The Exploits of Misfit Company

"What ees eet that scares you the most?"
"Being alone..without someone to love."
"For me, eet ees to hef no purpose. Nothing to fight for. Nothing to conquer."
"I can see that, coming from you."
"I am sure. But, deeference ees, you hef choice. For me, eet ees programming. My destiny ees wreeten for me."
"Your journey is not yet complete."
"No. Eet ees not. Hef terrible choice to make, now. Something awful ees going to heppen. I can feel eet."
"I know your visions tell you otherwise - but you'll be fine."
"How can you be so sure?"
"I just know.. Call it my crazy druid senses."
"I weel mees you."
"Hold off on the goodbyes, yo! Something tells me we will see each other again one day."

Stella nods at Kasha, her face dark with frustration and anger.

Helplessness was what she hated more than anything else. The inability to do anything. Like when Rilan had caught her, time after time she ran away, and dragged her to a new foster home, a new group of people who looked at her and decided they knew her.

Not that she liked being treated like a bargaining chip either, as set decoration for the conversation between warring factions. Her parents had made her into a setting piece for their facade, made a thousand choices on her behalf because she was just another part of their scheme.

You all pass through the portal and arrive in the Astral Plane. The entire plane is like a sea, with an eerie shade of purple to it. There is no sun, or anything else that could be used to tell time in this infinite expanse, but as you look around, you do see what looks to be like cities floating about in the distance, as well as some ships floating about. As you attempt to move, you find that you need only think about the activity to move in a desired direction, although not all of you move at the same rate. (Your movement speed on this plane is equal to 3 times your Intelligence modifier, so the smarter you are, the faster you are)

Kasha, with an Intelligence of 9, "swims" lazily through the "sea" with no sense of urgency, or indication that, a moment ago, some piece of shit coward that held one of their teammates hostage was fighting them. She takes Obsidian and placed him either on her back or chest as she does backstrokes and other swimming maneuvers I can't think of.

Bixby spends at least the first minute or so getting used to moving at all. A sensation less alien than he thought it might be, but would eventually mutely likely find reminscient to times spent navigating his own Mind Palace. Those that are seen to be struggling apart from Kasha, which was no intended slight, as previous 'attempts' at conversation proved the exercise to be one of futility, are telepathically coached on movement and various minor tricks to expand maneuverability.

"Now that we've all mostly got our bearing, we should make our way towards those ciities. Preferably the largest one, so that we may find our guide, as well as some place to rest while lowering certain risks. Remain on guard until then, and do not wonder. Given the nature of this plane, it is not unlikely that one too much drifting away may lead to sudden and profound isolation, and the dangers that come with it." He warns once everyone seemed to have a moderate amount of control. With that, he took the lead towards the cities, looking back now and then, but mostly trusting Vastra and Alys to mind stragglers and keep them on track.

Though the thought of hailing a ship does drift into mind, wariness at least kept the changeling from trying his hand at it.

With an Intelligence score of 18, Vastra swims through the Astral Sea like she's Michael Phelps. But when Bixby starts moving on, she concentrates on slowing down so that she can help those who don't have an Intelligence score as high as hers not fall behind as they make their way to one of the cities.

Alys self medicated to slow herself down, to keep herself from thinking too fast. So when she first transitioned into this infinite expanse, she was not expecting to hit the ground running in both body and mind. The elf zipped around frantically, whizzing around almost in a panic, trying her best not to flail. Spotting the others move a little slower or with great ease, she felt herself feel a little envious.

The blonde would close her eyes, simply wishing to be grounded so she could try again. She’d feel herself slow a little, but she’d eventually collide into something? She’d pop her eyes open to look. Someone. Yvan. ”Sor-“ She’d pause. As she’d look him over, Alys would notice he was still pretty banged up. She didn’t do that right? “Are you okay?”

Seeing the others begin to move on ahead, Alys would offer her hand to Yvan. His slower speed was more her pace. Should he accept her hand, she’d smile softly, casting Cure Wounds to mend his injuries as they follow after the others.

Heal: 17 

Cats didn't normally fly, but for Kasha, it wasn't so bad. She was, once again, lost in her world and didn't even think about anything else - she knew they'd be ok. She couldn't even read but she had other good qualities. Her entire trip was spent lazily swimming through the sky making sure Obsidian was not left behind. She kept him close and made sure he was safe.

Occasionally, she would point to objects in the sky while Obsidian - somewhat frantically - would cling on to her tightly, looking around a bit nervous. Sure, he had seen many things in his life, spending it with Stella and going to places like Den Vurr, but this was an interesting, unfamiliar sensation that took getting used to, but Kasha seemed right at home.

How did she do that?

Obsidian stared at her with an eye of intelligence and curiosity, and didn't look away for a few moments when Kasha caught him staring at her.

She looked at him, cocked her head slightly, and smiled softly - her face twisting in a question if everything was ok, and with a meow, he answered.

With an intelligence of a hot and smoking 10, nothing changes for Yvan. He watches as Vastra, Alys, and even Bixby 'swim' at such a speed he had never seen before, then watches Kasha lazily float about with Obsidian, seemingly with no care in the world. The barbarian had always been slightly envious of how it she seemed to never have any doubts or worries, but he would never admit it outloud. Without thinking on that too much, he tries his best to get used to the flow and movement of things on this plane with thinking of the direction in which he wanted to go then just... going at normal speed. It was entertaining to watch Vastra swim laps like she was some sort of professional olympic swimmer though.

Eventually, he is still again, waiting for Kasha to catch up and the others to get used to their new speeds prior to pushing forward. Having been paying no attention to his immediate surroundings, the little collision between him and Alys startles him, but he relaxes soon after realizing it was just her. Under her gaze, he tilts his head, and as he parts his lips to question her, she speaks first. He blinks, then looks at himself. "Oh... I, uh..." 

He trails off noticing as well that the others have decided to move forward. At the offer of her hand, he takes it gently into his and allows her to lead him through with a soft smile at his lips. With her healing magic, some of the gashes and cuts are healed, now only mere scabs on his skin. In response, there is a warmth the emanates from his palm, unknowing to him and barely noticeable to her.

(Lay on Hands for 2)

Stella isn't exactly fast, but she floats along in the middle of the group, managing to keep up okay while she manages her stormy expression and stormier emotions.

After some amount of time, you all 'swim' over to one of the cities you see floating in the Astral Sea. You can't quite tell how long its' been, because there's no method of telling time and you don't get hungry as you stay on this plane. But eventually, you reach a city made of black stone. As you approach, you see some Githyanki fly up to you on their floating skiffs. "Hold it! State your business, what brings you to our city?"

2

Kasha casually landed, and set Obsidian down. She took a deep breath, puffed out her chest and flexed as mightily as she could as she spoke.

"We are Primes from Acheron - home of all Glory and Honor! Can you not tell, weak funny looking man? We come from far away plane, seeking nothing but to conquer and spread the word of Bane, zeh Lord General and Tyrant of multiverse! Surrender peacefully, and we shall put you to use as peeteeful slaves...as opposed to dead bodies, ya!? HrgRH!" she grunted audibly, doing her best double bicep pose, trying to look fierce and intimidating. She puffed out air loudly, folding under the exertion and laughed. "I'm just kidding, we're not Acheronians. Or..Primes. Kinda wish we were, yo."

She sat down criss cross apple sauce and decided to let the smart ones talk, because she would of said something pretty silly in answer to the question.

Bixby, who at some point or other during the trip lowered his goggles into place in hopes better perceiving the plane, found himself slowly lowering them again as he turned to look at Kasha with utter confusion and disbelief on his face. With the moment's passing, he then started to look to the others for some confirmation of some kind of truth. Not that he necessarily believed her words, but rather or not that he heard them to begin.

Regardless of their own reaction, he soon after found himself looking downward and shaking his head, half-muttering to himself, "Why would anyone... But she's a drui-..... What even-....?" Fortunately but unfortunately, the whole pontificating over the matter gets brushed aside as he turned to address the githyanki. "My apologies for my... compatriots jest." He said, though the last word came out uncertain. "We are mercernaries by trade, hoping to avail ourselves of your city, as you have affirmed, resources. Not for free, of course." Bixby explained. "In particular, we wished to secure transport and a guide to help us better navigate all of this." A general gesture is made of the plane at large, followed by a small bow. "You may call me Bixby, and might I know the name of you and this city we have ourselves?"

"Glory and Honor!" Kasha randomly shouts, her feest een the air.

"I am Bardoz and this is the city of Affok. We ourselves do not serve as guides, but there are services in the city that can work for outsiders like yourselves. For a price."

Always money. It's always about money. Why can't currency be chocolate peanuts. I'd be rich.

"HAH! For a price. Tell you what, you pay ME not to SQUASH you like bug you are. Hear you go CRUNCH under feest and boot of STEEL. And even then, there ees no honor een your worthless, gloryless life." Kasha muttered, still pretending to be an Acheronian. After a moment, she bellows in long guffaw.

"So you...don't want to find a guide?" Bardoz says, looking confused and slightly hurt.

Yvan stares at the camera like he's on the office before putting a hand on Kasha's head to hopefully get her to stop talking for a minute. "Please excuse her. Money isn't an issue. Could you just... direct us on where to go for a guide?" He gives a glance over to Alys, then looks back to the guard. "It's important."

Alys could only open and close her mouth as she'd attempt to find some words. Was it even appropriate to introduce herself by this time? She could only look between the two, from Kasha to Bixby and back. She honestly had no words. The elf would then look to Bardoz and address them herself. "We seek guidance to Na'lyeth." She'd pause. "Name your price."

Bardoz sighs. "Follow me." He leads you all to a travel office inside the city. "Erzget, these outsiders want a guide to Na'lyeth." "Na'lyeth? Hardly anyone goes there. That'll be 6,000 gold."