[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/acCZCUg.png[/img][hr]Jocasta [@Force and Fury], Yalen [@pantothenic], Ysilla [@Pirouette], Zarina [@YummyYummy], Kaspar [@Wolfieh][hr][b][color=7ea7d8]Event:[/color][/b] Hugo's task [b]|[/b] [b][color=7ea7d8]Location:[/color][/b] Tethered Refuge, Torragonese High Desert.[hr][hr][/center]

[center][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtUJ4WwZZH8[/youtube][/center]

Felt her heart drop a moment when the refuge started ringing its bells and causing a commotion. She didn’t factor the actions of the others into this, and when the creature bore upon them, she wished this oversight didn’t cost them so dearly. She remembered playing wargames on the table top with her brother Jorge, usually at this moment, he would start mocking her as she routed her troops at the last moment in order to spare their lives unsuccessfully. He used to chide her for her response, finding the battles too easy, “Stay on target”, he used to say, “In these moments, you do and or die. You are committed to the outcome”. Whilst the caretakers managed to survive the Wyrm, she was not the sacrifice she was wanting to make, definitely not for them. She knew there was nothing she could do, if she panicked, if she fled, it would ruin everything, the only way for this plan to work was to commit. She closed her eyes, clenching her body, holding it tight.

Ayla started to hear shouting and screams, oh no, they have failed, they are dying around her… [color=ffdead]"Did you see that!?"[/color] she heard Jocasta, [color=ffdead]"Ayla, you're a genius!"[/color]. She opened her eyes as she saw the Sand Wyrm heading off after the thumper. Almost passed out after the relief, [color=7ea7d8]“Too much excitement…”[/color]. She takes a moment to get herself ready, hopefully supported out of her situation.

Zarina noticed the little musician had exerted herself quite a bit, as did quite a few others. The congratulatory celebration, prompted by Jocasta, brought the tall Virangish girl to confer special attention to the orchestrator of the initiative they had just taken. Without much warning, she swooped in to duck and nab the little lion on her shoulders to lift her up, [color=C78A2C]"There she is!"[/color] she called out joyously, clearly not as tired as the others, [color=C78A2C]"The lady of the hour. Let those little legs rest."[/color] She then turned her head toward Yalen, [color=C78A2C]"I can also give piggy-backs."[/color] she winked. Ayla tried her best to mask her own exhaustion but was thankful that Zaz’s typical boisterousness provided the cover she needed.

As they approached the refuge, she could hear the concerns of the treatment here that were raised. [color=7ea7d8]“They will be very welcoming”[/color], she said to Jocasta for reassurance, [i][color=7ea7d8]or my father would be having stern words[/color][/i], she thought.

As they came upon the gates, the children were excited to greet them. She was reminded of the streets of Varrahasta when… she pauses for a moment as she reaches into her handbag, bringing out a handful of Mangomichas, sweets which are pieces of dry mango coated lightly in chilli powder to preserve them. She held out her hands, offering the tethered children the delicious treats as they flocked around her, before dispersing to greet the others in the group.

Ayla smiles widely as she looks up towards the girl that came to meet her, who looked rather similar to her, but taller. She takes her hand, nodding as she allows her to speak in her excitement. [color=7ea7d8]“You said a lot, but Ayla wanted to hear your name”[/color], she chides her in a playful manner, [color=7ea7d8]“Most important thing is to make sure everyone knows who you are”[/color]. She continues her pleasant small talk with the girl before they are interrupted with the arrival and pistol shot of the warden.

Ayla speaks up after the warden as he starts instructing the children to leave them alone and head off to their beds, [color=7ea7d8]“Thank you all for your warm welcome, we are pleased to be greeted by such hospitality as you welcome us into your home. We have important work here in the morning and you have earned yourselves a good rest. I am sure the Warden will allow us time from your duties to assist us if you make haste to your rooms.”[/color] She could imagine the face behind her as she watches the little ones scurry off to their bedrooms for a good night rest. When they are gone, she simply turns around with a light smile, [color=7ea7d8]“The taste of carrot is sweeter than the stick”[/color]. After the rundown of the evening plans, including opportunity for bath and bed, she followed the lead of their guide, Marcelina. From the girls interactions, she has already taking a liking to her.


[hider=TL;DR]
They survived! Yay!
Piggy back ride to Refuge from Zaz.
Interacted with Tethered girl, Laella. Importance of her making herself known.
Used carrot - promise of speaking with the tethered tomorrow.
[/hider]

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