"Good evening" Li Hua said scanning the Asherah's eyes. Wondering if they were going to start bleeding or something awkward. This didn't feel quite the same as before, but it was still in the 'wierd stuff is happening' category of events. It helped a lot that the woman looked 'normal'. Not a huge floating eyeball made of metal surrounded by crazed followers.

Unlike the woman with a slightly torn dress, Li Hua was dressed in one of her prettier silk outfits. She'd felt so good today that she'd swapped into it instead of the more hard wearing 'trail clothes' she'd taken to wearing. Right now she wasn't sure whether that was a good thing or a bad thing. She did get the feeling she wouldn't need her sword. This woman didn't look threatening in that kind of way. In fact quite the opposite. Li Hua quite liked what she saw.

"I am Li Hua of the Zhao family. It is pleasant to make your acquaintance. Might I know your intentions?" she said in an accented version of the local lingua. It was tempting to say something like 'I am just passing through, not going to make your eyes bleed on purpose'. But really at a time like this, the least said the better.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:18, Wed 15 May.

As he nears the well, Kavian's pace is brisk and animated, reflecting the anticipation of a young man looking forward to a rendezvous. A woven basket hangs from his left hand, filled with an array of fresh produce, bread, and dried meats, all carefully selected for the evening's meal. Over his right shoulder, a cloth bundle is tied securely, holding spices and smaller items. In addition to his supplies, a simple qhit'al, a traditional stringed instrument, is slung across his back.

As Kavian comes into view, he cuts a striking figure, like a hawk surveying its domain. His lean, healthy build is accentuated by his confident posture and the ease with which he carries his load. His dark hair, cut just above the shoulders, frames a face marked by sharp features and intelligent, observant eyes that seem to miss nothing. His attire is practical yet indicative of someone who moves between different strata of society with ease—a tunic of fine, but not ostentatious, fabric, sturdy sandals, and a simple belt holding small pouches.

From a distance, he spots two women standing under an olive tree, their figures framed by the dappled light filtering through the leaves. The well stands nearby, its stone edges worn smooth by years of use. Kavian's keen eyes quickly recognize Asherah among them, though he briefly wonders who her companion might be. His curiosity is piqued, but there is a more pressing matter at hand.

As he continues his approach, a sudden, intense sensation washes over him. It is as if the world around him momentarily blurs, the edges of his vision darkening while his surroundings become distant echoes. A vivid, disorienting flashback of the earlier episode grips him. His senses are overwhelmed: the metallic tang of fear in his mouth, the phantom sound of a melody that resonates with an otherworldly familiarity, and the strange, electric sensation prickling his skin.

In his mind's eye, he sees abstract patterns of light and shadow swirling, reminiscent of the dance of flames in a brazier. Faces appear and dissolve into mist, voices whisper in languages he cannot place, and a deep, resonant hum fills his ears, almost drowning out his thoughts. The sensation of a shared identity, a profound connection to something beyond the ordinary, crashes over him like a wave.

He steadies himself, pausing for a brief moment to let the episode pass. His heart races, and he takes a deep breath, focusing on the solidity of the ground beneath his feet and the cool weight of the basket in his hand. Gradually, the world comes back into sharp focus, and the surreal visions recede to the edges of his consciousness.

When he resumes his approach, there is a renewed determination in his step. The intensity of the experience leaves him more convinced than ever of the significance of his meeting with Asherah. As he reaches the well, he greets the women with a warm, though slightly distracted, smile.

Asherah felt the same horrific tug she had felt when she met Kavian [msg #32]. The sense of understanding and kinship and absolute frustration. Asherah would stumble a little and rub her head. "Agian? Really?" she'd whisper.

Asherah would regain her balance and rub her forehead. She'd smile at Li Hua "Pleasure to meet you Li Hua. I am Asherah of Hakirash, daughter of my village's Sha-Hakir. My intentions are to meet someone here, I mean no harm." Asherah would say slowly as she went over in her head the proper way to phrase things. It had taken Asherah a second to remember the generic formal greeting she’d been taught when she didn’t know were someone hailed from.

Asherah would take a moment to look over the woman, her eyes lighting up like a well made fire. “Oh my-is that silk?!” Asherah would bite her lip, her hands shaking with excitement. She’d seen it once before when someone had requested some silk items for their daughter who had sensitive skin. It had felt like solid water in her hands. Of course she hadn’t been allowed to touch it, that sort of thing just didn’t stop her curiosity.

Asherah marveled in the designs on it. She’d never seen a flower like that. Why did it have a brown stem? How had the tailor been able to put the designs in silk? A notoriously delecate fabric. “If you dont mind me asking where do you come from?” Asherah would say quickly then bite her lip as if she was trying to stop the other questions from tumbling out.

Asherah wouldn’t notice Kavian’s arrival.

As Kavian's gaze falls upon the newcomer, his eyes become keen instruments of scrutiny, probing and dissecting her appearance with an intensity that borders on the invasive. He absorbs her every detail, as if unraveling the intricacies of a complex tapestry, seeking to uncover the hidden threads that weave her story.

As Kavian's eyes meet hers, there's an undeniable intensity in his gaze, a piercing quality that seems to strip away the layers of pretense and facade. It's a gaze that demands attention, impossible to ignore and even harder to hold for long. In that fleeting moment of connection, he senses something familiar yet inexplicable, a stirring of recognition deep within his soul. It's a sensation he's felt before, with Asherah, but now he realizes it's not confined to her alone. There's something more at play here, something beyond his comprehension, linking him to this new girl in ways he can't fully grasp.

Kavian stands at a distance, observing the interaction between the two women with a patient demeanor. He doesn't intrude, content to wait for an opening, a subtle invitation to join their conversation. His presence exudes an air of quiet confidence, as if he knows he belongs here but is in no rush to assert himself.

"Well that is a good thing" Li Hua responded to the 'I am no harm'. "It is nice to meet you Asherah of Hakirash. I am not from here, and my grasp of the language is not good, so I don't understand your title. I am a traveller, although perhaps not by choice. Trading goods and perhaps services before I return to my lands"

"This?" she held the silk in her sleeve in her hand "It is ... " a faint smile came on her face "it is lovely to wear. It is light, soft and smooth. It feels gentle against the skin. Warm in the winter, cool in summer. It takes these dyes beautifully and adds it's own... I don't know the words... a word for 'like it shines from within'. This is a gift from my father before I left the Far East. It's the first time I've worn it. More recently I have been wearing linen and leather. These flowers are symbolic" she touched the white flowers on her breast "New beginnings. Survival in adversity. These" she touched the cherry blossoms on the sleeve "renewal and rebirth, mixed with grace, inner strength and perseverance. It is a message from him that there are good things to be found even amidst adversary and discomfort. I felt today was the right day to wear it"

Li Hua stopped what she was saying and looked at Kavian arriving. A look of 'oh no not again' was in her eyes for a few moments before she masked it. Two of them? She was now outnumbered. What if both their eyes started bleeding and they attacked her? Or threw horrible magics at her. Still Asherah seemed nice, her words were friendly, and no one was theatening to kill her. This time. Well perhaps she should be thinking 'yet'

"Another of you" Li Hua nodded towards Kavian. "Is this who you are meeting?"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 06:15, Thu 16 May.

Asher would listen to Li Hua with wrapt attention. Throwing in a few nods to show she was listening. Asherah would give a soft smile. "Your father sounds like a good man. I take it he was unable to come with you?" Asherah would ask, then notice something flicker across Li Hua's eyes. Asherah would give her a concerned look. Only to spin around when Li Hua began talking with some one else.

"Kavian! Sorry, I hope I'm not late." She would beam. She had been looking forward to this since they had split paths at the market. "Yes, Kavian this is Li Hua and Li hua this is Kavian." She would gesture between the two accordingly. "I met Li Hua here while looking for the well you mentioned." Asherah would say, really meaning 'She isn't a companion of mine, be wary if you desire'. Asherah would ten allow for the two to speak. She had many questions, and her curiosity was screaming at her to find them all out. But Asherah knew they would soon come. She could play the long game, for now anyways. She would get her answers.

While Asherah waited for the 'lets get to the bottom of this' part of the conversation, she would observe their setting. She was nowhere near as observant as Kavian. She just enjoyed soaking things in while she waited. She would analyze Kavian for a second then think better of it. He was of course still tolerable and not ugly so there was no point in looking at him. Asherah would go back to looking at Li Hua's dress. She'd never heard of different flowers having different meaning. She know that they could be used as dyes or in a bouqet for one to express their love to another. But that was about it. Asherah would move on the olive tress after contemplating Li Gua's flower dress. She didn't want to make Li hua uncomfortable by staring. Asherah wondered if olive trees were the product of multiple trees growing together. Maybe one fruit devoured another causing olives to grow. Asherah would continue to let these thoughts dance in her head as she waited.

"Yes" Li Hua said simply at 'your father is a good man'. It wasn't just her, other people said it too. Except the Emperor's enemies of course. She'd have said more, but the 'other one' was introduced

"Kavian" she practiced the name. Rather alien to her, but it suited the man. She introduced herself to him "I am Li Hua of the Zhao family from somewhere a long way east" there was a note of humour in that. She'd got used to  people saying 'huh .. where' so found that a lot simpler to say

"I notice that the two of you have some sort of .. er ... I don't have the words" in any language actually. Words were about shared experiences, and she'd not shared such an experience with anyone back home "Perhaps 'mystic similarity'. I have sensed similar but different things before." it was perhaps obvious that the 'before' had not been a pleasant experience "You two feel very much the same though. Might I ask what is behind that similarity if it's not a secret"

From a distance, Kavian had assumed that Asherah had brought a friend along, but as he stands there, the truth dawns on him: Li Hua is there alone. Alarm bells ring in his head, and he suppresses the urge to react visibly. Instead, he maintains his composure, outwardly calm but inwardly alert. His eyes flicker briefly to the gleaming blade at Li Hua's side, noting its presence with a mix of curiosity and caution. It's an unexpected accessory for someone alone in these surroundings, prompting Kavian to subtly scan the area for any signs of potential danger. His instincts tell him to proceed with caution, wary of the possibility that their meeting may not have gone unnoticed by unwanted ears.

As Kavian listens to their exchange, the casual mentions of families and fathers between Asherah and Li Hua stir up an old ache in his heart. The absence of his own father and family is a constant void, a gap that has always left him feeling isolated and disconnected from others. It's not a personal slight against the girls, but whenever family becomes the topic of conversation, Kavian can't help but feel the weight of his own loneliness pressing down on him, a reminder of the void in his life that can never be filled.

Kavian's warm smile lights up his face as Asherah notices his arrival and offers an apology for any tardiness. With a casual wink, he dismisses her concern, assuring her, "Not at all, you're right on time." Expressing genuine delight at her presence, he delivers a shy grin, accompanied by a subtly cocked eyebrow—a silent boast of his confidence in his charm. The gesture speaks volumes, it's clear he knew she would come, his belief in his own allure evident.

Li Hua pronounces Kavian's name with a tantalizing lilt, prompting a subtle smile from him. Kavian, a connoisseur of languages, quietly appreciates the way she articulates his name, relishing the melody of her accent.

Li Hua's revelation about feeling a similar connection to both him and Asherah intrigues Kavian. Ever vigilant, he detects a subtle undertone of unease in her confession.

As Kavian scrutinizes Li Hua once more, his gaze lingers on her, his mind whirring with calculations and assessments. He weighs the potential risks of his forthcoming words, knowing that every interaction carries its own set of consequences.

"Even if you're a bit overdressed for the occasion, you're welcome to join us," he says, gesturing towards her sword. "But I doubt you'll be needing that."

"When you are a solitary woman two thousand li from home at night, it is wise to carry a weapon" Li Hua said, indicating her sword that was sheathed by her side "And even wiser to be skilled in using it. You are a man and probably do not have the same kind of issues. You mass perhaps twice what I do, are much stronger, and are not a target. It is unlikely that you will be targeted for rape. You are perhaps right that you would not need a weapon after dark."

"In the land I came from we beleive that the sword has a soul. This was given to me by father. It goes everywhere with me. I look after it, and it looks after me. We have gone through a lot together."

"As for my clothes I'm dressed for myself. It is a personal celebration of having survived a long, dangerous and arduous trip. I should have returned before nightfall, but I was deep in meditation. Deeper than I expected: it is my custom to be behind safe doors if I can at this time. I am not familiar with the 'occasion' that you talk about, or where you are intending to go this late. Perhaps you could explain?"

As the three converse and size each other up, some of them pick up on a few things.

Li Hua's eyes are those of a trained swordswoman, and thought she is still in training at the behest of her ever-cautious father, she is more skilled in theory than most soldiers - so she is able to realize that neither Kavian nor Asherah show the trained movements of her ilk. Those who live by the sword often unconsciously make slight adjustments to their movements in times of great tension, shrinking the openings and gaps in their gait. As Li Hua can easily notice Kavian's wariness - even though he puts on a collected facade - instinctual tensing of muscles are somewhat noticeable if one is looking for them.

In contrast, Kavian's keen observation skills dig deeply and pick up quite a few things about the woman in front of him. He can tell she has unknown skills by her movement, but he can't gleam anything further as he is not a martial artist of any kind - except perhaps in amateur brawling. He can also tell she is concealing a deep trauma somewhat but not entirely related to meeting these two. It seems to be fairly recent.

---

Meanwhile, as the three converge and share this first encounter with one another...
They begin to feel a strange pressure building... an unfamiliar, heavy weight seems to linger in the air...

Kavian is the first to notice, and Li Hua notices shortly after as well. Something is approaching.
Kavian's mind races - his knowledge of the city burning on overdrive - but he can't quite place this to be anything familiar.
Meanwhile, Li Hua is not as familiar at the city, but her special training allows her instinct to alert her slightly in advance - the sensation feels like the presence of another being, but not exactly. More tangential to that being's presence. The impossible weight she feels is felt strongest by her of them all - it reminds her of the God. The presence and the pressure are unrelated.

The strangest thing is - even as everyone begin to feel this pressure... it's not a harmful one. Rather, it feels similar to being underwater (without any sense of drowning) - it feels as if the medium around them has become... denser. More solid. Not in a particularly uplifting way, but not in an overly stifling one either.

For her part, Asherah is only vaguely aware of the pressure, and gleams nothing in particular like her companions. However, unbeknownst to her in the moment, something begins to restlessly move within her.

---

OOC: Gave some insight to some of you, since you were clearly sizing each other up to some extent and that's the sort of thing I'd like to interject and give some adjudication for.

To summarize,
1. Li Hua has a sense of Kavian's (lack of) direct combat ability
2. Kavian notices Li Hua's sword skills (he can relate them to being superior to any warrior he's ever met, but he hasn't met any serious elites) and that she is carrying a heavy memory that is disgruntling her.

Furthermore, I'm moving this a long little bit by introducing a pressure.

In order:

1. Li Hua feels this pressure most clearly. She feels as though it is immense. She also uniquely recognizes that a 'presence' is approaching but knows the presence is related to but not the source of the pressure

2. Kavian feels the pressure - it feels like an invader on his turf, so to speak - an unfamiliar variable. He only feels it vaguely, and has no sense of its weight, size or shape. He doesn't have any sense of the presence, either.

3. Asherah barely notices the pressure, it's possible she'll just think its anxiety or something. She might still notice it though. Shortly, a special revelation is in store for her - her gifts just aren't showing at this exact moment. Needless to say, she has no idea about any presence.

I'll give you all some time to digest and react to this however you will. You can continue your conversations or even attempt actions such as escape, communication or combat preparation.

I am going to introduce Sigismund very soon (obviously kind of related to this new pressure). I hope I will be able to do his character justice, but I'm not too worried since I won't be running him when the camera is not on him, so to speak. He'll only ever show up in game as an NPC for you all to interact with. I think this is reiterating at this point, actually.

Asherah would bounce on the balls of her feet when Li Hua immediately began asking the bigger questions she had been hoping for. "Yes, we felt that connection when we first met each other earlier today. More importantly, you say something similar to this has happened to you before?" Asherah would ask, her eyes once more ablaze with curiosity. If she sensed something similar before, maybe it would help allude to what this connection was. Of course thanks to Asherah's excitement she didn't notice the note of unpleasantness. Or maybe she did and  was simply throwing caution and social norms to the wind.

Asherah would begin to beam at Kavian like a ray of sunshine when he grinned at her. The cocked eyebrow did him in though. She would quickly make a sour face at him-one to exaggerated to be real. She knew the he thought she'd come here because of his charm. When really she'd just come for answers or so she told herself, that truth of that statement was still up in the air. Asherah would turn herself slightly, so Kavian was still in her line of sight, but it would have the same effect as her turning her back to him. Asherah's mouth would quirk into a sort of taunting half smile after that.

Asherah opened her mouth to tell Kavian to let her keep it when Li Hua launched into a sharp-mouthed explanation. Asherah would wince slightly, the sudden edge cutting into her joy and leftover adrenaline. Asherah's face becoming rather pale as rape was mentioned. Asherah came down from the balls of her feet. Unsure whether the sudden solidity of the air was just a result of her dissipating joy or something to do with thier bond. "I personally don't mind if you keep your sword. I understand your reasoning. I also understand Kavian's reasoning, he's been awfully secrective about this whole thing. Which means whatever is happening is really important to him or were about to get jumped anyways." Asherah would pause rubbing her head. She'd close her eyes looking as if she were under duress. For moment there she'd thought... She'd thought she would have time before she dealt with this sort of thing. Apparently not. "So Kavian, could you explain whats happening or let Li Hua keep her sword." Asherah looked rather dour now. She wanted to leave.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:40, Yesterday.

"It was ... not ... a pleasant experience" Li Hua responded to the comment on 'have you felt that before' "I survived it, so that's good" it was pretty clear that it had been quite a traumatic event and not one she wanted to repeat

There was a shrug at the 'being pretty secretive'. It was pretty obvious that there was no way that she would voluntarily leave the sword behind, so that was up to Kavian to decide what he wanted to do. While she was mildly interested in what the two were planning, and in understanding the strange feeling she had, she was also considering the option of just running as fast as she could to avoid any events like the last time. "Perhaps we can meet tomorrow then. You do your secretive thing, and we can meet for breakfast. I am happy to treat you at..."

An expletive came from her suddenly and she looked around, her hand suddenly on the hilt of the sword "Do you feel that" she took a pace away from the other two in case they were part of this. Her desire to just run was increasing. If it would do any good in the face of what she sensed. What in the name of the eighteen Hells was going on? "It is ..."  she felt out what she could about it. "It is coming nearer. This feels like a God approaching"

As Li Hua explains the necessity of carrying a weapon as a young woman alone at night, Kavian listens attentively, his expression thoughtful. He hadn't brought attention to the weapon without understanding something so fundamental. Despite the seriousness of her explanation, Kavian can't help but grin at the misunderstanding and the lengthy defense of her weapon.

"I meant no offense, Li Hua," he interjects gently, his tone reassuring. "When I said you wouldn't be needing it, I meant that you're safe here with us. Asherah and I pose no threat to you." He pauses, then continues, elaborating on his point. "Besides, openly wearing such a weapon can be misconstrued as an intention of violence in these parts. It's better to have a small, concealed defense or carry something so commonplace that it wouldn't raise suspicions. It will likely to attract unwanted attention from the authorities." He allows his words to sink in before continuing. "It's important to stay safe, but it's also important to avoid unnecessary trouble."

As Li Hua defends her choice of attire, Kavian's attention sharpens. He watches her closely, his gaze lingering thoughtfully on her elegant gown,  shimmering in the dwindling sunlight. He nods thoughtfully, considering her words, before responding. "It's a beautiful gown, no doubt," he concedes, "but I was simply concerned about its well-being. We're about to enter the well, after all." His tone is gentle, a hint of humor underlying his words.

Both women seem to pick up on his guardedness about the meeting, and Kavian decides to address it directly. "I just wanted to share something with you both," he explains, his voice earnest. "Something difficult to explain, and fragile. But I also have to be careful about who knows."

In his mind, he's thinking of his network of children, the gang he's formed over the years. They thrive on secrecy, living beneath notice, and he knows the wrong influence could endanger everything he's built.

Kavian's heart quickens as he feels the weight in the air intensify, a sensation unlike anything he's experienced before. Li Hua's sudden expletive jolts him out of his thoughts, and he watches her warily as she steps away, her hand instinctively reaching for her sword. He feels a shiver run down his spine at her words, her sense of impending danger echoing his own. "I feel it too," he admits, his voice tight with unease. "But a god? Here?" His mind races, trying to make sense of the situation, but the feeling of impending doom only grows stronger with each passing moment.

Asherah would scrunch her nose and look around. They couldn't possibly have unintentionally summoned a god just by exchanging sharp words. "are-are you two alright?" Asherah would ask with a hint of concern. She knew it was probably the truth if both of them sensed it but she was having a hard time believing such things. Asherah would look around not seeing a thing. "What do you mean by you 'sense' a god?" She'd ask, suddenly rethinking this trip for answers.

She had always despised the saying 'Curiosity killed the fish'. She knew it was because a curious fish would investigate the bait and end up as dinner. But simply shouldn't apply to humans. They thrived on learning and expanding knowledge, why should they stop out of fear? Though Asherah suddenly wondered if she was going to get her answer whether she liked it or not

"Ah" Li Hua had said at Kavian's explaination. She and Asherah had both misread Kavian it seemed. Well need it or not she couldn't exactly leave it behind. She'd been about to comment positively on that before being interrupted.

That was in the past. What was in the present was the so very powerful feeling of pressure. Of someone, or perhaps 'something' coming. "Feels similar to a God. Whatever a 'God' is" Li Hua commented to Kavian's question "I don't know if you can feel it Asherah of Hakirash. A 'pressure'. A feeling of being compressed perhaps. I am not likely to forget that" or the sheer terror of being surrounded by dozens of worshippers ready to do their God's bidding. And she also wasn't too likely to forget the God being afraid of her. Or bleeding just because she was there

"I think we had better move. If it is coming 'here' we don't want to be here when it arrives. If it is coming for me... well perhaps you two should go in a different direction. I would like to talk, so if we are separated let's meet at East Gate tomorrow just after dawn." Li Hua gestured in the direct of her inn "I will be going that way" Since she didn't know where the presence was approaching from, one direction was as good as another

And with that Li Hua began to leave. She could only see conflict and more pain and suffering if she stayed. If she left, perhaps she would be followed, perhaps not. But if she stayed ... that probably wasn't going to end well

Kavian feels the pressure growing, an oppressive weight that bears down on him, as if he were under the scrutiny of a god. The sensation is unnerving, but his logical mind rejects the notion of fleeing or defending against such a powerful entity. Instinctively, he wants to run, but his intellect and willpower keep him rooted in place.

"If it is a god," Kavian mutters, more to himself than anyone else, "then running or fighting seems pointless." He takes a deep breath, forcing himself to stand firm against the overwhelming urge to flee. He suspects that he and Asherah would have been be no closer to understanding their bond by the end of their rendezvous, but he knows that whatever happens now will be revealing, if nothing else.

In a moment of clarity, he realizes that facing destruction by a god is, in a twisted way, a worthy end for someone of his low station. Unconsciously, his hand reaches out to grasp Asherah's, a silent plea for her to stay with him. He trembles slightly, facing the unknown with a mix of fear and determination.

He looks at Asherah, his eyes reflecting both his fear and his resolve. "You should go," he says softly, though he hopes she won't. "You have loved ones you can take shelter with. I can't endanger my gang. I'll face whatever this is... alone if I have to."

Asherah saw the fear in their eyes. Her doubt vanishing faster than a seed on the high winds. “I-I see I don’t sense it as well. I just feel a slight pressure… something in the air. I suppose it must be worse for you two.” Said Asherah. She began to shake, fear taking hold. A god? Why would a god be after them? As much as Asherah tried she couldn’t think of anything she’d done.

Asherah gave Li Hua a look of concern. “Only if you feel it will help. And only if you really want to.” Asherah would reply to Li Hua as she reached out her hand to Kavian. There was a brief flash of surprise when her hand brushed his. Nonetheless, she grab it holding his hand in a firm yet gentle manner. The way she would her finer works.

Asherah would give Kavain a hard look when he told her to leave. She would take her free hand and slap him. Not particularly hard, but enough to get the point across. “And leave you? Never!” Asherah would look him in the eye, there Kavian could see how genuine her words were. Among her lingering anger at him for suggesting such a thing there would also be fear and reassurance. She wasn’t about to say ‘it will be okay’ but she did her best to convey as much with her eyes. Her hand shaking in Kavian’s.

Kavian winces slightly as Asherah's hand makes contact with his cheek, but he doesn't flinch away. Instead, he meets her hard gaze with his own, the intensity of their connection tangible even in the midst of uncertainty.

The slap stings, both physically and emotionally, but Kavian can't help but feel a surge of gratitude mixed with a touch of guilt. He's relieved that she's chosen to stay by his side, despite the danger they face. Her unwavering loyalty touches him deeply, reminding him that he's not truly alone in this.

He squeezes her hand tightly, drawing strength from her presence. "Thank you," he murmurs, his voice barely above a whisper. "I... I'm glad you're here."

In that moment, as they stand together against whatever fate may bring, Kavian finds solace in the simple act of holding Asherah's hand. It's a small gesture, but it's enough to reassure him that they'll face whatever comes their way, together.

"It won't help if the God is hunting us, or looking for us" Li Hua agreed with Kavian "But not everything is about us. Perhaps the God is just 'on his way through'. And perhaps it is something else. Staying here, with it on the way guarantees a meeting, which might go well and might go bad. Leaving gives us more options"

"The last God I met didn't sense me until ..." well until it's eye started bleeding "until I was close. And it was surprised to see me" and afraid to see her, but she wasn't going to say that to the other two for obvious reasons.

"I do recommend avoiding it, Kavian. It will not be 'after your boys'. It won't even notice them. Not if it's like the last one. And staying now puts Asherah at risk as well."

But that was enough talking.

"Perhaps I will see you again. I wish you both well. I will be at EastGate tomorrow around dawn." and probably fleeing the city immediately after the gates opened.

As Kavian and Asherah grasp hands, seeking comfort and deciding to put a surprising amount of trust in one another, Li Hua is preparing to flee...

Just as she begins to move, a figure pops out from a nearby alley, and all three pairs of eyes are drawn to him automatically.

A man in his mid-twenties. He's quite tall, but he just seems average because of his size. Broad-shouldered, with thick limbs and a large chest and stomach, every part of him is big. Right away, it's hard to tell if he's fat or muscular, or maybe both. He's just... large.

He has a foreign face, which Kavian recognizes as ethnically Nodavik. His expression is a kind and gentle one, and his posture is casual. Despite his size, he's clearly not a warrior. All three of the gathered individuals can tell this right away. Li Hua knows it by his untrained gait, Kavian by comparing the man to warriors he's seen before, and Asherah instinctually feels like he is a friendly person who doesn't like to fight.

Despite his apparent jolliness, Kavian still considers that he may be a hunter. He's not showing the movements of one, but many tribal folk hunt in groups where they don't need to stalk their prey independently.

He has medium-length shaggy hair, and a very thick beard. It's a deep brown hue, but the reddish color of copper when the light hits it. His eyes are brown, but have speckles of dark green.

His outfit is tribal. Handmade hides and furs strewn together. His hands are rough, he's clearly worked for a living.

The most striking thing perhaps is his smell. It is ... incredibly pleasant. A mixture of unfamiliar herbs and spices, makes the man feel like a walking cooking pot.

The man stops at a short distance from you all, clearly jolted out of his musings at the unexpected sight of three strangers staring at him.

As all your eyes meet....

KRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGHHHHAAAATHZAAAHHH

An inexplicable sound blasts through all of your minds. The pressure from before has exploded. It's not physically or mentally painful, but you all find yourselves grasping your heads as if in pain.

When your bleary eyes begin to focus....

Relief washes over you all. You feel liberated, as if before you had been in chains.

The pressure has completely vanished, only an echoing cry can be heard, it's voice indescribable and fading, and it's source omnipresent but also from nowhere at all.

The foreign man raises his head with a grunt and says, "Skalt urik torigmog... Azkag irg dik dasgrofa, haag! Sahagik... Krix bar kveftinmorg tek vassig, soryund. Megka tayen Sigismund, augh mettin"

The man clearly knows none of you understand his words, but he keeps talking with a smile anyway. At first he seemed surprised and pained, but he's already back to giving a smile and speaking in a rich, booming voice with a degree of softness.

It's utterly unclear what he's saying, but by reading his body language, one can tell most of his words were addressed to himself or to the group. The more muttered words may have been similar to Li Hua's expletives.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:32, Today.

Too slow Li Hua thought to herself, making notes not to try and save the others who didn't want to be saved, if there was a next time. Mind you it was quite cute the way Asherah had clung to Kavian. Even at a time like this, it made her want to go 'awww....'.

The sense of 'relief' that game over her was a lot better than the terror caused by her last run-ins with supernatural creatures. She'd no idea what had happened. Perhaps this guy had sensed some curse on her and removed it or something. Certainly it did feel a little like that. That cry that was now fading... how did that tie into thos?

In any event, even if this stranger had projected some powerful supernatural power at them without anything approaching consent, she didn't get a feeling of badness about him. And she certainly shared his frustration over languages.

She now had half a dozen ways to say 'hello how are are you' and she tried them to see if perhaps they had some tongue in common

Kavian feels a sudden release of pressure, like a dam breaking, as a large man comes into view. The weight that had been pressing down on his shoulders dissipates, leaving him feeling unexpectedly liberated. For a moment, confusion clouds his thoughts as he tries to reconcile reality with his expectations.

Instead of the divine presence he had anticipated, before them stood another foreigner—a complete stranger who, paradoxically, carried the same eerie familiarity that he and Asherah shared with one another.

The direness of the moment evaporates, replaced by a burgeoning curiosity that sweeps over Kavian like a warm breeze. The tension melts away, leaving him acutely aware of his hand, still clasped in Asherah's. Self-consciously, he laughs, the sound a bit awkward but genuine, a hint of embarrassment colors his cheeks. His gaze shifts to Asherah, his soft brown eyes locking with hers.

As he gazes into Asherah's eyes with his soft browns, a new tenderness emerges. Slowly, almost reluctantly, he releases her hand, the gesture lingering longer than necessary, a silent testimony to the new affection that is growing for her. In that moment, his eyes speak volumes, conveying emotions that words could not.  In that moment, his eyes speak volumes, a silent promise and an unspoken understanding.

The gravity of the situation is not lost on Kavian. As he takes in the scene, he marvels at the improbable convergence of their paths. Seemingly by chance, the four of them have come together, stumbling upon one another on the same day at this appointed place. On the surface, it appears as if Kavian had orchestrated the meeting, choosing the well as their rendezvous point. But as he ponders the potential of cosmic forces at play, he can't help but wonder if there is a greater design at work.

As he turns his attention back to the imposing stranger, Kavian realizes he cannot understand the words the man speaks. The sounds are foreign, incomprehensible, yet not hostile. Keeping his eyes locked on the man, Kavian turns his head slightly towards Li Hua.

"Wait," he says softly to her, his voice measured and calm. "Let's all accompany you to your inn for a meal. We need to discuss things."

His suggestion hangs in the air, filled with unspoken urgency and a desire for understanding. He knows that Li Hua is the only one among them who seems to have any prior experience with the strange phenomena binding them together. He is eager to learn what she is willing to share, to piece together the puzzle of their intertwined fates.

Asherah would feel her cheeks heat slightly when Kavian thanked her and squeezed her hand. She’d laugh softly. “I’m glad your here.” She would whisper squeezing his hand back. Even taking a moment to enjoy its smoothness compared to her rough fingertips.

As the stranger came out, Asherah was rather scared. He was… big. Though as soon as he came out she was put at ease. He smelled of good spices. No bad man smelled of good spices. She did let out an audible gasp as he came into view. Asherah had never seen someone just wear furs before, he wore it well though. Asherah’s tailor mind began to turn right as-

The noise and the phantom pain illicited a whimper from Asherah. She would clutch Kavian’s hand, her free one flying to her head. Once it was over though, Asherah felt as if. She couldn’t describe the feeling. She just knew it felt the same way she had felt when she got home from Kurscos. It was as if invisible hands had come and just lifted the weight right off her shoulders. She would beam at the newcomer as he spoke. Asherah’s easy joy and curiosity flooding back in now that the pressure was off.

Asherah would immediately turn to Kavian when she heard his laugh. She just barely caught his moment of awkwardness. The emotion being rather contagious, Asherah would bite her lip cheeks flushing slightly once again. Her eyes would flick away in embarrassment for a moment. Only to come back to his.

Asherah’s breath would catch in her throat as Kavian looked at her with such intensity. There was a softness to them. A softness that put Asherah at an even greater loss for words. Asherah’s eyes turned a touch sorrowful as his hand pulled away from hers. She let her hand linger next to his as long as she could. Not really wanting to let go of him or the moment. She saw what he conveyed to her though. Part of her was even relieved that words were not expected. She would give the smallest tip of her head, acknowledging the promise. She could almost hear his voice in her head. ‘Another time, I swear’. That was good enough for her.

She wondered if there was more of them of if this was it, if that sound had been some final cosmic piece falling into place. Despite the language barrier Asherah wondered if this man would shed more light on the situation the four had found themselves in.

Asherah’s hope of this grew as Li Hua began trying different languages to see if she knew his.

Asherah would give Kavian a gentle smile as he suggested they head to Li Hua’s inn. She’d given him one before, but there something different about this one. Her eyes sparkling with this new emotion.

Sigismund mumbles a few more things in the unfamiliar language, but he seems mostly content to be quiet since nobody seems to speak his tongue.

He listens to Li Hua as she cycles through the tongues she knows, but gives a soft shake of his head along with a regretful smile - indicating he understands her gesture of trying to find a shared tongue, but that he doesn't recognize any of them.

The man moves a bit closer to the group, perhaps feeling awkward at the rather far distance. He seems a bit hesitant, perhaps not wanting to come off as forceful. He watches closely to make sure everyone is comfortable with his approach.

Should nobody get in his path, he approaches the olive tree that has been the centerpiece of this strange convergence of implausibilities.

Then, he does something that makes Kavian quite surprised. He raises a hand and gently plucks one of the olives from the tree. He rolls it around between his fingers. He sniffs it. He puts it in his mouth, wincing slightly at the saltiness, but then an expression of immense excitement appears on his face, and one can almost hear his heart beating and mind racing.

He chews the olive, discovering the pit, then spits it out and inspects it.

With the flesh gone and swallowed, he does not simply toss the pit away. Instead, he pulls out a thin satchel. As he opens it, glimpses of countless seeds, sprigs, salts and spices can be seen. Then, he places the pit inside an empty compartment.

He nods with satisfaction to himself.

Looking at the group around him, he rubs the back of his neck, his face slightly red in embarrassment.

"I left it a little late" Li Hua said in response to comments about going to the inn "If we get separated the offer still stands for a breakfast meeting. It is too late for a meal now though. The sun has gone down and everyone will be sleeping. You could say I left that too late as well"

"Let us see if we can communicate with our new acquaintance first. Perhaps Gods are different. Perhaps he is not one. I do feel better for the meeting. I don't have the words to describe quite what happened"