Quest II. The night the towers cried [open]

[Tarot]

Social interactions are all about walking the tightrope between looking like a bully and looking like a fool. Most people strive to achieve a balance that takes a lifetime to master; then again, others don't mind falling into either extreme. Our Black Suns obviously belonged to the latter category, firmly on the bully side of things. Being the militant arm of Rhysol, the god of chaos and evil, their name was synonymous with fear and mayhem, and there were few who dared stand up to them. They hadn't expected any to do so now. If anything, Nil'kayn had just dropped into fool territory, and few ever step up in defense of a fool, because there is never any shortage of them. And instead, lo and behold, several people stood against the quartet, weapons and bows at the ready. Others quickly vacated the area, fearing what was to come. Bob even shielded himself with the half-conscious beggar's body (getting drool all over the shoulder for his efforts.) Even those who didn't speak the common tongue could understand the language of sharp implements of war. The four warriors wore masks of absolute confidence on their faces. They all looked older than they really were. Speaking of the leader, something was slightly off with his proportions, as if he'd been... changed somehow. His arms were just a little too long and huge veins bulged in his neck. These weren't thugs. These were unholy zealots of the pantheon's most dangerous god who had decided, for some reason, that they were going to take control here. And really, the other side had more numbers, but when it came to real fighting, how many of them could be any help? There were kids, Pycons and bored Akvatari, for Sylir's sake! Kinneas could feel the killing intent in the opposing quartet, rising, rising... and then, suddenly, vanishing as the Akalak extended his hand their way. It was almost surreal, watching him offer a handshake. Even the Black Suns were taken by surprise. It just wasn't something that happened every day to the likes of them, from the likes of the Akalak. What followed was even more incredible. The Black Sun sheathed his sword and took Nil'kayn's hand, shaking it firmly as he returned the man's smile with one that was broader still. Then he stepped back, and the four of them just smiled. Cassandra knew all too well why they were smiling. She knew best that the followers of Rhysol were most dangerous because of the god's unique gifts to them. Collectively these gifts were known as Chaon and they spread most easily through contact. Have you heard of the brown recluse, dear reader? A bite from this spider can make your flesh rot down to the bone. Nil'kayn had crossed into foolish territory twice in a row now, and his right hand began to itch and hurt as the power of Chaon did exactly that to his hand. Had Nil'kayn not been wearing gauntlets and gloves, he would have melted up to the wrist. Even so, the gauntlet rusted unnaturally and the glove undid itself as it shriveled under the power of the curse. The green skin fell off with a stench of decay as muscle and sinew melted and revealed the bone underneath. Small white worms crawled between the fibers of his exposed flesh. Not a pretty sight. Healer, healer! The four of them laughed and their killing intent was back with a vengeance. Within a split second they would draw their weapons again and the carnage would begin. Instead, there was no clash. The ground, or what passed for ground around here, shook violently enough for everyone to notice, and by that time the giant tentacle had already appeared outside the shielded environment of the disc. It emerged from the underside of the structure, and it was huge - a dark red mass simply swinging out, covering a large portion of the starry sky, and then smashing against the light barrier from the outside. The impact was devastating: the whole barrier lit up, releasing a shower of sparks as the disc began rocking and rolling wildly enough for quite a few people to lose their footing. The air vibrated, but there was no actual noise from the impact. The tentacle held on to the barrier for a few seconds, and it didn't look like anything from an octopus or a squid. It didn't even look like it was made of flesh. The dark red mass was veined with black lines that might even have been a script. Whatever it was, it must have been as thick as a house. Then, as quickly as it'd appeared, it slipped down again, vanishing from view. Its owner must be anchored to the underside of the sphere around the disc. Two people had lost consciousness hitting their heads on the floor. They may be dead, but hardly anyone cared. A hissing sound accompanied their return to a semblance of normalcy. "Look up!" someone pointed a finger higher up. There were three cracks in the barrier, two about ten feet from the floor and one maybe thirty feet. They looked like jagged lines of yellow light. The hissing came from there, as air escaped through the cracks and a part of it immediately froze into so many little icicles that floated in the space around. The air they were supposed to breathe. Also, something had gotten in, as well. A dark red liquid was trickling down the barrier and pooling on the edge of the disc. Black spots and lines swirled randomly in the middle of it all. Amidst the chaos, the Black Suns were cursing madly. They had drawn their weapons and stood in formation, back to back. Even they had switched from offense to defense.

OOCI only mentioned interactions I felt needed specific moderation. Also, Nil'kayn, nothing personal there.

What Nil'kayn's wound looks like. Warning: NOT for the faint of heart. :

[Talen Stirling]

Talen was dumbstruck by the peaceful turn of events as the Black Sun took the Akalak's hand and didn't move nor speak in his confusion. His heartbeat was still heavy and his stance wary, he was too afraid to trust these strangers, these dark soldiers. They could and might still murder them any moment, and that thought alone kept up his guard even against his will to have peace. His words earlier had probably been a partial lie. Someone would have to die tonight. Despite no-one wanting to. Talen did the natural thing when he saw the Akalak's curse and the enemy reappearing from their guise of friendsip. He did what he had trained and prepared to do for years. He stepped closer and attacked his assailant, his longsword flying up at a sharp angle from below even as his opponent was only drawing his own. He swung his shield high and used the momentum of that and the swing to get closer and create more force in the upwards stab to the stranger's stomach. The Ebonstryfe would possibly have been gutted by the violent thrust if not for a sudden miracle, at least in his perspective. A terrifying, chaotic and inexplicable miracle as the acts of gods or incomprehensible beings often are. The ground shook violently, and Talen jumped, staggered and stumbled backwards only to fall on his ass lifting the shield for cover from an attack. An attack that never came. Everything was chaos, he saw something hit the barrier out of the corner of his eye but the fall and the whole place disoriented him so he simply tried to huddle up and take cover from the sparks, people and sounds flying everywhere. If this was what was outside of Denval, perhaps it wasn't worth visiting afterall.

[Satu]

The staff… Satu felt His presence on it. It was hard to ignore, but she lifted her eyes to Kamalia’s and vowed to find a private moment to ask about it where it had come from… for she already sensed Who had touched it. The suvai fighter would have to be careful, Kamalia had spoken of Priskill as if she wished the goddess was still in this place… Satu was concerned; did Kamalia hold the goddess in such high regard? Had her friend been deceived and bewitched by the goddess’ sugary words? Satu was saddened that dear Kamalia might have been taken in… even though she had always been the smarter of them. “We are here, Kamalia… and this place may once again be filled with hope.” She assured the Konti sister. “I would call you, should I need help… but Ash’aney will protect me.” Satu answered in whispered Kontinese. The suvai fighter was perfectly fit to take care of herself, but she had yet to admit how much suvai training she had actually accomplished in her time away from Mura. The men still argued, and her friend seemed almost as unconcerned as she, as she moved away. Satu watched the Konti… and her staff. Satu wondered what she would do alone... But the concern was not for Kamalia’s wellbeing, as she once would have. The HeartSeer was too removed and egocentric for that, but for what Kamalia would do with the Sagallius’ staff. Blue eyes turned to the men, observing silently the altercation. The suvai fighter watched, evaluated and calculated. A man was hurt, by a handshake… still she watched. The floor rumbled and shook, a tentacle crashed, everything rocked, the walls, ceiling. Satu used to the rigors of the suvai training remained balanced on her feet, though others were not so lucky. Those unfortunates were not worth a glance from the HeartSeer, for the swell of emotion threatened Satu’s focus. Too many people occupied the small space, and their chaotic emotions multiplied in it. She attempted to control them, to filter them away, but feelings ran high with uncertainty. Their inner struggles were more compelling and important to her than the waving, monstrous tentacle above her. And then the Konti caught Cassandra in her gaze… Cassandra with the Cordas strings attached... Her breath caught, and the maddened wheels in her mind clicked together, as Satu realized… this Tentacle, this Place… it was all for her! From Sagallius. It was not a test… but a ground for her to work with… to see who here was worthy of His help and assistance. He was so wise! An angelic smile graced the scaled face. There was no strain, no concern… only hope in his peaceful wishes, as she viewed the world from her own unique viewpoint. Someone yelled, “Look up!” And Satu knew… KNEW this was her chance to pull on the Cordas strings attached to Cassandra. The others were focused on the rapidly escaping air, and the cracked ceiling. Not on what a Konti might do with a hand. Satu stepped behind Ash’ney, who partially shielded her, and she moved her hand to activate the Cordas. The people were panicked as the dark puddle pooled on the floor, and as they looked away, Satu became puppeteer. The Black Sun men had frightened Cassandra, but the time for cowering was over. Satu would guide the woman, with a simple pull, a gentle tug and the Konti played the strings to force Cassandra toward the Ebonstryfe. Face your fears! Satu thought, be strong or die! You can not stay hidden forever! And though she could not force her far, perhaps it would cause the men to notice the dark haired woman, and Cassandra would be freed from her timidity. It was a beautiful gift… had anyone ever offered Cassandra more than she in this moment?

[Darik]

As Darik called out to the Black sun leader, a dark haired beauty((Aidara )) appeared with a bow of immense length. She wasn’t a threat, her bow rested facedown towards the great stone floor. Even if she was pointing it towards a person, Darik doubted she could even pull back the drawstring. Her physique was way too lithe to carry any sort of muscle. It didn’t matter if she was body builder material, because she could get anything she wanted. How did Darik know that? Her skin, free of blemishes and all other kinds of beauty detractors, was attractive to all human men. And guess what, Darik was a human male. She seemed neutral about the conflict, but Darik had a feeling she was going to side with the “heroes”. Such a waste…His imagination still went wild though as she hinted about naked bodies. A weak man would have succumbed to her seduction. Darik was a weak man. He would be meeting with her after this whole abduction thing was over. Even though she did flash a grin with hidden meaning with it to another girl, Darik thought she was just being polite. Seriously, who would pick a weak girl over a strapping lad like Darik? Darik didn’t give a reply to the woman, he was too busy keeping his mouth shut so no drool came out. While Darik struggled with trying to not act like a fool, a bevy of events unfolded. He barely paid any attention to the conversations of the idiots, because something felt unsettling. He turned his head around and what he saw was quite odd. A konti((Satu)) was staring at something. Darik didn’t know what she was staring at, it could be him or a guy next to him. It really all depends. The thing he did know though, was the look. He had had that look many times before, lust. Luckily, because he was so busy trying to decode the Konti’s unfazing look and make himself presentable for Aidara, he had forgotten about the black sun’s. They hadn’t spoken to him or even answered his question. That would have enraged Darik maybe even provoking an action for him. Attacking a black sun isn’t smart, so yay for forgetfulness! Before he could turn himself around, the very ground he stood on shook. To add insult onto injury a giant squidlike thing was going to crash into them. Maybe Darik’s luck was finally taking a turn of events because it stopped midswing in the air. It curled around in some type of downward arc against some sort of invisible barrier before it disappeared from whence it came. To Darik’s accomplishment he had only been pushed to the ground by the pummeling. After he picked himself up he surveyed the area. Chaos was reigning, People were pointing to the sky looking at something. Darik was never a follower, always a leader. So he didn’t look up, no, he carried about his business. Some people were badly hurt and others unconscious. Darik chose an unconscious one, or a dead one, as his victim. Darik isn’t exactly doctor material so he really didn’t know which. He chose an unconscious one because injured people fight like mad in their last moments. With a dagger pointing to the person’s neck, and his hand on his back, Darik slowly began to pull him to a open space. He doubted anyone would stop him, if they didn’t care they were unconscious in the first place, they wouldn’t care what happened as a result of that. Darik thought he had a fool proof plan, if the victim awoke he would just slit its throat. Once its throat was slit he would then steal all of its possessions. Even if it was just a poorly beggar, Darik could find something useful from it. Even though a shrill sound like a whistle blowing echoed from somewhere and some black stuff was starting to fall from the air, Darik was in high spirits.

[Ariel]

Ariel clutched the cloth of Riki's tunic all the more tightly, letting it bunch between her tiny clay fingertips as she stared down at the floor, trying to ignore the tentacles which appeared as though they could scoop anybody up at any moment. What in the name of Harameus is that? Ariel wondered, as she watched it getting closer and closer to her and her companion. Rafael started hissing, obviously displeased at the notion of his getting wet. He crouched closer and closer to the ground, as his eyes blazed, and his fur bristled. He had extended his claws, and was continuing to hiss at the approaching fluid, as though such a thing could scare it away, and make it go back from whence it came. It looks like a mixture between blood, mud, and molten rock, she thought, as she began to swing her legs wildly, trying to get all the nervous tension out of her tiny clay body. "Hey Riki, you may want to stay away from that red... stuff," Ariel commented, not knowing what to call it exactly. "And you might want to start listening to the little voice next to your ear before strange, and dangerous things start to happen. You know, so we don't die!" Ariel growled, her voice containing only an edge of fear. She began tugging on the cloth in her hands, pulling it closer to her before punching it back down towards his flesh, and then repeating the process. "Because, in case you didn't notice, the little voice next to your ear has been giving you good advice all along," Ariel went on. "Didn't it tell you that this would happen? That something bad would happen and those people were bad people and we should stay away? Didn't it? Didn't it tell you that?" Ariel went on, her voice sounding all the more frantic and afraid as she continued speaking. Hopefully, if Riki starts running and I fall; that nasty goop won't make me melt, the pycon thought as she simply stared at it, hopeless, and helpless. For as far as she could tell, there was nothing she could do to stop that, or the giant red squid like thing that was attacking the orb she and everyone else was stuck in. Hopefully Harameus will have mercy on us and protect us, because I am too damn young to die. There was a slight pause, there was so much more of this world left to see... "Didn't it?" Ariel whispered, as she gave the fabric one last tug, as Rafael backed himself into the side of Riki's leg. "It did." OOCSorry this is immensely blah.

[Sira]

Sira couldn't help but smile at Addy's "naked bodies" comment. Even in the midst of all that was happening the healer couldn't help but be a flirt.. as usual, her choice was quite handsome as well. If they hadn't been in the situation they were in, Sira might have joined in the flirting. As it was, she still shot Darik a wink before returning her attentions back to the four men. Darik didn't appear to be very threatening, the four men did. But before any violence erupted the mood changed in an instant. The black suns put away their weapons and accepted the handshake. Had Sira known anything about Rhysol and his followers she might have suspected what was to come, but she didn't know anything about them and so she didn't expect it. The damage done to the Akalak's hand looked gruesome, and Sira could only imagine how painful it must have been. She knew Aidara would be all over it in an instant, she wouldn't be able to help herself, but it didn't matter. Something else happened that pulled her attention away from the four men. First the ground started to shake, quite furiously. Sira did her best to keep her feet, and only stumbled once. With the ground shaking came something more ominous, however. A giant tentacle appeared just outside the edge of the disc, emerging from beneath the floor. The huge red thing swung out, blotting out a portion of the sky, and smashed into the barrier. Sparks showered down upon those within, forcing Sira to cover her eyes, but as soon as it was safe she removed her hands and looked up. Her keen eyes were able to make out the details of the thing easily, massive and filled with black veins that almost looked like script. But what concerned Sira most of all was the three cracks that appeared in the barrier, and the hissing sound as the air was sucked out. "Priskil save us," Sira whispered as she stared up at the sky. All around her was chaos, but Sira did not take her eyes off the cracks for some time. A strange dark red liquid seeped through, trickling down the edge of the barrier. Sira could only imagine what might happen if one were to touch the barrier. Finally she shook her head clear and turned, searching for Addy. Her red hair stood out like a beacon and Sira ran to the healer, grasping her free hand. "Addy, what do we do!?" Normally Sira was the clam one. Normally Sira was the one with the plan, she always had a plan. But this.. this was beyond her experience. Sure, she was supposed to be a wind eagle. Protector of the mountain, a living ancestor, blah, blah, blah. All that was just talk. She knew a bit of secrets, but the Wind Eagles knew more. They knew how to protect the mountain, but Sira had never been filled in on that part. Not really. She just knew what they were protecting, and if this had anything to do with that then... then.. what was she supposed to do? How was one wind eagle supposed to fend off something as massive as that tentacle thing?

[Aidara]

Aidara knew something was wrong from the moment the Akalak stuck out his hand. In fact, she could be credited for trying to stop him. Her hands were full of bow and arrow, neither of which she was able to discard in time to reach forth her hand and call "No! Stop! Don't touch him!" Instead, Addy fumbled with her weapon, managed to let the arrow slip from it's string and clatter to the floor as she took a miniscule step forward, too late, as the Black Sun with the evil smile clasped the Akalak's wrist. "No!" was all that she managed, and it was but a whisper. Though only half of the crowd was even aware of the altercation, Addy wouldn't be surprised if they were all soon aware of the grotesquerie that was Nil'kayn's wound. She surely wouldn't have been able to suffer her flesh melting from the bone without wailing like a banshee. Green eyes flew to Sira, who was glancing back and forth between Addy and the Akalak. Clearly, she was supposed to do something, right? Shooting the Kelvic a pained look, Addy swayed in place as if she was trying to run but her feet were glued to the floor. Already the little healer could feel the draw, the need to help Nil'kayn. But self preservation was kicking in. If she ran to where the Black Sun's stood abreast, watching with amused smiles as a man lost his hand, what would they do to her? Call it stupidity or whatever you like, but after a few long moments of indecision, Addy shoved her bow into Sira's arms before she turned and bolted towards the Akalak. Her plan was to grab the injured man and drag him back into the safety of their numbers. Mid-way though her dash, Addy bent to scoop up the arrow that she had dropped. "Come on, you have to move. We have to fix it." She had reached Nil'kayn's side, and was tugging on his uninjured arm. He was so much bigger than she, and Addy had no hope of moving him unless he cooperated. A helpless glance of her shoulder at Sira, who was much to far away to be of any assistance, before Addy began her tugging again. "I don't know your name, but we must move, we must! Come on, come on!" Her voice sounded a little desperate, rising a few octaves when she glanced over at the four men and their evil smiles, only a few paces away. Addy was sheltered, and had no idea what race any of these men were. They were as foreign to her as the disk upon which she stood. But holy hell, did they scare her. Nil'kayn's wound scared her as well. Addy had none of her equipment, none of her supplies and her single gnosis mark just wasn't going to be enough to help the wreckage of this man's hand. But none of that mattered unless she could get the man away from the immanent danger of the Black Sun's. So focused was she on this task that when the disc rocked violently, Addy was taken by complete surprise. It was only her grasp on the large Akalak's arm that kept her upright. Her gaze followed everyone elses to the barrier above as the giant tentacle swung and landed with a jarring blow. "Priskil, save us." The Endal pair whispered together, but Addy spoke with a fervor to the god as she hadn't done before. All of Wind Reach devoutly honored Priskil, and at that very moment Addy was wishing she had increased her servitude towards him tenfold. Her eyes were too weak to see the damage, but had Sira been willing to share the vision, Addy would have begun pulling on Nil'kayn's arm with earnest. Instead, she cowered from the falling sparks, using the giant Akalak's body for cover. And then all at once, Sira was there. "Addy, what do we do?!" She was panicked, and that made the healers heart jump into her throat. Sira was never panicked. "They don't seem worried." A nod of her head toward the Black Sun's "So that seems like it's a bad sign. I say we need to get away from them and calm down. Freaking out is only going to use up all the good air." Addy didn't know how true that statement was; she was unaware of the cracks in the barrier, and therefore unaware of the air leak. "And if we can, take him with us so I can look at his hand. Hopefully there are other healers here that are far more... competent than I. It's bad." She glanced at Nil'kayn's hand again before once more trying to move him with her. Whether or not they were able to move the big Akalak, Addy pulled Sira back away from the Black Suns, back into the crowd.

[Niapret]

It seemed like everything would once again turn peaceful, but of course that was not the case. One got his hand melted away, and then tentacles attacked her curent location. Not good. Not the worst, but still not good. She nodded at the one who was talking to her, then looked around, thinking. She was afraid, but she wasn't in panic. She didn't much mind the rumbling, as it was just like a little air turbulence to her. If the floor fell apart to the monster underneath, it would probably kill them all, her because one or more of the others would surely grab onto her to stay airborne and away from the monster beneath. She eyed the red goo, then at a poor kitty on the floor. She flew over to try to gently scoop it up.

No matter if she got to hold the kitty or not, she flew up quickly again, she wasn't about to let the goo touch her. Her mind continued to work, regarding the situation. She didn't know how to fix the ground, maybe something to do with the symbols? But she didn't know what they were, only that some of them could be considered pretty. The escaping air must be the first prioritation then. How to fix it? Plug it up? She eyed the pycons, then spoke loudly over the noise:

"Anyone have clay or something to seal the cracks?"

If they did, she'd fly over and try to collect it, so she could seal the cracks. At least she, and maybe the kitten, could survive this. Sad really. Then she remembered that if the floor caved in so the monster got the rest, the air would escape the same way. Oh well, one problem at a time.

[Bob Barton]

Bob would have wasted his time gawking at the women like Darik has been doing but his mind had more important things. Like surviving all the madness going on. First he was struck by lightning. Then a weird akalak had to go and blow his own horn. Getting some of the Stryfe to do that weird thing to him. Now those tentacles thing trying to crush everyone with a bleeding sky.

So he did whatever any other normal person would do. He panicked. Bob still had the beggar man man drooling on him. But he figured better drool than blood. When the tentacles came Bob made a little shrill girly scream he hoped no one would ever hear or remember while he showed his true intentions. Quickly opening the beggar's arms and going at the bottom to shield himself from the tentacles. Cowering Ebonstryfe members would be the least of his troubles now.

Then Bob saw the sparks. They reminded him about lightning so he could not help but scream out "Is this how I am going to die? I am supposed to die comfortably in my bed of old age!" Putting his own arm at the beggar's back, Bob pulled him down on instinct to the place he thought safe. Away from the scary and dangerous sparks as well as the freaky tentacles.

It was worse. A lot worse. The weird red liquid and its blackness was on the ground. It reminded him of...blood... Is nowhere on the disc safe? He had no idea what the red stuff was. But like everything else so far it shouldn't be good. Bob was not going to risk getting any of that on him. Then there was the beggar man as well. Bob figured he somehow assumed responsibility for him so be better drag him along. Until the burden was too much and then he would ditch him. Whoever thought Bob was a really good person was sadly mistaken.

The liquid was coming from the edge. So Bob figured that the place that he would live the longest would be at the middle of the disc where it should be as far from the edge as possible. Unless something else happened, they would be safe. "Come on we are getting out of here." Putting his hands below the arms, Bob started pulling on the beggar's body to the middle. Allowing the feet to drag on the ground. Bob was tired in mind and body. He hardly had time to care about the man's comfort.

He looked around wildly to see if there was anyone who he knew or would help him with carrying the man. But they were all too busy with their own things. Bob couldn't blame them. In situations like this survival as the priority. But much to his disgust he saw the familiar face of Darik. Like a vulture he swooped in on an unsuspecting victim in the chaos. Bob really hoped that today that brat would get his just desserts. One problem at a time. Will someone help him with this deadweight?

[Cassandra Coven]

Even in her crouched position behind the two desert nomads, Cassandra could see everything that was occurring at the center of the crowd. The foolish Akalak's offer of friendship, punctuated by a handshake. The Black Sun leader's return smile, full of malice and deception, and his taking of the Akalak's hand. Oh, fool of fools, the Akalak leaving himself exposed that way. A mere touch was a weapon to some, as Cassandra could no doubt attest herself. The effect of Rhysol's gift, delivered by the Black Sun's touch was near instantaneous: metal gauntlets rusted and disintegrated, and then flesh soon followed. The sickly sight of the Akalak's hand, flensed of skin and muscle, flashed before her eyes before others within the crowd blocked her view of the disturbing image. Cassandra gagged as she clutched at Andry's arm. No doubt the killing would begin now. Despite being outnumbered, the Black Sun's show of power and superiority would no doubt cow even the hardiest of men. But instead of the sounds of swords being pulled from their sheathes, various cries from the myriad of mouths of the people crowded in the floating disc were heard as the ground they stood on shook as if from an earthquake. It almost seemed as if it was a reaction to the violence that had just transpired. Cassandra was thrown to her feet as she fought to regain her balance, losing contact with Andry as she stumbled through the similarly disoriented crowd. Looking up, she was just in time to see an outworldly appendage, a gigantic tentacle seemingly made from blood, slam against the invisible barrier that kept everyone within the disc - and kept whatever horrors were lurking out in the empty space out. The thing vanished as quickly as it came however, but it did leave several cracks running down the protective barrier. A sharp hissing sound emanated from them. Air! Cassandra realized, paling visibly. There was no air outside the barrier! She had seen something similar back at the Silver Sliver Tavern, when one of the barrels holding their signature drink sprouted a leak when its seal was cracked. While she did not know how much air was inside the disc, there was no doubt it wouldn't last forever, not with everyone breathing it. With cracks also sucking out the air into the dark void outside, they would have even less. Worse, some dark liquid left by the tentacle-like thing seemed to be seeping inside as well, rivulets of it trickled down the barrier to pool at the edge of the disc. Much like the breached barrel back in the inn where the air that entered through the broken seal ruined the taste of the drink, so too were they being invaded by outside contaminants, encroaching upon the safety of the small space they were being held in. And they were no mere drink within the disc, so easily made and discarded if ruined. They were people. "Goddess preserve us," she whispered. A tugging sensation seemed to pull her through the crowd now, causing her to bump into people as she stumbled at its wake. When it stopped, Cassandra found herself face to face with the Black Sun group's leader. She froze, much like a doe caught within the sights of a beast of prey, her spine locking up and leaving her unable to flee. I have to do something! she cried to herself in panic. Peering at the group, the dark-haired woman tried desperately to recall if she had ever served him or his men in the Silver Sliver and possibly use that to establish some sort of rapport with him and perhaps end up serving as a kind of mediator to reconcile them with the group that had stood up against them. Or even just to create some sort of truce between them. She felt that more violence would just bring back that tentacle thing. If it breached the barrier... But it was no good; she had served many at the tavern and she could not possibly remember all of them, especially if she had served them during the hectic hours of the day. There was no helping it, she just had to introduce herself to them and maybe drop the Nitrozian family name. Hopefully, the influential name would have some sort of effect upon these people. "H-hi...I'm C-cassandra. Cassandra C-coven. I'm from Ravok too. I've served...ah...under m'lord Trevinus Nitrozian." While she did her best to pass off the last statement as nothing special, there would be no doubt that these men would understand what kind of serving she had done for the Black Sun Acoltye. She could already feel her cheeks coloring from their surely amused gazes. "P-please, sir, maybe...maybe we can all get along here? I...I'm sure we can reach some sort of...ah...agreement so everyone goes away satisfied and without...ah...having to fight everyone else." And there it was, as blatant an offer as she could make while preserving just enough of her dignity. One Black Sun was as good as any other, right? Trevinus had already used her; another taking his place for the day shouldn't change things much. All for the sake of keeping the peace. And not having that horrible tentacled thing returning to make matters worse than they already were. Gesturing up, Cassandra pointed at the cracks. "This...this isn't exactly the best place to get into fighting. We...we should be working together to get out of this place. That...thing just now may have reacted to...to the peace around here being broken, who knows?" Cause and effect. Yes, that was it. That would likely be the reason for the series of events just now, wouldn't it? "Violence begets violence, sir," Cassandra concluded, a little too loudly this time. In truth, her words were aimed more at the man she noticed to have dragged an unconscious fellow apart from the crowd and now seemed to have a dagger at his victim's neck. People's body language was so easy to read for her.