Turning back to the others, Erok points out the pressure plate to them.  "If we step around this, hopefully our return journey will be less . . . fiery." 

"Hmm..." Lilyth takes out her notebook and scribbles down a shitty drawing of the hallway top down with a big arrow pointing at a specific spot, then wrote 'BEWARE OF PRESSURE PLATE = DEATH'. With a big smile on her face showing to the others she was pleased with her work, she shut the book and looked at everyone else. "Okay, let's go! Erok, lead the way!"

Erok smiles at Lilly’s enthusiasm. “I would be happy to, little one.  Perhaps you can help keep Cora out of trouble, hmm?”  He turns and will attempt to walk back safely the way they came, avoiding the pressure plate. 

"Hey, what th--!!" Cora barked at the remark, bristling a bit, but then realizing she DID indeed step on the pressure plate. She huffed in acceptance and walked with the group next to Lilly, following Erok.

At Cora’s words, Erok looks back at her. “ I meant no offense, Cora.  You have skills I do not, and if I can serve by bearing the brunt of any more fire, I am happy to do so.  My scales are resistant, and your skin is not. Besides, the little one would be upset if you were hurt and I would spare her that, yes?” He smiles at Cora and Lilly and continues walking. 

"Hm." Cora's eyes narrow, convinced. "Nice save, Erok. Nice save."

“At least someone in the group has common sense” says Maegan in a mocking tone

Now knowing where the pressure plate is, you easily step over it and make your way back to the central chamber. Wasif pauses to mark the area with a line of chalk from his bag in case you have to come back this way. The rest of your journey through the ash filled hallway is uneventful and you find yourselves back in the central chamber. 

There is still the maze of Tombs through the South door and the underwater maze through the East door. 

Cora visibly bristled at Maegan’s remark, even if it was partially true. Her fist clenched up, her body got rigid, and her blood pressure heated up and an urge to sock her in her pissymouth rose fast. It’s times like these the animal in her took over and reason swiftly exited her brain.

Urge to sock: 6

But thankfully it didn't piss her off enough, so Maegan kept her teeth this time.

This time.

Lilyth knew that the comment would irritate her girlfriend, and it was confirmed once the elf glanced to to see how Cora looked. She expected her first to connect with the air genasi’s cheek... But it never came.

An overwhelming sense of pride washed over her, grabbing Cora by the wrist to pull her away from the group to the corner of the room so they can speak privately.

”Hey,” She started, bringing her hand up to caress the rogues cheek. “Don’t let her comment get to you, okay?” She presses a kiss onto the others cheek. “I’m glad you didn’t punch her in the face.” Another kiss, this time on her nose. “If it’s hard to control your anger just look at me, okay?” Her final kiss was planted on Cora’s lips. “I love you.”

Lilly was a blessing, much to Cora's feral side's dismay and annoyance. Her world shrank because of her anger, and barely noticed being pulled away by Lilly as she eyed Maegan with a warning. Lilly took Cora by the wrist. Pulled her aside. Stood close to her.Talked to her softly. Her hand on my cheek, then she kissed it. Loving words. Sincere. Blood pounding in my ears, I could barely hear her. I just looked at her. Her eyes were so beautiful, her skin, her mouth. She even smelled good. I calmed down. She kissed my nose, she knows I like it. It's like my OFF switch. And then she kissed my mouth and it was like clicking my ON switch. I grew warm in my lower stomach. Her affection was subtle, sweet, genuine.

And then she said words she had not uttered since our past life. I love you.

For over 800 years I have bullied, punched, slashed, kicked, killed, beat up, forced my way through life, whatever it threw at me. Each time i've fallen in love i've hurt that person, and i'm doing it again. Lilly doesn't like it when i'm aggressive like that. If I don't control myself i'm going to lose her to. I'm so sick and tired of being alone. I ache for someone's affection, to live a normal life - someone who can deal with my flaws, but yet appreciate who I am. The animal that rages inside me has been a bane all my life. I struggle so much. I'm losing this battle. Hell has me good, Hell knows where to put me, but I grow tired, and weary of being mad all the time. I wish it would stop. Sometimes I want to die. Lilly was looking at me lovingly, her face so close to mine, and it instantly brought me back to the present.  

I smiled, scoffed at how unbelievable this moment was. I had trouble speaking my with heart lodged in my throat. I barely squeaked out. "I love you, too, Lilly." 

Erok looks over at Maegan’s words. “Indeed,” he agreed, his eyes narrowing. “Since we have discovered that fire and water,” his glance slides over to Maegan, “are problematic, perhaps we should try the south door. Together this time, hmmm?”

The two lovebirds were stuck in a moment as Lilyth continued to kiss Cora's face in different places with her heart beating a million miles per minute. It was hard for the elf to pull away, finally being able to say the words that she's wanted to say for a while. Always, they would lodge themselves in the back of her throat, but she never uttered them. She would tell herself it wasn't the time, or she won't feel the same (which of course, wasn't the case),  or something along those lines. Lilyth wasn't sure about what their relationship was back then, but she only hoped her past self loved Cora too, just as she did now.

With a final big smooch on the lips, Lilyth, cheeks flushed a deep red, finally leaned away from the rogue with a big smile. "Let's get back to it, okay?"

Cora smiled too and stared at Lilly with a dopey look on her face, nodding slowly, numbly, that they should get back to it. "Mhmm.."

She had no idea that her heart was pounding so hard it threatened to burst from her chest. She had no idea that Lilly felt the same way as she did, and now Cora knew it for sure. The rogue was hopelessly and completely in love with her. She had no idea that Lilly had eventually disconnected with her to suggest they rejoin the group, and she definitely didn't notice the roaring beast in her loins that wanted to be let out to play.

All she did was smile and nod numbly. This is what love felt like.

The elf took a moment to admire her girlfriends dopey look. Gosh, she's too cute... Control yourself, Lilly! We have a mission to do!

"O-okay!" Lilyth spun on her heel and went to the dais, turning to to the south door then pulling the lever. "Everyone stay together, and yell if you see something." She met eyes with Cora again with a smile wide on her face. "And stay frosty!"

Erok will wait for Lilly to get the south door open.  Once it is, he will cautiously move forward, alert for anything. 

Perception:  7

Smiling and a bit red in the cheeks, Cora joins the others happily and helps, staying alert for any danger.

Perception: 20

That means NOT starting at Lilly's legs, dumb ass. But..Hells have mercy.

Lilyth lets everyone else go forward, preferring to be at the back since she was more armored than Cora and Maegan.

Perception: 24

As the four of you and Wasif return through the southern door to the maze of tombs, it is filled with endless and seemingly identical passages. All of you keep watch, but so far you do not spot anything unusual or dangerous.

To make your way through, I'll need whoever is leading the way to make a survival check. You can have advantage is someone is aiding you.

((Unless someone wants otherwise, Erok would be in front, just in case of fire.  I’ll roll without adv.))

Survival: 11