“Sure thing Shavaris.”  he cleans her up. Johnathan then spends a moment getting his eyes back to normal. When he can see again he looks to Shavaris. “I think that was yourself Shavaris. You., are like me. Part vampire. I don’t think you are full, I’ve seen you in the sun.” He  pauses as he looks towards the man she fed from. “Another Dhampire, I didn’t even know that was possible. Did a deity give this curse to you as well?”

Delphinium looks around at the carnage and sighs.  The one fireball did some serious damage but it seems things have calmed down.  When Delph notices that one of the fiery's are not dead and seems to be talking with Travin they smile.  They also look back at Sarah and give them a nod that it looks safe now.  After doing that they had a friend they were worried about, one they saw eating someone.  The fairy flies over to Shavaris and Johnathan just in time to hear what she is.  The fairy blink and sits on her shoulder "Oh!  I thought Blix did something to you Shavaris.  Why didn't you tell me?  Am I not your friend?  I have a lot of friends that are predators back home, I know I told you about them.  Did you think that because I'm against killing that I wouldn't be your friend?  it's not that I'm against killing, I'm against pointless killing.  Killing when you don't need to is wrong.  When you get hungry you can eat.  Just keep in mind I'm a vegetarian so I won't kill because I said I won't and it also doesn't make sense for me to.  Oh oh!  You know the best part about being a friend with a carnivore?  I get to tell you who my friends are so you won't eat them by accident!  I have this one fox friend that leaves a family of mice alone because they know me.  Last time I saw them the mice kids were playing with the fox's tail." 

Delphinium seems to realize something and they nearly fall off of Shavaris' shoulder when they do, "Wait!  You too Johnathan?  Is that why you been so distant from me?  That explains so much!  Really, I don't mind if you two need to hunt.  It's not my thing but it's part of being a carnivore, right?  Are you two part of like a tribe?  Order?  Coven?  What's a group of Dhampire's called?  I didn't know you could be part vampire and not burn in the sun!  Can you turn into bats?  I'll be super jealous if you can.  I'm a bit upset you didn't tell me though!  What a secret to keep from me!  You really should feel ashamed you didn't trust me.  So, are you undead?  I mean, if so....you should probably stay away from my mom but I don't mind.  Good thing I found out now!  You'd be in big trouble if you met my mom and didn't tell me!  Really, so silly and not very smart to keep it a secret.  Oh, but yes, questions!  Can you answer my questions about being one?"  The tiny fairy having scolded the pair seems genuinely curious about the two now that they found out about what they are.  No judgement and just an innocent fey-like curiosity in their eyes.  They don't seem one bit scared either despite the fact they seem a bit bruised up from whatever thunderous spell hit the fairy dead on.

Ward takes a few minutes to let the blindness wear off before chuckling to himself when he sees the pebble impaled in one of the Fieries. “Still got it I guess.”  Before walking over to the group. When he sees Shav and Johnathan he remembers Shav going vampire mode. Then grabbing some garlic out of his bag he starts waving it around the rest of the group besides Shav and Johnathan. “ALRIGHT, NO MORE SURPRISE CURSES. ANYONE ELSE GOT SOME ******* QUIRK? I HAVE SILVER TOO.” Ward says to the group, only half joking

Once Johnathan can see again, he sees a slight change in Shavaris.. she isn't the pale elf he is used to seeing, it is almost like the color has come back to her skin.  Makes him wonder if this is how she used to look before well... As he informs her that she is part vampire, the color drains from her face again as she comes to grips with what he is saying.  All she can utter is, "A..a deity?"

As Delph goes on and on about killing while sitting on her shoulder and asks why she didn't tell him, her head starts spinning and she finds a chair to slump into.  She is vaguely aware of Delph continuing their barrage of questions to her as well as Johnathan as she sits there trying to comprehend what just happened.  She finally looks at the two of them and with a meek voice she asks, "I'm a vampire?"

Delphinium looks a bit confused when Shavaris asks "Shouldn't you know?  Wait, is it vampire or dhampire?  Or Maybe yours a Shavampires!  How do you not know what you are?  Wait!  Did you forget everything!  I think I heard about this in a story!  When someone bumps their head there is a chance they forget who they are and everyone they know! Do you know who I am!  I'm Delphinium, you sometimes call me Fireflight and I'm your best friend!  That is Johnathan!  He says he's just like you!  I don't know if you're related or not.  Maybe you are long lost siblings!  What tragedy to lose all your memories when you are reunited!  Travin is a really cool friend we share and has lots of cool stuff.  Ward is here and might be able to heal you he's a friend too.  Also there's Kerwyn."

Johnathan shakes his head as Kerwyn talks about his insight on ants. Maybe he has finally lost it. Johnathan gives a slight smirk at Ward as they mention silver. It’s alright Ward, I don’t think that would help you anyway. He just listens as this fairy starts speaking faster than the speed of light. He always struggles to keep up with Delphinium but he gets the grasp. He then sees Shavaris reaction to the news. It seems she didn’t know. Interesting. He turns to Delphinium. I’m sorry that I kept my true nature a secret, it’s just easier than saying that I’m part vampire that doesn’t know what the hell he is doing. He turns to Shavaris. You aren’t completely a vampire. You wouldn’t be able to stand the sunlight. No I think you are closer to a Dhampire, like me. You must’ve been exposed to the curse in some way, this isn’t an easy condition to get. He pauses, hesitating to say what must be said. For myself I was killed by a vampire during the battle of the unicorn but a deity managed to get me a second chance to save the other unicorn, with a warning that there would be consequences. I didn’t know what I would become. Johnathan pauses as he mentions his full tale to the group. It was weird saying it out loud. If he didn’t live it he would think that was insane. And it was in most parts. Why did the deity choose him, why is he cursed with this hunger. So many unknowns. Well that’s how I got this curse. Were you ever exposed to a vampire or death? I know that you experienced something with you sister up north, it may explain why you are like this. He pauses to look her in the eyes and examine her. What is strange however is you haven’t needed to feed before. I think we should get you started on animal blood if you get hungry. It doesn’t satisfy much but it keeps you focused for a bit. I have some in my flask but without being able to hunt I’m afraid it’s limit at this point but if you need some let me know. 

"Forget everything?  I didn't forget anything Delph.  I know who you all are and why we're here.  I just.. I just had no idea I was.."  and she starts shuddering and scratching at her arms a bit, starting to get a bit hysterical as she wants to rid the affliction from her body.  She then looks at Johnathan and her eyes that were starting to go a bit wild, soften, and she stops what she is doing and reaches across the table to him.

"A dhampir?  Exposed to the curse?"  She listens to him tell his story, holding his hands as he does.  Once he comes back around to her, "Exposed?  Well.. I don't exactly remember how Eloise died or even how I got back to the Wandering Woods.  I suppose it's possible?  I think vampires have been known to be in that area?  As for feeding... well, I can tell you I haven't felt this good for as long as I can remember.  How terrible is that??" She lets go of Johnathan's hands and buries her face in her own hands.  

Kerwyn looks around at the bodies, the residual fires burning, the mayhem  - - looking for anyone who may have stayed around. "Umm, so, where do we go from here?  Any ideas?"  He looks around at the bodies on the floor, anything that looks of use (see prior perception).  "Man, this party is dead anyway."

He looks up at Shavaris, sees her sad, crying.  "What happened?  Are you ok?  What's the matter, can I help?"  Oblivious.

It's at this point that Travin returns to the group, followed by Birt, and Travin holds his plastic horn up high "Travin thinks that the Dawn Guard's new warrior band friends fixed Travin's Sax-a-Boom! Yeh yeh!" He attempts to give it a toot and looks around the group smiling, "Travin also gets to keep Birt! Yeh yeh! Birt is strong and big and, and shoots fire from his butt! Hmmm! Very good! Very nice! Yup!!"

"Birt Wrenils."  Birt says, confirming what Travin has said.  His tongue lulls out of his mouth and drips drool to the floor as he follows Travin like a lost puppy.  He looks at the Dawn Guard with a sort of broken detachment. 

The survivors of the horror had all filed out now, leaving the Dawn Guard and Sarah alone in the ballroom.  Sarah was pulling all the pins and so forth out of her hair and was busy tearing off all the ball gown that was hanging below her knees. 

"Well so much for negotiating!"  She said.  She seemed hurt and confused, like she didn't know who to blame or why to blame them or if there was anyone to blame or...well.  She looked exasperated.  "Is it always like this wherever you guys go?  Hoggle told me about you guys!  Was it you that tried to kill him!?"  

She pointed at Shavaris.  

"Oh my gosh!  What a mess!  Now...what to do next..."  

Schmoopy took his time munching on the dead bodies in the room.  

"Travin shot him! With Travin's gun! Yeh yeh! Hoggle  was angry after that!" Travin answers Sarah with a smile on his face remembering the amusing situation. "Does anyone need to feel better? Hmmmm? Was anyone seriously hurt?" Trav asks around the group.

As Shavaris hears Sarah and her exasperation, she lifts her head.  She sees Kerwyn looking at her, wondering what is going on, she doesn't have the strength to explain it to him.  She regards Sarah as she points at Shavaris about Hoggle, "Me?  All I ever did with Hoggle was try to befriend him.  Hoggle somehow offended this one, and things sort of went down hill with the group," she points at Kerwyn, "But no, no one tried to kill him and we saved you from being that stink monsters next meal."  she pauses, taking the ballroom in and the mess that they always seem to leave in their wake, "What to do next?  Do you know where we can find Blix?  We have to get that alicorn from him before he does something irreversible."

Delph seems to think over Sarah's question and says "I think when you fight bad guys like Blix crazy things happen cause they don't want to lose.  I tried to ask for the alicorn but instead they choose to attack and summon deadly fire troll things.  I wish we could beat him quicker so they dont have all these opportunities to hurt people around them though.  As to Hoggle, I miss him!  I don't remember anyone trying to kill him but SERVERAL (they glare at those responsible) were very very rude to him.  I liked hoggle, sir didymus and ludo.  I was a bit sad welhen we went our separate ways.  I'm every so happy that you are okay.  They seemed to really care about you."

"Oh yeah!?  You shot him!?  You shot Hoggle!?"  Sarah says as she points an accusing finger at Travin, damned his smug lookin' face.  "Then he said one of you tried to feed from his blood!   Yeah?  That wasn't you?  Who was it then?  And yeah, he said he was bullied too!  Said most of you were a pretty dreadful bunch!  I guess he liked a couple of you!"  

She stopped, shuddered, and brought her hands up to cover her face.  There was a second where it seemed like she might start crying, but then she simply took a deep breath and massaged the palms of her hands into her face.  

"Did you really think he'd give up that much power so easily?  He's a King now.  Who ever heard of a King who just gave up their power because they were asked to?  There's only one place he can be.  The Castle in the center of the Labyrinth."

Sarah looks around and shakes her hair the rest of the way down before heading out the door, out into the vast, sparkling forest the strange chamber is located in, the ballroom that is suddenly so devoid of merrymaking.  

As Ward sees Sarah begin to leave he catches up and begins walking next to her. "Listen, I understand how it seems, and yes, we are a bit of a ****up of a group. I won't deny that. But don't say that it is entirely on us. We have been through HELL, we have lost one of our own, and still, we have tried to keep as many people out of the crossfire as possible. But when you go against things like trolls that shoot fireballs at us, when you have party members that do not even fully understand the curses they have, that have forgotten their whole lives, those whose homes now burn, yes, some things are going to go wrong. But let me tell you, it could have been a lot worse. I have participated in a lot worst, these people are trying their goddamn hardest. If you can't appreciate that, at least shut the **** up about what we do. We've been given a duty, and we will fulfill it. Don't attack us for putting our asses on the line for it though." Ward says to Sarah after her outburst towards the group, waiting for a response but if none is given returning to the group.

"You want me to shut the **** up?"  Sarah said.  She was almost timid, then stopped, stamped one foot, and wheeled defiantly on Ward.  "If you don't like what I'm saying you can wander off in your own direction!  How about that, huh?  Chaos everywhere you go, bullied and hurt my friend, and being a jerk now, but sure.  I'm the bad guy.  Unbelievable."  

Sarah wheels and keeps going.  As she does, the worm, Mr. Crawley, continues his metamorphosis in Ward's hand.  The pupa cracks, falls away.  Bright lights flash.  Beautiful colors begin to pattern the body that can be seen...

And then a beautiful butterfly, the size of a crow, took flight...and flitted peacefully away into the forest.  

Ol' Ironsides stops eating in the hall.  He pauses, looking around, and then his flails actually retract on his head.  His body scrunches up.  He twists, writhes...looks sick...

“Ward, come have a look at Ironsides… he looks… sick or something.  I haven’t seen him like this since he got into some bad mushrooms.  He threw up all over a myconid.  Rather awkward, that.  But this seems.. more.  Help me figure it out!”  Kerwyn runs to Ward, alarmed.  

Ward waves off Sarah. "Try not to get yourself killed again, Miss "I can't deal with the reality of what we are facing." I think Jareth only has one more orb he can use." Ward yells back at Sarah. When Crawley flies off, Ward gives a small nod "That tracks, Crawley you better come give us a hand in the Eleventh Hour you crazy bastard." Then when Kerwyn comes up Ward follows him over to Ironsides. "Alright Schmoop, tell me what's up. I can understand you too so actually do talk to me buddy." Ward says as he begins to examine the Snail for anything wrong 

Medicine Check:  18

Ward has a sudden realization and then immediately motions for everyone to back up. "Ironsides, will, soon enough be a mother. I would recommend, we all get the **** out of the way. Because while I have not ever been a witness to a flail snail giving birth, I can assume it is going to be much more dangerous for us to try and help than it would be for us to just sit back." Ward says, making sure everyone is FAR away from the snail for what is about to take place.

Shavaris follows Ward and Sarah out of the ballroom and listens to their conversation.  She appreciates Ward's frankness of the situation, until he tells her to shut the **** up, she cringes when she hears that.  

When Kerwyn calls Ward away, Shavaris breathes a quick sigh of relief and tries her best to be frank with Sarah.  "No, I did not try to scare Hoggle in any way, just tried to help him out so we could have a guide to the castle.  I know our ways are unorthodox and honestly," she looks back towards Ward, "can be offensive, but do you know the way to the castle?  I agree, we can't just ask Blix for the alicorn, but other than trying to force it from him, do you have any ideas?  I'm really hoping you can help show us the way at least?"  she looks at the young woman, hoping she isn't too upset with them with how things have gone so far.