The Exploits of Misfit Company

Alys would travel in silence, though when Vastra would ask the 'burning question' of course she'd pay attention to whatever it was B would respond with. She'd pinch the bridge of her nose and sigh. Her jaw would visibly clench as she'd attempt to navigate how she felt about this line of 'gratitude' he was feeding them. The B who took her hand that day, who included her in the adventure since the very beginning, the one who showed her the art of buying and selling, wouldn't buy this shit he was selling. And it pissed her off. She struggled to settle on the words. Giving up? Losing? Separating? 'The removal of one's personas from the psych', to her, was an extreme loss of more than just memories. The sorrow she had for Yvan's missing memory is only a sliver of what she would mourn for B. It was his choice. She'd try to remind herself. To have chosen to give up every persona but one? What did that cost? Her emotions weren't logically justified and therefore she wasn't accepting what he was thanking them for. She didn't want to accept what he was saying. It didn't feel right. And perhaps that was a part of his point. Emotions aren't always logical. It was his choice. Right? She'd respect that B's choice, but this cold, rejecting, presumptuous B? Not after what he did or said to Kasha...

Alys would glance to Kasha looking to Stella. There was something else she should be paying attention to or focusing on. She didn't realize Stella's skin had been changing until now. The wizard would go up to wait for Yvan's opinion on her condition. A curse... Alys' ears would twitch, then start to go hot when Bixby would so calmly say her name before asking yet again, for, or if she even possessed the magic he would be hoping for. Why did it bother her? Was it how he did it? When he did it? Was it because it was this B? She'd open her mouth to say something, but then Vastra would speak up saying that she had the ability, which meant Alys could too. The elf would open her spellbook and thumb through it, surprised to see that she did have the ability to remove curses. She had just defaulted to assuming she couldn't. She just doesn't have it prepared.

The divination wizard would gesture to allow Vastra to 'cut in line' to look over Stella. "Please go ahead. I don't have it prepared." Alys would offer a genuine smile to her much calmer and wiser mentor.

"That does seem to be a problem wizards have. We know all the spells in the world, but that knowledge is useless to us if we come into a situation where we need a spell that we didn't think we would need during the morning. Perhaps the sorcerers are on to something." Vastra will cast Remove Curse on Stella and she goes back to normal.

Stella shakes her head at Kasha. "No, I think it was that hag. Like what she did to the satyrs." She flexes her fingers as Vastra casts the spell, appreciating having her full mobility back. "Thank you, Vastra. This is much better."

The faintest tilt of a grin had graced Bix lips. "Indeed. I imagined that if a cure was not possible, it would've been quite costly to see if we could perhaps 'awaken' whatever wooden form you were left as; assuming such was possible." He delivered, then clapped his hands together, holding them before his lips. "Though if nothing else, I'm certain Kasha would've made sure to tend to you, once you found a pleasant enough spot in the back of the manor. One with just enough sunlight and shade." Bix gave a slow nod at that. "But on to other matters. Would either you, Alys or Vastra, be willing to message one of our contacts ahead of time about this group of knights? Or might we be focusing our efforts elsewhere for a time more once we're back, and perhaps hike up our usual price for when they inevitably seek out mercenary aid?"

Kasha looked up at Vastra and Stella and gave a big smile to both of them, glad Stella was ok again. She looked down at Obsidian and gave him a big cheeky playful wink.

"I imagine that if our help is needed, they'll come to us rather than us needing to come to them, although we could see Maxwell and see if he can't give us a good review to someone in the Northwest. But I was hoping that before we go we could return home and see if the dragon has hatched yet."

"I see.... Well... hm... I suppose I'll find that out later, as I think I'll be staying in town itself for the next few days at least -- once we're back. Maybe even do a bit of legwork to further spread brand name." Bixby admits, or at least 'says' as much. "Might be a fair bit difficult. But, anything Barnabus can do, I can do well enough -- Do keep me informed if an 'actual' job winds up at the mansion doorstep though."

Deception: 19

Why you always lying: 22

Vastra doesn't believe Bixby, but she also doesn't make too much of a fuss about it since it doesn't seem like he'll be up to trouble.The next few days of travel go by smoothly now that Stella isn't cursed. You get back to the manor and check up on the dragon egg to find that it hasn't hatched. The next morning, you get the call from Maxwell, saying that a General Brakkus is looking for mercenaries to report to Greywatch Tower to help in the defense against the Orcs. As agreed upon previously, you accept the job and get going to Greywatch Tower. 

It takes a few days to get there and as you travel to the tower, you notice that in addition to local troops and mercenaries, the citizens in the villages and towns in the border area are also packing up their belongings and heading in that direction. You arrive at Greywatch Tower, which is a massive walled city with a tower in the center, reaching up to the sky. The soldiers stationed at the gates direct you to the tower to see the general. 

Arriving at the tower, you meet the general, a dwarf in silver and red armor with one eye and a blond beard. He looks at all of you, taking several moments to survey the latest mercenary group to arrive at the tower. "So, you must be the Misfits, I take it."

 Bixby at least had the decency to put away the puzzle cube, and offer a formal bow to the general. "You would be correct.I am Bixby. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, general...?" He lets the question linger there, hoping the dwarf would offer more from it. "We came as soon as it were possible. So tell us, how may we be of service to you and yours?" 

"Hello!" is all Kasha says, and returns to sit on the floor and listen.

Yvan hangs in the back as per usual (eyes on Kasha just in case she wanted to sneak away) when it came to meetings like this, only giving a respectful bow to the dwarf as it seemed like it were the polite thing to do.

Portents: 19 | 6

Alys would notice for once Bixby would put the cube away. At least someone had his respect. As usual, she'd stand with Yvan and Kasha. Though, as the druid sat, the elf would absentmindedly start playing with Kasha's hair. She'd grab some small strands and braid. It kept her hands and mind busy from her thoughts.

Kasha would most def let Alys play with her hair, as her braiding work was quite impressive and usually Kasha's hair was long and a mess. 

Alys would glance over her shoulder to Yvan, then lean in to whisper into Kasha's ear.

Seeing Alys absentmindedly braid Kasha's hair garners a small smile to form on Yvan's face. He cared for all of the misfits, but those two had held a very special place in his heart the time he's been with them. Though, he does tilt his head in confusion when he sees Alys whisper to the druid. Probably about some girl stuff... At this thought, his attention is then brought back to the dwarf.

"We need you to help defend the city. You'll be stationed on the outer wall, keeping an eye out for Orcs and fighting them off when they do get here. Understood?"

Stella nods. "Got it. What do we do if we see an overwhelming force?"

Bixby adds, sounding genuinely curious, "If need be, not that any of us necessary possess the means, might we make alterations to the wall to better defend against attackers? Or even, lay out traps near it to, at the very least, slow advance in certain areas? You would of course be informed ahead of time in the event something comes to mind, but... thought I asked." 

"If you see an overwhelming force coming towards the wall, you're to help the soldiers posted at your section of the wall fight them off."