I know you’ve been gnashing your teeth at the suspense, but gnash no longer! The next chapter of the Twitter RP is here. By my count, we’re up to installment four, but who’s counting?

If you find yourself asking what this is, you can catch up by reading The ORB, The Date, and The Chase (in that order). If you find yourself asking WHY this is… well, stay tuned. I will be posting a bit about the reasoning, the lessons learned, and the fun to be had within the confines of 140-character story writing in the coming weeks.

Without further ado… 

@Arcania  After a trying night and a few hours of exhausted sleep, Nysse is woken by strong hands gripping her wrists, tugging her arms back.

@Rhoelyn Nysse awakes with a jerk and immediately tries to free her hands. It takes a few moments more to open her heavy lidded eyes.

@Arcania A familiar voice near her ear rumbles, "Be calm, girl. We’re here to help." Valerio holds her while Rhese growls from nearby.

@Rhoelyn  "What are you doing? You shouldn’t be here, Val. You weren’t fit to travel!" Nysse frowns, tugging at her hands & looking at Rhese.

@Arcania  "Between the Druids and Calinea, I made a swift recovery. Are you calm? I will release you if you will wait and listen," he says.

@Rhoelyn Forcing herself to relax, Nysse nods. "One of these days we should meet on better terms." She sighs, "I’m willing to listen."

@Arcania "I agree," he says, releasing her. Rhese growls, again, struggling nearby. "Maxinquay, if u don’t let me up, I swear, I WILL bite!"

@Rhoelyn Nysse calls out to Rhese, "Relax before you hurt something… Namely yourself." She turns to Val, "Mind explaining now?"

@Arcania  He does so, grumbling something barely intelligible to Max about "embarrassing him in front of the lady". Calinea steps up to Nysse.

@Rhoelyn Nysse focuses on Calinea and nods in greeting. She rubs at her wrists before getting her feet with groan for her stiff muscles.

@Arcania Calinea nods, her quiet smile friendly and warm. "Thank you for finding Rhese, and for helping him. Are you injured?"

@Rhoelyn "It was for Rhese." Nysse pauses. "I’ve just a few bruises. Nothing that a good meal and a night’s sleep wouldn’t cure."

@Arcania  "Very well." The draenai priest nods. "I apologize for the confusion, but your companion got muddled. We had to halt your travels."

@Rhoelyn Nysse blinks in confusion. "What do you mean? We had stopped to rest. I’d taken them away from him before we stopped."

@Arcania  A few paces away, Rhese grits his teeth. "I’m not muddled, Cal! We have to destroy those things. Let me go!" Calinea ignores him.

@Rhoelyn "Is that what they’re referring to, Rhese? They don’t want us to destroy them? Buy why?" Nysse looks between Rhese and Cal.

@Arcania  "Because this is not the way to destroy them," Cal answers, turning to address Rhese. "Remember the failsafe, Rhese. I am certain."

@Rhoelyn "Failsafe?" Nysse rubs at the bridge of her nose, feeling a headache coming on due to the lack of sleep. "What failsafe?"

@Arcania  Rhese answers her, sounding uncertain. "The failsafe… Cal never gets near the orbs. Ever. She should be clear-headed." Max nods.

@Rhoelyn  "Good failsafe. They make my skin crawl even if I’m not carrying them." She looks at Cal. "So, clear headed one, what -do- we do?"

@Arcania "We get you two and the orbs back to the Cenarion Refuge, where they can contain these with the others." Cal gestures vaguely.

@Rhoelyn "No offense, but I don’t like the idea of just containing these." Nysse frowns. "They’ve nearly killed several people."

@Arcania Cal smirks. "Nor do I, but for now, we aren’t sure how to destroy them. Before he was overwhelmed, Rhese told me the orbs (c)

@Arcania (c)-wanted- to come to Shadowmoon Valley. I think it’s a safe assumption that what they want is what we do not." Rhese frowns.

@Rhoelyn  Nysse frowns as well thinking, "He also mentioned the Netherstorm… the Void. Said something about ‘pieces are escaping’ while (c)

@Rhoelyn holding onto the Orbs. He mentioned Shadowmoon after I took the orbs away. Something doesn’t seem right." She watches Rhese.

@Arcania  The druid meets Nysse’s gaze, answering her unasked question. "I … don’t know. I was so sure about Shadowmoon, but…" He shrugs.

@Rhoelyn  "I can’t discount what Rhese said without knowing more. I owe him." Nysse glances at the others before looking to Rhese again. (c)

@Rhoelyn She walks to Rhese and holds his gaze. "Do you remember why you thought they could be destroyed there? Or mentioned the Void?"

@Arcania  He sighs, flexing his wrists under Max’s iron grip. "I don’t remember … anything about the Void. Shadowmoon just… feels right."

@Rhoelyn  Nysse looks grim, and speaks reluctantly. "Let me carry them. If I want to go to Shadowmoon, then we know what not to do for sure."

@Arcania  Rhese scowls. "Absolutely n-" "Yes." Calinea interrupts him, weathering his glare. "It makes sense. Valerio, watch her carefully."

@Rhoelyn  Nysse gently squeezes Rhese arm. "It’s the only way to be sure.." She grins weakly before walking over and picking up the orb pack.

@Arcania  Rhese growls ferally, renewing his struggles against his friend. "Cal! Don’t let her do this!" Max grimaces, but no one relents.

@Rhoelyn Nysse smiles once more at Rhese, "It’s okay." She hugs the orbs to her chest and lets the hum enter and overtake her mind.

@Rhoelyn Nysse groans as her eyes glass over. She stumbles a few steps forward. She mouths, "Shadowmoon" and takes a few more steps.

@Arcania  Valerio grabs her with firm hands, tugging the pack from her grip. He holds it by the strap, as far away from them both as he can.

  @Rhoelyn Nysse attempts to hold onto the pack. She kicks at Valerio in an attempt to get him to let go. Her eyes are fully blank.

@Arcania Valerio grunts, protecting himself as best he can and keeping a firm hand around Nysse’s arm. "A little help, here!"

@Rhoelyn Nysse yanks hard on the pack while shoving a foot into Valerio’s shin. "Need to go… must… must give me the orbs…"

@Arcania  Max releases Rhese, and the two rush to help, the druid grabbing Nysse around the waist to pull her away just as Val’s grip fails.

@Rhoelyn  Nysse flails and almost hits Rhese with the pack. "Listen to me! I need to go!" She seems to be avoiding hitting Rhese directly.

@Arcania  The druid wraps a hand over her eyes, holding her head back against his shoulder and shooting Max a meaningful look. "Why, lovely?"

@Rhoelyn  Nysse clutches the bag to her chest, but stops fighting Rhese. "It’s where I -should- go. They…" The huntress doesn’t continue.

@Arcania "They what, Nysse?" Rhese speaks soothingly to her, close to her ear, while Max creeps up, ready to snatch the pack.

@Rhoelyn Nysse’s voice drops to a whisper. "They… they need to go to Shadowmoon Valley. They need -me-… Please… let me go…"

@Arcania Rhese shakes his head. "No, lovely. I don’t think you’d like what you found there." At his signal, Max rips the pack away.

@Rhoelyn Nysse cries out, "No! Why?!" For just a moment she strains against the druid’s grasp. Finally, she trembles and relaxes.

@Arcania Max takes the pack across the camp, dropping it disdainfully to the ground. Rhese slowly lifts his hand from over Nysse’s eyes.

@Rhoelyn The huntress just shudders for several moments. "I can still hear them…" Nysse turns and looks to Rhese with haunted eyes.

@Arcania Worried, Rhese takes her hands. "Don’t listen, Nysse. Push them away. Let’s walk and get some distance to clear your head."

@Rhoelyn Nysse holds onto his hands. "They always seem to affect me more than others… I really hate them…" She follows Rhese’s lead.

@Arcania  The druid glances back at Calinea, nodding slightly as he leads her out of their makeshift camp, farther from the pack. "Relax…"

@Rhoelyn It takes several minutes of walking before Nysse seems to be able to relax. "I think I need to never do that again. Ever."

@Arcania  Rhese smiles at her. "I was about to tell you the same thing. But it was very brave of you to take that risk, lovely. Thank you."

@Rhoelyn  Nysse chuckles and smiles. "It’s good to see you again, Rhese… For you, I was willing to risk it." She blushes and looks away.

@Arcania  "Now, there’s the smile I remember." Grinning, he starts slowly guiding them back toward camp. "I knew we could find it, again."

@Rhoelyn  "Rhese…" Nysse shakes her head and chuckles. She walks beside him and leans against his side tiredly. "Your friends wear me out."

@Arcania Beside her, Rhese rolls his eyes, tucking an arm around her shoulders. "TELL me about it."

@Rhoelyn  Nysse looks slightly embarrassed as they walk into the camp site. She grins at him, "Well, at least we know where to avoid now."

@Arcania  "Yes." Calinea steps forward, handing Nysse some rations. Rhese releases her and goes to slug Max in the shoulder, a small revenge.

@Rhoelyn Nysse takes the rations. "Thank you." She bites hungrily at it. "I was starving. Didn’t bring near enough rations or supplies."

@Arcania Calinea nods. "Yes, well. Eat and rest up a few minutes. We should leave for the Refuge as soon as possible." She turns away.

@Rhoelyn Nysse rolls her eyes and eats. Sitting on a rock, she swigs from her canteen. "Where’s Tsume?" The huntress looks for her wolf.

@Arcania  Valerio answers her, his gaze following Cal as she offers rations to the others. "As I was not certain what we might encounter, (c)

@Arcania  (c) I politely asked her to remain behind at the Refuge." He glances out at his own wandering wolf, watching him sniff at a tree.

@Rhoelyn  Nysse nods and finishes her meal. "Am I to be left in the dark when we reach the Refuge or do I get to accompany this time?" (c)

@Rhoelyn Her gaze settles on Val with a certain amount of challenge, "I -have- risked myself with these orbs multiple times."

@Arcania  Valerio shrugs, glancing at the others. "The girl has a point." Max points out, "And Sansea is out for the count. We’re down one."

@Rhoelyn Nysse looks to Calinea and Rhese. "And you?" She stands and stretches out her sore muscles in preparation for travel.

@Arcania Rhese folds his arms stubbornly. "I want you as far away from all of this as possible." Beside him, Cal points out, (c)

@Arcania  (c) "Ysiel makes the huntress’s assignment decisions, regardless. I will consider asking her for help while we make our way back."

@Rhoelyn Nysse doesn’t respond to Rhese, but nods at Cal. "Fair enough." She glances at the others. "I’m ready to travel when you are."

@Arcania  The group heads out, leaving Valerio to erase the signs of their camp. Rhese pulls Cal off to the side as they walk, conversing.

@Rhoelyn  Nysse watches, able to guess the topic, as she walks. "Do you know if he’s normally like… this?" She gestures and glances at Max.

@Arcania  Maxinquay smirks, meeting her gaze. "Like what, exactly? The mule-headed obstinacy? The league-wide protective streak? The smell?"

@Rhoelyn Nysse laughs, "The stubborn league-wide protective streak." She grins, "He hasn’t figured out that it’s not his choice alone."

@Arcania "Yea, that’s fuzzbutt for ya," Max says with a shrug. "He thinks it’s his job to protect the worlds from themselves, no matter what"

@Rhoelyn "Oi! Fuzzbutt! Let the lady be! It’s not her you need to be convincing! Or are you trying to make me jealous?" Nysse teases.

@Arcania  Rhese raises his head from their conversation, blinking. He shoots Max a lighthearted glower. "Stinky corpses should stop yapping."

@Rhoelyn Nysse laughs again, "Get your butt over here, Rhese. I can guess what you’re talking about and I have a hunch it’s me."

@Arcania  The druid excuses himself to Calinea, leaving her looking amused, &  makes his way over to where Nysse is walking. "My lady calls?"

@Rhoelyn  "I do, my dear Rhese." Nysse smiles gently, "And she has a request of you. Will you honor it?" She adjusts her bow on her shoulder.

@Arcania  Rhese smiles, sketching her a gallant bow. "As long as my lady doesn’t ask me to let her willingly walk into this mess, I will."

@Rhoelyn  Nysse speaks sharply in annoyance,"This is my choice. Would you rather me in danger AND blind?" She stops & puts a hand on her hip.

@Arcania  He stops as well, folding his muscular arms across his chest, his voice gentle."No, lovely. I would rather you stay OUT of danger."

@Rhoelyn  Nysse glares, "I owe you my life. I don’t owe you my right to choose. I’m used to danger." She mimics Rhese and crosses her arms.

@Arcania  He frowns. "Fine. You have the right to choose. So how wise is it for someone with an admitted weakness for the orbs to hunt them?"

@Rhoelyn  Nysse growls under her breath, "Because that makes me sensitive to them. Hearing them easier also means I know if one’s nearby."

@Arcania "And it means that you’re going to get your will sucked away every time we blink." He stands resolute. "You can’t want that!"

@Rhoelyn "Want?" Nysse shakes her head. "No more than I want to see someone hurt." She meets Rhese’s gaze, "But they’ll call either way. (c)

@Rhoelyn  Maybe next time I’ll be alone again. To seek them means to face them on MY terms, be prepared… To have someone to watch my back."

@Arcania  Rhese sighs, shaking his head. "… you make a good point, and I don’t like it. Fine. If this is what you want, I won’t stop you."

@Rhoelyn  Nysse steps forward and rests her hands lightly on his arms. "I don’t like it either but I’d rather have someone to watch my back."

@Arcania "You’ll definitely have that much, Nysse," he assures, grabbing her hands & squeezing them gently. "C’mon. I need to spot Max."

@Rhoelyn  She smiles fondly at the druid, "Yes, I’m sure he’s more than ready. Go on, put your stubbornness to use." Nysse pushes him at Max.

@Arcania He chuckles. "Yes, my lady." He goes to take the pack of orbs from his undead teammate. In this way, they travel, taking turns.

@Rhoelyn  Nysse carefully chooses to keep a distance from the orbs, but even then she could feel their hum. "I’ll be grateful to get back."

@Arcania  Calinea, the only team member to never carry the pack, walks beside her. "As will I. I dislike dealing with so many orbs at once."

@Rhoelyn She nods, "We should be getting close." Nysse scans the sky. "Then we can get a mild reprieve. My skin is absolutely crawling!"

@Arcania  Cal peers at her searchingly. "So you really are that sensitive to them. Interesting. I wonder why…?" She looks thoughtful.

@Rhoelyn "It’s the same thing that drew me to the first one." Nysse shrugs. "I’d love to know why myself." She pushes a stray hair back.

@Arcania  "Perhaps we can have the the druids who’ve been researching the orbs examine you. This sensitivity could be meaningful," she says.

@Rhoelyn "By examine… Nothing too much right?" Nysse brightens, "Tsume!" A wolf rushes through the underbrush and barks excitedly.

@Arcania "I doubt Rhese would forgive me if I let them dissect you." At Nysse’s shocked look, she smirks. "Nothing too much. I promise."

@Rhoelyn Nysse raises an eyebrow after ruffling Tsume’s fur. "Hah! I expect not." Nysse grins, "I was referring to the orbs though."

@Arcania  Calinea tilts her head. "I don’t understand your question, then. Proper safeguards are always taken, but the orbs must be studied."

@Rhoelyn  Nysse shudders, "I know..I just hate those things." She meets Cal’s gaze. "Do you think they would allow me to have someone there?"

@Arcania Smiling reassuringly, Calinea nods. "I will see to it they do whatever makes you comfortable. No one wants to see you Taken."

@Rhoelyn "I wonder if he would…" Nysse glances at Rhese and back to Calinea. "Taken? Is that what you call what the orbs do?"

@Arcania  The priest nods, shrugging slightly. "It seems as apt a description as any. The victims’ minds are Taken by the Will in the orbs."

@Rhoelyn  Nysse nods. "Cal, I’m don’t know what you need to do when you get to the Refuge, but do you think I could steal Rhese for a bit?"

@Arcania Calinea gives her an odd look. "If you like. Once we debrief Ysiel, I’m sure we can spare him. He needs to rest, anyway."

@Rhoelyn Nysse’s cheeks color slightly at Cal’s look, "I’ll be sure to let him go to rest. I promise! I just wanted to talk to him."

@Arcania  Calinea nods, smirking. "Of course. Once we make our report, he is all yours." She looks up, noting the forest yielding to fungi.

@Rhoelyn "Should only be a few more before we’re there." Nysse grins and moves to walk by Rhese… regardless of the orbs’ hum.

@Arcania Rhese offers her a strained smile, the orbs loud in his head during his turn to carry them.

@Rhoelyn "It’s not much further, Rhese. Then you can finally rest." She briefly squeezes his arm before the noise causes her to let go.

@Arcania  He acknowledges her comment with the barest of nods, jerking at her touch. Glancing back the way they’ve come, he bites his lip.

@Rhoelyn Nysse looks at Rhese worriedly and encourages everyone to pick up the pace. She stays close next to Rhese; clenching her teeth.

@Arcania As Rhese trudges along silently, Valerio approaches and gently takes Nysse’s arm, urging her away from him. "Let him concentrate."

@Rhoelyn She follows Valerio, but not without a frown. "I just wish there was something I could do, but I can’t even be too close."

@Arcania The draenai shrugs, his expression typically dour. "He chose this burden, and … honestly, he’s good at carrying it. Most days."

@Rhoelyn Nysse nods. "He does, but I wish there was some other way to carry them. Where someone didn’t have to…" She gestures at Rhese.

@Arcania Val nods, following her gesture. His concern for his friend is plain. "The druids are working on… something.”

@Rhoelyn  "Let’s hope they have something soon." She looks to Val. "How long have you known him, Val? You seem to be really good friends."

@Arcania Valerio considers it for a moment. "In the grand scheme, not so long. But Rhese has a way… under the skin. Our lives are bound."

@Rhoelyn Nysse nods, "He has a way with that it seems." Nysse smiles gently at Val. "You’re a good friend to him, Valerio. I can tell."

@Arcania Val looks a little flustered, hiding in a deeper frown. "Well. We take care of each other. You’ll find out if you join the team."

@Rhoelyn "I hope I can. At least.. They’ll want to study me from what Cal says." Nysse absentmindedly rubs the ears of the wolf next to her.

@Arcania Valerio grunts eloquently as they step under the archway leading into Cenarion Refuge, the towering mushrooms spreading overhead.

@Rhoelyn Nysse greets a few of her comrades with a smile and a wave as she walks towards the building with Ysiel. "Ysiel’s on the balcony?"

@Arcania The Sentinel on duty nods, greeting Nysse and the others. "Welcome back, Huntress. She has been awaiting your return."

@Rhoelyn "Then I won’t keep her waiting any longer." Nysse looks pensive as she passes the Sentinel, knowing she left without telling Ysiel.

@Arcania The Expedition leader turns as they approach, her keen gaze assessing the group. She points. "Sentinel, escort Rhese to Morthis."

@Rhoelyn Nysse fights an urge, not her own, to follow. She takes only a single step before forcing herself to focus on her leader. (c)

@Rhoelyn She steps back with a pleasant expression. Only the set of her shoulders and a clenched fist betray her tension as the orbs leave.

@Arcania Nysse catches Calinea watching her with a knowing gaze before the priest also turns her attention to Ysiel. "Nyssera, your report."

@Rhoelyn Nysse nods, "Ysiel, after seeing to Valerio and sending an initial party to see to the rest with Calinea. I followed shortly (c)

@Rhoelyn after in order to check on the status. I found Rhese had the ribs and had left. I followed and retrieved Rhese. At his direction(c)

@Rhoelyn we were headed to Shadowmoon when Calinea, Valerio, and Maxiquay caught up. From there we regrouped and headed back here."

@Arcania Ysiel digests the report, nodding. "Huntress, I commend your swift action. You’ve likely saved lives by ensuring the orbs’ return."

@Rhoelyn Nysse bows slightly, then she glances at Cal. "We have also discovered I have a… sensitivity to the orbs. It may be helpful."

@Arcania The nightelf looks at Calinea. "Helpful how?" Cal answers, "I’m not certain, but I would like your permission to investigate this."

@Rhoelyn Nysse keeps her expression polite and impassive as she watches for Ysiel’s response. She rubs her thumb against her bow nervously.

@Arcania Ysiel nods toward Nysse, watching her. "If my Huntress is willing, you may borrow her time. And if you are all careful."

@Rhoelyn "It would be my honor." Nysse bows low before Ysiel and Calinea. "To save lives…If I can help in any way I am at their service."

@Arcania "Good. Then until further notice, you will join Calinea and her team. Stay safe, Nyssera." Ysiel rests a hand on Nysse’s shoulder.

@Rhoelyn Nysse meets Ysiel’s eyes, "I will. <Darnassian> May your troubles be diminished, honored teacher." Her voice is full of warmth.

@Arcania Ysiel smiles before dismissing them, her attention diverted by a messenger. Calinea turns as they walk out. "Welcome to the team."

@Rhoelyn Nysse nods at Calinea and smiles, "Thank you." She covers up a yawn with one hand. "Do you need me before I go find Rhese?"

@Arcania Cal shakes her head. "No. We all need rest, and I need to confer with the research team. Go ahead. We will meet at dawn, tomorrow."

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