[Kyrit]

Both Luvash and Kasimir had agreed to go with them to the town of Vellaki. Despite proposing the plan of requesting their help himself, Friend admittedly didn't have high expectations that it would work, especially getting Kasimir to join. As they all began to prepare to join the fight, Friend took a seat by one of the fires to get what rest he could. If a single one of them had hit so hard he could only imagine what it would be like fighting potentially all three of the others.

[Kyrit]

His hands traced the fresh wound across his chest, hoping no one would notice as he shuddered slightly in pain, his fingers sticking to the tacky burned skin. Maybe he should have accepted Nemissa's offer to heal that right after the battle. Probably not though. He'd bought healing potions in the Vistani camp, and given that they rested while the others prepared to join them he would be able to recover. She could save her magic to heal someone in greater need, as he was sure would be needed in town based on the conditions Mistake had described to them all.

[Kyrit]

As he closed his eyes to begin to think about the battle ahead the voices around him began to fade, shutting them out to mediate with his own thoughts.

"You did well, letting them talk and not just rushing in." She wasn't really there. Even without the interference of the fog, Friend had no magical way of communicating with Vadra. Often times when he would meditate though, he would try to think of what she would say to him, whether it was to chastise or commend him. It wasn't the same as being able to actually talk to her, but it made the long months between visits more bearable.

[Kyrit]

"Really wanted to, but… better to let Armory talk. He seemed so different today." It had been a bit scary hearing and seeing the change in Armory, but at the same time Friend understood. They both couldn't understand why the baron or the Inquisition handled the situation as they did. Letting them talk didn't seem to help him understand either though. If anything it just furthered his questions on how they could damn so many people for so much as interacting with someone that was different.

[Kyrit]

As he pondered over these thoughts he could feel the spectre of his imagination settle down next to him, hand brushing through the fur around his ears in an attempt to soothe him. "Some people are impossible to reason with, but we aid those that we can. It is likely that your friends Armory and Mistake have been given a gift that this other Warforged had not; the gift to understand the beauty found in the differences between us all."

[Kyrit]

The hand was slowly removed from his head before Vadra moved to sit in front of him, now stretching out her hand to place it on his wound. "I do not like seeing you fight someone else's fight…. But I understand." She smiled, but there was the same sadness he saw with most of her smiles. "You're far better than these people deserve, my friend. Even after you save them they will still fight, and many may still scorn you for the removal of their corrupt leader. They may even try to lock you up again. It's unfair that they will get your aid, but I know nothing I can say will stop you…"

[Kyrit]

He leaned forward until his forehead met hers, ears hanging low. "Yeah…."

Friend almost left it there, feeling his body begin to tremble again slightly. It was scary. The guards didn't appreciate that they were trying to save the villagers, and he knew many of the villagers would fall in line with them, but that was all they knew. All they knew was that these outsiders had been labeled evil and that anyone with ties to them was being held or executed. He understood they were just as terrified of believing in these strangers as he was of fighting for them.

[Kyrit]

His shaky hand gripped Vadra's hand tightly as it continued to rest on his chest. "Want raven kids to be able to grow up in the sun…," he began, voice barely audible and shaking as much as his hand. "Want pie lady to be able to make pies not just from wolf. Want Ireena to get to be herself. Want Arabell to be able to go to town without fear. There good people here, even if they just not realize yet that they can change. Have seen them willing to, they just scared, and it natural for a scared creature to lash out."

[Kyrit]

They sat in silence for a few minutes before Friend's breathing began to steady and slow, his grip on her hand loosening. Finally, he pulled back his head and looked forward at her, smiling. "Will stay as long as have faith that the sun will rise. May be a while before clouds gone, but will bring out the sun and end cycle. Then… then can return and really tell you about it all. And… maybe bring you pie. Would like to hear what the real you think..."

[Kyrit]

As he began to pull himself back together the vision of his dear friend began to fade, and the voices of the Vistani getting ready to go to battle returned. As his eyes opened they were greeted by the fire still burning bright, fighting the chill of the drizzle outside. Casting his gaze out the tent he watched as people passed by, prepared to help fight for a town that hated them. Their reasons may not have been the same as his, but they were willing and that was a step and a sign in his mind that they aren't bad people just for having ties to Strahd.

Friend's hand moved over his chest once more, the wound now closed over and starting to form a scar he'd be left with the rest of his life. It was a sign he had survived though, and he'd continue to survive still. Prepared now for the battle ahead he stretched out his arms and legs before heading out to meet everyone outside the tent.

[Crystal Synthesis Complete]