RP:The Kids Aren't Alright

Summary: It’s been months since Lanara’s mind broke and in a moment of psychosis, she snuck into the orphanage and murdered innocent children while they slept. Talyara finally plucks up the courage to go pay reparations for her sister’s misdeeds. While dropping off a donation with Krice, the Headmistress, upon hearing the witch is a healer, asks her to look in on a group of children who have fallen ill with a curious illness which has left them vomiting frogs and slugs!

This is a Devout's Guild RP.

The Orphanage of Gualon

Talyara was dreading doing this. Facing everyone in the aftermath of her abduction and subsequent torture with word that her sister, her best friend, had lost her mind and would not be returning to them was crushing. Recruiting new staff and organizing construction on the parts of the sanctuary that Lana had burned down was difficult. But going to Gualon to the face the orphanage where her sister had slaughtered innocent children in their sleep was going to be soul crushing. Taly should have come sooner, but after facing her friends and the sanctuary she needed some time to hide away in Frostmaw to heal her physical and mental injuries. The physical signs of her torture were gone for the most part; the bruising and broken bones had healed. Only the angry red outline of the letters W I T C H remained etched in the soft skin of her forearm--at least it had finally stopped bleeding. But as the reminders of her injuries faded from her reflection in the mirror, the weight of guilt settled in her chest. It had been months and still the little witch had yet to pay reparations to the orphanage. When the pressure became so consuming that it was getting difficult to breathe, Talyara knew she could avoid it no longer. Knowing this was something she couldn't face on her own, the witch asked Krice to accompany her, to share his strength with her when the thought of making this journey was enough to make her tremble with anxiety. Did they know that it was Lanara who had committed these terrible acts or did they believe the lies of the Backstreet Bard Nick who had taken the fall for the insane witch? If they -did- know the truth, would they shun Talyara as a result? Would they blame her for not being able to stop her sister? The witch packed a bag which included a change of clothes and a large sack of gold coins; it would in no way make up for the damage that was done, but she hoped it would help a little.

Krice agreed to travel with Talyara the instant she asked, reluctant to let her deal alone with the aftermath of her sister's mental breakdown. It was with his usual air of confidence and calm that the warrior walked abreast his emerald-eyed companion, lending his elbow to her hold, and releasing her to walk alone whenever she wished to. They had travelled down from Frostmaw upon the saddle of his wyvern, Gylworliath, though the dark green beast remained outside the city limits to find weird and unusual things to play with--she was a weird, herself. On the path to the orphanage, now, Krice spared Talyara a reserved but affectionate glance and murmured an earnest, " You'll be okay, Talyara. You know how to help people."

Talyara arrived in Gualon after flying on Gylworliath's back from Frostmaw and made a quick pit stop so she could slip into something a bit more appropriate for the heat. As the pair walk, she secures her bag over her shoulder and slips her hand through Krice's proffered arm as they move towards the orphanage. She slides a sideways glance the warrior's way but the frown doesn't budge from her lips. "What if they know it was Lana?" she asks him in a whisper. "What if they somehow think this is my fault?" Tears brim the witch's emerald eyes but she blinks rapidly several times to prevent them from falling down her cheeks. The pair approach the front door, but Taly suddenly finds her body frozen, her feet unwilling to take another step further.

Krice shook his head and kept his voice just as low, ensuring that no eaves could be dropped in their vicinity. " If they think it's your fault," he murmured in reply, " Then there's something wrong with them." After a moment of pause, during which time they walked a meager three steps, the warrior added, " Approach this as if they know nothing. Let -them- reveal what their opinions are of the situation. Don't lead them with your fears." Fears which were genuine to have, undoubtedly. Reaching across himself, Krice touched Talyara's hand around his elbow with the opposite hand, squeezing in hopeful reassurance. " One step at a time, little lady."

Talyara nods her head slowly, her curly locks bouncing in the ponytail atop her head as she does so. Intellectually, she knew Krice was right, but her own mental instabilities since her rescue were hard to combat, especially during emotional times. She tries to move her feet once more but they remain planted on the spot. When the warrior's hand reaches out to give hers a reassuring squeeze, she meets his crimson gaze with her teary one and sniffles. Her bottom lip trembles and a few rogue tears break free but she is quick to swat them away. One step at a time. Talyara inhales a steadying breath before doubling her grip on Krice's arm and finally steps forward to lift her hand and knock against the front door before she loses the little nerve she managed to find.

Krice 's expression and overall demeanor were relaxed and calm, contrast to the turmoil Talyara felt for this visit to the orphanage. When she glanced at him again, his features softened and his free hand twitched at his side, ready to brush away those tears - but she already was. When the witch turned her gaze back to the door in front of them, the warrior allowed himself a moment of pain on her behalf, his features dissolving into a barely-tempered frown of combined sorrow and anger; the men who had hurt her, hurt Lanara, had paid for their crimes, but there were more still to go. Steeling himself, the warrior steadied his emotions and remained stalwart at his companion's side, lifting a calm stare to the door.

Talyara tentatively steps into the main entrance of the orphanage and looks around, her hand instinctively reaching back as if seeking out Krice, to ensure that he was still behind her. Her heart hammers in her chest painfully as she looks around, noting the absence of the usual group of children who would normally be running around in the lobby and out the doors to the street beyond. The receptionist looks up from her paperwork, and seeing the pair smiles kindly at them. "What a lovely couple you two are!" she beams, already reaching into her drawer to pull out a packet. "You're here to adopt, of course," she adds matter-of-factly brandishing the paperwork in their direction. Taly simply stares at her dumbfounded for a moment, her jaw slackening as the words sink in. Adopt? "No!" the witch says more abruptly than she had meant and the woman's smile immediately dips into a frown. "I'm so sorry," the witch says in a much more gentle tone. "I just meant, you misunderstand my business." She approaches the desk then, pulling out the oversized pouch of gold she brought. "My name is Talyara, I'm a healer up in Frostmaw. I heard about the tragedy that happened a few months ago and I wanted to bring my sympathies, and to give a donation."

Krice would only release Talyara if she wanted to venture forth with it in her mind that she had to be courageous alone. Otherwise, he remained close to the woman and just a little bit behind, supportive but still allowing enough space for her to feel like she was walking under her own strength. When she paused, the warrior did as well, casting his gaze around the room to scan for signs of damage, to listen in distant hallways, to take in a general impression of the overall building. Whatever he sensed, it remained with him alone as the woman behind the desk spoke to them. He arched a brow as crimson eyes shifted to view the other female, his jaw momentarily tense at the consideration of 'adoption'. He glanced sideways at Talyara, allowing her to handle the situation - and proud of how she went about it thereafter. Relaxing once more at her side, though his tension was short-lived and only slight, the warrior glanced over at the receptionist and reached his free hand down into a pocket of his slacks, procuring a coin-pouch. Within were many gold pieces, heavy enough that the receptionist would only just be able to carry it with one hand, which he stepped forward to deliver to her. The warrior bowed his head and spoke to the woman, his demeanor stoic but tone soft. " Hopefully it'll help it some way."

Talyara turns to look at Krice when he steps up next to her, offering his own substantial donation. She hadn't expected that at all and it shows in the way her expression softens. The witch tilts her head to the side to rest her temple against his arm in a brief moment of chaste affection. While the receptionist had been momentarily bristled by their brashness in denying their desire to adopt, the combined gold would go very far in helping the orphanage. No amount of gold would replace the orphans who had been slaughtered mercilessly, but being able to create better lives for those who managed to survive was important. "You're a healer, you say?" she asks, reaching out to accept the heavy sacks of gold coins. "Yes, ma'am," Talyara answers with a nod. "Would you mind waiting here for a moment?" she asks, pushing herself to a stand. "Of course not." With that, she bustles down the hall, her heels clacking against the floor. Once she was out of view, Taly turns towards the warrior. "You didn't need to do that," she says quietly. "That was very generous. And sweet."

Krice was more reserved than Talyara would have seen him in a long time, for reasons that were his own, but his demeanor softened when she rested her head against his arm; a chaste affection but affection nonetheless, and affection he didn't mind others seeing. His want for privacy was born of a desire to keep important things close to him, to not share them with other people who were undeserving. Talyara was his, he was hers, and that was theirs to enjoy - no one else's. When the receptionist spoke to Talyara of her healing abilities, the warrior glanced between them only once before his gaze lingered on the retreating other woman. He squinted after her, contemplative of her queries, before turning his attention toward Talyara for her statement. He dipped his head in a nod that didn't quite come back up, murmuring, " I haven't helped enough." A moment later, he looked in the direction in which the receptionist had retreated. " Seems like she might need -your- help, though."

Talyara smiles at Krice's reason for giving his own substantial donation to the orphanage--whatever his deeper meanings were for it, she didn't care. He could have easily allowed her donation to speak for the both of them, but instead had given more. That selfless gesture meant more to her than she could adequately express in words at the moment. Taly nods her head in agreement with Krice's observation about the receptionist inquiring about her being a healer before walking off. "It seems that way," she says with a tiny frown. "I hope I can help with...whatever it is. It's the least I can do..." The witch trails off, not bothering to finish her sentence.

Krice's eyes shifted across the frame of the door through which the receptionist had retreated, though Talyara's words once more drew his focus back to her. Locking onto the emerald of her own eyes, the warrior murmured a gentle but earnest, " You owe them nothing." There was no room in his tone for her to argue the point; he would not allow her to take responsibility for the actions of someone else - sister or otherwise. Softer still, he added, " If someone is sick or injured, you'll be able to help. It's what you do." The corner of his mouth twitched into a small smile.

Talyara is familiar with the tone Krice uses, she's heard it before. Especially when she is being particularly self deprecating. She opens her mouth to retort stubbornly but the words fall from her tongue before she has a chance to utter them. The sound of heels on the floor have Taly turning towards the hallway, the receptionist was returning with a stern looking middle aged woman. Her expression was enough to make Taly fix her posture and stand up straight. "You are Miss Talyara?" the newcomer asks when they enter the lobby. "Yes, ma'am," the witch answers quickly. "And you are a healer?" she says peering over the top rim of her glasses. "Yes, ma'am," Taly answers swiftly again. "Good, I need your help." Without waiting for her to agree, she turns on her heel and head back down the hall, beckoning Talyara to follow. The witch turns to look at Krice curiously before following the woman as the receptionist takes her place at her desk once more. "You can go with them," she adds to Krice in case he loitered behind.

Krice's only reaction to the appearance of that stern woman was the slightest lift of his chin, crimson eyes fixated on the two other females in front of him. As they neared, he listened attentively, though Talyara's look-back drew his focus. It was cues - unintended and intended - from the little witch that spurred him forward, not permission from the receptionist, his every action attuned to the uncertainty in his companion's demeanor. He followed her toward the other room but made sure to linger just out of the way, reluctant to impede the healer or her apparent charge. He attuned his senses to detecting reasons as to why Talyara might be needed; fresh blood, broken skin, bruising... anything alluding to injury.

The stern looking woman leads the pair down the hall and into a plush office, taking a seat behind a great wooden desk and inviting the pair to take the seats opposite her. Talyara obliges, perching on the edge of the armchair on the left, as she twists her hands together in her lap. Was she about to confront the witch about her sister's crimes? Did she hear whispers that Lanara had a healer sister named Talyara and she was about the get the blame for the murders? Would she threaten to expose the mentally unstable Lanara? Anxiously, Taly begins to bounce her right leg and gnaw on the inside of her cheek as all the "worst case scenarios" play out in her mind in the mere moments they sit there in silence. "I am the Headmistress here at the orphanage," the woman says as means of an introduction. "As I'm sure you can deduce, we are always having outbreaks of various illnesses like influenza or a stomach virus or patching up cuts and bruises. Such are children," she adds, the ghost of a smirk playing on her lips hinting that her no-nonsense demeanor is to command respect and keep order as opposed to a dislike of her profession. "However," she continues without interruption. Recently there has been a curious ailment that's affected some of the children." This piques Talyara's interest and she sits up a bit straighter, as her eyebrows arch. She casts a quick sideways glance at Krice before focusing solely on the Headmistress once more. "What do you mean by curious?"

Krice waited for Talyara to enter the office ahead of him, taking position behind his offered seat rather than in it; he preferred to stand, hands relaxed at his sides, attention diverted to everything around him. Whilst he was listening to the headmistress's words, he also listened to the sounds elsewhere in the building, noted the atmosphere both in air pressure and generalized mood of the inhabitants. It was Talyara's quick glance that drew his visual attention, crimson on emerald briefly before the headmistress was once more their focus. Krice furrowed a brow, his attention divided between something unseen, unheard, and the words of the woman seated on the far side of the desk.

Talyara's glance in Krice's direction wasn't lost on the headmistress who pursed her lips together but made no commentary on the silent exchange. Once the witch poses her question the severe woman taps her long, painted fingernails along the top of her desk, leveling her gaze at the witch. "Well, it presents itself like a stomach virus, the children are pale and clammy, vomiting, and unable to keep much food or drink down." Talyara waits for the headmistress to continue but when no further information is forthcoming, the witch prods. "Well, that does sound like a classic stomach bug. Have you tried a more bland diet like bananas, rice, toast, apple sauce? Also some ginger tea might soothe the nausea." Taly looks to Krice once more, confused as to what was "curious" about the illness and wondering if he had picked up on something she hadn't. "We've tried all that," the headmistress says dismissively, waving her hand in the space between her and the witch. "The oddity of this illness is that the children are not vomiting up food or even bile, but rather frogs and slugs!" Whatever Talyara had been expecting, this wasn't it.

Krice definitely had noticed something that had slipped under Talyara's witchy radar - and clearly wasn't known by the headmistress. He lifted his chin to volley a comment Talyara's way, though the other woman's revelation gave him pause. He blinked, perplexed; the children were vomiting up frogs and slugs...? A peculiar symptom that was way out of his breadth of knowledge. Quietly, he called for Talyara's attention by quietly - but intently - murmuring her name. If she rose to draw closer as he retreated to the door, he would murmur a pointed, " There's impure magic - somewhere close."

Talyara isn't quite sure what to make of the revelation that the children are expelling such unexpected creatures. Her mind is immediately set to work, trying to recall any rare condition she might have read about in her studies to point her in the direction of the cause of this odd sickness. To her credit, the headmistress remains silent, as if she can sense Talyara's mind is quick at work and simply leans back in her chair and folds her hands in her lap. Talyara is snapped out of her thoughts by the murmur of her name and she stands, excusing herself politely to join Krice near the door. She leans in to catch the warrior's quiet words before nodding. "Can you take me to them?" the witch asks, turning to the headmistress once more. She likewise stands from her chair and sweeps her arm towards the outside of the room, inviting them to exit the office. "Of course. We have those afflicted quarantined in a room separate from the other children. We don't want this to spread any further." She leads Talyara and Krice to a staircase towards the back of the orphanage, and once they reach the top landing she walks down the hall to the very last room on the right. She knocks on the door and the muffled whispers on the other side immediately cease. When it swings open she looks at the group of six children, four girls and two boys, who each lay in a bed with a pail on the floor beside them. "Children, this is Miss Talyara. She is a healer and she has come here to see if she can help you all feel better." Six pairs of eyes swivel in the witch's direction and she smiles kindly at them, lifting her hand in a wave. "You all can call me Taly! And this is my friend, Krice," she says introducing the warrior. "I will be back in my office," the headmistress informs the group. "I expect you all to be on your best behavior and do everything that Miss Talyara asks of you. If you two need anything, please let me know." And with that she walks out the door and back down the hall and steps to her office.

Krice glanced at the headmistress once Talyara acknowledged his words, stepping aside from the door to let both women exit first. At the rear of the party, he honed his senses into the presence of that 'impure magic' to try and pinpoint its origin, only moments later deducing that they were walking ever closer to it. Up the stairs and into the last room at the end of the hallway, Krice paused just to the side of the door-frame and peered inside at the children, following Talyara's lead to enter. Krice scanned their surroundings and glanced from one child to the next. He wasn't a kid-person, but his aversion to greeting them was purely because he was focused on that magical signature. His features were set in grim stoicism, undoubtedly unpleasant for the children. Turning toward Talyara, he mumbled, " It's stronger here. Be careful."

Talyara catches Krice's warning and dips her chin in a slow nod. "Let me know if you can pick up a general area?" she mumbles before turning back to the children. Unlike Krice, the witch has great ease when it comes to conversing and interacting with them. The youngest, a boy no older than five has his dark eyes fixed on the warrior. "Miss Talyara is he -always- so grumpy?" Taly does her best to stifle a giggle before slipping the child a playful wink. "Most of the time," she teases before approaching him first. "What's your name?" she inquires, crouching down at his side to bring them to the same level. "Ian," the little boy says quietly, pulling his blanket up a bit higher. "It's nice to meet you, Ian! That's a really cool name. I hear you all haven't been feeling well," Talyara says giving the room at large a cursory glance, noting the other children watching her wearily. "Is it okay if I check you out?" Ian nods his blond head and Talyara reaches out to press the back of her hand against his forehead. It was warm to the touch but not burning. She then moves her cool hands to press along his neck. "Does anything hurt?" Ian shakes his head no before adding. "Just my tummy."

Krice acknowledged Talyara's request with a nod and stepped forward a moment after she did, moving slowly through the center of the room at the foot of the childrens' beds. He was glancing -around- at their surroundings, not at the children themselves, though he caught a glance from one of the girls only briefly and continued onward. The warrior paused on the far side of the room, opposite the door, and stayed there scrutinizing the area immediate to him. Only fleetingly, he was distracted by the tenderness with which Talyara examined the little sick boy, Ian, his expression softening for but a moment before focus returned and he narrowed his senses to the magical signature nearby.

Talyara smiles understandingly at Ian when talks about his stomach hurting. "Okay lay on your back, Ian." The witch begins to prod his midsection gently and watches his face for any sign of pain or discomfort. "Does this hurt you?" she asks sincerely. Ian shakes his head no. "I just feel like I'm going to be sick. And my tummy is sore." Talyara nods and pushes herself to a stand. "Alright, Ian you did so well!" The witch touches his cheek affectionately before moving to the next bed where one of the older girls, probably around ten, is watching her intently. "I'm Selina," she offers before Taly has a chance to ask. "What a beautiful name. Did you know it means the sky or heaven?" The girl beams up at the witch who likewise asks for permission to examine her before going through the same process that she did with Ian. "Is he your boyfriend?" Selina asks in a whisper that easily carries across the room. Talyara pauses her prodding of the girl's stomach, peering over her shoulder at Krice before turning back to her patient. "Why? Do you want to ask him on a date?" she responds in a conspiratorial whisper. This sets Selina into a fit of giggles that's quite infectious and soon all the kids, and Taly, are chuckling.

Krice really wasn't focusing on anything outside of the signature of that 'impure magic', but the movement of Talyara's head drew his gaze and he noticed her looking at him - furthermore that the child she tended to was also looking. He squinted at them, suspicious of their behaviour and seemingly completely oblivious as to why they were giggling--though his sensitive hearing would have allowed him to hear the whispers in a crowded room, let alone a quiet one such as this. Playful Krice? Perhaps. As the other children followed suit and also giggled, the warrior took a moment to consider the magic once more before he asked, gently, " What kind of... -toys- do you guys usually play with?"

Talyara turns her head to look at Krice once more when he poses his question to the group of children and the laughter immediately dies away. This puts Taly on high alert and she quickly darts her gaze to the others and notices that they have all nervously glanced Selina's way. It seemed as if she was the ringleader in this little group of friends and Taly suspects that she was the one the others looked to for answers. "Well, Ian likes to play with his bouncing ball--we play catch or bounce it back and forth across the room. Sometimes we play keep away," the little girl says a bit too quickly to be natural. "Uh huh, what else do you like to play with?" Taly encourages, smoothing her hand through Selina's hair in what she hopes is a soothing gesture. "We play with dolls!" another of the little girls says suddenly. "And blocks!" adds the other little boy. "And dress up!" a third girl cries. "We especially like to do fancy dress up!" Selina shoots her a warning glance and Taly, in turn, looks to Krice to see if he noticed as well. That was suspicious.

Krice listened attentively to the children as they posed their replies, his gaze briefly flicking in Talyara's direction. Indeed he did notice that their answers, while partly truthful, were spoken with the intention of hiding something. The little girl who spoke of dressing up drew the warrior's attention shortly after and he nodded. " I also like to dress up. I pretend I'm a knight, and Miss Talyara is my princess." The warrior lifted a hand, gesturing slowly to indicate the healer. Shifting his attention around the room, he scanned the faces of the children, lingering on Selina for her reply.

Talyara cants her head to the side when Krice informs the children that he likes to play dress up as well, a curious smile lingering on her lips when he confesses this. What was he going on about? His explanation inspires an exaggerated "awww" from all of the little girls in the room, including Selina. Truthfully, Taly wants to join in on the sentiment but she manages to hold her tongue. "You know what my -favorite- part about being a princess is?" she asks excitedly, her eyes going wide for emphasis. "What?!" they all ask eagerly. Even the young boys are latched onto the witch's every word. "Getting to wear pretty stuff! I get to wear gorgeous dresses and I have a beautiful necklace and even a crown! Do you guys get to wear anything like that?" Selina gives the little girl, whose name is Eva, a warning look but she's younger, about seven, and too excited about the conversation. "Yes we do!" she exclaims just as Selina shakes her head firmly. "No we don't!" Eva, realizing her mistake cowers slightly under the scathing look Selina gives her and Taly shoots another glance Krice's way. "You can tell me," she offers in a quiet voice to the older girl. "Are you worried the other kids are going to steal your special toy or dress?"

Krice glanced from one child to another, to Talyara, back to Selina - who definitely was the leader of the little group. For whatever reason, she seemed a little less reticent to his - and now Talyara's - talk of dress-up games. Casually he meandered into the space between the beds, turning away from Selina to face Eva - and conveniently blocking one's view of the other Eva could be excited as much as she wanted, and not suffer Selina's eyeballing - while Talyara kept her busy. Affording the seven-year-old a small smile that just hinted at warmth in his eyes, the silver-haired warrior murmured, " What's your favourite colour dress?"

Eva looks up at Krice nervously, wondering what he is going to say or if he is going to yell like Selina did. But his crimson eyes soften and the small smile on his lips allow her to relax slightly. "I like pink. It's my favorite color," she tells the warrior quietly. Meanwhile, Talyara is watching Selina who is trying to avoid the witch's eye, instead looking at the other children who are unsure of what to do or say with their ringleader being silent. "It's -mine-," Selina says abruptly, her hands balling into fists. "I'm a good sharer, I promise! But this was something really special and I didn't want everyone to know about it because then they'd all want it!" Emotion causes her voice to quiver and Taly reaches out drape her arm around the girl's shoulder, pulling her against her side. "It's okay, I understand! My sister and I weren't always the best sharers. One time I had a really pretty toy that was my favorite and I used to always hide it so she couldn't play with it."

Krice could tell that Eva was nervous; maybe she was clued into the fact that he wasn't particularly partial to children. At any rate, his intention was to try and save them from themselves--or Selina--because something they were doing, known or otherwise, was making them sick. The warrior answered Eva with a nod, a lingering smile, and a gentle, " Pink is the perfect colour for a princess." And then Selina was exclaiming things that drew his attention away from the little seven-year-old. Turning, Krice ambled in toward Talyara though made sure to keep his distance, to avoid making the leader of the children feel uncomfortable or boxed in. He nodded at the witch's comment about her sister, thereafter adding an exaggerated, " And my -brother- never shares -anything-... But he shows me what he's got, and I respect that it's his." Here, the silver-haired enigma glanced around the room, noting the children - and hoping they understood his message. Back to Selina, he added, " But if I ask him nicely, he sometimes lets me hold his secret toy or jewel."

Eva beams up at Krice and hugs a ratty stuffed animal close to her chest as he agrees that pink is the perfect color for a princess. Talyara smiles to herself and looks up at the warrior when he approaches and tells Selina about his brother never sharing with him before dropping her gaze down at the little girl nestled against her side. "How about we make you a deal?" Taly suggests. "If you show Krice and me your favorite, special toy we promise we won't tell the other children about it. That way they won't know and can't ask to play with it." Sometimes bargaining and compromising was the way to go. Taly knew that her and Krice could rip the room apart and find this magical object, but she didn't want to frighten or anger them. The other children look at Selina nervously--clearly whatever this object was, they weren't keen on sharing it either. "You promise?" Selina asks Taly who gives her a squeeze. "Pinky promise," the witch adds, holding out the little finger on her left hand for Selina to take.

Krice observed Talyara as she interacted with the older girl, quietly listening to the words they spoke between themselves. A transient glance told him of the other childrens' knowledge of this special toy, which meant they too were complicit in their own ill health. If only they knew that this toy was the cause... 'Pinky promise' was a phrase that drew the warrior's focus back to Talyara and Selina, and he watched quizzically as they presumably linked pinky-fingers and gave a shake of their hands.

Talyara is thankful Selina is familiar with the "pinky-promise" ritual the witch had used in her own youth. With a steadying breath, the girl untangles herself from Taly's hold and moves to the opposite side of the room near where Krice had been standing earlier. She gets down on her knees and shimmies under the other little boy's bed. Carefully, her fingers grip a loose floorboard and begins to pry it up. With a grunt, she frees the piece of wood and reaches in the hole to pull out an ornate, jeweled ring. After securing the board back into place she climbs out from under the bed and crosses the room back to Taly's side. Magic pulses from the ring and even Taly can feel it. Without thinking she holds out her hand for the item and Selina places it in her open palm. The witch is immediately plagued by a wave of nausea so strong it dizzies her, Taly's eyes fluttering closed as a shaky hand reaches into her bag in search of a handkerchief to act as a barrier between her and the cursed ring. "W-where did you get th-this r-ring?" she asks Selina thickly.

Krice glanced from Talyara to Selina, his focus briefly crossing the witch's face again when the younger girl rose to retrieve her secret toy. The warrior looked on, quiet and attentive, ever vigilant in the presence of magic - particularly impure magic. As Selina opened up the floorboards, Krice could tell that beneath them lay the source of that magic and he grimaced in anticipation. A... ring? The arcane pulse almost seemed to sync with the beat of his heart as he watched Selina deposit the jewelry into Talyara's hold. It was only a moment later that the warrior lunged forward, grabbing the ring - half wrapped in that handkerchief - from the witch and rushed silent and speedily from the room.

Talyara doesn't have a chance to react as Krice suddenly lunges to pluck the ring from her hand and quickly exit the room. Unfortunately, this doesn't bode well for the children who immediately begin to wail and cry at their special toy being stolen from them. Taly, still fighting the wave of nausea tries to placate them. "Shhh, shhh it's okay I promise!" Selina, furious that the warrior took her ring stands and attempts to follow him. Taly springs from the bed and closes the door, barricading it with her body. "Please you lot listen to me!" The other children begin to sniffle and Selina crosses her arms over her chest defiantly. "You -pinky promised!- she yells at the witch. "I know," Taly says in a quiet voice. "And I promise that we won't tell the other children about it. But that ring had very bad magic in it and that's what was making you all sick." Selina's tense posture relaxes a fraction as she looks back at the others who look just as confused. "Come, let's sit back down and you can tell me all about where and how you found it." Selina doesn't immediately move but eventually she gives into Taly's pleading looks and plops back down on her bed. "We were hanging out in the swamps. We decided to play pirates and we were searching for buried treasure. I was digging in the mud and I felt something. I thought it was only a rock but once I cleaned it off we realized it was a ring. The Headmistress would have taken it away from us, we aren't allowed real jewelry so....so we hid it!" Selina begins to cry in earnest, surprising the witch. Taly expected it from the younger ones, but this seemed like an overreaction from the older child.

Krice could hear the children shriek as he retreated from the room with their 'toy', but he needed to get it away from them all, away from Talyara, to ensure that they could recover from its effects. As he ran, the warrior tossed Talyara's handkerchief around the ring to ensure that it was covered, layered in cloth to hopefully deaden its effects. When he reached outside, he moved further away from the building and secreted the wrapped ring before shifting into view of the window behind which the children and their witch companion were gathered. Hopefully Talyara would notice and catch his gaze, entreating her to come outside when she was able.

Talyara pauses at the window just long enough to spy the silver haired enigma moving into view on the ground below before she joins Selina on the bed. The witch reaches up and begins to rub the distraught girl's back in a soothing manner. Even Ian comes over to sit on her other side, taking one of her hands in his own to act as another source of comfort. "Shhh...it's okay, it's okay," Taly shushes her quietly, continuing to stroke her hand along Selina's spine. After several minutes she seems to calm a bit, her breath still ragged and her face splotchy. "Was...there something special about the ring? You seem...very upset about it..." Selina sniffles and chances a look up at the witch whose expression is kind and gentle. "You can tell me," Taly adds in a whisper. Selina doesn't immediately answer, wiping at her damp cheeks and gulping down a few big breaths. "There was a lady who used to come and visit us. She had a ring that looked like that. She...she stopped coming to see me," the girl says sticking out a quivering bottom lip. "Oh honey, I'm so sorry," Talyara responds as Ian gives her hand an affectionate squeeze. The other children continue to silently watch, occasionally sharing silent glances. "I thought Miss Lanara really liked me and she just disappeared."

Krice noted Talyara's occupation with the children and thus resolved to wait patiently for her to join him outside. He moved toward a nearby line of trees and there he sat, in the shadows upon a surface-root of one particularly large specimen, arms over his thighs, head down as he combatted his own symptoms from the ring.

Talyara feels like she's been sucker punched in the stomach. The realm was so large, what are the chances that this little girl had formed a bond with her sister?! The witch searches her memories and tries to pluck out one where Lana mentioned Selina but none come to mind. She vaguely remembers her giving dance lessons to some children but didn't recall it being at the orphanage. Pain crosses her visage and the kids are quick to pick up on it. "Are you alright, Miss Talyara?" Eva squeaks out from across the room. Taly's nausea returns although it has nothing to do with the lingering nefarious magic from the ring. She blinks several times before the shock wears off a bit and she can answer, the witch realizing there is moisture brimming her eyes. "Y-yeah," she stutters out to Eva, attempting to force a smile on her lips but failing. Twisting on the bed she turns to face Selina more fully and takes the hand that Ian wasn't holding in hers. "I can -promise- you that Lanara didn't leave because of you. It wasn't because she didn't care for you or want to see you." Selina's face scrunches with a mixture of confusion and lingering emotion. "But...she gave me private ballet lessons! I thought she was my friend! That's why I wanted the ring because I thought it made me pretty like her!" Talyara's hand squeezes Selina's a bit more tightly, willing the little girl to believe her. "I need you to listen to me, okay?" The witch waits until their gazes meet before continuing. "Lanara got very, very sick and she doesn't live around here anymore." Try as she might, Taly cannot stop the tears that spring from the corners of her eyes and drip down her cheeks. "She had to go to a special hospital where she can get the care and medicine she needs." Selina frowns, giving her head a small shake. "But...how could you know that?" Talyara gives the girl a sad sort of smile. "Because Lanara is my sister."

Krice raised his left hand to press his thumb against the corner of his nose, against his left eye; those fingers squeezed the opposite side of his head, allowing the warrior some relief from the headache dealt him by the ring. After a moment of silent suffering, his senses attuned to Talyara, and by proxy the children in her present care. The enigma turned his head, squinting toward the windows of the room in which they all rested, and focused. Distance and lack of volume in their part ensured that even his hearing struggled to note their words, but he remained vigilant, eager to hear of more clues as to where the children had found the ring, and why they were so eager to keep it.

The children fall silent as Talyara's words crash over them and they blink up at her. "Lanara is...your sister?" Selina asks in a whisper. Taly nods her head and releases the girl's hand to swipe at her own cheeks. "Yes, Lana is my big sister and I was very sad when she got sick." An idea suddenly strikes the witch and she plows on before any of the children can interrupt. "And that's why I needed to take the ring away. I didn't want any of you to get so sick that you ended up in a hospital like her." Of course, their sickness was physical while Lana's was mental, but they certainly didn't need to know the details. "Do you understand why Krice and I had to remove it?" Selina drops her gaze to her lap and doesn't say anything at first, but eventually she nods her head. "Yes, I understand. I guess I just wanted something to remind me of her." Without missing a beat, Talyara reaches behind her neck and begins to untie the cords of her necklace. She reties the string together and gently places a wrapped rose quartz over Selina's head. The little girl looks down at the crystal, her fingers tracing over the facets. "It looks like ballet slippers," she says with a small smile, commenting on the similar color of the objects. "This necklace was Lanara's," Taly informs her. "She gave it to me after she got sick but I think you're the one who is supposed to have it." Selina holds up the pendant to eye level for a moment before she suddenly flings her arms around the witch and hugs her as tightly as she can. "Thank you so much, Miss Talyara! Do you mean it? I can have it?" Talyara grins and hugs the girl in return. "Of course you can. But you have to promise me you will share it with the others here. I have some more crystals at home, some are mine and some are Lana's. If you want, I can make you all necklaces?"

Talyara doesn't even receive an audible answer, the other children are rushing from their beds to hug the witch as well. "I want a pink one like Selina's!" Eva shouts. "Do you have a blue one?" Ian asks. "I want purple!" "I want yellow!" “I pick green!” The children all yell their requests in a cacophony of joy and Taly cannot help but smile even wider. "Ahem!" Everyone looks towards the door to see the Headmistress standing there, hands on hips and arching her brows at them. Everyone darts back to their beds and Taly notices Selina tucking the necklace into her night dress to hide it from view. "What's going on in here?" she asks the group at large. "Miss Talyara was just making us feel better!" Eva exclaims. "Is that so?" the Headmistress asks and all the kids nod in agreement. Taly stands from Selina's bed and reaches out to touch her cheek gently before walking back towards the door. When she reaches the threshold, she turns back to the children to issue a parting reminder. "Remember, if you're going to play in the swamp, don't drink the water and make sure wash up really, really well before you touch your mouth or eat anything." She winks conspiratorially, letting them know that their secret is safe with her. "Yes, Miss Talyara," they all intone with wide smiles before the witch steps out into the hall.

The Headmistress gives the children a curious glance before telling them to rest and shutting the door behind her. "May I speak to you in my office for a moment?" Talyara nods and follows her back downstairs and into the office where the Headmistress shuts the door to give them ample privacy. When the pair are seated on either side of the desk she cuts right to the chase. "I know you are Lanara's sister." Taly pales and opens her mouth to say something but the Headmistress holds up her hand to silence her. "I do not blame you for what happened," she adds quickly. "What happened here was...devastating, but I know Lana could not have been in her right mind. I saw the way she interacted with the children, there was no hatred or malice there." Talyara bows her head. "Her mind fractured," Taly explains in a meek voice. "I just wanted you to know that you are always welcome here. I think the kids would like it, especially in light of Lanara's absence." Talyara looks up and offers a small grin before nodding her head. "I think I'd like that, too. And I will come and visit, but I really should get going. Krice is waiting for me." Quickly, Taly stands and crosses the room to the door. Her hand is on the knob when the Headmistress calls out. "You're not going to tell me what really caused the sickness are you?" Talyara looks at her over her shoulder and pantomimes zippering her lips closed, turning a key, and throwing it away. “But I can say that they should be feeling better soon. I’ll send some tinctures to help with the lingering symptoms in the meantime.” The Headmistress smiles genuinely at the witch before she slips through the door and orphanage lobby, back out to the streets of Gualon.

Krice moved as Talyara did, traveling around the near side of the orphanage to meet his companion out in the streets of Gualon. Apart from a hint of tension in his brow, he seemed no more discomfited by the impure magics of the cursed ring. As the brunette stepped clear of the building, he turned to face her and offered a small, relieved smile, awaiting her approach.

Talyara moves away from the building feeling considerably lighter than when she had first arrived. Despite knowing that the Headmistress figured out that Lanara was her kin, she was still welcome to visit the children and had even befriended some of them. While she couldn't offer private ballet lessons, she hoped her presence could bring them some comfort in the wake of her sister's absence. "Are you alright?" The witch asks Krice, emerald eyes sweeping over the warrior when they approach one another. "Here, I can take it," she says offering out her palm.

Krice stepped closer to Talyara and reached out to take gentle hold of her, left hand on upper right arm, asking at the same time after her welfare. The jumbled queries inspired a wry smirk, which naturally faded as she asked for the impure ring. He nodded back toward the line of trees. " I placed it beneath some foliage on the border." Of the orphanage land. " Please be careful. I don't know who would could have cursed it, but it's nasty." The warrior turned, leading his companion toward the tree beneath which he had been sitting, pointing to freshly disturbed soil in the shadow of its surface roots.

Talyara likewise smiles when their concerned queries jumble together and she dips her chin in a nod to answer Krice. "I'm okay, I promise." Her stomach was still a little queasy after touching the cursed ring with no barrier, but helping the children and earning their friendship had bolstered her. She follows Krice towards the tree where he buried the ring in the earth, dropping to her knees while her fingers prod the dirt. "It's amusing that you did this," she says with a grin, looking at the warrior over her shoulder briefly. "It's a very witchy thing to try and deal with a curse. Using the elements to cleanse it." Sifting through the soil, Taly, pulls out the folded handkerchief, the nefarious magic still palpable despite the barrier. Slowly (and carefully) she unfold the fabric to see the jeweled ring, noting how it was quite beautiful and elegant and unsurprised that the children were drawn to it. "I'm going to try and bind the dark magic. It won't break the curse but hopefully it will contain it while we get it somewhere to remove it for good." Closing her eyes and clearing her mind, Taly hovers both hands over the jewelry and begins to chant in a whisper. "By the God's name I bind you to the flame and I cast you to the wind. By the power of the Goddess I shun you to the water and I banish you to the earth. May your ability to cause harm fall to my magic." Three times Taly repeats her chant, a golden aura encompassing her hands as she speaks and spreading out to surround the cursed ring. After speaking her words for the third time, she concludes in a more forceful tone by exclaiming, "so mote it be!" The aura explodes into a metallic dust before dissipating into nothingness. The witch takes a moment to ground herself, allowing the magical energy coursing through her to seep back into the earth before her eyes flutter open. The ring doesn't look any different, and there is still a feeling of unease around it; however, the ill effects would not be able to touch those near it for the time being. Still, as a precaution, Taly rewraps the ring in the cloth before standing and slipping it into her pocket.

Krice was reassured by Talyara's promise that she was fine, his overall disposition relaxing as a result. Slightly behind and to the side of the woman, he waited as she excavated the ring--it wasn't more than a finger's length below the surface--and stiffened with apprehension once it was uncovered from the handkerchief. Her words explaining the reason behind his burial being amusing were met with a wry smirk. " I just wanted to hide it - maybe temper its magical range..." The warrior was quiet thereafter, attentive as the emerald-eyed witch repeated her restricting chant over the ring. That golden aura drew his focus and he pressed his lips together, steady on his feet despite that continued apprehension. When at last it burst and dissipated, his brows shot up quizzically and he tilted his head to follow her as she stood once more, crimson locked on emerald. A nod preceded his words, spoken in a tone of awe and intrigue. " Well done."

Talyara turns to face Krice, her cheeks flushed and skin tingling after her use of magic. Even her eyes seemed a brighter shade of green than normal. "Well, I'm not completely useless," she teases the warrior, knocking her shoulder against him before turning her eyes north past the orphanage. "Wanna get out of here? I have to go home and make some necklaces."