Rhoelyn: Nysse stumbled back as the tree that had hid her was gone. Blinking, she looked.. to see familiar brickwork and trees. Darnassus?
Araatris: A nearby deer pauses in its munching and looks up at her, moderately alarmed. She’s on the edge of the city, amidst family homes.
Rhoelyn: The effects of the orb lingered. Nysse vaguely realized she needed to find any Cenarion member. She started a fumbling run.
Araatris: She stumbles around the wooden buildings beside her and out on to the wider main thoroughfare. In her hand, the hearthstone pulses.
Rhoelyn: Nysse stops and stares at it. Shaking her head in attempt to clear her head, she looks about again. If the stone brought her here..
Araatris: As Nysse hesitates, a footfall from behind interrupts her thoughts. A soothing voice speaks in Darnassian, “Rhese! I thought y–”
Rhoelyn: Nysse spins around and looks at the speaker. “He’s not here… He sent me-” She looks puzzled for a moment, “Rhese sent me away.”
Araatris: Nysse finds herself facing “Rhese”. Smaller, softer, feminine but obviously identical. The priestess reaches out a steadying hand.
Rhoelyn: “Who-wait, I should know you.” Nysse blinks slowly at the woman awareness creeping into her gaze. “He talked about-Oh! Are you…?”
Araatris: “Rhoelyn. Yes. Elune adore, sister.” Rhese’s sister abbreviates the full blessing into a simple nod, worry creasing her brow.
Rhoelyn: “We need the Cenarion!” Widening her eyes, Nysse broke the mind fog. “Rhese freed me, but… I’m sorry, Rhoelyn. He’s still there.”
Araatris: Rhoelyn flinches. “Come with me.” Her feather-light touch against Nysse’s arm trembles, but it also gifts revitalizing magic.
Rhoelyn: Nysse follows taking several breaths before speaking again. “I swear I’ll bring him back. I promised him.” She glances at Rhoelyn.
Araatris: The priestess forces a smile. “I believe you will, sister. My brother has a… gift for earning the loyalty of the very best.”
Rhoelyn: “It’s more, Honored Sister. Beyond loyalty and blood debt. Even if I have to fight the world!” Nysse stares Rhoelyn in the eyes.
Araatris: She pauses, searching Nysse’s intent gaze for a moment before a warmer grin lifts her lips. “I shall rest easier to know it.”
Rhoelyn: Nysse relaxes offering a shy smile. “Now where are we going? To find a member of the Cenarion Circle? I have a promise to keep.”
Araatris: Rhoelyn nods and beckons, setting off once more. “Better. I have seen Dethedrus and his companions in the city. They will aid us.”
Rhoelyn: Nysse steps up next to Rhoelyn. “Dethedrus? The name escapes me, but my mind is a bit… Rattled. However, any help is welcome.”
Araatris: The priestess moves at a rapid walk, wending her way through the city with ease. She leads Nysse up the steps to Elune’s temple.
Rhoelyn: Nysse looks up at the familiar temple front. She murmurs in respect, bowing her head briefly, “Elune’adore.” “So they reside here?”
Araatris: Rhoelyn bows her head & leads Nysse through the archway. She speaks softly. “No. But Wrune always pays his respects to the Mother.”
Rhoelyn: “It’s a good thing to do. More so in these troubled times.” Nysse’s eyes adjust to the light and glance about. She steps quietly.
Araatris: A human stands at the Moonwell, his shined armor gilded by the perpetual light of Elune’s power. His head is bowed in deep respect.
Rhoelyn: Nysse gazes at the dark-haired male. Clean shaven and neat, he seemed out of place. She waits respectfully unwilling to interrupt.
Araatris: The ladies do not have to wait long. He lifts his head, turning to face them. “Rhoelyn. With a friend, I see.” His smile is warm.
Rhoelyn: “I am Nysse. Pleased to meet you.” She bows, then looks to Rhoelyn. Nysse is oblivious to her disheveled and sleep-worn appearance.
Araatris: Wrune only has time to dip his head in greeting before Rhoelyn speaks up, concern on her face. “She came with Rhese’s hearthstone.”
Rhoelyn: Nysse nods in confirmation revealing the hearthstone still in her hands. “Trouble found us during the orb research.”
Araatris: The paladin watches the hearthstone pulse, expression sobering. “I see. Come with me, ladies. The others are already at the dock.”
Rhoelyn: Nysse strides next to them to the dock. “The others? Is there more going on? And shouldn’t the Cenarion Circle be notified?”
Araatris: Rhoelyn answers as Wrune searches the milling crowd. “Rhese’s team is but the first of two. Though oddly diverse, they ARE Circle.”
Rhoelyn: “I’m starting to think I was out on the hunt too long before Rhese found me.” Nysse reaches towards her waist only to grasp air.
Araatris: The priestess watches Nysse fumble, a bit perplexed. “I fear I don’t grasp your meaning, sister. Are you yet feeling… ‘rattled’?”
Rhoelyn: Nysse rubs her head. “That’s an understatement, Sister. I was woken from a dead sleep and under the power of an orb for too long.”
Araatris: Rhoe indicates a recently vacated bench. “If you will permit me, I may be able to aid you. Of late, Rhese often returns ‘rattled’.”
Rhoelyn: Nysse moves to the bench and sits with a motion bereft of any grace. “Anything would be a blessing. Everything is a bit foggy.”
Araatris: As Nysse settles, Rhoelyn kneels before her in prayer. Reaching up, she lightly touches glowing fingers to the huntress’ forehead.
Rhoelyn: Nysse gasps as if shocked before finally relaxing. “It still had power enough to confuse it seems. My thanks, Sister…”
Araatris: The priestess nods, lowering her gaze timidly. “The effect in you is surprisingly strong. You bear an affinity that Rhese doesn’t.”
Rhoelyn: “That’s what we were testing.” Nysse lays her hand on Rhoelyn’s shoulder. “And why he sent me away. They want me.” She shudders.
Araatris: Rhoelyn looks at Nysse in alarm, but anything she might have said is interrupted by Wrune approaching, a dwarf in tow. “Ladies.”
Rhoelyn: Nysse nods, but quickly turns toward the voice. She starts, “Oh! Dethedrus from the Refuge!” It’s Nysse’s turn to look sheepish.
Araatris: The dwarf, a paladin of a much rougher appearance, nods solemnly. “Aye, lass. An’ I hear ye’ve got a bittuva story t’tell. C’mon.”
Rhoelyn: Nysse stands and offers a hand to the kneeling Rhoelyn. “There’s no doubt of that. It’s been… Hectic. So, where to?”
Araatris: As Rhoelyn accepts the aid and regains her feet, Deth turns, shooting back over his shoulder, “D’pends on what’cha say. Talk fast.”
Rhoelyn: “The short? I’m extremely sensitive to orbs. There’s a plan to restart the world. The Taken and the orbs wanted me. Rhese said no.”
Araatris: “Ye’re a smartass, lass. I like ya.” Deth’s smirk matches Wrune’s amused grin. “Did ‘e ‘ave time t’leave a Thread fer us t’follow?”
Rhoelyn: “When he told me to run, he told me to take his hearthstone. It’s the only thing I can think of.” Nysse shows the pulsing stone.
Araatris: The dwarf takes it, giving it a practiced once-over. “Crafty bear, our Rhese. Ye would’na know it t’look at ‘im. Trace it, Wrune.”
Rhoelyn: Nysse watches Wrune take the hearthstone. “I was hoping we could do something of the sort. It’s the only lead I had.”
Araatris: The human nods. “It’s one of our contingency plans. Usually, the stone comes back alone as a call for help and a tracking cantrip.”
Rhoelyn: “He had me go along knowing I’d be in the middle..” Nysse grins. “Let’s get to tracking. He’s probably getting into more trouble.”
Araatris: “Och, ye can call tha’ a safe bet, lass,” Deth grins & flexes his fists. Wrune bends his head over the hearthstone, concentrating.
Rhoelyn: Nysse chuckles,”Sounds like this has happened before to our furry friend.” Despite the hopeful smile, she gazes at Wrune intensely.
Araatris: As they watch Wrune work, a trio of figures step up, taking position behind Dethedrus. The gnome elbows him. “What’s the holdup?”
Rhoelyn: Nysse pulls her gaze away and turns to the group. “The rest of your team, Dethedrus?” Her gaze takes in the gnome and the others.
Araatris: Deth nods, rubbing his shin with a glower. “Aye.” He gestures to each. “Evelyn Chimerae, Ultarn Founderstone, an’ th’short’un is–”
Araatris: “They call me the Shadow,” the gnome says, glaring viciously. Deth scoffs. “Only when th’airent callin’ ye Percival Wogsprocket.”
Rhoelyn: Nysse offers up a nervous grin. “Nice to meet you, so how much longer will this take?” She looks towards Wrune and then at Rhoelyn.
Araatris: As if on cue, Wrune lifts his head. “He’s in the Outlands. Odd, but it feels like he’s under the Black Temple?” He looks at Nysse.
Rhoelyn: Nysse curses. “That’s where the machine is according to what the Orb told him!” She clenches her fist. “We have to get him out!”
Araatris: Deth frowns. “A’right, lass. Ah’m thinkin’ ’tis time fer th’long story. Come wi’ me. Wrune, ye contact Cal. We’re leavin’ in five.”
Rhoelyn: Nysse clenches her teeth in her stress, but nods. “Now or do we need to wait for anyone else? I’ll go through as much as I can.”
Araatris: The dwarf makes an impatient gesture. “Yesterday. We’ll be needin’ ever’thin’ ye know ’bout th’ Machine an’ what’s waitin’ fer us.”
Rhoelyn: Nysse reviews everything from the Orb tests to the hearthstone as they walk.”They want me, but were willing to take him to get me.”
Araatris: The paladin’s scowl bodes ill for the Taken as he leads her to where the others wait. “Then we get ‘im back. I trust ye’re comin’?”
Rhoelyn: “Yes, I have a promise to keep. I will need fresh clothes and equipment. All of mine is in Moonglade.” Nysse grimaces.
Araatris: Deth yanks a healthy purse from his belt and tosses it to her. “I ‘spected as much, lass. Ye’ve two minutes, or we go w’out ye.”
Rhoelyn: “Good thing I’m practical.” Nysse grins and bolts to a nearby merchant. Her hand slamming on the counter hurries him. (c)
Rhoelyn: Nysse yells to another merchant as she slips behind a curtain at the first to change, then picks up weapons at the second.
Araatris: As she returns (in 1:56 flat), Rhoelyn covers her face, laughing softly. Chimerae nudges Ultarn. “Now, THAT’s ‘ow it’s done, luv.”
Rhoelyn: Nysse hands the pouch back. She seems to be fighting a grin. “Thanks. I don’t like being unprepared. Are you coming too, Rhoelyn?”
Araatris: The priestess bites her lip, nodding. Deth gestures. As they each vanish into the portal, she glances up at Elune’s face and prays.