CH. 14: Beyond the Veil

[HorizonsDream]

Jocelyn looks up to Baeros as he moves to protect her, and shakes her head. She stands up, and moves to stand beside Baeros. "I'll be fine, Baeros. I've met a Plantar before," she assures him before she turns her attention to the plantar. "It is as he says. We are after the cannon. It is a long story, but we need it in order to defeat some pirates that are trying to kill me."

[Breila]

Ouragana had been examining the book, but when the planetar starts to speak, she lets her arms drop and turns around.
"We came to free this house from the influence of its dead master" she answers the planetar's question in as loud as voice as she can (which is not very loud at all). More quietly, she adds "and I still am looking for a place for myself in this world." With these words, she casts a sideways glance at Thaddeus.

[JadedDM]

The planetar fixes her gaze on Baeros, and the ranger suddenly feels incredibly vulnerable, as if she is peering into his very soul. It feels like she can see every sin, every dark impulse he has ever felt and is silently judging him for it. "You ask not out of concern for me, but for yourself and your companions," she states. "I am not mad, Baeros Axewielder of Kaunati. My mind is not so fragile. My home is upon the eternal fields of Elysium. Mortals often call it 'heaven.'"

She then turns to Jocelyn. "You speak of Tor," she says, seemingly reading the woman's mind. "You are a follower of Octhanus. And yet, you seek to use this ancient weapon of power to slaughter your enemies. Tell me, Jocelyn Blaine, do you believe your goddess would approve of this? Do you think that by giving weapons to others to kill for you, that it leaves your own hands clean of their blood?"

Finally, she turns her sightless gaze upon Ouragana. "Indeed. You are adrift with no purpose, no direction. You follow in the wake of others, hoping it will lead you somewhere worthwhile. There is potential in you, but every ship needs a rudder or risks being lost at sea forever, Ouragana Stormbride."

[HorizonsDream]

"If I thought there was a peaceful solution to this situation, then I would take it," Jocelyn says. "There isn't any way that I can prove that I didn't kill their captain as far as I know. Whatever evidence there was that pointed to someone else is long gone by now."

[Nuke]

Giving up on the sword, Val turns her attention to the trident.

[Breila]

Ouragana casts down her eyes. "I know. I was trained to bring a ship to where her captain wants to go, but no captain has taken me on... and I don't yet know what else to do. I tried to find employment in Tu'Valie, but their conditions were impossible to fulfill..." her eyes fill with tears as her voice trails off. She doesn't even dare to look at Thaddeus, or at the planetar.

[JadedDM]

"One must try before they can fail," the planetar says to both Jocelyn and Ouragana. She shakes her head. "It is not my place to tell mortals how to live their lives. You have the gift of free will, after all." She holds out her hand. The blade Val is wielding leaps from her hands and flies to the angel, who grabs hold of it. "My blade," she remarks. "At last, I am whole again. You have my thanks for rescuing me, even if it was only to further your own personal agendas. I will offer a boon. Ask what you will of me. As long as it is good and within my power, I will grant your wish."

Val turns her attention to the trident instead. It's made from a strange material she cannot identify. It's not steel, but that's as much as she can be sure about. Picking it up, she finds it is light and well-balanced.

[HorizonsDream]

"Can you relocate a group of people?" Jocelyn asks curiously. "The Oni on this island want off of it, and I'm not quite sure our ship will be able to carry them all. Though, if we are to do that, we should ask them where they would like to go."

[Breila]

"That is a good idea, Jocelyn" says Ouragana with a nod.

[JadedDM]

The planetar turns her gaze back toward Jocelyn. "The oni? Ah, yes...the descendants of the Wyvern's cruel experiments. Very well. To help others, even strangers, is a noble request and it is within my power to do. I shall return them to their ancestor's homeland. I will also banish the hellhounds back to their own realm.

A bright halo of light surrounds her body and her eyes glow blue. She waves her hand, then the light fades. "It is done."

She turns her back upon the party. "Some of us may meet again some day. Others will not. Farewell, mortals. May Octhanus watch over you." She holds her hand before her and a shimmering gateway of light opens before her. For a moment, the party gets a glimpse of what is on the other side--a breathless, beautiful field of flowers of every color imaginable. It is, quite literally, impossible to fully describe with words from any language. For years to come, when telling this story, none present are able to give what they see any kind of justice.

She steps through the gateway and vanishes. The portal closes behind her.

Brock turns away, a bit choked up.

The silence is broken by Thaddeus first. "That was...well, I have to admit, I never expected to encounter a real angel on this little excursion. Anyway, it's getting late...we should start heading back to the ship before they leave us here. Now that the mansion is clear of any threats, the captain can send a large team to recover the cannon and bring it aboard."

[HorizonsDream]

"Hmm, agreed," Jocelyn says Thaddeus. The sight of what could be considered heaven looked so very inviting. There was a part of her that even considered following the plantar. She could go there and completely forget about everything. With a tired sigh, she starts moving out of the vault. "Let's get going. Most of us need some rest."

[BishGada]

As the plantar speaks to Jocelyn Baeros says, "Wait a minute! Who died and made you judge? This woman is struggling for her life and on the way helps where ever she can! And yes, I care for my companions safety. It doesn't mean I don't care about you at all. Now watch your tone.. young.." his face turns a little bit confused as he struggles with his words and the feeling he is noting compared to this marvelous creature. But still someone must straighten her up. "Young angel!"

When the episode clears off Baeros looks at Jocelyn in a parental look and grumbles to himself, "You could wish for peaceful life and yet what do you wish for? Saving the cruelest Oni creatures letting them destroy our world! What's wrong with you woman?" He shakes his head. But then Hoppers runs out and he quickly runs and call after him, "Come here boy!" *whistle* "No! No! leave that helmet on the floor! Put it back!" he shouts as Hopper plays with the Horrors broken parts.

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(OOC: I couldn't miss the opportunity to angry an angel with my 5 CHA. )

[JadedDM]

The planetar ignores Baeros, as if he were an insect beneath her notice and departs without a word to him. Brock, on the other hand, loses it at the ranger's display. "Show some respect! That's a servant to Octhanus you were speaking to. Young? Ha! You're one to talk! Have you even seen two decades yet, boy? You're a wee babe compared to me, never mind an ageless immortal!" He storms out of the room, his limp more pronounced than normal. "Damn kids today, no respect..."

The party descends back to the first floor. Sure enough, there is no sign of the Oni or the hellhounds. Both have disappeared without a trace. Stepping back onto the front lawn, they find Takit, still nursing his burns, waiting patiently for their return. Despite his injuries, he appears quite pleased to see the party.

The trip back to the ship is long, but uneventful. It's late afternoon by the time they return to the rowboats and take them back to shore. There's just barely enough room to take Drav with them.

Once back on board, Terra and Sierra meet up with them on the main deck. "Well, you made it back in one piece," Sierra notes.

"Mostly, anyway," Terra comments, noting their many injuries. "Plus one more."

"What, did you find a survivor?" asks Sierra, noticing Drav. "I didn't expect that. Well, did you find the weapon?"

[BishGada]

Baeros gets close to Terra and says quietly. "We found lots of stuff, but not lingerie I fear. But even with all the horrors around us I didn't forget you." he smiles.

[HorizonsDream]

Jocelyn looks sharply to Baeros then lets out a short yet cynical laugh. "Figures," she mutters. She fixes her gaze on Sierra at this point as she crosses her arms over her chest. "The weapon is in a mansion on the island," she explains. "The place is cleared out, so it should be safe for you to send some people to go get it. In the mean time, I think I'm going to get some rest." Tired and wounded, Jocelyn brushes past Baeros and the sisters to get to her cabin. Along with needing rest, she had some thinking to do.