>>5197844>>5197748>>5197737>>5197728>>5197676>>5197663>>5197658>>5197656>Wish her luck in finding whatever it is she is looking for. As one comrade in arms to another.>Leave her be. Speak with your dhampir about your affairs."Well.. good luck, then, in finding whatever it is that you’re looking for." You turn. “As one comrade in arms to another.”
“..Yeah.” She mutters.
You approach the dhampir, who rests quiet at the shrine entrance. She raises her head as you approach. “Done, then, with your attempts at courtship?” Ava remarks, her voice light. “I picked up on some of it. You really do have no idea how to speak to a woman, dead or alive.”
“What can we expect in the BLOCK ahead?” You scowl, refusing to play into her irritating jeers.
“Ah, you’re no fun.” Ava scoffs. “Well, up ahead is the GRAVESIDE. It's the true entrance to the CATACOMBS–the MORTSAFE is a mere blockade. It’s like a vast stone abyss, led on by the dim light of torches and a spiral of long horizontal tombstones in the walls that compose the “stairs” downward. At some points we might find good ledges to rest–it's a rather long stretch before the next block. But that’s not to speak of monster attacks.”
“Hmph. What sort?” You frown. “And take a look at these wares. Do you think them useful to handle them?”
“Hmm.. skybound monsters, mostly, that flitter up and down along the chasm.. DEMONS, BATS, GARGOYLES. With their big fat stone asses. Your gun may prove useful.” She tilts her head. “And what’s this? Hmm.. silver rounds, yes.. rations.. ah–a choir mask?” A strange look crosses her features for just a moment, but it quickly dissipates. “The rounds and rations will prove useful. The journey is long and strenuous–for a human, at least.”
“Right, then.” You shoulder the supplies in the rucksack beneath your coat. “Hurry along. Let’s go.”
“Ah, one last thing. About your new hanger-on..” She lowers her voice, her eyes firm on the handmaid behind you. “There’s something strange about her.”
“Something strange?” You raise a brow. “Is she one of.. your sort?”
“No. She smells human, at least. Just strange.” Ava shrugs. “I’ve no particular objections if you get a knife in the back either way.”
>Speak with your new handmaid. Best to determine whether she’s trustworthy or not.>Continue along. You’d best not waste time.>Write-In. 