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“If I have enough smoke I can see every crack and crevice in a vaulted chamber – while on that topic, I would like to mention that I still have not felt the roof of this chamber and punk that’s creepy.” Chirped excitedly the Weird Smoke Person Apparently Name “Burn”. (What was this some kind of dumb joke!? The trio of Arsene, Burn and Pyromaniac??) “I am also very good at finding things and getting through places that other people can’t!”

That would be useful. Maybe if they would get lucky, and Burn could find their supplies. Not likely but…

Beyond that having a smoke-based skill would probably be a great asset. If/when his powers got out of control at least someone would be able to work with it. Maybe…he was fireproof too? Better yet maybe he knew how to control his powers well enough he could train Alessio?

Except he’s a coward and would never muster the courage to ask…

“I am an archeologist who specializes in Shifting and Edgeland digs.” Pretty much all of that flew over Alessio’s head. “I know basic first aid and can hold my own in a fight.”

Alessio nodded, it would be good to have at least two healers in the group and he’d be able to focus more of his attention on protecting Leana if he knew everyone else had fighting experien- why was she squinting at him like that? He bit the urge to rub his arms uncomfortably, not sure what her look seemed to be getting at.

“Uh. Is my smoke wrong or is everyone wearing the same thing?” Burn interjected. So…his power let him see more than just loose shapes he could get details from it. Could he “see” color? As if catching some noise, Burn flinched, tilting his head.

“What?” The Squint-of-Judgement Woman asks,

“It’s getting closer. We should really be going.”

“Where can we even go?”

“There’s too many booby traps behind the vaulted door. And I’m not sure we could even reach that. Also that’s where the creepy thing is coming from.”

Right. So that was decided.

“I’ve trained as a swordsman and archer, for a long time. Though I’ve yet to meet someone in real battle.” Ohel said, with the reserve of someone holding back. Right.

“I am only a simple soldier. A carpenter and a farmer.” Nithel began, surprising Alessio. He’d filed away the last the time he’d called upon his opinion and noted how much he didn’t like being called upon then. But things were different now. “I can weild a sword. Not masterfully, but I’ve stayed alive through plenty of battles, thus far.”

That was…hard to imagine, someone as kindhearted as Nithel…being able to handle…fighting, even to survive.

Alessio stared up at him uncertainly. Are you ok?

“I am good with a sling. I can hit almost anything, within reason.” He finished. That was something Alessio remembered at the very start of their adventures, he always had a sling even if he didn’t carry any other weapons then.

Alessio bit his lip, trying to think of something to say or do that might comfort him. To be honest, Alessio had never killed anyone before. They tried to make him a weapon but he refused to, he’d seen everyone around him kill. He was scared if he ever did even in self-defense, well…it would be too easy for him to justify too many things with all the anger…bottled up.

“I can’t fight, if that’s what you want.” Leana said. “I’ve assisted in hospitals the last two years…And before that, my mother and I cared for the sick in our family and neighbors. Papa did too, if it was needed.”

That was good, they needed a healer more than they needed fighters right now. Since most of them were skilled enough at self-defense they should be fine, and he could try to train her as they went forward.

Nithel…Alessio tensed involuntarily at his expression. No, it was ok, Nithel wouldn’t hit anyone in a fit of rage. He wasn’t like his father. Instead of yelling or anything he just held his daughter letting her cry.

A strange sensation twisted in his chest. He wasn’t jealous!! He didn’t have any reason to be jealous he shouldn’t be jealous…It was completely irrational, Nithel wasn’t going to leave him, or tell him all the ways he couldn’t be like his brother.

“Is someone messing with that evil pool.” Nathair asked innocently, having watched Arsene the whole time and been completely capable of stopping him at any moment but he chose not too.

“Arse-!” Before Alessio could finish the world around him shook like it had been cracked into a million pieces. “Why did you do that!?!?”

Alessio was about to yank him back before he could touch something else when a child’s voice intervened.

“Saga?” The boy looked…no way…

“What did you just do…?” Alessio demanded in a faint horrified voice. Maybe child-Endlessly Angry was nicer…

The boy kept asking questions, in a completely straightforward not at all high-mighty-and-angry like…

“Where are Mother and Father?” Child-Sherlock/Sage asked. Oh. Alessio glanced uneasily at Arsene. What had happened to both of them to mess them up so bad…?

“I’m gonna tell him.” Nathair smirks.

Alessio glared at the wizard, but then looked at everyone. Sherlock hadn’t just changed, everyone’s old clothes were on them and the whole place was shifting immediately

 

[Soo, Burn’s world right?]

@hannahrenner @kimlikesart @ragnarok