Calvin
*Resting her warm hand onto her cheek, the devotee relaxed as she'd listen to the witch speak. A hearty laugh leaving her lips upon seeing the witch's dramatic reaction. It was then that she began to think. Esme was technically immortal, living for so long and yet all she wanted was love. Being held back by duty, Almonde wondered if she should learn from her. Was love really that precious to someone who lives lifetimes. The devotee questioned if she should remain faithful to her vows or perhaps seek out a family of her own. All the talk of romance had her face turning a soft red, as they spoke of the drow as well.*

```"Awww no, my beloved love story denied! Haha. Although, I don't think the drow spoke with heart. He spoke about her like she was a sword or a piece of armor to give his children. I've seen people in love... Then again, they weren't drow."```

*Almonde leaned back against her folded bedroll, her hands holding her warm cup. She reflected on the drow's words and seemed convinced there was a chance for the witch, like a desperate bard trying to connect two songs together. When the witch began to playfully squish her cheeks, a loud laugh escaped her lips.*

```"Haha, I think your freckles are quite adorable... Bewitching even."```

*Almonde said with a very mischievous smile that grew arcoss her lips, she'd tease the witch like a sister as she'd take a sip of her drink. Her mind began to ponder though, as her blue eyes were deep in thought for a moment. The scroll could be a treasure map, a great relic of dragons or gods, a powerful or even forbidden spell. She let out a soft huff out of relief, her eyes glancing at her companion with a smile.*

```"Bewitching, I believe it means that you're so beautiful and so gorgeous that he cannot think of anything else. But I am curious, my bewitching siren of a friend. How do you do it? Like you... Know, charm someone? Bewitching them? Haha, is there a love potion that you've yet to share with me or..."```
.

*Almonde said jokingly with a snicker, yet her eyes were filled with curiousty as if the question was spoke as a half joke. She was curious about it naturally, wondering if it was just a simple smile or a way of carrying yourself. A soft hue of red would grow from her warm cheeks as thoughts of romance began to fill her head. She'd gentky tap her face and try to change topics before the two drows would appear to witness a blushing wheezing fool in their camp.*

```"Err- would you like some more tea?"```

*Almonde said nervously as a smile that couldn't be controlled on her face, but there was something in her gut however, a lingering feeling of being watched. Her gaze began to look towards the bridge, along the path and in between the tall mushrooms. With the soft fire cracking and burning, she listened carefully for a moment. Then she heard it, the soft clang of two glass vials hitting each other. It sounded very nearby, yet her eyes couldn't spot anything.*

```"Oh, and Esme. I wanted to show you my staff and shield. Your eyes are sharp so can you help me? Look. At them maybe?"```

*The sudden change I'm topic and her tone was changed, the woman slowly got up towards her equipment. Bringing them with her. Almonde hoped that the witch could feel the sence of being watched as well, the devotee prepared herself for an attack or ambush. It was then, where another sound was heard. It was the sound of a bag of coins, coming from behind Almonde. Esme got a good view of some dirt around the camp beginning to form small footprints that weren't there before. The devotee glancing at the witch with a hue of fear in her eyes.*
Merle
"Drow love is... Fascinating. They love a cause, a legacy. That is not to say that they cannot love, their priorities are different than other cultures." *Esme quickly clarifies.*

*She understands that Gwylyss wishes for his bloodline to continue. How could he not? His best chance is that his offspring will be female, carrying strong genes of both parents and find their rightful place in the path of true conquest. To love ideology, to love a conviction that will guarantee the blessings and future of your leading generations. It is admirable even if it means that sacrifice must be done. But love is irrational. Esme may not have personally felt it before but she knows that there often can be no words to describe the thought.*

*She hasn't felt it before...*

*Not once... Right?*

*A strange sensation aches in the back of her mind, the haze taking over her. It's that feeling again, that missing piece that she cannot grab hold of. She is quick to shake it off, steadying her breath and putting on a smile as if nothing was wrong. This happened back when Noctis had visited her. Anytime this topic is brought up, Esme feels quite empty. It isn't from the idea that she cannot love. She has had years to come to terms with it. It bothers her none and to be frank, it is better that way. Love is dangerous for a woman like her. She has lost many companions to their elder years and the pain is no less each time someone passes. But her memories... They...*

*No matter. Keeping her gaze over at Almonde. She feigns a coy teenager, batting her eyelashes at Almonde as she waves the compliment off while holding a palm to her own cheek. Oddly enough, it is alluring so even when Esme is playing around, she is quite enchanting through and through.*

"And as much as I would love to say I casted something upon myself... I didn't." *Esme chuckles as she picks up wind of some of Almonde's true feelings. This causes her to get a bit closer as she smirks, holding up her hand to deny the tea for once.*

"Sincerity is rare. In two hundred years I have learned to be true to myself... This is... Unheard of to many. It is also alluring to many I would imagine. No amount of gold, no amount of proving yourself, no love potion can bring forth sincerity... True companionship is... Borderline a fairytale." *Esme's words are a little grim but they are true. As she smiles through them, she then sets a hand on Almonde's shoulder.*

"What I am trying to say is Almonde. That to be charming is to be genuine to yourself. Many would kill to have that, to believe that in their own. Partners are picked based on our own reflections. A sincere smile, sincere words... Sincere beliefs. That is what it means to bewitch." *She finishes with a cutsy wink before giving a nod*

*Though the hair on the back of her neck rise, something is... Wrong. She is making a point not to bring attention to it. But Esme knows that they are not alone here which is why she decides to play it off. Her hand is close to the dagger Gwylyss had given her and unfortunately... She may have to use it. Though she does attempt to briefly look over to see just how big those print are. Wait...*

*Without a second thought, Esme grabs hold of the dagger and jumping up from her position to throw it at the ground in the direction of which the prints had attempted to walk. She doesn't want to skewer the creature but she isn't going to allow it to steal from Almonde either.*
Calvin
*Almonde would smile and snicker as the two enjoyed a moment together being dorks, around the camp fire. As the witch played around, even Almonde began to see why the drow found her enchanting. She found it odd and amusing that quite her enchanting looks and charms, she was still rather shy or self conscious in a way. Her eyes peaked up with curiosity as she'd heed the woman's words and advice. Listening with a curious expression of awe, as it did make sence. Sincerity. Almonde always held herself to play a certain role for a certain task, forgetting who she really was. Trying so hard to be a nun of Calisto, that she forgot what she really was. A street girl from the Capital, who couldn't sit still. It was advice that she'd begin taking into heart, to be truly yourself. Not to fit roles, not to present yourself or act a certain matter. It's simply sincerity. She was at awe at the advice, until her awe faded into concern and alertness.*

*Ironically enough, she would not act very sincere as the devotee acted calm yet ready for an ambush. Planning the right tactics in her head, trusting the witch to watch her back. The footprints were small, smaller than even the two woman who could be considered short by many. They were slow and quiet, softly leaving a shoe print into the dirt. The dark one would hit its mark and pierced the soil, causing the intruder to gasp out in surprise. Jumping back and losing his concentration on his invisibility spell. Revealing a surprised deep gnome as the knife was throw at his feet, yet missed his feet.*

```"Wait. I know this looks bad but heed my words. I mean no harm to you two humans. Calm yourselves."```

*A deep gnome of dark ashen skin, wearing a hooded rope and holding a drow grimoire spoke with a serious tone that had a hue of fear and shock. Almonde stood up rather quickly, lifting her shield and walking in front of the witch. Her eyes began to scan the area around them, but before the devotee could speak.*

```"I intend to cast sleep on you. You're clearly not slaves or locals by any means. I saw the drow, these equipment and even that blade is drow. I am survivor of those damn bastards. You work with them, perhaps you hope to gain something from them. But hear me, they will kill you and dispose of you. If they say a ruby is red, they are lying. They promised me freedom, wealth and safety for my assistance. Yet, all that was waiting for me was a blade and a smirk."```

*The gnome began to look around backing away as he'd kick his footprints away from being too visible. His fear wasn't directed to the two humans, it was clearly from the drow.*

```"I... Listened to you two, you're good souls. They don't survive here, don't even make for good slaves. I urge you to either leave or kill the drow if you have the chance. Once they have no use for you, a cold blade will be your end. The bitch will stop at nothing to find Ludwig's grave. I need to leave, less they find out we spoke. Let me flee... And perhaps donate a handful of rations... Maybe weapons? The more you give, the more I can assist. I'm not doing this out of kindness, I don't want to see the tall bastards succeed."```

*The gnome said as his eyes began to dart around the forward path, before glancing at the ration that were in front of him. Almonde recently sat there. It was difficult to understand his intentions as a large cover of genuine fear would veil his other expressions. Almonde was quick to throw a question to the desperate gnome.*

```"What's this Ludwig Grave you speak of? Can't you retreat and run away from the drow? Secure your lives and maybe seek refuge above?```

*Almonde asked genuinely as she'd lower her shield as she'd notice the gnome's pack of bottles, coins and salvaged tools. He was clearly scavenging. The gnome held a serious face as it faded to anger.*
.

```"I can't explain everything, I only know bits and bobs. They search for a grave to rob, the same old hidden treasure shat. Ancient history. We stay and fight because we're a stubborn bunch. They took our home, our work and our people... And you expect us to simply run away? Allow them to succeed with ease?"```
Merle
*Esme does not jump to action to retaliate. Instead, she carefully walks towards her thrown dagger and pulls it from the ground, twirling it in her hands before sheathing it. His presence has just further complicated things. Esme for the most part is passive until the fates decide to put a dividing path in front of her. The drow or the slaves? Her heart will always side towards the solution that will avoid suffering. She can understand the Drow but she will never truly agree with them and now her own morality is being tested. Fate is a cruel mistress and as her duty to be on standby, to observe what comes and goes. It has decided the a slave end up at their feet.*

"Casting a spell on me would have been unwise, I am glad you did not." *Esme says with a small sigh. She does not mean to sound cocky, but over years she has grown exceptionally tolerant to magic as a whole. If something were cast, it would have been unlikely it would be just a dagger in front of the feet.*

"And despite how it may look, we wish to actually separate ourselves from the situation entirely. The intent was to avoid the drow if possible, but we would leave no soul to suffer in death either."

*She is fully aware of the possible betrayal that is to come. Only an idiot would truly think that any Drow would keep their word. Both women are clear threats to Maya. Gwylyss has already failed and as punishment given his possible affections, especially with how gentle he has been with them. Esme can only imagine as a means to prove himself he must deal the final blows. This is drow tradition and if Gwylyss truly wishes to commit to duty, then he will listen to her command. What Esme did not inform Almonde of was that she intended to sneak away. To come up with some plan that would allow Gwylyss to retrieve the scroll and the girls to separate before then. Not impossible but damn hard.*

"And here, I understand you were desperate. Take some." *Esme gestures towards her bag, even allowing the deep gnome to take a potion if he needs.*

"As far as this grave, it must hold some artifact I think that is a given. As silly as it may sound, we came for mushrooms... A pixies parasol. But it seems now we are caught in the war and must pick sides I would imagine. There is no way to divert the Drow and keep them content momentarily while your people regroup?"

*There is guilt as there is concern in Esme's voice. Right now they could be watched by Maya. The woman has the undead and familiars at her disposal. But the information the man can provide is too valuable to pass up. It is obvious the witch has wanted to avoid conflict from the start and has only attempted to help as far back from this situation as she can. But Gwylyss is likely no longer an ally ever since Maya had awoken. Esme holds no regrets, but this makes their situation difficult and the more she thinks about it the more the witch feels alone.*