Rhoelyn: Nysse holds Yami next to Rhese in the center of the large circle of people. “We’ve chosen, Coridormu: Wrune, Relare, Leo and Rhoelyn will come.”
Araatris: When Yami whines and clings tighter to her, the huntress sighs and kisses his head. “No, sweetie. You’re staying where it’s safe. That’s final.”
Rhoelyn: Rhese kisses his temple. “We need you to be brave for us while we fix everything. We love you, little light. We’ll be back.” He ruffles his hair.
Araatris: The bronze dragon nods as a sullen Yami slips free from his mother’s arms and goes to stand by Aleesa. “Then we should begin immediately.”
Rhoelyn: The dragon sends a ball of magic that spreads to each person until a large, glowing web is built. It hits Nysse last, lighting up a singular point.
Araatris: The huntress stiffens at the odd sensation of opening up, possibilities and paths of what could have been dancing at the edge of her awareness.
Rhoelyn: “Focus on that day, Nyssera Whispersong. Remember the conversation with your father and standing at the end of the camp with Tsume,” Cori guides.
Araatris: She chokes when she hears the vague, echoing tones of her father’s beloved voice, his words still obscured and distant. Nysse pulls toward him.
Rhoelyn: His voice becomes clearer as it gets closer, causing her heart to ache. “…first mission without me, little star, but Tsume will watch out for you.”
Araatris: “I know, an’da.” Her own voice echoes from the past, and suddenly the words are her own. Nysse blinks and finds herself looking at her father.
Rhoelyn: She blinks, finding tears coming to her eyes. “Why are you crying?” Sarren smiles and brushes them away. “You’ll do fine. You’ll see me tonight.”
Araatris: “An’da!” He staggers back, surprised as she throws herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck. With a chuckle, he pats her back. “Nysse…”
Rhoelyn: The huntress stammers, “P-please let me have this, an’da…” He kisses her hair. “Now where’s the brave, young woman that begged for this patrol?”
Araatris: She attempts a laugh, but it’s cracked and thick with emotion. “She was left in Shadowmoon Valley, I think. Can I please change my mind?”
Rhoelyn: Sarren leans back and lifts her chin, searching her face. “What’s wrong, Nysse? It isn’t like you to back down from a challenge, my little star.”
Araatris: Gazing up at her father’s loving eyes, Nysse manages a smile. “I know, an’da, but-” “I have faith in you, Nysse. You and Tsume will do well.”
Rhoelyn: “I love you, an’da. Are you sure you couldn’t come with me?” Nysse bites her lip even as Tsume rubs up against her leg. Sarren shakes his head.
Araatris: “It’s time for my star to shine on her own.” He grasps her upper arms and gives a reassuring squeeze before encouraging her away. “Until tonight.”
Rhoelyn: The young woman nods reluctantly. “I… yes, an’da.” Sarren kisses her forehead. “Go on. You won’t make it back in time for dinner otherwise.”
Araatris: Stepping away from him, she grabs her bow and slings it over her shoulder. Nysse clicks for Tsume out of habit, warmly happy as she pads up.
Rhoelyn: The huntress waves and runs off. Once out of sight she strays instinctually, stopping in a rocky valley. She calls out nervously, “R-rhese?”
Araatris: Tsume steps in front of Nysse when she looks around, calling out again. The wolf sifts the air and whips her head to the left, her hackles up.
Rhoelyn: Nysse flips her bow out and draws an arrow back. “W-who’s there?” Movement catches her eye as Tsume snarls. “Tsume, hold.” She edges left.
Araatris: The dreadful hum that starts to tickle the edge of the huntress’ awareness makes her blood run cold as a woman steps from between two boulders.
Rhoelyn: Kaerryn grins wickedly. “Oh! He was right. You can feel it.” Nysse turns and spins, finding two other people there blocking her escape path.
Araatris: The warrior continues, stepping forward slowly. “That Tadanir fellow has earned himself a reward. Leading us to the Mother.” She holds out an orb.
Rhoelyn: Nysse stumbles as if struck by the orb. “Korran! Tsume! Keep her away from me!” The spirit wolf leaps from her chest and races toward Kaerryn.
Araatris: The human shakes her head, tucking the orb into the satchel at her waist before she draws a large axe from its sheath on her back. “Don’t resist.”
Rhoelyn: The huntress raises her head in a snarl. “I’ll do more than resist.” She howls, nearby other wolves reply. Then she looses an arrow at the woman.
Araatris: She grunts and stumbles back when it punches through her shoulder armor. The other two surge forward, weapons still sheathed as they grab at Nysse.
Rhoelyn: Kicking at one, the second grabs her bow arm and twists her wrist. The woman cries out and drops her bow. Her wolves snap at Kaerryn’s ankles.
Araatris: The warrior kicks at Tsume, her plated boot narrowly missing the wolf’s nose as she darts away. Korran claws at her, ripping furrows in her armor.
Rhoelyn: The female assailant grabs Nysse’s kicking legs as the male loops his hands under her armpits. Several wolves turn the corner into valley.
Araatris: “Stop fighting us!” Kaerryn snaps, swinging her axe at Korran’s ghostly form. “This is your destiny, a great honor. Listen to how they love you.”
Rhoelyn: Korran yelps as the axe skims his side. “N-no!” Nysse frees a foot as her opponents are distracted and plants it in the woman’s face.
Araatris: Her attacker stumbles back and a pair of feral wolves bite at her legs, tripping her. With a screech, she falls, attempting to defend herself.
Rhoelyn: Nysse stomps on the man’s foot and he releases her with a shout. Leaving him to the last wild wolf, she dives for her bow and fires another arrow.
Araatris: Distracted by Tsume, Kaerryn doesn’t notice the arrow until it’s sticking out of her gut, and she gasps, looking at Nysse. “But… your purpose…”
Rhoelyn: The huntress glares. “You can take your rotting purpose and shove it up your-” “Nysse!” A male voice calls and Nysse looks over her shoulder.
Araatris: Kaerryn sinks to her knees, blood dribbling from her lips. With Nysse distracted, she pulls the orb from her satchel and rolls it before she falls.
Rhoelyn: The orb’s hum as it hits her feet drowns out everything else and her eyes glaze over. Automatically, she turns and reaches down towards her feet.
Araatris: “No!” The cry turns into a screech as Nysse straightens, holding the orb in her hands as she smiles at it. A black bird swoops out of the sky at her.
Rhoelyn: Nysse ducks protectively around it. “No! This is mine!” She looks around wildly and bolts away from the bird. “Tsume! Korran! Follow me!”
Araatris: The wolves share a knowing look and then burst into motion, nipping at her boots as the bird circles back around with another alarmed cry.
Rhoelyn: Korran manages to swing in front of one leg and Nysse trips, sprawling across the ground. The orb bounces across the grass as both wolves sit on her.
Araatris: The crow swoops down and grabs it in a talon, and she screeches, “…not fair!” as she bucks and strains to bring her bow around.
Rhoelyn: She sights an arrow as she shoves the wolves off, scrambling to her feet. “Let it go or I’ll give you more feathers, you stealing vulture!”
Araatris: She waits a heartbeat before loosing the arrow, and though the wolves try to hinder her, the crow caws when the arrow pierces its leg, floundering.
Rhoelyn: The bird dips down, splashing down in the shallow waters of the riverbank. The huntress ignores her wolves and bolts across the field toward him.
Araatris: Dashing around a tree at the edge of water, she peers warily down at a muddy nightelven male busy tugging her arrow out of his calf, bow ready.
Rhoelyn: “I don’t take kindly to those who steal. Now give the orb back before I make you into a pincushion.” The green-haired woman glares at him.
Araatris: Rhese grits his teeth as he yanks out the arrow, healing the wound with a simple thought. “You’re confused, my lovely,” he says from the mud.
Rhoelyn: She shakes her head, incredulous. “Confused?! You’re the one who took the orb!” Her gaze searches the ground behind him for the item.
Araatris: “Yes, I did.” The pain in his expression eases as the spell works, and Rhese slowly moves to stand. “Look at me, Nysse. Do you remember who I am?”
Rhoelyn: Nysse’s eyes meet his and she frowns, lowering her bow. “I… I’m not sure.” She shakes her head. “I-it doesn’t matter. Just give me the or-”
Araatris: The druid surges forward, taking advantage of her moment of hesitation to knock her bow away and tug her close. “Dalah’surfal, it matters.”
Rhoelyn: “D-dalah-?” The huntress stares up at him wide-eyed, frozen and stiff in his arms. She suddenly ducks her head. “Y-you’re… Are you R-rhese?”
Araatris: “Yes,” he pulls back enough to smile at her, brushing her hair back before he realizes that his hands are muddy. “Yes, my lovely. Come back.”
Rhoelyn: The tension in her shoulders ease and she lays her forehead against his shoulder, trembling. “I’m scared, Rhese, but I can’t remember why.”
Araatris: Holding her tight, the druid soothes his hand up and down her back. “I’m here, Nysse. You’re not alone, and I will never let the orbs have you.”
Rhoelyn: Her shoulders shake as her tears wet his shoulder. Nysse clings, sobbing incoherently as she remembers. “… and they’re alive… alive…”
Araatris: Rhese nods, smirking at Tsume. “They really are, my lovely. In fact, Tsume looks like she blames me for your tears. She wants a bite of me.”
Rhoelyn: “N-no!” Nysse finally looks up and rubs at one eye with the back of her hand. “I’m okay, Tsume. Really! I promise!” She sniffles, then smiles.
Araatris: The wolf peers at her before padding forward and sniffing at them both. Rhese releases the huntress to kneel down to her old friend.
Rhoelyn: Korran silently rejoins Nysse as she watches them. Tsume sniffs at his hand before gently nosing into it for pets. “She likes you, surfal.”
Araatris: The druid grins at Tsume. “I like her, too. She feels familiar.” As he ruffles her fur, he jokes, “Don’t gnaw me. You won’t like how I taste.”
Rhoelyn: Tsume huffs and licks him. Then she turns and walks away looking over her shoulder. Nysse bites her lips. “She wants me to get away from it.”
Araatris: Rhese nods and glances down at his satchel. “She’s right. I should go find the nearest bottomless pit and toss this in.” He looks around the valley.
Rhoelyn: “This river is deep…” She hugs herself and backs away from the satchel. “I hope they’re gone in the other timeline. That feeling is horrible.”
Araatris: Nodding, the druid straightens. “I hope you never have to feel it again, Nysse. Whatever else the other time holds for you… us.”
Rhoelyn: “I hope so, too. I… had to shoot an arrow at Kaerryn, Rhese. I might have killed her. I didn’t know what else to do.” She looks back at the rocks.
Araatris: “I understand. Stay here while I dump this thing and see about Kaerryn.” The druid smiles reassuringly and looks at Tsume. “Take care of her.”
Rhoelyn: Tsume wuffs at him. Nysse nods and sinks to the ground and for the first time in years wraps her arms around her beloved wolf. “I’ll be here.”
Araatris: It’s not terribly long before Rhese walks back up along the riverbank, Kaerryn draped over his shoulder, weaponless and out of her armor.
Rhoelyn: Nysse raises her head from Tsume’s fur. She bites her lip, “Is she…?” Rhese shakes her head. “No, though she won’t be thanking you later.”
Araatris: He lays her not-terribly-gently on the grass by Nysse’s feet. “I healed her injuries. She’s just a little worn out from blood loss. Let her rest.”
Rhoelyn: “T-that’s good.” Nysse lets Tsume push between her and Kaerryn. “Do we know where any of the others are? We still need to fix everything.”
Araatris: The druid sighs and sits down beside her, brushing a hand through his hair. “I don’t know about you, but I stepped into where I was at this time.”
Rhoelyn: The huntress nods. “I was talking to an’da. This was my first patrol without him. I… I never came back the first time I fought… nevermind.”
Araatris: Rhese slides closer to her and wraps an arm around her shoulders. “It never happened, now.” He kisses her temple. “I know where Rhoe is.”
Rhoelyn: “We should go get her, but… I need to tell an’da. He’ll worry if I’m not back for supper.” Nysse blushes and turns into him, snuggling close.
Araatris: The druid smiles and nods, cradling her. “I understand, lovely. We can drop Kaerryn with him.” He chuckles a bit. “Your hair is shorter, now.”
Rhoelyn: Nysse looks up at him. “I keep it shorter when training. Does it look good?” She groans suddenly. “What a silly thing to ask on a mission.”
Araatris: Rhese reaches up to brush mud out of her hair and off of her temple, smirking. “You know I’m biased, my lovely. You always look amazing to me.”
Rhoelyn: She leans up and kisses Rhese, not noticing Tsume covering her furry face with her paws behind her. “Thank you. I needed this moment with you.”
Araatris: He doesn’t say much, just brushes a hand through her hair and leans down for another kiss. When they straighten, he says, “We’d best move.”
Rhoelyn: They stand and gather their equipment. Rhese tosses Kaerryn over his shoulder and they head to the camp. It’s mid-afternoon when they arrive.
Araatris: At Nysse’s approach, Sarren stands from where he’s sitting by the fire, breaking into a big smile. His eyes widen as Rhese steps up behind her.
Rhoelyn: “It’s okay, an’da. This is Rhese Silverwing, my ma- he saved me from an ambush by someone who was possessed.” Nysse shifts nervously.
Rhoelyn: “Sur- Rhese, this is Sarren Whispersong, my father.” The huntress ducks her head. “I… um… can you watch over Kaerryn? I need to… help Rhese.”
Araatris: Sarren just blinks, a little stunned, and Rhese steps forward, setting the human down and bowing respectfully with a smile. “Ishnu-alah, Sarren.”
Rhoelyn: The older man offers Rhese a smile and a bow, “Ishnu-alah. My apologies, but I missed something. Little star, why are you going with him?”
Araatris: Exchanging a look with Nysse, Rhese says, “I have a brief mission that is in desperate need of her talents. I’ve begged her to join me.”
Rhoelyn: “And what talents would those be?” Sarren narrows his eyes and Nysse blushes crimson to the tips of her ears. “An’da! Not like t-that! A tracker!”
Araatris: The druid attempts to deadpan, raising a brow at her father. “She is very good with her bow, too. Why? What were you thinking?”
Rhoelyn: Sarren grins as he leans forward and plucks a green hair off Rhese’s shirt. “Oh, I just wanted to hear your opinion before I let my daughter (c)
Rhoelyn: (c) run off with a strange man we’ve never met before.” Her father then casually turns to her and removes a silver hair from her shirt.
Araatris: Rhese has the good graces to blush, caught out entirely. He clears his throat before he says, “I swear to look after her as if she were my own.”
Rhoelyn: “Your own… Pardon us for a moment.” Sarren turns and gives his daughter a sharp look. “Nyssera, we need to talk.” He tugs her away from Rhese.
Araatris: The druid winces, wandering away to give them extra space. Nysse follows Sarren until he rounds on her. “What is going on, here, little star?”
Rhoelyn: Nysse stammers, “A-an’da…” He raises an eyebrow. “Don’t an’da me. You’ve been acting strange all day and then you suddenly show up with a man.”
Rhoelyn: “You realize that you don’t owe him anything just because he saved you from an ambush, right? You don’t have to go.” Sarren grips her shoulders.
Araatris: The huntress ducks her head, fighting a blush. “I-I know I don’t have to, an’da. Not because he helped me. But his mission is important.”
Rhoelyn: Sarren glimpses Rhese scratching Tsume behind the ears. Raising her chin, he searches her eyes. “I don’t understand, but you trust him, don’t you?”
Araatris: Nysse looks her father in the eyes and nods. “I really do, an’da. Tsume does, too.” She grins despite her blush, “So it’s not just his good looks.”
Rhoelyn: Her father blinks before busting out laughing. “Fine, but you owe me an explanation for all of this later, Nysse.” He kisses her forehead.
Araatris: The huntress smiles and grabs her father tightly. “When this is over, we’re going to sit down, and I’ll explain it all. Thank you, an’da.”
Rhoelyn: Sarren returns the hug. “You’re welcome, little star. May Elune watch over you. I’ll stay here until you return.” They walk back over to Rhese.
Araatris: The druid straightens at their approach, patting Tsume one last time. His amber gaze darts between the two of them almost warily.
Rhoelyn: Sarren holds out his hand to the druid, grinning. “Thank you for helping Nysse. I hope that your mission goes well and that you both return soon.”
Araatris: Rhese smiles and clasps his hand. “Thank you for trusting us, Sarren. I’m sure she can keep me out of trouble for one little day. She’ll be safe.”
Rhoelyn: “Good. I know who to look for if Nysse and Tsume are injured.” While it’s said lightly, his eyes make a different promise. “Take care of them.”
Araatris: Taking the promise with the seriousness it deserves, the younger man nods before turning to Nysse. “We should go before it gets late.”
Rhoelyn: Nysse turns and kisses her father on the cheek. “I love you, an’da. We’ll be back soon.” She smiles lovingly, then turns and jogs out of the camp.
Araatris: Rhese chuckles and follows her with Tsume on his heels. Once the camp is behind them, they pause to get their bearings. He points.
Rhoelyn: “We’ll find Rhoelyn over there studying the plants.” She nods distractedly and glances over her shoulder. “Let’s keep moving.” Nysse steps past him.
Araatris: They jog for a little longer before they come upon a field full of assorted plants and bushes. Rhese smiles and shifts, sprinting ahead as a cat.
Rhoelyn: Nysse follows at a much slower pace with Tsume. Her fingers slip into familiar fur nervously as she comes upon Rhese hugging his sister.
Araatris: “I knew you wouldn’t be long,” Rhoe says happily, resting her head on his chest. “I wasn’t sure where to find you.” She glances over at Nysse.
Rhoelyn: The huntress blushes and kneels, ruffling Tsume’s fur. “We… We had to go see an’da first and drop off Kaerryn.” She stares at her wolf.
Araatris: “Sister… Your father…!” The priestess smiles and pulls free of Rhese to wrap her arms around Nysse. She sniffles, tearfully happy. “You saw him?”
Rhoelyn: Nysse bites her lip as she tries not to cry, but hugs her. “He… He’s alive. Today was… is my first mission without him. And t-this is Tsume.”
Araatris: The priestess swipes a long sleeve across her eyes before she kneels down, letting Tsume sniff her. “Darling girl. Nysse missed you fiercely.”
Rhoelyn: Tsume sniffs and then noses under Rhoelyn’s hand. Nysse suddenly buries her face in her hands, taking shuddering breaths. “S-s-she l-likes you.”
Araatris: Rhoelyn pets the wolf, blinking at Nysse as Rhese steps up and wraps his arms around her. He cradles her against his chest as she cries.
Rhoelyn: It takes a few minutes for Nysse to calm herself, wiping at her face. “S-sorry, I know we need to find out where the others are. I’m ready.”
Araatris: The priestess clasps her hands in front of her, watching them with a smile. She looks at Rhese expectantly, but he shrugs. “How do we find them?”
Rhoelyn: “Where is their home? Silvermoon? Maybe they’d be there. I don’t remember Leothir mentioning.” Nysse glances between the siblings.
Araatris: The twins blink at each other for a moment before exclaiming in unison, “The manor!” Rhese grins, but Rhoelyn frowns, stepping away from them.
Rhoelyn: Nysse frowns, too. “Rhoelyn, you don’t have to go if you don’t want to. Rhese and I can go, though… we don’t have our disguises any more.”
Araatris: The priestess shakes her head, her shoulders rounding. “No. I can get you in. I know… everything about that place, even if we’re a few years early.”
Rhoelyn: Nysse grasps her hands and asks softly, “Are you sure? You could stay with my father. I don’t even know if they kept slaves at this time.”
Araatris: Rhoe sighs and leans her head on Nysse’s shoulder for a moment. “I am sure, sister. I know everyone there. Slaves or no, I can get us in.”
Araatris: More quietly, she continues, “I want to see him. It’s only that I do not want to see that place. So ridiculous, but I fear it might swallow me.”
Rhoelyn: The huntress counters softly. “But they do not know you. It’ll be dangerous, but we’ll be with you this time. You won’t be going alone, Rhoe.”
Araatris: Rhoelyn nods, and Rhese steps up, placing a reassuring hand on her slender back. With one last deep sigh, she straightens. “We should go.”
Rhoelyn: Nysse releases her and smiles gently. “We should, but you all will have to lead.” Rhoelyn and Rhese head out with Nysse and Tsume trailing.
Araatris: It’s well past dark and Rhoelyn dozes unsteadily on Rhese’s back before the stag pauses to look around for a place to camp, sides heaving.
Rhoelyn: The huntress guides him to a spot tucked to the side of the hill. She helps Rhoe down from Rhese’s back before gathering wood to start a fire.
Araatris: The druid settles his sleepy sister into her cloak by the fire pit before he pads after Nysse, pausing her beside a tree. “The river had fish.”
Rhoelyn: She nods. “I’ll get some after the fire is started.” The huntress bends down to grab another branch. “You should find seasoning in my bag.”
Araatris: Taking the branches from her, he nods. “Let me handle the fire.” With a wink, the druid leans down for a kiss. “I’m good at heating things up.”
Rhoelyn: Nysse blushes even as she rises to meet his kiss. “I- I’m going to get the fish.” She turns and jogs toward the river. She returns a little later.
Araatris: Rhese glances up from where he is crouched over Rhoe as she sleeps, wincing and looking guilty. He tries to play nonchalant. “Welcome back.”
Rhoelyn: Nysse frowns, “Is something wrong, Rhese?” She starts preparing the fish and getting them cooking. Tsume wanders over to him curiously.
Araatris: Clearing his throat, Rhese goes back to nudging his sister gently. “N-no. She’s just…” When she just wraps her arms tighter around something (c)
Araatris: (c) and rolls over to her other side, the druid sighs and settles back. “… sorry, Nysse. We might have to wait until morning to get it back.”
Rhoelyn: The huntress pauses and stares at him in confusion. “Surfal, what are you talking about? Did she take the spices?” Her brow furrows.
Araatris: “No. I have those.” He shoves to his feet with a frown for his sister. “It’s the little stuffed dog from your pack. She… fell asleep cuddling it.”
Rhoelyn: It takes Nysse a moment to process before she blushes brightly. “She’s snuggling Hikari?! I… didn’t remember…” She droops with a soft groan.
Araatris: Rhese chuckles and comes over, resting a hand on her arm. “I’m afraid you can’t cuddle him tonight. The good news is that you can cuddle me.”
Rhoelyn: “I think she needs him more tonight.” She smiles shyly at him and ducks her head. “I don’t know why, but I feel like I need you very close.”
Araatris: “I can stay as close as you like.” He brushes her cheek. “I’m happy like this, with you and Rhoelyn with me, in a time before the wolf was always (c)
Araatris: (c) growling in my ear. If we just stayed here, rebuilt our lives from this moment, I would have the most important pieces. We could go find our son.”
Rhoelyn: “I know, but it’s bigger than us.” She wipes her hands off. “It’s strange, but I feel like we had more time to ourselves in the enemies’ camp…”
Araatris: Rhese smiles. “The tent had its uses. I miss it.” He snorts, suddenly adopting his rolling Thalassian accent. “I did enjoy the luxury of privacy.”
Rhoelyn: Nysse giggles. “It’s not like we’d have privacy right now even with a tent. It’s not like you’d kick your sister out.” The huntress teases.
Araatris: “No. And alas, she’s a light sleeper.” He chuckles and glances at the stuffed wolf. “Well. Most of the time.” His gaze goes to the cooking fish.
Rhoelyn: Tsume nudges under Nysse’s arm. Nysse rubs the wolf’s head. “I think the food is almost ready. Do you think she’ll wake to eat something?”
Araatris: The druid smirks. “You can try, if you like. I don’t want to get bitten.” His mate blinks at him. “You’re joking.” He raises his brows. “Am I?”
Rhoelyn: Nysse purses her lips and looks at Rhoelyn. “I’ll offer fish in place of my hands. I’ve only…” She trails off and pulls the fish off the fire.
Araatris: Rhese settles beside her, watching her. “Only…?” he prompts, lifting his arm as Tsume noses under it and lays down by his leg.
Rhoelyn: She grimaces, “Well, as a child I mimicked the wolves and bit people if they touched me without permission. It didn’t go well with min’da…”
Araatris: “I suppose it wouldn’t. How should I take it that you’ve never tried to b-… Oh. No, I take that back.” The grin he gives her is downright wicked.
Rhoelyn: The huntress turns crimson. “R-rhese! That’s different!” She covers her mouth and looks at Rhoelyn wide-eyed. She quickly smacks Rhese’s chest.
Araatris: He chuckles and catches her hand to bring it to his lips. “I certainly hope you haven’t bitten anyone else in that particular manner, my wildling.”
Rhoelyn: Nysse stammers, “O-of course not! I’d never- Wait, h-have you? Is it normal to-” Rhese places a finger on her lips, chuckling. “Take a deep breath.”
Araatris: He leans down and kisses her gently. “Maybe before we get too distracted, we should eat. Are you really going to wake Rhoe?”
Rhoelyn: She looks at Rhoelyn, shaking her head. “No, I suppose it won’t hurt to let her rest if she’s that tired.” Nysse grabs a fish and hands it to him.
Araatris: Rhese happily takes the food, nodding. “My sister likes sleep much more than she likes food. We can make sure she eats in the morning.”
Rhoelyn: Nodding, Nysse acquires a couple of fish for herself. “We’ll do that then. I hope she can catch us up on the manor tomorrow. I’m a little nervous.”
Araatris: The druid takes a bite of fish before he nods, saying with a sneer, “All we have to do is reach the esteemed lord brothers, and we’ll be fine.”
Rhoelyn: Nysse talks between bites, unwilling to pause for long. “Are you upset about finding me in Relare’s bed or Leothir and Rhoelyn’s relationship?”
Araatris: “If ‘both’ isn’t an option, it needs to be.” The reminder alone seems to darken his mood. “I know Relare is a decent elf, but Leothir…?”
Rhoelyn: She stops before starting on her second fish. “Relare is not my mate. You are, Rhese. He’s only ensured I’m healthy. As for Leo… trust Rhoe.”
Araatris: He frowns and hands her the rest of his food. “He kept my sister for over a year, Nysse. They’re mated, and I had no say. How do I know she did?”
Rhoelyn: Nysse frowns worriedly. “Talk to her. She didn’t have a say about us either.” At his sullen expression, she sighs. “Her chain wasn’t enchanted.”
Araatris: Rhese blinks. “It… It wasn’t?” She shakes her head. He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. “Maybe if I punch him more, I can decide.”
Rhoelyn: Her lips quirk into a wry grin. “And if your sister doesn’t want you punching her mate, surfal?” Nysse sets the food aside and kisses him.
Araatris: He winces as he wraps his arms around her. “Then maybe she’ll permit a minor mauling. And… can we not call him her mate?” he grumbles.
Rhoelyn: “Fine, but you still need to talk to her.” Nysse curls up, yawning. “Should we keep a watch?” The huntress lays her head on his shoulder.
Araatris: “Anything my wise little lady wishes.” Rhese wraps his arm around her, kissing her hair. “Tsume and I will take care of that while you two rest.”
Rhoelyn: She looks up drowsily. “Wake me up when it’s my turn. Oh?” Nysse frowns in confusion and tilts her head to look up. “Do you need me to move?”
Araatris: Rhese smiles down at her. “You’re going to have to stay if I’m to fill in for Hikari. I promised you a cuddle. There’s just one important question.”
Rhoelyn: Nysse’s brow furrows as she wraps her arm around him. She drawls, “An important question? About what? Cuddling?”
Araatris: He nods, looking serious. “Original? Or plush version?” His lips twitch up when he can’t manage the deadpan, and he chuckles.
Rhoelyn: “You mean a cat?” Nysse seems to ponder for a long moment, then shakes her head. “No, I want you as you are.” She rests her hand on his chest.
Araatris: Rhese rests his hand over hers. “Very well. You have me as I am. Your faithful servant.” The druid smiles tenderly. “Get some rest, my lovely.”
Rhoelyn: Nysse smiles and murmurs, “I love you,” as she settles in and falls asleep. Tsume looks at them and huffs, standing to patrol the camp.