escordvi | closed 🪶⚡ in this world of ours, safe to be the one you are...

[He doesn't get terribly far before he's interrupted. Gale has been fortunate enough to avoid injury so far, but looks harried all the same, eyes wide with concern as he rounds a corner to spot his recently-chosen captain.]

Cid!

[To say that the Captain has seen better days is probably a vast understatement.]

What in the nine hells is going on here?! The gryphons are all in a stir, and I caught a glimpse of something tearing out of the roost and heading skyward— far too quickly to give much detail, but given the sudden shift in the weather, I certainly have some theories.

[His first impulse had been that it might have been the doing of Cid himself, but that had quickly passed— it wasn't quite right.]

You look like you've gone three rounds with a troll, my friend.

[He was just considering his options, whether to take the ship on his own or find some other means (with his room left a mess trying to find his Ring of Returning would have taken too much time—perhaps he could try and borrow someone else's?) when he hears Gale approaching and looks at him in some surprise...and then a small wry huff of laughter.]

In some manner of speaking.

[He glances skyward towards the openings in the cave ceiling that show the darkness brought on by the storm clouds outside.]

But I don't have much time to explain, I have to chase after that "something" you saw earlier.

Benedikta.

[An educated guess, given he doesn't know her well personally, but he knows enough about his crewmates to put two and two together. He huffs a breath, his gaze narrowing in concern.]

What do you intend to do, assuming you can catch up with her?

[As the pieces begin to slot into place, the wheels in his head begin turning, looking over his shoulder in the direction he'd come from.]

Most of the gryphons aren't in any shape to fly at present, but I did manage to get one calmed enough that he might be able to carry you.

[The gryphons...? He hadn't considered that possibility, but that would be faster—and safer as he wouldn't need to drag anyone else into this.

But for Gale's question... There's something a pained, mournful expression before there's a soft, sad smile.]

Try to bring her home.

[It's an expression he recognizes keenly, one that strikes an unexpected chord within the archmage.]

Of course.

[As though it were the most obvious thing in the world— and perhaps it was, for all that Cid had left unsaid was plain enough, at least to him.]

You shouldn't go alone.

[At this his expression hardens.]

I appreciate the concern, but this is not something I'd want to drag anyone else into.

[Gale's own brow furrows, his gaze hardening in turn as he gestures back down the corridor to the outside.]

If you die before you can reach her, what good will it do either of you?

[He is, at the very least, not going to try and talk Cid out of going, it would seem.

He sighs heavily, leveling his friend with a knowing look.]

You love her.

[It's not quite a question. An observation, perhaps. He knows well the great and reckless lengths one can be driven to for someone they love. His own folly is still fresh in his mind; he is every day reminded by the roiling of the orb in his chest, the ache in his bones, the shortness of breath. There are still so many days where getting out of bed is far more labor than it's worth, but if Mystra had been who he'd thought her to be— if she had loved him the way he had been so eager to believe she must when still a very young man— he might have done it all over again, even knowing the cost.

For a love that was real, there would be no question.]

[There's just a slight look of surprise at the sudden statement. It's not exactly a secret...but it's not exactly something he's said out loud to anyone else. At the very least he's told Benedikta, though perhaps said confessions could have come out better and during less emotional stressing times, but she knows. For someone else to so boldly state it...

...]

Aye, I do.

[Well, there's no reason to deny it, nor would he had someone asked or said so on a much better day. But on those better days he would have been able to smile, say it fondly and perhaps with a bit of a teasing sly smile. Here, there is that fondness—but a hardened resolve as well that would leave no room for doubt.]

And I'm the reason she's like this, the only one who can stop her right now.

[A small, wry huff.]

So I won't die before getting there.

[Ah, yes. Resolve— he knows that well, too.

A faint, wry smile tugs at one corner of his lips, just for a moment before it fades.]

That sounds like quite a story. From the look of things, you're going to need that determination of yours.

[He could go on about the situation at length— but time is clearly of the essence, and for once, Gale of Waterdeep manages to keep things succinct and to the point, at least by his standards.]

I know better than to try and dissuade a man in your position. Were our roles reversed, I would do the same— but at least let me help you through the worst of the storm. You're injured. Even if you wish to confront her on your own, you're going to need some help.

[He still looks hesitant... But when he feels a twinge of pain in his chest, he has to relent.]

...All right. You mentioned some gryphons?

[Gale nods firmly, immediately turning back towards the nest area and beckoning for Cid to follow along.]

I managed to calm a few of them— tensions have been rapidly rising— but I'm afraid at least one of them has an injured wing as a result of the upset. Hesperos should be fine to bear us both, however.

[Yes, he named that one himself. Clearly, he's made himself right at home here at the Roost.]

[He does frown at the news of the injuries.]

We'll have to send someone to check on them when we have the chance...

[He automatically reaches for his shellphone only to remember he just left everything behind in his haste.]

...That I may need you to send if we don't run into someone on the way.

But Hesperos is it? Already made a friend?

Consider it done.

[Even as he speaks, Gale is already reaching for his own shellphone, a device he has thankfully become much more adept with over the last few months compared to his fumbling when he first arrived.

Ahead of them, the wind can be heard whipping violently against the walls of the Roost, the chatter of agitated gryphons in the distance.]

While I can't say I'm gifted with all animals, I'm quite adept at making friends regardless of species, it would seem— fortunately for us. He may need a bit of aid against the high winds, but I think between the two of us, we ought to be able to help him combat the currents.

Might need to rely on you more for that.

[A wry grin and a grimace.]

I'm already not at my best, and I'll be needing everything when I find Benedikta.

[He already fears she might have primed, and if she already has...]

But at least I have good rapport with the gryphons as well, though perhaps we should invest in some kind of relic or communicator so we can all better speak with them.

[Something for later, anyway.]

I'll handle the storms, then. Even if that would normally be your area of expertise, you're quite right. You're going to need all that you have— even considering my limited knowledge regarding eikons, that much is plain.

[Having learned a bit from speaking and observing Cid himself, aiding with his quest to gain better control of his powers where he can, it's enough to tell him how very dangerous this situation is and could continue to be.]

Such a relic would certainly be a worthy investment of our time and energies— later.

[As it stands, they don't seem to need one at present; the gryphon Gale had managed to calm and lead to a safe spot in a stable not too far from the actual roost perks up as they approach, trilling as he leans his head out of his stall and cocks it to one side, questioning. Are they going somewhere?]

[Seeing the gryphon and somewhat recognizing it from the flock, Cid grins. It seems the gryphon also recognizes him from his frequent outings there, also trilling in greeting as he reaches up to stroke its beak.]

This one certainly looks eager, and we'll be needing all that he has.

[To that, the gryphon agrees with another emphatic chirp. Perhaps one of his own has flown off and he also wants to find them.

But Cid will let Gale handle opening the stable door to let the gryphon, and once ready and they can mountain, Cid will opt to be behind.]

Indeed we will— and I do believe he knows it already.

[Despite the dire nature of the situation, there's a note of fondness in Gale's voice as he approaches the stall and pulls the latch to let the gryphon out to join him. He trots out to stand between them, turning his head back towards Gale to question what's next, and the wizard gives him an apologetic look as he grabs hold of the harness and mounts, letting Cid mount behind a moment later.]

You'll have to bear two of us for the time being, my friend, and we'll be flying against the storm— but I'm certain you can do it. I'll help you make your way.

[Once they're both settled, there's little time to waste, and Hesperos will take to the sky, only exerting a little more effort than usual as he pushes to take off with two riders. It's better once he's airbound and heading towards the storm in the distance, where the clouds are darkest; even as the wind fights against him, he is determined to bear them to their destination.]

[Further they fly and deeper into the stormy gales and darkening skies, Cid's expression hardening until he eventually mutters under his breath.]

Shit...this is the worst possible case...

closed 🪶⚡ in this world of ours, safe to be the one you are...

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