(Red Right Hand) Take a Little Walk

[Krakenbox]

As Sonnie wades into the shallower side of the embankment. The water is just below chest height, but the current doesn't provide much resistance with her dexterous grip on the large boulders beneath the stream. It's definitely cold mountain water, spared from the icy temperature as Spring alleviates the bite.

The Steepscrambler makes quick work with the easier foot holds of thick roots and jutting stones. Eyes and ears are open as she tracks the wilderness around her, with no motion from the thicket beyond the clear Trod towards the cabin. However, from her vantage point there does appear to be bigger fish upriver, shadows streaking in flashes with the current. Nothing huge.

Trying to hand off the equipment to his trail companion, Abraham is less than graceful the first round but worth the wait as more foot holds are nailed into the rock-face and rope providing a much easier climb. There are in fact, a single set of cloven footprints leading from the cabin, the appear to stop at the edge of the Trod, but there are no marks of disturbing the brush. No return, either.

Circe soon follows right after, water almost warms as it wraps around the Summer, and Sonnie offering a hand for the final stretch as she watches the river while Abraham keeps watch.

Titania poorly schools her distaste, eyeing up the challenge with resentment as Samuel idly watches the river. With a sigh the Fairest washes away the small amount of tunnel filth in exchange for the shock of the wild. She keeps her balance like the rest and advances with the encouragement of her wisps. The Bright One puts in a valiant effort, making an entire two meters into the air before the heel of her boot catches, plunging the short jaunt back into the water with a yelp and a splash.

The current isn't strong enough for anything so dramatic as to sweep her away, a bruised ego more than any lasting tissue damage from the impact. Samuel kneels to offer her a hand to regain her balance and catch her breathe. He looks up at the group, feathers almost rainbow as they catch the light.

"I can give her a boost," he offers, though the concerned cock of the brow portrayed a universal, Are you sure?

[Sonnie Wu]

"Looks clear up here," she announced softly from the top of the embankment, waiting for the others to make their ascents, "Bigger fish in the water. Nothing threatening, far as I can see."

The Fairest attempt the climb. It would be a lie to say Sonnie didn't enjoy a certain amount of schadenfreude in their assorted failures, but to her credit she never teased them for it. Not everyone was lucky enough to be part monkey. She helped Abe and Circe up without comment. Titania's spectacular fall, though, elicited a short bark of a laugh before she clapped a hand over her mouth. Hopefully, the Telluric didn't hear it while submerged.

"Wet t-shirt contest is off to a good start," she said under her breath, once it was evident Titania was unharmed. Sometimes she couldn't help herself. Her own wet clothes were clinging to her fit form at this point.

"You okay, Starlight?" There was honest concern in her voice for the highly unathletic, and now drenched, woman, even as she bit her lower lip to keep from smiling too much. "Thanks Sam, that's nice of you!"

The Beast turned to scan the cabin, curiosity in her eyes. If it was a weird on the inside as Circe said, Sonnie really wanted to see. She also knew that wasn't their mission, which disappointed her. Abraham would probably lecture her for suggesting it. With a sigh, she looked at the nearby Trod.

"The way forward, hm?" Assuming the others would get the Bright One to the top without further hilarity, Sonnie moved towards the Trod, staff in hand, to check it out.

All the while, she kept her senses peeled for danger and interesting stuff - like perhaps, medicinal goblin fruit - along the way.

  3 successes

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2019-05-21 20:16:13		Sonnie Wu rolls 8 to Continued alertness (10 Again)		3, 2, 1, 6, 9, 2, 1, 10, 8		3 successes

[Circe]

Once Circe reaches the top she pulls out first her rope and then her shotgun. The rope she offers to Abraham, "I think Titania might need a lil' extra help getting up. Our guide too. Think we should drop 'em a line?"

Whatever laughter might have gone with the pun was stopped by the splash below. Looking down caused Circe to chuckle along with Sonnie. Her chuckle gets louder as her pointed ears pick up Sonnie's words, "Prioritize Sonny. Prioritize. And she totally needs helps. Glad yer okay stargirl!" Circe waves down toward Titania, "Good idea Sam! We got a extra rope too," she looks to Sonnie, "Yo girl. Don't go too far. Keep in ear shot ta warn us if ya spot trouble. We gotta raise our guide and stars," then turns to Abraham, "Ya want me ta take first over watch while ya pull ta help Titania up with my rope? We can trade off after with us girls helpin' ta pull Sam up."

It was an idea, phrased with an offer to let the Spring decide. She had the range to deal with threats and the second rope could help with pulling them up. Or helping Abraham retrieve his stuff if he wanted it back. Circe didn't know if it was expensive or not but she didn't think it good to bring anything you couldn't replace into the Hedge.

[Krakenbox]

I should have mentioned this in my initial post. For the sake of expediency, if Titania accepts Samuel's help, this can be added to her roll:

  2 successes

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2019-05-21 22:55:18		NPC (Sam) rolls 5 to give Titania a boost (10 Again)		6, 10, 1, 3, 9, 5		2 successes

[Titania]

She goes instantly quiet. No, it's not for the ice-cold water that has her drenched clothes clinging to her skin, the shivers seeping into her bones. It's her ego that was hurt in the process, that part of her that has just taken an ice-cold bath in a pool of humility. She wants to cry, but for the snob inside her that would be tantamount to acknowledging their - yes, of course that's what they are doing - mocking smirks, their laughters. Even her wisps she was sure were on the joke. She wouldn't, couldn't let them have this victory.
The Fairest looks so small now, nevertheless she rises, taking the stranger's hand and offering a saddened smile in return. With one fist safely gripping the rope, and her other hand wrapped around Abe's own, she finally ascends the slope. There, on the peak, she whispers a soft thank you to both men. Still too ashamed by her clumsiness, she fails to meet their gaze. Rather, slouchy and wet like a chick, she focuses her attention on the ground, wishing she could turn invisible just to hide away the embarrassment.

  2 successes

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2019-05-22 16:48:38		Titania rolls 7 to Climbing (10 Again)		4, 6, 2, 1, 8, 8, 6		2 successes

[Circe]

Circe still leaves the rope with him, quipping in "Okay. But remind me ta buy a flashlight mount fer the future. Or duct tape," giggling at an inside joke only she knew, "Don't throw out yer back." So the gunbunny walks over to Sonnie, careful to never point the barrel towards her friend.

Once closer Circe speaks to Sonnie, "Change in plans, Capitano Abe wants us ta check out the cabin since somebody bolted from it. Try ta peek inside windows is step one. Step two is doors. Buuut Capitano wants ta kick in the door himself if its occupied," after a pause she adds, "As opposed ta knocking like civilized 'lings. Ya prefer ta handle the front or the back door?"

[Sonnie Wu]

Sonnie, having been doing her job of scouting, had her attention trained outwards, on their surroundings, rather than inward towards her traveling companions and whatever hand gestures they were making in her direction. So, yes, she had missed Abraham's coded motions. On her way towards the Trod, the Beast paused as the smurf girl approached her. She listened to what Circe suggested, and looked at the cabin again with renewed interest.

"Oh, well, that's fine by me." Her enhanced hearing had picked up what Abraham had said already, but she was being polite to Circe's efforts. She smirked when it was mentioned Abe wanted to kick in the door. "Of course he does. I'll check the back, I guess? Maybe the upper floor, too. I can reach those windows easy. Let's roll, hot stuff!" She winked at Circe before heading towards the rear of the cabin.

Sonnie made to move as quietly as possible, looking to spy without being spied.

  failure

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2019-05-22 19:59:47		Sonnie Wu rolls 5 to Sneaky Monkey: Dex + Stealth (10 Again)		1, 7, 3, 6, 3		failure

Maybe the flora near the cabin was noisier than anticipated? Regardless, her efforts at stealth were... not great. Still, it's not like she completely flummoxed it and gave anyway her position. Maybe nobody was watching?

  3 successes

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2019-05-22 20:02:34		Sonnie Wu rolls 9 to Monkey Spy: Wits + Comp + 4 (F&T) (10 Again)		6, 5, 6, 1, 10, 6, 9, 2, 5, 9		3 successes

  4 successes

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2019-05-22 20:03:39		Sonnie Wu rolls 10 to Monkey Burglar: Str + Ath + Spec + Kith Bonus (10 Again)		6, 8, 7, 5, 1, 9, 5, 1, 10, 8, 4		4 successes

Her work to climb around the back of the cabin and peek in the various windows were more effective, at least. Time for some voyeurism.

[Circe]

"Remember, coordinate bustin' in," she warns Sonnie.

  failure

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2019-05-23 08:12:19		Circe rolls 5 to Sneaky Sneaky (10 Again)		2, 2, 4, 6, 2		failure

The uneven terrain and monkey girl's antics guarantee Circe's failure at stealth. She should have worn sneakers. Or maybe built a cyber ninja outfit or something.


She decides to still check the front windows visually, then listen at the thick door just in case someone was hiding.

  3 to See

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2019-05-23 08:14:03		Circe rolls 6 to Perception Looking (10 Again)		8, 2, 7, 1, 10, 7, 9		3 successes

  1 to hear

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2019-05-23 08:14:28		Circe rolls 3 to Elf ears hear -3 door (10 Again)		7, 5, 10, 6		1 success

While her ninja needed work her ranger senses seemed to be doing Strider proud.

[Krakenbox]

Once Titania takes the boost to get her halfway up the cliff face, she's able to connect with Abraham to make it to the top without much issue. Samuel takes one final sweep of the river before sizing up the short climb, the comment about needing help from Circe ignored as he easily picks his way from one alcove to another. Talons gripped the edge before clearing the vault with more upper body strength than one would expect from his build.

The peacock dusts himself off absently as amber eyes flash to the print Abraham spotted and looks to the edge of the trail with curiosity. Sonnie doesn't spot anything edible, either cleared by the cabin visitors or simply too close to the edge of the Gate to be manifesting anything. Away from the group her allegiance to the Antler Crown only wafts around the plants as normal, the splash of colour not as intense.

Abraham makes sure to dust away any prints and signs being left as the party mills about, except for Sam who apparently is as light as a feather.

Talking about infiltrating the cabin easily carries across the water of the river, muffled volume or not. Between Circe's earlier observation of the door closing, it's extremely likely their presence isn't a secret. The Steepscrambler finds the right grips and reaches the small patio on the second floor, seeing a lavish dwelling more suited for a mountain resort. The time doesn't add up with the fist light of morning bathing the room unlike the dull overcast environment outside. Circe on the other hand sees a dilapidated shack of a shelter, roof caving in with the plants beginning to take back the space and the steady drip of stream water eating at the wood. She hears the distinct turn of a lock when she hovers near the window, but there isn't anyone inside.

Meanwhile, Sam flexes his feet as the wraps become tarnished and bloody, and he sighs quietly with annoyance. Sliding against the tree, he deposits his bag before taking out what appears to be a first aid kit. As if it was the most normal thing in the world, he takes out alcohol and sealed wraps before unbinding the feet. Setting aside the spider-silk, he begins peeling off one of the talons of his toes with cold precision.

One for each foot.

Once the burden is cast aside, the token shimmers back to pristine splendor, and he and goes to work treating the open wound before re-wrapping.