quest log | following rumors

[moustre]

Who: Those signed up for the the High-Risk Quest "Following Rumors".
When: 06/10 to 06/13
Where: A cave deep within the Wilde.
What: From the quest information itself: "A few of our divination experts have spoken of a cave untouched by the corruption in their scrying, which is right exciting! We'll be sending in our Witches as well, but I'd like to offer this opportunity to those who've come in through The Looking-Glass House, too. It should be safe enough for just about anyone to visit, so find a friend or two and come on! Stuff like this is a rare find, dearests - it might give us a good hint about how to combat our corruption problem, too."
Warnings: In various prompts: spiders and other insects, corpses, risk of injury or death, magical corruption, physical sickness, hallucinogenics, and other imagery that may be disturbing. Each prompt header will be labeled with the appropriate warnings, so make sure you choose what you're comfortable dealing with, either ICly or OOCly! Additionally, sign ups aren't closed - if, after reading through the log, you'd like to sign up, you can still do so and play on here at your leisure.



The Way There

Most journeys into the Wilde don't actually go too far; those that do travel outside of the city end up somewhere in the land between, with its smaller patches of growth that feel as if they should be part of a forest, or at the very edge of the massive forest that seems to be ever expanding. Even now, new sprouts push through the dirt, some even as tall as a man despite being obviously new - they're still green and flexible, without any noticeable bark. The quests the Wilders take - and have put out at the Coven, as far as last month went - go a little deeper, to where the trees become far more autumnal, colored in golds and browns and oranges.

The cave spoken of is deeper still.

As the group marches in pairs, the trees turn from vibrant summer green and lushly decorated in flowers and fruits to the tell-tale colors of fall and winter, their bark gradually becoming more and more marred by an inky blackness that's sticky to the touch - sap, bleeding from the cracks between the bark. What animal life had been at the edge of the forest fades into a hollow quiet, the air becoming more oppressive - not unlike a certain shared dream experienced not too long ago. The silence is unnerving even to those with iron-clad hearts, giving off the feeling that something is about to happen -

and then suddenly, the feeling disappears, even as the quiet remains.

The area around the cave is lush with foliage; the trees look healthier than their counterparts outside of it, their bark free of any leakage and their branches hardly out of control. Closer inspection shows this is due to scraping and trimming, and after some discussion, the Wilders and Witches set up camp outside of the cave and gather together the group. Everyone is given the same basic necessities and instructions on how to use them, in a bag containing:

• A grappling hook enchanted to return to them with a tug
• Around twenty-feet of rope
• Three spell scrolls (a light spell, which will conjure a small ball of light that shows about a radius of twenty feet around the caster and lasts as long as the scroll remains in one piece; a minor healing spell with three charges; and a single-use flare spell that can be used as a distraction or to call for help, should the need arise)
• A tinder kit
• One day of rations
• A ring that glows when danger is nearby; it's enchanted to fit on anyone's finger, regardless of size

For characters unsuited footwear-wise to spelunking, they'll also receive a pair of sturdy boots.

The mission is simple: explore the cave and report back with their findings. It isn't just those who signed up going in; other Witches are suiting up to head in as well, talking in low voices about the probability of something like this even existing, especially with how deep they are in the Wilde. It isn't as if they're anywhere close to the center, but it's still in Wilder territory - they're far enough out that a few of them are nervous about encountering one of the bigger variety of Shades. Despite the reassurances that this cave is clean, and the fresh feeling it gives off, the murmurs continue until the mission officially begins.

Smugha Cave

The cave itself feels refreshing compared to the oppressive air felt on the way here, not unlike an oasis in a desert. Cool in temperature and a little damp, it's mostly dark aside from the sunlight coming in the front and the bio-luminescent cave flora that climb the walls - though those are still too dim to really see by. Heading further in reveals sharp cliffs with stair-like structures carved into them, inviting an easy way down into the depths, and landing at the bottom of these is a wide, dark room, even colder than the last.

It's time to start exploring.

I. The Water (cw: magical corruption, physical sickness)


For a cave located in the middle of the continent and in the depths of the ever-reaching forest, there certainly is a lot of water. Damp to the point that it might be considered humid if the cave was any warmer, puddles form beneath long stalactites, and shallow pools of water pour into each other from landing to landing; they populate the floor too, making walking a little treacherous. A few of them glow and glimmer with a faint, pale blue light from the magic runes found around them - these ones, at least, can be read. They're not so different from the script used in Aefenglom itself, though the way they've been carved into the stone makes them a little sharper in shape - for those in study at the Coven, or in spells in general, it's evidently a cooling spell. That isn't so hard to figure out though, as the pools of water surrounded by them have a pleasingly cold temperature, while those without them are near scalding. A few of the latter have runes around them, but they're not glowing like the rest - feeding a little magic into them changes this immediately, and steam rises in a sudden blast as the water cools rapidly. The opposite can be done for the colder pools too - taking their magic somehow or ruining the runes will make them bubble and boil as they surge in temperature. It'd be best to mind oneself around these, as unlike in a dream, any injury sustained in the waking world is a little more permanent and painful.

Three pools in particular have to them a translucent green shimmer, made a little more blue-green by the cooling spell carved and activated around them; they're deep enough to wade into, or even just sit by and rest one's feet in - both of which feel like very attractive ideas to anyone who looks at them a moment too long. The water is pleasantly cool, and those who take a quick rest in them will feel more refreshed than they have in years. Their worries will fade, the anxieties they've held in the back of their mind seeming to slide off into the water, but in place of it something new occurs: within fifteen minutes of resting in the pool, they'll begin to feel sick, and grey spots begin to appear on any wet skin. Longer than that, and those residing in the water will find their spots turning black instead, and a lot harder, too. This affects Witches quicker than it does Monsters, curiously enough - for Monsters, it takes almost double the time. Getting out and getting dry will temper the effects back down, though the feeling of being not quite refreshed lingers.

That isn't all the water the cave has to offer - the large cavern has a sudden, massive drop in the form of a sinkhole on about halfway across the room; it leads to a similarly massive underground lake. Traveling around the rim of the sinkhole shows there's multiple waterfalls pouring into it soundlessly, pooled together from the pools of water running into one another. Thankfully, there's another way down other than just diving headfirst into the darkness - twin tunnels on each side of of the sinkhole, not quite natural in nature, lead down to the lake in a gently winding slope.

Starting shallow before getting much deeper in the middle, the lake also has an inviting feeling to it, stronger in its suggestion to simply take a load off, to let anxieties and worries simply soak and sink away in its pleasantly tempered waters - but it also has a stronger reaction in those who enter its depths. Within five minutes, those within it begin to feel sick, the grey spots showing up on their wet skin, and the rate of their blackening and hardening is quicker as well. This, once more, affects Witches quicker - and, just like before, getting dry will make alleviate the sickness and the spotting both, with the discomfort lingering long after.

In both the upper and lower caverns, there are tunnels leading to other parts of the cave - they might just be worth checking out...
II. The Upper Tunnels (cw: risk of injury, spiders and other insects, hallucinogenics)


The tunnels leading from the upper cavern stay relatively horizontal, with small hills and valleys among their turns and a lower ceiling that might have people higher than five-and-a-half-feet ducking a little; they're more like a labyrinth than anything else, with empty metal sconces beginning to appear further within them. Sharp, thick nails have been hammered into the stone as well, with leather pouches rotted and torn hanging from them - whatever were in these hasn't remained, either due to wildlife or decay. Small rooms and caverns shooting off from the tunnels hold much of the same, albeit with a few other items: jackets and other clothing, Coven robes, specially-tailored Monster wear, instruments with snapped strings or clogged holes, candles burnt to the wick. One room in particular holds a few bookshelves, though the wood is also in poor condition due to the dampness of the cave, and the books suffer for this as well. What ones can be made out seem to be standard fare: the type of books one might expect to find in the fiction section, ranging from romance to horror to fantasy, and a few Coven textbooks on spellwork, specifically basic transfiguration. Not all of this is so old, however - some of it seems newer the closer explorers get to the "end" of the tunnels, either landing them in a room or at an ordinary dead-end.

Unfortunately, the tunnels aren't as safe as they seem: giant spiders make their homes among the caverns and tunnels, made obvious by the webbing that appears before their funnel-like traps. They range from the size of large dogs to horses, but all of them have the same venomous bite that causes hallucinations, deliriousness, and fatigue. Among giant mushrooms whose spores paralyze those who breathe them in live similarly large millipedes, incredibly long and vicious; they attack in pairs, but thankfully just have very, very painful bites. Last but not least are bats - regular sized, plentiful as they might be in any cave, and just as annoying, too.
III. The Lower Tunnels (cw: risk of injury or death, imagery that may be disturbing, corpses, physical sickness)


Meanwhile, the tunnels leading from the lower cavern have higher ceilings and are mostly flooded (about waist-high) due to the nearby lake; water permeates through the rock in rivulets, darker than the lake above, and give a similar effect to the water in the lake itself. Thankfully, they're also mostly iced over - walking on them takes practice and a careful eye, considering the ice is thin in places. The air becomes more frigid as the tunnel dips down, with smaller caverns sharing the same fate: covered in ice and icicles, their entrances sometimes a little too squished to get through without breaking the ice or being particularly small in stature. Those traveling might notice a trend if they look a little too closely at the clearer parts of the ice as well: scratch marks gouging into it, as if something'd been trying desperately to get out. The longest tunnel opens up into a frozen room, as tall as the lower cavern itself, sconces lit with pale blue fire - magic, and obviously so. The walls glitter beautifully with the light, but looking down into the depths below, past the sheet of ice that allows travel, reveals something horrifying: dozens of thin husks and corpses of animals and adventurers both, held in place by the ice as it stretches down like spikes into the water. Witches, Monsters, Shades, other creatures - not a single one spared, with a mix of infected and non-infected among them.

These tunnels aren't exactly safe either: ice-breathing salamanders the size of elephants can be found resting in some of the caverns - though they might be hard to see, given their pale white and blue scales. While not infected (curious), they're incredibly aggressive and attack those who wake them or get too close. Their bites can inflict frostbite the same as their breath can, so caution is advised in dealing with these. When killed they remain intact, their blood creating an extra layer of ice on whatever it touches due to its chilly temperature, not unlike liquid nitrogen.

Unfortunately, they're not the only things those adventuring in the depths have to worry about. To be precise, Shades of Monsters and Witches also roam some of the tunnels shooting off from the larger, main one; the latter pulses brightly with white veins of magic on their blackened skin. Both types of Shades are sluggish, likely due to the cold and the lack-of pure magic, but are experts on dealing with walking on ice. The Witches in particular are ticking time-bombs, every spell they cast - primarily of snaring-type spells, desiring the magic and flesh of whom they capture - risking an explosion, but when they do supernova... It's fairly localized to somewhere between five to seven feet of the Shade in question. Those within that radius, however, will feel physically sick and find their skin or fur-scale-feathers-so-on turning into sharp, black shards of ice and infection due to the corrupted magic exploding from the Shade.

Either way, once killed the Shades fall apart and turn into thin, brittle corpses of what they used to be; they're old enough that when touched, they simply crumble as if made of ash.
IV. Outside The Cave (cw: nothing)


For those seeking a little relaxation or recovery can make their way back outside - or be helped that way, given their flares. There, Witches can take care of them, food can be shared, and in general, people can take a breather. As the first day closes, and the cave proves itself to be bigger than expected, Witches will also offer to teleport people back to the city should they wish to go - staying would be nice, but they aren't going to force anyone to stay who doesn't want to. They'll also be collecting information from those who've ventured inside, encouraging each person to share with each other their findings as well.

(Note: Essentially, this is more of an open/breather prompt, considering the heavier nature of some of the prompts above; any injuries or infection sustained can be healed here, extra supplies can be gotten, as well as anything that might need specialized storage - such as bottles, cages for small animals, and so on. Characters can be teleported back to Aefenglom in small batches occurring every hour should they choose, but they cannot be teleported back; it's a one-way trip. Otherwise, at the end of the three day stay, the same trek will be made back to the city, and the quest will be considered "completed"... Until further notice. Any questions can be asked here.)

Comments

[warfares]

Could it be weakened by the heat? ( he's musing aloud rather than trying to engage in conversation. trying to recall what little the supervising witch on his mission to the wilde had said of the cwyld — if there was any insight to be gained.

except that it's difficult to focus amidst the panicked cries of the other swimmers.

fortunately, l is quick with that scroll. with the sinkhole exposed, kylo is spared an impromptu trip into the great unknown and he should be grateful for that really but instead he's stepping around it as though it were of no consequence. he's heading to the smallest pool, eyes darting between the floor and the walls and their surroundings, hoping to avoid any other nasty surprises. )

[gunsmithed]

[ He can't quite help but quirk an eyebrow slightly, but Percy tucks the cloth back away without comment. His eyes flick briefly towards her leg, but there isn't much he can do about it, even if she'd let him. No potions here, which suddenly seems like a grievous oversight. Nothing to be done about it now, but very much something to keep in mind.

And she's very much not wrong, besides. He straightens a bit, casting a measuring look at the walls around them. ]

It seems like too much ice, for just one of those things. [ Not that he knows the faintest thing about what it was, but it stands to reason. ] Good chance there's more of them about.

[veilfires]

[He’s been quick to to identify himself as Witch, just as he was once quick to call himself mage or apostate. Names can be shed and slipped on again as easily as cloaks. He hums agreeably. Scrutiny's always good.]

Two Witches can succeed where one might not. [He politely holds up a hand in an unspoken ‘excuse me, one moment.’

In Thedas a mage digging about in his pockets for herbs and pieces of twine makes for a preposterous sight. It’s a caricature from some peasant’s story – not a serious, trained mage intending to undertake rigorous spellwork.

But Aefenglom reshaped him. His education at the Coven has been clear about the benefit of reagents in helping a Witch’s magic succeed, so he’s acquired the habit of carrying the reagents he’s likely to need on his person. He keeps charcoal in his front pocket, which he plucks out first, but he’s sure he brought dried elderflowers for just this purpose... Ah, there. He explains:]

I know a simple glyph used for identification. I am eager to see what magic it detects, if any.

[If this is illusory, for example. As he speaks, he puts out his left hand, and uses the charcoal to draw the glyph on his palm.]

[tryhard]

"Of course not..."

As the urgency of the situation dissipated and Waver became more assured that he was going to be okay, he also became all the more aware of what state Symon was in: that is, stark freaking naked. With his mer-creature body morphing further into a more land-dwelling one, that nudity only became more obvious and more distinctly... well, human male.

Waver looked away, face coloring. He focused instead on the ground, and the bits of gold and baubles. He didn't think he had the wherewithal to scold Symon right now, after all, even if he'd been foolish to jump in the water. Clearly, he'd suffered the consequences. Waver wasn't sure he could face him without distraction until they figured out something to rectify the nudity situation.

In the meantime, he was definitely curious about the jewels.

"What are those? Do they... do something?" He meant the runes, though they seemed worn down and scratched.

[lonewanderer]

Everyone knows 'curiosity killed the cat'. They leave out 'satisfaction brought it back'.

[ She stretches, reaching to scratch Dogmeat behind the ears. ] We should be careful with investigating, of course, but... no risk, no reward.

[warfares]

Oh?

( that piques his curiosity and he abandons checking over his pack in favor of stepping closer, brows furrowing as he takes in the stick of charcoal.

it's almost absurd to think that something so small may prove so vital. except that he'd spent enough time in and out of the magic shops of the city to know, at least in the broadest sense, that sometimes the most simplistic ingredients would yield potent results. and solas seems confident. )

Is that something they taught you here or something you knew before?

[honoraboveall]

Symon did not miss the flush spreading over the young man's cheeks, and a puff of something like laughter slipped past his lips. To be fair, this was the young man who had refused to undress when they shared a bed, so he supposed it was to be expected. Seemed like a strange thing to fuss about given the situation, but here they were.

"I found them in the lake." He scooped them up and presented them to Waver, letting the young man see the dull tracings of runes, now scratched out. "Runes here, that match the pools, also all scratched out. I think I'm going to take them to the coven to see what they're meant to do. All of this....has to be connected, I feel. "

[tryhard]

"That's not a bad idea," Waver had to admit, examining the jewelry -- and the runes -- curiously. He doesn't even try to touch them, though, too wary of whatever taint the water held, just in case. He had another healing scroll, but he really didn't want to have to use it.

"I'd be interested to know what they say."

In the meantime, he was digging in his pack again, and eventually pulled out a thin blanket he'd brought along.

"Here." Waver nudged it at Symon, still averting his eyes from the obvious places.

"Where'd you leave your clothes?"

[hearthebell]

[When there's a goal, an objective, L doesn't keep track of petty things like who should be grateful to whom. Later on, the tally will update itself, and he'll shrewdly consider just what Kylo might owe him should he ever need to call in a favor, but... no, he should probably stop thinking and operating that way. He needs allies and trust, and he's woefully short on built-in unconditional supporters to smooth over the conflict that tends to travel in his wake.]

The ones not under the spell's effect seem dangerously warm. Please exercise caution if the runes aren't lit.

[topslug]

It turned out for the best so there’s no harm done. [ Yako shakes his head slightly at his apology, stepping out into the hall, but with more obvious care now. ]

Some monsters do come with their own kinds of abilities. I remember having a dream where a Merrow was able to take on the form of someone else. But I’m afraid I haven’t really looked into it myself.

[honoraboveall]

"Thanks." Symon looked at the blanket for a moment and then used it to briskly wipe himself down, drying himself. He looked at Waver a moment more, and then stood, wrapping it around his waist, though for for Waver's dignity than his own. "I have them stashed nearby, it won't take me but a few moments."

He was right about that as he briskly strode to his clothes, uncovering them and his sword. The blanket was put aside, neatly folded. He dressed swiftly, buckling his sword into place, running a hand through his damp hair, before striding back to Waver, handing the blanket back.

"Were you traveling with anyone else? Or alone?" He asked.

[tryhard]

Well. At least he'd been smart enough to hide his things somewhere close. Waver didn't watch, out of politeness and embarrassment, until Symon returned. He eyed the sword curiously, but also refrained from asking as he took his damp blanket back. The spell scrolls still in the pack, Waver didn't actually put it back yet, but tied it to the outside for the moment, then stood.

"No. I was with Lancer, but we got separated."

[honoraboveall]

"I was with someone, but our separation was planned." Symon looks down at this slim young man, who doesn't appear to be armed at all. Likely a liability, but he had just helped out Symon in a big way, and he figured he owed it to him. Better to pay off a debt sooner rather than later.

"Would you like me to help you find him?"

[guillotine]

I hope it proves lucrative for you.

[ Some distant interest for the state of his finances, nothing concrete. Useful to know which new blood is making any money whatsoever, which ones need some extra help, which ones are willing to take on a debt. ]

'Keep your hand in' isn't literal, by the by. I was just curious if you'd been practicing... whether you've kept your instrument. What did you say it was? [ He certainly did not. ]

[fiddlestick]

Oh, I didn't. I play the violin.

Which...mine didn't come here, but thankfully I was able to find one second-hand.

[Sure he had to sell some quartz to do it, but it was worth it]

[tryhard]

Waver did not carry a sword or other visible weapon, but now that the emergency situation had passed, Symon might notice as he's looking Waver over that some of his Monster characteristics are just starting to show. His nails are long, sharp, fading from the natural color they'd been before to black at the points. And his eyes look darker too, reflecting the low light; he isn't even using a torch. The rest of him still looks mostly human -- the ears too pointed, but passable, teeth too sharp but not obvious.

His jaw tightened, frown deepening.

"Honestly, I just want to leave." A beat, a sigh. Frustrated and unhappy. Waver clarified, "But not without him. I don't think my watch thing works down here. And he'd refuse to leave before finding me, so... yeah. Let's go."

[futhark]

[ That is such a cruel joke callback because he could very well die here! It is serious. Also, you were worried, Caster might remember that later.

He scoffs for now, and collects himself from the ground enough to move away and not be a hindrance— he's not aware if their temporary Bond carries pain, hopefully not. And that was somehow supposed to, what make them stronger?

Use healing spells, easier said than done, for he doesn't know any. Healing... wasn't yet something he looked into. But sometimes enchantment can work well enough. Drawing on the magic is easier, so he quietly chants a spell to strenghten his endurance, to lower his pain. As it starts to work he straightens up again. Mind cleared to assess the battlefield again—

They're on the winning side. The beast has numbered hours to live, but they obviously need it dead now. He's with that adrenaline spike, dancing to the tune as he joins Archer. He might seem fully healed in how he moves, but it's a lie. His body is still torn, he's just not in pain so it is not as easily apparent.

He puts his hand on Archer's crossbow. ]

I can give you one powerful shot— don't waste it.

[boneofsword]

[Archer is still worried, since the bond carries a bit of pain. It's an echo and not the feeling itself, but it still gives him a hint to the mage's condition. Thus his surprise when that feel vanishes and Caster joins him echoes through their bond. Healing spell won't have immediate results. But killing the beast comes first.]

I won't. [he promises.] Caster, withdraw.

[It's not phrased as an order as it's not one. Archer's fine with rushing onto the battlefield, but having his companion wounded activates all the protective instincts. They're not Servants anymore.

Archer grips the crossbow as he rushes forward. There's only one chance and he uses it, then immediately leaps back as he realizes the outcome. Damn! Archer desperately reaches Caster and pulls his hood down, trying to shield him using his own body.

Salamander's blood freezes anything it touches.]

[honoraboveall]

Already starting to change. Better find a bond, boy, if you don't want to lose yourself. Symon didn't say anything; the young man had already proven that reasonable discussion wasn't his strong suit.

"Then let's." Symon's eyes flicked to Waver's pack. "Though, two things. Do you have any more of those scrolls that might be useful, and do you know where he might be?" After speaking he stooped carefully gathering up the jewelry he had found. A pause and then he slipped on one of the necklaces, a fine golden chain hung with a glinting ruby, and then a heavy signet ring. It's flat surface was bloodstone, a deep, rich green flecked with red. The stone was heavily carved, clearly meant as a stamp for a heraldic sigil, a rampant crowned griffin and he slipped it on the ring finger of his left hand. The rest were all secreted away in his pockets.

[tryhard]

"Yes, and... no."

Waver considered, peering up the winding paths leading up and away from the lake. It still made him uncomfortable to be around, but if he didn't look too long in the water, it wasn't as much of a draw as he imagined it must have been for Symon, considering what he was becoming. Waver watched him put away the jewels, still wary of them, but didn't say anything to stop him.

"The healing spell should have another use or two, but I don't know how much of its stored power it took to heal you, so don't count on it. I also have a flare and a torch."

That's the good news. The bad news...

"But I don't know where Lancer is. We got separated upstairs. There were some--" He almost says 'monsters,' but that means something else these days, and he's starting to just avoid the word entirely.

"...giant bugs."

[justbeingknife]

Yeah, I understood about half of what ya just said. A reaction to what? The 'blood'?

[ Because if only the people who used it got it, wouldn't the cause be easy enough to notice...? While Maria looked through her spells, Majima was keeping an eye on the path, and an ear open. Something gave him pause; a rustling?

He listened further, but heard nothing more. Surely he hadn't just imagined it... ]

[whomthebelltolls]

[She's going to start digging through that satchel to figure out where she put the healing spell scrolls, as she turns back to the cavern.]

Yes... and there's a stench in the air. Smells like burning and rot... it might be Shades... or just a source of corruption. We should be cautious leaving.

[whomthebelltolls]

Oh no. I believe some things should be left well alone. [Like corpses. Eyyy!

But it's mostly because curiosity was going to be her own downfall.]

I wonder what will become of this place. We're only here for a few days, I believe, and it doesn't seem like there's anything interesting to find, unless you took a closer look at some of those books. Maybe they're the clue.

[sageprincess]

[Her eyes fall from the beasts to the weapon in this knightly warrior's hand as it scrapes across the ice, and the dread that settles in her stomach is nearly as cold as the cavern around them. He can't seriously be thinking about getting into close range with those things, can he? It feels as though they're shaking the whole cave complex merely with their steps.]

Zelda. [She says, quickly like an afterthought. Names and pleasantries are not fucking important right now, you strange man.] You can't-- You are not going to get into melee with them, are you?

[That is insane! They have the advantage in size and terrain! But the time to debate strategy is quickly running out, as the beast at the forefront stomps its giant feet and proceeds to take a great inhale, not entirely unlike how dragon might...]

joins you on this quest

[sageprincess]

[She should have known. She should have realized it would be too good to be true. She's supposed to know better, be better; that's the whole point--

... And yet before all that guilt and self-loathing can manifest into words, she feels a hand in her hair, and when she turns her head to see what he's doing, he's leaning in close to leave the flower he had been toying with there. That certainly derails her train of thought quite handily, and her ears burn with the unfamiliar attention. Her mood is still fairly sour, but there's a sense of embarrassment rather than internally directed anger when she curls in on herself a little bit more after that.]

The extent of your blithe attitude could almost be impressive if it were not concerning.

[She says, defensively, but there's not much bite to it. Something to say simply for the sake of shrugging off his compliment. "It really suits you," hah. ... But her tone becomes a little quieter when she continues:]

... Are you truly not upset about how this whole expedition turned out?