The Exploits of Misfit Company

Very confused on what happened, but appreciative of Stella's offer, Courage follows Stella after giving one last look in the direction Kasha left. During the journey he seems pensive, but eventually asked once well out of earshot of others, "That, uh... Half-Elf, uhm... Kasha, I believe? You wouldn't happen to know what is her favorite meal would you?" Souperb then breaks out the pen and paper. "I may not exactly know all of your circumstances, and I most certainly don't wish to pry too much too soon. But... I do want to help however I can. Even if its just a warm meal to raise spirits." He bowed his head.

"Though I saw no reason to believe otherwise except from that, uh... Alys.. unless she's a bit skittish. I... I know my being here was the loss of another member. Which always comes with its own weight on the soul." He admits, before looking up to Stella. "So, between that and whatever, uh, I guess news your friend Kasha received just now, it can't be the most pleasant experience... to put it mildly."

Stella returns his gaze. "Well...Kasha's favorite meal is probably chocolate covered peanuts," she admits. "Don't know what you can do with that. But well...yeah, we had a member depart recently. And he had...complicated history with most of our members. So it just might take a bit for people to get used to the change, but they will. Just give it a bit of time."

When Kasha gestures him over to sit, he complies with a nod of the head. He settles beside her and looks down to the photo album, focused on the pictures of the man-- her father-- and listens to her as she speaks. Her tone was nostalgic, yet soft, and slightly... subdued. A complete contrast to her normal boisterous tone. He watches her hands trace one of the photos delicately, as if it were so fragile that one wrong move could make it split in half. 

Yvan's gaze flickered onto the druid now, and with that small crack in her voice, his chest immediately tightens. "Kasha..." He says softly, wrapping an arm around her in comfort (as a full blown hug would have been weird given their position, but had she wanted, he would have no complaints in adjusting himself for her). It was hard to see their ray of sunshine break down as she had. She tried so desperately to keep herself calm and put together, but... "I'm sorry..." He murmurs to her, feeling slightly at fault. Perhaps he should have left her alone, but he couldn't ignore her sudden change. Kasha was his best friend and he would be damned had he not checked up on her.

He gives her time to weep into his cloak had she wanted, and if she wanted to speak, he would listen, all while rubbing her arm (or back had they moved) to soothe her. Had there been a silence, he would break it and ask, "Did... Did something happen?"

"Papa..he.." Kasha said, tears rolling down her face, which remained stern, looking at the pictures in the album, said softly "..burned to death in a fire." 

It was not a full on weep. Just tears. She kept her cool, and said nothing more as she looked at the pictures. She did her best to remain composed, as if she was afraid to show weakness, or vulnerability. As if some anger or resentment didn't allow it. She softly choked and sniffed, but refused to outright bawl.

At her answer, he falls silent again. There were no words that could express his sympathies, no words of comfort good enough to help in healing her now broken heart. She was doing well in keeping a strong face, and he had to assume that perhaps came from her father's side. 

Eventually though, he thinks of something to say. "Do... do you want to do something for him?" He asks lowly. "... We could set up a little shrine for him in the forest or... Plant his favorite flowers if he had any... Or... We could still go to that faire." He suggests. "I think he would have wanted you to have gone regardless of... because he's still with you, you know? Watching over you. I think he would still want to see you smile. To enjoy yourself for yourself and... for him too. But... I understand if you don't want to. I... I'm sorry for your loss, Kasha..."

Kasha still looked at the photo album. "No, that's fine. I'll take care of it." she said. "It's ok. For the longest time, I thought that we could reconcile our differences. He wasn't sad to see me leave. He wanted me to go. I had hoped that one day I could go back and show him I was happy and successful and that I wasn't such a deviant like he thought I was. Maybe, even one day, I could find someone who would love me and even have a family of my own and he would have grandchildren. Then, perhaps, he could see that I was somebody. Someone worth something in his eyes. Then, perhaps, he would finally be proud of me."

She stared sadly and blankly at the pictures for a long while.

"Well." she said, closing the photo album as if that chapter in her life had closed. "That's not going to happen now."

She sniffed wetly and wiped her eyes with her fist, putting the album away under her bed. She stood up and looked out the window for a bit. "I have to take care of a few things. I'll be back soon, ok? Thanks, Yvan. I love you."

And with that, she poufed into a green eyed hawk and flew out the window up into the sky.

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Stella returns his gaze. "Well...Kasha's favorite meal is probably chocolate covered peanuts," she admits. "Don't know what you can do with that. But well...yeah, we had a member depart recently. And he had...complicated history with most of our members. So it just might take a bit for people to get used to the change, but they will. Just give it a bit of time."

 Courage nods understandingly. "Of course.. Of course! I just hope I hadn't came off too strong there as well. It's... It's been a few years since I've had the pleasure of really working with others besides Souperb here." He admits. "I'd talk to old friends when I could of course, as we parted ways in good standing... well, most of us, at least. Others, well... even when one can visit the higher and lower realms where the dead find themselves typically, its usually considered bad form to intentionally disturb their rest." He chuckles softly, then sighs. "... In any case, I don't expect there'll be any jobs taken today? If so, and you all would yet allow it, once I'm all settled in, I'll be sure to get right on that gumbo as promised! Can't promise it'll be as sweet as, uh.. chocolate covered peanuts, heheh, BUT, it will certainly be quite the dinner, I assure you."

Stella smiles. "Nah, no jobs today. I look forward to that gumbo tonight."

Yvan would come to accept Kasha's decision in taking care of it alone, though he does make it known to her that had she needed anything of him, then he would be more than willing to help, no matter what it was she needed. "It's the least I can do..." He admits solemnly. "And... If it's of any consolation... You are somebody, Kasha. You're somebody to us, and I think... he'll be able to see that now." 

He let's her go when she moves to put the album away, his lips thinning into a frown as she thanks him and begins her goodbyes. He felt as if he didn't do much of anything to warrant her words, but it echos in his mind. Before she goes, he manages to say, "Please... be safe." While he knows she would come back, it still hurt to watch her leave.

Once the druid flies off, he exits her room and clicks the door shut behind him, a somber expression on his features.

Alys would remain in the garden for as long as she could, turning and treating the dirt where she finished burying B's gift. Finding comfort in the outdoor air and tending to the earth and crops, the blonde took her time, soaking in the beauty and serenity of the space they made their own. She was preparing the soil for the next expansion of their garden. And as she worked, she'd continue to hum softly to herself beneath her breath. The elf was happy to lose herself in the moment. She was growing and mending at the same time, preparing herself to hold strong. To be strong. I'll be there for the Misfits. Ready for when they need me. For what ever they need me for.

I'm here for you...

SOMEWHERE IN THE FEY

The forest spread in all directions for what seemed like an eternity. All around, shades of greens, browns, and oranges shown through the twilight, the trees keeping most of the light at bay. Deep within, a primeval arboreal city sprawled with civilization. A singular hawk flew towards a particular structure with a purpose. When Hawksha turned into Kasha, the magic of the plane revealed her Fey form, bringing out the magic of her elven heritage. Her skin was more blanched, and thick majestic horns appeared on her head, her eyes became solid green and glowed brightly, and her brown hair waved magically as if underwater. Her physique mainly remained the same, but she appeared taller, more feral, and wild. Wrapped in a long tight great cloak made of leather and leaves, she strode to her mother.  

"Father is dead." she said, plainly. "I came here to tell you."
"Yes, my child. I felt his passing. I could feel his pain. The agony. Such is the nature of things." 
"How easy this must be for you." she rumbled. "He couldn't STAND me, but I still loved him! Where were you!?"
"Tending to more important matters." she said. "We went over this."
"Mor-!? More important matters!? Than love? Family?" Kasha asked, getting angry. "How can you be so insensitive? He needed your help! He couldn't stand that you would visit so infrequently. It affected him. It affected US! It affected ME!"
"You are half fey, Kasha." her mother declared, simply. "You struggle with concepts of one world and another. I do not expect you to understand. There are things far greater than you, or me, or your father. Clearly, your human side is more dominant than your fey side. It has made you weak. Come. Stay with us. Come home. You have much to learn. Your..friends..will not miss you. Your connections with them, they are insignificant."
Kasha grit her teeth so hard they ground audible. "This..is NOT..my home.."
"That is where you are incorrect. Unfortunately, the human side of you has either blinded you or made you ignorant to your true potential. Your true calling. If you return and stay with us, you will be seen as one of us. Unlike, back home, where you are..different."
"You haven't been around in my life.." Kasha said, "..and I don't intend to be in yours. You are wrong, Mother. I don't belong here. I don't WANT to belong here. I don't fit in."
"One day you will see the error in your ways. You have your father's stubbornness. You are young, and foolish. The life you live now is nothing compared to what it could be here with us. We can unlock your true potential and you will have purpose here, in the fey." her mother declared. "When will be the day you see the truth?"
"Never.." Kasha vowed, and turned to leave. "Why did you even have a child!?!?" she screamed.

Later that day, you all get a message from Lord Hartley through the Sending Stone. "Greetings Misfits. An emissary from the kingdom of Mahajarin is in Merisia and he says that his king has a job for you. Should I tell him that you're interested and arrange a meeting?"

Stella listens to the message and glances at the others. "Yes, right?"

If there's one thing Courage makes sure to do when it comes to dinner, it is making sure there's a bowl waiting for Kasha, if her return is late. Something he requested the servants saw to at least, as the shrimp gumbo always warmed the heart as surely as its spiciness thrilled the tongue..

Later...

"A job from a king? Already?! Oh my, oh my. I know the misfits have a bit of reputation, and I haven't even been on this plane very long, but to have gained the notice of a king... Whoo..." A grinning Courage takes out a pipe and casually sets it up. "Any of you know anything about this... Mahajarin kingdom though?" He asked others.

"We should wait for Kasha to return..." Yvan says lowly. "Maybe we should ask her when she'll be back?" He gives a glance over to Vastra. "Then set up the meeting..."

At Courage's question, Yvan thinks about anything he might know of the kingdom itself...

History(?): Unable to parse dice roll.

"Nope."

Yvan: You know that it's a country and that people live there. 

"Yes. We should wait for Kasha."

There was a crash upon the kitchen window, and a green eyed hawk fluttered and flopped to the ground, not realizing the window as closed. There was loud rustling from the shrub below, and then Hawksha quickly became Kasha once more. She opened the window, muttering to herself about "stupid closed windows", and crawled into the kitchen, knocking over plates, utensils, and other things until she flopped on to the floor. She got up, dusted herself off, and looked around.

"What's going on?" she asked.

"Apparently we're all being hailed for a job. And for a king, at that." Courage chimes in casually before taking a few puffs of the pipe. "Everything-..." He starts, giving Kasha a once over, but then promptly shutting up for a moment. "... Welcome back, Misses Shrub. Hope the rest of your morning has been as pleasant as the news of a job." He said instead, grinning tentatively.

"A job, eh." she says. "Do tell."

"I'm not sure, but a trip to Merisia to speak with this emissary from Mahajarin should give us the information we need."