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Post by redcoat on Sept 9, 2023 7:05:51 GMT -5
The moment they got back to the ziggurat- or perhaps the moment that Reg asked 'Why is there a door?', Bones knew that she was spent. The emotions of the day- the ups and downs, the pressure of saving the feywild from Acerak, the full weight of that mission. Home. Bluey and her father's coffee cup.
She'd barely managed to pull herself up from the puddle she'd fallen into earlier, and knowing that Reg was so close... she could push far enough to make the necessary arrangements so she could fall apart in private.
In her room.
In her house.
"Gallium- quick as a bunny, follow me. I've a job for you that I think you'll be suited for." Bones said, opening her door to Home, dodging in and heading towards the door that most likely led to the tower, pulling it open.
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Post by opius on Sept 9, 2023 11:15:33 GMT -5
As strange as the day had been, Gallium knew midnight would soon come, and so certainly things could only get so weird before it all balanced out, right? Upon seeing to Rorr, that he was not harmed by travel or the sudden appearance of the Robin, Gallium awkwardly excused himself to 'make quick like a bunny' as instructed.
It was growing tiring, climbing up and down this mound of stone. "Gyah- Bones, you are moving with the quickness! Gallium is only so fast." He called after her before hesitating at the doorway, peering into the light. Though there we're some reservations, he eventually followed.
_____
Upon entering the plot of land, Bones could see the doorway behind her, the one she knew lead to Amberbreeze, and now could see the trees part toward the west. They slowly revealed a pathway, and at its termination stood a white birch door.
Creaking it open, she saw only light on the other side. But she knew where it lead. She also understood much of her tiny domain intuitively, and that though she herself could not leave through this particular door, she could invite another through it to visit.
A vague and muffled voice spoke from the other side, "Summer? ..at trouble... otten ... self into..." The words were followed by a heavy sigh, one that sounded much closer.
Several moments later, Bones could discern the hazy, shadowed shape of an extremely wary Crosp as he took his time to very carefully cross the threshold. As he came into view, he was squinting, trying to discern her as well. Her and whatever this was on the other side.
"What in the nine hells..."
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Post by redcoat on Sept 9, 2023 12:56:19 GMT -5
Bones was acutely aware that embracing a nervous evocation wizard with a tackle-hug was a terrible idea.
Instead, she settled for a more measured approach. "Hey, Reg."
It seemed to lack the appropriate level of gravitas... but she couldn't come up with anything better.
Fatigue weighed heavily on her, both emotionally and physically- she felt like an over tuned lute string on the verge of snapping. Even in her fiery new formal attire, she was beginning to look as rough as she felt.
"The Autumn Prince gave me a boon- it's my own piece of the feywild. It's safe- I promise."
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Post by opius on Sept 9, 2023 13:17:49 GMT -5
Reginald watched her first, as thought trying to discern some illusion. She could see he was clutching a staff warily, though his guard was slowly lowering, "H...hey." and once satisfied stepped forward to occupy the space where she had stood to greet him. He took in the environment for a few moments before turning his attention back toward her.
"I... haven't a clue how this works, so I'll take 'safe' as reassurance enough. You..." He frowned. "You look like you've been through the ringer - you hold me about the zigurrat and the lich. Is there a place for you to uh... sit down and walk me through just what's going on...?"
He looked toward the wooden home. He then squinted at the warforged Bones had invited in, who was likewise acting like a cautious tourist by the woodpile. "...Hells..."
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Post by redcoat on Sept 9, 2023 14:12:30 GMT -5
"Yes- there's a place. My place. I just- have you met Gallium yet? He's Rorr's friend, from the Lyceum." She moved forward and took his hand, tugging him gently towards the woodpile. "While we were cataloguing the lich's library Garrebek came and invited us to the feywild, and we were there for a day or so. It was... a lot." She took a deep breath.
Focus, compartmentalizing, and deal with it once work was done.
"Gallium, I have some small fey friends who want to show their appreciation by helping me move in- I thought you might be the best to keep an eye on them- keep them safe?- and they can help you and Rorr move whatever books and such need to be moved. Could you also please keep an eye on what we choose to keep? I'd rather not have a house full of dark necromancy tomes."
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Post by opius on Sept 9, 2023 14:27:39 GMT -5
Reginald took her hand and tried not to rubberneck too hard. "A day? It's only been an hour- less, even..." He kind of snapped to focus at introductions, "whu- oh, the other big guy. Third big guy... yeah, we met." He raised his staff some. "Good to see you again. You uh.. look battle Hardened."
"Is good compliment. Very hard, yes. Tried to crush Gallium's skull, you know. Friend Rorr was quite heroic- very risky. And Bones did well to destroy magical protection, not possible without her." The warforged nodded to Bones.
"Gallium will do this thing. Make sure small friends are watched and kept on task. No evil books..." he planted his hands on his hips. "... lots of room. Is good idea, da. Point the way, Gallium will master tasks while you and others rest."
Reginald meanwhile was trying to figure out if the wood pile was real or conjured. His focus turned toward the cabin from the wood pile. All the while one hand was firmly wrapped around Bones' own. "... Incredible..."
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Post by redcoat on Sept 9, 2023 14:33:42 GMT -5
"They can explore a little, I just... don't think it's a good look if one of them gets hurt on our watch." She said, leading them all to the other door.
"It's- that's the feywild. The Autumn Prince gave us his time, so we would still be able to loot the damn ziggurat before the devils come back. So it was less than an hour in the Material Plane, and a day and a half in the fey." She explained- trying to keep the frazzled note out of her voice as she knocked on the other door.
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Post by opius on Sept 9, 2023 16:57:16 GMT -5
Gallium's lensed eyes shuttered several times, trying to parse the information. He scratched his head, nodding in acceptance. "Explains the state all were in, and new cut of cloth..."
Reginald didn't take long for it to click. He nodded a bit more quickly. "I'd suspected this He person to be drumming himself up. But if he's truly a lord of a Domain of Delight, then... he could be capable of anything. Including temporal contraction... Which is... wow. I can't..."
Bones knocked on the door. Moments later, the door creaked open. Unlike the Paths to the material plane there wasn't a glow obscuring the way. Instead she saw glimpses of now familiar scenes- the Tavern in the Tree, the bustling market, the wild lands. The images shifted with her focus, and she knew that from this door she could, if she chose, emerge in just about any of the neighborly areas.
Standing at the door were a number of Amberbreeze denizens. Diminutive beast-like people. Like something out of a children's book. Various voices spoke up, "Lady Summer!" "Salutations, neighbor," "M'lady." And the like could be heard over the chatter.
Gallium was somewhat taken aback. "... Not what Gallium expected... these are not, uh... fawns and brownies..." he quietly spoke up.
Reginald shook his head, speaking quietly in kind "No, but that's the nature of Fey. It's all a matter of who dreamed them up..." He bowed down to study the entourage.
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Post by redcoat on Sept 9, 2023 17:08:18 GMT -5
Summer's frazzled air melted away- once more the mask of diplomacy and dashing adventure. The image these people trusted, respected, and expected to save their lives and livelihoods.
No, no- she couldn't fall to pieces about that now. She needed ten more minutes of Lady Summer before she could devolve completely- preferably in the privacy of her own bedroom.
"Hello everyone- I was wondering of any of you would be interested in moving some rare books from an evil man's lair into my home? The dangers have been dealt with, and my friend Gallium would be here to protect you."
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Post by opius on Sept 9, 2023 17:41:47 GMT -5
There was some din that followed as the concept was spoken about- shouted about- at some length.
For his part, Gallium waved lightly, "Zdrahstvooytyeh."
After the dull roar concluded, a particularly robust badger spoke up from a few heads behind. "With a guard made of metal? That sounds like a good time. Invite us through and we'll do what we can."
Gallium looked toward Bones. Quietly he rubbed his chin. "Gallium has good eyes and strong arms... but have seen the struggle to get through. Maybe some come in and wait by other door, Gallium.. ehh... escorts a few to start with. This is okay?"
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Post by redcoat on Sept 9, 2023 17:58:24 GMT -5
Bones nodded. "I think that should be fine- I hope that Lady Robin was a different case than perhaps some of our friends here. Please- come in and come through." Moving away from the door, she'd give everyone a small bow, welcoming them in.
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Post by opius on Sept 9, 2023 18:38:38 GMT -5
Soon enough the area surrounding the door grew cramped and then crowded by the many little beings walking in. Each thanked the lady of the domain, tipping their hats, spectacles, and other accoutrement in deference and respect as they made their way inside. Gallium, for his part, lifted his hands.
"Hokay, hokay- All little beasts, please to listen to Gallium." He spoke up and spoke over the din, drawing them away from the door- and thankfully, away from Bones. "We will have an orderly march, da. Follow Gallium to exit door on south... Bottom. Back... Over this way, come." He continued to back up with the creatures moving in tow, each remarking about the excitement and wonder, the professionalism of their new tour guide, and similar sentiments.
As the chrome pied piper lead the animals toward their vocation? vacation? Reginald gave Bones' hand a squeeze. "...This is... Pretty intense, huh." He kept his eyes on the hyjinx- for now, and spoke in a hushed tone. "...You're holding it together well. I'm... Not sure what's going on, but I'm up now. Whenever you want to..." He glanced at the cabin. "...When you're settled, I'm here."
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Post by redcoat on Sept 9, 2023 18:51:09 GMT -5
Bones kept up the mask until the fey were out of sight, and then turned and hugged Reginald tightly, letting the vestige of Lady Summer slip away to... just Summer.
"Gods above and below Reg, I've seen a hell of a lot the last day and... some of it I can't even put into words as to why it's overwhelming me."
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Post by opius on Sept 9, 2023 19:01:02 GMT -5
Reginald frowned, brows arched as he looked as her just kind of... crack, right then and there. "Oh, Summer..." His voice was quiet. He shook his head and glanced to the door, then back to the cabin. "I... don't know the rules we're working with here. But it's late, and you should rest. I think. I... Could be projecting." He shook his head.
"You can tell me all about it, or I can just... hang out while you process it. Whatever you need."
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Post by redcoat on Sept 9, 2023 19:30:27 GMT -5
"We've... got time. The current limiting factor is that I have to finish dealing with the devils in the morning at dawn." She seemed to relax a bit- even the prospect of several hours quietly tucked away was soothing her raw nerves.
Rest... rest sounded good. Peeling away from him, she'd lead him into the cottage and up the spiral stairs, up to the loft and to her bedrooom. It wasn't large- big enough for a canopy bed with far too many pillows and an armoire.
"Oh- I forgot for a second. I got you a gift, in Amberbreeze." She said, moving to her trunk and retrieving the parcel of blue robes.
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