Goose moved through the trees quietly in his Wild Form. The black fur of his panther was broken only by a green line of mane from his head to shoulders. It had been nearly a month since he had last been here. Reaching the edge of the woods he paused, looking out at the numorous gravestones. Loreyza, as in all things I ask for your wisdom and guidance.
He took a deep breath, exhaled, and stepped out of the woods, shifting out of his Wild Form as he did. He looked around for Treygard, but did not see him. He walked to a nearby tree in the graveyard, sat at its base, and waited.
She smiles softly her fangs peaking out from the corners of her mouth giggling at his surprised look. "No, I haven't seen him or Bianca lately. he has probably been just busy getting ready for...... stuff." She said trailing off a bit. Poppy's eyebrows knitted together in confusion for a moment. "What business do you have with Tre?" She said curiously. "Surprised you all arn't keeping close tabs on Kresh seening as you are one of the bears healers."
"I imagine his...loyalties...keep him busy. We take shifts in keeping an eye on Kresh." Goose absent-mindedly rubs a large, fresh scar on his neck not unlike if a bear had taken a bite. "I have held Bianca in my arms before and I wished to visit to see how she is doing."
"Hmmm? Yes, Hexadus is like that with her followers. Though I suppose all immortals are like that to some extend" She said nodding. "Do you follow any, Goose?" She inquired curiously. "Ah, that is good you take shifts his were beast seem to be quiet aggressive from what I have heard. More then the cases I had seen in Tarkalsys." She said nodding towards the spot he was rubbing. "it would be wise to keep healers around to fix your own wounds he causes and the ones other might do to him."
"Check in on the child? well from what I have seen she is healthy." "And has seemed to grown?" She paused for a moment pondering before continuing. "Though I don't know much about the life cycles of Rivens. All the ones I have met have been full grown." "I would imagine they would have to replace her with new skin as she outgrows the old I suppose." she said pondering it for a moment
Goose paused, realizing he had been rubbing the scar. Placing his hands in his lap he responded, "Loreyza, patron of nature. She has asked only that I protect the natural world as much as possible. Bianca's...life...has certainly called into question my own belief of life and nature. I do not know what to make of her, but what few times I have seen her she has appeared to be like any child of her age. Jig-saw puzzle appearance aside, of course." [Are there jig-saw puzzles in this system or something that would have a similar meaning?]
"The last time Treygard and I spoke, he offered me to come and see her any time I wished."
[OOC Aside: it's feasible that jigsaw puzzles exist; their origins are not actually known - they were first commercialized in 1760, but were apparently known to exist before that time- being made by painting the image on a wood block and then cutting it with a jigsaw (there is debate over whether the puzzle is named after the tool, or the tool after the puzzle).]
Poppy nplops down to sitting on the headstone rather then standing one it. "That makes logical sense, a druid would seek out Loreyza , or Anestiasa depending how you view the two.""some see them as one and the same, but I am sure you knew that." she chirped cheerfully. "Though I wonder what they would say on the condition of your leader?" she said a playful smile on her face.
"I meannnn I would assume she would be like anyother child, but I only really ever dealt with young enfants, and they all seem like spawns of the pit around that age." she said giggling. A frown forms on her face for a minute. "Jigsaw puzzle? Now that is just rude to the poor girl, you going to hurt her self-esteem like that. How'd you like it if people referred you as a cabbage head?" she said placing her hands on her hips. "And what seem to be your confusion with the child? Isn't a child's life is the same regardless of it's orgin?" she said with a bit of a twisted smirk on her face.
"Ah well if Tre said you can check up on her then your are fine to stay in the graveyard till he arrives."
Althena walked cautiously through the graveyard, a small bouqet of colorful flowers and a small toy held in her hands. She was coming to visit and tend the gravesite of a child who had not recovered from the plague that had recently hit Jastrey, and whom Althena had failed to heal. She glanced at the sky, noting that soon it would be late, and while she had never had any issues with members of Mischief, she would just as soon not be caught in the graveyard once dark fell. As she neared a fairly large tree she heard familiar voices discussing a familiar child. Tilting her head slightly, she stepped nearer, catching sight of Poppy and Goose Igaly. Pausing, she clutched her bundle closer, then decided to, at the very least, greet these two as she made her way through. Stepping forward, she nods and smiles at each. "Good day," she tilts her head slightly. "I apologize, but I heard you make mention of Bianca. I do hope the little one is doing well."
A thin vertical line appears in the air between the three Jastrians. The line quickly turns a rectangle with a POP! Out of the gateway staggers a soaked and injured Tregard. In his bloodied right arm is a wailing Bianca. On the other side of the portal, you can see a steam filled room. Poppy would recongize this as one of the rooms in the guild's HQ. On the floor lies a body, clearly in it's death throes. Tregard makes a quick flourish of his fingers and the portal dispels. The simple movment exhausts him and he collaspes on the ground.
Shocked by the sudden appearance of the gnome, Althena does the only thing she can think of at that moment: she lurches forward, grasping hold of the wailing Riven baby as the gnome falls to the ground. Reacting solely by decades of training, she clutches the infant against her shoulder as she quickly kneels to offer healing to the collapsed male. "The Fire of Life burns away the Dark!" [heal 10]
Poppy startled curses an immortal lightly under her breathe. She steps to assist both Tre and the child. Athena beats her to Bianca and gives her a soft nod. Kneeling softly down next to the Gnome to support him and tend to his wounds. "Is everything well Treguard?" the Fae asked in a concerned tone. She noticably cringes at hearing Athena's words about banishing darkness, but brushes it off the direct situation with Treguard took priority for now.
Goose observed the events closely, taking in both Tregard's and Bianca's appearance. Knowing that Bianca was in good hands with Althena, he moves and kneels next to the gnome. "Perhaps it best, given the differences in our healing sources, that I handle Treygard. With the Blessings of Nature [Recover].
"That was quite an entrance, Treygard."
Poppy gave a soft chuckle. "Yes, it probably good luck you landed inbetween three healers, friend." She said as she turned towards Bianca taking gentle care redoing and tightening the stitches she could on the child as Athena held her. "I think Pelle may have some excess thread at home, some of her stitches I can't fix yet. Some thread in places is missing completely." She said looking over Bianca's stitch work carefully.
Goose stood and removed a belt that held pouches and his field knife. "If it helps I have leather strips in one of the pouches; you can use the knife to cut them thinner. It may not be a good substitute, but I don't know where Pelle lives and this may work to hold over if his place is too far from here."
He stepped over to Althena and laid his hand gentle on Bianca's head trying to soothe her. "Other than that, I fear that I am out of my area of expertise. I'll keep watch while Treygard and Bianca recover." With that, he shifted into his Wild Form, his eyes seeming to glow in the dying light [Adapt Darkness] and leaped into the tree above to survey the surrounding area.
Althena grimaces slightly as she realizes she has caused Treygard discomfort. Bouncing the child slightly at her shoulder, manueuvering the child so that Poppy may tend to her stitching better. "I have needle and thread in my pouch," she informs the other healer, raising a hand to gently stroke across Bianca's scalp. "I have field medic training. Maybe I can..." she frowns at the Riven child, suddenly wondering if a field medic is what the babe needs. "Does a Riven need special magical assistance when their stitching gives way?" The Ixifar shifts her gaze to Poppy, frowning slightly at the thought that she may not be able to help the child she had grown quite fond of. She glances down at Treygard. "Treygard? Will you be alright?"
"No Ms. Andropolis, I am not doing alright." The bard pushes him onto his knees and turns to the others. The upper left part of his face is covered with 2nd degree burns. "But I'm doing slightly better than the other guy." Tregard gestures towards where the portal was.
"Mhmmm no If it is normal sewing thread I am afraid it may not be thick enough... Just hold on I will be right back." She said as she quickly flutters off to another part of the graveyard only to return a few minutes later with some thread and a large stitching needle. "This should do the trick." She said warmly as she worked on patching the child up.
She looks up at Tre's face to see the burns and winces a bit. "Oooo, we will get you both patched up. He had quiet a bite it would seem." "fire element or sorcerer?" She asked.
Althena held the child, surprised by how calm the infant appeared to be as Poppy tended to the torn stitching. The Ixifar glanced down at Tregard, again feeling shamed that she had further injured the gnome. As much experience as she had with those who worshipped the darkness, she still had moments where she simply reacted by instinct rather than thought. Sighing slightly, she continued to hold onto Bianca as Poppy continued her work, watching the fey's deft fingers as she neatly stitched the Riven child.
Goose drops from the top of the tree, landing deftly on pawed feet before shifting out of his Wild Form. "The surrounding area looks clear. Ah, Tregard," he takes a few steps to walk up behind the Gnome and claps him mildly on the back, "feeling better?" He looks to Althena and Poppy. "How's Bianca?"
As poppy finishes the last stitch she looks up at goose. "Mhmm she should be good now." She said booping the young Child's nose and giving her and Athena a warm smile.
"Ah, is Hexadus still ill with you over killing her herald?" Poppy asked in a concerned tone. "Is that the water one? I am glad the chalice has came to some use." She said nodding.
Patting Bianca on the back, smilng in return to Poppy's careful work over the babe, Althena turns her attention back to the gnome. "If you are certain," she said as she Reached over, tentatively places her hand to the gnome's shoulder. With a smile, she intones, "By the Fire of Life, I heal you, my friend." [heal 10]
Poppy watches Athena heal Tre she steps forward to casting a spell of her own as well just for good measures. "By my words feel new life." [heal 10] She speaks as she touches the gnome's other shoulder. "Do you think you can get off her bad side?" She inquired to him.
Cold flows through Tregard as both healers cast their spells on him. The combined power takes his breath away. A few moments past before he is able to speak. " I doubt She has a good side. And I don't think I'm capable of doing what needs to be done to get on Her good side." The gnome jumps to his feet.. " No, it may be time for more drastic measures."
"While I do not know much about this Hexadus and I am not aware of your level of interaction with her, any attempt to pull away will likely be met with strong...pushback. While I am sure that you have done many questionable deeds while in her service, there may still be hope for you if you leave her. I am hesitant to preach at you, but I believe that anyone can find their way back to the Light; the question becomes, are you willing to change for the better?"
Goose moves and motions at Bianca. "You came to the Bears a mestrun ago with Bianca in your arms and inquired whether we would be willing to protect her. I'm embarrassed to say that we were hesitant because we feared ulterior motives in your request. Regardless of your motives, present or now, however, a child is a child. I will help you protect her, and I believe Althena has already yshown she will as well. But her first line of defense is you, Treygard. If you will not turn from a Dark mistress for yourself, consider the dangers that continued servitude will bring to Bianca."
Althena frowns at the gnome's words, glancing down into the Rivan child's face. The babe seems more at ease now, despite her injuries. She listens as the dryad and fey speak with Tregard, yet remains silent for many moments. This is not her place to interfere, for she knows whatever advice she would lend would not necessarily be taken well. However, there is the child to consider. "You took on this responsibility, Tregard," she finally says, her voice soft. "You cannot simply decide to take on another quest while this little depends so fully upon you." With her words, she steps forward, pressing the child into the gnome's arms. "Biance should be your first concern. If she is not, or cannot be, you should find those who can care for her in your stead." Stepping back, she offers a slight bow of her head. "The decision is your, Tregard." With those words, she bows slightly again, turning to offer Poppy and Goose a slight smile and nod of her head as she begins to make her way from the graveyard.
"Wait, Althena," the bard dances his way in front of the Ixifar. "You don't just quit Hexadus. She has safeguards." Treygard shows the others his chains. "But you are correct, Althena, I can't bring Bianca into this." The bard gathers the riven baby in his arm. He smiles as she giggles and gnaws on his thumb. "I have three healers with different idealogies before me. None of you have treated like a monster. Would you act as her guardians, until/ if I return?"
Althena glances down at the giggling child, smiling at the happiness portrayed on the Riven's features. "I am torn, Tregard," she looks up. "I will not lie. My homeland has shown me that those such as yourselves," she glances over at Poppy before turning back to the gnome, "and Bianca can be monsters, but also people. They walk the streets casually as any human would. And yet," she points to her shield, the sunburst emblem of Istansia gone, replaced with a red field upon which rests a golden egg embraced by white wings. "It is my duty..." she shakes her head, frowning as she glances up. "My own duties may call me away, Tregard. Yet, despite her nature, she is a helpless child. One I am sworn, by my very service to Avaren, to help and protect." she smiles back at the child, reaching out a finger to gently touch one stitched cheek. "and she is rather precious."
Poppy face twists to a bit of snarl toward Goose comments. "Funny, a few mests ago you were gung ho about saving any kind of child because they were innocents, and nearly bit my head off for it." "BUT now that the child has dark origins . You feel the need to bargain to make it worth it Goose?" The fae inquired a bit aggression seen in her eyes.
Her face softens when looking back to the other three. "Well it has been many many years, since I have cared for a little one. and never one like this, but I suppose it take a village to raise a child." she said laughing softly. Raising a eyebrow. "Tre, what mad scheme have you hatched?" she said giggling.
Goose glanced at Poppy, then turned his eyes back to Treygard. "I place no requirements on the safety of Bianca. I hesitated when Treygard first approached me about being willing to protect her, but I won't make that moral mistake again. I asked my question to see if Treygard would try to bring himself to the Light; if he would, I would offer my assistance in his venture. Though I am weak when compared with current company, I would risk my life to help save another soul. But to try to become the master himself, there is no repentence in that. I will protect Bianca, that was never in question."
He turns to Poppy. "As for the words that I spoke to you that day, I still believe them. However, I may no longer be able to speak such words again. My own hesitation could have brought more harm to her than this tonight, and that has taken away my right to say such words."
Poppy noticed Goose resting up against one of the trees in the graveyard she makes her way over deciding to approach him. She lands on one of the gravestones near the tree using it as a perch to stand on. "Hello, Goose. What brings you to the graveyard today?" she chirped cheerfully.