The Exploits of Misfit Company

"Vastra's got it." Alys would mutter in response to B, avoiding all eye contact.

While Vastra spends time studying and identifying the items. Feeling tired, exhausted and disappointed with herself. Is my light fading? Have I not studied enough? Am I strong enough to support them? The elf would plop down in her own spot to begin a ritual of her own. Soon after Vastra announces the magical properties of Kroll's items, Alys would finish the summoning of a spectral Phantom Steed. If one looked close enough, it has a striking resemblance to a unicorn. The wizard would finally crack a bit of a smile in satisfaction. "Been itching to try this." She'd mutter to herself as she'd reach out to pat the steed before making an awkward attempt at saddling the spectral horse. It wasn't graceful, but she'd make it. It was obvious she was no equestrian, cause she didn't even bother sitting upright, instead, she just flopped forward kind of laying on it, as if not even motivated to hold herself up.

Alys would use her heels to tap the steed to bring it closer to Vastra so she could hover over her to look at the items she studied. She agreed with Vastra that they were indeed very lucky. She felt it. And her heart swelled in appreciation for Kasha's healing when their fate was tempted. She'd lazily look over to Kasha who was clearly distressed and sad as well, but for an entirely different reason. The elf would crack a small smile appreciating Kasha's innocence and carefree nature. Like water off a ducks back...

"Now to return to the princess?" Alys would ask, glancing around the room to the others to assess how everyone faired, not that she had much magic left to mend. But she'd give what she had left to tend to those who are in worse shape.

Stella nods. "Let's get back to her and out of this place, so we can get our elemental essence and head home," she agrees.

You all collect your newfound loot and head back to the room with the Princess. "Did you kill him?" 

"Yep, he's all taken care of," Stella says with a nod.

"Didn't leave us much choice, that one did." Drift tacks on casually. "Granted, when you have ambitions like his, like, I couldn't fault the dude. May his spirit find peace upon the winds of this realm." He puts his hands together as if in prayer. "Or, like, he winds up a gargoyle or something. Don't really know what's totally tradition here, and like... what's not, you know? For like a pretty bad guy that is. You good to go tho', princess?"

"I am quite good to go." Elysia walks out of the room, with the elemental she conjured following her. When she gets outside the castle, she takes flight on her own, not needing a horse to carry her. As you stand outside, you notice that the grey clouds outside the tower are beginning to turn white as the storm abates.

Stella sighs. "All right, let's get this wrapped up, hmm? I can't summon Obsidian back until we have some time, so I probably won't be able to do it until we're back on the Material Plane."

Kahsa has a long face, wondering what ever happened to the adorable little black fey cat.

"Eh, you might have some time to summon Obsidian. Fighting Kroll was rather taxing, does everybody feel up to fight lightning elementals at this particular moment? Part of me is hoping that saving the princess will at least win us a free room to sleep in for the night."

"Question though too... How were we supposed to get back again, my dudes? Do we, like, just wait? Or, can one of you send for those, uh, air horses things again?" Drift asked the others roughly a half-minute after the princess left. "I mean, I guess we got the do-hickey to get back to our own plain. But, we do kind of need that lightning essence or what have you." He reminds.

"'side from that, Vas, like, putting us up for a day shouldn't be all that much a problem for'em."

"Ooh! Sleep!" Kasha beams. "Sleep is nice!" She then makes a "mouth" with her hand, like it was in a puppet. "Sleep!? Ha! Sleep ees for weak! No time for sleep - ees time for more conquering!" she says, imitating someone with a thick accent. Then, with her other hand, she makes a "mouth" and says, "Oh, that must be nice. SOME of us here aren't programmed with boundless, endless energy for f*ucks sake." She then looks to her first hand and continues the show. "Will you two stop bickering? All that matters is what's written in the heavens. Look! Isn't the night sky and it's wonders so beautiful?" Then, to her other hand, "I'm sure we can all come up with an agreement. Don't you think?"

She continues this "conversation" with herself until someone tells her to shut up, or about 3 minutes go by.

Vastra sends a Message to Alys. Did Kasha get into your herb supply a few minutes ago? "That's a very interesting cast of characters you've created, Kasha." As Bixby wonders this, the winged horses fly down to the courtyard, ready to take you back to the city.

Stella blinks as Kasha begins her performing arts piece. "Huh." She swings onto her horse. "If we're going straight into fighting elementals, I'll need some healing, but not much else."

"Cast of characters?" Kasha asks, confused, but quickly shrugs it off and joins with the others.

A nonplussed Drift just hops on his mount. "Time to face the music one way or another, dudes. We'll sue for a night's rest, at the very least.And if not, an hour at least to catch our breathe. And if that, like, doesn't work... Dude... I... I got a bit of juice in me for some healing. But, I'd like to hold off on that until we know our way up, as you can say."

“Rest would be nice...” Yvan murmurs quietly, his attention all to focused on Kasha talking to herself in strange accents. The goliath merely tilts his head to the side before looking over to the flying horses and hopping on one, giving a thumbs up to signify that he was ready to go.

The horses take you to the city, where the king and queen are overjoyed at the safe return of their daughter. King Auruos says that he will keep his word and allow you to pass through the Eternal Tempest so that you can get your essence from some Lightning Elementals. He also announces that for rescuing his daughter, you're officially friends of the plane and that a feast will be held in your honor. You're also given a room to sleep in and recover from your wounds.

Drift returned King Auruos welcome with a humble "thank you" for the opportunity to be of assistance, if but with his usual devil may care flare towards the end. Then his eyes next falls upon Princess Elysia for a brief moment. Within it, he formed the link, though without the usual mental prodding in advance to warn of it. Instead, it is kept a secret, for during whatever time the group is given to clean themselves up for the feast, Drift saw to some special preparations.

Over the course of ten minutes of meditation -- hours for him, having delved deep within for the process -- much of what he is, was, and could be had been warps again beyond recognition. Though outwardly he stayed mostly the same, beyond a faint shimmering purple toned energy flashing briefly across his form to denote the change, inwardly the same could not be said. He would continue to play the part of 'Drift' for the remainder of the evening, making casual friendliness with others, and spinning tales of the group's adventure; though strangely, from the PoV of an observer, rather than that of one of the heroes of the tales half the time.

At the same time, or whenever the princess appeared least busiest during the feast, he approaches her mentally through the link. 'Good evening, Princess, and do not be alarmed. It's just me, Drift, using my like, far out there powers, you know? Heh... Probably not, but who am I to say? Speaking like this is kind of my limit. Well, that and, like, bridging here so you can send me your thoughts as well. No pressure though, of course. And if its bother, I'll break it now... I just-...'

He pauses there, in part to sort out his own thoughts, as well as give her time to actual process things. 'You asked me before if I was flirting before, like, back at the tower, I think? And like, I can't say it was intentional, but I did mean every word. As soon as I laid eyes on you, it was like... whoa... I heard of the sky sometimes having a boundless beauty. But you? If ever there's been a more deserving person for being an expression of that, you are the one. And that Kroll dude must've been off his rocker focusing on the throne with you in his company. And that was before I even heard you speak. Which, even at the harshest, I don't think I have ever heard a more soothing one in my life. And I've been places!' His chuckle echoes briefly through the link.

'Anyhow, do like, forgive me for being a bit indulgent here.What with me and the Exploits having to go back in a day or two now, I couldn't let the chance to speak wit you go by; especially considering it could be my last. And if you'd permit it, I'd like to get to know more about you. Beyond just the title and job, ya know. In person, and without all these distractions. Think you know a way to make it happen tonight?' He asked.

 (Burning last BI for Universal Speech)

The Challenge(DC ???): 30(adv. from Universal Speech: 11).

The princess is mildly shocked to hear your voice inside her head, Drift, but she doesn't have an extreme reaction. It would be difficult to get away from everyone, but I could do it.

When they get back to the palace, Stella takes the time to resummon Obsidian, who comes through covered in plant matter and looking irritated as he gives her a long string of complaints about how he almost yanked her away from the middle of a battle, but the wizard solved the issue with a fireball.

Stella gives that the eyeroll and catnip it deserves before bringing him to dinner, where he promptly goes about treating all the djinn like his own personal hair dryers.

Stella watches Drift as he spins his stories, enjoying her food and joining in the chatter as well, making sure to give him credit where credit is due.

She also checks on the egg before dinner to make sure it's doing well.