Laying Low [Everyone]

A single pulse of terror temporarily wracked through Ka'Ri involuntarily as an unconscious fear at the thought of leaving anyone she cared about with Luther. She shook it off quickly though as Luther had more than proven himself a trustworthy ally and carer for those in need.

"Thank you, that means the world to me," she said genuinely gratefully to Luther, giving a head nod of gratitude as one she would give Captain Caroline.

Turning back to Sunrise and the group, she decided to suss out the overall layout and plan.

"So, it looks like I'm on the lookout for amulet and notes and will at least be taking the amulet out with me. Is there anything else I should keep my eyes peeled out for? Like should I grab any info about that box golem thing or the like?"

"Ooh! Nothing to steal, but if you learn anything about how the Feytower plans to dispose of the aboleth that would be a huge reassurance?" Sithani grimaces. "That thing scares me. Zero out of ten delightful tentacles."

Sunrise bites her lip. "I'm tempted to say yes, grab everything you can get your hands on; we're going to piss her off anyway, so we might as well. But in the interest of speed and stealth - and of having a single chance in the Nine Hells of salvaging the situation after the fact - I'm going to say stuck to the amulet and any information you find about it or the plague."

With a sympathetic glance at Sithani she adds, "Although if you happen to see anything about the aboleth and you have a moment to glance over it, yes, by all means do let us know."

"Once she knows Tree is alive and well that is likely to take some of the rage winds out of her sails, at least," mused Thimb. "Or at least I hope it will..." she frowned and gave her head a shake. "Luther do you know anyone who would be selling a ring of spell storing? Is that something that might be less traceable? Otherwise maybe we could send Hamish back with you and he can cast the spell for me?" she chewed thoughtfully on a bit of bread.

"Also I'm still apparently an apprentice and I never did meet the woman I'm apprenticing under who is responsible for the aboleth, I could maybe talk to her before that cover is blown? Also, uh, what entails a delightful tentacle???"

Sithani squeezes Sunrise's hand in gratitude for her consideration.

In response to Thimb's question about tentacles, she grins wickedly. "Oh, there are all sorts of ways tentacles can be delightful. But even beside those, have you never taken a moment to appreciate the aesthetic splendour of limbs utterly alien to the standard humanoid layout? The way they move without bones, the body-plans that take them into account, the range and flexibility of the things boneless muscle can do that arms and legs can't? They're amazing."

Thimb considered what Sithani said, "I've mostly seen them in action when they've sprouted out of one of our chimeras, which are often startled by the process, I suppose that's skewed my opinion on them," she frowned thoughtfully, trying to picture them when they were in the water. She did have a point....

Ka'Ri disappears into her mental sorting place and flicks through the possible angles for everything.

"All right, it looks like the main thing I'm going to need is a map or at least a good description of the area, especially of the higher areas that Thimb has less experience with navigating."

She sends Thimb a smile fondly remembering her leading her through the Feytower the first time.

"A map is easy enough," Luther agrees. "And you are one of my employees. There's no reason I can't take you up to my room and you can go from there to Laerdya's room; we're neighbors in the tower, after all. How you choose to get out afterwards is...harder."

He turns to Thimb, frowning lightly. "I will look for a ring for you. At the very least, I might be able to call in a favor and borrow one."

"So." Glen, finally full and having had a few moments to rest, seems full of purpose. "Luther is going to see about a ring for Thimb, and a map for Ka'Ri. It's been quite some time since we all got some rest, and we're not going straight to Laerdya's tonight. Shall we all go our separate ways and meet back here tomorrow? Or somewhere else - Luther's house? The ranch?" He glances around at the others, suddenly seeming antsy to be somewhere.

Sithani nods. "Seconded?"

"My house is safer from assassins, I would wager," Luther observes quietly. "You are all welcome there."

If anyone is paying attention, they see the faintest of flushes in Glen's face. "Erm, yes, that would be great, Luther. Thank you." He gathers his things and Elen sits by his feet. "I don't have anywhere else to be just now, do you mind if I just head straight there with you? Or were you headed elsewhere yourself?"

Sithani raises an eyebrow and telepathically projects to Sunrise, <Do you want me to warn him off your boy?>

Luther gives Sunrise and Tree a thoughtful look. "I think I should head back, yes," he agrees with Glen, only a trace of reluctance noticeable in his voice. "If anyone else plans to make use of my carriage, I suppose now is the time."

He turns to regard everyone except Sunrise and Tree, who he seems to expect will stay at Veshti's for the time being.

Glen shoulders his pack, looking very grateful for the ride. Elen sits down against his Uncle Luther's leg. "I, erm, didn't mean to rush you," he says on hearing Luther's reluctance.

Luther absently reaches down to pet the panther. "No, it is for the best," he murmurs. "It is late already, and staying will not make it easier for me to leave my daughter."

Sunrise hides a smile even as she shakes her head no by a barely noticeable amount.

"People are also welcome to stay here," she points out. "There are couches and pillows and blankets. Maybe not the male people," she adds, with a sympathetic look at the men in the room, "because poor Veshti's sensibilities have been stretched to the limit already, but anyone else. After that attack, I worry about the safety of walking home now."

"She doesn't think girls like girls?" Sithani asks, confused. "Which is to say, I'm happy to accept the offer, just confused by your patron's reasoning."

"In politics, everything is appearance," Sunrise replies with a wry smile. "What actually happens in this room is far less important than what the court of public opinion will decide if gossips find out. And rational or otherwise, more tongues will wag over a man staying here overnight than a woman." She shrugs. "Honestly at this point I'm too exhausted to care, but I'll probably feel differently in a week or so when my life calms down."

Sithani grimaces. "One of those things. Always try to be illegitimate, people, you have much less to worry about."

"Mmm, I haven't found that," Sunrise replies in a mild tone.

Elen gets up and walks around Sithani and Sunrise's legs, rubbing against them and purring affectionately. Glen looks on with a warm expression on his face.

Sunrise instantly softens, leaning down to pet the panther's ears and cooing. "Hey, sweet baby! You could stay and cuddle with us, if your owner let you."

Elen is very happy for the affection and looks back at his ranger with an almost pleading expression on his face. Glen chuckles, shaking his head. "While I know Elen would appreciate the cuddles, I'm afraid I would just miss him too much." Glen's eyes sparkle with a hint of mischief, and Sunrise should easily discern that he's hiding his plans for later, and that Elen would be missed.

"Alas," she retorts, though curiosity shines in her eyes. "Meet back in the morning, then?"