To be entirely honest, she was pondering the merits of heading to the festival. It wasn't really any one thing in particular mind you, even if the packs of dogs of great and unusual size that walked on massive hind legs, their forelimbs tiny and flailing ineffectually as massive heads able to swallow a person while snapped and slammed into the head as they dragged them along. It was disturbing all said and done, but between those and the rotten husks, it made sense why those at the line offered weapons, incantations and sorceries of flame to go along with the preserving boluses. And the promise that she would be purged if she became infectious.
She could appreciate that as she ventured inside and explored Caeild. And not just running from rotten creatures that had been trying to penetrate her with their threads until she reached a site of grace to travel to safety. No, she was now just checking on a few things. Such as the fact that Millicent mentioned Mytheal was lurking around the Cathedral of Dragon Communion. Why exactly, the cutie was not sure even as she DID accept the offer to sit in her lap while they shared a lovely chat and polearm.
And then she remembered. Ranni promised, if fate continues, that a collar would be slapped around her pretty neck and mistress Ranni would have a second pet to take for walkies. You know, besides the fact that with four arms (with attached hands) she could make some very persuasive arguments. Hence why she was back in this red and rather unappealing land. Yes, there was some beauty to it... but it was ruined by the disease and the monstrous things it warped otherwise adorable animals into.
Still, a quick visit, chatting to see what the yummy one was up to... and then off to fight the general, for blue booty!
The cathedral was, as the last time she was here, in ruins. The belch of colored smoke was new, as were the pots, pans and various items more at home in a perfumers workshop than a church. Particularly one devoted to dragons. Too delicate for one, and... actually wait, the lightning dancing between some of the wires makes it fit in wonderfully for a dragon temple. And the fire. She was not quite as good on the maniacal laughter truth be told, that spoke of frenzy to her and those thoughts made her uncomfortably dry.
Happy thoughts as she looked over the man before her... the man who was laughing and not wearing a shirt. No, the sexy man was just wearing a pair of pants, exposing his tight muscles, his bronzed flesh to the world. He had an athletic build, more suited for fudging and running than raw strength, but one that promised a great deal of vigour and endurance were and when it counted most. Blood red hair, rich and vibrant to the point were one may think it a injury, reached his shoulders in gentle and carefree curls.
His hair was soft, almost liquid instead of solid as she ran her fingers through it. Which was promoting a chuckle, eyes the color of molten gold, lit and radiant from the internal heat, looked at her with amusement. A part of her wanted to test to see if his flesh was really made of bronze. "You know, oh tarnished, you really should ask before you go things like this."
Even his voice was sexy, knowing and rolling, just trying to wrap you up and hug you in those strong arms if his, but with sound! So, she did the reasonable thing. She licked his abs before she spoke. "I could, but I was curious." She sniffed as he raised an eyebrow, head lifting into the air. "That and I heard from Millicent that you were here, doing strange things." She batted her eyelashes. "May I ask what you are doing here?"
Because it likely had something to do with her plans. He tended to do things like that. Still, he nodded. "Tell me, do you know what the Scarlet Rot does?" Now, it was HER turn to raise an eyebrow and look around in a questioning manner! Hah! "As in, the mechanics of how and why it does as it does?"
She stared at him. "Divine bullshit."
The handsome bastard had the nerve to chuckle. "True. But rather, the scarlet part of the rot is an artificial imposition onto the original rot. As it stands, the scarlet rot is an agent not if destruction, but communion and transformation, using the disease, the rot, as a medium to connect those infected with certain degraded and profaned aspects of the crucible. Due to a number of factors, neither of these aspects need the consent or active participation of the one so affected.
Additionally, while the crucible aspects are primarily connected to Chitin and Mushrooms, the very nature of the crucible as the melting pot and mingling of all life, when combined with the fact that we are made of cells... Well, I could bore you with the theory but the practical effect is that it is possible for multiple crucible aspects to be expressed simultaneously. And unless you are lucky to have them manifest in the right way?" He shrugged. "Then the hyper aggressive transmissible cancer will mutate you out of control and leave nothing behind."
She looked at him. Carefully. And then spoke, each word slow and careful. "Could you repeat that again, but have your pectorals flex while you do it?"
He did not look amused. "How much of my explanation so far did you actually understand?"
Now, she could lie, or? "Not much. Something fake, something crucible, something about cancer? And are you going to finish?"
He took a deep breath, pretty eyes closed. "I am trying to cure the scarlet rot by hijacking the transformation vector and stabilizing it."
She oohed at that. As it sounded impressive. "So... you want me to test it on General Radahn?"
Because that was the most likely thing... even as he shook his head. "No. Rather, I would like you to give it to Millicent. If it works... Well, we can try offering it to her mother when you visit the Haligtree. But, as your taking part in the festival..."
He pulled out a crystal on a string. "Mind bringing this back afterwards?"
Another mysterious trinket whose purpose he would be vague on. And there was something rotten as Godrick about this as she narrowed her eyes. "And why won't it work on Radahn?"
Because he was willing to use it on others. "At the moment? While his soil is mostly intact, mentally he is a hush whose mastery of gravity magic is so good he can still use those sorceries on instinct with his mind having rotted away. This alchemical method will not work on him. No, something a touch more... involved will be needed "
Okay, that was fair. Time to heal a cute girl and her MILF!