#catisawells

[catisawells]

[warenfitzgerald]

A Meeting of Prophecy

   “Mister Fitzgerald..?” The aspiring sorceress’s small voice asked, uncertain of the choices she was making. Just behind her stood the Monk from earlier that had been rather protective when he had mentioned Miss Wells. Though regardless it was a good sign to hear from them so soon. The old man smiled warmly to the pair and gestured for them to join him at the small table shoved into the corner of the tavern.

   “Yes, yes, please come join me. Order whatever you like.” His voice was deep and inviting as he looked to Dairon, “I apologize if I caused you concern earlier. Your guards haven’t been so inclined to grant me an audience and when I saw you all here I thought I couldn’t waste such an opportunity!” A belly laugh escaped the old man as the girls quietly shifted their way over to join him, “But enough about that, I’m sure you have a lot of questions.”

   “How do you know I’m The Oracle?” Catisa blurted out before her partner could give her snide remark, who opted to simply scowl and fold her arms as she stared him down. “What does that even mean, anyway? And why me?!” Her voice shook as she demanded answers and only paused when the older gentleman held up a hand as though to interject.

   “Well, Miss Wells I presume,” Waren started as he leaned forward with one arm braced against the table to hold himself up. “I do not know why any of us were chosen, but I do know that you are the anchor, the connection to this realm from the other side. Those nightmares that plague you are visions of a future yet to come and it is my goal to prevent it. I too was visited by a shadowy figure who told me I had an important role to play. To gather you up with the other servants and prevent this prophecy from taking root. To which I might add we should waste no time in beginning our search for.”

   “Are you kidding?!” Dairon spat, “You expect us to just give you some kind of free pass because you claim to be some kind of Prophet?” The leather wrapped around the woman’s knuckles tightened audibly. Catisa’s brow knit with worry and reached out with one hand to attempt to help calm her partner.

   Waren sighed as he was about to plead his case yet again to the young monk, but found himself cut off by the mage herself who turned to look her partner in the eyes as she spoke, “I believe him.” She started, “This cloaked figure keeps appearing in each and every dream no matter how the dream may differ from the last. Every time he appears he tells me to ‘Awaken’ and that it’s time. It has to be related, there’s no way this could just be a coincidence.”

   The old man caught himself in awe of the presence that was emitted from the petite mage in that moment and had to wonder what potential truly lay beneath that well kept shell. Some deep power that resonated of something darker, just on the edges of her mind and out of reach. Dairon huffed and offered Catisa a pleading look before she finally nodded her resignation, “Alright. I trust you.”

   “Thank you,” The aspiring sorceress grinned and turned around to address Waren once more, “So where do we start?”

  He was taken aback by the sudden change in the course of the conversation, but it appeared that at last he had found the one. The true Oracle. “Well,” A smile found its way to his aged features as he settled back into his chair once more. “There’s the trouble. Outside of locating you, I’ve had little luck finding the others. The Seeker would probably know where to find them, but that trail fell cold long ago. I have heard a rumor of a Kaldorei that calls herself The Hand gone rogue in Darkshore, however. That’s where I was going to go next after I found you, but now I am beginning to think this might be a job better suited for younger… more versatile hands.” As he spoke he gestured toward the pair of women knowingly.

   “Wha- I don’t know, is that all we have to go on?” Catisa asked with an arched brow after exchanging glances with Dairon.

  “I heard the tale from one of those Kaldorei Sentinels. I expect you’ll gather more information by asking the locals, but I urge caution… The Hand is the most fierce of the Servants and the most loyal. Their role is that of the Enforcer.”

@ronqueesha​ for mention))

[maxparkhurst]

💝 - Who are some rpers you look up to?

Well. First off. You <3 

If I’m being honest, I’m not a big fan of these kind of questions. There are so many people in the RP community who I look up to and I’m torn between making a massive shout-out post or highlighting those who’ve made a recent impact. I never want anyone to feel left out. Everyone who has taken the time to interact with me, or whose writing has crossed my dash, has impacted me and my writing. I admire creators, plain and simple. But on that note, I also want to acknowledge and fully embrace those who’ve made the biggest impact. So...I guess I’ll do both. 

Disclaimer: If you happen to not be tagged in this, know that it’s not because I don’t think you’re dope. Because you are <3 I’m just a derp who has a hard time keeping names straight in my head. So, forgive me. 

<clears throat> To all the following writers, bloggers, creators: You are phenomenal. Seeing your work cross my dash has been the highlight of my year. The talent I’m exposed to is phenomenal and sometimes a bit intimidating. I often find myself with imposter’s syndrome as I sit with all these lovely creators and...Well. Create. So, if ever doubt about your work crosses your mind know that you’ve got an eager fan waiting on the edge of their seat. Big hugs and creative blessings to: @asharinhun @zeehva @renardsnoir @ranekvilmas @arcane-artisan @arcanist-starweaver @lightsong-legacy @dardillien-ward @jocelyn-wellson @melorica @saidelia-draconis @wandering-mesa @octaevia-reeves @unabashedrebel @annaliseharlowe @safrona-shadowsun @risrielthron @newsnerd-ooc @foxglovethings @abighail-stalsworth @ameliarabon @thalsianiii @kyuusei-shadowleaf @mozelledeliond @quai-mason @enigmatic-elegance @alexandria-morrowgrove @alexandriawilliams @merelliahallewell @inkedwolf-compendium @dawncloudrising @ronqueesha @catisawells @darkestfable @lexoncross @taricdarkmorn @twosidedsana @sanasunbringer @fio-renze @bluexepher @blue-eyedraven @alyssa-ward @YOU! CAUSE YOU’RE READING THIS AND I LOVE YOU! 

KEEPING BEING AWESOME, MY DUDES! 

I’ve got another one of these lurking around in my ask box, so I’ll take the time to praise some individuals there <3 Love you all to bits and thanks for the ask!

[darkestfable]

Different: Three members of the opposite sex they find attractive.

“Saedre, hands down. I’ve known her for years ‘n she ain’t got any less beautiful. She’s one of those genuine people too, attractive inside ‘n out.” “Dahlyah, too. She’s just the right amount of sassy ‘n aggressive, adventurous as hell too. Lookin’ forward to workin’ with her.” “Third uh... Catisa is pretty cute, yeah? Ain’t into me none, ‘n that’s fine. She’s got a lot of potential, ‘n that is pretty attractive to me.” (Mentions @arcanist-starweaver , @dahlyah-grimshatter , @catisawells )

[dahlyah-grimshatter]

The Price of Life

WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE

In the name of King Anduin Wrynn, a bounty has been placed on:

“The Dreadmaws”

A chimaera beast posing a threat to Nethergarde Troops in Blasted Lands A payout of 500G reward is offered if captured alive, 300G if terminated. Proof of termination required.

The dust settled. The deed was done. Another mark down.

Dahlyah grunted as she pulled her hood back, face contorted into a scowl. She looked over the heap of dead chimaera in front of her; never had she been more disappointed to have felled a bounty! It all happened so fast-- the monstrous beast shredding her arcane-charged net, and barreling for the Dark Iron with a vengeance! Ridley dove in, deterring the beast for a moment, but that only earned him the chimaera’s ire, himself! It came down to a critical decision. Kill the beast, or the beast would kill Ridley! And Dahlyah couldn’t let it happen! She fired on impulse, discharging three shots into the Dreadmaws’ chest in a tight grouping. It was over before she could even catch her breath again.

Why was she so upset about this? She looked over to Ridley as he ran up beside her, the brave fool having complete trust in Dahlyah to make the right call. And for him, she certainly did. 

But yet she still felt so conflicted! The poster said “Dead or Alive.” And Dahlyah wasn’t ever too heartbroken about picking dead. Less payout, sure. But less hassle, too. But… after conversing with Catisa, she’d decided on the latter. 

"There's enough killing in this world already... so much death, and most of it for reasons we don't even fully understand. It takes a lot more for a person to study and learn from something than it does for them to simply pull a trigger, so to speak." She giggled at herself and smiled to Dahlyah with her head canted slightly to the side, "No offense."

Some offense, Dahlyah remembered. But she didn’t say it out loud. She took it as a challenge from the Gilnean mage-- could she bag the beast for study, rather than just kill it and be done with it? 

She tried. She really did. 

She brought the netting, muzzles, and even had a wagon stashed around one of the towering pillars to haul the monster back to Stormwind. But things didn’t break that way. And something about actually trying and failing made it hurt that much more.

“It takes a lot more… than… to simply pull the trigger.” Catisa’s words rang out in her mind. 

Mocking her. 

Clearly, it took more than Dahlyah had.

[[ @catisawells for mention ]]

[catisawells]

The Beginning

    Dark clouds rolled overhead and screams of terror echoed through the valley from the small village below their Estate. Redridge was under assault and the reports all clearly made the assailants to be Scourge. Not the militarized Forsaken, but a far more lethal and untamed force as though Icecrown itself had suddenly descended upon them. The Estate guard had mobilized and was doing what they could to reinforce their barriers while still assisting the townsfolk where they could. Her first priority was to get as many refugees as possible into the safety of the estate that had wards, walls, and soldiers to defend it.

    Everyone had been rushing around for hours, with no warning at all. It had started out just like any other normal day before the clouds rolled in and the screams of terror began. Since then Catisa had not ceased to direct the flow of staff members and guards wherever they lacked it. Constant running around and shouting took its toll, half a day passed and evening descended, though it looked no different than the daytime at this point. Fires illuminated the horizon, places where the scourge had broken through their ranks.

    “Miss Wells?” One of the chambermaids paused her bustling about to peer at the aspiring sorceress inquisitively, “Are you alright?”

    The truth was she had felt light-headed all day and hadn’t eaten a thing, but in the state of things she hardly felt like she could eat. “I’m fine, thank you! Please, keep…” Her breath escaped her and the world began to spin as her legs gave out. The chambermaid let out a gasp and caught her just before she hit the ground, though the mage was out cold. After the woman dragged her off to the side of the courtyard Catisa stirred once more. She drew a deep breath and jumped to her feet.

    “Miss Wells, I really must insist you take it easy!” The older woman cautioned.

    “No!” Catisa snapped as she glared at the woman, whose expression was suddenly one of fear. Something had clearly startled the woman. “I can’t, not yet. The people need me.” She brushed herself off and trotted out, ignoring what sounded like further protest from the senior staff member. The woman’s concern made her glad Dairon had been assisting the soldiers with corralling the refugees and didn’t see that just now.

[catisawells]

[catisawells]

A New Day

    Warm light from the morning sun filled the lavish chambers provided by The Violet Bastion for her duties as Executive Assistant. They were really quite expansive, down a wing where the only other individual was Mason Kohler, though she hardly ever heard a peep from him. It was almost as though he hardly spent time in his personal chambers. Private washrooms and even a study available where she kept the plethora of reading material she wanted readily at hand.

    After she pulled her robes over her head the aspiring sorceress brought a steaming cup of coffee to her lips, delivered each morning first thing by Aveem. Sometimes it was on time. This morning happened to be one of them and she was thankful for that. Catisa stretched and wandered over to the balcony to push open the doors and look out upon the courtyard. It had been a long night, up late catching up on paperwork so that she could actually take a rare night off for a change and surprise Dairon.

    Just as she brought the cup to her lips once more some movement below caught her eye. The familiar figure of her partner, Dairon, was just below stretched out with her rear end in the air in one of her monk exercises. Catisa took a long drink of the warm and soothing liquid as she leaned over the side to admire the toned muscles on the woman’s body. How they tensed up just the right way to accent her curves and she caught herself smirking. She thought about saying something, but part of her just wanted to enjoy the sight for a little bit longer. After all, no one else would be up for a while.

@ronqueesha @masonkohler @arcanist-starweaver for mention))

[catisawells]

Catisa and her mentor having a rare casual conversation

@arcanist-starweaver

[catisawells]

...Of the End

    It had been Dairon in the end who did manage to convince her to rest. Of course it was her, she could tell when something was wrong no matter how much the aspiring sorceress tried to hide it. They had both agreed to try and get some rest despite the fighting and shouting and alarms that filled the crisp morning air. While difficult at first they both had quickly drifted off to a deep slumber, exhausted from little sleep or rest for the past couple of days. Comforted by the warmth from each other’s arms, the girls clung to each other uncertain if they would ever have the chance again in the coming days.

   Amidst their slumber Catisa’s brow furrowed and once more she was within her dreams, though unlike before she was aware of it. Visions of that same darkness and frost accompanied now by ghouls swarmed about her in quickly fading images until the very ground beneath her feet began to tremble. Deafening cracks like air rushing to fill a vacuum filled her ears and her head started to feel as though it were splitting open. The very sky above opened up to consume everything in a black abyss. She wanted to scream, to cry out, but it hurt so much she could hardly move.

    The aspiring sorceress’s eyes fluttered open as tears rolled down her cheeks and pulled free from Dairon to stumble across the room. She clutched her head with one hand while searching through the cupboards with another until she located some kind of pain relief for her head. After she had managed to swallow the medicine she kept stowed away in case the night terrors became too much and her sobbing gave her a splitting headache as it often did, she breathed a sigh of relief.

    “Cat…?” She heard from the other side of the chamber as Dairon stirred from her movement, the monk always seemed to be aware of her surroundings even in her sleep. Though she was bleary eyed and tired, she could still sense something off about her partner. “Is everything alright?”

    “Of course!” The mage quickly wiped away any trace of her tears before she turned and rejoined her partner on their luxurious bed with a smile, despite the sounds of fighting still ongoing outside. “Just a headache, that’s all. Nothing some more rest won’t fix.”

@ronqueesha​ for mention))

[catisawells]

Training

    “Come on, give it everything you’ve got!” Dairon tried to give her a pep talk while she held up the training pad used for basic combat training and allowed Catisa to hit it. Prior to this they had been very intimately close while Dairon assisted her with her combat stances, though after she was certain she could maintain it they moved on to the next part of the lesson. It was tough, each strike the petite mage made with her palm against the pad barely even made a dent in it. Every muscle in her body screamed for her to stop, unused to the physical exertion for such an extended period.

    Instinct told her to use the explosive power of the fire magic she could manipulate, but that would violate the rules and the sanctity of the training so she buried that urge deep down. Instead she continued to drive her palm as hard as she could in just the way that her partner had shown her again and again. Sweat dripped down her brow and her arm felt like rubber, but still she kept on, each strike slower than the last. Until at last Catisa couldn’t even lift her arm, the strain visible on her features as she tried despite her body giving out on her.

    “I think it’s time for a break.” Dairon spoke from behind the pad and set it aside, “Honestly I thought you would have called it quits long before that, it looks like you’re starting to tap into some of that potential!” Her praise was returned with a faint smile from the aspiring sorceress who fought to catch her breath and collapsed to her knees. “Here, drink some water and keep hydrated.” She added as she saw how exhausted Catisa truly was and handed her a chilled glass brought out by Aveem on a tray. The little familiar was perfectly content just to watch the two women spar in their sportswear, if it meant all he had to do was conjure some water every now and then he was happy to do so!

    Catisa gladly accepted and gasped for air once more after a few healthy gulps. “I just don’t think my body is cut out for this!” She exclaimed with an exasperated sigh, “You make it look so easy, but that pad is more of a nemesis than you are!”

    Dairon laughed and moved to sidle up next to Cat, only pausing to ensure that Aveem could see her doing so and stuck out her tongue at the familiar. “I’ve had years of training. You’ve only been trying for a week! And you’re already ahead of where I was a week in. I couldn’t even hit the training pad for at least a month!”

    A sly smirk spread across Catisa’s lips as she regarded her partner, “I knew you were moving it back! It was almost imperceptible, but you moved it back ever so slightly every time I took a swing to make it seem like my blows weren’t as strong as they were.” The mage looked as though she would have punched her in the shoulder if she could move that much, but her muscles cried out in agony from the intense training sessions she was forcing her through all week.

    “You got me!” Dairon admitted with a boisterous laugh, “Admittedly I went a lot easier than they did with me, but you figured it out so fast! It honestly caught me off guard the first time you made contact. Your form was nearly perfect and you adapted very quickly to being able to extend yourself further as needed. Most take years before such a thing comes to them naturally, but unfortunately what you don’t lack in technique is lessened by the lack of power behind your hits.”

    “I know,” Catisa sighed, “I just-”

    “Waa-” Just then a bucket’s worth of water splashed into Dairon’s face and drenched her, the culprit brazenly stood before them. Aveem’s shoulders bobbed as though he were laughing maniacally and Catisa broke out in laughter, instantly forgetting what she was going to say due to the familiar’s retaliation. The monk started after the familiar who quickly tossed the bucket and skittered away as it was chased around the courtyard. “I’m gonna get you, Aveem!” @ronqueesha​ @arcanist-starweaver​ for mention!))

[catisawells]

Black Ice

    Not a soul stirred on the Estate in the dead of night, the aspiring sorceress had been fast asleep beside her partner in those lavish chambers. Despite the comfort of the soft bed and presence of her lover, her eyes fluttered open and she couldn’t get back to sleep. After a while she decided she needed some fresh air and rose, snatching up a robe to cover herself as she quietly stepped out onto the balcony. Dairon remained asleep sprawled out like she usually did. It was adorable how comfortable she had become around her.

    The evening air was crisp and nipped at her exposed skin which sent a chill down her spine. It was unusually cold, in fact… her eyes went wide as the courtyard began to ice over and plants withered before her. Her breath was visible as the temperature continued to plummet and snow started to fall from the sky more and more until it raged into a winter storm that would consume all of Redridge. Thick layers of ice coated everything in the courtyard save a lone raven that flew against the harsh winds which threatened to overpower the creature.

    It looked as though it were about to win in its continued struggle when tendrils of shadow rose from the crevices of darkness everywhere the eye could see. They writhed and lashed out, destroying everything in their path. One latched onto the raven and pulled it to the ground when in the same instant the ice had crept up her legs and locked her into place. Catisa began to struggle as fear took over and broke her out of her stunned trance that had her gawking in disbelief.

    “No, no not again! Please, just tell me what you want!” The mage cried out.

    “Awaken.” Came that voice completely devoid of life and emotion that rang in her head hollow and forced like gravel. As though her pleas had summoned the presence the cloaked figure that usually accompanied the voice materialized before her from the wisps of the shadows themselves. “It comes.”

    “What comes?! Please stop!” She continued to plead. Behind the figure the ice continued to creep along through the open balcony doors and to the edge of the bed. “No! NO! LEAVE HER ALONE!”

    “Cat! Cat it’s okay!” A familiar voice suddenly cut through the ice and fog and shadow, “I’m here, Cat!

    Brown eyes flew open, tears already streaming down her cheeks as Catisa lunged forward to embrace Dairon. She had been trying to shake her awake due to her screaming in her sleep. “Everything was frozen and shadows were everywhere and you were next and I didn’t know what I would do-” The mage only paused when a heaving sob wracked her body, but it was long enough for Dairon to interrupt.

    “Hey, hey! It’s okay, I’m here. None of it was real. Just take deep breaths like we went over, try to clear your mind. I’ve got you and I’m not going to let any of that happen.” The monk’s tone was hushed and affectionate as she tried to console her, stroking her hair as she continued, “I love you, Cat.” It took nearly an hour for the mage to stop sobbing into her chest. Her breathing had finally started to even out as the telltale signs of her drifting off to sleep began to show. Catisa had informed her of such incidents as a forewarning if she were to spend the night, which had prompted her to teach her the art of meditation.

    Though it was uncomfortable to see first hand. It reminded the monk too much of when she first started her training, unable to sleep through the night plagued with her own nightmarish dreams. Other soldiers that fought in some gruesome battles had similar issues, yet this poor girl hadn’t seen such combat in her life. Whatever she saw had to be terrifying.

@ronqueesha​ for mention))

[catisawells]

Twilight Bastion Excursion: Aftermath

    Usually it was difficult for Catisa to tell if Dairon had been playing an injury off as worse than it was for attention, but this time was different. She could tell just how much pain her partner was in as she helped her limp through the doorway to her chambers. Her own shoulder ached from the rubble that had come crashing down on her, but she fought through it for Dairon’s sake. After the adrenaline had faded exhaustion struck hard.

    Once within her lavish chambers they settled back upon the bed and nearly collapsed together. Fortunately the worst either of them suffered were scrapes and bruises. Given the chasm that opened up beneath that awful beast, their fate could have been far worse. The monk had been especially quiet during their return trip and even after they settled in little changed. They took turns dressing one another’s wounds and cleaning up, wincing and yelping in turn. Neither woman could scold the other as much as they wanted to deep down, they knew the risks of these assignments when they ventured out.

    It didn’t prevent Catisa from admiring her partner’s tenacity or from enjoying the time close to her, even just in the rare silences. Sometimes near death experiences tended to remind one of the value of the time that they have. It wasn’t long before she caught Dairon looking at her with longing eyes and let out a soft giggle.

    “What?” Dairon asked in a teasing tone as she reached across the spread lazily. Catisa might have gone overboard on the bandages and wrapped her upper torso up like a mummy so her mobility had been somewhat impaired.

    “Oh nothing, I just like the way you look at me.” Came the aspiring sorceress’s response as she reached over to cup her partner’s cheek and leaned in to press her lips firmly against hers. “And I’m glad you’re alright.” She murmured softly.

@ronqueesha for mention))

[catisawells]

The Conjurer's Dilemma; a guild job board collaboration.

Catisa Wells looked around from beneath her cowl, the dark woods that surrounded the town certainly gave the whole place a dreary feel, she could only imagine a place called Deadwind Pass wasn’t going to be much better. With a sigh she glanced at the parchment she had jotted a few notes down about their task, the first of which being that she was to meet her partner for the duration of this mission at the town square. The fledgling mage waited patiently, the scarlet robes she wore surely a dead give away as to her career choices, though she began to find it eerie that there was no one outside and despite it being only late afternoon it seemed as though night had fallen upon the area.

Approaching from the north, on the road from Redridge, as what little light filtered through the leaves of the trees dimmed more, the light from the lanterns in town offering some welcome pools of light, a man approached. His silhouette may have been imposing, tall and broad-shouldered, nearly as tall as he was slung across his back, but as he grew closer and noticed Catisa, he raised a hand in greeting with a wide and pleasant smile, "Hey! You're down here from the Violet Bastion too, yeah? Supposed to be meeting someone!" His voice has the characteristic twang of Westfall, giving even the simple greeting a folksy quality.

She nearly yelped when she saw him, an imposing figure in the dark, before he stepped into the light of the street lanterns.  A sigh of relief escaped her lips as he spoke and she lifted her hands to relieve her head of the cowl. "Hello! Yes! My name is Catisa Wells, it's certainly a pleasure. I'm new to the Bastion, but I don't believe we've had the pleasure yet." She extended a hand in an offer to shake if he took it, her touch would be warm and her accent told of a gilnean farm girl.

"The name's Mason!" The man's handshake was firm, yet friendly, and quite enthusiastic. Pulling his calloused hand away - one of his many qualities that made him seem more a workman than one who would be part of an organization like the Violet Bastion - he continued, "Mason Kohler, rather. Haven't made your acquaintance yet, but then again, I haven't spent all too much time at the estate out of the workshop on the grounds trying to get things set up for my specifications." Clearing his throat, he motioned with a jerk of his head towards the east, and Deadwind Pass, "The plan's to track down that elemental and the poor fellow who brought it in, yeah? Any news in town about it?"

"A pleasure, Mister Kohler." She greeted him with a kind smile, "So far it appears to be a ghost town, though I brought something along that should help." With a smirk she reached into a satchel and pulled out a small orb. "A scrying orb. We should be able to track the familiar's movements, assuming that nothing else has interfered with the trail." Catisa gestured toward the mountains to the east, "From what I understand, the guards here lost it in Deadwind Pass, so I expect we should be able to pick up traces of it if we head toward the largest mana reservoir in that direction."

He nodded matter-of-factly, and motioned to the road leading east, which began to rise as it wound through the dark woods out of town and into the rocky pass far beyond, "Lead the way then, Miss Wells. I'm afraid I'm not much use at tracking magic, though I've gotta say, it's a skill I've been hoping to pick up a little more of one of these days. I tend to hunt down, let's say...more mundane threats!" The laugh which punctuated the end of his thought was booming and mirthful, especially in such a silent, dreary location as Duskwood, "Do lead on, and I'll keep at the ready!"

A giggle escaped her, she found his company soothing in their dark and unfamiliar surroundings. "Little tricks like this are things my mother was known for." The Pyromancer began as she started to walk with one hand out, the scrying orb glowing in her palm as she continued, "She was a fortune teller. This was actually hers before she passed, though it has far more uses than that of simple parlor tricks. If applied correctly, it can lock onto the magical signature of a being or even a person and lead you to them wherever they might be."

The man peered at the orb curiously as they walked, listening with a slight tilt of his head as she explained, that broad smile returning, "Yeah? Impressive little thing to be able to carry around! Might need to look into getting one for myself. That is, if I could channel a lick of magic that'd start it up. You might've guessed that that's not where my gifts really lie." He laughed again, following her on the path out of town, "You ever been out in these parts? Been quite a few years for me."

"I'm actually fairly new to the area, so unfortunately I haven't. This is a first for me." She looked around a bit nervously at that, noticing that as they walked the trees and sky grew more grey and dead looking. "Has it always been like this here?" She found herself wondering aloud, "What caused this?" Her steps slowed more and more, the further she got the more uncertain each step became. Though the orb seemed to continue to pulsate its eerie glow as steadily as ever, but the poor girl's hands were trembling and as much as she tried to hide it, it was probably painfully obvious to her companion.

"A mystery I'm afraid I don't know the answer to. Word is something big happened here a long time ago, rumors even say there was some Burning Legion involvement, and having seen just how bleak, I can say I wouldn't doubt it." He offered a reassuring smile, though he too was clearly put on edge by the greying of the world around them, everything from the sky above to the dirt beneath their feet, "What's hard to believe is that something like this is so close to home."

"The Legion..." Catisa echoed, recalling the all too recent war and sundering of their world by a giant blade and shuddered, "I've only read about some of the things the Legion are capable of, but that seems likely." She nodded, "So close to home and yet people still squabble over the price of a loaf of bread in the streets." Another sigh escaped her, raven black locks of hair fell over her features as her brow furrowed and their voices began to echo off of the valley walls around them. It was then that the orb in her palm began to glow a bright blue, illuminating a path before them of what appeared to be residual arcane. To someone not attuned to such a sight, it might look more like blue dust that glows in the dark.

Mason's brow, too, furrowed, recalling scenes of such squabbling himself, over the price of bread in Stormwind, and over the last scraps back home in Westfall, "Folks don't like to worry about the big things too much, I find. Reckon it gives them some peace, a little bit of control over what's going on. I know back home, even when the Legion was right there, skies choked with them..." He trailed off, dropping his thoughts as he narrowed his eyes at the glowing trail before them, "Looks like we've got something!"

The aspiring sorceress grinned, her tone excited and devoid of any trace of unease she had felt only moments before. "It does! and it looks like it's arcane in nature, so it's likely this is our familiar." She looked up at him and looked as though she might start sprinting down the path before she quirked a brow, "The signs should grow stronger as we get closer. These things can be tricky so we want to corner it before we spook it. And... I can understand that, to a degree, but I have no wish to live in the dark and hide." With a shake of her head she returned her gaze to the illuminated trail before them and continued their previous pace. "I was raised better than that."

"Sounds like we've got that in common then, Miss Wells. If I'd waited around for things to happen and didn't go out and find life for myself, well..." He shrugged, making to follow the trail, "Can't say I'd be the same person I am today. It's good that there are some of us out there who'll worry about the big things so others don't need to, yeah?" He flashed back his broad, excited grin as he moved further ahead, "Shall we?"

A wide grin flashed across her features as she watched him pull ahead of her and she moved to quicken her pace, the orb pulsing a dull blue in time with the arcane dust. "Yes, lets!" She giggled, "And it is, nice that is, to know there are others out there. It seems today has been an interesting day for conversations or perhaps I am just tired and thinking too deeply as of late."

"Met some other interesting folks? Not a bad thing, not at all, I say!" Mason continued following the trail illuminated by Catisa's scrying orb, though he moved carefully, and surprisingly quietly in his place-reinforced leathers, clearly having taken the mage's advice to heart about being sure to corner the elemental before engaging, "I'm awfully sure the best conversations are when you're on the road, or doing something interesting, rather than just sitting around."

"Someone else new to the Violet Bastion, actually. I think you'd like her, a Dark Iron dwarf by the name of Dahlyah, a huntress that knows only the hunt." She giggled. A moment later she brought her hand up and pointed into the distance, "See there? Where it starts to get brighter? We're getting close." As she spoke her voice lowered and her footsteps grew softer. Upon the horizon they could start to make out the roof of a tall structure, crooked and haunted by all manner of beings was the building that towered over the basin. The closer they got the more evident it became that their trail lead straight there.

"Wait a second... Name sounds awfully familiar." He pursed his lips in thought before his eyes widened in sudden recognition, a grin splitting his face, "I remember, I ran into her a while back! Let me pick one of the bounties she was looking for and have the job myself! It'll be good to see her again, I think!" He shook his head, "Not important right now, though. Looks like..." He trailed off as his gaze followed the haphazard tower to its summit, "Trouble, really. I never wanted to get this close, but we've got work to do."

She swallowed hard as she realized where they were headed, the trail led straight down to what appeared to be crypts below. "I didn't realize you two were already acquainted!" Came her response, though she was practically whispering at this point and her free hand had begun to reach for the fabric on his arm. An instinctual reach for someone to clutch onto and his much larger form certainly made her feel more at ease than she would have been, but nothing had prepared her for what they might see down there. "I-it looks like it's down there..." Catisa looked about, spotting no other entrances or trails to follow. "Assuming our familiar is the only thing down there, it may have made our jobs a bit easier."

"I'm sure hoping so..." Mason peered down the path ahead and down the dimly-lit stairwell leading to the crypts, "Last time I found myself wandering into some underground ruin, it wasn't the most pleasant experience, lemme tell you. On the bright side, I did make it outta that alright! So I'm sure we'll be fine!" His bravado, however, was not matched by his face, his grin having fallen away and been replaced by a look of cautious resolve. Following the still-shimmering trail left by the scrying stone, he pulled the sword from his back and held it before him, traces of lightning crackling along its blade offering some very slight light in the growing darkness.

A nervous laugh escaped the girl beside him, "At least there's that..." Her eyes then fell to the blade in his hand, having taken note that he had no abilities to call upon the arcane when he stated so she caught herself thinking aloud, "Enchantments?" The scrying stone would lead them down into the depths of the caverns full of sarcophagi. "I really hope that Remy Whiteley gentleman didn't end up making this his grave too."

He let out a chuckle, far from the booming laugh that had echoed off the cobblestones of Darkshire, and shook his head, "Enchantments? Something like that. Call it a gift. Not anything I'd be calling magic, but I can do a little more than just swing a sword if need be." He grimaced at the tombs lining the walls of the crypt, a sigh escaping his lips, "Gonna agree with you on that one. Whatever mistake he might've made in summoning something too big for him to control, poor man doesn't deserve to rot down here."

Catisa seemed put at ease a bit more in his presence, perhaps he was just humble about his own talents. "I'd love to know more about it when we're not, um," At this point her voice was a barely audible whisper as she practically clung to him, only poking her head out to see and her hand to illuminate the passages with the orb. "Crawling through dead people." She slammed her mouth shut, tears in her eyes as she felt a squeal rise in her throat from something cold and wet brushing across her leg briefly. It took all she could not to give away their presence, practically holding her breath as they continued forward, one step at a time.

Mason offered another reassuring smile, hoping it was visible even in the gloom of the crypt. He seemed to focus for a moment, the lightning dancing along his blade becoming brighter, more of a constant, softly crackling glow, and illuminating more than just a few steps ahead. The stones were damp, this far below the surface, but the light gave more in secure footing than they'd had a moment before, "Any way of telling how far away we are from the familiar we're after with that?" He motioned with a slight nod towards the scrying stone, "I feel like we - I hope, should say - don't have much further to go."

She nodded with a quiet noise from behind him, thankful for the additional light his blade provided. "It will start to-" As she was about to speak; the orb began to flash, slower at first, but as they proceeded the pace between pulses quickened. "Do that." She continued flatly. Up ahead of them was a divergence in the path, it split off into three other directions, but the brightest one of the three that veered off to the right appeared to be where their target lay. "Be careful," She whispered, "It's not much farther now... we want to catch it by surprise and..." With a brief pause she reached into her satchel and held out a small pale blue crystal. "Take this. Charge it like you do your blade and throw it at the familiar, it should stun it long enough for us to surround it."

Beginning to follow the light illuminating the right-hand tunnel, Mason took the crystal in hand with a nod of thanks, "Sounds like a solid plan to me. If we can keep it from coming back the way it came, we should be pretty well set." With a firm grip on the blue stone, a crackle of lightning shot down the man's arm, an inner glow springing from the crystal as it became charged with power. Stepping softly, blade at the ready as the pair approached the end of the hall, the gentle glow of magic beyond giving away the rogue familiar's location, Mason bent his arm back, and threw! The crystal arced through the door, a crackling trail in its wake, landing in the room beyond with a crash of thunder and a surge of electricity, "Now!"

Catisa followed his lead and darted into the room. It was a crypt with no exit other than the way they came, perfect for their trap. "Here!" She called out, "I'll block the exit!" At the far end of the room the familiar stood dazed, the flowing water that made up its form seized from the shock that crystal had delivered so suddenly. With a wave of her hands she began to cast a spell, flames ignited at her palms and weaved around her fingertips that moved intricately with practiced movements. Once Mason was clear of the threshold she would release the gathered energy in a burst of molten rock that filled the doorway and quickly sealed the exit.

"Good call!" Mason grinned broadly, leaping past the threshold of the dead-end crypt, brandishing his sword, now surging with lightning, against the elemental. Trapped and stunned as it was, it was left entirely defenseless, giving the man an opening. In a huge arc, he swung his weapon up over his head and brought it crashing down on one of the bracers that bound the familiar to the mortal world. Thinking himself clever, Mason did not foresee the magic feedback that erupted from the shattered bracer, and was thrown back onto the damp floor. Nevertheless, as he began to push himself back to his feet, the elemental - now aware of its surroundings once more - made for him, though it seemed to be sluggish in its movements, burdened by its new state, "May have miscalculated just a bit there..."

With one bracer shattered that left one more to go. Crimson robes whirled about as she spun on her heel and faced the beast, the room illuminated by the dull glow of the molten rock in the doorway. Flames licked at her palms before she extended her arms and unleashed a quick fireball to try and deter it from attacking Mason before he had the chance to recover, but the flames quickly sizzled out of existence in the familiar's watery form. "Uh oh," She uttered, her eyes wide as it grew enraged, cornered in what it had made its home. "Look out!"

Sword in hand, Mason had made it to his feet! The elemental's fists, swirling and frothing white like river rapids, pounded down on him, the blows parried with deft and surprisingly swift movements of such a large sword. The blade itself simply slid through the watery creature's form, just enough to deflect the blow as if diverting the flow of a river. Without a chance to regain the momentum, Mason found himself backed into the crypt's wall. Feeling the cold stone on his back, he braced himself against it, threw his sword to the side, clattering to the ground with a shrill echo, then lunged forward, passing through the wall of water that had backed him into the corner, and emerged from the other side soaked and sputtering. Whirling around, he raised his hands before him, and with a shout, a crackling burst of lightning shot forth, a bright flash in the dark with a sound like thunder, stunning the elemental anew, "The bracer, finish it off!"

A gasp had escaped the young mage as he pushed his way through the elemental, she had never considered that maneuver. Wouldn't you drown from doing that? And was equally surprised when he made it through and stunned the familiar. She quickly regained her composure when he shouted and nodded her understanding, flames licked at her palms once more and danced around her fingertips as she gathered more energy than she had for her prior blast and extended her left arm to let forth a plume of flame that engulfed the elemental and converged upon the remaining bracer. Her brow furrowed from the strain and focus, a bead of sweat dripped down her cheek as the room temperature suddenly made a drastic change and not only did the elemental begin to evaporate, the bracer itself started to melt. The creature threw its arms back and a watery scream filled the room just as the bracer shattered from the forces colliding. Catisa gasped for breath as the flow of water finally began to disrupt and fell to her knees, the flames from her arm ceased and left a trail of smoke in its wake.

Seeing all that remained of the elemental - slick traces of moisture on the stone floor, steam swirling about from its sudden dispersal, and the two mangled bracers that had bound it - Mason let out a booming, triumphant laugh, "It is done, and done well! Beautiful work!" He turned to Catisa, still wearing a huge grin, and stepping over to her extended a hand to help her up, though he himself was still bedraggled and breathing heavily.

She winced as he grabbed her hand and with her tiny frame she compared to his she was practically hoisted up. Though in somewhat of a daze, she offered him a weak smile. "Indeed." Came her agreement between ragged breaths and waved a hand at the doorway, the molten rock that had prevented escape melted away to leave only scorch marks where it had once been. "Thank you, Mason. I don't think I could have done this without your help." Though the admission was true, she still seemed preoccupied as she now finally took the time to familiarize herself with the room.

"Hey, don't mention it! It's what I'm here for, after all. That said, not sure how well I'd have managed either, if we're being entirely honest here. I'm better at dealing with things that are, let's say, solid, yeah?" He chuckled to himself as he picked up his fallen weapon and slung it across his back once more. Finally taking the chance to look around the gloomy chamber himself, he crossed his arms over his chest and grimaced at simply how sodden his leathers still were, "Lovely little hole it found for itself. Any reason you can think of? I'm no expert, but elementals don't seem the sort to like creepy tombs."

With the adrenaline passing she found her sense of humor once more and giggled at his comments about solid objects, though that quickly faded and a frown found its way to her lips. "At first I thought it was because of the ley lines beneath Karazhan, though I should be so foolish as to think they were for reasons related to a passage in a book I had just read. It seems there was an ulterior motive." As she finished speaking she gestured with her right hand toward the far end of the chamber where a corpse lay crumpled in the fetal position, bloated from taking on too much water and likely drowned, though the stench was well masked by the surrounding musk of the tomb.

Mason wrinkled his nose and, shaking his head, knelt down beside the poor, drowned conjurer, "Must be our summoner, fled from Duskwood and led his rebellious familiar on a chase. Shame we didn't get here quicker, but looks like he's been here for a little while anyway." He reached out a plated hand to close the bloated body's eyes, still gaping in the throes of drowning, "We'll have to send someone out this way to take him home, if he's got a family." Pushing himself back up from his knees, he raked a hand back through his soaked hair, pushing it from his face, "I'm about ready to get outta here, I think."

Catisa Wells nodded eagerly at his final remark, her voice shaky as she spoke. "That makes two of us." Came her agreement and took one last look at the corpse, the frown on her features deepened and she shook her head as she slipped back through the threshold and started down the path that had led them there. She folded her arms across her chest, tucking herself in as though she were attempting to console herself.

@masonkohler​

[catisawells]

Grading Papers

    Within the Violet Bastion Estate’s personal chambers, a dim light flickered beneath a single chamber door. This late at night most were already asleep, though Catisa was up late burning the midnight oil with a stack of papers upon her desk. Even in the dim lighting it was painfully obvious she had barely unpacked her belongings, a suitcase on top of the dresser had clothes hanging out where they hadn’t been put away. Among those were a mask and goggles she had obtained in preparation for the excavation in Uldum. The Scrying Orb seemed to be the only bit of personal belongings unpacked, the only thing she had left of her mother.

    She smiled each time she looked at it and from time to time, despite herself, she found she spoke to it as if her mother could still hear her through it. The aspiring Sorceress scanned page after page, a side assignment she had picked up from Ilrygon Wyrmdust in an attempt to prove her worth. One of many, she was sure. Next to her rest a stack of books, most pertaining to studies of ley lines, which was one of her weaker subjects. Occasionally she had to check herself and ensure she was correct in grading the students of Master Wyrmdust. It wouldn’t do to have her marking them incorrectly.

    “I’m glad I have new friends that are willing to reassure me I’m not pathetic for seeking an opportunity to prove myself and further my teachings. In fact they encourage it. You would like them, mama. They’re a little odd and drink to excess, but they’re good people. Papa always told me what a good judge of character you are. I hope I got your judgement.” She giggled to herself as she continued to grade with an occasional glance over to the Orb. “In fact they gave me the courage to admit who I am to myself and to the world. I only hope my experiences with the Director and any other tutors she appoints, depending on what she decides, is so encouraging. I want to impress them, but I am also here to learn.”

    With a light sigh she turned over the last of the pages. Finally, she thought, How many students does Ilrygon have, anyway? Catisa smirked to herself and stacked them up neatly to be taken to Ilrygon’s office first thing in the morning before she went to blow the candle out, only pausing to look at the Orb once more and say, “Goodnight, mama and papa.”

@wyrmdust​

[catisawells]

Spelunking

Chatter filled the bustling streets of the small town of Lakeshire while she waited out by the docks for her new friend. She stood with crimson robes wrapped about her person. A light breeze rolled through and pulled at raven locks indicative of the seasons changing, her satchel by her side and a smile upon her soft features.

Snowyn joined her new found peer, Catisa shortly armed as well as any mage should be on a rescue mission. Snowyn knew all too well what could go wrong and so equipped herself proper – her twisted birch wand at her side, her banged up staff with a sand-worn stone at the top, and a small dagger – just in case. She wasn’t going to risk either of them getting injured and wanted to make sure she was ready. The red-headed mage bounded over to Catisa, heavy, purposeful steps echoing on the wooden dock. “Thank you for waiting, Miss Wells! I do hope I didn’t keep you waiting long. Had to make sure we’re ready for this venture,” she said waving her hand about and producing a pointed, worn-out blue hat that matched her blue worn out robes. She popped it on her head, but it did little to tame all the wild curls on her crown.

A giggle escaped Catisa as she grinned to her colleague, "I wasn't waiting long! It's good to see you again, Miss Silverfield, though I wish it were under better circumstances than a search party." She patted her hip, gesturing toward her satchel from before with the endless bottom much like her own. "I brought along some supplies that might help, and if we need it literal breadcrumbs, just in case!" She gave Snowyne an awkward thumbs up, "Shall we head that way?"

“Breadcrumbs,” Snowyn replied, “A perfect idea, Miss Wells. Wasn’t thinking that far ahead. Hopefully nothing eats them, otherwise we’ll be stuck in there as well!” she snickered. Snowyn unhooked her wand from her hip and gave it a gentle blow; the stone at the tip lighting up in a soft, blue light. She drew in a deep breath and nodded, “Let us find Mister Reeve and Miss Twistphase. I just hope we’re not too late…” Snowyn trailed off and lead the way to the tunnel entrance, just beyond the edge of Lakeshire.

"Yes, lets!" Catisa corralled with her new friend and colleague and trotted off with her toward the entrance. The walk was short, though pleasant, with the birds chirping and cool breeze wafting through. After a time she pointed to a fold in the mountain beside them and shouted, "There!" As they crested the hill the cavern entrance fell into view before them, the arcane guardians posted out front motionless as statues.

Snowyn approached the entrance, looking at both of the arcane guardians. She looked them over, her right brow cocked into place as she began investigating them and inspecting them for any flaws. Seeing no such errors, she shrugged, “They seem perfectly fine. No one has tampered with them or put any spells on them to get past their defenses,” she hummed in thought, “I guess we’ll find our answers inside I suppose!” she said cheerfully, pointing her illuminated wand into the darkness of the tunnels. Torches were spaced out evenly along the tunnel walls, but even they weren’t bright enough to see much in there.

Catisa tapped her chin with a forefinger in thought, "I don't know much about them in particular, but they look fine to me too!" She shrugged and looked around before she stepped forward and waved a hand around in an intricate pattern, "It looks as though the wards weren't tampered with either, at least in this area."  With a wave she summoned Snowyn to her, "Come on! Let's stick together, just in case." She smiled at her companion for the journey and started to lead their way into the caverns.

Just as Snowyn was about to take out a magnifying glass and investigate the guardians further, she was instantly teleported over to Catisa. The mage stood there for a second, blinking a few times and trying to gain her bearing before following Catisa into the caverns. She held out her wand, the blue light emitting from the tip lighting their way. The mage scanned the area, her green eyes darting from one thing or another; she didn't want to miss any clues or creatures that would come out of nowhere and chase after them!

Soft footsteps padded carefully down the cavern, brown eyes alert as she examined each rune and ward they passed. Farther and farther in, the tunnel seemed endless until at last they reached a fork in their path. Both seemed safe enough, all that remained was to find out which way they should go in their search. "Which way do you think goes to the market?" Catisa inquired as she reached into her bag and began to dig around for something. There didn't seem to be any clear indicators of which way they should take, simply the same repetitive patterns along the cavern walls where the runes were inscribed.

Snowyn shook her head, "Your guess is as good as mine, Miss Wells - I've only been escorted through here once and the arcane guardians are the ones that walked me through," she pointed her fingers at each path, "Enee, meenee, minee..." her finger landed on the left path "mo!" she snickered, "Let's give this one a try shall we. Should break out those bread crumbs you have handy? I believe we're going to be needing them right about now."

With a giggle she nodded and pulled out a loaf of stale bread, "Great minds think alike!" Catisa paused a moment to reach up and mark the wall at the entrance of the path they had decided to take with a small scorch mark in the shape of a star. "For added assurance." She stated to her colleague before she ripped a corner off of the bread and began to sprinkle it behind them as they proceeded. There was very little space between them as they moved, her willingness to not allow any distance between them so they wouldn't get separated was very apparent.

Snowyn noted the closeness between them and smiled; best to stick close together! Snowyn continued holding out the wand in front of her. In the darkness of the cave, a small, but very benign article of clothing lay on the cold, hardened dirt beneath them. Much like a child with a stick, Snowyn poked at it before gently picking it up. She stared, pursing her lips: a lacy, purple bra! "I'm guessing this must be Kisles..." she looked it over, "no blood. Signs of any rippage...." she shoved the bra into her small purse, disappearing into the void, "I do hope she's okay. Her and Luka."

"Me too!" Catisa nodded in agreement as she inspected the garment as well, brow arched. "Though, what a piece of clothing to lose here... where are the rest of them?" She sighed with a huff, uncertain if they would even find the answers. As they continued shuffling along in the dim light of the cavern with torches that grew fewer and farther in-between, she conceded, "At least that tells us we're headed in the right direction."

"I just hope we're not too late..." Snowyn said sadly. She pointed her wand forward and took Catisa's lead, looking for any more signs of the pair. For what seemed like ages, Snowyn walked beside her companion, trying to find any other clues. So far, none to be found. The last article of clothing had been the bra and nothing else had turned up just yet. Snowyn sighed, concern growing on her features each minute that passed by with nothing to be found.

Every few feet she tore off a new piece of bread to sprinkle in their wake, her brow furrowed with worry, "Agreed." Catisa stated, but just as she thought to quicken the pace a chill ran down her spine. From somewhere ahead of them a low and haunting wail reverberated off of the cavern walls and it took all the poor girl had not to shriek as she turned to cling desperately to Snowyn. Her hands trembled and she looked even more pale than she did in the artificial light from her wand.

Being the scardey cat that she was, Snowyn clung to Catisa back! She held her close, perhaps almost too close that she could very well suffocate Catisa, if she didn't do anything to push the red-haired mage back. "What on Azeroth was that!?" she said in a low, panicked whisper to Catisa. She held out her wand, swinging it back and forth in a rushed motion, "You heard that right? Of course you did. Goodness..." she said turning pale herself.

Catisa nodded as they clung to each other, though color quickly returned to her cheeks as she realized how close they were and blushed heavily. "M-maybe-" She gulped in an attempt to compose herself. "Maybe that was the reason they're missing." Came her conjecture despite trembling hands, still white-knuckling any fabric of Snowyn's that she could have clung to. "D-do you think ghosts are real?" She asked suddenly in her paralyzed state.

Snowyn drew in a deep breath - it was time to woman up! She stopped clinging to Catisa and gently reassured her with soothing rubs to her upper arms. Gazing into the dark for a moment, she looked back at Catisa, "I do... which is why we're here. To put them to rest if they're the reason Luka and Kisles are missing...." she cleared her throat, standing up straight, "We got to be brave. Too late to turn back now..." she said, crouching low and moving quietly forward. She blew at the tip of her wand, dulling the light in it just enough for them to see in front of them. She looked back at Catisa and smiled warmly, "Come along now. Lets not surprise whatever ghouls lurk here... If things get bad, just start shooting and run, understood? Follow your marks and bread crumbs back."

She cleared her throat and nodded, "Right." Her features hardened as she took the possibility of a threat far more seriously, and continued spreading bread crumbs behind them and marking the walls at each turn they took. The silence was near deafening as they proceeded to creep along in the darkness of the caverns seldom traveled, her shoulders arched with the mental preparation to brace herself for the next surprise. Catisa dared not speak even in a whisper in case something was listening, laying in wait for them to be caught off guard.

Snowyn carefully stepped through the darkness, her wand raised up over her head. She stayed vigilant as the two of them creeped through the darkness. The same sound from earlier echoed through the tunnels, only this time it was a little louder. It was unnerving, to say the least, but Snowyn crept forward. Her steps became hushed as to not surprise whatever it was they were going to find in the tunnels ahead of them. In the darkness, a dull flame lit up the tunnels. Shadows danced across the walls. Snowyn paused, pointing as they neared their destination. "Get ready..." she said in a padded whisper.

Catisa nearly dropped the bread as a second wail echoed through the cave, though she was able to maintain her composure this time. With brows knit the mage flicked her free wrist and flames began to dance at her fingertips. "Whatever it is... I have your back." She tried to reassure herself as much as her compatriot. There was a dim light further down the tunnel as though there was another torch or lantern that flickered erratically. Strange elongated shadows of misshapen and malformed creatures flashed down the tunnel walls accompanied by rustling sounds of movement in the distance.

Snowyn nodded to Catisa, a look of determination disguising the nervousness she felt going forward towards the light. As they made their approach, rustling could be heard, but no voices; nothing to give away it or all of it was. Snowyn rounded the corner, her back pressed to the cavern wall as they approached what appeared to be another tunnel that had been lit up completely to the right side. Snowyn drew in a deep breath as she inched closer to the entrance to the side tunnel. She looked over at Catisa, whispering, "On the count of three..." Snowyn said, pointing her wand out in the direction of the tunnel, "One.... Two...."

The fledgling mage had been counting with her, right by her side with the flames in her palms at the ready. "...Three!" They would have said together and Catisa rushed forward into the lit up cavern before she could think about hesitating. A pair of gasps filled the air and the rustling noises quickly turned to scrambling with belongings and garments being thrown about. What she assumed to be the rest of the clothing was outstretched before them in a trail to what appeared to be makeshift bedding. "Wha-?" Her confusion was palpable as the pair they had been searching for sat mostly nude before them save for a single sleeping back that they cowered behind, clearly having thought they would be undisturbed.

"D-don't hurt us!" The human male she assumed was Luka yelped.

On three, Snowyn pointed out her wand with her companion in tow before letting out a gasp and covering her eyes. She saw what she saw and immediately turned away for a moment, allowing the couple some time to cover up. Looking back and seeing they were somewhat decent after covering themselves up, she placed her hands at her hips, "Miss Kisles. Mister Luka. You could've at least sent a letter or a notice or something before gallivanting into the tunnels!" she scolded, sheathing her wand into a makeshift loop in her belt, "The director will be most displeased! I'm sure if the both of you would've explained your relationship to her, you wouldn't have to hide out in the tunnels. You had us all worried..." her tone softening at the end. She let out a long, drawn out sigh. She took off her glasses and pinched the bridge of her nose, shaking her head, "Please - for all our sakes, let's get back to the estate and inform the Director of your return, if that's what you want to do. I do not know of your intentions, but either way she and the rest of our company has the right to know..."

"Oh thank the light!" Luka exclaimed and the pair breathed a sigh of relief while they reached for their respective clothing.

"Uh, anyone seen my bra?" Kisles asked to no one in particular.

Catisa just covered her face with both hands and turned around, successfully hiding the crimson in her features from everyone except for Snowyn who might have also heard the small 'meep' that escaped her. She had not been prepared for such an outcome to their search! The poor girl remained like that while Luka continued from his earlier exasperation. 

"We lost our way, but somewhere along the way wandering about these endless tunnels..." He paused and smiled at his companion, Kisles. "We found each other."

Snowyn giggled seeing Catisa's reaction and turned back to the couple. She looked to Kisles and walked over to her, fumbling through her purse and procuring the bra she had left in the tunnels. " Best keep this on you," she snickered. Addressing both, "Well now that you've found each other and we've found you, let's get out of here. This is nowhere to... well.... I know it's private and all, but the Director can find you both a room, if you like. That way neither of you have to lose yourself in the tunnels and you can continue your...." she cleared her throat, trying to find the right word, "Business with one another there instead. Likely wards can be placed to mute any sounds," trying to sound as professional as possible, but her own cheeks lit up a slight red as she tried to find the right wording.

Kisles snatched up the Bra, "Thanks!" and continued to dress herself while Luka smiled to Snowyn and elaborated.

"Now that you're here to guide us I'm sure that will be much easier! We've just been wandering about getting more and more lost." With a hearty chuckle he pulled his shirt over his head and the pair, though dirty and unwashed, were ready to go.

Catisa turned around once she heard them stop moving around so much and breathed a sigh of relief to see that they were dressed once more. "Yes, quite, let's get out of here. I've had about enough of these caverns." She stated as she tucked the bread loaf away at last, "We marked our tracks so it should be fairly easy to find our way back." Still blushing red, she tried to use her hair to block the view of her rosy cheeks.

Snowyn snickered again. She held up her wand, lighting it up with a brighter glow. She walked over to the other side of the tunnel and much like a school teacher, "Alright everyone, let us get to moving then. The tunnel is no place for... a great many things. Let us be back before it grows dark on the outside world. I'd rather not be caught dead in the middle of redridge with all manner of foul creatures about. Or if there are any in the tunnel - let us avoid them!" Looking to Catisa, "Miss Wells. Would you kindly lead the way?"

"Of course!" The fledgling mage was more than happy to lead the way and set the pace for leading them out of there. Kisles and Luka filed in close behind and almost clinging to each other including Snowyn and Catisa. She flicked her wrist and flames ignited once more, illuminating the path ahead as she lead onward.

"Sorry for causin' ya so much trouble." Kisles finally piped up, "We never meant anyone to fret."

Luka nodded his agreement in the dim light, "Yes, and thank you so much for your help." He added with a sigh.

Snowyn ushered them along, "Quite alright, we're just glad you both are safe. And the director and the rest of the company will be glad too," she smiled, watching as Catisa lead the way. Looking back to Luka and Kisles, "I do suggest talking to the Director and explaining yourselves... she's worried sick, I imagine. Two of her finest workers. Tsk tsk," scolding playfully.

Catisa snickered to herself up front and smirked at Snowyn, "Yes, quite!" Her still flushed features hidden by the blend of warm light emitting from her palm.

"Oi we will, but honestly I would love a bath first!" Kisles responded with a giggle.

"Yes, a bath would do both of you well..." she humphed playfully at the two. 

"I'll join  you..." Luka purred to Kisles, sneaking a kiss to her forehead.

"Oh you two - wait til we're back at the estate, if you will," she snickered behind them, keeping her wanding raised up.

@snowynsilverfield​ @thevioletbastion​