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[ 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. ]

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[ 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.

[ 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?

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?

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?

[ 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.

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. ]

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

[ 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.

[ 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.

[ 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.

[ Laurana's eyes widen in surprise. ]

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

[ 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.

[ There's something incredibly suspicious about her, Laurana can't place her finger on it. If she knew how to cast spells, then why did she require her help? But ever since traveling with Tanis and the other companions, Laurana knew the value of a talented mage in the party. ]

[ She nods back, content with this decision. ] Follow me.

[ She leads them to a previously quiet hallway. It's just as peaceful as before. ]

[ Their problem is downstairs. There are four of those zombies stalking the hallways -- more hidden in the nearby rooms, she thinks -- but there's no other route than down. She takes the initiative of attacking first, beheading one of the closer ones with her dragonlance. ]

[ And she does follow, one hand trailing along the wall. It's difficult to manage balancing on two legs and walk quietly, so the hand helps. Her other hand balls to a fist to quench the flame, and she silently calls to mind a few other spells that might come in handy as she walks. There's always her ice spikes, and her invisible shield has been getting better...

And, of course, if this all goes poorly, she can always just teleport away. Back to her bar, maybe. ]

[ Laurana isn't going to let this end poorly though. ]

[ She's a capable and resourceful warrior. When two of them decide to lunge at her, she distracts one with a flick of her cape, kicks them together and skewers both of their heads with one, clean thrust. ]

[ Oh. Well. That's actually pretty good, for an elf. She'd been mostly under the impression that they were dainty things that liked trees more than fighting, but... yes, this has her approval. She follows after, watching her moves with obvious interest. She's ready to cast if she needs to, but it looks unnecessary just now.

And eventually: ]

It looks like you're practiced with this.

I am a warrior and a general.

Now is not the time for this, however.

[ She kills the last one in her path and gestures for Khisanth to follow her quickly before the others in the other rooms are aware of them. Right. A couple more stairs until they're out in the open area. It would be easier to sneak around once they're there. ]

[ A general? Well, that's decently impressive. But now isn't the time for being impressed, that's true. She only fall silent and moves after her, still trailing that hand over walls, railings, whatever is convenient. That is, until she catches scent of what seems to be a larger group than they've seen so far clustered around the last landing. Gods, but these dead things reek.

She reaches a hand out to touch Laurana's shoulder, frowning. ]

Wait. [ And that's all the warning given before darkness falls. One of the most basic spells a black dragon has, for a darkness impenetrable by even elvish and dwarven eyes. She lowers her voice further still. ] Keep walking. I'll guide us through them.

[ Laurana's vision dims and she's enveloped in a spell, a darkness that feels almost too heavy. When she takes a glance of her companion, she looks like she has this completely under control. Still... she's not sure about this. If she wore her robes, would they be black? ]

[ Still, the spell seems to be helping them instead, and her practical side appreciates this. She nods tentatively, frightened but not enough for it to show, and guides them to the building exit, keeping close to Khisanth. She watches the zombies walk past them, completely clueless. ]

[ She says nothing more, and only watches the nearest dead with a cursory interest. She has confidence that they won't see them in this darkness. Once they're past them and to the door, however, they've exited the thick veil of her spell, and light returns. She glances at Laurana. ]

Where to now?

[ Laurana feels a bit disoriented, but keeps her posture straight. ]

The... clinic. It's not far away.

[ She leads them to the clinic, glancing at the dragon hovering it warily as she walked. ]

[ Ugh, that dragon. Khisanth glances up briefly, but otherwise works hard to ignore her. She'd already investigated in her other shape, and after realizing that the red had devoted her entire attention to the ground and the beings on it, taken her leave without a word exchanged. And according to Deathwing, it's better to keep it that way. She hurries into the building, the sooner to have it out of her sight. (And the sooner to escape unnoticed, too.)

She turns to Laurana when they're in, looking thoughtful. ]

That was a decent escort.

[ Laurana smiles charmingly, under the impression that she helped someone today. ]

Thank you. You were very helpful yourself.

[ She turns to return to her post outside, but remembers something. ]

Oh! I didn't quite catch your name?

Edited 2013-01-05 09:42 (UTC)

[ Oh, right, that thing. She pauses for just long enough to avoid beginning the wrong name, as she has a few times before. Onyx. That's the name she gives people. Not Khisanth, and not the 'Dagger' she originally thought of. She's giving out Onyx.

Okay, ready. ]

Onyx. [ A smile, practiced to smooth ease. ] Find me again, when all this is past.

[ She notices the small hesitation, but nods. That's good enough for now. ]

I... it's good to meet you, Onyx. I will.

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onblackwings - 2013-01-05 10:03 (UTC) - Expand

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