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 Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2022 12:57 pm
Nimia 8
"You're not bleeding anywhere, are you?" Losing Ana's lovely hair was a tragedy in itself, but hair was hair. As aggravated as she was at the whole ordeal, arms still shivering from the fright of being handled so roughly, she still didn't want to see others in pain.
Once they were done she clasped her hands in her lap and sat back on her heels, the spiritual hand fading out of existence. If she could hold onto her limbs them maybe they wouldn't shake so bad and maybe she could pretend that she was nestled somewhere with a good book.
"I can make it, if that's what you're asking." She wasn't good at climbing, but Nimia had a lifetime to keeping up with those who were. "I'll cast an illusion over the trap once we're in place to make it look like we're there. It doesn't last long, but it's convincing."
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Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2022 1:14 pm
Zerynthia 8
Zeri rolled up her sleeves, pulled out the glue and started working. She slathered a fair amount on the canvas, making sure to cover the sheet just enough before taking a big of old cloth from her bag to smooth it around. If she'd been better prepared she might have kept a brush with her, but this would do just fine.
"Just be careful." Zeri whispered, keeping her voice just low enough for Ezili to hear and not the older girls. Once the other had disappeared Zeri started to hum as she worked, looking for all the world like a child working on a craft project.
By the time Nimia had summon ghosty again and started moving off to lift the rock, Zeri was standing up and shifting the sheet around to just the right spot. She kicked a few pine needles over the stickiness, then tapered some leaves around the edges.
"When we go home it'll probably be daylight and I think I might like some berry puffs." Because what better reward was there for a job well done than pastries? Wiping off her hands, she looked to Ana, "You?"
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Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2022 1:28 pm
Anahita took a moment to brush her hands across her arms. "I'm fine." Just a few scrapes and a good couple of bruises from her earlier run in the forest. Thankfully the few arrows hadn't hit her save for maybe one that had nicked her thigh, but Ana didn't want to mention that and worry Nimia. "What about you? I have some ointment back home for your wrists." Her gaze was gentle as she studied her cousin, her lips pressing tightly together at the reminder of the rough ropes that had bound her wrists.
The suggestion of an illusion had Anahita nodding. "Just don't strain yourself." She frowned with worry before they approached the younger pair and that worry only grew as she saw the rock being lifted into the trees by Nimia. Those ropes had to get tied up in the limbs somehow....Izzy. Ana suppressed a sigh before Zeri's comment got her. "I'll even make berry tarts if you want." She found herself promising without thinking of any rewards for herself. How could she get a reward when she had not only gotten the others in trouble but needed their help to get out of it? "But we need to go and climb that tree over there." The teen nodded towards the tree that she had noticed earlier, a foot moving to kick some more pine needles across the canvas.
There was a faint rustling in the woods and Ana's shoulders tensed. "Let's go." She whispered before trying to herd the others into the trees, her protest cut off as Ezili disappeared around another tree closer to the rock trap. Someone had to let the rock loose and it looked like her younger sibling was determined to do it herself. Ana let out a soft curse before clutching her bow and getting ready to climb the other tree. "Do you need a lift, Zeri?"
[Anahita 9]
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Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2022 1:34 pm
"I'll take the tarts and a box of chocolates next time you get the chance." Ezili replied with a grin towards Ana, her gaze already bright as she noticed her older sister's realization about the knotted ropes in the trees. It was one less secret talent that she had now, but it wasn't as if she had a choice in the matter. Izzy would much rather put her skills to work than hide them and risk her family getting bested by some stupid bullies. Speaking of which...Ezili didn't give Ana a chance to try and herd her as she scurried off into the trees again. This time she climbed a tree opposite of her trap and held tightly onto the rope that was keeping it in place. As soon as she saw anyone she would jump back towards the forest floor and use her own weight to swing her knot rock into them. She thought it was a hilarious name because they would wish that they had not been hit by it and would also get a knot from the impact. She would have to let Zeri know about that one later whenever this was all over with.
Her amused expression flickered though whenever the first bandit walked through and Ezili held her breath as she waited to see if they would step into Zeri's trap. If she could get at least two people then she could leave it to the others to take care of the rest, right? Her hands tightened around the rope as she prepared to swing down in a few seconds.
[Ezili 9]
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Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2022 3:00 pm
Nimia 9
Thankfully all of the spells Nimia was using were minor cantrips at best, but even that was wearing on her. Her inexperience and age played a factor; even if she knew of more powerful spells she couldn't tap into them just yet. When she got home she was supposed to seek out a more experienced teacher in Zidel, but that seemed too little too late in this kind of situation. If she'd been a little stronger then they might not be here at all...
At the first sound Nimia was moving toward the trees. She climbed up as quietly as she could and used all of her strength to propel her upward. Even then she had to gussy up her courage to push her into a spot where she could properly see the trap enough to form an illusion.
She couldn't make all four of them, but she could make a convincing Anahita with her bow. The illusionary Ana had an arrow knocked and a fierce look, eyes scoping the scene like she'd already raided the place. It was enough to bring attention to the spot and a few words were tossed the illusion's way, even if Nimia couldn't hear it.
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Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2022 3:06 pm
Zerynthia 9
Zerynthia took the lift that was offered to her and passed Nimia to go further south in the trees. While she wasn't as swift as Ezili, she was able to get into a safe enough spot to start tossing voices around. A few sound like Nimia's timid tones while a few more had her older sister's sterner tones and then Izzy's excitement. It was easy enough to do; after all, she'd practiced it enough times for the act to come second nature. A few twists of the hand, different positions for her body and then there was a mini hoard of 'rangers' in the encampment.
One onto the trap...two....then a third! Go Ezili go!
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Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2022 3:17 pm
Anahita held her breath, the teen notching an arrow in her bow and holding in poised similar to the illusion below. While the other one was bold and daring, Anahita was calm and quiet. The voices from Zeri almost surprised her before she noted her younger sister's ability (spirits knew that would probably come to haunt her later if she forgot about it) and Anahita found herself watching the tree where Ezili was.
One, two and three... She quietly counted the bandits that had been chasing her, watching as they tried to figure out what was going on after one of their own arrows went through the illusion. Even though they had figured it out the sticky trap seemed to be enough to make one of them stumble, the larger man swearing as his boots tripped him up and he tipped into the other leafling. It was in the chaos of the moment that she saw the silhouette of Izzy swinging down from the nearby tree....
[Anahita 10]
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Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2022 3:23 pm
Aha! Ezili could barely contain her excitement as everything came together. The voices from Zeri made her giggle, the girl biting her bottom lip quickly to try and keep her delight from spilling out again. Nimia's illusions were amazing and she was quickly understanding why Zeri was so enraptured with magic. It was just awesome!
But now it was her turn. As the bandits let out a few swear words that she made note of (truly that was an interesting way to place some choice words involving death) the girl waited one more moment before swinging down. However, it was not the smoothest aspect of the plan as she didn't quite have the weight she was hoping for and the rock at first refused to budge. Ezili kept tugging at the rope though, swinging her body back and forth as she tried to reach the ground until finally there was a large crack! and the stone came flying at the bandits.
The big guy went down with the other one, blood showing on his temple from the brunt of the impact, and while the lady tried to dodge it she was distracted by Ezili suddenly appearing from the trees. "Pfffffft!" She blew a raspberry in the woman's general direction before giving a final good tug of the rope so that the rock would come flying backwards, nearly hitting Izzy in the process but definitely knocking into the last bandit. A laugh left her before she found herself finally letting go of the rope to tumble the last couple of inches to the ground. Her hands were super sore and raw but hey she did it!
[Ezili 10]
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Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2022 1:50 pm
Nimia 10
Nimia pressed the bridge of her lenses further up her nose and took a steadying breath. Magically she was very nearly tapped save for a few she wanted to keep up her sleeve just incase. Still, that didn't mean she was useless and although she wasn't the most athletic she could pose as a lookout.
Not that it looked like they needed it. Watching Ezili unleash her inner chaos spirit was as inspiring as it was horrifying. If she ever decided to really go after someone one day Nimia didn't want to see it-
-speaking of sight, however, she turned just a bit too late to see an archer take aim at Zeri.
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Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2022 1:55 pm
Zerynthia 10
The youngling too wrapped up with throwing her voice, then watching Ezili's stone attacks to even bother looking out for herself. She didn't so much as notice anyone else was around until the sharp bite of an arrow grazed her shoulder and pinned her cloak to the trunk behind her. With a sharp cry, the little one pressed herself back against the tree and turned wild eyes around to look down at the woman beneath her.
Unlike some of the other goons she'd dealt with this one looked vicious. When she made eye contact with Zerynthia she didn't waver. The sounds of battle were coming to an end around them, and while she'd already knocked another arrow, keen on finishing the job, the loss was clear.
With one last look up at Zerynthia, the assailant ran off into the brush.
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Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2022 2:05 pm
It all happened too quickly. Anahita had been focused on the trapped group across from them, her arrows nocked and ready incase someone else appeared from that side. She had not been expecting an attack from directly below and whenever Zeri's cry pierced the air the teen twisted around, prepared to throw her body in the way of any other attack. "Zeri!" Concern filled her teal gaze as she climbed over a branch towards her younger sister. "It'll be okay." She promised as she tried to stay calm while tugging the arrow out of the tree so that Zeri could get loose.
"Let's get down, take care of the bodies and any injuries." She instructed despite her distress. Did she chase after the other bandit? Her expression said enough whenever she looked at Nimia. "We should move quickly...just in case." They were discovered at this point and not amount of tricks would save them if there were more bandits...it would come down to a true fight at that point.
[Anahita 11]
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Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2022 2:07 pm
If Ezili was chaotic before then she was truly feral whenever she heard her sister's cry of pain. "No!" She bolted from her spot, her feet taking her across the clearing to the other tree. "Is Zeri okay?" She called out as she waited for the other tree to climb down, her gaze skimming across the clearing. The girl had picked up a smaller stone, something that would fit neatly into her palm and was prepared to swing it at anyone that dared to appear again. She would bring down anyone that dared to hurt Zeri!
[Ezili 11]
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Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2022 2:13 pm
Zerynthia 11
Maybe...maybe the reality of what she'd gotten into was starting to sink in. When Ana moved closer she'd tried to move her arm and immediately stopped when the flesh started to sting. The youngling didn't dare look down at it; she could feel the blood on her cloak so she didn't need to see it. The wound itself was major, but for a child it was daunting.
And those eyes...Like the dark blue sky in the midst of a storm.
"Y-yeah, yeah. Let's go." Zeri bolstered herself up and started to make her way down to the ground. If she was quieter around Ana she was louder upon hearing Ezili and she called out, "I'm okay, Izzy! Just a scratch." She was lying; her older sister would be able to see it, but she didn't want Ezili to worry.
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Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2022 2:19 pm
Nimia 11
The Matorian met her cousin's gaze and thought for a moment before shaking her head. It would be smarter to report all of this back to the rangers so that the last of the rogues could be fished out, but until then they needed to focus and If they wasted too much time tracking down one they might lose the group.
Once she'd placed her feet on the ground, Nimia looked around. "We need someone to go back to get help. I'm not sure if we'll have enough rope to hold them, and even then we don't have the resources to keep them in custody for long."
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Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2022 2:25 pm
As soon as they touched the ground, Anahita nodded at Nimia's advice. "True. Let's focus on getting the captives in a set area and someone can go get help." She thought about the parchments she had grabbed earlier and looked towards Ezili. "Izzy, you're the fastest. Can you run back home and grab Uncle Berio?" Beri wasn't their actual blood uncle but the leafling worked closely with their father and would be home with a few others that could help them.
"I have some healing ointment and bandages." Anahita moved to pull out the small traveler's bag she had kept at her side during this whole ordeal. "Can I see your arm, Zeri?" Her teal gaze was worried as she looked to her youngest sister.
Then the thought of Izzy running back home by herself made Ana frown even more. "It's dangerous though if we split up..." She commented quietly, not finding it in herself to have some fake bravado when the danger was still real. "I'm worried about Izzy going out alone."
[Anahita 12]
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