Kingmaker

[Ravenloft]

Vayah only smiled at Blackwood's apparent discomfort over talking of familial matters and let it go with a slight nod. "Thank you, Xax will love them." She, as priestess was already promised to the next chieftan of her tribe. Thaven, he was strong and kind, but far too protective. She knew many of her talents would go to waste once she became his woman. This pilgramage could not have come at a better time for her. They had been due to take over the tribe in a matter of days but she had finally convinced her tribe that they needed to send someone to try and create a bridge with the comming tide of settlers.

She was the best pick, and quite eagerly offered herself to that goal. Thaven guessed her real intent and spoke against it, but not until after she'd left. So there were a hand full of their tribal warriors out looking for her, intent on bringing her back.

She swallowed her food and mannaged a polite nodd though her eyes were deep in thought for a moment, weighing when the best time to warn them of the danger of accepting her into their party were.

The mention of them making their own rules drew her full attention. "Really? You can do that? You're not bound by your tribe's beliefs? You are here to... Build a... Kingdome right? Thats like a tribe? Will it be one of your very own?" There was excitement in her voice.

"Oh! I know many places like that in and around the woods! But... Um..." They all would put them well within her tribes hunting grounds. "No... Maybe not right now..." She drew back with a nervous frown. "How bad do they say it is?" She asked, wondering what they could possibly know. Her tribe had been watching from the woods for some time and though the tide of adventurers was cause for concern, it seemed like more of an opportunity to her than something bad.

 

[deevo]

Mr Hurst & JadeKnight

"Just Hurst, please. I'm truly flattered you recognize me however, you'd be amazed how many people don't."

Sebastian just nodded and smiled. Didn't the man give his name? He started to reconsider his new acquaintance. At least the information was useful. Hurst was right about the nervous-looking dwarf, but Smythe could hardly fault the man - everything the catgirl did seemed to exude sensuality. Sebastian was intrigued.

Indeed, he was intrigued bya number of folk at the bar, which seemed to be getting livelier. Sebastian checked his bottle, then cocked his head.

"My wine seems to have disappeared," he said. "How about another mug of ale to wash down your dinner, Mr. Hurst?" Sebastian led the way, little caring if the ragged-looking fellow followed. Smythe was thirsty, but he was also eager to get to know a few more patrons. In the morning, the first groups would head out to stake their claims in the Stolen Lands; Sebastian wanted to make sure he was in a prime position.

How else was a gentleman to find his way in such a lawless place? Not that Sebastian wasn't familiar with less-than-legal behaviour. But he found the most profitable cons involved a partner.

He sidled up to the bar and placed the empty wine bottle on the counter.

"Another bottle of your finest red, good sir, and an ale for my friend," he said, leaning back against the bar. "Just put it on my tab." Sebastian glanced left and right. The catgirl seemed busy checking out the dwarf's wares, proving to Sebastian that bigger isn't always better. He was caught for a moment by the Oriental beauty sitting nearby and gave her a polite nod.

"M'lady."

 

[kittenofdeath]

The knife impacted just before Arkans fingers reached the mug, but the sudden threat of violence didn’t phase him in the slightest, he continued with taking a refreshing sip of his drink as if it hadn’t even happened. Once his mouth wasn’t so dry he turned his head to the blade, one eyebrow raised in curiosity, he inquisitively flicked it with his off hand, making it wobble back and forth, which meant it was in there well enough that he probably couldn’t pull it out without notable effort, and that would be quite the humiliating act.

“You may wish to be a touch more careful” he said as he looked over his shoulder at the most likely suspect, the man with the bandoleer of knives he had passed, his face still looking perfectly jovial despite the growing likelihood of violence “you seem to have rather forcefully dropped one of your blades, I suspect that some of these patrons might take it the wrong way if it were to happen to them, and we wouldn’t want to start a commotion so soon, would we?”

 

[NotShyGuy]

Jin watched with curiosity as Chem was pulled to the bar by Kali. Jin had some experience with alchemy, though not much. Just enough to know how to make alchemical cartridges for his pistol without losing any fingers. But as he saw Chem pour a vial into his cup before drinking it, he tensed, ready to dive for cover. Men could do stupid things to try to impress a beautiful woman, and Jin knew how (impressively) destructive some alchemical concoctions could be.

As he saw Chem shrink down, he relaxed and let out a deep breath, going back to his meal. Jin said to Bunker, "Not the most useful of potions is it? I'd hate to be stuck in a tight spot when it wore off."

 

[Sean Renaud]

Savoredsting

"Well it's obvious that you don't get out a whole lot, which is a damn shame. You're pretty cute." She wove her fingers together resting her elbows on her knee and her chin on her fingers. "You'd probably be quite the lady killer if you had the slightest clue how adorable you are." The faintest sparkle followed her hand as she moved one hand out to lightly caress his cheek. "And you are really bad at this. That said I'm still surprised how kind I feel like being with you."

She almost visibly deflated, releasing her breath and uncrossing her legs. There was even the slightest pout but she was still managing to maintain a smile. "I already told you anything of import with the Gayles. The only thing I didn't mention is no matter what they might pretend they do value family, at least those three. Blackwood was sent out here to die. Tassis and Leelane volunteered. As for my name I am Creotia." She smiled for a moment then turned sour. "Well I think I've spent enough time with you. Still I would suggest you talk to a girl before you offer her gold and ask her to change."

 

[Sean Renaud]

Ravenloft

"Making our own rules?" Tassis almost roared with laughter. "Who's going to tell us otherwise once we have set a claim?" Blackwood only responded by grabbing his mug and slamming it with both cousins, all clearly on board with that particular thought. "What are they going to do? Declare us bandit kingdoms?"

Leelane smiled and pushed her hair away from her neck. "Yes, kingdom is like our own tribe. The elders can play a nice long game of go fuck themselves if we succeed."

"Of course if we don't we die." Blackwood added, obviously the buzzkill that drew his cousins attention.

Leelane shook her head. "It's said to be completely lawless, a land conquered by bandits and monsters. We've seen green skins but nothing else so far to make their claims true but. . . we haven't seen much to prove the humans are okay down there.

 

[HotKittygirl]

Kali @ the bar

Kali's amber gaze fell quickly upon the female who addressed her, a curious human at that. Her nose wrinkled and wriggled as she sniffed at her, those ears perked curiously forward. The offer was too undeniably attractive to pass by, after all food was food and free food, well.

A confident smile drifted out over those radiant features as Kumio addressed her and offered that grin, along with a rather flattering comment. If Kali had been more humble she might have blushed of faltered, but instead she offered a grin of her own, flashing those subtle but undeniable fangs. She didn't respond, instead she simply took a step closer, all but forgetting her other acquaintance as she grasped the chicken by the leg and lifted it off the plate.

Not the leg mind you, the entire chicken. While it could have been easy to remove the leg or a slice of juicy meat, the catfolk literally sunk her claws into the carcass and brought it to her lips. She savored the smell for a moment, a rather smug look lingering upon her face before she simply opened her mouth as wide as it could go and sunk her teeth into it fangs first. With a rather loud “Mmmfhn!” and a jerk of her head she ripped off a large chunk and proceeded to chew it mouth open.

One wouldn't do though, with another rumbling mumble from her throat she took another bite just as she was finishing the first, then another before she flopped the dead bird down on the plate with a sick slap of greasy meat on a cool plate. How such a lithe creature could eat so much so quick was a mystery, though it wasn't as if she were skin and bones. That svelte frame was deceptive and contained a rather impressive strength, though she obviously lacked some social graces.

“Mmmhn. 's gud!” She managed to get out between bites, reaching for the mug of whatever was offered to wash it down with a undeniable sigh of a moan. It all went to a rather boisterous display, though she didn't seem to mind one bit. Kali tilted her head back and downed her mug, washing away the chicken to make room for more. Though before she could get her claws back into it the male she had dragged to the bar didn't something truly stupendous.

He shrunk.

That left the feline blinking in disbelief, finding a child-sized version of the man with the vials on the stool. At first she didn't quiet know what to make of it, those amber orbs were wide as saucers and her ears folded back against her crimson mane.

“You can make yourself into a baby? What kind of magic is that?” Slowly her brows furrowed, truly not grasping the concept of shrinking one's size down as an asset. To her, power was in strength and there was no strength in being a mewling kitten. Though before she could fight the urge to lift him up by the scruff of his neck she caught sight of another one seemingly giving her the eye. Slender fiery brows arched as she gave a gentle shrug of her proud shoulders, stretching the material of that already tight fitting top to near indecency.

“He's not my baby. You can have him,” She assumed (mostly wrong) it was about the alchemist shrinking in size. Still, she held his gaze as it was upon her, only to give Kumio a side-long glance.

 

[NotShyGuy]

Jin to Kali

Jin watched with a smile as Kali tore into the chicken as if she was starving. There was something refreshing about seeing someone who so obviously cared little for social conventions. His eyes were keen, and he could see the subtle ripple and flex of an impressive muscle structure beneath those sinful curves and dark fur.

Jin suppressed a laugh at Kali's reaction to Chem's sudden shrinking. Perhaps something more destructive would have been a better idea after all. The catfolk didn't strike him as the most subtle of women.

Kali's gaze met his and Jin held her gaze right back, making no secret of the fact that he had been admiring her. There was no point in trying to hide that she was gorgeous, and that her attitude intrigued him.

Fishing a few more pieces of silver from his purse, Jin laid them on the table as he called the bartender over again, "Bartender, another roast chicken for the catfolk before she completely takes advantage of the lady's hospitality," he said, nodding to Kumio. "Will you join me?" he asked Kali.

 

[Sean Renaud]

Deevo

"While an extra mug rarely hurts I do need to keep my wits about me. I do sadly have a purpose this eve and I'd just as soon be done with it." He lightly tapped the man on the shoulder and grinned. "Have yourself a good evening." Hurst said with a smile turning to a new conversation as soon as Sebastian stood.

 

[Sean Renaud]

Kittenofdeath

The bald man canted his head to the right pausing for a full breathe before rising to his feet. "I see you're not so pampered that you can't take a joke. Most people react a little more. . .violently to a knife being thrown at them."

He ran one hand over his bald head the other down his side notably away from his knives as he approached. "And yes I was hoping to cause a bit of commotion, see if I could weigh the value of the folk here." He hopped onto a stool and snatched the nearest ale flicking a gold piece to it's former owner without blinking. "You see I'm quite interested in seeing a particular strumpet in battle, and it seems to be something she's quite adept at avoiding."

"Can I have my knife?"

 

[Sean Renaud]

notshyguy, hotkittygirl, Jadeknight

"Yes, I can make myself into a child." Chem replied clearly having expected a better response than that. He was starting to say something else when she literally offered him up as a sacrifice or something. "Wow, your certainly one I want watching my back in a fight." He said crossing his arms and waiting for the duration to wear off.

"Excuse me." He jumped down from the seat. "I'll be back later." He huffed stomping his way past Bunker who bit down a chuckle.

 

[Ravenloft]

Vayah enjoyed seeing the trio slam mugs and being so jolly together. It was a language that spoke beyond words and she had ears to hear them. She noticed the way Leelane brushed her hair back and smiled openly at what she said. She imitated the way Leelane had moved her hair back without realizing it, or thinking anything of it and turned to Blackwood as he expressed a rather dark thought. She pursed her lips and frowned a little looking down at her plate while Leelane spoke thinking back over the past seasons to recollect everything she knew, everything she'd heard and seen that might be of any use to them.

(Making a check here Sean. Wanna try to provide the group with what Vayah might already know.)

 

[JadeKnight]

When Hurst addressed her, she gave him a smile. She folded her left hand into a fist and placed her right hand over her left, giving a slight bow.
"Hello, sir."
She didn't try to be rude, but it's hard to ignore beauty, especially when it decided to take food from your plate. Kumio smirked a little at the way Kali attacked the chicken so ravishingly. She wasn't the least bit bothered by the fact the remainder of her chicken had been taken and eaten so quickly. She wasn't very hungry, the chicken leg was enough to fill her up at the moment.

It didn't bother her at the catfolk's lack of social graces, she merely enjoyed the show. She finished her tea and motioned for another cup, placing the empty one of the counter. She laughed softly as the dwarf drank one of his vials of strange liquid, shrinking himself.

"Perhaps you should label those things."

She gave a smile to Jin at his comment about taking up all her hospitality, picking up her fresh cup of tea.

"There's no need to worry about me, sir. It's quite alright."

She looked around at the others for a moment as she sipped her tea.

"My name is Kumio."

 

[Savoredsting]

" Well Creotia i am saddened that you must depart, as for my failings I believe I have had no proper teacher, and if I ever come back around to here I humbly ask for you to teach me in these arts of conversation, though with you as a teacher I might be to distracted by your beauty to learn much" he said as he sighed and looked to the bar keep tapping his silver on the table and looking over to the gethering to his right, he smiles to the woman from the east and nods as he looks over the others measureing them as if wanting to engage in conversation and see what plans they have for travelling south.

"barkeep glass of some decent Red if you woulod please, I'm a bit parched and looking for a group heading south" he said a little loudly so others could hear him. He hoped he would find himself some honest fellows if not he hoped he did not have to end the potential love and beauty they might bring to the world, if they showed other wise.

 

[deevo]

Sebastian, to Kumio and Gerade

"Kumio? A delightful name for a delightful lady, no doubt."

Sebastian was laying it on thick, but he tended to do that when he was tipsy. The catgirl was ripping apart a whole chicken; Smythe wasn't sure if he should be appalled or impressed. After all, no gentleman or lady would act in such a manner - but then, sometimes the last thing a man wanted was a lady.

"My name is Sebastian Smythe," he said, giving her a little bow. "And it's a pleasure to meet--"

He was cut off by the loud declaration coming nearby. Sebastian glanced towards the knight ordering a glass of wine and, apparently, a group to travel with into the Stolen Lands. Smythe was annoyed, but only for a moment. He, too, was seeking travelling companions and perhaps the knight was a good place to start. He was dashing, strong, weighed down with silver and a bastion of chivalry.

Just the kind of mark Sebastian was fond of.

"I must applaud your judgement, good sir knight!" he declared. "They only have two wines here, red and white, and I assure you, you've chosen the better of the two." Sebastian raised his own glass and took a sip.

 

[Ravenloft]

Vayah took a deep breath and looked up at the three. "Much of what my tribe has seen of your kind has not been promising. The human's in the north have all had eyes and ears that do not see or hear, and their hearts only beat for themselves. There are many Orc and Goblin tribes scattered throughout the south, but we have had dealings dealings with them, and at the very least, they have the eyes to see that other tribes can live in peace. They have trouble hearing our kind though. Oh, and there are stories told by the night fires of the Blackwater Beast, which the elders say speaks with the voice of the sky. But it is just a story told to children to keep them from wandering far from home."

She looked around after offering what she knew, noticing how full the room had become. "Are all these people here to do the same as you?" She asked. "If so, maybe we aught to make allies with those who have the ears to hear you. You said you're from a well known tribe, maybe some of them share the beat of your heart? And if not, at least we will know who of them is deaf and blind."

 

[Sean Renaud]

Everybody

Outside there was a sound akin to thunder, save that it just didn’t stop for nearly a full minute. Even through the thick walls of the tavern the shouting could be heard and when the doors opened and four each armed with a halberd entered the room pushing anyone too close the door away. In a single voice the four men shouted over the din, “Presenting, Prince Sabin Rosh, son of-“

“Perhaps this one time we can spare these people of a pedigree that does not interest them in the least.” The man who stepped through the door was wearing a double breasted pure white suit with golden buttons. Blue silk lined the other wise heavy cape trailing behind the almost effeminate young man. “Please I would like your attention for just a few moments.”

The Gayles had all risen to their feet putting aside their food and drinks as had a little more than half of the bar all of whom were if not silent talking in incredibly hushed tones. For many of the patrons this was there first time getting to see the young man. “I am sorry that neither my father, nor my mother nor my brother could make the time to come down and take your measure, you’ll have to settle for me.”

Warm blue eyes danced from one patron to the next as the young Prince walked beyond his guards and through the tavern. “I know some of you are here for the fun or the challenge of this others are out to claim lands of their very own. To each of you I say I am very impressed by each of and proud that I was able to see each of you.”

A loud belch that normally would have gone entirely unnoticed seemed to bellow from an orc, one of the two sitting with the red head in the tunic. None of the three of them had stood up, the only courtesy given thus far was their silence which ended when several sets of eyes diverted from the prince to them. “What? Zigil quiet while ‘portant squashie talk.”

 

[Savoredsting]

He was about to answer the finely dressed fellow, when a formal annoucement of a royal came in. Gerade instantly knelt to one knee and slapped his arm to his chest and looked down. This was what he knew from his days in Maheto,Taldar.

he waited for this royal to speak. he looked down uttering a soft prayer as he wished the Royal more benevolent than sadistic as he heard of other lands. he waited sweating a bit as he did, wondering if he would every find a group to venture south or if he would have to risk the journey alone. he fought this for some time now, but Jaleezas' body.. his first loves body must be found and properly disposed of.

"Shelyn.The Eternal Rose, please protect me and may this be a sign to the path I seek" He uttered this softly under his breath as he dared not looks up.

 

[deevo]

Sebastian, to Prince Sabin (of course)

There was total silence following the entrance of Prince Sabin Rosh. Sebastian didn't much like silence, unless he was sneaking into a well-guarded manor house. But silence - especially this kind of heavy, uncomfortable quiet - usually meant something very bad was going to happen.

The knight had leaped from his seat like something had jumped up and bit him, only to kneel down, head bowed. Smythe's eyes darted left and right. What to do now? There was a nervous energy in the room that he couldn't stand.

Then an orc burped and he breathed a sigh of relief.

Within a moment, Sebastian was off his seat and bowing deeply with an exaggerated flourish.

"Your Majesty!" he declared. "It is... a true honour!" He would have gone all out, kissing the Prince's hands (not even trying to slip off one of Rosh's rings), but the guards looked more than a little imposing. So instead, Sebastian stood to attention with a broad smile.

"I and many like me are determined to bring civilisation to the wild Southern lands. Never fear when gentleman such as my humble self strive forth in your name!" He clapped a hand on the bowing knight's shoulder.

"My friend here was just about to buy us a drink. What will you have, my lord?"

 

[kittenofdeath]

“I dont see why not” Arkhan replied with a shrug as he gave the room a glance, a strumpet adept at avoiding battle? That was something to peak his curiosity “so then, this little mark of yours, which one is it?” He asked, turning back to the bald man with a crafty look in his eyes “I suddenly find myself overcome with the desire to throw a knife of my own, and I'd love an interesting target”

Before Arkhan could press the matter further, all prospect of having an actual conversation was drowned out by the thunder of trampling hooves, a column of that size was rarely a good thing. “It seems we're about to have company” he said as the sound finally stopped, turning to view the door as the little prince came through it, but he didn’t make any move to acknowledge his arrival.

(OOC: Knowledge Nobility check to see what I know about the guy, at a +4 modifier.)

 

[Ravenloft]

Vayah looked around the tavern as most everyone stood to attention for this Prince Sabin. Even the Gayles rose, in fact they were one of the first. Out of everyone, maybe five or ten didn't seem to care about the Princes announced arival. Vayah took special note of that, (Spot check?) although the Prince was of fresh face and looked largely untested, he certainly commanded respect from the Gayles and many others. It would be foolish to discount him like a hand full of the others were, and she intended to keep her eyes on those people to be sure.

The orc, Vigil's belch brought a scoffing sniff from Vayah's nose as she turned to focus on the Prince. She wondered how come Prince Blackwood stood under Prince Sabin's authority. Great tribal leaders were supposed to stand eye to eye... This troubled her, and she felt bad for Prince Blackwood. He must have suffered some sort of dishonor to bow like that to one who should be an equal.

A man at the bar approached Prince Sabin and appeared to grovel before him in a mildly embarassing way. He seemed leery of the Princes pack mates, but still mannaged to place a peck upon his hand. She felt for the poor man, she'd never liked feeling the way he must to submit to someone greater. She'd never really had to, considering her position within her tribe. It must be doubly hard for him being so much bigger and stronger than her. To have the strength but not the will to look a greater man in the eyes as an equal...

What he said next disturbed her greatly though. Civilization to the wild... Humble... In Prince Sabin's name? She wasn't sure she liked the sound of that. She knew Prince Blackwood, and though he had bluster, she already knew him to be a true, stout heart with ears that could hear. Prince Sabin? She could not know, and judging from what he had said to the people, what everyone was here for was little more than a meaningless challenge of survival of the fitest or a selfish land grab.

She couldn't abide that and stood up on her seat, with sharp eyes, her tiny frame almost shaking with fury. "And what of the native peoples of these lands?! If all you all are here for is to take the challenge of personhood or for some selfish land grab, do it somewhere else! There are people, good people who dwell across this land that fear your comming! If you just have eyes to see and ears to hear them, and a heart that knows the alltruth then you will be welcome as friends and allies by many!" Vayah sucked in a quick gasp at the furious passion of her own words and felt her resolve shake under the full bore of the tavern's eyes. She bore up under them as proudly and as earnestly as a three foot slip of a thing like her could, still shaking, not with fear, but with passion.

She looked upon Prince Sabin as an equal from where she stood, waiting for an answer with shuddering breath, her tiny hand seeking out the steadying support of Prince Blackwoods shoulder.

 

[Savoredsting]

Hearing the man who had began to address him, address this Prince, he stood once the prince passed. he looked about the room and sighed as he turned to the bar an took up what he had hoped was a cup of red wine.

He stood next to the Prince Sabin and this other man. He noticed the tea, and its exotic mistress, as well as the Catgirl and her entourage. He blushes again still a little unused to such displays. he adjusted his cloak and picked up his glass. he sipped on the wine and stood in the grouping now a little unsure as to how to continue. the prince was there as were a few others. he hoped being with this group was the right gambit.

He hoped to find his only lovers body and give her the rest she deserved. He also strove to get the powers of his deity going, to spread her faith of love and beauty to the savage lands he was about to traverse, in hopes of giving her a strong prescinse here the north.

 

[Sean Renaud]

Everybody

If silence was a tangible thing the room would have choked during the few seconds that passed between Zigil’s belch and Sebastian’s dramatic kneeling which everybody was probably thankful for if only because it made the air breathable again.

The young Prince’s eyes quickly scanned over the room again, he hadn’t came prepared for this sort of reception, not amongst this crowd but it was a bit late to keep the scene from escalating and oh well. He turned beginning to acknowledge the man offering him a drink when things that were when some little person with a large voice took a tone with him that. . .nobody had ever taken before and his attention snapped towards her.

“You want the truth little one? It does not concern me what happens to them, do not presume to preach at me as if your people are blameless in this. We had settled those lands and only an influx of beasts and monsters drove us out.” He paused for a moment offering a bit of a sneer. “The truth however is that I don’t care, nor does my father, nor does my brother. We are interested in trade and re-establishing the River Kingdoms. If you be ally, good. If you are wiped out it’s acceptable. I expect that that the greens will be annihilated. If I know my history we’ve been able to have mutually beneficial relationships with your people.”

The red head and her two orcs made up the majority of those who hadn’t risen but Creotia was still enjoying her drink . The others who hadn’t stood might possibly have been incapable of standing judging by their glassy stares.

A table suddenly flew across the room narrowly missing Kali and those gathered around her. Chem didn’t seem concerned as it sailed overhead but most people were more than a little impressed. “Greenskins hurt?!” The orc who had been bold enough to belch was on his feet with an axe in either hand. “Die squashie!”

Whatever move he meant to make was ended when the scantily clad redhead sitting beside him grabbed his wrist and twisted it around driving him to his knees. Behind her the second orc rose reaching for his sword. The red head grinned. “Put it down Bosh. I don’t want to hurt you and we both know two things, first you won’t kill me, and second I will break his arms.” There was a pause but the second Orc sat down.

Prince Sabin exhaled. “I think I will step outside. For anybody who is interested I can answer a question and deliver a gift. For the moment I suppose I will entertain a few more questions from you lot.” Sabin was almost growling at that point.

“No more kneeling, or ring kissing. I hate that shit. But you should rise until I tell you to sit.” He was focused on a redhead in a green dress who hadn’t really even noticed him. From there he turned to the orcs, one seated, the other forced to kneel by his redheaded companion. “and yes you may sit, if for no other reason than I want to treat you all to a glass of wine before you head off.”

 

[Ravenloft]

Vayah clenched her jaw defiantly at the words of this Prince Sabin, her eyes fixed on him sharply. She knew his heart now, and did not like it, even if he may have spoken a part of the alltruth. She turned her eyes toward Prince Blackwood, silently searching him for some sign he felt at least some of the truth she'd spoken. Hoping, fearing. "Prince?" She whispered to him, softly, hesitantly, wanting to lift his eyes and fill them with the defiance she felt. "Please...?" Quivering emotion in her voice.

 

[Sean Renaud]

Ravenloft

The Gayles were glancing from one to the next quickly trying to figure out a plan, one that didn't involve making things any worse. Blackwood stepped forward slightly partially concealing Vayah from sight. "Vayah, perhaps we can calm down a bit?" He whispered.