[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/kRCo56A.png[/img][/center][color=B5B1CE]
[center][color=7998CE]Race:[/color] Tiefling
[color=77ADFF]Class: [/color] Ranger
[color=7998CE]Location:[/color] The Bar 
[color=77ADFF]Interactions:[/color] [color=D5E3ED]⋆[/color] [@Oso] Bastion
[color=77ADFF]Equipment: [/color] 
[hider=Equipment List]
[color=D5E3ED]⋆[/color] Traveler’s cloak 
[color=D5E3ED]⋆[/color] Hidden [url=i.imgur.com/CqhXhFT.jpeg]daggers in boots[/url]
[color=D5E3ED]⋆[/color] [url=i.imgur.com/8Ah0Mon.jpeg]Longbow with etched star markings and quiver[/url] [/hider]
[color=77ADFF]Attire:[/color]
[color=D5E3ED]⋆[/color] [url=https://imgur.com/4KHymg4]Outfit[/url]
[color=D5E3ED]⋆[/color] [url=https://imgur.com/DJOOLrL]Hair[/url]
[color=7998CE]Gold Balance: [/color] 23
[color=77ADFF]Injuries:[/color] Scars on body, old chain marks on wrists, ankles and neck, tattoo on wrist with number
[/center][/color]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/YiESyYS.png[/img][/center][color=B5B1CE]
At first, Arya only felt it: a low tremor crawling up through the soles of her boots, barely noticeable until it began to hum through her bones. Confusion filled her–what the hell was happening? Stella snapped to attention and emitted a warning call, one she recognized too well. Her hand twitched toward Stella’s feathers and she brushed them lightly. Stella poked her head and confirmed her fears–this was, in fact, real. Conversations around her faltered, and the bar shifted into a fragile silence that seemed to hold its breath just a second too long. Arya tensed so profoundly she thought she might never unravel.

Then came the blast: a thunderous eruption roared from the depths of the ship, shaking the Stormrider so violently that Arya nearly lost her footing. Stella shrieked and was nearly dislodged from her shoulder, but the eagle had dug her claws in so profoundly that she knew she’d drawn blood. Arya grabbed the edge of the bar with one hand and pulled Stella closer with the other. Light flared through the stairwell, followed by a deep, heaving groan of strained wood and metal. Screams pierced the air like a knife and caused Arya to tremble violently. Tears filled her eyes while fear and panic surged through her. Her breathing became rapid and she began struggling to catch air.

The smoke came next, and it wasn’t the kind that drifted lazily from a kitchen or crackling pipe; it slithered with intent, dark tendrils wrapping around chair legs and boots like it was searching for something. Arya’s heart pounded as she watched six figures step through it, each cloaked in crimson and masked in smooth, expressionless steel. She couldn’t see their eyes, but it didn’t matter. Their silence said everything. The moment one of the passengers tried to run, they acted. There was a flash of metal, and the poor man dropped like a sack of grain. His blood stained the floorboards as the crowd erupted into chaos. 

Arya remained rooted for a breath too long. Her mind struggled to process the violence. Stella dug her talons into her shoulder and grounded the terrified tiefling. She whispered under her breath, barely audible even to herself: 

[color=77ADFF]“This isn’t just an attack–it’s a message.”[/color] 

Stella let out a warning cry and began nudging her to attack, but Arya remained rooted in her place. Bastion moved first and placed himself between her and the danger. Shock and worry filled her, but as quickly as it had come, it disappeared. She stared at his back while the smoke and terror poured into the room. Then she watched as he became purposeful and lethal, but not cruel. She watched him unleash the chain, drag that hooded figure like a scrap of cloth across the deck, and when his voice rang out, it was enough to move Arya. 

Her right moved upwards as she began tracking their assailant’s movements like prey in the woods. The other hand moved to pat Stella’s wings and comfort her eagle. She then removed the hand and strung an arrow to her bow. Arya moved away from Bastion and released the arrow. The arrow went flying toward the red-hooded figure that Bastion had attacked. She rapidly strung another arrow and sent it flying at him once more.

Then, Arya turned at the sound of a voice. The man descended as if floating on silk while his coat still perfectly in place with an expression of calm as if he were attending a dinner rather than stepping through corpses. She didn’t know his name, but she knew enough to recognize the kind of person who didn’t flinch, didn’t hesitate, and didn’t mourn. It had been a familiar sight to her and it caused her blood to run cold. 

Her eyes flicked from the shattered bodies behind him to the grotesque display of magic still clinging to the air around his hands. Arya lowered her bow and reached out absently towards her eagle. She brushed her fingers through Stella’s feathers like she needed grounding. Her eagle pecked her head and unfurled her wings to give her a hug. 

[color=77ADFF]“Vacation,”[/color] she murmured under her breath, voice barely audible. [color=77ADFF]“That’s what this was supposed to be…”[/color] 

[color=lightskyblue]”But it is not. React to the danger, think and focus. I won’t leave your side.”[/color] Stella folded her wings and only unfurled them to make herself look more menacing if anyone came close to the tiefling.

A ghost of a smile crossed her face and she affectionately patted her leg. Arya’s hands trembled slightly, but she kept her bow steady all the same. Once more, Arya strung an arrow to the bow and rapidly fired and strung more arrows, hoping to release a [b]volley[/b] to disperse the assailants. Meanwhile, her brain raced and began to wonder: [i][color=77ADFF]Are Phia and those other women okay?[/color][/i] Fear gripped her and she looked over at Gears–did the warforged bartender know how to fight? Arya moved quickly and gestured for Gears to move behind her, then focused again on the chaos.[/color]