Session X01 – The waterfalls of Lesbith’Quir (Bonus Chapter)
THE NAME MADE MY PLAYERS LAUGH, OKAY. So it's canon now. You're stuck with it.
Hannah - 5 Years Ago
Gregorius's head swiveled around constantly, trying to take in everything all at once. "Wow. This place is amazing!" His eyes bugged out of his head as three elves dressed in sheer fabrics of pastel pink, yellow, and blue danced up to him. Their crop tops were unequal to the challenge and short skirts swished outward, leaving modesty uncovered as they swirled around the dazed orc.
Each woman was humming a different note, but they all combined together into a beautiful song. The lead woman spun to a stop and looked up into our monk's eyes as the other two continued swirling around the pair of them. "Good sir, would you be so kind as to help out three young students of the Dragonspire Academy struggling with our studies? A single gold coin would keep us fed for a week so that we may concentrate on learning the many forms of the Spellblade. And we would also be delighted to show the good sir our many moves."
"I do have a gold piece! The tall orc looked back at us with glee in his eyes. "You all go on without me. I'm going to help these nice ladies study their forms!" The girls giggled and danced away with him.
Gabriella's brows pulled together in worry. "He's not gonna accidentally sell his soul, right?"
I laughed and looked at her with a twinkle in my eye. "Let me allay your fears. Those were real students, admittedly with questionable taste in men. I wouldn't let the kid get his soul sucked out."
The tall raven-haired elf relaxed and leaned against the mythril railing as she gazed out at the vast waterfalls all around us. "Good. That's.. good." With a heavy sigh, she ran a hand through her loose hair. "This whole being a leader thing is hard."
My hand rested on her shoulder and I gave a comforting squeeze. "You're doing fine, Gabriella. You've kept us all safe." I laughed and jingled my purse. "And we have enough coin to take a vacation in the great city of Lesbith'Quir!"
"Yup! You're the best!" Cassandra squeaked beside me and grabbed my other hand. "Anyways. I need to steal Hannah for a bit. We'll be back. Umm.. stay safe!" The red-haired devil yanked me away, leaving Gabriella standing by herself and at a loss for words.
"Uh, sure. I'll.. be.. here.. By myself." Gabriella awkwardly stuffed her hands in her pockets and stared out at the crashing water as bright sunlight glimmered off its turbulent depths.
A girlish squeal trailed behind us as Cassandra dragged me what felt like halfway across the city before finally pulling me into a small gazebo and gently closing the door. My cheeks colored as I looked around at the intimate space and then down at the short sorcerer looking hopefully up at me.
"Soooooo, I was thinking that I might tell Gabriella that I like her. You know, while we're here in this magical city, the love capital of Illith Aranor. It just feels right to me, you know? Am I making any sense? I'm just really hoping that she feels the same way. Surrounded by all these beautiful waterfalls and beautiful women and oh gods Below, I left her alone! What if someone hotter than me comes along and they run off together? Ahhhhhh-"
I put a hand over Cassandra's mouth and her mumbled voice continued on for several more sentences. "Girl, breathe!" Her nostrils flared as she finally stopped and sucked air back into her body. "Yes, I think Gabriella has the hots for you, too. Yes, I think it's a great idea to confess your feelings in the capital of love. No, I don't think she'll run off with the first woman who talks to her. When are you going to do it?" She mumbled something into my hand. I giggled and removed it.
"Umm.. I'm not sure. Tomorrow, maybe? I need to think about what I'm going to say. I might buy her a gift?" Cassandra hooked one foot behind her leg and nervously twirled her hair around a finger. Her tail wrapped tightly around her waist in a familiar gesture of uncertainty.
My head bobbed up and down. "Okay. That's some solid planning. Maybe a master-crafted dagger? She does love her weapons, you know."
Infernal eyes went wide with delight as she gasped. "Yes! That's a brilliant idea. I'll find a pretty dagger to give her. Oh! Maybe even an enchanted one. If I can afford it." She chewed on her lip as her thoughts wandered.
"Great! So then, you have a plan. Now, let's go grab your future-girlfriend and have some fun in the capital of love."
We raced back to the waterfalls and swept Gabriella up in our wake. "Whoa! Where are we going?" She looked from me to Cassandra and her eyes lingered there. I smirked.
"So, I heard about this craftsman who uses Wind and Essence of Whimsy to spin sugar into colorful and tasty shapes." I pointed and dragged them both off to a corner of the food bazaar.
Spun sugar in hand, we walked along the attractions at a more leisurely pace, nibbling at our sweet treat. Cassandra hummed. "Hannah, you're a genius. This spun sugar makes my tongue dance around in my mouth!" She gasped and pointed excitedly. "Gods Above! There's a wizard giving levitation rides. Oh! Can we go, please please please!"
My eyes darted over to Gabriella who looked uncertain. She did not enjoy heights. I poked her arm. "Come on Gabbi, it'll be fun, I promise. We'll go up together." I gave Cass a conspiratorial wink.
She wavered, looking between me and Cass's puppy eyes. "Alright. I'll give it a try. But if I hurl, you're cleaning it up!"
My head bobbed up and down excitedly. "Sure, sure. Let's go."
We raced across the concourse, trying to keep pace with the infernal sorcerer as she darted ahead. Gabriella and I caught up to her at the display. A wizened old man in robes and a honest to gods Above pointed hat stood beside it, smiling at us. I looked up and read the sign.
| Zeddicus's Zany Zoomies!
|
"Well.. that's certainly whimsical." I laughed and looked to my companions. Gabriella nervously shifted her weight from foot to foot while Cassandra vibrated with almost violent amounts of energy, much like a volcano about to blow its top.
"Come on! Let's go. Hurry, before Gabbi chickens out." Cass pushed us both up to the wizard, but he held up a commanding hand.
"I'm so sorry, my Lady, but only two patrons may experience Zeddicus's Zany Zoomies at the same time." The man ran a hand regretfully through his elaborate gray beard.
"Oh darn, well, you'll just have to go without me." Gabriella started to turn away before I caught her shoulder and shoved her into Cassandra. The tall elf squealed as she collided into the shorter devil and both their cheeks turned bright shades of red.
"Nonsense. I'll wait it out. All this heavy armor probably counts as another person anyway." I laughed and waved them onward.
Gabriella stared at me with wide eyes, her cheeks turning even brighter as she carefully wrapped her arms around Cassandra and held her close. The devil winked at me and I gave them both thumbs up.
"Aaahhhhhhhhh!"
"Aaahhhhhhhhh!"
They screamed together as the wizard launched them into the air. I smiled up at the two screaming women as they sailed high enough to give birds a fright. This adventuring thing wasn't too bad, so long as I had my friends.