< thearchitect > Seeking assistance

[emet_sulk]

[ Attached is a picture of one of the spider nests in the Red Hills. It's from a wary distance but there are no spiders visible; only their many, many webs. The picture comes with a VOICED message: ]

I had thought to tackle this task myself, but I quite overestimated the number of arachnids here. I would like to collect some of this venom for myself in addition to what this quest asks, and for that I require some help.

[ A pause. ]

A healer would be a boon but I care not so long as you are capable.

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[emet_sulk]

[ He's watching his familiar play-hunt small creatures when she arrives. A short whistle calls them back to him, the dragon-like creature trotting up to his heels. It looks like a sinister creature in black with its glowing, violet-edged wings, but they seem to be obedient. ]

I am. You must be Maribelle then. I neglected to give you a name earlier: you may call me Emet-Selch.

[ He returns her greeting with a nod before beckoning her to follow him. She'll notice he carries what appears, at first glance, to be a long gun holstered on his back. But the handle does not match those you would typically see on firearms of such length. ]

I have been considering ways to lure one of the creatures out so that we may harvest its venom. Are you a fighter?

[troubadamsel]

[ She frowns at the weapon - not in disapproval, but confusion. Firearms weren't invented yet in her realm, so while she can assume it's some sort of weapon, what it is confusing.

Ah, but he's speaking! A little sigh follows, one the white bird on her shoulder - her familiar - copies. ]

Well... yes and no. Back in my realm, I was capable of powerful elemental magic... alas, this realm stripped me of those abilities. All I can do here is healing...

... Although, at that odd masquerade party, they did mention us obtaining a second power... They called mine Light. I'm afraid I'm not quite sure what it means.

[emet_sulk]

It is exactly what it is - you can command light.

[ Granted, his experience with Light in his world is not exactly...positive. Why does everyone he meet seem to carry that magic? ]

From what I have seen, it means you can shield yourself, and do all manner of things associated with light. Make bright flashes and so forth. Did you not see the tournament some moons ago?

[troubadamsel]

I only participated in the healing one, for the money. I didn't watch the others... watching others fight for amusement seems rather barbaric.

[ In case it wasn't obvious before, this is the SNOB SNOB SNOB alert. ]

[emet_sulk]

Hmm...

[ He will neither agree nor disagree. That seems the most diplomatic route, right? ]

You may function as support then. Would you like a moment to try your other magic?

[troubadamsel]

[ She stops for a moment, confused. ]

What do you mean? Here and now?

[emet_sulk]

[ He shrugs. ]

If you like. If you would rather focus on healing me as I fight, I will endeavour to keep you safe instead. I only thought it might help if you knew how to surround yourself with a barrier of light.

[troubadamsel]

... Tempting as it may be, I would rather keep you safe first and foremost. I'd never forgive myself if you were seriously injured while I was practicing something I had no guarantee would work.

[emet_sulk]

Very well, then.

[ He continues on without further argument, leading her further amongst the hills. One can start to see traces of the spiders attempting to mark their territory. Thankfully, still a respectable distance from the well-travelled road. ]

...I think I hear something.

[ A faint rustling in the trees though there is no wind. ]

[troubadamsel]

[ Maribelle swallows, the jitters starting in - but she won't back down and away. She is a woman of her word. ]

... It will be difficult to tell if it's one "something" or more, given how many footsteps eight legs can make...

[emet_sulk]

It is likely a lone guard or scout, investigating a foreign presence.

[ He draws his weapon in preparation but does not alter his stride. He holds himself loose and ready to act for when the creature appears.

The spider comes into view within a minute, skittering on to a large, established web stretching between trees. It clicks in alarm upon seeing them and sprays forth venom. ]

[troubadamsel]

Watch out!

[ It feels silly to say the obvious, but still, she takes a wide step away, looking back and forth between Solus and the spider. ]

[emet_sulk]

[ He throws himself forward, under the arc of the venom. Luckily he avoids that initial spray, but the spider isn't thrown off so easily. It adjusts itself and spits more at him as he's picking himself up, catching the arm he throws up as well as areas of his upper body. ]

Argh...!

[ The townsfolk had not been exaggerating when they said it was a serious paralytic. He grits his teeth, muscles seizing up where the venom has landed upon his skin. ]

[troubadamsel]

Hang on! I'll heal you, but you must keep moving!

[ Her hand glows as she races to his side, grabbing his arm and trying to run with him. ]

Is there any way we can collect the venom on the ground?

[emet_sulk]

[ At least his feet still work. His good hand holds tight to his weapon as he staggers after her. It's not something he can easily replace if lost.

His other arm continues to be wracked with pain. He speaks through gritted teeth as he answers: ]

Even if there was, I'd rather not deal with impurities from the soil.

[troubadamsel]

Ugh... too true, it'd be awful to have this whole endeavor be for naught over such a small thing!

[ But how else to collect it? This is bad... but for now, she needs to focus on what she CAN do - and that's heal! She grabs his arm, gently, forcing her power into his arm. ]

[emet_sulk]

[ He'll thank his lucky stars later that it hadn't been a proper bite. The venom slips off, dripping to the ground - a curious effect which gives him an idea. But that spider is still there, chittering away. ]

...Watch out!

[ He abruptly shoves her backwards as another spray of venom comes their way. Using his off-hand, he fires a ceruleum bullet at it and manages to strike its side, knocking it off the web and on to the ground. ]

I have an idea! [ he calms out to her as the spider struggles to regain its feet. ] I'll let it bite me and collect the venom that way. When you heal it, the venom should seep out of the wound and we can collect it!

[troubadamsel]

What?! Are you mad?!

[ THIS was his grand master plan?! If she'd known this was what he intended, she never would have agreed to this!

But what choice do they have now? She grits her teeth, clearly displeased... ]

Ugh... fine! But know I'm doing this under protest!

[emet_sulk]

[ In fairness, he only just came up with it! ]

'Tis only one. I would not go with such a risky plan if we were surrounded. Now, ready yourself.

[ He approaches the spider, carefully avoiding its attempts to spray him. Once he's close enough, he reaches out with his left hand and inches the rest of the short distance tensely.

Though he's expecting it, he still flinches when the spider lunges forward and sinks its fangs into his forearm. ]

Argh!

[ His gunblade swings forward from the right, blade glowing with blue, ceruleum fire as it bites deep into the creature's side. The spider releases him and screeches, fleeing back to its nest. Emet-Selch collapses where he is, fingers locked around the handle of his weapon, struggling to breathe as the poison works through him. ]

[troubadamsel]

[ Once the creature is out of sight, Maribelle runs to his side, hands on his arm... but there is one issue she's noticed. ]

When it seeps out of you... do you have something to put it in? Otherwise, it'll just fall back to the ground again!

[emet_sulk]

Glass...vials. On my belt.

[ With great effort, he points to the row of small glass vials fastened securely in a leather holster attached to his belt. ]

[troubadamsel]

At least we came into this slightly prepared...

[ Thank goodness! One arm comes to his sleeve, beginning the healing process - the other unhooks a vial and holds it under for capture. ]

[emet_sulk]

[ As her magic works its way through his arm, he breathes a quiet sigh of relief as the paralysis eases. The bites are not pretty and it's even more disturbing to see the venom flow backwards out of the wounds, dripping down his arm and into the vial she holds. ]

'Tis certainly not a strategy I would like to employ on the regular. You have my thanks.

[troubadamsel]

[ Maribelle feels her stomach twist, but manages to keep down her breakfast. ]

... Once you're able to move, we should leave. We don't need that creature coming back for seconds.

[emet_sulk]

Agreed.

[ It only takes a little while for all the venom to finally leave his system and for the wounds to seal under her care. It feels strange being able to stand after being wracked by paralysis pains only moments ago. ]

I'll take the vials. Let's leave. I can see them crawling back out.