Years ago Rhea resided in a world called Woestyn. This feral place was dominated by a beast named Fa'izu and his large family. A family which often asserted their dominance through threats and violence. In her short time in the world, Rhea planted ideas in the minds of those oppressed; that they so outnumbered the domineering family that their overthrow could be easy with organization.
Even though it was in a rather indirect way, Fa'izu would come to blame Rhea for the downfall of his family that followed. However, before he could find the Hyena she had already moved on to another world.

Years later a portal was opened between the thinly veiled worlds of Woestyn and Koninkryk; part of an unrelated plight of a rival gang to the Jino (a gang in which Rhea is deeply affiliated). Fa'izu and members of his family took advantage of this and were able to find Rhea in this world she frequented. Fa'izu following her into the Endless Forest.

The Hyena all but forgot about what had transpired in that world until that day Fa'izu caught up to her. She was captured and held captive for a short time in Koninkryk while the family planned their retreat back into Woestyn. The finally act of revenge to take place there.
Thanks to workings of the Jino gang and a few of Rhea's own in the Forest, the portal was taken control of and the family of Fa'izu was essentially backed into a corner.

When they tried to make their escape back to Woestyn, in a moment of both distraction and separation, Rhea managed to escape the family. Though in the process she was grievously injured.
Thanks to the workings of Lesedi, she narrowly survived.


A clandestine battle ensued between the Fa'izu family and Rhea and her own. Though months past and debts incurred, there was little to show as far as any sort of victory. However in large part thanks to Lesedi, a vile of Fa'izu's blood was obtained and cursed. Blood being a powerful thing in both the worlds of Koninkryk and Woestyn, it became a deadly chess piece. Fa'izu could be easily (and permanently) killed by the cursed blood if it were introduced back into him.
Smartly so, Fa'izu and his family fled. And Rhea was lulled into a false sense of safety.


Rhea could have perhaps followed Fa'izu and finish him for good with the cursed blood. But fear and confidence in her perceived upper-hand kept her from avoiding the task. The determination of Fa'izu became grossly underestimated, which would likely lead to the Hyena's downfall.











7.4.2017
[i]Watch as stuff from Rhea’s past comes back to bite her in the ass (or actually the throat)..
 
Unbeknownst to Rhea, a tumultuous conspiracy was being carried out in Koninkryk. In an attempt to takeover and overthrow the controlling gangs of Bandari, the Haya?i gang in a neighboring city opened a portal that links Koninkryk and Woestyn. A vast number of beasts were brought in from the other world and paid handsomely to help stand as a viable threat against the three gangs in Bandari. Although, once phasing from Woestyn to Koninjryk, all the beasts took on a purely human form because of the way the worlds work in tangent.. But the numbers alone were thought to be enough.
Some tense negotiations then began between the two cities.
 
Poor oblivious Rhea.. had no idea. Hasn’t been to Koninkryk in three days and those three days have been a shitstorm. In the midst of it all there was a creature (turned man) brought in from Woestyn who had a serious vendetta against Rhea because of some stuff that went down between them during her time there.. Took him some sleuthing, but Rhea made a mistake some time ago in leaving a forest memento in her place in the city. A tiger’s eye stone gifted years ago that she’d had put on a necklace.
With that, he (Fa’izu ) was able to make a portal to its place of origin: the Forest. He entered the forest in his feral form (huge Minotaur/wolf/bear guy who smells funny ew) and sought out Rhea. Very keen on settling a debt with her which he felt had been a long time coming. He had only ever known in her feral form so she wasn’t hard to find.
 
 
Rhea had fallen asleep by Talla earlier and never saw Fa’izu  coming. Was attacked in her sleep by the large creature, with poor Talla watching on with horror and trying what she could to stop the beast. Was barely able to get a scratch in before Fa’izu got a good hold on her throat and she was suffocated.
 
 
Once Rhea went limp, the creature proceeded to tear into her hide for the sole purpose of leaving a bloody ‘sign’ of her defeat: a large pool of blood left in the wake of the attack. Taking note of the traumatized Talla watching on he told her ‘the bitch was good as dead’.. Only he’s not the smartest lad and said it in a language completely unique to Woestyn.. Even though he also knows English…
But helpful Talla spoke up in English! Telling him to let her go. Laughed and just repeated what he said before but in the right language this time.
 
The large male got a bit panicked when the blue doe ran off, expecting her to be getting reinforcements. So,
Fa’izu quickly scribbled a short message around the circumference of the tree Rhea was by in her blood. “The Reisiger is dead.”
Not that she was.. yet.. But in his mind he thought that might stop any snoopers trying to find them. And not that anyone here would know ‘Reisiger’ was referring to her.. Again.. not a smart boi.
Unknowingly dropped the Tiger’s Eye stone there by the tree; not that he needed it anymore.
This tree of course, by the way~

 
Then, quickly as he’d appeared, hauled Rhea’s limp body off and disappeared with the both of them back into the city of Bandari (which was still in some turmoil itself) using his own talisman.
 
 
In short, bloody and severely wounded and a captive of Fa’izu in Koninkryk. All in the midst of some rough gang fights going on in Bandari. 
Gonna wake up to some not so fun times…


7.5.2017
Fa'izu stumbled onto the docks of Bandari dragging a bloody woman along with him. The beast turned man was quickly joined by a core group of his kin from Woestyn. One of whom patched up the worst of Rhea's wounds and saw her through the night; though not out of the kindness of his heart certainly.
The group quickly smuggled Rhea out of Bandari by boat, knowing she had strong connections in there. Sailed across the inlet to the city of Mji, home of the gang attempting to overthrow those in Bandari.
There, carted Rhea to a secluded location on the outskirts of the city. At the advice of one of his kin, Fa'izu drugged the woman.


Rhea awoke to a slap across the face. Startled awake, she attempted to jump up but found her limbs heavy like they were waited by rocks. With a slow forming expression she sneered up at the man looming over her, recognizing him immediately. She tried to form words, but none could pass through her ragged windpipe. Wide eyes swept her surrounds.. Dark. Damp. Quiet.
Fa'izu gripped her chin and forced her head upwards to him. He cackled darkly, shaking his head at her. “You always surround yourself with so many,” the man whispered before throwing her chin away roughly, “but you will die alone.”


Across the channel in Bandari words began to churn among the Jino gang. A young man came to the leader, Jax, with a message brought by two foreigners: Rhea had been bloodied and taken with a sinister message left in the wake of the attack.
The timing was far too precise in Jax's eyes.. His gaze cast across the channel and he turned to murmurer lowly to his second, “At dawn, we sail t' Mji.”


The young man carrying the message on his lips now found himself heading to the port of Bandari after checking in with a certain bartender. It was too soon now he knew to hope for any message from the two, Liathe and Fletcher. But he found some small solace here.
He was at home among the water and boats as he'd always felt born of the sea. He sat on the edge of a dock with his boots skimming the water. His gaze was steady out across rolling waters watching a lightning storm roll in. The message he carried weighed heavily in the pit of his stomach now, and the bleakness seemed to grow as the lightning storm fizzled out with uncharacteristic weakness.


7.6.2017
After receiving word from Fletcher regarding the form of the attacker, Ekon made a link that had been missed by the other gutter rats thus far. Rhea’s attacker had not been a being from Koninkryk; they must have been a beast from Woestyn.
Woestyn was a tall tale to many throughout the territories. In fact, it was unlikely the general populace would ever make the connection of the sudden influx of reinforcements as coming from the fabled land of beasts. However, Ekon knew the place to be all too real.
He borrowed a fast horse and raced for the eastern edge of Bandari, knowing Jax and the rest would be sailing in mere hours across the inlet.
The young man wouldn’t make it before the boats had left dock. It was rare good fortune though that he’d grown up a sailor. Quietly stealing a small vessel, he made out across the inlet on the heels of the others before him.


“Are ya able to disrupt the portal?” Jax asked quietly a slight woman who settled near him on the boat. It was still partially dark with dim morning light. Enough darkness still to conceal their approach, he hoped.
In the gang leader’s mind that was a priority. Disrupt the portal, perhaps send the ‘beasts’ of Woestyn scrambling back to their own domain. Because with their numbers and savagery it left the Jino poorly outmatched.
With the upper hand taken back, he hoped it would then be easy to have them surrender up the Reisiger. Not knowing quite all the details, he believed the woman’s kidnapping to be a tactic in the gang war they were trying to stir. A war he wanted to snuff out before it had the chance to take on a life of it’s own.
“T-think s-s-so..” the small magic weaver answered. Her hands trembled and Jax looked away, pretending not to notice.


Rhea sat cold and alone in the dark room, unable to do little more than stare out in front of her. Eyes were glazed over from the heavy narcotics she had on board.
She did all she could do: she waited. Waited for an opportunity, a small shift of luck, or simply fate itself to met her.
Outside the room, Fa’izu talked quietly with his kin. They planned on stealing the Reisiger away and through the portal to Woestyn. Fa’izu wanted the ones she’d managed to raise up against him years ago see her fall for good. See that no one could overpower or best himself.
They would leave the next evening under the cover of darkness.


In the forest, the blood had been cleaned from the tree and from the ground surrounding it. Naoki had washed the place thoroughly, also taking the Tiger Stone to clean it and keep it safe.
Only claw marks now made visible with the bloody message gone showed.
They were faint lines, but upon investigating the Red Doctor was able to easily discern the message.
Under the rough scrawl: “the Reisiger is dead”
another message was written by the Doctor in neat print: “As are you.”



7.7.2017
An odd sort of impasse had been met between the Hayaki and Jino gangs’ leaders. The two stood facing each other on a city street in Mji under the pretense of momentary peace for deliberation. To Jax’s right the slight magic weaver stood stock still. The hooded cloak she wore was too big for her, hiding her pale face and shaking hands as well. Ekon’s lanky figure loomed beside her and put a steady hand on her back. She took a deep breath and nodded at the unspoken encouragement.
Jax looked relaxed as he always did, even now miles from the territory he controlled.

A quarter block away stood the leader of the Hayaki: a tall sturdy woman who wore an impartial expression. Beside her stood a muscular man who spoke as the representative of the beasts of Woestyn.
“You know my demands Jax, what says you?” she exclaims in a firm shout across the short distance.

“You’re not getting a single dock from Bandari’s port,” Jax says with a blasé shrug. “In fact, think it’s high time to end your shit. It’s starting to smell.” Jax casts a look to the muscular man beside the woman. Wordlessly, he crosses the short distance to turn and stand by Jax, his own expression unreadable.

There’s a quiet murmur that starts up among the ranks of the Hayaki who stand on the edges of the street. One by one, those from Woestyn go to stand on the opposite side.
The Hayaki woman’s face loses color, mouth drops open. She tries several times to speak, to question, but she can’t seem to form any words.

Jax is smirking, though only part of his face turns up, half of his lip permanently sneering from a scar.
He answers the wordless confusion, “I made ‘em an offer they couldn’t refuse.”


Hours later, the residents of Woestyn are going one by one back to their home world. The magic weaver now having full control of the portal sees them off, accompanied by Ekon who searches every face and turns up every hood. They’ve still seen no sign of Rhea.


On the outskirts of Mji, Rhea is roughly thrown up onto a horse-drawn wagon. Her clothes have been ripped up to the point of her barely being covered. Bloodshot eyes and numerous new bruises tell of a day spent being the entertainment of violent men. Though no longer drugged, she seems to have lost any bit of fight in her. She lays on the floor of the wagon, hands tied behind her, and stares up blankly at the sky.
Fa’izu and his kin load up and set for the portal’s place. A thick blanket is thrown over the unmoving woman to stop any curious eyes.

They are well into their journey weaving through the streets of Mji when a man on a horse slides to a stop before them. It’s one of Fa’izu’s own and he seems out of breath.
“They’ve taken over the portal! The Jino gang. It’s surrounded, we’ll never make it through.” The horse snorts with its own exhaustion, and the man continues with a paranoid look over his shoulder in a quieted voice this time. “The whole city is looking for her. There’s a reward for safe return.”
The dread in his voice is mirrored in Fa’izu’s eyes.

Though quiet and still, Rhea is very much aware of the conversation. Under the cover of the blanket, she’s managed to undo her bindings. She feels an opportunity here while they’re distracted, and perhaps if she yells someone will hear.
Using every ounce of strength left, she thrusts herself upwards and chucks the blanket off her and over the head of the man closest to her. In a fluid movement she spins to grab a knife from the belt of another and jams it up through his skin, underneath the ribcage. He never even has a chance to scream before his body goes limp and he falls from the wagon. Rhea herself is trying to scream, but barely any noise at all comes from the mangles vocal cords.
All of which took no more than three seconds.
The men’s reactions then catch up to their surprise. The other three on the wagon, including Fa’izu lunge at her all at once. Spinning in a harsh spook at the sudden movements, the man who’d come bearing the warning is thrown from his horse.

Rhea throws herself backwards, falling from the wagon. Fa’izu is close behind her however, large body tumbling after her. That seems the final straw for the carriage horses as they bolt several blocks as well before being halted by the remaining two in the wagon.
Though she’s trying desperately to get away from the man, all her strength seems gone. He’s got a hand tight around her throat and a tremor runs through her body at what’s by now a familiar sensation. She freezes.

Strange voices distract Fa’izu momentarily and he looks over his shoulder to see a man and woman have intercepted the wagon and runaway horse and seem to be questioning his kin. Once more, a familiar panic overcomes Fa’izu. He quickly forces his quarry back into a close by alley that’s tight and dark. There he takes a knife from his hip and forcefully jams it up underneath the woman’s ribcage. Purposefully much like she’d done seconds ago to his own
Her eyes go wide and her jaw drops as if she’s going to scream.. But only a ragged exhale comes out.
“This isn’t how I wanted this to end,” he whispers, pure anger and hatred in his eyes. First, he turns loose of the knife, then her throat, and watches as she falls to the ground with a quiet thud.
Stumbling back he grabs the body of his kin that’s been killed, throwing it into the alley beside the woman for the purpose of hiding it as well. After speaking a few quiet words over the fallen man, Fa’izu turns and makes sure his shirt is clean of any blood before going to approach the rickety conversation being carried out down the street.


Rhea lifts a shaking hand to the handle of the knife protruding from her abdomen. Her vision is going dark, but she knows by the feel of it that it’s her own trusted knife.
“That fucker,” she manages to breath out in a quivering voice before he hand drops from the handle and her head falls back against the cobblestone.
Once more, she’s looking up at the sky. Only now she’s also feeling herself grow cold.
Her last thought before she loses her senses is that Fa'izu had been right.
She was dying alone.


7.8.2017
For a half hour the Rhea laid there in a pool of her own blood. Drifting in and out of awareness, unable to move, and losing the energy to continue breathing.
A cold nose pressed against her cheek and she was able to lift heavy eyelids to see a small brown dog sniffing at her.
“Sal!” she hears the voice of a young girl shouting. “Sal! Come back ‘ere!”
The last bit of adrenaline she has to her surges and she snakes a weak hand up to grip the dog’s collar. The little thing reacts with a surprised yelp and tries to pull away but Rhea holds fast.
“Salamander!” the little voice yells again, closer this time.
What an odd name for a dog, Rhea thinks as suddenly there’s a scream right by her head. There’s a sound of little feet running away, and she can no longer hold on to the dog. When her hand drops, he runs to chase after the girl. And once more, Rhea drifts out of awareness.

It takes another good thirty minutes before Rhea is brought to a home being borrowed by the Jino gang. A dinning table is cleared and the mortally wounded woman is laid out on it. A healer, a local of Mji, hurriedly looks her over. The slight magic weaver rolls up the too-long sleeves of her cloak and looks wide-eyed between Rhea and the healer.
The healer looks up to the magic weaver,“’er pulse ‘s faint, breathin’ ragged, but there’s still a chance.”
“Ready when you are,” she says back in a quiet voice.

Working together, the healer with her hands and the weaver lending her strength in magic, they manage to bring Rhea back from the edge of death. The knife has been removed and the bleeding stopped their by workings of the weaver.
Jax recognizes the knife as Rhea’s own and takes it outside to wash the blood.
Out in front of the small building, Ekon has been waiting and fidgeting. When he sees Ekon he questions him regarding Rhea and he answers with, “Aye. That roach will live another day.”

With that knowledge, the first thing Ekon seeks to do is tell her friends the Reisiger lives. But just as he bids his leader farewell and turns to run for Mji’s docks, Jax stops him with a hand on his arm.
“Ya know ya don’t have to run anymore boy, right?” The older man questions.
Ekon looks up to the sky, reading the stars. His eyes go back to Jax and he exhales a response before taking off at a sprint down the street. “Just for one more night.”



7.9.2017
In and out of consciousness the past day and a half. Taken back to Bandari where’s she’s stayed at Jax’s place recovering. At one point woke up and got into an argument with Jax about going back ‘home’ (to the forest). Worried about the scene that’d been left for her friends to find and especially Talla who’d had to witness it. Jax told her it was all just fine and notifying her friends she was alive was taken care of. BUT totally wasn’t listening to/hearing a thing he said. So tried to stand up and just up & leave but even with the blood transfusion that had been done was still severely anemic and just sort of.. Fell out.
Would have face-planted but Jax was there to catch her and throw her back into bed.

Visited by several familiars in the area, a couple of which she only managed to wake and give a weak grin before drifting off again,
Felt better later after waking up to Ekon lingering in the corner of the room. He told her about Fletcher’s and Liathe’s plights to ensure she was alright and handed over the cutest care package put together by the latter. The package containing teddy grahams and bandages. All of which might have made her tear up a little.. Except, is pretty emotionally numb and hasn’t even begun to process a thing that’s happened to her over the past several days.
Also managed to talk Ekon into helping her get to the forest. But he’d only settle for at least letting her have another night’s rest here. Agreed and set to snacking on teddy grahams, oddly content in the moment.






Rhea approached slow and quiet, setting herself down beside the Wolf. She was tense, her gaze flitting from spot to spot. It was perhaps apparent in her rigid and position that she'd come for more than just company.
Still, she doesn't quite jump into anything. Instead, her jumping gaze finally comes to rest on Romulus, regarding him with eyes both tired and slightly unsure.
"How are you?" the Hyena questioned, though not able to see his own gaze if he wore the mask, still trying to meet his eyes all the same.


"Cannot complain," the Wolf answers lackadaisically, head shifting on his legs enough to view the hyena from the corner of a hidden eye that sees poorly. A slight pause to consider the odd air about her, and then, "Something wrong, hm?"


It takes her a moment to answer, mouth turning down in a slight frown before she says, "Yeah, a bit."
She shifts to orient herself in a position that's easy to look on him taking a deep breath before starting. "Couple months ago you told me I could come to you for extra muscle in my escapades. Wanted to know if that offer's still on the table and if it'll apply to your brains well as your brawn."

Another exhale and depth breath as she waited for confirmation of that. Trying to figure out how to condense the long story of what had brought her here today.



The beast shifts to get both eyes on the other, a moment of silence following her question about an offer made a while ago. Hidden brows furrow, "I suppose I can't make a promise before I hear the specifics, Rhea," muses, tone rather serious. She was asking for more than what he'd offered, but he'd be lying if he'd claim it didn't catch his interest.



She definitely couldn't blame him for that and full expected he'd want and should get the details.
"Here recently the past's come back to bite me and it's in the form of a man and his kin who are trying to see me destroyed." The words are heavy in themselves, but rather numb in the tone. "His name's Fa'izu and he lives in a world similar to this one. Can't be killed there."

"He's tried to kill me once already.. among other things." Again said rather apathetically, though there was a ghost of a grimace through her expression. "Was why I looked like shit couple of weeks ago."
"Anyway," eyes were downcast for a few seconds before raising to survey the horizon. "Fairly certain he'd be able to be killed here," a shoulder rolls up in a lazy shrug. Knowing full well that was only a educated guess at best.

Open and forthright -not being one to skirt thing- says, "I need your help getting him convinced to come here." Eyes turning back to him just slightly pleading in a way, largely at his mercy. The list of those she felt capable of the task and those trusted was dangerously small. Even smaller still given there were a few she was wholly opposed to sending with such risk involved.
"Much as I'd like to deal with it myself.. Can't." The last said through a growly sort of sigh. "Don't know of a way to bait him here myself other than just wait and.. would much rather it'd be something I could be prepared for."



Another heavy silence follows as the Warbringer keeps looking at her whilst going over all that the hyena had told him. And then, "I see. You need me to play his friend?" he assumes, hence her using the word 'convince'. "A wolf is hardly a bait, and bait he won't play. But a friend he might," a short thoughtful silence with a heavy breath in and out. "How can he be convinced to come out here, or do you trust me to improvise?" Hidden eyes narrow then. "..I assume there lies some type of a risk for me here, which is why you're asking for my aid instead of a friend's."



She gives a slow nod to his first question and the last implied one. She's locked her sight on the mask and doesn't look away as she continues. "I think the easiest way would be to try and convince him that there are plenty of those here who'd like me dead. That you'd see me killed and would like to offer your own aid in it." A little dip of her head is given. "That said, I'd trust you to improvise in any way you saw fit."

There she inserts a pause, taking in a heavy breath of her own. Because she wouldn't lie and tell him it'd be a breeze.. "Yes. Quite a good deal of risk involved." Her eyes avert for just a moment before returning to the mask. "Fa'izu won't be alone, I'm sure. His kin will be with him. And while Fa'izu himself is a bit dim-witted others of his own are brighter. His brother, Rackshaw, most notably."
The Hyena shifts slightly, rearranging her legs in a way that matched however his were at the moment. A subconscious mirroring. "And unless there's someone in mind you'd like to go with you, you'd be quite on your own in it. There's too much risk he'll know my connection with any of my own in that world." Though, "I do have a guy who can watch your back from afar; enact a backup plan if the worst happens and you're made."

And then she explains a little further on the last bit. Because while what he said was mostly true, there was more to it. "I'm asking for your help because I think you're capable of doing it." And although her relationship with Romulus wasn't all that definable in her own mind, there was still a measure of care she'd developed. "I wouldn't ask anything of you I thought you couldn't handle. For your own sake, well as my own." Not that she thought there was much of anything she thought he couldn't handle.. still.. Felt like throwing it out there. Very telling eyes genuine with every word she spoke.
A slow sigh leaves her. "It's not something I ask lightly. I understand it's a lot." Face sincere and quite open as she speaks. Although notably tired, her eyes are a burning, intense orange. A sort of look that often made others uncomfortable and turn away. Though she doubted anything of the sort would intimidate the Wolf in anyway.
"And I don't expect you to do it for nothing," she continues. In fact, most of her didn't even really expect him to accept the task itself. But, if he did, "Anything you want that I can obtain.." another quick dip of her head. "I'll do whatever I can."



She is heard without interruption, some points arising thoughts whilst others did not. Silence goes on after the hyena is finished talking and after a while the Wolf shifts his weight, near silently clearing his throat. And then more silence.
Eventually, "Suppose I could help you with your little plan." He mentions nothing of rewards, not a word of her owing him after this. "Are your friends aware of this? In case I need a few trusty liars to confirm their 'hatred' for you, just in case Fa'izu opts to go around asking about it." He could give the man a friendly nudge towards the right people who'd be able to confirm the claims of the hyena being rather unliked within the forest. And more importantly, "When would this task begin?"



Rhea doesn't realize she's holding her breath until Romulus finishes speaking and a rush of air leaves her in a rough exhale. She listens with rapt attention, nodding after the first question, “Yes. Fletcher, Liathe, Naoki, Ekon,” to name those she'd spoke of the particular scenario with, “they're aware, I'll make sure they're prepared in case that happens.” And then her eyes flit around a bit, scanning the forest about them momentarily before her gaze settled back on him. “I've got a few in that world who are watching for his arrival and rallying.” She tells him, knowing the beasts would hunt for her first in Koninkryk, and knowing that was the only world between his own and the forest here. "When that happens, and I expect it will be soon, there will be a few days opportunity and I'll take you to the world and do what I can out of sight of the beasts."

"Thank you," voice suddenly a bit shaky, feeling the weight of it all bearing down. Her usual humor and light air far from her in the moment.
“How can I repay you for this?” she asks directly, neck stretched more towards him, imploring in a way. Unwilling to put him in such obvious danger for nothing in return. Also holding another small worry in the back of her mind that repayment would come up in some obscure way in the future.



The crowd he so often sees her with- he assumes the list of names belong to them. A simple nod is given to the rest of the information.

Repayment. A humorless chuckle escapes, "I hardly think there is anything you could give me that would repay me risking my life for you, hyena. Let's just say you owe me- if I ask, you will deliver. Yes?" Someday in the future.



It was a price she was wary of, but the choices are slim. Without much hesitation, nods slowly and lets lose a quiet, "Yes." Stretched neck lowers a bit more than, gaze cast to the ground. "I'll keep you updated.. Let you know when I know something."







“I spoke to a magic weaver in Koninkryk.” she pauses, not sure if they know the name of the world, but sure they'll catch on as she continues. “I had hoped that I'd be able to take down Fa'izu there, already knowing that his world of Woestyn is the type of place revivals happen more often than here even. But after talking with Lesedi found out.. that's not gonna work." Little disgruntled look crosses her face. "In the midst of trying to get away, I stabbed Fa'izu's brother, Rackshaw. He shouldn't have lived; I hit straight through the heart," she says with a small shake of her head. "He came back, Lesedi told me. But she suggested that perhaps the worlds were to close. The veil between Koninkryk and Woestyn is thin. And that maybe in taking him far from either of those worlds I would be able to bring him a more permanant death. The last thing I want is to bring Fa'izu anywhere near here.. But I feel like I'm running low on options." Little sort of hopeless look is cast between the two of them. "I think it'd be fairly easy to trick him into coming here.. under the guise of killing me.. Hard to think rationally about all this though," she admitted with a downcast expression. "I'm all ears if you have any suggestions."




She listened attentively, ears perked as the Hyena spoke, initially confounded with the names and concepts before it all came full circle, gaps filled. She nodded, expression pragmatic, and crossed her forelegs in front of her. "He has already been here, and if you did not ever find that stone..." the one they'd searched for in her home, "he might very well return of his own accord, better he come back while following bait we are all aware of," she nodded. "I would not want to do that," in agreeance with the thought - she didn't want anyone to be bait if it could be helped. "It could become dangerous very quickly," not knowing if either Naoki or Daire would be there to help, but knowing with certainty she herself wouldn't be a participant - she considered the odds, shaking her head. "At best, you would have yourself, Fletcher, Naoki, and Daire - at worst, two of the three others might be gone," they were scarce at times, after all. She pursed her lips, pausing thoughtfully.




The Dragon's Spine is quiet throughout just as well; only finding a vague familiarity with the words, the names, but dares not to assume until Rhea finishes. It's easy to put all the pieces together then. As she searches for ideas, help, and his mate responds in kind, he's sorting through his own thoughts and taking into account what had already been said before sharing his own piece. "I would suggest other worlds if not for the assumption he'd be less likely to follow," to Tyria, to anywhere he hadn't been before - perhaps he'd guess easier, if they laid a trap, of what intentions awaited him. "And as Lia said, he might already have his sights here after visiting once before." Ears press back, somewhat uncertain though still very much thoughtful, wracking his brain for ideas. "I wouldn't want to use you as bait, either. I'm only not sure what else we could do that allows us to remain fully knowing and expecting when he'll come, and be prepared for it all the same." If Rhea posed as bait at a particular time, a day, then everyone could be aware beforehand; ready, prepared. He finds himself confused, for a moment, at Liathe's words as he notes the lack of her own name before understanding hits him in the same breath; he doesn't comment on it immediately, but... "If we could make it safer for you, the keys that I had made - you could always hold onto one so that if it ever went south, you'd have an easy escape. And if we possibly set a date to do whatever we plan to do beforehand, it's likely they could be around easier." Rather than leaving it up to fate. "If we can expect a particular time, that is, with whatever we may come up with."




The Hyena listens intently to both speak, nodding here and there. Though after Lia mentions the stone, she supples, “I did find the stone, a day or so ago,” looks sheepish, honestly just forgot to tell her. “Even though it gives me a small peace of mind, I still don't doubt he could find another way here with the help of a magic weaver.” To what Fletch says she nods as well, though her mind had gone in a bit of a different direction. Instead of using herself as bait, she hoped she could employ the help of another and not use herself directly as bait. As she was pretty sure that in and of itself would be met with suspicion, if not from Fa'izu, from his -smarter- brother Rackshaw. “I do have a way in mind of getting him here.. If I could get someone to feed into Fa'izu's rage and convince him that there are many here would like me dead then I think he'd be ready and willing to work with someone of the 'same' mindset." Of course, it wasn't exactly something she was keen on doing, knowingly putting someone in danger for her sake. Though, she did have one or two in mind.. "Not something I particularly want to do.. but.. I can imagine it would be well-received."

Then with a bit of a rough swallow against a dry throat she goes on rather methodically. "The Doctor," eyes shift upwards for a moment and in the direction of the one they'd left on the hill. "He'll owe me in a way, and I feel like he'd be willing. But.. I don't trust him." The Hyena didn't much trust her judgement, and more than one had told her of bad vibes they got from Veton. That and the fact she seemed to be his only tie within the place left her.. wary. Wary of entrusting him to a task that could end her life and others if botched. "There's Romulus," her tone flat, giving little away as she went on, "he's voiced to me before he's always ready and willing to help me in my escapades.. Though that'd likely come with some sort of payment.." Last time it had simply been half of a rotten-tasting leg. But this was a task that held a great deal more weight to it.. Still.. Racking her mind for one's to help her with the particular task, she could only come up with them. It had to be someone who could take a punch. And, though a deeper thought, someone she could stand to loose if the worst happened and their guise became compromised and an inopportune time.




She listened to Fletcher first, "Organized," she agreed, nodding, before her eyes turned to Rhea. A wave of relief, gladness for her friend that she'd found the stone. She exhaled, nodding. "I am glad you have it back," and that was all that truly mattered. But then, the further the plan delved, the more her heart beat with excitement. A look similar to what she'd always gotten when heading off to deal with Ioten, a confident sort of determination, a fixation to do what she could, particularly when fighting alongside her loved ones was so out of reach. The names she listed disgruntled her, a soft voice in her head reaching, pleading, me, me, me. She knew the risk, just as she knew and loved the children she carried - but she knew what she had never failed at, either. Fooling the enemy. "Perhaps someone who sought to rescue you, and then you betrayed them - did the same to them as you did to Fa'izu, convince him in that way, swear fealty on the basis of doing whatever they could do get back at you, and knowing very well how to reach you," the plan was already drawn up in her head, the character she wanted to play, the guise she wanted to fall into. She had her key to tyria, she had her magic, and if worst came to worst, she would always have her wings. She chewed the inside of her cheeks for a moment. "I have never failed to get on Ioten's good side."




A dip of his head at the agreement, and then a patient look as Rhea listed the names. Names he couldn't fully trust, either, names he could only agree with what Rhea spoke of both of them. Ears flick as Liathe speaks up then, and a gnawing worry returns to him once more. "The grounds of that plan sounds as though it'd work, but we don't know him," a small pause. "What he's capable of, and if he merely plays us for fools if things go wrong. There's so much at risk - what he could do to hurt you, us," Although it's likely paranoia is getting the best of him now. He wants Liathe to be able to help, he knows the suffocating feeling of restriction and by no means wants to be controlling of her life, but the words that fall are ones he cannot help to voice. "I could offer myself to be in such a position, though. I've never been a guiltless liar, but if it keeps you safe..." He'd regard Rhea, and then turn to Liathe. "Perhaps there's a way you could help me with that, then." An opportunity to work together; he'd turn back to Rhea after. "I do think that plan could work, though. There's no way he knows of your allies here... As far as I know, he only saw Talla." She was the one there that night, after all. "And if he doesn't know about us, all the better."




Her head tilts at Liathe's suggestion.. Her trust in Ioten was.. zilch. Sending someone like that into a world were he could have the potential to destroy her. And also with a bit of a grimace, says, “I don't think I'd want to feel in debt to someone like Ioten.” She relaxes just for a moment when Fletch starts talking. However, when he mentions what was at risk, a slight shake starts in her legs. Her worst fears coming to mind of what could happen if the plan went awry, bile raising up in her throat as intrusive thoughts show her visions of the same that'd been done to her, being committed to her friends and family. The shake comes through in her voice when she speaks. "I don't think he knows anything off allies here besides Talla," agreeing. But truely fearful eyes come up to meet Fletcher's. The shake more evident still, "You can't.. He's a monster." Panic coming through in her voice as well. She had no doubt Fa'izu wouldn't hesitate to do similar to anyone as he'd done to her if they were caught. "You're going to be a father.. Fletch.. I can't risk you doing that." Knowing he'd be walking into a situation when meeting Fa'izu and his kin in which he'd be sorely outnumbered. In the forest it was different.. There was most always more than one to fight with you and watch your back.. But not with this plan that she planned on carrying out in Woestyn or Koninkryk in it's beginnings.




"We do not know him," she agreed, "But no more do we know that he would not bring a dozen allies here, in either case," she paused then, her brow furrowing for a moment. She wanted to insist that it was no different than if one of them was killed fighting him here, but a part of her knew she was wrong - just as a part of her was desperately confident she could do it. Still, she didn't press, between Rhea's panic and Fletcher's offering of himself. Her brow furrowed, a soft breath leaving her lips. When silence fell over them, she paused for a moment, chewing her lip thoughtfully. "It is scary no matter who goes," and, though she didn't want to admit it, they were making no ground in the conversation. "But why would he believe someone that is perhaps just as capable as he is?" she gestured to Fletcher, though her thoughts included Veton and Romulus alike. "Someone significantly longer, stronger - no offense, my dear - than Rhea is?" she nodded to the Hyena. "I have done this all my life. I know it is dangerous, and I know there are a million reasons I should not - but I can get out in seconds if need be, and if worst comes to worst, it is a failed plan. But I can get away," key or no key, she'd do whatever she had to in order to get away, with more than one trick up her sleeve. "It is not that I want to be in danger, it is not that I am..." childishly wanting the action, she nearly said. "I know I can do it. I know I can. We must all keep each other safe, and I can do my part, as I always have. I can get out if I must, but I can also get there. I have been there before. He may have heard of my face, someone may recognize me and be able to confirm that I know you, regardless," she nodded towards Rhea, her eyes turning towards Fletcher.
"Any one of us is in danger by helping - not just me," and though she understood it was more than just herself, she knew that if Fletcher, Rhea, Daire, or Naoki fell, it would all be for nothing. Her gaze turned to Rhea. "He is a monster," she'd never dare argue with that, "but a monster who had a million chances since his first visit here to hurt more than just you, and he did not - not yet. I cannot fight, but I can manipulate someone, I can do my part to protect you, as you so badly want to protect me."




Eyes downcast with Rhea's words, understanding but still feeling as though he was an option he'd be willing to risk. There's gratitude for the concern she shows, though, and upon noting the shake to her voice, to her body, he slides in slow so that their shoulders brush. He remains quiet as Lia speaks, often casting a look toward Rhea out of concern. The more he hears, the more he worries. "It's the fact I know you can do it that worries me," he admits. He doesn't speak of it any further than that. "If I had to place my hope in anyone, I believe it'd be Romulus." He pauses briefly. "If Rhea doesn't wish for us to go, I will not argue. We've helped her before, after all." A small nod to Rhea then, and then to Liathe once more. "You've done your part, too. You helped bring her home and you were the one who was able to get into her world to help us do so in the first place, however 'hand's off' we may have been." A gentle attempt to try and dissuade her desires. "If you believe Romulus can do this for a price, then I will trust you. And I'm sure both of us will help with whatever 'payment' he may wish if we can - as well as bringing this monster down when the time comes."




Panic deepens as Liathe goes on, knowing full well that Liathe knew enough of the world that if she decided to she could go behind her back and do just that. She feels choked up, and can't find the words, grateful when Fletcher does what he can to convince her away from the idea. But a gut-deep fear tells her it's not enough.. Pleading eyes lock onto Liathe. “I know you're more than capable. I need you. Both of you. I need your help, your minds, your capabilities. But not in that way. Not one on one facing him. I would have thought I'd have no trouble getting away. But I was unconscious before I knew what hit me. Then drugged, helpless. He tore out my tooth that had my talisman wrapped around it. I couldn't get away.. And it's all too easy to disapear in a world big as Koninkryk..They beat me, mocked me.” She's shaking rather hard now, breath feeling shallow no doubt pushing herself into a panic-attack, “He raped me. Then he held me down while the rest took turns.” She finally takes the intense gaze off Liathe, dipping her head and closing her eyes. Looking truly pained. "I couldn't live with myself.." if something even vaguely similar happened to Liathe. It was an extreme scenario, sure. But a possible one. "I.." she never finishes the thought that she could barely live with herself with the memories. and she wants to respond to Fletch too.. right after she calms tf down for a min lmao.




She took Fletcher's gentle decline in stride - no matter dismay, internalized as it was, her own feelings weren't on the rise here. With the readmitted suggestion of Romulus, she nodded in agreement - she'd get whatever she could to pay off the beast, if necessary. When the next words came, however, she listened in earnest before a wave of disassociation racked her, drifting from the conversation with ears pinned and wings pressed tightly to her side, even as she heard ever word - the last admission enough to solidify her own vengeful wants, knowing full well she wouldn't sit out of it. No matter what. Her jaw set stiffly, but her eyes were only soft for Rhea, her head dipping gravely. "Alright," a gentle murmur, her argument quieted for the sheer sake of calming the Hyena - for whatever that was worth, for whatever was possible. In spite of Rhea's hopes, however, to cement an aversion to the idea, with every passing second it did just the opposite. She'd do whatever she had to in order to expose Fa'izu to the mercy of a forest that showed no kindness for his sort. "Alright, Rhea," softer, still, meant as much to soothe the Hyena as it was to weightedly acknowledge her words.




The admittance the Hyena offers is one he didn't, never wanted to, believe could happen to her. His hackles raise and despite this, the slight tension in his muscles and the sharp intake of breath, he settles in closer to her, bringing his nose to her knee in a firm, yet tender, touch. Eyes close, and for a moment he can't help but try to imagine her at his side as she was but much smaller, not knowing what the future might hold for them both. And then he's in the present, Liathe's words providing some ease although he cannot help his eyes squeezing shut, offering nothing more but a safe spot at his side for his old friend. Feelings of anger, contempt, protection surfacing on the inside.




The reactions to her words were barely noted through the panicked haze, but Liathe dropping the subject starts to ease her. Slowly, she caught her breath and the strong shakes settled to a slight tremor as she worked to bring herself back. She focuses on the moment that she thought the dragoness understood that she couldn't let that happen. So desperately holding onto that little sliver of control while the rest of her life felt like it was spiraling out of control. "Thank you.." it's mostly a mumble, thanking them for their presence, understanding, and comfort. She still has her eyes closed, but her breathing had slowed. She leans into the comfort Fletcher offers as well, another quiet, "thank you," leaving her.




Warring with herself still, she kept passive and quiet if not for the small knowledge that she was likely - outwardly - the calmest of the trio. Shifting closer, but her body angled in a way that would not cage the hyena, she quietly draped a wing over her back. "Rest, Prael'itor," spoken softly, not in the least bit blinded to the Hyena's lack of sleep, and now with greater understanding why - not to say there had been none before. "We will not leave you," a last pause before, softer, gentler, "Sraaf, wa wairr wedsh uyas irrui."