>>5196100Julia knows you well…there *are* one or two things you’d like to take care of before heading out.
Taking a moment to have one last go-round of the Dragon’s Roost, you quickly touch base with everyone to ensure they know their place in the plan and where to fall back to if you all have to retreat…it’s a simple task, made simpler by the fact that morale seems to be considerably higher now than it’s been in some time.
Retreat? To West’s secret cave network, which will allow you to pop up and flank Behemoth, or escape if need be.
Contingencies? You find November and Pendra already agreeing on exit strategies, with the former about to contact Gina to spread the word to the terraforming team to disrupt his movement while the buff team can turn their attentions to slowing him down if necessary.
It’s Gina who’s taken up the brunt of the coordination, no doubt feeling your mind fraying as you juggle the pieces of the puzzle that is Behemoth…but it’s an odd feeling, setting out to comfort and command only to find that your family’s the ones that’re telling you everything’s fine.
They seem to mean it, too.
You’re not sure if it’s Julia’s return, the sheer number of capable and friendly Daughters present, or denial of the threat that looms on the horizon, but regardless—they’re all carrying on with smiles on their faces and hope in their hearts.
You set out to ease fears and allay concerns, but…they don’t need it.
At least for this, in this single, fleeting moment, they don’t need you.
…the thought comforts you more than you’d like to admit.
It's not a thought that last for long, though, as Paloma and Francine stride up to you simultaneously with news evident in their expressions and half-parted lips.
“By all means Darling, go first.” The good doctor obliges, gesturing for the Ikea’s leader to take the floor.
“Sure, I’ll be quick! Okay, so about the Hassans—it looks like they’ve finished their own preparations, thanks to a tip I got from a merchant they frequent. Seeks like mostly stealth gear, as is their signature.” Paloma informs you, the corners of her lips twitching into a smile. “They also stocked up on Relics built to secure and nullify other Relics…meaning they don’t know what the fragment’s capable of, which could give us an edge.”
(Continued)
