Family Lineage: Choices Matter

Helena Lethe
Overworld - -31 - 11 - 0

    The forest gently blows in the soft wind that plays among the leaves. The cloud cover blocks out most of the setting sun, but in a clearing of the forest is a young woman with a hooded cape hiding her face, leather armor, and a bow at her side.

In front of her is a small campfire, which she is using a twig to gently move some of the kindling around to keep the fire burning...
Shiruba
Overworld - -31 - 11 - 0

Let's give the girl credit where it's due. She was clever enough to think of getting her gear and sneaking off when her surrogate guardians were occpied with exploring the first floors of a new dungeon passage. But upon returning it didn't take long to notice a certain someone was gone from her room at the resturant's inn. And the process of asking around for sightings drawing attention to the postings that soon followed later.

In hindsight, maybe she should of expected something like this to happen. But Shiruba has a lot of different things on her mind these days and sometimes even the obvious things get by her. But not now, not while riding her Peko through the woods, following the small indicators of travel and the smoke of a campfire ahead. It had to be. Anyone else would be packing up for the night because of the curfews and keeping fires to a minimum because they could attract unwanted attention. At the edge of the clearing she haults Tradewind as to not making super startling noises, and slips off the bird's back to walk towards the campire. She's not trying to be stealthy, but she's not being super obvious either. More like just seeing what sort of reaction she's going to get at first. "Is that you Gabriella?" The wolfgirl sounds more concerned than anything else. Getting angry and shouting isn't going to accomplish anything.
Helena Lethe
Overworld - -31 - 11 - 0

    The hood lifts gently, as it would seem the figure looks over to Shiruba. It was pretty obvious at that point that this lone lander is not used to being overly on her guard or she would have reached for that bow.

Though her fingers were near it, but still...

    It takes her a moment before she stands up, bow coming into hand. "Shiruba." She says, her voice confirming that it is indeed Gabriella Drake. "Please don't stop me. Don't you even dare. I have to do this. I have to end his life with my own hands." Her hand tightening on the bow.

There was a pause, before she looks to the fire, then back to Shiruba, "... Unless you've come to help?"
Shiruba
Overworld - -31 - 11 - 0

That is pretty much the 'greeting' she was expecting. And the lack of an aggressive approach would of idealy given her enough time to avoid any hasty attempts to shoot her. Her tail does flick a few times at confirmation but Shiruba otherwise keeps her demeanor calm. No yelling, no raising her voice or frustrated gesturing.

In her mind she's reminding herself how her own father would likely have acted to her doing such a thing.. and then reassuring herself to NOT act in such a manner.

"Contrary to what you might expect, no, I am not here to stop you per say..." An ear flicks forward. "Though I am slightly insulted you thought you had to sneak out instead of asking for help."

She tilts her head to glance to the campfire for a moment. "You feel that you need to stand up to Arthur yourself to distance yourself from what he's become, that's why you took off, yes?"
Helena Lethe
Overworld - -31 - 11 - 0

    Gabriella goes to sit back down once more, resting the bow over her lap. "Yes." She confirms to Shiruba. "The monster wears the face of a great man. I want to kill the monster. I want to kill it, so it can stop disgracing my grandfather."

The woman lowers her head gently. "And you adventurers sacrifice so much already. You fight and fight. I want to... I want to brave like all of you. I want to prove I /can/ do this."
Shiruba
Overworld - -31 - 11 - 0

"I understand that. I'm the one that told you to find your own path, after all." Shiruba sits down by the fire next to her. "And I'm honored you decided to take up archery for your endeavour."

She reachs over to rest a hand lightly on the young lady's shoulder. "I belive you can do this, Gabriella, and that is why I'm not going to try and stop you... But being brave doesn't mean you need to risk being reckless and do this alone." She looks up into the other girl's eyes. "It may be a monster that is shrouded in your grandfather's name, but he is still a formidable fighter. He has fought entire Adventurer parties to a standstill. He -can't- be beaten alone."

"You know why we're so brave?" Shiruba's gaze drifts upward at the sky above. "Most assume it's because of how we 'come back to life', but no. That doesn't make it any less painful, or terrifying."

Then brings her gaze back to Gabriella. "It's because we're not alone. We work together; we use the skills we may have that other's don't to overcome the challenges as a whole. We -protect- each other." She nods down at the bow in the girl's lap. "Archery is great for fighting from afar... but even I would be dead ten times over if it wasn't for a warrior to keep the enemies out of my face, or a rogue to take advantage of my dealing a crippling blow to a monster's defenses."
Helena Lethe
Overworld - -31 - 11 - 0

    The young woman listens to what Shiruba has to say. She doesn't pull away and does look at Shiruba from time to time, while she fiddles with the bow. No argument was given, no talk back--- Gabriella was honestly listening to what Shiruba had to say.

"I.. I think I understand. Your stronger with the support of others, not alone... and so... You want to help me then? Find him and try to bring him down?" Gabriella looks Shiruba dead on this time. "I-- I know we may not succeed at first, but if we can try. Together," She nods her head. "Maybe... we could injure him enough to slow down the tides of this war."

"So, if you want me too," Gabriella Drake looks at the fire. "I... I will wait for you to gather others and... we can do this together."
Shiruba
Overworld - -31 - 11 - 0

"We may not succeed the first time. Or the second time." Despite the words Shiruba is smiling a little. "But if there is something else we're known for, it's the tenacity to keep trying! And you're right. Resistance will help slow the army down. They may have an army, but standing up to them will take away the real weapon they use -- fear."

Shiruba gave the shoulder a firm squeeze of reassurance before removing her hand. "We will get a proper party together, and show the monsters we are not afraid of them... And show their commander you want nothing more to do with him."
Helena Lethe
Overworld - -31 - 11 - 0

    Gabriella sits there. The young woman watching the fire, before she at last relaxes and leans into Shiruba. "... Thank you, Shiruba. For understanding. You are truly an amazing adventurer and friend."

Though before the wolf knows it, she may find the young girl actually asleep, leaning against her. Who knows how long the poor thing has been awake or even how well she has slept.

At least one thing was for sure know. Gabriella Drake would not be fighting Author alone...
Shiruba
Overworld - -31 - 11 - 0

Shiruba lets out a soft sigh, but doesn't try to disturb the girl. She likely needs the rest, being out here on her own.

Instead she pulls some leafy greens from her inventory, giving them a bit of a wave in the air to call her Peko closer. "Might as well come here by the fire as well Tradewind." Once he squats at her side she lets the bird have the greens to munch on. Then picks up her own bow, for 'just in case' safety. "Looks like we're on overwatch so she can get some proper sleep."