View source for Residents of the Jungle

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==Log Info==

*'''Title''': Residents of the Jungle

*'''Characters''': [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Murder]], [[Slixvah]]
*'''DM''': [[Riptide]]

*'''Place''': Am'shere - Jungle

*'''Summary''': In search of answers about a possible connection between the fey entity known as the Golden Fate and Am'shere, Rune and Harkashan seek out the chaneque, the local fey of Am'shere, with offerings in hand.</div>

It's a thing that Elders advise against. They tell most hatchlings that only bad things await in the jungles after dusk, far away from the hearths and the songs that keep the children safe and keep the nests warm. And yet here you are in the jungles, the sun setting rapidly in the skies, with the elderly sith-makar and Deathsinger known as Miquitlani guiding the way. She holds a thing in her hands that looks like a candle but much thinner, a thing that burns but gives off a clean-smelling scent.

"Ay, children," she calls out behind her. "We are soon to be at their home. They know that we are here in their territory. This scent tells them that we mean them no harm. You are the ones who must speak to them, however, not me. I am the guide, not the one who has the business."

<br \>

The Goblin walks along quietly, observing their surroundings as they move through the rapidly darkening jungle. "I am uhhhm. More concerned about the night time critters than our Fey hosts. At least our Hosts will appreciate us being polite and respectful. Concepts lost on things thinking we're dinner."

The Goblin chuckles lightly, and then lets out a sigh.

 <OOC> Slixvah uses Hex: Ward on Rune. +2 resistance to saves and +2 deflection to AC. Lasts until save is failed or is struck. Witch is aware when the ward drops.

Amongst those traveling is that of a rainbow hued egalrin. Well, her robes were sparse, save just for a dull brown one keeping her arms covered from the insects. No, it was the plethora of ribbons on her neatly folded wings that gave off the hue, as she herself was that of a rusty red and white drab.

"Yes ma'am, Deathsinger Miquitlant, understood!" she chirps cheerfully. She wasn't underprepared, of course. The lack of robes made it easy to spy the wands, daggers, and bolas jammed into various belts on her person under the robe. Perhaps she should have been a makari for the trek. At least then it wouldn't be as... humid.

She stops by Rune, bringing a hand up and resting it on her shoulder. "No worries hon, you got this," she coos to her quietly in encouragement. An errant breeze, one different from the usual winds that waft through the jungles, brushes by Rune.

"Eh, I wouldn't worry 'bout that," she waves off. "We 'ave ways ta deal wit' critters and such, sugar."

 GAME: Rune rolls perception: (7)+16: 23

Just the idea of wandering into the jungle at night is enough to have Rune showing all the typical signs of anxiety. The common fidgeting with her mother's necklace and the wary glances as her ears swivel to every sound in the woods, even the crunching of their own footsteps. Though she knows what creatures they have come to find, that doesn't mean that others may not lie in wait.

"I understand." Rune takes in a deep breath, then lets it out again. "At the very last, we should be able to hear most theats coming." Most, but not all. 

Rune's other arm clutches multiple wrapped packages, ones which she must have acquired during her time briefly back in Alexandros. Gifts for their hosts, it seems.

The touch to her shoulder nearly causes Rune to jump, and hte alarm in her eyes is visible even as Slixvah offers words of encouragement. "Right. Right, of course." Then, to the others, she adds, "Everyone just be careful." 

 GAME: Harkashan rolls Survival: (20)+5: 25

Harkashan has remained fairly quiet for the journey so far, walking with the other Deathsinger. Naturally gravitating towards those of his Caste, as expected of Sith-makari. Though not a Skybrother, birds of a feather do flock together. 

He's keeping the pathing in mind as they step through, listening to the sounds of the Jungles around them. 

"I would advise you to rethink that, Murder." Harkashan rumbles after a few steps further in - with the Gobbo having spoken of the 'nightlife' of the jungle. "The creatures aren't going to bother us this close to the Chaneque. They'd rather remain predator, rather than become prey." He offers up to her.

Harkashan has brought a gift as well, though he's not taken it out of his pouches yet. 

He glances back as he notices Rune 'jump' a bit at Slixvah touching her. "All will be well, Rune." Harkashan rumbles at her. "Have trust." Before looking forward once more.

 <OOC> Riptide says, "Perception rolls, please~"
 GAME: Slixvah rolls alertness: aliased to perception+2: (13)+13+2: 28
 GAME: Murder rolls perception: (6)+16: 22
 GAME: Harkashan rolls Perception: (3)+5: 8

A few more steps and then Miquitlani stops in place. Rune hears it first. The fluttering of wings. They're all around in the branches of the trees. They were easily masked before by the sounds of the civilization that you left behind. Everyone except Harkashan does, in fact.

The elderly sith-makar turns to Rune, Miquitlani's one good orange eye regarding the half-sil for a long moment. "Ay. It is your chance to entreat them. Speak," she says softly. "Offer your greetings and your gifts in exchange for friendly words."

<br \>

Murder quietly shuffles the backpack from her shoulder, and begins to carefully rummage around inside it. From it, two jars filled with a reddish liquid, one being roughly palm sized for a human, the other roughly palm sized for a Goblin.

Both of these jars are offered up to Rune, the Gobbo whispering... "The blood. Heartsblood of a stag, and of a boar. I used a simple wooden spear to slay them, no metal to spoil the kill. Was a close one with the stag, yeesh, he fought well. Hurt me good."

 GAME: Slixvah rolls perform/oratory: (17)+9: 26

Slixvah chuckles as Rune jumps, her just patting the half-sil on the back. "It'll all be okay," he echoes after Harkashan, her tossing a wink his way. "We're all here."

The fluttering of wings gets her straighten up, the egalrin shifting her head up to spy the masked figured above. A light sigh leaves her beak. Wings shifting in a tinge of nervousness. She nods slowly to the elder, spies the Gobbo's offering, and steps forward afterwards.

She clears her throat, folds her hands behind her back. And opens her beak:

"Sweet.

What is eet?

A feat that seats the elite?

Concrete that cools the feet?

Perhaps a treat that one can't be beat to eat?

Or is it discreet deceit? A replete greet for a fleet defeat?

Nay.

It cannot compete. Nectar resplendent, indiscreet of its weet. It cannot cheat. For it is-

Sweet." <Sylvan>

She clears her throat, bows lightly, and remains where she is.

<br \>

There's a bit of a moment, when everyone is looking around as if they're tracking something. Indeed, he hasn't noticed the sound of wings, amidst the loud sounds of the jungle itself. So on watch for other beasts, such as Thunderlizards, that it all melts away.

He halts however, as the Elder halts, and takes note that they're being suggested to offer greetings and gifts. 

At the recommendation, he reaches into his pockets and takes out a piece of tied cloth, and carefully opens it upon his hand. It contains beautiful rocks, glistening. Blues marbled with blacks. Glistening silvers amidst reds. Various rocks collected from all over Alexandros, The Vast and Am'shere. "These stones in my hand are now yours, if you wish for them." He rumbles. Notably, none of them are lavarocks. He might have brought sweet fruits, but he rather not risk taining the jungle with seeds from another region.

<br \>

The sound of wings draws Rune's gaze into the trees, looking around for sign of those which they see. It isn't easy to spot them in the shadowy places between branches, so she trusts that Miquitlani is right and prepares to step forward, accepting the jars from Murder and giving Harkashan room to offer his rocks. 

"Chaneque of Am'shere, we have come a long way to entreat your aid. We have brought gifts in exchange for peaceful words. We seek information on the Seer, the Golden Fate and her connections to these lands. We search for the Golden Sands, where she dwells." Rune steps forward along with Slixvah, allowing the red-feathered Egalrin to offer her words as well. 

Rune doesn't understand them, but she knows there is poetry there that si being offered as a gift. So as Slixvah mixes her rhymes, Rune lays out the other gifts, which include a pair of neatly cut honey combs, some hard candies from Alexandria which carry various image shapes in them, and the offered blood provided by Murder.

Then, she steps back, "Please, accept these offerings and speak with us."  

<br \>

There's a rustle in the trees--no, more than just a rustle. There's sounds of giggling. Little noises that sound like words leave the trees every now and then--

And then descends a figure from the trees. A small, small creature, maybe a foot tall, rises up from the ground, bat wings unfurling from their back. The pale skin of the creature is actually startlingly so in comparison to the dark batlike wings, especially considering that long auburn-red hair tumbles down the small figure and covers the somewhat feminine curve of the form. The figure wears a collective of small dark feathers and what appears to be small, small little skulls, dangling from thin strands of cobweb-like silk. The yellow eyes the creature wears bore through all, red markings dancing down her face in a way that makes her look like she is weeping blood.

"I accept your offerings in exchange for words," the chaneque says, in a voice that's somewhere between a midnight wind and a cat's growl. "I am called Yuualtotol. I am the leader of this band of chaneque. And I know of this Golden Fate."

 GAME: Murder rolls perception: (6)+16: 22

The Goblin seems entranced by the small fey, and after a moment, she sits down. She leans back on her hands, seemingly content to allow Rune to lead the way in speaking. Her eyes instead look around, squinting into the darkness.

<br \>

The usual care-free attitude that Slixvah exudes is set aside for a more... has anyone really seen this side of her? Diplomatic in nature, it seems. She eyes the others offerings, a faint incline of her head in, 'yes, this should be good'.

Such worries of it going remiss are abated as the giggling and rustling occurs. Especially when the Chaneque comes down. She eyes them with a smile in her gaze.

She whispers to her friends, "Remember, dearies, if you want to introduce yourself, never say 'I am.' Simply do as Yuualtotol did. 'I am called.'

"Hello and well wished tidings, Yuualtotol. I express thanks for your acceptance of the gifts. I am called Slixvah." She bows towards the leader of the chaneque, and takes a half step beck after getting pleasantries out of the way. Seemingly having the same thoughts as Murder: this is Rune's endeavor.

<br \>

As the figure descends from the trees, Harkashan takes it in. It's definitely a rather unique looking being. Batlike, but red-haired. It's all very aesthetic and interesting. It's also the first time he's seen a being like this.

"Thank you, Yuualtotol, from accepting." Harkashan answers, though he himself doesn't proceed to introduce himself. This moment is Rune's. So, his gaze slips to her, wondering if she'll ask of the Golden Sands.

<br \>

As one creature descends, Rune watches the path of it down towards them. It is obvious she has never seen such a thing before, and even the descriptions she was offered of the Chaneque do not quite do them justice in reality. It is a delicate combination of nearly adorable and 'this thing wille at your teeth if you aren't careful'. 

Rune takes to one knee, not in a bow but simply to put herself on some measure more of equal footing with Yuualtotol, showing respect. A flick of her blue eyes towards Slixvah as she nods, before turning to offer an introduction, of sorts. "You can call me Sjachzhin, if you wish." It is not her name, but to those knowledgable with the language of Am'shere, Rune just introduced herself as 'Shadow-walker'. A title that seems to have some meaning to her.

"The Golden Fate has ties to my family. Ties to me." Rune explains, her voice soft but carrying less of that uncertainty when put on 'stage' it seems. "She waits for me at the Golden Sands. We seek whatever help you can offer, either information about her or on where to find entry to the Golden Sands." 

<br \>

Yuualototl's yellow eyes flicker from Rune to Harkashan and then to Slixvah. The chaneque woman lifts her hands to her mouth and giggles. What can be seen beyond her small, small hands is a mouth that is full of teeth.

"Why should I help you, when this Slixvah and this scaled one have just sworn oaths to me?" She looks far too delighted. The giggles that come from the other chaneque, who Murder can see in the forms of several pairs of yellow eyes, echo her mirth.

But then Miquitlani rumbles in discontent, and the chaneque woman seems taken aback--and then peers at Miquitlani. "I know you, old-scale," Yuua says. "You are one of the ones who sets out offerings for us."

"Yes," Miquitlani rumbles again. "And you know that I put out more than the others do. You are obligated by gifting cycle to aid me. Release the two children from their oaths."

Yuualototl looks put out by this exchange, but she sighs deeply and looks at Rune. "Fine. I release Slixvah and the scaled one from their oaths."

She crosses her arms as she peers at Rune. "Mmm. Yes. You are her daughter, all right." That's all she says for the moment. It's like she's remarking on someone who's... Alive. Or that she just saw yesterday.

 <OOC> Riptide says, "Knowledge/Nature checks for those who want 'em about what the heck just went on there between Miquitlani and Yuua."
 GAME: Slixvah rolls knowledge/nature: (17)+9: 26
 GAME: Rune rolls knowledge/nature: (19)+4: 23

Slixvah closes her eyes as she listens to Rune speak, focusing on her words. But they snap open at Yuualotol's words. "I have sworn no oaths," she says evenly. "Offered nothing, acknowledged nothing therein."

It looks like the egalrin is setting up mentally for a debate, but the elder steps in to help them out. A relieved sigh escapes her, her looking apologetically at Rune, as well as empathizing with Harkashan. "I already made one pact, I ain't doin' tha' again without all th' details. I'm grateful, Deathsinger," she inclines her head to Miquitlani.

But, alas, they have headway. And that's something.

<br \>

Harkashan slips his hand up towards his face and kind of just rubs along the top of his head near his brow as oaths are mentioned. A little black smoking froming from his nose as Miquitlani luckily undoes his mistake. The Speaker beating himself up for such an obvious slip-up.

He remains quiet.

<br \>

There is a slow breath that Rune lets out. It's far too easy to react quickly, but she manages not to, only lifting her head, not to acknolwedge either Harkashan or Slixvah's slip of wording, but to look around at the Chaneque. Rune opens her mouth, perhaps ready to attempt a bargain for the freedom of her allies, knowing that may very well cost her what she needs. In the end, there may be other ways to find the same information.

Thankfully, Miquitlani speaks up first. Rune closes her mouth, waiting to see how the interaction plays out. In the end, she offers a grateful nod to the old Elder.

The fact that the Yuualototl makes that comment, drawing those connections between herself and her mother, it brings her blue gaze back to the small Fey creature. Rune looks very much like her father in most ways, but it is her spirit that is very much like the human woman who birthed her into this world. "You know her?" Rune cants her head slightly. "I know her journey lead her here to Am'shere. I followed it once before. I haven't been able to find where to go from here." 

<br \>

Yuualototl nods firmly. "I have seen (her)--"

But the word that leaves the chaneque's mouth isn't... 'her'. It's a word that doesn't match the flow of Yuualototl's mouth. For Rune, it's like when she saw the vision of the Golden Fate back in Mikilos's shop. How her dark-colored lips moved but did not match her words. It's a disconnect between sight and sound.

But only for the moment, as Yuualototl's batlike wings flap in place. The chaneque woman seems suddenly displeased, but she continues speaking. "I have seen the woman you have spoken of," she says. "She has been here. In the past." She regards Rune's tattoos with a wary eye rather suddenly.

 <OOC> Harkashan says, "Sense Motive + a Knowledge Roll to figure out why the sudden shift?"
 GAME: Harkashan rolls Sense Motive: (15)+14: 29
 GAME: Murder rolls perception: (12)+16: 28
 GAME: Murder rolls sense motive: (13)+1: 14
 GAME: Harkashan rolls Knowledge/Nature+2: (9)+3+2: 14
 <OOC> Harkashan says, "Will free reroll that one."
 GAME: Harkashan rolls Knowledge/Nature+2: (5)+3+2: 10

Slixvah lets her mind chew on the name that Rune gave. It's fitting, considering what's going on with the half-sil. Shifting to that of old dealings with the Khzad and rowdiness. Recent distractions.

Mentally reset, she turns her attention back to the caneque. A brow quirks. Head tilt. A blink. Her beak mouths something, but lacking any lips, it looks more than nothing than an idle clack. Whatever she noticed, she takes that and puts it in her mental back pocket. "Intriguing," she hums. Her usual speculations and theory crafting is put on hold. She didn't want another slip up.

<br \>

There's a little grunty noise from Harkashan when something 'mismatched' happens. A fork in the world, a moment where things do not do what they should. But, Harkashan doesn't have the understanding to analyze it, and Rune had not yet told him of that particular occurrence.

What he does notice, is the wariness within Yuualototl. But he doesn't understand where the shift comes from.

<br \>

It takes a moment, but the Gobbo begins to ease back into her former nonchalance, pulling her feet in cross-legged. She continues to observe, and offer as little as possible.

Her eyes narrow suspiciously at the mismatched lips and sound. Murder eyes Rune for several long moments. "Kira.", the Goblin says, conversationally. "Is that your mother's name? Possibly a nickname, Sjachzhin?""

<br \>

The strange glitch of language is something Rune has seen before. The fact that the familiar way the lips move matches a very familiar name is not lost on her. Enough so that when Murder offers the name outright, the half-sil nods her head, "My mother." Her name, had been Kiira. 

Then, turning to Yuualototl, there is some confusion as to the sudden shift of the creature's attitude. "Yes. She passed from this world and I think she may be with the Golden Fate in the land of the Golden Sands. Can you tell me how to find them?"  

<br \>

Looking between Rune and Murder as they mention Rune's mother, Harkashan rumbles; "It seems like her name may no longer be her own?" He offers as an option. "I fear I do not understand the magics that are at hand. So it is a wild assumption."

<br \>

Yuualototl looks at Rune for a long moment, the yellow eyes finding her again. There is something there on the pale chaneque woman's face. The bloody-looking marks that adorn her face look like bloody tears from a certain angle.

"What would you give to see her again?" That is delivered in careful tones. "What would you give to see her again? She is the same and not the same. Neither she nor the Golden Fate are. To speak more on it, I need an offering. More than what you have brought me, pretty as they are. Tasty as they are. What would you give me?"

<br \>

At the asking of another offering, Murder stands up. The Goblin looks to Rune, her expression going blank. Turning to Yuualototl, "I will give you a sip of my blood, as an offering.", she says firmly.

<br \>

Slixvah glances at Murder, a tinge of a light reprimand voiced through a quiet click in her throat. Again, something for later. She nods towards Harkashan, agreeing with his assumption, yet not voicing her concurrernce.

She turns to Yuualotol, studying them, watching those blood-hued marks. That color would make a good ribbon. She balls a fist, her wings shifting to abate some nerves. "Take care in how you word your offerin-" <Auran>

She looks at Murder again. Sighs. Deeply. "From a vessel of the small one's choosing. I too will offer a drink of my blood from a vessel of my choosing, I've heard mine may taste like chicken," she tries to fix, a joke slipping in to ease her tension.

<br \>

Harkashan is... more wary than the others at surrendering his blood. The Sith-makar have a rather special bond with blood to begin with. But then there's the matter of his... 'passenger'. It is something that makes him doubt for a moment that his blood is his to give at this particular time.

Instead, he looks to the fellow Deathsinger for a moment, letting out an uncomfortable rumble of a sound. His gaze then slips back to Rune as he crosses his arms in a moment that looks almost... defensive. 

Normally, he is all too ready to give whatever is needed to appease a being such as the Fey. But instead, he listens to what Rune has to say - offering herself - before he notes; "I suspect my blood is something that would exact a greater price." Almost like he's... bargaining with the Fey.

<br \>

Sadness and loss show briefly in Rune's blue eyes as she looks to Harkashan, and then back to the creature before them. It would be so easy to answer quickly and without thought. She had given up so many years of her life following this trail, sacrificed her relationship with her father. Her lips press together as she seems about to respond.

That is when her friends offer out themselves and Rune looks first to Murder, then to Slixvah in turn. "Neither of you should have to sacrifice this for me." Her expression is not ungrateful, but there is a feeling of responsibility there. Rune had known that this could be what they would ask for. 

"I offer a sample of my blood, in a vessel of my choosing, in exchange for the information I need to find my mother and the Golden Fate." She does not believe this creature actually has the power to offer that reunion. That is something she will have to discuss when she comes face to face with the Golden fate. 

<br \>

Yuualototl's grin is wide on her face as all of these people offer her their blood. She licks her lips across her teeth.

But then comes the sounds of protest from the other chaneque. This turns the grin into a displeased expression, one that she silences by screaming a feral sound into the darkened jungle. For a moment, all is quiet.

"You." She points to Rune. "This will work best with your blood. Prick two fingers. One for me to drink and one for me to use in what I will give you. I would drink the rest of your group's blood, but my band would demand their own and I do not wish to share."

<br \>

Murder looks over her shoulder to peer at Slixvah for a few moments. "Really?" She snorts and shakes her head. She looks to Rune then. "It's not a matter of have or need, but a choice we make."

The Goblin returns to sitting cross-legged then, eyeing the chaneque when they protest, and then Yuualototl when she screeches them into silence. "Nice. They know who's boss."

<br \>

Slixvah looks to Rune, an easy smile on her visage. "Nonsense, jus' tryin' t'make sure things go smooth. And, well, make up fo' that gaffe earlier," she chuckles. A quick glance is thrown towards Harkashan, that little tidbit of information filed away for later.

But then, the wine glass sized cup she was pulling out was stymied in its retrieval, being stored back into her robes. "I understand," she acknowledges in a roundabout manner, bowing her head as she glances to the other fey that caused a ruckus. A look down to Murder. "Yes, really," she quietly replies.

She runs the words back in her head. Words twitter softly to Rune alone, "Take care, they altered the vessel." <Auran>

<br \>

A wince follows the sound of the scream, which is just a fair bit painful to sensitive ears. However, it seems to quiet the sounds from the other chaneque. That is some relief, it seems. 

Her lips quirk, offering a small smile to Murder and Slixvah. She doesn't offer either any words of thanks, as they might be misconstrued, so instead, she turns back towards Yuualototl just in time to end up right in eye-line with fingers being pointed her way.

While Cor'lana had suggested investing in a proper needle for such things, Rune has kept to her own ways. Instead, she reaches to pull a dagger out of her boot, extending her left hand. Blue eyes flick to Slixvah, offering a twittering sound of recognition back to the Egalarin. 

"Take no more than agreed." She warns, then looks to Harkashan in turn. Besides being her partner, she had brought him to make sure the Fey didn't go too far in that regard. Then, just as instructed, Rune uses the sharp point of the dagger to pierce two fingers, her expression tightening as she hisses between her teeth and offers her hand out. 

<br \>

Harkashan slowly nods his head when Rune looks to him. Remaining close, watching Rune closely - or as closely as he can. And the moment the blood starts to be taken, he draws a small sigil in the air, before turning his hand and snapping his finger.

A soft fluttering wave rippling outwards. He has no particularly special senses, and he knows that he is not the most perceptive. So... anything to make sure he can at least try to keep track of any shenanigans.

Unfortunately, he doesn't know Auran, so he doesn't know about the matter of the vessel.

 GAME: Harkashan casts Invisibility Purge. Caster Level: 7 DC: 17

The chaneque woman flies forward. She takes hold of Rune's hand, and she feels cold to the touch at first--but quickly warms when she licks the drop of blood that is offered from the first finger. Her yellow eyes glow brightly.

"Now for the next--to fulfill my end of the oath," she says. Yuualototl goes to move to Rune's other finger, and this time, only coats her small hands in it and murmurs something.

And Harkashan's sigil goes out into the air. There's something... Odd. Something odd about the way that it interacts with the air. Something odd about the way that it interacts with the little chaneque woman's words--

Everything around the group turns into gilded string. Golden string, spinning around trees. Spinning around everything. Until all the sight is gold--

And then the sight is dark.

Except for a tall, tall figure, someone shrouded underneath a dark veil who stands in the darkness with a small hourglass in hand. The sands have stopped in it. And while it's hard to see anything but the bottom half of the figure's face, this is a figure that Rune has seen before. The dark-painted lips on the marble-white face, however, are not smiling like the last time. The mouth is contorted into a fine line, and tears trail down the woman's face.

"I miss her," she says. "I miss her so much. Please--Please tell me when it will end. Please. Please, Kiira--"

And then in the view of the vision, a hand lifts up. One that holds a familiar locket that should be around someone's neck.

"She will be here soon." The voice is one that Rune hasn't heard since that day that her mother slipped away from the world.

Then there's another flash. An image of a cave in Am'shere. A place that Harkashan and Rune both know. Images of sand. Images of hourglasses. Images of golden thread. Images of the pale-faced woman's tears and images of the pale-faced woman's smiles.

Then finally back to the black.

"I'm sorry it took this to get the message across," says Kiira Theran's voice. Like it's inside everyone's head. "Go back to the cave. Even if you can't see it, it's there. Tell it you're ready to finish the story. Go from there. I'll explain more when you're there."

...

And then the vision fades.

And the chaneque are gone.

<br \>

Where once was the green of the jungles, now lay gold. The golden threads of fate, threading and gripping around all of them. But they're too numerous to follow them all. Not in time before the dark sets...

A tall person before him. A pale being with dark lips. Tears...

Harkashan swallows loudly, as he hears the voice. Speaking to Kiira. He looks over, spotting the hand. The locket. He doesn't know Kiira's voice, but he knows who that locket belongs to. And while he is not the most observant, he's good at context-clues!

Then, the cave. The same, but different. Were those images always there? Threads, hourglasses... he knows he found the cave before.

Then suddenly, they are back, after Rune's mother tells them to go back there.

"You were always a fan of stories..." He whispers to Rune.

<br \>

The tip toeing of words and intention has Slixvah on edge, even though its hard to tell save for the squinting of her eyes. There is a flicker to Harkashan, her watching the sigil be drawn. Oh. That is a splendid idea, as she herself did somewhat of a similar experiment before.

She did not expect the chaneque to sup lightly. That was a relief. Thankfully the next answers could-

Her eyes grow wide, a gasp escaping her. The Tapestry...! So familiar, yet so- darkness. A vision. Words and symbology, places. A voice. A place to go. A voice again.

And the chaneque are gone. Slixvah unceremoniously falls to her rear to the jungle floor. "... I can't find th' expletive ta express m'shock an' awe..." she mutters, blinking widly.

<br \>

The Goblin squints at Slixvah for a few moment, and holds up a little clawed finger. "We'll revisit this later."

Murder turns to watch what the head of the chaneque is going to do. The delicate lick of the first drop of blood is pretty much expected.

The second drop of blood...

Murder's eyes are as wide as saucers in the golden strings firing off, spinning into the trees. There is only a little greed in her eyes, gold is a very shiny and enticing thing after all...

The Goblin clears her throat in the silence that follows the fading vision. "Well... that was a thing.", she says, rubbing at her ears. "Why do things involving fey always have a voice speaking /inside/ your head? Like... I can feel it on the back of my eyeballs..."

Murder looks then to Rune and Harkashan, before stepping over to offer a hand to Slixvah. "I hope you and lava-boy remember where the cave is, Sjach. Else this is going to be a dead end really quickly."

<br \>

Golden strings. It is all too similar to that vision that Slixvah had shared with Rune. The connections forged between all things. The sight nearly draws the breath completely from her lips and then... 

Dark.

The familiar figure stands before her once more, but the expression is different. Something in those words draws to her. A longing and loss that feels achingly familiar. Rune knows all too well what it is like to miss someone in a soul-deep way. But in this, she doesn't fully understand or grasp the meaning. Only that it seems to be about... her.

Just the sound of her mother's voice is enough to draw tears to Rune's eyes, easily slipping unbidden down her cheeks. It's an ache that runs deep and carves into places she'd forgotten hurt quite so much. Like seeing someone long dead in a dream. This does not seem to be a dream.

The whisper of Harkashan's voice has her giving a soft nod, even as her hands reach up to press palms against her eyes to stave off the moisture. It also smears a bit of blood across her forehead. Rune doesn't seem to notice.

Instead, she pushes herself to her feet, not seeming to care betwen tears and blood that she may very well look like a bit of a mess. "Harkashan knows where the cave is." She looks to him, raising her eyebrows. "I guess... the story really does have to go full circle." 

With that, she takes a deep breath. "We'll gather supplies, tie up some lose ends, and then we'll go." To Murder and Slixvah, she offers a sad but appreciative smile. "I don't know what comes next, but I have to keep following this, to whatever end."

[[Category:Logs]]