Scene Archives

has gone to find her friend, still obviously fresh from a dive into the cave network. The ever-present canvas bag across her back heavy with the tools of her trade and a fresh round of goodies for the sietch. A fresh cut on the cheek from sharp stone, impact marks on the heavy leather duster from traps that should have been lethal but are now merely bothersome thanks to the absurd amount of gnosis worked into the ancient material.

But to Chaya none of that matters. First she must see her friend is OK, then she will tend to herself.

Qarina’s still huddled up in the last place everyone left her. She’s worked through the screaming and the tears with some help but hasn’t really gotten up from being curled up in the corner. She’s starting to think about it though. It’s been a minute since the last time she ate.

doesn’t make her friend move, just shoves some furniture out of the way and plops down beside her. The bag, coat, and hat go off to the side and one arm curls around Qarina’s shoulders, holding her with a gentleness completely at odds with the brusque face she shows the world. “Tell me about it?” Her free hand dips into a coat pocket and emerges with a small, wrapped bundle of fruit and a couple of pieces of dried fish.

takes the bundle of food from Chaya and leans into her. “Thanks. I…don’t even know where to start. You heard all the music too. That’s never happened before. But no one else heard the Elementals except me. Which I guess makes sense. I never had a problem kinda tuning them screaming out before? Like, they yelled and lied before, but my brother could plug our ears for us? But when everyone started talking all funny, the Elementals started screaming, but…they sounded like they had The God’s voice? Not that I’ve ever heard The God before. But I just…kinda knew?”

takes a bite of some of the fruit. “And it was really scary, because something that just wants to kill everyone was screaming about The God being fake. So I just…screamed back? And now I gotta figure out all this and what I’m gonna do and what to tell the Kin and what NOT to tell the Kin.”

: “That… Huh.” She has a piece of the fish jerky, rolling things over in her head. “That could go a whole bunch of different ways, some of them pretty bad.” She drums her fingers on the floor. “But more to the point how are you after all of that?”

: “I mean, I can’t really say I’m doing great.” She forces the beginnings of a smile. “Definitely not my best day. Definitely not my second-best day either. I was talking a little bit with Salme, she’s got the Mask sometimes, and I was talking with some people on this thingy and…it helped a little. It’s not like, the end of the world. I don’t have to believe what the Elementals say, even if they have weird God-Voice. I can just keep protecting people and nicking supplies, because it’s the right thing to do.” She points at her Tomestone, on the floor next to her hammer.

: “Yeah, they gave me one of those too. Honestly, I haven’t even turned it on. I’m not sure I really want to know more than they’ve explained. I’ve got plenty enough trouble with one world already. Throwing in with a bunch of weirdos to deal with even more worlds seems… reckless. They’re nice though, I’ll give them that. Me and Salme and Aurelius traded questions and answers for a couple of hours, and they were nothing but courteous.”

: “They all seem real nice. Real weird, but real nice. Salme and I talked a lot. Aurelius gave me the thingy, which was mind-blowing, but in a less bad way. Apparently the really big one? Not a suit of armor. Just actually made of metal. And Wolf is like a Yazhn, where he’s from, I think. He’s been spending a lot of time with Teacher.” Qarina tries not to smirk here. “But…yeah. This world is a big enough problem by itself. Learning about all the other ones is cool, but like, also kind of terrifying.”

: “Wolf definitely has the air of a Yazhn, that doesn’t surprise me.” She offers Qarina her canteen. “At least I know where to take them. Talking with Salme and Aurelius narrowed that down right quick.” A pause. “If you are feeling well enough, I’d like you to come along. I don’t… know its going to be tied to the Elementals, but I’ve got a feeling in my guts. And there’s nobody I’d rather have watching my back if things go wrong.”

takes Chaya’s canteen, and then reaches into her bag for her own, offering it to Chaya. “I think the supply packages had all the food I brought.” She says, a little embarrassed. “Yeah, it’ll be good to move around a bit. And if there’s a chance there are Elementals, then I wanna crush ‘em.” She smashes one fist into her palm. “Did you find something new in the caves? Or is this something you’ve had on the map for awhile?”

takes it and sips. “I’ve known about it for… a while. But I’ve never been able to make any sense of it, so I kept it quiet. You know my rule. If I think its dangerous, nobody goes near it until I’ve made it safe.” Another pause. “I’m breaking that rule for this thing. For the travelers. Because honestly, I don’t think I could ever make this thing safe. But I am almost certain its where they need to go.” A wry, self-mocking grin. “So I’m going to risk getting both of us killed down there instead of just me. I guess if I am breaking the rule for a fig, I might as well take the whole tree.”

: “Neither of us is dying on our watch.” Qarina jabs her thumb at herself and her Brother. “I’ll make sure I’m ready to fight anything.”

: “Shade willing it doesn’t come to that. But if it does… If things go from bad to the worst, I need you to take care of them, OK? Don’t worry about me. I made my choice and I’m at peace with the inevitable consequence.”

: “Listen. I’m not about to say that with no idea what’s down there. I’ll do whatever I have to. And besides. These guys are strong enough to take care of themselves for the most part. I’ll crush every last Elemental. Just don’t get yourself jumped before I find ‘em.”

chuckles. “I am definitely the last in line if something down there needs its ass kicked, no worries. I’d rather run than fight, there’s enough other ways to die down there already.”

: “So…assuming we beat the crap out of whatever we find and we make it back up here…at some point I need to go back to The City and get my story straight. Can’t go telling them The God isn’t real because Elementals say so. Can’t imagine it would go well. I think I understand why some people leave now. I don’t think I can. I gotta keep everyone safe. But…it makes a little more sense now.”

nods. “Yeah.” Another pause. “Do you believe the Elementals? Not to judge. You’re the person that deals with them best, I’ll take your word. Did it feel like they were being honest?”

: “It felt like somehow, they were right. But also I don’t trust anything that’s trying to kill me and everyone else to be giving me the full story. Like, something can be true, but also be like, wrong, kinda? There’s either something missing or a different angle maybe. I mean…The Work and The God and The Garden are nice ideas. But we’re not finishing them anytime soon. I just have to keep everyone safe. And I can do that if I think The God is real and I can do that if I believe it’s a lie.”

thinks about that for a minute. “You’re a better person than this world deserves, you know that? I hope the city appreciates you as much as we do out here.” She lets her head fall back against the wall. “I need a bath, a mug of beer, and a nap. Preferably in that order. C’mon, I’ll wash your back if you wash mine.”

: “I don’t know that that’s true, but thanks, Chaya. But you guys out here are way more appreciative. Most of the humans in The City still won’t talk to me, even if they’re someone I saved. The Kin are great though. Dyu thinks they’re letting me steal these supplies on purpose. As long as you’re out here, I’ll keep making trips. People that leave are still people.” She stands up for the first time in hours and feels her legs tingle a little. “A bath sounds real good after all that.”

: “I have had that thought myself a time or two, regarding the supplies.” She takes Qarina’s hand and helps her to her feet. “Whether its true or not, they are certainly appreciated. This Dyu seems like a good sort, from all I’ve heard.”