the air was thick, afhiri constantly found themselves forgetting how to breathe, a momentary panic before they settled, usually due to a reassuring hand on their arm, shoulder, back, always coming from a wizard with a gentle smile. they had been in the shadow-cursed lands for what felt like a week now, but one couldn't rely on afhiri to know that, and you'd think they'd have gotten used to the new atmosphere, but it seems not.
the troupe, consisting of afhiri herself, gale of waterdeep and mistress iraestra, lovingly referred to as irae by the pastel tiefling, were approaching moonrise towers, the seat of darkness and evil in this place. afhiri strode forward, full of confidence, although it did not come from a place of knowing what to expect, or how to handle what's to come, but rather the sheer stupidity of not realising this is a situation you might need a plan for, or at least an understanding. an unfitting smile upon her face, they reached the guards.
"that's far enough." the guard stops them in their tracks, eyeing the leader. index finger on his head, he begins to probe for afhiri's parasite, which responds with a purr. "ah, one blessed like myself. what news, true soul?"
you could almost feel the anxiety within the evoker, it was always frightening waiting to see how afhiri would respond to questions in high stake situations, and this was looking to be the most high stake they've been in yet.
"forget news, my friend!" oh dear, gale thought to himself, the anxiety welling to the surface, an expression he can no longer hide.
"what's a true soul like yourself out here, standing guard!" her energy infectious, she rushed the guard and placed an arm around his shoulder like they were life long buddies. "you should be inside, given the respect you deserve, the respect we both deserve." her voice trailed at the end of her sentence, tone shifting from friendly energy to that of authority.
"who better to stand guard than one of us." the guard poked his head a few times. "but you are right! head instead, true soul, z'ell is in the audience chamber. she'll be wanting to speak with you."
releasing the guard from her grasp, she gives him a playful bow as she walks backwards, shifting her gaze to her wizard companions, a look of pride and success, inviting them to follow her.
"not how i would have handled it," gale spoke low so only the troupe could hear his words, "but you did well, afhiri. i am impressed." his voice is genuine, a smile on his lips.
@silksworn