middaeg | DARKNESS AND FROST log

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DARKNESS AND FROST log

DARKNESS AND FROST

A message is sent on the network on the 20th, informing the Mirrorbounds about the developments regarding a quest posted earlier in the month on the board.

Word comes from the Wilders’ headquarters in Dorchacht that there haven’t been that many sightings of the Nuckelavee for a long time. Most assumed that whatever the Mirrorbounds did must have driven the ghastly creatures away for good. Clearly, not a single person missed them. It is a nasty surprise to learn that not only did they not disappear completely, but now, angrier than ever, they pose a threat to Aefenglom as well.

THE NORTHERN OUTPOST ( 21st - 26th )

The Northern Outpost has seen steady development since its establishment, but nothing on a scale that could make it possible to survive an attack of demonic beasts. So it becomes a whirlwind of activity. There are ditches to dig, magical wards and barriers to set up, weapons and armour need inspection and some alchemical supplies are easier found in the surrounding forest rather than back in Aefenglom, but no one should go procuring them alone. But there are more mundane tasks too! With the sudden increase in population, the self-appointed kitchen staff of the Northern Outpost is barely managing to keep all the mouths fed and all the dishes washed (and pesky rodents kept away). All help will be enthusiastically welcomed no matter the level of culinary aptitude. There’s enough work for everyone.

Not far from the Outpost itself, a new structure rises from the ground quickly, incorporating a nearby shallow cave. That’s the Enclosure, the place where researchers who intend to study the Nuckelavee plan to lure one of the creatures. The construction has barely started, and there is much to do before it can hold its captive inside. Engineers, Arachne, Witches adept in Enchantment and Abjuration - all are welcome to lend their hands (as many as they can spare) in this scientific endeavor. It could be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to further or even create a completely new field of study!

Mirrorbounds are encouraged to return and rest within the city, but should you decide to stay for the night, the moods are rather sour and tense. Still, people do try to enjoy the evening break, at least those who get it - night guards work in shifts. Someone makes a bonfire and encourages sharing stories as the night passes to lift morale. A chilling Nuckelavee scream might stop the relaxing and put everyone on edge. But it seems the creatures are refusing to come out just yet.

THE SLUMS 21st - 26th

Sprawling from the Other Side of the Bright Wall, the Outer City grows outward with no particular organisation or order, with buildings’ integrity decreasing the closer they are to the edge of the Wilde. While some of the inhabitants greet the aid provided with gratitude, there are many who treat it with distrust and their own fate at the mercy of yet another incomprehensible danger with blood-chilling apathy. Much work has been done by numerous Mirrorbound to help those living in the Slums but the memory of all those lost to the frost when the city shut its gates and left them to die casts a long shadow on all attempts to defend against this new threat.

Deprived of the comforts of magitech ubiquitous for the citizens of the city proper, the inhabitants of the Slums find their own creative ways to provide life’s necessities to each other. Carrying water has always been a task for younger ones in the families. A worrying number of those that go fetch water from a far away stream do not come home on time. They could have gotten distracted chasing a stray dog, roped in some mischief by other kids, or genuinely lost. With the new threat lurking in the darkness, people get increasingly nervous. What would look like harmless disobedience in quieter times now turns into an emergency. Investigate where the missing children have gone, find them and bring them home if you can.

Not all are happy for the help. There’s a certain figure frequently spoken about and often seen at the scenes of the especially vicious attacks: a man with unkempt hair and ragged clothing prophesying that those very horrors are no accident. That the beasts are a punishment for a terrible offence: accepting the foreign devils - those who came through the Mirrors - into the city. As time passes and the attacks continue, it starts to become obvious those who were in contact with the Mirrorbound are more likely to become targets of the hellish creatures, which lends credence to the madman’s words. Some denizens of the slums are just scared, but some become suspicious of the very presence of any Mirrorbounds in the area. Even those that come to help. Calm downthe fearful, convince the sceptics or find the sower of this panic and make him stop spreading his incendiary message.

Some people have locked themselves in their homes and refuse to go out. You could try to reason with them or simply bring supplies at the door. Or try to convince them to help with building a protective wall around the Slums, sturdy enough to stay. Some of the people who open their doors might show low-level signs of Cwyld infection. They wonder if you’re still willing to help them knowing that?

When the darkness of night emboldens the Nuckelavee to venture further into the Slums proper, a group of Mirrorbounds take to patrolling the streets. But they could use more help. Protect those unfortunate enough to walk the streets at that time, chase away or kill the creatures that dared to come closer, and fight to protect the poor souls they chose to hunt.

NIGHT OF THE HUNT (night between 26th-27th)

Are you prepared for the fight of your life? You better be!

A heavy blizzard rages on the night of the 26th, giving a strange glow to the camp in the darkness as the light is dithered among falling snowflakes. Visibility is low, but some believe that nature itself can be used to help the hunters and defenders. To those who wish to take on this responsibility, several enchanted wands are given, with quick instructions how to use them to direct the winds of the blizzard for a short time. They can be used either to protect the warriors or against the creatures. The wands have only a few charges and will break upon using them up.

Every Mirrorbound and Wilder either present from the start or joining the group through the portal connecting with Aefenglom will be given a quick rundown of the camp, where the protection wards lie, what powers the barriers, and where weapons can be found. There are two sets of barriers around the camp -- the outer one that has multiple holes for the creatures to pour into, and the inner barrier that has to be held at all cost, as it protects people within. The plan is to lure the Nuckelavee for a frontal attack, let them pass through the outer barrier, let the inner barrier stop them, and then— close the barrier behind them, effectively shutting them in a walled ring.

Then they can be exterminated safely. Stun them, kill them, use spells or pointy sticks or guns — and maybe just maybe you can capture one alive. Fortunately, they don’t seem to have any kind of natural resistance towards mundane or magical weapons. They are just tough to kill and incredibly vicious, but limiting their movement should do the trick.

The barriers and wards only last full-strength as long as they are powered so Witches not focused on fighting are encouraged to do a recharging run along the campsite. Anyone needing a breather from the fray or whose focus is better spent on support can also bring ammo, or more weapons to counter the broken (or stolen) ones. Dragging out wounded fighters into the safety of the camp and healing them is also an important task, as neither Mirrorbounds nor Wilders lack in people who would fight to their last breath.

That’s the plan. How does it go in reality, though?

The Nuckelavee attack starts with chilling shrieks all around the Outpost before they emerge from the darkness. Those who have not yet met any of them will have a chance to witness that their aggression and looks are as terrifying as the stories said. They resemble a horse fused with a rider, with sharp teeth and without skin, raw body exposed. The creatures are not infected but are vicious, hardy, and strong, and they hunger for human and Monster flesh alike. Some might pick up weapons thrown at them; others will circle and try to isolate their chosen targets. Should they be angered, while in a furious rage they gain both speed and strength, but they lose focus and lack strategic thinking. So enraging them can break the formation, but it also makes them far more dangerous up close. They are susceptible to both magical and physical attacks alike, and beheading (of either the flayed-open horse head or the screaming man's head) will put them down permanently.

Be mindful of your comrades! It’s easy to lose each other in the blizzard. Nuckelavee don’t bleed red (they don’t bleed much at all), so any red trails on the snow belong to an ally. Don’t let the beasts drag wounded away. Get them to the healers who wait within the camp enclosed with the inner barrier.

During the fight, several crystal devices that strengthen the outer barrier start malfunctioning. That means the outer barrier cannot be closed shut, meaning a change of plans is in order. Several brave volunteers are needed from among Wilders and Mirrorbounds to leave the safety of the inner barrier and take the battle directly to the creatures, while locating and exchanging the malfunctioning crystals. This is an incredibly dangerous job, and everyone willing to undertake it is encouraged not to do so alone. Once the trap is sprung and the outer barrier shut, it would also lock those volunteers out of the safety of the camp -- unless they’re willing to try a teleport spell or wait for someone inside to handle the teleporting for them. The help will come, but until it does, they are on their own and straggling Nuckelavee that did not fall into the trap might still pose a danger to them...

The fight drags for what feels like hours, and the air grows colder and colder. Meanwhile, some of the trapped Nuckelavee figure out that they might get into the camp if they find holes within the barrier -- and one makes its way inside. Through the heavy snow, it might not be obvious at first, but something is happening within the camp… The Nuckelavee that furiously breach the barrier wreak havoc behind the safe line, attacking anyone it sees until it’s killed or subdued.

Eventually, after what feels like an eternity, all of the creatures fall and the dead remain under the snow. Well… most of them. There were attempts to capture one of them alive, and while keeping them alive turns out to be even harder than just catching them (not only Nuckelavee perished that night… some might still want revenge for that, some want to end the threat once and for all), one of them remains. The battle has been won.

THE AFTERMATH (27th and later)

As day breaks over the horizon, the true damage can be seen. One Nuckelavee is thrashing, captured in the closed enclave. It howls and shrieks and won’t be reasoned with. It hates everything and everyone, and seems to be incapable of speech. Wilders have decided they will keep it alive for a week, and not a day longer (that is till 3rd September OOCly). Nuckelavee have proven to be cunning creatures, and the risk of it escaping is just too great.

Aside from that issue, there is still clean-up to be done, and mourning for those who have fallen in battle. The Wilders agree to give the Nuckelavee corpses to those interested in acquiring them for study/experimentation, but otherwise they plan on burning everything that’s left.

The following two evenings, there’s a victory celebration at The Sordid Shield. Everyone still able to stand is welcome, -- and drinks are free! Unfortunately, not everyone is happily drinking; there are those who lost comrades and are mourning the fallen. Others came out alive but require medical attention that on-field healers cannot give. The general mood could be described as grimly triumphant. The unexpected threat has been taken care of, but not without a cost.

OOC NOTES

For those interested in studying the remains or the live Nuckelavee please refer to this space for questions/plans. The results of the research will be distributed at the beginning of September.

For plotting among yourselves, please use this post. General questions about this log can be directed here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[A parting gift that Hubert is grateful for. Unless a third opponent sprang out of nowhere, Leslie ought to be in the clear at this point; it was no doubt a better use of her enchantment.]

[He knew he was ill-suited for this enemy. The lance lacked cutting edges—but there was still a small chance he could behead the humanoid body with the tip of the lance and appropriate force.]

[Assuming Hubert ever had the opportunity for such a precise strike.]

[The Nuckelavee lopes forward, its charge uneven from his conjuration's damage. Its accompanying shriek sent ice through his blood, but long time conditioning held Hubert steady; he ducked under the too-long arm's swipe, a hoof narrowly missing his knee. He gouges the lance along the beast's battered side along the way, and disappeared in a blink of magic when the Nuckelavee swipes with a backhanded slash.]

[To his disappointment, the Nuckelavee pivots immediately when Hubert reappears a mere five feet to the side, far less disoriented by his teleport than he. The beast's sword meets the Arrow's raised haft, the force staggering Hubert aside—but he blinks away again before the horse-body can trample him.]

[Thus the fashion the fight proceeds for one of the longest thirty seconds of Hubert's life, a losing battle of attrition in the face of the Nuckelavee's unfaltering relentlessness. The force of the blocked blows jar his hands and arms towards numbness, his waning magic bleeds away bit by bit with every life-saving teleport, and through it all, even though his head has cleared, Hubert's never granted the two seconds he needs to weave a stronger spell or to find his footing for a fatal blow.]

[And then Leslie's parting enchantment fails. The hair's breadth margin he's been evading the beast vanishes. The horse-body's unnaturally sharp teeth sink agonizingly into his shoulder when Hubert's a heartbeat too slow, and knee-jerk instinct takes over.]

[Amid the pain he finds anger and blood, reaching into it greedily, ripping the mana out of his own spilling life's blood. If the Nuckelavee was to send him to hell, it would burn with him.]

[Literally.]

Burn! [It's a spell that required no thought, no structure. Just power and raw intent and fuel. His blood ignites explosively, a rough cone of flame blasting violently outward from the wound with a crimson flash. There's enough concussive force to stagger the Nuckelavee back, and Hubert hardly notices the teeth tearing free under the searing heat of too-close fire.]

[But while it bought him some room, the reflexive spell did little more than that. Now there wasn't just a pissed Nuckelavee, but a pissed Nuckelavee on fire. Damn these things, and their inability to be felled by anything other than beheading.]

[Just as Hubert's wondering how much more of his blood he'd need to fuel a Hail Mary of a teleport, an arrow sails from over head the strike the beast with far more force than should have been physically possible. The Nuckelavee hits the ground again with a thunderous impact. A large blur streaks by his vision as a large canine Turnskin leaps forward with a zweihander.]

[Hubert doesn't wait. He doesn't even need the prompting of the hand tugging at the back of his coat to turn and retreat, chasing after Leslie's path. Quicker than the girl, but that was more a grace of his long legs than any illusion of faring better than her.]

[He arrives gasping, his breath short and rapid. Hubert leans immediately against the Brightwall, sliding down to the ground, exertion heavier than gravity; this was far more than he's asked of his body in a while.]

[Leslie has not been at the wall for long by the time Hubert arrives thanks to the leg difference, but there has been time to wrap her in the impromptu blanket of someone's cloak. The guard she is crying an explanation out to does not look like they planned or wanted to deal with an emotional child today. A look of relief passes over their face when she's distracted by Hubert's arrival and is at least crying at her watch instead of them as she tells Edelgard that both she and Hubert made it to the wall.]

[What the guard as not expecting was for Leslie to then stumble toward Hubert on legs shaking like a newborn fawn. "O-oi --!" but Leslie isn't listening.]

[She probably wouldn't have been able to balance in her current state if she needed to reach all the way up to Hubert's shoulder, but thanks to him sinking to the ground, she can hover her hand over his injured shoulder as she uses her other arm to prop herself up.]

[She doesn't have the energy to actually properly heal the wound -- really, she doesn't have the energy to really do anything, magical or physical -- but she manages to at least make the worst of the bite mark smaller, some smaller parts on the edges fusing closed and the rest pulling just a little closer to make the opening smaller and slow the blood flow. Even with that much, she can barely keep on her feet by clinging to the wall after she finishes.]

I'm sorry. [It's almost inaudible as the words are forced out between sobs.] I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

[It's the faint touch of magic that gets Hubert to open his yes. They settle on Leslie and the rest of the world snaps back into focus, finally able to hear her sobs over his thundering pulse and the rush of his breath.]

[Her trembling doesn't escape him; Hubert's hand raises to hover by her side warily, for all the good his wounded shoulder would be able to support her.]

For what? Quick thinking that saved my life? [Granted, an argument could be made that it never would have been endangered in the first place if Leslie hadn't ventured out, or Hubert would have handled the fight very differently had he not been concerned about another. That said, after they were thrown from the horse, Leslie's desperate stand had bought him the seconds he needed to recover.]

[His eyes flicker across her scrapes and down to her injured ankle.] You should not be standing.

[Leslie shakes her head once before realizing that moving her head around is not going to help keep her up. She sniffles and swallows heavily, pushing down the sobs. Her shoulders shake even more than the rest of her body at the effort to contain them and her voice is thick, but she keeps from further sobs.]

That isn’t what I meant.... [She would certainly be one to argue that it would not have come down to such dangerous situations if it hadn’t been for her. She did buy time or, in one case, provide information, which were certainly crucial, but taken as a whole, Hubert saved her more than she helped him in return. Though he is the one with experience in war and her experience in survival was non-combative, she still feels bad that she wasn’t able to keep him from ending up in this condition.]

[She gives a weak smile.] I think...if I sit down right now, I won’t be able to stand up again until tomorrow. [How she expects to walk back to their house from the wall in this condition is unknown. Probably pure willpower.]

[Her voice cracks.] I just want to go h —

[She doesn’t call it “home,” because, despite everything, she still thinks that it would be too selfish of her to call it her home. Her longing for both has left Leslie with an extremely idealistic idea of what a real home and a real family means, and the worry that claiming either without the “right“ to them would be a bother to others.]

I want to be back at the house. I don’t want to be here anymore.

[Hubert nods, his eyes flicking to a woman in a nightgown and a guard's coat scurrying over to them. A hastily awoken healer, he guessed. His torn shoulder still ached horribly even after Leslie's aid, as did the side of his face, and knees and hands and everywhere else he'd bounced off the rough street.]

[But his eyes return to Leslie. Her entire being was stretched thin, from her endurance to her bravery. Tonight had already asked more than one of her age should ever be, and she answered valiantly. To fold now wasn't weakness, but a luxury—a child's luxury, and one Hubert wondered how often she'd ever had the chance to take.]

[He wouldn't take this chance from her by asking a little more of her bravery.]

[So Hubert leverages the haft of the Arrow like a walking stick, commanding his rattled bones to move, fighting his way to his feet. The other Witch approaches, asking about wounds, broken bones, and before she can take too much of their time, he cuts her off.]

Just enough to stitch the flesh, and her ankle, if you would. We'll manage from there; you have our gratitude.

[The woman purses her lips in blatant disapproval, but obliges. Just a little to stave off infection (in his case) and tide them along—the rest would take too long for his liking. His bruising and anything still torn under his shoulder's newly repaired skin could be tended to later.]

[Hubert glances at Leslie as the healer woman departs, ready to begin their long walk.] It will be an easier journey without that limp of yours. You'll have plenty of time to think of an explanation for this foolishness of yours. Lady Edelgard will no doubt demand to know why you were outside the wall at night. This has caused her great distress.

[But even as his voice remains level, even as he'd so far demanded nothing of Leslie, Hubert wasn't without his sternness.]

[If Leslie knew that he was foregoing such important healing for the sake of her wish to be home sooner, she would protest. She wants to be out of here, but certainly not at the cost of Hubert's health. And it's not like she doesn't have a feeling that this is what he might be doing. She knows she ought to ask him.]

[But she doesn't. It's something that she will regret when this moment is behind her and she has rested, but right now, she keeps quiet as she watches the healer's disapproving face and ignores the evidence in front of her that he is continuing to push himself for her sake.]

[Her voice is barely above a whisper when the woman has finished with her ankle.] Thank you.

[When she turns back to Hubert to see him looking at her, his words make her still watery eyes fill further, but she forces herself to not look away or start crying in earnest again.]

I don't have one. Not one that excuses it. I panicked, and I made a bad decision. [She sniffles as she pushes herself off the wall. Her first few steps are more like a stumble, but she soon falls into an exhausted one-foot-in-front-of-the-other trudge.] But I'll tell her what happened.

[Leslie knows the dread of walking toward an expected punishment. This time is different. She knows the punishment will not be in cruel excess, but for the first time since she survived the fire, she knows she will deserve it. The feelings are difficult to compare, but at the moment, she thinks this way might be harder.]

[He isn't sure what he expected, truthfully. This isn't like scolding his classmates or an individual in his employ. After a beat of watching her to be sure she wouldn't fall, Hubert nods approvingly.]

[Perhaps her answer shouldn't be a surprise. Leslie's maturity always had been beyond her years. He glances away with a small sound, his pace set to slow steps.]

...I see. So long as you have learned. [But his mind wouldn't leave one detail alone. He hadn't seen any signs of fire nearby...] What caused your panic?

[Leslie is grateful that he keeps to a slow pace. Though he is more injured than she is, with his much longer legs, he could doubtless get back faster than she can.]

[It takes Leslie a moment to answer his question. The worry is one that is beyond her ability to pursue in this moment, but it's one that still weighs on her.]

I can't feel Mr. Hector anymore.

[After their talk as Hubert helped her with the familiar bonding ritual, Leslie told him and the others in the house when she and Hector agreed on a bond back in early June. (This has been formed as a temporary bond, which means that Leslie has not actually done a full bond ceremony at the Coven yet. They've been repeatedly using temporary bond potions for the past nearly three months instead, because Hector ~~has a fear of commitment~~ thinks he would be a bad influence as a permanent bond partner.)]

He's been at the Northern Outpost. With the others hunting the abominations. And I thought...it wasn't long after I returned from the Outer City, and I thought it might be easier to feel the bond outside the Bright Wall, since he's so far away. And if he was hurt, or -- or dying...I didn't think I needed to wait to find someone to come with me.

[There haven't been any problems in her accompanied visits to the Outer City. It seems she relaxed too much from that.]

[She has her moment to answer him in peace. Hector. Hector, right, she'd mentioned him. Hubert frowns at the road ahead. He hadn't been expecting that.]

[And whatever else Hubert had been expecting was a lesser concern than that. He could sympathize with that, at least. Even if "children have been disappearing outside of the wall" was a questionable time to employ such logic.]

[But Hubert lets that point lie for now, sighing quietly through his nose. Tonight was already long. It was shaping up to be so much terribly longer. He'd have to stay as far back behind the lines as possible, and a moment to revitalize himself back at the house...]

[Those thoughts continue to mull in the back of Hubert's mind while he answers.]

So you ran off to find him. [Spoken as a statement of fact, not an accusation.] If your bond dissolved, there's no telling what the outcome is. He could just as likely be fine. But, [A breath that wasn't quite a sigh, and a shake of his head.] a concern for later. You're at your limit.

[Leslie’s head bobs slightly as she nods along to his words. She can’t deny any of this. It is just a fact that she ran off to find him — not even by going to the Northern Outpost, where she thought she’d end up in the way of the people preparing to fight the Nuckelavee but would have at least not been alone in danger. She can’t know what happened with Hector, and it could simply be that her bond dissolved for no particular reason (which is the case). And she certainly is at her limit. She thinks that if she takes her eyes off her feet for a moment, she’s going to trip and fall to the ground and that will be the end of walking home.]

I’m still not strong enough.

[Her words are intended as an agreement that she’s at her limit. She says it as though she didn’t begin the year still visibly underfed with her magic replaced with something new.]

[She can’t tell what happened to Hector — or even if anything happened to Hector. But if he was in trouble, she’d been unable to take even the first step to helping him out of it.]

[It's the exhaustion and lingering stress and fading adrenaline, Hubert thinks, because something cold and nauseating runs up his spine—suddenly, he's a soldier dragging an overambitious boy back to his father, one that never would have survived the wolves or northern winter, panic-stricken about someone's welfare.]

[Hubert's jaw clenches, focusing on the pressure of his teeth instead of the ache of his battered joints. He could do more. Once Leslie was safe with Edelgard, he could do just a little more.]

There will always be something in life you lack the strength for. You must be smarter. Learn from this, and do not repeat your mistakes.

Edited 2020-09-20 17:02 (UTC)

[Leslie is also thinking of Hubert's memory, from when she watched alongside him as the boy he once was ran from those soldiers. She doesn't think of Hubert as being anything like the soldiers who roughly dragged him back unwillingly. She doesn't even consider that he might be thinking something like that.]

[Instead, it is merely adding weight to his words. The man the boy became certainly lived those words he says to her now. If a problem is beyond your strength, you find a way to shift the odds in your favour. That's what subterfuge is, isn't it?]

[She also thinks of Ozymandias's advice, when he told her that she limits herself by thinking she can only hope to master rote memorization or not believing in her ability to accomplish great things. She thinks of many conversations she's had in Aefenglom and in the last few weeks before she arrived here, where people have encouraged her or gently corrected her. With the piece from this conversation, her thinking shifts a little more away from the ways she learned most of her life, where falling short of perfect is a failure meant that she should have worked even harder into exhaustion, to something new.]

[The shackles of her childhood aren't easily broken, but the shape of an approach beyond beating herself up over the strength she doesn't have is starting to form.]

I will.

[She will learn from it. She means that with every fibre of her being.]

[But at this point, she falls silent, focused entirely on each plodding step. Fuelled almost entirely on willpower, she does make it most of the way back to the house, occasionally stumbling before returning to her steady pace, but a couple of blocks away from their goal, she sways a little too far as she turns a corner. She tries to get her feet back under her, but the movement is too much for her head right now and, limit fully reached, she faints.]

[Her familiar tries to help, misty tendrils of shadow rising up to wrap around her, but without the magic they had back in her world, they can only lift light objects. However short Leslie may still be, she isn't light enough for that, especially with the good care she's received in Aefenglom in the forms of food, sleep, and exercise. At best, if Hubert doesn't catch her himself, the shadows can at least lower her to the ground slowly enough that there will be no hard impact onto the street. But for the moment, Leslie has passed out.]

[Hubert is equally content to fall to silence, his steps automatic as his mind wanders to the logistics of locating Hector. His mind cleared as he got his breath back; surely, she's tried contacting Hector on the Watches—what need would she half of running out if that worked? If he's involved with the effort at the Outpost... Hubert had a number of potions that could tide him over. Coffee wouldn't hurt. He could siphon the magic stored in his reptilian familiar, store Dust in his winter coat, take one of Edelgard's blood flasks for emergency power...]

[And if his thoughts drifted to the parallels of his past a few more times, Hubert didn't dwell on or acknowledge it.]

[His Agarthan lance clatters to the street when Leslie stumbles, Hubert grunting as he drops to a knee to catch her with his good arm. Poor girl. This night had asked too much of her already. It's a tricky affair, juggling Leslie against his good shoulder essentially one-armed into a decent grip. Normally, her meager weight wouldn't be an issue—after their encounter, it posed a challenge. But they were close, Hubert muses as he staggers back to his feet. Then he freezes; it takes a moment to realize the darkness creeping its way around his arm and chest is Leslie's familiar, a gentle pressure pushing Leslie more firmly against his shoulder as the sentient shadows wrap their tendrils in a sling-like manner.]

[It isn't significant aid, but the shadows' effort does ease the girl's weight. And it's like that Hubert arrives at their dwelling some minutes later, an unconscious Leslie held against his shoulder by arm and shadow-familiar alike, the duo battered but whole. The only scent of blood about them was that of the already dried and scabbed, the torn coat of Hubert's other shoulder with whole skin under. One side of his jaw was beginning to impressively purple, but he could live with that.]

[Edelgard had been waiting, Hubert's distress and the turmoil of Leslie not turning up on time having worked her into a tizzy. She's practically leaping out of her chair the moment that the doorway opens, heading from the living room to inspect the goings on.]

What happened?

[She asks of no one in particular, but her eyes widen as she takes in Hubert's state.]

...Hubert, what did this? And...is she alright?

It was the beasts tormenting the outskirts all month, [he answers, moving closer. Even with the shadow-familiar's assistance, his arm was tiring.] "Nuckelavee." I make a terrible opponent for them, I'm afraid.

She's only exhausted. [Hubert frowns, his brow pinching slightly.] I... did not arrive in time to keep her entirely from harm, but she will only ache in the morning. Take her, please.

[There's a slight complication that will arise when it comes to transfering Leslie from Hubert to Edelgard. It seems that, as Hubert was carrying her, Leslie unconsciously turned toward him and grasped his shirt in a loose fist.]

[It's not a tight grip, though, so a little gentle pressure will be enough to remove the fabric from her hand.]

[Edelgard takes the sleeping girl, gingerly holding her, carefully disentangling her fingers from Hubert's shirt.]

Should I summon a healer?

[Keeping her voice low, mindful not to wake the child, she frowns down, searching for injuries.]

[Hubert watches Edelgard pry her fingers away. Leslie's frustration came back to mind, empathy settling into something more resolute.]

I do not believe it's necessary, [he starts, (carefully) shucking his ruined coat and moving towards the kitchen.] A healer at the wall tended her ankle; that seemed to be the worst of it. As far as I could tell, she only took a few falls.

[Hubert drops the tattered coat on a chair as he passes, falling into a brief silence.] You should be proud of her bravery and wit. She saved my life.

[Edelgard raises an eyebrow and carries the girl after Hubert, barely noticing her weight.]

Are you alright? What happened, that you were in such danger?

[She is impressed with Leslie, and she's immediately thinking about ways to repay her ward for her bravery.]

I weigh more than she does. The same fall was not nearly so kind to me.

[More or less. One of his hands passes along the bruised side of his face in silent explanation as Hubert put water on.]

It left me dazed. By the time my head cleared, Leslie was bringing one of her ribbons to bear like a sword, clashing with the fiend. Hardly for a few seconds, but that was all that was needed—and more than most would be able to do with a snap decision.

Edited 2020-09-22 04:47 (UTC)

Admirable, indeed.

[She can feel her heart swelling with pride a bit, looking down at the sleeping girl in her arms. She'd grown so much, and become so competent...]

Hard to believe that we've only known her for a few months. She's grown quite resilient.

[It's difficult to separate that swell of pride from his own emotions, between his fatigue and matching sentiment. A ghost of a smile curls on his face as Hubert fusses with measuring out grounds.]

Quite so, in no small part to you and her teachers. Her potential is like few others'. If I must be truthful... I envy her brilliance.

Teachers you number among.

[You're as much a parent here too, Hubie Doobie Doo. Edelgard can't help but chuckle.]

And I do too. She'll be a force of nature, when she's full grown.

[A pause.]

I think...perhaps...we might be two of the most blessed, to have the chance to aid in this one's growth. Leslie will do great things.

Blessed. Hm. I suppose so.

[He has to shuffle the times around in his hands to pick up the kettle with his good arm, setting the cup aside once the pour-over is done and wandering to the icebox.]

There's no doubt about the heights she will reach. We only need to be mindful of her eagerness; I believe she realized her mistake from tonight, and will learn from it. Though, I cannot fault her for wanting so desperately to make a difference.

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