Skill: Apostle

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Glitch

She'd had another sip from the cursed lake and it seared her throat like fire. While Valeska wasn't a full-fledged idiot, one couldn't accuse her of being particularly intelligent, either. Stubborn pride and an inability to let go was slowly killing her and her packmates, but now - only on the verge of collapse and a scarred esophagus - did she finally gather the resolve to leave.

Today she would make the announcement.

Her stomach churned at the thought, but when she turned her gaze to look out at the crystalline lake she so dearly loved, what greeted her was harsh reality instead. The once-clear waters were now a thick, slimy purple sludge, and the air of the Respite seemed heavy and full of sick. Valeska took in a sharp breath and quickly gave in to another bout of coughing.

It was easy to speak of the Five and their plans - to wax poetic on destiny and fate - when things were going well, she mused bitterly to herself, but not so much during a plague.

This was their home. It had almost always been their home; she had spent the greater part of her life in some iteration of Fate's Respite, so why now should it be cruelly ripped from her grasp after all this time?

Houtu... she rasped, head bowed in prayer. A single tear fell and splashed against the hard-packed earth below. Я доверил тебе свою жизнь так же, как и своим друзьям, своей семье - (I have trusted you with my life as much as my friends, my family -)

Есть ли во всем этом более высокая цель? (Is there a greater purpose to all of this?) Valeska continued, eyes shut tight as if retreating to some inner world. Почему Немеан и Флитвуд должны были быть взяты? Их дети оплакивают их, и я знаю, что это моя вина, но... (Why did Nemean and Fleetwood have to be taken? Their children mourn them, and I know it is my fault, but...)

A ragged sigh escaped her lips, ending in a cough. She lifted her head, unsure of what else she could say to the Sacred Wolf Mother; the Five had been relatively silent for some time, now, especially since the plague worsened. It worried her - had her connection to the gods been severed? Did she truly bear the souls of Nemean and Fleetwood on her shoulders, forced to live apart from the Pentacle forever?

A figure approached, and she straightened.

Oh - hello - Valeska faltered, struggling to collect herself. I was - praying to the Five.

And feeling very sorry for myself.

... What is that in your mouth?

Skill:

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Ever since the encounter with the monster of the lake he'd been avoiding it... But honestly he couldn't stay away from it... It was as if he was being called to it by some unknown force...

Maybe it was the rune he refused to put down, except when he was sleeping, he carried it everywhere. Today was no different as he was pulled to the lake... But he wasn't alone at the raging purple waters today, Valeska was there, she was murmuring something as he approached. He couldn't quite make out what she was saying but she soon noticed him and explained she was praying to the five, then asked what was in his mouth.

His tail hadn't quite begun to heal yet, unable to find a medic so far (of his own accord), and he kept it tucked close to his back legs. The thin appendage with the scarred tip, skin exposed and blistered, quivered as the boy approached his leader. Mrphm mrrrp mrrhh... He started to explain before realizing he was still clutching the stone tightly. Placing it between the two of them he stared at it, nose pointed straight at the thing, blinking indigo optics at it as if it would move.

I dunno... But... I found it after the lake monster attacked me... Glitch explained with a stern look upon his features. He flicked his eyes up at Valeska for a moment, expecting her to speak words of wisdom and courage to him about it, his features softening into something more sad and pitiful.