Solus from Pain

-== After Saving Solus? from Shirley ==-
There are small things that grace the senses when time itself appears to slow. The scent of dry leaves mixing with the mutagenic chemicals of a green dragon's mist. The feeling of a warm breeze against one's cheek that carries the scent. The sound of hair cutting through that air like an arrow's steel tip as the white haired tiefling vaults a series of barbs towards Syn.
The sound of metal clashing through Astroix's shield to perforate it so many times that his body crashes against Syn's. The two are forced back by inches and then by feet from the impact.
Always in the back, unnoticed against the chaos of the world. It is Alexa that sees it happen all too fast. As Syn and Astroix are pushed back, a barb continues on its path and strikes her in the abdomen.
The sound of the wet, dull piercing that stops just short of her spine. The colors of red spraying out as the tiefling's hair gains a refresh dye of crimson on the tips. The blood becomes crystal before it even hits the grass. Then there is the seething pain.
Ozy is the first to react. Attack first, think never. The maul comes crashing down on the strands of white hair like it is destroying a snake. The hair recoils quickly back to the tiefling presumed as Solus.
The girl recoils in general, several strands of her hair acting as limbs to carry her back. Sharp breaths escape her lips in panic. Anxiety. Her eyes are wild like cornered prey. A step back. Another. The hair wraps around a nearby tree and shreds a point like a saw. The cracking sound comes next as it falls, creating a divide between them as she turns to flee.
It all happened so fast, and yet every movement in between seemed to be in slow motion. Why? Syn would think over and over in her head as she turns to look back to her friend and the gaping hole in her chest. Astroix would end up shattering his shield in an attempt to save Syn from the impalement of Solus’ attack, but everyone surrounding the area didn’t expect that same attack to land on Alexa. A buzzing in Syn’s head, the shock rolling in fast as she blinks, praying to the gods that this isn’t really happening, but with another blink, and the maul from Ozy crashing down to chop the strands of hair in half, brings Syn back to the moment. “ALEXA!” Syn shouts, shoving Astroix to the side and staggering to her feet. There is a pause and a wrenching feeling in her heart.
Solus? Or, Alexa?
She shifts on the heel of her boot to bring her focus to the white-haired woman. “I WILL FUCKING KILL YOU!” Her eyes blood red glisten from the morning light, they focus heavily on the woman with such agony and rage. “YOU ARE NOT SOLUS, BUT A LIE.” Those same eyes quickly glance back to her friend, the pain setting in from the crystalized blood. “AND YOU RUN, LIKE THE COWARD YOU ARE!” She continues to scream out to the white haired tiefling at the top of her lungs, between the words are a panic and pain like no other, that pain returning from a long, long time ago as her friend struggles to stay alive behind her.
Astroix’s seen a cornered beast before , fear the emotion one feels as they’re backed into a corner. Voices buzzing in his head... things are going to escalate quickly. It’s clear Astroix is in over his head but he wants to do his best to control the situation. Like a tigers command Astroix voice shouts as he turns his head. “STOP. She’s scared. We don’t have a lot of time” His eyes shoot to Solis if that is even her , he drops his scabbard on the ground.”I’m going to back up now and help a friend now ... you are okay here we don’t mean you harm” Astroix shoots a glare at Syn and Ozy. His eyes with a gold tinge filled with Anger an emotion he does not wear well.”Now is not the time if she’s attacked again Alexa is dead. We need to show her we’re not a threat here” Astroix’s wing spread covering Alexa from another potential attack.”use your heads here please...” Astroix says biting his lip hoping his words resonate with everyone. The only thoughts ringing through Astroix’s head. Save. Alexa.
It all happens at once, hair spikes flying in different directions, Alexa analyzes each of them, and sees one going straight for her. She wants to run, but she knows it's going to hit her. Noone is protecting her and she isn't fast enough. In that moment time moves slower. She observes the angle its flying, seeing it go straight for her chest. She can't run, but she can give herself some time. She slightly adjusts her body just enough so that the impact goes straight through her stomach. She feels everything as what feels closer to nethicite impales her. Every part it moves through leaving small shards of pain behind until she looks down and just sees a hole. Where she would expect blood to be gushing, instead red crystals start to form. Every crystal stabbing at her nerves. It gradually grows until it's no longer a surface level pain, but something that digs deep inside of her, her muscles feeling like splintering glass. She looks up as she hears Syn yell her name. She wants to call out or scream, but she feels paralyzed. Any attempt to talk just intensifies the pain. In an effort to aliviate the pain she falls back and closes her eyes. The world around her is dark. She starts to retreat in her mind, going to a place that is safe. She's in a library filled with knowledge and observations. For a moment it's safe, but the walls are starting to turn red. She can't hide in here much longer.
The creature with wild white hair steps back into the forest. The fear in her eyes seems so new to her, like a god that has been bled for the first time. Then there is the sound of Syn's voice that hits her ears. "You already did," she says with a souless Solus voice. "Over," the girl puts her hands to her head, "and over and OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER." Her head shakes and the hair whips around like thrashing vines of white steel. Her breathing becomes chaotic. With a shrill scream she runs deep into the forest, turning her path into a whirlwind of green mayhem.
"Astroix!" Clemens shouts, sliding up with a potion in his hand to address the wound alchemically. "This isn't good! We need you as a physician right now," he frantically pours the liquid onto the wound, only to watch the liquid spill out and over as if pouring it on polished stone. "Her wound is as hard as rock and," the alchemical young man looks apologetically at Alexa as he cracks a portion off with tong and chisel, "magical in nature." He scuttles back on the ground, doing his best to capture the mineral in glass before getting his portal lab in a panic. "I'll find an antidote!"
"I'll help," Be'lania says, giving Clemens a hard glare. She hasn't forgotten what transpired less than an hour ago, but she knows well what everlasting pain is like and it pales in comparison to her feelings of betrayal. "Be'lania I," Clemens starts, "I... will need these prepared." He begins to go over a list of herbs to grind, liquids to stir, and small work. Ozy grips the haft of his maul tighter. He should feel relieved to have one less thing in the way of his goals. One that keeps secrets. Lies. A liability. Yet he feels angry. Very angry. A problem he can't solve by hitting it hard. Even the powerful feel powerless.
Pangur pads in tight circles in panic. He hops up on his front paws and starts to dig at Alexa's side as if those soft paws could unearth the pain. Big eyes of concern on the small, white-blue cat.
The large metallic warforge looks the calmest. He only has one look to speak of. "Are you sure it is magical in nature," Ford asks as he gets down next to Alexa and places a large hand beneath her. One of his hands takes up so much of her back that two could completely wrap around her body. As suspected, the crystals have no grip on his construct frame. "Yes," Clemens says definitively, "but the signature is strong and unique."
Eyes widen as she screams out, bringing past memories rushing back into view. Syn’s hands come up, gripping the sides of her own head. “No…NO! YOU’RE WRONG!” A shrieking scream from Solus radiates out, hair whipping around and thrashing along the trees before she retreats back deep into the forest. A step forward in a panicked attempt to follow before the shouts of her party behind her, scrambling to help Alexa. She hesitates for a moment before turning quickly and running back, eyes just quickly glancing behind her to see that white hair fade into the shadows of the forest.
Everyone is focused, moving quickly, searching and experimenting ways in which to stop whatever this is. Her friend’s body comes into view, she falls to her knees, looking up to ford then across to the others before her eyes settle on her friend. “You… you idiot.” Syn cups the sides of her face. “You were supposed to dodge it, now look at you. A big fucking hole in your chest.” Syn keeps talking to her unconscious friend. “But you are going to be alright, right? You are going to wake up, you are going to wake up and you are going to yell at me, and this is going to go away, and everything is going to be completely fine. Right?... Right!? ALEXA! ALEXA!” Her eyes dart to Clemens. “What do we do!? What!? WHAT DO I DO TO HELP!? PLEASE FUCKING TELL ME!” Her eyes are wide, panicked and begin to become glossy from the building of tears in the corners.
Astroix turns around frantic. Everything is slipping but he has to remain calm if he wants to save Alexa. Astroix runs to Alexa taking out his medical supplies. Astroix uses his wings to try and hold Alexa” No no no Stay with me STAY WITH Me”Astroix’s voice getting louder and louder. He places his hand to heal the wound but it’s not enough. “Clemens I need you to make something to plug the wound temporarily and I need you Captios to help put this tube down her throat to help her breath”Astroix slams a bag of supplies on the ground and points it out to Captios” Astroix puts a pair of gloves on the snapping sound of the gloves being put on echo through the forest.”I need to access the damage inside and then perform surgery immediately” Astroix’s eyes turn to Syns” I know how you’re feeling but I need you to take a few steps back while we work. I won’t give up on her.
“THIS ISNT THAT SIMPLE!” Syn shouts, “Do you not see this…” Her hand hovers over bits of crystal forming across the wound. “You can’t just fucking cut this out, this isn’t natural, this isn’t right. We need magic, not a scalpel!” Syn holds onto her friend. “and I’m not letting her go, not this time.” Odd. This time? “Think..think…THINK DAMMIT. How, how do we stop this--- Dispell? Magic? Something, something like that?” Eyes shift to Astroix. “Can you do anything like that? Anything!?”
"But," Clemens states as he sets up his alchemical table, "the crystals." One jingles around in a glass vial. The liquid from one of the healing potions still spills over like a glass of water when she is moved.
Ford carefully holds Alexa with one hand behind her. There is a dull humming sound. He places the other in front of her, near the wound. A small drop of crystaline blood floats off of her body as if immune to gravity. "Listen to Astroix," the warforge intones to both Clemens and Syn. Moving his head to the doctor he states, "I can remove the crystal, but once that happens, she is going to bleed all over the place." Ford slides his head towards Syn, "She is going to be ok. We don't give up on family."
Clemens quickly puts together some mixture. A clotting agent. He puts it in with another healing potion and says, "I hope you're right," shakily, "because if you can't remove the crystal, this is going to just seal this deeper inside of her."
Be'lania picks up Pangur and the two comfort each other through the tense moment.
Fords words take off the immense weight off of Astroix’s shoulder. For a moment he felt powerless know his magic could not help. Astroix looks to Ford “If you can take out the crystal shards I can save her. I Will Save Her.” Astroix turns a page in his mind to one of an earlier day with his sister. He remembers a prayer that is said to heal those, one to the goddess Eldath. “May your springs guide my hands like a steady flow. I have not asked much from you before Eldath but please let me save Alexa. She is a proud Mother who watches over her cubs , it is too soon for her to depart. “ As Astroix says this he holds onto her hand pouring his holy energy into her in hopes to heal her. He then let’s go once the power fades. Knowing that the hard part is still to come. “I’m going to need to drain any blood that has poured into her stomach. Then I’ll need to rely on you all. You each have a part to fill. “ Astroix turns to Syn “Call out to her your the only one who can bring her mind back to us. You’ll be the anchor that ties her here” Astroix says this with confidence trying to pierce Syn’s emotional state back to reality. Her bond with Alexa will be crucial to bringing her back.
Eyes shift to the warforged when he speaks. There is this subtle reassurance from his words that lessen the tension of the moment. A strong focused nod in his direction. Syn shifts quickly out of the way of Astroix, returning another strong nod to him as well. She moves so that she is behind her head, cupping her face in her hands. Black bangs hang down over her, brushing across the forehead of her friend whos eyes remained closed. “Hear that? A plan, we got a plan to get your ass back here. Just do me a favor when you wake up, don’t look at your stomach. Its pretty gross Alexa.” Syn keeps rambling on, speaking to the empty face of her friend. Her red eyes shift up to look at the others. “Ready?”
“Ready” Astroix nods turning to Ford.
"Ok. Lets do this," Ford says in an audible buzz to his voice. A piston hisses from his core. The air itself becomes thick with a static that puts hair on end. It tingles the bones, the blood, and the soul. His large metal hand presses inches from the wound. Those red eyes in his visor shine as bright as a fire straight from Avernus.
Small rocks and splinters of wood begin to float off of the ground nearby as Ford evokes his core. The hand draws back and with it comes shards of the red blood. They are drawn to the hand like a magnet. "Three," he counts down, more of the smaller shards ripping free, "Two," as the main wound begins to draw out like a ruby icicle being siphoned out, "One."
The hum is a symphony of rumbling sounds. Its an eerie harmony as Ford pulls the crystals out. With this act comes the immediate replacement of uncrystalized blood. The large metal man removes the hand from beneath Alexa, quickly taking it to put the living crystal object between two attractive poles. He gets out of the way, stepping back quickly to let the medical work happen as he compresses the object into a small, round gemstone before it can infect someone else.
The first barrier removed, the next fight begins.
If one were to see all the blood gushing from Alexa there’d be no doubt they’d compare it to the bloodshed in a war zone. Astroix reaches in and places ina small tube attached to a pump. There is some blood in her stomach. Astroix squeezes on the pump and begins draining the blood. Mere moments feel like forever , eyes all locked on Astroix. Alexa his patient and this forest bed his table.Astroix ensures everything is cleaned. Every moment matters here. Heart pumping. Astroix can feel the seconds with each pulse. A pulse that echoes through his body like a dragons roar. “Captios make sure you put the tube in her mouth there is some resistance but it’s essential to ensure she can breath. If you can’t do it let someone else. It’s important as that’ll be her source of oxygen ” Astroix continues. Now comes the hard part finding the damages and stitching up the holes. “Clemens I need you to hurry! Do you still have the water skins from before we may need to give her some water and nutrients to avoid her body going into shock, ” Every moment counts. Astroix head turns to Ozy. His eyes look him straight in his eyes then he looks at the pump. “Every moment counts come here and keep pressing this pump to keep the air out of her stomach while I perform the surgery. Just keep doing that at a steady pace.”
Clemens hands over the health potion with the clotting agent over to Astroix. "All used up on you and Griff," the alchemist explains.
Ozy locks dead on Astroix, "Then stop wasting fucking time barking such stupid fucking orders. Syn is right there and someone needs to be mindful that we could be attacked by things that LIKE BLOOD." He looks like he would love for someone to attack the group right now. Also, on some level, he knows Syn has to be involved somehow with Alexa's recovery.
Be'lania shoots a glare at Ozy, "Be useful."
Ozy flips Be'lania off, "Be smart."
Syn’s hands keep gripping the pale face of Alexa. She briefly looks up to see Ford drawing out the crystal and uncrystallized blood flowing back into its empty place. With every glance up to the others working on the large wound in her stomach, she brings her head closer to Alexa’s, pressing her own forehead against hers. “Listen, I know. I know how much you hate it. Solus, every time I’ve seen her you get so mad. So very mad. You think I don’t care at all about you but that’s a lie, I do care but fucking hell Alexa I just wish you’d hate me to make everything easier. But neither of us can do that because we are friends. We still much to do here---” Her forehead presses harder against Alexa’s and Syn closes her eyes tightly, holding onto her dying friend. “This is probably hurting, this is probably hurting a lot right now but you gotta come back, you gotta get through this. I can’t figure this out on my own, I can’t do this without you. So I need you to hold on through this, you cannot die, do you hear me!? You. Cannot. Die. Here.” Syn looks up to Astroix between the shouting of Ozy, "Give me the fucking thing, I'll do it."
Astroix hands the pump to Syn. For a moment it looks like he wants to turn around and give Ozy a look. “Don’t stop talking to her then Syn” Astroix feels around the major organs for damage. Major damage to the bottom half of the stomach. Minor damage to the bladder and intestines. Luckily most of it can be stitched shut. Astroix continues the prayer at a lower tone. He begins the next ordeal stitching the damages shut. Not allowing the moment to pass through his hands. “Not yet Alexa it’s to soon”
Captios is frozen in time while chaos happens around him. He's in shock, his brain trying to process everything and for some reason cannot. Damnit, this is what most people must feel like on a daily basis. Slow. I can't move, I can't think. Looking at Alexa lying there on the forest ground takes him back to when he found his mother on the floor of their home so many years ago. His eyes start to well up and he begins to hyperventilate. He dry heaves. As he looks up, he sees Ford pull the crystal out of Alexa's stomach. He dry heaves again as he remembers pulling the knife out of his mother's chest. Astroix can't continue to do surgery here. And even if he does, we need to move Alexa somewhere safe. And I need that crystal. His brain is suddenly working again. "Ford, give me that crystal. Wrap it in something please. Get me that spiky hair too. We're gonna figure out what the hell that thing is. B'elania, we need something uplifting, something to keep Alexa awake. Anything. Astroix, when you are ready, I think we need to move her. Get her someplace safe, get all of us someplace safe. I'm ready to go when you are."
Ford is, notably, compressing that crystal into a smaller object. There is a smaller sample that Clemens took earlier, back when he had the exact same idea. Great minds, bad times. Ford is a bit preoccupied with the containment effort. Be'lania begins to sing something, but the song she picks is deep and haunting. If nothing else it is very calming.
The efforts with magical solution and medical practice yield results. She stabilizes. It takes two more potions before the wound itself closes up and she is able to open her eyes.
Astroix places the pump in her hand. A little off putting to be given this responsibility. It makes Syn nervous. She’s never helped tend to wounds, she always just gives them, but she does as is asked, following his instruction. Shifting eyes between Astroix and Captios. “No.” Squeeze of the pump. “We stay here, we cant move her while this is going on. We get this over with, get her back, we go from there.” Squeeze. She looks down to her friend. “Alexa, I am right here, open your eyes, please, open your eyes…”
Alexa's eyes snap open, she takes a deep breath, believing she was on the verge of drowning. She sees everyone around. Syn pumping, Astroix elbow deep in her blood. She wants to say something, but she can't. Her eyes are open but they long to close again, to let her rest and heal. With all her strength she moves one hand on top of Syn's.
The song stops.
A stone drops.
A moment of peace where a small miracle has happened. Unless there is the fact miracles have a cost. Right now that cost comes from Ford's eyes. Where once was a glowing red is a lightless lens of dark crimson glass.
A pale hand shifts onto her own, red eyes widen. “Welcome back.” Syn says with a genuine smile down to Alexa. It is probably the first time she has seen such an expression painted across her tiefling friend, but as warm and genuine as that smile is its suffocated out like a flame as Ford goes dark. Syn turns "She's awake!!! "Her head quickly shifts to look over at the warforged and as she does, he freezes and the stone tumbles to the dirt beneath him. “Ford? Ford you alright?” Syn grips Alexa’s hand. “Ford! HEY!”
Its the lack of response that is concerning. And the suspended hands that look like they are holding an invisible ball. Ford, who has always been a construct of metal, for once looks like an object. A statue. Not a living thing.
Captios has walked over to the spikes of hair still lying on the ground. It's all he can do to be useful in this situation. As he stashes a piece of the hair in his bag, he hears behind him Syn cry out to Ford. Captios runs over to Ford. No light behind the eyes, frozen. "He's not getting power to his body. It's either his core or the crystal, or both. We have to open him up again. FUCK!" Captios screams loud enough for the whole forest to hear him. "It's thing after thing after thing!" Life's an old machine with perpetual problems. ReaperValentine03/03/2020 The moment stops , frozen in time almost and then in a moment it all rushes back. Captios shouts jogging Astroix from his stupor. Words infect Astroix’s mind for a moment “I can’t save them all” He looks to Alexa his wings providing her a small blanket. His head tilts and looks to Ford. “They just got you back Damnit!” Astroix yells. Reality crashing down like waves suffocating everyone and everything. “We don’t give up on Family” Astroix shouts hoping his words jump Ford back up... no response. Astroix hopes deep down inside that another crystal can save him.
Alexa hears Syn's screams. She lays there still too weak. She understands what has happened. A tear starts to roll down her face. "Gig, why? This can't be part of the deal."
Syn looks down to Alexa. “Don’t talk, don’t move. Let Astroix help you. He’s mending the wound. Solus is gone, and Ford is…” her head picks up to see Captios looking over Ford followed by a loud FUCK that echoes through the forest, sending morning birds flying out from the trees. “Not right.” You can hear the panic in her voice. “Don’t worry okay? Everything is going to be alright.” Is she saying that to Alexa? Or herself?
She looks to Astroix then slides her hand out from under Alexa’s, standing and taking in a sharp intake of air before stepping over to look at Ford. Frozen. Unmoved. “Hey. Not funny Ford.” She stands staring up into the dark red of his visor. Nothing. “A tap on his metal plating, nothing. “FORD!” Another tap. “…The crystal, the procedure might have pushed it too far?” She takes a step back, her hands curl into fists, fighting back the pain that had been cast across this area since Alexa went down. “Everything is fine.” Her hands grip tighter, curling into fists that make her knuckles fade to a white color. “Everything. Is. FIIIIIIIIIINE” She throws a heavy punch into the trunk of a nearby tree. It splinters slightly and draws blood from her knuckles. Syn crouches, looking at her knuckles then her eyes glance across the entire party and they settle on the shallow breathing from Alexa as she speaks. “Gig? Part of a WHAT!?” Tipping point. The bottom of the bottom. Could this and everything around her get any worse than in this moment. A thin red line of blood drips down off her knuckle and hits the ground.
There is a flicker or red light behind the lenses like a bulb that has a thin contact. Ford's eyes gradually come back on to their normal red color. Arms move slowly at first. "You did everything you could," Ford says in a monotone voice. His face is, however, looking to Alexa. "I'm sure she is in Avernus." Then he realizes that Alexa is not, in fact dead, "or worse, still with us. A fresh kind of hell."
Not dead. False alarm.
Alexa hears Ford's monotone voice and a calm washes over her. Thank God, she did not have the strength to be who she would need to be without Ford right now. She looks to Syn. "I tried to give you time. Time to save me, but the walls were closing in. Gig was there. He held the walls up long enough for me to stay alive. If he hadn't... You may have brought me back still, but I don't think you'd be able to call me 'alive'"
“You had a statement prepared if she died!?” She turns glaring red eyes beam up to Ford. “What the fuck Ford!?” Behind the banter and the pissed off eyes are that of a tiefling who is coming down off an intense several minutes of fear. Betrayal of an old friend, and the potential loss of two others. Her banter falls to something mumbly towards ford. “You can’t just shut off. Got it? Not allowed. Not happening ever again.” A weak fist bump to the side of his metal torso that lingers for a second. Her head down, letting out a sigh of relief.
Alexa speaks and she lifts her head, walking over to crouch beside her. “Well, atleast now you can’t bitch at me for making a deal, since we both are now involved.” There it is, that faint normality between the chaos that had just erupted moments ago. “…I’m sorry.” An off putting break from the verbal jab a second before. “I didn’t expect this to happen. That isn’t Solus, she’d never do that. Now because of my carelessness, you almost died, and are also in a deal with the person I feel you despise the most. I am…. Glad to have the others here, I could not have been of any help had they not been here. For that, I am grateful.” Her eyes look around to the others. Another first for Syn, a genuine thank you to the entire party. It all comes off extremely uncomfortable for Syn, she’s trying, she really is.
Alexa looks to Syn, wanting to give her a pep talk about how 'of course that isn't Solus' and 'I didn't need to make the deal with Gig' but she can't. She holds Syn's hand and weakly squeezes it, trying to be reassuring. "Syn, that is Solus. Or, at least, a part of her. Maybe it's a part that's typically repressed, but still. I'm sorry for giving you a hard time about Gig. Now I fear this deal may get me in a much more dangerous position than I've been before, but I couldn't leave you."
Ford raises a finger. There are a lot of options to go through. Why he shut down in an attempt to be cautious to the strain. It was a risky move but options were what they were. He could go on to make a joke or two. He settles on, "Don't plan on it. Not until I finish my book." At current pace, that means he will outlive everyone here.
Her hand gets squeezed and between the chaos that occurred, hearing someone else agree that it cannot be her, solus, helps just a little bit. “When I killed her, it was my only option to help her. Put her out of that loop of pain that Jacob inflicted, I didn’t know what I was back then, maybe I still don’t fully understand, but how does anyone expect a breaker to put things back together? To put her back together?” There is a pause. “At the time I didn’t think that far into it, the deal with Gig. I just knew he was powerful, he could help me grow, and encouraged it. Though, given what we know now… I feel like I need him to see this through. He is a builder after all.” She lingers on that thought for a moment, looking down at Alexa. “But now you, your deal. The candles…” Her eyes glance momentarily towards Captios before returning to her friends. “If they find out….” She shakes her head. “What is it that you need to do?”
Captios steps forward. "Yes, what deal did you make with Gig, Alexa?". There's an anger in his eyes. An anger from being lied to. An anger from seeing someone he respected fall from grace, from her own volition. "Two days ago you told me we'd deal with Gig. You convinced me that we were on the same side. Is that still true? I've been a Candle for a year now and I know the stories of Candles that died rather than give into a Gig deal. And you, the great Alexa, who claims superiority over others because she sees and hears everything and is 'smarter' than everyone else. On her high horse, judging those that know less." He looks at Ozy, and then back to Alexa. "When push came to shove, you were just like the rest of us. Helpless and looking for any way to escape death." Captios steps up now. "You owe it to everyone here to tell us exactly. what. deal. you. made."
Alexa's eyes burn at Captios' words. She glares at him, all energy almost burrowing into his soul. "Don't state things as if you understand anything of how this world works. You who has spent so little time in it. I have no doubt that you tried to save me, but you. Were. Failing." Each word a bitter taste in her mouth. "Gig appeared as I began to lose my mind. The pain was crushing in, and all I could think of was Syn out here with that Solus still around. I could only see a world with me dying, and Syn subsequently leading all of you to your deaths for revenge. He reserved my mind long enough. Long enough until my mind filled with blood and all I could do was wait. And try to give you time." The image of her drowning, trying so hard to live, and this being what is happening is taking her away from her desire to rest and is just pissing her off. "All he did was make me more aware of my pact with the Raven Queen. That is all. I have no doubt there are alterior motives, however." She takes a deep breath "Now back the hell off Captios, and give me space.'
"It's all bullshit isn't it. The Candles, this world, heroes? You become strong enough to maybe make a difference and it doesn't matter because a Gig or a Jacob Whyte will find a way to own you. What's the point of getting stronger if you're gonna end up owing people like that." Captios looks at Alexa, then at Ozy, then at Syn. "What was the actual deal? That's all I want to know. I'll make up my mind after that."
Emotions flying high. Adrenaline still pumping through Astroix's head. It was only moments ago that Alexa was dead. "I understand you are angry Captios but she has just come back to us. Her body is likely still recovering" Astroix pauses and lets out a sigh. "I made a promise to bring you back" Astroix grins and wipes off the sweat from his head. "We made it" Astroix then turns to Alexa and Captios "I have little idea of who gig is, But owing someone favors does not bode well. The Fickle mind is the devils playground. I think it's time you settle your loyalties everyone and decide what you wish to stand for." Astroix stands up packing up his supplies getting ready to move on. He takes a few paces toward ford and does a playful jab to his armor. "Glad we didn't lose you either big guy".
"For someone who demands answers, you don't listen." Alexa snaps at Captios. "He preserves my mind in exchange for illuminating me on certain aspects of my pact with the Raven Queen. That. Is. All." She looks to Astroix who is attempting to diffuse the situation. "My loyalties are to the realm and the Candles, they have not wavered since I began my job a decade ago. Now, please. Thank you for saving me, honestly, I can't thank you enough, but this conversation is starting to rival the pain caused by Solus."
Ford's body is thunked upon. "Look, my body doesn't fall apart like yours so I'll be around for a long." Pause. "Long." Pause. "Time. Worse case you just rip out my core and put me somewhere else." He thinks for a moment, "Which makes me sound undead. Hah hah hah." Meanwhile tensions are running high, "I see chaos has gripped us. The little trick I did with Alexa works both ways. We could all get along the hard way." Monotone voice makes it hard to tell if that was a threat or a a joke.
"Heroes are real," Be'lania offers up, "we would all be gone right now if not for them."
"They just don't make a habit of manipulating people," Clemens aside.
"Because they are stupid," Ozy finishes, "if you got a tool, use it. There isn't 'honor' in Avernus, just the strong and the weak. This place? Not so different."
Captios walks over to the compressed crystal that Ford dropped earlier. He wraps it in a small cloth and sticks it in his sack. "We'll see. We all know that loyalties change once he gets involved." There's not much he can do at this point but trust Alexa. He's in the middle of the woods with people that would do him harm if he even thought of turning in Alexa, and he's got no real allies at this point. All because of his stupid mouth. Captios sighs and. turns back to the group. "Fine, it's dropped. I believe you. Still pissed at the situation we're in." It's clear he only kind of believes her. What kind of devil makes such a shitty deal. If history books have taught him anything here's always a follow up to those deals. He motions to Yoyo, who jumps into his arms. Time for some fur therapy. He looks at Ford. "I'm glad you are fine as well." He then looks back at the rest of the group. "Should we talk about how this all happened in the first place? I agree with you all, that was definitely not Solus. Not all of her anyways."
"Don't have to be a devil to do harm, ask the angels," Ford says, pointing down to Captios while making it clear he isn't too pleased with Astroix's wing situation. "What are you doing with the very odd blood-pain-gem or think its okay to have a bucket of Alexa's magic blood? Before you move to other topics, resolve that first." Another point goes to Clemens, "And you, too."
Captios looks at Ford. "Don't worry, I don't keep secrets. I think Clemens and I are looking to do the same thing. Figure out what the heck these crystals are. You've lived for a while Ford. Ever seen anything like this?"
"Hmm," Ford intones, "let me take a closer look." He extends a hand out. There is a soft magnetism to it, like things placed there would hover gently above the metal.
"Let me know when you are done examining it. In the meantime, i'll take a look at these weapons Solus was hiding." Captios takes the piece of white hair now hard and sharp as a pike. Slowly he begins to chant, and a faint blue light covers his palm.
Ford holds the gem in his hand, it hovers there. "This looks familiar. I'm going to place it in the warforge analytic chamber for mineral inspection," he says, as he places it in a compartment within his body. He makes a show of humming and buzzing. Hum buzz. "Did I ever tell you about the time I pulled the essense of the Demon Lord Baphomet out of sentient red panda?" Oh Ford. Wait, that did happen.
After 10 minutes, Captios opens his eyes. "This is weaponized hair. Filled with necromantic energy. "Ford, are you getting anything off the crystal? Clemens, can I see your piece of the crystal?"
Ford looks to Captios a moment and then to Alexa. "It takes a while to analyze," he replies in monotone.
Clemens shakes his head, "Still looking at it and its not the sort of thing you can touch." He puts it on his alchemical table. Its a red shard that is very different than the stone. It looks almost alive the way it moves towards Clemen's hand behind the glass. "Maybe a way to neutralize it with testing?"
Astroix stands up and looks at the group then to Griff "We are in the middle of the woods. We have already shouted several times. I would rather we don't become the hunted again here. We should make a move on." Astroix now with his bag on his back looks to everyone. "Alexa just woke up moments ago we need to make a move on i don't wanna be attacked by anything right now." Astroix tenses up as he knows things can get ugly at a moments notice in Ahror'ha. "We don't know if Shirley is nearby or worse the Dragon" Astroix walks to Griff. "Now would be a good time to show us the way to your community. As i think everyone here needs rest" Astroix puts his hand on Griffs should to reassure him that he's safe now.
Captios looks at Astroix. Even after all this, the elf is still his altruistic self. "Fair point. Give me a few minutes to conjure up my disc. At the very least, Alexa can rest while we move. Clemens, you are going to have to put that stuff away for now. Let's figure that out once we're at this community. Also, Ford, I hope you aren't wasting a ton energy analyzing that thing."
By now the sun as taken its rightful place in the sky, sending light between the trees of the forest. There is much to decipher between the party, much to understand, and much to argue over. Syn, still kneeling next to Alexa listens in silence as the arguments transpire across the party. Candles, Deals, Crystals, Devils, Celestials, and Solus. She remains silent, pondering over everything being argued and spoken about, red eyes shifting back and fourth between the party. “Can you all just… stop?” She says abrasively following the exchange of words from everyone. “Just a god damn second of air before you start stripping apart what transpired and opening more wounds of people trying desperately to heal from? Both physically, and mentally?” There is a bubbling rage behind her words. “You want to throw Alexa onto a disk and send us back through this fucking forest with no plan, no energy, no moral ground for any of this and pretend everything is okay when its not. Let the fucking woman rest for two god damn seconds. Park your god damn asses, start a fire, and STOP for a moment to recollect ourselves.” She lets out a heavy sigh. “Stop playing hero, stop trying to solve everyones fucking problems, stop trying to get to the next destination to justify whatever complex you have brewing inside your dumb fucking souls.” Oh shes reached the limit. “Just give us, ONE GOD DAMN SECOND TO PROCESS.” She shouts out across the party. Turning on her heel, reaching down to grab wraeth and storming a slight distance away and settling against a tree.
Astroix looks at Syn and then Alexa. He's not angry he understands where the frustration comes from. He wants nothing more then Alexa to rest in this situation but he doesn't feel safe. With a calm tone he looks to the both of them and say's "I want nothing more then for Alexa to get rest. But if there's one thing about the wilds of Arhor'ha is that it doesn't care if we need a moment to process things. You wanna rest? Fine but we need to find somewhere safe." Astroix looks to Alexa with compassionate eyes and then back to Syn."You want a plan , let's head towards Griff's village. But before that we need to survive. We'll look for a hollow tree to rest. It'll act as camouflage to hide us from any threats for the meantime." Astroix stands up. Now filled with a sense of impatience but more then just that an overwhelming feeling of worry. Not knowing of the unknown is eating away at his brain. Shirley,Solis? Any one of them could strike at any moment. Alexa would not survey another major surgery. "Heroes?"Astroix whispers to himself. What did it even mean at this point?Astroix changes his posture. Waiting to see how events will continue to unfold. Like a tiger before it's pounce.
Syn throws herself against the tree and slides down to rest at the base, wraeth falling beside her. “Right Astroix, you are definitely the one to be spewing words like---” She holds her hands up to make air quotes “Survival.” Hands recoil back to her lap. “Tell me again how many times we’ve had to save your ass for being a martyrdom through this all? Don’t answer, I’ll tell you, too many.” Hellcat spitfire. “You keep stomping through this party like some egotistical god. Do this, do that, don’t do this, don’t go there, save them, save her, save him, save it.” She scoffs. “Some celestial bullshit has rotted your brain from reality apparently, because you forget there are capable people in this party with a stronger strike than you could ever produce. I don’t need your fucking protection, if anyone needs protecting, its you from my fucking bat the next time you step in my fucking way.” She curls her knees into her chest, wrapping her arms around them and leaning back against the tree.
Given everything that's happened Syn is just an angry cub who almost lost someone close to them. It's only natural for them to show a little bite. Astroix feels more angry about his own weakness then anything else."You're right i have been reckless. It's only because i care about you all. I only ask of help from you all when i know that i can't handle a situation. I know I'm weak that's why i rely on you all. It's why i try so hard to protect you all. Because i know if i give you a fighting chance you'll get us through." Astroix turns to Clemens "Your science it's saved us multiple times until this point" Astroix head turns to Alexa and Captios. "When you both put your heads together we can get out of any situation." His head turns to Be'lania and then Ozzy. Astroix wants to be angry but he doesn't see a point. He remembers how angry Be'lania was and how it just complicated things further. He doesn't want that for his friends."Bell you have the ability to spark hope in the darkest situation. And Ozzy you have the ability to make any dark situation feel like there's a chance. " Astroix turns to Alexa. "Alexa it's your life what do you want to do? If you choose to stay here i will protect you. But as things stands i feel as though things are too dangerous here. Too many variables we don't know.. Shirley...Solis"
Alexa closes her eyes, trying to calm herself and let her body rest. She looks to Syn, her fiery friend who is at her limit. "I trust Syn. If we scramble everything together now, noone is in the correct head space to be aware of dangers as we travel." Her eyes soften as she looks to Syn and then to Ford "Besides, I've got Syn, Ford, and you all here. We need to process everything before we move."
Astroix stands up straight. "Very well then, i trust both of you then" Astroix looks around for a tree to hide Alexa under while she rest. A few paces away there's a tree Astroix has to kick the front of it a few times but eventually a he makes a hole large enough for someone to rest in. Time is not on their side so to hurry things up Astroix turns into his colossal bear form and carves out a small "home" for Alexa to rest in. A technique his Elvan people taught him a way to carve a tree without having it fall over. It provides natural camo from potential predators. Astroix turns back into his normal form after. His hair a bit frazzled. "Rest over here Alexa this will provide you some shelter and protect you from any rain while we take a break." Astroix takes out an apple and hands it to Alexa. "You're going to need some food to get some of that vitality back" Astroix sits by the tree to get a breather looking out to the wilderness around him.
Mid chant, Captios is startled by Syn's loud words. He looks around to see people all moving separately around the clearing. Dejected, he walks over to Clemens and sits down next to him. The crystal in the vial moves towards him in an almost parastic manner. Captios taps on the glass. "So this is an actual piece of whatever was growing out of Alexa huh?" He looks at Clemens. "Hey Clemens, I have an idea. We have no idea all the things we are up against out here and well, it's probably a good idea to get stronger. Captios takes out the shard of hair from his bag again. How hard would it be to craft of magically transform this thing into some sort of weapon we can use? Maybe arrowheads or a spear?"
"Still mad, Cap," Clemens says now that the tension has started to loosen up in the party. Somewhat. He looks with the dark hazel eyes of his mother's over and across the different people there. "But I am getting over it," he adds. Both Clemens and Captios have that in common. They don't feel like they belong and every effort is like swimming to the surface to gasp for air. Its exhausting and it shows on Clemens' face. "Its outside my expertise," the Hearth wizard with a major in botany and alchemy states as the red crystals stick to the vial where a finger is. "We could weaponize it," he says, the seed of an idea set in his mind that won't be long forgotten. A flick of his eyes to remember how it must be how his father felt, too. The ends justify the means. "But we can also look into a way to defending against it. If we run into her again, we could all be dead in minutes." He looks over to Alexa, "Or worse." Back to Captios, "Either way I think I could use this as a base for a solution to either. There isn't much so a coat, or oil, would go further. As for the hair?" He hadn't thought of that. "Hmm. Hair is a fiber, same as a wool shirt. Or a net. Fine needles for Astroix's medicine? Ooh, a backpack or pouch that doesn't get torn when we travel, I'm sure its better than leather and flexible."
Captios sighs. "Clemens, I am so sorry. I'm not great with people, you know this from our time at the academy. Even when we had group projects, I'd always be by myself." He looks around at the group. "This was my first chance for real comradery and I messed it all up. Back at the academy, you never treated me poorly. I appreciated that about you. But... it is what it is." A pause. "A salve would be interesting, almost like an anti venom in case someone gets pinned again. Do you think we could make one out of that stone that Ford is using? Or should we use this piece?"
"I don't blame you," Clemens says, rubbing one hand over the other, "its just hard to figure it all out. Set boundaries. Heh. On the bright side she can tell me the truth one day, now. What really happened with my father and my brother." His hand stops, "I was really hoping for some answers. Evidence to validate the truth." Eyes slide to Be'lania, who is sitting by Alexa's side and singing a soft, soothing song so people can rest easier and dull the emotions of aggressive animals nearby. "If I can get that, now. It was nice while it lasted."
A deep breath and a clapping of his hands. Time to get to work. "Right. Lets focus on our strengths, not dwell in our weaknesses. And I think I could make one out of the living one." He taps the parasitic crystal, "Its a lot like, hrm, sap? Feed it water and let the plant grow, it produces something I can work with in theory. If I'm wrong we just have more crystal to work with." The alchemist shivers, "Though, dark thought, it also means we could make those arrowheads and stuff if we keep feeding this thing blood. Im not for that idea. Practically blood magic, that." His dark hazel eyes go to the warforged, "I think that one is neutralized. It looked smooth. Dense. It'd make for a good setting on a staff or wand. Though, again." Tap tap. "Blood magic. I'd want Alexa's consent there. Its her blood mixed in with this."
"Blood magic huh? If we can continue to milk this small piece of crystal for it's sap, we could use that to make either an offensive or defensive substance right? Kind of like milking a snake's fangs? I vote we figure out how to defend against it. Is there any way we can determine the effects of these crystals on someone? Without actually you know, killing someone? The big stone, I figure we give that to Alexa. She can figure out what she wants to do with it." "You think blood makes this thing grow? Should we just give it some of ours?"
There is a moment of hesitation from Clemens. An eye slide to the group. The good and righteous group. One that might not understand blood magic. Clemens then looks back to Captios, "Just to test the theory," the young alchemist says. He is admittedly curious. "Recall our necromancy classes. Its not socially acceptable, despite the fact necromantic magic is the basis for much healing magic in small doses. That said," he pricks his finger with a pin. A small bead of blood forms. "I'm already persona non grata in civilized society. Its nice to use that position for something good. If you got involved it would be harmful to your career. So don't implicate yourself in any reports." He puts a bead of blood in the vial, "Or me if you can avoid it."
The single drop of blood hits the vial and coats the bottom. The mineral itself leans over it as the blood itself becomes thicker until it shrinks and grows the mineral more.
"Looks like a successful test," Clemens says, somehow not happy about that result. "As for the effects on a person, perhaps a small sliver on someone with a high fortitude. Maybe you can talk to Astroix about that. Or," he looks to Syn, "Syn. Based on the test we have seconds to withdraw the mineral before it affects the blood. If it does, however, its going to get out of control quickly like with Alexa."
Over
and over
and over
again

Syn’s name is called and her head tilts up, looking at Clemens and Captios studying contents of the mineral held within a small glass vial. “You want to run experiments on me?” She says is low grumble of words. “…sounds like a horrible idea.” She rolls her head to the side. “But I suppose it would be good to know what that does.” Syn shuffles closer, plopping down in front of them both, eyes flickering back and forth between the two. “What do you need me to do?”
"A drop of blood really is all. We've got to move fast. Best to get enough to coat the bottom rather than too little, right Clemens?" Captios looks at Syn. "I hope it treats your blood the same as anyone else. Seems like that Solus has a vendetta against you. Let's hope nothing different happens."
Alexa starts to rustle awake, dreams of red crystals and a white raven flying through a hot summer wake her up. She hears the discussion of testing the crystal. Before anyone can test Alexa yells, "No!" She looks at all three of them in disappointment, working on testing the very thing that put her in blinding pain. "What exactly are you trying to gain from this?! If it is to weaponize it, I will not allow it. Noone deserves that pain, not even our worst enemy." She tries to sit up, but is very outwardly upset about the turn of events.
"Not to weaponize it," Clemens says quickly like a student caught skipping class. "Understanding how it works so we can prepare a defense against it. If we don't, we are finished in seconds the next time she shows up and decides not to run."
"And what exactly does this involve? It felt like all of my blood was turning into crystal, pumping through my cells and organs. Whatever you're going to do, it better be something that will guarantee it doesn't spread on Syn." She pauses for a second, speaking a little quieter, "I don't think I would have died by the way. I think that thing wanted to keep me alive, but my mind wouldn't have survived much longer."
"If it is parasitic, we might be able to find a way to expel it from the body. Or kill it outright before it can completely take over. We aren't planning on putting it on Syn by any means, we just need to activate it with her blood."
Alexa looks to Captios, her eyes narrow. "That's not what I heard you talk about, if I heard correctly, you were going to test it ON Syn. Maybe you two should get on the same page before you try blood magic with a very dangerous item consisting of MY blood."
Ford, who is absolutely Fording right now, offers, "Maybe it will bring you two closer together." Ozy predictably makes two hands kissing each other with accompanied sound effects.
Captios' eyes widen. He understand now what Clemens means. He thought Clemens wanted the coagulated blood, not to stick it in someone. "We can perform this same experiment on anyone else if you'd prefer. You can perform it on me if it makes you trust what we are doing here. I was advocating for getting some half crystallized blood, not to pop this onto someone and see what happens. If we want to understand exactly what is happening to the person, we can't be doing this experiment in the forest." "But I get Clemens curiosity and of anyone he's definitely the best person I know to pull off this type of experiment. You should have seen him back at the Academy. He will have full control of the situation. The reason I can't really be the one is because my mind probably isn't strong enough to withstand this."
Clemens points a finger up. Then he immediately drops it back down. He wasn't comfortable with the idea to begin with. There is this deadpan face of defeat. Perhaps this is why people keep thinking he is the second coming of an evil wizard. "The test was to answer the question 'Is there a way to determine the effect of these crystals on someone?' To do that, you have to have a crystal on someone. First test was to see if that was an incredibly stupid idea. Its only a mostly stupid idea. There are seconds between contact and infection directly on blood. This leads me to think that a mean to prevent it is injected into the blood itself or ingested since her hair pierces to get direct access to the blood itself. But. We don't know how the remedy will work without first getting a baseline of what a raw, localized test is. If we can't run tests, then the prevention is ENTIRELY hypothetical. Untested. And that is a wild gamble if the potion works."
Alexa looks between the two scientists. "Can you use my blood? It's been infected, and now is not. Maybe there are markers you can look for that won't spread it to others"
Ford looks to Alexa, "Aren't you short on blood right now? By a few bloody buckets." Ozy continues to make the kissy noises.
"If we can have a drop of your blood we can see if there is any reaction to it. Might be a good start." "Just a drop to start, not an entire bucket." Ford isn't funny yet somehow he is.
"Whats another drop in the bucket among family," Ford says. Sarcasm? Seriousness? Its that damn emotionless face-helmet.
"Also, while we are on the topic of crystals, the one Ford is looking at right now. We might be able to convert that into something useful for you Alexa. Since it is your blood it might resonate with your magic. It's not evil of it's your blood right? But one thing at a time. Let us know if you want to lend us a drop of your blood to start. Looking at immune markers might be useful too, but we'll need you to be back to full health. That might require a bit more blood."
Alexa pauses, realizing what is being said in front of her. "Clemens, is testing on someone the only way to find a preventative measure against this?" She looks to her stomach, touching the area where Evil Solus' hair went through her. "And maybe Captios, not now, but it may be a good idea."
Clemens takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. Is there another way? The alchemist exhales. "Yes. You can test it on plants and animals, but that isn't much better. The response looks quite painful and they are not the ones needing prevention." He opens his eyes and says, "Its irresponsible. I barely agree with testing it on ourselves. I don't agree with testing it on other creatures."
Be'lania is not pleased with the turn of events, "You are playing with fire."
Ozy grins broadly, "Doesn't change the fact that we are walking into fire at some point. Better to bring the right equipment for the situation."
Ford provides substance, "Yeah the topic of the blood gem thing is up to you, Alexa."
Alexa looks to Syn with pain in her eyes. "Only if you agree to the test, Syn." She darts her eyes over to Clemens "But if you don't stop it from spreading farther than just the test you need, so help me Gods, I will take you down." There's a fire and anger in her eyes as she looks at Clemens. She take a deep breath and looks to Be'lania. "I know it's dangerous, but if we can stop anyone else from going through what I did, it's worth a little risk." "Let's wait on the blood gem until we get to a safe space. It may be a good idea, but there's alot of decisions being made now, and that is one we could delay for a little bit until we are settled"
"So are we testing this on Syn or you Alexa? Whoever it is, you are going to need to make a small cut. Correct me if I'm wrong Clemens." Captios motions to Astroix. "Astroix, we are going to need you here to help with this. You're the best at field medicine. Once the cut is made, we need to expose the crystal to the blood. We need to move fast."
There is this small light in Clemens' eyes that gets dimmer as Alexa threatens him. A reminder that she is a Candle and against best wishes, they are all the same. He puts that emotion in a bottle. On a shelf. His words are academic, "A skin contact test first. A cut second. When the blood starts to thicken we pull the crystal away. That's how long we have. The symptoms get recorded. If the thickened blood doesn't revert then we draw it out like a leech. From there we record the differences with medicine, including side effects like pain or paralysis. It won't matter as much if it doesn't spread but you are still unable to function."
Captios looks at Alexa eyes to eyes. "Whoever does this cannot be hesitant. If you aren't fully committed this could go way wrong. Are you sure you or Syn is up for this? I think it might have to be Syn. I'm not sure what level of error your body could handle right now."
Seeing Clemens eyes change, Alexa tries to soften, but is still afraid for her friend. "Just please, Clemens, be safe. I'm just afraid for her, I don't believe in torture, and what I felt is the equivalent but on steroids. I believe Syn may be the best option, logic shows me I'm too weak to handle any physical test right now."
Yet a light snuffed doesn't return so easily. A cut doesn't mend with an apology alone. Clemens states the obvious in a cold, unfeeling reply to Alexa, "No one is forcing Syn to do the tests and if she doesn't want to or if Astroix doesn't want to, then we don't do them. Its the difference between a bee sting and a pit viper's bite." It drips in a cold, distant 'I wouldnt expect you to understand' level of emo.
Captios puts a hand on Clemens shoulder. "Clemens, you got this, and Astroix and I are here to help. You were the best at this kind of stuff back at the Academy, and you're the best man for the job right now. Look at you man, you're actually saving people like you said you would a few years back." Captios straightens up. "This may be out of your comfort zone Alexa, and what you are capable of. But this is what Clemens does for a living. And this is what I've been trained for. And this is what Astroix has been trained for." His eyes show a certain light that moments ago was in Clemens eyes. "Don't worry about Syn, she's in good hands. Syn, you believe in us right? You are willing to go through with this?"
The yell from Alexa sends Syn shifting quickly to look over to her nestled by a tree. Eyes dart back and forth between all party members now as they converse for the next steps to take until all eyes fall on her. “Do I believe in you lot? Sure yeah. You seem smart.” There is a slight chuckle, as if to send calm to Alexa in the process. “Clemen’s is right you know, no one forced me to, I offered. If this will give us any insight into what the hell we are dealing with and how to possibly protect ourselves? Sign me up. I refuse to let that thing roam out here. I will find that version of Solus again. This isn’t over, and we need to be prepared.” There is a silence that follows then she finally speaks. “Whatever it takes.” Syn holds her arm out towards Captios and Clemens.
Trust. Huh. The dark hazel eyes of Clemens questions what that is lately. "Whatever it takes," the young alchemist echos back, a phrase he won't forget any time soon. "Be forthcoming with any pain or discomfort on a scale from 1 to 10." The first test is compatibility. He takes a similar needle he pricked himself with, cleaned, and pricks Syn's finger to get a small bead of blood. "We didn't save those people in the cave," is a quiet thought he finally airs. Save the world. They couldn't even save a half dozen healthy people that were helpless. "We ran," he drops the blood into the vial. The liquid rises like dough in an oven. It begins to harden. Crystalize. "First test complete. The substance reacts to your blood and crystalize in a same-as time. Which means we have less than six seconds to abort if the tests go too far in testing. Excise the area before it spreads." The young man puts it in survival terms, "Like testing mild contact poisons."
Astroix returns from the forest with several dead rabbits on his shoulder and a small sack of fruit. Some small game , a small haul to feed Alexa and the party. Astroix returns to a scene of Captios and Clemens drawing blood from Syn. Astroix tenses up worried his words come out shacky at first gaining more stability as he speaks. "W-What is going on? Is everything okay? " Astroix looks to both Captios at a bit loss for words. "I brought over some food, stuck to the things not growing extra appendages." He say's this hoping to change the topic but then glances at the crystal shard crystalizing the blood. Astroix feels the need to help, if anything were to go wrong here it'd be bad. He's already late and they've come this far. He knows once they've made up their mind - especially Syn they won't back down. "How can i help?" Astroix say's this with less confidence then usual. Anxiety eating away at his head. Knowing that if not for Fords help the crystaline blood would've been fatal.
A prick to the tip of her finger causes a deep red shade of blood to bead at the surface of her skin. “1 out of 10.” She says, grinning to Clemens before the droplet cascades off her finger and splashes within the small vial. It rises and bubbles into a hardened crystallized substance. “Well, I guess that’s good?” She shrugs, bringing her hand up to lick the newly forming bead of blood on her finger tip. “That is six seconds of unknown and potential death.” She says that so nonchalantly it would be extremely off putting to those hearing it. “Use my left arm though, I am right handed.” As she extends her arm out, Astroix returns to the party. “Welcome back.” Syn says, still holding her arm out. “Everything is fine. Though ask me that question again after this contacts my skin. Could be bad, could also be good, either way its insightful into what the hell this is and how to handle it moving forward.” She thinks back to Solus. “So I volunteered as Clemens’ test dummy.” A small thumbs up with her right hand.
Astroix gives Syn a half smile. Knowing that what she's doing is both reckless and brave of her. Astroix feels both respect for Syn at this moment but also a deep rising concern seeing her arm exposes strikes a layer of fear over Astroix for a moment. This time it might not be someone's life but their arm. Astroix hurries on to grab his medical supplies. "We'll need some rope around your arm to stop any blood flow at a moments notice incase it tries to spread through your entire body. You could lose your arm doing this you know." Astroix head tilts to Clemens and Captios. His eye brows tensed from the situation. "If you're all sure about this you need to know the risks involved."
Clemens reaches into the vial with a small clamp, drawing out the fragment and placing it onto his alchemist table. The steel metal sheet holds the substance for a short time as he chips off a small shard with a loud 'clank'. "Do you want to do it, Astroix?" he asks with his patience worn down after another resurfacing of a topic he isn't keen on. "Because I am getting tired of this being brought up again after being attacked by Alexa on it." He points a tong with a red shard on it "You" and then Alexa "And you. Figure your shit out. If you distract me while I'm doing this we could lose an arm instead of excising some skin and muscle and pouring a potion over it."
He brings the splinter over to Syn's off arm, "You ready? Second test is skin contact." Clemens is pissed.
Hearing the venom in Clemens voice, Alexa looks to Astroix. "Astroix, stand down. This was a decision made when you decided to walk away from the party, give them space. I trust Clemens, even if you think you're helping, he needs space to do this test." She's tired. Things are quickly getting more dangerous, and people cannot force a way to shine in every scenario.
Syn is slightly taken back by Clemens’ words. A side of this new person that she has yet to see. In a way, Syn is rather impressed by his boldness to speak his mind. She watches intently as he plucks the shard from the vial and prepares a small piece to be placed against her arm. She looks to Astroix. “Its alright Astroix, let him do his thing. Really, before he hurls that piece of shard at your face.” She chuckles, looking back to Clemens.
“Ready. Do it.”
The red splinter, no larger than a small wood shaving, is placed on Syn's arm. The feeling is immediate. Heat. Pain. It is like being repeatedly stung by hornets. The alchemist draws a magnifying glass over his face. A small gadget that he uses at the table now on to observe the reactions on skin contact. "Alright. Skin prevents the crystal from finding blood," he initially observes, "hows the pain?" After six seconds he pulls the shard off and the pain subsides to a dull ache. There is plenty of redness like an allergic reaction. If a cut did surface, the body would be its own enemy by rushing blood to the connection.
Her teeth clench as the shard makes contact to her skin. It instantly burns but nothing she cannot handle. Once Clemens lets the shard up from the flesh, she looks down at it, a small irritated area remains. “Well, it burns. Not horrible though. Like a small piece of an ember from the fire bouncing up and hitting the skin. I’ve had worse pain from fights.” She looks to Astroix, “See? Everything is fine.” A nod to follow before shifting back to look to Clemens. “What is next?” Tilting her head to the side, willing to proceed with the testing. "Open wound? Because if I am being honest, that's the one thing that people should probably be concerned over."
"Open wound," Clemens echos the assumption. This one he is more concerned about. It shows in his face. On top of his own doubts he has two people on his case about the idea. Its one of those moments where you have to decide to believe in yourself or let other people decide what you believe. Its one thing when its people that don't like you. Nameless masses. It different when its people you travel with judging you. "One second exposure per cut," he goes over his approach. "If the crystallization continues we have to cut it out before it spreads. Quickly."
A small cut is coven on Syn's arm. A fresh mark of blood. "Be honest, not brave," he reminds Syn? Himself? Scalpel at the ready he puts the shard on the blood. The pain is immediate. Like drilling into a tooth's exposed nerve without painkillers. The blood itself begins to thicken near the exposure. After a second Clemens is able to pull it out with the tongs. The blood holding onto the shard crystalizes, but the arm's blood slows.
A nod to Clemens as the shard returns to her skin, this time it is greeted with a small cut and its blood. Instant burning, sting, pain. A pain like being stabbed and constantly wiggling around the sharp object under the flesh. Syns teeth clench once more and then the shard is removed, the sting subsides. “A four out of ten perhaps.” She says faintly, staring down at her own arm. “Its uncomfortable that’s for sure. Different than getting punched or whatever. It’s pain under the skin, not over it. It hurt more than the cut itself.” Looking up to Clemens. “Is this insightful enough for you?”
There is a thoughtful look as Clemens looks off to the distance, "Four of Ten isn't too bad," he explains. The young man saves his hand around, "Like, banging your elbow into a table. Broken bone is closer to seven or eight." He is unfortunately very familiar with pain thresholds from previous run ins with the Candles, "At a ten you pass out or should pass out."
"Next run, two seconds," he says, making a fresh cut and repeating. The results are the same again and again until the test that runs to five seconds. By the fifth second the blood starts to show signs of crystallization . Clemens aborts the test as soon as possible and says, "Ok. No more. I have a baseline to work off of now."
Captios looks at the cut on Syn's hand. "That was what? 5 seconds? How much pain were you in at the very end, Syn?"
Red eyes shift to Captios. "Like someone holding a burning ember to the flesh for a long period of time." Syn continues to hold her arm. "Its definitely not fun...." She then looks over to Alexa before a small frown forms. "Not fun at all."