they're just upcharging it, but i'm no merchant. also talankra? that where you're from? that's closer to me than i'd have thought." Keva: she nods, "from the capital. this is my first time leaving it, actually." Plum: plum does not say out loud that that does not surprise them. "huh, i see. had something important to do, i'm guessing?" Keva: keva sighs a long sigh. "guess you could say that. helping orin find someone he owes a favor. and well, i owe the favor too, since she saved him." she hopes it doesn't turn out lady ireze is actually a massive shithead when she actually meets her herself. "where in talankra are you from?" Plum: "ohh, your brother, right?" plum says, and they're a bit surprised right now. they thought keva would have just said yes, or no, and left it at that. "i didn't think you'd be all the way out here on a favour. and i'm not from talankra, i'm from the green glades. nearby on the map i guess, but i don't know much about talankra." Keva: she simply shrugs and says, "he's my brother." the story is ofc, a little more complicated than that, but that what it boiled down to. there's little that orin would ask of her that she wouldn't do if she could. "don't know much about the green glades either." Plum: plum just shrugs. "honestly there's not much to know. it's a nice place, though. much rather be there, than here." Keva: with a snort keva leans forward and rubs her face with her hands (i've been imaiging her sitting down like some fisherman waiting for a bite), thinking of the dragon carcass not too far from them. "would rather be somewhere nice, too."

Plum: "maybe antessa will be nice," somehow they doubt it. "except i don't know a fucking thing about antessa." they look at the pond tiredly, wanting to just finish with this whole thing already. speaking of, "good job with the dragon by the way. you and han really walloped it. i think we'd all have died otherwise." Keva: "finn's from antessa, how nice could it be?" not even just a person from the place, but a noble with power. she has to wonder what the everyday people think of the barvotte family. "ah, well. thanks, i guess," feeling weary just thinking about it again. "it still walloped us back plenty. honestly surprised we all made it." Plum: "fair point," they grumble. "and quite honesly, i thought we were going to die. i don't know if the people who put a bounty on this thing knew it was that big, or if they're shortchanging or what. five thousand gold feels like nothing in comparison." Keva: "they called it a drake, didn't they? so they didn't even know it was a full-on dragon. we definitely should argue for more." Plum: "i'll let cimmorro or psalm handle that. they're better at talking, anyhow. although psalm might surprise me and not really give a damn otherwise, who knows. " Keva: "cimmorro only did this because he was worried about it getting closer to his home town, but i bet we could convince psalm. did you see him go down? i'd bet money he's already thinking of asking for more." Plum: "and he's the one who wanted to do this the least…" plum starts chuckling, even if him getting knocked out was hardly funny at the time. Keva: keva laughs a bit as well as she says, "exactly. he's our best bet at a raise."

Cimmorro: [looking at the dried blood around vinny's ears] cimm will just casually help wipe that off with a hand cloth or something since vinny's probably hasn't noticed it by now Vinny: hes surprised as he's prodded by cimm not expecting it before he feels the crusted bits of blood there "ah…" he rubs under his nose as if expecting the same going a little red Cimmorro: he just keeps cleaning him and not really commenting lmfao <- guy who feels bad he put him thru this Vinny: he submits to the scrubbing but the longer he does it the more embarassed he gets but its too late now vinny will die under the sponge

Cimmorro: after deciding the hand towel has served its use (it was only making more dirt smear from overuse), cimm continues to clean off rest of the stubborn spots around vinny's face and ears using his thumbs and palms. rubbing then rinsing, rubbing and rinsing again and again while turning and tilting vinny's head however he needs to reach dried blood and grime. he also takes advantage of the moment to check if he's still bleeding anywhere at all but is quickly relieved to see the result of plum's care from earlier. his diligent cleaning doesn't slow down as he asks, "are you still hurt anywhere?" his voice is quiet but not meek. seems like he has a lot in his mind. Vinny: though surprised at cimmorro's strange insistence on cleaning him up he submits to the treatment somewhat embarrassed after floundering a little, recalling previous bathhouse adventures his face faintly tinged red. he supposes he looked worse than he thought, he'd nearly lost his wits earlier during the fight, forgetting how drained he'd felt after running to mars. as his head's turned this way and that he keeps his eyes trained off of cimmorro out of politeness until he speaks to him, glancing at his face again "hm? ah, no well im still a little black and blue all over but nothing pressing i think..." Cimmorro: he nods. "nothing i can't check later in the caravan. i don't suppose you're keen on undressing yourself out here," he replies that with so much ease as if it was a perfectly normal thing to suggest. Vinny: he coughs a little surprised, before responding "y-yes, i'd rather keep my dignity in tact for the moment" Cimmorro: "as long as you're not pushing yourself, then i'll let you run off with your dignity," he jokes a bit as he turns vinny again to pick off filth stuck on the back of his hair. "thank you, by the way, for watching my back. but, i know what healing spell you used..." he takes a pause, not sure how to say what he means inoffensively. "it comes with a hefty price. i can't quite say i'm happy about you getting hurt on my behalf."

Vinny: he glances sidelong as he feels cimmorro continue prodding at his head wondering to what extent hes going to continue preening him, trying to not think about the sensation as he talks. he smiles a little at the sentiment expressed by his words "well... i wouldn't use it if i had something else at the time, it's not as if i enjoy the sudden panging pain" he pauses before continuing "but, a little pain can be bearable to keep the man keeping the rest of us alive conscious. I think the fight would have been twice as harrowing should you have fallen..." Cimmorro: cimm finds himself quiet for a little moment. he knows vinny has a point, there's quite a bit of pressure on his hands that he doesn't really care to make known to the others. so a part of him is touched that one way or another they've shown that they're ready to support him when shit hits the fan. but that doesn't change the fact that it doesn't feel great when they put themselves in danger for his sake. cimm huffs in a way that it blows his fringe out of his face. "I'm not as dainty as you think, i can take a few hits..." he pouts where vinny can see. "and find something else! like, I don't know- a potion? get one from my bag- keva nearly had an entire bottle pour up my nose!" Vinny: he laughs a little at the pouting "were all q-quite dainty in the face of a dragon i think!" he pauses to remember mars riding the thing like a horse as perhaps the exception before going on "if i were closer i would have just done what ive used on you before-" he motions with one of his hands tapping cimm on the cheek with his knuckles to remind him of a cure wounds spell he cast once "im not as confident in my throwing arm... i probably would have concussed you if i tossed a vial..." Cimmorro: he kinda just makes a face at the turn of events again. it was supposed to be a drake! how did this... ugh. his eyes wander tiredly to the dragon's corpse behind them and frowns. however he snaps out of his mental complaints when vinny starts tapping his cheek, to which he gives him a quick, incredulous glance before 'tch'ing and pulling his head away. he grumbles something as he furrows his brows, trying to not get flustered about the memory. after a while he blurts out "then stay right beside me! you keep running off like that night in the ship when i thought you'd tail behind then you ran off to goddess knows where and you came back a mess!"

Vinny: he looks a little amused at cimm's grumbling, finding it funny he's still affected by something he finds so benign. he blinks at the grand statement, quickly darting his eyes away as he hides his mouth with his hand "w-well i already explained the ship situation..." he seems to mentally stall for a second the faint red on his face fighting to re-emerge as he continues "but if it gives you a bit of peace of mind, t-then I will endeavour to stick a little closer in the time we've left together" Cimmorro: "yeah? you better," he huffs triumphantly. satisfied that he somehow managed to distract vinny from his own embarrassment, even if he doesn't fully understand how. but he feels like he won. that's what matters! "now stay still," he continues his previous cleaning session as he notices a stain by his ear. Vinny: despite his best attempts his face gets red again, especially once cimmorro goes back on the cleaning offensive "w-whatever makes you happy" surely he's making fun of him or teasing him again but his sentiment earlier seemed genuine, vinny's stomach ties itself in knots as he scrunches his eyes shut at the physical and mental onslaught until he notices a few others making their way over

Mars seeing the others watching the ropes, and still drenched in blood himself makes to go wash off where Cimmorro and Vinny are after dismissing Silva. Rokka similarly soiled follows after also appearing behind the two.

Rokka: rokka wondering why he's doing that for vinny and not vinny doing it himself but he's not gonna bother asking, still supports nonetheless and shoots him 2 thumbs up before submerging for 3 seconds Vinny: once mars and rokka wander over vinny starts to push cimmorro's hands away and coughs at the thumbs up "i-i can take care of the rest myself!" face still red Cimmorro: "?" he turns to look behind him to see rokka and mars and puts 2 and 2 together. why was he embarrassed. they already did this in front of them before

Mars: Having made a quick detour back to the caravan to pick up something that wasn't drenched in blood, Mars mindlessly trudges to whichever pond he has and realises Cimmorro and Vinny having a private conversation. Too tired to actually care however he continues on anyway, the pond's big enough. And actually seeing Vinny reminded him of how Vinny was saying something to him right after the dragon died. He tries not to stare as he debates whether to bring it up or not, brows furrowing. Maybe the moment's passed actually, and they'll pay him no mind. He nods as he passes by the two of them, sits down and starts the process of cleaning himself. Cimmorro: cimm greets mars with a slightly tired smile. pitying what fared he today. "the man of the hour. glad you can join us. what goes in the spelunking?" Vinny: washing his face on his own now still red, vinny angles his glasses on top of his head as he tries to distract himself from cimmorro sitting right next to him. he watches the coloured masses of mars and rokka trundle about in the water as he finishes, not taking any time as most of the work was already done, putting them back over his eyes as he listens to the conversation idly.

Mars: Admittedly he still felt somewhat stiff after his outburst especially now that clarity's returning to him bit by bit. Everyone was all business at the dissection, so casual conversation eludes him. Hearing Cimmorro talk to him casually is a bit of a relief to a tension he didn't realise he had. Instead of expressing all that he just tilts his head at what Cimmorro called him. "'Man of the hour?' What exactly did I do to deserve that." He says with a lighthearted scoff. "Cave diving's going well, no traps so far, I'm on standby in case anything happens." Cimmorro: "rodeoing a blasted dragon mean nothing to you? just a normal workday?" cimm shrugs and snorts before washing the fringe off his face and sweeping it to the side. Vinny: at that vinny turns his head in the twos direction and speaks up "im sorry by the way... for making it roll while you were still on it..." he looks genuinely stricken recalling the event Mars: "Well- No I mean, I don't do that often." He cleans his throat as he rolls up the sleeves of his undershirt. He'll deal with washing his clothes later. "Its not nothing its just... I just did what I had to do, bastard wouldn't come down." He grumbles out the last bit. He finally turns to the two though when Vinny apologizes. "Huh?????" He actually looks confused and waves a hand in a casual 'don't worry about it' gesture. "Geez Vil don't be, what the dragon decides to do isn't your fault... On that note, did you two make it out of that alright? I remember you were bleeding out your ears Vil, but I didn't see much of you Cimm." Vinny: he rubs the back of his head as he hangs it slightly "s-still i should have thought that through a little further" at the question he lifts his head again still feeling sheepish as he awnsers "well aching, but im doing a bit better thanks to plum" he turns his head slightly "and the ears are fine now at the least" Cimmorro: "i'm fine, vinny and keva helped keep me in check-- i hardly even noticed i was starting to wear and tear. trying to get that thing to come down was demanding too much of my focus." Mars: "Good, that's good. Its nice having reliable people." He nods seriously. "Dunno if anyone's mentioned it but uh... Good work guys. With the dragon. And... keeping people alive. Seriously Vil who could predict what a dragon would do, don't beat yourself up about it." He feels awkward being too obvious suddenly but he's also quickly running out of things to say.

Cimmorro: cimm can't help but let out a small snicker. "i'm glad i could make it to the awarding ceremony," he prods jokingly. "give me your cloak. i'll help you wash it," he reaches out a hand now that he's done cleaning himself up Vinny: "well i'll take that to heart, but know if you had gone flying i may have fainted..." he shakes his head of the mental image "good work to all, and i'm glad you're feeling a little more chipper at the very least" he glances at cimmorro continuing his washman routine Mars: "Har-har." He gets up and moves a bit closer. He's sort of used to Cimmorro washing more frequently than him so its no wonder his ratty cloak's a huge sore spot for him. "You can take the bottom edge, I'll take the top." then to vinny I think I'd manage somehow there's no need to faint over me..." He seems a bit more relaxed now at least. Vinny: he wags a finger half jokingly at mars "you werent the one staring up at you getting ragdolled around up there..." Mars: "The view's a lot less harrowing up there, you can join me up there next time." He jokes, AS IF HE'D GET UP THERE. That being said there was something about being that high up that was kind of exhilarating, he chalked it off to being on a dragon flying by the seat of his pants though. Cimmorro: he raises a hand to gesture to stop before he tugs the rest of the cloak from him. "you have enough to clean for yourself. leave this to me." and without another word he just starts rinsing off the excess blood from it in the pond before prestigiisitisigitigitiioning it once he wrings it back up to the surface.

Mars: His eye widened at that. "What." He blinks and then leans in a bit close to look at his cloak. "When'd you learn to do that???" He seems a bit intrigued. Cimmorro: he just wordlessly points at vinny Vinny: he strokes his chin as he gives a dry laugh "yes im sure its comparable to that of an airship, though i cant say its not an... interesting thought" he glances at the magical cloak wash as a thought starts in his mind Mars: "What riding a dragon?" He's still a little wow'd by the simple spell before turning back to Vinny. "Well, its probably an interesting thought- Did you teach him that?" If he recalls right that does make sense. Vinny: "they'd probably need to be a little more open to it..."he glances at cimmorro for a few seconds as if thinking then back at mars quickly with a cough, smiling a little at his awe "ah yes, he asked me to help teach him a few things, we were travelling over the sea so there wasnt much else for us to occupy ourselves with at the time" he pats cimmorro on the back genially "he's a quick study!" Mars: "Wow wasn't that... quite fast?" He recalled his own study taking him a while. "That's pretty impressive Cimm, 'grats.... Seems like a very much you spell to study." He notes quickly. Cimmorro: cimm's tail wags a little at the praises as he dries mars' cloak out with another cantrip. "it's really handy! saves a lot of time and would save me my precious silks," he laughs. "just hand me anything you need a quick tidying so you can focus on yourself." Mars: He looks down a little at his shirt and was about to start lifting before he uses his brain and catches himself. To say that everything got soaked in blood was an understatement. By the 2nd spray his only thoughts was what a pain this was gonna be to clean up or replace.  But its not like he doesn't have a spare. "M... Maybe later when I can actually hand it off to you." He'll focus back to the rest of him for now and then speaks to Vinny. "I didn't peg you as a teacher for some reason."

Vinny: he watches cimm wag his tail as he glances back at mars "ah? well... you remember cole im sure? she's my ah... apprentice of sorts" he tilts his head in thought "i dont have much experience teaching frankly outside of attempting to with her, but i do enjoy explaining things to others. sometimes i really do end up just naturally rambling on though" Cimmorro: "why wait until later? i don't want that more stains in the caravan" Mars: "What its dried up-" He thinks about tracking mud and dried flaky blood on the caravan and relents. "Well fine here." He at least takes his overshirt off before going back to patting himself. He takes off his eyepatch to give it a rinse in the pond before seeing it somewhat dirtied and taps on it a little. ".... Actually sorry can you clean this one instead? Its a bit more... important, I guess. I worry I can't get all the nooks and crannies." Cimmorro: he does a 'gimme gimme' gesture with his hands while he takes both of his items and gets to work.

Mars: "Ah yes I do remember Cole..." He didn't think she was an apprentice for some reason. "Well magic's not the easiest subject to cover so that makes sense, tangents re bound to happen. I'm sure they're still enjoyable to listen to." Vinny: he nods like yes... yes thats exactly what happens... he then laughs again jokingly as he disrobes somewhat "maybe i can give you one the next time youre bored, right to sleep" Mars: "Hah, maybe you can do it tonight, lull everyone to sleep." He starts wiping his face with the damp cloth. "I wasn't that terrible of a student I'll stay up." hands them le over (to cimm) Vinny: "oh? how long ago did you study?" he glances at him curiously as if he can ascertain what hes learned just by eyeing him hard enough Mars: "Its a been a while ago." He plays off. Bit of an understatement. "I'm a little rusty admittedly, I just go off the old notes my teacher left me with." Cimmorro: cimm cleans them the same manner he did with mars' cloak, it doesn't take too long but he decides to hold onto them for until mars' ready to receive them with a relatively clean person. folding them neatly on his lap while he waits and listens to their conversation. cue jasper crawling up on the folded clothes pile and loafing on it

Vinny: "ahhh, that explains why i havn't really seen you use much of it" he strokes his chin "who was your teacher?" Mars: "Ah she's a bit of a recluse, dunno if you'd have heard of her." Wiping his head bit by bit's been going nowhere, so out of impatience he ducks and dunks his head in and gives it a good scrub. When he resurfaces he's feeling a bit more refreshed. He wipes off the excess before getting back to Vinny. "She goes by Medea." Vinny: watching him dunk vinny leans back a little to not be in the splash range, after the names given he hums to himself "can't say i have no, not surprising though of the types that like the hole up with themselves" he says the second part a little wistfully Cimmorro: cimm's like "yayyy there's the face we know and love ☺️" when mars rinses his face Mars: "Yeah she likes to keep it that way." He ruffles his hair a bit to get the excess water out. "She came to us, and never really the other way around, but she'd show up right as we'd need her." He's gotten used to her weirdness though. He just shakes his head at cimms comment with a slight pout. "Only slightly cleaner than before." Cimmorro: cimm laughs. "maybe you could use a full dip like rokka" Mars: He does look at Rokka a little. "Maybe when the three of you are done here." Vinny: something about mars' description makes vinny feel a tinge of something but he smiles before he can dwell on it "you could always wait for a real bath when we go back to the city?" Cimmorro: "? we don't own the pond"  Mars: ".... It wouldn't have been the longest I've had to gone without a... Anyway. A bath in town is fine." A part of him considers maybe he should start getting used to a lack of privacy again. Cimmorro: "nuh uh. you're not getting in the caravan in that state especially you've gotten yourself wet again... it's lined with velvet!" he gets up and hands the clothes to vinny. "hold it for a sec." starts prestighorjgkekdkfignting mars while they talk Mars: he's also attacked with the (relatively minor) fussing and just goes ow hey watch it but doesnt actually stop him

Glancing at him, Mars determines that his coments about his teacher have probably got the man feeling a little nostalgic.

Mars: He rests a hand on his chin. ".... Well what about you, how was your own teacher...." Vinny: he almost suggests mars could drive out front before he sees cimmorro easily magic the man clean, idly wondering why he didnt do the same for him as opposed to the prolonged scrubbing session. trying to not get embarrassed again thinking about it, he looks at mars to awnser the question "ah..." he thinks for a moment to himself "i had one when i was just a child, they're the one who introduced me to magic. but it wasn't anything strict, more the whims of a family friend" he smiles dimly as he continues "the one who actually taught me proper was my teacher carlyn in shorewater" he glances aside again quietly Mars: fortunately presitigitnation was instantaneous all over him though fending off cimmorro in the first place was the real struggle. Eventually he gets caught in it and is clean before vinny's eyes. "Thank you. Cimmorro." He says through gritted teeth, embarrassed somehow. He clears his throat. That does save him time at least. "The uh... I guess we had similar situations, Medea was also my mother's friend. Its probably because I'm not native to Shorewater but I can't say i've heard of Carlyn." He pauses for a bit before smacking his head. Of course he's never heard of Carlyn. Cimmorro: cimm pats his head before going back to the laundry he passed to vinny and handing it back to mars Mars: -__- takes his clothes back n puts it on a little embarrassed Vinny: he laughs a little more lightheartedly at mars putting his foot in his mouth "he's somewhat of a big name but well, i just hope hes getting some decent rest after that whole debacle back in the city" he smiles at mars again "loved ones like to give us a spark, dont they" he idly mumbles that while handing the laundry back around....

The chatter continues as they wait to see the results of the two deep divers...

----

Notes

Dragon Parts Harvested 🐲🍖

Dragon Head (sans Eyes and Tooth)

Dragon Eye

Dragon Tooth

Dragon Heart

3 Vials of Throat Gland Fluid

Sliced Sections of Liver

Bearskins worth of Dragon Hide

Finn's Torso worth of Dragon Hide

Han's Torso worth of Dragon Hide

Chunks of Meat (for cooking)

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i don’t remember what i have and haven’t posted here, but i’ve been enjoying alcohol markers + color pencils

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MERRY BIRTHMAS JEZ! I hope you have a wonderful day! also please tell Cimm that I love them 🥺

(THANK YOU!!!)

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my valentines secret santa dnd anniversary gift for my beloved and sweet friend jez @noctilin 8) their char is the dragonborn/tiefling drinking love potions by accident and mine is the halfling with the poor unfortunate crush. happy belated valentines day! peace and love!

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recent gifts for my friends :'3 the first was for aki, the second was for poki and tracy, and the third was for jez's birthday.

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still having fun with alcohol markers and color pencils… with the help of some references this time

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valentines exchange gift for my friend gabwielle of our dnd ocs

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i was chips secret valentine this year <3

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Valentines gifts for my friends <3 first is Cimmorro for jez and the second is for jude, a vday exchange with our dnd group!

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happy vday! i drew my scrunklies for it :3

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session 57 & 58 - Blessed Be. Let Us Take Down This Monstrosity!

SESSION 57 - 14/1 + WATCH PSEUDO RP'S

> 🎵  Imps / Rule of Rose OST

We come back to the party settling down for the night. The group all somewhat alert as they ponder the sound and sights they heard coming further north in the distance. Eventually it comes time for sleep, and with it, turns to take watch for the evening. Before sleep Cimmorro makes sure to set up an alarm spell around the caravan.

As the others settle into sleep, Keva and Han sit up to keep an eye out first. Keva stays alert but doesn't pick up much noteworthy from the night, she finds herself somewhat distracted. Han halfway through hears the croaking of a frog that is quite pleasing to the ears, but nothing much else of note pings on her radar.

Han: han usually wouldnt pick first watch, her normal post was in the early mornings, but that hangover is beating her ass and she wants a whole uninterrupted 6 hours of sleep. and sitting with keva isnt the worst……. obviously han wouldnt want to talk enough to distract them, but surely they could make some light conversation……. surely………….. calling out "frog" after 30 minutes of silence and being met with silence though, its kinda crushing hans spirits. "do you… like……. like anything……………………" says han, realizing almost immediately that she shouldve kept her mouth shut Keva: keva's whittling mindlessly away at a stick she found while keeping her eyes on the trees in the distance. she has to do smth with her nervous energy, and if she chews her thumb any more than she has then it may start to bleed. so she's sharpening a stick instead. the scraping pauses when she hears han speak, and she turns to squint at her with a silent 'what' and an audible "why?" Han: han tried to make eye contact but very quickly loses that battle, not even against keva but against herself, and stares at the fire, "so we can… have something to talk about……" progressively getting quieter as the sentence goes on

Han: u know the type of woman thats grown around men and then is thrown into the real world and is weird about it Keva: LMAOOOOOOOOOOO han's like "i thought women be shopping….." Han: WHY ARENT WE SHOPPING KEVA.. Keva: keva why won't you go on a makeover montage with me

Keva: her first instinct is to say 'we don't need to talk,' but… she thinks she could use the distraction. keva also thinks she's made han suffer enough, and for some reason, she still keeps trying. why not throw her a bone. there is a moment of silence before han hears the whittling continue. then keva says, "the stars, i guess." she momentarily searches for the spring constellation with her favorite story, but it's only started to rise and is mostly hidden by the treeline. "and heights." Han: staring into the fire and awaiting a response, feeling like 'ah, well, ggez han, you've had worse conversations, whatevs', han looks away into the forest depths to search for what they're actually here for. her head swivels back as keva replies, surprised for a split second and then interested. she jerks her head in question "whats the tallest place you go" Keva: "most of my hometown is built into mountains, so the top of those, probably" she feels a small pang as she explains. can you miss a place you felt trapped in? perhaps it's the familiarity she misses. she hasn't felt like she's understood a single thing since leaving. Han: getting more excited at being given new information, han changes from a whisper to a softly spoken lower register "oh, really? like, they make holes for wooden houses? into mountain? that sounds cool…" she rambles on quickly "i spent lot of time up in mountains too, i wonder who has been on taller mountain… did you get snow often?" Keva: "no, i'd be dead by now if we did." she's started to carve notches into the stick, still making sure to look up now and then so she's doing her job. "wouldn't know what to do in snow." Han: han looks at keva when she talks, but usually keeps staring into the darkness "woah, really… why dead? was it really hot instead?" then mostly to herself as she considers this "that would probably kill me too" then back again at keva "i dont think i ever been high up the mountain and it not be snowing… have you never seen snow then?" Keva: keva takes a slow inhale thru her mouth and a deep exhale thru her nose before she answers, "didn't really have a lot to keep warm. the weather changes a lot depending on the season, and i worked with what i had." she peers again toward the treeline to look for any changes. "haven't seen snow though. just heard people talk about it."

Han: han stays quiet, studies keva while she whittles, thinking to herself 'doesnt sound like you liked it very much', and wondering if thats something she should keep to herself. what was cimm saying before… something about treating with care….. ugh…. han likes the snow enough, but she probably wouldnt being asked about her Home either… it sounds like keva doesnt either "well, if we ever come across snow, i will show you all the fun stuff you can do with it." she keeps quiet after that, wondering what else she can ask thats in "caring" territory, and if the stuff thats really stuck on her mind is in that category. she fiddles with a shoelace Keva: keva simply says "mm" in acknowledgement Han: han stretches and sits more upright, throwing out all of the caring stuff she was worried about just to ask "what are you doing with the.." she mimes the wittling "the stick?" Keva: she opens her mouth to answer but then just blows out a breath that fills her cheeks before deflating, and shrugs. "nothing really. just trying not to think too hard about that dragon." she looks over her very haphazard work "have you ever seen one?" Han: han hmms "seen… not Actually… i've seen tracks and damage from it." she thinks how to describe it "it felt like any other hungry animal that has giant teeth, desperate for meal. just uh…. about five times bigger" han leans in lower to look closer at kevas face "why, you scared?" Keva: keva does not feel any better after han's attempt at making their situation seem not so bad. "i'm not stupid so yes, i am scared. i generally like to be alive." Han: han nods seriously at this and sits back up "thats good. scared is better than stupid. and pay attention is better than both of those." han smiles at keva, like she said something smart and comforting. "we know kind of where it is, we know where we are, we can leave fast if we get caught at night… what else is there" she shrugs Keva: "how are you so sure we can outrun a dragon? clearly the people who died on this road couldn't. besides, we're actually going after it. we need a plan." Han: han looks stumped "well… i dont know…. i guess because we know its coming?" she thinks some more on the need a plan part "well… my ideal condition would be stake out for two weeks but, you know… our time limit….. we have that book, with all that dragon information, that was very good find" she holds out her palm like shes holding the book right there "we will walk very carefully and slowly, check for tracks…. and if we fail we die a glorious death, i guess" Keva: keva follows along with what han's saying until the last bit, at which she sneers. "what 'glory' is there in dying?" Han: han stares and blinks at keva for a moment, like shes not getting whats happening, until she has a lightbulb moment "oh, sorry, that was joke. there isnt any, its humilation" Keva: she looks relieved hearing han doesn't have any wild ideas of rushing into battle thinking she'll get anything out of dying. there's a pause before she adds, "don't think that's right either. dying is just…dying."

Han: han takes one of the fire sticks and pokes it around the kindling, hoping to get a little more warmth, looking mildly confused at this conversation "doesnt dying keep you from … like…. living? again?" Keva: "i guess that depends on if you believe in reincarnation or not." she tosses in her poorly whittled stick into the fire and stares into it. "i just mean i don't think dying should come with things like glory or humiliation. it's going to happen to all of us, and in the end, you're done. it's the people left behind that have to deal with that comes after." she brings her knees in close and rests her chin in them. "and the person i'd leave behind would be really sad if i died early, especially if it's because i tried to fight a dragon without being prepared." Han: han takes a breath to respond after the reincarnation bit, but holds it after keva keeps on talking. as keva get deeper into her thoughts on death, a sort of .. not turmoil, but a quiet regard comes over han. a feeling akin to when she entered her first proper town washes over her, of a very obvious otherness. like she is being given a sphere to place into a box, and inside that box is nothing but sharp edges. she, dimly, remembers aster's comment about keeping to herself. and, even dimmer, thinks about the last time she has had to deal with exactly what comes after. han lets keva's monologue sit in the air for a bit, mind heavy. she watches the sittled stick keva threw in burn. when the silence begins to edge towards an awkward one, han goes "i do not die. so i will make sure the rest live through this too." a beat "we will prepare better with everyone rested"

Keva: WTF han are you immortal….. Han: IVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND THE PERFECT IMAGE TO RESPOD WTIH AND FAILING (LIKE THIS v)

Keva: for the first time during this convo, keva’s head turns towards han and looks at her with surprise and… well, she isn’t sure if han is being serious or being cocky. “what? what do you mean you ‘don’t die’?” Han: han looks back, almost bored "i wont. if i die, they will…" whatever the admission is, it sends a chill down her spine, and she rubs at her face "i dont know. they cant have me, so i cant risk dying. so i wont die. thats all" Keva: the surprise turns into smth not quite like disdain but borders on it, like ‘you can’t actually believe that, can you?’ “‘they’? what, the gods?” Han: han rubs her forehead, getting more uncomfortable by the second. she breathes a quiet but heavy sigh "look, remember when you got very very mad at me for asking about orin, before you knew his deal? and i said, if its ever relevant, i will do explain my history?" she looks back up at keva, her face withering and pleading "its not relevant" Keva: for a moment, keva’s expression, eyes squinted and mouth slightly agape, doesn’t budge other than to blink, trying to figure out what the fuck is going on. what has han gotten herself into? and does she really think she can escape death if she just tries hard enough? but when the moment passes, she just closes her mouth and turns back away silently, deciding to not continue to conversation. her pinched brow line suggests she’s probably still thinking about it though.

Han: han looks away from keva, shifting nervously, recognizing when shes being judged, not really knowing how to save this conversation, or keva's perception of her. she doesnt wanna talk about this further, she has reason not to, but man, is this awkward. maybe they should just be silent……….. its just so awkward……… and theres other things she actually did want to ask and not this…………. "if i explain more, could i ask you about something else?" Keva: keva, having gone back to watching the trees, only sighs before replying, “i’m not going to make you tell me anything bc it’s clearly not my business. say whatever you want.” Han: han grimaces a little and mutters "not when you think im insane…." Keva: "i already thought you were insane before. what's a little more going to do, kill you?"<- dry joke Han: han pouts at her sadly Keva: keva tsks, a little exasperated by the kicked puppy look han is giving her. "stop looking at me like that, explain if you want or don't, i don't care!" Han: "then i wont! fuck you!" she sticks her tongue childishly Keva: “okay!” she says with her hands turned out. (jesus christ equivalent here). she tucks her arms back over her knees and rests her head on them. everyone is so fucking difficult!

Han: han just huffs and puts an elbow on her knee and face in hand, looking out at the forest again with newfound interest, wondering why shes so agitated about this. its not like she hasnt been in this exact awkward situation before, stuck on nigthwatch with someone she cant find a language with. she cant even tell if she can still ask keva anything after all that cringe.after they cool off for a couple minutes, han prods again with a hey and a "what do you think happens when you die?" Keva: she shrugs limply and doesn’t seem like she’s going to say more before piping up, “people growing up said your soul went to your god, and the godless go to wee jas.” she doesn’t lift her head, so her chin pushes against her arms as she talks. Han: han nods in assent and perks up a bit at the mention of a god she has actually heard of before "that one cimm follows? i didnt think she is so popular…" i guess she is the god of death or something… then she turns back to keva "ye, but what do you think" Keva: “the same, i guess? cimmorro didn’t leave me dead long enough to find out.” she stares at the fire. “an afterlife would be nice” is all she says after. she’d like to see everyone again, at least before they go off and forget each other to start anew. if the reincarnation thing is real, anyway. she doesn't bother to return the question since han apparently doesn't plan on dying. she turns her head a bit, to the opposite side of han with her cheek pressed against her knees now. the fatigue setting in makes her voice creak a bit. "having to try so hard to survive gets exhausting. i'd like to just be for a while before… i don't know, i disappear forever or do it all over again." Han: han gulps, concern colouring her face as she turns to look at keva, trying to remember when cimm had to revive her like that….. she might be unsure of her own capability to die, but seeing others drop like puppets with cut strings… the gut drop and numbness never goes away. seeing that keva isnt looking at her, han decides to keep watching and just… study her for a moment longer. shes does seem so…. haggard. and small. not just her body but the way she holds herself. han twindles her thumbs, suddenly feeling guilty at keeping her attention, even if they are on watch. she nods at keva words before remembering keva's not looking, and meekly goes "yeah..", not knowing how to add on 'i suppose i hope the same for you too' without sounding like she wants kevas death or something. Keva: han gets a small muffled "thanks, i guess" back. keva reaches for the dragon book, which she has kept near her, and opens it up to study the diagram of the cobalt dragon again as if she might glean something new. "not that i'm ready to find out just yet."

After a time the two head back inside the caravan to wake the next three up for watch, Mars, Cimmoro and Vinny.

Mars: Mars isn't exactly a heavy sleeper so the moment Han and Keva head back to the camp for their turn to sleep, he's already in the process of waking up. And by the time Han rouses them he's giving himself a quick stretch before getting up to where Cimmorro and Vinny are to check if they also got woken up by that, or to wake them up if they haven't. He heads over to Vinny first and gives him a tap on his shoulder. "Hey its our turn now c'mon." He says. Vinny: though he knows he's meant to wake up soon after laying down earlier for watch, vinny is a relentlessly heavy sleeper no matter the situation. when he feels someone poke his shoulder he stirs and mumbles a little under his breath before rolling over in their direction. he thinks to reply but finds he's already starting to doze off again... so many sounds in the room right now... zzz..... Mars: "..." He can't say he's surprised, so he decides to amp it up a notch and this time grabs Vinny's shoulder. "Vil, mate, wake up." Vinny: as hes wobbled about he opens his eyes open blearily, head still on the pillow. he takes a few seconds to register his surroundings before blinking quickly. "hmm.. oh, right right..!" he pats one of his hands over mars on his shoulder briefly to assure him he's actually waking up this time, almost aiming off and patting his arm instead. he moves to sit up with a yawn, rubbing his eyes while feeling around for his glasses and grabbing a jacket Mars: Satisfied that Vinny's woken up, he gets up and turns to wake Cimmorro up in the same manner, a quick shoulder poke. Cimmorro: despite being a light sleeper himself, cimmorro truthfully found himself spoilt by the weeks of restful nights in the airship (apart from one) and even before that in the shorewater. he makes a face in his sleep and groans, turning to his side with his back facing mars. "five more minutes, ma" he protests. it is jasper who wakes with her head poking out of cimm's shoulder where he's holding her. Mars: His stride taking abilities aren't even close to being tested but he does squint and leans over closer with a very slight frown. "Do I look like your ma, Cimm, wake up." He shakes a little harder this time around. He turns to Jasper with a look that says 'Do you see this shit Jasper.' Cimmorro: with the help of  jasper's sand paper licks on his face, the persistent voice that he now realizes does not belong to his mother eventually rouses him awake. he rubs at his eyes and squints to get a good look at his waker, then his head falls back onto the pillow and sighs when he realizes that it's mars. "if you grew your hair out, you could resemble her a bit," he jokes with a yawn. Mars: "Been a long time since I had long hair so I doubt that'll happen anytime soon." He settles on, pushing himself up and waiting nearby Cimmorro and turning back to check in on Vinny.

Vinny: mumbling a little to himself still groggy vinny shuffles around the bed after sliding through the sleeves of his jacket. as if getting an idea he reaches over towards his suitcase, searching inside briefly before puling out a small book and placing it inside one of his jacket pockets, yawning silently again he finally stands. Mars: Mars just shuffles out the way to make things easier (WHY DID I THINK THEY WERE OUTSIDE I FORGOT ABOUT THE CAR) Han: the minivan...)

Cimmorro: cimm tries to envision how that looks in his head while he tightens his robes around him again. "hm, I'd like to see it one day," he comments. not hearing vinny at all since he woke, he decides to peek at him below from the top bunk greeting with a "wakey wakey--" only to be interrupted with an almost violent collision on his forehead from vinny standing at the same time earning a surprised and pained yelp from him as he brings both of his hands to the now sore spot. Vinny: taken by surprise he yelps in unison with cimmorro as he falls backwards onto his bunk again, scrambling with his arm as he brings another up to rub his forehead. he hisses as he scrunches his eyes shut his glasses now askew, making a face like hes just licked a lemon as he tries to hold back any louder noises, he stage whispers upwards to cimmorro "s-sorry...ow....." Cimmorro: "augghhh, i thought you were still asleep..." he replies in a hush as he works his way down the bunk bed, landing with a small hop in front of vinny before turning to him again. "that woke both of us up at least," he snorts with a slight wince as he still rubs on his own head. "didn't break anything, did you?" Vinny: he makes a face as he tries to shake the residual pain off, blinking at cimmorro hopping down to the floor "n-no..." he adjusts his glasses again after "luckily these are in tact, hopefully we don't start seeing bruises grow on our foreheads..." he dusts himself off a little as he wobbles upright again looking to mars and then slightly away as if somewhat embarrassed Mars: "You two survive waking up?" He asks quietly as he fails to be respectful, he's trying very hard not to find this a little bit amusing. Cimmorro: "nothing I can't fix. just say the word I'll kiss it all better 😗" he starts walking out the caravan, passing by mars with a "yes, yes. thanks for all your help" with a light pat on the other's cheek as he steps ahead and stretches, observing how the campsite looks after the girls have finished their shift. seems uneventful, and he deems this a good thing. hopefully the rest of their night stays like so. Mars: He just scratches the cheek where Cimm held with a skeptical look before wordlessly following him outside Vinny: he blinks and shakes his head with a stunted sigh as cimm walks out, its too early (late) for him to process a reply. he heads out after mars and takes a seat somewhere outside close to a light source idly as he shakes the rest of his grogginess off Han: han watching this bc shes not going to sleep until she sees them up and awake: 😕

The three begin their watch as they head outside. Mars keeps an eye and ear out but finds hes still adjusting to only having one of the former in the dark, nothing of note pops out to him. Feeling a little more alert than before, Cimmorro scans around. Though he doesn't pick up much until a small time into it, something rustles in the bushes nearby, with a squint he notes it just looks like a few wild rodents however, nearly startling him. Off in the sky Silva surveys the area for Mars, off in the distance he thinks she catches sight of the same large silhouette skulking amongst the treeline, much more quiet this time, before it disappears.

Cimmorro: cimm takes a brief moment to check on the horses before settling down on a spot near the campfire, yawning as he sits. he blinks at the other two. "Soooooooooooooooo...." Mars: "So...... What.... exactly?" Vinny: vinny glances over from his spot by the fire and tilts his head Cimmorro: do they just plan to sit here in silence for 2 hours? he shrugs in front of them. "anyone wanna share an embarrassing story before i doze off like this?" Vinny: his face pinches like hes holding back a laugh "thats the first topic that came to mind, is it?" he shuffles around in his jacket again now that hes settled "well i brought a book..." Mars: "Don't be silly, if you doze off I'll just wake you up again." Mars says as he takes a seat and sends Silva off to go look around. Cimmorro: he pouts at vinny. "i thought we were supposed to be keeping watch and not diving into pages..." he gives mars a slight stink eye though and huffs. "I'm using my precious beauty sleep for this, the least you could do is entertain me a little!" Vinny: he laughs a little "well i hadn't intended on reading it all that much, if you get drowsy later ill start reciting it loudly to the two of you" he thinks to himself amused as he looks out at the landscape Cimmorro: it earns a smirk from him. "sounds interesting, maybe if you perform well the drake might even join for story time. save us the trouble of looking for it."

Mars: "Alright, alright you raise a point....... must it be embarrassing though? Vil could just recite whatever he's reading." What exactly is vinny reading actually. Cimmorro: "not really, but it would be funny- fine, hmph, I'm open to suggestions" he playfully presents poise akin to a king on his throne. Mars: He starts floundering. "Uh- I- Well, I got- Well actually I got nothing." He grimaces. Cimmorro:

Vinny: he makes a face as if now reconsidering the idea "w-well lets hope we dont call it over actually..." he only just now registers the nickname from mars and smiles at his floundering "we should have brought cards..." Cimmorro: "keva has some but she looked cranky enough as it is... so let's not..." he smiles wryly. "what book did you get anyway? did you get it from shopping earlier?" Vinny: vinny thinks as he brings a hand to his chin "it was, i was mostly trawling for er... romance fluff to pass the time, but i found a relatively cheap tome i hadn't read before, though what i saw made it sound..." he tries to look as if hes not being judgy but he is "well, e-entertaining at least?" Mars: "Entertaining....? You don't sound that certain." Mars picks up rather easily. Cimmorro: "for someone who runs a business you sure are bad at selling this to us. read a paragraph for us then" Vinny: "well... i don't like to pass judgement before finishing something" he glances at cimmorro and snorts "i'm not sure id try to sell it, the prose is a little too meandering and flowery... and the character motivations seem to change from chapter to chapter right now... its a little sloppy, especially the main characters inner voice" his voice gets clearer as he critiques the work semi-seriously going to pull the book out of his jacket Cimmorro: cimm is just like, i guess it's book club time now ! Mars: FAILING to sneak in a peek of the book's title he just opts to ask Vinny instead. "What's it called?" Vinny: he glances down as he pulls it out "ah.. the miscreant next door" Cimmorro: "hm... sounds scandalous... oh my... 🫢 "

Mars: his mrm commenter is coming out Cimmorro: stop i wa sliterlaly going to joke abt this Vinny: fudanshi and proud #pride

Vinny: he waves a hand from side to side as if taking the statement seriously "not really, i think its er... a pure hearted story but its quite contrived... the romance is hardly compelling at this point" Mars: "I'll be level with you, the title makes it sound like a mystery novel." Vinny: he strokes his chin as he considers that "d-does it..? Hmm.." Mars: "Well it certainly doesn't evoke romance. Sounds like a crime report about a miscreant next door." Cimmorro: "i can see that. though if the reason you picked it up isn't even compelling, why keep reading...?" Vinny: he finds himself amused by the interpretation "well.. i cant say i dont see the logic there" before turning to cimm, he slowly sets the book down in his lap "w-well, i've already read all the other tomes ive brought along with me..." he pauses serious again as he stares into the middle distance "and it was cheap......"

Vinny:

Cimmorro: HWLSMWLWMWPWLDLWPKCV I GAGGED

Cimmorro: the delay in Vinny's reaction makes him laugh. "do you wanna read one of the tomes i got? it's not romance, but magic textiles." Vinny: he looks over again a curious glint in his eyes "oh? now that sounds interesting" Cimmorro: "doesn't it? 😏" he feels a pang of accomplishment getting vinny's interest. "maybe you could add enchanted robes to your shelves one day!" Vinny: he smiles "i'd been considering something along those lines for the future, actually! learning something more long term and permanent, to have alongside my temporary enchantment services..." he tilts his head "so many teachers to chose from in that regard though, and i got a little sidetracked attempting more permanent ones on armours with cole.." he briefly reminisces on the explosions at the store in the back of his mind Mars: Mars kinda comes back from his wall staring. "? You sold armors? (> theres no walls here king.. metaphorical walls) Vinny: "i do not... but we were experimenting with adding some in the future" he tilts his head "the room you stayed sometimes, the big set of armour in the corner was almost purely for that" he laughs a little dryly Cimmorro: "I'll be your first customer 😌☝️ but on a more serious note, i don't think i ever asked, but what kind of enchantments do you provide anyway?" Mars: "Oh, really?? Must've missed it." He scratches the back of his head. Vinny: "well, we didn't experiment with it much when you were there, that might have been a safety hazard.." he scratches the back awkwardly before turning to Cimmorro "i'm not sure if my sewing can live up to what you usually wear but we'll certainly try, and ahh,... its nothing too complex, making things a little sturdier in regards to armour or weapons a little easier to swing" (this means +1 to ac or attack rolls lol) Cimmorro: cimm seeing the stat blocks:

Mars: "That sounds convenient..." He seems a little interested. Cimmorro: as Vinny explains his services, he nods like 'aaa.. naruhodo, ne....' and continues to watch the exchange between the two. "actually that makes for a good topic. why don't you tell me what's the history between you two? :3" Vinny: "i can only hold one at a time so its limited, but i have had glowing reviews..." he tilts his head at the question from cimm "oh hmm, nothing too historic really, we'd only met about a month ago. he was pleasant company when he was around though" Mars: "Its really nothing sordid, Ezra found me and took me back to Vil's shop every now and then after they let me out of the clinic." He adds simply. Vinny: he points a finger in the air to follow up "and we had tea!" Cimmorro: "oh it was that recent? you almost sounded like live-in partners until--- wait," he pauses to process the timeline in his mind "a MONTH ago? that was.... you were staying there this whole time?!" he emphasizes on his surprise as he turns wide eyed to Mars: He was about to tilt his head at the live-in partners bit until Cimm brought up the time frame. "Well not the whole time, and I wasn't exactly lucid for all of it." He pats around his pockets to look for his notebook but starts recounting before he even finds it. "Half the time I was just out of town, I just got my travel plans delayed by the lockdown and the eye. Thing." Vinny: he blinks wide eyed at the first comment "y-you.. l-live in partners...?" he stares at mars after as if to gauge if they really do seem that familiar with one another a little dumbfounded Mars: He looks back at Vinny like he also doesn't know what he's on about.

Cimmorro: "he does call you a nickname I've not heard from anyone else either so 🧐?" the turns to mars again. "man, here i considered on calling you over as a +1 for the ball but thought you'd already found your way out of shorewater!" Mars: He laughs a little at that. "Its fine, Ezra and I found our own things to do that evening. I doubt I would have been good company at the time anyway." Vinny: he rubs his chin thoughtfully, growing embarrassed "w-well... i think that's just a quirk of our friend here... and i already g-go by a nickname really" at the comment about ezra he glances back at mars to derail the track his minds on right now "i think i recall hearing he made you drink" Mars: The fact that he's been calling him something different doesn't even register to him, it was just that natural. "... I could call you Vinny if you preferred, Vil. I mean- Vinny." He clears his throat. "And yes." He leaves it at that. "... I was losing pretty badly." He mumbles the last part out. Vinny: he waves a hand through the air as if to dismiss the notion flustered "n-no no, dont worry, feel free! i-i didnt really mind it" though watching him admit the second part makes him crack a smile "i've never beaten him at cards myself truthfully, so im not too surprised he swept you. he's got a funny prideful streak about that... not that i think he'd admit it" he thinks to himself that their contrast is amusing Mars: Speaking of not admitting things he doesn't try to show too much how much of a relief it is that he can just keep calling Vinny Vil, but his face soon turns sour. "He kept beating me all the way to Shar Yun, I'm sure his pride's impervious at this point." Vinny: he puts a fist to his mouth to hold back a laugh he nearly let out before responding "he's not as good at dice games if that makes you feel any better? Mars: He seems like he's seriously considering it, arms crossed and with one raised to tap on his shoulder in thought. ".... I'll pick up some in Antessa." He begrudgingly resolves himself to. Vinny: vinny gives him a cheery smile as he finds himself amused by how affected he actually was by losing at cards "maybe we can windowshop and find you a lucky pair" Mars: "Not that I know how to play dice either... whatever that entails."

Cimmorro: "perhaps have a cleric of norebo bless them for good measure as well," he suggests. "we could use more games to have on the road, honestly... antessa's still a long way." he wilts a little remembering the trek. Mars: "We're headed to Coralwash aren't we? Could pick some stuff up along the way, have you show us around town.' Cimmorro: "yeah, i definitely will..." his gaze kinda trails off to the trees along with his thoughts before he blinks back. "i need to stock up some food for jasper anyways... this is hoping we make it there in one piece after all." anime sweat drop Vinny: he glances in the same direction as cimmorro and tries to fight the oncoming dread that runs down his back "well, l-lets hope our preparations will be enough to handle all that... after how eventful our road trip has been so far im sure it'll work out... in some way!" Cimmorro: he seems to huff out a small laugh. "this party may be a mess but... you're right, we manage to see things through." he waves a hand as if to dismiss the tense air. "we're going to have to get rid of that thing one way or another! how else are you gonna get home with it in the way!" 😤 Vinny: he smiles at the upbeat response and pumps his fist little, at the last comment he blinks "oh, thats quite true i hadn't actually thought about that..." <- guy who teleportation circles too much Mars: "Well if you're headed back to Shorewater to Antessa you could go the other way and bypass the dragon all together." Long ass world round journey though. Cimmorro: "through vargonia? he's a wizard with quite a knack for attracting danger..." to cimm, that's worrying, to say the least. and he would easily feel responsible if something happened to this man after plucking him out of his store Vinny: he makes a face like he wants to voice a little disagreement but finds no basis for himself in his mind right now

Mars: "Yes well, he's not going alone there right??? He's coming with?" Us??? on this trip ??? Cimmorro: "oh. no, well, vinny isn't joining us for antessa... unless he does want to ride the ship in vargonia instead?" he looks at him like blinking cat Vinny: he thinks to himself as he considers the additional weeks of time that would add "that seems like quite the detour..." Cimmorro: "it is... it ensures you not getting swept up by dragon like a hawk to a mouse though" Mars: "Oh- Wait, he isn't?" <- Clueless Cimmorro: "yeah, I didn't get to explain but he's only to join us in coralwash before he heads back" Vinny: he furrows his brow "i will consider it... in the event we do not deal with it on the way..." he turns to mars and adds on "if all goes to plan i'll be saying goodbye to you shortly in fact" Cimmorro: "time flutters too fast!" he fakes a little wail. Vinny: he gives cimm a rueful smile "i have to agree with you there" Mars: He looks between Vinny and Cimmorro a little bit shocked. "Ah- Well, I suppose I would have found out when we got there." He remarks  Seems he needs to be more proactive about finding out this group's agenda.

Cimmorro: cimm laughs apologetically. "sorry, things just kinda happen quickly. vinny came here on my request. he'll be making his last stop at my temple," he shares as he lights his pipe. "he possibly has something to help ulle. that and he could really use a break. i miss you (Vinny) already! sob sob sob!" he whines before taking a drag and puffs. "though i did want to ask, can i send you letters? since I'll be going around, i thought it'd be fun to send you spells i find that you don't have yet!" Vinny: "yes its been quite a hectic series of events the past month.." at cimm's whining though he gives him a genuine and warm smile and pats him on the back "well, if it makes you feel better i feel quite the same. i imagine the trek back will be quite lonely after this" he leans away with his head on one his hand before blinking surprised and grinning at the prospect of mail "of course! it sounds like a fun way to enrich your studies too. i appreciate any bright spots in the coming days of whatever berryls' got planned for me" Mars: "Ahhh Coralwash does sound pleasant." Mars glances over to his side to look at Vinny and likens the trip to a doctor's visit. "Will you be staying there for a while then?" To, yknow, maybe study it and shit. Vinny: he turns back to Mars after "well, i'd like to stay a few days at the very least... the rest of you will have to go soon enough but spending a week there does sound nice..." hes daydreaming to himself a little about it now Cimmorro: cimm grins brightly at vinny letting him pipe bomb his mail. "I'll be sure to pester you in letter form then, lest you pine for me too much." idly swaying side to side as the conversation goes. "if you're staying for that long, you could stay in the temple if you want. I'll let my sisters know. gives you less to worry about"

Vinny: he makes another surprised face "o-oh, if that's all right with them... i wouldn't want to impose on a church" Cimmorro: "you're my guest, and a scholar at that. I'm sure they'd appreciate having you around for a while" he says care-freely Vinny: he bows his head a little in cimmorro's direction thankfully "w-well... i'll be sure to be on my best behaviour while im there! my thanks to your family in advance" he fusses a little with his clothes Mars: "A vacation's always nice." Mars muses idly. That being said he can't really imagine what anyone does in one tho and leaves it at that. Vinny: he turns back to mars with a furrowed smile "that they are, i haven't had one in years.. and suspect this will be the last i have in a while" Mars: "Aha... hm..." Can't say he can't relate tho. His last vacation was him getting hospitalized. Shit Vinny's still talking to him. "That's rough, you got a hard job lined up after Coralwash?" He adds. Vinny: he glances at mars again with a somewhat pained face "well... more so that i think my ah... employer is going to tighten their chain on me once i return..." he tries to not look too downcast about it as he goes on "what i get for being so involved in things i suppose" Mars: "Huh, no wiggling out of it then? Like, an employment contract term to break kinda thing?" Vinny we need to get you a union lawyer dude. Vinny: he rubs a thumb between his brows as he makes a noncommittal noise "n-no... well nothing so above board anyway" Mars: "Agh.. hm... Well... there's always the hard way." Mars says somewhat gravely. Cimmorro: cimm going like this

Vinny: his face goes a little pale at the immediate suggestion before he laughs dryly "i dont quite know if i feel like taking on a such powerful organisation myself at the moment, but i'll think about it… Cimmorro: "i know a thing or two about erm... disposing bodies. so.... i'm just saying..." his tone clearly a jest but he also isn't lying! he smiles innocently all the same Mars: "Well you wouldn't be alone at least. At least one Jasidan priest and one merc are willing to help, so two more than what you started with." SILVER LININGS, FIND THEM. NOW!!!!!!!!!!! Vinny: he's somewhat heartened by the two pledging their immediate support, even if he's struggling to jump to the murder solution as easily as they have. even if he expected it from cimmorro he appreciates hearing it, and from mars he's more surprised than anything how quickly he backs him up, he scratches the back of his head somewhat embarrassed "w-well, thank you... i'll keep that in mind. let's not try and engage in any political destabilisation if we don't have to though, perhaps an er- more discrete method for the future..." Mars: "Oop-" Mars clears his throat as he settled down and leans back. "Right- Yeah, well, maybe they'd let you file a complaint first." He's only half serious. Cimmorro: cimm only makes a 'mmm' sound as the topic of berryl hits a wall once more. "from the sounds of it you'd would have to raise the case to the grimoire. is there be anyone else above berryl's position in power?" he holds a thoughtful gaze towards nothing in particular before his joking tone rises the next second and adds, "a wife perhaps?" Mars: Mars just coughs as he's going for a quick drink.

Vinny: https://vxtwitter.com/PkRhythm12/status/1661516681053876225 whos vinny cimm mars, the last ones the dragon Han: KLADGOIT;LR32QEADRWA;KK4W3;KL;LKJAWR3EFDS Mars: MY WATER YOU FUCKIGNEOIGUHEJGKMO;ELWG Han: chip i hope the dragons human form is that, also mars cimm vinny dragon Vinny: tysm for the vital imput

Vinny: he laughs a little at his realisation under his breath before looking at cimmorro thinking to himself "the accord is its own free functioning group, even as a part of the grimoire. unless the other members had reason to do something they aren't too useful, and this is a personal matter its not even like he's breaking magical law..." he coughs a little as if to imply something before moving on "-and it would also be my word against his..." he sighs to himself "even the local monarchy in his area often struggles with him over things..." he shakes his head as he eyes cimmorro again deadpan "you're quite fond of that wife joke, arent you?" Cimmorro: his expression just wilts more and more as vinny explains. he expected this would be the probable outcome but it's still frustrating. "well if you don't want us to sock the guy... what can he hold against you if you decide to just run away and disappear off map though?" Mars: None of this registered right within Mars and he's now left wondering if Vinny's married or not and starts scanning him for signs of any sort of lifelong partnerships and bonds that he knows. Vinny: he laughs dryly again as he stares off into the distance "that's an idea i often like to fantasize about... though i'd have to go somewhere i couldn't be scryed..." he continues mumbling under his breath as if he's strangly thought the idea through before finishing with "but... i'd have already done it if didnt feel like i was leaving my family to the dogs..." he looks like he might say something else but feels a little exposed revealing much more in front of mars Mars: "Well there's - I've heard of an artifact once, stops you from being divined." He adds to the first bit. He was waiting patiently for Vinny to continue with where he trailed off, but backs off a bit when Vinny hesitates a little, unsure if he's going to continue or not. But He gets the idea there's something about his family that's being threatened by the accords.

Cimmorro: "yeah i was wondering if you could set or find anything like that, or another thing that could cancel out the effect... do you have a marking for scrying? cause i have one as our lady's karuth... but i suppose wizards are just freaks who just scry whoever they want to without a branding." he defeatedly sighs a puff of smoke. "your family travels a lot though, no? what leads would he have?" Mars: "Yeah I know a guy who's hard to scry, couldn't find her when you need her, just shows up whenever the hell she pleases, something like that maybe." Vinny: he glances over taking in mars' suggestion with a glint in his eye before looking back at Cimmorro "no, nothing special like that, though..." he gestures with an arm through the air "usually you wouldn't be able to notice someone scrying on you, but all accord members can tell when another one is scrying on them immediately. that's the only real benefit i have there" regarding his family he makes a conflicted face "they travel but its all around the same general area... they wouldn't be hard to track down if you knew what you were looking for..." Mars: He just tilts his head a little. "That sounds a little... Odd?" It feels wrong but he can't exactly nail why. Cimmorro: cimm frowns at the conundrum with his family but at the scrying he hmms and goes "now that you mention it... what's up with that actually? and is it only for in-house scrying or do people outside of the accord also get detected if they scryed on members?" Vinny: he scratches his chin "it's not very typical no..." he looks over at Cimmorro "if any member scrys on another member, it doesn't activate if you scry on outsiders. i assume its to keep members from getting any ideas about spying on each other." he thinks again "i think its a part of the initial contract we sign, i assumed it was enchanted in some manner, though its not really a stipulation i have much of an issue with myself" Cimmorro: he looks at him with a hint of disdain "you think...? as in, you didn't know what you signed?" hmm sounds familiar !

Vinny: he shakes his head quickly feeling like hes being called a bit of an idiot again "n-no! i knew the clause was there, i just couldn't tell at the time if the contract was the thing that gave me the ability..." Mars: "I can see the privacy merit." He can't deny spying is exactly his first thought when it comes to scrying. He rests one hand on his chin but begins tapping on the log (THAT I ASSUME THEY'RE SITTING ON) with the other, inability to shut up eventually winning out. "It does come across as... What's a nicer word.... overbearing?" He settles on. Cimmorro: "fair enough. unclear contracts are not foreign to me anyhow... still, i have to agree with mars. funny how they set this up to prevent spying yet here you are worrying about being spied on if you decide to hop over the wall" Vinny: he puts his forehead in his hand as he considers this, scrunching his eyes a little "yes... w-well i see now that it probably also serves as an intimidation tactic for him... augh..." Cimmorro: cimm smiles woefully, unable to hide his pity. "does scrying tell you of one's whereabouts though? it only shows you a glimpse of the persons surroundings not coordinates right?" Vinny: he continues to hold his head in his hand scrunching his eyes shut "t-that's true...." Cimmorro: "that solves the scrying problem at least, just flip him off then enter a dark room until it's over 👍" he jokes lightly. "the issue about your family's safety still stands though... what does he want from you to pull of such a heinous act, i wonder." Mars: "Maintaining that barrier sure, labour from someone that's got something to threaten is a surefire way to make them do it cheap, and for things not above board but-" Mars pfts as he shrugs and shakes his head. "All that hassle for one- No offense Vil- wizard seems overkill." He does look at Vinny with some scrutiny, unless there's something specifically about Vinny..... But he's just a silly guy who explodes armours and lets a one eyed guy crash on his couch. as far as he's aware. Cimmorro: cimm nods in agreement

Vinny: he laughs a little again as he's hunched over at that before sitting up again smiling sadly at mars "the effort is beyond me, though who knows if I'm not just one of many he's conned like this. Even if i tried and there were no consequences and it was all just threats... i just... couldn't risk it.." he folds his hands in his lap and looks down Cimmorro: "it truly is puzzling. i don't understand why he needs to go such lengths if he just wanted people under his wing." he taps the mouthpiece of his pipe on his own chin in thought. "his organization is quite big and popular as people make it sound like. surely a lot of mages are dying to be a part of it..." Mars: "Exactly that, unless every mage on his 'payroll' is under the same coercion scheme." as Vinny suggested, he might not be the only one. Vinny: he nods his head "they are, i sure know i was, but they're prestigious because they dont accept everyone, just the ones they deem er... 'promising'" he makes a dreary face at mars as you say so Mars: "I'd like to see all of Beryl's prestigious talent pool go on vacation all at once see what happens to the damn thing...." He mumbles quietly. The more they talk about the accords the more mars thinks this whole thing's starting to smell a lil like bull. Cimmorro: another long sigh comes out of him. "maybe he's just having a power trip and we're overthinking all this. which then we go back to resolving it with um. socking the guy." Mars: "Hah, maybe." He's never been very good at putting himself in the shoes of anyone like Beryl.

Vinny: his smile perks up again at the digs mars keeps giving the man before he smirks quietly to himself indulging in the beautiful fantasy cimmorro put in his mind "well, if you ever hatch a master plan for taking him down feel free to involve me..." he rests his chin in his hands again as he looks out at the trees nearby Cimmorro: "you'd be the star of the stage, after all. you have to be there when it happens." talking about this always leaves cimm in a bit of a downtrodden mood, but somehow motivated all the same. what the fuck is going on at the accord... he can't help but be curious, vinny's safety aside. Vinny: he smiles as he pats cimm across the shoulder with his other hand "you're crafting a lovely image right now i have to say" before he sits up again trying to cast the gloominess off himself Cimmorro: cimm rolls his eyes at the shoulder pat vinny seems to have grown a habit on doing to him more often. he doesn't hate it though. "i have to say, the possibility of a dragon is scarier than a egotripping wizard. so if we deal with this, i'm sure we can figure that guy out." # believe it. in further attempt to lighten up the mood he goes, "so let's keep our wits about with us, hm? hm?" he presses vinny's cheeks with a hand, forcing his lips into a duck beak. Vinny: he finds himself about to reply until his face is manhandled, he startles and scrunches his eyes before attempting to whack cimmorro's hand away "-ack, s-stop!" as they settle again he huffs a weary sigh to himself rubbing his mouth.

The three idle away the rest of their watch time listening to him Vinny read excerpts of the 'not great' book to lighten the mood from previous topics and the looming dragon. Vinny gets particularly amused at a passage that completely contradicts a previous plot point in the chapter 'the miscreant shouldn't even know where the key to the boudoir is...hehe haha...'

After a time the night settles in on him again however and he begins dozing off next to the other two, his head drooping. After a few minutes it lands softly on Cimmorro's shoulder as he falls asleep in earnest sitting up, the fire keeping him quite cosy with his glasses askew once more.

Cimmorro: cimm had already noticed him growing quieter and dozing off on his own and had already told him to just to go bed if he needs to. he and mars can keep watch mighty fine but vinny was stubborn enough to stay. and now they find themselves here, in this situation. a familiar one to the one not to long ago. "of course," is all that leaves him as he lets out a pouty exhale. he adjuts the way he sits so it doesn't strain the both of them at least (how this works, don't ask me) and pulls vinny's glasses off so he doesn't break it somehow while sleeping. he glances to where Mars is and softly snorts. "think you can princess carry him back into the caravan?" Mars: He takes a moment to assess the situation, glancing around blatantly between Vinny and Cimm and tries his best to not seen amused by the whole thing. "I dunno he looks rather comfortable there already to me?" He states. He's not exactly the best at schooling his expression so the signs of amusement easily slip out of him in the form of barely contained laughter. He does at least begin moving to get Vinny back in the caravan. Cimmorro: cimm raises a brow at mars, amused at the other's own amusement of the situation. "well, no need to rush, he's quite good at keeping me warm right now," he smiles innocently. "besides, he just dozed off, he'll probably melt from his own embarrassment if he woke up with you hoisting him. and then he'll never get any sleep again. what will we do if our wizard is restless for a drake hunt.... oh no..."

Mars: He finally lets out one quick laugh, still quiet, but still one. "Hah, true, though it won't do him any good to have a crick in his neck." While he's already up though, Mars decides dig through for his pack to see if he has something he can while away the last few bits of watch they have on. He's being kept abreast of the situation already, so long as someone keeps an eye on that he's at least not not confident about their ability to scram at a moment's notice. While rummaging around though he manages to find something that he's managed to keep with him. He always keeps most of his documents with him, mostly out of messiness but he's somewhat grateful now that he has the time to sort them out. He quickly leafs though a bunch of papers, job postings, expenses, notes, but chances upon a set of letters he didn't expect to find. "Huh-" He notes somewhat interested, a letter he was supposed to send to Cimm. "Oh hey I found-" He immediately pauses as he takes the letter out and realises its unsealed and exactly why its unsealed. "Uh." He just freezes up and hopes Cimm did not hear any of that. Cimmorro: "a sore neck i can cure, no problem. but a sleepless and spell-battery-drained wizard? well, there's only so much i can do, as perfect as i am," he grins humorously and continues to watch the trees ahead of them. the short and quiet pause was somehow pleasant, despite the circumstances. the shuffling noise from mars' rummaging makes up for asmr. unfortunately for mars, cimm has a perception of +8 so he does happen to hear him speak up amidst the musing. he tilts his head to where the other is, as best as he can while he has a tenant on his shoulder and goes "hm? what is it?" Mars: "Well its- I don't know if I should-." He knows by now the more he speaks the more Cimm can dig around, so the less is spoken the better. With both cimm's +8 perception and the fact that he isn't actually all that far away, Cimm sees him stuffing an envelope into a pack. "Actually I'm shutting up-"

Cimmorro: "what?" he blinks confused. "are you a divine sinner?" genuinely, what was he bumbling about that got him looking nervous? it was then he notices the letter but that doesn't leave him any less confused. "mars," he says, direct and accompanied with a pointed stare. at this point mars is familiar that this is his way of telling him to stop beating around the bush. Mars: Weighing the pros and cons very quickly he notices very few pros aside from him coming off a little rude but otherwise harmless. And all the cons of having an awkward tense thing going on with the one guy that he knows a bit more well than the others on this trip. Not that he isn't used to being quiet and alone in a group traveling scenario, he just happens to actually consider Cimm to be at least something akin to a friend, a totally not at all roundabout way of admitting Cimm is a friend. "Alright, alright quit glowering. Just- Bah, its just messy."

He walks over with his own two feet and hands the envelope over to cimmorro and addressed to the Jasidan temple in Coralwash. Aside from the fact that its unsealed, it looks like a normal envelope.

Cimmorro: he eyes him as he extends his arm to hand the envelope over, eventually plucking it out of his hands. he only scans the outside before he grins. "awww for me? you were just shy..." he coos. "but why is it open?" Mars: "It wasn't... Well I didn't know if I should send it." He scratches the back of his head. "I had the passing thought I ought to give it to you before we reached Coralwash, but then I realised I haven't even finished it." He thinks a little bit more "You're free to read it, there's no use hiding that now. Unfinished as it is, it was meant for you." Cimmorro: "wh... why shouldn't you? i told you to write to me! come on..." he tries his best to keep his voice hush, but there's still a sting of betrayal in his tone. "well, it got to me. that's what matters." he tries to shrug but it made a strained feeling due to the weight on his shoulders. so he carefully moves vinny down to lay on his lap instead before unfolding the letter from the envelope. "anyways, don't mind if i do....~"

By all accounts its a normal looking letter though the further the letter gets read the more clear it is why Mars hesitated showing it in the first place, that being said its his own fault for bringing it up.

Cimmorro, You spoke at length about Coralwash, and it never occurred to me how closeby it was to feasible the trip was. Regretably I don't know when if It would be nice to, perhaps, visit your town and have you take in the sights, surprisingly I don't see the ocean all that often despite the proximity. It would be nice to see Jasper considering  how avidly you adored her. Unfortunately I don't HHHHH Scheduling troubles By the time you get this letter, I have no earthly clue where the hells you'd be I may have already returned home and decided to pass by Coralwash. I'll write to you again of how the visit was, if I met any of your sisters or drowned NO, ate anything you recommended, or The letter remains unfinished, though there seems to be some kind of checklist at the bottom. p.s: stationary. envelope. Graphite. Rewrite.

Cimmorro: while he idly combs vinny's hair with his fingers (something he's grown a habit of doing while reading because of jasper,) a smile on cimm's face slowly grows wider as he reads on, having a laugh here and there especially near the end. once he's done, he puts the letter down and studies mars where he stands. he takes a moment to think of what to say. instinctively, he wants to tease him for it. but the fact that it is a 'mess' made it so heartwarming for him. it's sincere and he appreciates it that way. tonight, he decides to go easy on him. "don't you know how to swim?" an honest question, but there's still some playfulness behind it as he still finds the line funny. Mars: At a glance Mars seems to be doing his best to keep his emabrassment in but under the microscope his mouth is too tense, his posture too stiff and gaze too avoidant. He was fully expecting some form of disappointment from Cimm about how he actually didn't intend to visit at all, but either that wasn't conveyed or something else caught his eye, the swimming question of all thing caught him off guard and released some kind of tension he didn't know he had. "What? Yes. No. Maybe?" He turns back to Cimm, pausing to consider at each word. He scratches his head. "I don't know, never really done it, I'd probably do alright in a pinch, but I wouldn't immediately think its 'fun'." Cimmorro: the response makes cimm bark a laugh. "'never really done it' means no, you don't know how to." Mars: He slowly eases up a bit more, though does take a glance at Vinny after that. Still passed out (Insyallah). "Then no, I don't know how to." He figures he'd probably figure it out though. If he has to.

Cimmorro: "it's too bad we're not staying long, i'd have given you swimming lessons! it's quite important, especially for you. you like to get on boats every now and then... geez" he shakes his head in disbelief. "but i can show you around for sure. and i'll be keeping this, thank you~" he chimes as he slips the letter into his sleeve. Mars: "Ackh-" He's getting flashbacks of that time the guild receptionist in Bakaldor took his unfinished work application. Much like that time, its too late now. "So be it, just treat me to a meal for it." He jokes about. He was about to sit down until he looks at how comfy Vinny is and decides to sit on the ground near the two instead, back leaning on the log. Cimmorro: he nods and watches mars lean more comfortably with a snort. "don't go sleeping on me too now" Mars: "Or what? You'll pet my hair too?" He laughs as he leans his head back, at ease. "I'll be fine. Just tell me more about stuff to do in Coralwash." Cimmorro: "hmmmm, i might. so best keep one eye open if you don't want me to." he was about to put some serious thought in answering the following request but decides against it and smiles instead. "you'll see for yourself when we get there." Mars: He rolls his one good eye. "Alright then, leave some mystery around." He says as he keeps watch in comfy silence for the rest of their time together.

After a while Mars starts to note its starting to be the end of their turn on watch and it'd probably be good to inform the next pair of the figure in the distance. (Aqua note: I DIDNT FORGET ABOUT THE DRAGON) He looks over to Cimmorro and Vinny.

Mars: "So... How are we gonna turn in with Vil like this...?" He asks not yet realising he's supposed to carry him Cimmorro: "you could try shaking him awake but? well, i've been shifting him around and he doesn't seem to budge so...." says the guy who's starting to lose blood on his legs where vinny lays. Mars: Mars makes a concentrated effort this time. Cimmorro: cimm stops his hand. "just carry him 😩 " Mars: "What-" He thinks a little bit more. Some internal decision must've been reached and Mars just resolves himself to do so. "Alright, alright."

Mars crouches down and picks up Vinny princess tyle, despite his height and weight a man has never felt so light to Mars, its like picking up a bird. He flicks his head at Cimmorro to gesture to the caravan as the two walk in, intent on waking Psalm and Finn for their next watch, unbeknownst to them however the two have already awoken.

Psalm: Psalm rouses from a shorter than usual, but not wholly inefficient rest. He lucked out with a middlish watch he supposes, although it's hard to get sleep knowing there's a likelihood of being attacked by a fucking dragon of all things at any moment. In any case, he should probably go see if Finn is up so they can go relieve the others of their watch duty. Slightly groggy, he stumbles his way around the caravan in search of Finn's coffin. He doesn't really know for sure if the other man rests within, for all Psalm knows he could be out doing god knows what in the forest, but he knocks gently on it all the same. Finn: finn hasnt really been able to nap, but its nothing out of the ordinary considering his strange sleep schedule. honestly, he was prepared to keep watch the whole night alone, so to see everyone volunteering was……strange. finn thinks it must be because they would feel bad toward his uncle if they made him do it alone. to pass the time, hes been entertaining himself in his head by planning ahead for the time he'll be spending with psalm. hes more excited for it than he'd like to admit. having been on bad terms with psalm for so long had really been a downer. finn was so excited to talk about his engagement! and love in general!… and just talking to psalm at all. it was embarassing, really. but finn didnt have the time to contemplate his desperation, finally having heard those knocks on his coffin. he forces his eyes shut and doesnt respond…… psalm will find the coffin unlocked and he can raise the lid if he so wishes. Psalm: The coffin doesn't stir even a little… which must mean that Finn is outside somewhere? Maybe he's talking with Mars and Cimmoro, although the likilhood of that… is actually quite high despite the latter's distaste for the vampire. Although he'd rather not get involved, to keep the other two waiting on him would be selfish. He raps gently on the coffin with his fingers lost in thought for a bit about where Finn might be, before getting up, stretching, and heading outside.

Finn: finn is all giddy inside his coffin, so much so that he cant stop smiling from ear to ear. any moment now, psalm will lift it and find before him a sleeping beauty! he will gently wake finn, leaning over him illuminated by the moonlight and finn will slowly flutter his lashes and act surprised but have all the time in the world to take the sight of psalm like that in to savor…except it… doesnt happen? its all taking way too long. not that finn minds fleshing this fantasy out but… when he clearly hears psalm leaving, finn rushes to lift his lid with great urgency and in a whiny voice he says loud enough for psalm to hear "w-where are you going psalm!!" usually finn wouldnt bother 'running' after someone like this, but waiting for psalm to go outside and come back would take too long…even worse if he got caught up in a conversation with those two wretched baseborn curs. the thought of them stealing psalm away from him made finns cold dead blood boil. not even his beloved vinny would be allowed to do that tonight… psalm belonged to finn right now. Psalm: Psalm, right at the exit to the caravan, startles a bit when Finn calls out to him. He turns around. Maybe he hadn't knocked loud enough? "Oh, I didn't realise you were in there Finn. I tried knocking but I supposeyour coffin is more sturdy than I expected." He walks back over to the coffin, "What do you mean where am I going anyhow, it's our turn for the watch isn't it?" Finn: finn frowns for a second before his expression takes on more that of a kicked puppy. he doesnt make an effort to get up quite yet, sitting in his coffin for the moment "why didnt you try looking inside at least?.. you were just going to leave me here!" finn then holds his hand out to psalm, clearly expecting to be pulled up. this part at least should go according to plan…….he hopes. Psalm: "That seems like an unwarranted breach of privacy." Psalm raises an eyebrow, discerning. "Did you want me to look inside?" Psalm uses all of his 9 str to take Finn by the hand and help him out of the coffin, although why Finn expects him to do this… are all nobles like this?

Finn: finn merely nods and uncaring about psalms 9 str lets himself be pulled up. he steps out of his coffin and waits for psalm to let go of his hand first before he does "i suppose that kind of consideration speaks for your favourable disposition" he plays with a strand of hair and says the next part very casually "but you can look, i dont mind" as if finn didnt just drop that he then begins to make way for outside Psalm: "I would think anyone with a hint of decency would think twice about it, but who's to say really." Psalm follows after Finn, not really sure what to respond. He's starting to just realise Finn likes messing with him, so it's water off a ducks back really. "I'll keep that in mind for tomorrow's watch, provided we're not all roommates in a dragon's belly." Finn: "well" finn huffs "we are traveling with the worlds most uncivilized, unpleasant, indecent, disrespectful hooligans - in case you forgot! the bar is quite low!" at psalms latter comment finn realizes theyd get to keep watch together again? something he didnt think of, somehow. he assumed theyd re-elect the order each night, in case people got bored of each other…or didnt like each other. if finn got anyone other than psalm, he wouldve pushed for such a thing for sure. but he doesnt want to let psalm know hes this behind.

As the two make to walk out the other three walk inside, Vinny continues to drool away in Mars hold as they exchange brief greetings, the other two eyeing the man in Mars' arms. Mars warns the two of them in the meantime of the figure in the distance he saw.

Psalm: psalm has no comment beyond "if vinny were awake he'd probably be red like a tomato" Finn: finn cringes at the sight. no one should be allowed to handle vinny like that except for himself!… and perhaps cimmorro, as much as finn doesnt like the idea he cant deny that those two have a somewhat intimate relationship and itd be wrong to refuse vinny his own chosen friends. finn hates that mars has the audacity to touch vinny like that, to hold him, when he hasnt earned it. that aside, normally finn would insist on taking over from mars but since hes with psalm right now he cant. the man he dedicates his night to shalt have his priority. finn will remember this as another reason to resent mars for.

After speaking they pass one another and the three head back towards the room with the beds, though after a few moments Vinny begins to stir in Mars' hold.

Vinny: lifting his head from mars' shoulder he blinks awake blearily, awoken by mars walking or talking he cant quite tell. after he glances up the man groggily he stares for a few moments blankly before recognition dawns on him, though only of who he's staring at. not fully awake he asks, confused about his proximity "...mars?" Mars: Oops, not that any of his pros and cons weighing mattered, vinny woke up anyway. "Go back to sleep." He just says as he (unintentionally) glares down. Vinny: he furrows his brows a little scared of mars' ominous expression in the dark, almost ignoring his words as he starts looking around worried before realising where exactly he is. after a few more seconds he blinks as his face grows red and he starts tapping the arms holding him up somewhat frantically and whispers "why are you...!? er- t-that's quite alright..! you can put me down!" Mars: He just lets him down easily LMAO, hands raised and spread upwards like 'See not touching anymore.' Cimmorro: cimm's just laughing from behind them. "we didn't wanna disturb you. you were sleeping like a baby." Vinny: he shuffles to the ground as attempts to not trip over his feet accidentally, trying to not make any further direct eye contact with the man, as cimm speaks up his face gets even redder "w-well... t-thank you?" he says the last part almost like a question, barely sure of his own words. he thinks idly to himself that well at least it was only these two that saw him like that before turning around to ready for sleep again, moving a little more quickly than normal as he tries to ignore them

Mars: Mars just tilts his head in confusion as he waits for Vinny to climb in so he can head to the nearest open bed.  "Well, night you two." He says with a tired wave. Cimmorro: cimm gets on the top bunk and says "maybe we should get an earlier time for you next time." Vinny: he mumbles back a 'goodnight' to mars before glancing upwards, though he cant see cimm "the airship might have spoiled me a little as well..." CImmorro: he snickers lightheartedly. "nighty night you two" Mars: Mars just mumbles a quick night, exhaustion he didn't know he had seeping as he waves the two off and turns around. Vinny: vinny does his best to dispell his lingering embarrassment as he focuses very intently on falling asleep again "goodnight..."

As the three head to sleep, Finn and Psalm settle themselves outside for an evening on watch.

Finn: when finn and psalm finally have the space to themselves, finn plops down and kicks his legs a little, looking to psalm to see if he will sit with finn or not Psalm: Psalm rolls his eyes, "There's worse out there." But that's all he says, not really wanting to get into it. He goes and checks up on the horses as they get outside (after exchanging whatever necessary greetings with the other three), and then does in fact sit with Finn, as there is literally no reason not to. Hes still a bit sleep, honestly, not usually quick to become alert after waking up, but he does his best to not appear so. Finn: "soooooo," finn starts and tries and fails to hide his smile "while we wait for this dragon to come and eat us, lets talk about love!" he practically beams "there were quite a few things youve said that left me wondering about you, you know" finn gestures vaguely like an anime character "i mean i know you said youre not interested in romance right now and i assume its mostly because of…" finn gestures at his head "…but have you ever actually been in love? any past scars that prevent you from opening your heart again?" finn dramatically hugs himself and feigns hurt, then squints at psalm through his lashes to suss out anything he may leave unspoken Psalm: Psalm narrows his eyes, immediately suspicious of Finn's intentions. Still, he does enjoy this topic of conversation… "I can't think of a better thing to discuss while we wait around for our impending doom." Psalm shrugs. "It's not just Ghester anyways, I have a lot going on." He gestures vaguely, "even right now I'm in another content sorting out cults and hunting dragons. I don't see how I could possibly have the time for romance." Psalm wonders briefly if it's worth bringing up at all, but he supposes Finn did tell him about his weird fiance situation even if it was against his will kind of. "I've been in love before, just once." That's all he says.

Finn: finn nods and keeps his eyes trained on psalm as he talks, even if he finds his answers to be incredibly boring and largely uninteresting. it is that part of psalm thats unwilling to rebel against the circumstances that finn finds so appalling… finn is traveling and also rather busy but he'd make it work if he was in love…….well. orins not here right now but still. if he were here- finns train of thought is interrupted when psalm finally says something that truly gets his attention. subconciously finn leans foward with big eyes "just once? how long ago was it? with who? do you still talk to them?" Psalm: he leans back. "Yes, just once. Not that long ago honestly…? A few years ago we just decided being friends was better." Psalm ponders the date for a while, he remembers the exact moment, of course, but decides Finn doesnt need to know that. "We still talk, I sent him a letter a while back actually while we were still in Shorewater but as of right now I still haven't gotten a response." Which is concerning to say the least, especially with the information he'd been granted by his patron. But he tries not to let his concern show on his face. "He's probably just busy." Psalm shrugs in a way he hopes comes off as nonchalantly. Maybe he shouldn't talk about this after all. Finn: finn doesnt let it show but as soon as psalm mentions a 'he', disgust wells up in him…..sure, psalm and this mystery guy have decided to be friends but thats still a man thats potential competition. well, even if psalm had been in love with a woman or otherwise before finn wouldntve been happy about it, but at least he wouldnt have to fight to be the better man. he tries not to ponder it as hard right now. "if you had sent me a letter, i wouldve responded even if i were busy" finn rolls his eyes and gestures with one hand "actually…" finn looks at psalm and fails to elaborate. he wants to ask more about psalms past but that would require moving away from romance as a topic…its a difficult pick. "i dont think i know why youre here. at all. why are you even a vengaboy" finn blinks, almost as if he wasnt sure he just said what he said

Psalm: Psalm blinks at Finn once and then starts laughing. "Thanks? But dont worry about it, he's not the type to ignore me so I imagine he's indisposed, given his line of work it isn't unusual." There's a genuine smile on his face as Psalm thinks about his friend. He can't help it. At Finn's question Psalm crosses his arms. How can he put this. Business as usual he supooses. "Due to…" he pauses. "…circumstances I had to leave my home town for a while. I ended up in Shorewater by chance, took Vinny's posting to find his cats since I needed money, and then ended up getting stuck with everyone else here. Truly a testament to my luck that a job finding a cat leads to chasing cult activity half way across the globe I suppose." Finn: finn just squints at psalm the whole time….he was a bit dense, but psalms incredibly obvious evasiveness wasnt lost on him. maybe he could use this to his advantage though… "what line of work does your friend happen to be in? i just cannot think of anything so arduous it would prevent one from writing a meager little letter" he gestures dismissively with his wrist "also pray tell, what is your friend called? it is a little tiring to simply call him 'he'… and a bit rude too" finn doesnt even bother trying to unpack psalms 'circumstances' rn because he knows that will be a much tougher shell to crack Psalm: "Youre right. My apologies.He's a swordsman by the name of Basil. He mostly does bodyguard work last I checked. A bit more official than what I'm up to right now keeping an eye on you for your Uncle though." Psalm jokes. "But he has to travel around the continent fairly often, and I figure it can get pretty dangerous considering the types he has to guard so… I'd be happy to hear from him even if it is meager." Finn: finns eye briefly twitches. great. its a man and a swordsman. his engagement to orin had to work out. regardless finn brings himself to smile a little bit "mm.. thats what i think too. anyone would be glad to hear even meager news from someone with this profession. i understand now why hes not responding to you" he rolls 'the types he has to guard' around in his mind "sounds like hes escorting noblemen or some such?" an inquisitive glance

Psalm: Psalm wonders if Finn's eye just now was a trick of the light, but decides to leave it alone. "I'm sure he's fine though. He's pretty capable, for what it's worth when we were children it was always him bailing the two of us out of trouble…" Psalm crosses his arms. "Probably? When we, er- worked together in the same group, we usually opted for different jobs. Different talents you see. And he liked to keep his jobs a secret from me because he's a bit of an asshole like that honestly. I didn't see very much of him during that time either honestly." Psalm considers that bit of information for a bit before mumbling to himself, "Maybe the distance is why it didn't work out…" he sounds like he's having a revelation… Finn: finn thinks hard about this for a moment…different talents…but all hes seen psalm do is fight and bail him out of terrible social situations. so he's not sure what psalms other talents are "distance is the adversary to all love…" finn whispers dramatically and clutches at his chest "but to be frank with you psalm, i dont know what your non-combat talents are aside from getting your foot stuck in your mouth" he winces a bit at the memories coming back to him "and while i wouldnt consider you a great fighter, maybe youll earn just enough experience from traveling with the vengaboys to close that distance between your professions" finn looks away after saying that, unsure if its okay for him to be helping the enemy "if you wanted to, that is" he adds after a moment Psalm: "I suppose it is," is all he says to that. But he sniffs, fake offended. "I can be a capable talker when I need to be. Basil is far too excitable and honest, so it was up to me to lie when we needed to lie. But I suppose in casual conversation that is quite a different story…" Psalm crosses his arms, "I don't think I'm all that great either, but we should spar one of these days and measure our distance. Although I think I'd probably have a rough time of it." He smiles though. "I can't say I want that, I do enjoy having him act out being my knight in shining armor," he snorts. This is mostly a joke.

Finn: finn is not entirely sure whether psalm is joking or not, but the man just openly talked about being a liar for a living (<- finns understanding of it) which wasnt surprising, but still "and is all that lying what led to your leaving home due to… circumstances?" finn tries to mimick psalms tone and a bit of the pauses he used earlier to weasel his way out of an answer Psalm: "No, funnily enough. Quite the opposite really. I just figured it was time to be honest with myself and switch careers rather than stay somewhere that was honestly pretty shitty." He sighs. "If only Basil would do the same, but maybe he's better off this way." He waves his hand vaguely. Psalm recognises that Finn is mimicking him by the way, and just makes up his face. Finn: something about psalm saying all that threatens finns mood to drop. he'd rather psalm was a liar who got swindled and cheated and beaten and bruised all the way to shorewater but no, the man is simply starting with a clean slate. something finn wishes so desperately he could do but he doesnt see himself ever getting there. ruminating on this makes finn take a good long moment before he responds. hes not sure if he wants a third emotionally charged conversation today though so he thinks of a way to bring them back on track. "better off or not, lets cut to the chase psalm… theres something important you left out all this time and its really distracting me from what should be your riveting tale of self discovery" finn folds his hands in front of his face (around his mouth and nose like sasuke) and then he gives psalm a sharp glance "is basil handsome?" he did need to know. he's surprised its not the first thing hes asked actually… hes off his game!

Psalm: Psalm waits patiently for whatever Finn is thinking about for so long to wrap up in his head, although he's a bit curious. Ultimately he decides that their measly night time watch is probably not the best time to question it, so he accepts the following question easily. He can't say he wasn't expecting it… but this type of thing doesn't make him embarassed in the least. "Yes, in a boyish rogue kind of way, if I had to describe it… He's a bit shorter than me if that helps you picture him." Finn: finn crosses his arms and taps at his arm with a finger impatiently while psalm briefly describes basil. when hes done, finn frowns at him and gets a bit snappy (in a playful oujo-sama way) "not at all! youve barely told me anything! not what kind of hair he has, what his face is like, if he has" he uncrosses his arms to gesture at his biceps "if hes well built, what kind of fashion he adorns himself with! you didnt tell me what you like best about him, what stands out most about him! you could also tell me if hes a tiefling like you or not…tsk" he raises his nose and looks down on psalm expectantly Psalm: "Alright, fair." Psalm frowns a bit, hesitant to give more details though. He's not sure he'd like it if Basil was out there in the world talking about him to strangers, but he supposes he needs to get over his need for secrecy when it comes to some things at least. Describing him to Finn won't put him in harms way if they were to ever meet…probably? He does a poor job from hiding his hesitancy though. Not that Basil would care much, but it was Psalm's job to care about this between the two. "I don't see why this is necessary, but he has curly midlength hair, a round face. I don't think I've ever seen him not smiling also, so my complete opposite in every regard." Psalm gestures at his straight, dark hair that just kind of sticks out everywhere at his neck. "I don't think he cares too much about his appearance or fashion if I'm honest, but he's of a fairly average build. Really I'm not sure where he gets his strength from. And he's blue. A blue tiefling." Psalm ponders this next line of questioning… "As for what I like about him… I don't know how to express that in words so I won't bother. I guess he's a good friend..?" Psalm says, although even that he has to wonder about a bit. It is lacking in its simplicity, but it feels awkward sitting here describing him

Finn: finn wonders if psalm is taking so long because finn is forcing him to talk about his former lover in great detail like that…. finn can be lenient in this case and he patiently waits, since its his fault its a bit awkward. although he wants to tell psalm to be proud of his attraction and cast aside his hesitation even if it happens to be to someone average or even ugly. as psalm elaborates on basils appearance finn nods along and thinks, trying to fit all the information together like puzzle pieces "now, was that so hard? i have a much better idea of your friend now" finn chooses to not comment on what psalm likes best about basil, thats for him to treasure and for no one to question "but" finn says and smirks, leaning forward ever so slightly "he doesnt sound nearly as handsome as you, even though he should be. id love to make a fair comparison some time though" finn leaves psalms personal space and sighs, greatly enjoying their conversation again. he then peers at psalm "you know, you haven't really asked me anything all night. as much as i appreciate and enjoy having a free pass to interrogate and pester you, i have to wonder if youre content just sitting on your own curiosity…" he very clearly wants to be asked anything at all Psalm: "Well if he were to ever show up I'd probably have to wonder just a little bit what he's doing this side of the world, but he did travel quite a bit. Although there's no need to compare us, I think he's far more attractive than me. Maybe my own bias." Psalm shrugs. Compliments from Finn about his own appearance are now becoming something hes getting used to, is this a bad sign?"And true… I wasn't quite expecting to be put in the hot seat all of a sudden. Although, I'm not sure what it is I could even ask you. You clearly have your whole.. engagement (he says this word quietly) sorted out. I suppose that in itself answers the questions you first asked me. Orin knows about your vampirism, right?"

Finn: "oh but there is a great need to compare you! one must always assess their position…" finn trails off. it was also very important for his own entertainment and enjoyment. if basil was hotter than psalm, he'd have to change plans and go for him also! at psalms rather blunt disinterest finn plummets a little, pouting. "of course orin knows! he accepts me wholly…" finn closes his eyes and digs up from the recesses of his mind when orin found out.. how warm that felt although it was something so detestable to show to him. "but i cant believe youre not letting me gush about him! hes my fiance to be and you dont even care what i like about him…" he very obviously feigns crocodile tears, mimicking that junko enoshima mushroom sprite. hes getting used to psalm not living up to his expectations, not taking as much offense to it as he used to "but go ahead… ask me about vampirism…." the first time he appeared before the group was with orin, and he had been a bat then… psalm mustve been so transfixed on finns beauty that he forgot it even happened, finn thinks. so he can count it as a good thing. Psalm: "Position…right." Suspicious… "You're free to do so if you wish, by all means I'd love to hear more about Orin." Psalm means this too, admittedly he's been curious about the man ever since his brief conversation with Keva about him. "It would be wrong to say I don't care actually, considering the more I learn about you the more I'm surprised." Finn: finn blinks up at psalm with sparkly eyes at the final comment "reaaally?" he leans in a bit again, batting his eyelashes "how come? tell me more, you must!" the prospect of gushing about orin is as good as forgotten at the possibility of being showered in praise and compliments.

Psalm: The switch up gives Psalm whiplash, but he squashes the urge to protest. Sorry Keva, he thinks. He'll have to try thinking of a way to bring this conversation back around to Orin somehow. Psalm had honestly not meant anything too extraordinary by what he'd said either, but he gets the feeling Finn will be disappointed if he says as much. Although now is as good a time as any to work on his honesty. "I mean you're pretty eccentric? Although who in this group isn't…" Well, not him. Probably. But still. "I feel Ive made it seem worse than it sounds. I just feel like you care about things I wouldn't expect you to. Like romance. And there's nothing I intend to ask you about your vampirism at the moment. You don't seem particularly enthused about the topic so there's no need." Finn: finns eyebrows shoot up in shock and he grasps at his chest again "how come you wouldntve expect me to care about romance? romance is the most important thing in anyones life! it is the very height to strive for and to experience, to indulge and partake in! to be ravaged and destroyed by!" he raises a hand up to the sky like an actor in a play, caught up in his musings about the topic "to not care about romance is to give up on life- no, happiness itself!" he then looks at psalm again with a smile on his face "it is a strange assumption to make about me.. do be assured about my vested interest in the topic once more" he then blinks as if he seems to realize "ah, i wont apologize for professing my passion, but i did get us off track im afraid… not that there was much of a track… but if my personal affairs are so clear cut and unmysterious to you, we can always talk about stories of love instead v__v" a few weeks ago, he actually wouldve blown up at psalm for his lack of enthusiastic interest… strange how conventional attractiveness can change your feelings over time!

Psalm: Psalm blinks once at Finn's speech before speaking. "Yeah actually maybe the dramatics make sense. I was thinking it was too down to earth for the likes of you, but I realise I was going about it the wrong way. I forget you do things your own way.. arguably the best way to do them even. I respect the intensity. Agree even, although I'm not sure I'll ever experience a love as earth-shattering as you've described." Psalm then, realising his error, tries to backtrack a bit. "I think I've given you the wrong idea. It's quite the opposite really. Nothing about you is clear cut, and I find your condition anything but unmysterious. I simply didn't want to be too nosy. However," recalling Finn giving him permission to open up his coffin,"it seems that you want me to be more interested so I'll bite. I've no more stories to tell anyways, unless you want to share some before I begin my interview." Finn: finn did expect psalm to be moved at least a little bit by his speech, if he is a true lover of romance, but this was more than he bargained for and it makes him feel giddy all over, blushing a little. the words 'I forget you do things your own way.. arguably the best way to do them even.' especially wash warmly over finn. a smalll smile tugs at the corners of his mouth. he visibly relaxes and regards psalm with a kind look in his eyes "i cannot fully fault you for your caution, given that im quite peculiar with who wishes to involve themself with me… but i favour boldness over caution and i believe ive made it more than clear that i quite favour you.. even now, when you offend, i cannot help but be more lenient with you" he smiles more now despite being a bit annoyed at said leniency he bestows upon psalm so often now "so by all means, be bold and go ahead" Psalm: Psalm like have I done anything offensive…? But that will probably get him in trouble so he keeps his mouth shut on the matter. The reaction to his statement isn't what he expected either, but the day he predicts how Finn will react to something is the day hell freezes over. He decides to just take the extended olive branch instead, rather than fuck up somehow by saying something silly like asking why Finn even seems to like him so much to begin with. "Alright, then any love stories before Orin you feel like sharing?" He'll get to the vampirism in a moment.

Finn: finns face contorts a bit, a bit like the face they make in soul eater when excalibur is mentioned. he opens his mouth and closes it a bit, he seems to be struggling to come up with an answer "n-not really…" he avoids looking at psalm "ive never been in love before, you see…" he closes his eyes and collects himself, composure quickly regained "so this is an exciting development for me… my precious first love is unfolding as we speak!…" he hugs himself dramatically again and hopes thats enough Psalm: Curious reaction, although the reason becomes clear in a moment. Psalm takes a moment to register this in his mind. He'd kind of expected it. He wonders what the hell is going to happen when they see Orin again. Should he stop this, if not for Finn's sake but Orin's? But to be honest, why should he care? For all he knows Orin is just as crazy, although he didn't really get that impression. Oh well. "I see." Is all he says. Psalm pats his shoulder, genuinely at a loss, although that doesn't show on his face. "I look forward to seeing how it unfolds." He does not think about this any further than that, for the moment. "I'll just dive right in and ask, and forgive me for my idiotic question, but have you ever bitten anyone? I assume that was what you were up to that time with the cultist back in Theyord's lair."

Finn: finn briefly wonders if he should bring his real first love, sasuke, up…but he doesnt know if psalm would understand manga well enough to be initiated into its workings… although, he supposes, its not much different from pining after a character in a normal book. but still… their bond is just not at a level where he can share this yet. at the comforting pat on the shoulder hes able to relax again… although something about the pat seems off in a way he cant put a finger on. oh well, physical contact with psalm is physical contact with psalm! he mumbles out a "me too" at the unfolding love statement. finn blinks at the question about biting people, especially the cultist. he did order psalm to be bold and he is at a level with the man where he does not take offense to the question. olsts average tasting blood comes to mind again and finn thoughtfully assumes a thinking pose "it was indeed so… an unexpected turn of events for me, i should add" he studies psalm "tell me what you think though psalm… have i bitten more people before?" hes keen to figure out which answer will put psalm at ease here Psalm: Unfortunately for Finn, he doesn't know that Psalm is a well versed patron of all kinds of literature… including Naruto (Ino is his fave.) Psalm wonders if it was really unexpected or if Finn was inexplicably trying to seduce the cultist but doesn't say all of that. It's the kind of thing he's starting to realise Finn would do, but it's neither here nor there at the end of the day. Psalm himself assumes a thoughtful pose, tapping once or twice on his thigh with his fingers as he thinks of a "right" answer. "I can't imagine Theyord's basement would be the ideal opportunity to test something like that out for the first time, so I assume it's something you're at least a little practiced with."

Finn: finns smile now carries a tinge of bitterness but it isnt directed at psalm specifically. "correct" he confirms and unassumes his thinking pose "of course ive bitten people before, ive been a vampire for a long time after all" not once does he take his eyes off psalm as he says this, studying his expression constantly "but it is something i reserve for survival" and an intensity seeps into his gaze "or for love" expecting psalm to understand without trouble as usual. if hes a romantic he should get it, finn thinks. he wonders to himself if he should elaborate more, he kind of would like to, but he thinks he must look pretty cool right now and that he ended his explanation on a cool note so he opts not to for now. Psalm: (Psalm has the same enthusiasm about this topic as Laius did when asking Marcille what it felt like to be attacked by the man eating plant in dungeon meshi chapter 2) "I see…!" Psalm nods thoughtfully. "How long exactly? Feel free to ignore that if you don't want me finding out you're secretly an old man." Psalm doesn't really mind Finn staring holes into him, because he's arguably doing the same, enthused although displaying the same nonchalance he usually does. "Survival I can understand, romance also. I feel that's the kind of thing that would be intimate if reserved for a partner." He gets it Finn: finn feigns bashfulness, hugging himself dramatically and looking away from psalm, his voice raised in pitch as he speaks "oh how dare you! trying to get me to admit my age! i assure you im no fossil…" he returns to looking psalm in the eyes but briefly ponders how much he truly wants to share with him about this. his speaking voice returns to normal too as he scoots closer to psalm and in an act of rash stupidity, he rests his head on psalms shoulder "do you mind?" he still tries to look from this perspective even if its entirely useless. usually finn wouldnt bother asking for permission like this, especially not after psalm went out of his way to touch finns shoulder which clearly meant something, and one could argue he shouldve asked before breaching psalms personal space if he was going to ask anyway, but considering how skittish psalm can become when it comes to intimacy he figures he might try to treat him a little more with care. lest he scares him off.

Psalm: "Damn, you found me out," Psalm says, monotone. At Finn's actions Psalm just raises an eyebrow. "No? But I mean if you're still tired or something you can go sneak a nap in your coffin. Not like our watch is much longer." Finn: "not at all" finn says and gets more comfortable at that, scooting a little closer so their shoulders bump together "you seem rather excitable about my condition, so i wont bore you with any distractions" he angles his head a little so that he can look at psalms throat as he speaks. hes tempted to make some kind of joke about letting a vampire this close (although itd really annoy him if anyone else did it) but he supposes psalm just trusts him that much. or doesnt care. or maybe he would want to experience being bitten? not that he'd do it unprompted but psalm is someone he would most likely drink from. but he halts his thoughts, its subtle but finn would like to hear that enthusiasm return to psalms voice. "make no mistake, my reason for my restraint is not as noble as you might be assuming right now. it is one of my only un-noble traits, really. there is a grave difference in taste between the scraps i starve myself on and the blood of a person" finn snakes his arms around psalms shoulders "were you aware of that?"

Plum: i havent been reading so i have no idea how they got to this point to be honest Vinny: like always with finn at the drop of a dime. psalm got laid last night he cant forget about ike sorry finn Finn: JWHDOZNSHELXMSHWODNSHWKDNX he didnt tell me that! Keva: i'm seeing other poeple Psalm: i think finn would kill him. honestly i think the only way psalm would get out of that situation unshanked is if he said the sex was bad Finn: WHEEZE

Psalm: "Well I mean it's not often you meet a real life vampire." And you seem kind of offended when I don't take interest Psalm thinks to himself. He's watching Finn carefully though, squinting. " Honestly, that seems like it makes sense to me. I can't imagine rat blood being more appetising than a human's. But, restraint with what exactly…?" Finn: "theoretically it should be though, right? blood is blood after all. at least thats what i expected all the way back then" he smiles bitterly to himself. it was a lie to say he expected it, he had deluded himself into hoping for it. but thats a detail that can be safely omitted. he tightens his hold subconsciously a little. "silly psalm… my restraint for why i dont drink from people of course!" he laughs quietly "there is nothing stopping me from finding an unfortunate, willing soul whenever i please - with the exception of these backwaters here maybe - and enjoy the finer taste im entitled to. but i told you i reserve that for special circumstances. i dont need you to wager a guess as to why that is, feel free to think on it however you'd like, except i simply cannot have you think me kind and noble and pure and good for not doing it. you must not consider me kind for my restraint." he hides his face away, nuzzling it into the fabric of psalms shirt, trying to feel his warmth through it. finns answer must be a bit incoherent but he doesnt mind as long as psalm accepts the cruelty of his heart.

Vinny: im crazy im not normal jsyk psalm [cuddles with you] Finn: good summary Keva: at this point every response from jude feels like a casey frey video where like, i have to experience it in chunks bc i get so mortified i have to look away for a bit

Psalm: "Well not that fantasy novels are any indication of reality, but there must be some reason they always seem to imply people taste the best." Psalm wonders if Finn is feeling alright. Surely he doesn't get cold ? "Not that I really understand your logic but sure, if that's what you want it's neither here nor there to me." He takes Finn by the shoulders and pushes him back a bit (as much as he can maneuver), eyes wide in a kind of concerned alarm and goes "Are you feeling cold by the way? I know I'm warmer than the average person but we can sit closer to the fire if you want." Finn: finn is startled when psalm pushes him back, stomach dropping at the immediate fear of being unwanted and unwelcome. its kind of refreshing to see some emotion on his face though since it turns out to be out of concern for him, which finn always enjoys. finn wonders if he must be blushing right now. "i just like being close to you…" the words tumble right out of his mouth and he keeps his gaze trained on psalm. acutely ware of the hands softly gripping his shoulders and with psalms scent still fresh on his mind, finn feels the urge to have his own hands join psalms. he does mumble a small addition while one of his hands rises to meet psalms but stops along the way, too focused on the undivided attention psalm is staring him down with right now "although its nice to not be as cold…" vinny was concerned for him being cold too, that time… he remembers the warmth vinnys jacket brought him that night… what a dilemma to have two such different guys doting on him. Psalm: Psalm, like always, is deeply confused by Finn's motivations towards him. This is the same man who was a moment ago talking about how he wanted his first love that he plans to propose to to go well. He wonders if playing dumb here, or being upfront would be better, although the latter tends to get him in trouble whereas the former only serves to make Finn kind of mad at him. Which is worse…

Ghester: you hear a familiar voice pipe up into both your heads "he really is quite handsy, isn't he?" Finn: finn merely smiles like =^__^= a little bashful but not embarassed Psalm: he goes "Me? Surely not." Ghester: ghester laughs "no no, you're about as physically affectionate as a door my dear" he pauses then goes on "i wonder how committed you are to that fiancé, finnian? though maybe he's the open sort" Psalm: he just frowns at this Finn: finn smiles at psalm since he has no other way of 'looking' at ghester "hey now, we were roommates for a while and you still call me finnian?" (<- playful tone) "i love orin! with my whole heart!" finn places a hand on his chest, where his heart is for emphasis "but i dont know if he will reciprocate this love, so… as long as im not officially engaged…" he trails off and then seems to realize something "actually- why are you asking? dont tell me youre interested ghester?" <-clueless Ghester: "only psalm gets special treatment from me, I'm afraid" he responds playfully back but then pauses after and huffs amused "true enough, though i imagine if he hears of you dallying not a few weeks before declaring undying love for him… well some may find such an act to ring a little hollow, or even be hurt… a gentleman's word of advice to you there" he pauses again before following up "i'm more amused than interested, your actions are often… perplexing" he chuckles again Psalm: "Thank the gods for that, I'd get jealous otherwise," Psalm says, monotone in his usual way. "But I have to agree with Ghester on that front. Although I suppose he'd just have to keep the dallying a secret." <-- guy that isn't helping his case

Finn: "aww" finn sighs in exaggerated fashion "theres just no winning you over is there?" he then kicks his legs a little and bats his eyelashes and leans in slightly "and if i were to become psalms lover? would i receive special treatment then?" he then leans back and seems to think for a moment "you both are assuming orin would find out about it, is the thing. thats definitely not part of my equation" finn raises an eyebrow "im not so inexperienced to expect orin to be happy about me behaving like a common whore, but" he frowns and looks aways "if i save myself for orin only to be rejected… ill have wasted all this time i couldve spent happy in the arms of other men" he snorts "it also helps endure this lousy lot i have to call my companions… you two and vinny excluded of course" Ghester: he does a little mock gasp in regards to the lover ask "but…how could you take a position i already possess, finnian" he laughs uproariously after "i simply state that commitment goes a long way in the eyes of a potential lover… and lying before can lead to developing hmm… unsavoury habits later" after a pause he goes on "you must practice for a future you desire after all, and maybe then you'll be as thick as thieves as the two of us?" Psalm: "That's a heavy 'if' right now I'd imagine… I don't think I could handle you intending to marry someone else." Psalm says, slightly exasperated at the turn this conversation has taken. He is also joking, so hopefully that lands. He's surprised to hear Finn expressing that sentiment though, he honestly just thought the man was crazy. "I wouldn't consider that a waste though… but what do I know, truly." Psalm just snorts at Ghester, "I don't recall us becoming lovers along this journey of ours…" Ghester: "seeing the things ive seen you do recently, i dont think anyone could call us anything else in polite company…" he says it in a jesting tone Psalm: Psalm draws his mouth into a small, pensive, pout before he goes, "You know you have a point." Ghester: he laughs uproariously again

Finn: finn also fakes a mock gasp at the 'revelation' of the two being lovers. he cant really see it but they could also very well… maybe psalm is also the open sort, as ghester had put it. at this, finn clings to psalms arm and cuddles up a little "but ghester, you dont have a body do you? can you please psalm like i can? careful, or i might steal him away from you like this…" he squeezes psalms arm a little "or i wonder, if you feel as psalm does if you see through him?" he tilts his head, this part of the conversation being infinitely more entertaining than his woes with orin "depending on the answer i might just give my fiancé-to-be up" he jokes "maybe ill get you falling for me too…" Psalm: "What." What? Ghester: he says the next part almost like a secret "one can be very creative without any extremities, though i'd never kiss and tell" he laughs again at the offer, as if finding it very funny "unfortunately we do not share sense, or mind, and you must forgive me, but you aren't my type and im happily coupled you see. i wouldn't be so quick to snip away your prospects, orin's heart is breaking im sure?" Finn: finn is very amused by all this, visibly enjoying himself chatting away with ghester, although hes still clinging to psalms arm "ahh ghester, cant you see that the more you push the more i wanna pull?" he sighs dreamily and then finally lets go of psalms arm "i dont know about orins heart breaking" he genuinely seems kinda miffed for a moment "i mean, no matter how many times i tell him, he still calls me 'master finn', even" he then clicks his tongue and just looks to the fire

Psalm: Psalm crosses his arms immediately as a measure of protection, to avoid whatever that was happening again. "This after you've told him your feelings seems rather cold on his part." Finn: finn grumbles a bit and ends up pulling his knees up to hug "i mean, i suppose he just respects our family name that much… he is my uncles servant after all… but i thought we spent enough time together to be friends" he looks at psalm as if searching for an answer "i really let my guard down around him, we fool around, we laugh, we work together, he lets me be close too… i dont know how i can overcome this barrier he keeps between us" finn almost glares at psalm now "come to think of it, hes almost like you, isnt he? you have the same reason for refusing me it would seem" Psalm: Psalm is staring off into the forest as he hears this, absentmindely thinking about Orin. "We seem to have more in common than I realised… I'm starting to regret not paying more attention to him in the brief time that we met." He'd barely talked to the guy, not really interested in him what with everything else that was going on. That aside, Finn seems to be getting mad at him despite the fact that he's barely done anything this time around. He supposes it was inevitable given the whirlwind conversation they'd just had. "I think it's a pretty valid reason…" Psalm says, which is not at all what Finn wants to hear, so he quickly changes gears. "But all of what you just described of your relationship seems pretty positive to me. Maybe you should just be honest about your insecurities…? I think if you just talk to hi-wait a second. There's that sound again." It's then that he notices something amongst the trees.

As Psalm keeps watch he hears in the distance the faint rumbling of another earthquake as he hears the sound of things crashing to the ground far away, though not as strong as the one they’d felt before. Peering in its direction he catchesa very faint glimpse of something blue, a light pulsing in the air among the treeline near the mountainy area, before it's immediately gone.

Plum: THIS DRAGON IS CREEPING ME OUT JUST PULL UP ALREADY IF YOU FEEL SO INCLINED

Chip: off in the horizon around a thousand feet away (300 metres for all the gamers)

Finn: finn looks at psalm kinda puzzled, not appreciating the dragon deciding to fuck with them during this riveting conversation they were having! "that seems to be rather close to us, not at all off in the horizon like someone who would recount our history might say. i- uh… should we actually wake the others up? or shall we investigate on our own?" his tone would suggest finn is more keen on investigating alone with psalm because he is insane Psalm: "Weird thing to point out but in any case, usually I'm not sure I'd say investigating on our own is the best idea but I'd rather not leave the horses unattended." He wonders about what to do for a moment. "Still, maybe we should leave it alone if its just doing the same stomping around its been doing all day instead of seeking out trouble." Finn: finn pouts and kicks his legs idly, looking disappointed "but arent you a liiiiiittle curious? we'll have to deal with it sooner or later anyway!"

Vinny: finn to psalm

Psalm: Literally

Psalm: "Curious, no. But that is true… but would now be the best time to do so? When everyone's asleep?" Finn: "mmm…" finn rolls his eyes and thinks for a moment "oh i know!" he claps his hands together "why dont i stealthily scout ahead as a wee little bat and check out what its actually up to?" he then winks at psalm "i wont get us into any trouble! just a little intelligence gathering!" Psalm: "Good idea. Want me to help? I can make you invisible for about an hour or so if you'd like." Finn: finns eyes become sparkly at the approval/praise "oho! that might help… i wouldve suggested going as a wolf from the get go but i was afraid the dragon might get some ideas about gobbling me up if it saw me like that… if you were to make me invisible however……" finn leans forward a bit "what do you think psalm? wolf or bat?" <- excited Psalm: Psalm immediately answers "Bat, feel like it'd be easier to get around if you're smaller and can fly, especially if you don't know the forest. There's a chance you could get lost." He waves his hand a little "Just let me know when you're ready." Finn: finn nods and jumps up from wherever they were sitting "im always ready!" he proclaims both enthusiastically and proudly. he gives psalm one last look over "im sure ill be back in time… if not, dont come looking for me. ill definitely return either way" finn then proceeds to transform into his bat form, waiting for psalm to make him invisible Psalm: "I'll let the next pair know to keep an eye out for you if I'm done with my watch before you come back," Psalm says. He just reaches over and pats Finn lightly (and quickly) on the head also, boom invisible. He crosses his arms, having waited for Finn to turn into a bat so he couldn't argue back. "And don't fight anything on your own." Finn: finn squeaks a bit, seemingly annoyed at that last comment and bumps lightly against psalms shoulder squeaking again, this time it seems to communicate something like 'im off!'. he then flies off for real………..

Finn begins to fly off towards the area Psalm pointed out the light in the distance. He hears the sounds of crickets and frogs pass him by as he flies over the wetlands until he reaches the loose treeline. He doesn't see much from his vantage point so he begins to delve in further.

After a time of listening to the sound of sloshing water filling his ears he thinks it might be a dead end, until he hears a very faint twinkling from somewhere north, about 60 feet away. Following that is a loud prolonged huff sound, as if air were being blown out someone's nose.

He continues on after the sound, carefully flying closer to the source as silently as he can. Perched somewhere nearby, the sounds of something walking slowly fill his ears, he gets a feeling the creature must be giant, but it barely makes a rustle as it steps through the mud below. It almost makes it hard for him to track as it slowly moves through the trees, though he soon feels something in the air shift for a moment as a strange sensation washes over him before it disappears again.

He decides to fly to the ground and transform back into his regular form again silently, low and crouched to ground near the base of a tree he sits still invisible. He takes a moment to get his bearings as he looks for the source of the sounds nearby.

About 30 feet to his right he sees a gargantuan creature towering above him in the darkness, stalking between the tall trees, that of a cobalt dragon. It's dark blue scales shimmer slightly under the moonlight as its visual presence dwarfs him completely, stunning him for a moment. It's eyes shine like gems in the dark, light blue with no pupils as the sound of its breathing fills the air, stalking the wet grass and mud.

Cimmorro: this dragon rn

Finn's unearned confidence seems to fade when the dragons oppressive atmosphere washes over him. He studies the beast for a good long moment, contemplating if he should really go ahead and talk to it like he had planned. Sure, Finn is the one always boasting about that even if he dies, he cant be truly killed but getting mangled by a dragon suddenly put some fear in him.

That, and its smart… so if Finn died here, it might get the idea to track him in his mist form. Finn could take getting himself in trouble, and he actually hates the Vengaboys enough to get them killed, but right now is just not appropriate, since Vinny and Psalm are also in that caravan.

He glances around the area again, not spotting anything immediately that strikes him as a trap, though as he glances at the dragon he notices it dig around in the mud silently as if preparing something, what it is he doesn't quite understand. It stops after a few moments before huffing again and glancing around the area

Working up some sort of courage, Finn moves to enact a brief plan, lying in wait patiently until he sees the dragon go to a lake to take a drink and then pouring one of his Love Philtre's into the water.

Unforunately he simply continues to watch the dragon stalk around the area, following as silently as he can as it moves around digging and sniffing through the wetlands. Finally the time before his invisibility drops begins to approach, about 5 minutes left. Deciding on a long shot, he moves to pour the potion into a nearby pond anyway.

In his haste though he fumbles a little and drips some of the liquid onto his hands, as he does the noise of the liquid hitting the water causes the dragon to crane its head in his direction.

Spooked, Finn immediately transforms into a bat again with his last two minutes of invisibility left and flys off as fast as possible, the dragon keeps staring in his direction as he leaves but it doesnt seem to follow him, only its gaze, as he leaves the treeline.

Psalm: Psalm had been sitting there idly chatting with Ghester but he gets to his feet when he sees Finn, alarmed. Finn: i bump into psalm full speed, squeaking, then untransform and relay the events that have transpired sans my love potion fiasco "i-i think its aware of- not aware- i think we could very well be what its after and its circling us nice and slow so there is not much we can do but rest for tonight"

The two share worried expressiosn with another before finally moving back inside to swap watch duties over to the last duo, Plum and Rokka. The newly harried Finn shares their current situation with the two before heading to sleep.

As Plum moves to infuse a few things during their time, Rokka sits nearby slighty freaked out by the information shared with them.

Plum: "rokka lemme see your shoes, you don't have to take them off " Rokka: he looks at his boots and back at plum "uh….ok 😳"

Plum moves their hands and infuses his boots with a pseudo-teleportation ability with a glimmer, they also explain he'll have to attune to them for it to work.

Rokka: rokka just groans "awww mANN I GOTTA STARE AT MY BOOTS NOW?" but then oohs and ahhs at plum explainings Plum: "yeah you gotta stare at them, maybe not the best time since we have to be looking out for this dragon now but hey. maybe they'll help you not get hurt" Rokka: "so, don't stare now. got it" he nods and kind of looks out to wherever the dragon is Plum: "no no, i mean that you should now otherwise they won't be useful later 😭 i just meant sorry that it's not the best time" Rokka: "OK STARE NOW!"

Plum continues to keep an eye out for the rest of their watch as the sun begins to rise again, they don't pick up much for the rest of the night thankfully, but an eerie sensation seems to drape itself over the two of them regardless. The rest of the party slowly begin to wake from their sleepy, greeting the dawn with foggy apprehension.

> 🎵 Secret of the Forest / Chrono Trigger OST (Orchestral Remix by Malcolm Robinson )

As people trundle outside, Rokka faintly picks up the sounds of something snapping in the distance, like wood, but nothing seems to follow in their direction afterwards.

Cimmorro: after taking a scan of how everything and everyone's doing cimm goes to do his usual morning routines, i go feed horseys and brush them and jasper while listening to everyone else Chip: the horses seem a little tense as you feed them but settle somewhat as you brush them and tend to them

Rokka: rokkas head snaps into the direction he hears the snapping sounds and frantically taps plums shoulders "plum plum i hear something over there" he points as he tells everyone else Keva: keva suddenly stops rubbing her eyes "is it closer than before?" Rokka: "i-i think so?" Keva: keva gets right to finding a place to feed and safely tuck amos away in the caravan before getting some food in her body Han: han starts going about her routine quietly "maybe we should prepare to fight?" Plum: "i think so. does anyone have a spare, un-enchanted ring?" Han: "i have one i got as present for saffine… what do you want it for?" Plum: "if it's for a present never mind, i was going to turn it into a kind of magical item"

Cimmorro: cimm takes a ring off his finger and offers it to plum "will this do?" Plum: "yeah, this will be fine, thanks. you don't mind if i enchant this do you?" Cimmorro: he tilts his head "well that depends. what exactly are you enchanting it with?" (i forgot to describe it but its a skull ring made of a black gem) Plum: "i want to try a spell on the dragon, but if i mess up i want to try again, so i need a ring to infuse that gives me another chance." they turn the ring carefully around like this looks expensive… Cimmorro: that immediately earns a more enthusiastic reaction from him. "oh? yeah, go for it! sounds like fun 😇 " he's already excited to observe plum's enchanting process Plum: [relieved] "okay, thanks! i'll be careful with it of course. and honestly it shouldn't take too long," they pinch the ring and with that it's been infused yippee. "i just have to attune to it now…" they zone out a bit Cimmorro: cimm's taken aback by how quick it was, expecting it to be a whole step by step process. it almost makes him laugh but is nonetheless impressed. it was a testament to plum's expertise, he thinks. he leaves them to focus so he can make his own preparations.

Psalm: "And it was digging traps right? Or appeared to be? Would it be safer to fight it out here… What are the odds it'll come to us <__>" Finn: "i didnt see any actual traps… it was digging in the mud and sniffing around…" he cringes a bit as he recalls the dragon towering over him "i did feel a strange sensation wash over me in its presence though… and i dont mean fear or anything like that, it was… just a strange sensation" Han: "would have to draw it out" Keva: (munching on whatever food was int hose rations) "how would we do that tho? the book said they don't like to fight head on" Mars: "Somewhere where it hadn't already trapped too. Could spring one of its traps." Han: "ye, on purpose" Mars: "It'll be bound to check it eventually." Plum: "i think that's a good idea, we could use cimmorro's wand of secrets" Han: "if its still in the area.. its not that far, no ones heard anything, it will most likely attack us on the road if we go… bait sounds like best idea" Keva: "would it come after us in the daytime? reports said it was happening only at night" Plum: "well fighting it in the day time would be much better for us, but we could at least fuck around with the traps it's set"

Han: "my two thinkings are… one, it knows we are here, and is waiting on us, two its sleeping, which would be insane lucky… finn, do you remember the area where it was?" Finn: "i think i remember… although id be a liar if i didnt say these woods all look the same more or less" Han: "we just need to understand where It's traps are… what if it wasn't digging for traps but that is where it rests? in the mud? direction is good enough for me" Psalm: "I think it's best we assume it's targeting us." Han: "agree" Finn: finn points in the direction he went last night "it didnt take much time to find it and i stayed with it for roughly an hour… its so large in size, id be surpirsed if you didnt find any tracks of it, considering that digging was practically all it d- oh. i should mention it moves incredibly quiet for a beast so huge… its breath gave it away more than anything else" Han: han just takes this all in and goes "noted" Mars: He initially thinks the dragon's just digging traps but thinking of its reported actions, he brings up a question. "Did you see what it was digging?" surely finn won't be so mean during a strategy meeting Finn: finn merely shakes his head Mars: Mars just hums at that going back to stew on his hunches a bit more

While everyone continues to eat and prepare themselves, Han moves to hide the caravan and horses in nearby foliage as to not attract any inquiry.

Keva: keva looks from the direction han went with the caravan to amos lounging her lap, chewing on a her thumb anxiously while she considers her options. "now what do i do with you…" she mutters Psalm: "I suppose you're not bringing him with us into battle." (deadpan) Keva: keva only looks him like that should be obvious and replies back in the same way "no i'm not, i don't want to just leave him though in case something happens…" Psalm: "I could keep an eye on him for you." Keva: "how are you going to do that if you're coming with us?" Psalm: Psalm thinks to himself for a second about how he's going to explain this. "Time is of the essence here so I'll explain the details later, but I have a familiar that can keep tabs on his whereabouts and relay that information to me…? It's not as suspicious as it sounds." Cimmorro: everyone else overhearing this 👂 Keva:

Keva: ^ is the face she makes but she figures this is probably her best option. she gently picks up amos just under his forelegs and holds him up "how does that sound to you?" Amos: amos flicks his head around as he watches on curiously, seemingly open to whatever Psalm: Psalm just raises his hand in a placating gesture like, "Nothing bad…!" (Probably, he thinks to himself as he has never done this before.) Keva: keva squints her eyes in doubt one more time before bringing amos to psalm and placing him down between them Psalm: Psalm just summons his currently unnamed shadow dog and prompts it to possess Amos' shadow

With a flourish of the hand part of Psalm's shadow detaches and reattaches to Amos as he sees the dog appear behind him. Amos looks around alert, a little more tense then before but otherwise… simply has a look of stoat determination.

Psalm: keva gives him a once over and once she's satified he's okay (?) she scoops him up, takes him to the hidden caravan, and gives him a little smooch ont he head before tucking him away and heading back

The party all head off north after hiding the caravan away and arranging themselve. They walk on into the wetlands and pierce the treeline as they stick close to one another. Keeping alert they keep a keen eye on the surroundings around them as you walk on. Staring at the ground they note areas where mud seems to have been dug up but for the moment nothing else sticks out immediately as strange.

Psalm: this is what i think whenever i read the cobalt dragon's description about dominating https://vxtwitter.com/PkRhythm12/status/1661516681053876225?s=20 Mars: STOP Vinny: i qwill actually killg you Mars: WILL YOU SURVIVE

Han, Keva and Rokka take point at the front of the group to scan for traps, though Han doesn't notice anything that sticks out immediately as trap-like, the place certainly smells like wet mud though. The other two quickly spy something ahead of the group, a long tripwire strung between two trees close to the mud.

Rokka: loud whisper "NOBODY MOVE" and hes stretches his arms out. a bit dramatic Keva: keva speaks quietly to Han and Rokka "we wanted to trip one of these right? would it make a difference which one?" Han: "… if its sleeping, maybe its smarter to not wake it?"

As the group consider their options, Han casts wild cunning to search for dragon tracks, they ping all around her but the freshest seem to head further north past the trap. The group quickly decide on disarming them instead, Keva applying a deft hand and removing the wire with ease.

Cimmorro: howd a dragon set up wires tf is wrong with this guy fr Vinny: guys got hobbies Psalm: now that you mention why can it do that like Han: YALL ARE ALL ABOUT SUPPORTING THE MENTALLY ILL BUT WHEN ITS A DRAGON MAKING TRAPS THEN - Cimmorro: bnsefnhfwsernm, l.w'/;rnm;'r,wen',;rwnSFmn&lt; Mars: >turn humanoid >opposable thumbs >thread wire >ez Psalm: oh wait youre so right aqua, thats creepy asf tho

The group continue down walking deeper into the wetlands keeping an eye out, Han fails to see anything, fortunately the other two spy a part of the ground that appears slightly discoloured from the surrounding dirt. Something about it seems off so they inform the others, as its pointed out to her Han notes the tracks continue past it as with the one before.

Deciding its pretty avoidable as a trap the group decide to walk around it, though Keva moves to examine it further. As she stares at the dirt she sees what look like small splinters of wood nearby, presumably its a pitfall with something built at the bottom of it.

Han: "tracks continue still more ahead" Rokka: "watch ur step everyone 🌸✨ " Mars: falls directly into the pit making eye contact w/ rokka Rokka: as if he doesnt have enough trauma already

The group continue onwards, walking forward nothing catches Rokka or Keva's eye, though glancing around Han notice another tripwire. It sits suspended between trees low to the ground, as she glances up she notices a large heavy log carefully hidden in the foliage of the nearby tree, as if set to swing down.

Han: han starts sputtering n stopping everyone and pointing keva to the wire

Keva quickly moves to disarm the trap easily enough once its pointed out, she takes a few steps back as they all watch the log swing down in front of them with a great force, before it slows down and dangles in the air pointlessly after a minute or so.

Keva: "this dragon doesn't have much to do huh" Han: han keeps her mouth pointedly shut about how most of her tribe life was spent doing this Keva: KN,RGHM,ENHJKHLLJK moving on!!!!

Han notes the tracks continue on clearly, though the dragon isnt loud it doesnt seem to care about leaving its footprints behind. The group continue on after them. As before, Keva and Rokka fail to notice any traps, but Han spies an unusual indentation in the gound ahead of the group, a strange muddy mound, she's suspicious approaching anywhere near it.

After Han points it out to the group, Plum investigates it from afar with Mars' help. They get a sense some sort of pressure plate is hidden under the mound, triggering something nearby most likely when stepped, the mechanism looks to be hidden under the ground and the mud as the tracks continue past it.

Psalm: WHAT KIND OF LOONEY TUNES ASS TRAPS. WHAT THE FUCK Rokka: NO FR its actually funny Cimmorro: how did no one report the traps in the quest info Psalm: too busy being dead Plum: this dragon needs to enjoy the short beauty of life in other ways than stringing up logs but maybe it's my fault for not understanding it Mars: yeah look within first gab its just playin Psalm: no dont let it win Rokka: im just imagining we show up in front of the dragon after all the traps and the dragons like NYUGH! HOW COULD THIS BE!? Psalm: MY TRAPS?! Mars: WILL YOU SURVIVE Vinny: WILL YOU SURVIVE Psalm: WILL YOU SURVIVE Han: WILL YOU SURVIVE Mars: THIS VIDEO HAS NEGATIVELY IMPACTED THIS CALL

The group continue on, though this time the three scouters dont notice anything off about the scenery, they are immediately distrusting of this.

Han: "i dont see anything…. i dont trust that at all.." Rokka: "not when i hAVE THIS!"* whips out my magic wand * Han: quietly cheers Keva: "a stick?" Rokka: "a magic stick! i think" Cimmorro: "it sniffs out traps, or perhaps rokka's going to play fetch with the dragon" 🤭 Vinny: polite chuckle from vinny in the peanut gallery Rokka: "if they're nice yeah :)" Keva: a thought bubble appears over keva's head showing all of the traps they've just avoided Han: han stares at rokka "do you know how to use that" Rokka: "uhh…." rokkas gonna point in front of him and wiggle it around hoping it does something, then looks at cimm or whoever owned this wand sos Cimmorro: cimm owns it LOL) he just laughs at the sign of confusion then mimics a gesture with his hands or sumn for rokka to copy

Rokka copies Cimmorro's instructions and feels the wand pulse in his hands. It moves taking yourhis hand with it, pointing at a small pond in front of the group, seems a trap lies inside or under the water.

Rokka: turning to look at everyone like I FOUND IT written on his face Cimmorro: "yer a wizard, rokstar…" Rokka: he is elated to hear this Keva: keva gives him a thumbs up

Han walks up and stares hard at the water through to the bottom, there she sees what looks like an unusual spreading of mud and dirt… the pond looks recently filled too, not alot of fauna or grassland surrounding it like the others.

She guesses if you stepped through it, the bottom would collapse out from under it and you'd fall down some sort of tunnel alongside the water.

Han: han stares at it for a bit, honestly impressed "maybe… we should recruit this dragon guy instead…… this is really impressive stuff…." Plum: "this is….yeah i just don't really know what to say…" Psalm: "I can't even laugh." Psalm is impressed but mostly just disturbed at having to deal with any of this. Rokka: "are u guys sure this is a dragon we're really dealing with" Keva: "is it worth seeing where the tunnel goes?" Han: "the tracks continue still" O_o Keva: "guess we keep following after it then?" tho keva's eyes linger on the pond for a bit Han: "yes… we can check if the pond has anything after, i think"

> 🎵 Moth to a Flame / Below OST

Keeping their guard up the group continue onwards. After a few more minutes of walking they notice ahead of them what looks like a muddy road, as if recently dug, coming from the right heading left. From what they remember of their surroundings, they assume it splintered off the main road somehow, strangely heading deeper into the wetlands.

As they glance down they notice skid tracks in the mud curving off of the road, leading up and down hill they cant see over. They also notice the remains of a few smashed trees from the nearby treeline as they trek carefully down it, noting the dragon tracks follow the crude mud road. The cruder road doesn't look too easy to drive down with a caravan but they can't imagine what else the existing skid marks are from if not from ones that have travelled down it.

They begin to follow the mud road tracks through the wetlands, approaching a somewhat denser treeline, transforming the nearby environment into one more swamp like. They stare at small bodies of water dotting the ground between the trees and grass as they step between to keep on dry land.

Han, Cimmorro and Rokka begin to hear sounds from the distance ahead of them, faint sounds of wood cracking and dirt moving. In front of them appears to be the end of the treeline and the appearance of a small clearing down a hill, they cant see past it quite yet though without moving further ahead.

Deciding to scout ahead Han moves forward, glancing down the hill she sees the area below, parts of it appear as if they were smashed or destroyed. Various trees with their trunks smashed into pieces or ripped from the dirt, and on closer glance she sees a few caravans that were flung off the crude dirt road, cracked against the mud, as old wood litters the ground ahead. She feels like she can still hear sounds coming from one of the caravans, like creaking wood. She waves the others forward to join her quietly as they also begin to hear the sound.

Keva decides to scout ahead to check out the caravan, while Han notes the freshest nearby tracks seem to dissapear near the edge of a nearby pond. Before she goes she shares a hand signal for danger with the group that she used to use with her friends as a youth.

As Keva creeps her way over to the caravan she keeps as quiet as possible. Finally reaching it, it towers over her even knocked over. She circle around it, eventually glancing inside one of the smashed outer walls. There she spots what's causing the sound, a piece of broken board creaking under the wind every now and again. Inside the caravan she also notes the faintest traces of blood in the sunlight.

Just as she's about to step through the cracked wall to investigate further she notices along the bottom, another tripwire barely visible. Nearly tripping it as she's about to step through.

Keva: teh fact this dragon rigged this caravan so this piece of wood will move int he wind Han: jobless behaviour fr Cimmorro: IM SAYINGGG

She disarms it easily enough, with a quick and deft hand she rids the caravan of the tripwire. Looking around however she notices nothing else of interest inside, seems it was used simply to draw attention. Glancing at the blood stains she notes they dont look as fresh as to be from today or yesterday, but it was defintely recent. Sometime from the past week or so judging by how dry they are.

> 🎵 Imps / Rule of Rose OST

Keva heads back to the group as Rokka and Cimmorro begin to pick up a faint rumbling begin the ground start to shake you slightly, from what you can tell its coming from the direction of the pond. Mars mmediately get the sense that something is barrelling through the ground and its going to come right out of it, very very soon.

Mars: "Everyone back off from the pond now." he YELLS whispers somewhat loudly Han: "well, so much for sleeping i guess" :(

The party quickly step back and hide among the foliage and trees. Crouching down carefully, they soon see the gargantuan dragon burst out from the lake, displacing dirt mud and water all around it in a flurry of movement, as if it had been burrowing below the earth.

They watch it shake itself clean as it stands huffing from its nose, glancing around the area with its steely white eyes. From what they can tell, it hasn't seemed to notice the group's presence yet...

SESSION 58 - 20/1

Coming back into the scene, the party sit crouched in the bushes and mud, staring on as the newly revealed dragon shakes itself off from the waters of the lake. It stares around the landscape with its steely white eyes, not noticing them hidden nearby for the moment as it seemingly thinks on its next action…

Mars: link the flowchart again im fucking choking Han:

Finn: im joKING ON CALL RN Mars: this isnt a joke Cimmorro: i really hope that thing doesnt go underground i had enough of kyzer antics

The party spread out within Han's Pass Without A Trace spell as they ready attacks to be set off after Plum's spell.

Mars:

Psalm: Puppy Cimmorro: it just got out of a gamer girl bath water moment Han: are they selling it? 😳

As Plum shoots off a reduce spell, they see it spark off the body of the dragon as it flicks its gaze in their direction, the spell doesn't seem to take. Quickly after vinny casts silvery barbs, but it seems this also has no effect. It rears up intimidatingly in the lake as its gaze takes the group in.

> 🎵 Vellumental Battle / Paper Mario The Origami King OST

The party immediately let off their held actions in response, Han and Keva shooting off a volley of arrows, one of them to blind it, as Mars runs ahead to slice at it with his sword. As they rip into it the dragon lets out a loud roar of pain, whipping its head back as it rears away from its attackers.

It splashes around in the lake as its white steely eyes twitch and settle, glaring and growling aggresively it pushes back on its haunches.

Cimmorro:

Starting proper initiative, at the top of the round Keva shoots off a few more arrows, one of them blinding the dragon again as she moves and hides amongst the bushes soon after.

Vinny: all these crits are killing me Plum: were so scared of this dragon, its making them super competent. maybe this shit is like octopath, this is just a fucking cyrus set up right now

Rokka follows after, entering a rage and rushing the dragon down with his scimatars as he jumps into the water, slashing at the beast. The dragon moves soon after however, It continues to growl as its buffeted by attacks, glancing at the strange ghosts that circle it from Rokka.

It rears back its head again, letting out a loud roar. The group suddenly see a bright blue pulse of light encircle it as the air around them begins to change. Cimmorro, Plum, Mars, Rokka and Finn all suddenly feel the metal items, weapons and armour on their persons begin to be pulled in, like a magnetic field towards the dragon.

The five of them feel themselves dragged 15 feet towards the dragon by their metal accutremant. Mars and Rokka's swords attach themselves to the metallic hide of the dragon, so long as they continue holding them they're considered restrained.

Cimmorro and Plum in contrast are dragged forward, barelling directly into the pond in front of them. Cimmorro manages to right himself in the depths before smacking himself into anything, splashing above the water onto the surface again. Plum however tumbles about hitting their head on the side of the bank and parts of stray wood underwater, before briefly surfacing on the water.

Psalm: oh oop when did i have this

Han: extremely funny to bring this up now Psalm: not that it matters since cimm had the fucking dragon encyclopedia Keva: kjfkljLKJGKLJKGLJEKLJGRLKJGR Cimmorro: I BOUGHT THAT FOR SO MUCH GOLD GODDAMN Psalm: this is why cimm hates him Plum: just start spewing a lot of facts about the dragon off the cuff, shit thats not in the book, within cimms ear shot Cimmorro: HDFHJIKMDFLHOMDFH Plum: just start being like cobalt dragons favourite type of tea is chamomille Psalm: like how can i get cimm to know he wasted money… Plum: all the facts about dragons coming back to him

Keva: BRO PLUM CAN'T SWIM SOMEONE GET HTEM OUT Psalm: dw guys i got them

Plum: youre so annoying Psalm: WTF I JUTDSFJASDJF I JUST SAID I GOT YOU Plum: psalm just recalling all their past eperiences in this fight Mars: THIS FIGHT GOT SARITA DESPERATE SHES ON PAGE 2 OF HER FEATS LIST

As they cope with the sudden magnetic field the dragon lets out another loud bellow that hits the group to the core. Finn, Han and Plum feel a deep primal fear grip them at the sound, becoming afflicted with fear, Rokka manages to shrug off the feeling in his rage.

The dragon then turns to strike at him near its feet, swiping down with its heat to bite and claw at him as it begins slicing the lupin to ribbons. It then stretches out and jumps out of the water, gaining its footing on dry ground. Mars and Rokka release their holds on their weapons to not be dragged along with it.

Mars: chip if you make this dragonn go OWWW KYA WHY ARE YOU HITTING ME >_< i may actually maul you irl Celebrity Guest Aki: Chip can u make it do that

Following up are Han and Keva, both are also dragged in by the magnetic field of the dragon, Finn's rapier flings itself out and attaches itself to the dragons hide as he shakes beneath it.

Han: han grits her teeth and shakes in her booties, but that hasnt been reason enough to not kill something before, so she sends of her 2 shots, doubling both

Finn: finn feels that same dread from last night intensified tenfold. hes so shellshocked he doesnt think to let go of his rapier, it might as well be his lifeline. shakily he looks up at the gargantuan creature. why was he here again? he thought dragon slaying wouldve been much easier "i-i saw you last night, yknow and i-……i was wondering if uh…" maybe if the dragon talked to him, itd……be more graspable. maybe he could be less scared of it, if he knew it a bit better. but he couldnt think of a damn thing to say! "d-do you have a name?" he stammers out quickly and feels like the biggest idiot in the world Keva: keva resists reacting to finn if only to save her stealth lol Cobalt Dragon: the dragon whips its head in your direction and eyes you, blood dripping from a wound on its head into its eye as you see the corners of its mouth rise and you hear an unervving bassy laugh come from its chest, you feel like prey about to be pounced Finn: finn immediately turns into mist

Han fires off more arrows as Finn immediately dissapears, the entire group sans Plum hearing his poor diplomacy attempt, though him and Han both shrug off their fear conditons at the very least.

Mars follows up, also dragged towards the dragon again by the field, also getting flung into the pond. Luckily he quickly manoeuvres himself with ease, despite having not much experience in the water, resurfacing easily.

He hops out of the water again in the dragon direction again as he takes another slash with his longsword, recalling it beforehand. Immediately it sticks to the dragons hide, though he cuts a gash into it as he does.

Keva: i only have 3 left (blidness arrows) Han: i have a shitton more, 18 Keva: unless han can hand off her supplies to me Mars: han handing over her blindness arrows to keva

Cimmorro: IM GOING TO FUCKING THROW UP Han: LKDSAGLKH3;HWOIETLKAWFE Vinny: UIM GHOHI9NY TO PIKE Psalm: bruh help wtf

Following after Mars, Vinny is dragged forward 15 feet as he rolls into the bushes with a shout, he stands back up again quickly, flicking a hand out to cast fireball at the dragons head. It errupts with a loud bang in the air as he waves his hand after, sweating as if he'd been singed as he looks at everyone in the water a little worried.

Plum in the pond fails to right themselves in the water and begins the process of drowning. They're also dragged further forward in the water, making choking sounds as they barrel ahead.

Cimmorro also in the water finds himself dragged forward and out of the, his hands slip past Plum rolling around in the water as he fails to grab them on his way.

Getting close to the dragon he immediately feels the metallic parts of his robes and jewellery clang you against the body of the dragon, almost pinning him to it. All his daggers zip out of his pockets and attach themselves to the dragon, including any he was holding.

Thinking fast he casts a command spell, telling the dragon to 'DROP' its magnetic field on its turn, it doesnt seem to go through but a silvery barbs from Vinny afterwards allows the effect to go through successfully.

Vinny: this is his counterspell banishment save all over again Cimmorro: IT REALLY IS THATS WHY IM SUCKING HIM OFF LATER Plum: VINNY CAN YOU KILL THE FUCKING DRAGON PLEASE PLESE PLASE PLEASE Keva: THANK YOU VINNY

Psalm soon after finds himself dragged in the direction of the dragon as his hooves leave tracks in the mud behind him. Appreciative of the help closing the distance, he then runs over to Plum jumping into the water and with ease, scooping them into his arms.

Psalm: "That really could not have gone any worse could it." Plum: [cough][cough][cough][spit][spit][cough] Psalm: patting them on the back

Psalm: the dragon fr is going YOU COME NOW actually with the magnetism if you really think about it Mars: im going to maul you Psalm:

Plum: ITS A BLUE DRAGON Psalm: thats the dragon Han: thats the dragons fursona Mars: boy this is that dragon's human form Plum: oh my god now i really want to get out of here

Swimming back towards the shore Psalm deposits Plum safely on dry land again. Though soon after the dragon lets off a legendary action, beating its wings and taking off into the air, flying about 20 feet away. The two men are knocked back about 5 feet and knocked prone from the gale, Psalm ends up getting knocked onto dry land once more.

Back at Keva, now in range of the magnetism field she's dragged up into the air towards the dragon as the metal of her clothes and weapons pull her skyward. Currently floating about 5 feet away from the dragon she pulls out her bow and attempts to hits it with another arrow, spearing its hide.

Chip: (speaking about cimm) guys who are stuck

Cimmorro: like gum Han: how i wish to be pressed against tits Cimmorro: . Mars: okay.

Rokka finds himself also dragged towards the dragon up into the air, levitating about ten feet off the ground by the metal in his clothes. Rokka freaks out after being pulled up into the air, unable to do much he just flails around trying to grasp at nothing for a bit. Seeing as Cimmorro is glued to the dragon he's determined to try to save his friend. Rokka bites down on his arm to keep focus on his rage, taking piercing damage. He spits his own blood out after biting it, staring the dragon in the eye.

> 🎵 The Dual-Bladed Duelist / Paper Mario The Origami King OST

Soon after the dragon finally drops the magnetic field, dropping Cimmorro, Keva and Rokka back to the ground dealing bludgeoning damage all around. All the stolen weapons attached to its hide also clang to the ground beneath it.

Still in mist form, Finn simply moves about ten feet or so closer, biding his time. Following after him Han drops Pass Without A Trace to cast Hunter's Mark instead and lets off another volley of arrows. She grimaces as she looks up at the dragon still in the sky.

Using another legendary action the dragon flaps its wings again, knocking Keva and Cimmorro another 5 feet back and prone as it flies south in Vinny's direction.

Mars follows after, dashing ahead in the direction of the dragon and grabbing his newly dropped sword off the ground. Vinny runs northwards after, managing to just dodge out of the way of a rouge tail attack the dragon swishes his way before flipping around glancing towards Keva and Cimmorro. After a moment he raises a hand, casting a spell as a wisp of light zooms in Cimmorro's direction healing him, afterwards Vinny makes a pained face as he clutches his head, before shaking it off.

Plum follows after, shooting off an acid arrow spell at the dragon running off in the other direction. Standing on beautiful firm ground again they manage to shake off the feelings of fear staring at the dragon again, its probably not scarier than nearly drowning.

Cimmorro follows up with another spell, attempting to command it again but it fails to take effect, even with Vinny's follow up assitance with silvery barbs.

Cimmorro: i was gonna say i awnted cimm to shout to vinny "if we were anywhere else i would've kissed you by now" when he got up but i was like what if that paralyzes him and he doesnt silvery barbs it goddammit

Struggling back to his feet Psalm shoots off an eldritch blast at the dragon in the air, before racking his brain on the nature of its magnetism. Though he doesn't recall having been taught any super secret dragon murder technique, he does recall that most dragons abilities that are innate are sourced in their biology either from its lower neck or the centre of its body (inside).

Psalm: Psalms gonna yell as loudly as possible "AIM FOR THE NECK OR STOMACH" Cimmorro:

With that the dragon remains in the air, flapping its wings, bleeding as its white eyes gaze out amongst the party before them...

--

Notes

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦👨‍👨‍👧‍👦The Party is fighting a Fukin Dragon 🐉🐉🐉❗❗❗

[dndfuckhouse]

This is probably a silly question, but is Cimorro a specific dnd species or a homebrew? I'm not very familiar with 5e but I was curious because I love the way he looks and have started in Ttrpgs recently.

cimmorro is a bit homebrewed yes and i can't say much but the gist of it is he's a tiefling-dragonborn mix!

also its not a silly question at all LMFAO i know i dont really talk about him much aside from posting my drawings without context but i enjoy answering questions about him! i'm glad you like him!

[dndfuckhouse]