ฅʕ´•ᴥ•`ʔฅ

〔 @THOUSHALTOBEY 〕
            
            ； I appreciate it. it sadly is just a situation where we're stuck on a cliff having to wait for big things to be sorted before ehearing the outcome 

@woodlanddruid * ⸝⸝⸝   always here if you need an ear <33 hope it eases up soon

〔 @servitudes 〕
            
            ； thank you <3

** late to follow back

〔 @HERPIETY 〕
            
            ； we can thank obsessive book reading and critical role for that. but I love your writing as well! it is such a pleasure so far. 

━ ⌗ ⠂⠄ continued in another chain 

he felt over the bark, reading its texture and committing the details to memory. his attention though was quick to return to the baby in his arms. bundled up as she was she still felt so small it was hard to believe she was real. but she was, he could feel the tiny but defiant little soul, the way she shifted slightly in her blanket. suddenly, the last few days were little more than a distant memory. this was all that mattered. he tilted his head up and smiled at the kiss. "be safe as well," he said, bidding his farewell as well as a quick word to the fox. "make sure he returns in one piece." having been peeking through the flap in the tent, the fox quickly slipped away. it stood outside, waiting for halsin. it's ears and tail perked up, and dancing upon its paws it was more than ready to run off into the woods again. it was no more than a sliver of orange red darting through the underbrush, leading him directly to the scene of the aftermath. it sniffed around as the bear surveyed, following a few scent trails. there were a few newer ones that hadn't been there earlier. 
            
            ... the minutes were long back at camp. even as he told the child all would be well he had fished out his knife from his pack, set it down beside him. he heard nothing beyond, felt nothing stir in the world about them. in his arms though, that was another matter. he heard the small grunts, a breath drawn and held before the first cry began. "calm, my love. everything is fine," he murmured, adjusting the way he held her, biting his lip before deciding to sing. the lyrics were hardly soothing but the melody itself was like a lullaby. it helped, she had calmed by the time halsin returned. "orcs?" he questioned, brow furrowing. /near/, the fox echoed, starting to pace. with a frown vel nodded, stowing his knife away upon his person before moving from the tent. "...did you find any sign of her people?"

━ ⌗ ⠂⠄ @heirslost 
            
            he gave a soft hum and smile, appreciating the comment and name. it gave some comfort to the situation. careful to look in the bag of foraging supplies. " green bark is often that very soft bark, you cut it and most likely it will pour out water and sap. " with vel holding the little one he at least offered a piece for vel to feel over. giving him a new way to find them other than the colour. " when I come back I'll grind down the roots and park for the sap. the little sugar in it would also help her recover. " and he was definitely proud of the growth vel showed with his magic. his healing was improving and the care he showed to the child was honestly heartwarming. as if he couldn't love this man any more than he already does. cupping his cheek he'd leave a soft kiss, agreeing to take the fox with him. " stay hidden and sade, my love. I won't be long. " with the need to know he hurried after the forest creature, resorting to his bear form to move a little easier through the brush of the forest and stay hidden from suspension. the hightened senses also helped once they arrieved. picking up tracks. ones he sadly recognised. and blood. too much for anyone to survive without. carefully he'd follow along, backwards. where the struggle started. finding the husband no doubt, cut down in cold blood with no supplies left. picked clean. halsin had no doubt the mother ran off, got mortally wounded and hid the child as she ran to draw the horrors away. they had to leave. immediately. waisting no time to return to the camp. " it isn't good — we have to pack and leave this forest. savage orcs live near here. we can't risk them finding us as well. " 

━ ⌗ ⠂⠄ @heirslost 
            
            ； will still reply! just a bit burnt out

"is gold all you give thought to? your friends lie dead, countless lives have likely been ruined because of your deeds, and you're worried only about being paid?" vel snapped back, naively believing he could get the man to see some semblance of reason. he let out a huff, shaking his head as he turned his attention to the druid. "he could follow him when we arrive as well. that might not trigger the spell," he offered, slipping away. "i'll go and get the map." he paused for only a moment, his expression blanking as he left himself. a small bluebird perched on a branch showed him the area, the burned and smoldering patch of forest. he pretended that he didn't see the bodies lying about. reoriented now, he returned to himself and to their campsite. he dug the map from his bag. he had dropped his staff somewhere in the tall foliage when he'd been attacked. his knife too. once this was said and done he would have to find where they lay. he pulled away the cord wound around his map, unrolling it as he brought it over to the man. his fingers ran over the ridges pressed into the leather, turning it the right direction before spreading it down on the ground before him. "tell me... show on this map what city it is you frequent most," he instructed, trying to keep the question vague lest it activate the spell. 

━ ⌗ ⠂⠄ @heirslost 
            
            " blind? gods ... that would have been a good way to lose gold – " it was all in self preservation. seems he had a way to cope with horrible tidings in a way to disassociate frlm the issue at hand. the druid would have a moment to think it iver. " I assume if we remkve it, the caster would notice. it would be the same as triggering it. but there are ways around it. like drawing a circle on a map, giving a vague location wouldn't count as directly showing or saying it. what of yiur leather map? " but he made it clear he didn't want this person coming with them. he will show them or be left to die. to free him and run off was also not an option, he could tell someone. notify that others knew about all of this now. it was far too risky. he couldn't trust this person not to talk. " we may set you free if you give a location, or the area around it. if you find a way to do another mission to conveniently not be around. to not tell anyone you work with either. " 

     vel couldn't help but laugh softly. "it was quite the magnificent sight, but alas..." he settled in his embrace, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. "its... different. far different than above. yet there is still so much life here, in everything it seems. i am glad to have come here with you. to hear you and see it through your eyes." 

they may have descended deep into the bowels of the earth and surrounded by all manner of danger, but the little hut had the almost undeniable feeling of a home. somewhat cramped for the druid perhaps, and lacking the luxuries that had been offered by their previous stay at the inn yet vel felt perfectly content and safe there. after a few more paces the fox finally relented, slipping into the shelter as well. its stomach grumbled softly as it sniffed at the food. it was then quick to scarf it down before gulping the water from the bowl. it set a pow against the rim of it, about to dig for more water when the bowl tipped, clattering over. it suddenly stepped back, ears perked high and head held in high alert. then slowly it returned to the bowl, turning it over again. 
            
                vel had undone one of the smaller wraps, slipping a crystal from his pouch and starting to wrap it up again. it wasn't anything of value, and unlike others it glowed only faintly though he hadn't noticed. it had felt nice in his hand so he had taken it. he had finished his task when he heard halsin moving, smiling as he felt the arms around him. he leaned back with a content hum, setting his hand over the arm about him. gently he traced small shapes over the skin, listening. "have you met another drow since?" he asked quietly, his movements pausing. there were many sides to the druid it seemed, though there was no judgment found in the wild elf. there seemed more he wanted to ask but he treaded lightly, waiting for it to be given freely and not forced. "do you know what became of those who imprisoned you?" the fox had sensed the shift in mood and had stopped its playing, rolling over to its front and looking to its companions. after a moment it rose, crossing over to rub its head against the druid's arm in its version of comfort. 

" but I am glad to have come back here. it does not feel so horrible as I imagined it to be. in fact, it hasn't changed at all. I thank you for also giving me the bit of strenght i needed to be here ... and for the adrenaline your curiosity has brought even if it scared me senseless at the time. " a soft laugh followed, holding no ill emotion for it now. yes he was a little upset at the time, but it was mostly from the worry it caused in the moment. he also felt bad for yelling. they both have been very careful since, thankfully. " but please, tell me. what do you think of this place? I want to know your first encounter with it all. " 

@woodlanddruid    †  ∖      understandable  and  a  very  good  end  <33

━ ⌗ ⠂⠄ @SANGUINETHRST 
            
            ； as much as I love these I might end this kne since we have 3 chains now and I am bad at keeping track, so —
            
            with the final idea in mind I believe halsin would notice, but not say a thing. he sleeps on leaves and a bed roll after all, so he wouldn't be one to judge someone's sleeping habits. he likes sleeping on the floor more than a bed as well. 
            they most likely only talked for a little while longer before halsin would excuse himself. satisfied in knowing the vampire was okay enough for him to leave and hopefully they both got some rest that night. finding good company and a relaxing atmosphere all together

݁⠀ ⠀.̲.̲.̲⠀ ⠀*⠀ ⠀@woodlanddruid ,   "/ i /   would   handle   something   / delicately /?   "   he   smiled   to   himself,   knowing   halsin   was   right   but   finding   humor   in   it   anyway.   flickers   of   uncertainty   rolled   through   him.   halsin   had   never   really   given   him   any   reason   / not /   to   trust   him.   and   yet   the   walls   he'd   built   around   his   heart   where   still   trying   to   keep   him   out.   "i   will   keep   that   in   mind.   "    he   agreed,   his   words   replaying   in   his   head.   as   he   thought   them   over —-   a   thought   occurred   to   him.   nobody   had   been   allowed   this   close   to   his   tent   before.   sure,  people   could   stand   by   it   but   he   was   usually   standing   in   front   of   the   door.   he'd   carefully   decorated   the   outside   with   luxuries;   a   mirror,   a   rug,   etc.   the   inside   held   the   truth   though,   with   jars   of   blood,   a   wooden   plank,   a   blanket,   and   a   pillow.   this   sudden   realization   had   him   sitting   up   a   little   straighter   to   hide   them.   "i   appreciate   this,   you   know.   i  ..   it's   / hard /   to   explain   this   to   the   others.   they   pity   me.   "   he   hated   that   feeling.   it   made   him   feel   small   and   weak.   sure,   assurance   felt   great,   but   it   walked   the   line   sometimes   if   being   babied.   he   could   take   care   of   himself,   he   always   did.   but   halsin   had   found   the   percect   balance   to   help   without   overstepping.

he was silent for that moment, allowing the other time to come back to himself. his hand slipped from his waist, feeling it's way across his stomach and to his chest. waiting, feeling the steady rise and fall of each breath and willing it to never change. he had come close to death before, he never wanted the druid to venture anywhere near it. "i..." his voice trailed, head tilting and eyes narrowing slightly as he listened to the sounds beyond. the voices beyond had grown slightly and the insects outside had quieted to a soft lull, a few birds but not as many as before as they returned to their nests. he hadn't paid attention to the passage of time, letting the minutes and hours pass without note. but from what he could tell, "it's late afternoon, early evening," he replied after a moment. "so near a day." he pulled himself closer, wrapping his leg about him. "it does." he nodded, smiling at the squeeze the other gave his hand. "you lost a good deal of blood. i don't know how much healing could remedy that." he pulled himself closer as well, nuzzling his head against the crook of his neck. he avoided the injured side, avoided any touch that wasn't of the upmost gentleness. "i promised i wouldn't leave your side," he murmured, eyes closing. "hm," he could only hum in response. his worry was something he could not deny, and the excuses had already been given. he only wanted to cling to him now, to feel the warmth of his body next to him. "you should rest of you need more of it. we have an eternity, my love. there's no need to rush. i'll be right here."

━ ⌗ ⠂⠄ @heirslost 
            
            he gave a soft sigh, managing to regain himself a little. come back to the waking world fully as much as he didn't want to. take a moment to really process the words spoken to him. to find his way back to the room they were in. " healed? how long was I gone for? " a little groggy, but it was definitely strange. disorientating even. the wounds and vel being up already, it felt so strange. he started to wonder if it really was morning now. it looked like the sun just came up, but then again, it could be setting. as much as he wanted to sit up and check, part of him just wanted to stay still for a while longer. in the warmth and softness. " well rested but exhausted at the same time. not sure that makes sense — " he reached over, blindly managing to find vel's hand. giving it a squeeze as he glanced over. not able to help the smile that crept onto his features at the messy red hair. the eyes he missed. " you stayed waiting for me? " and he seemed to know it was a big thing. to not drift. he actually stayed with him all this time. that was no easy thing. he knew it well. " my little fox. I am undeserving of your patience. " already back to his fatuation for the wild elf. not having the energy to stand, yet he would turn back to move a little closer. draw him near. needing his scent and warmth again. " my love. I am sorry. I didn't want you to worry like this. " 

bidding his farewell he waited to hear the boys to leave. though no sound came he knew they were gone. he didn't expect to feel their absence as much as he did, like the warmth fading from the sun slipping behind the clouds. rest did not come and the night passed. when morning finally came he expected the druid to rise early as he always did and he'd say something teasing about being up first for once, but then he only stirred in his sleep. vel's expression would fall into one of concern, and even with the boys' assurances he'd have a deep meditation he couldn't help the bit of worry. he laid there, holding him close as he listened to the muted sounds coming from the rest of the inn, to the creak of wooden boards and the chirp of birds beyond. he reached out, gently touched his face. his fingers would trace the path of scars, the shape of every feature, the softness of his lips. he pressed a kiss there, then upon his forehead before he sunk back into the bed. he would hum a tune ever so softly, uncertain of where he'd heard it only that it'd been with him for as long as memory held. an old elven lullaby, calming even if the words were long forgotten. he stopped as he felt him stir. holding his breath, he waited to see if it was just an unconscious thing. but then he rolled over and vel propped himself up on his elbow. "easy. the stitches are still there," he said, reaching his other hand out to wrap around his waist. "it's healed. for the most part ... how do you feel?"