The Exploits of Misfit Company

Stella nods in agreement, tapping her lip with her fingernail. After a moment, she looks at Yvan, eyes serious. "Everything okay? It's been a rough few weeks, with all the fighting orcs and undead lords and such."

Yvan's lips part to answer, an easy 'no I'm fine' as he always had, but he immediately closes them before the words could make it past his throat, knowing full well lying to Stella was a bad idea. She had always been good at seeing through people, and he wasn't exactly the best liar there was. He closes his eyes, trying to clear his mind, even if just for a moment, to give her a response, but even that proved to be difficult. "... It's been a rough couple of weeks as you said," He answers finally, looking to her, trying to choose his words carefully. "A lot on the mind lately... Worries, mainly, with this Garabad situation now, but... I'll be okay. Once he's dead, I'll be fine." I hope.

Stella gives him another searching look, then nods. "I think we'll all feel better once he's dead." She smiles faintly. "Again. So, shall we get started? We have some ground to cover."

Despite having spoken the truth, her gaze on him feels like hot fire against his skin. He was telling the truth, so why was he so anxious about her searching look? He tries not to think too much on it, doing so easily thanks to her wanting to begin. The goliath gives her an affirming nod. "Yeah... Let's start off from the north then work our way around. I'll point out the glyphs Vastra had set around as well so we can keep tabs on them if need be."

Stella nods in agreement. "Sounds good. Let's get started." She heads for the door.

Prior to following behind the rogue, Yvan ensures his sword as at his side along with his other weapons, precautions he normally never had to make (as he had always been good with keeping track of them) but... just in case. Closing the door behind him, he easily catches up to Stella as she makes her way to the treelines, Yvan very briefly catching a glimpse of someone in the gardens. Alys.

Yvan gives the wizard a wave with a lopsided smile had she been looking up from her place in the garden, had she not have been he would still crack a smile in her direction, seeing that she had done a good job of tending the area for today. After a few seconds, his last two brain cells memory hits him and he calls out to Stella to get her to stop. Pointing out Alys in the distance, he says, "Since she happens to be out, we should see if she's able to cast that spell you suggested. Better to get it casted now than later if possible, right?" 

"Good idea!" Stella trots over to Alys. "Hey, Alys, how's it going out here?"

The airship:

Alys would beam in excitement that Yvan was willing to help. She'd hop up to her tip toes, craning herself as tall as she could to reach up to start whispering to his ears her ask to him. Should he have welcomed the chatter to pass the rest of the time on the ship, she'd prattle on. At one point she'd even start gesturing things with her hands to try to expand on her ideas for when they got back to town.

Garden:

Alys found herself amongst the flowers Yvan had planted so long ago for Rinn. It had sparked the inspiration for them to dedicate an area to those they miss and care to remember. And the wizard had added an addition of her own to the flower bed. As she knelt there in the dirt, she'd feel a sea of memories flood her way. Her eyes would soften and she could feel a weight grow in her chest. The elf's eyes would feel heavy and close. And with a soft inhale, she'd begin lightly singing to herself, gradually growing her voice to carry amongst the flowers before her.

"Not bad. We're just starting patrol, but we figured we'd come check up on you on the way, and ask you a question," Stella says with a smile. "Do you know a spell called hallow?"

Alys' smile would further in appreciation when Stella would mention checking up on her, though it would waver a little at her question. "H-hallow..." She'd stammer, her eyes fading away for a moment. A vision from a memory would flash in her mind. That's a cleric spell... Her eyes refocus on Stella. "Yes. I know of it..." She'd trail off thinking about its applications and taking into consideration what the rogue may be intending to achieve with it.

"Are you able to cast it? If not, it's okay. That's what scrolls are for." Stella gives Alys a warm smile. "I thought it might be good backup to keep the manor safe from Garabad while we're not here to renew wards."

Alys would fall deep in thought. She'd nod along to Stella's point of it being a good back up to keep the manor safe from Garabad. It was a great idea and another approach to safety that they haven't covered yet. The elf would lift a finger and move it as if she were reading along an invisible page before stopping and tapping at a spot. Something from Stella's inquiry also sparked inspiration for a similar spell to what she had suggested. "I think that's a brilliant thought... Have you ever heard of Forbiddance?" Would both of those spells be overkill? Could they manage it? Even just the one Stella suggested? The wizards lips would purse slightly and her posture would eventually deflate a little at thinking back on the rogue's original question. "You are correct though..." Alys would shake her head slowly in disappointment. "I do not possess the correct knowledge powerful enough to cast these spells..." She'd pause, "But..." She'd exhale. "I know someone who does."

"Forbiddance...that would be a great stack!" Stella beams. "No such thing as overkill when you have an ancient undead overlord who wants you dead. Who do you know who could cast the spells?" She raises an eyebrow. Personally, Stella thought that Alys casting them from a spell would do just fine, and she certainly trusted Alys more than some random stranger, but she'd listen about this other person.

Alys would swallow and glance down for a moment before looking back up at Stella. "Himo Amastacia." She'd fidget with the flowers in her hands. "My father."

Stella tilts her head. "You could cast the spells from scrolls, and do a damn good job at it," she says firmly. "So do you want to bring him in?"

Yvan had lagged behind Stella, allowing the rogue to propose the question to Alys. It had been her brilliant idea after all, and he didn't want to take credit for it. The goliath looks to perk up a bit at the mention of a harvest, green hues meeting with her baby blues briefly, locking in a silent agreement between the two of them that they would be busy tomorrow morning. It may have been difficult with the patrols now, but he would make it work one way or another. 

While the two conversed, he listened, even if he wasn't sure about what this 'Forbiddance' had done, he had to assume it was something that would prove to be beneficial to them. Though, when she admits she would be unable to cast it, and mentions knowing of someone who does, his brows raise in interest, yet furrow when he notices her begin to fidget, she then revealing who it was. 

He didn't know much of Alys' story when it came to her father, but seeing her fidget the way she did by just the mention of him worries the mountain born. Perhaps he was just reading too much into it... "As Stella said, I'm certain you could cast the spells just fine using spell scrolls... However, if you believe it would be better to contact him and see if he were willing to do you this favor, then by all means... We would... love to meet him...?" There is clear uncertainty in his voice as he says the last bit. He only hoped that this possible visit wouldn't reopen closed wounds for the wizard had there been any.

Alys would perk a little from Stella's confidence in her at the suggestion of scrolls. Though, when the words 'want to bring him' left the rogue's mouth, the cleric literally felt herself almost panic and start to backpedal, stepping a foot back before catching herself. "I. Uh. Umm." She'd stammer. Her eyes would look back between Stella and Yvan. If they wanted the full effect of Forbiddance, they would require at least a month's worth of daily scrolls... and she'd have to be able to successfully cast them each day. But they believed in her. "A-are these scrolls easy to get? Accessible?". As soon as the words left her mouth, the elf would feel silly for asking it. Shouldn't that be something she should know? She'd continue to fidget.

Would she want her fathers help? If it was the best way to keep her family safe. Yes. Would he be willing to do this favour? Alys would swallow. Yes. But on his terms, for his price.

Stella nibbles her lip. "We could probably pick them up in town. Only one way to find out, after all." She meets Alys's eyes. "I know how shitty parents can be. So if you don't want to get him involved, we won't. Simple as that."

Kasha spent some of her time talking to a large contingent of small forest creatures. Birds, squirrels, other small creatures who were fast. Her job was to make sure there was some sort of alert system in place, and she went over the details and the plans with the animals. There were many promises of food and treats, but Kasha was happy for their services and gladly obliged.

She also spent some time making sure Obsidian's goggles were clean and ready to go. Even after that one fight..oh yes, the kitchen incident at the party..where the fey cat got absolutely filthy, Kasha risked only getting her hands wet to give Obsidian a proper bath. After he was washed and scrubbed, she giggled at how silly he looked wet, and he gave her a somewhat irked look, and allowed her to dry him with a large towel. 

Alys' eyes would look a little hopeful at Stella's belief that they may actually be more commonly accessible than Alys originally believed. She'd nod. "You're right..." There was only one way to find out, go look. The elf would shift a little uncomfortably when Stella would meet her glance. She didn't need to say anything for the rogue to sense her discomfort with the possibility of interacting with her father. And if any one knew what it was like to have to address parental issues head on, it was Stella. Stella was confident and brave. She never wavered at doing the right thing, even if it could have been one of the harder things for her to face head on when the situations arose with her parents. She handled it with dignity and grace.

The wizard would nod softly, appreciating Stella's words of comfort. Alys knew she wasn't the first, nor the last who would have issues with their family and/or their past. She knew it would catch up eventually. She couldn't just run from ever facing her father again. Besides, the more Alys found herself standing in front of Stella and the more the rogue had to reassure and comfort her, the more she hoped she could do better for Stella. Become more emotionally resilient and confident. To prove Stella wasn't wasting her words or efforts on her.

Alys would shake her head a little bit. "If he's our best option and best chance to protect our home from Garabad, there would be no hesitation." She'd assure. If they get scrolls they may not even need him anyway. And it wouldn't be the first time Alys fussed for nothing... She'd exhale.