@Uriel1339 | "You seem intent on misintrepreting my every word. Are you like this with everyone or have you singled me out?" Astarielle was still a bit snippy with the Mymearan, clearly the former Banshee's attempt to clear her head hadn't worked, and she was now irritated by the insinuation that she, out of all of them, would abuse Talis. Heading back to the shuttle, no matter how many of them set out again, did seem the most sensible option. It was movement after all, taking them away from the immediate area, and that could really only be a good thing in the long run, as it would allow the explorers to remain in contact with a base camp and more. The only problem that they seemed to be facing was a lack of solid leadership with two different individuals pulling the group in two different directions
"You just had a moment before complained about me not being a proper fighter... And Talis does not appear to be one either, thus I had concluded that you wouldn't want non-fighters in the actual fighting group. Also you yourself seem sensitive towards my words. I did not mean that in any case offensive or any such thing. It was a mere clarification that nobody in this group does nothing what they do not want. I figured you deserve to know, as a newcomer to our party?" Yareli said calm and reserved, blinking even a bit at Astarielle's lashing out. Talking with her was equal to walking on a rope across a canyon.
Amriel watched the conflict between members of the party with some concern, unnoticeable behind his helmet. The constant bickering and arguing between its members seemed to be only getting worse, and could potentially hinder their operation as an effective team. He stepped forward calmly, his voice low as he spoke. "Regardless of the decision in the past, if Talis is familiar with the geography, flora, and fauna on this planet than we should bring him with us on the next patrol. That he is a non-fighter is a non-issue, so long as he does not fancy himself one and get in the way if or when we are attacked again."
"I am not sure if it is your warmask but... That would be like saying that a Biel-Tani would know the in's and out's of Ulthwe." She shook her head to pronounce the false assumptions. "Talis is an Exodite. Not an Exodite of this world. Considering his age and experience, Faenkon is much more helpful to properly lead the next scouting mission." Yareli tried to communicate. The whole focus on Talis was not so much jealousy, it was to be careful. Putting the fate of this group in the hands of an Eldar who seemed barely over a century of age? He was energetic, ready to learn - ready to be molded into a greater Eldar with a proper role in society. But to put the fate of the Sword of Eldanesh, such a huge burden on the young man's shoulders? He probably would shatter beneath the fate and could easily make a mistake. Faenkon has proven himself in the foreign field - it was the far more logical approach.
"I appreciate the vote of confidence, but that can all be decided back at the shuttle. A good hot meal will help clear our minds as we set a plan for the way forward." He started heading back towards the shuttle. They weren't getting anywhere standing around. Besides even if they were going backwards it would make going forward easier once they've had time to plan.
The fight seemed not to have cleared the air, but left an argumentative streak in more people than expected. Morvan kept his counsel, simply waiting on the edge of the group. He had made his decision. Being a small obligate carnivore, Llyr sniffed at the rock-serpent corpse, and tried a little bit of the exposed flesh. But he wasn't very hungry, so he left it at a taste. Lysandriax shrugged at the debate and just started walking once a decision had been made. It wasn't that the raider was angry or annoyed, only that she felt it better to say nothing and thereby cross no more swords. The journey back to the lake was not too long and passed without incident. Faenkon had a nice lot of fresh meat for cooking, and the addition of some alpine herbs for a marinade would surely go well with the wildfowl starter left in progress back at the lake. Given, of course, that nothing had gone against the plan ... Alo looked down at the angry and sorrowful maiden and his heart melted at the effect his words had had on the two youthful Eldar. It gave him pause. In the clear air of the lakeside, ho took a moment to calm himself and compose an apology. But as he did so, the sound of crystalline laughter floated across the still waters. In a heartbeat Alo was off and running towards the sound. Weapons ready, darting towards the laughter even as it faded. His fellow Avenger swiftly turned to the sound but did not chase to find it - rather he watched, observing. As Alo found himself ankle-deep in the lake, he could hear the sound fading. It had no source. On the bank, Artarsi confirmed: no-one to be seen. There was no source for the laughter. Avrielle had stooped to rinse off the blood from her hands, and she looked out over the lake, nervously, before making her way back to Talis. She huddled a bit closer to the fire pit than the mere cold warranted. "I haven't heard of any animals that sound like people laughing, have you?" she said, adding a couple of small sticks to the fire, more to give her hands something to do. A moment after, as the two Avengers looked out over the lake, more definite sounds could be heard: the scouting party had returned. Faenkon had a bundle of freshly-butchered meat. Valandil had a handful or two of mountain herbs. Iktomi was already embroidering the tale of dragon-slaying, regaling the group with a story of how he had faced down another such beast - much larger, and more brightly coloured. Morvan silently led the group, Llyr trotting along at his side, the small feline unburdened by Eldar concerns. Talshin detached himself from the side of the Chance's shadow and spoke briefly to the Seer before heading back into the shuttle. It was the first time he had been visible to those at the lake since the scout group had left. But then, it was the first time that the returning group had seen the two new Eldar at the waterside, each alert and ready for war. @Uriel1339 @kanila @MetalDog4 @DaKaptin @BadDo9 @Avenging-Angel @matt23 @Valonox @Wata @ItsTime
< @Everyone_is_together_now_yay!(?) @Jorimel > Talis barely registered that the rest the group had come back again. He heard them, but he wasn't inclined to react. Even those who barely paid attention could notice something was off, as the young Exodite had always seemed to be full of life no matter the situation. And yet - being young and without emotional training - his sorrows had taken over with his doubts. Even the warmth of the fire didn't seem to break the fog that had clouded his mind. The only movement he made was to remove the fowl from the heat and begin to cut the meat into servings that could tide them over for a full meal. And the only thing to get a reaction were the words spoken directly to him. "No. But given what sounds beasts can make, it is not outside possibility for such to happen." even his words were dead. None of the passion he carried - none of the excitement - were in his words.
@BadDo9 | Astarielle had fallen silent, like a sulking child, and lingered on the edge of the group as they'd made their way back to the shuttle. The appearance of two new warriors, both clad as Dire Avengers and one standing in the lake, made her tense and the woman glanced over at where Talis and Avrielle sat, gesturing towards the Dire Avengers and breaking her silence. "Anything happen while we were gone Talis, besides the arrival of those two?"
Seeing the newcomers he chose to let the others deal with them. He quickly moved to Avierelle and Talis to 'deliver' the meat. "Seems we have more company, good thing I brought more meat." In a hushed tone for only Talis @BadDo9 and Avierelle @Jorimel cpuld hear. "Who are they and where did they come from? You both seem off, everything ok?" He set to work flavoring the meat and preparing it to be added to the cooking fire. He kept an eye on the newcomers, it seemed that while they faced the rock-serpent something happened here.
< @kanila @Avenging-Angel @Jorimel > "Bird meat is finished." was the only thing he said to the ones who'd begun gathering around. He set the waterfowl aside and took the other meat, quickly deciding to treat it simply - each cut as a slab steak. He wasn't going to say anything more. He wasn't. If he said anything they would know how weak he was. They would know and they'd regret having brought him. Stay quiet, don't let them know. Just do what you're good at.. and hope that you're good enough.. And yet his hands still shook as he placed the first meat on the fire.
