Merle
"What? A girl cannot dream?" *Esme playfully bats at the air with an extended palm before turning on her heels.*
"I'll just have to dream of such forbidden romance then... Nighty-night Almonde~"

*Esme's snickering can be heard even when she is out of sight. She dares to even prance past the Drow though she does not look at him. The witch may have the upper hand now but all it will take is him saying something snide or remotely suggestive for her to crack. Which is why she figures that she will make a b-line straight towards her tent. First she tosses off her hat and begins to unbraid her hair. Her locks draping past her shoulders and now coiling around the ground as she takes a seat. A moment of playfulness removed by the thought of their situation again and Esme cannot help it. She rubs at her forehead as she slips off her boots, quietly groaning to herself as she wonders if she is a bit in over her own head about this sitation.*

*Rest first... Anxieties later.*

*As she finally settles, though not as comfortable as she would like given she is still wearing her normal attire. Esme is able to at least calm herself and upon breathing softly, eventually drifting to sleep. She tosses and turns, it is only natural given the ground here is as cold as it is rugged. Not even the padding of her bed roll can reinforce this and the woman gets cold easy.*

*But soon the scent of old-cooked boar fades, the air turns humid and Esme is able to find some comfort in laying in her side. A darkened cave turns bright, the light piercing through her closed eyelids. Yet for some reason... She cannot open them. With one hand over the other, Esme twitches a bit more as her brow furrows. The witch cannot see but she can... Feel? A presence in front of her. It blocks out some of the suns rays, at least from what she can think is the sun. Then a soft touch on top her hands. Though the palms of this stranger are a bit course, they do not bother her in any way and Esme's heart flutters. But her lips do not move, why?*

**???** "Napping out here is dangerous songbird." *The masculine voice smoothly warns in a playful tone.*

*Her eyes start to open, at least she thinks they are. But the sight in front of her is blurred, the features of the man indistinguishable. She can see his tanned palm atop of hers yet she does not feel the desire to flee. No, rather, Esme embraces it though thoughts tell her she shouldn't. Without realizing it, she is smiling even if she cannot make out the figure whose hair glows brighter than the sun, yet remaining humbled as a brunette all the same. But why... Why can't she see his eyes? The witch tries desperately to get closer yet her body will not move. He's smiling at her and her own fades as she lets out a gasp as his hand draws away.*

"N-no... Wait..." *Esme chokes out.*
**???** "Songbird...~" *It sings to her again as she jumps up, the vibrant greens getting replaced with muted and dull purples*
**???** "SADIKA!"


*With a loud gasp followed by a bit of violent coughing. Esme wakes as her body jolts up, gripping onto her chest as the woman is a bit shaken. She knows for now how long she slept... If she even truly slept at all.*
Calvin
*As the witch let out a loud gasp and let out a rough coughing fit, the witch would have slept for a handful of hours. Almonde was sitting nearby, like a guarding Hound, she tried her best to keep the slumber witch asleep. Having heard her rough slumber and mumbling of her sleep, she couldn't make out most of the words expect the name Sadika. She'd had her back turned on Esme's tent, watching the two drow discussing and preparing themselves. The devotee turned herself around with an expression of concern, speaking as she'd simply sit near the entrance of the tent.*

```"Esme? Are you okay in there? Need some water? I don't mean to intrude on your personal tent, but I'm here if you're awake."```

*Almonde sat rather casually on a bedroll, having pulled it closer to watch the witch with care. However, her cautious and overly protective nature could be understood upon listening closely to what was nearby. The sounds of the ghosts were gone, replaced with grunting, growling and bones moving violently. The camp would have more undead roaming the grounds, four ghouls and a skeleton were roaming the grounds. The devotee was on high alert, making sure that none would disturb the witch.*

```"I'm guessing you're having trouble sleeping, wish I had a sleeping potion or something to help you. Want more blankets and maybe bedrolls? You can go back to sleep if you want, don't worry."```

*Almonde spoke with a concerned tone as she'd glance behind her, checking if the witch was alright. Clearly worried about the witch and wondering if the fates had something to do with it, maybe the undead energy that rose around the camp had ruined the atmosphere for sleep.*

*The grunts, screams and growling of the ghouls were distant yet loud, the drows were talking loudly or rather Maya was yelling loudly to a kneeling Gwylyss. With a cup of tea in her hand, the devotee would provide a simple update on the situation.*

```"So basically, it's been a few hours. Gwylyss found a gravesite nearby and brought some bones for Maya to work with. Now, I think she is whining about the scroll again. Oh. She also said that she'd want to speak to you when you wake up, but if you need more sleep than I'll just pretend that you never woke up."```

*Almonde knew that the witch had a nightmare or something but knew that was not her business to pry. If Esme wanted to speak on it, than she will when she chooses. A heavy report was thrown at the half awakened witch, the devotee wished she'd could have made it easier somehow.*

```"I've saved some mushrooms for you, and some tea."```
Merle
*Almonde's voice is distorted and nearly drowned out by Esme's own rushing heart beat. It takes her a moment to regain herself, rubbing the cold sweat from her forehead as her blossom tinted bangs fall in front of her face. The dream has left her cold and where there is confusion, annoyance soon takes place afterwards. It is something best left ignored but it has been so long since she had a dream like this... Was it due to stress? Lack of sleep? Perhaps an external force?*

"I am alright, I just... I had a weird dream is all, I was told I can be quite the active sleeper!" *Esme forcibly jokes as she attempts to mask any weakness in her voice.*

*She doesn't come out right away. The witch knows she is pale in the face and any sign of weakness will court disaster. With a deep breath to herself, such strange visions are sealed away and she soon embarks from her tent. Esme isn't wearing her hat nor is her hair braided. Her locks run long as per tradition of which she was raised. For an elven man or woman dare not cut their hair, it nearly drags on the ground. Of course Esme isn't Elven but the amount of time it likely took to grow out her hair is admirable.*

"I see Maya got new... Companions. I'll talk to her, are you planning on coming along or do you wish to keep watch?"

*Esme may be troubled but she is already concealing it well. The woman radiates warmth as per usual and is a beacon of light even in the underdark. Her bag is hoisted over her shoulders and her hand slides down her thigh to ensure the dagger is where it should. Even her boots are fit snug. Honestly, Esme would fit the perfect picture of a princess if she was not dressed up as the typical adventurer adorned in black leather pants. But she does not wear her signature choker. Esme is already feeling like she cannot breathe due to whatever those visions were paired with her dream. She does not want anything around her neck.*

"And do not feel forced if you do not want. I figured I would ask."
Calvin
*As she'd turn around to look the witch in the eyes, the devotee gave her a soft smile over her forced out joke. She could tell that a heavy burden was resting on the witch's shoulders but knew this wasn't the best place, once they finish this quest and left the underdark, she'd make sure to have a feast to calm those nerves. Almonde's blue eyes held a hue of concern and alertness, like a surprised barn owl. Her hand would play with her short hair, circling around her head while looking at Esme's long angelic hair.*

```"Haha, I see we're the opposite kinds of sleepers. Oh... Maya did speak to me earlier or more... Threatened me. Asked for a reason to keep me alive, I told her that you... Had an idea of where the scroll was and th- that if I died than it would only complicate a otherwise simple road."```

*She said as her blue eyes watched the witch radiate her warmth once more. Esme could be in the coldest northern lands and yet have the same warmth in her heart, Almonde thought to herself. Her eyes began to glance at the two drows who also looked towards their direction. Upon being asked if she wanted to come along or keep watch, she'd think to herself.*

```"Hmmm, I think I'll come with! If I had to talk to her, I'll want some trusted company. Might also be good to have me around, in case something odd happens."```

*Almonde spoke with a smile yet her tone was genuinely nervous at the thought of worrisome something happening. The devotee would rise up, still wearing her armor but keep her shield over her tent. Simply holding onto her staff like a old teddy bear that gave her comfort. She watched as the noble drow would enter her tent with a huff, leaving Gwylyss alone. The warrior drow would remain on the ground, before rising up. Letting out a deep sigh before his gaze turned to the human duo. Almonde had shared that the witch had an idea of the scroll, as she was threatened prior and cracked under the pressure. A little lie to calm down the impatient drow.*
Merle
"She threatened you?" *Esme's voice suddenly spikes up in pitch and for a tiny blip in the moment, genuine anger is revealed.*

*She has made a deal with Maya but she will not tolerate any further forms of disrespect. Upon hearing this, her gaze promptly dances over towards the direction of where the noble is staying. Her chest fills with emotion though her heart will not cloud her mind. She has been passive up until this point. The witch doesn't act in her girlish nature alongside Almonde as the nun circles her. In fact, the long postponed concerns of what to do has just been realized. It doesn't matter how silly Almonde may be or even the fact she 'handled' it. Maya threatened her life while Esme slept and that will not be tolerated.*

"I'll handle her from here on out. I am sorry you went through that." *Esme promptly follows up, her tone stern as she sets a hand on Almonde's upper arm before walking ahead.*

*She does not dwell on her dream nor is she focusing on the visions right now. As sweet as Esme can be, she is a product of the weave. It is temperamental, volatile and in some cases downright destructive. There is a darkness within Esme that has remain left to slumber for the last 172 years. Yet as she walks forward with her head high, her brow tilted in a slight rage. She holds herself equivalent to a noble, even a commander. She was trained to be a sentinel above all else and she will invoke that right. Most importantly, she will protect what she has made claim to be as hers. Almonde shall not be harmed, not physically nor verbally.*

"She is unaware that not only I am Baedaeth... But I am Yalura d'Tempere Ap'za (Omen of Tempered Fate). I have no intentions of being passive any further."

*All it took was a single sentence. Her tone is grim and even mimics the cruelty of which Almonde had likely dreamed prior. Magic radiates off of her and where once Esme had stepped, blossoms of white grew. They now wither and fade, reaching the end of their lifespans as the witch seems to deem it so. The fates are ambiguos, but they will punish those who dare to overstep their boundaries without discrimination. Maya is lucky enough as is to have both Almonde and her. But now she has crossed a line.*