[RQ] something in the water
Alys Glasse
Seer

Age: 27 | Height: 5'2" | Race: Abandoned | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: King's End
Level: 3 - Strg: 16 - Dext: 18 - Endr: 20 - Luck: 8 - Int:
SASCHA - Regular - Ursur
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#1
The Labyrinth might once have been beautiful, but Alys had never seen it that way. Of course, she didn't hate the place. It was kind of spooky, the way it stood, wild and untamed, taken over by time, and she appreciated that about the place. She used to draw it, back when she'd lived in the Grounds; her sketchbooks had been filled with shifting hedgerows and murky waters.

In truth, she'd never intended to set foot back here. When she'd left the Grounds, she hadn't planned to look back. But then Deimos - infuriating in his confidence in her - had asked her to take a group back to the Grounds to look for Efas Herb. For a quest. For a god. And she, like the idiot she was, had agreed.

At least the company was good. Talyson and Hotaru were two people she knew well, and from what she had gathered, they knew each other, too. Perhaps their presence would allow the trip to go quickly, even if gathering herbs was not her favorite activity.
alys glasse
waiting for the right mind to drive insane
Talyson Seawright
the Messenger
Courier

Age: 27 | Height: 5'10" | Race: Accepted | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: King's End
Level: 10 - Strg: 44 - Dext: 46 - Endr: 50 - Luck: 52 - Int: 1
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#2
In the end it didn't really matter who was asking when the 'why' was to help his home. Tal was Halovian born and bred, and he couldn't imagine not pulling his weight to make it better. His family lived there, after all; his sisters, his sled team, Ru and Sah and Delia... And if it meant teaming up with Alys to get the work done, well, even better!

Sure, he'd never been to the Labyrinth before the War and he hadn't expected to start visiting it now, but sometimes the gods wanted weird things and he'd survived the Queen's Maze, so a little old labyrinth didn't seem so bad.

Or so he thought until they were standing in front of it and the full spookiness of the place washed over him. He swallowed hard as he contemplated the entrance and even Boreal was subdued as she peered into the verdant, misty walls... until a flash of grey movement caught her attention and she bounded forward, merrily blasting a gout of flame as the gathering Speaking Squirrels became Shrieking Squirrels and fled deeper into the maze.

"Shit-- Boreal, get back here!" Tal hollered, flashing Alys and Hotaru an apologetic glance and then dashing off into the maze after his dragon.
Hotaru Kaito
the Valkyrie
Masseuse / Headmistress

Age: 33 | Height: 5'2 | Race: Demi-god | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: King's End
Level: 3 - Strg: 38 - Dext: 38 - Endr: 54 - Luck: 40 - Int:
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#3

Hotaru
you talk a lot of shit for someone who's sorry now
Ironically, Hotaru perhaps has the most experience with the Labyrinth of the three of them. She and Deimos had frequently tormented the speaking squirrels and other animals in their depths for hunting practice and other more tasteless desires. Given she'd lived in the Grounds for some time, it's almost nostalgic to see the walls rising up before her as she joins up with Alys and Talyson.

With a smile, she's about to make a comment to Tal about hoping their plant-hunting has better luck this time when Boreal goes streaking off past them all in pursuit of the hapless squirrels on the tops of the walls. Tal runs right after, and Ru groans good-naturedly. "Come, Alys. He'll be lost in moments if we leave him." Boreal could guide him out in a pinch, but considering her one-track mind it perhaps wasn't the best idea to rely upon. Entering the Labyrinth in pursuit of the courier, Ru looks over her shoulder at Alys with a smile. "Feel strange to be back?"
Hotaru has a passive magic that makes her glow with an internal golden light; it makes her appear youthful and her hair seems to look like moving sunlight. Can only subtly illuminate dark spaces.
Alys Glasse
Seer

Age: 27 | Height: 5'2" | Race: Abandoned | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: King's End
Level: 3 - Strg: 16 - Dext: 18 - Endr: 20 - Luck: 8 - Int:
SASCHA - Regular - Ursur
Played by: RayoDeSoleil Offline
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Posts: 574 | Total: 2,063
MP: 3230
#4
When Boreal streaked past them in pursuit of the squirrels, Alys stifled a snort of amusement. Somehow, it did not surprise her that the dragon was causing mischief. She was well suited to her companion in that way. "Be careful! The hedges move!" she called as Tal sprinted after the dragon. Or, at least, they were rumored to, though Alys herself had never gotten lost among the overgrown rows of greenery. Laughing, she hurried to catch up with Ru, linking arms with the other woman as they followed after the courier.

"It is, a bit," she admitted. She'd been happy to leave the Grounds behind after the barrier fell, and she'd had no real intention of coming back. Still, if it was to help her new home, she could hardly say no, even if she still didn't fully understand the interplay between Halo, the Abandoned who lived there, and the gods who seemed to favor them despite their status. "I had not intended to return when I left. I wonder how things have changed."
alys glasse
waiting for the right mind to drive insane


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#5
Glittering darkly, this small circle of black stones has remained undisturbed even after all this time. The ashes of an old offering lay stagnant at its centre. It’s kind of cute.
Talyson Seawright
the Messenger
Courier

Age: 27 | Height: 5'10" | Race: Accepted | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: King's End
Level: 10 - Strg: 44 - Dext: 46 - Endr: 50 - Luck: 52 - Int: 1
BOREAL - Mythical - Dragon (Fire Breath)
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#6
"The hedges wha--? Tell me later!" Tal yelled back over his shoulder as he went after his squirrel-happy companion. He wasn't particularly sad to see a few tails smoking from her blasts, truth be told; he'd never forgotten nor forgiven the little bastards in the Celestine who'd almost led him to his death back before the War.

Of course, then Boreal turned a hard corner and Tal barreled around it a few dozen yards behind her--

And went sprawling as he tripped over the crouching dragon who had stopped dead in the middle of the path. "Hey!" came the indignant yell of wounded pride as he pushed himself up and glared at her, but Boreal ignored him, continuing to sniff curiously at the circle of black stones. A little ash went up her nose and she sneezed, scattering the rest to the winds and sitting back on her rump in surprise. Tal managed to get his arms around her thick neck to prevent further mishaps as he hollered back to his friends: "We're over here! An' we found somethin' weird!"
Hotaru Kaito
the Valkyrie
Masseuse / Headmistress

Age: 33 | Height: 5'2 | Race: Demi-god | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: King's End
Level: 3 - Strg: 38 - Dext: 38 - Endr: 54 - Luck: 40 - Int:
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#7

Hotaru
you talk a lot of shit for someone who's sorry now
Linking arms companionably with Alys, Hotaru chuckles at Talyson’s faint call from within. “Someday he’s going to quite literally trip headfirst into trouble,” she sighs fondly. It’s a good thing he is getting stronger every season or she would have far more reason to be concerned for his welfare. Focusing instead on her less chaotic friend, Ru hums understandingly at the woman’s confession.

“Sometimes it can be healing to return after big changes. If you’d like, I’d go with you.” Whether Alys takes her up on it is not within her control, but Hotaru will gladly provide emotional support while the seer revisits her roots. It would be disingenuous to say Ru would not have similar feelings in that scenario.

Tal’s call is muffled but still clear enough to be understood, and Ru hastens her pace a little with a small frown. He’s luckily not far, though what he’s doing on the ground with his arms around Boreal’s neck is beyond her. Dropping Alys’s arm (though not without a fond pat of her hand on her friend’s bicep) the Valkyrie edges between Tal and the wall to peer at the strange circle. “It almost looks like an offering fire, but there are no shrines around here. At least, none I know of.” Maybe best not to rely on an Abandoned hybrid for that stuff.
Hotaru has a passive magic that makes her glow with an internal golden light; it makes her appear youthful and her hair seems to look like moving sunlight. Can only subtly illuminate dark spaces.
Alys Glasse
Seer

Age: 27 | Height: 5'2" | Race: Abandoned | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: King's End
Level: 3 - Strg: 16 - Dext: 18 - Endr: 20 - Luck: 8 - Int:
SASCHA - Regular - Ursur
Played by: RayoDeSoleil Offline
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Posts: 574 | Total: 2,063
MP: 3230
#8
Alys, having only ever known Tal as he is now, had no reason to worry for her friend, but she giggled at Hotaru's comment all the same. "We'll just have to be there to take care of him," she told Ru, shaking her head with mock concern. Even if Tal didn't need it.

"Thank you," Alys said warmly, squeezing her friend's arm. She wasn't sure she wanted to go home - at least, not any more so than she was currently. She and her family hadn't parted on good terms, and the only reason she'd go back now would be to prove that she had made something of herself and her Sight. Coming here on behalf of Halo was different, and with it having been Deimos who had asked her... well, how could she possibly say no?

She quickened her pace alongside Hotaru as Tal's voice called out from ahead, a slight frown etched upon her features at his tone. She and Hotaru separated as they grew closer to Tal and Boreal, each going to either side of man and dragon to peer at the stones laid out before him. "Me either," she said. "Although it has been a while since I've been here. Maybe there is a shrine now." If there was, though, she didn't see one.
alys glasse
waiting for the right mind to drive insane
Talyson Seawright
the Messenger
Courier

Age: 27 | Height: 5'10" | Race: Accepted | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: King's End
Level: 10 - Strg: 44 - Dext: 46 - Endr: 50 - Luck: 52 - Int: 1
BOREAL - Mythical - Dragon (Fire Breath)
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#9
Blissfully unaware of how the ladies in his life were worried about him, Tal remained crouched down and scowling at the odd circle of stones and the mystery they represented until backup arrived. After her sneezing fit Boreal sat down and refused to look back at the little offering spot, innocently pretending that she hadn't just run off ahead of the group against her companion's protests and instead bending her head to nibble at an itch between her talons.

Bracketed by his friends Tal slowly looked around, wondering if his Accepted senses Tal, there is no such thing could detect a shrine. Nothing seemed to feel any different about the place, though, so after a moment he shrugged and pushed himself to his feet - keeping a hand on Boreal's shoulders this time, ready to grab one of her horns if she tried to take off again. "Huh. Well... least it doesn't seem t'be doin' anythin'? Guess we can keep goin'... uh, Alys, which way is it, now?" He gave their guide a sheepish grin as his dragon decided to lean against Hotaru for scratches.

Wasn't she a good dragon for finding the not-shrine?
Hotaru Kaito
the Valkyrie
Masseuse / Headmistress

Age: 33 | Height: 5'2 | Race: Demi-god | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: King's End
Level: 3 - Strg: 38 - Dext: 38 - Endr: 54 - Luck: 40 - Int:
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#10

Hotaru
you talk a lot of shit for someone who's sorry now
Alys’ giggles warm her heart and make her grin before she even realizes she’s doing it. “You are precisely right. We can take shifts.” They’d need to if they had any hope of dissuading Tal from his bad luck encounters.

All of them fanned out around the strange burnt pile, Ru takes a moment to lift her eyes and observe them as they investigate, drinking in her luck. Despite all she has lost, she has more now than she did when the twins were still unborn. Sometimes it still rocks her back on her heels, and the reminder being so present and physical makes her suddenly wish there was a shrine in the Labyrinth so that she might thank Frey for how these people around her have saved her a little more every day.

Shaking off her unexpected emotional state, the Valkyrie straightens - though her hand drops immediately to scratch and pet at Boreal as the dragon comes ambling over. With no real pathway now, Ru tilts her head down the passageway they’re already in. “Straight ahead seems easy enough. Just have to keep Boreal’s eyes peeled for plants instead of prey.” Grinning down at the dragon she fondly pats Boreal’s cheek, because she would happily excuse any level of bad behavior regardless of Tal’s reaction. Either way, she has given her input, but Alys is the ultimate lead of the expedition so Ru turns her head expectantly towards the Seer for their heading.
Hotaru has a passive magic that makes her glow with an internal golden light; it makes her appear youthful and her hair seems to look like moving sunlight. Can only subtly illuminate dark spaces.
Alys Glasse
Seer

Age: 27 | Height: 5'2" | Race: Abandoned | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: King's End
Level: 3 - Strg: 16 - Dext: 18 - Endr: 20 - Luck: 8 - Int:
SASCHA - Regular - Ursur
Played by: RayoDeSoleil Offline
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Posts: 574 | Total: 2,063
MP: 3230
#11
Since the stones didn't seem to be anything in particular other than a curiosity, Alys shrugged and straightened from where she'd crouched beside Tal to study the strange little circle. It was nice to be out and about with her friends, even if it was odd to be the one they were looking to for guidance. She felt as though she should be deferring to Hotaru to lead them - after all, she was the most experienced of their little group.

But look to her, they did, and so Alys did her best to look like she knew what she was doing. "Deimos said that the herb grew towards the center," she told her companions. "So I think if we keep going straight, we should be able to find some." With that in mind (and a grin towards Boreal, where she was enjoying all of the scratches for being such a good dragon), Alys began to lead the way forward.
alys glasse
waiting for the right mind to drive insane
Talyson Seawright
the Messenger
Courier

Age: 27 | Height: 5'10" | Race: Accepted | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: King's End
Level: 10 - Strg: 44 - Dext: 46 - Endr: 50 - Luck: 52 - Int: 1
BOREAL - Mythical - Dragon (Fire Breath)
Played by: Cirago Offline
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#12
More than happy to receive her due from a fellow queen, Boreal rumbled happily and leaned in to Hotaru's pats, deliberately ignoring Tal as he blew an exasperated breath to shift a wayward lock of messy hair out of his eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, everyone loves you," he informed the dragon with fond exasperation. "But they'd love you even more if y'could sniff out these fancy herbs instead o' stupid squirrels." Boreal finally cracked a dubious reptilian eye at him and rolled it eloquently before stepping out beside Hotaru, heeling as prettily as a picture as Alys set out ahead of them. It probably helped that, for the moment, the Squirrels were both keeping their distance and keeping their mouths shut, reducing the distracting temptations competing for the dragon's attention.

Tal shook his head and trotted to catch up with Alys, abandoning the little offering spot with a final backward glance. "So, uh... what do these fancy herbs look like, anyways? T'be honest, I'm not even sure what I'm lookin' for right now."
Hotaru Kaito
the Valkyrie
Masseuse / Headmistress

Age: 33 | Height: 5'2 | Race: Demi-god | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: King's End
Level: 3 - Strg: 38 - Dext: 38 - Endr: 54 - Luck: 40 - Int:
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#13

Hotaru
you talk a lot of shit for someone who's sorry now
Endeared as always by Boreal's antics (and favoritism, which Hotaru will always be smug about) she narrows her eyes playfully at Tal for his chiding. "How dare you presume she could do anything that would make me love her more." It times perfectly with Boreal's imperious eyeroll and ensuing march, and Hotaru follows in her wake suppressing her smile.

Alys taking the lead makes her chest fill with pride. Hotaru would always be happy to take charge or use her expertise in a given situation, but Alys knows what she is doing, even if she must get used to the strangeness of enacting it. As for what they're looking for - "They're easy to spot from a distance because they have green stalks but brown clustered tops. No flowers or other protrusions." Which, thankfully, makes them hard to confuse with other plants. "If we don't get lucky soon I can always help Boreal look from above."
Hotaru has a passive magic that makes her glow with an internal golden light; it makes her appear youthful and her hair seems to look like moving sunlight. Can only subtly illuminate dark spaces.
Alys Glasse
Seer

Age: 27 | Height: 5'2" | Race: Abandoned | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: King's End
Level: 3 - Strg: 16 - Dext: 18 - Endr: 20 - Luck: 8 - Int:
SASCHA - Regular - Ursur
Played by: RayoDeSoleil Offline
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Posts: 574 | Total: 2,063
MP: 3230
#14
With the squirrels out of the way, it seemed that Boreal was content to stay with the humans - at least for the time being. Alys deferred to Ru to explain what they were looking for, keeping an eye out as they reached the end of their straightaway. With two choices - left or right, Alys paused, peering down each potential path. It looked like the path to the right curved back towards the center of the labyrinth, so she led them that way. "We should be getting closer to the center," she told her friends over her shoulder, peeking around the next curve and hoping that she wasn't just getting them hopelessly lost. Of course, the good news was that between Boreal and Ru, even if they got lost, they would be able to find their way out from above.

When Alys first got a glance of green and brown, she thought that maybe she was imagining it; but as they grew closer, she pointed with a grin. "There!" And she quickened her pace until she stood in front of a few stalks of the herb, then knelt to inspect it more closely. "This is it, right?" she asked, peeking up at Ru. She looked around. "I wonder if this is enough, or if we should keep looking?" Her gut instinct was that they would need more than just a few of the herb, but she'd been wrong before.
alys glasse
waiting for the right mind to drive insane
Minor powerplay allowed without permission.
Feel free to use force/magic on Alys.


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