#s:colm

Anxiety claws it’s way out of Elincia’s stomach, burning her throat as she tries to push it down. Something is very wrong in Rusalka. That much is certain, no matter how much the ‘locals’ insist otherwise. Orders from the church had them separated into groups, set to throw themselves headlong into a world where dreams could become reality just as easily as nightmares. For the sake of their mission. To rescue those lost. A noble endeavour but one that would take fine-tuned teamwork and proper planning to pull off. So Elincia did the one thing she knew she could before they started.

She threw a tea party.

Inside her tent, cushions placed around a pile of books upon which a single teapot lay. A far cry from the gardens of the monastery, or Castle Melior’s tearooms. Today was less about charming guest though, so the sparse surroundings seemed to imprint a level of spartan practicality to the occasions.

“Thank you all for coming at such short notice. And my apologies if the tea is not to your liking,” Elincia begins, keenly aware of the eyes upon her. Bowing at the waist, she forces a smile to her face. One that does not reach her eyes but masks her anxiety at least. No matter how strange and uncomfortable this feels, she has dealt with far worse. Had to command the respect of people who longed to see her downfall. She could surely encourage a group of students and fellow faculty members. “I am Queen Elincia of Crimea, but I would prefer you all do away with formalities when speaking to me. We have to rely on each other no matter what foes and dangers may find us after all. It would not do to let anything get in the way of that.”

“To those I’m well acquainted with, it’s wonderful to see you all! To those I have yet to meet, the pleasure is all mine. You may wonder why I’ve called you all here when there are preparations to be made,” Elincia let’s her smile fall slightly, expression more serious. Arms relaxed at her side, she casts her gaze over her guests. All so talented, so cherished by people waiting for them at home. It’s her duty to protect them, as a leader, as a teacher and more importantly, as a friend. “I felt it important we all speak to each other beforehand. Know the names and faces of the people we work and fight alongside. It’s also an opportunity to assess what we need to bring and do to best work as a cohesive unit, should we find ourselves entangled in battle.”

Not again.

Hilda had just been opening her mouth to thank one of her blue-haired teammates -- she was about 60% certain it was the one called Colm -- for healing her, when her teammates and the metallic monsters faded away. The machines had still been active, but... Had they passed whatever test they’d been given? They must have, because when her vision came back into focus, a different but equally horrifying scene was upon them. 

Four giant frames formed a wall around a humanoid figure in the centre, who she couldn’t quite make out from above. One of the portraits that she could see from her position depicted a goat, the other a sword; she imagined the other two would display equivalently random images. As she watched, two opposite frames glowed almost imperceptibly. She didn’t want to know what that meant.

[ Portrait of the Goat uses Joy on Grant Virtuoso — +1 Resistance ] [ Portrait of the Hanged Man uses Sorrow on Portrait of the Hanged Man — +1 Defence ]

The next thing that she noticed was that, once again, she felt stronger. Her axe and mount had transformed, both sleeker and more deadly-looking than before. Looking around, her allies had undergone visible physical changes as well. 

[ Hilda regenerates 1HP from Renewal ] [ Hilda HP:  9 → 10 ]

Colm -- who was now armed with a bow -- stood closest to the front enemy: the goat portrait. After he had so generously used the last seconds of consciousness last round to heal her, she felt that she ought to repay the favour. She hated being indebted to people. Besides, she wasn’t feeling too intimidated by a picture frame. 

[ Hilda attacks Portrait of the Goat using Brave Axe. Roll: 15 — Hit! -3.5HP ] [ Hilda attacks Portrait of the Goat again. Roll: 12 — Hit! -3.5HP ] [ Portrait of the Goat HP: 10 → 3 ]

Her new weapon made her feel powerful enough to strike twice, cutting two neat slices into the goat likeness. The resistance was greater than she might have expected from an ordinary portrait, but that was probably to be expected under the circumstances. 

[ Portrait of the Goat counterattacks using Halahala. Roll: 4  — Miss! ]

Its abnormality was further proven when it retaliated. A blast of light fired from the centre, aimed straight at her, but fortunately, her wyvern had been vigilant enough to soar up out of harm’s way.

The weekend comes quickly, with promises of more resources to be earned. More money, should they craft enough over the week. Yet it would be irresponsible to leave the house completely empty, especially with the landlady demanding their rent payments. Lloyd kindly volunteers to take care of things for them. The rest of Elincia’s group find themselves at the marketplace, shimmied between crowds, through hallways. Further down they traverse, carried away by a tide of people. Split in twain and twice again below the earth, something feels very wrong in the core of her being.

Pelleas and Colm still stand by her side though. An ominous message is left. To gather what they need and go. It’s clear they aren’t welcome here, not for very long at least.

Cautious steps lead them to a grand mahogany door, bolted together with brilliant bronze. It takes the three of them to push it open fully, and what lies beyond is a stone cavern. Dimly lit by candlelight, once all of them have crossed the threshold the door slams shut. Refuses to budge an inch. There was no way out.

Well, perhaps through the other door. The expansive room echoes with every foot step. Their is ample stone for their endeavours to be found here. Grasping Amiti by the hilt, Elincia paces about, searching for even the tiniest crack or weakness in the formations around her. Finding what she was looking for, she pulls back her arm, delivering two swift strikes to a faint fissure in the rocky walls.

Roll d20: 20! Success! Roll d4: 1! One stone collected

The sound reverberates through the cavern and for a brief second Elincia fears she has damned them all. The noise dampens though as stone breaks apart under her sword. Only a single piece rolls free, falling to the ground and landing beneath her feet.

“Oh well. Every little bit helps, right?” Elincia tucks a lock of hair sheepishly behind her ear. All that effort for so little. “We probably shouldn’t linger here too much longer, but I wouldn’t mind trying that once more.”