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<blockquote data-quote="Emperor Valerian" data-source="post: 1542949" data-attributes="member: 15043"><p><strong>An Old Friend Returns</strong></p><p></p><p>“P..P..Pell?” Tess stuttered. <em>Pellaron? How? Why... huh?</em></p><p></p><p>“W... was that your name in your old l...life?” Siabrey stuttered as well, and the tall solar gave a brilliant smile. His emerald skin seemed to crawl, even shimmer with light.</p><p></p><p>“Yes,” his voice, now a deep, resonating tenor said. “My nickname used to be the dragon-slayer... a nickname I hated?” His face switched between the two women, who stood there in shock and confusion. Siabrey was the first to break free from the confusion, and ran forward, gripping the solar in a massive bearhug.</p><p></p><p>“Pell!” she shouted gleefully, her force crushing enough that the angel was gave an “uf!”</p><p></p><p>Tess was still standing in utter shock.... thoughts screaming through her head. <em>He’s back! He died with your image in his head... but he’s back! He’s back!</em> Momentarily, the bard was beside Siabrey, and buried the solar in her own crushing bearhug, tears streaming down her face. “You’re back! You’re back!”</p><p></p><p>“Yes...ack!” Pell squirmed under the force of Siabrey’s hug, “I’m back! Though I think your friend might crush even my angelic ribs!” At his comment, Siabrey let go, and looked up at him. Tears were in her eyes, but so was a look of mischief. She spun around, and looked directly at Tess.</p><p></p><p>“Look! Tess! Your friend Pell has gotten <em>so big!</em>” she said impishly. Tess was too happy to notice at first, but the solar immediately gave Siabrey a look of admonishment.</p><p></p><p>“I’ve been back only two minutes and you’ve already started again!” he said, trying to inject some exasperation in his voice. The grin that formed on his face betrayed his attempted look.</p><p></p><p>“Siabrey, get your mind out of the gutter,” Tess alone gave Pell an emotional hug. In quieter voice, so the fighter couldn’t hear, she mumbled, “Pell... I’m so happy you’re back!” The solar merely looked down at her and smiled.</p><p></p><p>“What’s all this noise?!” came Shaun’s voice from up the hall. A few seconds later, the rogue’s disheveled, sleepy head peered through the door, and he stood stunned for a couple seconds. “Um... why is Tess hugging an angel?”</p><p></p><p>“Its Pell!” Siabrey pointed happily, “Hey Pell? You still have that Sune book?”</p><p></p><p>“You never stop, do you?” the solar gave her a glare as he let Tess keep hugging him. “Oh well... I didn’t miss the teasing!”</p><p></p><p>“So... Pell? Is there any special name we have to call you now, since you’re an angel and all?” Shaun asked guardedly. More heads peered around the doorframe, and soon the entire party was filing in... Anias was the last... and he giggled.</p><p></p><p>“No special name,” the solar answered as Tess finally let glow of him, and he wiped several tears away from her eyes. “I am still Pellaron... Anias here told me where you all were. And after Tess’ brave act, though dangerous act,” the solar smiled down on the bard, “I thought you could use some encouragement.” His face then turned more somber, and he leaned down to eye level with the bard. “No more stuff like that from you, Tess. For your sake...” His voice trailing off also let her know it was for his own peace of mind also... </p><p></p><p>...a thought that made her feel warm inside, and her heart fluttered a bit, before she clamped down on it. <em>That wasn’t anything...</em> she told herself. She was thankful for a moment that Shaun had said something inane, and everyone save Pellaron was busy castigating him. None saw her face go, for just a moment, a slight shade red. Except the solar, who gave her another enormous smile with both his brilliant teeth, and those lavender eyes she found herself staring into for a moment... until the voice of Shaun brought her back into reality.</p><p></p><p>“Ahem,” the rogue cleared his throat. “Pell? How long are you staying? Are you going to come with us to the Abyss?” Shaun asked hopefully. Anias was already going with... but if a <em>solar</em> came with... that would help immensely.</p><p></p><p>“Sadly, no,” Pell shook his head, and gave a sigh. He rubbed a large hand over Shaun’s head, even as his other stood in mid-air, halfway towards Tess. It shifted towards her slightly, then pulled away. “A solar appearing in the depths of the Abyss would alert every demon with more intelligence than a rock that something was up. An asura,” he motioned to Anias, “won’t attract nearly as much attention... indeed, there are some fallen asura down there.”</p><p></p><p>“The line we walk in our work <em>can</em> be a fine one,” Anias admitted with a huff. “Don’t say it! I’m not falling! I am rough and tumble, but I know where to draw the line!”</p><p></p><p>“I unfortunately have to go to the Northern Tundras of your world for a few days,” Pellaron took the speaker’s spot back. “It seems a shaman has introduced several tribes there to the worship of Nerull... and we can’t allow that. I basically have to show up, yell the celestial equivalent of ‘boo,’ set their scared minds on the right path, and leave,” he grinned. “Afterwards, should I not have another mission, I’m headed to Iskeldrun to watch over Luke.”</p><p></p><p>“How often will you be on mission?” Tess said worriedly. Siabrey and Shaun could tell <em>something</em> unsaid accompanied her question... and that the solar understood whatever it was. His reassuring grin said so… as did her smile also.</p><p></p><p>“Whenever Hieroneous needs me. I’ve been assigned to watch my... well... your world now,” he gave another smile, “considering I know its geography better than many of the other solars... I know its people, etc... so when I polymorph,” his form suddenly twisted, switched and changed, until the form of the same elf they had laughed with and fought beside looked at them, “I can pass for a local.”</p><p></p><p>The small mole that had been on his elven chin was gone, and his entire body looked like physical perfection... for an elf, or a human. It wasn’t until a few seconds had passed that Tess realized she had been staring... for a far different reason than the wonder and amazement of the others.</p><p></p><p>“When do you leave Pell?” Siabrey asked. “And that is a neat trick. Does everything shrink back to elven size?” she smirked, giving a glance towards Tess. “Tess, pick your jaw up off of the floor.”</p><p></p><p>“Siabrey...” the elf turned to her in annoyance. “I missed the teasing, but its getting old very fast.” There was a bit of steel in his voice that Siabrey had never heard him use in life, and the fighter almost felt like backing away from him, before he continued on in his normal voice. “At sunrise, I head out. Like I said, I wanted to stop by and make sure all of you were okay... and let you know that whenever I can, I’ll stop by to check on you,” the last sentence was delivered when he was looking directly at Tess.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>It was only about an hour later when Pell left the party, adopting his elven pose to leave their quarters. He’d given everyone a big hug in goodbye (except the gnome, Geoffrey and Aeron... Pell had never met Pyrion or Geoffrey, and had a dim view of Aeron). Siabrey and Shaun both noticed the hug given to Tess had far more warmth in it than any of the others... which caused both to raise their eyebrows.</p><p></p><p>A few minutes after he left, Siabrey nudged the bard. “So... Tess? What says you about the new and improved Pellaron?”</p><p></p><p>“Something that’s none of your damn business,” the bard replied with a smirk.</p><p></p><p>“Ouch... zing!” Shaun laughed. “I think she answered that question, <em>and</em> told you to buzz off, Majesty!” Shaun giggled at misusing Siabrey’s title.</p><p></p><p>The fighter, for her part, leaned very close to Tess’ ear, and whispered, “However you go about it, I don’t think you could pursue anything higher than a <em>celestial</em>, Tess. By the sounds of it, he’s as decent and kind now as he was then. Go for it!”</p><p></p><p>“We’ll see,” Tess turned to her friend and smiled. “The future holds many things, none of which I can predict.”</p><p></p><p>“Well, that’s a far more positive response than any you’d gotten on that subject than you would’ve a month ago,” Shaun observed with a giggle.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>The next morning, the party made ready. Siabrey distributed the potions and oils she had fetched the day before. Pyrion then produced his machine... a small and oddly strange thing. It was shaped like a box, save all sorts of strange wires, crystals, and pumps came out of its form.</p><p></p><p>“Do you have a picture of where we’re headed? This thing merely calls upon a <em>mass teleport</em> spell. Amazing all these pumps can do the same thing that friend Aeron here can,” the gnome grinned.</p><p></p><p>“Can that machine toast your uncouth head with a fireball?” the wizard growled.</p><p></p><p>“No... but my cousin Calder is working on a machine that can spew flames!” the gnome said excitedly, and the wizard growled in distaste.</p><p></p><p>“Here... The Noisesome Vale,” Tess produced the little device Asuri had given them. A small mist boiled over the small box, billowing larger until it glowed with an internal fire. The glow grew, driving the mists away, until their destination came into view.</p><p></p><p>The sky overhead was a greenish yellow, looking sickly and nauseous. The landscape itself looked like bleak, bare plains, covered with spires of dark, sharp rocks. Between these monoliths were long, brilliant trails of red and yellow... the rivers of lava Asuri had spoken about. Long, dark shapes sjostles and shifted inside the molten streams... each seemingly massive. The image was accompanied by no noise, but the party could only imagine what sounds came as those beasts slid past each other.</p><p></p><p>“Ready?” the gnome asked after staring at the image, imprinting it in his head. A few seconds later, and the machine in his hand gave a sharp whine and growl. Steam seemed to boil from within its small form, and cover the room around them. The party felt like they were spinning, teleporting to someplace far away...</p><p></p><p>... into the Abyss, for the final stage of getting rid of their bane...</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Emperor Valerian, post: 1542949, member: 15043"] [b]An Old Friend Returns[/b] “P..P..Pell?” Tess stuttered. [i]Pellaron? How? Why... huh?[/i] “W... was that your name in your old l...life?” Siabrey stuttered as well, and the tall solar gave a brilliant smile. His emerald skin seemed to crawl, even shimmer with light. “Yes,” his voice, now a deep, resonating tenor said. “My nickname used to be the dragon-slayer... a nickname I hated?” His face switched between the two women, who stood there in shock and confusion. Siabrey was the first to break free from the confusion, and ran forward, gripping the solar in a massive bearhug. “Pell!” she shouted gleefully, her force crushing enough that the angel was gave an “uf!” Tess was still standing in utter shock.... thoughts screaming through her head. [i]He’s back! He died with your image in his head... but he’s back! He’s back![/i] Momentarily, the bard was beside Siabrey, and buried the solar in her own crushing bearhug, tears streaming down her face. “You’re back! You’re back!” “Yes...ack!” Pell squirmed under the force of Siabrey’s hug, “I’m back! Though I think your friend might crush even my angelic ribs!” At his comment, Siabrey let go, and looked up at him. Tears were in her eyes, but so was a look of mischief. She spun around, and looked directly at Tess. “Look! Tess! Your friend Pell has gotten [i]so big![/i]” she said impishly. Tess was too happy to notice at first, but the solar immediately gave Siabrey a look of admonishment. “I’ve been back only two minutes and you’ve already started again!” he said, trying to inject some exasperation in his voice. The grin that formed on his face betrayed his attempted look. “Siabrey, get your mind out of the gutter,” Tess alone gave Pell an emotional hug. In quieter voice, so the fighter couldn’t hear, she mumbled, “Pell... I’m so happy you’re back!” The solar merely looked down at her and smiled. “What’s all this noise?!” came Shaun’s voice from up the hall. A few seconds later, the rogue’s disheveled, sleepy head peered through the door, and he stood stunned for a couple seconds. “Um... why is Tess hugging an angel?” “Its Pell!” Siabrey pointed happily, “Hey Pell? You still have that Sune book?” “You never stop, do you?” the solar gave her a glare as he let Tess keep hugging him. “Oh well... I didn’t miss the teasing!” “So... Pell? Is there any special name we have to call you now, since you’re an angel and all?” Shaun asked guardedly. More heads peered around the doorframe, and soon the entire party was filing in... Anias was the last... and he giggled. “No special name,” the solar answered as Tess finally let glow of him, and he wiped several tears away from her eyes. “I am still Pellaron... Anias here told me where you all were. And after Tess’ brave act, though dangerous act,” the solar smiled down on the bard, “I thought you could use some encouragement.” His face then turned more somber, and he leaned down to eye level with the bard. “No more stuff like that from you, Tess. For your sake...” His voice trailing off also let her know it was for his own peace of mind also... ...a thought that made her feel warm inside, and her heart fluttered a bit, before she clamped down on it. [i]That wasn’t anything...[/i] she told herself. She was thankful for a moment that Shaun had said something inane, and everyone save Pellaron was busy castigating him. None saw her face go, for just a moment, a slight shade red. Except the solar, who gave her another enormous smile with both his brilliant teeth, and those lavender eyes she found herself staring into for a moment... until the voice of Shaun brought her back into reality. “Ahem,” the rogue cleared his throat. “Pell? How long are you staying? Are you going to come with us to the Abyss?” Shaun asked hopefully. Anias was already going with... but if a [i]solar[/i] came with... that would help immensely. “Sadly, no,” Pell shook his head, and gave a sigh. He rubbed a large hand over Shaun’s head, even as his other stood in mid-air, halfway towards Tess. It shifted towards her slightly, then pulled away. “A solar appearing in the depths of the Abyss would alert every demon with more intelligence than a rock that something was up. An asura,” he motioned to Anias, “won’t attract nearly as much attention... indeed, there are some fallen asura down there.” “The line we walk in our work [i]can[/i] be a fine one,” Anias admitted with a huff. “Don’t say it! I’m not falling! I am rough and tumble, but I know where to draw the line!” “I unfortunately have to go to the Northern Tundras of your world for a few days,” Pellaron took the speaker’s spot back. “It seems a shaman has introduced several tribes there to the worship of Nerull... and we can’t allow that. I basically have to show up, yell the celestial equivalent of ‘boo,’ set their scared minds on the right path, and leave,” he grinned. “Afterwards, should I not have another mission, I’m headed to Iskeldrun to watch over Luke.” “How often will you be on mission?” Tess said worriedly. Siabrey and Shaun could tell [i]something[/i] unsaid accompanied her question... and that the solar understood whatever it was. His reassuring grin said so… as did her smile also. “Whenever Hieroneous needs me. I’ve been assigned to watch my... well... your world now,” he gave another smile, “considering I know its geography better than many of the other solars... I know its people, etc... so when I polymorph,” his form suddenly twisted, switched and changed, until the form of the same elf they had laughed with and fought beside looked at them, “I can pass for a local.” The small mole that had been on his elven chin was gone, and his entire body looked like physical perfection... for an elf, or a human. It wasn’t until a few seconds had passed that Tess realized she had been staring... for a far different reason than the wonder and amazement of the others. “When do you leave Pell?” Siabrey asked. “And that is a neat trick. Does everything shrink back to elven size?” she smirked, giving a glance towards Tess. “Tess, pick your jaw up off of the floor.” “Siabrey...” the elf turned to her in annoyance. “I missed the teasing, but its getting old very fast.” There was a bit of steel in his voice that Siabrey had never heard him use in life, and the fighter almost felt like backing away from him, before he continued on in his normal voice. “At sunrise, I head out. Like I said, I wanted to stop by and make sure all of you were okay... and let you know that whenever I can, I’ll stop by to check on you,” the last sentence was delivered when he was looking directly at Tess. It was only about an hour later when Pell left the party, adopting his elven pose to leave their quarters. He’d given everyone a big hug in goodbye (except the gnome, Geoffrey and Aeron... Pell had never met Pyrion or Geoffrey, and had a dim view of Aeron). Siabrey and Shaun both noticed the hug given to Tess had far more warmth in it than any of the others... which caused both to raise their eyebrows. A few minutes after he left, Siabrey nudged the bard. “So... Tess? What says you about the new and improved Pellaron?” “Something that’s none of your damn business,” the bard replied with a smirk. “Ouch... zing!” Shaun laughed. “I think she answered that question, [i]and[/i] told you to buzz off, Majesty!” Shaun giggled at misusing Siabrey’s title. The fighter, for her part, leaned very close to Tess’ ear, and whispered, “However you go about it, I don’t think you could pursue anything higher than a [i]celestial[/i], Tess. By the sounds of it, he’s as decent and kind now as he was then. Go for it!” “We’ll see,” Tess turned to her friend and smiled. “The future holds many things, none of which I can predict.” “Well, that’s a far more positive response than any you’d gotten on that subject than you would’ve a month ago,” Shaun observed with a giggle. The next morning, the party made ready. Siabrey distributed the potions and oils she had fetched the day before. Pyrion then produced his machine... a small and oddly strange thing. It was shaped like a box, save all sorts of strange wires, crystals, and pumps came out of its form. “Do you have a picture of where we’re headed? This thing merely calls upon a [i]mass teleport[/i] spell. Amazing all these pumps can do the same thing that friend Aeron here can,” the gnome grinned. “Can that machine toast your uncouth head with a fireball?” the wizard growled. “No... but my cousin Calder is working on a machine that can spew flames!” the gnome said excitedly, and the wizard growled in distaste. “Here... The Noisesome Vale,” Tess produced the little device Asuri had given them. A small mist boiled over the small box, billowing larger until it glowed with an internal fire. The glow grew, driving the mists away, until their destination came into view. The sky overhead was a greenish yellow, looking sickly and nauseous. The landscape itself looked like bleak, bare plains, covered with spires of dark, sharp rocks. Between these monoliths were long, brilliant trails of red and yellow... the rivers of lava Asuri had spoken about. Long, dark shapes sjostles and shifted inside the molten streams... each seemingly massive. The image was accompanied by no noise, but the party could only imagine what sounds came as those beasts slid past each other. “Ready?” the gnome asked after staring at the image, imprinting it in his head. A few seconds later, and the machine in his hand gave a sharp whine and growl. Steam seemed to boil from within its small form, and cover the room around them. The party felt like they were spinning, teleporting to someplace far away... ... into the Abyss, for the final stage of getting rid of their bane... [/QUOTE]
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