Chapter 31: Broken Spirits

"A moment of reprieve."​

Face flushed— body on fire— you try to get your heart to stop racing as Ofelia and Celegwen hold themselves against you. It's a blessing that your nerves are still so worn out. Instinct screams at you to pull away, but all you can do is lean in.

It's hard to not ramble. With how badly your mind is racing, you try to sort out your thoughts. "W-when I go back home—" You will try your damnedest to be reassuring with two women held against you. "—I'll take an absence from the Church. It's— it's very unusual for me to ever need to call upon a God for aid. It's unheard of to invoke many, or even two at once. I'm sure that once I get back— after everything I've been through— I hope that everyone will understand. They'll need to."

Ofelia's pouts in silent protest. You rush to reassure her. "It's not unheard of, though. Father Wilhelm— of the Church of Dream— he has a beautiful retreat, away from his Church. For the season of Grace. I don't care how hard they want to push me. I'm going to take a break." Celegwen's breath is hot on your cheek. Her head lays against your shoulder. "It— it has been nice getting out and away from it all, despite—despite everything. Not that there's anything wrong with the Church of Mercy—"

The woman on your shoulder can't help but laugh at Ofelia's expression. The rogue's grimace could kill. "You are going to scare him away at this rate, Ofelia."

"Shuddap. There's plenty wrong from what I've heard."

You aren't about to defend the clergy, let alone argue religion with a heathen. You try to clarify, frowning back at her. "The building itself, I mean."

I just want a break.

There's a strong desire to say more, but you're uncertain of how to continue. The heretic manages to worm herself out from Celegwen's arms, out of the hug, and sits more comfortably beside you. She clearly sees how tense you are. Conversely, Celegwen seems reluctant to pull herself away.

You aren't quite sure if you want her bare arms to move away from the black of your robes, either. The contrast is elegant, and her support is seriously welcome. Ofelia doesn't seem to mind, and settles on leaning her head against her knees as she sits down.

The small woman looks up to you. "Last time you drank 'round us, you mentioned getting out a lot. Surprised me a good bit, what with how pale ya' are. What kinda stuff do ya like to do outside the church?" Mumbling ensues. "Feels like I know more 'bout yer Gods than I do 'bout you."

Stunned, you repeat her question in disbelief. "What do I like to do...?"

"Yeah. You know. Dancin', hikin', cookin'. Fun stuff."

Each suggestion seems worse than the last.

Her tears have dried, and she manages a smirk. You're even nudged on the side of your arm. "Okay, maybe none of that—"

"W-well—" You almost pause your interruption, but press on with renewed confidence. "I'm not much of a dancer, or a hiker— and I can't remember the last time that I cooked— but I do like getting out. Seeing new places, fishing, making maps—" A hint of a smile crosses your face. "Journaling, reading..."

Both women return your smile. You can feel Celegwen's grin against your shoulder.

"I— I suppose there were several things." Thanks to the grasp you're held in, you can't totally turn away in embarrassment. Settling your eyes on Ray suits you just fine. His comfortable position nestled beside you turns into an awkward one. A goofy attempt is made to lick at your robes without getting up. As badly as you'd like to scratch his ears, you make due by asking, "would you believe me if I told you I've raised him since he was a pup?"

Ofelia's eyebrows raise. "He wasn't always this big?"

"I used to be able to carry him in one arm. I'm willing to bet you could have, too."

Celegwen lifts her head off of your shoulder, easing up from her hold on your arms.

Extreme care goes into keeping your hands still, while you pet your dog and let him keep you upright. "He had a terrible fear of thunderstorms. I'd stay up all night keeping him company. I never could have imagined how brave he'd become." Ray nestles his face beside you, nuzzling affectionately into your open palm. "We've been best friends for as long as I've known him. You're a smart boy, aren't you Ray?"

You stop scratching behind Ray's ears for a moment and make a very quiet, brief whistle. "I've taught him so much."

Your hands are trembling far too much to command him through gesture alone, but it's a non-issue to you command the hound to sit, stay, roll over, and come around behind you. "Here." He proudly worms himself behind you and Celegwen, and butts his nose against the elf to wrestles himself between the two of you.

Your friends look legitimately impressed. Shakily wrapping an arm around Ray, you ease off of Celegwen and relax significantly more.

She doesn't mind you getting some space, and looks particularly floored by the commands and routine. "My research indicated that most humans had dominance over animals, but I could not duplicate my findings." It's hard to not wince at her statement until she elaborates. "Admittedly, I could not get him to even follow us without a substantial amount of bribery."

"He's been my companion for years. You just need to show him a little respect."

There's a long pause, during which you make a ridiculous expression. Ofelia chuckles. "You don't say? What else do ya' think we oughta do different 'round him?"

This is ridiculous.

Though you glance away, a grin starts working across your face. "It wouldn't hurt to treat him with some kindness, either. "

"Oh?" Celegwen picks herself completely off of your shoulder, and makes sure you're alright against Ray before inching back. She crosses her arms and makes a mockery of a stern expression between all of you. "Why, that's perfectly reasonable!"

The slightest laugh escapes from your lips. Half-afraid of the answer— and entirely self-conscious— you can't help but ask, "imagine if he— if he was as kind to himself?"

"Nooo." Ofelia cheekily sneers at you. "That would be ridiculous. Who would ever suggest that people be decent to one another? That DEFINITELY doesn't extend towards people bein' kind to themselves."

"Ofelia, you must have this figured out by now. I know far from everything." Redness streaks across your face as you turn away and try to not grin.

"Of course." The smug sorceress leans into you slightly as she looks to Ofelia. "You would have little reason to keep me around if that were the case."

Violence flashes in the rogue's eyes and teeth. "That's it! Yer not usin' Richard as a meat shield any longer. I'm gonna' kick your ass—!"

As Ofelia moves to start bullying Celegwen at length, you realize Ray's playful demeanor has entirely stopped. "Ofelia—?"

Both women are entirely preoccupied with their banter and can't hear your timid voice over their din.

Ray's growling gets their attention. All of you go on high alert. Ofelia bolts upright from rustling Celegwen's hair, grabs a dagger, and moves in front of you. You're reminded that you couldn't stand right now even if your life depended on it, and look to Celegwen with terror as she gets to her feet as well. Ray stays right next to you, keeping you propped up. His growls are directed at the end of the cavern.

Outside of the radius of Celegwen's staff, and outside of the light it emits, it's impossible to see what's approaching. Mundane green strains to make out anything in the darkness for only a moment.

The sorceress extinguishes her light, leaving you all in shadows.

You murmur, "do you see or hear anything?"

"It's very small," Ofelia says. "Looked like a girl. Weird clothes. Couldn't get a good look at her face."

There's no conceivable way a child could survive this deep into the ruins. It could be an imp. Ofelia and Celegwen can take on a single one.

"I don't hear her." Celegwen tenses so quickly, her hair practically stands on end. "Quiet."