Taran starts shaking, silent sobs he's desperately holding back, trying to avoid being noticed.
"When you almost died, I lost control. I don't remember anything except black hate. And I couldn't even get the man who hurt you. He got away because I was too weak and too slow to stop him... I failed you... what if I do it again? What if next time I'm even slower and you end up dead because of me?"
Not caring at this point Vishal goes and wraps Taran in a hug as he says,
“I won’t die because of you. If I die it’s because of something I did. Not because of you. It’s my fault and my fault alone. Never your fault. Don’t ever blame yourself.”
Vishal then smiles softly before saying,
“Besides....I’d happy die thousands of time for you. I’m happy Taran. I’ve lived a happy life. I have just about everything I’ve ever wanted. I’ve accomplished more than anyone else in my family. I want you to have that same happiness. And until you do....I won’t let you die or let you blame yourself or think that you’re worth nothing. You’re worth so much Taran. I’ve only known you a short time. But you’ve already carved a place in my heart.”
River - still riding on Taran's back - coos softly in surprise as Vishal wraps his arms around both her and Taran, deciding to remain quiet as Taran has his breakdown.
"Don't be sorry," Sirkashtai reassures him. "It's perfectly all right. All of us go through periods of being frightened, or confused, or even grieving here. And I would welcome some help breaking down the tents."
"I- I'm never st-strong,"Taran replies as he rolls up the fabric, "b-but I'll k-keep trying f-for V-vishal...I j-just...I don't want to let h-him down, like I-I did...."
"F-father, always." Taran says looking around to make sure Vishal and Druhdaar were out of earshot. "I-I know Father w-was a bad... It w-wasn't r-right, b-but... Maybe if I'd b-been s-stronger, maybe... maybe things would have b-been d-different...maybe I w-wouldn't b-be taking up so much of Trailblazer R-Ranari's time a-and frustrating her. M-maybe I wouldn't be worrying Vishal a-and River so m-much, m-making them feel like they h-have to protect me wh-when it's supposed t-to be the other way..."
"Let me let you in on a secret, Taran," Sirkashtai says to Taran softly. "We've all failed someone. Everyone in the Road was too weak to protect someone, or failed to keep somebody they cared about safe." She smiles sadly. "That's unavoidable, I'm afraid. But we can still protect others. Failing isn't special, nor does it make you any different from anyone else. It's what you do after failing that sets you apart."
Taran mulls over that, thinking about what he's done in the aftermath of all his failures. He's worked harder, strived to be better... and failed despite that.
"I'm s-sorry, th-that you c-couldn't h-help them... whoever they were..." Taran says moving on to the next tent/
Sirkashtai's eyes turn sadder. "My brother. So am I. But the same way I didn't let my failure bury me, you can keep trying to be better. If you hadn't been at the monolith tonight, I'm quite sure Vishal and myself would be dead-or worse, captured. Had you merely given up, that same result would have occurred. If we just gave up every time the Riedrans scored a point, there would be no Road left."
Taran instinctively opens his mouth to disagree, but instead he follows Trailblazer Ranari's instructions. Stopping and thinking through all the events he saw, the actions of every person during the fight.
"Y-You m-might b-be right," he admits a few seconds later, "b-but it i-is hard... I-I w-won't g-give up th-though. I-I... I j-just w-wish I w-was f-finally b-better, instead of h-having to k-keep trying t-to be b-better."
After packing up the camp, you all move out towards the border. After about fifteen minutes of walking, Sirkashtai pauses. "Diamond's here." She turns and watches a bend in the trail until Diamond suddenly comes flying around the corner, grinning like a maniac.
"Monolith blew. Inspired patrol here. We have about an hour to get across the border before the headache Na-I gave the leader wears off and they start looking with psionics." He takes his stuff from Sirkashtai. "So let's get going!"
Taran starts shaking, silent sobs he's desperately holding back, trying to avoid being noticed.
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
Not caring at this point Vishal goes and wraps Taran in a hug as he says,
“I won’t die because of you. If I die it’s because of something I did. Not because of you. It’s my fault and my fault alone. Never your fault. Don’t ever blame yourself.”
Vishal then smiles softly before saying,
“Besides....I’d happy die thousands of time for you. I’m happy Taran. I’ve lived a happy life. I have just about everything I’ve ever wanted. I’ve accomplished more than anyone else in my family. I want you to have that same happiness. And until you do....I won’t let you die or let you blame yourself or think that you’re worth nothing. You’re worth so much Taran. I’ve only known you a short time. But you’ve already carved a place in my heart.”
Taran breaks down in Vishal's arms, "I-I'm s-s-sorry, I-I'm s-so s-sorry."
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
River - still riding on Taran's back - coos softly in surprise as Vishal wraps his arms around both her and Taran, deciding to remain quiet as Taran has his breakdown.
Dungeon Master - LSoL
Kaori - Battlemaster Fighter 5 / Paladin 2 (Kenku) - TSR
Cherna Godhari - Grave Cleric 4 (Human) - TW
Breena Mahi'ai - Divination Wizard 8 (Halfling) - WoE
Sharyn Savonath - Open Sea Paladin 4 (Triton) - PoPI
Zephyr - Four Elements (Revised) Monk 4 (Air Genasi) - IO
Takeshi - Mercy Monk 6 (Protector Aasimar) - TBW
Avrui Sirsash - Genie Warlock 2 (Wildhunt Shifter) - WotBS
Vishal holds them tightly, putting his head in his shoulder and letting him cry there as he says,
“It’s okay. I’m here. I’m here for you. And so is River. We got you. And we’ll always be here for you.”
"Yes *crr* I'm here for you *crr* I will be your friend."
Dungeon Master - LSoL
Kaori - Battlemaster Fighter 5 / Paladin 2 (Kenku) - TSR
Cherna Godhari - Grave Cleric 4 (Human) - TW
Breena Mahi'ai - Divination Wizard 8 (Halfling) - WoE
Sharyn Savonath - Open Sea Paladin 4 (Triton) - PoPI
Zephyr - Four Elements (Revised) Monk 4 (Air Genasi) - IO
Takeshi - Mercy Monk 6 (Protector Aasimar) - TBW
Avrui Sirsash - Genie Warlock 2 (Wildhunt Shifter) - WotBS
Taran sniffles and nods, feeling his two friend's warmth.
A few moments later he looks over at Miss Sirkashtai, "I-I'm s-sorry... a-about that... d-do you n-need any h-help breaking down the c-camp?"
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
"Don't be sorry," Sirkashtai reassures him. "It's perfectly all right. All of us go through periods of being frightened, or confused, or even grieving here. And I would welcome some help breaking down the tents."
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
As Taran helps, Sirkashtai gives him a small smile. "It's all right not to be strong all the time," she murmurs as they collapse a tent.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
"I- I'm never st-strong," Taran replies as he rolls up the fabric, "b-but I'll k-keep trying f-for V-vishal...I j-just...I don't want to let h-him down, like I-I did...."
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
"Like you did who? Or when?" Sirkashtai asks as she starts to tie the tent roll shut.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
"F-father, always." Taran says looking around to make sure Vishal and Druhdaar were out of earshot. "I-I know Father w-was a bad... It w-wasn't r-right, b-but... Maybe if I'd b-been s-stronger, maybe... maybe things would have b-been d-different...maybe I w-wouldn't b-be taking up so much of Trailblazer R-Ranari's time a-and frustrating her. M-maybe I wouldn't be worrying Vishal a-and River so m-much, m-making them feel like they h-have to protect me wh-when it's supposed t-to be the other way..."
He takes the rolled up tent and sets it aside.
"B-but, I-I'm t-too w-weak."
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
"Let me let you in on a secret, Taran," Sirkashtai says to Taran softly. "We've all failed someone. Everyone in the Road was too weak to protect someone, or failed to keep somebody they cared about safe." She smiles sadly. "That's unavoidable, I'm afraid. But we can still protect others. Failing isn't special, nor does it make you any different from anyone else. It's what you do after failing that sets you apart."
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Taran mulls over that, thinking about what he's done in the aftermath of all his failures. He's worked harder, strived to be better... and failed despite that.
"I'm s-sorry, th-that you c-couldn't h-help them... whoever they were..." Taran says moving on to the next tent/
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
Sirkashtai's eyes turn sadder. "My brother. So am I. But the same way I didn't let my failure bury me, you can keep trying to be better. If you hadn't been at the monolith tonight, I'm quite sure Vishal and myself would be dead-or worse, captured. Had you merely given up, that same result would have occurred. If we just gave up every time the Riedrans scored a point, there would be no Road left."
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Taran instinctively opens his mouth to disagree, but instead he follows Trailblazer Ranari's instructions. Stopping and thinking through all the events he saw, the actions of every person during the fight.
"Y-You m-might b-be right," he admits a few seconds later, "b-but it i-is hard... I-I w-won't g-give up th-though. I-I... I j-just w-wish I w-was f-finally b-better, instead of h-having to k-keep trying t-to be b-better."
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
"We all wish that," Sirkashtai says with a smile. "The trick is to do exactly what you said-not give up."
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
After packing up the camp, you all move out towards the border. After about fifteen minutes of walking, Sirkashtai pauses. "Diamond's here." She turns and watches a bend in the trail until Diamond suddenly comes flying around the corner, grinning like a maniac.
"Monolith blew. Inspired patrol here. We have about an hour to get across the border before the headache Na-I gave the leader wears off and they start looking with psionics." He takes his stuff from Sirkashtai. "So let's get going!"
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Taran is relieved to see Diamond safe and unharmed, and continues trailblazing a path for them back to the border.
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
Juhaan
"Welcome back Diamond. You sure the monolith is gone?" he says welcoming Diamond back to the group