[Kyrit]

Maybe he was making the peg legs out of kindness, maybe it was out of spite. Or maybe he just needed to keep himself busy to keep from thinking about the monsters at their door. If anyone asked, Friend probably wouldn't have any sound answer to give. He just knew that he'd found himself starting to whittle away at chunks of wood as he sat on the ledge above while the werewolves and his companions started to plan for the upcoming battle.

[Kyrit]

Strategizing wasn't something he was strong at, but he stuck through the meeting to know any purpose he'd have in the fight, though it didn't sound like there were any specific requests being made of him. At least he was able to make his request that the wolf pack be stationed by the children to serve as one final barrier.
As the meeting came to a close it felt as though there wasn't much Friend could be of help with though.

[Kyrit]

Even chipping away at the wood felt useless as he felt his hands shaking, preventing him from making precise strokes with a chisel. He lingered long enough to watch everyone begin to disperse and put their plans in to motion before dragging himself painfully to his feet, clutching only briefly at his ribs as pain shot through them when he made large movements. Nemissa's healing had helped a lot, but the pain was still there. Lingering pain seemed pretty common for several days now.

[Kyrit]

The pain wasn't enough to keep him down though as the Tabaxi padded off toward the back of the den, settling back down against the wall of one of the more dimly lit alcoves. Even from deep within the den as he closed his eyes and rested his head back against stone he could hear the wails from outside. With each timed breath the sounds began to fade though, his senses dulling to the world around him as Friend slipped into his meditation.

[Kyrit]

"Your hands are still shaking."

Before him she stood once again, body bent slightly at the hip as eyes that always saw through him peered down upon him. Before he gave an answer she righted herself and moved to his side, hands tucking in her dress beneath her as she sat. Her shoulder pressed slightly against his arm as she leaned in just enough to provide contact.

"You are being stubborn, relying on a figment of your imagination to talk to when you have many friends I am sure would lend an ear. As I am not really here, I cannot deny you though. Come, tell me what you need."

[Kyrit]

It was a bit harsh, but he did know her to be harsh at times and knew she honestly would probably tell him he should just talk to the others. His Common was so rusty though. It always made it hard to get his feelings across. So for now his memory would have to suffice as Friend found his head slumping to the side until his cheek came to rest against the top of her head. Even this much helped.

[Kyrit]

"Feel like… maybe if my common not so rusty, maybe could have avoided this," he finally started after the two sat in silence for some time. "Abbot definitely crazy, but maybe if anyone else was there they could have talked him down."

"Armory was there, was he not? He is good with words, but he could not reach him either, Friend. Some people cannot be talked out of their rage. He seems to truly believe that it is just to strike the wolves down, and he's not entirely wrong either. Not in the eyes of the Barovians. That does not mean they are not deserving of your help either though. You did well to even buy them some time."

[Kyrit]

Her words were met with disgruntled murring sounds, as he didn't want to accept that this was possibly the best they could have hoped for. But she probably was right, and so was the Abbot. Many of the werewolves were gladly going to join in the fight against them and many probably had no qualms with tearing the settlements apart. That didn't make it okay to just abandon them though. Not after some had already spoken out against those ways.

[Kyrit]

They were following orders, some happily but at least a few out of force. "Wolves said Strahd ordered them to tear down settlements. If they not follow orders he'd punish them. Abott say Strahd wouldn't give that order and punish them for following it. Think either way they weren't given chance, which isn't fair."

"Well, perhaps you all are their chance." As Vadra spoke her body leaned against him more, supporting the weight that bared down against her head. "They follow orders because they believe they are weaker. Masctire ran, and yes, without him the pack has grown weak in numbers. But strength is found not always in numbers or muscles. Knowledge is a very strong power, and I'm sure with the right knowledge you can find a way for them to survive. Perhaps your friends back at the tower will bring this knowledge, or maybe Yavis will find it through the alter she seeks to make."

[Kyrit]

Vadra paused only briefly as she drew a hand to rest on Friend's knee. "With the forces at work in these lands there are bound to be casualties, but if there is a way for the werewolves to find their proper place again I believe your group will find it. And maybe there will be those unhappy and unwilling to accept the help, but at least you can help those that want to be helped."

[Kyrit]

Her hand now roughly pat against his leg before she began to pull away. "Now, I believe you were going to make some excellent legs for a pitiful excuse of a man. Get out of here and get to it before you have to carry him out of here come sunrise."

Friend's head lingered on top of hers as long as it could, his body leaning in to try to keep contact until he had to give in. With a sigh he righted himself and looked down at his hands. "Yeah…" he grumbled out, knowing he shouldn't spend too much time in thought. There was far too much work to get done. His eyes turned back to her though as his lips pulled in to a smile. "Have to make sure he can stand so Esmeralda not feel bad at yelling at him when she sees him."

[Kyrit]

Her hand moved to gently cup his cheek before moving up across it and brushing over his ears before Vadra stood back up. She leaned over one last time to place a kiss on his forehead before her image began to fade and the sounds of the preparations for battle began to return. He too would return to work before long, ready to make the best pair of legs he could with the supplies on hand.

[Wild Pet Found]