The Darkening

[Benjiman/Vin/Bhorg]

Benji catches himself, "I am sorry." he pauses for a moment to compile his meaning, "John, Ingrid, Emma, Ute, everyone, if it weren't for you all I doubt I could be enjoying such adventures." he pauses a moment and then realizes, "So I give my thanks to you all, lest I would just be another starving traveler." With that Benjiman gets up and goes to sleep, with whole new thoughts and ideas.

Books must be full of useful things, it must be like asking for help across time.
I wonder how one can be so strong and still ask for help.
I wonder why John didn't explain Ingrid's magic, does he just not notice it?

[John Merino]

As Ben falls asleep, John taps Emma on her shoulder. Squeaks gives John a strange look and seems to gesture, "go on." John; however, looks really shy and shifts his weight uncomfortably. Um... I... he swallowed, Well... I love Indis. And I'm going to be with her again... I know it deep in my heart. And I wanted to do something special for her. See... she's an elf. Like I told you before. And so her first language was elven, and I don't... I don't really know elven. But you said you grew up with your mother, who was obviously an elf... and I was wondering if you knew elven? And if you do, could you maybe teach me?

John runs his hand through his hair as he looks away, shyly saying, I know it's kind of stupid, but I thought it would be kind of sweet if I learned her language and all. Maybe she'd appreciate it or something. Suddenly he seems more confident and says, And besides, she'll want to teach her kids Elven and I don't want them knowing languages I don't!

Squeakers rolls his eyes at John's bashfulness, about ready to kick the crap out of him for being such a dork.

[whalejudge]

Piotr: I'm no sage of magic, I'm afraid. I have some knowledge of it, but it's not a primary interest of mine. I must admit I wasn't paying much attention in the fighting. Did the walking dead display any abilities? Weaknesses? Invulnerabilities? I found it very cold, almost despairing in those tunnels."

[John Merino]

Casting spells as a priest, the ability to swing a sword, and a crippling weakness to magical fire. John calls from next to Emma. Nothing spectacular... except I hate casters.

[whalejudge]

A moment of silence for the late and lamented Benji, while I put another tombstone on my score pile.

[John Merino]

John gets back to the storehouse sullenly and quietly. He first sets down his backpack and Benjamin's cane, and then looks around with a fierce look on his reptilian face: Don't touch it. After he finishes snarling he jumps down and walks out the front door and wanders off.

He heads to the Chapel and dismisses the alternate form, politely entering and lowering his hood. If the ghost is there, he asks for pardon to enter, and if the ghost is not there he will sit at a bench and just unload his feelings. In Balok, doing his best to make it so that the ghost could understand if he was in fact there.

I don't know if you're here, but someone once told me that Holy Men are perfect to talk to in these times. I'm not sure whether Piotr will have what I need... he often talks to me and asks me for information, something I'm not used to doing. If you're not there, I guess it's better than showing weakness in front of the rest. I've admitted twice to Emma that I get hurt hard by these failures, but it only seems to have driven her away: the moment you show one bit of weakness they all assume you're weak and stop relying on you.

Am I doing the right thing? I know the stories and tales, hell, I studied a bit of Necromancy. The souls of creatures are not to be trifled with, and they've got to reach their final rest, but is that what you want? Is it even possible to achieve that for you?

I'm just so angry though. And not at any of them, it's not their fault everyone keeps dying. It's not their fault that Emma keeps internalizing it, or that Ingrid doesn't understand what's going on, or that the red-head can't wake up... and I guess in the end it's not my fault either, but I still feel as if I should be good enough to keep them going even if I can't.

It'll be nice to be in here for a bit though. If I'm intruding let me know, I just want to look for something solitary and different, and even though I always hated attending mass, there was something soothing about an empty, or almost empty, chapel. The way no one would bother you assuming you were praying or whatever, and even if you weren't it was ok because you were trying to be spiritual.

That's a major distinction that is difficult for most people to make. I'm not a very religious person, but I am very spiritual. I mean, there are a lot of gods out there, and a lot of people talking about them, and if life has taught me anything it's that people in power will lie to keep their power. I'm sure a lot of priests out there twist their god's intentions just to keep peasants donating on whatever holy day, and that bothers me a lot. As does the idea of a hundred people suddenly having spiritual moments all at precisely the same time. Also the idea of worshiping a deity strikes me as wrong. They may be great and powerful, but worship? Worshipping is to love unquestioningly, and anyone who asks for unquestioning devotion is more often than not up to no good: someone who is truly worth worship shouldn't mind if I question him, because any time I question a decision he makes he'll turn out to have been right.

In any case, just being here puts me at rest. I guess it gives me the chance to think about everything and to feel close to a god. Even if it is a long lost god no one living knows anything about, but beggars can't be choosers, right?

John will spend a significant amount of time in the chapel unless the restless spirit indicates he needs to leave.

[whalejudge]

"You didn't exactly grow up with a nurturing faith, my son." Piotr bows to the central altar as he sits down next to John. "I spent some of my time in Levkarest going over the Lawgiver's texts. I wanted to see for myself what sort of horror you think of at the word 'religion'. The whole point of the Lawgiver's teachings is to reinforce a strict order in society, with the Lawgiver himself at the top, and severe punishments for anyone even considering stepping out of line. The Lawgiver's church has a place for everyone and they have to stay in their place. It even assigns gods a place. Your sister's Hala is deemed one of the Lawgiver's concubines.

"From what I've learned, Andral had some ideas that were similar, but he always stressed the importance of the responsibilities of the rulers to the ruled, and the importance of being able to rise to the station your abilities suited you to." He smiles. "Sorry. I went a little off topic there."

"Benjiman's death is tragic. But he lived a good one, and died surrounded by his friends. We should celebrate the life he lived, his accomplishments, his gentle humor and nature. Emma seems to be taking his passing hard. When you are finished here, she could use some brotherly comfort. I think he never realized just how she felt about him."

[John Merino]

John sighs, The Lawgiver is a religion designed to make sheep of the masses... as are most religions. I'm sure there is a Lawgiver, and that he has positive effects in the world, but frankly the words bandied by priests to peasants are designed to keep peasants content with their lives rather than impart any truth. It's because those in power only seek to maintain power, and the easiest way to hold on to power is if no one is trying to take it from you. Catching Piotr's eye, he quickly added, This isn't true of everyone, mind! It's like saying that humans have brown hair... sure, most humans have brown hair, but what about the blonds or the redheads? Or the Mulan? If we assumed "all humans have brown hair" was the flat out truth, one look at a Mulan and you would say, "They are bald, therefore they are not human!" Much in the same way, I do honestly believe that most of the current intent behind a large swath of the clergy, especially in Hazlan and here in Barovia, is to keep the lower classes content enough not to rebel.

She won't let me in. John shrugged, lying back on a bench. And even if she would, I can't help her when I'm this messed up. He also opens one eye and look at Piotr, Also trust a holy man to follow me around looking for a chance to convert me! he chuckles a bit, and sits up. I suppose I should go to her. And everyone else. Good naturedly, John laughs a bit, I hate that you know to play at my sense of duty!

ooc: I'm going to reorder this since Emma is alive again

[Emma]

Emma was just standing there, hearing the chaos ensue down the hallway. She couldn't get to him, she couldn't move at all! Emma wasn't even entirely sure of what happened until she was told to run. She was frozen at first, fear and confusion taking her over. She didn't believe it. Ben couldn't be... Hearing Ingrid scream to her again shook her out and she ran, until the thoughts reclaimed her mind and she felt her legs buckling beneath her. She had made it to the storeroom, but she couldn't run any further. She tried to calm herself, but her hands wouldn't stop shaking. She tried to clear her mind, but the horrible screams and fear came creeping back each time.

The rest of the party had made it back safely, but it was as though Emma didn't see anyone. She was alone...again. Sliding down one of the walls, Emma nearly collapsed to the ground. She put her head back and shut her eyes, as though trying to escape a horrible nightmare she couldn't seem to wake from.

You didn't save him... It came again. The awful words that kept repeating in her mind. You weren't able to save your mother and now you let Ben die... Emma shook her head almost violently with a choked sob. Grabbing ahold of her head with her hands, she lifted her knees to her chest and shook.

[John Merino]

Returning to the storeroom with a forlorn smile on his face which was almost a smirk, he glanced around at the party. Nothing really seemed to get his attention until a small, blazing fast ball of white shot across the room and up his leg emitting a series of high-pitched squeaks. Instantly the smile dropped from his face and the look was replaced with panic. Half sprinting over to where his sister sad, he immediately knelt next to her and pulled her in a deep hug.

He mutters something in Abyssal which, for those of you who speak it, amounts to "I will do unspeakable things to that spirit if he hurt her" before softly singing a song in Hazlik.

[Emma]

Emma's body trembled as she continued to rock herself back and forth lightly. Her eyes were wide in fear, but she didn't notice her brother until he took her in a comforting embrace. She didn't understand him when he spoke, but was aware of his concern and anger. As he began to sing, Emma rested her head on his shoulder and continued to cry more quietly than before. They had lost so many friends already! Emma couldn't believe that he was actually... gone.

[John Merino]

John watched as she lowered her head and the tears quieted. He finished up his song and stared at the top of her head. Something stirred in him, perhaps his familial bonds with her, or maybe it was something born of their time together. Whatever it was, the words that came out of his mouth surprised him in that moment, and his face wore the shock plainly.

I love you.

[Emma]

As John concluded his song, Emma's tears had slowed. She remained where she was, still resting her head on him. Taking in deep breaths and sniffling, Emma held onto his yellow colored robe as though wanting to make sure he didn't disappear. She didn't trust anyone to keep themselves safe and wondered who would be next to... her eyes began to water and she pulled a portion of his robe closer to her.

As he spoke, Emma also felt caught off guard. Since he appeared in her life Emma had attached herself. She saw him as the only part left of her mother - a part of their shared father and a part of what her mother had loved so much. He had shown her friendship and taught her like he desribed the teachers at his academy. He had supported her and helped her every step of their adventure together and she had grown to love him just as she had her mother. She became used to seeing John every morning and turning to him for advice and comfort. But despite their time together there always seemed to be a distance. John seemed afraid to take that final pull to cement their sibling bond to one another.

So as he spoke three words she hadn't heard in months, Emma felt a timid smile appear on her face, brows still furrowed and cheeks red. She held tighter onto her brother and nearly buried her face into his robes. "I love you too," she replied meekly.

OOC: I always feel sort of awkward writing these posts between John and Emma. I promise there is nothing sexy between these two. Say NO to incest!

[whalejudge]

As John concluded his song, Emma's tears had slowed. She remained where she was, still resting her head on him. Taking in deep breaths and sniffling, Emma held onto his yellow colored robe as though wanting to make sure he didn't disappear. She didn't trust anyone to keep themselves safe and wondered who would be next to... her eyes began to water and she pulled a portion of his robe closer to her.

As he spoke, Emma also felt caught off guard. Since he appeared in her life Emma had attached herself. She saw him as the only part left of her mother - a part of their shared father and a part of what her mother had loved so much. He had shown her friendship and taught her like he desribed the teachers at his academy. He had supported her and helped her every step of their adventure together and she had grown to love him just as she had her mother. She became used to seeing John every morning and turning to him for advice and comfort. But despite their time together there always seemed to be a distance. John seemed afraid to take that final pull to cement their sibling bond to one another.

So as he spoke three words she hadn't heard in months, Emma felt a timid smile appear on her face, brows still furrowed and cheeks red. She held tighter onto her brother and nearly buried her face into his robes. "I love you too," she replied meekly.

OOC: I always feel sort of awkward writing these posts between John and Emma. I promise there is nothing sexy between these two. Say NO to incest!

Squeekers isn't convinced. He sees no problem with John having lots and lots of women.

[whalejudge]

The Morninglord teaches that any can start anew. Nevertheless, I understand that when you are risking your lives in battle with the undying abominations below, you must be able to trust, absolutely, the man or woman beside you. Vin appears to have violated that trust in a manner that prevents John from extending him any trust. I am willing to write you a letter, Vin, for delivery to a temple of the Morninglord so that you may begin your life anew, redeeming your earlier errors by service to others and releasing you from this contract. Know, however, that in Barovia his Excellency Count Strahd absolutely prohibits theft.