[video]

[goldengeneral]

 [ A beautiful elf maiden's face appears on the feed. She has a delicate appearance, but from all the grime, dirt and blood marring her features, it's obvious that she's far from defenseless. The video is shaky because the hand holding it is trembling in fear. She's wearing a firm, authoritative expression however -- the expression of a no-nonsense General.  ]

My name is Laurana. We can exchange pleasantries when this place is safe.

I've noticed competent men and women took up arms to keep them off, but what about people that need help? Is there a closed, walled off space where non-combatants and children could be safe? I will volunteer to keep such a place together. All I ask is cooperation, especially from healers and people that know how to fight.

If there is one already, then I would like to help as much as I can. Another bow to the numbers helps.

[ When she's done, she gives a polite nod and the feed goes off. ]

Comments

[onblackwings]

[ what, this elf just dissed elves better than she could dis elves. (well, okay, she could probably do better, but still.) ]

I — [ uh... ] ...Doubt that will be a problem. Humans still outnumber you by a great deal.

[goldengeneral]

[ Laurana laughs, bitterly. Oh so very jaded. ]

You say that like they wouldn't try anyway. I've known some elves that would rather die than talk to humans.

[onblackwings]

Really? [ no wait CATCHING HERSELF she's supposed to already know about everything. she looks annoyed for a second. ] That is— that seems stupid. You both serve Paladine [ ugh ] and his sort, don't you?

[goldengeneral]

They like to say that. But the elves serve themselves, first and foremost.

[onblackwings]

That's a [ surprisingly ] good strategy.

[goldengeneral]

You may think so but they are not as strong as they once were. The in-fighting has divided them and their sense of superiority keeps their grudges fresh. They would murder their kind in cold blood and enslave their lesser.

In fact, the only things distinguishing them from the dragonarmies are pointed ears and their claim that they serve Paladine!

[ Rant rant rant. When she's done, she sighs. ]

...But, enough of such talk. There is the undead to worry about at present.

Are you at a safe location?

[onblackwings]

[ this is
fascinating

dang, she wants to meet this elf. so after a quick glance around, she shakes her head. sure, she can pretend to be helpless for the sake of seeing what she's like in person. ]

I don't think so. A few here have already been killed and changed.

[ a few here in this... well secured bar, with nervous drunks and not much else. well, she'll think of something more convincing if she has to. ]

[goldengeneral]

[ (assuming this is after she arrives at the clinic) ]

[ Laurana is a hero, so it only registers that: a) she is in need of help, and b) there is nobody there to help her. ]

Where are you? I can move you to the clinic, if you want!

[onblackwings]

[ that gets a pleased little smile, but it's gone again quickly. ]

I made my way up to the top level, almost the roof. The inside of the building is too dangerous to move through, and I've barricaded the last door leading up. [ she has a building in mind for this proposed rescue, she just has to cut the video feed to teleport there. ] Do you know streets here yet? It's [intersection here!].

[goldengeneral]

[ Laurana nods. ]

I am... familiar with the area. I will have no trouble getting there. Stay safe, my friend.

[onblackwings]

Remember, don't go through the building. Find another way to the roof.

[ because she has noooo idea how that building is actually doing in terms of undead infestations, and it would be embarrassing to give up the game that fast. ]

[goldengeneral]

[ Well, that was her original plan, but... ]

[ She nods again before switching off the feed. She takes a look of the map in her communication device. ]

[ She picks up a nearby cloak for stealth and heads off. Laurana is actually quite adept in sneaking, and she manages to get to the second building without a fuss. There are a lot of shadows to hide in, after all. ]

[onblackwings]

[ She teleports to the building she has in mind, as soon as the communication is cut. The room just shy of letting out onto the roof, as promised, which a quick glance around tells her is in no immediate danger. Well, good. She leans back against a wall, arms folded over her chest to wait.

Seeing an actual real Krynnish elf, none of these other kinds running around here. How exciting. ]

[goldengeneral]

[ Navigating inside the building is a lot harder than she thought. ]

[ The shadows are thick and the corners too narrow, and it's infested with the undead. If she couldn't get past them, she killed them quickly and quietly. A little battered and bloodier than earlier, and she finally reaches a window where she could see Khisanth in the other side, leaning against a wall. ]

[ Right. Right. It's not that far; there's a three, four feet gap. ]

[ She opts to call her name, but realizes she doesn't know what it was. She opens her window and waves. ]

Hello! I'm here! Open the window.

[onblackwings]

[ She blinks, looks toward her, and seems more surprised than anything. This weird, newly met elf woman actually came to rescue her. (Well, "rescue", but as long as the elf thinks it's real then it counts.) Without even knowing her. How strange.

She starts for the window, pulling it open, and looks around. Not so bad, she could probably make that. But first, a studying glance at Laurana. ]

You said you were... Laurana, right? [ That sounds about right. ] Why did you come, Laurana?

[goldengeneral]

You needed help.

[ She says a-matter-of-factly, like that was enough reason in the world. ]

[ She looks down, noting the long fall. ]

Can you jump? Or should I find something to make a bridge with?

[onblackwings]

I can jump. [ There's just a tiny bit of a scoff in that. Really, who does she think she's talking to.

She climbs onto the sill, but hovers there for a few seconds, gripping the side of the window. She kind of wishes she were in... any other shape for this. Two legs is just so precarious. A glance up at Laurana, just to be sure she isn't being mocked or anything, and she takes advantage of her pause for another question. ]

Would you come to the aid of anyone?

[goldengeneral]

[ She tries not to chuckle at her protest. She's irritable, like Flint. It is endearing. ]

[ Laurana gives her some space, but it's obvious that she's readying herself, should Khisanth fall. She could grab her clothes with her dragonlance if she could time it correctly. ]

If I've the means to, then yes. Definitely.

[onblackwings]

You'll never get anything done for yourself that way.

[ It's sort of absently pointed out though, because she's ready to make this attempt. A pause, a sway, a leap — and she's across.

Well. Sorta. Here comes some seriously undignified scrabbling at the opposite windowsill as she struggles not to pitch back over the edge. ]

[goldengeneral]

[ She opens her mouth to answer but prioritizes Khisanth first, reaching out to try and grab her hand and gently pull her in. ]

[onblackwings]

[ And in she comes, looking decidedly embarrassed about the quick clutch she'd taken at Laurana's hand, and letting go again in a hurry.

This comes more grudgingly than it has any real right to: ] Thanks.

[goldengeneral]

[ She smiles. ]

[ She readies her dragonlance and looks at the exit. ]

Are you ready? There are still some of those creatures lurking in the hallways, so we must be careful not to draw attention to ourselves.

[onblackwings]

[ That lance gets a curious glance, but not for long. It doesn't seem like it'd be particularly useful in close quarters. So she lifts a hand, even as she makes to follow her out. ]

It won't matter if we do. [ A flame springs to life in the center of her palm, and she mentally congratulates herself. That spell's been getting better lately. ] They burn just as well as the living, I'm sure.

[goldengeneral]

[ Laurana's eyes widen in surprise. ]

You're a mage! [ She composes herself. ] That... would be advantageous, considering our predicament.

[onblackwings]

[ Now there's the kind of appreciation she craves. That gets a smile, pleased. ]

Naturally. [ She nods ahead. ] You lead, I'll cast as I need to.