Moving slowly but deliberately, Rees puts herself between Alten and Arxius, arms out toward both of them.

"Alten, will you please check the perimeter? Just to make sure nothing is here but us?"

The last thing they needed was for this to come to blows right here. Unless Arxius was right and this was some sort of elaborate trap. She looked over at Talien suspiciously then turned her focus back to Arxius.

"Tell me what happened. Please. I didn't see anything, I just woke up to you screaming - that's why I thought it was a dream. You know I trust you, I'm just still confused."

Alten will take a step back, keeping the Glaive at the ready. However, he isn't "retreating" at this point by acquiessing to Rees's request. 

I've seen nothing during my watch. We're in a sealed, round room. Chatra, did you see anything other than our companions sleeping before the screaming commenced?

Alten will grab his Hand of Torm symbol and activate  Divine Sense, just to see if he senses anything that he couldn't see.

"They were here- I could feel them. The Combine- they had me. I am not safe. I will never be safe. I will never be free, do you not understand? I can feel them under my skin. Always working- always more- it never ends!"

No. I do not understand. I've never heard of "the combine"

Looking around.

Anybody else heard of the combine?

Looking back at her

What do they want with you?

"I do understand. I'm with you -- if you want to run tonight, we run. But we're not well equipped -- our funds are pretty depleted. If we finish this job we'll be in a better position to keep moving, we have...allies here, but if you don't feel like it's safe then we can go now. I'm not going to let anything happen to you, we protect each other, right?" 

"They want me because they own me - or she does anyway. The Scientist. I am a product of her ambition. No more, no less. I do not exist except to further her studies," Arxius spits out. Seething. "The Combine believe themselves capable of the wonders of Gods. Evolution within their grasp. I will not be their plaything!"

Quote from Sdclaybrook >>

Alten will grab his Hand of Torm symbol and activate  Divine Sense, just to see if he senses anything that he couldn't see.

As you activate the symbol and scan the room the only reading you get is on Grom’s familiar Ungrim who is fey in nature.

Quote from Sdclaybrook >>

Alten will take a step back, keeping the Glaive at the ready. However, he isn't "retreating" at this point by acquiessing to Rees's request. 

I've seen nothing during my watch. We're in a sealed, round room. Chatra, did you see anything other than our companions sleeping before the screaming commenced?

Chatra laughs and says, “I haven’t seen a thing.. she just seems crazy to me!”

Arxius growls and pushes forward towards Chatra, fingers tightening around her axes. "Call me crazy again you bastard halfling-" she threatens, raising one of her axes.

"He's not worth it, Arx." Rees moves forward again, stepping into Arxius' path and actually growing a few inches to be able to look the other woman in the eyes. "You're not crazy, they just don't understand." 

The words hit her like a stone wall. She stills, hesitating a moment as the anger subsides, then lowers her axes. Her eyes meet Rees' finding her now the same height.

"They will suffer for their indiscretions," Arxius says. "I will see to it they will suffer. Every last one of them. The Scientist will die by my hand, Rees."

Chatra just shakes his head and mutters under his breath.

Rees claps Arxius on the shoulder, giving her a sharp nod. "I know you will. You'll get your retribution." 

Talien, resting like a suit of armor, standing in a corner with his eyes glowing faintly silver, starts moving and scanning the area, eyes turning red and his movement starting instantly as soon as he hears the scream. Once he verifies there is no danger, he remains scanning the area, eyes changing from a red to a bright green. He moves closer to Arxius and says quietly, I have seen others in your realm be comforted by a hug, would you like one? There is no need for fear, I will be here to confront any enemies that seek to harm you.

(If she declines the offer for a hug, he will then put his arm (or attempt too) around Rees's shoulder)

Shifting away from Talien, Arxius clips her axes back on her belt. "Do not touch me. I have had enough touching to last a lifetime," she says bitterly. Though she had not minded Rees touching her. She goes back to her bedroll and decides to just roll it up when she finds it covered in sweat. It makes her realise she probably stinks. Of course, it wouldn't be the first time. "We should get moving. There's no point lingering if we're all up."

If you're leaving, that's your call. But people said they needed to rest. I know I'm not fully recovered from yesterdays events yet. If you can get a little more sleep you will be better prepared to face whatever enemy may come, whether that's down there or outside. I know I will be.

I didn't understand half of what you just said. And I probably won't, unless you chose to explain it. Your call. But I would like to understand.

Alten turns away and walks the perimiter of the room, making an obvious show of checking of the barred doors, looking high and low, prodding floor with the butt of the Glaive, etc. He's confident that nothing is there, but he's going thru the motions to show he is trying to be cooperative.

"A little more sleep might not be a bad idea, if you can get it. You can take my bedroll if you want," Rees offers. "We don't want anyone getting the drop on us because we're tired." 

Arxius watches Alten, her eyes never leaving him as he goes through the motions of checking the doors. "Alright," she says to Rees, though doesn't look at her as she sits beside the bedroll. She still watches Alten, the image stirring something in her mind. "Someone used to do that for me when I was- very small. Check the doors that way. I could not sleep unless it was done."

Talien pulls out his bedroll and lays it down for Rees. I don't have to lay down to sleep. He says, I am only keeping it for a certain purpose, so feel free to use it. I don't need anything to be as your realm seems to say 'comfortable'. Talien had seen how Arxius's bed was wet. He makes a mental note to buy something to soak up wetness and prevent it.