With the help of a few members Heartwood now has the location of the final beast created by the mad scientist, their job? Destroy it at all costs.
Full Logs Here
From Nys (The amazing GM of this adventure!):
This arc has come to a close, after an almost year long story I appreciate every single one of you that joined in this story. I enjoyed watching you all grow and making new friends along the way. After this I'll be doing holiday events until Endwalker drops, where Heartwood will be going on their next story arc.
In which Heartwood heads back to (bloody) Coerthas in order to test Aislinn’s aether dampener and catch themselves a spidery bioweapon!
Aislinn arrived in Heartwood’s front hall after a quick rest and a change of clothes. Seeing Rising near the tanks, she walked up and peered into the aquarium. "How's your friend?" she asked, doing away with any preamble.
Rising was eyeing the smaller fish swimming around the bottom of the tank as Aislinn approached. "Seems like he's doin' alright! If he ain't been eaten yet I don't think he will."
Aislinn gave a brief smile as she caught sight of the little bugger. "Looks like he's one of the team now. Good on him." she nodded before turning and taking a seat to wait for things to get under way. "How about yourself? How's things?"
Cravendy slips out from her room and joins the others by the couches. Once seated, she immediately begins to fiddle with her gun, double and triple checking its parts on repeat.
Riylli lazily waves to Cravs as she enters and takes a seat near her. "Hey! Have we always had this many Miqo'te in the company? Why'd no one tell me?"
"Still need a name though." Rising rubs her chin as she was clearly running through suitable options in her head. "Crimble I suppose seems alright, an' can't complain here, yourself? Carve anythin' neat yet?"
"Crimble." Aislinn tried the name out a few times, murmuring it under her breath. "Aye, that fits. Tiny-sounding. Like a crumb or a thimble." At Rising's question though, she tilted her head. "I'm getting really good at spatulas. And kindling. Lots of kindling for the fire." she replied in a deadpan way before shrugging in wry amusement. "So it goes."
"Well then after you start your fire with the kindlin' you have somethin' to flip your food at least! I guess next thing ya should work on is a fork or a plate eh?" Rising plopped down on the other chair, cursing a moment later. "Shite, we're headin' to Coerthas right?"
N'yami moved through the estate with a carbuncle following right behind her, the Seeker chose to stand next to the railing and eye the group that had showed up. Ears flicked at the mention of Riylli's comment then offered a small wave. "I tend to hide out in my workshop, only come out when I'm either needed or dragged out."
N'ana Firesong stretches.
“I always figured ye cat-folk kept to yourselves...” Cravendy dips her head at N’yami. Case in point.
Riylli waved back to N'yami and flashed her a quick grin. "Well, it's nice to finally meet ya then. My names Riylli." She said, before her friendly attitude turned on a dime as she turned back to Cravs. "Don't call us cats." She said, her voice cold and clearly annoyed.
Haila meanwhile, merely remained silent. She could see new faces being involved in this particular case, and it didn't bring any relief more than worry. Having more people meant bigger risks of losing someone again, or at least, such was the case in her eyes as she glanced around with a small frown.
N'ana Firesong simply dusted her legs and made herself comfortable.
Evelyn Blazewing laughs and shakes her head upon hearing Riylli's comment. "Fufufu... this vessel is merely temporary. But I suppose I am still /technically/ a Miqo'te..." She brought her bandaged right hand up to cover the left side of her face. "I much prefer the company of my familiar than I do that of mortals. But, I figured I should at least come out every once in a while to converse with the commoners..." She smiled smugly to herself with her last comment.
Riylli Aliapoh raised an eyebrow at Evelyn's comment, then looked around the room to check everyone elses reactions only to find no one looking as confused as she was. "Erm... Right. Well, nice to meet you too... I think."
N'yami Synch: "N'yami, ya ever need somethin' fixed lemme know and I'll lend a hand." The carbuncle next to the Seeker jumped up onto the Seeker's shoulder to wrap around her like a scarf, the summon wanted to feel a part of the conversation. "Oh, and this is Whackara before she hits me for not introducin' her." The summon puffed out her chest with joy. "So I'm sure the rest of ya are as excited as I am to head out to Coerthas and deal with that cold hell."
Cravendy Hound grunts, but obliges to Riylli’s request. She was used to hanging out with pirates whose conversations were often thinly veiled insulting contests, and old habits die hard. “Right...Mee-quote-tay. Not cat.”
Aislinn was about to open her mouth to reply to Rising but quickly shut it as N'yami started talking. She turned her attention to the miqo'te and simply sighed. Damned bloody Coerthas.
N'ana Firesong: "What is in this Cold hell ye are dealing with?"
Haila Wetyios: "The reason we're short three people within the Company right now..." was all she'd comment, choosing to allow N'yami to take the floor on this one.
N'yami Synch: "Allagan spider creatures that some crazed scientist made to drain aether from living things...." She paused and thought it over for a moment. "I think that about sums it up." The Seeker shrugged. "I just got pulled into this recently."
Evelyn chuckles to herself. "Ah, are you all going out? I, Evelyn Blazewing, third incarnation of Lord Blazewing the Phoenix, the Eternal Ember, shall accompany you. You said we are headed to Coerthas, is that right, mortal? Fufufu... a phoenix not need worry about the cold. You should be most glad that I'm tagging along! My prowess with fire shall prove most useful to all of you there... i-if you'll have me, I mean." She looked away a bit at her last statement.
Rising Lotus grumbled more as their location was confirmed, shrugging as Riylli glanced at her. "Don't have my damn cold gear with me..gonna be a fun day." she sighed and slumped down a bit in the chair.
After casting an askance look at Evelyn and her declaration, Aislinn murmured almost to herself. "I'll have to grab my bleeding coat before we head out." If Aislinn hated anything, it was the cold.
N'ana Firesong: "Well then meh blade if for ye then. Don't know much of whatever these spiders are but aye am always willing to test meh metal."
Riylli grinned. "Finally, I've been waiting to go after those spiders ever since I joined this group! You can't just lead with that then make me build up some town for moons instead. I'm built for smashing, not building!"
Haila snapped her eyes towards one of the newcomers. "Pride won't do you any good in this, nor recklessness. These things have casters as their primary targets each and every single time we've come across them." she said, immediately sighing afterwards as she raised a hand to her forehead. "It goes without saying that magic should be the very VERY last resort in this expedition you're all about to go." she added, this time glancing at everyone.
Cravendy Hound: “Are ye all ‘earin’ what I’m ‘earin’? Or am I ‘avin’ some kind of...” Cravs shakes her head in confusion at Evelyn’s remarks. But it was all very curious to her, and she found herself wondering about the curious character. “Aye, let’s bring along that one.”
N'yami had a very confused look on her face for a moment but it vanished as soon as it appeared. "Well, I believe Aislinn had a device to help us?" She perked a brow when looking over to the Hyur. "Last time we talked we were goin' to use me as bait for pullin' the creature in while the rest of ya bring it down."
Haila Wetyios: "All of this while keeping the spider as intact as possible. 'Tis all I'd ask to finish cracking the data and communication they all share."
N'ana Firesong: "So we are studying them, not slaying them."
Riylli Aliapoh breathed a sigh of relief that someone else was hearing what Evelyn was saying, and that she had not just gone insane. But she had another concern now, turning to Haila, "Wait, we can't use magic? No one said anythin' about not using magic."
Aislinn nodded to N'yami. "The aether dampener, aye. Did you remember to grab it from your mother's desk?" she asked. "Like I said before it. ..*should* mask a person's aether signature a great deal. But, you can't get something for nothing. In return, it makes using aether far more difficult. Like training with weights on. Should being the operative word. I've tested it out here but it's never really been field tested before. And not against those bioweapons." she added.
N'yami’s ears went down for a moment, that's right she was supposed to grab it. But never fear Whackara was on the case! The carbuncle swatted Yami over the head before opening her mouth to show the object they were talking about. "Oh yea! Gave it to ya to protect." Holding her hand out the carbuncle just dropped it in Yami's hands like it was no big deal. Clearly this wasn't the first time the carbuncle was used for storage.
Cravendy‘s frown deepens at the mention of N’yami being bait. “It sounds like ye ‘ave all the pieces aligned, but that sounds risky. If it looks like yer in trouble, then ye’ll ‘ave to forgive me for trashin’ the enemy.”
"We've lost three people so far, all of them having a specialty somehow tied to conjury or white magic. We can't take extra risks again." Haila paused, turning over to Riylli.
"When the first person went missing, a group of three assembled secretly and went to try and find them without telling anyone... Needless to say, only the one person that wasn't exactly magically inclined came back. Those creatures are an army of machina to say the least."
Evelyn Blazewing sighs. "Fine, mortal. I shall hold my magic unless it is absolutely necessary. You needn't worry regardless, for a phoenix always rises from her ashes!" She struck a small pose, leaning back in her seat for a moment before returning to her usual position. "So we're letting it live? Perhaps it is best I not use my magic after all..." She sighs and shrugs. "I will simply find another way to assist you all, then. I shall exercise extreme caution so you do not worry, viera. Does that help ease your nerves?"
Riylli Aliapoh peaked up from over the back of her couch to listen to Aislinn explain. "Well... I should be able to work with using less aether, but you won't be getting me at my best! I was hoping to show off proper this time too, since no one could see anything during that dodo fight..."
Aislinn nodded in thanks to the carbuncle for remembering. She looked back to N'yami. "Once you're ready, just cuff it to your wrist, the stone and circuitry should do the rest." she once more eyed Evelyn with a wary gaze.
Haila Wetyios: "As long as you keep your own distance, I won't complain." she merely stated with a serious tone, though from her voice, it was clear that she had her own reservations or even personal feelings about this entire case.
Rising Lotus raised her hand "Going with what Cravs said, in case things start to go sour, we ought to have a signal or somethin' to switch from catchin' to smashin' and gettin' outa there."
Aislinn turned her attention to Riylli. "Unfortunately, I only had time to create one prototype." she jerked her chin to the one in N'yami's hands. "The rest of us need to be careful."
Riylli groaned. "Great... Guess I'll just... Play defense, or somethin'..." She muttered, totally pouting over not getting to fight the spiders properly
"Should I put it on now or wait till we get there?" N'yami eyed Riylli for a moment, an actual caster would be better playing bait but the Seeker couldn't bring herself to letting the others getting injured if things went bad.
Aislinn does her best to hold her tongue in the face of such idealistic exuberance. The gravity of the loss of Heartwood members in the face of these bioweapons hadn't truly sunken in for the new recruits. Sometimes experience was the best teacher. She looked to N'yami and took a refocusing breath. "Depends on if you think you're going to need to call upon some aether between now and then."
“Scream once if yer in trouble, twice if yer just foolin’ with us.” Cravs dryly advises N’yami.
"What happens if I do it three times?" N’yami grinned, joking of course and an attempt to lighten the mood. "No worries, if things start goin' bad I'll let ya know guys know."
Evelyn: "Ah, is that what our signal shall be? Primitive and simple, yet effective. The success of our mission is all but assured regardless if we take the necessary precautions."
N'yami nodded. "So." N'yami clipped the item onto her wrist. "Who wants to hold the Carbuncle? If things start goin' bad she'll let ya know." The summon’s ears perked up and pitch black orbs looked around the room to determine who her Coerthas buddy will be.
Evelyn raises her hand enthusiastically. "I shall care for thy familiar, mortal. Choose me, and you shall not regret it."
Cravendy Hound tries to lean into N’yami’s confidence, and tries to tell herself this mission will be smooth sailing. But an ever familiar anxiety sets her heart pumping. Cravs huffs, and moodily looks to the corner of the table.
"Whackara is connected to me, if I'm in trouble her fur will bristle so just keep an eye on that." The carbuncle jumped down from N'yami's shoulder and went to sit on the arm of the chair where Evelyn was, a paw reached out to rest on the red heads shoulder as if to say 'Buddy'.
Evelyn grinned quietly to herself and chuckled. "The pact is complete, then. I shall guard this one with my life. You needn't worry, I will simply resurrect should anything happen to me. Your safety is all but assured, friend." She reaches a hand out to softly pet the carbuncle.
Rising Lotus "We have somethin' to catch it or keep it too right? Or should we jus' break it's legs an' bring it in?" she crossed her arms and leaned back into her chair. "Granted I don't know anythin' near enough 'bout them as Haila, but I do remember ya sayin' it can call other ones too right? Do we have some way to stop that?"
Haila turned over to Rising, "No ways to disrupt it yet I'm afraid, 'tis one strong signal, but the best would be to drag the straggler you mean to capture as far away as possible before it calls reinforcements."
N'yami hummed in thought for a moment. "Could use wires? A barrier would just be absorbed by the damn thing, but we would need a couple people who would want to volunteer to just jump the damn thing and tie it up."
Aislinn let her gaze drift over to Rising and Cravendy
Evelyn sighed and looked around. "Unfortunately, this vessel's arms are quite frail, otherwise I would love to volunteer... are any mortals willing to take the lead?"
“Seems easier to just break its legs. We won’t be needin’ those to do whatever we need the spider for, right?” Cravendy looks around, suddenly wary of another’s gaze on her. “Jump it. Beat it up. Been there, done that...”
Rising Lotus grimaces "Ugh, alright. I don't wanna see a wave of them things again if I can help it." she glanced at N'yami as she offered her suggestion. "..that sounds like it'd work, sure Cravs is a right fine knot tie-er too. " she looked toward Cravs.
Riylli raised her hand. "I could probably incapacitate it with my magic pretty easy, depending on how strong the thing is. Would give me something to do too..." She said with an overexaggerated sigh
Haila Wetyios: "As long as it gets the job done, I have no quarry with it. Breaking the legs should do the job, but if all else fails, I'll take a broken spider."
"Ah, are you not joining us, mortal? A shame, your apparent experience with these spiders would be quite the help." Evelyn said, turning her gaze to Haila.
Haila Wetyios shook her head. "As much as I wish I could, I have my reasons for not going... 'Tis been by mere coincidence that the spiders didn't pick up on me the other times. But I can't risk a third one. At least not if I want a few plans of my own to work."
N'yami Synch: "So who's ready to go catch us a spider!? That's a dumb question no one really is but hells we need the bloody thing so let's go punch it in the legs."
N'ana Firesong gave a small sigh. "Why spiders" she mumbled.
Cravendy glances back at Rising. “Can’t say I’ve ever kidnapped a spider, but there’s a first for everythin’. But the idea would be the same. Lure it away to some lonely corner, away from pryin’ eyes, and tie it up afore it knows what got ‘im. Or beat it till it’s broken.”
Riylli gave a concerned look to the pirate Roe, unsure if she was joking or not
Rising Lotus: "Well lets play it by ear then. If we have a chance to bind it lets do that, if not we'll smash it's legs off, and as a last case option we'll kill it all together."
Evelyn stands up and strikes a pose with her staff. "Let our operation commence. The Goddess of Victory is on our side, so long as we err on the side of caution. Now, let us show these spiders true despair..." She held her bandaged right arm up to her left eye again, folding her left one across her body. She let out an enthusiastic "Fwahahaha!" and shook her head afterward.
Aislinn nodded and rose to her feet. "Seems like we have a plan in place." Roughly, but it was still a plan. "I'll go grab my bloody coat." she shook her head and retreated briefly back to her quarters.
After the group made the walk through Coerthas back to the area where they knew the spiders would appear, with some grumbling cause of the cold of course, N'yami lead them through the snowy terrain. Stopping in her tracks the Seeker looked around with perked ears. "Where exactly were you all ambushed before? Perhaps that will be the best spot to look for one."
Riylli kicked at the ground below, trying to keep her shivering to a minimum. "...Hate this stupid place... Grounds all frozen... Terrible to work with..." She muttered to herself as the rest of the group did their thing
N'ana: "Aye hope we finish up quickly. As much as aye enjoy mountain trips in Othard this cold is a different story."
Aislinn looked to Rising and Cravendy to answer that question. She hadn't yet ventured out to meet these spiders head on. For obvious reasons. Heartwood still needed at least a semblance of a medical staff until they could get G'lewra and Vanriri back.
Rising Lotus huffed as they exited the cave, rubbing her hands together as she was a tad underdressed. "I think it was a bit more down there, near the bridge right?" she glanced at Cravs, keeping her body moving to build up some heat. It then dawned on her the Cravs was kind of not there at the time, but maybe she knew somehow?
Evelyn shivered quietly, holding Whackara in her arms. "F-Fufufu... this cold is n-nothing... you m-mortals always complain about the silliest things..." she posed again in her usual fashion.
Cravendy feels her gut sink as she remembers a time when...it was before she woke up, and yet. She groans, but answers to the best of her ability. “Yeah, I remember it was by that hill, and we crossed a bridge at some point. Over there?” Cravs points down south.
N'yami Synch: "Works for me." She offered a shrug and just started walking down the path, they'd eventually run into the blasted thing right? That's how it usually worked from what she heard. "Time to give this damsel-in-distress thing a try I suppose."
"I-If these things go after magic users, how 'bout we just start channelling and wait for it to show up?" Riylli offered, getting sick of standing in one place freezing her tail off
Cravendy lightly elbows Evelyn as she passes her. “Phoenix-lass, right? Ye think ye can ‘eat up the poor sods who’re freezin’ their arses off?”
Rising Lotus looks at the river over the hill. "This is lookin' familiar, bridge ain't too far from here." she pointed across it. "They all came from the other side of it, and we fell back to the bridge." she pointed to the left down the path.
Aislinn heard Cravendy and looked over her shoulder. "I'm good. No need to light me up or anything."
Evelyn Blazewing 's eyes open wide. "Sh-Share my warmth? With... e-everyone? F-Fwahaha, I certainly would if it were possible. Touching a mere mortal with my body temperature s-so high would incinerate them to mere ashes!" she quietly mumbled to herself. "B-Besides, I'm kinda using it right now..."
Cravendy nods to Rising’s statement. “Some of ‘em were underneath the snow too, so watch where ye step.”
Aislinn took a few steps back at that. "Great." she muttered as she peered down at the frozen ground around them.
N'ana Firesong: "Ye seem ye can mix a drink right now, Phoenix."
Evelyn: "I would be happy to mix you a drink were now a good time, mortal. Ask when we return home and I shall happily oblige."
N'yami looked around for a moment as they paused. "We'll stick around somewhere safe so the rest of ya have a place to hide while I drag the damn thing out." The Seeker pointed over at the boulder sticking out of the ground. "Go hide over there while I call it out. Rising, and Cravs, get ready to launch yerself at it once it comes out."
Rising Lotus: "Aye, pulled...uh.. someone off one before it got her, then it called it's friends." she tapped her boots on the ground to shake some snow out of her sandals.
Cravendy: “Aye. Come on Rising, we got a boulder to snoop behind.” She starts to walk over.
Heartwood runs into another RP FC also RPing
(Riylli Aliapoh) (feels like two rival gangs are passing)
(Aislinn North) ((Throwdown))
(Haila Wetyios) Oh snap))
(Rising Lotus) We have to intimidate them, everyone make yourselfs big))
(Cravendy Hound) OH?? ))
(N'yami Synch) PUFF OUT))
(N'yami Synch) I think we win))
(Cravendy Hound) omg haha ))
(Riylli Aliapoh) (as big as you can get)
(N'yami Synch) Lol one of them is a friend of my so I whispered yelled at him to get out of my swamp xD))
Rising Lotus nodded, pumping herself up before tailing behind Cravs, drawing her spear on the way.
"I can help too y'know..." Riylli muttered as she stomped off to hide behind the boulder
Aislinn murmured to N'yami as she gestured to the device on the miqo'te's wrist. "If your plan is to take that off to lure a spider, I'd suggest snapping it right back on the moment you get one on your trail. As it is we're going to have a hell of a time shutting it up before it calls any others." she nodded. "Watch yourself, aye?"
Cravendy ducks behind the boulder and peeks out, as sneakily as she can manage. But she’s half-distracted by Rising, who to her...does not look dressed for success, in this weather. “Nophica’s teats, ye askin’ to catch a cold again?!” She harshly whispers.
N'yami Synch: "Cravs and Rising, pull Riylli with ya when the thing comes out, the faster we bring the thing down the better." The Seeker looked over to Aislinn and offered a short nod. "I can defend myself pretty well, if you know someone else needs it more I'll be fine without it."
Riylli's ears perked up, her pouting interrupted. "Wait, me? I mean, yeah! The grounds a bit frozen, but I'm sure it'll be fine" She finished with a confident nod, back to her usual self
Rising Lotus was peeking around the other side of the rock, spearing humming away as they waited. "I'll be fine, been through here lots of times dressed like this. Build's character." she shivered a bit as she said the last part. " 'sides fightin' will keep me plenty warm."
Aislinn shook her head and snorted. "I'm not playing the lottery like that. You're going after the spider, you take it. I'm just saying." she turned and went to stand with the others.
Riylli kicks a bit off snow onto Rising's exposed toes. "Builds hypothermia is what it does. How are you gonna fight when you're frozen to the ground?"
Cravendy: “Might be awhile ‘fore we’re fightin’.” Cravs looks back at N’yami and watches the miqo’te like a hawk. Her breath coming out in chilly plumes, she mumbles something under her breath. “Feh, character...Personally, I’m done buildin’ anymore of that.”
N'ana Firesong keeps a watchful eye over her surroundings.
N'yami unhooked the device from her arm for a moment, and that's when the rest of the group would feel a surge of aether crash over them. The group would feel a wide range of emotions hit them, the strongest one they felt would send a warmth through their cold bodies. Raising her hand in the air the Seeker summoned a ball of aether and shot it off in the air, one after the other like a show of fireworks and each one burst in the sky. Red aether mixed into the white winds that were carried off to call upon the creature they were looking for and with how much the Seeker was giving off did the group hear an echoing screech off in the distance. Those who had met the creatures would know the sound all too well, it was coming.
N'ana Firesong knelt over, feeling the warmth take over her body and shivered. "Thralls balls!"
Rising Lotus shot Riylli a glare, flinging the snow off her foot, about to retaliate before N'yami started and she focused up, tightening her grip on her spear. She grit her teeth as they had garnered hopefully only one's attention.
Evelyn recoils a bit, reeling from the emotional surge she just felt. She then turns her attention to the sky, and back to N'yami. "An excellent show, mortal, but will it do the tri-" She's cut off by the screeching, which causes her to smirk. "Fufufu... it seems your ploy worked. Everyone, ready yourselves. Our enemy will be upon us soon." She mumbled to herself again. "I-I think... that's our enemy..."
Aislinn stumbled back as the aetheric emotions hit her, the warmth flowing into her body triggering a sense of alarm. No. Not now. But it soon passes as she realized it was only N'yami and not herself. She breathed and tried to shake off the feeling. "That'll get them if nothing else." she said low, her voice wavering slightly.
Riylli glances over to Evelyn. "Hey, crazy lady, how hot can that fire of yours get? Y'think you can thaw the earth a bit for me when we jump out?"
Cravendy grunts as she weathers the wave of aether, sets her jaw as foreign emotions flow through. When it passes, she finally takes a gasp of air. Without knowing it, Cravs had been holding her breath. But she could not breathe easy, not yet. They were coming.
Evelyn glares at Riylli. "I am not crazy, mortal. My flames are the hottest in the realm. I would be more than happy to assist you, however." She sighed. "So, my talents shall simply be used to thaw the earth? Fine, fine... I came here to offer my assistance, after all."
The sound of heavy footsteps could be heard as the beast came crashing through the snowy plains, this one was the perfect size to carry someone off and with how much aether it detected it seemed determined to catch whatever was creating it. At the last possible second N'yami slapped the device onto her wrist again to dampen her aether, and that's when the Crawler stopped in front of her. The familiar whirring noise was heard as it scanned the Seeker for the aether source.
Aislinn North From her hiding place behind the boulder, Aislinn tensely watched, her breath trapped in her lungs. She sincerely hoped her device wouldn't fail now, of all times.
Cravendy‘s eyes widen at the sight of the machine, but any hesitation is quickly pushed down. Cravs shuffles over the boulder and charges at her target, hoping to knock it off balance with a low blow to one of its many legs.
Rising Lotus "Great, a big one..." she hopped out from her hiding place and charged forward, taking a great big swipe at it's front left leg as she got in range.
Riylli Aliapoh hopped up onto the rock, shouting out to Evelyn. "Time to shine, crazy phoenix lady! Help me get the earth under it's legs!" She commanded, and began to swirl aether around her as she commanded the earth to reach out and swallow up the spiders legs, though as she suspected the ice made it difficult to manage. However, with Evelyn's help…
N'ana Firesong: "Take out it's eye!"
Evelyn sighs and smiles, bringing her rod close to her. "Fufufu... behold mortals, the purest of flames, the hottest of cinders! This is a gift from Lord Blazewing himself! To ash do we fall, and from ash do we rise... now!" *she launches a small fireball, which then explodes into a larger flame that consumes the ground around the spider. "Hell's Maw!"
Aislinn reached into her coat, white-knuckles wrapping around the grip of her pistol as the others charged. She wouldn't use her aether but she would shoot if things began to take a dire turn. For now, she watched and waited, fighting the frustration that rose in her.
Despite the several attacks aimed at the spider, it seemed as only a selected few even had an effect on it. Riylli's rocks for once, managed to at least ground it on the spot. It's metal legs though, were stronger than the ones that they'd faced before, that much was clear from the fact that it's hindleg barely took any damage from Rising's attack. The edges of it's fleshy limbs suffering very slight charring as it detected the aether sources around it. The fire spell becoming it's first target as it had been the biggest display of aether out of all of them, with the earth rocks being a close second.
Aislinn North can see where this is going and cursed harshly under her breath. The weapon was already assessing and zeroing in on those who had created a display of aether. "Get ready to scatter." she warned.
Finishing it's scans of it's primary targets as well as potential threats, the mechanical spider made several whirring sounds, had it been a smaller one, it would have surely attempted to call for backups already. This one though, was big enough to attempt it's own attacks. Lifting the few legs that weren't trapped in stone, it attempted to free it's other legs as it hurled rocks around at the closest people within it's range whilst smaller spiders dropped off the big one, rushing at the people in the back.
N'yami watched as the crowd charged at the Crawler and watched the chaos start to form, the Seeker waited for the right time to interfere and if needed she would join the battle. Her ruby gaze kept flicking down to the device on her wrist, debating to take it off to act as bait again, that's why she was here right?
Riylli pumped more aether into her spell, refusing to allow the spider freedom so long as she could help it. "Gonna need you guys to keep those things off me! Can't exactly multitask right now!" She called to whoever might be able to help
Ready for it, Aislinn dashed out from behind the boulder as the smaller spiders charged toward them. She fired off a few shots as she went, hoping to pick a couple off before they swarmed the others.
Rising Lotus managed to dodge the stones that were throw at her, grunting and gripping her spear tightly. With a mighty shout she jabbed the tip of her spear right between where the leg meets the body, twisting and pushing open a gap towars the now exposed and vulnerable shoulder mechanics! If someone could aim several shots in there it would sure do a lot of damage!
Cravendy Hound: “Umf! Shit, thing’s built like a brick ‘ouse!” Why did she think that tackling a thing made of solid metal was a good idea to begin with? Now her shoulder felt all kinds of wrong. She rolls to dodge the flurry of rocks and, out of the corner of her eye, she sees the smaller spiders rush at the party’s backline. A bitter cocktail of anger and anxiety sets her heart alight. Not on her watch!
Cravendy grins when Rising serves her an opening on a silver platter. “Thank ye, flower. Now!” She whips her gun out and sends a flurry of shots aimed directly at the exposed circuitry.
N'ana stabbed at the smaller spiders around her. slashing and kicking the ones too close to her.
Evelyn targets the small spiders approaching her, readying another area fire spell. Without giving a small speech this time, she simply readies and casts another area fire spell, hoping to get rid of the smaller spiders coming after her. After launching her attack, she mutters "Calamity Blaze." and strikes a pose.
Relatively assured that she hadn't made herself a target for the smaller spiders, Aislinn continued to fire off shots to drop the bastards before they could reach the ones casting aether about with abandon, pausing only for the scant seconds it took her to reload. Her precision as a sharpshooter on display, she rarely seemed to miss her marks.
Riylli grit her teeth, trying to hold on as the spider did everything it could to free itself from it's bindings. "I ain't gonna be able to hold much longer! Do whatever it is you gotta do, and do it fast!" She called out to the front lines, swearing under her breath. "'Take it alive' huh? Easy to say when you aren't the one holding the damned thing..." She mutters angrily, before pumping another dose of aether into the earthen shackles
Rising Lotus grinned as Cravs fired several shots into the hole she made, twisting her body around to try and spear the other front leg, aiming for the first joint from it's body and thrusting hard, hopefully she'd continued to have good results aiming for those points compared to hacking and slashing
Cravendy feels that telltale burn of combat. Of blood boiling, of time slowing. Given her proximity to the large machine, Cravs decides to try to grab hold of another leg and directly press the end of her gun at its joint. Squeeze, and fire.
The onslaught of attacks took it's toll, for a moment it seemed that the large spider had underestimated it's targets. Such was the issue of programming it's priorities. The leg that Rising and Cravs had worked together to damage caused several circuits to go haywire. The spider had to pause for a moment as the rest of it's legs too, started taking damage from the shots, the spears and the rocks keeping it grounded all causing damage beyond acceptable parameters, the creature attempted to step back to no avail, it's smaller spiders being taken one after the other with the group work from everyone attacking it. Upon finishing it's damage calculations, it buckled down, almost compacting part of it's body for a moment as it emitted a deafening sound alongside static that was nearly palpable in the air. It wouldn't damage it's opponents as much as it would deafen them briefly, but it was for sure calling for nearby backups.
Riylli just kept channeling really. Nothing to see here. She wasn't getting tired or anything. It's fine. All fine.
Cravendy recoils at the explosive sound blaring right next to her ears. She searches for the source of the sound but can’t quite focus with this ringing in her head, so instead she opts to continue her assault. Cravs aims her gun at the spider’s chassis and fires several times. If it’s broken, the racket’ll stop, right?
N'ana shook her head feeling a bit dizzy and off balance from the noise. She put the sword inside its holdster and then drew it with a blinding light of power on one of the spiders back legs.
Aislinn staggered to the side and clapped a free hand over one ear as the blaring beacon went off. Damn it all. That thing simply needed to -die-. Gritting her teeth against the painful noise, she did her best to keep watch on the casters, and pick off any of the smaller spiders that still remained. "Someone shut it up, fast!" her words barely heard over the blaring siren.
Rising Lotus braced herself as the screech blared, bracing herself while she gazed over the ugly thing. Things usually make sound from their mouths, so she thrusted right under it's glowing eye, hoping that was where it would be? If it had one?
N'yami Synch placed her hands over her ears as the creature called out for help. Why did it need to be so loud? "Take it down now! We need to get out of here fast before the backup arrives!"
Riylli Aliapoh huffed, feeling neglected out there in the backlines, watching everyone else do cool stuff. She was not one to enjoy taking the support role, and suddenly a very stupid idea dawned on her. She grinned, "Alright, time to end this!" She called out, suddenly thrusting her arms out to the sides and pumping in every last bit of her aether, the earthen shackles that had been binding the creatures legs suddenly flying out in opposite directions, ripping the spiders legs out with them
Evelyn Blazewing covered her ears and crouched down in recoil from the harsh noise the spider emitted. "I-It's worse than the wails of the damned... shut up!" She stood up, braced herself, and fired a ball of flame at the mechanical arachnid, yelling out "Flames of Ifrit!" as she did.
Cravendy Hound brings her arms up in time to guard herself against a shower of earth and ice. “By the godsdamned Navigator! Warn me next time ye use yer magic!” But, seeing as the spider was now rendered legless by Riylli’s efforts, it seemed a good opportunity to grab and go. Cravs stumbles to the other end of the machine and tries to lift it. They had to get this thing, and themselves, out of here fast.
While incredibly risky and stupid, Riylli's idea worked, the sudden pull from the rocks alongside it's already damaged legs nearly ripped all of them off on the spot. Only one leg remaining, which was the one N'ana kept attacking as the blasted thing started to squirm as much as it could. Several smaller spiders dropped off it's insides, clearly confused as the signal it was sending out to them was not going off well thanks to the damage caused by Rising and Crav's shots.
N'yami bolted towards the giant spider and went to lift it with Cravs. "Let's go go go." The carbuncle grew in size to be big enough to ride and trotted up to Riylli incase she needed to be carried home. "Those who can lift get over here."
The large spider was rendered defenseless, and most of all, it was half intact.
Riylli fell to her knees, aether spent and body exhausted. She grit her teeth and picked herself back up, using her staff to keep her balance as she didn't want people seeing how wiped out she was. "What else could 'time to end this' mean!?" Riylli shot back to Cravs, before carefully trying to crawl her way off the boulder she was dramatically perched on. Maybe exhausting herself right before it was time to run... was not the best plan
Rising pulled her spear back just in time to watch Riylli pull it's legs off like a child would do to a bug, and probably Riylli to a bug too honestly. Quickly returning her spear to her back, she made her way to the front, squatting down and preparing to lift it with the others.
As the limbs come off the spider in a mighty pull of earth, Aislinn wasted no time rushing towards the downed bioweapon, taking out the small spiders that wandered around in confusion. "Alright. N'yami's right. Let's take it and run." she holstered her weapon and made ready to lift along with the others.
Evelyn applauded Riylli's display, a proud smile on her face. "Excellent, truly excellent work, mortal. Your prowess with the earth is quite remarkable..."
Cravendy grumbles something under her breath about being more specific, that “time to end this” should clearly state -how- as well. But it was all bullshit and Cravs knew it - couldn’t expect people to say all that in the heat of the battle. Didn’t stop her from complaining the whole way back though.
Riylli gave a tired grin, always ready to accept some praise. "Best geomancer in eorzea, you can bet on it! You were a big help with that fire though. Couldn't have done it without ya." She said with a nod, before noticing the large carbuncle seemingly waiting for her to pass out. "Oh, hey... you. You offering a ride?" She asked, giving a shrug as she hopped on and did her best not to look so relieved.
As Heartwood managed to take the giant Crawler back, hopefully Haila was fine with the size of it, the group successfully completed their mission and even managed to escape the backup before they showed up but now the real question. How are they going to get it through the door?
Primary Access Required: Of Plans and Rolanberries
Archemides walks to the front door of the mansion with purpose. He looks about as well as he feels -- remnants of ash stand out as black splotches against his outfit, tears from teeth and claw ripping the edges of his coat and puncturing his leather vest. It was a rough patch job to get them back in shape, much like the bandages that wrap around his shoulder, waist, and neck, though they are hidden under his clothes. He marches to the front door and raps on it loudly. "Oi! Tynos! Y'there?! S'Arch, open up, some shit's goin' down for yer mort!"
Tynervial paused and looked up, " That was faster than normal.. " He said with a paused as the door upstairs seemed to flip open, The front of his house had books on the tatami like table, And four staves were resting near a travel bag, As well as a small arcanistry book, And his "tracking orbs" Another small bag could be seen more like a duffle with a large lock on it. "Tis open you idiot."
Nyscera followed after the Hyur with a quick pace, after having to patch up Arch the two made were quick about heading to Tynos' house to inform him of the information Arch had come by. "Better not be calling me an idiot." She commented after hearing the elezen.
Archemides wastes no time opening the door and promptly slamming it behind him. "Oi, I know yer shtick, Mr. Paranoid. Wouldn't be surprised iff'n an aetheric bomb went off if the mail moogle so much as touched the window wrong."
Tynervial: "Tis fair but your aether is recorded.. Makes sure your leg doesn't get blown off when you kick it in."
In the days following the loss of Wyda, Aislinn had pulled into herself, like a tortoise who retreats back to its shell. She was certainly still present. She was an officer, she still had a job to do. There were still people missing, for one. She'd not leave Crific on his own to handle it all. But she did her job with a blank sort of efficiency.
In a word, Aislinn floundered. Became unapproachable when what she truly needed was comfort, connection, reassurance. But the person who had given that and more was gone. And if that wasn't enough of a blow, someone else was walking around in Wyda's body saying they had it first. Angry, loudmouthed, drunk, glowering, and generally intent on being everything Wyda had never been.
Aislinn needed to get away from Heartwood for a while and jotted off a note for Bertram that said as much. Then she collected her gun, took Barnabas, and went into the Shroud for some target practice.
Bertram had done his best to respect Aislinn’s space while also not bowing completely to any attempts to distance him that might occur. He knew Aislinn well enough to know that she had a tendency to clam up and retreat into herself when things became more than could easily be borne. He wasn't even convinced that it was entirely conscious either, more of an instinct than anything else. It was with a measurable sense of relief that he read the note that let her whereabouts be known. It was a comforting notion, even if Bertram himself was still wrestling with his own sense of guilt over the situation; both for not being there to help Aiswyda and not being there at Aislinn's side. It was a difficult thing to process.
It was no surprise that Bertram was quick to make his way out into the Shroud to find the woman. He didn't rightly like the idea of her being left to stew in her own grief alone for too long. The very least that he could do was be there. Even if it was just to be a silent reminder that she wasn't alone.
Daylight had mellowed to a gold, late afternoon glow that filtered through the forest canopy and Aislinn had found herself a quiet clearing in which to practice. Knowing that the ethereal Elementals that inhabited the dark Shroud might not care for her blasting lead through the wood, she had come prepared.
A small, spherical mechanical node hovered around the clearing, darting this way and that. This was the target. Aislinn's aim swept after the sphere, an intense look of concentration on her face. Her first shot grazed by it, a harmless pulse of blue energy. If this bothered her, she didn't show it, but kept her gun trained on the node. It swiftly halted and spun about to shift direction, she fired, a stun round blasting out the gun's chamber. An arc of blue, crackling energy enveloped the node as it fell out of the sky. It rolled and came to a stop in the grass, points of light around the circumference of the sphere indicating that it was resetting itself. Aislinn let go a breath, lowered her arm and kneaded her free hand against her aching shoulder as she waited. The kickback was jarring but she couldn't deny that it felt good to let her gun speak for her. It was louder than she could ever manage to be.
Bertram’s approach through the wood was intentionally obvious and audible. His usual silence seemed wrong in this current situation given his desire to be present in the moment. Living up to his epithet hardly seemed appropriate.
"Alright, there?" he called out gently from a few paces away.
The node beeped softly and whirled up into the air once more but Aislinn's attention was on Bertram. She stared as if she couldn't possibly know how to answer that question this time. In the end, she dropped her hand from her shoulder, defeated. "No." she said as she turned to look once more at the node as it flitted gamely through the air. "I just. ..needed to get some distance for a bit. Some air."
"I can't exactly blame you for that," he murmured quietly, bowing his head slightly whilst taking in a slow breath, "that's a feeling that I understand all-too-well."
Bertram watched the drone quietly for a moment as he moved to stand beside Aislinn with a thoughtful expression. The particulars of the situation weren't something that he understood in their entirety but the general gist certainly seemed to click with him. It was a situation that seemed all too familiar to him. Almost painfully so. That it was happening to Aislinn -- again -- only seemed to make it all the worse for him.
"Did you design that yourself?" He asked, deciding against prodding Aislinn about Wyda and letting her approach that at her own pace.
She knew what he was doing. But all the same, she welcomed it. In these past weeks when had she last had a conversation about something benign? Not work, not the missing Heartwood members, or a plan of attack, not the grief or how it sometimes seemed so big it shimmered beyond the boundaries of her body. Holstering her gun for the time being, she eyed the node. "Seemed more respectful than coming out here and blasting away at a bullseye nailed to a tree." she said with a single nod of her head. "Plus, it's more of a challenge if it's moving."
The man lets out a quiet laugh as he dips his head in Aislinn's direction; a gesture of concession to her point. She was most certainly not wrong about that. Bertram couldn't pretend to understand the whims and whiles of the Elementals entirely himself, but he knew well enough than to act carelessly under their scrutiny. "I'd say that's a pretty good plan if you asked me," He commented somewhat wryly before turning his attention away from the node and back to Aislinn, "And the rounds? Those are your creation too? Meant to incapacitate if I'm not mistaken."
She tilted her head in his direction. A wordless acceptance of his compliment. To his question, she hesitated. "I saw Haila with them first. But once I did, I realized what a perfect solution they were. It only took a few slight modifications to the gun to be able to fire both kinds of rounds." She paused and gave a harsh exhale. "I'm sorry I'm not my usual, chatty self." she said, facetiously, of course. She had never been known for her chatter.
Bertram simply gave her a 'look' that told her that the apology was the furthest thing from necessary. Aislinn was many things and chatty was not one of them. At least not in the traditional sense. Get her started on a topic of interest then maybe but, otherwise . ..? He let out a quiet chuckle. "And I'm sorry for being so loud," he offered back in an attempt to bring some humor, ". .. your ability to adapt the tech so rapidly is certainly something that I don't think I'll ever really grasp." Another soft laugh as he gently shakes his head.
Her brow furrowed at first. Loud? When had Bertram -ever- been loud? Ahh, but then the light goes off in her head and she gets it. A soft huff escaped her as she gave him a wry glance out of the corner of her eye. She shrugged since it seemed like the only thing to do. "It keeps me busy. I have to stay busy otherwise...." she trailed off, letting a silence fall. And then, "Do you think it's possible for a person to be cursed?" she blurted out, then quickly glanced away. Her jaw tensed as if she was trying to hold down something particularly unappetizing. "It just seems..that everyone that gets close to me..ends up worse off."
Bertram couldn't pretend not to be quietly relieved that she'd broached the subject by her own volition rather than him having to go fishing for the feelings that she was undoubtedly keeping bottled up. It was, perhaps, the way that she and Ren were the most alike. They both hated putting their own problems on others. Perhaps to unhealthy lengths. It was something that he'd grown quite used to in their time as children.
All the same the question caused the highlander's stomach to twist slightly; that her mind was in such a dark place was a painful thought. "Do I believe in curses?" He echoes quietly, turning his attention out toward the forest, "Probably."
There's a pause as he draws in a deep breath. "But do I believe that you're cursed, Lin?" He shakes his head slowly, "No, I don't." He gently places a hand upon his own chest, gesturing to himself as he turned his attention back to Aislinn with as gentle of an expression as he could muster. "I wouldn't be here with my mind as my own if it weren't for you. There's not a single doubt in my mind about that. Both Ren and I are who we are today in part because of you, Lin."
At his assertion that she surely wasn't cursed, she flicked her eyes over to him. They were still troubled but unguarded. "But what you went through, that nightmare. Can you honestly say you're better for that?" she asked with quiet forthrightness.
He wasn't surprised by her follow-up question; he'd practically expected it in truth. Nor could he blame her for asking it. His life couldn't truly be described as easy by any measure. It'd been a long and painful journey to this point, no one could deny that and he wouldn't try to claim otherwise. "Sort of an impossible question, isn't it, Lin?" He asked gently as he held her gaze, "All that I can say for certain is that I'm standing right here with my mind as my own and a real future in front of me."
He looks down at the earth for a moment, an introspective expression upon his face. Could things have been different? Certainly, but how could he possibly account for all the different ways that life could have gone? "For as much as either of us know, my getting taken away and ..." he didn't go into the details of what had been done to him, " .. well, for all we know it saved my life and Ren's as we were both plucked out of the Resistance as a result."
She was silent for a long moment as she considered his words. It was a different perspective, to be sure. Everything that they had gone through had surely made them the people they were today but as to whether those people were better off..that was up for constant debate. And some days, like today, she wasn't so sure. But maybe that was the only way forward. The past was the past, immutable and unmalleable. "Some days it's harder to justify it all." she said. "What was it all for?"
As she finished speaking an odd noise broke the peace of the briar. A metallic, skittering sound that echoed from the great hollowed out trunk that lay at the clearing's opening. A soft, repetitive series of beeps followed in its wake. Almost immediately, trepidation rippled across Aislinn's face, her mouth frozen open in whatever she had been about to say next. She stopped, turning towards the fallen log. "What was that?" she asked, voice low. But she feared she already knew the answer.
Bertram had only just begun to formulate his answer when Aislinn was suddenly moving in response to the foreign sounds that filled the air of the otherwise peaceful clearing. They certainly didn't sound like what he would expect to hear from the depth of the Shroud. His brow furrowed and his fists tightened. He couldn't help but feel his readiness to fight build up to whatever unknown presence had made its way toward them.
"I don't know ..." he nearly whispered, "I didn't think anything was following me."
From the dark hollow three Allagan spiders emerged, spindly dagger-like legs allowing them to cling to the top and sides of the log. The orbs stationed directly in front of the hybrid bioweapons flickered, the series of patterns changing as they paused, having found their quarry. Roughly the size of large dogs, these must be the scouts. Much like the one she and Haila had dissected. Aislinn cursed under her breath and gave a sweeping look around them. Cornered. Her comforting, secluded clearing had become a trap.
She took a cautious step back, flexing her hand and reaching for her gun. "No." she stated. No, she wouldn't let this happen. No, she refused to be the reason more bad news would end up at Heartwood's door. Just no. Without letting her gaze leave the allagan tech, she explained to Bertram. "Those things are what took the other medics. We need to find a way out. Fast. Before more come."
Bertram didn't need to be told twice. If it were just him it might have been a simple matter of disappearing into the wood, but Aislinn was here and he needed to make certain that they both got out of this in one piece. He took a short step forward and began to tap into the aether born of his chakra. He was far from a master Fist, but he's learned enough to defend himself if needs be. He quietly cursed for coming out here unarmed. "How dangerous? Can I distract them?" He left out the loud 'Why' that was pounding in his head. That would be for later.
"I don't know. ..I never -" she stopped and shot her free hand out, gripping his arm tightly in response to his idea that he distract them. The reaction had been immediate, a gut-wrenching 'absolutely not' born out of the fear that she would lose him too. "Dangerous. We never come out ahead in a fight with them." But now she also saw they had no choice. The spiders were covering the exit like they were waiting for something. "Alright." she dropped her hand. "Just..we get an opening, and we're out."
She whistled sharply for Barnabas who stood dozing at the clearing's edge. "Be ready." she nodded to him and raised her weapon. Fortunately, the scouts seemed content to sit. She fired off a round, the electric arc shocking the orb of the nearest one, causing it to drunkenly stumble to one side. That spurred the other two into motion. If their quarry wouldn't wait peacefully, they'd subdue it.
The two remaining spiders raced towards them.
There was no mistaking the message sent by Aislinn's grip. Alright. No distractions. Instead Bertram began to focus his aether into his legs and his feet. A technique of his father's that he'd yet to try out in a live scenario. A slow breath filled his lungs as he eyed the pair of spiders that had started charging toward them.
He spared Aislinn a quick glance out of the corner of his eye before he leaned forward and launched himself forward with all of his strength and aether combined. It resulted in the highlander bolting forward in a near blur to a point just behind one of the spiders. The precision of the movement was uncanny; like a shark darting forward for the kill. He was quick to, then, shift onto one leg and lash out with the other in an attempt to make contact and damage one of the spider's many legs.
The spiders were fast, but Bertrams's aether-boosted speed was beyond them. Before the spider could turn, it's leg crumpled inward at an awkward angle. For Bertram, he would have felt his kick connected with a disconcerting flesh overlay that protected the circuitry within. His impressive display of aether only serves to draw the ire of the remaining spider, who launches itself at him from the side as he is busy with the first.
The spider connected solidly with Bertram, with all its weight behind it. Meanwhile, Aislinn made a run for Barnabas and vaulted herself into the saddle. She knew time was of the essence. These things were nothing compared to what she knew must be coming. There may be some who would be determined to stay and fight this fight. She was not foolish enough to be one of them. Not when so much depended on her walking away from this. Turning the hulking chocobo around, she watched in horror as the spider collided with Bertram and without another thought, raced the bird into the fray.
Bertram grunted and let out a short cry of surprise as the spider slammed up against him. It was alarming just how resilient these . .. things were and that was saying nothing of the power that seemed to be behind them. The highlander gritted his teeth as he was forced down by the spider. He didn't panic though, there was no time for that, and immediately gathered up aether within his hand. The process was immediately followed by a punch to what passed as the creature's thorax.
Bertram's fist echoed against what almost sounded unnervingly like a hollow cavity, surely he had dented it. But it continued on in its assault. The spider's legs begin to curl around him, gripping him tight in a macabre embrace. As Barnabas thundered into the tangle of limbs, spurred on by Aislinn, the ornery chocobo gave a mighty call as he let fly a bone shattering kick to the spider that had toppled Bertram. It was knocked to the side, Its main chassis caved in. Briefly, Bertram could be seen. Aislinn swung down in the saddle, arm outstretched. "Good enough! Grab hold!" she yelled.
The highlander didn't miss a beat. The thunder of Barnabas' feet -- and the prelude to violence that was his wark -- gave Bertram all the time he needed to prepare to act with great haste in the wake of the chocobo's devastating attack. The moment that Bertram felt the spider's grip and weight ripped free from him pushed his foot into the dirt at an angle that caused him to spin around like a top.
It was an act that oriented himself *just-so* that he could grab a hold of Aislinn's arm and yank himself up toward the saddle. He was temporarily something of a saddlebag before he was able to work himself into the seat proper. He was quick to pat Aislinn's arm several times once he was secure. A signal that simultaneously told her he was okay and that she should get them the hell out of there!
She certainly didn't need to be told twice. As she raced Barnabas out of the clearing, the spider she had stunned seemed to have managed to repair itself, hunkering down and steadying itself on all legs momentarily before giving chase, albeit in a swerving, drunken sailor fashion. The second that Bertram had crippled also limped after them, one missing leg slowing it down but certainly not stopping it. However, as Aislinn turned to look behind them as they fled, she saw what she had truly been dreading.
Over the crest of the clearing's rocky walls a much larger spider was clamoring down after them, having been signaled by the scouts. Large enough to hold a person in the depths of its cold, mechanical bowels. "We can't lead them back to Heartwood." she panted as she jerked the reins and turned Barnabas' head deeper in the wood.
Bertram's eye went wide as he beheld the larger spider. There was an uneasy feeling within his stomach as he came to realize just *what* it was that had made Aislinn so eager to split from the three other, smaller spiders. Whatever this thing was, it was a horrifying sight.
She reined Barnabas in briefly at the bridge, weighing their options while trying to simultaneously not give in to the screaming fear that she would follow in G'lewra's and Vanriri's fate. "We can lose them in the Sylphlands. There should be enough aether bouncing around there to throw off their sensors." Trading one problem for another. The Sylphlands were hardly a safe haven. But as she spied the scouts scurrying in their wake, she didn't wait for Bertram's answer, she simply launched Barnabas across the bridge.
No protest or argument would come from Bertram as Aislinn revealed her plan. As far as he was concerned it was the best option at this juncture. He simply braced himself for a bumpy ride and prepared his wits to deal with the myriad of dangers within the deep Shroud. And that was saying nothing of the trickery that they would no doubt have to deal with from the locals. Some of which might yet be malicious. There was truly nothing to be said for it now.
The spiders clicking and whirring at their heels, Aislinn drove Barnabas towards the cliffside at a breakneck pace. With a mighty shove, the chocobo launched himself off the edge and into the air. Barnabas was no slouch. He was a magnificent specimen of a chocobo. But with two full-sized riders, even he could do no more than glide off the edge of the cliffside and slow their descent into the dark gloam below. In the depths of the ominous and strange Sylphlands. After a rough landing in which, Aislinn almost lost control and pitched herself and Bertram to the ground, she pulled Barnabas to a halt and slouched over the neck winded bird. She may have been hugging him. Something Barnabas merely tolerated for the moment.
Bertram didn't waste any time lingering upon the chocobo. He simply slid from Barnabas' back and dropped back down to his feet. He did a quick surface level scan of his body to make certain he'd not sustained any serious wounds before immediately moving a few paces out and growing very still as he listened and watched. He wanted to confirm that those things were not still on their tail.
After collecting herself, Aislinn pulled her face from the chocobo's feathered neck and likewise lowered herself to the ground. She came to stand beside Bertram, peering up at the cliffside from which they had vaulted. "We should hide." she said. "Just to be on the safe side." She had faith in her theory but it was just that, a theory. There was still so much about this allagan weaponry that remained a mystery.
She turned away from the open landscape and stationed herself behind a great stone boulder before sinking to the ground, adrenaline having run its course.
Bertram flicked his gaze over in Aislinn's direction as she moved in beside him. A slow breath filtered through his lungs before he nodded in agreement. He followed behind the woman before leaning back against the same stone and heaving a slow sigh. He couldn't help himself from being on high alert however. There's a length of silence before he comments softly. "Well ... that was exciting."
She paused and gave him one of their shared ‘looks’. But whether due to the lingering excitement or fear, a wavering laugh escaped her though nothing about this was funny. "Still sure I'm not cursed?" she sighed in a bit of black humor.
"Still breathing." He replied back without hesitation, his attention predominately on the sounds immediately around them. It was a reflex that he couldn't help but let take control. "... I have no idea what's going on, Lin, but right now we've got to focus on giving these things the slip so that we can get you back to the safety of Heartwood." He murmured quietly. "You can tell me all about it then."
She nodded. He was right. First, they needed to find their way out of here. Then, she'd unravel the thread of the story for him. "Even so. If my idea holds, we have to wait it out. Give those things a chance to give up and wander off. That's how we'll make it back to Heartwood. I can't make a beeline there and lead them straight to our doorstep." She tipped her head back against the stone as she inhaled a fortifying breath. "But aye, then it seems you're in need of some answers."
The man lowered himself down into a squat and drew in a deep breath as he forced himself to ease up slightly and not hyper-fixate on their potential pursuers. He closed his eyes and measured his breathing; remembering the lessons for his father's crystal. He slowly began to bring himself down from the battle-high.
"That sounds like a good plan to me. They'd be damn crazy to chase out this deep into the Shroud. We're half-mad for coming here ourselves." Another short, quiet chuckle.
"Believe me, this was the better of the options. Any day of the week." Aislinn quietly replied.
Aislinn made her way into the room, giving a wordless nod of greeting to those already gathered. She zeroed in on a chair and sat slowly and stiffly down onto it, letting go a breath as she did so.
Alexi took a glance around as he came down the stairs. "Oh! So there are others around. I was beginning to wonder."
Aislinn lifted her gaze to the Hrothgar as he appeared at the edge of the room. "Aye. Here and there. As I understand it, there's to be a meeting shortly." she said, her subdued voice barely carrying across the way.
Alexi quirks a brow and leans against the door frame, arms folding. "A meeting? What about?"
Haila glanced back to nod in greeting towards Alexi. "A discussion of a not so recent expedition that one of our members organized. But I'll wait for the news to be given more officially in a few moments."
From where he sat on the couch, Mivo'to flickered his eyes, his red companion finally coming to rest atop his waist after a handful of stern glances. "Business as ever. 'Twould seem Heartwood is not to be offered reprise by the Twelve."
Aislinn nodded, glad to let someone else do the talking.
"As much as I wished to call this business the usual... 'Tis not anymore. Not after the near endless time I had with our little mechanical guests to figure out more. But once more, time to wait just a tiny bit for those coming." Haila explained, sighing as she reached for a small canteen on her side to open and take a few sips. Of what, only she knew.
Alexi Grenasch: "Either way, I've been looking for M'shara. She left the Bozjan front before me by quite a while and I had hoped to find her upon my return this morning. She wasn't at her home, so I decided to just wait here for her."
Mivo'to offered a single blink before the Hrothgar's ponderance, his still expression drifting to the slumbering rodent atop his legs. Nary a twitch pulled at his lips, thoughts drifting elsewhere as he offered an idle scratch to the Panda.
Aislinn's gaze skated away from Alexi, also avoiding his words. She just didn't have it in her to say more.
Rising Lotus was mostly watching the fish swim about as she sat on the counter before the tank, she wasn't quite sure what the latest had been with the whole situation as of late.
Once more, Haila's ears twitched, this time at the sudden sound of the front door bursting open. She stood quickly and rushed to the lobby to check. Upon seeing Altani out of breath on the floor, she went to her side, gently tapping the Viera on the shoulder as if to let her know that they were there.
Alexi sat up straight, his ears perking up at the sound from the other room! With a grunt, he stood and followed...
Mivo'to followed the attention of his Panda as its eyes snapped to the thunder of the door, swiftly exiting from its brief slumber as it scampered forth. "Twelve's name..." He murmured softly, chasing after the inquisitive beast - Only to grind to a halt upon the scene.
Altani rolled onto her back curling her fist into a ball smacking herself on her chest another loud cough coming out of her, she stayed silent for a moment before sitting up glancing to the crowd facing her, she never did much like crowds and now it only made her feel even worse as she tried to speak up "W-We...Shite...W-We went l-look for Vanriri..." Whatever she was trying to say it clearly wasn't easy as she choked up looking down at her thighs.
N'yami ears flicked as her ruby gaze turned towards the Viera who came bursting through the door, pushing herself off the pillar the Seeker turned to see what was going on. Why was Altani out of breath? The hell's happened? The confusion was clear on Yami's face, maybe she needed to come around the house more to keep up with everything.
Aislinn pulled herself to her feet, her expression blank as she followed in the others' wake.
Rising Lotus followed suit, wanting to see the commotion her self, and it felt kind weird to just be sitting there alone.
Mivo'to Laaski twisted his figure around, eyes falling upon the recently vacated study. With a raised finger, the Keeper would gesture forth, ears flapping through the air. "Pray, might we make arrangement for the Miss? She is clearly in a state of shock." He spoke, attention trailing to and fro between the trio and their newly arrived Viera. "I shall fetch water - Poor Miss is probably running on naught but willpower."
Haila Wetyios 's expression turned rather grim, so the news she'd suspected and found data on were probably about to be confirmed. She looked up towards Mivo'to and nodded. "Aye, bring some water quick. And you, take a breath first... We'll need you to tell us what happened with a clear head."
Aislinn stared at Mivo'to a moment, as if it was taking her time to process his words. Then, with an inhalation of breath, she pushed herself forward towards the Viera. "Can you stand? Do you want to come sit down?" she asked with perfunctory calm, eyes moving critically over the woman, looking for any glaring injuries.
Alexi just stood back, letting clearer heads and more careful hands tend to the woman. He just watched. He'd been waiting all morning for M'shara after he'd returned and been told she'd gone out to help someone. Now, he was getting a bad feeling from this new arrival...
Altani shook her head after a few moments, listening to reason for once she tried to simply breath, but as Aislinn spoke to her she gave a light shrug "I-Im fine...j-just-" She coughed again her throat was probably akin to a desert at the moment, but at a glance she seemed to be fine more or less, her boots were caked in mud and her clothes were drenched as she reached up pulling her goggles down around her neck, a clear ring of dust and grime surrounding her eyes "N-Not good news ive got..."
"Aye... Such seems to be the only thing that comes through these doors these days. Here, can you stand?" Haila offered a hand to the woman, then nodded towards the library." I think everyone present needs to hear what you've been through." she added, still looking intently at the Viera.
Rising Lotus inched in a bit closer to hear the woman speak, keeping enough distance where she wouldn't be in the way. She had only spoke with Haila breifly about the whole big thing they were dealing with early in the week, so she was curious what the latest was.
Aislinn's lips twitch downward at that. The only sign of any sort of expression at all. Haila was right, and though Aislinn had no idea what news Altani brought she could only wonder how many hits Heartwood would be required to take. Awkwardly, she pulled herself back to her feet, trying to be mindful of her injuries that were still on the mend. "Aye. She's right." Looking over her shoulder, she saw that Mivo'to had reappeared and made way for him.
Mivo'to reemerged after sometime, a swooshing wooden tankard clasped tightly between his palms. "Apologies, apologies, nary a clean mug in this-" He rambled, taking a plunging step forth to present the tankard of water before the Viera. "Easy does it, my Lady, easy does..."
Altani glanced away from the gaze but she took the hand shakily standing slowly pushing most of her weight onto Halia slowly wandering wherever Haila took her, but at the sight of the tankard she didnt wait a moment before grabbing it from Mivo'to chugging it down in seconds not even thinking as she dropped it the the floor "O-M-My bad..."
The uncanny speed at which the tankard had been down at least brought Haila a brief smirk. Altani didn't seem injured, that was enough for her. "Don't worry about it. Come along.." she said, leading the Viera back into the library area for her to take a seat.
Aislinn trailed after them and returned to her seat, watching Altani with a note of trepidation. She knew she had best steel herself for whatever was coming next.
Mivo'to positioned themself far from the scene, arms folding upon his chest as an askewed gaze met the two Viera.
Alexi was the last to follow, taking his previous spot against the door frame. His tail tip still flicked harshly back and forth, telling of his anxiousness.
Altani let out a quiet sigh, knowing everyone's eyes were on her as she leaned back, she new it was pointless to beat around the bust so she simply let it out "...Vanriri, M-M'shara a-and...G'lewra were all...taken by the u-uh..the spider shites....allagan things...a-ate em or something...?" She didnt really know how it worked or what the hells she'd seen "T-Think they arent dead though like...ate em weirdly...pulled em into its guts with lie...m-metal tendrils or something..."
Haila nodded slowly as Altani spoke, even opting to cross her arms as she leaned absentmindedly against the couch, piecing together Altani's tale in her mind. "It took them then." she merely commented, waiting for the rest to process what had been just said before sharing what she knew.
Mivo'to lifted a brow, lips parting as an ever concerned breath passed between his fangs. 'Ate', was it? He had little knowledge on their machinations, but such a description can hardly mean anything pleasent. "Miss Haila? Any trace of what she may be describing?" He questioned, turning to their resident expert.
Aislinn tensed as she stared at Altani. So that's where G'lewra had gone. Rushing headlong after Vanriri. She shot a glance to Haila, recalling the dissection they had previously performed. "Wonder if that's what the thing's blasted cavity is for. Hauling people."
"I wouldn't put it past it's design. Who knows, maybe one of Dellont's projects for the future was to design a creature that could carry the injured back into safety like that.." Haila then shook her head some, clearly the woman had disdain for all these machinations. "How twisted can something get from it's original intention? But then again, it wouldn't have any Allagan in it if didn't do that..."
N'yami's tail tip flicked and her eyes narrowed into slits, the corner of her mouth twitched as if wanting to curl into a snarl but she controlled herself. She wasn't mad at the Viera but mad that the allagan bastards had taken those precious to her.
"They're eatin' folks now? Wern't they jus'..." Rising Lotus twirled her hand around as she tried to remember "Drainin' em before?" she shifted a bit at the thought of being eaten by one of those things, shuddering a bit.
"They were probably secured after being stunned." Haila explained as she heard her name being called, then glanced over to Altani. "Did they all fall in combat? Or was something shot akin to a lightning shard that made them fall and unable to move? Or did you see anything like I described?"
"Mayhaps it is a method of entrapment, Lady Lotus. A means to save them for a later date?" Mivo'to offered.
"I 'spose they are spiders...sorta...an' real ones do that too, web 'em up an' all." Rising Lotus replied.
"I can only fathom why - Least they are in need of a sudden surge of aether." Mivo'to paused, a chill creeping upon his neck as a shudder passed over his shoulders, head shaking to and fro as he turned centerward. "I would rather not ponder the possibilities of such a cause..."
Alexi tensed as soon as he heard M'shara's name. His lips peeled back slightly and every exhale of breath carried the low rumble of a growl. His gaze flicked between Altani and Haila. "Took them? Took them where?"
Altani nodded softly at Halia "They seemed to be uh...sleepin I guess, was to busy running and all to look...but uh...they were headed for Coerthas...n-now that im im thinkin about it..." She shook her head for a moment "W-well...honestly think its was a trap...soon as we found Vanriri they were on us..." She cursed herself, in hindsight it seemed so obvious to her that it was some sort of trap she'd done similar in the past now she was falling for the same trick.
Haila nodded once more, then looked down at the ground for a few moments. Where to even start? First, she looked up at Alexi, the one who probably needed the most answers now. "So the team that G'lewra assembled a bit recklessly didn't go too well... As far as we know, those creatures prey on any that have a gift for magic. So no doubt they had a field day.." she told him before looking back over to the group. "I won't bash G'lewra for going off like this, she must have had a plan to be tracked---at least... But are we all in agreement that no groups will be formed to go after them unless we have a clear countermeasure to their stun shots and the hordes in which they come?"
Mivo'to pursed a bottom lip, fangs pressing softly into its purplish flesh. It was clear the Miqo'te was in thought, off-colored eyes raging with one another as Haila's words echoed upon his pointed ears. Sit back? How could they? Every hour, every minute might very well stand as the last, a fate let pass. "I doubt we can sit idly by. I have no intention of rushing headlong, but surely there are measures that can be taken now - Learn our enemy's weakness, locate where our friends are kept."
"It does seem out of character for her, to be so reckless." Aislinn allowed. She didn't really need time to consider Haila's words, to her mind it was just logical. She nodded in agreement with the Viera. "I think that only makes sense." she turned her attention to Mivo'to. "Most of us recall rushing headlong into a fight not too long ago with no idea what we were dealing with. We'll work fast, but we need a plan." she told him.
Rising Lotus nodded, as much as she was generally all for jumping head first into danger, a whole swarm of was a bit out of her comfort zone, and Haila knew what she was talking afterall. "Before they only went after folks that used uh, healin' magic right? Or mostly seemed, so does that mean they've gotten a bigger...appetite?
Alexi calmed somewhat as Haila gave him her brief explanation, his fangs retracted though that growl in his tone of voice persisted. He gave a slight nod to Haila. "Agreed. We wouldn't want to walk into another trap..." he said, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. "Though I WILL be assisting in the rescue effort. And anything else I can do to help prepare, I will."
N'yami kept her mouth shut as she listened but not only was her mother taken but so were her friends, her tail flicked behind her as plans started form in her head and what she could possibly do to save those that were taken. She would need to go track down her husband after this.
"We won't stand idly no, but at least it would be better to have countermeasures. At least a suit that is impervious to their stuns or a disruptor of the signal they all exchange." Haila commented, looking over to the Miqo'te. "If no one was drained of their aether there and then like the bodies reported around Coerthas, we can assume everyone that was taken is needed alive at the very least."
Altani stayed silent for a few moments as she recalled what all had happened, she then recalled something G'lewra had said "They did somethin odd, they just ignored me, as if I was a rock in the middle of a river they just went around me, even if I was fightin think its the only reason im here right now...but Lewra said it was my lack of mis-er Aether...?" She didn't seem so sure of herself as she finished speaking "Maybe...could send some of us...non spell casters lovers in to scout around...?"
Mivo'to offered a silent glance upon the room, an idle hand draping free of his chest, and upon his hilt, squeezing upon its worn, sturdy pommel. "Would it be unfounded to say your previous specimen has provided all it may, Lady Haila? Such a scouting party could also look to procuring another - Preferably intact."
"If that's the case, that they just flat out ignore those with lower registers of aether, then that might be best." Aislinn sighed. "As it is, I only have one aether dampener prototype ready to go."
"It's...given me quite a lot of data yes. We currently have three in our posession, two that I've almost finished fixing, and one intact. But they're all rather small." Haila informed them. At Aislinn's new information though, she glanced between her and Mivo'to. "While I would be opposed to you trying to find one by yourself given that you can be a target for them as well Mivo.. If you had a way of cloaking some of your aether, that would change things. A medium sized one would come in handy right now. Even if to establish a stronger connection to their base."
"How do you capture such things, aside from jus' smashin' 'em. Is there some way to jus' turn them off?" Rising Lotus asked.
Mivo'to trailed his gaze between the studious Haila and Aislinn, a faint hum occupying his throat. One, two, three blinks before he parted his lips, a rush of air passing between them. "Have you any means of baiting such contraptions out?" He questioned, furthering a nod to Rising's own inquiry.
N'yami raised her hand. "Can use me as bait." She said speaking up for the first time since the meeting started. "I have a lot of aether but it's not exactly aether they'd want to get their hands on."
Aislinn considered that a moment. "I would think a large discharge of aether in the area of Coerthas we know them to be should do it." she mused. "If the party is made up of those of a less magical bent, crystals might work." she stopped and looked over at N'yami. "Ahh...even better."
"As far as I'm concerned... Only aether draws them out, and they seem to be expanding territory too. Unles..." Haila trailed off, ears perking at a reckless idea that didn't seem too bad anymore. "Unless you use the smallest spider in our posession to send a signal to bring in a bigger one. You'd need to be aware of where their territory ends, but it could work. As for disabling them, while I don't have full access to this scientist's signals, the core is allagan, faking a signal from their original creators could work."
Haila glanced over to the volunteer for baiting. Her gaze softened a bit with a glint of worry. "You must be G'lewra's daughter right?... If only our reasons to meet were brighter than this..."
"An' if that don't work at least we could jus' break it's legs off, probably not too much important in those right?" Rising Lotus nodded confidently at her idea, cocking her head a bit as she thought it through a bit more. "..Though they could probably still call for it's friends if the main part is still squirmin'. Only if the first part don't work then."
Altani got a rather dumb idea but she spoke up anyway "Could get a uh, cage split it in half stick on of you in one side and the spider thing in then other? Dunno how strong the cage would have to be though." Alt shrugged lightly glancing around the room "Dunno about the things calling for its friends though...suppose just have to be faster then them? Or could bring a carriage?"
Alexi was doing his best to follow along, just listening to what the others were proposing. "Hm... if you already have specimins, broken or not, why do you need another? How will it get us into their lair to free the others?"
"'Twoud be a swift operation, nary a Ilm for failure. It would serve well if both our 'bait' and our poacher be familiar with Coerthea's terran - Or, at the very least, capable of quickly traversing the snow." Mivo'to openly pondered, flickering his attention to Altani. "Aye, holding a party in reserve would be in good order - Provide a swift getaway, and ensure the path is clear." The Keeper agreed.
"Probably wonderin' how in the hells someone so gentle and well spoken ended up with me as a kid." N'yami sighed softly to more or less collect her thoughts. "But yea, I'm her daughter, but from what you and the Old man has said these things detect aether and they go for ones with large amounts of it. If I can get a decent sized one to come after me I should be able to lock it down."
Haila nodded towards N'yami, "Aye, that would be of great help." she said to her before turning over to Alexi. "Because I need a bigger one to test their abilities... And because I may be able to snatch more data from their creator from here already." she explained, clearly reluctant as she stepped forward and opened up her strange tome as she set it down in the middle of the room. Holograms and formulas coming to life as very blurry images started to project among a constant flickering. The images in question being brief sights of doors and tubes, yet their contents were too blurred to see, one would say it wasn't even enough to call it proof of their friend's whereabouts. "I managed to get this from the smaller ones, but I can't clear the images or any recordings yet... There's also unfinished words encrypted, but I need more data to decipher them."
Alexi stepped closer as the display lit up, resting his hands on the back of the sofa and leaning forward to try and see better. He breathed a sigh as it all seemed to sink in. "Apologies, this is all quite new to me... So, we don't even know where they've been taken, other than somewhere in Coerthus?"
As Aislinn watched the flickering images a furrow formed between her brows. She couldn't be sure of what it was she was looking at. "Are these...visual recordings from the bioweapons? ...spiders. Old footage of their return point?"
Rising Lotus watched all the information float around, eyes darting around from image to image but not really understanding much of it.
"I'd say recordings, or images exchanged with the other ones. But we might be able to see where they go if we snatch a more intact and bigger one. Their signal reaches so far that even from here I can catch small bits of it. But yes, all we know so far is that it's somewhere in Coerthas, and a tad deep into that land at that." Haila said.
Alexi takes another deep breath and lets it out slowly to try and calm himself. As much as he wished it wasn't so, this plan was their only chance. "Sorry to interupt. My worry seems to be getting the better of me. Please, continue."
Altani squinted at the floating images, not really being able to make much sense of any of it she simply listened along whatever it was from the sounds of it it was promising, trying to not let herself fall asleep as her exhaustion caught up with her
Mivo'to trailed his eyes through the rough visuals, lips parting in a silent murmur, seemingly in a deep reflection with himself as he made note of what he may - Which, admittedly, was hardly much.
Aislinn nodded. "Alright, so if I'm understanding this, we need another one of those bioweap...spiders in order to collect more data and pinpoint where our members were taken. Then, the plan is to send in a team made up of non-spell casters on a rescue mission?" she asked for clarification. Just to be sure she was following all of this. Admittedly, she hadn't been her best lately.
"You've all the right to feel like that. I just wish I had more answers for now. But the images I got are very little right now." Haila said, nodding once as she waved her hand at the images, some of the clearer ones coming into view. There was a clear vision of a snake in one, and another one showed wings, and then a random scalekin that you could find anywhere in the land. "Tis the plan I can offer, at least for now. Lest I choose a more reckless option."
Aislinn made a low, uneasy noise in the back of her throat. "Well, let's try not so reckless first."
"I doubt we are short of volunteers for our first undertaking...Tis only a matter of who we choose to send." Mivo'to said.
Rising Lotus looked to Aisllinn "An' like you said, we only got one uh...anti...magic...thing, that we can use. Shouldn't be too hard to choose the non-magic folks, it's jus' that one we need to be considerin' a bit more."
"It wouldn't hurt to have a backup group watching over those that go and try to bait too..." Haila added
"Of course, I volunteer. Aside from ammunition imbuement, I've little in the way of aetheric skills or magick." Alexi spoke up.
Aislinn looked over at Rising. "Aye. Just the one. And like anything having to do with aether, it comes with a price. Can't get something for nothing. In this case, it'll dampen a person's signature but in return casting anything is that much harder. Like wearing weights." she paused. "But if it's needed, we have it."
"So you or N'yami could do it then..." Haila said, trailing off.
"Makes sense...Jus' like usin' armor I guess." Rising turned her attention back to Haila. "I can help out too, I'm used to travelin' over there, an' I ain't ever really done much magic ever."
Mivo'to curled his digits across the hilt of his blade, a rhythmic 'slip' sounding as he idly removed and insert the blade from its sheath. "Should you be in need of a soul to physically render the target null, I would like to volunteer. Familiar enough with those snow-touched wastes to make a swift departure."
Haila glanced between the two new volunteers. "That would be good then.. I'll have a device ready to try and disable the spider, at least on a small scale. I doubt it is possible to down the whole horde unless it's a direct command from their creator." she sighed. "I wished I could be of help there, but all I can do is give the tools. Lest we give that mad man more reasons to toy with Heartwood."
"Probably goes without sayin, but well I can help, figure I can just scout around or whatever's needed, done a few jobs in the area so I’m a little familiar." Altani said.
"You also were the last person that saw how far they've reached into the Shroud if I'm not wrong. Drawing a small map of the route G'lewra's group did could help, as well as noting down where any report of dead bodies has taken place." Haila noted as she nodded once more. "I won't accompany you, so I believe you all who wish to go should decide on the roles each one will play. All that I ask is that no one is reckless and to withdraw immediately if more than one spider shows up."
"We've a plan, and we have our players." Mivo'to said, a previously lost spark returning to their tone as they lifted their arms, a closed fist punching into an open palm. "Let's get our girls."
Haila couldn't help but smirk a bit. "Aye, time to get everyone back safe and sound."
Alexi grunted and gave a nod to Mivo'to, then looked around to the others. "Agreed. Our friends must come home."
Rising Lotus grinned at Mivo's enthusiasm. "Aye, we'll get them back in no time, an' squash any of them things that stand in our way!"
"But I do get the ok if a large group of those spider things come that I get to at least blow up a few, yea? Don't worry I'll make sure the large one stays safe." N'yami asked.
"As long as you don't let them overwhelm you. Or get anywhere close enough to shoot a stun bullet at you, I won't complain. A whole horde coming at you isn't pretty, and I wouldn't doubt that the man behind this would still go for someone with aether related to one of his captives."
"Might be smart to have someone high up watching over everything, so if a horde of em shows we know before theyre all over us." Altani said.
Aislinn gave a single nod of her head. She turned to pass N'yami a look over her shoulder. "Before you go, the prototype is on your mother's desk." her gaze faltered a moment. "Just... cuff it to your wrist. The stone will take care of the rest."
N'yami offered a small nod. "I'll be sure to grab it, if any of ya need me I'll be in my shop off in the Goblet."
"When do we leave? Tonight? First thing come morning?" Alexi asked, eager to get moving.
"I'd say first thing in the morning. Give Altani some time to rest at least." Haila said, nodding towards the half dozing Viera. "The quicker the better, but as always, don't rush in, that goes for everyone involved."
"Agreed." Aislinn added firmly.
"Plenty an hour for rest - With such an undertaking, I would do well we all approach as alert as we may be. Our present optimism can turn head in a mere moment." Mivo'to nodded.
Alexi gave a nod and a grunt. "Then I'll be staying here to be as prepared as I can be for the morning."
Haila nodded "There's a few guestrooms open, and more than enough supplies to stock up on before leaving."
"If no one has much to share, I'd say we're set for now. I may need to find an extra hand on Allagan work though if anyone has any good contacts to put to use..."
"I can take ya to the Old Man one of these suns, he's been workin' on one of those spiders as well and he's been researchin' allagan for gods knows how long." N'yami offered.
Haila Wetyios blinked in surprise. "Please do... Two or three heads are better than one, especially when this is getting more and more personal with each loss."
If Altani had much to say she wasnt going to be saying much as she slumped over on the couch a low snore could be heard as she dozed off.
"Pray, if I may trouble you for your notes later this evening, Lady Haila. I would much prefer to know the workings of a contraption I will be so 'intimately' close to." Mivo'to asked.
Haila nodded, "I'll be sure to pass them onto you as soon as I can."
Alexi huffed out a breath. "If that's it then, I'm going to retire for the evening. I'll be in one of the guest rooms if anyone wants to go over strategy."
Mivo'to nodded, adjusting his coat. "May Twelve grant you their blessing - Heavens know we will be needing it."
N'yami pushed herself off the wall and gave a small stretch. "I'm gonna head back to the Goblet, if any of ya need weapons to pierce through the metal those things are made of give me a call and I'll work on somethin' for ya."
Rising Lotus looked to be mulling something over during the tail end of their meeting, but seemed to shake off whatever she was thinking of. "Tomorrow then, spider catchin'. Spose I ought to make suer everything is in workin' order."
Alexi quirked a brow at N'yami. "Are their hides any tougher than Garlean steel? Because I have no problem with that."
N'yami grinned. "In my shop there is, ya wanna come to the shop? I got extra beds so ya can crash there if ya like and we can work on somethin' for ya."
As the others worked out the details of their plan of attack, Aislinn rose from her seat. They appeared to have it from here and she still wasn't 100%. She needed to find some rest. "Just...try to all come back in one piece. Aside from the obvious reasons, of not wanting to lose another person, the clinic is short-staffed." she said as she made her way out. "Be safe."
Mivo'to lifted the Panda of his shoulder by its scruff, setting it beside his boots. "Pray, should any update arise, reach for my shell - I shant be but a hour's travel away." He spoke, drifting from the study.
N'yami offered a small wave. "Take care and get some rest."
Alexi nodded to N'yami, the first hint of a smile cracking the corners of his mouth. "Sounds like a much better option. Lead the way."
Rising Lotus started her way off. "See ya'll tomorrow then, I'll should be up in time otherwise jus' come get me."
Aislinn stood in her lab at Heartwood, her hands flat on her work bench as she gave the small aether masking prototype she had been working on a hard stare. A fortnight of work. Too little, too late.
The report from the Wailers said Vanriri had been escorting Dellont home after his meeting with the Company when the two were ambushed. The Wailers found Dellont bloodied and in a state of shock before he collapsed. There was no sign of Vanriri. She had been taken. It failed to say taken by what exactly but everyone in Heartwood knew. By those damned Allagan monstrosities of his brother's making.
The Council was, of course, each handling this news in their own way. G’lewra had shuttered herself in her clinic. Aislinn had heard the violent sound of glass shattering from Crific's office. While she certainly shared the taciturn soldier's sentiment, she had gone the other way, growing cold and still as stone. How many bells had it been since she had last moved from this spot?
If she had been quicker about developing the prototype. If she had been more focused, more dedicated, more intelligent...just more, then maybe it could have helped Vanriri.
With a swift, decisive burst of movement she swept up the prototype and left the lab, making her way down the hall to the clinic. At the very least she could give G'lewra what she had. Just as they had been warned, these machina were picking off Heartwood's healers. She supposed that made her a target as well and while she had made strides as a competent field medic under the chief medic's watchful eye, of the two of them, G'lewra needed the prototype more than she. She didn't want to think of Heartwood without the Seeker.
Stepping into the clinic, Aislinn was greeted with an unnerving stillness that brought her up short. Certainly, G'lewra could have stepped out for a moment but not even a cup of tea left steaming on her desk spoke to that idea. Nothing was out of place, but somehow that did little to assuage her prickling unease.
Slowly, and with a touch of dismay, Aislinn made her way across the office and set the prototype down on the fastidiously clean surface, lingering there for a long moment. With a sudden, sharp shake of her head, she shook loose her misgivings. This Allag business had her looking for shadows in every corner.
She left the office and decided she would check on the potion supply downstairs in the clinic. She might as well prepare a new batch while she waited for the miqo'te to return.
Dellont Gleauvahins entered Heartwood Ventures with a blank expression on his face, after hearing rumors about the company having been in Coerthas the man decided to come check things out to see if the rumors were true. Walking the few steps in he was met with someone sweeping and what seemed to be a group of people just relax. Bringing a hand up to his mouth the elezen coughed into it to grab the attention of anyone. "Am I right to believe that this is the home of Heartwood?"
"You would be correct." Haila stated, immediately turning over to the newcomer as she remained on her seat by the nearby bar. "And you would be?" she asked in return, a hand resting near the side of her head as she waited for an answer.
Aislinn looked up from the book she was reading and blinked owlishly. "That it is, yes." she said, a beat too late. She softly closed the book. "What can we do for you?"
Vanriri came from the back, making the final adjustments on her gauntlets; she'd been tending to the two numbskulls who'd not *only* broken a table with their antics, but *somehow* managed to knock one another into oblivion. How they had two braincells left to rub together was beyond her, but at least they were now resting comfortably.
Altani was far to busy tinkering with her arm blade to pay the elezen any attention grumbling to herself every so often
Aiswyda swept at the grass at the entryway. The whole endeavor is futile to begin with. With every pass, the grass flicks back the other direction and she’s done nothing but spread the fake dirt around a little.
Rising Lotus had been leaning against a column, watching Wyda for a few minutes now, confused as to why she was doing it but curious to see how long she'd be at it.
Dellont Gleauvahins looked over his shoulder towards the hyur and then back at the Viera. "Dellont Gleauvahins." The man offered with a small bow towards the group. "If rumors are correct you've been dealing with my brother's antics."
Haila arched a brow, they'd been certainly dealing with more than a few antics, for a moment she nearly asked which one. But given that the last dissection was still fresh in her mind, she understood right away. "Am I to assume said brother is the one that's controlling an armada of allagan machinery?"
Just like Haila, Aislinn's brows also rose a bit at that. She took a moment to carefully place the book back on the shelf before turning to the elezen. In all fairness, that could describe any number of jobs Heartwood was currently involved with but as the Viera posed her question, Aislinn made a soft "Ahh." Now it made sense.
Vanriri squinted slightly at the elezen once she settles the final strap at a comfortable snugness. "Your brother, ser--" she pauses, glancing at Haila, "ah, that clarifies things."
Aiswyda is far too invested at this point...The only option now is to carry on with the charade. Wyda puts down the broom and procures a dustpan from the cafe. She kneels over and sweeps into the pan, then tosses the ‘dirt’ out of an open window.
Dellont Gleauvahins lips thinned into a line, so the rumors had been true. "An armada? I do believe back when we were working on this project it was simply a handful to be used as test subjects, merely machinery that was meant to help add the military in war efforts."
Altani kept tinkering with her armor though she glanced up at the group every now and then, idly keeping tabs on the conversation
Rising Lotus rose her hand to try and get Wyda's attention, but decided against it as it seemed much more important things were about to be discussed. The mystery would remain unsolved for now it seemed.
"From reports, it would seem to have grown to a veritable swarm, I'm sorry to inform you." Vanriri stated as she made her way up the first few steps of the staircase. Does she climb the steps to be taller? Maybe.
Aislinn glanced between Vanriri and Dellont. "That does seem to be the case. We've been trying to sort out exactly why, though."
The slow patter of boot-laden footsteps preceded the interjection of a voice that was familiar to some. "War against /who/, exactly? I wasn't aware the alliance approved of aether draining." Edda stated as she came into view.
Aiswyda neatly put the dustpan away. She met Rising’s gaze for a moment, and grinned slightly. “A bit of last minute cleaning! As we have guests over...” She then looks over to the elezen stranger, curious.
Altani started to get more and more interested as the group talked, but she kept to herself for the moment
Rising Lotus looked to Wyda, then down to the grassy floor, then back to the woman once more, shrugging with a sigh and turning to pay attention to the commotion.
Dellont Gleauvahins seemed confused at Edda's comment and the reaction his face made was clear enough. "Aether draining? They were meant to provide medical aid to the wounded on battlefields, it's quite the opposite. What has my brother done to them...." Running a hand through his hair Dellont took in a large breath before exhaling. "Tell me, what has Yvellont made these machines become? My purpose for them was to aid people not harm them."
Knuckles tensed, the young sorceress snapped back -- "You can answer /our/ questions first. Give us a reason to trust you." Edda then spun on her heel, pacing toward one of the tables where she soon seated herself.
Dellont perked a brow and the look of shock never left his features, the elezen was so confused on what damage his brother had caused. "You may ask me whatever you wish, I have nothing to hide from you."
Aiswyda listened with rapt attention, but held back from saying anything. The extent of her understanding was literally just this - robot spiders bad. Robot spiders in Coerthas? Smash.
Edda idly, she sipped at a steaming cup clutched between her fingertips. "This project of yours. Who ordered it, and who else was involved? This can't have been a two-man job."
Altani didn't really know what anyone was on about, but she wasnt about to let anyone else know just how clueless she was
As Edda asked her questions, Aislinn quietly studied the elezen, interested in what he may have to say. Anything that might shed light on the bioweaponry that currently had her and Haila stymied would be helpful.
Vanriri frowned slightly, pondering. She was only just beginning aetherial studies--she couldn't say much with any authority--though she supposed if they'd been previously designed with medical aid in mind, some of the core features may yet rely on that... She shifts her gaze from the elezen, to Edda, and back again.
Dellont offered a shake of his head. "No one ordered it, simply two brothers who lost enough during the Dragonsong War, including our father. We had done research in efforts to find ways to hopefully protect our loved ones or offer some strength in battle to keep them going. The devices were meant for Healers to infuse their aether into crystals that were held inside the machines, once they reached the target the merely had to break the crystal over them to heal their wounds. Until they were able to make it back safely, the size of them were to stay about that of a small pup. Large enough to carry what was needed but small enough to scurry across the field without being detected."
"There were some of those things way bigger than that wern't there? Spose when they're all swarmin' over each other it's hard to tell the exact size of 'em." Rising Lotus mused.
Aislinn, herself, hadn't been there during this attack though she had dissected the one they brought back. "Hmm...aye from what I understand they may have drifted far from that purpose. They apparently sought out our medics in an attempt to drain their aether." she glanced around the room, at those who had actually been out in Coerthas.
“That’s a wonderful idea!” Wyda smiled at Dellont. A beat. She sensed the overall mood in the room and quickly turned her smile into a stern frown. “Er, but Rising’s got a point. And what we saw in the field was a far cry from what you intended...”
"Who oversaw their manufacture during this early stage?" Edda asked.
"Bigger? No no no, they were never meant to be larger than I had explained, there was no need for it. Yvellont and I were the only ones that knew of these plans and how to build it, no one else was meant to know about them until they were fully functioning properly." At Aislinn's comment the man's face paled as he looked over towards the Hyur. "I beg your pardon?" He had heard but couldn't believe it.
"Then you will give us these plans. It may afford you a deal of clemency when the two of you are brought to justice." Edda stated.
Aislinn shot Edda a swift, quelling look out of the corner of her eye before looking back to Dellont. "Again, from what I'm given to understand, they attacked our medics. We've been working on some way to shield them going forward out in the field but...do you know why your brother might want to turn them into weapons instead of what they were originally designed for?"
“They were pretty aggressive. Attacked and chased us around. You ever punch a robot before?” Wyda shivered, and shook her head. “...but I’m sure the others could go into it in more detail.”
"There was a veritable /swarm/ of them shooting at us." Edda added.
"I can't give you plans that I don't have, and justice? I have done nothing wrong but simply try and help those in need, if anyone shall be brought to justice it'll be Yvellont. The only reason he has all the blueprints for the machines was due to him blowing up our last lab in an attempt to kill me." The scientist scoffed at the mage before turning his attention to the other two. "I have never punched a machine before as I'm not exactly the physical type, and I'm unsure. I'm just as confused as you are as to why he would target your medics."
"Much like they mentioned, had it been a random group of adventurers, I doubt that we'd be standing here right now. But that poses way more questions." Haila commented, shrugging some as she had been silent for far too long. "Justice or not, you know more than we do about this subject, and your brother seems rather keen on being well hidden as well."
Altani began to feel somewhat bad for the elezen having everyone's eyes and judgement on him, she was tempted to speak out in defense of him but she didn't feel good about sticking her neck out for some stranger
"I'd say that brings enough to offer a good deal if your intention is to put a stop to this as much as we do." Haila said.
Aislinn nodded in agreement with the viera.
Vanriri cleared her throat. "We've more pressing matters, for now, than laying blame or subsequently questioning your intentions. If you do not have plans at present, then perhaps you might help our own researchers recreate them--we've several specimens, I believe."
Edda frowned, hissing in irritation as she set her cup down. "Your own role in this wretched affair cannot rightly be ignored. You didn't keep /copies/ anywhere?"
"I have told you all that I know, I haven't even been able to track down Yvellont after he vanished, and I would like for him to continue thinking that he succeeded in killing me. If he knows I'm tailing him then he'll move locations and we can't have that. The only other thing that I may offer is I had denied him in wanting to further the project, a simple project to aid healers that he wanted to turn more into war machines." Removing his glasses Dellont rubbed the bridge of his nose. Those that looked could see the large scar that formed across his face, aftermath of the explosion perhaps. "If you have specimens then I can help look them over and see what he's done, perhaps he hasn't changed the coding on them and I can see what he's planning." Placing his glasses back on the elezen simply ignored Edda, focusing more on those that weren't throwing a fit.
Haila sighed softly, "We can show you, it saves me the trouble of tracking the damn man out myself. And keeping recklessness to a minimum is what we should be aiming for." she stated, pausing to glance around at everyone still standing. "We can discuss some more, but I believe 'tis past due that we at least offer a seat or a cup of tea for a guest."
"It's reckless to place our confidence in strangers bearing gifts. I needn't relate to you how Nym fell." Edda pressed.
"Confidence and common courtesy are two separate things, if he knows something we can use, then at least a fair trade is in demand." Haila replied.
"Perhaps his intentions /are/ pure. I feel that time should be taken to assess this." the mage countered.
“Were you ever close with your brother? Was he always the sort to try to kill his kin or create dangerous aether sucking spiders?” Wyda tapped a finger against the tip of her nose, in thought. She then meandered over to the cafe, and as she does so she thinks aloud to herself. “I’m just wondering what his end goal could be...”
Vanriri couldn't deny that she shared some of Edda's misgivings--and she was fairly certainly the Adders, and Ishgard's own knights would be keen to know this particular Elezen had come calling, considering his connections. Regardless of whether or not his intentions were genuine. She frowns slightly.
Aislinn tilted her head to Haila, acknowledging the viera's point. Sometimes she forgot things like social graces. "Aye, Haila's right. No harm in having some tea and a sit while we talk."
"By all means. I'm not advocating tossing the bastard in a cell." Edda relented.
"I'm an Allagan researcher, I found the subject intriguing as to what could be built from it, after seeing a few designs from old works it's what gave me the idea for my creations." Holding hand up Dellont waved a hand dismissively to Haila's offer. "I will simply stand as I seem to make some of your members uncomfortable but I will still lend the knowledge that I know." A golden brow perked at Wyda's question and a soft sigh was heard. "We were once close, connected to the hip one would say."
"Please, ser, sit. We can all abide some small discomforts." Vanriri gestures. "You mentioned your motivations for these creations began to differ--is this the root of your schism?" She moves closer to the tables. Vanriri likewise makes shooing motions for everyone to sit, because everyone else is just milling about, too.
"Then you're not alone, I'm also an Allagan researcher, and as you can tell, a few more of us also hold some knowledge of it in their own fields. But just from looking at the few samples of machinery we retrieved out there, your brother also has a grasp on it farther than average." Haila said to the elezen.
Aislinn glanced over at Vanriri and quietly moved to a seat while she listened.
Rising Lotus meandered her way over to the pastry table, plopping down while everyone else talked out the technicals.
Altani shrugged, wandering her way to the cafe, though she'd stay standing for the moment
Aiswyda shakes her head disapprovingly at the mention of Allagan. It seemed that, no matter the context, dabbling in old tech always led to shenanigans. However, her expression softens when Dellont brings up his estranged brotherhood. “Sorry to hear...Perhaps he can yet be convinced to stop.”
"There's blood on his hands. A crossbow bolt will stop him well enough." Edda said.
"Farther you say? I'm rather curious to what he's come up with." A roll of the eyes and another sigh was heard from Dellont. "Perhaps I should just leave with what info I have and the help that I could offer if comments like such will continue, such childish manners."
"This same man tried to murder you, didn't he?" Edda quickly replied.
"Whether my brother tried to murder me or not he's the key to stopping these and if you kill him then all is lost then his army is left to run freely." Dellont's reply came just as swift.
"Edda, I must ask that you behave this time. Bringing someone to justice doesn't mean killing them will be the solution, that's us being vigilantes instead. I'm not going to bring up the ethics that each city has for judging their guilty, what we have here is work towards a solution for the job we took." Haila spoke a tad sharply, moving over to a chair to arrange and take a seat herself.
"He'd be beheaded in Thanalan. Still, justice needn't be premature."
"Then let the authorities decide that instead of taking that into your own hands."
"I intend to."
Aiswyda fretted over Edda and Haila. “What happens /after/ we take care of the robots threatening Eorzea, we can figure out then! But we’ve got someone here, willing to help. So before we toss anyone into gaol, let’s sort out the present, eh?”
Vanriri hopped up onto her chair so she can ...see over the table. "Allagan technology inspired these creations, you were saying," she prompted, trying to usher the conversation along, and sends Wyda a grateful glance.
Dellont moved towards to pillar to lean against not intending to sit down as to when this was all done he could leave right away. "Now, what is it you wish to know and what info can you share with me about these creatures? There was mention you were able to get a few subjects, what did you find within them?" With a soft hum Dellont turned his attention to Vanri. "Yes, hearing stories of such creations and even being able to witness one I saw greatness in them. Yvellont and I were stuck on what could possibly help our people in battle, aid the healers even, so I started the blueprint process. I started off with one of course, there were so many tests, how to be able to track someone down that was injured or low on aether through tough terrain. I had to make my own wiring for the system so that the cold winter winds wouldn't damage them."
Flatly, the witch murmured -- "It's rude to stare." She set her now-empty cup aside.
Aiswyda caught herself in a distant stare, and awkwardly looks away. “Eep, sorry...I was just...well..” She pinches herself in an attempt to wake herself up, but her ever present exhaustion remains.
"If it's anythin' they seem to work pretty damn well in the snow, jus' have the healin' part a bit backwards though." Rising Lotus spoke up.
Haila Wetyios nodded along a little as he started talking some more about how all this came to be. "Let me ask this then, did the original machines you created intend to mix in flesh with the circuits?"
Dellont stared in horror as his nose scrunched in disgust. "Why on earth would their need to be flesh mixed in with the circuits? The circuits worked perfectly fine the way they were."
Aislinn eyed Dellont with a bit of bemusement. "Well, as we can show you, it's certainly a piece of bioweaponry now. Flesh and circuits and a core we can't seem to break into."
"Was the core meant to be fully allagan? Except with added adaptations to be managed by a core of your own creation?" Haila asked.
Aiswyda‘s eyes droop, and she leans over for a second before snapping back to attention. Godsdamn it - already at her limit, again. Before she embarasses herself by falling asleep on the table, Wyda excuses herself from the table and quickly disappears into her room.
"The core was meant to be fully allagan, yes, easier to control the creations and the power source they needed. The core itself is meant to be linked to each one to send signals to one another, for example if one were to find a group of injured people it would send a signal to others to assist it. If I'm correct and he hasn't changed anything there should be a main core connected to all of them which is what he would need to control them. But from what you've told me he does indeed have it."
As the door swings shut behind Wyda, one might catch a glimpse of a certain turquoise-garbed, red-headed solider looming behind the door--evidently eavesdropping on the conversation from the shadows.
"If you mean the small core we found connected to the main allagan core, then yes, it had one. Though buried underneath circuits of both nerves and real wires. Not to mention that whatever data it had was encrypted to keep from prying eyes." Haila nodded.
Aislinn hummed in thought. "So. There should be logs in the core. A readout of the number of times our little spider was pinged by the main core. Maybe some sort of identifier we could use if we take ours out somewhere far from here and fire it up. See if we could get a read on where the main core was pinging from?" she said, sketching out the details in her head as she thought aloud.
"We would need to be somewhere safe and well hidden cause the moment we ping the main core our location is also given away and not long after will his swarm come searching." Dellont replied
Aislinn nodded slowly, the idea still forming. "Aye, hence the taking it far from here. We don't want this place overrun with those things."
"Safe, well-hidden and unpopulated." Edda added.
"All of this still means we need to get access to the core, of course." Aislinn sighed.
Haila's ears perked up at the mention of safe and hidden. "It sounds like my lab would be the better option to do so then... Though I'd have to cut off the main door for a time if we do that there."
"Giving them the location of /your/ lab doesn't sound like a good idea either. Surely it would be better to carry out the process somewhere remote and unimportant." Edda countered.
Aislinn North nodded in agreement with Edda
"...Underwater, perhaps?" the witch proposed.
"I'd be telling them I'm buried under the sea somewhere near Othard."
"Given that our mark is also a technologist, would he not be able to infer that there's a workspace present?"
Rising Lotus raised her hand a tad "Aye, way out of my league here, but what path will they take to get to wherever you are going to do whatever it is you do? Wouldn't be good if they're swarming through towns takin' the most direct path or somethin'."
"Perhaps... But only one attuned to the inner aetheryte would be able to access it if I cut off the gate I have in here." Haila replied.
Dellont tilted his head in Haila's direction. "If she's able to send our signal in a different direction then we might be alright, they're not meant for water so if the signal shows us in the sea somewhere near Othard they won't come. Even if we took a boat to the deepest part of the sea we would be safe."
"So the signal range truly has no limits... Figures since 'tis allagan. Though whether my lab was located or not, it wouldn't have made a difference given what's needed to access it through normal means." Haila said.
Aislinn tapped a idle finger on the table in thought. "Once we have that information though, I imagine we'd need to move in fast on the location. I'm guessing your brother will up and move quick once he puts two and two together."
Haila paused. "That too.."
"Correct." Dellont nodded.
"Station multiple teams in different city-states. Dispatch the closest." Edda offered. "This also has the advantage of being better-equipped to pursue him if he moves."
"Aye, with somewhere around Coerthas being my bet." Aislinn nodded.
"I planted several modified aetherometers ever since picking up that distant signal during our encounter, but I haven't had a chance to check on them. Or at least I know I shouldn't try alone." Haila stated. "But if he didn't move locations, it should still be in Coerthas if not near it."
"Could see if the city states would be willing to have teams ready to find em if he happens to not be in Coerthas, just so we don't split ourselves that much." Altani proposed.
"Securing the aid of the temple knights should be rather simple." Edda replied. "...The same cannot be said for the Flames."
"Well I'd assume the Temple knights would probably help out near coerthas compared to the Flames. Jus' a distance thing." Rising Lotus stated.
"Yes. Obviously. I mean to suggest that we would need some form of support in Thanalan."
"I mean...could just pay them, Gil usually works better then most things with the flames."
"You can bribe the Brass Blades. These are soldiers."
Dellont Gleauvahins nodded in agreement with everyone. "We'll have to think of any possibility that could happen to be prepared for what is to come. But I would like to grab some equipement so that I'm able to assist in these matters."
Vanriri Vanri hops down from her chair, having been silent for most of the discussion to allow the others more knowledgeable than she to speak on matters at hand. "I will escort you, then, ser."
Aislinn sat back into her chair as though pushed. "Seems like we have our work cut out for us. Get into the core and get the logs, check the aetherometers, coordinate with the city-states, drag the bloody spider out to Haila's lab and then hope we can find this man and track him down before he runs." she ticked off each finger and then gave a wry smile. "That's not too much, right?"
"That being said, how should we contact you again? Coming here might be a bit of an issue if you mean to be as discreet as possible in holding out the card of your death still being a fact." Haila asked.
Aislinn nodded and looked over at Dellont for his answer.
Dellont Gleauvahins looked down at the lalafell now at his side. "Much appreciate it, I honestly don't know the Shroud well enough to navigate it." He wasn't about to admit he got lost for a bell or two and that's why he showed up late. "Yes! That....would be helpful." The elezen patted around his coat until he found what he was looking for, two linkpearls in hand and he took one to toss to Haila. "Communication might have to be limited just to be on the safe side, I'm still unsure what he's capable of."
"Fair enough" Haila said, catching the linkpearl with a single hand. "I hope if you find something that needs to be communicated immediately, you tell us. We'll do the same on our end mister Gleauvahins."
Dellont Gleauvahins: "Of course, I'll be sure to do so." He offered another bow to the group before focusing on the lalafell again. "Shall we get going...Miss?" He never caught anyone's names.
Aislinn North made a noise of agreement. "Makes sense." she rose smoothly from her seat. "In the meantime, thank you for coming and offering your help in all of this. It should speed things along considerably. Stay well, Dellont."
"I hope you all stay safe." Dellont said by way of farewell.
"May we meet again." Haila replied.
"...Traders protect." Edda said.
Aislinn let go a soft breath as their guest left. "Right, then. Still some bells left in the day. I should get started on a brief for Nyscera. She'll want to know all of this." she gave a nod of farewell to the rest of them before heading for her study.
