Regroup, Realize, Refocus

Alexa wakes up after a not so easy night of sleep. Her mind finally has a chance to focus, and it only has one thing in mind. To solve this puzzle though, she needs information. Her mind wanders for just a second to her other companions... To Syn, but she pushes it away. She needs to be objective, she's not facing a small enemy. Walking around she looks for Clyde to have a very productive conversation about apples.After walking through the town and having no luck, she decides it's time to get some food. Walking into the tavern, she orders some mutton. The tavern seems pretty empty, probably due to having multiple people passed out all around. Especially Syn who appears to be bonding more with the weapon Gig gave her. Hearing the door open Roya sits up on her make shift and turns towards the the noise. "Oh Ms.Stone." she addresses her with a plane and sleepy face. "Glad that you found us." Looking to Ford and nodding. Then addressing Alexa again "shall we all regroup and discuss our next step? Please help me wake everyone up please." Pointing specifically to the devil spooning with a large weapon. Alexa looks to the tiny half orc, "Of course." she gets up and walks over to Syn. leaning over, she shakes Syn's shoulder, "It's time to wake up" she says, waiting to see Syn shift around. Once she shows signs of waking up, Alexa turns around, looking around to see who else has woken up, leaving Syn to fully wake up. Seeing Kravor fully passed out, she decides a less subtle approach, getting a glass of water and throwing it in his face. Taking her a moment for Alexa to wake everyone up Roya rolls up her supplies and pack."Ms.Stone did you happen to see a red ball of fur sleeping in a nearby tree outside?"
Reflecting on her way into the tavern, "There are about 3 trees outside, 2 of them had a few squirrels in them, the one right outside the tavern seemed to be pretty barren or squirrels. They were probably avoiding a predator hiding in the leaves." She sits down and goes back to her mutton, preparing for what the awakening of Syn and Kravor will create. Roya rolls her eyes hard. "While I appreciate the daily report on squirrelkin. I was asking if you saw Trash in the trees outside. Guess he'll wander In when he's ready." Done packing her bag she sets it up on one of the tables and takes out a small pouch and pockets it. The she joins Alexa at her table. Alexa lets out a sigh... it must be tiring in Roya's head. "If there are no squirrels in the tree right outside, then logic could deduct that your friend fell asleep in that tree, but was covered by leaves. But he may come in on his own, so you probably won't need to check." She continues eating her mutton. "It looks like you guys sure had a party here to celebrate, what do you guys pan to do while Ford keeps watch over Syn?" Roya looks to Alexa "Okay, I guess the small talk is over. No we haven't really had a a moment to talk about our next move. I have been running on the assumption that we will be traveling with your party for the foreseeable future...." Trailing off to look at the mostly empty room "My family does need those crystals. So I feel that is our main priority. So what are your plans for acquiring those?" Taking out her small pouch she starts snacking on small bits of dried fruit.
"I have contacts that I can reach out to. Unfortunately it's not a short process, but it will be done as quickly as I can. You may want to be careful though, you guys came in without the knowledge of the elves. They're a big fan of interrogation, so if you guys want to have a story, you should make sure you have it straight." She states very matter of factly. None of this is meant as a threat, but more her version of helpful advice. "What is the deal with these elves. I've barely seen any other signs of of life other then us since we arrived. I know you said this was basically a prison." Taking a deep breath "but the people completely opressed. Are you saying they are going to to come and try to quiet us as well?" Taking a moment to think on those words, Alexa chooses her next carefully. "Quiet.... no. More like contain... examine. Mostly slaves are brought here as a way of experimenting with the gate. They seem very aware of who comes in and out, only with a few very highly magical beings.... although, who knows, they may be aware of them as well. They don't like being blind sided. Unfortunately that's exactly what you 4 are doing... and us by proxy."
Flashes of memories that seemed so distant cross Syn's mind while she sleeps. Lullaby’s of something familiar yet unplaced, visions of old Freeport, blurred faces of comforting Tieflings from a time long ago and then flashes of chains, and prison cells, then of Jacob Whyte and the death of Solus. It all comes hurling at her while she sleeps till Alexa breaks the dream and she is tossed into the here and now. Red eyes shoot open and glance around the tavern. Her arms are wrapped tightly around the new found sword from the ritual. Syn sits up rubbing her eyes then looking towards Alexa eating mutton. “Oh you ended up finding us, saves me the trouble.” Syn grins and sticks her tongue out towards the warlock. There is something on edge about the way Alexa speaks, how she sits frustrated at the table and Syn tilts her head to the side. “…you okay?” Syn asks as her Eyes move to Ford staring at her. She silently raises a hand to toss the warforged a wave. Alexa's eyes flash to Syn, "Of course I am, I have note taking to do." She continues to eat her mutton. "And besides, we have to figure out a story, we're already under close watch by the elves." Syn gets the personal jab as she mocks her for the words she had spewed the previous day. Her eyes roll and she slides out from the bedroll, casually walking over to the table Alexa sits at. Syn's pointer finger runs along the table top as she walks, pausing at the plate of mutton and leaning uncomfortably close towards Alexa. Dark red eyes meet the bright blue shade from hers. “Ah so that did piss you off.” Syn looks down to the table then back up to her. “Okay listen, perhaps I should not have….” She pauses and stutters slightly. Trying to apologize like a regular person for once. “perhaps I went too far. So I uh….” Syn grabs some mutton from her plate, taking a large bite. “mhmhmmm nom nom Sorry. Mhmm nom nom.” She sits on the edge of the table looking down at the plate before looking to the rest in the tavern. “She’s right…the elves will be questioning who the hell you guys are. So some kind of story of how you got here would be a good start. Also curious if anyone of you can access the gate as well…something to think about while we get ahold of these crystals we owe you…” As Alexa watches Syn eating her food while muffling an apology, she thinks through the best course of action... Apologies are something Syn doesn't do... But it doesn't stop the lesson it taught Alexa. "Thank you." It sounds sincere, a trick Alexa's learned through being a spy. "Has anyone of you been to Nexus before? Or can think of a reason you would want to come here?"
Finishing up her fruit Roya pockets her pouch. Roya smiles at the sleepy faced Syn. Then quickly looking back at Alexa she returns to a blank stare "Ms.stone are you suggesting that we come up with some reasonable explanation as to why a Devil raccoon, a large metal man, and a small wizard woman are in the middle of a prison state?" Pausing for a moment putting her fingers to her chin. "Well none of us have been her before so maybe we tell them we're on a sight seeing tour." Laughing at her own joke she looks Alexa in the eye "In all seriousness you said this is a hub for slaves? Perhaps were here to sell? " looking back at Syn she cast her eyes down in shame at the idea. "Maybe you have a better idea that a little less tramatic Syn?" When Roya glances to Syn, she is met with a terrifying death stare. When she speaks the eyes fade to something less terrifying. “We could just tell them you are with us.” She looks to Alexa then back to Roya. “Say we sent a Raven because we wanted more capable people to join us within the gate instead of these peasants because it was a waste of time. So they ported in, and here we are.” Syn shrugs. “This isn’t my forte. This is more reserved for Alexa…” Roya jumps a bit at the sight of Syns death stare. She's not used to being on the receiving end of one. "I apologise Syn. I suggested such a radical idea because I wasn't aware that was an option. I didn't realize you all have such a good relationship with the elves." Looking to Alexa "is there any reason Syns idea wouldn't work? You made it sound like we needed to come up with some grand story to tell the elves." Royas face twists a little. Thinking to her self she can't believe she brought up slavery after their long talk last night. Letting out a her a deep breath. "Because of course we met each other several years ago in Freeport. Ms.Stone you needed some help for hire at the time. You kept in contact just in case you needed our services again."Alexa listens to their simple plan. "The reason is fine, I think the bigger problem we'll have is how. There's guards at every entrance, they'll want to know how you got in, and we can't say portal." "It's fine...I guess." Syn folds her arms leaning forward to slide off the table. Pacing around in a circle thinking as the other converse. Swiftly and out of no where Syn cuts into the conversation. "Why not tell them you flew in. Literally. Alcina is still around no? No....no...that's dumb." Syn spins around on the heel of her boot, slamming her hands down on the table in front of Alexa. "How do you do this!?" "It's a mind exercise. The biggest help is knowing what each person can do. If you're going to be coming up with a story, the best ones are grounded in truth. I'm not worried about Clyde and Alcina, they're resourceful, and I can't imagine they'll let the elves take notice. But you guys are going to be here longer. What are your guys abilities? Can anyone turn invisible, create portals? How do you typically travel?" She's working very hard to make it not sound like an interrogation. She does need these answers to help their story... But the answers also give her a better idea of who she's dealing with.
Tapping her finger gently on the table. "We normally travel by boat or by foot. I think any reason we tell these elves will be incriminating and we will be asked to leave or worse. the only angle that I can think of is that we found a vulnerability in one of their guard posts exploited it and we'll tell them how we did it in. In exchange we get to stay."Alexa looks at the small half orc... She really has no idea what Ford's attachment to Syn has got them into. "They won't ask you to leave. I'm not sure if you understand the predicament you're in. You're here now. They've bringing slaves in to throw into the gate... They never come back. People are a resource they won't want to get rid of. The problem is they didn't see you come in. Elves are a very proud people, if there's a weakness they'll want to know where it is... And whichever elf was supposed to be watching where you say the weak point is will die. Saying you exploited a weakness isn't a bad idea, but a broad description like that won't be sufficient." After having water splashed on his face a good 5 minutes ago, a still snoring Kravor finally stirs. Slowly standing and stumbling back a few feet before grabbing onto a table he steadies himself and makes his way over to the group talking over their plan of action. Catching the last minute of the conversation, he chimes in, rubbing his temples in an attempt to appease the first real hangover he’s had in a millennia. “From what I’m hearing, it sounds like you’re all missing the bigger issue.” Glancing down to his shining silver scales, he reminds them of the large battle that just took place within the encampment’s courtyard. “Our newfound allies and their sudden appearance is quite easy to explain. Magic is everywhere within Arhor’ha. The idea of us paying for a portal is far from an absurd idea.”Looking around to make sure the plan of action is sufficient for everyone’s needs, he continues to point out the event that isn’t nearly as easy to explain. “Now. We did quite a lot last night. And from here, I thin-” Pausing, he looks around, realizing his gratitude has only been truly relayed to that of Syn. Awkwardly clearing his throat in a way that, for the first time, doesn’t cause him pain, he takes a step forward and does his best. “Before all that, I would like to ..... uh, thank. All of you. Last night was quite the battle, and I don’t think I would be standing here today without each of you. I’m unsure where the others are currently, but my thanks goes out them as well. Wherever they might be.” Before he moves back to the issue at hand, he raises a claw in realization. “Ah. And from here on out I will most likely completely disregard that this apology ever occurred.” Finally getting the point, Kravor ends his little speech. “What I was trying to say from the start is this. Yesterday involved a lot of fuckery. Many abilities far beyond the capability of any of us were used. The dome. The fire. The teleportation. The giant fuck of monsters. Those will require a better explanation than the three newcomers.”
"Unless they get blamed for it happening." Noone is thinking. Strings that seem obvious to Alexa seem to not connect for everyone else. "Who did we pay for a portal? A large fight happened, and now there's new people here. The big battle could be explained as a fight that you decided to have because the gate got to you, made you go mad and attack us. But this doesn't explain the new people. Prisoners fight prisoners, they won't bat an eye, we're below them. But 3 people show up without them knowing... Now you're challenging their intelligence." Kravor cocks his head slightly to Alexa. Not confused, though nearing it. “Well, firstly, I don’t think I’d like to be outwardly known as an insane beast that could create half of the the things that occurred last night. Everything remotely related to last night is a threat to elves. Them not knowing about 3 new prisoners ? An issue, yes. Them not knowing about giant draconian beasts, foxes capable of burning their little experiment to the ground, and whatever else happened last night. That seems much more of a threat than 3 more prisoners for them to not give a shit about. They’ll be checked for a connection to the gate. Should they have one, that is all the elves really require.” "Would you being an out of control dragon born who can't control his emotions be completely off base? And what are you basing your knowledge on elves, have you dealt with Xanthriel elves before?" Alexa says. "Regardless, we need a story that covers everything. If you ignore the smaller parts like their appearance, it discredits the larger story."Kravor takes the jab. It’s a.... fair jab. “Dealt with the elves ? No, I have not. But I’ve dealt a fair deal with people. As well as monsters. In my experience, monsters usually scare the common folk far more than other people do. It’s a very narrow-minded view to be frank. People can bring much more harm and destruction into your life than a beholder ever could. And yet. The people will always run in fear from the monsters and forget where the true threat lies.”"Why not say they came out of the Gate," pipes up Gabriel from the doorway of the tavern," It wouldn't be a stretch to say that we came to the conclusion that the Gate has the ability to open up portals. We investigated and found these guys. One of our friends was deeply affected by the travel and the people we brought back agreed to help us fix him. Explains Kravor's ressurection, the reason for them being here, and covers our backs if they try asking more questions because we have no idea how to recreate the portal."The gnomish boy strides in and pulls up a seat to be closer to the conversation," Hope everyone slept well by the way." "How did they get out of the portal without the elves noticing. That gate is guarded. Everytime we leave the gate, we're interrogated." Alexa asks."Side effect of people actually coming back from the Gate. Maybe the gate has a mind of its own and is actively opening tears in Nexus to try and pull more people inside," responds Gabriel, staring at Alexa with an expression of ease.“We don’t have really any solid understanding of the gate. So it’s a decent plan. But seeing as though it has never happened before, and it will never happen again, a plan like that would eventually fall apart.” Turning to Gabe, he adds. “As Alexa has stated. The best lies are based in truth.”
Roya looks around at the new comers then back to Alexa "do we have to stay here?" Speaking to the group once more, “Which is why I believe we should do just that. Base our story in truth. Tell them that the being that Syn and I faced in the Gate damaged me far more than I realized. It leached itself onto my being without my knowledge. A lie. Eventually we realized I would die by morning so we received consultation from a third party. The truth. We paid for transport to Freeport to receive materials for a ritual to save my life and met a few likeminded individuals while we were there. Also the truth. The ritual was performed, I was saved, and we all went to sleep. If we bring forth our new friends to meet with the elves, we can simply explain the fact that we didn’t have the time for introductions last night as time was of the essence. Now that that is not the case, we introduce our oppressors to 3 new members of their encampment. Why would they say no to free prisoners ?”Gabriel looks around while giving a shrug of "Sounds pretty good to me". His eyes turn to Alexa and Roya. " Guess it all just depends on if you guys want to stay here," motioning to Ford and Roya," Or if you've got better places to be? And if you want to leave is it a good idea." He focuses on Alexa, going to someone more level headed for a better knowledge of actions and consequences than himself or possibly the rest of the group.Alexa looks to Roya, "you're in a prison. By the time I can get your crystals, I can find you a way out, but before then will be difficult. And besides, if you guys have to stay here wasn't a term we created. For that you should speak with Ford." Thinking over their story, she thinks through possible pitfalls. "Who was the third party? Saying we left without their permission will lead to us being monitored constantly, making obtaining the crystals almost impossible."
Taking a second to mull it over, Kravor addresses the possibilities at hand. “As far as third parties go, we have a million options to pick from. We could say we used your little black market, though I assume you would like that one kept secret. My scale color has reverted, so we could say Targ wanted his champion back. And yes, we left. That may anger them. But we came back. Knowing your captives had the option to leave, but chose to stay shows a lot. We simply fake a simple case of Stockholm Syndrome.” Taking a moment to change his demeanor into that of fear, Kravor’s hands shake slightly as he mockingly cries out. “We can’t leave the gate. The gate means to much to us. It has shown us to much. Leaving it would be a date worse than death itself.”Gabriel actually joins in, and grovels beside Kravor to help prove his point even more. Complete with messy hair and a dirt covered face this is not a hard role to pull off for the boy though not as convincing as Kravor. "Y-you gave us a home... made sure we're safe... You're so much better than those jerks in upper Crystallis. I wish I was an elf so I can truly feel what it's like to be superior." Even Yorkie starts yipping and acting helpless. A solid set of actors. "I think we're pretty convincing," he states in the middle of his fake cry of elven appreciation. Alexa looks at Kravor and Gabriel, no smile on her face. This is typically why she doesn't travel with groups. "Even if we came back, we left. If we found a way to leave, others could too "
Kravor relents, dropping the posture of fear and chuckling to Gabe, grinning slightly. “Yes. Like how others could enter the gate ? Within this room we have 4 of the 5 people to ever enter the gate and live. Plus others who I believe would survive as well. That means something to them. As much as they may dislike us, they need us far more than we need them. There’s a reason they offered us the abode that they did. They want us to want to be here. By playing that part, they’ll be relieved beyond belief.” This is exhausting for Alexa. She attempts to emphasize her point... Maybe talking slower will help. "If.. we.. found..a..way..out..others..could..too." "Then how about we buy them some time. I gotta emphasize with Alexa on this one, Mr. Kravor. If most Eloheim elves are anything to go by, they are really... Xenophobic? Even if we did the whole grovel act, they wouldn't just be content with our word. I think we should hide them. Maybe Handler Leon can let them stay there for a while. They ask us where they went we say we don't know. Or maybe just cast invisibility on all of them. I think being in cahoots with them sets us up for more scrutiny." Gabe goes back to his seat and folds his arms in deep thought," Honestly, I think we're gonna get prodded at regardless and I see us hiding them gives us the least prodding. We can go with Kravor's original plan but we have to tackle the who's the third party part."The exhaustion is mutual between the two. “Ahh, you’re a comedian as well ? That would explain quite a bit. For the future, I recommend you let the audience know that it’s a stand up act beforehand.”Shaking his head, he explains his point further. “Who exactly would find a way out ? The peasants ? Those that would enter the gate and die ? The elves have no use for them. The only reason they are here in the first place is because the elves had no clue who could actually enter the gate. Now they do. They have us, so the others are simply here because they were here before us. None of them have any capability to do a quarter of the things we can. They can’t find a way out. And if they could, the elves aren’t that stupid. They can’t expect to make this shithole an impenetrable fortress without proper magical wards. Which they haven’t used. They know there are ways out of this prison. They just don’t care. As long as they have subjects to experiment on. As long as they have us. They don’t care.”
At Kravors statement about her being a comedian, Alexa stands up, furious. She continues to listen to Kravors assumptions until she finally pounds her fist on the table. "For a man who couldn't be bothered to save his own life, and purely here because of the people around him, you sure have a high opinion of yourself. How dare you look down on the people around here as if they are incapable of self preservation because you now see yourself as a golden boy. By letting them know we left, not only would our lives suffer, but so would theirs... But they're just peasants, right? Who cares if they're lives are used for experiments." She is fuming at Kravors logic. "I have pointed out plot holes, but it seems Kravor has his own opinions. So please, go ahead, now's the Time for you to figure out the solution." She turns herself invisible and leaves, she needs to walk around and find weaknesses. Talking to them has proved pointless. She'll find a way to make a story work. Gabriel rushes after Alexa as she leaves and dives under the swinging doors. "ALEXA WAIT" he calls out, looking at the ground to try and see her footsteps," Don't go alone..." The boy sigh as he gazes back at the tavern, and sits next to the door outside. Listening in but not entering. Roya looks around at the table. Her ears are in an alert position as Alexa has her moment. As Alexa disappears and leaves her eyes widen. "Well...How about we just talk to the elves. We clear the air. Show our hand if you will. From what I gathered there is a deep distrust between what you all are trying to do and who control that activity. I feel like trying to hide only sets us up for failure. And I do not believe there is a story strong enough to convince an powerful occupying Force with out it falling apart." Scanning the room again she continues. " The main frustration is that we didn't have enough time to create a plausible story for us to come here. Things in the past can't be changed.this means you must be forward. The situation does not allow as much time to to decide the most optimal way of travel here." Looking to Ford and Syn. "we all have our goals and we all want each other to be safe I think we can all agree on that and we want those that are innocent in the situation to be safe. we can take care of ourselves and our own and an open discussion might be the easiest way to create that reality. Working on a team means that we try to do our best together as friends. My family and I always listen to each other and I'm hoping that we can all listen to each other now, together."
Plausing once more she looks at the face of those in the bar. "We need a goal. I believe our goal from what I've heard is that we would like to stay in Nexus and stay out of chains." With a sigh, Kravor waits for an invisible Alexa to storm out as he grabs a stool and sits down. “The goal. As far as I am aware. Is to make a believable story as to how you and your party arrived here while also explaining the ritual that was performed on myself. I have presented a plan that fits these requirements. It will need some fine tuning, yes. But unless we have any better ideas, it’s the one I think we go with.” The slam on the table makes Syns eyes narrow down onto her friend. Not like her at all. Syn is left speechless as she watches her stand and turn invisible following the words thrown to Kravor. "...H-hey wait!" Syn shouts to an empty tavern exit. She stares blankly out to the front of the tavern before turning to look back at the others. "Nobody is concerned about that?" She points to where Alexa was last seen. "I should probably go see what the hell is going on...my plan involves hitting people with my bat--" She pauses reaching upwards to grab the hilt of the new sword. "...sword. With a sword I suppose." Her hand reaches out to grab the last piece of cut mutton on Alexa's plate. "So let's go with Kravors explanation because honestly this is kinda your fucking fault. So it should be on you if it doesn't go well." She smirks at him before eating the mutton.
As Syn talks, Kravor stands waiting for the insult. Ahh, there it is. “A point I agree with. Which is why I have been trying to solve it.” Frustrated, he rubs his eyes before continuing. “As far as Alexa goes, yes I am concerned. I also understand that she seems to be a lone wolf by nature. I am the same. Working with others is ...... difficult to say the least. I would give her some time to herself. Let her blow off some steam.”"She sounds frustrated," Ford observes, being been a largely inanimate hunk of metal sitting in the corner. "Most of you do. Try calming your shit and listening to each other instead of through each other." Its wisdom, buts savage. Savage wisdom. Taking a Deep breath Roya recovers from the not really understand why Kavor seems so content with himself. "Working with others is hard. I agree but getting angry doesnt solve anything for us....anyways.." looking to Kravor "Okay fair enough. We seem to want to plan the blame game. Let's give it a shot. Who did this to us Kravor?"Turning his head to Roya with a puzzled look he answers the obvious question with his own. “Exactly how am I playing the blame game ? This is my fault. Mine. I am fully aware of that. There is a reason I am taking steps to appease what has occurred. So instead of focusing on me and my psyche, how about we turn to the problem at hand.”
Kravor turns to speak to the room at large once more. “We have a number of problems at hand. We had a giant fucking battle in the middle of our supposed prison alongside people far more powerful than ourselves, each with their own unexplained appearance, followed by an unexplained disappearance. My scales have reverted to their old silver sheen and Syn’s club has been replaced with an ancient fuck off soul eating sword, both of which must be explained. And finally, we have been joined by three unknown ..... beings ? Do you all count as people ? I’m not quite sure.”Blinking a few times "Kravor I meant what 3rd party got my family here. You were suggesting a scapegoat earlier correct?"The look of utter what the hell face that spreads across Kravor's face is actually pretty amusing. From his position on the poor barstool that is trying its best to maintain its existence underneath the weight of an aggravated metallic dragonborn, he looks to the floor and closes his eyes to take a deep breath. A few silent moments of a dragonborn's icy breath later, he raises his head towards Roya. "Apologies. I- uh. I misunderstood. I thought you wer- .... It doesn't matter. I did not realize what you were asking. That was my fault."Getting back to the topic at hand, he finally answers Roya's questions. "Yes. The 3rd party. The way I see it, we need a way to explain my scales reverting to their natural state. I figure we simply say that in my supposed final hours, I was able to commune with Targ. We say that he wanted me to return to him as his champion and in return he would gift us with a way to heal my corrupted body. It explains the portal to Freeport as well as my shift in hue."
Noting the change in Kavor when she changed her attitude "and you picked us up on your way out? Seems like a good start. Unfortunately my friends and I have little experience with the mover and shakers of the mainland. Would you mind explaining why this "Targ" would help us. And how you believe the elves would respond?" Syn lets out a unnecessarily loud sigh as she listens to everyone put in their ideas. "Maybe we are just overthinking it." She starts to casually walk around the room after not seeing Alexa in sight out the front door. "A monster from our last gate with Kravor, placed a ward on him which is why we returned the second time in order to possibly find a solution only to discover there was a time limit and we had till Dawn to get the ward resolved. So we got the great idea of this ritual and that's when these guys appeared from an unintentional effect of the ritual....something like that. Crazy yes, but maybe not spewing out names we don't know much of to these elves is a good idea."
Another big toothy smile appears on Royas face. "I think that might be a great idea in all honesty. Kravor I like the scapegoat idea. Syn I like a scapegoat that is hard to prove. The removal of the ward cured a lot of the aliments that Kavor had. As for us. We were hired by you to help with the ritual. We know little about the your other motivations other then you owe us." Looking around the room she looks for more input. Gabriel pops his head in from under the tavern doors," I think we also need to explain the new toy Syn has. I'm thinking just say its a spoil of the ritual." As quickly as his hazel eyes appeared, Gabe gets out of the doorway and resumes sitting outside of the tavern.Looking at the door Roya raises an eyebow at the voice that pops in then back out. "Gabrial please come in and join us. " Then Turing back to Kravor "I think that might just have to do. If they ask us. I dont think any of us know where that thing came from." pointing at Syns new weapon. "we tell the Truth. like you said earlier Kravor they need you all to be able to to explore this gate thing. so maybe it wont be that bad....." Then she goes silent thinking about Trash. Taking a moment to think it over, Kravor looks skeptical. "I like the idea of keeping it simple, I really do. I just don't find it plausible. The elves like information. They want something tangible that they can grasp onto that will explain away all of their suspicions and insecurities. Without that, none of this will work." Pausing to get his thoughts in order, he begins to elaborate. "Does anyone even have a clue how half of that ritual worked ? That was all Paulo's doing. His intellect is a few millennia beyond any of our own. When we say we just thought of this ritual out of the blue, that will come with countless questions. Is anyone here able to explain away that ritual ? What kind of magic was it ? How was the dome created ? If we were all seen inside the dome, who was performing it ? There are a million questions that follow."Looking between Syn and Roya Kravor slowly begins walking over to the bar. "We live in a world where you can play to a god and receive guidance. Where you can scream out into the cosmos and be answered by alienated eldritch horrors. Where you can talk to the devil and make a deal with Gig. No mortal can explain these deals. Pacts aren't something you explain. They are something you accept and move on.Standing in front of the bar, he grabs his bag and places it on the countertop. Reaching in, he pulls out an old necklace with the silver symbol of a dragon's head. Tossing it to Roya, he explains. "Targ is the ancestral dragon behind House Targarius. One of the 4 major houses within the city state of Crystallis, alongside houses Crowe, Hearth, and Fortuna. As a Targarius, I hold a connection to him, whether either of us like it or not." Waving his hands over his new silver sheen, his plan begins to make a little more sense to those not running around inside his head. "With this new look, it's not hard to sell the idea that I am a newly reborn champion of Targ." Pausing, he thinks for a moment. "Plus, I have a few tricks up my sleeve that would be quite convincing." Clapping his hands together, Kravor hopes that was enough to explain his thought process. "Powerful, otherworldly beings are manipulative. They have plans for our world that span the eons. We are all mentally incapable of fully grasping some of the things that they do. All we need to do now is use that fact against the elves."
Looks at Karvor she returns hes skeptical look. "I guess your the type that he has an idea in his head there is no changing it. That's fine I'm hearing you. My team and I know nothing of this and I think we will keep it that way." Starting to see why Alexa left Roya takes a deep breath. Calling Tinyfang to her arms she holds him tight. "My main priority is the safety of the crew and to get what is owed to us." Closing her eyes she speaks. "Please tell them what you think is best. I have heard your idea 3 times already." Grabbing her bag she looks to Syn "let's go find Ms.Stone. As crazy as it might sound I think we will be safer by her side and vise versa." Moving to the door she finds Gabriel near by "pulling the dress out of her bag she whispers "Sorry Trash" then To Gabriel "Can you please make this go away. Unfortunately it is evidence."As Roya walks out on him as well, Kravor laughs as she reaches the door. "Sure. Ask me who this Targ is, and shun me when I answer. Fair enough." Turning away from her, he places his elbows upon the bar and rests his head within his hands. There's a reason he likes to work alone. Roya stops in her tracks as turns around to face him. "I hear you Kravor. I really really hope your plan works. I am going along with it in my own way. Im not sure what to say when you seem completely uninterested in these other plans. Do you not understand I'm trying my best to work with you?" Looking at scales on the back of his head. "But this is only going to work if we all know what's going on. We are all going to succeed together or fail at this, together. Once you understand that I think can all have another great party." Gabriel looks up at Roya with a "What the fuck face" and promptly walks into the tavern as if disgusted by her thinking that he's a girl. Once inside however, he ducks down behind the counter and wraps a copper coil around his finger as he casts Message. Roya, in her head, can hear Gabriel whisper ," I don't know if you really need me for that job. You could have just tucked it in a bottle and rolled it away. If I were the elves I'd probably be casting locate object right about now so you might want to dump it quick. Also, might be a good idea to be a bit more discreet when you're handling that out in the open. Just toss it in an alley on your way to find Alexa. I'm gonna find you guys, but first I want to talk to Kravor. See if I can open him up a lil. Sorry about seeming rude. Regardless of which plan we take, making us seem distant might be the way to go. You can reply to this message."After finishing the spell, he emerges from behind the counter holding a bottle and sits next to Kravor while looking at Roya over his shoulder to make sure she got the message. Spending more time in the plaza shows that it is more used as the day went on. The tracks all start to move towards the church. Oddly enough the bell has not rung out to call for more to enter the gate. Something else is going on. The bell not ringing alerts Alexa. They're planning. A strong fight in the middle of their town doesn't go unnoticed. Going into an alleyway, she looks to Nuru "find out what the elves are talking about" she sends Nuru out, using his eyes and ears to figure out what the elves know. Nuru flies over the city, scanning for a grouping. The white raven makes its way through the alleyways and high up over the city proper. There is a group of the denizens assembled near the church, not elves. They are all murmering what it means when a makeshift gallow has been constructed over a house's balcony. The rope coiled on the balcony can't be mistaken. One coil. One noose. One person is about to be hanged. Length of the noose? Could be anyone, its designed to fit. Tension of the rope? It rules out the stronger people. Beheading is more effective there. Less chance the balcony would break. Someone small. Something small. Something with a neck. Finding a perch near a church window, Nuru is able to hop inside. Tap tap tapping a small broken part of the stained glass to do so until he can fit his head in. Elves are there. Of course elves are there, its where they are based out of. But there is a human there too. Rich. Influential clothes. "And so, I do hope its within your deepest of appreciation that I committed myself to this endeavor without your prior consultation. Time, you see, was a premium, and I came as soon as I can to make reparations in person for any perceived slight. I have no qualms about saying the wards were yours, for the protection and order of this establishment. Do take care with my property though, they are quite a handful, but as you can see they get results." There is a drawl to the man's voice. Slow and steady. Honeyed poison. Jacob Whyte. He got here sooner than she expected. Alexa's mind flashes to Ford, and then Syn. She needs more information, he knows they're here, but what is he going to do?


Its a mechanical motion, but a well practiced ones with his time present around the younglings. Pat. Pat. Ford acknowledges Roya's emotional state with a simple nonverbal motion. For someone who has so few nonverbals, this is one of the better ones. If push comes to shove, Ford can always push and shove. And punch and kick and chain and bust through walls. At this point the bells ring. Once. The metallic sound echoing throughout the district. Twice. Tolling to assemble at the church. Thrice. The time for words have come and past. Hearing the bells, Gabriel looks to Kravor. Eyes dart to Syn. Then Ford. Finally landing on Roya. The bells. Sounds more like a dirge than a call to a meeting. Begrudgingly, the young man walks to the tavern door, waiting for the others. If they move towards the church, he follows closely behind. Grabbing his stuff, Kravor joins Gabe at the tavern door to leave.Those that have not yet assembled at the church begin to filter in from where they were hiding. The expectation of an elvish officer calling out for fresh candidates is met with confusion. Along the nearby balcony is the red hair of a short creature. A noose already around his neck and the rope connecting to a pole that extends off of the balcony.
"Denizens," the official starts. He is sporting bruise from earlier in the day that collects around his forehead. Fine chestnut hair conceals it partly, but most is on display. "No doubt you have begun to wonder what happened this morning. You must be wondering what is happening here every day," the man says as the late afternoon sun makes the resin seal on his ironwood accents shine in a dull gloss. "Ignorance, your shield. Faith in us, your coin, as what you do here ensures the safety of your nation, your city, your families. Information, if left to our enemies, would threaten these things. You shield your loved ones well, and for this we were thankful for your service." His boots clack against the stone near the church. The sound echos like a pickaxe into bone until the marrow seeps out in an unrelenting ache. The elf stops, "Some of you tire of this shield. You paint your own story of what is and what is not. The coin stops. And what happens when a man has no coin?" He sweeps his hand over to the balcony, where a red-headed halfling is hoisted onto edge of the balcony. Hands are bound behind him, green eyes wide with terror. "He turns to violence to claim it as his own," the elf states sharply.
Listening through Nuru, Alexa understands what's happening... Someone stole from the elves, and now they're getting their pound of flesh. She keeps Nuru on the perch.. just a little longer and she'll go to the square, she did not want to see the hanging she heard planning earlier.
Syn watches as the others in the tavern quickly shift and grab their things, heading for the door. She follows close behind. As she reaches the door of the tavern and steps out, several other people of the ghetto make their way to the church bell at the following third bell. She strides between people, pushing them slightly to the side to let her through as she meets with the rest of her party. Reaching a clearing towards the front of the crowd her eyes shoot up to the balcony. The afternoon setting sun hitting off the glint of the coin the elven man flips in his hand until her eyes follow to the halfing standing with a noose around their neck. "What...the hell?" She mumbles under her breath. Eyes shooting back and fourth between party members.Roya looks up at the other leaving. He shollow breathing is kept at Bay. She taps Ford and points at the door. Getting up she throws she bag over her shoulder and clutches Tinyfang close to her heart as she walks to the door following the others.
"This morning the officers keeping you safe were attacked," the elf states, "out of desire for that coin. I can think of no worse crime than to harm those that protect the nation, the town, and your families." The halfling screams out in terror, "But I didn't do it! I swear!"
The elf nods his head a little bit, "And so, with faith gone, where is trust? What is the weight of any word? Look, and listen, what do you see?" The halfling pleas out to the crowd, "Please, I didn't do anything. I didn't!"
There is a silence that breaks the crowd as a man steps forward. He looks over to the elf and then to the crowd, "I tried to tell him not to, but," there was a pause, "he didn't need protection. Just money." His voice is shaky. The halfling looks down at him, a man he called his friend, "Thats... not true."
"We found this on his person," the elf continues, raising a signet ring, "this is my signet ring. A simple band of gold to a thief. A sign of office for myself." A nod to the elf up top, "I can always reforge a ring. I can regain lost coin. But, good denizens, I will never allow a threat to your families, your city, or your nation."
Time seems to stop for the halfling up there. Rosy red cheeks to match his hair. Earth tones in his tunic. He probably liked to have a full pint at the tavern. Went for second lunch more than a couple times. Wanted to be a tailor when found his way out of this. Make a pretty dress or two for that girl he never figured out how to talk to. The gravity of a life left unlived comes faster than gravity itself as he falls. There is a loud 'snap' as the noose tightens and breaks neck and throat. He hangs there, squirming for several seconds and then slowly fades away. He never did the things he wanted to do. Silence fills the church grounds until it is only the gentle swinging of a body. A message written in flesh and blood. "Denizens, now is a time to keep your shields held strong, not make up stories. What happens here happens because we at Xan'theril burden ourselves with knowing. Protecting your nation, your city, your families."
A deadly point as he stares into the crowd. "Do your duty to protect them, too. Ignorance is your shield. Be proud of your service. And for those that seek to harm our wards? You have been warned." Clack. Clack. Clack. The officer returns to the church. Watching from the far back of the crowd, Kravor stands with a small gnomish child standing on his shoulder as the pair hear the snap of a halflings neck. The tap from Ford and the fast response coming out Syn jostles Ford to his feet. Heading to the church grounds along with Syn, he is an easy entity to part the crowds. "Hrmmm," rumbles the warforged, a dull vibration from his chest. It doesn't settle well with him. Roya covers her eyes from atop Ford as she hears the SNAP. Then forcing air out her nose she to stop her screaming. She hugs Tinyfang as she looks to she the dangling mass on the rope. Gabriel, clutching at the fresh silver scales of silver, stares straight at the scene laid before him, and that fire in his heart blazes. He tries to steady his breathing, but the look of pain is undeniable. He looks down at Kravor with an angry look of "What next?".
As the hafling falls from the balcony the rope pulls taught and the crack from his neck can be heard between the gasping of the crowd. Syn’s eyes widen and the rage within begins to surface. Her shaking hand slowly reaches up to grab the hilt of her sword, teetering on the edge of making a very, very bad decision. Syn’s hand tightens to the point where her knuckles being to turn white and her teeth grind together. Red eyes focus on the morbid scene before her. An innocent dangles dead in front of her and the power play by the elves mirror that of what she experienced in Freeport. Her red burning eyes shift to the elf as he casually strides away towards the church as the crowd whispers between one another before shuffling away from the square. Thoughts start pouring as she watches the elf enter the church.
I could rush them now, inside, they could be killed there away from the people. No. They are stronger.
I have help.
It’s not enough
But I can’t let them do this.
There must be something…
Her feet shuffle underneath her, placing her foot one step ahead of herself as thoughts continue to pour in with her hand gripping the hilt of the sword on her back shaking with anger.
Gabriel, high enough on Kravor's shoulder to see Syn's reaction and still having the copper wire around his finger, casts Message. In her head, Syn hears the young man's voice, firm yet uncharacteristically confident, as he says," Hold it. They are NOT gonna get away with this, and I'm sure you already know we can't do anything significant now. I say we go find Alexa and make a plan to get back at these fuckers for what they've done. You can respond to this message."
After finishing, he looks at Syn for confirmation while whispering to Kravor," I think one of us needs to go to the elves and tell them our story before someone else does. A person's memory when they're traumatized by something like this can leave out huge chunks of the truth, and I'd rather it be our version than someone else's." When she is about to take another step forward, the familiar voice of Gabriel runs through her head. She pauses where she stands and Syn's voice replies back. "Tsk, they really are pieces of shit. Get everyone together and get a plan going before I burn that church to the fucking ground." She turns sharply on the heel of her boot, letting go of the sword and shoving through the crowd of people, past Ford, then past Kravor. Her eyes glance up to Gabriel on his shoulder and she nods slightly as if telling him to follow her. Gabriel nods as she walks away and taps Kravor to make sure he sees Syn walking away. He sends a message to Roya and Ford. "We're regrouping. You can respond to this message." With that, the boy hops off of Kravor to follow Syn. The gnome silently stares between their allies without saying a word, yet still manages to reach into their minds to plant a message and a plan before hopping off of Kravor’s shoulder. Stopping him before he can get to far, Kravor kneels down, pretending to adjust the gnomes outfit as if something about it was awry. “If we all run away to clean our stories, their suspicions will rise. We still have a few unexplained guests that we just flaunted around in front of our captors with no explanation. Are you sure about this ?” He asks looking up to meet the boy’s gaze.
As Alexa continues to listen to Jacob Whyte, the words of the elves echo in her head. Shit. They've been outplayed. They've been outplayed and threatened. Why did they have to become a beacon of hope? She never wanted that. After gathering all the information from Jacob, she calls Nuru back to her. They're screwed... She debates if planning with the group would do anything. They can't meet in the tavern, it's too public. She goes into an abandoned building and sends Nuru to Syn. Finding Syn, he lands on her shoulder. Cawing in her face, he then sets off, a sign to follow.
The large warforged stands taller than two men in the crowd. It makes him stick out. It gives Ford a good view of the area. Its easy to see why Trash and Roya have a means to climb up him and ride him like a draft horse. The four points of his antlers turn along with his helmet-like head down to Syn. The emotions burning out of her speaking clearly. He isn't about to stop her from wholesale slaughter. He is more likely to help hide the bodies afterwards than do that. However, the odds are not great if that's how this plays out. A decision that is collectively made without him using his monotonous voice. When the tiefling turns to depart, the heavy step of the metal behemoth soon follows in a ka-thud ka-thud ka-thud crunching of the ground behind her. The trembling of the ground itself quakes like the quiet rage of the more morally sound fellows around. With a mental message being sent, Ford responds back to magical group text ~ Wise. ~ is all he intones. Ford, for all his favor of action, knows what a trap looks like. It looks like one right now. And seeing as no elves are following the big ass metal golem, it is raising more questions that punching doesnt solve.
Gripping Fords antlers as the metal man moves forward. It's almost like a magnet pull whenever Syn moves away from him. A buzzing in Roya's head starts again as Gabe's message plays. Roya body shivers. She hates the feeling of voices intruding on her own. She settles down a bit as they go on their new journey and she whispers to Ford "Keep your head on a swivel. We need to find our new normal."
As Roya holds onto Ford’s antlers, the slight pinging sound of pierced metal barely catches her attention. Looking around, she quickly finds a small sewing needle piercing the side of Ford’s gargantuan head with a small note wrapped around the end stating, “Staying out of sight for now, don’t think they’ve seen me. I’ll watch your backs and signal if anything goes wrong. Oh and tell Ford I said sorry for shooting him with a needle. See you two soon.” As smart as she is, it’s not hard for Roya to trace the angle of the needle back to the shooter, where she just barely catches the glimpse of her small, devilish friend giving her a two-clawed salute as he disappears into the nearby afternoon shadows of civilization. Gabriel looks at Kravor and then back at the group,” I feel that their suspicions are already high enough. They know something’s up. I wanted for the really smooth talking people to stay and talk while we all regrouped, but our story isn’t straight and Alexa is doing her own thing. I’d rather not drag her into this, even if she does have a plan. Only get those involved who want to. Besides, they probably have something waiting for us back at the tavern so it might be a good idea to keep everyone in one place if a fight is going to break out. Syn is on edge and if she goes charging in, Ford will too. Then it just turn into a brawl.” Yorkie assists in helping Gabriel’s tuffs of hair look presentable as the boy finishes whispering to the large silver behemoth of a man. “If all of us are going to live through this,” he holds out his hand, perhaps to shake or to hold, the message is unclear,” We need to stick together.”
The kid makes some good points. They’re all fucked either way. If they’re gonna have to fight their way out of this, might as well do it together. Looking down to the gnomes outstretched hand, Kravor’s confusion is clear. Not only are the intentions unclear, but so is the execution. Is it a handshake ? How is he supposed to shake such a tiny hand ? Would he crush Gabe’s hand by shaking too hard ? Many a useless question enters his mind before he forces them out to focus on the matter at hand. Reaching a single claw out, Kravor shakes Gabe’s hand with it before standing and walking alongside him to quietly make their way to the meetup point. Eyes glance quickly behind her as she catches Ford following but her attention is taken back by Nuru perching on her shoulder, a quick caw from the raven and it takes off. Her eyes scan the street and then she turns sharply down a side street following the Raven. It brings her to the entrance of an abandoned building. She looks up to Nuru who looks down at her and tilts its head with another caw. “Here?” She slowly opens the wooden door. A small creaking noise follows as she pokes her head in.
Inside she see’s Alexa standing there, a moment of calm washes over the tiefling before stepping inside. A sharp intake of air and then anger fills once more “Really curious to hear your thoughts on this one Alexa. The way I see it, we are genuinely fucked.” She paces frantically around the room. “They killed a man and for what!? A power play, its always a damn power play.” She keeps pacing back and forth back and forth. “And I cannot for the life of me think of a solution other than….” She taps the hilt of her sword as she glances over to Alexa.
Alexa looks at the angry tiefling as she comes into the building, listening to her rant. Calmly, "Yes, we are in a precarious situation. The hanging was a message, and their form of punishment. The man stole from them, but it was also a message to those watching. We no longer have the ability to control the narrative. Running, hiding, and fighting will only end in death." Looking behind Syn and not yet seeing the people who followed her, she exhales, exacerbated. "This was as meant to be a way to get our story straight, which only works with everyone here. Were you successful in creating a narrative?" "More importantly... And I should have brought this up sooner ... What was said in the tavern last night, and who heard?" Alexa's glance lands hard on Syn. Now is the time for information. They can't be successful if there's holes. As Ford gets the the Short doorway Roya hops off his back and jumps infront of him before he attempts to squeeze into the door. She hears the last part of Alexa's question and is about to start answering but stops herself. Seeing the question wasn't directed at her. Looking to Syn she waits to see what she remembers about their talks last night. Syn pauses letting out a sigh. “Alexa, I don’t know how to plan things unless it involves cracking in skulls.” Her head turns to the door as the others walk in then her eyes return back to Alexa. “What was said in the Tavern? Hrm.. Me and Roya spoke for quite some time about our pasts. Then we talked about going to the Elves and telling them what had occurred with the ritual…right around the time the entire Tavern started spinning. There wasn’t anyone else in there that I saw, why? You think someone else was listening to us?” She walks to a nearby wall within the building. Leaning up against it and crossing her arms. “Roya, Ford? You notice anyone strange at the Tavern?” Alexa shakes her head slowly. "Anyone in that tavern is a witness. They may not have said anything had the hanging not occurred, but that changed everything. If anyone heard the planning, or what actually happened, they'll go to the elves. They don't want to die... they don't want their family to die." rubbing the space between her eyes, she looks to the joining party. "Does anyone remember what was said last night? And were you successful in creating a story for why a bomb went off in the city?" Roya speaks up. "There was a man that Karvor seem to have an association with in the tavern but he seem to distraught to comprehend much of what we were saying. He eventually passed out." Looking at Ford "Ford tied him up and hid him in the taven. He is a lose end that you should be aware of. As of a plan? Not so much." Pausing. "things were still to heated to make much progress on a story." Looking at Alexa in the eyes "Do you have a story line in mind? After what we all just witnessed in the streets I think we all might be a little more receptive." Looking around the room "at the end of the day we all want to be breathing. I'd say that's a pretty strong motivation for teamwork." Alexa seems disappointed that there doesn't seem to be bare bones that she can work with, but she let's them know the part of her plan that she's researched. "As far as how you guys got here, I was able to find a weak point in their guards." Rolling out a map, she circles a small entrance way that easily could go unnoticed. "Patrol seemed light around here, and it could be plausible that you got in this way without detection. As for motivations for you guys to be here, I unfortunately have to leave that to you. Saying you came here for the ritual seems too happenstance. Maybe you came here to look for an artifact in the gate?" She starts pacing, envisioning what the battle looked like, and what bystanders would have seen. "Kravor was infected. A darkness took over him, and he was going to explode by dawn. Paulo was still here from our first adventure into the gate, and offered a way to contain the explosion, since we had no desire to hurt anyone. We no longer know his whereabouts as it appears he has the ability to hide his appearance at will, and none of us have seen him since." Looking back at the group, "Does this track? The best lies are rooted in truth, know what you want to conceal, and work the story from there. The elves seem to have their own idea of what happened, so unfortunately we can't control the narrative anymore, but if we all know our story, and there's enough truth to it, it may work." Syn's sword glistens when the sun hits it in just the right way, and it catches Alexa's eye. "And now the sword. We may have a complication there... Jacob Whyte was speaking to the elves, mentioning something about them taking care of his property..." Her eyes flick to Ford for just a moment, and then back to Syn. "He is a collector of sorts... and that sword seems a mighty fine object."
Before Alexa addresses Syn Roya speaks up "I couldn't agree more Ms.Stone." she says strolling over to look at Alexa's map. "Like you said, all we can do make sure that the almost truths we tell are believable. I'll look over the points you marked and try to create a path of action." Syn's arms slowly unfold, falling at her side to stare blankly towards Alexa. “W—what did you just say?” Eyes widen and the look of terror falls across her face. “Jacob……..Jacob Whyte?.....He is…here? In the city?” Syn takes a step forward slowly, then another, then another before she’s in front of Alexa. “You saw him? With your own eyes? HE IS HERE!? RIGHT NOW HERE IN THIS CITY!?” She shouts between a face of fear and rage. “You don’t get it. I can’t simply hand this sword over. It is bound, literally to me.” She pulls the sword out, holding her arm out and attempts to let it drop from her hand to the floor but it doesn't. “If he wants this fucking sword, he can pry it from my fucking hands.” Her words trail off with a hint of panic. Something Alexa has not ever seen from Syn. A cowering aura about the tiefling like a dog that’s been constantly abused by its master. “He isn’t someone you can just… put a sword through his belly. He wont die, he cannot die. I’ve tried over and over and over again to figure it out….I don’t know how to conceal this sword. I know nothing about this sword other than what you saw at the ritual. Perhaps its something from Gig?...I…don’t know……” Her other hand reaches up to run her fingers through her hair, gripping at the side of her head. “…Fucking hell, he shouldn’t be here.” A fire seems to light behind Alexa's eyes, seeing her like this.... we must get through... she must get through. "I know this isn't easy, but you need to be strong Syn. You need to be strong or we will die." The force behind her words makes it seem absolute. A harsh truth she does not relish conveying. If there is weakness, if she falters, if she goes after Jacob Whyte, they are doomed. "If you don't know where the sword came from... then that is the story. Best to tell the truth, but be prepared for what can happen. We must be careful... we already have eyes on us, that sword will only attract more." Deep in thought as she picks out an entry point on the map. Than at Syns outburst she falls to the ground thinking they are under attack. After Syn finishes her tantrum Roya peaks her head up from the side of the dusty table and marks with a quill when her party entered Nexus. Standing she Nods in agreement to Alexa's words. Thinking One wrong move and we could be doomed . Then she goes back to the map first finding the square that they battled in yesterday. Then drawing out the path that party traveled. Marking out the places they would have stopped to hide. Her hands slam down on the table, fists forming as her black hair tumbles down over her face. She shuts her eyes tightly closed then shoot open, looking over the map Alexa had laid out before them all red eyes scan over the circled area. “I-it’s fine. I’m fine. I know what you all are thinking and I’m not going to put anyone in danger. If this is the plan that we are leaning towards, I’ll… do my best to not ruin it. The sword… that is the truth. I genuinely don’t know. If he is here, if he was speaking to the elves, knowing how he works, how he has to have control of his…” She pauses, trying to force the words out. “property, then maybe that is some leverage we have on surviving this. We’ve went into this gate several times now and brought them plenty of intel on it. Why throw that all away and kill the ones bringing them information?” Syn pushes off the table with her hands, walking to a nearby window, she pushes the tattered cloth away to glance out into the street. “But I refuse to return to that life. I would rather die trying to fight my way through elves, through Jacob then go back to chains. Go back to him. It would be best if I stayed in the back as much as possible.” She glances back over her shoulder to Ford, to Roya, then her red eyes settle on Alexa. “The question is, when? We need the others, and this needs to be resolved right now.” As if she had no control over her words, Alexa softly says "I won't let him take you." It's just a moment, a wisp of sentiment, and then she's back into planning, "sooner rather than later. We can each approach different elves, saying we need to discuss the events of last night. I will start by going straight to the church. If we all go together it will look planned and staged. So each of us approach elves in the alleyways, have them bring you to the church."
Walking through an old creaking wooden door leading to some sort of back room of the dilapidated building, Kravor makes his way into the conversation a little late, alongside Gabe. Swatting at some cobwebs in his way he greets the party. “Apologies for the late arrival. Gabriel and I thought it best we didn’t all show up to this little meeting at the same time, using the same entrance. This seemed slightly more subtle.” Turning to Alexa, he continues. “We caught most of the plan from down the hall on our way in. It’s a- It’s a solid plan. Do we have an explanation for the.... umm. Hooded man and his affectionate, flaming fox ? I don’t believe we were formally introduced, but they are also missing, so we’ll need some form of explanation for them as well. Do we have any other loose ends ?” Syn’s hand lets go of the tattered curtain of the window. The setting sunlight dissipates, and the room falls dimly light once again. Perhaps it was brief and said on the whim, but the words Alexa spoke brings her a moment of peace. “We split up then. Find an elf to have each of us escorted. Leave say thirty minutes between each person to get escorted…” Her eyes glance to the silver scaled Dragonborn and the little Gnome that make their way into the room. “Well, yes. Funny you should ask. Remember the man you tossed on the roof and harassed in the Tavern? That’s a thing.” “You mean th- .... Ahh. Him, yes.” Rubbing his eyes and shaking his head slightly, Kravor gives off a look of “Of course I did” before returning to the conversation. “Perhaps drink is not the best option for a newly formed liver. I shall keep that in mind from now on.”
Alexa glares at Kravor, "They came to see me, I let them know what was happening and they offered to help." She steps closer to Kravor, even though she is half his size, her body radiates with an anger that makes her appear larger. "This is the last time I'm helping you. I'm not sure why they brought you back, but after this, your choices are your own, and I refuse to let your poor choices effect my life here." She moves past Kravor to go out the door "I'll go first, I'm heading to the church. I don't know how good you guys are at acting, but I suggest you get good at it quickly." She leaves the building, walking through the alleyways to the church. Once in front of the church she goes up to a guard. "I would like to report something that happened last night that I took part of, whom shall I speak with?" Gabriel begins to cast a spell, Flock of Familiars and three brown rats scurry from the cracks of the ground standing up at attention. “I’ll try and find the guy while talking to other people. Want to get a sense of who we’re dealing with,” states the boy as he watches Alexa leave,” If anyone wants to come along until it’s there time to speak up I’d love the company.” That is until the boy realizes how close the man really is. Perception is very low. “Oh... I’ll just... I’ll just go talk to people,” he mumbles awkwardly before waddling away out of embarrassment.
Roya looks up from her table with a satisfied look on her face. Looking around she feels the shift in the mood of the room as she snaps out of her thinking daze. "I have the route that we took mapped out. I just hope what I did a good enough job." Looking over to Alexa she addresses her but finds she is gone. She looks to Ford. Taking off her bag she looks inside. she sighes. As if on cue, Roya’s sigh is met with a tap on the shoulder. Turning, she is met with a familiar face, dangling a few feet off of the ground, suspended by a long wire attached to the ceiling. “Hey.” Trash says awkwardly. “K, so I thought it was just a nice thing to do, right ? Well, I’ve never actually met an elf before, I’ve only really read about them. And might I say. Wow these guys are the fucking worst!” Realizing the tangent on the severity of doucheness within elven societies isn’t exactly helping, he moves on. “Okay, so I’m gonna need that dress back. Gotta go dispose of the evidence and all that.”
And like that the plan begins as she watches Alexa step out through the wooden door and head in the direction of the church. Syn adjusts the huge sword she holds on her back and looks to the others. A small furry creature slides down via a wire from the ceiling. “Yeah…they are kind of assholes. Not sure you noticed the literal prison we are currently in. Get that dress out of here. Burn it, eat it, I don’t care how you do it but it needs to disappear from our hands.” She taps the door open. “I am going to place myself somewhere else within the town. I’ll wait as long as possible before I seek an elf to take me to the church so that It gives Alexa and others who might be better at these things time to set the story straight.” She looks to Ford with narrow eyes. “I’d prefer to go alone.” Giving him a blank look she strums the cable he is hanging on. "Thanks Trash." Pulling the dress out quickly she stuffs it into Trashs paws then the grabbing her bag and the map she steps to rejoin Ford who just now managed to fit in the doorway. She turns back around to get a final glance at him but he is already gone. Frowning a bit and turns back to Ford and Syn. "I'm not sure. Since the elves know you maybe it would be best to stay by your side Syn." Looking to Ford and Syn. "I believe the us three should stick together for now." There is a tilt of his head to the blind racism that Trash presents to Ford. With a little nuance to this tilt it could say something like 'Why Trash, is it truly wise to judge a race by the actions of the few? Why, we are but a Panda and a Warforged! Bound by magics infernal and fowl. Should we, young friend, be the ones to cast the first stone?' However, one must remember that Ford's face is a helmet with two gems in it. The only nuance it gets is when someone damages it or draws on it. It is, literally, a blank stare at Trash. " "Your preference is noted," Ford replies as the head turns in a metalic grind towards Syn. The building they settled in isnt kind to his form, but few are. The ground gives way to his weight as a hand points to Roya as if to note 'what she said' without the HR violation. He offers one additional snippet of wisdom, "We don't understand enough of that sword on your back to leave you alone with it, either. Possession isn't out of the picture and we've already had to deal with one random elf murdering." She lets out a heavy sigh looking back to Ford. "Fine. You're right, I don't have a clue what this thing I'm carrying on my back is about or what it could do. Doesn't change the fact that I have to walk of to the eleves with two unknown people that just randomly showed up and convince them to let use speak to the higher ups in charge here while somehow not getting murdered. That's an important part..." Syn peeks her head out the door and glances up and down the street before looking back to the others. "When should we go?"
Fords offers candidly to the elvish situation, "If they look at us funny we can just crush their fragile skulls." His head looks a moment over to Alexa, "Or whip them. With chain whips. One of them might be into it." Elves. He begins to stomp around with the levity lighter than his massive frame. "No one is going to fuck with us without a fight. That's what family does for each other." Not that he is totally putting words into Alexa's mouth, he turns his head like an owl until it is behind him, remaining on Alexa, "Like find a plan that doesn't involve us having to murder them all to keep being here." Stomp stomp stomp. "I'm not partial. A food stall?" “Family?” Syn tilts her head looking up at the towering warforged. There is a pause as she processes those words. “You’re all here because of leverage remember? Lets not get ahead of ourselves. Though I gotta say Ford, crushing skulls, now you are talking.” She steps out into the street looking through the door at them. “Well what are you waiting for? Food stall it is.” She grins at them both leading the way through alley ways between run down buildings. Stomp. Stomp. Ford isn't subtle as he walks out into the street. The passing remarks to the absconding candle going to the tiefling with the obnoxiously large metal death stick attached to her back. "Ha," the towering beast emits, straightening out fully when no longer confined to a building. It doesn't get any less majestic when Ford is standing tall. The crown of bone atop of his head helps sell the look as the light of a later day glints off of warm tones of steel and copper.
"You are not that bright," the warforged adds, his lack of tone making it hard to tell if that is a casual jab, a legit criticism, or a careless commentary, "Alexa considers you family. Her choice. Very obvious." Stomp. Crunch. Whoops, that was someone's something on the ground. It is now wooden splinters. "You don't get to choose when people start seeing you that way. Its not blood that makes a family, a family. Birth is a starting point, of which there are others," the monotone voice starts, looking down to the tiefling a fraction of his size. "Like in the thick of battle. Being pressed into a confined space together over time. Look, listen, and decide for yourself. Though I'm touched you thought I meant you, little miss leverage." He did mean her. At least partly. "Funny thing about family is that it is a kind of leverage. If I did think of you as family, you should really use that against me." Its an odd statement. Telling someone where to shove a dagger in your chest for maximum effect. "I don't know Solus very well, and I'm starting to learn about you." A sidelong look at as the group finds a food stall, albeit the selection in the lockdown is very questionable. Esta carne es de rata. "Enough that you couldn't use leverage against me if you tried. You'd make a good Breaker, not so much a good Trader. Anyway. Just because its not the tool of your profession doesn't mean its not someone else's. A blade cuts you even if you are not a swordsman. Solus seems like the type that knows how to use tools of the heart." A pause as his frame slows to a stop in front of the vendor of things he can't taste. "And it leads me to wonder how that leverage is being... leveraged." Throwing her newly acquired map into her bag she throws it on the rushes out. Roya comes out of the building quickly trying to catch up to Syn and Ford. Jumping onto Fords back she trys to catch her breath as she climbs onto her perch. Hearing the last parts of the conversation Roya thinks Family? Looking down at Syn she smiles. As Fords statement trails off she speaks up. "Syn food stall are you taking us to? I'm starving." As Ford begins to follow, she hears his monotone laugh. As she is about to turn around with some ‘what is so funny’ comment, he begins to speak again. “No. Perhaps not.” Her words which normally flow with an irritated undertone come off distant at his obvious jab, criticism, comment. She continues to walk in front of him, running the tips of her fingers across the stonewall of a building, listening. “You think so?” Pondering on his statement. “That is a bold thought Ford. Yeah, we’ve escaped Avernus together and have traveled for some time with one another, but we are together because she is trying to figure out what is going on with the slave trade and I also think she’s here to keep tabs on me.” There is a loud crack of wood as her eyes glance over her shoulder to see Ford stepping on something and he casually calls her stupid.

She stops in front of the food stall, crispy animal on small wooden sticks layout across the table. Questionable. Looking him over, his metal shines as the setting sun hits across his metal body. “You’re right, I probably couldn’t. Partly because I just met you, I don’t know you and partly because from what I do know, I’d jump into lava and you’d still fucking follow me down.” Ah there it is again, sass. It really drives her nuts having someone following her everywhere, always watching, calling her out on things, analyzing her every move and word. At the mention of Solus she tenses up. “Of course she is being used as leverage. I am not that dumb. Gig knows what she means to me when I made the deal---” Her voice trails off realizing he is not aware of that. In a quick attempt to brush her words aside she looks up to Roya perched on Ford’s shoulder. A big grin as she waves her hand towards the food stall. “I hope you like charred rat. Ghetto favorite. Easy to catch and an abundance of them scurrying around here. Just don’t tell Gabriel he’s been eating Rat.” involuntarily Licking her lips a bit Roya realizes she feels very empty. Her stomach rummbles as she trys to remember her last soild meal. The thought gets devoured however by her intense hunger jumping off of Fords shoulders she walks up to the man selling the charred Rats. "4 please.". The man exchanges four of the charred kabobs for 3 silver pieces from Roya's pack. " Thank you so much sir." Then she turns and heads back to the others. Smelling it first to make sure its safe to to eat she approached her companions."Her.. yehr... Gooo." Roya says as she offers two of the 'rats on a stick' to Syn while she chops down on the one in her left hand. "Of course I would, thats an old past time of Freeport," Ford says. It isnt. "Lava hopping, we'd call it. Kids would splash around in the molten fire. Good times for everyone." The warforged scans the area for the elvish guards while the flesh wrapped companions consume their food. He moves away from the ideas of leverage to leverage a different topic entirely. "A deal with Gig, the Great and Wonderful." He doesn't seem as critical as this. "Great." Wait, is he being critical. "Wonderful." WE CAN'T TELL, FORD, SPEAK PLAINLY. Her hand reaches out, taking the ‘rat on a stick’.

“O-oh. Uh, thanks.” Syn bites into the meat, ripping the crunchy and burnt skin away with her canines. She coughs at Ford’s statement. “Ha! Im gonna have to call bullshit on that one.” She says laughing slightly. It has been a welcome distraction from the dark truths that have surfaced recently both with the town and with herself. Though distractions don’t take the truth away. It still remains, poking and prodding in the back of the mind. She takes another bite, chewing a moment as he mentions Gig. Looking at them both she slides the back of her hand across her mouth to wipe away the bits of food. “…Choices.” She says slowly. Trying to find words to justify her reasons. She looks down to the small half-orc. “How do you like the food?” Grinning as she watches her chow down pushing away the topic as much as possible. Tearing into her second rat Roya looks to Syn "so satisfying. That man really knows how to cook." Dazing off into the distance "This reminds me of a really happy time in my life....." She pauses for a long moment. Getting closer to Syn in a more hushed tone."How you holding up Syn? I know it's been a rough couple of days for you. Anything we can do to help before we confront out new conflict." Ending her statement with one last big bit of her rat. Syn has begun her second rat on a stick but pauses as Roya moves closer almost whispering to her. “Does it matter?” She says sharply and out loud, not returning the hushed tones in which the question was asked. “Regardless if I’m holding up well or not, Arhor’ha continues on.” She pauses looking into the eyes of Roya. Where did that come from? She thinks to herself before looking away and taking a large bite off the stick. “Eh.. I’m doing as well as you’d expect me to be and you all have helped us out enough as it is. There is no need. Alexa should be there now talking with them and I trust her. How are you guys doing? I feel like you got pulled into some unfortunate situations. Once you get your crystals what do you all plan to do?”Looking up at Syn "It's important because you're important to us" finshing her Rat she climbs back on Ford. Roya says "we need to get moving and... talking.She stares in silence down at Roya as she makes that statement before snapping into action at the mention of heading to the church. With a quick nod to both her and Ford, the make their way to the elves.