"I-I'll b-be fine R-river, y-you don't need to w-worry about me." Taran turns to the rest of the group, "If w-we think th-this is s-so d-dangerous, why d-don't w-we all stay? D-Diamond shouldn't n-need to f-face d-danger alone, we w-work together, right?"
Diamond sighs. "Okay. First of all, you're not abandoning me. It's called a rearguard. I'll watch and then get away. In this case, the fewer people here, the better. I'll stay alone, because one person has the least chance of being spotted or caught, and I'm the best person to watch. Second, I will be fine, even if the Inspired spot me. I'm sneaky, I've got illusion and defensive magic, and I've got experience on ninety nine percent of anyone who'd be chasing me. So there's really no need to stay behind, okay?"
As they walk Vishal sends Taran a psychic message,
"I know this is hard. But it's the right thing to do. I'm proud of you and that armor really compliments your cute butt. Show it off to the girl you like."
Once they arrive back to camp Vishal will quickly pack it up and be ready to move on.
“I know it feels that way. But Diamond has twenty years of experience. Trust him to come back. I know you feel like you’re not doing anything. But this is the right thing to do. I need you to stay alive. If you died....I couldn’t live with myself. I’d have to quit the road. I don’t think you understand how much you mean to me Taran. You’re the brother I always wanted.”
"You don't want me Vishal." He can hear the pain in Taran's thoughts "I can't keep you safe. I can't do anything. Even Mr. Druhdaar doesn't care. I'm just a burden."
Vishal moves closer to Taran and it looks like he’s going to give him a hug before he just stops and stand there, sending Taran another message.
“Taran. There are a lot of things you get to choose in life. How you live it? Who you like? Who you dislike? What you want to be. All kinds of things. But those are your choices to make. And you can make them for someone else. I choose what I want Taran.
And I want you. I want to hold you when you’re sad. Lift you up when you’re not feeling confident. Praise you when you do good. Celebrate the good times and be there for you in the bad time. I want to be your friend. I want to be your support and trust system. I want you. I care for you. I don’t care what others think about you. I want to help you grow into the amazing wonderful person I see.
But....life is full of choices. And you have to choose to accept me. To accept that I want you. I want to look out for you. Not out of pity or that I think you can do anything. No. I want to help you because I like you. You make me happy. And you’re such a wonderful kind amazing person. And I want you to see that and hopefully see yourself happy.
Bow if you don’t want that. If you reject me. Just tell me. But....if you do want that. Then I’m waiting here, for you, arms wide open and everything to give to you”
A shudder rocks through Taran, but he keeps his back to Vishal.
"I don't deserve it. You got hurt because of me. You nearly died because I was too slow. I don't want to hurt you Vishal, but that's all I seem to be able to do. Even when I try and help you I just hurt you...And River, she wants to be my friend, but I'll just hurt her too... isn't it better... to not hurt everyone... to not be a burden to everyone. I should just be alone, like Mister Druhdaar said. That way I can't hurt anybody, I can't let anybody down. "
Vishal’s face has a glare as he send something to Druhdaar before returning his attention to Taran.
Druhdaar:
“You and me. We’re going to have a serious talk when we get back. No running away from it. No avoiding me.” Vishal’s psychic voice seething with anger.
Taran:
“**** what Druhdaar says. Just because he’s alone and doesn’t want to deal with his own problems doesn’t mean you shouldn’t deal with yours. You’re not a burden Taran. To me or anyone. Now please.....stop saying you don’t deserve this. And....let me be your friend. Let me help you more. Actually help you. Like that day we went shopping.”
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River sighs before speaking in Diamond's voice.
"*crr* ...you guys pack up camp and get going towards the border... *crr* You would disobey a direct order?"
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
"He s-said he w-was f-fine waiting alone," Taran corrects gently, patting River's shoulder, "Y-you know th-that d-doesn't m-mean it is s-safe to aban-abandon him."
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
"*crr* Not *crr* abandon *crr* Don't be daft. I'll make us all dinner~ *crr* If you come *crr* now."
River's speech fluidly switches between several voices, gently taking Taran's hand in hers and rubbing the back with a talon.
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
"I-I'll b-be fine R-river, y-you don't need to w-worry about me." Taran turns to the rest of the group, "If w-we think th-this is s-so d-dangerous, why d-don't w-we all stay? D-Diamond shouldn't n-need to f-face d-danger alone, we w-work together, right?"
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
Diamond sighs. "Okay. First of all, you're not abandoning me. It's called a rearguard. I'll watch and then get away. In this case, the fewer people here, the better. I'll stay alone, because one person has the least chance of being spotted or caught, and I'm the best person to watch. Second, I will be fine, even if the Inspired spot me. I'm sneaky, I've got illusion and defensive magic, and I've got experience on ninety nine percent of anyone who'd be chasing me. So there's really no need to stay behind, okay?"
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!
"He volunteered crr Staying will only crr him in more danger. crr I know how to make a reaaaaally good stir-fry~"
She looks up at him again with sad birb eyes, tears welling up as she gently tugs his hand.
"He'll be alright crr We have to go back crr We were successful."
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 will look from Diamond to River, and slump down, "I-I -u-u-understand." He'll whisper, "M-may th-the L-Lady of St-storms w-watch over y-you."
Then he'll turn and start walking away
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
River scrambles to climb onto his back, hugging him and nuzzling him with her beak.
"Thank."
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
Giving Taran a small smile Vishal says, "Let's go. We need to clean up camp and make it look like we were never here."
Sirkashtai crosses her arms and gives Diamond a look. "Come back," she says shortly.
Diamond winks. "Always do. I've been fine for twenty years, after all." He winks. "See you at the border."
Sirkashtai rolls her eyes. "See you at the border," she agrees with a faint smile before turning and loping away to lead you all back to the camp.
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!
Juhaan
Before Diamond goes Juhaan gives him the last health potion he had on his backpack "Take this, in case it is necessary. We will be waiting for you."
Diamond grins. "Do what Sirkashtai says. See you soon."
Caelius and Druhdaar also make their way after you guys.
As you all make your way back to the camp, Sirkashtai is silent at the front.
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 they walk Vishal sends Taran a psychic message,
"I know this is hard. But it's the right thing to do. I'm proud of you and that armor really compliments your cute butt. Show it off to the girl you like."
Once they arrive back to camp Vishal will quickly pack it up and be ready to move on.
"If you say it is the right thing, I will believe you Vishal. Everything feels wrong anyways."
At the camp Taran will remain to the side, lost in his own melancholy thoughts, having no gear to pack or anything useful to do.
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
Sending another message Vishal replies,
“I know it feels that way. But Diamond has twenty years of experience. Trust him to come back. I know you feel like you’re not doing anything. But this is the right thing to do. I need you to stay alive. If you died....I couldn’t live with myself. I’d have to quit the road. I don’t think you understand how much you mean to me Taran. You’re the brother I always wanted.”
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
Vishal moves closer to Taran and it looks like he’s going to give him a hug before he just stops and stand there, sending Taran another message.
“Taran. There are a lot of things you get to choose in life. How you live it? Who you like? Who you dislike? What you want to be. All kinds of things. But those are your choices to make. And you can make them for someone else. I choose what I want Taran.
And I want you. I want to hold you when you’re sad. Lift you up when you’re not feeling confident. Praise you when you do good. Celebrate the good times and be there for you in the bad time. I want to be your friend. I want to be your support and trust system. I want you. I care for you. I don’t care what others think about you. I want to help you grow into the amazing wonderful person I see.
But....life is full of choices. And you have to choose to accept me. To accept that I want you. I want to look out for you. Not out of pity or that I think you can do anything. No. I want to help you because I like you. You make me happy. And you’re such a wonderful kind amazing person. And I want you to see that and hopefully see yourself happy.
Bow if you don’t want that. If you reject me. Just tell me. But....if you do want that. Then I’m waiting here, for you, arms wide open and everything to give to you”
A shudder rocks through Taran, but he keeps his back to Vishal.
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
Sirkashtai continues pretending she doesn't know an extended telepathic conversation is going on.
Druhdaar is strangely unapproachable for roleplay, you all feel almost as if you...should leave him alone for...about a week of IRL time...weird.
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!
Vishal’s face has a glare as he send something to Druhdaar before returning his attention to Taran.
Druhdaar:
“You and me. We’re going to have a serious talk when we get back. No running away from it. No avoiding me.” Vishal’s psychic voice seething with anger.
Taran:
“**** what Druhdaar says. Just because he’s alone and doesn’t want to deal with his own problems doesn’t mean you shouldn’t deal with yours. You’re not a burden Taran. To me or anyone. Now please.....stop saying you don’t deserve this. And....let me be your friend. Let me help you more. Actually help you. Like that day we went shopping.”