The Exploits of Misfit Company

Yvan couldn't focus throughout Alys' confession. At a certain point, he had just been staring at the dragon's corpse with a frown on his face, hands balled up tightly into fists. Hearing her cry made his heart ache. He wanted to go over and comfort her, but how could he without intruding? He thinks on it until Bixby speaks to him telepathically, urging him to go, to at least be closer to her. The barbarian gives the changeling a glance, then lowers his head and responds back to him with a, Thank you, and moves away from the corpse.

Had Kasha been nearby the two, the goliath would move to stand by her as to still not intrude on the moment unfolding before them. For now, he would let his presence be known to the wizard just as Kasha had, by being nearby. Had she needed their support, they would be there for her in a heartbeat. 

"When I was passing through this plane to get to the next world, my spirit was intercepted and pulled into this skull. I suppose that it must have been misfortune on my end. No matter, it's over now."

Alys brought her feet into a cross legged position as she sat alone on the ground. She’d listen to her mother’s explanation, absentmindedly nodding along. The young elf would then sniffle during deafening silence that hung in the air once her mother finished. She’d hastily wipe her tears. “Okay...” Alys would take a deep breath. “What now?”  

"I suppose now I'll complete my journey to the other life and watch over you and your father."

Alys would tilt her head back, fighting the tears that began to well up in her eyes from her mother’s words. At the mention of her father she’d fight a grimace. She’d blink and a single tear would fall down her cheek. “I miss you...” The elf would say quietly beneath her breath. She knew her mother had to go, and she was bracing herself for the moment that was coming.

"I miss you too, darling. But I'll always be watching." She hugs you one more time, before fading away and moving on to the next life.

Alys would slowly and a little awkwardly do her best to return the hug, to find comfort in it. But as her mother faded away, she was left embracing air. The elf would eventually drop her hands to her side. Soft sniffles could be heard as she stood there.

Alys was ready for home.

Stella glances at Yvan and angles her head at Alys, giving him a "go give her a hug" look.

Comfort wasn't something he was good at. It was something he would leave mainly to the others (primarily Kasha and Stella), finding that they had more practice with it than he did. However, when Stella gestures for him to go and give a hug to Alys, he didn't need to be told twice. He approaches her cautiously, and as to not startle her, gently touches her shoulder to get her attention before pulling her into an embrace. 

"We're here for you, Alys..." He says, keeping his tone soft. "Take your time if you need it."

Though unable to find an easy solution, the voices eventually -- mercifully quieted again. It would take time to meditate and make sure their sources were quietly back in their cages. 'Time we no longer have' He thought while remaining mindful of the link with Yvan. Thinking of it after, he looks to Yvan and Alys, and seeing things begin to wind down, quietly severed the link. However, his gaze lingered for a few moments longer, before then finally sighing softly and returning to the corpse.

With one word, the bindings yet on the dragon come undone. With another, the tower would shrink as well. But for now, the latter is left be as he focused upon commencing harvesting some scales and teeth a carving knife, re-purposed tools, and a whole lot of determination to lose himself in the work. At least until someone spoke of a need of him for another matter.

Dragon Harvesting: 12.

Alys felt her body tremble from all her efforts to suppress her emotions once again, but couldn’t bring herself to stop. She had felt the eyes on her, watching her. The elf felt like she was drowning in embarrassment from her lack of control over herself and her emotions during this whole scenario. She certainly felt, and probably looked like a hot mess after all the ugly crying she had done. And she was scared to face anyone for she feared she’d fall apart at the seems and everyone would finally realize how weak and fragile she truly is.

Absentmindedly, Alys would be tugging at her sleeves to pull them up over hands, staring at the tear stains when she’d feel the weight of Yvan’s gentle touch on her shoulder. A barely audible gasp would leave her lips in surprise, only tensing briefly from the unexpected approach. She’d hastily sniffle and wipe away as much remnants of her heavy sobbing as she could before she’d take a step to turn. Yet when she would, the elf would feel herself get swept up into their gentle giant’s embrace.

Alys’ eyes would ping wide only for a split second from the unexpected show of public affection from Yvan, but she dare not even consider questioning it. Immediately following the realization, she’d practically melt into his protecting arms. It was a comfort she needed. And she’d practically latch on for dear life, not wanting him to let go too soon. Her hands would grip his furs to pull herself forward, burying her face into his chest. “Yvan... she’s gone... again...” Were the first few words to muffle from her lips, and as they did, the elf would start sobbing again. And she felt terrible. Logically, she was supposed to be happy that her mother was truly free and no longer suffering now. She was supposed to feel acceptance, relief and closure. Most importantly, she should be feeling beyond grateful for the Misfits for helping her through all of this and being there for her. And she was! Undeniably so. But instead, Alys’ felt like garbage. Like a little baby Alys who just wanted her mom back. How pathetic... 

The longer and tighter Yvan would hold her, she’d eventually stop trembling and crying. The elf would just barely shake her head to herself while buried against him, as if stopping herself from apologizing profusely over and over again. Finally after steadier breaths and some silence, soft words would leave her lips “Thank you...”

Vastra goes over to give her apprentice a pat on the head and a kiss on the forehead.

You all return to Erzget, who is surprised to see that you all made it out with your lives. He takes you back to the portal that you used to get to this plane, where you then pass through to return to Ogleus' tower, which you swiftly exit from and make your way back to the manor. As you walk through the clearing to get to the manor, you are suddenly surrounded by dozens of mounted knights from the Plane of Air, lead by a very angry Princess Elysia, who has also gotten a fair bit rounder since the last time you saw her. "Where. Is. Drift!?"

Bixby blinks, looks once to the heavens with but one thought on his mind, and then with a tired sigh he steps up. As much about his appearance was radically different from his other personas, the experiment need not fear recognition. Even so, he spoke quickly but calmly, anticipating regardless of stated intentions a certain 'someone(s)' interference. And while one may be benign and the other hostile, it did not matter. Trouble was on the footsteps of the party... and now was as good a time as any get out in front of it.

Convincing the Truth(?): Persuasion: 22 (if needed)

Even if, non-biologically speaking, he could not be blamed for the actions of 'another'. "Drift no longer exist.. and there was no body to bury, in case you were wondering." He said as another voice snickered in the back of his head. It's almost enough cause a twinge of feeling. Almost. "My most sincerest apologies if this upsets you further... If... he has done something to upset you however, I will pay the price in his stead." He states. "All I ask is but a moment." With that, he looks back to the others, avoid or ignoring Kasha and obsidian in the process, and offers his bag of holding. "Effective immediately, I would also like to resign from the misfits... I had hope to do this more gently, but-..." He glances back to the princess, before looking to the others.

"As always, fate has other plans... But such is the fate of Belzo Balkamar... even as a but a shadow of his former self." He smiles faintly, even as all were likely to be confused by the name. "Within the bag are a few useful items. None I would need going forward, but I hope you all make use of... there are also three candidates I put forth as replacement, in the event you wish for one."

It hurt to see Alys like this. It hurt to see her break down, but... she needed this. She needed to let her emotions out. There was no bottling it up, no masking or hiding it, and he only hoped that she understood that none of them would judge her for this display. They loved her, in their own little ways, and they knew Alys couldn't be strong all the time. Even the strongest break down every now and again and that was okay. They would be there for her through thick and thin, just as she would do the same for them. 

So Yvan lets her cry into his furs, lets her come undone in his arms, and he would say nothing throughout. He would only slowly rub her back to let her know this was okay, let it all out, take the time you need. He would be her support for as long as she needed him to be. 

When her sniffles lessen and the trembling ceases, he pulls away, not too much, but just enough to hear her thank you to him. He offers her a small smile and says, "You know... Physically, she may be gone..." He begins, picking his words out carefully. "But she's still here..." He would gently poke her forehead. "In your memory, and..." He moves to her chest, where her heart would be. "There. In your heart." His hand then cups her cheek, wiping away away and stray tears that might have still fallen with his thumb. "I know it's not easy letting go, so take your time. We're here for you, Alys."

Just as he says that, Vastra approaches to give her own form of comfort to the blonde, Yvan letting Alys be the one to decide if she wanted to fully pull away from him or not. Regardless, he would stand by her side throughout the journey back home, even giving the wizard his cloak to seek comfort in had she needed it.

When they return home, only to promptly be surrounded by knights and the rather rounder looking princess asking for a persona of Bix's, Yvan can't help but look to the changeling to see what he would do in the situation now at hand. 

Stella tenses as the princess shows up, then goes silent with surprise as Bix talks. When he explains his resignation, she is further shocked, but manages to gather her thoughts enough to say, "Oh...I see." She takes a deep breath, reminding herself that at least he told them, unlike someone who pulled this twice. "Well then...good fortune on your travels from now on."

Kasha PFFFFF'ed so loud it sounded like a sneeze. What a ******* surprise.

"Honorable till the end, look at that." she said. Good riddance.

"Bye, Drift!!" she said loudly, and as sarcastically as she could muster.

Yvan's lips thinned when Bix speaks, only to frown when he resigns from the company. While he had known about it for a while, the goliath had always been dreading the day it would actually happen. They were losing yet another family member, even if Bix had tried to detach himself from said family. He takes a breath, ignoring Kasha's insensitivities, and puts a hand on the changeling's shoulder. "This is your decision and I will not beg you to stay, Bix," He says lowly, to keep it between him and B. "But know that you will always have a family here, and if you need anything, do not hesitate in asking it of us... I'm sure... some of us will help..." He gives a side glance to the druid, then returns his gaze back onto Bixby's. "And remember that no matter what; you will always be a Misfit."

With a final squeeze of the shoulder, Yvan takes a step back to allow whoever else wanted to say goodbye a chance to do so. 

At the glance from Yvan, Kasha looks at him and she shakes her head no as if nearly all of what he said was not true.

Bixby cringed at Stella's well wishes, but at least had enough sense for once to simply nod in appreciation. For while a kindly act, if perhaps undeserved, the anger of the princess spoke for itself. Regardless of how things played out next, it would not be so pleasant. Drawn next to Kasha by her sneeze, he at first cocked his head in genuine confusion at the responses. The latter he at least understood to be sacrcasm... eventually. But to first few words... he opened his mouth as if intending to say something, only to close it without a word. Again, he came to the conclusion that any word spoken would fall on deaf ears. Regardless of logic, reasoning, or even an apology -- which even if he concieved the notion was too nonsensical to gain traction in -- there was no overcome the elf's grudge.

Fortunately, Yvan spares him from trying awkwardly all the same in grasping a shoulder as surely as he had the smaller man's full attention. Though he would after momentarily have his attention drawn by Kasha and her disapproval of the statement, he simply gestured to her with his head and mustered a faint but thankful at least seeming smile. Mentally, however, Yvan would receive a message from the changeling as his gaze turned finally to Vastra and Alys, awaiting any final words from them.

(For Yvan, though any are welcome to read if curious OOC)

(Omg I'm a legit blubbering mess today ;.; Bravo all you amazing players.)

Alys would still sniffle as she'd find herself staring up at Yvan as he wiped away her tears. Completely lost for words but full of appreciation for his comfort, she would nod softly leaning her face into his hand. He had managed to ground her once again. And the elf was just about free of sniffling when her mentor would approach with gentle affection. Her eyes would dilate in brief unexpected surprise, but as soon as Vastra kissed her forehead Alys would be guilty of another sniffle. She'd free a hand to reach for one of Vastra's to give a gentle squeeze to thank her.

On the journey back, Alys would shyly accept Yvan's cloak and would be guilty of not wondering very far from his side. She was able to collect herself thanks to the comfort and support she had received from every one. They were all there and held her hand literally every step of the way. Alys was able to get through it all thanks to the Misfits. She held that close to her heart.

Guards weren't exactly the welcoming party she had been expecting the moment the arrived back at the manor. Alys would watch from behind the others when they'd ask for B.

No amount of foretelling divination could have prepared her for the reality that was being presented to her this day. Froze. Stunned. Deep down Alys even knew this day could come, she had tried to prepare for it. But no one is ever truly prepared for loss of any kind. The elf tried her best to be better, to brace herself for the wave of emotions that washed over her as B spun and wove his words so carefully for the princess, and then for them. Breathing was hard, it was as if the air was snatched from her chest. It became even more suffocating as silence would fall after Stella, Kasha and Yvan would say their piece. Tears threatened to burst through the dam once more as silence fell. Alys would reach out for Stella's hand to give it a gentle hold.

I promised I'd do better.

Staring at B, whether he would look to her or not, Alys would finally remember to inhale a breath. Still biting back her emotions, the blonde would reach her free hand out to accept responsibility for his possessions. She'd straighten her posture as she did, holding her head high, glancing up only briefly to keep tears from falling. The elf could cry behind closed doors as to not subject B to her sobbing and make this more awkwardly difficult for him than it already was. And the last time she hugged him, he had to walk away. Alys had said she'd respect his choice, what ever it was. And she meant it. She meant every thing she had said.

Alys was grateful for the time B spent with the Misfit family, regardless of what persona or name he wore. Whether B knew it or not, he taught her a great deal more than he'd ever accept credit for. And now it was time for a new chapter. B had new responsibilities, focus and priorities. A new, perhaps real, family he'd rather be with. Company he might grow to enjoy and love. Alys would refuse to say words of goodbye simply because she refused to accept this would be the last she'd come into contact with B. But she would stand listening if he truly desired to give her a final farewell.