“I-i...” Nova would stutter as her eyes would go to the Fionn that was standing where he just walked off from. She’d have to blink a couple times and rub her eyes. Did the spider vision mess up her eyes? Is there really two? “Thought you walked away...” She’d glance down a little sheepishly. Her toe would kick at some dirt on the ground. A thank you would have been nice...

Nova would pause when Velda would open up with an apology. She appreciated her words. They were probably the most thoughtful things any one has really said to her. She didn’t get to talk to people much, let alone be part of a group of them. Her eyes would glance back up. The half elf didn’t feel as though Velda should apologize for the wild passion that lived within her, Nova admired that, truly she did. No one should apologize for being themselves. She knows Velda could handle herself. All three of them could. They didn’t need her... She just selfishly wanted to be included in what ever any one was doing. “It’s okay Velda.” She’d try her best to offer a shy smile before looking back at her hands still with Fionn’s blood. “I just have this urge to heard everyone together... Just to make sure everyone is okay...” Her hands were shaking just enough to say they were. Not out of fear or disgust... “I get anxious when it feels like the pack is separated... Like something’s wrong, maybe even if it isn’t...” She’d close her hands slowly, feeling a little silly for what she was saying. People don’t work like packs Nova... “Borris always told me I was special... I mean I know I’m different.” Her eyes would find Velda’s. “I was raised by wolves. With Borris, and all his brothers and sisters. He always told me I could be like them, and that there is so much for me to learn.” Nova was worried she was being too wordy. Like she wasn’t answering Velda directly enough. “I-I didn’t mean to turn into a spider. It just kind of happened. Like when I turned into a wolf.” She’d answer. “But it felt natural... I didn’t really question it... I just followed my instincts. And It lead me here... And I’m glad it did.” She’d nod, feeling her cheeks get a little warm. “I’m okay... Thank you.” Nova’s mismatched eyes will look over Velda more closely, “Are you okay?” Velda was the one that was hurt, not her. The druids hand would reach out to tentatively touch Velda’s wounds. A short phrase in Druidic would leave her lips and a warm glow from Nova’s palm would begin mending her skin. The unicorn would nuzzle beside where she’d touch.

Cure Wounds Healing: 8 + 2

”I-I’m returning to the Inn for the night. I feel like I need to check on Gert... he was the only one not here.” Nova wasn’t lying when she felt anxious. Since Gert wasn’t there, something just felt missing. “Will you be coming back with us?” She’d add, realizing that another piece could feel missing if Velda decided to go elsewhere tonight. And that would be okay. Nova would learn to make peace with it, as long as she was aware.

Velda is hesitant at first, shying away from Nova's contact, and blushing a little. "I'm sorry, it's just been a while..." Then, quickly changing to something else: "I fought most my life. I know fighting. It's living I struggle with..." Hearing that Nova had no idea what Gert was up to, Velda would tense up a bit, and immediately agreed to follow back to the inn.

Smelling the faint metallic smell, Velda immediately rushes to the door, and shouldercharges through it:

24

The door comes crashing down to the floor. With a large bang. As you look around the room, (the layout similar to what I already posted) Gert is no where to be seen. There are blood stains on the bed and his gear looks mostly untouched. 

Cadence's eyes pop open hearing a crash out in the hallway.  She grabs both blades, sheathing one and pulling open the door.  Her staff clatters to the ground and the bag is pushed aside. She looks out into the hall, her eyes a bit blurry.  "Holy cow....what now?" 

Velda immediately rushes into the room, looking at the various places where someone could realistically hide, such as in the wardrobe or under the bed. Not finding him there, she starts investigating the room, all the while starting to get more and more worried.

Investigation: 16

The blood appears fairly fresh as it hasn’t dried yet. Unfortunately there are no foot prints that you notice in the room. There’s a couple marks on the window ledge that seem consistent with a grappling hook spacing. Making your way to the window to look outside, an arrow whizzes past your face and embeds itself in the frame next to your head. Looking in the direction it came from you catch a brief glimpse of a scarlet cloak vanishing from sight. 

Turning your attention to the arrow, you notice a piece of parchment attached to it. Unable to make out what is written, you bring it to one of your companions, “This town belongs to the Redbrands! Leave now if you value your lives! Or this one won’t be the last person that dies because of you.”

Cadence comes down the hallway, hearing the whizz/thud of a crossbow bolt as she arrives at the door.  She looks around the room as Velda reads a note from a crossbow bolt near the window.  (Investigation: 38).   She sighs. "I put the bear trap in the wrong room, now it spells Gert's doom. I've still not gotten good rest. But should we go get Gert right away, with zest?  If we don't, who knows how long we'll live. If we just waited and let him die, ourselves we'd never forgive."  

(Have we even gotten a short rest?)

Nova couldn't hide the gasp that would leave her lips at the sight of the blood on the bed. Immediately her heart would start pounding and a feeling of panic would pull the air from her lungs. Her eyes would follow Velda methodically investigate the room while she tried to process Gert's absence. I shouldn't have left... At that moment Cadence would rush through, brushing passed the half-elf, knocking her out of her daze.

Nova's brows would furrow, unable to accept those words. Visually they could be duped. She hoped. Nova would drop into a crouch to begin sniffing. At this point the wildling was familiar with the individual scents of her group members, so she'd set out to sift through all the smells in the room. First she'd look for any personal items. Were they left behind? Next, she'd focus on the blood stain on the bed. Was it Gert's blood? Finally, she'd look for the scent that didn't belong. The druid would rush to the window. What is it? Who is it? Remember it Nova. 

Feeling a low rumble begin in her throat, Nova would grip the windowsill. Frustration with losing one of their own was bubbling up inside her. She felt herself starting to snarl as she'd frantically look outside. The sound would continue to grow until she'd snap her teeth to cut herself off. The druid would then start a howler. She'd dig deep into her core and howl out loud into the evening. Whether it would work or not, in desperation she'd cry out into the night for her kin. Lost wolf. Find. Track. Retrieve. Gertenor. Redbrands bad. Redcloak. Bad.

You hear Borris answering your howl with howls of his own. A few moments later, (much to Toblen’s surprise) he comes bounding into the room and runs to Nova. He confirms your suspicion that the blood belongs to Gert and he is unable to determine who the attacker was by the smell. (Feel free time interact with him as you would like nova)

Toblen comes in a few moments after Borris, armed with a rolling pin. “You aren’t allowed in...” as he makes his way into the room. “... My goodness! ... What has happened here?” He says in genuine shock and horror at the situation. 

Velda is starting to panic: It was one thing for her to risk her skin starting fights with the scum of this village. But now they had one of their traveling companions. Gert was capable, which pointed to him being surprised by multiple of the gang...

Velda felt like she couldn't refuse Cadence's request, but she was only barely standing herself thanks to Nova's magic, and utterly exhausted. Her face set hard like a mask, she looks at Nova, almost as if asking for forgiveness, before turning to Cadence.

"No. That is how you lose more of your own. If they wanted to kill him, they'd left him here. They took him as a hostage and wanted to send a message. If we rush off now, they catch us unprepared, and in an unknown location at dark, where we'll likely get cut down. Fionn and I are both hurt. We need to rest and try to do what we can tomorrow."

She completely ignores the innkeeper, carrying on with her statement as if he wasn't even there.

Toblen looks among the three of you, “So it wasn’t any of you that did this? What happened to my door?”

Suddenly remembering the large wolf in the room near Nova adds, “Does this ... uh ... beast ... belong to one of you?” Noticing the way it seems to be communicating with Nova. 

Nova would drop to a knee to address Borris. Holding his head in her hands to keep his gaze, it’d only break when she’d feel Velda’s eyes on her. She too felt responsible. There was no blame to give. It only mattered what actions they took from here to make it right. She too wanted to run off into the night after Gert’s kidnapper(s), but Velda was right. It would be foolish. The druids ears would droop a little in defeat as she’d look back to Borris, “I know you’re fine enough to scout, but I can’t chance losing you either. Please go back to the stables with the others and stay safe. We will start search as soon as we wake up.”

The druid would then stand back up to address Toblen. “Yes.” She’d take responsibility. “I’m sorry if Borris startled you.” Nova would scratch behind Borris’ ear. “He is with me. He’s my brother! And our friend was taken by the Redbrands.” She’d step forward to address Toblen respectfully. “We’ll fix it! I don’t know how... but... but...” Nova would bend down to pick up a wood splinter and try to fit it in the doorway like a puzzle piece before it’d fumble out of her hand. She’d let out a little sigh and look back up to the inn keeper. “I can pay for the damages.” The half elf would offer at the end of her panic. Her smile was sheepish. 

Should they be able to still remain the night, Nova would offer her bed to Velda. She’d offer to sleep outside the doors or in the floor in Gert’s room. She knows she’d pace for a bit before she’d be able to fall asleep. Her anxiety was high. Nova was preparing for a restless night.

Toblen nods at you Nova in acceptance of your apology. “It ... your brother you say? Yes ... he did give me quite a fright. But if he isn’t dangerous to folk he can stay in your room. There was a fellow cam by shortly after you folk arrived in town and reserved all my rooms.” There’s a brief pause as he takes a deep breath to steady himself, rolling pin still tightly gripped in his right hand, “I suppose I’m short a room for a while.”

He appears lost in his own thoughts for a moment and then abruptly says, “You can still stay here, if you’re one of the persons that a room was reserved for. The gentleman was rather generous. So I don’t think there’s any need to cover damages. Besides, the town woodworker owes me a favor or two anyhow.”

Toblen takes another look around the room, lets out a low whistle and says to the three of you, “Have a good rest of your night at the Stonehill Inn! Hopefully your friend is okay. Those Redbrands are nothing but trouble. Doing things like this to any what stand up to ‘em. Someone aught to teach ‘em some manners” He then nods his head at each of you and walks back towards the front desk. 

Cadence stands and observes the scene, while leaning against the wall casually.  She watches Nova move about the room, the arrival of the inn keeper, the exchange of conversation. She listens to Velda explain, realizing that indeed both Fionn and the warrior woman had been badly wounded.  And they were but mortals, needing much rest. She glanced at Nova once more, feeling sad for the poor girl torn as she was with so much feeling of guilt and responsibility.  Finally, as Toblen was making to leave, Cadence says, "Innkeeper, sir, if tomorrow I'm to fight for my friends life....then you may need to give me back my knife."   That done, she waits for him to leave, then she turns to Velda and the other two.  "Let us room with each other, though not in this place, this door is wrecked we need another, come, my room is intact and has space.  Oh, and watch the shirt under the window sill....i set a trap that no longer seems like over kill."

She leads them back to her room and sets up the staff on the door once more, locking it, and gives the bed to Velda.  She sits down, crosslegged on the floor in the corner and closes her eyes. "Get a good rest, tomorrow we need to be at our best."

Nova would put a finger to her lips, "Shhh." She'd lean in to Toblen. "Sildar said not to tell!"

The druid would look over to Cadence when she'd invite them to stay in her room. Nova absolutely believed in the safety and comfort of being in a group. As if following the motions, she'd usher Borris out of the room, encouraging him to head out. She would be okay. And she'd find herself following Cadence out of the room. Passing her own room, Nova would enter it to collect her gear and supplies. She'd stand there a moment to look out her window. Taking a breath she'd leave the room. Velda was still welcome to use it should she prefer privacy. Nova hadn't touched the bed either.

She would follow Cadence into her room. The more she observed the precautions Cadence was putting in place for their protection, the more uncomfortable she felt. Not that she thought what Cadence was doing was overkill, it obviously was not. But it made her feel like she was getting boxed in too. Nova would fold her arms and begin to rub them to try to comfort herself. She was safe with these warriors. But... Can she get out? What about if she needed to get to Fionn? Or if Borris needed her? There were barriers. The half elf could feel her breathing pick up. Nova would make a sudden movement towards the door before trying to stop herself. She'd swallow.

"I-i..." She'd take a deep breath to steady herself before addressing Cadence. "I appreciate this... but I can't..." Nova would do her best to give Cadence a respectful nod of her head before trying to pull the staff from the door to let herself out. In her hint of panic, it would take a couple tugs before she'd get it. "You can lock it behind me." Nova would present the staff to Cadence before slipping out the door.

Once out in the hallway she'd take a deep inhale, then exhale to calm her nerves. Common Nova. Smile. She'd try to pick herself up a little bit, forcing a smile. Sadness brings the darkness. The druid would pat her cheeks gently before turning on her heels, making herself move. She'd pad the hallway to check on Fionn, not to wake him, but just make sure he was where he was supposed to be, sleeping and resting. She'd spend her night pacing the hallway, keeping an eye on all of her companions rooms until she was so exhausted, falling asleep in front of a door.

Velda would turn to Toblen, and apologetically ask: "The door, that was me. Was afraid of what had happened to our companion... rightfully so, as we saw. I offer to clean the room, so you won't have to keep it empty as a result of us."

As Toblen leaves, Velda nods to the others. It made sense to stick together to sleep, maybe even keeping a guard and rotating shifts. Seeing Nova's panic though, Velda excuses herself, before stepping out into the hallway. FInding Nova, she gently places a hand on her shoulder. "Nova, what's wrong? You need your rest too."

This would be the first time that Nova has seen Velda without any armour. Although wearing a simple linen shirt, Nova can see plenty of scars on Velda's body.

Nova's body would tense at the unexpected touch, though she'd relax upon realizing that it was Velda. Looking over the warrior, she could only offer a sheepish smile before nodding. "I'd eventually tire myself out... heh..." An awkward chuckle would leave her lips. "It's true when I said that I get anxious when the pack, group..." She'd correct herself. "Gets separated or someone's missing." The druid sported her own set of scars, but they're nothing like the ones the warrior before her wore. Nothing near the severity or experience. They were more sparse, a few far between in comparison and a lot of them suspiciously looked like bite marks. As her eyes would trace Velda's, she did wonder if they were for sport, or survival. But she wouldn't pry. Nova welcomed everything Velda has shared with her thus far.

"Get your rest. I've got this one." She appreciated the warriors check in. That's twice now she's reached out. There's more than just fight or flight with Velda. Nova would offer her an encouraging smile. "I'll be okay."

Responding to Cadence before he leaves Toblen says simply, “Yes, but of course. Simply stop by the front desk in the morning and pick it up. No need to worry about payment for your room.”

To Velda “If you are so able I would be grateful. But it is not necessary. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve had to clean bodily fluids out of a room. Usually it’s vomit though ...” His voice trailing of at the end of the sentence. You get the sense that he would prefer it to be vomit in this situation. 

Nova each time you walk past Fionn’s room you hear either snoring or a slightly mumbled “yes my lady” reassuring you that Fionn is in fact in his room. 

Velda follows Nova's eyes, and somewhat self-consciously adjusts her shirt to hide the scars. At her reassurance, she relaxes a bit: "Alright. I'm not happy about having to leave Gert like that either. Guess we know what to do tomorrow though." With that, she returns, and makes sure to go to sleep with her sword within arm's reach.