Faenkon remained silent, lest he make a fool of himself. He saw the advantage of sending a lone scout, as well as the adherent danger. But it was better to lose one than the whole council that was entrusted with such a vital task. For even if he were to be lost to an unseen enemy, atleast the entirety of the group could better prepare their own approach. That was the life of the Ranger, risk to oneself for the greater good of the Eldar.

Emotions were high on the bridge of the Acadia and his words could further ignite the tension that dwelled below the surface. All knew of the importance of the mission, and no one wanted to be the cause for its failure. He respected each one of them, and further more their counsel. As the Harlequin point out in their story tellings, as well as their lives, we each have a role to play in the story. And Faenkon's was that of the Lone Hunter.

The little scamp of a Gyrinx drew the attention of Sheolis sufficiently - the musician did not cease her humming but turned her gaze down to this little beast. It had been quite some time since she'd last dealt with this particular breed of psionic troublemakers, though from her life on Iybraesil she was more than aware that they were capable of being evil incarnate. But at the same time, and even if Sheolis would never phrase it as such, his little chirping was adorable.

Taking a risk, she bent down to pet him, hoping that it was something they enjoyed. Even before touching him, she could feel that his soul greatly surpassed his little furry body, small bolts of psionic static licking her fingers both pale and cerulean.

She returned his chirping psionically, poking him with basic Eldar senses, while still producing her own tune. As a testament to Sheolis' ability to blot out others in her solipsis, she mostly ignored the leaving Felarch's paramour (or something of the sort - they had not really talked), only weaving a short chuckle into her primitive music without missing a beat.

Even his fire pike could not cut through the tension left behind in Yareli's departure. From his limited perspective of this little interaction, there clearly was some form of power struggle or personality clash that existed between Yareli and Morvan, and he wondered if this was something that had previously occurred. He was supposed to be the hot-headed one, and usually was in nearly any group that was not composed of Fire Dragons. Yet here those who were supposed to be wisest were carrying on, not only that, but they were seemingly the leaders of the group, and to have such disharmony in the group....that would not bode well. It was the second uneasy feeling he had about this today, this mission would not be easy if this was not resolved.

Amriel had no problem with the Ranger going alone, that group spent their whole lives alone in foreign and very often hostile territory, and probably made fairly regular contact with Exodites. Sure, the last group he encountered had not been hostile to his squad of Aspects, but that did not mean that they would react the same way to a Ranger. He was new though, and did not wish to get in the middle of any sort of preexisting feud.

"Umm..." Avrielle said, lucidly. She took a moment to gather herself before facing Morvan.

"Yareli shouldn't have spoken to you like that. You are a Seer, and we are not on Mymeara - not that I know their customs, but that's not how we Craftworlders conduct ourselves. But it is not right to speak so of the Children of the Laughing God; they do not aid them, they aid us. The race. Nor of the Exodites. They have traditions that even the oldest of us have forgotten, and they have lessons useful to us all." She took a deep breath, squaring up to Morvan as if he was a much greater physical presence, even though she was about his height. "And in speaking of the mission as important you are right, but in speaking of us all as nothing but collateral damage if we die you are wrong!" She bit her lip for a moment, surprised at her own audacity. "We offer ourselves willingly but if we do not recognise the tragedy of the demise of those who serve then it is we who work as the Dark Ones do! And I know that you would never countenance that," she said, looking Morvan in the eyes for a moment longer.

"I am sorry, Warlock Jain, perhaps they are just details to the military mind, but they matter. I ... I do not agree with what Yareli said, not fully, I understand that we are living in times that demand sacrifice. But ... I believe that you wanted me to speak my mind." Avrielle calmed down further, not really having a great deal of fight in her for this matter and less desire to fight with Morvan.

Across the room, Llyr, about to rub his nose against Kithaere's knee, paused, one paw raised, radiating a sense of confusion. Why were his people fighting?

"I don't think anyone should go down there alone. I mean no disrespect, Seer, but if we are dealing with Exodites then they will notice one ship just as much or not if it has a full crew. And if it is anyone else, then Faenkon will need someone else to man the guns, at the very least! Can we not send a scouting party, or else make the expedition ourselves? We do not know how many shuttles the Arcadia has, or even-" She turned to Iktomi.

"Do we have a fighter escort? Are there multiple ship to planetside craft? And ..." the little radiotech looked awkward. "Well ... excuse me. I am going to make sure that your, ah, fiancee, is all right."

However, the little radiotech did not at first go to see Yareli. She found Faenkon, quickly moving with him to a more private part of the corridor, or wherever he thought best to go.

I must go to her, but I will hear you first, she said, speaking with a quiet mental tone. Avrielle was not truly inclined to be fierce, or fiery.

Reevia's mental voice came back strong and clear.

Warlock Jain, Juri has gone to find you one who may know more of the planet below or at least its ways, should there be Exodites there. Unlike the non-crew, Void Dreamer Reevia was under no Craftworld obligations and when she spoke, it was as one Seer to another. Not disrespectful, but certainly not deferential.

He can also suggest a couple of wanderers who can give you a little more firepower, she added, with what sounded like the mental nuance of a grin. One cannot very well go over-armed into a situation like this.

I want you to succeed, Seer. And I do not doubt your capability, but your numbers are few. And my first priority is the safety of this ship and crew and - may Khaine hear my prayer - of that damn' fool of a Captain we have as our Felarch.

Please take care of him, will you? He's a danger to himself sometimes.

Especially when he is all starry-eyed about some lady.




@High_Adept_Zeth

and as I keep forgetting these bloody @ things and you all seem to be watching the thread well (yay!) then I hope it will not suffer if I do forget them again.

Juri was an Eldar with a mission. He had made preparations for a shuttle to be readied often enough, but this time he wanted to attend to the matter personally. He had ... a certain sense of obligation, and things he wanted to do. A few matters that required a personal touch.

First he voxed some of the crew, and started the process of mechanical preparation. He knew that the travellers would have a Bonesinger with them, so he did not worry about repairs in the field. But he felt that a greater understanding of the Exodites was needed. If not to provide understanding of this planet in particular, then of planets in general. Juri was raised in the space-ways, and earth and rocks and trees and things were not his forte.

He located his quarry in the more modest of the two galley and recreation areas. Scooping up a carafe of spring water and two glasses, Juri strode over to Talis and took one of the empty seats at his table, depositing the drinks with a flourish. He grinned.

"How would you like a trip planetside?"

@BadDo9

< @Jorimel >

Talis had caught himself staring at the ceiling of this room for the.. well actually, he lost count. As vast as a starship may be, the young Exodite felt somewhat cramped no matter where he was. He'd had some idea before he ended up here, but he hadn't expected to miss the open skies, the sounds, smells and sights he had grown up to. He'd even found himself in a slump, his sketches and thoughts just leaving his mind.

His head shot back straight when he heard a new voice and set of footfalls approaching the table he was at. The young one flashed an easy smile as the other sat down. Talis couldn't quite decide if he'd seen that one before, and reaches out for the water.. but his hand stops and his face quickly brightens at the question, his topaz eyes almost glittering in excitement.

"You want me to go planetside?" he asks smalley, almost seeming to sway in his seat. Going to a planet; new places, plants, animals to see, to sketch, to learn about. He wondered if any would be similar to what he saw at home. "I would love to! What do you need me to do?" he even laughed a bit, so excited was he.

Placing a hand reassuringly on Avierelle's shoulder he spoke quietly only for her to hear. "Calm. You have so much fire in you. I knew the dangers and risks when I joined this merry band of adventurers. Besides I volunteered to explore alone." He tried to give a warm smile, "All I need to know is if everything is in working order, I'm still lost with it."

He knew her thoughts were elsewhere and didnt wish to trouble her further. "If everything is good there is no reason to hang around here. You have somewhere to be, and if I'm not mistaken it is right around that corner." He point in the direction Yareli had went.

Yareli`s outburst was expected and perhaps even counted on by the many-seen Warlock...but Avrielle was particulary fiery.As she squared him up, staring him down in a unusualy intimidating manner, unlike the tame little radiotech everyone knew, Morvan looked away.
Yareli`s outright challenge at some authority she thought the Seer had over her was unexpected, but Avrielle scrutinizing him was also unwanted.

He had no will to enter a debate that is doomed to fail unless they walk his Path.
Besides...this infighting made them appear weak.They - the chosen of the Craftworld - among all the multitude of Lugganthian heroes - they got chosen for this mission.And infront of the Corsair band they appeared weak, dissolute in their purpose, a stark failing of the group`s Seer.

The events seemed more then personal - his own failing at some keystone principle in guiding others, but he shut them such ridiculous notions away, focusing on the mission ahead.He would never admit but Reevia`s voice was a welcome distraction and as he continued on his way, he put a reassuring hand on Faenkon`s shoulder before leaving.

It was his first physical contact with the Ranger.

It seems I cannot escape the cluctches of sentimentality today. he thought to the Void Dreamer.I had no other intentions...but if it will reassure you, I will keep him safe.
At her mention of an individual who may know intimately the landscape of the planet, Morvan quirked his eyebrow,surprised.Why wasn't he notified of this before?He was getting ahead of himself and a grain of trust was put onto the Void Dreamer, if only to make the conversation easier.His doubt of her motives as well as those of the Corsair was cloaked in even thicker shadow.It served only to put him on edge.

The individual who holds such knowledge would be invaluable to us.Present him to us, both him and your handpicked warriors.
But I shant honey the words when presented with such reality.If they are clad for battle, in battle they may go.And not all of them might return.In truth few of us might.
Dreamer...- added Morvan as if an afterthought - what would you do if all of us perished and our savage-kin is to blame?

<After necessary preparations were made>

The beginning paramaters of the missions before them were quite tame, and he had to accept that.For now, this mission was nothing more then an exploratory expedition onto the planet below.Yet as Warlock closed his chambers onboard Arcadia, he was dressed for war.

His white helmet tugged under his right arm he walked toward the pre-designated hangar, necessary incantations invocated, rituals made and the battle-mask kept only so much away to refrain for Khaine`s primal emotions surfacing.

He thought of what transpired on the bridge, the memory should have been fresh but it appeared hazy.He clenched his right fist, his white glove squeaking as the leather and cloth material flexed, pain in the never-healing-would there flaring white in his mind.

Good.

That is good.He is prepared.