[center][h1][color=00aeef]Chres Sansus[/color][/h1][/center] Interactions with [@Fetzen], [@13Org], [@HokumPocus], [@elevation] [hr] Chres moved away from the pot of stew, letting it sit awhile longer. He stared into the fire. Thinking. The fire spit out black flames while still emitting an orange glow, typical of all fires inside a distortion. It was such an odd thing to see. Discomforting even. Though not as much so as the shadows of everyone in the room. Shadows which stretched towards sources of light rather than away. Chres tore his gaze away from the fire, and towards the his new companions. Nodding as he listened Karina finish speaking. He watched as she ate her food in delicate and proper manner. Amused at how careful she was to not to let any bread crumbs fall as she took each bite. From this image alone, one would never expect her to be the same cold, deadly weapon she was when on the battlefield. He agreed with her assessment. The cult was the immediate threat. And it would probably be wise to withhold trust until they learned more about this... this being who refused to give them his true name. As for this Unspoken Pact which the Cult spoke of... [color=a2d39c]"Hurray! You did it!"[/color] Sil shouted again with another twirl and kick. Chres parsed his lips, tuning her out as he had come accustomed to doing. He placed his right thumb and forefinger to his chin and proceeded to rub his stubble of a beard, deep in thought. [color=00aeef][i]"An Unspoken Pact..."[/i][/color] Chres recited aloud, in soft, thoughtful voice. [color=00aeef][i]"An agreement left unsaid... To what did I agree to? What was it left unsaid?"[/i][/color] Chres felt the itch return to the back of his neck as the words left his mouth. Ignoring it, he met Karina's gaze. [color=00aeef]"An old song my mother used to sing to me. A story of man bonded to great power. Power he used to save his village from the evils of war. Lived a life celebrated as a hero only to die from a common cough. [i]'A simple cough.' He said to all, '`Tis a simple cough and nothing more.' It `twas a simple cough to end his life. A simple cough and nothing more. A life to end and be forgotten. A memory lost, long foregone. Unspoken, this hero, forevermore..."[/i][/color] Chres turned his gaze away from Karina. Downwards. Towards the table in front of him. [color=00aeef]"A children's tale, I always thought... Though, that verse... I couldn't help but think of it when she said those words..."[/color] His gaze fell upon the plate on which he placed the slices of bread. Its color had changed ever so slightly. And... had it moved half an inch to the left? Surprised, Chres closed his eyes and shook his head. Upon reopening his eyes, he found that the plate's color had returned to normal and it was back to its original position. Another effect from The Distortion? How was it that people for so long had considered the Distortion a naturally occurring phenomena? How was it that we knew so little about it? Had the Scholars from the Nation of Hearing never bothered to properly study it? Or... or perhaps they had studied it... only to be corrupted by it... A shiver run up the back of Chres's spine as the implications of that line of reasoning unfolded before him. [color=a2d39c]"Hurray! You did it!"[/color] Sil shouted yet again, startling Chres out of his deep train of thought. Chres shook his head and took that moment to tend to the soup. [color=ff9900]"I'm wondering if we should put up guards for the night, just in case they find out where we are. I'd volunteer for the job..."[/color] Týfurkh said with his mouth full of half eaten bread. Chres pretended not to notice the giant man's ill manners, not that it bothered him too much... Though he did do his best to [i]not[/i] look at his mouth full of half chewed food. Chres nodded towards the huge of a man. Someone would need to keep watch. He opened his mouth to speak when he heard an excited gasp right next to his ear. Chres jerked his head with a start to find Sil fluttering right beside him. Both of her hands covering her gaping mouth. Her eyes wide in wonder as stared at the giant man. [color=00aeef][i]Oh no-[/i][/color] Chres thought. [color=a2d39c]"It can talk?!"[/color] Sil exclaimed excitedly. [color=a2d39c]"Chres! Did you see that? It's a talking tree!"[/color] [color=00aeef]"I... a tree?"[/color] [color=a2d39c]"Ooooooh, don't be silly, Silly. It's obviously not a full-blooded tree. More liiiiike... a half-tree, half-metal man with a touch of mouse."[/color] [color=00aeef]"Mouse?"[/color] Chres asked bewildered. [color=a2d39c]"Oh course! How else do you think a half-tree, half-metal man got a head full of fur like his? I bet tha-"[/color] Sil stopped abruptly as her captive, the beetle, suddenly flew past her face. [color=a2d39c]"Chres! He's getting away!"[/color] Sil exclaimed urgently as she sped off after the poor beetle. [color=a2d39c]"Wait! Come back! We haven't become best friends yet!"[/color] Chres rubbed the side of his head and released a sigh. [color=00aeef]"I'm sorry about that, Týfurkh. She's... well... Let's just say I don't understand what's going on in that head of her's half the time... Anyway, I think you're right, it would probably be best if we keep an eye out. Though you kind of stick out like a sore thumb, no offense. "It may be best if we take shifts in pairs. Our mystery 'friend' made it clear that, while in the Distortion, falling asleep in the shadows would open one up to the Insight's influence. Working in pairs would help ensure that neither person doses off while on watch."[/color] Chres turned his attention back to the soup. [color=00aeef]"I'm thinking it might be best if you stay inside and let Ms. Healer tend to your arm. Thank you, though, for volunteering. "I'll be willing to take Týfurkh's place but I'll need someone to join me for the first watch."[/color] Chres raised a ladle full of soup and gave it a whiff. [color=00aeef]"It's ready... probably won't be the tastiest soup you ever had, but... it will do."[/color] Chres pulled aside some bowls and poured everyone a helping of soup.