#baronyofthesilverwolf

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Briar paces in annoyance as folk gather to see "her" hunt on it's way. "C'mon, let's GO already!"

Marigold is fussing to Gwen, "Are you sure I can't pack you a lunch?"

Art is sorting through the protective gear, doling it out, and offers a welding mask to Thistle with a grin. "I thought you might like this better than an N-95. It's borrowed from Dark Gate, so try not to break it. The cantrip on it should filter out smog and smoke." He bows to Nadeen, who is there to see them off. "Courtesy of our Baroness.

"Moom" Gwen says in a low embarrassed voice "I'm about to queeesst don't make a fuss in front of the guyyys"

Nadeen inclines her head to Art's bow

"Gwen, head's up!" Art tosses a lacrosse mask over to her - it's actually her own, but now it gleams of glamour as well.

"I, thank you, squire." And she puts it on, then bows to the Baroness as well

Madern stumbles in carrying a pack full of fireworks

Briar has (GO GO GADGET RETCON!) a Hockey Mask, fitting her mood!

Is that real blood on it? Well, it's old if so.

"Okay, I got Centurian Scorchers, Skybreakers, Star Invaders..." Madern starts to list the various ones he snagged

Art puts on a purple (naturally) masquerade mask. Thistle recognizes it as one of the ones she helped decorate for last Carnival!

Briar SNORTS. "That doesn't cover your mouth, STUPID."

A small smile from Art. "It doesn't have to. The cantrip knows what it's doing. Just like for yours, if you flip it up onto your head, it still works as long as you're wearing it somehow. I think you could even hold it. Baroness Nadeen is very skilled. But the cantrip will only last until daybreak tomorrow."

"Indeed, be careful to keep it away from truly banal people or things, obviously" Nadeen warns

Art oogles at the bulging pack of Fireworks that Madern holds. "Whoa. Thistle, look."

"....ten twisty pop whirlers, and I don't know how many snaptossers" The piskie finishes up

"Oooo..."

Seeing the Nocker's interest, he offers her the bag to see for herself

Linnea is standing by, and she looks like she just ran a marathon, overnight. Rather worn out. A look to Madern. "Are you going on the Hunt as well?"

"I'd be flattered to but..." He's unsure

Briar grunts over at him. "SHIT OR GET OFF THE POT, Ernie."

Art offers diplomatically, "As Madern has so thoughtfully procured supplies, I think an invitation would be warranted, if he wishes to come along."

He jumps a bit... at the redcap, then relaxes as Art is nicer about it "I'll go if we have a mask that fits me?"

Art looks to Nadeen, a touch beseechingly. "Would it be too much to ask?" There are other masks around, or even bandannas for a rather rakish bandit-y look.

She offers up a bandanna "You be careful as well, Madern" She offers it over

And it glistens with glamour

A flicker of glamour from Linnea, and she looks a little faded as she offers over the T-Shirts that Madern made.

One for Thistle, Art, and Briar, and a last one offered... to Ernie. The troll thane looks to Gwen. "I'm sorry, Gladiola. My magic fizzled when I tried to work Oakenshield on the extra-large. The seams unraveled. Will your stoneskin provide sufficient protection? I do not think I have another cantrip in me at this time."

Madern looks to Marigold "Sorry, Marigold. Didn't mean to leave you be. But flo will help"

Gwen smirks "A chimerical chain shirt, rocky hide under it, and well, I'm tough on my own. I can can take it"

Marigold tsks, "I can handle things for a day, boyo. I'm no spring chicken, but I'm not in the stew pot YET."

Briar drools from under her mask.

"Darn right you're not" Gwen adds to her mom's comment then sees Briar "Uh we should get moving before Briar loses it"

"Shouldnta mentioned chicken." Briar grumbles, even though they JUST ate lunch.

"One last thing..." Art raises his sword into the air.

"May green be the grass we travel, may blue be the skies above. May pure be the air that surrounds us, may true be the hearts that we love."

A shimmer of glamour, and a feeling of... confidence, maybe, or bravery welling up within. A goodfeeling as the soothsay cantrip grants luck on their venture.

Briar makes a gagging sound. "Gross. Can we GO already?"

"Cool" Madern smiles

"Nice one" Gwen agrees

"Is Citrine coming with? Will she be alright out there?" Fornax is safely back in the Library.

Thistle has a small cadre of fireworks-flies buzzing about her, and Citrine, of course. Most of the other Nevers have hidden inside buildings or in cleansed pockets where the air is cleaner around town.

"Citrine is hard to dissuade." She shrugs.

Art looks to Nadeen. "Will the protection of Thistle's mask extend to Citrine if she stays on Thistle's shoulder or touching her?"

He knows it wouldn't extend to another person, but Citrine is almost like an extension of Thistle...

Nadeen is thinking much the same "I dare say it's very likely. Thistle and Citrine have a strong bond, ever since the ...improvements. I dare say Citrine is the closest thing a nocker can have to a familiar. There may be a spiritual bond tthat would all the cantrips to share. Yes. I think it would , as long as Citrine darts with in the nocker's garments or at least stays close it would help her too"

Briar gives a sudden, ear-piercing howl! "WE HUNT!" Her patience clearly up, and she starts trotting off towards the town!

Art stumbles before he realizes he needs to SHEATHE his sword, then follows after.

Gladiola gives a trollbrow at the others as if to say 'Told you so' about getting moving, bows to the Baroness, and follows

Madern says 'Whoops, there she goes" And off he follows too

"Hear that, ninnywithers? Stay close, or stay home."

The intrepid crew marches through the woods, heading towards town. It is late afternoon, and the weather is hot and sticky, humid and unpleasant. As they move further from the influence of the balefire, the air grows thick and hazy. Citrine darts about at first, but soon is sulkily riding on Thistle's shoulder.

While the masks protect them from ill effects, the air is still ugly, depressingly turning the sky an orangish tone that has none of the delight of a sunset, and smells of smoke and sulfur.

Briar drops back to look up at Thistle. Not as far up as she once did, the wildling is getting taller. "Fart said that you were lookin' at some factory."

Gladiola grows resolute, resolved. She doesn't like the idea of showing weakness to this intangible enemy.

Mad Ernie grins at first, but then grows a bit depressed "Blah"

It's depressing and disconcerting. They feel like they should drop back, go home, maybe just sleep for a week. Steps slow.