[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]

[ 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. ]

[goldengeneral]

[ 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. ]

[onblackwings]

[ 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.

[goldengeneral]

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. ]

[onblackwings]

[ 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.

[goldengeneral]

[ 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. ]

[onblackwings]

[ 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?

[goldengeneral]

[ 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. ]

[onblackwings]

[ 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.

[goldengeneral]

[ 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?

[onblackwings]

[ 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.

[goldengeneral]

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

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

[onblackwings]

[ A nod, and she turns to make her way deeper into the clinic. She ought to be able to amuse herself here for a while before teleporting to somewhere more comfortable... ]