Late at night the bar door slams open...

[Vau]

*A fully armoured and armed half-orc bursts in, chest heaving with exertion. He tries to sniff the air to discern who's present but is momentarily defeated by the need to suck in lungfulls of air...*
_________________
"Was tust du, Was fühlst du, Was bist du, doch nur ein, Tier"



Gary Smith, Derby Referee, TGG

[Palthera]

*Crystal jerks awake from where her head is cushioned on her arms, hand going for her sword before she's even fully awake. Then she sighs, hand over her racing heart*

Hello Vau, you made me jump. People generally move about more quietly at night.
_________________
Crystal Rose Fleetfoot
Travelling Entertainer
Captain of the Tesrae Militia
Littlest Damn Hero

(Cara Dutson BR08)

[Vau]

*Looks around and rushes over to Crystal's table*

Was *hrrr* in *rrr* Mercia *rrRrR* got *hrr* letter *rrrrrrr* come *hrrrg* quick *rrr* so *rrrrr* you *rrrr* not *hrgh* walk *rrrrr* in *hrrrr* Darian *hrrr* Cry-*rrr*stal-az *growl*
_________________
"Was tust du, Was fühlst du, Was bist du, doch nur ein, Tier"



Gary Smith, Derby Referee, TGG

[Palthera]

*Crystal smiles involuntarily, but manages to catch herself before she actually laughs*

I was joking Vau, even I would have noticed that I wasn't going the right way to Tesrae when I started walking into hordes of undead... It was merely a comment on badly I managed to get lost on this particular occasion.

Would you like a drink while you get your breath back? Sit down?
_________________
Crystal Rose Fleetfoot
Travelling Entertainer
Captain of the Tesrae Militia
Littlest Damn Hero

(Cara Dutson BR08)

[Vau]

*Vau sits on the chair which strains under his mass and that of his armour and weapons. The straps of his armour creaking with his heavy breathing mixing with the growls*

If honest *growl* Crystal-az *hrrrr* I thought *rrrrr* as much *rrrhr* but decide *rrrrr* rather be *hrrr* here quick *grrhh* than risk *hrhhh* being mistaken.
_________________
"Was tust du, Was fühlst du, Was bist du, doch nur ein, Tier"



Gary Smith, Derby Referee, TGG

[Palthera]

*Crystal yawns and gestures to a wide-eyed boy peering around the kitchen door for a drink for Vau*

I'm not quite that stupid Vau, *smiles* But I appreciate the thought, feel free to catch your breath, there are no impending disasters.
_________________
Crystal Rose Fleetfoot
Travelling Entertainer
Captain of the Tesrae Militia
Littlest Damn Hero

(Cara Dutson BR08)

[Vau]

*Vau cocks his head in a quizzical manner...*

You mock I *hrrr* Crystal-az?

*hrrrrr* Know I not *rrrrrr* not think you *hrrgh* stupid or foolish. *rrrrr* Just I not *rrhrr* want leave to *growl* chance I make *rrhrh* mistake and really *growl* need my help. *grgh*
_________________
"Was tust du, Was fühlst du, Was bist du, doch nur ein, Tier"



Gary Smith, Derby Referee, TGG

[Palthera]

*Crystal half-smiles*

Only a little bit, *she gestures between finger and thumb to indicate how small her mocking is* small enough to be called affectionate teasing. And I don't think that had I been in real danger I'd have had chance to send a note. *she grins* But I wasn't mocking you when I said I appreciate the thought, unfortunately caring about someone does automatically mean worrying about them.
_________________
Crystal Rose Fleetfoot
Travelling Entertainer
Captain of the Tesrae Militia
Littlest Damn Hero

(Cara Dutson BR08)

[Vau]

*Vau takes a deep breath and starts unbuckling his armour, an involuntary tremor starting in his muscles as they recover from the exertion*

So it not unusual *growl* amongst kaalgrisch Crystal-az? *rrrrr* for them worry about *hrrhr* people care about? Our *hrhrr* kind often view worry *hrhrhr* as saying person worry *hrhgh* about is snaag "weak". *rrrrr* Know you not "weak" *hhrrr* so not want insult. *rrrrr*
_________________
"Was tust du, Was fühlst du, Was bist du, doch nur ein, Tier"



Gary Smith, Derby Referee, TGG

[Palthera]

*Crystal stands to help undo the buckles on the armour and deposit it upon the floor*

It's very usual, it's not weakness in the person you worry about, tis knowing there can always be something more dangerous, and so worry happens. It's not insulting.

Did you run all the way here? *her tone is admiring* It's nice not having to worry anymore that everytime you exert yourself you'll keel over.
_________________
Crystal Rose Fleetfoot
Travelling Entertainer
Captain of the Tesrae Militia
Littlest Damn Hero

(Cara Dutson BR08)

[Vau]

*growl* Yes. Foulspawn flesh no longer *rrrrrr* weak as before, almost back *rrrrr* full strength no need concern. *Hrrrr*

*Vau moves uncomfortably in her smiling gaze, unused to the tone he hears in her voice.*

I glad you not mind *hrrhr* I worry about you.

*Vau finishes unbuckling the plate and runs a free hand gently over Crystal's hair before sitting down once more*
_________________
"Was tust du, Was fühlst du, Was bist du, doch nur ein, Tier"



Gary Smith, Derby Referee, TGG

[Palthera]

*Crystal sits back down and rests her elbows on the table to support her chin on her hands.*

Did you see Alina and explain to her the difference between scara and scarahai? They have a lich in Portsdean apparently, they're all over the place at the moment it seems. Lots of undead and some cultists who think the world is coming to an end. Possibly they have been sitting in a cave in previous years when other things have threatened Arda...
_________________
Crystal Rose Fleetfoot
Travelling Entertainer
Captain of the Tesrae Militia
Littlest Damn Hero

(Cara Dutson BR08)

[Vau]

*Vau unstraps his studded leathers and folds them next to the plate, then with a speed born of ingrained habit he rapidly sorts the armour into a small neat pile. He then sits back down next to Crystal, his muscles still trembling somewhat*

Kaalgrisch Alina and kaalgrisch Ingio had *rrrrr* already left when got there kaalgrisch *growl* Bambi said...

*Vau pauses momentarily embarressed...*

I... I must apologise when see *hrrrr* next, when got letter I run *snarl* here before finish talking.

Many liche *hhghr* around Ithron... metaphor is creature from *rrrrr* uruk legend Turukaarhorn with many head and when one *growl* struck off more grow to take *rrrrr* place.

*An uncharacteristically dark look abruptly steals over Vau's face and a desolate emptiness seems to creep into his eyes. As it does he mutters almost to himself.*

Before was threat to Arda, or threat to conquer planes, or take power. Now is all ending. All failing. Narkû futile... Ghashn-ulu za tûral brûfuk agh tob narskaatkrut izg-u

Shakatrogub-ûk... Zabiisub-ûk... Zaug-dorozg mokum agh bolg.... Nau-ûk bûrzumub-ishi...
_________________
"Was tust du, Was fühlst du, Was bist du, doch nur ein, Tier"



Gary Smith, Derby Referee, TGG

[Palthera]

I know that story...

*Crystal frowns in concentration as she tries to catch what is said and then work out what it was. She looks thoughtful as she sits up and reaches out to take Vau's hand in her own small ones*

Every monster has a way to defeat it, and every time darkness tries to rise someone is always there to put it back down again. I thought we had established that the voices were just trying to upset you, preying on chinks in your metaphorical armour. You have to use that iron discipline of yours and push their words away, despair doesn't help anyone.
_________________
Crystal Rose Fleetfoot
Travelling Entertainer
Captain of the Tesrae Militia
Littlest Damn Hero

(Cara Dutson BR08)

[Vau]

*Vau starts a little as her cool hands touch the heat of his... The look of darkness evaporating like mist in the sun.*

*growl* You right of course Crystal-az I try *rrrrr* remember what voices say to try understand *growl* why kaalgrisch also despair. Think words like *snarl* snare in head that try drag down *rrrrr* when not looking.

*He squeezes her small hands in his with careful gentleness, and looks at her face.*

Fitum-lat bûrzum-tala. Narbrûf sha-lat tul sha-izg.
_________________
"Was tust du, Was fühlst du, Was bist du, doch nur ein, Tier"



Gary Smith, Derby Referee, TGG