You intend to stand up and call attention to where you will spend the night, but in your drained state, you stagger and almost fall. Mal and Lyrrica both catch you by an arm. You thank them as they pull you to your feet and brace you between them.
“Don’t mention it. Least we can do for the quest MVP.” Lyrrica says happily.
“Indeed. It is no exaggeration to say that everyone is unharmed due to your efforts. My heartfelt thanks.” Mal joins in. You notice that his grip is hesitant, as if he doesn’t know what he’s holding onto. Lyrrica is once again grabbing whatever she pleases.
“Honestly, I’m starting to get rusty with my healing.” Horton says with a jovial smile. This is the highest compliment a Crusader can give. You didn’t realize your party valued your skills so much. To try and distract everyone from your growing blush, you remind Horton that one of the leprechauns is still covered head to toe in stomach acid and salmonella.
All of you agree that marching through the deep dark wilderness in your current state is a terrible idea. As Patty casts preservation spells on the deceased turkeys in good condition, Mal and Lyrrica carve up and cook a turkey dinner. You tried to help, but everyone demanded that you rest. Casting pure magic is something that takes an enormous amount of energy.
“The last thing we need is a magic sprain in our caster.” Lyrrica says as she props you up in a crook in the roots that will serve as your campsite tonight. “Anyway, I need you rested up for later tonight.”
Your face must reveal your flustered confusion at the statement because Lyrrica’s lips curl upwards in a mischievous smile.
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“I meant we can try and sneak a look at Mal’s face when he’s asleep. What, pray tell, were you thinking I meant?” The auburn haired tease never seems to turn off. “Try and be rested up when it’s my turn for watch. He’s got to take the helmet off to sleep right? We’ll be able to get a good look at our hunky killing machine’s mug tonight.
You all eat a delicious turkey dinner, knowing better than to ask which turkey the meat came from. The leprechauns have plans to preserve as much of the meat as possible, making sure their village will never go hungry again. The leprechauns summon a “pot of gold” which turns out to be whiskey, and more importantly enough for everyone. Mal embarasses you once again by offering a toast to your management and assistance in the battle. Everyone cheers and drinks while you blush and take a long pull of your cup. You do, however take note of how Mal somehow empties his cup as well, but you don’t remember seeing him remove or even tilt his helmet. Forget his face, you’re more interested in how he does that!
You realize that you truly enjoy the company of these people, even if you don’t know much about them yet. Relaxing in the comfortable magical energies of the nexus, it doesn’t take long before you feel well again. Once the order of watch is decided, and another concealment spell is put down by the leprechauns, you drift off to a pleasant sleep. You wake easily when Lyrrica shakes you for the last watch that evening. A night of rest has done you well.
You stretch out and are all set to climb up onto the tree root to have a better view, when Lyrrica motions towards where the guys are sleeping in their military issue one man tents. It seems Lyrrica is serious about getting a look at Mal’s face. You have to admit you are curious as well. Plus, you may be able to get a look at his helmet’s insides and see if there’s some sort of spell that allows him to do so much without removing it, or at least make it comfortable to wear all the time. You could also be the good girl your mother always wanted you to be, and just tell Lyrrica to go to sleep. You get the impression that she’ll try no matter what you do.