“Oh please,” Maegan quickly retorts, “There could’ve been any number of things down there. Things like treasure or things like monsters. I just took a chance I wanted to and decided to explore. Just cause you all want us to stick together. I don’t do well in groups and I’ve never been one to listen to instructions either.” Maegan returns to being her usual self, “So while I was getting lost and attacked, what did you guys find out.”

Erok clears his throat awkwardly.  "Well, as I said, there is another doorway we can try.  There may be another maze, but at least it won't be underwater this time."  He stands and gestures to Cora.  "We just need to open the entrance again."

Cora gets up, stands in front of Maegan.

"What did we find out?" She says, "That you don't follow directions and that do your own thing." She pokes you with a firm finger as she speaks. "I didn't think this needed to be said, but lets get this clear and out in the open. I don't care that you don't work well in groups, or that you have problems listening. Why are you even HERE if you don't work well with others? We were hired to do a job, and if you want to take chances with your life, go ahead, but not on OUR time. Sticking together is how we all survive in this tomb, so stop being selfish. I love treasure and shit just as much as anyone else. But, I'm not a god damned babysitter, twinkle toes."

"Do you understand me?" She asked. "Because, if you don't, the most dangerous thing you're gonna find in this tomb is me."

Lilyth had stood off to the side, nodding to Maegan after she declined her offer. She understood the reasoning behind and and the elf hoped that a simple rest would do the air genasi some good. Now she looked over the dais, noting down what they saw down the southern door. "We haven't gone through the north door... Maybe we should see what's--"

She had been cut off by Cora's provoking, turning back to the group with her eyebrows furrowed. She glared daggers at her girlfriend, yet didn't open her mouth again, waiting to see if she really needed to get in between the two.

Cora caught Lilly glaring at her. "What?" she said, walking to the dais again in a huff, grabbed it in an annoyed manner. "It needed to be said. Hells knows what we'll find down here. We need to work together."

There were a lot of things Lilyth wanted to say as there was a burning at the back of her throat, wanting to spit them all out at the rogue, but she knew better. Don't start anything, just get through this alive. No more fighting. 

Instead, she ignored Cora and put away her notebook and pencil then went and moved the dais herself to face the south door, pulling the lever before anyone could protest.

"Let's just get this over with."

Maegan just looks at Cora and just stares blankly. Then Maegan speaks up, “Well maybe we should try the North door first beforehand continuing down another maze besides you never know what could be found.”

“Pffff. I thought so.” she said. Maegan didn’t even respond.

Cora was annoyed. She was annoyed because Maegan was acting like a selfish child, and calling her out on it annoyed Lilly. Was she sorry? Kind of, but someone had to keep everyone in line. Someone had to speak up and say what needed to be said. If they didn’t like it, too bad. She was well familiar with a weak link in the chain ruining it for everyone, and today was no exception to lower her guard. One thing was for sure, she wasen’t about to risk her life for the genasi. She told her what’s up, now it’s up to her. Lilly’s reaction, however, was unexpected, and caught her off guard.

She dwelled on it a bit more, gripping the dais, and realized she was grabbing it so tightly her knuckles were white. 

“You know what Cora, it’s obvious that you think I’m holding everyone back and that my little adventure on my own was a massive waste of time.” Maegan responds “So if I’m holding everyone back that much, why don’t you just leave me behind after all I could do with a rest to regain the power of my patron.”

(ooc the creature that attacked Maegan, did it follow her)

Cora sighed. Clearly, ths princess was hard to get through. Her blood pressure rising, she resisted the urge to stab her in her vital organs and instead closed her eyes and released her breath slowly. She turned to her. Looked at her. This one was stubborn and selfish. But, Cora, you are no better. Not even close. 

“That’s not what I said, nor meant. If you need a rest, lets take it. I’m not leaving anyone behind.”

She let go of the dais and held out her hand, showing her the ground, a place to rest. 

“I don’t mind resting on the ground. While I’m doing that though I’d rather the rest of you make some moves on continuing. I can handle myself, after all I came back alive didn’t I.” Maegan says to the rest of the group while keeping her eyes away from Cora

Erok sighs to himself.  "We waited for you because we did not want to split the party, Maegan.  I don't think leaving you here while we continue on is the best idea, either."  He looks at Cora and then the rest of the party.  "Do we wait and continue on together? Or do we split the party?"

Cora closes her eyes, lowers her head, and pintches the bridge of her nose between her eyes, as if feeling the pressure of a headache. After a moment, she sits down, and waits for Maegan to rest. Cora stares at the wall, trying to control her breathing and return to a calmer state. It was like dealing with a child, so Cora quit trying, or else her blades would assist in there being one less adventurer in this world.

”Erok. We wait.” was all she said to him. At least this one was an adult.

Okay, unless anyone objects the group settles in for a short rest, which will take an hour. Feel free to roll hit dice and recover anything you get back on a short rest.

Wasif settles into a corner, looking openly worried as he smokes his pipe.

"Alive but hurt." Lilyth says quietly before turning to Maegan. "We had no way of knowing you would come back in the first place. I know you can breathe just fine but we," She refers to everyone else. "We can't. I know you do not work well in a group but the first thing you need to learn is to take everyone's opinions into consideration before you do something so rash."

Lilyth's lips thin in thought. "We can look through the North door, like you suggested, after your rest, okay? Let's keep the south door open for some much needed air."

With that, she shuffled over to Cora, very much aware of her irritated state (and very much aware that she aided in worsening it with her sudden cold shoulder), and sat down beside her, making sure not to get in the way of her view of the wall.

"Sorry." She murmured, just loud enough for the woman to hear.

Cora, at hearing Lilly’s voice, immediately relaxed and calmed down. With her left hand, she entwinted her fingers in Lillys and leaned her head on hers. She squeezed her hand and used her right hand to softly caress Lillys arm up and down. No words were required for Lilly to know that Cora forgave her, would always forgive her, for Cora deeply loved her, and had committed much worse crimes. 

“Um I don’t want to worry you guys but we should be extra careful from this point on. In the underwater maze I got attacked. But whatever it was seemed to almost be the water itself. It was as if the water itself was trying to restrain me by compressing me into it.” Maegan says, eyes full of shock, “Does anybody have a clue about what creature it could’ve been.”

Cora had no idea what Maegan was referring to, and was going to say something but was too in the moment with Lilly. Who knows what the tomb held. She would have to be extra careful. 

There was a small smile that made its way on Lilyth’s face, her thumb gently caressing the top of Cora’s palm as they held hands. Her heart couldn’t help but beat in delight at how tender Cora could be despite her rugged exterior (and interior, depending on the person) and she felt utterly blessed that she was more than welcome to see the softer side of the rogue. 

Maegan’s question snapped her out of their little world, trying to think for a moment (though, honestly, there was no reason to). “Hmm, no I wouldn’t... Sounds like some weird water though. Erok? Any ideas?”

When Lilly spoke, it snapped Cora back to the present in a good way. One day she would have to tell her the truth about what she did to her, one way or another she would find out. It made her nervous, and she squeezed her hand as if to silently reassure Lilly that she cared so deeply for her, and would do anything to not lose her again. After everything i’ve been through, Cora thought, it’s a miracle I even have feelings.

She looked up at Erok and waited to see what he thought.