'Tace' is also happy to leave the clearing and hopefully the spider behind. When he spots the first of the carved messages, he glances at the Sergeant, but seeing him unfazed carries on in silence as well.
As the messages change, he considers the meaning, pausing briefly to take a closer look and run his fingers through the grooves. Other than that he doesn't slow. Using more threatening language shows a measure of intelligence.
And then he spots 'Kill Me'. Now that is different.
"It certainly is. Perhaps they are not in control, or perhaps it was carved by someone else", he muses. He runs his fingers through the grooves again, trying to work out if it was carved with the same implement, and if the carver used the same amount of force and technique.
As they carry on, he gets the whiff of something, and lifts his mask slightly to better experience the scent. "Smoke", he says in reply to the Sergeant's query
"There is a fire up ahead, I can smell it and I think I can just make out the smoke too. I don't see any light, so it must be shielded well, hidden perhaps in a cave. It must have a natural chimney", he adds, pointing out where he thinks the smoke can be seen against the clouds to the Sergeant.
"We should try and be quiet, and hope that if we cannot see the light of their fire, they won't see our lantern light. Or perhaps we should douse our candle now?".
Arren can see the smoke now that Tace has pointed it out. "That makes sense,"he says in response to the theory. Looking toward the lantern, he adds, "If we can follow the smoke without the lamp, it'd be better to douse it now, I think. As for being quiet..." he gestures to his chain armor "...that's going to be a problem for me. I'll try my best, but we can expect a bit of clinking every now and then."
Arren lets out a small, resigned breath, as if to apologize in advance. In any case, he looks ready to continue, despite all the carved warnings.
With the smoke leading the way, Bryn and Arren don't take long before they find the source. Soon, they can see the fire's faint light from a nearby slope with many thorny bushes. It isn't very comfortable sneaking around between the thorns, but it gives them yet another incentive to move slowly, which works in their favour. Eventually, Bryn and Arren find a spot from which they can see the cave's entrance.
Well hidden among the bushes, the two can only think that, if it weren't for the messages on the trees and the smoke and the fire's light, they'd never find the place. Perhaps calling it a cave is a little exaggeration. It is more of an alcove, with just barely enough space for the fire and a person inside, but conveniently dug in an angle such that no water makes its way in, while the smoke is directed outside.
And yet, within that small alcove, next to the fire, a woman sits alone, in silence. She doesn't seem to have anything apart from a small stick, which she uses to roast something over the fire. The clothes she wears are simple, all in red. She looks to be in her thirties, her light-brown hair is just about long enough to reach her shoulders, and she looks very focused on her next meal, currently hovering over the fire. Such that, despite being just 20 feet away, she hasn't noticed either Arren or Bryn yet. She has a miserable look on her face.
Bryn believes the carvings weren't made with any dedicated tool. They're coarse and inaccurate, full of splinters as if the missing wood was broken out. Not the work of a fine tool. And yet, as deep as they are, they couldn't have been made with a mere sharp stone or even an iron nail. At least, not without either a lot of time dedicated or some great force. Would such a force even require such a crude tool?
The carvings look new. The first ones you saw seemed the newest, while the deeper ones were older, but all seem recent. It still looks like a living tree, sap oozing out of many of them, making them sticky to touch. In the oldest ones, the sap is a bit dry, but it is still there.
As far as Bryn can tell, all messages were made in the same manner. The amount of force applied could vary between the trees, but it looks more or less the same.
"Well, it looks like it was the same person who carved all the words into the trees. But the ones we past first seem to be the newer, which is a little odd", 'Tace' explains quietly before they come upon the cave. Perhaps Emma was a hostage at some point, but escaped. Or grew to realise there was more to the creature than a monster. And would she even have been able to make the carvings?
As they see the light of the fire, he quiets down, staying still as he watches the woman. He scans the cave for signs that she is not alone, or that someone or something else might be returning. Is she cooking food for one or two? She certainly doesn't look happy, so why hasn't she simply left? Is something outside the cave stopping her? Does it know we are here?
He looks to the Sergeant and shakes his head to indicate he doesn't like this situation. If only I could use magic, this would be so much easier.
"Odd indeed," the Sergeant replies, not quite sure what to make of the signs —other than that whoever carved them must have had a change of heart. Maybe that happened after Emma began journeying into the forest? He doesn't dwell on this for long, though, sensing they're about to find out soon enough.
Once they advance, and from their hiding spot in the bushes, Arren has two realizations. First, that Veda was lost in a time far deeper than he'd imagined. The woman standing in front of them—undoubtedly Emma, as she matched all the descriptions—had seen nineteen springs come and go long ago. Second, that the look of misery on Emma's face couldn't belong to someone who had left the village of her own accord.
The Half-Elf is surprised to find her alone. The one who had brought her here—the Wood Elf, presumably—must have gone off, perhaps to scout, or retrieve something they needed. Arren glanced around, trying to spot any sign of a trail, but with the lantern extinguished, that would be difficult. (Perception at disadvantage: 9+3 and 8+3=11)
Arren returned Tace's look and raised his eyebrows in a silent question: What now? He doesn't like this situation either, but they can't stay hidden forever. Inwardly grateful for whatever elven blood that now allowed them to see and gesture in the dark, he proposed a plan. Pointing at himself, then mimicking a walking motion with two fingers, he suggested he could approach Emma to speak with her. Then, gesturing toward the Elf—first with a halt sign, then a motion over their shoulder—he indicated he could stay hidden, ready in case the missing person returned and things got hairy. It might be safer than showing themselves both at once.
After this, Arren tiltes his head slightly, silently asking: What do you think?
Neither Bryn nor Arren see any other person around, and no clear trail that leads into/out of the alcove (although that is harder to tell, due to all the flora in the area).
'Tace' nods to the Sergeant, in acceptance of the plan. He offers him the lantern, unsure whether he would want it, but figuring it didn't hurt to offer.
He then sets himself to act as the lookout. And perhaps listen out as well. This would work better if I had a shortbow.
Arrenmotions toward the lamp to pick it up, but then, on second thought, decides to leave it with the Corporal. First, because he thinks he may scare Emma a little less if he appears empty-handed, and second, because if anything goes wrong and they end up needing to fight, it might be better to leave the lamp hidden in the bushes—where it's less likely to be broken.
With that, he makes a face at his companion, meaning "Wish me luck", then begins to move a little away from him before standing and stepping out of the underbrush, careful not to give away the Corporal's position. He knows there's no good way to avoid startling Emma, so at the very least he raises his hands away from his weapons—a clear sign he means no harm—and speaks in as calm a voice as he can manage.
“Emma,”he calls out, stopping where he is and making no move to approach, anticipating her fear. Then he adds—careful not to use the plural, so as not to reveal he's not alone—"I'm here to help. I come from Ersta, where your mother and your friends are worried about you. I've been to your mother's house, and found your old drawings—they led me here. Please, let me help."
He pauses, gauging her reaction before continuing. "You're not alone here, right? Where is your companion? Do you think I could speak to him? Again, I mean no harm. But we need to address what's happened, and see you safely home ...if that's what you want."
If the situation allows, he steps a little closer to Emma and the fire. At the same time, he quickly surveys the area, trying to determine the most likely direction Emma's companion might come from.
As Arren expected, he couldn't avoid startling Emma when he appeared out of nowhere like that. But when he does, she doesn't look merely startled; she looks horrified. So much that she loses her grip on the stick that held her food, which plummets into the fire, but she doesn't seem to notice. Wide-eyed, she stares straight at Arren while he talks.
"No, no!" She calls. She doesn't shout, yet her voice is strong, if a bit tremulous. She straightens up where she sits, and even without standing, she looks tall for a woman. "You must leave right now, before it's too late!" She sounds worried and frightened. "Please, I beg you. Turn back now. Did you not see the messages on the trees?"
When Arren continues, she looks a little bit confused. "Companion? He's dead! No one can speak with him!" She sounds sorrowful, not mad, and tears start forming in her eyes. "I was here alone, and that is for the best. Please, leave. You don't want to be here when it wakes. There is nothing you can do!" She pauses for a second, wiping her eyes from the tears (Arren notices that she doesn't look completely dry, yet not as wet as he is). She eyes Arren briefly. "Unless you plan to use that sword of yours, but are you sure it is worth risking your life for?"
((I assume Arren hasn't stepped forward yet, since I imagine this isn't the reaction you had in mind when you wrote it. If he does step forward, please mention it in your next post.))
Neither Arren nor Bryn see or hear anything that attracts their attention, apart from Emma, of course. Thanks to his high roll, Bryn notices the scent rising from whatever Emma was cooking before Arren startled her. He can't quite tell what it is, but he's pretty sure it is not any form of meat. Probably some kind of plant - a vegetable or a fruit perhaps - but he cannot tell what exactly.
'Tace' watches the Sergeant approach and then listens intently to his conversation with Emma. Her companion is dead, and yet something is going to wake up. Could the something be within Emma herself. I wonder if the Sergeant is thinking the same thing. If I could just use my magic, this wouldn't be an issue.
The smell of food is quite enticing, but perhaps not quite as enticing as the smell of meat would be. Don't get distracted by food, concentrate man.
(ooc: I'm assuming that we are able to see just fine thanks to our Darkvision, and Emma's fire. Am I right? If we have to fight, we don't have to do it at disadvantage because it is too dark in here?)
As the realization washes over him, Arren doesn't take another step forward. He stares at the tall woman in front of him for a heartbeat before turning that realization into words.
"It's... you. You k—" He cuts himself off. Whatever is waking up, he doubts that bringing up Hecky will help.
"I don't want to use this sword, if it can be avoided" he says instead, forcing calm into his voice, though his heart is pounding harder by the second. He remembers the Commandant's warning: retreat if the situation is too much. But was it? How could he assess it, if he didn't fully understand the threat?
Emma had killed a man who hadn't known the danger—and who hadn't been protected. But they were aware, they were armored, and they were two. Even if he wasn't at his freshest, that still tilted the odds in their favor … didn't it?
"If something's going to wake,"Arren continues, "I'd rather face it in the light than have it chasing me through the woods in the dark."
He doesn't draw his blade (yet) but grips his shield tightly, lifting it slightly to better cover his side. His knees bend just enough to shift his weight into a more balanced, guarded stance—ready, without being overtly aggressive. (ooc: If possible, Arren takes the Dodge action while they speak.)
Arren avoids asking about the Wood Elf entirely, as that might set her off, as well. Instead, he tries something more practical, something he hopes sound steadying. "Is there really no way to avoid it? Anything that soothes it, that prevents it from waking up entirely?"
((With darkvision, the darkest it naturally gets for you is Dim Light, which only imposes disadvantage on your Perception checks that rely on sight. As long as those aren't involved, it has no implication on your combat ability. On top of that, anywhere near the fire is considered bright light for the two of you.))
"I don't know!" Emma exclaims. By now, tears flow from her eyes and down her cheeks faster than she can wipe them. "I didn't ask for any of it! But ever since that day, I sometimes find myself... I ran away for a reason! You shouldn't have come here. Please, leave. I don't want it to happen again."
Emma buries her face in her hands, crying. Arren's years of experience fighting tell him she is completely open and unguarded. He feels no malice, and his body does not feel fear, just like when talking to any normal citizen. If she really is the monster, Arren's instincts are belied. He does, however, notice something else. Her clothes aren't all red, but only on the front. With her head down in her hands, Arren can see the top of her back, and he sees that there her overdress is a light beige colour, not red.
((Just to clarify, Arren may think freely, but his instincts tell him Emma feels innocent.))
'Tace' is quite gripped by the whole conversation. It sounded more and more like Emma had some kind of monstrous alter ego, which although seemingly absurd would explain a lot. Not everything though. Who was the strange woman who went into the kitchen just before Hecky was killed?
He contemplates revealing himself so he too can ask some questions, but decides against it. Not until we are certain there isn't something else involved.
Arrenstill doesn't move forward, but shifts slightly to the side—away from where he knows Taceis hiding—keeping his shield held tight and slightly raised the whole time. At the very least, this gesture gives him a small sense of protection against the unknown.
Inwardly, he feels sorry for what Emma is going through. He wasn't immune to the misery on her face before, and he isn't immune to her tears now. Even so, this time he speaks a little less gently, a and a little more firmly. "My running away and your staying hidden won't solve anything, Emma—not if whatever is waking up decides it wants to pay Ersta a visit. Figuring out what's happening might, though."
Arren gestures to her dress. "Whose blood is that?" It can't be Hecky’s. That happened two weeks ago. It must belong to whoever ran away with her.
Then he continues aloud, "Tell me more about that day you've mentioned. What happened, and when?" He pauses,"And please, tell me what happened in The Stewpot two weeks ago. Who run away with you that day?"
Emma continues to sob, but still manages to speak somewhat clearly. "I... I tried my best to stay away. I hope I didn't hurt anyone else, but... when it happens, I... I wake up somewhere, always covered by someone else's blood. Sometimes animals, other times..."
"I remember some of what happened, vaguely. I'm watching myself from within, but something else directs my actions. Like a vivid nightmare, which you cannot control, and when you wake up, you only remember fragments of it, and the feelings you've experienced along the way. Now you see, I don't want to hurt anyone, but if nobody stops me, it's beyond my control. And anyone who tried to do anything..." She pauses and, after wiping her eyes with the bloodied cloth again, picks up what fell into the fire earlier and cleans it with her hand. If it is hot, it doesn't seem to bother her at all, but she blows on it twice before biting into it. It doesn't look like a very tasty meal, especially now that it's partially covered in ash. She doesn't look like she enjoys it, but she finishes the entire thing (about the size of her palm) in three bites.
"It was two weeks ago? Maybe. It's hard to keep track of time when you lose grasp of reality for unknown lengths of time. I was cooking... in the Stewpot, and then Hector - my hu-" she cuts off, unable to complete the sentence as she bursts into tears again. "He was having a hard time!" she exclaims, though her wobbly voice is now hard to understand perfectly. "I knew we'd get through it, but he'd... he was angry all the time, he'd drink a lot, and he'd occasionally..." Again, she's unable to finish the sentence. She tries to calm down a little before she continues. "I endured it, I knew I had to, until whatever bad spirit held onto him would pass, but that day, something snapped inside me and..."
"When I came to, his blood was all over my hands. It was the first time, nothing like that had ever happened to me before. I didn't know what to do, I was overwhelmed, and in a haze... my feet carried me here. Nobody else was here. It is only me and... whatever it is I have become that day." Emma stands up, and to do so, she steps out of the alcove. Both Arren and Bryn now notice, she really is tall for a woman. Not extraordinarily, but tall. Arren also notices that she looks muscular. Not in any special way, but the way one might expect a cook who must carry heavy objects around the kitchen a lot to be. But could she have had the force to create those messages on the trees? Arren wouldn't have believed it any other day.
Now outside the alcove (about ten feet from Arren), Emma is washed over by the rain, but the blood on her clothes does not wash away. "Since then, it has happened several times. Whenever I felt in danger, even if I put myself in it on purpose, whenever I got too hungry... but now, if I try to eat anything, it reminds me of..." She gags again, and it looks like she's about to puke, but she manages to contain it. "I don't know what to do." She drops to her knees. "Won't you help me? I don't want to hurt anyone. I don't want to hurt you either, but... maybe you're right, and the best way is to end it before it happens again?"
Arrenlistens intently as Emma speaks, following her every movement with his eyes. When she stops to eat, he tries to identify what it is she's eating, and he also takes note of the blood staining her beige dress. Is it completely dried, or does any of it look more recent?
When she describes that day at The Stewpot—specifically Hector's behavior—his frown deepens, and he doesn't have to imagine the word she hasn't dared to say. The old man at The Three Frogs described Hector accurately. Scum, indeed. Arren didn't feel the slightest bit sorry for what became of him.
But something else catches his attention: Emma hasn't mentioned anyone else being in the kitchen besides Hector and herself. Strange, as Wyler seemed certain someone did enter The Stewpot and went straight for the kitchen. He didn't recall what they looked like, but was sure someone came in. Why hasn't Emma mentioned that? Her memory seems fragmented after the attack, but does that include the moments before it happened?
"Emma," Arren begins, "First of all, it's good that you've identified the feelings that trigger this ... issue. Danger. Hunger. You've just eaten, so hunger shouldn't be a problem. And I hope you don't feel in danger right now." He raises his right hand again, away from his longsword—a silent reminder that she shouldn't consider him a threat. The left, though, is still holding the shield protectively. "But I need you to remember, even if it's painful. Wyler said that day, two weeks ago, someone entered The Stewpot and went straight for the kitchen. That means you couldn't have been alone with Hector. Try to remember: who was there with you? It's also possible that person left with you through the back door. Breathe deep, and try. Please."
He pauses, and in an effort to clear her memory, he adds, "To be honest, I even thought that person was the Wood Elf from your drawings."
The Sergeant has clearly heard and understood what she's asked of him—but he doesn't acknowledge it. He still believes there must be another way. He refuses to return to Ersta and tell those who so clearly love Emma that they had no choice but to fight her. And if it's true that danger is what triggers whatever's happening to her, then drawing his weapon now would only make things worse.
'Tace' is also listening with rapt attention as Emma tells her version of the events that happened a couple of weeks ago. The events that so far only Wyler has been able to shed any light on.
Her description of being lost in a vivid nightmare, of having no control yet being aware and retaining fragments of memory, is particularly disturbing. Is she for real? If she is, then something supernatural seems to be at play here.
The disparity between the two retellings is not lost on him. The fact that she was alone with Hecky in her account, but Wyler was certain someone entered the tavern and then the kitchen. Someone or something. After all, he couldn't describe it at all.
Unlike the Sergeant, who prompts Emma to think back at someone joining her, he wonders more about the something than the someone. Some form of protective spirit. She obviously believes in spirits, she thought her husband was held onto by a bad one. If he was abusive, something may have sensed her pain.
He tries to think back to the things he read and learned at the academy, and as a scribe, anything at all about possession or protective spirits. Something drawn by strong emotion perhaps. And has she always been tall, or could the spirit have some physical manifestation that changes the host. Wyler said she ran out of the tavern faster than he thought possible.
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'Tace' is also happy to leave the clearing and hopefully the spider behind. When he spots the first of the carved messages, he glances at the Sergeant, but seeing him unfazed carries on in silence as well.
As the messages change, he considers the meaning, pausing briefly to take a closer look and run his fingers through the grooves. Other than that he doesn't slow. Using more threatening language shows a measure of intelligence.
And then he spots 'Kill Me'. Now that is different.
"It certainly is. Perhaps they are not in control, or perhaps it was carved by someone else", he muses. He runs his fingers through the grooves again, trying to work out if it was carved with the same implement, and if the carver used the same amount of force and technique.
As they carry on, he gets the whiff of something, and lifts his mask slightly to better experience the scent. "Smoke", he says in reply to the Sergeant's query
"There is a fire up ahead, I can smell it and I think I can just make out the smoke too. I don't see any light, so it must be shielded well, hidden perhaps in a cave. It must have a natural chimney", he adds, pointing out where he thinks the smoke can be seen against the clouds to the Sergeant.
"We should try and be quiet, and hope that if we cannot see the light of their fire, they won't see our lantern light. Or perhaps we should douse our candle now?".
Arren can see the smoke now that Tace has pointed it out. "That makes sense," he says in response to the theory. Looking toward the lantern, he adds, "If we can follow the smoke without the lamp, it'd be better to douse it now, I think. As for being quiet..." he gestures to his chain armor "...that's going to be a problem for me. I'll try my best, but we can expect a bit of clinking every now and then."
Arren lets out a small, resigned breath, as if to apologize in advance. In any case, he looks ready to continue, despite all the carved warnings.
Diving deep to the surface ♫ Auriel | Chase | Shenua | Arren | Lyra | Jadzia
'Tace' nods and douses the light, ready to sneak forward.
Investigation: 20+5=25 (Wow, two in row!)
Stealth: 11+6=17
Arren adjusts his armor and weapons, trying to keep them from clanking against each other, and is ready to go.
Amazing rolls, @Volcano!
Stealth (at disadvantage):
18+2/ 11+2 = 13 Not that bad, really.Diving deep to the surface ♫ Auriel | Chase | Shenua | Arren | Lyra | Jadzia
With the smoke leading the way, Bryn and Arren don't take long before they find the source. Soon, they can see the fire's faint light from a nearby slope with many thorny bushes. It isn't very comfortable sneaking around between the thorns, but it gives them yet another incentive to move slowly, which works in their favour. Eventually, Bryn and Arren find a spot from which they can see the cave's entrance.
Well hidden among the bushes, the two can only think that, if it weren't for the messages on the trees and the smoke and the fire's light, they'd never find the place. Perhaps calling it a cave is a little exaggeration. It is more of an alcove, with just barely enough space for the fire and a person inside, but conveniently dug in an angle such that no water makes its way in, while the smoke is directed outside.
And yet, within that small alcove, next to the fire, a woman sits alone, in silence. She doesn't seem to have anything apart from a small stick, which she uses to roast something over the fire. The clothes she wears are simple, all in red. She looks to be in her thirties, her light-brown hair is just about long enough to reach her shoulders, and she looks very focused on her next meal, currently hovering over the fire. Such that, despite being just 20 feet away, she hasn't noticed either Arren or Bryn yet. She has a miserable look on her face.
Varielky
Bryn believes the carvings weren't made with any dedicated tool. They're coarse and inaccurate, full of splinters as if the missing wood was broken out. Not the work of a fine tool. And yet, as deep as they are, they couldn't have been made with a mere sharp stone or even an iron nail. At least, not without either a lot of time dedicated or some great force. Would such a force even require such a crude tool?
The carvings look new. The first ones you saw seemed the newest, while the deeper ones were older, but all seem recent. It still looks like a living tree, sap oozing out of many of them, making them sticky to touch. In the oldest ones, the sap is a bit dry, but it is still there.
As far as Bryn can tell, all messages were made in the same manner. The amount of force applied could vary between the trees, but it looks more or less the same.
Varielky
"Well, it looks like it was the same person who carved all the words into the trees. But the ones we past first seem to be the newer, which is a little odd", 'Tace' explains quietly before they come upon the cave. Perhaps Emma was a hostage at some point, but escaped. Or grew to realise there was more to the creature than a monster. And would she even have been able to make the carvings?
As they see the light of the fire, he quiets down, staying still as he watches the woman. He scans the cave for signs that she is not alone, or that someone or something else might be returning. Is she cooking food for one or two? She certainly doesn't look happy, so why hasn't she simply left? Is something outside the cave stopping her? Does it know we are here?
He looks to the Sergeant and shakes his head to indicate he doesn't like this situation. If only I could use magic, this would be so much easier.
"Odd indeed," the Sergeant replies, not quite sure what to make of the signs —other than that whoever carved them must have had a change of heart. Maybe that happened after Emma began journeying into the forest? He doesn't dwell on this for long, though, sensing they're about to find out soon enough.
Once they advance, and from their hiding spot in the bushes, Arren has two realizations. First, that Veda was lost in a time far deeper than he'd imagined. The woman standing in front of them—undoubtedly Emma, as she matched all the descriptions—had seen nineteen springs come and go long ago. Second, that the look of misery on Emma's face couldn't belong to someone who had left the village of her own accord.
The Half-Elf is surprised to find her alone. The one who had brought her here—the Wood Elf, presumably—must have gone off, perhaps to scout, or retrieve something they needed. Arren glanced around, trying to spot any sign of a trail, but with the lantern extinguished, that would be difficult. (Perception at disadvantage: 9+3 and 8+3=11)
Arren returned Tace's look and raised his eyebrows in a silent question: What now? He doesn't like this situation either, but they can't stay hidden forever. Inwardly grateful for whatever elven blood that now allowed them to see and gesture in the dark, he proposed a plan. Pointing at himself, then mimicking a walking motion with two fingers, he suggested he could approach Emma to speak with her. Then, gesturing toward the Elf—first with a halt sign, then a motion over their shoulder—he indicated he could stay hidden, ready in case the missing person returned and things got hairy. It might be safer than showing themselves both at once.
After this, Arren tiltes his head slightly, silently asking: What do you think?
Diving deep to the surface ♫ Auriel | Chase | Shenua | Arren | Lyra | Jadzia
Neither Bryn nor Arren see any other person around, and no clear trail that leads into/out of the alcove (although that is harder to tell, due to all the flora in the area).
Varielky
'Tace' nods to the Sergeant, in acceptance of the plan. He offers him the lantern, unsure whether he would want it, but figuring it didn't hurt to offer.
He then sets himself to act as the lookout. And perhaps listen out as well. This would work better if I had a shortbow.
Arren motions toward the lamp to pick it up, but then, on second thought, decides to leave it with the Corporal. First, because he thinks he may scare Emma a little less if he appears empty-handed, and second, because if anything goes wrong and they end up needing to fight, it might be better to leave the lamp hidden in the bushes—where it's less likely to be broken.
With that, he makes a face at his companion, meaning "Wish me luck", then begins to move a little away from him before standing and stepping out of the underbrush, careful not to give away the Corporal's position. He knows there's no good way to avoid startling Emma, so at the very least he raises his hands away from his weapons—a clear sign he means no harm—and speaks in as calm a voice as he can manage.
“Emma,” he calls out, stopping where he is and making no move to approach, anticipating her fear. Then he adds—careful not to use the plural, so as not to reveal he's not alone—"I'm here to help. I come from Ersta, where your mother and your friends are worried about you. I've been to your mother's house, and found your old drawings—they led me here. Please, let me help."
He pauses, gauging her reaction before continuing. "You're not alone here, right? Where is your companion? Do you think I could speak to him? Again, I mean no harm. But we need to address what's happened, and see you safely home ...if that's what you want."
If the situation allows, he steps a little closer to Emma and the fire. At the same time, he quickly surveys the area, trying to determine the most likely direction Emma's companion might come from.
Diving deep to the surface ♫ Auriel | Chase | Shenua | Arren | Lyra | Jadzia
As Arren expected, he couldn't avoid startling Emma when he appeared out of nowhere like that. But when he does, she doesn't look merely startled; she looks horrified. So much that she loses her grip on the stick that held her food, which plummets into the fire, but she doesn't seem to notice. Wide-eyed, she stares straight at Arren while he talks.
"No, no!" She calls. She doesn't shout, yet her voice is strong, if a bit tremulous. She straightens up where she sits, and even without standing, she looks tall for a woman. "You must leave right now, before it's too late!" She sounds worried and frightened. "Please, I beg you. Turn back now. Did you not see the messages on the trees?"
When Arren continues, she looks a little bit confused. "Companion? He's dead! No one can speak with him!" She sounds sorrowful, not mad, and tears start forming in her eyes. "I was here alone, and that is for the best. Please, leave. You don't want to be here when it wakes. There is nothing you can do!" She pauses for a second, wiping her eyes from the tears (Arren notices that she doesn't look completely dry, yet not as wet as he is). She eyes Arren briefly. "Unless you plan to use that sword of yours, but are you sure it is worth risking your life for?"
((I assume Arren hasn't stepped forward yet, since I imagine this isn't the reaction you had in mind when you wrote it. If he does step forward, please mention it in your next post.))
Neither Arren nor Bryn see or hear anything that attracts their attention, apart from Emma, of course. Thanks to his high roll, Bryn notices the scent rising from whatever Emma was cooking before Arren startled her. He can't quite tell what it is, but he's pretty sure it is not any form of meat. Probably some kind of plant - a vegetable or a fruit perhaps - but he cannot tell what exactly.
Varielky
'Tace' watches the Sergeant approach and then listens intently to his conversation with Emma. Her companion is dead, and yet something is going to wake up. Could the something be within Emma herself. I wonder if the Sergeant is thinking the same thing. If I could just use my magic, this wouldn't be an issue.
The smell of food is quite enticing, but perhaps not quite as enticing as the smell of meat would be. Don't get distracted by food, concentrate man.
(ooc: I'm assuming that we are able to see just fine thanks to our Darkvision, and Emma's fire. Am I right? If we have to fight, we don't have to do it at disadvantage because it is too dark in here?)
As the realization washes over him, Arren doesn't take another step forward. He stares at the tall woman in front of him for a heartbeat before turning that realization into words.
"It's... you. You k—" He cuts himself off. Whatever is waking up, he doubts that bringing up Hecky will help.
"I don't want to use this sword, if it can be avoided" he says instead, forcing calm into his voice, though his heart is pounding harder by the second. He remembers the Commandant's warning: retreat if the situation is too much. But was it? How could he assess it, if he didn't fully understand the threat?
Emma had killed a man who hadn't known the danger—and who hadn't been protected. But they were aware, they were armored, and they were two. Even if he wasn't at his freshest, that still tilted the odds in their favor … didn't it?
"If something's going to wake," Arren continues, "I'd rather face it in the light than have it chasing me through the woods in the dark."
He doesn't draw his blade (yet) but grips his shield tightly, lifting it slightly to better cover his side. His knees bend just enough to shift his weight into a more balanced, guarded stance—ready, without being overtly aggressive. (ooc: If possible, Arren takes the Dodge action while they speak.)
Arren avoids asking about the Wood Elf entirely, as that might set her off, as well. Instead, he tries something more practical, something he hopes sound steadying. "Is there really no way to avoid it? Anything that soothes it, that prevents it from waking up entirely?"
Diving deep to the surface ♫ Auriel | Chase | Shenua | Arren | Lyra | Jadzia
((With darkvision, the darkest it naturally gets for you is Dim Light, which only imposes disadvantage on your Perception checks that rely on sight. As long as those aren't involved, it has no implication on your combat ability. On top of that, anywhere near the fire is considered bright light for the two of you.))
"I don't know!" Emma exclaims. By now, tears flow from her eyes and down her cheeks faster than she can wipe them. "I didn't ask for any of it! But ever since that day, I sometimes find myself... I ran away for a reason! You shouldn't have come here. Please, leave. I don't want it to happen again."
Emma buries her face in her hands, crying. Arren's years of experience fighting tell him she is completely open and unguarded. He feels no malice, and his body does not feel fear, just like when talking to any normal citizen. If she really is the monster, Arren's instincts are belied. He does, however, notice something else. Her clothes aren't all red, but only on the front. With her head down in her hands, Arren can see the top of her back, and he sees that there her overdress is a light beige colour, not red.
((Just to clarify, Arren may think freely, but his instincts tell him Emma feels innocent.))
Varielky
'Tace' is quite gripped by the whole conversation. It sounded more and more like Emma had some kind of monstrous alter ego, which although seemingly absurd would explain a lot. Not everything though. Who was the strange woman who went into the kitchen just before Hecky was killed?
He contemplates revealing himself so he too can ask some questions, but decides against it. Not until we are certain there isn't something else involved.
Arren still doesn't move forward, but shifts slightly to the side—away from where he knows Tace is hiding—keeping his shield held tight and slightly raised the whole time. At the very least, this gesture gives him a small sense of protection against the unknown.
Inwardly, he feels sorry for what Emma is going through. He wasn't immune to the misery on her face before, and he isn't immune to her tears now. Even so, this time he speaks a little less gently, a and a little more firmly. "My running away and your staying hidden won't solve anything, Emma—not if whatever is waking up decides it wants to pay Ersta a visit. Figuring out what's happening might, though."
Arren gestures to her dress. "Whose blood is that?" It can't be Hecky’s. That happened two weeks ago. It must belong to whoever ran away with her.
Then he continues aloud, "Tell me more about that day you've mentioned. What happened, and when?" He pauses, "And please, tell me what happened in The Stewpot two weeks ago. Who run away with you that day?"
Diving deep to the surface ♫ Auriel | Chase | Shenua | Arren | Lyra | Jadzia
Emma continues to sob, but still manages to speak somewhat clearly. "I... I tried my best to stay away. I hope I didn't hurt anyone else, but... when it happens, I... I wake up somewhere, always covered by someone else's blood. Sometimes animals, other times..."
"I remember some of what happened, vaguely. I'm watching myself from within, but something else directs my actions. Like a vivid nightmare, which you cannot control, and when you wake up, you only remember fragments of it, and the feelings you've experienced along the way. Now you see, I don't want to hurt anyone, but if nobody stops me, it's beyond my control. And anyone who tried to do anything..." She pauses and, after wiping her eyes with the bloodied cloth again, picks up what fell into the fire earlier and cleans it with her hand. If it is hot, it doesn't seem to bother her at all, but she blows on it twice before biting into it. It doesn't look like a very tasty meal, especially now that it's partially covered in ash. She doesn't look like she enjoys it, but she finishes the entire thing (about the size of her palm) in three bites.
"It was two weeks ago? Maybe. It's hard to keep track of time when you lose grasp of reality for unknown lengths of time. I was cooking... in the Stewpot, and then Hector - my hu-" she cuts off, unable to complete the sentence as she bursts into tears again. "He was having a hard time!" she exclaims, though her wobbly voice is now hard to understand perfectly. "I knew we'd get through it, but he'd... he was angry all the time, he'd drink a lot, and he'd occasionally..." Again, she's unable to finish the sentence. She tries to calm down a little before she continues. "I endured it, I knew I had to, until whatever bad spirit held onto him would pass, but that day, something snapped inside me and..."
"When I came to, his blood was all over my hands. It was the first time, nothing like that had ever happened to me before. I didn't know what to do, I was overwhelmed, and in a haze... my feet carried me here. Nobody else was here. It is only me and... whatever it is I have become that day." Emma stands up, and to do so, she steps out of the alcove. Both Arren and Bryn now notice, she really is tall for a woman. Not extraordinarily, but tall. Arren also notices that she looks muscular. Not in any special way, but the way one might expect a cook who must carry heavy objects around the kitchen a lot to be. But could she have had the force to create those messages on the trees? Arren wouldn't have believed it any other day.
Now outside the alcove (about ten feet from Arren), Emma is washed over by the rain, but the blood on her clothes does not wash away. "Since then, it has happened several times. Whenever I felt in danger, even if I put myself in it on purpose, whenever I got too hungry... but now, if I try to eat anything, it reminds me of..." She gags again, and it looks like she's about to puke, but she manages to contain it. "I don't know what to do." She drops to her knees. "Won't you help me? I don't want to hurt anyone. I don't want to hurt you either, but... maybe you're right, and the best way is to end it before it happens again?"
Varielky
Arren listens intently as Emma speaks, following her every movement with his eyes. When she stops to eat, he tries to identify what it is she's eating, and he also takes note of the blood staining her beige dress. Is it completely dried, or does any of it look more recent?
When she describes that day at The Stewpot—specifically Hector's behavior—his frown deepens, and he doesn't have to imagine the word she hasn't dared to say. The old man at The Three Frogs described Hector accurately. Scum, indeed. Arren didn't feel the slightest bit sorry for what became of him.
But something else catches his attention: Emma hasn't mentioned anyone else being in the kitchen besides Hector and herself. Strange, as Wyler seemed certain someone did enter The Stewpot and went straight for the kitchen. He didn't recall what they looked like, but was sure someone came in. Why hasn't Emma mentioned that? Her memory seems fragmented after the attack, but does that include the moments before it happened?
"Emma," Arren begins, "First of all, it's good that you've identified the feelings that trigger this ... issue. Danger. Hunger. You've just eaten, so hunger shouldn't be a problem. And I hope you don't feel in danger right now." He raises his right hand again, away from his longsword—a silent reminder that she shouldn't consider him a threat. The left, though, is still holding the shield protectively. "But I need you to remember, even if it's painful. Wyler said that day, two weeks ago, someone entered The Stewpot and went straight for the kitchen. That means you couldn't have been alone with Hector. Try to remember: who was there with you? It's also possible that person left with you through the back door. Breathe deep, and try. Please."
He pauses, and in an effort to clear her memory, he adds, "To be honest, I even thought that person was the Wood Elf from your drawings."
The Sergeant has clearly heard and understood what she's asked of him—but he doesn't acknowledge it. He still believes there must be another way. He refuses to return to Ersta and tell those who so clearly love Emma that they had no choice but to fight her. And if it's true that danger is what triggers whatever's happening to her, then drawing his weapon now would only make things worse.
Diving deep to the surface ♫ Auriel | Chase | Shenua | Arren | Lyra | Jadzia
'Tace' is also listening with rapt attention as Emma tells her version of the events that happened a couple of weeks ago. The events that so far only Wyler has been able to shed any light on.
Her description of being lost in a vivid nightmare, of having no control yet being aware and retaining fragments of memory, is particularly disturbing. Is she for real? If she is, then something supernatural seems to be at play here.
The disparity between the two retellings is not lost on him. The fact that she was alone with Hecky in her account, but Wyler was certain someone entered the tavern and then the kitchen. Someone or something. After all, he couldn't describe it at all.
Unlike the Sergeant, who prompts Emma to think back at someone joining her, he wonders more about the something than the someone. Some form of protective spirit. She obviously believes in spirits, she thought her husband was held onto by a bad one. If he was abusive, something may have sensed her pain.
He tries to think back to the things he read and learned at the academy, and as a scribe, anything at all about possession or protective spirits. Something drawn by strong emotion perhaps. And has she always been tall, or could the spirit have some physical manifestation that changes the host. Wyler said she ran out of the tavern faster than he thought possible.