Realizations...

Delvin devilishly delved closer to his distraught feathered friend, though he stuck to the branches in hopes of remaining unseen. Curious gaze was cast 'pon the femme as she went through her packing and her rituals of leaving, a brow was quirked in reguards though he kept to his branch, laying down 'pon it and resting his chin on his hands as he waited patiently. A million and one thoughts raced through his head, a moment of doubt filling his basin of thought. "My silver words weren't moving enough" he'd mutter in near silence to himself.
 
As Lia decided to head off he'd roll deftly onto his back and sit up, the branch giving only the slightest of creaks as he straddles it. Though he'd pull his legs back up to sit indian style as she changed directions and backtracked towards the lake, a sharp intake of fresh forest air filling his lungs as he tried his best to remain unnoticed. As she made her emotional trek to the lakeside, dagger in hand, he'd take to simply leaning against a tree and watching her crumple under the weight of her own thoughts. He couldn't help but be a bit sympathetic to her plight, he knew her story well enough.
 
As Lia turned towards the road she would finally be able to spy him leaning against the tree nearest the lake, he'd offer her a soft sympathetic smile before nodding towards her and making his way gracefully before her, "We have a deal, you know" his words though in context were harsh, held no tone of force, just a simple reminder, "What do you gain from packing your things in leaving outright when there is an entire world of resources right here at our fingertips?" he tilted his head as he spoke, eyes meeting her's. "you're going to be wounded over stern words comming from a dwarf?" he'd ask, just the faintest hint of sarcasm detectable in his tone.
 
"Jastrey isn't a place where it matters who you were, but rather who you will become. So dry those eyes and sharpen your blades, we've a madman to slay, a brother to rescue and a tribe of  elves to play doomsayer to. People -need- us Lia, there's no time to dwell on the self" he gave her a soft and sincere smile that radiated with warmth that reached his eyes. "So at least do me that favor, stay with us until our deeds are done, I'm not just helping you because it benefits me, but also because your plight moves me".

Lia's eyes lifted up towards the desert elf's, their blue hues matching her own. Her face was still locked in a look of defeat. There was a hollowness about her gaze that made it seem more likely that she looked through him rather than truely at him. She listened to him in silence, and gave a small pause before responding. "You're right...I am needed. Needed back home. I don't belong here...never did. And I lied. I never intended to help. Just sounded like the easiest way to get back to Sirison. But things...they've...I'll find my own way back. " After the last syllable drifted from her mouth, Lia pushed herself back into motion. Her footfalls were not rushed, but kept at a normal pace. So she wasn't trying to run away from Delvin, and her body language conveyed that nothing he could do would really stop her. A vibe of 'don't test the waters'. 
 
"I'm not a good person Delvin. I think your first instinct when you saw my mark was the most wise." She added as she kept walking. It was a classic technique of her's, this pushing others away, keeping them at an arm's distance. And one she was surprised that she hadn't been using up until now since she reached Jastrey. She knew better than to burden these people with herself. She knew that she had no right to friendship with the amount of blood that soaked her hands. There was Des, but even him she didn't let in fully; though, at least he was a brother in arms. Her only solace that she allowed herself was in the one person that'd been with her since she breathed her first breaths. The one she now so passionately longed to find, her brother. 

Delvin tilted his head for but a second before laughing aloud at her, "You think you're going to march against Hyde with that attitude, you'd likely just stand there and let him run you through!" his jovial nature faded for a second as she spoke of the blood on her hands and he'd just stare at her for a moment, "There is no innocence in the sands, only survival. You've done what you've must to survive up until this point, as have I. This is the only reason I didn't cut you down where you stood back in the tavern. You know as well as I that you could have died a thousand deaths at my hands in that instant, but you know what, I like you" his serious tone broke at that, a laugh bubbling past his lips.
 
"You and your friend Desiderio, or Bambi, or whatever it is they've been calling him amuse the ever living hell out of me and I'd much rather keep you two around, I feel I could trust you at my back in a pinch, especially if I help you take care of your business" he gave her that playful grin, "Don't think I wasn't watching while you were balling your eyes out by the lake, I've been following you since you had words with Taklinn" his grin devolved into a smirk of knowing, "Besides, You won't be able to sleep until you've seen Hyde slain and burnt to a crisp, I know what it's like to fear, to hate, to loathe, and to crave the destruction of something with every fiber of your being. I'm no stranger to rage" He smiled once more, losing that sarcastic edge, "Alone you are weak, and you march to your own death and humiliating undeath if you seek him out in this state. In truth you're just having difficulty living with yourself, that alone marks you as repentant" he eyed her curiously, pausing infront of her to give her something to walk around at least. "Relax, and let fate weave it's tale" he nodded matter of factly.

Lia's gaze turned sharp, and she glared at Delvin. Why was he so damn persistant? She had told him that she never planned to help him...which actually wasn't true but the Ixifar had hoped it'd be sufficient enough to make the elf want to leave her be. So why?She refused to believe that the ever-optimistic elf truely liked her. Perhaps Delvin was trying to guilt her into helping him afterall. Lia sighed and brushed a  hand down her face in annoyance. "Who said I was going back to kill him? I said I was going back home, where I belong."

In that moment Akon appeared walking towards the lake side, but stopped short as she saw Lia and Delvin speaking words. 

Delvin's brows raised dramaticly, his eyes widened and his normal wily grin was replaced with a gaping guffaw! "you mean to tell me you'll return to the side of a man who's name makes you cringe with disgust?!" he fell back against a tree he was so overcome with hysterics, "Bluff bluff bluff, I'm Delvin of the Guilded Hand! Do you really think me so oblivious that I cannot read your very eyes?"
 
He straightened himself with poise, his left hand moving up to caress the tuft of his beard. "But seriously, I saw the way you look at that blade and I can tell you want to ram it into someone's throat. So if you honestly want me to believe you'd walk back to that walking sack of sand maggots you're so frightened of then prove you're intent" he smiled warmly to her as his hand went to his collar and pulled just enough to expose his chest, "Drive the dagger deep dear Lia, how willing are you to kill someone who would call you friend?" his smile was gone, his eyes were cold, and his stare was weighted.

Lia was completely perplexed and thrown off guard by this gesture. Any amount of coldness in her blue eyes was gone, replaced by surprise and confusion. "Delvin, I'm not going to kill you! If I really wanted to end someone's life tonight, I would have done so whilst I was by the water's edge! Yes I hate Hyde! But..." She cringed and grit her teeth. She had to swallow before carrying on, "but he...He owns me. I'm forever tainted and nothing'll change that. I just...I can't be around anyone! Not anyone outside of the guild. It'll only bring misery. That's what I am, Delvin. A bad omen. Even if Miss Nivarian could remove the magic that binds me, it won't change anything. I'll still be this wretch of a creature. So I -have- to go back. At least while I'm contained, I know the amount of damage I'll inevitably cause can be controlled." 
 
She stopped as her throat caught. She was at the brink of bursting out into hysterical tears, but fought with all her might to keep the wave at bay. With another forced swallow, Lia tried to force her way around the desert elf. It was then that she noticed Akon a few strides up the path. This startled her and got her to stop moving for the moment. 

It was a good time for a swim, a good time indeed. Dressing down he threw aside his clothes and headed towards the lake. Scars from battle covered his body and a large bruise was visable on his left side where he had broken a couple of ribs just two weeks ago.

After the initial cannonball he swam around for a good thirty minutes Jael eventually was satisfied with the refreshing swim. Reaching the shore once again he put on some pants and boots before heading towards the knight's cabin. Placing his tunic on his bed he sighed and sat. After taking in a deep breath he finally noticed the glass jug that he had given Lia sitting there beside him.

"Huh...", he said to himself picking up and admiring it. He took a minute to think before sighing, "Damn."

Getting up, bottle in hand, he grabbed his sword and was out the door. Running down the path he eventually caught sight of Lia and Delvin. He slowed down seeing that they were already talking and Lia was stalled for the moment. Jael returned back to his normal stride, shoulders back, head high, and a hand on the pommel of his longsword.

He could begin to make out what they were saying when he spotted an Akon standing there as well, though she seemed to not be part of the conversation as of yet. The scene he stepped into was very strange... What was Delvin doing exactly?

'Kill him! What!', Jael instinctivly slipped his hand over his sword but released it soon after. He listened and the usual smile he wore turned into a frown. These were not exactly the kinds of conversations he was used to listening to. He lifted up the water container as if to drink from it, but looking down at when water came out instead of alchoal. He frowned and lowered it to his side again.

"No one owns another. No one person is more important than another no matter their race, birthplace, or personal beliefs. Equality is essential for everyone. And no one is forever tainted. Redemption is a path anyone can walk should they choose to. Lia from what I have seen you are as normal as anyone else here. Wretch of a creature my ass.", Jael stood tall his shoulders back and his stance firm. His face was more serious than it had been in a long time and his dark brown eyes remained locked on Lia looking for what response she might give.

Delvin dared a deviously dark grin as she mentioned her mark, 'We could cut it out, or burn it perhaps" his tone seemed sadistic for only a second before he moved a hand up to his tufty beard and stroked, his normally pleasant features returning, "No, most likely magic in nature, destrying it physically would simply bring you pain and that's no good" he sighed softly, "Well It will break once we kill him, and kill him we shall. The only way to slay the beasty originazation that is the "Nox" is to sever the head I'd hazard" He eyed the mark curiously as she turned to walk away, snickering as she was halted by the site of Akon. He'd noticed her the moment she'd arrived, the scent of decay was still strong on her and it rose the hairs on the back of his neck, though his face remained stoic towards that particular situation.
 
He turned as he heard a rustling behind him, his back pressing against the nearest tree out of instinct, though upon seeing who approached he offered a welcoming "Hail!" and a broad smile, despite the severity with which they were speaking only moments prior. He remained silent as Jael made his points, Delvin's small smirk never faded. "You know Jael, this is why I like you! Always so level headed and practically stuffed with valid points" he snickered, "I do believe her binding is a tad deeper than a simple claim to ownership however" he gave Jael his most friendly smile before turning back towards Lia, "Though he's quite right, none of us think you a wretch, quite the opposite really since we're standing here trying to convince you to stay" he paused a moment, leaning up from the tree to pace just a tad.
 
He spoke as he trudged back in forth in a tiny line, occasionally making a full circle in the dust. "You know, I don't understand why you'd be so willing to run headlong into the desert knowing full well you'd be meeting a fate worse than death and pretty much forsaking any chance you're brother has at survival over a few self worth issues" he clucked his tongue, "There are plenty of people who would name you as friend, Jael and myself included, and you'd surely stand a better chance against your boogie man if you could only realize we sincerely want to help, or at least I do, I can't speak so openly for Jael" he shot his pal a smile before turning back to Lia, intent on her response.

"Pathetic."
 
Akon's tone was cold, almost devoid of any kind of emotion. 
 
"You act as if you are the only one who has ever faced suffering......Tch." She lifted her lips in a distasteful snarl. "You whine as if you face your afflictions alone. You think yourself so strong, proclaim it in the streets, yet you long to go back 'home' to a land that wishes you dead..or worse. I can't blame you, a whiped dog tends to return to it's master. It's all it knows."
 
"You are weak, Lia Saxon. Weak of resolve and mind. You cry and blather over the curses that have befallen you. Tch, get yourself together, woman.." She snapped. "You want the freedom and revenge you so claim to desire? Then -TAKE- it. Stop wallowing in the fate you have been given and embrace it by the throat. You have what you need right here, infront of you. Stop running and making misserable excuses about who and what you are. Face it. Use it."
 
Akon's eyes looked sharply at Lia's, a hard scowl bent into her brow. 

Lia started at Delvin and Jael, "Why do you--" Her words were abruptly cut by Akon's voice piercing through. That word, 'pathedic' lingered palpable on the air silencing everyone and bringing Lia's eyes square to the warlock's. Every call out was like another blow to the chest. The Ixifar's fists balled up and trembled with effort. Her eyes twitched into a deep glare as her teeth clenched hard. 
 
"You think I don't know, Akon Nivarian? I -know- how weak I am. My words from before were mostly lies fueled by stupidity and rage. So answer me this, all of you!" She pauses and steps around to look at each of the three around her. "Why waste so much breath on such a pathedic weakling? There's certainly no place for someone like that here in Jastrey. So let me go." Lia flicked her gaze back at Akon, "Let this 'whipped dog' return to it's master." 

Jael did not understand the full extend of the conversation. He felt as if he had missed something that would reveal a little more of the conversation. Never the less he listened with kept his stance. 

Akon then spoke and she seemed like an entirly different person. A part of Jael knew that this was in her, but this still suprised him. His focus was entirly on Akon for the moment. A look of shock was plastered on his face with a faint hint of something comparable to disgust. He had not heard someone talk in such a tone with such harsh words in a long time.

His eyes slowly made their way to Lia to see what she would do in exchange. He commanded his face to a more neutral expression before rubbing his eyes. "I can't let people go back to such a thing. It's not what I do.", Jael said simply, "You will have to fight me before I let you walk back into whatever situation you were in before you left. There is strength in everyone and I plan to help you realize that you have it Lia. You have things you want to live for whether you realize it or not."

Akons tone was just as cold as before as she continued. "A wound must be cleaned before it can heal. A deep wound is indeed the most painful to clean. But clean it must be or it will only fester and spread... sometimes bringing deadly consequence."
 
"You are wounded. My words sting, but they are only to clean away your weakness. Good to see some fight in you." she said, noting both the balled fists and the determination.
 
"Now then. Name what you want , and spare yourself the self-mourning prattle. Do you wish to destroy Hyde and the Nox and save your bother? Yes or no." 
 

Delvin cast a casual glance towards Akon as she blathered on about weakness and whipped dogs, his brow raised incredulously and his lips pursed though he visibly relaxed as their conversation went on. "You are a crafty one, Akon, though I think trying to learn some deductive reasoning skills could work to your advantage" he gave her a warm smile, even managing friendly despite his critique.
 
He'd glance over to Lia, who seemed to be bolstered with resolve at Akon's harsh words, and he couldn't help but give a little smile. Who would have thought it would just take a bit of Uordeq ingenuity, and by ingenuity he was definitely thinking sociopathic tendencies, to set her right. "I beg to argue that it isn't weakness, it's a lack of confidence" he shot Lia a snirking little grin, "It's easy to be blind to your own strengths, especially when you've been beaten and put down your whole life" the smirk turned into a smile, "This could be your first chance at having something...dare I say...Normal"

((OOC: And then "Somewhere I Belong" by Linkin Park became this thread's theme song))
 
Lia's face went through quite an array of expressions as she listened to each person in turn. What was this? Why...? She couldn't make heads or tails of it. These people, she'd only known for days? Maybe about a month at this point. Yet, they showed more concern for her than hundreds of others she'd lived with for years. They kept at her as strong as Desiderio and Therius. Why?! There had to be a catch, there always was. No one gave something for nothing.
 
She looked to each of them, with sizing scrutiny. Delvin, who was clearly not totally stable to begin with wanted her aid back in the sands with his own people. Akon...the warlock had yet to name her price, but Lia could give a few guesses as to what it'd be. Perhaps the Uordeq woman saw the Ixifar as practice for her dark arts, or maybe it was an opportunity to prove herself greater than the Necromatic-master Hyde. Then her eyes drifted to the human. Jael Taydon, that's what he said his name was. What could he possibly gain from keeping her here and guiding her to redemption? Was it just the man's prideful stance at being 'honorable'? Bah, honor. Experience had taught Lia that real honor only brought you scornful glances and the cold of steel dragged through your flesh. Her brother had tried that card for years, as did she. Though they'd given it up years ago. 
 
Lia broke her gaze from them and turned it first to the rock ladden ground, then around and up to the starlit sky as she turned away from them. Her hand drifted over her brother's necklace tied at her hip. She left her fingers grace the cool metal attached to the string and closed her eyes. Memories slowly marched into the forelight of her mind. Faces, feelings, and words said. Lessons taught and fights lost. It all cumulated into an image of her brother standing before her, arms crossed and face tight with a mix of worry and disappointment. 'Never forget, Lia. No one can control you unless you let them in. No one owns you unless you allow them so. We're bigger than this, you and I. Bigger than Nox. Bigger than Hyde.' He said with such confindence...back in those days, it always inspired her. But now...She winced, feeling as though she'd failed him. Lia could fail anyone else, even herself. Never Therius. 
 
This samiran Ixifar turned back around, standing a bit firmer, a bit taller. Her chest swelled as she took a long, deep breath. Finally, her eyes lifted back up first to Akon, and she spoke, "Yes....Yes! Of course that's what I want. But..I...I just don't see how that's possible! Hyde's just so powerful...how could I ever match that?" Her attention then turned to Delvin, "And I appreciate that you're trying to be encouraging, but Miss Nivarian is correct. Confidence is an illusion that only fools rely on." And finally, she turned her head towards Jael. Looking at him sent a small sudden wave of shame through her. They didn't really look alike, but something about him reminded her of her missing sibling. "I don't wish to fight you, Jael. And if you truely wish to attempt that cause--I wouldn't recommend--but I won't stop you." 
 
She sighed and let her gaze lower as her face knitted-up with worry, "Heh...you're right though. I -am- wounded. And I don't see how they'll ever fully heal....but. I'd like to see what normal looks like, I think." 

Akons gaze was still firm and unforgiving. "You will find away when you truly look for it.  When you start asking the question -how- to defeat him, instead of questioning the possibility of if you can or not. Solitary strength is one thing, but true strength comes from those you aline yourself with."
 
Akon folded her arms gruffly across her chest, scowl sternly written acros her features. " I don't offer my aid lightly. Either accept it or don't. But know full well that the darkness and horror of the ritual you just witnessed me perform is but a stroll through the woods compared to what you must endure by my hand of you are to gain your freedom. Undoing wicked bindings is more brutal than the binding in the first place. I won't help someone who won't face what is necessary to achieve the end goal. It won't be pleasant. But, I'll will offer what I can help you if you accept your side and stop running and making excuses. Fight, or die. Survive or perish. We don't teach our children to walk.  We strike them down until they learn to strike first. You won't find a warm embrace or comfort from me. But you have my aid as it is offered. So what will it be, Lia Saxum."

 
Lia considered Akon's offer with grave seriousness. Her hand tugged at her dry lips as she deepened into her thoughts. The prospect of being released from her mark was tantalizing indeed, but her mind rushed with the memories of the experience of having it placed on. Hyde had been particularly merclious when binding Lia, as it was right after her first attempt of escape. She'd was forced to live through two weeks solid of ceaseless torment on all fronts, physical, mental, and spiritual. She'd seen images of a few of the horrors that lurked in the abyss, and had find the strength to keep going all on her own. By the end of it, Lia wasn't able to even remember her own name let alone her will to stand against the man who so abused her. It had taken Therius months of constant work, and reconditioning to find his sister in the dark depths of her own mind. And now, Akon was saying getting it removed would somehow be worse? 
 
She slowly looked back to the Uordeq. "Seems I'm between the Pit and the belly of Aqtam Nar. If this works and I'm alive at the end, will you do it for Desiderio as well?" 

Akon keeps her firm resolve, answering monotonously.  "That s his own decision. But my offer to him will be the same."

Lia drew in a nervous breath and looked to the trio around her. She hesitantly raised her hand towards Akon so they could grasp hands and commit the deal. "I'll accept your offer, completely this time, Akon Nivarian....Though, I'll need some help for the reconditioning afterwards...if it's like receiving the mark." 

Delvin's features remained pleasantly stoic as she dismissed confidence, "Not quite, confidence is what inspires others to follow you, and like Akon has said, strength is all about who you know" he chuckled lightly, almost to himself as he cast his gaze up towards the clouded starry sky. He began to wonder why all of his conversations were attended by moonlight, he didn't mind of course, but he feared the sun may begin to miss him. 
 
Delvin drifted drowsily back to reality, eyeing the scene before him with for a moment longer, "You know, it's quite simple" he snickered, "You take a length of steel and drive it between his ribs, front or back, he convulses for a second, then we take his head and boot it into a fire" he maintained his warm smile, though it could come off as a tad unnerving given the severity of his words. "I mean sure, there is the threat of vile spellcraft but a caster can nary utter a word with a maimed windpipe. There are plenty hands at work here, I'm sure someone can draw his attention long enough for another to stay his wicked tongue" he clucked his tongue at the seriousness of the conversation and the dark thoughts that lingered in his mind, it'd been too long since he'd embraced his lifelong friend.
 
He turned towards Akon for a moment, a finger rising to the air as if to punctuate his point, "I would request that we speak in private again soon, not now, not until you've gotten rid of that awfull stench that clings to you" he snickered, "You have to be the most foul smelling pretty in this whole town, all sulfur and decay " he'd say off handedly before continuing, "but soon, none the less, after a nice shower or a spritz of perfume" he nodded matter of factly before turning back to Lia.
 
Delvin had noticed the analytical gaze she'd cast upon him, and a wide grin splayed across his features, "Curious are we?" he almost laughed, "My inner machinations are an enigma!" he'd proudly profess before growing serious once more, "But really, we share a homeland and we're both relatively new to this place, I find fresh faces make faster friends" he nods to this.

Teufel walks through the conversation towards the lake, with just his boots and fur cape on, and dives into the lake for a swim to cool off. He completely ignores the conversation going on, his focus entirely on swimming repeatedly to the bottom of the lake bed for exercise and relaxation. He floats on his back for a while, and then proceeds to get out of the lake. He walks towards the tree line, walking yet again through the conversation at hand, and pauses right after passing through the group, to pull a single leech off of his calf. He yanks it off, pulls out his sword, stabs it once, and then sheathes his sword again, and walks back to the tree line, with his fur soaking wet and dripping everywhere, and his boots squeaking. 

In the middle of the lake, a body floats up toward the surface. Cloth ripped, torn and burned off his back. A symbol on the base of it's neck, glows a hot orange before it fades and seems to disappear. Another symbol, of a circle of chains, on his arm. Steam and smoke seem to lift up from it into the night sky as if an apparition. The body drifts along, with the stench of burning meat on it.

Jael listened to the exchange between Akon and Lia, a serious look on his face. Once they shook he gave a sigh, hoping that everything would turn out alright. Then Delvin came out of no where with some comments that Jael was not going to even attempt to read into. 

He shook his head and looked to the ground before starting to chuckle to himself, "So serious. Such dark topics." He took a swig of the water jug and looked at it curiously before laughing and continuing, "I think I am about to go get a drink with a real punch to it. I am glad you are deciding to stay Lia and that Akon might be able to help remove whatever it is that ales you."

Giving a bow to them all he continued, "I am off to the tavern for a good many rounds of drinks. I hope to see you all there in the future, so that we may drink perhaps to the prospect of what good things the future could hold."

He turns to walk towards the tavern waving as he goes, but turns around mid stride, "Welllll after I get my tunic." He gave everyone another wave and walked back towards his cabin. Seeing Teuful on his way from the lake Jael gave a nod and said some words to him before continuing on to the knights cabin.

Akon reaches forth and grasps the Ixifar's arm and wrist sternly. "Be ready....." She said, in a tone that was grave and dark, one that would lick the spine with the chill of its weight. 
 
She would release the Ixifar, then turn to walk back up towards the town. "And I need to make my own preparations....this is no easy task..." She muttered as she began her accent. But she stopped mid-stride, nose catching the scent of burnt flesh as it rose off the lake, turning her attention back and her hawk like eyes to see that thing drifting along the shore. "The pit is that...."

Lia gave Akon a firm nod at her firm instruction. She knew full well the seriousness of the task they were about to pursue. Giving Delvin a small jerk of chin to signal him to come with, she started to follow Jael's and Akon's lead away from lake. Lia took note of the warlock's further mumblings, then gave the woman a strange look when she stopped mid-step. "What.." She trailed off when she caught a wiff of it herself. Her face dropped into alert confusion. "What indeed." She looks to Akon and Delvin. "Shall we?" 

Akon looks to both of them, the only hint of emotion a slight raised brow. She then nods, working their way back down to the edge of the lake. 

Delvin sniffed the air as well, cringing as the acrid scent of crispy flesh stunk his nostrils, "Oh, by the Immortals! and I thought Akon was smelly!" he ruffled his nose and gave a nod in response to the request to follow. Digits moved down, dancing deftly over the hilt of Val, just in case the scorcher was still around the one who was apparently scorched. He did find the head jerk to be a bit demanding though, he'd cluck his tongue only slightly as he trotted along beside the two.

At all the excitement Jael decided to turn his head to see the three headed towards the lake. Deciding he would follow to see what was going on he changed his direction. As they approached that was when the smell hit him. He picked up his pace to a slow jog, seperating himself slightly from the group as to not draw attention to them if there was some sort of enemy ahead.

He continued to keep his eyes out for something that did not fit the norm. Once in sight of the lake Jael spotted a body floating atop. Without thinking he threw off his boots and dived into the water. Swimming as fast as he can he made his way to the body. After bringing it to shore he flipped the body over to see that it was Des.

He waved everyone over, "It is Des!" He put his head to Des's chest to make sure he is breathing. Turns out he had been face down in the water long enough that Des had stopped breathing. Immediatly Jael went about trying to recesitate him and get the water out of his lungs.

After a few chest compressions, Des spat up a fair share of water and some vegetation as he sat up. His eyes wide open, startled, glowing as if set ablaze. Then he blinks, and the glow fades away in an instant. He just sits there, for a moment and stares forward, completely ignoring Jael and the others on their way. Breathing deeply and heavily, sounding almost like low snarls.
 
Then, the Angori, with burns and smoke coming off of him, rises to his feet. He stretches backward, cracking his spine, joints and neck. Then starts to walk away without saying a word, as if in a trance.

Lia was a bit surprised when she saw Jael suddenly in front of them and diving into the lake. When he came back out with a body, she recognized it even before the man called out Des's name. "No!" She spat out worriedly and rushed over to them. The Ixifar crouched by her friend as Jael worked at recesitating him. She was tense with nervous concern. Each downward press on Des's lung felt like an age passing by. "Come on, Des! Wake up!" She finally cried out rather distressed. And at that moment, her friend did indeed such air back in sitting up with a start. This startled Lia a tad causing her to jerk back before managing to exhale with relief. 
 
However, it wasn't celebration time yet. Des was off. The way he moved completely devoid of...anything. Lia watched her friend rather perplexed until her memories brought up other times when he'd behaved this way...back to that time when...Her stomach sank. Hyde may not be able to track them currently, but things that he'd previously induced upon her friend seemed to still be active. Lia got up and ran over to the angori, grabbing him by the arms and tugged him downward. "Hey. Look at me. Desiderio Phearvorn. Tell me who I am." 

Akon. Stepped forward, placing her hand upon Des' back and muttering. "By Eterjil's grace be healed..." (Heal 4). A slight slight would leak forth from the warlocks palm, stern look still etched across her visage as the burns and wounds of Des' body should close. "Seens for friend get may need my services quicker than you, Lia."
 

A tug at his arm doesn't snap him out of it. Neither does the voice of his friend. The tingling sensation on his back of his burns being healed only causes him to omit a breath of air in the manner of an eerie low hiss. The rest of the water in his lungs leak from out of his mouth and his walking pace seems to catch up. The stern look across his face is as if the pungent odor of his scorched skin finally hit his nasal cavity.
 
The strangest part of all this is that he has not blinked again since he sat up.

Chataya heads towards the lake. It has become her favorite spot, besides the Healer's Den. All that water in one place... In Sirisin, lakes were few and far between, and usually 'owned' by one merchant train or another.

She stops short when she sees the group in her spot. She frowns in confusion at Bambi's unnatural stance, and at Akon. She notices her friend Jael dripping lake water, and sees Lia looking rather worn and worried, and notices deep gashes with mostly dried blood in her arms and her palms.

"By the Wellspring! What?" She stutters out as she rushes towards the group. She rushes to Lia's side and heals her [Heal 9], hoping the gashes will close. She casts an eye on the one she knows as Bambi and Akon, watching to see if they are wounded.

She turns to Lia. "Sister, in the name of Sirisin, what is going on? What has happened to you." She gasps and a look of shock and realization flashes on her face. "Were those wounds..." she stumbles over her words, "self-inflicted? Did you... WHAT is going on?!"

Lia looked at Akon and nodded. "I think you might be right." She noted all the odd activity that continued from her good friend and her face fell into deep-seeded worry. What could she do without hurting him? There had to be something! Lia racked her brain for an answer, but was interupted by a familar voice yelling out to the group. Before she could really turn around to face the Ixifar-healer, the warmth of the woman's healing magics rushed across her broken skin. Her eyes finally locked with her kin's eyes. She had been so caught up with Desiderio for the past handful of moments that she'd near forgotten this evening's bout of self-hatred. But Chataya's worried questions brought all those feelings rushing back. Lia cringed at little and steped away from the worried healer. Her blue eyes flicked over to her entranced friend as he continued to slowly tred away and knew it was there that her focus was needed. She looked back to her kin. "Sorry Miss Chataya. Right now isn't a good time..." Lia quickly jogged over to Desiderio and planted herself in front of him and grabbed his arms firmly to force his body to stop moving. "Des! Look at me!" She commanded sternly, a slight lick of desperation in her voice. 

Jael looked around on the ground when Des still refused to respond, he was looking for the perfect tree limb or large stick. The first few he spotted were to wet. He needed something that would break with the hit, for a great dramatic effect. But it still needed to have a sting to it and not be to old. There it was! Taking up the magnificient once upon a time small tree limb from the ground he examined it with care to make sure it indeed was the one he was looking for. Holding it with both hands it had the perfect weight and size to it, he gave it a practice swing or two before he noticed Chataya approaching their group.

He watched almost with a light amusement as she evaluated the situation. It must have looked very odd to someone just arriving. At the mentioning of Lia's wounds Jael stopped to notice what Chataya was talking about. He had not realized they were even there before, the conversation had been so heated.

"There is some very weird stuff going on Chataya.", Jael said, in agreement with Lia, "Greetings though, I hope you were not coming here for a relaxing swim.", he added in jest with a light smile, giving the dried stick another look over.

Desiderio stops in place due to Lia's added weight becoming a hinderance, and stops ignoring her, slowly leering her straight in her eyes. And then he speaks, in a tone of voice he has never spoken toward her before, at least not since then...
 
"You dare, put your FILTHY TALONS on me again?! DO YOU KNOW WHAT I AM?!?!"
His body temperature starts to grow warmer as he speaks suck vile words, seemingly filled with hate. And then he chuckles. "You're why I'm here. You and your words of blind rage, spat out to mask a fragile ego..."
 
He starts to pace around her in a circle while saying this. "'HE' heard what you said. It disTURBED him, made him feel small. And 'WE' don't like to feel small little one." He stops, back turned to Jael as if he didn't see anyone else. And he leans closer, touching foreheads to the confused ixifar. Then starts to push forward, as if trying to walk through her. "Now MOVE, PIDGE."

Delvin had fallen silent since the commotion began, though he kept a watchful eye on the happenings by the lake. He took note of Desi's condition, the scent of burnt flesh and his knowledge of arcane bindings to register exactly what was happening. He rose a finger into the air as if to speak up but noticed Jael lifting a sizeable treelimb from the ground, once more deductive skill went into overdrive, his finger fell and his lips pursed as he realized what was about to happen. A sly smirk carved itself across his features as he watched eagerly.
 
As he noticed Chataya his smirk would fade into a softer smile, "Curious day we're having, lovely weather though!" he almost beamed at her for a moment before glancing over towards Lia and Desi, for a brief moment the image appeared to him as a tiny white bird playing the role of matador. He then realized that was exactly what he was witnessing and decided it was time to get to work though he wasn't exactly sure of what work consisted of. So he stood, and watched, and debated winging desi in the hamstring since Chataya was around to patch him up.
 
As he heard the Angori begin to bellow at Lia his eyes would grow dark and he'd glance in their direction, lips curling into a slight sneer though it was scarcely noticable to the others. He'd shoot a glance towards Jael once more, nod to him as if to encourage the actions that were already in his mind, and place a hand on the hilt of his blade, prepared for a secondary strike if it were at all needed.

Teufel returns from his cabin with a large bear pelt, walks through the group again towards the lake, stopping just before the water. He looks around at the ground for a moment, takes off his vest, spreads out the bear pelt, and stabs his swords down on the ground next to the pelt, and proceeds to lay down to sun himself in the moons reflection, without the slightest regard for the actions going on behind him.

Lia gasped. Her mind's eye instantly shot back to a time many years ago when she last heard -that- voice. Memories filled her mind, flashing by one at a time. Her hand slowly crept up to her shoulder as old aches flared up from the recollection. This couldn't be happening again. Not now! Last time this alter surfaced...Therius was there to smack him back to his senses. What could Lia do? This evil entity made it clear that it was -her- fault he'd surfaced again. But how--then it hit her. 'I survived on my own! On my OWN!' The words she screamed at Taklinn just hours before, Desiderio had heard them. 
 
Lia, easily pushed aside by Des's forward motion, crumbled to her knees, then leaned out onto all fours. The urge to run away, to get away from this place swelled inside her again. The mess she'd made was turning out to be a mighty fine one indeed. "Dammit!" She cried and slammed her fist into the ground in frustration, and to use the pain to surpress the wave of frantic tears demanding release. She turned back to her friend. "Des! Please!...I'm sorry! I didn't really mean any of it...but. But you know me. I get so mad sometimes...and I get carried away." 

Jael glanced at Chataya before watching the rest of the scene unfold. He listened somewhat board to what Des had to say. This whole over reacting dark depressing stuff was starting to get on his nerves. But he had a solution to it, he looked down to the branch in his hand again with a smirk. 

Looking up again he caught Delvin's nod and saw him place a hand on his blade. Jael sighed and with his full force brought it down on Des's back breaking the thing in half. "Wooo yeah!", Jeal shouted with a fist pump. The way that the branch smashed against his back was just perfect. 

He dropped the stick that remained and gave out a heafty sigh, "Look at the one who is speaking in a blind rage now Des. Why dont you hold your tounge and take a deep breath before more damage is done here." Jael stood firm in a very confident stance, his hand resting passivly on the pommel of his weapon.
 

As the wood crashed over his back and brokein half, part of it bounced and hit Des in the back of the head when he recoiled from the hit. Then it was lights out. Des fell to the side unconscious.

"Wai... What?", Jael said, looking back at the passed out Bambi, "Huh... I figured Bambi would be able to stand up to it."

Jael sat there scratching his head and just offered a shrug, "Well I guess that fixes that, so who is up for helping me get Des to a bed or something?"

As Lia sat on her knees, awaiting Des's response, her eyes slowly drifted over to the shore line. There she noticed the odd Uordeq man laying out as if he were sunbathing under the moonlight. Eyeing him somewhat confused, the Ixifar didn't notice Jael pick up his stick, walk over to Desiderio, and proceed to break it across the angori's back. The loud snap of the wood breaking brought Lia back to her senses and her eyes flying back over to the scene. Her gaze widened in angered shock until her body got in motion. She all but tackled the human man, giving him a hard shove on his shoulders. Lia followed up by pushed her face into his, her chest puffed up giving her a rather aggressive stance. "What in the shifting sands are you doing?! You pitless Wyrm!" With her rage rekindled, her hand flew up and down across Jael's face meeting his cheek with a satifying smack. "Don't -EVER- attack my friend like that!" 

Chataya watched everything that was going on with her mouth literally opened in shock. It was obvious she didn't know what was going on and it made her furious. After seeing Lia smack Jael, she jumped over to stand between them.
 
"STOP IT YOU FOOLS!" She yells at them, including Delvin and the unconscious Angori in her icy glare. "I don't know what you all think you are doing, but this is enough. I do not know what is going on between the Angori and yourself, Lia, but you need to get a handle on yourself. You are acting like a stupid hatchling." She turns to Jael, and says, "I don't know why you think that was an appropriate reaction to someone seeming to be possessed or whatever was going on with him, but you need to control yourself. There are other ways to bring a person back to their right mind, and BEATING THEM WITH A SMALL TREE IS NOT AN APPROPRIATE WAY!" She looks over at Delvin and shouts at him, "And you! Stop your fool smirking. Get over here and make yourself useful. Let's get Bambi to the Healer's Den, and on the way you can tell me what is going on with him, since you seem to be familiar, Lia." She moves to stand over at Bambi, heals his bodily wounds [Heal 9], hoping that the blow to his head will keep him knocked out until she was in a better position to help.

She stamps the end of her staff in the ground angrily at the group. "Well?! Are you coming or not? He needs to get to a bed."

Lia was in his face and mad, for good reason too. After the smack across the face Jael slowly turned his head back around to face her. "That was not your friend anymore Lia."

Was all he could manage before Chataya jumped inbetween them. A look of surprise was on his face as Chataya called them all fools. Listening what she said to Lia made him feel almost sorry for her but his turn was next. Jael stepped back with his hands slightly up as if he was surrendering, "I- Bu-... Well..." he stammered. His mouth shut when she shifted her focus over to Delvin. 

Jael looked down at his feet and kicked a pinecone towards the lake. He jumped when Chataya stamped the ground and immediately went to help pick up Des. He whispered to Lia before kneeling down for some reason hoping Chataya would not hear, "Really he is such a big guy, i figured it would not actually knock him out! Just maybe... knock him back into his senses..."

Delvin maintined that "fool smirk" as she yelled at him, his head canting to the side as she grew silent, "About finished are we?" he'd ask, not particularly enjoying the yelling, "Im not putting on the show, simply enjoying it" he rolled his shoulders into a slight shrug, "Besides, I didn't see anyone else jumping in to circumvent a potential disaster, he saw a threat and he neutralized it" he chuckled before glancing down towards the unconcious desi, "Jael, shall we?" he'd ask, motioning to Bambi before moving to scoop up his arms and half-assedly cradle the man, he of course expected Jael to grab his legs. He'd shoot another glance over to Chataya, "Don't think us brash, we simply have faith in your abilities as a healer, we knew you could patch him up after the damage was done" he laughed outright

Akon merely watched on silent, arms folded over her chest. "Chataya. I may need your help." She said lowly, visage stone cold and as emotionless as her monotonous tone. "If you would be prepared to heal. I'll fill you in on the details, but having one of the Prime among us when I attempt the ritual to remove them both of this curse would be wise I think." 
 
She continued to watch on dully. "I'm sure you can already see the discontent this little mishap has caused. It will only continue if they are not freed from that which binds their body and minds. But...possession..." Akons eyes narrow. "That could make things a bit more interesting...."
 
 

Chataya looks from one person to another, exasperation plain on her face. She throws her hands up in the air in frustration and says, "Oh you guys drive me crazy. What is it with this town?" She ignores Delvin and turns to Akon.
 
"Akon, I don't know what is going on. I don't know if it is something that I would want to be a part of. I don't trust the Dark Arts, and I cannot just agree to be a part of whatever you have planned. I am very pleased that you have asked for my help; Those are words I have never heard you utter, and I am surprised. However, I really need to know what is going on. I know you said you would fill me in, but I would like to hear from Lia as well. Also, perhaps there is something we can do to fix the problem besides the Dark Arts? I have plenty of beds open in the Healer's Den; perhaps we should bring Bambi and Lia there to rest and perhaps we can discuss this more? Perhaps we should get other members of town involved?" She sighs. "I just don't feel comfortable being a part of, or having you start, some dark ritual. Surely, there is something... good that can help? I know that because you are very practiced in the Dark Arts you will turn to that to solve problems, but couldn't be another way? If not, we should include other townspeople and their expertise. Another ritual in the woods does not seem like a very good idea to me. And also, I don't think a small delay will harm anyone, especially since they can rest in peace in the Healer's Den." She looks over at Lia with concern. "Please? Can we just get them to a safe place to rest and discuss this? You can tell me more on the walk in?"

Akon smirks and chuckles to herself. "It is not the dark arts I plan to use, my ixifarian comrade. A ritual, yes, but one invoking the powers of the prime. I know much of the dark arts yes, buy I was not always what I am now. I merely wish to be a bystander and there to combat what results from it. They are bound by dark arts. You don't use dark arts to free those that are enslaved to them. But when I experienced a similar exorcism, it was far from..pleasant." She smirked darker. "Be there or don't, the choice is yours. But merely curing them will not lift the bane they are bound to. I know these powers too well. And it wil eventually destroy them if left untouched."

A soft tune had preceeded the presence of Annaleigh, as she stumbled upon the group just in time to see a man she didn't know break a branch across the back of an Angori she didn't know. Her humming stopped abruptly when the Angori male fell and she watched as the Ixifar girl from Sirison she had met in the tavern yelled at the man. Slowly her gaze took in the others as they continued speaking, or arguing- at times it seemed difficult to tell, and she recognized the forms and voices of Akon, the elf Delvin and the Ixifar that had scolded those she had felt were "heckling" Akon at the lake side before, when she had met Silver Dragoran. The little Angori could only stand and blink for a few moments, bright brown eyes clearly startled. She wondered what started this clear mess among the group, and quietly thanked Loreyza- and even Aramir- that she had missed the beginning of it. She wasn't quite sure she wanted to know, wonderings aside. The scene would have been almost comical if it weren't so hectic in the druid's mind. A mind that only just registered the Uordeq male basking in the moonlight in the background of the rather haphazard group.
 
"Loreyza's light! What in the pit have I gotten myself into coming into this town?! Mad... Mad the lot of them!" She half-muttered, half-said aloud. She cleared her throat a little, and was unable to resist the urge to give them a light, slow-clap, round of applause, shaking her head a little bit. She moved forward, speaking almost quietly, but very clearly, "What a show you all are giving. Posessions, friends, fighting, and arguments of dark arts verses exorcism. My head is positively spinning... But, mayhap, it would serve well to make sure the male is alright, before you discuss rituals to... ahem.. 'free' him? It might work out a touch better for his health. Just perhaps. You know, just to see to what needs healing now before the warlock jumps in to expirement and make things worse for him, or at the very least his physical health? Don't know how much anyone might do for mental scarring, but that's besides my point, which is: discussing possible further harm to a person who is still unconscious is generally bad."
 

It would seem he was constantly being scolded by Chataya, perhaps he was a touch too aloof for her liking, but in all honesty he saw no point in being serious. He gave a hurt little look towards being so blatantly ignored, though he'd shrug it off and proceed to carrying the oversized Angori haphazardly towards the healer's den. As Annaleigh approached he'd catch her rant, his lips tugging into a keen smile at the proclamation of their madness, he was apt to agree.
 
Delvin drug Desiderio's deadweight towards the healer's den, his progress slow but tenacious. "couldn't have possessed someone smaller, eh?" he'd mutter with a wince. "Remind me to fashion a necklace out of Hyde's spine for this" he near growled, throwing his weight into his work to pikck up the pace, though the work was slow. He clucked his tongue for a second and then pondered on exactly what he was doing, "wait.....why am -I- dragging his ass around" he'd mutter once more, blinking at his predicament. "I'm much better suited for sittng back and providing commentary of the colored persuasion" he continued to grumble a bit more, slowly inching his way towards their destination.
 
He'd glance up to Annaleigh as he drug Desi past, "yeah, he's just unconcious, trust us, it's for the best" he gave her that curiously wide smile of his before returning to his work, grunting under Bambi's weight, "We don't really need a raging Angori skin-puppet running around unchecked, especially when there's a madman pulling the strings" he snickered, finally getting used to the weight of his burden and picking up the pace.
 
 

Annaleigh chuckled a little at at Delvin's mutterings. She was already sliding her staff into it's place across her back, into the band she often wore made to hold it. She glanced to the Ixifar she had heard the elf call a healer and Akon, shaking her head again and sighing as she turned away. Her attention was now mostly on Delvin who was dragging the unconcious male, though her ears were open for any retorts she might hear from the Warlock or healer. Her eyes caught sight of a mark at the base of the other Angori's neck and she eyed it curiously for a moment, before setting it aside in her mind to be questioned later. The little Dregoth bent and grabbed the him by the ankles and lifted as much of his weight as she could to be helpful, though not enough to get the male completely off the ground. A softly grunted "Aramir's horns! I hate being small." might have been heard just before she shot a grin at Delvin.
 
"Save some of that spine for me, will you?" She chuckled, if some what humorlessly.    The name Hyde rang familiarly in her ears, albeit a vague familiarity. Something she had heard relatively recently, on Sirison, she thought. Annaleigh did her best to keep to the pace that Delvin set as she helped half-carry, half-drag the deadweight of the unconcious. She blinked a little when he remarked on a raging angori skin-puppet. She stiffled a snicker, just barely. "You do your commentary just fine on the move too. A raging Angori skin-puppet with a crazy with a madman puppeteer, hm? That sounds rather unpleasant. I shall happily take your word for it and more than happily resign myself to having missed that part of tonight's show.  I just know unconsciousness strikes a poor chord with my initial healing instincts."
 
Curiousity over the annoying vauge familiarity of the name gnawed at her mind as they continued to move. She fought back the urge to question over the name as best she could, however she failed. Her voice was a little strained with their task when she finally gave in and asked, "Hyde.. That name sounds a little familiar. Is he well known? Or perhaps it's just coincidence. Either way, it's a name I heard not to long ago, I think."

Delvin beamed at Anna as she made to help him with his burden, "Many thanks!" he spout as she lifted the dense Angori's ankles, his arse still dragging the ground, he'd whisper, "methinks the bambi will need new pantses after this, though with all he's been through today that may be the least of his worries" he grinned broadly as they waddled their way towards the healer's den.
 
As far as her compliments on his commentary, "Tell that to Chataya, she yells at me every time she lays eyes on me I think" he chuckled, "jokes on her though, I rather enjoy her company, She's like the mother hen, chickidy chick chick, can't help but try'n rustle her feathers from time to time" he smiled..
 
"Don't knock it, there are definite perks to being diminutive. You can fit into interesting places without being cramped, you don't have to bend to enter doorways, and you don't hit the ground as hard when you fall, on account of there being less of you in comparison to larger folk. The bigguns are always smashing their heads and trying to get into places that are physically impossible" he snickered, "being small is easily remedied by having friends who can reach the top shelf, promise" he chuckled, "and besides, you fit your form well"
 
Quirked a brow to the question, "Oh, Hyde" he snickered faintly and shook his head, grunting as he kinda tossed Bambi up in order to catch him in a slightly easier position, arms hooking beneath his pits. "rag doll, rag doll" he'd say, wanting desperately to poke the man in the forehead. He'd glance back over to Annaleigh as he regained his focus, "Hyde is the madman pulling the strings, the terror of the desert, the creepy collector of cadavers" he shot Anna a smile, "so it's understandable that you heard the name when passing through Sirison, he's a tad notorious, and in dire need of a dagger in his kidney if I do say so myself" he gave her a playful grin, "he's not all that large, but I'm fairly certain he has enough spine to fashion several pretty things, if you offer your help you can have as many bits and pieces as you desire" he pondered a moment on his previous statement, "all this talk of trophies, I really should have been born an Angori"
 

"Hyde. Hyde.. Hyde... Hyde...."
 
The name echoes inside the head of the fainted Angori, each time stirring up movement as if triggering something inside. Being tossed around, feeling helpless in suspended animation. It all feels too familiar, and not in a good way. And then finally, his eyes shot open and a gasp for air. The large gonk, wrestled his way out of their grip, elbowing and kicking and flailing around until he hit the ground with a thud, tucked and rolled away.
 
Dizzy and tired from his wild episode from earlier and being concussed, he failed to see Lia or any others he deemed familiar in the small group. So he turned and started darting away on foot like a bat out of the Pit.

Chataya listened to Akon, with both relief and unease showing on her face. She says, "Okay, I'll bite. Let us walk to the Healer's Den and you can tell me everything along the way." She grinned at Delvin when he flashed his hurt look, and greeted the small Angori girl with a smile when she approached. As she walked along the two carrying Bambi and Annaleigh, she listened to their conversation, and laughed out loud at Delvin's mother hen joke. "Ruffle my feathers indeed," she grumbled good-naturedly under her breath.
 
She looked confused at the mention of Hyde, her lack of knowledge evident. When Bambi woke and started to run off, she yelled and ran after him, hoping to stop him.

Annaleigh laughed softly at Delvin, enjoying the conversation. It helped take her mind off the work a little as her right shoulder began to ache. Another giggle left the Angori's lips at the ixifar apparently called Chataya's good natured grumbling. She remarked after they finished with a wide grin, "Bambi, did you say? Yes he may well need new pants. And, oh wonderful I thought he sounded familiar. Yes, people do have a good many bones, even the small ones, and I could use a new anklet. Bone sounds like it would hold up delightfully, and look fantastic. Ahhh, it seems you should have been, Delvin. Your idea of trophies seems to well suit Angori. Though, I shall have to only partially agree on the perks of being diminuitive. I've yet to find someone outside of the Telmon Druids willing to get things off shelves for me."
 
Suddenly the Angori male she was helping to carry awoke and began to struggle. She immediately dropped his legs and stepped back, but not before he wrenched her right arm good and hard. She let out a hiss and winced with a curse. She stared after Chataya and Bambi as he bolted and she chased. She rolled her shoulder, grumbling, "He certainly kicks like a damned deer..."