The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[NPCs]

"Oh! Spiritually sensitive!" Stepping further in, she smacks the wall of the tree with her stick. "Oye! Tone it down, you great stump, you're spooking her!" She mutters something under her breath, something strange and raw sounding, and hits the tree again. A moment later and the feeling of being watch, of life resting heavily around them, pulls back sharply, causing Merrill to gasp softly and look around. "Hmrrph. Sorry about that, Raplin was just curious about you lot. Big crowd for our tiny village, and you're a real mixed bunch."

[Carver Amell]

Carver whirls, reaching for his belt knife. "It's hurting her," he says, insistent. 

[Merrill]

"It..." She looks around one last second, then moves closer to Carver. "I'm okay, Carver. It's alr-r-right." She swallows thickly. "B-B-But you- you c-could really f-f-f-f-"

[Carver Amell]

"Yes," he says, doggedly. "I don't want you getting hurt. Don't come in if it hurts you."

[Merrill]

"It doesn't hurt," Merrill promises softly. It... It was real? They said they could feel it. Are they lying? Is this just... No, people wouldn't spend this much time on a prank. Far too much work on their side. But that would mean... That... That... Throat dry and tight, she forces out a prayer. "C-Can you he-hear the v-v-voices too?"

[Bethany]

"Voices?" Beth echoes, confused. "Like... Right now, other than us?"

[NPCs]

Before Merrill can crumple at the implied answer there, the gnome cackles merrily. "Shaman are you? Root and Leaf, no wonder you got so overwhelmed by the Oak. Gods aren't spirits, spirits aren't gods, but they're close enough for a shaman whose training isn't finished." She peers at the elf as she speaks, then nods sharply.

 "My manners! Name's Peli, you youngsters call me Granny Peli, hear? Oh, and this grouch is Lord Cornelius the Third," she adds swiping at the badger that had dragged her inside.

[Carver Amell]

But this is my day, some small part of Carver whimpers. I'm finally getting to be free and now it's all about Merrill.

He ignores it; he frowns, studying Merrill's face. "Are you sure? You don't have to do this. I'll be fine."

[Merrill]

The elf takes a deep breath, then gathers her nerve. Adopting what passes for a determined scowl, she gives a firm nod. "Yes. I w-want to b-be here for this. F-For y-y-you." Stepping closer, she hides her face in the crook of his neck. "I c-can do this, w-with you h-here."

[Haliel Lightsong]

Seeing Granny Peli's curious look, Lightsong offers at least a partial explanation. "Carver,'" the aasimar gestures for clarity, "is seeking the aid of a skilled fleshcrafter and our guide informed us that we could find one here."

[Carver Amell]

Carver pulls her close, petting her hair gently. It's alright. I'll protect you.

[Marian Hawke]

Marian coughs a little. "We were told to seek one called Dau?"

[NPCs]

"Yes?" the voice comes not from Granny Peli, but instead directly above Marian. Small, and reedy, though more flute-like than scratchy thankfully. Lightsong has her blade half-drawn out of shear startlement before she checks herself.

The tiny cluster of red and yellow striped pink flowers cocks... their... head to the side from their perch on the ceiling of the hallway tunnel. The vines the flowers are growing on shift, rustling softly as Peli sighs softly. "Plants don't really get the idea of manners," the gnome comments, seemingly unsurprised by the talking flowers that look more and more like a person the more you stare at them, despite not changing in form at all.

[NPCs]

Merrill lets out a gasp, eyes wide as she peers over Carver's shoulder. "Carver, look," she whispers with awe. "C-can you s-s-see it?"

[Carver Amell]

Carver whirls around, knife at the ready. "Y-yes?" he stammers, staring up at the flowers. "Are you... flowers?"