Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

There's a thick fog in the air, and darkness has fallen completely so that everything is obscured by either shadow or mist. The air is warm and sticky-wet. The moon hangs heavy, but not quite full in the sky, but the clouds keep covering it up so that people can only catch glimpses of it at best. The clouds give it an illusion of fullness. But there's a little while until it reaches that potential.

There's a flurry of activity near the city gates, people rushing to or from it. Mostly away. A few guards try to keep curious onlookers from gathering, young men, the least senior of those who guard the gates. The rest are outside. Gathered in a group with spears pointing out. There's something out there. Something massive moving through the trees toward the city. A low growl spills from the trees and echoes through the gate. Golden eyes burn through the dark.

Something this way comes.

Mikilos WAS on his way for a commission. Some customers prefer to meet in the evening. Don't judge. But with the comotion, his client has ran away for another day, and the wizard approaches the gate at a calm, stately walk. In case the robes and glowing ball of light weren't enough to make it clear he's a Magic Guy. "What exactly seems to be the problem?"

This isn't the first time that Seldan's missed the closing of the northern gate to traffic. It's not the second, either. In fact, it happens quite frequently if he chooses to sing prayers inside the city walls, a thing he does not do frequently for exactly this reasons. Still, one thing and another conspired to render him late into the city, and therefore late out. So it is that he approaches the gate, but not appearing as himself, no.

Instead, he has adopted the look of a fairly young adventurer, armor, helm, and sword at his hip quite plainly visible, a simple traveler's cloak over his back, and when the growl from outside the gates floats into the city, he immediately turns back from his plan to exit via the Temple District. Looks like he's got a bit more work to do tonight.

Well, it WAS a pleasant evening, even if the weather was foggy and a bit damp. The evening humidity can't keep Telamon's spirits down, as he walks arm in arm with Cor'lana, dressed in his usual garments -- the ruffled white blouse, the leather trousers, the polished boots. As the two come near, Telamon breaks off his conversation with Lana suddenly.

"What's going on there?" Telamon points to the gate, glancing to Lana. "The last time I saw the guards that riled..." He pauses. "Oh hell. I have a bad feeling about this." He begins to move towards the gate at a quick pace, catching sight of Mikilos approaching as well. Well, that's reassuring -- to him anyways.

Halani has added rooftop jumping to her repertoire of training lately. Sprinting and leaping, dodging obstructions, vaulting over them, sliding underneath. One day in the future, perhaps an alternate reality, such training might have a specific label. But for her it's just training. Thus, from a vantage point, the sound of the activity at the gate wasn't quite so distorted through the fog and mist. Visually things are still hard to pick out, but people carrying lights to help navigate the limited vision helped indicate something of a to-do going on by the gates. Thus, ever lacking in something one might call 'prudence' the islander monk returns to the streets... raised buildings tend to be quite rare near the gates anyways. So the final distance is crossed at first with a lope, eventually slowing to an easier pace as she gathers up with the others congregating. She flips a friendly two fingered greeting to one of the young guards trying, vainly it seems, to encourage people to leave before falling in close to the elunish paladin. "Something sure sounds hungry, yeah?" She does not sound the least bit dismayed.

Cor'lana's not dressed in her nicest dress, but it's passible enough to match Telamon's finery, made from a black silky material that still provides her with plenty of movement but won't suffocate her in the summer heat. She peers out at the gate as well, frowning. "That's not good," she murmurs.

Pothy's on her exposed shoulder. "Danger, danger," he coos quietly in a child's voice.

"You said it. That's why we're running towards it," Cor'lana says as she moves arm-in-arm with Telamon.

The guardsman that Mikilos speaks to recognizes him. "Archmage! We got warning that something big was headed this way, but we're not... entirely sure what it is." The man looks nervously toward the forest and the beast there begins to reveal itself. A puff of cold air sends a chill down every spine present. The mist resolves around a massive maw glittering with teeth as the large canine growls again. Its golden gaze sweeps across the line of spearmen and it's eyes widen. "Can you help us?"

Halani's words get a nervous glance from several of the men standing in line, particularly as the canine begins to reveal itself. It's fur is pitch black, and it's size... It's easily larger than a dire wolf. In fact, it towers over the size of a dire wolf in the manner that one of those creatures towers over a regular wolf.

GAME: Telamon rolls wisdom: (12)+0: 12

"Y-yeah," the armored adventurer agrees, a hand going to his blade as he stares nervously at the gate and the eeeeeeyyyyyyyeeeeees glittering outside of it. "I - I think I better help." He turns his step, and starts towards the gate, glancing back at Halani to see if she's going to follow. His eyes are still wide, but he doesn't seem to be hesitating.

Mikilos blinks as the creature shows... well, part of itself, frowning as he nods to the Guard. "I'll certainly try. With luck, it's friendly and this is all a big misunderstanding. I doubt it, but nice to dream a little." 'Assurance' given, the magus moves forward, eyeing the young adventurer with Halani in confusion. He seems mildly familiar, but where...? Eh, not his place to stop the heroics of others.

Telamon comes up to the gate with Lana in tow, just after Mikilos. "Hey, what's going... on." He trails off as the giant wolf comes padding out of the treeline. "...Well, shit, it's this thing again." Deliberately, he cracks his knuckles, glancing at the other heroes. "Any particular plan? Or should we just turn it into cloaks for everyone on the gate guard detail?"

Cor'lana looks confused--both by the size of the wolf and by the fact that Telamon seems to recognize it. "Wait. You know this thing?" she asks him. "I... have questions. When? Where? How? /Why/?"

Pothy stares at the wolf, too.

"Meat," he says. And he does a tippy-tap dance on Cor'lana's shoulders.

"Pothy, I know that ravens and wolves have a symbiotic relationship in the wild, but I don't think he's here to share snacks with you," Cor'lana says quietly to him.

"Snacks," Pothy mutters quietly... and sadly.

Halani lets out a low whistle as her eyes have to raise to get a true measure of the beast's height and bulk. "Woooo. Big doggy," she comments, then shrugs and starts loping after the adventurer, rolling her shoulders and giving her arms little shakes. "Heya, didn't catch the name, yeah? I'm Halani. Better someone knows so someone's around to remember you after, yeah?" She grins broadly at the man, then glances back over her shoulder having caught Telamon's query. "Strike hard, strike fast... find out your strikes aren't doing anything... adapt. Like always!"

"I see that the adventurer's guild is too cowardly to get done what needs doing." Says a voice from behind Mikilos and Telamon. It's Zalgiman. The man towers over nearly everyone, being even slightly taller than Mikilos. He draws a falchion from his belt and strides toward the creature, whipping the blade back and forth.

Growling in a threatening manner the gigantic wolf's hackles rise and it lets out a blood-curdling howl that send most of the guardsmen running for the hills. Zalgiman seems to be made of sturdier stuff however and he swings his blade, cutting into the creature and making it growl even more forcefully and try to snap him up. It fails, but it's a fearsome thing to see teeth so large snapping at a man.

GAME: Mikilos rolls will: (9)+18: 27
GAME: Telamon rolls Will: (7)+9: 16
GAME: Carver rolls will: (15)+4: 19
GAME: Halani rolls will: (16)+20: 36
GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Will: (8)+10: 18

Ahhhhhh-op.

Carver's mouth extends as wide as the physical limitations the gods deemed fitting for her, jaw creaking as she prepares to devour a thick meatpie stacked on its twin in a perversion of manners fit to send any Myriddion into slapping her cheek with a glove in disgust. The wet smack of lips follows as she teeth, gum, tongue all wrestle with the literal mouthful, seated dainty nearby cross-legged in observation. Until the Big Man with No Patience decides its time for things to happen.

Then the resounding, bone-chilling howl. The sound that spawned a thousand legends up close and personal and grander than any of its like before. In the quiet that follows, there is a hollow splat as some drops from her own opened maw.

Mikilos blinks at the unfamiliar... human? who strides and attacks, glancing to Telmon. "And who's he?" Swallowing hard as the beast roars, the wizard holds his ground and murmurs a spell of warding.

GAME: Mikilos casts Protection From Evil. Caster Level: 18 DC: 22
GAME: Seldan rolls sense motive: (15)+19: 34

Telamon shudders as the howl wreaks havoc on his nerves. There's the desire to flee, but it's overshadowed by the need to protect and guard Cor'lana. Still, his fingers tremble as he incants a spell as well. "I'iz mete gantir," he says, images snapping into existence around him. "Well, that's a good question. Because that's the bastard who's been causing trouble for Lana and I ever since we relieved him of one of those damned totems."

GAME: Telamon casts Mirror Image. Caster Level: 9 DC: 19
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d4+3: (1)+3: 4

"You shall know me ere this is done, Halani." Suddenly, the adventurer's voice has shifted, his manner of speaking much more formal. The vocal growl doesn't appear to faze the adventurer in the slightest, and a sword rips free of its sheath. "Someone who either desires to be eaten, or is better acquainted with that thing than he would have us know." he mutters.

Many here know that voice, although it coming from someone so simple in appearance is odd enough. It sure sounds like Seldan, though.

"Hold," he tells Zalgiman firmly, even as he strides up beside him. "The first rule that all in the Guild are taught is never to charge in alone. He who adventures solo never does so twice."

Cor'lana's violet eyes just bloom in confusion between Zalgiman suddenly appearing and attacking the wolf. "I... don't understand--"

And then there's the adventurer, who strides forward, and that voice turns into Seldan's voice. The confusion turns into sheer relief in Cor'lana's eyes. "Vaire, thank you for your kind verse in this sordid story," she murmurs in appreciative praise to the Lady of Inspiration.

She murmurs her own protective incantation. "I hate to say it... But perhaps we should help Zalgiman here," she says to Telamon.

GAME: Ravenstongue casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 9 DC: 17
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+24+5+2: (17)+24+5+2: 48

Halani is probably not the best supporting argument for Seldan's statement. Though she probably thinks she's helping. The adventurer's voice tugs at her memory.. but there are a few other things pulling her attention just now. "Exactly!" she exclaims. "And a good team is always there to help lift each other up, yeah?" And then she's airborne. Just a 'small' jump, at first, as her foot comes down upon Zalgiman himself right before she propells herself ever higher towards the wolf, using the large man as a springboard of sorts.

Zalgiman snorts at the disguised paladin. "Whatever. A real man can stand on his own two feet." With those words, Halani pops off him and he glares at Seldan-in-disguise. "You were saying?" He snorts again and starts to really lay into the wolf, proving that he has no small skill with his blade. The wolf is bleeding heavily in no time.

Meanwhile the wolf readies its own attack, seeing the forces arrayed against it, it gives a short bark, a shake of its massive head, and then breathes cold air over the whole area.

GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Reflex: (17)+7: 24
GAME: Seldan rolls reflex: (7)+24: 31
GAME: Telamon rolls Reflex: (9)+6: 15
GAME: Carver rolls reflex: (10)+7: 17
GAME: Mikilos rolls reflex: (18)+12: 30
GAME: Halani rolls reflex: (4)+22: 26
GAME: Aftershock rolls 6d6: (17): 17
GAME: Halani rolls athletics-1: (9)+22+-1: 30 
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+24+5+2-1: (13)+24+5+2+-1: 43
GAME: Halani rolls 2d8+2+5+2: (9)+2+5+2: 18

Halani was thankfully already in the air when the massive wolf unleashed its frosty mint breath. This doesn't stop her eyes from widening though, as her graceful leap starts to morph more into flailing flight... thankfully one of her grasping hands manages to catch a thick tuft of fur. Her shoulder wrenches as she forcefully redirects her hurtling body and slams into the wolf's shoulder; her other hand is quick to latch on too, and then she's scrambling up the feral beast's back.

It is all utterly reckless, of course, but for some people.. that's their way of dealing with fear. Fight, or flight. Halani just ended up doing both, this time. She definitely settles upon the latter, however, as she drives one fist into the back of the creature's head, her other hand holding tightly to its fur.

GAME: Seldan rolls reunion+pa: aliased to weapon1-4: (18)+24+-4: 38
GAME: Seldan rolls reunion+pa-5: aliased to weapon1-4-5: (8)+24+-4+-5: 23
GAME: Seldan rolls reunion+pa-10: aliased to weapon1-4-10: (1)+24+-4+-10: 11 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Seldan rolls reunion+p: aliased to weapon1+p: (6)+24+p: 30
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d8+10+8: (2)+10+8: 20
GAME: Ravenstongue casts Haste. Caster Level: 9 DC: 19
GAME: Mikilos rolls 18+1+10+1: (16)+18+1+10+1: 46
GAME: Mikilos casts Grasping Hand. Caster Level: 18 DC: 28

Cor'lana murmurs an incantation, focusing her hardest on weaving helpful magics to the much more powerful people that are here. All except Zalgiman and the wolf are aided by time-defying magic, allowing them to move much faster and attack more.

Mikilos frowns at the opening battle. "I'm not sure the wolf isn't here just to give Zalgiman something to be seen fighting..." and then a wave of fridged breath roll across the wizard, and he murmurs a quick spell. "That doesn't mean I'll feel bad killing it." The wizard stretches out his hand, which flies off his arm, growing to a Large size as it tries to grab the wolf, grasping a leg firmly.

GAME: Carver rolls ranged+1: (10)+7+1: 18
GAME: Carver rolls ranged+1: (17)+7+1: 25

Woomp!

Splat.

Carver is moving the moment the wolf is taking its deep, inhaling breath and it's the only thing that saves her from what could have been instant and completely unexpected death. Her meatpie sandwich, with meatpie as the meat and meatpies as the bread, does not have finely honed instincts or even legs. It's frozen solid. Womp.

"That was MY LUNCH!"

Carver's roar is like a meek little kitten's fussy cry of hunger when compared to the wolf's howl, but it does come with a pair of teeth in the form of two arrow shots. Unfortunately, the arrows have about as much effect as a meek little kitten's bite.

"Against mundane foes, that is so," the adventurer answers, the breath of cold air washing across him appearing to affect him little, if at all. "Keep that attitude against the forces of the Abyss, and swiftly shall you find yourself in the Grey Halls, if you are fortunate." A strange thing to say from a young and unremarkable adventurer. He says no more, though, instead taking the blade to the wolf. The first strike lands home, cutting deeply into it and spraying blood, but his foot turns in the blood already dripping, and the next strikes go wide and wild while he regains his footing.

GAME: Telamon casts Shadow Conjuration. Caster Level: 9 DC: 21
GAME: Telamon rolls 5d10: (18): 18
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+17: (14)+17: 31

Telamon straightens his shoulders, despite the fear still beating on him. "Well, if this is going to be a group effort..." He thrusts a hand up towards the sky, and chants, "Mulan seg dalhamun!" A tiny dart of light shoots from his fingertip into the cloudy skies, vanishing.

Then suddenly, the clouds swirl around one spot, irising open. Within that circle the skies are clear -- a starry night, diamonds on velvet. Except the stars are moving, and one comes streaking down to detonate right on the tip of the wolf's nose with a clap of thunder.

GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+43: (1)+43: 44 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+40: (13)+40: 53
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+35: (11)+35: 46
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+30: (12)+30: 42
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+25: (6)+25: 31

The fearsome might of Zalgiman is on full display as he cuts chunks out of the wolf. The wolf meanwhile tries to harry Halani, but... it looks rather like a dog trying to harry a flea in its effectiveness. The creature whines loudly, backing away from the fervent attacks, but Zalgiman is a force to be reckoned with.

GAME: Halani rolls athletics-1: (6)+22+-1: 27
GAME: Halani rolls 1d20+24+5+2+1-1: (16)+24+5+2+1+-1: 47
GAME: Halani rolls 2d8+2+5+2: (9)+2+5+2: 18 

"Hah! Whoah!" Halani is tossed from side to side as the massive wolf tries to get at her, and she sounds like she's enjoying this far, far too much. The still present fear adding that extra edge to the thrill as she rides the wolf's back, driving her elbow at the base of its skull. "Hey! Anyone gotta new plan? Don't think this one's working, yeah? Maybe we can chase it away?"

The adventurer's eyes narrow as the might of the sword is on full display, but whatever he sees makes him lower his blade, and look between the two. "Hold your blade, Master Zalgiman. It is intelligent, and is here for a reason greater than hunger." He turns to the massive creature, standing before it with not even a vestige of fear in his eyes. "You will not hurt me," he says. "Show me your true target. Why are you here?"

GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Diplomacy: (13)+18: 31

Cor'lana presses her lips together. Sir Seldan is trying a new approach, and he knows best. There's that look in his eyes and that tone in his voice that tell Cor'lana one thing: get the damnable man to stand down.

"Zalgiman Joaki, do as Seldan says and stay your blade," she shouts. "Let the man of Eluna speak to the creature." She hopes that if the man is really as obsessed with her as Patch has suggested, he'll recognize her voice and be so distracted that he won't do anything to the wolf.

Mikilos holds still, eyeing the wolf and the man, a spell ready upon his lips.

GAME: Carver rolls 1d20+3: (19)+3: 22

"What's happening?" Carver asks, as frost melts from her hair, slowly lowering her bow to the ground. "Wot, with the shootin' and the thunder an' now we ain't killin' the wolf cause it's smart? Which, fair play, it's actin' odd. Ain't no reason forrit to be snoopin' at the front gates. Okay! I think I get it! You, Mr. Handsome, lissen... if'n we want it to calm down, we gotta show it an act of good faith maybe. Let it smeeeeeeeeeeeeel that you ain't meanin' no more harm...." She kneels down to collect something from the ground, leaving her bow behind briefly as she inches forward. Inch. Inch. Inch.

"I bet you probably smell pretty nice to a wolf. Um, here. A gift."

She will offer Seldan her goopy defrosting meatpie, held in both hands, presenting it to him like an acolyte to its head priest of some bizarre nature cult the ritual sacrifice. "Feeeeeed the woooolf to show we are friends."

GAME: Telamon rolls knowledge/nature+4: (4)+11+4: 19
GAME: Telamon casts Glitterdust. Caster Level: 9 DC: 18
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+17: (8)+17: 25

Telamon starts to call down another meteor, but holds off as Seldan calls out for the attacks to cease. "Are you sure?" He recognizes Seldan's voice, if nothing else, but seeing as how everyone is holding back for the moment, he does so as well... his eyes immediately flicking to Zalgiman to see what he does. So of COURSE the son of a bitch tries to go for the huge wolf again, and Tel yells, "Mulan ukum!", dousing the fellow in blue and silver glitter but not blinding him (unfortunately).

GAME: Mikilos casts Overwhelming Presence. Caster Level: 18 DC: 30
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+17: (5)+17: 22

"ENOUGH!" Mikilos commands, striding forward with a swiftly murmured spell. He reaches up and pulls off the illusion of mortal flesh, revealing the Golden God the he truly is. A shining sun that blinds not the eyes, but the soul. He is not beautiful, he is Beauty. He is not glorious, he is Glory. Tremble mortal, and obey. Even those not directly targeted by the Overwhelming Presence may find their breath hitch for a moment.

Zalgiman pulls back to strike, but Mikilos' bellow catches him and he glances at the man for a moment... and that's all it takes for him to hit the ground like he's been struck by lightning.

Meanwhile the wolf seems to calm in the face of a lack of attacks. It looks at Seldan with FAR too much intelligence and whines, looking back at the city gates. Gently - very gently it nudges the meat pie back toward the paladin, then looks toward the gate and lets out a mournful howl.

Despite herself, even Halani hides herself in the wolf's fur in an attempt to shy away from the power merely radiating away from the target of Mikilos's magic. She clings, burying her face into the back of the wolf.. at least, until she remembers who she is. Her head immediately thrusts upwards, her neck craning to peer around the side of the massive wolf's head. Seeing Zalgiman down and, at least momentarily, controlled. "Wooooow..." she breathes out, then realizes that the wolf has also seemed to calm down. So she pats him on the neck. "Okay. Maybe you're a good doggy after all," she tells the creature.

Telamon recoils when Mikilos magically forces Zalgiman onto his face, his own knees actually wobbling a bit as well. "...holy shit," he mumbles a little dazedly, before reaching into his haversack for his flask and opening it. Taking a slug of chilled tea, before offering the flask to Cor'lana, his eyes move from the prostrated Zalgiman to the gigantic wolf. "Alright... what the hell? I thought it was the fiend-servant of the Nightmare Dolan and I helped fight before, but... I think I was mistaken." He peers at the 'anonymous' adventurer, and says softly, "Sir Knight?"

Still Seldan's blade is lowered, and he does not move at once, except at Mikilos' spell. For a moment, even he starts, then snorts to himself and turns back to the wolf. "Well done, Mithralla," he remarks. The meat pie he takes back, and offers back to Carver. "Yes. I do not travel openly in the city." He does not explain why, but the image of the anonymous adventurer melts away to reveal the Elunan paladin, armor and all.

"I do not think he desires food. Let us learn that which he _does_ want. Zalgiman here is of the darkness, and it is in my mind that he serves Caracoroth. This one," he looks at the wolf, "does not." With that, he takes a careful step forward, and lays a hand on the wolf's deep wounds, murmuring a swift prayer to the Dreamer.

"Who does the wolf serve? Is it... Gilead or Dana?" Cor'lana asks, looking at the creature in grave concern. She walks closer to it now, shaking to Telamon's offer of chilled tea from the flask. She averts her gaze from Mikilos, seemingly out of a compulsion to avert her gaze from that glorious wizard.

"Are you perhaps a servant of nature? One of the Courts?" Cor'lana asks as she peers at the wolf. It's preferable to looking at Zalgiman.<Sylvan>

Carver takes the goopy meatpie back, wrapping it up in a strip of cloth. Maybe she can try it later. "Uh, righ'. So, this'n more than jus' some wolf showin' up. A lot more." She goes and finally retrieves her bow, and in doing so, finally catches sight of Glowing God Mikilos.

She stands in place now. And forever. Caught like a fly in the web, all young hormones raging and flushing cheeks.

"..."

The Shining Glory that is Mikilos glides forward, glancing to Seldan and the wolf, approaching the fallen Zalgiman. Slowly, gently, the tall elf kneels down, and raises the mans head to look into his eyes. "I know. I know it's hard right now. But hear my words, and hold them close to your heart." The elf's grip tightens, and his eyes harden. "Do. Not. Cross. Me." The wizard lets go, and the power is placed back into it's box, the spell breaking with a shaky breath.

GAME: Mikilos rolls intimidate: (19)+16: 35
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+22: (3)+22: 25

Carver almost swoons as she watches this, to the sound of a thousand scratching pens of hastily imagined stories.

Zalgamin does not, can not defend himself. He merely lays on the ground, shaking with combined fury and... awe?

The wolf looks hopefully at Seldan, and shudders as its wounds are healed. It's taken a great deal of damage from Zalgiman's blade and all the other attacks. Yet it leans forward, pads toward the city uncertainly. The city guard - those few that remain - seem uncertain about allowing it entry into the city.

Released of Mikilos' spell, Zalgiman looks up, raw hate in his eyes. "I know what you are NOT mage. And you are not what you forced me to see." He stumbles to his feet and makes his hasty exit into the forest. He doesn't look back.

Telamon watches Zalgiman flee for the safety of the woods, before looking to Mikilos. "Archmage, that was..." He pauses, considering word choices, then opts for, "...satisfying. He's been a pain in the arse for a while; we're not done with him yet, but that was still fun to watch."

He looks up at the wolf, scratching his head. "We need someone who can actually speak with animals." He gestures to the town guard, slapping on a friendly smile. "Gentlemen! Relax... I don't know what this is about, but we're not going to let him wander around unescorted. I think it might be edifying if we -all- kept pace with it. Just to make sure there's no problems."

GAME: Telamon rolls diplomacy+5: (12)+19+5: 36

"Let us find out." Seldan's healing does not finish for some minutes, and it is not enough to mend all of the hurts the wolf took, but it goes a long way. At last, he releases the prayer, and looks - distinctly weary, watching Zalgiman go. "That one is a fool," he states crisply. "I have learned more of his intent, and of his power, from his eagerness to wield his blade, than he should wish for us to know. And yet is arrogance the way of the Hound and its minions."

He turns away then, keeping one hand on the wolf, and only now sees Carver and her admiration. "Mithralla is less than he wished for Zalgiman to see, my lady, but underestimate not his power."

Cor'lana just sighs in relief as Zalgiman trots off. She's not about to run after him, after all. "I don't think he even registered that I was here," she says. "Probably for the best."

Pothy whistles at Cor'lana from his roost on her shoulder. Cor'lana just scowls--and flushes. "What do you /mean/, he didn't recognize me without my breasts out!? POTHY. You are so...!" Then she realizes she can't ground a bird. Instead, she looks back to Seldan and nods. "That man is perplexing. He acts a fool and yet he is clearly a minion of Caracoroth. It's... I'm not sure what purpose it serves, other than to get people's guards down, and if so, /why/?"

"Aah! Mighty Seldan! Shoulda known." Halani chides herself from her perch upon the wolf's back. "Figured something was odd about how you sounded." She grins, then looks at Telamon. "Hey.. she might be a girl, yeah?" Then she pats the wolf again, leaning closer to its head. "Are you a good girl or a good boy, doggy?" she asks, treating it now like an overgrown puppy rather than the growling, snapping beast she'd been punching not that long ago. "Wonder if she's still hungry. Wonder what she eats? Should we get her a cow? Or maybe a horse?"

Mikilos sighs, and stretches, rubbing at his eyes. He may not have been hit by the spell, but was a lot of magic to throw around. "I have spells to speak any human language, but animals are beyond me. I could polymorph it into a humanoid, but I suspect that would lead to a silly antics. Such plans seldom end well."

The wolf seems to like Halani - now that the woman isn't beating it's spine into a different shape. It barks at her and it's at that point that Halani realizes that the barking... is a language. One she can understand. Once the two get to talking it doesn't take long to find out that the wolf is - was a woman, one who is very eager to hear that Mikilos might be able to return her to human form. Because her family is in Alexandria, and she's very worried about them after she woke up in this strange wolfish form. She's very sorry for the confusion, and for the fact that she scared so many people, but she really didn't know where else to go. And that's the whole of it.

-End