|
Post by Daos on Feb 25, 2021 20:07:59 GMT -8
"Do you know what you do want? Or who?" Liala asks.
Panola shakes her head. "I just can't imagine elves would abandon their child, or any child. That sounds like such a human thing to do."
|
|
|
Post by GravityEmblem on Feb 26, 2021 6:09:19 GMT -8
"Well, that's what the delusional Warlock who raised me told me. Perhaps I was snatched from my cradle," Lillian elaborates.
|
|
|
Post by Daos on Feb 26, 2021 14:05:23 GMT -8
"You were raised by a delusional warlock?" Panola repeats.
"That's my favorite part of the story," Unakite says wistfully.
|
|
|
Post by HorizonsDream on Feb 26, 2021 16:59:35 GMT -8
"I know what I don't want," Ladonna says. "As for who..." she trails off for a moment, then shakes her head. "The chances of it happening are slim."
|
|
|
Post by GravityEmblem on Feb 27, 2021 9:14:51 GMT -8
"You were raised by a delusional warlock?" Panola repeats. "That's my favorite part of the story," Unakite says wistfully. "Well, yes, because you view him as a fascinating figure, and I view him as a deranged maniac. To each her own, I suppose," Lillian continues. "He needed a 13-year-old child who had never been loved for a ritual, and decided the easiest way was to raise one. And never to love her. I ran away at 12, wandered around a bit, and settled into Buho a few years later. I spent my days playing music for coin and refusing to talk to anyone, until that business with the goblins. And, there you have it," she finished. "My tragic life story. You're the second person, ever, to hear it. Coincidentally, you're also the second person to hear it in the last week."
|
|
|
Post by Daos on Feb 27, 2021 12:11:22 GMT -8
"Oh?" Liala asks, clearly intrigued. "Well, don't leave me in suspense! Dish!"
Panola looks skeptical about that story. "What sort of ritual? And how did you manage to escape?"
|
|
|
Post by GravityEmblem on Feb 27, 2021 12:41:45 GMT -8
Panola looks skeptical about that story. "What sort of ritual? And how did you manage to escape?" "Oh, some sort of 'ultimate demonic power,' or somesuch," Lillian explains. "And as for escaping, I waited until he was asleep, ran to the edge of the forest, and--my tiny little feet bleeding--desperately searched for a merchant caravan that I could hide amongst the wares. I lucked out and found some who were hauling brightly-colored fabrics. By the time they discovered and kicked me out, I was long gone from the warlock. Though I certainly didn't feel safe from him. I did my fair share of running and hiding over the years." She frowns at Panola's skeptical expression. "...well, perhaps I should have made something up. You might have believed that."
|
|
|
Post by HorizonsDream on Feb 27, 2021 17:27:24 GMT -8
Ladonna looks around at the group around them, and lowers her voice even more. "I'm...curious about someone," she admits very softly. "But it wouldn't be viewed well in society if I was to pursue it."
|
|
|
Post by Daos on Feb 27, 2021 21:05:51 GMT -8
"Ooh, some handsome lowborn rake?" Liala asks. Then after a moment of consideration, says, "Wait, it's not the gnome, is it?"
"Well, you did try and trick me before," Panola says. "But if that is the truth, then I'm sorry you went through that. It couldn't have been easy."
|
|
|
Post by GravityEmblem on Feb 28, 2021 7:47:38 GMT -8
Lillian nods solemnly. "It was...traumatic. And a large part of the reason I wasted so much of my life keeping to myself."
|
|
|
Post by HorizonsDream on Feb 28, 2021 16:34:44 GMT -8
Ladonna laughs and shakes her head at Liala. "No," she says firmly. "Try taller, and a little more on the mysterious side."
|
|
|
Post by Daos on Feb 28, 2021 20:11:21 GMT -8
Liala starts guessing at random, naming several humans in an attempt to get it right.
Panola says, "I understand."
After a few hours of travel, the party comes across Ladonna's land. It's not much to look at. It only consists of a single farm, a single ranch, and a handful of mostly straw huts that the villagers live in. Up on a nearby hill stands the manor, a large, two-story building covered in vines.
A handful of commoners go about their business, but stop upon seeing the party approach. Some appear curious, but others nervous, worried or even fearful at the sight of the weapons and armor the party carries.
|
|
|
Post by HorizonsDream on Mar 1, 2021 12:03:27 GMT -8
"All wrong," Ladonna says in amusement. "Try more...elven."
|
|
|
Post by GravityEmblem on Mar 1, 2021 12:09:42 GMT -8
"What are you two chatting about?" Lillian asks Ladonna, closing the distance as they arrive at the destination.
|
|
|
Post by Daos on Mar 1, 2021 14:14:10 GMT -8
Liala looks at Ladonna with a mix of confusion and scandal, but then bursts out laughing. "Oh, Ladonna, you almost had me going there for a minute! As if you, of all people, had fae fever!"
When Lillian approaches, Liala just says, "Oh, just joking around. Ladonna has such a dry wit sometimes!"
"Enough of that," Jonas says. "We're here, and everyone is watching. Ladonna, you should probably address the crowd."
|
|