Nothing Drastic

Log Info

• Title: Nothing Drastic
• Emitter: Aryia
• Characters: Aryia, Seyardu, Irshya
• Place: TarRaCe Bathhouse
• Time: January 17th, 2022
• Summary: Aryia and Seyardu are relaxing in the bathhouse after a mortally testing trip to the Grey Halls. Irshya bites an unsuspecting Aryia, the the pool shark is thrown across the pool. Seyardu is having trouble dealing with the fact of her age nearly doubling, as that fact alone as a plethora of issues to process and come to terms with. Aryia suggests not to do anything drastic, Irshya suggests a massage. Both are valid methods. After the shark takes a nap, Seyardu tests Aryia's resistance to magic, and then they both resume lazing about.

The TarRaCe - Bathhouse, Afternoon.

Once more, the bathhouse is being utilized for its relaxing atmosphere. Especially needed after stressful days. Or events.

One woman is already floating lazily in the women's pool. Black trunks, a chestwrap, and a scarred grey skin easily belies a frequent participator in the warm waters. She's got her eyes closed, sloooowly floating from one end of the pool before a toe nudges the edge to set on a course for the other side.

The tarrace was a place that many frequented, and the bath house was almost as popular, or perhaps even moreso, then the establishment itself.

This day had Seyardu making use of the facilities as well. In the women's bath, the silver sith-makar barely kept their snout above the water, and their eyes were closed. "I was expecting our journey to be a pain in the neck, but not physically so." The cleric sighs.

The mute nods. Her voice was unheard to all except to the silverscale sharing the pool with her. "Sort of? I feel okay after all of that. But... are you alright? I noticed you were a bit different after coming back, but I didn't want to point it out just yet." <Telepathy>

Aryia is peaceful. Aryia is tranquil. Breathe In. Out. In. Out. I-

Her sacred sanctum of inner peace is disturbed with a sudden, "Acckkkpbbfft!"

Her hands fly behind herself towards the back of her trunks, and snatches at a tail trying to flee. She pulls her catch up, glaring at the floppy fish.

Irshya squeaks as she's suddenly pulled up out of the water by the tail, and after a few moments of flailing, she goes still. Dangling.

"Oh, hello, Aryia. Have you come to enjoy the baths once more." The Gobbo gives her best 'completely innocent' look. "Oh, hullo Seyardu, how are you doing?" The pool-shark gives a wide, toothy grin, marred only by a single tooth that seems set back ever so slightly, ruining the clean line of teeth.

"I am fine Aryia." Seyardu responds to seemingly no one in a blatant lie, as her mind was filled with worry and concern. "I believe that the grey halls has aged me, but it was not particularly smart about it. For example, I am physically older, but my neck muscles have not developed as they would have during normal aging to support the increased weight of my horns."

Seyardu blinks at the commotion, and opens het eyes to see a dangling goblin. "Ah, peace on your nest Irshya. I am doing alright, I would say."

The mute continues to glare at the poolshark. She stares a moment overlong before the voice in Seyardu's head becomes heard in both. "Yes, I have." The pool shark is then spun around and tossed to the other side of the hot pool with little effort. Nor malice, as the pugilist was fighting a small smile.

She looks to Seyardu, more of the soft yet firm voice speaking. "Ah. I see. I... am sorry that happened. But hey, we're alive, and we didn't have to trade a whole of stuff to get what we went for. Yeah?" She wades over and puts a hand on the silverscale's shoudler. <Telepathy>

Irshya squeaks as she's casually tossed to the other side, and she twists and turns, managing to hit the water rather gracefully given the situation.

The little blue shadow darts about the pool, and then moves at the two women. The pool-shark surfaces a few moments later, grinning brightly. "So how're your knees and hips, grannies?", the pool-shark cracks. She sobers up a moment after. "You made it back. Are you both okay, for certain?"

She moves forward to hug at both Aryia and Seyardu.

"Ah, was that necessary?" Seyardu asks as the gobber is flung across the bath.

"You are the one saying that. I traded little, if anything at all. Aside from time." Seyardu sighs. "I am worried about what you gave."

Seyardu looks as the gobber swims back up. The cleric shakes her head, which makes her wince and rub at her neck with one hand. "My knees are fine. My hips are wider than I remember. I, should be alright though." She answers, before scooping up Irshya into a hug. "I appreciate the concern however."

Aryia just shrugs. "She likes being thrown into the pool."

The mute snorts, putting her hands on her hips for a moment before she gives a quick hug to the pool shark. "I'll have you know I aged down some," she lightly chastises with a mental laugh.

She sobers up as the shark is swept into a silver embrace. "What I traded isn't... that bad, in the grand scheme of things. Those memories can be remade, or parts can be told to me. I don't... remembering us training anymore. Or how she fights. Or... anything. I just know she's strong is all."

The notion makes the mute check at her own waistline, a brow raised. <Teleport>

The pool-shark's expression saddens ever so slightly. She pats at the water. "You should sit and soak for a few hours, Seyardu. Irshya could also offer a massage, to loosen up the muscles a bit and take away some of the pressure and pain." The Gobbo does seem to enjoy both being tossed about the pool and the hugs.

Her expression sadden a little bit at what Aryia says about memories. "You traded memories? Oh gosh. They are so valuable. But..." Irshya squints at Aryia. "You're missing some scars... and you look... younger."

"She did, her memories of training with Aryia. I did not offer anything, as I knew my cards were horrible. Jinks offered his voice to Vardama. She seems to have taken that as offering prayer to her on the regular." Seyardu sighs as she continues hugging the gobbo. "Aya can share her memories when she gets back at least, yes. And a soak is nice, it is why I came here. I did not know you knew any massages, Irshya."

Aryia soaks back into the pool, going as far as to swim underwater. But her voice didn't abate from the two. "I know they are valuable, Sharkie. I had to offer something that to prove that I was serious about this, but wouldn't hobble me. Aya wouldn't want that. And for Jinks, I think that's an okay trade for him. She could tell me when she gets back, yes. Or we can train more together. I have a lot of muscle memory that I have no clue how I got. Or... I know how I got, just not the time behind it."

She resurfaces next to them, rubbing water out of her eyes. "I haven't had any massages, but I hear good things about them."

The mute nods to Irshya. "Yes, I was lucky and gained a few years to my life's candle. Not much though. The Grey Halls are not meant for mortals to walk in."<Telepathy>

"You could have offered some years, could you not?", the Gobbo wonders of Seyardu. She submerges then, and follows Aryia across the pool, waiting until Mul'neissa settles down before beaching herself in their lap. Sticking her tongue out, Irshya grins. "How's the bottom?", she wonders.

"I could have. I could have done a lot more." Seyardu sighs as the gobbo leaves the hug. "I was not in a position where what I offered would have any bearing, and I did not expect it to end so abruptly. "And I should have been more prepared for traveling there, so this did not happen."

The cleric blows some water out of her snout, and tries to find an edge of the pool to rest against. "The bottom is always nice from what I have seen."

Aryia blinks as there's a beached poolshark on her lap. "I don't know, how about you find out?"

The gobbo is picked up once more and dunked head first into the warm waters, the mute grinning to herself.

She turns to Seyardu, gesturing out towards the exit. "Do keep in mind when bringing up Aya around Verna and the others that defeated the Demon. I think they have some kind of mental tick with the demon memories in relation to Aya. So, uh, don't say her name around them."

She softly smiles. "Seyardu..." her voice soft and crooning. "You helped us so much. You got us there. Spoke with the guardians. And next time you know what to expect in places like that for next time. And can warn others of the dangers. We are lucky. Very, very lucky, to get out with very little detriment to ourselves. But, I cannot discount that it fucking sucks." <Telepathy>

Irshya squeaks as she dunked, and she wiggles free, diving down into the pool, and circling its depths. She then swims at Aryia's position, and attempts to glomp onto the toes of one of the Mul'neissa's feet.

"But, I could have done more, yes? And now, I did not get to experience these years, and come to terms with the changes." Seyardu continues. "It is a small thing to be fair in exchange for what we accomplished, but, I still have no idea how to explain this to Skielstregar, or Sjach."

The silver makari blinks and watches the water instead and the gobbo that was chasing after Aryia's foot.

The mute gives a small sigh. "You did a lot," she reiterates, more firmly. "And yes. It will take time to come to terms with it. It's why I've been sort of just... contemplating a lot recently after all that. I hope you'll find the words to tell your brother and your boyfriend."

Aryia is about to say something more in her head. But suddenly both women would hear a slew of pristine, unfiltered Aryia swears. "Aaaagh fucking fuck fuck shit there's a fucking shark aaaaaa...!"

The mute flails her leg to try and kick the pool shark off. <Telepathy>

As the Mul'neissa starts to flail, and the kicks start, Irshya quickly releases her catch, and with a flick of her tail, is safely away. An odd sound can be heard from water, something that sounds suspiciously like laughter.

Irshya returns again, but this time she beaches herself in Seyardu's lap, sitting up a little so that her face is above water.

"Goodness. Such unlady-like language..." She giggles a bit more, and then lets out a sigh.

"Irshya would offer you the same advice as she offered your brother: Simply tell them the truth. If they cannot handle that, they do not deserve to know such things."

"This one, I did help, yes. And the words to tell them, I do not know. It is not about them handling it, it is about this one suddenly being a fair bit older, older than my older brother, even." Seyardu begins to reply, only to be cut short by Aryia swearing repeatedly, and a gobbo in her lap. She can not help but chuckle as well. "It is alright, I do not think less of Aryia for swearing. But ah, right. I want to tell them, but I still feel bad. And that is not even counting how this one feels even more strongly about Sjach than before."

Aryia pouts lightly as she's released from her toesies being eaten. "I haven't been a lady in seventy fuckin' years, Sharkie." She sticks her tongue out before shaking her head with a chuckle.

"Like I said, Sey, just... take some time to get used to it. I know it sucks that things are different, and it's a bit discombobulating, but you'll have to sort out how you are now. Before you go and do anything drastic with Sjach," she teases.

A pause. Then she looks to the pool shark of wisdom. "... you met her brother? I saw him once. He's fucking huuuuge. I tried to say hi to him once at the nests. But he, uh, ran off." <Telepathy>

"The truth is the best thing to tell them. Tell them plainly, but gently. Irshya thinks they would be understanding. And do not feel badly. You will find it will make you feel better, not worse."

The pool-shark slips away from Seyardu's lap then, and soon heads for Aryia's foot once again. "Irshya did meet him. His scales were falling off, and new silvery ones were replacing them. Irshya thinks he is a gentle giant, very shy. She offered advice, as he was trying to decide something. Just tell the truth. He seem satisfied. Also a perfect gentleman."

"NOMPH" Exposed toes get 'chewed' on once more. <Telepathy>

"Yes, ah, I do not wish to do anything drastic." The makari nods, which only makes them wince again. "It would, not be ideal. I may just need more time to figure things out, but I do not wish for them to think they did anything wrong, either. It is complicated."

"I know, you are correct, Irshya. I can not not tell them. But I may need some time."

Aryia raises a brow at the silent message given to her. "Yeah. I saw him. I guess he is shy, because he took /off/ after I tried to say hi," she replies back to both of them.

Seeing the incoming nomph, the mute rears her legs back and snatches the pool shark in a leg vice. She turns her over, plants in her on her lap, and pats her until she passes out into a snooze from all the exertion.

The mute nods towards Seyardu. "It is complicated. And, like all things, will take time."

She looks down to the pool shark, then carefully pushes her off into the depths for a slumber at the bottom of it. Aryia slides over towards Seyardu. "So no rush."

She tilts her head to the side. "Didn't know your brother was growing silver scales. That's cool. How is he?" <Telepathy>

Seyardu blinks and watches the gobbo drifting off to the bottom of the bath. "As long as she will be alright down there, which she should. I know swimming takes a lot of energy out of a person, and you made them do a lot of swimming. Not to mention being physically flung across the area." The silverscale chuckles. "But, ah, yes! Well, it's complicated. He was not able to grow scales before, and, I do not know what happened, but they're growing back in. So, I imagine he is quite uncomfortable, but happy regardless. It has been a bit of time since speaking to him, but I imagine they are still doing well. They were last I saw, I should seek them out again fairly soon. After, sorting myself out, that is."

Aryia chuckles and nods. "She loves swimming. Though, is prone to nap time quite often due to it."

She tilts her head to the side, listening to the explanation with a raise brow. "Ah. That doesn't sound really comfortable at all. I've never had sca- wait. Yes I have. Yeah, that doesn't sound fun. But if he's happy, that's all that matters."

She gives a little sigh. "Of course. Sort yourself out first. You have anything you want to talk about to help with that?" <Telepathy>

"It's not a comfortable experience at all. But it is necessary at times. Though not usually in such a large amount at one time." Seyardu explains. "The closest I can say it is like, is if you have every had a bad sunburn. It hurt for a bit, and then is very uncomfortable. But you feel much better afterwards."

"I do not know what to talk about to help with things. And, what I feel comfortable talking about. You spoke of not doing anything drastic, and it does feel like a legitimate concern."

Aryia rests against the now-older silverscale's side, her brows knitting some. "Ah. I see. That makes a lot of sense. You are right." <Telepathy>

At the mention of 'what I feel comfortable talking about', the telepathic connection severs. "I understand," she motions with her hands, the crystals on the side of her headband going out. "I just mostly mean, in terms of drastic, not joining the nest mothers next season. You're still like, really young. I can't imagine what sorts of things your head is swirling about."

She looks down to her own waist. "... I think a lost an inch," she notes about her hips, tugging at her trunks slightly. <Handspeech>

Seyardu snorts again into the water as the telepathic link is shut down. "Thank you, I am sorry. Yes, that is what I mean. It is like my neck muscles in a way, Aryia. I am suddenly that much older, but there was no chance to gradually come to terms with the changes. I should, speak to Cryosanthia, or Un'eth. Perhaps they could provide guidance."

The cleric dips her head for a moment. "I am sure you can make the muscles back, Aryia. And, at the very least, you are a good seamstress, and such an alteration would not be too difficult, would it?"

Aryia shakes her head. "Don't be sorry. This thing is kind of invasive if I'm not careful," she taps the ivory band. "But, yes. Maybe talk to U-N-E-T-H. She might be able to help. Cryosanthia may be... not the best person to ask on such matters at the time, due to her nesting."

She looks up at Seyardu, her lips quirked upwards in a smirk. "Oh, no, it wouldn't be. But I don't think I lost any muscle, I'm still ripped.. Just, I think my body is a touch slimmer is all." <Handspeech>

"It might not be ideal to speak to Cryosanthia, yes. Perhaps Un'eth, or Nantualith. Someone, really."

"That is odd, that you are still muscular, but lost body mass by becoming younger. Perhaps being in Alexandria has allowed you to eat more properly? You should see about getting Violet to cook you some more food to make up for it. Unless it is a good thing to be slimmer as you say." The cleric muses.

Aryia nods. "Then do so next time you are up there."

The mute purses her lips some. "My bones, Seyardu. My hips are a touch smaller," she signs before snickering silently. "Plus, I already eat a ton, I don't think I can gain any more weight. I'm already a little heavy for an elf just off of muscle alone. You've seen how hard I push my body." <Handspeech>

"But, you are over one hundred years old, are you not?" Seyardu asks curiously. "I did not think that elves kept growing that long. I would say that is a good thing though, that it is alright. And of course, I know how hard you train. You toss Irshya through the air like it is nothing, and that is one of the less impressive things I have seen you accomplish."

Aryia gives a soft, two toned whistle that mimics 'mhmm!'. "Yes, I am. Well, I think I am. Parents said I was one hundred and ten. I... should still be a century old though. Elves age very slowly, lots of subtle differences. When we were in the Halls with the Harpist. I was... I think I was forty, then."

She colors a bit. "... at least I know what I'll sound like if I ever get my voice back."

Rubbing at her face, the color doesn't go away as the praise keeps on. "Ah, well, yes. I've learned how to do a couple of other things since then. Or, well, I think I know how to do them. I just haven't tried them out yet in practice." <Handspeech>

"Well, I will need to read more to understand the differences." Seyardu chuffs. "And, yes, you do have a nice voice, if you ever do get it back. Though, that was really strange. I went from, being a child, to being twenty years older, as if that was not enough. I am glad I was still able to help."

One brow just above the water raises. "You learned some more things? I am curious, and would like to see them. At this rate, you will be the one teaching Aya when she returns."

Aryia snickers some. "I'll have to learn how to use it again. I can whisper and hiss things, but that's all done without agitating my throat. I felt more like a honking goose than actually saying anything intelligible."

She nods, looking down a bit. "I don't know why we were that age. Jinks was younger too. And I didn't have all my scars. I... think I was turned to the age right before I got my throat slashed. Still, it must be super weird for you, I can't imagine it. Just know I'm here for you if things get out of hand."

The mute giggles silently, her dipping to be just above the water line. But it didn't hide the color on her visage from the thought of mentoring Aya. "Maybe. I teach her some new things already. But, um, I think I can fix my body if it gets really messed up. And... I think I can block spells from hitting me." <Handspeech>

"The only thing that comes to mind, Is that I look like I did back when, everything happened." Seyardu offers, which makes the cleric shudder, and wince again. "Ah, but yes. I appreciate you being around, Aryia. Although, by the sound of what you're learning, you don't even need me around, do you? If you can deal with healing and magic yourself."

Aryia makes a "psssh," sound, her shaking her head and waving that off. "No, you are still a wonderful person to have around. The healing is just a bonus. I can't exactly... /heal/ myself. But if I got some sort of crippling poison, or a my mind got damaged, I could probably restore it. I think. I wouldn't want to test that unless its necessary. And the magic thing, uh, I think it'd block like, almost all spells. Good or bad. Like, if you want, we can try it now." <Handspeech>

"Ah, yes, I would not wish to test that unless necessary. But, I am glad to be your friend, Aryia, really." Seyardu chuckles, pulling the mul'niessa into a hug. "Just, a moment, I am still thinking about what happened. But we could test it. So, what would be the best way to do so?"

Aryia is gladly pulled into a hug, her returning it for a spell before she has to pull back slightly to speak with her hands. "Yes. Take as much time as you need. But, uh, probably any regular spell. Can be simple. Though, I think if you try and heal me while I'm blocking you'll have to pierce it to help me. So... just word of warning on that." <Handspeech>

Seyardu gently hugs the mul'niessa, until she has to stop to continue talking. The sith-makar was still remaining as submerged as possible. "I do not have my holy symbol on me, but that should be fine. I can attempt a simple orison to see how it goes." She offers, raising one hand out of the water. Just let me know when you're ready, and I will give it a shot."

Aryia nods her head and steals one more hug before pulling away fully. She exits the pool, her having to stand up as water drips off of her and splashes against the tile. She holds a finger up, rubs her hands together, then pushes them out interlaced so the knuckles crack satisfying.

She breathes deeply. Then slowly exhales. Faint, silver lines of energy start to appear around her eyes. Then intermittantly shimmer to life around her cheeks. Down her neck. Over her torso, legs, arms.

She splays her arms out, eyes shining bright like a glimmering star. "Do it," she gestures with a hand, her face hardened. <Handspeech>

GAME: Seyardu casts Guidance. Caster Level: 12 DC: 16
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+13: (19)+12: 31 (vs SR 23)

Seyardu raises the hand higher and closes her eyes, partly to fight back the rising headache she was getting from several movements and the glow coming from Aryia now. "Celestial mother, aid Aryia's endeavors with your grace and strength." The silverscale prays, though she fumbles around for a moment to actually find Aryia's shoulder.

"Ah. I can sense the resistance you speak of. And, that looks quite interesting. I wonder what Violet would think of you glowing like that."

The mute tenses some as the spell hits her, it being somewhat difficult to successfully get the magic to stick. Though, Aryia blinks as she just now looks at herself, eyes widening at the array of energy filled lines. They glow with the same vibrancy and hue as that of her eyes. "... this... has never happened before," she gestures slowly, looking over herself with a vested interest. She makes a mental note to file it away for later. "I... guess it's the thing I can do? But... most of the stuff I do that isn't the dark and light stuff isn't super flashy."

Her face colors some as she plops back down into the waters. "Glad to know that it works. And, uh, maybe Violet would like to see it. It's kind of hard to pull of though, I'm... really having to focus to keep it going. Good job on getting it to work. I'll have to be careful how I use this so you can heal me if need be." <Handspeech>

Seyardu opens her eyes again to catch the signing, and assess the state of the mul'niessa as she seems unused to the change. "Well, it does not seem negative, though it is obvious. It is good to know for myself if it is active, for certain, and stands out quite a bit against your skin. Could be worth showing her, she might find it interesting, though, if it is tiring, there is no need. It was more difficult than I expected to manage to get it to work."

Aryia nods, her focusing a bit to try and stem it. The shimmer fades slightly, before she huffs and it comes back. "Yes. I can show her, she'll probably like it. She likes the light show."

She smiles a bit at the thought, but sighs some. "Well, I'm glad it was difficult, that means I'm doing a good job and it's working. I've never actually, like, tested it before."

The pugilist watches Seyardu for a moment before slipping in for another unsolicited hug. "We should go back to floating around," she suggests, hand off to the side so Seyardu could see it. <Handspeech>

Seyardu sighs and returns the hug, giving Aryia a strong squeeze, her head off to one side to read the hand speech. "Yes, going back to resting would be nice. I, should be fine once I get used to this, but I need to rest the muscle strain away." Seyardu agrees. "And, I would like to be ready for Irshya whenever she resurfaces. The massage sounds like an excellent idea later."

"I do not normally like doing this for too long, but I think aging over the course of a few hours is grounds for a bit of time to rest, I will admit."

Aryia gives the embrace a strong squeeze as well as she smiles into it before pulling away to slowly float off. "She'll be an hour or two. Don't worry. I heard she gives good massages. And... yes. You deserve quite a lot of rest. A couple of weeks. Shit, a month. As much time as you need. You deserve it. That's a lot to go through. So you take all the time you need. As will I."

And she's adrift once more... the lights on her slowly fading out. <Handspeech>

-End Scene-