Ben couldn’t really remember how he’d gotten there, or where here even was. His vision was blurry and senses muddled, so much so that he hadn’t noticed the dirt smeared into his coat or the clumps of mud that tugged at his skin. He was filthy, his usual pale coat an ugly brown, like he’d been writhing. The only thing he could think of was how annoyed he was, the constant drip drip drip of water made his muscles twitch.

“Leave me alone!” He reeled around, stumbling as he screeched at the empty air and sent spittle flying, this anger was not his own and yet it was all consuming. From the inside out. His hoarse voice bounced off the stone walls of the cave, drowning out the faint sound of flowing water.

Tor had been sleeping, the only time the big orcish brute look actually peaceful, but it wasn't long before he was roused by the stumbling, skittering sound of pawsteps and claws on rock. His brow immediately knit into a scowl when he spotted the nasty looking little beast approaching, but it was when it started screeching at him that he really woke up. And well, Tor wasn't known for being particularly patient or kind or... anything like that, really, so waking up from a pleasant nap to be screamed at didn't engender any warm cuddlies, that's for sure. A sharp, furious snarl ripped free from his throat to bounce around the cavern as loudly as the shriek of the annoying little interloper, and Tor rose to his full, considerable, height and took a few stomping, threatening steps forward to loom over the wolf. "Fuck you, I was here first! You leave me alone!" Already halfway to a rage, he glared.

Calliope was taking her on a circuitous route along the coastline back towards Raider territory, and Finch reluctantly followed in her wake. Every time she thought of running, the memory of the glint of Cal's teeth right next to her very soft, squishy eyeball kept her from straying too far. The periwinkle-and-purple Powderkeg was taking a soak in the nearby hot springs and she'd told her don't fly far, little bird before sinking deeper into the hot water. Finch needed to get some space, clear her head, figure out what exactly her next steps were when she heard the unmistakable sound of a stranger cussing another one out.

It seemed that she'd lived so far without encountering adventure, now it liked to greet her wherever she went like an old friend. Finch lingered at the entrance to the cave, pacing back and forth. She'd learned her lesson about strangers now, right? But clearly that fellow wasn't in his right mind... "I think he's brain-addled," she said softly, possibly not even loud enough to be heard. She paced back and forth again. "It could be a fever stemming from a bad infection - I-I'm a healer..." she stammered, folding her ears back anxiously. Between this hulking giant's rage and that other fellow's... issues... maybe it was best she just turn tail and leave.

"speech"

coded by NachoMumma

They reached the delta, and Ultyr had taken the reigns in leading them in their search. He perked his ears as a stranger started a shouting match nearby. He narrowed his eyes at the strangers and his gaze landed hungrily on a petite girl who had also arrived on the scene. He wasn't worried about Lai talking to the girl, the slave couldn't speak, the men though... Blue boy seemed perturbed by the other, but this other was scratching around and spitting at nothing.

He hummed as he observed. Trying to determine if he cared enough to stay and watch. He placed a large paw over his slave to keep her in place. Not letting her fraternize with the other woman.

They were going at Ultyr's pace now, he'd taken the lead now. She didn't mind though. She had a little pep in her step as they went and she couldn't help but feel happy, though she had not an idea why. Perhaps it was that Ultyr and her had remended what she had fucked up, or perhaps it was that she was just happy. Though she wouldn't know.

She had a smile on her face as she skip-trotted after Ultyr. A good little devotee as he would call her. Be good and get good things given to her was what she would live by for now. They reached the delta and the tiny woman kept to his side, though her blue half blind gaze was snapped to the sound of others on the beach. Her pace stopping and ears perking. “Leave me alone!” The first holler was hoarse and loud enough o draw her attention. "Fuck you, I was here first! You leave me alone!" Another screaming back at the first.

She cocked her head taking in the sight, but scooting closer to Ultyr's leg as he reached out to keep her from going closer, though she took it as him keeping her protected from the two's anger. Her ears pressed and a third was sighted with the two. Her words brought a worry but was it their place to help? "I think he's brain-addled, it could be a fever stemming from a bad infection - I-I'm a healer..." A look up to Ultyr. Were they going to help? Both their people had had good healers from her own understanding. She moved to be under him so he didn't have to hold is paw at a weird angle and would understand she was going nowhere, not until those two weren't yelling anymore. She was acutely aware of the sensation of pinpricks down her neck, trailing down to her tail. She leaned slightly into his front leg towards the trio but wasn't moving without his permission though she still looked up at him asking in her silence if they were going to help or not.

"Things I Hear"

Siren was almost home, she could be once again reunited with her family. Though she hadn’t been successful in finding a cure for Chimera, Albion had found her and was taking her home after so long. Her son had scouted ahead now, making sure their path was clear after all of the quakes, rumbles, and uncertainty that they had witnessed. She was following behind, much more slowly with her small size. As such, she very nearly avoided the gathering crowd there on the beaches.

Curiosity held her tightly though, and she approached cautiously, sidling up to the girl who proclaimed herself a healer as well. Though she remained quiet, filled with uncertainty at what she was looking at.

"Speech"