RP:Aftermath of a Sibling Quarrel

From HollowWiki

Summary: After Lana and Taly's muddy fight in the Redskull Ring, Zahrani tracks down Talyara at a waterfall near Xalious. She expends a significant amount of energy to heal her injuries, and Taly goes off to find her sister.

Talyara hadn’t looked back once she left the Redskull arena. She knew she only had a certain amount of time before she ran out of steam and collapsed. She didn’t want to go home, though so her feet took her to the waterfall, near the tunnel she used to call home when she was forced from her home in Frostmaw. Exhaustion is overcoming her and somewhere along the way, Talyara had broken down into sobs which made it even more difficult for her to breath. Spying the nearby water, she moves the edge and sinks into the pool, allowing it to was over her and soften the caked on mud.

Zahrani :: The sound of soft clanking metal footsteps grows as the feline runs to catch up to Taly, her nose giving her a general idea of where to run. The elf is close. She stops near the falls, the usual sound of rushing water accompanied by random splashing and...sobbing. Her armor and fur begin to collect moisture as she reaches the pooled water, keeping an eye out for falling ice from above. Her glowing cyan eyes alight on the wounded witch. The feline kneels at the bank, removing her gauntlets and placing both hands into the water. The paladin concentrates on her healing power, and the pool begins to adopt a faint yellow glow as warm, divine energy reaches the elf. She would likely see familiar fractal lines of amber light climbing up her skin and going to work on closing her shoulder wound and gently bringing down the inflammation in her fist.

Talyara doesn’t hold back her sobbing, swollen eyes wouldn’t hinder her from getting all her emotion out. She dips under the water and rakes the fingers on her right hand through her locks in an attempt to clean out the mud. Only when she surfaces does she notice the familiar fractal patterns and yellow glow. She turns to look at the bank, confused to see Zahrani there. “W-what a-are y-you d-doing h-here?” She chokes out in a gravity voice barely above a whisper.

Zahrani keeps her healing power running, a bead of sweat running down her forehead as she rests her eyes on Taly. The energy reaches Taly's throat, soothing it and mending the damage. A combination of weariness and determination is in the panther's eyes as she responds, "I was in Craughmoyle when I heard shouting at the Arena. I went to see what was going on and you and your sister were there. You fought with each other. I...I don't understand what happened back there, but you're hurt. That much is clear." It seems like no matter what strangeness happens with Taly, the feline is somehow there, ready to help her pick up the pieces. Rani withdraws her hands after working on Taly's most serious wounds, leaning back and breathing heavily. Her healing powers are getting stronger and more sustainable, but even she needs a break every now and then.

Talyara ’s hand reaches up to gingerly touch her throat as Zahrani’s healing abilities begin to mend the bruising, soothing the swelling making it easier to breathe and less painful to swallow. She can feel the mangled flesh on her shoulder where Lanara took an impressive bite begin to knit back together as well. Taly wades in the water, making her way closer to the edge. She is just about to tell Rani that that was enough healing when exhausting seems to make the decision for her. “Thank you,” the witch says quietly, swatting at the few tears that continue to fall. “But I’m sorry you had to see that."

Zahrani is on her back, panting as she looks up at with a slightly confused look in her eyes. The paladin looks up and down the elf, determining that the worst of the injuries were mended. With a soft grunt, she pushes herself back into a seated position, scooting over so Taly can sit next to her. As her breathing steadies, the panther pulls her armored lends up to her chest, wrapping arms around her knees, "Honestly, I think Lana needs to apologize much more than you do. What was she thinking, doing that to you? Deceiving you into such a spectacle just to confess something like that?" The feline looks genuinely confused, but she's clearly not angry at either of them. "That doesn't make any sense."

Talyara continues to wade in the water a little bit, want to get the blood and mud out of her hair at least. She scrubs with her nails and works her fingers through the tresses until most of it is clean. Only then does she hoist herself up, wincing slightly as her body groans from soreness and exertion. “I’m just as confused,” Taly says quietly, still not making full eye contact with the paladin. She was a mess of emotions after this evening’s event. The little witch flexes the fingers on her left hand which are bruised and cut from her devastating blow which ended the match. Taly’s heart sinks. “Did you see what happened to Lana after I left?"

Zahrani watches the elf clean up, wondering if she should help. Her memories of their last time bathing together briefly come back to her, though the cat is too tired at the moment to smile or show any indication of what she was thinking. At Taly's question, the panther snaps back to the present, her weary brain thinking back to the fight. "She...was trapped in the mud, but someone in the crude broke her free and left with her over her shoulder. I've only met that human once before. She's a brawler, but I don't know how she knows Lana or what she intends." Unfortunately, the panther is not clairvoyant, so she doesn't know whether or not Lana would be rescued by another, or if they need to do it themselves. Talyara :: Zahrani’s news on Lanara’s fate has Taly snapping her head in the panther’s direction. “A brawler threw my sister over her shoulder and kidnapped her?!” Taylor’s eyes go wide with a mixture of emotions as she pushes herself to a stand so quickly she nearly stumbles. “I-I have to…to go try and…find her.” Taly doesn’t care that she looks a total mess, still clad in a bikini stained with blood and mud and the cuts and bruises that mar her flesh—she begins to head back in the direction she came, her dark hair sticking to her face and neck.

Zahrani tries to stand up to go after Taly, "I know, but where...?" The feline trails off, and with a loud and unexpected clang, she drops to her knees and lands face-first with a slight growl. She had just been working in Craughmoyle, walked into an Arena, ran to catch up with Taly in the mountains, and used a healing technique that traded energy-efficiency for distance and speed. She was utterly fatigued, and as much as she wanted to, the paladin is in no condition to go rescuing anyone else tonight. She forces herself back up, only reaching her hands and knees. Maintaining consciousness was becoming a chore. "...Taly…"

Talyara is not moving quickly what with her attires and her injuries. So while Rani’s immediate fall goes unheard by the preoccupied witch, the call for her directly doesn’t. Pressing a hand against her ribs, Taly turns to see Zahrani on the ground and she halts. She is torn, wanting to help both the panther and her sister. The longer she waited to help Lana the more trouble she could get into; however, she didn’t even know where the woodland witch was. Eventually, Taly staggers back to Rani and crouches down beside her, resting a hand on her shoulder. “You need to rest. Let me help you to an inn or some shelter before I go looking for Lana."

Zahrani inhales sharply, pushing herself to a standing position with a strong exhale and a burst of energy. She wobbles for a moment, her tail swishing quickly and randomly. Closing her eyes for a moment, she turns to the elf, her gaze not completely focused, "I'm going to need you to steady me while I walk." The feline begins walking, trusting Taly to guide her.

Talyara nods her head slowly and gently takes Zahrani’s arm and drapes it over her shoulder, inhaling sharply as it grazes her bite. Her own arm wraps around the panther’s waist as she begins to walk, taking slow steps. “Where do you want me to take you? Do you have a preference?"

Zahrani continues walking. It's hard to think right now. She thinks to herself that she should have been more careful with her energy. She's vulnerable, and so is anyone she would protect. Alas, she has to deal with it here and now, praying to Cyris nothing bad happens to them. To Taly, the panther shakes her head, "I...don't have a preference. Just somewhere safe and close by." Her voice is soft and weary. Talyara does her best to keep them both walking straight and quickly as possible while trying to maintain her own weight as well as guide Zahrani. She bites her lower lip in concentration; she had lived in a hidden tunnel near here for some time but she wasn’t sure if it was still occupied so she was hesitant to try. There is a nice hill near the mines that I’ve done a lot of rituals at. But if I can I’ll try and get you to the Destrier in Xalious."

Zahrani honestly doesn't care where they stop, as long as it was safe. She walks pretty much wherever Taly steers her, using most of her energy just to stay conscious and moving.

Talyara can feel her own fatigue threatening to overtake her and more than once she feels herself begin to stumble. However, her stubborn determination overcomes her and she keeps her balance, at last making it to the peaceful hill near the mines. Rani was fading (and if she was being honest she was too) and didn’t trust herself to get them to the Destrier. “Here,” Taly says gently, helping Rani relax on a soft patch of grass. Thankfully, she had grabbed her bag before leaving the arena and pulls out a few provisions, leaving all the food she had as well as a canteen of water with the panther. “I’m going to draw a circle around you, okay?"

Zahrani lets herself lay down on the patch of grass. Her head turns towards Taly as the witch places provisions near her. She raises a hand, speaking surprisingly firmly for how tired she is, "You should bring some of that with you..." Who was she kidding? She's in no shape to walk on her own, let alone encourage Taly to bring food. However, the panther then thinks to add, "...Lana might need some when you find her."

Talyara gives her head a small shakes. “I can collect some roots and berries along the way if need be. Plus I have another canteen of water.” She might not be eating, but at least the druidic witch was staying hydrated. Taly tents her arms, holding her hands up as she closes her eyes, turning her back to Zahrani and facing north. “Hail the Guardians of the Watchtowers of the North, powers of mother and of earth. I greet you now in perfect love and perfect trust, and bid you join this circle. Hail and welcome!” She then moves to the east. “Hail to the Guardians of the Watchtowers of the east, powers of intuition and air. I greet you now in perfect love and perfect trust, and bid you join this circle. Hail and welcome!” Then moving to the south, Talyara chants, “Hail to the Guardians of the Watchtowers of the south, powers of feeling and fire. I greet you now in perfect love and perfect trust, and bid you join this circle. Hail and welcome!” Finally, Taly faces the west. “Hail to the Guardians of the Watchtowers of the west, powers of emotion and water. I greet you now in perfect love and perfect trust, and bid you join this circle. Hail and welcome!” If Zahrani was paying close attention she might notice a glittering, golden circle following in Taly’s wake as she walked, thrice around the panther. “I ask that the God and Goddess bless this circle so that Rani may be free and protected within this space. So mote it be!” When the final steps are taken, Taly opens her eyes. “As above, so below. So mote it be!” With the stamp of her foot the golden light of energy seems to explode in a dome of light. The panther might experience intensified feelings within the circle. “Now if you want to leave the circle, simply draw a door with your finger; however, you must close it behind you otherwise other beings can get in. You should be safe here."

Zahrani, despite her weariness, could sense powerful spiritual entities being called upon to construct the circle. The sensation is...strange. Like her spirit is brushing against something far more alien and different than any other sentient being she encountered. Yet the power answers the witch's call, and Taly seems to perform it without much effort. She nods in response to the elf's instruction. "Please be safe, my love..." With that, the panther rests, fading in and out of consciousness periodically.

Talyara does her best to give Zahrani an confident smile but it probably only comes out as a grimace. Still she nods her head before slinging her bag over her shoulder—she would have to stop somewhere for a change of clothes along the way. “You, too. Try not to leave the circle unless you have to. I’ll come back to deconstruct it.” With a wave of her hand, Taly would turn on her heel and make her way back down the hill in search of her kidnapped sister.