Completed In the shadow of His mercy

[Faolan Lundgren]

Faolan Lundgren The young Kelvic had gotten himself in quite the uncomfortable situation it seemed. He stared up at the temple in awe as he moved closer to it and then found himself entering the giant building with the other people. He had wanted to find a place in the back where he wouldn't be so noticeable but that's not how things worked out. Stuck where he was due to the people around him he ended up further in than he had wanted. The goal had been to hide in the back since he didn't know anyone here and wasn't a citizen it seemed like the safe place to be, but now that he was stuck where he was he nervously glanced around. Closing his eyes for a moment he took another deep breath to calm himself, looking around at the other people nearby to ascertain whether he was in immediate danger or not. Seeing as nobody was even paying him any attention at all he relaxed slightly. He was also relieved that they weren't so packed in that he didn't have any room to himself, he probably wouldn't have been able to keep himself from panicking if they had been forced to stand practically on top of each of other. When a booming voice sounded he jumped a little and looked at the people nearby for a reference of what he was supposed to do. He caught sight of someone else doing the same from the corners of his eyes and felt a little better knowing he wasn't the only one who had no idea what was going on. Mimicking those around him he did his best to blend in. His gaze swept over the people in front of him again and he found a woman with black eyes looking behind herself as if searching for trouble. Dropping his gaze so as not to meet hers he fidgeted a little as he waited to see what would happen next.

[Inoadar]

Inoadar "Didn't quite picture you as the pious man, Parnell" Daegron remarked, seemingly without any hidden meaning. "I see you have good company" the Morpher added, apparently appreciating Yoona's "healthy" proportions as well as the poisoner did. Inoadar responded with a facade of indifference. He actually was not sure if he was supposed to keep up the act of religious neutrality or not. But the Warden had not really suggested that the role he played was to change to any great degree. "Piety is relative, my friend. I am here to ensure that my protege is kept within our Lord's fold. As for me, I am probably beyond redemption." His eyes winked to Vera, who was looking all around. "And as for my company, she belongs to Vera, not me." his gaze settled on Yoona for a few ticks. The call to praise boomed with enhanced volume, both inside the Temple and out. The response was universal as all bent in reverence, deference or fear. All but Vera, that is. She had been looking in just the right direction and caught a glimpse of a familiar face. "Aunt Ari!" she squealed in glee and raced off, her short size making it easier for her to both maneuver though the throng, and be lost all the more quickly to Inoadar's alarmed sight. He was about to go after her, when the Morpher leaned in and said with quiet urgency that 'something was petching wrong.' Inoadar knew it would take extra ticks to make his reaction appear nonchalant, but he managed to take a look in the direction Daegron indicated. Seeing nothing right off, he was not so naive as to assume that Daegron had been wrong, but in the meantime, Vera was quickly lost to sight. Torn as to which issue to focus on, he opted to delegate the responsibility for one. "Go after her, slave!" he snarled at Yoona. "You're her protection. The law is harsh where such failure is concerned!" He had heard the mention of "Aunt Ari", and knew Vera would not be able to restrain herself from such a reunion. He too, considered the Vanthan woman a prominent name on his short list of friends. But there was clearly a more personal and pressing concern. He turned his back to the spot Daegron had hinted at, and manufactured a false laugh. He slapped the Morpher on the shoulder as if in response to a good joke, then leaned in as with a hilarious, but private, retort "What did you see? And laugh as if everything's fine." But it became difficult to conduct such clandestine communication just then, as the conductor of the ceremony began a zealous recitation of the many virtues of devotion to Rhysol, the throng eagerly echoing the words in adulatory enthusiasm. "...Gratitude, for his protection from the perils of the wilds...from the harsh encroachments of the weather's extremes...and from the vile treasons of the unfaithful..." These points all being laid upon the despicable laps of the appropriate lesser gods, whose weak wills were so easily coerced into villainy by the misguided minions of Sylir's sycophantic pantheon. "...Devotion, to demonstrate this gratitude, with acts and sacrifices that give resolve to those who march on the front lines of his will: Our noble Ebonstryfe, whose efforts only suffer in the face of those whose devotion is so criminally lax as to question their commands, and by extension the very commands of Rhysol himself...to the detriment of us all." Then the triumphant jubilation of acknowledgement, that even the combined efforts of all his foes falls short in the face of Lord Rhysol's might. And the promise that this might was the reward given to any that gave themselves unto his will without hesitation... Already there were eager shouts of willing martyrs, ready to surrender their lives upon the day's altar, or murmuring against those of lesser zeal, and how they were surely the cause of the very beast whose presence had brought about this grand ceremony.

[Yoona]

"Aunt Ari!"

Vera's joyous squeak startled Yoona more than she liked to admit, her attention having been focused on just about anything but the child for the last few chimes. Which soon proved to have been an error, on her part; no sooner did the Chaktawe woman turn her head had the girl vanished from sight. Craning her neck to peer over the heads of the many huddled temple-goers and onlookers, Yoona searched for any signs of her, but only managed to catch the very top of her head as she wove her way through the taller bodies, her hair bouncing up and down. And then she was gone, again, virtually consumed by the overwhelming mass of people.

Within ticks, the poison-crafter was barking orders at her. Both surprised and incredibly annoyed by his tone of voice, Yoona whirled her head around and stared at him for a moment, her eyes widened at first before quickly narrowing into a glare. Had he learned nothing over the last season...? She was fairly certain that she'd told him more than twice, by now, that she didn't respond well to being told to do things. Granted, it was more or less a nuisance to put up with for those with her status, but Yoona had never minded being verbal about her opinions on the matter.

Briefly, the Chaktawe woman wondered if Inodar even held the proper authority to boss order her around. After all, she belonged to the child, not to him; he'd said so, himself, while chatting with his sketchy friend, just now. It was simple, irrefutable logic.

Even so, Yoona chose to keep her mouth shut. Giving the poison-crafter a slight nod and sparing his supposed "friend" a final, distrusting glance, she turned on her bare heels and began to shoulder her way through the seemingly-endless sea of people. 'Petching child...' the Chaktawe woman mentally grumbled, eyes scanning her surroundings as she none-too-gently forced her way through. 'I blink, and a few ticks later she disappears...and in a place this crowded, of all petching things...'

Just what in the world had possessed the girl to run off like that, anyway? Yoona thought and, recalling how happy the child had sounded, supposed that she'd seen someone who she knew. Quite the feat, considering how tightly packed into the temple's foyer the devoted worshipers all were.

That, however, was the main issue at hand. There were so many people around, of all genders and shapes and ethnicities and sizes...trying to find a child within this mess would be about as easy as finding a feather amidst a massive herd of goats.

Frustrated, now, and all but entirely fed up with pushing bodies aside with her shoulders, the Chaktawe woman came to a halt. 'This is impossible. If I don't find an easier way to...'

And then her void-black eyes settled upon a particularly disinterested-looking fellow a short distance away; his head was down, and a somewhat-shaggy mass of black hair hung over his face.

Well, he certainly was enjoying the gathering. About as much as she was, if not less.

At that moment, an idea suddenly crept into Yoona's mind. Starting to navigate her way through the hordes of religious fanatics, again, she went over towards the young man. "You," she began, speaking before she'd even managed to get in front of him. "Have you seen a girl walk this way? Short one...brown hair, light skin...running, maybe. I no sure. But did you see her or not?"

The Chaktawe woman didn't sound heavily concerned for a slave who was seeking out her fleeing "mistress". And in truth, she wasn't, really; the situation was a lot more annoying than it was alarming, and it was evident in the impatience in her tone, managing to seep through the choppy Common.

"Tawna" | "Common" | 'Thoughts' | Ruki

[Vanari]

Whu...where did she go? In those brief ticks Ari had spent imitating pious prayer, Vera had somehow disappeared. The Vantha thought she'd heard the child's excited cry at some point--or was it one of danger? Or pain? But couldn't be sure. She tried to see if maybe that tall woman who had remained at Vera's side could give any indication as to where the girl went, but she, too, was missing. Great Morwen, what had just happened? Whumpf! An object of pure momentum and joy rammed itself bodily into Vanari's unsuspecting form. She managed to wrap her arms around it without thinking and keep them both from falling backwards, but only just barely. "Vera!" the Vantha exclaimed in shock. A clean, bright face lit with a radiant smile emerged from underneath the mass of dark brown locks buried in her arms. "Auntie, you came!" Empty night, what was she supposed to do now? Her anonymity had been compromised; Vera had seen to that in her flagrant display of recognition. Some of the worshipers around them frowned in disapproval, but dismissed the commotion after seeing it was caused by a mere child. "You should keep better watch of your niece," one pale, pinch faced woman scolded. But that was about all the backlash Vanari received. "How could I not?" the young woman smiled back at Vera, ignoring all else. "You came with Uncle Nolan, didn't you? And that other woman, the tall one--who is she?" Vera nodded eagerly at the first, and then hesitated for just half a tick at the second. "She's...kind of...my slave," the girl admitted reluctantly. "Slave?" More glares were sent their way and Ari lowered her voice immediately. "I mean--Vera...what are you doing with a slave? Don't you remember--" "I do!" the girl whispered back. "But she was in trouble. I...I saved her." Well, if ever there was a greater piece of poetic irony. Vanari shook her head as if to say none of it mattered for now. "Let's worry about this later, hm? First we have to return to Uncle Nolan. I'm sure he won't be happy about you running off like that. This is a serious ceremony, we can't be make him look bad in a place like this. Understood?" Vera nodded sagely. It seemed the girl had done a lot of growing up while Ari was gone. It made the Vantha's heart ache to think of all the things she had not been able to witness. But perhaps after today, some of that could change. "Come on, let's go." She took Vera's small, dark hand in her own and made quiet and respectful progress back toward the poisoner and his scary looking friend. Vanari didn't relish the kinds of explanations and tip toeing she would be forced to do in Parnell's presence. And in a place like this...maybe the fates found it funny. Maybe she was just terribly, horribly unlucky. Either way, there was serious business to attend to. And she would have to figure out the best approach possible given her present circumstances. Though it certainly helped to ease her nerves with Vera's hand in hers; the girl lent her immeasurable comfort, as always.

[Faolan Lundgren]

Faolan Lundgren Faolan glanced around again to see if he could maybe slip out of the ceremony unnoticed but found that to be an unwise endeavor. Instead of trying to come up with some sort of ill-formed plan of escape he just scowled down at the floor. He wondered how long this ceremony was going to take, impatience starting to bleed through his curiosity and nervousness. Just as he was about to look up and scan the room again he found himself staring at a pair of feet that appeared in front of him. If he had the option he would have made a run for it, but seeing as though that wasn't happening he looked up to find a tall woman with dark eyes approaching him. This was the woman he had spotted looking back over the crowd behind herself. It took him a moment to realize that she had spoken to him before she had actually stopped in front of him. His nostrils flared as he took in her scent while he stared up at her mutely for a moment. Clearing his throat he glanced around warily before he spoke. "I haven't seen her." he responded nervously. "Would you like help looking for her?" he inquired, anything to give himself something to do. His blue eyes studied her face carefully before he caught himself and diverted his gaze. He had never met a Chaktawe person before so he was curious but knew that staring was rude. He could tell she was in a hurry to find the child and hoped his offer of help wouldn't offend her. The last thing he needed was to get yelled at in the middle of a crowded temple. Garnering that kind of attention would be disastrous for the Kelvic who had managed to keep from drawing too much attention to himself so far. Fidgeting again he glanced back up at her dark eyes waiting for her answer of whether she would accept his help or not.

[Verin Rush]

People were flocking… the Temple of the Black Sun was busier than Verin Rush had ever seen it. "Because they’ve all been told to come here..." the blond bartender thought privately, "they’re frightened. Rhysol has left them to lead easy lives, and now there is strife." Were he to speak aloud, it would have been easy for any to detect the derision in his voice. He wasn’t impressed by the turn out, even it the majority of those loyal to the city appeared to be flocking to the Temple.

Dressed in his finest black robes, the eldest son of a Sylirist was not yet initiated into the rank of Agent in Rhysol’s devout organisation, but he was more than just hopeful, having prayed to his patron and met with members of the Black Sun. Though not robed in the official uniform, the cloak he was wearing had been a reward - a gift - from the officials of the city. Since being invited to the Temple, and being informed of the opportunity that he would soon receive, Verin had felt an elevated sense of self-importance. Most hours that he wasn’t spending at The Malt House were spent at the Temple… to the point were he was neglecting what he felt was his duty to watch over Ino Vations and the owner of the property.

Entering the main room of the Temple, it was this very same poisoncrafter who was first to catch the Rush scion’s eye. There were others he also knew… Vera would no doubt be lurking somewhere not far from Parnell, and he recognised the man the poisoner was conversing with as the cynic from the tavern a number of seasons ago.

“Devotion, to demonstrate this gratitude, with acts and sacrifices that give resolve to those who march on the front lines of his will: Our noble Ebonstryfe, whose efforts only suffer in the face of those whose devotion is so criminally lax as to question their commands, and by extension the very commands of Rhysol himself...to the detriment of us all.” Late to arrive, timing meant a little less to Verin; he had been in the facilities since early on in the morning, and felt no particular guilt at a late arrival. For appearances sake, it might not had appeared as if he was devoted, but those who mattered knew of his reverence.

There! He saw the apprentice girl, running through the crowd to greet the Vantha woman. A small smile crept upon his face as he remembered their meeting, but it quickly disappeared as he watched the nameless masses move in unison and murmur nonsensical words as though mindlessly chanting, rather than praying. It was disgusting, the blond thought. Part of him hoped that Rhysol would not answer such an inept, lazy attempt at asking for salvation.

“…it is the sins of those who keep the devout from being saved today, but we must not give up on those, for only through persistence do we have right to hope of our Lord’s salvation. Rebellion of the human heart is a gift that Rhysol has given to each of us. And it is strength that allows us to return to him…” It was true, Verin thought, as he crossed his arms and carefully leant against the side of one of the pillars, and he wondered if most would be intelligent enough to truly put thought to what was being said.

OOCA little bit late to the party here... and I'm sorry if I've disappointed anyone who knows the significance of this and was maybe hoping for something else.. anyhoo, helping out with a bit of the prayer to keep the ball rolling, Ino!

[Inoadar]

Inoadar Inoadar found it very difficult to accommodate his own charade with Daegron as he found himself unable to determine exactly where Vera had run off to. There was some jostling and he'd lost the exact path his young apprentice had taken. The only thing he WAS sure of was that the slave woman, Yoona, was not finding it either. For a moment he thought she had, as she clearly was in conversation with someone shorter than the crowd nearby. But his own movement, for a better view, revealed her to be talking to some dark-haired, scruffy-looking, young man, crouching below head level, as if to avoid notice. 'What in Dira's Dungeons is she doing?' he scolded the air silently around him. 'That's not Vera. Did he see her? Do I know him?' he continued questioning himself as he started to take a few steps in that direction. Then there was a flash of...what?...Something subconsciously familiar caught his eye and he looked to his right. 'It's important...it's vital...' the thought dominated his priorities even as he tried to collect reference points to determine what it was that had caught his eye. 'Did I forget it?...I need to be sure...' worry suddenly bloomed in the poisoner's mind about his "lucky letter opener". The implement he'd murdered the Second Edict elder with years ago. It had no real purpose, nor any special qualities. It was strictly a sentimental bit of nostalgia, symbolizing the first time he'd made a life changing decision without anyone else' approval. The elder had corrupted the purity of young Inoadar's devotion to that cause and the gesture had been necessary. His only regret had been that he'd been required to make his escape, and would never see that faction rise to the greatness it should have attained. But he had found that all of Ravok had that same potential. The crowds were chanting phrases to the same effect right now. It was very distracting to his focus...that focus being strangely centered on removing the uniquely liveried blade and holding it up to be more easily seen. A part of his mind screamed a furious warning. He found himself trying to establish why he questioned obeying this impulse. 'Wrenmae...question your actions...why am I thinking of this?...' his thoughts were oddly formulated, there seemed to be no track to follow their development in his consciousness. It was as though they simply appeared. The blade rose to where it could be easily seen by any that chose to look. Suddenly his mind registered scorn and satisfaction in equal measure. Scorn being directed right now, and satisfaction being eagerly anticipated. It all came clear in a stab of raging anxiety. He had been hypnotized into revealing himself! Much like Wrenmae had done to him. A voice suddenly burst into his mind. 'Yes, Trandino, I suspected it was you. Only you would be arrogant and foolish enough to keep a token of your treachery. You have avoided retribution for too long now. But I have found your weakness. Look to your left...a little more...Do you see me?...I certainly see you!' Even before he saw the man he knew who and what he would see. A bounty hunter from Nyka. A man seemingly blind, but with powerful Auristics, and instincts to match a wild predator. It had long been rumored that the man possessed some mark of some wild god that gave him greatly heightened senses. It was also rumored that his supposedly blind eye was just a trick. Inoadar scowled, trying to betray no fear, but felt bleak emptiness in his spirit. He had enough experience with confrontations to know when his opponent's voices carried true confidence. The bounty hunter smiled in vengeful rapture and pointed back behind himself and to a right oblique angle. He finally saw Vanari, and beside her, the top of Vera's head. But more importantly, there was a single hooded man not facing the direction everyone else was. He was facing the two of them instead, his steps bringing him ever closer. In just a few ticks he would be upon them! Rage and impotence warred in Inoadar's heart. He was too far away to have any impact on what was unfolding. But not too far for the bounty hunter to relish his agony. "Surrender to me Trandino...' The bounty hunter held up a vial, it matched any one of several debilitating compounds Inoadar knew. 'Drink this, and surrender...or watch them die...first the woman, quickly...Then the girl...slowly.' The blind eyes sparkled with vengeful joy as images of perfected tortures began to parade across Inoadar's quailing mind. OOCNot at all, Verin! Jump right in. And now, if you will all open your hymnals, we will raise our voices in song to His glory...

[Daegron]

oocwow what a twist ! let me know if I messed things up ? Also, this cynic welcomes the zealot

Doomed.
Beyond redemption. That was a phrase he could relate. For the most part and as far as he knew, Gods were not beings that usually promoted benevolence or required their flock to be virtuous. And virtuous he definitely was not; many of his past and present deeds were meant to harm others or to give him satisfaction. He often mused in his sober-and-profound moments of what redemption or forgiveness was like or if he'd ever get any. With bitter smiles he'd wager that such things are way beyond him and gladly accepted the fact that his life was a downward spiral. Yet he knew not that he was diving into the deepest abyss.

The young girl's flight coincided with his warning remark, but his paranoia eagerly dismissed it in favour of the matter that he deemed more pressing. He trusted that the desert dweller would retrieve her or dispose of any threat to her, even after noticing her unwillingness to follow orders and the defiant glare that was her answer.

"What the petch is so funny" he thought, but soon he understood the charade. The doctor seamlessly wore a mask that covered his cold characteristics and placed himself between Daegron and the suspect. The grin that followed was about the way his "friend" acted and about how well he'd managed to spot what seemed like an obvious threat to both of them. It would probably make up for his inadequate acting.

"There's someone watching us...you.. what have you done again ?" he responded and tried his best to add a chuckle, as if he was exchanging some kind of joke with Parnell. Yet the cold green eyes lost their gleam and focus. As he tried to recall something hilarious to aid his imitated funny banter, he realized that the poisoner was lost. As if he was struggling with himself ? It awakened some terrible memory in his head, a faint reminiscence.

A blade was raised, and though the Morpher's instincts screamed for action, logic prevailed. It' pointed edge was not aimed for his gut, and if it was, it would already be plunged into him. Parnell's empty stare turned to look at his left. Someone was staring at the poisoner intently. As if he was focusing on him. And an eerie feeling accompanied the memory's resurface and the terrible realization.

Her eyes were the deepest blue, as if the oceans were circling her pupils; their gentle waves lulled and beckoned. Her lips the deepest red, as if desire had worn it's brightest veils, commanding his lust. Her voice a sweet promise of sin, a song that mesmerized and promised him the world. And he was hers, unable to resist, ready to follow her to the edge of the world, to protect, to assist, to obey.
"Sweet Vanya, my only desire, my fervent passion, my true love, my everything..." and that's how she did it, he remembered. That was her way into his mind."...you petching whore you hypnotized me! You got me under your spell and then threw me away ! I hope you gag on the worms that sprout from your infested mouth" his thoughts screamed.

That's exactly how his own gaze once was. Vacant and confused as he kept struggling to break free. Like Parnell's who seemed to look around by that bastards command. The man's pupils dilated as he saw something horrible unfolding before his eyes. Whatever could make that man loose his usual calculating coldness was surely fearsome. Whoever threatened his "friend" would doubtlessly target himself too. They were truly in deep shyke.

As faithful blocked the path between them and the eerie stranger in their passage, Daegron's impulsive self took charge; it led his hand into a bold move that wouldn't go unnoticed. There was no time for theater or innuendo; a mighty slap was aimed towards Parnell's face. Hopefully it would work...

"Snap out of it ! Now !"

[Vanari]

They were making slow but sure progress toward Parnell when, out of no where, Vera stopped dead in her tracks and threw both of her skinny arms around Vanari's waist. "I missed you, auntie..." the girl muttered, face buried in the Vantha's stomach and voice barely audible through layers of coarse fabric. "Will you be able to stay this time? For a little while, at least? I know you can't make promises, but you came the one time to the shop, and then stopped, and I just..." There were a lot of things Ari regretted in her short life. A lot of people she let down, a lot of things she wished she had or had not done. It took leaving everything she knew--her home, her family, her way of life--just to be able to think for herself. It took even more to think for herself and not die a swift, meaningless death at the same time. She'd been tossed into the sea, nearly eaten by Glassbeaks, and chased by nothing less terrifying than the Ebonstryfe. Suffice it to say, there were plenty of moments that forced the Vantha to reconsider her goals and priorities. But it had only taken one season away from Vera to know where she truly wanted to be. Vanari pushed the child away enough to bend down on one knee and look her in the eye. "Vera, I will stay as long as I can. Much longer than the last time. For this, I give you my word. No take backs." This time when Vera smiled, it felt like Syna herself had burst through her very features. Her auntie beamed back with mirrored joy, eyes turning a vibrant shade of tangerine, and neither could quite remember where they were originally supposed to be headed for a tick. Then, just as they were about to embrace a second time before commencing the return of Parnell's little protege, a shadow loomed over them both. Vera shrieked. Large, calloused hands shot out and grabbed her by the arms, lifting her clear off her feet. In the span of less than a heartbeat, the child was ripped from Vanari's arms and dangled roughly in the air by her torso. "Ari!" came Vera's terrified scream. "GIVE HER BACK!" the Vantha demanded in sheer horror as she stood to confront the man, fumbling around her belt to unsheathe one of her Tamos. Some of the worshipers turned to watch the commotion. A few of them appeared concerned, though none were concerned enough it seemed to disrupt the ceremony and intervene on either victim's behalf. "Ah, ah, ah." The stranger pointed his own dagger first at Ari, then the squirming captive in his arm. He was wearing a hood so it was hard to make out his features, but that did nothing if not enhance the growing sense of dread his sudden presence had forced upon the Vantha. "If you don't cooperate, she dies. Simple as that. Got it?" Vanari glowered at him, mute with rage. Her eyes had shifted from deep blue to ruby red. "I'll take that as a yes. Now, time to move so our dearest poisoner can see you two nice and clear. Let's do this without making a fuss, eh? I take it I don't have to remind you why. You seem a reasonably smart lass, though perhaps not so much for getting involved with the likes of Trandino. Off you go now, no use in stalling." Gods, the amount this one talked. The Vantha wanted to fight, to scream, to gnaw off that stupid, petching, self-satisfied grin beneath the shadows of his hood. But he had Vera. It was as simple and inarguable as that. Walking did, however, afford her some time to put two and two together. Struggling to tell Parnell--Trandino--whichever it was--about the bounty hunters for over half a season had left her so distracted that, ironically, she remained unprepared in the event those same bounty hunters got to him first. Or, in this case, to Vera. Vanari's own life warranted less dilemma, but the girl's, and in the hands of these ruthless monsters...neither guardian would ever be able to live with themselves afterwards. "Not to worry," the bounty hunter assured, sounding unnervingly cheerful. He still had a dagger pointed behind Ari's back and Vera tucked firmly under his other arm. "You'll die first, and quick, since you weren't part of the boss's plan. We'll keep this little sweetheart alive for a bit longer, though. As added assurance. And if we get bored..." Vanari halted mid stride, causing the man to almost walk straight into her. His dagger jabbed her in the back and she felt the telltale sting of pain. But the Vantha was so furious she no longer cared. "Move it," the man hissed. "Don't make me say it twice." "I'll freeze first," the Vantha snarled back. Then she spit in his eye, momentarily blinding him, before she dug her teeth into his hand with all the strength she could muster.

[Yoona]

OOCUhhh...assuming I'm not interrupting some planned plot thing by getting Yoona involved in...all this.

'Well, then...there goes that idea,' Yoona mused as the young man spoke to her, claiming that he hadn't seen any sign of the girl passing by. Damn it all...the interior of the temple was massive, and practically overflowing with praying men, women, and children. Just how in the world was she supposed to find a single child in this mess...?

Though she admitted to having been distracted for the last few chimes, the Chaktawe woman didn't think she held any of the blame as far as keeping an eye on the child went. Vera had been standing near her the entire time, and had sped off as soon as she'd seen whoever it was she recognized in the crowd. The girl was surprisingly quick, and Yoona doubted that she'd have been able to grab her in time.

Yoona sighed, all of a sudden, lifting a hand to place a few fingers on the bridge of her nose as she closed her eyes and thought. There was always the option of asking other people. Then again, most of the ones there seemed pretty invested in their prayers and intelligible murmurs; it was likely that they'd ignore her, and with how little patience she had left in her, the fourth or fifth soul who kept their back to her would be rough-handled. The Chaktawe woman wasn't sure if there were any Stryfe lurking about—she'd only seen a few outside, controlling the crowds and whatnot—but she sure as hell didn't want to attract the attention of one, and "assaulting" a citizen was the first step towards a steep, rocky slope.

Perhaps Ruki would agree to go off and search? She and the guardian could split up, and cover a good amount of the temple together.

The idea brought more or less of a realization to Yoona. The best way to tackle this sort of problem was to enlist in outside help...and if the citizens themselves couldn't care less to bother, then she'd take advantage of whatever else she could get her hands on. Like this scruffy young man, for example. He was even willing to lend a hand, which was...pretty surprising, to be honest. Looking him up and down for a moment, her void-like eyes taking in his posture, little movements, and tone of voice, the Chaktawe woman was quick to deem him as anything but a threat. He was much too...anxious, much too unsure. And that lack of danger being posed didn't equate to trust, in her eyes, but it was good enough for the situation at hand.

Her mind made up, Yoona gave the young man a nod. "You can help. We find her much quicker, that way," she said at last, her expression blank as she stared down at him. Then she looked around a bit, shrugged, and turned to go walking in a random direction. "Go wherever you want," she called over her shoulder, ignoring the few annoyed and nervous glances she received for doing so. "If you find child, I find you."

She doubted that he'd understand what she meant by her final words, but that was fine. All that mattered was that she'd be able to track him down, again, if he managed to find Vera before she did. A good distance away from him, now, Yoona continued to make her way through the various bodies and attempted to call upon her striped friend. 'Ruki. I need your help with something, and I need it now.'

"Wha? What is it?" the guardian replied as he came into being beside her, an uncomfortable scowl on his face as he slid himself out from under a man's legs.

'Vera's run off. I don't have the slightest petching idea as to where she's gone, but I've got someone helping me look for her, and I want you to go with them.'

"...and why's that?"

'If he finds her, you can come and find me. Simple. Or I'll come and find you. Whatever the case, just go with him, alright? The sooner we get this over with, the less rants and raves I'll have to deal with, later.'

Ruki lifted his head to stare up at her, his ears twitching as he thought over her words. Then he let out a sigh, and seemed to relent. Somewhat relieved, Yoona pointed him over to where the scruffy young man had gone, then watched him vanish amidst the masses before continuing on her way.

A few chimes later, a sudden, high-pitched shriek reached her ears, making her body go completely rigid. She knew that voice. She was certain that she knew it. Eyes widened in alarm, Yoona turned and turned as she scanned the many faces of the surrounding crowd, intent on finding the sound's source. Her gaze finally fell upon the many turned heads a few feet away, and the sudden spectacle that had caught their attention.

And there was Vera, being held in the air by some hooded figure.

'What the—?!'

Now that she looked a bit more, she noticed that there was a woman standing in front of the figure, her face horror-stricken as she stared up at the captive girl. Was that who Vera had seen, maybe...?

The figure babbled for a while, though all of Yoona's attention was on the squirming child in his arms. Then he began to lead the woman and set her ahead of him, the glint of a partially-hidden dagger in his hand. All of a sudden, the woman wove around and seemed to attack, going in to bite the figure's hand. And it was at that moment that the Chaktawe woman decided to go in, too, literally shoving bodies aside as she forced her way through the thickened masses to get to them. As opposed to attacking head on, however, Yoona went around and came up behind the trio, having just enough sense in her mind to try and attempt something that the assailant wouldn't see coming. Moving as quickly and quietly as the space would allow her, she sprung up behind the hooded figure and attempted to wrap her strong arms around his neck to yank him back.

"Tawna" | "Common" | 'Thoughts' | Ruki