Difference between revisions of "Ezil Returns"

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She exhales, stares off again, "This one should really try to spend time in Mictlan. Our minds may have broken in ways we don't realize."
 
She exhales, stares off again, "This one should really try to spend time in Mictlan. Our minds may have broken in ways we don't realize."
  +
 
Possibly somehow related to teleporting moussers, yet not so much to Mictlan, Aya makes her way along the cobblestones from the west. No, she does not suddenly appear from anywhere, unless rounding the turn in the road qualifies.
 
Possibly somehow related to teleporting moussers, yet not so much to Mictlan, Aya makes her way along the cobblestones from the west. No, she does not suddenly appear from anywhere, unless rounding the turn in the road qualifies.
   
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Aya notes the white Sith, first, by conspicuous coloration. Next noted is the wave, which is mildly unexpected or otherwise draws interest if her lifting brow is any indication. Her steps alter their cours to bring her towards the patio. "Good evening."
 
Aya notes the white Sith, first, by conspicuous coloration. Next noted is the wave, which is mildly unexpected or otherwise draws interest if her lifting brow is any indication. Her steps alter their cours to bring her towards the patio. "Good evening."
  +
 
Braelnoir looks over her shoulder as Cryo waves and the silver figure uses one of her spare hands to give a languid wave, and a cordial, "Hey. How ya been?" she wonders.
 
Braelnoir looks over her shoulder as Cryo waves and the silver figure uses one of her spare hands to give a languid wave, and a cordial, "Hey. How ya been?" she wonders.
   
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"So was there a particular thing that drove you from the city?" Cryo asks, looking over. There's not much left of her meal either, her careful eating was to slow it down. She's sucking on her fingers a little more now, and going after the last few pieces of meat.
 
"So was there a particular thing that drove you from the city?" Cryo asks, looking over. There's not much left of her meal either, her careful eating was to slow it down. She's sucking on her fingers a little more now, and going after the last few pieces of meat.
  +
 
Aya washes down the chicken with another swallow of wine. "Yes. Plagues and demons seemed enough cause to spend my time elsewhere." It isn't exactly a forbidden topic, though it brushes hear. A second sip is taken before one corner of her mouth quirks. "Amusingly, now that both have lessened or vanished, I wouldn't object so much to find him now."
 
Aya washes down the chicken with another swallow of wine. "Yes. Plagues and demons seemed enough cause to spend my time elsewhere." It isn't exactly a forbidden topic, though it brushes hear. A second sip is taken before one corner of her mouth quirks. "Amusingly, now that both have lessened or vanished, I wouldn't object so much to find him now."
   
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"Well, that's something then. I'll have to get more details from Kira. Or... maybe Ezil's friend knows something, but I'd rather not ask." Cryo says, looking grim. "Some idea of where he is and what forces are holding him there. And probably should buy some rope."
 
"Well, that's something then. I'll have to get more details from Kira. Or... maybe Ezil's friend knows something, but I'd rather not ask." Cryo says, looking grim. "Some idea of where he is and what forces are holding him there. And probably should buy some rope."
  +
 
Aya dips her head in a nod. "I would certainly recommend as much a plan of action as possible before venturing there, and would assume that he would be more powerful there than here. You would also need a route of return, of course."
 
Aya dips her head in a nod. "I would certainly recommend as much a plan of action as possible before venturing there, and would assume that he would be more powerful there than here. You would also need a route of return, of course."
   

Latest revision as of 00:13, 25 October 2020

Log Info

  • Title: Ezil Returns
  • Emitter: Cryosanthia
  • Characters: Braelnoir, Cryosanthia, Ezil, Aya
  • Place: A07: Lower Alexandria Market District
  • Time: Thursday, May 28, 2020, 11:32 PM, Friday, May 29, 2020, 3:18 PM
  • Summary: Braelnoir and Cryosanthia go out to get some late evening food. They are in the Lower Market when Ezil comes by. Both are overjoyed to see the paladin, as he has been long absent from their lives. He doesn't stay long, and while they area waiting to return, they fill each other in on some past events. Braelnoir describes how she lost her battle-mate, Rolsson in the battle against Ghishha. Food arrives, and then so does Aya. She is invited over and the discussion goes on to various things, in particular her shadow walking. Cryo explores whether she'd be able to go to Hell to rescue Merek. This doesn't seem like a viable option. Finally Cryo has to return to the Temple, and Braelnoir leaves to guard her as she does.

-=--=--=--=--=--=<* A07: Lower Alexandria Market District *>-=--=--=--=--=--=-

Just west of the Northern Highbridge and east of the arena, commerce blooms. Noisy and bustling, most anything may be purchased here for a price. Vendors from all cultures sell their wares from exotically colored carts, and the smells of different nations and far-off city-states mix with local ones from Alexandria and its riverbanks.

For all its commerce, visitors are advised to keep hold of their purses. Even the merchants possess a certain, cunning look. Most are positioned at carts or stalls as opposed to a formal storefront, with trade here being mobile, and visiting from all parts of the world.

Though the quality of goods suffers here compared to Upper Alexandria, the options are more diverse. Too, the oversight of the Watch is slightly less, and during times events are held at the Arena, chaos abounds. After dark, the square becomes a hangout for bards and other entrepreneurs whose business is best conducted by night; the shadows at the edges of the square often contain furtive figures engaging in their own brand of business.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

-=-=-=-=-  Appearing, in Order  =-=-=-=-=-=
Cryosanthia  6'9"     267 Lb     Sith-Makar        Female    A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman.
Braelnoir    5'11"    246 Lb     Human             Female    An armored silver chimera with four arms.
Ezil         5'11"    175 Lb     Human             Male      An armored man with dark skin, and grey-blonde hair.
Aya          4'7"     105 Lb     Shadow Elf        Female    Mul'niessa. Braided hair. Simple clothing.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

It's evening and a pair of scaley women are out looking for some food. The eateries are still open, and it's not hard to find a place with outdoor seating. To watch the crowd go by or in case a swift exist is needed.

Cryosanthia has found a table at one of them, which specializes in BBQ. She's quite eager to see what things are available and hooks over a stool with her tail.

Braelnoir, meanwhile in a slightly different form than she'd worn previously, bears a scabbarded greatsword she's using like a walking stick. As Cryo picks out a spot, the chimera snags a chair of her own and settles in, propping the weapon between the claws of her left foot, and that shoulder. "Ssmellzs interessting, anyway. Think we sspooked Kira, ssome." she muses.

The whitescale sith female nods, sighing a little. She looks for the nearest server, a half-sil male and waves him over to order a beer, for herself and another for her scale-sister. "Well... I didn't go into the much worse second option, if there isn't a body of water around. She's... been through a lot. She had a romantic interest... which is apparently against her vows, and she forgot, but it's over now too, because of all of this."

Ezil walks slowly through the market, his sun-bleached hair a mess while he takes his time. He looks a bit more burned than usual, his skin darker with it's tan. It's his nose he follows, something sweet and succulent has drawn him this way through the crowd. Fortune has it, that the place also seems to be housing Braelnoir and Cryosanthia with its outdoor seating. "That's an interesting story to hear part of." his musings thrown out as he sits in a seat near the two. "I hadn't made it to the Fernwood yet, but here you both are. I'd say it was a bit of fortune." smiling between them both. "Mind some company?"

Braelnoir shakes her head slightly, "Pisss on're ashhezs, firsst?" she queries almost automatically, then she sobers some as Cryo starts to relay some more about their, her, new acquaintance, "Oh." She chews on that for a second when she hears the sound of, "Eezsee, hey!" and she smiles a pirahna's smile at him, "Been a while, bro, misssed a few things. How ya been?" She has more arms, now, a mohawk that runs all the way down her spine, and long pointy ears and sith-like clawed feet. Those, she gets to, quickly propping the greatsword against her chair before she stoops over to huge Ezil with all of her arms.

"Eat the ashes over several days." Cryo says, with all seriousness, then she hears a familiar voice.

"EZIL!"

She's off her stool and vaulting over the table to land on the street. An awful lot of lizard just launching through the air. She grabs the sunburned paladin in a tight hug. "I've missed you so much! I don't work at the Fernwood any more. It felt like it was another eighty years." She grins.

Ezil can't help but laugh, taking in those hugs... thankfully still wearing armor in the case of nail and claw. "I thought it was you, Brae." turning then Cryosanthia with a small smile, taking a moment to look at her before. "It's good to see you too, White-One. I have missed you too. Both of you." pointing to the booth behind them. "Though for now, let's get some food ordered. I'm sure we have time to talk of things." motioning for them both to have their seats again. "I was called a few different places, but then again... I am here."

Braelnoir gives him a squeeze before edging back to give Cryo her shot and she grins as she resumes her seat. She arches an eyebrow and wonders, "Nothhing too ssinisster I hope?" a little more lisp in her words than before, likely due at least in part to all them choppers.

"Yes, lets." Cryo leads Ezil around to the table, getting a chair for him. She settles herself back down on the stool. She takes another sip of her beer, "Well. This one wants BBQ chicken." Turning her head she watches Ezil, "So, you first?"

"I was summoned to do a task. Nothing much to mention." Ezil notes, looking between the two with an odd glance as he takes his seat. "It was travel. Business. Then I was called back." not going into too many details. "Telmentar guided me. Mostly." smiling then. "I need to find the Small-Knight sometime, but for now.... I want chicken too." changing the topic to food, motioning to Braelnoir. "Your story sounded more interesting than my travels."

Braelnoir arches an eyebrow at the tale's brevity, "No ssauscy interludezs'r high intrigue?" she wonders with a note of sarcastic skepticism, there, then she glances at Cryo. Ohboy, where to start, then, "Ssomeone sstole my sscythe. I went t'vizsit elleandra to.. apologizse fer almost openin' her head."

Ezil nods in agreement to Cryosanthia. "Well let's start there then." his smile flashed, motioning for Braelnoir to say more. "I'll assure you. My trip was lackluster. I spent many a day on the back of a mule. I'll be back in a moment, I need to check Pancakes is tied up." He heads out.

Braelnoir frowns and sighs, "Th'Corpsse Wagon. One of it'ss trickss. It wazs even worsse than I thought that night in th'library." She looks around at the crowd eating around them, in some cases gawking at them and, "Shhort verzsion. Elly got grabbed by a flyin' helmet that was draggin her unconssciouss body into the wagon fer converzsion." There's a shrug and, "I had t'cut it off're head, but it'ss armor wazs tough, sso I had t'really lay into't. Drew blood. From her head."

"I hadn't heard that aspect of it. She didn't say a thing to me. I'm glad you got her out of it, that thing sounds horrendous. To have that happening to you while you're unconscious..." Cryo shakes her head, leaning forward, "It's a terrible device, you destroyed it, that's a good thing. How did your scythe get stolen?"

"Oh yes... that place." Ezil says, something about Merkebah bringing a dour expression to his lips. It doesn't take too long to fade, but it seems that place has left it's mark. "Yes, about your scythe. You get even with who ever took it?"

Braelnoir smiles awkwardly, "Yeah... there'zs a lotta that misshion we never got t'talk about. It'ss desstroyed, we can go over the detailzs over a bottle, later." She frowns, "Well, I'zs on my way back, when I sswung by her camp t'talk to'r. Firsst time I got t'ssee her honey. Anyway, thiss sspooky Arvek comes by an' tellzs me Ghishha ssends her 'regardzs and regretss'." She looks to Ezil, as she told Cryo this bit a little while ago, "I killed her two yearzs ago. Leasst shhe wazs dead when I left."

"The priest I spoke to said people can be brought back from decades ago, a couple hundred years. It's been... I've seen four come back in this last month. Auranar, Acedia, Halani, Rocky, and Merek did a few months ago. It's weird... but not unexpected." Cryosanthia says, taking a sip from her beer. She looks in the direction of the kitchen, impatient for her chicken, "I think I saw that Arvec you're talking about, around the temporary goblintown near Merkabah. Any idea who would want Ghishha back?"

Braelnoir stands bolt upright out of her seat, "WHAT!?", incensed, "What n'a fuck happened t'Asce?" She's come back from being dead, so that's a quick calming factor, but she remains standing for now, indifferent to the eyes upon them, now. She shakes her head and rights her chair, then her sword before settling it, and herself back into place. She's never gonna run out of people to kill at this rate, "Off top o'my head? No. Family, mebbe? Shh'wazs equipped like shhe wazs a big deal. Imagine Bludgun had plenty o'cake eaterzs, too. Like that one assshole we run into at the Ssteelbelt."

Cryosanthia nods, then says, "Right, that noble came back too. Acedia was holding off Eclavdran so we could escape Salina's dungeons. He just... crushed her. I didn't see. Acedia told me to get Zeke out, she stayed back with Halani, then Eclavdran killed her and chased Halani back to us. We teleported to the Temple of Daeus and Eclavdran followed us. Halani... punched him so hard she exploded. Burned from his blood, to death."

Braelnoir frowns and seems to take that news into consideration. Her pheremones, there is that subtle tinge, the hint of reptillian ire, but her expression has that odd intensity to it, the one that dominated her features as she watched her sister's portrayal of her relatively nightmarish battles in Merkabah. She smiles a little, just a little and nods, "Worthhy deathhss. Bothh of thhem."

"The others weren't. There were a lot of Her victims we couldn't get out. We tried. Zeke took both Kira and I, Faran was busy with her mother. The other victims could barely move, they'd been tortured, a few crawled from their cells. At first we helped, were gentle, then the Tower said it was going to explode. We hauled and shoved when we heard that. I know I ripped some wounds back open on them. We had to go up two floors through holes in the ceiling, in under thirty seconds. We thought we had five..." Cryo's hands clench on the edge of the table. She stares off into space.

Braelnoir reaches out, a pair to each of Cryo's hands, to cup over them as she says, "Ya did fer thozse ya could, ssisster." in a thoughtful, gentle tone, and she shakes her head, "Ssometimezs... even victory ssuckss. I know how ya feel, though."

Cryosanthia exhales, staring at the table, an angry glare in the kitchen's direction. "It wasn't much of a victory, and we didn't... you know all this. I want her to stop being my every thought."

Braelnoir rubs her thumbs in little circles along Cryo's hands and she nods, "That'll take time, Cryo. Won't blow ssunshhine up your asss on thhat. Trusst me, Ghishha's taken enough o'my time, too. 'fore that wazs the Godzs damned Wagon. That... was the firsst time I took command ssinsce... ssinsce I losst Rol... an I almosst killed another helplesss friend t'ssave'm. Almosst ended up sslaved t'the fuckin' thing m'sself."

It's the whitescale's turn to take her sister's hands. She rolls hers over, to hold tight. "You didn't, that's important." She grins, "And the party was either in such bad shape you were their best option, or you're a better leader than you think. I believe the latter. You don't want to... because people die when you do... but someone has to. I have lost more than I've saved, I don't like it when they're listening to me. Then also, not when they're not." She squeezes.

And the food finally comes.

Braelnoir closes her hands, curling into her sister's as the other two cup over top of them, "Did ok, but... maybe. I dunno. I told ya about Chay, I think." she says softly. The food's arrival draws her attention and she nods up at the server for a moment, then back to Cryo.

"Chay...?" Cryo has a blank look, she blinks, "The sith-makar, Chay? I... don't remember Braelnoir. It's been almost a century for me, everything before I left seems so long ago. I haven't seen Chay... in forever. If you told me it's gotten buried. The last few weeks, my life before, and THE TOWER. Everything from the Tower I order by how long my horns were, or if I had scale patches. What happened with Chay, he seemed nervous. That's how I remember him."

Braelnoir sighs and nods, "Yeah... up till you, I figgered most Ssithh're sskittishh. Him'n Zzeke were the ssame way, y'know?" She shakes her head, "The black masskss I guesss were after'm. The leader slipped on in an' sstuck Chay in front o'me, Asce, Azzog an' Victor, took off runnin'. Chay went down almosst insstantly. Zzog hauled on after him, then'e teleportss back into the middle of uss t'hit Chay again. Asce tried t'cover him, went down the same way, ssome kinda poizson."

Cryosanthia sits up a little straighter, "Perhaps... alone among the softskins... they were more nervous? It is not something I saw." She listens quietly, then frowns, "Poison? Poison doesn't work on us."

Braelnoir holds up her hands, "Mebbe it wazs magic, I don't know. He sstuck'm an thhey went down. He took Chay hosstage. Me an Zzog were primed t'sstrike." She shakes her head, "He tried t'retreat with Chay, and, gamblin', I sswung. Coulda gone I get Chay acrosss the gut, an' the Massk getss sstartled and dropss him, give Azog a chansce to lay into'm, drive'm off. Mebbe thinkss I'm crazzy. Runzs off an' I can pour my heal vial down'zs thhroat a'fore he bleedzs out. Or, if nothhin' elsse... I give him a clean, quick death while he's beyond pain, an' we can bring'm back."

Cryosanthia listens, stares, weighs the options presented and the possible decisions. "There were no good choices there. I'm sorry. I never knew. Chay... recovered?"

Braelnoir lowers her eyes slightly and shrugs, "Zzog, Asce an' I put money into rezzin'm. They had t'put the lionzs' shhare in. That'ss why I ssaid I had debtss t'pay." She looks up at the server who's gaping at her and she waves her off, then, "I ain't sseen'm since, but Asce said he'ss back. Imagine he might feel ssome way about what happen, azs he ain't never come ssee me, ssinsce, but I'm ok with'at... cuzz he'zs alive t'feel about it."

"I'm sorry that happened Brae. Who are these Black Masks, I've never heard of them?" Cryosanthia says, giving a glance at the server as well, "More beers please." She looks back at the silvery chimera, "This was before I came to Alexandria, wasn't it? I saw Chay in the colosseum, he was selling newspapers. I think he's ok. I'm sorry if that ruined your friendship; it would be a hard thing to get over."

Braelnoir smiles sadly, "We weren't tight, be'fore, but he wazsn't a bad guy. I liked him, but.. yeah. It wazs that or let some teleportin' fuckin' mousser take'm ssomeplasce we'd never find and take who knowzs how much time killin' him." Whatever a 'mouser' is, the word stirs up a lot of venom in her voice, "Black Masskss were ssome cult I guess ssuppossedly doin' Vardama'zs work. Was a while a'fore we met. They ssettled down, or got sscrubbed out, after we took hizs asss down."

Cryo jerks her head a little, "That's not how this one understands the Death Singing Dragon. She might stretch out her Claws, but they are not people. She doesn't want any coming earlier than expected. I am happy it was dealt with, this one would rather not worry about more things beyond my control. If I see him again, I will see how he's feeling."

She exhales, stares off again, "This one should really try to spend time in Mictlan. Our minds may have broken in ways we don't realize."

Possibly somehow related to teleporting moussers, yet not so much to Mictlan, Aya makes her way along the cobblestones from the west. No, she does not suddenly appear from anywhere, unless rounding the turn in the road qualifies.

Braelnoir shrugs again and reaches for some of her meal, "Why I think they got sscrubbed." she says softly, though Cryo's offer gets a small smile, "'ppreschiate that." The next bit makes her nod and, "Ssometimezs ya need to back off." She doesn't notice the mundane arrival of the dark elf just yet, and she takes a bite out of her food.

Cryosanthia takes off her gloves and puts them a pocket. She takes up her chicken and starts tearing strips off of it, digging in with her nails and pulling the meat apart. She notices Aya some time after she comes around the corner, waves at her, fingers covered in barbeque sauce and charred chicken skin. "It will be a pleasure. I should re-establish ties with everyone I knew before. I've barely spoken with Durrankar and not seen Svarshan. My Speaker teacher will be wondering what happened to me."

Aya notes the white Sith, first, by conspicuous coloration. Next noted is the wave, which is mildly unexpected or otherwise draws interest if her lifting brow is any indication. Her steps alter their cours to bring her towards the patio. "Good evening."

Braelnoir looks over her shoulder as Cryo waves and the silver figure uses one of her spare hands to give a languid wave, and a cordial, "Hey. How ya been?" she wonders.

The whitescale dips her head towards Aya, "Good evening." She attempts to lick her fingers clean, which moves most of the sauce and grease to her long snout. She splays her hands with a small grin, "finger food, and beer."

At least it is finger food when you stab your fingers in and rip pieces off with them, which appears to be Cryo's approach. Although she does it delicately.

"Not as busy as you, perhaps?" Aya notes to the chimaeric one. "I see, or hear, rather, that your speech has improved." She then pans to note Cryosanthia's explanation and demonstation. "Ah, so it seems."

Braelnoir laughs a bit between interlocking razored teeth, "True thhat!" she returns with a faint lisp as a result, "More people shhould learn handsspeech." She glances to Cryo, shrugs and gestures to a spot at the table then starts to gnaw at her strip of barbecued chicken.

Cryo nods at the empty spot as well, tearing herself another strip. She shreds it a little with her teeth, by biting and pulling on it. Then pops it in her mouth and swallows. Her left hand goes through a small finger dance, and then there is a trickle of light along her arm. The scales around and on her eyes glow white, and she looks at the back of her palm. "So, conversation is any topic that is not the Fae Queen, Salina. She is not watching me right now."

Aya joins the table, though this time she does so by ceasing to be where she stood and promptly rejoining existence at the indicated spot. "I know very little of her, and have no interest in discussing her."

Braelnoir wiggles her jaw slightly at the minor teleport, a flick at the end of her tail, then, she takes another bite. Nom nom. "Sso... it tough t'learn thhat little trick, luv? Sseemzs cazsual enough." Omnomnom. Another hand siezes her beer for a long pull, then, "Ss'good chicken."

"I've seen enough people do it, so I guess it's easy to learn, but it's never made any sense for me. I've spent a lot of time chasing people and running from things. I exepct i would be useful." Cryosanthia says. She licks at her fingers again, enough to wave at a server that she points towards Aya. Then she's back to dissecting her chicken and eating it.

Aya rolls her shoulders. "Not so difficult, unless one happens to fear the dark." She pauses as she is pointed out and a server arrives. While she does request some roast chicken, wine is sought rather than beer. "The Realm of Shadows connects to most others, and to every point in this one. Time and distance are not the same, however, so a single step there can be dozens, here."

"Ssoundss wierd, but... iff it workss." the chimera shrugs, then she takes another swig of her beer. Smacks her lips a couple of times, "Szit jusst me or izs thiss beer sslightly... lemony?"

"Lemony? Is that bad?" Cryosanthia sniffs at hers, "A little, perhaps." She looks over at Aya, "I've spent a lot of time in the dark, never moved through shadows the way you're describing. So how is time different, ever shown up someplace weeks later than you expected?"

"It works for me," Aya notes, unable to speak for others. At Cryosanthia's question, she shakes her head. "Not quite to that degree, that I'm aware. I've never experienced anything quite like what you described. A later or earlier arrival than expected, yes, but not by weeks. Hours, possibly, if it was a long journey, though that is hardly uncommon for any lengthy travel."

Braelnoir hmm's. Interesting. There could be something useful to that. A new hunk of poultry is taken between some of her hands and she turns it over a couple of times between her fingers, "It'ss not.... bad, jusst a little wierd."

Cryo nods, "I've had beer with orange in it. I've enjoyed that. And well, that's true, any long travel has variables." She's successfully stripped the bones, so she starts licking the remained of the sauce off and sets it to the side of the plate, and goes to work on another piece. "Heard anything about the Goblins, their airship and Blar lately?"

Aya can't comment on the beer, of course. Even as her food and drink arrives, there is no beer. She does sniff at and sample the wine, however. The sith's question causes brows to lift, though she turns her head to pass the query on, as it were, to Braelnoir, assuming that it's meant for the other and not herself.

Braelnoir shakes her head with a glance between the two, "My informatshion on that'ss dried up ssinsce Merkabah. It'ss been monthhss, thhough. Diplomatss musst have been on point or the continent'd be on fire, by now."

Cryo takes another sip of her beer, draining it, "this one offered some sith Warrior Caste to be used for patrols on behalf of Mictlan, but they seemed more interested in handling it on their own. Met the chief's daughter, had a little musical jam session, but the contacts went no where."

"I have nothing to offer on that particular topic," Aya admits, "though I've been avoiding the city, more than not, for some time." Her chicken is picked at, small morsels pulled off and eaten. It seems more a choice to be unhurried and fastidious rather than a lack of claws.

Braelnoir hmmm's and shrugs, "I'll try t'look into thingzs when we get the other sstuff ssorted out." she says softly, then polishes off her chicken.

"So was there a particular thing that drove you from the city?" Cryo asks, looking over. There's not much left of her meal either, her careful eating was to slow it down. She's sucking on her fingers a little more now, and going after the last few pieces of meat.

Aya washes down the chicken with another swallow of wine. "Yes. Plagues and demons seemed enough cause to spend my time elsewhere." It isn't exactly a forbidden topic, though it brushes hear. A second sip is taken before one corner of her mouth quirks. "Amusingly, now that both have lessened or vanished, I wouldn't object so much to find him now."

Braelnoir arches an eyebrow at a little tidbit and so, over the lip of her tankard simply wonders, "Him?"

"You aren't planning to make some sort of deal are you?" The whitescale sith stares at Aya, shaking her head, "He's described as pleasant and friendly but that's only in comparison to other demons, in that he'll talk to you before killing you. Did you know he has a consort? This one can't imagine how that works, that they have any sort of positive feelings like affection. At best I can conceive, it is they find each other's powers and perspectives agreeable enough to ally."

Both brows go up at that revelation. "No, I was not aware that he had anything of the sort," Aya admits, shaking her head. "I'd rather not bargain with him, and I'm well aware that he's fond of such things... though some arrangements may be unavoidable."

Braelnoir arches an eyebrow, "Everyone needs a ssqueezze." she muses, "Wouldn't put it to'm to put much value in th'relatshionshhip, thhough."

Cryosanthia nods, shrugging a little, "Well he does. Actually, I asked him if he was after an introduction to the silver marilith I knew, and that was why he kept bothering me. Except... ah, it wasn't. His answer was killing Auranar."

"That is one that I don't need to be concerned of sudden interest from, in that case," Aya notes to Cryosanthia. "Unlike some other of your acquaintances. As for the fiend, I already have the joy of favor owed, and I'd prefer to remove it sooner rather than later."

Braelnoir arches an eyebrow at Cryo, "Fuck me runnin', girl!" she exclaims, "Didn't thhink I looked thhat thhirssty!" The last comes with a laugh, then, a wry smirk, she taps knuckles to the Sith's, "Nisce t'know yer lookin' out fer m'love life, thhough." Aya's remarks bring her a little bit of a sobering influence, then, "Hope ya got th'value of't back, at leasst...?"

The whitescale grins, "No, this one thought he might be. I couldn't imagine why else he was bothering me, I don't think he visits the Fernwood. Anyhow, if you want to find him, he's likely in the sewers. Say, you can't shadow step yourself to Hell and back, can you?"

Aya rolls a shoulder at Braelnoir. "I've no idea. Several of us accompanied a mage to acquire the fiend's aid against.. certain individuals. Said mage failed to disclose that we would be indebted to the demon for it. A map, and a morsel of information that was likely more lie than truth. It might well be worth another favor to repay them both, immediately, on my terms rather than wait for him to appear with demands."

She looks to the whitescale, after, brow lifting. "I could reach most any realm, if I wished to, but you just stated he was likely under the city."

Braelnoir looks to Cryo, smirking a bit, until she turns to Aya with her question, eyebrows high for a second, though she seems to catch on. Clever girl, but, "May want t'make ssure we ain't bein watched a'fore we finissh thiss converssatshion." she advises. She settles back into her seat with her lemony beer and takes a long pull, considering Aya, "Ssorry yer client dealt in bad faithh, luv. How're ya withh passsengerzs?"

"I checked when Aya arrived, we should be good." Cryo says, briefly glancing at Braelnoir before focusing on Aya, "A friend of ours, Merek, was taken by him. Last information we had, he was in hell. We don't have a way to rescue him. I think we used that map you obtained. It... worked, somewhat. Anyhow, Merek has been in Hell for a month, and... everyone seems... to have this idea Eclavdran will release him when Salina is defeated. This one would like something more pro-active."

"Also... I don't really want to go to Hell..."

"I certainly wouldn't recommend it," Aya offers, as if that was ever in any doubt. She glances from sith to chimaera and back, curious at the concern for voyeurs. "I can take others with me, if that's your question. The journey could take a few hours through the shadowlands, however, and they are not without their own dangers. Not the least of which would be straggling behind and becoming lost."

Braelnoir seems a little skeptical, but nods, "A'ight." and, as Cryo begins to explain their concerns, and her own reticence, the chimera simply shrugs again, "Thiss'll take more thhought." Clearly. Time to kill that beer.

"Well, that's something then. I'll have to get more details from Kira. Or... maybe Ezil's friend knows something, but I'd rather not ask." Cryo says, looking grim. "Some idea of where he is and what forces are holding him there. And probably should buy some rope."

Aya dips her head in a nod. "I would certainly recommend as much a plan of action as possible before venturing there, and would assume that he would be more powerful there than here. You would also need a route of return, of course."

Braelnoir hmmmm's softly, "Yeah... Mer might know how t'get back if we cut'm loosse, but he may not be in conditshion fer the sspell." she says, conceding the point.

"I was hoping you could appear behind him, grab him and disappear the way you pop in and out here. It sounds like it will be more involved, and will need the assistance of adventurers who have a chance of defeating a demon or holding off Eclavdran if he returns while it's going on. Merek was talking about Plane Shifting all the time, but I doubt they're letting him prepare spells, or get in touch with Eluna." Cryosanthia says, arranging the unused cutlery on her plate to signal she's done. She also very vigorously cleans her hands, her fingernails and then her snout with a napkin.

Aya considers her thought. "No, it would not be so easy. I can take myself, and others, over distance or to other realms, yes. The same distortion that makes it possible also makes a precise point of entry nigh impossible. I could arrive in Alexandria, perhaps even west of the river, but not at the door to this establishment. Taking a few strides is quite accurate, but I cannot take others and the range is far more limited."

Braelnoir considers the dregs of her beer in the tankard, not having any more to add to that line of conversation, yet. She'll have to squeeze a bookworm about workarounds in that case, but, later. Unless one of the prime movers forces her hand, she may as well return her focus to curing her condition. Then... someone out there has something that doesn't belong to them. Two somethings, considering she took the witch's life, fair and square. Aya's elaboration draws her eye and she considers her words, sorting the information into whatever phyla works in that head of hers and she nods, "It wazs worthh conssidering, anyway."

Aya adds, "As much as would utterly delight me to annoy him by appearing to snatch his captive and vanish, it would take more effort than that. I would need a more precise location and landmarks, to start."

Cryosanthia nods, exhaling a small cloud of mist, "Well, from what Kira told me, Eclavdran took her and Merek to hell, dropped his glamour, opened a door to the Tower and pushed her through and the last she saw was Merek being put in a cell. So, virtually nothing in terms of landmarks. When I tried to scry on Zeke, Eclavdran appeared. Scrying on Merek's location is likely to get that attention as well. I don't know how to solve this."

Braelnoir decides to take a different route, "Anyone every tracked ya through a teleport're whatever ya wanna call thhat trick a'yerzs?"

"Not on any use beyond their vision, no," Aya responds with a shake of her head. She then drains the remainder of her wine from the glass. "That doesn't mean that it is impossible for someone or something to do so."

"Too bad we couldn't put one of Kaelyn's pegs in him and track him through the planes," Cryo says, very humourlessly. "Thanks for letting us know how it works Aya. We'll... do something." She shrugs. "This one should get back to the Temple, see if Zeke has returned, your company has been appreciated, thank you both."

She puts a few coins on the table, enough to cover the meal and an average tip. Standing, she makes a little bow, "Sorry to leave abruptly Braelnoir, there are more things we should catch up on. This one is feeling suddenly anxious and I need to move."

She slips away and heads for home.

The chimera picks up the greatsword laying on the ground next to her as Cryo stands to leave and she nods. She claps her Kor-branded fist to her breastplate and bows her head to the dark elf with a, "Gotta take off too. Live free, or die well." she says with a smile, and moves to follow the Sith home.

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