Stella watches Yvan and Alys start to talk to each other with a small smile, content to slip into the background now that she's said her piece.

“Then why did he only-?? He never changed-!” 

She stammered, trying to convey feelings and emotions that were new, yet familiar, always there. She became flustered and her cheeks reddened. She soured, but not at Courage, or anyone else, simply and the situation. It took her a moment to calm down, and then she looked at Courage without actually looking at him.

”Yes. Perhaps this mystery does have me hooked. You say i’m not truly alone in this, yet here you are, alone, talking to me. No one else is here. It just proves my point. Im just a stupid, emotional, sensitive freak. Perhaps I do need to experiment. Perhaps I do need to grieve. You say people love me, I know that's true. But..no one understands me. Thanks for coming out and trying to help me. I have some thinking to do.”

She turned around, poufed into a small bird, and flew away.

Kasha did not return that evening.

Courage can only watch as Kasha took off. He thought to call out to her one last time, and had even opened his mouth. Yet it is with a defeated sigh that he slouched forward in his seat. Souperb tried to comfort him with a few head pats, but the tiefling's demeanor would hardly improved as he stared after Kasha until the treeline or clouds took her from view. "At least there's hope yet, Souperb. Hope that she doesn't know about the Beastlands and its properties. If so..." He trailed off into another sigh.

A few minutes more go by before Courage nodded and finally accepted Kasha wouldn't be back any time soon. Certainly unlikely in the time Yvan suggested they take a breather prior to any departure. But, it is not until after donning the makeshift backpack and heading back inside that Courage slows at a sudden epiphany. "By the nine below and the seven great peaks above... what am I gonna tell'em?" He said, causing even Souperb to burble worriedly at his side.

Then a moment later he scoffs and making some off handed gesture. "Pfft! You're overacting, Courage. It'll be fine. Nothing like an hour or two of peace, a good cry, and it'll be all good. Yep. No way possible I did so terrible a friendly father-ey job as to.. ahehe.. as to have made things worse. Yep. Not at all." He said to himself with a confidence not truly felt deep inside. And yet, he pressed on inside the mansion to find the others.

Whichever party member he happens to run into first he informs, "Kasha, uh... needed some air. I think literally in a way, as she did turn into a bird and, uh... few. But uh... she... yea... didn't exactly say when she'd be back."

When Yvan would take her hand in his, she'd feel it. The butterflies kicked up as their fingers weaved. Alys' eyes would meet with Stella's once more as Yvan spoke to the rogue, she'd mouth the words 'Thank you' with the most genuine of smiles and pink cheeks.

Alys stared up at Yvan with doey eyes and a warm smile from his words to her. She had a difficult time finding words of her own at this moment. Instead, another melody inspired by their story came flooding in. First she’d start with a soft hum, then her voice began to nudge into Yvan’s mind. Note by note, the elf would find her voice. The song would begin to leave her lips out loud as she’d step in closer to him, her free hand finding a place on his chest.

Hold on to me now, you're not invincible
If you let your guard down, I'm not gonna let you fall
Hold on to me now, I'm not invincible
Drowning in self-doubt, can you pull my demons out?

Oh, it's all on the table
Oh, nothing to hide
Hold on to me now, we're not invincible

I'll carry you somehow, the weight of you makes me strong
Hold on to me now, I'm not invincible
They're dragging me under, but I'm breathing you in and out
It's all on the table

Oh, nothing to hide
Oh, guardian angel
Oh, help me keep you alive

You’re not invincible
If you let your guard down, I'm not gonna let you fall
Hold on to me now, we're not invincible
I'll carry you somehow, the weight of you makes me strong

Alys would reach her hand up to the side of Yvan’s face, brushing her thumb against his stubble.

”Together, we can.”

Frustration. Pain. Remorse. Isolation.

Kasha flew far away towards the great sea westward of Faerun. She flew as high of an altitude as she could, flying out for what seemed like hours. She flew out so far so that she couldn't see land behind her. 

Eventually, a small island appeared on the horizon and she flew towards it. When it was in range, she nosedived towards it, reverted back to her half elven form, and landed in the sand. She sun bathed for a while, sprawled out, and thought to herself in many hours of silence. The quiet helped her think.

Yet, it was still not far enough to not hear Vastra message. She groaned, got up, and did not answer. Instead, she walked inland into the jungle to try and find an even more remote location.

She contemplated many ideas, asked many questions, but received no answers.

As he had times before, Yvan gets lost into the the blues of Alys' hues as he is swept up immediately in her song. He hadn't realized that it was telepathic at first until his eyes flickered onto her lips, noticing their lack of movement. When she does open her mouth and the lyrics are sung, his eyes close and he brings his free hand to her waist to pull her in just a bit more, near the end of the song itself as to not mess up her flow. 

Ever since their time in the garden, he had yearned to hear her sing again. Her voice was soothing and lovely, something he felt she shouldn't hide, and for him to have been the first to truly hear it warmed his heart. Now Stella would be able to also enjoy the beauty that was Alys' voice.

At the end of her song, and when he feels her hand on his cheek, he leans forward to press their foreheads together, his nose brushing against hers with a small smile on his face. As of right now, he is so encapsulated by the wizard that he forgets that the rogue is sitting across from them, and he leans in to press a light kiss on Alys' lips. The furs of their cloaks would obscure the view, had Stella been watching, but it didn't take much to put two and two together.

Finally his eyes crack open to look at her, his smile remaining. "Right."

Feeling the warmth of Yvan’s hand on her waist darkens her cheeks that were already flushed, kicking up the butterflies alive in her core. Without hesitation Alys would close the gap between them. And when their song would end, and her protector would lean in to press their foreheads together as they have, her smile would grow with his, presenting her dimple. The moment the gentle press of Yvan’s lips against hers, the softest of the elf’s coos would leave her lips. She would bring herself up onto her tip toes, bringing a free hand to cradle the nap of his neck as she’d lean into him to hold onto it a moment longer. 

When they’d break away and their eyes would meet again, Alys would wait to hear his voice confirm. The moment Yvan did, she was guilty of letting out a small gleeful giggle with the widest of smiles, petting her nails at the back of his neck. In her burst of joy and excitement, the elf would pull herself up, lifting her feet off the ground to hug herself to Yvan as she’d nuzzle him for more ‘stolen’ kisses.

Stella smiles slightly and stands, slipping out of the room to let the pair enjoy themselves. Content with her work, she heads downstairs to wait for the group to be ready to go.

Once everyone returns to the main lobby, Vastra has the remaining Misfits gather around and hold hands so that she can teleport. "We're going to the hotel Stella, Kasha, Alys, and I stayed at after we broke the siege in Greywatch Tower. I'll use Sending to notify Kasha of our arrival so that she can find us." 

32

"Damn it!"

Everyone takes 15 force damage as a teleportation mishap occurs.

12

"Shit!"

Another mishap occurs. 18 force damage

31

 "****!"

And another. 19 force damage.

48

"And this isn't even the right hotel! C'mon, I know how to get there." As she leads the Misfits to the hotel the ladies stayed at the last time they were in Greywatch Tower, she casts Sending to Kasha. "Kasha, I don't know where you are right now, but we have left for our mission. You can find us at the hotel in Greywatch Tower that we had a sleepover in."

When the hour is up, and seeing presumably everyone but Kasha in the lobby, Courage murmurs a curse in infernal, and looked a out of sorts. So much so, in fact, that if either Yvan or Alys seemed flustered or more lovey dovey upon arrival, it never really registers. From atop his shoulder, Souperb helpfully knocks the faceplate into position, before then sliding his way into Courage's bag of holding. "Little scamp." He mutters mirthfully, and before with a sigh joining the others in holding hands. Though Vastra's mentioning Kasha made him stomach churn in worry, the tiefling held his tongue.

'They know her better... don't let paranoia get the best of ya' he mused quietly before the group are teleported.... Sort of. Each tiem there's a mishap Courage grunts in pain or curses in infernal alongside Vastra and any others. He fell to a knee once finally freed of the magic, and spends at least the first few moments checking to make sure he hadn't lost another limb again. "Can't say that's been the roughest ride I've been on, but it's... *cough*... definitely a close fourth. Oof." He commented yet with a smile to his voice, prior to following along after the others and fishing Souperb back out of the bag.

When there's time along the way, Courage passes out the usual treats(Donuts of varying flavors) to the others, as well as vial containing some sweet tasting energy drink for Vastra, Alys, and himself.

Prep both forgotten & otherwise:

 (Freaking getting some mileage out of that Helm. XD)

"Ow," Stella mutters, wincing as...well, everything hurts. The rogue rubs forehead and pushes past her rapidly blooming headache as they walk to the hotel.

Being completely distracted by Alys, the barbarian didn't notice when Stella had slipped away to leave the two to their own devices. The hour had gone by so quickly, and Yvan didn't realize it up until Vastra calls for them to come down to go. Though, he was pleased, as many kisses were stolen and sweet nothings were exchanged within that time frame, with Yvan in the end holding up the cleric in his arms. He carefully sets her down after the call with a sheepish smile and flustered cheeks. "Sounds like its time to go," He says softly, adjusting her glasses and a few strands of hair that looked out of place. After, he offers his hands to her to hold as they make their way downstairs to group up with the others.

Once with the others, it would be clear that his mood was a lot more lighter than previously, though it does falter a bit when he notices the druid absence. Kasha was strong and could take care of herself, he knew that well, and with Vastra assuring them she would send her a message to meet up, he looks to be more at ease with the idea of going on without her.

Yvan looks to wince with every teleportation mishap, and when they finally got somewhere, he rubs at his temple. "... Ow... Vastra are... are you okay?" He asks with concern in his tone. He didn't know much about how magic worked, and she usually nailed teleportation every time, so this was sort of worrisome, at least for him anyways.

"I'm moderately embarrassed, but other than that I'm fine."

It took Alys a while to wake from her reverie. She'd blink, completely smitten as Yvan would adjust her glasses on her face. Remembering she was back on her feet, the elf would rock on her feet with pink cheeks. Still catching her breath, she'd nod taking his hand to lead him out before pausing. With her free hand, she'd use her magic to sense for the memory gem, gently lifting it from its resting place with her magic. Bringing it to herself, she'd take it in her hand as she whispered an elven hymn. The stone would glow as she sang to it, before floating it back to it's home. With a smile, she'd tug him to the main lobby.

Once back with the group, Alys was bubbly and smiling. Though, as she took a moment to absorb the room, her expression would soften. Inhaling a deep breath, she'd place a hand over her heart. Courage looked out of sorts, and a pair of hands were missing from the circle. Kasha... The elf was saddened to see her missing, and had no way of reaching out to her now. She could only hope the druid would be able to find her way, to where it was she wanted to be. Alys hoped it'd be with them. But understood if she wanted her space to breathe. There was a lot the cleric didn't know about their friend, and prayed her comfort and to find peace for her sorrows.

Eventually giving up her other hand to commit to the smaller teleportation circle, Vastra would teleport them.

"Damn it!"
Ow.

"Shit!"
Ow.

 "****!"
Ow.

"And this isn't even the right hotel! C'mon, I know how to get there."
...
Snort

"Can't say that's been the roughest ride I've been on, but it's... *cough*... definitely a close fourth. Oof."
...
Snort

Alys felt like she just smoked her entire stash in one night. She'd hold her head, wide eyed and blinking a few times before she'd start snorting, amused. Clapping a hand to her mouth when Yvan would do the responsible thing and check on Vastra, Alys would give a light apologetic look, especially when her mentor would admit to being a bit embarrassed. She coudn't recall the last time, if any, that she's seen her mentor embarrassed. And it was really cute. Even if Alys was struggling with her vertigo for the moment.

"Ouu snacks! Courageous snacks!" Alys would accept her goodies with an appreciative grin. She'd also accept Kasha's sweets to hold on for her until they would find the druid again, tucking them into her bag of holding. "Thank you, both." She'd be sure to nod to his super helper, Souperb. The elf would tap the others on the shoulders to remind them to grab their munchies if they haven't yet.

"I'm going to rent a room. Alys, can you come up there with some of your herbs?"

Stella gives a nod at Vastra's words. "Oooh, you mind if I join you two? Headache's...let's just say it's impressive."

Alys' cheeks would flash a shade of pink when the thought of sharing rooms crosses her mind when Vastra mentions renting one. Her head would snap in the direction of her mentor and she'd nod in response to the request for herbs. Her smile would widen even more when Stella would ask to join. "Of course!" She'd love that. The young elf would nod even more excitedly. She'd then glance up at Yvan, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. "And what will you boys be getting up too?" She'd sway her hips to lightly bump up against his.

A small chuff escapes the goliath as a relieved smile twitches at the corner of his lip at Vastra's answer. He could understand that since the wizard had always been precise and never truly looked to make mistakes, and even if she had, she would handle it gracefully, so much so that he couldn't even tell. Seeing her frazzled after the teleportation mishaps was a different side he didn't see. It was... oddly refreshing.

At the hotel, Yvan would note how nice it was, glad to see that the four women had really treated themselves that night, just as they should have. His eyes would land upon Alys with a small look of adoration on his face before she turns to him and asks what the boys planned to do. "Uh..." He glances to Courage, then shrugs. "I was thinking of buying some of those potions Courage has. They came in really handy back in our last fight... Then probably get a room to take a nap..." He trails off, then nods his head to confirm he would definitely come back to take a nap. A nap sounded good.

Courage pantomimes stroking his chin at the question, before sharing a glance at Yvan and shrugging in unision. After Yvan's bit, the tiefling couldn't help but look way up to the goliath again, and nod approvingly at the big man. "That they do. Potions that is. Gold is nice, but unless any of you are secretly a dragon, it ain't doin' ya much good if you don't spend it and spent it well!" He chuckled only for a moment, before coughing and groaning a little in pain.

"... Honestly, I half expected us to march right off to our, uh... whoever we came here for again. But, eh... I wouldn't mind getting a room and nap myself." He admits alongside a sagely nodding shoulder Souperb. "Though, mn... out of curiosity, seeing as you lot been here before... you know anyone that might know a thing or two about golems?"

Vastra turns around for a moment to respond to Stella's inquiry. "Of course. You can spend the night with the two of us."