You’d think it was impossible for Alys to blush more, but Vastra’s words rang true in her heart. She believed it too. But there was something extra about the choice of her words paired with her question that made the elf flush more. Her hands would find her burning cheeks again. “Mmhmm!” She’d nod in agreement. 

After taking a few moments to gather herself, Alys would lift herself from the bath. She’d let the water pour off her, then would help it with her magic before scooping up her cloak to snuggle in. The elf would hold her hand out to help Vastra out.

”Vastra...” Alys enjoyed hearing her thoughts and wisdom, and found herself wanting to hear more of her. “What do you look forward to the most in your future?” She’d ask curiously. 

Vastra thinks about Alys' question as she dries herself off and puts on a robe. "Opportunities. I've been living in this country for a little over a year now and I've already had the ability to do so much and experience so much, I imagine more will come the longer I stay." She starts heading over to get a massage. "What do you look forward to?"

Alys would snatch up the last couple snacks on the plate before she'd tiptoe along, having to take little quicker steps to keep up with Vastra's graceful strides. She'd listen with attentive ears to her wisdom. Naturally, her mentor put an answer in a string of thoughtful words which expressed very close to her own. The young elf would smile softly before nodding. "Learning and experiencing." She had a little twinkle in her eyes and still rosy cheeks. "Opportunities is a great way to sum those up."

Thinking about their experiences thus far, Alys could feel pride from their growth. As she thought of everyone individually, she'd feel the desire to say out loud. "I hope Courage stays." Her voice was soft. "And not just because he and Souperd keep feeding me extra treats!" She'd giggle giving her hips a little wiggle, perhaps where the extra extra squish is coming from. The blonde would continue genuinely. "He's good company. Humourous and curious, with thoughtful words." He did remind her of someone... But he was still his own unique boisterous individual with good energy. The puns were number one, and, she'd have to admit, she thought the way he spoke with Yvan was sweet. Almost like a wise uncle. The elf would smile to herself.

"I hope he stays too. I'm growing to like him and I'd rather not have to try and find another replacement member." The two of you get to the massage room. A masseuse is there waiting for each of you. Vastra strips down, place a towel over her naughty bits, and allows the masseuse to work her magic.

Vastra and Alys finish their massage. Vastra pays the spa before getting dressed and casting Teleportation Circle so that she and Alys can return home without having to worry about any teleportation issues. About a day after they return home, a messenger falcon arrives at the manor. The sigil on the falcon identifies it as being from Greywatch Tower, the city that you helped to defend from the orc invasion a few months ago. Opening the letter reveals a message from Father Tarkus.

Misfits,

A prophetess in our city has fallen into a sleep that has lasted for three days and three nights. She cannot be roused from this sleep, but it is clear from her sleep speech that she is being plagued by nightmares of a most sinister source. I have a theory about the nightmares and the nature of this sleep, but I would not chance discussing them over a letter. Come to me at Greywatch Tower with the utmost speed, so that we may speak in person!

With grave desperation,
Father Tarkus.

Stella reads through the letter and looks up as she tells the group what it says. "Looks like we've got a new problem. Vastra, teleport us?" She tosses some dried meat to the messenger falcon.

It takes a few slaps from Souperb, but Courage, having dozed off part way through, startles awake with "What, what?" as he brushed off the little guy. "Sorry 'bout that. Think I might've stayed up a little later than expected." He admits with a mirthful chuckle. From his shoulder Souperb just shakes his head, before then crawling into the tieflings backpack to hangout in there. Once somebody catches the aged tiefling up again he straightens up and just says, "Well then.. when do we leave?"

"There was a hotel that we stayed in after we helped in the defense of Greywatch Tower. I can teleport us there now with about a 50/50 chance of landing in that hotel exactly and a 10 percent chance of landing somewhere in the city. We can all leave now, or in a bit if you need to get ready."

Alys sidesteps until she bumps up against Yvan. Her cheeks have been rosy practically since she’s been back. She’d give him a little hip check before weaving her fingers between his and looking up. “Ready for the next step?” She’d smile. 

Alys was ready to gamble Vasta’s 50/50!

Like a limp cat, Kasha slid downstairs, sleepy. She stood up, and wondered what everyone was looking over. "What's going on in here?" she asked, or demanded, and took at look at the note. She couldn't read very well, yet, so she glanced at it, gave it a half assed shot, and walked away from it. It looks like she didn't sleep well, as she looked more disheveled than usual. She walked over to the pantry, found some food and began eating at the table without another word. 

Yvan had joined up to where the others had been when the falcon had arrived, reading the letter once it was passed over to him. He passes it over to the next person with a creased brow, though it relaxes when he feels Alys by his side, weaving her fingers between his. The goliath returns her smile with one of his own, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "I'm ready," He confirms.

After a moment, he leans down to Alys. "Going to assume your trip with Vastra went well?" Yvan asks to the wizard lowly. "You look refreshed... and red?" He tilts his head and presses his free hand against her forehead. "Fever?"

His hand drops back down to his side when Kasha comes down the stairs the way she did, the barbarian watching her as she takes the note and tries to read it, then walks away. He glances down to Alys with a raised brow, then looks to the others almost asking if they knew what was up with the druid.

Alys would beam, returning the squeeze of his hand. Though when Yvan would lean down closer to her, speaking to her in a lower tone and reaching a hand to her forehead, the elf would flush further. “Mmhmm!” She’d nod quickly agreeing that the trip with Vastra went well. Blue hues would light up further when he’d say she looked refreshed, but the moment he caught her red face, the wizard would glance away bashfully. “I-I think I’m okay.” A dimpled smile rested on her face, not stopping him from feeling her forehead. “Maybe just running warm from the baths...” She’d peek back up at him.

When Yvan drops his hand, Alys would follow his eyes to Kasha. Her expression would soften and she’d look back up to exchange the look with him. Gently, the elf would pat his hand with her other one. “She needs her family.” She’d step forward, taking Yvan with her, grabbing Vastra, Stella and even Courage if he allow it, and would approach the druid. She’d wrap an arm around Kasha’s waist, resting her head on top of hers, encouraging everyone to smother Kasha in a group hug. “We’re about to go on an adventure. We were just missing you. Are you ready for some fun?”

As Alys wrapped around Kasha, normally she'd return the hug. She gave the best hugs and she was warm, and affectionate, and everything anyone would want in a friendship or a lover, but right now Kasha wasn't thinking about those things, or not nearly in the mood to have fun - even though she loved group hugs. She was so self absorbed in everything that had happened in the last few days it was the last thing on her mind. She could have lied as to not draw attention, that wasn't her thing. In fact, most of the time she was completely ignorant as to what was happening.

But right now she couldn't help it.

"No.." she whimpered.

She buried her face and started to cry.

At Alys’ words, Yvan would nod his head in affirmation, and help in gathering the others to give Kasha a group hug. He would be at the back, holding everyone close to smother the Druid in all the love in adoration the group had for her, hoping it would brighten her mood.

Though when he hears her whimper and begin to sob in their arms, his heart breaks a little. With his current position, he is unable to wipe her tears away when she calmed down, but he trusts that one of the others would do so when the opportunity presents itself.

If and when Kasha calms down, Yvan would ask softly, “Is it something you want to talk to us about, Kasha? We’re here for you, and willing to listen, if you want to. You can take your time. There is no rush.”

"Oh, ok." she said, wiping her face, and sniffing. She looked at everyone. It was kind of a glare. She didn't sound very genuine, and in fact, sounded a little frustrated and sarcastic. "Well, where to start. Oh, here? My father is dead, my mother admitted to me last night that she never loved him - or me, either - and Obsidian is NOT what he appears to be. How's that for starters? Is that enough? Hope you guys enjoy that baggage. So yeah. I'm a little cranky today. But that's ok! What does it matter?"

She pointed to the various misfits one by one. "You're a great cook who has literal soup helping you. And you! You're smart and sophisticated. You, you're sneaky and deadly! Who did I miss. Oh! You! You two! Must be nice to be loved and desired, huh!? What am I? The circus freak of this group? Maybe!! Sometimes I wish I could just be a dinosaur forever!"

She broke out of the group and headed outside.

"We've got an adventure so that'll be a fantastic distraction. Let's go."

Alys gets pushed away with the others as she was about to respond. She’d look down and turn away.

Yvan kept his tone as genuine as possible, as it was in his nature to care for every member of the Misfits, especially for his best friend, but when he is met with her glare, and the sarcastic and accusatory tone, he is taken fully aback. He couldn't formulate words fast enough to say anything when Kasha breaks away and goes off, and he briefly thinks of going after her but... what was there to say? 

Kasha had been in a state of frustration, and he was certain there would be no point in talking to her, at least now. He cared so deeply for the druid, and adored her, but in what other ways could he show that? Stella and Vastra both had shown their care for the druid in their own little ways, whether it be compliments or helping her learn something new. Courage had kept her and their bellies full with delicious snacks and food with flavors he didn't know about. The goliath tried his best to comfort her when she received the news of her fathers passing. He spent time carving and personalizing her box. He put his love for the druid in his craft to gift to her, while Alys filled that chest with her love, with a gem filled with their most treasured moments together, with the wizard, and with the Misfits as a whole. 

Was their love not good enough for her?

Maybe it was because he didn't know the love given by ones parents. He knew that well, but in the end... he grew to bear it, and found that he could make his own family. One with people who cared about his wellbeing, who wanted to help him grow out of the cage he was shoved into for years. Did she not see them as family? Perhaps it was just the frustration in everything she was going through at the moment, and she just needed to cool off.

His eyes scan over the room wanting to gauge how everyone had felt, feeling the tension sink deep within his skin to his bones. He watches Alys turn away, a hand subconsciously reaching out for her before dropping and falling back to his side. Could he even comfort her now that he knows that their affections, that they finally were able to express a little more openly, was an issue? Would he have to save it for their more private moments?

He inhales a deep breath and decides to break the silence. "Let's... Let's regather our thoughts and... go in the next hour. I'll... I'll be in my room. Let me know when we're ready to set off." With a deep sigh, he moves to the stairs and clicks his bedroom door shut behind him.

Stella listens to Kasha's words with an unreadable look on her face. She watches the faces of her friends after the druid storms out, noting each and every reaction and facial expression. She especially notes Yvan stopping his reaching out towards Alys, and that decides her. The rogue stands up and heads over to Alys first, making sure her steps make enough noise that the cleric knows she's there. "Hey," she says softly. "Just so you know. What you Yvan have? That's precious, and rare, and deserves to be nurtured and treasured, not hidden away like it's a shameful thing. Kasha was upset, and she said something hurtful, but what you two have, it's bringing you both joy and happiness that you never imagined you could have, I can see that much. You don't need to sacrifice that happiness because of something she said in anger."

It felt a little hard to breathe. The words she absorbed were a lot harsher than the words she was about to give. It was a bit unexpected, therefore it did leave her stunned.

Hearing Yvan's voice break the silence, Alys would look up with hopeful eyes to watch him walk away as well. She'd reach out before dropping her hand to her side. Her heart ached.

Did she over step? Say too much? Not enough? Alys looked visibly distraught, at a loss at where to go. She'd glance at her feet until the sound of Stella's steps were heard approaching. The elf would look up to the rogue with wide emotional eyes. Her face would quiver as she'd fight back her tears, taking in the insightful woman's words. They were comforting, reassuring and understanding. She appreciated every word she spoke. They reminded her of very important points. The elf would take a tentative step closer to Stella with sniffles. Her hands would start to reach out for the rogues when they'd hesitate, as if second guessing herself, but then she'd just reach one out and place it on Stella's arm. "Thank you Stella..."

Alys struggled with finding more words, but would try. "I... I'm still learning..." She'd inhale a breath wondering if she crossed a line. Maybe Kasha was trying to set a boundary... And the wizard should respect that space. She felt at loss of what to do.

Shifting a little, Alys would glance down at her feet before looking back up. "Yvan sparks joy in my heart and grounds my wary mind... He makes me feel precious..." She'd look a little longingly towards his door before glancing back down at her hand on Stella's arm, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Everyone deserves that..." And she truly believed that. Did she take that away from Kasha? Exhaling a breath, Alys would blink back that painful thought. They've all made efforts to share their love for the druid, desperately trying to pass on their care.

Stella gently pulls Alys into a hug (unless the elf resists, in which case she respects her space). "Everyone does," she agrees softly. "Including you. Don't let your own happiness fall to the wayside because you're trying to do what everyone else wants."